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Madeline Mae "Maddy" Fletcher




I have more pics than this on the camera, but haven't had a chance to download them yet. These are from right after she was born yesterday. She was 5lb 13.9 oz and born at 1:22. I made it without and epidural and was in labor for a little over 3 hours. What an experience. I don't think I could have made it without my doula and Aaron working as a team to help me get though it, but I am so glad I did it the way that I did. Aaron said he needed an epidural just to watch me go through it. haha. Maddy is doing pretty good. We try to go to touch time at the NICU at least 3 times a day and try to work on feeding and getting sucking and swallowing down. It is hard to work on and slow progress because we don't get to be there to work with her all the time but she is making some progress. She has eaten a little from the bottle and she is really getting sucking on a pacifier down. We just have to be patient and keep trying. After all, she's only been here two days. It is hard to remember that sometimes. They have been doing a lot of tests on her and we will not have the results of some of them for two weeks to a month. Most of it is stuff they don't think is a problem but are ruling it out to be safe. Right now they think she has arthrogryposis which is a condition that affects the joints. When we get her out of NICU and home for a bit we will take her to Scottish Rite which is really well known for working with kids who have these types of issues. Maddy is so cute. She has a head of hair you wouldn't believe. It is the same color as Aaron's and I think her eyes are blue like Aaron's. She has my ears and we think my nose. Please pray that she can get eating down so we can come home. Even if it just with a bottle at first it will be a huge step.
I also wanted to say that I have been getting and looking at everyone's emails and thanks so much to all of you for the congrats, words of encouragement, advice, etc. that's been sent. I'm sorry I haven't replied to most of you. Just haven't had time yet, but I'll try to catch up soon.

Comments

s&sjohnson08 said…
Maddy is just beautiful! Congrats to you both! Praying for you guys!
Brittany said…
She is a cutie. Thanks for the update. So happy for you guys! Praying for you too. Love you 3.
Jennifer said…
Welcome to the fast labor club! Way to go. Good support is definitely the key! It's definitely empowering to do it naturally!

Maddy is a cutie! I love all that hair!! Praying for you to find out some answers soon and that she can go home and be with Mommy and Daddy ASAP! Keep us updated. You all continue to be in our daily prayers!!

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