Our Baby Girl Is Here!

On September 17th, I went into premature labor at 26 weeks pregnant. I was airlifted to a hospital that has a NICU for preemie babies. At 6:40pm , I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Caris Noelle. She was 1 lb. 13.6 oz. and was 13 inches long. She gave a cry at birth, which was a very healthy sign. She scored 9/9 on her Apgar scores. She was breathing on her own, but was put on a respirator for 3 days. She is now off the respirator, and breathing fine. Sometimes, she forgets to take a breath, but often recovers on her own or when stimulated. She has a heart murmur, but it appears to be clearing up after medicine. Please pray for her lungs and heart. Overall, she continues to surprise us by her strength. She is our little fighter. She has a long road ahead of her, and will be in the NICU for approximately 2-3+ months. Please pray for our sweet Caris.

Weeks 22-24

Weeks:

22-24 (August 21-September 10)

 

Baby's Size:

Baby girl has grown from 8 inches long to about 8 1/2 inches from head to rump, and has gone from 1 pound to 1 1/2 pounds in weight.

 

Symptoms:

Growing belly--I received my first stranger comment about my belly during week 24!

A lot of fun kicks!
Baby was breech (head up) at my 20 week ultrasound, but I think she flipped, because I have been feeling most of her movements up high.

Some nights of insomnia.

Ease of round ligament pain--still there, but mild.

 

Cravings:

None.

 

Aversions:

Nothing new.

 

Best Moments:

Colin started seeing and feeling baby's movements during week 23!! It was so exciting for me to have Colin be able to experience baby girl's movements with me.

 

Looking Forward To:

Solidifying a name. I think we've probably got it, but we are trying to not talk about it so we don't let it slip.

Creating a nursery after we move into our first house September 21st!

 

WEEK 22:

 

 WEEK 23:

 

WEEK 24:

 

Ten Months Dreaming

 

We have been on the waitlist to adopt for 10 months last Monday!

 

Our Ethiopian girlie has been on my mind a lot recently. The unknowns and unpredictability of adoption can be daunting, but I am learning to find excitment in it.

 

How old will she be when she joins our family?

Will she have tight corkscrew curls or loose curls?

Will she be sassy? (I've heard Ethiopian kiddos have some sass!) :)

Will she enjoy Ethiopian food?

Will she be ours in 2 years or 4?

 

When we first began the paperwork chase in May of last year, we had thoughts of what the journey might look like. About 2 to 2 1/2 years of being on the waitlist. Her nursery would be our 2nd bedroom in our apartment. And surely, she would be our first child!

 

Now, just over a year later, the wait time has practically doubled. We are moving into our first house. And she has an older sister on the way!!!

 

I love to think about having two girls. Sisters. I never had a sister. I grew up a tomboy, playing with my older brother. My husband has 3 brothers. So, this sister thing? It will be new to all of us!

 

I have so much joy knowing that I AM going to be a mama of two sweet girlies!