Joy in the Journey

Saturday, May 15, 2010

First road trip...

Off we go to see She-She, Grandaddy, Mimi and Pappa!

When Isabella was 5 weeks, we made our first official road trip! We headed over to Panama City to see Jer's family and introduce little Isabella to all the extended family! She sure got lots of sugar from her aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents.....and of course from Grandaddy and She-She! Of course Grandaddy and She-She squeezed in a little photo shoot at the studio.....Isabella did such a good little job for her first studio photo session! =)

Then, we headed out to Panama City Beach to see Pappa and Mimi! Pappa was competing in the Florida 1/2 Ironman. We had such a fun time together as we cheered for Pappa!

We had to get up early to see Pappa start the swim in the Gulf....but early is not a problem for Miss Bella! Jer carried her around during the early morning hours!

After we saw Pappa finish his swim and transition to the bike, we headed back to the condo to eat, change clothes and rest a little! But, Bella boo was still cheering for Pappa in her car seat. =)
She said, "Go Pappa Go!"

Then, we went back to cheer Pappa on as he finished his biking!

And off for the run he went...

Jer and Isabella ran along with him for a few hundred yards...

Such a fun first road trip! Isabella did such a good job traveling....I'm sure there will be MANY more road trips to see Mimi, Pappa, She-She and Grandaddy!

4 1/2 weeks...and a possible milk allergy

Around 3 weeks or so, we started noticing that Isabella was a bit uncomfortable after feedings. She would bring her little legs up to her chest and start to cry.....I thought it was gas! So, I'd burp her more frequently and try to do little bicycle legs to help ease her tummy. It seemed to help a bit for a few days - but her discomfort seemed to be getting worse each day. I began to research and discovered that she had symptoms of reflux.....she was crying after feedings, spitting up a bit and just seemed very uncomfortable for most of the day. She was still sleeping great at night...which puzzled me - but during the day her little tummy seemed to be upset. We tried Myelcon as well as other remedies that are supposed to help with reflux. We sat her upright after feedings, propped her up at night at an incline, made sure her diapers weren't too tight on her tummy....etc. Well, from week 3 to week 4....she cried for a whole week it seemed! The only times she wasn't crying was during feedings. Oh, it just broke my heart to see her in such discomfort! Her little poo diapers were horrible.....Let's just say I sang lots of "Jesus Loves Me"...."He's got the whole world in His hands".....which I inputed "He's got little Isabella in His hands"...and we rocked and rocked! After a week of this, I made an appointment to see the doctor.

We went in around 4 1/2 weeks.......of course she was a perfect little angel for the doctor. Cooing...and looking at all the bright lights! She weighed 8lb. 14oz! After examining her, he requested for me to stop eating all dairy to see if that would help her. Her poo's had mucus in them which indicated to him that her little colon was inflamed and irritated. He thought she probably had a milk allergy which means her little digestive system is not mature enough to digest the cow's protein and her immune system was reacting to it. Of course, I will sacrifice anything for this sweet baby girl.....so off of dairy I went! He thought she may have a slight reflux issue - but nothing to be too concerned about at this point. So, no dairy......and using some of the tips to help with a little reflux!

First smile...4 weeks...

So, Isabella seems to get the hiccups lots! She started getting them in the womb around Christmas time....25 weeks and has continued getting them a couple times a day! They used to not bother her - but recently she will scream, "Ahh....Ahh...Ahhh" after having them for a few minutes! One day I decided to try and distract her from them....so every time she hiccuped I gave her a kiss! After about 50 hiccups....and 50 kisses...this is the sweet little face I saw......

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

3 1/2 weeks...

Wow! I just can't believe my baby girl is 3 1/2 weeks old...time sure has flown by! I try to go through all my pictures and just pick out a few for the blog - but I have too many favorites.....so I guess I'll just put them all on here! Let's see - what has happened in the past week or so since I updated last.

We went for her 2 1/2 week check-up last Wednesday and it went very well! She had gained 27 oz. since her birthday! She weighed 8lb. 9oz! She grew an inch and is now 21.25 inches. So, her height is in the 76%, her weight in the 51% and her head is 56%.

So far, she hasn't even cried at the doctor - she loves looking at all the bright lights! But, we'll see how long that lasts once they start giving her shots!

We're slowly getting into a little routine together! We wake up around 7am and eat - daddy gets to play with Bella Boo (her first nickname) while I eat breakfast. Then, we head out for our morning walk which she loves! She usually looks around wide-eyed for the first 20 min. and then she falls asleep. At this point, our day consists of a three hour routine.....eating, a little bit of activity together and then sleeping! I cluster feed her in the evening and then she's asleep around 8:30. She usually sleeps 5-6 hours and then wakes up to eat once or twice in the night. A few nights ago, she slept 6 1/2 hours straight! She has been struggling a bit with gas.....no fun! The nurse said to just give her Mylecon drops - which so far seems to be helping! Seems like her little body is still adjusting to this crazy world....not quite as safe and cozy as her mommy's tummy. =) Last night, Jeremy was searching online for some good "quality" lullaby music for her to fall asleep to. Well, we found a wonderful Lullaby CD online.....it's beautiful piano music of various children's songs and some other classics. Isabella LOVES it! When I see that she yawns or starts to get sleepy - I swaddle her up and turn on the music and she gets so relaxed just listening to the music! I know her daddy is hoping she is musical.......I think she will be because she has loved music even when she was inside my tummy! So, we shall see if she'll continue to love listening.....

