Cuddle Up

The surrofamily came to visit yesterday. We had a very nice time chatting over a delicious dinner at our home. It's always so nice to see them and check in on how big the lil man is. He was quite bright eyed and alert and very busy checking out the girls and sharing smiles with us all. Baby G was such a good boy while we enjoyed our dinner, just gazing around the playroom, I imagine thinking how fun it will be to visit Miss Tiffany's house once he can move about and play. LOL

We caught up on the last few weeks over a couple bottles of wine and talked into the very late hours of the night.

Baby G has had a few babysitters in the last month and A&T have been able to enjoy a few short evenings out alone. Sounds like everything went well, they have a lot of friends and family who can't wait to help out, he's been in very good hands while mom and dad are away.

IF just wrapped up work for the next month so they all have a bit of time to enjoy a couple laid back weeks before IM's maternity leave ends. She'll go back to work in August so it'll be just the guys hanging out at home for some male bonding until early fall when IF returns to work too.

IPs have a couple of their first trips with "baby on board" coming up. They'll be visiting friends & family in Michigan next week and then early August it is off to their favorite city, New Orleans, with Grandpa and Grandma along too. Wishing them lots of luck with their first adventures away from home!!

I'm in disbelief that Baby G will be 3 months old this next week! Where has the time gone! Can't believe that tomorrow (Friday) marks 12 weeks ago that I went into labor and the second phase of this journey began. I know I say it nearly every update but I can't express enough how blessed I feel to have been a part of helping such a wonderful couple create their family. My heart is full.

Two Months (and a visit)

Another update for you all. I'll start first with Baby G's 2 month well baby check-up. He's doing great! IM said the appointment went well and his stats are 13lbs 3oz (90th percentile) and 25 1/8 inches (95th percentile) so he's keeping up with the curve and staying high on the charts. He had to have five vaccines which didn't make him a very happy camper so it was a bit of a rough night following the doctor visit. Poor baby.

Baby G is making little sounds, smiling and giggling, and seems to recognize his mama's voice. He can easily hold his head up and he holds onto rattles and toys for small amounts of time. He's starting to focus and follow things with his eyes and he loves to be in his bouncey chair and to kick!

We got in a visit this week which of course is a nice treat. Yesterday we went for a quick lunch at a locally owned fast food joint, Beef-a-Roo. There was one down by the hospital that we delivered at and IF commented a couple of times that he wanted to check it out ... YUM cheddar fries!! After wards we went back to the house to sit on the patio, it was a gorgeous night! We all enjoyed a little red wine while the kids played in the backyard. Our daughter Chloe (10) is taking an acting class this week and A&T helped her rehearse some lines and give her a little direction since that is their area of expertise. She was eating it up!! I was able to get in lots of snuggles and was excited to get some smiles too! I held the little guy while he took a short cat nap, so peaceful & precious!

A&T brought along a gift from Baby G's grandma & grandpa (IF's parents). It was a beautiful Llardo angel figurine from Spain (Angel Dreaming). It will be the perfect memento of our journey to display in my curio cabinet. My deepest thanks for such a special gift L&F.

After awhile we had to come in (darn mosquitoes) and visited for a little longer indoors. Baby G was getting tired after not getting much sleep the night prior thanks to the shots, so it was time for them to head home.

I feel so lucky and blessed, I never would have imagined a year ago that the relationship with my IPs would be all that it is today. As A&T were leaving we briefly discussed when we'd be getting together next. The trend has been every 10-14 days, mostly due to the EBM pick ups, but it has been great that we see each other so frequently. IM commented that we weren't gonna be able to get rid of them now ... believe me the feeling is very mutual.

Visit in the City

Spent the day with the surro family today, the weather didn't really cooperate for a day on the town (Chicago) but we made the best of it.

We met A&T at their condo and headed out for lunch. We enjoyed some burgers and drinks together on the patio and caught up on the last couple weeks. Of course as most lil ones do, Baby G decided he didn't want to be left out of the meal and began fussing just when the food came. He was much more content after getting a full tummy.

We decided to go down to Navy Pier, we had never been there with the kids. Of course the girls saw the big Ferris Wheel and had to take a ride. All the ladies went up and enjoyed a dreary yet exciting view of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The girls and I also went through a fun house, they enjoyed it despite it not taking very long to navigate through.

I got to cuddle with Baby G a bit as we walked around. A&T say he's smiling now but he didn't share any with me on this visit. I'll likely see them again in a couple weeks, hoping to see that toothless grin then. He's growing and losing that newborn look now. He's still got that full head of hair, his eyes are staying their brilliant blue and he has the most adorable baby cheeks ... he's a cutie pie for sure.

