The T.F strikes again

The Tooth Fairy has struck again and Hannah is officially toothless in the front. I have to say that these teeth came out effortlessly. The first was lost to a hamburger, and this one came out after a wiggle or two by Hannah herself.

Dave started a great tradition with the Tooth Fairy. She comes and leaves of course the respective payout for the pearly white tooth, but also leaves behind a sprinkle of fairy dust on her window sill. We have convinced Hannah to leave the tooth box on her window sill instead of under her pillow. As you know the tooth fairy is a tiny thing and often times has difficulty maneuvering under the array of pillows and stuffed animals that have collected on the bed. Hannah has also started writing notes of thanks to her in advance for anything that she leaves.

First day of school

Hannah arrived home yesterday from Block Island. She was able to go with her BFFL Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Todd for a few days. She had an absolute blast and hasn't stopped talking about the beach and all the other things she was able to do .


Today Hannah's new alarm clock and she was ready to face the day. She had breakfast and got dressed in the outfit that she picked the night before. I was lucky enough to be able to drive her in today. It was important for me because she was getting a locker, a new teacher, and new classroom. Last year the school help an open house before hand but they couldn't this year because they were redoing the floors.

First off they do this big red carpet welcome. All of the support staff lines the entrance and cheers for each and every student that walks through the doors, clapping and saying hello. Hannah was able to see her Kindergarten teacher and show her her new brother.

We walked upstairs and found her locker and classroom and umm teacher Miss Arel.

Miss Arel is older. At least 60 if I had to guess, dressed properly in her skirt and blouse. I was less than impressed by her enthusiasm. We walked in and she pretty much said, you can find your desk. No smiles, hello I am your new teacher, nothing. I don;t know how Hannah is going to do with her. She seems like she is going to be strict which could be bad or good for Hannah. The good news is that there were several students in her class that she recognized from Kindergarten so that opened Hannah right up.

Here are some pictures Hannah in front of her very own locker

Hannah and her goofy smile at her very own desk

Hannah and her friend Kaylee from Kindergarten

So I anxiously await her return at 3pm!!

Quick update!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to give a quick update on the family.

Elijah is doing well. We had to have an unexpected early pedi visit on Monday because Elijah was not pooping. My milk came in on Sat and he had a large stool then but had stopped production from there. My first thoughts of course were that he was not getting enough milk. I just remembered that Hannah pooped with each feeding no matter what. So Monday morning I called the office and explained the situation and the receptionist seemed very concerned, so we took him in.

Some stats.
Born at 9lbs 10 oz
Left hospital Thursday at 8lbs 15ozs
Monday at pedi 9lbs even

The pediatrician was not concerned about the lack of pooping. In fact he said just keep feeding him and it is most likely a transitional period. We could use a glycerin suppository if we felt necessary. Well we did that yesterday. Can I explain to you how difficult putting a suppository in a baby is? First off no one wants anything shoved up their bottom. Add to that a wiggly screaming baby and you get very tight rectal muscles which causes the suppository to continuosly pop out. Now to all my nurse friends, they don't teach you that in school!! But in the end all went well and we had great success.

After doing some investigation though I discovered that infrequent pooping in babies is not uncommon and less uncommon in breastfed babies. Turns out that the baby uses almost everything in the breastmilk and there is really very little bi product to excrete. Who knew? It just made me feel better.

Breastfeeding is going better. We had a bit of a latch issue which made for some sore umm nip nips. After a week we are doing better and I think we have started really getting into a groove.

We are home

Hi everyone! Just a quick note to say that we came home yesterday and have survived our first night. My hospital stay was uneventful which was good. Elijah has had no ill effects from his meconium aspiration which is good. I am also feeling quite good. The only pain I really felt after the fact was soreness in my back from the epidural. Nothing that a little Motrin did not take care of.

I wanted to say thank you to all of you that called, stopped by, or sent something to the house. You know who you are and we greatly appreciate all of the well wishes.


