Thursday, June 27, 2013

Ruby's First Month

I'm going to jump right in, as time is limited for this mama right now!!  I need to update while some of this is still fresh...So from the beginning...Scheduled, repeat, C-section, same hospital, same anesthesiologist, same Dr., all at my request...went MUCH more smoothly this time, as my first was Emergency/Distress situation.  That does not mean I am in love with the whole process but I am thankful for protection over me and Ruby during the surgery.  Here's a few pics...We look awesome by the way.  That's the closest thing to a smile I could probably have mustered up while knowing that my uterus was "outside my body and flipped upside down lying on my abdomen" so they could stitch me up...(literally almost passed out after that.)  But the end result..VOILA!  Beautiful 7lb 9oz baby girl, 20 inches long.  That's exactly how much I weighed and I was a scheduled C-section too, cool huh?  So the pic of her is kinda gooey, but literally that is the first glimpse I had of her- so I wanted Nick to capture it.  



Her first cry :)  Tear....already can't believe it's been 5 weeks. 


This picture was taken once I was wheeled into recovery and they let me start nursing her.  I was still jacked up on morphine at this point.  (this is a good thing.) Once it wears off the nurses describe the recovery as feeling like you were "hit by a Mack truck."  They are right.  


Our first few moments once we made it into our Maternity suite at St. Josephs Women's Hospital.  Wyatt was a little uneasy about seeing mama laid up in bed like that and who is this person?!  
 But since we've been home he has evolved into such a fun-loving big brother and loves helping mommy change Ruby's diapers and get her dressed.  He is such a special boy and I am so looking forward to the bond we will all have as a family of 4!


So blessed with this man, he is a great husband and father. (And he looks good in seafoam blue apparently?!?!) I say yes.  


Here she is all cleaned up with her little hat on.  What a darling.


We made it home!  Snuggling in mama's bed.  She pretty much slept ALL DAY other than feedings the first two weeks and seemed so calm and restful.  From about 6-9 pm she is pretty alert and hangs out with us just like this!


I cannot believe what I accomplished in her first month of life, I guess having a 19 month old to love on and entertain as well pushes us to our limits.  This pic below was taken by the pool one day when Daddy and Wyatt were swimming.  Ruby was 10 days old.  This was Memorial Day weekend, hence the red, white, and blue!


Love my little fishy boy.


kick kick kick!!


This is what she looked like for about two weeks, haha.




Christening the double stroller at Busch Gardens, Ruby 2 weeks old.  I had Nick drop me off at the front and we hobbled to the Sesame Street area of the park, which is closer to the front, thank-you-God, and let Wyatt run around!


Mr. Giraffe in tow, naturally.  


Having fun trying on her little hair bows. Beautiful girl.


Daddy making sure Ruby is well covered by the sun, as it is June in Tampa.


Love this one!  One of the beauties of living so close to Busch Gardens is the ability to go when it's not so crowded...and jump right in for a photo with Big Bird and Elmo without having to wait!


At home, just chilling while we eat dinner.  Wyatt found Miss Lady Bug for Ruby and he brings it to her.  I have a feeling Miss Lady Bug might be the future Mr. Giraffe for Ruby.  We will see!



We were so blessed that our good friends set up a meal chain for us- for just about 3 weeks we had a hot meal delivered to us by a close friend and what a life saver that has been!  Wyatt was a HUGE fan of Corrie's baked beans...oh yeah! Went through about 3 bowls of those.  Glad Dad's been on diaper duty since I couldn't pick Wyatt up yet. 



Tummy Time!  This little girl I think is going to be a tummy sleeper.  



Thank you Grandma Pat for embroidering some cutie patootie things for Ruby!


Above- Ruby 1 month old, Below- Wyatt 19.5 months old.


We are so thankful for the support and love of our friends and of course, our super helper Miss Kiara who has been a God send!  She's a sweetie pie helping me with Wyatt and with house hold chores.  Wyatt LOVES her :) 
Nursing Ruby has been immensely easier than it was with Wyatt.  Very little pain, she spits up a little but seems to really be doing well with breast milk.  For those of you who recall, I had a really difficult time with Wyatt, he was intolerant to dairy in my diet and spit up constantly/and was medicated for acid reflux at 4 weeks old because he'd refuse to eat.  So after much prayer and healthy diet changes, I was able to nurse him for 8 months but it was really a struggle.  I am very thankful that it is coming more naturally this go around.  Ruby is just easy going.  She's also sleeping a ton better than he ever did.  At this point she's sleeping from about 10-3 or 4, every night.  Praise God for that!!  Then she goes back down until about 7:30.  We are getting in a groove, and I am so thankful for my husband who has really begun evolving as a more well rounded dad and learning some "mom-isms"...for example...holding a toddler and scrambling eggs at the same time...sneakily getting Wyatt dressed for preschool while he is mesmerized by Mickey Mouse...doing push ups on the floor in the living room with Wyatt on his back and taking the dog for a walk instead of stressing about the "perfect" time to get to the gym...Making Wyatt breakfast every morning and getting used to what he likes/dislikes/and working with him on our daily routine.  The list goes on...but it is rewarding to be parents, truly.  Not a day goes by I don't look around and think, this is as it should be and we are so blessed.  Thanks for taking the time to check in.  
Love,
Megs

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Nesting

I spent the better part of my second trimester and the beginning of the third doing some serious nesting.  Purging drawers and closets, organizing the kitchen, sorting things out in Wyatt's room, and of course, getting Ruby Kate's room finished.  I had lots of things stored in boxes that needed to be pulled out and sanitized, (not that it has been THAT long since I've used most of it...)




Pictures never do a scene justice but here we go, I'll at least try.  I have had so much fun setting up a baby girl's room!  We did not go with any specific theme, just wanted it to be girly, fun, warm, and cozy. This is the view from her bedroom door. 


I was gifted with some adorable little things for her room, including this blingy butterfly.


This is the view from her bathroom door, which is Jack 'n' Jill style and connects to Wyatt's room.  (Love that!)


View while sitting in the glider in the corner.  Notice the fabulous bed and crib skirt?!  A dear friend of mine made those custom just for Ruby, they are GORGEOUS!


A little night light on the wall, thank you Ikea. 



My dear friend Elise made these letters for Ruby!  They are fabulous and look even better up close! 

The girl's got some head bands!


Cute little book shelf and "vanity" area for my princess.


Close up of the skirts....if you see closely they sparkle :)



HELLO! Lil' lady has got some clothes, I'll tell you what.  We have been so blessed by friends and family showering us with little girl things, and have been SO fortunate to inherit the most fabulous hand me downs from dear friends with a little girl who is a year older than Ruby.  (Thank you Steve and Lissette!!)


Another dear friend mailed this boppi cover just last week- SO EXCITED!!  Thank you Emily Pierson, you are such a sweet friend.  



little odds and ends, can a girl ever have enough decorative pillows?  I think not.  

Used some  spare ribbon to create a little interchangeable photo spot. 


more headbands...Thank you Mimi....



A quick self portrait...Ruby's room complete at the end of week 36!


Now bring on my baby girl!  This momma's had enough of being pregnant!!!!
Hope you enjoyed.  Please pray for a safe delivery via C-section on May 22.  Many thanks!
Megs and Ruby