Week 1 Recap

Well, we survived Week ONE and everyone is still smiling, happy, and healthy - so I say that in itself is an accomplishment!

This was a week of many firsts...

The best "first" of the week was seeing you for the very first time.  It was a feeling that your dad and I cannot even describe, it was awesome.  We couldn't believe that you were ours and we can't wait to start creating memories as a family!

It was the first time you met Grandma and Pap Castello, as well as Uncle Brian, Carla, and Aunt Kristen.  They were all there the day you were born.

It was also the first time you met Mom-Mom and Bob-Bob, they came to see you on your birthday all the way from Raleigh!

At the hospital you received your first bouquet of flowers.  You got flowers from Grandma and Pap Castello, flowers and a teddy bear from Mom-Mom and Bob-Bob, and flowers from your Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Hall who can't wait to meet you.  You are already one very loved and very spoiled little girl!

We took you for your very first car ride and we brought you home for the very first time on February 12th. The snow and rush hour traffic made for an interesting drive home, but you slept the majority of the way!

Your dad changed his first diaper in the hospital and I will say he is a pro now.  You gave him a run for his money though and started pooping in the middle of the diaper change, but he handled it like a champ and we have learned that is something you like to do often.  You are constantly peeing, pooping, and farting during your diaper changes....just to keep us on our toes!

You had your first doctor's appointment on Thursday, February 13th because you had a little bit of jaundice when we left the hospital.  It turns out that you and I have different blood types, which is the cause of the jaundice.  Dr. Fink wasn't concerned about it and said it would go away over time.  You weighed 8 lbs 9 oz on your birthday and went down to 8 lbs 1 oz on the day we left the hospital.  You LOVE to eat though and we were very pleased that you were already back up to 8 lbs 5 oz at your first doctors appointment.  Your dad and I think you will be passed your birth weight by next week when we go back for your 2 week check up.  We also had to schedule an ultra sound for the end of March to look at your hips because you were breech, but Dr. Fink is happy with your progress so far.  You no longer stick your legs straight up like you did when you were first born, you do have frog legs sometimes though and you love to kick, kick, kick when we are trying to change your diaper.  Overall, you are a happy and healthy baby Addison according to Dr. Fink!

Family photo before your doctor's appointment!  We spend most of our days in sweats so I like to take advantage of any time you, your dad, and I are all dressed at the same time!

This is the first time you were in your swing and you love it to this day! 

You were NOT a fan of your first bath and I don't blame you!  Your little lip was quivering and I know you were cold, but your dad and I were learning too so we probably did not move as fast as you would have liked us too.  Luckily, your Grandma was there to coach us through it and your Mom-Mom and Bob-Bob were there to help us capture this moment, screaming baby and all! 

Yea, you pretty much screamed the entire time - hopefully next time will be better!

It didn't take us long to realize you love to sit in the sun, you are going to be a beach bum just like your mom and dad!  This is also the first time you sat in your Snugga-puppy bouncer that Carla got you, another one of your favorite spots!

Your dad and I took you for your first walk on Valentine's Day.  We didn't walk very far, but you loved every minute of it. 

You looked so cute all bundled up in your coat and hat!

This was the first of many family walks, in the future we will probably bring along your 4-legged brother as well!

You met Cooper for the first time on Saturday, February 15th when he came home from the kennel.  Cooper has a lot of energy, so we weren't sure how he would react.  He surprised us all though and was extremely gentle.  He even gave you some kisses on your cheek!

Now that Cooper was home, our family of 4 was complete!

Not only does he love to give you kisses every morning, but he also likes to watch over you and protect you, especially when you are in your swing. 

You met your Cousin Bryan for the first time on February 16th.  Bryan is 5 years old and a great big cousin to you!  He loved to hold you, played peek-a-boo with you, and took pictures of you.  You and your cousin are going to be best buds, I just know it!

Last, but certainly not least, this is the first "smile" that I caught on camera.  You make the most adorable facial expressions and you love to smile, especially when you are asleep.  Your dad and I would love to know what you dream about!  

Addison, even though you are only a week old, your dad and I already could not even imagine our lives without you.  You are the most perfect little girl and we love sharing all of your "first moments" with you!  We are very lucky to be your mommy and daddy!  Now onto week 2...

More Hospital Pics

Your dad and I could just sit and stare at you for hours, you are absolutely perfect!

Look at you smiling for the camera! 

Our little family of 3 (Cooper we didn't forget about you, hospitals just aren't dog friendly!)

You were "Daddy's little princess" from the moment he laid eyes on you!

We love you so much and can't get enough of these kisses!

Getting ready to go home, one last pic with mommy!

We would love to know what you are thinking sometimes, you make the cutest facial expressions!

One last pic at the hospital with Daddy

The Harvell Family is ready to go home!

Bundled up, buckled, and we are on our way...next stop Bulrush Court!

Visitors

Addison, you had a lot of people very excited to meet you and wish you a happy birthday at the hospital!  Your dad and I were very lucky to be able to share this very special experience with our family from near and far.  On the day you were born, your Grandma and Pap Castello traveled all the way from Pittsburgh to meet you, Uncle Brian and Carla came from Washington D.C, Aunt Kristen flew in from Ohio, and your Mom-Mom and Bob-Bob traveled from Raleigh.

The whole crew hanging out at the hospital

Your Pap is going to spoil you to death, make sure you get some pointers from your cousin Bryan!  You are his first granddaughter and you had him wrapped around your finger from the moment he laid his eyes on your for the very first time.

Your very proud Grandma holding you for the very first time.  She spent the first week at home with us to help us take care of you and was extremely helpful.  She did our laundry, cleaned, ran errands, and cooked for us every night.

Your other very proud Grandma, Mom-Mom Harvell.  We were very happy that Raleigh ended up getting a huge snow storm the week that you were born, which forced your Mom-Mom to spend a few extra days getting to know you.

Bob-Bob also got snowed in with us for a few extra days!

Your Mom-Mom and Bob-Bob have loved you to pieces from the second they saw you!

It took your Uncle Brian a little while to adjust to holding a newborn.  He was very afraid that he would hurt you or break you the first time he held you, so he remained seated the entire time.  You are going to love your goofy Uncle Brian!  Just an FYI for the future, there are NO monsters in Pap and Grandma's house, not matter what your Uncle Brian tries to tell you.

This is your Uncle Brian's girlfriend, Carla, who also made the trip down from D.C.  She keeps your uncle in line so it's always nice to have her around.  She was very excited to meet you for the very first time!

Your uncle Brian and Carla getting some Addie time, maybe a glimpse into the future for them - you would like more cousins some day right?

Your Uncle Brian being silly with your Boppy.

Your Aunt Kristen could not wait to meet you!  Originally, she was not supposed to visit until the last weekend of February, but she could not miss your birthday.  Since we had a scheduled c-section she decided to fly in on your birthday and leave the next day in order to get back to her classes.  She will definitely be your "cool Aunt" who let's you do things that your mom and dad don't, so you are going to love her to death!

Your Pap, Uncle Brian, and Carla being silly!

The day after you were born some of my co-workers came to visit.  I teach 5th grade with Brianna, Nicole, Pam, and Julie and they were very excited to meet you (plus I couldn't wait to show you off!)

Hanging out with Brianna, my cottage buddy at school.

Even with all of the visitors, you always saved some cuddles for your dad and I.  Some of our favorite memories from the hospital were when everyone went home, the room was quiet, and it was just the 3 of us.  We loved our new family, you were a dream come true and we can't wait to create even more memories together as a family.