Week One - Post Hospital

I was so glad to have my mom and sisters help for a whole week after Kate was born.  I was worried I was only going to have help for a few days if Kate didn't come when she did... luckily I was induced and things went as planned... well close enough.

My mom and sister were a HUGE help.  I can't thank them enough for all they did while they were here.  It was nice having two extra helpers so we could all switch off when one of us was exhausted.  (Especially at night)  We had our share of late/all nighters.  Kate had her days and nights mixed up for the first couple of weeks.  She would sleep pretty much all day and as soon as 11:00 hit, she was wide awake.  Then she had a fussy time between 12 and 3am and that made for some pretty long nights.  Again, I am so glad I had so much help or I'm not sure I would have made it.

We didn't do much besides entertain Trey and snuggle sweet little Kate.  We did however, go on a quick shopping adventure the day after I got home from the hospital.  We left Kate with Jeff (for the first time) and ventured out to the mall, Costco, and Wal-Mart.  I needed to get myself a comfortable nursing bra and we also needed to exchange a few more clothes for Kate.  I think I may have pushed myself a little too hard, too fast, and I ended up sitting in the car for the rest of our errands.  But I do have to say, I was pretty impressed with myself that I was able to get myself ready and out of the house the day after the hospital.  Kate slept the whole 4 hours we were gone and didn't make a peep.  Easiest babysitting job Jeff's ever had to do!

  Here are bunch of pictures from our week.

While I was in the hospital, Grandma and Ashlee bonded with this little guy.

Trey loved having them here to play.

While I was waiting in the car at the mall, my mom and Ash decided to take Trey to see the Chik-fil-a cow.
I think his face tells it all.  He was NOT a fan.

Apparently the closer they got, the madder he got.  I think this picture despite the blurriness, is quite hilarious.

Grandma Wendy snuggling with Kate.

Ash and Kate

Kate's first bath.
She wasn't a fan that first time.  Poor girl was probably freezing!

We got smarter the second time and put some water in the bottom of her little tub.
She loved it so much she practically slept through the whole thing!

 Trey was so sweet with Kate.  He asked me to put her in his crib and then he proceeded to read to her.  Such a cute big brother.

 Just hanging out...

Daddy and Kate.  And the mange. ;)

One of Trey's "I want Mommy" moments.

More Grandma and Kate bonding time.

 My cute little man.

How can you not just love this sweet little cuddly stage!?

Aunt Ash definitely had her share of snuggle time as well.

Trey being a good big brother.  We had gone over with Trey multiple times that he needed to be soft with Baby Kate, so when we brought Kate home from the hospital he would often just come and pat her ever so softly on the head.  It was so sweet.
My mom bought Kate that cute bear in the picture above and all Trey wanted to do those first couple of weeks was make sure Kate had her bear.  Often when she was crying, he would go find the bear wherever it was and bring it to her.  Occasionally I would find it on her head. :)

Unfortunately Trey got sick with a cold the day after we brought Kate home from the hospital so we had to try hard to keep Trey away from her.  I was sad he wasn't able to hold her much that first week.

Trey would sit right next to Ash when she put on her makeup.  He found himself a perfect little seat right on her makeup box.

 Ashlee took these cute pictures of Kate with her phone.

Saying our goodbyes and trying our best not to cry.
Actually at this point I had already lost it, hence the reason why I am not pictured.
I was quite a mess when I took my mom and sister to the airport.  It took me almost a whole day to gain my composure.  Seriously, it was ridiculous.  Those post pregnancy hormones were out of control!  All Jeff had to do was say one wrong thing and I would start crying all over again.  Whew!  Glad we're past that now!

I'm not sure what Trey is doing in this picture but he will occasionally put mine or Jeff's shoes on and try and walk around the house.  It appears in this picture like he is doing some sort of basketball drill.  Wouldn't surprise me if he's already up on his drills!

Stay tuned for Week 2 with Grandma Kathie!

Waiting for Baby

I'm behind on blogging.  So we're gonna do a little catching up.

Remember that time when my mom and sister came to visit and help me with the baby but there was no baby!?!

Well this is what we did to kill some time until Baby Kate made her arrival.

We celebrated my Birthday!!

I can't believe I'm 26.  It's getting to the point where I have to actually stop and think when someone asks me how old I am.  That means I'm getting old.  30 is just around the corner!

My mom and sister got here on Saturday, the day before my birthday.  We decided to celebrate that night by going to Johnny Carino's.  That has been a birthday tradition since we moved here.  I love that place.

On my actual birthday, we went to church, took a long nap, went for a 3 mile walk (just about killed me), prayed that I'd start having some contractions (didn't happen), and had a yummy dinner made by my handsome husband.

He made one of my favorite meals, swiss cheese chicken.

He also made me my favorite cake, which may or may not be funfetti cake.  What!?  It's GOOD!

