Here are some photos from our first try at tummy time. It only lasted a few minutes, but I think she will really like it. She's got strong neck control & she prefers to be on her tummy to her back. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Puppy Love
So, we all know Guinness has some issues. Throughout the pregnancy, everyone kept asking, "How's Guinness going to do with the baby?" While I had some reservations, I always had faith that she would rise to the occasion. I think most of you, though, had some major doubts. Well, I'm proud to say that Guinness is a wonderful sister! From the minute we brought Ellen home, she's been great! She sniffs & licks her & checks on her when she's crying. She's also been fine with much less attention & doesn't even mind sharing the bed with our new addition. We love you, G!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sleep Success, Part One
Here's a little update on our sleeping arrangements...
She is sleeping "on her own" in the co-sleeper in our bed (with her Gloworm)! She still wakes up every couple of hours to feed, but with a swaddle goes back to sleep pretty easily. We still occasionally "sleep snuggle" after the last night feeding (around 4 or 5 am) but that's usually more for Mommy! Next step (sometime in the future), sleeping in the crib...
She is sleeping "on her own" in the co-sleeper in our bed (with her Gloworm)! She still wakes up every couple of hours to feed, but with a swaddle goes back to sleep pretty easily. We still occasionally "sleep snuggle" after the last night feeding (around 4 or 5 am) but that's usually more for Mommy! Next step (sometime in the future), sleeping in the crib...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Visit to the doctor
Today was Ellen's 2-week doctor's appointment. She did great--not very many tears! She doing great & is a very healthy girl! She's up to 8 pounds 7 ounces & has grown an inch (to 21 inches). We're so glad she's doing so well. Her next visit is in August when Mommy & Daddy will be traumatized by her first round of shots...
Happy Father's Day!
Is there anything better than a daddy and his baby girl?
(except maybe a new Grandpa with his granddaughter!)
Our First Walk around the Neighborhood
Yesterday evening, Guinness, Ellen & I decided it was time to take our first walk around the neighborhood--maybe not the best choice since it was the hottest day of the year so far, but we were excited! We decided to take the new jogging stroller for a spin (Thanks Aunt Susan & Uncle Eddie!). Ellen loved it--she was asleep moments into the walk & Guinness was so thrilled to be out of the house & getting some attention! We didn't get too terribly far before I realized I was still a bit sore, but it was still fun anyway. We look forward to many more walks in the future!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Saying goodbye...and hello!
So, my mom left today. We were all very sad to see her go but so grateful that she had this time to spend with us & her new grandbaby, Ellen. We were lucky enough to have her here for the last 3 weeks taking care of us and Ellen & we couldn't appreciate it more! We already miss her but know that she will be back sooner than we know!
On a happy note, Ellen got to meet her Grandpa today! As one grandparent left, another came to visit. My dad came down for the weekend to meet our new angel. She was a bit cranky today so I didn't get any photos with Grandpa but I will tomorrow...
UPDATE: Here's a photo of Ellen with her grandfather!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Baby Steps
Last night, Daddy managed to get her swaddled (which is a feat in and of itself since she has an obsession with her hands and has not been a fan of the swaddle) & she slept (in our bed) on her back for 3 hours! I know it's not much, but as I said--baby steps! We'll see how tonight goes with Daddy at work...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ellen's First Party!
I brought my camera but of course forgot to take photos while I was there(but here are a couple of her in her party dress)! Anyway, Ellen attended her first party today! Thanks to Nancy & Peggy for hosting a "Meet Ellen Luncheon." We had a great time spending time together & sharing our families. Ellen loved meeting my friends and their babies as well. We were also excited to get meet Macey, Kelly's new baby. She is about as adorable as they come! Thanks again for making our first real outing & Ellen's first party special & memorable. Thanks for all the gifts as well--We appreciate them, but more importantly we appreciate you in our lives!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Eating my words...
Okay, so here is my public confession...I know, I know, before the baby was born & everyone would ask me where she was going to sleep, I said, "Her crib, of course!" It is just in the next room a few steps away, so why not?!? Also, I figured our bed was like a death trap with the dog & the dog hair so it wasn't really an option & our room isn't really big enough for a basinett or pack-n-play. Well, as we all know, babies have their own agenda! We've tried the crib & Ellen is not a happy camper! We've also tried laying her in the bed with us (luckily the dog has risen to the occasion and has been wonderful with the baby)--no go either! So, guess where she sleeps? Yep, right on my chest--literally on me! I know she is just trying to prove to me you have to be flexible (which I think I am :) Everyone keeps telling me that you can't spoil a newborn, so I'm hoping this is true--hopefully it is just a phase & we will outgrow it sometime in the near future! Stay tuned for future updates on Ellen's nightime adventures!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Ellen's Birth Story
For memory's sake, here is Ellen's birth story...(the looooong version)
Friday, June 5, 2009: This was my due date--My water broke around 7:45 pm at home. I called the on-call doctor at the hospital and he said to come on in. Once we got everything together & JP got home from work, we were on our way to Baptist. We were checked in and in the room around 9 pm. At this point, I was only about 1 cm dilated. My contractions started but weren't too strong yet & not very regular. My mom & JP's mom & sister joined us for the long night of waiting!
