Saturday, May 30, 2009

Adeline Pictures

Because it took me a while to figure out how to use our scanner, I am only now posting these pictures. These are from when she was 18 months old (I remember those curls....sigh). My favorite is the bottom right.
2 yo pictures...










Mommy (between wardrobe changes):
"Adeline, where's your belly button?"
YES!!!



Friday, May 29, 2009

Sisters

The first time my girls met, Adeline was gentle and timid.  She climbed in the hospital bed beside mommy and talked about her "baby sister."  She touched her gently and even gave her a kiss on the head.  She didn't want to hold her or get too close.  She was just taking it all in....

Soon she wanted daddy, and then she became more interested in the bus parked outside the window than in any of us in the room.


Adeline has not demonstrated many signs of jealousy.  I try to still give her lots of snuggles and kisses and tell her all the time how much I love her.  She says "Hi baby Camille" every morning.

  Adeline had a fever after we were home for a few days, so we had to avoid kisses with Camille.  One morning while I was nursing, Adeline came in....
A:  Hi mommy
Me: Hi Adeline
A: Hi baby Camille
Me:  She says hi Adeline
A:  I want to kiss her.
Me:  Honey, you are a little bit sick so you can't give her kisses right now.  Do you want to blow her some kisses?
A:  Blows Camille a kiss and then walks closer and kisses the back of her head.  Then to top it off, she nuzzled her cheek next to Camille's soft baby hair and says, "baby sister."

Melt my mommy heart!

For the most part, Adeline has been very gentle.  She loves to give and get hugs and kisses, so we have to make sure Camille doesn't get smothered sometimes.

When Camille cries, Adeline says, "Mommy, get her." or "She needs milk."

If I am playing with Adeline or tucking her in for a nap and I need to check on baby Camille, Adeline never complains.  She says, "okay."  I am amazed by her grace and maturity.  I am so blessed by both of my sweet girls.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Some days...

...are just easier than others.  One of my best friends told me (after her first child) that some days the only thing she got done was taking care of her baby.  I took that advice to heart and tried to remember that it is okay if the checks do not appear on my things to do list every day.  Tuesday was one of those days.  Camille had a rough night on Monday, and she needed held most of the day on Tuesday.  Adeline was a bit clingy too, and I just couldn't get anything done.

Then, God blessed me with Wednesday.  By 9 am I WAS SHOWERED and dressed, I bathed Camille, and both girls were in their daytime clothes.  Everyone was fed, the bed was made, and I folded and put away a load of laundry.  I KNOW!!!  As if that wasn't enough, Camille took a three hour nap in her swing, allowing me to clean up the kitchen and spend some quality time with Adeline (who ate lunch and went down for a nap without incident).  Then, I nursed Camille and took a little nap with her.  I felt so good, Adeline and I even made cupcakes later that afternoon.  It felt so good to have an organized and clean home for Patrick when he came home...not that he complains otherwise, but it was just nice.  Thank you, Lord, for days like Wednesday to make me feel like super mom, and thank you for Tuesdays that remind me whose I am and where my strength lies.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tiny Talk Tuesday



Adeline is talking SO much these days.  I am amazed by how she is using sentences, and she has always had amazing annunciation.  Here are some of the cute things she said recently...

1.  We taught Adeline to fold her hands to pray (because when she was one she didn't understand why mommy and daddy were "restraining" her hands when we tried to hold them).  Several months ago, we tried the family holding hands thing again, and she loved it.  Sometimes, she still automatically reverts to folding her hands when we say, "Let's pray to Jesus."  The other night at dinner, Adeline had her hands folded, and Patrick and I put out our hands and asked her if she wanted to hold hands with mommy and daddy.  She said...

Adeline:  "I'm holding Adeline's hands."

2.  Two days after we were home from the hospital....Camille is fussing in her swing.
Adeline:  (with her head tilted and an "I'm going to teach you something" voice...)  "Mommy, she needs some milk."

