May 2008

May 01

WELCOME GRACIE!!!!!!!!

Grace Hannah Jones was born this morning at 10:02 a.m.!

I started having contractions at 3:30 this morning and we arrived at the hospital at 5:30.  We were 6-7 cm.  After not much progress we had the water broken at 8-ish and then progressed quickly.  Around 9:50 my midwife got me to turn over on my hands and knees and Grace thought that was the cat's meow.  She actually started to come out on her own much to everyone's surprise.  I rolled to my side and gave two big (and rather painful) pushes and Grace was born at 10:02 (Jerry called 10 give or take...)

We are all doing well.  I'm a bit sore as I had a small tear and well, she wasn't small.

So her stats:

8 pounds 9 ounces

21 3/4 inches long

13 inch head circ.

She was exactly one week early!!!

We'll add pics tomorrow after we get home!

May 05

2 day check (really four, but who's counting?)

So we went in for a check up this morning.  Grace is almost back up to her birth weight.  She is, however, having a little jaundice.  Jerry and I don't think as bad as Elijah, but it's hard to tell.  We've had her in the sun and what not and hopefully, the levels won't be too high.  She is a breastfeeding champ and, while I am rather sore (forgot about all this!) her eating habits are only going to help.

It's funny about your second kid.  You're not as concerned.  I've actually slept.  She wakes up and I roll onto my side and feed her (didn't get that down with Elijah until he was MUCH older!) and go back to sleep.  Granted she's only 4 days old, and things will definitely change, she's very good.  She likes to be cuddled, but is also content hanging on her own.

Elijah loves to hold her, though gets over it a little faster (unless it's bed time...) but he tells us "all done holding baby Grace."  At least he doesn't just stand up with her still on his lap.  not that we are ever far away, but still.  He is still adjusting to not being the center of attention, but this too shall pass.  Or not... (he just threw a straw at me... punk!)

Anyway, we are doing well.  I'll update about the jaundice after we hear from the doc!  At least it's nice out!!!!

May 06

yeah, so....

Her bilrubin levels were fairly high.  Normal would have been around 12... her's were around 21.9.  So we went to the hospital yesterday and into photo therapy we went.  I stayed the night at the hospital with Grace while Jerry was home with Elijah.  I have to say that both our kids were troopers.  Elijah was dragged around the whole day to the doc's and then to the boring hospital... though we did discover the really cool playroom on the peds unit and Elijah had fun playing in there.  So over the night her levels went down and this morning they took her completely off the lights.  She did so well.  She would come out to nurse and then back into the little case with her little shades on...really sad, but she did well.  It was great to be able to take her out permanently this morning.  We tried to keep her in the natural light of the windows as much as possible today.  her levels still dropped!  So we are home.  Tomorrow we have to go back to get her levels checked and meet with the ped.  I hoping, beyond hope, that this is over.  I'm ready to be home and work on adjusting to being a four person family.

Our playgroup has rocked and they are providing us with lots of yummy food!  So, that's that for now.  I'm beat and will probably turn in after American Idol (though I haven't been that impressed yet and I may end up passing out in the recliner... that would be okay too!

May 08

up and down and up and down

Grace's bilirubin levels went back up with yesterday's check.  SO this morning it was BACK to the doc's for the orders to have more blood drawn and then BACK to the medical mall (with all the sick people hacking up lungs and wanting to look at my baby...are you KIDDING me with this?) to have Grace's heel pricked AGAIN.  This afternoon the results are good.  The levels went back down.  They should have considering I was nursing her constantly yesterday and we had her in sun for the majority of the day.  So we are done until next Thursday when Grace will have her 2 week appointment.  I was so freakin' tired this morning.  I was having to talk to myself in the car to stay alert.

At the medical mall the lady who took Grace's blood told me her life story, or rather the story of her brother's life and how she is a great great aunt at 40-something because everyone starting with her brother is having babies at like 14 or something stupid.  I just wanted to tell her that I really didn't care and just wanted to go home and maybe someone should talk to these kids about condoms... I mean seriously... I'm 32 and both of our pregnancies were planned (though Jerry says he was tricked with Grace...WHATEVER!) and we feel like the timing was right.  Why on God's earth, would I want to hear about this woman's family?

ANYWAY, that's a quick update on the first week of Grace's life (Happy one week baby girl!!!)  I'll post pics soon.  I promise...

May 11

HAPPY MOMMY's DAY!!!!

