A night out

David and I had a date night last night, sans Rachel.

Tomorrow is our anniversary - August 31st. We will be married 6 years. After we had Rachel, my friend Trish volunteered to babysit on our anniversary so we could go out. Great!

Last week my husband was asked by a coworker if he wanted to buy tickets to Friday night's Washington Nationals/Atlanta Braves game. My husband being the Braves fan that he is said yes. But our babysitter was for Sunday, not Friday. So I called Trish to find out if she could change the date - yes, but she needed to babysit at her house because she needed to set up for a party she was having. Perfect - we'll be there at 530PM.

This was our first time going out without Rachel. We have taken her lots of places - Bed, Bath and Beyond, Babies 'R Us, Manassas Mall, Red Robin, Logan's, Five Guys - but we have not been without her since she was born. So this was a big deal.

We arrived at Trish and Ron's at 530PM - with Rachel, a diaper bag and her Pack 'n Play. David got that set up in their living room. I went over the instructions with Trish - when to feed her, about her toys, her pajamas, where the diapers and wipes were. She had it all under control. So off David and I went.

There was hardly any traffic for a Friday night of Labor Day weekend driving into DC, and we got to the stadium in 45 minutes. Our tickets included a parking pass so we made our way there. It was about 4 blocks from the stadium.

The National Stadium - Nationals Park - just opened March 30th of this year. David and I had not been there yet and were excited to see the Braves. They had been in town for the opening game as well as the weekend of April 11th, but we were unable to attend either one of those series. Then when we knew they were going to be in town again this weekend, we didn't think we'd be able to see them then either. Since I was originally due to have Rachel on August 1st we figured we would have a three-week old baby and could not make the trip to DC to see the game. Well, since she came one month early and is now close to 8 weeks old, that made all the difference. We thought about bringing her, but not knowing where we needed to park, what the walk or environment would be like, and with a babysitter, we figured we'd do it alone.

The ballpark is great. Open with lots of great views. A great screen - so crystal clear - to see all the players and game happenings. We took a look around and then grabbed some food - hot dogs, french fries, peanuts and sodas. What else do you need?!

We found our seats and got settled in. I checked in with Trish to see how things were going. She said Rachel had eaten and was just sitting on her lap - all was going great. Good news!

We were rooting for the Braves, along with a few others around us. The game did not really go our way though. We should be happy that the home team won after a miserable losing streak, but we were disappointed. Trish called in the 7th inning to let us know how great Rachel was and that all was still going well. I mentioned that there were fireworks after the game and she said "no problem."

We left the stadium around 11:10PM and got to Trish's house before midnight. Long night for them, but they said Rachel was great and that made it easy. We made our way home and eventually to sleep. It was a lot of fun and I really appreciate Trish and Ron watching Rachel. It was a nice treat to get out by ourselves. I wasn't nervous like I thought I would be. I knew she was in good hands and if there was a problem, they would call.

We certainly would take Rachel another time now that we have checked it out. And of course we bought her a Nationals t-shirt - now we have to get her some Braves gear!

Lunch date

Tuesday I went to Bethesda, MD, to have lunch with my friend Kary and her two girls. I loaded Rachel and the diaper bag in the car and headed over the bridge into Maryland.

Her one daughter Audrey started school last week and her other daughter Campbell starts school next week, and I am still on maternity leave until September 22nd, so we thought we should try to get together.

She took her girls to the park for some playtime in the sandbox until I was closer to their house. She made turkey sandwiches for her girls with fruit and egg salad for us. It was really delicious.

While we ate her daughters who are five and three took Rachel and played with her on the floor on a blanket. They brought her stuffed animals, toys and made sure her legs were covered with her blanket so she could sleep. They gave Rachel her pacifier when she got fussy. It was very cute.

Rachel needed to eat while we were there, so Campbell, the five year old, helped me make the bottle, mixed up the formula and actually fed Rachel. She made sure she had no spit up on her face when she was done. She did a great job - holding her upright, holding the bottle at enough of an angle, wiping her mouth. She was very grown up.

We went upstairs to look at some clothes Kary had from when her girls were born. We went through a storage container and picked out quite a few things to borrow. Rachel has some clothes, but a lot don't fit because she is still kind of small. However, when she goes to day care when I go back to work, she'll need outfits, so hopefully these clothes from Kary will help supplement her wardrobe.

While we were upstairs, Campbell took out a bouncy seat from their attic for Rachel to sit in. She thought she might like it. She helped her grab at the toys hanging down and made sure the music was playing for her.

We had a great visit. I really appreciated Campbell's help with Rachel and enjoyed the yummy lunch Kary prepared. I look forward to seeing them again before I go back to work!