3.  Me:  "Adeline, can you give mommy your paci, please?"
Adeline:  "No, mommy, I want to suck on it.  Doooon't bite it.  Suck on it."  

4.  Pretty much anything that beeps, whistles, or makes a loud noise is not on Adeline's happy list.  On a daily basis, she reminds us....
Adeline:  "Lawnmowers are noisy.  I don't like the lawnmowers.  I don't like the ambulance.  I don't like the ice cream truck."

5.  Prayers....Thank you Jesus for...

vitamins, milk, pizza, and baby Camille.   

Head over to Mary's blog to read about more tiny talkers....

Monday, May 25, 2009

The triathletes

Two years ago, Patrick completed his first sprint triathlon.  My parents came, and I encouraged my dad (who is just naturally in shape) to do the race the next year.  He did....and I missed it because we were in Korea.  I told him I would come home if he did it, but then Patrick had to stay longer than we thought, and I didn't want to voluntarily be apart from him for 8 weeks.  So, I broke my promise and extended my time in Korea.  Dad understood.  This year, I was proud to watch both these important men in my life compete.  Here are "the girls" getting situated....my mom and grandmother stayed with the girls close to the transition area where they could see the guys take off and come back from each event.  I ran around trying to get pictures and occasionally checking in with them.


Camille slept most of the time in the arms of my 88 yo grandmother.  They were both happy with this arrangement.

Patrick coming out of the water...


Dad taking off on his bike...


Dad starting the final stretch...the 5K run.

Patrick approaching the finish line (still smiling).

He did it!!!


Congratulations Dad and Patrick!!!  You both trained hard and did a great job.  The women in your life are so proud. 
 FYI...both guys beat their previous times.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Family Day

After Camille's 2 week well baby visit on Wednesday, we took a family day to "the beach"...okay, so it was the Chesapeake River, but to a 2 yo sand and water= the ocean.

One of the main reasons for our trip was so Patrick could practice swimming in his wet suit before the sprint triathlon he did on Saturday.

Adeline loved jumping in the water (once she got past her initial girly fear), and she had a blast getting dirty in the sand.


This little boy decided to come over and play (read throw sand at Adeline and try to pull off her hat).


I guess tonight will be bath night...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

I didn't know...

-  I would fall madly in love with my second child instantly.  I know everyone says you have enough love to go around, and I knew I would love my kids equally, but truth be told, the baby phase is usually not my favorite.  I like when there is a little more interaction....when they can do more than pee, poop, and eat.  But oh my goodness....I could kiss those sweet cheeks all. day. long.

-  God would use a C-Section to point out issues of pride in my life, and redirect my perspective to what is truly important.

-  I would still look 5 months pregnant a week after giving birth....yeah, I remember wearing maternity clothes for a while after Adeline was born, but I am really looking forward to my belly not sticking out as far as my *boobs*!

-...my 2 year old would get a fever two days after we came home from the hospital and thrust me into the reality of being a mom to two (who both need mommy...a lot).

-...how much I would LOVE watching Adeline and Patrick bond with Camille.  Patrick already has this look of daddy protection when he holds her.  He has "daddy magic" that calms her when she is fussy.  It melts my heart.  I'll do another post about Adeline and Camille....

-...Adeline would look like she aged three years after bringing home this little one.  Seriously folks, she's HUGE!!!  What happened to my "baby girl?"

-...and those newborn diapers....holy tiny cuteness!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Camille's Birth Story

I want to remember as many details as possible about the births of my children so I have answers if they one day have questions....as I did for my mother after I found out I was pregnant.  Because the trustworthiness of my mommy brain is somewhat lacking, I need to do this post soon.  There will be TMI for many of you, so if you want the basic version, just read the parts in orange.  However, most of my readers are moms, many of whom love the details.

