New pictures

I finally got some pictures off my phone.

I take a picture nearly every day for family and send them a "daily picture"... it's especially nice for extended family who are not able to see her every few days... or even every week. We struggled to get the pictures off my phone, and we still can't get them to sync up to my computer... but my AWESOME sister-in-law, Jill (hey Aunt Jill!), said she would just email pictures from her phone to herself. So I finally remembered it, and tried it.... and it worked. So I have a bunch of pictures I can now put on my computer. It will probably take a few days/weeks, since I have to text each individual picture to myself (and there are easily a 100-120). But, here's a few of my favorites, I'd like to share.

There are soooo many more, but this is a little teaser for right now...

This is by far my most favorite picture so far.

A co-worker gave Anna this sock monkey toy.
She definitely looks like she is done with pictures for that day,
or she's mad that she's not sleeping!

Look at this cute little face!!

I love this picture!
It's hysterical... she was sleepy, and had a full tummy.
Apparently this is the look of satisfied.

Check out that belly!

6 weeks old

So, we're 6 weeks old today. I think it's incredible. This week has met us with some challenges... particularly in the area of sleep, or lack thereof. But, when I get frustrated each time, I just stare into the beautiful deep blue eyes of my little sweetie, and thank the Lord for a healthy little girl. It's hard to do at 3am, but... I still appreciate her.

Our sleep pattern this week is sporadic at best. We've had some great nights, and we've had some terrible nights. It's not too stressful except for days when we are trying to go somewhere. Usually, it's somewhere early... ugh, I hate early!

We're still enjoying our baths, as long as the room is warm. This week we discovered that if she's crying a temporary fix is to have Jeremy blow on her belly. Such a cutie!! Guess we all have our quirks. (if I can figure it out, I will try to post a video of this phenomena)

We're starting to spread out our feedings a little bit more. This week, we went for quite a few 2 1/2-3 hour stretches. So, hopefully this will be the beginning of going for a few hours at night even. I cannot tell you how excited I a about the prospect of going a few more hours at night. It's the light at the end of my tunnel. Yesterday, Anna was weighing in at 8 pounds 14 ounces so we're just shy of 9 pounds. Everyone says that 10lbs is the magic number for "longer stretches." I'm optimistic... but, I do live in reality.

This week, Anna and I had our first trip to the grocery store.

Well, I think that's about it. If you think of us... especially as night approaches, please say a prayer for us. The lack of sleep is starting to take it's toll. Thank you!

Thanks for checking in on us...

K

5 weeks!!

Yikes!! My princess is 5 weeks old. It just seems like time is flying by. Pretty soon, I will be taking her to kindergarten. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!! I'd like to get to where she sleeps through the night, and then freeze her in time. :-D I just love her little baby cuteness, sweetness, and innocence.

Anyway, here's how our week went.

This week we transitioned into size 1 diapers. They're a little big, but the newborns were a little too snug. Sooo.... we're in size 1's. Also this week, I put her in a few 0-3 month clothes. While she can still fit in the newborn ones, they're getting a little snug as well. Not where I couldn't put her in them, but there definitely isn't a ton of room anymore. So, I have a feeling those sweet little newborn outfits will soon be a thing of the past. Although, I do take it as a sign that my little Anna is doing well...

I do know for a fact that she is eating well. Not only are we eating consistently, but we are definitely gaining weight. This week when we went to the lactation group, she weighed 8 pounds 6.5 ounces. So, she's doing well. I think she got my gene in that I like to eat... and I definitely like to eat good food... a lot!! Hahaha

Anna also had her first fondue experience... indirectly of course. But she did go with us to the Melting Pot, and she was a good little girl. As long as her belly was full, she was a happy camper. At one point in time, we had her lay out on the bench (with a blanket down), and she was content to lay there. Fell asleep for a while. It was fun. She's such a cutie pie. That same day she also had her first consignment shop experience. I wanted to get a bunting for her car seat (too much of a hassle to put that stinking cute snow suit on, but too cold not to, so we settled for the bundle me bunting by J.J. Cole.) We Babies R Us and Target sell them for about $50. I wanted to see if I could get one at the consignment shop for cheaper. I searched, and searched... they had ONE... and instead of paying $50, paid $7.50 (almost 8 with tax). But, I'd say I did well in that respect.

