Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Finally. A post.

Can you believe our boy is almost a month old already??!! (and we hadn't posted till today you ask?). Life is busier and more exhausting but honestly, much more complete. Domenico (pronounced as Dough-men-icko for those of you confused ) fits right into the family, its like he always should have been here. It's great.

We always felt confident that Belly would adjust just fine to the baby and thankfully our instincts were correct. She loves this little guy more than we could have imagined. She hovers over him like a little old yenta waiting for him to either need her for something or entertain her somehow. She carries him around, feeds him bottles, tries to comfort him when he cries, and is always looking for ways to help us. She is steadfastly against changing diapers but does like to supervise. She has even been a victim of the old firehose going off (in her face no less!) and she laughed it off.

So far Domenico is doing all the baby stuff he should be doing. Mostly this involves a LOT of eating. He is already up to 4 ounces at a time at least 6-7 times a day. He is really growing! When he arrived he was just 6.12. When we took him in for his 5 day appointment he had lost just 2 ounces which was great. Less than a week after that we took him into the pediatrician to get his eye checked and he already weighed 6 lbs 15 oz. He happened to have his 2 week appointment just 3 days later and was up to 7 lbs 3.5 oz over the weekend! At last check he was already up to 20.5 inches (grown a full inch in about 2-3 weeks). His doctor said he went from the 25th percentile in length and head circumfrence to the 75th percentile! To this day, Belly has never been anything more than the 50th percentile. This little guy is a bruiser in the making. :o)

He is becoming more and more alert each day. He hasn't quite mastered the sleeping through the night part as well as Belly did (he likes to stay awake and be snuggled after eating whereas she would pass out as soon as she burped) so we have had some sleepless nights, but, since we upped his bottles to 4oz. he seems to be sleeping more soundly and for longer periods of time which is great. He has a pretty mellow temperment and is just starting to give us peeks of his first real smiles.

Greg was fortunate to take the first week off with us which was great. It was a chance for us to relax together and spend some time with both Belly and the baby. I'm off till late March (yay!!) and possibly even until mid April if there is a way to swing it financially. I'm already dreading the day I have to go back to work (and so is Greg since our crazy schedules should make for interesting days/nights for Domenico). Right about now being independently wealthy would be fantastic.

Overall, life is good. All of the waiting and hoping and praying for a second child was worth it. Now-- if we could just get some visitors to come and meet this new guy that would be even better. Anyone need a vacation?!?

Since we have so many pictures and uploading them into 1 blog would take an eternity, we will break it down week by week with pics and what not. Enjoy!

oh yeah-- as a side note, our 100th post was introducing Domenico. :)

a second side note here... If we can curb our new addiction to facebook (yes- we BOTH are "those" people), we promise to make a concerted effort to update this blog more often. Check back soon!

December 29th

Domenico's birthday!!

Diabetes aside, this was a great pregnancy. I only gained about 3 pounds, didn't really have much morning sickness (a blessing since I was sick the entire time with Belly), and until the last couple weeks or so, wasn't too uncomfortable. Even if the whole nine months had turned out to be filled with discomfort, I doubt I could complain since we have both wanted a second child so badly and prayed so hard for a chance to have this little guy.

This was a speedy labor (again, much like last time)! I had a doctor appointment at noon on the 29th. It was to be the last appointment prior to my induction (which was scheduled for 1/6/09). About around 1:00pm as I was eating lunch at home I noticed that the contractions I'd been feeling off and on for the last few days had suddenly become regular. By the end of the hour they were picking up speed and coming and going every 5 minutes or so. A quick call to Greg and he was on his way home so we could make our way to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital (with Belly in tow) just after 4:00pm and by now, labor was in full swing. I was having contractions every couple of minutes and they were decidedly more uncomfortable than I remember with Belly.

