A VERY busy first week!

Brynne's first 9 days of life have been ridiculously full of fun events.
Day 1 - Well, birth!
Day 2 - Lots of visitors
Day 3 - First car trip
Day 4 - Big Brother Koda's Christmas program & first Holly's experience
Day 5 - First shopping trip to Lubbock and first visit to Mom's office
Day 6 - Aunt Abby & Cousin Glyn came to visit (with her first Baylor blanket!)
Day 7 - Big Brother Koda's Christmas party
Day 8 - Daddy's Christmas party
Day 9 - First doctor's appointment (she's up to 6 lbs 9.5 oz), Mom's Christmas party...oh yeah, and a car wreck! (We're all fine, got rear ended in the wonderful holiday traffic!)
WHEW!
She's been a trooper. She's been really alert and GREAT with the passing from one person to the next.

I know, I know... Brynne's story!

So the last time we "talked" I was having contractions and not sure if they were real. Well, they were! And if I had waited any longer I might have had Brynne at work. About 10:45, I called Dr. Burke's office & asked if they thought I should come in & get checked. The nurse said to wait until they were progressively stronger and consistently timed, to take some Tylenol to see if that helped and then decide. That took about 15 more minutes for me to decide to go in. I sat at my desk with my feet propped up.

Megan got me some tylenol & Jordan, Ann, & Stephanie stood watch. 10:55, 11:00, 11:05, 11:10...ok, uh Megan...call Hottie! Operation baby (as Megan called it) was underway. I called Craig and told him I was going in to get checked and he said he had already left work and was headed to Lubbock. (He's never driven that fast...EVER!)

Hottie called Abby and then we headed to the hospital. Hopsital arrival time 11:40 am...I walked up to the 4th floor nurses desk and calmly explained that I thought I was in labor. They had me fill out one piece of paper and room 1 was mine. I was at a 6! So, we stayed...Craig arrived right around noon. No epidural yet...still waiting

About 12:40, the anesthesiologist got out of a C-section (with Dr. Burke) and I finally got what I thought was going to be some relief...not so much. Too bad the shot wasn't satisfaction guaranteed because the pain medicine never caught up with Brynne. They checked me again and I was at a 9. About two seconds after they said they'd be back to check in a little bit, I demanded that Craig go get 'em cause she was coming. One very loud yell & only one push later, Brynne was here. 1:58pm 6 lbs 6 oz & 20 inches of beauty.

I never believed I could do the "all natural" delivery...but we did it. I say "we" because the only way I made it through that was the Lord & Craig! Suprisingly, I feel better now than I did after Koda.
Everyone made it in time for her birth. Bill & Kathy are especially excited to have their 1st granddaughter after 4 grandsons! And Mom & Billy Max now have 5 granddaughters & three grandsons with one more girl on the way!
I'll have to think about how many great-grands on both sides but I think she's #10 on the Norman side, #11 on the Bigham side, and #5 on the Flanigan side. I could be wrong... AND she's also a great great grandchild - #17 I think.

Koda is very excited about his little sister and wakes up wanting to hold her & kiss her!

Contractions!

So I've been having some contractions this morning. Not sure how "real" they are since I was induced with Koda and was feeling goooooood with the epidural by the time I had any contractions. It could be today...AHHHHH!!

I've been meaning to list my thanks for the last couple of days and I know it's really only for me but writing it down in a "public" place makes me feel MUCH more appreciative for all we've been blessed with.

So today, I'm thankful for...
1. Craig - he's so awesome!
2. A boss that doesn't drive me crazy
3. New friends & the rekindling of old friendships
4. God's amazing ways of reminding us that HE is in control
5. Grandparents & parents that are amazing examples of what a true Christian is supposed to be

Brynne's Room!

Yeah Jaryd! If you haven't met this guy, you need to! He ROCKS! We had some "slight problems" with the bed, basically we wouldn't have had a crib without Jaryd's engineering & welding skills. I was the genius who thought "No need to go buy a new crib, let's take an antique one that's been sitting in this house for 3 years and who knows where else for how long and redo it without putting it together first!" So Abby redid it and when we tried to put it together we were missing a very important part that connected the springs that hold the mattressto the bed. Ha! kinda need that. So, we enlisted Jaryd...actually I think Hottie volunteered him! It took a few tries, but yesterday he finished it and had it loaded in my car before 5:00, even in the yucky weather! I'm telling you, he's a keeper! (Hint, Hint, Hottie!)

Ok...it's 95% done. Just a few little things that can wait until after she's here! Thank you to everyone that helped in this craziness. You will never know how much we appreciate you willingness to help. Mom, Billy Max, Nick, Kristol, Abby, Bill, Kathy, Cari, Barbara, Hottie & Jaryd all had a major part in getting this room together. I can't find the before pictures but those that have seen it can truly appreciate the magnificent transformation! Have I metioned how thankful I am?

