Well, folks, he's healthy as a horse. We took him to the pediatrician yesterday for his two-week well-baby checkup and Ollie has gained almost a pound. His birth weight was 8 lbls, 8 oz and he now weights (...drum roll...) 9 lbs, 6 oz. Wow, Roo has logged some serious time eating in the past 2+ weeks. They said they'd be happy just to know that he's back up to his birth weight, so we're thrilled that he's eating so well.
We worked with a lactation consultant for a while on his latch. Seems that he has a high palate (what is it with our kids and their palates?!), so that makes for less-than-ideal positioning and negative pressure, both of which are necessary for good suction. Until he grows bigger, I just have to do a lot of the "work" for him...helping him get the latch-on right, using a lot of pillows to keep his position just so, etc. As he grows though, this should all get easier. Despite these small challenges, he's eating well (obviously) and doing just fine.
Speaking of which, he just woke up from a snooze and you know what that means...MEALTIME! Gotta run...
We promise to post some picture soon....
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Two Weeks Under Our Belts as a Family of Four
It's been two weeks since Ollie was born. Here's how the family is doing:
Ollie
Our little Oliver is a snuggly, sweet-smelling bundle!! I could just eat him up!! He's awake a little bit more during the days and waking about twice a night to eat. He's figuring out how to latch on well every time. He's still a sleepy nurser, but we continue to work on that (and now that I'm not taking codeine anymore, we expect that to improve even more). He's eating very well; lots of swallowing, plenty of wet diapers, and at least three poopie diapers a day...all good signs. His umbilical cord fell off two days ago and it looks like he'll have an "innie." We have to keep socks on his hands so he doesn't scratch his face. He is a content little guy, only really crying when he's hungry or wet and quickly consolable.
Merrit
Merrit seems to be very balanced about all the transition going on here at home. He's neither infatuated with the baby, nor does he totally ignore him. Sometimes he wants to hug and kiss Ollie, or hold him. Other times, he's just as happy to go do a puzzle or color in a coloring book. I think having extra attention from Nanny, Papa, and Gramma B over the last two weeks has been helpful. Also, he's still going to preschool five mornings a week--which he loves!--and it's been good for his routine to be consistent, I think. Merrit has such a special relationship with his Dad and I think that that has been a huge reason that there doesn't seem to be any jealousy...if Merrit were more "clingy" to me, I could see that my time spent with Roo would come across as more threatening and that Merrit might be more prone to envy. Once again, Dad saves the day!!
Mom
As I mentioned, I'm not taking codeine anymore. With just regular-strength Tylenol alternated with 600mg Motrin, I'm able to manage my c-section pain. On Wednesday, the doc said my incision looks good. My flexibility and mobility (bending over, getting in and out of bed, etc.) are getting better every day. I think that first of next week, I'm going to start back with light walking and light yoga. As of today, I can drive and take the stairs again. I'm still not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby. I've lost 16 pounds, which feels great! Breastfeeding is going very well...there have been a few tough moments but they're quickly resolved by the thought that "Anything Is Easier Than Pumping!" (which I did for 13 months for Merrit). I'm loving the baby sling (Ollie likes it too). So many friends have called, emailed, and come by to say congratulations and to offer help. I feel so incredibly blessed!!
Dad
Mike has been out of work for two weeks now. That means that he has two more weeks of being completely off, followed by five weeks of three-day work weeks. We are so blessed by his company's paternity leave program. It's been great to have him around the house so much. He's been spending a lot of time with Merrit, playing guitar, kicking back with some video games, doing dishes and changing diapers (whatta guy!), and being supportive for me (bringing me a glass of water when I'm nursing, making sure I'm taking my medicine, stuff like that). We're both sleeping a little better now than we were two weeks ago, which is a good thing.
I think, all in all, we're adjusting pretty well to being a family of four.
Ollie
Our little Oliver is a snuggly, sweet-smelling bundle!! I could just eat him up!! He's awake a little bit more during the days and waking about twice a night to eat. He's figuring out how to latch on well every time. He's still a sleepy nurser, but we continue to work on that (and now that I'm not taking codeine anymore, we expect that to improve even more). He's eating very well; lots of swallowing, plenty of wet diapers, and at least three poopie diapers a day...all good signs. His umbilical cord fell off two days ago and it looks like he'll have an "innie." We have to keep socks on his hands so he doesn't scratch his face. He is a content little guy, only really crying when he's hungry or wet and quickly consolable.
