Pippa goes to the beach!

 Mr. R. and I got brave and took Pip and her stroller to the beach this morning. We walked two miles and Pippa snoozed in her stroller the entire time. She only woke up as we were carrying her over the dunes and back to the car. Here's hoping we will have a water baby on our hands! 

And this is how she looked when we arrived home. There is something to be said for fresh sea air. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Mr. R.'s parents are in town this week visiting Casa Republican and loving on Pip as much as possible. She  has been a constant recipient of hugs and kisses for the last two days. In fact I don't think she has been put down for longer than a diaper change since they arrived. 

We celebrated Memorial Day with a BBQ at my grandparents house. There is nothing like a grilled hot dog on a sunny day. Unless of course dessert is a bowl full of watermelon. 

Pip's onesie is courtesy of Mama Republican. We actually got pregnant in London, but she spent 9 months growing in the US of A, so that counts for something right? 

My Pal

 My grandfather is my hero. And I know Pip will feel the same way. Last night he stopped over for a visit and Pip ended up sleeping on his shoulder for an hour. I hope that she will come to know his kindness, his love for family, and his never ending energy. 

FYI: We refer to my grandfather as Palsy, (pronounced Pal-Z), this nickname stems from my cousin Robby, but it stuck and he will forever be Palsy, our Pal. 

Why are naked babies so cute?

I am sure Piper will HATE me for posting these photos someday, but this blog is currently her baby book and the pictures are too cute not to share. 

Pip's umbilical fell off on Wednesday and we got the all clear from her pediatrician on Thursday to take real tub baths. 

The bonus is that she LOVES bath time. I think the warm water and the massive amount of attention she gets showered on her during bath time might have something to do with it.

 Also... can I tell you how much I love that Mr. R. styles her hair? I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since they currently have the same hair style :)

You are two weeks old Piper Jayne!

You had your 2 week check-up yesterday and you weigh 5 pounds 11 ounces. You are 19 inches long and in the 10% percentile for growth. All the nurses love your tiny size and crazy hair.

 You discovered your hands this week and try to grab onto everything, You like to suck your two fingers and pull on your ears when you eat. Speaking of eating you eat every 2.5 hours like clockwork. We haven't tried bottles/pumping yet, but they are coming next week.

We tried tummy time on your play mat this week and you love it. You love looking in the mirror on your play mat and pulling on the noise makers. You are holding your head up for longer periods of time and starting to rock back and forth. Even though we place you on your back or your stomach you always end up on your side. I think you are going to try to roll over very soon. 

Happy Two Weeks Piper Jayne!

We love you!

We also need to extend another round of THANK YOUs to Cynthia, Vicki, and Charlie & Courtney for bringing dinner this week. We are blessed to have such great friends!

Summer Goals!

Monday is Memorial Day and that signals the start of summer. Glorious sunny days, tan lines, and popsicles. Last summer my goals revolved around getting into shape and swimming as much as possible. This summer my priorities have shifted a bit and while I do want to get back to my pre-baby body. I want to soak up as much Piper and family time as I possibly can.

Just a few of my summer goals:

• Go to the Farmer's Market weekly
• Swim twice a week
• Complete the couch to 5K
• Make homemade ice cream
• Go for nightly neighborhood walks
• Take advantage of the free music in the plaza and at the pier
• Say no to pants!
• take a road trip
• Learn how to use the grill

And, I make no apologies for the Pip-tures that have nothing to do with this post. As a new mom I feel it is almost my right to cover my blog pages in photos of my newborn :) 

Makes my heart melt every time...

Just some Dad and daughter bonding time.

She loves his kisses, belly zerberts, and story time.

Having a Pip of a Day!

I don't think I will ever tire of making up nicknames for Piper. Plus those nicknames work as great titles for blog posts. 

I have to be honest and tell you I am exhausted. Piper has her days and nights confused and for that reason Mr. R. and I spend most nights stumbling around Casa Republican trying to get a fussy baby to actually SLEEP in her bassinet. I know this too will pass and one day I will miss the 2AM feeding/walking/dance party... that is the Piper show. But as of right now it is totally messing with my concentration and ability to think clearly.

  Don't be fooled by her cuteness. She is a firecracker. 

