Lucy Ann - Month One

Lucy Ann, a whole month has gone by!  It is now March 11th and I am sitting down to reflect on your first month. The first two weeks you had some trouble coming back to your birth weight, but some babies just need more time :)  We visited the dr a lot during your first month!  You also have loud breathing which was diagnosed at tracheamalacia.  We had to go to the ENT to get a picture done of your airways to make sure you were breathing right.  You are, but your trachea is still developing so that is the cause of your loud breathing.  This also causing reflux, which is something we are very familiar with because of your brother :)  But you don't spit up as much, sometimes when you do its a TON, so that concerns me, but you really don't spit up like your brother. Yet.

You have spent a lot of time with both your grandmas and Aunt Sarah.  Grandma Miller was with us for two weeks and we went out to eat and to church.  She helped a lot with Isaiah.  Aunt Sarah came and we spent time just hanging out at the house and eating.  You love to sleep but not always at the right times.  You are easily soothed and love to be held and rocked.  Right now you are sleeping in the bassinet in our room.  We are going to set up your crib this weekend! Big changes ahead.

You are still itty bitty to me but I have noticed you have gotten bigger by the day.  You are wearing newborn and 0-3 month clothes.  You go to sleep anytime we put you in the car and will stay that way while we are out doing errands.  You are becoming more alert.  Next week we are going to start working on more of a schedule.  But its pretty standard right now, eat, awake for couple minutes, and then sleep.

Isaiah is taking more of an interest in you daily.  He gently pats your head and says baby.  We are working on saying Lucy.  I have managed to take both of you to church by myself twice and go to the grocery store.  We go on walks in the double stroller and will soon be joining our friends for play dates.
Having too children isn't easy but we are getting the hang of it!  I love being your mom and Isaiah's mom! We are going to have so much fun together as a family and we can't imagine life without!  We love you Lucy Ann!  

On the day you were born: Lucy Ann Brown

Lucy's story of coming into this world is quite different than her brother Isaiah's.  She was born on her due date, February 11th.  I had anticipated having to wait days, but she said, no, I like to be on time :) Mikey's mom had been visiting the week prior.  We enjoyed a couple days of getting ready and eating good food.  I had been having some sharp pains at night before going to bed, but I thought they were just braxton hicks, since they were not too painful.  Monday afternoon I dropped Carol off at the airport and then came home to put Isaiah down for his nap.  I had been feeling a little off that day, so I tried to put things in order at the house.  My mom was planning on coming on Wednesday. So the back up plan, if I were to go into labor before she arrived was to have my friend Mary-Claire from church come over and stay at our house.  I didn't think I would need to call her.  We went to bed Monday night, I was feeling fine.  I woke up around 4:30 in the morning to a sharp pain.  The same pains that I had felt before.  I tried to go back to sleep but then I had another one.  I looked at my phone, read some emails, and responded to an email to Lesley.  I told her that I thought the baby could come soon.  Around 5:00 I got up and the contractions continued.  They were about 8-10 minutes apart.  I was waiting until I knew for sure that it was labor before I woke up Mikey.  At 5:15ish I knew I was in labor.  I woke up Mikey and I took a shower and got ready.  I didn't think that things were too far along because I was actually able to get dressed and blow dry my hair.  I couldn't do that when we were leaving for the hospital to have Isaiah.  I called Mary Claire at 6:00am and asked her to come over. I then called my OB midwife and told her what I was experiencing.  I told her I was pretty sure I was in labor, but not totally.  She said that I could come in and just get checked.  So we left for the hospital.  We got there at 6:45 am.  We were standing at the hospital registration desk, and my contractions were coming faster.  The lady phoned for a nurse to come get me from labor and delivery.  The registration lady asked if this was my first, I said no my second.  She said oh boy, "I am timing your contractions at 2 minutes apart."  She then called the nurses station again, asking if they were one their way.  I started pacing.  Thinking, I better get there in time to get an epidural.  The nurse finally came and she asked if I wanted to walk or go in the wheel chair.  I said I would walk.  I started walking fast.  They were like you can slow down if you want... We got to triage and the midwife checked me.  She said wow, you are 8 cm already, good job.  I said, can I get an epidural please?  Lisa the midwife said we will try... but I kinda knew it was too late.  By the time they wheeled me to my room I was fully dialated.  The nurse couldn't get my IV started, so she had to call two other nurses to get it.  My midwife said, well it looks like you are doing this all natural!  I told her that I hadn't prepared for this and didn't think I could do it.  She said, well you are going to do it.  So at about 8:00am I started to push.. the midwife left me to go check on another girl in labor.  So it was then just Mikey and the nurse in the room.  I turned on my side and I asked the nurse, "is there anything you can give me for this pain!"  I need help!  She then checked me and immediately called the midwife or doctor.  She asked for anyone that was available.  The doctor rushed in and said let's deliver this baby!  At 8:35 Lucy Ann Brown was born.  My midwife missed it but it really didn't matter.  Lucy was out and I felt so much better! The most painful parts came after she was born, when I had a postpartum hemorrhage.  But those details don't need to be remembered and thankfully we had such great care at the hospital.  After a couple hours I was able to hold Lucy again and we were wheeled to my recovery room.  And guess what was happening outside?  A snowstorm! There was no snow when we left for the hospital and then when I looked out the window there was at least 5 inches!  Later that afternoon Mikey left to go pick up Isaiah to come and meet his sister.  When he saw her for the first time he said baby... but then he became more interested in the room and my IV.  He didn't stay long :)  We went home the next day on Wednesday.  There was snow and freezing rain.  I was so nervous on our drive home, we only had to drive two miles.. but it was a scary two miles!  Mikey felt fine driving though, I guess he is from Colorado :)  So Lucy Ann came on her due date, with a short and speedy labor, and in the middle of a snow storm.  We love you so much and are so happy the Lord has blessed us with a beautiful daughter.

