Here are a couple pics from the big day...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Quick Update
Thank you to all family and friends for your lovely emails and calls. Please don't be surprised if you do not hear back for about a month. Figuring out sleep schedules, feeding routines - not to mention how to get to the grocery store - oh and how to keep the house from looking like a tornado blew through is our primary focus.
A couple things of note from Madoc's birth...
- Nobody offered me a cup of tea (as they did in London).
- The epidural didn't really work (same deal as when I had Chase). I was able to get up and walk about 5 minutes after delivery.
- Madoc came much faster. Labor started around 6:30 a.m. and she was born at 9:30 a.m.
- The recovery room and nurses were delightful. They had a great meal service compared to London, which I remember was decidedly bland. They had room service and midnight snacks.
- The nurses hand out drugs like candy "are you sure you don't want more?" And they were surprised when I said no.
- My body's recovery in some cases was fast, but I sure do feel achy and tired.
- Breast feeding has been going well (Madoc has gained weight and is past her hospital discharge weight). Much different from Chase.
So I'm off to change diapers - oh the stay-at-home life is so glamorous, n'est pas?
A couple things of note from Madoc's birth...
- Nobody offered me a cup of tea (as they did in London).
- The epidural didn't really work (same deal as when I had Chase). I was able to get up and walk about 5 minutes after delivery.
- Madoc came much faster. Labor started around 6:30 a.m. and she was born at 9:30 a.m.
- The recovery room and nurses were delightful. They had a great meal service compared to London, which I remember was decidedly bland. They had room service and midnight snacks.
- The nurses hand out drugs like candy "are you sure you don't want more?" And they were surprised when I said no.
- My body's recovery in some cases was fast, but I sure do feel achy and tired.
- Breast feeding has been going well (Madoc has gained weight and is past her hospital discharge weight). Much different from Chase.
So I'm off to change diapers - oh the stay-at-home life is so glamorous, n'est pas?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Big Sister
It's official! Chase is a big sister.
Madoc Seabrook Allbritton made her grand entry on 22 December, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
We came home from the hospital today.
Chase is an amazing big sister.
She is so helpful and happy, and she seems to really love the idea of having a little sister.
I'm pretty tired, but that's to be expected.
Hubs has done an amazing job holding down the fort and taking care of an exhausted family.
Madoc loves being held by him; she just tucks in and falls asleep.
Baby Madoc looks almost exactly like Chase did as an infant.
Except she has a full head of hair (which was styled when she arrived) and has lighter eyelashes.
But her mouth and nose and expressions have thus far been the same.
Madoc Seabrook Allbritton made her grand entry on 22 December, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
We came home from the hospital today.
Chase is an amazing big sister.
She is so helpful and happy, and she seems to really love the idea of having a little sister.
I'm pretty tired, but that's to be expected.
Hubs has done an amazing job holding down the fort and taking care of an exhausted family.
Madoc loves being held by him; she just tucks in and falls asleep.
Baby Madoc looks almost exactly like Chase did as an infant.
Except she has a full head of hair (which was styled when she arrived) and has lighter eyelashes.
But her mouth and nose and expressions have thus far been the same.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Last Post?
Unless something big happens, this may be my last post for a while, so I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We aren't really sending out Christmas cards this year, because we are planning on sending around baby announcements. If you'd like a baby announcement, and you are not immediate family, please email me your address and I will include you.
We will be changing the name of our blog, to include our newest addition, so stay tuned.
All the best to you and yours this holiday season,
Lang, Brian & Chase
We aren't really sending out Christmas cards this year, because we are planning on sending around baby announcements. If you'd like a baby announcement, and you are not immediate family, please email me your address and I will include you.
We will be changing the name of our blog, to include our newest addition, so stay tuned.
All the best to you and yours this holiday season,
Lang, Brian & Chase
Dreams
I remember having very vivid dreams with Chase.
