Peyton Jane

Our baby girl, Peyton Jane

6.15.10

8lbs. 2 oz.

Also known these days as little miss, Peytee, baby girl, Pa-den (Owen), baby sister...

and "Miss Thang" by her dad...

she already has him wrapped around her tiny finger.

We are officially a family of four... and loving it. There is definitely more personality in our house these days. The past week has been an emotional roller coaster for me... lots of drs. appointments, nursing, lab results, swaddling, tears, pumping, laughter, prayer and sheer joy. Earlier in the week, before the real chaos settled in, I attempted to blog about Peyton's birth and our first few days with her...

Tuesday was a good day...

Mark and I welcomed our baby girl, Peyton Jane, into the world with a wonderful (and quick) induction birth. It was such a peaceful day, just Mark and I for most of the day, anticipating the arrival of our baby girl and loving some alone time to talk and just enjoy each other. The induction was smooth and very quick and to top it off one of my best friends got to be there (with her baby girl in tow) for the pushing to coach us on and welcome baby girl. The following days in the hospital were peaceful and full of bliss marveling over this beautiful sweet baby girl, visiting with family and close friends that came to visit, and enjoying our ocean view from the window.

Yesterday was a hard day...

I was excitedly anticipating going home and sharing a day with just Mark and Peyton, to get situated and catch up on some sleep before big brother came home. My peaceful days came to a screeching halt when the dr. told us that although I was being discharged, we would need to keep Peyton at the hospital for an additional night under phototherapy for her jaundice that was rapidly getting worse. This meant we had no room and had to send Peyton to the nursery to be placed in an incubator like container with UV lights and googles. My sweet Peyton, I wanted nothing more than to spend the day holding her, sleeping, and learning to nurse with her. This news also meant that in order to be with her I had to sit in a chair in the nursery all day (even though Im still recovering from a delivery, ouch.) and stare at her until it was time to nurse her in the middle of the room. It was a long day and an even longer night with two short trips home to lay down between feedings. In the midst God provided some amazing times bonding with Peyton and an appreciation for holding and nursing her like I never would have imagined.

Little Diva with her goggles on...

I am in total family bliss today...

it was one of those days where everything felt good and perfect and I never wanted each moment to end. Today started with bringing home our baby girl from the hospital... it was the best feeling in the world to just sit with Peyton on our couch looking out the window with baby girl all snuggled in my chest, sleeping so soundly with the smell of her and her blankets surrounding me. Then big brother came home. It was so amazing to see Owen, he was literally a burst of sunshine entering the house and filling Mark and I with so much joy.

Time and time again Owen melted our hearts with things like:

Running into the house yelling Peyton's name and running over to see her, touch her, and give her a kiss, and ask her if she wanted a snack?

Saying I love you over and over and wanting to "snuggles" with me for a long time.

Loving his train station baby Peyton gave to him and playing with it all morning.

Owen asking to hold baby Peyton and rock her in the rocker.

Dancing "with Baby sister" (as she is chilling in her bassinet) to the electronic lullaby tunes on her bassinet.

Giving baby Peyton gentle touches on her feet and kisses on her head.

Watching baby sister get fed and counting "One, Two milks."

Making sure baby Peyton would still be there when he got home from the park this evening.

Catching him rocking her bassinet and singing her his night-night song.... so sweet.

Yes, that is a huge band-aid on Owen's forehead... long story.

Last few days...

Of being an only child. Owen has pretty much been the center of the universe for the past two years. Although I have tried my best to not raise a spoiled child... he inevitably gets all of the attention and focus most of the time. I have LOVED my time with just one child, being able to focus all of my time and attention during the day on him, soaking in all of the milestones... but, Owen is SO ready for a sibling. Its time for him to learn to really share (and Im not talking about just "taking turns" with toys) this boy's heart is going to grow and be challenged by the invasion of a baby sister.

In these past couple of weeks, I have intentionally tried to do a couple of things with Owen in the midst of rushing around to prepare for the baby...

