Our beautiful and precious baby girl, Lily Kate Searcy, was born on October 7, 2010 at 2:13 pm. She weighed 6 lbs 13 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. Isn't she awesome? She looks so much like Cole when he was born - and so much like Rhonald. So...here is a semi short version of our labor story. We went in for an induction that morning around 5:00 am. When I got there the nurses started my IV, did all of the paperwork and I even got my epidural. I was hesitant to get it since I was not even contracting yet but I had such a horrible epidural with Cole that I went ahead and agreed. Let me tell you that a good epidural is a very good thing!!! My Dr came in that morning and broke my water. Things were moving somewhat slowly which was a little frustrating...after all, we just wanted to hold Lily so much! I was dilated 4 cm forever (ok...a few hours but it seemed like forever) when my nurse, Rebecca, came in and said "Let's turn you all the way over onto your side and see if it helps her turn and you to dilate." I agreed and during the first contraction after I turned over I told Rhonald "I feel lots of pressure." He told me to call Rebecca but, being the labor and delivery nurse that I am, told him that I didn't want to tell her I thought I was progressing and then find out I was still 4 cm. However, he said by the look on my face that I had to call her and when I did she told me I was completely dilated. She called the Dr and 15 minutes and one push later our sweet baby girl came into this world! Lily Kate came out screaming and full of life. I remember looking down at her thinking she looked so tiny! It was amazing to hold her in my arms and know that she really was ours to love forever and ever. We were blessed with lots of alone time that day which we cherished. Lily nursed well from the start and has not slowed down since. We took her to the Dr today and she has already gained 2 oz! Lily Kate had some trouble with jaundice and was in the hospital a little longer than we thought she would be - we were thankful for all of the people who visited us and brought food to us and shared in the joy of our sweet baby. It was such a different experience than when I had Cole. I felt great all throughout the day and afterward as well. I enjoyed my labor experience and was able to share in the day with Rhonald instead of being in so much pain and being so tired like I was when Cole was born. It was such a perfect and wonderful experience. We still cannot believe that this sweet girl is home with us. Becoming a family of 4 has been wonderful. She truly completes our family. Yesterday when Cole woke up from his nap the 4 of us laid in our bed and watched cartoons and it simply felt perfect. I know you are all wondering how Cole has handled all of this and I will tell you ... soon ... but now I think I am going to take a quick nap while both of my kiddos are asleep!
Can it be true???? Our sweet baby girl is due in only 4 more days (Wednesday)....our induction is already scheduled for Thursday and we are finally ready! Lily Kate has continued to grow at a slower rate but is growing non the less so my doctor is very happy with that. She is still a wild woman in there - kicking and rolling around all of the time. I am going to miss that so much. She is pretty low now so I don't have her booty in my rib all day and night which is nice. This may be too much info for some of you but .... I am dilated to 3 cm and 70% effaced. When I went in to have Cole I was not dilated at all so this is a huge difference for me. I am feeling great. Lots of energy - so much so that I can hardly sleep sometimes. I keep thinking of things to do and what needs to get done before she is here. We cannot wait to hold her and gaze into her sweet eyes! All I kept thinking about today was that this time next week she will be home with us! Cole is super excited and very curious about all that he is going to get to do to help with her. He is so tender hearted and loving towards her already. We are so anxious to have her here and enjoy her. Until then, though, we wait....and wait...and wait!
Getting ready for the Razorback game this morning Cole said he was so excited because he looked just like his Daddy! He was so thrilled to be able to spend the day with Rhonald...Razorback gear and all. I love to watch them together...to see the love they share, the friendship they have and the way they adore one another. May they always be the very best of friends!!!!
"Boys are found everywhere - on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older brothers and sisters tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them. A boy is truth with dirt on its face, beauty with a cut on its finger, wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the hope of the future with a frog in its pocket."---Alan Beck
I like to think that I am a pretty fun mom. I mean, we play outside every chance we get, we make up games and cook together. We go places and do things all of the time...but I have learned this summer that no matter what, I cannot compete with Miss Em's house. Cole has spent a lot of time with Miss Em and Ben this summer whether it be with me or without me. She has graciously watched Cole for every doctor's appointment and ultrasound and lab test I have had. I do not know what we would have done without her! Cole absolutely loves being at Miss Em's house and I have slowly learned why. Whenever I come to pick him up he has learned a new game or painted a new picture or had a snack of something homemade (yes, from scratch). Everything at Miss Em's is fun and exciting - especially because Ben is there to share in all of the excitement! Thank you Miss Em for all of the love you give and all of the time you spend with my Cole...I am so thankful for you!
Cole has been, in a word, AMAZING with his new sister. We did not know how he would actually react to her once she was born and we have been both impressed and thankful for the love he shows her every day. Cole loves to help change her diapers, burp her and he is anxiously awaiting the day he can give her a bath. He loves to be the one to get things for us if we need them (diapers, etc). The first thing Cole asks for when he wakes up is Lily Kate and he wants her near him wherever he goes. He loves to read to her while she eats and "play" with her when she is awake. It has only been a few days but I am so thankful to report that we have not had an jealous incidents from him. When Cole first met Lily she had a gift for him which was a big hit. Another thing we have done is that we have a basket full of craft projects and new books and coloring books for him. It is in my closet and the few times that he has seemed bored with our "at home lifestyle" we pull something out and do it together. I think having that one on one time with him has helped very much. While we were still in the hospital Cole made a birthday cake for Lily Kate and after dinner on the night we came home we had a birthday party for her. He seemed to enjoy celebrating her birthday as much as his own!!! Yesterday at school he was proud to tell everyone about his new sister and he even got to take cookies to share with his class. When you are 2 1/2 that is big time! I can see them becoming very close friends...and getting in trouble together as they get older. I could never imagine in all my life loving 2 people the way I love Cole and Lily Kate. What blessings they are from God above...we are so amazed every day with the life we have and the family we have been given.
