Sunday, January 31, 2010

Weekend Fun

Jeremy's mom, sister, niece and nephew came up today to visit Hannah and it was so good to have lots of Hannah holders! She is just such a chunk that you cant wait to get your hands on her and those cheeks! Jacey couldnt wait to hold her!
Here are a few pics- I cant believe that 5 short years ago we were holding Jacey that size. It goes so fast! I already cant believe Hannah is 11 days old...I already look back at the hospital pictures! Too soon for that, I know!





This one is random, but I just think it is sweet. Look at those arms!
Exhausted after her photo shoot on Saturday!

On a couple side notes- motherhood brain is in full effect and as I was tidying up this morning I threw my cell phone into the laundry basket and well...never took it out. So I go to reach for my cell phone and realized it was submerged in the washer with the laundry. Cell phone companies know exactly how to get you because they put this tiny dot on all their batteries and it turns red when there is water damage. And all that insurance money we pay each year means nothing when the dot turns red. The dot is red. AT&T doesnt like to give you a decent price on a new phone unless you are eligible for an upgrade...and well thats like 2011 for me. So its back to my old pink razor. Wow. One reason I dont mind is because I am finally upgrading to a real adult camera. A Canon Power Shot SX20IS. So I'm going to splurge on that! I love taking pictures and I love having tons of pictures in our house. So I think this is the perfect little treat for myself because I now have a new subject to photograph :) I just hope over the next 10 weeks I can teach myself how to take a great picture! I should have no excuse!
We went out for our first family dinner on Saturday night. I know, she's just over a week old, but its amazing how stir crazy you can get in the house for so long. Once it gets a little warmer and I can start walking outside with her, that will be better- but I just had to get out! We went to our favorite mexican restaurant and all was a success...she slept the entire time! This week I will be getting out a little more and I am looking forward to it- Lunches with friends, a couple doctor appointments and Im sure some trips to target or babies r us! I hope everyone has a great week!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

supermodel

Hannah had her first photo shoot today...it was so fun! Fun for me at least, she got a little fussy through some of it but I guess if I was only in a diaper forced to wear oversized flowers around my head, I would be too! She did great though, and those pictures are going to be ADORABLE! The photographer did such a great job and was so patient. She definitely understands that during a newborn shoot there are several feedings and diaper changes. I cant wait to post the finished products!
We are hanging in here at the Adkins household....we are doing pretty good through the night and working on figuring out Hannah's schedule. She is pretty good about keeping some sort of routine, eating around 10 pm, 1 am, 4 am and then up at 7. Luckily if we can get her back to sleep after the 7 am feeding, we can snooze a little too. We really cant complain though, she is doing awesome!! And I have to give so much credit to my amazing hubby, what would I do without him?! He is so helpful and wonderful-I couldnt do it without him!!
Tomorrow Jeremy's family is coming in town so his niece and nephew can meet Miss H, I can't wait to see Jacey's face! She is going to love Hannah! Ill have pictures for sure!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

1 week old!

Hannah is one week old today! She does all the things one week old babies do...eat, sleep, and sleep some more! She does sleep thats for sure! But thats a good thing- Jeremy says give her a few weeks and we will be saying, does she ever sleep?!? She has been such a great baby so far, and I am enjoying all my time with her! I love that Jeremy's schedule is slower right now, because he can spend more time with us as well!
One week ago today we were on our way to deliver this precious girl! Although I dont love hospitals I loved lots of moments we had in the hospital. I loved when she was wheeled into our room for the very first time. She was ours. I loved all the visitors who helped welcome Hannah and I absolutely loved the first night in the hospital with Jeremy. He went and got us hamburgers from the cafeteria, and we dined along side our sleeping newborn. It was just a moment Ill never forget. Over the past week, we havent done too much but stare at our little girl and try to get her to open her beautiful eyes! A couple trips to the pediatrician and even an outing to Target! (They had called looking for me! Ha!) Hannah's weight when we left the hospital was 9 pds 3 oz and when we went to the pediatrician on Monday it was 9.1. They wanted us back 2 days later to make sure she was gaining it back and she was 9.4 today. Good News! They said all looks good! She is eating and sleeping pretty well. Its hard to get into a routine or even try to figure out what one is with a newborn but we are learning alot about eachother.
At one week old she is:
Actually holding her head up if you lay her on your shoulder. Not for a long period of time but it is so cute when she does it!
She is doing her sleeping and feeding smiles- which are adorable and even though she has no clue she is doing it, I could watch it all day long!
Her belly button fell off this morning! I was surprised it was so soon. But just in time for her pictures on Saturday because she needs a bath and a hair do!
Thats about all she does at one week old- and I cant wait to watch her grow into those cheeks over the next few weeks! (Although I dont want to wish away my time with her- its been great!)
I feel pretty good- much better than I thought I would after delivering a 9 pounder but we have lots of helpers and it feels so good to just relax with my little one!

