Please keep us in your prayers.....

We received some bad news on Wednesday......Dave lost his job. Yesterday and today he has been working non-stop to re-tailor his resume and get it ready to send out. I was scheduled to go back to work today, and I had a very busy day. So we definatly had to make a lot of adjustments these last few days. Please keep us in your prayers and keep your eyes and ears open for any possible job leads. He's willing to do just about anything, even if its not related to his degree. He's just hopeful that he'll find a job in the near future. I know that in the end this will be a blessing. He was working 15 hr days (salary employee) and never being able to spend time with the girls or me. He's even been working the last few weekends. Hopefully he'll be able to find something that will allow a little more family time. I believe so much in the power of prayer, so I ask all of you to please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time! THANK YOU!

So far behind!!!

So I know that I'm really behind with posting, but things have been really crazy! The pics I'm putting up now were taken a little over 2 weeks ago. The first is when Ayla's cord fell off. Ayla had her 1 month check up this past Thursday. She was 50% in height and weight, weighing in at 9 lbs 3 oz...which is two and a half pounds from the weight she left the hospital. SOOOO unlike Madilyn. She was always 5 or 10% in weight and 90% in height. Anyway, the doctor told me that Ayla has colic and a little acid reflux. However, she seemed to think that if I MADE Ayla go at least 2 hrs between feedings that the colic and reflux would lessen. At that point Ayla was nursing every hour to hour and a half. She told me I needed to let her cry until it was feeding time again (at least 2 hrs). HOW ON EARTH AM I GOING TO LET MY ONE MONTH OLD CRY IT OUT? She told me that it didnt matter how old she was. And as far as her sleeping habbits, she said I should swaddle her tight, turn on some white noise, shut the door and let her cry for at least 20 min. AGAIN.....how could I do that to a one month old? I left that doctors appt very upset and cried most of the evening. But I thought, I had to at least try it. I was still on 4, one hour increments of sleep and I had finally hit a wall. I thought 20 min was too much so I would try for 10. Sure enough, there was some truth to what the doctor said. She cried for 5 min., was quite for 5, cried for 5 more and then fell fast asleep. As far as eating that night.... She went 2 hrs between feedings, then 3 hrs and then 2 hrs each increment after that. Only once did I have to listen to her cry for 20 minutes. SHe was such a happier baby the next day and I couldnt beleive it!! Apparently babies with Colic are uncomfortable so then they nurse because it sooths them. but then, they ate again, which causes more discofort because its so frequent. Its a vicious cycle. So making her go at least 2 hrs between feedings is definatly helping. Its not easy to listen to her cry when she wants to eat after an hour and a half (which isnt all the time anymore) but I know its definatly making her feel better to wait. I think it has helped her acid reflux b/c I dont hear much coming up anymore. Friday night was not as easy as Thursday night, but then last night was easier. So hopefully we're making some progress.

HELP!!!

Has anyone had a child that hates everything? I guess they say you never get 2 easy children. When we brought Madilyn home from the hospital she slept in her crib from the first night, loved her swing and her bouncer seat. Ayla hates her crib, hates the bouncer and hates her swing. WHAT DO I DO? She is happy and will sleep as long as someone is holding her but screams bloody murder otherwise. So I've been sleeping in the recliner with her either in my arms (supported by the boppy) or on my chest. I cant continue to do this! I dont want her to get in the habit of doing this, and once I go back to work (in 4 more weeks) I'm going to actually need to get some sleep....instead of 4 hours each night. If she were older I'd let her cry it out a little, but she's just too young for that. Anyone have any advice for me??

new pics

Sorry, not a lot of time to write. Things have been CRAZY!! Ayla is eating every 45 min and I am breastfeeding, so things have been difficult to say the least. I still havent had much sleep and I'm starting to notice it. Here are some recent pics.....

Ayla Charlotte Mealy

We came home on Valentines day and Madilyn was so excited to have "matching" dresses!

Ayla arrived on Thursday February 12th at 3:28 am. She weighed in at 7 lbs 2.5 oz and was 19 inches long. I had a 7.5 hr labor and pushed for 10 min. Unfortunatly my epidural had worn off b/c I progressed so fast (going from 5cm to 10 cm in 1.5 hrs) so from 2am on I felt every intense (pitocin induced) contraction there was! Ayla looks so much like Madilyn did when she was born. Madilyn is very much in love with her little sister and so far has only had a couple little minutes of jealosy........to be expected!

More progress....

Todays appt: 3.5 cm 80% effaced.

Almost there!!!

I received a call from my doctor yesterday wanting to know if I could come in Wed. evening to start my induction instead of Thursday morning. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Of Course I can! The earlier the better! I felt like asking......is today good for you? I would have gladly moved it up a couple days! So, I have an appt today at 2:00 and then we will go in tomorrow at 7pm for the induction. It cant come fast enough!! Madilyn is so excited to be having a sleepover at Mumma and Paappa's house and to come to the hospital to meet her little sister. Although, I had a dream last night that it was a boy!!! Only God knows. I guess we'll all find out shortly! Please keep us in your prayers!