Hermit life

We/I have attempted to be hermits with sweet Ara. I have left the house now for 4 doctors appointments, and 2 other outings. I didn't drive for 10 days... That's pretty hermit like!

Ara has had a weird infection on multiple hangnails. She had it drained once and checked on 2 other times.. In the sche of things this is technically minor but a random skin infection in a newborn had us concerned! We were using a topical antibiotic but after a few days her pediatrician recommended oral antibiotics:(. Better safe than sorry... And it looks better after 3 doses, so that's good!

We have had 1-2 visitors daily except yesterday. We hit the exhausted wall just in time to look like zombies for Halloween! We needed to alternate naps and we did, so that felt great.

I took Owen and Ara to Owens speech therapy yesterday. My first outing solo with 2 kids:). It's a mile away but I still had a sense of accomplishment! It's like starting all over again, establishing a new normal. 

Owen has been 1:1 with Chris most of the time, and has informed me that "daddy is a better player than you mom." Although that made me cry (darn hormones!) the boys are having fun. More  tantrums and a little snarkiness coming out of O but he's doing pretty well.

Ara continues to eat and grow. She's back up to her hefty birthweight-still can't believe she was so huge- and Breastfeeding like a pro. So fun to have this opportunity versus all the other challenges we went through with Owen.

Looking forward to our first fun family outing to Main Street tomorrow for some trick or treating. 

Home with a newborn!!!

Needless to say we are thrilled to be home!!! We came home the day after her birthday. Since she was such a big little girl they checked her blood sugars every three hours, 3 times, and they were all good so that was a relief. 

Owen was with Nana and Papa and we decided to have him meet Ara at home. We ended up having 2 cars at the hospital and Paul helped us out with that as well. Owen and papa had a lot of good quality time together!

I'll condense the birth story as I tend to really enjoy these and overshare. I went into labor at home, the night of 10/16. Jac was here and helped with Owen. Once we were sure I was in labor and had a plan we loaded him up, dropped him off and met Chris at the hospital. Of course he had just gotten off of work... Same situation with Owen... Sorry!! 

I was 4cm dilated at around 1am. The rest (other than contractions) went pretty quickly. When I was 7 cm the midwife offered to break my water but I said no, I was going to let it take its course, thinking I had about an hour. The next contraction I felt like pushing, and did, and broke my water like a water balloon, hitting anything 5 feet out in its path! Before you knew it I was ready to go. The hardest part came and went or so I thought. Her shoulder ended up being stuck in my pelvis and the midwife and RN did some maneuvers to get her out. She came out, but was taken quickly to the table to recover as she actually came out looking worse/more blue than Owen. These kids! They make an interesting entrance! Her color improved and even though I was insisting on getting her back to me quickly the team weighed her and then returned her... Yes... Fresh out the gates she was 9#6 oz... Then had 6 bowel movements that that day and was down almost a pound... Why didn't she just come out lighter!!??

Anyway, that is her story! We are ragged, recovering, but never happier!!! Family and friends have helped us out so much, we are so grateful. It is so sweet to be home, having 1:1 time with our newbie! No medical cords allowed!! It is just so wonderful I never really felt like we had missed out on that with Owen but boy we did. It was just part of his story... But being able to Breastfeed whenever, NOT PUMP!!, take pictures of your baby, and just share those moments in a cozy home environment. I knew I wasn't going to take it for granted but I also didn't know it would be so fulfilling! 

Ok Ara is almost done with her meal. Back to bed I go.

Arabelle Mae is here!

...and we are home!!!!

9#6 ounce healthy baby girl born 10/17 @ 554am after a 10 hour unmedicated labor of love! More to come later... We're going to bed!!

Still Pregnant

39 weeks now and this girl keeps giving me false alarms. Not go into the hospital type of false alarms but she came close last night. Who knows when. We are healthy again... 2 weeks later.. Stay healthy out there, it's been no fun. 

Chris worked the last 2 days and I had some babysitters:). Aunt Jac & Zoey, Char, and the Aubins. 

Thanks for waiting!

I had a feeling I was going to deliver early with this one. I don't know why. Was nervous for our SD trip, and then Owen got a cold last week. And then he shared it with us... EWWW! SO SO SO glad she has decided to wait.

I'm 38 weeks today, up 28ish pounds, & feeling pretty good minus the cold symptoms. Chris has been keeping ME up... Weird I know, he has been sleeping on the couch the last monthish as I have been a snoring bear. But with this cold he isn't getting any sleep with the nasty post nasal drip. He sounds icky sicky and has called in the last 2 days. You don't want your RN to be sounding all nasty when they take care of you. Plus the energy needed for a 12 hour shift is quite high.

Thank you for waiting, Ara Mae! I am not in a rush for labor to begin but talk to me in 2 weeks, ha! I am very excited to meet her, but I'm thinking that the first go round was a little easier as you don't know what to expect. But then again, it was a long, slow labor... So go figure!

Happy Fall! Owen and I have continued to cook or bake something each day. My absolute favorite cookie recipe we have made 2 times this week... YUM! I have yet to find it on the web, but I just may type it up to share. Perfect every time.. and I'm not a baker!