Weeks 3 and 4

Got to make this quick--- Lucy is actually napping and so is Bel (this is a rare occurence!)

The past two weeks were full of highs and lows. Personally, I have had some lows. Mainly due to my VERY SLOW recovery from this C-section. I have had a lot of pain associated with the incision (much more than the first time around)  and for a while there I didn't think I was EVER going to recover (seriously... I went to the doctor and told him that. He told me everything looks fine and I had to be more patient). However, I think I may have finally turned the corner the last two days as it seems that I am feeling stronger and less pain when moving. It has been so frustrating because I just want to be able to go out and do some things with my family-- actually enjoy some of this time that I am home. But, alas, I am stuck on the couch -- taking it easy. The other "low" last week was when I suffered a VERY painful gall bladder attack. I have had issues with it in the past and I have a family history of gall bladder problems so I wasn't exactly surprised. Just frustrated!
I will be having an ultrasound on Thursday to take a closer look at it-- wish me luck. I certainly don't want to even think about having another surgery so soon after this last one.

Now.. for the good stuff. Lucy's congestion is almost totally cleared up (I think we survived her first cold!) and Isabel and Jason are feeling better too. And since we were healthy we got to finally start having some visitors over. Lucy even lets us sleep at night every once in a while (still a night owl like her momma was though). Isabel has been the sweetest, best big sister. Very gentle and loving to Lucy. 
Lucy is eating well (nursing every two hours on average) and growing. She was 7 pounds 12 ounces when we saw the pediatrician at week 3 and she will be back for a weight check at her one month appointment. We love our little Lucy!

Holding her "baby"

We love Lucy's crazy spiked hairdo

OMG! I showered and put on real clothes :) Better take a pic

Can't stop kissing on this sweet girl

Daddy's darlings

Arian and Lucy

My girlfriends definitely have WAY more girls than boys-- the girls had fun playing

Kelly, Arian and Charlotte

Colleen is due in March! Another little girl coming our way

Aunt Shannon came to visit with sweets and presents-- too nice

Isabel and Cousin Marcus "Mo - mee"

Bel has decided that she likes baking (or maybe just eating frosting)

Making a birthday cake for Grandma Marsha

Decorating cookies with her Ya Ya

Lucy is a diva :)

and so ALERT! She normally doesn't wake up like this until 10 pm -- lol

Week 2... (keepin' it real)

Okay-- so yesterday, Valentine's Day, Lucy officially turned two weeks old. In some ways the time is going quickly-- but in other ways time is creeping along. Let me explain. Week 2 has been a rough one for our family. We finally adjusted to being home and have gotten a little bit of a routine going (thank you so much to my mom who has been coming over daily to help me entertain and occupy Isabel as well as doing laundry, preparing dinner etc. What would I do without her?)
However, it seems EVERYONE in our household is sick. Isabel has had a congested, hacking cough for weeks, Jason came down with a horrible congested cough and cold as soon as we left the hospital, and unfortunately now my little peanut Lucy has caught something too. We went to the pediatrician yesterday morning because it is a little scary to hear your two-week-old snorting, gasping for breath, and sneezing. The ped assured me that for the time being this is just an upper respiratory cold and not much can be done except saline drops, humidifier, and using the bulb syringe on the nose. We need to watch for a fever, wheezing, or signs of anything more serious developing. So.. of course I can't sleep at all. Watching her like a hawk and nervous.
Other than the sickness floating around, this week was particularly challenging because Jason started a new job right before Lucy was born and has been super busy at work each day. He works a little later than I am used to-- and we miss him a lot when he is gone. I also  had an assortment of fun-filled personal issues this past week-- ranging from a urinary tract infection, plugged milk ducts, continuing incision pain, and (too much info) constipation. Thanks prescription drugs!!Needless to say, I have had some teary breakdowns and have felt overwhelmed. Yesterday morning was probably the lowest point-- we spent our Valentines Day morning in the pediatricians office. I had hoped to have some family over and haven't had any friends visit yet because of all the sickness.
Luckily, this morning I woke up feeling much better about things. I think it's because this time around I have been better able to really understand that all of this is "just a season" and really will pass quickly. I try to remember to pray and be grateful for what we have daily instead of focusing on the challenging things that go with having a new baby and a family--  and that is helping me. Also, I have the best friends and family who are constantly offering to help, texting, calling etc. -- so we know we are loved and supported. Everyone told me that I would be able to enjoy this more the second time around and I was skeptical. However, I think its true. As much as I DON'T enjoy the sickness, sleeplessness, etc.... I DO find myself just holding Lucy more -- appreciating how beautiful and tiny she is-- and being amazed that Jason and I made her. She is a miracle.