We stayed with Gramps while Mark was in Boston for work.

This boy is so spoiled by his Gramps.

We went to Disneyland one last time before the baby...

Im not super excited about braving this place with an ACTIVE little boy and a newborn without Mark. So we took one last quick little day trip with some friends.

And we got to see the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show front and center!!! OH TOODLES!

Dancing around with Malia... such a fun morning!

and many, many park days with friends...

I am sad that the era of having things semi-under control is ending. I am mourning the loss of JUST Owen and I, and all of the things that went along with being the mom of only one child... being able to meet most of his needs as they came, easily braving new adventures, having the nap time to rest and do things around the house, getting brakes when Mark comes home...

BUT, I am so excited to add this baby girl into the mix.

I am 39 weeks and enjoying my last couple of days of calm before this new little life enters our world. If you think of me, could you pray for us? Pray that I go into labor naturally (although I am getting induced on Tuesday if baby girl isnt here yet.), Pray for Owen in this transition of becoming a big brother and learning to share my time and use his GENTLE touches (aye!), and Pray that this new little girl is healthy and a good little eater (and sleeper? that may be a little much to ask for).

Preggos

My older sister Jess and I have both been pregnant together... We are 8 weeks apart and the best part is we are both having girls!!! When I found out Jess was pregnant my goal in life became to get tickets for the Ellen Mother's Day show for pregnant women so that both of us could go together!! We somehow scored tickets and here we are the day before Mother's Day, ready to head up to Burbank to dance on Ellen.

We had the best time... not only did I get a day away in Burbank alone with my sister (when does that ever happen?), and a fabulous little lunch at a street cafe with her, but it was pure comedy being in a room full of preggos, dancing and screaming. PLUS, we scored all kinds of baby gear giveaways from Ellen. Huge for my sister especially who is having her first baby and had nothing!!!

That was then and this is 2 weeks ago... I was 36 weeks and she was 28. I have clearly popped out a lot faster with this child and Jess is still so tiny and cute.

I dont think I will be braving any more pics with my sis as I am now completely enorme and not excited about getting my picture taken with a cute tiny little preggo. Im so excited that my sis is becoming a mom. We cant wait to meet little Stella.

Welcome Little Man

My best friend since birth (more like our fourth sister) Lindsay just had her third baby. My sisters and I threw her a "Mr. Man" shower to welcome baby Zachary and celebrate this precious new addition.

Here are Linds and Jackie holding their chocolate mustaches!

Yummy treats...

Hostesses... or should I say hosts?

Sweet Claire and Paige looking mischievous with their little mustaches... I love those things!

Our necktie picture garland. We had so much fun with this theme!

Sugar and Spice...

and everything pink!!

We celebrated the pending arrival of baby girl with this gorgeous, girlicious shower. It was so wonderful to be with all of my closest friends and get excited for this new baby girl that is about to enter our lives any day.

My sisters, the Hostesses with the Mostesses.

Pink Sweets!! so fun.

That day, I was truly overwhlemed to tears at all of these beautiful women in my life. I could not be happier to have this community surrounding me and my little ones. I am so excited that my daughter will look to these women as role models and mentors. I pray that she is blessed with as good of friends as I have been throughout every stage of life.

My high school friends... all of us mamas now.

Bella, my amazing mother in law... she is a God send.

My sister led a time of sharing... it was such a gift to hear the encouraging words from these women. I need it!! I have such a healthy fear of being a mother of two... now that Owen is showing so much of his own will, I realize how important my job is and how much I need God and the help and support of others in raising these little ones.

That day made it SO REAL for the first time that I am having a baby GIRL.

Mark felt it too when I brought home a car load full of things like this little number.

Baby girl, I cant wait to hold you and kiss you and see your face. Its going to be so much fun to dress you and play ballet and tea parties with you. My prayer is that you are a woman of beauty, inside and out unashamedly shining God's glory for the world to see.