Drum Roll, PLEASE!!

Zoe had her 9 month check up today (at 9 1/2 months old). First, she did WONDERFULLY! Second, we found out from her GI dr that it would be okay (even with the possibility of an egg allergy) for her to get a flu shot (it's cultured in an egg culture, so those with egg allergies need to be aware!). She got her flu shot, and I think she was more upset at being put on her back than getting the needle! What a good girl!!

AND the big news!! Ba-du-bump, ba-du-bump!! (that's my attempt at typing a drum roll!)...

17lbs 12oz (25th percentile)
28 inches long (50th percentile)--this makes her no longer proportionate, but that's okay!
45.1cm head circumference (I don't know the percentile, though)

WOOOHOOO! The dr was VERY happy...from weight check at the pediatrician's (this does not count GI dr visits), she has jumped from the 10th to the 25th percentile in her weight! WOOHOO!

No WONDER she isn't fitting into her clothes and busting out of everything we put on her!!

Happy 9 Months!

Can you believe it's been NINE months since our baby entered the world on that cold day in February?? She's informed us she will be spending her day playing with her friends at day care, playing with her toys, crawling, getting into the cat food, eating her food, drinking her bottles, screaming (happy screams), and talking everyone's head off. :)

For everyone's information, the good results of the drs visit the other day mean a LOT of things: 1. Zoe is in the 25th percentile in her weight (and height). This is up from the 3rd percentile when she started seeing the GI dr! 2. I've been given the okay to have soy lecithin and soybean oil (read your packages, those are in a LOT of foods). 3. Zoe is now proportionate. While her weight has increased, her length growth has slowed a bit, so she's now in the 25th percentile in each. She's still on the little side, but she doesn't look nearly as long or as thin as she did.

Zoe has enjoyed showing off for her Uncle Nick and our financial dude who both came up to visit on separate occasions this week. She's showing off all of her new skills--talking, clapping, crawling, dancing, and tormenting the cat! She even scored a cool stuffed turkey named "Gobble" from Uncle Nick.

That's all, folks. Have a great weekend!

... and the results are in

In the pink corner, wearing pink trunks and pink gloves, weighing in at 17 lbs, 0.3 oz and measuring 26 3/4 inches long..... Zoe!

Care to wager a little bet??

Z is heading back to the GI dr for a little check up on Monday. At her last appointment with him, she weighed in at 16lbs 1oz and 26 3/8 inches long.

I think she's going to be 17lbs 8oz. Noah thinks she'll be 18lbs. If you care to wage in on this little bet, place a comment in the blog.

Winners will receive the glory of winning. :)

Ever wonder what an 8 month old with 2 ear infections looks like???

Here she is. She has a fever of 101.5 at the last temp check, 2 ear infections, a SUPER runny nose, and a little fussy...but she's still our happy Z. The nurse practitioner at the doctor's office couldn't get over how happy she was (until she checked Zoe's ears!).

We went to the store to get a few things, came home and gave Z Motrin and amoxycillin and she played in her exersaucer for a few minutes so I could put away some groceries. Then it was off to a nap...normally she goes down very quickly. This time, she PLAYED for 10 minutes and THEN went down. Again, this girl is sick, and AGAIN, other than a temperature and a little fussiness, she's been great! No one even GUESSED she was sick in the store today!

We're so amazed at how happy and easy going Zoe is! We truly lucked out!

Not Eggs-actly what we wanted to hear...

Yeah, yeah, corny joke...I know. I'm trying here!

I talked to Dr. S, the GI specialist who's seeing Zoe. The bloodwork came back, and while they aren't BAD, they aren't great. It turns out she is slightly anemic. A normal number is 33 (what I don't what the numbers mean) and she's 32.5. Does that mean we are going to be freaking out here? No, but that doesn't mean we can just take a wait and see approach. From what I've been able to gather, reading sources online and talking to the dr/nurse at the pediatrician's office....if you don't treat it, it could become something serious, so we are. The normal course of action is 3 months of iron, with a hemogram check in a month. This is a test to check her iron levels in her blood. We also need to see the GI dr in one month instead of 2. THis is because the dr wants me to go off of eggs as well. So, I'm off of eggs until further notice, we go back in a month, and hopefully no more blood in the stool.

We really hope this takes care of things...the blood in the stool, the slight anemia, the spit up even. Keep your fingers crossed!

Update from the Doctor

Z's growing, growing, growing.....

