Aria Grace: Two Months

Another month is gone, how is that possible??  Another month of getting to know you, and growing to love you even more.

Walking to pick Lyle up from daycare on a beautiful day!

Weight: 13 pounds

Height: 23 inches

We are a little in-between sizes on clothes.  You are outgrowing your 3 month clothes, but 6 month sizes are a bit too big.  The buttons barely stayed closed on your 3-month sleeper yesterday!  Little boy clothes were cute, but I am loving little girl clothes and bows this time around!

Sleep-  Overall you do great!  Sometimes it takes a while to get you to bed at night, but then you typically sleep in a stretch from 10-11 p.m. until about 4 a.m. then in 2-3 hour stretches after that.  You love to nap in your swing during the day, and will sleep for a couple hours at a time.  If you aren't in your swing then you cat-nap in 30-45 minute stretches.

Eating-  We are still breastfeeding, and you do great.  How often you eat, all depends on what else is going on.  I've been able to pump after your first feeding in the morning, and am starting to get a little stash in the freezer.  I was never very good at pumping the first time around, and never had enough milk stored up, so it feels great to have some extra stored.  I have cut dairy and caffeine out of my diet and it has seemed to help your tummy quite a bit.  (It's always seemed a bit ironic to me that the two times in life when you need caffeine the most (being pregnant and having a newborn) is when you can't have it).  So I drink decaf coffee in the morning and caffeine free diet coke in the afternoon, trying to trick myself into thinking it will help me not be sleepy!  

baby sister and big brother!

Likes-  Sometimes once you are awake and fed you love to just lay on a blanket and kick!  You still love to sit up and look around, and are getting much better at making eye contact with us.  

Dislikes- Having your nose sucked out-you definitely hate that! 

Fun Firsts- I don't know if you would call either of these "fun" but you had your first week of going to work with me and your first hospital stay.  

The last week of January we went back to work.  Monday you were so fussy all day and I was seriously reconsidering this plan!  You hardly slept, were only content when someone was walking you around, and did lots of crying.  I texted family and asked them to pray, and thankfully Tuesday was much better.  I have to say I work with some wonderful ladies and they took turns (actually they kind of fought for turns) holding you.  It was nice to get back into the groove.

The only way I can get you to calm down most days

We only lasted a week at work because starting Friday night you started getting sick.  It started as a stuffy nose, turned into a cough, and then you were wheezing with it too.  Sunday night I started to get a little worried when you woke up crying whenever I laid you down in bed.  I took you downstairs so you could sleep in the swing a little propped up, and I slept on the couch so I could listen for you.  A nervous night for sure.  I called in the morning to get you a doctor appointment.  Long story short, we saw the doctor, had a nasal swab done, and you tested positive for RSV.  Your respirations were pretty fast and oxygen levels were not great, so they decided you needed to be put in the hospital.  Because of your heart murmur they wanted you up at Wesley and were considering sending you by ambulance so you could have oxygen on the way.  They did a little deep suctioning in the ER and your oxygen levels improved (plus the ambulance was an hour away) so we took you up in the truck.  

Visits from the Wichita Thunder hockey team while we were at Wesley.  Lyle picked a stuffed animal out for you!

We ended up staying at Wesley hospital for two nights, and they suctioned you every few hours (which you HATED!)  But I don't blame you.  You did great and didn't end up having to be on any oxygen or medications.  We went home on Wednesday, and
I pulled your pack-and-play so that your head was right beside mine, but I listened to you all night, putting my hand on your chest every little bit to make sure you were still breathing. Such a scary time! I stayed home with you the rest of the week and day by day you improved. We tried to keep our distance from other people and kids, and thankfully GiGi could come down and stay with you Monday and Tuesday while I went back to work.  We were terribly worried about you through this whole ordeal, but also thankful that things weren't much worse. 

My poor sick baby

Lyle Update: Your brother adores you. He loves to talk to you, sing to you, hold your hand, and gives you kisses.  He never seems annoyed when you cry, just tells me, "pat her back, Mom!" Or "I think she wants Mama's milk." I love the bond that exists already!!! 

We love you sweet girl! Happy two months!

Aria Grace: One Month

Woah did this month go fast! The combination of being in the hospital all week and being gone for Christmas for a week made the time fly! 

