Max

Sorry for the late post-- it has been a long 2 weeks. But we are so excited to show introduce Maxwell Marshall Hill.

Tuesday the 28th was a totally normal day. I drove to the Kirksville Regional Airport to pick up my mom who flew in on a lovely 8-seater plane. We spent the day relaxing, and when Marsh got home for the night we all went out to the lake for some dinner! It's so crazy to look back on that night that was so fun and think how just 24 hours later our whole lives were changed. That night I hardly slept (and now I wish I had!).

On Wed the 29th, we woke up early, showered, got ready, and Marsh and I put on our back packs and walked to the Hospital.  (Yes, we walked to the hospital.  This was our idea in hopes it would help speed along the labor process... it ended up not working, but it was really fun!)  We ended up running a little late, so we decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery and construction at the school.  We climbed down a steep pile of dirt to get there on time, and I was grateful nobody said anything about my mud-covered feet when we arrived at the hospital :)

From there they checked us in and started the induction process! I had so many fears, but I couldn't even begin to worry yet because I was so exhausted from walking. But once everything got going, our doctor was so sweet and funny that I hardly noticed anything scary was happening. Here is a summary of the day-
8:00 am - We checked in to the hospital room
1:00 pm - they hung the Pitocin, and I bounced on the labor ball while we played Yatzee
4:00 pm - I decided I was more than ready for my epidural!
5:00pm - took a nap :)
6:20 pm- The Doctor came in to check me casually and then all of a sudden said, ok and PUSH!
6:40 pm- I said I wanted to have him by 7:00 and our doctor said he thought we should shoot for 6:50 "Its good to have goals," he said.
6:49 pm- Maxwell Marshall was Born!

He was 8 lb. 1 oz. and 21.5 inches long! 

It was the sweetest, most magical moment of my life hearing him cry and having him in my arms for the first time. I loved the look in Marshall's eyes-- I will never forget that as long as I live! We are parents! And for the most beautiful baby I could have ever asked for! It's been 2 weeks and I promise every night as I have stayed up to feed or hold little Max that I can't help but just cry. I am so grateful that he is all right and happy and that he is ours--straight from heaven.  I am a serious worrier and every day of all nine months of pregnancy I think I came up with a new worry.  I still worry now at every little noise he makes, but I love him so much all I can do is be grateful to have him!

 Meeting his Dad for the first time! Marshall has been the most amazing dad and husband. He is so sweet to watch with Max. Max already adores him-- he turns to stare at him whenever he hears his voice. These 2 mean the world to me. It's funny how in love with Marsh I am, I thought somehow I would have to divide my feelings between the two, but instead it's like my love for both of them quadrupled over night. They are the best boys in the world, and I feel so lucky to get them both!

 Max after Dad gave him his first bath! He was still trying to figure out what was going on!

                  Our first Family picture! 

Were so grateful to all our wonderful friends that came to visit us, meet Max, and take care of us in so many ways! Sorry there is not a picture of everyone!

Our amazing doctor doing a little OMM on Max-- it was amazing how much he loved it and how much better he was at eating afterwords!

Sorry for so many pictures but I am a little obsessed with this boy. We have had so much fun the last 2 weeks! Here are some more pictures of the little stud. I think he looks like his dad-- maybe that is why I am so in love :) He has been an angel of a baby-- only slightly whimpering when he is hungry, and a little fussy when he fills his diaper of course :)

We are so grateful that Marshall's sister Tiff and her family now live just 2.5 hours away in Des Moines and were able to come down and visit us and hang out-- we loved our night with them. 

 Getting ready to take our baby home from the hospital! and Baby Max all dressed up and ready in his car seat! I can't really believe he even fits in at all!

 Marsh giving Max the tour of his new home-- and laying out the rules :) 

 One final shout out to my amazing mother! Max absolutely loves her! I don't know what I would have done without her! The truth is that I am actually writing this post from the hospital again-- I had to come back for some bad infections (apparently my body didn't know how to react to giving birth so it just had a little freak out!). But I am so grateful for all of her help in cleaning, cooking, keeping me sane when I miss Marshall all day. Also thank you for loving my baby boy, holding him when I am too tired, staying up with him so I can get some sleep, and changing way too many diapers. I am so grateful for the mother she has been and who she is helping me to be for my baby boy! I love you mom!

Marshall and I are so grateful-- so so grateful there just aren't words-- for all the prayers, love and service that so many people have shown to us the last months. There are too many people to possibly name, but we love you more than you will ever know.  We are excited for Max to love you, and we are really just on cloud nine I don't even know what else to say! This is Max, and a little bit of how he has already started to change our lives!