Hannah came home yesterday from her Best Friend for lifes house and she is in love with her little brother. She gives hom kisses and pats him on the back. She is very intrigued by all that he does.


The dog has been great. She is another protector. It is funny because she sat next to me the entire time I labored at home and really has been glued to my side since then. It only took a few sniffs of the baby until she took over the mama dog position over her new puppy. She is very attentive and does not want the cat to go near the baby.

Again thank you all for everything!! I will continue to update here

Elijah Karl has arrived!

A little birth story for you first :)
I woke up around 2:45am with the first of some contractions. I wasn't quite sure whether or not they were the real deal so I stayed up a little to straighten my hair and watch television. Around 3:30am I went downstairs and told Dave that I Was having some pains and he decided to go to bed for a bit. I stayed up and sure enough the contractions were pretty regular around 7-8 minutes apart. By the time Dave got up around 7am they were 3-4. I had already called my mom around 5am and she was on her way up from work in New Jersey.

By 8:45 I told Dave it was time to go to the hospital. The contractions were a good 2-3 minutes apart and painful. He woke up Hannah and my mom got there just in time for us to leave.

Arrived at the hospital at 9am. Went to L&D after delivering my "due date" cupcakes I had baked for the ER.

Got checked in and changed and my OB checked me and I Was 8cm's dilated already!! She said we could speed things up by having her break my water and I kindly asked for an epidural first. It felt like forever but the DR of my dreams arrived and placed that wonderful Epidural.

I was in heaven. I was able to feel a bit of the contractions on my right side, but nothing like I was feeling before.

The dr broke my water and they discovered meconium, or stool, in my water. This just meant that the baby would need to be suctioned well upon birth.

At 11:36 after less that 10 pushes Elijah Karl Moskowitz entered the world.
9lbs 10 oz and 21 inches. Full head of black hair, looking just like his sister did when she was born. He was suctioned well and had a complete know in his cord.

I received no tears, no stiches, and felt nothing as he came out which was fabulous!!!!!
And of course here are some pictures!!

Oma checking him out. She was able to attend the birth

Of course more pictures are to come. We will probably leave the hospital on Thursday some time.

40 week appt

Ok one day off but close enough.

BP is good, lost another pound.

I am 2-3 centimeters dilated and thinning which is good for having no contractions. The dr mentioned induction as he does not see the medical necessity of waiting on a baby and I politely declined. I told him I would wait another week. I just can't see putting foreign chemicals in my body in order to start labor, when I know that my body is perfectly able to do it on its own. I am also a firm believer that a baby will come out when it is ready. Hannah was a week late and it didn't kill me. And again besides my hips killing me by the end of the night, I really am doing quite well physically.

Obviously all of the walking at work is doing something and therefore that is what I will continue to do.

So my next appt is next Monday.

While you wait

Being pregnant at work has been a great ice breaker at work. Over the last 2 weeks there, most patients, once they have found out how far along I was, would have the common comment of "And your still working?" I Sure am. I think that I am lucky enough to still be able to work. I feel well enough and am still able to perform my job which I think is an important thing.

Sunday we decided that we would venture to the Bridgewater fair. Every year we plan to go but just never seem to make it there. This year we grabbed Papa and went for a day of the usual fair indulgances. Foods that are reserved for fairs, like fried dough, and fair games and rides.



Hannah said that I am good at Whack a mole and therefore instructed me to play. Unfortunatly I lost my great whack a mole winner title.

Pure happiness!!!

Waiting

As we wait the arrival of our newest addition I thought that I would establish a bog for all of the the family and friends out there. I figure this would be a great way to you all up to day on all the happenings, and be able to share pictures in an organized sort of way.

Again as of now we wait. My due date is Tuesday and so far there is no indicator that he has any intention on leaving his nice comfortable incubator. Hannah was the same and so this does not surprise me a bit. I am still feeling great and am still working in the ED. I absolutely am in love with my job!!!