Super Big Brother and New Big Sister

While I was pregnant I worked on little sibling gift bags for the hospital. Something for them to get excited about and enjoy while we visited.

I thought of tons of things to put inside, eventually I went with simple things I thought they would enjoy and share with each other. (I ended up getting them together the day before Sydney came, lucky me!)

Connor's SUPER BIG BROTHER 
gift bag included:
New (Monster!) PJs
Little Critters The New Baby, Book
A treat, Dum Dum Lollipops
A couple gifts, binoculars and a chalkboard
Tom and Jerry Pirate Movie
A green squishy ball!

Bella's NEW BIG SISTER 
gift bag included:
New (Pink Giraffe) PJs
The Berenstein Bears and Baby Makes Five, Book
A Treat, Lifesaver Gummies
A couple gifts, White Board and Purple Rubber Bracelet
A Pink Squishy Ball!

When Connor and Bella came to visit we told them the gifts were from Sydney and they loved every bit of them. (Connor wanted more presents from Sydney the next day but a piece of gum sufficed instead :)

Since Sydney has been home I have been especially proud of my little ones and their transition. Connor is happier then ever and oh so helpful! Bella LOVES her sister to death but does struggle with the fact that there is a little less attention to go around. Most days are good, but we get quite the attitude out of her other days. We don't get out much yet as we learn to manage all three little ones but for the most part, day to day, at home life has been pretty great. Mommy does get a little stir crazy and a tad adult deprived (My sister Amberlee just got here to fix that though!) but I have never felt as much love in our home then I do now! It is amazing the love that grows with each new little child.

Here is a little snippet of Connor and Bella's take 

on our brand new 

"Syndey Bean" (Daddy's nickname for her!):

SUPER BIG BROTHER

About the second day Sydney was home, Connor was holding Sydney and she was wiggling around and bent her head to the side, and in the most excited voice ever Connor exclaims: "MOM SYDNEY HAS A NECK!"

Connor likes to talk to his new little sister already, he tells me all sorts of things she says.
For example, "Mommy Sydney wants to go outside."
"Mom Sydney wants me to feed her a bottle. "
And the other day I listened to this Connor and Sydney conversation:
"So Sydney whats your name?
Can you say Sydney?
Mom Sydney can't talk.
Sydney do you want me to hold you?
Sydney needs some Connor time.
Do you want to watch this with me Sydney?
Do you want to cuddle with me?
(She starts to cry and I start to take her)
No, no Mom Sydney wants some Connor time.
Do you want some blanket?"

And Connor likes to ask this question lots:
"Mom where are Sydney's teeth?"

NEW BIG SISTER

Bella on the other hand expresses her love for her sister in other ways, more possessive ways. We hear "My baby!" lots and "She wants ME!" daily. And she tries to steal Sydney away from Connor every chance she gets. She loves holding her so much. But we have to keep a close eye on Bella and Sydney because Bella is obsessed with trying to pick her up and carry her. It scares me to death. So you can imagine how upset Bella gets every time we try to explain she is too little to carry her, but she is usually pretty good about it when we offer her a list of things she CAN do: kiss her, tickle her toes, touch her head softly, hold her with help, sing to her, whisper in her ears, etc.

These two sure love their sister. I can't help but feel like the luckiest Mama alive amid all the hugs and kisses and holding and loving!

Week by Week

First Week  ..............................................................................
Sydney left the hospital on Day 2 weighing 6 lbs 4 oz which put her right at 10% weight loss; anymore and she would have had to stay at the hospital, instead they had us make an appointment with her pediatrician the following day.

At the pediatric office, Day 3, she weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz. Which was great! The formula that they had encouraged us to supplement with some had worked. Unfortunately, her skin and eyes had the dreaded yellow tint to them meaning her jaundice levels had gone up. We were then asked to go to the local Madison Memorial Hospital and get her bilirubin level checked. (She had left the hospital at around a 7 which was okay.) Later that day after the hospital blood test we got the results from her doctor saying that they were now a 10 and she needed to go back to the hospital tomorrow just for another bilirubin prick, to make sure they were going down and not up. So Day 4 Shea took her right when he woke to get the prick and that afternoon the results stated that she had now gone up to a 12. So for the next couple days she continued having to go get the bilirubin check, Day 5 it was a 13 (and we started to worry what the next step of getting rid of her jaundice would be, other than just flushing it out with her feedings). Fortunately, Day 6, her levels had finally gone down, they were back to 12, barely! Either way the doctor was satisfied and wasn't worried and our poor Sydney's heels were finally free, the next day would be the first day she wasn't pricked for a blood test since she had been born!