Merrit
Merrit seems to be very balanced about all the transition going on here at home. He's neither infatuated with the baby, nor does he totally ignore him. Sometimes he wants to hug and kiss Ollie, or hold him. Other times, he's just as happy to go do a puzzle or color in a coloring book. I think having extra attention from Nanny, Papa, and Gramma B over the last two weeks has been helpful. Also, he's still going to preschool five mornings a week--which he loves!--and it's been good for his routine to be consistent, I think. Merrit has such a special relationship with his Dad and I think that that has been a huge reason that there doesn't seem to be any jealousy...if Merrit were more "clingy" to me, I could see that my time spent with Roo would come across as more threatening and that Merrit might be more prone to envy. Once again, Dad saves the day!!
Mom
As I mentioned, I'm not taking codeine anymore. With just regular-strength Tylenol alternated with 600mg Motrin, I'm able to manage my c-section pain. On Wednesday, the doc said my incision looks good. My flexibility and mobility (bending over, getting in and out of bed, etc.) are getting better every day. I think that first of next week, I'm going to start back with light walking and light yoga. As of today, I can drive and take the stairs again. I'm still not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby. I've lost 16 pounds, which feels great! Breastfeeding is going very well...there have been a few tough moments but they're quickly resolved by the thought that "Anything Is Easier Than Pumping!" (which I did for 13 months for Merrit). I'm loving the baby sling (Ollie likes it too). So many friends have called, emailed, and come by to say congratulations and to offer help. I feel so incredibly blessed!!
Dad
Mike has been out of work for two weeks now. That means that he has two more weeks of being completely off, followed by five weeks of three-day work weeks. We are so blessed by his company's paternity leave program. It's been great to have him around the house so much. He's been spending a lot of time with Merrit, playing guitar, kicking back with some video games, doing dishes and changing diapers (whatta guy!), and being supportive for me (bringing me a glass of water when I'm nursing, making sure I'm taking my medicine, stuff like that). We're both sleeping a little better now than we were two weeks ago, which is a good thing.
I think, all in all, we're adjusting pretty well to being a family of four.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Our Creaky Little Porch Swing
Okay, our baby snores. But it's such a cute little snore. Mike says it sounds like a porch swing. Pretty darn adorable if you ask me.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Day, 2007
Yesterday, we had to go back to UNC for a checkup. My mom, who's been here all week to help out, left me waiting in the lobby while she walked over to the parking deck to get the car. While I sat there, I had the opportunity to watch people coming and going from the hospital. I was touched to see a couple of striking examples of people loving each other.
I saw a tough-looking teenager walking hand-in-hand with an older woman who must have been his grandmother. He held her hand with one hand and in his other hand, he was carrying her purse.
I saw an elderly couple. The husband pushed the wife in a wheelchair and, when they arrived at the curb, he offered her a cane. Meanwhile, she took a good two or three minutes to fish her glasses out of her purse and put them on. All the while, he just held out the cane...he didn't drop it back to his side impatiently or tell her to hurry or anything...he just held it out for her until she was ready to take it.
I saw what must have been a mother and daughter. The daughter left the mother parked in her wheelchair while she went to get the car. She was halfway across the street when a big gust of wind came along. Turning around and walking all the way back to her mother, she asked if her mom would like to be moved back inside because it was so windy out.
I was touched to see people loving people. People taking care of each other.
I was thankful for my own mom, walking over to the parking deck to get the car while I waited.
I was thankful that when these people were sick, they had someone to take care of them. I prayed for people who are sick and don't have anyone...that their doctors and nurses and even strangers would be extra compassionate.
I held on to Baby Roo and thanked God that he was born into a family that will always be there for him.
So, today, I am thankful for relationships.
Here we are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Notice Merrit's "Indian headress" that he made at preschool.
I saw a tough-looking teenager walking hand-in-hand with an older woman who must have been his grandmother. He held her hand with one hand and in his other hand, he was carrying her purse.
