Book Club...and baby shower?

My dear friends decided to have a surprise baby shower for me in correlation with book club last night at my house. It was a complete surprise, and a fun evening for me. First we discussed the book by Jhumpa Lahiri The Namesake, which I really enjoyed. The book is about an indian family from Calcutta trying to incorporate their traditions with those of America and how the children grow up in American society. I am fascinated by the Indian culture and really enjoy her style of writing. We had lots of good food to eat as well, including some Indian food. Then came time to spoil Serena with clothes! She is going to be so cute! I can't wait to dress her up in all these cute clothes

My baby girl

I'm feeling sentimental today so on top of being able to express my emotions, I'm also feeling guilty for not recording them 24/7 these past two weeks. Although I haven't thought clearly much of that time due to lack of sleep. I really can't complain though. Except for two nights in a row earlier this week, she has been good at sleeping 2-4 hrs. at a time through the night. And although he doesn't have to, Mike has gotten up several times to rock with her so that I could get an extra hour. As the reality of having a girl sinks in a little further and I think about things that will happen in her future, I also love her while she is so tiny and kind of don't want her to grow up! At least not so fast. I love her tiny little clothes, her tiny fingers and toes that grip to anything, her little mouth that pouts when she is getting hungry, her funny faces when she is trying so hard to wake up, her beautiful dark blue eyes, even her cute little bum! In order to try and preserve these moments I video taped her a little this morning during diaper changing time.

My first day survival kit

My dear, sweet, thoughtful husband gave me a large bag that said "Day 1 Mommy survival kit" for my first day alone with all three kids. In it there was a bag or envelope for each hour of that day, starting at 8am with a piece of chocolate and a note that said, "Know that I'm thinking of you and the kids, not only every hour but every minute of the day." This was followed by cards of love and kindness, a pre-made lunch for the kids, Tylenol and water for mid-day, and children's medicine in case Connor didn't want to take a nap! (only a joke), and an afternoon treat of gelato and a magazine. At 4pm I was able to mark off that I survived the first day. Not only did I survive, but he made me smile all day long and made me look forward to each hour of the day. He made me realize how lucky I am- to be his wife, to be a mother and to be able to stay home with my kids, and to have two fun, cute, sweet boys and a beautiful baby girl.

The baby has arrived...finally!

I guess it was meant to be-I gave birth to our little girl on Christmas day. She was the best Christmas present any of us has ever gotten. When I asked Hayden what his favorite present was, he says, "my sister." Her name is Serena Noelle Brandt, born at 6:40 pm. Christmas day. She was 8 lbs., 3.9 oz., 20 3/4 in. long. Both of us are healthy, so we came home from the hospital today. Although there was a knot in her cord. Dr. Mark said it was good she came when she did or there could have been problems.

Christmas morning we all woke up normally and went downstairs to see what Santa had brought. It was around 8:30 am. when we started opening up presents, and when my contractions started. They were getting to be 5 min. apart, and pretty intense, so I tried to hurry the boys along. We finished and my dad came over to take the boys so we could go into the hospital around 10:30. I was dialated to 5 cm. and a week overdue, so they decided to keep me (probably not to the excitment of my doctor, but they didn't induce before!). By 3pm. I needed an epidural and I was dialated to 7 cm.. Dr. Mark broke my water at 4pm., and by 6:30, he told me I could start pushing. After 3 or 4 pushes, she was out. Mike and my mom were in the room with me and we all screamed and cried when Dr. Mark announced it was a girl. I couldn't believe it.

The boys are in love with her (at least right now!). Hayden is of course a big help, and Connor comes over and pets her gently and makes cooing sounds a lot.

I will probably post another entry tomorrow with more pictures. Until then I am going to try and get a little sleep!

Misery

I'm not putting on a happy face anymore. I have reached misery. I am now 5 days late, and the next two days are holidays so the earliest they will induce me is on Weds. night, which means I will then be 8 days late by the time the baby is born. Up to this point I have been doing okay physically (not so much emotionally!), but now the baby is crowding me out and I can't sleep, I can't bend over, I don't want to eat, etc. On top of my problems, the boys have had an exciting weekend as well. We went to a friend's Christmas party on Fri. night and Connor smashed his thumb in a door, losing the nail. Fingernail injuries gross me out. Saturday morning Connor started with diarrhea which he still has, and Hayden woke up this morning with the stomach flu. This is not how I pictured the holiday season this year! Mike has been great. Taking care of the boys and doing things around the house. It's great now that he is done with his masters, he has so much more time. Thanks honey!

Graduation

I'm so proud of Mike. He officially completed his exit interview with the head of the education department on Mon., and yesterday walked the stage in cap, gown and hood to receive his fake diploma. He has completed his Masters program in educational leadership (i.e.principal) and will be looking for a job either this next school year or for 2009.

I wasn't real sure I was going to make it to graduation since it was on my due date, but I'm glad I was able to go. It was a great way to memorialize several years of dedication, sacrifice, late nights, and thousands of dollars!

I will be planning a party to celebrate both his accomplishments and the new baby after the new year, probably sometime mid-January. I'll let everyone know once life settles down a little. Until then we are still waiting (not so patiently) for Baby Brandt.

Gingerbread houses

Hayden really wanted to make gingerbread houses this year and since I'm ready for Christmas and haven't had the baby yet, we decided to buy everything we needed and make them tonight. (Giant's bulk section is great!) Connor had a lot of fun too, so I think we'll make this a tradition each year. It's fun to eat while your working too!