Blogger Backgrounds
Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers

Friday, January 28, 2011

Pictures From Hospital

These pictures were done the day after she was born in the hospital room.
















First Time In Bumbo

Our baby Rachel is growing too fast! She's such a big girl!
01-27-2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Miracle of Life

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Weekend Outing

January 21, 2010 evening
Rachel spent some time with Mia and Poppy while John and I went on a date.

January 22, 2010
John and I decided it was a great day to get out so we ended up going to Mia and Poppy's house and from there we went to PF Changs for lunch and then to Cumberland Mall (first time going by the way) to walk around and use Rachel's stroller for the first time. She did great in it and even fell asleep.


On the way to the mall



All pooped out from shopping

January 23, 2010
The night before we decided to spend the night with Mia and Poppy and go to church in the morning. This too was Rachel's first time sleeping away from home and going to church. She got a little restless in church, but never really fussed.

What I wore to church

Home sweet home










Friday, January 21, 2011

Meeting New People

January 20, 2010
Rachel and I ventured out for the first time to Ms. Sarah's house to have a play date with her little boys, Will and Jack and Aunt Hope and cousin Daniel came too. We all so much fun and hopefully in the near future we will do it again. When we left, I met my mom at Starbucks so I could surprise one of our friends by showing up and letting her see Rachel for the first time.

January 21, 2010
Today I had my post op follow up and so Rachel came with me and did pretty good. She was a little fussy, but overall stayed somewhat content. After we left there, we went to my work to let them see her. And of course, they all fell in love with her and she also did well there too.

Aunt Neat and Rachel

Aunt Sandi and Rachel

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

1 month doc appointment

Today Rachel went for her 1 month doctor's appointment and did great! She now weighs 8 lbs. 4 oz., 21 inches long and is in the 50th percentile. As the nurse practitioner said, she's right where she needs to be.

Waiting on daddy to get to the doctors.

Waiting to be seen.

Being examined.

Monday, January 17, 2011

1 month



How Old? 1 month

Weight? We will find out tomorrow.


Clothing? Newborn 

Sleep? 3-4 hours at a time during the night, but sometimes we get lucky with 5 hours and about 2-3 hour naps at a time during the day.

Sounds? Can't really explain the sound, but I know she is trying to talk.

Eating? Just started 4 ounces yesterday from 3.5 ounces. Came home from hospital drinking about 2-3 ounces per feeding.


What I am looking forward to? Taking her to the doctor tomorrow to see how much she has gained in a month and having a play date with Will, Jack and Daniel on Thursday.


Birth to 1 Month Developmental Milestones


Physical-There is significant growth during the first month of life. At this time, reflexive movements dominate, and infants have little, if any purposeful physical activity.
  • Growth
    • Weight decreases by 10% immediately after birth and returns to birth weight by 2 weeks of age
    • Gains 1 oz/day; 2 lbs/month
    • Length increases 3.5 cm/ month
  • Movement and Activity
    • Head droops without support
    • Limbs flexed
    • Purposeless movement
    • Grasps objects placed in hands
    • Sucks objects placed in mouth
    • Sleeps about 16 hours/day
  • Sensory
    • Nearsighted; can see objects clearly 8-12 inches from face
    • Fixated gaze; cannot follow objects (like a doll's eyes)
           Social
  • Hearing is preferential to the female voice
  • Easily startled

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Who Does Rachel Look Like?

      



                                          OUR NEWBORN PICTURES  

John

Rachel

Nicole
  
















Saturday, January 15, 2011

A Precious Gift

As you all know, I started this blog when I first found out I was pregnant. My last entry was from last October, so instead of picking up from there, I'm starting over and hopefully won't slack this time.

December 16, 2010
My sister-in-law, Hope and my nephew, Daniel, came over to visit me for a couple hours since I just started my maternity leave. About 15 minutes after they left, I went to the bathroom and discovered my "bloody-show" and soon after, my contractions started at approx. 2:44 pm, 5 minutes apart. 

John came home from work and we waited a few hours to make sure that my contractions stayed consisent. During that time, I took a quick shower and made sure we had everything packed and ready to go.

When we got to the hospital around 7:40 pm, we were sent triage so I could be checked and monitored. To my surprise (since the past 3 weeks before I was 75% effaced and a fingertip), I was 95-100% effaced and 2 1/2 cm. When the doctor was informed of this, I was instructed to walk around the halls for 1 hour and then come back to see how much progression was made. During that 1 long hour, my contractions were getting to be 2-3 minutes apart. We returned to be checked and in just 1 hour, I was 100% effaced and 3 cm. Doctor again was informed and from there, I was admitted.

Once I was in the L&D room, some of my loving family and friends visited me. My contractions soon got to the point of being 1 minute apart (meaning I really never got a break) and that was when it was just John and my mom in the room with me. Between 10:00-11:00 pm was when I requested the nurse to check me to see how far I was because my goal was to be 5 cm before I got the epidural. Well, when she checked, I was 4-5 cm and that was when I got the epidural (at this point, it was just John and I). Praise God for epidurals!!

Everyone patiently waiting

Mia and MiMi

December 17, 2010
I slept for about 3 hours after the epidural and 5:00 am came around and felt this "pop" thinking my water broke. We called the nurse in and she said I didn't at first, but when she looked again, I had and with that, she noticed that Rachel had "pooped" inside of me. Meaning when my water broke, meconium came with it. She checked me also to see how far I was and when she told me I was 9 cm, I was in complete shock of how fast I progressed. John then went and told everyone who was in the waiting room the news and that I would be pushing in about an hour. When the hour came for me to push, John and my mom were there the entire time to help me through this. 45 minutes later, 6:42 am, our little Rachel Elizabeth was born at 6 lbs. 14.8 oz and 19 1/4 inches long.

As soon as she was born, they had to call in a respiratory team in because when she was coming out, she inhaled the meconium. For about an hour, they sucked it out. I did not get to hold her until then. Which absolutely drove me crazy that I wasn't being able to hold her, but when I finally did, it was love at first site.

Once I got to hold her for a bit and John and I got to bond with her, the rest of our family came in to welcome and see her.

                                                                   




                                                                    







                                                                     

December 18, 2010
We came home and began a new chapter in our life. Parenthood.


December 23, 2010
Rachel's first doctor's visit and did wonderfully. Since she had left the hospital, she gained 2 ounces! What a healthy little baby she is!



December 25, 2010
Rachel's first Christmas and guess what?!?! It snowed!!



                                                                   
December 29, 2010
Rachel's first outing to Fuji Hanas for her uncle Matthew's 17th birthday.


January 1, 2011
Rachel's first New Years!

January 4, 2011
Playdate with cousin Daniel.





January 7, 2011
First time eating lunch out. Starbucks inside Target with Aunt Hope and cousin Daniel.


January 11, 2011
First "real" bath since umbilical piece fell out.


As of today... we are enjoying and loving being a mommy and daddy and watching our little Rachel grow everyday.













**Thank you God for choosing and blessing us to take care of one of your most precious gifts...Rachel Elizabeth. John and I promise to take good care of her and raise her in a christian environment and lead her to you so that one day, she will become saved and lead others to you as well.**