Ashley's Birth Day!

The day finally arrived that we'd been waiting for, for like forever :)  Sara and Brian both slept relatively well on Sunday night.  Even Trevor slept okay, only getting up once to use the potty!  We got ready, the boys ate breakfast (Sara had to fast before surgery), we dropped Trevor off at daycare and we headed to the hospital.  The last pic of baby girl in Mommy's tummy:

We arrived right on time (9:45am) and filled out paperwork and whatnot before getting settled in the pre-op room where Sara was hooked up for monitoring.  The monitoring showed what Sara had been feeling the day before while running errands - that she was having contractions!  This baby was going to come on her own today (this week?) even without a scheduled c-section 6 days before her due date!  

Sara got hooked up to the necessary IVs and we waited and waited for what felt like forever.  Sara even closed her eyes for a little bit while we waited for an update.  Well as was typical with any appointment with her OB-GYN, he was running late.  Ugh people, the contractions were hurting so she shut her eyes again waiting.  Well, lucky for us the Anesthesiologist came in to shoot the breeze for a while and before we knew it Dr. Desanto came in and we were ready to go!  

It's a bit weird to have a planned c-section with baby #2 after having labored and had an unplanned c-section with #1.  You actually walk into the operating room where you just see a lot of people staring at you the patient.  A tad overwhelming actually.  And then you realize again this is major surgery and you freak out a bit and once again (like c-section #1) remind the doctors and nurses and anyone else that was listening not to leave any parts in you :)

 The Anesthesiologist did what he needed to do for her spinal...the whole time explaining step by step until Sara eventually told him she didn't need the details and that she would just sit hunched over on the table until they moved her.  Needles...ick!  Sara did tell her doctor and the assistant doctor that they could pull things extra tight if they wanted and one of them said, 'all the skinny girls say that.'  Made Sara laugh!  After that things moved very quickly.  The next thing she knows she's laying down and she hears the doctor say that he's already done the check to make sure she's numb and then there is some tugging and pushing and a doctor saying 'wow she's a big girl' and then out came our baby crying!!

 Remember that Sara's doctor predicted that she would be at least 8 to 9 lbs and he was spot on.  Our little chunk was 8lbs 15.7oz which everyone in the room agreed rounded to 9 pounds even.  Chunk!!  Similar to Trevor, everyone in the room couldn't believe such a big baby was in Sara's little belly.  Although Ashley was 1.5 inches shorter than Trevor at birth so we like to think she wasn't too scrunched.  Apgar scores of 9 all around.  She was perfect!

We left the pre-op room around 11:45 and baby girl was out around 12:15.  The nurses said that Dr. Desanto had a new record for the fastest delivery!  From the time we walked in to when she was born was 17 minutes and we were wheeled out 18 minutes after that.  (Later we learned even the recovery nurses and post-op nurses were all talking about our fast delivery).  Sara was a little worried when hearing this because she didn't need a record for the fastest surgery, she wanted the best surgery but nurses all said that he did a great job...he worked in Beverly Hills after all and had very demanding clientele so he knew what he was doing (or so we are going to believe)!

When we got rolled into the post-op recovery room we had our vitals checked over and over and we tried to breastfeed.  Unlike Trevor who had to go to a NICU type room for his heart rate, Ashley joined Mommy in recovery and was able to try breastfeeding less than 30 minutes after being born and she did great.  She wasn't sure what to do at first but the nurse put a few drops of formula on Sara and Ashley latched right on!!  Ah, relief!!

 Ashley likes 'shhhing' when crying and kept wrapping her tiny fingers around Sara's finger.  Precious!!  We stayed there for just about thirty minutes before going to our room where we had time to chill just the three of us.  We absolutely loved our nurse Casey.  Wish we would have taken a picture of her but of course we didn't.  We were lucky to have though both Monday and Tuesday. 

Chill is exactly what we did.  Sara couldn't stop staring at her beautiful daughter.  

Who was also quite a chunk!  A cute chunk but still where was this girl hiding in Mommy's belly?

 Ashley nursed on and off for the next few hours and Daddy went to get some food across the street.  Sara was not allowed to eat yet :(  but that's okay she really didn't notice with all of the excitement going on!

Daddy also got in some good bonding time.  Ashley and Daddy enjoyed watching some shows on the TV!

