7 Days Old

Our first week together....

It is hard to image our life without this precious baby girl.  Garrett and I fall more in love with Graycen each day, hour, and minute.   It still feels a bit surreal that she is here and we are parents, but we are easing into our new roles and lifestyle :)

Graycen is doing well, but has been monitored closely by our doctor due to concerns with jaundice.  At her first appointment on Tuesday, her blood work showed her bilirubin level to be high (20).  So the doctor had her admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay under the special lights.   Thankfully, Garrett is who he is, and tries to find humor in these moments...he took this picture and we couldn't help but laugh - our little bug baby.

It was a rough night for all three of us - Garrett and I were able to stay with her in the hospital, but we weren't able to take her out of the bed for more than 20-30 minutes every 3 hours, and Graycen HATED the googles, which would slide down her face each time she moved.  I HATED hearing her cry and not being able to comfort her in the way she needed.   After a night under the lights, Graycen's bilirubin level decreased significantly and we were discharged that morning.  We have another check up on Monday and hopefully the levels will be even lower.  

Now that we're home, hopefully for good, we're getting used to doing things around the house while holding a baby.  Garrett has adjusted quite well in this area.  Garrett has been able to adapt his daytime and nightime activities so that he can watch TV/movies/sports AND hold Graycen at the same time :)

I've loved watching Garrett be a dad this week.  He likes to come across as a tough guy, but when he is with Graycen he is a big mush-ball.  He is an amazing dad already - can't wait to watch his relationship with Graycen grow. 

Halen has already established himself as "big brother" and protector. 

And Hendrix...well, he's not as excited as Halen about the new arrival.

Graycen is Here!!!!

What an exciting, surprising, amazing week the Smith family has had.  I started the week “feeling” like things might happen soon, but I did not anticipate by the week’s end that we would be meeting the most beautiful and precious miracle.

Garrett and I decided to wait until Wednesday to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dinner date – in between our doctor’s appointment and hospital tour.  Our appointment was going well, but based on the stress test results, Graycen’s size, etc. he told us that he would like to induce me next week.  A rush of emotion went through me – panic (were we really ready?), excitement (we have waited SO long for the moment) and anxiety (I still had many things left to do on my to do list). 

Suddenly our “next week” turned into that night.  Based on my exam, the doctor did an ultrasound to check my fluid levels, which had dropped significantly from Monday to below the “safe” level.  Within in minutes, we were admitted to the hospital with a planned induction for that night.

My sudden rush of panic, excitement and anxiety intensified as I realized that this moment that Garrett and I had been waiting for and dreaming had arrived.  I quickly made a packing list for Garrett (I usually plan ahead for everything…but, I hadn’t packed my hospital bag yet) and sent him of in a very panicked state to pack bags, grab cameras, set up dog-sitting duties, and make lots of phone calls.

I was able to sleep for a few hours before my contractions started….Garrett slept the entire night.  Thankfully, I had an amazing nurse that took very good care of me and helped me through many of the contractions.  Around 7:30am, I was able to get my epidural and about an hour later, I was ready to push.  The on-call doctor was rushed in and within 20 minutes, Graycen had arrived at 5 lbs 9oz and 18 inches long.

Needless to say, we were instantly in love with this tiny, beautiful miracle.

37 Weeks – 92.5% complete!

Unfortunately, no profile pictures of Graycen – I guess she’s wanting to surprise us!  She is too low to see her profile - we did get see the back of her head, though!

We went in for our 37 week appointment and an ultrasound to re-measure Graycen.  She continues to be measuring smaller than normal for 37 weeks and based on their measurements, is weighing less than 5 lbs.  Because of her size, Graycen and I will now be monitored 2 times per week until she arrives.  We have our first stress-test appointment Monday afternoon. 

Although, Graycen is weighing in on the tiny side, I’ve been gaining about 1-2 lbs. per week. And, having a great time doing it.  I have been craving all things chocolate and have had to make chocolate cake and/or brownies at least once a week.  Here is my favorite chocolate cake recipe so far…

Black Magic Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Ever!)

