Avery is two weeks old!

We have made it two weeks! And it has not been easy.

Thankfully I have had tons of help from my Mom, Ryans Mom, and my sister Carly. I have not had to be home alone with both of the kiddos yet. And my good friend, Stevie, is coimng in from Dallas this week to help out. My mom is in LA now, awaiting the arrival of my neice, Charlotte. I can't wait to have her back but I know she is needed there too.

The first few days and nights were great because Avery slept so much, now things have changed. She cries ALOT more than Sage did as an infant. I am exclusivley breast feeding so that has been a struggle as well. Avery wants to eat whenever she is awake. She is either screaming or eating or sleeping on me. I have had a few all-nighters.

I called the doctor yesterday to see if she had any advise for me. She said it sounded like Avery was using me as a pacifier and to try different kinds and sizes of pacifiers to see if she is satisfied that way. That helped alot last night. She slept in between feedings pretty well. I put a small travel infant bed in the bed with me, so I have been sleeping right next to her with my arm in her bed holding her pacifier in untill she falls asleep. Or sometimes I fall asleep in the glider while burping her. Last night I was so tired we just stayed in the glider until her next feeding. Whatever works right now! Its survival mode for the first few months I remember.

Hopefully tonight gets even better.

Now for Sage...

He is pretty good with her. He always wants her to have her pacifier and wants to put it in her mouth. He gets a little upset sometimes when I am holding her or feeding her and can't hold him. I hate when that happens. Two nights last week he stayed with my in-laws and I missed him so much. But I know that he has more fun over there right now. That has been one of the hardest things. Having something for Sage to do ALL THE TIME. Avery is pretty easy during the day, but Sage needs to be active. That is what I fear when I'm alone with the two of them. I don't want Sage to be infront of the TV all day or be bored or feel like he is second in any way.

Which brings me to my next thought. I hate it when people tell me that my only job right now is to breastfeed my baby. That is not my ONLY job. I have another child to take care of and love. I am not opposed to supplementing with formula. I havn't had to yet, but I think that is perfectly fine. Sage was a formula fed baby and he is just fine. Whatever the next few weeks bring, I know that I am doing what is best for Avery, Sage, Ryan, and myself. Thats all that matters.

I'll leave you with a few new pictures of my angels!

In Daddy's ties

Our first outing- to Jessica and Danny's house of course!

Sleeping with her new paci!!!

Bath Time!

Avery's first bath at home

My little boy!

He loves all of Avery's toys and chairs!

First Doctor Visit

We had to go to the Doctor the day after we got home from the hospital because we were able to leave a day early. Avery was 6 lbs 14 oz, so she lost a little weight. She was born at 7 lbs 10 oz. Then we found out that she had jaundice. Her levels were high enough that our dr. wanted us to start phototherapy and come back the next day. We went to the doctor the next three days, checking her levels each time. Avery screamed and cried everytime she got her heel pricked and squeezed to get blood. When at home Avery had to be in her lighted bed and blanket at all times unless she was feeding. It was hard not to hold her, but I knew the longer she was in the lights the faster her jaundice would clear up. On Friday we got news that her levels were stable so we could stop phototherapy. It was great to have her out! We will be going to the doctor for her two week appt. and hopefully everything is perfect.

Here are some pictures of her at the doctor and in her tanning bed :)

First visitors

Avery had a lot of visitors during her short stay at the hospital. I didn't get a picture of everyone, but I got a few. Thanks to everyone that came and visited!

The Catos

Ring around the rosie with Lia!
Jessica

Sage got to put his Big Brother handprints on the wall at the hospital. Jenny McKee, our good riend and the nurse that delivered Sage, helped sage with his handprints! Thanks Jenny!

Sunday was a long day, Sage went outside the hospital to play for a bit

Time for home early! We got to leave Sunday evening!

Avery is here!

Avery Renee DesAutels is finally here, and we couldn't be more happier and feel more blessed!

I was supposed to be induced Saturday, but there was not a bed available for me.

Saturday morning

Just the three of us for one more night

Lets try this again...Sunday morning!

I had another easy and fast labor, thank you Lord! I was induced at 6:40, got the epidural at 9:30 and she was born at 12:42. I started feeling the contractions at the very end but thats just because I progressed so quickly. I only pushed through one contraction and she was out!

Sage loved playing with the curtains in the Labor and Delivery Room

We had our friend Ciri as our nurse the whole day and she was amazing! Sage, My parents, Ryans parents, Carly and Jason, and Jacob and Laurie were all at the hospital for Avery's arrival. After a little alone time with Momma and Dadda, Avery was greeted by lots of family!

Sage was a little bit weirded out by me in the hospital bed at first but then warmed up to it. He didn't want to get close to Avery at first, but once we got to the post pardum room, he was holding her and giving her kisses. He is such a great big brother already. He always wants to put her paci in. And point out her eyes, nose, mouth, ect. We are working on the rule that you can not touch her face.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

How will I ever be able to sleep?

Avery will be here in less than 12 hours!!

(If everything goes as planned)

Sage is at Ryan's parents house for the night and Ryan is having some drinks with friends from work. I'm here at the house just getting last minute things ready, packing the car, and trying to relax.

Some things that are going through my mind tonight are...

I can't wait to hold this precious blessing from God tomorrow!

I wonder what she will look like.

I wonder if the labor goes as smooth as Sage's did.

I wonder if my Mom will be able to be at the hospital when I have her (she is speaking at a HUGE convention tomorrow that has been planned for months. I'm so proud of her and know she will touch so many lives with her speech)

Can I love another child as much as I love Sage?

And the big question that has been bothering me all day...

Will Sage in some way feel neglected or feel ANY less loved than he does now? Is this fair to him? He has only had me to himself for a little under two years. Will I be able to give equal amounts of alone time to both children?

Mothers of two...Can you ease my mind a bit?

I can't wait to have Avery here and be a family of four! I love having a brother and sister of my own. I always wanted two children. This is something I have been waiting for, for as long as I can remember. This is giong to be an amazing challenge and blessing to Ryan and I. So why am I getting so nervous tonight?!?!

How will I ever be able to sleep tonight.....

An End in Sight!

I went to the doctor today and she wants to induce me THIS SATURDAY!!

Avery's estimated weight is 7 lbs. 13 oz. She is a big girl already, and Dr. Norton doesn't want her to get any bigger. Plus, I am so ready to be done. Avery is fully developed, and I will be 38 weeks and 1 day on Saturday. So, as long as there is an open bed for me Saturday morning, I will be induced! Of course, I could go into labor before then too. (Dr. Norton stripped my membranes today so it could happen)



My sister in law, Suzanne, is also pregnant and I think she will have her baby girl any day now too. She isn't due until the end of the month, but I'm pretty sure our baby girls will have birthdays VERY close together. I know my mom is going crazy because she wants to be here with me and in LA with Brian and Suzanne. Hpefully everything works out and we have our girls at least a week apart. We will see, I think Suzanne is close!! And I am only three days away!!

I can't leave without a pic of Sage!

His first ring pop! He loved it!

Bailey and Carly came over last Saturday night. Bailey watched as we read books and put Sage to bed. Sage loved when Bailey got on his bed and chair. He would run and lay or sit with him. Bailey wasn't that amused but didn't seem too bothered by him. Sage LOVES him! Everytime we say Carly or J is coming over he always asks "woof, woof?" So cute!