Anna's First Blog

I've Moved!

2007-12-30T11:45:00.000-05:00

Please visit my new blog -- along with Owen -- at:

http://zachpack.blogspot.com

Dressed Like a Little Lady

2007-11-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

The fun of a little girl -- but soon to be agony -- is dressing up in cute little dresses. Here she is in her first dress up outfits. First, pink and purple (with hair accessories!) for our first round of Thanksgiving with Dad's family. Next, a cute pink dress from our neighbors for our second round of Thanksgiving with Mom's family.

Feet

2007-11-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

Just to remember how small they really were!

Anna's Photo Shoot

2007-11-12T19:29:00.000-05:00

Anna has not been incredibly photogenic... plus she suffers from second child syndrome (no pictures).

My sister visited for the weekend and we had a photo shoot to try to get a good one for her announcements. Here are some others.

Girls Weekend in NJ

2007-11-08T19:24:00.000-05:00

Mom & Anna escaped to NJ for a weekend leaving the boys (Dad, Owen & Rocco) home alone!

We stayed at Gramma & Grampa's house and visited with Aunt Denise and Auntie Joan & Don, too. We also saw lots of Mommy's friends -- including Kristen and her baby girl, Lilly, from California.

Halloween!

2007-11-05T15:58:00.000-05:00

This picture is actually from when we went apple picking, but it shows off Anna's halloween get-up. She also had a pumpkin hat and mittens too.

My monsters

2007-10-23T13:12:00.000-04:00

Before we went apple picking, a photo of Mom and her little monsters!

Mom & Anna Day Trip

2007-10-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

Anna & I took a day trip to DC to see the Solar Decathalon with a friend from yoga.

She has a baby girl almost the same age. We both shared the same problem... lots of pictures of the baby (and lots with Dad) but few with Mom. So we switched cameras to get a few with baby and Mom!

Kicking Around

2007-10-23T13:09:00.000-04:00

This is one of the first times Anna played on her kick-y mat. She is starting to like playing on her own sometimes.

Anna's Crib

2007-10-23T13:07:00.000-04:00

Here is Anna's bedroom (not that she really sleeps in there - except some naps).

Scott was very upset I bought pink paint, but I think it came out great!

A trip to Cox Farms

2007-10-23T12:59:00.000-04:00

It was hot and I slept in the pouch most of the time, but I went to Cox Farms with Owen, Mom & Dad on Columbus Day.

Owen & Anna

2007-10-09T19:23:00.000-04:00

Owen loves to give his little sister hugs and kisses.

One Month!

2007-10-09T19:16:00.000-04:00

This is going to have to do for a one month photo of Anna... at least you can see the top of her head!

We are in "the Baltimore" during a day trip (see Owen's blog for more photos).

At one month old, Anna is doing well -- and the rest of the family is getting on as well. She does a good job nursing (although is a bit lazy and falls off often). She sleeps OK; she wakes every 3 hours or so but (usually) settles down easily. It seems, however, she has a cycle where every few days she is harder to handle and that lasts a fews days. I feel as if I can't really have a baby that doesn't have sleeping "issues."

Anna has beautiful blue - almost purple - eyes. Her hair is still brown, but she has blonde eyelashes and eyebrows (virtually none of each). She is a "chunky" baby with round checks, belly and thighs. She has fair skin that gets red when she gets upset (just like her mom) and gets "prickly heat" on her skin when she is too hot.

Anna's birth story

2007-09-27T17:04:00.000-04:00

Below is a letter our doula, Karen, wrote to Anna to describe her birth: that is, her "birth story." It is a wonderful account of her birth and I wanted to share it with everyone.

However, I will make two amendments" 1*) in paragraph two she talks about concern about my concern about having early contractions... that is true, but it wasn't with Owen's birth it was "false labor" contractions I had had about a week prior. 2**) apparently, according to photos Karen took at the birth, Anna was probably born a bit after 6:05. They must have approximated the time (which is fine with me) but photos would prove she was born slightly after the rounded out time of 6:05 pm.

Enjoy!

*****

August 31, 2007

Dear Anna,

Happy Birthday! I had the pleasure of witnessing your birth today, and I’d like to tell you the story. I was your parents’ doula, and met them several months ago when they decided to hire someone to help them with your birth. I came to your parents’ house to talk about their plans and desires for your birth, and my doula partners and I kept in touch with your mom through email during the last weeks of her pregnancy. Your parents and brother Owen seemed very prepared for your arrival and were getting excited about meeting you.

