AMJ Three Months Old

Sweet Amelia, you are 3 months old and this month you and your sister had a doctor appointment on the same day. You had regular check-ups and shots on this visit, though you had another visit this month due to the croup. At your check-up, you weighed 14 pounds and 11 ounces and measured 26 and a quarter inches long or as Dr. P. put it, the size of the average 7 month old. But it is not just your body that is growing so fast it is also your brain. You are so very attentive and interested in everything around you. You pay very special attention to your sister and to Mommy and Daddy. You watch and listen and smile and laugh. You love tummy time, as you can raise and hold your head up. Your hair is still wild as ever, but there are now days that it doesn't completely stand straight up. We celebrated Aubrey's 2nd birthday with a carnival party and while it was her special day, you were equally a star of the show. We also celebrated Thanksgiving this month. And we are all so very extra thankful this year for our sweet little Amelia.

AMJ Two Months Old

At 5 weeks old, you are the size of the average 4 month old. You are bigger than your sister when she was 2 months old. Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to have you both, double the love. And as you are now 2 months old, we've had double the memories. This month, you made your first trip to church, attended your first trip to the White house for their annual oyster roast. Mommy had her first day with you and Aubrey alone this month too. Daddy was very proud of her and his girls. We celebrated Halloween by attending Trunk or Treat at church and trick or treating in the neighborhood, albeit trick or treating only at two houses. You dressed up as a black cat, Aubrey was a mouse. Mommy gave out apples instead of candy this year. Daddy was surprised how well they were received by the little Iron Men and Doc McStuffins that came to our house. We've also been pleasantly surprised how well you've been sleeping at night. Dirty diapers might be the only thing keeping you from sleeping through the night. You go through several dirty diapers during the day as well. We've gone through several brands, shapes and colors of pacifiers; unsuccessful in finding one to your liking. You have a very sensitive tummy due to a very sensitive gag reflex. Mommy is worried that you'll never be able to drink from a bottle. What are small spit-ups for normal babies are full-on hurls for you. We did buy a new washing machine this month, but not because of your vomit episodes. And don't worry, you still have a way of coming across as sweet and cute when you are giving Mommy her milk back. You have a beautiful smile and make soft, sweet coo's. Your hair is wild, it stands straight up and makes you look even taller than you already are. Your eyes are still a grayish-blue, we aren't sure what color they will be yet. You had to wear an eye-patch over the left one this month, after you scratched yourself. Aubrey was very concerned for you. She loves to sing and read to you and you seem to know that she is your sister and that she loves you. We all know that you love us just by the amount of joy and love you've already brought into our lives.

A.M.J. 1.0

Welcome to the world. Amelia Mae, you joined us at 6:01am and are the size of a healthy baby girl. But for the record you are a healthy big baby: 9 lbs 12 oz and 22 1/8 inches tall. On the day you were born, Mommy and Daddy had been at the hospital for almost 9 hours. We came in the night before, first stopping at Krispy Kreme to get donuts for the nurses. Mommy didn't sleep very well in the hospital bed. Daddy had a cot. Aubrey slept at home with our great friends T&T. A week ahead of your due date, Mommy was ready to meet you and her doctor agreed so the plan was to come into the hospital Monday night, start induction slowly then deliver you into the world Tuesday morning when Mommy's doctor arrived. Things moved faster than planned and by the time Mommy's doctor came into the room Tuesday morning, you were already creating smiles for everyone in the room and beyond the walls of the hospital. Here is a timeline of events leading up to your birth:

