On the downward slope. . .

Sunday was Jody's birthday. . .he is now as old as me, 26! This year it was on a Sunday so it was crazy. It was also mine and Lizzy's first day back to church, I had gotten very bored at home and decided that as long as no one held Lizzy she wouldn't be that exposed to germs. After church we met my family (all 22 of us, minus a few) at Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill, Jody's favorite place to eat! Emma and I made Jody a Tennessee cake, a big orange T with white frosting! Emma was so excited to show her daddy and eat some cake. All-in-all Jody had a good birthday!

Two week check. . .

Well, Lizzy went to the pediatrician for her 2-week check-up yesterday and weighed 6lb 14oz! She needed to be back up to her birthweight (6lb 4oz) by this visit so that's fantastic! She's doing very well. . .eats good, sleeps good, she even gives us a stretch at night from about 11:00pm to 6:00am give or take! We're all doing well here, the girls adore her as well as her mommy and daddy!

Lizzy. . .

After four pregnancies and the birth of our third child I have really realized what a miracle having a child is and the magnitude of being a parent to that child. It's amazing that everything comes together so beautifully and perfect, so I thought I would share Lizzy's Birth Story. I had been having contractions for several weeks, but all day Friday September 1st they would get closer together and then farther apart. They stayed that way until mid-afternoon when they began to get stronger and more consistent. I called my practice and was advised to come to the hospital. Jody met me, the girls and Diana at the hospital and off Jody and I went to get checked out. Well it turns out I wasn't really in labor but since I was already dilated, we live far away from the hospital and my history of short labors they wanted me to stay and see what would happen by morning. They unhooked me from the monitors, we walked around for an hour and I was checked again. I still hadn't progressed much, 3 cm, 80% efaced and she was at a +2 station (she was pretty high up there still) they decided to let me stay in a hospital room for the night and get the antibiotics (for group B strep) in my system just in case I went into labor that night or the next morning. I stayed in the room only a couple of hours when I had a very painful contraction and realized they were staying close together, getting longer and intensifying. I called for the nurse, they checked me and I was 5 cm, 100% efaced, but she was still +2 station. They decided to hook me back up to the monitors and break my water. They broke my water at 1:10am and I got an epidural. I had decided not to endure the pain and "go natural" this time and try to enjoy the birthing experience as much as I could. The nurse checked me around 3:00am and I was only 6 cm so they decided to give me pitocin to keep my labor going. At 5:00am I woke up to immense pressure and I told the nurse she was right there and I had to push. She went to check me and said call Dr. Corvin the baby is crowning. The nurse actually got herself ready to deliver just in case Dr. Corvin didn't get there in time. I pushed only once and her head was out. The cord was wrapped around her neck and with the next contraction Dr. Corvin delivered her! I ended up having some difficulty delivering the placenta and after 45 minutes Dr. Corvin basically had to pull it out and then do a D&C. All in all this was my longest labor at just under 4 hours, but it was a great experience! As any mother would say "what pain?" and "it was all worth it", that's how God intended it :-)

Home at last. . .

Well, we've been home for a week now...Lizzy is 9 days old, Anna is 11 months (tomorrow) and biggest sis' Emma is 3 1/2! It has been a great week! Jody has been able to take time off work (2 weeks) and my mom took off 1 week to come and help wrangle kids! Jody has been such a great help at home and with the girls. I am now able to drive and operate heavy machinery, but still can't pick up anything heavier than Lizzy, I have 1 week left of that. All the girls are adjusting really well. At first Anna was not pleased about her new baby sister and all the attention Mommy was giving her, but is now more interested in Lizzy and what she's all about. Emma has been great. She loves to help Jody and I out with whatever we need especially if it has anything to do with Lizzy and loves to hold and snuggle her. We'll have to take lots of pictures for when they get older and are not so fond of each other! Little Lizzy has been wonderful! She is a great sleeper and has adjusted to breast-feeding very quickly. After having the 3 girls, we are definately seeing our girls personalities developing. Anna has now been dubbed "Trouble" because she is into everything and no matter how red her little hand gets or how many times you say "no" she still laughs and smiles at you. She started crawling a few weeks ago and walking along furniture and has lightning speed. Yesterday she fell down the steps to our garage following her big sister, I caught her by her arm just before her head hit the concrete floor, I was also holding Lizzy. Talk about scaring a Mommy! Our new favorite place for her is her walker or any place that she can be buckled into. Click on the link above to see more pictures of the Livingston Girls!

Labor Day

Here are my girls. . .going home today! Let the games begin

Click Here for Pics of Lizzy

Elizabeth "Lizzy" Maye Livingston

September 2, 2006 5:07am

6 lbs 4 oz 19 3/4 in