An update

I took Rachel to the pediatrician on Friday for a rash she had on her cheeks, neck, chest. Turns out it is a yeast infection so she has some cream to put on for a few days. I hated to go to the doctor again since we were just there last Friday and then two Fridays before for her one-month check-up, but the rash was really bad. It was very red and bumpy.

Anyway, the important thing out of the appointment was that she got weighed again. She now weighs 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Actually the scale said 7 ounces, but the nurse indicated that the pad they put on the scale weighs an ounce...no one has ever told us that before at the doctor's, so we'll go with 7 pounds, 6 ounces. She has almost gained two pounds in almost 8 weeks.

Rachel has also recently started to push her legs down when you "stand" her up on your lap or on the couch. She seems really tall, so David and I took out a measuring tape yesterday just to see how much she had grown. According to our non-professional measurement she is now 22 1/2 inches. She has grown 4 1/2 inches in almost 8 weeks. So very tall!

Our next appointment is on September 12th for her two-month check-up. We'll get an update on height and weight then. Keep you posted!

Facebook

I have to say I am addicted to Facebook.

I decided while I was out on maternity leave that I would create an account. Everyone else was doing it -- and now I can't stop!

I log on several times a day...I love reading everyone's status - how else would I know when someone goes on vacation, has a baby, gets engaged, is tired or hungry. Although I do wonder why people at work are constantly updating Facebook. I will probably be just like them on September 22nd when I go back to work.

I enjoy getting friend requests and sending friend requests. I am also now receiving wine, flair, pink ribbons, quizzes to find out what kind of cheese I am...what does this all mean? Who cares - I am on Facebook along with most everyone else. I just accept the requests, gifts, flair and am excited by it because my profile page is getting full. Again, I am not sure what that really means in the grand scheme. I don't think I'll win a prize for the most stuff on my profile page. It's just fun to see it grow and look like everyone elses.

But I have a long way to go compared to others who have pictures, poker games, interviews, quotes, you name it.

It has been fun to reconnect with people from middle school, high school, my old New Jersey neighborhood, college. I like looking at their pictures, where they work, where they went to school, who else they have as friends in case I know anyone I should add. I also like adding pictures to my page - mostly of Rachel, of course!

This maternity leave has been enlightening - besides having a baby I have also kept up with this blog and joined Facebook. Who knows what else I can do. See you online somewhere. I'll be looking for your friend request!

The visit comes to an end

Saturday and Sunday were the last two days David's parents were in town visiting us. They were busy days...

Saturday we went to the eye doctor to get my glasses adjusted. They kept sliding off my face so they just altered the part that goes behind my ear to be a little more bent so it curved more over my ear. Diane and David also got their glasses cleaned while we were there. Then we went to China King in Herndon for Chinese food for lunch - yummy beef and broccoli. I am not really supposed to eat broccoli since I am breastfeeding, but I did eat about half the broccoli in my dish. Diane and I then had pedicure appointments at Christie Adam. We had pedicures at the end of June before my baby shower, so I decided to treat her again. She had been so helpful during the week that I felt she deserved it. We made dinner at home Saturday night since we had been out a few times during the week for dinner as well as eating out every day for lunch.

Sunday we went to church - three weeks in a row of being late though! (Maybe we should plan for the 845AM mass so then we can arrive on time for the 1030AM service!) Then we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast/lunch. We had to wait about 30 minutes, but it went by fast. Rachel needed to be changed so I took her in the women's bathroom. As I was changing her she peed and missed the new diaper I was in the process of putting on her - plus she got her dress wet under her! So I secured the wet diaper, grabbed all the changing supplies and went to find David with the full diaper bag so I could get another diaper and backup clothes to put her in...I guess another lesson - bring the whole diaper bag in the bathroom with you!

After Cracker Barrel we drove to the airport to drop off Jim and Diane. They had a 345pm flight - we got them there about 215PM so plenty of time. They had already printed boarding passes so they just checked in their luggage outside. We said goodbye and left the airport.

We really are glad they were able to come visit - and for so long. Rachel enjoyed her time with them and they enjoyed Rachel. Plus it was nice having the extra hands and help around the house. This week has been hard getting back to being on my own! We look forward to seeing them again soon - probably mid-October for Rachel's baptism. That day we'll be on time for church!

PS The health update on David's dad - he went to his doctor on Tuesday and has double pneumonia! How does the hospital here miss that after XRays, EKGs, lab work?! One will never know. So Jim is on medicine to get better soon, and he was not contagious. WHEW!

