February 26, 2011

First check-up = Success!

At our first check up with Dr. Floyd, who was also my pediatrician by the way, HG put together some impressive stats. Let me remind you... at birth she was 7 lbs 3 oz. and leaving the hospital she was 6 lbs. 10 oz. A mere 10 days later at her two-week check up, our chubby-cheeked little angel weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz., to which the doctor and nurse's reaction was simply stated: "This little girl seems to be very well-fed. The breastfeeding must be going well."

She also gained about a half of an inch in height. We are so proud of our little munchkin for being so strong and healthy! She rocked at the check-up, passing everything with flying colors. Don't we all wish we could get more credit for being good eaters??... haha!


As for that stubborn belly button... we are anxiously awaiting its reveal! 

This coming week, we are going to start scheduling some play dates (though they may be more fun for mom & dad than HG yet). Looking forward to them!!




February 23, 2011

Long time, no blog :(

I hope this quick post finds you all well... and hopefully you've been out enjoying this lovely, is-it-spring-yet? weather we've been having! I wish I could say that's what we've been up to, but unfortunately, the speedy recovery I was having last week was put on hold and I've been a bit under the weather (pun intended).

However, things seem to be on the upswing, and we even ventured out for a walk around town this afternoon (see pics below). We're looking forward to Hannah Grace's first check up on Friday by making bets on how much she will weigh on her two week birthday... What's your guess??? We'll keep you posted on the results!

Cutie-pa-tootie...12 days old

More interested in napping than photographing

HG's little feet and toes are the CUTEST

To ride in the stroller or not?... now that is the question

Very enthusuatic about our walk, as you can see

PS: Vote in the belly button poll in the right sidebar... the answer has yet to be revealed! :)

February 19, 2011

Hannah Grace turns 1 week old!!

We've quickly realized that raising a baby is all about reaching milestones... and each one brings such joy! I know what you're thinking... one week? seriously?... but, yes, we made a big deal out of it with our first family outing!
We packed the diaper bag and stroller, and we ventured down to the waterfront park to enjoy the beautiful weather and celebrate this milestone with ice cream (I recommend Kooky Mooky's Chocolate Brownie Extreme flavor)!!

Of course, HG couldn't eat ice cream so she wore it! :)


Both looking forward to getting out of the house!!
Looking adorable in her ice cream outfit!

Watching the ships roll in...


Ah! She HAD to eat!!
Daddy was totally showing her off! :)
  

February 17, 2011

Rub-a-dub-dub... HG in the tub!!

Here's a quick update on how our nights are going before we share "first bath at home moments."


Since my last post, we have had wonderful improvements in our nightly routine. [Commence bragging] In fact, last night we nursed at 10 PM, got 4 hours of sleep, nursed at 2 AM, got four hours of sleep, nursed at 6 AM, got 3 hours of sleep.... and started our day all refreshed and happy at 9 AM. How amazing is that?!?! Thanks to all of you who offered words of wisdom (or at least sympathy) as we tackled this parenting hurdle!!


Now, to bath time.... which was also a success because HG got all cleaned up and had the "fresh, new baby smell." Needless to say, she had to endure a lot of sniffs and kisses from mommy and daddy! I wish we could say that HG enjoyed the process as much as we enjoyed the results, but she was less than impressed with being naked in the tub and covered in water. [Cue the disgruntled face]


Mommy giving the initial rinse.


Daddy giving a scrub-a-dub-dub.


Rinsing her shiny brown (with a reddish tint?) hair under the faucet.


Mommy promising it's all over with ('til next time).


A quick manicure started the calm down process...


...And getting her hair brushed wasn't half bad.


HG all pretty and clean with her valentine outfit from GranDo!

Keep following and feel free to add comments... Do you have a question for us? Is there anything in particular you'd like for me to blog about? Eventually, I'd like to cover a broader range of topics, but HG is currently a very consuming subject! :)

Coming up next... HG turns 1 (week)!

February 15, 2011

Lots of firsts with our little Valentine

Well, the time came to leave the hospital and all of the wonderful nurses and staff that helped us learn the ropes for 4 days (and made sure we got naps!).
We brought HG home on February 14, 2011.... a very special Valentine's Day treat!


