One Month Old!

Miss Abigail is one month old!  She's such an amazing addition to our family!

~Abigail loves to snuggle!
~She's a champion nurser!  She typically eats every 3-4 hours during the day, more frequently in the evening.
~She usually has 3 awake periods during the day in the morning, early afternoon, and evening.  Each awake period can last about an hour, usually longer in the evening.  She is very alert and loves to look around when she is awake.
~Abby is a great overnight sleeper!  She goes to bed around 10/10:30 and wakes to eat between 2:00 to 4:00am.  She makes a few newborn noises in her bed before going back to sleep.  She wakes again in the morning between 7:00 to 8:00am.
~Abigail slept in our room in a vibrating chair until she was just shy of 4 weeks old.  She seemed to be uncomfortable in the chair immediately after feedings and we wondered if it was from being in a somewhat-sitting position.  She now sleeps in her crib in the nursery.  She continues to make some uncomfortable "newborn noises" after being put down, but not as many.
~A downfall of long locks--pulling your hair with your newborn grasping reflex.
~Abigail enjoys her baths and getting her hair washed.
~She is just starting to "talk" and coo.
~To prepare for Mommy's return to work, we've given Abigail a few bottles.  She did great!

Her one month appointment is next week.  We're looking forward to seeing how much she has grown!

23 Months!

Gavin is growing up so quickly!  Our snuggle bug is almost 2!

~He has cut his last two year molar!  He has a complete set of teeth!
~Gavin has proven that he has many words--when he wants to.  He has said several new words, but won't repeat them when asked and won't always say them consistently.  He continues to frequently state "Did it!" with great pride and "Danks!" ("Thanks") when given things.  Gavin is consistently saying "Haaaaa" ("Hot") when eating and asks for Mommy to blow on his bite of food.  He will also blow on it when prompted.  One of my favorite words: "Mom!"  Sometimes he'll exclaim it repeatedly, which is also adorable.  He'll also call for me, followed by "Where you?"  He'll also consistently state "What?" after you call his name.  Not the most polite response, but still very cute!
~Gavin likes to "count" objects, especially blocks as he stacks them.  He'll give an enthusiastic "Daaaa!" with each one. 
~He has transitioned phenomenally to being a big brother!  He frequently brings her blankets and her pacifier. He'll occasionally give her snuggles and appears concerned if she is crying.  He also likes to "dump" her diapers into the diaper pail.  At times, Gavin, who wanted nothing to do with a pacifier as a baby, has taken Abigail's pacifier for himself.  He has, however, become more attached to Mommy.  It may be his age, having a younger sibling at home, and/or having Mommy at home more often, but I frequently joke that he is my shadow and has started having a difficult time during drop off at babysitter's house.  Both boys have gone to the babysitter's house once a week to give them play time with their buddies and help with the transition when I return to work.
~Gavin has insanely long eye lashes!  I love them!  I've jokingly referred to him as Snuffaluffagus, the long-lashed Sesame Street character.
~I'm not sure why, and would love to foster this behavior, but Gavin loves to pick up!  He does a wonderful job sorting the piles of toys that end up on the floor at one time.  I can sometimes convince him to go from one room to another by asking if he wants to help pick up!
~He's doing a great job on the potty.  He has indicated that he wants to go a few times and will drop everything and run to the bathroom when you ask if he wants to sit on the potty.  You must, however, let him go through his own routine, including getting toilet paper to put in the potty after he's done and washing his hands prior to re-dressing.
~Gavin is a great sleeper and loves his "big boy bed."  After being put to bed, he'll read/entertain himself quietly before heading off to dreamland.  He naps during the afternoon for about 2-3 hours.  He has, however, started wanting to be covered up and will occasionally cry for someone to re-cover him. 

Belly Button!

Abigail lost her umbilical cord stump tonight and now proudly sports a brand new belly button!

This little lady sure does have impeccable timing.  Not only does she flip into the head-down position just in time, but she also looses the remainder of her umbilical cord while wearing her last newborn size diaper with a cut out to protect the stump!

One Week Old!

Abigail is one week old!  She is a sweetheart and a cuddle bug and an amazing addition to our family!

