Off to the Dr.

Wednesday morning, I called the Nurses hotline to see if Peyton's eye was something to come in for and they said that we should, so I made an apt for Noon.

So I was off on our first outing as just Mommy and Peyton.

We were not able to get and apt with Dr. Dessa, so we saw Dr. Hana (wasn't my fave Dr, I liked Dr. Dessa a lot better)

One good thing is that she's already back at her birth weight.. she weighed 8lbs 6.5ozs, 4 ozs more then when we were in on Friday.

The Dr. was surprised at how strong Peyton was, and for her eye she said that Peyton has a blocked tear duct, she said it's nothing to worry about at this point, that it is something very common in newborn babies, she showed me some ways to massage the tear duck and also gave us some antibiotic drops to put in her eyes to help the eye from getting infected during the flu season. We are to give her the drops every 4 hours (or when she is awake) for one week. It was a relieve that she had not caught anything and that it was something that was a normal development issue instead of her being sick. So it was worth making the trip in to the Dr only 4 days after we had been there the first time!

Mom's First Day at Home Alone with Peyton

Our 1st day home wasn't bad.
We had a little excitement when the power in the neighborhood went out. It was only out for 30-40 mins but it was still the thought of -okay, if it doesn't come back on soon then I need to go out and figure out how to put the base in my car so that I can take her over to the farm or down to my parents house or something, because with no power meant no heat and it was only 40 degrees outside. But before I knew it, the power was back on and everything was just fine. When R go home though, we made sure that the base got put in my car so if I did need to go anywhere, it wasn't a problem to do so.

Other then that, it was a pretty uneventful day, just some Mommy and Peyton time.

Here's some photos that I took while we were just laying around.

After a good day home, Daddy came home from work and then Grandma and Grandpa drove up for dinner. Also to join us was Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Van, they were in Colorado for Grandpa's toy show and a wedding when Peyton was born and had just got home that morning but were able to make their way over to our house as well to see Peyton. Talk about some proud Grandparents. I was really happy that they were able to make it out to see her, only one Great Grandparent to go...

I noticed that Peyton's left eye started to get a little crusty... As I didn't want to panic and worry about it, I was still concerned because of all the H1N1 Flu going around. I wanted to make sure that Peyton didn't catch something. So I decided to call the Dr. in the morning and see if it's something we should come in for or not.

Daddy's Last Day Home

Monday was R's last day home before he had to go back to work.

Both R and I agree it was the best day so far with Peyton.

We had a very lazy day, and that could have been part of why it was the best day so far.

Peyton let us sleep in until after 10, and then we sat around in our sweats all day and watched movies (Bedtime Stories and Bolt), took short naps on the couch downstairs and just played with Peyton until about 5.

Then Haley and Joe came over for dinner and some quality time with Peyton.

Joe held Peyton for the first time and I think it made the two of them want kids sooner then later!

It was such a nice way to spend our last day as a family before we start to face the real world again with work and life beyond our little family.

Papa's Girls

That's one proud Papa!

All 3 of his girls on his lap at one time!

After Peyton's first Vikings game at home, Papa posed for this photo will all his girls.

We need to work on getting Ella all dressed in Vikes stuff too. Ava has her AP Jersey on that R and I bought her last season and Peyton has on her pink Vikings pants (that are at least one sizs too big) and her pink Vikings bib, but she couldn't wear the onesie that matched cause it was as long as she was, or longer! So the whole outfit will have to wait a little while.

When we were at MOA Thursday, R found a Brett Farve Jersey but the smallest size they had was 12 months. So R didn't buy it cause she wouldn't fit in it this season. If you see a Vikings Brett Farve Jersey in 0-3 months pick it up and we'll pay you back. :)

Jay and Nancy's Anniversary

We had everyone out to the house for Jay and Nancy's Anniversary

I just had to mention how great it was when we were all downstairs in the basement (all meaning... Me, R, Peyton, Grandma Gail, Papa Bart, Cody, Tim, Anna, Ava, Ella, Jay, Nancy, Troy, Ryan, Bummer and Nikki.) We got stuff to play the dice game because Nancy wanted to play that and Peyton was sleeping in her pack-n-play and it got very loud- and by loud I mean, Ella started crying, Ava was not a happy camper and started throwing a fit on the floor and everyone kept talking and laughing and what did little Peyton do? Just slept... yep not even a little stir from her as she only sat feet away from the melt downs... She's going to fit in just fine with the family, we aren't a quiet family when we are all together so I was very excited that she was able to sleep threw it all and I hope she continues to be able to.

Peyton's First Dr Apt

Friday morning we went in for Peyton's first Dr. Apt.

Everything went really good, we really like the Dr. that we saw, Dr. Dessa.

