She's here....

And we've fallen in love....Jillian Faith was born March 22, 2010 and we couldn't be happier with her arrival!! She resembles Mallory but definitely has her own look. She's tiny and fiesty and keeps us up all night but after 5 weeks we already couldn't imagine life without her. It's funny how quickly you forget that newborn stage, the smell, reflexes, crying, cooing, sleep deprivation... having gone through all this with Mallory not too long ago you would think it would be fairly familiar but there really is a lot you don't remember. I also think with Mallory I was a first time mom and more focused on making sure I was doing everything right and less focused about taking it all in. However, since we brought Jillian home it's all coming back to me and this time I'm savoring every coo and wiggle a little bit more because I know all too soon this teeny little baby will be walking, talking and growing uo way too fast!

Waiting for Baby

The last couple of weeks we have been running around trying to get the last minute things together for our new arrival. Ever since my doctor appoint. a few weeks ago revealed I was already 3 cm dialated the reality set in that I could go into labor any day now. The baby's room is just about finished and for now it will still harbor our office in it as well. Eventually we will move the office downstairs in the basement but since the baby will be sleeping in the bassinet for the first few months we're keeping it upstairs for a little bit longer. Ahh...logitsitcs....so exciting!

The nursery theme is ladybugs and the colors are pink and green.
The baby's name will go above the crib but we aren't revealing the name until baby arrives. As of this writing we have 5 more days until my scheduled c-section and I am more than ready to meet my little girl!!

Comparing bellies!

It's A Girl

We've known for awhile (about a month and a half) but with the Holidays almost over I've finally had time to write a new post! I realize there's about 2 people who actually read these posts but I love the idea of blogging simply to preserve family memories and events. I've heard many people who turn their blogs into books as a keepsake. So I hope to chronicle more events in 2010 and to keep up with the blogging, knowing full well it's really just for my own family! :)

So yes, it's a girl!! We were sooo excited because we both really wanted a girl. Not because we didn't want a boy but we just really wanted Mallory to have a sister and since they'll be so close in age it'll be fun to have them be the same gender, not to mention all the cute clothes we get to reuse!

I think we've finally picked a name that Tony and I both agree on but we aren't revealing it until the baby is born, we wanted something to be a surprise!

Mallory often points to Mommy's growing belly and we told her that a baby is in there and it's her little sister. So now if you ask her where Mama's baby is she points right to my belly! We realize she doesn't really "get it" but it's the best preparation we can do for her at the age of 17 months!

The Remarkable Sound....

of your baby's heartbeat....it's such an amazing feeling to hear it and see it. I have yet to blog about baby #2 because it seemed like for these last three/four months I was just holding my breath...hoping and praying everything is okay. Finally after two ultrasounds and hearing the heartbeat two more times I finally feel like I can relax and attempt to enjoy my pregnancy. Albeit, I've been feeling absolutely horrible...nauseous all the time, terrible headaches, and exhausted! I know however feeling terrible is a good thing when you're pregnant and I do feel grateful that everything is going smoothly. I've started to feel little movements this past week which is also a wonderful pregnancy milestone! I definitely felt them much sooner than with Mallory, which is common for the second pregnancy. I don't know that I'll ever completely be able to let go of that "holding my breath" feeling during this pregnancy. It seems like there's always something to worry about and it's in my nature to be a worry wort. Nothing ever prepares you for not hearing that heartbeat and once you have experienced that it's hard to let that feeling go. Right now I'm trying to focus on the positives and really embrace the glorious moments where I know everything's okay! As this pregnancy progresses I know that will get easier and I look forward to the day where we get to hold our brand new baby!

...To The Moon and Back

We began establishing a bedtime routine for Mallory this week. Previously our bedtime ritual consisted of Mallory falling asleep in her bouncy or swing at any given time between 5:00pm-8:00pm and Tony or myself bringing her up to her room, either attempting to change her into her PJ's without waking her or forgoing the attempt altogether and placing her in bed with her clothes on. After reading several articles, parent internet sites and baby books I knew the importance of establishing a bedtime routine and knew at 3 1/2 months it was a bit over due. On one particular parent website I read as parents described giving their infants nightly massages, bathing, singing, reading, and praying as all part of their nightly routine. At this stage, Tony and I felt successful if she went to bed with her pajamas on. I guess we have a lot more work to do before we qualify for any "Parent of the Year Awards".

So the bedtime routine has been established. It includes a 7:00pm start time, bath (if needed), pajamas, bottle, and story. Lights out between 7:30 and 8:00. It's been about the fourth night in and just as the books predicted, it's going great!

On this night as we lay her down in the same crib below the same words written on her wall "Sweet Dreams, Love You to The Moon And Back", I can't help but to think about the countless bedtime stories we will read to her through the years. And as we settle into this new routine; changing into snuggly warm pajamas, feeding her last nightly bottle, and choosing our favorite goodnight books, I think about how someday these moments will be all too fleeting. I look at my baby daughter as those words echo in my head, I can only hope this is the beginning of endless sweet dreams and I love you's....to the moon and back and all!