First Few Weeks

I can't believe she's only a few weeks old in these pictures and looks so tiny! She already has her daddy completely wrapped around her little finger. This picture is proof that when daddy is at home he keeps her on his chest 24/7. (And I have about 5 other pictures just like this one!)Yes she is going to be super spoiled but we just can't help it! Presley you are such a blessing and we can't believe we were lucky enough to be chosen to be your parents.
I wanted a picture of Presley at 1 week and I plan to take one each month after this. I chose the recliner because I could prop her up in the corner. She didn't look super happy to be getting a picture made here but it will always remind me of how little she was. And look at those bright eyes and that head full of hair! Oh and check out those toes.... Presley's routine consisted of lots of sleeping this first week. I couldn't help myself...every time I saw her in a new position I had to snap a picture. And daddy was doing the same thing too so we have LOTS of pictures. This is one of my favorites because when she is really snoozing good she always put your arms up or behind her head. And now that I'm looking at this picture...could we have put more pink around her? LOL

See...there is some serious snoozing going on here!

Hospital Stay

Daddy's Girl.......
We stayed Thur and Fri night in the hospital and got to head home Saturday. I was amazed at all of the visitors we had and how many people were excited to meet our sweet little girl. It was very humbling and really made me realize how many great friends and family we have. Thank you to everyone who visited. I have pictures of everyone who came to the hospital but I was afraid to post them without posting them all. I didn't want to offend anyone if I didn't put their picture up! LOL

It didn't take long for me to see that the man who HATED pictures before now didn't think twice about posing with his little girl. All of the pictures after the delivery are of Presley and Jared..which is okay because I know how crazy he is about her. Here are some of my favoirte pics of the two of them at the hospital. A day old and she was already wrapping Jared around her finger!

And these are the "Going Home" pictures. The day we went to the Prepared Parenting class at NCMC, we saw a couple leaving with their little twins and Jared and I both thought it was the sweetest thing ever. We couldn't wait to take pictures of our own...and here they are!

Birth Day

At my Week 39 appointment my doctor checked me again and there was no change. I was seriously bummed. I'd been at a 2 since Week 37. Yeah, early on it looked like this little one was ready to meet the world and then...nothing. No contractions, my cervix hadn't thinned anymore...and her due date was now only a week away.

Overall I was still doing good. I had gained 28 lbs (still below the 30 my doctor had said was ok) but was starting to swell pretty good each day. And I cant even count how many times I was having to get up in the night to pee. So when my doctor asked if I wanted to be induced I looked at Jared for a few seconds and then said "sure!". I could see all kinds of benefits to this. I would know what day we were going to the hospital avoiding the "should we go or not" delima, I could shower and put make up on where if we went in the middle of the night I wouldn't, my doctor could help to progress things rather than just waiting around forever....so yes, I was sold.

So when he said okay be at the hospital at 5am the next morning I was a little speechless. I mean I was ready but was I ready? Jared and I went straight home (my appt was at 4:15 when we made this decision so in 12 hours we had to be at the hospital) and we started to make sure we had everything. Yes the carseat was in the trunk, my pajamas were packed, we had extra pillows in for Jared, the camera was charged....were we forgetting anything?

I got up at 3 am to shower. Yes, I knew after a day in labor you probably wouldn't be able to tell but I was at least going to try and make myself presentable. They wasted no time and by about 5:20am I was already in the hospital bed, on an IV and Jared was teaching himself how to read the monitors. Ha! Oh and the crazy part was that as soon as I was on the monitor the nurse told me I was having contractions. Yeah, I couldn't feel them at all but they were about 4 min apart! So I probably would have ended up there in a day or two anyway.

Wow...could I have looked any puffier? And you can see in this pic Jared stationed himself in front of the monitors. He watched that thing all day long.