7 Days & Counting!

So pretty much any day now could be Brynne's birthday! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Translation: How have I waited so long to get all this stuff done? There are just not enough hours in the day. Last night I taped the 900 windows in Kodas room (ok not 900 but it felt like it on those French doors!) and the next thing I knew it was already 9 o'clock. How does that happen? Anyway, we're getting there. I even washed a couple of loads of Brynne's clothes, so she'll have something to wear when she does get here. NOW, I just have to pack my bag. I still haven't done it. I've thought about it, BUT unfortunately just thinking about it doesn't quite get it done. AND I just talked to Janice and she thinks we should get all of the personal items out of the New Deal house to make it look more "move in" ready. Add that to the list, well add that to Craig's list!

Trajina (our neighbor in New Deal) is pregnant too & she's having a boy! She finally got sonogram pics up on her blog...yeah!! We miss the Russells a lot. Koda said the other day that Emily was his girlfriend and that he wanted to go play at her house "next Saturday." He cracks me up.

Today's to-do list:
1. Go to New Deal & pack up as many "personal" items as I can.
2. Paint those aggravating French doors in Koda's room.
3. Do some of my own laundry.
4. Pray for energy!

Today I'm thankful for:
1. Sheri Poole - my favorite teacher
2. Koda & the fact that he said I was his best friend
3. Kendra - her strength amazes me
4. A healthy pregnancy
5. Bill and his furniture delivery service!
6. Family - especially those that offer to do the boring stuff like take things off the walls, pack boxes, etc.

Today I'm thankful for...

1. Sisters! (biological ones, in-laws, & those who are practically biological)
2. Abby - who spoils me!
3. Seat warmers!!
4. Jaryd - for being awesome & making her so happy!
5. Debbie Duckworth - for naming her daughter such a cool name, so I can name mine too!
6. Billy Max - what an awesome dad & car rental agency!
7. The deer lease - it makes Craig happy
8. A God who reminds me everyday how much He loves me
9. Air1 Radio
10. Megan - who remembers things that I try to

The Polar Express

Last Saturday night, Koda, Craig, Haddie, Melissa & I went to the North Pole...Seriously! And it only took about an hour! Tyler & Cari were supposed to go but poor Tyler got the croup and wasn't able to go. We were afraid that we'd have two tickets and nobody to go at such short notice but Yea! Haddie & Melissa got to go with us. Koda is still talking about how cool it was and how he wants to go again. If you get the chance this year or even next year, it's a great time for everyone.

I know Thanksgiving is past BUT...

Yeah, yeah, I know Thanksgiving was last week but I've been so focused on getting things ready for Brynne and what I "NEED", that I really haven't taken the time to be thankful for what I already have. It's been on my heart for a little while and I know that I've been asking for so much that God finally said, "Maggie, you need to thank Me for what you HAVE." So here's my Thanksgiving resolution...to post at least one thing/person/event etc. that I'm thankful for EVERYDAY. Yep...everyday. I should've started on Thanksgiving so today's list will be a little longer...

Thursday, Nov. 27th...I'm thankful for...
1. the fact that we can afford to heat/cool our house even if I'm burning up & everyone else is freezing
2. Craig has a consistent job, that's in town, even if he did have to work part of the day on a holiday
3. Friends & family to spend the day with even if it gets crazy & loud
4. Sharron

Friday, Nov. 28th
1. Kathy's awesome breakfast making abilities
2. Cousins
3. The day off from work to do nothing but sit on the couch

Saturday, Nov 29th
1. The Bartlett Family...that was a fun photoshoot!
2. The crazy Norman family (& lots more cousins)
3. All the good cooks
4. Abby's chocolate cake
5. Time to spend with Koda & Craig (we went to the North Pole!)
6. A husband that can sometimes read my mind!

Sunday, Nov 30th
1. An awesome Sunday School class
2. A pastor with a servant's heart
3. Mom & Koda time

Monday, Dec 1st
1. God's providing of random & unexpected checks!
2. Dr. Burke & her wonderful staff
3. A flexible & supportive workplace
4. Hottie
5. Billy Max

Tuesday, Dec 2nd
1. Koda's smile
2. Craig's ability to know when I need him (which is always, but you know what I mean)
3. Craig's cooking skills
4. Friends that show up when you need them (thank you Laura & Melissa)
5. Hottie's decision making, creativity & "heavy" lifting skills

Wednesday, Dec 3rd
1. God's unconditional love & forgiveness
2. Working vehicles
3. Technology
4. Educational opportunities
5. Freedom

Today isn't over yet, so I'm sure I'll have more!