26 3/8 inches
16lbs 1oz

The dr was VERY VERY happy to see how much she's grown. We needed to get some bloodwork done to rule out anemia because there was some possible trace amounts of blood in her stool sample. HE doesn't think that there is anything to worry about, but he wants to rule it out all the same. He was most pleased with the growth and how healthy she looks (she was showing off those pearly whites to him the whole time), and really doesn't think there's anything to be worried about with anemia...we just need to verify that. We'll be sure to update you as SOON as we know those results! Otherwise, we go back in 2 months to see the dr and I can experiment with some soy just before we go see him (provided things are normal with this bloodwork!)...YAY!

Happy times!

DSC01655
Originally uploaded by KingdoK

Here's our happy Z...she's such a good baby. We're so lucky to have such a happy baby. We noticed with the change in diet for ME, Z's attitude and mood has gotten even BETTER, if that's possible. Rarely does she have a tough day, and when she does, it's usually because of something, like teeth, gas, or a bonk on the floor when she takes a header scooting.

6 Month Drs Appointment!

Forgive me of any typos, for some reason, I can't seem to get the "n" to stick without hitting it really hard. So, if I don't have it, and don't think to go back and spell check, deal! :P

Anyway, Z had her 6 month appointment today....DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

It has been 2 weeks since she saw the pediatric GI dr...today she saw her pediatrician. In the 2 weeks, she's gained nearly a POUND. She is now 14lbs 3oz (up from 13lbs 3.5oz) and 25.75inches long! Talk about growth!!! WOW!!! We were very happy to see this growth. This puts her weight in the 10th percentile (up from the 7th) and her height continues to be in the 25-50th percentile! YIPPEE for our Z!!

She did VERY well with her shots today too! We're just SO proud of her today!!

Grow, Z, Grow!

We had a follow up with the pediatric GI dr today. Z is now 13lbs, 3.5oz....up 2.5oz from Wednesday. While the dr would have liked more weight gain, Z has stayed in the 7th percentile, so he was happy to see that. We're gonna keep on the same plan that we're on, and need to keep trying the formula...Z just doesn't like it! The dr gave us some ideas to flavor it, so we're going to try that.

Thanks for keeping up with everything!

Pediatrician Update

Good news! Yesterday we went to the pediatrician for a follow up appointment. Z is now a strapping 13lbs 1oz. The dr is pleased. We were pleased. This means that in the last week, she gained another 5 ounces. She's becoming a regular chunky monkey!

We've changed Z's rice cereal to Earth's Best (organic, non-soy--apparently, Gerber has soy. Who knew?), mixing it with formula the GI dr wants us to get her to take for added calories, and if this elimination diet doesn't resolve everything. However, she just DOES NOT like it. She'll take it in her cereal just fine, but won't take it otherwise. Ah well, we'll do our best! We've since added apple juice this morning (Mott's 100% juice) to her cereal, and she had a little in a sippy cup after she ate...we also have some oatmeal for her to try too. Always something new with Z!!

On other fronts...Z's been coming to work with me to help pack up my room (I have to change classrooms for next year). She's been just a doll and the kids there for summer school, the custodians, other teachers, and administrators just couldn't stop coming in to say hi, got lots of smiles from Z, and even some squeals. They were all very impressed with how good she was, watching me, playing with her key teether and other toys, hanging in the front pack, and sitting in the stroller when she wasn't in the front pack. She didn't sleep much, but she was SO good. In fact, she was so tired, she didn't fight me going down for a nap just now...this is a first for awhile now!

We still have plenty of summer left, and have lots of things planned. Can't it slow down just a LITTLE bit? I don't want to go back to work!!

Update from the Drs

We went to the pediatric GI dr today in Boston to see what was going on with Z's slowed weight gain and slightly elevated liver enzymes. He did a full evaluation, interviewed us about our health background, including allergies, GI issues in the family, etc. This dr has come to the conclusion that Z may have an allergy dairy and soy products. This means for ME no dairy and soy products or anything that contains those products until we figure out what is causing this in our beautiful Z...

So bear with me--no chocolate, no cheese, most breads are out, deli meat, bagels and cream cheese in the morning, milk/cream/non-dairy creamer in my coffee in the morning (I'm giving a shot at rice milk)....there are lots more, but I have to just read labels. It also means going out to eat is going to be more difficult. The dr basically told me "if you can't read the label, don't eat it".

This is all for Z...she's worth the little sacrifice now to be healthy later. :) In time, if this is what it is, she should outgrow it and be just as happy and healthy as we know she is right now!

