MOLLY MAY

Wednesday was just another day pregnant for me. I woke up repeating in my mind..." I can't be pregnant forever, i can't be pregnant forever". Those last few days are the longest days sometimes. I had my friend Mandy C. Come over for a foot zone so i could possibly get things rolling. I had one a few days before but Mandy had explained to me that Molly just didn't seem ready. That she was possibly nervous about something and was not quite ready. I had decided that I would try positive affirmations she gave me. Along with that, a grocery shopping trip to wal-mart,bouncing on the exersize ball(got to be the funniest thing you'll see),some herbs,and a loooooooooooong walk/hike with Mandy P. I finally went into labor Thursday morning at 8:30. It was a long labor and all the details aren't important. Except for the fact that i had the most AMAZING Nurse. She helped me through everything. She was awesome. I labored for almost 9 hours and then it was time to push. I pushed a few times and finally this little dark headed baby was coming. First her head, everyone was oooing at how much hair she had, next i pushed for the body and nobody said a word. I heard Molly eek out an,"I'm alive MOMMY" sound so i knew she was living. I was watching the doc for any information, while Devin kissed me on the head and said,"babe you are amazing you did such a good job" How amazing of a husband do i have that he immediately started to comfort me. He was there the whole time! He was a champ that day. Finally the doctor said,"Elle, I don't want you to be alarmed" LONG PAUSE seemed like eternity, "but she is missing her right hand" his eyes were soft and i could feel something special. We all started to cry but that didn't last long. She was perfect. Even with her arm the way it is she was amazing, she was strong. She was finally HERE and that was all i could think about. They let me hold her for a few seconds and then took her to check everything else. It's always a good thing when they give you the baby to hold after they are born. Weighing 7lbs 14oz, 19.25in long. The perfect size. She barely cried. But just enough that i knew she was okay. My mommy instincts kicked in and all i wanted was to hold her. When she finally came back we studied her little arm learning every little dimple and every roll! Smiling and loving every inch of her. We decided that it looked like a cinnamon roll on the end. I couldn't help watch that little arm in action. We talked about all the amazing things she could do with her arm!! She was too much cuteness wrapped into that ugly hospital blanket we had to change it asap. I couldn't handle it.i love

 She has full function of her right arm. It moves just as normal as her other arm. Her arm extends about two inches past her elbow and it bends and twists just like the left arm does. Her ulna and radius are both there and fused together at the end. We honestly couldn't be given a better situation. After having Molly may here for a week we have decided to introduce her to the world! Molly was born without a right hand. She has Amniotic Band Syndrome. It is a condition where bands that hold the baby into place in the uterus get caught around limbs, heads, fingers, toes. And prevent them from growing. I don't recommend looking it up. But you can do what you want. Apparently this band wrapped around her arm. A lot of people are asking why they didn't see it in the ultra sound. We don't know? But when we went back and look this is what we saw. You tell us if we could have known, I think so.

 But the way it happened we couldn't be happier. It was definatley for the best. Had i known earlier i would have OVER prepared myself for it and i would have stewed over it and there would be NOTHING i could have done about it.We couldn't be happier to have her in our home happy and healthy! Other than her hand missing she is happy and healthy! We love her and can already tell she has the most special little spirit! We want to make sure that we are the best parents possible. But we are also so new to this type of trial. we don't know of anyone that was born with a missing hand.So this is as new to us as flying a hot air balloon.

 So far wee are doing pretty good, with occasional melt downs about how we are going to raise her and how we are going to handle certain situations. We really don't know how to deal with things until we have experienced it and can rule out how we don't want to handle the situation. There will be lots of rough days, lots of night trying to figure out the best way to deal the cards we'be been dealt. But we know with support and love we can make this little girl into the most amazing litte girl that she has in her. Life is tough! My aunt Janny said," some days you going to be mad, sad,or angry and some days your going to just want to cry. And that's ok! I think that was the best advice we could have received so far. Its ok as along as you learn from it and use it to make you a better person. If you are wondering what you can do for us. Please don't feel sorry for us. We have lots to learn and we know that we have this precious baby and are very lucky to have her healthy. But you can pray for Molly, pray for her to have strength to be brave! Pray for us to be good parents even tho we have no clue what we are doing in some ways. Feel free to ask questions share ideas and help us to know the best ways to raise this baby girl. She is such a blessing and she has already taught me so so so much. We also want to thank a bunch of people.

 Nazy- Thank you for coming and spending 5 days to help us get on our feet. Even though you had a large detor to get her we are glad you made it in time to spend this experience with us.

 Dale and ReNae- Thanks for driving out here for a couple of days to support Devin. He was so happy to have you here and was so happy to show you around. You guys are always so constant and we really appreicate your example.

 Mandy P.- You have been an amazing friend. i have learnd compasion from you and i don't know anyone who would drop everything just to sit on my couch and let me cry. You are the best friend i could have ever had through this. I don't think that i could have done or do it without you!!! And Thanks for the adorable pictures. Someday i'll return the favor.

Aubrey, Sami, Maggie- Thanks for coming out here to support us and see Molly. You three mean the world to me. I miss our times together and hope we can get them back someday!

 Dad- Thanks for driving Maggie out here to see Molly. I know it was a long day for you but i'm glad you came.

Mandy C.- You helped me put the end of my pregnancy into perspective and realize when she is ready she will come. I really needed that and I think with out you i would have been a nervous wreck!

 Roosevelt 4th ward- Thank you for the meals we really appreciate all the wonderful meals. I think we have eatn like kings this week. Loved every bite!!