Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Pictures, Pictures!
Sleepy Girl
Aaawwwwww...
Silly Boy!
This is what William does when the camera comes out
Hanging out with Grandma
Resting with Mommy
Sleeping with Daddy on the couch
Aaawwwwww...
Silly Boy!
This is what William does when the camera comes out
Hanging out with Grandma
Resting with Mommy
Sleeping with Daddy on the couch
More Pictures!
We are all doing well. Gracie is a pretty content baby who doesn't sleep very well at night :( I had forgotten how difficult it can be to be awake at night with a baby who is wide awake when mama is desperate for sleep!
Here are some things I've learned about Grace over the past 2 weeks (I can't believe she is already 2 weeks and 1 day old!):
-She doesn't like her arms swaddled. I kept trying to swaddle her but it never calmed her down. One time I took her hands out and she immediately calmed down. She loves to have her hands near her face while she sleeps.
-She loves to lay on the floor or bed and look around. She likes the freedom of moving her arms and legs.
-She loves to eat. At 2 weeks she was already 1 pound over her birth weight! For those who don't know about babies and gaining weight in those first weeks-doctors like babies to get back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age.
-She loves her brother. If she's fussy and he talks to her, she immediately calms down and listens to his voice. William hasn't quite figured out that he needs to stand in front of her and put his face close to her face so that she can see him.
-She has already smiled for me, daddy, and grandma!
-She loved her first bath this morning (pictures to come).
-She likes to have her back/butt patted. This calms her down if she's fussy.
-She likes to sit up.
-She likes to cuddle and be held when she is tired or sleeping.
-Grace doesn't like to sleep at night! Grrr...we'll keep working on this. Mama needs more sleep!
-She likes the swing. She's sleeping in it right now. William loved the swing too. He slept in it for months.
Getting ready to come home from the hospital
Brother and Sister love
Here are some things I've learned about Grace over the past 2 weeks (I can't believe she is already 2 weeks and 1 day old!):
-She doesn't like her arms swaddled. I kept trying to swaddle her but it never calmed her down. One time I took her hands out and she immediately calmed down. She loves to have her hands near her face while she sleeps.
-She loves to lay on the floor or bed and look around. She likes the freedom of moving her arms and legs.
-She loves to eat. At 2 weeks she was already 1 pound over her birth weight! For those who don't know about babies and gaining weight in those first weeks-doctors like babies to get back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age.
-She loves her brother. If she's fussy and he talks to her, she immediately calms down and listens to his voice. William hasn't quite figured out that he needs to stand in front of her and put his face close to her face so that she can see him.
-She has already smiled for me, daddy, and grandma!
-She loved her first bath this morning (pictures to come).
-She likes to have her back/butt patted. This calms her down if she's fussy.
-She likes to sit up.
-She likes to cuddle and be held when she is tired or sleeping.
-Grace doesn't like to sleep at night! Grrr...we'll keep working on this. Mama needs more sleep!
-She likes the swing. She's sleeping in it right now. William loved the swing too. He slept in it for months.
Getting ready to come home from the hospital
Brother and Sister love
Friday, January 29, 2010
More Pictures!
Here are some more pictures of Grace. Because we've hardly taken any pictures of me with Grace, I asked my mom to take some while she was visiting with William. I was feeling really good today. Between the quiet day, very content baby, and pain medication, it was a good day :)
I didn't know it was possible, but I love my little William even more now that he has a baby sister. I've seen another side of him-gentle, caring, protective. He's always been gentle and caring, but it's new and different.
My mom told me this little story-this morning before they left her house to visit us he told my parents' dog (Scooter), "Scooter, I'm going to the hospital because my mama, dada, and baby sister need me". Awwww...how true that was!
Every time he has come to visit he walks in and announces, "I want to hold my baby sister!" He is such a proud big brother!
He's pretty eager to get us home. He will say, "Mama, I want you to come home with me." I keep reassuring him that when he gets home from daycare tomorrow, we will be there. I absolutely cannot wait to get home. The nurses are great here, but there's nothing like your own bed, shower, and food!
I didn't know it was possible, but I love my little William even more now that he has a baby sister. I've seen another side of him-gentle, caring, protective. He's always been gentle and caring, but it's new and different.
My mom told me this little story-this morning before they left her house to visit us he told my parents' dog (Scooter), "Scooter, I'm going to the hospital because my mama, dada, and baby sister need me". Awwww...how true that was!
Every time he has come to visit he walks in and announces, "I want to hold my baby sister!" He is such a proud big brother!
