New Role

Watching Caroline in her new big sister role has been cool.   After Christmas Caroline told Chris and I that baby Ali was going to bring her a fishing pole.  I was not sure where she got this from.  We had  planned on getting her a small baby doll and giving it to Caroline at the hospital but changed when this idea popped into her mind. We bought a princess fishing pole and kept it in the car with the hospital bag. Caroline was excited when Ali gave her the gift.  She carried it around proudly.

A couple of random pictures from the week:

Going home Tuesday afternoon

Car ride home.  Caroline sat next to Ali and talked to her all the way home.

Aunt Dacee showed Caroline how to cast her fishing pole outside.   Nana and Papaw then took it to their house and continued practicing fishing down in the basement with her.

 Caroline had a slumber party with them on Ali's first night home. This was a huge help and really fun for Caroline.

 Papaw brought Caroline home around noon and played legos while Ali slept in the swing.

They are buddies

Wednesday night my mom came into town after work.

That night Ali gave Chris and I a 4 hour stretch.  It was from 4:00-9:00.  Thank goodness my mom was here  Caroline and mom made breakfast, and played while we slept in.

Caroline wanted SOOOO bad to clean a poop diaper and couldn't wait. Thursday morning she finally got her chance.  She not only supervised but also helped bring all the supplies and threw the diaper away. 

Flowers delivered from the Falcos.  The Falcos also got Ali the cutest little blanket.

It is the softest material and quickly becoming my favorite blanket of hers.

 Lolly took Caroline to play in the indoor play ground at chickfila.  It has been amazing having her here.

Baby whisperer

First bottle

Aunt Jac playing play doh

A little tummy time this morning.

 Caroline's favorite game with Lolly is she hides in the crib while Lolly the mountain lion scares her.  She also loves to jump on the air mattress.  Lolly is the best!

More play doh time

Happy Birthday to my sister! We got to facetime with her, Kyle and Jaden yesterday. Jaden in those little polo.  He is stylish!

Ali is Here!

Ali Noel made her appearance 1/26/15 at 4:44am weighting in a 6 lbs and 4 oz 18 in long. I started having contractions on Friday morning in my back around 4:00am about 15 minutes apart. My doctor said to wait until they were 5 minutes apart and then go to labor and delivery. On Saturday afternoon they got closer together so Chris and I went up there and I was still only dilated to a 3 so they sent me home.  They said don't come back until my water broke or I couldn't walk and talk through the contractions...... I kind of thought I was there and was little dishearten because the contractions won't go away like braxton hicks contractions.

So Saturday and Sunday were MISERABLE! Sunday night at midnight the contractions were getting even worse but I didn't want to go in because I KNEW they were going to send me away. Chris made me go in saying maybe they could give you something to help me sleep. Nana and Papaw were going to have to stay with Caroline so I wouldn't let Chris go with me.  I went in not being able to walk and talk but I did drive myself.

I officially checked in at 12:40am and was dilated to 6 so they let me stay. I was so excited I started to cry. I ordered the epidural and then called Chris to get up there. I wanted to make sure they got me on the list. Chris made it safely just as the anesthesiologist made it in. Perfect timing!

I labored for only 4 hrs in the hospital but to be fair I did most of the work at home.  Ali made her appearance into the world around 4:44am. 

Ali had a few visitors at the hospital yesterday: 

Nana, Kelley and Papaw

Lolly and Granddad

Jacee

Kristen Lewis 

Sara and Andrew

Randy from our church

and her big sister Caroline

She also face timed with Aunt Dondi and baby Jaden

Ali's cousin Leah made her this yesterday. So sweet!

Her Aunt Stephanie sent Ali tons of little gowns and the cutest little hat with a pink bow she wore for 2 days. Here are a few pictures of our time in the hospital:

Looking really rough but we are a happy family of 4!

Proud Big Sister!

Caroline was really sweet and excited to meet her sister.  She helped me change a diaper and gave baby Ali her blanket to use.  It's amazing seeing her in this new role.

I love these 3 more then anything in the world!  

Week 38

38weeks! Around 20 in &  7lb.  

Heartbeat at Last Appointment: 155

Gender:  Sweet Little Girl

Names:  Ali Noel Prather

I'm trying to get scheduling done before Ali gets here.  Pip is helping in the only way she knows how.

 At my Doctor's appointment last Thursday my doctor said I was dilated to a 2 so I am progressing.   I am still having contractions -nothing consistent.  I really need her to stay in until next week because then I wouldn't have to go back to work until after spring break. I know she will do whatever she wants and come when she is ready.  Only a few more days until we get to meet her.

It has been beautiful weather the last few days.  There is a big storm coming so we have been enjoying it while we can.

Nana and Papaw let Chris and I go on a date. Sunday night-  Caroline had a great time per usual. Ali enjoyed the meal.

Getting Ready For Ali

This is from Caroline's Friday Folder.  They were working on "writing" letters to someone.  They could pick anyone. Some of the kids picked spiderman or Elsa from Frozen but Caroline picked Ali.  Caroline instructed me that she actually drew her a picture of a bear but she did tell Ms. Mallory that she did love her sister.  This made my heart really happy! We are getting ready Ali's appearance around here. We went out to eat on Friday knowing that it might be a while before we can do it again.

Daddy took Caroline and I out on a date Friday night and even let Caroline get a chocolate cake! 

Caroline loves to play in Ali's room.  I was cleaning the kitchen on Saturday morning and noticed it was really quite for about 15 minutes {Always a bad sign}. I walked into Ali's room were Caroline had taken a whole Huggies wipe pack out and used them all on Harper her baby doll,  She also let Harper try on all Ali's clean onies and wrapped her in all her blankies. Also she was jumping in the crib singing "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the bed. She stopped singing and told me that Harper had pooped everywhere and on everything....

She had to throw 6 diapers away because apparently it was really bad problem. Ha!  This kid makes me laugh!!

A few others Pictures from this weekend:

We celebrated Sara K's babies this weekend.  Roxanne is amazing and hosted it at her house.  She is really creative and decorated her house with tons of books.

The hostess: Roxanne, Mina, Heather, Sara, Nichole and I

I had to make the baked potatoes which gave me anxiety.  The last time I had to make this many potatoes they turned out terrible so I research and asked all the expert cooks so I didn't embarrass the Prather name. They turned out normal! It was a great Shower!