Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Gabby's First Birthday
Below are pictures from Gabby's first birthday! We visited Zoo Atlanta with some of her friends. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Daddy Observations
It has been an amazing experience so far watching Gabby grow before our eyes. Gabby is over a month old and is already over 10 lbs. We like to call her "milk monster" because she's always hungry!. Overall, Gabby is doing great. She can be fussy at times (slight colic), and Erin and I have used all the tricks to console her. It has been difficult getting her to sleep, but she is slowly sleeping more through the night and increasing her length of sleep between feedings. In the meantime, Erin has been a champ getting up every few hours at night to feed the baby. We are also monitoring her skin, as she has developed some mild eczema and diaper rash. They both should disappear over the next couple of weeks.
From a time management perspective, Erin and I have adjusted our schedules quite a bit. We are definitely on Gabby's schedule now but wouldn't have it any other way. During the week, Erin has been able to recover well and help with some of the administrative items like searching for daycare and sorting through all the baby photos. For me, the past few weeks have been filled with several transitions, especially with the start of a new job a few weeks ago. We are all taking one day at a time and enjoying the new adventures in our lives.
That's all for now. More pictures will be posted later this week!
-Gabby's Dad
From a time management perspective, Erin and I have adjusted our schedules quite a bit. We are definitely on Gabby's schedule now but wouldn't have it any other way. During the week, Erin has been able to recover well and help with some of the administrative items like searching for daycare and sorting through all the baby photos. For me, the past few weeks have been filled with several transitions, especially with the start of a new job a few weeks ago. We are all taking one day at a time and enjoying the new adventures in our lives.
That's all for now. More pictures will be posted later this week!
-Gabby's Dad
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Gabriella Elise Simms
As many of you know, Erin gave birth to a healthy baby girl on June 16, 2011 at 9:03pm EST. Gabriella Elise Simms was born 7.0lbs and 19.75 inches. The baby arrived three weeks early, but we are blessed that Erin and "Gabby" are doing well. For me, it was quite a roller coaster, celebrating the birth of Gabby while tending to Erin's side after birth. Erin will come on the blog soon to tell her birth story, and it is story certainly filled with ups and downs. I'm just thankful for the staff at Emory Johns Creek hospital, who tended to Erin with great care after birth.
Below are a few YouTube videos with some pictures of Gabby after birth through the arrival home for the first time. Enjoy and more blogs to come on the birth story! -Gabby's Dad
Below are a few YouTube videos with some pictures of Gabby after birth through the arrival home for the first time. Enjoy and more blogs to come on the birth story! -Gabby's Dad
Thursday, June 16, 2011
It is time!
We are finally at the hospital ready to have a healthy delivery and birth of Pooka. After several discussions with our doctor and mid-wife, we decided to induce labor in the best interest of Erin and Pooka. Accordingly, we checked into the hospital this morning and Erin is in the very early first stage of labor. She is doing very well. Talk soon! -Paul
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A New Mindset
Tomorrow will mark 37 weeks in the pregnancy. We have come a long way in a short period of time. Yesterday, we were fortunate to receive family and friends at our very last baby shower in Atlanta. We again thank those who came out on a hot sunny afternoon! And kudos to Samantha, Whitney, and Celeste for putting on a great shower!
Since our last blog, quite a bit has happened. This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to take maternity photos, which are going to look terrific! We also purchased and installed a car seat and finalized the baby's room, with the crib mattress as the only outstanding item (should arrive mid-week). However, our most important development happened last Wednesday.
As mentioned in prior blogs, Erin's blood pressure has fluctuated quite a bit, and the midwife and doctor have been monitoring it very closely. Last Wednesday, her blood pressure results remained high, and we were urged to admit Erin to the hospital overnight for a 24-hour observation period. We consented and immediately went to the hospital that night. During the stay, Erin's blood pressure readings were monitored every hour, along with tests for urine and blood. All the results were normal, and Erin was released Thursday night. Since the hospital stay, Erin has continued to remain on bed rest, with the exception of the baby shower and photo shoot.
As we reach full-term tomorrow, we are continuing to monitor Erin's blood pressure, as the readings have continued to fluctuate since her stay in the hospital. Maintaining normal blood pressure is critical at this stage for a variety reasons, but for today's blog, we'd like to outline its importance for water birth. We continue to plan and expect a natural water birth. However, if the readings continue to fluctuate and remain high, Erin will be unable to do a water birth and may need to have induced labor to prevent potential health hazards (toxemia and pre-eclampsia).