***editted 8/10/08*** I just realized I didn't put the best news in from this visit! Z had gained 12 oz from the previous week at the pediatricians!!

Mmmm...tasty!

Mmmmmm....SO good!
Mommy and Daddy...I think I'll feed myself!
Keep it coming!!
I want to do it myself, but I don't know if I am getting it right!
YUMMY!! So good!! Can I have some more?

Z got to try rice cereal for the first time yesterday. She LOVED it! There was no pushing out with her tongue, no funny face, nothing but smiles, laughs, and pure bliss. Noah got it on video, and as soon as we figure out how to put it on the computer, we'll do it.

We got the okay to start cereal at 5 months by the dr at Z's previous appointment. We waited until after the adventures in Virginia because I just didn't want to bother with all that would have been necessary to have the cereal...so we waited. This weekend, Z proved to us that she was ready for the food, anyway! She was grabbing at our food, drinks, and anything that was near her at the table. She has become grabby, and even more so with the food and drinks...she was watching us like a hawk!

Z really enjoyed her cereal, and today at the drs appointment, he gave the go ahead to give her as much as she wants, not go as slow as he had told us previously...so today, she got two servings of cereal, one at lunch and one at dinner time (by her Daddy, too). She LOVED it! She did discover that it's fun to suck on your fingers between bites, but I think that's because she's soooo close to those teeth popping through on the top! Soon enough she'll be eating squash, sweet potatoes, and peas!

Our World Traveler!

Zoe before the trip...she had plenty of toys to keep her busy!
Checking the water out in the pool....Seems to be just like her bathtub, only bigger! :)
Zoe with her Great-Grandma B and Cousin A. What a set of beauties!

I know, I don't have pictures. I left the camera at the hospital visiting Cousin Jacob...I have to wait until Grandma C brings it when she baby-sits Z Friday. However, Z has turned into quite the traveller the last few days. After a trip to visit Cousin Jacob, we were off to Grandma and Grandpa B's so that we ALL could drive down to Viriginia to visit with Grandpa B's side of the family for a good old fashioned family reunion. It was great to see everyone and for Z to meet everyone for the first time! Of course, everyone thought that Z was quite the beautiful babe (as IF anyone would think anything different!!).

Z's experienced quite a bit in this long weekend! She went on her first VERY long car ride. It took us from Massachusetts, through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and then into Virginia. She got to stay at the Presidential Suite of the hotel because we got our rooms bumped (we got there a little late and the hotel was overbooked). THAT was quite the treat! Z went swimming in the heated outdoor pool at the hotel, and LOVED it!! She got a taste of Daddy's Gelato (cookies and cream, if you were wondering, and yes, she liked it!). Z went to the National Zoo and saw all kinds of animals (some of them were even in cages and had homes in the Zoo!). She was a trooper the whole time. She's still fighting with teething, as those two top ones just WON'T come through. Z napped as well as can be expected and was a charmer to anyone who'd look at her, never mind those who actually TALKED to her and PLAYED with her.

Zoe got to spend some quality time with her big Cousin A and Auntie B. I think a good time was had by all!!

We had Z's weight check today...it wasn't the news we were expecting. Our skinny minnie is just that. She is now exactly 12lbs. No more, no less. She grew a quarter of an inch longer and only a few ounces in the last few weeks. While it's a little early for her to level off in her weight gain, the doctor thinks she might have, but was still concerned. Her growth curve is continuing to decline and he wants to figure out what is up. He thinks she is a "pokey gainer", but still ordered a bunch of lab work. Z was a trooper getting blood drawn. She had the attention of THREE lab techs--one to draw, one to hold her arm down and distract her, and another one helped distract her. I got to hold her, and console her after, and she quickly stopped crying after they got what they needed. The doctor called me a few hours later, and while he still doesn't seem concerned, he did notice her liver enzymes are slightly elevated. So, to be sure that it's nothing, he's sending us to see a specialist. Noah and I appreciate this attentiveness and are SURE it's nothing, but it is still something we are concerned with, being Z's Mommy and Daddy. We want the best for our daughter.

We'll keep you posted!

Welcome to the world, Cousin Jacob!!