By lunch I still had not felt a contraction although my contrations were getting stronger and more frequent according to the monitor. My doctor came in and told me I needed to go ahead with the epidural and then he could break my water. So I did...and then he did....and we waited some more. I was not crazy about getting the drugs when I wasn't feeling any pain but I'm sure it was good I did. However, I did NOT like being that numb. I couldn't feel anything from my ribs down.
About 6pm I was still contracting but still at a 2 and not thinning. Yeah...what a long freakin day. About this time I also had some issues with a "hot spot" where all of a sudden I could feel the left side of my stomach. Not pleasant!!!!! Wow going from not feeling any contractions to feeling them really intense and about every 2 minutes was super painful. My day went from perfect to painful really quick. My doctor came back in and instead of the fun and games we'd been having in my room I was squeezing Jared's hand off and had tears covering my face. Luckily my dear sweet friend Dr Patel (no joke) came back and changed the drugs in my epidural and within minutes I was pain free once again. All I can say is THANK HEAVEN FOR DRUGS!!

At 7pm the nurses changed and they checked me once again. Still at a 2....seriously why was nothing going on? They said the baby was in position and my contrations were great but no sign she was coming out soon. I was getting frustrated and feeling bad about the fan club that had been in the waiting room since about lunch. At 8pm they checked me again and were going to consult with my doctor if nothing had changed. I really was not wanting to end up in the OR and Jared assured me he would freak out if we did. Luckily the nurse announced I was at a 10 and ready to push. Yeah, in an hour I had made some major progress.

Everything went great. My doctor came in and I pushed for about 30 min which was nothing. I was in no pain and in between contractions Jared and I chatted with my doctor about everything in the world. And then during the middle of a push my doctor told me to look down and there she was! I didn't realize we were that close to getting her here because I wasn't sweating or screaming or any of the things all the women do on the movies. But there she was flopped up on my stomach slimy and screaming and with a head full of hair. Jared took this picture and he says it brings tears to his eyes every time he sees it.

It all happened so fast. I remember thinking she felt huge even though she was only 7 lbs and 4 oz but all I could think was how in the heck was that inside me?

The next little bit flew by too. I remember watching them move her to the warmer in the corner of the room. Jared was over there snapping pictures just like I had reminded him a 1000 times before that day. And he got some great shots....I'm super proud of him. I could see them working her over, drying her, giving her oxygen, flipping her every which way.

Before I knew it my doctor was done with me and the nurses were handing me my little bundle back. It is the most amazing and overwhelming time in the world. I was so blown away by that little face and at that moment I knew I would do anything for this little girl. We had wished for her, and waited for her, and now we were finally holding her.

Jared went out and told everyone waiting her name. I think they had guessed every name in the book but finally we announced Presley Lynn Hicks was here! After 15 1/2 hours of labor this little girl had decided to meet the world. She was super alert and had her eyes open during the pictures and when everyone came in to meet her. She wasn't going to miss anything. About 11pm when everyone was gone Jared took this last picture of me holding her. I had just nursed her and she decided to close those sweet little eyes. She looks so tiny in this picture!

I saw a shirt that I need to order for her. It said "All of God's grace in this tiny face". That's exactly how I felt at that moment. Jared and I stared at her forever and kept asking each other what we did to deserve such a perfect little blessing. I hope I never forgot that day or that feeling.

38.5 weeks

38 and a half weeks....still no baby girl. Apparently she is super cozy and happy right where she's at but that's okay. This picture is a little blurry but it shows how much she's grown since just last week. Yikes! But hey, still no stretch marks so praise Jesus! The belly butter has been working!
I still feel really good although my poor bladder is getting worked into some serious overtime. I feel like I need to pee at all times and my bathroom trips during the night has now increased from once a night to now 2-3 times. It's great...it's like I'm 80! LOL

Everything is ready and waiting in her room. All we need now is her! I have a doctor appointment today and he told us last time that we can pick a day for her to get here if I haven't had her by the appt. I think we are going to but then I have moments when I think no, we should just be patient and let her pick the day she wants to meet the world. So....we'll see what he says today at the appointment!

38 weeks - Sept 18, 2009

Still waiting....38 weeks and 2 days. Jared was really hoping the little one would show up yesterday on the 17th since his birthday is June 17th and mine is August 17th. Cheesey I know...but we thought it might be kinda cool. I still feel great although I'm much larger now!