I received a call from your mother at 11:30 this morning. She told me that she had woken up today with mild contractions that were about ten minutes apart. She had gone into work, but didn’t really want to go into labor in the office, so she’d returned home. With Owen, she’d had some early contractions that had gone away after a few hours, so she wasn’t convinced that this was “it,” but she wanted to give me a heads-up*. I told your mom to keep me posted, and two hours later she called me back to say that the contractions were now coming every five minutes and that she and your dad were going to go and see the midwives. Your mom told me that she would call me back if she was admitted to the hospital. Less than an hour later your dad called me from the midwives’ office to say that your mom was already five centimeters dilated and that they were heading over to the hospital. I told your father I would meet them there as soon as I could.

I arrived at the hospital just after 3:30 p.m., and joined your parents in Labor and Delivery room number 2007. Your mother was hooked up to an IV and was getting some antibiotics because she had tested positive for Group B Strep earlier in her pregnancy. She and your father seemed very calm. There was some relaxing music playing on the CD player, and your mother was breathing through her contractions while your dad was rubbing and pressing on her lower back. Yvonne, the nurse, was asking your mom a long list of questions, and your dad was answering most of them, since your mom was too focused on her labor to talk. Your dad was being his usual funny self, and doing his best to answer questions like when your mom last took her prenatal vitamins, even though he didn’t really know the answers. At 4:00 the midwife, Liz Itote, checked your mother’s cervix, and found that she was now seven centimeters dilated, 80% effaced, and your head was at a -1 station. That meant that your mom had made progress since she was at the midwives’ office, but there was still some work to be done before you could be born. Liz had another baby to deliver, but told your mom that soon she would be ready and waiting for you to be born.

Your mother used the bathroom once she was disconnected from the IV, and then said she felt hot. She decided she wanted to sit on the birth ball, so we sat her down and she rested her head and arms on the side of the bed. Your dad sat on a stool right behind your mom so he could maintain his constant pressing on her lower back. I got some ice and put it in a wet washcloth, which I rubbed down your mother’s back to keep her cool. For the next hour and a half, your mother labored in this position. The lights were dim and the blinds were closed against the afternoon sun. The beautiful, calming music filled the room. Your mother kept her eyes closed most of the time, and breathed and rocked and moaned through her contractions. Every once in a while, Yvonne would come in to check your heart rate. Every time, your heartbeat was strong and steady. Your mom really seemed to be going deep within herself, staying very focused and relaxed. It was amazing to watch your mom labor. I would slip her some sips of water between contractions, but she never really lifted her head off the bed. If your dad slacked off on his lower back pressure, or moved his hands to a different spot on her back, your mom was quick to tell him to push harder, or lower, or whatever she needed, but otherwise wasn’t speaking much at all. Your mother seemed very in control, and knew exactly what her body needed to move through the labor.

Around 5:30 your mom’s labor seemed to be getting even more intense. Your mom told me that she was feeling very nervous. I tried to reassure her, telling her that she should trust her body, and that her body would know exactly what to do. We called Liz into the room for another cervical check. Liz reported that there hadn’t been much change, and that your mom was still dilated to seven, maybe eight, centimeters, and your head hadn’t come down any further. Liz offered to break your bag of waters, but your mom wasn’t quite ready for that yet. Yvonne suggested that your mother get into the shower, because the warm water might help her relax and would feel good on her lower back. Your mom didn’t really seem to want to, but agreed to give it a try. Your dad put on his bathing suit and joined her in the shower. He was very sweet, holding your mother up, and working to keep the warm water spraying on your mom’s back, despite her frequent change of position. She was really working hard now, moaning and swaying. When she felt a contraction, she would bend her knees and squat down a little, and just a few minutes after getting into the shower, her water broke during a strong contraction. It was 5:45. Liz had said that once your mom’s water broke, she thought the labor would go quickly. I went and told Liz what had happened, and Yvonne came to check your heart rate with the waterproof Doppler. Again, you were doing just fine.