• 2002: Mommy and Daddy met
• 2008: Mommy and Daddy married
• 5:00 pm September 16th, 2013: Mommy called the hospital to see if they had room for us. They didn't and told us to call back later. 
• 7:30 pm: We called back and they told us to get something good to eat then come to the hospital. Daddy gave your sister a bath and MiMi and Grandaddy helped Mommy get things together. 
• 8:30 pm: We left for the hospital, Aunt Jessica followed us. We stopped at Krispy Kreme to get some donuts for the nurses. Our friends T &T came to the house to spend the night with Aubrey. 
• 9ish pm: We checked into room 211 and Mommy had to answer a lot of questions. Daddy called Grandpa, Grammy and Aunt Kate. We had the nicest nurse. 
• 10:00 pm:  Mommy's contractions had already started but she was only 2.5 cm dilated. The plan was to start Mommy on some induction medicine (along with some Tylenol and Tums), get a good night's sleep then bring you into the world in the morning. The nurse offered some medicine to Mommy to help her sleep and rest up for the big day ahead of us, but she declined. 
• 10:30 pm: Neither of us could really sleep. The nurse gave daddy a cot to sleep on, Mommy's bed was really uncomfortable. At this point, recall that we didn't know if you were a boy or a girl and we still hadn't decided on your name. We talked about name ideas more. Mommy watched a movie on the iPad and Daddy worked on updating this blog. 
• 3:00 am: Mommy was having heavy contractions and was now 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. Those are doctor words for "you were moving ahead of schedule."
• 3:30 am: Because things were moving fast, they decided to give Mommy pain medicine, before it was too late. The only thing that didn't move fast was the doctor giving the epidural to Mommy. He wasn't very nice but we remembered him from Aubrey's birth so were prepared. 
• 4:20 am: The nurse broke Mommy's water, which are doctor words for "you were ready to go." Dr. Rowland measured Mommy at 6 or 7 cm dilated. She also delivered Aubrey but didn't remember us, as Daddy half joked/implied that she should. Daddy wakes up Mimi and Grandaddy and Jessica who have been sleeping in their car. 
• 4:30 am: Mommy got a Pepcid IV to help with heartburn. We are all but certain that you'll have a nice full head of hair. 
• 4:40 am: Mommy's epidural finally starts working. She has been very uncomfortable throughout the night and the pressure has been painful. Mommy's friend Amanda texted her back, telling her not to take the Ambien to help her sleep. Good call Mommy. 
• 4:50 am: 8 cm dilated
• 4:55 am: Our friend Julia arrived to take pictures of your arrival. 
• 5:30 am: The nurse proclaims that we're "ready to have a baby." I think Mommy has actually been ready for a couple weeks now.
• 5:40 am: Mommy starts pushing and the nurse confirms you have a full head of hair. 
• Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 6:01 am: Weighing 9 lbs. 11 oz., 22 1/2 inches long, you are born. Daddy quickly alerts the room that you are a girl and that you look just like your sister. 
• 6 something am: Mommy and Daddy have to quietly converse to decide on your name. We have a few strong options and decide upon Amelia Mae, a name just as beautiful as our new baby girl. 
• 6:58 am: You start breastfeeding with Mommy, your first meal was 10 minutes long. 

"For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." Psalm 92:4

Later than morning, Mommy and Daddy had breakfast while the nurses gave you a bath. You later met your sister Aubrey. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation at first, she was curious about you but hesitant to get too close. Don't worry, she warmed up quickly and at 6:36 pm, she called you "sister." While we took turns holding you, the nurse checked on Mommy. Her hemoglobin was down and she almost passed out so they had to check up on her a lot. You ate again from 11:30 am to 11:50 then had your first poop at 12:02 pm. Our friend Lindsay, a nurse at the hospital checked your blood sugar. It was good, which we could have all told her based on how sweet you already are. It was a calm afternoon, you pooped again and then ate from 1:30 pm to 1:45 and again at 4:15 pm. We moved rooms and our friends T &T visited. Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle P visited shortly after your 6:38 pm feeding. They brought you a stuffed bunny rabbit. We sent pictures of you to Aunt Becky in Nashville. We also skyped with Grammy, Gramps and Aunt Kate in Florida. Later that night, Mommy's blood still wasn't where it should be so she had a blood transfusion. You went to the nursery for hearing and other check-ups so Mommy and Daddy slept. Before we knew it, it was 6:01 am on Wednesday and you were officially 1 day old. We are blessed to have you in our lives and look forward to loving you and watching you grow for all the days to come.

AMJ One Month Old

“...you are my rainbow to keep. My eyes will always be watching you; never will I lose sight of you.”  - author Vesna Bailey

Dearest Amelia,

Mommy, Daddy and Aubrey have spent much of your first month watching you...and hugging you, and kissing you and loving you. We all knew our lives would change with the blessing of your arrival, but we couldn't possibly know by how much until you came home. Your sister had a difficult time initially, mostly because she didn't understand you. When you cried for milk or a new diaper or to be held, she would also cry, a sobbing, empathetic cry. That subsided after a few days, but in that short time, she quickly developed an understanding that she is a big sister, she is your Sissy. Aubrey is always constantly checking up on you and letting us know when you are happy or sad, or not in the same room. "'Mia' is all clean" Aubrey exclaims after you get a new diaper. MiMi has stayed with us to help and you've had plenty of visitors already. Our wonderful friends and family checked up on us too, bringing us delicious meals. Each new meal became Daddy's new favorite. And each new memory you help make for our family becomes a new favorite. In your first month, we took our first family trip to a pumpkin patch with friends from church. We also made a family trip to Target. You love taking baths and sleeping next to Mommy. Sometimes, it takes a while for Mommy to get you to sleep though when you have to fight through a witching hour before bed. You certainly won't remember it, but you watched your first Bears game with Daddy too. With your soft, dark hair, and your gray-blue eyes, and your rosy, warm skin, you are our rainbow. We have watched you grow and watched our love for you grow. It isn't always easy with two girls under two years old, but we wouldn't trade any part of it for anything in the world. Every little memory is loaded with love. We couldn't have possibly known how much we could love you until you came home.

