Mia is here!

After 36 hours of labor, Maleigha Evangeline Dunham finally arrived on Wednesday, July 25th at 12:08p.m. weighing 7 lbs 2 oz. and measuring 18.5 inches long.

On Monday evening at 9, I started having contractions that were coming about 5 minutes apart. I really had myself convinced that I wasn't really in labor, so I waited an hour or so to say anything to David. By then it was nearing time for him to go to work so I thought I should probably mention it before he left me alone for a few hours. He waited with me as the contractions gradually got more intense. When they seemed harder to endure and they were coming closer together, we took off for the hospital. After going through all the paperwork and waiting for the nurse to analyze the situation, we ended up being sent home to try to get some rest--I was still only 1cm dilated.

Of course I couldn't sleep through the pain, so I spent the next 12 hours worrying and finding a way to cope with the contractions. Finally at about noon on Tuesday we headed back to the hospital. I wasn't able to stand the pain anymore and I thought for sure I had made some progress. But upon going through the same routine as I had the night before I was informed that I still was only at 1cm. I immediately burst into tears. I didn't want to be sent home again. Thankfully, the doctor decided to keep me there. I got some great pain medication and was sent over to labor and delivery.

To make a long story short, they found that I had scar tissue on my cervix making it impossible for it to dilate on its own. I got an epidural, one doctor stretched my cervix I got some Pitocin and I slept throught the night. The next morning another doctor came and broke my water putting my labor into warp speed. I dilated 3cm in about an hour and soon found myself getting ready to push. The nurses couldn't find a doctor so I had to wait, but in all I only pushed for about 20 mintues and Mia was finally in the world.

We've spent the last few days getting to know our little girl and sharing her with friends and family. She is worth every day of pregnancy, all the painful hours of labor and every hour of sleep that I have lost. David and I are enjoying so much our little gift from God!

Maleigha will be here next week!!

I haven't updated my blog for quite awhile. Our internet was only working on our slow computer and it was frustrating to try to type out e-mails and blog entries when there was so much delay. But anyway, I just wanted to fill you in on what is going on with the pregnancy situation.


I went to the doctor on Thursday and because my fluids were up the time before and I was measuring bigger, they didn't have to do an ultrasound. I was thankful for multiple reasons--one, because that reassured me that my baby is okay and two, we were having to pay for half of every ultrasound they did and those things can be kind of expensive, and three, the ultrasound technicians are not the most friendly people in the world--I think they might be in the dark for too much of the day and that makes them grouchy. I was glad to not have to see them again.


But at this appointment there was still no progress so I discussed with the nurse practitioner what would happen if I went over my due date. She explained that they don't like to let women go more than a week over because of health risks to the mother and baby. I was relieved by that, but it still wasn't good enough for me so I pressed a little further. "Is there any way that I could be induced sooner than that?" She thought it through and said the best she could do was to get me in to see a doctor on Monday who could schedule me to be induced on Thursday.


It is so exciting to see the end in sight. If she doesn't come before then, we will have our baby on Thursday!

Another crazy day!

I'm getting a little anxious and restless for our little Maleigha to come. I tried to spend the day out today so that I wasn't going crazy here at home. I went to a few stores and got the groceries we needed for the week.

I was feeling tired and ready to go home so I checked out with my cart full of groceries and waddled to the car. But as I approached the drivers side to unlock the door, my heart sank. The wheel that had just been replaced two days earlier had a flat tire on it. I put the groceries in the trunk and remained calm as I dialed my husband's cell phone. He was in class but I knew he would get the message because he had his phone on vibrate in expectation that I would go into labor any day this week. But when he didn't answer, I panicked a little and my crazy pregnancy hormones took over and I started crying. I didn't know what else to do.

David soon called back and I gained my composer. By God's grace the tire had gotten flat while in the parking lot so I was able to get a drink and stand (yes stand, because a large man had spread himself across the only bench in the entryway and didn't seem to notice that a pregnant women needed to sit down) in the air-conditioned comfort of Walmart. My legs soon became tired so I found a seat outside and waited where I would be visible to my husband when he arrived. But my attempt at resting was soon thwarted when two women decided to take their smoke break only a few feet from me.

I non-chalantly ambled back inside--not wanting my unborn child to be exposed to second hand smoke--and resumed my position, still without a seat. I watched as person after person walked through the automatic doors, each one either pretending there wasn't a distressed pregnant woman standing in front of the gumball machine or giving me a look as if to say "oh, poor thing" but never stopping to offer assistance. I even thought back to moments ago when I had been crying in the car. There had been people sitting in the car next to me, clearly viewing the flat tire and my sobbing hysteria but not doing anything.

