Grandad Comes to Denver

 July 18-21 my Granddad (my dad's dad) came to Denver to meet Blake. 

Grandad is 90 years old, has 5 children, 8 grandchildren with 2 more by marriage and Blake is his first great grandchild. Grandad was born and raised in Arizona, fought in World War II, was a prisoner of war, raised children in Orlando, Florida, worked for a company that early on integrated computers into everyday use, traveled the world, walks every day and is proud to tell you he weighs today what he weighed when he enlisted in the Air Force over 70 years ago. 

Grandad stood up for us at our wedding a said a prayer that included not one, not two but three to four references to great-grandbabies appearing in our lives soon so that he could be a part of it. 

With all that being said he was beyond thrilled that we were welcoming a baby girl into the world and planned a trip to come see her. He was only here for a few days but we made the most of it. Most of our time was spent inside, as it is hot here this summer, with Grandad holding Blake and watching her grow! We also went on several walks, enjoyed the Denver Botanical Gardens and got him some traditional southwestern cuisine like he grew up on. It was so nice having him here and we can't wait to see him again in Tampa next month.

Blake's first month

Dear Blake,

I can not believe that you have been with us for a month! 30 days has passed since you entered our lives and it has been amazing.

I spend hours just watching you. 

As far as babies go you are perfect. You haven't really cried yet, I mean a whimper here and there or a squeal to get our attention but we have never had an episode of crying. 

You love the water. Baths in your tub or baths with me are your favorite time of day, well aside from eating! When we sit in the tub together you lay your head back and sway from side to side beyond relaxed with your surroundings. 

You've had your fair share of visitors this month as well. Gigi and Aunt Kelsey were here for a week when you were born. Then Grammy and Captain came for four days to see you the second week of June and lastly Gigi came back to see you with Big H. 

You celebrated mommy's 27th birthday and daddy's first Fathers Day. 

You met several friends, went to the park and out to eat. You had your first photo shoot and were the perfect model. We've watched you grow from a tiny little peanut into a budding personality. 

You dream with such wonder and we watch your face change from a frown to a smile to a giggle to a pout and back to complete peace in a matter of seconds. 

You love sleeping on our chest and are a huge fan of your swing. You love looking at black and white graphic books and listening to us read. You love music of all kinds including my less than stellar voice.

While 30 days may be a short period of time to us it is the world and we soak up every minute we have with you. We can't wait to see where you go from here!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Updates from month 1

How big are you?  

Throughout the month you grew, grew, grew! You started at 6lbs went down to 5lbs 8oz and by the end of week 1 were back up to 5lbs 12oz. Week 2 saw you back to your birth weight and moving right on through to 6lbs 6oz at your 2 week doctors appointment. As of July 1st you were up to a whooping 7lbs 5oz!!

Where did we go? 

Walks, lunches, dinners, parks, photo studio, stores, and doctors appointments

What did you do new?

First photo shoot, first bath in your tub, first bath in our tub, first story time, first nights of sleep at home, first time meeting your grandparents and Aunt, first time meeting your pups, first time dreaming and smiling and playing, first story time, first meal, first tanning booth and well basically everything this month was a first :)

Who did you see?

Gigi, Aunt Kels, Big H, Grammy, Captain, Erin Holman, Kaci Paetz, Jackie Sparks, Joe and Tammy Huckaby, and your neighbors

What did you eat?

Mama's milk....whenever and wherever you wanted it. You are currently eating every 1.5-2.5 hours

When did you sleep?

If you aren't eating your are pretty much sleeping. You eat every 1.5-2.5 hours around the clock. You are still in your co-sleeper but wake up in mommy's arms most mornings

Your favorite things?

Eating, story time, and the bath

Our favorite things?

Watching you dream and grow

Kisses for Blake

Bath time bunny

Your pups standing guard

Story time

Family love

Happy 1 Month!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Sunday June 10, 2012 was my 27th birthday. Possibly the most uneventful birthday of my life but in my eyes the greatest. I spent the day with my wonderful husband and my beautiful baby. We went out for lunch and ordered in dinner. We relaxed and loved on this little girl. Happy Birthday to me! 

With the best birthday present ever!

Blake's first week of life

June 1, 2012-June 7, 2012

Dear Blake,

You are here!!!! And things are busy! We may be exhausted but it is all worth it when we look at your sweet face.

