A week of adjusting

             So I am not sure I have experienced what life will really be like with two kiddos only because we have had a lot of help this week. We got home Sunday afternoon and Mike's parents were here to help. They were able to get in the car when they got the call last week and make the drive down. This was nice because all of a sudden Asher weighed a ton and wasn't my little boy I could easily carry like he was last week. :) We didn't have groceries and laundry was piled high. Tom and Sarah really helped with this.  We now have a freezer, pantry and fridge stocked with food.
             Asher went to Mother's Day Out two days this week. Thankfully Tiffany and her mom have helped us get him there in the morning.  I am not sure what we will do in the future, but it was nice for him to have his routine back. Asher also got to go on fun outings with Grandma and Papa (swimming at the hotel, Target, Kroger, vacuuming out the car). This was really good for him because even before Ayla surprised us, I was limited in all I could do with him. I think they spent more time then ever with Asher this week. His personality is shining through more and more so it was a win win for the Whites and Asher. We have decided that Grandpa will be called Papa. Asher just loves his Papa.
            Mike took Monday off from work but went back Tuesday. He had a test Friday so he needed to get back and study. I was okay with him going back because I knew I had help. Mike deserves a lot of credit. He didn't get awesome sleep this week with a baby crying every few hours, but never once complained. He came home after a long day and found a houseful of people and babies and a little chaos. He would quickly change his clothes and jump in where he was needed. I know this is what all husbands/dads should do, but I appreciate it so much and feel he needs praise for it. I think we are both looking forward to the weekend when he can chill out and relax.
            The weather has been awesome this week! I know the Whites are really appreciative since they came from freezing cold weather and snow. We have been able to have the windows open and I have even taken Ayla for short, slow walks around the apartment complex. It feels great to be outside and get fresh air. I hope the weather stays like this or at least returns to this when my mom comes down in a few weeks.
            Ayla has done well this first week. She is sleeping pretty good. We only had one night where she wanted to play or cry all night. I think it was because she was hungry. The nursing thing is going okay. We have had our ups and downs. Ayla is kind of a slow learner with this and gets frustrated. She loves her hands and arms. They must have been by her face in the womb because they are always up over her eyes or by her face. She squirms out of the swaddles to get her arms free.
           Big brother Asher is adjusting well too. He gives his sister kisses before bed and likes to check on her if she is crying. We are working on saying "Ayla" but for now he knows her as "Baby". He tries to share his toys with her and is a little rough, but it is all out of love.  Like I mentioned before, Asher seems like he has grown overnight. He is little for his age and always felt so squishy and small. Now when I hug him, he feels solid and huge! I don't know what happened, but my baby isn't a baby anymore.
            Our original plan was to have Whites come down and help out with Asher while we were in the hospital and then my mom come down once we got home. With the change of plans, my mom couldn't make it down. Her flight was already booked and it would have cost $400 extra to change it. I was bummed, but now that I have had a week of people, I am ready for a week alone. Actually, I am excited for her to come down in two weeks. By that time Mike and I will be ready for a date! When we had Asher, I wasn't ready to leave him alone....for quite awhile. With Ayla and Asher, I have already told my mom that she is babysitting on the Friday she gets here. :)  So I am trying to look at the positives with it all. We have Skyped quite a bit already so she is getting to see little Ayla. She asked today if she should send the outfits down that she has for Ayla. They are NB size. I figure Ayla will still be in size NB in April or May at this rate so Mom can just bring them with her when she comes. Don't get me wrong, Ayla is eating and eating and eating, but she is a little peanut and has a ways to go.
          People have been asking about her name: Ayla Louise White. Ayla (Pronounced like Kayla without the K) is a name we had in mind for Asher before we found out he was a boy. Mike's sister, Emily, has a screen name and email address with Ayla in it. It is from a video game, Chrono Trigger. Mike thought it was unique but not crazy. I like how it sounds. We got Auntie Em's permission to use it (we wanted to make sure she didn't have it in mind for her kids some day). This is how Ayla is described in the game : "The fiercely confident Ayla dwells in 65,000,000 BC. Unmatched in raw strength, Ayla is the chief of Ioka Village and leads her people in war against a species of humanoid reptiles known as Reptites." There is also an Ayla in the Earth's Children novels. Here is how she is described: "Throughout the series, there are many references to Ayla's having great spiritual and intellectual powers, many of which actually may be simple reasoning and common sense. She does have a knack for inventing things, and is credited with many innovations actually made over thousands of years of human history." But really, we just liked the name. Louise is my Nanna's middle name. I have always liked it. Nanna turned 84 three days after Ayla was born, so it definitely fits. So that is the story behind her name. 


Here are a few pics from the week and adjusting to new life.

 Asher playing with Ollie on Valentine's day. A morning play date turned into an all day affair.

Vacuuming out the car and getting the car seat switched around.

Bedtime story with Papa.

 Swimming at the hotel pool with the Whites

First bath at home for Ayla. Her hair was so fluffy afterwards

Getting ready for our walk.

I love playing dress up!

Just hanging out.

Blowing bubbles! He could do it by himself by the end of our walk.

Poor Asher wanted to walk, hold his snack, and hold his trains. He had a difficult time. He just couldn't put one down.

Asher got a big boy present on Sunday. It is his backpack for school!

Checkin' out sister in her swing.

snuggles

Family of four

We are now a family of four! What a whirlwind weekend for the White family (say that five times fast). Let's start from the beginning.

