06/27/04

Last night I had the first feelings of doubt in my mothering abilities. Not that I'm a wiz at diaper changing, clothing changing, etc., but I thought I was overfeeding my baby! I fell asleep while she was feeding and awoke to her throwing up her whole meal - out the nose, mouth, everywhere. Now I understand why you have to do so much laundry! I read today that you can't overfeed, they'll stop when they're full, and they don't mind eating right after throwing up. Good to know. This morning, before reading that, I didn't think she could be hungry again so soon, and was trying to figure out what she could want. As soon as I let go the idea that she couldn't be hungry, and fed her, she was fine. Also got a couple good burps out of her, and no spitting up.

06/26/04

Felt like I got normal sleep last night, though it wasn't that much more than I had been getting, it was less scattered. It's nice being able to sleep in my own bed. We had a relaxing day today. Played around on the computer, put some paperwork away, Alan went to the market, etc. Nothing too exciting. The Lookers are coming tomorrow for a visit on their way to the Cape. I'm really looking forward to it. I spent so much time with my sister when her kids were little, it'll be nice to share this time with her.

06/25/04

At today's follow-up visit with the nurse practitioner (doctor's appointment is next week) we got the go-ahead to try to let her "sleep through the night". To keep up my milk supply, we shouldn't go over 4 hours without a feeding. Don't know if it will work or not. Last night was busy, but if we don't have to measure feedings from beginning to beginning (1 feeding may = feeding/burping/feeding more/changing diaper/changing clothes!), 4 hours is a long stretch of sleep!

Shara is an eating, sleeping and eliminating machine. Worked hard today to try and keep her awake. She was up almost all morning - from about 9am to 1:30pm. Then she slept through the afternoon, and her Yabroudy grandparents and Auntie Chris' visit, waking only for a short feeding at around 3. She did stay awake most of the evening, while we had dinner and watched a movie. Alan made a wonderful salmon dinner, courtousy of the folks at SAILS and a la Zing! It worked out great - he was able to get everything together in about 1/2 an hour and we had a healthy meal, something we haven't been doing much of lately. This is now changing and I'm going back to my good eating habits. No reason not to, just needs some planning.

Getting Shara to bed wasn't very difficult. When she cries it's for a reason - diaper change, hunger, wants comforting, physically uncomfortable (mommy leaked milk on outfit and now it's cold and wet, etc.) We'll see how it goes. My first night in my own bed this week!

06/24/04

Today we're just enjoying being home. My milk came in late yesterday, so we're working on feeding - both me and Shara. Babytime isn't the same as EST, the hours pass much quicker. I'm sure once it takes us less then 7 minutes and 5 wipes per diaper change, time will even-out. Today's goal is to try and put away all the things we acquired at the hospital - which is all over the dining room table.

06/23/04

Went home today. So glad to be out of the hospital. If it wasn't for the care and attention given to Shara over those 48 hours, I would have been out of there last night. We spent the morning waiting around for shots - my Rogam and MMR, Shara's HepB. We got out at close to noon and made a quick stop at Walmart's to pick up mittens for Shara. Her nails are long and her favorite way to comfort herself ends up leaving her face all scratched up.

Got home, fed Shara, fed ourselves. Spent a while visiting the "kids" and introducing them to their new baby sister. Didn't seem to be any problems. Will still keep the nursery door closed at night. Also trying to figure out where everything is. Put her stuff away so long ago, it's hard to remember which drawer has what.

06/22/04

Oh my gosh! It's going to take a bit of time for the next post, which will be recollections of the big event! Alan and I are going to sit down tonight, at the hospital, and get some thoughts down. To quickly sum it up, AMAZING! (note 6/27 - Didn't have a chance to write anything, but Alan's going to be posting the father's point of view.)

Waiting for You to be Born

How: Home Pregnancy Test

When: October 5th, 2003

Who we told first: Our parents

Your due date: June 11th, 2004

We found out your gender: Tried several times and got a 95% chance of being a girl at the 3rd Ultrasound on March 16th, 2004. Got a 99% at the April 5th U/S.

Mom's food cravings: Sweets!, fried clams toward the end, ice cream sundaes

Mom's food aversions: Had a couple of bad tasting hamburgers, but for the most part, everything tastes great!

