3 Weeks Old!

I can't believe it's already been three weeks! Hannah Grace changes some every day. This week, she's on a three to four hour schedule. It's closer to three hours during the day, and four at night, which is nice.  We introduced her to the swing, which she loves!  She seems to recognize our voices, and she follows sounds pretty well. As for her size, I'm not sure about a weight, but I can tell you she can wear three month clothes already. We totally skipped newborn and most 0-3. 

In other news, just in case you haven't heard, we're all coming home this weekend! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. I didn't decide until a couple of days that I would make the trip, but I just couldn't stand it. I've never, ever been this long without being home. And, I'm so ready for everyone to meet Hannah Grace! We'll be leaving early Thursday morning and going straight to Jackson. We'll be there through Sunday, and leave again early Monday morning. It's a quick trip, but it will be worth it! 

I'm going to leave you with a picture from this morning. Have a great day, and we'll see you soon!

2 Week Check Up

Today, my baby girl is 2 weeks old...

Time is already going by too fast and I want it to stop! She changes a little every day now, and I really just want her to stay small for a little while longer.  We went for her check up today, and of course, she's perfect! Already growing at fast pace... my girls have no aversion to food! She weighs 9 lbs. 4 oz now!  Her jaundice has completely cleared and left her with a beautiful pink complexion. Her hair, when clean, is a very light color, almost blond! I hope it stays and that she doesn't go bald like her big sister did. Right now, she still really only eats and sleeps, but yesterday she had two good times of being awake. She's more alert now when she is awake, and can follow voices. She has adjusted herself to a 3 hour feeding schedule, which is much more convenient than the two hour one. As for food, she's finishing 4 oz almost every time she eats! Like I said, no problems there!

Things here couldn't be much better. Hannah Grace has made this transition to having two girls much easier than we expected. Emma has been very good with her, and has finally gotten over her fear of holding her. It melts my heart every time she kisses her or gets upset when she hears her cry. I know that a day will come when don't coexist as easily, so I'll enjoy every moment I can where they adore each other. 

She's Here!

Yes, I know, I'm about a week late.....

But, it's been a busy week for us, so I'm sure you forgive me. 

First, her stats:

Hannah Grace Hodges was born on April 27, at 4:23 am. She weighed 8 lbs 6oz, and was 20.5 inches long. 

We are calling her Hannah Grace. We still weren't sure if we were going us the double name or not, but that's what keeps coming out when I talk to her or answer people when they ask her name. Emma tends to lean towards Hannah,  but that's her choice. I'm going to spare you of all details of the delivery, except to tell you it went well, with the exception of going way to fast and no epidural, only a spinal that didn't last very long.  Anyway... I'm fine now. A little traumatized that day, but fine now. 

The doctors let us go home on Tuesday, which I was very excited about. I didn't want to be in that hospital bed any longer, and Emma wasn't very fond of me being there either. Once we got home, she completely became the attentive big sister. She still hasn't held her yet, but she wants to do everything else. She's been really excited the whole time, especially now that both her Mimi and her Granny are here entertaining her every need. 

Speaking of the mothers... they have been a God send. I've done nothing but get to relax and enjoy Hannah Grace. They cook, clean, do laundry, and keep Miss Emma occupied at all times. I'm spoiled rotten, and I have no shame in admitting it! Right now, the three of them are out shopping with a massive grocery list and enough cooking ideas that should feed me for months. I'm trying to decide the best way to keep them from leaving. 

Here's a link to the Facebook photos Channing has posted. This is much easier for me, and you get a bigger variety to look at. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2164283&id=26506735&op=6

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2164848&id=26506735

Any Time Now...

So we had another appointment yesterday, and I got the news I've been waiting to hear! 

Hannah Grace could be here at any time! 

I'm was so excited I didn't know what to do! Then, I got home and realized what all I had left to do, and went into panic mode. I think the whole "nesting" theory is just a nice way of saying soon-to-be mamas panic when they realize how close things are. I accomplished alot, but today I don't feel so hot because of all the work I did last night. 

But, the details... I've already dilated to 2cm. I really felt like things had started because I knew throughout the day Sunday that she had changed positions. I was right. She's dropped down to where she's supposed to be. So, once again, we wait. I could go into active labor today, or two weeks from now. I'm just glad to know that things are progressing. I honestly do feel like it will be sooner rather than later, just because the contractions are pretty constant. Even Emma seems to think her arrival is very close, because the first thing she said to me this morning was "Mama, I think Hannah's coming. She wants to see her bed." (Emma helped me put together the Pack N Play last night that Hannah will stay in for a little while.) I couldn't do anything but laugh at her and tell her that she just might be right. 

So for now, I'm just hanging out, doing as much around here as I feel like I can to get everything in order. I really hope that I don't end up being one of those people who thinks she's in labor and then gets sent home though. From what I've been told though, you just know.  I'll try to keep things updated as much as possible from this point on.

