An Arm Full

Lil, today you grabbed a toy and shook it all by yourself. You really enjoyed the sound it made. So much so that it made you laugh.

It is hard to hear everyone tell me how big you are getting and if I have to hear "she is quite an arm full" one more time, I am going to scream. Where did my tiny baby go? However, I am so proud that you have such wonderful coordination and entertained yourself. If you HAVE to grow up, I am glad you are so cute and so smart while you do so.

Weight Loss

I have really been trying to lose the pregnancy weight, and I guess most would say I have had great success, but it is not the success I thought I would have.

At the end of my pregnancy, I was only 5 lbs. heavier than before I got pregnant. Yesterday, I weighed myself on the wii fit and weighed in at 21.5 lbs. less than when I got pregnant. However, today, I weighed again and I am up to 6 lbs.. Is that even possible?

I am thinking that because I weighed myself first thing in the AM today, the baby had not eaten very much and maybe because I was full to capacity of milk, I weighed more???? Yikes I hope so!

Your Christening

Today, Daddy and I had you Baptized. You were welcomed into the Catholic church in front of all of your family and friends. Mimi & Pop spent the night and we all woke up bright and early. We had breakfast and coffee and then we got dressed. You really did not like getting into your beautiful white gown, but you were so gorgeous. Mimi bought you a sweater that was for a 1 year old. You were swimming in it but it was possibly the cutest thing ever. I put your in your car seat and off we went to the church. You fell asleep on the way, as usual. We got tothe church, the first family there, and the ceremony began. The deacon spoke beautifully and you were quiet/sleeping the entire time. Until it was time for you to be baptized in the fountain. You did not like the holy water over your head at all. It sent you into a crying fit that Daddy & I could not get you out of. So after the holy water, we were to stand up on the altar with your Godparents, Tia B and Uncle Scotty, while the others were being baptized. You SCREAMED the entire time. Not a fuss, not a whimper...screaming. Odly enough, the moment the deacon was done with mass, you stopped.

Afterwards when we got home, and your belly was full, you were the celebrity of the party. Everyone kept saying how gorgeous you were (they always do). Puppa called you her celebrity all day. You were really good for the rest of the afternoon, really allowing everyone to pass you around and stare at you. You are so beautiful my little angel!

One Month

Dear Lilly,

Today you are one month old.

"You are the best thing that's ever been mine"

This past month has been an amazing combination of smiles, tears, sleepless nights and a few of the best moments of my life. You have gone from this pudgy faced peanut who slept all day, to this mini person who smiles up at me. I really enjoy your company. I love how hard you make me work to see you smile. The time we spend cuddling throughout the day is absolutely priceless because I know it wont last forever. The way your little hand has been grasping around my one finger bring tears of happiness to my eyes. More and more when I look at you, I realize how much you look just like I did when I was that little. It makes me so proud to have someone so special remind me of myself.

I don't know if I will ever be able to love someone as much as I love you. You have completely stolen my heart, and I am more than willing to let you keep it forever.

Nicknames - Squeaker, Lil, Lilly Bug, Lilly Girl
Weight - 10 lbs
Length - 22 in

Wildwood

This weekend we left for your first vacation. We packed up your suitcase and got in the car for a three and a half hour road trip to Wildwood, NJ. We are meeting up with Mimi & Pop for Pop's fireman's convention. You, Daddy and I said goodbye to the pooches and piled in the car. We got down to Tia B's college and picked her up. From there on we hit a ton of traffic and a horrendous storm. You were so good in the car! We stopped once for gas and to feed you and continued on our way.

Friday we woke up and you had your first restaurant experience. You, daddy and i along with mimi and pop went to breakfast in the hotel. Again, you did great. Later we went shopping in Cape May. Mimi bought you a shirt and purple sunglasses. You looked like a little rock star! When we got back to the hotel, we went down to the pool. You looked so sweet in your teeny bikini! That night we went out to dinner and to the boardwalk. You did not seem to mind the noise or the fireworks.

Saturday, the three of us slept in, we really needed it. When we got up, we went down to the beach. You put your toes in the sand for the very first time. We spent another afternoon by the pool and another evening at the boardwalk.

On Sunday, we went out to breakfast at the Vegas Diner. Something I always used to do with my Pop. After that, we went to Mimi & Pops house in NJ. There, Mom Mom and some of your great Aunts came to visit. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

A first

Today you peed in my hand! You hate to be naked. Daddy says "lets keep it that way". So when we wash you down, it is a screaming match. We find that if one of us holds you, you take it better. Well, I was holding you and daddy was washing. I guess you got a little chilly because you peed right in my hand and all over the carpet... my little pee monster!

First Doctor's Appointment

We had your first doctors appointment today. You really did not like it at all. As a matter of fact, you peed on his table! You gained 2 ozs. which puts you up to 8 lbs.

These entries are getting shorter and shorter because you require 100% of my time - and I love every moment!

