3 Months...

This last month has been great!  I actually ended up staying home with Maggie all month!  Well, we didn't actually stay home much, but due to The Great Chicken Pox Outbreak of 2017 at Daycare, and a boss who was kind enough to let me stay home and not endanger my child, I was able to stay home an extra month.

We did a lot of stuff during that month, too.  We trained with Mrs. Sarah Vincent at the karate studio. We flew to Philadelphia to go see a dinosaur exhibit.  That was an exhausting trip which was compounded by the cold front that came through the Northeast, and the fact that DS threw up on me the last night we were there (too much junk was consumed that day).  The evening in which total crap was consumed, we'd gone to our first Major League Baseball game (it was a first for everyone but Scotty).  Maggie slept through the action and really didn't even see the first play as she remained covered up in her car seat the whole 5 innings we were there.  It was COLD.  We had a great time, though, visiting Philadelphia.

Maggie Lee has rolled over a couple more times and has even said a word, "Wow!"  I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as her first word since I think it was just a sound that kind of sounded like a word, but DS was right there when she said it too and he is pretty adamant that it was.  From a height and weight perspective, my little sweet pea is:

• Weight:
• Height:
• Diapers:  Size 1
• Clothes:  3 months

I am going back to the real world of being a mama who works outside the home, and I know I'll jump right back in there where I left things back at the office.  I will say, though, that I have enjoyed my time at home with my girl, more than I did with either of the boys.  I guess I have a better grasp on motherhood now than I did with them.  But also, knowing she is the caboose, I think, makes it a little more special too.  I've always said I could never be a full-time stay-at home mom, and I still maintain that since I know frequent personal training sessions, and lunch dates and middle-of-the-day visits with friends wouldn't necessarily be a regular part of our day.  But I do look forward to the routine that we'll get into since I've not done the greatest job of getting into a routine during my time at home. So I guess I should say that I've embraced it more this last go-round. So I look forward to going back to work.  And I look forward to the milestones that are coming our way with Maggie too!

2 Months...

 Maggie Lee,
You've grown just a little bit in the last month!  Your little personality is starting to shine through and I think you might be a little bit stubborn.  I can't imagine where you get that trait from...  A few things you like are nursing, being held by me, and NOT taking naps.  You are the Queen of the Catnaps!  You've slept through the night a few times and I thought for a hot minute you would be my earliest and best sleeper, but that has turned out to not be the case as you still wake up once or twice a night.  I can't really complain about that though as you are really good at going right back to sleep after you get full.  A girl needs her beauty rest...only at night, though, apparently!

A very exciting thing happened between month one and this month:  There's been an outbreak of Chicken Pox at daycare, so my return to work has been delayed so I can stay home with you a little longer to keep you away from infected kids!  I'm looking forward to spending this unexpected time off with you since I went back to work after 8 weeks at home with David Scott and Drew.  You're pretty good about going places as we are frequently out running errands, dropping off or picking up your brothers from school/daycare.  You especially love going with me to the karate studio for my personal training sessions as you usually either take a much needed nap or just sit there, quietly looking around.  We did have one sad, notable event -- Big Scott passed away.  Although you kids weren't close to Big Scott, the boys knew who he was and the boys had even met him a few times.  After years of fighting liver failure, his body could no longer take the abuse and he passed away a few days before you turned 2 months old.  You and your brothers were so sweet and well-behaved during the funeral and time surrounding that.  It really helped Daddy knowing he had his little tribe loving on him during this time.

From a milestone standpoint, you have rolled over from your belly to your back one time which I thought was rather impressive for such a young age.  However, I guess you are a really strong baby as people frequently comment on how strong you are and how great your head control is.  And they're right -- you are strong.  You're also kind, beautiful, smart, considerate, and respectful.  Well, maybe you're not all of these things today; but you will be!  Right now, you're still just a little baby who makes little baby sounds.  When we went for your two-month well baby check-up, here's how you measured up:

• Weight:  10 lbs, 8 oz
• Height:  22 inches

You are a petite little doll and are now in Size 1 diapers...but you're still wearing size Newborn clothes. You are still taking your Zantac for the acid reflux, and it seems to have made a huge difference in your life as well as ours since you aren't crying all the time anymore -- yay!  I love the sweet, gummy smiles you give me, and the way you look into my eyes.  I feel like you just know me and I just know you without either one of us even doing or saying anything.  But I guess that's how we were made with that parent/child bond.  I hope it always feels that way.  I'll try to remember this during your teenage years. 

Not looking petite with all those chins...

Maggie's Birth Day

Wednesday, January 25, 2017...

12:14 am - I can't sleep.  

1:06 am - Neither can the baby. She is apparently anxiously awaiting her arrival as well. Constantly moving

4:55 am - Checked in at the hospital

5:45 am - Getting the IV...yay for rolling veins...

6:07 am - Starting Pitocin

8:33 am -- Closer to 3 cm and Dr. G just broke water. Contractions have been picking up. 

9:00 am - Got my epidural; requested a popcicle.

9:15 am - Gran arrives!

9:30 am - Where is my popcicle?!?

9:40 am - One popcicle is delivered followed by two more!

9:45 am - MiMi is here!

9:55 am - Why am I feeling weird?!?  Oh, probably b/c my bp is 80/45. I nearly passed out. The nurse adjusts my meds to bring me back to reality. Apparently this sometimes happens following epidurals. This was a new one for me...

10:15 am - Did not pass out or die...thankfully. Feeling better. 

10:30 am - About 6 cm

11:25 am - Mamaw, Lee, and Kasie come in

11:32 am - Everyone but Gran goes out for lunch

11:35 am - Eek!  I am 9.5 cm dilated. Called Scotty to come back in; Gran heads out

11:48 am - Dr. Gautreau arrives

11:53 am - Getting prepped to push

12:01 pm - She's here!!!

