You all know that I'm no good at keeping this blog up to date. I have been just a little busy this past week and I have a very good excuse! Yes, she is here! FINALLY! Our little Meliana Magdalina Castagnetto Chrisman arrived on March 5, 2009! You pronounce it Meli as in Melikalikimaka and ana like Rihanna, spelled with one n. She was 7 lbs and 5 oz and 20 inches long!
The delivery was awesome! I was lucky enough to be induced. We got to the hospital around 11 a.m. They started pitocin around 11:30. It took about an hour to get the contractions really going. Once they kicked in, Dr. Glenn broke my water. He warned me to get my epidural right away so I did. After that it was horrible for about 20 minutes or so, then the epidural did it's magic. I was at a 3 when I got the epidural and in one hour I changed to a 9.75. As luck would have it, my Dr. was also delivering another baby right at that same moment. He came into our room and told us to keep that baby in and he would be back in about 20 minutes! I tried so hard not to laugh for fear of her coming out! Once the Dr. made it back, it took 3 pushes through one contraction and a final little (I mean tiny) little push and she was here! Healthy and crying! It was a GREAT delivery! We were in Labor and Delivery for about 4 hours! It was a fun day!
I thought I wasn't going to know what to do with a little girl and now I can't even imagine not having a girl! I love everything about her. She melts my heart! There really is something special about little girls. Jake is SO in love! Nikko, well, he loves her paci! He is doing really well with her. He never gets jealous. He actually is extremely curious. Any time she starts crying, he runs right over to see what is making so much noise. Then he tries to steal her paci and when he does get it, I have to chase him down! He is starting to get really fast!
She is a great baby. She eats, sleeps, poops and pees like a champ! I have survived the first week so I'm thankful for that! We love her and are so happy she is here!
The delivery was awesome! I was lucky enough to be induced. We got to the hospital around 11 a.m. They started pitocin around 11:30. It took about an hour to get the contractions really going. Once they kicked in, Dr. Glenn broke my water. He warned me to get my epidural right away so I did. After that it was horrible for about 20 minutes or so, then the epidural did it's magic. I was at a 3 when I got the epidural and in one hour I changed to a 9.75. As luck would have it, my Dr. was also delivering another baby right at that same moment. He came into our room and told us to keep that baby in and he would be back in about 20 minutes! I tried so hard not to laugh for fear of her coming out! Once the Dr. made it back, it took 3 pushes through one contraction and a final little (I mean tiny) little push and she was here! Healthy and crying! It was a GREAT delivery! We were in Labor and Delivery for about 4 hours! It was a fun day!
I thought I wasn't going to know what to do with a little girl and now I can't even imagine not having a girl! I love everything about her. She melts my heart! There really is something special about little girls. Jake is SO in love! Nikko, well, he loves her paci! He is doing really well with her. He never gets jealous. He actually is extremely curious. Any time she starts crying, he runs right over to see what is making so much noise. Then he tries to steal her paci and when he does get it, I have to chase him down! He is starting to get really fast!
She is a great baby. She eats, sleeps, poops and pees like a champ! I have survived the first week so I'm thankful for that! We love her and are so happy she is here!
Meet Meliana!
I was SO ready for this day!
One last pregnancy profile! 
This is Becca Ackley, she is like a sister. We were lucky enough to have Meliana the day Becca was working. She gave her a bath and cleaned her up for us!
She is so tiny, I forget how small they are!
I LOVE these little headbands!
She is so snugly!
First family picture. I look like a train wreck. It wasn't from the delivery, it was from the lack of sleep. I hadn't slept for more than 3 or 4 hours for that last week. I started to get so uncomfortable that I didn't sleep.
Nikko checking out Meli. 
Nap time!
Meli and Noni
Meli and Grandpa and Grandma Chrisman
Meli and her Grandad
Noni just giving Mel some loves.My best friend Hayley took pictures during the delivery and I will post more when I get them. So check later for more!
