I have 2 Kids

Poop. Boobs. Sleep - my life revolves around those 3 things right now. HAHA. We are waist deep in baby-ville here at the Foster house. I am loving it. Emrey has been home for 5 days now. I couldn't be happier to be home with my two beautiful girls - lack of sleep and all. :)

Ellinor is quite fond of Emrey already. She likes to check on baby while she snoozes in the bassinet and pat her blankets. Ellinor gets really excited every time Emrey makes a squeal or noise of any kind, and she has to say "Hi Baby" and "Bye Baby" any time she leaves the room that Emrey currently is basking in. It is all dang adorable. Needless to say I am thrilled at this reaction to baby's arrival. I was a bit worried that the novelty would wear off within hours, but so far so good.

There have been a few moments of Ellinor jealousy. The other day Ellinor shoved herself between the dresser and my legs while I was changing Emrey - she wanted me to drop what was I doing and attend to her that instant. There are also a few times when Ellinor will pat the couch cushion for me to lay Emrey down on while I am holding her - so as to free myself for playing with Ellinor. Bryan and I came home from the hospital to a new attitude that Ellinor apparently has adopted. There are a lot of "No's" emphatically yelled about and a few downright tantrums thrown that we had to yet to see prior to baby's birth. The first time I witnessed one was the night we came home and I was totally shocked. I literally was taken aback and had no idea how to react. LOL - oy vey.  I'm assuming this side of Ellinor is the consequence of big changes at home and her growing into a big girl. We are working on taming these new qualities of hers. ;)

Emrey is thriving! At her weight check on Friday she clocked in at a chunky 3 pounds, ten ounces. So proud of her! This girl is a champion eater and I am thrilled that breastfeeding seems to be working out this time around. It was quite a struggle with Ellinor. Emrey eats every 2-2.5 hours, sleeps round the clock (other than her random energy spurts at 1am), and is an absolute delight! So blessed to have her here with us.

There was a booger initiation the other day. I was sitting on the couch, holding Emrey right after feeding her, and Ellinor was cuddled up next to her. I looked over and caught Ellinor picking her nose. I told her that was yucky! The next thing I know Ellinor had gently swiped the booger off her finger and right onto poor Emrey's head! GROSS. Through laughter I insisted to Ellinor that we don't put boogers on baby - she looked at me and promptly removed the offending snot. Emrey has certainly left the completely sterile hospital environment. Haha. I have a feeling these girls are going to be besties!

I won't go into detail  - TMI for most anybody - but breastfeeding and pumping in between for Emrey has led to Ellinor's current curiosity with breasts. I'm just going to say that it is HILARIOUS, some of the antics she has pulled. Love her to pieces - I can't believe how incredibly grown up she now seems.

I love my two girls. I am extremely blessed to have them. Life is good - we are working on adjusting to new schedules, 2 babies, and twice the responsibility. More to come! (I need to create a new blog since the Foster family is no longer a trio - just trying to think of a new name and get ready for a whole new URL)

Emrey Rae Foster!

Emrey is here! We are so excited to have this little angel with us!!

Relaxing in her incubator

Per the decision made between us and our doctor, I was induced Tuesday morning. We decided it was the best course of action to bring Emrey into the world just a bit earlier than normal to help her grow. It's much easier to chub a baby up when you can see her. ;) The entire labor process took only 6 hours - not the most fun 6 hours - but it wasn't too bad. There is ONE bonus of having a very small baby to deliver. :) Our little girl was born even smaller than the specialists were estimating from the ultrasounds - a whopping 3 pounds 4 ounces. I could tell right away that we would be repeating our experience from Ellinor's birth. At least we have an idea of what we may be in for - the experience is not as frightening this time around.

Emrey is currently sun bathing under the bilirubin lights and also gets to nap on top of a bilirubin light blanket. Her numbers spiked yesterday but thanks to wonderful doctors and nurses in the NICU, and a blessing from her daddy, the numbers are steadily dropping back down. We crossing our fingers that this does not take too many more days to stabilize. In order to bring our lovey home her levels have to be stabilized for a couple of days. She is not happy about the feeding tube in her nose, but this will help us make sure she is fed enough. It is hard to see my baby all hooked up with IVs, monitors, feeding tube, bilirubin lights and mask - I'd much rather her just swaddled up and cuddling with me. But I am so grateful for the modern technology and medicine that makes her treatment possible. I know we are truly blessed these days with the advancements that Heavenly Father has allowed us to make.

