Grandpa & Gigi's First Week

Although I wish my parents could have been here for Cora's birth, it worked out fine that she was born a week before they arrived.  That gave us time to adjust to having a new baby at home, and it gave my parents two whole weeks to enjoy with Cora.  Plus, we didn't have to play the waiting game when they arrived, and I was feeling really good by then so we were able to get out and do some exploring.  Boy did we stay busy!

Cora's cord fell off after only 5 days.  That seemed fast to me.  She had her first real bath the night before Grandpa and Gigi arrived.  She was not crazy about having all of her clothes off, but once she got settled in the warm water, she was calm and seemed to enjoy it. 

Cora's first bath

Dylan and Amelia were counting down the days until Grandpa and Gigi arrived.  They made a big sign to welcome them.  Of course, Grandpa and Gigi were thrilled to see the kids and meet little Cora Madeline.  They came with lots of gifts and goodies in their suitcases too!  They brought some of the kids' favorite snacks that we cannot get here in the U.K.: Cheez-its, Goldfish, fruit snacks, Kraft Mac & Cheese and Crystal Light lemonade packets.  They also brought a bunch of Amelia's newborn baby clothes for Cora as well as several gifts for Cora from family members.  I LOVED all of the monogrammed things from my Aunt Terri and my cousin, Lindsay.  They do an amazing job!

Grandpa Hefley & Cora

Gigi Hefley & Cora

Jet lag kicked in so Grandpa and Cora napped

FRIDAY: After napping and getting the big kids from their schools, we went out to a pub for dinner.  This was Cora's first outing!  She was a perfect angel while we enjoyed fish and chips. 

Cora in her car seat at the pub with Grandpa & Gigi

SATURDAY: We went into town...downtown Chippenham.  After nursing the baby in the car, my mom, Cora and I did a little shopping.  Eric, my dad and the kids went to the park.  Each Saturday, vendors set up tables and tents in the streets downtown.  They sell everything from fresh flowers and vegetables to clothing and purses.  It was interesting just walking through and doing some people-watching.  We were amazed at how crowded the streets and shops were.  Although, they always seem so busy, even during the week.  It makes me wonder why these people are not at work.

Dylan & Grandpa at the park

Amelia & Grandpa at the park

SUNDAY: We tried to get some family pictures.  Boy, it is like pulling teeth with a 5 and 3 year old.  Amelia finally agreed after I curled her hair and gave her lip gloss to wear.  Oh, and we did bribe them with M&M's too.  I wish it was not so difficult to get good pictures, but it's worth the hard work if you ask me.  These are keepers!



Gigi and 2 of her 3 granddaughters

MONDAY:  Boy was it nice to have help in the mornings getting all 3 kids fed and ready for the day.  It was great to be able to leave Cora at home while I dropped off Dylan and Amelia at school.  I don't know where the day went, but it went quickly.

TUESDAY: We went into Bath.  My parents were amazed at all of the houses on the hill as you approach the city.  Again, there were SO many people out by the shops.  We did a little bit of shopping and enjoyed some lunch there.

The houses on the hill as you are driving into Bath

Cora asleep in her stroller in front of Bath Abbey

Our birthday wishes for Nana

WEDNESDAY: Ok, the days are running together now and I can't remember exactly what we did each day, but we certainly stayed busy.  If we were not out and about, or running to the market, we kept busy at home with endless laundry, baking cookies and plenty of playing.  The weather was in the low 50's most days.  Our afternoons and evenings were full of riding bikes, kicking the ball outside and taking walks.  Inside, Gigi and Grandpa got their fill of doing puzzles, playing with cars and playing board games.

Cora's adorable ladybug outfit from Uncle Dan, Aunt Becca and Lily

THURSDAY: Grandpa and Gigi got to join Dylan for a special lunch at his school.  They all three bought school lunches.  This was Dylan's first time purchasing a school lunch.  He had a jacket potato (baked potato).  He said he liked it, but after having it again the next day, he said he wanted to bring PBJ from home each day.  Grandpa and Gigi got to stay and go on the playground with Dylan.  They were able to meet his teachers, other mums and several of his friends. 
 

Relaxing time. I love how Amelia holds Cora using the Boppy pillow.

Snuggle time with Daddy

FRIDAY: We visited a VERY old village today.  Lacock Village dates back to the 1200's.  Several movies have been filmed here including Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter.  They still have several shops, pubs, a tea room and a school.  We did not go into the Abbey, but just walking through the village was a neat experience.

