The Beach Bunk Diaries: Matt's Vacation Home

Heads up: There are 30 pictures on this post. Its long.

Week 1

The first few days of Matt being home were rather surreal. He passed out presents (Emmaline got this stylish Kimono) and we all went out to dinner with my family. He hadn't yet gotten to show off his uniform for any of the family so he wore it out to dinner. Emmaline had to try on his hat. I love her little foot twist here:

Waiting in line at the store, styling her kimono and Daddy's hat

All week we waited for me to go into labor. I was big, uncomfortable and rather cranky. But Emmaline had a blast playing with Daddy. She loves climbing all over him- something she sure hadn't been able to do with me for ages.

Matt doing push ups with Emmaline

Emmaline climbing on Daddy's back for a horsey ride around the house

Week 2

We still waited and waited for the baby to make her apperance and went to the park to kill time. Emmaline hasn't enjoyed swinging or going on slides in a long time. She is a timid child and likes having someone show her how to do something and then do it with her before she ever wants to try it herself. Having Dad home gave her that chance. After months of refusing to swing or slide the two of them had a ball on the swings and slides.

Emmaline and daddy swinging

Emmaline and Daddy sliding

Yah! The time arrived for me to go to the hospital and have the baby! Emmaline stayed with a family friend (I don't think she hardly realized she was away from mom and dad, she had so much fun!) As I said in my previous blog, I went into labor at 1:30ish and had the baby at 9:14- only about 8 hours later! Yeah for fast labors!

Trying to smile through contractions

Baby Lottie born at 9:14 am! She was 8 pounds, 9 ozs.

Lottie being weighed

She almost looks like a gorilla in this picture! Turns out that she descended really fast and ended up bruising her forehead really bad.

Mom meets baby Lottie for the first time!

I was so excited for to see Emmaline- I hate being away from her for so long. And I was excited to let her meet the newest member of our family. Emmaline treated Lottie like a doll- a bit rougher than we wanted but she was so affectionate.

Emmaline meets the baby

We had only a few visitors. Along with Emmaline and Valerie coming in the afternoon, my mom, dad, one brother and sister all showed up in the evening.

Uncle Spencer meets Lottie

Grandpa meets Lottie

Grandma meets Lottie

We didn't actually stay in the hospital very long. I didn't want to be there any longer than I had to. I had Lottie on Thursday morning and they let us go by Friday night. We could have left sooner but Lottie ended up having slightly elevated bilirubin numbers (jaundice) and we had to make sure it was okay with the pediatrition for her to go home.

Daddy holding his new baby girl

Mommy and Baby Lottie

We spent most of Saturday lounging in bed and getting to know one another. Emmaline wants to hold the baby all the time and gets uptight whenever she hears Lottie crying. Its sweet to hear her concern for her sister.

Emmaline trying to hold the baby

My two girls cuddling

Lottie found her thumb and I couldn't resist getting a picture. It was way too cute.

Week 3

Lottie had her first dr appointment where we determined she only lost 3 oz since leaving the hospital. Also, the nurse measured her at 19 inches then tried again and got 20 inches. Its typical to get different readings because babies squirm but I thought it was funny that my baby shrunk!

Trying to take advantage of all our time together we went to the zoo on Tuesday. It was the perfect weather. Emmaline loved running around with her dad.

Emmaline and Dad on a Gorilla statue (compare this to the birth picture of Lottie...lol!)

Lottie getting some lovin' from big sis!

Emmaline and Lottie at the zoo

Emmaline posing in front of a bird exhibit

There was a major thunder storm the next day- that sort of fit what else was going on. After going to the zoo I was hurting so bad- and not just from just having had a baby! The sore throat I felt on Monday and thought was a stress cold turned out to be strep throat!!! My throat swelled up and I could barely swallow for 2 days until the antibiotics kicked in. Unfortunately the dr said its more than likely that I'll end up getting thrush from the medications because of breast feeding. Ayayay. So I'm trying to pray that one from happening!

The rest of the week Matt has been working hard to get things around the house done.

Matt installing a new light fixture!

We gave Lottie her first at-home bath! She loved it. Unfortuantely, we left Emmaline alone with the open bottle of shampoo and we no longer have shampoo. The entire bottle ended up down the drain- and we'd just opened it. Oops. I guess thats what happens when I can't keep all 8 eyes on one child anymore!

Bath time for baby!

I got up in the middle of the night to feed Lottie and she decided she was incredibly happy. Luckily the camera was right next to me and I snapped several really fun pictures.

Happy Lottie!

The rest of our week we've been hanging out, enjoying spending time together and getting to know our new baby. Here are some more fun pictures of our week.