Sunday, August 31, 2008

Coming Home

Well, we've been home for 4 or so days now and things are starting to settle into a routine. Elizabeth is an angel at night letting me sleep for long stretches at a time. I so appreciate that! We came home from the hospital Wednesday before Brent had to get to his first day of classes for this semester. We would have been able to leave much earlier in the day, but we were waiting for the pediatrician to release Elizabeth. It was a little boring just hanging out waiting for him to get there. But after we spoke with him, we were on our way.

So far I haven't spent more than an hour or so alone with both girls. That sounds a little crazy, but it's been so nice. I'm grateful to my mom for playing with Sammi and giving her lots and lots of attention (and for getting her to take naps each day!)





My body is feeling better. I'm glad tomorrow is a holiday and we have Brent all day long. But, I think I'm ready to face the new week (although I'm still looking forward to my mom's help.) Thanks for all the encouragement and love!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Our New Family

Here are Brent, Sammi and Elizabeth! (Okay, so I didn't realize that Brent posted this picture already. I'm waiting for the one of all four of us. Look for it soon!) Isn't Sammi an adorable big sister! And Elizabeth is the cutest little sister. Sammi seems to be excited about Elizabeth and asked if she was an angel! They are both my little angels. All day long I've been thinking it's such a miracle that Elizabeth made it into our family and that her delivery was so successful. I am more grateful than I can express that I didn't need a C-section. I'm recovering well and am looking forward to feeling even better tomorrow for going home. (I typed this Tuesday at the hospital but was waiting for the aforementioned picture. We are now home and I'll have pictures of that adventure later...They're still on the camera.)

We had Elizabeth's picture taken at the hospital. Here's her first web page! Isn't she adorable. I was glad to have the cute headband for her to wear and very happy that she opened her eyes for the camera.

Baby Has Arrived!!!

Hello, this is Brent. Amber is a bit busy resting in the hospital so I am the one that gets to deliver the news! Elizabeth arrived on 08/25/08! First is a picture of Amber and Elizabeth.


Elizabeth is a healthy little girl. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 14 oz. and was 20 inches tall. Overall a little smaller than her older sister was.

Sammi is so excited to be an older sister. At the hospital and on the ride home she kept talking about how she had a sister. It was the cutest thing ever. I sure hope that excitement lasts! This picture does not do a great job showing how happy she really was!

I hope Amber doesn't mind that I am including this picture. I love this one. She was so happy to be able to hold Elizabeth right away. Things went so smoothly after she was born and Amber was so happy (labor was stressful for Elizabeth with the cord around her neck 3 times!).

I have to include these last two pictures to show how active Elizabeth is! It appears as though she does not enjoy being flat on her back. She is constantly rolling onto her side. She refused to hold still as the nurses were doing all their checking.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Here Comes the Induction

We were scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 6:30 this morning. True to form we were 7 minutes late, but nobody seemed to mind. This picture is taken in front of the Women's Center before we entered. It's 7:30 and we haven't started the IV yet. Hopefully it's not a long day! More to come...

Friday, August 22, 2008

Baby (Un)News

This is Amber, Thursday, August 21 at 11:00pm NOT in labor! (and 3 days overdue)

I'm sure most of you have thought that we neglected to call you from the hospital to tell you of Elizabeth's safe arrival. However, the lack of contact was simply due to a lack of news.

Elizabeth has not yet made her grand appearance into this world. I have cried everyday for about a week over the whole thing. But there is an end in sight. If she doesn't come on her own, my doctor wants to induce labor on Monday. While I was hoping for no medications at all during labor and delivery, I'd rather get her here than spend the rest of the month (or my life!) pregnant!

If you have any tips on starting labor, I'd love to hear them. Here are the ones we've tried:
  • caster oil (twice)
  • walking and walking and walking
  • spicy food
  • expensive dinner
  • jumping
  • moving (packing and unpacking)
  • cleaning
  • stripping wallpaper
  • (updated) stripped my membranes