Waiting...

I know, I'm still slacking on the updates. But, the truth is, there's not much to talk about except how miserable I am right now, and how crappy my patience is. So, I've decided to spare you from most of that and only write when I have something worthwhile to share.

We went for our 35 week appointment today. I've gained 5 more pounds in the last two weeks, which officially puts me in the normal weight gain range. It also means I've gained more this time than with Emma. According to my doctor, she believes Miss Hannah is already very near to 7 pounds. She says that if I do go all the way to the May 10 due date, she could easily put on another couple of pounds. I'm not sure how I feel about the possibility of delivering a 9 pound baby...

I'm really not anxious about the impending arrival. Maybe I should be, but the constant back pain, and also the fact that Emma's arrival was smooth, really has me very calm about it. I just hate the waiting. I've done pretty much everything I can to get ready, so now all I have to do is wait. Patience is not my virtue. So for now, I guess I have to tough it out; I mean, what choice do I really have. From now on, we'll be going every week, so maybe I'll have more to talk about!

Just a Quick Update

Just wanted to give everyone an update, and let you know that we're still here, eventhough you haven't heard from me in a while. Last week we were really busy with three different sets of house guests, but I must tell you, we had a blast! Emma was so happy to have some many different people around to spoil her with attention! Channing and I were so happy to have other adults in the house! We started out with Mr. Ray, Mrs. Raye, and Landon while they had Spring Break. Oh my goodness! So much fun, and so much food! I think I ate more in those four days than I have since we moved here. They came loaded with more food than clothes! Most of it was seafood that does not exist in this part of the world. Let me tell you, Emma was not the only one spoiled during their visit! And, I am not ashamed! They next weekend, we got to have Chad and Mr. Tommy Strickland for one night during their annual sheep finding trip. Again, Emma was so happy to see her Doo! We fried fish and just hung out here because they had to leave so early Saturday morning. On Saturday, our friend Austin came over. He's working here alot at the Honda plant in Marysville until the summer. We usually get to see him on the weekends he stays here. Emma thinks he's another one of her Uncles, and follows him around like a puppy. She can say his name right, but she tries to combine uncle and Austin into one word. It's really funny, and Austin doesn't mind. It's always funny to watch the two of them.  This coming weekend, my mama is coming for the first time! I can't wait! We're gonna pick her up from the airport Thursday afternoon and we get to have her until Tuesday! 

I really do love having people here. It gives me something to focus on and think about rather than dwell on the time I have left before Hannah gets here. Everything up until now has flown by so fast, and now it seems to be dragging again. I know I felt the same way with Emma, but as soon as she was born, everything flew by. That's when I wish time would slow down a little. As for the little one, everything is still the same, which is good. It's all just a waiting game at this point. Only about six weeks left!

Busy, Busy Week!

It seems like we've been going nonstop this week. Usually I try to limit my days out to two or three, but this week we've been out everyday, and still not done! Monday was grocery day, which is always an adventure with Emma. I usually don't go until Tuesday, but the promise of bad weather for Tuesday sent me out early. *** I have to give a great big shout out and "Thank You!" to Ms. Lydia here, because her recipe for a beef brisket made Monday night's dinner one of the best I've ever accomplished! Channing very willing finished off the leftovers last night, and let me tell you I thought that was an impossible task!*** 

Tuesday was my 31/32 week checkup! Everything is wonderful, and I gained several pounds in the last two weeks. I know I'm supposed to be gaining weight, and I am pleased about it, but I'm always shocked when it's more than I thought. I really do believe Miss Hannah will be bigger than her sister was.

Today was Emma's 3 year checkup. I didn't mean to wait this long to do it, but we just got sidetracked with illnesses and baby issues after her birthday that I sorta forgot. Emma is of course, growing at a rapid pace. She's 35 lbs, and 40.25 inches tall. But, I do believe this was the worst Dr. visit to date. I have never in my life seen or heard a fit like the one she threw in that exam room today. And, there were no shots involved. It was awful. I was in tears before it was over. I'll never take her to the Dr. by myself again! She has no problem with going to my doctor. She even enjoys it most of the time. But the minute they come near her, you'd think someone was being murdered. It really was that bad. 

Tomorrow is our Bible Study day, which we always look forward to every week. Emma gets to go with me because they have a group for the children as well. She loves it as much as I do! 

This weekend, we will have company! I'm so very excited! The Rays, as I call them, and Landon, are coming to visit for several days during Landon's spring break. They haven't been here yet, so we are really really looking forward to having them here. Emma will be thrilled when I tell her, but I'm not saying anything until they pull up in the driveway. 

***One more very important thing to note about this week... Tomorrow is our nephew William's first birthday! It's killing us that we are missing it, but we are so excited for him, and Justin and Sally! So, Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you very very much, and miss you terribly!