Daddy's Girl

Seeing you with daddy absolutely melts my heart. In all the years I have loved your Daddy, the words "I love you" never really said enough for me. I have been head over heels for him for many many years. Seeing how he holds you, kisses you and cuddles you with such care has me falling in love all over again. You were instantly Daddy's little girl, which is a relationship I wanted for you so badly. The two of you will definitely have your ups and downs over the years, but ultimately, he will be one of your best friends and someone you will always turn to. I love you both dearly.

Birth Story

On Tuesday, August 31, we had sonogram of you, Lilly Girl. The technician told us that you were 9 lbs, 7 ozs. When my doctor found out how big you were, she took me aside and told me of the complications that could arise from delivering such a large baby but that it was definitely doable. After many tears and a long discussion between Daddy & I, we decided to go ahead and have you delivered normally. If something were to happen, they could always do a c-section. They Re-set my induction date from the 6th of September to the 2nd of September, just two days away. That morning, I woke up early and spent the day with Mimi. We had lunch in Warwick, walked around town and bought cute stuff for ya. I called in at 3 as I was told to do to make sure there was a bed ready for us that night. They said to come in around 6 and that they would be ready for us.

I drove home from the lake house and hopped in the shower. It was the most anxious shower I have ever taken, knowing that I would shortly be meeting my angel. I got out of the shower, sat down at the dinner table and had a BLT. I did not want to eat but knew I would not be eating for quite some time. The drive to the hospital was nerve wracking and I was so scared. Knowing all the complications, I was worried that we had made the wrong decision in not scheduling a c-section.

Daddy parked the car and together, we walked to the maternity ward. They brought us right to our room and hooked me up to monitors. Right away, the nurse found your strong little heart beat. Unfortunately, and for an unknown reason, your heart rate was fast. This meant that they could not start the induction for a while. Meanwhile, my doctor never sent over my charts so they needed to do a whole new history workup and blood work. Through this, they found out that the wrong type of blood was down on my chart. Big mistake by my doctor in NC. My Doctor came in to check on your heart rate and discuss the induction. While she was in, she began discussing should distortion with me. She said that there was a good chance that you could have shoulder problems due to your size. Daddy and I did not know what to do. I really wanted to have you naturally but the thought that you could be injured during birth really killed me. We both cried and called our parents and asked for adivce. After lots of tears and talking to a few nurses, we opted to have a c-section. It was scheduled for six the following morning. We set an alarm for 5:15 am so that we could be up and prepared. Mimi and Pop and Mia and Papa planned on being around to say good luck around 5:30am. Daddy and I lay in bed and looked out the window. Our view was of the Mid-Hudson Valley Bridge. It had lights on it that changed colors. We were mesmerized as we both prayed for the following day.

Our alarm went off at 5:15am. When the nurse came in, she informed us that there was an emergency c-section occurring and we would be bumped to 8am. Around 5:45, the grandparents began to file in. They sat with us while we waitied to hear when i would be taken into surgery. When the nurse came in again around 7:45am, she said there was another emergency and we would be taken in around 9. The grandparents went down to go get breakfast and coffee, as Daddy and I sat and waited. Finally around 8:45, they came to take me to surgery. Daddy had to dress up in this white jumpsuit and they gave me a very funny hat. They took me into the room first, alone, and made Daddy wait in the hallway until they gave me medicine to not feel pain at 9:07. The room was really cold and I was very nervous. After getting a spinal block and being laid down, Daddy was allowed back into the room. I was completely numb but still felt tugging and lots of pressure. At times it was hard to breathe, but Daddy held my hand, spoke softly to me and kept me focused. At 9:36, I heard my angel cry for the first time. You had a serious set of lungs on you from the start!! Daddy was asked to go over and look at you, take pictures and hold you. He brought you over to my and I kiss your cheek and snuggled against you. It was absolute love at first sight!!! Daddy and I both cried. I could not hold you because my arms were strapped down. Daddy was able to hold you next to me for a while, then you were taken away to the nursery to get a bath. On your way there, you got to see your anxiously waiting grandparents who were in the waiting room.

I was closed up and sent to a recovery room at 10:23am. I slept there for a while and then Daddy came in. We sat and talked about how beautiful you were and how excited everyone was to see you. (Mimi cried). While in recovery, I anxiously awaited your return to me. When I got you back about forty minutes later, I could not have been more in love. Daddy and I snuggled in with you as we waited for our room to be ready. After 5 hours in recovery, we headed to our room. Daddy wheeled you in your little koozie, and I was pushed by a nurse. There, your four grandparents and Tia B were waiting to see you and I once again. There was a mini war over who was going to hold you first. It was so nice to see how loved you were already! We spent the rest of the day cuddling and our first night together was much easier than I ever thought it would be. It was the most fantastic day of my life!!

Little girl - it is called due date for a reason

She's late. Today was my 40 week appointment. The doctor that I saw today was so complacent. She didn't even want to do an internal. I wasn't having it and spoke to the manager there. All the other doctors I have seen at the short time I have been at this practice have been wonderful - except this boob!

She eventually did an internal and I was nowhere. I had nothin. On my due date - no effacement, no dilation. I am devastated. I have an appointment scheduled for 41 weeks but hoping I will not need it!