Well, it has been a bit since I gave an update, so here goes.
Things are going well - Adam has been back at work for a week, and last week my Mom came in for the week to help out. She was a great help not only with the kids, but cleaning, cooking and stocking our freezer with meals.
Anderson is doing quite well - he is growing quickly, he is almost out grown his newborn sleepers and we are already talking about changing him to size 1 diapers.
I really can't believe he is 2 1/2 week already - looking back to this time with Jacqueline I remember it taking so long to get to this point.
Jackie - she is starting to adjust - however I don't think she is going to fully adjust until we are on our own (Adam's Mom Diana is coming in for this week). She is the greatest little helper, she takes all the diapers to the garbage, always wanting to give Anderson his soother or anything else she finds that is his.
She calls him Baby Ane - I know Anderson is a hard name for her to say - but we are not calling him Andy - so Baby Ane it will be for a while.
I am doing great! I feel great! On my recovery with Jacqueline I ended up with a blood infection and it did not get discovered until she was 3 weeks old - so my recovery was much longer last time - this time, we have been out for walks, and I feel much more like myself (something that took much longer to come back after Jackie was born).
Everyone I knew that had had more than one child told me that the adjustment on the second was so much easier than on the first - and they were so right.
Breast feeding - As many of you know I did not breast feed Jackie, and I was not sure what I was going to do with Anderson - but I gave it a try and it has so far turned out great. Most of the time he is a good little eater - and we are doing well. I did however have to get myself a small breast pump - so far I have only had one glass of wine and starting to have the craving for a few more.....
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Photo Shoot
Dee Ann sent me a few sneak peak pictures from today's photo shoot - I thought I would share a few - I LOVE the pictures of Jackie - I just wish we had taken the time to clean her face and comb her hair - but I am sure more of you know just how hard it is to get a toddler to do what you want them to do - especially when it comes to photos.
Open Eyes
This morning we had a baby photo shoot with my friend Dee Ann; although this photo is not the greatest - Adam snapped it over her shoulder - at least we got some open eyes finally.
Anderson has beautiful deep blue eyes - right now, this is my favourite feature on him.
Check Dee Ann's blog for more photos and back here for more once we get them back - trust me, hers are much better than ours.
Christmas is Officially Here
I don't care when the stores start selling Christmas decorations or how early I actually start buying Christmas presents, Christmas is not officially here until Starbucks bring out the red cups.
My favourite drink - the Gingerbread Latte - this year going by the name 'Gingersnap Latte'. I had one today - and it tasted the same, but then again it was over 10 months since I had one. I have to be good this year - not only am I now working on baby weight, I am on the wonderful reduced income of EI - only one a week - or a very bad day means I can reward myself with on extra.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Pretty Anderson
Well, Anderson is the latest to be subjected to Jackie and her 'Pretty'. This morning she thought he needed a little something extra with his outfit.On a different note - we are happy to report he is already over his birth weight - 8 pounds 1 oz at one week.
Monday, November 10, 2008
How are we doing?
So far things are going quite well. After having Anderson, we “won” the postpartum lottery and got a private room. Yes, for all you Calgary Moms, you know how lucky we are; for those of you that have not been down this path before or are not from Calgary, here is some info for you:
2007 – 16 000 babies were born in 3 hospitals in Calgary
Every year the Rockyview Hospital (the one we used) delivers 700 more babies than it did the year before.
August 2008 – Rockyview delivered 609 babies – 20 babies a day (there are only 35 beds in postpartum).
Needless to say, there is a crazy baby boom going on in Calgary and it has been happening for quite some time – we consider ourselves very lucky that for both births we have had a relatively good experience.
This one was even better – the timing of when Anderson arrived could not have been better, out by 9:15 – he and I were both sleeping by 2.
The first night went well, Adam was sent home (Calgary Health Region has this crazy policy of no support people i.e. Dad’s, staying the night with the new Mom and baby in postpartum); Anderson blessed me though with 4 ½ hours – this allowed me to get some sleep, but not as much as I wanted – unfortunately the baby down the hallway did not give his Mother and the rest of us the same gift.