~Abigail had a busy day today!  She had her first appointment with the pediatrician, went to Mommy's work where she was passed around and loved on by many of Mommy's coworkers, and went on her first dinner date out with Mommy, Daddy, and two of Mommy's coworkers.
~She is a great sleeper!  However, she is not a big fan of the bassinet. Her first night at home was spent with Mommy in the nursery recliner.  After attempting sleep in the bassinet on the second night, we brought her into our bed where she slept for 9 consecutive hours! Whoa!  We've found success in putting her in a bouncy seat overnight.  She typically wakes up every 3-5 hours to eat and usually goes back to sleep easily.
~Abigail is still in her sleepy stage during the day.  But, when she is awake, she is very alert and has great eye control!
~Due to her very long fingernails, Abby spent her first week wearing baby mittens to prevent scratches.  She received her first manicure today.
~Abigail's eye lashes are growing longer and thicker every day!  Her eyes also appear to be more blue every day!
~She has an adorable dimple on each of her cheeks!
~We're not doing tummy time until Abigail loses her umbilical cord stump, but she is working on her head control.  When laying on Mommy/Daddy's chest, she can lift her head for several seconds and turn it from one side to another.
~Her hair, while dark, has some lighter undertones and beautiful highlights of red and blonde.
~Abigail is a champion eater!  She's doing a great job nursing!
~She is a very content baby!  She rarely cries and is easily soothed when upset.

Brennan and Gavin are transitioning wonderfully to our new addition.  Brennan is a good helper and likes to kiss her.  He has had a few questions, including why her teeth are red (referring to her gums).  Gavin has also done well with her.  He has given her a few kisses, brought her blankets and her pacifier, and appears concerned when she is crying.

We are very thankful to have the help of Grandma and Grandpa Mealy at our house during Abigail's first week!  They were a huge help!  They also took Brennan and Gavin to Cincinnati, leaving this morning, for a few days of fun.  Uncle Matt came to visit her at home.  Abigail was also able to meet Uncle Will, Aunt Adrianna, Ava, Corinne, Elise, Grammy, and Bob at home on the Fourth of July.

1st Pediatrician's Appointment

Abigail had her first appointment at the pediatrician's on her one-week birthday.  She weighed 8lb 13.5oz, surpassing her birth weight!  The doctor was pleased with her growth and said she's doing great.  Her next appointment is close to her one-month birthday.

Our Time At The Hospital

Our time at the hospital after Abigail's birth was short and uneventful!  After moving to the postpartum room and Abby returned from her bath, she nursed and slept until about 5:30am.  Then, we had several visitors -- nurses, OB intern, housekeeping, phlebotomist, on-call OB, etc.  It was a busy time, but we appreciated that they all came within a short period of time.  We asked if we would be able to leave later that day and were told it was possible as long as Mommy's and Abigail's doctors determined it was okay.

Throughout the day, we were visited a few more times by medical staff, including the hospital pediatrician and nurses to check on Mommy and Abigail.  We had to wait until she was 24 hours old to complete two of Abigail's tests, but the nurses were able to schedule them very close to the 24 hour mark.  We were clear to go home later that evening!

Grandma and Grandpa Mealy brought Big Brothers Brennan and Gavin to visit Abigail earlier in the day.  Brennan was briefly interested in her, but was quickly distracted by the toys he brought with him.  Gavin seemed a bit apprehensive and was not very interested in sitting next to her for a picture.  When asked where baby sister was, he initially started to point to Mommy's belly and then pointed to a drawing of a baby on the wall. 

Abigail's Birth Story

After hearing the status of Abigail's position, just days before our likely induction, we did everything we could to get her to flip -- prayers, giving her words of encouragement, and several sessions of Mommy on her knees and elbows.  I tried to analyze her position.  She felt more vertical, and we hoped that her head was down rather than her bottom!  Not knowing what the day would hold, I was very anxious as we left the boys and Grandma and Grandpa Mealy and took off for the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital just before 6am, registered and headed up to the Labor and Delivery Unit.  I was previously told that I could have a numbing cream for my IV by the OB's nurse, but was told otherwise by the L&D nurse.  Due to my high anxiety and previous unfavorable experiences with IVs, I got a little emotional and then felt silly for getting teary-eyed over it!  The nurses were wonderful, though.  One nurse took a close look at my veins and confirmed that they are, as previously described, "valvely", making IVs difficult to insert.  She got the nurse anesthetist, who was able to insert the IV successfully on the first attempt!  I also have my blood drawn for labs.

