We are fine

I didn't really know what to title this honestly.  Our Christmas was wonderful until the evening...  We were driving home from Pete's parents house and I was on my cell phone talking to my Mom about our impending snowstorm, Christmas, etc.  Pete was driving- I was not driving and talking on my phone.  Another car tried to make a left hand turn right in front of us and we hit the car, nothing really else we could have done.  We were going 40 to 45 miles per hour and we hit another car.  Pete doesn't speed, Pete has been jokingly called Grandpa driver.  Thank goodness my husband drives like that.  We are fine.  Pete is very sore and has a nasty cut and bruising on his legs.  Celia has a bruise/ brush burn on her neck from the seat belt.  Audrey has no mark what so ever.  I have seat belt bruising and bruising on both knees, along with a sore foot.  Our car is definately totalled.  If you saw it, you would know why we are amazed that we escaped with the most minor injuries.   I told Pete shortly after the accident "We have good carseats".  I repeated it a few times.  When you crash into something going that fast and your carseats don't budge at all and your infant barely feels it, you have good carseats that are installed properly. 

Our airbags did not go off and we are confused as to why they did not.  The firemen were asking about it but honestly said we are likely glad that they didn't.  But we need to ask Mazda about it!  So this week will be spenting getting ourselves checked just for reassurance at the doctor and getting a new car for Pete.

Thank you to the volunteer fire company who arrived literally minutes after the accident.  We are very lucky.

Blog Card

Merry Christmas

Well Celia was up this morning a little bit after 5:20 despite going to bed after 9 pm last night!!  Pete is on the couch with her right now.  He is dozing and Celia is glued to Princess and the Frog.  Audrey is currently asleep in the sleepy wrap.   She is well past a need for a diaper change however, I risk leaks to keep her calm!! 

Celia asked Santa for a star.  We were definately not sure if he understood the request because it is quite unique.

Well he understood her completely and Celia was thrilled.  She received two star wands and another one that she can make.  She has already decorated part of that one!   She also received a scribble and write from Mommy and Daddy.  Oh and some dresses and new pjs from Santa.  She got three dresses.  In her stocking she received a new princess notebook, tights, mittens, and a headband (Mommy finally found a wide headband at Joann fabrics and ironed on a cute flower).  She made out well.  She was super excited.

Audrey made out equally well with her stocking- two pairs of socks, a 3 month fleece outfit, and some special Aveeno bodywash.

1 Month Old

Miss Audrey- you are 1 month old, hard to believe!!

Stats:
Height:  21 inches- 50th percentile
Head- 14 inches- 75th percentile (thank Daddy for that)
Weight- 7 lbs 2 oz- 2 to 5th percentile (heavy weight champion, right??)

The doctor said you are doing awesome and no worries. 

What you are doing.  You starting opening your eyes a bit more in the past week or so.  You enjoy spending your day in the sleepy wrap or the moby wrap.  I think that you believe you are back in the womb honestly.  In fact a few times this week when you saw Mommy pull the sleepy wrap out you stopped crying for a few seconds, almost to say "Ahh... you know what I want!".   Sleeping at night stinks.  You believe that you should be held at all times at night and that isn't going to happen.  Mommy is noticing that the more time you spend being worn during the day, the better you sleep at night.  However Mommmy does need Audrey breaks no matter how much she loves you.  Oh and you are giving Mommy a big head because you most certainly prefer me.  You sometimes will calm down just when I take you from someone else's arms.

You are still fitting into your preemie diaper cover and your preemie prefolds.  Mommy is thinking that your output is getting so that we might need to retire them soon for something more absorbant, but they still fit!  Your one disposable that you wear a day is newborn size and finally fitting you well.  In clothes you are starting to fill out your newborn clothes, but far from 0 to 3 months clothes yet.  However some of your fluffy diapers might make it necessary to move up a size in onsies or some other clothes.  Mommy's favorite outfit on you- your striped shirt with the rose on it and pink stretch pants. 

Mommy's favorite events for you- your smile.  I don't think that you can fully control it yet but we have seen a few good smiles and you are so super sweet.

Okay- that is your 1 month update my dear!!

First Bath

Audrey had her first bath and it went as expected, she hated it.  Absolutely hated it and told me about it until she was able to nurse.  I thought it would exhaust her for a more restful night, yeah right!! Okay, actualy she did sleep 2 hrs straight in her moses basket, improvement I guess.  Of course it took a lot to get her in there!  We were then up of course from 4 on and had some extra sleep between 6:30 and 8:00.  At 8 am now she tends to wake up for a bit. 