Everyone told me it is much easier with the second – and they are so true. He does not scare me as much as Jackie did. I know how to hold him, I can confidently change a diaper (when Jackie arrive I had not changed a diaper in at least 15 years if not longer) and the crying does not stress me out this time.
I am feeling great! Last time I ended up with a blood infection, so this severely delayed my recovery time but yesterday we all went for a walk to Starbucks – something I could not do until week 4 with Jackie. Plus, Jackie did not settle a nicely as Anderson does – this means more sleep and less stress.
Breast feeding – last time I tried and it did not workout – this time I have been working at it and it is coming along – we are not completely through the woods yet, but Anderson and I are working on it. He is the slowest eater ever. He likes to snack and fall asleep – so this means, lots of undressing and changing diapers to wake him back up to finish his meal.
I have quickly fallen in love with me new little man – my favourite part are his eyes. It is hard to get a picture right now to show you, but he has these beautiful deep blue eyes.
2007 – 16 000 babies were born in 3 hospitals in Calgary
Every year the Rockyview Hospital (the one we used) delivers 700 more babies than it did the year before.
August 2008 – Rockyview delivered 609 babies – 20 babies a day (there are only 35 beds in postpartum).
Needless to say, there is a crazy baby boom going on in Calgary and it has been happening for quite some time – we consider ourselves very lucky that for both births we have had a relatively good experience.
This one was even better – the timing of when Anderson arrived could not have been better, out by 9:15 – he and I were both sleeping by 2.
The first night went well, Adam was sent home (Calgary Health Region has this crazy policy of no support people i.e. Dad’s, staying the night with the new Mom and baby in postpartum); Anderson blessed me though with 4 ½ hours – this allowed me to get some sleep, but not as much as I wanted – unfortunately the baby down the hallway did not give his Mother and the rest of us the same gift.
Everyone told me it is much easier with the second – and they are so true. He does not scare me as much as Jackie did. I know how to hold him, I can confidently change a diaper (when Jackie arrive I had not changed a diaper in at least 15 years if not longer) and the crying does not stress me out this time.
I am feeling great! Last time I ended up with a blood infection, so this severely delayed my recovery time but yesterday we all went for a walk to Starbucks – something I could not do until week 4 with Jackie. Plus, Jackie did not settle a nicely as Anderson does – this means more sleep and less stress.
Breast feeding – last time I tried and it did not workout – this time I have been working at it and it is coming along – we are not completely through the woods yet, but Anderson and I are working on it. He is the slowest eater ever. He likes to snack and fall asleep – so this means, lots of undressing and changing diapers to wake him back up to finish his meal.
I have quickly fallen in love with me new little man – my favourite part are his eyes. It is hard to get a picture right now to show you, but he has these beautiful deep blue eyes.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Jacqueline and Anderson
The one question everyone wants to know the answer to is how is the older child doing when a new baby comes home?
Well, let’s just start with saying Jackie has done more crying than Anderson has since he has arrived.
Overall I would say she is doing well, she is going through her adjustment period and it is going to take time. Since she is such a Daddy’s little girl, the issues tend to come out when he is holding Anderson and therefore not giving her the attentions she thinks she deserves.
But she knew right away he was a baby – we are working on his name – but Anderson is a hard one, we are also working on the word brother – that comes out better but still needs work.
She is constantly trying to take a look at him while he is sleeping in the bassinette, and she is also a wonderful little helper, taking a dirty diaper to the garbage, etc.
Oh, and the kisses – she has given him countless kisses already.
Given time, I know she will love him and forget that at one point in time she was the centre of our world.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Pictures
Here are some more photos of our hospital experience...
The big sister
Grandma Hill
Grandpa Eric
The big sisterJackie did pretty good at the beginning meeting her new little brother - she knew he was a 'baby' right away. She was okay when I was holding him, but when Dad held him - well, let's just say that is when the first tantrum came. (Remember Dad is her absolute favourite person in the whole world right now - and she is very possessive of him - even with the dog sometimes.)