 And then finally the time came for Trevor to come!!!  Nana Jeanne and Papa Steve picked him up after nap at daycare and brought him to the hospital.  He looked at the baby quick but was more excited to see Mommy...until he saw the presents!  He was so excited that Ashley bought him a present - his long awaited fire station that he wanted forever!

 Grandma Pauline and Papa John met Trevor first so this time Nana Jeanne and Papa Steve met Ashley first.  It was love at first sight!

 We weren't kidding that Trevor was into anything but the baby at first:

 but it wasn't long before he was all into her.  We believe his first words were 'she's cute' and 'hi Ashley, I'm your big brother' (he had known her name for quite a while and never let it slip!!)

 Trevor enjoyed sharing his toys with baby sister...he can't wait til she's old enough to play back!

 We were sure to get some pictures on Ashley's birth day after we didn't get too many of the three of us when Trevor was born.  Our perfect little family of four.  Our hearts are overflowing with love!!

 Still trying to get baby Ashley to take the firefighter toy :)

 And then not too much later, Grandma Pauline and Papa John came to meet our little princess!  They too were in love! 

 How nice it was to not have to limit visitors because of H1N1 like when Trevor was born.  We could all hang out together!

 

Lots of family pics were taken (Ashley only has her actual birth day once!) And we got to FaceTime with Jim, Annie and family as well as with Jeff, Dawn and girls!  Thankful for technology!

 Mommy didn't realize that her heart could love as much as it does....what a lucky girl to have two healthy kiddos and such a great and loving husband.  Life doesn't get much better!

Around 7 or 8pm our visitors all left and it was fingerprinting time.  Baby girl did not like taking off her shirt and getting cold:

 And she definitely didn't like taking a bath.  Love how her hands flare out along with her fingers.  We call this 'giving a hug'!

 Her cry just sounds like a cry.  Trevor came out with a cry that sounded like 'Maaaaaaa'

We'll always remember her first bath.  We couldn't get it over quick enough.  Poor girl :(

 All done!  Sleepy time!

One more feeding and she was bundled up for the night.  Or at least for 3 hours until she fed again :)

 

Ashley stayed in our room one because we wanted her to but two because Scottsdale Shea hospital doesn't have a nursery.  Babies are to stay with their parents or they can hang out with the nurses at the nurses station.  Needless to say after Trevor's security scare (security system wasn't working, security guard stationed at the elevator was sleeping, stalker nurse), Ashley was staying with us.  Daddy was comfy on his blow-up mattress and Mommy was comfy in her bed with her new daughter right beside her in her bassinet.  Life is good!

Ashley Kelly Hillins

Ashley Kelly Hillins was born at 12:14pm on Monday 11/12/12.  Even being 6 days early she came out at 9lbs.  Well, technically 8lbs 15.7oz...which the doctors said was really 9lbs.  20.5inches long.  The c-section went fast (17 minutes) and baby and Mommy are doing wonderfully.  Daddy even watched her being born and helped cut the cord.  :)  Trevor can't wait to come to the hospital and meet her.  We can't wait either!

The Last 'Hurrah'

Okay, we lied...one more before baby sister is born and that is to remember our last dinner out as a larger family of 'only' 7.  Soon it will be 8.  After Sara's parents flew in on Saturday evening we met Grandma and Papa Hillins out for dinner.  Who doesn't want a last meal of yummy fried chicken?

 Trevor (and us) really enjoy having everyone together.  Trevor saw a stage and with music playing wanted all of the females in the group to dance with him!  Precious!  40 hours from when this picture was taken baby sister will be born!!

Reflections

We can hardly believe that baby sister will be here in two days!  Where does time go??  But we are ready and so excited to meet her and start on new adventures as a family of four!  Sara's been reflecting quite a bit on the time before Trevor was born because her Grandma Kelly going to Heaven was just so unexpected. 

There are two posts that come to mind about this time:

http://hillinsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/11/sad-day.html

http://hillinsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-love-you.html

Sara is also thinking quite a bit about Trevor's birth and while it didn't go as planned the outcome was just perfect!

http://hillinsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/11/trevor-kelly-hillins-is-here.html

http://hillinsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/12/trevors-birth-story.html (and yes, Sara will be very instrumental with her doctor and nurses that they not leave any parts in her this time around either!!)

