#1: I was induced 2 weeks early as I was swollen to State Puff Marshmallow proportions and my blood pressure was in the 180-190 region. I was given Pitocin and an epidural shortly after...I slept through several hours of the labor and Avery Marie Watson was born 7 hours later at 5:06 p.m., 7lbs 5oz and 18in long. She was incredible...Mike and I had a mix of emotions, many of which we had never experienced before.
#2: We were released from the hospital 3 days later and uncle Tyler came to help us welcome her home. We were home for one rough night...lots of crying, from both Avery and me...and were re-admitted to the pediatric unit the next day for jaundice. Avery's bilirubin levels were at an 18 which apparently is really bad. The poor girl had to sleep in an incubator with bright blue lights shining on her for nearly 7 days...she even had a little infant mask to protect her eyes.
#3: Finally we bring her home and dive into all that is wonderful, overwhelming, and scary about having a baby. Avery and I finally get the hang of nursing after 3 weeks. She starts sleeping more and more at night, Mike and I love her more and more with each day. She smiles, then stares at us, she grabs, she smiles some more. She makes lots of dirty diapers. She finds herself in the mirror. We cuddle when she stops wiggling. She learned to roll, front and back. She's a thumb sucker. She's the most amazing thing I've ever known...she's our daughter.
#4: We started her on solids 2 weeks before she turned 6 months old. Carrots,Sweet Potato, Peas, Avocado, Banana, then Apple. I make her food for her and although it sounds old-fashioned and a hassle, I'm really enjoying it. I know what I'm feeding her...I enjoy the peeling, chopping, steaming, pureeing...I feel like I'm giving her the best I can...the best start. We'll still be nursing until she's 12 months...barring any issues with little teeth that like to bite...
#5: Teeth...her first baby tooth is making it's way through. It's the bottom front tooth on the right side. It feels like a razor which makes sense since it has to cut through her gums. I gain a little more compassion as I'm sure it's completely miserable...good thing she won't remember this.
#6: We take a Strollerfit class every Tue & Thur where she sits in the stroller while I run around a gym like a crazy person trying to lose weight. I've lost 51 pounds since the peak of my pregnancy and I've actually lost all my pregnancy weight plus 15 pounds...still much more work to be done. We play quite a bit with the Molony's and I'm sure Michelle and Avery are going to be the best of pals!
#7 Mike is loving his job at the District Attorney's office and had several trials last year (all ending in convictions!) I'm so incredibly proud of him and thankful that he works so hard so I can stay home to raise Avery...this is really a dream fulfilled...and I'm trying not to blink. I know one day I'll wake up and she'll be all grown up. She's already 6 months old...time is flying.
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last 6 months. I'm going to do my best to update this often with pics and video of our sweet girl.