Grandma Hill
Grandpa EricThe Labour and Delivery Story
Warning: contains detailed information not everyone might want to know or read about.
Wednesday morning – 3:30am – I am having some lovely back labour Braxton hicks – 10 minutes apart for an hour. I was going to wake Adam and say – “I think it’s time” – but they started to peeter off. So back to sleep.
9:30 am – doctor’s appointment where I get an internal – find out I am 3 cm dilated, and the doctor offered to strip my membranes (a way that sometimes helps bring on labour) – I am all for it – let’s get this party started.
Come home (by the way, Jackie is with me all day), and contractions started around 11:30am – but they are not consistent – and with the amount of Braxton Hicks I have had – who knows.
1:00pm – I start writing them down – becoming more painful and definitely more consistent – Adam has been notified of possible impending “come home” phone call.
3:15 – Adam calls to check in with me – just as I am reaching for the phone to say, I need help – the contractions are about 12 minutes apart – but I am now dealing with a toddler as well (oh and I am being blessed with both back and front contractions).
On his way home, Adam called his Mom to come in – she is coming from work in Banff – but has to stop at home – so she is a good 2 hours out. Once he is home, he called our in the city, come as soon as possible person – Brenda to come over. She has just left work and heads right over. Contractions are now ‘stop me in my spot’ and 10 minutes part. Once she arrived, this gave us a bit of time to go through a few things and then head out the door.
On the 20 minute drive to the hospital the contractions are 8 minutes apart – very hard core back labour.
We arrived at the hospital and there are no assessment (triage) rooms available – so off to the waiting room, but thankfully 15-20 minutes later a room opens up.
Once in triage, I am hooked up to the machine that monitors the baby’s heart beat and my contractions. The contractions are okay – still mostly in the back, but not horrific… yet.
After an hour in triage, the nurse comes in and says we have a room ready in delivery – time to move. Anderson had been moving A LOT and this point and they were having a hard time getting a good read on his heart rate, so as soon as we are in the delivery room, they check me – 5 cm – and attach a heart rate monitor to Anderson’s head.
Immediately – I ask for the epidural – I am not a martyr like last time and the back labour pain is horrific.
It take a little bit to get the anaesthesiologist, but about 8pm he arrives and gives me the sweet bliss of drugs. Another check – 7cm. But Anderson is upside down (babies are suppose to be face down coming through the birth canal – he is face up – the cause of so much back pain), so the doctor works on turning him – she was successful – but oh, am I glad I had an epidural for that ‘fun’ procedure.
Now we are at 8:45ish – I send Adam to get himself some coffee and a bite to eat – I am doing well and we are just waiting for those last 3 cm and the “urge to push.”
Adam is still gone, the doctor comes in to check me – I am guessing the nurse saw something on the monitor I did not – but once the doctor came in she said we need to push now! Adam is not even in the room – I said can’t we wait – the doctor said – we will page him – but the baby is in a bit of distress (low heart beat – we found out later it was down to 50-70 beats / min), so we need to push.
At that moment Adam came in the door – he walks in to me in full position – doctor right there and nurses moving around – it was a pretty full room. But he made it for the first push – the doctor said she would give me 3 pushes to get him out – after that she needs to use the vacuum. Well, after 3 pushes he was not quite there, so on goes the vacuum and he came on the 4th push.
Once out, everything was fine – I am not really sure why the heart rate dropped so much and I guess it doesn’t really matter, he is out and perfect.
Wednesday morning – 3:30am – I am having some lovely back labour Braxton hicks – 10 minutes apart for an hour. I was going to wake Adam and say – “I think it’s time” – but they started to peeter off. So back to sleep.
9:30 am – doctor’s appointment where I get an internal – find out I am 3 cm dilated, and the doctor offered to strip my membranes (a way that sometimes helps bring on labour) – I am all for it – let’s get this party started.
Come home (by the way, Jackie is with me all day), and contractions started around 11:30am – but they are not consistent – and with the amount of Braxton Hicks I have had – who knows.
