Seven Days with Mary Ella

One week old

Hangin in the bed with Daddy


Sweet kisses



Hmmm...


Sunnin in the nursery...she had a touch of jaundice

Too many bows Mommy

Getting ready for bed

Sweet smile

We have enjoyed every minute of our first week with Mary Ella. She is a beautiful, happy, healthy girl. She is eating like a little piggy, peeing and pooping with gusto, and smiling and making faces that make her Mommy melt. I know that soon the days and weeks will run together, so I want to try to remember as much of our first days together as I can.

Mary Ella,

Friday, August 7th: You were born at 3:19 in the afternoon. You were bright-eyed and recognized your Mommy's and Daddy's voices. You looked at our faces as we met you for the first time. We already knew you and loved you, but finally seeing you filled us with more joy than we could have ever imagined. Mia, Gigi, Papa, Oma, and Opa made it to Little Rock in time for your birth. Soon after you had more visitors arrive: Cole, Jennifer, Mike, Julie, Anna Claire, Trey, Ranjo, Chad, and Janet all came to see you that day.

Saturday, August 8th: Your family looked at you and held you all day. Everyone said what a beautiful girl you were. New visitors were: Lindsay, Reese, Eli, Tom, Renee, Hannah, Nancy, and Leonard.

Sunday, August 9th: You got to come home! You had many people anxiously waiting on you. Gigi cooked, and we all had our first Sunday dinner together. Everyone went home that day except for Mia. She stayed all week to help take care of you.

Monday, August 10th: You had your first bath, and Michelle came to see you. You really started to eat well, and we loved that you only got up once in the middle of the night.

Tuesday, August 11th: We had a lazy day hanging around the house. You snuggled with Daddy, had lots of smiles for Mommy, and loved talking with Mia.

Wednesday, August 12th: You had your first doctor's appointment. You are growing well, and you were so good during your check-up.

Thursday, August 13th: You had your first photo shoot with Aunt Lisa, Johnny, and Heather. I had picked out two outfits, but you were so good that we changed you five times and got sooo many cute pictures.

Friday, August 14th: Happy one week! Gigi and Papa came back to see you. They helped take care of you during your second week home. We love you so much baby! What a beautiful first week we had!

First Doctor's Visit

Mia helped get her ready.

Waiting at the doctor's office

Mary Ella is braver than I am when it comes to doctors. She did great during her first visit! She weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. and was 19 3/4 in. long. She had lost down to 6 lbs. 13 oz. when we left the hospital, so I was very pleased with her weight gain. We had lots of questions for the pediatrician, and we were really impressed because she spent ALOT of time with us. We thought she might have a little bit of jaundice, so they did a blood test. She took the stick in the heal like a champ! She was more upset that the nurse was messing with her feet. Her levels were a little up, but not too bad. At the hospital she had blood work and a sonogram on her kidney. We have not yet heard back on those tests, but I will keep you updated. She seems to be a very healthy girl, but please keep praying that the cyst goes away and never gives her any trouble.

First Bath

Not happy

All better

Bath time is not Mary Ella's favorite part of the day. She only cries when she's hungry (well whimpers really), sometimes during a diaper change, but she really tunes up when she gets a bath. While my mom was here I made her do it, because I don't like making her cry. She likes her back being washed and LOVES her hair getting shampooed, but the rest is crying. Hopefully she will like it better when we can get her in her tub and do the whole thing right.

Coming Home

The New "Us"

First picture in front of the fireplace

The nursery is complete.

These were the little critters that were hanging out at our house all weekend and greeted us when we got home from the hospital.

Papa and Gigi with all the grandkids- Reese, Trey, Mary Ella, Anna Claire, and Eli

We had more company this weekend to see Mary Ella than we did the entire time we lived in Mississippi. She was visited by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and great aunts and uncles. I am so thankful we got in our house and had a place for everyone to stay while we were in the hospital. When we got home Gigi had cooked a Sunday roast with all the fixings. Thank you all for coming to Little Rock for our big event. Mary Ella is so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Mary Ella's Birthday

Proud Daddy

Mia

Super Uncle Cole

Cousin Anna Claire was so proud

Aunt Julie, Anna, and Trey

Uncle Ranjo

Great-grandmother, Oma

Great-grandfather, Opa

My sweet girl

This was actually the day after she was born, August 8th, her due date. She was one day early.

As I was posting her nursery pictures Thursday night (the 6th) I think I actually was going into labor and didn't know it! I told you about the surge of energy I got that night. I had gone to the doctor that day, and there was no change so I thought, Well, I better prepare myself to be in for the long haul and be induced the 17th. That night after dinner I definetely knew I was having some contractions, and I decided I wanted everything done RIGHT THEN. But honestly I didn't think it was the time. I was mortified of going to the hospital and being sent away for false labor so all through the night Thursday something was going on, but I thought it was a false alarm. Friday morning I got up, timed my contractions, and knew it was real. We got to the hospital at 8:30, and called the family, but told them not to be in any hurry. I got my epidural at 11:30, and she was born at 3:19. The only people that made it were Brad's parents and grandparents and my mom. I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery, and pregnancy really. It was a blessed day! Our little girl is absolutely perfect and so loved. We couldn't ask for more. Thank you God. I can honestly say, "My cup runneth over."

Introducing

Mary Ella Harriman

August 7, 2009

3:19 p.m.

7 lbs. 6 oz.

19 3/4 in.

Ready and Waiting

Finally! What a week it has been! We moved into our house last Wednesday, and every room is finished including Mary Ella's nursery. We had lots of help from our family- thank you all for giving up your weekend and putting up with my craziness. I would say I was nesting, but I think it's just the way I am when we move. I am totally relentless and absolutely cannot stop until everything is done. And tonight was the night! The finishing touches were placed on the nursery, and I couldn't wait to post pictures. I am so happy with how it turned out. I think it is just perfect for our perfect little girl. Now all we have to do is wait. My doctor seems to think she will come on her own, but if not she will induce on the 17th. The carseat is loaded, our bags are packed, hurry up Mary Ella so we can meet you!