Wed at the doctor appointment he said I was still dilated to a 2 and my cervix was super soft. Which he translated to mean she could show up any day and we are super ready. He also could still touch her head so she's down nice and low. Which everyone around me has been noting already. I can tell she's lower too. I seriously can breathe better now and I feel like my stomach lays on my legs now when I'm sitting down. So come one little one!

Thanks to all my friends who have offered up suggestions on how to get the labor started! Funny...you all seem to have the same one as your top recommendation. Hahaha! So far though....it hasn't helped. But that's okay. We are both super anxious to get her here but at the same time we think it's kinda cool to see what day she wants to meet the world. This morning Jared kissed me and then my belly on his way out of the bedroom and pep talked her about this weekend being a great time. Jared's grandmother's birthday is Sunday and he would really like it if she chose that day. And....our friend Taylor has picked Sunday as her "arrival day". Although if Taylor is right, we'll never hear the end of it!! LOL

I have an appt scheduled for Wed and I'll be 39 weeks. My doctor told us to pick a day to induce and if I'm still preggo on Wed then we will help little sister out and get her here next week.

Next week!!! Yeah...we've waited for what seems like the blink of an eye and an eternity all at the same time. It's insane and amazing the whole process and it only confirms that God still loves his people and wants them to continue in this world. It's like a little promise of hope.

Week 37

Week 37....I look like I've grown a ton in this picture....baby girl has been busy growing! Luckily, I still feel really good still and had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I have lost 2 lbs since last week...yeah, can you believe it? I really thought having 2 baby showers in one week would pile on the pounds but my doctor assured me the weight loss was because I'm getting closer to delivery day.

He did yell at me a little (first time this entire pregnancy!) because he said my face was flushed and puffy when he came into the room. I personally had noticed some major chubbiness in my face in my shower pictures and when they took my blood pressure it was 160/68. Yikes! Last week it was 130/68. So he made me lay on my side for 15 minutes and then took it again. It had dropped to 138/68. He said that it was good that it dropped on it's own just from me laying down but that I needed to be cafeul. So....after a pep talk on more water this week and less sodium he got off my case.

He checked me to see how things are progressing and I am dialated to a 2 and 50% effaced. So...that's pretty good progress for day one of week 37. Oh and thanks to all my friends who didn't warn my how much being "checked" was gonna hurt! Holy smokes...I was just expecting it to feel like a pap or something. No....he freaking shoved his hand so far up I swear he was in up to his elbow! LOL

He said she was down really low and that he was even able to tough her head. It didn't make me have any contractions but it sure the heck was uncomfortable. He told Jared I wouldn't make it to the end of the month so no worries about missing out on bow season (which starts Oct 1st).

So yipee! His prediction a week or two weeks. Which is perfect timing....I finally feel ready. After the showers we are stocked with all the baby things we could possibly need, her room is finally finished, and we have the "hospital bag" packed. So....now we wait.

36 weeks - Showers!

I had two showers this week! This first one was thrown by my office and then the second one was hosted by our church. I am such a lucky girl...we got so many wonderful things. Marla and Cindy let me open these two presents first thing when I arrived to work on Thursday. One was a super cute photo frame from Marla's sweet daughters and the other was a framed song from the movie Waitress. Love them both!!

This is me with my hostess crew from work. Everything was super cute and super pink! I am so blessed to work with such amazing friends. I love you guys and can't wait to share Baby Girl with you!!

This was my cake....matches the nursery!!

I know it's nerdy but I couldn't help but spread everything out and take a picture. This was my loot from the shower at work....

And this was the loot from our shower at church....

And I couldn't resist the urge to put it all up in her closet. Now I feel like I'm really ready for her to get here. The nursery is done....the closet is stocked. Who knew a little girl could need so many things?! Thank you so much to all of our family and friends for helping us out during this special time. You each have helped in making this a super special time for Jared and I. We love you each and it means the world to us that you wanted to share in this event with us. Thank you!!

Yikes! Baby girl has been growing...I'm at 26 pounds now and I think my stomach looks way bigger in this picture. Her room is finally finished so I didn't have a blank wall to stand against!