Ella and Paige | week two

Paige turned two weeks old on Monday. The last two weeks have been nothing short of exhausting! I am still getting used to getting up two or three times a night, dragging myself across the house, changing and feeding her, and then going back to sleep just to do it again in two/three hours. Thankfully, it's not forever. There will come a day I will sleep all night again, right? 
This has been a week of progress. Paige started sleeping in her crib. Ella didn't start sleeping in her crib until about three months old. This time around I wanted to get her in her crib as soon as possible. She has now been sleeping in her crib for about a week, and it's going really well. 
I was a little nervous night one. She is so little, and it seems so weird for her to be sleeping in her own room. I am pretty sure it's harder on me than her. She has no idea. :) 

Paige had newborn pictures taken last week. I didn't do these with Ella so I really wanted to have them done with Paige. I booked these back in December, and last week the day finally came. We were there a good three hours, but it was totally worth it. I am so pleased with what I have seen so far! I will share more once I receive my disc and send our birth announcements. 

Paige has actually been awake a lot more this past week. 

She still enjoys sleeping a lot too!

 I love the way she puts her hands on her face while she takes a bottle. 

Ella is officially on summer break. I thoroughly enjoyed napping for two weeks after Paige was born and now it's on to reality. 

Ella had no interest in holding Paige once we were home from the hospital. We did not press the issue. We knew she would come around in her own time, and she finally did. Now she wants to hold her at least once a day. Ella is very sweet towards Paige and is interested in what she is doing.  It's amazing how quickly she adjusted. So far, we have had no problems. 

Love these two girls!!

Last day of Kindergarten

Today is Ella's last day of Kindergarten. It's amazing how much she has changed in nine months. She has definitely grown and matured more than I could have ever imagined.
We had a rough start. Ella cried almost every day for a month. Once we got past that I was told she didn't speak in class. I also found out I was pregnant. I was mentally and physically exhausted from the pregnancy and worrying about her. It was a very trying time in our lives. 
It took Ella months, but she eventually started talking in class.  She made friends with her classmates. She grew to love school and hasn't looked back. She has her moments, but she is a very caring, sweet, fun little girl. We are so proud of her and can't wait to see what first grade has in store for her and us. 

Kindergarten Celebration

This past weekend was Ella's kindergarten celebration, and it truly was a celebration. We made it! She made it! The beginning of the school year was ROUGH. I wanted this year to fly by, and now I'm sad to see it end. 
I wasn't sure I would make it to Ella's program. My doctor's kids go to ECS as well and was telling me in the OR on the day of my Csection that she didn't know if I would feel like going. She knew how important this was to me, but she also wanted me to be prepared that I may not feel up to it. If I couldn't go, I wasn't even sure if Ella was going to go. 
Sunday morning I woke up feeling really good, and I was so thankful. I seriously worried about this for months. It was just five days after my Csection. I loaded up on pain meds and off we went. :)
My friend, Sarah, watched Paige for us so we could concentrate solely on Ella. It was so nice to be able to not have to worry about Paige having an outburst in the middle of the program. If you read this Sarah thank you so much for offering to watch Paige for us!

  Aren't these two just the cutest!? Ella and Kole have the sweetest friendship.   

I had every intention of holding it together for this program since it was a happy occasion. I lost it when I saw Ella actually participating. She stood and stared at her Christmas program so to see her participating in front of a crowd just shows how far she has come this year. They were definitely tears of joy! We are so proud of her. 

Ella had the best kindergarten teachers! I will always be thankful for them both. 

I can't believe we are on to first grade!