In the end looking up at me, screaming as if to say "What the beep was that?  How could you?"

I almost left the red eye in, as it really tells more about the sounds she was making.

No pics of Celia this time around, but next time!

Pictures

Audrey is 2 1/2 weeks old, hard to believe.  I am not getting a great deal of sleep at night because Audrey wants to be held most nights and I can't sleep that way!  I am trying to figure something out.  Currently I get my most sleep between 8 and 10 when Pete has her at night then I get 30 to 60 min. between 2 and 3 typically.  Some lucky nights I do get 3 hours, but that is not typical!!  Audrey sleeps though, just only if I am holding her.  So I get "rest" just not sleep! 

Audrey hates diaper changes!!  I don't know why, but I love this photo.

Longwood Gardens

Celia drew this!! 

The foot is up a lot, not sure why..

5 Days

The last 5 days seem to be so busy that I don't feel like I have had time to fully relax.  Today Audrey decided that not only would she nurse of and on from 10:30 pm to 3:30 am (then up at 4:30 again) but she would do that also from noon to 4!  My hopes of catching some sleep were dashed because we had a weight check for her in the morning.  But somewhere I must be getting a little bit of sleep because I am not completely useless...  In anycase she is holding steady at 6 lbs 1 oz, we are hoping to see some upward trend in the weight by Thursday.  She needs to learn not to fall asleep after 5 min. of nursing, she won't wake up despite all efforts.  The one thing that wakes her up is to put her down, then she realizes 10 min. later that she isn't still nursing.  She will learn, it is only day 5!!  But somehow she needs to at least give me 1/2 hour of sleep in between feeds at night, an hour would be even better!!

Celia is not reverting back to baby behavior like some kids do when siblings come, she is instead declaring that she is basically an adult- she is now 4.  We are reminding her that all though she is a big girl, she is still 3.  Last night she became really mad at Pete and plopped her self down in front of my Mom and started counting on her fingers how old she thought she was- 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.   She has an attitude and after things calm down I have got to deal with some back talk that is happening, but for now we are giving her a bit of a grace period.  She is awesome with Audrey though, we haven't really seen jealousy and she is very interested in her.  Funny thing though someone told me that when you have another one your oldest looks so much bigger. Well for me it is the opposite, she seems like such a baby to me, even though she is declaring herself all grown up.  

Celia at her Thanksgiving show

Introducing.....

Audrey Marie

6 lbs 8 oz
19 3/4 inches

Arrived at birthcenter at 6 am, checked around 6:15 and was 6 cm and delivered at 6:45.   We made it inside!!  From cramp to delivery was around 3 hours.  Last time I didn't know those minor cramps were contractions.  2nd time around, luckily I knew- otherwise it could have been a car or home baby!!!  We were home around lunch time.  It is good to be home so soon, at least for us.  We are adjusting well, she was just in time for Thanksgiving!!!

Oh and Celia had her school show this morning.  Unfortunately Mommy and Daddy missed it!!  I wanted to post a picture but blogger isn't letting me at the moment.  She did great and has been a very good sister.

I am not overdue, not overdue...

That is what I keep telling myself, 42 weeks is considered overdue so as I chant in my head "I am not overdue, I am not overdue".  However I expect to still be preggo on black Friday sadly, no sign of anything.... 

Just don't talk about it with me if you see me, I know I am still pregnant.  I don't need to be told that I look bigger etc (even though I actualy lost 1 cm of belly because she is so stinking low), I don't need to be told I look tired.  Just an FYI...

nope

She's not here!

For those of you checking

40 weeks, 2 days- no baby, and no sign of her!!

40 weeks, 1 day

Okay so I said I wouldn't be blown away if I went past my due date-but I didn't say happy about it!!  She is cozy in there I guess, but I can't imagine there is a lot of room.  Celia was 5 days early so to me this is ridiculous but it happens and it isn't uncommon at all.

I have had several people invade my privacy lately by asking me how far dilated I am.  I just look at them, like what???  Although when good friends ask me that, I am okay with that but when someone who I only know very casualy asks me that I get a little creeped out.  In anycase, my midwives don't check- so i have no clue nor does it matter!! 

