All about Abigail

All about Abby Lila at 12 months...

Our little Ladybug is a walking, talking, giggling machine! She is a very happy little girl who loves to laugh...and there are a great many things that elicit that laughter; her dog, her brother, her ten thousand tickle spots, playing games on the floor with Mama, playing games in the air with Dada, playing peek-a-boo (aka "Where's Abby?"), and more.

I just have to mention that she looks just like my G-Ma, Lila, in the above photo!
She loves to talk and tell stories complete with intonation and hand motions. I can't wait until we actually learn what the stories are about! She uses quite a few words, but her three favorites (that we hear a hundred times a day) are dog, baby, and Abby. As I've posted before, she adores (read: is a little obsessed with) her dog, and gets unbelievably excited when she sees Zoe first thing in the morning. Abby literally nearly jumps out of my arms and screams DOGGY! Also in her vocabulary are this, ball, book, E (for Eli), Mama and Dada, and bah for her bear.

Abby loves to play, and like her big brother, will often be content playing by herself for quite awhile in the play room. Her favorites include her play kitchen and her babies.
Abigail has a spunk and determination all her own. She's quite content as long as she's getting what she wants, and if she's not getting what she wants she makes darn sure you know it! She is usually much too busy for cuddling, but every so often we get an unexpected snuggle that is such a treasure...yesterday at church she cuddled with me throughout our entire worship time. I was a blessed and happy Mommy! She is a great eater, and is usually good about trying new things. However, if she decides she doesn't like something she will meticulously search her tray for morsels of the offending food, throwing each one to the floor! Her favorites are macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, ham, and green beans. She also can't get enough water from her sippy cup. I don't know if she's really that into the water, or just enjoying the fact that she's such a big girl drinking from a cup!

She has become a very good sleeper as long as she has her "lovey" - a small pink minky blanket that I was fortunate enough to find three of at T.J. Maxx! She sleeps through the night regularly now, and naps have gotten better as well. She is on her way to dropping her morning nap, but she usually does pretty well on the days when she only naps once.The biggest change of late is that she is truly now a walker! She's definitely enjoying toddling around on what appear to be her sea legs! :)

Abigail is very much loved and adored by her big brother, Eli. He has proven to be more than we could have asked for in an older sibling. He cares for her, plays with her, sings to her, jokes with her, and comes up with a great many nicknames (usually at least a couple each day) for his precious little "cutie" (the nickname he most often uses).

We are so very, very blessed!! Happy Birthday sweet Abby!!

(And thank you again to my wonderful friend, Kate, for these precious photos!)

Happy First Birthday Abigail Lila!

My sweet baby girl is ONE! I've set this to post at exactly the time she was born because unlike a year ago, I plan to be asleep at 1:56 a.m.! I can't believe what an amazing year it has been with this amazing little girl. In honor of that day, I've decided to (finally) share her birth story in addition to some photos of our life one year ago today. Enjoy!

The story of Abby's birth is lengthy, so feel free to skim or skip! I just know there are a few of you out there that will enjoy reading the recap. :)

On Friday night, April 24th 2009, Ryan joined the guys from our small group for an overnight guys’ retreat of sorts. Three of the couples in our group were expecting babies within the next three months, including us. Our baby girl was due May 3rd, and I had told Ryan I’d like him to do something like this with the guys before she arrived, because it was likely going to be a long time before I would want him to do it again! I was a little nervous about him being gone overnight so close to my due date, but the house where he would stay was just an 8 minute drive from ours. With his promise to keep his phone on and near him, and several of the other guys’ phone numbers programmed into my phone, I agreed. That night as I lay on the couch watching a chick flick that would have been torture for my dear husband, I began having contractions. They were mild and far apart, so I wasn’t worried. After about an hour I started timing them, because they seemed to be fairly regular. They were, indeed, regular, but still very far apart and mild. This went on for about three hours before stopping, and I went to bed.

