libby's first photo shoot

Click below for the link to Libby's hospital photos:
Olivia W.

more pictures...

I've had a lot of requests, so here are some more pictures!!!

Our family. So happy.

Lots of hair!

Me and my gal.

Libby in her first "real" outfit. This is the tiniest outfit we have and it's still a little roomy...

Sleeping beauty.

lots of visitors

Libby has had lots of friends and family come to visit in her few short days at the hospital. Here are a few shots.

Aunt Amanda & Uncle Matt (Maddox's mom & dad)

Uncle Doug (Gus' dad)

Granny Pammy (Cousin Casey's Grandma)

Auntie Carmen (This is the first time she ever held a baby. Looks like a natural.)

libby & sarah update

Things are going really well here at the hospital. If all continues to go well, we'll be coming home tomorrow. Libby is so wonderful. She had a little jaundice which required a special light pad to be secured behind her, but that came off today and the jaundice is getting much better. Sarah has been having a little high blood pressure, but she's now on a medication to assist with that until it goes down. Both of these are very common and these are not very severe cases, so we are not concerned at all.
Breastfeeding is going incredibly well. We've got a pretty good system going and Sarah's milk has started to come it. It's all a very interesting process, kind of like a science experiment. We've been getting some pretty good rest at night as we are able to send Libby to the nursery for several hours, so we aren't feeling too exhausted, yet.
When she's had a chance to recover a little more, I'm going to let Sarah post the birthing story, but I should mention that after her 16+ hours of labor, she ended up getting a c-section. This is why our hospital stay has been longer than normal and she hasn't been as able to participate in Libby's care. But she is feeling better and able get around really well.
Needless to say we are excited to get home, but have certainly appreciated our time at the hospital. The staff and nurses have been wonderful and super helpful. I actually went home earlier today to take some of our things back and get the house ready. Plus we really miss our dog Gilmore and he was very excited to spend some time with me.
I'll get some more pictures posted soon, but haven't had a lot of time. Hmm, wonder why...

day one photos

Less than 24 hours into her life, Libby has already had a lot of photo opportunities. Here are just a few and you know we'll keep posting more, for the rest of our lives...

Long and lean.

Striking a pose.

Libby and her mom.

Fresh from delivery.

Libby and her dad.

Libby and Aunt Katie.

Libby and Grandma & Grandpa Whitman

Libby and Nonny.

About two hours old.

introducing olivia mae whitman

Our little Libby is finally here!
I'm too tired to tell the whole story now, but after 16 plus hours of labor, she finally arrived in our arms very early this morning. Needless to say we are all exhausted, but couldn't be happier.
Quick Stats:
Date of birth: Wednesday, 08/27/2008
Time: 3:47 AM
Weight: 6 pounds, 7 ounces
Length: 20.5 inches
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue

She is perfect!!!

doctor/40 weeks

We saw the doctor again this morning and still nothing has changed. Either this baby is very stubborn, or her temporary home is so nice and cozy that she doesn't want to leave. We also had a nonstress test, which went very well. Basically, they strapped a heart rate monitor to my belly, and every time she moved I pressed a button. Then a machine measured her heart rate in relation to her movement. Her heart rate was strong and went up every time she moved, which is what it's supposed to do. We're scheduled for another exam and nonstress test Thursday morning. If the baby shows any signs of distress, we'll go straight to the hospital for an induction. If the baby is fine, we'll check into the hospital for an induction at 4 p.m. I'm feeling a bit discouraged about attempting an induction when I'm not dilated or effaced at all (assuming nothing changes in the next 3 days), but the doctor said he still thought I had an 80% to 85% chance of delivering vaginally although my risk for c-section is higher. He figures we might as well give the induction a shot, though, and Kevin and I agree. Assuming the cervadil they give me on Thursday doesn't kick me into hardcore labor, he'll break my water and start a pitocin drip early Friday morning. I asked if they would do another ultrasound before they started the induction so we could see how big she is, but he said ultrasound measurements are too inaccurate at this late stage to influence our plans. So, if you don't hear from us between now and then, assume we're getting this party started late Thursday afternoon. In the meantime, I'm going to try to rest, eat good food and keep the house tidy. Gilmore and I just got back from a walk. We thought a little exercise might do some good, and the temperature is nice here today. The walk—our typical short route—was challenging, though! Here's what's going on with the baby this week (not much!).

