Gulf Shores vacation

My sister, her family, and my parents were gracious enough to allow Finley and me to crash their annual vacation all because my school system switched calendar dates that messed me up.  Brian had football mini-camp and I was not overly comfortable with being left alone for much of the day with Finley.  She's still a perfect angel and a very easy baby, but it can be a little exhausting having full responsibility. 

Anyway, we pushed Finley to the max with a 10 hour car drive (which she only cried for 5 min of) and many loud restaurants (and not quite on her schedule).  She exceeded every expectation I had for her.  Not that I want to continue to live that lifestyle, but glad she could make it all work.  We had a great time and unfortunately had to leave early so I could get back to work. 

My dad has moved in now to help care for Finley while Brian and I are at work.  That has made the transition to work SO much smoother than I know it could have been.  I miss her terribly but she's in the best hands possible and in her own crib and environment.  It's nice having company here also through Brian's crazy football schedule.  Makes me wish we had family close by all the time. 

We also bought Finley's first car.  I sacrificed my dream car, the Jeep Wrangler, for a family vehicle that is much safer for my baby girl to be riding in.  I got the GMC Acadia which I am extremely happy with.  It's a great vehicle and has so much space.  Once again, having my dad, the grizzly bear, as Brian calls him, here to help us make a great deal happen really paid off.  Couldn't have done it and felt as good about everything as I do, without his help. 

Jekyll Island Vacation

We got home Friday from our first vacation.  We met Brian's family on Jekyll Island for our annual vacation there, but with one big change ... Finley!  She did an amazing job being around so many people and in a different environment.  We even managed to go out to two meals, which was very frightening for me because Brian has always said how he would never take a baby to a restaurant and I wanted things to go smoothly so Finley didn't ruin him trying it out.  I even had a terrible upset stomach worrying about it ... should have known my baby girl would do wonderfully - she slept like a champ the whole time, both times!  We even managed to go shopping (outdoor shopping) and to the beach (twice!). 

 All dressed for the beach - bathing suit & matching hat - all SPF protected, of course!

Finley and Mommy relaxing at the beach!

 Safe in the sun tent that her Aunt Leslie & Uncle Garry let us borrow - THANK YOU JENKINS!

 Getting fed in her pretty Antigua dress from Grammy & Pappy  - kept her nice and cool!

 Out to dinner for the 1st time - horrible restaurant, but Finley did amazing!

 All dressed up with Daddy!

 Dinner by the lighthouse with Daddy - he loves his baby girl!

She has two more trips coming up before the summer is over - her cousin's 5th birthday party next weekend and another trip to the beach at the end of the month.  So many adventures for our little one, but that's our life! 

While on vacation, her cord finally fell off, so when we got home, we were able to give Finley her 1st bath, and being Finley, she did wonderful - no tears, no fussing.  Brian took over and I assisted with pointers - she is Daddy's little girl after all and I know better than to turn a willing to help Daddy away! 

After snuggling with Daddy all swaddled up in a blanket to warm up from our bath, we all enjoyed some play time with her toys and on her ocean mat - Thank you Loren & Matt Mathews for our playmat, we love it!

2 weeks old

Our baby girl is 2 weeks old today.  We visited the pediatrician for her 2 week update and had many questions ready to ask.  I was able to breastfeed Finley for the first 9 days, but then I seemed to quit producing and we had to make the switch to formula.  Making the switch when we did ended up being a good thing having my parents around to help with the transition and getting the "proper procedures down" as my dad would say :).  With the switch, Finley's body had to adjust and we had a few concerns that the switch went well for her ... without getting into details - needing poopy diapers and such. 

Anyway, Dr. Nave assured all of our fears away and we have a healthy baby girl who is up to 8 lbs 10 oz.  She's gaining as she should and looking good.  We're still massaging a blocked tear duct, but that's very common in newborns the Dr said.  Grammy & Pappy left today after we got good news from the Dr so Brian and I are on our own now.  Getting good updates from the Dr though has me feeling pretty good about taking care of her.  Brian's schedule is good too with football only Mon - Thurs from about 4:30 - 8:30 so I can handle that pretty well.  All in all, it's been a great 2 weeks and I'm loving life with our precious baby girl.

Welcome Finley Jane!

Our precious baby girl arrived AHEAD of schedule!  I love that she waited till I had a plan and then decided to make her debut on her own time ... which is what we wanted!  I'm so relieved that my water broke and my body was ready rather than going to be induced and have it all occur through medicine.  I was ready for inducing, but this was better and more fun for us.  Fun, until the medicine wore off, or whatever it was that went wrong.  I didn't plan to sign up for a natural child birth, but that's exactly what I got!  Now that she's here, I wouldn't have it any other way 

  She has been unbelievable this first week.  Her pediatrician visit went well ... all good news except for a blocked tear duct - a very simple problem to deal with.  Finley doesn't even fuss when given her eye drops, thank goodness!  In fact, she only fusses if she's hungry, dirty, or gassy.  She's been quite the dream baby, and I'm hoping this fabulous pattern continues.  Our only complaint is that she sleeps ALL the time!  We're trying to keep her a little more stimulated during the day to get her on a good schedule. 

