My baby

One Month

Guess who is 7 lbs and one month old?

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I think we have a pacifier girl. Olivia never had a pacifier or sucked her thumb as she didn't like things in her mouth. Abigail is all about her pacifier (the gumdrop ones) and can even (sorta) hold it in herself. And the pacifier doesn't seem to interfere with breastfeeding which I kind of worried about. Olivia still, however, sucks on the side of her hand right before she falls asleep. It's very sweet. I always know when she's almost asleep. Honestly, I hope she never stops because its so sweet and calming to me. It's a sound of pure restful contentment. Love my girls!

My daughter, the artist

As you know, one of Olivia’s least favorite things to do has been to draw.  Getting her to pick up a crayon is like torture.  She has, however, always liked to draw on her magna doodle.  Tonight she completely surprised me by drawing masterpiece after masterpiece!  She has come so far in just a few months.  Sadly, I can’t save them because they get erased, but I was sure to take pictures of each one. 

Whale

Self-portrait

A birdie

A tomato with a smile

A happy worm (one of my favs)

Her Bitty Baby, Ally.

A bumblebee

A fish whale

Olivia and her best friend, Sage

Penguin

Monday, December 17, 2012

Olivia had her preschool Christmas program today. For a girl who loves to sing, I'm surprised she didn't do more of it on stage. LOL! And she has the same nervous habit as me. . .picking her lip. It was adorable, though. We did get it on video, although I doubt I post it. When I first got pregnant and found out I was due around Christmas, I worried about missing her program. LOL! But, we all made it. Even Abigail! Great job, Olivia! Our Christmas break has officially begun!

Blessed

After losing my sweet son, Logan, I feel so blessed to have Olivia and Abigail.  After watching Olivia fight for her life, I feel so blessed to have Olivia and Abigail.  After knowing so many people who struggle to have a child of their own, I feel so blessed to have Olivia and Abigail. After hearing the devastating news of what happened in Connecticut, I feel so blessed to have Olivia and Abigail.  Every parent, every day should hug their child and tell them how much they are loved.  They are such blessings in our lives.  As a mom of these two precious girls, I can’t even express the depths of my love for them.  I’m so grateful to be their mom. 

Beautiful Abigail

Over the past week, two of my friends have come over to take pictures of Abigail.  I can NEVER have too many pictures of my babies.  Thank you, Julie and Holli!!

Cutie Pie

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

So, Olivia sleeps with her door shut. Currently, Abigail is sleeping in her Graco lite crib in our room. Because we don't want the cats in our room, we have to keep our door shut. I was afraid I wouldn't hear Olivia if she needed me, so we put the baby monitor in her room (which is a security camera that we can view on our phone or iPad. I highly recommend it instead of a baby monitor and its half the cost.) Olivia noticed the camera and learned she could converse with mama through it at all hours of the night. LOL! She is still having trouble adjusting to not sleeping with me. Here is Olivia talking to me around 1am. I didn't get much sleep last night. And here is also a picture of Abigail in her adorable little crib/bassinet. Love it!

13.8

I finally heard back about Abigail's bilirubin level and it was 13.8, so they are not concerned. Because I'm breastfeeding, it will take a little longer to get out of her system. So, she'll be a bit yellow but nothing concerning. Thank goodness.

Jaundice

While I was pregnant, I armed myself with a million reasons as to why I probably wouldn’t breastfeed.  I needed to get back on my diabetes medication, my migraine medication, my supplements. . .all of which aren’t safe to take while breastfeeding.  I pumped and bottle fed Olivia for over 6 months and I swore I would not do that again.  Every few hours, I warmed up a bottle, fed her (and had her throw half of it back up) cleaned up the vomit, kept her upright for 30 minutes and then pumped for 15 minutes.  It was exhausting.  I thought I would “try” with Abigail but if it was too difficult, I would go the formula route.  She started bottle feeding in the hospital, like Olivia, and I just knew it wouldn’t work again.  But, Abigail completely surprised me and when she got home, she started nursing like a pro.  And I completely love it!  It totally takes the stress out of feeding your child.  I’m able to feed her, cuddle her and soothe her all at the same time.  It’s so much simpler than having to search for the perfect type of bottle and nipple flow and use a bottle warmer.  Now I can’t imagine NOT breastfeeding.  And I was even happier to hear that on Friday, Abigail was 6 lbs 3 oz and today she was 6 lbs 11 oz!  She is growing and thriving!

