Our First Week and a Half

It is hard to believe that we are already approaching the 2 week mark.  Since Riley is our last baby, I am afraid that time is going to go even faster then it has with Emma.  I am just going to have to try to remember to enjoy all the little moments and actually be in the moment, instead of running around here trying to get things done and making sure we get out the door on time!

We have had a great first week at home.  We have loved having all our visitors and we are just trying to get use to having two little ones.  Emma is doing well.  She loves her sister and wants to help feed her, play with her, and help with anything else that Riley needs.  Emma is pretty confident and self assured, so we are working on slowing down around Riley and letting Mommy "teach" her how to help Riley.  Emma has been pushing the limits the last handful of days so we are trying to stay consistent with the "rules" and I am trying to make sure Emma still gets one on one time with me.  

Emma still talks about the hospital from time to time.  Her focus seems to be mostly on my belly.  She doesn't quite understand why if Riley is out, then why is my belly still round.  She told me the other day that she thought I was going to stay in the hospital until my belly was small again.  If only the pregnant looking belly went away as soon as the baby got here!

I have been feeling great and have had no major issues as far as recovering from the delivery.  I had a goal for myself that I would actually get ready before we left the house.  I would say I have met this goal about 80% of the time.  Getting out of the house on time with two little ones is going take a lot more practice!

Here are some photos of what the last week and a half looked like!

Reading her new big sister book to Riley

 Pajama cuties

 Finding her thumb for the first time

 We kept all of Emma's clothes, so Riley has been wearing all of Emma's old outfits.  I took this photo so we could compare Emma and Riley.  You can see the photo of Emma in this outfit HERE.  

Will and Jessica came over for a visit.  I can't believe that Will is already about to be 4 months old.  Both Will and Riley were a little on the cranky side, so we don't have too many pictures from that night.

They both finally fell asleep!

A little early morning reading

Such a cutie!

 Great Grandma Jane meeting Riley for the first time.

 Aunt Sandy getting her cuddle time

Quick photo before taking Emma to school

 My long baby!

 Little smile!

Sleepy baby

Introducing Riley Jane

As many of you know, Riley Jane made her appearance Monday, August 20th. She made us wait all the way to her due date, and of course, she was worth it! For the past couple of weeks, I have been having contractions, so when they started Sunday afternoon, I wasn't convinced that they would lead anywhere.  By 9 that night, I was still having them, but they were inconsistent (any where from 5 minutes apart to 10 minutes apart) and didn't really hurt.  At 1am, they were still the same.  My doctor wanted me to come in when they were 10 minutes apart for an hour because I needed to get antibiotics and she was convinced that my labor/delivery would be quick.  So into the hospital we went.  I was scared that they would send me home, but kept hoping that since I was 40 weeks and having contractions, they would keep me and if needed, help my labor along.  Sure enough, I was still only 4cm dilated so they told me to go walking around the unit for the next 45 minutes.  There was no way I wanted to be sent home, so I power walked around the unit.  Luckily, I progressed to 5cm so they admitted me and started my fluids and antibiotics.  From then on, things went pretty smoothly and decently quick.  By 9am I was 8cm dilated and by 10:30 they were calling the doctor and getting things ready for Riley to make her arrival.  I only had to push 4 times and she was here!  It was a great delivery.  Riley arrived at 10:36am weighing 8lbs 9 oz and 22 inches long.

Getting her hair washed during her first bath.  I was convinced that she would scream, but she must have enjoyed it because she didn't make a peep!

Sisters!  Emma was so excited to meet and hold Riley Jane.  Before Emma and my mom got to the hospital, I sent a photo of Riley to mom's phone.  I guess Emma took the phone from my mom and just kept looking at the photo and talking about how much she loved her sister.  When she was at the hospital, she would ask anyone and everyone she saw if they wanted to come and see her new sister, Riley Jane.

