A few things I didn't know...

It has taken me a while to want to document what our lives have been like the last 8 weeks because of the fear I would become too negative or just start complaining. Well, I want you to know I am not complaining, I am just informing. Lucy is now 8 weeks old. It has been quite the journey with a few extra trips to the doctor's office, many phone calls with the doctor, 1 trip to the ER, and 8 weeks of absolutely no sleep and 24 hour fussing. Let me share a few things with you that I never knew...

• I didn't think childbirth would be the easiest part of the past 11 months of my life.



• I didn't know I would fall instantly in love with my Lucy.



• I didn't know you could have retained placenta after childbirth...not fun...enough said.



• I didn't know how disgusting Emergency Rooms were.



• I didn't really like the word colic...now I really don't like the word colic.



• I had no idea Lucy would have food allergies AND reflux which would mean major colic!



• I didn't even know infants could have food allergies to food their mothers ate.



• I didn't know food allergies in infants can causing bleeding in the intestines. So scary and sad.



• I didn't know I would need to completely change my diet.



• I didn't think I would have to contimplate weaning Lucy at only 8 weeks - but this may be the best option for her.



• I didn't know hypoallergenic formula exsisted and was so dang expensive.



• I didn't think Lucy would HATE the car and scream in almost every car ride making it near impossible to go anywhere.



• I certainly didn't think Lucy would still be waking up every hour during the night (if you don't believe me, come on over tonight). Her poor tummy.


• I didn't know my mom could stay up ALL night with Lucy. Thanks mom!



• I didn't think Lucy would have red hair.



• I didn't think I would hurt so much when my baby hurts.



• I didn't know Rhett would be so willing to take a few extra shifts at night. I am so greatful.

Well, those are just a few things I have learned...I am sure I can think of many more, but for now that is enough information! We are working very hard to figure this girl out. Rhett and I are so lucky to have great support from the family. Without my mom the past 8 weeks I think I would be a total mess. At least 1 night a week she has stayed with us or I have gone to her house. She has stayed up until 5 am some mornings with Lucy. Lucy is also very lucky to have us as parents because apparently we can handle it!! I was in the doctor's last week and he gave me some encourgement with the old saying "we are only given what we can handle." He told us we must be really good people to be able to go through what we have gone through and are going through. That made me smile.

First Smiles

Lucy started smiling last week - it is so adorable. It is amazing how a simple smile can just melt my heart. These smiles are getting me through the day - and night!! I seam to forget everything that is challenging about motherhood when she smiles at me.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

We love you!! You are the best!

Happy One Month Luce

We have had such a fun month with you and cannot wait for all the months ahead! We love you very much Lucy!

Happy Birthday Daddy

I just want to say happy birthday to my great hubby who turned 27 on June 4th. I am so blessed with such a caring, patient, loving husband. Everyone is always telling me how lucky I am, and I agree! He has certainly surpassed any expectations I had of him being a daddy. He is so good to me and especially to Lucy. He will do anything to show her how much he loves her. It is really adorable to see them together. He has been so incredible the passed month. He is always there for me when I need him - even during the night! He is so good at getting her to go to sleep - he has the magic touch! Thanks babe, we love you!

Lucy's Birth Story

• Lucy is now almost 4 weeks old. In some ways the time is flying by, but in many ways it has been the longest 4 weeks of my life! I have never sacrificed so much for someone else...I am certainly learning a lot!
  
  
• Here is our story...
  
  
• I had a pregnancy that included many nights of contractions. It included many nights wondering 'is this it?' After many of these experiences I realized I may never really be sure if I was in labor or not...and so it began.
  
  
• It was Monday, May 5, 2008. I had been having contractions all night long, but I just dealt with the pain like a champ! At 11:15 we had a doctor's appointment where we learned I was finally dilated to a 1 and 90% effaced!! I was so excited to finally hear some uplifting news, however, I was still very skeptical she would come on her own so I made my doctor set an 'end date', I needed to know this growing belly would end soon! We set it for May 19, 2008...again, disappointment that the date was so far away. My doctor said he was very hopeful she would come on her own.
  