1:00pm – I start writing them down – becoming more painful and definitely more consistent – Adam has been notified of possible impending “come home” phone call.
3:15 – Adam calls to check in with me – just as I am reaching for the phone to say, I need help – the contractions are about 12 minutes apart – but I am now dealing with a toddler as well (oh and I am being blessed with both back and front contractions).
On his way home, Adam called his Mom to come in – she is coming from work in Banff – but has to stop at home – so she is a good 2 hours out. Once he is home, he called our in the city, come as soon as possible person – Brenda to come over. She has just left work and heads right over. Contractions are now ‘stop me in my spot’ and 10 minutes part. Once she arrived, this gave us a bit of time to go through a few things and then head out the door.
On the 20 minute drive to the hospital the contractions are 8 minutes apart – very hard core back labour.
We arrived at the hospital and there are no assessment (triage) rooms available – so off to the waiting room, but thankfully 15-20 minutes later a room opens up.
Once in triage, I am hooked up to the machine that monitors the baby’s heart beat and my contractions. The contractions are okay – still mostly in the back, but not horrific… yet.
After an hour in triage, the nurse comes in and says we have a room ready in delivery – time to move. Anderson had been moving A LOT and this point and they were having a hard time getting a good read on his heart rate, so as soon as we are in the delivery room, they check me – 5 cm – and attach a heart rate monitor to Anderson’s head.
Immediately – I ask for the epidural – I am not a martyr like last time and the back labour pain is horrific.
It take a little bit to get the anaesthesiologist, but about 8pm he arrives and gives me the sweet bliss of drugs. Another check – 7cm. But Anderson is upside down (babies are suppose to be face down coming through the birth canal – he is face up – the cause of so much back pain), so the doctor works on turning him – she was successful – but oh, am I glad I had an epidural for that ‘fun’ procedure.
Now we are at 8:45ish – I send Adam to get himself some coffee and a bite to eat – I am doing well and we are just waiting for those last 3 cm and the “urge to push.”
Adam is still gone, the doctor comes in to check me – I am guessing the nurse saw something on the monitor I did not – but once the doctor came in she said we need to push now! Adam is not even in the room – I said can’t we wait – the doctor said – we will page him – but the baby is in a bit of distress (low heart beat – we found out later it was down to 50-70 beats / min), so we need to push.
At that moment Adam came in the door – he walks in to me in full position – doctor right there and nurses moving around – it was a pretty full room. But he made it for the first push – the doctor said she would give me 3 pushes to get him out – after that she needs to use the vacuum. Well, after 3 pushes he was not quite there, so on goes the vacuum and he came on the 4th push.
Once out, everything was fine – I am not really sure why the heart rate dropped so much and I guess it doesn’t really matter, he is out and perfect.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Introducing....
Anderson Damian Hill
We welcomed our little man into the world Wednesday November 5th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Coming in at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long.
We are all home now – I (Mom) and baby are doing great.
More pictures along with the labour and delivery story will follow tomorrow.
Until then – we are headed to bed!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I made it!
Well - I made it through my alone day! Yeah. I also got quite a bit accomplished on my list - not everything - but more than half of it - and I still managed some quiet down time on the couch.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Alone...
Today I am all alone - well Brutis is here to keep me company, but he sleeps most of the day. Jackie is at day home and I am at home.
I have not had a whole day alone at home since this time 19 1/2 months ago - as I waited for Jackie to come.
I have a nice long list of things I would like to accomplish today - just watch I will go into labour 5 minutes after posting this and the whole glorious day will be shot......
I have not had a whole day alone at home since this time 19 1/2 months ago - as I waited for Jackie to come.
I have a nice long list of things I would like to accomplish today - just watch I will go into labour 5 minutes after posting this and the whole glorious day will be shot......
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween 2008
A Pink Poodle - Jackie loves puppies so the costume was an obvious choice.
The loot
The loot
Jackie had a great time trick or treating - I did I! She understood the concept quite quickly. We were out for about a half hour - once we came home - had a sucker - she helped out in handing out candy to the kids at the door - again - she caught on right away.
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