Look Ma, I'm All Eyes

These are the first photos of Addy with her eyes open. She just gets cuter and cuter. (and no, I'm not at all biased. Why do you ask?)

A Perfect Angel

Remember in the last post I talked about Addy crying in the night? Turned out to be a very temporary thing. By her second night home, Addy was sleeping day and night, waking every three hours or so to eat and then going right back to sleep. She'd cry a little if food wasn't immediately forthcoming, but once Mom had her, she was perfectly content. Oh, and she cries when her diaper comes off - not when she's wet or messy; just when the air hits her bottom. She definitely doesn't like that feeling.

She's absolutely perfect. Perfect hands and fingers (long and slender), perfect feet (long monkey-toes, just like Uncle Gary; her toes are easily as long as her fingers), perfect ears, and perfect face. And perfectly lost in her carseat. I realize I may be just a little biased, but isn't she the most perfect baby you've ever seen?

Such a Pretty Baby

Addison is an absolute angel . . . . until about 10 pm. Since Mom was working the p.m. shift when she was pregnant, Addy seems to think being awake and alert from midnight until 3 or 4 in the morning is the norm. And the only thing that makes her happy is laying on Daddy's chest, sucking on Daddy's pinkie finger. During the day, she sleeps and eats and . . . well, you know what else she does (in abundance!) But at night, she wants her daddy. We're having trouble getting new photos into the computer. Soon, we hope to have more photos.

Addy & Daddy

Addy's first (but certainly not last) portrait.

She's Here!

Addison Grace, born November 21, 9:31 p.m. (CO time), 6 pounds 15 ounces, 20" long. Mom & baby are doing very well. Poor dad's exhausted. Pictures tomorrow!

Soon . . . .

7:00 p.m. (PST) - Rachel's water broke (finally) but she's only dilated to 6. The epidural has taken hold, so she's feeling better. The doctor says this could still go on for awhile.

Come on, Addy! November 21 - rather than the 22 - is a good day to be born.

Soon

3:30 pm (PST) - Contractions are now 2-3 minutes apart & lasting about 40 seconds each. And Rachel is definitely feeling them. The doctor will be back to see them again in about an hour. She estimates this could go till midnight or later; Rachel says not. Emphatically.

And We're Off

9:30 a.m. (PST) - The doctor had to call in a specialist to get the IV in Rachel's arm - darn those tiny veins - but the inducement drugs have started their magic. The fetal monitor shows contractions, but Rachel still isn't feeling them. (Did I mention she has a very high pain threshold? I think that's a good thing in this particular situation.) Cell phones don't work in the birthing center (duh. I bet they did that on purpose) so we can't get updates unless John goes out in the hall. And I'm sure both he and Rachel would rather he be in the room with her.

So now we wait.

Or Not

3:30 pm (PST) - Rachel just called and is on her way home. The hospital staff monitored Addy & decided she is doing fine. Rachel's blood pressure came down and stayed steady. Rachel said she was having contractions - according to the fetal monitor - but she didn't feel them and they weren't getting closer together.

Since it was late in the day, the decision was made to send them home. Addy's entourage will return to the birthing center at 7:30 tomorrow morning and, provided Addy doesn't take things into her own wee hands tonight, labor will be induced. With any luck, Addy will make her appearance sometime in the next 24 hours or so.

Please keep Addy's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Today's the Day

10:45 am (PST) - Looks like today's the day for Addy to make her appearance, whether she wants to or not. At this morning's doctor visit, Addy was a little sluggish and Mom's blood pressure was a little high, so they are off to the birthing center where Addy will be persuaded that today is the perfect day to celebrate her birth.

Please keep Addy, Rachel & John in your thoughts and prayers today. Any happy, healthy vibes you can send their way are very welcome.

Nope, Not Yet

At today's appointment, the doctor was amazed that Addy hasn't made her appearance yet. Rachel is 80% effaced and dilated to 2. The next appointment is Monday, and if Rachel makes it to that one, they will discuss when to induce labor. Rachel says that, one way or another, Addy WILL be here for Thanksgiving.

This may be the last argument Addy's Mom ever wins. Hope she savors it!

Yarn Tails Tags:epscraps

Not Yet

Mom stopped working on Saturday. Dad's paternity leave started Friday. The doctor is back from her weekend vacation. The nursery is finished. Mom had one contraction early this morning, but nothing since then. Everybody's just sitting around, waiting for Addy to make her appearance. Come on, Addy - we want to meet you.

Closer and Closer

Addy is still comfortable and in no hurry to make her grand entrance, according to the doctor. Rachel is dilated to 1; 50% effaced; and Addy has dropped a little more. The doctor is holding with her prediction of Addy arriving within 2 days of her due date, November 12.

Hang in there, Addy. November 13 is coming up fast!

Yarn Tails Tags:Baby, epscraps

Doctor's Visit

Addy's mommy went to the doctor this morning and all is well.

The good news is that Addy has dropped a little; other than that, things are status quo.

The bad news is that the doctor is going to be out of town November 10, 11 and 12 - which just happens to be Addy's official due date. I'm sure there will be another doctor available if Addy decides not to wait for November 13 (the date her grandmother chose in the name-the-date contest. And her grandmother loves it when she's right.) but it just won't be the same for Rachel & John. You spend months getting comfortable with a specific doctor, learning how they do things & them learning how you want the birth to go. To have a change in doctor on one of the biggest, most stressful (and joyful) days of your life is just nerve wracking. So, who said doctors get to have a personal life??

Hang in there, Addy. November 13 is the perfect birth day.