I am so alert! Ayla at 10 weeks

Ayla becomes more and more alert everyday. 10 weeks old tomorrow. Soon we will be counting in months...

Wide eyed and smiling. We love it !I always have a good laugh when Ayla is having tummy time with daddy. I imagine her saying to herself, "it is just a bigger version of me" lol! After I feed her I bring her up to my cheek. I absolutely LOVE being cheek to cheek with her, so soft and squishy. Does she have any of my genes? As her face takes shape we think she is developing my nose and mouth? We'll see..

Another Ayla milestone

I have finally added myself as an author of this blog. Brett hasn't posted since I was about 20 weeks pregnant and anyone who knows me knows I have been giving him a hard time for getting the credit on the posted by line :) So anyways...

On Monday Ayla will be ten weeks old. Time flies. Everyone with a child tells me "treasure every minute, they grow up so fast". I am starting to realize this as Ayla now intently follows me with her eyes and smiles in response to mine.

She has a little firefly toy that makes noise and lights up when you yank on it. She always just stares at it and smiles, but tonight she reached out for it ! Her motions are becoming so much more calculated. As she looks at the firefly I can see her trying to reach for it. She has also been holding in her binky. The best moment was tonight when I was holding her, we were smiling back and forth and she reached for my chin! Such an amazing mommy experience! This moment alone has made every middle night feed, poopy diaper, and ruined shirt due to spit up worth it :)

Just kidding, I have learned to have perspective on those moments too, because I don't like the negative emotions that tend to arise in me if I dwell on "all the hard work" . This is God working in me and praise Him for giving me the calm and wisdom that I posess when motherhood seems to overwhelm me.

Another milestone is Ayla's first trip to the Tacoma Dome Holiday food and gift extravaganza! Not sure if that is its true title, but either way, most of you know what I am referring to. Thanks to my mom I am a sucker for anything holiday and those endless aisles of booths. We went with my cousin Trena, her two kids Grant and Kyla and my aunt Cindy. Ayla was a trooper sleeping the whole time in her baby bjorn (the best 90 bucks I have ever spent!). Little did she know I came away with a knit hat and new shoes for her...

The outing to Tacoma wasn't that big of a deal, but I am always looking for an excuse to post more pictures :)

Ayla loves bath time with daddy

You learn quick as a new mom with a newborn that the best thing you can do for your baby is to simulate the womb. Ayla loves swaddling, sucking, shh shhh ing, and swinging or swaying. As a teacher I was constantly up in front of my class swaying back and forth, something I began doing very early in my pregnancy and was very unaware of it, until now when I stand in the grocery line swaying back and forth for no reason at all. Also, coaching basketball and softball I was constantly on my feet running, passing, throwing, hitting, etc. So Ayla is a baby on the move. Movement is the ultra soothing method for her. So bath time is no different. She was "at home" in the warm water from the beginning. First it was in the bathroom sink, but now at 23 inches and almost 12 lbs she has moved into her baby bath tub (thanks Janet!). This will be one of those posts where 13 years from now, Ayla will be like "MOM, you put naked baby pictures of me on the internet!"

Burp baby burp

Basically there are two classic burping methods: over the shoulder or sitting up on our laps. Having her sitting up straight while she leans over our hand was always our favorite and most effective method, however she is a little big and squirmy now for the on the lap method, so we are starting to get creative. I like to take her by the armpits and just move her up and down, stretch out the tummy a little, but this is something new Brett tried today. It works! Brett is always very creative and has lots of suggestions when it comes to solving "baby issues", this one cracks me up :) Him too apparently. I think we will call this one the flying baby method...

Everbody loves a naked baby

Every time we lay Ayla down on her changing table, we turn the mobile on above her and out comes a huge smile. She can be screaming, wimpering, hungry, cold, tired or in any other uncomfortable state and a smile still manages to arise. Does she know she is about to get a clean diaper or is she excited about the music and floating flowers and butterflies above her head. Who knows, all I know is Brett and I can't resist squeezing and kissing her chubby little face, arms, tummy and legs.

Sleepy Deepy

Here is a pic of Ayla's favorite place to sleep - no wonder she won't sleep in her bassinet when she has this warm mass of unconditional love to sleep on:

Thus begins my sleep rant...
Well, I am ready to truly "blog" because motherhood is a world of second guessing myself. I have lived my life as a confident female (thanks to amazing strength and love from my parents) always willing to be the leader and make decsions. I have hardly ever felt the need to second guess my decision making and need for efficiency:) So motherhood has really thrown me for a loop. God has been my guide and comforter. My faith has been our one true constant as we begin parenthood and I cannot imagine where I would be without it.


Ayla is a "textbook" baby. Cries when she is hungry, has gas, and is tired. Otherwise she is happy and calm. We are truly blessed. Feeding Ayla has been going great, she even takes a bottle about once a day and still loves breasfeeding. However, sleep is the area we struggle with...

