One Week With Hannah Bear

Hannah Bear is the name that Dr. Million gave her before she was even born and it has stuck with her, despite our attempts to stifle it from flowing off our lips.  She has blessed us with her presence for a week now and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed her.  She’s a sweet presence in our home and is loved by all.

We don’t see many of these wakeful moments.

So far Hannah has proven to be a very easy baby and we are THRILLED! :)  Because my babies tend to be jaundiced to some degree and I was trying to prevent this, I was feeding Hannah every 2 hours around the clock in the first couple days.  The first night we had her home I either turned off my alarm or set it wrong because she slept for a 4 hour and a 5 hour stretch back to back, and even then the only reason those stretches weren’t longer is because I woke up in a panic and woke her up to eat!  We were very well rested the first night!  This process of waking her to eat continued for the rest of the week, though I improved my alarm clock usage.  Jacob has, at my suggestion, been able to take advantage of her easy nature by sleeping in our guest room so that at least one of us can be well rested.

Sleeping beauty!

Just chillin’

This might not be the most flattering picture, but I think it’s cute.  She often holds her ear with one hand and sucks the fingers of the other hand.  This might explain why her left hear was limp and flopped over when she was born.  Thankfully that has since straightened out!

When you have older brothers, you get to wear blue at night!

The boys have loved having Hannah.  They are constantly asking to hold her and can’t understand why I have to spend so much time feeding her.  They think I’m hogging her all to myself!  She’s definitely popular!

He may just be her biggest fan.

The girl can’t get any peace!

So far, in her first week of life, Hannah has been to the pediatrician twice, the grocery store, church, and to work with me for a few hours.  She’s also had numerous visitors – all the grandparents, Gram, Uncle Jesse, Savannah, and Mommy and Daddy’s friends.  Lastly, she’s survived her Daddy finishing installing the laminate flooring upstairs that he was trying to finish the day she was born.  There was quite a bit of pounding, but we figured it was better to do in her newborn stupor than later when it would interrupt naps.  And now it’s done!

The finished, undecorated product.  The boys loved sliding and spinning on the new floor!

I’ve been a little surprised at just how happy I’ve been this week, despite lack of sleep and general recovery.  It’s been so good to feel good again, plus I’m thoroughly in love with this sweet little girl.  Add to that that my whole family is home under one roof – no school, no work – and I’m a happy camper!  We’ll see what next week brings as Hannah starts to wake up a little bit and we start to become worn down with the rigorous schedule of  a newborn ;)

First home sponge bath!

So precious!

Two Day Doctor Appointment

Because of my GBS status and the fact that Hannah and I only got 45 minutes worth of antibiotics rather than the recommended 4 hours during labor and delivery, she had to have a CBC done soon after birth as well as a quick follow up appointment with the pediatrician the day after we got home from the hospital.  Her bloodwork was fine and she checked out perfectly at the doctor. 

Here are her stats:

Length            16.9 inches           50th percentile

Weight              7 pounds             30th percentile

Head                    34.6cm              50th percentile

We returned for a appointment at 5 days of age for a routine check.  She had gained back 2 ounces, was mildly jaundiced, and doing well overall!

Hannah in her first dress all ready to go to the pediatrician.  This was a memorable moment for Jacob and I, too, as we have never dressed a baby in a dress before.  It struck us both as odd and we shared a laugh at the awkwardness, yet cuteness, of it.

Hannah Has Come!

Hannah made her debut on July 13!  She surprised us a week early and left us scrambling to pull things together, but we were thrilled to welcome her to our family.

There’s nothin’ sweeter than a fresh, wide eyed, slime covered baby!  Especially your own.

Moments after Hannah arrived.   She didn’t cry much and was content from the start.  She was a beautiful slimy mess!  I have to laugh at the exhausted look in my eyes and my crazy hair (that was a ponytail!).

Speaking of hair, long before she was even out, Dr. Million told us she could see dark hair!  I didn’t really care if she was a red head or brunette, but for some reason it was exciting and encouraging to hear that.  I suppose I felt like she was close, for one thing, but I could also start to see her in my mind’s eye.

Soon after Hannah’s arrival, Grandma and Bill brought her brothers to meet her.  They all loved her and took several turns holding her.  It was cute, too, because they were all concerned that I was ok.

