Sadie is 4months old!

4months has gone by since I held my 7lb 4oz 21.5" baby girl for the first time. Now, Sadie has doubled her weight (15.1lbs 26") and is full of smiles!

As I type this, she is sleeping in my arms with a fever:( Sadie had four vaccines yesterday and like her 2 month shots, she got sick.

We finally got out more in Sadie's third month. We still had snow, but saw some nice spring days too! 
We took her on more stroller rides, she is cooing a lot, loves books, singing and she is tracking our movement and voices. Sadie started sleeping in her crib and that meant we got our room back! 
-After months of anticipation and nervousness, we left Sadie with her Nana overnight and we took our annual NASCAR camping trip with our friends. Sadie got more sleep than us that night. It was a crazy trip for us!
-Sadie started daycare at Rainbow Riders with six other babies in the infant room. We are very happy with the place, but she is slowly going due to me still being at home. 
-My Dad came to visit early April and we had an unexpected snow storm, but he thought it was beautiful. It was great to see the two redheads together;) Then my Mom came last week for six days and she enjoyed spending alone time with Sadie. We took a huge walk around VT and she was in awe of the flowers that just started to bloom here.
-One thing Sadie has gotten a little more fussy this month. She has attachment issues and only wants me and Darrin. I calm her down more and am nursing a lot, especially to sleep at night. The doctor says it will pass and is normal. We also saw her first tooth cut surface, so that is a huge reason she is drooling and has been a bit more fussy than normal.
-In mid-April we went to DC to visit Darrin's brother, sister in-law and nephew and took Sadie to her first winery. It was fun to see the cousins together.
-We have a pretty good bedtime routine now. She's asleep around 8:30p.m. and she wakes up at least once around 4a.m.  for an hour and sleeps in until 7:30-8:30! Love that she can sleep in! Can't wait to see what she does this month...

Belated Easter pics at 3months

First night in her crib!  

NASCAR and first night away from the baby

La Grange Winery, Middleburg, VA 

First time in her walker. Did well!

4month check-up. It's tough seeing her in pain!

Sadie is 3 Months!

Sadie is already 3months?! This month went fast!

First, I have to say how I'm SO READY for warmer weather! It's been too cold and we've been housebound way too long. It's hard to see all the pretty flowers and warm weather that CA people keep posting on FB! I want to dress Sadie in some cute dresses! I know it will come...

So, Sadie has been showing a lot of personality this month! 
-She is full of smiles and coos!
-Kicking a lot and has awesome tracking. 
-Breast feeding a lot more during the day/night, and still pumping.
-Poo explosions are unbelievable! They are always when we are running out the door and it even got in her hair once, ha!
-Started reading books to her. She loves them!
-She's sleeping directly in her pack-n-play still in our room. We have to transition her in her crib this month, eek!
-Started MOPS group and very happy with it so far. I've met some great Moms and it's been a nice release!
-10/11wks - Sadie had her first cold/cough/fever this month and it was rough! Poor thing was soo sick, but was such a trooper. We visited the doctor twice that week to listen to her lungs. Darrin and I were also so sick. It's been a tough month, but now I know how Sadie is when she is sick. Love how she doesn't cry to just to hear herself cry... Darrin was sick again this past week and thankfully we didn't get it again! 
-Drooling a lot now, I don't know if she is already started to teeth? 
-12wks - Started sleep training last week. So far it been good. Took out her paci at night, which has helped us not getting up every minute to put it back in her mouth! 
-13wks - Checked out the daycare center that we got into and met all of the teachers. Will be easing her in. I think it will be harder for me to take her there. We are happy with the place though and it's the best place in the area.
-Took Easter/3month pictures from our awesome maternity photographer/friend Laura. Will post soon.

Looking forward to Easter this weekend!

Cheeks and thighs!

Easter dress

Our little lucky charm on St. Patty's Day.

Kicking a lot and the drool!

Snow AGAIN:(

Sadie is 2 Months already!?

I can't believe Sadie is over two months old now! It has gone by so fast and I am loving every minute about being a Mom! She is growing every week, but every morning we always say how much she grew over night! I love being home with her right now, but I am really looking forward to the warmer weather, so we can take her outside more! Having a baby in the winter has its ups and downs.

Darrin and I are so amazed at how we created such a special girl. We are so in love with her and we feel so incredibly blessed!

Updates:
4 wks: Miss Sadie and I flew to California! Yep! Pretty crazy, but she was such a perfect little angel for me. We had a lot of layovers and she slept great. She made the trip easy and she needs to get used to flying! It was great to have friends and family meet her... Next time, Darrin will come!
1month checkup stats: 9lbs 14ozs 

6 wks: She started smiling and really cooing. It's the best feeling to wake up and get a smile early in the morning.

8 wks: Started holding her head up by herself. She has really strong legs and can stand if we hold her up. First mommy/baby play date. Our babies were just 4days apart and it was great to talk about mommy hood!