I saw an elderly couple. The husband pushed the wife in a wheelchair and, when they arrived at the curb, he offered her a cane. Meanwhile, she took a good two or three minutes to fish her glasses out of her purse and put them on. All the while, he just held out the cane...he didn't drop it back to his side impatiently or tell her to hurry or anything...he just held it out for her until she was ready to take it.
I saw what must have been a mother and daughter. The daughter left the mother parked in her wheelchair while she went to get the car. She was halfway across the street when a big gust of wind came along. Turning around and walking all the way back to her mother, she asked if her mom would like to be moved back inside because it was so windy out.
I was touched to see people loving people. People taking care of each other.
I was thankful for my own mom, walking over to the parking deck to get the car while I waited.
I was thankful that when these people were sick, they had someone to take care of them. I prayed for people who are sick and don't have anyone...that their doctors and nurses and even strangers would be extra compassionate.
I held on to Baby Roo and thanked God that he was born into a family that will always be there for him.
So, today, I am thankful for relationships.
Here we are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Notice Merrit's "Indian headress" that he made at preschool.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Newborn Learning Curve
Being home with a brand-new newborn is intimidating! Even though we have a four-year-old, so many things are new to us this time around. We missed out on a lot of the newborn stuff the first time around...
- Meconium diapers. (Eewwww.)
- Umbilical cord care.
- The baby's mixed-up days and nights.
- The breastfeeding learning curve.
- Worrying "is the baby okay?" and not being able to look at a pulse oximeter for confirmation.
- Worrying "is he getting enough to eat?" and not being able to just drip milk in through the g-tube.
- Just hearing the baby's cry is new for us; because of Merrit's trach, he was utterly silent!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Gramma B Visits
My mom has been here this week, helping out and getting to know little Ollie. She has been a huge help and a lot of fun to share "baby #2" with!! Here are some pictures from her visit:
Because I'm in bed most of the time (yes, still!) it seems like our bedroom has become the most common place to hang out. Here we all are on the bed.
Gramma B cuddles with Ollie on the couch. She really enjoyed getting to meet the little guy! She's a GREAT grandma!!
Because I'm in bed most of the time (yes, still!) it seems like our bedroom has become the most common place to hang out. Here we all are on the bed.
Gramma B cuddles with Ollie on the couch. She really enjoyed getting to meet the little guy! She's a GREAT grandma!!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Police in Concert
Mike and his brother, Rocky, were in Charlotte this weekend to see The Police in concert (it's their reunion tour).
The tickets were my birthday present to Mike, so he knew about the upcoming concert way back in October. We totally thought Ollie would come on time, even early (since Merrit was two weeks early)! With Ollie being only one week old, Mike was really on the fence about whether or not he should go to the concert, but I told him, "Just go...And have fun!"
He called me on his cell phone and let me listen to a little bit of Roxanne. He called again later and let me hear a little of Every Breath You Take, which was one of "our songs" back in high school. Talk about surreal...to be thinking back on all the high school memories associated with that song while holding our newborn baby, our second child together. Very bizarre, in a wonderful kind of way. :-)
The tickets were my birthday present to Mike, so he knew about the upcoming concert way back in October. We totally thought Ollie would come on time, even early (since Merrit was two weeks early)! With Ollie being only one week old, Mike was really on the fence about whether or not he should go to the concert, but I told him, "Just go...And have fun!"
He called me on his cell phone and let me listen to a little bit of Roxanne. He called again later and let me hear a little of Every Breath You Take, which was one of "our songs" back in high school. Talk about surreal...to be thinking back on all the high school memories associated with that song while holding our newborn baby, our second child together. Very bizarre, in a wonderful kind of way. :-)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
One Week Old
Baby Roo is one week old today. He's been home for three full days now. It's hard not to compare this experience with Merrit's homecoming...we didn't even HOLD him until Day 7 and he didn't come home until Day 28. And here we are, with Ollie only seven days old and he's already been home for four days. Amazing! It's still hard to believe!
"He's a little outlaw, he is!"
- H.I. McDonnough, Raising Arizona
I'm still in bed a lot of the time, but Roo hangs out with me. Here, he catches a catnap.
My in-laws just left today...they were SUCH a huge help! My mom will get here on Monday and stay through Thursday morning, so more help is on the way. Nanny and Papa were awesome with helping care for Merrit, cooking, and cleaning. They also enjoyed meeting little Ollie and they were great company for Mike and I.
