Super Dad!

Stuart does it all!  He is super dad, here are some of his and Leighton's first time special moments. 

 Feeding Leighton a bottle for the first time

Taking Leighton out for a quick walk in the Baby Bjorn

Oh Christmas Tree!

Stuart's parents head to the mountains every Thanksgiving to have their Christmas tree cut down.  So Stuart and I jumped on the bandwagon and decided to go with them this year.  The night before I was so worried wondering why we decided it was appropriate to take a two week old baby on a full day trip in the car.  We packed all we needed the night before.  Which we have learned we need to bring a lot.  Lots of diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, etc.  We even tried bottle feeding Leighton to be sure she would take one before we were out on the road.  Our nightmare was having a screaming baby in the car and having to stop everytime she was hungry so I could feed her.  But we had success!  Stuart fed Leighton her first bottle without a hitch.  I guess that is one benefit of having a piglet, she is not concerned about how she gets her milk as long as she gets it! 

Side note:  I did so much research on bottle feeding a breastfed baby and oh my!  So many opinions and people who said it was too early, would lead to nipple confusion, that she would have trouble going back and forth.  Blah, blah, blah!  So many opinions and voices on ALL things baby.  Hence our approach: we do what works best for us.  Bottle feeding her breastmilk went just fine and we have had no negative side effects.  Actually makes for a more happy mother because Stuart gave me a break all weekend from feeding and it was just what I needed to feel like I could keep doing it.  It is not always easy folks!

Now back to our road trip.  We arrived to the tree farm in Sparta, NC.  We got out our BOB stroller and did some off-roading with Leighton through the aisles of trees.  Stuart and I picked out our tree and stopped to take some photos.  We enjoyed hot chocolate in the parking lot as the tree farm workers strapped the two trees to the roof of the car.  Our next stop was the downtown of Sparta, not much there.  But luckily we went there first and didn't get back on the windy road down the mountain because one of the trees slid off the roof and was laying on the side of the car!  This stop allowed me to quickly feed Leighton and then change her giant blow out.  This showed Stu and I that yes you need back up clothes (which we had packed, go us!) and that we need to pack more milk.  I already mentioned Leighton is a piglet, correct? 

After Sparta, we drove to Shelton winery and we stopped for some lunch and a mid-day drink of wine.  Yummy!  I highly recommend their Harvest Red and delicious food.  Our first time eating out with Leighton, again she was a champ!  Slept right through the whole meal.  Then back on the road again where dad, mom and baby slept most of the way home.  Thanks Bebe and Pops for driving us!  We arrived home and thought we would have the energy to decorate.  Wrong!  The three of us headed to bed early and Leighton slept seven hours through the night.  Thank you baby girl! 

The next day, feeling so rested we decorated our house for Christmas.  It looks great and feels oh so cozy.  Loving every minute of the holiday season with my precious family!

 The ride up the mountain

Enjoying the back seat with mom and dad

 Dad and Leighton off roading in the BOB

 Family Photo

The Brown Family

 Shelton Winery Gift Shop

 Trees safely on top of the car

 Our tree was perfect from the front, but from the side so crooked!  Poor Stuart had to really work to get the tree level.

Final product!

Leighton's First Thanksgiving

We had a great time visiting with the Pike family and introducing the newest family member! Amazingly, Stuart and I didn't over eat.  I think it must have something to do with being a parent.  You kind of stuff what you can in your mouth before your baby starts to cry, needs to eat or needs a diaper change.  Parenting is our new diet!  I made my Grandmom's pineapple casserole recipe and it was a huge hit.  Super easy to make and delicious...right up my alley. 

Here are pictures of Leighton being held by her Gigi Pike.  Aren't they both too cute?  I loved watching them spend time together and it meant the world to Stuart.  It was great to see everyone but there were many family members not there that we missed getting to spend time with. 

