3 weeks old today!!! Where does the time go???

Today my little Addison is 3 weeks old! Everyone warned me how fast these first few years were going to be, and I'm already starting to believe it.........sad!!!

Addison is truly doing beautifully....I'm so proud of her! Noah and I are learning to understand her needs so much better, which allows for more outings, more fun and more rest.

This was a wonderful weekend! We took her out to dinner on Saturday evening and she slept the entire time....such a sweetheart, and so nice for the two of us to get out for a bit! Her Wally walks are going great and she is really enjoying being outside....hardly ever a peep out of her when we are in the fresh air! We can tell she is our child!

Sunday, I got to go for my first jog since March or April......it felt amazing!!! I'm so thrilled to be feeling so good so quick. I only ran about 1 1/2 miles and pretty slow ( 10.5 minute miles), but regardless it is progress and gave me a sense of such accomplishment. I think my plan is to alternate days of running with days of biking or elliptical in order not to push things too quickly. As much as I am eager to lose these last ten pounds, I know that it is important to take things slow. The best part of all is that my hernia is not bothering me a bit!

We took Addison to breakfast on Sunday morning and of course the minute we pulled in to the parking lot she was screaming........so a quick diaper change in the car and breastfeed in the car (my first in public!) and she was a new woman!! We also took Wally to the dog park and walked around Lake of the Isles a bit to enjoy the beautiful day.

Last night our friends Ana, Chris and their little boy Benjamin (9 months) came over for dinner....so much fun to have visitors! Can't wait until Benjamin and Addison can become good friends! Addison had her best night last night, and mommy and daddy got over 6 hours of sleep each!!! :-) Such progress!!!

I am thrilled that my work schedule is going to work out the way that I had hoped! I discussed the schedule with another girl from my office and we are going to job share! I am going to work Mondays/Tuesdays and every other weekend, and she will work the other three days a week and the other weekends! This works perfect for both of our needs and desires....and I'm so excited to have more time with my peanut!!! Now we just need to redo the budget and officially hire our nanny!

I have posted some more up to date pics....enjoy!!!!

Actual Due Date!!!

Today is my actual due date, September 23...... Can't believe how fortunate I am to have had 2 1/2 weeks with my little pumpkin already! We are growing tons and developing in so many ways already! Addie fit in to her first newborn outfit last night....yeah!!! She is mostly still wearing premies.....however, it won't be long! She feels a little heavier each time I hold her and has to be well over 6 lbs by now!

We spend our days on our gym mat, in our vibrating chair, napping on mom or in the crib, reading stories, singing, walking with Wally, and visiting with our friends who have been so supportive and loving! The evenings are a lot of daddy time when he gets home!

Addie has put herself on about a 3 hour feeding schedule....she definitely is ready at this point and lets me know it! She loves her hands and loves to swing at the breast when she gets really ravenous! ouch!!

Typically we have found her to be more fussy in the evenings/nights...with the exception of last night when she slept from 10pm to 2am!!!...amazing! We are both getting by on about 4-6 hours of sleep cumulative a night....but we know this is all short lived and trying to enjoy it as much as possible! Noah and I are taking shifts sleeping on the couch with her in the bassinet and resting in bed....that way we don't have to both be awake at the same time all night long. Seems to be working well so far!

This has been a fun week of visits including Glee Night at Kat's on Monday and meeting many of mommy's girlfriends, Courtney and our new friend Molly (born September 13) Tuesday morning, and Anne Devine yesterday! So much fun to show her off!!! We may have a couple more visitors this afternoon!!! :-)

Enjoy these pics from the last week or so! :-)

more Addison pics from first 10 days!

Addison's first 10 days! We are growing by leaps and bounds!

Wow, can't believe it is September 16 already! This is the day that I was supposed to be induced to deliver my precious baby girl.....and I've gotten to spend the last 10 days bonding with her! I feel so fortunate to have had her perfectly healthy a little early!

