Tuesday, June 23
I Love My Cute Family!
Sorry some of the pictures are sideways or upside down. I'll try to fix that and repost.
Family Pictures Soapbox
We took family pictures today. I guess you could also consider them Noel's newborn pictures because we didn't do a special newborn pictures thing with her separately. I like the way the pictures turned out, but I have some things that I don't like about photography studios we have tried:
- Pushiness. Biggest problem. They are ruthless in the things they try to sell you. And in trying to convince you of what you need. We ended up with 157 pictures today, and they started at the top, as if we were really going to buy 3 sheets of each of 157 pictures. It was like $1300. Yeah right. And when we wanted to keep narrowing things down and at least explore other options, the photographer tried to argue with us and tell us why we would get a better deal if we paid more and why we should order more than we think we need because each sheet is cheaper if you get a million sheets. We understood the math, but we still didn't want to pay for a million sheets, ya know.
- Making us stay in the studio after the photo shoot to decide EVERYTHING right then. We were there over 3 hours, and Amy was not doing so well by the end. I think we could have been better equipped to choose what was best for our family if we weren't so desperate to get our crying child out. And we want to decide together, not have one spouse choose with the photographer while the other spouse wrestles Amy.
- Matt requests that photographers take a little more time to get to know the family - particularly Amy.
- I would like if they also asked our opinions a little more about backgrounds and poses, etc. That said, I liked the backgrounds and poses and thought the girl got a lot of great shots this time.
- I LOVED that this studio suggested on the phone that we could bring props. I LOVE the duckie pictures we got as a result.
- Overall, I think we paid too much and got some stuff we wouldn't have wanted because that was the only way to get the stuff we did want. But, I love the pictures we got. And we got a CD of all the pictures which I am about to turn into a slideshow and post. We won't go back to that particular place, but I am doubtful that we can find one that won't be pushy like that.
Thursday, June 18
Hi Well!
I don't think I'll ever get over how much I love to hear Amy say, "Hi, Well." Or sometimes it comes out "O-well" or "Uh-well."
Sunday, June 14
Amy's Prayers
Amy's been praying for a while. We have to talk slowly, pause often, and use interesting vocal inflection. And then she might help us say it. Last night I think she did her funniest praying thing yet.
I don't remember how we started, but she would say "in the name" - then I'd repeat -
Amy: "of Jesus"
me: "of Jesus"
Amy: "Christ"
me: "Christ"
Amy: "Amen"
me: "Amen"
Amy: "Again"
And we would do it over and over. It was funny. We hadn't even been praying in the first place. Just practicing.
I don't remember how we started, but she would say "in the name" - then I'd repeat -
Amy: "of Jesus"
me: "of Jesus"
Amy: "Christ"
me: "Christ"
Amy: "Amen"
me: "Amen"
Amy: "Again"
And we would do it over and over. It was funny. We hadn't even been praying in the first place. Just practicing.
Wednesday, June 10
A Birth Story
Isn't that what that show is called on TLC? I just wanted to add a little cheesy ambiance.
So I've told some of you, and Matt's told many more. But for those who haven't heard the story of Noel's birth, here it is.
June 2, 2009
(Times are approximate. Matt wrote down the more specific times, but I don't feel like going to get my journal. This is pretty close though.)
6:30 am - We're supposed to be checking into the hospital, but we're really just leaving home. I was a little sad to be off to a late start. Time to get the show on the road.
6:45 am - Check into hospital.
7:30 am - Start pitocin.
8:00 amish - Dr. Harward comes in and breaks my water.
Very soon after 8:00ish - Contractions start hurting BAD. I wanted my epidural right away so much. I don't like being in pain like that. Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was busy, and we had to wait longer than I would have preferred.
9:00ish - The anesthesiologist finally came and gave me my epidural, and I was starting to relax and feel good. It really was only about an hour of those heinous contractions, and they were short. I realized many women have it a ton worse than I do. Still, not the most fun hour of my life. Or Matt's for that matter. He didn't like watching me hurt so much.
9:10ish - The nurse comes and checks me. I was about 4+/ 5 cm.
10:00 - The nurse checks me again and tells me I was complete. It took me a minute to process what she meant and then another minute to believe her. After my water broke with Amy I dilate quickly but not 5-6 cm in 50 minutes. That was pretty awesome. Especially since I couldn't feel any of it.