Here are some pictures we took of Nanny, Papa Clyde, Aunt Rita, and Aunt Kim with Ollie during their visit:
Nanny gives Baby Roo a bath in his crib.
After bathtime, Nanny inspects Roo in the little outfit she bought for him. This is such a great design...not only does it snap all the way down the front (easy to get baby in and out of), but the sleeves have cuffs that can fold over the hands, like little mitts to keep the baby from scratching his face. (Ollie is really bad about scratching himself, so I really love the cuffs!) This one has little dogs on it, and she gave us an identical one with yellow sleeves and little duckies all over. Thanks, Nanny!
Papa holds Roo in the rocking chair.
Aunt Rita came up to visit and meet the little guy. He's totally comfortable in her arms. (Notice that he still has Band-Aids on his heels from the heel-sticks they have to do in the hospital.)
What's going on in THIS picture? I can think of about 50 funny captions, but I'll just let your imagination run wild with your own captions...
Aunt Kim drove out to spend all day Wednesday with us. We love her so much! Thanks for the visit, Kim!
Can you BELIEVE how little Ollie looks next to our 12-year-old cat, Skippy?!
The Boppy breastfeeding pillow...also a good laptop-desk. Here I am updating this very website!
"He's a little outlaw, he is!"
- H.I. McDonnough, Raising Arizona
I'm still in bed a lot of the time, but Roo hangs out with me. Here, he catches a catnap.
My in-laws just left today...they were SUCH a huge help! My mom will get here on Monday and stay through Thursday morning, so more help is on the way. Nanny and Papa were awesome with helping care for Merrit, cooking, and cleaning. They also enjoyed meeting little Ollie and they were great company for Mike and I.
Here are some pictures we took of Nanny, Papa Clyde, Aunt Rita, and Aunt Kim with Ollie during their visit:
Nanny gives Baby Roo a bath in his crib.
After bathtime, Nanny inspects Roo in the little outfit she bought for him. This is such a great design...not only does it snap all the way down the front (easy to get baby in and out of), but the sleeves have cuffs that can fold over the hands, like little mitts to keep the baby from scratching his face. (Ollie is really bad about scratching himself, so I really love the cuffs!) This one has little dogs on it, and she gave us an identical one with yellow sleeves and little duckies all over. Thanks, Nanny!
Papa holds Roo in the rocking chair.
Aunt Rita came up to visit and meet the little guy. He's totally comfortable in her arms. (Notice that he still has Band-Aids on his heels from the heel-sticks they have to do in the hospital.)
What's going on in THIS picture? I can think of about 50 funny captions, but I'll just let your imagination run wild with your own captions...
Aunt Kim drove out to spend all day Wednesday with us. We love her so much! Thanks for the visit, Kim!
Can you BELIEVE how little Ollie looks next to our 12-year-old cat, Skippy?!
The Boppy breastfeeding pillow...also a good laptop-desk. Here I am updating this very website!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Emails of Congratulations
We've been overwhelmed by all the cards, emails, and phone calls of congratulations! It seems the whole world is celebrating Roo's arrival right along with us!!
Just had to share a few of the well-wishes we've received...
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Oliver is such a handsome boy!! :-) I know Merrit is a proud big brother!!!
Thanks so much for the pictures. We are so happy for you all and look forward to seeing Ollie and you all sometime in the near future (when things have settled down).
How cute! We are so happy for you guys. We stopped by yesterday on the way from the playground. Glad to here Mom and baby are doing well.
Congratulations!!! What a beautiful baby! Merritt looks like a very proud big brother!! :) Thank you for letting us know!!
We're sure this world will only be benefited by having another Haynes in it! Congratulations!! We
can't wait to meet little Oliver. Lots of love.
Congratulations! Everyone looks as cute as a button!
Yeah yeah yeah...I am so glad everything went well. He was a big one!! I am so happy for y'all. Keep in touch. I miss talking with y'all!!!
He's gorgeous!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!
Thanks very much for your note. What a beautiful baby! He's a lucky guy to come into the world with such wonderful parents and a very cool big brother. Love from all of us.
