Saturday, May 31, 2014
Eleanor - One Month Old
Can't believe how quickly one month has flown by. Our sweet baby Eleanor is now one month old. Check out how much she has grown in the past month.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Sleep and Crazy Teeth
Praise the Lord! Eleanor slept for 5 straight hours last night between feedings. I, of course, did not. I kept checking to make sure she was still breathing and I was a bit in pain since she went so long between feedings. I will definitely take the pain for a few hours of sleep. Genevieve was/is such a poor sleeper, that I'm still caught of guard by Eleanor's sleep patterns. Today Eleanor is 4 weeks old. Let's hope this great sleeping keeps up.
Genevieve has always been a little a head of the predicted teeth chart. Last night Josh discovered that Genevieve's 2 year old molars are starting to come in. She was 22 months on the 19th. Let's hope these teeth don't interrupt her sleep like all the others have.
Genevieve has always been a little a head of the predicted teeth chart. Last night Josh discovered that Genevieve's 2 year old molars are starting to come in. She was 22 months on the 19th. Let's hope these teeth don't interrupt her sleep like all the others have.
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| http://www.hellobee.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/teeth.jpg |
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Eleanor's Almost One Month Appointment
Yesterday we had Eleanor's one month appointment (a week early).
Current stats:
Weight: 8 pounds 3 ounces
Length: 20 3/4 inches
Head circumference: Forgot to ask
The doctor is so pleased with her weight gain and so are we. Genevieve was born smaller and lost a lot of weight in the hospital, so we were always worrying about her calorie intake and weight tracking. In fact, we still are keeping an eye on her. So it was such a relief to not be worrying about it with Eleanor. I can tell she's getting chubbier, particularly when I'm trying to get her to burp. She is still in newborn size clothes but the day to transition to 0-3 month size clothing is quickly coming. In fact she is busting out of the newborn size regular white onesies.
The doctor says she looks great. Eleanor does make this squeaking sound - like a goose honking - when she breaths sometimes, mainly when eating. It just the sound of air going across her developing vocal cords. Genevieve had it too. The doctor says it should be gone by 6 months.
So excited for such a good report at the appointment. And we are so pleased with our new pediatrician.
Current stats:
Weight: 8 pounds 3 ounces
Length: 20 3/4 inches
Head circumference: Forgot to ask
The doctor is so pleased with her weight gain and so are we. Genevieve was born smaller and lost a lot of weight in the hospital, so we were always worrying about her calorie intake and weight tracking. In fact, we still are keeping an eye on her. So it was such a relief to not be worrying about it with Eleanor. I can tell she's getting chubbier, particularly when I'm trying to get her to burp. She is still in newborn size clothes but the day to transition to 0-3 month size clothing is quickly coming. In fact she is busting out of the newborn size regular white onesies.
The doctor says she looks great. Eleanor does make this squeaking sound - like a goose honking - when she breaths sometimes, mainly when eating. It just the sound of air going across her developing vocal cords. Genevieve had it too. The doctor says it should be gone by 6 months.
So excited for such a good report at the appointment. And we are so pleased with our new pediatrician.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Family/Maternity Pictures
Around my 35th week of pregnancy we had a family/maternity photo shoot. I wanted to pass along some of my favorites. All pictures were taken by Joleen Pete Photography. Check her out at: http://www.joleenpetephotography.com
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Throwback Thursday
Picture of me with my dad (and distant cousins in the background) at my family's lake house on beautiful Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana. Not sure how old I am in this picture. Mom or Dad if you read this, do you know? Since I currently have that swimsuit for my girls, I know it's size 18 months. Which means I'm either 1 or 2 years old. I'm thinking 1. But who knows.
Even though my first word was "towel", I have always been a fan of the water. Summer is not completely without countless days spent swimming in the pool (or lake). My mom use to joke that she kept having the doctor check to see if I had any gills.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day! Yesterday marked my third anniversary of celebrating Mother's Day.
2012 - Pregnant with Genevieve
2013 - Mother's Day with Genevieve
2014 - Mother's Day with Genevieve and Eleanor
Looking at that I'm a bit concerned what 2015 will bring.
I'm so thankful for my two little girls who call me mom. I really can't imagine life without them. I am so grateful for these two blessings God has given Josh and I. They fill my day with such joy and happiness.
