You Know You're Not Getting Enough Sleep When...

.... you wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning to wake your husband up and in a panic say:

"Could you hurry and get the blanket off of the baby doll's face?"

"Huh?"

"The baby doll, she can't breathe, can you get the blanket off of her face...hurry."

Then your husband jumps out of bed and heads to the living room and turns on the light.

"Where are you going?"

"To get the blanket off of the baby doll."

"No, the baby doll isn't out there, she's right over here."

Then you both snap out of it and there is uncontrollable laughter for 10 minutes before you're both sound asleep again.

Allie's Home!!!

Yay! I didn't think the day would get here quick enough. Derek and I were so anxious for her to get here. I don't know how many times we called my Mom and Dad to ask when they would be here! Then when we heard car doors shutting outside the house we both ran for the door to give Allie a big hug and kiss.

It's so crazy how long that week felt AND how much different Allie looked to us. She looked so BIG! Everything about her......her eyes seemed bigger, her head looked bigger, her hands and feet...... not just physical things either, she was talking more and her mannerisms seemed "older." The weirdest thing is changing her diaper! There is a HUGE difference between changing her and changing Avery (I've been doing that a lot lately!)

Yesterday was my first full day all alone with my girls. I was a little worried about it when I woke up because the past few nights Avery hasn't been sleeping very well and I was tired. It actually wasn't bad. We kept ourselves busy going on walks, swimming in Allie's pool, playing at the sand table, playing with baby dolls, giving Avery a bath and so on. Allie is such a good helper too, which makes things a little bit easier. We even got a nap in!! Then to top the evening off we went to Bravo for dinner.....for my birthday!
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Allie had a lot of fun while she was away. She even learned how to wash dishes!!

She got to hang out with a lot of family that she doesn't get to see very often (or have one on one time with). She had a GREAT time with Mony & Papa, GG, Ashley, Amy, and Carma. I think she even spent a little bit of time with cousins Morgan and Mason. We thank all of you for your help!!!!
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Since my Mom and Dad brought Allie back and it was Labor Day weekend they just stayed here for a few days. We definitely stayed busy with going to the AF Museum, shopping at the Outlet Mall and hanging out at Wegerzyn Gardens. Mom and Dad even surprised me with an ice cream cake!

The water was shut off the night before for the rest of the year. Bummer!

Our first family photo! LOL

2 Week Check Ups

Avery and I had our 2 week check ups today. We met Derek at Qdoba for lunch and then headed over to the hospital. Our main concern for Avery was that she was at least back to her birth weight, 6 lb 6 oz. She weighed in at 6 lb 9 oz, which is great since she was down to 5 lb 12 oz when we left the hospital! Needless to say, she is eating really well and is growing so fast. She is a great baby........she hardly ever cries, sleeps 4-6 hour stretches through the night (which her Dr said we shouldn't let her sleep longer than 4 hours), and is already smiling at us. She also will roll from her back to her side already. We think she is going to be a quick learner! Another cute little quirk about Avery is that she makes so many noises......and so far she has an outie belly button.

I had to go in for a b/p check. It was HIGH........higher than it was when I was pregnant. I don't know if it has anything to do with me missing Allie and being stressed about this pain in my side or what. I have to go in again in 2 weeks to have it rechecked. So, about this pain in my side.... it started all of a sudden on Saturday night. It was a really sharp pain and later I heard and felt a pop. I told the Dr about it today and he said the pop was more than likely a air or fluid bubble and that it was probably good that it popped. As for the pain, it's probably just still from all of the tugging and pulling that went on. I just don't remember this sort of pain with the last c-section so I'm thinking it may have something to do with a nerve?? I don't know, at least it's not as bad as it was a few days ago!

Last weekend my Dad came to pick up my Mom. He brought my Grandma and Bryan along to see Avery. It was great to see them again and I'm glad they were able to come and visit!! I took a really good picture of GG and Avery, but I know that Grandma probably wouldn't want me to post it on here......so I won't. My Mom was a HUGE help last week and we're so thankful for the sacrifice that she made to be here for the week and for all that she did for us. Thank you Mom ... We love you!!!!!!


This week has been very quiet here at home. Although we really miss Allie it has been nice getting the extra rest and being able to bond with Avery. We have had a lot of visitors from church and meals brought to us the past three nights. Let me tell you, this week has been rough!! :)

Allie comes home tomorrow night and we can't wait!

18 Hours, 51 Minutes, 36 Seconds

That's how long our little Allie has been away from us :( We miss her soooooooo much!! I cried like a baby a few times in private during the day Sunday just thinking about her leaving us for a week. Then when the time actually came I really let it all out! I know it's the best for me and I'm sure she is having a great time (and doesn't even miss us). I tried to talk to her on the phone last night, but she "No Want To."
I think Avery might be missing her too. She was up more than usual last night with a tummy ache. So, I've been able to keep my mind off of Allie being gone for most of the day so far by sleeping!
Anyway, Allie, if you see this ... know that Mommy, Daddy and baby Avery miss you and love you lots!!!!
xoxoxo

Avery is ONE WEEK old

I can't believe how fast this week has gone! Avery is such a good baby. She sleeps a lot and is starting to eat really well too. She did give us a little scare the day after we got home. Derek tried to give her some Vitamin D drops and Avery sucked them down. The next thing we know she's turning purple! It only lasted about 10 seconds, but she was really lethargic afterwards so we rushed to the Children's Hospital ER and had her checked out. They said that it was most likely her body reacting to the strong taste of the vitamin drops. I have noticed that she tends to choke on her milk a lot too so it's something we have to keep a close eye on.

