Monday, December 24, 2012

Newborn pics...

Thanks so much to hannahkatephotography.com for capturing these precious little moments. 





















Love,
E

Week 2 around here...

2 weeks down and everyone is still alive and accounted for. Things are going pretty good with minimal problems or melt downs. Here is the info thus far:

Presley Mae is doing great. She is sleeping 4-5 hours at a time still and drinking about 3 to 3.5 ounces every 4 hours. She sleeps throughout the entire day and would much prefer to be left alone than eat. Completely opposite of her brother. We took her to her 2 week check up and her stats are:

Weight: 8.7 lbs (69%)
Head circumference: 35 inches (54%)
Height: 21.5 inches (97%)

She rolled over yesterday from her back to her tummy, which was probably an accident. But maybe she will be getting a jump start on things like her big bro. 

She is all in all a pretty easy going and happy baby. No purposeful smiles yet, but I have seen her crack a few grins during a poop or fart and she has a cute little dimple on her left cheek. 

Big brother loves her and is really sweet to her about 90% of the time. The other 10% he is a little rough and thinks she is a toy to jump over and around. But we are working on that. 

Merry Christmas Eve,
E

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Do you see any resemblance...

Cash at 1 week


Presley Mae at 1 week

Love,
E

Sunday, December 16, 2012

First week info...

I thought Presley was trying to kill me the first few days of her life. She was cryer. She wasn't a good sleeper. She didn't want to be put down. Ugh...

And then something happened. It was like a lightbulb went off in her head and she thought, "Ya know, this whole 'living in the world' thing isn't half bad" and she changed. She is now content laying in her boppy during the day. She is a great eater. Right now she is eating around 2-3 ounces and is taking a bottle with no problems. Noah loves that she isn't picky about taking a bottle because he really enjoys feeding her. And... she has been sleeping like a champ (Just watch. Tonight she will do the complete opposite) She has been sleeping 4-6 hours a night and we have to wake her up to eat. Which isn't a terrible problem to have. 

So far, I am impressed with her. Her ability to adapt and change and be content. 

I think we will keep her.

E

Week 1 in pictures...


Having 2 kids is different than having 1 kid. Busier. More exhausting. But absolutely worth it. 

Here is our first week in pictures, since I don't have as much time to type words...








Loving it so far.

E

The story of us, little girl...

Well, you came on your own good time. Just like I figured you would. 

Monday morning (December 10th) at around 3:15 am, I began having slight contractions while lying in bed. I wasn't sure if they were true contractions or Braxton Hicks, but I was certainly feeling something. I decided to start timing them. 9 minutes apart and seemingly getting stronger, but still tolerable. I decided to get in the shower to see if I was in true labor and having real contractions or if it was false labor pains and I was just being a weenie. I asked Noah if he would time my contractions and at that point it was around 3:45 and they were about 4 minutes apart. Stronger but still tolerable. 

I didn't want to cry wolf it this wasn't the real thing, but I think deep down I knew it was becoming more real that you were not going to wait until your due date. But still, I decided to wait it out at home and see if the contractions would lessen. No go.

At 4:15, my water broke and we knew it was time to head to the hospital. We called grand-dude to come over and sit with Cash so we could head to the hospital. At that point the contractions were pretty steadily at 3 minutes apart and getting much stronger. 

We got to the hospital at 5:00 and checked in with the on-call nurse. They called the doctor and away we went. As soon as they called the doctor the on-call nurse check to see if I was dilated and low and behold I was dilated to a 7. A 7! I knew things were moving fast, but not that fast. 

I couldn't get an epidural until they got me checked in, blood drawn, and about 1000 questions answered. It seemed like it was 5 hours worth of questions and the contractions were pretty awful at that point. Because I was so far along, they weren't sure if I would be able to get the epidural or any pain meds for that matter. I was kicking myself for waiting so long and thought I was going to have you  all natural. Which was not really my plan. 

After answering all the questions, pleading with the doctor, and chomping on some ice chips I was finally given an epidural. The contractions were at a minute apart and really, really awful at that point. They gave the epidural about 5-10 minutes to kick in and the doctor checked to see how far I had progressed. I was a 10. Like I said... Fast and furious.

I pushed about 45 minutes off and on and then about 10 minutes to finish the job. And there you were. You came face up so your forehead kind of resembled Peyton Manning's, but you were still beautiful. And you were ours. 

You came into this world weighing 8.3 lbs and 20 inches long at 8:03 in the morning. 

Just like I thought. At your own time. In your own way.

Love,
Mom 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

It's only fair...

I mean, I am not the only one raising these kids, ya know. I think it's only fair, maybe a bit long, but fair nonetheless to have some rules for Noah too. So here you go, Noah...

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.