Our New Family

I can't believe I forgot to post this one... sorry Kev.

Our Picture Perfect Baby

This has been a busy week for us and I am such a proud Mommy.
On Monday we went to the doctor and found out Bradyn had gained just over 4 ounces. Only 7 more to go and she'll be back to her birth weight. We then celebrated by going shopping at the mall. The trip took twice as long as usual and we had to park ourselves in the big comfy chairs for a feeding, but we had lots of fun.
On Tuesday we went back to see Nadine Inkster to have photos of The Rice taken now that she's outside of Mommy's tummy (Nadine did my maternity photos, a few of which I posted previously). Despite the fact that Bradyn cried most of the time and peed all over the blanket, Nadine worked her magic and got these amazing shots of Brady. We can't wait to see the rest! We also had a visit from 3 of Bradyn's DAC aunts that night.
Yesterday was our biggest day yet. We went downtown to order Bradyn's birth certificates, had lunch at White Spot, had a visit with Hugh, our investment advisor, and then went to Daddy's work to show our precious girl off to everyone who would look at her. We finished up with her first trip to Safeway to pick up some groceries. She was so good and very accomodating to being thrown off her schedule a bit. Unbeknownst to me, however, she had a major meltdown from 1 - 3 am this morning. The amazing part is that I didn't hear a sound. Kevin took her out of our room and paced the house with her so I could get my sleep. I know I don't tell him enough, but Kevin is my knight in shining armour. I know for certain that Brady and I would not be getting through these first few weeks so well if we didn't have Daddy at home helping us. I wish the three of us could have all day, every day, together. Lotto 649, please be good to us. :-)

She's One Week Old Already

I can't believe that one week ago right now, I was lying in the recovery room, willing my legs to move so they'd let me out of recovery and allow me to join Kevin and our new daughter. This week has just flown by. We've learned to distinguish her cries, her moods and of course have showered her with love and kisses. It's amazing how a little person can change over the course of a week - what's it going to be like in a month?
Yesterday we had a monumental proud moment - Brady ate from both breasts in one sitting and then stayed awake for the 3 hours until her next feeding! She was so alert. I've never seen those baby blues for such a long span of time. Right now I'm wondering if we jumped the gun by thinking we had a routine though. Bradyn was feeding at 6, 9, 12 and 3, but sleeping from midnight to 6 am. Last night she did the unthinkable - she woke up at 3:45 for a feeding. My little darling is getting a mind of her own. Daddy and I are both hoping it was a fluke (I know, all you parents out there are laughing at us, thinking 'This is only just the beginning of no sleep for you two').
We're off to the doctor today to hopefully find out Bradyn has put some of her weight back on. (She was born 8 lb 11 oz, but was just under 8 lb when she left the hospital.) Then, we're off to the mall to pick up a few things. What a big day - wish us luck.

It's so nice to be home

It's strange to be sitting here at 1:00 in the morning, typing away on the computer, but I'm feeling a need to write.
We arrived home at 8:30 pm Wednesday night, after a very long day of just sitting around the hospital, waiting for Dr D to come by and release Bradyn so we could go home (the obstetrician had given me the green light in the early morning). Bringing Brady home was the most incredible feeling. Of course we quickly bonded and grew to love her in the hospital, but it's just not the same as being in our home with her. I was so overwhelmed with emotions last night while I sat in her room feeding her, with Kevin by my side. People with children always say it'll change your life forever but the cliche really is true - until you experience it yourself, you can't truly understand. The love I feel for this brand new little person that Kevin and I created is overwhelming. I would do anything for her. And Kevin... he is the most amazing man I've ever met and I love him with all my heart. I know he was hesitant about having a baby but let me tell you, there is absolutely nothing he wouldn't do for his little girl. The love he shows her pulls at your heart. I often find myself just watching the two of them together and think 'Can life get any better?'
Today, our first day home, flew by. We had an early start, followed by a nap, another feeding, Bradyn's second bath (her first was in the hospital), cuddles, play, more feedings, more sleep and unpacking. Kevin has been great about tending to my every need and I am so thankful for that.
I want to thank everyone for their kind words, congratulations and best wishes. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family members. I hope to get back to you all soon but please bear with us. I suspect the next few weeks are going to go by just as quickly as today.
Here are a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure: Bradyn in her coming home outfit (yes, I realize it's way too big but it's adorable and I couldn't help myself), bath time, Bradyn finding her thumb already and my favourite - the two most important people in my life.

Happy Birthday, Bradyn!

Wow. At 8:19 AM on Monday February 13, 2006, we welcomed Bradyn Aubrey Reeves into the world. Bradyn is a lovely little girl, and she is healthy in every respect. She weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 51 centimetres long (a very "robust" size, we are reliably informed). Bradyn has a full head of reddish-brown hair and, although she is not inclined to open them very much yet, she has those beautiful blue eyes that only babies are blessed with. In her short time with us, Bradyn has proven to be very patient and adaptable. She briefly expresses discontent each time her environment changes (often with a menacing scowl), but then quickly adjusts and settles down.

