Week of outings...

I feel like I have been very bad at posting updates! There doesn't seem to be time in the day to do it anymore. Things are going well. Little Izzy has broken out in a bad case of baby acne or heat rash. I feel so bad for her... it will pass though. She has been much more active lately which is really fun for us. She gives little smiles (most likely gas related, but some seem to be for us!) She turned 4 weeks old yesterday and time is flying by. This week Justin and I have stayed pretty busy. We went out to Lucia downtown Kirkland on Sunday night after a long walk along the water. Izzy was not having it! During dinner she was having a fit. Nothing we did could sooth her. Finally once we had the patio to ourselves she calmed down of course! We braved dinner out two more times this week! Tuesday night we went to El T's with my mom and she did so much better. Then last night we met the Thurik's at the Kirkland market and took a stroll down the water to the Beach House restaurant...it's a little fancy for a baby and two 1 year olds! However all three kiddos did great! It has been so nice to get out of the house. I've been feeling much better physically... we have been walking a lot and it feels great. My best friend is getting married in November in Cabo, so I need to get my butt in gear to look "pre-baby" as quick as I can. Although I will never truly have my "pre-baby body" again as you moms out there know. It is worth it though to have Isabella in our lives! This weekend we are venturing out to Ocean Shores! Crazy right? My mom, brother-law, niece Gianna (3), the boys, my brother and his girlfriend are all coming along. We will have lots of hands to help us out! I'm dreading packing though. I have made a list and literally looks like we are packing everything minus the kitchen sink! I'm excited to see what our trip brings and to post pictures of our first family trip with Izzy!

Fourth and First Wellness checkup

We had a nice fourth of July... Tyson and Justin were in the Kirkland parade with their All Star team. The boys first tournament game is this Saturday at noon at Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue. Should be a good tourney... this team is stellar!

Tyson was on the other side of the float, so I wasn't able to capture a picture of him...stinker!

Grandma and Izzy

Grandpa and Izzy

Monday Izzy had her first doctor's appointment. She was such a good girl! The doctor was checking her out and she was just hanging out. When the nurse pricked her heal for blood she didn't even cry! We were so proud of her. She has gained all but 1 ounce of her birth weight back. We have one healthy little girl on our hands.

Izzy Rae 2 weeks old

1 week under our belts...

Tomorrow marks our first week home from the hospital. We have had a great week. Izzy is good eater and sleeper. We are up usually at 2ish and 5ish in the morning, but she goes right back to sleep. We are so in love with her it is insane. I would hear all the time pre Izzy how crazy in love parents become with their babies. It is so true. With all of this love comes a ton of emotions. I'm on cloud nine at times and then crying for no reason. It is uncontrollable. I think I cry because I have so much love for Izzy and an even deeper love for Justin. My emotions have been taken to a whole new level. I still can't believe this is my life now. It seems so surreal that Izzy was inside of me for nine months and now she is living and breathing outside of me. I just adore her. Both of my sisters were in town last weekend to meet Izzy. It was really nice having them here. I miss them a ton. They both were amazing with Izzy. It was neat to see them interact with her. It has also been nice having my mom so close to us now (.5 miles away). Izzy had two projectile vomits yesterday, which I balled my eyes out and she was totally fine. I called up mom and she was over so fast to comfort her grown daughter! We always need our moms right? Justin has been fantastic with Izzy. He is an amazing father! I'm excited to watch their relationship grow. For now however, I'm focusing on being in the present and soaking in every bit of Isabella!

Coming home...in Seahawk attire of course!Proud PapaAuntie SarahAuntie Tala

Our little burrito!

Isabella Rae Andrews

My two girls...

(posted by Juice Juicerson)

Today, I am the happiest and proudest daddy/husband in the world! I have a beautiful perfect baby girl and the most amazing wife (and warrior) in the world. Yesterday was a different story.

The night before, we stayed up kind of late watching a movie. We didn't get to sleep until about 1:00 AM. At 2:45, Jess's water broke. We grabbed our stuff (Jess was packed--I was not). We arrived at Evergreen about 3:10 AM. Jess was dilated about 4 cm.

Aside from our doctor and team of nurses, we also had our team of friends and family here supporting us. At any given time there were no less than a dozen people here (we tend to roll with big crowds). For whatever reason, we were all given the idea that we would be delivering at about noon.

By around 10 AM, she was fully ready. At that time we began pushing--several hours hours later and zero progress, we elected to go with plan B.

At about 4:30 PM after 6 1/2 long hours of intense pushing, gnarly contractions, and everything else we arrived at the ER for a C section. There was some trouble with the anesthesia and Jess was administered a general--completely knocking here out. I wish I could say that I felt confident and comfortable with everything, but that was not the case. To be honest, I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. It is very hard watching someone you care so much about go through something like that and not having any ability to help. All I could do was hold her hand. And then...