Over the next little bit, the nurses and doctor and other people involved were in and out a lot getting things set up. Apparently it was a really busy day at the hospital so they weren't ready to have me push as soon as I probably could have. At that point I really didn't care. They'd get around to delivering the baby soon, and I was feeling great.
10:43 - Everything and everyone was ready. The nurse reminded me of what I needed to do to push. I guess I did ok.
10:46 - Noel was born. As soon as they got her weighed and checked, they brought her to me for some skin to skin bonding time. I loved it. I don't know if it is quite real yet during those first few minutes of holding your new baby that this person is really your child. You don't even know her yet. And yet, you are so happy to have her. (And to not be pregnant anymore.)
My recovery has gone amazingly well. I was very alert and comfortable throughout the day. I could walk around by myself, and I got to go to the nursery to see Noel get her first bath. Of course I am tired a lot. And there have been times in the last 8 days where I have had quite a bit of pain, mostly abdominal. But I am really grateful for how good I have felt.
Noel sleeps like a champ. (Good thing Newborns come to us so sleepy so we can take care of ourselves too.) She had some jaundice, but we haven't had to take her in to test it since Monday. Apparently it's going away. And she has been more alert today and yesterday than the previous days. At night, she wakes me up - or sometimes I even wake her up - to eat only twice. And she eats and then goes right back to sleep. That's super nice. Hopefully she'll transition to sleeping through the night well when she is old enough to do that and not need to nurse in the middle of the night.
Speaking of Noel the champ, she is awesome at nursing too. She had it figured out from the first attempt. Amy and I struggled quite a bit more than this when we were first learning to nurse, so Noel's abilities impressed and pleased Matt and me very much. Her only struggle with nursing is staying awake. But she's not as hard to wake up as Amy was either. How wonderful.
So typing this post has taken up a few of my precious minutes where both my girls are sleeping. I want to wrap up so that I can get more rest myself. Noel need to nurse, and then nap time for me (if she'll go back to sleep.)
So I've told some of you, and Matt's told many more. But for those who haven't heard the story of Noel's birth, here it is.
June 2, 2009
(Times are approximate. Matt wrote down the more specific times, but I don't feel like going to get my journal. This is pretty close though.)
6:30 am - We're supposed to be checking into the hospital, but we're really just leaving home. I was a little sad to be off to a late start. Time to get the show on the road.
6:45 am - Check into hospital.
7:30 am - Start pitocin.
8:00 amish - Dr. Harward comes in and breaks my water.
Very soon after 8:00ish - Contractions start hurting BAD. I wanted my epidural right away so much. I don't like being in pain like that. Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was busy, and we had to wait longer than I would have preferred.
9:00ish - The anesthesiologist finally came and gave me my epidural, and I was starting to relax and feel good. It really was only about an hour of those heinous contractions, and they were short. I realized many women have it a ton worse than I do. Still, not the most fun hour of my life. Or Matt's for that matter. He didn't like watching me hurt so much.
9:10ish - The nurse comes and checks me. I was about 4+/ 5 cm.
10:00 - The nurse checks me again and tells me I was complete. It took me a minute to process what she meant and then another minute to believe her. After my water broke with Amy I dilate quickly but not 5-6 cm in 50 minutes. That was pretty awesome. Especially since I couldn't feel any of it.
Over the next little bit, the nurses and doctor and other people involved were in and out a lot getting things set up. Apparently it was a really busy day at the hospital so they weren't ready to have me push as soon as I probably could have. At that point I really didn't care. They'd get around to delivering the baby soon, and I was feeling great.
10:43 - Everything and everyone was ready. The nurse reminded me of what I needed to do to push. I guess I did ok.
10:46 - Noel was born. As soon as they got her weighed and checked, they brought her to me for some skin to skin bonding time. I loved it. I don't know if it is quite real yet during those first few minutes of holding your new baby that this person is really your child. You don't even know her yet. And yet, you are so happy to have her. (And to not be pregnant anymore.)
My recovery has gone amazingly well. I was very alert and comfortable throughout the day. I could walk around by myself, and I got to go to the nursery to see Noel get her first bath. Of course I am tired a lot. And there have been times in the last 8 days where I have had quite a bit of pain, mostly abdominal. But I am really grateful for how good I have felt.