Let's see......here are some of my favorite pics from the past week or so...

My little sister Britney came to visit for a weekend and we had such a fun time together! She sure spoiled Isabella.......but hey, what are aunts for!??? Here's a sweet little picture of Brit with little Isabella.......

My sister gave this little outfit to me for my b'day last fall. It says, "I'm a Hoot just like mommy." My daddy gave us funny little nicknames when we were younger and they have stuck with us over the years! We have each grown to cherish those cute little nicknames...well, mine was "Whootie/Whoot." So, when Linz saw this outfit - she just had to get it for little Isabella!

Isabella was relaxing with Auntie Brit as she drank her morning cup of coffee......

I love, love, love to have snuggle time with my baby girl. There's nothing sweeter than a precious little baby girl snuggled up in my neck......sweet baby sounds.....milk breath....mmm...mmm...mmm...I love it!

She loves her Aunt Britney.....too bad she didn't get that pretty red hair! =)

So sweet...

Isabella has enjoyed starting to use her little swing! Now, she has to be in the mood - otherwise she'll holler at me to get her out! But, when she's in the mood for swinging - she absolutely loves it! I think the bigger she gets the more she'll enjoy it. Sometimes it seems like it scrunches her little tummy and gives her gas! =) So, the bigger she gets - the more comfy it will be for her...

She was relaxing on the bumbo next to me on the couch. I was catching up on some emails and she was being such a good little girl just sitting patiently....

Notice my big water bottle next to her - it seems like I am always thirsty theses days! I know it must be because I'm nursing - but I drink SO much water......

So, this was "playtime" one morning! But, I think it was a bit much for her because after several minutes of enjoying all the cool gadgets...she started crying! I think she got overstimulated.....so we might wait a few more weeks to pull it out again! =)

This was her first "play date" with Charleigh! Well, Charleigh enjoyed splashing in the pool - Isabella just dipped her feet in the water and slept in my lap the rest of the time!

Isabella has done such an awesome job with her feedings since day one. So, we went ahead and introduced the bottle to her. She gobbled it right up! That is one thing she LOVES to do...EAT! She pretty much would eat at any time of the day! =) Jeremy is looking forward to feeding her each night before bedtime.

We went to a dinner party last weekend.......it was lots of fun introducing Isabella to all our friends!

Ok, this picture definitely has a story behind it! So, I was feeding Isabella this morning and then began to burp her. Well, she let out a HUGE poo!!! Let's just say it was a major blow-out! It came right out of her diaper and all over my lap! Ewww! So, we took a quick break from feeding......changed her and then finished the feeding. As soon as we were done - I laid her down while I went to wash our clothes out! The diaper mishap didn't seem to bother her one bit.....she was just as happy as ever! =) Check out that big belly....I'm telling you she's a girl that knows how to eat!....and Poo!

Monday, April 19, 2010

2 week old photo shoots...

She-She came and stayed with us for a week too! We had so much fun....and Grandaddy came over and took some pretty pictures of Isabella! =)

We already miss them and can't wait to see them soon...

First 2 weeks...

Just thought I would add a few of my favorite pics from Isabella's first 2 weeks at home!

Here is Mimi helping Isabella get some natural sunlight to help w/her little bit of jaundice. She had to get her little foot pricked two days because her levels were a little high. But.....after eating lots and getting some good sunlight....those numbers went down! We went for her first check-up when she was 5 days old. She went from 6lbs. 14 oz. in the hospital to 6lb. 7 oz when we left. But, three days later she was already 7 lbs! She sure loves to eat....a definite answer to mommy's prayers!

She loves to be swaddled up tight for her naps...

This is her first little sponge bath! She loved the warm water...so relaxed. =)

I think this was her first smile! She sure is a cutie pie!

I ran my first errand without her...we left her with Jer and her Pappa. This is what we came home to...lots of TLC!

She loves sleeping on her daddy's chest! She's started lifting up her head and strengthening those neck muscles. We call her "turtle head" because she looks like a little turtle when she holds her head up!

She loves her little lamb vibrating chair...even though it's way big for her!

Mimi and Pappa stayed for a whole week! She loves them so much and can't wait to seem them very soon...

She never misses a chance to get some shut-eye...so far she's a good little sleeper! At 1 1/2 weeks old - she slept for 5 hours straight at night!

More napping...she's in her crib that her daddy slept in as a baby too!

Going Home...

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to sew a little dress for Isabella to come home in! Lavender is my favorite color....so of course that is what I chose! =) Here is her dress, satin shoes, white sweater, bloomers and headband that her She-She made her and white blanket that her daddy went home from the hospital in 30 years ago! So special!