3 weeks old!

Sporting a Beatles onezie thanks to Aunt Danielle & an adorable white headband thanks to Mom-Mom Andi!

When I think about this blog and what I want to do with it - I always come back to the same point. I want a place to write down the memories, the everyday happenings of my peanut. 

Goal # 1? Post a picture of her every week, the same way I did my belly. I know I'm two weeks late but I will post pictures for weeks 1 and 2 at a later time.

Goal # 2? Updates from any doctor's appointments, etc. 

Goal # 3? Updates from any big adventures we went on, etc. 

And obviously write about anything that seems fun and interesting along the way... milestones and such. 

So. Goal # 1, accomplished! 

Goal # 2 - We had her second doctor's appointment on Friday. She did fabulous once again! I had the doctor check our her belly button. After it fell off, it continued to bleed a bit which resulted in my first phone call to the pediatrician (verdict? totally normal). She weighed a whopping 7 pounds, 11 ounces for an 8 OUNCE GAIN! Turns out eating every 2-3 hours really helps in the weight gain department ;) I am so proud of her. 

Goal # 3 - We've been everywhere! After reaching the point in my recovery where I was allowed to drive again, I hopped in my Nissan Rogue and never looked back. 

On Monday, we visited Josh at work and had lunch.

On Tuesday, I did a massive tour of Northeast Philadelphia visiting friends and family.

On Wednesday, my mama and my oldest niece, Ava, came over for the day which was fabulous. I was able to go to Target and my mama did some cleaning for me. We had a few visitors that day and night so it was really fun!

On Thursday, we went to Layla's first weekly dinner at my parent's house - she did great! We had yummy Israeli food and I chowed down on some hummus. 

On Friday, two of my best friends came over to spend the afternoon with Layla & I ...it was great to gossip and chat with them. Later that night, we went to Las Margaritas for yummy Mexican!

On Saturday, we went bridesmaid dress shopping for Rachel's October wedding - Layla did  so good and slept the whole time, allowing me to try on the dress! (Which, by the way, are beautiful...and Vera Wang!)

On Sunday, we had a surprise visit to the emergency room due to an adverse reaction to a medication Josh took -- thank God everything is fine and he is feeling much better. 

And that's just a few things Layla did this week...She is so easy and wonderful to go out with. I didn't know how I'd be as a mother but ultimately, I'm not afraid to expose her to new places and things. I don't let people touch her and she's always in her car seat but I think it's important she isn't kept indoors for too long. 

(On a personal note, I've now lost over 23 pounds and I don't plan on the weight loss stopping!! I can't wait to start using our new elliptical)

So that's that.

Layla, Josh & I are learning everyday -- her schedule is forever changing. She mostly eats every 2 hours (although last night it was every 3- 3 1/2 hours!). She sleeps a lot but is staying awake for longer periods throughout the day. She doesn't cry very much and it's always for a reason (for example, a massive poopy diaper or hunger). We've realized how much she loves her pacifier - it now seems cruel not to give it to her. She gets it only when she cant seem to calm down but they really seem to sooth her soul, so to speak. And the only ones I use are called "Soothies" - they're great for newborns! I'm still surprised that she's using a Paci but ...like everyone told me...

"Everything you plan and everything you think you'll do as a parent will be thrown out the window!"

Isn't that the truth...

She is sleeping beautifully in her swing and has been for about a week. We use the bassinet rarely.

Breastfeeding is going well - I'm far from a professional but I'm getting better everyday. My boobs still hurt and it's HARD work but worth it in the end :)

I'm still sad and worried sometimes..I'm still crying in the shower every so often but overall feeling MUCH better and calmer about it all. I'm almost healed from the C-Section but still feel pain from time to time. 

I'm learning and looking forward to the coming days... Layla's one fabulous little lady and this is the adventure of a lifetime. 

2 weeks down, a lifetime to go....

2nd Bath...clean and gorgeous!

As I write this, I'm laying in bed using Josh's laptop and quietly trying to squeeze 10 million things in before my pumpkin wakes up. She's snuggled herself into the perfect sleeping position and I can't help but stare in awe.

It's been a quick and interesting and fabulous and hard and exciting 2 weeks, to say the least.

Layla is changing every single day. Every time I think we're in a routine, she decides to shake things up. Prior to Layla, I was the ULTIMATE planner.. I always knew what was happening and when it was happening. And now, just like that...all my planning is literally thrown out the window and I'm forced to go with the flow. It's a good lesson, I suppose.

Layla is doing incredible. I may be biased but she is the most beautiful newborn I've ever seen.