Here are some highlights of the past week!

Mom and Hannah- our first trip out

Hannah and Aunt Lindsay!

Ruby meet Hannah- Hannah meet Ruby! (Ruby doesnt like it already!)

One week old! And my eyes are open!
One of my FAVORITE pictures- its just beautiful! My dad and Hannah in the hospital

Saturday, January 23, 2010

the labor of love

grab a snack and get comfy....here we go.
I called Monday night 9 pm, not what I was expecting going into my induction- no rooms available. What? I mean really how many women are heading to the hospital tonight, it wasnt a full moon....so we waited. They told me to call back at 11- still no rooms-now they said they would call me. I knew that meant it would be a long night. Surprisingly I slept. About 5 hours. My phone rang at 5 am and we hustled to get to the hospital and got there by 6. In such an anxious rush there were a couple pictures I missed taking (our house for the last time as just the two of us, a real belly picture- no t-shirt and Jeremy and I under the labor and delivery sign), thats ok- I have it all up here and let's face it, I was ready to meet her. Or at least get started.
We got all settled in our room and after hooking me up and doing all that they needed to do, about 7:45 am Tuesday morning we started the pitocin. 4 hours into the pitocin my doc came in to break my water...however I had made no progress and she was hesitant to go at it with such full force (see we were suppose to be there the night before, giving myself like 12 hours to progress). She hated the idea of forcing something that wasnt and maybe ending up in a c-section (I was glad because I DID NOT want one). So, she decided on stopping the pitocin and starting another drug to make delivery more favorable. This drug has to be left in for 12 hours. Yep-12 hours of waiting. They basically didnt even need to see me until this drug had run its course. Long day to say the least. Noon to midnight we waited. I had been having contractions since the pitocin started but nothing I thought warranted drugs. We waited some more. Midnight rolled around and we started the pitocin again about 1:30 am. Contractions increased and because I have never been in labor I was afraid to ask for medicine because I knew we had not hit a peak yet. After all, I was only 1 centimeter. I knew we had 9 more to go. We all tried to sleep- impossible. Jeremy was amazing- rubbing my back- sneaking me some peanut butter crackers (I had not eaten anything substantial since 7:30 Monday night. Oh wait, I was given a hospital turkey sandwich at noon. Yum). The nurse came and checked before her shift ended Wednesday morning about 6:30 and she said she would say I was 1-2 cm. For real? Talk about discouraging. Our new nurse Betty arrived and I told her we had to have a baby on her shift! For real. She couldnt leave until we had Hannah. Contractions were increasing and so was my pain. I needed something. Betty came and gave me some staidol. To sum it up- its like drinking an 18 pack of beer and a bottle of tequila. Not that I have ever or could ever do that- but Im pretty sure thats what its like. It was awful. I needed something though, it hurt. So I was pretty much in a drunken stuper and passed out through some pretty good contractions. I remember at one point hearing Jeremy say- "that lasted like 3 minutes". Ouch. Jeremy was rubbing my back at one point and I felt a pretty good kick/popping feeling. What the heck was that? It crossed my mind that my water had broken but nothing followed. Then I moved. It was for sure my water. It was about 9 am and Jeremy called the nurse to tell her my water broke. So glad he remembers it all- it was a blur. I was ecstatic that my water broke on its own. I didnt mind being induced but it was great knowing my body did something on its own(well, kind of). Contractions at this point were so painful I couldnt even remember or follow what we learned in class. Breathe? Why bother- I feel like Im dying. Or someone is stabbing me in the abdomen with an ice pick. I just was trying to hold out because only being 1-2 centimeters I knew we had a while. My water broke at 9 am and at some point between 9 and 10 am the nurse checked me and I was 4-5cm. Ok, making progress. Im still hoping this baby is born by 7 pm. The next thing I remember is being curled up so tight and seeing our nurse rolling in the epidural