He's pretty eager to get us home. He will say, "Mama, I want you to come home with me." I keep reassuring him that when he gets home from daycare tomorrow, we will be there. I absolutely cannot wait to get home. The nurses are great here, but there's nothing like your own bed, shower, and food!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
William Meets Baby Grace!
William met his baby sister the next morning after she was born. He was in absolute awe of her. First of all, he didn't believe my mom when she told him Grace had been born. He said, "No, she wasn't! She's in mama's tummy." I guess he needed to see for himself.
He went right up to her bassinet and waved to her and said, "hi baby Grace". He wanted to hold her right away. He loved touching her face, head, and hands. He wanted to kiss her and put his head down by hers. He said, "I love you, baby sister". It was so cute! I wish I had had our video camera here to capture it on film. He is going to be such a good big brother, and I have a feeling he's going to be protective of his little sister!
It is obvious that Grace knows William's voice. Whenever he gets close to her and talks to her, she stops moving and really listens to his voice. I can already see the love between William and Grace (my heart is melting!).
He went right up to her bassinet and waved to her and said, "hi baby Grace". He wanted to hold her right away. He loved touching her face, head, and hands. He wanted to kiss her and put his head down by hers. He said, "I love you, baby sister". It was so cute! I wish I had had our video camera here to capture it on film. He is going to be such a good big brother, and I have a feeling he's going to be protective of his little sister!
It is obvious that Grace knows William's voice. Whenever he gets close to her and talks to her, she stops moving and really listens to his voice. I can already see the love between William and Grace (my heart is melting!).
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Welcome Baby Grace!
Welcome Baby Girl!
Grace Shannon
Born January 26, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.
9 lbs. 5 oz.
20 inches long
I can't believe she is here! We've had a great first day together.
Yesterday I had my 40 week appointment. Grace's heart rate was high-190s. The doctor checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. He then checked her heart rate again, and it was still in the 190s which is high for a baby. Dr. Miles then decided to send me up to Labor and Delivery to be monitored and possibly induced. Of course I didn't bring my bag because I didn't want to jinx myself. I asked him if we had time to go home and get our bags, and he said that he preferred we head straight to the hospital which was just down the road from the clinic.
When we arrived the nurse hooked me up to the monitor. Grace's heart rate was still high, but it wasn't as high as 190. It ranged from 160s-180s which is still considered high for a baby. She said they would probably monitor me for an hour, and if we were doing well they would send me home. I asked about staying for an induction, and she didn't seem to think that was an option. I asked to speak with my doctor, Dr. Decker, because I knew she was the doctor working at that time. Dr. Decker came in and decided that Grace's heart rate was still high enough for a little bit of concern, and she said because my cervix was "favorable" for delivery, we might as well start an induction.
We went to our room, and shortly after that they broke my water. It was a HUGE gush. By this time I was dilated to 4 cm and 75% effaced. My contractions weren't too bad at this time. I was able to be on the computer, talk, laugh, etc...The nurse checked my progress about an hour later, and I was dilated to 6 cm. I thought, "Wow! This is great! Contractions aren't painful and I'm already a 6!" BUT then she said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I think your baby is breech." WHAT?!?!?
It took a few minutes to process this while I thought about the nurse probably being wrong (yeah, right!). She said when she checked me she could feel a "squishy butt" rather than a "hard head". She then brought in the ultrasound machine, and sure enough Grace was breech. As someone who knows almost nothing about ultrasounds even I could tell from looking at the screen. My nurse asked I wanted to start prepping for the c-section, but all I could say was, "I'm not ready yet! I need a couple minutes to process this." As soon as she left the room I bawled for a few minutes. She then called Dr. Decker to come in and take a look. Dr. Decker confirmed that she was indeed breech. We discussed my options-try to deliver breech or c-section. I love Dr. Decker and felt confident in allowing her to make the decision. She said that because Grace could be a big baby the vaginal breech delivery would not be a good idea. I agreed and opted for a c-section. I was upset because this isn't what I had imagined. I had imagined pushing Grace out (with the hopes that it was going to be much easier the second time around) and having her brought up and put on my tummy right after her birth. Wasn't going to happen :( But in the end, I also knew that a healthy baby was most important. I asked her if we could get started with it sooner rather than later, because my contractions were getting stronger. I knew there was no need to have contractions and be in that pain for nothing! :/
I immediately called my mom and told her to hurry to the hospital because they'd be taking me downstairs to the OR (normally they are done on the L&D floor, but there were other cases downstairs and the anesthesiologist needed to stay downstairs). One great part of my delivery is that my mom is a nurse in the OR at my hospital, so she was able to get her scrubs on and be in the room with us. It was also nice knowing that her coworkers were taking such good care of me.
