Ali's First Holiday... Happy Halloween!

My sister Judy and her husband Rob came up this weekend to meet Ali, and my mom (aka Mimi) also made the trip.  I think she's in love.  

 

I'm not sure if Ali made Judy start to think about having kids or if it was a dose of birth control for her.  Judy learned her first lesson in Diapering 101.  She changed one of Ali's diapers and then handed her to Mimi.  A few minutes later, pee started running down Mimi's shirt, pants and the couch!  When Todd changed Ali's diaper after the accident, we found out the the diaper was loosely put on and there was a big gap in the back with Ali's butt hanging out.  There was definitely enough room for all the pee to come out.  Haha... practice makes perfect, Judy!

We dressed up Ali as a baby giraffe for Halloween.  I actually had two costumes for her - the giraffe and a brown furry bear (since we always call her Ali Bear).  However, the bear costume was gigantic and completely swallowed her.  The giraffe costume is still big on her (as is everything else we put on her), but we made it work.  Here's our little giraffe on her first Halloween! 

 

 

Our Little Pumpkin...

My mom knitted this precious pumpkin bunting for Ali for Halloween! 

Happy Belated 1 Week Birthday Ali!

I posted earlier about how I feel like I'm always playing catch-up.  Well, it hasn't changed.  I'm a day late on this post.  Happy Belated 1 Week Birthday Ali!  She turned 1 week old last night at 6:08pm.  My college girlfriend Amanda took regular pictures of her daughter next to a stuffed animal so you could see her growth, and I loved the idea so much that I copied it.  Here are Ali's 1 Week Birthday shots... can't decide which background I like better.  Place your votes!  I'll continue taking the same shot at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, etc. so we can see how she grows. 

It's only been a week, and I'm already jealous of my little girl!  She has orders from the doctor to eat as much as possible.  We had our first appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday, and Ali had continued to lose weight.  She weighed 6lbs 12oz at birth and 6lbs 3oz when we left the hospital.  At her appointment, she was down to 6lbs 1.5oz.  So we were told to feed her every two hours including waking her at night.  I seriously have given this baby girl SO much to eat that I didn't think there was any way for her not to have gained weight.  Unfortunately, at her weight check today, she was down to 6lbs 0.5oz.  I was shocked.  So, we're on an even stricter feeding schedule - basically, we're feeding her as much as we possibly can.  I'm breastfeeding every two hours and also supplementing with pumped breast milk.  I would love for someone to tell me to eat as much as I possibly can!  Unfortunately, Ali is putting up a fight and falling asleep during every feeding so we're having difficulties finishing.  We go back on Tuesday, and we're praying that she gets back to her birth weight.

I also learned my first major baby lesson tonight.  NEVER hold an un-diapered baby!  I was holding my sweet naked baby after her bath and all of the sudden I had a gush of pee all over me.  I guess the bright side is that it was just number 1 and not number 2!

Perpetual State of Catch-Up?

Is feeling like you're in a perpetual state of catch-up all part of being a new mommy?  Is this what my life will forever feel like?  I hope not!  I feel like I've been trying to catch up with life since I went into the hospital last Tuesday night.  Too bad you can't pause life, huh?

Anyway, several of you have asked for more pictures of Ali... we really haven't taken that many, but we promise to do better.  Can my excuse be that I'm trying not to overwhelm you hundreds of pictures of my newest little love?  Here are a few to tie you over.

My mom came to help us out last weekend.  It was SO nice to have an extra set of hands to help us when we first got home.

Todd is GREAT at soothing Ali.  And I LOVE Daddy and Daughter time.

Here's a close-up of Ali and her big cheeks.

She already likes her swing!  I like it too cuz it gives us a little bit of free time with a happy baby.

Today was our first full day as solo parents!  We actually had a pretty productive day today.  I was able to schedule all of our doctor appointments, secure a day care spot for Ali and schedule our newborn photo shoot.  Todd also did lots of around the house items including vacuuming (which Ali completely slept through!) and has someone coming out tonight to look at doing some yard/landscaping things that we need done.  Oh, and did I mention our power went out for about an hour today.  Not the greatest timing, but what can you do.  We are looking forward to our friend Nancy coming over tonight to have dinner with us and meet Ali.  All in all, things have been going well with Ali and we're learning how to be parents!

