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August 29, 2004
asleep on the job
Lately we have taken to misplacing the digital camera, so I am hoping that the purchase of a new digital camera will cause that behaivour to stop! Beginning next week we hope to be using our snazzy new(old by digital camera standards) Canon. Get ready for some professional grade photos! In the meantime we are all asleep at the wheel.
This picture was taken on the 20th of august...so it's like really old, Ella is twice as old as that now!
til next week,
paci's one and all.
Posted by npaci at 11:58 PM | Comments (1)
August 22, 2004
Ella's First Bath
Ella's umbilical cord stub came off on Friday. We captured all the essential moments from her first bath here...
Posted by rach at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2004
1 week old
Dear Ella,
You are now a whole week old.
And, if you haven't figured it out, yet, you are adored by any and all who meet you. We've had many visitors in the past week. You have met all of your grandparents and even your Great-grandma Dodie. You've met almost all of your uncles - Sam, Dan, Mike and Matthew, only Garth is left! Everyone believes you are the most beautiful baby, because you are. Even though I am your mother, I am not biased. You are just an exceptionally beautiful child.
Even when you cry, which it turns out is only when you are hungry or have an extremely wet diaper, you have the most endearing little whimper that precedes any fierce wailing.
You are a sleepy little thing these days. You sleep about 18-19 hours each day. And, at night you only wake up to eat and have your diaper changed and then go right back to sleep.
We took you for your first visit to the pediatrician on Monday afternoon. Most newborns lose weight when they come home from the hospital, not you, my clever little over-achiever! You gained 1 whole ounce! You are so funny and sweet when you eat - you have this way of opening your mouth as if you are awaiting a worm to be dropped in. I've started nicknaming you, Baby Bird for this very reason. And, you have this most ravenous way of attacking my breast when you are nursing. Very uncivilized!! It seems you are still trying to figure out where it is. But, by this time next week, I think you will have this nursing thing figured out!
You are already beginning to smile and have the cutest little teeth buds on your upper gums. And, you have this way of pursing your lips that makes it look as if you are whistling!
Your Daddy and I adore you like no other, and cannot imagine our life without you.
Love,
Mama
Posted by rach at 11:11 PM | Comments (1)
August 17, 2004
New Pics of Me and my visitors
Posted by npaci at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2004
Walk in the Park and meeting some more friends
Yesterday we went for our first outing into the world since we have gotten home from the hospital. He keeps saying how amazing my mama is, it has only been 2 days and we are feeling great.
Daddy was so proud of my earth mama that He had to give her a kiss. Buddy was jealous, but it wasn't his turn right then so he just sat by.
We made it home successfully and everyone was feeling good.
Daddy seemed kind of wet though.
A little bit later I finally got to meet Cooper, he is super cool, and I think we will be great friends. He told me I could get a ride on his shoulders at the zoo.
And then there was Olga, she likes to be called chica, she is the best.
I could tell it was going to be a rock star day so I decided I wasn't going anywhere without some shades, but I think I picked up mama's on the way out of the house. Oh well.
To begin my tour I slept in Chato's arms.
To be followed up with some face time with my future neighbors, Debbie and Randy.
Then I got to meet Chris and Jillian, they are so nice they gave me some wooden blocks, that my dad seems to think are going to be his. I think I would like to see Jillian alot she loved holding me, but it seemed like someone was forcing Chris to hold me. I don't mind, we can hold hands when I can do that soon.
To close the day out I got to meet my Uncle Michael and his girlfriend Molly, they were super nice and seemed like they had been waiting a long time for Mama to have me, they loved me.
I love my people.
Keep the love coming my way,
-bgp
Posted by npaci at 10:39 PM | Comments (0)
Visitors
Day 1
Grandma and Grandad
The last couple of days have been spent doing just a little bit of visiting...let's see the first visit yesterday....seems so long ago now...I was able to sleep on my maternal grandparents. Always nice to see them, I was a bit tired from the big car ride home, but I got my second wind later, when I kicked the sleeping in to overdrive.
Grandpa Paci
I was having a bit of trouble sleeping, but luckily my Grandpa was in the neighborhood, so I was able to get some quality sleep on him for a while. Very handy, as I didn't have a plan for what I was going to sleep on that night. That being done I was well rested for my evening slumber, I just wish people would stop waking me up and trying to make me eat. I will tell you when I am hungry, thank you very much.
Day 2
Uncle Dan
For a pleasant surprise, my Uncle who I hadn't seen (in utero or otherwise) in a long time was able to come visit me. He seemed to think it was funny when I passed a little gas, but I got him back, look how cute he looks in that pink heart blanket of mine. heehee. Anyway, that got me started pretty good for the rest of my day.
Aunt Viv
Now I have to tell you my favorite part of the day was when my aunt came to see me later that night, boy she smells good, holds me all comfortable like and has such that killer accent, the spanish sounded so nice and it reminded me that everyone of these Paci's is going to have to figure out some italian so we can all go visit someday. Not too soon though, as I still have places I want to sleep in this town first.