Too sweet!

All of my favorite energetic people in one bed!

Day two:I wish this wasn’t blurry, but oh well.

They were trying to get her first smiles :)

First bow.

Ready to head home and begin a life as an only sister!

 

Up to this point Hannah has been a perfectly easy baby, but the newborn stupor hasn’t worn off yet.  We are cautiously optimistic that we have an easy baby!

This go round Jacob and I decided to hold off on having guests at the hospital and just relax together.  Since we only stay 24 hours it has always been stressful to fit in visiting with all the family, resting, feeding baby, and necessary exams.  This time we just lounged around while loving on our baby and napping.  It was pretty nice since we never get alone time.

Next up, her birth story.  Each one has been different.

38 Weeks And Counting!

I had another checkup with Dr. Million today.  All is well and things are coming along.  By the time it’s all said and done I think I’ll have gained the most weight with this pregnancy.  It’s no surprise since I’ve eaten pretty poorly.  I’m not proud of it, but it’s been a rough year and I kinda like it! :)

Well, here’s the stats of the day.  Hannah’s heartrate was good and I’m an “easy 3cm” and 50%.  I’m also GBS positive again, so we’ll be faced with the same antibiotic issue that we were for Joshua.  We didn’t have time for 4 hours of antibiotics with him, but did get a loading dose in and all was well.  We’ll have to see how things go this time.

We are officially ready for a baby in the sense of having what she needs ready.  I’m far from ready in terms of work and projects around the house and she certainly doesn’t have a nicely decorated nursery, but we’re working on those things!

37 Week Ultrasound

Today Jacob and I went for my 37 week ultrasound.  Everything checked out nicely and we got to see some whisps of hair.  Too bad ultrasounds aren’t in color!  I find that I can’t even imagine her, not knowing what her hair color will be :)  All my measurements and her heartrate appeared healthy.  Our visit with Dr. Million was short.  As soon as we were called back, she was called to deliver a baby, so while we stayed there for 2 hours, we respected her rush and tried to be easy and fast for her.  We’ll go back in one week!

Here’s a picture of Hannah’s head that is currently facing downward and pressing on my bladder!

35 Week Appointment

I had a check up with Dr. Million last week and it appears all is well, though I had to get a vaccine and other routine test, but I was brave :)  The baby’s heartrate was between 138 and 142 bpm and my weight and measurements were fine.  She continues to be head down, so we are primed and ready to go…eventually.

We are continuing to stretch out my appointments, so I go back in 2 more weeks at which point we will have an ultrasound.  At that point I’ll be 37 weeks and in the real countdown!  It’s pretty crazy that she’ll be here so soon.  It dawned on me this morning that I’ve been telling everyone that we have over a month, but as of 2 days ago, we only have a month.  Now less!

Except for the purchase of a few basics, we are more or less ready…now that I’ve made a large Amazon order this week, including a car seat, that is.  Now I need some small stuff like diapers and pacifiers and we’ll be all set.  At least we’ll be set to bring her into this world.  To do it well and in an organized fashion requires quite a bit more work and I’m pretty sure we won’t have all that stuff that I had hoped for finished.  I’ve been working hard at my job and Jacob has been working non stop to prepare bees for OH.  He leaves tomorrow for at least 10 days.  Such is life.  She better be adaptable when she arrives!

32 Weeks–The Countdown Is On!

This week I had my 32 week OB appointment with Dr. Million.  Everything appears to be fine and this little girl is cooperating by being in a head down position.  I’m measuring right as I should, gaining weight (perhaps too quickly!  I need to improve my eating habits, for sure!), and her heartrate was in the 150’s.

I’ve made little progress in the last month in preparing for this little girl.  I’ve purchased some fabrics to make some things, but have yet to follow through.  I’ve also gone through the clothing we have, but haven’t yet organized it to know what is still needed.  There’s plenty to do, but I’m planning on tackling it starting this weekend.

The next important task is to solidify a name.  We think we have it.  We have all along, actually, but I’ve wanted to toss around ideas before committing.  Jacob, however, has only ever had ears for one name.  Maybe we’ll disclose it soon, though I think most people already know :)

The next appointment is in about 4 weeks and while last time Dr. Million said it would be an ultrasound, it sounds like that will be put off one more appointment.