{2 weeks}

I can't believe Addie has been here for 2 weeks already. Today was her original due date and it just blows my mind to look over and see her sleeping next to me. 

We are adjusting beautifully as a family of 4. Aubrey is so observant of everything that Addison does and she loves to point out Addie's body parts. She's still hesitant on giving kisses but she does here and there. 

Addison is on a reverse schedule than the rest of us. She likes to party all night and sleep all day, but we are getting there.

We had her 2 week check-up this morning and she is up to 9lb, 0.5oz and 21.5" long! She is growing beautifully and she is perfect. <3

Addison's Birth Story

I have been meaning to type this up since we got home on Monday but we have come to realize very quickly that Miss Addie likes to be held. All the time. Even in her sleep. We're working on it.

Addison Grace

February 14th, 2013

10:24 AM

8lb 8oz, 20.5"

My birth experience with Addison was amazing. We woke up bright and early on Thursday morning (Valentine's Day!) and got Aubrey ready to go with her Grammie. They made plans to have breakfast and Aubrey was really excited about having pancakes :) Grammie got to our house around 7am and once they left we grabbed our bags and hit the road!

{Keith says I overpacked. I say bull. :)}

We were told to be at the hospital at 8:00. We got there about 15 minutes early. Naturally when we got there I started panicking and saying I didn't want to do this, and we can come back next week for the original surgery date. Keith did an awesome job keeping me calm, rubbing my back, etc. We had a student nurse named Sarah that was watching the whole procedure being done and she was super nice and chatted with us while we waited for the anesthesiologist  They had to put in an IV and then got Keith all scrubbed up. I may be biased, but I think he could be the next McDreamy if Patrick Dempsey ever left Grey's ;)

Before we knew it, the anesthesiologist was at my bedside explaining the procedure to me. He reminded us of the doctor from Knocked Up so we giggled every time he left the room.

{via}

Around 10am, they rolled me back to the OR. Keith had to stay in a waiting room while they gave me the spinal and made the first initial cut, so Sarah held my hands and had me lean into her while they administered the needles. I instantly felt my lower half get really warm and heavy and they laid me back and poked around my belly to make sure I couldn't feel anything and they got to work. I looked up at the operating lights and noticed that the whole outside edge was reflective so I could see everything. I closed my eyes and turned my head to the door and waited for Keith to come in. They finally let him in after what felt like forever (though I'm sure it was only a couple minutes). 

I didn't really feel much the whole procedure, just a few funny sensations. I did my best to not look up at the operating lights, but once my doctor said "you're going to feel a ton of pressure", I knew they were taking her out and I couldn't help but look up and I'm so glad I did. It was the most amazing experience ever. They showed her to us and then rushed her over to the heating table to begin cleaning her up. Keith stayed by my side, but I told him I was fine and to go get pictures. To this day I am still super bummed that we never got any of Aubrey fresh out of the womb so I wanted to make sure we got some of Addison. I'll spare you the super personal pictures of her flashing her va-jay-jay everywhere, but I did want to share one from after they had her cleaned up

After what seemed like a freaking year, they had me stitched up and ready to go back to my room. I was so anxious to finally hold my sweet little girl. They had Keith bring her over to me and it was love at first sight.

They brought me two trays of soup broth and jello which I wanted zero part of. I was way too anxious to eat the night before and I was starving. I just wanted some real food! They wanted to observe me for a few hours to make sure I didn't get sick before they would give me anything, but finally they let me order something more substantial. I don't even remember what my first meal was haha, but I remember devouring it when it came! 

The nurses had started to show some concern over Addie's breathing which freaked me the hell out. Her breaths were rapid and she kept grunting, which were both signs of excess fluid in her lungs that she couldn't get out. They decided it was best for her to go to the NICU for a little while for observation. Naturally this was the end of the world for me and I was SO upset because I had barely spent any time with her and obviously I was nervous about what was going to happen. 

Aubrey came to visit pretty shortly after that and they let us bring her down to the NICU to meet her little sister! It wasn't the experience I had hoped for, but it was still so amazing. She kept asking Keith to pick her up to look at Addison and she got excited every time Addison moved or made a noise. We took her into a private room for some family time and she ended up nursing the whole time. Aubrey started getting antsy so she & Keith went back to the room while I finished nursing Addie and then a nurse brought me back. Not too much longer after that, Addison was allowed to join us again. As soon as they put her in my arms I changed her into the adorable Valentines PJs we bought her :)

The next few days are a blur. I didn't do much of anything except lay in bed holding Addison, nursing her, and enjoying some visitors. On Saturday, a friend came by and did some hospital photos which I absolutely adore.

