My Girl Knows How to Rock!

Abigail Mae

11 days into this and Abigail is such a joy! She sleeps all day (usually needs to be woken for feedings) and is up about every 2 hours at night. Lucky she goes right to sleep after the nighttime feedings. I put her in the bouncer while I pump then back into the co-sleeper when I'm done. We keep her swaddled tight and lay her on her side (eventually she ends up on her back.)

During the day she goes back and forth between the bouncer and swing and my arms. Loud noises do not bother her (she sleeps through all of Audrey's singing and banging around.) She's eating 3 oz every 2-3 hours. I started freezing milk yesterday because I have so much in the fridge! My goal is to keep pumping through the summer. We'll see what the new school year brings.

Her umbilical cord is hanging by a thread and will probably come off within the next day or two. Just in time for her newborn pics which are Thursday. I cannot wait- my friend Stacy is coming to do them and I know they're going to be amazing. She came down for Audrey's 2 year pics...I'm praying for nice weather so we can get some outdoor shots. As soon as those are edited and I can order birth announcements!


Her little head will NOT stay up in her car seat! I can't wait for her to get better control.

Abby on Mother's Day 5/8/11

There are those pretty eyes!


She gives Dad the biggest smiles!


This time around I feel like I'm enjoying the newborn phase more. I'm not sure what it is; maybe because I already know what to expect...Soon we'll be coming up on the colic phase and I'll be singing a different tune. But for now Abigail is a sweet angel and we just adore her so much!

My First Outing with the Girls

Audrey's dance class isn't over until the end of June. We pay month to month and we could've easily called April her last month. I briefly considered stopping until the Fall but I just couldn't do it...her dance class is something special we get to do every week. I look forward to it just as much as she does and I just didn't want to give it up. Of course Christopher had to work, lol. I was still determined to go...it was going to be my first outing with both girls all by myself...but I was ready!

Chris gave Abby her 6 am feeding so I could sleep in (THANK GOD! This is the worst time of day for me because I know Audrey will up soon after Abby is done eating...and I'm just dead exhausted from being up throughout the night.) When I woke up I was able to pump and feed Audrey breakfast. I hit the shower and got myself ready while Audrey went back and forth between dancing in the bathroom and watching Disney in our bedroom. Abigail slept in the bathroom (loud music, bright lights and all!) Abby started to wake up as Chris was leaving. I fed her, changed her, and put her back down to get Audrey ready...but Abby didn't not want to be put down. She was crying non-stop...which she NEVER does (of course not, not until this moment!) I gave her another bottle (she drank about an ounce) and she passed out. Phew! We were out of the house and packed into the car by 9:30...success!

We arrived at the studio and everyone was surprised to see us! They oohed and ahhhed over Abby and even offered to help if she woke up during class :) But she didn't...she slept contently in her car seat as I participated with my sweet Audrey Cate. She was thrilled to be back at class and she did SO WELL! I'm incredibly proud of her.









Afterwards we went to Sonic and came home. Audrey went down for an early nap and I woke up Abby to feed her. She pretty much slept the rest of the afternoon and evening. We went out to dinner with my IL's to celebrate Mother's Day. We stopped on the way home for some DQ and by 8:00 I was ready for bed! I went to sleep early while Chris watched Abby. It's been smooth sailing so far because Abigail sleeps all.the.time. And I'm enjoying it while it lasts!

Ummm, there's a double stroller in my kitchen...

After months and months of research (and waiting for Stokke to invent a double stroller) I finally ordered one. When I started looking of course all the higher end models appealed to me...Bugaboo Donkey, Stroll Air, and Baby Jogger City Select Double were just so expensive! I listed my must-haves: easy to fold & maneuver, lightweight, independent canopies, good reclines, and it had to fit the infant car seat. I finally caught a good sale on the Peg Perego Aria 60/40 Twin stroller at Albeebaby.com. It was $199 with free shipping and it arrived yesterday. Chris set it up last night and when I saw it all set up I was in awe. Yup, we have two kids now...this is for real!



I'm pretty excited to take the girls for their first walk!

*Side note: Today was Abigail's official due date!

Life with Two Sweet Girls

And what a week it has been! This past week I was supposed to a) finish out a nice Spring Break with Audrey b) get all the last minute baby and school stuff done and c) work a couple days before going in for my induction. Instead I have a one week old baby girl! WOW.

