Pictures Anyone?

So we've been told once, twice or a hundred times to put up a couple (read: lots) of pictures. Since we've successfully waited almost a full week since Harlen's birth, we figure now might be a decent time to show everyone what we've been doing. We didn't take pictures of the feedings or the (lack of) sleeping, but most of the rest is in here.

This is us the morning of the induction (4.6.2010). We called the hospital at 7 a.m. to let them know we'd be coming in, then arrived at 8 a.m. to complete registration. I slept about 2 hours the night before, and Emily got ZERO. I guess it is hard to sleep when you know the life that you've been supporting for 39 weeks, 1 day will be supporting itself in just a few hours. We had to rouse Haiku for the picture. She didn't seem to have any trouble sleeping.


The Pitocin started flowing at 9 a.m., thanks to our delivery nurse and Life Groupy Amanda Lee. Things progressed enough by 9:30 that Doc Wells broke Emily's water and said, "You're having a baby today." And then we waited. And waited. And I ate lunch. And then waited. Dropping by the room before delivery were family friends Shanna Andrews, Lauren and Rowdy Fuston, Amanda's husband and son Chad and Jackson (respectively), Emily's sister Grace and Drew's parents, who drove in from Arkansas in the morning.

Our friendly anesthesiologist, Doc Shui, gave Emily a much needed epidural around noon. Despite his reputation for poor bedside manner, we were able to connect through a conversation about Office Space, which we had playing in the room. Emily was a champ, letting her pain level get to a seven before getting the needle. A quick check at 3:45 showed more progression but we were a ways away from having a kid. Amanda kicked up the Pitocin and stuck Emily on an oxygen mask to make sure she and Harlen were getting enough O2.

At 4:45, Emily called for an extra dose of epidural juice when she was feeling uncomfortable due to increased pressure. Acting on a hunch, Amanda shoo'ed all the visitors out of the room and did a quick check. Analysis: progression complete. After a long day of waiting and slow progression, Emily went from a 5 1/2 to complete and the kid was practically dropping out by herself. Despite Amanda's claim of, "you're about to have a baby," Drew took the opportunity to saunter out to the waiting room and update a few people. Unbeknown to him, Doc Wells was on Drew's heels as he headed back for the delivery room a few minutes later. After 15 minutes of setup, and 15 minutes of pushing -- Emily was incredible, I've never seen anything like it in the world -- Harlen Olivia Crowell joined us at 5:16 p.m. Per our request, she was immediately tossed up to Emily's now deflated belly for some prime skin to skin contact.

She weighed in at a less-than originally anticipated but solid 7 pounds 6.5 ounces and 20.08 inches long. Here she is in all of her post-delivery grimy glory.

A little bit better dressed. Luckily, modesty came quickly.



After we arrived in the post-delivery room.



She is the most beautiful gift God could have lent us, and we trust fully that He will take care of her, even as we struggle through trials and errors as first time parents.

As I said in the beginning of what has become a lengthy post, she's been here for almost a week so we'll update within the next day or two with info about her first few days at Casa de Crowell.

She's Here

Harlen Olivia Crowell arrived on 4/6/2010 at 5:16 p.m. CT weighing 7 lbs 6.5 oz and measuring 20.08 inches.

Today's the Day

After seeing Dr. Wells yesterday, we determined that we're inducing today. Emily didn't sleep at all last night, and I only got an hour or two. We were both too excited to get much down time. We called the hospital at 7 a.m. to give them a heads up that we were coming in. After arriving at 8, we were shown to our room and got to hang out with Amanda Lee, a friend of ours from Life Group, who will be our L&D nurse. This is us this morning.

Wells came in around 9:30, gave Emily a quick check and gave us the go ahead. After a quick breaking of the waters, we are on the way.

2 weeks!!!