Afterwards we stopped by the Duke Chapel to quickly check it out.  It was absolutely beautiful!  This Thanksgiving Stuart and I are so thankful for Leighton and all of our family and friends.  We feel so blessed.  Love to you all!

Tummy Time

Stuart and Leighton have their special tummy time together.  I love watching them bond!

Heading Home

Getting a newborn ready to go home was harder than it sounded.  We didn't leave the hospital until 1pm because we had to pack, get dressed, dress Leighton, feed Leighton, take pictures and make sure we had taken every possible diaper we could find in the room!  We were so excited to take Leighton home and show her our house and her room.  She also needed to meet her brother Bristol and sister Mia.  I was a little worried about the introduction but it was a smooth transition.  Mia wanted to immediately smell and lick her.  Bristol kept his distance for about 2 hours and then when he was ready he came over to smell her. 

Life now with baby and dogs is great, they all get along.  When Leighton is in her swing Mia thinks it is her job to guard Leighton and keeps a watchful eye on her.  She worries when Leighton cries and comes over to lick her.  After Leighton is out of the swing Mia sniffs up her scent and doesn't worry about her until she is back in the swing. 

I have to walk one dog at time with Leighton in the stroller.  I have yet to master both dogs and the stroller at once.  Maybe one day.  But that just means I am getting twice the exercise.  Which leads me to need to boast about the fact that I have lost all but 7 pounds of my baby weight!  Yay!  It fell off the week after Leighton was born.  I was worried because I know it can be hard to lose and take a long time.  Especially since right after having her, I only weighed 12 pounds less....I expected a lot more considering she weighed almost 10 pounds.  I know these last 7 pounds will slowly creep off but that's okay with me!  All worth it for her!

Back to our homecoming, what a feeling to bring Leighton home for the first time.  Stuart and I were so happy and it was fun learning to adjust to having a baby at home.  It was a beautiful day so we took Leighton for her first walk in her stroller.  Love the BOB, what a good investment!  I hope you enjoy these pictures of us leaving the hospital and bringing Leighton home.

Rex Hospital

I enjoyed my stay at Rex Hospital, my favorite part was ordering "room service" and having food delivered.  It was actually quite yummy as well!  They have a fabulous Monte Cristo sandwich that I might just have to go back for in their cafeteria.  Stuart slept like a baby on the pull out sofa.  He actually slept better and longer than Leighton.  Below are some of my favorite pictures we took while staying at the hospital.  Enjoy the pictures!

 Leighton and her daddy

Leighton was the social butterfly at Rex.  This is her first friend Madison who was born one day after Leighton.  We took a family trip and rolled Leighton down to meet Madison who was staying in the next "pod." 

After birthing that big ole baby I promptly ordered breakfast!  I look quite happy here.  I was warned that I wouldn't be able to eat during labor so thank goodness she was born before I missed a meal!

 Our nurse Kristen taught us how to swaddle, so of course Stuart and I had to practice.  Leighton was off at the nursery being checked so I only had Stuart to practice on.  Not bad for a first swaddle!

Sweet baby Leighton

 Awwww!

Oh what a night!

Tuesday night was just another ordinary night, I had settled in to the idea of being induced and was  excited about a potential 11-11-11 birthday.  Stuart and I were up later than usual and got ready for bed.  We were settling in and laid down to go sleep when my water broke.  I called the doctor's office and Stuart started getting ready just in case.  The doctor called back and asked me a bunch of questions.  I told her I was having no contractions but she said to head on over to the hospital just in case and that she would most likely see me in the morning when they would go ahead and induce labor then.  I took a shower and my sweet time getting ready.  Then my first contraction hit, not too bad I thought but I picked up the pace and we left home.  What a strange feeling to know we were going to come back with a new baby and a new beginning.  On the way to the hospital my contractions gained strength and became quite painful. 