Since my birthday, Elijah has been going around singing Happy Mommy (to the tune-ish of Happy Birthday) and today was no exception.  Jerry (and the kids) got me the complete Gilmore Girls series!!!  Wahoo!!!  I love Gilmore Girls!  We were going to go our for breakfast, but it is pouring rain, so Jerry went and got me cinnamon raisin biscuits from Hardess (Love 'em!!)  Which was nice, since I really didn't want to get dressed either....hehehehe...

Now we are just chilling.  Jerry's folks got Elijah this matchbox cars car wash toy thingy a while back, and we thought that he was too young at the time.  But he's proved he's a big boy, so he got to have it today (sans the bubbles...bubbles are for outside!)  And he is quite enthralled by it.  GREAT!

Grace is doing well.  She sleeps, eats, and poops, with a few hours of awake time thrown in.  Overall, so far (all 9 days of her little life) she's pretty mellow.  Her hiccups that she seemed to have constantly in utero have followed her into her little out of the womb life.  poor thing.  Though it doesn't seem to bother her really.  She's all wrapped up like a burrito right now and making little mouse-y noises... very cute!

so Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!

May 13

I'm the mother of a toddler and an infant...

How did this happen?  sigh...

Let me explain, that I was eating breakfast in the small window of Grace's morning nap.  Elijah had already eaten.  When he has markers and says he's "playing choo choo"  it usually means that he is putting them together end to end and moving them as one big unit.... not this...

sigh... what am I going to do when Jerry goes back to work?  I still haven't figured out nap time yet... I'm trying not to stress, but I NEED Elijah to take a nap, so that I can get some rest too... we'll see...

For now, I just have to laugh and be thankful that I spent the extra dollar to get the washable makers... At least he cleaned it up without a problem... why didn't we get a picture of that?

May 15

2 week check up

So the girl child had her 2 week check this morning.  She is weighing in at 9.2 pounds.  She has Mongolian spots, Stork bites, and Baby Acne.  All these are fine just baby things.  Her jaundice is better.  She's still a little yellow, but her eyes are almost completely clear which is really good!!!  She is healthy.  Elijah was more of a hassle during the appointment than Grace.  He's just got so much energy.

So we went to the park to meet up with the playgroup after the appointment.  Jerry came too so that was REALLY helpful.  I don't think I'll be up to going by myself anytime, but we'll see.  I'm really not supposed to be lifting Elijah, but as of tomorrow Jerry is back at work (though he is at home) and his schedule is changing for reasons that will be a whole different post at a later date, so he is now working four 10 hour days (Friday- Monday) and I'll need to lift Elijah for various reasons.  (That was a total run on!)  ANYWAY, it was fun seeing our friends.  Rachel and Erin also came with MR and the twins, so that was good (Erin and Jerry got to hang out and not be bored by the ladies.)  It was really nice.

That's about it.   Elijah's naps are not going well... but again another post.  I will leave with this picture.  It's in the album, but I just love it.   Elijah's baby holding time was cut short due to Grace wanting to eat and whatnot, so he got to snuggle her in bed while he had stories and songs.  It's just too freakin' cute!!!!

May 21

8 years and counting

Today is our 8 year anniversary!  Wahoo!  How are we celebrating one might ask... Well, Jerry is sick, as is Elijah and I fear that Grace may have gotten this cold-ish thing too...sigh...  Jerry is working today (long story about his schedule continuing to change... once it's all settled I'll post about it all...)Elijah is playing with Play-Doh and Grace is chilling on her play mat.  So that is how the day is going thus far.  Not really a big deal.  Since Jerry worked this past weekend, he is taking tomorrow and Friday off.  Maybe we'll do something fun.  We are going to a cookout on Saturday (pending the wellness of everyone in the fam) so that'll be fun.

That's it really.

I'm working on some gifts for Mother's Day (I know we're late), Father's Day, and my folks Anniversary (38 years!!!) And there's a little girl crying for some mama's milk...so I'm off!

May 23

Friday Friday!

So, Jerry is off today.  We went to Fit For Fun this morning.  It was nice.  We ran into some friends of ours.  It was a nice day outside, but I really needed to get out of the house and I had a ton of yarn to donate to them.  I went through all my yarn the other day and cut it down by half.  I needed the storage container for clothes that Grace can't fit into yet.  Also, I think it would take me years upon years to actually use all that yarn.  Anyway, they were thrilled to get it and gave us a free pass for the day.  Really nice!  The place was not crowded and Elijah had fun playing and I didn't feel like everyone was staring at me when I (discreetly) nursed Grace.

So some cute things that have been happening around the house lately:

--Elijah comes into my room at 1 in the morning (may not sound so cute, but wait for it) crawls in bed next to me and Grace and says, "mommy, hold baby," lies down and goes back to sleep.

