This past week in pictures

Our friends Michelle and Derek from Harding came to see us! Hannah, Ben and Eve did not get to make the trip but we were glad to see Michelle and Derek - thanks for taking the time to come visit us!

Hanging out
Uncle Joe and Carla came to visit
and brought a football for Gabe

still loves to hold him
"resting" his eyes
Big Helper
Jude posing with Gabe
tired momma - the kids think it is funny that I carry his paci backwards in my mouth - now that I see it...it does look funny.

Since right now Gabe is not a bundle of activity (soon to change), it is easier to post pictures once a week. Here is what we did this week - besides change diapers, feed Gabe, do laundry, fix dinner, go to school - you know the regular stuff!

Hospital Info

In my attempt to cut back on my paper saving and clutter, I scanned in Gabe's rolling cart info from the hospital and his monkey feet. At Jonathan's suggestion I threw away the rolling cart info but I just can't help but think Gabe may one day want the picture of his tree climbing toes...probably not but I am saving them anyway! *okay so never mind, I ripped up the rolling cart info only to realize that it didn't save in my computer...bad Mommy!

Welcome Home!

First Family Pictures

Gabe's Hospital Visitors

Pictures

Yep, pictures are finally here! Pace yourself...I got a little carried away!

This week in pictures

I met Lofton!
With Daddy
Ella can multitask at a young age!! - That's a girl for ya!
Big yawn! (not crying)

Where has a week gone?

I think I know - it has been consumed with a hospital stay, doctor visits on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (and one to come on Thursday), sleepless nights, diaper changes, feedings, managing a 5 and 3 year old (which Nana - and Carmen - have been doing most of) and most importantly falling in love with our new baby boy. All of it has been pretty great actually. I am not as tired as I thought I would be. Oddly enough, I enjoy getting up and holding Gabe. I think it has alot to do with the fact that I don't have to get Ella up, dressed, lunch packed and off to school. My mom is pretty much taking care of the day to day job of the older two. I have taken over 250 pictures in the last week! I am currently taking the time to load them. Dr. appointment weights were as follows:

Monday - 7 pounds 12 ounces
Tuesday - 7 pounds 14 ounces
Wednesday - 8 pounds

He is almost back up to birth weight - I guess at this rate he will be there tomorrow.

Dr. Appointment - He's Glowing!

Gabe was supposed to go back to the doctor tomorrow (Tuesday) for a follow up on his jaundice. He was looking really yellow yesterday so I called this morning to see if he could come in earlier. Parent's intuition was correct and his levels were high so they have ordered him a light to sleep under. The guy from the Med delivery place called and said he was bringing it tonight (it is now 8:50 and he is not here yet). I will update as to how the sleeping in a tanning bed goes! On a side note, he weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces (still more than my other two - in fact a pound more than Jude or Ella when they came home from the hospital).

Bath time!

The kids "helped" me bathe Gabe last night. As most things in our house are, it was an adventure. Many questions were asked and lots of help was given. Of course, the pictures are still not uploaded to my computer but will post when I have some! As for sleep last night, it was MUCH better.

First night home

To say our first night home was sleepless is putting it mildly. Apparently big Gabe is used to sleeping with lights on and lots of noise because when it got quiet at our house, there was NO rest. As most moms with new babies do, I had been keeping a log of when he ate (as well as when I am to take my meds). It is as follows:

9:45 pm
11:30 pm
1:15 am
2:45 am
4:00 am
5:00 am
6:00 am
8:30 am

You may be thinking that in between there it is possible that there was sleep. Oh no, the time lapse accounts for eating, changing, hiccups, snorting and rooting. He didn't cry, he was just awake. We are hoping tonight will be different as Jonathan is going to work tomorrow and I am on my own. So, maybe I should have said I am hoping tonight will be different.... Gabe is keeping me company as I type but looks as if he might drift off!

We are home!

We came home around noon or so today. The leaving story was that Jonathan went to get the car so he could pull up to the door and get me and Gabe. He parked the car and ran back up the parking garage where he had been parked. He didn't even say anything to me. Connie was putting Gabe in the car and Randy was loading up the back. The nurse and I just stood there wondering what in the world Jonathan was doing. He came back and said that he thought he had run over a bottle so he went back up there to see. There was no bottle but he found a ten dollar bill and a quarter. I am surprised he didn't buy Gabe a lottery ticket on the way home! We took his picture with his "first money".

When we got home Mimi and Jude had made a "Welcome Home" sign for the house. Jude was asleep but woke up in excitement of seeing baby Gabe. Of course everyone (Jude and Ella) had to take turns holding him until he got hungry. (His eating is a story in and of itself and has actually produced several funny comments/stories in our house in only a matter of hours but I will save that for later.) Coming home pics to come....

Still at the hospital

Now that my head is beginning to clear...not that my head has ever been clear but that is besides the point...I can remember something funny that Ella said after Gabe was born. First, she was the "chosen" one to announce that Gabe was a boy to the waiting room. Jonathan let her come into the recovery room (she was first), see him and then I told her that she had a brother. At that point he didn't have a middle name and I am not sure if we told her what his first name was either. At any rate, Ella made the announcement then I stayed in the recovery room for another couple of hours. We finally made our way upstairs to our room where we told everyone his name. Ella then asked me 2 questions. I can't remember the first but the second was "can I just call him Matthew?".

He's here!

As most know, Gabe Matthew was born today (September 10th, 2008) at 7:50 am. He was our biggest baby weighing in at 8 pounds and 2 ounces. He also was 20.5 inches long. His due date was 9/20 and he was delivered by c-section. His sister, Ella - 5 and a half, was born 4 days after her due date and weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces. His brother, Jude - 3 years, was born 12 days early and weighed 7 pounds and 5 ounces. He is also the only baby with hair, which was curly but straightened out when bathed. As with both of our children, we didn't know Gabe was a boy until he was born. As ALSO with both our other children, we thought he was going to be the opposite sex...we are really bad with that!

We are looking forward to sharing Gabe's first year with everyone!