Ellie turns 1 month

Christmas / New Year break

Some photos from lately..

Christmas Day

Christmas morning 2012

We were up early Christmas morning to do presents at our house before heading to Yunny and Lozzos for breakfast.

Dyllan was thrilled to see that Santa came!

Christmas Eve

We had fun spending Christmas Eve with Brenden and Libby- they came over and we headed down to Manly wine bar for pitchers of sangria. Then spent the evening making dinner and hanging out at our place.

Ellie turns ONE.. week

Our little girl is already one week old!  Just cause its fun to look back on one day- I am going to share how the first 7 days of little Ellie's life have gone..

• Day 1: Wednesday
• Ellie was born at 4:38am.  After having her then being greeted by Dyllan and Yunny- they transferred us downstairs where I would share a room with my first roommate- a lady who was 30 weeks pregnant and put on bed rest.  We hung out there- cuddling Ellie and watching as Dyllan interacted with her new sister. It was so sweet- she is very excited to help out and kiss and cuddle Ellie. She's going to be a great sister- I can already tell.  Later Lozzo and Gaga stopped in for a quick visit.  From there- we were transferred to our next room where my room mate had a little baby boy.  We didn't talk- as we both had our families there and there was a curtain closing her section off.   Dan took Dyllan home around 6:30pm for dinner and to get a good night sleep.  Then it was just the two of us.  Ellie slept while I entertained myself with my phone for a few hours- as you have to pay for TV and there was nothing else to do.  I was surprised with how little I was checked on- but they were busy (over full in fact) and attending to people who needed them more.  Over the course of the night- I buzzed the nurse twice- once to see if I could have some more water - in which she replied "I will check and see, but we are running low" !! and also another pillow ( mine was a flat rock)- which she did get me- but a few hours later along with a tiny water bottle.  Luckily I brought my own, which I was able to just get up and fill it with tap water from the bathroom.  Then it was time to sleep.  I wasn't sure how often I was supposed to feed Ellie- or what I should be doing.. so I tried feeding her a few times throughout the night- before asking.  The nurse then told me that at this age it was ok to let her go ahead and sleep for up to 6 hours-- so thats what I planned on doing.   Until.... about 2am when my room mates baby started whaling.. and whaling.. and WHALING!!  I felt kind of sorry for the girl next to me, thinking her baby was just inconsolable.. but after a few hours- I got up and marched myself down the hall- and explained to the lady at the front desk that I had a pounding headache and my room mates baby won't stop crying- and asked her if I could maybe move rooms.  Nope.  They were full.  So she gave me 2 cotton balls and said to try putting those in my ears.  Right.  Hardly seemed fair that my baby was sleeping- yet I was kept up with my neighbors screaming baby.  So I tried the silly cotton balls and put the rock pillow over my face.. and tried to sleep.  Nope.  So I buzzed the nurse- who came in about half hour later and asked her to check on this baby.  Then I hear her wiser "Gabby... Gabby... Gabby! Wake up Gabby!  Your baby is crying.."  WHAT?! this whole time Gabby was SLEEPING??  If I had known that I would have woken Gabby up myself! The only reason I didn't go over there was because I thought she genuinely couldn't calm her baby down- and that if I had said anything it would make her feel even worse..   Oh well.. so anyway the morning came eventually.. making it now my second full night with around 2 hours sleep.

Dan's girls

Dyllan brought snacks!  She was more excited about the biscotti than seeing her new sister..

Dyllan was so sweet with Ellie.

Moving from the birthing suite to our room- haha- look at all of the snacks!!