Where to start...my hospital stay was amazing. Family came to visit us later in the afternoon on Thursday. Chris stayed with me overnight even though we sent Abby to the nursery. They kept her from 11:30-6:00 am...it was awesome to get a full night's rest. I began pumping that morning. Chris went home to take care of things and then brought Audrey back for some family time, just the four of us.










Chris took her back home in time for her nap. We figured it would be nice for he and Audrey to get home and settled before Abby and I came home. He got a bunch of things done around the house and I relaxed with Abby at the hospital. I had more visitors that evening and again I sent Abby to the nursery overnight. This time they kept her from about 10:30 until much later the next morning. Chris came with Audrey to take us home on Saturday. I got the TDAP shot (for prevention of Whooping Cough) and we were discharged!








Saturday was our first day home. It was a gorgeous day and even though I was excited to get home, I was a little sad about leaving the hospital. It was a little too real, seeing two little girls in our back seat. Once we were home Chris fed Abigail and I fed Audrey before putting her down for a nap. Abby pretty much stayed on a 2 hour feeding schedule. We'd give her colostrum first, then formula. The first night was rough because I kept her in the living room while I tried to sleep on the couch. She had spit up a lot over the past couple days and I had been advised to keep her upright as much as possible. So she went back and forth between the bouncer and the swing...but between pumping and feeding I didn't get much sleep!

The past few days and nights have been much better. Our wonderful friends sent us their co-sleeper and I started using it on night 2. What a difference! Just sleeping in my own bed, even for short periods of time felt amazing. Abby will go about 3 hours between feedings and I'm pumping every 2-3 hours...milk is fully in and I have a nice stockpile in the fridge already.

She is VERY sleepy during the day. I keep her in the living room where it’s bright and noisy but she sleeps through it all! It does make caring for Audrey easier (and getting things done around the house, and pumping every 2 hours, etc.) I’m already looking forward to the day she is sleep trained like her big sister ☺



First trip to the doctor 5/3/11 (weighed 7lb 5 oz and got her Hep B shot)

Audrey gets more and more interested in her each day. We usually have to prod her to come see the baby or give the baby a kiss. She’s her usual happy self and has been so good! Still sticking to her routine and just as fun as always. She seems so big to us now! She helps me out a lot during the day. I ask her to get me things or put things away. I try to involve her as much as possible in whatever I’m doing. So far, so good!





This time around definitely seems easier. We’re just taking it one day at a time and every day has been good. I feel fine, not overly exhausted (and so far no baby blues!) Chris does so much…he comes home from work and cooks wonderful dinners, cleans up, and is completely hands-on with both girls. That goes a long way!

I love being home and lucky for me summer is right around the corner!

Birth Story Part IV (Final!)

The BIG Moment!

Finally Dr K arrived and my bed was set up. He took a look at me and said he could see a bit of the baby’s head! He told me that he or she has dark hair and had Chris take a look. He told me to push the next time I had a contraction…but I hadn’t been feeling any contractions! So Sandra told me when I started to have one, and I pushed about twice through it. Everyone was so great cheering me on but Chris was awesome! I mostly focused on his voice. He was just so encouraging and he himself sounded SO in awe and SO excited!

We waited and then another contraction came…I gave two very hard pushes and the baby was out! I can’t even describe the feelings I was having…all the waiting and speculating were finally over! I anxiously looked at the baby’s lower parts (but I couldn’t help notice the dark, dark hair!!) Immediately I saw…”It’s a girl!” we all said together. It was such an incredible moment…we had another daughter! Abigail Mae born at 9:35 am weighing only 7 lbs and 11 oz. She was making very little noise and all I could do was revel in the fact that we had ANOTHER GIRL! Best surprise EVER ☺


Chris finally brought her to me...he was immediately in love with her!

I was shocked to see a tiny, dark haired, not-swollen baby!


Chris started snapping pictures and going back and forth between Abby and me. The nurses were doing their thing, checking her out and tapping her all over trying to get her to cry more. She received an 8 and then a 9 on Apgars because she was so quiet. They gave her to me and I just stared at her…she was incredibly tiny and so cute! She latched on right away and nursed for nearly 45 minutes.



