Life with Five

We had to stay at the hospital a little longer than either of us would have liked. I was really hoping maybe they would just let us go home that same day. While I was great, little Ava had to stay to be monitored in the hospital -so of course we both stayed. Her blood sugar was extremely low after birth so we had two options either give her IV fluids or a bottle of formula. Clearly we went with the bottle of formula. Which made nursing that much more difficult. They had to check her blood sugar every 3-4 hours and each time it went up just a few marks. With it going up I really hoped they would let us go home in the morning. In the morning we found out that we may be there a few more nights.

So we tried to make the best of our situation- Ava's favorite sleeping position. Any questions what position she was in inside of me? If you tried to pull her legs down she would bring them right back up. She also likes to be lying slightly on her left side. 

The next afternoon Ava's blood sugar surprisingly doubled and was looking much better! The pediatrician she if her test that evening was good then we may get to go home! Her test at 7 pm came back great and we were cleared to head home. With the promise of returning on Sunday and again Monday to double check her levels.

Tim was at work and thankfully my parents came down and spent a couple days with the boys. My dad came and pick us up from the hospital so we could head home. I don't think they really wanted to let us go home but the recovery floor was full and so was the labor and delivery floor so they could use my room. Out of 16 newborns on the floor Ava was the only girl, so she was a little spoiled by the nurses as well :) 

My dad and I got her all ready to head home and put her in her carseat. We then realized how small she really was...she weighed 5 lbs 13 oz when leaving the hospital (they lose some weight after birth). We tightened the carseat as tight as it could be and unfortunately she still had a lot of wiggle room. Thankfully they let us head home anyway and we were quite excited it was only a two minute drive.

The boys were already asleep when we arrived home. But the next morning they were happily surprised to see Ava and I home.

Everything is so much easier at home! The boys were behaving much better, Ava was doing great, I was doing great! Life with the five of us is perfect and feels like it was always meant to be! We are so grateful to have had my family here for a couple days to help occupy the boys with various activities and outings so Ava and I could nap. Aaron was quite excited that grandma made him toast with Nutella for breakfast one morning. 

As you can see Pike is still in need of some extra attention and very protective ;)

While the house is a little messier without my family here we are loving being all together. Tim has had the entire week off of work which is very weird but wonderful! The boys are still completely smitten by Ava and absolutely love her. They enjoying singing her their original songs such as "Ava wake up, Ava wake up, Ava it's time to eat." Which sometimes she will grace them with the slight opening of her left eye. They also read her books, enjoy back and tummy time with her, and have been great about following the new baby rules. 

She has been such a great baby! She is sleeping in our room for now but also enjoys some naps throughout the day in her own room. I will have to put up some pictures of her room later. It still needs some work.

The boys have also been great! Ian has been loving puzzles and I have loved doing puzzles with him! Tim's mom sent the boys some superhero ones and my mom brought down a big box full of puzzles that Andrew and I used to put together as kids. He has been doing hundred piece puzzles mostly on his own! He likes me to do the outside edge and then he completes all the inside. Although I think he could do the whole puzzle alone working from the inside out. 

I still can't believe she is here! We absolutely love her!!! Our follow up appointments on Sunday and Monday went great. On sunday we just went in for a quick lab draw, then monday we met with the pediatrician. She was already up past her birth weight which is amazing! All of her levels were great too! The other day I called her my stinky little princess (she was stinky at the time). Aaron quickly correct me and said, "Ava is not a princess, she is a baby." I had to laugh. That afternoon I went to snap a picture of her on my phone because she looked so peaceful sleeping.  Just as I took the shot she grinned! I think she is ready for the spotlight!