I had a midwife appointment yesterday and she was very sympathetic which I was surprised because I really just thought that she would go with the whole natural philosophy "she will come when she is ready, so deal with it".  But it was a very nice visit at least and I have an appointment on black Friday for a non-stress test and 41 weeks appointment.  41 weeks... I should have a 1 week old by then!!! Guess that is not going to happen.

Atleast I am not waddling around uncomfortable, just a little more tired then usual I guess but I am not sleeping well.  I am not sleeping well for no apparent reason either, not uncomfy just can't sleep!!  I am measuring 2 months behind in my belly and I am guessing the baby is closer to 7 lbs, midwife's guess is closer to low 6 to mid 6.  We will see!!  Hopefully soon, but all bets are off at this point.  I am thinking today is not the day as nothing feels different.

Still hanging in there

I am 39 weeks, 2 days and this is around the time that I went with Celia.  I have no illusions that I could go past my due date, even by two days so how far along at this point doesn't really matter!!  I have caught a slight cold/bug or something and am tired and have an achy throat.  Hopefully something that can go away with rest.  Celia has a tiny cold so perhaps that is what I have.

Check out the Little Home blog, she is talking about Christmas gifts that last through time.  There is a link to another blog too. 

My input, it seems like the more simple things are the best. 

Books- always great and now that Celia has a new bookshelf, I am game for more books!  But I am a huge fan of the library.  Honestly I think that is a great resource and the trip itself always seems like a treat for Celia.  Some of our favorite books are the Arthur series, David Shannon books, some Dr. Seuss books, and recently the youngest little house series.

Dolls and doll house- Celia is very into her dollies but whether they are pricey or cheap, it doesn't seem to matter honestly.  We have not given her any very pricey doll but she does play with a doll that I had as a child and that one I think was a bit more pricey then my parents typically spent.  The doll has held up very well, so who knows??  She also likes the Magnetic Dress up dolls by Melissa and Doug.  She uses my wooden doll house and a plastic doll house that was a handme down.  Her doll house furniture box is filled with items from yardsales and treats from Mom Mom.  Yardsales are great resources for these kind of items.

Containers of any sort-  Celia loves bags, purses, trunks, anything that you can put things in!  She literally has spent an hour stuffing and unstuffing junk into these items.

Play food- that is hit or miss here but when she does play with them it is pure enjoyment.  I love the Melissa and Doug wooden food but we do have some plastic food that was in the throw away pile at my school last year that I snatched.  It is a huge tub of it.  Free is nice!!  Celia also steals my measuring cups and spoons.

Household items- Celia will play with cloth diapers, dust rags, cups, spoons, paper, etc.  Celia will spend a lot of time just playing with random things.  Honestly.  I think that if we had no toys at all she would still have a blast!

Stroller-  We have this stroller.  It was given to us by Celia's grandparents and she loves it.  In the beginning she tried to sit in it and roll around with her feet.  So she broke the seat a bit, but I attached some elastic to the bottom and all was well.  It has lasted and it is still working well.

Crafts-  Celia likes scrap paper, scissors, glue, etc.  Crayons and paper are truely entertainment

Trucks and Cars aren't just for boys!  Celia loved cars and trucks, even before age 1.  We discovered this soft rubber trucks and cars from Tonka early on and she still occassionally plays with them.  We typically got them at Target and they entertained her for quite sometime.  Even at age 3, I catch her taking them out of the drawer and lining them up.

Puzzles and Games- Hi-ho cheerio and Go fish are our current favorites

Okay, that is my list!

Pictures

I did not dress up this year and I am horrible at doing hair, so that is the best I did for Celia's hair.  I wanted to put it all up in one blonde puff like Tinkerbell... but couldn't figure that out!!  I think that I need to invest in a stack of thick headbands!  In anycase, there is a 37 week belly shot, not much has changed in a week!

No Way

So I will be 38 weeks on Friday, it can not be.  When I started out the school year I thought, okay no big deal, I will definately have a few months of lesson plans for my Sub.  Now it has dwindled down to, hmm... I wonder if I will have time to leave my wonderful sub any information, you know a paragraph or something about my 5 little guys- soon to be 6 in January.  So little one, if you could please stay in until 39 weeks and give me just a little more time that would be absolutely awesome.  I have my last IEP meeting tomorrow and I have to get that IEP out in the mail, another one too-but not anything I can do until it is approved.  I have most of my report cards done, the ones that I can get done are done.  I have finished my literacy data collection that was due this week.  If I make it to next Friday,  I plan to do some of the testing for my sub before I leave- it is supposed to be for the whole month of November but some of it can be done at the beginning!  So things are done, but just not sub plans- just when I think I have time I realize 10 million other things that are due.  Life will go on though if this little girl decides to come sooner then I think.

