I can't believe it. I swear you're not old enough to be one. I'm writing a blog post for all our friends and family to read. Everyone loves to read about you.
I'm going to cook the same dinner that I was cooking the night I went in to labor with you for your first birthday dinner. It was asian bbq grilled salmon, rice and salad. It's going to be delicious, but not as delicious as you!
Thanks for being such a perfect little girl. You are sleeping right now and I am sitting next to the baby monitor, kind of secretly hoping that I hear you stir so I can go cuddle with you. I love you so much :)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Your birth play list
I don't want to forget any little detail, so here is what I was listening to while I was in labor with you:
Eric Hutchinson "Sounds Like This"
Jack Johnson "In Between Dreams"
Jason Mraz "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things"
Michael Franti
Nora Jones "Come Away With Me"
Pink Martini "Sympathique"
The Postal Service "Give Up"
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals "Live from Mars"
Bob Marley & the Wailers "Legend"
When you were only 2 days old, I gave you the a bath by myself for the first time. I remember it so clearly. I was listening to Nora Jones "Don't know why I didn't come" cradling you in my arms and singing to you. I thought it was a very sweet moment in my life. Until you pooped in the bathtub! Haha! It was so funny. Needless to say, I had to give you another bath!
:)
Eric Hutchinson "Sounds Like This"
Jack Johnson "In Between Dreams"
Jason Mraz "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things"
Michael Franti
Nora Jones "Come Away With Me"
Pink Martini "Sympathique"
The Postal Service "Give Up"
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals "Live from Mars"
Bob Marley & the Wailers "Legend"
When you were only 2 days old, I gave you the a bath by myself for the first time. I remember it so clearly. I was listening to Nora Jones "Don't know why I didn't come" cradling you in my arms and singing to you. I thought it was a very sweet moment in my life. Until you pooped in the bathtub! Haha! It was so funny. Needless to say, I had to give you another bath!
:)
A funny conversation that I was told to save....
9:59pmMe
How is Lucy????
I miss that little kitty sooooooo
9:59pmRosanna
Lucy is such a funny kitty
9:59pmMe
What's she up to lately?
10:00pmRosanna
She has been trying to attack out butterfly I hatched and she likes to hang out in our fireplace
She was needing my chest up a sotrm this morning.
We also recently learned she play fights.
10:00pmMe
Hah!
Yes....
When she kneads, I like to say that she's making muffins.
10:01pmRosanna
10:01pmMe
Unfortunately, she makes muffins on the fat part of my stomach... my "mufifn top"
10:01pmRosanna
ahhh, oh no!
10:01pmMe
Yeah, makes me feel fat!
10:01pmRosanna
SHe seems happy, except for Dodger pestering her.
10:01pmMe
She deserves to be pestered
And I think she secretely likes it
10:01pmRosanna
does she? She hisses and growls alot
Dodger is such a booger
10:02pmMe
Oh, she's just bitchy
I don't think she really means it
She's just very vocal
like me!
10:03pmRosanna
oh, she means it! Dodger is being a jerk, imo
you are never bitchy
10:03pmMe
Oh, well then they'll duke it out
i am bitchy... ask nick
10:03pmRosanna
surely they'll get over it someday
10:03pmMe
SOOOOooo how are YOU doing Mrs. Kneegery? sur
10:03pmRosanna
well, bitchy with your spouse is diff that with friends
10:03pmMe
er... knee surgery
10:04pmRosanna
I'm good. Crazy busy organizing end of school year stuff for both kids. My parents come Monday
10:04pmMe
are the parents coming a good thing?
10:04pmRosanna
it is, but I want everything to look nice and clean.
How is leigh?
Is he gone?
I can never keep track. He's always going somewhere.
10:07pmRosanna
he is working from home these days, going to summer school at night. We was out of town recently, but is now back
MN
I might get to go sometime, though
I work woith him now, and they want me to come out too
10:08pmMe
Woah! Big money!
You two are so rad.
I wish Nick and I could work together.
10:08pmRosanna
ha...in what way?
WE are so not rad
You are in Germany!
10:09pmMe
Yeah, but you have JOBS
Now that is cool
Gosh, I can't wait to have an income again
10:09pmRosanna
well, yeah, it helps pay the bills and all
10:09pmMe
Minor detail... those bills
10:10pmRosanna
I haven't had an income in 4 years.
10:10pmMe
4 years! Me neither, I'm sure....
10:10pmRosanna
surgery is expensive!
10:10pmMe
It's pretty unnerving.
10:10pmRosanna
what did you do before?
10:10pmMe
I was a Jr. Art Director - aka graphic designer
10:11pmRosanna
that sounds fun...I on;y did HR.
10:11pmMe
HR sounds not very fun
Graphic design is fun... in art school
10:11pmRosanna
I always wanted to go to art school, I might someday
10:11pmMe
and then you graduate and realize that you are NEVER going to get to work on anything remotely creative because everyone has their brand identity and it's so rigid that there's really no point to hiring a graphic designer...