This past Thursday she spent the morning with her grandpa (my dad), so that I could go to Mastering Motherhood at my church. I had a good time... and I think Anna did as well. Of course, I heard that she cried a bit. hmmm... sorry grandpa. I'm very excited to keep going to this group.

She still likes her baths... unless she's cold.

She's been sleeping better, although it seems like her party goes into the weeeeee hours of the night, usually sleeping around 1am... ugh!! But in the name of progress, I'd like to state that she went one night for 4 hours, and then ate, and then went for 3 hours. Another night, she went for 3 hours, ate, and went 3 hours. Last night, she went 4 hours, then 2 hours. But, it seems like she is making progress... so it's good. And, when I do get those "longer" stretches, boy does my body respond. I feel great! I'm wide awake... it's WONDEFUL! I can't wait until we get at least 4 hours all the time! But, even when she doesn't go those stretches, I truly appreciate those nights that she eats and goes right back to sleep. It's nights that she wants to play, or... at least stare at me with those big beautiful eyes... that they're not so appreciated. But, we do get a lot of prayers in. I like to rock her, and pray... I pray for her, and I pray for pretty much anything/anyone that I can think of. Some nights our prayer time is longer than others.

As you can tell, she is the joy of my heart! I love this sweet little girl to pieces. I look forward to the weeks, and years to come. I can't wait to see how she grows. What she looks like. I can't wait to enjoy her little personality. I can't wait to see how the Lord uses her. It's been fun, each morning and afternoon this week I've tried to read a Bible story for her. And I try to read other stories to her too. I'm bound and determined to help her become a reader. I hope she gets Jeremy's love for reading!

Anyway, we're going to give her a bath.... not only is she eating well, but she's going through many diapers well also. :-D So, she's getting a bath!!

Thanks for checking in on us.

(Please take note that this is the first time that I've blogged her weekly blog, on the day she's turned that age. I'm getting there!!)

4 weeks old

Well, this past week was a pretty mellow week. I find it soooo hard to actually believe we've had our precious Anna for 4 weeks now.... or that I am able to even function still with very little sleep for 4 weeks. I guess that is the grace that God gives to new mothers. As most of you who know me, know that I NEED sleep. When I get good sleep is when I thrive. In fact I'm pretty much a bear, and my intelligence starts to fade without sleep. However, God has given me a renewed sense of strength, and each day is a little bit easier... although, I would probably give up a kidney at this point to have 8 hours of sleep again. But as an Aunt told me, this too shall pass.. not soon enough, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Besides, as I realized last night, in 11 months (that's almost down to just my 2 hands to count on), we'll have a 1 year old. While each stage comes with it's own sweetness, I am definitely not ready to give up this cute cuddly stage... not even for a wonderful nights sleep. She is the joy of my heart, and I can sit and stare at her sleeping, pretty much all day with a big smile on my face. I am sooo blessed.

As far as this week goes...

We've spent more time doing tummy time this week. And, while I'm not a child expert by any means, I feel like she has really good neck muscles. She can hold her head up for quite a while, while on her tummy.

She still likes her bath nights, and tends to sleep better with bath night. Although, she has started complicating things by pooping in the tub. (Oddly, it makes Jer and I laugh.) Which means bath time takes waaaaaaaaaaay longer. Last night, she peed in the tub (and we emptied it), and then she pooped in the tub. So, 3rd time was the charm. We just decided we need to move faster when we bathe her! (And yes, we did make sure she went -as much as you can with a newborn- before we attempted a bath... but oh well. We needed a laugh.)

This week, she even did 1 night where she slept for 4 hours straight. BOY WAS THAT NICE! Crazy how my perspective has changed in 4 weeks. A couple times she also went with at least one, 3-hour stretch. So, we're making progress.

She typically will nurse every 2 hours during the day... and often at night, but some times she's going 2 1/2- 3 hours... unfortunately it's usually during the day that she wants to do those long stretches. Either way, she's a gem!

We moved her to size 1 diapers late this week. She still would fit in newborn, but they were getting a little more snug, and we happen to have a good portion of a closet full of size 1 diapers. They're not THAT big, but she does have some room to grow.

