One month update...

Brynn had her one month appointment yesterday. Just to jog your memory here are her stats at 4 days old:

6 lbs. 9 oz.
19 1/2 inches

Four weeks later:

9 lbs. 10 oz.
21 inches

GO US! GO US! Those three am feedings are paying off. My girl is growing so big. Now if I can just get her into 3 month old clothes we will be set.

Of course I can't just leave you hanging without pictures so here you go.

This beautiful quilt is a gift from Connie Moorefield. I LOVE IT!


That is so close to a smile!

Caroline has been begging me for days now to feed Brynn. After I nursed Brynn, I pumped what was left and let Caroline sit in the rocker and feed her sister. Caroline was a pro. She is such a good big sister.

Side Effects...

**Warning: The following pictures are too cute for words. Look at them at your own risk. Side effects of this amount of cuteness could include: sudden baby fever, constant "oooo-ing and aaaahhhing", giddy-ness, a sudden urge to come to Greensboro to visit us, etc. Whatever you do, refrain from kissing your computer screen. (That is just gross)**

PS. Now comes the hard part. I have to choose one for her birth announcements. Yikes!!

Christmas

I know you really want some more pictures of my sweet Brynn. They are coming soon but in the mean time I thought I would tell you about our Christmas (aka the calm before the storm).
I thought I would describe Christmas the same way Kevin and I have been talking about it for about 4 months now...by spelling it out for you. We have been speaking in code about Santa, travel, gifts, etc. around Caroline. I have a feeling our time is running out on that luxury. So, here we go...

1. D-o-l-l-h-o-u-s-e
Caroline hit the jackpot with Santa this year. She got a sweet dollhouse with a family, 2 rooms and a mini-van. It has been so much fun watching her interact with the mommy, daddy, and babies. At one point Dad was upstairs watching TV while Mom was cooking dinner. Hmmmmm.....

2. W-i-l-m-i-n-g-t-o-n
On Christmas Day Caroline and I traveled to Wilmington with my mom. Kevin had to work and then he joined us. We got to hang out with family and eat until we were delirious. Caroline and Ava Grey got matching PJs. Too cute!
3. F-o-o-d
We ate like kings this holiday. I had a good excuse being 8 1/2 months pregnant. What is it about Christmas that makes it ok to eat crazy foods and crazy hours of the day? It's 8am...a chocolate chip cookie sounds great. We had Christmas dinner at my mom's and also at the Walker's. Everything was delicious.

4. A-u-n-t-E-m and U-n-c-l-e-C-h-r-i-s
Emily and Chris were able to come to Wilmington for Christmas this year. We were so excited. We haven't seen them in about a year. I was worried that my midwife was going to tell me I couldn't travel and I wouldn't be able to see them. We all went to the movies (True Grit, amazing!), hung out and enjoyed each other. We can't wait for our reunion this summer!

What you really came for...

Brynn Rebecca Walker
December 30, 2010
7 lbs. 1 oz.
21 inches

More to come...

O Tannenbaum!

We decided to get a real tree this year. Not only a real tree but from a Christmas tree farm. We live in a great area of North Carolina that has tons of tree farms and we wanted to support our local farmers. Caroline was way excited to help us pick out a tree. It was freezing and even though you can't see it from the pictures there was still a little bit of snow on the ground.

It was a cut your own tree farm. It was literally in a guy's backyard. It was cool to see all the baby trees that will be decked out one day with lights and ornaments.


I love how Caroline sticks out her tongue while working so hard to hang the lights.
We taught her the art of squinting to find out where we are missing lights.

After such a long day Tu-tu was tired and found a great spot to rest.

PS. For those of you who don't know the story, Tu-tu is what we have to call Caroline when she is pretending to be a puppy. When she is Tu-tu she will bark to talk to you, run on all fours and give you puppy hugs (rub up against you) and puppy kisses (lick your face).

34 weeks...

Well, Here are my 34 week belly pics. I had my midwife appointment today and I am still at a 2 so things are going well. Here's to hoping she stays in and cooks a little longer!

I just realized that this is my 100th post! Yahooooo!

Bed Rest Update...

Ok,
So here is the story. When I was 29 weeks along, I had an appointment with my midwife. I explained to her that this baby was really low and I was feeling a little bit of pressure. We decided to do a Fetal fibronectin test which can sort of predict preterm labor. You want a negative test because that means I will not go into labor in the next two weeks. Of course, mine was positive which means there is no guarantee that I won't go into labor in the next two weeks. I went to the hospital and was monitored for a few hours to see if I was having any contractions (I wasn't). I was also given a steroid shot to help develop the babies lungs in case she came early. At that point I was put on a level 2 bed rest which meant I could not lift anything, I could not stand for more than 10 minutes at a time and no travel, all for two weeks. At the following appointment they would do the test again and every appointment after that.
At my 32 week appointment I had the test again and it was negative. That did not mean I was off the hook. I still can't do housework or cook or lift Caroline but I can stand for a little while and go to church and go to Target (but someone has to go with me.) Also, at my appointment I discovered that I am 2 cm and 50% effaced. My midwife told me that is kind of normal for a second baby but it really scares me.
So I am sitting in my Lazy-Boy recliner as I write this and I am feeling this sweet baby move around and stretch. I am nervous about what will happen but I feel so blessed to be healthy enough to be pregnant. Kevin gave me the most beautiful blessing when all of this first happened that was poignant and faith-promoting. I can't wait to meet this sweet girl (who still doesn't have a name) but then again, I can wait a little bit longer.