10:12pmRosanna
no, i want to do it for fun.
10:12pmMe
I used to do creative for wells fargo, bank of america, etc.... always the same colors, fonts, photos
Sort of like groundhog's day!
only on a omac
10:12pmRosanna
I have a friend that is doing creative for the company that does printing for McD's.
10:12pmMe
FUN!
Mmmm Mcds
I could use a hashbrown or three
10:13pmRosanna
we call him a nuggest muncher
10:13pmMe
LMAO
10:13pmRosanna
ewwww
starting to get the food thing down there yet?
10:13pmMe
OMFG I LOVE MCDs hashbrowns...
YES, the food thing is better
we found the farmer's market.. it's friday mornings and we get most of our food there
it's much nicer
but expensive
do you think that the food quality in europe is better than the US?
10:14pmRosanna
well, that's good and bad.
10:14pmMe
Like, conventional meat in Europe is better than conventional meat in the USA?
10:14pmRosanna
I dunno. It was in France, but not in Sweden
10:14pmMe
Oh. I've heard that it is, but that is what GERMANS say
they are so egotistical
I don't believe them
10:14pmRosanna
I can beleive that.
the egotistical part
10:15pmMe
Yeah
Everything is germany, germany, germany
and white, white, white
even the parade musicians today were in all white
the houses are all white
10:15pmRosanna
THere is a german family that Sophia goes to school with. I don't like them at all, and I'm sure it's a cultural thing. I feel bad.
10:15pmMe
it's a little weird
They are just a different type of people.
10:15pmRosanna
America really is the melting pot, eh?
10:16pmMe
There are a ton of arabs here, though
they make it bearable
I love arabs
10:16pmRosanna
they have good food
10:16pmMe
And pretty men
and a lovely language
and they do good eyebrows
ahhh.... I wish I could do my own brows
I look like the freaking chupacabras over here
10:17pmRosanna
pretty men? Hmmm... I had a german exchange student boyfriend once
10:17pmMe
NO NO, pretty arabs
I like arabs
not germans
10:17pmRosanna
ahh, I was confused. thought my friend was cute
10:18pmMe
Germans are weird, smoke too much, are big like loggers
and they yell!
Why all the yelling?
10:18pmRosanna
you should write this shit down!
10:18pmMe
I suppose I'd be mad if I only had shnitzel to eat
Why should I write it down?
Nobody wants to hear what I have to .
say
I barely want to hear it!
10:19pmRosanna
I think it's funny!
10:19pmMe
HAH!
10:19pmRosanna
Are you lonely at all? I'd be lonely there
10:19pmMe
I'm kind of lonely
I miss my family... my sister and niece
10:19pmRosanna
do you know anyone in England?
10:19pmMe
we know 1 person but he's a d-bag
10:19pmRosanna
ewwww
10:19pmMe
i'm going to find a mom's group
10:20pmRosanna
I think you'll like the English better
10:20pmMe
there's a mom's group for women whose husbands are going to oxford. I hope they aren't a bunch of d-bag women, but we will see!
I hope they think I'm cool with my Maclaren stroller!
10:20pmRosanna
well, of course.
10:20pmMe
I feel really wealthy with my stroller.
10:20pmRosanna
They might call you a yank
10:20pmMe
Yank?
If they call me a yank, I'll call them something worse!
10:21pmRosanna
I used to fee that way. Now mine is all beat up
10:21pmMe
Mine is getting beat up quick.
carrying it up and down stairs at the train station... it's already been to 3 countries
10:21pmRosanna
call them a limey!
10:21pmMe
hah! Limey!
10:21pmRosanna
nie and light to carry, though
10:22pmMe
It is nice. It's pretty.
I can even nurse stella while she's in it!
hahahah
oh the joys of motherhood
10:22pmRosanna
how on earth do you do that?
don't tell me
see, this shit is funny
10:22pmMe
whipping the boob out and shoving it in her face while she's strapped in....
and I have to hover... similar to the public bathroom hover.
10:22pmRosanna
lol
10:23pmMe
my legs start to shake
10:23pmRosanna
hahahaha
10:23pmMe
but I think... what's worse? Crying baby?
10:23pmRosanna
I really am laughing
10:23pmMe
I even nursed her while she was in the car seat and we were going 100+ on the autobahn
good thing I've done a lot of yoga
10:23pmRosanna
sheeit
see, you knew it'd come in handy
10:23pmMe
i'm sure the other drivers thought I was crazy
It has come in handy!
Oh man
10:24pmRosanna
how could they even tell?
10:24pmMe
Well, I was on my knees, hovering over the carseat with my shirt pulled up and looking like I'm trying to smother the baby in the car seat
10:24pmRosanna
hahahah
these are the things you think you'll remember forever, but won't. Write it down.
10:25pmMe
I would tell nick to drive in the right lane but he wouldn't. He didn't care if the french saw my boobs.
Ok, ok
10:25pmRosanna
the french don't care
10:25pmMe
I'll write it down tomorrow
Nick broke my computer and I'm using his and it sucks
10:25pmRosanna
I have to go make some dough... I'll try to take some pics of Lucy and email them to you
have a good evening!
