Baby Toes

1. This is all I have time to post.

2. Hello, baby toes. Who doesn't just love baby toes??? I just may have to post this photo once a week.

Just me and the girls... day 1 complete

(a picture from the hospital)

Nick left for work... earlier than usual... but I'm not sure I remember what time. Ana was up frequently last night, and I'm still not really awake. She last nursed and went to sleep around 5:30 a.m.

At 7:45 Zoe came in and put her little face nose to nose with mine. It's new for her to get out of bed on her own and come get me. I'm still getting used to opening my eyes to find her 2 inches away.

She climbed in bed with me asking "Where's my Daddy?" She didn't like hearing he went back to work. He's been home for about a week and a half... and has been spending tons of time with Zoe. She started to whimper and whine that she didn't want him to go to work. "I miss my Daddy!" Yes... me too.

Just after 8:00 we head downstairs for breakfast. I leave Ana in her crib still silent. I'm hoping to get Zoe breakfast ("I want an apple and apple juice.") and have something to eat myself before Ana calls for her breakfast too.

8:45 Zoe has eaten some apple and some cheerios. I've eaten some toast. Ana decides she's ready to wake up and eat too.

I start nursing Ana on the couch while Zoe is watching the end of Sesame Street. As soon as I get Ana latched on (which is a less than pleasant experience) Zoe decides she needs to go potty. I send her off to pee by herself (which she sometimes insists she does anyway).

Ana is nursing happily when Zoe starts yelling she needs help. "I can't do my pull up!" I finally convince her to come back to the TV room. She has her pj bottoms and pull up off... she puts it in the diaper pail. I'm still not sure what her problem was.

9:00 Zoe is enjoying a little "nudie time" while Ana finishes. Ana is a slow eater. Sucks a little, rests a little, sucks a little, rests a little. Just doing one boob takes about 20 minutes... so usually she gets one side and then snoozes. I think it's because of her relaxed feeding style that she seems to want to eat almost every hour (which is killing me).

9:30 Zoe is dressed (after some dilly dallying and coaxing). Sesame Street in on another channel... and she insisted she watch it again. I decide I'll try to take a shower.

9:40 Ana is in the bathroom in a bouncy chair, Zoe is watching Sesame Street, I am taking the speediest shower possible. Ana spends 1/2 of my shower fussing and then sleeps for the next 1/2.

Just before 10:00 I am out of the shower and dressed when Zoe heads upstairs to tell me Sesame Street is over. Ana is fussing again... so Zoe (aka Little Mommy) rocks her in the bouncy chair a little. I get to finish putting on a little makeup and scrunching my hair with some gel. (My new haircut lets me skip drying.... it's wonderful... although may not be the neatest looking hairdo.)

10:15 We're packed and ready to head out for Sing-a-Long time at the library (because I am crazy). Zoe's got her new "big sister tote bag" packed with juice, snack, and spare clothes. I'm packed up with diapers, a just in case bottle, etc. Singing starts at 10:30.

My keys are no where to be found.

I leave a message at work for Nick asking if he has any idea where they are. My brain suddenly kicks in and I grab the spare car key and house key.

10:30-11:10 Zoe completely enjoys sing-a-long time. Ana snoozes in my arms the whole time. It's lovely.

11:30 We get home. There is a message from Nick. My keys are in his pocket. Nice.

12:00 Zoe's had lunch (dinosaur chicken, peas, apple from breakfast, milk) Ana has nursed and snoozes. I'm making a sandwich and getting a drink. (Is it really possible I've totally forgotten to have anything to drink all morning??? Well, I did drink a glass of water when I brushed my teeth.)

12:45 Ana is still snoozing in the swing. The girl does love to sleep. Zoe and I have a little bit of ice cream. We have some time to color with markers. I decide I'll try to fit in a little bit of time with the breast pump.

1:00 Change in plans. I just heard Ana poop from 2 rooms away. Yikes.

1:45 Ana has a clean tushy and has nursed again. Zoe patiently sat next to us while we all watched a little Noggin.

2:00 Return phone call from Courtney (finally we're done playing phone tag). Zoe has a swim lesson set up for Friday and 3 more the week of Aug. 4th. Courtney may be away next week... we'll find out Friday if we can do any lessons next week.

2:15 Ana is fast asleep in the swing with a full tummy. Zoe is ready to do some playing.

2:30 We are suddenly overwhelmed with centipedes (millipedes???). Where do they come from? Zoe and I collected at least a dozen of them and let them go for a "swim" in the potty. Excitement.

3:00 We head upstairs to go potty and have a nap. Before Zoe is off the potty (dilly dally dilly dally) there's a knock on the door. We've been expecting a visit sometime in the afternoon... and so nap time will now be skipped. Scott (my uncle) and my cousins, Mayci and Travis have come to meet Ana (and see Zoe and me too).

Ana gets passed around. Zoe has everyone do puzzles with her. I take pictures. We all 1/2 watch Winnie the Pooh. Ana is quiet the whole time... and Zoe is a little dazed from the skipped nap. It was a nice visit... but short. It's too bad everyone is so far away.

