baby E is a whole TWO months!

Our little diva already knows how to pose haha

Height/Weight

These are week 7 stats so she’s gained a lot from this in one week (we can visually tell)

23 inches

15.25 inches (head circumference)

            Birth- 14 inches

8 pounds 8.5 ounces

Size:

Gradually transitioning into 3-6 month clothes already! She is almost EXCLUSIVELY in 3-month clothes!

Seven weeks here! :) She is so beautiful. I know,...I'm bias!        

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! No dairy or gluten!

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Beautiful, beautiful” by Francesca Battistelli

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping! She is a lot more alert so she’s in the best mood right in the morning and then again when her dad gets home in the evening!

TV show- She watches a little bit of TV now on her activity mat!

Thing to giggle at- She thinks its funny to stick her tongue out or when she sneezes.

Firsts/Milestones:

-We are starting to hear a little giggle!! So exciting!

-She “talks” to us more and more each day!

-She’s able to follow objects with her eyes and even hold up her head for a couple minutes during our tummy time!

-She is starting to try to blow little raspberries!

-She officially got over her 1^st cold at the end of the 7^th week and gained weight! Yay! We feel that we are finally hitting baseline with her weight and it’s only UP from here!

-Breastfeeding has gotten easier and I actually LOVE it now. It is such an intimate time that I will always cherish with her...plus the little smiles she gives me just melts my heart. She knows that I am taking care of her.

-Managing things around the house has gotten better since she is more tolerable laying down by herself...in her swing...and overall, just in a better mood. Although she still gets stressed if we push it by taking her out for too long or she’s overwhelmed with too many new faces.

-At her very young age...she already shows signs of separation anxiety from Ryan and I...it’s cute NOW but makes us a bit worried for the future. Oh well! We are taking it day by day and enjoying it while it lasts!

5-6 week update: the "weight-ing" game :)

In Rockford at her Baby Dedication :) 

Height/Weight:

22.5 inches

15.25 inches (head circumference)

            Birth- 14 inches

8 pounds 5 ounces

Size:

Gradually transitioning into 3-6 month clothes already! She is almost EXCLUSIVELY in 3-month clothes!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! J No dairy or gluten!

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Beautiful, beautiful” by Francesca Battistelli

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping!

TV show- She watches a little bit of TV now!

Thing to giggle at- She thinks its funny to stick her tongue out or when she sneezes.

her 1st little halloween outfit

Firsts/Milestones:

- Not only does she make eye contact with us, but also she is starting to talk to us! Along with smiling and laughing!! We LOVE it. She is talking more and more! Watch this amazingly cute video of her! Don’t mind my weird conversation I’m having with her about her poop! Haha

-She is starting to try to blow little raspberries!

-We love hearing her big (and little) poops!

-We went to Rockford for the first time and we had her Baby Dedication! We still have yet to receive the pictures (which I will post later). The short ceremony we did at my home church basically was to signify that we are dedicating her to God...that we agree to raise her according to His will...to raise her in a Godly home! It meant so much to us and she had the cutest little outfit on courtesy of her Grandma “Mithu” (my mom) and her auntie Maria!

-Sadly, she experienced her first cold. The whole Dorough household got sick. She’s a pretty good sleeper at night (3-4 hour stretches before nursing then she goes right back to sleep) but for 3 nights, she was so restless and throughout the day she was too. I am still sick but imagine taking care of a restless and clingy baby while I also had NO sleep. Very difficult. She’s doing better now but I’m still checking her temperature like every 5 mins!

Due to the stupid virus (great for her immune system horrible for her weight!), she lost weight (visually) and we got a little concerned. However the following day she started to sleep better and started nursing literally EVERY hour actively...not as much for comfort. Our 6-week doctor’s appointment, she only gained 1 oz since her last appointment around 5 weeks. Although I would have been concerned about a week ago, this time I’m not because she doesn’t have a metabolic problem but she was sick! Her poops are very mustardy yellow (awesome!), she’s peeing a lot, eating well...so we have confidence once she kicks this virus in the butt, her weight will gradually increase! We were also encouraged that she grew in length and head, which in itself takes metabolic processes and energy so she is getting nutrition! Her fat stores may not be filling up but I know in time, she will plump up and become our little chunker!

my baby is 1 month (in this blog) :D

Height/Weight:

 22 inches

8 pounds 4 ounces

Size:

She is officially out of NEWBORN clothes and can fit into her 0-3 months! Some 3-6 month size clothes fit (mainly pajamas) because she’s long!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! J She hates dairy though...goodbye frozen yogurt! L

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Beautiful, beautiful” by Francesca Battistelli (when she cries in the car, I play this from my phone and it usually helps calm her down) I started singing this to her recently and she loves it too :D

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping!

