Pictures

Ayla in an outfit decorated by Yza!

Ayla and Mommy's first trip to the WestSide Market.

Ayla in the hat that Kerri made for her! (She was kind of crabby before we put it on...)

Our  beautiful flowers.

Update

Hi everyone!

I'm so behind on posting... we've been very busy snuggling, napping, eating and growing - all sorts of important stuff!

Ayla, Jeff and I are doing great! At Ayla's two week check-up she weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and was 20 inches long. She is getting huge! Some times she sleeps for 4-5 hours during the night... other nights she is up every hour. Jeff and I working on getting naps in whenever possible, as does Ayla of course!

The three of us are enjoying our time together during the days and Ayla and I get to hang out while Jeff works in the evenings. Ayla and I both have doctors appointments next week so we will have lots to update about then I'm sure!

xoxo,
The Lews

Good Morning!

Pictures

Pictures

Ayla - 1 Week

Hi! I'm Ayla and today I'm 1 week old.

Today I had my second outing with my mom and dad. We went to a doctor's appointment for mom and then ran to Target and Home Depot. I did great!

Today mom and dad started using my cloth diapers and they love them. (Before they were using the free diapers that the hospital sent home with me). Dad thinks the cloth diapers are much easier to use than the others. Mom agrees and thinks my butt looks super cute all wrapped up.

My favorite thing to do is nurse. I like having things in my mouth - I have quite the oral fixation.

Two of mom's favorite things about me are when I nurse and my reflex smiles - she thinks those are the cutest!

Two of dad's favorite things about me are how I look at him and my cute little face.

Love You,
Ayla

Here are some pictures from my 7th day of life.

Pictures

Jeff preparring for the c-section

Ayla

Mom and Ayla

Grandma and Grandpa with Ayla

Aunt Karen and Ayla

Aunt Lora and Ayla 

We have a thumb sucker! 

Aunt Katie and Ayla

Grandpa and Ayla

Uncle Chip, Aunt Liz and Ayla

Dzadza and Ayla 

Uncle Matt, Aunt Michelle, and Ayla

Dzadza, Babcia and Ayla

Ayla 

Dad and Ayla 

Us after my first shower!

Baby Story #2

On Friday August 31st I was 40 weeks and didn't feel any closer to delivering this baby than I did at 39 weeks.

Jeff and I took yesterday to get a ton of stuff done around the house. We were scheduled to be at the hospital for induction number 2 tonight (Friday 8/31) at 8pm. Earlier today we got a call from Dr. Rao's office letting us know that labor and delivery doesn't have room for us tonight and that our induction is being pushed back until tomorrow at 8am (Saturday 9/1). This is a little disappointing since all I had planned today was preparing for tonight! On a good note we will get to sleep in our own bed tonight and I can have breakfast in the morning, on the bad note instead of sleeping through the first 12 hours of the induction we will be sitting around doing nothing!

We came in for the induction Saturday morning. I got a dose of Cervadil after 12 hours I was having contractions (nothing to major) but had no change... I was dilated maybe 1cm.  They started the second dose and we went to bed. My water broke around 2:30 Sunday morning. Jeff and I were both VERY surprised by this since after seeing no change on Saturday we kind of expected to go home without a baby again. 

Jeff and I were up at 2:30 and weren't able to go back to sleep. By 7am my contractions were super strong and about a minute apart. I was only dilated 3cm. I got an epidural. Had I been dilated further I wouldn't have bothered, but knowing that I wasn't progressing, they were that strong, and almost constant I went for it. I had the epidural around 7:30am (I think). Jeff and I both relaxed and were going to take a nap since we thought it would still be a while given how slowly I was progressing. We both fell asleep and were awoken to "We're going to do a C-Section".  (This was done because her heart rate kept dipping). 

I sat up and saw them tossing covers to Jeff and coming over to grab my iv's and such. The Drs/Nurses were already in their surgical attire and Jeff got dressed fairly quickly. Jeff was able to send a couple of texts to tell people we were going to have a C section before they wheeled me out of the room. They got me set up and gave me more medicine. I was still half asleep... Jeff came in and sat next to my head. I don't remember all that much of the section... I know I was pretty out of it and it didn't hurt at all; I did hear her first cries!

Jeff was told to get the camera ready and stood up to see the baby being pulled out of me. All sorts of NICU doctors and pediatricians were in the room because there was meconium in my waters. Ayla was fine and Jeff got to cut the cord. They stapled me back together and took us to a triage room for a few hours of bonding before going to our postpartum room. (The whole labor and delivery ward was full Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

Ayla started breastfeeding within an hour of being born. (Jeff had to help me hold her though because I didn't have control of my hands at that point!) Jeff went with her for her first bath and her footprints while I got cleaned up. My mom came up right away - just in time to help Jeff carry our stuff to our postpartum room!

We had lots of visitors Sunday and Monday and we took lots of time Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to rest.

Ayla has had some weight issues. She lost more than the "okay" 10% of her body weight because she was ready for my milk to have dropped after 24 hours. We supplemented with formula (only about a total of 3oz of formula was needed) and what I pump while she is breastfeeding (with a little tub we sneak in while she nurses). This has helped her gain some of her weight back which made us super happy! (She is tiny enough!!) She is also tong-tied. We had her evaluated this morning by an ENT and he said it wouldn't hurt to have that clipped. We said go for it... the dr took her and literally less than 10 minutes later she was back, there was no blood and she was breastfeeding again! That is supposed to make it easier for her to feed - it seems to me like it has helped.

We had a choice about when to leave and with Ayla loosing weight and me just being nervous about being stapled together Jeff and I decided to stay until Thursday. We got home just before 5pm on Thursday. 

Jeff has been doing great! He has changed all the diapers in the hospital and can do it like a pro ~ I'll need to practice because I've done so few thus far!

Other than being paranoid about my incision and the staples I'm doing fine. I have been up and moving a moderate amount and feel pretty good!

Today Ayla had her first doctor's appointment. She is already back up to 5lbs 14oz, which is excellent! We had a short period of time last night that was a little rough (midnight to 3am), but after that we got a solid 3.5 hours of sleep which made us all happy campers this morning! 

We are going to attempt a second outing tomorrow and go to the store. I'm supposed to get the rest of my staples out on Sunday and Ayla has her second doctor's appointment on Monday. We should have a fun filled - and hopefully restful weekend!

I'll put up some pictures asap!
xoxo
Jeff, Marlena and Ayla :)

The Belly: Week 40

Here I am on August 31st - the due date!

The Belly: Week 39