Aunties and Uncles = Love

While in the hospital we were bombarded by nurses, photographers, hearing test people, and visitors... it was the visitors that kept us going. I was pretty out of it the first day of Mackenzie's life but with 2 days left to go in the hospital while I healed, Aunties and Uncles came to see our new little bundle. Auntie Jamie told Mackenzie all about the fun she'll have at Crescent Bar (umm, Jamie, no grapefruit vodka for Kenzie please!). Auntie Amy and Coulter brought Blake food, I was pretty jealous! And Auntie Courtney and Harry brought me flowers!! So many gifts and so much love for Kenz! We were so grateful to see such smiling faces.

Mackenzie Rae Laidlaw

Today Blake and I welcomed Mackenzie Rae Laidlaw at 9:03am weighing 8 lbs 8 oz and 21 in long. She is perfect in every way and are so grateful for our healthy little girl! With blue eyes, light brown hair and fare complexion she is more beautiful then we could have ever imagined.

Labor and delivery went a bit differently than we expected but the outcome was all worth it!! I had an emergency c-section and Mackenzie had difficulty transitioning from fluid to air and Blake spent most of the recovery time jumping between his two girls. Thankfully we both came out just fine and while I spent the rest of the day recouping, Blake got to bond with his little princess. We are so elated to have her in our lives!

Is It May 11th Yet??

After false labor on Friday and a REALLY LONG doctors appointments we are now scheduled for induction on Monday the 11th. Unless baby surprises us over the weekend I will be admitted to the hospital on Sunday night, Happy Mother's Day, for a induction prep and then transferred to Labor and Delivery on Monday for just that. Stay tuned for baby news!!

Holding Baby Hostage

I'm not, but seriously what gives? Where is baby? With Blake anxious to meet his little girl and my mom in town for the birth, we all sit staring at my belly. My ankles are ready to explode they are so huge and my belly continuing to grow we are officially one week late and waiting!! I have walked the mall 3 times, Greenlake 3 times and up and down our stairs countless times trying to get that little girl out! Doctors say I'm dilated 1 cm and ready to go at any time... really are you sure? I know I've said before in this blog, but HURRY UP IN THERE, we want to meet you!!

Shower and Surprises... not a duplicate entry... really more surprises!!

There are many moments in my life that I find myself saying, "Wow, I'm the luckiest girl in the world!" Yet again I found myself thinking just that as my Seattle Baby Shower approached. As Amy, Courtney and Suzanne were busy prepping for the shower, Karissa and Sonja had their own preparations up their sleeves!! I unknowingly went to a "relaxing dinner" with Blake to Amy and Coulter's house. Next thing I knew Sonja and Karissa popped up around the corner (pictured)!! All the way from Santa Barbara and Chicago, I couldn't believe it!! All this just for me... well, and baby too, I am the luckiest girl! The weekend quickly became filled with extra activities with the girls including a brewery tour... no I did not drink, and a bbq that almost sent me into labor from my awesome dancing skills! The festivities finished up on Sunday with the shower with my Chef'n family and many friends. The girls designed onesies for the baby and showered me with many wonderful gifts! Thank you ladies, I am the luckiest girl in the world and I have the greatest friends.

Shower, Family and Surprises

There we were, in Portland for our family baby (shower) celebration with the Tullius clan. From my cousins and aunts and uncles, to my mom and Frank the majority of our family would be there. Then the door bell rang... what?? Mary and Kathy??? Yes, they flew in for the day to be there with us!! I couldn't believe it! We had such a great time, Rachel and Sue threw a fabulous party!! We had a few friends join in the fun and representing the Laidlaws, Alec and Angela and their girls also helped celebrate. We were showered with love, presents and lots of laughs!! Thank you all for everything!! **pictured: Kathy, Blake, Shayna, Rachel, Jimmy, Lance, Max, Jennifer, Frank, Mary, Jack, Denice, Sue, Larry, Nancy, Gregg**

Classes = Prepared!

We have officially completed every child birth preparation class offered through our hospital. You name it, we took it. Newborn care, bringing home baby, CPR, breastfeeding, tour of the hospital and child birth prep. After all these classes one would think we are ready for baby... but in reality, nothing will prepare us!! We thought as long as we could take one thing from each class we would be one step ahead. We are still hopeful this information will come in handy once she arrives! We'll keep you posted on how that pans out!