4:55 Nick calls. He was trying to leave earlier than usual. His car won't start. I joke "Maybe you're using the wrong keys." Someone is giving his car a jump start so hopefully he won't be too late.

5:00 We wave goodbye to Scott, Mayci, and Travis. Zoe is ready to just sit on the couch with some Noggin. It's too late for a nap... so we'll hope for an early bedtime. Thank goodness Zoe stays in a good mood even when tired. Ana should be ready to nurse any minute.

5:30 Ana is still sleeping. I get the chicken ready for Nick to grill. I'll have to wake Ana. I NEED to feed her now. Nick calls to say he's on his way home. They had to do a "rolling jump start" to get the car running. He needs to drop the car to be fixed/new battery installed so I'll have to pick him up at the garage. He's planning to pull in the driveway, leave the car running, help me get the kids in my car, and then both of us drive to drop his car off.

5:50 Ana still isn't agreeing to wake up for me. I'll pump and see if I can read Zoe a book at the same time.

6:00 I'm pumping. Ana is stirring. Zoe is crashing. Nick gets home.

6:10 I stop pumping. We load the kids up and go drop Nick's car off.

6:40 Back home. Nick starts to cook dinner. Grill won't light. Gas has leaked out? Who knows. I nurse Ana while Zoe watches Winnie the Pooh (again).

7:45 Dinner is finally on the table. Ana is having a breakdown (hungry again!?!?!). Zoe is having a breakdown (no nap, should be heading to bed, hungry, wants to "finish watching Pooh first!!!!"). I'm starting to have a breakdown.

8:00 Some arguing with Zoe and a few minutes in the corner for her. She's finally at the dinner table. Nick's already done eating so he feeds Ana a pumped bottle. Zoe and I eat.

8:40 Zoe is winding down watching the end of Pooh. She finished her dinner (dilly dally dilly dally) and put her pull up and pajamas on. I hear her happily singing songs in the other room. Ana is quiet.

9:00 Ana is ready to eat AGAIN. Nick is upstairs getting Zoe to bed (so much for an early bed time after no nap). It's too bad we have no wine in the house... because man, am I in the mood for a large glass.

It's been a long day. Ups and downs. Better than expected in some ways. (I can't believe I was together enough to get to sing-a-long time! I can't believe Zoe and Ana were BOTH angels through all of sing-a-long.) Worse than expected in some ways. (Nick still has no idea why he took my keys and his keys. Nick's car dying? The grill worked yesterday...hello?)

All of that said... the day is done. We survived our first day on our own. We can do it.

Now if I can just figure out how to fit in some picture editing and blog posting time I'll really feel successful!

Just me and the girls...

Today is my first day all alone with both girls.

Nick has gone back to work... and my parents went to the shore to spend the day with friends.

If I need help I know I can call Nick's parents or my sister-in-law, Andrea.

But... right now... today is my first day doing it all alone.

At the end of the day I'll try to post to let you all know I how we survived.

Wish me luck!

A mind of her own...

Tuesday at 10:15 I am scheduled for a c-section. Everything planned. Everything ready.

Someone decided that wasn't a good plan.

Meet Ana Sophia...

Born Thursday morning at 12:41 am. 7 pounds 8 ounces. 20 inches long. The cutest squeaky cry you'll ever hear. She's already showing us she has ideas of her own... and you can't make her do what you want.

I promise I'll give you all more information soon. I have posts in my head...like the story of how we went with Ana's plan rather than our own... and how Zoe (aka Little Mommy) is loving her sister... and how yellow is no longer color I like.

Until then, know we're making our adjustment to being a happy family of 4.

Hip Dysplasia Follow-Up Appointment

We went to see Dr. Rieger (pediatric orthopedic specialist) for Zoe's scheduled follow-up x-ray. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about please click to see how it all started 3 years ago.) The last time we were in to see him was a year ago, but walking into the waiting room it feels like it was just yesterday.

Before I write anything else I'll tell you that Zoe's x-rays looked beautiful. You would never be able to tell she ever had any hip issues.

Since we were scheduled for an x-ray, and pregnant women are not allowed in the x-ray room, my mother went with us. (By the way... my parents are here visiting from Florida for a whole month. Yippee!) We made it to the office on time and were able to enjoy a little Tigger and Pooh on the flat screen waiting room TV. (Same as last year, I found myself thinking that it was awfully nice of us to buy them that TV.)

I checked in and gave our updated information, which included our health insurance. Finally... after 3 years... they are participating in our health insurance plan. On one hand that's just wonderful, but on the other hand it's about 3 years later than needed. It would've been nice to have had them accepting it when we were there every week. I don't even want to think about how much money it would've saved us if they took our insurance when Zoe was born. Oh well.

