Two Weeks Old

Yesterday Lily turned two weeks old. It has been another week of not too much sleep, but lots of time enjoying our new baby. Nichole is slowing recovering and adjusting to what it means to have someone always needing her on a regular basis.

Here she is after this morning's feeding with a smile on her face.

This is how she likes to sleep. Since this picture, her umbilical cord has come off.

Lily, mom and dad and their first walk.

One Week Old

Today Lily had her one week birthday. A package arrived in the mail for her from her Tante Inge and Uncle Roy. I went to work for the first time today and missed her a lot. We have enjoyed having our daughter at home and have been adjusting to life as new parents. Lily eats "breakfast" at about 5 am and after that her and I sleep together in the La-z-boy or on the couch while Sportscenter plays in the background. Mommy is continuing to heal and adjust to night time feedings.
Yesterday she had her first doctor's appointment and Dr. Grubb said everything looked normal and she is very healthy. Here are some pics from her first week of life.

Monday Morning

It is Monday morning and last night was a fairly good one, I think. Being only my second night at home as a dad, I don't have much to compare it to. She slept, ate and pooped, which is what I think she will be doing for the next little while. Nichole slept the most since we went to the hospital. She is up, active and just walked into the room eating a brownie, so things are starting to return back to normal. Here is a link to the photos that the hospital took. Please enter this password when the new page loads.

Lily Ann

The password is: C9D6M1K5Q2

Scary Day, Happy Day

The first few days of Lily's little life have been quite an adventure. For the first 24 hours or so Nichole was very tired and still on pain medication. I helped out a lot and was very tired. About 8 Thursday morning I fell into a dead sleep with Lily on my chest (She likes to sleep that way the best). I was quickly awakened as I felt her rolling out of my arms, onto the couch and then onto the floor. I quickly scooped her up and headed to find a nurse to see if any damage head been done. The nurse checked her over, and then her doctor came and said nothing seemed to be wrong, but she would have an xray done just in case. I was beside myself at this point and could hardly believe how much I loved something I had only known for 24 hours. Tears well up just recounting this story. The xray machine came to our room and she had some xrays taken of her little head. We waited for patiently for the results and were quite dismayed when it was discovered that she had a small fracture on the side of her skull.
The next hour and a half was quite a roller coaster. A CT scan was ordered and we waited patiently for the nurse to come and get our precious baby. We cried and prayed and cried and prayed. After all she had been through how could something like this happen.
The nurse that came to get her was a blessing. We walked through the hospital and the nurse just went right around all the people waiting for their scans and said to the head doctor, "this one's next." Lily didn't have to be sedated, as she was fast asleep and sat patiently during all the testing. The nurse then said to the doctor, "if this was your child, how long would you want to wait for the result?" Less then twenty minutes later our doctor called with the result. Everything was perfectly normal. Praise the Lord. I paid extra close attention to her the rest of the day and she acted normal the whole time. Our doctor said her head will heal and there should not be any permanent damage.
Last night, our great friend Kimberly stayed with Nichole and I went to the Dickau's with my sister for a great night of sleep. This morning we came back and found there was a long night of little sleep but today went much better. The lactation consultant came and encouraged Nichole with some great feeding tips and the baby fed for almost 45 minutes. Lily also had her hearing test and passed in record time. We had a great day as a family and also had some visitors. The sun was shining and our little baby continued to eat, go potty and bring us great joy. This afternoon she even got a little hot and we played in just a t-shirt and diaper together. The doctor's check this morning showed she is very healthy with no signs of jaundice, a strong heart beat and good temperature. Nichole is also doing well. She walked around, visited with friends, ate well and once again was her spunky self.
Just two full days and such a wide range of emotions and events. Thanks all for your prayers, cards, gifts and phone calls. Lily can't wait to meet all of you.

So happy together
Uncle Ben reading Lily a story.

Welcome to the world Lily Ann

Last night at 1:47 am., our new baby girl Lily Ann was born. She weighed 7lbs. 5oz. and was 19.5 in. long. It was a very long day. Nichole was in intense labor for about three hours last night and at about 1:00 am the doctors figured Lily wasn't lined up properly to come out. Leah and I got in some sweet scrubs and made our way over to the OR to see my child being born. If you want gory details, let me know because I watched. Nichole and I are pretty tired, but exhilarated to be new parents. I will try and get a better picture of Lily once she wakes up, because now her head is more normal. An yes Grandpa and Opa, she has more hair than you do.

Guesses

If you want to be a cool internet nerd take this quiz.

Baby Gruber Survey

Home Stretch

We are in the home stretch. Nichole is dilated to a nine and the contractions are pretty close together. Please pray for a healthy mommy and baby. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. My next post I will hopefully be a dad. Yay!

Epidural Ecstasy update with picture

About an hour Nichole finally got her epidural. She is resting quietly in the bed as she awaits her afternoon snack of Jello. She is now at a 5.5 and the baby is making its way into the world. Please pray as the epidural had to be stuck twice and the first time error may result in some headaches. Thank you for all your prayer and fun comments. I hope our daughter looks nothing like her grandfathers and has more hair then they do when she is born.

We're having a baby!!

This morning Nichole's water broke at 4:30 am. We made our way to the hospital and shortly after my sister Leah joined us. Nichole is having consistent contractions and the sun is coming up over the horizon. I am going to be a dad. Woohoo!

36 weeks, 3 days

Well, this is where I am at. Just 3 1/2 weeks to go until my due date. I am doing well.
My doctors appointment was a bit of a let down this week. I was told I am Group Strep B positive... which is a pregnancy complication. What does it mean? I have to get to the hospital right away if my water breaks at home. I have to be on antibiotics through my labor. And, baby and I have to stay in the hospital a minimum of 48 hours so baby can be monitored. More than likely, she will be fine and not get GSB, but there is still a chance she could get it which is a bit scary. It is the very thing that almost took my niece's life, which is why I am worried. So, please pray for this and pray for our baby girl. I thank God for tests that can help doctors take care of issues such as these, but at the same time, I am a worrier so it is hard for me.
I am up every two hours or so and have been moving to the recliner around 3 am most mornings. John is at Winter Camp up in the mountains this weekend - so I am staying with some friends just in case. I miss him and look forward to seeing him tomorrow... I always hate these times when we are separated. :-) He called me this afternoon and said he is looking forward to next year when our little girl will be with us at camp. How fun!
Aunt Leah came on Friday to spend the night with me - we had fun together. She took some pregnancy pic's of me in my 9th month... these will not be posted. :-) Thanks auntie Leah!!
My parents are making their way out here soon - but are stuck in Ohio right now. Hope they make it! I am still convinced I will go early... wishful thinking.
The nursery is set to go pretty much - we'll post some pic's of it soon. Oh, and I need to post some pic's of my baby shower. It was so much fun! We got lots of girly clothes and beautiful blankets. Clothing wise, we are set through 6 months for sure. We also got a baby bathtub, pack-n-play and swing. Yeah! We are still working on getting our car seat/stroller... probably going to get that this week. I'll post some fun baby stuff pic's when John gets home and shows me how. :-) Bye for now!

My funny husband

Nichole: John, please take this container of fudge away from me before I eat it all! (Note: I don't even like fudge usually)
John: Okay (moves the fudge to the other side of the counter... then, pauses... smiles... takes the fudge and puts it on the floor!)
Nichole: very funny!! (cuz I can't bend over very well so he thought the safest place to put the silly fudge was on our kitchen floor!!!)
What a silly husband!