How is Lucy????
I miss that little kitty sooooooo
9:59pmRosanna
Lucy is such a funny kitty
9:59pmMe
What's she up to lately?
10:00pmRosanna
She has been trying to attack out butterfly I hatched and she likes to hang out in our fireplace
She was needing my chest up a sotrm this morning.
We also recently learned she play fights.
10:00pmMe
Hah!
Yes....
When she kneads, I like to say that she's making muffins.
10:01pmRosanna
10:01pmMe
Unfortunately, she makes muffins on the fat part of my stomach... my "mufifn top"
10:01pmRosanna
ahhh, oh no!
10:01pmMe
Yeah, makes me feel fat!
10:01pmRosanna
SHe seems happy, except for Dodger pestering her.
10:01pmMe
She deserves to be pestered
And I think she secretely likes it
10:01pmRosanna
does she? She hisses and growls alot
Dodger is such a booger
10:02pmMe
Oh, she's just bitchy
I don't think she really means it
She's just very vocal
like me!
10:03pmRosanna
oh, she means it! Dodger is being a jerk, imo
you are never bitchy
10:03pmMe
Oh, well then they'll duke it out
i am bitchy... ask nick
10:03pmRosanna
surely they'll get over it someday
10:03pmMe
SOOOOooo how are YOU doing Mrs. Kneegery? sur
10:03pmRosanna
well, bitchy with your spouse is diff that with friends
10:03pmMe
er... knee surgery
10:04pmRosanna
I'm good. Crazy busy organizing end of school year stuff for both kids. My parents come Monday
10:04pmMe
are the parents coming a good thing?
10:04pmRosanna
it is, but I want everything to look nice and clean.
How is leigh?
Is he gone?
I can never keep track. He's always going somewhere.
10:07pmRosanna
he is working from home these days, going to summer school at night. We was out of town recently, but is now back
MN
I might get to go sometime, though
I work woith him now, and they want me to come out too
10:08pmMe
Woah! Big money!
You two are so rad.
I wish Nick and I could work together.
10:08pmRosanna
ha...in what way?
WE are so not rad
You are in Germany!
10:09pmMe
Yeah, but you have JOBS
Now that is cool
Gosh, I can't wait to have an income again
10:09pmRosanna
well, yeah, it helps pay the bills and all
10:09pmMe
Minor detail... those bills
10:10pmRosanna
I haven't had an income in 4 years.
10:10pmMe
4 years! Me neither, I'm sure....
10:10pmRosanna
surgery is expensive!
10:10pmMe
It's pretty unnerving.
10:10pmRosanna
what did you do before?
10:10pmMe
I was a Jr. Art Director - aka graphic designer
10:11pmRosanna
that sounds fun...I on;y did HR.
10:11pmMe
HR sounds not very fun
Graphic design is fun... in art school
10:11pmRosanna
I always wanted to go to art school, I might someday
10:11pmMe
and then you graduate and realize that you are NEVER going to get to work on anything remotely creative because everyone has their brand identity and it's so rigid that there's really no point to hiring a graphic designer...
10:12pmRosanna
no, i want to do it for fun.
10:12pmMe
I used to do creative for wells fargo, bank of america, etc.... always the same colors, fonts, photos
Sort of like groundhog's day!
only on a omac
10:12pmRosanna
I have a friend that is doing creative for the company that does printing for McD's.
10:12pmMe
FUN!
Mmmm Mcds
I could use a hashbrown or three
10:13pmRosanna
we call him a nuggest muncher
10:13pmMe
LMAO
10:13pmRosanna
ewwww
starting to get the food thing down there yet?
10:13pmMe
OMFG I LOVE MCDs hashbrowns...
YES, the food thing is better
we found the farmer's market.. it's friday mornings and we get most of our food there
it's much nicer
but expensive
do you think that the food quality in europe is better than the US?
10:14pmRosanna
well, that's good and bad.
10:14pmMe
Like, conventional meat in Europe is better than conventional meat in the USA?
10:14pmRosanna
I dunno. It was in France, but not in Sweden
10:14pmMe
Oh. I've heard that it is, but that is what GERMANS say
they are so egotistical
I don't believe them
10:14pmRosanna
I can beleive that.
the egotistical part
10:15pmMe
Yeah
Everything is germany, germany, germany
and white, white, white
even the parade musicians today were in all white
the houses are all white
10:15pmRosanna
THere is a german family that Sophia goes to school with. I don't like them at all, and I'm sure it's a cultural thing. I feel bad.
10:15pmMe
it's a little weird
They are just a different type of people.
10:15pmRosanna
America really is the melting pot, eh?