This week, when we went to lactation group Anna weighed 7 pounds 12.5 ounces. So she's definitely gaining weight, and doing well in the eating department. (What can I say, she ate good for 8 months... and she does have my DNA which says food is good, but GOOD food is AWESOME. So I'm not surprised she likes to eat.)

She's still in newborn clothes, but I did find 1 outfit that was too snug for her. Most of them she's now just "filling out," but if the pants are separate, most of them are still quite large on her...and particularly long. She apparently got my legs, and not her daddy's. (Which most people says she favors Jer, so, it's nice to know that she may have gotten something from me besides my X-chromosomes.)

Anyway, I think that's pretty much it. I need to go check my banana bread that's in the oven... and feed the princess. Soo... thanks for checking in on us.

Until next week!

A picture is worth a thousand words....

3 weeks old

I will hopefully try to get a "weekly picture" with her beautiful eyes open. Haha... (See I usually remember when we're going to bed, headed to be, or already in bed. Therefore she is always swaddled, and usually asleep.)

Well, it's Tuesday and she turned 3 weeks old last Friday. It honestly is hard to believe that we've had our little munchkin for 3 weeks now (and really at this point we're at 3 1/2 weeks). It still seems so unreal that she's here already, especially when I look at the ticker on the blog... I still say I miss being pregnant, but I am SOOO glad she's here. She's my little buddy. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE love hanging out with her.

As far as this week goes, we've started sleeping 3 hours at a time at night, which definitely makes for one very, very happy mommy.

As of Thursday, she weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces. So everyone all around is pleased.

Last Wednesday, our sweet Anna had a follow-up appointment with her pediatrician Dr. H (who mommy really likes... and for those of you who know me, me saying I like a doctor is a huge accomplishment for any medical professional). Dr. H was pleased with her weight gain -over a pound in 2 weeks! What can I say, I'm a high quality Holstein! :-D Finally, I can see it in her little cheeks, and as she fills in her newborn diapers, and as some of the newborn outfits are getting a little tighter. Of course, she is still swimming in most pants.

Anna really is a joy to Jeremy and I. 3 1/2 weeks... but it's hard to imagine anything else. I find myself saying regularly that I just love her so much. I am completely smitten, wrapped, and head-over-heels in love with this little girl.

Also in her 3rd week of life, she went out to lunch at a restaurant for the first time. That was a huge deal for mommy. She spent most of the time in her car seat, then after a while she got out and was held by daddy and her auntie. She also made the adventure to her Aunt Jill's house to celebrate her cousin's birthday. Woohoo... she was spoiled, and mommy and daddy got to take advantage of it and got a little nap in. (Why not?)

We are avidly working on tummy time. I read that tummy time can be done on the floor or while the baby is laying on your chest. So, we do more of the chest laying thing... it's a fun way to bond with our darling. Anna, at least in my opinion, has very good neck muscles. She can definitely hold it up for a few seconds at a time, and look around... still not sure what she's looking at, but, nonetheless.

Finally, this past week, she got to spend some time in her bouncy seat for the first time (at least for an extended period of time). I think she has a love-hate relationship with it. Mommy and Daddy like it a ton because we can eat together, not in shifts, and eat warm food without having to hold a little girly. (Which wasn't awful, but, we're trying to train her now about good table manners... she has to sit in her seat during meal times.) Of course, she'd much rather be held than in the seat, but what baby wouldn't??

Well, we're making progress, and progress is good. I might even be able to blog about week 4 before it's half over... we'll see, I make no promises.

Thanks for checking in!!

2 weeks old

I know this post is a bit late... after all pretty soon I will be blogging a about her being 3 weeks old. But, I wanted to get this in here so I don't forget it....Here's some 2 week old stats about little Miss Anna

Anna is sleeping on and off for the most part at night. We wake up to feed almost every 2 hours... sometimes 2 1/2 if I'm lucky. At this point we seem to get our days and nights a bit confused... but I guess that's normal. Some nights she sleeps better than others. So far we seem to have gotten 1 really bad, nearly sleepless night a week.

