Lunch Dates

So we are in week 4 and I thought I would just record this wonderful memory. It is so nice and we feel blessed to have wonderful friends and family.

During this time that I am off and spending with Baby Diana, I have been so lucky to have visits from some of my closest friends and fam.

My first week at home, as I previously posted, my mom came to stay to help me and she cooked and cleaned and even got up for some of Diana's night time feedings.

My friend Trish came over to visit and also brought us a HUGE stuffed shell dinner which was DELISH!

Lisa has come by to visit as well as Steve Petron and Marianne Bemister!

Last week Cass came over with Alexis and brought pizza for lunch. I don't know what I would do without her. I have cried to her and have shared EVERY concern...I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE with her and she has really calmed my nerves...telling me how normal things are and giving me some realistic time lines to live by.

Yesterday, we met my friend Jenn from work at the Village Bean for coffee! It was so fun catching up and hearing all about the office gossip while I am out.

This morning My Auntie Mar came by and brought us a HUGE Chicken Pot Pie from Harrow's and enjoyed visiting with Diana- Diana just took to her and snuggled up to her for an hour!!

Later today, Julie came over with Caiden and I made us some grilled cheese for lunch. Caiden, like Diana had the acid reflux problem and was put on a similar medicine. Jules made me feel better with telling me how the medicine worked so well and Caiden ended up outgrowing the reflux as soon as he turned 1!

Next week, Donna is bringing us lunch on Tuesday. I can't wait to catch up with Donna- she always tells me the greatest stories and makes motherhood look so easy!!

We are going to visit with Cheryl, Mia and Ava on Wednesday and then the following week, we will be going to visit with Lisa Vivinetto.

I love these dates...so special...a time I will never forget. :)

Week 3

Well, as soon as Diana turned 2 weeks old, the digestive problems began. She had some really severe bouts of heaving, hard crying and we just knew she was in pain.

At first the doctor, recommended trying a soy formula or the ever famous alimentum formula plus mylecon/gas drops. So we did.

That seemed to work for a few days but then the hard crying was back again.

After attending my PTA meeting on Thursday night and talking to my most trusted moms, I concluded that Alimentum is what we needed to do next- so we did.

Well her feedings still were a struggle...we could tell she was very hungry and she would eat as much as she could which only ended up being an ounce or two at the most, (She should be doing 3-4) and then she would just start crying like it hurt her to eat.

So today, we decided to take matters into our hands. Rob took the day off and we brought her in to the doctor's office. The good news was that she gained 10 oz in a week! The doctor was very impressed. She also did not have a fever and she appears to be extremely healthy! What Dr. Pritchard, did conclude however, is that Diana has acid reflex. She prescribed "Baby Zantac" and said we should see a major difference.

Please stay tuned and say your prayers! Here we go (I have attached a few photos of Diana's 3rd week...as you will notice Big Brother Zack is so good with her!)

The highlight of this week was apple and raspberry picking with Mimi and Papa Pete. We had so much fun...especially Papa Pete! He grabbed that stroller and wouldn't let go!

Dear Diana (You are 2 Weeks Old Today!)

I can't believe it...every day you are changing and every day I am feeling stronger and stronger (thank Goodness). I have experienced the blues like they talk about and then I feel guilty for it..go figure!

Mimi came up and stayed with us for the week last week. She was a huge help and really enjoyed spending the time getting to know you. She also cooked and cleaned for mummy and daddy-a huge relief!

My friend Trish came to visit you this week...she brought us a huge dinner...this generosity from friends and family never gets old..it is completely overwhelming and so appreciated!

We also got some beautiful flowers from the PTA and then from "The Fois".

For Mummy's bday, you joined Mimi, Daddy and I as we celebrated with some cocktails and apps- you didn't have any of course but you were wide-eyed the entire time we were there!

Yesterday, our State Rep and Prez of the Baseball Board, Charlie McMahon, came by with a gift from the WBSL..a wonderful gift certificate to Babies R Us!

We are enjoying all of this fun and you don't even realize how much you are loved quite yet! I am recording everything so someday you can appreciate it all!

Yesterday we also had a follow up at the pediatrician's. You gained 2 oz so you are up to 8'3.5 but the doctor wants us to feed you more and it will be a fight! You fall asleep at the end of 2 oz and we have to try and get 3oz in you per feeding- geesh! Stay tuned for this challenge :)

Some of your favorite things right now include the swirly lights on your swing...your pink pacifier with flowers and a ribbon on it and being swaddled. Oh! You also love falling asleep on my chest where you can feel my heartbeat.

