visit from the Gillespies

Tyler and Jenna got a visit from our close friends the Gillespies. Between the energy of their three kids and Tyler (which equals three all on his own), it was near chaos. But we wouldn't have it any other way. They were in and out from the backyard to the family room, they were playing trucks, trains and dancing like wild animals. And then there were the tender moments with a pretty new baby!

4 hours

For the past two days Jenna has started to go at least four hours between feedings. It is heaven and totally unexpected for a two week old!

visit from the Howes

The Howes family came today to meet Jenna and let the boys hang out. We headed to the nearby park where the boys were mesmerized by the big lawn-cutting vehicles. When the novelty finally wore off, probably after a half hour, they finally got down to the business of having fun on the playground equipment. The girls peacefully napped near their mommies. Back at the house we enjoyed banana smoothies while the boys quarreled over cars and kissed their little sisters. And then wiseguy Tyler put a box upside down on his head and then Simon wisecracked, "Nice hat!" Despite vying for the same toy trucks, the boys play well together.

Howeses and Campbells

Tyler

Jenna

Howes girls

Howes boys

Simon and Tyler

Matilda and Jenna

big brothers and baby sisters

silly Tyler

the case of the missing binky

For days I have been searching for Jenna's pink binky. I swore that the last time I saw it, the pacifier was sitting on the end table next to me while I fed Jenna in the playroom. But after searching for days, I thought maybe I was mistaken and had lost her favorite binky while at the doctor's office earlier in the week.

Investigator Alex solved the mystery after a more thorough search of the playroom. Tyler was using the binky, in his words, as "cargo" in his truck which was then rolled under the chair. Mystery solved.

finger squeezes

Tyler has realized that if he holds his finger near Jenna's hands that she will grasp his finger tightly. He loves this and rushes back to excitedly tell us, then goes back to offer his finger again.

first bath

Jenna took her first bath. She was not a big fan. Although she tolerated the splash of water to the face very well when her big brother tried to help wash her hair. Oops.

stump is gone

While disrobing at the doctor's office to get her blood drawn, Jenna's umbilical cord finally fell off.

another checkup

We brought Jenna back to the doctor to follow up on her jaundice condition. I was a little skeptical as to why the nurses and doctors were making a bigger deal about the borderline jaundice condition this time and not when I had Tyler, who showed similar symptoms and for which the borderline condition cleared on its own quickly. Turns out that Tyler and I have the same blood type (O positive). Jenna has Alex's blood type (A positive) which means that mother and baby have an ABO incompatibility (Coombs positive) and Jenna is more at risk for jaundice, the reason for the extra vigilance from the medical staff.

She looks less yellow than she did at the end of last week, but I wanted to be sure since her face and eyes are still tinted yellow. She was tested and her bilirubin levels are declining. Yeah! She is nursing well, which helps her rid her body of the bilirubin, so the doctor is very pleased and we don't need to go back.

And for more good news, Jenna is still gaining weight well. She is now up to 7 pounds, 8 ounces, just above her birthweight.

now you see me, now you don't

pretty in pink at one week old

Isn't she absolutely precious?

first checkup

Jenna had her first checkup today. She has already gained weight. Yeah! (You'll remember that we had some issues getting Tyler to gain weight in the first couple weeks of his life. See pics from his checkup.) While in the hospital, Jenna went down to 6 lbs. 14 oz., but was up to 7 lbs. before leaving. As of today, she is 7 lbs. 2 oz.

She has been borderline with jaundice for several days now. She's still looking a little yellow, but we're hoping that it will pass on its own as was the case with Tyler as well. Otherwise our little girl is healthy and doing well!

she bit me

Tyler came up with a game he thinks is so funny: he puts his finger near Jenna and then turns around giggling and exclaiming, "Jenna bit me!"

visit from the Redmons

My friend Meg and her youngest, Ben, were in town and came by to visit Baby Jenna. Albeit a brief visit, it was a sweet one.

Ben Redmon

family walks

I love walking to the park as a family. Alex and Tyler push ahead (Tyler on his new trike) while Jenna and I take our time strolling along. Despite being less than a week out from surgery, I'm happy that I've been able to still enjoy our family tradition. But I did take it easy and sit with Jenna while Tyler and Alex ran around and played soccer. We also spotted a big bunny which was another highlight.

big brother

We talked to Tyler today about the fun and responsibility that comes with being a big brother. He is more than excited about "Baby Jenna!" To make sure that he doesn't feel left out of this big family shift, we rewarded him with a new trike and he loved it! And of course the whole family took our first walk together: Tyler on his new trike and Jenna in her hand-me-down carseat/stroller. I felt like I could keep going but decided not to push myself as I'm only four days out from surgery.

loving his baby sister

We could never imagine how over the moon Tyler would be for his baby sister. We've been expecting some jealousy or annoyance on his part due to the splitting of our attention, but not so. Tyler wants to see her, kiss her and says, "Oh Jenna! So cute!"

on the go

pre and post belly

My belly the day of delivery and then days after surgery as we left the hospital...

on the way home

Jenna's drive home from the hospital (May 2009)

Tyler's drive home from the hospital (Nov. 2006)

mama's house

This morning Tyler was upset because he wanted to see Mommy and Jenna. He told Alex that he wanted to "go to Mama's house" to see us. Funny how four or five days in the hospital equates to ownership in the mind of a two year old. Time for me to come home!

two days old

one day old

welcome jenna to the family

After many delays before my surgery, the actual procedure performed by Dr. Yadav, my OB/GYN, went smoothly. Jenna had some minor troubles expelling all of the fluid in her lungs, but that issue was soon resolved.

Immediately following the surgery, while still in the post-op room, Jenna was showing signs of hunger and popped onto my breast without hesitation. This was a bit unexpected since Tyler needed more help to really latch well the first few times.

Eventually Tyler and Oma were able to join us in the post-op room as well, but Jenna had already gone for her bath and checkup. Tyler didn't seem overwhelmed by the equipment or potentially scary location. He asked to see Mommy's boo boo (an IV in my hand) and otherwise enjoyed checking out the new place. He got really excited to see Jenna through the glass of the baby nursery while on our way to our room.