10:16pmMe
There are a ton of arabs here, though
they make it bearable
I love arabs
10:16pmRosanna
they have good food
10:16pmMe
And pretty men
and a lovely language
and they do good eyebrows
ahhh.... I wish I could do my own brows
I look like the freaking chupacabras over here
10:17pmRosanna
pretty men? Hmmm... I had a german exchange student boyfriend once
10:17pmMe
NO NO, pretty arabs
I like arabs
not germans
10:17pmRosanna
ahh, I was confused. thought my friend was cute
10:18pmMe
Germans are weird, smoke too much, are big like loggers
and they yell!
Why all the yelling?
10:18pmRosanna
you should write this shit down!
10:18pmMe
I suppose I'd be mad if I only had shnitzel to eat
Why should I write it down?
Nobody wants to hear what I have to .
say
I barely want to hear it!
10:19pmRosanna
I think it's funny!
10:19pmMe
HAH!
10:19pmRosanna
Are you lonely at all? I'd be lonely there
10:19pmMe
I'm kind of lonely
I miss my family... my sister and niece
10:19pmRosanna
do you know anyone in England?
10:19pmMe
we know 1 person but he's a d-bag
10:19pmRosanna
ewwww
10:19pmMe
i'm going to find a mom's group
10:20pmRosanna
I think you'll like the English better
10:20pmMe
there's a mom's group for women whose husbands are going to oxford. I hope they aren't a bunch of d-bag women, but we will see!
I hope they think I'm cool with my Maclaren stroller!
10:20pmRosanna
well, of course.
10:20pmMe
I feel really wealthy with my stroller.
10:20pmRosanna
They might call you a yank
10:20pmMe
Yank?
If they call me a yank, I'll call them something worse!
10:21pmRosanna
I used to fee that way. Now mine is all beat up
10:21pmMe
Mine is getting beat up quick.
carrying it up and down stairs at the train station... it's already been to 3 countries
10:21pmRosanna
call them a limey!
10:21pmMe
hah! Limey!
10:21pmRosanna
nie and light to carry, though
10:22pmMe
It is nice. It's pretty.
I can even nurse stella while she's in it!
hahahah
oh the joys of motherhood
10:22pmRosanna
how on earth do you do that?
don't tell me
see, this shit is funny
10:22pmMe
whipping the boob out and shoving it in her face while she's strapped in....
and I have to hover... similar to the public bathroom hover.
10:22pmRosanna
lol
10:23pmMe
my legs start to shake
10:23pmRosanna
hahahaha
10:23pmMe
but I think... what's worse? Crying baby?
10:23pmRosanna
I really am laughing
10:23pmMe
I even nursed her while she was in the car seat and we were going 100+ on the autobahn
good thing I've done a lot of yoga
10:23pmRosanna
sheeit
see, you knew it'd come in handy
10:23pmMe
i'm sure the other drivers thought I was crazy
It has come in handy!
Oh man
10:24pmRosanna
how could they even tell?
10:24pmMe
Well, I was on my knees, hovering over the carseat with my shirt pulled up and looking like I'm trying to smother the baby in the car seat
10:24pmRosanna
hahahah
these are the things you think you'll remember forever, but won't. Write it down.
10:25pmMe
I would tell nick to drive in the right lane but he wouldn't. He didn't care if the french saw my boobs.
Ok, ok
10:25pmRosanna
the french don't care
10:25pmMe
I'll write it down tomorrow
Nick broke my computer and I'm using his and it sucks
10:25pmRosanna
I have to go make some dough... I'll try to take some pics of Lucy and email them to you
have a good evening!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
You do the cutest things!
Recently, you've started to sing, "Da-da!" but the last syllable is said in a much higher tone. Like you're singing it. It's the sweetest thing ever and you wouldn't believe how much your Dad melts when he hears it. He is so enamored with you!
You love to nurse, too. It's really a very wonderful thing. I love the closeness that breastfeeding has given us. In the bath lately, you've gone straight for the breast instead of playing in the water. I ask you, "Did you really come in to the bath just to eat?!" And you smile at me with your big brown eyes while having your bath time snack. You are such a sweet little girl.
You love to nurse, too. It's really a very wonderful thing. I love the closeness that breastfeeding has given us. In the bath lately, you've gone straight for the breast instead of playing in the water. I ask you, "Did you really come in to the bath just to eat?!" And you smile at me with your big brown eyes while having your bath time snack. You are such a sweet little girl.
Your Dad and I were talking last night
and we were sad to think that one day, you will be reading these exact words that I am writing, and we will be gone. I can't even begin to explain how much sadness overcomes me when I think of this. Your Dad and I love you more than anything in the world and I hope that you always know that.
I thought of this because I often miss my own Mother in the most terrible way. I can't bear to imagine you ever missing me as much as I miss her. So, I will continue to cuddle and love you relentlessly until you are sick and tired of me! You are the most prized and precious of all of our possessions. We love you more than anything else in this universe.
Love,
Mama & Dad
I thought of this because I often miss my own Mother in the most terrible way. I can't bear to imagine you ever missing me as much as I miss her. So, I will continue to cuddle and love you relentlessly until you are sick and tired of me! You are the most prized and precious of all of our possessions. We love you more than anything else in this universe.
Love,
Mama & Dad
Thursday, May 6, 2010
You are 9 months old, and...