He looks amazing!!! Congratulations!!! Please let us know if we can do anything to help you out!!! Enjoy every moment!!!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Welcome to the world, Oliver!
How wonderful and precious! Congratulations! :)
Mike and Mir, He is absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to see him this week!
Congratulations!!!!! This is wonderful news!!! Please give my love to all of you.
Congratulations, guys! What a beautiful baby he is! I hope all continues to go well and that you and your family are all at home and cozy soon!
He's a cutie. congrats to you guys. Let us know if you need anything. We are right up the road. :o)
Hooray for Roo! OK, I guess we have to call him Oliver now he's out of the pocket. He looks like Merrit's brother, I'd say, but much his own man. I think he favors you more, Mir--that same look of tranquility and impishness all at once...Watch out! This one might want to create his own 'get-ups'....
Hi Guys: Congratulations to all of you! We send our greetings and best wishes. I am so sorry we have not been in touch with you in recent years. We must make it a point to see you and your family. All the best!
Hey guys, CONGRATULATIONS... he is beautiful... If you need anything just let us know, don't hesitate to call!
Mike & Mir, Thank you so much for the photos!!! Oliver is so beautiful. I absolutely cannot wait to meet him and to see Merrit with him. What joy Oliver has brought to our families! Love to you all!
Yipee! He's beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures. My best to Mir. Hope you guys rest well and I'll pray for speedy recovery for Mir. I didn't have an older child to chase and got to take it fairly easy. I know it will be a little challenging to "behave" and obey the post c-section rules in her case. Sorry I've been out of touch with her and you guys. I'm still figuring out juggling the job, Lily and life. All our best.
What a cutie! Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm!
Just had to share a few of the well-wishes we've received...
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Oliver is such a handsome boy!! :-) I know Merrit is a proud big brother!!!
Thanks so much for the pictures. We are so happy for you all and look forward to seeing Ollie and you all sometime in the near future (when things have settled down).
How cute! We are so happy for you guys. We stopped by yesterday on the way from the playground. Glad to here Mom and baby are doing well.
Congratulations!!! What a beautiful baby! Merritt looks like a very proud big brother!! :) Thank you for letting us know!!
We're sure this world will only be benefited by having another Haynes in it! Congratulations!! We
can't wait to meet little Oliver. Lots of love.
Congratulations! Everyone looks as cute as a button!
Yeah yeah yeah...I am so glad everything went well. He was a big one!! I am so happy for y'all. Keep in touch. I miss talking with y'all!!!
He's gorgeous!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!
Thanks very much for your note. What a beautiful baby! He's a lucky guy to come into the world with such wonderful parents and a very cool big brother. Love from all of us.
He looks amazing!!! Congratulations!!! Please let us know if we can do anything to help you out!!! Enjoy every moment!!!
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Welcome to the world, Oliver!
How wonderful and precious! Congratulations! :)
Mike and Mir, He is absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to see him this week!
Congratulations!!!!! This is wonderful news!!! Please give my love to all of you.
Congratulations, guys! What a beautiful baby he is! I hope all continues to go well and that you and your family are all at home and cozy soon!
He's a cutie. congrats to you guys. Let us know if you need anything. We are right up the road. :o)
Mir & Mike,CONGRATULATIONS!!! Oliver looks just precious! We wish you a speedy recovery!
Praise God!!! He is beautiful and I can't wait to hold him!
Congratulations. What a blessing! I hope you recover soon. Enjoy this gift from God.
Congratulations! He's darling.
Thanks for sending them.
Hope you get some good rest at home and that the nursing continues to go well. Also hope Merritt adjusts well - Evan still has his moments, for example: "Mommy why did the hospital people let us bring Eric home?" "Because he is our baby now and don't you think he is the best little brother in the world?" "I guess so."
Praise God!!! He is beautiful and I can't wait to hold him!
Congratulations. What a blessing! I hope you recover soon. Enjoy this gift from God.
Congratulations! He's darling.
Thanks for sending them.
Hope you get some good rest at home and that the nursing continues to go well. Also hope Merritt adjusts well - Evan still has his moments, for example: "Mommy why did the hospital people let us bring Eric home?" "Because he is our baby now and don't you think he is the best little brother in the world?" "I guess so."
