What do you run on when the fumes run out??

It's 3:46am.

Why in the world am I typing something at this hour, you ask?? Good question.

Because I'm up, and I can't go back to sleep. Everyone else in my house is currently asleep, two of them in my bed. The other is in her car seat next to me, and I'm watching her to make sure she's not spitting up and getting choked again. Poor baby sleeps so peacefully during the day, but her nights are full of fussing and fidgeting. She just started her antacid meds yesterday, so hopefully they'll help, although so far I'm not impressed...

We go back to the doctor in a few hours for them to stick her foot again to check her bilirubin (jaundice) levels. Yesterday they were at 17.5. 20 is hospital time, so we're hoping they're coming down. Not looking forward to this little trip, especially since it'll just be the two of us. I guess we lucked out (read: were VERY blessed) with Abigail--she's been healthy as a horse except for the occasional cold and allergies. I hate it when my baby is sick and it seems like I can't do anything to help her. Please pray for Julianne, that she'll start improving and feeling better soon. And, if you wouldn't mind, pray for me, too. I haven't slept in days, and it's beginning to show...:)
And let me just say again how thankful we are for all of our wonderful family and friends!! The phone calls, cards, and visits mean so much to all of us and are greatly appreciated!! Love y'all!!

2 Weeks Old!

My, how time flies!! I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since we got our newest ladybug!!

We've been doing lots of visiting, snuggling, eating, and napping when we can!!

I think we're maybe getting settled in a bit around here and getting into a routine. It's definitely been an adjustment for us all, but I'd say we're getting there.

Abigail is an awesome big sister! She loves Julianne so much and is such a good helper! I know she's anxious to play with her, but she's been really sweet and gentle so far.

We've been making an extra effort to show Abigail attention so she doesn't get too jealous of her baby sister. She loves snuggling with her Daddy right before bed, watching cartoons and drinking her chocolate milk. Lately, they've added pickles to their evening snack--what a combo!! She's also been going to VBS this week, which she loves!! That gives Momma and Daddy a little break as well, which is nice!!

Miss Julianne is just growing and changing every day! She's been eating really well, and--like her Momma--she loves her naps!! We're still working on getting our days and nights straight, but I think we'll get there! She's not so fond of having her diaper changed or taking a bath, so she may not be wearing her high heels and taking her purse to get the chicken eggs!! She definitely has her own little personality, and I can't wait to see how different--and alike--she and her sister will be!

Daddy goes back to work tomorrow, which makes me sad, but I'm glad he got to be off for this long. And he'll be back home Friday morning, just in time for Julianne's first checkup!!

Settling In

We are starting to get settled in here at the house, and getting used to having two princesses around instead of just one! It's a bit of an adjustment for all of us, but I'd say we're doing pretty well overall! Miss Julianne seems to have her days and nights mixed up just a tad, so that's made for some interesting nights! Our first night home, she and I just stayed up and talked all night. It was sweet, if exhausting, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

And this is what she does all day...:)

She's so sweet and snuggly, though, so Momma doesn't mind too much!

Abigail is doing a great job helping out with her baby sister! She's starting to interact with her more and will just give her hugs and kisses all day long. She likes to bring her lots of toys to snuggle with in her bouncy!

After church today, Abigail decided she wanted to put on some makey and have her picture taken, so here she is:

And here's another of what I can only assume will be millions of "Sweet Sisters" pictures:

I can't help it--they're just so photogenic!! Love my sweet girls!!

Hi, I'm new around here...

Please allow me to introduce myself:

My name is Julianne Kaye Slaydon, and I was born on July 6, 2011 at 1:58pm.

I weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long when I got here.

I look just like my Daddy, except I have lots of red hair, like my Momma.

So far, my favorite thing about being born is the eating part. Momma and Daddy say I'm already a pro at that!

This is me and my big sister, Abigail. I think you already know her.

She is very sweet to me and likes to give me lots of sugar and sing to me!

I really like it when she sings "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"! It's my favorite!

She also likes to bring me my blankets and pacifier, before I ever even have to ask!!

She's just really sweet like that!

I just finished eating, so it's time for me and Momma to rest for awhile!

I love company and meeting all of my friends and family, so come see me when you can!!