6:50am: Dr. Rinkes, my OB, and Dr. Bunner, another OB who delivered Brennan, came to check on Abigail's position via an ultrasound.  Dr. Brunner was there for assistance with the inversion, should Abigail not be in the head down position.  Through feeling my belly, Dr. Rinkes explains that there is "something hard" at the bottom of my stomach.  As she starts the ultrasound, she immediately determines that it's Abby's head!  She's head down!  What a relief!  I'm also 2-3cm dilated and 50% effaced.  Not only is Abigail head down, but I'm making progress on my own!  She explains that I won't need a "ripening agent" for my cervix, but she wants to start with the induction quickly and would like me to stay in bed to decrease the likelihood that our little acrobat will change her position.  My anxiety level is much lower now!

7:30am: Pitocin is administered.

8:00am: Dr. Rinkes breaks my water.  There is a lot of fluid and "light meconium."  I'm 3cm dilated.

9:45am: 3cm dilated, 60% effaced.   I'm starting to feel some of the contractions, but they are manageable.  Time is spent resting, chatting and playing games with Adam, and catching up on daytime television.  My Pitocin is increased frequently, eventually being put at it's maximum dosage.

2:15pm: 4cm dilated, 70% effaced.  Contractions are getting stronger, consistent, and closer together.  Dr. Rinkes explains that she and the nurse anesthetist are heading into a c-section.

2:45pm: Contractions are getting much stronger.  Adam asks the nurse how long the nurse anesthetist will be unavailable.  It was predicted that he should be available for my epidural in about 30 minutes.  I turn down the option of getting Nubane via my IV due to hearing others' negative experiences with the medication.  Contractions continue to intensify.  Ensue much moaning and grimacing from me, and many reminders to breathe from Adam.

3:45pm: Epidural is administered.  The nurse had prepped me as much as possible so the nurse anesthetist could begin as soon as he was available.  The effects kick in quickly, although I'm able to feel some pressure on the underside of my stomach.  It was explained that they don't medicate for the pressure.  The discomfort intensifies quickly and turns into more sharp pain than pressure.  Moaning and breathing reminders return.  The L&D nurse contacts the nurse anesthetist about my condition.

5:00: I'm give an extra dose of medication through my IV for the pain.  The nurse anesthetist explains that it will make me "very numb" for awhile.  6cm dilated, 80% effaced.

5:40ish: Dr. Rinkes checks on my progress again.  She quickly responds: "Oh!  Are you ready to have a baby?!"  She brings in the delivery materials and preps me for delivery.  I'm feeling some pressure again on a small section of the underside of my stomach with each contraction, but it's very tolerable.  I have very little control over my numb, heavy-feeling legs.  The nurse takes my dinner order, fearing that I may still be pushing when the cafeteria closes at 6:30.  I joke with her that I'm quick when it comes to pushing out babies! With my first push, the doctor exclaims "Whoa!"regarding how much she moves, including turning from a posterior position, and there are many comments about her hair. I push for 2 contractions and then...

5:59pm: Happy Birthday, Abigail Lily!  I help pull her out and lay her on my chest.  She's absolutely beautiful!  She is cleaned up and assessed and looks perfect!  Her Apgar scores are 9 and 9.  She weighs 8 lb, 7 oz and is 21 inches long.  Abby is brought to me for skin-to-skin and her first nursing session.  Adam and I fall in love with her immediately!


We stayed in the L&D and delivery room for several hours, as I have very little control of my legs due to the extra dose of pain medication.  Grandma and Grandpa Mealy come to visit and meet their newest grandchild.  Abigail loves to snuggle and nurses for a very long time.  At 11:00pm, I attempt, with the nurses' assistance to stand and walk as I'm growing impatient to have control of my right leg.  I'm very wobbly, but they let us move to the post-pardum unit with specific instructions that I cannot get out of bed without a nurse's assistance.  Abigail is given her bath and we settle in for the night.  She is amazing!



The meaning of Abigail's name:
Naming a child is no easy task!  We've fallen in love with Abigail's name and the meanings behind it:

~Mommy shares her initials with her Daddy.  Abigail also shares her initials with her Daddy
~Grandma Mealy's name, Susan, means Lily
~Abigail means "father's joy"
~We like "Abigail" and it's shortened version, "Abby" although there was some discussion over the spelling of her nickname