Nursing had its ups and downs during week one. My milk came in on Day 4, I got engorged and it made it hard for her to eat and she was choosing the bottle all the time, it was very frustrating for me. But HALLELUJAH within a couple days we got a schedule down and she was back to nursing great, and taking a 2 oz bottle once a day.

Second Week ..........................................................................

Right after her first week Sydney's umbilical cord fell off (around the 10 day mark), and after a few days of drainage and cleaning we are enjoying her cute little belly button. What a big girl!

She had her first bath between week one and two.

Sydney had her second Doctors visit, her Two Week Check up!
She weighed in at 6 lbs 13 oz (almost her birth weight). Even though she hadn't gained quite as much as the doctors like to see, her doctor wasn't worried since she was so close and she was eating and having regular wet/dirty diapers.

Third Week ...........................................................................
And now she is getting so big. And even more beautiful.

First Photo Session.

that's what he said

On the way home from McDonalds:
C: What about the girls? (In reference to the girls he was playing with at McDonalds.)
M: They had to go home too.
C: But I want them with me.
M: But they would miss their Mommy's and Daddy's if they came with us.
C: But I will miss them...
~ A little while later, still driving home. ~
D: Soon your going to have a new Sister!
C: I don't like sisters... Bella likes sisters.
C: ... I only like girls!

While reading scriptures...
M: And it came to pass...
C: And it came to pass with giants...
(He continued on this route the entire time repeating and then adding in his own giant story, sometimes it was "with giants", or "they eat giants" or "and the giants". I can't believe we are at this stage already.)

M: Eat your green beans.
C: But I hate them, they're creepy. They hate me.
C: This meat loves me huh, aww how cute.

C: Are you stuck in a spider web Bella? You can't get out? I'll help you.
C: Oh no the spider is coming back. Hurry. OWWW! Oh great Mom. It bit me.
...
C: Oh ah, Oh ah, Oh ah.
M: What's going on?
C: The squirmy stuff, right down there. In the lava and stuff. Oh ah, oh ah, oh ah. Hot hot! Okay that is enough now.

My model child ;)

D: Oh your Mama must LOVE you!
(In reference to the fact that I saved him the last piece of pizza.)
C: Yay, am going to be rich!

C: Quicksand is yummy... for kids... and when you spit it out it turns into gum!

(While driving home one night from shopping.)
C: It's headed to planet Earth.
D: What are?
C: The Aliens. Fire and laser guns.
D: Fire and Laser Aliens?
C: No, no, no. Green Ones. But Batman's going to pinch them, but his hand will burn. And they'll get away.

M: I need to take more pictures of Connor. I have like a million of Bella on Instagram.
D: That's because Bella is so photogenic.
C: Yeah. And I am weird. (Tilts his head to the side and sticks out his tongue!)

C: Hey Dad, you are my favorite friend. Wanna kill bugs?

Oh the joys of silly boys with big imaginations!

(AND TODAY Connor was Spiderman fighting bad guys and jumping around the house with his web shooters and of course no superhero work is complete without sound effects!)

As a Mother

Being a Mother is commonly noted as the most challenging and yet rewarding of roles. Lately I have felt this more than ever, as our home transitions from a family of four to a family of five. I constantly witness little and big acts of love from my growing little children. I am so proud of them and their love for every member of our family. As hard as some days are, feeling consistently pulled in different directions, I am loving our moments home snuggled all together giving Sydney kisses or taking a big nap in Mommy and Daddy's bed. I wish I could say I have got our new routine down, but I think I am loving just taking it slow and enjoying days on the fly better. I am so blessed with such a loving husband who does his best to show his love for me and care for me in all the best ways. I am so grateful for his words of encouragement and support, each and every word brings me the comfort I need as a Mother.