When she came in, Peyton was working on a dirty diaper so she sat with us and talked to us for like 20 mins or so. Just going over little things, making sure we know who to call when we have questions and just making sure all of our questions were answered. I really wanted to make sure that we liked our Dr. and that she was on the same page as we were on our views at parenting. I did not want a Dr. that was all about breast feeding since we are not doing that and I didn't want to Dr. that was against introducing solid foods until after they are 6 months old. R was shocked when I asked when solid foods could be introduced. I didn't mean any day soon by any means but I wanted to know her answer to make sure she was the Dr. that would stick with. When she answered anytime from 4-6 months that was an answer I was alright with.

As for Peyton, she is already gaining weight again-- which she should be because she's eating like crazy!

But she's already working her way back to her birth weight at 8lbs 2.5ozs. = 66%

Her head has started to round out a little only measuring 14" now = 63%

and she's still measuring 21 3/4" long = 94%

She does not need to come back in for another apt until she is 2 months old.

Peyton's First Big Outting

We wasted no time to take Peyton on her first big day out and about.

Thursday morning, we got up and got everything together for our trip to Grandma and Grandpa Vanderlinden's. R took advantage of her not having much to wear to have her wear her onesie that I had bought to give to him when we found out we were pregnant- Yes daddy really did pick out her outfit to take her out like this.

On the way there, we stopped at R's work so that he could show Peyton off to some of the girls that he works with. We also go to see Aunt Bonnie for the first time, we called her when we got there and she came down to see her.
After R's work, we worked our way closer by stopping at Papa's work, so that he could show her off right before lunch.

Then off to the Mall of America- yep that's right, we took our 3 day old little one shopping at MOA! We went for 2 reasons, one it had been a long time since we have been down that way so that meant we needed to stop to get some Panda Express- Yummy! And then we walked around the mall going to all the childrens clothing stores looking for some newborn cloths for Peyton since we had not bought too much NB sizes because we didn't think that she would be in that size for too long since most says it's to 7lbs. We bought a lot of 0-3 month old clothing but it's too big, so we stopped at Gymboree, Children's Place, Carters and the Disney store... and believe it or not, we didn't buy anything! None of the stores had really anything that was for newborns... well cute stuff for newborns! So much for taking her out shopping!

When we got to Grandma's and Grandpa's we took a trip to Target to get Diapers and see what they have for some newborn clothing, and Grandpa bought Peyton a couple warm outfits. With the unusually cold weather we were having, we needed to get some warmer clothes for her to wear.

While at Grandma's she took some pics of Peyton in one of her new outfits that Grandpa had just bought her.

R said this is Peyton doing her "What" face, we have dicided that that is going to ber her first word because everytime R is talking to her he says "Whhaaat" (it doesn't type out very well)

More and more she's getting her daddy's face, she might have my nose but she is her daddy's girl. They feel asleep on me this morning, Peyton on my stomach and R on my arm and it was like looking in a mirror, same facial expressions and sleeping positions while they sleep.

That's our little chunker- Already eatting 3oz each feeding! Mama's little dancer??? Some day???

Going Home

Wednesday we were able to get home. I was discharged by 8am. We had to wait for the pediatrician Dr. to come in and discharge Peyton. They gave her the Jaundice test the night before and it came back low, so they had to do the test again this morning but everything came back just fine and the pediatrician wasn't worried about it at all. She did say that we should go in within Thursday or Friday for her first trip to the Dr. just to make sure. She passed her hearing tests just fine as well, and we were out of there by 10am.

She was discharged with a weight of 8lbs .2ozs.

She wasn't able to wear her Snoopy outfit because the onesie was too big but she looked super cute in her little monkey outfit.

It was really weird getting in the car with Peyton and driving off. I don't think it had sunk in too much until we drove away with her.

On the way home, we stopped at McDonalds and got breakfast which made the welcome home from Bubba interesting. When R let Bubba out of his kennel he was excited to see us since he had not seen us since Monday morning. Then he realized that there was McDonalds and something new... We took Peyton and lowered her down to his level and all he wanted to do was lick her. After a few mins he was more interested in the McDonalds still on the counter.

After we ate, Peyton fell asleep and we laid her down in her crib to sleep. Bubba took his chew up to her room and laid on the floor by her crib and chewed while me and R were down in the kitchen and upstairs putting everything from the hospital away. Every time Peyton would make a noise, Bubba would come to the top of the stairs and bark and then run to her doorway and sit there until we came in the room. Protective from day one. The rest of the morning, we sat around the house and watched movies and just relaxed.

After Ma and Pops were off of work, we headed over to the farm for dinner- Totinos! The first time in 9 months that I have been able to eat Totino's with no acid reflex to deal with after!
Bubba was okay in the car over- wanted to see her every time she made some noises but otherwise pretty good.

We have ourselves a little worrier! But I would rather have a dog that worries then one that is jealous, and so far he's showing no signs of being jealous.

