A 'stinkin cute' gal named Adrianne took some pictures of our family and the girls individually today. She has a blog for her photography and has posted a couple pics of my little ones. Check it out! http://capturedbyadrianne.blogspot.com
Meggy,
You are a month old now. So much has transpired since your birth. You were born on December 20th of the year 2007. You put up a little bit of a fight but seemed quick to give in and make your debut. We named you Megan about 4 months prior to your birth and your PaPa came up with the middle name Whitney (after the area I am from). Arriving at 7 pounds 2 ounces, a little over 20 inches long, and just as beautiful as I was sure you would be.
When your big sister came to meet you at the hospital, it seemed as if she had known you forever already. Her love and concern for you is so great sometimes I can feel it myself. She likes to help change you and swing you (sometimes a little to high). She is always begging to have you lay on her chest so she can pat your back and giggle in your ear.
At your one week doctor's appointment, you had gained 7 ounces. You have continued to eat like a champ and judging by the burps and the blowouts, that must be some great stuff!
Your daddy seems to always be sniffing you and has become ultra protective concerning your health during this winter season.
You sleep A LOT and your favorite place to snooze would hands down be your car seat. You have started to smile at the sound of my voice (I love that) and swaddling you tightly keeps you content. You do not cry-- more like squawk and not very loud and only once or twice at a time.... you seem to be pretty chill as long as your feed, burped, and changed.
Your arrival has completed our little family for the time being and we couldn't be more gteful to our Father in Heaven for sending us such a sweet spirit to teach, nurture, and love. I look at you with a heart full of hope. Hopes for your health, your future, your spirit, your heart, and I can only hope that by trying my best, I will do you right as a mother.
Love,
Your Mom
For the last month, the Rexburg LDS Temple has been open to the public to come, learn about, and view the inside. For a week, Nate and I have planned on making the hour and a half drive as a family. I woke up this morning, and the weather was reporting a temperature with wind chill in Rexburg at -35 degrees. That was at 8 this morning. I was sure we would opt not to go but Lilly woke up and told me 'We go to da temple huh mom..?'-- and I said 'yes! we are!' That was that so we bundled up and made a day out of it. I have been in a lot of temples and I have to confess that this is the most beautiful have ever seen. The trimmings were a sight and the pictures in the pamphlet they give you DID NO JUSTICE for the amazing detail. My favorite part would be all the artwork- enormous size paintings depicting Christ's life on every wall, in every room, through every hallway. Lilly's favorite were the chandeliers or diamonds as she describes them. There were crystal sconces that looked like they were just dripping down the walls- and I think Nate was most impressed with the perfection of the craftsmanship in the wood work. I cannot wait to return. Lilly has been talking about getting married in the temple since we left... so apparently, she feels the same way.
Megan Whitney Merrill (5 days old)
Lilly Grace Merrill (4 days old)
I would have never thought we would start calling her 'Meggy'-- courtesy of Lilly, the nickname has stuck.
To date, this instance is the longest Lilly has held Megan without Megan starting to cry or Lilly wanting to pass her off... we are so blessed to have these little gals in our family.This last Saturday was the thrid trip I've had to make to the hospital since I got pregnant. Since the delivery I have been leaking spinal fluid and suffered what they call a "spinal headache" for more than 15 days- unrelenting, throbbing, light sensitive, head pain. (Not to mention the lack of sleep that comes along with a newborn) Well last friday night, I would wake up chattering my teeth, shivering uncontrollably, and the next minute I would be in a crazy hot sweat. I was running a fever close to 101 and started dry heaving. (sounds fun right?) So the next morning I called the anesthesologist about the headache and my new symptoms. He was certain my body had an infection somewhere and wanted to see me right away (scary!- apparently meningitis was something to consider). Nate, Megan, and I went to the hospital and come to find out it was my right breast that was infected, causing flu like symptoms, and because my spinal headache was still constant, the doctor reccomended a 'blood patch'- which is like having another epidural only PAINFUL!!! They had to draw blood from my arm to inject into my spine to clot the leaking spinal fluid. Honestly, if I had known it was that painful, I'm not sure I would have gone through with it. The local anesthetic hurt, the huge needle he used in my arm hurt, the epidural hurt, the insertion of the blood hurt, and when they tried to lay me down after, my back muscles started to spasm and that's right about when I started to freak out. Then I had to lay flat on my back for 24 hours, endure not only the headache that would slowly disappear, but terrible back pain, and still my flu like symptoms from my breast infection. Nate served me dinner in bed, helped me feed the baby while laying down (not easy), and was in short, a slave to me for the next two days. Ya gotta love him. Today I'm starting the fel the antibiotics working and the headache is getting better but the back pain is unrelenting- and the Darvocet seems to make everything a tad blurry...
Thank you to everyone who has taken care of Lilly, and brought us dinner in... when you've been cooped up for so long feeling less than fantastic, it means a lot to be reminded that there are people out there rooting for you.