Ingredients

- 1 3/4 c all purpose flour - 2 c sugar - 3/4 c cocoa powder - 2 tsp baking soda - 1 tsp baking powder - 1 tsp salt - 2 eggs - 1 c strong black coffee, cooled - 1 c buttermilk - 1/2 cup vegetable oil - 1 tsp vanilla extract

CHOCOLATE FROSTING - 1/2 c margarine, softened - 2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled - 3 c powdered sugar - 3 Tbsp milk - 2 tsp real vanilla extract

 Directions

1. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.

2. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
3. Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin.
4. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans.
6. Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

Graycen continues to kick and jab all day.  My bump has been taking on many shapes over the past few weeks as she puts her foot, hands and elbows in different places.  I think I’m going to miss this part – feeling her move and grow.  I’m sure there are many other things that I will miss about being pregnant, but I’ve finally reached the point where EVERYTHING is difficult to do and I’m uncomfortable about 98% of the time. 

Sleep has also been difficult the past week and half.  When I’m not tossing and turning, I’m having crazy dreams or lying wide awake trying to convince myself to go back to sleep.  Thanks to my Nook, I’ve been able to get in about 1 to 2 hours of reading a night – spending a portion of the time (ironically) reading about the importance of establishing healthy sleep habits. 

Despite an exhausting and stressful week, it ending with a wonderful baby shower hosted by a few of my colleagues.  It was a fantastic shower, with an adorable theme “Sugar and Spice,” and a great way to end the week.  I am very blessed to work with an amazing staff!

I’ve spent two weekends  do loads…and loads….and loads of laundry, and now the nursery is ready!  Graycen’s clothes, blankets, bedding, towels, toys, etc. are clean and waiting for her arrival J 

So, now…we wait.  Stay tuned!

36 Week Update!!!

This was a good week for the Smith's!!!!

My amazing friends (Brooke, Jill and Jenn) hosted a wonderful baby shower for Baby Gracyen and I.  The shower was exactly what I needed - an opportunity to celebrate Graycen with the wonderful people in my life. 

We had our 36 week OB appointment this week. 

Garrett decided to play a fun game of “how much does Robin weigh” and was within one pound of the correct weight.  I think I should have him play the lotto or go to the casino or something J  In the past 2 weeks, I’ve gained another 2 ½ pounds, putting my total weight gain at 32 lbs.

The doctor did a quick outside measurement of my baby bump, before measuring Graycen during the ultrasound.

Graycen’s measurements are symmetrical, which means that there aren’t any space restrictions getting in her way and my fluids are measuring at the right level J  But, she is on the small side – weighing a little over 5 lbs.

We were excited to see that she moved and turned and is now facing head down.  In fact she was positioned so low that my doctor wasn’t able to get a profile picture.

I have another check up next week and an ultrasound appointment to check the location of my placenta and Graycen’s measurements.  We’ll be going to the imaging center and will hopefully get some “inside” photos of Graycen.

Stay tuned….

What a week…

Garrett and I made a quick trip to Spokane for a baby shower hosted by our moms and my sister.  It was wonderful to see family and friends, some I haven’t for over 2 years, and to spend the day with my grandma, Francie, and cousin Tracie.

The shower was great!  Graycen is already getting spoiled and will have plenty of outfits for the multiple outfit changes I have heard newborns require J

Garrett and I were also able to spend lots of time with our amazing 4 year old nephews.  I love watching Uncle Garrett (aka “Knuckle) play with the boys.  He is a great wrestler, video game player, etc and the boys LOVE him. 

Brayden is excited for his cousin to arrive.  I don’t think he knows what a “cousin” is, exactly, but he is definitely trying to use Graycen’s arrival to his advantage.  He keeps asking my sister to buy him certain toys and candy “for his cousin.” 