After a short wait we were called back into an exam room. We took a short visit to the potty and were quickly called in for the x-ray. Zoe marched right off. She probably would've been fine to even go without Grammy. I will never be able to get over how sure of herself she can be. They closed the door and a few minutes later they were done. Grammy says she didn't even have to touch Zoe. She just lay right down on the x-ray table and stayed still. Done... just like that.

Once Zoe was back to the exam room we hit the point of waiting. Generally, without fail, there is some back up in the office schedule. It usually involves an emergency that one of the 3 doctors gets called to the hospital for. The other 2 doctors then have to play catch up. I'm not really sure how long we waited... but Zoe spent her time looking at a reptile/amphibian/ and insect book they had on the counter. She wasn't interested in the dinosaur book at all. Then she and Grammy did some coloring with the crayons and book I keep in our bag. Zoe was very good. I think her patience was better than mine and Grammy's.

Dr. Rieger came in and Zoe was just fine with him too. Last year she was a little nervous because he had grown a slightly intimidating beard. He still has the beard... but it takes more to make Zoe nervous. He usually would have Zoe sit on my lap while examining her hips... but seeing as I have "eaten a watermelon" (as he put it) he swung her up on the table (and I really mean "swung" her). He tickled her and wiggled her around. He took her legs and made them "peddle a bike". He just really moved those hips all around, with Zoe giggling the whole time.

So... good x-ray... good hip motion. Zoe's next follow-up is in 2 years. 2 years people. (Mary... 2 years! Can you just imagine my happy tears as I type those words?) I can't even imagine. Zoe will be 5 years old. Wow.

And now, the sort of negative news, but maybe nothing news. There is a 1 in 100 chance that Zoe's baby sister could be born with hip issues. Dr. Rieger said that if it presents at birth to call him in. Otherwise he wants our pediatrician to order a hip ultrasound at 6 weeks. So everyone cross your that this baby girl is born with perfect hips. No dysplasia, no dislocations, no shallow hip sockets, no hip clicks. To remain positive though... we've been through it once... it could only be easier to do a second time since we have first hand knowledge of how good the outcome can be.

And... they take our insurance now.

Swimming Lessons

Zoe started to take swimming lessons at our community pool. She's not old enough to join their group swimming classes (you have to be 4)... so we decided it would be best to sign her up for a couple of private lessons a week with one of the lifeguards. I would put it off until next year... but seeing how Zoe thinks she can already swim we felt it was best (and would cause me less anxiety) if she could actually learn to at least float and hopefully start to actually swim.

To say Zoe loves swim lessons would be an understatement. She would spend all day every day with Courtney (the lifeguard) in the pool if she was allowed to. They start out with the little ones in private lessons concentrating on being comfortable in the water (which Zoe already is).

They do a version of Ring-around-the-Rosie where they put their mouth underwater, then their nose, then their eyes. Zoe is very enthusiastic about already dunking her "whole face" (face, head, hair) under the water.

They go back and forth across the pool "scooping ice cream". When they do this Zoe spends about 1/3 of her time trying to pick her feet up and kick while scooping. Courtney has trouble believing she's just barely turned 3 and she's just so ready to get swimming. Nothing seems to stop her... even sinking under while trying. She just keeps going.

They also use the "Marshmallow Bar". Zoe goes one way across the pool on her tummy going forward while kicking and scooping. On the way back she goes on her back and kicks to go backwards. It's funny how tight she hangs on and how fast those little feet kick.

They also do some "Tigger jumping" and dunking under while holding onto the side of the pool. They do a "treasure hunt" where Zoe closes her eyes, Courtney "hides" some rings underwater, and then Zoe has to "find" them and get them off the bottom. Courtney has her name every color of ring she finds, and the number that is on the ring.

Really... they just have a fun time.

Hopefully all of this fun leads to a Zoe that can swim! I'll try to remember to update at the end of the summer.

37 Week Update

Like every other update post... we're moving right along.

Zoe and Grandma (Nick's mom) came along to the appointment so Zoe could hear the baby's heartbeat. I think she was interested in the idea of hearing the baby... but I don't think she quite understood what she was hearing. That said, I think she was excited to be in the doctor's office. She was quite the little show off and was being her cutest little self. She made sure to tell everyone about her birthday, and that she is 3 now, and that she's going to be a big sister. So, it was a good experience... but I guess just 3 is a little young to comprehend a heartbeat of a baby you don't quite know.

Otherwise...
-I now weigh 201 pounds. Yikes. With Zoe I only went to 196 pounds. I was kind of hoping not to get to that 200 mark... but, oh well. I wonder how much I'll gain in the next 2 weeks.
-Urine, blood pressure, babies heartbeat, etc.... all good.
-Feet are just about unrecognizable. Bring on the Epsom salt soak.
-My middle and ring finger on my right hand are numb (like they were asleep and just woke up). Very very strange feeling while typing.

In cute news...
-Zoe has taken to "kissing the baby". This morning as I was laying in bed she kissed me... and then said "Now I need to kiss the baby in your belly." She lifted my shirt and planted a big old smooch on my belly. That could be reason enough to want to be pregnant longer.