False Alarm

We got the report on Lyla's hand and all is well- she doesn't have a staph infection. Wonderful news to our ears!! It was just some kind of bacteria or something and we don't need to be concerned. It has pretty much gone away, so we are pleased with that. It has made us a little nervous about germs with her- not to the point of crazy, but just cautious. For example, Matt and I were talking and realized that we should have a picture of her first Christmas with Santa, right? Then we got to thinking and decided that Santa had too many germs on his suit and we would wait till next year. We will tie a pretty bow on her at home and it will be just as festive. I know... in a few years after she has had a million colds, we will laugh about nixing Santa, but it makes perfect sense right now.

Lyla is starting to be awake a little more throughout the day. She makes a million different faces and can focus her eyes a little more. She loves looking at lights- the Christmas tree is so captivating to her these days. She is starting to be able to hold her head up for longer periods of time and is starting to show a little excitement over things. It is fun watching all of the changes that seem to occur quicker that I thought they would. Matt and I are having a lot of fun these days learning together and sharing our world with sweet Lyla Belle.

What a week...

This has been an interesting week filled with many appointments. We had Lyla's two week appointment on Monday and things were good except she still hasn't gained her birth weight back. (Don't worry, the picture isn't how they weigh her at the office, that is just how Matt and I have decided we are going to track her progress, the food scale!). She was 7lbs 14 oz at delivery and is only back up to 7lbs 7oz as of Monday. We are working hard to make sure she is eating enough, but I am finding it to be a little tricky with breastfeeding. Not to worry though, we will plump this little darling up! They also noticed that her left hip makes this clicking noise so we have to take her to an Orthopedic doctor on Friday. Our Dr. didn't seem to think it was anything major but we of course just want to be sure.

We also discovered that sweet Alice Mae has an ear infection and she coincidentally hates to have her ears touched so that has made putting drops in the 120lb dogs ears fun. Charlie also ended up at the vet for a cough he has had for ages. We have been trying to figure it out for months and like any good pet owner, I posted a "Help me diagnose my dog" posting on craigslist and low and behold someone had the answer. We think he has chronic bronchitis (probably from his early days of chain smoking... just jokes). So steroids, antibiotics and cough medicine it is- thanks Craigslist!

Yesterday, Matt was holding Lyla and noticed a few red blisters on the palm of her right hand. Needless to say, we called the doctor right away and went in. They think that she has a staph infection on her hand, but we will know for sure on Friday. We have no idea how this has happened and I am even a little skeptical that is what she even has. She has only been alive for 17 days, we have only had a total of four people come to the house and everyone washed hands before holding her and used a receiving blanket. The only places she has been is our house and the doctors office for her appointments and she is too little to reach out and hold objects yet. Bizarre! We are keeping a very close eye on it and she has some antibiotics now so hopefully things will be good. She doesn't have any other symptoms and is as spunky as ever.

Other than all that, we are getting ready for Christmas, I am hoping to make a few cookies this week and I have decided that I am going to do a Christmas brunch this year instead of the traditional dinner. It should be fun and it will be nice to cook a few new items. Cooking and baking have become a favorite past time of mine over the last few years. I love seeing how fancy I can make the finished product. I host my own little cooking shows and it makes the whole process far more entertaining and fun. Good times!!!

Double Digits

Lyla Belle is 11 days old. I tell you, a lot can happen in 11 days. Matt and I have accepted that we are now parents. That is a crazy new role to take on and one that you can't understand until a tiny little baby is staring at you and you realize no one is coming to pick them up. Lyla is now eating like a champ after a few bumps in the road along the way and the jaundice that had everyone a little worried is all gone. She loves her little Carter bouncy chair that buzzes- I mean really LOVES it- it is like a magic chair. She loves to be swaddled tightly and held close while we tell her stories. She like Paul Simon's, 'Obvious Child', Counting Crows and Bluegrass music. She hasn't realized that we have dogs yet, though they are fully aware she is here. They are appropriately curious and gentle which delights me to no end. Matt is a champion diaper changer and has mastered the snaps on onesies. When he is done he kind of tosses his hands like he was being timed or something. It makes me laugh every time. Matt is a truly committed father and it warms my heart daily to see the look in his eye as he just smiles at his little girl. That is going to be one fun relationship to watch grow. We have managed to find some rhythm to our lives these days. Sleeping late, small projects in the afternoons, making and eating dinner together every night while buzzy chair whispers sweet nothings to Lyla and then it's an evening of snuggles for our sweet little girl. Life is rather busy but simple at the same time these days. We are not mastering complicated ideas but rather working to understand this new tiny little person that we are so blessed to have in our lives. She is worth every minute of no sleep. The joy of watching her wake up from a nap never gets old and the anticipation that she might flash one of her huge smiles over something keeps me glued for hours. We laugh multiple times daily at our new life as parents and embrace the new challenges that arrive daily. We are happy these days, so very happy.

Lyla Belle finally arrives!!!!

This little girl sure took her sweet time to make her entrance into the world but it sure was worth the wait. Matt and I were blessed with the arrival of Lyla Belle on November 30th at 12:41pm. She was 7lbs and 14oz and 20 inches long. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life thus far. I was able to do a 100% natural childbirth which is something I am very proud of. Matt was so amazingly supportive and present through the whole process. He is a wonderful father to sweet Miss Lyla and it is truly amazing to watch. Lyla is a very bright eyed and beautiful little girl and we are so excited to have her with us. Alice and Charlie to shaping up to be a wonderful big brother and sister to her. Alice is so very curious and busy with checking on her. I am going to be working on Lyla's birth story in the next few weeks so I will certainly post that... until then, enjoy these few photos...