Welcome Home, Ava

After staying an extra day in the hospital, we finally brought Ava home on Thursday.  We were anxious to see how Oreo would do, but he welcomed her and seemed interested in her.  He's been so cute to watch with the baby.  Although I think he still doesn't quite know what to think of her, he seems protective already.  When she is sitting in her rocker/bassinet, he will put his front paws up as though he is checking to make sure she is alright.  Whenever she is crying, he has to come investigate.  When we are in Ava's room with her, he is right there laying on her pink rug. 

In the hospital Ava rarely cried--ever.  Well...now that we are home, she has discovered how to do so.  The first night was a bit rough and overwhelming.  We got very little sleep.  TJ was up for 2.5 hours with her and then I was up for an hour.  I think she has her days and nights mixed up.  The second night was a little better.  I know TJ and I were much more relaxed and we got a little more sleep than the previous evening.

Last night was our first evening home just ourselves, as a family of four (yes, I count Oreo as a member of the family).  I told TJ several times that everything was just perfect.  He snuggled with Ava for about an hour and a half while we watched two new episodes of our favorite shows (How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory).  It just felt so nice to relax!!  After that, we gave Ava our first bath and it was a success.  She really didn't cry, in fact, I think she really liked it.

We are soooooooo in love with our new daughter and look forward to all of the adventures ahead!  Enjoy some pictures from the last few days.

In her "Going Home" outfit.  TJ picked this out just a day or two after we found out we would be having a daughter.  She had shoes to go with the outfit but unfortunately they were almost twice the size of her feet.

 

Love the headband with all her hair!

 

We're ready to go!

 

Uncle Matt came to visit yesterday with his girlfriend, Annie.  I still think it is so special that Ava arrived on her uncle's birthday!  

 

With Annie

 

See...I said Oreo acts like a protector..  Since we returned from the hospital we think Oreo has turned into part cat.  He never sat on top of the furniture before we left.

 

She loves to snuggle with Daddy.  This is how she stayed while we watched our shows last night.

 

Saturday morning snuggles!

 

All tuckered out after our hour-long walk.  Ava did pretty good.  She cried a few times, but slept for the second half of the walk.  

 

Mommy and Daddy love hugs, too, Ava! 

Again, we have to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone this week--for everyone who stopped by to visit, called to check in, came over to visit with me and offer support and encouragement when I was feeling overwhelmed, offered advice, brought food, cleaned/organized the house, took care of Oreo, etc.  It means so much that we have so many people in our lives' who are so supportive during this very exciting, but overwhelming time.  We couldn't do it without your love and support and encouragement!!!  From the bottom of our hearts--thank you!!!

She's Here

Welcome to the world, Ava Kay Warren!!  Your parents are so excited you are finally here!!!

She's here!!!!!!!

Here's the story:

I was scheduled for an induction at 7:30am on Monday, September 24 (due to gestational diabetes they wanted to take her a week early...just in case).  Sunday night around 10pm, we finally crawled into bed, anticipating the induction.  I asked TJ  "are you nervous for tomorrow?"  His reply was "yeah, are you?" I said "yes, but why are you nervous? You don't have to give birth." His reply: "I just don't want to see you in pain."  Less than 5 seconds later I said: "Ouch...(a few second pause)...I think my water just broke."  Sure enough it had.  Although we were prepared in many other ways, the one thing we forgot to do ever was look up the number for the hospital...oops!  So, I called the Nurse-on-Call service to see if I could get the number.  Once I finally got a hold of labor and delivery, they said to come in.  Contractions started right when my water broke.  I thought contractions would be about 15-20 minutes a part at first, but I was wrong.  They were all really 5-10 minutes a part from the beginning.  After getting my initial scan to see if I was in labor, we finally got booked into the room around midnight.  I made it until 3am without asking for an epidural, but at 3am I couldn't take it anymore.  Contractions were frequent and strong.  I am sooo thankful both TJ and my mom were there--one for each hand.  By 7am, I was completed dilated so the pushing began.  At 8:43am she arrived!!!  Overall, delivery went very smoothly.  It was the most overwhelming, exciting feeling in the world when the staff put her on me for the first time.  I cannot even put into words what I was feeling and I am sure TJ would say the same.

The first 48 hours have been amazing!!!  As much as I wanted to get pictures uploaded, I couldn't get myself to sit down long enough to do so.  We have enjoyed every minute of snuggle time with her.  She sleeps pretty much around the clock and rarely cries.  The most challenging thing right now is feeding as we haven't been able to have a latch yet.  This morning we agreed to try formula so we could get some more food in her.  I know babies need hardly anything until their stomachs start to expand, but both of us were feeling really bad, we thought she had to be so hungry. 

We have enjoyed all of our visitors and thank everyone who has stopped by.  We appreciate your love and support!!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

We are planning on staying an extra day in the hospital until we get more comfortable with the feeding so we will go home sometime Thursday.  The hardest part of being at the hospital is leaving our other "baby" at home--we really miss Oreo, but TJ has made it to the house on a daily basis and both my mom and TJ's mom have been staying at our house, so he is getting attention.

