Thursday, August 26, 2010

It's official...I've entered motherhood!

Today was one of my first days alone with Eleanor. Michael was at school and my Mom was playing in a golf tournament. This morning went great! Morning feeding and nap...check! Shower for me & bath for Eleanor...check! I started to feel like a pro as a I picked out my finest "daytime PJ's". We then ventured downstairs for lunch but Eleanor seemed unsettled. What was I to do?! How was I to proceed?! I put her down in the pack n' play and quickly made a grilled cheese sandwich in hopes she would fall asleep long enough for me to eat. That was not the case. After a go around, I discovered a poopy diaper and a hungry tummy. But, she had just been fed and changed less than an hour ago! So, there I sat eating a cold grilled cheese while nursing my little girl. At that moment it became clear...I'm a Mom!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Back to School

Boo! Michael started back to Law School yesterday and we miss him! He was exhausted after his first day and it is going to be a bit more challenging then anticipated. He needs his rest to stay awake for class, studying, and even the commute! So last night, I decided to nurse and change Eleanor in her nursery to give Michael a break and well deserved sleep. It seemed to work out for all. I was more alert, the baby was better able to fall back asleep, and Michael got rest! I will try it again tonight and see how it goes.

The first two weeks have been very interesting to say the least! We love our sweet little girl SO MUCH!! It is quite the wake up call though after being on bedrest for 5 months. Michael and I also had so much time together this summer and now it seems we can barely ask each other about one another's day! We miss each other too! No more daily matinees, I guess...for now :(

My Mom has been helping so much the last couple days as I try to figure out a routine and schedule for the little miss. I struggle with the whole "demand feeding" vs. "parent directed feeding". Parent directed feeding makes sense to get her on a schedule, but it just seems wrong to wake her from a deep sleep to nurse. I guess as she gets older, she will be better able to regulate her feedings more independently.

The nursing situation is still going...I think my body is starting to slow down the milk production, but it still HURTS, let me tell you! Eleanor is such a trooper though and continues to nurse while drowning in milk! I hope things will self-regulate within a few days.

Anyway, today we had a bath and look forward to a visit from Grandma Bubby's friend! That's a day in the life of a newborn!

"Again, I said, no photos!"

Friday, August 20, 2010

Boobs and Milk!

We have been in the land of BOOBS and MILK for the past week and Eleanor is doing such a great job nursing.

Yesterday was Eleanor's first trip to Grandma Bubby's house because my Mom's friend (who is a lactation consultant) made a house call to assist in breastfeeding tips and questions. Since my milk came in, Eleanor has struggled to keep up with the level of the flow. She has done such an amazing job with the latch and keeps at it, but seems to get drowned while nursing. Poor little miss...she thinks she's gone on a trip to Niagara Falls! So, the lactation consultant confirmed our suspicion of increased milk supply and tailored a plan to give Eleanor some relief while nursing. I will have to pump an once or so before nursing, then nurse on one side for two times. Also, her nursing times will most likely be much shorter because she is getting the same supply at a faster rate. The supply and demand should regulate itself in about a month and once Eleanor gets a little bigger, she should be better able to handle the flow. So, a BIG thank you to Barb Hanson!

Daddy and Eleanor sleeping...so cute :)













At Grandma's House

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Another day with Eleanor :)

We love this little girl so much and can't get enough of her! She slept in her bassinet the entire night again. Two nights in a row...it's all about the little things! She's not sleeping THROUGH the night, but staying in her bassinet. Mommy would love to have her sleep with us, but knows it is probably best to create positive sleeping patterns early on.

"This is the life!"














BJ gets comfortable in Eleanor's bouncer















Eleanor and Daddy in backyard

Monday, August 16, 2010

First Night in Bassinet

Last night Eleanor slept in her bassinet the entire night!! She has been sleeping in bed with us in her sleep positioner or on my chest. She's quite the little cuddler, so we weren't sure how it would go, but it went GREAT! My friend karrissa (mother of four small children) came over yesterday and gave us a tutorial in scheduling and baby sleep patterns. We did everything she suggested and we had a very successful night. So, THANK YOU Karrissa...you are one amazing Momma!

My breast milk also has fully come in, so that makes for one happy baby! I think Eleanor was getting frustrated because she was nursing and there was little to no milk. So now we are good to go! Also, thank you Courtney for the diaper changing tip...worked great last night!

So this is our new life...a lot of HUGE changes!! I LOVE every minute of it and cannot wait to discover more and more of Eleanor's personality!

Eleanor did this pose in the womb, "No photos please!"


Saturday, August 14, 2010

Home Sweet Home

We have had Internet issues for the last 3 days and have not been able to get online, but we are back. Thank you all for the love and support over the last week! We really appreciate the thoughtful gestures and care over the past week from everyone as we settle into our new lives with Eleanor.

First things first, Eleanor is AMAZING!! We love her so much and can't imagine life without her. She is a sweet and happy baby and life could not be any better. I have settled into breastfeeding quite nicely and we are getting to know each other better every day. I think she gets cuter by the minute and we love her so much!

We have had lots of visitors this week and Eleanor is meeting her new friends and family. The cats don't seem too interested in her and don't really mind her crying, which is great!

Here are a few pictures from this week!


