cart. I hadnt even asked for it. She just knew. She knew with my water breaking I would be crying for the epidural. I was thinking I could be patient and wait out the pain (I still had 5 cm), then I remember looking up and crying "Where is she?" (referring to the anesthesiologist). Betty was on it, she was in the room in minutes. I had turned over the side of the bed, with Jeremy in front of me and holding on for dear life. I have been a nervous wreck about this epidural, but I was in such horrible pain it didnt matter. I remember the needles to numb my back and I remember making faces at Jeremy like, yikes that hurts, but it did its job. The IV in the hand when I got there could have been equally as painful. I was just nervous about staying still during contractions but the anesthesiologist assured me it would be ok. She was great, after all she travels with pretty good drugs. Life was good at this point. I even slept some. I think Jeremy was watching the computer screen, shocked by the size of the contractions and that I felt nothing. Around 12:00 my doctor came in to check me. She said she had considered going back to the office because she had a couple patients who were probably not delivering any time soon. Boy did that change, I was 10 centimeters + 1!!!! We were ready to have this baby. Ok, I freaked out. This was REALLY happening and after my water broke- it happened fast! Those nurses work so fast in getting ready for delivery. At 12:25 I started pushing and at 1:48, Hannah FINALLY entered our lives. Amazing. Pushing was was great, I felt nothing as far as contractions go and to make a confession- the drugs were so good I fell asleep between a couple pushes. Jeremy and the nurse had to keep me awake. How does one fall asleep while they are trying to get a baby out? Easy, I was exhausted, famished and remember all that beer and tequila I had?
An hour and 20 minutes later, 33 total hours in labor and delivery, we had our daughter. Our healthy beautiful daughter. I will never forget the feeling I shared with Jeremy. I will never forget the look in his eyes. He ran over to see her and saw all 9 pds 6 oz of our chunky little girl. They sure do have it all down, about 5-6 nurses in the room, all with a different job. After Hannah was delivered they quickly rushed her to the baby cart, I wasnt really paying attention but Jeremy said he noticed the nurses were concerned about something. I figured they would put her right on my chest and Jeremy would cut the cord but that didnt happen. They told Jeremy they were a little concerned she may have broken her clavicle because she was stuck at the shoulders. What?? A baby with a broken bone?! She laid there with her lifeless left arm and I got a little scared. They said they will do an x-ray but there isnt much to do for broken clavicle bones. They weighed her and we found out she was a whopping 9 pds 6 oz! Some of the nurses even commented, "I think she is 9.11", "I think she is about 10". Thankfully she wasnt 10, close but not 10 :) About 3:00 I got up to our room and Hannah soon met us in there. She had to go to the nursery for all her tests and seeing her come in our room was such an exciting moment. She was ours, it was all really happening. They decided not to do an x-ray (thankfully- can you imagine a baby in an x-ray machine?) and they said she had been moving it alot better and they didnt think it was broken after all. Thankfully. So we settled in for our first night with our daughter. We were blessed with lots of family and friends visitng, all who couldnt believe her chunky little body and head full of hair!! Our hospital stay was pleasant (for the most part- you really cant get any rest) but I will never forget the nights we spent with eachother and our little angel. Ill never forget the sound of her cart being wheeled to our room or watching her and her dad cuddle in the corner.
She is finally here. We are all settled in at home and adjusting to life with Hannah. Its been amazing so far. She is our miracle daughter and I cant wait to start this chapter!!!



Thursday, January 21, 2010

Hannah Elizabeth 1.20.10

SHE'S HERE!!!!!!! After 33 hours in the labor and delivery unit (not in labor- long labor story, details to follow!) we have our little girl!!

Hannah Elizabeth Adkins
1.20.10
9 pounds 6.4 ounces
20.5 inches long
A head FULL of dark hair!!

