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7/16-7/20/08- The kids and I headed up to Nana and Papa's for a few days. The boys had their dentist appointments and we got to go to their county park where they have the minature train rides. Spent lots of time swimming in the pool, because it was HOT! Lydia even got her feet a little wet, but she didn't know what to think about it. Caleb is swimming better and better and doing more and more things. He likes to open his eyes under the water and get things that down below on the floor of the pool. Daniel is doing better and getting over his fears. Pretty soon, he'll be swimming all around. Maybe next summer!
7/13/08- Lydia's skin is still broken out, but it seems to be getting a little better. I remember Daniel's skin was really sensitive when he was a newborn, and it still is today. But, hers seems to be getting better. It's also summertime and very hot, so the heat aggravates it. She's still so pretty and so much fun to dress up!
7/10/08- These boys just love their sister so much! They love holding her and taking pictures with her. They are going to be great big brothers :) I love seeing them with her and I look forward to the bond they will form as siblings.
7/8/08- Today was my first day to "venture out" with all three kids. But, of course, I can't do just any simple thing. I always think "big" and try to pack as much in as possible- why do I do this? I have no idea!
Since we have the aquarium passes, I planned for us to go visit one of the aquarium buildings, and then pack a picnic and go across the river to Coolidge Park, and then let the boys play in the fountains. Well, that's what we did! Everything really worked out well and we all survived our first outing together. Lydia did great- she was awake part of the time and then dozed off here and there. The boys loved being at the aquarium again. Daniel is still scared of the divers. Hopefully, he will get past that. We just try to go the opposite way when we see them, saying, "oh, Daniel, look over here at this!" so his back is turned and he can't see the divers.
After the aquarium, we loaded up and went over to Coolidge Park and had a picnic. The boys played on those clanky musical things that they have off one of the sidewalks under the bridge. I was able to nurse Lydia while they entertained themselves (and me) with their music :) After we all ate lunch, the boys played in the fountains. They had so much fun! It was a really good day.
After we got dried off and dry clothes put on, we went over to Clumpies to get ice cream! Yum! This is always a special treat. By the time we got in the van to head home, all kids were tired and ready for naps, and they slept the whole way home.
It was a very fun day and it felt good to get out by myself with the kiddos :)
7/6/08- Daniel started the 2's and 3's bible class. He's not in the baby class anymore- *sniff* Regina is his teacher this quarter and she said he did great in class. I'm so glad. He's really been working on his prayers. He wants to jump right into them without an "introduction." He doesn't say "dear God" in the beginning- he just starts saying, "fant u, mommy, fant u, daddy, fant you eee-ya (lydia), fant you bubba.. Then, he forgets the end- no amen! So, we're working on that. He's only 2 and 1/2- he'll learn!
We do love how he says Lydia's name: it's "eee-ya". He doesn't pronounce the "L" or the "D." He's still not saying the "ck" sound- cookie is "tootie;" he'll tell me that "ee-ya" is "tying"- crying. It's cute- I know he'll get the words out right as he gets older. He's speaking so much more than he did a year ago!
We love you so much Daniel!!!
7/4/08- Happy 4th of July! Had a nice relaxing day. Took some pictures of the kids- it sure is hard to get all three in a picture together. We'll have to keep working on that.
6/29/08-7/2/08- We took a nice little trip to Northeastern Georgia. It was nice to get away and Aaron planned it so well. Just right for the family and for just having a newborn! So, Lydia started traveling with us at only 2 and 1/2 weeks old. Everyone did so great on the trip. We traveled over toward Helen, GA and went to church there, and then onto the cabin Aaron got us for 3 nights in Unicoi State Park. Everyone at the church where we went was so nice and couldn't believe how alert Lydia was for as young as she was.
