Visitors

My best friend of 19 years, Jamie came over to visit with her Husband, Max. That same day my Aunt Kathy and cousins Jessica, and Angelica came over and spent time with us and the baby. They brought the cutest gifts for Aowyn!! Jessica's boyfriend Matt even dropped by. It was so precious to watch two of them holding Aowyn and staring at her.

Mike's good friend of many years, Jeff (who is also the older brother of my best friend Amy) came over with his wife, Amy, and Daughter Allison (who is 17 mos) this was a fantastic visit. They came bearing gifts for the baby... and an amazing gift for us as well... pre-made dinner!!! Baked ziti, salad, bread, soda...and delicious brownies!...the works!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNDDD.... Amy did the dishes and cleaned up! SUCH good friends!!


Ally is soooooo cute! And so full of energy. It was kinda crazy for me to look at her her and pick her up after looking at and holding Aowyn...only. This baby seemed sooo big! and when I picked her up I really wasn't prepared for the weight difference. It made me laugh to myself. Ally would come up to Aowyn, point and say "baby. baby." :-D

I had never spent a lot of time with Amy before, we knew each other, but never hung out really. Man, I really like her! So sweet, and funny! We sat on the couch and talked about mommyhood and babies. and it was so nice to hear another mommy talk about it the same as me... not all "fuzzy and hunky dory." the fact that its hard, and pregnancy pretty much sucks, and labor is traumatizing! hahaha! Amy also let me borrow a book about breastfeeding. Thank goodness for that book, cuz I would never know the things I know now!! I feel so much better about how I am feeding my baby, and how to care for my milk bags... formerly known as breasts!
















My best friend Julie came over with her Husband, Chris, and her Son, Brayden. Aowyn is so lucky, everyone is always bringing her gifts!!! This was a really nice visit, cuz I had not seen them in a long while, and it was good to sit and talk to young parents of a young child... they can identify. It feels so good to have friends like that. Brayden was adorable, he would runaround and explore, and then come sit on the couch with us. We went up to Aowyns room and Brayden got to play with some of her toys... hey, she ain't gonna do it anytime soon! They need testing! Brayden is just such a heart breaker...
check this out!


ADORABLE!!

My Dad and Jane also came over once and made us an unbelievable grilled surf and turf dinner! It never occurred to me that people do such nice things and reach out to help when you have a baby... I was so touch by each visit and gesture. I hope to pass on the kindness to people in the future.

Coming Home and the Adjustment

When we brought Aowyn home my Mamma was waiting for us. She and Ben had been cleaning our house for a week. Just to help us have the place be fit for bringing a new baby home. THANK YOU! There was just no way for us to do it, before baby, or after. So, THANK YOU AGAIN!! Keeping up with it is hard... very hard. Especially when we are both working and tired. The important thing is that we try... or I should say... Mike tries.

I will get an updated pic of Aowyn's nursery once I do my finishing touches, cuz it's even cuter and more fun now!



This was a picture I took while I was still pretty much in bed all day. I would only get up to go to the bathroom, and occasionally go downstairs. So most of the time it was just me and Aowyn, hanging out in bed. I would not have gotten anything to eat, if it wasn't for Mike cooking for me, or my mom bringing me snacks. We never had a TV in our room until shortly before Aowyn was born. I had become so big, sore and tired that I could hardly move out of bed.

Thank GOODNESS for my mommie. She would come over everyday and spend hours and hours in my room with me... sometimes just holding the baby so I could have a break, or maybe even squeeze in a shower... or have the really fine luxury of EATING!! Aowyn LOVES her Grandmummie. I just remember whimpering on the phone to my mom, and she would come over... in the afternoon... (what?!?! an artist needs to sleep in and take her time. ;-D) but don't get me wrong, this lady would stay til midnight sometimes!!! She would talk with me and keep my spirits up, or just give me some adult interaction... and especially help me "work thru" all the trauma that having a baby can have on your mind/spirit/emotions. Yes, having a baby is amazing and simply awe inspiring... and I never went through any postpartum... I think the reason is because I had someone there to get me over the hump, of adjustment. :-D Just AWESOME! THANKS MOMMA!!

And So It Begins!

Aowyn is 3 months today. I have a lot of catching up to do in "chronicling" her life so far. Here are some pics from the pre-hospital to the "coming home."



During my week of labor we stayed at my dad's
since he's close to the hospital.



This is during my 20hrs of labor in the hospital...
when the epidural was working. I have chosen
not to show the pictures of when it wasn't.
Just imagine the exact opposite of that face!



Big Daddy cutting the cord. He thought he wouldn't be up to doing that... but when they asked... he jumped right up and went over! He got to see her first, with all the complications of my labor, the NICU peeps were there and took her right after they pulled her out, they did a quick evaluation of her, and gave her a 8 or 9 apgar and left. Then Mike went over to do his duty. Along with taking all the pictures while we were in the hospital. Can you imagine? Just having your first child, moments before, and keeping it together enough to take unbelievable pictures! This was one of Daddy's MANY big moments!



There's My little Aowyn Rose!! ALLLLLLLL 9lbs of her!



Here is my Dad and Jane holding Aowyn at 1 day old...
notice the family hair color? hmmmm.



What a proud pappa!



My mom and Ben spending time with Aowyn - 1 day old Mom and Ben stayed in the hospital for over 16 hrs while I labored. They attempted to sleep on the mini couches in the common area of GBMC Maternity building ( AMAZING!)
They would come in occasionally and see me.. and feed me ice chips, and cheer me on. Dad and Jane came to the hospital too while I was laboring, and waited and waited. It was so special to have all 4 of them there to come and greet me afterwards.




Mike's Dad came to visit while we were in the hospital for 5 days




On our last day in the hospital my Brother Sean and my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chuck came to meet the new Baby!that was such a treat, cuz they came all the way from Delaware to see us while in the hospital. Very special memories.