On Saturday morning Ryan came home just in time for me leave for a Mary Kay party and luncheon that I had planned with some girlfriends. It had worked out well for Ryan to have some guy time and me to have some girl time just before our baby was due. I headed out and had a great couple of hours with the girls, eating a yummy lunch and trying on lots of fun make-up. That afternoon while Eli napped, Ryan headed outside to do some yard work and I sat down at the computer to write out care instructions for Eli. Ryan’s parents would be staying with him while we were in the hospital delivering Abigail. As I sat at the computer trying to record instructions for every possible scenario they might encounter while we were gone, I began feeling contractions again. Similar to Friday night, they were mild and far apart. It wasn’t long, however, before I realized that the contractions were definitely getting stronger and closer together. I decided to start timing, just to have a reference point; when I began timing, my contractions were already five minutes apart! I went outside and told Ryan that there was a possibility I was going into labor. By this time Eli was awake and I brought him outside so we could all enjoy the lovely spring afternoon. My contractions were varying between three and five minutes apart, and definitely getting stronger. I began walking around the backyard to see if anything would change, but nothing did. I finally called the hospital to get some advice on when to come in. I was really at a loss as to how to proceed since my water broke before contractions started when Eli was born. This time it was all about figuring out how long to wait and not wanting to get to the hospital only to be told to return home for awhile longer. I spoke with the charge nurse in the maternity wing and she said that it was really up to me to decide how long I wanted to labor at home. She believed that I’d definitely be coming in to deliver sometime that evening, but that I needed to gauge for myself how long to wait. At about 5:30 we called Ryan’s parents and asked them to come over. They had just finished dinner in Seattle and needed to go home for their bags first. When they arrived at about 7:00, there was no question that we needed to be on our way! My contractions were just three minutes apart by this time, and so intense that I could no longer talk through them. We gave Eli lots of hugs and kisses and headed to the hospital. While Ryan drove I focused on my breathing, and Ryan focused on getting to the hospital as quickly as possible. He later told me that he drove well over the speed limit and was a little worried that we weren’t going to make it in time! We arrived at the hospital at 7:45 and made it to the intake desk of the maternity wing just as a big contraction hit. Ryan looked at the charge nurse and said, “My wife is in labor.” She smiled and said, “Yes, I can see that!” We were taken to triage for an assessment, and I was very disappointed to learn that I was only about two centimeters dilated. They admitted me anyway because of the frequency and intensity of my contractions. As soon as we settled into our room I opted to begin walking the halls, though a part of my wanted to just curl up in the bed because I was really chilly. I hadn’t made any hard and fast decisions as to whether or not I would have an epidural, but I hoped that this being a second child would make delivery easier and that I wouldn’t feel the need for the drugs. I hoped that walking would lessen the intensity of the pain, but it did not. After a few laps I was more than a little bit chilly, couldn’t walk or talk through the contractions and decided to ask for the epidural, so we headed back to my room. The nurse sent for the anesthesiologist and brought me some warm blankets. The anesthesiologist arrived and began the procedure. I don’t know what the difference was, but the process that had truly been a breeze with Eli was terribly painful this time. I began to cry, and this combined with my shivering made it very difficult to be still, which is of the utmost importance when receiving an epidural. Finally, after what seemed like an age, it was complete and the medication began to take effect. The pain of the contractions lessened, but my shivering increased and I was absolutely freezing. The nurse brought in more warm blankets, covering my body and head. At some point I was struck by the fact that this was remarkably different from my first birthing experience. When giving birth to Eli I had kept praise and worship music playing the entire day and evening. After getting my epidural Ryan and I even watched 24 on t.v. This time, however, I wanted no music, no television, just quiet and dark. And I was still freezing. The part of the experience that was similar was the slow progression. I was disappointed by it even more this time, because birthing second children is supposed to be so much quicker and easier than first.

Finally, at quarter after one on Sunday morning, it was time to push. When I started, I counted each push, thinking I was going to have one of those great stories about pushing just three times before having a baby in my arms. I stopped counting at eleven. I became discouraged as I watched time pass on the clock, and was almost despondent when I felt Abby descend with each push only to return to her original position between contractions. It was a sensation I never experienced with Eli, and I really wanted to just give up. After two contractions of feeling her unmistakably move back up the birth canal, I decided to give every ounce of my strength for just one more push. If she didn’t come out with that, they were just going to have to perform a C-section! The time came, and I mustered every ounce of strength I could from every inch of my body and POP! After 11 hours of labor and 40 minutes of pushing, Abigail Lila was born at 1:56 a.m.! There was literally an audible pop, and as my doctor caught my daughter she exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, she was face up! No wonder that was so hard; I can’t believe you pushed her out!” No one had any idea that Abigail was in a posterior position (face up) because though the progression had been slow, my labor had indeed progressed. Typically posterior positioned babies are delivered via C-section because they are not able to descend through the birth canal in this position. My doctor said that had this been my first delivery, I certainly would not have been able to push her out. Unfortunately, being born face up allowed amniotic fluid and miconium to enter her lungs. I was able to hold my sweet girl for just a moment before the NICU nurses had to take her to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to vacuum her lungs and wait for her to become responsive. Ryan asked me if I wanted him to stay with me or go with Abigail, and I asked him to go. Little did I know that I wasn’t in the best shape either. Just after my dear husband and new baby left the room, my shivers escalated to an uncontrollable shaking. I was still freezing and crying, and my nurse went to fetch some fresh warm blankets for me. While she was out of the room I began vomiting. My sweet nurse felt awful when she returned to find me shaking, shivering, and crying in the midst of vomit all over my bed. It was horrible. I was miserable. I wanted to feel normal and I wanted to be holding my healthy baby girl, and none of that was happening. The nurses cleaned me up, changed my bedding, and covered me again with warm blankets. Ryan returned to check on me and give me an update on Abby; she was breathing fine and becoming more responsive. They just needed to keep her a little longer for observation, so I asked him to go back to the NICU to be with her. During the hour that Ryan and Abby were in the NICU, my nurses discovered that I was hemorrhaging (delivering a posterior baby had done some damage to both of us, it seemed) and began a regimen of anti-hemorrhaging medication. By the time Abby and Ryan returned, I was finally starting to feel better. I think having my baby back in my arms made a world of difference! Over the next several hours the nurses continued to monitor Abby’s vitals and check her lungs, all of which continued to look fine.