As you know, I have had low amniotic fluid with this pregnancy. At my 35 week check-up I was told that if my levels reach 8 or below, the baby is coming out. We went to the doctor for my 37 week check-up on Friday, February 14. I felt good going in. We had a lot of snow days so I had plenty of time to rest and drink water. Ultrasound looked good! My levels were at a 10! Woohoo! That was a huge sigh of relief. We were waiting for the doctor talking about our plans for the weekend. Dr. Sockrider came in and said, "Well, you're having a baby today." WHAT!?!?! I had done my homework! What is this all about? Baby hadn't grown in the last two weeks...at all. She said it means I had intrauterine growth restriction. My placenta was the cause of this again. Okay, was she sure though? Yeah, Sockrider was very confident (time is 10:15am). She said that we needed to head downstairs to labor and delivery because she bumped the noon c-section and we were taking the place. HOLY COW! There was no time to go home and get our bags. We called our parents and Tiffany (she was watching Asher) and we went downstairs. The next 90 minutes went by really fast. They started IVs, took blood, asked questions and got me ready. We were rolling down to the operating room around 11:45. Ayla Louise White was born at 12:03pm. She was 5lbs 10.6oz. 18in long.  Mike was able to watch the delivery over the curtain. Kind of crazy if you ask me. Well let me just say this. God was with us on Friday. Sockrider said Ayla was wrapped pretty good with her cord. It was around her neck a few times and around her body. She has a bruise on her arm from the cord. Both Sockrider and the pediatrician said it was a good thing we delivered today. A few more days and it could have been a different story. I don't even want to think about that.

So that is the story of our little Valentine baby. We are still processing a lot of this because it all happened to quickly. We are so thankful for Tiffany, Bob and Elena. Tiffany and Bob had Asher all day on Friday. What was supposed to be few hours of babysitting during our appointment turned into an all day affair. Tiffany also took awesome pictures for us to capture this exciting day. Elena volunteered to sleep on our futon so Mike could stay at the hospital with me. She got Asher ready the next day and gave him some extra needed attention. Our family had plans of being here, but when Ayla changed those plans, these friends stepped up to the challenge. Not sure what we would have done without them. Words can't express our gratitude.

Here are some pics of our exciting weekend. There are more to come but this will have to do for now. This Mama is tired. :)

Getting checked in! 36weeks 6 days!

 Let's get this party started!!

Making sure she is in there okay.

Our new family of four.

Keeping his sister safe on the ride home.

January, the month of sickness

Well this month has had Asher feeling sick more often than not. Poor guy came down with a cold that has kept him congested for the entire month, caused a double ear infection, numerous viruses, and a nasty cough. I guess it is better to have it now than in a month when the baby comes, but still. I feel sorry for the guy. This last weekend was the first when he wasn't snoring or catching his breath all night. Poor little fella. I think we are finally at the end of the tunnel, thank the Lord!

Good news is, Asher is 23lbs! woohoo! I feel like it took forever for him to get over the 20lbs plateau. He is wearing mostly 18m clothes but some 18-24m clothes. He is still rocking size 3 diapers. We are in size 5 1/2 and 6 shoes. He loves his car shoes he got for Christmas. He usually picks those out to wear. Asher is starting to repeat and pick up on lots of things he hears. Not that we have potty mouths around the house, but we now have to watch was we say a little closer. Favorites: cottage cheese, milk, cheese balls, grapes, mac'n'cheese, waffles. Those are staples in our pantry right now.

Baby White is still acting up...this girl is giving us trouble before she even meets the world! I can't imagine what is in stake for us after she is born. Went to the doctor a week ago and amniotic levels are at a 9. This is in the normal range but still low. Doctor wasn't thrilled with this. The c-section is scheduled for March 3, but she said if my levels drop below 8 between now and then, she is going to, "Pull the trigger and take that baby out of there". So we have that to think about. With Asher being sick the last week or so, I have been able to rest a lot and get my fluids in. I still am on modified bed rest which means I go to work then come home and rest. Mike has been a good coach on water drinking. Grandparents have made travel arrangements for the baby's arrival, so this girl needs to behave herself. I go back to the doctor on Friday, February 7. I will be 36 weeks.

Say Cheese!!!!

We have a lot of attachement to our baby and blanket since winter break. Usually we have to have it when we go for morning walks. Not sure why, but it is a must.

Waiting for Daddy to finish going to the bathroom. He started out pounding on the door, then just laid down on his blanket.

Sitting at MOPs while Mama worked. He was sick and couldn't play.

Twins! By the end of today Asher was miserable with a double ear infection.

New fav thing: watching TV in Mama and Daddy's bed. We don't mind, but Daddy says there are crumbs....I don't think so

Good helper

Playing video games with Daddy. It's a White thing...Idsos didn't play video games.

Morning smiles

Exploring the car

 Resting

This boy loves his cars.

 Resting....can you see the pattern? We are getting good at this.

Daddy's glasses

Bed head

Helping daddy work out. He was counting the reps.

Killing time at the Dr. office. Asher was exploring the car. He learned how to turn the key on and off....that means trouble!!

He started saying, "good Job!" a lot. I got it on video. He tells everyone this: check-out people at Wal-Mart, Daddy, Rex, everyone. I found out that he is told this at MDO by his teachers. He learns so much stuff from them. :)

My smart boy. He loves playing his puzzles and games on the tablet. This Super Why game was new and he wanted to play. I sat with him and was amazed at what he could do. He is learning his letters!! This teacher Mama is proud!

33 weeks with baby white

Asher now has room in his closet to share with his sister. Girls on right, boys on left.

Girl stuff!!

35 weeks with baby White