And because of all the changes that have transpired in the last 9 or so months, Sara is also thinking about how different life really is from how she thought it would be with #2.  Sara absolutely loved Target, her boss, her team and her colleagues and always thought that this time around she would be a working Mom with a newborn and a toddler (if you can call Trevor that anymore!).  Last time around she didn't have a choice with her job being eliminated while on maternity leave but she was prepared to see how it would go this time.  Well, it wasn't in the cards to have a real maternity leave and work so we're going with the flow and feeling blessed for the opportunity that has been given to us.  She still reflects back on the day she wrote this post to Trevor with her going back to work.  The love you feel for your child is like none other.  And we can't wait for our hearts to expand even more with the coming of baby sister.

http://hillinsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/04/dear-trevor.html

The next time we'll post it will announce the birth of our precious daughter.  Still on track for late Monday morning.  Sara is still feeling fabulous!  Excited is an understatement!!!

Pre-school for T!

With baby girl's impending arrival we considered adding another day of daycare (ie school) to Trevor's schedule to help Mommy out but we heard about a great preschool that some of the kids in the neighborhood go to, so we called and by some miracle they had a rare mid-school year opening in their mini 3s program (have to be 3 by 12/31).  

Mommy and Trevor toured it and instantly knew it would be good for Trevor.  It reminded us in many ways of his old daycare/school in MN that we loved.  We love that they talk about God and Jesus and can put on Christmas and Easter programs.  And it's super educational which is important for our smarty pants who continues to impress us with everything he knows!

So two days a week he'll go full days to PetSmart and then two days a week he'll be in morning preschool at La Casa de Cristo!  His first day was Tuesday and he had no tears at drop-off after making friends quick with another boy named Brian outside the classroom (read chasing each other around and pretending they were frogs).  When Mommy picked him up one of the teachers said 'Trevor was amazing - it's like he's been there forever!'  Trevor even said he really liked his new school and can't wait to go back!  That makes our hearts happy!!

Baby Girl Update

We had our weekly doctor appointment on Monday and learned that baby girl continues to do great!  Sara has gained 29 pounds thus far so will probably gain 30 by the time baby girl is here which is just perfect - the doctor wanted around 30!  Can't get much closer than that!

According to the ultrasound, her head size is now more in line with her body (only one week ahead of schedule instead of two) and she supposedly weighs 8lb 3oz.  Which means she's on track to be 8lbs 9oz on her c-section date.  We'll see what she actually comes out as!  

Sara is still feeling great!  She is having some sinus troubles with the dry air down here but she is stubborn and not taking any meds.  She hasn't taken any the whole time she is pregnant (except prenatal vitamins) and is not about to change that now!  Plus the antibiotics given during the c-section will wipe out any infection she possibly has.

Can't believe in just a few days that baby sister will be here!!  We are SO excited to meet her!!!!

Trevor's Weekend of Fun!

 We decided that this past weekend would be all about Trevor and he knew it!  With baby sister's arrival coming up quick we utilized a babysitter so that Mommy and Daddy could meet up with friends Kim and Dana for dinner on Friday but then it was all about Trevor.  He even woke up Saturday announcing 'it's my weekend - it's not Mommy's?  it's not Daddy's?' Nope buddy, you get to pick what we do all weekend!

He started by requesting Mickey Mouse pancakes at a favorite restaurant - The Good Egg.  Then we stopped at a sale to get two new patio heaters (sorry Trevor, that probably wasn't so fun for you but sure glad we got them!) before heading to a ranch to ride a horse, play around and spend time at the petting zoo.  He decided to forgo the horse ride but still had fun!

When we got home he wanted to go swimming so we heated up the 'little pool' (aka hot tub) and he had fun splashing around in there for quite a while before nap time.  

After nap he had a quick FaceTime chat with Nana Jeanne before going bowling.  This was Trevor's first time bowling and he wasn't so sure what to think at first.  He observed for a while before seeing that some kids were just wearing their socks bowling instead of the funny looking bowling shoes.  After that, he was ready to partake!  He tried a few methods....first squatting and rolling:

 Using the ramp:

 Pretty good Trevor!

