Week of Jan 17th

Rebecca and I have had a relatively quiet week at home but it still flew by!   Rebecca is staying awake alot more during the day, especially in the morning.  She might sleep a little in my arms during the morning.  She wakes up when I try to put her in the pack and play.  Moving her from my arms to a spot on the sofa tends to work better at keeping her asleep.  We've been spending more time under her play gym in the mornings.  She seems to be interested in it for short periods at a time.  I remember Ben used to love it under the gym, kicking his legs back and forth as the music played.  Maybe she's too young yet, but I haven't seen the excitement from her that I remember from Ben.  With minimal morning sleeping though, she has been getting more sleep in the afternoon and into the evening, which is actually nice for when we get home with Ben so he can get more of my attention before he sits down for dinner. 

We picked Ben up early from school on Tuesday, because Tara and Lauren were coming for a visit, so that Lauren could see Ben and both Tara and Lauren could meet Rebecca.  Ben's teacher saw me at the door looking in the children having their afternoon snack and asked Ben if his mommy was coming to get him early today, to which he shook his head no.  When he saw me though, he declared that he was "all done" with his snack of goldfish, so that he could get Bunny and Chicky and leave with me.  Tara brought food for dinners and for Rebecca brought a very nice pink blanket, a monogrammed burp cloth, and bunny "lovey" for Rebecca.  If she's anything like Ben, she and the bunny will be inseparable in a few months.  Ben enjoyed having another child in the house during Lauren's visit, laughing at her and chasing after her some.  With my help, they even got a game or two of hide and seek in.

Aunt Lacie came by during what was otherwise a  fairly uneventful day on Wednesday.  Rebecca hadn't slept alot during the day yet, but then ended up sleeping while the three of us were at Martin's for some late afternoon grocery shopping.  On Thursday, Rebecca and I went to the post office to mail documents for my passport renewal.  I'm making arrangements to go to Julie Dingman's wedding reception in Stratford, Ontario Canada.  I spent most of my free time earlier that day figuring out what I needed for the application while Rebecca slept.  On Friday, Rebecca and I went to the mall to buy Daddy's birthday present.  He's always misplacing his gadgets, so I thought a charging valet would solve that as well as limit the number of loose cords we have plugged in throughout the kitchen and family room.

Daddy worked again this Saturday, but Ben, Rebecca, and I had a good day at home.  Ben awoke between 5 and 6 am, and Daddy got up early with him to play, watch tv, and have breakfast was Rebecca and I stayed upstairs.  It was super cold, so there was no outside time, but Ben and I played inside.  Of course, he loaded and unloaded his dump trucks.  Ben has started moving the rug from in front of the stove and playing directly on the rubber mat underneath used to keep the rug from sliding.  I have no idea yet what he dislikes about the rug being there.  Last Saturday Ben explored the drawer beside the dishwasher, but this Saturday he decided he wanted to collect items from the desk and put them into a gift bag (the kind with handles on both sides).  He collected lots of pens, loose change, and other random items from the desk and carried it around the family room and kitchen, dumping it and reloading it several times, often times declaring a "mess" when it was dumped and usually needing help gathering the change. 

Once Ben begins playing, he protests any requests to stop for a diaper change or to switch from his pajamas to clothes.  But once he's laid on the sofa with one of his favorite shows on the tv, he usually forgets about whatever task he was working on just beforehand.   He also didn't like stopping his playing to eat lunch.  After getting him into his high chair, he pushed the noodles and sauce I'd made for him away.  He also wasn't interested in the sliced apples.  He finally showed interested in his yogurt, once I'd provided the right spoon (the blue handled one).  He'd declared "no no" when trying to get his interest with another spoon, and I had a feeling from past experience that it may be the spoon that was the problem.  Once he finished his yogurt he had 2 helpings of noodles and all of his apple.

Rebecca was in and out of sleep all morning.  I tried to put have her nap in her crib for the first time on Saturday, even moving the monitor in there from Ben's room.  I think she may have napped a few minutes up there but never got into a deep sleep before waking and crying out.  We'll keep trying over the coming days to get her used to her crib and then eventually on a more predictable nap schedule.  Ben, on the other hand, went right down for his nap after lunch and Caillou, sleeping for almost 3 hours!

