First few minutes

Pat also took some amazing pictures of Dave and Madeline while I was still in recovery. I'm so glad I got to see these... have to share.

Doula Pat

Dave and I were so happy to work with a doula throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery and now postpartum. We can't recommend it enough - Pat helped us prepare months ahead of time, and her presence during labor was especially valuable since Madeline's arrival was more complicated than we expected. The knowledge she equipped us with at every stage was a huge mental help while in the midst of a long labor and pushing, and helped keep us focused and more calm. I also was glad for how she made sure Dave got some rest (even though those pull-out cots can't possibly be comfortable) so he was better able to take care of me. Plus, since Madeline came over a weekend, we didn't have the benefit of a lactation consultant in the hospital, and Pat really helped to navigate that as well (which was also tricky with c-section and tubes in both arms).

Soothing Center

Madeline is such a good baby so far, and Dave and I are practicing soothing techniques for when they're really needed. Besides being tightly swaddled, Madeline also enjoys her soothing center. It has all kinds of bells and whistles, including swinging and heartbeat sounds, and we like how it can keep her soothed once we get her soothed (again, so far). We also love the adorable little bear headrest.

Tummy Time

Aunt Mandy got Madeline a tummy time mat and Dave has been especially excited to check it out with Madeline. Our sweet girl loves to look up at us, and already has really strong muscles, but we find it a little hard to do tummy time, since she gets a little frustrated and tries so hard to hold her head up to see us. We also like to do tummy time on our chests and she shimmies up to try to see us there too.

Power to the People

Sometimes Madeline is able to sneak out of her swaddle, and even though that doesn't happen often, we found this moment pretty funny. Here she signals a power to the people victory.

Prepping for night-night

Ahhhh... Back, snug, and asleep (for a while) in her bassinet!

Madeline's very excited that she arrived in time for Wimbledon, even though Roger Federer can't hold her attention here (hey, it's the early rounds!)
Getting ready for a swaddle, Madeline was concerned that perhaps I would let her pacifer fall out, so she took matters into her own hands - er, finger
Madeline's swing is a far cry from the crank wind-up model I can recall from childhood. Wait until I have to explain things like phones with cords and record players!
Madeline's swing has more functions than an iPod - and yes, you can play your iPod through it, too! However, I think we bought this model of swing because of the "bear ears" head support - it's just too cute.
Madeline has been discovering her appendages. Here she finds her hands and soothes herself!
Comfortable in Mom's arms after a big meal
Madeline waking up - reminds Rachel of trying to wake me up!

Madeline is teaching us a lot these days, and we're learning as fast as we can. Fortunately, she's inherited Mom and Dad's ability to sleep soundly - once she falls asleep! Getting her soothed and comfortable for dreamland sometimes requires a few different techniques, and Madeline has been very good about telling us what's right for her.

Madeline's first flowers

Grandmother T sent a gorgeous arrangement of pinks and greens that match Madeline's room colors beautifully!

The Pulmonary Clinic sent a lovely vase of flowers

We're biased, sure, but we suspect that Madeline will be on the receiving end of lots of flowers in the years to come. The other day she received not one, but two beautiful arrangements!

Uncle Steve

My brother is the funny/cool one in the family, so he's already making certain Madeline is dressed in the finest custom clothing. Here's a video tribute to the fashion/culture sense of Uncle Steve. In case you are, like us, less hip to what's hot, here's a link to the "inside joke" that is LeeRoy Jenkins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCNJRfSZBU.

Sleepy Times

With a newborn in the house, we all appreciate any amount of shuteye we can get whenever we can get it.

Here, Madeline and her dad the swaddle master nap together in the glider. Something tells me this is the first of many photos I'll get like this. Note the Spurs shirt - Dave's already introducing young Madeline to what it means to appreciate basketball in the Bell household.

Somewhere around 4-5am... I've already lost track of time and we're just a little exhausted.

Even when she's sleeping, Madeline seems to be thinking and processing all kinds of things. Every single thing is still very new. I just love how she managed to wiggle a little hand out of her swaddle, and put her finger to her chin as though she's pondering something very intently.

This is just because I'm obsessed with Madeline's little hands and feet. Glad I caught these while she was out after a big feeding. We're looking forward to getting a faster camera soon so we can really zoom in and get them less blurry.

First Home Shampoo

One of Dave's favorite moments just after delivery was seeing how Madeline loved getting her hair washed. With Doula Pat's help, we washed her hair again at home today and she was just as content - she seems to absolutely love the whole process (and as you can see, it amuses the heck out of her dad as well:) We also noticed that her hair gets awfully curly when it's wet, and we still get a kick out of just how much of it she has already.