Once we got downstairs they started preparing me for the c-section. I was really nervous about being able to feel everything (unfortunately I had just read an article the other day about a woman who had a c-section and could feel it). They assured me that I wouldn't feel any pain. Dr. Decker asked, "Can you feel this?" I said, "Feel what?" She said, "I'm pinching you as hard as I can right now." Oh, I guess the spinal was working!
They got started right away and the c-section (the getting her out part) didn't take long at all. There was a lot of pulling and tugging and then I could hear her little cry. Dr. Decker lifted her over the curtain so I could see her for a second, and then they took her to the warming bed and wrapped her up. Olly then brought her over to me. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hold her which was really disappointing, but at least she looked strong and healthy. Olly then went upstairs with her and the nurses. My mom stayed downstairs with me as they stitched me up. This felt like an eternity, because I wanted to be with my baby!
When we got back upstairs I had to stay in recovery for awhile before she could come in. This was so difficult, because all I wanted to do was hold her! Eventually she was brought in so I could hold and nurse her. She latched on and nursed like a champ for about 2 hours straight! The nurse wanted to take her for a bath, but I wasn't ready to let her go again!
We've both been doing well since then. She was a little unsettled today but I think she has been having gas and tummy pains. She has been wanting to nurse a lot. She is doing a lot of nursing for comfort, but it will help bring my milk in. This big girl needs her milk!
I felt a little guilty the next night, because I did end up sending Grace to the nursery so I could get some sleep. At least there are other babies in there, so I'm not the only mom who sends her baby to the nursery. Plus a somewhat rested (if you can call it rest in a hospital) mom means a happier baby, right??
All in all it has been a smooth recovery with less pain and soreness than I expected. The nurses said I'm doing a really great job with my recovery. I've been taking Ibuprofen with only needing something stronger one time. Hopefully it will continue to be a smooth recovery!
Grace Shannon
Born January 26, 2010 at 9:35 p.m.
9 lbs. 5 oz.
20 inches long
I can't believe she is here! We've had a great first day together.
Yesterday I had my 40 week appointment. Grace's heart rate was high-190s. The doctor checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. He then checked her heart rate again, and it was still in the 190s which is high for a baby. Dr. Miles then decided to send me up to Labor and Delivery to be monitored and possibly induced. Of course I didn't bring my bag because I didn't want to jinx myself. I asked him if we had time to go home and get our bags, and he said that he preferred we head straight to the hospital which was just down the road from the clinic.
When we arrived the nurse hooked me up to the monitor. Grace's heart rate was still high, but it wasn't as high as 190. It ranged from 160s-180s which is still considered high for a baby. She said they would probably monitor me for an hour, and if we were doing well they would send me home. I asked about staying for an induction, and she didn't seem to think that was an option. I asked to speak with my doctor, Dr. Decker, because I knew she was the doctor working at that time. Dr. Decker came in and decided that Grace's heart rate was still high enough for a little bit of concern, and she said because my cervix was "favorable" for delivery, we might as well start an induction.
We went to our room, and shortly after that they broke my water. It was a HUGE gush. By this time I was dilated to 4 cm and 75% effaced. My contractions weren't too bad at this time. I was able to be on the computer, talk, laugh, etc...The nurse checked my progress about an hour later, and I was dilated to 6 cm. I thought, "Wow! This is great! Contractions aren't painful and I'm already a 6!" BUT then she said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, but I think your baby is breech." WHAT?!?!?
It took a few minutes to process this while I thought about the nurse probably being wrong (yeah, right!). She said when she checked me she could feel a "squishy butt" rather than a "hard head". She then brought in the ultrasound machine, and sure enough Grace was breech. As someone who knows almost nothing about ultrasounds even I could tell from looking at the screen. My nurse asked I wanted to start prepping for the c-section, but all I could say was, "I'm not ready yet! I need a couple minutes to process this." As soon as she left the room I bawled for a few minutes. She then called Dr. Decker to come in and take a look. Dr. Decker confirmed that she was indeed breech. We discussed my options-try to deliver breech or c-section. I love Dr. Decker and felt confident in allowing her to make the decision. She said that because Grace could be a big baby the vaginal breech delivery would not be a good idea. I agreed and opted for a c-section. I was upset because this isn't what I had imagined. I had imagined pushing Grace out (with the hopes that it was going to be much easier the second time around) and having her brought up and put on my tummy right after her birth. Wasn't going to happen :( But in the end, I also knew that a healthy baby was most important. I asked her if we could get started with it sooner rather than later, because my contractions were getting stronger. I knew there was no need to have contractions and be in that pain for nothing! :/
I immediately called my mom and told her to hurry to the hospital because they'd be taking me downstairs to the OR (normally they are done on the L&D floor, but there were other cases downstairs and the anesthesiologist needed to stay downstairs). One great part of my delivery is that my mom is a nurse in the OR at my hospital, so she was able to get her scrubs on and be in the room with us. It was also nice knowing that her coworkers were taking such good care of me.