Noel sleeps like a champ. (Good thing Newborns come to us so sleepy so we can take care of ourselves too.) She had some jaundice, but we haven't had to take her in to test it since Monday. Apparently it's going away. And she has been more alert today and yesterday than the previous days. At night, she wakes me up - or sometimes I even wake her up - to eat only twice. And she eats and then goes right back to sleep. That's super nice. Hopefully she'll transition to sleeping through the night well when she is old enough to do that and not need to nurse in the middle of the night.
Speaking of Noel the champ, she is awesome at nursing too. She had it figured out from the first attempt. Amy and I struggled quite a bit more than this when we were first learning to nurse, so Noel's abilities impressed and pleased Matt and me very much. Her only struggle with nursing is staying awake. But she's not as hard to wake up as Amy was either. How wonderful.
So typing this post has taken up a few of my precious minutes where both my girls are sleeping. I want to wrap up so that I can get more rest myself. Noel need to nurse, and then nap time for me (if she'll go back to sleep.)
A Post about Poop
Number of packages of diapers we had when we brought Noel home from the hospital: 1 1/2 (we took home the rest of the diapers we were using in the hospital.
Number of days old Noel was when we had to buy more diapers: 6 (and it was the very beginning of the 6th day.)
Average number of times I change Noel's diaper during a feeding - particularly a nighttime feeding: 2. (Sometimes 3) She likes to go right after I change her diaper. Seems a waste of diapers, but what do you do.
Number of times Noel has gotten her "torpedo poop" all over me: 2. I quickly remembered the lesson we had learned with Amy, that when changing a newborn's diaper, you need to have the new diaper already under the bum to catch whatever might come out while you are still in the process. Because it shoots. Luckily Matt's been around both times to help me recover from the shock of suddenly being pooped on and to help clean up.
Amy likes "helping" me change Noel's diapers and has also taken to throwing them away in the diaper pail for me. That's nice.
Number of days old Noel was when we had to buy more diapers: 6 (and it was the very beginning of the 6th day.)
Average number of times I change Noel's diaper during a feeding - particularly a nighttime feeding: 2. (Sometimes 3) She likes to go right after I change her diaper. Seems a waste of diapers, but what do you do.
Number of times Noel has gotten her "torpedo poop" all over me: 2. I quickly remembered the lesson we had learned with Amy, that when changing a newborn's diaper, you need to have the new diaper already under the bum to catch whatever might come out while you are still in the process. Because it shoots. Luckily Matt's been around both times to help me recover from the shock of suddenly being pooped on and to help clean up.
Amy likes "helping" me change Noel's diapers and has also taken to throwing them away in the diaper pail for me. That's nice.
Tuesday, June 2
Show Time
Here is a video of Noel just looking around.
This is Amy coming into our room and meeting Noel. Time for first impressions!
This video is of Amy holding Noel for the first time. She LOVES her little sister!
And this is a video of Amy after we took Noel away from her. She wasn't so pleased.
This is Amy coming into our room and meeting Noel. Time for first impressions!
This video is of Amy holding Noel for the first time. She LOVES her little sister!
And this is a video of Amy after we took Noel away from her. She wasn't so pleased.
Welcoming to the World
The newest daughter in the Parks family:
Rose is after my (Matt's) aunt, Rose Parks.
She was born on June 2nd, 2009 at 10:46am. She was 7 lbs 8 oz and 20.5 inches long. She has brown curly hair like her Mom and Mom, Baby, and Daddy are doing wonderfully.
Noel Rose Parks
Rose is after my (Matt's) aunt, Rose Parks.
She was born on June 2nd, 2009 at 10:46am. She was 7 lbs 8 oz and 20.5 inches long. She has brown curly hair like her Mom and Mom, Baby, and Daddy are doing wonderfully.
Monday, June 1
The Day Before the Baby Comes, Part 1
7:00ish - wake up. I don't know why. But then I started thinking about all the things I would love to get done today. That always makes it so I can't fall asleep again.
8:00 - go with Matt, Amy, and Melissa (who slept over last night) to Burger King because we were out of breakfast stuff.
8:30 - drop Matt off at home so he can get ready for work and take Melissa to work. Go to Macey's with Amy to pick up a few things including snacks for the kind family members who will be living at our house with Amy while we are gone at the hospital.