Dave and Doula Pat - Madeline is completely loving it all.

Gets curly when it's wet.

Getting towel dried.

Dave looks just a little proud, don't you think?

Mini Checkup

Back at home, she was able to chillax in her little bouncer and reflect on all that happened.

Just 4 days old! Today we went back to the hospital for a quick mini-checkup. Madeline gained back 3 oz since Monday, and got an A+ on her sheet (it turns out that referred to mom's blood type, but Rachel likes her original thought that it referred to Madeline's first test score:)

This picture was snapped quickly in the hallway outside of the evaluation room. As you can see, Madeline was a little overwhelmed by all the new things to see, but she didn't cry or fuss once. We're having so much fun getting to know her.

The Chungs meet Madeline

Madeline with her Uncle Kevin and Jule Emoh (Aunt Jule)!
Kevin and Jule meet Madeline

We are so fortunate to have wonderful friends both in San Antonio and around the world. Kevin and Jule came over last night to meet Madeline. Kevin and I go way, way back and our history includes chasing girls together in high school. That we both have daughters (Kevin 2, me 1) is a bit mind boggling! Jule is impossibly sweet, bringing us both breakfast and dinner yesterday. Madeline enjoyed meeting them, and we can't wait for their children (who saw Rachel when she was pregnant) to meet her as well.

Going for a stroll

Madeline has her mother's genes, for sure - she knows where Dad's 'handle' is located right in the middle of his chest!

Madeline Bell of Walker's Way returns home
Look out, neighborhood! Not bad for post-op day #3!
Dad asked to get some push time, too!
Mom driving with Madeline tucked away and shaded
Mom, Madeline and stroller ready to go!
First, Madeline buckles into her car seat before linking up with the stroller. Notice the burp cloth that wasn't present during the first attempt at this activity. We are learning!

One of the greatest things about Madeline is that there are a lot of firsts. This also means there a lots of opportunities to achieve a "best ever" experience, something Madeline's Mommy continues to appreciate well into adulthood. This morning all the stars aligned--baby was fed, burped, diapered, changed, changed again after spitting up, the weather wasn't too hot (by June South Texas standards), and Mom was ready to walk despite the recent major surgery--so we snapped the seat into the stroller and headed around the block. All the Bells agreed, this was the best neighborhood stroll--ever!

Assorted first pictures

Madeline loves her new glider chair and especially loves how well her Dad is able to swaddle her to keep her nice and soothed.

I couldn't resist including this one as well - look at her face! I think she's adorable.

Shortly after Madeline was born and cleaned off, she got to get to know her Dad back in the hospital room while I was recovering. We're both amazed at how deliberately she studies her surroundings and seems to take in everything around her.

Of course, Mom wants to share some very cute pictures of Madeline's first few days with us. They don't fit into a tidy narrative like Dad was clever enough to devise, but I still really wanted to get them posted sooner rather than later... There are sure to be more to come - stay tuned as we get settled!

Going home!

Madeline wanted to celebrate her first day at home and was kind enough to bring her mother a cupcake with lots of icing - her favorite! She figures that Mom's diet is still her diet so she'll be enjoying that cupcake by proxy.

The hospital's "Proud Parent" celebratory meal left a little (okay, a lot) to be desired. So, with an order to get Mom plenty of iron in her diet Dad worked to get some steaks on the grill to pair with a spinach salad.
All snug!
Both Mom and Dad are excited about swaddling skills. Madeline is not too excited a first, but she enjoys the end result!
Arriving home!
Madeline hails her first cab.
The Bell family, feeling a bit more presentable on day #3.

We were able to come home as a family today. Everyone is doing very well! Madeline got a tour of her room. She especially liked the color coordination and artwork provided by Mom. Now we'll work to get some photos out so that everyone else can get to meet Madeline!

Father's Day

We weren't the only ones worn out from the first couple of days...

Mom was perking up after being liberated from IV poles and the like.

The best present ever arrived just in time, making me eligible for Father's Day! We all got to know one another better, and Rachel did a superb job healing while feeding Madeline on what seemed to be a nonstop schedule. I performed diaper duty. They say practice makes perfect, and I'm proud to say that I changed about a dozen diapers over the first day. Oh, and here's an investment tip - buy stock in baby wipe companies. I think that our demand alone will provide a return on your investment!