  
• We left the doctor's office only to find I was having really bad cramps constantly and contracting off and on. We needed to run some errands, so again I had to deal with them. We went to lunch at Cafe Rio...I was getting very uncomfortable. While eating my huge salad Rhett mentioned if I went into labor today this salad could very well be coming back up (and it did!). We then went to REI, Babies R Us, and USA Baby. I was very slow and I am sure everyone was wondering what this prego lady was doing.
  
  
• The contractions started to get very regular around 5:00 pm. We were both getting excited and anxious. At about 9:00 we both thought it was time to head to the hospital...but neither of us were all the way convinced. We started packing and after much debate we got in the car at about 10:15 only to get down the street and turn around! We came home for about 10 minutes only to get back in the car and drive off again. Seriously!
  
  
• We got to the hospital and got all checked in. I honestly did not think this was the real deal, but what could it hurt and besides I wasn't going to be able to get any sleep anyway because the contractions were very strong and about 4 minutes apart. The nurse checked me and what do we know, I was dilated to a 1 and 90% effaced. I HAD MADE NO PROGRESS! I was shocked to say the least. The nurse said they would monitor me for about an hour and than probably send me home with a shot of morphine for the pain. Dang.
  
  
• A few minutes later I went to restroom. When I sat back down on the bed I felt a big gush of water, what a strange feeling! My water broke! This was obviously my saving grace. Now the nerves and anxiety really kicked in because I knew this was it. I was told this was prerupture of the membranes so I was going to be in labor for quite sometime...I was prepared with my huge suitcase, pillows, blankets, and everything I could think of to make it the best experience possible.
  
  
• My contractions were starting to get very very strong, ouch! I had to go through a whole bag of saline to get my epidural which was taking quite a while. I finally got it about 2 hours later at 2:00 am. HEAVEN! I was able to relax, until I got really sick and was able to throw up my cafe rio a few times! That part was not so fun. Thank goodness my mom and sister were with me so Rhett could get some needed rest in. I was check again at 3:00 am and I was dilated to a 3. This was pretty good progress I thought.
  
  
• I was not able to rest much because I was so nausious. My epidural was also missing a spot...so I thought. I kept telling my mom I was just hurting and feeling so much pressure. I didn't know whether I was not getting enough medication or what. I buzzed the nurse and told her I was starting to hurt and feel a ton of pressure. She checked me again and I was dilated to a 10 and it was only 6:00 am. I was so excited, anxious, and very sick. They wanted to wait for a while longer to let the baby do most of the work, I did not argue, I was so tired.
  
  
• At 7:00 am my nurse finally gave me some Zofran...I could have used that a lot sooner! I began pushing at 7:15 am. What a wierd feeling, but such a thrill. It was amazing to know this was actually happening and I was able to figure it all out! Lucy was actually turned sideways and her heartrate was really dropping so I was getting so nervous we would be doing a C Section. Lucy figured it all out because at 8:09 am Lucy Ann Germer made her appearance. It was such an amazing feeling to actually hold her in my arms just seconds after she was born. She was so beautiful and I felt so proud. Proud that I just gave birth, I actually did it! Rhett then held her for the first time and got tears in his eyes. It was such a special moment for all of us. Lucy just stared up at him for a few minutes trying to figure us all out. It was amazing that she already knew us.
  
  
• I am so greatful for such an amazing experience. I am so lucky my sisters and mom were there for some extra support. They were so great all night getting me whatever I needed to be more comfortable. Thanks for being there and cheering me on!

Lucy's Newborns

Melissa Sue took Lucy's newborns when she was one week old. Lucy did great and I love the way they all turned out. Thanks Melissa.

I now understand

My cousin who had recently had a baby once wrote on her blog that her goal for the day was to shower! I thought she was so silly...joke was on me!

Second Loves

What a difference a day makes - especially a week! Lucy is growing fast and loving every minute! At her two week appointment she weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. It was very reasuring that she is growing as feeding can be quite the little challenge! She is a very healthy little girl, now if only her mom could get this recovery thing together life would be grand! Again I have to say I love my little girl and am blessed to have her...we have grown quite fond of each other as we have spent our days (and nights) together.

This week Lucy loves...

• Sucking her fingers



• Stretching her arms and legs (no more burrito please)



• Sleeping all day and a little at night!



