MiMi's Visit

My Mom (aka MiMi) came for a visit this past week to meet Ella. We hadn't seen her for 7 whole months (WAY too long!). Mom takes care of my 88 year old grandfather in her home in Maine and isn't able to get out much. He requires full time care these days. Hospice has come in to help, which made it possible for my Mom to get away for 5 days. We are thankful she was able to visit and we enjoyed our time with her. Here are some new pictures...some random, some from my Mom's visit. Enjoy!


Ella relaxing on a quilt made by one of my Mom's friends


Mom holding Ella


Proud Mom and Grandmother


Yet another shot of Ryan holding his sister (I just can't resist getting the camera out...he's so darn cute with her!)

Ella's First Week at Home

Ella will be one week old tomorrow. So far her days consist of sleeping (A LOT) and eating (A LOT MORE!). If she is not napping, she is eating. We need to fatten her up a bit...she's just a little peanut! Hopefully she will soon be able to fill out all of the adorable baby outfits we have for her!

Ryan is quite enamored with his little sister. His reaction to her is much different than I thought it would be. I haven't seen too much of the jealousy that I expected. He just loves to kiss her and cover her up (yikes!) and he can't wait to hold her in the morning when he gets up. He is such a great big brother...and has been a pretty big helper for Mommy and Daddy!

James and I are adjusting to the newborn phase again. It's funny how much you forget from the first time around. While I do feel a little more relaxed about what to do when such and such happens...each baby is so different and there are things that pop up that make me wonder...am I doing this right!? All in all we are adjusting pretty well. I know the newborn phase doesn't last forever. I am trying not to wish it away just for a few extra winks of sleep. When they turn 3 they don't like to cuddle as much!!

Here is a peek at some photos from Ella's first week at home. Enjoy!


Sweet little Ella


Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit (and Ryan is saying cheese)


Mommy trying to catch a few Zzzzzzs


Our little lady in her first summer dress


Proud Big Brother Ryan

Introducing...

Ella Naomi Carlson
Saturday, July 12th, 6:51 pm
7 lbs, 4 oz, 21 inches



We are praising God for another healthy baby. Labor and delivery went well (much faster than the 21 hours I was in labor with Ryan!). In fact, James almost missed the delivery because he was in the hallway calling my Mom and his parents to let them know that it would probably be a few more hours, as I was only 5 cm dilated when the doctor checked me at around 6pm. After he hung up the phone, he stopped off in the restroom. When he came out...the nurse was calling for him from down the hall saying "Hurry up, Dad...this baby is coming sooner than we thought!". By some gracious miracle I dilated 5 cm in 20 minutes and began pushing at 6:30. Ella made her grand appearance at 6:51 pm. Whew!

Baby Update

Why is it that you prepare for 9 months+ for a baby...and you wait and you wait in that last month for labor to begin...but when the doctor actually TELLS you when labor is going to start...you feel like you are not ready!? AHHHHH! I went to my 38 week appointment yesterday and the doctor told me he would like to induce me on Saturday!! Due to this antibody that is in my blood, he feels there is no benefit to waiting until 40 weeks, and the risk of the antibody crossing the placenta only increases as time goes on. I was a little worried, at first, when he started talking about inducing...wondering if there was something he was concerned about, but not telling me. He put my fears at rest though and told me that he was still reassured that everything looks good. He then said that SELFISHLY he wants to be there for the delivery and that he is on-call all weekend so he wants me there first thing Saturday morning (like 7am, first thing!!).

For those not familiar with what I am talking about with the whole antibody thing...I found out mid-way through my pregnancy that the Antibody Screening that they do as part of the normal prenatal blood work came back positive. They had a hard time determining what the antibody was, but after sending the blood work away to the Red Cross, they determined that it is something called anti-lutheran b. At some point during my delivery with Ryan, his blood mixed with mine and basically my immune system took over and said "Hey--this doesn't belong here" so it created an antibody to fight it off. Yay to my immune system for working correctly! I guess Ryan and James both have the lutheran b antigen in their blood (which is "normal" for them and their blood make-up). The antibody has no real affect on me (other than if I were to need a blood transfusion, it would mean I would need to draw from a rare pool of blood donors with the same antibody). The only time it is an issue is during pregnancy. The greatest risk is to the baby, and in some cases could cause severe anemia in the baby. They have done several tests on the baby to see how her blood flow is and to try and determine whether or not there is cause for concern. My doctor told me that he is reassured that everything looks good and that she has been growing as she should be. But--to be safe--or selfish--he wants to induce at 39 weeks (normally they would induce at 37 weeks if they thought there was a problem). So--there it is--my long explanation. I can honestly say that I don't enjoy being a medical mystery!! As far as I know, mine is the only case of this that my doctor has ever dealt with!!

At any rate, I am going to be induced on Saturday. Please pray for us, for a safe and uncomplicated delivery of Baby Girl Carlson! Oh, and if you could throw in there for my labor not to last 21 hours...ya, that would be great, too! :)