3 Weeks Old

My big girl is 3 weeks old today! Here she is, fresh from yesterday's bath (which she loved...she must be a water-lover like her momma and daddy!). Like her outfit?

"Duckie" in her ducky towel after her bath. She is too cute, and I adore her!

She is chunking right up and getting cuter by the minute! :) Last week at her 2 week well check-up at the doctor's office, Claire weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. What a big girl! She did so well at the doctor's office that she slept through most of the doctor's exam...even when he opened her eyes to check them! I think Austin and I got spoiled in the good-baby department. :)

Not only did she sleep through the doctor's visit, but last night Claire slept from around midnight all the way until 5:30 AM! What a nice stretch of sleeping for her Mommy and Daddy, I think. :) I think she looks especially cute in this blanket made for her by her Great Grandma Collins. :) Thank you!

Claire being sweet...sleeping! :)

Claire and her daddy. :) Austin is just so sweet with her! The other night Austin was holding Claire, and I went into the bedroom to check on how he was holding up...and found both of them sleeping away! It was too cute, I wish I had gotten a picture of it. :) Austin is one sweet daddy to our little girl.

Last week and this week my mom has been coming over every day to help me out. It seems like there is a little "fairy" around the house these days, helping out with everything I need. I will sure miss her when she isn't here, and I'm trying to "fly solo" in the Mommy-ing department. Thank you, Momma! :)

Between my mom and Austin's mom, it might be a little rough next week when I start the real Mommy job alone. Wish me luck! At least I'm fitting into some pre-pregnancy clothes these days...I was able to squeeze into a pair of blue jeans today! :) Now, only 10 pounds left to go. :)

Austin and I finally were able to get a date for Claire's blessing day--October 16, 2011. It will be very special to hear Austin take our tiny daughter in his arms to give her a blessing from her Heavenly Father. What a special time that will be. I can't wait!

Claire Brianne Is Already 1 Week Old!

Can you believe this little sleeping cutie is already over a week old? I can't! She is growing everyday...and getting cuter by the minute!

I love this picture of Claire sticking out her tongue. Isn't she silly? :)

Here is a picture of Claire posing on one of her blankets she got from her great-grandma Collins. Her outfit is from her grandma Palmer! :)

Claire making use of her best talent--looking cute!

Claire and her grandma. We are so glad that you are visiting us, Claire says! :)

What a poser. :)

My beautiful daughter.

Claire has been very good for the most part, except for one night where her tummy was hurting, and it took us three hours to finally calm her down. That was so sad, and she cried so much until she had worked everything out that it just broke my heart.

Claire in another outfit from grandma Palmer. I just can't get enough of my sweet girl's cuteness!

This week Claire's umbilical cord fell off...right on her one week birthday! :) So we were able to give Claire her first real bath that day. She did fairly well, but she did cry. I don't think she was quite sure about all of this getting a bath stuff...she would rather be wrapped up all warm and cozy in her cute outfits and blankets!

She has been eating very well. We have had a few incidents over here...all involving the diaper changing and Austin. Earlier this week Austin was changing Claire's diaper, and everything was going well...when...surprise! Claire went potty all over Austin's hand that was cleaning her up. Austin didn't think it was so funny, but I could not stop laughing.

I'm so lucky to have Claire for my precious baby daughter. She is so good and happy so much of the time. I love how she enjoys laying on your lap and looking around with her big blue eyes. I love that she sticks out her tongue when she is taking things in around her. I think it is cute the way she smacks her lips when she is finished nursing, and then stretches really big before curling up to sleep off her meal. :) I love the little rolls of fat she is getting now that she is gaining weight and chunking right up. :) She is so precious to me, and I am so lucky to be her mother.

First Pediatric Appointment

Claire had her first pediatric appointment yesterday...and she did wonderfully! Austin and I really liked the doctor that we saw (wasn't our original pediatrician)...which is good, because the practice that our pediatrician is in is big! Five doctors...we have met three of them, and liked all of them so far. Everyone is very friendly, and makes sure any questions or concerns get answered...the doctors make sure you don't feel pressured, like they are too busy to stick around. The doctor we saw was very good with Claire, and talked to her all while he was checking her.

When we went in to Claire's appointment, we filled out some paperwork before they measured and weighed her. I was so proud of Claire...she only cried for the minute it took for Austin to undress her to be weighed, and then settled right down. They let us swaddle her until they put her on the scale, which I thought was nice since doctor offices are always cold. :) She is already almost back to her birth weight! When we left the hospital on Sunday, Claire weighed in at 7 pounds, 15.9 ounces (just under 8 pounds). At her appointment she was back to 8 pounds 5 ounces! :) We are happy that all is going well. She is nursing great, and just generally being very happy. :)

The nurse gave us a sheet with Claire's measurements and percentiles. Here is how she is right now (as of yesterday):

Weight = 8 lbs 5 oz (66%)
Length = 21 inches (85%)
Head Circumference = 14 inches (56%)

We're so glad that Claire is doing well! We are just having so much fun getting to know her. :) Yesterday Austin's mom flew in to visit and help us out, and we are enjoying letting Claire get to know her grandma. Hopefully everything keeps going this well for our little one! :) Our next appointment is on Thursday, September 22 for Claire's two week checkup! :)

P.S. -- The hat Claire has on with her cherry outfit is one that I made for her while I was pregnant. I'm so glad it fits so well! :)

First Full Day at Home With My Little Claire Brianne

We are loving our first day at home with our precious little daughter! :) She has been a little fussy, but overall very cuddly, snuggly, and cute! Austin and I gave her her first sponge bath at home today...and right in the middle she did her business all over the towel! Austin and I could not stop laughing (not a small feat after a c-section, let me tell you!)...but we moved that towel over to the side, and then got some wipes to clean her up. Needless to say, bath time was over then, so we just cleaned her up, put her in a fresh outfit and headband, and proceeded to snuggle away. I think the best thing about this was the expressions on Claire's (and Austin's) face! They both just looked shocked, like someone had jumped out and scared them! :) It makes me laugh just thinking about it. :)

At the Hospital

We're at the hospital, and getting excited for a baby! Here is Austin, my wonderfuly husband showing his positive support...and me in the hospital bed trying to stay relaxed. I've been having contractions about 5-7 minutes apart, lasting anywhere from 40 to 60 seconds. If I continue contracting, we won't have to start any pitocin in the morning, because the baby will be coming on her own! We'll keep you updated as we can! :) Good night!

41 Weeks

So I had another visit today at the doctor's office, since apparently this baby is so comfortable staying right where she's at. :) I'm going to go in to the hospital Thursday for a trial of labor, which is where they give you pitocin to stimulate contractions, and monitor the baby to see how she handles them. If nothing happens, I can come home if I like, or keep trying to see if something will happen since the baby is full term. If I decide to come home, they will induce me a week from today. Nothing much has changed, and no contractions for the past three weeks, so I guess we will see if the trial of labor picks up real labor or not...only time will tell!

Nothing much else different...well, I take that back, I did gain another two pounds, putting my maternity weight gain totaling out at a whopping 38 pounds. So much for the idea that the last few weeks your weight gain will slow down and stop. :) But the baby sounded good on the Doppler this week, and is still moving good, so I know she's healthy, and that is good. :)

I'm hoping that this baby comes soon! I'm very excited to meet my little girl, and to finally hold her in my arms (instead of just her snuggling in my tummy). :) Everything seems a little surreal...that after all this time, there really will be a little baby to call my own. :) Hopefully she wants to meet us soon, too! :)