She loves to be swaddled when she sleeps, although, some nights I'm confident that she is a magician. No matter how well she's swaddled, her little arms come right out! Some nights she doesn't fight it, other nights... she does.

She is still very much in her newborn clothes, and newborn diapers. I'm hoping in the next week or so that she'll be near the 8 lbs that the size 1's say they're good for, because we have a whole heap of size 1's already for her. Not that I want her to grow up too fast at all... but we do have a whole slew of diapers, and clothes for a little bit bigger baby.

Almost nightly she gets hiccups. I did not notice her ever with hiccups when I was pregnant... so I just imagine that all these hiccups I would be feeling inside me if she hadn't come early.

She definitely loves to be held and cuddled. She really loves her daddy time. Jeremy is so good, and so sweet with her. It just melts my heart to see them interact.

She also likes baths, and usually sleeps better on nights she gets a bath. We do not bathe her every night for fear of drying out her skin (she is my daughter... and that is my current battle), even though I sooooo want to. She does not like being cold. So as long as the room is warm, and the water is warm, she doesn't mind bath night so much. Jeremy and I have gotten good, and it doesn't take us nearly as long as it first did. And in the several baths that she's had she's only pooped in the tub once... and it of course, just made Jeremy and I laugh.

At last week's weigh in she weighed 6 pounds 8.5 oz. So she's definitely increasing in weight. Which is good. (Tomorrow we have a follow-up doctors appointment, so we'll see if she's increased any from last week.)

I am constantly taking pictures. In fact, I usually do a picture of the day after we're in some super cute outfit.. and then I text it to family and sometimes friends. (If you wanna be on the daily picture text list, let me know... and make sure I have your number.)

It's hard to believe that I'm posting my 2 week update... and that in just 3 days she'll be 3 weeks old. It's hard to imagine my life without her at this point... even in such a short period of time. We love this little girl soo much. We thank God for blessing us with her each and every day. And amid the poop, sleepless nights, there are so many giggles, smiles, coos, and hugs all around.

We thank you and praise you, Lord for our beautiful baby girl, Anna, who is loved by us, but more so loved by YOU! We thank you for making her in Your image. We praise you, because you are so good to us.

Anna's Birth Story Part 3

So, now it is 6pm. And our midwife for the day, Linda, just left to go to the Christmas party for an hour. Jeremy and I were walking the hallways, still chatting it up, and me with a smile on my face. About 6:15, I definitely started getting some more "cramping"... it wasn't uncomfortable yet, but it was definitely noticeable, but we kept walking. About 6:20, we were close to our room, so I told Jeremy that I wanted to just lay in bed. These contractions (as I would now label them), were starting to get uncomfortable to which, I was getting concerned. Since we were trying to go natural, and I was only 20 minutes (max) into the contractions and starting to doubt myself, I was getting a little unsure of my ability to "do this." A little bit later, I was telling Jeremy that if it was going to get worse from here (which was likely since I had only begun to experience the contractions), that I may have to start thinking about the epidural... because they were getting intense.

Jeremy was VERY supportive... and even though I kept apologizing for recanting on our birth plan to go natural, he was very supportive with whatever I needed or thought I should do. So at my request the anesthesiologist Dr. B (can't remember his name), came in to talk to us. I was trying at this point to stay calm, relaxed and breathe through the contractions. At this point I was a little annoyed that when he could tell I was obviously going through a contraction that he wanted me to respond to his questions. Again, Jeremy was a gem and when he could tell that I was going through a contraction, he would speak up and answer the question for me. Kind of interesting that one of the questions was "How old are you?" to which I responded matter of factly, but incorrectly. I told him I was 28, when in actuality I was/am (still) 27. Then a few minutes later I realized my error. Hahaha... when it was all settled and done, we were going to move forward with the epidural... however to my disappointment at the time, because I didn't have the IV in yet, I just had the heplock, I could not immediately get the epidural... I had to wait for a whole bag of IV fluids to get in me. That was not what I wanted to hear at that point... but, they hooked me up, and Dr. B. assured me he'd see me in about a half hour. So... we breathed on, and on... or at least I tried to. Funny thing was at one point in time, I stiffened up (totally against the Bradley Method) and gave myself a Charley horse in my calf. DEFINITELY did not help the situation.