My mom had been at the hospital since 5 am and now more family had arrived; my SIL and niece, and then my IL’s with Audrey. I could not wait to see her! Chris brought her in first. She was so happy to see me but a little taken aback by the tiny baby I was nursing. After a few minutes everyone else came in to meet our sweet girl. I was still nursing so they didn’t get to hold her…she was taken to the nursery and I was ordered to eat ☺


Our first picture as a family of four...Audrey didn't know what was going on, lol.

My mom stuck around and got to see Abby get her first bath. Meanwhile I had pancakes and bacon- but I must’ve eaten too fast because I immediately felt sick and was very close to losing it all. I rested for a bit and the nurse who came to transport me came in. My epidural had been so strong that I could not put any weight on my left leg, I could barely even feel it. So I spent a little more time in L&D. Chris left to take care of the dogs, shower, and rest a bit.

Once I was able to get up (I was still super wobbly) the nurse helped me wash up and roll me to the Mother & Baby unit. I got settled into room 3108 and got some rest. I felt so peaceful and relaxed. I drifted off to sleep thinking about our sweet new daughter and Audrey Cate. How very lucky we were!

Birth Story Part III

Let’s Do This!

2:25 am- We got to the hospital and walked up to L&D where we checked into a triage room. The nurse who helped deliver Audrey walked in! Betty got all of my health history and Dana (the midwife who I'd spoken to earlier on the phone) did the internal. By now it was about 3 am and I was a “stretchy” 3 cm dilated and the baby was down. I found that hard to believe because I still felt her up sooo high! Contractions were pretty uncomfortable now and I kept leaking water.


Waiting in triage for “Number Two!”

4:00 am- We got checked into room 3075, and met our nurse. IV was inserted and someone came to draw my blood for the lab. I was still having contractions and even though they were still minutes apart they were VERY intense. I had to really breathe through each one. As time went by they got worse and I was nearly crying through the last few. I had to wait until I’d gone through 2 bags of fluid and for my blood work to come back before the anesthesiologist would come (ETA: 30 MINS.)

4:30 am- Dr. Wood was awesome! A totally goofy doctor who seriously had a joke for everything. I sat up and faced the nurse who helped hold me as I curved my back. The epi went in and took mostly to the left side. I rolled over on my right to get the meds flowing. It was so weird to feel contractions on one side and not the other! After about 15 minutes my left was completely numb but I could still feel and move my right leg and foot. Dr. Wood gave me a stronger medicine and that did the trick! Within minutes everything was numb and my entire lower body felt like lead. My catheter was inserted and I was so ready for rest!


Feeling good!

5:50 am- Epi is in full effect, I was 4 cm and could.not.sleep! Chris and I tried to get some rest but we were just too excited! I’d almost doze off, then I’d be wide awake again.

My dr was supposed to be in that morning at 8:00 (I was supposed to have a regular appt with him at 10 right next door!) They called and told him I was in labor and he wanted to know if I could wait for him. Of course, I said! I was in no hurry…I was feeling great and really hoping to get some sleep (I never did, lol.) Dr. K called around 8:30 to say he was stuck in traffic. Meanwhile I got a new nurse, Sandra…she was so amazing! I just loved her. I was checked and told the baby was RIGHT THERE. Dana said if I opened my legs the baby would probably slide right out! I felt her getting lower and lower every few minutes and it did feel like she was going to slide out on her own!

I ran over the names in my head...Abigail Mae and Benjamin Scott. Soon we'd know which one we were about to meet. We were so thrilled the big moment was finally here...

Birth Story Part II

To Grandmother’s house we go!

As we drove to Grandma’s I started watching the clock. My contractions were a bit more intense and about 8-10 minutes apart. The drive down Rt 2 is long enough…and then we hit roadwork! A paving crew had the road blocked off. Chris pulled around the truck and we rolled down our window. The guy explained that we had to wait for the truck to turn around. We explained that we were having a baby! “Oh my goodness!” He had the most surprised look on his face! We only waited a few minutes (thank GOD I wasn’t in hard labor!) and then we were on our way again.




We got to Grandma’s and Audrey (who was pretty much awake at this point) immediately asked for pancakes, lol. Luckily she went right to sleep when we laid her down. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to hold her and kiss her and tell her how much I loved her…and that even though we were leaving to go have the baby she’d always be my very special girl. But time was ticking and so I settled for a very shortened version of goodbye.