Sorry the last two pictures are sideways...I'll fix that when I upload the pictures to my computer itself. I just wanted to get the pictures up right away! :)

We want to congratulate Auntie and Uncle J for their brand new son--Cousin Jacob Dylan! I just got permission to use his name in the blog. :)

Jacob came into this world at 1:48pm today, weighing a WHOPPING 10lbs 1.5oz and 22 1/2 inches long. He's a BRUISER. He's adorable, with some reddish brown hair, blue eyes, and HUUGGEE hands and feet. Seriously, his hands are bigger than Z's. To compare the kiddos--Z is only 12lbs and 24.5inches long. She's in the 10th percentile in her weight, 50th for height...J is in the 90th for ALL measurements. WOW!!!!! Like I said at the hospital, she may be little, but Z is SCRAPPY. So, Cousin J--watch out! :)

We are all very proud of the new family, and wish them the best. Please, join me in celebrating the new life and newest member of our family. We are all so very happy!

Oh, and yes, it did make us miss Little Miss Z as a newborn...:)

4 1/2 months Already!!

Father's Day weekend...a happy moment!
Z's first Red Sox baseball cap. Mommy and Daddy brought it back for Z after their game on Saturday against the Cardinals!
A drool face picture that we just love. Z was hanging with Grandma B, Grandpa B, and Uncle G so Mommy and Daddy could go to that baseball game!
A fun shot of Mommy and Z.

So it's been a little while since I posted. We've been busy! Z stayed with Grandma and Grandpa B and Uncle G so we could go to a Red Sox game on Saturday. Before that, though, Z decided that it would be fun to wake up once an hour after a four hour stint EVERY night last week. Needless to say, we were walking around like zombies that week. In other words, she'd sleep for four, wake up, and then sleep and wake for an hour cycle until she'd be up for the day around 6am. As you know, we're not night owls OR morning people, so this was tough on Noah and me. However, she's gotten back to her regular sleeping routine this week!! She goes down between 7 and 8, sleeps until 3, gets fed, and then is sleeping until about 6 or 6:30. We'd love it if she'd sleep a little longer, but beggars can't be choosers here!!

Not only that, Z's been on a rolling CRAZE. We put her on her back, and she flips to her belly. For the most part, she's okay with it, but she WILL get upset if we don't cheer her on and congratulate her with lots of "yays", clapping and smiles! She's starting to realize that if she doesn't like being on her belly, she can complain about it, or just continue and flip back to her back! Yesterday, Z rolled back to belly to back FOUR times in a row and ended up five feet from where she started! She was so proud of herself! We are so proud of our "Zoe Bean".

Z had a doctor's appointment today, and got her 4 month shots. She reacted to them SO much better than she did two months ago. Then, she slept the entire first day, had a fever the second, and then was very cranky for a few days after. Today, she was a doll and VERY brave! She cried a little when she got the shots, but stopped very quickly. She got some Tylenol for the pain and then because she was doing so well, we went to visit my school and catch up on some things. Z was SO good, and everyone was impressed with how happy she was despite her morning at the drs.

Now for the stats everyone is looking for. Z is 11lbs 14.2oz (gained 1lb), 24.5inches (grew a half inch) and her head circumference is 40.5cms. These measurements have slowed in terms of percentiles on the growth chart, but the dr isn't too worried. We do have to go for a weight check in a month, though, to make sure there isn't anything wrong. She went from being in the 50th percentile to being in the 5-10th percentile in weight. For her height, she went from the 90th to the 50th...but the dr thinks that because he measured Zoe differently than the nurses do (they've done it the past times) his is more accurate than the nurses' were. The nurses just lay Z down, draw a line at her head and feet and measure the difference. That can be off, and an inch can be a LOT for a teeny kid! The dr used these arms that come out from the back of the scale and put one at her head and feet. Much more accurate. So, don't worry about Zoe's growth, or slowed growth. The dr had talked about introducing cereal to our Z, but NOT until 5 months (once we knew her weight, I did ask about this, but he was pretty adament about waiting until 5 months because she doesn't really NEED it at this point, but will). I'm sure, once we start that, she'll put on more weight. And, with if the doctor was worried, we'd be at the office next week, not next month! So, we're trying not to be worried!

Oh, I nearly forgot! Z's taken up piano playing. We have video of it, and as soon as we figure out how to upload it, it'll get posted!

2 Month Check Up--9 1/2 weeks old

We have a "string bean" as her Daddy called her today! She is 24 inches long and 10lbs 12oz for weight. I thought we had passed the 11lb mark, but I guess not! I guess she just wants to be in her 0-3month clothes throughout her 0-3month time! :) This is why Daddy called her a string bean--50th %ile in weight, but 90th %ile in length!!!! Oh my goodness!! Then, when the doctor looked at her head circumference numbers, she got concerned because it looked like her head shrunk (apparently, Zoe visited a witch doctor when we had our backs turned?), but the doctor re-measured, and she is still in the 75th %ile in that. I don't have the number written down, so I don't remember what it is, but I'm glad the number is still where it's supposed to be!