She is breastfeeding like a champ, eating every 2-3 hours. It still hurts quite a bit but I'm pushing through and plan on nursing her as long as possible. With my sister's help, we put together my breast pump on Sunday. I was able to pump about an ounce and Josh gave her a bottle Sunday night - she did amazing! She literally took the bottle down in about 45 seconds and I had to nurse her afterwards. It was very cool and exciting (and no "nipple confusion" occurred, success!) I plan on pumping enough to freeze a stash and also have bottles ready so Josh can give her one bottle daily.. this allows me some time to sleep and allows them to bond. I just have to figure out how much she needs to in the bottle so gets full.

She is sleeping wonderfully (ish)... basically, nighttime she sleeps well and gets up every 2-3 hours to eat. Sometimes it takes a bit to get her back to sleep but she's getting the hang of it. She's also basically sleeping in the bassinet my sister in law lent me all night long. At first, we had her sleeping in the fisher price sleeper and she hated it which resulted in her sleeping on me all night long. I happen to LOVE having her sleep on me but I don't want it to become a habit. (She still sleeps on me every morning and we nap together everyday..how can I resist??)

We introduced the pacifier to her.. she LOVES it but I don't want it to become an everyday occurrence so I'm only using it when she can't calm down (not very often).

She's pooping and peeing what seems to be every 28 seconds and loves the wipe warmer!

She's still wearing newborn clothes, some of which are giant on her.. It's too cute.

We had her first doctor's appointment last week - she did amazing. I LOVE her pediatrician and the office was so nice. It's a brand new building so everything is nice and clean. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. We go to the doctor again on Friday to make sure she's gaining enough weight.

This morning, Josh noticed her belly button is hanging on by a thread, literally. It's crazy! I'm excited for it to really fall off so we can give her a real bath.

Yesterday was the first day I was allowed to drive -- our first official trip was to visit Josh's work. It was great! She slept the entire time :) Afterwards, the 3 went to Fridays for our first family meal out together. It was so fun! Last week she went to Red Lion diner TWICE and to Las Margaritas once... I was nervous to take her out but the pediatrician assured me that it was okay. She did great.

Sunday was Father's Day - we had a beautiful day together although I feel bad that I didn't get a chance to buy Josh anything - I plan on going this week ;) It was also the day Josh's mom left to go back to Florida.. it was really, really sad. She was a huge help in the first 2 weeks of Layla's life. She helped with everything from house chores to babysitting so Josh & I could sneak out for an hour. It was so incredible to have her here and I don't think I would have survived without her! We can't wait to have Josh's parents visit again in July!!

AND that's about it... this hodge podge of a blog entry is exactly how my life is right now. My heart is so full with love for my darling girl. I'm learning everyday how to be a good mama. Sometimes, when I feel like I'm doing everything wrong and I can't figure it out and I sit in the shower crying -- I remind myself that I'm new at this and Layla will understand.

I promise a real update soon, one that isn't impossible to read and isn't all over the place. I'll leave you with a picture of my sleepyface.

Morning Snooze!

*Layla Jules England*

(A quick entry while she naps...)

On June 6, 2011 at 9:13 AM weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches long - our perfect, amazing, incredible, gorgeous and insanely wonderful daughter was born. The C-Section was a great experience (I'll write more about that later this week) and we couldn't have asked for a better newborn.

Breastfeeding is going really well - she sleeps, eats and poops like a champ and we're slowly getting into a routine.

I can't remember life before her.

Josh has been the ultimate father and husband - I can't say it enough. I'm so lucky and proud to be married to him. He's completely in love with Layla and is so gentle and sweet with her. He has helped me recover from surgery and is willing to do anything and everything to make sure I'm happy and comfortable. We make a great team -- he is in charge of diapers and I'm in charge of feeding! ;)

We are so humbled by all the love and support we've received this past week - between the phone calls, texts, gifts, facebook messages, and visits -- we've realized just how lucky we are to be surrounded by family and friends.

Today we had our newborn pictures taken with Erin McCombie, a photographer I found on www.thebump.com -- she was so awesome. We took some family shots (I pray I don't look like a whale - I'm currently down about 15 pounds but I have a lot more to go!) but tons of Layla by herself. She looked so sweet - my mom said it reminded her of Anne Geddes! Erin came to our house and we shot everything in her nursery which was so easy and wonderful. I was able to nurse her and it was a relaxing way to take newborn pictures. I have a feeling I'm going to end up printing all of them!!

We have her first doctor appointment tomorrow and I'm excited to see how she is doing - plus she hasn't left the house since we came home from the hospital. It will be good for us both! (I've been lucky enough to venture out to Babies R Us, Dicks and CVS! - thanks Grandma Lisa for babysitting!)

