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

Welcome to the world Ellie Cameron

She's here! Little Ellie Cameron newton was born November 28, 2012 at 4:34am. 14 days before her due day- at 37.5 weeks she was still considered full term! She weighed 6 lbs 7 oz and was 17.5 inches long.

Weekend: Manly

It's starting to feel like summer around here! We spend Sunday morning down at Manly beach- everyone was out and about- kids surf carnivals, nippers racing up and down the beach, sausage sizzles, beach volleyball.. It always feels like a vacation down at the beach!

While I was at work on Saturday- Dan texted me to let me know he "scored big time" at a garage sale down the street! He managed to pick up a portable air conditioner for $20! We tested it out Saturday night and she works!! It's great in our stuffy little shoe box! ... Not looking forward to our next electricity bill though.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our American friends Katie and Justin hosted Thanksgiving dinner at their place on Sunday! There were 11 of us- We had turkey, stuffing, gravy, mash potatoes, mac and cheese, salads, green beans and pies! What a feast!

The only thing that felt different ( apart from missing family!) was that it was stinking hot!

37 weeks & a big sister is excited!

"getting bigger!" is a phrase I hear from dyllan daily.

We are all getting excited for the arrival for little miss Crammit! ( as dyllan calls her!)

Feeling good- in fact on Sunday night I was out for the first time past midnight in 8+ months! Dan and I went with some friends to the Coldplay concert!

The countdown begins..

What will it Bee- Baby Shower

My friend Katie threw me an amazing baby shower yesterday- the theme was Bees- as the original plan was that Dan and I weren't finding out this baby's gender. She decided to stick with the bee theme And it turned out great- from honey comb prizes for the games- to yellow table cloths- to adorable invites- Katie threw one great baby shower! And she organized the entire thing all while caring for her 7 week old baby boy! Talk about a super mom- I'm going to have some living up to do! I feel so spoiled after yesterday!

For lunch Katie made chicken salad sandwiches on croissants- fruit plates, hummus and vegis, spinach artichoke dip, chips and dips. Yunny brought a great salad made from all the vegis in her garden and Libby went all out with the desert- concocting "dirty baby diaper" made from chocolate and pastry sprinkled with "baby powder" powdered sugar- along with "baby food" panna cotta with mango sauce! Yum! Everything was just perfect.

We ate, talked baby stories, played a few games -and opened presents.

This baby girl got some great gifts!