Alyssa 4.5 Weeks
Andrew 3 yrs 9 months
Thursday, December 30, 2010
First week of December 2010
Andrew styling in his jammies & newly found Santa hat that was pulled out with the Christmas decorations...
The Christmas tree almost finished by the guys as Alyssa & I "supervised"...Andrew is about to put the finishing touch on with his Daddy's help...
Dave thought he would go ahead and put baby Alyssa in her new stocking that her big brother picked out...I don't think she likes wearing the stocking....
Alyssa's 4 week birthday. We were going to go to a SS Christmas party as our first outing...
Big brother Andrew rocking his sister...sooooo sweet!
David broke out his X-Box...he turned Andrew into a lover of video games!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Showing Muscles...
This past Sunday, Andrew was ready to go to his Cubbies (AWANA) Class (which should explain the vest...)
For some reason, he wanted to show off his muscles. Below are examples of him "flexing" those muscles. We keep trying to explain those are his elbows but oh well...it's amusing if nothing else! :)
For some reason, he wanted to show off his muscles. Below are examples of him "flexing" those muscles. We keep trying to explain those are his elbows but oh well...it's amusing if nothing else! :)
O'Nanny & Pa's visit
The day before Alyssa turned the big "3 weeks" :), she had a special visit from O'Nanny & Pa...
O'Nanny brought a beautiful antique painting to hang in Alyssa's room. She said she always felt like she would have a granddaughter and was excited to pass it to Alyssa... :)
2 Weeks, 6 Days
So I jumped the gun by posting her 3 week pics last week, but I was trying to post some updated pics in a timely manner.
These pics are from last Saturday when she was 2 weeks, 6 days old. Pa & O'Nanny were coming to see her so we had to dress her up...Andrew even picked out her bow!
These pics are from last Saturday when she was 2 weeks, 6 days old. Pa & O'Nanny were coming to see her so we had to dress her up...Andrew even picked out her bow!
Our Little Inch Worm
A few days ago I laid Alyssa down for a nap on her mat. When she went to sleep, her head was in the center of the mat. When she began waking up and getting ready to eat, she stuck her fingers in her mouth and took off. I don't know where she thinks her food was (aka: MOMMY!) but she was inching her way somewhere!
Our Big Boy
Last week, Andrew was leaving for school. I couldn't help but notice just how grown up he looked!!! :( My sweet baby boy is growing up WAAAAAYYYYYYYY too quickly :(
And of course he didn't want to pose for pictures, so these were the best I could get... :)
And of course he didn't want to pose for pictures, so these were the best I could get... :)
Funny Faces
Here are just a few pics...
Note David's red and tired eyes...such is life with a newborn! (Why do you think I'm not in any pics as of yet! :) )
Ok, so I hope we are not the only parents who make fun of their newborns faces. We particularly get tickled at Alyssa's cross-eyed faces...
Just a sweet picture!
Note David's red and tired eyes...such is life with a newborn! (Why do you think I'm not in any pics as of yet! :) )
Ok, so I hope we are not the only parents who make fun of their newborns faces. We particularly get tickled at Alyssa's cross-eyed faces...
Just a sweet picture!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
3 Week Pictures
With the general exception of the hours between 10:30 pm and 2 am, this is how our sleeping beauty spends most of her time. Even Andrew realizes that if she's not sleeping...she's pooping or eating!
Big Brother Party
Andrew has done remarkably well since Alyssa's arrival. I think part of it is that he is so mature for being almost 4 but another part is due to the spacing. I think because he was the only one for so long, he was given a lot of individualized attention and has moved into a more "independent" stage. He is still the light of our lives but I think he realizes that we love his sister just as much and to our delight - he adores her, too!
In fact, I noticed the other night that he has been sneaking into our room at night to check on his baby sister who is still sleeping in a bassinet at the foot of our bed... how sweet is that!?!?