Also, I need to include a big THANK YOU to Rene and Kristin who brought us dinner these past two nights. We are eating so well its ridiculous. I might need to start wearing maternity pants again!

Sunday Visitors!

My adopted grandparents Faye & Cal.

They became part of our extended family when my biological grandparents moved to Florida 18 years ago.  Faye and Cal have always opened their home to me. They attended our wedding. Helped us move. And are some of the BEST puppy sitters you could ask for. 

Kristin & Rachel

I teach with both these girls and they are amazing. Kristin was the first friend I made when we moved to Florida. She is incredibly funny, always organized, and she always knows where to get the best coffee. Rachel I met two years later when she joined the 6th grade team. She has an amazing passion for teaching, she makes up funny songs to sing, and she is very good at seeing the silver lining even in a completely stormy sky. 

AND... Rachel made us dinner!

 I cannot tell you how thankful I am for homemade dinners brought by friends. As much as I would love to say Mr. R. and I have to together. We don't. And not having to worry about dinner is wonderful. I know the picture doesn't do it justice, but the chili was delicious as was the cornbread. In fact, I may just go steal the cornbread that was supposed to be for Mr. R. 

Steppin' Out Saturday: 5/21

We stepped out 1/4 a mile down the street last night.

We had dinner at my Grandparents and said our goodbyes to my Mom

(who is on her way home back to NJ as I type this). 

I am so glad I got to spend this week with my Mom. 

She was instrumental in helping me transition from just being pregnant to being a Mom. She cleaned our house, did laundry, cooked meals, helped me bathe Pip, and was everything I needed her to be all at once. 

I am telling you, my Mom is nothing short of amazing. 

She also bought me a few new outfits. She wanted me to feel special and attractive after giving birth. (See, told you she was awesome). 

The dress I am wearing is one of those outfits. 

 The dress and tank are from GAP and the cardi is an old J.Crew Jackie. 

I love the yellow color.

And because Pippa is simply adorable and awesome and fashionable.

Here is your daily pip-ture.

She is modeling a new onesie from Aunt Rose and Uncle Tom. 

We have a one week old!

 

I can't believe Pippa is a week old already! I go between feeling like I just gave birth to wanting an award for having done this "parenting thing" for so long. 

In one week Piper:

• met the pups

• spent 48 hours under the bili lights for jaundice

• charmed many many nurses in the pediatric unit
• learned how to proudly rock a faux hawk 
• had her first pediatrician appointment
• got her blood drawn at the hospital lab

• received sweet cards from church, Mommy's friend Katie, and a fruit basket from Nicole.

• met her great grandparents

• was given new outfits from Mimi's friend Sue and Aunt Rose
• fell in LOVE with her stroller and loves walking around the block

• became an eating champ and put on two ounces!

Happy Friday Friends!

Now I feel like a mother.

It's been 6 days since Piper's arrival and they have been met with emotions of elation, exhaustion, confidence, fear, and awe.

 We were so excited to meet her, count her fingers and toes, and listen to the sweet gurgle noises babies make.

We have been exhausted with midnight, 2 AM, and then 4 AM, crying sessions, nursing every three hours, and changing back to back diapers.

We have had moments of confidence during her first bath when minimal crying was reported and when we changed her first diaper without getting covered in urine or feces.

Yesterday we went to her first pediatrician appointment and we discovered she is jaundice. The diagnosis was met with fear as we traveled to the hospital to get blood drawn on our 5 day old. (cue most pitiful cries ever) Piper has been readmitted to the hospital for phototherapy which means she will spend the next 24 hours under lights to rid her body of the billirubin that is causing her elevated jaundice levels. As much as I hate seeing her in the "light box" it is amazing how quickly our pediatrician responded. And again it was amazing how quickly Piper was admitted and the treatment was started. We are just in awe of the wonderful nurses and staff that continue to help our little family.

I had no idea that motherhood was just one emotional swing after another. There are moments when I feel like crying and moments where I am so proud to call Pippa mine. Perhaps its just the hormones, or perhaps this is what it really feels like to be someones mom.

4 generations

G.G. (Hilary's Grandmother and Pip's Great-Grandmother) and Mimi (Hilary's Mom)

Pippa and Mimi

(Pippa has her Mimi's eyebrows and smile)
G.G. and Pals

(Hilary's Grandparents)

It was a great first day home!