Weighing in

I took Rachel to the pediatrician on Friday. She had some "goop" on her right eye and a very stuffy nose. Turns out the "goop" is from a clogged tear duct - she just had her tears "come in" within the last two weeks, so that function is still a little immature. So we had to get some eye drops to use twice a day for just a few days. We also have to start using Nasonex for her nose...spraying it on a Qtip and rubbing it into her nostrils. She also has to take Zantac since she spits up frequently, sometimes out her nose! :( The pharmacist was surprised to see 3 prescriptions for a 6-week old! Poor thing!

But the exciting part was that Rachel got weighed. She is now 7 pounds! She was born at 5 pounds, 9 ounces, but had dropped to 5 pounds within 5 days of being born. But in 5 weeks she has gained two pounds. So she is doing well and growing.

She is also holding her head up and is trying to push herself up with her arms. She is very animated with her eyes, looking around everywhere and at everything. She is very active with her arms and legs too - they are always flaling around! I am so proud of my so very strong and beautiful girl!

Adventures with baby

David's dad started getting a cough while he has been here. It was getting worse as the days went on and Robitussin wasn't helping. So it was decided he needed to see a doctor.

He called his insurance company on Tuesday to find out what doctor he could go see. He got names of some doctors in the town we live in, but we don't know anything about those doctors. He found out from the same person that he could see our primary care doctor in Chantilly. So we made an appointment for Wednesday morning. However, when we got there they indicated they do not take his insurance because it's an HMO.

So Jim called the insurance company back to find out what happened and to get the name of another doctor. Turns out he could only go to an urgent care center or emergency room. We needed lunch and I had a beauty appointment in Reston, so we had Chick Fil A in the car and then went to Christie Adam for my appointment. Then we went to the urgent care in Fairfax.

Rachel needed to eat and be changed, so I stayed in the car with her to do that while Jim and Diane went in to the urgent care. I had come prepared with a stocked diaper bag with one bottle of formula since we were only supposed to be out for a few hours. But again, they didn't take his insurance so they were in and out in 15 minutes. Frustrating since the names were given to us by the insurance company referral line.

So off we went to Inova Fairfax Hospital - the place of Rachel's birth. Jim registered and within 20 minutes was taken back - that was at 305PM. 415PM comes and Diane comes out with an update - they are doing an EKG and bloodwork. It would be at least another hour. I was starving so I got a Snickers bar. At 5PM Rachel started to get fussy, so I walked around the emergency room with her in the stroller. Keep in mind that I had only packed one bottle of formula since we only had a few errands on our agenda, and should have only been gone a few hours.

The walking only lasted so long. Diane had come out around 515PM to give me an update so she got some formula from one of the nurses. It is the same formula Rachel has anyway, since she started on it in the hospital when she was born. The update from Diane was that the bloodwork wasn't completed yet, they had given Jim a breathing treatment and were going to do an Xray. So it would be a while longer. I was trying to reach David, but kept getting his voicemail. So I fed Rachel and changed her in the waiting room bathroom. And we continued to wait.

I heard from David around 615PM and he was on his way to the hospital to meet me. He needed to go back to his office to drop off a coworker who had been out with him for the day. His dad was still being seen by the doctor and waiting for results. When David got there around 7PM he bought me some water and peanut butter crackers because I was getting grouchy from not eating!

At 730PM we could finally leave. Jim got the CD of his Xrays to bring to his doctor in Texas. His hospital diagnosis - cough! They told him to schedule an appointment with his own doctor when he returned to Houston. Before we left I asked Diane to score some more formula just in case.

We were supposed to make tacos at home, but since we wouldn't get home until close to 830PM, we went out to eat at Chevy's. Not that great, but at that point it was food!

We went across the street to CVS to get Jim's prescription filled. Jim decided that he would wear a mask for the rest of the week so he didn't cough on Rachel. So we bought those at CVS also. For the rest of the week we joked that Rachel would not recognize her grandpa unless he had his mask on, so we took a picture that we could show her!

What a day - I tried some new things and realized I need to have extra formula in case of emergency. I had never changed Rachel in the car or a public bathroom until yesterday and I had never fed her in the car either. So we learned a lot - it's good to learn something new everyday even if it can be a challenge!

Visitors from afar

Saturday we welcomed Grandma and Grandpa McDonald from Houston. They have not met Rachel yet since their daughter Julie, David's sister, was due to give birth July 23rd. Even though Rachel came early, they still weren't sure when Julie would have her baby so they wanted to wait until after that. Julie had her baby girl, Melanie Nichole, on July 20th, so Grandma and Grandpa were finally able to come to meet Rachel.

We met them at the airport and then went to lunch at Red Robin. The rest of Saturday we just relaxed and spent time together. We never ended up eating dinner because we were so full from lunch.

