The first 2 weeks - May 24-June 1, 2008

Well I have been slacking on posting primarily due to time but that is only an excuse. I promise to get better as I get myself and Anastassia organized. Well here is a re-cap (primarily with pictures) of the first 2 weeks.

As per the last posting, we were released from the hospital on May 24.

Last picture in the hospital with Anastassia in her Winnie the Pooh going home outfit. She was not a big fan of the hat!










First time in the car seat. Also not a big fan of but slowly getting use to it.






















Are you sure you are ready to take me home?























Home at last!
























We were greeted by our nieces Jocelyn and Riley and Scott and Kristen.












We had a welcome home dinner (even though I look like I would rather be sleeping) and got a chance to open some of the gifts we had received.











Anastassia settled into her home and swing which at times is the only place she will sleep!












Day 2 at home - Picture day!

With all the hustle and bustle of coming home and the fact I had no sleep in the last week - we put off pictures until the next day.

Champagne toast in honor of Anastassia!







Grandma Neroda bonding with new granddaughter












Grandma and grandpa Neroda with Anastassia (grandchild #6 (granddaughter #2))












The Neroda Family













Grandma and grandpa Saint













The St. Joseph Family with their 3 granddaughters.












Daddy and Anastassia bonding during pictures.













I am so cute! (6 days old)













I even have cute toes!














Anastassia's typical sleep position for the first 2 weeks of her life. She was not picky about who she slept on.







































Mike teaches his niece how to correctly dip a chip.













Jocelyn meeting her new cousin













Anastassia on Labor Day (Daddy and Grandpa ran a 10K that morning while we got our beauty sleep)











Anstassia spends some time with Uncle Scott













Saying good bye on Labor Day to Kristen and Jocelyn and Riley.












It's never to early to start - Anastassia's first soccer ball. Mike is convinced that she kicks it when he rolls it to her.











Busy weekend entertaining - now we need some rest!












This mommy stuff is hard work!













Some floor time with Daddy













I am soo cool in my new shades!













Where did my hands go? They were just here. Who put these things on me?

(Anastassia is not a fan of the mittens and usually will cry until they are taken off)









Mike has some competition for the remote now!













First bath - we got the tub, filled it with water, insert baby - so now what do we do?


























I guess we did something right since she fell asleep during the bath. She seems to really like taking a bath and doesn't even mind getting water on her face.










We survived the first bath!













Now it is time to rest!













Our 6th wedding anniversary - 06/01/08.
Mike and I went out to dinner and to a roof top bar for drinks. This was our first outing without Anastassia who was being babysat by grandma and grandpa saint.









Grandma babysitting













I hope she knows what she is doing!! And she had better have some food for me!

IT'S A GIRL!!

(I am still learning how to blog on minimally sleep so please excuse the blank space)

Sorry for the delay in posting but there have been a few bumps along the road (nothing major) but here are the long awaited pictures and story. This may be overkill but Hey! we are first time parents so we are allowed to beam!!


Mike and I are proud to announce the arrival of Anastassia Irene St. Joseph born on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7:16 am. Anastassia weighted 8# 5oz, length 20 3/4 in, with good Apgars of 8 and 9. Anastassia was born via scheduled c-section.










Mike was present during the whole procedure and was the first to show Anastassia to her mom in the OR prior to making his phone calls to family and friends.












Anastassia had some minor issues with her breathing and glucose levels so she spent about 6 hours in the NICU (intensive care unit) prior to joining Mike and I in our room. This was our first official family picture.
























Mike bonding with Anastassia. (This is still her preferred sleep position)
















Getting to know each other!

















Jennifer and Anastassia bonding.






























I'M A GIRL!!!!

















2 days old
















Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Neroda.
















Meeting Grandma and Grandpa St. Joseph.
































Mike bedding down at the Hospital. (For all those other guys who have spent the night on the bench bed in the Northside Maternity Unit, you can appreciate this picture the most!)

























Anastassia joining us in our room.
















































Just a cute picture! She was and still is very alert and "watches" everything









On day 2-3 (Wed) after the c-section, Jennifer developed an ilieus (a type of intestinal blockage) which threw everyone for a loop. Jennifer received an NG tube (a suction tube into the stomach/ GI tract to remove the blockage) and put back to bed. If you know Jennifer very well, she does not "do well" with doing nothing so it was an adjustment for all. Jennifer's mother was a great support during this time to help establish nursing and Mike became very good at setting up nursing, pumping, feeding and changing Anastassia. Due to the blockage, our anticipated discharge date was moved from Thursday, May 22 to Saturday May 24. As anyone knows who has spent time in the hospital, it is not the place to get any rest and with my added issues there were barely 5 min that someone was not coming into the room for me or Anastassia.

We were finally released on Saturday (1 week ago) and were greeted at home by Mike's brother Scott and his family and both sets of grandparent. We were very happy to get home and with all the added help was able to get some well needed rest.

We had our full on photo shoot once we got home and once I get those pics downloaded I will post them. (I put a ban on photos of me while I had the NG tube hanging from my nose - not really something I want to have a photo memory of - the really thing was good enough!)

We have had our first (and second) pediatrician appt (due to some weight loss by Anastassia which has resolved) and had an ultrasound of Anastassia's left hip due to a click which was also found to be nothing. Jennifer is regaining her strength gradually. She was lost of all her baby weight gain plus some due to the GI issue but is gradually coming back. Not a recommended method of weight loss!

Mike's parents are here until June 3 which has been a real help with getting the house organized and helping care for our new addition. They say you can't spoil a new born but Anastassia has not slept any where except in someone's arms (grandma and grandpa) except at night since she came home. It will be interesting to see what happens once the grandparents are gone!

As you can see, we are very excited about our new family and can not wait for everyone to met Anastassia Irene.

Jennifer, Mike and Anastassia