Once we got downstairs they started preparing me for the c-section. I was really nervous about being able to feel everything (unfortunately I had just read an article the other day about a woman who had a c-section and could feel it). They assured me that I wouldn't feel any pain. Dr. Decker asked, "Can you feel this?" I said, "Feel what?" She said, "I'm pinching you as hard as I can right now." Oh, I guess the spinal was working!
They got started right away and the c-section (the getting her out part) didn't take long at all. There was a lot of pulling and tugging and then I could hear her little cry. Dr. Decker lifted her over the curtain so I could see her for a second, and then they took her to the warming bed and wrapped her up. Olly then brought her over to me. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hold her which was really disappointing, but at least she looked strong and healthy. Olly then went upstairs with her and the nurses. My mom stayed downstairs with me as they stitched me up. This felt like an eternity, because I wanted to be with my baby!
When we got back upstairs I had to stay in recovery for awhile before she could come in. This was so difficult, because all I wanted to do was hold her! Eventually she was brought in so I could hold and nurse her. She latched on and nursed like a champ for about 2 hours straight! The nurse wanted to take her for a bath, but I wasn't ready to let her go again!
We've both been doing well since then. She was a little unsettled today but I think she has been having gas and tummy pains. She has been wanting to nurse a lot. She is doing a lot of nursing for comfort, but it will help bring my milk in. This big girl needs her milk!
I felt a little guilty the next night, because I did end up sending Grace to the nursery so I could get some sleep. At least there are other babies in there, so I'm not the only mom who sends her baby to the nursery. Plus a somewhat rested (if you can call it rest in a hospital) mom means a happier baby, right??
All in all it has been a smooth recovery with less pain and soreness than I expected. The nurses said I'm doing a really great job with my recovery. I've been taking Ibuprofen with only needing something stronger one time. Hopefully it will continue to be a smooth recovery!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Monster Truck Show!
We took William to the Monster Jam Monster Truck Show tonight. It was hilarious! Quite good entertainment actually!
We brought our ear plugs along due to the advice that it would be loud. HOLY LOUD! William refused to wear the ear plugs, but he was crying about the noise (before we even got to our seats). You know it's going to be loud when you are blocks from the Metrodome and can hear the engines! We bought him a pair of $20 earphones shaped like tires.
Once we got to our seat, he did really well. He enjoyed watching the monster trucks and was clapping and cheering. At intermission there was a car race. Each car had a trailer with something on it. They drove around and around and crashed into each other. It was great! William started to get upset again and said that he wanted to go home.
We stayed a little longer for the freestyle part of the monster truck show (where they drive over cars, buses, and jump high in the air. Once we got outside, William said, "the monster truck show was FUN!" Really? Even though you cried through some of it?!?! He was quite excited to get home and find his monster truck books.
All in all, it was a good night. I have to admit though, that I felt a bit guilty being at such a loud event, downtown the DAY BEFORE my due date :/ Baby girl was moving around A LOT!
We brought our ear plugs along due to the advice that it would be loud. HOLY LOUD! William refused to wear the ear plugs, but he was crying about the noise (before we even got to our seats). You know it's going to be loud when you are blocks from the Metrodome and can hear the engines! We bought him a pair of $20 earphones shaped like tires.
Once we got to our seat, he did really well. He enjoyed watching the monster trucks and was clapping and cheering. At intermission there was a car race. Each car had a trailer with something on it. They drove around and around and crashed into each other. It was great! William started to get upset again and said that he wanted to go home.
We stayed a little longer for the freestyle part of the monster truck show (where they drive over cars, buses, and jump high in the air. Once we got outside, William said, "the monster truck show was FUN!" Really? Even though you cried through some of it?!?! He was quite excited to get home and find his monster truck books.
All in all, it was a good night. I have to admit though, that I felt a bit guilty being at such a loud event, downtown the DAY BEFORE my due date :/ Baby girl was moving around A LOT!
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