The cabin was perfect. 2 bedroom, 1 bath, with a little living area and furnished kitchen. We headed to Maggie Valley, North Carolina on Monday to go to Ghost Town in the Sky- a little amusement park on top of a mountain in the Smokey Mountains. Aaron went to this amusement park when he was a kid and it was so neat for him to take his children to a place he went as a kid. The only way to get up to this amusement park is to take the ski lift or go in a shuttle van up the steepest road in North Carolina. We chose the shuttle van, because we had the stroller, and I just can't do ski lifts- they terrify me. We had a great time on the rides and it wasn't crowded. Everything went so great- we took turns riding rides with the boys and watching Lydia. Lydia slept until she was ready to eat, and by that time, we were ready for a snack, so we sat and watched a show and snacked while I fed Lydia.
Tuesday, the boys and Aaron went to play tennis at the courts in the park and did some fishing. For dinner, we went to eat at the park's lodge. It was fantastic!!! We are starting to notice as we go out now, that the boys want everyone to know that Lydia is there new baby sister, that her name is Lydia, and how old she is. It's very cute and sweet.
Wednesday we packed up and headed back home. It was a nice trip. Aaron is so good at planning trips for us. He's the best!!!! Thank you, Daddy!
6/24/08- Doctor visit for all three kids!! Lydia's 2 week well visit, Caleb's kindergarten check up visit, and to check on Daniel's' mouth. All did well and did great. Aaron went with us and I'm so thankful he did. It would have been hard to take all three of them by this point.
6/23/08- More visitors! Great Grandma Medvedik and Aunt Jeanne came to visit from Dickson, TN. She brought a great chicken salad and vegetable platter. Mom made a yummy zuchinni and squash seasoning thing- everything was so good! Grandma also brought a delicious carrot cake and made an "L" for Lydia out of pineapple jelly beans. We all had a good day. Grandma just loves you so much, Lydia! Everyone does. And we can all see how sweet Caleb and Daniel are with her!
6/22/08- Nana and Papa Goodall brought the boys back last night and today is Sunday and Lydia's first time out to church!!!! We dressed her in a sweet pink and white gingham dress with a cute little matching hat and lacy socks and pretty shoes. She looked like a little doll. She was perfect during church and was awake at one point and just stared at whoever was holding her- so alert. We took pictures with Sadie who is only 5 weeks older! She looks so big compared to you!
6/20/08- This sweet baby loves to sleep! I can't believe she's doing such long stretches at night, even though she sleeps so much during the day. She'll do a 4-5 hour stretch at night. I figured out that she's probably sleeping almost 20 hours a day! But, as long as she's sleeping at night well, I'm fine with it.
Daniel's been having some pain in his mouth throughout the week. Mom called and said they finally thought they should take him to the doctor. Turned out to be some viral thing that was bothering his gums.
I went to the Goodwill to find some clothes for the summer. Found lots of good things. It was nice to get out of the house- Aaron watched Lydia for my 2 and 1/2 hour time frame! That was sweet.
Heather came to visit and see Lydia. Susan brought a wonderful quiche and delicious banana bread. So thankful for great friends!
6/18/08- Okay- Lydia's been eating almost every 3 hours and doing great. Last night, I laid her down at midnight, and I woke up to Aaron getting ready to go to work at 6am!!!!!!! I ran to her pack n' play, and she was just starting to stir around. SHE JUST DID A 6 HOUR STRETCH AT ONLY 6 DAYS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this baby!!!!!
Nana Goodall called and told me the sweetest thing about Caleb. They had printed off an 8 x 10 picture of Lydia the day before and as they were getting ready for church, Caleb asked if he could bring it to church to show people his new sister. She said he walked into the church building, holding that picture in front of him for all to see, and was just beaming. He went straight toward Mrs. Joan, his first Bible Class teacher when Nana and Papa moved to Columbia. She said it was precious. He is going to be a very sweet big brother.
6/16/08- Nana and Papa Goodall took the boys home with them for the week, which will really help out a lot. Aaron and I took Lydia for her newborn check-up visit at the doctor. She's been spitting up a lot and on Saturday, it was quite yellow. My milk came in on that day, so we thought it was the fat from the colostrum that she had been having since she was born. The doctor said she's doing great!
6/15/08- People have been so good to bring food for us. We are truly blessed. Lydia is doing great. She is such a great baby. She has hardly cried- only if she's hungry or wet/dirty. She's on a great schedule and just doing fabulous.