Why is it whenever you tell people you just had a baby the first thing (or maybe second behind how much did she weigh?) is how does she sleep? Well, now as a mother of an 8 week old newborn I know :) It basically consumes me. Is she getting enough? Should I put her on a schedule? Why won't she sleep more then 20 minutes while napping in her bassinet, yet at night will sleep in there for 4 plus hours? How can I teach her to soothe herself? I will take any sleep advise you all have for me, mothers, fathers, or not.

We committed the parent "no no" and had her in the bed with us. This was great, she slept almost 6 hours at a time. Yet during the day mommy got nothing done because she would only nap on my chest (or whoever was willing- grandma, dad...). Brett and I also were getting too afraid of the co-sleeping risk factors.

So two weeks ago we started the transition into her bassinet, trying to avoid the age old cry it out method. Come to find out, we only had to do this once and all was good.

• Between 9 and 10 we rock her to sleep after a bed time routine of bath, eat, read a story. We place her in the bassinet, she stirs about 20 mins later and we give her the binky (which she has a hard time keeping in her mouth because we waited so long to present it to her due to my fear of "nipple confusion" - this is my only regret so far, waiting so long to give her a binky, we should have done it from day one), so due to this binky issue I must be vigilent for awhile until she sucks herself into dream land.


• She will then sleep a good 4 or 5 hours, which is great. I feed her and about 70% of the time so far she goes right back to sleep in her bassinet with the help of the binky, but sometimes we need to rock her back to sleep. This second stint in the bassinet only lasts 2 or 3 hours though. We are getting there though. I am happy with this.


• So here is where I need advise... NAPS. She will sleep in her swing, but motionless sleep is what she really needs to be rested. As I said she will sleep for about 20 mins in her bassinet before I hear a huge wail from the bedroom and I must rescue her, she will NOT go back to sleep on her own or with the binky, so at this point I lay down with her, sometimes I sleep, sometimes I watch Oprah :) I am hoping this is just a phase and as she gets more comfortable with soothing herself (which is an issue in itself because I don't know how to teach her to do that without her crying for what seems like too long and this too me is torture, my breasts start to leak and I begin sobbing myself).
• I have read book after book, which to anyone about to have a baby, DON'T read any books on sleep, do what works for you! You just drive yourself crazy with all the different recomendations. I know there are people out there who can lay there babies down and they fall asleep on their own, but very few of them. I have no problem putting my baby to sleep, helping her a bit. Parenting is about daily, second by second sacrifices and I am happy to make those for my precious little one. But she needs to be rested to be happy, so that is why there is a nap dilemma.

Ahhhhh, motherhood :)

Our pumpkin baby's first trip to the pumpkin patch

Today we bundled Ayla up in her pumpkin suit that her grandma Laura got her.

Too cute huh?

Our good family friends - Carpinito's - own a pumpkin patch and my mom is helping out selling roasted corn so we brought her down to show her off to grandma (and anyone else who wanted to see the cutest pumpkin ever). She was a huge hit...

This is a special trip. My dad was always the one to take my sister and I to this pumpkin patch and trick or treating. He would have loved helping Ayla pick out her first pumpkin :)

Smiles, smiles, and more smiles

Ayla just can't help herself. When she is done eating she loves to look into mommy's eyes and give me a BIG grin. So I decided today to share this joy with all of you and get some pictures of our happy little baby smiling away. So here is the progression, first she considers it, then takes some time to remember how to smile and then yay, smiles galore !

4 weeks !!! Ayla is smiling...

Well, life as a mother is busy, busy, busy. I was never that on top of updating the blog and now I

am even worse, so be patient ok? Ayla is doing great. She is awake about 8 hours a day and sleeps in 3-4 hour increments at night, YAHOO!

She is starting to smile in response to her mommy and daddy which is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. She is growing so fast, changing everyday. Her vision is improving too, she will follow things with her eyes more intently.

Ayla's favorite blanky:

My good friend Sam who currently resides in Oxford with her husband while he gets a doctorate in Celtic studies (I think that is what it is, tell me if I am wrong Sam so I can fix it). Sam and I are kindred spirits, we share an undying love of pop culture and Harry Potter. She affectionately refers to her husband Peter's school "Hogwarts". She is also an amazing artist (drawing, decorating, sewing). She sent Ayla a blanket and below is a picture of Ayla with the blanket. If you look closely you will see Sam included a strip of fabric that has trucks, bulldozers, and other construction equipment. Sam did this for Ayla to remember her Grandpa Darrell. Brett and I had a good cry. We know it is already a favorite of Ayla's because we got our first on camera smile !!! Thanks Sam :)

Ayla at 2 weeks

At her two week check up, Ayla was 7 lb 1 oz. Mommy and Daddy were SO PROUD !
She is growing every day...

