Happy Holidays

Elizabeth is 16 days old now and we are trying to fall into a steady routine. She is sleeping for about 2 to 3 hours and is a happy and healthy eater when she awakes. She has plenty of alert time during the day where we read to her and play music for her. She tends to be especially interested and alert for rock music, which Rich is really happy about. We don't want to jinx it, but Elizabeth has had many nights of smooth sailing with few tantrums or tears. We are trying to all sleep in the same room at the same time, despite our feeding wake up times. This was tough at first, but the Douglas family seems to have fallen into a nice routine. We are wondering if this is a fluke, and what surprises Elizabeth has in store for mommy and daddy who think they "get it" so early on.

We recently had professional photos taken at our house and were extremely happy with the results. Some of the photos are included here. Elizabeth was calm and happy during the shoot, despite her perpetual frown that she seems to adorn. We don't think it's a frown so much as she is deep in thought about the new world around her. Overall, she is calm and easy to please. 

Christmas was nice, as we visited family in Newcastle and Roseville. It's hard to believe we will have a one year old this time next year! 

Adventures of Elizabeth Grace's First 6 days of Life

Here are pictures of Elizabeth as she gets accustomed to her new surroundings. A trip to Starbucks and the Pediatrician are on the list. Mommy and Daddy are trying to learn how people survive on just two hours of sleep, but our little Christmas gift is well worth it. I would type more, but there are diapers to change - so enjoy the pictures. 

She's here!

Elizabeth Grace made her way into the world 5:45 am Wednesday, December 10th at 7.15 pounds and 19 inches in length. We were induced on Tuesday at 2:00 pm. Due to what the doctors call an "unsatisfactory heart rate", and the fact that it took me hour to progress from 4 cm to 4.5 cm, they decided to call an emergency C-section. All turned out well, despite the fact that she had passed meconium in the womb. Kaiser Morse took extremely good care of us, and our overall experience was a positive one.

Elizabeth is perfect in every way.Rich and I think she has my eyes, but his nose, mouth, and chin. It will be fun to see how she changes. She hates to be swaddled, but this little one loves to eat! As today was our first day home, we are trying to get into some sort of normal routine (yeah, like it's really up to us!) and are trying to sleep as much as possible.

No - not yet

To all of you Elizabeth followers out there: today is Saturday, December 6th and still no Elizabeth Grace. Rich and I are watching the USC v. UCLA game trying to get her excited. Go USC!!

When Will She Be Here?

Elizabeth was due yesterday but decided not to arrive. This didn't really surprise us too much, since about a week ago the doctor told us I was measuring a little early, and that she more than likely will arrive between the 2nd and 8th. I think the doctors know a little, but ultimately, it will be Elizabeth that makes that decision. : )

We have an appointment next Tuesday when we will then talk about induction. Kaiser won't let her go beyond the 16th of December, which I guess is normal practice now to not let pregnancies go further than 42 weeks because of the stress on the baby. 

Baby Shower

My good friends Sandy, Erin, Shawn and Amy helped throw me a beautiful shower I will never forget. I had a blast and enjoyed the great food and fun games.

My guest book was the inside cover of "Tales of Beatrix Potter". As I read the stories to Elizabeth, I can also skim over all the people who attended my shower. Everyone 

brought 

books that they inscribed at the shower, adding to the growing library Elizabeth already has started. My wonderful friends also brought cute pink egg timers as party favors (since my theme was "help us decorate the nest") and mini magnet pictures of Rich and myself at 8 months pregnant. The presents were piled in a crib set in the living room. Sandy had set up the main chair with a parasol over it, since it was a "shower". All these little touches really helped to make the day special.

What I will remember most, however, is the laughter and shared stories from all the wonderful women in my life.  

As Rich and I begin to define "family" in our own terms, it is wonderful to see how much love little Elizabeth will have surrounding her. She will definitely have many loving Aunties to help share their wisdom and encouragement.

Who knew there were so many shades of pink?

8 pillows

Pillows have become one of my favorite things. They used to be just utilitarian, something to keep your head from becoming uncomfortable while you slept. Now, they are one of my favorite items, and I believe they are becoming a happy addiction. I have found a specific purpose for each pillow. 

2 king size flat:

Necessary for holding up the pregnant belly. One is not enough. Standard pillows are not long enough. Couch pillows are too bulky. These pillows sit to my left side, since eventually I will end up falling asleep on my left. 

1 square fluffy couch pillow: Perfect for supporting me, it rests against me and the headboard. As long as I am sitting up, and not laying on my back, baby is safe. Also, good position for watching DVD's on portable DVD player. Standard pillow not bulky or square enough. 

1 small pillow: This is for tucking under neck between the couch pillow, headboard, and my head. Otherwise my head bangs against the headboard and I need something smaller and soft there (since sometimes I fall asleep watching the portable DVD player). 

Neck pillow: This is optional, but wonderful. Soft, squishy, in the shape of a perfect U, it cradles my neck and supports me when the 1 small pillow listed above cannot. 

One big bulky pillow that is so old it has since lost its shape: I don't know if this used to be a back pillow, or an old couch pillow - it is sort of trapazoidial in shape, but it's fantastic. It can smoosh to be whatever shape you like. It's brown and ugly and perfect. This goes under the legs when watching the portable DVD player. Between legs to align my back when I end up rolling to my left side. 

2 standard pillows: For my right side (remember that my left side is already cushioned by two flat kings for the belly when I roll over). This is necessary for when I am sitting up and want to rest my right arm on something stable to support me. 

With all these pillows, I have created a sort of pregnancy nest, something soft to keep me comfortable when every part of my body aches. I will miss all my pillows once baby comes, but I will not miss all the Tums, water bottles, kleenex, and earplugs that tend to get knocked down off the side table every night by my these pillows. I know, pregnancy is messy and unorganized...but at least I am sleeping. : )

The busy - ness of it all..

"The world is a place of business [busy-ness]. What an infinite bustle! I think there is nothing, not even crime, more opposed to poetry, philosophy, ay, to life itself, than this incessant business." Henry David Thoreau

Agreed. Maternity leave helped me to slow down (that and the fact that my little Miss Elizabeth tends to love the right side of my body and has since pushed down so hard on my right pelvic muscles, it is almost impossible to walk) and take time to enjoy little tasks, like how fun it is to fold little newborn baby jeans. 

The World is Full of Elizabeth

3 more weeks until baby Elizabeth is scheduled to be here! If she is anything like daddy, she will be early. If she is anything like mommy she will be on time. She gets the hiccups at least twice a day, and loves to move, move, move. 

I am looking forward to having 3 weeks just to focus on our baby.