Visitors from Afar!

We've been lucky to have TONS of family and friends come visit us and celebrate the birth of Hadley. Some of my friends set up a meal train and brought us homemade meals throughout the first weeks after Hadley was born. We have been well-fed thanks to friends, family and the huge amount of freezer meals I made in the days that I was awaiting miss Hadley's arrival.

Here are some of the visitors we've had make the long journey to Wilmington to meet Hadley!

My dad and his wife, Suzie, arrived in Wilmington on New Years Eve. They stayed a few days, then made their way to Myrtle Beach where they enjoyed some downtime while we all waited patiently eagerly for Hadley. They visited me while I was in labor, then came to the hospital to visit Hadley the morning after she was born. They also took care of the dogs while we were in the hospital so we could focus on our new baby, knowing our fur babies were in good hands. 

A few days later my mom visited and was so helpful to us! She helped Hadley get her days and nights sorted out (she'd had them reversed), which helped me get some much needed sleep! We gave Hadley her first bath, took her to the pediatrician, and took Bode to the vet. She took excellent care of both Hadley and me while I recovered.

Brett's mom, Kerry, visited next and was a huge help, cooking yummy meals, fixing the paint in Hadley's room and bathroom, cleaning, and giving our girl lots of attention. I'd been trying to get Hadley to take a pacifier since she was a week old, and Kerry was able to get her to use one! This has been great when Hadley gets fussy in the evenings!

Next, my best friend, Jess and her fiance, Tyler visited for the weekend. Jess is such a natural with babies! I don't know who enjoyed Jess' lullabies more, me or Hadley. During their visit we got to enjoy the gorgeous 75 degree February weather before they had to go back to a snowy NYC. We were sad to see them go!

Brett's dad, Larry, visited us this weekend from Florida. Hadley instantly loved him and gave him lots of smiles every time he held her. Larry was also a favorite of Bode who relentlessly tried to play with him all weekend! 

We're so grateful to everyone who made the long trip to see us and for all the help they gave us as we adjusted to parenthood! We're looking forward to visits from my mom and sister in March, and Hadley's Uncle Adam, Aunt Erin, and cousins Avery and Grayson this April!

Hadley is One Month Old!

Hadley has grown and changed so much over the past month! She's been interacting with us more, and has started to smile. I tear up every time she smiles at us...especially when she gives Brett a big grin when he gets home from work. 

She is still such a good baby and only cries a few times a day. She LOVES to eat and would do so all day if she could. At night she usually sleeps a 5 hour stretch followed by two 2-hour stretches. That means mommy goes to bed at 7pm with her every night in order to take advantage of the first long stretch. We are working on having her take naps in her crib, and are hoping to make the transition from bassinet in our room to the crib in her room within a month or two. She is one noisy sleeper, squeaking, yelling and cooing throughout the night. 

Hadley's One Month Stats:

Sleeps: about 16 hours a day
Eats: about 8 times a day
Weight: At her two week appointment she was up to 8 pounds 8 oz which is the 53rd percentile for weight. I tried weighing her on our bathroom scale a few days ago, first weighing myself with her, and then myself without her. According to that she's now  9 and a half pounds. 
Height: 21 inches...she is in the 74th percentile for height. I'm not sure where she got her tall genes. She is too tall for newborn clothes, but too skinny for 0-3 month clothes. 

Likes:

Snuggling with Daddy on the couch
Playing in her gym
Looking at picture frames and ceiling fans
"Standing" on her legs. She can support all her weight and just needs us for balance. 
Sticking out her tongue at us
Car rides

Dislikes:

Pacifiers...we're working on this one. Hopefully it will be in the "like" column soon!

When mommy puts lotion on her after her bath...she wants those warm clothes back on right away!

One month old!

Playing in her gym...and flashing one of her first smiles!

Love that profile!

She could sleep with Daddy on the couch all day!

Hadley's Newborn Photos

When Hadley was five days old we had her newborn pictures taken. I'm so glad we did this right away, as she has changed so much already. She was photographed by the same photographer who took Brett's and my engagement pictures a few years ago. Lesley is so talented and took great care of Hadley during the shoot...she didn't even seem to mind when our naked babe pooped on her white blanket. If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Wilmington area, we highly recommend Lesley! www.lesleyveronikaphotography.com

Here are some of our favorite shots! 

Hadley is Two Weeks Old!

Tonight at 2:20am, Hadley will be two weeks old! She has changed so much in such a short amount of time. Every day she's awake a little bit more, and we're getting to know her personality. She isn't a big crier, and if she does fuss she's easily soothed. She's been able to lift her head since she was born, and is getting stronger by the day.

Hadley's Stats:

Sleeps: about 20 hours a day
Eats: 10-12 times a day
Weight: She was 7 pounds, 3 oz at her 5 day appointment. We find out this Friday how much she's gained. She nurses like a champ and her chubby cheeks are coming in, so I'm predicting about 8 pounds.
Height: 19.5"

Likes:

Looking at faces
Being propped up in a sitting position
"Standing" on her legs and jumping
Binge-nursing in the evenings
Baths in her new tub
Car rides
Stroller rides

Dislikes:

Pacifiers

Bottles (She'll tolerate one, but insists on a drink straight from the tap afterwards)

Sponge baths 

Hadley's first bottle.

Making eye contact with Daddy.

Getting some chubby cheeks!

Feeling fresh and clean after her first bath in her tub. 

Snuggles with mommy. 

Hadley's first stroller ride...she loved it and slept the whole time!

Welcome to the World, Hadley!

On January 13, at 40 weeks 3 days pregnant, I went to my doctor's appointment and was told that due to low amniotic fluid levels, we'd be inducing that night! Brett and I went to the hospital and began the long process of induction. I spent the next 28 hours patiently waiting for labor to progress and sneaking a few crackers here and there. Late Tuesday evening, my water broke and labor kicked in full force. Around 1am (and 9 cm dilated) the anesthesiologist arrived to give me a much needed epidural. I rested for a few minutes then at 1:55am, started pushing. 

At 2:20am on January 15, 2014, our little Hadley Reagan was born. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 oz,  and was 19 inches long. The doctor immediately placed her on my chest and her crying stopped the second she heard my voice. I got to spend about two hours nursing her and bonding before she was taken to be weighed, cleaned up and swaddled.

Although it was more painful than I could ever have imagined, giving birth was the most amazing and wonderful experience of my life. We are so in love with our baby girl and so thankful to be blessed with a happy and healthy baby.

A family is born! 

Weighing in at 7 pounds, 7 oz and 19 inches long. 

Proud mama.

A sleep-deprived but happy daddy. 

Showered Again!

Our neighbors threw us a beautiful shower today in Wilmington! It was great to see all of our friends and spend the afternoon talking all things baby! Brett and I are now completely ready for our baby to come. We're hoping the next 5 weeks (34 days to be exact) go very quickly! Thank you to everyone who came to and helped with the shower! It was a wonderful day!

Posing with the lovely hostess, Claire. 

Yummy refreshments. The red-velvet cupcakes were delicious!

 There are actually 8 people in this picture!

 Brett made an appearance, wearing his hot pink shirt!

Showered with Love

Our baby shower was this weekend in Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful day that we will never forget! We were so happy that so many of our friends and family were able to make it. Thank you to everyone who helped make the shower so special!