1 Month

We seemed to have survived one month so far. Sometimes we wonder if it's been more of a milestone for us than for Maizelyn. There have been some sleepless nights and some tears shed trying to figure out what she is in need of at the time, but it's been worth it. It's crazy how fast she is growing already.
Within the first week we've noticed her adorable positions she likes to sleep in. She loves to suck on her hands, so it would be like her to fall asleep with her hand near her mouth.
Here she is looking around wondering what is out in this big world that she has just entered.

Burping has been a challenge with her tiny tummy not wanting to cooperate. We are still trying to figure out the best system for her needs.
Sleepy baby. She is definitely a girl with the way that she sleeps.
When ever daddy gets a chance he tries to read to her. Here she seems to be listening intently.
No this is not a "I've got gas" smile. We've noticed that when she is really sleepy she starts to smile. It's absolutely adorable.
Love to talk to her and see if she'll smile for mommy and daddy.
That bottom lip is what makes daddy melt.
Swaddling has been a bit of a challenge at times as well. She wiggles a lot and likes to find her way out of whatever we try to wrap her up in. Once she has calm down, it's much easier to get her in and have her fall asleep.
We love her stretches. She is just waking up from a nap and needs to stretch her arms and legs after being wrapped up.
Maizelyn and daddy taking an afternoon snooze.
She seems to be a little more aware of us and when we are talking to her. She is starting to coo when mommy or daddy are talking to her. We look forward to watch what is in store for the months to come.

Father's Day

Andy's first Father's Day seemed to be a good one. We went to Church for the first time since Maizelyn was born. Grandpa Gross was very helpful and came over to watch Maizelyn while we got ready. We were very worried that she would cry the whole time considering she seems to cry whenever we try to go visit with friends. She did cry on the way there and Andy and I just couldn't help but laugh at her cries. We knew she was tired since she had been up since 4:30a.m. Sure enough she stopped but when we pulled up she was wide awake. She is very curious of what adventure we are taking her on. We wrapped her up and took her inside where everyone cooed over her. She fell asleep and was just absolutely adorable for everyone to see. Aunt Melanie got to hold her most of the time while Grandma Gross sat as close as she could to watch over her adorable granddaughter. After Church we took Grandpa Gross and Great Grandpa Gross out for breakfast. I was a little worried about Maizelyn waking up and it being feeding time in public. Sure enough, once the food came she was awake and needed her portion. It never fails that she wants to eat when I'm about to eat. Everything seemed to work out fine and Maizelyn was a treat to take with us. Maizelyn was very good for her daddy on his special day.
Grandpa Gross, the proud daddy and Great Grandpa Gross all enjoying Father's Day.

Grandparents

I know what it's like to have wonderful Grandparents, but it's different to see what grandparents are like with your own child. Maizelyn is blessed to have such loving grandparents who have been nothing but helpful throughout this whole experience. Grandma and Grandpa Gross were very helpful the first week by helping mommy and daddy get some rest and bringing them dinner. Grandma and Grandpa Vessel came to visit the second week and helped with getting daddy to work while his car was getting worked on and helping mommy get some rest during the day. They also made some delicious meals for us. We are very thankful for everyones help.
Grandma Gross was there to see the delivery of her first grand baby. She was very excited to find out it was a girl.
Grandpa Gross likes to worry about everything, but we know that he's just trying to protect his precious granddaughter.
Grandma and Grandad Vessel got to spend a whole week with Maizelyn. There were very helpful in taking care of her while mommy got some much needed sleep.
Maizelyn loves to fall asleep in Grandad Vessel's arms.
Great Grandma Johnson came to visit Maizelyn in the hospital. This is her fourth Great Grandchild.
Melissa and Maizelyn with Great Grandpa Gross and Great Grandpa Johnson. Maizelyn was very lucky to have her Great Grandpa Gross visit from Chicago.

