A Week with Aubrey

We've been enjoying the princess so much that I've been a little slacking when it comes to posting pictures.  So, for those of you (Mom and Annah) who are constantly asking for updates, here ya go.  Sorry it took so long for a new post.  

Aubrey girl is still pretty much a sleepy head, so when she's awake I have to take her picture.  And I have to try to find a matching head band and flower/bow.  

 One night after reading books with Andrew, this is how I found these two!

 Andrew is still loving his little sister.  His favorite time to hold her is at night, after baths, while we're reading books.  It's some sweet sibling time. 

 Mama snugglin' with both her babies.

Hey Aubrey, I need to change your diaper...

 Oh, so you don't mind?  Ok, thanks.

 This one was taken late at night when most babies should be sleeping!  Apparently Aubrey is a night owl like her mama.

 Pretty in purple

 We ventured outside one day this week and took Aubrey for a walk down the street.  (Don't worry, it was nearly 80 degrees here.) 

Last Friday we took her to the pediatrician for a weight check.  She had gained back 2 of the 4 ounces that she lost in the hospital.  Dr. VO said she looked perfect. :)  We'll be going back on Feb 1st for her two week check up.  Big brother will also be going for his 6 year check up that same day.  

A few days ago we had her infant photo shoot.  I should have those pictures by the end of the week and boy, are they going to be good!  I managed to sneak a peek of a few of them over the photographer's shoulder.  I hope you're prepared for the cuteness!  

Little Princess

Aubrey's first day at home went really well.  She's a newborn so she sleeps a lot.  She likes to be awake at night, though.  (We're working on that) While she was awake, I had to take her picture. (and try out some of our bows).  At first she wasn't thrilled about our little photo session.

 But then she tolerated me and the camera.

 OH, she's just so cute, I can't stand it!!

 I don't think I"ll ever get tired of taking her picture.  

 And we'll throw in an oldie....me and Mom back in the day.

Welcome to the World, Aubrey Faith

*DISCLAIMER* This post contains details of Aubrey's birth, so if you don't want to read words like "dilated," "intrauterine," or "push" then just skip to the pictures. But I promise, it's not that bad.  I spared you lots of details.

Drew and I checked into the hospital at 1:30 am on the 15th.  They got me all settled in and started the pitocin drip and fluids around 2:15am.  Then it was time to wait!  Drew got some sleep on the pull out chair, but I guess I was too excited to sleep....or too anxious.  Not to mention that with all those fluids I had to make PLENTY of trips to the bathroom, which meant that Drew had to get up and unplug me from all the monitors and help me drag the iv pump.  So I guess his sleep wasn't too restful.  With the blood pressure cuff set to go off every 30 minutes and the nurses checking my vitals every 2 hours, it was a long night.  

{Since I started this blog after Andrew was born, I feel like I should give you a little back story, so you'll know what I was expecting with this whole "induction" process.  I had preeclampsia with Andrew too, and one day I showed up for a regularly scheduled doctor's appointment with a high enough blood pressure, that my doc said, "Go home, eat a sandwich, and meet me at the hospital." That was Tuesday, December 12th.  Andrew was born on Friday, December 15th!   Needless to say that after 59 1/2 hours of labor, an hour and a half of pushing, and a few other complications, I was not very optimistic this go around.}

Around 7 am they came in to check me.  I had progressed from 2 cm to 4.   I was hoping for more progress, but at least I had made some!  The nurse said that as soon as my doctor got finished with her scheduled procedures for the morning, she'd come in and break my water.  Well, it turns out that she didn't make it to my room until 12:30 pm.  Just like last time, there's something magical about the breaking of the water.  IMMEDIATELY the contractions get serious!  (before they were just kind of annoying).  So at noon-thirty things got painful.  However, I was STILL only at 4 cm.  I practiced my breathing for the next few hours and decided I was tired of the pain around 3:30 and called for the epidural. (At this point, I'm STILL ONLY AT 4CM) UGH  I was beginning to get discouraged.  I even apologized to my sister.  (She was only there for the day and I was convinced that I wouldn't have a baby before she had to leave.)   It took the guy 4 long, drawn out tries of poking and re-poking to finally get the epidural to take.  The other 3 sticks sent sharp pains down my hips.  I was getting to the point where I almost told him to forget it.  I'd go au natural.  But finally it took....on the left side.  I was still having pain on my right side and he gave me a bolus shot that had fentanyl in it.  (Ask my sister, that stuff made me crazy.  I felt really weird)  

