Baby Update

Isabella is growing quickly. It is hard to believe that she is already 3 months old now. Her milestones include: Smiling, laughing out loud, pulling her feet up close to her body, sucking on her fingers, grasping objects, and following objects with her eyes. Of course I think that she grows cuter with every day and that that should be a milestone. Here are some of the newest pictures of her.

Till next time,

Melanie

Smiling Baby

Isabella is now smiling! I know it doesn't sound like much, but it really is an interesting part of the growth process. Newborns are very unresponsive at first. So, for the past two months she has progressed from not even being able to focus on us, to smiling in response to us. It's a wonderful thing to see your daughter smile for the first time. It took me a while to finally snap some photos of her smiling. I kept forgetting to get the camera or I just wasn't quick enough to catch it. Luigi has a nack for getting her to smile. He makes silly noises at her and she smiles and sometimes even coos or squeels. It is quite a site. Here are some pictures of her beautiful smile.

Melanie

Isabella

Isabella is growing very fast. I am saddened to think that I have less than three weeks before I have to return to work. I know my first day back at work will be difficult.

Isabella is growing fast and getting very strong. She can lift her head for longer periods of time. She has more awake and aware time now. She likes to stare and things for long periods of time. She is especially fascinated with lights. But she will stare at people too. She is beginning to make her first attempts at cooing. She hums different sounds to herself. Then she looks around, amazed that they sound came from her. It's adorable. Soon she will be making different cooing noises. It's amazing how fast they develop.

Yesterday Isabella and I went for a ride. I decided to stop by Babies R' Us. A sales lady approached me and asked if I would like a free sitting at the Kiddie Kandid's center. They didn't have any appointments at the time. Anyone who knows me, knows that I had to jump at the opportunity. So we took several pictures. Then I had the daunting task of picking my favorite. I got to select one free picture to take home. The gimick is that there are several cute pictures, and they hope you will buy more. Of course I may have to break down and buy one of the other pictures that I really liked. Blast!

This weekend, we will be attended my dad's 61st birthday. I am sure there will be plenty of pictures to post from that event. That's about it for now. Take Care.

Melanie

Isabella At Home

So it's been three weeks now since Isabella has been born. We are trying to get into some sort of routine with her. Nights are difficult and daddy does most of the night duty so mom can recover. We had our first outting to the park. She also went to Blockbuster Video and the grocery store. Other than that it has been only doctor visits and home.

Auntie Lynne came by last Saturday to allow Luigi and I to have a date night. It was nice to get out and have some us time. We went out to dinner and a movie. The four hours went by fast. Luigi was a lot more nervous about leaving Isabella at home. It was sweet! While Auntie Lynne was over she brought her camera and shot the most beautiful pictures of Isabella. Luigi and I both loved how they turned out.

Isabella is growing fast and getting very strong. She has more awake time now and loves to look at things all around her. She is very curious and wants to be held all the time. She is such a joy! That is about it for now. Hope all are happy and healthy.

Melanie

Extreme Joy

So our little bundle has finally arrived! On Monday March 17th I woke up to signs that it was the day. My water had broken. We quickly drove to the hospital, excited and anxious. I was surprised that I was going into labor on my actual due date. That rarely ever happens. The statistics are very low that you will actually deliver on your due date.

They started me on Pitocin immediately and labor began. After about 5 hours of labor, they decided to do an ultrasound. The labor was uncomfortable at best, but not unmanageable. After the ultrasound they guessed that my baby might weigh up to 10 lbs. Doctors were concerned about her size. My doctor recommended that I have a c-section. It was scarry to think of going into surgery. It was especially scarry since I have never been in the hospital as an adult, and

have never had surgery before.

The c-section was quick, at least the first part of it. It was a matter of minutes before the baby was delivered. They brought her around so that I could see her. Then they took her to a table to assess her and clean her up. I could see the whole process as I looked over my shoulder. She was pink and had chubby little cheeks. Upon weighing her, they found that she wasn't 10 lbs., but 8 lbs. 12 oz. So their original assessment was incorrect. It didn't matter at the time though. She was there and healthy and that's all that counts.

Luigi got to hold our Isabella for the first time. He brought her up to me so that I could see her. I stroked her cheek and told her I loved her. Then he was allowed to take the baby out in the hall to greet her Papa, Mae Mae, Auntie Lynne, and Uncle Jonathan who were all waiting in the hall. Luigi got to take some pictures while they cleaned her up and while everyone got to hold her in the hall.

I can't believe how amazing motherhood is. It is exciting and fullfilling yet at the same time scarry. I can't believe I am a mom. I can't believe that I have such an amazing and beautiful child. I can't believe the feeling that I have when I look at my husband and realize that we are now a family. No longer just the two of us, but now it is three.

So that is my baby story. Isabella and mommy are doing well. We were able to come home on Thursday and are so happy to be home. Isabella is a wonderful child. So far she is very quiet and happy. I can't help but stare at her in awe. That's it for now, hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Melanie

1 Week?

So I am about 1 week away from my due date. The waiting and anticipation is the hardest part. It is much harder to get around with each day. I know the aches and pains will be worth it in the end. However, I am going stir crazy and can't really do anything while I wait. So I read, watch a lot of television, go on the Internet, and wait. Luigi has been really good about taking care of me. He makes sure I am eating and comfortable. What a sweet guy! The doctor says I am doing very well for a first time mom. I have already started to dilate, so it is just a matter of time. We will see. That's it for this week. Hope all is well.

Melanie

Two Weeks Left

After the completion of this week I will have two more weeks until my due date. I am growing much more uncomfortable each day. Walking and standing bring on a pressure that make it difficult to get around. The baby has dropped and is pushing on my pelvis, which hurts quite a bit. I am ok if I am sitting or laying down. So needless to say I have been staying home quite a bit and resting a lot. The doctor says that I am at a good point for a first time mom.

We had another ultrasound this week. The doctor wanted to get an accurate baby weight. I was so sick the week before I lost a bit of weight. But the baby weight seems fine. While we were there we asked the technician if she could tell if it was a boy or girl. She said that her guess was a girl. So now we are debating baby names. We have three names in mind: Isabella Viola, Sophia Viola, or Mia Viola. Hopefully by D day we will have our minds made up.

That's about it for now. Hope eveyone is happy and healthy.

Melanie