Picture of Peyton's feet with her ID bracelets.

Hanging in the Hospital

Here are some photos of our 2nd say in the hospital.

Peyton had lots of visitors, Grandma and Grandpa Vanderlinden and Grandma and Papa Ives took the day off to spend the day in the hospital with us. Uncle Gerrit came up after school, Nancy and Jay came during the day cause Uncle Cody and Jay were going to the Twins game that night, so Jay wasn't going to be able to come with everyone that evening. My Friend Emily and her son Ollie came, as well as Anna, Ava and Ella. And that night Haley and Joe came again, along with Bummer, Nancy, Nikki and Grandma Mary. If all those visitors doesn't say that someone isn't loved, it at least says that someone is spoiled rotten already!

Grandma JoAnneAuntie Anna, Cousin Ava, Peyton and Cousin Ella! Aunt NancyGreat Grandma LorraineGreat Grandma Mary Cousin Nikki Haley
Peyton had a busy first 2 nights with Daddy-

She watched the Vikings game with Daddy on Monday and on Tuesday night she watched the Twins play the Tigers in the playoff game for the division title and the Minnesota Wild play thier first home game of the season. She must be a little good luck charm because the Vikings beat the Packers, the Twins beat the Tigers in 12 innings to be the divion champs in one of their last games in the Metrodome and the Wild won as well, making it their 9th year in a row to win on opening night! She's starting off on a roll with her daddy.

Peyton Marie Ives

Monday, October 5th of 2009
We became parents to a beautiful little girl!
Peyton Marie Ives

Monday Oct. 5th we went to Unity Hospital at 6:30am and started my induction to labor. When Dr. Hamel came in first thing in the morning, he said that the weekend had helped a little and that I was dilated up to 2+. They started me on Pitocin and we began labor. At the beginning it was pretty boring, got hooked up to the monitor (monitoring the same things as the NST) and the waiting game started for the day. Not knowing how long it would take or in R's case, what would be going on during the Vikings vs Packers game at 7:20. With both Grandma's and Grandpa's and Uncle Gerrit there, we sat around and talked and joked about the scene in "Baby Mama" where she's sitting on the birthing ball and they ask who wants drugs and she raises her had and goes "Whoo Whoo!" - the laughs were good to keep my mind off the pain when I could actually start feeling the contractions (the first couple I didn't even know I had- too bad they couldn't all stay like that!) Also to pass the time, R went online and did some shopping- He ordered her Minnesota Wild cozy cover for her car seat and her Lobster Halloween costume, I even did an update to the blog for the previous Monday apt.

When Dr Hamel came and checked on me around noon, I was about a 3+ and about 1pm, I took the epidural as the pain was starting to get to me. That was not fun... not that anyone said that it would be but at that moment it was like getting the pain from 2 places at once. But once it was done things got better and I was able to settle down a little bit and take short naps on and off. My legs felt like they were burning up but from waist up I was freezing.

At about 5:15pm R got back from dinner right as Donna my nurse came in with the Dr and they checked me again and I was already dilated to 9cm, and Donna said we are having a baby in the next 15 mins or so... Never tell a pregnant women in labor 15 mins... cause it was no 15 mins!

Just pushing wasn't working but once I was given the stirrups to pull on that helped speed up the process a little more.

We had one scare when we were getting close... Hamel checked on her position and asked for an ultrasound, I could not see anything that he was seeing on the ultrasound but Mom and Ma said that they did and that she was trying to

come out sideways. We heard Dr. Hamel say "that's what I thought" and we thought for sure that it was going to turn into a c-section. But with a little twist and turn, he helped her along and got her to turn her body so that her shoulders would came down and out correctly. He said at this point that I could keep trying to push and sometimes that helps or we could have the epidural upped to help reduce some of the pain, cause at this point I could feel EVERYTHING, the epidural was doing nothing at all! With the chances of the epidural sending me backwards and slowing things down again, I said I would keep pushing, total time pushing was an hour and 15 mins.

It was a long day with lots of "I just want to be done" comments from me and R trying his best to be supportive and not laughing at me in pain :), but after 12 hours and 45 mins of labor our little bundle of joy was born.

When the Dr. put her on my chest, the first thing I said was "she's got my God Damn nose!" and everyone laughed!

As they took her over to clean her up, I also finished up and shocked the Dr a little in the process. When he was looking at the placenta, he said that I should have had complications during pregnancy (other then the Preclampcia) because the umbilical cord was not in the middle of the placenta, it was off the side and that could have caused a lack of blood flow to the baby and he was shocked that it didn't. I was shocked when he was looking at it and he asked if R wanted to come and look at it and R actually went over and looked at it as he explained it to him. There's no way I could have looked at it.