Bradyn's mom, Brenda, came through her operation with flying colours. Within a couple of hours, Brenda was out of recovery and attending to Bradyn as if she had done it all her life. I am so proud of both of them. By last night, Brenda was already on her feet, and this morning she was disconnected from all her various tubes and IV's. In light of their fast progress, I think we can expect Brenda and Bradyn to be released from hospital by Thursday, if not sooner.

I sure love both my girls, and can't wait to have them home where they belong!
- Kevin

We're going to have a baby!

It's 8:50 pm on Sunday night and I think it's finally starting to sink in - we're going to have a baby - TOMORROW! In 11 hours!! I haven't been able to put my finger on what I've been feeling all day... anxious, excited, happy, scared, worried, irritable, concerned, nervous... every emotion you can imagine, all mixed together. I had so hoped that I would go into labour on my own and at least get to feel a few contractions so this would seem 'real'. Part of me is feeling ripped off, because I don't get to experience the whole labour part, but the other part of me is sure glad I don't have to push out a baby. I know that having a caesarean is the best thing for the baby and myself, but I still can't help but feel some disappointment. I keep being told that once I have that baby in my arms, it isn't going to matter how it got there and I really do believe that. Sherri also told me to cherish all the movement I can feel in the next few hours because I'm going to miss it once the baby is no longer inside of me. I hope that I'll be able to get some sleep tonight, but it's like that commercial about the family going to Disneyland - I'm too excited to sleep. There's too much going through my head right now. Our lives are going to be changed forever in a few short hours. I just hope that we're ready and that our child will feel as much love from us as we've felt from our families.

And now we have a time

The Rice will finally make his/her appearance at about 8:00 am Monday February 13th (my surgery is scheduled for 7:45). Our visit to the hospital today provided us with plenty of detail (too much in some cases) about what to expect so although I do feel better about the procedure, sometimes there's a lot to be said for the expression 'ignorance is bliss'. To date, none of those wives' tales about how to induce labour have worked, so I'm guessing The Rice will be pretty comfortable staying where he is until Monday morning. If all goes as planned and I recover well, I hope to be home sometime Thursday. Unfortunately, that means no blog updates or pictures until then, but I promise to try and get an email out as soon I can with all the details. Kevin and I are planning to have a nice, quiet weekend together doing a whole lot of nothing - something I'm sure we will look back on nostalgically this time next week.

We have a date

For all those inquiring minds out there....unless I go into labour before then, we will finally get to meet The Rice on Monday February 13th. I don't have a time yet, but will find out on Friday when I go to the hospital for my pre-op testing. We're a bit disappointed because we'd had such a build up all weekend and were thinking it would be Wednesday or Thursday. I guess there were just too many couples having a good time in May because they're all booked up until Monday. At least now we'll have one more weekend to ourselves and I'll have no choice but to lay around eating bon-bons and watching soap operas all week. Rough life. :-) Dr B said again today that I have a big baby so this time I asked what he thinks is big. His estimate is about 8 1/2 pounds. I'm thinking more and more that a c-section sounds good.
Stay tuned.

Why we call the baby The Rice

For those readers who may not know why, or think we're strange for calling our baby The Rice, Kevin thought I better explain. It's really quite simple...
Very early on in my pregnancy, I was reading one of my many books, to see how big the baby was that week. When Kevin asked, I told him the baby was the size of a grain of rice. Hence the nickname The Rice was born and it has stuck. I suspect even after the baby is born and has an official name, we'll often refer to him/her as The Rice. Sure isn't the size of a grain of rice anymore....

Change in Plans

When I saw my doctor on Tuesday, she booked me for an ultrasound because she thought the baby's 'bum' felt too hard. Turns out she was right - it was the head, which means the baby is breech. (Not even born yet and The Rice is a bugger, just like Daddy.) I went to the hospital today to see if they could turn the baby, but s/he's too big! Another ultrasound showed not a whole lot of fluid but lots of baby in there. Not a good sign when the obstetrician tells you 'that's a big baby'. Maybe it's a good thing I'm being scheduled for a c-section after all. I should know the date on Monday or Tuesday and by this time next week we'll have a baby! Guess I really better listen to everyone and rest up the next few days!
Here's a picture of The Rice when s/he was much smaller.

My first Blog posting

Today was my second day off work - I still can't believe I'm going to be a mom! I've run errands, organized closets, cupboards and bookshelves, done laundry, napped and read. Everyone keeps telling me to rest up because in a few short weeks, sleep and free time will be a distant memory. I thought that before the madness begins, I would set up this website so we could post pictures and sleep-deprived ramblings once The Rice arrives. I'm not making any promises to make regular updates, but I'll try.
Enjoy!