Jeff gave me some money to go shopping and a laminator.  I have lots of projects I'm excited to use it with.... now I just need to find the time to do it!

My mom and sister were good sports (ahem Jeff) and stayed up late with me playing games.

It was a good day.

The next day we did a lot more walking and a lot of shopping.  We exchanged some baby clothes and bought a bunch more.  It's a little ridiculous when you get 3 girls together to shop for little girl clothes.  You come home with a lot more than you need and a husband who just rolls his eyes. :)

We got a double chocolate fudge brownie sunday from Dairy Queen because a friend of mine swore that's what put her into labor.  (I was desperate.)  My stomach may have rumbled a little from all that chocolate but it definitely didn't put me into labor!

Trey loved the merry-go-round at the mall.  He rode it 3 times and STILL wanted more!  Silly kid.

The next day, (Tuesday) we treated ourselves to breakfast at Pamela's.  You can't come to Pittsburgh without eating there at least once.  It's my favorite.  Their strawberry pancakes are to die for!

After all that eating we had to do some more walking, of course.  So we walked up and down Brookline Boulevard.  We ended at the library so Trey could pick out some books and I wasn't so sure I was going to make it home.  By this point I was really not feelin so hot.  All this walking was starting to take it's toll and this baby was still not budging!  

I went to the doctor that afternoon and that's when I was told I was dilated to a 2+! I'd like to think all that walking was good for something!

Less than 24 hours and Baby Kate will be making her arrival!

Oh Happy Day!

Planking

 Trey got in on the planking action.

 It took him a couple of times to perfect it. 

 This kid cracks us up.

Feeling Lucky

I am one lucky girl to have fallen for this guy...

 He makes me happy.

And if you were to ask my kids, I'm sure they'd tell you they have the best daddy in the whole world!

 

Because they do.

One Month old!

Seriously!?!  Is it already a month??  I know I always say this but I just can't believe how quickly time goes.  I swear it was just yesterday that I left the hospital.  Anyway, our sweet little baby turned a month old yesterday.  She really is the sweetest thing.  I just want to snuggle her all the time and unfortunately I can rarely do that when I have a toddler who demands my attention.  It's sad how much the second child gets neglected when you have another child to worry about.  I remember with Trey all I ever did was hold him, and now I've become reliant on the swing, vibrating chair, etc.  It's a good thing she's such a good baby or else I'd have to figure something else out.  She does LOVE to be held and is usually very happy when she is being held.  I've recently started using the moby wrap which has worked great except for when Trey brings me his blanket, whining for me hold him the same way.  Ha, if only my back were that strong. :)

Some things to note for the first month:

~ Kate smiled for the first time at 3 weeks and now smiles at me all the time.  I love it.

~Just in the past couple of days she has started talking to me a little and making little baby noises.

~She LOVES her baths.  Even the annoying sponge baths!

It makes bath time way more pleasant when you have a baby who doesn't scream through the whole thing.  (Trey hated his baths for the first little while)

~She takes a binki like a champ!  (Well mostly)

I didn't have this luxury last time and now I love it!  Hopefully it lasts.

~Kate isn't consistent at waking up at night but I can't complain.  Most of the time she will sleep a 5 to 6 hour stretch and occasionally even sleep a 9 hour stretch.  Holy smokes!  Her record is 10.  I'll take it!

~Kate likes to be swaddled at night but I don't think she is dependent on it.

~Poor baby got her first cold at 3 weeks.  WAY too early if you ask me.

I don't sleep well when my kids are sick.  I wake up 10 times a night to go check on them, especially when they are this little.  The good news is she has handled it like a champ.  Hasn't been extra whiny and still sleeps good at night.  The poor thing just can't breathe very good! :(

**Praying for healthy kids this month!!**

Kate really is such a happy baby.  I love her so much.  Trey has been such a helpful big brother, I love seeing him interact with her.  He sometimes likes to be a little too helpful and often tries and gives her her binki while she is sleeping.  Luckily she sleeps through it most of the time.  I love being a mom of 2, though it has its challenges, it is the most rewarding thing.

Remember this??

BEHOLD......

THE MUSTACHE.  

Part 2.

It doesn't get more sexy than that ladies!!  Back off!!

In an effort to re-create the senior class pictures from the 70's, these boys decided to grow out a mustache.  

 (Jeff had to be cropped in if you couldn't tell)

And this is the picture that will be hanging on the walls of his school.  Lovely.

Turns out picture day happened to be the day I got induced.  Jeff actually considered leaving me... in active labor... to go get his school picture.  I left the decision up to him.  Good thing he used his better judgement and decided against it... if by chance I had the baby while he was gone he knew he would never live it down.  NEVER. (he was right)

Lucky for me he got to leave the 'stache for another week until picture retakes.  Now he is cleanly shaven and back to his handsome self. :)  Thank goodness!