That's the update for now.  We just love Ava so much and cannot wait for everyone to meet her.  We think she is adorable and absolutely PERFECT!!!!  And.....she has tons of hair!! :-)  Enjoy the pictures!

Ava with Daddy and Grandma Kathy  (Tuesday)

 

Daddy and Ava shortly after she arrived (Monday)

 

Grandma Kathy arrived about 10 minutes after she was born

 

Grandpa Ralph with Ava (Monday)

 

 3 generations--Ava with Mommy and Grandma Cindy

Mom and a friend put together a "hospital survival kit" for us--great idea with the non-stick socks and kleenex

 

Ava shortly after birth (Monday)

 

Daddy and Ava shortly after her first bath (Tuesday evening)

 

Snuggle time with Dad!!  

Look at all this crazy hair!!!

 

Ava and Grandma Cindy (Monday)

Ava and Grandpa Ralph (Monday)

 Ava and Grandma Kathy (Monday)

Ava looks so cute in her ballerina sleeper--too bad it may be ruined for her first big blow out that Mom and Dad had to change first thing Tuesday morning... :-(  We called for reinforcements from the nurse.  

 Ava's new BFF, Lexy and her Mommy Laura--they are just 6 weeks apart.  They are already dressing alike.

Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Ralph

 

Ava with Terry

Going out for an early morning stroll--right before the big blow out I mentioned earlier...

More snuggle time!!

 

Ava getting her pictures taken in the hospital.  She was wide awake--one of the few times she has been like this.  

 

Matching bracelets

 

One of our first family pictures (we just need one with Oreo now)

 

Proud Parents!

TJ and I are proud parents of....

A Puppy School Graduate!!

Oreo received his diploma from 'puppy school' on Monday night.  We attended 5 sessions (we combined week 5 and 6) through Pet Smart and are really happy with the results.  During class he learned and knows:

- Sit
- Shake
- Down
- Loose leash walking (we have gone on a handful of walks over the last few weeks and we have not had to carry Oreo--this is a HUGE accomplishment!!!)
- Stay
- Come on command (doesn't always work when we are outside)
- Leave it (again...performs much better in class than at home)

We couldn't be more proud of our little baby--I mean puppy! :-) 

That's our major update for the week.  The other update is our week 38 doctor's appointment.  On Tuesday I went for my final doctor's appointment.  No additional progress from the previous week.  Last week I was told 75% chance I would have this baby before the induction date, but yesterday was told the 24th will probably be the day...Although I am REALLY READY to have this baby, I am now ok with Monday and won't be disappointed if I don't go earlier.  Plus, I know my brother is very excited about Monday. :-)  The appointment went well overall though.  Baby was moving, heart beat was good.  I was up a pound and doctor was ok with my sugars, even though I had a few that were higher that recommended.

That's all for now.  Keep checking the blog--especially on Monday/Tuesday.  We will have our camera and laptop at the hospital and will be sure to post pictures shortly after Baby arrives.    

Final Baby Shower and 37 Week Update

This past Saturday two of my friends, Jenny and Janelle, threw my third and final baby shower in Cedar Falls.  I know I enjoyed myself and I heard from many of the guests that they did, too.  There was super yummy food--egg bake, mini muffins, and pink punch.  We played one game which consisted of ten objects sealed in brown paper bags and we had to guess the item by feeling the outside of the bag.  After the game, I opened gifts.  Everyone was so thoughtful and generous--we received some really nice items!  It was great to see family members, friends, and former as well as current colleagues.  Enjoy some pictures below from the shower.

She will be ready for Game Day!  Future Panther!

 

I had a lot of help from the younger ones who attended the shower.  

Grace and Lexi

 

Steff

 

Jenny and Janelle--I am so grateful to you both for organizing, planning, and hosting my shower.  It was something I will always remember.  

 

Laura and Baby Warren's future BFF, Lexy

 

Hope, Jesa, and Paige

 

Super cute diaper cake.  I hadn't seen one of these in person before.  

 

Kathy, my mother-in-law

 Cindy, my mother

Today was my 37 week appointment and it went well!  Down two pounds....uurrrggg....but doctor was happy with my sugar numbers which was good.  Baby's heartbeat was good and she was moving during the appointment.  Because of the gestational diabetes, we scheduled an induction date today.  If this baby doesn't arrive on her own before September 24 (which could happen because she has dropped considerably), I will be induced that day--my brother's birthday! 

It's so crazy to think that we will be parents in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!  We are getting more prepared.  TJ installed the car seat bases on Sunday so they are ready to go.  The nursery is cleaned and ready to go, with the exception of one box of stuff I need to put away.  Tonight we packed what we could for the hospital bag and we have our list of contacts ready to go.  Now...we just wait....I think in some ways this will be the slowest time as well as the fastest time.  I am extremely excited to meet her and can't wait for her to arrive, but I think we will always feel like we don't quite have every little last detail taken care of. 

It was Game Day on Saturday so Oreo had on his Purple

 

That's all for now.  Will keep everyone posted!!