Lainey's newborn pics

The photos were taken by Ashley Schrage.  She was new to us and she did a wonderful job!  She put up with us for 3 hours to get these pictures, so she truly is a saint!  Little miss Lainey did not want to sleep for her pictures, and after taking 45 minutes to nurse her to sleep, she vomited all over herself and Ashley's furniture.  It was awful!!!  BUT, we finally got her to sleep and captured some wonderful pictures!  It was all worth it!

Alaina's birth story...

Alaina was a scheduled c-section due to having a c-section with Addie.  We had it scheduled for the first day of spring.  Perfect day to welcome new life!  I had a lot of mixed emotions of having another c-section, but it turns out that it wasn't so bad!

We had to be at the hospital by 5:30am for a 7:30am surgery.  Big sister went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa the night prior so she wouldn't have to get up so early.  Addie was impatiently awaiting her sister to arrive, and told me the day prior that one more day was going to be "way too long!" 

After arriving to the hospital, we checked in and were taken up to OB.  I had my IV started, answered lots of questions, and did a few more things (that will be left to your imagination).  We then had time to just sit and wait for the surgery team to be ready for us.  I happened to hear the doctor say that surgery began at 7:32am. 

At 7:37am our little Alaina Jean was born.  She weighed a whopping 8lbs. 3oz. and was 20.5 inches long.  She let the world know she had arrived with fist in the air and loud cries.  I will have to say that hearing your babe cry for the first time is the most amazing sound in the world.  When they brought Alaina over to meet me, all I could think was how much she looked like her big sister, and how much I couldn't wait for the darn surgery to be over so I could hold her.  Dan went with Alaina to the nursery to take care of her while they finished my surgery.

Surgery went very well.  My doc came in after surgery and said as far as he was concerned we could do as many c-sections as I wanted.  I laughed and told him that I didn't think my husband would agree!!  Recovery has been a breeze the second time around.  They had me walking that evening.  We tried earlier, but couldn't keep my blood pressure up, so they made me stay in bed a little longer. 

Alaina has been a wonderful eater.  She was able to latch properly during our first feeding and it has been smooth sailing since.  I had a nurse tell me one night that we were the breastfeeding champs of the OB unit.  I was SO proud, since we didn't have that kind of luck with Addie. 

The hospital stay was also a breeze and the doctor let us go home a day early since Alaina and I were doing so well.  Dan and I were both ready to get home! We came home that Friday and have been adjusting well since we returned home!

Overall, it was a great experience and recovery the second time around was much easier than the first time.  We have been very blessed!  We are SO enjoying time as a family of four!!  Here are a few more pictures to share from my phone...

Me and the girls...

Addie meeting her little sister for the first time...

Cozy ride

 We tried out the sling for the first time a few nights ago and Alaina enjoyed riding with momma around the house!

With two children, it really comes in handy!  Especially trying to keep up with #1, who you can see crazily running around the house!

3 weeks old!

Alaina is 3 weeks old today!  She continues to do wonderful and is growing each and every day.

Alaina had a growth spurt this week.  I wish I could weigh her to see what she has gained.  She went a few days where she wanted to nurse every hour.  It was very tiring for momma, but we made it through!  You can tell her face is filling out, along with the rest of her!  Typically she eats every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.

She seemed to outgrow her newborn clothes overnight.  She is now in 0-3 months and size 1 diapers.

She is more awake during the day, and at times seems to fight sleep.  I don't think she wants to miss out on anything!

 

She dislikes bath time very much!  It is an all out crying fit when she takes one and it takes two of us to give her a bath because she gets so mad!

 

She is following voices and hold her head up well.  We have started tummy time, which she isn't a big fan of.  Addie loves to lay on the floor with her and talk away.  You can tell Lainey really wants to say something back, but it comes out as more of a grunt.

Tummy time with Addie and Emma...

 On Saturday Dan's aunt had a sprinkle for Alaina.  Big sis Addie got to show off her sister and help open presents.  It was a great way to Alaina to meet more of the family!

It's been another great week!  Just soaking in all this time with the girls before I return to work in 9 weeks...

Alaina at 2 weeks

On Wednesday Lainey turned two weeks old.  Time has flown since we came home from the hospital.  Both girls have been doing well, and have made life pretty easy for their momma, since I have been home with both girls by myself most days.  Addie has been going with Grandma a few days per week, which has been very peaceful in spending time with Alaina.

Lainey had her two week weight check on Wednesday to make sure she was back at her birth weight.  We were happy to see 8lbs. 12oz. on the scale! She is gaining like crazy.  I should have guessed, she loves to eat!

At this point, she is eating about every 3 hours during the day.  She wakes up once per night to eat, and it up around 6:30am.  She is having more awake time during the day and is always looking for voices.  She really reacts to Addie's voice.  Most likely because she speaks MUCH louder than most of us!  Not much else to report...lots of snuggling and sleeping!

Here are a few pictures to share from our week...

Addie had to jump in!

 Addie has been taking pictures too!

Addie loves to hold her baby sis.