2 Months

Can you believe our gorgeous girl is already two months old?! We had her two-month appointment on Thursday and she has definitely been growing! She's measuring at 24 inches long, which puts her between the 75th and 90th percentiles. She's gained two whole inches since her last appointment. The 0-3 month sleepers are officially retired. She weighed in at 11 lbs 4 oz, which puts her between the 25th and 50th percentiles.

Of course, she also had her first round of shots which did not make her happy. She calmed down after nursing and receiving a dose of Tylenol. Unfortunately for Mommy she was not the typical super sleepy baby afterward. At least she wasn't too fussy!

Since I haven't posted in a month I'll give you all a quick update on what Isabella's been up to in her second month of life:

-sleeping between 7-9 hours at night before waking to eat
-rolling from back to tummy
-lots of smiles
-starting to transition to her own room and from the bassinet to the crib
-grasping
-developing more consistent waking/sleeping patterns
-starting to grow out of 0-3 month clothes

And of course, some pictures. Follow the personal photos link to the right to view more. Don't forget to get an orders from the Newborn/Family session to me within the next couple of weeks so I can forward them to Lindsay.

1 month

The little lady is now one month old. We had her one-month appointment today. She now weighs exactly 10 pounds and is 22 inches long. She is in the 75th percentile for both. She just barely fits in her bassinet, which is a real shame considering that she doesn't want to sleep in her crib. She has great head control; she loves to sit up and look around. She now gets one bottle every evening. Of course, this means Mommy has to pump everyday, but at least it gives me time to cook dinner while Clint feeds her. Anyway, here are some more recent pictures.

I haven't been able to catch a good smile. I tend to just play with her when she's in a happy, smiling mood. Grabbing the camera doesn't even cross my mind.


She takes a bottle like a champ.


Being grouchy


Those animals are fascinating I tell ya.


She is so calm at bath time.

Isabella's forst photo shoot

Yesterday our favorite photographer, Lindsay, drove up from Indy to take some photos for us. Visit her blog for a sneak peek http://lindsaywilsonphotography.blogspot.com/.

First week home

Well, we have been home with the little miss for one week now. So far so good. She had her weight check on Wednesday and we found that she had gained nearly a pound since leaving the hospital. She weighed 7lbs 5oz when we left last Sunday and was 8lbs 4oz by Wednesday, the chunker! She doesn't even have to go back for her two-week appointment now, we skip right past it to the one-month.

Ever since she was born I had noticed something strange about her tongue, and on Monday I finally got a good look at it. I saw that the membrane that attached her tongue to the bottom of her mouth extended all the way to the tip. The poor thing couldn't stick her tongue out. Her pediatrician, Dr. Miller, agreed and set up an appointment with a Neonatalogist to have it snipped. The next day we made a trip to Home Hospital and Dr. Chua performed a frenulotomy. They wouldn't let me stay for the procedure, but it didn't take long. She'd already stopped crying when I got back to her and there was barely any bleeding. I felt awful putting her through it, but I thought is would be better to take care of it now rather than wait until it starts causing her problems. I'd hate to have it done when she's two and having speech issues. It seems to be causing her some problems nursing though, she just doesn't know what to do with her tongue now so she has trouble staying latched, but at least she's let go of her grip a little! Many babies that are "tongue-tied" can't latch on because of the immobility of their tongues. Those who can, like Isabella, are able to nurse because they increase their suction.

This week has been a learning experience to say the least. Here's what our little girl has taught us so far:

Sleeping on Mommy is far better than the bassinet, and the swing is second best

Tummy time is not much fun, but getting better. The play mat is much more enjoyable if you lie on your back.

Times between feedings are sporadic, sometimes it is 4 hours sometimes just one.

It's fun to pee on your clothes when Daddy changes your diaper.

Pacifiers are NOT acceptable.

Lamps are mesmerizing.

Night lights are necessary.

Baths are torture.

Babies can make about a hundred different faces in under a minute.

If you leave your baby asleep in the swing and your husband watching tv on the couch you will be startled by a screaming baby. Your husband will be asleep on he couch. Cuddling your Boppy.

She's finally here!

Isabella Austin was born August 6 at 9:11 am. She weighs 7 lbs 13.5 oz and in 21 1/4 inches long. I'll post more details about her birth later, but right now I think you'd all rather have some pictures.

Right after birth


Getting cleaned up in the OR



Her first bath


The first family photo. Please excuse they way I look; it is what happens when you don't sleep for two days, push for 2 1/2 hours, and wind up with a c-section.


Proud Daddy.


One Happy Mama- 8/7/09


Just for reference, the final belly pic. This was taken before leaving for the hospital on 8/5/09.

40 weeks

Yes, today is my due date. Yes, I am still pregnant. Figured I better clarify that.

This will probably get me into some trouble...

First, let me clarify that I did not write this. I did come across it online though, and I was so struck by the sheer awesomeness of it that I had to share.

Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking "Surely she doesn't mean me!" then you should probably read this twice.

1) The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations!" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you rude.

2) Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrases "my baby" our "our baby".

3) On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it. The same goes for the naming of the baby.


4) The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone's stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5) Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight - ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!"

6) There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, mother-in-law or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

7) If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

8) The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.


Sincerely,


All Pregnant Women