We made a stop by 7-11 for Chris…he needed coffee and antacids. As I waited in the car, another car parked beside me and the man who got out must’ve looked at me before heading inside. He saw Chris at the counter and said, “Congratulations!” Chris told him that we were actually on our way to have the baby. The cashier said, “Well, honey, you’re not moving fast enough!” And we were on our way again…

Birth Story Part I

Did my water REALLY just break?
Wednesday 4/27/11

I usually go to bed shortly after Audrey but I couldn’t fall asleep. Chris came to bed and we talked for awhile about the baby and how excited we were. Eventually around 11:00 I decided to get up for awhile. I sat at the computer and worked on my sub plans when I suddenly felt a small gush. I waddled to the bathroom, mortified. No friggin way had my water broke…did I pee myself? I was so hoping I had just peed myself.

I called Chris into the bathroom. He’d only been asleep for an hour so he was pretty out of it. He said that since I wasn’t having contractions, it probably wasn’t my water. I wasn’t so sure, but I changed and went back to lesson planning. Then it happened again a few minutes later! I called my SIL in a panic. She convinced me to call my OB citing that if in fact my water did break, the baby needs to be born within 12-24 hours. Damn it!

I woke up Chris again and told him I thought my water really did break and that I was calling the doctor. He was still pretty tired and said, “Ok, well, I’ll be waiting for the good news!” Okaaaay, lol. I called the answering service and Dana the midwife called right back. She said I definitely needed to come in. Instead of waking Chris up right away I decided to get everything packed. I ran around like mad putting last minute things in my suitcase, packing Audrey’s overnight bag, and tidying up. That’s when the contractions started…not painful and I didn’t bother timing them.

I finally woke up Chris. He still wasn’t convinced! “We don’t have to go just yet! Why don’t you come to bed for a bit.” UGH! I put his hand on my rock hard belly and said, “I’m having contractions…we need to go!” He shot right up and that’s when it seemed to hit him. He showered while I called my MIL to tell her it was time. My contractions started to get more intense but not too bad. I honestly felt like we had plenty of time. And I was still in shock that this was happening already. I thought I had another week! We put the bags in the car, grabbed Audrey and headed off to my MIL’s house.

It's a GIRL!!

Abigail Mae was born Thursday, April 28th at 9:35 am. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and was 19 in long. She is beautiful, healthy and sweet. I'll be posting the birth story soon...we are all doing well and tonight is our first night home together as a family of four. We are very, very blessed!

Water has broken....I think!

So, I'm about to wake up Chris for the 3rd time tonight...Around 11:30 I felt a small gush and I swear I thought I peed myself. I woke up Chris but he assured me that since I'm not having contractions that my water didn't break. BabyCenter.com says differently! I waited awhile and wouldn't you know, a slow and steady leak...I woke him up again (after calling my SIL to FREAK OUT!) and told him I was calling the OB line. "Ok, just let me know...I'll be waiting for the good news!" And back to sleep he went, lol. They want me to come in...I just finished packing my bag, Audrey's bag and tidying up. I'm in shock and denial but at the same time SO FREAKING EXCITED!

We may have a baby tomorrow :)

Spring Break: Day 3....CMoR!

What a great day we had- just girls! Sarah and Bella came over this morning and we set off for the children's museum. The girls had so much fun...they played at the water table (and got soaked!), they liked the castle and pirate ship, and they rode the safari train. Audrey wasn't a huge fan of the train but at least she tried! They also painted beautiful pictures.








I was starting to feel a little weak and winded towards the end (low blood sugar) so we went to lunch at Longhorns. Lunch with two 2-year olds is very interesting! The girls were great (minus the random "Chicken Butt" they'd yell across the table at each other, LOL.) They were sooo funny in the car. Audrey would say some silly word and Bella would crack up. They were so entertaining :)

When we got home we took a nap and then Audrey helped me put together the new baby swing. She was an awesome helper! She kept all the screws together, brought me tools and was great company.





A week from tonight I *hopefully* go in for my induction. So hard to believe the end is near. I see my dr again tomorrow, possibly for the last time. I'm torn about whether to have him strip my membranes...I don't want to go into labor anytime soon, but if I do go in for an induction I'd like to be more dilated than 1-2! I'll probably chicken out and just wait. Anything can happen between now and May 4th :)