4 weeks!

It is hard to believe that four weeks ago right now we were in labor about to meet our little girl so soon! That time seems so long ago now yet at the same time it feels like these first four weeks went by so quickly. Brenna continues to be doing great. This morning we had fun together as she was tracking me as I moved from side to side--it's cool that just last week she couldn't do that.

We think she weighs about 8 and 2/3 pounds right now based on our highly scientific process of weighing one of us with her and then without holding her. Brenna still isn't a great breast feeder but thankfully she'll take breast milk from a bottle, no problem. Monday we have an appointment with a doctor who helps infants with weak suck reflexes--who knew that problem existed or that there were doctors to help with it?!?

Pat went back to work this week so Brenna and I were on our own a bit more. So far it is going well! We had a few visitors, have gone for some walks, and ran errands one day. It is fun to get out and about with Brenna, especially as she is so portable these days. 

Our Christmas was wonderful!! Grandma Ann and Grandpa Bill came in to town and we all had fun at Christmas at my parents' house. It was so great that Ann and Bill were able to come to meet Brenna in person and spend the week with us!! Brenna loved her afternoon naps being held by her grandma--and Pat and I enjoyed taking more naps ourselves too! Brenna's cousins love her so much and enjoyed being with her again at Christmas. It is so cute to see how much they love holding her and giving her kisses!

My own recovery is coming along well--I'm feeling pretty good most of the time. My incision still hurts at times but it is not all that often. We go back in two weeks for my final clearance, but I'm not expecting any problems. I am able to walk more and more, and am very much looking forward to the milestone of being able to walk all the way around Greenlake once again!

Theresa came to visit and meet Brenna on her way to Portland!!

Our family! Up to 15 people now :)

Brenna and her grandparents

Brenna at her first neighborhood cookie decorating on Christmas Eve afternoon

Aunt Colleen bought Brenna this amazing onesie for Christmas!

Small Steps

I've read that recovery from a c-section is measured by weeks, not days. Today is day 13 of Brenna's life and I took her out in the stroller for the first time. I was able to walk 6 blocks with her! Last week I could only walk 3 blocks, so I was pretty excited with 6! 

Here is Brenna sleeping her way through the walk.

Welcome Brenna!!

It's hard to believe it has been a week since we welcomed little Brenna into the world! We love her so much and are truly loving getting to know her more and more with each day! Here are a few highlights and musings of our week together:

~Brenna made her arrival somewhat unexpectedly via c-section. After laboring and pushing for quite a while, she was not coming out and beginning to show signs of distress. We made the decision to have a c-section, with the help and advice of our midwife and weighing the risks, benefits, and options, and were so thankful that in the end everyone was healthy!

~Brenna welcomed many visitors to the hospital and it was so fun to introduce her to our family and friends. We really enjoyed the company and support as Brenna arrived and I recovered from surgery. Brenna's cousins were especially excited to come meet her!

~The nurses, doctors, and midwives at Northwest Hospital were amazing! We stayed much longer than we were expecting (five nights and five days) but we had great support from the hospital staff.

~Brenna is eating like a champ! By her first appointment with a pediatrician outside the hospital she already had started gaining weight. Her head size is 75%, height is around 50%, and weight it 35%. She's definitely part Harris--huge head!

~Brenna enjoys sleeping, didn't really like her first bath, and loves to cuddle.

~We went to Brenna's first trivia night with team McGawesome. Everyone was very excited to have her join the team, and we got first place!!

~My recovery is going pretty well from the c-section. I'm moving pretty slowly and am sore, but the pain medicine is helping. I can tell with each day I am getting stronger and less sore.

~Pat has a new found love of the show Paternity Court which is on mid-morning each day.

~Brenna enjoyed her first trip to West Seattle. We had a great day hanging out with my dad yesterday, and were thankful for the meals and time to relax and hang out.

~We are tired, as to be expected, but loving this new adventure and our little girl!!

Brenna has arrived!!!

Family pic :)

We love her so much! 

Sleeping like a baby :)

Headed home (finally!!)--it's amazing how little she looks in the car seat!

First bath--not a huge fan but at times didn't mind it.

Due Date

It's definitely hard to believe that it is actually December 1st today. We've been waiting for this day for so long! I realize that it is unlikely to go into labor on your actual due date but there is still something about getting to this date and knowing that soon enough we will meet our little girl. To start off our due date we went to mass (the whole Advent waiting thing definitely has a whole new meaning for me this year!) and then to Mighty O donuts. Later tonight we are going on a "due date night" to a non-kid-friendly restaurant. It will be fun to celebrate tonight and to do something fun to think about things other than wishing we were in labor! As for now, we will continue to enjoy our life as a family of two and spend the afternoon relaxing.