Up to due date :)

Look ma..."jazz hands"! Other than pro soccer player (long & strong legs with a strong urge to kick) or musician (long and graceful fingers) we can now add dancer to potential future paths for her. :)

So, today was our "due date" for Sasha's arrival...and by now being a mom is starting to feel a bit more natural. Coming out four weeks early she really caught me off guard, but the past four weeks have us pretty well adjusted to her. As much as we can be ;)

Mark was home with us until the 15th, so it was great for the three of us to have time to relax, hang out and get used to a new routine. Then it was just the two of us! The first week alone with her was great as we both got lots of rest and out at least once a day for walks in the beautiful weather. Then she started to get constipated (from the formula...breastfeeding is unfortunately not an option due to my reduction 12 years ago...bummer!) causing her much discomfort - and throwing off our schedule too. So in the past week we've not been as well rested, but we're really enjoying that she is awake more often now so we can interact with her...except when she's cranky.

She is a very healthy girl though, and having no trouble putting on the ounces! By the time of the meet-the-baby shower on the 13th (posted with pics below), she had gotten back up to her birth weight of 7 lbs 12 oz. And by last weeks home visit from Elizabeth (our wonderful midwife who helped me through my labour) she was 8 lbs 9 oz. She's growing a lot in length too.

I've been noticing small differences in her looks, facial expresions and personality on a regular basis and it's amazing how much she's changed in just a few weeks! We never get bored of just sitting and watching her. In my biased opinion she is just so beautiful! :)

We have been very spoiled since we got home I have to say. Between family & friends helping with cleaning and sharing valuable (beyond words!) advice and parenting skills, and providing us with companionship and super yummy meals - a mouth-watering lasagna made with hormone free organic meat & organic vegetables, and vegetarian chili and stew...so so lucky are we! - our baby honeymoon has been a joyous time so far. Che has also written poetry and a song on his ukelele for his sister too! She is definetly being surrounded by love!

We are now acustomed to a schedule broken down by feeding times and diaper changes (a suprising number of conversations on the topic of poop!), and taking advantage of time she sleeps to rest or get things done...well, I'm working on the getting stuff done part. A long list of tasks getting done one at a time, though not in a timely manner! Now that I've mastered the art of holding her in one arm (when she is calm or sleeping) while doing everything else I seem to be getting at least little things done in a day.

Below are some pictures from the past few weeks. One of me & Mark with my big belly about two weeks before she was born; Sasha with Elizabeth; getting ready for her first outting in the snuggly; her first bath at home with Aunty Karli; being burped by daddy; and a variety of other Sasha pics for your viewing pleasure. ;)

She's starting to develop her smiling reflexes so soon I hope to post her first official smile pic for you all...I know it's gonna be adorable! teehee

Random pics from 1st four weeks

Meet-the-Baby Shower :)

Our baby shower turned out to be everyone's first chance to meet Sasha, the day before she was two weeks old.

It was a beautiful afternoon so we hung out on Shannon's back deck, and as everyone took turns holding Sasha, we shared stories and ate lots of yummy snacks...and this fabulous cake made by Penny!

She will now be one of the best dressed babies in all of Vancouver! We were spoiled with many styley clothes, great books, toys, baby stuff, organic foods and a wonderful quilt hand made by Liz. The best gift for me was a massage! Yeah :)

Below are some pics from the afternoon, including one with the quilt. Other than a pic of me & Sasha, she is also seen here with her Aunties Irma, Elaine, Virginia, Bev, JoAnne and Adrienne. Joey showing off the softest stuffed duck ever, and me with Sasha's Granma Liz and Granma Penny. And last but not least is a pic with me and the three lucious ladies who made our baby shower possible - Kirsten, JoAnne and the hostess with the mostest Shannon! Love you ladies!

With a fabulous daddy and many great uncle figures in her life Sasha will likely develop high standards for the boys who come into her life. (we hope!)

But I feel so lucky to be able to introduce Sasha to the many wonderful women in my life who have been friends and mentors, and who will continue to be extraordinary positive influences in her world. To all of the women of strength in my life (whether you made it to the shower or not...you know who you are!) ...my eternal thanks!

much love and many hugs
:)

Meet-the-Baby Shower pics

Settling in

Now that we've been home a few days we are finally starting to get into a bit of a routine. It will likely be a while before it totally feels 'normal', but I must say we are really enjoying getting to know our little girl :)

Next week will come an update on her progress so far...for now I need another nap!

Sasha meets her brother

We were lucky to have Che with us for the weekend once we were settled at home, so that he and Sasha could meet right away.

He seemed most impressed to wake up after the first night when he said "I didn't even hear her cry last night!" I think he thought it would be non-stop howling on her part, but now he knows she doesn't cry much at all (so far!). Of coarse, for an almost 12 year old she isn't super exciting quite yet either, but he does seem very fond of her. He even made her an amazing stuffed doll that he sewed together and made with love all by himself as a welcome home gift for his sister! The best gift ever :)

Homecomin' time!

After 5 long days we were finally told we could go home Thursday afternoon. Our brother Heath came to pick us up and we made it home by about 5:30. Here he is cuddling his neice while we finished gettin ready to leave.

Though the experience was not what we wanted ( had hoped for a natural birth and a quick return to home), it was made much better given the great care we received from the staff at BC Women's. Especially from our favorite nurse Alyssa :)

Our stay extended

After a couple of days we found out that Sasha had jaundice, so she had to spend some time under the blue photovoltaic lights to help break it up and clear her system.

Here she is in her 'sun bed' staying nice and toasty warm. Definetly not easy to see her in an incubator (even harder not to cuddle with her except for meal times) but we were somewhat eased by the constant reassurance that jaundice is quite common and she was likely to be just fine.

We were beyond happy when, after two days, the nurse came in and said the lights could go! Then it was just more waiting 'til her counts were low enough to go home...

Favorite Sasha pic so far :)

Getting to know you

Our first full day with Sasha brought a few visits from family, but mostly just more rest and cuddling for the three of us. Me in the bed, and Mark on his 'mattress' on the floor beside me.