One Month Old!

Our little girl is growing up so fast! She likes to talk ("oh?" and "ah") while she's on the changing table, loves baths, and sleeps well during the night. She's still a little tooter but is usually not too fussy. Definitely a little princess though because she usually gets what she wants. She like to make angry horse sounds so I've called her my wild stallion. She's also called the "Scooper" because that's what her grandpa called her when he first met her. She loves listening to music, being rocked, swinging in her swing, sleeping in her car seat, sucking on her paci, and watching colorful or high contrast things (like Baby Einstein video's or video games).

I took some pictures of her today to share!

Vince watching Gracelyn while mommy slept

One of her first couple days at home, she was very gassy & crying a lot during the night, so we took shifts taking care of her. Her little "o" mouth she would make while stopping crying would get us every time (I felt bad laughing but it was so cute!). Here's a sample of our poor little baby... I'm SOO glad she's feeling so much better because it tears at a mommy's heart to see her baby in pain - even if it's just from gas!

Gracelyn's first bath 12/31/2010

She doesn't look to happy in these pictures...must have been the only ones where she was screaming (thanks to Vince). She was actually quite content during the whole ordeal. We did her bath while she was crying from gas anyways, and it helped to calm her down - she loved her shampoo & the sound of the water faucet. But....no one will believe me seeing as she looks miserable in these pictures -at least we got some! :)

First Photo's of Gracelyn Raye

Before labor began

During early labor - on the birthing ball

After delivery (epidural did NOT work!)

First family photo!

Baby Gracelyn was 7lbs 7oz

Our little chunky monkey

Our wonderful delivery nurse (& prepared childbirth instructor) Terri

All of us!

Daddy didn't want to give her up!

Mommy loves her precious baby girl

Gracelyn with Grandmarmie (Shari Swan)
Grandma Mongy (Jackie Raye) with Gracelyn Raye
Great-Grandma Jones (90) with Gracie
Auntie Sara with Gracie

Her first picture with a hairbow :)

Four Generations of Carbone's (If I count!)

Introducing our Gracelyn Raye

I've finally found the time to sit down and create a new post! Gracelyn didn't want to come on her due date (12/22) and was about 1 week overdue when I was induced to have her delivered. She was born at 2:51pm on 12/28/10. I only pushed about an hour (but it didn't even seem that long!) but with basically no pain control because my epidural wore off (only my legs were slightly numb). But I'm glad it went quick and look at the little blessing we have because of it! :)

She was 7lbs 7oz and 20inches long with a 13 inch head. Today at her first pediatrician visit, she was 6lbs 15oz (still within normal range of weight loss) and 19 3/4 inches long. I was sobbing and laughing at the same time when she was delivered, both from relief of pain & joy of seeing her cute little face! Even Vince had tears (something I've only seen on two different occasions). We went home on 12/30 and spent a couple difficult nights of a gassy baby crying for hours, trying all methods of soothing. We finally had to give in and give her a pacifier which is the only thing that helped for longer than 2 minutes. She is being exclusively breastfed & is doing very well with her feedings! Plenty of wet diapers too. She had not had a bowel movement since the hospital, so the pediatrician had to help her go today with a rectal thermometer. Hopefully her "gas pains" will be going away soon, as she did MUCH better last night and throughout the day today, only a couple short episodes. We will be trying to do more "bicycling" of her legs & putting some pressure on her tummy to help relieve it when it happens (like holding her upside-down). I never knew such a loud scream could come from such a little munchkin!! :)

As far as me, I'm doing well, only a couple "teary" episodes that I think had more to do with lack of sleep more than anything. Otherwise I'm feeling great & more rested as the days go by - us girls took a nap this afternoon too! She's had TWO baths so far in the kitchen sink, which we gave when she was crying with gas, and she seemed to LOVE them - it calmed her down (until we were done that is). She is sooooo snuggly & cute! Her nicknames so far: Snuggly buggly, Little Scooper (Vince's dad, her grandpa, made this one up & it's stuck so far), & Gracie. Thank you everyone for all your support, love, care, meals, encouragement, and helpful hints on facebook. I wish I had the time to personally thank everyone but I just cant find the time at the moment (I wonder why!). :) Right now our little booger is sleeping on a pillow on my lap while I write this. Vince enjoys holding her this way while he's on the computer playing his games. He's a wonderful father & is very helpful - changing her diaper a lot & just loving on her. :) I can't wait to share pictures & post more updates!