• Day 2:  Thursday
• At 6am on the dot- I texted Dan to come get me! haha..   he had to take Dyllan to daycare and get the carseat hooked up- then drive through peak hour traffic to get to the hospital- so he didn't get there till about 9am.  We checked out around 10am and headed home.  The drive was a bit surreal.  Here we go- we are bringing out second daughter home.  Wow, we both thought.  We have a full family.  4 of us now.  It sounded so grown up- so responsible.  So complete.  We got home and got straight to work- setting up Ellie's nursery within our bedroom. We were showered with gifts from our works- my boss sent me a "baby box" which was so cool- it said Ellie's name on the front with her birthday- and inside was filled with little pink outfits, socks, bibs, baby toiletries, a teddy bear and even a box of chocolate for mom and dad!  My work also send a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.  Dans work sent us a gift box "baby buds" of shirts, socks and bibs all folded into the shape of a flower arrangement.  Work has been so supportive for both of us.  The rest of the day was spent hanging out and visiting- Stacey and Bushy and baby Fynn came around for champagne and nachos.  We watched TV- and hung out with Dyllan then went to bed.. first night at home.  Ellie did great- I woke her up every 3 hours for a feed, and thats how the first night went.
• Day 3: Friday
• Friday Dan left early on his bike to work- so that he could come home early.  So that left me to get Dyllan off to daycare for the first time.  No problem, right?  Its just down the street, and I only need to drop her off.  Well it wasn't quite as easy as that- but it wasn't too bad either.  I rolled into daycare with nickel slot eyes, sweatpants, and a baggy tshirt- probably looking like I just got hit by a train.  But I did it- I got her to daycare- fed, dressed and happy. Phew.  Then I came home- fed Ellie,showered - then got a visit from the midwife.  Its great- they come to your house here to check on you and the baby- and to give her a shot.  All checked out well and she was on her way.  Shortly after the midwife left- my CLEANERS arrived!  Yes, I booked a cleaner to come clean the house- as a special treat- I was soo excited.  I cleaned up a little bit so they wouldn't think I was THAT messy- then wrote  a list of things for them to do while I ran an errand to the mall to pick up a few nursing shirts and baggy shorts (haha, yuck!).  I thought Ellie's carseat would clip into the bob stroller- however once I got the stroller out of the car- and went to go clip it in- I realized that we didn't take the snack tray off!  So I had to push Ellie around in a grocery cart!  Through target.. into the change rooms.. through the mall!  But hey, we got the job done- and Ellie slept the entire time. We came home to a sparkling clean house- and now Im convinced that it was totally worth the $70 investment.  Nothing beats a clean house- clean bathrooms and kitchen.. dust free shelves and window cills- the things that I don't (wanna) do.  Katie came over around 1:30 with Connor and lunch.  Connor- 2 months- seemed so tiny just a few weeks ago- but now he's the big kid on the block.  We had stuffed mushrooms and spinach,beet and goat cheese salad.. and hung out for a couple hours- it was great having her over. Its so funny that not long ago we were both pregnant- and now here they are - two babies! After Katie left, Stacey and Fynn dropped in to say hi and hang out.  Then Dan came home around 4pm-  and Anthony and Natalie dropped in for a visit.  Around 5pm- Dan's parents came over with Dinner  (salad and spinach feta pastries- and a homemade birthday fruit cake for Ellie).  We went to bed around 10pm.  Ellie woke up every 2 hours!  I worked it out- that she wakes herself up when her arm (s) come out of her swaddle.  So the trick is to keep her arms trapped in there- but somehow Hodini managed to get them out every 2 hours!  Once they came out- she would be up and ready to eat.. argh... The nurse said I could wake her every 4 hours if she fed well during the day.. so thats what I planned on doing until this happened!
• Day 4: Saturday
• Both Dan and I were pretty tired by now.  Neither of us had much sleep- Dan ended up sleeping with Dyllan on Wednesday night since she was having trouble going to sleep on her own with all the excitement.  Lack of sleep always hits a few days later- and Friday it hit us.  Dan was great and took Dyllan on a run down to Manly beach while I hung out here and tried to rest a little.  In the afternoon we headed to the mall to get a few things- but mostly for an outing to get Dyllan's energy out!  Little did we know- it was super Saturday- and it was a mad house!  We drove in circles looking for parking- and on top of that it was a blistering hot day- so everyone wanted to escape the heat and get their Christmas shopping done.  We got a few things at Big W- then lined up for sushi.  We ate and stopped off at one more store then headed home.  Luckily last weekend Dan picked up a portable air conditioner for $20 at a garage sale- and low and behold it WORKED!  We cranked this little thing on high for the rest of the afternoon and hung out at home.  We BBQ'd for dinner and watched a movie.  Then headed to bed around 10pm after Ellie ate.  Saturday night Ellie woke herself up every 3 hours- so an improvement form the night before- but still not the 4 hours I was hoping for..  We will take 3 though!  
• Day 5: Sunday
• Sunday Dan was awesome- he woke up with Dyllan and took her to the park to run around and get her energy out- also for a little one on one time.  They were gone for hours!  They came back and we had an early lunch- Dyllan had a nap- then we headed down to Manly to meet some friends at Murray's for drinks.  After our outing we came home and relaxed..  Went to bed around 9pm- and Ellie slept great!  She slept for about 4 hours each time- waking me up at 12:45pm and again at 4:30pm.  All in all- a great night!  