After breakfast, Ryan’s parents brought Eli to the hospital to meet his baby sister. He was a little unsure when he first arrived, but after checking in with both Ryan and me to make sure that his status in the family hadn’t changed, he warmed up. We have some truly precious photos of him in those first moments of being a big brother. By mid-afternoon we were itching to get out of the hospital. Typically families remain in the maternity center for 24 hours after birth, but we started asking around if there were strings that could be pulled. I don’t sleep well in any bed but my own, and we really wanted to get our new baby home and begin our life as a family of four. We were blessed by two doctors who were willing to listen to our needs and bend the rules, and we were released at 8 p.m. Ryan’s parents brought Eli to the hospital again so that the three of us could bring our new baby home together. It was such a beautiful time for our family! We all gathered on Ryan’s and my bed and had some great “getting to know you” time together. It was a beautiful, blessed, and wonderful day, and the beginning of a beautiful, blessed, and wonderful life as a family of four!

Birthday party!

We celebrated Abigail's first birthday today with a ladybug party (one of our nicknames for her is Ladybug). Abby had a great time, and she seemed like such a big girl today. One reason for that was the fact that she decided today to become a walker! She has been taking steps for a couple of weeks now, but suddenly today something just clicked. It was so fun watching her walk around here in her pretty party dress! She really seemed to enjoy her party, and boy did she like her cupcake! I'm going to let the pictures tell the story...thank you so much to my good friend, Brooke, for taking these beautiful photos for me!

For the record, the colors of the banner look a little funny because of the lighting in our living room, not because of Brooke's photography! :)The favor boxes...The cupcakes...The very happy birthday girl!Tasting the cake...Yummy!Opening presents...Such a sweet baby loving her new baby!

Happy almost-birthday, Abigail! We love you!

Happy Easter!

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

What's that? Easter was two weeks ago? Well, I simply don't see how that's possible!

We had a wonderful Easter celebration, and a wonderful time preparing for the joy of Resurrection Day! We added some very special new traditions to our Easter celebration this year. Eli enjoyed the hands-on learning of his Resurrection Eggs. We also had an amazing experience making Resurrection Cookies. It was really special to go through this process with Eli, and we're looking forward to continuing the tradition in the coming years. Of course, we also did the traditional egg-dyeing. Eli was involved in the whole process this year, from beginning to end - and he loved every bit of it!
On Easter morning, Eli was excited to find a special treat in his Easter basket...he had seen Cadbury eggs in stores for months and was fascinated by them. He said many times that he hoped the Easter bunny would put one in his basket...and low and behold - there it was!

Both our sweet kiddos also received lots of goodies in their Easter baskets from Nana and Pa. They each had a great time dicovering what was inside. We also had some good friends over for Easter dinner. When we first decided to host Easter dinner I started thinking through the whole traditional Easter feast and was a bit overwhelmed. So, we opted to go a different route and served fondue! It was a great dinner and we all had a great time! Before we sat down to feast, Eli and his friend, Evelyne, enjoyed an egg hunt in the playroom.Abby's first Easter was definitely a happy one! :)We hope that you all enjoyed your Easter as well. Praise the Lord that Jesus is risen, and we are forgiven!!

Listening to Eli...

This is a totally impromptu blog post because I'm in the kitchen getting lunch ready and overhearing Eli on his toy phone in the playroom: "Hi, I'm Eli and my sister is Abby and my dog is Zoe and my Mama is Cheryl and my Dada is Ryan. And I have a Nana and Pa and my Pa's real name is Wawy [this really isn't an acurate spelling of the way Eli pronounces "Larry" but it's the best I can do!] and I can't remember my Nana's other name but I just call her Nana." I love listening to this kid!

Here's another good one...yesterday Ryan was reading the newpaper in the morning while I was getting breakfast ready, and Eli was sitting next to him. Suddenly Eli pointed to a picture I couldn't see and asked, "Dada, are those train tracks?" To which Ryan nonchalantly replied, "No, that's a coffee maker." What?! I never made it over to look at the photo, but I was certainly cracking up! When we get a little closer to Eli's birthday, I'll have a great conversation to post for you regarding Eli's birthday wish list. In the meantime, enjoy one of my new favorite photos of this awesome little boy (compliments of my friend, Kate)...

And, believe it or not, there will be an Easter post at some point in the near future!