About 6:45 A nurse came in... and I expressed my need (or at least my feeling of need) to go to the bathroom. (I was very upset with her denial of my request.) But, she took the cue, and called my midwife back... early from the party. So, the longest half hour of my life was over, it was now 7...and I was slightly annoyed that Dr. B had not returned. Meanwhile, Linda had arrived, and she decided that she should just check to see if I had progressed at all, since I was obviously now in labor. When she checked me... in complete disbelief (as I think we all were) she announced that I was completely dilated. So, yep... I went from NO progress an hour before at 6, to completely dilated at 7. I was also informed that there would be no epidural at this point either.

Now this is where things get a little fuzzy for me. My memory is more of a theatrical, tv version... where I start sort of spacing in and out... I have flashes of memory. I remember seeing Linda suit up with a gown. I remember a nurse to my left telling me to pull back on my legs and bare down when I felt a contraction. So, the first contraction came, and I definitely had an amazing urge to push... I was told that I needed to hold my legs a certain way. Then the next one came, and I pushed again. Now, at some point in time things started getting a little more crazy, and a little more hectic... Anna's heart rate started to drop a little bit... all I can remember is that the nurse to my left was calling on a walkie talkie or cell phone or something, talking about bradycardia (lowering heart rate) and that we needed someone to come in. Needless to say, the next memory I have is them putting oxygen on me, and the room filling up with a BUNCH of people. I also remember said nurse to my left screaming at me... and quite a few other people screaming to "get her out." I do not remember Jer screaming, only saying you can do it. You can do it... He was great! At this point, I remember feeling like I was drowning... I couldn't catch my breath... and when I tried, I only got more yelling... so push like crazy I did. With some help of the dedicated medical staff... our sweet princess entered the world at 7:27 pm.

While I know she didn't cry as she popped out, it wasn't very long afterwards that I heard her beautiful cry. I got a sign from one of our showers that said "Your first breath, took ours away." And that, my friends is an accurate description. I don't remember crying, per se, but I do remember this weird laugh, near cry... as I listened to her wail... and I heard her APGAR score of 7, and then 9. I also remember asking if she was still a girl. haha... Shortly after that I think Jeremy got to hold her... or maybe I did... I don't remember the order of events.

I think at this point (and I still am a bit) I was in shock that she was here already. I definitely wasn't prepared for her early arrival... but, I am so glad she's here.

It's been a whirl wind of a 2 and a half weeks, but it's been a great experience. I love being her mommy... I LOVE seeing Jer interact with her, and play with her... and cuddle with her. It melts my heart!

I am so thankful and grateful to the Lord for giving us such a beautiful, sweet, and healthy baby girl. I can't wait to see her grow, each day. I'm excited to see her grow in the Lord, and get to know Him as her personal Savior. God is good. That is pretty much what goes through my head on a daily basis as I look at her... especially when those sweet navy blue eyes look back at me.

Thanks for reading....

Anna's Birth Story Part 2

(We'll try to get some more of the story in before our little sweetie wakes up again.)

So, I called Jer on my way to the car (around 10:30) and gave him the news. We are having a baby! So he'd definitely want to come home. We had 2-3 hours until we had to be at the hospital. As I was sitting at the light to go out of the parking lot, I also called my boss to tell him the news. (The sad news that in 12 years, I would have to call off the remaining 5 days of the schedule.) He was in about as much denial as I was... I called him and he asked how I was doing, and I very bluntly said "I'm in labor." To which his response was "Nah, they'll send you home." It kind of went back and forth with the whole "Yes I am" - "No, they'll send you home." a few times until I finally said, "Uh,, probably not, my water broke." At that he was more like "oh, well, then they probably won't send you home." He wished me well, and I continued on my drive.

Also on my drive home, my friend Katie called. We discussed a few things... I told her the news... and we discussed any tips she had for packing a hospital bag... and also my dislike of the administering of pitocin. She told me they would be praying for me... and she wished me well also.

