Norah 1 month!

Here is a little about our Sweet Norah at 1 month:

-Loves her tummy time and will take naps on her tummy.
-Does not like the swing because I think she prefers that we hold her and bounce her up and down.
-She mostly sleeps on her boppy during the day.
-Is a fast eater---  Sometimes too fast as it will come spewing right back out a few minutes after she is eating.
-Usually eats about every 3 hours during the day-- 4 oz. each feeding.
-Have mostly been pumping and feeding her from a bottle. after week 2 when I got mastitis :(
-Is a fabulous sleeper for the most part.  during the first couple of weeks at night she would wake up every 4 or so hours but the last couple of weeks she will sleep at least 6 or 7 hours between feedings. We feel so lucky and are treasuring all the sleep we are getting.
-Has a quiet little whimper cry.
-she loves to be held.
-Tolerates Lincoln grabbing and pushing and kissing her all over. She is def. learning to be tough.
-Finally fits into her newborn clothes.  0-3 month clothes are still a bit big.
-She is as cute as can be and we can't imagine life without her!

Stats:
Weight- 8 1/2 lbs.  

Lincoln's haircut.

We had been trying for weeks to try and get Lincoln's haircut.  We first tried taking him to get his haircut at Great Clips on March 30th--- which he screamed and screamed so we left with no haircut.  I had then attempted to cut his hair myself, but because I have zero training and every time he saw a pair of scissors come anywhere near him he would wiggle and scream, let's just say the bit of cutting that I was able to do looked horrible. So it was way overdue to get his hair cut. So attempt #2 at the salon.  At first it was much the same... lots of screaming and lots of bribing to try and get him to sit still for the sweet girl trying to cut his hair.  After quite the fight--- and giving him a sucker--- and a show to watch on the phone he sat on Dad's lap long enough to get his haircut. Hallelujah! I have my cute little handsome boy back.

The Before and After

  

The rest of April.

April was pretty chill.... We mostly just hung out at home loving up on our two kids.  Picture overload.... so enjoy.

Our first walk with both kids!  Love it! 

 Cutest little heart bum... and I am loving what little bit of dark hair she has.

 Lincoln is constantly wanting to hold her---

 I love my two kids!

 Little KKK member. ha.

 It is sad to say but since Norah was born, Lincoln has been playing on my phone and watching shows on my phone way more than he probably should be. He loves it! On of these days I am going to figure out how to manage my time better so I can give him more attention.

Norah's first real bath!  At first she wined a little but after just a few seconds she realized it was pretty nice...

 We did manage to get out once and go to eat at Ichiban as a family.  It is a Sushi-Asain buffet. Lincoln loved trying out Chopsticks for the first time.

 One afternoon Lincoln came over to me saying, "Uh-Oh."  He then took me to the kitchen and showed me this.... Luckily only one egg had broke.  Lately he has had an obsession with getting in the fridge and getting out whatever he wants.  There are def. times I had a lock for it.

 We had our good friends Trisha and Mike Sorenson stop by for a visit.  Lincoln and Sam had a great time playing.

Norah's first week

What a great week it has been! We love our little Norah so much already.  During the first week, it is always so hard but so rewarding. We were def. running on a lack of sleep and trying to figure out how to make things work with two kids but overall things were great.  Lincoln loves his little sister, and although he def. gets a little jealous of all the attention she gets--- and the decrease in attention he is getting, he is already the older, protective brother.  If Norah is being held by anyone else other than Mom or Dad then Lincoln will start crying and not wanting that person to hold her.  It is cute! He also loves to give her hugs and kisses. We have to watch him carefully because his hugs often consist of trying to lie on her.
Here are a few more pics from Norah's first week.
Norah LOVES to be swaddled up tight..... so Lincoln wanted to join in as well. Dad wrapped him up real tight.

 Pretty in pink... and purple.

 You forget how little they once were... Lincoln looks like a giant.

 This kid is all smiles when he gets to 'have' his sister.

 We caught her sucking her thumb a few times....

Norah was also able to meet Grandpa Steve and Grandma Penny!  

 They also brought Lincoln his birthday present...  He loves dinosaurs!

Norah Anne Butterfield

-Taken from journal entry written on 4/4/13

She is HERE!

6 lbs. 6 oz.      19 inches long   

Taken at the hospital when she was less than a day old. 

Our little Norah Anne made her entrance into our little family on March 30th (10 days early)- she is already quite the obedient child.  I told her she was not allowed to come on the 29th(because that is already mine and Lincoln's birthday) but that she could come anytime after.  She didn't wait long and came the next day!

