One Week

We have now had the pleasure of having Carly home for nearly a full week. Although it hasn't been super easy, I don't know of a single thing worth doing more. We have had late nights (more Sharon than me), help from both sets of in laws, and lots of fun diaper changes. Including a couple "quick put a diaper back, she isn't finished yet," which makes me glad she wasn't a boy, because I didn't end up with a face full.

It has been a great first week and we are excited for the weeks ahead that are filled with new a fun adventures for our family of 3 and a dog.

Additionally, I have decided to take at least one picture every day and post these pictures in a gallery of their own. There will be the normal galleries for the events and such, but I wanted to have a special record of her daily growth and because I want to challenge myself to take more pictures more regularly. Below is a slide show from this gallery and there is a smaller version on the right side of the site under the links.





There is also a RSS feed setup of this series so the pictures will come to you when they have been posted. The feed can be found at http://feeds.davidandsharonorr.com/carly

A Selfish Morning

I actually had a very selfish morning!! David needed to go into the office for a few reasons and I highly encouraged him out the door. I was looking forward to a few hours alone with Carly, since I knew at some point he would be heading back to work full time and not just working from home. So out the door he went, so I could get busy. I realized that I hadn't put Carly in or taken her out of her car seat, so that was my first mission of the day. Check! I accomplished that no problem. Second, I have been really eager about my new "stay at home" status because I really enjoy morning walks through our neighborhood. So, my second selfish mission became taking Jake and Carly on their first walk just the three of us. Again, David had done everything with the stroller and I wanted a chance to figure it out on my own. So I bundled Carly all up and headed out to the garage with her loaded in her car seat. After Jake and I got her loaded into the snap in go stroller (an ingenious idea/accessory for an infant car seat) we were all off. I started by just travelling between the two stop signs by our house, then I decided it was time to go all the way around the loop. We successfully made it around without a runway stroller or dog. I was feeling pretty great about today's accomplishments as we strolled up the driveway, until I went to lift Carly out of the seat and found that she had exploded her diaper and left me a few messes to clean up. This explosion wasn't enough to rain on my parade, but it did put a cloud or two in the sky.

Our First Outing

Carly went on her first "outing" today. She and I had a follow up appointment with the lactation specialist at the hospital. I awoke and showered early, determined to not feel rushed getting out of the house and not wanting to be one of those people who are consistently late due to an infant. I got her nursed at the specified time by the lactation specialist, got her dressed and ready for the appointment, then packed the diaper bag, unloaded the dishwasher, folded clothes and thought I was all ready for David to come home and pick us up for the appointment. Then it happened... Dave mentioned it was cold outside and I couldn't find a jacket easily. Then I-77 was slow, so we had to get off the interstate and take surface streets. As a result we ended up being a few minutes late to the appointment; however, no one else was there after our appointment waiting to be seen so maybe we didn't mess up their whole schedule. While we were walking through the building though we did unfortunately see a kid who was sick and wearing the famous "yellow mask". These masks remind me so much of having a scarlet A. The purpose of the yellow masks is to protect others from your germs, but I'll be honest - I'm going to RUN if not sprint away from you as fast as I can.

Overall our appointment went well. Carly weighed the same today as she did during her last night at the hospital (7 pounds 5 ounces) and showed that she is getting enough during each feeding.

This outing also involved a quick trip to the grocery store for me! Dave and Carly stayed in the car while I walked in to pick up a few items. It was quite a weird feeling to be entering into the real world after having been only at the hospital or my house since Wednesday night...almost a full week!

The rest of our day was uneventful. Dave worked from home while Carly, Jake, and I napped. :-)

Home Sweet Home

Day 3... Going home.



We brought Carly home from the hospital yesterday and to surprise Sharon and to let the neighbors know I had a stork placed in the front yard.

So far it has been good. Carly is eating and sleeping, sometimes at the same time, and sometimes not. She doesn't really like either the bassinet or the crib, but prefers either Sharon's or my shoulder to sleep on.

Today, she has slept a bit more in a bed, but still doesn't like to be in one for more than 30 minutes. Hopefully tonight she decides that beds are fun and Dad's shoulder isn't all that comfortable.

Also, we did get the recommended tummy time in a couple times today and Carly seems to enjoy it. It provides her with another place to sleep other than a bed.

Day 2...

She is Here!

Carly Elizabeth joined us on October 22nd 2009, at 2:17pm. She weighed in at 7 Lbs. 14 oz. and measured 20.5 inches.

Mother and Baby are doing well.

So without further ado, here is the newest member of our family.





Full and ever expanding Gallery here

Not quite so bad...

Today we have 1 week and 3 days until our "due date," and I can honestly say that this last month hasn't been quite so bad. Yes, I'm slightly uncomfortable, feel like Shamu, and really want to yell "STOP STARING AT MY BELLY!" when I'm out in public... however, many other things have made it not completely awful.
I've been very lucky to have a husband who was able to stop travelling at the beginning of October and began helping a lot more around the house. A mom who comes up to help with household chores and the paperwork and filing portion of my job. A dad who sends food to make sure I continue to eat healthy each time my mom comes. A mother-in-law who has sent a few last minute items: an awesome jogging stroller and a hand made hanging diaper stacker . Friends who are helping me get through the day to day tasks at school, so that in the evenings I can focus on the long term planning and preparation that I want to accomplish before delivery. All the books say that start around week 36 the mother-to-be should begin to take life easy. I haven't learned how to do that yet (and I'm in week 39); however, thanks to many other people I am not having to accomplish every task that pops into my head alone.

"Has anyone told you how low she is?"

This is the quote of the afternoon from our recent visit to the doctor. Everything else was uneventful, but apparently our daughter-to-be is currently trying to help me out in the lung department.

Or Another...

Another sign...

We went to the doctor today and found out that I am 50% effaced and 1 centimeter dilated!! I'm sure it means I will still be pregnant after our due date, but it does mean the end is coming...

Signs the end is near... (or in the next 5 weeks)

Over this week and weekend I have noticed many signs that the end of our pregnancy is near...
1) It is finally October
2) Random people keep asking, "How soon until you are due?"
3) Any weird looks and Dave asks, "Are you okay? Contractions?"
4) I'm limited in what chairs work for me and are comfortable.
5) My stomach and bladder seem to be shrinking at a rapid pace.
6) Dave keeps saying, "She is REALLY big today!"
7) Dave and co-workers keep updating me on how she looks lower today than the day before.
8) My mom has left her toothbrush, in case she needs to come quickly.
9) My maternity shirts are getting tighter and tighter and don't seem to be covering the bump very well anymore.
10) I seem to be starving all of the time, but 3 bites of any meal leaves me full.
11) People seem to stare at my belly instead of my face or boobs when I walk by.
12) I'm cleaning house...