Additionally, I think it helped that we kept him a part of it all. She has always been "his" baby or "our" baby. We have made sure to include him in the majority of the process and David has also talked with him about taking care of Mommy & Sister.
We also made a point to have a "Big Brother Party" for Andrew soon after bringing Alyssa home from the hospital. Munner & Memi (my mom) helped with getting the balloons and buying him the "real deal" Buzz Lightyear as one of his big brother gifts....
Below are pictures of Andrew being silly during times of the "party"....
(note the lovely flowers below that we received from my mom, Cheryl & Dad "O'Nanny" & "Pa", Dianne & Ray Scott and my colleagues at ASI...)
In fact, I noticed the other night that he has been sneaking into our room at night to check on his baby sister who is still sleeping in a bassinet at the foot of our bed... how sweet is that!?!?
Additionally, I think it helped that we kept him a part of it all. She has always been "his" baby or "our" baby. We have made sure to include him in the majority of the process and David has also talked with him about taking care of Mommy & Sister.
We also made a point to have a "Big Brother Party" for Andrew soon after bringing Alyssa home from the hospital. Munner & Memi (my mom) helped with getting the balloons and buying him the "real deal" Buzz Lightyear as one of his big brother gifts....
We also purchased him a Spider-Man flashlight and a Puppy Pillowpet as his gifts for being such a great big brother!
Here we got to have a special dinner of corn dogs and other youngin' friendly foods in the dining room (which Andrew associates with special meals...)...
Below are pictures of Andrew being silly during times of the "party"....
(note the lovely flowers below that we received from my mom, Cheryl & Dad "O'Nanny" & "Pa", Dianne & Ray Scott and my colleagues at ASI...)
So far we are at 3 weeks and all still seems to be going well. I wish the recovery was a bit faster so I could spend more time with both kids (mainly Andrew & the bazillion active things he is always wanting to do) but I know that will come soon.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
2 Week Pediatrician Checkup
Today all 4 of us headed to our family doctor, Dr. Loden.
We had to make an appointment for Andrew who has a sore throat and since we would already be there and coupled with the fact that David had been there yesterday (we learned he has skin cancer they will cut out on Dec. 15th), they took mercy on us and let us take a family field trip to their office today since we had Alyssa's 2 week visit scheduled tomorrow.
Alyssa is doing well. She is also GROWING like a weed! She was 8lbs, 10 oz when she was born. In the hospital, she went to 8 lbs, 2 oz before we went home on 11/17. Today, she was 9 lbs, 4 oz! She has put on 1 lb, 2 oz. over the past 13 days! Which I can believe since if she is awake, she is either pooping or eating! She has also grown 1/4" and is now 22 1/4".
They also did her PKU testing and she was such a trooper. Actually, she didn't even cry! We noticed in the hospital when they would test her blood sugar that she wouldn't cry (they did that the first 24 hours every time she nursed). She definitely has a high pain threshold!
All else went great. Andrew has strep but with a few days of antibiotics, he'll get over that. Dave and I are a bit worn out as a venture out with 2 kids will do...but we're home and relaxing now :)
We had to make an appointment for Andrew who has a sore throat and since we would already be there and coupled with the fact that David had been there yesterday (we learned he has skin cancer they will cut out on Dec. 15th), they took mercy on us and let us take a family field trip to their office today since we had Alyssa's 2 week visit scheduled tomorrow.
Alyssa is doing well. She is also GROWING like a weed! She was 8lbs, 10 oz when she was born. In the hospital, she went to 8 lbs, 2 oz before we went home on 11/17. Today, she was 9 lbs, 4 oz! She has put on 1 lb, 2 oz. over the past 13 days! Which I can believe since if she is awake, she is either pooping or eating! She has also grown 1/4" and is now 22 1/4".
They also did her PKU testing and she was such a trooper. Actually, she didn't even cry! We noticed in the hospital when they would test her blood sugar that she wouldn't cry (they did that the first 24 hours every time she nursed). She definitely has a high pain threshold!