Here are some misc. pics I have taken since coming home-- I have definitely taken far less being a second-time mom (Sorry Lu!) I will work on it :)

Cousin Payton loves Lucy...

 It is bath time!

Not sure if she is happy about it

Art projects with Grandma keep Isabel occupied when mom is nursing (which feels like ALWAYS)

Daddy is tired but loves his Lu Lu

Grandma and Grandpa Leppin holding their newset grand daughter

The Leppin's took Belly on a lunch date last week. She enjoys the extra attention..

Isabel's newest obsession--- play MAKEUP. I partially credit Uncle Katie with this. She gave Bel a "makeup tutorial" at her last visit. I call this look "The Joker"

Grandma has always watched Isabel and Payton during the week -- but this week she has been watching over me and Lucy too. We are so thankful

For my Valentine!!!

Dear Lucy...

Dear Lucy,
I can't believe that in less than 12 hours I will get to meet you! I wonder what you will be like and am so excited to see all the ways you will grow and change our little family.
I can't wait to be your mom and pray that I will be a good one. Little daughter, you are already loved by so many people and very soon I will be holding you in my arms.
So, its off to bed I go now and tomorrow morning our new adventure begins!
Love,
Mommy



She's Here!

The newest chapter in the Leppin family began bright and early Tuesday morning. We arrived at Sherman Hospital at 5:30 am and they quickly got me settled in with my IV and monitors. While I waited for my 7:30 am surgery, I had some alone time with Jason and then visits from both sets of grandparents and my little princess Isabel. I was pretty nervous and the doctor was a few minutes late. However, when they walked me to surgery a little before 8 am I knew there was no turning back..... It would be just a few minutes before we would meet baby girl!

Belly came with gifts for Lucy and mommy

One last kiss before surgery

We won't be a family of three for much longer...

Jason came into the room once I had my anesthesia and was prepped for surgery-- after a little bit of tugging and some deep breathing for my nerves-- I heard the most beautiful noise!! Lucy's little cries! She was born at 8:11 am and weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces.. and 20.5 inches. Almost exactly the same as her big sis. Daddy got to stay in the room and help the nurses clean her up and prepare her to be in recovery with me.

Not sure she looks too happy about her arrival.... :)

My first bath!

The most amazing moment... my first look at our girl

While Jason, Lucy and I were in the recovery room -- our families were waiting (not so patiently) for the good news. Both Isabel and Payton kept busy until they got to see us.

The grandparents are excited

We'll just catch up on our reading until we meet Lucy

Aunt Mimi

Back to my room -- just enjoying the moment

Gorgeous, right?

My girls--- I am so lucky.

Sleeping beauty

YaYa and her girls

"Uncle" Katie stopped in for some Lucy time

Grandpa Davis

Grandpa Leppin (Didn't catch a picture with Grandma Marsha on our camera!! - will need to get one soon)

Aunt Mimi looks happy

I think the princess is very excited to be a big sister.

