Chubby Cheeks & Maybe a Double Chin??

Since day one, it seems as though Brynne has been changing on seemingly a daily basis. But over the last week, we've noticed that she's really been filling out even though she's still got some room in her newborn clothes. Her cheeks are getting a little chubby and it even looks like she might be getting a double chin?

We keep telling her that to work on pushing the weight down a bit to fatten up her legs so that she can keep her socks on ... apparently she's not listening!

I totally didn't realize that the pacifier was right next to her ear when I took this!

We've been doing a little bit of tummy time each night, which she hasn't really enjoyed much. For some reason the last few nights laying on her surf board has been OK! Maybe because she's actually trying to push herself up and is starting to gain more neck strength instead of just screaming.

Thank You ISU Girls!

The littlest Redbird would like to thank the ISU girls for her Reggie Redbird onesie and dress. She wore the onesie as we watched the basketball game tonight, it must be lucky since they won :).

She should have been happy with the win, but was a bit cranky and not really in the mood to have her picture taken with me. Guess that's what we get for trying to do pictures right before bed.

Meeting A Cousin

On Friday Rog's parents came to visit and brought our nephew, Mikey, since he was out of school. Mikey is the first of many cousins Brynne has had the opportunity to meet.

While they were here, Brynne lost her cord - no more sponge baths for her! She looked so small, even in her baby bathtub during her first legitimate bath. We also took advantage of having another few sets of hands here to take a picture of the three of us. We all look pretty tired!

Lots of Sleeping ... and Growing

In Brynne's first two weeks home, there's been lots of sleeping (not necessarily by mom & dad), eating and in the last few days crying. But with all of the great and challenging transitions we've all made in that time, it looks like we're doing a good job raising our girl thus far.

Brynne had her first doctor's appointment on Tuesday and got an outstanding report. We haven't hit the six-pound mark just yet, but gained four ounces since leaving the hospital and surpasssed her birth weight checking in a 5-13. She's in the 4th percentile for her weight, but doubt she'll be there for long. She's been eating a lot, and the doc encouraged us to not really set any limit per se as to how much she eats - just keep adding a little bit and see how much she eats.

Flailing her arms and legs is also one of her favorite things to do - that and listen to music. The arm flailing makes feeding her slightly difficult, especially in the middle of the night!

Filling out the "going home" outfit a little better one week later

She loves lseeping with her arms up, and sometimes opens one eye to check up on us

Playing with Dad

Watching the Price is Right :)

Brynne Meets the Fam & Heads Home

Brynne was welcomed at the hospital by mom and dad, Holly (still not wanted to admit she's old enough to be called "Grandma") and Grandma and Grandpa DeHart. Much to our surprise, she has some hair! Rog and I were both bald from quite awhile, so it was strange to see her have a little brownish/red hair. Not surprising is that it's got a little bit of curl :). We're still trying to figure out who she looks like. She seems to change every day, which isn't helping that cause!

Brynne with Mom and Dad

Meeting Grandma & Grandpa DeHart and Grandma Holly

Newborn clothes are just a little big these days, but not for long!

Mom and Grandma

Dream D checking out her little sister

Going home outfit with socks that look like little ballet slippers

Didn't really see this when we took the picture, but with this hat and this angle she strikes a Tupac pose :)

Brynne's Arrival

We are pleased to introduce Brynne Adrienne DeHart, who made her grand entrance to the world at 7:01 p.m. on January 5 wieghing in a 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 19.5" long. Coincidently, I was also induced (but arrived in a much quicker fashion) and weight 5 lb. 12 oz. and was 20" when I was born - four weeks early.

Her arrival was quite the ordeal; I was beginning to think our girl was going to have some serious attitude, doing things on her own timetable until we determined what the holdup was. In what should have taken 12-16 hours, we got accomplished in 47.

We got the call to head to L&D around 5 on Jan. 3 for the beginning of the induction processs, and introducing of cervadil. After 12 hours, pitocin would be started to trigger the contractions. Done and done. Contractions going strong, but I wasn't dilating like I should. At 7 p.m. Sunday, they stopped pitocin so I could eat and get some rest to try the process again on Monday with another round of cervadil starting Sunday night. Had she not been concerned about my platelet level, Dr. Kodner likely would have sent me home, but felt like we had to proceed since the platelets were above where they needed to be for an epidural.

If the combination of medicines did not work by 5 on Monday, Dr. Kodner would perform a c-section. After removing the cervadil, I hadn't dilated any more than the night before. At about 2:45, they checked again and there was a little bit of progress but not much.

A few years ago, I had some abnormal cells that had to be frozen off the cervix, which apparently created some pretty thick scar tissue. They decided to try to break up the scar tissue a bit to see if that would help speed the process ... and did it ever. It was like opening the flood gates - literally.

From 3:35 to 4:00 the strength of my contractions had gone from about 60 on to 94 and the epidural team was on its way! By 6:05, I was at 9 cm and almost fully effaced and Dr. Kodner was walking in the door. After four or five rounds of pushes, a healthy Brynne emerged with just a few little crys at 7:01 p.m. much to the relief of everyone.

Had it not been for the scar tissue, she probably would have shared her birthday with Jackie A ... but apparently Brynne's not too big on sharing early on :).

Induction "Ceremony"

No, not to any Hall of Fame or anything like that!

Given the fluctuation of my platelets over the last several weeks and Baby D's size, my doctor has scheduled for me to be induced on Saturday afternoon. Exact time TBA dependent on how quickly things progress with the other 8 ahead of me and how many come in actually in labor.

Since I wasn't dilated at my appointment on Tuesday, they will give me something to start dilation so that I can get the Pitocin ... a process that will take upwards of 12 hours before actually being induced. Nothing like hanging out at the hospital (again)!

With this scenario, looks like BD will have a Sunday arrival and share a birthday with Jackie A! Thanks to the holiday, we find out the results of my bloodwork taken Tuesday on Friday to see if my platelets are high enough to recieve an epidural. After being on steroids for the last week, I should be OK, but if they are too low we'll have push everything back a little bit.

Hopefully my next post will be an introduction and not about a postponed induction :).

Christmas

This Christmas Rog's parents came down and after a quick gift exchange, basically catered an excellent lunch for us since I was still a little under the weather from the flu. I was so thankful I didn't have to prepare a big lunch!

If you recall, three years ago I found a pretty nice ring in my stocking. Prior to the purchase, Rog had picked out a necklace and earring set that he later returned. Apparently his taste hasn't changed much in the last three years as he went to the store and actually picked the exact same thing this year ... very good taste indeed. And I actually look a little like I'm going to be having a baby any day in this picture :).

My gifts to him were not nearly as exciting, some clothes and a few other things he wanted. Baby D, who was quite the shopper as well this year, gave him one of his favorite gifts in a "Daddy's Girl" picture frame.

Dream also did well this year, picking up a few new toys and a new bed. When we looked at them at Sam's, it didn't seem quite as big ... maybe the "massive dog bed" description on the tag should have been our clue!