Obviously, the emotions have remained high as we process all the changes and potential scenarios. For months, we have been planning for a water birth and now may have to move forward with an induced labor. For us, this will require a new mindset as we prepare for the labor process. In addition to planning for a water birth, we will also need to plan for an induced labor if it is required. We continue to advocate for a natural birth process, but we understand and trust our birth team if we need to have an induced labor.
Currently, we are monitoring Erin's blood pressure over the next 24 hours and will assess our next steps with our birth team tomorrow and Wednesday. Most importantly, we are praying for the continued good health and well being for the baby and Erin. Throughout these past few days, we are fortunate that the baby is fine and that Erin has not developed any serious symptoms alongside the high blood pressure readings. We ask that you join us in praying for a successful and healthy delivery of Pooka, regardless of the birth method.
For all those who have called, we thank you for your outreach, love and support. We definitely want to speak with everyone who has called but have been trying to catch-up on our rest and keeping Erin in a state of bed rest. If you'd like to send an email (paulanderin2007@gmail.com), we'd love to hear from you. You can also post a note on Facebook.
I think we've posted enough for today's blog. Thanks again for all of the love and support. This may or may not be the last blog before Pooka's arrival, so stay tuned!
-Paul & Erin
Since our last blog, quite a bit has happened. This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to take maternity photos, which are going to look terrific! We also purchased and installed a car seat and finalized the baby's room, with the crib mattress as the only outstanding item (should arrive mid-week). However, our most important development happened last Wednesday.
As mentioned in prior blogs, Erin's blood pressure has fluctuated quite a bit, and the midwife and doctor have been monitoring it very closely. Last Wednesday, her blood pressure results remained high, and we were urged to admit Erin to the hospital overnight for a 24-hour observation period. We consented and immediately went to the hospital that night. During the stay, Erin's blood pressure readings were monitored every hour, along with tests for urine and blood. All the results were normal, and Erin was released Thursday night. Since the hospital stay, Erin has continued to remain on bed rest, with the exception of the baby shower and photo shoot.
As we reach full-term tomorrow, we are continuing to monitor Erin's blood pressure, as the readings have continued to fluctuate since her stay in the hospital. Maintaining normal blood pressure is critical at this stage for a variety reasons, but for today's blog, we'd like to outline its importance for water birth. We continue to plan and expect a natural water birth. However, if the readings continue to fluctuate and remain high, Erin will be unable to do a water birth and may need to have induced labor to prevent potential health hazards (toxemia and pre-eclampsia).
Obviously, the emotions have remained high as we process all the changes and potential scenarios. For months, we have been planning for a water birth and now may have to move forward with an induced labor. For us, this will require a new mindset as we prepare for the labor process. In addition to planning for a water birth, we will also need to plan for an induced labor if it is required. We continue to advocate for a natural birth process, but we understand and trust our birth team if we need to have an induced labor.
Currently, we are monitoring Erin's blood pressure over the next 24 hours and will assess our next steps with our birth team tomorrow and Wednesday. Most importantly, we are praying for the continued good health and well being for the baby and Erin. Throughout these past few days, we are fortunate that the baby is fine and that Erin has not developed any serious symptoms alongside the high blood pressure readings. We ask that you join us in praying for a successful and healthy delivery of Pooka, regardless of the birth method.
For all those who have called, we thank you for your outreach, love and support. We definitely want to speak with everyone who has called but have been trying to catch-up on our rest and keeping Erin in a state of bed rest. If you'd like to send an email (paulanderin2007@gmail.com), we'd love to hear from you. You can also post a note on Facebook.
I think we've posted enough for today's blog. Thanks again for all of the love and support. This may or may not be the last blog before Pooka's arrival, so stay tuned!
-Paul & Erin
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Home Stretch
Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks pregnant. As I have said to quite a few people - it takes a long time to cook a baby. There is not much room left for little pooka to move around, so I feel everything! Apparently - the baby is not so fond of car rides (or maybe it's Paul's driving). We listen to classical music in a vein attempt to settle the baby while I ride to where ever we are headed. I am feeling ok at this point. It is quite a load that I am carrying so I have slowed down a bit and take more naps/ do less activities. It takes some getting used to. Kudos to Paul. He has been a great chef, dog walker, and house cleaner throughout this period. I am sure that I call his name at least 35 times a day (and likely in my sleep). The upside is that the baby is doing well, I am still sleeping soundly through the night, and the swelling in my legs and arms have improved. At my next visit with the midwife, she will do a biophysical profile (ultrasound and listen to the baby's heartbeat for an extended period) to make sure that everything is fine. She has told me that I am not too far from meeting little Pooka now since the baby has moved down even further into my pelvis already. All signs are pointing to a slightly earlier than planned delivery. Join with me in praying that I can at least get through 37 weeks and a waterbirth is still in my near future!
Erin
Erin
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