One Week old

I am really trying not to get behind on this blogging. So much happens from day to do, it's hard to get it all recorded on this blog. So, this is going to be a random post with several different things that have been going on.

Today, Hannah is one week old. The time really does fly. It's hard to believe that I am REALLY a mommy. I love our sweet Hannah and am so excited for everyone in the world to meet her in the coming days.

New things:

-She smiles often, especially when mommy touches her lips--she has done this since she was 2 days old.

-She only cries when she is hungry and doesn't cry when her diaper is being changed and even SLEEPS through her diaper changes sometimes. This means that we have to smell and listen for when a change is needed :-)

-She had her first bowel explosion with Oma over...we were just dying laughing...Oma says it would have won $100,000.00 for the "America's Funniest Home Video".

-She does NOT like pacifiers right now...and we won't complain about that one. She acts like she is choking on it and spits it out.

-Her face is filling out more.

-She gets hiccups about 3-4 times per day.

-She can only fit into 0-3 month socks length-wise and then they fall off because they are too wide...guess we'll just have to deal with that.

-We've found 3 areas where she has blonde patches...very interesting...will she turn blonde, or just have highlights?

Hannah at one week old...outfit given by Auntie Laura (Mommy's good friend)

It's really been fun to see Hannah do the things that Dan and I do. Below is how I usually sleep...i put my together my feet...and I've even grabbed Dan's feet like this too. We noticed that she did this on the first day we were home.

I pointed out to Dan the other night that her legs were laying like his were...so here they are, so cute and two peas in a pod.

In honor of Tante Raya
(She made these pillows in the shape of an "H" and a "G")

Hannah's Night Spa:

Hannah's First Manicure



Hannah's Second Bath--with an added mohawk attempt

First Official Outing

Well, yesterday was a gorgeous day here with temperatures around 75 and low humidity. It was perfect for a family day out and we had a blast. It was so nice to get some fresh air. We decided to head out to a local park that Dan and I love to go to for date nights; walks and dinner on the grass. We even spotted an Alligator too under a bridge...it was a baby.

It's really great that we are all doing well and sleeping well too. We have energy to do some of these things, like going outside. I was exhausted by the end of the day...still trying to just take it slow and that includes walking too. Anyway, here are pictures from our outing.

Cute over-sized hat...since then, I've gotten some newborn hats :-)

So content

Hands so small, yet finger so LONG

And...we got a bow in the hair :-) These are the only kind Daddy will allow.

First Family Picture of THREE

Daddy and Hannah

Mommy and Hannah

Proud Daddy and Hannah

And...the alligator. The police were there for a safety awareness about keeping your personal items hidden in your car, etc...and they were telling us about the alligator there too. This is where the turtles are that we like to feed and I know Hannah will have a lot of fun with that. Don't worry, this was taken from a bridge.

First Bath

Well, we gave Hannah her first bath the other night and she did very well. Aside from screaming and peeing all over her towel, she did quite well. Daddy held her for most of it since she was so cold. She is just so cute!

And the washing and screaming begins...

Hair Wash

All nice and clean

So content

Mommy's loving

All dressed and ready for the night...

Mommy and Hannah fell asleep after bath

First Doctor Visit

I will do my best to keep up with all the events and happenings with Hannah. First off, Hannah had her first visit to the doctor on Monday morning.

Stats:

7.0 pounds(she was 6 pounds 15 ounces upon leaving the hospital)
Length 20 1/2 inches long (same)

The doctor thought she might have jaundice so just in case she had a billy ruben blood test done. Poor Hannah screamed as she was pricked with the needle thing and as we waited for the small vile to fill up for the test, so grueling for a newborn. She was a good sport though, and daddy was kissing her face while mommy was holding her and talking sweet. The results have come back and she does not have jaundice, so that is a praise!

We will go back next Thursday to be measured again and check back for her 2 week appointment.

I can't believe that tomorrow our sweet Hannah will be one week old already...I guess the time does fly by and soon she won't be so little anymore. I was looking at pictures just from the day she was born and she is already growing so much. She is outgrowing some of her newborn onsies already...so it's set it, she is getting bigger. It's too bad they can't stay small longer, but we are cherishing the moments we have with her each day and looking forward to the days ahead as we watch her grow and mature.

Hannah Grace has arrived!!!

Hannah Grace arrived on Thursday, April 22nd at 1:15pm. She weighed 7lbs 5.5oz and was 20.5 inches long. She is definitely a Bodi, resembling Sarina as an infant, with a full head of dark brown hair, pudgy cheeks and a round head. She has her daddy's height, fingers, toes, feet, (overall long and tall). She is a very relaxed and calm baby, only fussing when she is cold, hungry and occasionally when her diaper is being changed. And fussing is by no means crying, she just whimpers a little. she has cried very little, and when not sleeping, she just looks around and is content. When awake she is active in moving her arms, legs, looking around intently and picking up her head when she can.