Anyway, after about 30 minutes they were having trouble picking up my contractions on the monitor, so they wanted to put one of those intrauterine monitors in.  The nurse came in  around 4:15 pm to put the monitor in.  She checked me and I was a 5.  Then she said "Hold on, never mind, after that contraction you're a 6!"  Woo Hoo!  4 to a 6 in a matter of minutes.  I was getting excited.  With the monitor in, they put me in what's known as the fire hydrant position.  I was sitting there with Annah talking and I could feel pressure.  I just thought it was the normal pressures of labor.  The nurse came in at 4:30 to see how I was doing.  I told her about the pressure so she checked me.  Her response, "I'm just gonna go get the doctor.  You're ready!"  Whoa!  I was shocked!  Drew was down in the cafeteria with his parents, so Annah sent him a text that it was time.  The nurses were hurrying around getting everything ready, bringing in supplies and such, and we were waiting on the doc.  (She was in the hospital so it didn't take long for her to arrive.)  Drew came bursting in the door, a little out of breath from running up the stairs, just in time.   The good doc arrived and it was time to push.  She gave me the go ahead and on the first push, lil Aubrey made her arrival!  They immediately put her up on my chest so we could have some skin to skin bonding time and in an instant, I was in love!  I held her while they cleaned out her nose and mouth, wiped her down, and Drew cut the cord.  She wasn't crying.  She just lay there staring at me.  It was precious.  A few minutes later they took her over to the scales to weigh her, and then cleaned her up a little bit more.  She weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and was 19 inches long.  Once they had her all swaddled up, they brought her back over to me.  Drew went to get Andrew, so he could meet her before we introduced her to the rest of the family.   The look on his face was priceless!  He instantly fell in love too!

 He was so proud.

 After Andrew had a few minutes to meet his baby sister, we welcomed the rest of the family in.  Everyone took turns holding the little bundle.  Granddad was happy.  After 3 boys of his own and 2 grandsons, he finally gets a girl.

 Daddy's girl

 Look who found her thumb!  Just like in the ultrasound pics, she LOVES those hands!

 Aubrey with Granna

 And with Granny Margaret

 Aunt Gracie and Aubrey.  Trace Parker was kicking.  He'll be here soon to meet his cousin!

 Aubrey and Paw Paw

 The family soon said their goodbyes and the nursery took Aubrey to get a real bath.  We were moved to a regular room and Drew hung my wreath and door hanger on the door.  (Both of which were made my very talented sister.  Aren't they gorgeous?)  Things settled down and we all got some sleep.  

 The next day Drew had his post-op appointment so Aubrey and I napped while he was gone.  Granna and Paw-Paw came to the hospital while Andrew was at school.  We also had some other visitors.  My neighbor Kristen, my friend Melissa, my pastor, and my choir director.  Lil Girl is very popular...and cute, don't you think?  

 Andrew came back after school and was ever so happy to hold his baby sister.  

 So sweet!

 She is so snuggly! 

 I don't know what he was telling Paw-Paw, but this picture was just too funny not to share.  

 The next day, we got to go home.  They came in and checked Aubrey.  She had only lost 4 ounces, weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz.  They checked my vitals one more time and then went through all our discharge instructions.  Finally...time to go.  Aubrey wore the same outfit that I and my sister both wore home from the hospital.  

  I think she looks like a little doll.

Here I am in the outfit

 another one

 Daddy and his little girl getting ready to go

 Do you know how hard it was to get her and all that dress into the car seat?  It was pretty difficult. She didn't mind too much and was soon sleeping.  And with that...we were on our way home as a family of 4!  

We are so blessed!  We have two beautiful, healthy children and we couldn't be happier.  I just want to thank everyone who has prayed for us throughout this pregnancy.  They were certainly felt, especially during the labor process.  Things couldn't have gone better and for that I am thankful.  We're looking forward to all the joys that this new little blessing will bring us.  

Tree House

Here's a little project that I forgot to blog about: our treehouse!  Drew has been wanting to build one for Andrew in our awesome tree for quite some time.  He and his brother started it when they were here on the 23rd.  They got the supports finished.

 Then on the day after Christmas, Dad helped Drew with the floor, framing, and the walls.  They got a lot accomplished in a day!

 Once the floor and the walls were up, we let Andrew go outside and take a look at it.  He was amazed! He LOVES it! 

The next day, Drew finished up the siding on the walls, put the roof on, and built the railings for the porch.  (You can see the rails stacked up in the second picture (above). I just realized when I sat down to do this post that I don't have a recent picture of it.  My bad.  And that's all we've done so far.  Then Drew had his surgery, so the final touches will have to come later.  

