Another week complete

Week two complete and everyone is still doing well. Our week started off calm and quiet, just hanging out at home. Thursday was a big day for Miss Rylee as she got to wear her Kiss (the band) onsie for the first time and sported a Mohawk to be her Daddy's Little Rockstar. She got to spend the evening with her Uncle Eddie & Aunt Jen who came in town for the weekend. Rylee was fascinated with Uncle Eddie, as she starred at him intently while he held her and talked to her. She also got to meet Christina, who made her the Kiss onsie. Christina is the wife of Daddy's bass player Ron. All the while, Mommy was starting to get a fever.

Friday was another day to spend with Aunt Jen and Uncle Eddie while Mommy went to the doctor. It was determined Mommy has mastitis, an infection in the milk ducts. Luckily, Mommy had plenty of help with Miss Rylee, but was feeling much better by afternoon. Aunt KK and Uncle Chuck were planning a quick visit, so Daddy and Mommy decided to bathe and dress Rylee. It was the first time Daddy got to give his baby girl a bath and boy did she have a surprise in store for him. Miss Rylee loves to have her head rubbed, and while Daddy washed her hair, she got so relaxed she pooped! Daddy got her all cleaned up and dressed all before Aunt KK and Uncle Chuck arrived. Not long after, Pa arrived for his usual weekend visit.

Saturday morning Rylee got quality time with Grandma and Pa while Mommy and Daddy went to baptismal class for a few hours. Later that afternoon she got to go to her first outing, a baby shower for her little friend Mackenzie, due in December. Everyone was so surprised to see how relaxed and calm she was the 3 hours we were there. Grandma and Pa got some more alone time Saturday night while Mommy and Daddy got to go to a Halloween Party--their first night out since Rylee came home (except for quick trips to Target).

After a long night with no poops and tons of gas from the peanut, neither Mommy or Rylee slept well on Saturday night. After a feeding and snuggling from Daddy, Miss Rylee finally got relief. It was the explosive poop we had been waiting for, leaking all over Daddy and his bed. After a washdown, new pajamas and new bedding--Mommy and Rylee got the nap they so desperately needed. The rest of the day is left to watching football!

Pumpkin Patch

We took Rylee to the pumpkin patch on Saturday to pick out her first pumpkin. She also picked out pumpkins for her big cousins Madeline and Megan. Here's the family portrait from the pumpkin patch.

Week One Complete

Well, it's been a week and two days since Baby Rylee has blessed us with her presence and today marks one week that we're starting our lives at home with her. A lot has happened in the past week since we've been home. Rylee had her first appointment with the pediatrician on Wednesday and she did super. Her pediatrican said she is the most relaxed baby she's ever seen. She must get it from her daddy!

She weighed in at 7 lbs and 5 ounces, only 2 ounces shy of her birth weight. Everything looked great and were told we didn't have to come back until her one month checkup.

We've been experimenting with taking her out in the stroller, which she seems to love. We've only taken her on walks outside, recirculated air isn't good for her at this point. She enjoys getting fresh air and sunlight. At this point, other than being naked, we haven't found much she doesn't like.

We seemed to hit some rough patches in the breastfeeding department, but we're working through them. We had a follow up visit with the lactation consultants and of course my little girl showed off for everyone, having no problems at all. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 7 ounces--back up to her birth weight already.

Today was a big day for Miss Rylee, she got to meet her cousins Madeline and Megan for the first time. I know how excited they were to finally see her and both got to hold her unassisted.

Our Birth Story

I couldn't wait for the day that our beautiful daughter would bless us with her presence, but knew it would come soon. Saturday October 11, 2008 I woke up about 5 am with some intense cramps. I wasn't sure it was time, as pre-labor had struck earlier and I was sure it was the same. As an hour passed and I was no longer able to sleep, I noticed my cramping was regularly spaced, 4 minutes. I woke up Jeff to ask him to help me time. He was great with staying calm, getting out his contraction log and taking notes. I was right, 4 minutes apart. I woke up my parents who had been in town awaiting the birth of Miss Rylee. It was here, we were finally going to see and hold the little girl we had been waiting 9 months for. It was about 9:30 we decided to head to the hospital, with contractions about 3 minutes apart. I had began vomiting, so that was our real reason for going. At the hospital, it was determined I was 4 cm dilated, so I was moved to a Labor and Delivery Room. I couldn't believe it, today was going to be the day. Jeff and I had planned early on to have a natural birth for our daughter and myself. We thought it was the best option for us. Although I don't want to brag, I'm glad to say I did it just that way--all natural, no drugs. I couldn't have made a better choice for myself and my daughter. I won't say laboring didn't get tough, because it did, especially in the end when contractions came on quick and strong. Finding my breath again seemed so hard. It was about 1 pm when I told the nurse, Alishia, I had to push this baby out. I was 10 centimeters and we were about to have a baby. My water hadn't broken yet, and I was given the option to have it broke for me. I declined, bound and determined to do it on my own. After an hour of pushing, I delivered the water bag and the greatest gift my husband and I could ever give each other--Rylee Castellina Taylor Vogel. She was born at 2:02 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz and 21 inches long. She's got the best of both of us, a beautiful little girl. Happy and healthy, my baby girl has arrived!