I became frustrated at first but soon realized that I wouldn't have done anything different. I certainly would not have spread myself across the only available seat but I probably would have avoided inviting anyone nearby to sit next to me. I would have walked by a upset young pregnant woman thinking, "certainly someone else is on their way to help her, I probably shouldn't get involved". Or if I saw someone crying in their car I would assume that territory was off limits and I should mind my own business for fear that they would be angry if I pryed into their affairs.

This incident really convicted me to do better. Jesus Christ talked to people who were considered outcasts and helped those who others looked over. I pray that I will not continue to live as I have, avoiding situations that may be uncomfortable. As a Christian I should be willing to step out of my way to help someone, no matter how inconvenient or awkward it may be.

Devotions--July 4

Just wanted to share a little of what my devotions have been looking like in the mornings. I'm excited about what God is teaching me through simply reading and praying through His Word. I was inspired by the book "A Place of Quiet Rest" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss to do better in my time alone with God. I was led to start back on reading the bible in a year with the M'Cheyne reading plan and then taking meaning from each chapter by writing down what I learn and praying over it. I thought maybe this would inspire someone to do the same--it has been so fruitful already!


Genesis 37--Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob, so the other brothers hated him. Joseph had two dreams which symbolized his brothers bowing to him--this made them hate him even more. Joseph’s brother plot to kill him but Rueben saves his life by suggesting they throw him into a pit. A caravan of Ishmaelites came and took Joseph as a slave to Egypt. The brothers lied to Jacob and said that Joseph had been slaughtered by a wild animal. Because of the brothers jealousy and hatred of Joseph, they sinned. I pray that the Holy Spirit would guard my heart against becoming jealous of anyone. Much is given to me by the Lord and I have no reason to envy another person’s possessions or talents.

Job 3--Job cursed the day he was born. He lamented to God about his sufferings. In his suffering he does not see significance in his life. May I, even in times of trouble and sadness, see the mighty hand of God on my life. I pray that I will remember that no matter how bad my life may seem, God has a reason for me to be alive and I should praise him for giving me life.

Mark 7--Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for holding to human tradition and keeping their hearts far from God. The heart of a man is evil and that is what defiles him. Jesus heals a deaf man and tells him no to tell of what took place--but he does anyway and people are astonished by the miracle. May I not cling to the traditions of man but follow what the Lord has for me to do and lean on his grace. Legalism can make us hard and unforgiving and I pray I will seek to be like Jesus, no matter what traditions I must break. And may my heart constantly be reminded that when I put too much faith in works I am taking away from the work of Christ on the cross. May I guard my heart against evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness so that I will not be defiled.

Romans 7--Just like a woman is free to marry another man after her husband dies, we are free from the law because we have died to it. And now we are free to be one with Christ. The law is holy because it was given by God and was made to teach us what sin is. Because of our sinful flesh we still sin and do not have the ability to do what is right. But we can remember that the death of Christ saved us. May I seek the Lord in my thoughts and actions so that I can do what is right but when my sinful flesh takes over may I also know that I am forgiven through the death of Christ.

Baby shower

After this weekend I feel so exhausted...but there is no way I would have taken time to rest and miss out on all the fun. The ladies of 3rd Avenue Baptist Church threw a shower for Maleigha and I on Saturday night and my mom, sister and nephew came to be there for it. I was so excited to see how much my nephew had changed in the last couple of weeks. He is almost completely potty trained, he can work big kid puzzles and he talks so much more. I just can't believe how much he has grown up! It was fun having my mom and sister here too--to talk about Maleigha and get things ready for her...and to go shopping too, of course...I loved seeing how excited they are for the baby to arrive. I am so thankful for all that my mom and sister have done as I prepare for the birth of little Maleigha. I wish I could do more to repay them.

The shower was so encouraging. I couldn't believe how many people came and how generous they all were. I was so humbled by their giving and their excitement about the upcoming birth of our child. It was so uplifting to hear such godly women pray for me and to receive advice from mothers that I admire so much. There wasn't a thing I would have changed about the whole evening...except for maybe all the sweets I ate. But anyway, I have kept pretty busy the last couple of days with putting away all of Maleigha's new clothes and finding places for all the gear that she requires.

I just praise the Lord for the generosity of friends and family because we could not do this without all of them. Their prayers have been so valuable and their willingness to give has left me feeling that I have so much more to learn about helping other people.