 Mommy started out bowling and did pretty good - Strike, then 2 spares before rethinking the whole bowling thing because she was feeling some stretching around baby girl.  Daddy finished out the rest of her frames for her :)

 Dada tried to teach Trevor how to 'granny' the ball down the lane while standing but Trevor wasn't too excited about it so we patiently waited for his ball to make it to the end (one time getting stuck mid-way down the lane) and often times not hitting any pins.  But, that's okay, he still enjoyed the experience even if it wasn't what Mommy and Daddy thought it would be.  After pizza at the bowling alley Trevor announced that he wanted ice cream so twist our arm, we enjoyed treats at Dairy Queen before heading to home to bed!

On Sunday Trevor knew it was still his weekend so he asked for doughnuts.  Well, Kim and Dana just told us on Friday night that a new, actual Krispy Kreme opened not too far from our house so we took Trevor there for his first Krispy Kreme experience.  He liked watching the doughnuts being made but he we think he liked eating them even better!

After church Trevor wanted to go to the train park but on the way there we drove by the Scottsdale Street Fair and he saw multiple bouncy houses and decided he'd rather go there!  Who can blame him??  This smile says it all!

 For $5 he could spend unlimited time in all of the different bouncy houses and boy did he get his money's worth!!  We took a few breaks to get drinks and use the potty but otherwise it was all about bouncing and slides!

Weeeee!

 We had a late lunch at Hooters which was nearby.  Trevor devoured his hot dog in record time and then enjoyed watching football....and flirting with the pretty girls :)

Since it was 'his' weekend he didn't nap on Sunday which was evident by about 6pm so we went for a police car ride, had a bath and called it a night by 7:30!  He's already asking if he can have another weekend so we think it was a success! 

Happy Halloween!

 Our Halloween kicked off with a Fall Festival at PetSmart headquarters.  Trevor decided he wanted to go as a Firefighter so he wore his jacket and boots with shorts....so he looked more like a Chippendale's firefighter but whatever! 

Once again PetSmart really outdid themselves on the event!  There were so many stations of activities in the courtyard and in the first floor of the parking garage.  The picture doesn't even do it justice!

But what was the favorite thing for the kids to do?  Play chase in the grassy knoll:

They had a photographer there taking pics so we'll have to wait to see if that turns out but for now, the iphone version is pretty cute!

Trevor's favorite activities for our time there?  A cake walk and a caramel apple slices bar!  He also enjoyed chasing the 'teddy bear' mascot (as Trevor called it) around and giving him hugs!


For Halloween at our house Trevor decided he wanted to be Buzz again like last year.  So much for the Spiderman costume he just had to have weeks ago, but that's okay, maybe he'll wear it next year :)

Dada got in on the fun and dressed up with one of his old costumes - the Burger King King!  Trevor thought it was hilarious that it was Dada behind the mask:

Mommy didn't get dressed up this year, although when she and Trevor went to Gabriella's 'Mummy and Me' party she did dress up as a princess so at least she dressed up once this year!

Trevor just loves Halloween....and his Buzz wings!

We didn't make it to our cul-de-sac's pizza party before trick-or-treating but we were ready to hand out candy when the kids started coming around!

Did we mention how crazy the neighborhood gets with Halloween decorations?  We're talking Griswald Christmas but Halloween.  We had to go out and buy decorations since who decorates for Halloween in MN when there is usually already snow on the ground!  We did pretty good but we can already envision adding more and more each year - ghosts in the tree, scarecrows in the yard, tombstones on the rocks...oh boy!  

The other thing different in AZ is that you set up table and chairs in your driveway and hand out candy there.  Everyone just sits and drinks (it's not uncommon to handout beers to Dads and have bottles of wine open for passerby's who are wine lovers)...candy for kids though.  Although there are quite a few doctors on the street that opted for plastic Halloween toys or fruit snacks we noticed.

Trevor and Daddy went around to a few houses to trick-or-treat but Trevor's favorite part by far was handing out candy at our house.  He'd leave to go trick-or-treat then notice that kids were coming to our house so he'd yell back 'Mom, kids coming, hurry get the candy' and the proceed to run back so that he could hand it out!

We handed out 600-700 pieces of candy that night!  4 CostCo bags done!  We still had a little leftover which is good - Mommy and son sure love candy!

We finished the night with a car ride.  And yes, you can kinda see that Randle even got in on the action and dressed up as a pumpkin!