All else went great. Andrew has strep but with a few days of antibiotics, he'll get over that. Dave and I are a bit worn out as a venture out with 2 kids will do...but we're home and relaxing now :)
2 Weeks
Alyssa - you are now just over 2 weeks old! (16 days to be exact!) And in the 16 days you have been here on earth, it is evident that you are soooo loved.
It is apparent that your big brother loves you to pieces! He loves to give you kisses and hugs before school and when he gets home. When you are crying and upset, he sits by you and repeats, "It's okay, baby...it's okay..." He loves to hold your hand and gives us status updates if we are in the car as he looks over to your carseat. We can already tell how protective he will be of you. When Daddy teases about giving you a spanking, Andrew speaks up quickly that you do NOT need a spanking. Good luck to your boyfriends (when you are allowed to date in 20 years!)... I thought your Daddy would be overprotective...I think that he is NO match for your big brother!
Speaking of your Daddy, it sure is sweet to see him holding you. For such a big guy, he sure has a gentle hold on his baby girl when he carries you. He likes to prop you up on his lap in the evenings and has conversations with you about nothing :) You still have your days and nights mixed up so you are pretty alert between 8:30 and midnight... A lot of times he is trying to get you to focus your eyes and is working on having you learn to give high 5's and to hold his index fingers...
You and I get to spend a lot of time together. I'm so fortunate to be home with you right now (And thank goodness! You spend most of your time eating and pooping! I think Daycare would charge us extra for you and your high maintenance ways right now :) ) We also talk a lot about nothing those fleeting moments during the day when you can keep your eyes open... We visit a lot in the mornings around 5:30 as I lazily bring you into bed with us for your feeding and afterwards you just look around and hold my fingers while you curl up close to me.
Speaking of fingers...you have the LONGEST fingers (and toes)I have ever seen! I noticed this morning that your fingers are longer than your brothers were. Your hands and fingers are so dainty and feminine. At birth, your nails were PERFECT and continue to constantly look as though you just left the manicure salon :) I spent a long time this morning just studying your facial features and hands. You were wide awake so we played with each others hands as we snuggled close.
As we snuggled and stared at each others hands and eyes, it dawned on me. I thought all this time that it would be your Daddy that you had wrapped around your long and lovely fingers. While I know he loves you and you are definitely a light in his life...It's undoubtedly me that you have wrapped around your finger!
I don't know how it's possible.... but I definitely have two precious kids who I love so very, very much!
It is apparent that your big brother loves you to pieces! He loves to give you kisses and hugs before school and when he gets home. When you are crying and upset, he sits by you and repeats, "It's okay, baby...it's okay..." He loves to hold your hand and gives us status updates if we are in the car as he looks over to your carseat. We can already tell how protective he will be of you. When Daddy teases about giving you a spanking, Andrew speaks up quickly that you do NOT need a spanking. Good luck to your boyfriends (when you are allowed to date in 20 years!)... I thought your Daddy would be overprotective...I think that he is NO match for your big brother!
Speaking of your Daddy, it sure is sweet to see him holding you. For such a big guy, he sure has a gentle hold on his baby girl when he carries you. He likes to prop you up on his lap in the evenings and has conversations with you about nothing :) You still have your days and nights mixed up so you are pretty alert between 8:30 and midnight... A lot of times he is trying to get you to focus your eyes and is working on having you learn to give high 5's and to hold his index fingers...
You and I get to spend a lot of time together. I'm so fortunate to be home with you right now (And thank goodness! You spend most of your time eating and pooping! I think Daycare would charge us extra for you and your high maintenance ways right now :) ) We also talk a lot about nothing those fleeting moments during the day when you can keep your eyes open... We visit a lot in the mornings around 5:30 as I lazily bring you into bed with us for your feeding and afterwards you just look around and hold my fingers while you curl up close to me.
