3 Months!

 

 

At 3 months Clare is...

Wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes(some 3-6 month clothes too). 

Eating 5 ounces of Mommy's milk and formula every 4 hours around the clock with a long stretch at night. (5-5.5 hours)

Loving bath time still, and has begun splashing too!

Laughing, smiling, "talking" up a storm, and playing!

Fascinated with all animals and is very cuddly with Keona our oldest dog.  They can't give each other enough kisses.

Sleeping in her own room in her crib at night, and while napping.

Sitting in her high chair or Bumbo and "helping" mommy cook and bake. She is a little chef already!

Still loves "The Price is Right".

No checkup this month but it looks like she is about 13 lbs on our scale at home.

 

She no longer has a fussy time of day and is such a happy girl!  We are still using "Babywise".

 

Clare finally got to meet her BFF Roz this month as well! Roz's mom, Lindsey, and I were due 5 weeks apart during our pregnancies.  The girls obviously love each other!

 

2 months old!

 

At 2 month Clare is...

Wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. 

Eating 3.5 ounces of Mommy's milk and formula every 3 hours around the clock with a long stretch at night. (4-5 hours)

Loving bath time still!

Sleeping at night with Mommy and Daddy, and napping in her swing.

At her two month checkup she was 11lbs 5oz and 22.4 inches long!

She has started to get over her fussy time of night, thank you Jesus, and on a schedule.  We started a flexible "Babywise" (eat, play, sleep every 3 hours) routine, and it is really helping!

 

 

 

 

1 Month Old Already???

                                    

Her 1 month picture just so happened to fall on the day before Halloween!  She was Minnie Mouse. :)

At 1 month Clare is...

Wearing newborn size diapers and clothes. 

Eating 2.5 ounces of Mommy's milk and formula every 2.5- 3 hours around the clock

Loving bath time

Sleeping at night with Mommy and Daddy, but waking just enough to eat ;)

At her one month checkup she was 9lbs 4oz and 20 inches long!

She has a fussy (fussy in this case is screaming... please please please don't be colic) time from around 8-10pm every night,  but is calmed by the vacuum and George Michael's "Careless Whisper" (no idea). We started a flexible "Babywise" routine around 2 weeks, and it is really helping!

On Halloween day she was Wonderwoman!

Isn't she lovely?

Well... She's here!  It has been a while since I have gotten a chance to write, and there is so much to cover from the last month!  Until I get caught up, here is the story from the big day... ummm big days.

Tim and I went to our 40 week appointment on 9/28/2011, one day past Miss Clare's due date, to have an ultrasound and check on her amniotic fluid. This was a precaution to ensure she had enough to continue the pregnancy a bit longer.  We were both prepared to beg for something to make me go into labor, and had even practiced what we would say. (I was going to make myself cry. Love pregnancy horomones.) While they were checking her out they noticed her umbilical cord was attached to an odd place in the placenta, which could be dangerous if it came out before her, so they sent us down to labor and delivery right then to be induced!  No fake tears or crazy lines needed.  We were so shocked that we both sat there with an "Oh crap. What do we do now?!" look on our faces!  As prepared as we thought we were for that day, it all went out the window in a sheer panic right then and there!  My normal doctor, Dr. Bilotta,  was on vacation that week, and I was so nervous to go through this without him there.  However his daughter Brooke Bilotta, who graduated from SHA with me, was there to take care of me as a labor and delivery nurse in the evenings and another SHA gal Gretchen Fuchs was my daytime nurse.  It was so comforting to have  familiar faces there working to get Clare here. I knew Iwas in good hands.

The whole labor process was a lengthy one for us as I had not dilated or effaced at all up to that point.  I was contracting on my own but that was about it!  The whole day on Wed 9/28/2011, was used with one medication to help me become effaced.  The whole day Thurs 9/29/2011 was used to dilate, break water, and wait...and wait...and wait.  35 hours into my labor, I was still only 4cm dilated, and every time I would contract Miss Clare's heart rate would drop.  The nurses were in with every contraction to change my position in hopes that it would help Clare. I had my epidural at this point and couldn't move my legs on my own.   Finally at 10 pm they found that if I sat straight up she was fine.  So straight up I slept!  At around midnight they discovered I was 9 cm dilated finally!  Almost ready to go!