2012 - Pregnant with Genevieve
2013 - Mother's Day with Genevieve
2014 - Mother's Day with Genevieve and Eleanor
Looking at that I'm a bit concerned what 2015 will bring.
I'm so thankful for my two little girls who call me mom. I really can't imagine life without them. I am so grateful for these two blessings God has given Josh and I. They fill my day with such joy and happiness.
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| Photo taken by Jolene Pete Photography |
Friday, May 9, 2014
Hospital Bag Update
Wanted to update from my original post on what was packed in my hospital bag.
Didn't Use from Mommy's Bag
Didn't Use from Mommy's Bag
- Ziploc Bag- Couldn't find this when Josh was heading home so he just put the baby's hat in his pocket
- Slippers - I wore flip flops to the hospital so I just wore those around the room
- Nursing Pads - Milk didn't come in while I was in the hospital
- Suckers - Didn't even get around to buying these
- Clothes for Josh
- Hairdryer - Didn't even get packed or brought to the hospital
- PJs - I was really hot in the hospital so the thought of putting on long pants and a long shirt made me sweat even more
- Folder - Didn't even get packed. Josh put all of the papers we received in a special compartment in his laptop bag
- Nipple Shield - Fortunately I haven't had to use these yet
- Make Up - Didn't get packed but I did allow for pictures of me to be taken this time.
- Postpartum support belt - Didn't use this in the hospital. Tried it on the other day and hated how it moved my fat in to awkward places. Maybe a bigger size would be more comfortable. For now it's tucked in a drawer somewhere
Used from Mommy's Bag:
Didn't Use from Baby's Bag:
- Maternity Bras
- Toiletry Bag
- iPhone and Charger
- Laptop and Charger
- Going home outfit - Yoga pants and a shirt
- Underwear
- Flip flops for the shower
- Boppy - Loved having this at the hospital. Highly recommend.
- Wallet with insurance card and driver's license
- Viacord Donation Kit
Didn't Use from Baby's Bag:
- Blanket for trip home - Was a really warm day and trip home was really quick
- Newborn sticker - Didn't get around to taking these pictures in the hospital but did take them a few days late at home
- Pacifiers - I had a hard time getting her to nurse in the beginning while we were in the hospital so I didn't want to cause any confusion. She has since been introduced to the pacifier and seems to like it okay. We will see if Genevieve allows her to get attached to it.
Used from Baby's Bag:
- Outfit for baby to come home in - In fact I wish I had taken a couple more so she wouldn't have had to wear the hospital shirts. She seemed more comfortable in pjs.
- Onesie - Like above she seemed uncomfortable in the hospital shirts so we put her in the onesie I had packed for the "just born" pictures
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Mom of Two
Tomorrow Josh goes to work and my mom (who has been here for a week) leaves to drive back to Indiana. Which means?...Tomorrow will be my first day all by myself with both girls.
Honestly I'm a little nervous. It will either go wonderfully or horribly wrong. I have no idea what to anticipate or how to prepare myself for tomorrow's big event.
Please pray for me.
Honestly I'm a little nervous. It will either go wonderfully or horribly wrong. I have no idea what to anticipate or how to prepare myself for tomorrow's big event.
Please pray for me.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Big Sister Adjustment
People keep asking what Genevieve thinks of Eleanor and how she is adjusting. So far she seems okay with the transition. We are having to teach her how to be careful with Eleanor. She likes to hug her and pet her head. She smiles in the mornings when she sees her when she wakes up. She is our little supervisor when changing Eleanor's diaper. So far she is okay with sharing our laps with her sister.
First Meeting in the Hospital: Josh's sister brought Genevieve to the hospital to meet Eleanor, she seemed a bit uninterested in the whole experience. She was excited to see me and she climbed into the hospital bed with me to give me a hug and a kiss. After that she was more interested in the umbrella that one of our nieces had carried in with her. She did sit on Josh's lap and "held" Eleanor before she left.
First Meeting at Home: Eleanor and I were in the house when Josh brought Genevieve back from stay at his sister's house. She ran up and gave Eleanor a hug.
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| Genevieve where's baby Eleanor? |
Eleanor's Birth Story
Wanted to write down the story of the day of Eleanor's birth - before I forget.
