Happy New Year

Last night at 11 weeks and 3 days old, Rylee rolled over back to tummy! Seriously! It wasn't a one time thing either, she did it again this morning. She continues to amaze me!

Rylee's Stats from the pediatrician yesterday.
Weight: 9lbs 13oz, 10-25%
Height: 22 5/8 in, 25%
Head Circumference: 38cm, 25-50%

This was the first appointment where we charted her on the Down Syndrome growth charts. Her weight is in the 50-75% and her height is in the 75%. I guess our tall genes are rivaling that extra chromosome :) They don't have a separate chart for head circumference because apparently noggin sizes are pretty much the same.

Rylee also got a great review from the ophthalmologist this week and won't need to return for a year or two pending any tear duct issues that could arise.

Avery has welcomed the new year by giving up her paci. Ok, so she didn't do this willingly but we are all hanging in there. Nap times are a definite challenge and several days have resulted in no nap but I'm crossing my fingers that naps return. Bedtime doesn't seem to be a problem, probably because she is just so tired from the day. She is also doing great with potty training.

And what post is complete without some new pics from Aunt Tonya at Christmas time?

Rylee's One Month Stats

Rylee had her one month well visit today. (She is actually 6 weeks old now)

Height: 21 1/8" (25-50%)
Weight: 8lbs 11ozs (25%)
Head Circumference: 37.4cm (50%)

She gained 12ozs since her last visit!
Unfortunately she also got vaccinations today but now she is all set to travel for Christmas.


Oh and this is what your older child looks like when she gets car sick ALL over the herself on the way to the pediatrician and Mommy doesn't have back up clothes (other than 2 cropped sweaters and baby legs, I can't take my kid anywhere in that get up!), so yep, she's in my shirt. Maybe it's a new fashion statement?!

Chuy's Chistmas Parade

On Friday we headed downtown for the Chuy's Christmas Parade. We went early and walked around Town Lake (it's now called Lady Bird Lake but I'm just not used to that yet). Pepper got to swim and we met up with some old friends we hadn't seen since we moved back. Then it was parade time!

Coke Polar Bear

The Grinch

Avery loved the parade and waved at all the floats and people.

Santa

Aunt Tonya

Aunt Tonya came to visit and help out less than a week after Rylee was born. She must love all of us a lot because she missed her sons and her husbands birthdays while she was here! It was great to have her here; she knew how to help without asking, she yelled at me to sit down and not lift things, she changed dirty diapers big and small and lets not miss that she took awesome portraits!

We decided to do a little Q&A on each others blogs. Find out a little of what makes Aunt Tonya tick! Check out her blog for some of Rylee's newborn portraits and my Q&A.

How many years have you been doing photography?
I've been photographing professionally for 5-6 years. Before that I took photography classes at the Cleveland Institute of Art. And before that I studied art and received my BA in art and design.

How did you get interested in photography?
I've always loved kids. And I've always loved art. Seems like a great combination for a child and family photographer, huh!

Aunt Tonya is normally on the other side of the camera but we did manage to snap a few pics of her.

Aunt Tonya and Rylee in her 'Mommys Little Monster' shirt.

What is your favorite age to photograph?
I really couldn't pick just one age that I love to photograph. I love variety so working with families, babies, kids, and high school seniors is perfect for me. I do have an extra soft spot for those 6-9 month olds because they are so expressive and can't get away from me just yet.

What is most time consuming part of a session/your job?
Book keeping. Taxes. Packaging. Yawn. Also trying to figure out how to balance being a mom and a photographer is tough for me.

What's the most fun part?
This is easy. Hands down: my clients. They are awesome. I LOVE getting to know them. Love watching their kids grow. Love capturing the important moments in their lives.

Aunt Tonya and Avery

Oh! Bright Flash!

So much fun!

How do you come up with new ideas for sessions?
Dreams. Catalogs. Songs. Commercials. Seasons. Kids. Landscapes.

Do you have a favorite season for sessions?
All of them! Spring is wonderful because everything outdoors is so fresh and colorful. Summer is perfect for the beach. Fall is gorgeous with the warm, rich colors. Winter is great for studio or my brave clients who book snow sessions. Again, I like variety.

Do you enjoy studio or outdoor sessions more?
That's like picking a favorite child. They (studio/outdoors) are so different and there are things I love about both.

What's one important thing you have learned since you started?
Luckily I haven't had to learn this the hard way but any type of professional photographer should ALWAYS have a backup camera and at least an additional lens. Cameras break, get dropped, and malfunction. Years ago at session, I accidentally hit a button and put my camera on timer mode. And I couldn't remember how to switch it back. It was SO nice to just grab the other camera in my bag and continue on with the session.

Thanks for everything Aunt Tonya!

Rylee Rolls Over!

Who said DS kids are supposed to be slow? At 3 weeks old Rylee decided to treat us to this:

Happy Halloween!

We had a busy week leading up to Halloween. Although, what week isn't busy at this point!

Bubbie came to visit and meet Rylee.

We carved pumpkins.

Minnie Mouse and what used to be a cat but he fell in.

Avery had a Halloween Party at Gavin's house. Complete with a Bounce House!

Gavin & Avery bouncing!

Playdough is fun!

Rylee at her first party, snuggles in the sling.

Avery loved the drill press!....hmmm, is there a mechanical engineer in there?

We even had a neighborhood Halloween Parade.

Introducing Rylee Elle

Sunday morning I was woken up at 2:30am with contractions. I slept on and off till about 3:30. My contractions were about 10 minutes apart with an occasional one at three or four minutes. I decided to wake Josh and call my OB who advised that I should go to the hospital to be checked. On the drive to the hospital my contractions were only about 4 minutes apart. We checked into the hospital at 4:45am where the nurses decided to send us straight to a labor and delivery room. I promptly asked for an epidural and was told that I could have one as soon as I had one bag of fluids and my blood work came back. Contractions at this point were speeding up and becoming much more intense. To be honest, this was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. My hats off to the women who do this voluntarily but I had no intent on natural labor. When asked if I wanted to wait to push until the OB on call from my office arrived or use the hospital OB on staff I think I replied that I didn't really have a choice. I also recall pushing a nurses arm away as she tried to check that I was dilated and effaced enough to be pushing. "I can't" was a common phrase out of my mouth. Once I was convinced that I could roll on my back and put my feet up it was less than three pushes and Rylee Elle made her appearance. 5:17am, a short 32 minutes after arriving at the hospital. 8lbs 7ozs and 20inches long.

Proud Daddy

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa for the first time.

Avery meets Rylee

Happy Family

Hearing Test and she passed!

Rylee had several extra tests while in the hospital including a heart sonogram, renal sonogram and x-ray. She does have fluid around her heart and a hole in between the upper chambers of her heart. All results are coming back with positive results but all will need additional follow up in the following weeks. Additional chromosomal testing is being performed on the placenta to reconfirm Trisomy 21 and give us any additional genetic information.

We would have been given the all clear to the leave the hospital on Monday but the pediatrician wanted to see Rylee eating more and keeping her temperature up. On Tuesday morning we were given the all clear to go home!

Going Home!

Arriving Home

My heart is full. I hope and pray that Rylee continues to be healthy and happy. What an amazing addition to our family. We love you Rylee!