Hooray for Roo! OK, I guess we have to call him Oliver now he's out of the pocket. He looks like Merrit's brother, I'd say, but much his own man. I think he favors you more, Mir--that same look of tranquility and impishness all at once...Watch out! This one might want to create his own 'get-ups'....
Hi Guys: Congratulations to all of you! We send our greetings and best wishes. I am so sorry we have not been in touch with you in recent years. We must make it a point to see you and your family. All the best!
Hey guys, CONGRATULATIONS... he is beautiful... If you need anything just let us know, don't hesitate to call!
Mike & Mir, Thank you so much for the photos!!! Oliver is so beautiful. I absolutely cannot wait to meet him and to see Merrit with him. What joy Oliver has brought to our families! Love to you all!
Yipee! He's beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures. My best to Mir. Hope you guys rest well and I'll pray for speedy recovery for Mir. I didn't have an older child to chase and got to take it fairly easy. I know it will be a little challenging to "behave" and obey the post c-section rules in her case. Sorry I've been out of touch with her and you guys. I'm still figuring out juggling the job, Lily and life. All our best.
What a cutie! Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm!
He is absolutely beautiful. Lots of love to all.
That is wonderful!!! O.k. I have to say that I have never seen a better hospital picture!!!!! Ever!!!! He is gorgeous!!! And so alert and big and cute!!!
What very Happy news!! A new baby is such a Joy and you guys sound so very Joyful. The pictures show one handsome, cute and precious future Linebacker...what a big boy! (No wonder you had a C section!) Roo is too, too cute...have you figured out who he looks like...or is he just looking like himself?
I am so glad that Roo has arrived safe and healthy...may you all always experience nothing but great joy from him...What a blessing!
Oliver is sooo cute. This must be such a sweet experience for you after everything you went through with Merrit. Congratulations to you all. I can't wait to come by for a visit.
Congrats on that precious baby boy!! He is adorable and looks like Mike... (I think). :) It's so awesome to hear how good you all are doing!! I just knew you would be okay when you got home... you totally rock my world and I just love you so much!!!! I totally understand the sleeplessness but it's all worth it as he is healthy and growing and by golly, BIG!!! You go girlfriend!!! Please don't hesitate to call me for anything... heck I'm just around the corner ya know? I would love to stop in to see Ollie so you just let me know when a good time is for ya! It could be this week or next week... but not any longer than that!! (hint, hint) :) Continue to love, hold and stare at your new miracle and don't blink an eye!! Cherish those little hands and feet and smile with all the coos that come out of his sweet mouth. May God continue to bless you and keep you and your bigger family safe, healthy, happy, warm and yes... SANE!!!!
Hey there! Congratulations! I'm SO happy for you! I'm glad that you're all doing well! I'll look forward to meeting Ollie! I bet that Merrit has grown a lot! That's really neat that Mike gets to be home with you for a few weeks! I'll look forward to hearing more...will call you in a few days!
Hope you are feeling stronger, rested, and more clear-eyed. Remember, don't overdo it. It's just not worth taking a chance with your health. You and Ollie come first. So, rest, rest, rest, and let the chips (and clutter and dirty underwear) fall where they will!!
Hope everything is going well with the family. It looks like Roo is doing just great. He certainly is a cutie pie!
That is wonderful!!! O.k. I have to say that I have never seen a better hospital picture!!!!! Ever!!!! He is gorgeous!!! And so alert and big and cute!!!
What very Happy news!! A new baby is such a Joy and you guys sound so very Joyful. The pictures show one handsome, cute and precious future Linebacker...what a big boy! (No wonder you had a C section!) Roo is too, too cute...have you figured out who he looks like...or is he just looking like himself?
I am so glad that Roo has arrived safe and healthy...may you all always experience nothing but great joy from him...What a blessing!
Oliver is sooo cute. This must be such a sweet experience for you after everything you went through with Merrit. Congratulations to you all. I can't wait to come by for a visit.