Zoe had her 2 month shots today. She got a vaccine for Rotavirus, DTaP, Hep B, and a few others I can't remember off the top of my head. One liquid and 3 shots. She cried so hard she turned bright red and tooted! Mommy cried a little with her, but after it was over, Mommy picked her up right away and she settled right down. When we got in the car, Zoe fell asleep before we were even out of the parking lot! She slept long enough for Mommy and Daddy to have lunch, then woke up long enough to get some baby Tylenol for the pain. She fell asleep, woke up an hour later for her lunch, and then fell asleep again. At almost 4pm, she is still sleeping. This is common when babies get their vaccinations. Mommy and Daddy are just there to keep Zoe comfortable. Mommy took her to Target, and she doesn't think Zoe even realized she was out!

This weekend was a very busy weekend in many ways. Saturday, Uncle J had Passover dinner for us. Zoe thought that Uncle J and Auntie D's dining room was SUCH a fun place! She spent dinner in her car seat smiling and laughing at the walls and ceiling and Daddy. What a good little girl!! Sunday was her Auntie J's baby shower. She was just a great hostess!! Zoe helped keep all kinds of people occupied, from her Auntie P, Auntie D, to her Grandma B and Grandma C. Auntie D and Grandma C each got to feed her a bottle! Auntie J got lots and lots of toys for Cousin J...Zoe was eyeing them, but found a striped gift bag much more fun than the boy toys!!

Zoe just reminded me that last weekend, Grandma B came up and kicked Mommy and Daddy out so she could baby sit and Mommy and Daddy could go on a date. It was hard, but they left for two hours and went to dinner and did some shopping. We knew it'd be hard, but it was worth it. They needed to spend some time JUST them. There will be more dates, and I'm SURE more baby sitters will be needed! We've had plenty of offers!!

1 Month Doctor's Appointment

Our 'little' Zoe is getting big! The doctor is very pleased with how she's doing....she even gave him a couple of surprises--one in her diaper and one on the exam table! That's our Zoe!

Okay a recap of stats: At birth, Zoe was 8lbs 3oz, got as low as 7lbs 8oz. She was also 20 inches long. At her one week appointment, she was 8lbs 7oz and 20 3/4 inches long. Her head circumference was 36.5cm as well. Today, she measured at a WHOPPING 9lbs 13oz, 22 inches, and a head circumference of 38.2cm! WOW!

When you compare her to other infants her age, this means that she is STILL in the 75th percentile with her height, but dropped from the 75th percentile to just over the 50th percentile in her weight. Don't worry, because she's still well in the average range, the doctor is not concerned at all.

What a good girl we have!! :)

First Doctor's Visit!

It was a success. Our little Zoe was a perfect patient. She didn't cry or fuss, even when getting nekkid! What a great little girl!! The ladies in the doctor's office just oohed and ahhed over her (this is becoming a broken record, huh??). The doctor liked her progress in her first week of life.

We had been wondering how much she was eating, and if she was eating enough. Breastfeeding, you can't always know how much they are getting in...you can only measure it in diapers. However, we were very pleased with what we learned at the doctor's office! Officially, she is now 20 3/4 inches long, a whopping 8lbs 7oz, and her head circumference is 36.5cm. All of those measurements are in the 75th percentile. What a great little eater she is!! :)

So, stats so far:
Born: 8lbs 3oz, 20 inches
Discharge from hospital: 7lbs 10oz
Nurse's visit the next day: 7lbs 8oz
Week 1 drs appointment: 8lbs 7oz, 20 3/4 inches

Just to compare with what's in the "average", it can take breastfed babies a couple of weeks to regain the weight they lose from the hospital...Zoe has surpassed this in one week! I guess she's eating enough!!

The story :)

Well, if you've read the second entry, you know how this story started...we did not have a scheduled c-section. Now that we're home, I'm glad I don't have that kind of recovery...it would have been so much more difficult on everyone. This way, I can still move around and attend to Zoe, but I'm so much less limited in what I can do. I'm not pushing it...if you come to the house any time soon, don't expect the most put together house on the street. I know we weren't perfect before, but this is going to be even less! Plus, who cares about a messy house when you have a perfect angel like Zoe.