But what a feeling, holding this little baby that had been inside of me for the past 9 months. To finally holding this baby that has been in the making for the last 22 months and seeing her moving, opening her eyes and hearing her cry, it was the most amazing feeling ever.

And to top R's day off, she was born at 7:17pm - the game started at 7:20pm and kick off wasn't until about 7:30pm, so he didn't miss any of the game. He even had the game turned on before the Dr. even left the room!

Everyone came to visit and were there at the hospital when she was born. Auntie Anna was outside the door talking Grandpa Bart through everything they were hearing, and she got to see Peyton before she had to go home to Tim who was home sick and had the kids. Aunt Nancy, Aunt Bummer and Nikki came too. Nikki got to hold Peyton before she was even 30 mins old, I know that made her day. And Haley, Joe, and Haley's mom even made it out before we moved to our new room-- at half time. The nurse could not have planned that any better. We got all settled to move right as half time started. R pushed the lullaby music that plays threw out the hospital saying that a baby was born and we made it into our room and were pretty much settled by the time the 2nd half started.

After settling in, I got to feed Peyton her first bottle (they told us she could eat about 1/2oz or so and she drank half the bottle - whoops - it was only 1oz that she had but still, that's where the little eater started!) We did have her stay in the nursery for the night, as I was really sore and tired and R's back was already out so sleeping in the chair that folded out meant he was not getting up fast or anything, so she slept there for the night to allow us to get a little sleep.

Here are some photos from Peyton's first couple hours. Our first family photo
And yes, R is looking up at the game and not at any of the cameras
Grandma JoAnne was taking the photos and we didn't get one of her holding Peyton right after she was born but she took her turn holding her

Grandpa StevePapa Bart Grandma GailUncle Gerri

Last Dr. Apt before the big day...

Friday Oct 2nd, we went in for our last Dr. apt.
Again everything was looking good. The NST test came back good and my blood pressure still had not spiked any further then it had been, weight went down a couple more lbs, I don't know what to expect for weight any more because of the water weight.
After checking her heart beat and looking at the test results from Monday, Dr. Hamel finally said it's time. Saturday is our due date and we will be at 40 weeks and he feels everything is fine to start inducing.

R had a preference when we went in that if we schedule for early next week, to do it Tuesday - because Monday night was the Vikings vs Packers game and he didn't want to miss it cause we were in labor. So we asked to do it on Tuesday and went for our NST while they worked on setting it up. R was not able to sit in for the test this time, cause there was another lady back there, so he had to go out to the lobby. Hamel came in while I was doing the test and said that he works Monday at the clinic and is the on call Dr. at the hospital Monday night and then back at the clinic on Tuesday, so if we set up the induction for Monday there is over a 90% chance that he would be the Dr. there at the time of delivery. So while R was in the waiting room I told him to go ahead and set up the induction for Monday morning. R was a little upset at first when he found out that there was a chance that he would be missing the game, but like the Dr. said, there's a TV in the room but he was on the same page as I was and really would like Hamel to be our delivering Dr. So in the end, he was okay with it just hoped all weekend that I would not be in the middle of delivering during the big game.

So Monday Oct 5th is the scheduled big day. We have to be at the hospital at 6:30am.
Grandma and Papa are going to follow us up to the hospital and Grandma and Grandpa are going to come up first thing int he morning and meet us at the hospital.

One last weekend to make sure that everything is taken care of and the house is ready to bring her home.

Snoopy Room

Peyton's room is finally ready for her to coome home (with the exception of some more little things to be hung on the wall and getting corner shelfs up for all Great Grandpa's Snoopy stuff- so done as in no more construction) Here are some photos...

The Snoopy statue in on the floor is influence to why Peyton's room is snoopy.

I made her crib sheet and dust ruffle and still have the curtin to make at some point.

Grandma is working on a red blanket to go in her crib too.

The decals are what really make the room Snoopy. There is plenty for her to look at while laying in her crib.

Even still found room for all her Sandra Magsamen stuff. R wants to get a one made with her name and her birth date to hang up as well.

Papa had the idea to curve the closet door to make the closet look like Snoopy's dog house.

Bubba loves Peyton's room. He thinks it's his play room though. When we took his kennel out of there when we found out we were pregnant he thought we cleaned it out for him. Ever since, he brings all his toys upstair and they are always all over her floor. He doesn't mind the furniture in the room as long as he has the middle of the room to play. Little does he know it's not a room for him...

Monday apt.

So after the long weekend after another stressful Friday afternoon apt we had another apt. Monday 28th. R and I were sure we were going in to set a date to be induced, but after everything came back just fine again with my blood pressure up just a little and the swelling staying pretty low key.
But he didn't, we continued the waiting game , said that we would talk about it again later in the week, said to make an apt Thursday or Friday... but he is not in the office Thursday so we made an apt for Friday at 1:50pm.

So the waiting game continues some more....