And lastly, my favorite picture from the shoot..

We were originally supposed to leave on Sunday but I was in a lot of pain so they decided it was best for me to stay one more night, which was okay with me. All of the nurses and doctors at the hospital were amazing, and I don't know what I would have done without the lactation consultants. I definitely made myself a lot more nervous about nursing than I needed to and I really wish I would have done it with Aubrey. It was definitely difficult at first but we have gotten into the groove of things and it is really nice bonding time.

And there you have it. It took me a week, but at least it's out there now :)

The Last Few Days

After my 37 week doctor's appointment last week, I knew the time was getting close. Our family of 3 would become a family of 4. Aubrey would no longer be "the baby", even though she will always be MY "baby". The kid-to-parent ratio would soon be equal.

My last day of work was last Thursday. It was supposed to be Friday, but we got a massive snow storm so work ended up closing for the night (which sucks for our Canada office because they had to run the whole show by themselves all night). Keith took his last day on Friday and we spent half of our weekend cooped up in the house due to a driving ban the governor of Massachusetts set, and the other half going to stores to get last minute things on our list (which is still not 100% crossed off.. woops)

We knew we wanted to make this last week with Aubrey special.. so we both planned something to do with her. Keith wanted to take her to Chuck E. Cheese, so Mondahy after I got home from my consultation with the surgeon (which went well! After looking at my ultrasound he actually found a few stones rather than just one. If it continues to give me problems after I have healed from my c-section I will be getting my gallbladder removed, hopefully before returning to work from my maternity leave) we went. 

My camera is already stashed away in my hospital bag, so I just got a few pics via cell phone:

{i've been trying to get him to trim the beard/hair a little bit before Addie gets here, but I don't think that's a battle I'll be winning lol}

She got out of bed last night at 11:00 and wanted to cuddle with me on the couch while Keith & I watched tv. It has been a long time since I cuddled her to sleep before bed, so no way was I turning that down. 

I took extra time getting her ready for dance class yesterday because I know next week, and probably in the couple weeks following, it will be Keith bringing her while I recover and try to get some one-on-one time with Addison.

At my doctor's appointment, I let her take a few extra stickers because I knew this would be the last time we would be there for 6 weeks.

After my appointment, we headed off on my date idea: Build a Bear Workshop. I've known for a while that this was one of the "last minute" things I wanted to do with her before Addison got here. When I was 39 weeks pregnant with Aubrey, I went there and made a bear for her, and I was excited for her to make one for Addison. She even chose to use the money in her piggy bank to make one for herself.

{Addison's bear on the left, which she named "Addison" lol, and Aubrey's bear, McStuffins, on the right}

On the way to Build-a-Bear, my doctor's office called me to let me know that my c-section was officially bumped up to Valentine's Day!! I was so beyond excited, I almost started crying. The only downfall? I had to go back to the hospital, which is about 20 minutes from our house, later that day to do pre-op bloodwork. I also had a phone interview with a nurse to go over my health history and what to expect the day of the surgery. She also let me know that kids are being allowed to visit the hospital again after being restricted for the last 1+ month. I am SO thrilled to be able to share tomorrow with Aubrey and let her be the first one (besides me & Keith, obviously) to meet her little sister. Had the ban not been lifted, she would have had to wait til I got home and the thought of going so many days without seeing her killed me. After the surgery is all done and Addison & I are settled in our room, Keith is going to go pick Aubrey up and bring her up, and then when his dad and stepmom come up to visit they will bring her back to their house for a sleepover.

Today was spent doing MORE last minute things.. I think we're finally done! I got both Addison's carseat and Aubrey's new carseat installed, we got a few little things at Babies R Us, and with the exception of my makeup, toothbrush, and deodorant, my bags are packed. I even got some little Valentines cupcakes and cookies for the nurses station as a "thank you". Keith thinks I'm lame and corny but whatever. Nothing wrong with a little sucking up to the women who are giving you drugs :) I also made Aubrey up a little Valentines day goodie bag for when she visits with stickers, some Squinkies (they will be the death of me.. ahh) and other small things to keep her occupied after she gets sick of Addison ;)

We went out for dinner as a family of three one last time. I'm about to go heat up some leftovers really quick since I have to fast starting at midnight and will be on a clear liquid diet for lord knows how long after surgery. :(

{happy anniversary}

4 years ago we started an unforgettable journey. 

