Almost 3 months old!

Sophia will be 3 months old on Sunday. That blows my mind. Soon she'll be out of her newborn clothes and into her 0-3 months! I hope she'll actually get to wear some of the cute outfits that she got as gifts - a lot of them are wintery outfits and they're size 0-3 months. With our luck it'll be warm out by the time she's big enough to fit into them. My new favorite thing is when I smile at Sophia - and she smiles back. She's such a little ham. She has also laughed a few times in her sleep. It's adorable! Her personality is really starting to develop. She loves to cuddle on your chest or up by your neck. She loves to smile back at you and bat her eyes. When she's hungry - you know it because she gets sooooo squirmy. She cannot be still. She gets her arms and legs movin' and she wriggles her body, tosses her head and goes to town on her pacifier.
I know Sam has been getting very frustrated. He comes home from work in the evening and wants to help out. So, he takes Sophia and I go shower or make dinner. When she starts crying, he can't get her to stop. As soon as I take her, she's quiet. He even said one time "I know she hates me." It makes me feel AWFUL. I think she's just more used to me because I'm with her allllllll day long. I've explained this to him and I think he believes me but can't help to be frustrated about it.
Valentine's day this year was absolutely wonderful. Sam took care of Sophia Friday night. All I had to do was get up to feed her and then go back to bed. Sam did all the burping and changing. It was great to get some sleep - and in my own bed as opposed to the couch like usual. Then he made breakfast for me, made me a wonderful bath, took me out to lunch, and made a great dinner as well. I love my husband!

My Valentine's Day Bath

Giving Sophia her bath....she wasn't happy

Her cute little lamb hooded towel.

Sleeping.

Not happy with Mommy.

Adorable little thing.

Pretty baby blues.

Just a typical day at home.

I love this picture!

Smiling big!

One Month Ago Today

One month ago today, we brought Sophia home from the hospital! I can't believe it's already been a month, and at the same time, I can't believe it's only been a month. It's hard to explain, but that's just how it feels.



Gosh, I really need to start taking notes about what happens, cuz I'm having a hard time thinking of what to blog about. Hmm....



My aunt Gina, Granny, and cousins came down to visit this past weekend. We mostly just hung out at Kristin's. We went to the beach Saturday afternoon and all went to church on Sunday. It was great to see them again, but Kaylee was sick and I have a feeling that's how Sophia ended up getting sick. I feel so guilty about it. Tuesday Sophia started coughing and sounded really congested. Wednesday she sounded even worse in the morning, so I took her to the pediatrician and she said Sophia's got an upper respiratory infection. They didn't put her on any medicine. I hope she starts feeling better. She didn't sleep well last night and it breaks my heart to hear her coughing and wheezing. They weighed her when I took her to the doctor - she's 8lbs 7oz! Holy cow! I also got sick of waiting for the Protonix to be pre-authorized, so I went ahead and called in a refill on her Prilosec because she's been out of it since Saturday. Grr. Well, this morning the pediatrician's office called and said that the Protonix was authorized on February 2nd. Flippin' a. So now I don't know what to do. I haven't picked up the Prilosec yet, but I'm guessing they'll make me pay for it since I already called it in. I'll have to call down to the pharmacy tomorrow and see if that's what I have to do. I'm definitely not filling the Protonix right away if I have to get the Prilosec.



Other happenings: My mom turned 50 on February 5th! My dad turned 53 on February 6th! AND my sister, Jaclyn turned 27 on February 10th! Tomorrow Sam and I get our tax refund. Yay! I've officially let Willis know that I won't be returning to work at the end of my maternity leave. :( I'll miss everyone at work, but it really was the best decision for our family and for Sophia's health.

We are still in the process of looking for a home. We've got most of our paperwork done for NRHA....now all we need to do is find a house. We're trying to find something in Ocean View so we can be closer to Kristin.

