She's here! She's here! She's here!

The day we have been waiting for has finally arrived!

Madison Emery Gribble was born Friday, December 16, 2011 at 12:05pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 18 3/4" in length. Mom and baby are both fine, and dad has been smiling ever since.


We arrived at the hospital Friday for our scheduled cesarean at 9am to finish up our paper-work, get settled into our room, meet the nursing staff, and learn a bit of what to expect. Shortly after which, Jeff's mom and dad arrived, as well as our good friend Lesley.

Around 11:45 we were heading into the O.R. to meet our little girl face to face. With dad sitting by mom's side, we patiently waited to heat her first cry.

Jeff hadn't planned on seeing much of the delivery process, but with a little prodding, stood to see over the sheet just in time to see Madison being brought out! Since she had been in a breach position, the first sight to be seen was her little bottom, within seconds that felt like minutes of anxiousness, she was flipped over so her face could be seen for the first time...his first thought: "she's perfect!".

Madison's nurse team then went to work with Madi while mom's group continued finishing up. It was then our tears began to flow with the sound of her first cry.

By now, dad had made his way to stand by as Madison's footprints were taken, tests were conducted, and measurements taken while mom curiously watched from the distance of her table. When all the necessary measurements were taken, the nurses brought Madison over to mom and placed her on her chest...our first visit together. One of the doctors was gracious enough to grab a picture for our first family photo.

Next was Dad's turn; I finally got to hold my little girl! What a beautiful sight seeing her little face. After a brief meeting, I was able to complete one wish I'd had, to say a prayer over her before moving into the recovery room.

In recovery we were able to spend more one on one time with our girl, and watch Becka, one of our great nurses, give her first bath before leaving out to meet her grand parents still waiting patiently in our room.


Now on day three since her birth, we continue to be amazed at just how much of a blessing she is!

LaWanda is improving by leaps and bounds (most likely a testament to the shape she was in pre-pregnancy); and has been doing a super job in her new role as mom. Dad has been trying to help in anyway I can, changing diapers, helping with feeding, and giving an endless supply of kisses to those beautiful cheeks.

We can't wait to introduce her to all of our friends, see her grow into a beautiful girl, young lady, and strong woman; we thank all of you for the support you've shown us to this point, and thank you in advance for the positive influences we feel confident you'll put into her life.

With thankful hearts,
Jeff and LaWanda

13 hours, 11 minutes to go!

Well, the waiting is almost over, those once thought 'nine long months' have passed, and tomorrow, we will officially welcome Madison Emery into our lives.
At 9am tomorrow morning, LaWanda and I will arrive at the hospital to fill out paper-work, and then get her prepped for a cesarian to be completed at 11:30.
Since this is my first attempt at placing an entry mobile, and needing sleep, I'll be keeping this one brief; but be fore-warned, pictures galore are bound to show up very soon.

What are you doing in there?

It is now Thanksgiving Day at 3 am. I have so much to be thankful for as I lay here feeling you toss and turn inside my body. What are you doing in there anyway?

At first, a solid bump stretches across my stomach from one side to the other, as if you're pressed right up against my belly button (oh and thanks for pushing that out for us all to see, lol). Then a strong punch in my side and another under my ribs. Maybe you can't get comfortable anymore either. Well we only have a few more days before we see each others face.

Personally, I can hardly wait! I want to touch your little body and count all your fingers and toes. I want to look into your eyes and see your smile. You have brought so much joy into our lives already and don't even know it yet...but you will. Your dad and I will be telling you often how much we love you!

Well you've settled back down now, so I guess I'll give it another try too...good night my dear. I love you, sweet dreams.

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

Just a quick little update; as many of you know, either from us personally or the last blog entry, LaWanda has been seeing the doctors quite regularly. One appointment per week (normally on Tuesday morning) to a high-risk doctor who monitors both LaWanda's gestational diabetes, amniotic fluid levels, and Madison's size; with a second weekly appointment with her OB doctor (normally on Friday's). With this weeks visit to the OB, we received more info on the soon-to-be birth of our little girl.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a slight decrease in the amniotic fluid levels surrounding & protecting Madison. The OB now expects that there will be a 50% chance, with her Tuesday's visit, that the high-risk doctor will keep her in office & schedule Madison's birth that day based on what those readings may be. The chance during the next weekly visit would rise to about 85%; and if everything held out past that, the third week would be the limit & Madison would meet us face-to-face that same day!

So to put it in much easier terms...Madison will be here as soon as 3 days from now, and now longer than 2 weeks, 3 days. :D

 I know this is a short post, but I just had to share. Ok...now...time for me to get back to work - I now REALLY have to get everything ready!! Lol.

What's going on?

Some time has passed since the last blog entry...this isn't because its become any less important, or that we haven't had anything to say. However, I'm sure you can understand how our schedules have sped up in these past few weeks as we prepare to welcome Madison Emery into our lives.
We, of course, have been keeping our normal schedules with work, church, and family time, and are now including things like getting our house somewhat prepared, prepping for baby showers, and LaWanda has now reached the time for multiple weekly visits to the doctor.