When and how it all began...

Sarina was 38 weeks and 5 days when she went into labor.On Wednesday night April 21st, at around 8:30pm we decided to have a late dinner and had just finished our Wonton Soup at the Peking Garden. It was Sarina's favorite restaurant throughout her pregnancy, and she loved the soup the most. Just as our main dishes came, and she had taken the first small bite of chicken, she looked up and said," I think my water just broke!"

Sarina went to the bathroom to check, after she came back and sat down, she looked even more surprised and said "Now, I really think it just broke now." (9:15pm) I went and told the nice waitress at the restaurant, and since we go there a lot, and we kinda know each other, she was excited for us. We boxed up the food and left quickly. Sarina was on the phone with the On-Call-Doctor as we started driving home (same direction as the hospital) and gathered all our stuff. I raced to the hospital going 100 mph (with flashers on for safety) and Sarina kept saying "Its OK." I thought otherwise. Once at the hospital, we were quickly admitted and got to our room. (9:45pm) Now the waiting game started, as we needed the contractions to begin. The nurse checked and Sarina was 2cm dilated, 90% effaced, and fully engaged with a zero station. From there we just had to wait for the contractions to begin since we decided to go all natural. While in waiting, Sarina spent lots of time on facebook and we watched our favorite T.V. show Lost that was on hulu. We also spent some time praying together about the event waiting to happen. The night was sleepless as the contractions became stronger at 3am (4-5cm). At 6am she was checked again and was only at 7cm but this time 100% effaced and positive 1 station...all we were waiting on was the last 3 cm. to dilate. At this time they recommended that Sarina start taking Pitocin, because Sarina tested positive for Group B strep (usually, babies are delivered within 12 hours of water breaking--she was already at 10 hours). It is an inactive bacteria in the intestine, but during a long delivery, it could infect the baby. Pitocin helps get labor going faster, but it also makes the contractions more painful, double edged sword. Contractions got stronger (9am), became more frequent and were in closer intervals, and finally at 1pm it was time to push. The doctor arrived and Hannah was born at 1:15pm. Sarina broke many blood vessels in her face and shoulders pushing, but they are healing fast. Hannah was breathing with a little gasp at the end of each breath, and the Post delivery neonatal nurse had to take her to the nursery for close monitoring and to make sure she was fine. The first video shows her breathing harder. After being checked thoroughly and given a bath, she was finally given to us 2 hours later. Because Sarina did not have any time to hold her after birth or nurse, she had a hard time nursing when we finally did get her back. She finally ended up nursing about 10 hours after birth.

We stayed at the hospital for 48 hours since I was a positive Group B Strep patient. Everything was great, the nurses and doctor's were incredible. We learned a lot and felt the power of the Lord surrounding us while there. We were very happy to leave as a healthy family of three and it was very surreal, but we are adjusting well.

While being at home, we have started to get to understand and love her more and more as each day passes. As we get to know her we are seeing her very intricate features, one being that she has a thick blond streak at the top of her head, (picture below). Her arms, legs, toes and fingers are very long, and since her feet are so long, she already is wearing 0-3 month socks, although she does not fill them out width-wise. We might have to find a big and tall store for babies!!

She sleeps a lot and goes 2-3 hours between feedings, and could go longer--sometimes she wakes up at the right time and others, we are waking her up to keep the schedule intact. Hopefully we can extend her sleeping patterns if she feeds longer.

We will be going to the pediatrician tomorrow morning and we will see where her stats are.

Included below are some extra pictures and fun videos we have already taken. (I can't believe we've taken almost 200 pictures and many videos just in the past 4 days)

Thanks for all the cards, flowers and prayers.

Sarina beginning Labor

Sarina bored with labor

Hannah crying after birth

Our first family picture

Hannah finished feeding

Leaving the hospital

Hannah in her carseat Hannah's feet Blond hairs streak Our Hannah burrito 

39 Weeks

I was not planning on posting a picture for this week as I don't think too much has changed since last week, but of course my mom wanted to see me THIS week, so here it is, just for you mom :-) By the way...I look terrible in this picture, but I feel great!

I hope today was my last doctor appointment...we shall see. I am due next Wednesday, on April 28th--7 days away.

Baby Hannah is right on schedule. She is growing and measuring just perfect. Her heart rate was 140 B.P.M. I forgot to ask how big she is, but I am guessing around 7 lbs.

As for me, not much more progress, 2 cm. now and still 75% effaced...she is however, engaging more which is good news...she dropped again on Saturday :-)

Our doctor recommends going into labor naturally, especially since I tested positive for Group B Strep. We asked about her thoughts regarding induction. She said there is no reason to induce considering that my blood pressure looks good, Hannah is progressing right along and my body is making progress but, she would induce if we wanted to on Tuesday. She will actually be out of town the first week of May which is my 41st week. After much prayer, discussion and thinking about what's best for us and for Hannah, we declined being induced. Dan and I feel that the Lord is in control and that in His time, Hannah will be born. We are praying that Hannah will come before May when my mom arrives and when our doctor will be out of town. If for some reason she goes way over due, then my doctor said she can induce me on May 10th (42 weeks--that's about how long they let you go now adays) and at that time, I believe we are going to induce. I highly doubt Hannah will wait that long since she is making progress, but it is very hard to tell.

