I had to post these pictures...

McKinley had her first photo shoot at Kiddie Candids. She so funny, because she's always serious, the girl never smiles when she's awake. I still love the pictures though.

Here are a few more pictures I just couldn't help myself from posting!

(she really poses like this when she sleeps!)

Wedding Bells

This is a little late for a post, but my sister Leslie was married on June 6. What a crazy day. It was so fun and all of my cousins and aunts and uncles came in town. We had a great day and McKinley got to meet most of her Marler and Thomas cousins....sorry if she forgets your name, it was a lot of people! Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the family at the temple, McKinley isn't in them, because it was a little cold, so we had her bundled up tight in her stroller and car seat which are intense enough to practically act like a tent for her!

This one has everyone in it, it was nice to have the whole family there. This picture is a little deceiving though, I still can't walk or use my legs, Robbie just got me up for the picture and held me real tight for the picture so I wouldn't fall.

Here are just the siblings. My brother Mike had the "hold Lindsay so she doesn't fall" duties for this picture.

I have to say the reception was a lot of fun. And the bride looked beautiful, here is a picture of her in her dress. My mom made the dress, she's such a great seamstress.

For McKinley's first wedding I think she did a great job. She got passed around to a million people and didn't even fuss at all. I can't find one now, but when I find a picture of her in her cute little wedding dress I will post it!

I've been a little vague...

Ok, so some of you know the specifics, but most of you do not, so here's the short version of what's going on with me. Basically at some point during labor there was some trauma to the nerves that control my quadriceps and they are currently not working.
The first question people usually have is did my epidural cause it. After working with a couple of anesthesiologists and a neurologist and having an MRI the answer is no, it's wasn't the epidural. The doctors' (anesthesiologists, OBGYNs and neurologist combined) best guess is just that it happened from all of the pressure in the pelvic area during labor. It's apparently a very rare thing, but does happen to people.
Since the nerves to my legs are "impaired" my quadriceps don't work, so I can't walk and it also causes my legs to feel numb all around my knees and from ankle to thigh up the insides of both legs.
It's been three weeks (can you believe it? I can't...time flies!) and I have seen a little improvement in my left leg which is really nice, but it looks like it's going to be a slow process. The walking is supposed to come back soon; but soon seems to mean something different to me than the doctors...so I'm just patiently waiting for soon to come. : ) The numbness is a little more weird, I've been told that can last months.
Basically they can't tell me exactly how it happened or when I might see more improvement, so it's a waiting game. I was a scared at first and still have my moments, but I really feel like I'm going to be fine and it's just a matter of time before things get back to normal. I have learned one thing from this experience....my next house and every house after that will have a master bedroom on the main floor! Anyway, I'm doing really great and trust me, I'm still laughing a lot and enjoying myself with my beautiful little girl and Robbie.

Two Weeks Already!?

Wow, two weeks have come and gone so quickly....that's right....McKinley is already two weeks old. I can't believe it! We are having a lot of fun with her. She really pulls the craziest faces, I laugh so hard all day long. She seems to be staying awake a little more during the day, which I enjoy. She and I sing a lot of songs and play together until I totally tire her out and she falls asleep. And the only time she fusses is if she's hungry or has a dirty diaper and who can blame her, I wouldn't be that happy if that was happening to me either! Here is one of her funny faces:

Robbie has already taught her several very cool rap songs and everytime he gets to dress her he always puts her in one of three onsies; one that says "Daddy's Little Princess" one that says "Daddy's Girl" or one that says "Favorite Things" and lists "Daddy" as the first thing! Seriously she already has him wrapped around her little finger and he loves it! He really is a great dad!

As for me, I spend my time trying to take care of McKinley as best I can while still trying to figure out this leg thing! I think we're doing pretty good. We're still staying with my Mom, but Robbie packs a diaper bag for me each morning with all of the things I need for McKinley before he leaves for work so I have everything I need in one place and my Mom helps me with anything I can't find. Kelly, a good friend of mine, let me borrow a wheel chair and it has made life so much better! Robbie and I can go out shopping and stuff now; it's really made things great. I love it, it's so nice to have such good friends that will help me out. I'm a lucky girl....a great husband, baby, family and friends; I couldn't as for anything more!

Life with a New Addition

After a few long days in the hospital (4 1/2 to be exact). We were finally able to leave! McKinley is so cute...every time Robbie and I look at her, we can't believe how lucky we are to have such a happy, healthy and fun little girl.

Here are some things we've already learned about McKinley:

1. She always re-wets or re-dirties her diaper the moment the new diaper has been put on and the onsie is snapped up!
2. She can sleep through ANYTHING, even Mom and Dad doing everything they can think of to wake her up!
3. She pulls the funniest faces all of the time.
4. She gets the hiccups constantly.
5. She can pull her hands up by her face no matter how tight we swaddle her.

Robbie is doing so great, I can't believe what a wonderful dad and husband he is, McKinley and I are very lucky girls! There was a small complication with the delivery that has left me temporarily unable to use my legs, so Robbie is taking care of me as well as doing anything that requires walking to take care of the baby too!

Baby Loomis Is Here!

This is just a quick note to let everyone know that McKinley Loomis has arrived! She was born on May 6 at 1:56 am. She weighs 7 lbs. 13 oz. and is 20 inches long! Baby is doing great, but Lindsay - I guess it's officially "Mom" now - needs a little extra attention so we haven't left the hospital yet. Robbie is already showing what a great dad he is....it seems to come so natural to him. We'll post pictures of our beautiful little girl when we get home!