Sunday, October 24, 2010

Bath Time







Stella now likes her bath, now that I have the temperature right. Initially I was afraid of burning her so I had it too cold...like her mother she likes it hot. (don't worry it's not too hot) A friend of ours, Ryan Nelson, is taking a photography class and took these photos for his assignment. I have over 100 photos of bath-time! She is now 4 weeks in these photos!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

moby wrap!



Thanks Brent and Brandy! She falls asleep in it and I can get stuff done, or get out and walk... I'm like a kangaroo!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My breast-milk apparently made of cream...


Thats right, I took Stella into her 2 week appointment (she is actually almost 2.5 weeks) and she weighed in @ 9 lbs. 1 oz! (the size of her daddy @ birth) She is now 21.5 inches long! In the 90% for height, 75% for weight! We are so lucky to be able to walk to her pediatrician office. It's a 5 minute walk!! Stella is a good eater, sometimes is a good sleeper...The doctor wants us to teach her to sleep for @ least 3 hours without feeding, I've just been feeding her whenever she starts screaming. We have found that she prefers to sleep while in motion-common for babies as we hear. She'll sleep forever in the car or in the stroller (I have been taking her on 2 hour walks, just loves it!) We are thinking about putting her crib on a treadmill...

Saturday, October 9, 2010

2 weeks old!

We think she looks like Krister in this photo...
Stella slept in this bed last night with mom....Brent was @ a race (he placed 3rd overall!!) I didn't get much sleep, about 4 am she went to her crib

Hurray for 2010!

2 weeks old today, just thought these were cute photos!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

thanks mom!!!!!

Stella and Grandma


Three Generations!

I am so lucky...my mom was able to stay with us for 12 days, she never rested....I just have to make a thank-you list so I can be a grateful daughter (and so Stella will have something to hold against me some day when she has a baby!)

-fanned me with cool wash clothes during hard labor
-cleaned up the amniotic fluid filled bed
-cleaned the shower, bath, and toilets numerous times
-followed me around with my water mug reminding me to drink
-fed Stella during the night so I could sleep
-rubbed my feet when I couldn't sleep
-grocery shopped numerous times
-took me to the ER when I had a recurrent bleeding episode
-changed plenty of diapers
-fixed meals for us and friends
-converted our neglected basement from a dump into a living space
-bought me nursing bras
-pink roses
-organized numerous closets and drawers
-babysat while we went to Sonic Youth Concert
-filled the freezer with baked goods and lots of meat (brents happy)
-Put up with ME!

I love you mom!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

stella's photo shoot, 6 days old









Labor and Delivery





Well, here is my labor story... I was so excited to give birth, for a couple of obvious reasons (of course the first being the child, secondly I was very curious about the process) I had decided beforehand that I wanted an epidural (I know the easy way out, next time I just might go without) I wasn't comfortable with the idea of such a large object projecting from my body.... so I wasn't really scared of giving birth, just WAITING for SOMETHING to happen. Of course like most expectant moms I was hopeful to be a pleasant 7-10 days early. She @ least wasn't late, one day before the due date!

Week before birth-Getting really huge in the belly, (above shots). A friend of mine, who just so happens to be a photographer, captured the belly in it's finest.... I worked up until Thursday (had her on Saturday) I also got a pedicure with a lot of pressure point massage on Thursday...in hopes to triggers something. Thursday night I thought I was going into labor (mild cramps, but didn't seem to progress) Slept for about 3 hours that night. Friday I called in sick to work. (for the first time in my pregnancy) I thought I might be @ the hospital by afternoon, but nothing seemed to happen, so disappointed. So I went on a long walk and laid around all day. (gross detail, passing bloodyshow all day long)

Water Break- Friday night we hung out with friends, picked up my mom @ the airport and finally went to sleep @ midnight. An hour later @ 1 am I awoke to the water break. I woke right up, Brent had to make sure it was indeed my water before pulling him from sleep....as it continued to gush he was convinced. So mom stayed and cleaned up the bed (and the rest of my house) and we made the long awaited trek to the hospital. Brent figured he should probably run a red light just because this was the labor ride, but I don't think we actually did.

Hospital- We had responsibly pre-registered @ the hospital, so I just had to show my ID and sign a paper and we were in! Initially I had to get my strep B IV, then I laid there while my contractions progressed and finally asked for my epidural. (To my credit on the pain scale, I was having long contractions lasting up to 6 minutes and without water there is no buffer) So epidural came and I became more comfortable. Then came the pytocin to speed up the labor and I became more uncomfortable again. So naturally I turned up my epidural....woke up and couldn't feel my leg @ all and had a small panic attack. After about an hour of that I asked for the epidural to be turned off so it would run out. By the time I was a "10" I could feel my contractions again and pushed her out without a monitor. Brent and mom helped hold my legs up, the nurses pushed down and out on my abdomen to help get her out. My doctor massaged the perineum (only have one stitch) It was quite the event. After about 25 minutes of pushing she was out and I was SO glad. What a cool feeling when her whole body came sliding out. I absolutely loved hearing her cry for the first time, brought me to tears. 7 lbs. 10 oz. 20.5 inches long

Hospital Vacation-So Brent and I really utilized our stay @ the hospital. Plenty of coke and sprites served up, the nurses know how to take care of you. I actually liked the hospital food. My first meal after labor that I finally got to eat @ 4 pm was mashed potatoes and salisbury steak--tasted great. I only wish they would let you sleep that first night. About every 2 hours I had to serve up my arm for a blood pressure or blood draw or vital of some sort. I also let the nurses take care of Stella during the night (I didn't give her up until 1 or 2 in the morning) but we did get some sleep. After 2 nights of hospital vacation, I was ready to come home!!