Handyman

We have a handyman on our hands. 

He is taking service orders now! 

Madelyn: 1 Month

Madelyn, You are one month old! 

It is so crazy to me that just a month ago we were rushing to the hospital to have you. You came into the world quickly but quietly and that is how you have remained. 

You are the calmest baby I have ever seen. You love to be held by anyone and everyone and the moment your princess tush hits a swing or a pallet, well hello lungs. You let everyone know that you deserve better than that. 

You are in a size one diaper and are wearing size 0/3 month clothes. Socks never stay on your feet because they are so little. You are nursing like a champ. I am anxious for your doctors appointment next week to see how much you weight. {Not looking forward to those shots.}

I think its a little early to be purposeful but I have seen a few smiles come from you little lady. They make me so anxious to see what your personality will be like when you really understand what a smile is. When you sleep you smile. A lot. I hope that means we make you happy. Because you make us happy. 

You are the gassiest baby I know. You toot all day long. And you can blow out your britches with the best of em. The other day you pooped on your daddy! You go girl! 

You are starting daycare next week and there you will meet Ms. Wilma. She is so sweet-you will love her. She will probably make you lay in the bouncer more than you would prefer but a little spoiling detox is on the menu! 

You have met all of your living great-grandparents. They ate you to pieces. Your MawMaw, Gigi, and Granny took all the kisses you had to offer. 

You have the two main men in your life wrapped around your little finger. You Daddy loves to stop by you where ever you are and talk to you. You stare into his eyes and I melt. I love the relationship that you two have already. Your brother is mad about you. He wants to be where ever you are. If you start to cry, Camden will go find your Binky and bring it to you. I have had to stop him a few times from poking it in your eye. He also likes to hold you. He isn't the most gentle {you have no choice but to be tough, girl} but he love you, Sister. 

Speaking of love, my heart is full of it for you. You have changed me. The Lord has you and your story to make my heart new. I have a new lease on life through the mercy and grace the Lord showed our family by giving us you. I love to sit you on my knees, look you in your eyes, and tell you how special you are. I plan to do that for as long as the Lord allows. 

 Baby Girl, happy 1 month. 

I love you more than words can say! 

Little Sister, Big Brother

 Big Brother and Little Sister. 

I hope these two treasure each other and their special relationship forever.

Because I treasure them more than they will ever know. 

Madelyn's Birth Story

I'm telling this because I want to remember all the details.

All the sweet precious, but hard details of Madelyn's birth. What a sweet day it was.

It started on Saturday night. We were having dinner with a friend at our house and while I was cooking I began to feel some pains that were a little harder than the Braxton Hicks contractions that I was used to. Contractions that I could walk through but would make me take a step back and breathe. At dinner, I felt another and then another. I tried to discretely whisper to Nathan that I though this was the real deal (I was having some other signs of labor also) but who am I kidding. Me? Whisper? Yea right. Our friend heard me and the look on his face was priceless. We reassured him that labor could last a while and we would't be giving birth anytime soon.

After dinner was wrapped up and cleaned up, I went to shower. I wanted to have shaved legs if this was the real deal! Contractions continued but only every 30 minutes or so. At about 10:00 we called it a night and went to bed. I couldn't get comfortable there so to the couch I went. And I actually slept.

Sunday morning at 5:50 I woke up to the hardest contraction I had had. It was so strong that I went to wake Nathan up. I crawled into bed and we began timing them. 18 minutes apart. 15 minutes apart. 10 minutes apart. We both got up to get things ready we knew that this was it. We were going to have a baby today! It took me much longer than usual to get myself presentable-hair pulled back, teeth brushed, shoes on. By this time contractions were every 2-3 minutes.

We called my mom to come up and keep Camden so we could leave. By the time she got to out house, I wasn't able to talk through the contractions. Exciting yet exhausting. Camden woke up right before we left at about 7:30ish.

Just in case you ever wondered what a woman in labor looks like! 

We said goodbye to our family of 3. I had a moment and then composed myself enough to go have a baby! 

We loaded up in the car and headed off. Contractions in the car were unbearable. You can't exactly position yourself to handle them in such a small space. I cried most of the way. 