6/13/08- Our new pediatrician checked her out and said she was great! We can go home today! This time, we are anxious to get out of the hospital and get home. We know the boys are ready, too.
We got her all dressed in her take home outfit and got some cute pictures. It's a great feeling to drive away from that hospital, full of thanksgiving to God and full of joy and happiness, to bring that sweet bundle home!
We stopped at Gigi & Papa's to pick up the boys. They were so excited to ride in the van with their new sister. Caleb is very sweet and careful with her. Daniel- well, we'll need to work on a few things with him. :)
6/12/08- We had visitors throughout the day at the hospital. Lydia had her picture taken and it turned out so good! The lady took so much time with her, which was so sweet. She wore Aaron's sister's dress for the picture. She looked like a little doll. I felt like I was dressing a doll as I got her dressed for the picture. It's so fun to have a girl!
6/11/08- We were packed and ready to go and had that same nervous, yet exciting feeling as we drove to the hospital. I was the most nervous with Caleb, of course, since he was the first and there were so many unknowns- not knowing what to expect. With Daniel, I wasn't as nervous, but I remember worrying about Caleb, because the night before we were going to have Daniel, Caleb screamed throughout the night that his ear was bothering him. But, now with this little girl, it is pure excitement. I know the boys are safe and well at Gigi and Papa O's. My mom and dad are on their way from Columbia. And Aaron and I have that special time together knowing that, with God's help, we are going to bring another child into the world.
After registration, the nurse took us down to the labor/delivery room and I remembered that it was the same exact one where we had Caleb. Hopefully, this will go quicker and smoother this time! While getting me all hooked up to everything, she noticed my wedding band was still on my finger and really tight. She said she knew just how to get that off- I told her I had tried and it was extremely tight and stuck on there. She tried and could not get that thing off. Oh well!
Dr. Harnsberger came to check in around 11am/11:30am to see how I was doing. I was great and relaxed, not feeling any contractions majorly. Then he says, "okay, I'm going to break your water." Well, I was
not ready for that, because Dr. Brody didn't break my water with Daniel until much later in the day. And I knew that once he broke my water, the hard contractions would come right away, and I wanted to get that epidural right after he broke my water. So, he totally caught me off guard. He gets the stuff in his hands to do it, and I say, "wait! I have to go to the bathroom!" We all start laughing and I told him I just wasn't mentally prepared for that yet. So, I go potty, come back, he breaks my water, and I say, "okay- epidural- next!" It was funny.
Mom & Dad came shortly after this "event." Dad & Aaron ran to get some lunch and I enjoyed eating my ice chips and talking with Mom. I rested throughout the afternoon and just tried to be as comfortable as possible.
Dr. Harnsberger came around 5pm and I was only about 5 or 6 centimeters, and he was surprised I wasn't progressing as quickly, with this being my 3rd child. I told him how with Daniel, I spent a lot of time walking around the room, squatting, etc., and then Dr. Brody broke my water. Since he broke my water around noon, and then I got the epidural, I couldn't walk around anymore- I was stuck! He agreed that was probably a factor.
Rachele stopped by on their way to church. It was good to see her and reminisce about Caleb & Daniel's births, and her kids births in that same hospital.
By 6pm, Mom and Dad were trying to figure out what to do about church services. Yes, the building was down the road from the hospital, but what if I went quick at the end? Then, Mom was worried about not being "dressed" for church. We assured her that was
not something to worry about where we attend. They decided to go and we told them we would text them if things seemed to be going quicker. They left around 6:45pm.
Around 7:45, the nurse checked me, and I was at 8 centimeters! Aaron and I debated texting them, but knew church was almost over. At 8:15pm, I was 9, so Aaron texted them and said I was close and they probably needed to leave church right after. I was really feeling the pressure by this point, and told the nurse each time I felt it. They were there by 8:35pm, and we had Aaron's mom and my mom in the room, while Papa O, Nanny, and Caleb & Daniel waited in the waiting room. My Dad was out in the hall with my video camera, so he could record her first cry. The nurses got everything ready in the room and at 9:00pm I started pushing. She was born at 9:06pm!!!!!!! I couldn't believe how fast she came!!!!! She weighed in at 6 lbs. 11 oz., like her birthday, 6/11/08, and was 18 and 3/4" long. She has dark hair and a sweet little round face. Her name is..... Lydia Marie!!!!!!!!! We love her!