Sunday was Daddy's birthday, and he spent the first couple of hours in the morning downstairs with Ben again, while Rebecca and I slept after being up together for middle of the night feeding.  Daddy had hoped to sleep in on his birthday, but no such luck!  After giving Daddy his birthday presents, which included Godiva dark chocolate from Ben and Rebecca, we all played together the rest of the morning.  Ben adopted the gift bags as his own, putting his zoo animals in the "choo choo" bag that had previously carried the chocolates.  I have a feeling that gift bag won't ever find it's way back to the closet.  Ben had noodles and sauce again for lunch and then went down for his nap.  Today though, it lasted only an hour of so.  Once Daddy got back from the gym, surprised to see Ben up already, he took him for a ride to look at trucks and buses, which Ben is excellent at spotting and pointing out from the car!  I had to wake Rebecca from her nap on the sofa to feed her while they were gone.  Afterward we all went to Costco to pick up Daddy's car from getting the tires repaired, and Daddy went home with both children while I went to Kroger to get Daddy's birthday cake.  I got home to find Rebecca sleeping peacefully still in her carseat.  Ben and Daddy, on the other hand, had pulled out every pair of shoes from the rack in the mud room and lined them up in the foyer.  I think Ben was quite proud of the collection he'd amassed on the floor.  He has a bit of an obsession with shoes, interested in walking around in each pair, with no regard to whether they are ladies or mens shoes, except to point out that they are either "Daddy's" or "Mommy's".

After dinner, Ben enjoyed listening to Mommy sing "Happy Birthday" and "helping" us blow out the candles a few times.  He doesn't quite get the concept of blowing on them to get them to go out but enjoyed it nonetheless.  Ben also enjoyed the icing on his small slice of cake, having minimal interest in the cake itself.  Scott commented that he was just like Daddy in that regard. 

Rebecca has had an especially hard time settling down in the evening after Ben goes to bed.  She falls asleep in my arms for only short periods of time and then wakes up unhappy.  I'm feeding her on very short intervals which helps calm her down, although I'm not sure that it's hunger that has her upset.  But she slept from around 11 pm to 6 am on Sunday night, which was a nice bi-product of the power feeding sessions.  Ben didn't sleep that long at a time at her age, so getting 6 hours of sleep is a pleasant surprise.

Ben's Caillou Shirt and Family Visits

The Caillou shirt that Daddy ordered for Ben arrived in the mail on Friday, and Ben was wearing it by Saturday after a quick run through the washer.  Daddy worked again on Saturday, leaving me to take care of Ben and Rebecca.  Ben watched some Caillou from the DVR and played with his toys, mainly his new dump trucks and trash truck.  He had yogurt and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, but left most of the bread, somehow scraping the peanut butter and jelly off and into his mouth, leaving lots of peanut butter on his hands, later alerting me to the mess by playfully yelling "mess, mess" until I wiped his hands.  Ben went down easily for his nap.  We had a rare day that was warm enough to go outside, so Ben and I went out to play before Daddy got home.  Nita, who had arrived by mid afternoon, even wrapped Rebecca in some blankets and brought her out for some outside time.  Ben was pushing his tricycle when Daddy pulled into the street.  Ben was very excited to see him and especially excited when I put him through the driver's side window to sit on Daddy's lap and help him "drive" the rest of the way to the driveway and up it.  That's become somewhat of a ritual any time Daddy drives in and Ben is outside with me.  Ben loves to "drive" up the driveway with Daddy and loves to sit in the driver's seat of the parked cars and pretend he is driving.  He makes a "turning the steering wheel" gesture to let us know when he wants to play in the car.