Allie loves her little sister and always wants to hold her or have her lay in her bed with her. I think she is starting to get a little bit jealous. Today was pretty rough on Mony......Allie was taking her anger out on her and then eventually on Avery. So Derek and I took her out on a bike ride, just the three of us, this evening. Right now we're planning on having Allie go back with Grandma and Grandpa for the week next week. This way she'll get more attention and it will make things easier on me since I can't lift her yet or go up and down stairs. Do you think this will make her more jealous though???? That's the main thing that is holding us back from actually going through with the plan. Any opinions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

My C-Section Experience

I thought I would go ahead and share my experience with a c-section this time around. As most of you know, I had a c-section with Allie after going through the whole labor process and in the end she was just too big. I had went in to the hospital after my water broke, at the park next door to us, and was in labor for 22 hours before heading back for the section. I was so tired and out of it that I really don't remember much that went on. So.......



Here is what happened this time around..... I headed into the hospital early Thursday morning and they hooked me up to monitor Avery and get my IV started. I had to take this nasty shot of something right before they wheeled me back to the operating room to keep my stomach settled. Once I was back in the room, I was moved to the operating table and given the spinal block. Things were set up then as I started to numb up. After about 20 minutes they started the procedure. They cut along the same incision as my last c-section. It ended up taking longer than the last one because they had to cut through some scar tissue. I could feel them tugging and finally yank Avery out and when I heard her cry it was just awesome!! It took quite a while for them to get me stitched back up........they were having a student do some of it (little scary for me!) But everything seems to be healing up nicely and I'm up and moving around. No spinal headaches this time around!!! They usually keep c-section patients for 72 hours, but since everything was going so well they let me out at 48 hours.



Overall, it was a good experience....although I would have rather had a natural birth. I'm grateful to be healing so well and to be up and moving around a lot quicker than last time!

More Pictures of Avery!!

AVERY ELIZABETH welcomes the World!!!

I was able to post a few pics of Avery Elizabeth the newest edition to our family. She was born 14 Aug 2008 at 0841 in the morning, weighing 6 lbs 6 ounces and 18.8 inches long with tons of hair. She seems so tiny compared to Allie:) We all have fallen in love with her already and can't wait to bring her home. Allie is already very loving with her(see below) When Brooke feels up to it I'm sure she'll have a lot more info and pics to post, but as of right now both baby and mom are doing great. Brooke's smiling and walking around. We are extremely appreciative of all the prayers and support our friends and family have given us these last few weeks. Thanks again and enjoy the pics

Our Little Allie Kat.....

...Is the Sweetest Thing! She's growing up so fast and soon she's going to be a BIG sister. I wanted to take a minute or two to "spotlight" our little love bug. She is 2 years old and LOVES to:

• play in/with water (beach, pool, sprinkler, rain, bath, sand/water table etc)


• sing and dance


• pretend (Mommy to her babies, cook food at her kitchen)


• play with her dollhouse


• be outside doing anything


• watch Elmo and Baby McDonald


• read


• be silly

There is so much more that she loves, but this post would be way too long if I named them all!

Allie sleeps in her big girl bed all through the night and will get up and play on her own, in her room, for about 30 minutes or so before she heads to the door knocking saying "Mama, Hello". It cracks me up! She can be very loving and is soooo caring. If Derek or I make the slightest sound that we might be hurt she'll ask, "You OTay?"

Right now she plays better on her own than she does with other children, but she's slowly learning to share and get used to the idea of playing with others. She finally made it the whole 2 hours in nursery without crying last Sunday! It was a big accomplishment in our eyes!! When Derek picked her up she was sitting at the table playing with play doh and she just looked over and said, "Hi, Dad" and kept on playing.....then when we left she said, "FUN!"

I know having another little one around will be hard on both her and me. We've become so attached over these last 2 years! The longest we've been apart from one another is just a few hours!!! That is bound to change soon......I'm assuming. I think we'll always have that close knit bond though........we are so much alike (despite the age difference) ;)

Allie had her 2 year checkup on Monday. Everything looked good. She is average for her height and a little under for her weight (22lbs). She's just going to be a petite little thing! She got a shot and cried, of course. But stopped after the nurse handed her a sucker. This is her last shot until she turns 4!!! Yay!!

I could go on and on and on about this sweet little girl. She brings such a joy to us and knows how to make us smile! We love you Allison Katherine!!!

Last PREGNANCY Update

I found out yesterday that the c-section will definitely be on August 14th, but won't know the time until Monday. I'm excited to see this little baby girl (weighing 6 lb 1 oz as of now) and just ready to be done! On the other end of things, I'm really nervous about having another c-section. Hopefully I'll calm done some by Thursday!

We're heading out tomorrow night to stock up on some things. We want to do one more "fun" thing this weekend since it could be a while before we get out and about like that again. I don't know what we're going to do yet. We were thinking about going to a drive-in movie theater, but it all depends on what is playing. Of course, Derek wants to go to the lake.......I don't know if that's an option for me with the way the humidity has seemed to have kicked into high gear! Then I'm sure we'll be doing some last minute cleaning next week.........and then she'll be here!

What will her name be? Probably won't know until we see her!!