Andrew's Silly Sister

Well, Andrew is almost 4 weeks old! I cannot believe it. Its been a world-wind. He appears to have some colic but we are hoping it passes fast, without wishing this time away! We've had some very sleepless nights, but just when I hit breaking point it gets a little better. I was only up 3 times last night! The weather has been rather yucky- cold, rainy, windy...so I am getting a little cabin fever with Andrew and I hope to get out a little more in the coming weeks. Andrew did take his first bottle over the weekend- what an efficient eater. I only put 3 ounces of expressed milk in the bottle but I think he downed it in less than 2 minutes! I don't think we are going to have the bottle issues we had with Samantha. I am guessing that Andrew is still less than Samantha's birth weight. All the big clothes and blankets make him look bulker though!

Samantha is going to daycare all week this week so I can get some more rest. She is loving it, to be honest. Its sort of sad that she is happier there than at home but when AJ cries she says, "AJ too loud for Samantha". I can understand her sentiment because it can be very piercing when he is having a colic episode. I am learning to enjoy the other times of the day more. Samantha is keeping her sense of humor through all of this. She likes to act silly, in this photo you see her putting the 'feet' of her pjs on her hands. She also like to fall down - faking it of course. Daddy is her new best friend and when he is at work and she is at home she tells me how much she misses him. What 2 year old doesn't love a daddy that sets up tea parties for her? She also loves to play the hockie pockie and Simon Says. I have learned to use those to my advantage when trying to get her to dress (because she loves to be naked) and trying to get her bathed.

So many changes

Well, we survived another week. Everyday is a new adventure. Andrew is growing fast. He saw the doctor on monday and is now 20 inches and 7 lb 4 oz.

Grandma and Pop-pop Scott came to visit for the long weekend. We all enjoyed their visit- especially Samantha. Although she was disappointed Dupie did not come with them. She was also disappointed that she wasn't going on the airplane with them back to Ohio. (Not that she wanted to leave us but she loves airplanes).

Samantha is now a little jealous of AJ. She seems to be 'accident' prone right now and needs more cuddle time (especially when AJ needs to be held :) ). But overall, she is adapting well. She even held AJ during reading time last night and helped me give him a sponge bath this morning.

Eating, Sleeping and well, you know...

The family is doing well. Samantha is adjusting to having a new baby brother in the house. She has taken to having Daddy and Grandmommy do everything for her- except for when she gets on her 'independence kicks' "Samantha do it". She is enjoying Grandmommy and has helped her in the kitchen make cookies, dinner and monkey bread. Her friend Alexandra came over for a tea party on friday (so Alex's mommy could meet AJ).

Andrew is doing pretty well. He was 6-9 at his 5 day doctor's visit ! So, he is likely to grow really fast! He has even been sleeping 2 hours at a time at night which is actually pretty good. (Luckily Samantha still naps every afternoon so with extra hands around the house Mommy is getting a nap in the afternoon too).

Thank you all for your well wishes, prayers and gifts! I am still figuring out the video thing- sorry.

Andrew Joseph Algood

Andrew Joseph Algood joined us Saturday, January 5th, 2008! He weighed 6lbs 7 oz and was 19 inches long. He came very fast (especially compared to Samantha) and is doing great. He was 15 days early, so even though Mommy felt like our baby would arrive early, Daddy is still in shock that he was early, the labor so fast, and that we had a baby boy- we really didn't know!

Samantha is excited about her baby brother. She is calling him "AJ" and proudly proclaims "my little brother". We obviously have alot to teach her about how to touch and when and where to touch. (Mommy is a little paranoid about germs right now)

We are working on figuring out the software for the video camera, so be patient(for you grandparents I know its hard). I will do my best to post pictures every couple of days.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. God is so good.

Christmas Time

Well, I never expected not to post a picture of our precious Samantha on Christmas, but I didn't. And then I didn't do it for the week afterwards either...so here it is! We spent Christmas at home and really had a very peaceful day. We worked and played this last week and tried to get some rest preparing for Baby AJ. Samantha is healthy again- no more runny nose and she isn't coughing anymore. For the most part even with the changes in her schedule between the holidays, parties and work days she has really been a trooper. She was lucky enough to have Grandmommy and Granddaddy come visit for a few days too. We went to our first Vanderbilt basketball game.

Baby AJ is hanging in there. I am still 'small' and at my visit on monday (the 31st), the doctor found it necessary to do a Biophysical Profile (BPP). The baby was asleep and that is never good for a BPP because most of the parameters they are measuring depend on fetal movement and if the baby is sleeping...well, you see where that is going. So, since they baby did not pass the BPP, and that led to a nonstress test (or NST) on the baby. The baby was 'reactive', which is a good sign and for the time being they will allow me to continue to go about my normal routine. I will have NSTs twice a week until the baby is born! I am due January 20th, so we are already "full term". They are noninvasive tests -so no big deal but I wish they weren't necessary (wish we knew this baby was top notch). Keep us in your prayers.