That night in the hospital was a busy one.  Every L&D room was filled.  When it was time to push, 2 am on 9/30/2011 (39 hours later), there were just three of us in the room.  Nurse Brooke, Timmy, and me!  We all had a task to do and went to it.  It was the most intense and amazing experience I have ever had.  It's crazy that you just know what to do.  No amount of words can ever describe it.  Brooke was an amazing coach, and Timmy was such an awesome cheerleader.  30 minutes later Brooke said, "Katie I'm sorry. I need you to stop pushing, and press your call button."  Somewhere in the jumble of words to call the Dr in, because Clare was ready to make her appearance right then, I heard the person on the other line ask if we wanted fries with that... UH WHAT???  There was something wrong with the intercom and she couldn't hear us.  Uh oh...  Finally the other nurse came in to say she couldn't hear us, saw what was happening, and went to get help.  However, my child waits for no one!  She came on out, and  into Brooke's arms!  Clare Ellison O'Dea was born into the world at 2:46 am on 9/30/2011. (I remember the actual time on the clock because I actually called out the time to them myself!)  The on call Dr hurried into the room at 2:47 am.  Just one minute late. Things really do happen for a reason.  A Bilotta delivered our baby after all, and it made it so special to have someone we know do that for us.  She came out screaming, and was absolutely perfect.  At first sight she looked so familiar.  Like I already had met her somewhere before. All the noise in the room just went quiet to us, and Tim and I marveled at the sight of this beautiful baby girl.  We had prayed so long and so hard for her to get here, and here she was.

Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love

Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love

Fashionably late???

Today is Clare Bear's actual due date!  Tim has been such a trooper helping me with just about everything as we continue to grow grow grow!  Unfortunately, there are still no signs that she will make an appearance. :(    I have to admit these last few weeks have seemed longer than the entire pregnancy combined.  We are so close to getting to meet her, and are so curious to know everything about her!  We are as ready as we can possibly be for her arrival!  We go to the doctor tomorrow to have my 40 week check up and to have an ultrasound done.  This will help make sure she is getting enough fluid, etc.  I am so hoping they will provide some insight on her getting here!  We will update everyone when we know something!

We have had an interesting past few weeks with Keona our 9 year old Rottweiler mix.  She began limping about 4 weeks ago, and had surgery to remove a 3-4 lb lipoma in hopes that would help relieve joint pressure.  After surgery, and different trials on meds, we finally have had success with an antibiotic that treats Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  She is able to walk again and has her princess personality back!  Just in time to meet her little sister!

Her brother Bentley was such a good nurse and stayed downstairs with her the whole recovery.  He, and his best buddy Rocky (the raccoon), have been working overtime taking care of the women in our family lately.  He doesn't leave our side until his Dad gets home.  Then it's dad's turn, and then Bentley's nap time!

Daddy's Diaper Party

So, last night many of my close friends gathered at our local Hooters restaurant and threw a diaper party for me.  The night was set up by my bro in law Jay and my great friend and brother from another mother Josh.  After 30 minutes of debate, I was able to use my sales skills to convince our waitress I didn't need to wear the diaper they had made for me.  It was a different kind of guys night out but one that I will never forget.  Sharing stories, drinking, eating, laughing, drinking (thanks to my father in law Mike for the Irish car bomb), and just being surrounded by good friends was an unbelievably good time.  Towards the end, the expectant mom showed up which made the night complete.  She came bearing gifts and although it took me a bit to figure out what it was....it was Clare's first bike, a Louisville Tricycle!

To say we have a good start on the diapers would be an understatement! 

Special thanks to all those who came out last night and again to Jay and Josh for putting the event together.

Shea Shower, Work Shower, only 5 more weeks! OH MY!!!

I have been meaning to catch up on my blogging, but time has been flying by!  (I'm not good at this game yet.)  So much is going on these days preparing for Miss Clare!  The nursery is almost finished, pics to come upon completion, and I am still feeling pretty well!  Clare's best friend Roz was born this past Monday, and she has been throwing a party for her ever since.  She is so excited to come join her!