39 Weeks 2.0

39 weeks have passed since you first start growing in Mommy's belly and our love for you started growing in our hearts. We have gotten all of the "Must" to-do's complete to prepare for your arrival such as getting a new bassinet (one day Mommy will tell you about the bugs and the Moses baskets) and installing your car seat in the van. All that is really left is for you to arrive. And according to the Doctor, Mommy and Daddy will arrive at the hospital on Monday to start induction for your birth. We have so many friends and family members that are excited to meet you and love you and that have been praying for this day. We can not wait for your introduction.

38 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had another ultrasound this week to check on how you are doing. At 38 at weeks, you are the size of a pumpkin but probably not as orange as one. Daddy, Mommy and Aubrey were all decked out in orange and blue and white this week to celebrate the beginning of football season. You'll have plenty of choices and decisions to make throughout life, some easy, some difficult, some that mean more than others. But one thing you won't have to decide, that Daddy has decided for you, is that you are a fan of the Chicago Bears.

37 Weeks 2.0

At 37 weeks, you are the size of a winter melon. Daddy doesn't know what that really is but it is big. Mommy and Daddy had a big date night in Charlotte this week. First, we had dinner at a restaurant that served very delicious and diverse food creations like pork belly tacos with watermelon salsa and fried chicken skin chips with pimento cheese fondue and jalapeno spiked pickled okra. We then had yummy cakes for desert at a bakery called Amelie's. Mommy has had a lot of heartburn while you've been residing in her belly. Our hearts long to meet you and at this week's doctor's appointment, we were told that at this point we could be meeting you very soon.

36 Weeks 2.0

You are now the size of a honeydew. But after 36 weeks, we still don't have a name picked out for you. We've got several great ideas but nothing is definite. We know you already have a name, we just haven't figured it out yet. We know it is perfect for you just as you are perfect for us; just as the love you bring into this world will be perfect. We have a few weeks left to figure this out, but then a lifetime to share with you the love we've been storing up for over 8 months.

35 Weeks 2.0

You have been growing in Mommy's belly and in our hearts for 35 weeks now. You are the size of a large cantaloupe and at Mommy's appointment this week, the doctor said you are the right size or maybe a little smaller than expected. That was not what we expected to hear given the doctors have been saying you are ahead of schedule. To get ready, Mommy and Mimi shopped at a consignment sale. They bought more things for Aubrey than you because they bought mostly clothes and we still don't know if you'll need pink or blue clothes. We won't know for 5 more weeks, give or take a week or so depending on how accurate the doctor's measurements are.

34 Weeks 2.0

It's hard to believe we are in week 34, the weeks are flying by. You are the size of a large coconut this week and we've been going nuts in getting ready for your arrival. We have been so busy that we were a little late taking this week's picture. On Friday, we took you to your first NFL game, a preseason game between the Panthers and Bears. The same rule applies with you as your sister, you don't have to grow up to be a Cubs or Bears fan, but you have to spend some time with Daddy watching and going to their games. Over the weekend, Mommy spent time with her family while Daddy worked at the house. She took you to a family reunion, a birthday party and a wedding shower. Mommy has a big family and everyone is very excited about our family growing soon.

33 Weeks 2.0

We continue to count down the weeks to your birth and this week, week 33, we celebrated Mommy's birthday. We went to dinner and the park and later in the week, we went to Mimi's house. At our house, your sister is officially sleeping in her own room now and we've started moving her things out of your room. This week, you are the size of a pineapple...or maybe larger. At Mommy's appointment this week, the doctor says she is measuring a week ahead of schedule and that once we get to week 36, we should be ready for you to join us at any time. We've prayed about that day for more than 33 weeks now, we are very excited and ready to meet you.