9 wks: Sadie had her first fever due to having three vaccine shots in her legs. Poor girl!I cried just as much as she did. It was really hard seeing her in pain.
2month checkup stats: 11lbs 15ozs and 23.5"


This week we have had our first 7-8 hr nights!!! It's been a three hour feeding schedule from birth at night, but we took out her bassinet and are laying her straight in the pack-n-play. She is so long and has already out grown out of it. Sadie is still in our room and we plan to transition to her room in a few weeks?

Sadie loves:
Snuggles and holding her close to us. Bouncing to sleep, pacis, high pitched voices to get her to smile, still taking in 4ozs usually per feeding every three hours, and she is extra smiley and talkative in the morning. I sing her silly songs that I make up. Playing on her playmat and we are trying to get longer tummy time. She likes swinging still, long naps starting around 12:30p.m., car rides puts her to sleep, size 1 diapers now and I put away her teeny newborn clothes:( She is great at bath time and doesn't cry just to cry! She is usually pretty easy to read if she wants something and we hope that continues! 

Looking forward to seeing what she does in the next month!

CHEEKS!!

Two Month check up 11lbs 15oz 23.5"

 

Her first Church dress

The best Valentines Gift

Friends at SF Dog show 

My Sister's family meeting Sadie!

Grammy time again 

Meeting Papa and Nonni for the first time

Sadie Elizabeth is here! (4 weeks ago)

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas this year!

Sadie was born on December 26th at 7:51p.m. weighing 7lbs 4oz and 22inches long.

Like any mother would say, she is absolutely perfect. It's amazing to finally meet the little girl who was growing inside for the last nine months. She is a combination of both Darrin and I, but mostly resembles her Daddy. Sadie is the sweetest, calmest, easy-going baby and I'm am so grateful to have her. It makes me sad that she won't be this tiny little newborn for that much longer, but it will be exciting to watch her grow. Motherhood and parenting with Darrin has been incredible so far. It has not been stressful on us (yet) and we have a pretty good routine going. In the four weeks of being home, we have only had one bad night, but after two lactation appointments, we have the feeding down now. I love being home with her and I'm so happy to have our little girl in our life. I love her so much and I just want to kiss her face all day long;)

My Mom and sis flew in!

Sadie loves paci's 

Love

Letters to our baby girl

I've been waiting all my life to finally be a Mom and I can't believe that day is about to happen in just a few days. I grew up playing with my dolls and dreaming that someday I'll actually have my own little baby to play and take care of. I am so lucky to have become pregnant so quickly with no complications and I hope I deliver a healthy little girl at the end. For the most part, it's been a wonderful experience being pregnant. There has been some ups and downs, but it's been amazing. I have to thank Darrin for always being so supportive and loving throughout this whole journey.

To my little girl:

I've carried you for nine months and I anxiously wonder what you will be like. Now, that I know you are the girl I've always wanted to have, will you be more like me, like your Dad or a combination of us both. Will you be as sweet, patient, and loving like your Daddy or be observant, kind and quite like the both of us. Will you have blond, red or curly hair like the rest of the family? Have my green eyes or your Dads blue eyes? Will you be tall and have big lips like your Dad or have one dimple like me? Have a bottom like your Dad and be a dancer like you were in the womb? Will you be artistic and creative like the Gillespie side. I'm so curious and can't wait to meet, kiss and hold you. I will love and support you whatever your heart desires. I can't wait to watch you grow, learn and experience every milestone in your life. I know you will make mistakes and I will always be there for you and try to guide and protect you. I wish you happiness, love, and laughter in your lifetime and I hope I can be the best Mother to you. I am so proud to be your Mom and I love you so much already. 

Love, 

Mommy

Letter to my daughter:

The date is December 23rd, 2012. Unless you decide to come before, you will be born December 26th. I can’t even describe how anxious and excited I am to finally meet you! Your Mom has done a wonderful job carrying you in her tummy for the past 9 months. You couldn’t have had a better Mom to take care of you. We are very lucky to have her in our life.

I have been dreaming and praying for the day that I would have a family of my own. The greatest day of my life was when I married your Mom. We are very much alike and we both couldn’t wait to have our own child. Then we were blessed with you! It was the happiest day when we found out that we were pregnant.

I have so many questions right now… What are you going to look like? Are you going to look like your Mom or me or a combination of both of us? What is your personality going to be like? Are you going to be quieter like your Mom and me or are you going to be a talker like your grandparents? What is going to be your favorite subject in school? I will go ahead and apologize if you aren’t good at math. I hope that you are though! Are you going to like playing sports like me? Are you going to be an artist like your Mom? No matter what you do in your life, you will always have our support.

I can’t wait to hold you as a baby. I can’t wait to hear you say your first words, and take your first steps. My new favorite thing to do is going to be hanging out with you, reading you books, watching cartoons, and watching you play with Maddie. The list of things I can’t wait to see you do is too long to write in this letter. I can sum up my feelings for you before I have even met you in a few words: You are the greatest thing that I have ever created. Nothing that I accomplish in my life will compare to the joy that you and your Mom bring me. I pray every night that you are healthy and that you live a long life. I pray that I can raise you the right way and provide everything that you need. I pray that you think I am a good Dad. I pray that you live your life to the fullest and accomplish your dreams. I only ask a couple things of you though: for your Mom and my sake, don’t grow up too fast. We will talk about the others when the time is right;) I love you more than I even know right now, see you in a couple days!!!!

