Doctor's visit

Alley ventured back to the doctor yesterday for her 2 week check-up to see how much she had grown and to make sure she was doing well. I was a little concerned about whether or not she had gained enough weight, she falls asleep while eating all the time!! So, I was antsy about seeing what the doctor would say. She ended up having an excellent appointment. She now weighs 6lbs 15oz (she gained 11oz in one week - go girl!) and is 20 inches long (she grew an inch since birth). Dr. D said her skin looked great (she had a little jaundice at birth) and she was definitely growing the way they had hoped...whew! So mom, dad and Alley left the doctors office feeling better. Here are some recent photos of our growing girl.
A tiny girl in a big car seat...silly:)
I think our animals are a tad jealous of this new creature and all the attention she is getting!
I couldn't pass this up...her stocking is bigger than she is!! And no, we decided against trying to stuff her in the stocking, even though I am positive she would have fit just fine;)
I couldn't pass up this face!!! I have no clue what she is doing, but it was funny!

Our First Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving consisted of many firsts! Obviously this was the first time we had an infant and her schedule to juggle. Plus, we had to be prepared for anything and everything...infants are so unpredictable! We had to bring the infant papasan for her to take her naps in, the boppy to feed with, lots of diapers, wipes, burp clothes, a change of clothes, the car seat (we had to get there somehow!), the camera, blankets, gloves, extra socks in case it gets cold...the kitchen sink...goodness gracious I've never packed so much for just an afternoon out! I guess this is the beginning of my over packing:) Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving afternoon.
The Atlanta Noels getting to meet their niece and cousin before we all sat down to a feastWho wants turkey and Great-Granny's homemade rolls....I do!
Our first family shot...she couldn't keep her eyes off of dad!
This is how we all felt after eating our feast...I think her yawn is bigger than she is!!
And she is out...too bad this didn't last through the night! Oh well:) We had a wonderful first Thanksgiving and look forward to many more to come!

First week

Well, we are still transitioning into parenthood here, apparently Alley didn't read any of the baby bo0ks that her mom read;) Through trial and error we're beginning to catch on to how to be parents to a teeny-tiny little girl. We absolutely love it! She is very petite, as a result of that we've had to go out and buy preemie clothes because even the newborn clothes seem to swallow her! It's so funny! Anyway, her favorite past time is sleeping during the day, go figure, and waking up in the middle of the night just to inform us she's still here...for long periods of time. The joys of parenthood...I wouldn't trade it for the world! I'm excited to get to see her personality as she develops daily and to see more of her in an alert state, besides at night when she's telling us what she thinks!! Here are some pictures of the last few days...
Silly cat is a little jealous and has to be right there when we're holding Alley...I'm surprised she hasn't climbed onto of her when Alley is in our laps!!
Alley finally has her eyes open for a photo! Woo-hoo! Hopefully I'll be taking more pictures and she'll be awake for them:)

Alley Elizabeth McPherson

On Tuesday, November 13th at 10:16pm Andy and I welcomed the newest member of our family into the world! The labor and delivery went wonderful, I had only been in the hospital for less than 6 hours when she arrived and I only pushed for 20 minutes...it couldn't have been any better then that! She was really helping her momma out;) Anyway, here are some shots of her first couple of days. We ended up having to stay an extra night and day in the hospital because she had jaundice. She's all better now and we've finally made it home.

38 weeks...

Okay, so I'm now 38 weeks along and feeling every bit of the 38 weeks of pregnancy! The doctor said, as of my last appointment on Friday, that I am all baby (very little fluid in there) and that I've completely dropped...which means I can come at any time. He then said that at the next appointment (this Friday) they'd check me to see if I need to be induced (he's got his reasons)...exciting yet nerve-racking! I, of course said, could we wait to do all that until after the HSC-Randolph Macon football game?!
Here's the glorious picture at 38 weeks...