9:30ish - get home, take the groceries in the house real quick and then back to the van to clean up. The van is totally messy right now. It needs vacuuming which I don't feel able to do at this point. So I'm taking it to a car wash. But first I had to get all the trash and junk out of it. At one point I was putting something in the back and then shut the door to go get in the side sliding door. Of course, I had the keys in the ignition because I was listening to my book on CD while working. So Amy took that moment to lock the doors. I was locked out. She's done this to me once before while I was scraping snow so you'd think I would learn my lesson. Apparently not. There was a nice UPS deliverer there at the time who called the Orem police department for me. Apparently they break into vehicles for free. So a very nice man came and opened it up for me. The funniest part was when Amy started waving to me and to the UPS lady and smiling really big. After she left but before the police man got there, Amy took advantage of the opportunity to get all the garbage I had already bagged up out of the bag and spread it on the seat and floor. I just stood there laughing. So everything is fine. Before long, we'll go get the van cleaned. And make a few more copies of the van key to hide around/ give to a neighbor.
8:00 - go with Matt, Amy, and Melissa (who slept over last night) to Burger King because we were out of breakfast stuff.
8:30 - drop Matt off at home so he can get ready for work and take Melissa to work. Go to Macey's with Amy to pick up a few things including snacks for the kind family members who will be living at our house with Amy while we are gone at the hospital.
9:30ish - get home, take the groceries in the house real quick and then back to the van to clean up. The van is totally messy right now. It needs vacuuming which I don't feel able to do at this point. So I'm taking it to a car wash. But first I had to get all the trash and junk out of it. At one point I was putting something in the back and then shut the door to go get in the side sliding door. Of course, I had the keys in the ignition because I was listening to my book on CD while working. So Amy took that moment to lock the doors. I was locked out. She's done this to me once before while I was scraping snow so you'd think I would learn my lesson. Apparently not. There was a nice UPS deliverer there at the time who called the Orem police department for me. Apparently they break into vehicles for free. So a very nice man came and opened it up for me. The funniest part was when Amy started waving to me and to the UPS lady and smiling really big. After she left but before the police man got there, Amy took advantage of the opportunity to get all the garbage I had already bagged up out of the bag and spread it on the seat and floor. I just stood there laughing. So everything is fine. Before long, we'll go get the van cleaned. And make a few more copies of the van key to hide around/ give to a neighbor.
The Best Walmart Trip I Ever Had
Doesn't that title sound like I'm about to write an essay for my 7th grade English Class? It really is the best one ever though, as you will soon see:
So on Saturday we went to Walmart to get me some new shoes (I'll show a picture later to help you realize why I needed new shoes) and a couple more shirts and about the coolest possible thing next to having a baby happened: They were giving out free samples of Ben & Jerry's ice cream! The samples were the "Flipped Out" treats which frankly I didn't like as much as the regular ice cream. Ben & Jerry's is the one kind of ice cream I don't put toppings on; I like it just as it is - no caramel, fudge, chocolate, whipped cream, nada - just the pure wonderful creamy yummy ice cream. Still, LIKE I'M COMPLAINING!!! I was ecstatic. As we were leaving, I got in line again and asked if they cared if I went through the line twice - they didn't - they said that was just fine! Imagine my delight! Two free samples of Ben & Jerry's! It offers some consolation to my having to miss B&J Free Cone day this year.
And that is why it was the best trip to Walmart I ever had. =)
So on Saturday we went to Walmart to get me some new shoes (I'll show a picture later to help you realize why I needed new shoes) and a couple more shirts and about the coolest possible thing next to having a baby happened: They were giving out free samples of Ben & Jerry's ice cream! The samples were the "Flipped Out" treats which frankly I didn't like as much as the regular ice cream. Ben & Jerry's is the one kind of ice cream I don't put toppings on; I like it just as it is - no caramel, fudge, chocolate, whipped cream, nada - just the pure wonderful creamy yummy ice cream. Still, LIKE I'M COMPLAINING!!! I was ecstatic. As we were leaving, I got in line again and asked if they cared if I went through the line twice - they didn't - they said that was just fine! Imagine my delight! Two free samples of Ben & Jerry's! It offers some consolation to my having to miss B&J Free Cone day this year.
And that is why it was the best trip to Walmart I ever had. =)
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