Uncle Sam
Ah and then there was another one of my uncles, he seemed like he understood the difficulties of adapting to a new cuisine and some of my food sensitivities, so I thought of anyone he would understand if I had a little bit of gas, but whoever was responsible for my uncles must have not understood how much gas a little baby can have, because I gave him a a start and he just thought it was too funny. Ha Ha. I am a little baby and those little bubbles really smart. Ah well, he got a chuckle and I felt better.
Having had a complete day of visitors I danced to a bit to whatever racket my parents were playing. It sounded familiar, but I couldn't figure out who it was, I need that Cooper guy my parents are always mentioning to give me a little music history lesson.
After such a complete day I needed a quick stretch and then to hit the hay, as I have some big feet(and eventually shoes) to grow into.
Tomorrow while I am sleeping perhaps my dad will tell the story of my big day out! Two walks a ride in the car, saw my new room. I was out in the world and loving it!
Til then,
Yours Truely,
-bgp
Posted by npaci at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)
August 13, 2004
Proud Papa
We brought Baby Girl Paci home from the hospital this morning. She is definitely her Daddy's little girl
I knew I married a wonderful man, but didn't know just how generous a person he is until this week. From the moment contractions began, Noah became my lifeline. With his humor and kind words, he kept me in perspective, and kept the labor pains in perspective. He stayed with me every step of the way, rubbing my back and holding my head when I thought I wouldn't make it through the next 60 seconds of each contraction.
Noah encouraged me and made me feel like I could do just about anything. And when there was no progress after 19 hours of labor and having not slept in 36 hours, he helped me make a really difficult decision to get an epidural and add Pitocin to get the baby out. At first, I was really disappointed, but with this man by my side, he made it feel like it was the best decision in the world (looking back - it was really the only decision to be made, or I would have been headed for a C-section due to how tired I was). Then, when Ella was finally within sight and I was able to push, Noah held my hand and pushed with me.
Noah is already an amazing father....He helps me to get Ella latched on to nurse and changes Ella's diapers, and is a complete pro at swaddling. I couldn't ask for a better man to share this fascinating experience with me. I love him very much.
BTW, thank you to everyone for your kind congratulations. We truly appreciate it!!
Posted by rach at 03:41 PM | Comments (1)
August 12, 2004
Vitamin E11
So I have finally made it home after all the delivery goodness, Ella was born at 11:11 pm on the 11th of August. I think I may just think of her as my Vitamin E11. I had no idea I needed that vitamin so badly, but her I am sniffing the blanket that I brought home to begin socializing Buddy to the idea of ella...He doesn't seem to interested, so I guess I will just sleep with it instead. Man it smells good. I miss my Vitimin E11 and my Earth Mother.
Posted by npaci at 11:01 PM | Comments (5)
Healthy Baby Girl!
Up here in Vermont, we received the great news that Rachel delivered a healthy baby girl! Ella has dark hair, and blue eyes. She's 20.25 inches tall and weighs 7 pounds 8 ounces. Rachel says that she's absolutely beautiful. She was born at 11:11pm on the 11th of August.
They expect to be returning home on Friday.
Noah will be posting pictures soon. At the moment, the three Paci's are napping, snuggled together in a single bed.
Posted by mde at 12:19 PM | Comments (1)
August 11, 2004
Going out
Rachel has been having strong contractions since her water broke, they are getting more frequent. And now we are off to go walk the Dulles Town Center Mall. This should be interesting, I wonder what people will think when they see her moaning and groaning in the food court...Bet they will think twice about getting a Cinnabon.
Posted by npaci at 09:53 AM | Comments (5)
Progress!
To keep things exciting... Ella will definitely make her grand appearance sometime within the next 24 hours, because my water just broke about 10 minutes ago. Contractions are 5 minutes apart, not painless, but not as intense as they will be. More updates to come...
Posted by rach at 01:55 AM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2004
Progress?
who knows anymore, rachel "doesn't know her body anymore!" anyway contractions are reaching new levels of intensity, lots of braxton hicks contractions...is tonight the night?
We hope so!
Posted by npaci at 09:59 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2004
No Baby Yet!!
Ella is now almost 2 days late.... We are awaiting her arrival with baited breath. But, she sure is taking her time. I am still feeling a lot of movement from her, which probably means she is going to wait another day or two or three to make her grand entry into this world. I am expecting to make it to the Druid Hill/Nelson Book Club meeting on Tuesday night and my guess is that she will arrive sometime Thursday.
Today, we went out on the South River with my parents, Sam, Viv, Molly, and Michael. It looks like Shamu's back rising out of the water, but it is just Ella getting bigger and bigger. When we got home, I washed and vacuumed my car, then we clay-barred it, and waxed the hood. If the princess does not appear soon, I may be able to clay-bar and wax the entire car. We'll see...
Posted by rach at 08:53 PM | Comments (1)