Poppa Joe and Nita came in the middle of the afternoon for a visit before they joined us to hear Laura Bush speak at the Richmond Forum.  Aunt Nikki came to watch Ben and Rebecca for the night.  Ben was already in his dinosaur pajamas, the one piece kind with built in feet, with his Caillou shirt put back on over them!  That purchase has been a real hit so far!   We also battled through a teeth brushing just before leaving.  Aunt Nikki gave Rebecca a bottle around 8pm, but I understand she wasn't that interested in the bottle.  That means she will have to get more bottles over the next few weeks, so she's ready for bottles at day care.  Apparently she stayed awake almost the entire time from 7pm to 11pm, with just a few short "cat naps".  Aunt Nikki was impressed with how Ben went right down in his crib with absolutely no fuss at his bedtime.  Personally, I was impressed that he answered "no" when Aunt Nikki asked if he took his milk to bed with him (and that Ben didn't try to con Nikki into letting him take juice instead!).  Everyone enjoyed Laura Bush's speech, especially Nita and Poppa Joe who had ochestra pit seating! 

I'm not sure what Aunt Nikki did, but Rebecca slept from 12 midnight until almost 6 am Sunday morning!  I was so glad to have the uninterrupted sleep!  Aunt Nikki brought Allie over to play around 2 pm Sunday afternoon.  We played Mario Cart on the Wii while Aunt Nikki held Rebecca.  It was clear that Allie had done alot of practicing on her Wii that Santa brought her for Christmas, because she handily beat me and then Scott too.  Ben enjoys playing with the steering wheel used for the driving games, pretending he is driving by rapidly turning the wheel from side to side.  No doubt it won't be long before Ben is beating me at the Wii games.  We also played outside, since it was another nice day.  We kicked the soccer ball and then Scott and Allie threw the football and we were all impressed with a few spirals that Allie managed to throw.  Ben and I pushed his trucks around the driveway.

Rebecca's 1st week

Rebecca Grace Bleicher was born on December 2, 2010 at 3:21 pm at St Marys Hospital.  My doctor, Dr. Kenley Neuman, agreed to induce me just prior to her due date on Dec 4, mostly so I could make sure that plans could be made to watch big brother Benjamin.  Scott and I went to the hospital at 6 am, with Grandma Nita staying back at home with Benjamin, and shortly after I was on the petosin to begin labor.  Grandma Bleicher came to the hospital mid morning to stay for the day.  Grandma Nita and Poppa Joe came for just a few minutes late morning.  They couldn't stay because Nita had to go to Longwood to teach her class.  I started feeling labor pains mid to late morning and wasted no time asking for an epidural.  I got a nice nap late morning and Daddy spent the first part of the day watching CNBC and reading news on the internet...he was thrilled the hospital had wi-fi.  My nurse, Christina, was disappointed that Rebecca didn't arrive before her shift ended at 2:00.  But not too long after, labor started progressing much faster.  When I called for my new nurse, Silvia, she was helping another patient who was in labor.  When she came to check on me, she saw that you were VERY ready to enter the world, so she immediately called Dr Neuman.  Luckily, the doctor wasted no time in coming to the hospital.  I pushed only 3-4 times before Rebecca was born.  She was absolutely perfect.  We thought she looked just like her big brother when he was born!  We got to spend some time with Rebecca after she was born before she went to the nursery. 

Rebecca is so alert after just entering the world!

Scott was anxious to go get Benjamin so he could meet his baby sister, so he went to get him at Aunt Nikki's.  Grandma Bleicher was eager to meet Rebecca once she was brought back from the nursery.

Big brother Benjamin gave lots of hugs and kisses to new baby sister Rebecca



Grandma caught Rebecca with her beautiful blue eyes open



Daddy, Mommy, and Rebecca

Scott and Grandma Bleicher took Ben home Thursday night.  I didn't sleep that well, since I was still hooked up to an i.v. and the bed was extra noisy!  Aunt Nikki and Henry came to see Rebecca in the hospital Friday morning, but she slept through most of their visit, sleeping at least an hour past her feeding time. 

Daddy came to the hospital late in the morning, after getting Ben ready for a shortened day at "school".  He picked up Ben to bring him to the hospital after Ben's afternoon nap, so that we could get a family picture at the hospital.

Rebecca's beautiful blue eyes!

Benjamin stealing another kiss!

Benjamin, Rebecca, and proud Mommy and Daddy!