How can you pray for our family?

• Please pray that Hannah will come on her own and that we will not need to have any kind of intervention.
  
• Please pray for continued good health for me, Hannah and the amniotic fluid that is sustaining her at this time.
• Pray for peace for Dan and I as we wait together for this miracle to take place, whenever labor happens.
• Please pray for smooth,safe, and low pain labor and delivery of our sweet Hannah.
  
• Pray that we will be an example of Philippians 4:6 by not "being anxious about anything but through prayer and petition presenting our requests to God" and trusting that He is in complete control of our lives and Hannah.
  

Thank you for your continued love, prayer, encouragement and support throughout our pregnancy journey.

38 weeks...and 15 days to go...

Picture taken at 38 weeks and 1 day

Today's appointment went very well. We are anticipating the birth of our biggest blessing yet to come. We have 15 days left...but it's not like we are counting or anything crazy :-)

Hannah's heart rate was 142 B.P.M. and she is moving quite often...at this point, I mostly just feel her feet and butt move. The doctor thinks she is about 6 1/2 -7 lbs. right now and she is right on track :-)

I have not gained any more weight, and am maintaining my 32 lb. weight gain which my doctor says is just perfect.

Unfortunately, I was tested positive for the Group B Strep which many women do have and it is bacteria that is found in the bowels, etc. They treat pregnant mom's with Penicillin in an IV as labor begins so that the baby won't receive the bacteria, especially once your water is broken. So, this means that I may not be able to have the complete natural labor like I had hoped, but I trust my doctor. This also may mean than Hannah will come faster because we can't wait very long in labor once my water breaks...so we'll see. The doctor said it's best not to be induced when you have Group B Strep and to just allow your body to have the most natural labor as possible. Like I said though, Dan and I are both confident in our doctor and her treatment methods.

I am measuring 1 1/2 cm., this week, so that is a 1/2 cm. progress which is great. I am also 75% effaced and Hannah is definitely dropping lower in the pelvic cavity. This is all really good progress.

The doctor has no idea when she will come because she says it is really hard to tell. Right now I am on track for next week (39) or the week I am due (40). I hope that she will come on her own before 40. I just don't want to have a big baby and be late and all that goes with that.

New things:

-Mid back aches
-Restless nights due to contractions
-increasingly harder contractions throughout the day, none 5 min. apart though :-(
-More emotional
-More tired
-Napping more often
-Hands swelling a bit more
-All bags packed and by the doorway (Dan, Hannah and myself)
-Dan is finished traveling till Hannah is born :-) :-)
-I like my doctor now
-Hungry more often

We're so excited for Hannah--please pray that all goes well with labor and delivery and that she is born healthy and does not get any type of infection due to the Group B Strep. We'd like to take her home with us after birth. Please pray for good health for me, that I won't be feverish after labor and that everything will be smooth with labor and delivery for me. Thanks for all your prayers, I know that we are covered well by so many we love.

37 Weeks...making progress

Well, today was the start of my weekly doctor appointments. It was great!!

I had an HIV blood test taken (mandatory for all preggos since Jan. 2010) and had a Group B strep test done. I'm sure they will both come back fine.

Hannah's making progress, she is very low and I have begun to dilate. The doctor said Hannah can come at any time...she is expects around the week before or week of my due date, which would be around 2 weeks from now...SO exciting!!

Hannah's heart rate was 150 B.P.M, just perfect...she was moving ALL over my belly today. When I walked into the office, they had a "patient appreciation morning" that included coffee, smoothies, food...and I got a strawberry and mango smoothie...it was so sweet that about half way through Hannah was moving ALL OVER THE PLACE!...so the mom in me said, enough is enough and threw the other half away. I don't usually eat really sweet drinks, so it was a sugar high for sure...for both of us!

My weight is still good, the doctor is pleased. I hadn't gained anything at my last appt. at 35 weeks, but I have gained 6 1/2 lbs since then for a total of 32 lbs.

Dan will be home tomorrow morning or afternoon. Please also pray for Daniel, that he would be able to handle all my emotions and helping me through labor, that it would be somewhat of a pleasant experience for him. Please also pray for smooth labor, safety for Hannah and I during delivery and good health for Hannah and I after delivery. I know that the Lord is in control and he will carry us through this time. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Maternity Pictures

These maternity pictures were taken at 35 weeks...we're so excited for Hannah! There are many more, but I could only choose a few to post. Enjoy!!