Jelly bean

Time to remember how to type one-handed while holding a baby...

Molly went to the Dr. yesterday where she got rave reviews. We went back for a weight check today and she'd gained an ounce--so not fabulous but better than losing weight. We'll go back on Friday for another check. Tomorrow I get my staples out (what an odd thing to type!) and afterward we'll stop in at the breastfeeding clinic to see if we can find out how much milk she's getting from me.

Last night was pretty good--while there wasn't a schedule, of course, there was a nice pattern and Jeff and I both got at least some sleep. We all got up at about 7am this morning with Leo declaring that Molly was his alarm clock. He got ready for school relatively quickly and is off burning energy there as we speak.

We're all home

Leo got to go by the hospital during visiting hours yesterday, and absolutely adores his sister. He got to spend a little time holding her, but I think is disappointed that she isn't more active at the moment. I took him to school this morning (along with a tub of M&M cookies as a "Happy 0th Birthday" treat for his class -- previously cleared with his teacher), and it took me between 15 and 20 minutes to extract myself so I could shower, shave, and get back to the hospital.

I spent most of the morning finishing off planning the week at school for my sub (and owe the school librarian, whatever she has said about the gratitude being enough), while Kirstin and Molly took it slow. She's lost just enough weight that we've been doing some supplementing with formula to keep her weight mostly stable. I picked Leo up from school a little early, and we went back to the hospital to bring the girls home.

Molly's first pediatrician appointment is tomorrow morning, and Leo is exercising his right to stay home on the first day. At this point, I think my father (and possibly grandfather) are visiting on Saturday, my mother and stepfather are arriving late Sunday night, and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law will be here at the end of April.


A beaming big brother who is not in the least bit proud.













We've got a similar photo of Leo from when he was a tad older.



















Getting ready to go home.

Good golly....

... it's Molly Violet Dougan. Born today at 4:04 PM, after a second C-section. 7 lbs, 7 oz; 20" long (on both counts, just like her cousin Sam).

Kirstin's mostly sleeping; Leo's been having a grand adventure all day with his friend Daniel. I'm staying at the hospital tonight, but picking him up sometime tomorrow and sleeping at home with him tomorrow night. We think Kirstin and Molly are coming home on Monday, but we'll see how the next little bit goes.

The little girl herself, in the nursery after getting cleaned up.
















Everybody in the OR.

So close!

Looking a bit disheveled after a 2-hour nap this morning. Today is 39 weeks. At yesterday's appointment the midwife didn't think we'd be having this baby before this weekend, but couldn't really predict any closer than that of course.

Nursery preview

View through the door. Paper lantern from Pier 1. Leo donated several of his babies in order to populate his sister's stuffed animal basket.













The bassinet will eventually be in our room. The cabinet is office storage that doesn't fit in any other room.











Artwork above the crib--I made it myself with blank canvases and 3-D flower stickers.













There's a bit of a bird theme in her room.













Changing table and bookshelf.


The bird wall decal will either go above the changing table or on the wall next to the closet--haven't decided yet. Also need to find another metallic bulletin board for over the bookshelf.








Mobile--handmade folded paper stars from Etsy.com.

















Probably the last time the bookshelf will be this neat!

We've decided to leave the rocking chair out in the front room. If she's fussy and we need to rock her we'll likely want to be as far from Leo's room as possible.

We're ready little girl--you're welcome to come home now!

Happy spring!

Leo and Jeff had fun with chalk outlines the other day after school.









































The other day it was rainy, so Leo made cookies.

Ready!

Hi. I'm ready to go. Ready I tell you. Less than two weeks on the clock now (13 days, but who's counting?!). I feel like the epitome of a preschooler--"Are we there yet? How much longer?"

This baby is still head down (yay!) and is making her presence very known. She does not stay still for long and when she moves she likes to move . So much fun to watch and experience. Well, no, not really. It's just plain uncomfortable at this point. However, soon it will all be a distant memory and she'll be here in person.

Leo is ready too. He constantly asks what Bertie Bott is doing ("Is she sleeping?," "Is she hanging out?") and often has things to tell her. Yesterday he stood in front of me, put his hands on either side of my belly and sang Twinkle Twinkle to her (two versions, no less, the original and the traffic light one). Every so often I can get him to modify his behavior by telling him that BB doesn't like what he's doing (dawdling, being sassy, etc) but I don't know how much longer that will work.

The nursery is almost ready (and then yes, we'll post pics). The correct replacement hardware for the crib finally appeared and Jeff and Leo got it all assembled. The dresser should be arriving on Monday (and will then need assembling), and I hope to get to Michael's this weekend to come up with something creative for decorating the walls.

So yes, I am ready. Let's go!!!

funny, I guess

So, our forms from the US Census Bureau show up today, and we got the short form. I was looking at it, and starting to reach for a pen, but then noticed it was for as of April 1.

When Kirstin and Leo made it home, I told them this, and said, "I would have filled out the forms, but I don't know how many people we are going to be on April 1." Kirstin found this very, very funny, and insisted that I post it.

Whoosh! Less than 4 weeks to go!

Can you tell I am getting grumpier the bigger I get? I'm uncomfortable a fair bit of the time, and I think everyone will be happy when this baby gets here!

Meanwhile, in other household happenings, whenever Leo detects that Jeff and I are having a discussion, heated (which they rarely are) or not, he breaks out with "All right, all right, let's bob for apples!" a la Lucy in Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin.

Where the boys are

Jeff and I finally made good on Leo's birthday present for 2009--a new 2-wheel bike. They are currently cruising around the block.

Spring!

First, the city cut down the trees dying in the median in front of our house. Then they ground the stumps. And then we were left with this. I am _soooo_ happy that they took out the timber borders and ivy that had been planted around the trees. I'd wanted to get rid of them since we moved here but couldn't figure out how to accomplish it without heavy equipment and/or hiring someone.






We can replace one tree at $20 and if the city arborist agrees the second one can be replaced it's $115. While I kind of feel like it's the city's property, and therefore they shouldn't charge us anything (have you seen Urbana tax rates?!), I know that trees are more expensive than that.