Settling in

We are all settling in at home and doing well. The back to normal routine began today as Dan is back to work and Claire went back to daycare. Everything went surprisingly well this morning.

Before Jenna was born I had convinced myself that Claire was such an easy baby and we were destined to have a not so easy baby this time around. So far around we have been proven wrong and we are left wondering what we did to deserve this wonderful baby. First night home Jenna went down around 11:30 and I had to wake her up at 6:30! I was convinced that was a fluke. Next night we put her down again around 11:30, she woke up fussing at 4:15, I nursed her and she was back down and slept until 10AM! Sunday night was the first night it was just the 4 of us - Claire went down without much trouble - she just kept poking her head out to check on "my baby Jenna." Jenna went down around midnight and woke up at 5:45, just about the time Claire was getting up and running into our room. She sat with me while I nursed Jenna, then Claire got up with Dan to get ready for school, Jenna and I went back to sleep until she woke up again at 9:30. We're just hanging out until her pediatrician appointment at 3:00.

Jennas reverse sunglass tan after her stint under the lights. I feel like the pictures make it look worse that it really was.
Claire never liked having her arms swaddled up and so far Jenna likes to have only her right arm swaddled. She looks nice and comfy in her bed.
Hanging out getting ready for bed on Saturday night
Guess these pictures aren't in the right order....this is us breaking free from the hospital. Claire didn't quite understand the wheelchair.
The entire time I was pregnant, Claire said her baby sister was going to bring her a stuffed lion and she was going to bring her baby sister a stuffed elephant. She makes sure Jenna has her elephant at all times.

Jennas umbilical cord fell off Sunday so she got her first bath - it entailed her peeing all over her towel before she got in and then pooping in the tub - fun times!
Snuggling with Mommy :-)
Pictures with Titi before she had to head back to Vermont.

Claire enjoyed giving her baby sister a bath!

More updates

*Update* - Jennas bilirubin levels were down slightly to 10.7 so we were discharged around 7:30 PM. Claire came to the hospital with Daddy and was happy to bring her baby sister home. We will take Jenna back to the hospital in the morning for one more blood test.

Where do we start - I feel like we have been at the hospital forever, but it sounds like we are breaking free tonight.

The name...Miss Jenna Marye Snider. Dan & I had decided on a short list for first names - Jamie, Jenna, Emily, or Abby. It was just a matter of meeting this little girl before we decided for sure and we definitely made the right choice. Jennas middle name was Dans grandmothers first name - pronounced Mary, spelled Marye (there's a story behind it, but I'll let Don explain so I don't mess it up).

Claire has been up to the hospital twice and has enjoyed loving on Miss Jenna. Claire generally pays attention to Jenna for about 15 or 20 minutes and then seems to lose some interest. There is just too much going on. Kristin arrived yesterday to meet Jenna and will be around for the weekend. Pipere arrives from Germany tomorrow night.

Also yesterday morning the pediatrician let me know that Jenna had a mild case of jaundice, with her bilirubin level at 10. He wanted to make sure I was pushing fluids on Jenna and wanted her levels to be tested again Thursday night. She is breastfeeding great and also taking a bottle as part of her feeding. Last night around 11:30 her bilirubin came back at 11.7 - boo for it going up and not down. Around 3AM, the nurses woke me up to let me know they were going to put her under the lights. I woke up around 6 and asked them to bring her in so I could feed her. She had a great feeding, took a bottle and we sent her back to the nursery around 8 AM for another blood test and to be put back under the lights. I passed back out until almost 10 and then found out her levels went up very slightly to 11.9 :-( Now I was getting worried that they were going to keep Jenna and discharge me, but we had to wait for the pediatrician to make his rounds after lunch before we knew anything. After getting up and showered, I asked to nurse Jenna around 11:00, but she was passed out under the lights so we waited a little bit. Just as I was finishing up nursing her and giving her a bottle, I wheeled her back to the nursery just as the pediatrician was walking in. He recommended we keep her under the lights until 6 tonight and then he will order another blood test. Assuming her levels don't shoot up - we will be free (all of us!) to discharge tonight. BUT, we have to bring her back first thing in the AM for one last blood test.

Claire enjoyed giving Jenna a bottle

and so did Auntie Kristing
Claire wasn't really into the pictures as you can tell


Claire was pinching Jennas cheeks to give her a better kiss.
I felt much more rested on Thursday
You can see the yellowish tinge to her skin here - poor thing!




Under the lights on Friday afternoon - hoping this helps!
Can you see how yellow she is around her little eyes where the mask was?
We're still keeping our fingers crossed that tonights results are the same if not lower than they were this morning - we would really love to bring Jenna home with us tonight. Say a little prayer for us...we will keep you updated once we hear something.