Funny Story: Ali failed her first test at the hospital!  She took a hearing test, passed her left ear, but failed her right ear!  When they brought her back and told us the news, I reminded Ali that she has been born into an overachieving family!  She can't be failing tests already.  Apparently, it is very common for c-section babies to fail initial hearing tests because they have a lot of fluid in their ears that was not flushed out as it would have been during a normal delivery.  Thankfully, they repeated the test the next morning, and Ali passed with flying colors.  Whew!

I also want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all those who have already visited us either in the hospital or at home.  We really feel so loved and special to have such good friends.  We truly appreciate the treats, flowers and dinners that you all have brought!   It's also so nice to hear about life outside of the Levreault household. 

Introducing Alise Harper Levreault!

We proudly welcomed Ali on October 20, 2010 at 6:08 pm.  She weighed 6 lbs, 12 oz and measured 20 3/8 in.  After 36 hours of labor, we finally had to deliver Ali by c-section and found out that her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice.  Dad survived and even watched the c-section!  I know everyone (especially me!) has been curious to see what Ali looks like.

Here's one of her first pictures during the baby exam in the delivery room.

Proud Papa got to hold Ali first since Cindy had a c-section.

Daddy shows Ali to Mommy for the first time:

 

Ali is all cleaned up!

 

Definitely Headed to the Hospital Today!

Well, I think I'm having contractions right now, so we may have a baby on the way soon!  I've been trying to time them because I'm not supposed to call my doctor until the contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting for 1 minute each and have been on this pattern for at least 1 hour.  Currently, they are about 10 to 15 minutes apart.  If the contractions progress, Ali should be born soon! 

However, we are also scheduled to go into the hospital tonight at 8pm to start the induction process.  The plan is to start Cervidil tonight and hope that induces labor.  If it doesn't, then I will get Pitocin in the morning.  I'm in my 41st week, and my doctor does not want me to get to 42 weeks because she said that baby mortality and morbidity rates significantly increase at 42 weeks. 

Soooo... either way, I will be in the hospital tonight, and we'll have a baby soon!  We'll see if Ali decides to come on her own (hope so!) or if I end up having to be induced. 

We'll keep you posted!

Fashionably Late...

I hope this isn't a sign of how stubborn Ali is going to be!  I'm now 4 days past my due date, and Ali has decided that she's not ready.  Guess she's having a hard time deciding what to wear to her party.

I also think that this is God's way of helping me deal with my fears of labor and delivery.  I used to be completely concerned with how painful L&D would be and scared of the whole process.  I used to go to work every day hoping and praying that my water doesn't break while I'm in a meeting.  I used to worry about what this child might look like and what I might think when I first see her.  Well, all those thoughts are gone.  I don't care how painful L&D is.  I don't care where I am when I go into labor, and I just want to see her!  It worked, God.  I am really ready to have this baby.

In the meantime, I've been addicted to a Halloween mix that my college friend Jen introduced to me.  I still make it every year.  I can't stop eating it, so I thought I would share it with you guys.  It's so simple and so addicting.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Candy Corn (both regular and Indian)
Candy Pumpkins
M&Ms (this year, I used both regular and peanut)
Peanuts

Final Belly Shots at 40 Weeks!

Baby Classes Completed? - Check.
Car Seats Installed and Inspected? - Check.
Hospital Bag Mostly Packed? - Check.
Stocked Up on Necessary Baby Gear? - Check.
Diapers and Clothes Ready? - Check.
Baby Book Ready? - Check.
9+ Months of Pregnancy Done? - Check.

Baby? - Not Yet!
I can't believe I made it to 40 weeks.  Here is the final progression of belly shots.

