First of many

Carolina had her first of many vaccinations today. 7 years ago, I remember Victoria receiving 2 shots at 2 months, but Carolina received 4 vaccines--3 shots and 1 oral vaccine. She has been pretty fussy today. I can usually calm her down when she is crying, but it's been a bit more difficult than most days. I took today off from work, and I'm glad I did!

It's been one week...

I have been back to work for 1 week now, and I must admit it's been easier than I expected. Other than feeling extremely sleep-deprived, I have managed to see my kids at work, and keep a smile on my face around my coworkers. Carolina is now 2 months old, and I have 13 workdays left until summer break!

Mother's day was a treat. Carolina (and Jeff) gave me my 1st gift--Jeff fed Carolina a bottle at 3 am so I could get 5 hours of sleep. Despite walking with every cry, I still managed to sleep most of those 5 hours. Victoria and Jeff gifted me with a gift certificate to Grove Spa and breakfast. Then, Jennifer and I took the girls shopping and to the park. Eric made us lunch, and we finished out the evening at Ocean Zen for an amazing dinner and Andy's for dessert.

Taking to the bottle

No, I'm not talking about Jeff or myself taking to the bottle. Carolina took her first bottle of breastmilk today. There was a lot of whining, crying, and one huge scream...and that was from me! Carolina was confused at first, but after I held her and the bottle for a while, she figured out that this bottle-feeding thing wasn't too bad after all. I, on the other hand, still felt saddened by the fact that my daughter was now taking a bottle. This is the beginning of my personal wheening from my daughter. A week from today, I will be back at work, and throwing my own little fits that I am not with my daughter 24/7. But, I think that I too will get used to it.

A sad milestone:(

You read correctly, Carolina has reached a developmental milestone...

Carolina cried her first tears. While I was changing her diaper, Carolina had a bit of an accident, therefore her diaper change took longer than expected. She started crying, and before I knew it, her tiny little eyes were welling up with tiny tears. They did not leave her tiny eye sockets, but they did pool up. I knew it was developmental, but it still made me sad that I made my baby cry tears.

More friend pics

These pictures were taken on Carolina's first official day of life. She's "hanging out" with her new friend, Asher.

First "playdate"

From left to right: Melody with 2 week old Carolina, Sarah with almost 3 month old Asher, and Kim with 3 week old Luke



I think the adults enjoyed the playdate more than the kiddos, but we will label this event their first "playdate" nonetheless!

Home Sweet Home, Pt. 2

We are home again.

The doctor released us Wednesday morning, after Carolina's bilirubin levels fell off the chart. She was all the way down to about 7.5, two points below where she was last Saturday. No bili blanket, no restricts, nothing. Just go home.

So we are finally getting settled in and figuring out what "normal" life will be like now with two beautiful daughters. Carolina is feeding well, except for a span of a couple of hours early this morning where she couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to eat or sleep. She got her first bath at home today and really seemed to enjoy the first day of the NCAA Tournament.

Victoria seems to be doing well, too. She was kind of quiet for a few days. I think it wore on her having Mommy, Daddy and baby sister in the hospital for about 5 1/2 out of the past 7 days. Luckily we have incredible family members who have taken good care of her and are trying to make her feel special.


Thanks for all the kind words, prayers and support over the past week. They have helped more than you know.

--Jeff