Congrats on that precious baby boy!! He is adorable and looks like Mike... (I think). :) It's so awesome to hear how good you all are doing!! I just knew you would be okay when you got home... you totally rock my world and I just love you so much!!!! I totally understand the sleeplessness but it's all worth it as he is healthy and growing and by golly, BIG!!! You go girlfriend!!! Please don't hesitate to call me for anything... heck I'm just around the corner ya know? I would love to stop in to see Ollie so you just let me know when a good time is for ya! It could be this week or next week... but not any longer than that!! (hint, hint) :) Continue to love, hold and stare at your new miracle and don't blink an eye!! Cherish those little hands and feet and smile with all the coos that come out of his sweet mouth. May God continue to bless you and keep you and your bigger family safe, healthy, happy, warm and yes... SANE!!!!
Hey there! Congratulations! I'm SO happy for you! I'm glad that you're all doing well! I'll look forward to meeting Ollie! I bet that Merrit has grown a lot! That's really neat that Mike gets to be home with you for a few weeks! I'll look forward to hearing more...will call you in a few days!
Hope you are feeling stronger, rested, and more clear-eyed. Remember, don't overdo it. It's just not worth taking a chance with your health. You and Ollie come first. So, rest, rest, rest, and let the chips (and clutter and dirty underwear) fall where they will!!
Hope everything is going well with the family. It looks like Roo is doing just great. He certainly is a cutie pie!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
First Few Days at Home
It's still hard to believe that Ollie is only five days old and is already home!! We are ecstatic! Mike's mom and stepdad are here helping us out -- what a huge blessing they are!
The latest:
Roo and I are figuring out how to nurse and it's going well. He's pretty sleepy so that's been a little bit of a challenge, but was weighed yesterday and he has gained back all his birth weight plus a little extra. He's a really irresistible little guy; we love his personality and, even though we have only the tiniest of hints as to how it'll develop as he grows up, we see evidence of a great
disposition and a happy, curious spirit!
Mike is awesome...getting up with me at night to help feed Ollie because, with my incision, I still need a lot of help to get out of bed and get the baby situated. We're both sleep deprived in a goofy-giddy-happy kind of way!
Merrit is infatuated, proud, curious, and eager to help. He's already a great big brother -- and proud of it. On Tuesday, he marched into preschool with a picture of Ollie, stopping everyone (even a woman changing a diaper in her car in the parking lot) to show-and-tell that "Baby Roo is here and I'm a big brother now."
We wanted to share these absolutely adorable pictures (well, we think they're adorable!) that UNC took of our little Ollie at 3 days old. He actually has his eyes open!
The latest:
Roo and I are figuring out how to nurse and it's going well. He's pretty sleepy so that's been a little bit of a challenge, but was weighed yesterday and he has gained back all his birth weight plus a little extra. He's a really irresistible little guy; we love his personality and, even though we have only the tiniest of hints as to how it'll develop as he grows up, we see evidence of a great
disposition and a happy, curious spirit!
Mike is awesome...getting up with me at night to help feed Ollie because, with my incision, I still need a lot of help to get out of bed and get the baby situated. We're both sleep deprived in a goofy-giddy-happy kind of way!
Merrit is infatuated, proud, curious, and eager to help. He's already a great big brother -- and proud of it. On Tuesday, he marched into preschool with a picture of Ollie, stopping everyone (even a woman changing a diaper in her car in the parking lot) to show-and-tell that "Baby Roo is here and I'm a big brother now."
We wanted to share these absolutely adorable pictures (well, we think they're adorable!) that UNC took of our little Ollie at 3 days old. He actually has his eyes open!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Welcome Home!
What an amazing (and somewhat frightening) experience to bring home your four-day-old, teeny-tiny, completely helpless newborn baby!!
Balloons on our mailbox, bouquets of flowers, and an absolutely gorgeous -- and delicious! -- fruit basket awaited us when we arrived a home. Not to mention "Nanny" and "Papa," who were just putting an awesome dinner on the table. Mmm mmm!
Ollie's first trip outside. He's using Merrit's infant car seat. He looks so small in it!! Buckle up for the 45-minute drive home, little guy!
Delores cooked a wonderful welcome-home dinner for us. She asked me what I'd most like to have and I said spaghetti, salad, and bread. (She makes the most delicious meat sauce!)
Balloons on the mailbox announce to the neighbors: Roo has arrived!
Roo is still sleeping from the car ride home. He's the guest of honor, and he doesn't even know it. :-)
Merrit helps himself to the fruit bouquet. Pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew, and chocolate-covered strawberries! The fruit kabobs were stuck into a head of iceberg lettuce and garnished with about a pound of kale, which we steamed up and ate with dinner after the fruit was all gone! Thanks for the thoughtful basket, Langness family!