She is beautiful, amazing, happy and healthy!! We are so glad to finally have our little girl!!

Everyone is doing great! Jeremy and I both survived labor and delivery and I have the most amazing appreciation for anyone who can deliver without an epidural...ha! I cant even tell who she looks like yet...she has worlds biggest cheeks so it may be a while! What a big girl!

Much more to follow!

Dad & his girl- first night in the hospital!

Yes- those cheeks are REAL!!!

Monday, January 18, 2010

waiting

I sit here and wait. Its 9:30 on Monday January 18th- Jeremy and I should be driving to the hospital right now. My main concerns were- do I have the right clothes for after delivery, do I have enough outfits for Hannah, did we grab enough batteries and have all the phone chargers? It never really crossed my mind that we might have to wait for a room. And if you know me- I dont really have patience. I realize its a virtue...one I dont really have. Eventually she will come, but one thing is for sure, I dont want to go into work tomorrow! Today was suppose to be my last day right!?! It was a great last day- maternity leave cake, maternity leave lunch out, closing up my computer and turning on my out of office. It felt good. Lets hope they call before 11 and tell me we have a room! So in the meantime, I wait. I wait for chubby cheeks, a round belly and hearing the cry of our little girl. I can't WAIT to tell you she is HERE!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Weight a minute...

this little girl weighs what?!?!?! 8 pounds. 3 ounces. Yikes!!!!! Ok, so the lady could be off- let's hope she is, let's hope she is like a pound off, maybe in the 7 pound direction. Ha! I thought she would be close to 8 but still in the 7 pound range. She is a growing machine!! We had our last doctors visit today...that is weird to say. I have been going every week since 32 weeks and its like a second home. We didnt get to see her little face, it was turned to the side but we only have a few more days before we get to see the real thing!! The ultrasound lady made the comment after she measured her stomach that "the tummy was the biggest thing on this child!" HA! I am in super countdown mode but also trying to savor these last few days. Oh and trying to transform our rotten dog (think Marley from Marley & Me) into a good one. Fat chance.

Here I am at 38 weeks...I dont think I can grow anymore! Only 5 more days!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Snow Dog!

For anyone who knows us, knows that we have worlds craziest Golden Retriever Ruby! She is crazy, I mean crazy! When we first got Ruby we were so concerned with her getting enough excercise that I think she gets WAY to much and now, we have created a monster! This dog does not like the winter (only because she doesn't get to run everyday)- but she would run in -5 degree weather and play in the snow everyday if she could. We had about 3 inches this past week and when she got out- she loved it! I wanted to share this adorable picture of her with a stick she retrieved (ok- more like a small tree!) but to Ruby- this is a stick! She also enjoyed chasing some sledders down the hill behind our house. We had to take her to the vet for all her shots this past weekend and thet vet commented that she had the strongest heartbeat she had ever heard. Yep, that's my girl- she will live forever. Ruby and I have a love/hate relationship so Jeremy jokes that she will live forever- now we know :)



Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Reality Check!

We had my 37 week doctor appointment today and well....reality has set in. Not that I thought I would be pregnant forever (although it sure felt like it sometimes) but you just really can't imagine the moment you will finally get to meet your little one. We learned today that we wont have to wait much longer....unless Hannah decides to enter the world on her own....I'll be induced on Monday January 18th! WOW!!!!!!! Talk about a freak out moment, we were scheduling my induction and that wasnt what freaked me out, it was when she said let's schedule your last appointment. I was like, "wait, what?!" It's like 12 days until we get to meet this baby!! I have one more appointment next week, and if she doesnt come on her own, we will meet her the week of the 18th!! I will go to the hospital around 10 pm and then we will start the process! Reality set in! My mind is racing with so many things we need to do. Finish packing, install the car seat, clean this house!, make arrangements for Ruby, and enjoy the final 12 days as Jeremy and Elizabeth (oh and Ruby!). Should we go to a nice dinner, see a movie, sleep as much as we can?? I have no idea what to cram into the next week! Although, Im sure I can come up with plenty of things! I plan on working Monday the 18th because I do not want to waste any of my maternity leave! And because my mom already has a trip to California on her mind! It would be her spring break-which would be the last week of my maternity leave in April :( So I need all the days I can get if I want to fit it in. We will see! I know how I cringe when I see a newborn on a plane..ha ha!