February 7th, 2013

When I first laid eyes on Keith 8 years ago on my first day at my new job, it was love at first sight. For him? "Man, check out the rack on that girl."... which clearly meant "that's my future wife."

Our relationship moved pretty quickly once it got started. After a few weeks of dating he was practically living at my house.. only going home to shower in the morning before work. 3 days after our one year anniversary, I moved out of my mom's and we got a place together. A year and a half after that after that, we were married and pregnant!

He has seen me at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. He rubs my legs even when it has been a few weeks days since shaving. He puts up with my massive pregnant mood swings. And well, not that I have morning breath ;), but...

These 4 years have had bumpy times, for sure.. but at the end of the day, he's the only person I want to go over the bumps with <3

{37 weeks - FULL TERM!}

How far along? 37 weeks! 

Baby stats: Addison is the size of a stalk of swiss chard, which, like a crenshaw melon, I have no idea what it is! But who cares! She's about 19.5" long and is now considered FULL TERM!!! Ahhhh!

Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yup
Sleep: Ugh
Best moment this week: Buying all of our last minute baby things! We have everything we need to welcome Addison into the world! AND!!! Big news that I will explain in a minute!
Miss Anything? Wine, belly sleeping, life before gallstone pain.
Movement: Tons. She was dancing all over the place last night. Kinda like how I get when they play MJ at a bar after I've had a few to drink.. only she's more confined and it hurts like hell. 
Food cravings:  Steak! I can't get enough.. and Ocean Spray Cran-Grape juice! Mmm
Anything making you queasy or sick: I've been waking up every morning kind of queasy. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: GIRL! 
Labor Signs: Contractions, but nothing to write home about. They are a steady 5-6 minutes apart for like an hour and then stop. Blah
Symptoms: Swollen feet, and my heartburn has decided to come back after taking a week or two off.
Belly Button in or out? Out
Wedding rings on or off? Took them off last week.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. Still crying like every day because I'm sick of being in pain.

Looking forward to: Meeting this little girl! And brushing the long locks of hair I'm convinced she will come out with given the amount of heartburn I've had. I've seriously gone through like a case of tums in the past 7 months.

This week was a big week. A big, huge, awesome week. As I mentioned in my 36 week post, I had an appointment on Tuesday with my doctor. It's the first time I have really seen her since this pain started so she wanted to check me out and see what was going on. She set me up for an appointment with a surgeon for this Monday (the 11th) and he will evaluate and as long as he determines my pain is being caused my gall stones they will be taking Addison at 38 weeks. AKA Valentine's Day! I've already started looking at cute little Valentine's Day PJs and have my eye on some that I'm going to get if my appointment goes well on Monday.

Last night, Keith & I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary! It's actually today, but I couldn't get tonight off of work since it's the start of the Valentine's Day blackout period (one of our busiest times of year). To celebrate, Keith's dad took Aubrey for a few hours and we went out for dinner to a steakhouse because I have been craving steak like nobody's business. We went balls to the wall with a 4 course meal because not only was it our Anniversary dinner, but it was also serving as our Valentine's Day night out and our "last night out" before Miss Addie Grace joins us. 

After dinner, we went to Babies R Us because I decided that we needed one more blanket for Addie to have for when she's in her car seat. I also needed a wipes case for my diaper bag, and of course couldn't pass up a Baby Memory book we saw for 60% off. I didn't even think of a baby book up until that moment for some reason. 

{love that it comes with a soft birdy rattle!}

{can't wait to fill out the "born on" <3}

Other than that, we have a few last-minute things to do here. I have to put together the small side table we bought for next to my glider to put nursing supplies, receiving blankets, a book, etc. We need to do a little cleaning but Keith's last day is tomorrow so I'm thinking we can just spend this weekend doing it since we are expecting a big storm tomorrow night. I'm supposed to be working but if it's as bad as they are saying it's going to be (33"!) I will not be risking the drive in. It takes me a half hour to get there as it is. I can imagine how long it will take me to get home at 1 in the morning.

Next week, we have my appointment on Monday and then Keith & I both wanted to do one last fun thing with Aubrey before Addison gets here. She has been wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese so Keith plans to take her there, and I'm going to take her out for lunch and bring her to Build-a-Bear to make a bear for Addison, and possibly one for her too, if she's good ;) I can't believe how close we are to the end of my pregnancy. One part of me is SO READY to be done, but I know in a few weeks I'm going to be missing those baby kicks. <3