As a Mother I am wanted and needed and loved completely, and at some moments to the point of exhaustion, but I would have it no other way. As a Mother I get to watch and learn with my children seeing them grow and discover the world around them. At times the ways of the world haunt me, giving me sleepless nights just picturing my little ones growing up in it. I can only hope that through the Lord and His teachings they can be strong and overcome whatever the world tries to throw at them. As a Mother I worry and cry over them, as I do my best to protect them. But as a Mother I know that they will make mistakes, and along with their successes will come failures. As a Mother I compare myself to others, I wish I didn't but I do, and I do my best to remember these words:
"There is no perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each Mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a Mother loves her children deeply." {Elder M. Russel Ballard - Daughters of God}

This year as I thought of my own Mother and pondered on motherhood itself I thought of the miracle that makes us Mothers. Not just the hours of labor but the 9 months of creation, both of which are filled with physical sacrifice and pain. I am continually amazed as I look back and ponder on my own childhood the influence and love that my own Mother had on each of her children. For me being a mother sometimes means having the endurance, at times, to look towards tomorrow. The days do not come without challenges and I’ll admit that I do not always feel up to the task. But I cannot help but look up to my Mother's example. A Mother who laughed, and danced, and sang. A Mother who knew the importance of being a friend. A Mother who encouraged dreaming. A Mother who continually worried, and cried, and feared for each of her children; in a world of growing temptation and desecration. A Mother who protected us, even when we fought and lacked the understanding to see why. A mother who celebrated with us at our best. A Mother who cradled us at our worst and pushed us forward, even when we were blinded by fear. A Mother who taught; about faith, life, and education. A Mother who always had a smile on her face.  I am so grateful for her strength to stand as a Mother, proud and true.

My sister sent me this quote it is only too true to my state of motherhood right now. I love the reminder to cherish the role as Mother. Some days are hard and are filled with dirty diapers, whining cries, screaming wants, toddlers tantrums, and major messes; but at the end of the day I have three sweet babies who want nothing more than to sleep in my arms. They want kisses and songs and stories and "back scratches" and whispered prayers of love. It is in these precious moments that no matter how hard the day is I am reminded that motherhood is a sacred and divine calling that needs to be cherished and loved.

"The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s bread winning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs—Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island.
... Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones." 
{Elder Holland - Because She Is a Mother}

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #1

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #2

Mother's Day Photo Attempt #3

goodbye bump

My baby bump recap, look how little Sydney grew and grew.

It is amazing to think that my belly stretched for 9 months, with little baby inside depending upon my body for every little thing. Within moments it was all gone, her little home disappeared, and she joined our family forever. I am so grateful for the opportunity to carry my very own children (as exhausting as it is), it truly is a blessing. An unforgettable bond I get to have with each child, a true miracle.

Saturday Morning

With the hustle and bustle of school and work, and late nights and early mornings, and errands and chores, we rarely get to eat breakfast with Daddy. But for the past year, off and on, we have been trying to have Big Saturday Morning Breakfasts. Hopefully one day we will get really good at it and it will become a tradition every Saturday.

And this Saturday it was Sydney's first week birthday!

When Daddy woke up he decided to make pancakes, Funny Face Pancakes for the kids, they were quite a hit!

And tasted even better with strawberries on the side!

And of course after breakfast these two enjoyed some couch wrestling :)

She Just Couldn't Wait

Today is my due date, May 5th, but obviously Sydney just couldn't wait!

SYDNEY'S BIRTH STORY

Saturday, April 26th
I awoke and started to worry that my water may be leaking slightly (due to a consistent "wet" feeling I had all night and a bleach-y smell I had just noticed after I awoke.) After a chat with my Mom I woke Shea and told him that I suspected my water may be leaking, I then called my doctors office. They urged me to head to Labor and Delivery at the hospital for a labor check (where they could test me to see if any amniotic fluid was truly leaking). As reluctant as I was to head all the way to Idaho Falls for a false alarm, I was feeling more and more sure that this could really be it. I kept thinking of the blessing Shea had given me the night before where he had mentioned me having the assurance of knowing when baby was coming. We prepped our home and bags and dropped the kids off with Shea's parents. Then we were off.

After discussing the what if's and alike in the car we finally arrived at Mountain View Hospital ready to begin, around 11:30 am. I was quickly assigned a room and started getting checked in. I was frustrated with the whole ordeal, and kept thinking that going through all of this just to get sent home was going to be such a waste of time. 
I changed and got hooked up to baby monitors and after answering what seemed like a million questions (everything from health history to my religion preference) I finally got checked (4-5 cm with water bulging) and tested for the amniotic leak. We then awaited the results feeling very anxious. 
After about 10 minutes the results came back positive. I was leaking amniotic fluid; therefore, I was deemed ruptured. 