The boys were outside the door while I was getting cleaned up, and I could hear them so excited. They couldn't wait to come in and see Mommy & their new baby sister! Daniel kept trying to peek under the curtain that they have in the room by the door- it was cute. When they let them come in, Caleb was smiling ear to ear- just beaming! He sat on the bed next to me while I held her and just kept saying, "she's so sweet, Mom! I love her so much." Daniel was a little overwhelmed with Mommy hooked up with all these wires and in a big hospital bed. You could tell he wanted to hug me, but was scared to sit on the bed next to me. Caleb was the same way at that age when Daniel was born.
After everyone left, I tried nursing Lydia, and she took right to it. She's such a great baby! I got something to eat and got down to my room to rest for the night. We are so thankful for this little girl!!!
6/10/08- When Aaron got up this morning to get ready for work, he looked at me with my ice bag in hands and feet, and sweetly said, "why, Chanelle? Why wait for Dr. Brody to get back? Why be miserable for another week? Why don't you call and schedule the induction?" Dr. Harnsberger had told us that she was ready, and having her a week early would not be a problem- she was fully developed. And the thought of having her this week was exciting. We agreed that was the best thing to do. I called and they told me to go to be at the hospital at 10am tomorrow. WE'RE HAVING HER TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!
6/9/08- Before we left the Ledfords last night, I noticed that I was itching a lot, all over my body. I thought it was the heat, but when we got home, it was really bothering me. Well, I itched and scratched all through the night. I was miserable! It was uncontrollable. I started checking on the internet to see if this was a common thing to be itching so close to the end of the pregnancy- maybe it was a sign of labor. I'd been having a lot of other signs- back pain, etc. Then, I started coming across this thing called PUPPPS. There were pictures and stories of these women who had been scratching their bellies and other areas raw and in extreme discomfort. I called the doctor's office and the nurse said I needed to come in. Well, my hormones kicked in and started freaking out, thinking something was wrong with the me or the baby. I called Aaron and his principal was so nice to let him take the rest of the day, so he could take me to the doctor. Aaron also called his mom and told me to back them a bag of clothes for a few nights, just in case, and took the boys over to his mom's to stay.
We went to the doctor, and had to see Dr. Harnsberger, because Dr. Brody is already gone on his 2 week vacation. Dr. H looked me over- my arms, legs, hands, etc. and then asked if I felt like I was going to lose it, and I said, "yeah! I'm pretty much at that point!" He said it looked like PUPPPS and the only way to get rid of it was to have the baby. Once again, we're thinking about induction- surprise! Dr. Harnsberger was so great and we really hit it off with him. He said he could schedule an induction if that's what we wanted. My first question was, "when is Dr. Brody supposed to be back?" and he started joking with me, saying, "do you think I can't do this?" Aaron was laughing hysterically. Dr. H was saying things like, "I've only dropped a few babies on their way out, but come on!" He was hilarioius! We left feeling good that if I went into labor, he would be a great doctor to have in place of Dr. Brody.
We got home and Aaron and I showered and changed so we could go to The Melting Pot near Atlanta for our "last fancy meal" before having little girl. We've done that before each one, and it's always been so nice. I really tried not to itch and scratch the whole time, but it was hard! We did have a good time just talking and being together.
That night when we got home I took an oatmeal bath and it helped for awhile. I woke up a few hours later with my hands & feet feeling like they were on fire and so itchy. I went down and filled 2 baggies of ice and slept with one at my feet and held the other one. This helped me get a little more sleep. Hopefully this rash will be gone after I have this sweet little baby!
6/8/08- Aaron preached at LaFayette today and I feel like I'm rolling everywhere I go. I am past ready. Marie & Madison had a big group over to their house after evening services, and the boys enjoyed going in their pool. Caleb is such a fish- he just jumps right in! He is swimming better and better. He enjoyed going off the diving board this time. You're doing so great, Caleb!
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