On the homefront, the nursery is fairly well established with a crib in it and the moses basket is set out, plus a borrowed pack n play in case we decide to go the route.  The closet is filled with clothes, cloth diapers are in drawers, some disposables are set out ( don't know if I will be brave enough to start the cloth diapering the first week, just primarily because they are so tiny in the beginning).  A bag is in Pete's car, but really not sure if everything is actualy in the bag!!  The carseats are in Pete's car.  We had to fix Celia's carseat because there was an issue so that was a chore.  But Pete got on the computer and found directions for installation, that we had lost and we installed it and it is not budging!!   Now the baby carseat in my car evidently needs a locking clip to prevent tipping, so I am going to fool with that Friday or Sat.

Okay, boring stuff!!  There is a concern that I am still carrying a peanut of a baby.  They are very concerned about her size despite a good ultrasound that we had a few weeks ago.   At that time it showed that her birth weight would like be in the 6 1/2 lb range, maybe less, maybe more.  The midwives feel that she just reached 5 lbs now.  We will see who is right, I think she will be 7 or more lbs to prove them all wrong!!  I am measuring 7 1/2 months and yes I am 9 + months but with Celia, that is as far as I ever got.  It is just the way I am built.

So this is a boring post, I just wanted to update and let you know that I am still around, no baby yet, will definately let everyone know!! Celia is still all spunk and giving us a hard time on some days.  My Mom is coming Sunday to stay for the long haul and I think Celia is excited about that.  She wanted to stay home from school yesterday and stay in her jammies all day.  I told her she could plan a day like that next week with Mom Mom.  She was very, very, happy to hear about that!! She does love school, we have just had some sleepy and grumpy mornings!

Carrie

Celia's 3 Year Old Check Up

Okay Celia's stats:

Weight 31 1/2 lbs (so 32)- average
Height 36 inches- short (20%)
Blood Pressure: 100/68 (Average is 105/60)- I don't think she is hypertensive, however she causes it

Concerns from the Dr- that she might not be able to express her needs effectively with language- that was a complete Joke.  Celia wouldn't let the Dr. talk for the first 5 minutes.  She told him about visiting the Dentist in August, that she took her green toothbrush on vacation to the beach and the green toothbrush is buddies with her purple toothbrush.  She told him that Daddy likes him best out of all the doctors and that they talked about him.  She told him a bit about school, sung the ABC song (upon his request), told him that she threw her diaper at me when I was making her wear them at night.  She said that she didn't need them anymore but that I kept making her wear them.  Okay, didn't realize she was bitter about that!!  How would have thought that at age 2 she didn't need her cloth diaper at night, but she will get over that.  So absolutely no concerns on the language department at all.  He said her language skills are far advanced- I know that but it is always nice to hear!! 

Actualy there are no concerns at all!!   No shots were required so that was nice.   Honestly, shots are so much easier now that she is older.  I had to tell her that I really didn't know if she needed a shot or not prior to the visit.  She was actualy okay with that!  Of course once I told her the good news she was ecstactic.  So overall a good physical appointment.  I am sure we will have her in there soon enough again, the cold/viral season isn't yet upon us.

So Pete and I decided that Celia needed more activity- we put her to work helping with lawn work.  Okay kidding.  That is at a local Garden that my Father In Law gave us a membership too last year.  Celia and I have been there so much starting last Spring and then in the Summer, and now in the Fall I think we have already been at least 3 or 4 times even since School started.  We love it!!  They had an awesome Pumpkin and haystack exhibit for the kids.  Celia also loves the train display.  Here are some more pictures.

The following are images of her reaction to the trains- mesmorized!!  We went one day and it was raining and the big trains were not out, just a little Thomas train.  Well she was so excited to see the big trains out this time.

 You can't see it very well, but this is her super serious face

Fall Afternoon

Honestly have you ever seen anything more gorgeous??

 

We spent most of this afternoon (that is when we got home from school) outside playing with a ball and this box.  It was fun and Celia did not want to come in.  So she hung out some more on the deck with the box while I started dinner (kitchen is connected to the deck, don't worry I had my eye on her)



Celia insisted I take a picture of the sun, here it is.  Maybe she wanted evidence that it existed- we have had over a week of rain and clouds.