The most notable was the one where I dreamed that after I delivered her, I found I was actually holding my cat - and the midwife told me, "don't worry, babies never look like you think they will when they first appear." And I spent the rest of my dream arguing, "no, this is really my cat."
At this point my dreams have mostly been around the stress of delivery. So I'll keep dreaming in loops - like I can't get away from the labor and just when I think it's over, it starts again. Weird. And not very restful.
The most notable was the one where I dreamed that after I delivered her, I found I was actually holding my cat - and the midwife told me, "don't worry, babies never look like you think they will when they first appear." And I spent the rest of my dream arguing, "no, this is really my cat."
At this point my dreams have mostly been around the stress of delivery. So I'll keep dreaming in loops - like I can't get away from the labor and just when I think it's over, it starts again. Weird. And not very restful.
Latest Game
Chase has spent the last 6 months building zoos and houses with her blocks. Every day. Now she has switched to building a school house and play ground for her Einsteins. This is probably because she overhears me talking about schools, applications and such with friends.
It's Beautiful
I was listening to classical music the other day while I was making breakfast. As I went to change the radio to NPR, Chase said, "No, mama. This music is beautiful."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
One Week, Three Days
Not long to go now!
I've washed all of Chase's old clothes (through 18 months). Extreme? Perhaps. But when am I ever going to have time to wash clothes again, I ask.
We have a new sling, which promises to be more comfortable, versatile and last us for quite a while. I also have places to put the baby - a swing, and a bouncer. VERY different from when I had Chase. Chase moved between me and a Moses basket, until she was no longer small enough for the Moses basket. Then she had a small mat to play around on - none of the big plastic things.
And I have to say, now that I have the bouncer and the swing, I feel pretty good - except I hate how they look in the house. Too bad they don't sell ones that go with Chinese antiques.
I also have a baby tent (hurray!) and Karla has been nice enough to rework our travel cot, so that we may be able to get some use out of it, after all. Chase never used it.
Chase has been a dream throughout. Hardly a surprise. She helped pick out the baby kit for her little sister. She helps me put lotion on my big belly every morning - first she "paints" it with her fingers - usually a face.
I've washed all of Chase's old clothes (through 18 months). Extreme? Perhaps. But when am I ever going to have time to wash clothes again, I ask.
We have a new sling, which promises to be more comfortable, versatile and last us for quite a while. I also have places to put the baby - a swing, and a bouncer. VERY different from when I had Chase. Chase moved between me and a Moses basket, until she was no longer small enough for the Moses basket. Then she had a small mat to play around on - none of the big plastic things.
And I have to say, now that I have the bouncer and the swing, I feel pretty good - except I hate how they look in the house. Too bad they don't sell ones that go with Chinese antiques.
I also have a baby tent (hurray!) and Karla has been nice enough to rework our travel cot, so that we may be able to get some use out of it, after all. Chase never used it.
Chase has been a dream throughout. Hardly a surprise. She helped pick out the baby kit for her little sister. She helps me put lotion on my big belly every morning - first she "paints" it with her fingers - usually a face.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Is Coming
We just enjoyed a marvelous weekend with the Donahues, our neighbors from back in the day, when we lived in Boston. Hubs enjoyed a day of snowboarding; while I took Vickie around to see Denver. No new pictures; our old camera is awful and our new camera is still in the shop. A shame as we're missing loads of good Christmas pictures - not to mention new baby pictures (when she comes).
I can't believe Christmas is next week (unbelievable) - and then it's only a matter of time until littlest babe joins us. And while I am feeling better because an end of my seemingly endless pregnancy is finally near, I now find myself realizing that my life is only going to become more difficult - at least for the next year. At least I'll get my body back.
We have been lucky enough to be invited to dinner for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner, and while I'd love to cook, my taste-buds are totally messed up and I can't seem to cook a darn thing from scratch (poor Hubs). So I'm giving up the dream of cooking our own Christmas dinner this year - someday, someday.