You:
Crawl like a champ
Have 4 teeth
Say: Mama, Daddy, Hi, Bah-bah, Bye-bye
Eat: Everything we eat.
Your favorite foods are: oranges, strawberries and cheerios. Also, you love refried beans. A true little bambinita :)
Love all animals. You laugh and try to touch any dog or cat that is nearby.
We live in: Neustadt am Rubenburg, Germany.
Crawl like a champ
Have 4 teeth
Say: Mama, Daddy, Hi, Bah-bah, Bye-bye
Eat: Everything we eat.
Your favorite foods are: oranges, strawberries and cheerios. Also, you love refried beans. A true little bambinita :)
Love all animals. You laugh and try to touch any dog or cat that is nearby.
We live in: Neustadt am Rubenburg, Germany.
Why move to Europe?
There are so many reasons why we wanted to move out of the country and bring you along.
First, we wanted to give you the opportunity to experience how other people live their lives in other countries. In the US, I have noticed that the trend seems to be leaning towards more of an Island-type of living. What I mean by "Island" living is that families seem to be much more interested in their own family in their own house than they are in the well being of their neighbors, friends and strangers. They live as if their home is an island and they don't much care about what happens anywhere else except their little island.
I began to find this unsettling and I have always wanted you to have the compassion and selflessness that I wish for every person I meet. Your Dad and I decided that the best way to expose you to different cultures was to travel. So, that's what lead us to this decision.
Most of our friends and family have said that we are crazy for wanting to take a baby out of the comfort of our own home and travel the world with her. This might be true, but we both happily accept our craziness :)
Another reason why we wanted to take you on an adventure was because people told us we couldn't. Ever since the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I had been told every reason under the sun that my goals and aspirations for your pregnancy, birth and upbringing were unattainable. What those people didn't know is that whenever I am told that I cannot do something, it makes me want to do it even more.
I DID have a natural, out-of-hospital birth. I did breastfeed, co-sleep, wear you in a sling, use cloth diapers and manage to not fill my house with unnecessary baby items and products. We didn't need to go out and buy the biggest SUV we could find, in order to have a "safe" car for our baby to ride in. We managed to get the majority of your clothes and toys as hand-me-downs from friends. Adding you to our lives was more of an evolution than a life-changing event. Once I was told that it was impossible to move to another country and travel with a baby, I knew it was something that I had to prove was wrong, and I did.
So, we sold most everything we own, packed everything else up in to a storage space, and left on April 10th, 2010 for Europe. I hope you have enjoyed the trip so far. Here are some of the places that you have visited in the last month:
New York City, New York
Ponte Delgada, Azores, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Cadiz, Spain
Malga, Spain
Venice, Italy
Munich, Germany
Neustadt am Rubenburg, Germany
First, we wanted to give you the opportunity to experience how other people live their lives in other countries. In the US, I have noticed that the trend seems to be leaning towards more of an Island-type of living. What I mean by "Island" living is that families seem to be much more interested in their own family in their own house than they are in the well being of their neighbors, friends and strangers. They live as if their home is an island and they don't much care about what happens anywhere else except their little island.
I began to find this unsettling and I have always wanted you to have the compassion and selflessness that I wish for every person I meet. Your Dad and I decided that the best way to expose you to different cultures was to travel. So, that's what lead us to this decision.
Most of our friends and family have said that we are crazy for wanting to take a baby out of the comfort of our own home and travel the world with her. This might be true, but we both happily accept our craziness :)
Another reason why we wanted to take you on an adventure was because people told us we couldn't. Ever since the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I had been told every reason under the sun that my goals and aspirations for your pregnancy, birth and upbringing were unattainable. What those people didn't know is that whenever I am told that I cannot do something, it makes me want to do it even more.
I DID have a natural, out-of-hospital birth. I did breastfeed, co-sleep, wear you in a sling, use cloth diapers and manage to not fill my house with unnecessary baby items and products. We didn't need to go out and buy the biggest SUV we could find, in order to have a "safe" car for our baby to ride in. We managed to get the majority of your clothes and toys as hand-me-downs from friends. Adding you to our lives was more of an evolution than a life-changing event. Once I was told that it was impossible to move to another country and travel with a baby, I knew it was something that I had to prove was wrong, and I did.
So, we sold most everything we own, packed everything else up in to a storage space, and left on April 10th, 2010 for Europe. I hope you have enjoyed the trip so far. Here are some of the places that you have visited in the last month:
New York City, New York
Ponte Delgada, Azores, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Cadiz, Spain
Malga, Spain
Venice, Italy
Munich, Germany
Neustadt am Rubenburg, Germany
Life as new parents
Written on 7/31/2009
What a thrill it has been to get to know Stella and learn how to care for her. In the first ten days of her life, Nick and I have grown together and experienced more affection for this little girl than we ever though possible.
Stella is thriving. She eats well (and often!), sleeps much of the time and almost never cries. I don't want to jinx ourselves, but I'm pretty sure she is the easiest, sweetest, most loving creature we have ever met.
