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)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Emrey Rae Foster!
Emrey is here! We are so excited to have this little angel with us!!
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.
 |
| 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.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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!!
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!!
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