Amazing love...

I cannot believe it has been a week already...time sure does fly! Eli was a week old today...what a big day huh? :) I don't want him to get any bigger or any older...is that wrong? I just am so in love with him right now at this size. He loves me unconditionally and is so attached to me right now. I will say that I do love that he loves his momma so...oh little boys!

Be on the lookout for lots of Eli posts...going to finally get around to getting the labor story down and some of my favorite memories of our long weekend at Piedmont Hospital. I have so many people to thank...girls (you know who you are) thanks for being my support! I could never have made it without each of you...and my AWESOME, INCREDIBLE husband. Have I told you all how much I love him? He was such a calm and loving rock for me during the entire process. What a man!

Here are some of my favorite things so far about Eli:

• Little wrinkles above his forehead
• Reddish brown hair...who would have thought!
• His super gorgeous lips
• Little cleft chin
• His big ole feet
• Tree frog legs and toes
• The way he curls his toes as tight as he can get them when he eats.
• Sweet breath...oh my!
• He recognizes me when I sing "You Are My Sunshine" to him...it will quiet him in a second.
• He loves his hands up by his face at all times.
• He sleeps!!! (4 to 4 1/2 hours at a time all day/night long - such a good baby!)
  

I just got these pictures back (My uncle Doug took them for me!) and I wanted to share. It is hard to believe this was just 4 weeks ago...so much as changed!!

James Eli Copeland

Quick blog...so tired...but ELATED! Eli is the most awesome, beautiful, cool thing Lee and I have ever seen. The birth was amazing (even though it took 2 1/2 days) but we couldn't have asked for anything better. I will update more later but here are some pictures...thanks for all the love and support!

James Eli Copeland

September 13, 2008

7:30pm

6 lbs 19.5 in

The Eli Watch Continues....

All right, gang. (This is Melin blogging right now). We're back. We're in business. Things are moving. Flowing. You know what I mean...

OK, so we have broken water. We have epidurals in the body. We have pitocen flowing in the system. And when I write, "WE", I mean, Danielle, of course. We're not all giving birth today. She's a champ, though, she's feeling pretty good and smiley and is still giving off that Danielle Glow (TM).

She's resting now, Leebo is giving her sweet kisses on her knees or hands. We're just in waiting mode, but it is GOING to happen today. So, that's the update - at some point, today, Eli is a'comin'. We will be keeping everyone posted by phone, email, and blog, of course.

Mary, also known as the Rock Star Baby Birthing Assistant, was up here bright and early, ready to provide whatever was needed. Even if that meant stompin' on some spiders in the line of duty. To recap: Mammoth spotlights above the bed, and within one of these gargantuan spotlights was a spider, enjoying the view of little Danielle reclining on her bed. Lee couldn't stand that Mr. Spider was watching, and he wanted to open the globe and kill that spider dead where he lay. Not a Charlotte's Web fan, that Leebo. So, he climbed up there, and informed Mary that she was backup, and to be ready. Mary, not such a fan of spiders, was thinking, "I'm here to provide birthing expertise, not exterminator services, but OK."

As you can see in the below photo, that spider was capturing a lot of attention.

Lee was freezing, and although Danielle told him to bring slippers, Lee threw caution to the winds and did not pack any with him. Danielle was quite concerned about her hubby's tootsies, so she persuaded a nurse to track down some slippers. Here is Lee, toes warm, wearing his hospital brand ACTI slippers! Two thumbs up, all the way.
The happy couple below, getting ready for the big day. It's been a cute lovefest in here all morning. Aren't they adorable? They are both so calm and ready, it's awesome.

And here are the ladies. Ladies-in-Waiting, literally. We're just chilling out on the sofa, being quiet with the occasional giggles and grins of excitement. Between all of us at the hospital, waiting, and all of the messages and phone calls, Eli is one loved baby already.

So, stay tuned, folks. He'll be here before you know it!

WE HAVE AN UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Mary here)

The nurse just checked her, she's dialated to 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She and Lee are

OVER THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Coming Today?

Hi my fellow bloggers....just me...the one trying to have a baby! :) It is almost 6am and we are getting ready to start the pitocin again. I got 6 hours of UNINTERRUPTED sleep last night...amazing when you are pregnant and even more amazing when you are in the hospital. I was so tired from yesterday's round of pitocin that they took me off the monitors for the night, didn't check my vitals while I slept and gave me Ambien. I slept like a ROCK STAR! I feel very rested this morning....my stomach and abs are a alittle sore from all the contractions I had yesterday...but overall I am positive. I know this process so I am not nervous going in to LDR today. They have me a bigger (and COLDER) room to be in this morning....everyone here has taken care of me so much. I always loved Piedmont...now there is no denying my love affair with the nursing staff, food, or my awesome, awesome doctor. (Dr. Archie Roberts) He is the most patient man on the planet and wants me to have the most perfect vaginal (sorry if TMI) delivery possible and isn't going to rush me or Eli and threaten us with a c section which we are trying to avoid at all costs.

We will still be updating today...hopefully, things will progress a little faster so you won't have to read about what magazines or TV shows we are watching. I am hoping for a messed up hair, no makeup, oh my goodness....she had that baby post...what do you think?? ;)

Much, much love to all of you for reading and sending your sweet comments. We have read each one and it makes our day that Eli (and us) are so loved and prayed for. Keep them coming!! Here are some pictures from yesterday too....talk to you soon!

Cass massaging my feet - BEST Brother and soon to be Uncle in the world!!!

Auntie Melin and Uncle Cass just waiting for Eli!

My dad telling me I had done a great job all day even if there was no baby! He is going to have to find another blue shirt to wear today in honor of Eli. :)

Oh well!

No baby today...unless he decides to come on his own tonight. I didn't progress at all today even with 6 1/2 hours of pitocin...Eli is just very happy being in my belly! Dr. Roberts took us off the pitocin a little while ago and we are going to try again tomorrow morning. We will start the updates again in the morning...please be praying that I get a good night's sleep tonight and that my spirit stays up. I am starting to get a little frustrated but trying to stay positive! :) Thanks to everyone who came by today and stayed FOREVER with no results - sorry! haha

Love you all and thanks for all the prayers!

More news...

well, there isn't much news. (mary here)

still getting pitocen - - waiting for some action. the doctor will check her cervix again in a little while if she's at a 3, they'll order her epidural and break her water and then, my friends we'll have some progress.

for now, lee is getting some food and danielle is resting. everyone else is in the waiting room and melinda and i are sitting on either side of danielle's bed having the most organic girl time. who'd even know we're in a hospital room??

loving our waiting game. . . :)

Update...

Well, the cervadil didn't do much last night....still dialated 1cm but now 50% effaced. I did start having some contractions this morning around 3am but nothing too bad. I am now having contractions about every 10 minutes. They were supposed to induce me this morning around 7:30am but they are booked solid so they aren't starting until 11am. I am now having contractions every 9 to 10 minutes apart. Nothing too bad but we are hoping we are making progress so it is not such a long day for everyone!

Mary got here bright and early at 6:45am to be my "ROCK STAR" doula. Exactly what I needed...I am not nervous at all! Lee on the other hand is super excited and just a tad bit nervous. :) My parents are also here...Dad is proudly wearing a blue Polo shirt in honor of us having a boy! Isn't that cute?? Mom...aka Granny is sitting in her rocking chair with her glasses on the end of her nose reading the front cover wrapped in a shawl....waiting on the arrival of her grandson!!

We will keep you updated....stay tuned!