On Saturday, Erin and I took Abigail to Valley West Mall for her first shopping trip. The trip was fairly uneventful but we did notice something big when putting Abigail in her car seat. When we brought her home from the hospital 3 weeks ago, the plastic clip that goes across her chest was practically choking her because she was so small. On Saturday, there was about an inch of space between her neck and the clip.
Overall, we had a very good weekend. It started off with a lot of visitors on Friday afternoon and evening. First, Ashley and Kevin brought over there little girl who is almost 4 months old. After supper, Erin's Aunt Lisa along with her son Adam came over with his girlfriend Christy and their little boy. When they left, some of the coaches, Mike, Joel, and Tim stopped over and gave Abigail an engraved piggy bank that is a little shoe.
Feeding and sleep have been going well too. Abigail is going between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 hours between feedings and is taking up to 2 1/2 ounces from the bottle on top of breast feeding. Although I'm sure it isn't very accurate, Erin stepped on the scale with Abigail and it registered that Abigail is over 6 lbs. We will find out for sure today when Erin goes to the Mommy and Me Breastfeeding class at the hospital.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The First Few Weeks
No matter how many times people have told me, I didn't understand until now how fast time goes by when you have a newborn. Abigail is already 2 1/2 weeks old (3 weeks this Friday) and I feel that Erin and I are finally starting to settle into a groove. I'm pretty sure that over the course of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have experienced every emotion possible at one time or another but I am really liking this dad thing.
During our 1st week home, Erin's mom stayed with us and helped clean and take care of Abigail. My parents were suppose to come for the 2nd week, but their plans changed when their neighbor, Steve, passed away so they are here to help us this week. Last week was not very fun as Erin was sick for a few days, requiring me to take on a larger work load while I was trying to start back at Pioneer as well.
Throughout all of this, Abigail is still doing great! At her 2 week doctor appointment last Friday, she weighed in at 5lbs 4oz, which is up from 4lbs 6.5oz when she left the hospital. We are still supplementing at each feeding but now almost exclusively with breast milk and just a little formula at night. Abigail is also helping us out as feedings have stretched out from every 2 hours to normally 3 hours and occasionally a 3 1/2 to 4 hour stretch at night. She is starting to become more active and sleeping less then when she first came home which makes her a bit more interesting in my opinion.
I'm trying to take the advice that I have received and "cherish these times", but I often find myself dreaming about what lies ahead for our family. According to my mom, I am more of a "toddler person" compared to an "infant person" and I'm okay with that. I look forward to the little things like when she will start to smile and laugh at me, when she will start to sit up on her own, crawl, walk, and even begin to talk. I dream of her first boat ride, her first fishing trip, first deer hunt (but only if she wants, according to Erin:), etc. So many great memories lie ahead and it fills my heart to know that I will get to be a part of them.
During our 1st week home, Erin's mom stayed with us and helped clean and take care of Abigail. My parents were suppose to come for the 2nd week, but their plans changed when their neighbor, Steve, passed away so they are here to help us this week. Last week was not very fun as Erin was sick for a few days, requiring me to take on a larger work load while I was trying to start back at Pioneer as well.
Throughout all of this, Abigail is still doing great! At her 2 week doctor appointment last Friday, she weighed in at 5lbs 4oz, which is up from 4lbs 6.5oz when she left the hospital. We are still supplementing at each feeding but now almost exclusively with breast milk and just a little formula at night. Abigail is also helping us out as feedings have stretched out from every 2 hours to normally 3 hours and occasionally a 3 1/2 to 4 hour stretch at night. She is starting to become more active and sleeping less then when she first came home which makes her a bit more interesting in my opinion.
I'm trying to take the advice that I have received and "cherish these times", but I often find myself dreaming about what lies ahead for our family. According to my mom, I am more of a "toddler person" compared to an "infant person" and I'm okay with that. I look forward to the little things like when she will start to smile and laugh at me, when she will start to sit up on her own, crawl, walk, and even begin to talk. I dream of her first boat ride, her first fishing trip, first deer hunt (but only if she wants, according to Erin:), etc. So many great memories lie ahead and it fills my heart to know that I will get to be a part of them.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Abigail Kristina O'Connell is here!
At 6:26pm on Friday, April 29, Abigail Kristina O'Connell joined us in this world. She was 4lb 10oz and 17 3/4 inches long at birth which was enough to keep her out of the NICU. Both Erin and Abigail did great for the entire hospital stay and each day since has been getting better and better.
As expected, life is much different with Abigail around. I am off work for the week and Erin's mom, Mary is staying with us which has been a great help. We came home on Sunday and Monday and, although Abigail did fantastic, Erin and I were exhausted and a bit overwhelmed with the change. Yesterday and today have been much better. We have been very lucky as Abigail sleeps well between feedings (even at night) and we are actually having to wake her up to eat. Erin is really getting down the routine of breastfeeding and pumping and even the little things like changing diapers and clothes are getting easier each time.
Yesterday, Abigail had her first appointment at the pediatrician and everything went well. She held weight, at 4lb 7oz, since leaving the hospital and everything else is doing great. The goal between now and her next appointment, a week from Friday, is to get her back up to birth weight.
I feel like there is so much to write about but don't want to put it all in 1 post, so that is all for now.
