Healthy Baby Girl!

At 8 lbs 2 oz. & 21 inches long, baby Elanor was born naturally July 27th at 11:34 am-16 hours after my water broke. 9 & 9 on Apgar scale. We are happy and healthy, and were released from the hospital just over 24 hours after the birth. Sleeping a lot and recovering.

 

That first night in the hospital, Damon asked if someone had turned her onto her side... she already can turn from her back to her side! About 5 days later, Nana went to pick her up and found she had turned onto her stomach... she hasn't repeated that feat since, but mommy is staying very aware. In the last 10 days her neck has gotten very strong and Elanor can normally lift her head and turn to the other side as you hold her.

 

Elanor responds to talking with a smile more and more often...the question is whether it is intentional yet. :) Today she gave a brief coo with her smile--probably just coincidence--but I loved it all the same.

 

The whole family is happy and healthy. More details will follow as sleep and baby care permit. Love and blessings to all.

 

 

3-Year Anniversary

We celebrated our third wedding anniversary (7/7) today since I had finals to study for last night. The Gerst Haus is a tasty German Restaurant. We shared an appetizer with 3 sausages, sauerkraut, potato salad and mild rye bread. For a main course we shared a weinerschnitzel with mushroom sauce, spatzel, and "german fries". The sauce and spatzel weren't amazing, but the rest of it was quite good. Then, much to Damon's surprise, Rachel gladly shared an apfelstruedel with him. Yum! Of course, he had to eat 3/4 of everything because I tend to run out of space. But the baby was very accommodating and didn't kick my stomach even once during dinner. Thank you! :-) 

38-Week Baby Belly

Wow! This photo [will upload soon...] from yesterday was taken the last day of week 38. 13 days until baby is officially due! Most of my siblings and I were born between half a week before and a week after our due dates... so theoretically it is likely my babies will also arrive near that timeline. But you know what assuming does... :-P

I finished my class final today, so now she gets to choose the schedule. :-)

36 Weeks Already

Time sure does fly! Although I'm not due until July 21st (40 weeks), technically a baby is considered full term from 37-42 weeks.

Between starting college this summer (classes end at 38 weeks) and expecting Elanor soon (wouldn't it be funny if she turned out to be he?) we are very busy and excited. I'm consistently a bit short on sleep, not because of the baby making sleep impossible, but because my schedule is too full to get as much sleep as I should... so I typically make up for it with after-class naps. :-P

Pregnancy really can become hilarious. Between waddling across campus and up steps I make quite a sight. And the other day I was sitting on a couch in the cafeteria and leaned forward to pick up my drink from the end table in front of me... but I couldn't reach because baby's bum was firmly wedged under my ribs. I tried again...like it would make a difference. Finally, I scoot-hopped forward to the edge of the couch to get my drink, and oomphed my way back into my seat after getting a drink. About the second or third time of doing this, I finally decided to do the logical thing and hold my drink on my belly--where she kicks it.

Pregnant life is also a bit ironic. Today after my midterm I tried to slip my sandal back on without bringing attention to the fact that it had been off. Elanor had other plans. In an hour or so my foot had swollen enough that the previously snug fit now required a hand to push my sandal on. Anyone other than me would celebrate an excuse to have to go shoe shopping. How ironic that I don't like shopping.

Braxton Hicks are now a daily occurrence. Most of the time it feels like a band of relatively mild cramp-like tension across my back that sometimes reaches to the front of my belly. Occasionally my entire belly gets firm and tight...but I have to feel my belly to be sure whether baby is moving or if it is a practice contraction. She likes to stretch and move despite the amount of space that remains. :-) An average gestational length is 41 weeks and a day. So, theoretically I have little reason to worry she may arrive early.

Only 14 days until classes are out, then baby gets to choose her own schedule! Until then, no productive Braxton Hicks allowed--practice only! (Keep your fingers crossed...)

I Sewed A Crib Sheet, Hurray!!!

I finally did it! Friday I decided, now or never: time to make that crib sheet I've been wanting. Yes, I will need many sheets. However, I wanted one in my favorite ABC pattern--besides, the materials cost equal to or less than a basic sheet on the market. So, I indulged. I'll try to remember to take a picture and post it. :-)

The little things in life are typically the most fun!

34-Week Baby Belly Eve

Wow, tomorrow I'm 34 weeks along! So here's a picture to see how much I've grown. Notice the ever-present item I'm missing--my rings. It feels strange not to wear them, and I miss my beautiful engagement ruby that Damon spent 3 months selecting. But I can enjoy them again in a couple months. ;-)

My hands and feet have gotten a bit swollen, and I now enjoy a laundry list of common pregnancy symptoms that thankfully are not all constant: cold-natured me is now burning up while Damon freezes with AC running, aches, congestion, reflux, nausea, need to eat frequently, easily exhausted and out of breath, baby kicking ribs and stomach, etc. However, this is all worth while as I feel Elanor moving around. I think I might miss her acrobatics.

The baby responds to Damon!
Sometimes when she is especially actively kicking and elbowing me, he will come talk to her and rub the appendages sticking out. She consistently calms down. Beautiful!

Recent cravings: Milk, Silk (soy milk), cottage cheese with fruit on a bed of spinach.

It's hard to believe she's due in 6 weeks. Only 4-8 weeks remaining...

Sweet dreams to all!

My Rings Don't Fit At 33 Weeks :-(

I'm sad to say that the slight swelling and tightness in hands and feet that I only noticed some evenings at 30 weeks along is now the norm 24-7. Today after church I squeaked my rings off after a bit of effort. So, for safety sake I'll have to wait a couple months before I get to wear them again.