32 Weeks 2.0

We are now less than 2 months away from your official due date. We will soon have to transition from preparing for your physical arrival which includes doing things like getting your room ready, buying you clothes to wear and having plenty of diapers on hand to preparing emotionally for loving you and raising you. One lesson Mommy will teach you from day one is the importance of politeness and honesty as she demonstrated in an example this week. In shopping for a 2-seated stroller for you and your sister, Mommy found a great deal on a fully-loaded ride on-line. This thing was the minivan of strollers so Mommy contacted the seller. He said someone was coming to look at it later in the week to which Mommy replied she'd love to come see it if they don't want it. Given someone replied to the ad before she did, it was only right and fair to let them see it first. We wondered if the seller would maintain that same integrity. He told Mommy she could even come see it earlier and on her way home from work, she found out he had sold it to someone else who came to see it.

You are the size of a head of lettuce this week.

31 Weeks 2.0

As much as it has been raining here lately, it was very appropriate that week 31 started with a Baby Sprinkle thrown by our friends at church. Because you have an older sister, Mommy already has many of the things we will need when you arrive. But in the event that you are a boy, daddy bought you a Pearl Jam onesie on his trip to Chicago this week. You could wear it if you are a girl, but Mommy thinks it looks a little scary. At 31 weeks you should be the size of a pineapple but the doctor says you are measuring almost two weeks ahead of schedule. If you are preparing to come to the world two weeks early, we had better get all of the things we don't already have very soon.

30 Weeks 2.0

30 weeks down, 10 to go until your due date. Mommy had a photo shoot this week, to model her belly for a local photographer. We can't wait for you to see how beautiful you made Mommy look on the outside. On the inside, you are as long as a cucumber. Your sweet sister has started talking to you from outside Mommy's belly and hopefully you're able to hear us read her bedtime stories at night. By the time you are born, she will probably be able to read them to you by herself.

29 Weeks 2.0

At 29 weeks, you are the size of a squash and as you continue to grow, you will start feeling squished in Mommy's belly. Mommy and Daddy are starting to feel squished in bed because your sister A is sleeping with us. Don't worry, we painted her new room this week so hopefully by the time you arrive, she'll be sleeping in her new room and we'll have room for you to sleep in the bed with us.

27 Weeks 2.0

We celebrated Father's Day this week and your September arrival has Daddy already feeling doubly excited. Mommy and your big sister visited friends visiting from Alaska this weekend and Daddy stayed home to get work done around the house. He cleaned out the garage to make it easier for Mommy to park the minivan inside. That will help when she has to get you, Aubrey and groceries out of the car on rainy days. Daddy also cleaned out the room that your Aunt Jessica used to stay in. This room will become Aubrey's room meaning you'll have a room all to yourself when you arrive. At 27 weeks, you are now the size of a cauliflower.

28 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had a check-up with the doctor this week and she (and you) are right on schedule, measuring 28 weeks. She also had a glucose test and the results were perfect, you are exactly and perfectly sweet already. More sweet that all the desserts that Mommy and Daddy shared with friends over the weekend in Charleston. It was more of a food-moon than a baby-moon, but we did buy you a stuffed animal. We ate a lot of good food. You are the size of an eggplant this week. We didn't eat any on our trip.

26 Weeks 2.0

In week 26, you are the size of a head of lettuce. Mommy was a little green this week; she had a little stomach bug. Daddy has been watching the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals. Your due date falls in the middle of the Blackhawks preseason schedule for the 2013. That means in the time they get to celebrate before the real work of their next chapter begins, we've got that same time to get some real work done before celebrating the beginning of our next chapter as a family.

25 Weeks 2.0

Mommy had another doctor's appointment this week and everything with you and her is good but she needs to cut down on eating carbs a little. Daddy needs to cut down on carbs a little more. Usually, Daddy does the grocery shopping but this week, Mommy discovered that at Harris Teeter, you can order your food on-line and then pay for it and pick it up right at the front of the store. This has made shopping much easier and healthier. Daddy would often get extra items like cookies and ice cream but with Mommy doing the shopping, we'll stick to more of the healthier options. Like cauliflower, which is about same size as you are at 25 weeks.

24 Weeks 2.0

One week a year, every year, Mommy and Daddy take a trip to Edisto for family vacation at the beach. This year, week 24 was that week. Your sister still isn't completely into fun in the sand and surf but hopefully you were able to feel a little warmth from the sun on Mommy's belly and were soothed by the sounds of the ocean. You're about as long as an envelope this week, and this year as it seems every year, our week at the beach wasn't long enough. We can't wait to take you there next summer!