Your mother climbed out of the shower and got back on the bed so Liz could check her again. Your mom had pushed for four hours when your brother was born, and felt that she had never quite “gotten the hang” of pushing. She kept telling us, “I don’t know what to do!” We all assured her that her body knew what to do, and that she was doing everything perfectly. When Liz checked her this time, your mom was fully dilated, and ready to push! Your mom told us that she needed our help to guide her through the pushing stage. At first she was lying back on the bed and breathing out during her contractions. Then Yvonne worked with her very closely, telling her to take a deep breath and hold it “like she was swimming under water.” Your dad was right by your mom’s side, encouraging her to hold her breath. Despite your mother’s fears, she turned out to be a natural and very strong pusher. It wasn’t long before your head was clearly visible during the contractions. We knew your mom had wanted to see you being born, so one of the nurses came in with a mirror. I told your mom to tuck her chin and open her eyes while she was pushing, and that’s when she first saw the back of your head as you descended into the world. You were born at 6:05 p.m.** on August 31, 2007 and placed right onto your mother’s chest. Both of your parents looked completely thrilled to see you. Your mom kept saying that you were so soft, and that she was in shock that it was all over so quickly. Your dad cut your cord, and a few minutes later, your mom pushed out your placenta. Your mom wanted to make sure I took some photos of the placenta, and your dad joked that you probably wouldn’t ever want to see those shots! Your mom hadn’t torn at all, so she didn’t need any stitches. You were a very calm baby, looking at your mom’s face for the first time, and hardly crying at all. You were having your first snack by 6:15, and latched on like a pro from the very beginning. Your mom said that it already felt like she’d never even been pregnant.

After a while they weighed and measured you, and at a perfect 8 lbs, 2 oz and 18 inches long, you were exactly what your parents had been waiting for these last nine months. Anna, you are a lucky little girl to have your parents, who welcomed you with love into a calm and peaceful environment. Your mom was amazingly strong, focused and determined throughout her labor, with your dad supporting her completely. It was an honor and a delight to be a part of your birth story.

Wishing you joy and many happy birthdays to come,

Karen E. Lenz, CD (DONA)
Birth doula

The life of a baby

2007-09-27T16:55:00.000-04:00

Here are various shots of Anna doing baby work: sleeping.

In her bouncey seat:

In her stroller (the double decker jogging stroller):

In her car seat:

Again, in the carseat:

Anna's First Bath

2007-09-20T11:28:00.000-04:00

Anna's cord fell off on her 8th day (compared to one month for Owen!). Gramma was luck enough to be changing Anna's diaper when it came off.

We were happy to try out a bath with Anna -- and hoped she liked them better than Owen.

At first she was a bit shocked...

But within moments she was quite content.

Actually, she dozed off for a few moments!

A cleaned and happy baby girl!

Same Get-Up, Different Kid

2007-09-09T20:35:00.000-04:00

Anna at 8 days...

Owen at 3 days!

Karen, our wonderful doula

2007-09-09T20:29:00.000-04:00

Today we went to a picnic our doulas hosted. We finally got a picture of Karen with Anna.

One Week!

2007-09-09T20:28:00.000-04:00

The happy family of four - one week later!

A trip to the farm

2007-09-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

On Anna's 5th day, we took a trip to the farm. Owen, Gramma and Mom spent the morning at the farm.

While Owen and Gramma went on a wagon ride, Mom and Anna sat and enjoyed the beautiful late summer weather.

We were so surprised to see that Scarlet the pig gave birth to piglets the same day Anna was born!

Proof!

2007-09-06T20:55:00.001-04:00

I knew at some point I'd get photo evidence of Dad smiling with newborn Anna!

Anna and her big brother

2007-09-06T20:52:00.000-04:00

Owen's first introduction to his little sister.

The boys spending some quality time with the little lady.

Owen giving Anna some hugs and kisses.

Portraits of Anna

2007-09-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

A contented Anna swaddled up tight.

This photo was taken the middle of the night during our stay in the hospital. She is starting to lose the swelling from birth and look more like a little lady.

Enjoying the late summer air.

Hanging out with on Mom's legs while Owen played with Gramma at the park.

Anna's Birthday

2007-09-06T19:41:00.000-04:00

We welcomed Anna on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 6:05pm.

Anna weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and measured 18 inches.

She was healthy and content baby girl.

Before & After

2007-09-05T19:38:00.000-04:00

Sunday, September 2
Approximately 10:30am

Friday, August 31
Approximately 2pm