So ready or not, 

Baby Sydney 

was on her way, 

9 days early and all!

We were then informed that my chosen doctor was not on call, but would be called and asked if he would "special" me. Which he did agree to do, along with 3 other patients of his that ended up delivering too :) 
We then informed our families of the big news (around 12 pm)!

Then we began a whole new set of questions, beginning with when I thought the rupture (water leak) had started. We made our guess that what I felt was a small gush the day before (and had ignored) was the start of the leak, yesterday, around 5:30 pm. 
As it was now quickly approaching noon, it would have been 17 hours since the rupture. They like you to have your antibiotics (for group b strep) before the 18 hr mark. Obviously that was not going to happen, so as quick as they could they IV'ed me up, and at approximately 12:45 pm I received my first dosage of antibiotics. They like you to get at least 2 dosages, with about 4 hrs apart between each. So my second would be around 4:45 pm. At this point I was said to be a higher risk delivery, not to be confused with a high risk delivery, due to being group b strep positive and the prolonged rupture. The nurses assured me that at this point they were not worried, everything was going perfectly. But they were keeping a close eye on baby, in case of infection symptoms (high baby heart rate, or a fever in mom). 

My last baby bump picture at 38 weeks

Now the waiting time began. I was having slight contractions, sporadically. We played a good game of Phase 10 (where we tied!) and enjoyed watching my contractions come and go, Shea could see them on the screen so I would shout "was that one?" every few minutes as we played trying to judge what I was actually feeling. 
At about 2 pm my nurse came in and told me my contractions were pretty consistent, about 6-8 minutes apart. 
At this point I had been giving nothing to speed up labor, but it was a good sign that labor was coming on it's own. 
After about 4:15 pm they said they would give the second dose of antibiotics early so that I would be clear to deliver at 4:45 pm. The most important thing at this point even with my prolonged rupture was getting the antibiotics in, then the most important thing would be delivering baby as quickly as they could in efforts to avoid going too far past the 24 hr rupture mark (which put baby at higher risk for infection).

At 2:30 pm my nurse came in and turned me to my side to try and encourage my contractions to start up again, it seemed they had spaced out again. She also told me my doctor was going to come in and check on me, and possibly break my water (to see how much had leaked out and to urge my contractions -which were starting and stopping- into a consistent pattern) . 
At 3 pm my doctor came and checked me, 5-6 cm, and decided to break my water. The nurses had me sign the epidural form and told me the anesthesiologist was finishing up with someone and would be in shortly. 

At 3:07 pm the doctor broke my water!
We were all relieved to see that the leak had been very very small, considering the amount of amniotic fluid that was released. And the smaller the leak the smaller the risk of infection. 
As the doctor chatted with us I felt my first contraction with pain, (everything before then had been uncomfortable but nothing painful). It wasn't too bad at this point though, I did tell the nurse "okay I felt that one!" and she didn't seem at all surprised. If anything they seemed happy that it was moving things along (~ 3:10). 
The doctor and nurse then left, joking as they walked out that I might not make it to that 4:45 pm mark. 
My nurse pointedly assured me, before leaving, that the epidural guy would be the next person I would see. 
After going to the bathroom and then getting into bed the contractions seemed to be very consistent, and my next contraction after getting into bed was intense and I had to breathe through it. Shooing poor Shea away when he offered his hand to squeeze. 
I quickly called the nurse between contractions and urged her that I needed the epidural guy now! 
A nurse from the desk came in and told me that a girl had come in crying with tears and that they had had the epidural guy go to her, she seemed to expect me to see reason. But the only thought in my head was, well if only I was a crier then I would be turning the water works on now. 
My nurse came in to check me (7 cm) and reassure me that the epidural guy was minutes away, she helped me through a rough contraction (turning me and putting pressure on my back) and told me since I was only at 7 cm I still had plenty of time to get an epidural and there was still a ways to go, 3:43 pm.