Emrey was swept away with the Life Flight ground crew to IMC within an hour of being born. I was able to give her a quick kiss and Ellinor got to say hello while she way laying in the incubator transport bed. Poor Ellinor is not allowed in the NICU at all so she hasn't gotten to meet baby sister since. We show her pictures but it is hard to grasp the concept of having a baby when you can't actually meet her! ;) I am super anxious to have both of our beautiful girls together. They already look so much alike!! I can only imagine the fun we will be having with them as they grow up together.

Bryan and I were able to stay at the hospital last night and we get to again tonight. The NICU has a couple of parent rooms available - you put your name on the list if you are interested in staying in one and then wait to find out in the afternoon if it's open for you (based on availability and the situation of each family's baby). Fingers crossed we draw the lucky number again tomorrow - trying to breastfeed means I need to be available to Emrey through the night. Ellinor is doing well with Grandma Carolyn to care for her. We miss her incredibly when we are up at the hospital!! It's already a weird balancing game to play between the 2 girls. I need two of me so I can be there for both equally!! I am grateful for the help of family and we know she is in the best of hands. Hopefully Ellinor forgives us for the fragmented time together these last couple of days.

I appreciate all of the well wishes and prayers that have been sent our way! Thank you to all of you who have been following Emrey and rooting her on. She is a darling baby girl and will be home before we know it! I have total confidence. :) We will continue to post pictures and count down to her homecoming.

Life

A little under 2 weeks until baby's arrival - at least, as long as planned induction at 37 weeks remains. Bryan and I are both ready and not so ready. We have most everything set up and all the basics covered (thanks to this being baby number 2, lol) - it's more the emotional readiness that isn't quite there. Ellinor is our entire world. It is hard to imagine how to fit another little human into that sphere. I know it all works out. And we are excited. Just anxious for different reasons this time around.

My kitchen is looking sooooo beautiful. BRAGGING ALERT - I have the most awesome husband. He has tackled this project like a pro. I also don't mind pointing out that he looks dang sexy while doing the work. :) Yep, he's my hot stuff. I am grateful for such a hardworking man. He does his absolute best for me in everything - I just hope he knows how much I appreciate and love him.

Pictures will be posted upon completion of phase 1 - phase 2 is flooring and island, scheduled for this summer hopefully.

This morning's wake up call at 5am was projectile vomit from Ellinor when I went in to check on her. It was fun. I'm to the point where I just stripped my shirt off right there, cleaned her up and passed back out in my bed. Unfortunately for Ellinor, she was awake every 15 minutes after that with more throw up or dry heaving. Our poor girl - it's so hard to see her that miserable. After a few more projectile incidents earlier today (always while I was cuddling her, to boot) she is doing much better. Still not eating or drinking a lot, but almost back to her usual spunky self. I was able to get her to bed right on time tonight and I hope she has a restful sleep - her little body needs it. Thank goodness this just seems to have been an upset tummy episode - no fever or any other yucky symptoms going on. Fingers crossed for a happy girl in the morning!!

March Madness!

We are going to be having a March baby this year - April is just not going to work out after all. 

Bry and I went to the Perinatologist appointment on Tuesday morning and left with a whole new baby arrival plan. As my doctor feared, baby girl isn't growing as they would like. She is at least 3 weeks behind and looks to have some nutritional/placenta troubles. Because I was already 34 weeks along at this appointment it makes seeing all of baby's anatomy in the womb much harder, so the doctor wasn't able to get as thorough of a look at everything as she would have liked. There are a few other potential problems that need to be watched for and will be tested/examined for once baby girl is born. 