So we are down to 2 weeks left :) I am so excited to get this kid out here so I can see her face! I am feeling more prepared by the day. Drew has been really really busy in the house getting projects done and things cleaned up. My best friend Shanna came over this week and helped me sort and put away all of Harlens stuff. It was a major help, especially since she really knows what she is doing (she has 2 boys). She helped drew move furniture around the room until I liked where it was........this was entertaining to me since all i could do was sit in a chair and watch them :) the only thing left to get in the room is the rocking chair that is being reupholstered. hopefully it will be done soon. There are things to hang on the wall but these days I'm so indecisive about everything, i think its the hormones :) I think the decorating will get done after she gets out and my brain is working again. I almost have our bags packed for the hospital. This was a little emotional for me, its just that I've prayed for a healthy pregnancy and full term baby from the beginning and well...we've made it! God is so good. I've become sick again especially at night, its been hard on me but I know it's all worth it. I'm looking forward to not eating half a bottle of tums every night, we really should have bought stock in the company! I'm having some contractions, some are pretty strong and hurt a lot but they aren't in any regular pattern so I'm not in labor just yet. But if this is any indication as to what real labor is like I may be getting that epidural a little sooner than i was planning! We go to the doc on Monday, hopefully he will be able to give us an idea on how much longer it may be. I have a hair appointment on Thursday so she can come anytime after that!

Getting There

We're 4 weeks out and so excited to see our baby girl. Emily is ready for Harlen to be out of her belly, especially due to all the kicks, punches, hip checks and head butts that she's feeling.

Emily has been on house arrest since Thursday, due to doctor's orders during a non-scheduled visit. She was having a lot of pain, which is likely muscle and ligament stretching, and the doc wanted her to stay off her feet for a few days.

Harlen's room is filling up quickly. The crib and bedding are ready (minus the mattress) and we just assembled Harlen's new IKEA dresser. Next comes the rocking chair that is being refinished and a lamp or two. It's all looking good.

So we had our 33 week appointment today! Dr. Wells said "okay I'll see you in 2 weeks, you're getting down to the wire now." Holy Crap!! Down to the wire?? Time is really flying by! We had a sono today too :) It was really neat to feel Harlen move and be able to actually see her move. I've wished for a while now that my belly was transparent so i could see what she is doing in there. We were told that she is measuring 4lbs 7oz! The sonographer asked if one of us was a big baby...........it freaked me out and made drew smile. Drew was a big baby, I was not :) Dr. Wells said that she is fine in the weight department (60th percentile) but I'm still freaked out. We still have 7 weeks to go and that's a lot of growing time for her to get really freakin big! Drew really wants a chunky baby, i want one that gets chunky after she is out. hahaha I guess we'll just have to wait and see :)

Just getting started with our blog!
Drew and I feel so blessed by our amazing Lord and Savior for giving us this wonderful little baby! We found out that we were pregnant a few days before our 4 year anniversary in August. We were hoping that we would get prego soon but you never know how long it will take. Well.....it didn't take long :)

I was sick for about 19 weeks, it really sucked but I was so excited to have a little miracle growing that I tried really hard to just fight through it. We have had a few sonos and were told 3 times that it's a girl :) The first time we were told this Drews face was priceless! It looked like a mix of shock, fear, kinda like he was going to throw up but after a few minutes it all turned into a goofy smile with just a little fear mixed in :) it was really cute.

I have had a blast planning a little girls nursery! It's right up my alley :) Drew has been hard at work painting her room and working on the other million projects that we have going in the house, he is really great at all of it! I'm a lucky girl.

We are 30 weeks along now, time has really flown by. Drew and I love to sit and watch my belly pop and jiggle! She moves like crazy and responds to music a lot. We think that she will play soccer and love some good rock n roll just like her parents :) She already has a pair of slip on vans that will match her daddy, its going to be really neat to see Drew with her.

We are part of an amazing life group with our church, at one point there were 4 of us prego! We all are having our 1st and they are all girls!! I have had fun sharing stories/concerns with my girlfriends who are in the same boat. 2 of them have had there precious babies already, one of the dads reminded drew a few days ago that we are "next in the hot seat". hahaha

I'll post pics soon, and I'll try to update regularly :)