Aunti Nikki came again with Uncle Jody to meet Rebecca early Friday evening.  Aunt Lacie, Uncle Robert, Cal, Jordan, and Kelly came to see Rebecca on Friday evening.  They were all very excited to meet her and Lacie commented on how beautiful she was.

Uncle Jody, Aunt Nikki, and Rebecca

Uncle Rober, Aunt Lacie, Jordan, Cal, Kelly, and Rebecca

Rebecca did very well in the hospital, eating and sleeping well.  She slept in the nursery at night, coming into the room for feedings, but spent each day in the room with me.

Rebecca napping in Mommy's room. 

Mommy and Rebecca

Daddy, Rebecca, and I were excited to come home Saturday afternoon.  My friend Lara was home with Benjamin.  Again, Ben was very loving with his baby sister.  Poppa Joe and Grandma Nita stopped by to meet Rebecca on their way to dinner in Williamsburg with friends.



Daddy and Rebecca waiting to be released from the hospital



Mommy and Rebecca being wheeled to the car.

Rebecca snoozing in the carseat

Ben is happy to see Mommy and baby Rebecca

Nita and Poppa Joe meet Rebecca

Rebecca's peaceful daytime sleep

Rebeeca's early smiles

Big brother Ben constantly checking on his baby sister

Daddy holding baby Rebecca during evening waking hours

Grandma and Grandpa Bleicher came for a short visit on Sunday, eager to see Rebecca and hold her, as well as getting an opportunity to see Ben!  Grandma Nita came again to help out on Monday and drove me to Rebecca's first check-up with her pediatrician, which went well.  Rebecca gained a few ounces, weighing 7 lbs 1 oz.  Nita stayed until Tuesday, to help decorate for Christmas. 

Rebecca sleeps so well during the day, with me often having to wake her for feedings, and make efforts to keep her awake during feedings, like taking off her clothes and even rubbing her legs or cheeks with a cold washcloth! She has a more difficult time settling down to sleep at night, especially after feedings.  She falls asleep in my arms but awakens after being placed in the bassinet.  She settles down a little bit if I put my hand on her chest, maybe letting her know I'm closeby.  She doesn't take a binky that readily, unlike her brother.  Being held by Mommy or lying next to Mommy seems to be the one thing that settles her back down to sleep.

On the following Sunday, Dec 12, Aunt Lacie and Kelly came with food for dinners and ham and rolls.  Aunt Nikki, Uncle Jody, Allie and Henry also came, bringing lots of food for lunches.  With all of the people in the house, it was like Grand Central Station, and you slept right through it in your pack and play which was sitting in the middle of all of the activity.

Rebecca briefly enjoying her tummy time



Ben loves to hold "baby"

Sooo beautiful!

Visit with the Womacks, OJ, and Caillou

On Saturday Jan 8, Aunt Lacie and Kelly came for a visit with Ben and Rebecca.  Nita took Cal, Jordan, and Allie to see The Velveteen Rabbit.  Ben went down easily for a nap after lunch and watching Caillou.  Rebecca napped too, partly in Aunt Lacie's arms after waking up in the pack and play.  Aunt Lacie says Rebecca is a "holding baby", because she settles down to sleep so easily when she's being held.

After his nap, Ben and Kelly played with toys, both enjoying a sippy cup of orange juice and pop corn.  Ben has a recent new love of juice, especially orange juice, and asks for it by name, which sounds like "o-juice".  I have to be careful that he is still getting enough milk, since "juice" is almost always his requested beverage.

Ben absolutely loves watching Caillou.  That love has turned into a bit of an addiction the last couple of weeks, with Ben wanting to watch nothing but Caillou on the television.  I'm contributing to the addiction by having multiple episodes on DVR.  Ben can watch the same episodes day after day with his undivided attention, sitting on sofa with his eyes fixated on the tv, Bunny and Chicky in hand, and his thumb comfortably in his mouth.  At Christmas, Ben sat on the sofa for the entire 1 hour Caillou Christmas special, giving me an opportunity for a cat nap on the sofa beside him.