I'll leave you with some pictures from my IPhone - I plan on uploading the pictures from my camera sometime tomorrow -- it's just so hard to do anything but stare at her face!

39 weeks pregnant and ready to POP! About to head to the hospital...

Nervous, anxious, excited!

LJE - 5 minutes old! 

My heart.

Sleepy and elated.

Seriously. I know I'm biased but she has the most beautiful face I've ever seen.

3 AM -- ready to eat. This is my favorite picture so far. She looks like Buddha.

Ready to go home!!!!

First bath!!!

Sneak peek of her newborn photos <3

p.s. HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM-MOM MILLIE!!! 89 YEARS YOUNG AND FABULOUS AS EVER!!!!!!

Last blog with an inside baby...

Dearest Layla Jules,

Here we are. Less then 24 hours until we get to kiss your sweet face and hold you in our arms. The past 39 weeks have been an incredible journey. Despite feeling a little sick and a little sleepy, I've loved every second of pregnancy. I'll never forget the 2 positive lines on the pregnancy test (we jumped up and down on the bed), the first time we saw you on the ultrasound, the first time we heard your heartbeat (by far, the best sound in the world), the first time I felt you move or the first time I realized I'm going to have a daughter. You are so very loved and always will be. I'll miss you in my belly but we are ready to finally see your face!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW <3

Love,

Mama

.......

HIYA :)

I'm blogging a day early because at 6:30 AM tomorrow, we'll be leaving for the hospital. They were able to move up my C-Section time from 3 PM to 8:45 AM which is FABULOUS (no more fasting for an entire day!) - today we are relaxing. Josh's parents are coming into town from Florida this afternoon and tonight we're having dinner along with my parents. It should be a great way to celebrate our "last night". I'm trying to tie up loose ends (balancing the checkbook, doing laundry, cleaning) because i know the next week will be a little insane. 

I'm nervous for tomorrow but weirdly calm about it too -- I trust that everything will go okay. I hope the C-Section is uneventful and goes smooth. I pray that Layla is healthy and happy and lovely. I wonder if breastfeeding will come naturally or if I'll have to work at it? I wonder if I'll react weird to the pain medications? I wonder if Josh will pass out when he has to cut the cord? (hahaha - just kidding). I have a million thoughts zooming through my head but I'm trying to just GO.WITH.IT. All my planning, all my preparations will most likely fly out the window the minute she's in my arms.

Thank you to everyone that has read my blog each and every week -- it has been so much fun to document this crazy journey and look back to see how big my belly has gotten!! I hope to continue with this after she is born - it's a fun way to keep track and remember all the little moments that will go way too fast. 

For all the amazing people that have said they are going to visit in the upcoming weeks - we can't wait for you to meet our girl! Please be aware I'll probably look really ugly and may be a bit sleepy but it doesn't mean I'm not excited to see you. Please also be aware I'm going to ask you to wash your hands about 903 times and if you're sick, I won't let you within 15 feet of her.  Seriously though, we can't wait for Layla to meet all the fabulous people that we share our lives with. 

With love - 

Court <3

LAST  BELLY PICTURE!!!!! :) 

•How far along?: 39 weeks tomorrow.     

•How big is baby?: At my last doctor's appointment, she felt the baby was between 6 1/2 and 7 pounds. We shall see!! (I had a dream the other night she was 10 pounds, 4 ounces - I was really sad because she didn't fit into her newborn outfits, hahaha). 

•Weight gain: OFFICIAL WEIGHT GAIN -- 52.6 pounds. I should have gained between 25-35 pounds. So basically, I'm double where I should be. Luckily we are ordering the elliptical this week!! ;) Best push present ever! 

•Maternity clothes?: I will packing away my maternity clothes ASAP - except my yoga pants. I think those will remain a staple in my closet for years to come - too comfortable!! ;)

.•Sleep?:  Hoping and praying to get some much needed sleep in the hospital this week! lol

•Food cravings?: This whole pregnancy has been one huge Dairy Queen festival. I think I alone have kept them in business the past 9 months.

•Gender?: Girl - hopefully. Otherwise, we have a lot of returns to make. ;) 

•Stretch marks?: I MADE IT STRETCH MARK FREE!!!!! 

•Movement?: I feel bad for her - I think she ran out of room in there!! She moves a lot but I think she'll be happy to stretch out her little piggies and fingers!

•Labor signs?: Pressure, pressure, pressure. Random contractions (I think??) but nothing otherwise. It would be really funny if I went into labor today.  

Belly button in or out?: Half in, half out. 

•What I miss: NOTHING!! I'm SO ready to meet my bee. 

•Milestone: We made it. <3