We were moved into triage and voila (!), this baby was ready to be born! The nurse literally ran my wheelchair to the delivery room just in case he decided to arrive sooner than later. One very necessary epidural later and not much longer after that, our son arrived! Born at 7:11 pm, he is perfect. Isabella even had the chance to witness his birth and was there as he arrived. What a day for our family!


Just arrived at the hospital. Yes- I'm in labor here, really.

8 centimeters dialated, no drugs (yet), and we are all still smiling.

Belly waiting patiently for her brother's arrival.

Here he is!!

Belly greeting her brother about 1 minute after he is born.

6 lbs 12 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long

Belly showing off her new brother

Domenico and Daddy

Belly and Domenico

Nana meeting Domenico.

First feeding.

Getting cleaned up.

Footprints!

Domenico and Mom.

The two of us and our new son. :)

Time at the hospital

What we hoped for was for the doctors to shoo us out of the hospital on the 30th since labor and delivery went good and our little one was healthy. Their plan didn't match mine and they kept me until the 31st. bummer.

The hospital stay was pleasant though. The nursing staff was outstanding, the food was actually tasty, and the hospital room I had was an actual room instead of the crappy broom closet joke of a room I had with Belly. Greg stayed the first night (Belly dutifully went to Nana's house for the night- much to her dismay) but the second night I insisted he sleep at home so Belly could be at home too. She wasn't very pleased about her not being allowed to sleep over at the hospital too.

On the morning of the 31st after a thorough exam, both of us had a clean bill of health to head home. yay!!

Big sister so proud of her new brother.

Exactly 24 hours old!

Domino checking out his surroundings.

Bryan and Julie with Domenico.

Happy after having a little dinner.

12/31/08. One last check before going home.

"Get me dressed!!!! It's cold!!!!"

"Ahhh... Thanks. I feel warm and cozy now."

Domenico and his super sized bulldog pal.

Belly and Domino. About ready to head home.

Happy!

Domenico and Daddy.

All buckled up. Let's go!

Leaving. Maybe we will be back for another round....

The first few days

We survived the first few days. We were all exhausted. All four of us. Naps are a good thing.

This time around we are sans help. Newborn care is hard work. You forget how much time you spend waking up, feeding, changing diapers, etc. It's not bad, it's just tiring. Last time around we had visitors for the first couple of weeks, either staying over or actually coming and going. This time it's a lot quieter. We are very fortunate that Belly is independent enough that if you need a nap (or 10) she will just occupy her time without getting into trouble. The nice part is/was that the two of us fell into a routine as though we had been doing it all along. Our children are very fortunate to have such a hands on dad. Greg is not one to laze around. If a diaper needs changing, a bottle needs to be made, or a baby is crying and needs to be snuggled, he is on it. It makes for nice teamwork.

Despite our sleep deprived state, we still can't sit still. We took Domenico out for a shopping trip on the 1st to buy a few items we needed that we never bought before his early arrival. We tried to get out for a little bit each day even if it was just a drive to the store and back. The crazy weather continued and even dumped a little more snow. Incidentally, snow is no longer exciting. Before when we would get a dusting it was the highlight of our week, now it's old news. Been there- done that.

Here are a few pics from the first few days at home...

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

Belly ringing in the new year.

Domenico ringing in the new year.

1/1/2009. Greg and his brood.

Buckled up and ready for his first visit to Target. The first of MANY visits.

Belly loving on her brother.

Really? More snow? Ok.

1/2/09. Resting in his new swing.

Domenico, 4 days old.

8 day old baby toes.

First bath! 1/10/09, 12 days old.

After the bath with Daddy, then Mommy.


Warming up after the bath.

two weeks old

Our silly girl

Waiting at the doctor office for the 1st well baby. 2 weeks old today!

Belly and Domino.

Mom and son.

Annie and her brood.

Saturday, January 03, 2009

The wait is over!!

We are officially a family of four!!
Meet our new son...



Domenico Donald
December 29th
7:11 pm
6lbs 12 oz
19 1/2 inches

Many, many, many more pictures and posts to come. :)


For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.
~1 Samuel 1:27