week 40
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

hanging in there

We're one day past my due date and still no baby. Thanks to those of you who have called to check on us this weekend. We had a nice day yesterday. We went to Babies R Us for some last-minute things, then to Red Robin (which Kevin has been craving) for lunch. We celebrated the baby's estimated birthday by ordering a ridiculously large and decadent dessert called the Mile High Mudd Pie. Then we went home and watched 3 movies. I'm not sure when we'll be able to do that again!

Kevin's parents visited on Friday. We had a nice day visiting and went out to lunch and dinner. They'll be back down next week when the baby is born, too.

Today, we're going out to lunch to celebrate Katie's birthday, which is tomorrow. Maybe Baby Whitman just wants to share a birthday with her aunt!

doctor

We saw the doc today and STILL no change. She may have dropped a tiny bit, which I guessed since I've been having some sharp pelvic pains this week. But he thinks she'll wait to drop until I'm in labor. My weight and blood pressure are holding steady, though, so all is well. Maybe she's just waiting for her mom to get over this cold so I can actually breathe during labor!

Assuming nothing natural happens before then, I'll see the doctor again Monday, and he'll do a nonstress test. Basically, they hook you up to a monitor for 15 to 30 minutes and see how many times the baby moves to make sure there aren't any signs of fetal distress. It's a pretty common test to have once you're past your due date. Otherwise, I'm scheduled to arrive at the hospital next Thursday at 4 p.m. for my induction. The doctor did tell me that I won't necessarily have to have Pitocin because there's a chance the Cervadil will kickstart labor on its own that night. Cross your fingers that I go into labor on my own before then. But if not, this journalist's little daughter has a deadline.

wonderful weekends

After a very busy July, we've had some time to relax and enjoy the unseasonably nice August weather. The weekend before last we got pedicures together. It was the second time I'd gotten one since my birthday, since a few of you had the great idea to give me a gift card from La Petite Salon, or money with the suggestion of a pedicure. I enjoyed both so much (the first with Katie) since my swollen feet have been a constant source of discomfort and even pain, and I can't reach my toenails anymore! We also enjoyed some great meals on the porch and had a 3-hour outdoor brunch with Doug, Sue and Gus outside at Melt (yum!).

This past weekend was excellent too. Saturday we lounged around the house then went to dinner at Carrabbas with Matt & Amanda. Sunday we went to Findlay Market and got some killer tomatoes, fish and sea scallops, among other tasty things. Kevin cooked the scallops Sunday night along with herbed quinoa and fresh tomatoes, and asparagus with orange wedges and crumbled blue cheese. It was actually a pretty simple meal but absolutely divine (I've posted some photos). The scallops rivaled the best I've had at any restaurant.

We're also almost finished with our photo organization project. As you may recall, we spent a lot of time this spring sorting all of our printed photos into albums. Since then, we've been cleaning up our digital photos and creating albums through iPhoto, starting with 2005. We ordered our first photo book this week and are waiting to see how it turns out, then we'll order '06 through '08. That was a major project we wanted to tackle before the baby came or we knew we'd likely never get to it. Kevin did a great job keeping us on track!

I've really been enjoying this time with Kevin, relaxing, finishing up projects and cooking yummy, healthy meals. While I'm ready to meet my baby girl, I'm feeling a little bittersweet about ending the childless (not counting fur babies!) chapter of our marriage. Assuming I don't go into labor before then, I'm looking forward to savoring this last weekend with my husband before I become a mom.