However, I noticed today that she was looking very yellow.  Even the whites of her eyes were yellow.  So, I called her doctor and they wanted to see her.  She was a little jaundice in the hospital, but her level was only 9.7 at 3 days old.  I was told that they normally don’t do the bili lights until the level is 20 or so.  Anyway, they did a bilirubin level on her today and should call tonight with the results.  They mentioned that it could be related to breastfeeding and I may have to stop for a bit and see if it improves.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I can’t imagine not nursing her and I hate pumping with a passion.  So, any advice would be appreciated.  I’ll update you with what the doctor says tonight. 

Maternity Pics and More

I finally got the CD with all of my maternity pictures that we had taken (yes, I was entirely too lazy to get them before.)  I just thought I’d share a few more of the ones I really liked.  I still can’t believe that my baby girl was in my tummy then.  We’ve had her for 3 weeks and I can’t imagine life without her.  She is such a good baby!  As long as she has a full tummy, she is super happy.  She eats and eats and eats.  I don’t know how I’m keeping up with her. 

And tonight Olivia just HAD to wear footy pajamas like Abigail.  Luckily, she still had some that fit her.  LOL!  Love my girls!

Please also pray for my husband who is returning to work tomorrow.  It will be a transition for all of us and I know he’ll really miss his girls. 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Happy Homecoming

On December 10, 2007, Olivia came home from the hospital when she was 105 days old.  It’s been five years and she has not spent another night in the hospital since.  She amazes me everyday by just being who she is.  Those of us who know Olivia realize there is no one quite like her.   She is blessing to everyone in her life and I love her to pieces!  I’m so proud to be her mom!

My Beautiful Baby

We took our first family outing to Hobby Lobby today. Both of the girls did great! I got three "What a beautiful baby!" compliments. I never took Olivia anywhere as a baby so I missed that. And it was so nice.

We also spent hours today watching videos of Olivia when she was a baby. We watched videos of her learning to walk and riding her pony everywhere (remember that?) I can't believe we get to experience those moments again. So blessed.

Friday, December 7, 2012

So, Olivia and Ryan both have colds. I'm holding my breath in hopes that Abigail and I don't get sick. Olivia didn't have so much as a sniffle until her first birthday. Of course, we were crazy diligent about keeping her healthy, probably to the point that it affected our emotional well being. But, I will feel like a horrible mother if my not even one month old gets sick.

Abigail is doing awesome though. She gained 3 oz this week and had her 2 week checkup today. She's now 6 lbs 3 oz. Breastfeeding is going great. Abigail does have something like breastfeeding jaundice or something like that? She also has a slight umbilical hernia that will probably resolve on its own. I'm amazed at how well she does with tummy time and already bats at her toys. Everything seems so much easier this time. . .except the staying healthy part. Good grief!

No Words

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Here are some pictures of our day. We were so excited to introduce Abigail to her cousin, Izzy, and aunt Shelley. Shelley and I joked that Abigail probably won't walk until 2 years old. Being the baby of the family, somebody is always going to be holding her.

Olivia is doing awesome, but I can tell its kinda wearing on her. She really wanted to play a game with me today, but Abigail was crying and I was holding her. Olivia begged,"Just put her back in her crib!" I'm sure it's tough being the center of our world for 5 years and then having to share it. I'm still amazed at how well she has adapted. I'm doing well, but still adjusting to the sleepless nights. I have Olivia and Abigail as my top priorities with sleeping and housecleaning as a distant 3rd and 4th. So, I apologize to those who visit. :)

And for the first time ever in my life (and Ryan's life) we have outdoor Christmas lights. Ryan wanted to make sure we all got in the Christmas spirit this year. (Completely missing out on Thanksgiving makes it hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner.)

And someday I will post from my laptop again, but for now my phone will do. And someday I'll update the header with Abigail's picture. Someday. :)

I'd also like to ask for prayers for my grandma who is in the hospital. At first they thought she had a stroke, but are now thinking it is a possible infection and/or pneumonia. Thank you!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Abigail had a weight check today and she is officially 6 lbs! She is such a good eater ! She also had her first sponge bath tonight and did great. Not many things seem to upset this girl! Sweet Olivia, besides her ear infection, month long cough, she now seems to have a cold. So much for her being one of the healthiest 5 year olds I know. It has just been one thing after another. I feel awful always saying,"Don't touch your sister!" I just want her well again. We've been to the dr more times than I can count. I do have a funny Olivia story. She was taking pictures when she sneezed and said,"Oh no! I got God Bless You all over my camera! LOL!