Monday, August 9, 2010

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

Eleanor arrived on 8/9/10 at 5:59am, weighing 6 lbs 6 oz., 18 inches long. Elizabeth and Michael checked in at Kaiser at 4am, followed by Todd and Alexa at 5, Carolyn at 5:15, and Janet at 5:45. It was an early morning for all and we are all ready for our naps. Elizabeth's c-section went fine and Eleanor was born a healthy and beautiful baby. And the contractions have finally stopped after 20 weeks!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, well wishes, and positive thoughts.

Here are some photos of Elizabeth & Michael's little lady....



Posing with Dr. Mentakis--he has been her doctor since week 19...weekly visits



Growing family! Proud parents



Grandparents...pretty excited for the first grandbaby :)



sweet foot




Ellie's first bath. Getting her reddish hair washed by nice Nurse Nicole



We think she looks like Michael with her reddish hair and light coloring. She has Elizabeth's lips and sweet disposition.



A sigh of relief! I'm finally here



Aunt Alexa (we missed Aunt Abby today, but she's at work)



Janet holding Eleanor




Todd with Eleanor



The proud grandparents...Todd, Carolyn, and Janet



Getting settled in their room. They will be here for a couple nights.





Eleanor's great-grandparents came for a visit too (Donna and Pappy)





Since Elizabeth had gestational diabetes, they checked the baby's blood sugar right after she was born. Her sugar was ok, but on the low side. Elizabeth fed her and they tested again and it was perfect. Today is a day of celebration after a long & challenging journey. Congrats to Michael and Elizabeth! We all love you guys so much and are so happy for you :)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

T Minus 9 Hours!!

Tonight is the last blog entry pregnant! I can hardly believe it, but in less than 9 hours our daughter will be born! After months of uncertainty, it is ironic that Eleanor will arrive on a scheduled date at a scheduled time...go figure, right?! I guess her arrival fits her parents' personalities more than anything!

Today was spent relaxing with family and friends. We had lunch with Michael's family and dinner with the Zimmerman's. We made my Grammie Yerkes' famous English Muffin Pizzas and indulged in Peach Kuchen for dessert (Alexa gets all the credit for baking that!!) The dessert was AMAZING!! Even though I "technically" still have Gestational Diabetes, I figured Eleanor probably would like dessert before her big debut...she made me do it! LOL


Alexa and her delicious homemade dessert!

Final belly pic with my sister-in-law Amber, who is expecting a baby boy this November.






Stay tuned for delivery details...

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Eleanor's Christmas Stocking

OK, OK...the baby/pregnancy blog has kind of turned into a knitting blog! Knitting has occupied hours of my time and even helped to distract me from the mental ups and downs of bedrest. I have learned so much and gained more patience then I would have ever anticipated. Some people may describe me as a little "hasty", but knitting has helped me to stop and slow down. As any knitter knows, a peaceful knitting experience can quickly turn into a stressful disaster in seconds!

I have almost completed the Christmas stocking and discovered a certain little kitty named BJ really enjoys helping! It's strange because I have been knitting for months and he has paid no attention to me whatsoever. But for some reason, when I work on the stocking, he won't leave my side! He must think it's for him!






The stocking on the right is the one my Mom made me!










Two days until delivery and we are so EXCITED!! Just a few last minute cleaning tasks on my list, then we are ready to go. Tomorrow we are having lunch with Michael's family, then hanging out with my family in the evening. Looking forward to a relaxing day before we meet our little girl :)

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Baby in 4 Days!!!

Yes, it's true...Eleanor will be born in 4 days unless she gets an early eviction notice! So, as of now, the C Section is still scheduled for Monday morning at 6AM. We are all so excited and cannot wait to lay our eyes on this perfect little girl! Seems surreal after months of being on bedrest, but it is time. Everything is falling into place after such a tough year and I can safely say that I finally feel at peace with this pregnancy. It only took 38 weeks!!

I have been rapidly knitting Eleanor's Christmas stocking this week with intention to finish before she is born. It is a big undertaking that requires time and concentration. Two things that I won't have for a while after the baby is born! So, I'm taking advantage of every free minute and knitting like a mad woman! It is quite fun, I might add :)

Michael and I are also soaking up every minute together this week. It's weird to think that it will never be "just the two of us" again. We have been together since 1996 and married for 7 years, so life is about to change. It will be sad to say goodbye to our little life together, but we welcome change with open arms!

Monday, August 2, 2010

38 Weeks

38 weeks and we had our last regular doctor appointment today. Yay! Dr. M checked my cervix and I am now dilated to a 2 or 3. According to the doctor, we have nothing to worry about and will make it to the scheduled C Section next Monday. So, while most of you will be sleeping, we will be meeting our daughter at 6AM next Monday, August 9th!

We are getting so excited now and cannot wait! Just a few last minute to-do's and errands, but we are ready! So, I imagine this week will be filled with lots of movies, knitting, and WAITING!

Mentally I feel great, but physically I am starting to fade! Because the baby is breech, her head rests on my ribs throughout the day. The pressure of her body also triggers spasms in my sciatic nerve. It's actually quite amusing to be jolted without any bodily control! Oh well...I would do it forever if I had to to, but I am happy this journey is coming to an end. As much as I've complained about the "curse of the chicken legs", I miss them and want them back! Kankles are just not attractive and don't really suit me! Haha.

I will blog a few more times this week and my sister Alexa will take over while we are in the hospital. Delivery details...TBD!