A lot of people ask if you and Lyle have been similar babies or very different. I'm not sure how to answer that.  You are different for sure, but I'm not sure I can pinpoint exactly what is different.  Maybe it's the haze of that sleep deprived first month ;)

Weight: 12 pounds

Height: 22 inches

Wearing 0-3 or 3 month clothes.  We learned from your brother and skipped buying any newborn clothes this time around! :). We also just started you in size 1 diapers from the beginning.

Sleep- You have woken up for sure in the last couple of weeks. Some nights you sleep great and others not so well.  Lately, it's taken a while to rock you to sleep, but then you will go for a 3-4 hour stretch.  You sleep in the pack-and-play next to our bed.  If someone would keep holding you, you might sleep all night!

Eating- You are completely breastfed and eat about every 2-4 hours depending on your sleep patterns.  You had your first bottle the other day when Auntie Carrie watched you and we went to the dentist.  You did great.  I've been trying to pump some everyday to get ready to go back to work.  Your tummy seems to bother you sometimes, so I need to pay attention to what I'm eating and see if it makes any difference.

Likes-  You like to sit up and look around.  Your head control is pretty impressive!  Lyle is great entertainment for you, singing and telling you stories.  I got a Solly baby wrap and we both love it.  It puts you right to sleep and gives me free hands to get a few things done.  

Dislikes-  You don't have any strong dislikes, baths can go either way depending on your mood.  For the most part, being in your car seat puts you to sleep...unless you are hungry.  Then you will scream until we stop to feed you.  

Fun firsts- We celebrated your first Christmas and met most of your Aunties, Uncles, and cousins.  You had your first "babysitter" and bottle.  You went to the movies with Mom and Dad and saw The Hobbit.  You did great other than having a diaper blowout and needing an outfit change.  :) 

Lyle update- Your big brother has really done great with you.  He is always very sweet to you and he doesn't try to pick you up or mess with you (other than holding your hand and giving kisses).  He has been going to daycare (other than the days he's been sick) so I feel like I've gotten off a little easy on the having two kids full time.  But it's good for him to stay with a routine and get out of the house, and I've loved my extra time with just Aria.  

It really has been a great month, and you are such a sweet baby.  We love you miss Aria Grace!

Aria's Birth Story

I always think hearing people's birth stories is so interesting. Aria's story has more to do with our hospital stay after she was born than how she got here. Nonetheless I wanted to write it down for myself.  Warning: this is long!!

Last belly picture!

After having a c-section with Lyle I went back and forth for awhile about trying for a VBAC or scheduling another c-section. My doctor was willing to let me try, but if this baby was going to be as big as Lyle she didn't think I would be successful. We decided not to go for a VBAC and scheduled to deliver Monday, December 8.  

Sunday, December 7-

Lyle was sick once again, coughing and wheezing, so we took him to the immediate care clinic in Wichita when it opened.  They didn't do any x-Rays but thought he had a little pneumonia, and prescribed him antibiotics and prednisone, and to continue his breathing treatments.  We picked up his medicine, then met my parents to send Lyle with them for the next few days.  Our check in time for the morning was 4:30 so we got a hotel room to make it a little easier.  We headed down to the Old Towne Warren to have supper and watch the newest Hunger Games movie for one last date night.  Then it was back to the hotel to try to get some sleep (which I did not get much of!) 

Monday, December 8-

The day was here! It was a weird feeling to know that she would be here in just a few hours!  We got to Wesley hospital and checked into a room.  Lots of questions answered, papers signed, IV started, and we were ready to head to the OR.  I received my epidural, got all situated, and then my doctor came.  I remember the surgery more vividly this time, definitely feeling the "tugging and pulling" they talk about. My anesthesiologist was awesome about explaining everything that was going on.  And soon I heard that first cry. Such an unbelievable moment.  Then the laughs of all the doctors and nurses who could not believe that our sweet girl was a 10 pounder!  They checked her over and wrapped her up, giving her to Zach, then letting me "hold" her.  We announced her name: Aria Grace.  Soon we were headed back to our room.

I was able to do skin-to-skin and try to feed her, but her temperature was a little low so they were more concerned with her warming up than eating. Then her blood sugar was low (apparently a common problem for big babies).  The postpartum floor wouldn't take us until her blood sugar was at a certain number, so we supplemented a little formula in a cup.  My incision was also bleeding more than it should, so I had several nurses and doctors checking me.  Zach was able to call both sets of grandparents and text our siblings.

