Marissa Kate

This post is 4 weeks over due, but I would like to introduce my niece Marissa Kate! Her proud parents are Amy (my sister) and Paul. She was born 6 days after Elliot on June, 28th, weighing 7lbs 13 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. The word from home is Marissa is a sweet happy baby! She is already sleeping through the night! (I'm jealous!) Congrats Amy and Paul...she is a cutie!

4 Weeks and Growing Fast

We have passed Elliot's 4 week mark and are doing well...he is doing well, we are sleep hungry! The first two weeks we felt we were blessed with this perfect, no fuss, sleep all the time baby, and were loving life and waiting for me to feel better before we could get back to "normal". WRONG! The past two weeks we have been blessed with a cute little one who likes to fuss when not being held and fuss when being held, but not being moved around! We were also running off a few (literally 3 hrs) of sleep for a couple of nights. Without going into too much detail (call it parent intuition) we sensed his fussing was partially out of pain. We stared observing when and how Elliot was upset and made an appointment with the doctor. When we described what we were seeing he felt it could be reflux. So, we are treating Elliot for reflux and have seen a change...he is still a babe who likes to be held and likes to move, but he is sleeping much better. We are continuing to watch and may try taking him off the meds in a few weeks to be certain it is reflux and not just him being a "colicy" baby.

Other notable achievements by Elliot:
He continues to work on holding up his head. He is actually quit good at this. Elliot also likes to use his leg muscles. When held in the sitting position with his feet under him, he likes to stand. He is a little shaky, but can hold himself for a few seconds. I'm convinced I've seen him smirk at his accomplishments! Elliot is also holding his focus longer. We catch eyes every once in a while!

My little man can longer be called little...he is quit the eater!
Birth weight: 7 lbs 5 0z
2 weeks: 8 lbs 6oz
4 weeks: 11 lbs

Week 2 pics

" bio butt"

trying out a sling....Elliot is not a fan!

Bath time

Week 3 pics....We spent our 6th Anniversary relaxing at the park together

1 month old! Look has much he has grown!

Our New Addition

At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday June 22, 2010 Jared and I arrived at the hospital. I was admitted by 9 a.m. and was dilated to a 5 with mild contractions (I still wasn’t sure I was feeling them). They started me on pitocin to help strengthen my contractions and move the labor along. I also received my epidural at this time. So we wait….and wait….things seemed to stop moving. With the epidural and not feeling any pain, you would have thought this time would have been carefree and joyful…but no. I was sick. Whether the combination of meds, lack of food, or excitement/nerves my body was not happy. At 5 p.m. my doctor arrived and broke my water. That did the trick! I rapidly progressed. I was starting to experience some “pain”. Fearful, my epidural was wearing off I called for the nurse and was dilated to 8cm and was told baby boy’s head was extremely low! The nurse left to call the doctor. At about 8:50 p.m. I began to push! At 9:37 p.m. on June 22nd Elliot was born! He weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 19.5 inches long.

We were moved to our hospital room around midnight, where we began our first night as new parents. Jared took diaper duty while I feed Elliot every 2 hours. This continued through Thursday….I must say, Jared is a PRO at changing diapers! Thursday evening after the pediatrician did a final check of Elliot we left the hospital.

My mom arrived Wednesday morning and has been staying with us and helping out with everything! Not sure how I would have survived without her!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has, called, texted, come by, sent flowers, gifts, dinner, offered help, or even just thought about us! We feel extremely loved and appreciated everything you have done for us!

Me before I felt sick and with an epidural
Jared using his body temp to regulate Elliot's body temp...I was busy.

Elsie meeting Elliot...she is still not so sure of him.

sleepy heads

First family photo

first family outing....went to breakfast

This is it!

I went to the doctors today for my 38 week check up and he said this is it! We will have a baby here today or tomorrow! I am about 5 centimeters dilated, fully effaced, and the baby's head is low. I was asked if I have been feeling contractions....this is a hard question, because having never been in labor before I don't know if what I'm feeling is normal "pregnancy" stuff. I described what I was feeling...some abdomen tightening, some pressure, a few cramps. He said I was contracting and in latent labor. If I don't go into active labor tonight I am to check in at the hospital at 7am tomorrow morning! I will keep everyone updated!

Maternity Photos

My friend Shonee and her husband Aaron recently took maternity pictures of Jared, Elsie, and me! I love them! I had a very hard time picking out the few I am sharing with you....there were so many great one! Thank you Shonee!

A Fun Evening with Friends

A week ago several of my friends put together a baby shower for me! Thank you Angie, AuBree, and Erin! I loved it! They made a beautiful table setting with a cascade of fruit and delicious dips! Thank you everyone who attended~i love and appreciate everything given to us!
Angie and Erin each made a blanket...and they matched! Love those colors!
AuBree and Angie

4.

This is just a sampling of some maternity pictures a friend of mine took! She is learning to use her camera and lighting....but I think she has mastered it! There will be more to come, so stay tuned.

My most recent doctors visit was an exciting one! I am 2 centimeters dilated! The doctor, who is usually reluctant to commit to certain dates, said I probably would not be lasting the full 40 weeks...."definitely not 4 more weeks"! Because he has said this, I will probably go over 40 weeks, but it's still exciting and stressful! Exciting because we are ready to meet our little man. Stressful because Jared is leaving for Florida Tuesday night and won't return until Sunday evening!