Welcome to the world Maizelyn Faith Vessel

Labor Experience by Mommy

I had been going to the doctor each week hoping that there would be some sort of progress in the welcoming of our little one, but each time I felt a little disappointed when the doctor informed me that I wasn't dilating. Our last visit with the doctor was Thursday, May 27th when he decided to make an appointment to get induced the morning of Monday, May 31st. After being 7 days over due I woke up on Sunday, May 30th feeling kind of funny. I was feeling some sort of pains but wasn't sure what they were or what it meant. Pretty much all day I ignored whatever it was. We went on a walk and then headed to Aiden's first birthday party. While at the party I was feeling these pains more and more and was wondering if they might be contractions. I talked to some of the girls who informed me that if I was having contractions then I would know. I think that our little one was hearing all the excitement from the party and wanted to join in all the fun. As we headed home from the party I informed Andy that I thought I was having contractions so we tried to time them. They seemed to be about 5 minutes apart. We got home and timed them some more but they were so sporadic that we weren't sure if we should head to the hospital. I was told to stay at home for as long as I could and also we feared the idea of heading to the hospital and them just sending us right back home. Around 10:00p.m. Andy went ahead and gave the hospital a call. They told us to go ahead and come on in. We checked in around 10:30p.m. and found out that I was dilated to 3. We were going to be staying so Andy headed to the car to get our things and once he got back I was already dilated to 5. I told him that he better give my mom a call because it's going to happen tonight. Things were moving along pretty quickly. When the nurses came back and informed me that my doctor was on his way, they also mentioned that he was surprised that I was so far along considering not being dilated at all just a few days earlier. I DIDN'T end up getting an epidural which was probably the best thing and could have slowed down labor. Contractions were very painful but Andy was the best coach I could have ever asked for. When I couldn't breathe he coached me through it and took deep breathes with me and held my hand while I looked him in the eyes. It was the most painful experience I have ever gone through but the end result was the best I could have ever asked for. Once my baby came out and I heard her crying it was a sigh of relief that she's finally here. My mom was the one that yelled out "It's a Girl!" which I was hoping to hear from Andy. It was okay though because Andy was whispering in my ear "Maizelyn Faith is here, Maizelyn Faith is here!" We kept our names a secret from everyone and it was exciting to finally be able to share her name with everyone. My mom ran out to the waiting room where dad, Brandon and Grandpa Gross were waiting to hear the news. She was so excited to tell them that we had a girl that she totally forgot to share the name. She was just so excited! When the nurses put Maizelyn in my arms I just melted. I thought that she is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen. Thank the lord that she is here. After some time with her they took her away to clean her up and Andy was with her the whole time. I remember lying in bed trying to get some rest and waking up when it was getting light out and Andy still wasn't back. The nurses brought her back to me letting me know that she wanted her momma. She didn't look like she was in much need for me considering she was sound asleep. I didn't care because I felt like I could just stare at her forever. What can I say other than I'm in love with a miracle.

Labor Experience by Daddy

After the visit to the Doctor's office on the 27th of May it seemed to me that the baby didn't want to come out of there and was determined to stay in mommy's womb. We tried a few things to hopefully help with inducing. Walking lots, acupuncture (twice), off road four wheeling with her dad, spicy foods and a few other things. Who knew it would merely take going to a Birthday party to get the "real," ball rolling. I think I may have to blame it on the cake with maybe a little jealousy over Aiden and Makenzie playing on the four-wheeler together. Soon after that display of possible affirmations of what the future has in store for those two, Melissa's unknown pains seemed to be getting more and more painful. In the car on our way to her parents house around 6 pm we tried timing them...and of course couldn't quite figure out on how far apart they were. When we arrived at her parents house we utilized a stop watch to count the laps, but with me not knowing exactly when this crazy onset of pain occurred and when it really ended my timing seemed off still. At this point we decided it was best to go home and check in our handy pregnancy booklet from class to see if we could put a better finger on this timing thing. Sure enough, these contractions just became more common and more intense. I figured it was best to give the birthing center a call. After a quick chat, oh and yes a quick hair cut (needed to look my best for baby) we were on our way. We checked in with the nurse by 10:30 and was out, down the elevator and through the enormously long hallway to get the bags for the evening as Melissa was told to stay. Upon returning with the bags I was alarmed when Melissa asked me to call her mother because she was dialated to 5. I scrambled for the phone in my deep pocket and was on the phone in a flash. The night seemed to hit hyper speed and before I could call Grandma to make sure she got out of bed she was coming in through the door. I tried my best to stay calm and breathe with my baby cakes even asking one time if maybe I could get a little extra oxygen. Too much breathing...to fast. I stayed firm and held her hand, finding it best to use the other hand to lightly scratch her leg up and down in the same pattern as her breathing. The amount of intense pain that she was feeling and watching her with stand the pressure really allowed me to see the strength that she has within her. In a jiffy we arrived to around 8 and eagerly awaited to have the doctor come and break the bag of waters. To our surprise the nurse said that the doc wanted to wait a little longer. Soon after he appeared and the pushing began. What a sight!!! I am so proud of Melissa I don't think there are any other words to effectively say how I feel about her...I just really love her. I don't think she could have done anything more perfect! Maizelyn was born and after having the words "it's a girl," transposed by Grandma I felt best to bury my head into Melissa's cheek and whisper softly that our baby Maizelyn Faith was here. Maizelyn's brightly colored red face and quivering protruding lower lip immediately stole my heart. Melissa unclenched her fingers long enough for me to cut the umbilical cord. Pretty weird really and when I was done wanted to know where I should put the scissors even though the Doctor told me to just drop them on the ground. I then witnessed more things that I am not going to repeat and must be saved for other expectant fathers. These things will really just make you think WOW! Once Grandma came back from exclaiming to the family how happy she was, I felt I would go share the news with them as well and at least let them know what our precious little daughter's name was. After much cooing and emotional banter I followed the nurse to the Nursery, where I got to play with Maizelyn in the heating nursery bin. After trying to figure out how the nurse was washing her via video I got the liberty to play with stamping her foot prints. It was all so surreal that I hadn't a clue what time it was. I was floored when I returned to the hospital room to find it fairly light outside. Shortly after kissing Melissa and bidding the "girls" adieu I went to sleep. I am truly blessed and couldn't have asked for a better experience, uh oh gotta go now, I hear some unbelievably wretched screaming, I should go check that out!