This is where all of the "firsts" I've promised to report on begin....
  • Our first car ride was wonderful... HG slept the whole time. We are so glad she didn't mind the car seat. Jason drove very cautiously and I cringed during bumps ;)
  • Our first afternoon was quiet (though I was prepared for chaos). The dogs took the transition pretty well, giving her a couple of sniff tests and discerning looks when a noise did appear. We know in time they will be the best of friends!
  • Our first night began after a couple of nice visits, when we decided to call it quits and move our camp upstairs. The night started off as a continuation of the smooth, laid back afternoon with nursing sessions flanked by sleep. Then, at 2 AM all of that changed....
...and there was not a nurse to call or a nursery to send HG. It was us versus her. It was an utter feeling of helplessness on our part and it played out for hours on end. No combination of feeding, rocking, singing, swaying, swaddling, lighting, or begging seemed to bring us close to a resolution.... until 6 AM, when completely exhausted, she managed to perform a 180 and finally nodded off to dream land.

BUT we are no worse for the wear. We learned a lot. Actually just saying we survived our first night is gratifying in itself. HG rewarded our efforts by giving us another wonderful day together, during which everything was cute and fun, and mommy and daddy even got to catch up on some zzzzzzzzzzs.... whether that's in preparation of another long night, we aren't sure... but here's proof that by mid-morning, we were back to our unfrazzled state and doing well. 

That's our 2011 Valentine's Day story... what's yours?

February 13, 2011

And now...the GRAND introduction!

We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Miss Hannah Grace Meyer.  Born @ 5:22pm on 2/11/11.  She weighed in at 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.  She gave us a little scare at the beginning, thinking the umbilical cord was her first necklace (fashion conscious already), but she is happy, healthy and doing great.


Our first moment together

Ahhh, the heat lamp :)

Family portrait after a very succesful first night
Who do I look like?

No caption necessary!
Special thanks to all of our supporters and visitors during this momentous occasion.

We are totally digging this parenting thing and are so looking forward to experiencing all the joys (and trials) that it has to offer! 

We will continue to update and track progress (hers and ours) as we embark on this wonderful journey.

February 11, 2011

While we wait...check out the nursery!

We are official residents of the Labor & Delivery wing! We checked in yesterday around 5pm and enjoyed a relaxing night in preparation for what will *hopefully* be HG's birthday! They are going to start giving me the "go juice" around 7:30am.

To help the time pass, here's a video of the nursery that we are so proud of and will be bringing our daughter home to in a matter of hours? days? weeks (oh surely not!)?

To see the transformation of what was once a boring, beige dog guest room.... Click Here 

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as labor begins!

February 7, 2011

Maternity Photo Shoot!

Okay, so the previous post made me anxious to upload more maternity pictures. This is a very special time... to think I'm carrying around a little baby is truly amazing.
Even at 9 months, I still can't believe it. What a miracle this process is. I've always heard that, but it's so different to have the firsthand experience.


Without further ado, please enjoy these pics, 
taken by Lynn Lind of Town and Country Photography in Charleston. 
Thank you Lynn--great work!






February 4, 2011

2 weeks til D-Day!

Well, there are only two weeks left until our due date, and we HOPE that D-Day (delivery day) will be on or before then!!


It seems like just yesterday we were finding out that we were pregnant (shock!) and like five minutes ago that we were having a GIRL (double-shock!!). But now the time is near to bring our sweet girl into the world and have her join the family down on Old Shell.

I thought I'd share a belly pic...
and believe it or not she is running out of room! 


How can I tell, you ask? Because when she isn't sleeping, it feels as though she is going to bust through the walls of my belly.. or just plain drop out! Not that I'm complaining... being pregnant is hands down the coolest feeling ever! As much as I am looking forward to holding her in my arms (and seeing the hubs hold her in his arms), I will miss having her in my belly and therefore always right there with me. ;)

February 2, 2011

Introducing: Down on Old Shell

[Cue the drum roll in the background]
I am so excited to finally be starting a blog!!


What has taken so long to enter the world of blogs, I'm not sure, but with
our (bustling) careers, our new (amazing) marriage, and our (sweet) baby girl on the way,
I figure better late than never to start documenting our wonderfully busy life!


It's my hope to share our family's adventures and 
stay in touch with friends and family near and far. 



Follow our blog as we take part in everyday adventures of life Down on Old Shell! :)