Listening to live music- Dyllan requested The Wiggles!  haha!

Katie, Connor, Ellie and I are Murray's on the beach

• Day 6: Monday
• Monday Ellie and I dropped Dyllan off at daycare- then spent the rest of the rainy day at home.  Stacey and Katie came over for a few hours with their boys- which was fun.  
• Day 7 Tuesday
• Tuesday we hung out at home most of the day- did a bunch of laundry and organized my closet- woo hoo- got to pack away the maternity outfits AND work outfits.. my closet is looking a little sparse right now- as I don't fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes.. and I am sick of all my maternity clothes.. 

All in all- what an amazing week its been!  Little Ellie is doing great- she is so happy!  And Dyllan is loving being a big sister!  Dan and I feel so lucky to have two amazing little girls:)

Home with Miss Ellie

Today Ellie is 5 days old (I wrote this yesterday- but didn't get to the photos).

Proud big sister!

Dyllan ran to grab her chair so she could peak in.. 

I am sitting here in bed- with Ellie's little body on my chest sleeping.  There is no where I would rather be right now.  I have a white chocolate hot chocolate, a bowl full of ripe mango, my computer and a sleeping little barnacle attached my my chest.  Its the first time since she was born that I have really had a chance to sit down and relax with no one around.  Its perfect, I am in heaven.

The past 5 days have been surreal.  I knew it would be different once we had two kids, but I really didn't know what to expect.  Its amazing how quickly you forget the infant stage, then how quickly it all comes rushing back as soon as the next one is born.  I am brought back to the time when Dyllan was only tiny- having to set an alarm every 3 hours to wake her up and feed her.  This is similar- except I don't have to go to all the trouble of getting a bottle ready while simultaneously pumping (thank god!)- breastfeeding is so much easier in that respect.  Ellie is calm, peaceful, happy, sleepy but alert for a few min every couple hours.. Dyllan set the bar high with how easy she was.. but so far Ellie is following right in her footsteps.  We are lucky (knock on wood).

Dan has been such a great help so far- especially running around after Dyllan - who's energy levels have doubled since Ellie was born!  He's been able to take some time off work which has been great- but we want to save his vacation time for vacation (Feb and July/Aug)- so he is popping into work when he needs to.  Dyllan is booked into an extra day of daycare today- which she was thrilled about.  She's been telling the teachers and her friends about her sister "Ellie Crammit" for weeks now!  Its so nice that she loves daycare so much- and that I can rest easy knowing that she is busy, stimulated and happy.

All 3 girls

Dyllan in the baby bath

Skin to skin- her favorite spot.

Ready to go out- (hi Dyllan!)

