{ MADELINE NICHOLE GRIFFITH }
{ OUR LONG-AWAITED BABY GIRL }I went into labor during the night, and my water broke at 5:20 am. After 9 hours of pain, the contractions got so excruciating that I gave in and got the epidural. I was so glad I did! About 4 hours later, after pushing for 10 minutes, this perfect little tiny baby was finally placed in my arms. Truly a miracle!
{ FIRST BATH }Madeline screamed and cried, until the nurse swaddled her and started scrubbing her head. She seemed to like having her head massaged, but she still hates taking a bath. She screams every time we place her in the water. It can get pretty intense! Last time we bathed her, I had a pounding headache by the time it was over! We hope she will get more comfortable and soon learn to enjoy a nice warm soak in the tub.
{ TINY }
{ DADDY & MADELINE }My sweet Nate. He was right there beside me from the second my water broke, til we (err, I guess I should say HE) finally put her in her car seat and drove home. He was an amazing support and I never could have gotten through this without him by my side. He even made sure I had my Lorna Doon cookies whenever I needed a shortbread fix! Thank goodness he has already done this once before - he's taught me so much. I'm pretty sure I didn't change a single diaper for the first week or 2 of Madeline's life! He is so good at taking care of his girls - no matter what we need, he is there, and happy to help. Lucky us.
{ BIG SISTER }Natasiah loves her baby sister and wants to hold her any chance she gets. What a lucky little baby to have such a great big sis to take care of her!
{ LOVE THIS VIEW }The new Intermountain Medical Center opened a couple months before we delivered. They built the labor and delivery wing so all the rooms have a great view. We were happy to be able to look out at the gorgeous mountains during the 2 days we were there.
{ GRAMMY LINDA }I was so grateful to have my parents with me to share this experience. Mom and Dad came to stay with us on December 21st. I was really hoping to have this baby early, but she came 4 days past the due date (January 2) instead. It was so nice to spend time with Mom and Dad during the holidays, and have them there for Madeline's birth. Mom was an incredible support and coach through each contraction. I couldn't have gotten through it without her. After Madeline was born, Mom and Dad stayed with us for 10 more days. They cooked, cleaned, held the baby, practiced spelling words with Tasiah, and took such good care of all of us the entire time. We were all sad when they had to leave. It's been a while since I've been able to spend that many days in a row with my parents. It was lots of fun, and I think we all started to get used to seeing each other every day. They were a tremendous help and I don't know what we would have done without them. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
{ LOOKING OUT }
{ SO LITTLE }Looking at this picture, I can't believe how small she was! Just 3 months later, she fills up this same tub! She is growing way too fast!
{ CAPITOL REEF }At the beginning of February, we got out of the house for the first time since Madeline was born, and drove down to Torrey to spend a few days with Mom & Dad. It was so nice to finally get some fresh air, sun, and exercise! I needed it bad. We hiked every day while we were there.
{ GRANDPA CHIP }
{ MY SWEET GIRL }
{ BIRTHDAY SMILE }This was taken on my birthday. What a great gift! I couldn't ask for anything better than a smile from my little one. This was one of her first "real" smiles. By about 5 pm that day, I was overwhelmed and in tears (the first couple months were a little rough) but these smiles make it all worthwhile.
{ CHILLIN' AT WORK }My job is letting me bring Madeline to work until she is 6 mo. old. This was taken in our office.