We recently had a shower at my mom's house given by my mom Donna, sister Brigid, sister Mary, and step-mom Vicki.  The food was soooo good!  It was so good to see a few of my oldest/best friends, and of course my family.  If you know me well, you know how much I love having family around.  These last few months have been wonderful with all the quality time!  Clare is just about set on everything she could need.  We just need her!

Yummy party favors made by Brigid.

Wreath for the hospital room door made by Mary and Vicki.

Thursday of last week my friends at work gave me a surprise shower as well!  They were so sweet to pitch in and buy her swing, and a few other nice things!

Only 5 more weeks to go!  We are officially counting down the days!  The doctor says I am doing well, and that our little baby is doing just fine.  Whenever he tries to listen to her she kicks the heartbeat monitor.  At-ti-tude!  I love it! :)

Me and Clare with 5 weeks to go!

We will be sure to write again very soon!

Daddy, Mommy, and Clare!

O'Dea Shower for Clare Bear!

This past weekend Emily, Kiki, and Theresa held a baby shower for Miss Clare at Emily's house for the O'Dea side of the family. Most of Clare's great aunts, cousins, aunts and grandmothers were able to come and spend the afternoon with us.  It was so much fun, and pink!  I think it is safe to say that Clare will be the best dressed little girl this side of the Mississippi! 

Aunt Emily and Aunt Kiki made an adorable sign that was on Emily's front door right as we walked up.  It is now hanging on Clare's nursery door. :)

The food was fantastic, but I think Clare's (ok really mine but just go with it) favorite food were the cake balls!

Timmy showed up at the end just in time to open the last few gifts.  He walked in with two pink roses and said, "One rose for each of my girls.".  He is just the sweetest!

What a wonderful day!  Thanks girlies!

That's your nose! That's your chin!

Today we went to Early Images to have a 4D ultrasound performed.  We have been so curious to see Clare's little face, and just couldn't wait any longer!  Tim and I made an appointment for today at 8pm in hopes that all of our parents would be available to join us.  All six parents made it out! 

In all of our previous ultrasounds, Clare has had her arms up by her face.  Tonight she did again... in addition to a foot!  She was very sleepy, but the ultrasound tech got her to move that foot long enough to grab some pictures.  We all tried to see who she looks like, but I saw so much of Tim in her face.  She's gorgeous!  I think she has her daddy's nose, and my mouth (that could be dangerous).  Either way, she is just the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.  She cooperated for pictures for a bit.  In the end, she just put those little arms up, blocked her face, and went to sleep.  Total diva...






Profile



A little more of a front view with her arms up.



No more pictures please!







Paparazzi

Well today certainly was an exciting and adventurous one for mommy, daddy, and Clare.  Katie and I were both off work and we spent part of our day off at Fusion Photography for our Maternity Pictures.  My high school friend Nate took such good care of us and spent nearly two hours shooting photos of the three of us.  I must say I was absolutely blown away by my stunning wife.  For a good part of the shoot, I was able to sit back and take it all in as she posed for different pictures.  She is the most beautiful woman I've ever met and she's even more beautiful with Clare inside of her.  She looked like a professional model and it's going to be a long two weeks before we can see the pics!  We will post some on here for sure as soon as we get to preview them so stay tuned!

We are both off work tomorrow too and have an exciting night planned with our parents as we are heading to Early Images to get our 3D and 4D pictures of Baby Clare.  Seeing her face is all I have been able to think about over the past two weeks and we are so anxious to see her facial features and everything that comes with those photos!  Check back Thursday!

Timmy

The First Post!

This is the proud Aunt Emmy to Miss Clare, whom I cannot wait to meet in just a couple of months now!  I already love this little girl so much, and I don't want to miss anything in her little life! So, I have started this blog for her Mommy and Daddy to document all of the fun, cute, messy, silly stuff she will do!  Get to blogging little mama!  :)   By the way, if you are reading this before I texted you....YOU CHEATED and looked before I got it finished!!!!!!  Love you all!