tummy time...

Olivia working on her neck strength on the beautiful blanket Marianne Jordan made for her. Being a baby is tough work, but she did great!

We miss you, Nana!!

My mother left this morning and we miss her already! She was a huge help with everything the last ten days, from laundry, to cooking, and helping with baby care. We are quickly into reality upon her departure as Andy flies tonight so Olivia and I are on our own until tomorrow morning. Hopefully all goes well!

Nana, Olivia says she loves you and can't wait to see you again!!

Out for brunch at Hominy Grill.....yummy!
Learning how to wear my hotsling....Olivia was asleep within minutes!

Seriously, Mommy, you are taking another picture?!

We like to call this her 'milk-drunk' look! =)

Snuggled up with Mommy after yet another feeding! Olivia showing off her oral motor skills....this speech pathologist mom is very proud of her lip rounding!

Happy Father's Day!

Dear Daddy,

Today is our first Father's Day together so I wanted to tell you how much I love you! I think we survived the first week as a family quite well. I have been trying to sleep as much as I can so you and Mommy can get some rest at night.

Thank you for the hugs and snuggles that you give me. I love the songs you sing in my ear and the stories you read to me. I think you and I are going to be great buddies! Church was fun this morning and I like that you wore your new pink shirt and tie just for me! In case you haven't noticed, I really like pink! It was fun to coordinate=)

I love you, Daddy, and I am so excited for all of the fun times to come.

Love,

Olivia Grace

to keep you smiling...

.... here are some recent photos of Olivia that we have captured while adjusting to life here at home. Things are going marvelous and she fits right into things!

Thanks for the princess jammies, Aunt Cathy!

Sporting one of the many adorable hats Grandma Allen knitted for me!

Olivia is not sure if she is excited about her first bath or not! I think she likes it!

Uh, oh......I see a double chin.

I have alert times one or two times a day so I can show off my beautiful eyes (that Mommy thinks are going to turn blue!)

the rest of the story...

Oh, where to begin? Olivia Grace took her sweet time arriving to the world and I was in labor for approximately 26 hours. The contractions began for real (I had been having unorganized ones the night prior) upon waking Saturday morning the 13th. We labored at home all day and arrived at the hospital around 6:00pm since the contractions were about 3-5 minutes apart and had been for several hours.

Things progressed through the night and at around 1:30am we thought we may be meeting our princess very soon. Andy was so sure that he sent word to the grandparents (that were waiting at our house) to go ahead and come to the hospital. Well, that was wishful thinking because we hit a wall around 3:00am Sunday morning. I had advanced to 9cm, but that was as far as things would go. My contractions were slowing in frequency and intensity and I was still at 9cm 3.5 hours later (6:30am). By this time we were completely exhausted and I was tired of feeling so much pain and we had a heart to heart with the doctor. She recommended an epidural so that we could get some rest and see about getting me the final centimeter. Even though it was not part of our original birth plan, I quickly agreed to the epidural....enough is enough! (especially when you have been stuck at the same point for 3 and a half hours!). So at 7:00am I got the epidural, Andy and I got an hour or so to rest, and I began pushing at 9:15am. Olivia Grace arrived at 10:46am on Sunday the 14th and was worth every single pain and frustration! What a moment!

Olivia aspirated meconium during the delivery and was hurried off to the Level II nursery where they began oxygen and antibiotics because her respiration and oxygen levels were not where they should be. The neonatologist picked up her case and provided us with many updates regarding her progress. Andy was by Olivia's side in the nursery while they worked on her, but I was confined to the bed for a few hours since I had needed the epidural. That was a hard few hours because I had no idea what was happening with our little girl.

Throughout the next few days Olivia passed every milestone that the doctor set for her either right on time, or just a little early. The antibiotics seemed to clear her lungs and she was weaned off the oxygen hood by 5:ooam Monday morning. That meant we could finally hold her! What a great wake-up call!! We held her and I was able to begin nursing. Prior to that I was pumping and they were attempting to soothe her with a passy dipped in the cholostrum I was producing. Apparently that wasn't good enough for little Miss Olivia because she nursed for 45 minutes that first time. She wanted the real thing =)

Late Monday night the nursery notified us that Olivia was off the monitors and could come to our room for feedings! Another glorious milestone! The next morning the neonatologist ran her labs and gave the approval to take out her IV! That also meant we could take her home that day! What great news!! We raced through the discharge process because we were both very eager to get Olivia Grace home where she couldn't be poked, prodded, or tested anymore. We are thankful for all of the hard work from the doctors and nurses, but there comes a point where you know your baby is okay and you just want to get home! So, we arrived home yesterday (the 16th) and it has been amazing!

She is a happy baby and has only been crying when she is wet, dirty, or wants to nurse. We had our first meeting with the pediatrician this morning and she passed with flying colors. It seems that her rough start was short lived and she is a healthy newborn now.

The moment our lives changed forever.

Admiring the miracle that God has blessed us with.

Olivia Grace off the oxygen for the first time!

Holding Olivia at 5:00am when we got word that she could be off the oxygen hood!

Snuggled in with Daddy....all IS right with the world, isn't it?!

Snuggling up with Mommy; something we both really needed!

Andy changes his first (of many) diapers!

Three generations....Mom, Stephanie, & Olivia

Our sweet baby girl....

Home at last!!!

Is she cute, or what?!?!

Andy and Olivia get in a nap not long after we arrived home.

Snug as a bug in a rug... Home from the pediatrician and looking bright eyed!

Dr. Dino thinks Olivia is perfect too!!

Olivia Grace Allen

Baby Girl arrived safely June 14th at 10:46am weighing 9lb 8oz and measuring 21 3/4 in long. She has had a rough start with her respiratory system and has been in the Level II nursery on oxygen and antibiotics, but is making improvements as of this morning.

Here are a few pictures to keep you satisfied! I will share more and stories as soon as I can.

date night....

When all else fails (and you are still pregnant long after you should be) put on a dress and have your husband take you out for date night.

Downtown Charleston is a great location for that. Basil was our venue of choice tonight. Delicious, indeed!

Even if you do feel like a balloon walking down the street....put on a smile and pretend that you don't hurt with every step you take.

It will do wonders for your spirit =)