It's been a week Already?? Seriously???

Well, it's been a week since little Miss Payton came into the world. It really seems like we were at the hospital just yesterday - but in a way it seems like she's always been here. Maybe in some alternate world you meet your children before God gives them to you. Otherwise how do you explain how much you can love someone you've only known for a week, or how you can decipher what she wants when she can only make noises and facial expressions.

We have had a good 1st week - she is such a sweet baby. She's sleeping 3-4 hours at a time and she's a healthy eater - and when she's awake she's so alert and so cute. I am praying that this sweet angel stays this way.

Drew and I are of course tired - but we are both so blissfully happy it's hard to imagine that we were ever this happy in our whole lives. Drew has got to be the best dad and husband in the world. He is so sweet with her - he has affectionately named her "Doodle Bug" because she keeps herself all balled up like a Rolly Polly. He is even so sweet that at 4 in the morning when I've already been up 3 times - he will get her and kiss me and say I've got this one. See I told you - he really is the best. I don't know what I am going to do when he goes back to work.

My favorite thing to do right now is just to hold her and stare at her. I try to imagine if she liked it better inside me - or better here in my arms. Sometimes I catch Drew looking at her the same way. I know that from this moment forward - Drew will be the only person who understands exactly what I am feeling right now. It's hard to grasp the idea that we are now parents - something we have waited so long for an wanted so badly. And when we look at her precious face, we both know that she was worth waiting for. God really does have a plan, we just have to be patient enough for it to take it's course.

So now that all the mushy talk is over - here's a picture of our "Doodle Bug" at 1 week old.

Our Angel is Finally Here!!!!

Miss Payton Marie Erickson arrived October 23, 2008 at 5:25 am. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. and she's 18.5 inches long.

We went to the hospital on Tuesday night to be induced. They started a medicine called Cervidil to help soften the cervix and help to dilate. It was a 12 hour process and there was still no progress. Then they started a medicine called Cytotec - which they give to you in three different doeses. By the second dose my contractions were really getting strong. They ended up giving me pain medicine through my IV. I was still not dilated any further then a 2. They started the third dose and it made my contractions really constant and really painful. But still not any further then 3 cm. They gave me my epidural and then started Petocin to see if I could dilate any further. About 3 hours after the start of Petocin - my blood pressure started dropping - at one point it was as low as 75/32. The baby was starting to have an erratic heartbeat and starting to get stressed out. They stopped the Petocin to see if my blood pressure would stabilize and then stabilize the baby. It wasn't making much of a change so they gave me a shot of ephedrine to help raise my blood pressure. At this point they had switched from the external monitors to internal monitors but couldn't get a good reading. The baby was still up and down with her heartbeat. So they decided to do an emergency C-Section. Everything went well in surgery and when she finally came out she was perfect.

So.... 33 hours of labor - but a perfect little angel was born.

Drew and I are so proud. She really is such a beautiful baby.

She was so worth the wait - 13 months of trying to get pregnant, the week over her due date, and 33 hours - but so so worth it.

We are at home resting and enjoying this sweet baby that God has trusted us with.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us these past couple of days. We are so blessed to have our family and friends to be there for us.

We are so excited to start this new chapter of our lives.

Due Date - A Thing of the PAST!!!

Well, Today is Oct. 18 - and officially 3 days past our due date. Still no signs of Miss Payton making her grand entrance into the world.

If she doesn't come over the weekend - then on Tuesday night we go to the hospital at 8:00 and they will start the process of induction.

So maybe just maybe she will come tonight, Sunday or Monday on her own. Keep your fingers crossed.

But anyway you look at it - she will defiantly be here by Wednesday.

Week 40 - Is She Going to Come on Her Own?

We have finally arrived at Week 40! And we are only 3 days away from our Due Date!!!

Friday at the Dr. office the Dr. said that I was still only about 2 cm. dilated but she could feel her head.

She also did some thing where they strip your membranes. It is suppose to help bring on labor.

Well, this was all as of Friday Morning - and now it's Sunday and no sign of labor what-so-ever!

I went out and did some shopping on Saturday and walked and walked and walked - and nothing.

Then today I cleaned up around the house and still nothing.

So I am going to go to work tomorrow and make sure everything is taken care of there - and I guess I will go to work everyday until she comes.

If she doesn't come by Wednesday, which is the Due Date, then on Friday I have to go to the Dr.'s office and have another ultrasound to make sure everything is good and the fluid levels are fine and then schedule to be induced on Tuesday.

So - at least there is light at the end of this tunnel - we will defiantly have a baby by next week.

We are sooooo ready. Drew has been home all last week because he didn't want to be too far away at work and I know he is super anxious but he has been a huge help around the house and with the chores. I really am married to the best man in the world.

So.... stay tuned...... she will be here any day now.