Ella and Paige | week one

We have been a family of four for a week now, and I would say things are going well so far. I expected the worst and hoped for the best this time around, but Paige has fit right in. As of now, she sleeps most of the time. A few times a day she is up for short periods of time, but right now she just enjoys sleeping. I can't say I blame her. 
She is only up 2-3 times per night to eat which I can totally handle. After this week I can tell I am starting to feel tired, but it's definitely bearable. I was actually more tired and uncomfortable during the end of my pregnancy so that has help prepare me for this.  There will come a day I will sleep all night again. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later but for now I'm ok with this. 
I am back up and moving around like normal. I thought it would take me longer to recover, but I feel really good. I'm not totally back up to snuff. If I walk too much I start hurting and get exhausted. I can do light housework and do most of my motherly duties, except take Ella to school. I will be so glad when I can drive again. 
Here is a photo dump of week one: 
The boys meeting Paige

She fell in love with the rock and play from the start! 

Paigey's first bath

 Elliott still begs for attention...

I spy Paige...

The best guard dog on the planet

 Diaper rash treatment. Our girl loves to poop!

Poor Elliott was feeling left out

First time outside enjoying the fresh air

 Hanging out with Mammy

 Sweet little angel

Precious P

Paige's birth

I can not believe it has been a week since Paige was born. Last week at this time I was waiting to go back to surgery. I had no idea what was in store for me, but I had high hopes that this time around would be different. 
I was up at 2am Monday morning. I laid in bed waiting for my alarm to go off at 4am. I could not sleep, because my mind was racing. I was nervous about every. single. thing. that was going to take place from the time I arrived at the hospital until the time I stepped out of the hospital. I was also nervous to be away from Ella, even though I knew she was in good hands. Life was out of my control for a couple of days, and I did not like it.
Adam and I arrived promptly at 6:00am. I told him many times there was no way I was going to be late for this. We are late for everything.  By 6:30am I was being hooked up to monitors, asked a million questions, and prepping for surgery. I almost passed out while I was getting my IV, which was probably the worst part of the day. 

I walked in the OR at 8:00am still in shock that I was about ready to have a baby. I was a nervous wreck about the spinal, but it wasn't near as bad as I thought. Once I was ready to go Adam came in, and they started. I had complete faith in my doctor and knew she had my best interest at heart. She reassured me time and time again that everything would go a lot smoother than last time. 
At 8:21am Paige Leigh Bertram was born weighing in at 6 lbs 13 ounces and 18 inches long. She came out with the softest cry I have ever heard and a head full of black hair. It was surreal to see and hear her for the first time.  I never thought I would experience that moment ever again, and now I will never forget it. 

The surgery part was not bad at all. I was very pleased with the whole experience. Within no time I was being wheeled back to recovery. Ella was the only one allowed in the recovery room with us. She was so excited to meet her little sister that day. I honestly don't remember what she said, but I know she was thrilled and so proud to finally meet Paige. 

I ended up having a couple spells of nausea that day, but overall I felt surprisingly good. 

It was nice to be able to enjoy our visitors and not be in a ton of pain. 

Ella is the proudest big sister I have ever seen. She was way more excited than I imagined. She was only at the hospital a brief time, because she wanted to go to Chuck e Cheese. Once that was over she headed back to the hospital and stayed with us all afternoon. 

Paige slept almost all night our first night. I had to wake her up at 3am to eat. We should have realized then what a laid back baby she was going to be. There isn't a nursery at the hospital anymore, but even if there was I would not have sent her down. She was such a great baby our entire hospital stay. 

On day 2 I was able to get out of bed and shower. It was painful but not as painful as I imagined. Paige and I tried to nap most of the day, but nurses were in and out. My doctor came around 4 and told me I could go home in the morning if I felt like it. My goal all along was to get home after 48 hours. I needed to get home to return to our normal routine for my own sanity. 

The Bertram' s and Ice's just keep multiplying!

After 48 hours I was quickly released from the hospital. I think they must have needed my room, because we were out of there in no time. What was a terrible experience six years ago turned out to be a wonderful experience the second time around. I wasn't going to have her at the Women's Hospital since the first time was such a disaster, but I'm glad I did. I am now left with wonderful memories that I will remember forever.