Saturday, June 6, 2009: At about 5 am, the nurse came in and started the Pitocin to try to strengthen the contractions & get them more consistent. She checked my progress & I was still only 1 cm dilated after 9 hours of labor. The slowly increased the pitocin as the day went on. About 7 am, I decide
d to go ahead with the epidural. Once that was in, things were good! I could still feel some pressure with each contraction but not really any pain. We continued like this throughout the day--increasing the pitocin, checking my progress, etc. By about 2 o'clock, I hadn't made much progress. I was only about 4 cm on the maximum dose of pitocin & the baby's heart rate was dropping a bit with each contraction. The doctor said things still looked okay & we could watch it a bit longer. We discussed the possibility of having a c-section if things didn't progress in the near future. About 30 minutes later, the monitor couldn't pick up the baby's heart rate at all & the next thing we knew there were at least 6 or 7 medical professionals in the room prepping me for a crash c-section. As soon as JP & I were ready, they wheeled us down to the OR. I was doing pretty well until this point, but once in the OR it was pretty overwhelming. After a few minutes, they let JP in with me & we waited for them to get the baby out. When they pulled her out (and told us that it was a girl!), I heard a cry which was reassuring. Luckily, I couldn't really see her at this point, because JP said she blue. They rushed her over to be checked out by the NICU staff. She had the cord wrapped around her neck & was in the birth canal face first. She had also swallowed a bunch of meconium during delivery. Although she was breathing on her own, she needed oxygen, so they quickly showed her to me & then whisked her away to the transitional nursery. We quickly decided on a name--Ellen!--and then JP went with her while they finished stitching me up. 
She ended up having to spend the night in the transitional nursery while they monitored her breathing and gave her oxygen. It was difficult to not have her with us, but it was for her own good (although I know 2 grandmothers who were dying at this point since they still hadn't laid eyes on her yet!).
Sunday, June 7, 2009: Sunday morning after the pediatrician came to check her out, she gave the okay for her to leave nursery and join us in our hospital room. We were thrilled! So, finally around noon, Ellen made her way to our room. Everyone was glad to have her around & be able to finally feel a bit more at ease since she was with us.
So, there's the long version of Ellen's arrival! We've all agreed that she has used up her allotment of drama for quite a while!
Friday, June 5, 2009: This was my due date--My water broke around 7:45 pm at home. I called the on-call doctor at the hospital and he said to come on in. Once we got everything together & JP got home from work, we were on our way to Baptist. We were checked in and in the room around 9 pm. At this point, I was only about 1 cm dilated. My contractions started but weren't too strong yet & not very regular. My mom & JP's mom & sister joined us for the long night of waiting!
Saturday, June 6, 2009: At about 5 am, the nurse came in and started the Pitocin to try to strengthen the contractions & get them more consistent. She checked my progress & I was still only 1 cm dilated after 9 hours of labor. The slowly increased the pitocin as the day went on. About 7 am, I decide
d to go ahead with the epidural. Once that was in, things were good! I could still feel some pressure with each contraction but not really any pain. We continued like this throughout the day--increasing the pitocin, checking my progress, etc. By about 2 o'clock, I hadn't made much progress. I was only about 4 cm on the maximum dose of pitocin & the baby's heart rate was dropping a bit with each contraction. The doctor said things still looked okay & we could watch it a bit longer. We discussed the possibility of having a c-section if things didn't progress in the near future. About 30 minutes later, the monitor couldn't pick up the baby's heart rate at all & the next thing we knew there were at least 6 or 7 medical professionals in the room prepping me for a crash c-section. As soon as JP & I were ready, they wheeled us down to the OR. I was doing pretty well until this point, but once in the OR it was pretty overwhelming. After a few minutes, they let JP in with me & we waited for them to get the baby out. When they pulled her out (and told us that it was a girl!), I heard a cry which was reassuring. Luckily, I couldn't really see her at this point, because JP said she blue. They rushed her over to be checked out by the NICU staff. She had the cord wrapped around her neck & was in the birth canal face first. She had also swallowed a bunch of meconium during delivery. Although she was breathing on her own, she needed oxygen, so they quickly showed her to me & then whisked her away to the transitional nursery. We quickly decided on a name--Ellen!--and then JP went with her while they finished stitching me up. 
She ended up having to spend the night in the transitional nursery while they monitored her breathing and gave her oxygen. It was difficult to not have her with us, but it was for her own good (although I know 2 grandmothers who were dying at this point since they still hadn't laid eyes on her yet!).
Sunday, June 7, 2009: Sunday morning after the pediatrician came to check her out, she gave the okay for her to leave nursery and join us in our hospital room. We were thrilled! So, finally around noon, Ellen made her way to our room. Everyone was glad to have her around & be able to finally feel a bit more at ease since she was with us.
So, there's the long version of Ellen's arrival! We've all agreed that she has used up her allotment of drama for quite a while!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
It's a...
Girl! Welcome Ellen Catherine Parks! She arrived Saturday, June 6th with a bit more drama than we would have liked, but she's here now & doing fine! She was 7 pounds 12 1/2 ounces and 20 inches long. We are very proud parents & can't wait for you all to meet her! I'll post more later about her arrival and with some more photos.
Thanks to everyone for your love, support & well wishes!
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