Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Family Time

A few days after we returned from the hospital, Dave's parents came to stay with us. Dave returned to work and it was such a blessing to have them here with us. They held Emma so I could sleep, entertained Sophia, and helped keep the house tidy. I can't thank them enough for being available.
meeting emma for the first time
Sophia loved playing 'sleepover'.
Doctor is always a favorite activity, especially when the shots hurt.
Every night we cuddled and watched a movie.

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Monday, April 27, 2015

Our Hospital Stay

After we were moved to our new room and given matching wrist bands, Dave left to get Sophia. It was a few hours before he returned. While he was gone Emma got her bath, nursed, and we were both able to take a quick nap.
It was important to me that I was not holding Emma when Sophia first came into the hospital room. For us, I don't think it would have mattered if I had been holding Emma, but I didn't want Sophia to feel replaced. Sophia saw me and started looking for the baby immediately.
Sophia was thrilled to watch over Emma, talk to her, and hold her. Her favorite part of the hospital room was adjusting the bed up and down (which is something she was shown during the big sister class that we attended). Sophia was happy to visit, but she did have a hard time leaving when I was holding Emma.
The girls exchanged presents. Sophia is rather attached to her Lovey, so she wanted to give the baby one of their own. I made Sophia a Big Sister bag and stuffed it with goodies to keep her busy while the baby was being cared for.
With Sophia I had Strep B and needed to stay an extra day in the hospital. This time around I was strep negative. If Emma had not had trouble transitioning (something common during fast deliveries) we would have been able to go home after one night. What I thought were sweet little baby noises were actually a sign of having trouble breathing. The nurses described it as 'singing'. Fortunately each time her oxygen levels were checked, they were in the normal range. I was happy to stay the extra night just for peace of mind.
My hospital experience with this delivery was so different than my delivery with Sophia. The biggest difference was that I was at an older, public hospital this time compared to the new maternity center at a private hospital. Many people look at their time in the hospital as a vacation of sorts. I was just anxious to get home, shower in my own shower, and sleep in my own bed.
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Monday, April 6, 2015

Emma Layne {two months}

Emma Layne,
Today you are two months old! (April 6, 2015)
Here are your stats:
Weight: 11 lbs. 15 oz. (70th %)
Length: 23 in. (75th %)
Head Circumference: 39.2 in. (75th %)
You are wearing size one diapers, but we will need to size up soon.
You are wearing 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothes.
You are nursing about every three hours during the day. Night time feedings vary. You usually have one long stretch that lasts about five hours. The rest of your feedings are about every three hours. When you take a bottle you are eating about three ounces (but we aren't great about making sure you get bottles regularly).
We do not have a schedule yet. During the day I follow your lead. It allows us to be flexible with keeping big sister entertained. You are typically fussy in the evening and want to be held. Bedtime is usually between eight and nine. You continue to sleep swaddled in our room.
You tolerate tummy time for short periods. You have started holding onto things and I love to watch you grasp your wubbanub while you are sucking on your pacifier. 
You had a case of cradle cap and baby acne which has mostly cleared up. You have been spitting up frequently as well.
My favorite part of this month is all of your smiling and talking. There is nothing better than looking over at you and watching you light up with a smile. Sophia likes having conversations with you when you are feeling chatty.
Sophia is much more interested in you this month. She always wants to help comfort you and frequently asks to hold you and give you bottles.
Baby Sunshine, we are all completely smitten with you. We love you right up to the moon and back!
Read about Sophia's second month here.
(I will try not to compare you to Big Sister too much, but she was almost sleeping through the night by this point...maybe we could work on that.)

A comparison with Sophia:
Your monthly comparison:
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Insta-matic March

March flew by at our house and April along with consistent warmer temperatures are VERY welcome.
Here is a glimpse into what March looked like for us with some of my favorite instagram pictures.
Follow along @jenhimmel
As always, obsessed with my little ladies.
Sweet sister snuggles.
Cheeks!
Three year old check-up.
Hand holding wins over house cleaning.
Sisters at one month. Sophia 8lbs 3oz / Emma 9lbs 7oz.
My little helper while we take monthly pictures.
Sweet sisters.

Warm enough to take off your shoes while swinging. Welcome Spring!
A moment of calm during the witching hours at our house.
Finally captured a smile on camera {5 weeks}.
"Hi Moo Cow!"
"Us is holding hands!"
Daddy-Daughter date night.
Cookbooks and unicorns.
People watching - or maybe daydreaming - at the park.
And the award for the best pouty lip goes to Sophia!
Bunny ears make every day better.
Stop with all the pictures already (but really, look at those rolls!).
Hairbrushing optional. Ponytail mandatory.
Mornin' Sunshine!
Just call her Tarzan...or Jane. Thrilled to be swinging on a vine with the big kids.
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