Love,

Your Dad

Our fun maternity shoot in November

37 Weeks

How many weeks: 37 Weeks, full term - 9 Months! 

Baby Size: Size of a stalk of swiss chard - random?

Weight gain so far: 25 + and that's all I'm saying on here;)

Maternity clothes: They are very tight now and I ripped off half of my pinky nail pulling my jeans up last week. Ouch! 

Stretch marks: So far None!!

Sleep: Even though I love sleep, this is the worst part of my day. It takes me 3-4 times to roll over on my side and I am in excruciating pain from my nerve in my left side of my thigh. My stomach loves to tighten at night too. I can't breath and am waking up cause I'm so hot! It's awesome!!... I usually just get up once to go to the bathroom and I always feel bad because I wake the baby up (seriously). She's not active when I sleep, thank goodness, but right when I wake up she moves. So funny!

Best moment of these past weeks: Having my Dad and his wife Mary Lou visit us for Thanksgiving, and having one of my best friends from third grade, Molly come to visit us two days after. We got our house decorated for Christmas and so thrilled that our little girl will be here before New Years. We are feeling totally ready for her and also loving that this is my last week of work! Time to relax now (for a bit;)

Missing Anything: Walking without pain, breathing well at night and have I mentioned a margarita in any of my posts;) 

Movement: Uh, yes! Non stop, all day long and feel like she going to pop soon. I feel her sooo low. She's an active girl!

Food cravings: I'm tired of eating more than Darrin. It makes me feel so weird, but I know I have too. I now understand how women gain so much. I don't get full that fast and if I am, I'm ready to eat an hour later, ugh! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still don't like hair spray and perfume. 

Labor Signs: I get Braxton Hicks sometimes when I've had a busy day and feeling her low in my pelvis.

Symptoms: So happy I don't have back pain at all anymore (for now;)

Belly Button in or out? Flush with my belly. 

Wedding rings on or off? On, but TIGHT!

Mood: I'm a little more emotional now, but otherwise good. I'm not extremely tired anymore even though my nights are rough.

Looking forward to: Pre-registering at the hospital, and knowing when we finally get to meet our girl soon! Also, figuring out the nice Canon digital DSLR camera Darrin got me for Christmas and for my push present! Finally, we can take nice pictures of our baby, instead of our iphones!

Things to do still: I think this is the first Christmas ever where I've been prepared for presents. I did a lot of online shopping and have already wrapped presents. I mean, it's a tradition to be sometimes wrapping on Christmas day for me! I guess I have to be ready because I know if she comes early, some people may not have wrapped presents!

Due Date: December 29th 

Not a good pic of me, but oh well... 

Papa and Nonni came to visit!

Visiting my family (and Darrin's) cemetery in Hillsville, VA. Pretty neat!

Our tree!

My work baby shower last week! Tons of diapers, so sweet!

34 Weeks

How many weeks: 34 Weeks 

Baby Size: Cantaloupe. Over 4.5+lbs and 18 inches long

Weight gain so far: 20+ now

Stretch marks: Not yet! 

Sleep: It's been difficult the past two weeks. It's much harder to roll over and I have a lot more pain at night now. I've had a vein on my left thigh that's been killing me for over a month and docs don't know why? Maybe it's a nerve and the baby is hitting it? I don't know, but I feel really old, when I get up now cause I'm in pain. Hope it stops or we figure it out soon! I am also getting shortness of breath now and have to prop my pillows more at night to get air. Miss Baby Q is taking it all!

Best moment these past weeks: Besides her being extremely active, I feel helpless when she has the hiccups:( She has them right when I wake up, after lunch and usually at night.  I hate them myself and she gets them everyday! They are super cute to feel them though... Also, we received our maternity photos from the photographer and they came out great! Our pets look beautiful in them, ha! We were happy she captured them too. 

Missing Anything:  Bending and getting up fast. 

Movement: Yes, all day long and it's crazy to see my stomach lopsided now. I see it shake too!

Food cravings: Still haven't stopped my pumpkin coffee kick.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not since 16weeks

Gender: It's a GIRL! 

Labor Signs: Nothing new lately

Symptoms: Same. Nothing new

Belly Button in or out? It's still flush with my tummy and hoping it won't pop!

Mood: My energy level peaked about two weeks ago and now I feel it coming down. I guess I have to realize to relax and lounge more. I'm feeling tired and fuzzy.  I'm "nesting" too and trying to get things organized with Darrin and it's hard that I can't do the heavy things... I'm also doing the "waddling" dance now;)

Looking forward to: My Dad and his wife Mary Lou are finally coming to VA and visiting us for Thanksgiving! We are excited to show them around the area and see our house! I'm also looking forward to our Thanksgiving meal! We have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Things to do still: We have attended two birthing classes so far and we are learning a lot. One more to go... I also need to read more, wash her new clothes, buy diapers and pack our hospital bags. The list can go on!

Due Date: December 29th! My family is flying in the 27th and hopefully she will arrive just in time or we will induce to be home for New Years:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!