As expected, life is much different with Abigail around. I am off work for the week and Erin's mom, Mary is staying with us which has been a great help. We came home on Sunday and Monday and, although Abigail did fantastic, Erin and I were exhausted and a bit overwhelmed with the change. Yesterday and today have been much better. We have been very lucky as Abigail sleeps well between feedings (even at night) and we are actually having to wake her up to eat. Erin is really getting down the routine of breastfeeding and pumping and even the little things like changing diapers and clothes are getting easier each time.
Yesterday, Abigail had her first appointment at the pediatrician and everything went well. She held weight, at 4lb 7oz, since leaving the hospital and everything else is doing great. The goal between now and her next appointment, a week from Friday, is to get her back up to birth weight.
I feel like there is so much to write about but don't want to put it all in 1 post, so that is all for now.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Small Baby and Getting Ready
For the past 15 weeks or so, the story has remained the same, our baby is undersized. Erin has been having weekly (and now twice a week) appointments for several months that include and ultrasound, NST, and various other tests but luckily our baby seems to be doing just fine even though she is undersized. Erin is going to see a specialist after school today for confirmation that the baby is not in distress and can stay in for awhile longer. I will be sure to post how that goes.
Knowing that the doctors may decided to take the baby at any time, we felt the need to be prepared going into today's appointment. I installed the car seat in Erin's car yesterday and we packed a hospital bag that I put in my truck. I figure that by being ready, we probably won't have the baby today:)
Knowing that the doctors may decided to take the baby at any time, we felt the need to be prepared going into today's appointment. I installed the car seat in Erin's car yesterday and we packed a hospital bag that I put in my truck. I figure that by being ready, we probably won't have the baby today:)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Found a Pediatrician
Erin and I met with a pediatrician at Mercy Clinics in Johnston today and she was great! She gladly answered all of our questions and was very straight with us. The best part is that by going to this clinic, we will have access to the central clinic downtown that is open on weekends in case of an emergency.
On a side note, I put together the stroller on Sunday night and identified how to install the car seat bases. I think the stroller has more options then my boat does...kids get all the good stuff.
On a side note, I put together the stroller on Sunday night and identified how to install the car seat bases. I think the stroller has more options then my boat does...kids get all the good stuff.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Birthing Class and Baby Showers
We have currently completed the 4th week of a 5 week birthing class that we are taking at Mercy Hospital. The things that we have learned in this class are invaluable and have helped me a lot (and I'm sure Erin too) to calm some fears and take some of the mystery out of what labor and the birth with entail. The 1st week of the class was just an intro to what we would be covering during the class. The 2nd week we covered what to expect during early labor and some suggestions on relaxation techniques. The 3rd week we talked about pain management options of labor and the risks associated with each, as well as the transition phase of labor and breathing techniques to keep from pushing too early. Last week, we discussed ways to push and information about c-sections and what to expect if you have one. Next Sunday will be our last class and we will actually go through a mock labor. I cannot express how helpful this class has been for both Erin and I.
Rarely does a day go by without remembering how blessed Erin and I are to have so many wonderful people, both friends and family, in our lives. From coworkers who help me figure out how to add baby to my medical insurance, to parents who come down to help put together the nursery, and family and friends who throw baby showers for us, I am beyond appreciative. We have been lucky enough to have 4 baby showers and I was able to attend 2 of them including 1 last night thrown by Erin's bible study group. What a fantastic group of men and women! My favorite part was listening to all of their stories about their children/grandchildren/nieces and nephews. It goes to show that every child and every situation is very unique and that is one of the best parts about babies and children.
Rarely does a day go by without remembering how blessed Erin and I are to have so many wonderful people, both friends and family, in our lives. From coworkers who help me figure out how to add baby to my medical insurance, to parents who come down to help put together the nursery, and family and friends who throw baby showers for us, I am beyond appreciative. We have been lucky enough to have 4 baby showers and I was able to attend 2 of them including 1 last night thrown by Erin's bible study group. What a fantastic group of men and women! My favorite part was listening to all of their stories about their children/grandchildren/nieces and nephews. It goes to show that every child and every situation is very unique and that is one of the best parts about babies and children.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Daycare Search Complete!
It is official, after a lot of phone calls, talking with people, and searching online Erin and I have found a daycare for our baby girl. After spending a lot of time determining what we wanted in a daycare and gathering contact information, we decided on a daycare center that we had driven by many times and is used by people that both Erin and I know. The center is called "Koalaty Time" and it is owned and run by Jan, a mom who couldn't find good daycare for her own children 20 years ago so she started her own. If you would like to know more about the center, visit the website at http://www.koalatytime.com/.
As soon as we walked in the door for a tour last Friday, everything just seemed right and a good fit. The staff were very happy and caring, Jan was very open and honest and took over an hour of her time to give us a tour and answer our questions. It was easy to tell how passionate she was about child care and it was exiting to see that all of the kids and parents knew her and she knew each of them by name. The one downfall, if there is one, is that the price is a little more then we were planning to spend, but making sacrifices and adjustments is part of becoming a parent. Another good thing is that we will not have to pay during the summer since Erin is a teacher and will be at home, that is much more then other places had to offer.
As soon as we walked in the door for a tour last Friday, everything just seemed right and a good fit. The staff were very happy and caring, Jan was very open and honest and took over an hour of her time to give us a tour and answer our questions. It was easy to tell how passionate she was about child care and it was exiting to see that all of the kids and parents knew her and she knew each of them by name. The one downfall, if there is one, is that the price is a little more then we were planning to spend, but making sacrifices and adjustments is part of becoming a parent. Another good thing is that we will not have to pay during the summer since Erin is a teacher and will be at home, that is much more then other places had to offer.
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