I guess it all started when I woke up around 5am with some cramping in my lower abdomen. Honestly I thought I needed to go number two (sorry, TMI?). So I got up to use the restroom and had no such luck. I got back in bed, hoping to go back to sleep for an hour or two. It was common for me to having some cramping or a contraction after using the restroom in the middle of the night. So I tried not to think about it too much
But I kept having the pain. So I switch positions and played on my phone hoping to distract myself for a bit. Next time I had a twinge I paid more attention to it. It was definitely a contraction. 5 minutes later another one came up. After I had 3 definite contractions each 5 minutes apart, I decided to wake Josh up. He started timing my contractions. He also got me some water since I had contractions due to dehydration two weeks prior. I drank some water and took a hot shower. The shower helped relieve some of the pain and discomfort. I still was having contractions but it effected my ability to know the exact timing of them.
I got out of the shower and Josh quickly took one and got himself dressed. By now it was 6:30ish. I was having stronger contractions of varying lengths and space between them. I called my midwife. She gave me the option to come into the office when it opened at 8 or just go ahead into the hospital. I opted to just head into the hospital. We quickly got things ready to go and got Genevieve ready. She had heard us talking and moving around so she was already awake.
Josh got a hold of his sister so she could meet us at the hospital to collect Genevieve. She watched Genevieve for us during the day while we were at the hospital.
I walked into the hospital at 8am. Went throughout registration. Having a couple contractions while at the registration desk. I remember the lady mentioning that one form I was signing would be kept on file if I wasn't admitted. The thought of that made me want to cry. I really think registration/check-in is the worst idea ever for laboring moms. I have no idea what I signed at registration.
We headed up to Labor and Delivery. They got me into a room and changed into a gown. The nurse was asking some questions and even gave me a lecture on using a nipple shield too long when I nursed Genevieve. Josh took control of the conversation and brought up that we were only at the hospital for 30 minutes before our other daughter was born. The lady finally got the clue and checked me. I was 8 centimeters dilated but my water had not broken. Into action she went.
I was in major pain now and having a lot of difficulty managing contractions. The nurse was also trying to start an IV. After two unsuccessful attempts, she gave up. Things were definitely moving along so the nurse checked me and quickly decided to give the midwife a call to come in. She kept saying that once my water broke, I would have a baby. Just as she was leaving the room the midwife walked in. The nurse did look a bit relieved. The midwife had just come from my sister-in-law's monthly OB appointment in the office and had just seen Genevieve. How crazy is that?
The midwife broke my water and asked if I felt the need to push. Just like with Genevieve, I never felt the desire to push. But knowing that would be the solution to relieving my pain, I agreed to try. With the next contraction I got in the position to push. But then freaked out from the pain. Everyone encouraged me to push anyways and out popped Eleanor. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, one push. Josh said that anyone how knows Genevieve's birth story will definitely hate me more. Let me be clear. Just because I have babies quickly and I don't have drugs, doesn't mean I am not in a good deal of pain.
They put Eleanor on my chest. She was purple which I was expecting but wasn't crying. I asked if she was okay and they quickly assured me she was fine. The midwife started drying her off and she quickly started making noise. Josh assured me she was in fact a girl as we had expected.
Both the midwife and nurse were surprised on how quickly I delivered. Josh has been kidding me that the nurse needed an outfit change after Eleanor's splashful delivery.
Eleanor spent the rest of the day recovering from her delivery experience and bath. She wasn't interested in nursing until the evening but loved cuddling with Josh and I. I had always planned for Josh to go home in the evening so Genevieve could sleep in her own bed. Since Eleanor wasn't eating he was a bit nervous to leave us at the hospital. He went to feed and walk Daisy and put Genevieve down for the night at his sister's house. Turns out while he was gone Eleanor woke up and nurse for 40 minutes. He still ended up staying at the hospital with me which I was grateful for.
We were given the option to stay another night at the hospital but opted to come home. I didn't sleep well. Seemed like people were continuously slamming doors and waking me up. Plus Eleanor had been showing more of an interest in nursing so we felt comfortable going home.
So hard to believe she is actually here. She is a huge blessing and we are so in love with her. So crazy to believe that God has blessed us with another baby. Seems likes just yesterday we were going through all of this with Genevieve.