Gigi and Amelia outside a shop of all handmade items.

Grandpa pushing the girls through Lacock Village

Can you imagine living in this village?

What do you mean you have to duck to get in the front door? 

Lunch at the Red Lion in Lacock Village

She was SO good on the go

In front of the gates to Lacock Abbey.  You can see the abbey in the background.

A closer picture of Lacock Abbey 

Playing with Gigi on the playground in Lacock Village

Chillin' with Grandpa after school

2 weeks old

Wow, that first week flew by!  So glad we have another week with them here.  

 



Cora's First Photo Shoot

I am no professional, but I sure do love my camera.  I just keep snapping away at sweet little Cora.  Here are some from her first week...

She is doing very well!  She was up to 6lbs. 10oz. on Monday the 5th.  We are so in love with her!

Next post: Pictures of our visit with Grandpa and Gigi!

Welcome home Cora!

Having a baby changes your life, it's true.  But from the moment she arrived, Cora Madeline just fit right in with our family.  In less than 24 hours, I went from sitting on the couch, pregnant and uncomfortable to sitting on the couch with my new baby girl in my arms.  She was born at 6:05am, and we were home by 11:00am.  It just did not seem real.  I was on cloud nine, and I did not even get a nap in our first day home after staying awake most of the night in labor.  Luckily, Eric slept a few hours...I'm sure the labor and delivery wore him out. 

Her first hours at home and only about 6 hours old

Dylan and Amelia were great with Cora right away.  They held her, sat next to her and Dylan even read her a story.  It was so sweet.  The funny thing was, both of them had to keep asking, "What is the baby's name?"  We had not told them what names we chose for a boy and girl ahead of time, so this was the first day they heard the name Cora.  By the end of the weekend, they had it down.

Amelia is my little mommy. She's a great help and very gentle with Cora.

Dylan loves reading to Cora.

Proud Big Sister and big Brother

Eric and I are both enjoying the newborn stage so very much.  We just keep raving at how tiny and cute Cora is.  She makes Dylan and Amelia look huge!  We know how quickly she will grow, so we are taking in every little squeak and funny face at this age.  We keep saying that Cora looks SO much like Dylan's newborn pictures.  I'll have to post some comparison pictures in the near future. 

Cuddling with Mommy

Getting some love from Daddy

Many people asked about the care Cora and I received after her birth.  Yes, we did come home quickly, but that was my decision.  I could have stayed up to 24 hours at the birthing centre.  Knowing the midwives were a phone call away and a quick 5 minute drive, I felt comfortable heading home to my couch, my bed and my shower.  A midwife made a visit to our house the day after she was born.  She checked temperature, blood pressure and pulse on me.  She also followed up on my recovery and gave support with feeding Cora.  The midwife did a full check on Cora as well.  Of course, everything was written in my medical notes.  Cora received a "red book" that includes all of her birth information.  It has sections for immunizations and growth charts.  Any time you visit a midwife, doctor, or health vistor here, you bring the red book.  It's actually quite handy and keeps everything in one place.

We were visited at home by another midwife on day 3.  She brought a portable scale to weigh Cora.  As most babies do, Cora lost some weight.  She was 6lbs. 12oz. at birth, and on day 3, she was down to 6lbs. 6oz.  Everything else checked out fine with both Cora and me.  On day 5, we went in to the birthing centre for a check.  Cora still weighed 6lbs. 6oz. so the midwife suggested I feed her more often and for a longer time.  We returned on day 7, and this time Cora gained!  She was almost 6lbs. 8oz.  What a relief!  I knew she was feeding well, and she was certainly producing a LOT of wet and dirty diapers, but it was good to see the increase on the scale.

Although it is different than visiting one pediatrician, having various midwives do the postnatal checks went well.  They were all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.  Even though I did not meet with all of the midwives at the birthing centre, most of them heard about me.  I was known as the American Mum (how fitting!)  The midwife who delivered Cora said I was like a firecracker.  She said she just caught the baby.  Overall, I felt the prenatal and postnatal care given here was very good.  

   

What a sweet little face!

Cozy, tiny, and just perfect!

Amelia loves to rub Cora's cheek.  And look at Cora swimming in her newborn outfit!

Time for a diaper change

Week one went well.  Cora does not really have her days and nights straight yet, but she basically feeds and goes back to sleep so I cannot complain.  Now we are excited for the arrival of Gigi and Grandpa Hefley!