Childbirth classes: Prepared Childbirth Class at Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center. We met once a week for 5 weeks (April 27th - May 25th, 2004). Breastfeeding Class - May 8th, 2004

Names we considered: Boys: Stewart, Simon Girls: Shara, Shauna, Simone, Serafina, Sook

Hearing your heartbeat: At Mom's 11 week checkup. It was very exciting.

Feeling you kick: January 10th (about 18 weeks) - Wasn't sure if it was a gas bubble or a real kick. After more experience realized it was a real one!

Shara's Birth

Shara Anne Yabroudy was born 6/21/2004 at 1:05pm. Her weight at birth was 6 lbs 10.8 ozs and she was 19 inches long.
Dad's Experience of Shara's Birth
All the pictures of Shara

06/21/04

Happy Birthday, Shara!

06/19/04

Have been at the hospital quite a lot lately. The nursing staff on the 5th floor are great. Have been going in for non-stress tests daily. So far I'm dilated a little and thinning (a little). Tomorrow when I go in again they'll check me and if I'm progressing on my own, great. If not, I come back at 5pm and they put in Cervadil - which will thin the cervix. Either way, I'll be induced Monday. It would be better if they didn't have to do the Cervadil, since I'll have to stay in the hospital all night. By the end of Monday, our baby will be born; assuming it isn't a really long labor.

06/14/04

Went to the doc's today. Nothing new. Going to have another U/S to test amniotic fluid level on Wed, then another doc appointment on Thursday. Trying to remember that my "real" due date could be the 16th. Hard waiting around, thinking every little irregularity is the onset of labor. Especially when my being nervous gives me the same early labor symptoms! Was nice to hear that the daughter of a woman I work with was 2 weeks late with her second last fall. All I seem to hear about is everyone getting induced 1 or 2 days after their due date, when they're perfectly healthy. I'll post again on Thursday after the doctor's appointment.

06/11/04

Went to yoga today. It was good. Not a lot of people showed up. When I walked in, everyone laughed. From one week to the next you never know who's going to go! I told them that I most likely wouldn't be there next week. I'm thinking I'll still make my Monday's doctor's appointment. I'd be extremely surprised if anything happened today. Not feeling at all different, and certainly haven't lost my appetite yet! Went to the book sale at the library, to get some books to read when the munchkin comes, and went to the bakery (Wheatberries) next door. Got some good bread and a fabulous sour cherry/chocolate scone. Alan & I ate a nice lunch - our first meal at our "new" outdoor table.

06/10/04

Well today was my due date and nothing came. The other day it occured to me that the only signs I'm going to have, that can't be missinterpreted, are contractions and my water breaking. Other than that, anything could mean days, not hours. So I've stopped looking and am just going about my business as usual. I feel pretty good. After work, Alan & I went to Kelly's Roast Beef, at Revere Beach. We had never been and I wanted to do something summery, since the weather was so beautiful. I had a clam roll, onion rings and french fries. I can't believe I ate so poorly! It was so good though. Not really greasy, so I guess that's a plus. Alan had a roast beef and cheese fries, which came with bacon. I got really stuffed, so we skipped the ice cream. We also skipped going to the book store and to Lowes. My feet were swelling and I knew I needed to get home and get horizontal. At this point, I don't have the stamina I usual do.

06/09/04

Jill and Andy offered their house for us to have a Welcome Baby party in August. It should be fun and casual - we're going to get deli from Gershons and make a few salads. Just a nice chance for everyone to get together. With family and friends somewhat scattered, it should be a time when everyone is available.

06/06/04

We're really in good shape now. The nursery has been finished and yesterday Alan put the futon in there for me to sleep on for the first week. That should make nighttime feedings easier for both of us. Still don't think she'll come anytime soon. I'm going to look into taking a "gentle yoga" class this summer. It's mainly light stretching and relaxation. It would be Thursday nights and I think would help get me back to "normal".

Talked to dad and Ev today. We're all getting our lists together for the announcements. Want to get the envelopes ordered so I can start addressing them ASAP.

06/01/04

Tonight I couldn't sleep so I bought a diaper bag I had been looking at. I found it on e-bay and it seems like a good deal. I really wanted to play around with one before buying, but this looks like a really cool design and I remember seeing it a long time ago. It's from Ella's Bags and the fabric is black toile. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the fabric choice. For their other bags they have much more sophisticated patterns, and these are more childish. I think the toile is the best choice though.

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