Welcome Baby Addie!
Several posts ago, I told you about my friend Melanie who was due any time! She finally went into labor Tuesday morning in the wee hours. I was so blessed to be with her during the birth. I was also blessed to be able to write a birth story for baby Addie. So, this pretty much sums up my experience...
I was sleeping at 3:35 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 when my cell phone rang.
Matt: “Stinker, are you sleeping?”
Tracey: “No, just doing a little housework.”
Matt: “We are en route to the hospital.”
Tracey: “I’m on my way!”
I
couldn’t believe Baby A was finally making his/her appearance into this world! Melanie had been preparing for a natural delivery for quite some time. She asked me if I would like to be there during the birth. (I was going to with Corbin, too, but she had a C-section). Melanie asked me to take pictures and write Baby A’s birth story. I was humbled and honored. I could not wait to share this experience with her and Matt.
It is now 8 a.m. and Melanie is resting comfortably. Let me take you back a few hours. Melanie started laboring around midnight. Around 1 a.m., she called her mother, Diane to come over to the house with her. We all arrived at the hospital around 4 a.m. Melanie’s contractions were strong and steady. Oh goodness, I was nervous for her. Once we were settled in the delivery room, Melanie was really having some strong contractions and they seemed to be one on top of the other. She was so strong and controlled. Melanie’s Mom, Diane and the
Doula, Amy were there to help. They were Melanie’s coaches…helping to talk her through contractions, helping her to breathe correctly, helping massage her back and legs and offering her many words of encouragement. Matt has been very funny to watch during this experience. At one point, he said to his Mother-in-law, “It hurts that bad, huh?” Diane just looked at him with a gentle “be quiet” look.
Around 6 a.m., Melanie began to request some help. She wanted an epidural. Their birth plan was to not have any intervention. I know she really
didn’t want an epidural, but the pain was just becoming too much. Matt kept reassuring her that she
didn’t want an epidural. 20 minutes later, she asked again and we all just kind of looked at each other like “what do we do?” Silence. Melanie said “Okay, you are ignoring me.” Beth, the midwife, came in to check Melanie and she was around 6 cm at this point. Melanie exclaimed loudly “Six???! Oh my!” I think she hoped she would be further than that. :) At 7 a.m. the decision was made that Melanie would get an epidural. The nurse handed Melanie a clipboard and asked Mel to read and sign the consent form. Melanie glanced at it, scribbled her name and practically threw it back at the nurse. When we came back into the room after the anesthesiologist left, Melanie looked much more peaceful. Matt said “You feel better?” She replied “Oh my!” :) Now we wait for Baby A to do the rest of the work while Mommy rests and relaxes.
It is 9:30. Melanie is awake and wants a
popsicle and then will be ready to have this baby! The nurse just checked her and she is 10 cm and ready to push! At 9:40, Melanie began pushing and it was the most beautiful experience. We could see Baby A’s head, and then a little more and then it just happened all at once and we heard cries. At 10:14 a.m., Matt got to announce the exciting birth of Adeline Lynn Murphy!! She weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. I was focused on Matt’s face as soon as Adeline came out and he just seemed in awe! He was so excited, proud, and amazed. Beth, the midwife, laid Addie on Melanie’s chest and it was the first time that mother and baby got to bond outside of the womb. Melanie looked so in love. She was, too, in awe of this little girl.
Melanie, you fascinate and inspire me. You are such a beautiful and strong person and I am so honored that I got to share this experience with you. What a beautiful baby girl who is so blessed to have you and Matt as her parents and Corbin as her big brother. May God bless your family abundantly. God is amazing. Every single little detail that has to happen just perfectly before this new life enters into the world is just simply beyond words.
Zephaniah 3:17 is a verse that Diane shared with me. She said that Melanie had shared it with her and it just seems so perfect and fitting for the day.
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
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A few pictures of the wonderful birth!
Melanie and Matt...post epidural! :)
This is my favorite picture! This was snapped when Matt saw Addie come into the world!
Here is Matt as he got to announce whether Addie is a boy or girl!
Proud Daddy Matt holding Addie for the first time. He is carrying her over to her precious Mama!!!
Addie found her thumb for the first time! So sweet.
The proud parents with their new daughter!
Matt & Melanie - I love you guys dearly. We have been through so much together and I can't wait to add Adeline into the mix of our crazy, fun and wonderful lives. Thank you so much for letting me share this. Words can't describe how thankful I am. I love you.
Tracey
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Eric's mom "Mamaw" showing Levi some more eggs...
Daddy & Levi eating lunch (hot dogs and chili) after the hunt
All the loot
Oh, and here are Levi & Daddy's new toys from the grocery store. Levi wanted to keep them in his room during his nap so Daddy couldn't play without him!
Levi sleeping with his new gun
After naps, we are doing an egg hunt outside with our neighbors. :) Eric and I just finished filling some plastic eggs with more candy. We'll be on a sugar high around here!! 
Bailey is getting ready to blow out her 5 candles...Casey could have cared less about her 2 candles. LOL!
The birthday girls opening their presents.
Big girl Casey eating her cake!
Bailey eating her cake - with her new hairdo!!
Casey, Griffin, Levi, Emily & Bailey eating dinner
Jenny feeding Emmy some yummy cake
Levi on one of the John Deere tractors that Papa brought from his house
Griffin & Bailey on the gator and Levi on the front end loader
Emmy opted for the little car!! :)
Kaitlyn on the whale
Janie playing peek-a-boo with me
Levi on the stepping stones
Reece...I finally got one of him smiling!!!!
Levi, the new poster child for Sunny D!!
Janie and Jill - cute pic!!
Levi & Mommy
Levi on the swing - has no one taught this child how to swing right??? :)
We had a great time!! Thanks for playing with us guys! 