We only had one "issue" during our hospital stay.  By the afternoon Riley started chocking/gagging a lot out of the blue.  After a couple hours of periodic gagging, she threw up a lot of mucus and dried blood.  From that point on, she wasn't really interested in eating and kept throwing up.  It was decided that she must have swallowed a lot of fluids and junk during delivery.  If the throwing up and not eating continued, the plan was to take her to the nursery and suction her stomach.  Unfortunately it continued   all night and progressed to throwing up her entire feed.  Since we were limiting how much she ate plus it was hard to even get her to eat, throwing up the entire thing was not an option.  So sometime after midnight, off to the nursery we went to suction out her stomach.  It was a pretty quick process and Riley did great.  The nurses were surprised how much they suctioned out since she had been throwing up all afternoon/evening.  After that, she was still throwing up, but we were all comfortable with going home later that day.  (we are still dealing with throwing up, but keeping her bottles on the smaller side and keeping her vertical for a little bit after she eats, seems to be helping.)

Riley and Grandma

Grandma Chris (Grandpa was on his way to Mt. Rushmore)

The Brown Family

Riley and Mommy (I promise Robert was there also.  Some how he managed to escape the camera the whole time we were there!  Grandma Mary, Aunt Sandy, and Uncle Jay also came to visit but I think the combination of being tired and dealing with her stomach, the camera didn't make it out while they were visiting.)

Going home!

I will post more pictures and updates as I can!!!  Thank you to everyone for all of your messages, texts, and emails.  I am sorry that I haven't been able to get back to all of you, but I appreciate all of your thoughts and well wishes!!!

Emma's First Day of Preschool

Yesterday was a big day in our house.  Emma started preschool!  It was more of an introductory day for her with a shortened class time and a time that parents stayed with them.  She is in a class with 8 other children (5 girls and 4 boys) with the possibility of having 12.  They were all so cute and she seems to be in a great group of children.  One of the moms I even went to high school with and her little girl's name is Ella.  Ella already told her mom that her new friend is Emma.  It was so sweet!  Her teachers are Mrs. Roland and Mrs. Ferris.  Mrs. Roland has already identified Emma, Ella, and one other little girl has being the class leaders.  That whole dynamic should be interesting!!!  Emma had a great time and did great with listening to her teachers.  I am so excited for her and this next year!  Our next test will be on Tuesday (she will go Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning) when I actually drop her off.

38 Week Update

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos to include with this post, but wanted to fill everyone in on my 38 week appt.  According to my progress, Miss Riley Jane should have made her appearance yesterday!  I am a good 3-4 cm dilated and everything else is completely ready.  No other progress to be made.  So now we just wait.  Even though I am further progressed then most when they go into labor, we could still be sitting her next week waiting.  I have to remember this is all on her time! :)  I think we are as ready as we can be.  Bags are packed and I have a phone list of people to help with Emma and even possibly get me to the hospital if Robert can't get home in time.  My Doctor seems to think when thing do happen, they will happen quickly.  Hopefully my next blog post will be that Riley is here!!!

37 Week Update and Celebrating Riley

I had my 37 week appointment on Tuesday and things seem to be progressing along.  I am 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  I am really hoping that Riley decides to get here sometime next week so I can be here for all of Emma's first day of school fun the following week!
Last night the girls had a "sprinkle" for Riley at our Girl's Night.  Everyone was so sweet and generous.  I really appreciate having them all as friends!

I thought it was time to put together a hospital bag, and this time I put together a bag for Emma also filled with activities and snacks  Emma had her own idea of what to bring to the hospital and filled up some of her different baskets and placed them by the bags!

The girls coloring together

My silly girl!  She is so excited for Riley to get here!

Sophia and Jessica didn't want Emma to feel left out and got her a couple of new books.  We have already read them several times.  She loves them and I love that they are all about being a big sister and having siblings!

All of the cute stuff!! Thanks again girls! I know EVERYTHING will be put to good use!

Our crazy group

We had yummy ice cream sundaes for dessert

Us moms were ready for a little bit of a break and some quite, so we let the girls play with the iPads.

Will hung out in the swing for a little bit.  I can't believe how big he is getting!!!  Riley needs to hurry up and get her to meet her friend!