 

MAGGIE LEE RAINWATER

6 pounds, 15 oz

20 1/4" long

 

 

1 Month

My sweet Baby Maggie!  I can't believe you are already a month old!  I would say you are such a joy to be around all the time, but that would not be completely true.  This first month with you has been hard, I'm not gonna lie.  And it's not the lack of sleep, or frequent nursing that has me down, you've cried...a lot.  More than the boys cried.  But!  I think we've figured out the issue and you will hopefully be less fussy going forward.

You see, about a week ago, I took you to the doctor for what I thought was a cough.  I knew there was nothing you could take for a cough, but I also knew I'd never had a 3-week old baby with a cough either.  So off to the doctor we went.  After describing your symptoms, Dr. K diagnosed you with acid reflux but as long as you didn't seem to be bothered by the frequent spitting up after meals, we weren't going to have to put you on medication to help with the effects of it.  However, a week later, after three nights of no sleep for me (literally it was about 3 hours each night), I could no longer handle it, so we went back to the doctor.  She agreed that we were at the point that you needed meds b/c you were clearly hurting from the frequent spitting up.  Zantac changed our life!  I took it the last couple of months of my pregnancy with you and you started taking it on the day you turned 4 weeks old.  It immediately started working and that evening was the first pleasant evening we'd had with you where you were not fussing for two hours straight.

Here are your stats for the first month of your life:

• Weight:  7 lbs, 15 oz
• Length:  20"

Not really too much more to report.  You're still wearing Newborn diapers and Newborn clothes.  You are waking up a couple of times each night.  You love being held by me and I love holding you as I know you won't be this little for long!  Your brothers adore you and they're such big helpers for me, although we don't let them hold you too much...they really enjoy doing so on the occasion that we let them, though.

Maggie Moo, despite having a rough first month, I am so thankful that you are my little baby.  I look forward to many adventures with you and our family and lots of girl time with just the two of us...even if Daddy keeps talking about Daddy/Daughter Mani/Pedis. :)

Reflections...

Tomorrow we meet Maggie. As I sit here tonight, on the eve of my daughter's birth, I can't help but think how life has changed for us in the last year. And wonder what the future holds for us. 

We all seem to have our hopes and dreams for what this little addition will become. But just like my hope for the boys, I want her to be happy in whatever path she chooses.  I hope she's successful. I hope she's a great speller (like her Mama!). I hope she has the drive and ambition like her Daddy. I hope she's kind and compassionate. I hope she loves Mexican food...and Italian too, for that matter. I hope she's strong...both physically and mentally.  I hope she has my blonde hair and Scotty's eyes. But I also hope she knows that she is loved even if she's not any of these things. More to come...

 

2016..

Well, I didn't really get back to blogging in 2016 like I'd hoped. Perhaps 2017 will be a better year. I guess it will have to be since there won't be any other method for me to document sweet little Maggie's first year as well as what is going on with the boys and our family in general. 

 

 

2016 was an exciting year for us. We went skiing in February. The boys loved it and they continue to ask us on a regular basis when can we go back. 

DS finished up Kindergarten in May. Mother's Day is in May. And Gran's birthday is in May. But May 2016, in and of itself was an exciting (somewhat surprising) month, as that is when we found out we were having a third child!  About 2 1/2 months later was when we found out that child would be a GIRL!   

During the summer, we went to the beach as we usually do. This year we had Law School Vacay and Another half week with just the 4 of us. Then we went back in September for MiMi's birthday. 

 

 

 

Of course, we had other birthdays that we celebrated during the year, including the arrival of Mae Roberts McGehee in August!  And a number of holidays as well. Drew turned 3 at the beginning of the year and DS turned 7 just before Thanksgiving. Holidays and time with family were celebrated. But I think most of the year was spent anxiously and impatiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Sister, Maggie. 

 

Here's to an amazing 2017 for the Rainwater Tribe...

A Little Surprise...

We're having a baby!  I am presently 20 weeks pregnant with a baby...GIRL!  She is expected to make her debut in late January. 

The surprise of getting pregnant and then finding out it's a girl has finally worn off. For the most part. On most days. A girl!  That part is still hard to fathom since it's been rough and tumble, blues and greens, trucks, superheroes, and legos for almost seven years around our house. 

A girl. She already has her daddy and her big brothers totally whipped. And she's not even here yet. Scotty told the boys, "Get used to it guys, this baby is going to get everything she wants." And I'm there saying, "Ummm, no!"  But I know where he's coming from. Because if either of the boys come to me with good manners and kisses and hugs  -- even if all they want is to share my seat -- they will get whatever they want. Most of the time. And I was a Daddy's Girl myself and could pretty much get whatever I wanted from my Dad, so I totally understand that dynamic. 

A girl. Someone to hang out with when the boys are golfing. Getting our nails done, maybe a little mother/daughter shopping when she's older. A friend. Someone to take care of her ailing parents in their golden years. Assuming she lives close by and doesn't move 2 1/2 hours away (sorry, Mama!). 

A girl. Lots of pinks and purples. Bows and dresses. Barbies and baby dolls and and toys with fixable hair. But maybe she'll also like football and sports. And not have to have different accessories for every outfit. 

A girl. Lots of feelings and emotions. And drama. Oh, wait a sec...that won't be new. Drew and David Scott (who are both SO excited to be getting a baby sister) can both be super dramatic when playing games that don't go their way. Or if they have to do something they really don't want to do. Attitude City. 

A girl. A nice change of pace. Helping to even up the massive amount of testosterone in this household. The Caboose. The baby.  The one  I wasn't even expecting...until I was.  

A girl...our daughter...MAGGIE.