TV show- She watches a little bit of TV now!

Thing to giggle at- She loves giggling and talking when we change her diaper. Strange kid.

Firsts/Milestones:

- Not only does she make eye contact with us, but she is starting to talk to us! Along with smiling and laughing!! We LOVE it.

-We love hearing her big (and little) poops!

-Traveling with her in the car (alone) isn’t as scary as it use to be (for short trips)...I am so use to it now! Granted I hold my breath the ENTIRE time hoping she is comfortable and safe...as soon as I hear a cry...my blood pressure goes from normal to dangerously high! Thank goodness so far, those moments are not that common!

“Don’t worry! She’ll be fine!”

I really hate people saying that to me.

Okay. I know that is just a way to help reassure me...make me feel better...but in very specific circumstances thus far- my mommy intuition is RIGHT. Hearing that phrase just makes me feel as if I am wrong. Yeah yeah...sensitive little ol’ me.

Estella has been having issues gaining weight to the point of our pediatrician giving us an actual time limit to get her to boost her weight before he “called in the troops”. Although everything else appeared normal and healthy, the only two things that were out of the norm was her weight AND her yucky green poops.

I knew there was something wrong. Not the typical “Oh she’ll just catch up and have a big growth spurt!” but the “HOW CAN I FIX THIS?!”

We spent the weekend tweaking things here and there with the breastfeeding...discovered quickly that my overproduction of milk is actually a SUCKY problem to have...worked on that and BOOM! Our baby girl gained 9 ounces in THREE days. Amazing.

That is when I felt like a good mom for the first time. Not only was I able to provide nutrition for my growing little girl but I was able to use my “motherly instinct” to fix the problem!

She is still growing slowly but she is so healthy...and that is what makes us happy and reassured.

So all you moms out there...even you first time mamas like me...LISTEN to YOUR intuition. Don’t ignore it.

That inner voice that is embedded in you the moment you delivered life into the world is vital to your growth as a person...a mother...and the health of your beautiful baby.

I get to "decorate" her now but only in time, she won't want my fashion advice anymore:(

one month favorites!!

I found some things I can't do without (so far) for the first month and other than the obvious necessities, I narrowed it down to these NINE items.

3 weeks :)

Height/Weight:

 21 ¼ inches

7 pounds 14 ounces

Size:

Newborn!

Since she’s “tall” the pajamas with little footsies don’t fit!

           

Favorites:

Food- BREASTMILK! J

Book- “On the night you were born”

Song- “Beautiful, beautiful” by Francesca Battistelli (when she cries in the car, I play this from my phone and it usually helps calm her down)

Toy- My boobs.

Non-toy toy- My boobs.

Time of day- any time as long as she’s fed, clean, and napping!

TV show- she doesn’t get to watch any yet!

Thing to giggle at- She loves laughing and smiling in her sleep! She is starting to look at us in the eyes now and sometimes she will throw us a little grinJ

Firsts/Milestones:

- Blowouts & farts are still HILARIOUS.

- Her FIRST road trip to Michigan (normally a 3.5 hour trip) and her first wedding of our beautiful friends, Matt & Emily!

-THREE-week doctor’s appointment:

Our little girl gained some ounces but still has not gained what our pediatrician (and us) was hoping. It was a bit of a downer of an appointment. Our pediatrician had me nurse her while in office and to weigh her immediately after to see how much transferred and she weighed 8 pounds meaning she took in 2 ounces! The only thing that we’re thinking could be a possibility is that my overproduction of milk is causing her to have an imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk (the fattier milk with calories). She could be getting too much foremilk, which she just poops out and causes her poops (lately) to have a green tint (mustard yellow is normal for breastfed babies). It could also be from food sensitivities so I cut out gluten and dairy recently hoping that will help (she’s also had some colicky nights). We have our 1-month appointment on Friday and hoping she gained more weight. It is a bit disheartening because I feel like a failure for her since she depends solely on me...but I am trying to keep my spirits up! On a positive note, her pediatrician did a full exam on her again and everything still is super healthy!

through his eyes...