Claires Visit to the "hostable"

Dan took off this afternoon to grab a nap and shower at home and then pick up Claire from daycare to bring her to the hospital. Claire was so excited to see "my Jenna" and she gave her lots and lots of love. Here is one of her first kisses for her baby sister.
Sweet kisses for Miss Jenna
Andrea had to take off this afternoon for a late night conference call and then she is heading to Virginia tomorrow for a wedding. And did you know she is closing on her house on Monday?!?! Claire just couldn't stop with the kisses

I guess this is our new normal. Don't mind me - I look exhausted. I mean, I am exhausted. We will send Jenna to the nursery shortly so Mommy and Daddy can hopefully get a good nights rest and maybe tomorrows pictures won't make me look like I have been run over by a mac truck - you can't even see in my eyes!
Daddy and his two little girls.
Thanks for all the E-mail, texts, phone calls, and well wishes. Since Jenna was born at 1:07 AM and we have to stay in the hospital for 2 nights, we are here until Friday. Kristin is heading down tomorrow afternoon and Pipere will be here on Saturday to meet Miss Jenna. We'll try to update with more pictures tomorrow - enjoy!

Welcome Jenna

Jenna's stats:

7 lbs. 11 oz.
20.5 inches

No rest for the weary

So, this time was just about as polar opposite as the labor with Claire. We arrived at the hospital around 9:45 and got admitted quickly thereafter. Once Meredith got her epidural we turned the lights off and got a little shut eye. While I was sleeping, or trying to, Meredith's contractions were getting closer and closer together and stronger. Our doctor was called/paged, but was unable to get here in time. They had to call in the in house doctor and he got ready. Meredith told him it was time to go and after about 10 minutes of pushing, the newest member of the Snider family was born at 1:07 AM. The nurses all say she is gorgeous and that she looks like a C-section baby (round head.) Once we get some sleep and some food in our bellies, I'll upload some pictures and hopefully report a name.

Something's happening!

A7 lb 11oz, 20 inch long baby was born at 1:07. Name and picture to come...

11:15 - Mere just called and sounded good! She has had her epidural and was 6cm - she was going to try to take a nap for a bit...

Mere and Dan are settling themselves in at the hospital and she is 3-4cm dialated. She started having contractions this afternoon and it seemed to move pretty quickly after that...it went from me heading up after my 9PM kickball game to leaving my house at 8:30 and having to pick Claire up from Mere's friends house because they were already at the hospital! Claire is settled in on the couch watching Curious George with her baby doll....shhhh...don't tell Mere and Dan :)

Good luck Mere!!!

Nothing happening

Last week I was convinced this baby would arrive early, but now I'm not so sure. Last week I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced and the doctor said I probably wouldn't see my due date, which is this Saturday. Today I went back for my 39 week check up and things are exactly the same - 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. So we are back to waiting....maybe for Pipere to return from Germany??

We have another appointment scheduled for next Monday morning if we make it that far - time will tell!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day!

Baptism

I know that I have sent out a message on Facebook about Charlotte and Lauren's baptism but for those of you who don't have Facebook or don't check it regularly here are the specifics:

 

Date: Sunday, June 5th

Time: 1 pm, after the noon Mass

Location: Jericho, 537 Northampton Street, Holyoke

Party to follow at Jericho

 

Please post if you will or will not be attending, either on the blog or reply on Facebook so I know what to order for food following the baptism.

Charlotte & Lauren Easter Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures of the twins on Easter. I can't believe I somehow forgot to get a picture of them together in their dresses. I have also thrown in a picture of Claire holding Charlotte when we went to see them the weekend they were up here. The last picture shown is also on Easter but at the end of the day. They are in their tights and onesies. I love the picture becuase they are looking at each other, and I can only imagine what they are thinking at that moment after seeing so many people in one day!

Tick tock....

Still hanging on after a busy week. Doctor appointment, ultrasound, visit from Marianne, trip into the city, chiropractor appointment, dentist appointment for both Claire and I, and play dates at the park. Whew...I am tired just thinking about it. But still, no baby and no name.

If you did not already know, my cousin Sara had her baby 2 weeks ago on April 18th - Jack Edward. Marianne came to visit on Wednesday and we took a trip into the city to meet Jack.
It was Babe Ruth Day on Wednesday and all the kids at daycare were supposed to wear a shirt from their favorite baseball team. Claire sported her Red Sox shirt, along with one other girl in her class, but she did look right at me and say - Sorry Mom, Indians....I wonder who put her up to that?
Claire is definitely tuned in to what is going on. She told everyone at the dentists office about her baby sister and how she is still growing in Mommys belly but will will be "borned" soon. She asks me if her baby sister is ready to come out and when do we need to go to the "hostable." One day last week she announced that today was her baby sisters birthday - I think I held my breath until the end of the day. Claire is also aware of what I can no longer do, like bend over to tuck her in and rub her back (I'm afraid I will break her bed if I sit on it.) Three nights last week she decided she wasn't tired when she went to bed and spent 2 hours each night making excuses of why she shouldn't go to sleep...I need a drink of water, I need to pee, I need to watch hockey, I want to watch Mr. Tony and Mr. Mike (from Pardon the Interruption), I want my magazine, I need to wash my binky, and on and on and on. These are pictures from those three nights, after she finally crashed.
The first night we tucked her in with 5 blankets at her request. She kept one for herself and carefully tucked in her baby doll at the foot of the bed with the other 4 blankets. The next night we thought was funnier because of how she fell asleep, but the 3rd night definitely takes the cake. Her hand in her pants, her baby doll perfectly tucked in, the book under her other hand, and of course the toucan nose that she is sporting on her head.