Sitting on my knee

My little bundle

Ellie's Birth Story

It all started Tuesday when I woke up for work- I was 37.5 weeks pregnant (and full term this time!).  I was feeling SUPER tired.. I had an office meeting at 8am and I couldn't seem to wake myself up.  By the time 9am rolled around I decided I better pop out and get a snack to wake myself up and get through the day.  I came back to my desk with a giant sugar twist doughnut and a coke zero- my co workers looked at me like I was nuts.  I snarffed down my snack and attempted to get through my day's work.  My cold calls were next to impossible- and my phone voice was sounded like a zombie.  Around lunch time I had convinced myself that yes, tomorrow I would take the day off.. a personal day.. to get stuff done and rest up.

Tuesday is date night.  Dyllan is at the grandparents and Dan and I make an effort to have a date night each Tuesday.

After work- Dan picked me up and we headed into the city to our favorite sushi spot- Zushi.  We got there at 6pm- had sushi and went out for a frozen yogurt- and were home my 7:30pm.  Haha.  We were both tired.  We went to bed early- around 9:30pm.  At 12:18am I was awoken with a startle as I thought the baby had kicked my bladder and I peed a little in bed!  I went to use the bathroom- changed, then came back to bed thinking for sure that I just peed cause the baby kicked me.  About 20 min later- I got up again to use the bathroom- I figured I maybe drank too much water.  I brought my phone with me and googled in the dark "how do you know if your waters broken"- as I was convinced that it wasn't my water breaking- it was nothing like last time- where water gushed out.. this  was only a little bit.  After google convinced me that I was probably right- and that it wasn't my water breaking- I returned to bed.  Thats when the contractions started.  It was probably 1am- and the cramps weren't that bad- so I decided before I woke Dan up- I would wait it out and see how far apart they were- and how bad they got- I knew if I woke Dan up- and if it was a false alarm - he wouldn't have a good night sleep.  So I waited in bed- counting out 6 contractions.. Then around 2:30am I decided I better wake him up.  We got up- called the hospital and they told us to come on in.  As we were driving the contractions got BAD.  They were SUPER close together and really painful.  We checked into the hospital at 3am- and they sat me down on the hospital bed to assess the situation.  As soon as I laid town - the midwife took one look at me and said- yep- you are FULLY DIALATED and I can see the baby's head!  WHAT?!  I said.. I immediately asked for my epidural.  She said no- it was too late for that- and instead of an epidural I could have a baby.  I started to panic.. and cry.  Nooo.. this was my biggest fear- no epidural.. 

We then walked into the birthing room- me keeled over- laid down on the bed and began pushing.. pushed for about an hour (maybe less- I lost track of time)- and had little Ellie at 4:38am.  As worried as I was about not having drugs- I have to admit- it wasn't as bad as I anticipated- in fact the contractions were the worst part.  Don't get me wrong.. it hurt.. but I was expecting the worst!

It was amazing- this was the first time I got to experience having my baby placed on my chest when she was born (they wisked Dyllan off right away).  She was perfect.  The first thing we both noticed were her long hands and feet.  We spent the next 2 hours waiting for the doctor to come stitch me up.  The midwife explained that they were very busy- and the 2 doctors on duty were attending to emergency patients.  When the doctor finally arrived- I casually commented that "you must be busy tonight!"- and she replied "no.. we're not that busy.  I just woke up from a nap".  WHAT?  A nap??  Here I was sitting naked in my hospital bed- blood everywhere- while she NAPPED?? ... at least she was honest..

About an hour old

I got stitched up and Dan and I enjoyed the next hour or so holding Ellie before Marianne and Dyllan arrived!  

Dyllan was soo excited the whole car ride to the hospital to meet her new baby sister- Ellie Crammit!  When she got there it was pretty sweet.  She was whispering in a sweet voice and so cute with Ellie.  

Proud Dad

Lozzo

Gaga

Yunny