Sunday Rachel turned 5 weeks old. We went to church and then breakfast at IHOP and a stop at Target. We were late to church again this week - we are learning that having a baby means we are late for everything. No matter how much we plan to leave early we can never seem to get it together to leave on time, or there is a diaper emergency that needs to be taken care of before we go.

Today David went to work so Grandma and Grandpa took care of Rachel while I did some errands around the house. I put Rachel's diaper bag together, did some laundry, took a shower, made a few phone calls. Then we ate Potbelly sandwiches for lunch - Grandpa stayed home with Rachel while Grandma and I went to pick up the lunch. I was making dinner in the crock pot and didn't want to leave it on with no one home, so we left Grandpa home to mind the house, baby, food and dog.

Grandma and Grandpa also let me take a nap today which was great! Grandma has been very helpful washing dishes, stacking and unstacking the dishwasher, dusting and cooking. Grandpa has been great with Rachel - singing her songs while holding her. It's been nice having them here for a visit. Rachel has enjoyed spending time with them as well. They are here until the 17th so there will be more postings and pictures about their visit.

Cousin Cindy

My friend Cindy came to visit last weekend from Florida. She and her husband and kids moved to Florida from Virginia in September 2007. So we don't see them often and miss them very much. Funny side story about Cindy - she and I went to college together at University of Richmond and my husband David is her cousin. Long story short - David and I met indirectly through Cindy, we dated for three years long distance and in August 2002 we were married. So now my college friend is also related to me. Who knew?!

Back to the original story...

So Cindy came to visit last weekend so she could meet Rachel. Since she is now in Florida, being here for Rachel's birth or soon after was not possible - especially since Rachel came one month early. She flew in Friday and left Sunday. We had a great time and Cindy was so helpful. Her main goal in coming, besides meeting Rachel, was to cook some meals for David and me that can be stored in the freezer for us to eat at a later date. So she cooked all day Saturday - she made 4-5 dishes that were then stored in smaller containers or freezer storage bags. It was really great and came in handy as early as Monday night after she left. We look forward to trying the other dishes soon.

We also went to lunch with Kary and her girls Campbell and Audrey. We ate at the yummy Cheesecake Factory. And we had lunch with Trish and her boys, Alec and Caleb, on Sunday at her house. She made delicious quesadillas and salsa. Then Trish took Cindy to the airport so she could head on back to her boys in Florida.

It was hard to say goodbye. We can't wait to see her again. She has been a special part of my life for almost 19 years, YIKES, and now will be a special part of our daughter's life as well. Although we won't see her often, she is always in our thoughts. We miss and love Cindy, Chris and the boys. Thank you for everything!

Rachel at one month

As I mentioned in a prior post, our daughter turned one month old on Sunday, August 3rd. So Friday the 1st was her one-month appointment with the pediatrician. We were anxiously awaiting the appointment since her weight had been an issue since she was born. She was born at 5 pounds 9 ounces, but by the time she reached her first pediatrician appointment 5 days later she was down to 5 pounds. All babies lose some weight in the hospital, but Rachel was close to the dangerous limit. So we had to visit the pediatrician two more times before her one month appointment. During those visits her weight went to 5 pounds 2.5 ounces and then 5 pounds 6 ounces. But this last appointment she was up to 6 pounds, 7 ounces and now 20 1/2 inches, which was up from her birth at 18 inches. So she is growing rapidly! Our next appointment is her two-month in early September - that will be a big one since she will start her vaccinations then.

On my own

Today David went back to work. That doesn't seem too significant in itself. But considering he has been home for a month with Rachel and I, it was quite significant. And I quickly realized that accomplishing one task in a day might be a real feat. I had been warned - pick one thing you will do for the day and be happy if you can do it. I thought, no, not me - I can have a task list I can check off easily each day. But today I managed to accomplish one thing - and it pretty much took the entire day to do it. When talking with David tonight when he got home, he asked how my day was. So I began to recite what I had done - but the list was not that long, although somehow it was already 8PM. I'm not sure where the day went or what I did, except change diapers, feed Rachel, hold Rachel, wash bottles and stuff and address our birth announcement envelopes. So I guess I will reset my goals each day until my maternity leave is over - plan to accomplish one task and be happy with that.

Welcome!

Hello. Our family has now entered the world of blogging. We hope you enjoy our posts and sharing in our family.

We wanted to create a special entry today to start off our blog - today is our daughter's one month birthday. Rachel Charlotte was born Thursday, July 3, 2008. Happy Birthday little one!

Meet Rachel

Rachel Charlotte

Born: 7/3/08

At: 4:58 PM
Weighing: 5 lbs 9 ozs
Measuring: 18" long