The next ten minutes were hectic and crazy and horrifically painful, and fortunately now more of a blur. 
My contractions at this point (~3:45 pm) were now terribly intense and poor Shea not wanting to get to close for fear of me pushing him away again sat on the corner of the couch watching on, helpless. 
I wish I had been in the right mind to tell him to come close and whisper to me and put a hand on my head, but I was very concentrated on the hate I had for that one nurse that told me they had picked the girl with tears over me for the epidural. 
Totally irrational? I think not. 
About this time I was pretty much dying, and told the nurse I felt like I had to push. She assured me that I didn't. Which I most lovingly told her "I CAN FEEL HER HEAD!" The nurse then decided to check me, having to pull my legs apart. And with only a look, no need to check, she left the room. (Shea said he could see baby's head.)
I saw the way her face dropped and knew at this point that happy epidural land was out of my reach (~ 3:48 pm). 
I heard her scream down the hall, 
DR ROBISON DR ROBISON DELIVERY DELIVERY! 
Then my room was instantly filled with nurses, my doctor, my poor - scared - bewildered husband, AND the EPIDURAL GUY! 
He came up to me first and I begged him to help me even though I could feel it was too late, he began telling everyone that he could still do my spinal tap. But the nurses laughed at that as they shouted to one another directions and tried to rush some second dose of antibiotics into my system. 
The doctor then sat down and while he put on gloves watched me push (I was pretty much letting my body do its thing at this point) and he told the epidural guy to leave, because he excitedly proclaimed to me "BABY IS HERE! Ready?"

You can imagine what happened next. Screaming till my throat was dry and moaning words of "I can't do this" brought this brand new baby into the world, with pretty much one or two real pushes. 

SYDNEY MAE STANGER BORN AT 3:53 PM

The pain melted away and baby was laid on me, her dark hair brought me my first smile.

I had to try SO hard for this smile!

I wish I could say I fell into pure bliss of my newborn's birth at this point, but the next hour it seemed was still pretty painful as I endured the aftermath of labor (fortunately I only suffered a first degree tear this time, no time for an episiotomy like I have had in the past both second degrees). 
At one point while they were recording all the data they asked my doctor what position her head was and he replied "I have no idea I was barely in time to catch it." The nurses all had a laugh and told me about how important it is for me to have the anesthesiologist give me the epidural before my water breaks next time or at least he should be on stand by. Because once my water breaks it is likely going to be a race every time (can't say that doesn't worry me, like a lot, for next time). 

My delivery summary read,
Stage 1: 4 Hrs 21 Min
Stage 2: 0 Hrs  2 Min
Stage 3: 0 Hrs  5 Min
Total Time in Labor: 4 Hrs 28 Min 

While I endured the after pains nurses kept trying to tell me all the great stuff about natural births, in attempts to ease my pain or something, it didn't work. But my doctor came and put a hand on my shoulder and very sweetly told me how great a job I did, "that was rough" he said at one point and for some reason that touched me. I appreciated the fact that he knew. His simple "not now" even protected me from some of the nurses, who wanted to start poking and prodding me before I had gotten any sense of relief. It is hard to think that this is the last time he will probably deliver one of our babies. It has been special to have him care for me during all my pregnancies and actually deliver all three of our babies (I especially like how Shea and him like to chat).  

It wasn't till they finally gave me some pain meds to take, about an hour after labor, that I finally got some relief (and after the whole ordeal my nurse -she felt so bad for me-gave me super meds, the ones they give to the C-section patients). Anyway with that relief I was finally able to relish in my new little one's arrival.

Upon birth Sydney weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and was 20 inches long. She was born 9 days early; with long fingers and toes and skinny feet (just like Dad). She was born with that dark hair that made me so happy and we can spot some cowlicks like her brother right up front. Her first day of life we never heard her cry (even at birth), it worried us like crazy. But we were told she was just fine.

Soon enough I gave her very first feeding which she seemed very ready for, and she knew exactly what to do. 

Daddy was so excited to help with her first bath. Her long fingernails proved to be difficult though, and she ended up with scratches on either side of her face. 

And after getting Mommy and Baby clean we were ready to show our beautiful new daughter off to all her visitors, who were ready to welcome her.

I especially enjoyed watching our little one's take it all in. As confusing and scary as it was to see Mom laying in bed, with a "shot" (IV) in her arm and a "popped belly" and the recent news that Mom's water broke, Connor took it all really well. Loving up his sister almost instantly. Bella was thrilled to see baby, love at first sight!

Excited Siblings, awaiting to meet new sister SYDNEY!

Enjoying my spoils from my family afar, delivered by my brother Ryan (below)!

It wasn't long before whining and tired eyes proved that the night was ending for Connor and Bella. As Shea walked Connor to the car Connor made Shea promise to take care of Mommy. He was very worried about me. And on the ride home he complained about how much he wanted to stay with Sydney and Mommy.