At 6:17 PM Izzy was taken out and handed to a team of NICU doctors. I stayed with mom as long I could. After several minutes the doctors asked me if I wanted to hold my daughter. I reluctantly agreed. I admittedly was a little torn between mom and baby. It took all about 5 seconds, once I looked that little girl in the face, I was done. She was mine and I hers.

Mom was sewn up nicely and returned back to our room about an hour and a half later. Fortunately, everything went well. Baby and mom are both healthy. Mom is recovering and Izzy is absolutely perfect in every way (yes, she's already got me wrapped). I guess all's well that ends well...

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and well wishes. We all appreciate you love and support.

Final Stats

Name: Isabella Rae Andrews

Sex: Female

DOB: June 24, 2009

Time of birth: 6:17 PM

Length: 21.65 inches

Weight: 9.5 pounds (yes she's a biggin)

-Juice

Busy month...no baby yet.

We have had quite the month...baseball, my brother's high school graduation and getting things ready for the baby.

Tyson and Justin's team came in first place for the playoffs for Kirkland American Little League Major's! It was very exciting and a huge accomplishment for both. We then went on to play for the Kirkland City Championship against Kirkland National Little League, but unfortunately we did not win this game. So, baseball is officially over for the regular season. My boys however love baseball so much! Justin is coaching the All Star team and Tyson is playing on it. Practices start today and the tournaments start mid July. Along with All Star games, Tyson plays for the Kirkland Knights (select team in the summer). They have a tournament coming up in Moses Lake soon, but Justin and I will not be going since we will have newborn. As much as I dislike how time consuming baseball is for my family, I absolutely love watching Tyson play and Justin coach. Justin is an amazing coach. He really connects to the boys and inspires them to be great ball players and people. It is cool to see the kids look up to him.

Ty graduated high school last Saturday! I can't believe he is done with high school. We are SO proud of him. He has really busted his buns the last couple of years to graduate on time. He is so grown up and has turned into a gentleman! I can't wait to see what he does in the future with his life. He has a very talented entrepreneur mind. Way to go Ty!

Tyson also had his 6th grade promotion. He is now moving on to Kirkland Junior High! Cannot believe how fast time has gone. He was just starting first grade when I met him. His teacher for the past two years have been Brady Howden. Tyson has been so fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Howden. We have seen Tyson soar to success in his class!

We also celebrated Tala's 27th birthday and gave Isaiah a mullet! Just kidding...we took pictures partway through the hair cut. He now has a buzz cut and looks adorable!

As far as baby news...there is none! I'm so bummed. I was hoping to have Izzy by now. Sarah and Tala are both coming up this weekend and it would be nice to have Izzy. Otherwise I don't know when Sarah will be back up to visit. I've been trying everything in the book for inducing labor naturally! Any ideas for me moms out there? I've tried walking, bouncing on an exercise ball, reflexology, pedicures, red leaf tea, spicy foods, and the act that got us here in the first place! I'm dilated to a 1 on the inside of my cervix and a 2 on the outside. SLOWLY getting there. My cervix is still high and set back. :( If I don't deliver by next Monday, we will have the conversation about inducing within 1-1 1/2 weeks. I asked if we could induce on Monday, but my doc advised against it since most first time moms who do elective inductions end up with a c-section. Send positive thoughts my way!!!!

She doesn't even look pregnant when she stands next to gigantic ME!

Heat Stroke?

It is so hot today. It has to be in the 90's. I am busy working away on my Professional Certification that ends Thursday...thank God! I am so over heated my hands and feet are so swollen they are unrecognizable and I've changed my clothes three times! My first outfit was capri jeans, tank and cute shirt over that. Outfit number 2...I swapped the capri jeans for my husbands basketball shorts. Outfit number 3... bikini top and skirt. HA! So attractive when your 9 months pregnant right? Hope everyone else is staying cool! After I'm done with all of this Pro Cert stuff I'll be hanging out at the Thurik's were there is Air Conditioning!!!!! :)

What we have been up to...

It has been a whirlwind of a month! I had my girlfriends shower hosted by Trina and Katie and we had a co-ed shower hosted by Katie & Jerame and Beth & Jason. They both were a blast. We have the greatest friends. The co-ed shower was fun to see how the guys reacted to baby stuff! They were all pretty cute about it. Justin was excited that he had the chance to open some of our gifts! Here are some fun pictures from the showers.

Cheers to K & J!

Katie made this adorable diaper cake for my girlfriends shower! We didn't have any posed group picture shots...too busy chatting!

More to come on our busy month of May!