I can't believe Christmas is next week (unbelievable) - and then it's only a matter of time until littlest babe joins us. And while I am feeling better because an end of my seemingly endless pregnancy is finally near, I now find myself realizing that my life is only going to become more difficult - at least for the next year. At least I'll get my body back.
We have been lucky enough to be invited to dinner for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner, and while I'd love to cook, my taste-buds are totally messed up and I can't seem to cook a darn thing from scratch (poor Hubs). So I'm giving up the dream of cooking our own Christmas dinner this year - someday, someday.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Chase & Santa
I have to admit that the whole Santa thing sort of freaks me out - come here, little girl, sit on my lap... but we went to a Christmas party and Santa was there, so we had to do it.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Tis The Season
Tis the season for toddler birthday parties. We have four this month, in addition to getting ready for Christmas, and new baby (three weeks to go!) and holiday gatherings.
I really do love toddler birthdays, because parents usually get a little creative. The pictures below are from Reid's birthday, which took place at his local firehouse. Hubs thought it was the best toddler birthday ever - hmmm, I wonder why? (See last picture).
Marcus & Reid
Summer & Joy
Hubs & Chase
And I must admit, this fireman caught my attention.
It was the first time I ever wanted to be rescued :)
I really do love toddler birthdays, because parents usually get a little creative. The pictures below are from Reid's birthday, which took place at his local firehouse. Hubs thought it was the best toddler birthday ever - hmmm, I wonder why? (See last picture).
Marcus & Reid
Summer & Joy
Hubs & Chase
And I must admit, this fireman caught my attention.
It was the first time I ever wanted to be rescued :)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Thank You Nana Cris!
A special thanks to Nana Cris, who flew out to spend time with me while Hubs flew down South to attend Grand Daddy Herbert's memorial service.
Nana flew in on Thanksgiving, just in time to wait an additional two hours for our bird to cook -- high altitude makes it a little hard to time meals. For the first time in as long as we've been married, I had a chance to make Thanksgiving dinner and I was really looking forward to it.
We had a brined turkey (which was awesome!), sweet potatoes (with very little in them), stuffing with wild mushrooms (yum!), biscuits, home-made cranberry sauce (double yum), creamed corn (for Hubs), and a home-made apple pie for dessert. Good times. Made lots of notes about what to do better/different next time, too!
Bright and early the next morning, Nana drove Hubs to the airport. From there, she basically spent three days playing with Chase, non-stop. It was totally fabulous. They made play dough at 6:30 a.m., they painted tissue paper, put cloves in clementine oranges, built snowmen, went on walks, and made a gingerbread house (to name just a few activities). When Hubs returned, everyone decorated the tree, hung lights and set up the creche and the advent calendar, so now our house is downright Christmassy! Oooh I love it!
Thank you SOOO much Nana Cris!
Nana flew in on Thanksgiving, just in time to wait an additional two hours for our bird to cook -- high altitude makes it a little hard to time meals. For the first time in as long as we've been married, I had a chance to make Thanksgiving dinner and I was really looking forward to it.
We had a brined turkey (which was awesome!), sweet potatoes (with very little in them), stuffing with wild mushrooms (yum!), biscuits, home-made cranberry sauce (double yum), creamed corn (for Hubs), and a home-made apple pie for dessert. Good times. Made lots of notes about what to do better/different next time, too!
Bright and early the next morning, Nana drove Hubs to the airport. From there, she basically spent three days playing with Chase, non-stop. It was totally fabulous. They made play dough at 6:30 a.m., they painted tissue paper, put cloves in clementine oranges, built snowmen, went on walks, and made a gingerbread house (to name just a few activities). When Hubs returned, everyone decorated the tree, hung lights and set up the creche and the advent calendar, so now our house is downright Christmassy! Oooh I love it!
Thank you SOOO much Nana Cris!
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