Sam graduates from the academy on February 26th! Aaaah, it's getting so close. They just got their precinct assignments yesterday. Sam will be working in the 3rd precinct - which includes Larchmont, ODU, and where our apartment is now. It also includes Park Place - yikes. It could be worse - he could have gotten South Norfolk. I'm sure every precinct has sketchy areas.

Lookin' cute before Kendal, Mike, and Mikey came to see her for the first time!

Look at that pout!

Granny's first time holding Sophia!

Riley, Kaylee, and Gina with Sophia.

Daddy and Sophia

She looks like she's getting Granny with her pigs!

Sam playing Trouble with all the kids.

She was so smiley Monday night!

Makin' noise.

Pooped. This is how I feel EVERYDAY. Lol.

A video for your enjoyment!


Hanging out before Kendal's visit.

....more videos on facebook and myspace. There are 3 different ones but the other 2 took too long to upload on here.

time flies

I don't know where all the time goes, but I feel like I've been so busy and it's hard to get anything done that I want to get done. When I'm at home with Sophia, I feed her, then I burp her, then I have to hold her upright for a good half hour so she doesn't throw up, and by the time I get her put down it's almost time to feed her again. I wish I could clean the house more, get some dishes done, actually cook some meals, maybe shower and dry my hair for once. I've been living with my hair pulled back and in a pathetic array of tshirts and sweatpants. I seldom get a chance to leave the house. Last night I finally uploaded pictures of Sophia to facebook...I hadn't posted any new pictures in over 2 weeks. Sorry!

Sophia went to the pediatric surgeon on Tuesday. She weighs 7lbs 7oz and he said her belly looks good. His only concern was that her tummy was especially soft where her belly button is. There's not really muscle behind it. She is more susceptible to getting a hernia there. Anyway, we don't need to go back to see Dr. Kelly again until Sophia's one year old. While I was at CHKD, I visited with two of our primaries - Christy and Nat. It was sooo good to see them! I think I'm gonna try to stop in one night next week to see April since she works nights usually. My mom wants us to get some more "bow glue" from April so Sophia can wear bows again lol.

Wednesday it was beautifully warm out. It was so nice that Kristin, Tyler, Connor, and Sophia and myself went for a walk on the beach. I put Sophia in her sling and she slept the whole time. It felt great to be outside and getting exercise. I put Sophia in her sling for a little bit today too so I could tidy up around the house....all I got done was some laundry sorting and putting away clean dishes.

It's amazing how much Sophia is changing already. She's very alert and yesterday she was talking to me quite a bit - little coo's that just melt your heart! Her face is finally starting to get chubby and her little legs are filling out. I love her little fingers and toes. I could kiss her all day. I love when she's laying on her back and you give her little kisses down by her neck. She smiles and just stares at you :)

Today we went to the pediatrician for her 2 month shots and weight check up. She now weighs 7lbs 11oz and is 21.5" long! I can't believe the rate at which she's growing. I am so proud for her. She fits into newborn clothes like she's supposed to...only took a couple months lol. She wasn't too thrilled about the shots she had to get. Poor little girl. She won't have to get any more shots until she's 4 months old. We go back to the pediatrician in another month to check up on her weight again.

2 months today

Sophia is 2 months old today! Where has the time gone!?

So Tuesday we were SUPPOSED to get 3-5" of snow! ...and we didn't. But, southerners are snow-fearing people and even just the possibility of snow prompted the pediatric surgeon's office to be closed. Our appointment was cancelled that day and it's rescheduled for next week Tuesday. How pathetic...we never even got any snow.

Sophia's appointment with the pediatrician went really well today. She got her shot for Hepatitis B. I cannot believe she gained 11oz in 8 days! She now weighs 7lbs 3oz and is 20" long. I was so worried that she hasn't been eating enough, but now I feel a little bit better knowing that she gained that much weight. As for her reflux issues - they are putting her back on the Protonix (what she was on in the hospital). This drug requires pre-authorization, so while we're waiting for that, I am supposed to double her prilosec (give her .75mL/twice a day). I really hope this helps because she looks like she's in a lot of pain when she spits up or even just burps sometimes.