Speaking of fingers...you have the LONGEST fingers (and toes)I have ever seen! I noticed this morning that your fingers are longer than your brothers were. Your hands and fingers are so dainty and feminine. At birth, your nails were PERFECT and continue to constantly look as though you just left the manicure salon :) I spent a long time this morning just studying your facial features and hands. You were wide awake so we played with each others hands as we snuggled close.
As we snuggled and stared at each others hands and eyes, it dawned on me. I thought all this time that it would be your Daddy that you had wrapped around your long and lovely fingers. While I know he loves you and you are definitely a light in his life...It's undoubtedly me that you have wrapped around your finger!
I don't know how it's possible.... but I definitely have two precious kids who I love so very, very much!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Happy 1 Week Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Princess! We love you so much and are so Blessed to have you here!
Meeting Baby Sister
As you can see... at the hospital and at home, Andrew is enamored with his baby sister!
We hope and pray they will always be this sweet together! :)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Baby Alyssa's Arrival
With Andrew, I kept a paper journal of his delivery/arrival...so with the new technological age, I figured I would journal Alyssa's on the blog...
On Friday, the 12th (her due date), David and I went to the OB to have my Blood Pressure evaluated because it had been high. When we got home, things had begun to progress a little on their own which was exciting but I knew that labor could still be a few days away.
Saturday evening things continued to progress a little bit. And around 10:30 p.m., I even heard a little "pop" which I had heard you may hear when your water breaks...only I never had the gush of water. I had "sensations" when I would use the ladies room, but never experienced anything any other time. I had some strong contractions that night while sleeping - but again, never experienced anything "significant".
On Sunday, Munner & I went shopping and did some walking - but again, never felt anything "significant" unless I went to the ladies room. Finally, around 4:00 that afternoon, I began to wonder if in fact it was my water that had broken the night before but was just slowly leaking in its own strange way. I called my friend Wendi, who has 4 children of her own and had worked in the NICU at a local hospital. When describing everything, she suggested I go get checked out because the baby's head could be acting as a "cork" in every position but when I went to the bathroom.
So around 4:45 p.m., David & I went to Providence to be evaluated. They had to run some tests and Andrew had Cubbies, so David went to handle that. My diastolic BP kept reading in the mid to upper 90's (I'm usually in the 60's) and the test came back that my water had in fact broken, so I was admitted.
My OB was not on call, but Dr. Michelle Manning was. She came in around 6 p.m. and said because my water had broken the previous night and because I was still only dilated to a 1, she was medically recommending a c-section. She understood my desire for a VBAC, but felt it was in the best interest of me and the baby to have the surgery. I bawled. I wanted to strive for a VBAC so badly but it seemed I would have another surgery. So I cried and cried (which is not my style!) :) But it had to be the prayers that we asked people to lift us up in, because I became eerily calm soon after. God is SOOOO good that way! (Below is a picture after I had calmed down and accepted that I was going to have another c-section)
On Friday, the 12th (her due date), David and I went to the OB to have my Blood Pressure evaluated because it had been high. When we got home, things had begun to progress a little on their own which was exciting but I knew that labor could still be a few days away.
Saturday evening things continued to progress a little bit. And around 10:30 p.m., I even heard a little "pop" which I had heard you may hear when your water breaks...only I never had the gush of water. I had "sensations" when I would use the ladies room, but never experienced anything any other time. I had some strong contractions that night while sleeping - but again, never experienced anything "significant".
On Sunday, Munner & I went shopping and did some walking - but again, never felt anything "significant" unless I went to the ladies room. Finally, around 4:00 that afternoon, I began to wonder if in fact it was my water that had broken the night before but was just slowly leaking in its own strange way. I called my friend Wendi, who has 4 children of her own and had worked in the NICU at a local hospital. When describing everything, she suggested I go get checked out because the baby's head could be acting as a "cork" in every position but when I went to the bathroom.
So around 4:45 p.m., David & I went to Providence to be evaluated. They had to run some tests and Andrew had Cubbies, so David went to handle that. My diastolic BP kept reading in the mid to upper 90's (I'm usually in the 60's) and the test came back that my water had in fact broken, so I was admitted.