Once at the hospital we did the routine paperwork and I was checked in and in a room in no time. Once I was in a gown I was checked and this baby was closer than I thought! The nurse asked me if I wanted an epidural and I declined. (What was I thinking, right?!) So Nathan and I walked the room. I cried with the really bad contractions and he encouraged me to breathe. Eventually I was checked again. I was 1 centimeter from pushing! In just a matter of time, I would meet the precious child the Lord had so generously given to our family. 

Natural labor causes you to forget a lot of things when it is happening (Praise the Lord!) so I can't tell you all the details here (not that you want to know anyways). I can tell you that I begged to push and the Doc was brought in. I don't remember these things but I was quoted saying, "I'm on fire!" and "Get this baby out of me!" Laugh now. 

At 10:35, just 4.5 hours after active labor started, we welcomed our precious baby girl! 

 This 7lb. 5 oz. bundle of joy has my heart. 

We invited everyone in to come see her.

These pictures are so candid and so precious to me. 

After about an hour, I was moved to a room and thats where we spent the next 24 hours. 

We settled in and loved on our sweet girl. We passed her and passed her. She is such a doll and mild mannered. 

And while grandparents loved on Sister, 

I got to spend some quality time with my boy. 

The very next day we were headed home. Thats right people, within 26 hours of giving birth this mama was on her way home with two kids. Two! We packed our bags and poor Nathan made about 10 trips to the car and back. He was our resident pack mule. Once we were all ready I buzzed the nurses. One for me and one for the baby. I got my prescriptions and discharge orders and she got her security bracelet cut off. She could officially leave the hospital without setting off alarms! 

The kiddos were all dressed up in their first matching outfits and we were out the door! 

This family that the Lord has given to me has made me a better woman. The most amazing husband and sweetest kids. I am blessed. 

And this birth story ended as we drove away from the place that both of my kids were been born. It was also the place where Camden was brought when he was in the accident. The Lord redeemed what could have been a dreaded place to go. But instead we buckled in two precious gifts and drove off to begin our new life. 

Introducting the Newest Little Russell...

I am beside myself to introduce you to

Madelyn Alaine Russell

Because of this sweet baby, Nathan and I have seen our redemption story come full circle. 

Birth story to follow. 

Happy New Year!

I can't say that I am sad to see 2012 go. It was a hard year for us. While I haven't forgotten any of the blessings that it brought, it had its share of strife, heartache, and challenges. Nate and our families went through more than we ever bargained for- but the Lord led us out of the valley in a mighty mighty way, and we ended the year happy as clams!

Journey with me through 2012: 

Camden kicked RSV in the butt on New Years Day last year. 

 We spent 4 long days in LeBonheur and our lives were turned upside down. 

Camden celebrated his first Easter.  

And got cuter by the day. 

I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day.  

We took our first big family trip to Gulf Shores with some friends. 

It was great to get out as a family of 3.  

Nate took a trip to Zambia, Africa.  

 We found out we were expecting Baby #2. 

What redemption to a long hard year. 

Camden went to his first Mississippi State football game. 

I ran my first 5K-the Color Run. It was a blast.  

Camden started walking!  

Big Boy also turned 1 year old.  

 We found out that we were adding pink to our family! 

This Mama is thrilled. 

We ended the year celebrating the birth of our Savior. 

I can not wait to see what all 2013 holds. I have a suspicious feeling that our family is in for some changes. Big changes. Good changes. I am giddy at the start of a new year. A new baby. A new beginning for our family after the tough year that 2012 was. 

Happy New Year! 

Because Thanksgiving is 3 days away...

...I thought I would post Halloween.

Camden was a Mississippi State football player this year. And appropriately wore the number of our quarter back, Tyler Russell.

Down. Set. Hut Hut Hut. 

Camden practiced his moves in the backyard with the dogs. He insisted on tackle football. 

Seriously, could this be anymore precious? 

And to wrap our Halloween up, Camden perfected his throwing skills. 

He just hasn't figured out how to throw forwards. 

Happy really late Halloween! 

Love, 

Camden, #17