I love you my baby bird!

Dear Diana (You Are 1 Week Old!)

Can you believe you are already one week old? I can't. My heart breaks when I think about our first days in the hospital...I want to grab them back.

The moment I keep reliving is every morning we spent there. The nurses brought you to us every morning at about 6am- well Daddy got you one day and then I called for you the other days. You were always awake at that time and I would hold you...You were all wrapped in white...a white tee shirt and swaddled in a white blanket and you would look up at me...trying desperately to focus...and we would bond. I started calling you my baby bird...so helpless...so in need of a feeding...I am so in love with you.

You have already met so many people and you will never remember this time so I will record these memories for you. After leaving the hospital, you visited Babies R Us so we could purchase your formula and then you came to Shaw's with us so we could get mummy's medicine and some groceries. At home, you were welcomed by your Big Sister Kayla who fed you. You then proceeded to sleep on her chest, in the rocking chair for 2 hours!

You LOVE your swing from Ann Marie so we have let you sleep in that the last two nights. Right now, it seems like you are down to a schedule of sleeping and waking every three hours for a feeding/diaper change. It is rough but we are learning to adjust. I think Bambi has had the hardest time adjusting but she is coming around...she just thinks you are very loud so she has absolutely met her match!

Ally and Zack have both enjoyed you so much already- both have had the opportunity to feed you and all of us can't help but just stare at you endlessly...wondering what you are going to do next!

On Friday, Mimi and Papa Pete came up for the day...they made us lunch and dinner and enjoyed the day bonding with you!

Yesterday, you had your first pediatrician's appointment and you did very well! You didn't cry once! You also got meet Sandy at The Village Bean during our coffee stop and later on, the ladies at Bella Viaggio who all agreed that you will have mummy's wild hair! That only means another customer for them :)

Grammy and Papa have come over twice...last night they brought mummy and daddy chinese for dinner. We waited for hours for you to wake up but no such luck!

My friend Jen from work came to visit yesterday too! She thinks you look like me :)

This morning you enjoyed your first trip to church...we left at communion though so crowds did not get too close..then we did grocery shopping and whisked you through the store with as little contact as possible. You slept the whole time!

We got home to a wonderful basket of food from Cass and Steve- they are soooo generous and thoughtful and true life savers~ don't know what I would do without my Cass!

Today, Mimi and Papa and Uncle Matt and Gina came over to celebrate Uncle Matt's bday AND to celebrate you of course...we enjoyed some apps and cake. The only scary thing that happened was that you projectile spit up while you were sleeping...I freaked out but you didn't seem to mind at all...it barely woke you up~ although there ended up being spit up all over your polo tennis outfit from Mimi....like Daddy said, though, that is what Dreft is for AND he is the laundry champion!

Your cries are so adorable...even your hungry cry..it is so angry but how can we get mad at you...you are just too flipping adorable and lovable and we have waited so long for you!

I love you my baby bird

Diana Mary Breton Enters the World!

Baby Diana was born on Sunday August 24th at 1:02pm at Winchester Hospital...she is the most beautiful little baby girl ever! It was a long and hard labor- 36 hours to be exact. After 3 hours of pushing, I was rushed in for a c section but as so many people have told me, it will all be worth it.

As soon as I looked at her, I found that to be so true. It was soooo worth it and worth the wait and the sleepless nights.

I have always known this baby...it is indescribable...she already breaks my heart! I am already so protective of her..guess that is an instinct.

The Series of Events:
On Thursday, as I posted already, I went through 8 hours of testing and thought I would be getting my induction date from Dr. Bose-no such luck.

We went to bed on Friday night..pretty exhausted and frustrated. Then I was woken up at 3am on Saturday by intense cramps. I thought, I wonder if those are contractions?! Well, I waited it out and didn't wake Rob until about 4. At that point, I said, I am taking a shower because I think I am having contractions and don't want to waste time. He said okay.

I got out of the shower and called the doctor- I told her my contractions were very painful and seemed to be 15-20 minutes apart. She suggested to head on in.

We arrived at Winchester at about 5am and I was immediately hooked up to monitors. I would have described it as hard labor but after two hours of testing, they told me I was only in early labor and they insisted I go home! I didn't know how I was going to make it at home, in all this pain. I was so frustrated and tired- I just started crying.