My OB was not on call, but Dr. Michelle Manning was. She came in around 6 p.m. and said because my water had broken the previous night and because I was still only dilated to a 1, she was medically recommending a c-section. She understood my desire for a VBAC, but felt it was in the best interest of me and the baby to have the surgery. I bawled. I wanted to strive for a VBAC so badly but it seemed I would have another surgery. So I cried and cried (which is not my style!) :) But it had to be the prayers that we asked people to lift us up in, because I became eerily calm soon after. God is SOOOO good that way! (Below is a picture after I had calmed down and accepted that I was going to have another c-section)
So David picked Andrew up from Cubbies and took him to the house where Munner was already staying. We began texting and calling for prayers. A little after 8 they took us into the operating room and began prepping me for the c-section. And of course, those violent shakes began. I had them with Andrew but they were far worse this time. I had David even put a blanket in my mouth to keep my teeth from clinking against each other. The only thing that helped was repeating the verse that came to my mind, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) Repeating that and the prayers David was saying at the time provided such a calm serenity in the midst of all that was happening.
They began the surgery which took a little longer since I had a previous c-section. When it became time for Alyssa to make her debut, the nurses began sitting on me and using their fists on my upper abdomen to get her out. She was NOT coming. I could hear everyone getting silent. Around this time, Dr. Manning made my incision a bit wider than it was with Andrew in efforts to pull Alyssa out. To keep me distracted, I asked David to guess her birth weight. I guessed 7 lbs 11 oz, he guessed 8 lbs 7 oz.
FINALLY - I heard them pulling her out and heard that most BEAUTIFUL sound...I heard our baby girl crying! What a GLORIOUS noise!!! I began to sob and David made sure I was ok...I kept reassuring him they were happy tears. The nurses began cleaning her up and David walked over and said - "Well, my guess was closer than yours." He then proceeded to tell me that our daughter was 8 lbs 10 oz and 22" long! WOWSERS! David brought her over so I could see her - she was (is) the spitting image of Andrew!!!
They got me finished up and took me into recovery. About a minute after they hooked up my pain pump - my arm turned bright red and began itching horribly! It turns out that even though I had morphine with Andrew - I am now allergic to it. So they began trying Dilottid (however it is spelled) as I had that years ago with another surgery. Turns out - I react to that, too. About 30 minutes into that, I began "losing my lunch". Not too fun following a major abdominal surgery. Yowsers! What a night! (Below is a picture BEFORE losing my lunch...yeah, I'm not a pretty sight after surgery!)
But even though the delivery did not go as I had planned - it went according to what was best for me and Alyssa. In fact, Dr. Manning said she knew that a c-section wasn't what I wanted, but never have any regrets because that was the ONLY way Alyssa was going to come....she apparently liked it where she was! :)
Monday, November 15, 2010
More photos again
Our Lil' Princess Popcorn!.... 11-14-2010 at 8:49 pm via c-section. 8lbs 10 oz. and 22 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well.
Kori Huffman Congrats to all of you! Take care of yourself....which in turn takes care of the family.
Dolores Ashley Pace Congratulations - I know you are thrilled and excited to finally meet your precious little girl! I know you will enjoy her. You sure got her dressed up cute first thing!
Beth Danchik-Peterson Congrats cousin . She is beautiful. I'm so happy for you. Take care and talk with you soon. Love your cousin Beth
Jaime Kammerer Shipman How precious! I can't wait to come down and meet her! Very happy to hear Mommy and Baby are both doing well! Love you all!
Tiffany Danchik Davlin Thank you all for the sweet notes of congratulations & well wishes!!! We are soooo excited to have our baby girl here safe & sound!! Looking fwd to introducing her to everyone ....soon! :)
Tiffany Danchik Davlin Thanks girls! We are tickled pink :) (pun intended!) Yes, she was a big girl! (and still growing like weed!!!)
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