One Month of Willa

Happy 4 weeks to this little nugget! She's already establishing herself as her own person - she's longer, leaner, and much less into sleeping than her sister. Thankfully, she's cute and snuggly which makes everything ok. We had her first professional photoshoot - and wow - she's a stunner! Hadley had a great time getting her picture taken, too.

Welcome to the world, Willa Rose!

A belated post, but a fun one to write, none the less. On Monday, July 11 Bruce and I woke up super early (4am) to go to the hospital. Willa would be induced today - my dad's birthday! - and we were nervous. Hadley came with such an uncomplicated process, we couldn't help but worry this would be harder.

Week 40: Morning of induction

20 minutes before Willa arrived. Feeling good!! 

AND we couldn't have been more wrong!! At 6am, we checked into the hospital and were immediately brought upstairs to L&D. The lovely nurses started an IV and by 8am,  they broke my water and I had my first dose of Pitocin on board to begin the labor process. Everything went perfectly, and at 10am, I asked for an epidural, even though the pain was barely noticeable. After that, it was a breeze!! I couldn't feel any pain and my contractions were progressing nicely. At 4pm, my doctor came into the room and told me it was soon time to push. After 3 contractions and 9 pushes total (about 5 minutes), Willa Rose Hughes entered the world weighing 7lbs 10ozs and measuring 20 inches.

After 24 hours in the hospital, everyone was sent home with a clean bill of health. Hadley was THRILLED to meet her new baby sister and fell in love immediately. Mimi was there to help, and Erica came by to visit, too!

Week 38: Pumpkin Pie for Everyone!

It seems like just yesterday Mom was pregnant with Hadley during Thanksgiving, and the pumpkin reference was appropriate. Now, not so much. It's hot, Mom is big, and Sprout doesn't seem to be making an attempt to join us in the outside world. This week:

• She may have about an inch or so of hair already (based on Mom's heartburn, this kid is part gorilla)
• She's slowly shedding that white goo on the skin (called vernix caseosa) 

Sprout and Mom - 38 weeks

Hadley and I have been having a lot of fun this week. Her favorite things are coloring, snuggling, and me. She LOVES me. Honestly, it is a lot of pressure. The whole family has been taking it easy this week. Mom is really starting to struggle with the final weeks of this pregnancy. Sprout has been giving her heartburn, strong Braxton Hicks contractions, and a really sore back. BUT, we're in the final stretch here - and everyone is super excited!

Snuggles!!

She's a TERRIBLE laundry helper

Week 37: Home on the Romaine

Sprout is as big as romaine lettuce, a food Mom is most not craving right now. Baby continues to grow and is quickly running out of room. Mom, Dad and Hadley are anxiously awaiting her arrival (the bags are packed, the car seat installed). I am.....not looking forward to another little girl crawling all over me. 

This week:

• Sprout is practicing some cool, new skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking.
• She's getting the first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for her first diaper. Mom and Dad are already getting ready to draw straws for that one. 

Mom and Sprout: Week 37

All three ladies watching a movie. Saturday fun!

Hadley had an excellent week, filled with many fun visits and play dates with Hartley. She is getting so big, and her vocabulary is getting bigger and bigger. Juice, Elmo, and No (eek!) are some of her favorite. Most of all, she LOVES "Bus" on any electronic device. It's a YouTube video that has cartoons of Wheels on the Bus and other nursery rhymes. She has also developed a love of coloring, and made a beautiful drawing for Dad's Father's Day gift. 

Week 36: Honey DO Come Out and Play!!!

Baby is the size of a honeydew!! The least appetizing and tasteless of the melons, it is still considerably larger than Mom would like in her belly.

• Sprout is getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own.
• Her skin is getting smooth and soft and the gums are rigid.
• Her liver and kidneys are in working order.
• Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go too - and Mom is ready to get her OUT.

Mom and Sprout: Week 36

This week, Mom has really been feeling (and suffering from) the heat of Florida. It is oppressive! There were some thunderstorms earlier this week that should have cooled everything down. They did not. The storms, however, provided a lot of fun for Hadley. 

Splash, splash!!! 

Weeks 34 & 35: Oops, I Did It Again

Ya'll - posting at this point in pregnancy is HARD and work has been chaotic as Mom is filling in for a few people who have left the school. In any event, we are combining weeks, yet again, but with no less enthusiasm or excitement for Sprout!! She is so active.... like all the time....and doing cartwheels. I see a future gymnast in our future. Sprout is also enjoying giving Mom heartburn, usually at night, with no relief. Good times for everyone.

Sprout has grown from the size of a butternut squash to the size of a cocoanut.

• She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, which obviously Mom is singing to her
• Her hearing is fully developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises - like dog whines and her sister's excited noises.

Mom and Sprout: Week 34

Mom and Sprout: Week 35

This week, Hadley developed a cold - which she promptly shared with Mom and Dad. Dad and Hadley are better. Mom is working on it, but colds are definitely hitting her harder at this stage of pregnancy. We went to our friend's gender reveal party and found out they are having a little boy! That's great, because our group is being dominated by ladies at this point. No problem with me though. Boy dogs are awesome. 

Weeks 32 & 33: Condensed Goodness

This week, Mom is taking over the blog and she is condensing Weeks 32 & 33. It has been busy, busy and I haven't been able to keep up with the blogging. That being said, Sprout has been on quite the adventure!!

Here's what Sprout has been working on these last two weeks. She's been a busy and VERY ACTIVE young lady. She just will not stop moving around, nearly 24/7, in Mom's belly. It has been a little uncomfortable, especially since Hadley has been climbing all over her.

These two weeks, Sprout has:

• Been getting ready for her descent-and is likely in the head-down position now (not this little lady! She's still side to side...)
• She's probably feeling even more cramped
• She's keeping eyes open while awake and also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing
• Her bones are hardening and she's going through (more) major brain development-that's one smart baby

Sprout at Week 33 in LBI

This week, the whole family (well, Loki stayed home) went up north for a babymoon to LBI and NYC. Mom and Dad went into the city for a night to see Hamilton and spend some time together. The rest of the trip was spent visiting friends and family and enjoying our last weeks as a family of THREE! 

Parents-to-be....again!

HAMILTON at the Richard Rogers Theater in NYC

Mom, Dad and Keith in NYC

Ladies on the beach!

Airport style - Hadley Edition

Oooooo....it's a little chilly

We also sprinkled Sprout with love (and more than a few gifts of diapers and wipes!) which was so unbelievably fun. We are certainly lucky to have wonderful and caring friends!

And last, but not least, Mom and Hadley came down with a nasty cold that totally derailed any plans for productivity at work or at home. There were a lot of snuggles, a few tears, and thankfully - ear infection aside - some giggles.