So we went home and got to sleep for a few hours and relax for most of the day. I was so disappointed because here I was again not making any progress BUT now experiencing major pain AND not going to be able to see my cousin Chris get married. I was devastated so I cried alot.

Well progress wasn't my problem...by 8pm, I was in so much pain and my contractions were about 5 minutes apart- this time, they said come on in. So we did- we were
back at Winchester by 9 pm and we were not going home this time!

By 2am, I got my epidural and that made a huge difference. It allowed us to sleep for about 3 hours and then all of a sudden a nurse was telling me to try pushing. Alot of the events are jumbled in my mind but I do know that my mom got there before I had to start pushing..I think that was around 7/8 am. At first we thought I was going to deliver this baby vaginally as everyone could start seeing her hair and they told me I was doing such a good job but after 3 hours, the doctor said she felt much better doing the c section..Diana was just getting stuck and not moving any further. She also had a bowel movement in uteran (I know gross) which posed another risk. They did not want her to cry right away..they would need to suction out her mouth and did not want me to freak if I didn't hear her cry.

Well I was crying when I found out I was being rushed in for a c section...it is not that I was dead set against this birthing method BUT I had worked so hard to deliver
the regular way...I felt that it was for nothing.

Like I wrote, however, when I saw her come out with her little mohawk hairdo and wailing cry and beautiful face, I forgot all the pain and work and just felt grateful that she was here.

We just got home today. We spent four days in the hospital and although, at first, I dreaded the thought of the stay, it was so relaxing and very pleasant and such a nice feeling to get such care for me and Diana. The nurses at Winchester are just the best.

We had so many visitors too...it was so fun looking forward to visiting hours each day...who would surprise us today? We saw our parents..(mine every day because my mom works in the hospital and she couldn't help herself- she came up during her coffee break and lunch and before and after work. My Dad is just SMITTEN...he is already attached to Diana..it is the most precious thing)...the kids came with Grammy and Papa on Sunday night and they were sooo excited! Papa also came back on Wednesday to feed Diana before a round of golf.

We also saw Bill and Steve from work, Cass and her Mom Cathy and Brother Jay who now also works with me, Kim from work, Donna P, Ann-Marie, Ish and Lucy Halliday, My Aunty Mar and Cousin Emily, some of my mom's friends from work, Rob's ex-wife Lisa, Keith "The Fois" Foise and Matt & Gina.

The visitors were a blast and everyone enjoyed holding Diana- some even got to feed her and observe a diaper change or two or three...well (she is already a chowhound!)

I am even more impressed with my wonderful hubby now...I knew he had the experience but he is just wonderful with Diana...he is a natural and he is a nice calming force for me.

Enjoy some of Diana's first pix!

Update....Due Date

NOPE...no baby yet...was at the doctor's office today from 11:30-3- ultrasound looked good- baby moving...then went on baby monitor for about 45 minutes- Diana's heartbeat seemed to dip a little bit a few times and my blood pressure was slightly elevated. So...they sent me over to Winchester Hospital Labor and Delivery where I went on another baby monitor for about 2 hours- after that, everything looked normal and my blood pressure was down BUT Dr Bose was in a surgery and I ended up waiting for another 2 hours...Rob and I tried to entertain each other..it just gets boring after awhile.

We are grateful that everything is ok BUT very anxious awaiting Baby Diana. So now that my due date is passing, I go back on Monday for a "weight check ultrasound" and then they will determine how fast they will induce me, if at all. We are ALL hoping, I go on my own.

Diana...please come meet us soon! :)

4 WONDERFUL YEARS

It has been four wonderful years...I know how lucky I am. Not everyone gets to be with the true love of their life...not everyone gets to feel the joy of the right one. I thank God all the time for Rob.

We just celebrated our four year anniversary. Although things are super hectic this year in anticipation of Baby Diana's arrival, we made sure we spent some time being romantic.

Rob got me a book written by couples who have been married for 50 years or more! I got him a CD of all classic love songs sung by some of our favorites like Dean Martin and Sinatra. We also exchanged chocolate treats (yeah one last hoorah before we jump on South Beach)

My mom made us a great dinner on Wed night and she and my dad presented us with a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant SURF! They also will be providing babysitting services for that evening...something we are looking forward to!

Babe, thanks for being you. Through all of the stressful times, hard work, exhaustion and chaos, it is always nice to know we can come home to each other.

Enjoy some pix from the greatest day of our lives!

I love you!!