Usher in the next few weeks. I will be going in for doppler, nonstress test, and amniotic fluid testing twice a week moving forward - on top of other normal doctor visits. As long as this monitoring doesn't produce any changes in the readings or show any distress we are planning on being induced at 37 weeks - if something were to pop up before then they will have me deliver earlier. We are still  up in the air about whether I will deliver at my normally planned hospital with my OBGYN, or deliver at the IMC hospital where the specialists and NICU are available. Hopefully that will be decided in the next couple of weeks, as I am willing this pregnancy to the 37th week. 

I guess we are going to be 2 for 2 when it comes to tiny babies. And that is OK with me, as long as this little girl is well in everything else. There tends to be the 2 sided coin in these situations - either baby is completely fine with no negative side effects or we could run into a few different icky things. I am feeling pretty confident that this little one is going to be just fine. She is as active as ever and looks to be doing great, given the circumstances. I feel like once she is born we can breathe a sigh of relief. 

The stress at this point is the worry that naturally comes with anything like this. Already being so emotional these days I am keeping it together just barely.  I am also slightly overwhelmed at balancing these appointments, prepping for baby's arrival, caring for Ellinor and still trying to keep it easy - I've been told to delegate everything possible and focus on resting only. Which is much harder to do with a toddler, a busy working husband, and lots of to-do list items staring me in the face. Thank goodness for a dear friend who is willing to babysit Ellinor for me - Sherlyn you are amazing!! Also, my mom is going to come into town on March 9th! I cannot wait for her arrival. I have been blessed with an amazing support system - my mother-in-law was willing to drive out for a few days and then come back a few weeks later after baby was born, just so she could help out this week. I appreciate the help that I am given.

I was washing and folding baby clothes yesterday (Ellinor is such a great helper - she wanted to put each piece of clothing in the washer and dryer herself) and got really excited all of the sudden. I have been so busy with life and anxious about changes that I haven't really let myself dwell on the fact that I have another daughter arriving shortly. It will be so wonderful to finally meet her. Last night I was talking to Bryan about being a little sad that I only have a couple of weeks left with just Ellinor and I. He understood but reminded me that once this baby girl is here it will all feel so natural and meant to be - like she was here the whole time. Just as it felt when we brought Ellinor into this world. And I know it will. 

On a lighter note - our kitchen remodel starts this weekend. Too funny - we finally order the counters, buy the tile for the new backsplash, etc. and then our due date gets moved up. It always works out like that. ;) Bryan will be moving cabinets and tearing out the old backsplash this weekend in preparation for counter installation next Tuesday. I am so excited! Just hoping this little girl stays put until it's all done. :)

I never posted about Ellinor's actual 2nd birthday. It was really low-key this year with everything else going on, so I feel like a slightly lame mother. We took Ellinor for her big girl pictures, out shopping to pick out her birthday present, and had a dinner/cake for her on Sunday. Aunt Becca and soon-to-be Uncle Nick came down to sing to her and they brought her a present as well. Ellinor sure does love opening presents - she even thinks the mail is exciting to open and Bry has to immediately relinquish it to her when he comes home. Too funny. She LOVED blowing out her candle. I had to keep moving the cake further away from her while we sang 'Happy Birthday' so that the poor flame would last to the end of the song. Though low-key I know Ellinor had a good time - she just loves getting attention from her favorite people and she got to eat cake with her hands. Who wouldn't have a good time doing that?! :) 

We are blessed! We are grateful for our amazing life! And we are looking forward to meeting our newest addition shortly!

Ellinor Update

Ellinor is 2 this Sunday!! I really cannot believe that we've had this little blessing in our lives for 2 years already. We are always told how fast life goes by but I don't think I believed it until recently. Ellinor continues to be the most precious, feisty, and loving addition to our family. She truly keeps us running in circles and stretching - and we love every minute of it.

Ellinor had her 2 year old check up today with Dr. Liddle, so I thought I would do an update post on her current stage.

* Ellinor weighs a whopping 23 pounds (7% on the charts) and is 33 inches tall. This was the biggest jump into the growth charts she has had in her short life, so yahoo!

* This girl is the pickiest eater I have ever come across - it is a constant struggle to get some healthy nutrition into her. But we continue to fight the battle and I'm sure she will grow out of this stage eventually.