12 weeks:

17 weeks:

20 weeks:

24 weeks:

28 weeks:

 
32 weeks:

36 Weeks:

40 weeks:

Here's the 40 week full length shot, and here's to hoping she decides to come soon!

Sneak Peek at Ali's Nursery

Many people have asked me for pictures of Ali's nursery.  I haven't posted pictures yet because unfortunately, her room's not quite finished.  I've had some challenges with this project.  At least that's what I'm blaming it on.  First, the crib that we ordered Memorial Day weekend didn't arrive until August.  After it was delivered, we discovered a few cracks, so the manufacturer had to send us a replacement crib headboard.  We didn't receive that until September.  Once the crib situation was resolved, I opened the bedding and found that the bumper was missing tufts on it.  We then had to wait for the replacement bumper.  I finally went to pick up the bumper, and I absolutely hated it in the room.  The ladies at Lone Star Baby were so nice, and they were able to convince the manufacturer to refund my money because the bedding was not well made.  I was back to square one, except that the entire room had been decorated around that first bedding.  So, I had to find a bedding that would fit into the room that I had started.  Lucky for me, I found a great fit at Pottery Barn Kids, and I'm so happy now with my bedding.  I'm still working on stuff for the walls, so stay tuned for those updates. 

Here are a few sneak peeks.  I wish it were more completed, but hopefully it will be done soon.

This is the view from the door.  I didn't find a cute mobile that I really liked, so I decided to hang paper lanterns above the crib instead.  I figured it was interesting and might be something to entertain Ali.  My mom recovered the glider for us, and I had a blanket monogrammed for the back of the chair.  I probably need to get some curtains, but that's still a work in process.

Here's a closer look at the bedding.  I did a mix and match for this bedding at Pottery Barn.  Lucky for me, the green dots in the bumper go perfectly with the light green on the walls and coordinate well with the balls above the crib.

As most of you know, I really don't like birds, but these two on the inside of the bumper were sort of a cute touch.  

Here's another view from the door.  I don't know if you can see it very well, but I replaced the knobs on the dresser with crystal knobs to add a little bling to the room.  The lamp on the nightstand also has a crystal base.  And, there are no pictures in the frames yet....  We'll do a newborn photoshoot, so I'll put those pictures in those frames.  

Pumpkin Hunting!

I dragged Todd to help me pick out pumpkins tonight, because I didn't think I would be able to move around pumpkins to pick out the perfect ones.  We had fun searching for our pumpkins, although I'm not sure Todd would admit that.  One of the guys working there asked me if I was hiding a pumpkin under my shirt - ha!

Apparently, I'm drawn to the unique pumpkins and squashes.  I'm excited because I think I can leave these up until Thanksgiving as opposed to just a normal Halloween pumpkins which I may feel like I have to take down after Halloween. 

Still Pregnant...

Not sure why, but I have always thought Ali would come earlier than her October 12th due date.  It's October 4th, and I'm still pregnant.  I'm starting to think that she'll never come out, but my doctor assures me that in all of her years delivering babies, she's never had a case where the baby didn't come out.  Whew!  At my appointment today, there wasn't much change.  I'm still 75% effaced, about 1 cm dilated, and the baby has dropped and is in position ready to come out.  The doctor said my uterus was measuring pretty small, so we did a sonogram just to make sure there was nothing wrong.  No complaints from me - I was happy to get to see her again.  Since her head is pushed so far down, we didn't get a look at her face, but based on the measurements, she currently weighs about 6.5 lbs.  We passed the test and everything looks good.  So, I'm just back to the waiting game.  We did talk about an induction date, and if Ali doesn't decide to come on her own, I'm scheduled to go into the hospital Thursday, October 14th to start with cervidil and spend the night.  I think the plan would then be that I go into labor some time on Friday, October 15th.  So, if Ali doesn't decide to come on her own, I do have an end in sight!

In the meantime, I got my new camera this past weekend!

I've was very excited to play with my new toy, and Coco was my lucky subject.  I've mastered the auto modes, but I need to play around with the manual settings a little more.  I had some photography classes in high school, but I'm starting to think I should take a refresher course.