This little girl needed some definite Daddy Daughter time. 

Day 1 in the Hospital

After the excitement from our visitors came and went, we were back to just us three. I was so pleased to get to have Shea stay with us in the hospital, and as much as he would like to do it for every new baby we have, it seems like less of a possibility as our children get older and miss their Daddy way too much for over the night stays away. It was so nice having Shea there though, since Sydney swallowed some amniotic fluid at birth (which is very common), we had to watch her spit it up and gag on it, a lot the first day and night. The nose sucker was definitely helpful in trying to help suck some of it out of her throat as she struggled, but it was also scary to see her choke on it so frequently. Sydney was also whisked away to the nursery to under go plenty of blood tests, looking for infection (from the group b strep or prolonged rupture). Everything came back perfectly time and time again; although, her poor little pricked heels were quite the sight. At 10 pm her first night she went in for her first set of blood tests (testing for the group b strep infection). It was hard being away from her but both Shea and I were anxiously awaiting the chance to sleep. Unfortunately for me it was a rough night. My after birth cramps seemed to remind me of the onset of my contractions earlier that day, and left me quite incapable of sleep until little Sydney came back to us from the nursery and slept nestled against me till the morning light brought the nurses and doctors in to do their rounds. 

Day 2 in the Hospital

Fortunately, her first morning she threw most of the amniotic fluid up on me and didn't have much left to cause her problems. 

After both Sydney and I got our vitals checked for the day the hearing technician came in to test Sydney. I was a little worried about the test considering Bella had failed originally, until Daddy insisted on watching and was able to notice she was just too upset for accurate results and calmed her down so they could get a good correct reading, and then they declared she had passed fine. This time around the test was done in the room, so I could oversee it, which I was pleased about. But the fact that she was so quiet and hadn't yet cried really worried me that maybe she indeed had some issues with hearing. But all those worries were for nothing because she passed her hearing test perfectly, and was completely silent the whole time, even when they were placing the stickers on her ears and taking them off, which the technician said disturbed most babies.

We enjoyed the day talking with family and friends, taking a million pictures, receiving our favorite little visitors and loving every second with just us three. 

That night she had a hard time eating and fussed a lot, giving her lungs a little work out. After about an hour or so Shea was able to work some magic and calm her down enough to eat and sleep (we have fondly renamed Daddy as the Gas Master, because he just tends to have the right tummy touch for our little ones when they are hurting). Sadly she was calm for only moments before they had to take her for more tests. Since she hadn't eaten much I told the nurse it was alright to give her a bottle if need be. Which they did and she took readily, almost the whole 2 oz they said. 

Shea snuggled in my big bed and we enjoyed a sweet night all cozy and together just us three. 

 

Day 3 in the Hospital

In the morning the pediatrician cleared Sydney to leave that afternoon. Although she was weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz, meaning she had lost about 10% of her weight which was borderline for letting her leave the hospital. Anymore and she would have had to stay, instead they asked us to set up an appointment with her pediatrician for the next day to make sure that she was gaining weight and not continuing to lose it. To insure her weight gain he instructed us to use formula after every feeding. 

We enjoyed an IHOP breakfast Shea had ventured out to get. We let the morning pass with naps and showers and getting our sweet new girl all ready. As we finished paperwork and last minute packing we noticed the falling snow and I was thankful I had wrapped her car seat up all cozy in a cover to keep our baby warm.

Goodbye Mountain View Hospital.

Sydney is perfect and home now and we love every little thing about her; her smell, her touch, her voice. Having her in our home makes for quite a happy trio although battles over her ensue quite frequently. We are feeling pretty lucky to have such a sweet baby sister who is making it easy for big brother and sister to fall in love with her. 

Now that we are home I miss being at the hospital (kinda weird?). Shea has been AMAZING though taking care of everything (in his own Man way :)), and refusing to let me push myself too hard. I cheat a little though. It is going to be hard getting back into actual routines and normal life, but I know it will make things all the easier. It always seems that the first week after baby is pure survival mode as you try to figure baby and new mom mode out. But having Shea here (he got the whole week off work), has been incredible. It has left me very spoiled. But Shea says I can do it, and I believe him! It is going to be quite the transition come Monday, in all truth I look forward to balancing things out -naps, bedtimes, meals, baths- in Mom mode (Man mode all week makes things a little crazy!)