Updates

Well it has been an eventful December I must say. We have had fun these past four weeks. Drew has been on break since Melanie was born. He has to go back to school on Monday. We have had so much fun, but I think we are ready for a routine. We have been spending time with family and friends, watching movies, going on walks, eating food, and catching up on sleep. I definitely think that Melanie was born on December 5th for a reason. I have been so lucky to have Drew home for as long as I have. He has been awesome. He helps out at night as much as he can and is happy to do it. He loves Melanie so much it is so cute.
Yesterday was our anniversary, and I forgot my camera but it was really fun. We went to a really romantic movie.... True Grit. Ok not so romantic but it was pretty good. We then went to PF Changs and exchanged our traditional letters to each other. Melanie joined us for dinner and slept the whole time.
Things have been going well. She is off and on with sleeping well at night. Don't ask me about last night, but it hasn't been too bad overall. It's so funny, because when I first get up in the middle of the night I am so exhausted and think I am going to sleep all day tomorrow, but then the next day comes, and I think, oh that wasn't too bad. And then the same thing happens the next night. I just don't like sleeping during the day, there are so many other things I want to do. She is growing up quick. There is something we see her do that's new every few days. Other than that she is great. Very cute and lovable.

Four generations.

Oh my goodness, this little lady LOVES her changing table. She would spend all day there if she could.

My friend Susan and I. They are three days apart.

My sister Lori and I with Brayden and Mel. They are matching with their cute little outfits. "All I want for Christmas is my Auntie." Don't they look happy?

Drew with Kyla and Sawyer

I love how much Kyla (my niece) loves Melanie. She wants to "pet" her hair all the time.
And check out those boots. It's not a good shot of them but they are awesome.

She loves her aunt.

Great Grandma

These are her little baby pics a friend of mine took a few weeks ago.

Melanie Ann Foster

Here is a little video we put together of the first week of Melanie Ann's life. Special thanks to Justin Bieber for music, Margaret for taking the pictures in front of the tree (for a Christmas/announcement card), and Melanie for being so cute and easy to love. Enjoy.

The Babe

Melanie Ann Foster arrived on Sunday December 5th at 11:40 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds 13 oz. Actually smaller than I anticipated, but that is still a good sized baby. Everything went well. On Saturday night at 1:30 I woke up with contractions. We timed them and they were 5 minutes apart so we called and went to the hospital. The contractions got worse and worse. Pretty much the minute we got there the nurse asked if I wanted an epidural. I was thinking well... yeah... but it's only been 3 hours. I was worried it would slow down labor,(and that it was a little wimpy) but she said it wouldn't. I decided to do it. AND oh my goodness was I a happy lady. Holy cow, honestly I don't know how people do it naturally. I applaud anyone who does. That will probably never be me. I did have a patch that it didn't reach, but it actually helped me know when to push because I knew when I was having a contraction so it all worked out. I was in labor for ten hours. And I was progressing great. I pushed for an hour. And it wasn't too bad until the very end. OH MY GOODNESS, I thought if I had an epidural that it wouldn't hurt that bad. I was very wrong. After she crowned it was the worst pain of my life. But the moment she came out it was pure joy. What an experience. It's crazy.
So far, she has been a dream. It's just so intense how much you love your own child. WOW. I am obsessed with her. She is the cutest. Nursing has been so great. She just latched right on, and hasn't had a problem (except when she can't stay awake) since. I love that time. Watching her little fingers touch me and grab onto my shirt kills me, it's just sooo cute. Her little body melts my heart. I also love love her hair. I think it will all fall out and maybe change colors, but I love it right now. Her cry is a very cute cry too.
The first night we were home was a rough one. I got one hour of sleep. But then last night was great. She does not like sleeping flat on her back yet, so we have her in the swing and she loves that.
We had our first doctor's appointment today and she is doing great. She does have jaundice I am sure you can tell. We have to go back tomorrow to see if she needs her own little tanning bed. So we will see.