We stayed in the hospital for the next few days and I got busy trying to recover. I have to say.. I found the Csection more difficult and painful this second time around. I think it is a combination of several things, but mainly I am a little more confident in my mothering skills and slightly less overwhelmed by the baby-so maybe I just had more time to focus on the pain. Breastfeeding got off to a much better start this time and although Lucy lost 10% of her birth weight she almost gained it all back just one week later. By the time we were leaving.... I was SO ready to be done with the hospital. The constant interruptions from nurses, assistants, doctors, photographer, lactation consultants, food service, housekeeping, etc.. were growing old. I think I slept a total of 4 hours during those four days. Jason stayed with me every night on the oh-so-comfortable chair sleeper. He is a super dad! Such a pro this time around. Probably the HARDEST thing about the whole experience was being away from Isabel for four days. We missed her so much. She was in great hands spending the night at her YaYa's and Aunt Mimi's -- being totally spoiled... but it was still very tough.

But now we are home... and we are figuring out how to be a family of four. I am so thankful for Lucy's safe and healthy delivery and all of the love and support we have been given from our parents and friends. This is a new and exciting chapter for the Leppins. We can't wait for you all to meet Lucy.

 

Three is just around the corner...

On March 5th, Isabel will turn three!

It is so hard to believe that just three years ago she was the little baby in my belly we were waiting to meet. Now, she is turning into a beautiful little girl right before our very eyes. I like to do updates periodically and I have a sneaking suspicion that once Lucy comes it may be a while before I get to do another. So here is what Isabel is up to at (almost) age 3.

Sleeping: Still sleeping 7 to 7 for the most part. Sometimes we go to bed a bit later-- and during the week we have to wake up a bit earlier-- but overall, she gets a solid 11 or 12 hours per night. Can't complain! However, naps are another issue. Naps have gotten challenging during the past month or so to say the least. She is reluctant to go for her nap and almost NEVER naps at daycare anymore. At home and at YaYa's house she has begun to "explore" during her nap time... going into her closet to get books, playing with toys,and on one fateful day-- painting her entire body, dresser, bed, and sheets with nail polish. (Yes... you heard me correctly). I have a feeling that naps are going to disappear altogether this year.. but hopefully we can sill encourage "quiet, rest" time. Because her mommy needs it :)

Eating- Not much has changed here. Isabel is still a somewhat picky eater-- doesn't like any type of meat except for tacos, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets. She will eat veggies and pasta, and LOVES any type of fruit, and adores ALL ice cream (like her momma).

Potty-trained- Yay! Thank you Goddard School for doing most of this for us. I tried off and on throughout the summer but we didn't have much luck. However, when school started and the positive peer pressure kicked in -- she learned pretty quickly. Occasionally, she waits too long to go and has an accident and of course at night and we still put pull-ups on her because she is not always dry in the am. Thankfully though, we won't have to buy diapers for two babies-- can you say expensive?!

Clothes- I have to make this its own category because although she is only three-- she already has a mind of her own when it comes to what she wants to wear and we get into DAILY battles about it. She REFUSES to wear any jeans (jeggings are the best we can do) and loves all "comfy" clothes (aka stretch pants, t-shirts, and pajamas). Matching is not a priority and lots of plastic beads and jewelry make every outfit extra splashy. She loves to wear dresses to church on Sunday and a tutu or princess costume to dinner or the grocery store. I almost always have to cut the tags out of her clothes (not comfy) and she is very hot-blooded so she always removes sweaters and sweatshirts even on the coldest days.

a style all her own..

Interests-- She has so many! What a fun, fun age! Bel is truly a little girl now with her own interests, opinions and lots to say. Her teachers at school always comment on how verbal she is (must come from her dad :) Her fave things include her books, my Kindle Fire, Disney princesses, singing, her weekly ballet class, any type of art project, stickers, lip gloss, stuffed animals, her cousin "Pay", wrestling with Daddy, going to Target, cooking with mom, seeing her grandparents, and riding her bike.

"Indoor S'mores" with mom

Isabel is looking forward to meeting her new little sister, (or so she says) and has helped me get things ready for her. She is very good with her younger cousin and really likes babies, so I am excited to see how she is when Lucy comes home to stay. This next year will be full of changes for Isabel and I am looking forward to all the ways she will continue grow and change. I love my little nugget more than anything-- she is kind and funny and loving and stubborn and so, so beautiful inside and out. I am lucky to be her mom. Happy (almost) birthday Isabel Grace!

Happy New Year 2012!