Finally we were able to transfer rooms, my bleeding stopped, but the blood sugars continued to be a problem.  The hospital had a new protocol for blood sugars that nobody was quite clear on. They were supposed to check it before I fed her, which delayed her feeding and got her worked up and worn out so she didn't eat well.  Then if it was low they would check her an hour after she ate to see if it was up.  Poor baby's heels were so picked on!

Papa and Grammy

Zach's parents came to meet her, my sister, and my parents brought Lyle.  He was so sweet, climbed right up, and wanted to give her kisses. He told me, "she's not in your tummy anymore!"

Gigi and Grandaddy

Lyle meeting his sister

Auntie Carrie

Tuesday, December 9- 

The day seemed pretty normal, I was trying to get up and moving a bit, my parents and Lyle came to visit in the morning, and all the doctors stopped by.  Lyle had a heart murmur when he was born, and my prenatal specialist advised we get this baby checked after birth even though they didn't detect anything on my sonograms.  When Aria's doctor listened to her this morning she heard a murmur, so they called the cardiologist in to do an echo.  Her problems are very similar to what Lyle had, so we will follow up in a couple months.

Kisses for sister

We were still doing blood sugar checks and not making much progress, so in the evening they decided to move Aria to the Special Care nursery (a step down from the NICU) to put her on IV fluids.  I lost it.  Not so much because I didn't think she would be okay, but because they were taking her and I wouldn't have my day old baby beside me.

We were able to go down with her while she was transferred.  They put an IV in her head (which took a couple tries) and hooked her up to monitors.  Then we started a pattern of feeding at least every three hours, then supplementing after.  I would pump in my room after every feeding, and at the next feeding she would get whatever breastmilk I had pumped plus a little formula in this little cup.  If she would stay awake to take it.  Then we would try to get a little sleep before starting again.  

I'm not sure I've ever been so thankful for my husband who held my hand and went down for every feeding and sat up with me while I pumped.  He kept this hormonal new mama sane.

In the NSCU

Her poor IV

Wednesday, December 10-

This day we settled into the same routine.  Her blood sugars had stabilized, so they started to decrease her fluids to see if she could maintain her levels.  In the evening they moved us to a "satellite room." Basically the unit was getting full, so we moved to a room with two other babies and one nurse.  The room was fine during the night, but the next day when families of the other two babies were there it was so crowded!    

Thursday, December 11-

We had continued to decrease fluids each time her blood sugar was stable.  My milk finally came in and most feedings she wouldn't take any additional breastmilk or formula, and they stopped her fluids completely.  I had been discharged by my doctor (I could stay in my room until midnight), so since Aria had stabilized they moved us to a mother/baby room.  We got our baby back! They moved her crib into a room with two hospital beds and we took total care of her.  

Friday, December 12-

They had a few labs to run on Friday, and I was hoping once they were back in the morning we could go home.  Her bilirubin was elevated, but not to the point of keeping her so we were good on that point.  When the resident came by he was concerned about her weight loss.  She was just over 9 lbs, losing just below the maximum allowed. With all that she had been through I was not going to be okay if they made us stay because of her weight.  I tried to nurse her as often as I could that day! They drew another blood sugar around lunch time.  Finally the attending doctor came in, and I convinced her my milk was in, she was feeding well, and that I was a nurse and had access to a baby scale to weigh her over the weekend if we became concerned.  She gave us the okay to go home and we were so so excited.  My parents brought Lyle to the hospital to come home with us (thanks to them for keeping him much longer than we planned!). I cannot even begin to explain how happy we were to have all our family together and to be heading home.  Lyle proved to be the sweetest big brother by singing to his crying sister as we left the hospital.  She stopped crying and we started.  Seriously the sweetest thing I've ever seen.

Family of Four!  Ready to go home!

Aria hasn't had any trouble since we've been home, and her check-ups have been great.  We are so thankful for our sweet girl! 

Christmas 2014 (Bauer Edition)

On Christmas Eve afternoon we headed back to Zach's parents for the rest of the week.  Lyle set out carrots for the reindeer, and cookies and Ginger Ale for Santa.  (I guess he was tired of milk??)

Auntie Kodi

Christmas morning Lyle was so excited to see that Santa had come!

  

Rudolf!

We had a relaxing day of stockings in the morning, lunch, and present opening in the afternoon.

Great Grandma Glenda

This boy loves working with his tools! 

Eating his "sushi" with chopsticks.  He's already better than me!

The rest of the week was basically spent in pajamas, relaxing!

Uncle Shawn

Cousin Aleigh

Naps with Papa

And naps with Auntie Koko and Snickers

I was very glad to be back home and in my own bed at the end of the week, but we had such a great Christmas with all our family.  So thankful we are close!

