Update

Hi everyone! Bella is now a month old!!! I can't believe it. She was weighed at the doctor's yesterday and she is now 8 pounds 9 ounces! She also grew an inch. She is a little buddha :) She is a very good baby. I certainly miss my sleep though ;) We are also going through our own growing pains as new parents - constantly asking ourselves "Is this normal?"

She has had a few growth spurts when she is eating LIKE MAD. The doctor said she really did gain a lot of weight very quickly. Then a few days ago she had a bad day and was fussy all day long and was awake from 6 am to 9 pm going no longer than 10 minute cat naps. She eats every two hours and the doctor said to try and push it to three hours now. I have no idea how I am going to pull that off when she is screaming her head off for food.

Oh, speaking of food. My milk NEVER CAME IN. Why doesn't anyone tell you that some women never lactate? I kept waiting for this "let down" that everyone describes anticpating leaking everywhere and being engorged. Nothing - nada. I am disappointed.

Enjoy the pictures!

Our Favorite Picture

Bella is just over one week old already! We left the hospital Monday afternoon. It has been a little tough because I ended up needing a c-section. They lost her heartbeat and things were not progressing in the fashion they want once your water breaks so a c-section it was. Thankfully, I did not have a grandiose birth plan in my head; while a c-section was not my ideal...the most important thing was for her to be healthy no matter how she came into the world. However, recovery is a little harder.

She is so beautiful and precious I could eat her up. I want to breastfeed, but I am supplementing right now. I thought my milk would come in right away, but that is not that case. I now have that transitional milk. Everyone says I will absolutely know when my milk comes in. The doctor said it can take a longer since she was a little early and also because of the c-section. Since she was so small everyone was freaking us out since she lost the typical weight and went under 5 pounds before we left the hospital. Our pediatrician reassured us she is fine. She was back to 5 pounds 3 ounces on Friday and she gets weighed again tomorrow. They want her to be back at her birth weight of 5 pounds 6 ounces. I can't imagine her not being there since she eats all the time! :)

She was not loving her first "bath" ~ although she did love getting her hair washed! What a girl!

So, we are just settling in, recouping, and enjoying her sweet face. Thanks for all of your well wishes!

Happy Birthday Isabella Lena De Lorenzo!

Our little angel arrived on April 24, 2009 at 4:19 pm! As you can see from the scale she is a peanut weighing in at 5 lbs. 6.2 ozs. She is 19 inches long. We can't believe she is here! Thank you God for this precious blessing!

(bloomed!)

Belly Shot ~ 38 Weeks; Inducing on April 30th

All of the clamor for a belly shot helped me a great deal; I went searching for our camera and could not find the power cord! I was like a madwoman searching through the basement to find it. Thankfully, I did! One more thing off the "to do" list.

My doctor was kind enough after some crying to give me a note to make my last day of work yesterday instead of working until I go into labor. We also have a D-Day for April 30th unless I go into labor sooner. I am only one cm dilated so far. I have been spotting on and off the last week, so things are stirring ;) I just want her here already. You'll all be sure to hear about asap!

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

Hi everyone! Well, only three weeks (hopefully) left! I really, really wish I did not have to go back to work tomorrow, but unfortunately I used any "saved" time on the adoption and I have to work up to my due date. I pray that I am not in the middle of class when and if my water breaks. That would be pretty embarrassing.

Joe just finished repainting the nursery. We were not going to redo it, but there were too many bad memories and we just couldn't stand looking at it anymore. It came out really pretty and looks ready for a baby girl! Pink of course...not too creative ;) There really isn't a "theme" in the room ~ just sweet polka dots and a few touches of butterflies. Now we just need our precious angel in the crib and it will be perfect.

I have read a bunch of lists of things to bring to the hospital. Anyone want to share what they are happy they had with them and perhaps what they wish they would have brought with them?

Nothing Happening...

Before I forget: Marcia thank you for your beautiful and kind words. Even those closest to us do not really understand the magnitude of what we have endured and our continued grief. Being pregnant does not make our losses or the love for our boys go away. It is nice to feel there are people who have empathy. Thank you :)

So, with only four weeks left I am desperate for something to be happening "down there" but my doctor said "nada" is happening. Uneventful for now. Hopefully, I have something to tell you all BEFORE she is due on May 3rd. I talk to her every night trying to coax her into coming in April - lol.

I Think She Dropped...

I will have to get my doctor to confirm this at my next appointment, but I really think she dropped last night. I usually feel her RIGHT UNDER my ribs. She has been above my belly button for the longest time. Last night I could not sleep and then I couldn't really feel her as prominently as I normally can. Also, when she is squirming I feel her much lower today. It also feels "lighter" on top and easier to breathe.

Now, I wish this meant I was going to have her any minute, but I still have six weeks left. I wonder if there is any correlation between when the baby drops and when you go into labor. Interesting! Did any of you know when you dropped? Did you deliver soon after?