Four-year-old Merrit with four-day-old Ollie.
Balloons on our mailbox, bouquets of flowers, and an absolutely gorgeous -- and delicious! -- fruit basket awaited us when we arrived a home. Not to mention "Nanny" and "Papa," who were just putting an awesome dinner on the table. Mmm mmm!
Ollie's first trip outside. He's using Merrit's infant car seat. He looks so small in it!! Buckle up for the 45-minute drive home, little guy!
Delores cooked a wonderful welcome-home dinner for us. She asked me what I'd most like to have and I said spaghetti, salad, and bread. (She makes the most delicious meat sauce!)
Balloons on the mailbox announce to the neighbors: Roo has arrived!
Roo is still sleeping from the car ride home. He's the guest of honor, and he doesn't even know it. :-)
Merrit helps himself to the fruit bouquet. Pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew, and chocolate-covered strawberries! The fruit kabobs were stuck into a head of iceberg lettuce and garnished with about a pound of kale, which we steamed up and ate with dinner after the fruit was all gone! Thanks for the thoughtful basket, Langness family!
Four-year-old Merrit with four-day-old Ollie.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
More Pictures from the Hospital
Just moments after delivery, our midwife took this picture of Mike and baby Roo outside the operating room. (I was still getting stitched up at this point.)
Mike and Baby Roo bonding.
Twice now, Mike has held our baby boy before me! He's insanely close with Merrit (Merrit worships the ground Mike walks on!) and I'm sure that it'll be the same way with Oliver. Mike is SUCH a great dad!
Maureen, our midwife, helps Baby Roo latch on for his first nursing session while Mike looks on. I've only been out of the O.R. for about 15 minutes at this point and am still numb from the waist down. Ollie took right to it, and nursed for almost 45 minutes.
We're in our room now, and Ollie hasn't left my side. I am tired and puffy, but happy!!
At about six hours old, baby Roo sleeps soundly in the little isolette by my bedside. What a wonderful experience to "room in" with him, to have him right there. I had an irrational fear (well maybe it wasn't THAT irrational, given our experience with Merrrit) that they would take him away for some reason. But here he is, right next to me. What joy.
Six hours old, closeup.
He's got his eyes open; this is quiet alert time.
It's amazing to me that he's so alert! I guess because Merrit didn't open his eyes until he was 9 or 10 days old (because he was sedated), I am surprised somewhat to see this little guy curiously looking around. He seems to be taking it all in. Imagine...to go from the womb to a furnished hospital room...how bizarre! And, of course, he is looking at Daddy and me, too.
Getting out of our room for a short walk (or roll, really!) around the fifth floor.
Me, talking on the phone to my best friend, Bethany.
The morning of November 11. Ollie sleeps in bed next to me. I'm wearing my Mother's Day necklace (a heart-shaped ruby) that Mike gave me a few years back.
Sometime during the day of the 11th--not sure when, it's all somewhat of a blur--we had visitors. Nanny and Papa, Cousin Page and her fiance Andrew, and our friends Darlene and Doug Oglesby.
The whole gang...
Page and Nanny with Roo.
Andrew gets in on the action.
Here's big brother Merrit with Baby Roo and Nanny.
Doug and Darlene coo over our new arrival.
He's two days old now, and Ollie and Dad spend some time getting to know each other.
"Lemme take a look at ya, kid."
Dad changing a diaper...
...And marveling at those BIG feet! When the nurse stamped his footprints on the keepsake birth certificate, his footprints almost didn't fit inside the little boxed-in area!!
Ollie is two-and-a-half days old in this picture. He had just finished nursing when Daddy captured this picture. Snoozing so hard, his mouth flopped open. He is so warm and snuggly...and his soft little head smells so sweet! He is just adorable!
Another picture, taken on the morning of Day Four.
"Haynes, B/B." That's what the card reads. Baby Boy Haynes. Aahh, that has a nice ring to it...
Four days old, and we're all ready to go home! Just waiting for our discharge paperwork to be completed (which takes WAAAY longer than it should) so we can abscond with our bundle of joy!!
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