Mommy Time

My parents came out for almost a week.  It was beyond nice to have them here.  They cooked and cleaned and talked through some baby issues.  They never told us how to do things, they asked us how we wanted to do things.  I will be forever grateful for that time.  Ryan and my dad even got some golf in! 

Being a mom I know feel a deeper connection to my mom.  I now understand why when I hurt, she hurt.  When I was disobedient how it impact her whole being.  I look at Maija and just can't imagine her ever doing anything wrong, but I know she will.  I know through the teens we will have our ups and downs.  I am not looking forward to it.  For now I will cuddle and love her, she is dependent on me and I am totally fine with that.  I will take it all in. 

My mom is such a good grandma and has such a strong bond with both of her granddaughters already.  Can't wait to be up at the lake with her soon!

Big mile stones: 

• Maija went on her first social outing at 7 days to ChicFila- She slept through the whole experience

• Maija put on 5 oz in her one week appointment so she is almost up to her birth weight
• Maija started to suck on a pacifier and it is almost as big as her whole face

• Maija lost her umbilical cord yesterday- thank goodness, it was gross
• We think we found a dimple!

The best dad's in my life.

I mean, how can you not cry?!  Just brings tears to my eyes.  Ryan is a great daddy.  [They both sleep the same with their mouths WIDE open].

And my dad holding my daughter, it's just the best.

Welcome Maija Brianne Robinson!

We are so thankful with the quick labor and delivery and the welcome of our beautiful daughter Maija Brianne Robinson.  (Yes, you pronounce it like Maya say "My Uh").  We liked the name Maija and the scandanavian spelling.  It means "by the sea" which is perfect for living in Dana Point.  Her middle name is after her auntie Krista Brianne Goff.  She has been such a good little girl- she sleeps and eats very well making my recovery a lot easier. 

I went into labor at 1:15am on February 28.  Ryan and I hung out at home timing the contractions and discussing when we should head to the hospital since it was a 45 minute drive.  When my contractions were 6-7 minutes apart we decided, it was time!  Off we went, as soon as we started up the freeway my contractions were about 5 minutes apart and getting stronger.  I did end up getting the epidural although it didn't go so well so they had to turn it off.  Labor was quick and I only had to push about 12 times before she came out to meet the world. 

I have never experienced such an overwhelming emotion of love and happiness.  Previously it has been walking down the aisle at our wedding. The moment we saw Maija just seconds old laying on my chest was a feeling I will never forget.  Praise Jesus for her and the joy she has already brought into our family.

Maija Brianne born at 10:12am on February 28, 2012.  She was 7lb, 7oz and 20 inches long.

The final week... hopefully!

Let me tell you a little tip, when you are 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant, it is not a good idea to get down on the floor cross legged [especially when you are home alone] because there is something about a pregnant belly, balance and leg strength that won't work in your favor when you are trying to get back up again.  It took me a good full minute to get up... all I could think was, where is my phone, can I reach it if I need to call Ryan to come home from work to pick me up off the floor?!  The answer was no- the phone was in the kitchen so I would of had to crawl which would have been equally painful.  So I had no choice but to laugh and laugh [causing more pain to the growing babe I am sure] as I shimmied and shook , grunted and groaned until I could, in fact, get back up in a standing position.  I won't be on the floor for the rest of this pregnancy.  I should have known better.  Now I have been on the couch for the last half hour just trying to relax after that unnecessary exercise.

We are having a nice little heat wave. In the 80's the last few days!  So I have been putting on flowy dresses for comfort and to keep cool.  Here is what I hope is the last baby bump picture...  My doctor is back tomorrow, Ryan is working in Irvine again, and I wrapped up the last few things I needed to complete before going on leave from work.  Come on baby!  We are ready to meet you!!!

Dana Point Harbor.

With only 9 days (yes 9!) until my due date, I am anxious.  Sleeping has been so horrible that I am up every 1-2 hours so I figure I might as well have baby pee here for it instead of just having to try to roll out of my bed on my own with this big ole belly.

So although Ryan is working in San Diego this week and my Doctor is on vacation, I am ready.  I have started to try to jump start this labor business.  Walking and eating SPICY foods.  Let's see if it works.  This morning I walked by the harbor.  It was overcast but still so beautiful and there is nothing like the smell of salt water.  I love that we get to see the ocean every single day, a perk of living just a half a mile from the ocean.

And because I miss Abby so much and Krista sent over this adorable picture from my mom and her visit this weekend.  Almost 11 weeks old!  Love that half smile.

Why I love Thursdays.

I love Thursdays.  It is nearing the end of the work week.  I have my Women's Bible Study.  I have my weekly doctor's appointment!  38 weeks.  Man oh man, we are getting down to it. 

Belly is growing very quickly.  Baby is still very active, she must be trying to do a lot of breathing on her own because she gets the hiccups a few times a day, in fact, I fell asleep last night to her with the hiccups and woke up to her with the hiccups.  Poor thing.  I often think I need to drink water to get them to stop but then remember it isn't me who has the hiccups. 

Dr said baby is on track and she is predicting she will be here 27, 28 or 29...February.  She will be on vacation next week so she told me to relax and try not to move around too much so that baby doesn't come while the dr is skiing.  I still think our little girl won't be here until March, but I also thought she was a boy so...

We got our car seat installed this weekend.  We finished getting the items off our registry that we needed.  It is nice to get things checked off the list.  Only a few things left to do before she is here!

I did have to make the change from heels to flats.  It has been a sad transition but my feet are a bit swollen so it is the only option.  Luckily I picked up these sparkles a few weeks ago so my feet still feel fancy.

Tums are my new best friend.  Laying down causes acid reflux so I end up taking 2 before bed and 2 in the middle of the night when I get up one of the 4 times to go to the bathroom...  her dropping sure has made breathing easier but it has also made the bathroom trips so much more frequent. 

Every time I take a belly pic I think, "this could be the last one"!  We will see.

Full Term.

Only 20 days left until baby pee's due date.  I had my doctor's appointment this morning and heard the best 2 words (besides healthy baby).  FULL TERM.  Our daughter is full term.  This means although we still have 20 days until she is due she would be just fine coming out to meet the world today.  Her body and organs are developed.  The doctor did an ultrasound, she still has her head down and is getting ready to meet us.  Her heartbeat was very strong.  Her head and body are looking healthy (still on the lean side).  Although based upon what the books say she should be 6.2-9.2 pounds our daughter is weighing in at 6 pounds.  She will be a little over 7 pounds if she keeps cooking in there until her due date!  A perfect size, not too big and not too small (thankful mama over here!).

My doctor did tell me it is time to stop making trips down to San Diego for work- that she would prefer I was working from home.  She did ask me why I was still working... "ummm what else would I be doing, just waiting???"  She laughed. 

I have put on 38 lbs.  With Ryan's recent weight loss (good job ryan!) he let me know today we now have a 50lb difference in weight rather than the usual 100lb difference.  Thanks for that information my love.  But as long as our daughter is healthy it's all that really matters not the numbers on the scale!  So for now I am going to continue to eat that extra cookie (and continue to try not to have a candy bar at 9:30am just because it is there like I did last week) and enjoy the last 3 weeks or so of my pregnancy before I have to start thinking about my waist again. 

Besides Ryan says (and I actually do believe him) that he is going to miss my watermelon sized belly.  He has been so supportive and I love that man!  Sorry I am being so mushy, we realized this morning 4 years ago today Ryan asked me to marry him and I just can't keep thinking about how much I love him and how thankful I am! 

Heading to dinner before the proposal! circa 2008.