3 months later...

Claire can now:

1. Smile and giggle.
2. Coo and say her vowels.
3. Drool enough to reverse a drought.
4. Blow bubbles. 
5. Suck her left thumb and chew on her right hand (can we say teething soon?).
6. Almost grab stuff by herself.
7. Bring items that are in her hand to her mouth.
8. Stand with straight, strong legs while you hold her.
9. Almost sit up without any help.  In fact, she prefers sitting up.
10. Roll from her tummy to her back. 

I love watching her hands and how she continues to gain control over their movements.  She is still slightly spastic with them.  My favorite is when she puts her hands together and sort of rolls them around like she's plotting something. 

I love breastfeeding.  It was hard in the beginning but now I look forward to our time together.  She will look up and smile at me sometimes.  It cracks me up when she does it. 

Baby girl was born with a head full of hair and it is getting longer.  She has lots of red curls on top of her head.  I can't do the head bands because they remind me of garter belts.  I know I'm weird.  I might have an aversion to them because I don't like headbands on my own head.  They give me headaches.  I will put a clip in her hair and it's pretty cute.   

I love her big, blue eyes.  I think they just might stay blue.

I can put a hat and sunglasses on her and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen.

She has good days and bad days.  We mostly have good days, but her bad days are caused by tummy troubles or lack of naps.  My girl is just like me because she needs her sleep.  She will sleep through the night and then we will nurse in bed in the morning.  Sometimes I will stay in bed and we'll snooze together, or I will leave her snoozing while I get up to pump, eat breakfast, &/or clean up the kitchen (aka play on Facebook).

Every day is a new day.  Next week most of my friends will be returning to their teaching jobs.  I, however, will be staying home with Claire.  It has not sunk in yet that I will be staying home.  I will miss meeting my freshmen students and miss seeing my returning students.  I received some great advice which is enjoy every moment of staying home and that is exactly what I am going to try to do.  :)

3 Month Milestones

Tummy time!

Typically what happens during tummy time...

Her legs have been getting stronger!

After several wobbles...

She rolled over!!! 

Claire's Many Faces

Claire is officially 8 weeks old today!  I thought I would share some of her classic faces.

Having fun or screaming

About to spit up

Fist pumping

attempt at duck face?

Clean diaper

thpthhhhh

watching t.v.

play time

Celebrating the 4th of July

about to chew on mom's hand

bored

apathetic

Passing gas

happy

Claire's Checklist

OK, so Claire doesn't really have a checklist but if she did these might be on it.

Places Claire has been fed: Wal-Mart parking lot (twice now); side of the road next to a river in the middle of nowhere; and an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  She had a diaper change at the last two.

Claire has been to Mount Mitchell.  We didn't take her all the way to the top because it was very cold and windy.  (FYI - if it's 80 degrees, you will still need a jacket at Mount Mitchell.)

It is hard to believe she is 3 weeks old.  I am excited because I am having her pictures taken tomorrow.  Her umbilical stump fell off yesterday (thank goodness), but now her little face is broken out. 

Pictures will be posted sometime soon!  She is changing every day!

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One Week

One week ago at 11:00pm my contractions began.  After a couple of hours, they became regular at 4 minutes apart.  We called the doctor and were off to the hospital. 

We arrived sometime close to 3am.  I don't really remember because my back labor was pretty intense.  The first nurse would keep me calm and talk me through them.  They wheeled me upstairs to the labor and delivery room where they had already ordered an epidural for me.  What a relief that was!

Matthew and mom began contacting everyone around 6am Wednesday morning.  They broke my water around 8:30am.  I was checked throughout the day and was not making progress.  Dr. Simmons checked me around 1pm and said I haven't made any more progress.  After adjusting medicine and waiting two more hours of no progress, we decided it was time for baby so I was prepped for a c-section. 

I couldn't believe I was going to have a baby!  Matthew was able to come in when I was finished being prepped.  He held my hand while a very sweet nurse talked me through the whole process. 

At 4:28pm the room was filled with the sound of our daughter's screams.  It was a great sound because she is what they call a meconium baby meaning she had pooped while in the womb.  They like for them to scream because it means they most likely don't have it in their lungs.  I watched them clean her on tv screen while the doctor finished with me.

My sister, Michelle, was able to come back to recovery with me.  She is a labor and delivery nurse in Gastonia and had to go to work that night.  The grandmas were the only other ones at the hospital with us.  The nurses let them come back since it was getting so late in the evening. 

After making sure my vitals were good and baby looked good we were moved to our room.  Claire had her first bath, and we began our first night as a family.  

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End of the Ticker Tape

Well here we are.  According to my duck on the ticker tape, I am 40 weeks and 0 days pregnant.  Guess what?  I am still pregnant.  Monday I didn't feel very good all day.  I did a lot of just sitting around.  My back and lower abdomen was hurting.  Hopefully this is a sign of things progressing.

Mom and dad arrived Monday evening.  Tuesday morning I felt better, so Mom and I went shopping.  We did a short trip to Belk's, had lunch, and then did some grocery shopping.  It made me feel better just to get out. 

Today (Wednesday/Due Date), I almost feel like I did on Monday.  All three days this week I think I've had Braxton Hicks like crazy. 

Tomorrow I have an ultra sound at 8:00am, and I see the doctor at 8:30.  I don't think the baby has dropped yet.  We want the baby to come on her own, but if I go all next week I will be induced. 

Thanks to all my friends who check on me!  I will keep you updated. :) 

One more week

Happy Birthday, mom/Nannie!

After visiting last weekend, mom and dad decided to come back.  I asked mom, "You're going to come back on your birthday?"  She replied, "That's my birthday?"  Haha!  

The hanging twirly is mom's present!

Matthew grilled, and mom and I made a Three Berry Trifle.  Yum!  I had to put her birthday candles in it. :)

Before my parents arrived, I had a little pamper time since I was a week away from the due date!  Here are my swollen feet with pretty toes!

My first pedicure!

Monday began my first day of maternity leave.  I have made a point to get out of the house at least once a day, and I am glad I did.  It has made this week fly by!  I can't believe I can now say that I have 5 days until my due date.

I went to the doctor today, and mom got to go with me.  Well, so far baby girl is not ready.  The doctor guesses she weighs about 7.5 lbs.  He wants to see me next week and do an ultra sound to check amniotic fluid.  He doesn't want to induce unless I go way over my due date.

Mom and dad left this afternoon.  They were a HUGE help because they cleaned floors, bathrooms, and some laundry.  They are going to come back in a few days or maybe sooner if baby comes!  There is a HUGE full moon on for tomorrow night plus storm conditions.  LOL!?

Meanwhile, I hope I can have some energy to keep cleaning the clutter that has accumulated around the house.  I still need to pack away winter clothes!  I am a lucky girl in that I have had several friends call, text, &/or Facebook message to ask how I am doing and are excited about baby's arrival.  Thanks you guys!