After your delivery on Friday, June 1, 2012 at 5:05 pm we had a wild first hour. You were a little gunky sounding and were retracting with each breath, so the Neonatal Nurse Practioner came to see you, she said you were ok. We weren't in total agreement so we asked Carol the transition nurse to come and help you cry it out. She weighed you and measured you, did your first set of vitals and gave you your first two shots, which in turn helped you scream out some of that gunk. After your first meal and a little more feeling returning to my numb left leg we moved over to our room on Family Care. Once there your dad popped open some bubbly to celebrate and gave me my "push present", a gorgeous pair of diamond stud earrings. Gigi and Aunt Kelsey left after a delicious dinner of Pizza Hut (my post-delivery craving) and dad and I were on our own. Needless to say he slept well and I didn't sleep at all, how could I with a new little baby to stare at?

Throughout the rest of our stay we watched movies, rested, got you your first bath, worked on breastfeeding and made sure your little lungs were doing ok. Saturday night we spent some time in the nursery due to the fact you were breathing too quickly once again.









After some monitoring your oxygen level was fine, your x-rays and labs were clear so after a visit from all of our doctors we were discharged to go home Sunday afternoon.













It was wonderful to be home, in our bed and eating Gigi's home cooked meals.








Monday required a lab draw for your bilirubin level and a doctors visit for a weight check and jaundice update (as your bili level went from a 10 to 16 from Sunday to Monday). Your weight was down to 5 lbs 8 oz and a bilibed was ordered for Monday night. With your little shades on you slept under the lights while your dad and I took turns staying awake and watching you.



With headaches and blurry vision we went to get your blood drawn again on Tuesday. Your labs came back with a level of 7! But Wednesday they were back up to 17. After consulting with the doctore we decided the Tuesday levels were wrong and you had breastfeeding jaundice. With the doctors advice I continued to breastfeed you and hopefully things will clear soon.

We spent lots of quality time holding you and loving on you during your first week of life!

Love,
Mommy

Big eyed after your first bath

Our little orange baby

Aunt Kels and Dad snuggling with you at home

Updates from week 1

How big are you?  
By Wednesday 6/6 at the lactation weigh in you were back up to 5lbs 12 oz

Where did we go? 
Home, Labcorp several times and the doctors office

What did you do new?
Saw your house, got sponge baths, and slept in your co-sleeper

Who did you see?
Gigi and Aunt Kels were in town all week and you met your pups!
What did you eat?
Mama's milk. You are eating every 1.5-2 hours around the clock. We are still working on getting into a feeding groove and it still hurts mommy but you are growing!

When did you sleep?

You sleep when you aren't eating, in hour spurts
Your favorite things?
Eating
Our favorite things?
Getting to know you!

Puerto Rico President's Club-Day 1

Every year Chris's company, Paycom, hosts a trip in honor of those employees who have sold over a certain dollar amount in the previous year. The trips are typically to fabulous places and you are basically spoiled rotten for 5 days and 4 nights. 

5 years ago the annual trips started out with Maui, Hawaii. Then on to New York City, the Ritz in Naples, FL, Sedona, AZ and finally onto Puerto Rico where we stayed at The Waldorf Astoria El Conquistador.

View of the El Conquistador from the water. The lower level was where we stayed and up to the top right was the main hotel.

Our rooms were down on the marina level with a balcony looking out onto the beautiful Caribbean.

 View from our balcony

We got in Wednesday around noon after a red-eye from Denver to Miami, then a 3 hour flight from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Needless to say we were exhausted at this point, so my 33 week pregnant self took a nap while Chris went to golf.

Waking up relaxed I headed up to the pool to sun the belly for an hour or so.

 

Resort pool

(Photo borrowed from Jenn Hunt)

 

 View of the top of the resort 

(Photo borrowed from Jenn Hunt)

After a bit of relaxing we headed to the hotel terrace for a cocktail hour then called it an early night! The next day was a busy busy day so sleep was much needed :)

2 more weeks!!

Since I am being induced at 38 weeks and 3 days it is exactly 2 weeks from today that I will be heading to the hospital to start the process of meeting our little one!! Woohoo!!

Blake and I at 36 weeks....look at our chipmunk cheeks :)

(And yes our cheeks, we both have added a few ounces to our faces the last few weeks)