And of course, the ever growing and comparison belly shot.
And one last one just because I think it's cute....
Back to the doctor tomorrow morning to see what is really going on
*Update* - Doctors appointment went well, gained a few pounds, blood pressure 110/80, heart rate 138bpm. I am currently 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. That kinds of freaks me out since I wasn't dilated with Claire until a few days before she was born. The doctor said she doesn't expect I'll make my due date but she doesn't anticipate anything happening immediately. Let's see, my dad leaves for Germany on Saturday, and we all know how that worked out last time...maybe it is time to start tying up loose ends at home!

37 weeks and counting....

Another doctors appointment down and our last ultrasound to check on little Miss Snider before she decides to make her arrival. Of course today was the first day I have been home on maternity leave that Claire let me sleep while Dan got her ready for school and I had to set my alarm to get up for my 9AM doctors appointment. Hopefully tomorrow Claire will let me sleep again...yeah right! Anyways....everything looked good at the doctors, blood pressure was 120/70, her heart rate was 145 bpm, and I gained 2 lbs, bringing my total weight gain to 23 lbs. Next week starts the internal exams to see what is going on. Our doctors like one last ultrasound to check size, positioning and fluid levels. This afternoon I picked up Claire from school and we took her to the "hostable" as she calls it. There really wasn't much to see since the baby is so big, but she is head down, face down (which Claire was not), and the fluid levels were good. They estimated her size at 7lb 4oz, which is exactly what they said for Claire and she was born at 7lb, 5oz. Let's hope they are right on again :-)

This weekend Mom and Dad came down and we did some serious cleaning. Dan and Mom were a champ and I think the house is ready for this baby. Today I finished all the laundry and I can not believe how many clothes Claire had. Now, we just need a name. I promise we aren't holding out on sharing the name - we are nowhere near deciding on one.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter - we missed you!

What's been going on....

This week I finished work and started my official maternity leave. I am so lucky to work for a company that puts us off work a month before our due date. It gives me some time to relax and get things done at home. Everyone asks what I am going to do while home, and I don't plan on doing much. Thursday I slept until 9:30 and Friday I slept until 10:30, after getting up and getting Claire ready for school. Claire hasn't seemed to notice that I am here in the morning and goes to daycare just fine. We are both much happier with me home relaxing and her at daycare.

This weekend we headed down to Andreas on Friday afternoon and spent the night there. Saturday morning Andrea and I went for much needed massages and we got all of our newborn clothes washed. We are lucky to be having another girl born in the same season - we plan to reuse everything. Sometime this week I will buy another changing table and get it set up in our bedroom, and Mom & Dad are heading down this weekend to help us get things ready. We are onto our weekly doctors and last week everything looked good. Blood pressure was good, weight gain was at 22 lbs and the doctor predicted I have at least 3 weeks left. I head back tomorrow for another check up and next Monday we have our last ultrasound to get the babies size and positioning. Time is a flying....

In the meantime, Claire has decided she wants to look like Cousin It - she wanted to wear Dans vest and I guess somewhere along the way she pulled her bow out of her hair. This was the result...

And here are a few weekly shots for you from 34-36 weeks.

And Claires latest trick is pulling her shirt over her head. She usually leaves her arms in, but I think she was getting ready for a bath when she did this.
And just another day at the park, checking out the city...

Long Awaited Pictures of Charlotte & Lauren

Fundraiser for Emily!

Stolen from Mandy...again :)

Check out Emily on the news!

http://www.ctnow.com/videobeta/33d7fb15-cfc7-4be8-82f9-08aef89de6e6/News/Fundraiser-To-Fight-Cancer-4-1

Here are the details about the fundraiser:

Benefit for Emily:
Banding Together For Emily
What: Pasta Dinner & Variety Show
Where: Granby High School, Granby CT
When: May 7, 2011
Time: Pasta Dinner 5pm - Variety Show 7PM
Cost:
Pasta Dinner Only: Variety Show Only:
Adults: $10.00 Adult: $15.00
Childern: $7.00 Children: $10.00
Under 5: Free Under 5: Free
Pasta Dinner & Variety Show:
Adults: $20.00
Children: $15.00
Under 5: Free
There will also be a Basket Raffle if you would like to participate in that.
If you would like to buy tickets, contact Meghan or contact Sue Sojka at sojkas@granby.k12.ct.us.