Grandma is here!

Guess who's here?!?  Grandma Mavrakis had planned to be here for Makayla's birth, but our little girl just couldn't wait that long to arrive.  Grandma Mavrakis made her way to Boston to visit with her first and only (so far) grandchild.  We were fortunate to have her stay a couple weeks and spend some time with Makayla and help us out while we adjusted to life with a newborn.  Makayla did lots of shopping, eating out, and falling asleep on Grandma while she was here.  It was great to see Grandma with her granddaughter.  I know I've said it before, but we appreciate it more than you know, there's not enough thank yous in the world that would express our gratitude enough.  We love you!

Awww...

Mookie wanted some love from Grandma too!

So sweet! Always napping on Grandma! <3

First Bath

We gave Makayla her first bath today before Grandma Mavrakis came for her visit.  Makayla wasn't happy to say the least, but at least she was clean!

Baby Shower

Mike's coworkers had planned a small baby shower luncheon for us today.  We hadn't expected to be taking Makayla to her own baby shower, but I guess she didn't want to miss the party.  We are so very thankful to have had them plan something for us in addition to all the freezer meals they made for us to take home!

Dressed up and ready to go

Seriously the best cake I've ever had!

The gang

Our little family!

One week old...

It's hard not to snap pictures of our baby girl!  Today she turns one week old!  

Our tiny little girl!

Welcome, our baby girl, Makayla May!

Our little sweetheart is here and she has melted our heart!  Makayla, we can't wait to spend our lives with you!

Other shots from our photo shoot!

Back to the hospital...

 Today we took Makayla to her initial check up at the base clinic with her pediatrician.  While there her bilirubin test came back a little higher than what it was when we left the hospital.  Since she is a preemie the doctor advised us to go the hospital.  We were admitted in and Makayla started her treatment for jaundice.  Even though jaundice is a very common thing, I was still scared and shed a few tears.  At very high levels, jaundice can be damaging.  Makayla's levels weren't at the high risk level, but since it had jumped up high really quick, there was cause for concern.  It was a bummer having to go back and stay in the hospital for 2 more days after getting settled at home, but it needed to get done to make her better.  We left the hospital 2 days later with Makayla doing much better!

In her phototherapy bed

Chillin'

She was so content in there

Day 2, no phototherapy

Her first bottle 

Daddy giving Makayla her first bottle

Looking better!

Heading home in a snow storm!

Our sweet bundle of joy!

Baby? Today?

Well, I thought I'd be writing this post sometime in mid February, but Baby Mavrakis had her own agenda.  At around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, my water broke as I sat on the couch watching a video posted on Facebook by my friend's sister of her crying baby.  It wasn't what I pictured...a gush of water just bursting out.  Instead, it was a trinkle, as if I had sneezed and couldn't hold it in, but this time there was no sneeze so I knew something was up.  Mike had just gone up to bed so I waited a few minutes and went to the bathroom only to have it happen again and again...  I woke Mike up and told him something felt different this time.  I called my doctor's office and they paged the doctor to call me back.  As I waited, I text my sister and my best friend Carrie to confirm what I thought had happened seeing they've had two babies of their own and tried not to panic, this wasn't supposed to happen for another month!  The doctor finally called me back and advised us to go to the hospital seeing that I was 4 weeks early and this was our first baby.  Mike and I packed my bag (which was on my to do list for that week) or should I say threw in a few things I would need and jetted off to Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA with an uninstalled baby seat in the back (which had been on my to do list for daddy to be) and my water "breaking" about every 2-3 minutes.  It was quite the ride.  Once we were there, the nurse tested to see if what was leaking out of me was amniotic fluid...which it was.  We were then admitted and told we weren't leaving this hospital without a baby!  Mike and I were in shock.  We were both so excited to bring Baby Mavrakis into this world, but also prayed that everything was going to be okay since the timing was so unexpected.  I was 1 cm dilated as they checked me in so it was going to be a long wait at the hospital.  I started to feel my contractions later on that night and did my best to try to sleep through them.  A pain reliever was given and that helped through the night although it made me feel kinda loopy.  Monday morning came and the contractions were closer, stronger, and more often.  I did everything I could to try to bear through them, but at about 5 cm I gave in to the epidural.  The contractions were tough and I couldn't imagine going through worse pain and I wasn't about to wait to find out.  Next thing you know, at my next dilation check around 2 p.m., I was 9 cm.  The last centimeter took forever and before we knew it I was pushing at around 3:40 p.m.  Mike was a great coach as he stood there holding my leg and encouraging me that I can do this.  And I did.  At 4:22 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2014, Baby Mavrakis, or should I say Makayla May Mavrakis was born, healthy and ready for the world.  

The night has just begun...

Daddy to be...

Tubbin' it

All ready for our Baby Girl's arrival

She's almost here...

Our first meeting <3

Welcome to the world Makayla, I'm your mommy! 

Daddy cutting the umbilical cord

Getting checked out

Mommy and Makayla

Daddy and Makayla

Makayla May Mavrakis
1/13/14 4:22 p.m.
5 lbs 14.5 oz and 19 in long

Cleaned up in her hospital outfit

All cleaned up and asleep

Special Star for daddy

Changing to go home

Ready to go home!

First time in the car seat...initial reaction.

First night home, listening to some country music...Luke Bryan, of course

Meeting Mookie!

You know, like I've said before, I use to be apprehensive about having a baby.  For the most part, I enjoyed being pregnant and to be honest labor and delivery was an experience that I enjoyed as well.  When Makayla was born, I felt something special, something I've never felt before.  I looked down at her for the first time and I thought to myself, "What had I been waiting for?" I think I can speak for Mike as well when I say that she has made our life so much sweeter and we already can't picture our life without our sweet baby girl, Makayla May!