It was a good thing it was just a quick trip due to the “Snowmaggedon” that had taken over western Washington.

Tuesday, Seattle Schools announced a 2 hour late arrival due to snowy conditions around the city.  I taught for an hour, had my prep period, ate lunch and then the district announced we would also have a 2 hour early release due to the increase in snow and went home early and we haven’t had to go back.  Everett WAS covered in a very, very, very thick blanket of snow (at least 6+ inches), but we're back to typical "winter" weather and the rain has melted most of the snow.   

Although, I will have to make the days up in June….when I really won’t want to be back at work…it has been nice to have some time off from work.  I have spent the week being very crafty – making cards, working on the wall art for the nursery and starting to scrapbook Graycen’s baby book.

8 more weeks...

Even with 2 weeks off for Winter Break, I still wasn’t able to figure out how to blog on a regular basis.    

Garrett and I now have a little over 8 weeks before Graycen’s arrival.  The anxiety is starting to set in as we get closer her due date. 

A recap of month 7:

(1) During month 7, I have gained an additional 4 lbs, which puts my total weight gain at a little over 20 lbs.  I’m sure some of the extra weight was due to the pounds of Christmas cookies and fudge that I have eaten over the last few weeks.

With the additional weight gain has come lower back pain, nights filled with tossing and turning, uncomfortable sleeping positions and lots of bathroom visits.  AND, I have been told by several colleagues that I am starting to waddle as I walk down the hallway. 

But, I am also feeling baby Graycen multiple times each day and night, which continues to be such an amazing feeling.  I can feel her arms and legs pushing against my belly – sometimes see even these movements on the outside.  Although I can’t wait to meet her and be with her on the “outside,” I’m going to miss this “inside” connection we have.  

2)  Garrett and I have spent several hours working on the nursery as well as organizing and cleaning out our storage areas to make room for things that we don’t have room for inside the house and the extra items that we have been acquiring.  Garrett doesn’t quite have the sense of urgency for cleaning, organizing and prepping that I have had recently, but he has been a trooper during my “nesting” time. 

The nursery continues to be a work in progress, but it is looking more like a nursery than a spare room/extra storage. 

  Phase One – “The Clean Out…”

Phase Two – “Putting it All Together…”

Phase Three – “Closer to completion”

Now, I just need time to finish the art projects I have planned to decorate the walls and shelves.

 ….my craft inspirations J

Not only have I been "nesting" and feeling a need to clearn and organize, I've also felt a strong need to make things for the baby.  So, my project is to create some artwork for the walls based on the above inspirations. 

(3)  In addition to working on the nursery, cleaning and organizing, Garrett and I spent a day last week visiting 5 daycare facilities.  What an experience….I can’t believe how many things you need to think about, ask about, look at/for, etc.

Of the 5 centers visited, 3 made it onto the list of potential daycares and we are on the wait list for 2.  I’m glad that part is over, now we just wait until May/June to officially register.  I’m sad that I will have to leave Graycen during the day, but thankful that I have summers off and will be able to spend the summer with her before daycare must start.

(4)  After talking with HR and Benefits center, I learned that in order to keep my health benefits during the summer months, I must return to my classroom by June 1^st.  I was hoping that I could continue my maternity leave through the summer months, but will need to return for the last 3 weeks of school.  It will be a rough 3 weeks – 8^th graders check out at that time as they realize they are going to be high schoolers soon, and I will be checking out early knowing that I have a baby at home J

Thankfully, Garrett and I don’t go on many vacations and he has accumulated lots of vacation time and with some help from the Grandmas, he should be able to stay home with Graycen while I go back to work for 3 weeks. 

Time has not slowed down for us, and we continue to add items to our “Baby To Do List”

On the agenda for this month:

·         2 baby showers planned (Spokane and Seattle)

      ·         8 month check up appointments
      ·         continue to work on nursery and decorate
      ·         paint the bathroom
      ·         start making baby book
      ·         continue to organize and clean