Here's a family pic (snapped by IF). I didn't get a pic of the "new" lil family, maybe next time. ;)


Lauren(5), Tiffany, Chloe (10), Brie (16), Jason & Isabelle (3)

6 Weeks Postpartum

I had my six week postpartum visit with my OB today.

Of course the nurse asked me a whole bunch of stuff to rule out PPD ... nope no issues here, couldn't be more happy that A&T have their lil man in their arms and it is NOT ME dealing with the sleepless nights and endless diaper changes. LOL No really in all seriousness I feel GREAT emotionally and am so happy that I was able to be a part of such an amazing miracle.

I'm down 28 lbs since delivery, another 15-20 to go to get to my goal. I gained way more weight than I wanted to but 15 lbs is realistic I think. Joined WW again last week and went back to the gym on Wednesday. Jason and I have planned a trip to Jamaica in September, a little honeymoon for us (10 years later). I'm using that as my motivation right now and it seems to be working.

Of course you all know what a stink the Dr. made about c-sec vs. vaginal delivery because of his size. Well you may remember it ended up not being my regular OB that delivered so this was the first time she saw me since that last 37 wk appt. First thing she said was "Wow 10 pounds huh!" Then, sorry if TMI, as she was doing her exam she commented "No episiotomy either?" and I said "Nope" which she followed with, "Guess your body was just meant to have babies". Couldn't help but think to myself ... I'll take that as a compliment thank you very much. ;)

So I got the all clear, back to life as usual I suppose. :)

The family and I are planning to head into the city to visit with the surro fam on Sunday. Looking forward to enjoying a day in Chicago with the hubby, the girls and seeing A&T and Baby G for a bit.

Last Man Standing

Baby G came for a visit yesterday. Jason and I hosted a "little" party to kick off the start of summer and I was delighted that A&T were able to join us. Many of our friends and family were anxious to meet the big guy so it was great to show him off and of course to get in some cuddles too.

He's doing well, still has a bit of that newborn look but getting more and more alert and he's quite strong for only 5 weeks. This past week he was seen by the pediatrician for his one month check up. I don't recall the exact percentiles IM gave me but I believe it was something like the 95th for height and 90th for weight. His stats were 11 lbs. 1 oz. and 23 inches ... healthy and happy and big.

They arrived at our home in the late afternoon and spent hours visiting and mingling. It was wonderful for so many of our friends and family to have the opportunity to meet this very special little family we are always talking about. The day passed by rather quickly, before long it was night fall and as we talked we lost track of time. The night then turned into the early morning hours and it was 2 AM before our visit came to end. Baby G was "the last man standing" since by this point everyone had either headed out or gone off to bed. We said our goodbyes but we know it won't be for long ...

As time passes it's hard to even remember that I carried him. Of course I remember the pregnancy but what I mean is, now that he has been in the loving arms of his mommy and daddy for over a month it almost feels like he was always with them. Life continues to return to normal around our household. My maternity leave is coming to an end Tuesday so it is back to work and I'll be hitting the gym again after getting the all clear at my postpartum visit next week. Time for life to resume as normal. Now that the girls have finished up school for the year we are looking forward to a busy yet fun summer.

Yesterday was a perfect day for many reasons but of course these special visitors were one of the highlights for me. My heart is full.

Precious Baby Boy

I had a great visit with my lil surroman today. I got in some cuddle time despite him being a bit fussy. Since IPs ran out of EBM a couple days ago they had to use some forumla and it doesn't entirely agree with his system, poor lil guy had to poop but couldn't. IM was comforting him, rocking and patting away for some time when I offered to take over to give her arms a rest. He fussed a bit more but did finally settle down in my arms and slept there for a awhile, it was sweet. He's just adorable and makes the cutest lil noises. IF said he sounds like a lil piggy hunting for truffles. LOL The girls got a chance to cuddle him for the first time today, they really enjoyed that ... well that is until Lauren got spit up on!!

IM and IF caught me up on the last two weeks. They are adjusting and learning the ropes of this new parenting gig. Besides a few long nights things seem to be going well. They both already seem more at ease caring for him, before long they'll be pros.

I sent them on their way with a good stash of EBM, 5 gallons worth! (642.5 oz) It all didn't fit into the large Coleman cooler had to use a second one to get it all home. Just call me the "Dairy Queen".

We are planning to see one another again soon and I'm already looking forward to it.