Well, we had our doctor's appointment on 2/7 so that the doctor could check my blood pressure, and then see where I was in the realm of things for a natural birth. This was the only appointment that Noah missed, as he needed to be at work as much as possible knowing that we were really working on an unknown at this point. He did, of course, confuse the heck out of his co-workers who didn't know what happened! Anyway, at the drs appointment, my BP was back into the normal range. The dr who examined me wanted to schedule an induction. I just wanted her to be there, so I didn't really question it or push it. She said that if I didn't go on my own over the weekend, then I would need to schedule another drs appointment for Tuesday or Wednesday, and then go into the hospital Wednesday night to begin an induction, for delivery most likely on Thursday. Little did I realize that it was Valentine's Day!!

We went through the weekend, thinking that every twinge and thing I experienced COULD have been labor, but it wasn't...Noah and I went to the drs appointment on Wednesday, and the dr did determine that I needed to be in the hospital that night to begin the induction. I went home, made dinner, talked to some people to let them know what was going on, emailed others, and made dinner, while Noah finished things up at work and came home. We ate and went on our way!

At the hospital, we were settled into a room in Labor and Delivery, and then I was given an IV of saline and the medication to begin labor, Cervadil. It's meant to get the body ready for the rest of the labor experience. It kicked some regular contractions into gear and I didn't get a lot of sleep that night. The next morning, at 6am, I got the Pitocin to really get things going. Those contractions were VERY hard. They gave me an epidural when I was a cm smaller than they normally do, so I could rest before I had to force Zoe into this world. :) I was able to sleep for two hours, and when I woke up, Zoe was ready to come into this world. With about 20 minutes of pushing, she made her grand entrance in FINE fashion!

As all parents do, the first noise they want to hear is the baby's cry when they're born. Zoe had literally JUST been born when she started crying. It was an amazing experience, one that is so hard to put into words. Suddenly, everything that I had gone through physically in the last few months hardly seemed worth anything other than this little girl. The dr put her on a towel on my belly, and immediately, she peed on her mama. I counted her fingers, counted her toes, and just fell in love with the slimy, wiggly, loud little baby that I could now call my DAUGHTER. Noah was crying, I was in awe, and we just didn't know what to do with ourselves. The nurse told Noah to snap some pictures, and he did. Then she took the baby over to clean her up. Watching Noah with her, I instantly knew the real reason why I fell in love with him...it was watching him with her and how in love he fell with her, cared for her, and would not leave her. It was a beautiful moment.

This was also where we learned that our "little" girl was 8lbs 3oz (we found out she was 20 inches long after the trip to the nursery). We also noticed how BIG her feet were!

There were many comical moments and things said. Maybe one of us will post them in a separate entray another time. :) This is not that time!

After everything was cleaned up and the room was put back together, Noah was just standing there with the baby, and the nurse went to let everyone into the room. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, who was there fell in love instantly. Everyone was just taken by how beautiful, alert, and cute she is. She was so alert, moving her big blue eyes around to take in all of the details of the moment. Pictures were taken, people talked, laughed, oohed, and awed. Phone calls were made, and tears were shed.

It was a very eventful day. The stay at the hospital was eventful, with all the people from the hospital who needed to see us, from the nurses to the drs, to the social workers and financial office people. Everyone who met us was more than gracious, congratulatory, and friendly. Noah and I were so impressed with everyone who helped us with making our first baby's birth a very enjoyable experience! The staff at Lawrence General Hospital were great. The nurses kept commenting on how good Zoe was for them when they would take her, she would be the one who would wasn't crying when there was a group of babies to be examined, and how well she did on all of her tests and procedures. That's our Zoe, perfect in every way.

Since coming home, it's been an adjustment to doing it in a hospital with the doctors, nurses, and lactation consultants, to doing it at home with just Noah and me and Zoe. She has her nights and days a bit confused, but we're going to get that straightened out.

I would like to thank EVERYONE for the help that they've given, the food they've brought, and the support they've offered. It's been great, and we all appreciate it. I would also like to thank Noah for all of the support and help he's been for me. In the hospital, he made sure that I always had water whenever I needed it, I didn't get up and move around needlessly, and that anytime Zoe needed her diaper changed, he did it. He also paged for nurses or a lactation consultant when we needed it, was so calm during everything, and made sure that both Zoe's and my needs were met at any time. He worked so hard, he was aching at the end of the day! It made me fall in love with him all over again. Then, watching Noah with Zoe, in their private times--well, let's just say I'm going to have to watch that they don't gang up on me later!! She's got her daddy wrapped around her little finger already!