A visit from Sarah and Emma

We were lucky enough to hook up with our good friends Sarah and Emma while they were in town from North Carolina for a couple of days. Ayla's first outing !

Anouncing Ayla Christina Thompson, 8-18-08

She has arrived !!!
6 lbs 13 oz
17.5 inches























Daddy's hair, eyes, arms, toes and calm demeanor.
I say she can sleep through anything and the only time she gets upset is when she needs to eat :)
Mommy's nose, mouth, fingers and honesty.
Brett says she is quick to let us know what she wants :)
As we wrote every post this is the one we have been waiting for - she is the most precious wonderful blessing.


The play by play...
Monday 8-18-08

9:30 am:
I am examined by my OB during my scheduled weekly check-up who tells me I am currently 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced (no surprise since I was 2 cm the week before). At this point Brett and I think she will arrive in the next couple of days.


12:00:
I had been feeling some cramping in my abdomen, back and legs for about two weeks, Braxton Hicks. However, these cramps were a little stronger and longer - about an hour apart, contractions????


1:00:
Brett, me and my sister go to the supermall to do a little walking around to relieve some of my cramps - yep at this point I still am not convinced they are contractions -the joys of a first time mom, the constant unknowns of pregnancy.

3:00
By now my cramps (nope not convinced yet - pretty sure though) are about 30 minutes apart.

5:00
Ok, ok. I am now convinced they are contractions as I am on my knees kneeling over my couch moaning in pain that these are in fact contractions and I am in the beginning stages of labor. I bounce on my exercise ball between each one (about 15- 20 mins apart) I am assuming we will leave for the hospital maybe around midnight. Little did I know that Ayla was more than ready and would arrive before midnight.

7:45
I tell Brett that we should head to the hospital because they are coming at 7 mins apart. We were told from the beginning by doctors, birth class, friends - "don't get there too early, you would rather be at home" so we decide to wait and see if I have four more before 8:30. I have four within the next 20 minutes. The ride to hospital is a blur - I can't speak for Brett but I know it was extremely stressful for him.

8:30 - A Guardian Angel sent by Grandpa Darrell...
We arrive at Valley Medical Center into the ER. My dad sent us an angel here on earth. I rolled into the packed ER on my wheelchair in the most intense pain. The admit people were taking their time and said I had to wait for someone from the birth center to come down and meet me. The hospital's security guard (a big strong black man) says we aint waitin - come on baby I will get you there real quick. He takes the wheelchair and rushes me through the hospital into the birth center. He doesn't even let the nurse who meets him at the birth center entrance take me to my room - he does. He helps me onto my bed and gives me a hug and huge encouragement.

about 9:00
From here on out the times are approximate, as it is all a blur at this point :) The nurse examines me and I am dilated to 5.5 cm. My OB is on call until 10:oo so nurse informs me the on call OB from my doctors office will deliver my baby. I tell her I don't want any narcotic pain meds, just an epidural. She tells me the anestesiologist is on his way. Little did I know how ready my little girl was to come into this world.

about two hours later WITHOUT epidural (11:00-ish)
The nurse comes in to examine me and I am already at 9.5 cm - none of us, especially the medical staff were expecting me to progress this fast. My contractions are so intense I feel like I am going to pass out. Then, I don't know which stressful piece of news she tells me first, that the Dr. is running late coming from Seattle or that the anesthesiologist might not make it to me before I deliver ! What, I say (more like scream) is "there is NO other anesthesiologist in this entire hospital who can help me?" Brett says "why did we even come to the hospital, no Dr. no epidural?"
Then, another miracle occcurs. Not, five minutes later the anesthesiologist appears at the door and is able to give me my epdural! And in another few minutes the Doctor is their breaking my water. He tells the nurse to keep an eye on me and let him know how I progress. Again, Ayla was ready because I look to my mom, sister and Brett and say "I feel nauseous" and then up comes my philly cheese steak I ate earlier when roaming the mall. The nurse runs to get the Dr. because this is a pushing mechanism and means Ayla is ready to arrive.
The Dr. comes back and is impressed with my pushing ability and says "you are better then the other lady about to deliver, I'll do you first" My competitive spirit doesn't die because I am in labor. I am very proud of both myself and my daughter. The question everyone has is will her birthday be 8/18 or 8/19 ???

11:55 pm:
Welcome, Ayla !!! She is beautiful and screaming. The clean her up and wrap her up and hand her to me. The most fullfilling, rewarding, amazing moment of my life. As I see Brett approaching me I see he feels the same way. A proud papa, Ayla immediately a daddy's girl.
















Write out of the womb. My sister being the future Doctor was right there to snap some amazing pictures (including the placenta which I will spare you the sight of - but amazing in its own right).











Our family of three...









































Feeling a little more refreshed...






















The greatest thing about bringing Ayla into this world is all the love she is surrounded by. From close family, to extended family, to all of our friends.