Still to do:  cut out windows, attach a tube slide off of the left side, attach swings to the underside of the porch, build zip line, and stain it.    So, lots to be done, but at least for now, it's functional.  The neighborhood kids think it's a big hit too.  Andrew likes to get up there and shoot his toy bow and arrow across the yard.  Fun times.  I'll be sure to do a final/finished product post when we're 100% done, but don't hold your breath....we're busy having a baby next week! :)

Pregnancy Update: 36 weeks

Today was a good appointment.  Aubrey's growth percentage was holding steady.  She was back up to 28%.  Her estimated weight is 5 lbs 9 oz.  Doc was happy that I've been able to make it this far.  She went ahead and set an induction date for January 15th, as not to push our luck.  The longer we wait, the more dangerous it gets for both of us.  So, this time next week, we'll be getting ready to head to the hospital!   I can't believe we'll have our little girl in ONE WEEK!  I can't wait!  She actually cooperated at the last minute today on the ultrasound and moved her hand for the first time ever.  Wendy managed to grab a quick shot of her sweet face before that hand went right back up there!  

Look at those lips!!  So kissable!  

Pregnancy Update: 35 weeks

Well, this week's appointments went pretty well.  On Monday I was measuring small and so the doc ordered an ultrasound (usually I get those on Fridays).  Her growth percentile had dropped from 43% to 27% in about 10 days, but she had gained a little weight.  (Estimated 5 lbs 1 oz.)  With preeclampsia that can mean that the placenta is starting to give out.  The doctor said we'd check again on Friday and see how things look, but we may have to deliver at 36 weeks.  But other than that, things were good.  She looked good on the monitor, heart rate was good, my blood pressure was good.  So that was good. :)

Today's ultrasound showed that she had gained 2 oz in the 3 days since my last one.  The growth percentage was at 23% today, which the doctor didn't seem to concerned about.  She said that was pretty consistent.  (I found out that they won't induce unless it drops below 10%.)  My blood pressure was good again today.  Doc said I must be behaving on bed rest.  :)  The NST took a little longer today because she was sleeping and not super active, so I had to stay on the monitor a little longer than usual.  But she passed her BPP on the ultrasound with a perfect score of 10 out of 10!   She checked me today and I'm 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced!  Woo Hoo!  That was super encouraging because at 37 weeks with Andrew I wasn't dilated at all and you all know how that turned out.  (59 1/2 hours of labor! I thought he'd NEVER come out!).  My doctor said this go around should be MUCH different.  I sure hope so!

We're still looking at a 37 week induction, so far.  I'm crossing my fingers for a 15th delivery, since Andrew's birthday is December 15th.  But it all depends on Aubrey and how she's doing at each appointment.  So pray for growth for baby and a healthy delivery for Mommy.  

The best part about all of these appointments:  an ultrasound twice a week!  My tech is so great too.  She always switches over to 4D and lets me sneak a peek at the princess.  And she STILL has her hands in her face!  She loves those hands!  Note to self: I should post some pictures.

**In other news, Drew is recovering well from his back surgery on Wednesday.  He was a little stiff yesterday, but is getting around a little easier today.  He even started to feel a change in his calf muscle today and can even hold some weight on it!  Praise the Lord!  I hope this means that over time, he'll regain full use of his calf!  Thank you to all those who have been praying for healing.  The Lord is good!  We would appreciate your continued prayers.   

So yeah, we're pretty much a hot mess at our house right now.  LOL  Drew is laid up, I'm laid up....good thing we have awesome families that come to help out.  Drew's Mom was here for a couple of days and my Mom is here and the squadron has been providing meals this week, so we're well taken care of!  

I'll give another update after the appointment on Monday.

Aubrey's Bedding

Aubrey's bedding came in today and I couldn't be happier with it!  I had it custom made with Polka Tot Designs in Mobile.  They did a fantastic job!  I called and talked to the sales associates, telling them what I was thinking about, and they emailed me several different mock ups with different colors and fabrics.  This is what we came up with:  

Here's a closer look at the bumper.  This is the first time I've seen her monogram. (I like it)

 There's also a reversible matching blanket.  The other side is the green minky dot fabric...so soft!

 Also in the order: matching changing pad cover.

The curtains will be here soon.  I just placed the order for them yesterday.  

I couldn't be happier with the way it all turned out!  Now, I'm waiting on my wall decal to come in.  It'll hang above the crib.  I need other decor ideas, so all you crafty folks out there, I'd be happy to hear your suggestions.