* "Winnie The Pooh," "Toy Story," and "Monster's Inc." are current favorite movies. She gets incredibly animated during the rescue scene of the great huffalump adventure and she loves to act out Buzz Lightyear's "To Infinity and Beyond...." Bryan bought her a little stuffed Sully toy that she proudly displays on her bookcase in her room - she rotates between wanting to cuddle with him and not wanting him anywhere near her bed. LOL.

* Ellinor is in absolute love with her daddy. She cannot contain her excitement when he comes home from work and they usually spend the evenings hanging out with each other - after all, Dad gives piggy-back rides and has fun, loud tools to play with. Mom can't touch that kind of coolness. ;)

* She continues to love dancing and now will choose various stuffed animals and babies to dance with her. We are really enjoying watching her get into that imaginative play as she interacts with her toys, talks on her phones, and builds things.

* Our daughter loves to color - she will choose a pen over crayons any day, but is happy with both. She has yet to discover drawing on the walls but I have to watch our books closely.

* We listen to the Disney Channel on Pandora pretty much daily. I have to hide the ipad from her so that she will play instead of watch movies and surf the screens. And anything techy within her grasp is quickly absconded with.

* Bath time continues to be her favorite activity. Given the option she would never get out of the water. We are definitely going to need to look into some swim lessons/classes for her this summer.

* Ellinor is an absolute joy! She loves most anybody around and is a pretty social little girl. I love hearing her yell 'Mommy' when she wants to play or needs my attention and the random squeeze hugs she doles out.

Basically, Bryan and I are in love with our little girl. We couldn't be happier with her and look forward to continue watching her grow. We are excited to bring her little sister home and we just know she will be wonderful with the baby. Big changes and adventures are hurriedly coming our way!

Counters and Teeth

New countertops! Yep - it's finally happening. Bry and I ordered our new countertops tonight along with a new sink and faucet. We have to pick out the backsplash next. We once loved the idea of the glass mosaic tiles, but have since decided it will look too busy with the counters we chose. I think we will end up going with a simple, yet beautiful, subway tile. Hopefully by the end of this upcoming summer the cabinets are repainted, new floors installed and island complete. So excited to finally be moving forward on our kitchen renovation - yays for steps in the right direction!

Also - 7 weeks left of pregnancy. Woohoo! As anxious as I am about the changes this little baby is bringing (and boy, I'm anxious) I am getting excited to move past the pregnant stage. I do love certain aspects of pregnancy - I can feel confident even with an ever-expanding tummy ;), I have that ultimate connection with this growing baby, and the anticipation is exciting. But I'm also ready to start getting back to my old self. Or, as close to my old self as I can get between utter exhaustion and caring for 2 babes. Haha.

Last night I had the same dream over and over again - this because I'm woken up often by various things. I was at a dinner with Bryan and his ex-girlfriends and my teeth kept falling out. Just my bottom teeth - and in chunks at a time. It was awful. We were also out of town in Cali so I couldn't get them repaired. Weird. This morning Bryan and I looked up the dream interpretation of losing one's teeth: insecurity, big life changes, and anxiety over relationship changes were the answers. Apparently I am starting to feel a little stressed about life's developments in the next several weeks. LOL - at least my teeth aren't literally falling out. That would be awful, obviously.

Bring on the next couple of months!!

Rooms!

The nursery is coming along!!

Bryan worked very hard to finish painting the room for me and we have moved some of the furniture in. Time to work on some artwork for the walls and we will be ready - as far as decor goes, that is. :) I love it!!

Ellinor seems to believe she has 2 bedrooms now. LoL. Occasionally she will go into the nursery and want to be rocked - she has even requested to be put in the crib a few times. I oblige, as I don't want her holding a grudge against baby if I don't allow her to explore the room enough. Plus, I still LOVE rocking her and having that time together. As far as I'm concerned, Ellinor can enjoy both rooms as much as pleases. She really is fond of her new big girl room though and is getting used to the new set up. Sleeping is going smoother every night. It's crazy to see how big the changes make her appear - I'm just glad she is still small enough to cuddle close. :)