--Elijah was watching the end of Reading Rainbow, in which there was a video of an older sibling reading to a younger one, Elijah jumps out of the chair runs to the library book bag, grabs a book, and says, " 'ijah 'ead baby 'racie."  Almost cried at that one.

--Grace makes little pterodactyl noises and if Elijah is holding her, he makes the noises right back to her.

--While lying in bed Elijah had his arm under Grace's head.  She started to stir and he reaches over and gently pats her tummy to soothe her.

--While putting Elijah to bed, we sing songs (Twinkle Twinkle and Row Row Row Your Boat) and sign them.  Elijah has been allowed to have Grace in bed during this time.  Last night, he picked up sleeping Grace's hand and tried to help her do the signs to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... little teary eyed at that too.

--Elijah was in the room the other day while I was changing clothes.  He walked up to me and pointed to my chest and said, "Mommy!  Two mommy's milks!"  I about passed out from laughing to hard...he was soooo serious about it.

--Every time we pass a truck/train track/school bus/airport... Elijah says, "Oneday, 'iljah ride [insert mode of transportation]?"  I seriously doubt that by the time he actually rides the school bus, he will be as excited about it.

--Grace's acne is starting to clear up, she throws her arms and legs around and is overall, a peaceful baby.  She can hold her head up and look around while we are holding her in the upright position.  She is definitely gaining weight and is just a cute little kiddo.

--Elijah and Grace and I all take a nap in the big bed.  I love being in there with my two sleeping kiddos.  I've been watching Gilmore Girls while they sleep...but it's hard to concentrate on the TV, when I am surrounded by such cuteness!

--Elijah will come and tell us before he going to poop, whilst he is pooping, and after the fact, BUT still not on the potty...though I guess it's progress.

--Wanting to play in the pool is " 'iljah p'ay in the poos!"  Which is hilarious...and a little disturbing to an outsider... but seriously, he just wants to play in the pool.

I have to remember these moments when I'm about to loose it with Elijah.  I know that most of my annoyances with Elijah are due to being tired and having a newborn here as well.  Of course, it is also in part that Elijah is two and acting every bit of it.  His little memory is so good and he is really starting to push buttons.  I know that he really wants attention, regardless of if it's negative or positive attention.  There are things that I ignore, but if he is doing something that will hurt him or something expensive (like the computer) he does get 3 warnings/chances to make good choices and then it's off to time out.  We both try to give him undivided attention during the day, but that's difficult for me with an infant attached to the boob.  This too shall pass.  He is really good with Grace and wants to hold her and rock her and everything else.  I don't want that to pass.

May 28

there now...

new pics added...

the weekend was fun.  we went to a cookout on saturday and that was about it.  elijah and grace are doing well.  we're all tired i think.  but that comes with the territory.  that' it for now.  just wanted to appease some people that have been asking for them...ahem...

May 31

i survived!

I made it two whole days on my own!  We even went to playgroup on Thursday...with brownies I made that morning!  HA!  Friday my friend Amy came over for a quick lunch and to meet Gracie.  She brought Elijah sand pails with shovels and goldfish.  It's all he talked about the rest of the day!  Thanks Amy!

Today we went to see Erin and Rachel and their kiddos.  Man the twins got big!  I miss hanging out with them!  But as I feel more confident with both Elijah and Grace by myself, I can go over and hang.  Jerry helped with a computer problem and we had lunch.  Elijah and MR hadn't seen each other in sooo long, so that was good for them.  Grace was totally chill the whole time, which was good too!

My folks get here on Tuesday.  I am sure we will hit the beach a couple of times (if I can possibly function in the morning at all...) and hang out here during the heat of the day.

(Going backwards here!) Kate and Kristie came over on Wednesday with their kiddos to play and see Grace.  Kristie and her sister have an online store with the cutest freaking kid's clothes!  Check them out!  She brought me a tie dye, a long sleeved onesie with leaves on it, and another onesie with her name on it.  I'm sure I' will take pics of them sometime...  Anyway, it was a good day and the kids all played well.  Elijah talked about them the rest of the day....though he clung to me the first half hour they were here.

Jerry will be back soon with dinner.  We have been really bad lately, so this weekend is the end of it all.  Starting Monday we are back to only eating out once a week (he says on free kid day!) and eating more salads and stuff here.  I mean I'm losing the weight from the breastfeeding, but I need to eat better.  We were really doing well while I was preggo....then we just stopped.  Maybe my folks and I can go to the farmers market while they are here and I can get some yummy fresh veggies.  That would be good!

Okay... that's all...well, it's not, but for now.  I added pics...before anyone could say anything (anyone that will be here in a few days!!! WAHOO!)