• The warmer weather - no more hat to sleep in



• Peeing all over when daddy changes her



• Her picture taken



• Sleeping with her hands above her head



• Kicking her blankets all over the place



• Grunting



• Spitting up!!!

First loves

I cannot believe my baby Lucy is already one week old! This precious time is flying by so fast. She has had a great first week at life. Here are a few of our first loves....

Lucy Loves...

• Mommy & Daddy


• Her bassinett
  
• Eating


• Being a burrito


• Stretching her fingers


• Getting a manicure


• Rolling her eyes
  
• Trying to eat her clothes

What daddy loves about Lucy...(Rhett really did write this list for me)

• I love it when she falls asleep in my arms
• I love her yawns
• I love that she calms down when I burp her
• I love her pretty face
• I love her annoying cry (sad, I know)
• I love it when she smiles and she doesn't know it
• I love it when she looks at me and looks deep into my eyes
• And finally I love it when she sleeps so I can play XBOX (and he does play quite often!!!)
  

What mommy loves about Lucy...

• Awake time at the right time
  
• Putting new clothes on her
  
• Her smell
  
• Her fuzzy fuzzy cheeks
  
• Giving her a manicure (her nails were soooo long)


• She has become a great eater
  
• Her teensy little bum


• She has amazing daddy who loves us both very much

Lucy Ann Germer

Lucy Ann Germer joined our family on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 8:09 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 0 oz. and she is 18 inches long. She has a reddish-golden touch to her hair, we'll see if more red will come through. She is a very healthy little girl and we are so blessed to have her. We are overjoyed with the love we feel for her and cannot express how thankful we are for our sweet baby girl. We came home from the hospital yesterday and so far life in the Germer household is great...we'll see how we feel in a few days!!

Maternity Photos - 9 months!

My friend Melissa Sue took these amazing shots. I am so thrilled with how they turned out. I think she has some amazing talent and I am so excited to have a photographer just down the street. You can check her out here.

This is why I am exhausted...

Because I have driven my husband crazy changing my mind so many times in the past 9 months, I thought I would share with you what he has put up with! I will share with you the world of stroller and car seat buying for Holly. It has been a very difficult road...to say the least. I cannot tell you the amount of time I have spent in front of the computer trying to find the perfect stroller only to end up with the one I really wanted in the first place. Anyhoo, here it goes. This was the first stroller I bought. I was so excited to get it...it was going to be perfect. Well, we got it all together (it was very difficult - it took over an hour) only to find that the handlebar was busted. Luckily, I was able to return it, but still, a lot of work... back to square 1. Next I bought a smaller stroller (not pictured) that was pretty great, but it was lacking a few things that I really wanted. I also did not feel that the car seat that went with the stroller was very safe. I think a newborn would just slide all around in it - back to square 1...
We then got the Chicco travel system - love it...we had it all set up, I was thrilled to finally love the stroller AND carseat...weeks later, I discovered the carseat would not hook to my jogger - WHAT? I thought well, I will just not use the jogger (which I will only be using for walking, let's be honest with ourselves!) until she is big enough to be in the stroller, but that defeats the purpose of having the jogger for the summer...seriously, we were back to square 1 once again!


So this is what is all came back to...the set I have loved from the beginning- isn't it adorable?? I spent all day last Saturday trying to find a store in Salt Lake that had one in stock...no such luck, so I had to order it online - hopefully it will get here before Lucy. I know what you are thinking, and I am thinking the same thing...I AM CRAZY! I think this may be some kind of pregnancy disease. At least in the end of things, I am always super satisfied because I have tried all the other roads!

Family Showers!

I have had some fun family showers. Thank you to everyone who came, thank you for the yummy food, and thank you for all the great gifts. Seriously this girl is already so spoiled! I cannot wait to use all the great things we have received. Here are some pics from the latest showers. My mom bought this crazy jacket a while back (4 years ago) I told her I really like it, and she kept it all this time. I still think it is pretty cute! Pregnancy glow? Of course I have pregnancy glow - when I am sweating! Other than sweat I do not understand this thing they call pregnancy glow!
The Henriksen Gang.
Another cute diaper cake! Thanks Krys.
The Germer Gang.
Lisa and I at her family shower. I think we look so much alike in this picture.