Life with Finley is so much more amazing than I realized it would be.  I'm trying my best to relax a little more.  The first few days were a little rough trying to be perfect and have it all figured out.  After a scary little incident with some blood in her spit-up (I'm breastfeeding and had to work on positioning with a lactation specialist - got it all solved and good to go), I've felt much better.  Having my parents here to give me support and offer guidance has been unbelievable.  They're not getting to help with all the feedings and stuff like I think they thought they would be, but just the security of them here for questions and reassurance has been invaluable.  I'm a bit afraid of the day they leave and it's just Brian and me.  Then when Brian leaves for football each day and I'm home alone with her. 

If Finley continues on the path she's on, then every thing's going to be ok.  She's truly a wonderful baby and way more beautiful in person than in the pictures (which are gorgeous already!)  I'm so thankful for this wonderful baby and her terrific daddy.  Brian has amazed me already as a father.  She is definitely daddy's little girl.  He's there for every feeding with me, and he likes to handle all diaper changes and burping.  He's given up a few diapers for my parents, but he wants to be so involved and I don't want to turn him away from helping ... I need him desperately!  God has blessed me with a loving husband, a healthy and beautiful baby girl, 2 supportive parents, and a supply of family and friends that have blessed us with their presence and prayers. 

Cabin Fever

Brian and I have been going a little crazy lately with not being able to get out and go see anyone.  I wish family lived closer; instead, we've been having to improvise.  He was begging me yesterday to go to Tybee and I kept refusing because it was so hot.  Instead we hung around here and had the LONGEST day ever of trying to find things to do.  Today I gave him his wish.  Luckily it's about 45 min away and my hospital is about 15 min from it, so we took off for about 3 hours.  They had a swing on the beach where we spent the majority of the time just rocking and feeling the cool ocean breeze.  2 more days to make it through.  Thankfully my best friend, Loren, and her husband are in Statesboro so we'll see them tomorrow and then Mon we pack, go to Savannah, eat, and check in the hospital.  I can't wait!!!!

39 week update

Week 39 today ... yay!  I can not believe how close we are.  In fact, the closer we get, the further it seems away.  We keep running into itty bitty babies all over the place and then thinking, "wow, that size baby is in me!"  It's so surreal.  I just can't wait to meet her and hold her. 

Brian and I have done our best to phone/text/facebook the latest update, but in case anyone is not aware of the "latest" plan, here it is:  Monday, June 13, we will check into Candler Hospital at 6 pm.  They will begin induction Tuesday, June 14, at 6 am.  We are hoping to meet Finley sometime that afternoon.  We'll get to leave the hospital either Wed or Thurs, whatever day I'm told.  Thursday of course is our 5 year anniversary, so I'd love to be home with our new baby then.  Sunday of course is Father's Day and will be a very special day for Brian to be with his daughter! 

Many folks have talked to us about visiting and whatnot and we'd love to see anyone we can.  I'm washing bed sheets as we speak so we can be prepared for anyone.  If you're looking for a bed, call ahead ... if you'd like a bed reserved, call ahead!  We'll do our best, but as of right now, my priority is having this baby. 

Our ultrasound on Wed shows her measuring about 8 lbs with chubby cheeks, big lips, and a head of hair.  Sounds great :)  We could not be anymore ready right now.  For now, I'm getting my exercise while trying to relax and get some good sleep.  Will focus on mentally preparing myself for labor this weekend.  I honestly feel very good and relaxed ... similar to how I felt 5 years ago on my wedding day - the MOST relaxing day of my life!  Everyone jokes she'll come this weekend since I have a plan now - little do they know that would be perfect for me!  In fact, I'm hoping she comes on her own this weekend!  We are just absolutely ready to have our lives completely rocked and welcome all the love, challenges, and fun she will bring.  Stay tuned!

The Waiting Game

10 weeks till Finley's due date ... and our 5 year anniversary!  We go back to the doctor again Wednesday, the 8th, for an ultrasound and check on her status.  Dr. Barry and I discussed inducing on the 14th (because she's just not looking ready any time soon.)  I'm rethinking this decision (as well as Brian) for fear that she may not be ready even then and we don't want to rush her.  Not to mention, I don't want to end up in an emergency c-section because we tried to induce and it didn't work. 

The whole inducing thing came about because her due date is EXACTLY 6 weeks till pre-planning begins, which I really don't want to miss.  As much as I want more time with my daughter, our school is going through some significant changes next year that I don't want to miss out on understanding so I can begin the year right with my students.  Not to mention, even if I do take some maternity leave, I'll have to attend some pre-planning to put my room back together after the floors are waxed and get open house packets together to meet my new students.  I can't not meet my new students and parents ... for most of them, it's the ONLY time I ever see their parents, so it's rather important.   

So, I think I'll start working on some lesson plans this week for the just in case scenario and continue relaxing until Finley decides she's ready.  Brian and I are enjoying our time together as the last few days it will ever be just the two of us.  We're both so ready to meet her though, even though we're definitely freaked out.  5 years was a good amount of time to be alone together.  I'm so glad we waited until now.  I wouldn't change that for anything.