Patrick and I took a Bradley birthing class before Adeline's birth, and we planned to have another natural, unmedicated birth.  We chose to go with a midwife practice this time rather than delivering at the AF base.  At my 38 week appointment, I was 4 cm dilated and Camille's head was "engaged" in my pelvis.  We thought she was coming soon....almost two weeks later, I still was not having any contractions.  I started having occasional, painless contractions on Thursday evening, May 7, continuing into the morning.   Adeline and I  headed out for a vigorous walk on Friday to try to encourage things.  Later that day, I started having a more regular contraction pattern, but still not anything serious.  The one catch was that I needed to have two doses of IV antibiotics 4 hours before delivery or our baby would need to be hospitalized for observation (I was GBS-positive).  Therefore, we decided to go earlier than we otherwise might have to the midwife practice.  I got my first dose of antibiotics, and we all agreed to meet back 4 hours later.  Patrick and I got dinner and then walked...and walked...and walked.  He was a great birthing coach, and after several contractions, we were able to remember how he was best able to encourage and help me through this process.  My mom arrived at the birth center after Patrick's mom arrived at our house to watch Adeline.  She was there for Adeline's birth, and we invited her to be there for this one as well.

At 9:45 pm, one of the midwives checked to see how things had progressed.  She said my water was bulging, and I was maybe another cm dilated.  However, she spent a long time trying to figure out what she was feeling.  She thought she felt a hand, but wasn't sure.  She couldn't tell what position the head was in, etc.  We decided to do some more walking to try to keep progressing my labor.  My water broke part of the way, and we decided to allow the midwife to break it the rest of the way to help to get things moving.  Now I started having "the REAL" contractions.  I was having very strong contractions for several hours, that later changed to involuntary pushing type of contractions (the worst type).  When the midwife checked me again, she said the baby had a face presentation (as in the head tilted back with the face coming down first, instead of head flexed forward with occiput coming first).  This is not a safe way for the baby or me to deliver, so they made the decision to zip me off to the hospital (a wheelchair ride through the basement halls).  Unfortunately, my body didn't know there was another option, so I was having VERY painful convulsive contractions at this point in an attempt to deliver.  (note...I had about 5 of the involuntary pushing contractions with Adeline before beginning the 3 hours of pushing it took to get her head out....and I would do the three hours again in a heartbeat to avoid those 5).  When we got to the hospital, they were unable to give me a spinal without blood work, so I had to wait to get those results.  After about 1 1/2 hours of horrible labor (my entire body was in tremors), I was finally able to get a spinal and have relief from my pain.  Very soon after, Camille was born via C-Section.  I was sure I was having a boy, so it was quite a surprise to find out I have another daughter.  Her face was swollen and bruised after being smashed in my pelvis for so long....to the point where Patrick thought maybe her mandible was deformed.  However, within hours her appearance drastically improved.

She is beautiful.  Camille Lynn was 8 lb, 14 oz and 19 inches long at birth.  This was the birth that God designed for her, and we are so thankful for the blessing of being her parents.  My recovery from the C-Section has been MUCH better than I expected or than I have heard is the experience of most women.  I was able to walk to the bathroom myself the first day and took a shower the second day.  I was able to sleep on my side in a flat bed the first night (which I've heard is usually very painful).  I haven't needed any pain medicine stronger than Ibuprofen.  I have been trying not to push myself, and Patrick and our mothers have been extremely helpful this week.  Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes.  We are doing well and feeling truly blessed.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Finally...some pictures

This is what it looks like to be in labor with an almost 9 lb baby.....well not hard labor yet.

My mom was there for the birth.

My first time holding my girl...I'm smiling because I finally have no sensation.  You can kinda see how swollen her face is here (especially her lips).  Full birth story coming...


One of my favorites...

Meeting Grandma...


I am so thankful for God's blessings.  How wonderful to hold BOTH of my girls.

Kisses for baby sister (yes, I'll do a post just about the girls meeting)...

Getting some lovin' from daddy.  Sometimes a girl just needs a little reassurance.


Meeting Grandpa (my dad)...


Meeting Grandma (Patrick's mom)...


Awww....
FYI....I came home Monday morning.  Camille is nursing like a champ and doing all the other things newborns are supposed to do.  My pain level is much better than I expected.  I'm trying not to let myself do too much.