Oma!

Now, I am not just saying this because I am a mom... but seriously, what would we do without our mothers?

I am lucky enough to have had a second week of support to help me with my recovery. Margie came all the way from San Diego to help us with Sam and to meet our new little gal. She chauffeured, cooked, chased after Sam and folded laundry till the sun went down. Thank goodness! I hope she got a chance to enjoy her stay a little, even if we put her to work. Thanks Mom! We all appreciated it.

Lunch date at Mayberry's! Complete with burger and milkshake.Daddy and his babiesHanging outA real good shot of our sleepy little monkey with her eyes open for once...

Annarose is doing fantastic, she continues to be such a sweet, calm baby. She rarely fusses and is very content to just sit in her bouncy or bassinet and watch the world go by. Although, she gets a good amount of snuggling in too. It is such a change from Sam, who at this point was becoming very colicky. She wakes to eat anytime from 2 to 4 times a night, but usually goes back easy for me. The Smart Start nurse came out to do a weight check on Thursday and she is up to 6 lbs 1 oz. I can see she is filling out her little newborn clothes a bit nicer now.

Sam is also doing worlds better. He still is cranky from time to time, and is a bit more whiny than usual... but overall his fits are starting to go away and we are seeing more and more of our sweet boy return. I am trying to keep his schedule as close to normal as possible, and this week I could do a bit more with him. I think this is helping. Sam adores Annarose, he croons sweet nothings to her and really enjoys holding her.

We survived week one!

Well, our first week at home was really wonderful. Annarose is a really sweet, low key baby. I am feeling worlds better after this section, than I did with my section with Sam. I felt like I'd been hit with a Mack truck for two week postpartum with my boy. I am still sore, but felt well enough to go home on Sunday to be with my family.

Here is Annarose and Sam getting ready to leave the hospital. He is a very proud big brother. He is very protective and sweet with her.
Our homecoming!Annarose's first bath, she didn't seem to mind it that much. Although, it doesn't look that way in this picture.Her biliruben was a little high, and the doctors had us "sunbathe" her a few times during the week. She must have a little California (or feline) in her blood, because she loved sleeping in the sunshine.Nana Rose and Annarose hit it off like peas and carrots! My mom was such a huge help. THANKS Momma, your my hero.Annarose sleeps like she is still upside down in the womb. She crosses her feet and pulls them all they way up to her belly button. Sammy and his girl.
Mom's last day with us, we got us a three generations pic...I love this one. I think I will frame it up.Annarose got to meet her cousin Ruby! Ruby looked so big compared to Annarose. I know this won't last for too long before she starts to catch up.And, although our Sammy is doing really really good with his sister. He is still a little rocked. I am not sure if it jealousy or more that I am not able to take care of him right now, because of my soreness and limitations for healing. Not to mention, there is always a baby attached to me eating. He has been pretty sensitive, and more likely to come to tears and tantrums. One of my friends said the hardest part of going from one to two kids is the terrible amount of guilt you have for your oldest... I find this statement to very true. My heart hurts for how hard it has been for Sammy to understand why things feel so different. After all, he is still my baby too.That's it for now, Oma arrived last night and she will be with us for the whole week. Sammy is very excited for her to play with him. I think we may work on his Halloween costume while she is here.

Annarose Eileen Fielden

Our little beauty arrived in style on Friday, September 10th at 1:20pm. She was 5 lbs. and 15 oz., 19 inches long and simply perfect. Her name is Annarose Eileen, her name comes from a combination of my dad's two favorite ladies my mom and his mom. She came by C-section as expected and it is a good thing too, she had that cord wrapped around her little neck not once, but two times! The doctor said this was why she was breech and also why she never moved her position.

I was really nervous on Friday morning, all of sudden it hit me what was about to happen. I hadn't really put alot of thought into the whole operating room "thing" until we got into the car to head to the hospital. Then, we ended up waiting around for longer than expected (on an empty stomach) and by the time I went in, I was really nervous! It all went smooth, Annarose took a little longer to get out than normal... she was stuck. Dr. O'Keeffe nicknamed her Miss Sticky. The first glimpse I got, was of a little blue foot that popped out and then shortly after came the rest of her. Here are a few pictures from the big day!

Proud Poppa

Our first family picture!

Very Proud and Protective Big Brother

Meeting Nana, her namesake!

Uncle Hamp and his "Hampette"

Aunt Holly

It's Go Time

Sam said his good-byes to "us" this morning before heading out to school with Daddy. I am very excited to meet our little angel! She kept me up most of the night, I think she is cooked and ready to meet the world.

We should have some news to share this afternoon. I go in for pre-op prep at 10:30, and should be in surgery at around noon.

39 weeks

Here we are, hitting the home stretch. I can't believe in just less than 48 hours I will be holding my new precious daughter. In spite of loss and tragedy, this is proof that life indeed does continue on... I have been filled with anticipation, and am really busy preparing for her arrival. Everyday my "to do" list grows longer, faster than I can check things off.

Mom is here helping me get my "last minutes" done.

I am tired. Sleep has been tough, discomfort and head full of "stuff". I haven't been hungry at all, and at times am a bit nauseous. Everyone was a little concerned about my weight gain, or lack there of... it kind of leveled off and I haven't put anything on in the last few weeks.

My doctors appointment on Tuesday went great. She is doing really good. Her heartbeat was strong, and they say she is up to about 5 and a half pounds. Small, but healthy. She is measuring in the 4-5th %, sound familiar?

In other news, Sammy started school today. He was very excited to get back to it, and enjoyed all the playing he did with his homegirl Lauren.

Cody and I celebrated (or should I say quickly acknowledged) our 6th year of marriage. Hopefully, we can get away tomorrow night for a few hours to spend some time to reflect on our beautiful life together and prepare for the oncoming excitement (ie. chaos) that a newborn brings, lol.