Pip-pops

So Annabelle woke up this morning determined to wear her "pip-pops".

No problem, we weren't going anywhere anyway. After a little while she
complained that they hurt, so we took them off...no big deal.

After her nap, she wanted them back on. So I obliged and put them back
on. She started complaining a little bit but was determined to keep
them on, even when I bribed her with outside to try to change them.
Before long she is sobbing huge alligator tears because they hurt so
bad, but refuses to let me take them off...crying even harder. All the
while, I am laughing so hard tears are rolling down my face (which I
hope she believed were tears of empathy). this went on for a good 20
minutes.

She eventually wised up, took off the one that was bothering her and
is now walking around the house with one "pip-pop" on! She cracks me
up!

Nora Marie

 A tiny bundle of pure joy. I truly didn't know my heartt could expand this quickly. She is absolutely perfect, coming into the world at 7 lbs 3.3 ounces on February 7th at 1:14 pm. When Joel told me "it's a girl", I just cried. I well up now just thinking about that moment. Once I could hear her crying, I just wanted her in my arms.

It would be another 20 minutes before that occurred but the anesthesiologist was able to hold he right up next to my face so i could see here and talk to her. The surgery was so different this time around. I can remember every moment and jokes that were made. I can remember being tugged around and wondering if I was going to fall off the table. I can remember the bizarre sensation of not being able to move my toes no matter how hard I tried.

Nora nursed almost immediately but latched very poorly, doing serious damage within two days. I am currently pumping in order to heal and get started on nursing again.

We have so enjoyed all the visitors. It is a joy to share our little love bug with others. 

Annabelle is adjusting as well as could be expected. The hardest thing for both of us is that I can't pick her up and I can't get on the floor just yet. But we are adjusting. She has the occasional bouts of sweetness with Nora but mostly ignores her. 

Grandma is here and we are truly enjoying our time together. Annabelle especially.

Facebook Status Updates I Wanted to Make Today

 But figured all of my Facebook friends didn't need to know...

 

1) I just sneezed so hard I peed my pants.

2) my poor daughter is so desperate for someone to run around with her that the minute Dada gets home, she asks to play football instead of having dinner...and we let her!

3) time-outs? Yes or no?

4) sometimes I forget about the precious life inside of me and can only think about the aches and pains.

5) I'm ready for the pains of the surgery to take the place of pregnancy pains so I can at least have the baby in my arms and the end in sight. 

6) Annabelle is at the stage where she's incredibly charming and naughty all at the same time. And she's so squirmy that I can't just sit her down, hug her, and whisper how much I love her!

8 days...

We are 8 days away from meeting our little Sweet Pea. And planning is in full effect. This weekend my family came and we made freezer meals and cleaned the baby's room. Today, I had my last appointment before the big day. 2 centimeters dilated and baby is right there. Doesn't matter too much, but nice to know. It did light a fire under me to get my bags packed!

There is much more to think about this time, since Annabelle will be staying home with Papa Hintz for a few days. I want to be sure the house has food stocked and clean clothes and anything else that will help the 2 of them have a great couple of days. I am anxious to have her with us, but nervous about how she'll react to the hospital.

Since October (my last post), we have had 5 more ultrasounds! And in all of them, the baby has passed with flying colors...thank God. Growing right on schedule and moving tons. This baby has proven to be quite strong as the movements can sometimes lean on the painful side. Not sure if it has to do with scarring from the last C-section or gallbladder surgery. Nothing to be concerned about, but I'm sure it makes those areas more tender.

And as for Annabelle, she continues to make us fall head over heels in love with her. She is talking (even some two word phrases) and has some strong opinions. This morning she requested I put her shoes on before we even ate breakfast. (The funny part of the story is that I thought she was asking for juice until she stuck her foot out!) She is growing like a weed and for the most part, very happy.

She is currently getting her 2 year molars...at 19 months!!! Who knew this could happen so early. I just feel terrible for her when she's in so much pain.

She is also asserting her independence. We are working on listening to mom and doing what she is asked. These can be extremely challenging things, but I'm so grateful for who she is becoming.

Introducing...

Sweet Pea! Of course, again, we did not find out Sweet Pea's sex... we didn't really even consider it. But it is amazing that in their profile view, Sweet Pea and Annabelle look a lot alike :) Baby is growing well and developing properly. Only one small hiccup with the umbilical cord that they will check on again around 28 weeks. But the doctor made it seem like no big deal.

So, ta da!

And here I am at 20.5 weeks...

Annabelle did not take too kindly to the ultrasound procedure. She was very upset by the goo and that mommy had to lay on a table. I believe she thought they were hurting me. Daddy was there for comfort, but for most of the ultrasound, she had to sit on the table by me. As difficult as it was, it was rather charming.

Sweet Pea's got moves!

I have been feeling it for two or three weeks now, but Joel finally got to feel the kicks today.
Obviously Sweet Pea loves Door County Mint Meltaways!

Hot!

Lower your butt all the way to the floor, wait for Mom to say "Ready?!", and then try as hard as you can to get your feet off the floor while Mom yells "JUMP!".

If anyone tells her she actually needs to get air underneath her feet to consider it jumping, I will deny them at all costs.

My little charmer never ceases to amaze. When she dances, she rocks so hard, she typically falls over sideways. She is currently in to stomping her feet fast on the ground. She also reaches into anything that appears to hold objects, and pulls out make believe food and feeds herself.

But I will always store in my heart that scene that happened at Grandpa and Grandma Lullo's house last weekend. Annabelle had been napping and woke up to discover a fire in the fireplace. As she hasn't seen one since she was tiny, she was very curious. She inched her way closer to the fireplace, and when she got close enough, I said "hot!". She immediately got this concerned look on her face, and then puffed her cheeks out and blew! Between my mom and myself, you would think it was the funniest thing you had ever seen. She continued to do it for the next 20 minutes and will do it now if I show her a video of a fire. See, she connected hot things and blowing because when her food is hot, we blow on it to cool it off. Amazing!

She had her 15 month appointment on Friday (along with 4 shots!), and she is right on target in all areas. 70% for weight, 60% for height, and 38% for head circumference.

10 days from now we get to see Sweet Pea!