Christmas 2014 (Norris Edition)

Matching Christmas Jammies!

I am laying on the couch with a sleeping baby this morning, recovering from a week of Christmas fun.  I was curious how Christmas with a newborn and a two-year old would be.  Turns out it was amazing (and exhausting!). Lyle had a blast and Aria soaked in the cuddles.

Coloring with Aunt Barbie

Learning to juggle!

Zach had to work Monday and Tuesday, so he drove us to my parents on Sunday evening, so I could see more of my family.  He joined us again after work Tuesday evening.  The kids and I spent time playing with my niece and nephew (whose parents were on a trip in Europe!), visiting with my Aunt, and catching up with my siblings.

Auntie Steph

Uncle Jeff

We did our traditional "Christmas Eve" readings of the story of Jesus' birth, and a recording of my Nana reading "The Night before Christmas" (makes me tear up every time!) We tried to put the kids to bed, but Lyle was wired and wanted to be part of the action and my niece (and my poor Dad) caught the stomach bug that my mom, Lyle, and I had the week before.

Meeting their new cousin!

We gathered for breakfast in the morning and then headed downstairs to open presents.  What a fun day with family!

"Christmas Morning" 

Happy boy playing outside

Auntie Carrie

Uncle Mike!

It was so fun for most of my siblings to be able to meet Aria when she was just two weeks old.  We missed my sister Kristen and Philip and their sweet twin babies, but with the sickness that we passed around it ended up being better for them that they weren't there.  

Introducing...

We would like to introduce our sweet sweet baby girl...

Aria Grace Bauer

Born December 8, 2014 at 7:15 a.m.

10 pounds. 20 inches.

Already incredibly loved and adored.  

Birth story to come soon.

(Her name is pronounced ARE - ee- uh for those who are curious!)

Final Coutdown

One last post before we get to meet our sweet miss!  Although I am so incredibly ready for her to be here, it still seems a little surreal to know she will be here on Monday! 

We are scheduled for a c-section bright and early Monday morning, needing to be checking in to the hospital at 4:30 a.m.  I'm sure this is just as well, because I'm convinced I won't sleep great the night before.  I'm a little anxious (not really about the c-section, I didn't view my one with Lyle as traumatic at all), but maybe a more accurate description is nervous/excited.

We are planning to meet my parents in Wichita on Sunday to hand Lyle off, so he can stay with them while we are in the hospital.  Everyone keeps asking how I think Lyle will do, or if I think he understands what is going on.  I've heard so many different experiences from other moms, I think there is no way to know for sure how he will react.  He is a pretty lovey boy and I'm pretty sure he will be the big brother that gives a million kisses and tries to share all of his stuffed animals.  But only time will tell!

I'm hoping for some good one-on-one time with him this weekend, maybe finding something special to do in Wichita before we meet up with GiGi and Grandaddy.

As far as a pregnancy update goes, I have been pretty uncomfortable this week.  Work days get long, and I have considered leaving early on more than one occasion.  My feet and legs have been more swollen, and my back and side give me fits.  Heartburn seems like it is constant.  But I know some women who have symptoms much much worse and for much longer, so I am thankful!

In other news, we had a great Thanksgiving, getting to spend time with both Zach's family and mine.  It was the most wonderful feeling when we got home on Friday night that the weekend wasn't over, in fact tomorrow was only Saturday!!!

Attempt at a cousin picture

Playing at the park.  Thankful for beautiful weather!

We helped Grandma and Grammy decorate their Christmas trees.  Lyle is a pro now.

Our attempt to visit Santa.  Our town had a little parade Saturday night, then lit up the town square.  Afterwards kids could visit Santa.  I wanted to take Lyle, since I thought this might be our only chance for him to see Santa (at least where I could take him).  It was a beautiful night, and the line was extremely long, but even I didn't think it would take an hour and a half to get to the front.  I'm sure my husband could have told you it would take that long.  Lyle was fine talking about Santa in line, but once he went in that little house he cried anytime I put him near him.  We settled for a picture that included Mom and baby sister too.  When I put him down to leave, he turned very sweetly and told him "bye!" and waved.  Little stinker! Still a fun memory!

I am hoping to not have complete radio silence over here after baby girl comes.  Looking back it was months after Lyle was born before I posted anything.  So I will try my best to at least put pictures of her on here! :)  What a fun Christmas this will be!