Christmas 2010

We were excited to share Peyton's first Christmas with all our family this year. It is something that I have been looking forward to since I found out I was pregnant. Christmas was always a very important holiday for us growing up. My parents always worked very hard to make it special for us. I can not wait to share all of the holiday traditions with Peyton.

Getting ready before the party began

Cousins

So Sweet! I love watching Avery with Peyton, she is a good little Mommy!

All dressed up

Papa and Meme
Meme Rose and Peyton Rose

After a delicious meal

Matching Pajamas

Ready for Presents

Baby Alive was a hit!

Christmas Day we spent at Ethan's parents house and had a Prime Rib dinner. We had a great time and Peyton received some wonderful presents. Unfortunately, I didn't take a single picture.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

The Monday before Christmas my Mom's work had a visit from Santa, so we headed up and had pictures taken and meet Santa foe the first time, plus we got to show off Peyton to everyone my Mom works with.

Taking so many pictures is exhausting...

Doctor's Appointment

We had Peyton's follow up appointment with the pediatrician on Wednesday. She did so great, and made the other babies look bad. She barely fussed and got a perfect report.

She gained her birth weight back, and is now 7 lbs 13 oz.

She is in the 34th percentile for her weight.

She is now 21 3/4 in long, and is in the 84th percentile for length.

Her head circumference is 14.76 in around,

and is in the 83rd percentile for head circumference.

On the way to the Dr.

Just hanging out on the examination table

Daddy Duty

Ethan is so great with Peyton. He has been so helpful. I know he was nervous at the beginning since he has really never been around a newborn, but he has been so wonderful with her. Since I had a C-section he has stepped up and been everything I needed, from staying up with her so I catch some sleep to reassuring me that we can handle parenthood. He is definitely hands on father and has probably changed more dirty diapers than I have. I am enjoying all the time that we are spending as a family and seeing the Father-Daughter bond form.

First Bath

We attempted Peyton's first bath while Jill was here on my birthday. We were a little nervous so it was nice to have Jill here to assist.

Getting Ready

Success!

Coming Home

Getting ready to leave the hospital, we were both ready and nervous at the same time. It was bitter sweet. We were ready to be home, but not necessarily ready to leave all of the professional help we had around the clock.

Of course, Nana was there to help.
In her coming home outfit. My mom had actually gotten her a different dress to wear home, but after 4 days in the hospital we let her stay in her sweater set.

The wheelchair ride outside

First time in her carseat.

Officially home!

Meeting the Family

We had a line up of people excited to meet Miss Peyton. Not everyone is pictured below but we had some tons of visitors.

Peyton and Nana

Peyton and Aunt Jilly

Already in love

Meeting cousin Avery

Momsie and Peyton

Peyton and Aunt Chrissy
Meeting Meme Rose, Peyton's namesake

Peyton and Brandy

On the Night You Were Born....

Well, the story actually begins the night before. I was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, Nov 30th at 8:30 p.m. to begin a medicine that would help my body prepare for the contraction inducing pitocin I was set to receive the next morning. Although I wasn't in in pain stronger than cramps, I couldn't get comfortable with in the hospital bed so I was up for the whole night. Plus who could have slept, knowing that I would be meeting Peyton soon.

The pitocin began to work around 6 am the next morning. My contractions were everything I thought they would be. Dr. Richeter arrived at 8:30 that morning and broke my water so the process would speed up. Little did I know that my contractions would become much more intense once that happened. Luckily Jill arrived soon after and with a death grip on both Jill and Ethan's hands I was able to breathe through each contraction. At 11:00, I received an epideral and from then on just labored down and continued to dialate. I had been progressing really good at that point and was on schedule to deliver later that evening.

Apparently, Peyton had other plans. My temperature began to rise and for several hours I did not progress past 5 cm. After a consult with Dr. Richter at 8:30 p.m. it was decided a C-Section would be the safest way for Peyton to make her arrival. It was an emotion filled day and after being in the hospital for 24 hours, I was ready to meet my daughter.

I don't know who was more nervous, me or Ethan. Up until this point it was decided that Jill would take all pictures while in delivery but since only Ethan could come into the room with me for the surgery, the task now fell to him. As you can see below, he did a great job.

At 9:22 p.m. we welcomed Peyton Rose Roberts into the world. She was 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 in long. She is absolutely perfect. I had no idea how my life would change as soon as I heard her cry. Although I was laying behind the curtain and only Ethan could see her, at her ver first cry, I knew I was in love.
Ethan got to see her be weighed and cleaned up since I was still in surgery. He got to carry her back to our room, where our families were eagerly awaiting our return. Apparently it was an emotional reunion and ther wasn't a dry eye around when he carried her back. I followed shortly behind and although I was in still in recovery, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was absolultely perfect.

Waiting...

Peyton's first picture

All wrapped up

Getting weighed, 7 lbs 11 oz

Birth Certificate footprints

First Bath

Dear Peyton

Dear Peyton,

I learned today at my Dr appointment that I will be induced tomorrow. I wanted you to know that we are extremely excited to meet you and have you already changed our lives forever. Everyday we anticipate your arrival. We are nervous and anxious for the upcoming days, and with all of the movement you have been making today, I think you are sensing it too. I feel like we have been talking about you forever now and it seems surreal that you will be in my arms soon.

I can't wait to see your Daddy hold you in his arms, he has talked to you constantly, but whenever you are moving a lot and he tries to feel, you usually stop. He says it's because you already know who's in charge, but you are not even here and you already have him wrapped around your finger.

I have heard from several different people that as soon as you are in my arms I will have a whole new love that I have never experienced before. We already love you so much it is hard to imagine how much more this love can grow, but I know it will.

I can't wait to meet you and see your personality grow and become your own. I already think you are independent, since everytime I try to lay down you become active and start kicking.

Just like your Dad, you are most active at night and almost every evening for the last month you have gotten hiccups.

You have so many people who already love you so much! And will always be here for anything that you will ever need.

Good luck tomorrow.

Love,

Your Mommy

The Nursery

The nursey is almost completely done. I think it turned out great!

As you enter the room...

The changing table and swing

The Super Comfy Glider

A full closet!!

Super cute laundry basket! (Thanks Aunt Jilly!)