I guess it all started when I woke up around 5am with some cramping in my lower abdomen. Honestly I thought I needed to go number two (sorry, TMI?). So I got up to use the restroom and had no such luck. I got back in bed, hoping to go back to sleep for an hour or two. It was common for me to having some cramping or a contraction after using the restroom in the middle of the night. So I tried not to think about it too much
But I kept having the pain. So I switch positions and played on my phone hoping to distract myself for a bit. Next time I had a twinge I paid more attention to it. It was definitely a contraction. 5 minutes later another one came up. After I had 3 definite contractions each 5 minutes apart, I decided to wake Josh up. He started timing my contractions. He also got me some water since I had contractions due to dehydration two weeks prior. I drank some water and took a hot shower. The shower helped relieve some of the pain and discomfort. I still was having contractions but it effected my ability to know the exact timing of them.
I got out of the shower and Josh quickly took one and got himself dressed. By now it was 6:30ish. I was having stronger contractions of varying lengths and space between them. I called my midwife. She gave me the option to come into the office when it opened at 8 or just go ahead into the hospital. I opted to just head into the hospital. We quickly got things ready to go and got Genevieve ready. She had heard us talking and moving around so she was already awake.
Josh got a hold of his sister so she could meet us at the hospital to collect Genevieve. She watched Genevieve for us during the day while we were at the hospital.
I walked into the hospital at 8am. Went throughout registration. Having a couple contractions while at the registration desk. I remember the lady mentioning that one form I was signing would be kept on file if I wasn't admitted. The thought of that made me want to cry. I really think registration/check-in is the worst idea ever for laboring moms. I have no idea what I signed at registration.
We headed up to Labor and Delivery. They got me into a room and changed into a gown. The nurse was asking some questions and even gave me a lecture on using a nipple shield too long when I nursed Genevieve. Josh took control of the conversation and brought up that we were only at the hospital for 30 minutes before our other daughter was born. The lady finally got the clue and checked me. I was 8 centimeters dilated but my water had not broken. Into action she went.
I was in major pain now and having a lot of difficulty managing contractions. The nurse was also trying to start an IV. After two unsuccessful attempts, she gave up. Things were definitely moving along so the nurse checked me and quickly decided to give the midwife a call to come in. She kept saying that once my water broke, I would have a baby. Just as she was leaving the room the midwife walked in. The nurse did look a bit relieved. The midwife had just come from my sister-in-law's monthly OB appointment in the office and had just seen Genevieve. How crazy is that?
The midwife broke my water and asked if I felt the need to push. Just like with Genevieve, I never felt the desire to push. But knowing that would be the solution to relieving my pain, I agreed to try. With the next contraction I got in the position to push. But then freaked out from the pain. Everyone encouraged me to push anyways and out popped Eleanor. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, one push. Josh said that anyone how knows Genevieve's birth story will definitely hate me more. Let me be clear. Just because I have babies quickly and I don't have drugs, doesn't mean I am not in a good deal of pain.
They put Eleanor on my chest. She was purple which I was expecting but wasn't crying. I asked if she was okay and they quickly assured me she was fine. The midwife started drying her off and she quickly started making noise. Josh assured me she was in fact a girl as we had expected.
Both the midwife and nurse were surprised on how quickly I delivered. Josh has been kidding me that the nurse needed an outfit change after Eleanor's splashful delivery.
Eleanor spent the rest of the day recovering from her delivery experience and bath. She wasn't interested in nursing until the evening but loved cuddling with Josh and I. I had always planned for Josh to go home in the evening so Genevieve could sleep in her own bed. Since Eleanor wasn't eating he was a bit nervous to leave us at the hospital. He went to feed and walk Daisy and put Genevieve down for the night at his sister's house. Turns out while he was gone Eleanor woke up and nurse for 40 minutes. He still ended up staying at the hospital with me which I was grateful for.
We were given the option to stay another night at the hospital but opted to come home. I didn't sleep well. Seemed like people were continuously slamming doors and waking me up. Plus Eleanor had been showing more of an interest in nursing so we felt comfortable going home.
So hard to believe she is actually here. She is a huge blessing and we are so in love with her. So crazy to believe that God has blessed us with another baby. Seems likes just yesterday we were going through all of this with Genevieve.
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