Another snow day

We don't get snow very often in these parts and when it does happen, it tends to shut everything down. Mikey was home during the day and went to the hospital for a night shift later that evening. None of the roads have been cleared yet, hopefully by tomorrow. He said the ER wasn't too busy but he still saw a good number of patients. 

I do love the snow but it's really cold and hard to be out for a long while, especially since we don't have proper snow clothes. I guess it doesn't help that I can't button any of my jackets. 

Saturday Shower and Two Dinner Dates

This morning I was blessed with a baby shower by my friend Shannon. Her husband is also a first year emergency medicine resident and she had a baby girl in October.

Laura knitted me a beautiful pink blanket and adorable matching sweater. I didnt have any girl blankets yet and this one is so perfect! 

I also got some necessities for the baby and cute clothes :)

Here is Shannon and Annabelle. She was a great hostess! 

After the shower I came home to Isaiah sleeping. Then his good friend Ethan came over for a couple hours so Laura could enjoy her birthday.

They are really cute when they are together. Ethan has taught Isaiah some new words and tricks :)

Boy/ Girl Shared Room

I am not sure if I have posted pictures of Isaiah's newish (7 months now!) room... but here it is.  

He is going to be staying in his crib as long as possible.  He loves his crib and loves when it's bedtime.  He jumps and jumps.  I am waiting for the day when he jumps out of the crib, then we can convert it to a toddler bed :)

The nursery rhymes my Grandma Friesen made are framed in the middle.  They have blue and pink embroidery, which ties everything together so nicely!  

The pink hanging balls are the only "girl" thing that is up, simply because the rest of the decorations have to do with her name.  And I can't give that away yet :) Her side of the wall will match Isaiah's.

Depending on her sleep habits, her crib will go opposite of Isaiah's.  The first month she will be in our room, then the guest room, and then hopefully the shared room!  I will post pictures of the completed room after her arrival.  I am sure my sister won't mind helping me put everything up!

January: Snow day and 17 months

Since coming back from California, my plan was to spend January getting ready for the baby.  I found out that it really didn't take that long :) I don't have much to get ready, unless I am forgetting something.  The bassinet is up, newborn clothes are hanging up the nursery, and her decorations are just about done.  Isaiah and I are going about our business, enjoying these last days of just him and I.

It snowed last night.  I had no idea it was suppose to do that, Mikey texted me from work and asked if it was snowing.  I looked out the window and it was!  I was so excited that I could barely sleep last night.

When I woke up, I got Isaiah ready to go outside.  He doesn't have snow clothes besides boots, so that is why he only lasted one minute.  We walked out on the patio and then down to the yard.  But once he put his hands in the snow, it was over.

Sorry buddy, I will buy you some gloves for next year.

Isaiah is well into his 17 month of life almost to 18 months.

He is talking more. Saying words like ball, mama, dada, baby, car, doggy, milk, and so on.

He is a happy boy and our days are routine.  

Still waking up at 7:30, taking a nap at 12:30, and going to bed between 6:30-6:45.

He has figured out how to put together his legos.

I also took out some old toys, like the dog above and put in new batteries.  He loves it so much!

His favorite seat is the window sill.  He loved looking out the window today at the snow.  He has become more giggly and silly.  Dancing to silly songs and twirling around in circles.  He LOVES when his daddy plays rough with him and will put his arms out to him so he can be thrown in the air.