At night time, we tuck her in with us and stare at her with amazement. To think that we created and brought her in to this world together only brings us closer together. Our little family has grown and so have our hearts. She makes the sweetest sounds when she sleeps and when she nurses. It's really hard not to fall in love with her :)
Even Pepe seems to enjoy having the bambina around! He definitely doesn't get as much attention as he used to, but he enjoys cuddling up next to her when she's sleeping and doesn't seem to mind at all when she wakes him up in the middle of the night with her soft cries when she's hungry.
Life at our house has definitely changed. The rolls that Nick and I were previously accustomed to are redefined. I am no longer the main house keeper and chef. Nick has taken over most of the cooking and cleaning duties and to my surprise, he can actually prepare a delicious meal! Now he's never going to get away with saying he doesn't know how to make anything!
For now, the house is still quiet. Nick and I are thankful for Stella and we look forward to the days that she starts talking, walking, singing and playing... just not too soon :)
What a thrill it has been to get to know Stella and learn how to care for her. In the first ten days of her life, Nick and I have grown together and experienced more affection for this little girl than we ever though possible.
Stella is thriving. She eats well (and often!), sleeps much of the time and almost never cries. I don't want to jinx ourselves, but I'm pretty sure she is the easiest, sweetest, most loving creature we have ever met.
At night time, we tuck her in with us and stare at her with amazement. To think that we created and brought her in to this world together only brings us closer together. Our little family has grown and so have our hearts. She makes the sweetest sounds when she sleeps and when she nurses. It's really hard not to fall in love with her :)
Even Pepe seems to enjoy having the bambina around! He definitely doesn't get as much attention as he used to, but he enjoys cuddling up next to her when she's sleeping and doesn't seem to mind at all when she wakes him up in the middle of the night with her soft cries when she's hungry.
Life at our house has definitely changed. The rolls that Nick and I were previously accustomed to are redefined. I am no longer the main house keeper and chef. Nick has taken over most of the cooking and cleaning duties and to my surprise, he can actually prepare a delicious meal! Now he's never going to get away with saying he doesn't know how to make anything!
For now, the house is still quiet. Nick and I are thankful for Stella and we look forward to the days that she starts talking, walking, singing and playing... just not too soon :)
How you came in to our lives
Written on 7/26/2009
Stella's birth story begins on Saturday, July 19th at about 7:30 pm. Nick and I had our friends, Sara and Dan, over for BBQ when contractions started. We finished our dinner out on our deck in the wonderful summer warmth and sat around chatting for a while.
After timing contractions for about an hour, we decided to call one of our midwives and let her know that they were coming regularly. She knew we would likely have a while to go before active labor began, so she told us to continue on with our normal evening routine and maybe go for a relaxing walk before settling in for the night.
Sara and Dan came along with us as we strolled down our street with Pepe and enjoyed our last night as a two-person family. Nick and I knew that our lives would soon change forever, and we were very excited about it.
Although we didn't sleep well that night, Nick did an amazing job timing the contractions and keeping me comfortable.
The next morning, contractions continued and I was pretty sure that this was the real thing. Stella would come today! Nick called his Mom (Marlane), my Sister (Jessica) and my Step-Mom (Sonja) to let them know that they needed to get on the next plane to Salt Lake City, as they were all planning on attending the birth.
At 1:00pm, we went in to the birthing center to be checked and to our surprise, the midwife (Becky) informed us that I was only 1cm dilated. Becky was concerned that I wouldn't be able to handle the upcoming labor and delivery because I hadn't had any sleep the night before, so she gave me a pain killer and a muscle relaxer and told me to go home and try to get at least a few hours of sleep before the labor progressed.
We arrived back home, I took the pills, and within 30 minutes, my contractions were so intense, that I couldn't hold still. I thought to myself, "I thought I was going to SLEEP! These pills did not help at all!"
Nick helped me change laboring positions for an hour before calling Becky back and letting her know that I was completely unable to even talk between contractions and was obviously in second stage labor. (Thankfully, Nick was very well educated on the stages and emotional signposts of labor thanks to the Bradley Childbirth classes that we took.)
By about 3:30pm, Marlane had arrived at our house and the three of us left to the birthing center. Upon arrival of the birthing center, Becky checked me and I was 4cm dilated. Becky left Nick and I alone in our birthing room to walk around and try different laboring positions for the next few hours.
By 7:00pm, my contractions were closer together than they ever had been. I was in the birthing tub trying to work out the pain in my mind. With Nick's help, I was able to wrap my mind around the sensations I was feeling. I knew that at this point in my life, I needed Nick's support more than ever. He helped me through each and every wave of pain, talking me through them, pushing on my back with his fists and whispering motivating comments in my ear.
By this time, Jess had arrived at the center and was waiting in the lobby to be called in for the delivery. I quietly asked that she be brought in to the room, because I knew the time was coming and I wanted her with me.