We have had my family in town for the last several days, and they are here through Sunday. We are having an absolute blast bonding with the little one and figuring out how to fulfill all of her little needs! :-) Always a challenge and always with a smile on my face....as I absolutely adore her (even during the wee hours of the night)! :-)

Addison is breast feeding like a champ.......we went back to the pediatrician today and she has gone from her delivery weight of 5 lbs. 9 ounces to 5 lbs. 2 ounces at discharge to 5 lbs. 13 ounces today!!! :-) The doctor is very pleased with her progress and said that she has gained almost double what would be expected! I'm so happy that she is "porking out" as I tell her!

During the days/nights we are feeding almost exactly at 3 hour intervals......it has been nice for scheduling other things during the day. We generally feed for about 45 minutes and then play for a while before returning to our naps. Our alert periods are getting longer and longer, and we are doing lots of tummy time! Addison is turning her head side to side when placed on her tummy and rolling from her back to her side.....such a big girl! :-)

Mommy and daddy are absolutely in love with our little angel.....and Opa and Jojo (grandparents) are too.

Love my little munchkin!

We are so thankful to our wonderful family and friends for all of the amazing support and love......we are so lucky to have each of you! ``

First few days home=SUCCESS!!!! We are in love!

We are home and doing great!!!!!!!!!!! I am absolutely loving every minute of mommyhood....even those sleepless nights!!!

Addison was discharged from the hospital at 5 lbs 2 ounces....but has been quite the breastfeeding champ since we came home!!! I have no doubt that she will return to her birth weight within no time!!

Noah and I have been quite the team at home.....taking breaks when we need them, but mostly just snuggling with her together and loving her each day! We had our first walk with Wally the other night, our first poop explosion the yesterday (propelled across the room about three feet), our first outing (to Babies R Us-ofcourse!), etc......each day brings a new adventure! :-) Wally is doing fantastic as well.....he loves to snuggle with Addie and kiss her.....sometimes I tell him "too many kisses," but he is learning what is ok and not.....I'm so proud of him!

Opa and Jojo, my mom and dad, and Uncle Nick, are coming to Addison tomorrow! I am so excited for them to meet our little peanut!!!

Thank you to everyone for the kind words on facebook, emails, cards, surprise gifts, flowers, phone calls, and other genuine love and support as we cherish these first few days of Addison's life and our new family of 4!

Addison McCullough Parker

She's here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it!!!!

After a wonderful Saturday and Sunday together with Noah and some great friends.....bbqs, last minute baby errands, a trip to the fair with my good friend who is also due very soon.........I awakened to strong contractions at 3am on Monday morning. I knew that these felt much stronger than any I had ever felt, but being 2 1/2 weeks early, I was doubting that this was the real thing. After all, it was Labor Day.........was I really in labor??? Too fitting!!! :-) After pacing around my condo and thriving on the couch for a good three hours, Noah and I decided to call the clinic and let the MD make the decision. She immediately said, "I think it's a good idea to get to the hospital." When I arrived my contractions were about every 5-6 minutes apart and pretty strong...... I labored for about 10 hours like this, and finally at 1pm decided to go for the epidural. This was the best decision I ever made! I finally was able to relax and regain some energy.... Around 5:20pm I was fully dilated and then got to start pushing.....this was the fun part! My doctor laughed at me because she said I'm the only patient she has ever had that enjoyed the pushing...... I guess it was the physical challenge and workout that I loved! After pushing for almost two hours, our beautiful baby girl was born at 7:07pm! Noah and I sobbed when we saw how precious she is.......absolutely perfect! She is 5 lbs. 9 ounces...just under average weight for 37 1/2 weeks and 19 inches long....she has blue eyes and blonde "peach fuzz" for hair! We are absolutely in love, and now I truly understand how amazing the miracle of birth really is........so worth the 10 months preceding such a wonderful day! Noah and I are enjoying our time bonding with her here in the hospital and looking forward to heading home tomorrow afternoon! Will post more soon!!! :-)