This is me, as happy as can be after 39 weeks and 1 very long day of waiting to meet my sweet girl.
Tuesday morning, my birthday, I woke up nauseous with contractions. I was excited and hopeful that I might be in Labor, I thought it would be so fun to share a birthday with my daughter. When I was expecting Lane, my water broke at the Doctor's office. She had to induce labor when I got to the hospital, so I really had no idea what to expect as far as going into labor naturally goes. So this time, I called my P's to let them know this may be it and to ask my Mom what she thought I should do. She suggested I call my Dr's office to see what I should do. I was told that my contractions should be 3 1/2 to 5 min apart and pretty intense before I would need to get to the hospital. So, we timed them for a while but then gave up and celebrated my day. My parents decided to spend the day driving to get here just in case. They got here in time for us to have dinner together.
Wednesday, Marlee's birthday, I woke up at 3:30 am with much stronger contractions. I timed them, they went from 8 min apart to a steady 3 1/2 min apart within an hour. I got Clint up and we hurried to the hospital. Of course, on the way to the hospital my contractions slowed so when we got to the hospital they put me in a room but did not admit me to see how I was progressing. At 5 am I was dilated to a two, the nurse gave me an hour to see what would happen. When she checked me at 6 am I was still a two, my contractions were irregular, but I thought still intense. She called my Dr and my Dr decided to send me home. I was given a pain pill to take the edge off and told that it could still be a couple of days... On the way home I must admit I had a mini, or maybe a major meltdown. I was having back labor and I honestly didn't think I could handle days contractions off and on.
Praise the Lord my parents had made the drive the day before. My Mom had both me and my sister without any meds and has always been a self professed breathing expert. Ok, not really, but she has always told me that the breathing was what got her through it. So... she taught me to breath when we got home. We sat at the kitchen table from about 6:30-11:00 and visited and breathed. My contractions were pretty consistent for the first hour and then again, dropped off. We decided to go hang out in Lane's playroom with Grampy and Lane and try to rest. I was able to relax and enjoy Lane. My contractions had really dropped off and I was finally getting the hang of breathing through them.
That afternoon I had my weekly Dr. appt scheduled for 3 pm. Clint and I went, with our bags in the car, just in case. Honestly, had given up hope that I would be having a baby that day. My contractions were picking up again by 2:30 but they still weren't consistent. I quit timing them because every time we got close to being regular I would drop off. As we left the house my Mom told me she hoped the Dr would take pity on me and admit me to the hospital. Much to my surprise, when my Dr checked me I was a 5!!! I was so happy I cried, seriously cried. She told me to get across the street asap because she had just admitted me to the last Labor and Delivery room the hospital had available.
I was admitted at 3:50 pm, the nurse came in to get me settled about 4:15. She did my blood tests and got my IV in and by about 5:15 the anesthigeologist came in to give me my epidural. About 5 min after the epidural the Nurse checked me, I was a 7 and within 5 more min I told the Nurse she would think I was crazy but I felt like I was ready to push. Sure enough I was, and at 6:04 after two or three pushes we met our baby girl!!!
We waited about an hour to name our girl. We had several names we had been considering and I wanted to meet her and see what kind of name she could handle. Right after we found out we were expecting a girl my Dad told me he had thought of a name. Now, for some background - Lane is named after his Grandfathers - my Dad is Larry Everett and Clint's Dad is Wayne, Lane is a combo of their first names and Everett is after my Dad.
My Dad's idea for our girl was Marlee - a combo of Margaret, Clint's Mom and Lee from my Mom's middle name. I wasn't too sure about it for several months, Clint decided he loved it while I went back and forth. But, when we met her, she looked so much like her super cute, rambunctious brother that we decided Marlee would suit her well. Grace, Marlee's middle name is for my Mom, her name is Grace and she was named after her Grandmother who I got to have in my life for 27 years. I have also since been reminded that my Mom got her middle name of Lee from her other Grandmother and my middle name is also Lee, after my Mom. All that said, Marlee Grace has a special name that comes from a family who loves her very much.
Today we took the day off to spend some time at the pool. Lane has become quite the swimmer, he even enjoys putting his face in the water to dive for toys. Today he tried out his new water wings. Before we left for the pool Lane played with his letters on the fridge. I wanted to video him to try to catch him singing his 
Lane did it! We just completed Lane's two week swimming class. This was his second year of lessons and he did great! I got to swim with him everyday last week and Clint took his turn this second week. We both really enjoyed learning how to help Lane learn to swim. Lane happily gave me his certificate after he got it today, he was too busy to pose for a picture with it. 
The boys during class. Lane's class had 4 kids in it. I think 7 or 8 started the class but about half didn't last. I wonder if it had something to do with forcing your child to go underwater? We started out last week with the easy stuff, paddling and kicking. Lane is a great paddler! As for his legs, were still working on them.
See you later!
To keep my blog honest, I have to begin my post with Friday afternoon. It was not good! I caught Lane up on the kitchen counter with an open bottle of Clint's medicine. I freaked out, called the Doctor, Poison Control, and Clint and rushed Lane off to the ER. They gave Lane some charcoal and observed him for a very long 4 hours. As we sat in our ER room and had time to calm down we counted the pills in the bottle and counted back the days since Clint got the 
Saturday was a much better day, Clint did some much needed work out in the yard. Lane wanted to be out with Dad so badly that he kept sneaking out through the garage door. I finally gave in and we went out to watch the excitement. When Clint was done Lane couldn't wait to try to push the mower.
And he had to help sweep the drive.
Once the drive and sidewalk were swept my boys relaxed a bit. Lane loves to do exactly what Dad does. Then, the two of them went around to the side of the house to wash off the mower. As soon as I heard the water come on I knew a soaking wet boy was going to come around the corner any minute and sure enough...
Lane came around drenched with the hose in hand and water still running. He is so funny.
And today, Sunday, we celebrated Father's day. Clint has a game next Sunday so we took advantage of our free day today. Tonight we went to a Mongolian Grill for dinner. Neither of us had been before. The huge loaded plate is mine, and the much smaller one in the background is Clint's. I got a little carried away, but I do have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
I think we just about have Miss 
Lane and I have been breaking the glider in, we love to go in there and rock away.
My Mom and I made the birds to make a mobile, but then my sister and I decided to try putting a twig on the wall with the birds perched on the twig. 
The birds were made with old quilting fabric that my Grandmother's cousin used. I have trouble getting rid of things that I know were treasures. My family says it's just an excuse, that I'm a 
And this is where BB will sleep her first few months. My Mom made the skirt and bumper to go with 
Lane has exciting news.... 