Soon, I told Becky that I felt the urge to push. Without even checking me, she quietly told me, "Livia, if you feel the urge to push, do what your body wants, and push." So I did. It was the most relieving feeling. The waves of pain didn't seem so intense anymore!
Nick knew that keeping me up and mobile was the fastest way to labor, so he told me that we would finish the next contraction in the tub and then move to the bed. Once we were back to the bed, I knew the time was coming close for us to meet our little girl.
Becky continued to listen to Stella's heart beat with the doppler and noticed that with each push, her heart rate was dropping from 140 to 20. This wasn't acceptable. Becky and the nurse attendant (Jennifer) knew just what to do - and they quickly transitioned me to the McRoberts position for delivery.
Even in the new position, Stella's heart rate continued to drop dangerously low with each push. Becky is normally a very quiet and calm woman, but at this point, she was very assertive. She told Jennifer to call an ambulance.
Becky then told me, "You have about two minutes before the ambulance arrives. Your daughter is in trouble and she needs to be born right now. I need you to forget everything you learned about delivery. I know you were taught to only push when you feel the urge, but you need to push and get her out even if your body isn't ready. Push, and don't stop. If you don't get her out in the next 2 minutes, you're going to the hospital."
With Jessica and Nick both spilling out encouraging and loving support, I pushed and was frightened to know what was happening inside of me. I couldn't even imagine being taken away in an ambulance mid-delivery. I decided that I wouldn't let that happen. Stella was born just as the ambulance arrived. Jennifer left the room to tell the EMTs that she was born just in time, and neither of us needed to be transferred to the hospital.
At 7:45pm and with great relief, Stella was placed on my chest. Nick and Jess were both softly weeping tears of joy and ooh'ing and aah'ing at this amazing little girl. Becky and Jennifer checked Stella and I and confirmed that we were both perfectly fine. Stella scored 9 out of 10 on her APGAR scores and to my surprise, I had not traumatized my body as I had thought. Becky was amazed.
Shortly after, the placenta was delivered in to the special bowl that Nick and I painted just for this occasion. Stella was soon nursing and Marlane joined us in the room to stare in amazement at the new addition to our family. At this time, Becky told us that Stella's heart rate was likely dropping during the pushing because the umbilical cord was being clamped between her shoulder or head and the inside of my cervix. The midwives often deal with situations like these, but they were amazed at how quickly I was able to get her out and we all sat in quiet thankfulness for the miracle that had just taken place.
Not only did we win the best prize in the world that day, but we also happened to be the 600th birth at the birthing center. Becky and Jennifer came in with a large basket filled beautifully with gifts and a lovely card as a congratulations. In the basket, there was a boppy pillow, a layette set, a bathing towel set and a silky smooth baby blanket. I felt like I was dreaming. Could this day get any better?
Just two hours after delivery, Becky and Jennifer were completing Stella's check and statistics so that we could head home. Stella weighed 7 pounds, 1.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She had her foot prints taken to be added to the yearly quilt made of all the foot prints of babies born at that birthing center. Becky then gave Nick a tutorial on how to bathe a baby - and I'm thankful for that - because I was entirely too exhausted to pay attention to anything besides keeping my eyes open!
By 10:45pm, just three hours after delivery, we bundled Stella up and headed home. I was relieved to be home and surrounded by my family. Stella and I settled in to bed and fell in to the most wonderfully deep sleep I've ever had.
Stella's birth story begins on Saturday, July 19th at about 7:30 pm. Nick and I had our friends, Sara and Dan, over for BBQ when contractions started. We finished our dinner out on our deck in the wonderful summer warmth and sat around chatting for a while.
After timing contractions for about an hour, we decided to call one of our midwives and let her know that they were coming regularly. She knew we would likely have a while to go before active labor began, so she told us to continue on with our normal evening routine and maybe go for a relaxing walk before settling in for the night.
Sara and Dan came along with us as we strolled down our street with Pepe and enjoyed our last night as a two-person family. Nick and I knew that our lives would soon change forever, and we were very excited about it.
Although we didn't sleep well that night, Nick did an amazing job timing the contractions and keeping me comfortable.
The next morning, contractions continued and I was pretty sure that this was the real thing. Stella would come today! Nick called his Mom (Marlane), my Sister (Jessica) and my Step-Mom (Sonja) to let them know that they needed to get on the next plane to Salt Lake City, as they were all planning on attending the birth.
At 1:00pm, we went in to the birthing center to be checked and to our surprise, the midwife (Becky) informed us that I was only 1cm dilated. Becky was concerned that I wouldn't be able to handle the upcoming labor and delivery because I hadn't had any sleep the night before, so she gave me a pain killer and a muscle relaxer and told me to go home and try to get at least a few hours of sleep before the labor progressed.
We arrived back home, I took the pills, and within 30 minutes, my contractions were so intense, that I couldn't hold still. I thought to myself, "I thought I was going to SLEEP! These pills did not help at all!"
Nick helped me change laboring positions for an hour before calling Becky back and letting her know that I was completely unable to even talk between contractions and was obviously in second stage labor. (Thankfully, Nick was very well educated on the stages and emotional signposts of labor thanks to the Bradley Childbirth classes that we took.)
