Swimming

One Month

At birth, Emma Kate weighed 7 lbs 15oz, was 20 inches long with a head circumference of 14 inches. She has now grown(a month later, with the help of breastfeeding and a tiny bit of formula) to 9 lbs 3 oz, 22 inches long and a 14 1/4 inch head. People always ask me if she is a good baby. I really don't like that question at all. It implies that newborns and infants are bad if they cry, don't sleep, etc. Emma Kate can be fussy at times(we think she has gas issues) but is normally very happy(as long as I am holding her). LOL. Needless to say, I bought a sling that I love. Unlike the boys, she wants nothing to do with her bouncer or swing. I can put her down on her tummy for a bit if she is in a deep sleep but normally if I put her down, she screams. I do this daily just to do a load of laundry, put dishes in dishwasher and get a quick shower. Of course, during that 20 minute period her cries follow me around the house(she is so sad at these moments). Even now, a couple seconds laying on her boppy has turned my calm, sleeping child into an awake, alert one that is starting to fuss at me. (I wanted to type a little faster. :) )

Newborn



Right now, she is nursing about every hour to 2 hours during the day and will sleep 3to 4 hours at a time at night. The other night she slept six and I woke up stressed out since I knew I hadn't nursed in that long. (I am always worried about my supply). She will turn to look at the boys if they get near her. They talk to her in a high-pitched voice and say things like: "hey pretty girl" or "you are so beautiful" or "cutie pie". I love how they love her. She is also starting to take interest in toys, but gets over-stimulated very quickly. But, what girl wouldn't with two handsome young men fighting for her attention.

One month

A glimpse inside...

Revealed the makings of my little girl...

These are the closest comparisons that I could come up with on film. However, I have noticed that all her movements and mannerisms are the same as they were in the womb. I am so amazed at the miracle of pregnancy and birth!

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

Teehee
I found this when searching for pictures to go with Owen's birthday post. This makes me laugh, so hard!

Three years ago...

On June 22nd, my life was changed...AGAIN.
The sweetest little boy came into our lives at 2:39 PM. We named him, Owen Maverick. He was 8 lbs 13 oz and was 22 inches long.

His birth was such a relief after the disappointment of Gavin's birth since they whisked him right away to the NICU. With Owen, I had been having contractions for about a week or two when I went in for my 38 week appointment. I was dilated 4 cm so the doctor asked me to go into L&D the next morning to be induced. I was 5 cm when I was admitted that morning. Dr. H broke my water first thing after the nurses hooked up my IVs. After two hours, I had no change so he started a pitocin drip at the lowest level. That was just what I needed. I wanted to experience labor since I got my epidural early on with Gavin, so I held out until 7 cm. I really didn't need the epidural at that point, but I was afraid of experiencing transition if I didn't get it. It ended up being a great epidural. I didn't feel any pain, but still could move my legs and feel pressure. I was complete at 2 PM and after just a few pushes, Owen came into the world at 2:39 PM. He was healthy, pink, and absolutely gorgeous. Up until that moment, I was done having children, DONE. However, once I saw him and had that perfect birth story I had wanted for so long, I HAD to have another.
He was able to be with us in the delivery room for some time. They were in no hurry to take him away and let us just hold and admire him and I was able to nurse him as well. Things were PERFECT!!!!
That all changed though. On his third day of life, we had to have his bilirubin checked since he started showing signs of jaundice. When his level was 21, our Pedi decided we needed to be rushed to another hospital that could do a blood exchange(where they replace all his blood). In the ambulance on the way, even with an IV, it rose to 22. I was panicking. We had experienced jaundice before, but not this extreme. He ended up not needing the blood exchange, but spent several days in the hospital under the lights 24 hours a day. I was fortunate that they allowed us to stay on the pediatric floor so I could be with him.



Owen's first year of life was spent largely on my chest(either being held, sleeping, or nursing). Both the boys have needed to be held and I have happily obliged. He was as Eddie says, "my trophy child" at nursing. I longed to nurse Gavin and it didn't work out so it became my mission to nurse Owen as long as he was willing. We gave it a great 21 months. I am looking forward to the same type of relationship with Emma Kate. Something that Owen began during this time that has lasted until today, is rubbing my belly. He does this all.the.time. It is like an addiction for him.






Owen is very shy, he always has been. However, in the past year he has become more comfortable with others and will slip people sly smiles(while hiding behind my legs or his face behind his hands) and really became outspoken in his preschool class. Having a big brother to watch and learn from has really caused a great change in his personality as well. He wants to do all the things that Gavin does which has really brought him out of his shell. He has been waiting for his third birthday since Gavin's party in January. I know that I heard him ask if it was time for his birthday party, every week for six whole months. It finally came, sweet boy!!!







Owen, I love everything that makes you, YOU! You are my sweet baby and always will be. You are fun to cuddle with, have such a sweet personality and really make me laugh. I love you forever and ever! Happy Birthday big boy!

Lovely

From the time, I first saw her on that 3D u/s, this song plays in my head whenever I see her face. Seriously! I even call her lovely sometimes.

Excerpted from "Isn't She Lovely" Stevie Wonder

Isnt she lovely
Isnt she wonderful
Isnt she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isnt she lovely made from love

Isnt she pretty
Truly the angels best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us He's given life to one
But isnt she lovely made from love

Our Hospital Stay

Here are some pics from the rest of our hospital stay. The boys LOVED coming to visit.

I received the best care after my delivery. I delivered at the same hospital as I did with the boys. However, each birth and stay has gotten only better. Gavin's left much to be desired...
I was excited to finally be in the NEW birthing center. The only thing that got to me was that the first night, I swear someone came in my room every 30 minutes and sometimes more frequently. This one Tech(what is that?) came to my room at least 5 times that night just to see if I need ice. What the heck??? If I need ICE, I will use the nurse call button. I wanted to punch her out.
Other than that, my stay was great. I started supplementing EK with formula that first day. I was so afraid of jaundice and she wasn't/isn't as great of a nurser that Owen was. She will suck a little but mostly just fell asleep and used me as a passy. I let her, just to help my supply, but I was worried about her being able to excrete all that meconium. The LC and nurses warned me about using the bottle but reluctantly agreed to let me. However, the Pedi(thank goodness) was on my side saying that with our history of VERY high levels, a supplementation of formula was a good thing(especially since with the boys, they MADE me anyway on the third day and thereafter until their levels of bilirubin were way down). I got the nurses concerned enough to test her bili that next morning and night and then again before we left. It did rise: it was 9.6 when we left which is getting high compared to babies without jaundice, but never rose higher than that. We went back that night and it was the same. The next day, it was 9.6. Two days later, it was 7.6. It was VERY cloudy those first few days at home so we were not able to put her in the sun. I just fed her formula after every time that I nursed and changed her million poopy diapers. (I am betting she doesn't have Beta Thalassemia like her brothers.)

It was so nice to not be emotionally strung out that first week of her life and to actually begin my recovery at home instead of on the pediatric floor of the hospital. I feel so blessed.