Speaking of LaWanda, she has been doing really well overall; her energy levels have decreased a bit with the onset of her third trimester, but still aren't as draining as during her first. She hasn't been plagued by heartburn, or many of the other symptoms, of several others we've heard have faced, and is currently below her personal goal of not gaining more than 25 pounds! In fact, about the only challenge she's been dealing with (although not minor) is that she was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
The first attempt at controlling this came with a visit to a dietitian; after reviewing her eating patterns (which they were impressed with) a few changes were made with less than optimum results. The second attempt came with a prescription for glyburide. The results were better, but even with higher dosages, fluctuated often. Currently, she has been placed on insulin injections four times per day, along with continuing to monitor her sugar readings to gauge its results. Even with this, her numbers will sometimes range from slightly elevated, to periodical drops.
So along with her weekly OB visits, she also has a weekly visit to a high risk clinic who performs weekly ultrasounds to monitor Madi's growth. This said, we now know that Madison's birth will be a scheduled event rather than a surprise arrival.
Still yet, Madi has become quite the kick-boxer...a sign that we've been told let's them know she isn't stressed. To be sure of this, the OB will also conduct non-stress tests weekly as part of our visits as well.

On another note, we're currently in the process of refinancing our home. This may seem like a simple statement, but the implications behind the statement deserve some explination.
Several years ago, we purchased our current home; at the time we knew it wasn't the ideal structure, but the price was right, and the property would allow us to build on-site. Several things have changed since our project began that have prevented its completion. Now that Madi is on the way, completion has become more of a must.
With the current economy, it may seem counter-indicative to seek refinancing & get money in return, but through this, we are seeing a blessing. Currently, the banks are offering really good financing rates; at this rate, we will be able to refinance our payoff, get the funds needed to complete our building project, and pay off a credit card that was used during my surgery last year, all while decreasing our monthly budget by more that $150! I suppose the only thing left to say is: God is good.

Lastly, we recently had our first baby shower. It was hosted by our small group, and included members of our church family & a few close friends. It turned out amazing! The entire event was beautiful and Madi ended up with several cute outfits and several necessities to welcome her home. What a great group of friends we have.

We can't wait to introduce our daughter to you all!

To my baby girl...

It's nearly 11pm; the power is out, and with windows open behind me, there's a slight breeze cooling the air. I hear thunder in the distance, the sound of raindrops dance outside, and by candle's light, I sit here writing, thinking of you.

Twenty-four weeks and two days today...nearly 18 weeks ago we learned of you. Now somewhere around 15 weeks more until I see your face,  I do not feel prepared, but can hardly wait for the day!

Every day this becomes more real to us, with each step I feel more awake. I've reckoned every kick, motion, and beat of your heart a blessing and memory I never dare forget; each one being an early kiss to my cheek from your own little lips.

I've thought of a thousand things I want to share with you, so many wonders for you to see; but greater still, to see your happiness is more important than them all. I am enamored by your presence, but have yet to hold you near.

I'll not be a perfect father to you dear, this is a thing I know true, but in whatever you need of me, I will be here for you. With every laugh, every tear, every bump and bruise along the way, I'm proud God allowed me to be your daddy, and I'm always here to stay.

Abba, Father!

I love music and quite often find myself riding along in the car, music blaring, singing away with whatever notes I can hit in reason...and sometimes even those I can't. Ever now and then, I'll hear a lyric I've never noticed before, or hear another I'm familiar with, that strikes amazement in an entirely different way based on what's going on in my life.

A few days ago I found myself in yet another one of those moments; riding along, great song on the radio, singing out loud. The song that was playing was 'How He Loves' by David Crowder.

Knowing my appreciation for any song by David Crowder, and my fondness for this song in particular, I've probably sang it a hundred times over. Singing during the pinnacle bridge of the song, the familiar words rang out: "and Heaven meets Earth like an unforeseen kiss and my heart beats violently out of my chest".

From out of no where my tears began to flow; tears of happiness, tears of amazement, and tears of understanding. I suppose this stems from the timing of things, but it was a welcome lesson I don't want to forget. At that moment, the thought of my soon to be daughter showing her love to me through unexpected kiss crossed paths with the thought of God's love toward me as my Abba (daddy) Father - the same pattern of though mentioned in the song...Heaven meets Earth...He approaches us.

At the same time, the thought of turned to me being an example of God to my little girl: the way she will view God as father depends greatly on me...oh my!

All the while, God was speaking to me through this, as David continued to sing: "He loves us, oh how He loves us; He loves us! We are His portion, and we are His prize, drawn to redemption through grace in His eyes, if grace is an ocean we're all sinking!"

My praises began to flow!

My daughter, whom I've yet to meet, has already grabbed my heart in a way I can't explain. I know she'll need to learn discipline, but for now, she has done no wrong - she doesn't need forgiveness from me in any thing; but God, who is aware of every wrong I've ever done (or thought of doing) has justified me through His son, and loves me in a way that I can never comprehend.

Oh how He loves us!