By about 3:30pm, Marlane had arrived at our house and the three of us left to the birthing center. Upon arrival of the birthing center, Becky checked me and I was 4cm dilated. Becky left Nick and I alone in our birthing room to walk around and try different laboring positions for the next few hours.
By 7:00pm, my contractions were closer together than they ever had been. I was in the birthing tub trying to work out the pain in my mind. With Nick's help, I was able to wrap my mind around the sensations I was feeling. I knew that at this point in my life, I needed Nick's support more than ever. He helped me through each and every wave of pain, talking me through them, pushing on my back with his fists and whispering motivating comments in my ear.
By this time, Jess had arrived at the center and was waiting in the lobby to be called in for the delivery. I quietly asked that she be brought in to the room, because I knew the time was coming and I wanted her with me.
Soon, I told Becky that I felt the urge to push. Without even checking me, she quietly told me, "Livia, if you feel the urge to push, do what your body wants, and push." So I did. It was the most relieving feeling. The waves of pain didn't seem so intense anymore!
Nick knew that keeping me up and mobile was the fastest way to labor, so he told me that we would finish the next contraction in the tub and then move to the bed. Once we were back to the bed, I knew the time was coming close for us to meet our little girl.
Becky continued to listen to Stella's heart beat with the doppler and noticed that with each push, her heart rate was dropping from 140 to 20. This wasn't acceptable. Becky and the nurse attendant (Jennifer) knew just what to do - and they quickly transitioned me to the McRoberts position for delivery.
Even in the new position, Stella's heart rate continued to drop dangerously low with each push. Becky is normally a very quiet and calm woman, but at this point, she was very assertive. She told Jennifer to call an ambulance.
Becky then told me, "You have about two minutes before the ambulance arrives. Your daughter is in trouble and she needs to be born right now. I need you to forget everything you learned about delivery. I know you were taught to only push when you feel the urge, but you need to push and get her out even if your body isn't ready. Push, and don't stop. If you don't get her out in the next 2 minutes, you're going to the hospital."
With Jessica and Nick both spilling out encouraging and loving support, I pushed and was frightened to know what was happening inside of me. I couldn't even imagine being taken away in an ambulance mid-delivery. I decided that I wouldn't let that happen. Stella was born just as the ambulance arrived. Jennifer left the room to tell the EMTs that she was born just in time, and neither of us needed to be transferred to the hospital.
At 7:45pm and with great relief, Stella was placed on my chest. Nick and Jess were both softly weeping tears of joy and ooh'ing and aah'ing at this amazing little girl. Becky and Jennifer checked Stella and I and confirmed that we were both perfectly fine. Stella scored 9 out of 10 on her APGAR scores and to my surprise, I had not traumatized my body as I had thought. Becky was amazed.
Shortly after, the placenta was delivered in to the special bowl that Nick and I painted just for this occasion. Stella was soon nursing and Marlane joined us in the room to stare in amazement at the new addition to our family. At this time, Becky told us that Stella's heart rate was likely dropping during the pushing because the umbilical cord was being clamped between her shoulder or head and the inside of my cervix. The midwives often deal with situations like these, but they were amazed at how quickly I was able to get her out and we all sat in quiet thankfulness for the miracle that had just taken place.
Not only did we win the best prize in the world that day, but we also happened to be the 600th birth at the birthing center. Becky and Jennifer came in with a large basket filled beautifully with gifts and a lovely card as a congratulations. In the basket, there was a boppy pillow, a layette set, a bathing towel set and a silky smooth baby blanket. I felt like I was dreaming. Could this day get any better?
Just two hours after delivery, Becky and Jennifer were completing Stella's check and statistics so that we could head home. Stella weighed 7 pounds, 1.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She had her foot prints taken to be added to the yearly quilt made of all the foot prints of babies born at that birthing center. Becky then gave Nick a tutorial on how to bathe a baby - and I'm thankful for that - because I was entirely too exhausted to pay attention to anything besides keeping my eyes open!
By 10:45pm, just three hours after delivery, we bundled Stella up and headed home. I was relieved to be home and surrounded by my family. Stella and I settled in to bed and fell in to the most wonderfully deep sleep I've ever had.
Dear Stella
I am starting this blog because I have so much to tell you. Everyday, I talk to you and tell you stories. I know you listen and appreciate them, but I want you to have an opportunity to revisit these little things I have to say to you.
I've told you so much about My Mom, Grandma Kim. I miss her dearly and I wish that I had a letter or note from her that I could read whenever I think of her. I want you to always have the opportunity to read and re-read all the loving words that I have to say to you.
So, this is a blog for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will enjoy writing it!
All my love,
Mama
I've told you so much about My Mom, Grandma Kim. I miss her dearly and I wish that I had a letter or note from her that I could read whenever I think of her. I want you to always have the opportunity to read and re-read all the loving words that I have to say to you.
So, this is a blog for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I know I will enjoy writing it!
All my love,
Mama
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