We got to the hospital and Stuart checked us in at the front desk.  We went up the elevator and I was amazed at the pain I felt.  We had to wait in a waiting room for expectant mothers and their support person.  Luckily, the room was empty because I was not in the mood for chit chatting with other people.  The man at the front desk had told Stuart someone from labor and delivery would meet us, but nobody showed up.  Thirty minutes later my anxiety had gotten the best of me and I wondered if we would be left in this room all night.  I was not happy and neither was Stuart.  He finally went after a staff member already having mentioned how long we had waited to the only employee we ever saw.  An employee then brought us back and apologized for the wait.  But it was too late, my pain was too intense and anxiety was too strong.  We went straight to our room where we met my nurse Mary. 
Here is the quick version of the night:

11:00pm Water breaks
 
12:30am We get to our room  

1:00am Given medicine to "help" me relax.

2:00am Medicine wears off, next dose....next dose doesn't help.  I officially turn into evil beast. Mary calls in my doctor from home because she has to be on site so they can give me an epidural.  I was still only 2 centimeters at this point.  Holy cow, feeling like I was going to never make it.  Super sweet Mary gets firm and lectures me again, this time telling me I have to get control and not move when getting the epidural or the anethesiologist will NOT give it to me. 

3:00 am Epidural in place, doc says she is leaving and will be back when I am ready to push, most likely hours and hours away because I am still only 2 centimeters.  She says we should get rest and relax.  I get it people, I need to relax. 

4:00am Mary checks on me and we are 4 centimeters. 

5:15am I tell Mary I am pretty sure this baby is coming out, she checks and yep 10 centimeters!  I wake up Stuart and tell him it is time!  We push with Mary, she calls doc in.

5:44am Sweet baby Leighton enters the world!  WOO HOO, pushing was cake...and I had a smile on my face, was relaxed and in control.  I was quite proud of myself when they weighed her and told us she was 9.9 pounds!  Doctor couldn't believe how fast my labor was, and me too.  So thankful. 

Stuart and I of course immediately fell in love with Leighton.  Having her has also made me fall in love with Stuart all over again and our relationship is a million times stronger because this amazing bundle of joy.  So there you go, the best night of our lives!   

Dr. Gizzie, Leighton and I

Posting Pictures

This post is purely a practice run at posting pictures, afterall isn't that what you all really want?  :)

Here is one of the photos we took on Leighton's due date.  Stuart acted as our professional photographer.  He makes me laugh so hard, the last time we tried for a "photo shoot" he made me pee my pants (one of the many pregnancy joys) and then I wondered for 8 hours if my water had actually broken.  So this time he kept it "professional."  I still laughed throughout all of these photos but managed to have better bladder control.  TMI--probably, funny enough to share though!  It it those moments I want to remember years from now.

Due date

Here we are on the magic due date.  Now that we are here, 40 weeks has come and gone rather quickly.  Poor Baby Brown listened to our first request: don't come early!  I wondered if on time would be a possibility for her arrival.  Then I realized if she is just like her mom, she will be late and make her debut when she feels like it.  Poor Stuart, he will be waiting not only for me now but little Leighton.  Let's hope she turns out to be more like him and be an early bird and morning person. 

I have no feeling or guess of when she will make her entrance.  We will just see her when she feels moved to join us.  So my message to Baby Brown is one that your dad always says, "I do what I want!" so go on, do what you want, come on when you feel like it and don't worry about us patiently awaiting your arrival.  It is probably one of the only times you will be allowed to have full control. ;)

Coach of the Year!

We all already know that Stuart is one gifted coach.  He reminded me the other day how his grandpa told him that he had a gift and to keep using it right before he passed away this year.  I was there when he said it and was in awe of that special moment between the two of them.  I am so grateful that Stuart has been able to stay in a career he loves and is passionate about.  To be able to witness and see that passion this season has been incredible.  I've witnessed some really bad examples of coaching and to see and hear Stuart shows me just how gifted he is!  So here's to my hero, Coach Brown....your award was long overdue and well deserved.  I know your PawPaw is proud and so are we!