Happy Easter

Saturday morning we brought out Isaiah and Lucy's Easter basket.  Isaiah is very much into dogs right now and points them out everywhere we go...so I came across a new book called Pups of the Spirit.  It is about nine puppies each displaying one of the fruit of the spirit.  He kisses all the dogs.  He also loves the veggie tales Easter book from my parents.  He pushes the song button ALL THE TIME.

Family picture at church!  After church we went out to lunch at the cracker barrel.  Next year we will host and I will cook but this year I didn't feel like it.

Isaiah wasn't to keen on holding his sister, so we did the best we could!  They do look very cute! Lucy was in all pink :)

Lucy Ann Month 2

My sweet Lucy, you are two months old!  

I took your photos yesterday, because of your shots today! 

(Wasn't sure how you would be for the rest of the day)

You are a sweet, sweet baby!  This month you have settled into a nice routine.  We know nothing is ever "set" but once all the family left, we put you in the guest room.  The first night in your crib you slept for so much longer.  Probably because I couldn't hear your loud breathing.

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Lucy you are mostly on a three hour schedule, eat, play, sleep.  If we are going to go out in the mornings, I usually wait till you wake up from your first nap.  Isaiah has his crib time during then, and I use that time to get ready.  We then head out and you hopefully sleep until we get home.  Meal times are challenging but recently they have been getting better.  It seemed like you and Isaiah would be crying!  It is hard when daddy is not home for dinner all the time, but we manage!

I now put you to bed right after Isaiah goes to bed, at around 7.  You have only been waking up once at night, which is wonderful!  You wake up in the morning between 7-7:30.

I usually get you fed and changed and then retrieve your brother from his crib :)  He is always so happy to see you in the morning, most times the first words he says are "baby."

You like to be in your swing, but only for a short while.  You like the bouncer chair, now that I finally put batteries in it.  I try to do tummy time with you but you don't enjoy it.  You are wearing size 1 diapers and have just outgrown newborn clothes.  You are currently wearing 0-3 and 3 month clothes.

Lucy you are the perfect addition to our family and you get cuter by the day!  During this past month, the cold weather has changed to warmer, spring days.  You have enjoyed time out on the porch watching your brother play.  We can't wait for your first trip to the beach in just two weeks!

We love you!

Spring Time Play Date

We had a fun morning of playing outside after being sick for too long!  It is hard to believe that just two months ago it was snowing and today it is in the 80s.

Three buddies enjoying the water table on the patio

Miss Annabelle

Annabelle and Lucy

My sweet swinging boy!

Big Brother Little Sister

Isaiah is becoming more and more interested in baby Lucy.  He doesn't quite understand how to be gentle with her all the time and has to be watched ALL the time when they are close together :) He likes to gently pat her head but that can turn bad in a second... I am sure it will get better as he gets older and understands.  But they are really cute together!

Lucy Ann at 6 weeks

Isaiah wasn't hurting her here, she was sneezing.

They love each other! (I hope)

This is when the loving got questionable! 

Isaiah 19 and half months!

Family Visits

We were blessed to have most of our family come visit during Lucy's first month of life! Here are some pictures that show grandparents, aunt, and uncle! 

Aunt Sarah

Daddy with his two children

Uncle Matthew

Grandma Miller

Grandma Elliott

Grandpa Elliott

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.