Dear Julianne,

Hi, honey! This is your Momma--you know, the one you've been camped out inside for the past 9+ months! Don't worry, in just a few hours (hopefully) you'll be on the outside of my belly, but I just wanted to tell you a few things before then. First of all, and most importantly, YOU ARE LOVED--more than you will ever know, by more people than you'll ever be able to count--but most especially by God and your Daddy and I. You have the COOLEST big sister who can't wait to teach you how to raise chickens and be a princess--at the same time. You have wonderful grandparents, both on this earth, and in Heaven watching over you, not to mention all the awesome aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members and friends. You may not know it yet, but you are one blessed little girl!! You were wanted and prayed for so much before this day ever came. One day, when you're bigger, I'll tell you the whole story. But for now, just know that your Daddy and I (and a whole bunch of other people) can't wait to meet you and hold you and kiss you and love on you. We're far from perfect, baby, but we're going to do our best by you and your big sister. We'll see you in a little while, love, so get ready!!
Love you forever, Momma

Hurry up...and wait.

Yesterday was quite an interesting, nerve-wracking, and slightly disappointing day for us Slaydons. To tell you the truth, I'm pretty glad it's over! I'd begun having some painful contractions Wednesday evening, and they'd gotten worse by yesterday morning. (A few other pre-labor things had happened as well, which I will not mention in polite company! :)) I went on in to work, thinking I'd call the doctor when I got the chance. Apparently I "looked bad" when I got there, because I was promptly escorted home by two sweet, if terrified, co-workers. I called Dr. G on the way home, but service isn't that great (or existent) in our neck of the woods, so I didn't hear back for several hours. Meanwhile, I got some more cleaning and straightening done, loaded the suitcases, etc. And waited.

Finally, about 2 hours later, I heard from the nurse.

(Apparently they'd been trying to call back since I'd called the first time, but both phones went straight to voicemail. Thanks, Cameron and Centennial, way to be there.) Mrs. Karen instructed me to go straight to labor and delivery. I told her that I didn't want to come in for nothing and be sent home, so if all was fine, I'd just hang out at home. "No, come on in. She's not gonna send you home." To me, that meant a kid was coming, one way or another. After a few panicked phone calls and waiting on Justin to get home from work, we were on our way.

Only to be told after 3 hours at the hospital to go home. Gee, thanks.

Long story short, the contractions weren't exactly being productive, and since I won't be 38 weeks until Sunday, there was nothing the doctor could do to "hurry things up". So, feeling like an idiot, I headed back home. Having been induced with Abigail, I didn't have a lot of pre- or early labor stuff happening, so I wasn't exactly sure what I needed to wait for. Plus, we live almost an hour and a half from the hospital; plus I've heard that the second child generally comes faster...Either way, that's why I wanted to check with the doctor first, but oh, well.

It was basically a big letdown that we weren't able to meet our girl yesterday. I was a tad terrified at first, especially after going through a neat, successful induction the first time. But then I was just excited to hold and kiss this tiny thing that's been lodged in my left lung for the past few months. I just keep telling myself that she WILL come out when it's time, and that I don't want her to come before she's ready. And so we wait...

(But I'm totally waiting until she's halfway out before I call ANYBODY next time.)

We're still scheduled to induce on the 6th, if she doesn't decide to come before then.

Keep us in your prayers, please. We just want a healthy baby out of the deal!

Change of Plans!

Now y'all know that I'm a planner. I like to know the when, where, and how in plenty of time to be ready for whatever "it" is. I like to be prepared, have everything lined out, etc. It's just my nature. So when the doctor suggested inducing with Julianne, I was perfectly pleased. (It worked incredibly well with Abigail, so why not do it again?!) We scheduled the induction for July 11th about a month or so ago. Perfect. Plenty of time to do last minute stuff and get ready for baby.

Plus, Dr. Guidry was planning on being out of town the week before that, and we were both (well all 3 of us, including Justin) pretty adamant that only she would be "catching" Julianne when she was born!! So on we went with the plan. Until today.

Today she informs us that she is no longer going on vacation next week (Yay!), and that she'd like to induce on the 6th or the 7th. Um, okay. Change of plans. No biggie, I'm flexible, right?! Right?????

So, until further notice, Miss Julianne Kaye Slaydon will be making her debut on July 6!!

Which means Momma's gotta get busy!!