I checked the mail today and I got the things I ordered from olioh.com. They are adorable! Enjoy! I'll keep you posted on the last 12 days of just E & J!!


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

19 Days left (Maybe!)

We are just under 20 days and I am so excited to be here! Its so weird when you first start the pregnancy journey, 40 weeks feels like it will take forever to reach, then you reach certain milestones along the way- which speed it up a little, but nothing is better than reaching those last couple weeks. I think the last couple weeks take the longest....but at least there is a BRIGHT light at the end of the very long tunnel. Dont get me wrong, I have nothing to complain about- besides the first part of my pregnancy, I have been very lucky. I think for the most part I have handled it pretty well :) Jeremy may disagree! Reality really sets in when you think in a matter of weeks Ill get to hold her, see her, smell her, and kiss her. We finally get to meet our little girl. I have seen profile outlines on ultrasounds for months now and I cant wait to see what she really looks like. (I think she has Jeremy's nose!) I hope she gets his eyes too!
We saw her again today and she was looking great in there. Chubby for sure!
I think Jeremy is getting more excited too. He has been super sweet these last couple weeks as I deal with the fatigue setting back in (in fact he is cooking us dinner as I type!) and I know he can't wait to see her too.
Stay tuned...it could be any day now! I'll definitely be posting a picture of our sweet girl as soon as I can!
For now, here is the latest of her nursery. All we need are picture frames to fill the walls and her bumpers and window treatments. She is stocked on clothes and blankets! We already have a photographer lined up to take her newborn photos. The girl we are using likes to take pictures of babies when they are 7-10 days old! How sweet! Then she will take pictures again at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and a year. I cant wait to see how they turn out! I ordered the CUTEST little monogrammed bloomers from a great website, http://www.olioh.com/. Im hoping she can wear them in her pictures. If I could afford a monogramming machine- I would monogram everything. Yes everything. I was so happy to find this site because everything is so affordable and cute!

I hope everyone is staying warm! I cant say that I mind winter this year because I get to stay home and snuggle up with my girl, and Jeremy works less too!

Yes, I already changed the way we did her name! I have changed my mind way to many times on this room! I think this turned out much cuter :)






Friday, January 1, 2010

Out with the old...in with the new!

Happy 2010 Everyone!! As 2009 comes to an end and 2010 begins I cant help but look back on 2009 and be thankful for all we were blessed with!
A few highlights: Finding out we're having a baby & It's a girl!!, Jeremy's family moved back to Owensboro from Birmingham, All of my dads scans have been clear- no cancer in sight! and we are almost 2 years out from his diagnosis, Celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary, and The health and happiness of our amazing families. Jeremy and I are both so lucky to have great jobs, our families, our health and eachother. He is my best friend, and probably the only person that can put up with me :) I am beyond excited to start this new journey with him! I know he is going to be an amazing father and I cant wait to watch!
2009 definitely flew by, maybe because I spent the entire summer sick as a dog and rarely left the house, or it could be the anticipation of January 2010. Whatever it was, I am glad we have reached 2010. I just know it's going to be a great year! I look back on the past few years and 2007 stands out to me, we bought and built a new house, I got a promotion at work, a new addition to our family (Ruby!) and the best part- our wedding day!! I think 2010 will be even better than 2007 and that will be hard to beat! I know there will be good times and bad times, fun times and sad times, but overall this will be the BEST TIME of our life!
Im not big on resolutions- maybe because I usually end up breaking all of them! (I think I start out every January with a gym membership) but this year I just want to make small goals for myself- hopefully those will be easier than shedding x number of pounds by March! HA! I want to most importantly make sure I am a good wife and always a best friend and number one fan to my husband. I've never been a mother, but I can only hope I will learn to be the best one that I can. (I know I have a good role model!) This will be a BIG year of firsts and I can't wait to experience them all. I can't wait for love at first sight, first smiles, first words and first steps. Our first will be here this month and I have never been more excited!