So here is how it all came to be---

I had a Dr. appt on the 28th and I was still dilated to a 3... he asked if  I wanted to have my membranes stripped-- which he said would pretty much for sure cause labor within 24 hours and she would arrive on the 29th.  It was so tempting because we just wanted our sweet little one here but after going back and forth on the decision I decided that I really didn't want her to come on the 29th (although Adam thought it would be very convenient to have all three of us on the same day-- 1 cake, 1 party, 1 day to remember). So we decided to let things happen naturally- If she came on the 29th so be it- but I didn't want to force it. We made it through the 29th (phew) but that night of the 29th I woke up feeling a few contractions that seemed maybe a little stronger than normal so I was thinking maybe this was going to be it.  But by the time morning came they had gone away and I wasn't feeling any consistent or any strong contractions.  Because it was the day before Easter we had a day full of activities planned.  First up was the Kiwanis Easter Hunt at the park.  I remember going every year as a kid so it was fun to have Lincoln able to participate in. Once he figured it out- he got quite the stash of candy. We stayed and played at the playground for a few minutes and then headed home.  I made the pasta salad I was bringing to the Barton Easter picnic and then we went to get Lincoln and Adam's haircut. Well we attempted to get Lincoln's cut.  He screamed and squirmed and wouldn't let anyone touch his hair. Let's just say we have quite the stubborn little man on our hands.  At this point it was almost one and I didn't really notice any pains or contractions.  The Barton picnic was at 1 so we headed up to the Red Cliffs. It was a super hot afternoon-- we got lunch, visited, and just hung out. It was about 3 or so when I really started to get uncomfortable.  At this point we decided to head home because it was no fun sitting up in that heat.  The drive home was when I first really thought that today was probably going to be the day.  The contractions really started to get painful. When we got home, Adam had to run out to work to get his computer and some stuff that he needed to work on for the day.  While he was gone I started timing contractions and sure enough they were within 5 minutes and lasting about a minute. At this point I called my Mom and Dad and told them to come and get Lincoln. Once Adam got home and my Mom and Dad got here, Adam and my Dad gave me a blessing, we grabbed our stuff and headed to the hospital. Let's just say the ride to the hospital was no fun-- I am just glad we only live 10-15 minutes away- although it seemed much longer than that. It was now about 5:30 pm. Once we arrived at the hospital they took me right in a room because they said I looked ready to go- boy were the right.  Dr. Chalmers came in and checked me and I was almost dilated to a 8. The first think I asked was, "Can I still get an epidural-- I want one ASAP- I hope it isn't too late to get one."  Luckily I was still able to get one and the anesthesiologist was there in no time. He made me happy again. I love modern medicine.  Once the epidural kicked in I waited in peace for about a hour before it was time to push!  I started pushing at 7:30 pm and 3 contractions and a series of pushes later, little Norah arrived at 7:40 pm.  We couldn't believe how fast she came.  No complaints from me. We were so happy she arrived healthy. Another surprise was that she had hair-- and it was brown. I guess we were planning on another little blondy baldy. I was so happy she was already taking after Me!  I'm again so amazed at the miracle of giving birth and bringing a Child of God into this world. I love to think that this sweet little spirit had just arrived from out Heavenly Father.  We feel so blessed to be able to raise another sweet little baby.

(Here are a few 'moments' after birth pics- glamorous right?)

  

   This delivery was about 10x easier and quicker than with Lincoln.  She was a dream and came out as cute as can be.  It was also nice that I didn't have my epidural on very long or as strong so my legs regained feeling pretty fast. Recovery was great and I felt really good after. We stayed one night in the hospital and were able to leave the next day (Easter Sunday) at around 3 pm.  So really we were only at the hospital for about 22 hours-- that's the way I like it!  Overall the hospital stay was great. Everyone was wonderful.  I also really liked our Doc- Dr. Chalmers.  How grateful I am to have such skilled and knowledgeable people to make this process what it was.  

Me and my Daddy- I already have him wrapped around my finger. 

After we got her in her carseat we realized that I didn't even have a picture of her with me in the hospital--- so better late than never! 

Ready to go!  

Here is Lincoln meeting Norah for the first time and giving her kisses.  

---Here is our first family picture and Yes it was taken in our bathroom. We are classy like that.---

Pops meeting Norah for the first time.

   Since being home it has been a bit of an adjustment going from one child to two. Def. more crazy!   Lincoln was so cute when he first met Norah and was all smiles.  Bummer thing is that he got a nasty cold and cough the day after she got home so we haven't let him hold and touch her as much as he wants.  He loves calling her 'baby sister' and lights up whenever he sees her.  

So far Norah has been a really good baby-although the first night we were home she was HORRIBLE... her wanting to eat every 10 minutes was no fun. But the next few nights were great- her waking up about every 3-4 hours. She already seems to be a much better sleeper than Lincoln ever was.  She also doesn't cry much-- instead just has quiet little wimpers. I am sure that will change but we'll enjoy it while it lasts.  We Love our Norah and can't wait for a lifetime of experiences and memories with our new little on. 

Norah being cute on Day2.

More pictures of me that were taken in the hospital.