Maddie's first trip to the park

We took Maddie to Concord Park last week. Of course, she slept through the whole trip. Riley sure did have fun running up and down the trails.

2 weeks old

Maddie is 2 weeks old today...hard to believe. We are enjoying every moment of it!

Visitors

We have enjoyed all the company lately. Riley LOVES the extra attention.

Cousin Rhonda & Bill:

Grandma & Grandpa Sproles:

9 Days Old

I can't believe that Maddie is 9 Days Old!!! Where does time go? Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Maddie is a happy baby...



Spending quality time with mamaw...



Riley likes to pick out his own music on iTunes...



Maddie spending time under the light to reduce her bilirubin levels...



Maddie checking out her swing while Riley watches...



Maddie's first time in the bouncer...

Update on Madison

Just wanted to thank everyone who has emailed me or called. It's been great catching up with everyone! Madison is doing well. Just like her big brother, her bilirubin count got pretty high on day 4 of life. So she spent yesterday and last night on a light table. After taking her back to the dr today, everything looks great and her jaundice is dimenishing.

She is nursing so well. She LOVES to eat. It was great to see that she had gained two ounces from yesterday to today's doctor's visit.

Some of you know that the hospital pediatrician thought that Madison had a heart murmur. We took her to Children's Hospital on Tuesday for an echocardiogram. Turns out that she has a bicuspid chambered valve instead of a tricuspid valve (an aortic valve that only has two leaflets instead of three). Her doctor reassured us that this is common and nothing to worry about. We will still meet with the cardiologist in August to discuss her results. So we are praying that everything will be fine with this issue.

A little bit of gardening

Andy and I decided to try and grow a few veggies on our deck this summer. The plants haven't produced alot of veggies, but we are excited about the ones that have. Hopefully we will have some raised beds next summer.

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Welcome Baby Girl Sproles

On Friday, July 25th at 1:08 p.m., Madison ("Maddie") Emma Sproles was born. I went in for the induction around 7 a.m. My pitocin was started around 9 a.m. When Dr. Shirk checked me around noon, I had not dialated past the 4 cm that I have been for 3-4 weeks. So, he broke my water. I knew the contractions would get intense, but what happened next was not expected. My contractions came on so hard that I dialated from 4 to 9 cm in about 30-40 minutes!!! The main nurse was yelling for the other nurses to get in the room. They were also frantically paging my doctor. He got there just in time.

With Riley, I had time to get an epidural. Not with this one. Yes, I HAD NATURAL CHILDBIRTH!!! Although it was the most painful experience of my life, the results were well worth it. We have a beautiful baby girl that weighs in at 9 lbs and 3 oz!!! She is 21.5 inches long and has beautiful brown hair. Here are a few picts. I will update as time allows.

Induction Set

I went to the OBGYN today. I'm still at 4 cm so the doctor has set my induction for this Friday at 7am-Baptist West. Please say a prayer that all goes well!!!

Hanging Out & Waiting

While still awaiting the arrival of baby girl Sproles, we are trying to find some fun things for Riley to do. A couple of weeks ago, we took Riley to the UT Gardens for Blooms Day Festival. He really enjoyed running around and watching all the people. Riley has also really enjoyed mamaw Harris' company...she is helping out since I'm still on bedrest. He loves to sit and jump on her!

Riley LOVES his GeoTrax train set that he received for his birthday. Our living room is shrinking due to the ever expanding track system!!!

Lastly, one of my high school/college friends, Alice, made a beautiful lap quilt for our baby girl. As soon as I received it, Riley took a great interest in it. He loves the bright colors and softness. I'm not sure how I'm going to convince him that this belongs to his sister...hummmm.

Hospital Trip

On Sunday, I wasn't feeling well...more contractions and other symptoms of pre-term labor. I called my doctor and they told me to come in to the hospital. The baby's heart rate was a little high and they determined I was dehydrated. I don't know how because I drink water all the time. The doctor did an ultrasound and said everything looked fine from that standpoint. She checked me and said I was dialated to 4 cm. So, they admitted me for the night and kept me on an IV drip and monitor. I was released to go home Monday around 11 am. Now, I am just laying around since I'm still on bedrest and waiting for her arrival!

Update on Pregnancy

I have been on bedrest since last week when I started having pre-term labor symptoms. Besides feeling tired and having some painful contractions, I'm doing well. Riley has enjoyed all the company...grandma and grandpa Sproles were down to visit the Monday before last. Then, mamaw Harris has been down since last week. So, that part of it has been wonderful.
I head back to the dr on Monday. Hopefully little girl Sproles will keep hanging on for a little bit longer. We sure are looking forward to meeting her!

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

We took Riley to the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge a couple of weekends ago. He has such a blast!!!

Bye-Bye!

When it's time for Riley to take a nap or go to bed at night, he LOVES to tell everyone bye-bye over and over again!!!

The Latest on Pregnancy

As many of you already know, I'm 33 weeks pregnant. I have started going to my OBGYN for weekly non-stress tests to make sure my Lovenox injections for blood clots are not stressing my little girl. When I went yesterday, I found out that I am 2-3 cm dialated. I have also been having some random contractions as well as some other symptoms for pre-term labor. So, the doctor ran a fetal fibronectin test on me to see what my chances are of pre-term labor. I will find out the results Wednesday when I go back to the doctor. For now, I am supposed to be on partial bed rest, which seems IMPOSSIBLE with a 2-year old running around! Please say a little prayer that this little girl will stay on the inside for a little longer! Thanks.

Two Year Checkup

Riley went to the doctor last week for his two-year checkup. Everything looked great. He weighed in at 30.5 lbs and was 36 inches tall!!!

Fun in the Sun

Riley loves his little swimming pool. Afterwards, he likes to snuggle up next to daddy.

Birthday Fun

We had a fun week in Kingsport. The highlight was celebrating Riley's 2nd birthday on Saturday at Eastman Cabins. His favorite part was getting in the creek. Needless to say it was very difficult coaxing him out.

Another highlight was that my cousin Rhonda, her husband Bill and their son Jacob came over for a visit from Asheville. Isn't he the cutest little baby???