September 20, 2012 at 4:16 a.m. The time I looked at my phone wondering if this was actually the day. To be honest, the day before, I would have bet money that my wife was going to go into labor that evening. However, the prodromal labor had tricked us before. I knew this time was it but I wasn’t in any hurry because I knew the process was going to be long. I felt nauseous and fatigued. No way I am getting sick right now…

We were on the road by 4:30 a.m. Bags were already packed, snacks were loaded and I just had to sneak her push gift into the luggage. The drive was quick and easy (for me) despite erratic, yet consistent contractions. We were admitted and escorted up to our floor just as the contractions started up once again. This was about to get real. Regardless, I knew we were not leaving this hospital without our little girl. Our first nurse was very friendly. She hooked up the IV, started a Non Stress Test to monitor mom and baby and let us know that Mimi was 4 cm dilated. Contractions still intense, consistent and erratic. I was prepared to see my wife in pain. With our birth plan, pain was the only option.

We were all moved to our Alternative Birth room. Of course I hadn’t brought all the bags up when we first were admitted. I had only grabbed the snacks to keep Mimi’s energy up. I didn’t want to carry all the bags from room to room. So, I had to run down to the car to get the other bags. “Babe, don’t forget the polka dot bag with the birth plan in it. And the diaper bag. And Xander has his back pack, a cooler with his food and his clothes.” Ok, no sweat. 

I see one of our friends from our birth class in the hallway that had given birth the day before. We are both heading down so we started chatting as we wait for a nurse to buzz us out (someone has to let you in/out of the floor for security purposes).  I ask about their birth and let him know how Mimi is doing. About 5 minutes pass by… I’m playing it cool thinking “Why the hell is no one here to let us out.” 

Finally, 8-10 minutes later a nurse shows up. We get down to the main floor. I was told I have to use the other entrance because the door we came in was closed until 6 a.m. We just came in that door… ok? So I had to go outside and run around to the other side of the building in which we had parked. I grabbed the 7 bags and get 50% of the way. S#$@! This is some serious weight. It’s hot. I didn’t eat. But my wife was in labor. How could I even be complaining knowing what she was going through inside. I realize once I get to the parking lot that it would have been smart to move the car. Too late now.

I pile all the bags in a wheel chair and head upstairs. “I hope you are bringing that wheel chair back down once you are done,” the guy at the reception desks yells to me in a tone trying to sound tough. I yell back,”yes, sir!” in a sarcastic tone. Thinking “you #$85, my wife is in labor and you are surrounded by wheel chairs. I’m not bringing this back down in spite of you.” I get to the room and unload the bags. “Babe, will you get my phone. I think it’s in the car?” No problem. Ok, this time I move the car to the correct side of the hospital. Back up to the room within 5 minutes. Oh, and I did bring the guy back his wheel chair.

I get back to the room. The contractions are not decreasing in intensity. Sucks for her. But good for the process. I want this process over for her sake. It has been a long, somewhat miserable two weeks leading up to this process. I start massaging her back and telling her how strong she is, how her body was meant to do this and that I knew she could do it. None of that was a lie. I knew it was going to be a long road. But I knew baby Estella was coming out drug free. I never doubted my wife’s strength.

Metta shows up after us being in the room for 1.5-2 hrs maybe? She says a prayer. Mimi gets more focused. I provide counter pressure on her hips and it offers her significant relief. Fantastic. Finally something I can offer to provide some relief. Every time a contraction came so did the counter pressure on her pelvis. Even if I was getting her a drink or something to eat… I was commanded to stop, drop and get my butt over there. Shirley gets there. Things seem to be progressing. Mimi wants to get in the tub so Shirley gets it prepped. “It will be about 45 minutes” Shirley says. I say “ok” thinking “how can it takes 45 minutes to fill a tub of water.” Doesn’t matter. It seems like her labor is progressing into transition phase. Mimi is staying strong but the contractions are starting to wear at her. One hour later we get in the tub… It seems to offer relief. Shirley checks and Mimi is 8 cm. Gets back into the tub. She decided to push a little to see if any progress is made. Nothing. Contractions are coming erratically. Metta is helping by pushing on her left side as I push on the right. With the types of contractions and 8 cm dilated I am positive this baby will be here within the hour. At this point it was 9 something in the morning.

big NURSERY reveal!

ESTELLA'S AMAZING NURSERY!

Finally right?! Sorry it took so long. Taking care of Estella has taken precedence over everything and my internet sucks so this has been prolonged for good reasons :)

I will post WAY more pictures on my FB but here are my favorites! 

Enjoy!