Week One

We survived Sophia's first week home! ...with the help of my mom. She's been great - hanging out with Sophia for a little bit in the morning so I can get a couple hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was great to have extra hands around or someone to make sure the dishes didn't get piled up. I'm sure going to miss having her around to help me out. I know my mom is really going to be sad to leave Sophia. :( Wednesday will be my real test - first day of having Sophia all by myself. Sam will be at work and I'll have the sole responsibility of taking care of Sophia.

Sophia had a couple rough feeds where she threw up quite a bit, but her latest development has been this struggle when she bears down. Poor little thing looks like she's in pain and even cries and winces. I'll ask the pediatric surgeon tomorrow at our appointment. I sure hope that everything is ok. She's still stooling fine, eating fine, doesn't have diaper rash, etc.

I'll update ya tomorrow or Wednesday about the appointment with the pediatric surgeon.

Sophia's Homecoming

Sophia came home from the hospital on Monday night, January 12, 2009. She spent 51 days in the NICU at CHKD. It was a bittersweet departure. I was glad that she was healthy enough to come home, but at the same time I will miss our primaries - Christy, Nat, and April - and the peace of mind knowing that someone was always there who knew exactly what to do. Sam and I got home at about 10:00 that night. We came home to pink balloons tied to our door with a big sign that said "Welcome Home Sophia." Sam's parents were responsible for that :) It was time to feed her, change her, and hit the sack. She didn't sleep much that first night, which means I didn't either. The second night went a little bit better - in terms of sleep. Last night was a stressful one for me though. Sophia didn't eat very well at 11:30 and she seemed to throw up a lot more than she had been. Since then, she's only had one good feeding. I'm starting to get very nervous and worried. She's not eating very much at a time, she's spitting up more, and she seems to be fussy. I really hope that everything is still ok. She's still having plenty of wet and dirty diapers, but I still can't dismiss the spitting up and the decreased desire to eat a lot. She seems very uncomfortable when she spits up - like it's really burning her throat. If it continues much longer I'll probably call someone and see what they think - if there's anything I can try, symptoms to look for, etc. :(
Sophia had her first appointment with the pediatrician Wednesday. They weighed her and she is up to 6lbs 8oz! She's also 19.25" long. Sophia threw up all down my shirt while we were there. Lol. Oh well, I can't blame her - she had her multi-vits right before we left for the appointment. We go back next Thursday to check in on her weight and probably give her some shots.

Enjoy the pictures! Saying goodbye to our primary, Nat! (on her last day before Sophia went home - 1-11-09)


The day Sophia got to come home - one last visit in the hospital.

Those socks look like legwarmers....ready for some aerobics!

So stinkin' adorable in an outfit that April got her.

Gettin' ready to head home.

All bundled up to go outside for the first time.

Big cousin Tyler's first time seeing Sophia.

Connor's first time holding her.

Grandma with all her grandchildren.

Our first visit to the pediatrician.

Pediatrician's office

Yippee!

January 11, 2009: I went up to the hospital this morning at 7:30 to feed Sophia and then head to church. She did really well - just tiny spit ups. I was especially surprised when I had to give her the multi-vitamins that she didn't start throwing up. Yay. After the hospital I went to church, then home to clean a bit, and then went to pick up my mom from the airport. We went to see Sophia til about 9:50 and she was doing great. We didn't get a chance to give her a bath and weigh her before we left, so we were on pins and needles wondering if she would gain weight. We called just after midnight to see if she had gained, but the nurse hadn't given her a bath yet. She reassured us that she thought Sophia had definitely gained weight. So we went to bed and decided we'd call again when we got up. I just called at 4:45 am and found out that Sophia has gained 25 grams. She weighs 2840 - 6lbs 4 oz! That means she's for sure coming home today!!! YAY!