Daddy 's Pick

 

I think Daddy does a pretty good job picking out outfits for his little girl.  We both agreed it looks like she has wings from the arm ruffles and maybe even football pads on top but over all super cute outfit.  Now can we just start fitting into the 0-3 months clothes and not all the newborn!!  

My Baby's Smile

Madison has just recently started smiling at us.  As you can tell you has a good head of hair and crazy hair days are frequent.  We love bows and headbands.
Some days I just look at her and ask where time has gone.  She is already 6 weeks old and growing so fast.  Mommy just wants to old her forever.  These moments are forever in my heart.

I Love Bath Time

Our Madison just loves her bath time.  Once she is in the water all she wants to do is relax or kick her legs in the air.  Here are some cute pictures :)

I love it in here

Mom and Dad love to give me a bath...Who is watching the me?!?

Wow that was great mom and dad!  (I was so little here, about 3 weeks) Can't you tell how much I have grown!!  I'm such a big girl now!

I am so warm wrapped in mommy's arms

My fuzz ball hair after I am done with my cozy bath

Our Sweet Baby

Our little Madison Taylore has been such a blessing into our lives.  Here are a few cute pictures...

We call her our little gremlin

Yawn

The properties of a good yawn illustrated by the Beautiful Madison Taylore

Step 1 ~ Begin with good form

Step 2 ~ Open wide

Step 3 ~ Enjoy the benefits of some extra oxygen

Emerson - Mommy's Nose is Scary! (Original)

Needs vs. Wants

I would always have this conversation with my Dad.  This is how it goes:

Cassie:  Dad I really need these shoes!
Dad:  Cassie, do you really NEED new shoes?
Cassie:  Yes, everyone has them and they are so cute!!
Dad:  Cassie that is a WANT not a NEED so you better start working.  I saw McDonalds was hiring. (He is laughing on the inside I know it!)
Cassie:  Thanks DAD!!  *Eye Roll*

Well I recently ran into a Need vs. Want situation.

A very nice camera was on Clearance at Target.  Our current camera is about 5 years old.  The camera is in perfect condition, takes great pictures and does not have a scratch on it.  So basically nothing is wrong with it.  But this awesome camera....is on Clearance (as I said before), is better Megapixels, has an HD video camera, looks awesome and takes great pictures.

I begin to ponder...What Would My Father Do?

I believe the answer starts with:
   Cassie do you Need that?

No......

But guess what?!?!  I GOT IT!!!

I know, you thought I would follow my fathers wisdom but yet again I REALLY wanted it!  And it is such a good deal!!!

We needed a video camera for the baby.  Really, it is about the Baby's needs now.  And this was a need for her to remember her childhood. (I know, I know, it really doesn't make sense).

Here is the awesomeness!!

Tummy Time

We frequently try and encourage neck muscle strengthening.  The bobble head baby is cute but....

Here are some recent pictures from our "Tummy Time"

Getting stronger!!

Pictures of February 14th, 2011

Birthing Story Part 2

The nurse checks me and says "Oh honey you are only at 2.5 cm and I am being generous."

What?!?!?  Are you kidding.  Let's review.

1.  Pain - Check
2.  Lots of Pain - Check
3.  Back Pain - Check
4.  Laboring for 18 hours thus far - Check
5.  Water Breaking - Not Yet

Well, ok I am thinking.  I want to cry right now but at least I can get in my laboring room and start the process.  Surprise!  The Physician on-call actually thinks I should go home and come back.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!  Does she understand the checklist...I AM HAVING SEVERE PAIN!!!

Thank God for my wonderful nurse who convinces the physician to keep me (I was going to be induced later that night anyway).  At 2:30 AM we go to the Labor and Delivery area where I get placed back on the monitors.  I can't sit, I can't lay, I can't walk but I really didn't want to jump all over the epidural just yet.  My goal was 4 cm then consider it.  Finally at 4:00 AM the nurse checks and I have made it to the magical 4.

EPIDURAL HERE I COME!  I must say that is the greatest invention EVER!!!  I can now even more appreciate the women who do not get one.  Are you CRAZY!  God bless you because there is no way!

By 5:00 I made it to 8 cm and my water had broke.  What, I didn't even feel it.  Yes...Not one ounce of it.

By 6:00 the nurse looks and says she doesn't even want to check me cause it may cause the baby to come.  And if I can wait until 7:00 AM then I get my OB doctor I had been seeing for the past 10 months.  Ok, cross the legs and hold the baby in ;)

At 7:10 my doctor arrives and 5 pushes later, at 7:31 AM, little Madison Taylore is born.  7 lbs 5 oz. 21 inches.  My beautiful, healthy baby girl.  Thank you God for our little miracle!

Birthing Story Part 1

To think just 3 weeks ago our baby girl, Madison Taylore, arrived into this world at 7:31 AM.  Time seems to go by so fast yet I feel like my time spent in the hospital was so long ago.  I wonder if babies do that to a person?

Our story begins on Sunday, February 13th with a few contractions and deep breaths.  At 7:00 AM, when I was attempting to get some sleep, I began to have contractions every 20-30 minutes.  At that point I was thinking, "These must just be those Braxton-Hicks Contractions everyone keeps talking about."  The contractions definitely hurt and were more than uncomfortable.  In my mind I began thinking about how I really need to get some laundry done if this is going to be the "Real Deal."  So I began with all those wonderful household chores like cleaning, laundry and scrubbing the bathroom floor.  The necessities.

By the middle of the day the contractions were getting increasingly worse but yet still sporadic.  I told Ben and Keila to enjoy a day at the Flea Market but Ben said he was just too nervous.  I believe is statement was "I can't go shopping when my wife is having contractions."  Ok, maybe it was a bit absurd!

By seven that night the contractions were about every 7-8 minutes. I was having to stop and breathe through them.  At this point I enlisted my husband for some extra back massaging {We went to a Childbirth Prep Class early and the whole class was about giving great massages..Heck Yeah}.  All was moving along and around midnight I decided to go in.

My decision was based on the fact that I had been having strong, painful contractions for over an hour, the pain was increasing and the massaging was no longer working.  Which must mean I am at least 4 cm.  AT LEAST!!

We walk in with all our suitcase, pillows and camera bag ready to have a baby!  We (Ben, Keila and I) are all so excited (well, I am just really in alot of pain but lets pretend).  I just can't wait for them to tell me I am actually 5 cm and totally ready to start pushing.

Um.... Not so much....