Finally, as I pulled into my garage my sister-in-law called me... to give me a gift idea for my in-laws. For which my immediate response was "how about a baby for Christmas?" Her response was something about the baby wouldn't be here... to which I told her of the fateful water breaking... and that she would most definitely be here. Needless to say, excited I believe is an understatement. She gave me some very encouraging words... (which meant the world to me at this time) because I was slightly freaking out since we were only 36 weeks along. And, she wished me well also.

About this time I got in the shower... did the shower thing... dried my hair, and kept a running list in my head of additional things to throw in our bag. At some point during this time Jeremy got home. Gave me numerous hugs, which is good because for some reason I was in a very apathetic, disbelief mood. I'm not sure why I was in such a weird mood, to be honest. I don't know if it was sheer shock that this day is HERE, or if it was just knowing that this was going to be a busy weekend for us full of Christmas parties with family and friends, and culminating with Jer's graduation. I don't really know... but this mood didn't change until I was definitely at the hospital. Then at some point, it dawned on me this was IT. No turning back.

We finally packed up our car... and headed out. (Forgetting things like Jer's shaving supplies, and his cpap machine... sadness.) We decided that my last pre-labor meal would be a delicious sub from subway. So we stopped there before we left mentor. Then we headed to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital around 12:30. We walked ourselves all the way to labor and delivery where they were expecting me. It was kind of funny, because Jeremy being his natural self was still making jokes. His "good joke" of the day was when we stopped at the desk to tell them we were there to have our baby his response was "My wife is here for the rapid weight loss program." I chuckled a bit. The first woman was older, and didn't quite get it... so that was interesting. The 2nd desk woman enjoyed his little banter and said that she hadn't heard that one ever. So... I think Jer was proud of himself at that point.

So, we checked in. We were shown our room. The one nurse (Barb) who was my nurse in triage a few weeks prior (32 weeks) was there when we got there. She checked us all in. She gave me my super-sexy hospital gown, and initially hooked me up to the monitor. Anna's heart rate was great... and of course the contractions (that I wasn't having... or at least feeling) weren't showing up on the monitors. When Barb was done, we got our other nurse, Velda. She was the one who would be with us for the long haul.. or at least most of the long haul. We also then met the midwife on duty, Linda, as well as the midwife student, Valerie. (Who, surprisingly I didn't mind having. I always said I would... but I really liked her. She was super nice, and listened well to my wishes and the like. So... she was fine with me. Not to mention, Linda over saw her, but didn't require to check twice-one student, one with the midwife, so that was appreciated.) After a half hour or so on the monitor, they took me off the monitor and let me walk around. Pace really. We had decided earlier in our pregnancy, that if we would be allowed, we would ask for the heplock instead of the IV. (It allowed for easier mobility, and wouldn't add water weight to the baby, which often gives an inflated birth weight... so then when the babies lose a bunch of that water weight, it looks more dramatic since it's a lot of the water weight. Anyway... )

So then we started walking the hallways. We walked... and walked... and walked. We would check in with our nurse about every 30-45 minutes. She would put us on the monitor for about 5 minutes, then we'd walk some more. At some point, since I was feeling GREAT and I wasn't experiencing contractions, Jeremy went to walmart (or was it target?) to get the forgotten shaving supplies. He was gone maybe a half hour.

He came back... I was VERY sleepy (I didn't get my nap.) I asked Velda if I could rest a few minutes... but she wasn't impressed with the idea. So I got up and walked around some more. About 5 pm I was checked for the first time by Valerie while Linda was there. I was still only 3 cm. So then we had the pitocin discussion. We decided that if I wasn't experiencing anything that at 6, I would be willing to go on the pitocin. (When I got there, they had said that 8pm was the latest they would be comfortable with, since that was 12 hours after my water had broken.) So... Jer and I got up, and walked some more. More and more... and more. About 6pm, they came in and we talked again. By then I was starting to get some cramping sensations. Sooo... I again asked if I could hold off on the pitocin. They agreed since there was some sort of progress being made. My midwife then told us that she would be going to the on campus Christmas party... from 6-7. And if we needed her (which was unlikely) that she would be there at a moments notice. So, I wished her well with a smile on my face, telling her to say hi to my other midwife, Char. And with that Jeremy and I kept walking the hallways.

And... here is where I will stop. (Part 3... will probably finish things up.)