Tuesday, February 26, 2008

P.U.



This pose needs a caption... any suggestions? :)

More lil b pics






I'm camera-happy. This is just a small sample of all the pics we have been taking of her. I wish I had more advanced blogging skills... I'm sure there's a way to make a slideshow, or display more pics somehow...
The photo of her in the red dress is right before her 2nd trip to church. We went last week, but I didn't bother dressing her up. She just stays bundled in her carrier the whole time anyway... so putting the frufy dress, tights, and bows on is just for my own enjoyment. It's the realization of my childhood dreams of playing "mommy." Note to everyone: when someone brings their infant to church - or anywhere, for that matter - do NOT touch the baby! Most people were pretty conscious of this rule, but one lady crossed the line. If Brianna gets sick because of her, I'm going to litter her yard with dirty diapers.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

First bath!





We are negligent parents. Brianna didn't get her first bath until today. I was too nervous, so I just put it off! But if I had known how fun it would be and how much she would LOVE it, I would've done it much sooner. It was amazing to see how she enjoyed it! She was so content and calm; she would've stayed there all day.
I wish I had a pic of when we washed her hair - I held her slippery lil body while Brian did the shampooing. SO fun! I wish we could do it more often, but recent research suggests that infants produce a bacteria which is actually very good for their skin. Too frequent bathing can be counterproductive. Dang researchers...

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Back to RUNNING!



Today made my top 10 list of best days of my LIFE. I can run again! Doc gave me the OK to go for it. So I went! And it was SLLOOOWW, but felt so amazingly good.
I was able to run up until month 7 of pregnancy, but then had to stop. I went through serious withdrawals. For the past 3 months, I have literally dreamt of running. I am SO excited to get back into it! And not because I still have 20 lbs to get rid of til I'm back at pre-preg shape... I love running in and of itself. Its like a drug, and I'm a junkie. I donʻt know if I will get back into racing 5K/10K/marathons again... I have a LONG ways to go before that is even an option. But I will work towards it. Anyone out there willing to volunteer to watch Brianna so I can squeeze in some miles during the day?!! :)

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Close-ups of the princess





Now I know Iʻm a little biased here... but honestly - sheʻs the most beautiful baby in the world.

I love being a mom




Honestly, this is the greatest experience of my life. I take that back - second greatest (no worries Brian - you're still #1). I can't even put into words how I feel.... so I won't bother trying to be eloquent. Suffice it to say that when I look into her little eyes, I feel more happiness and joy than I ever thought possible. In the words of Brian McKell: "this is way better than getting a puppy."

Friday, February 15, 2008

Four men and a baby



Brianʻs EQP team stopped by before church!

Trip to Great-Grandma Oneita






On day 5 of Brianna, we ventured from Provo to Bountiful to introduce her to her Great-Grandmother (my dadʻs mom). 3 stops and 2 messy diaper fiascos later, we arrived. The best part was the look on Grandmaʻs face when I told her our babyʻs name - Brianna Oneita Mckell. Myself and Brianna are the only ones named after her. So although this pic of me is pretty bad, I had to include it. The 3 Oneitas.... Lindsay, Cougar, and mom were there too. Cougar loves his new little cousin. He touched her cheek and said "goochie goochie goo!" Lindsay also loves her new neice. She especially loved the boogers that Brianna sneezed onto her arm.

B is the best



The flowers are from B. He escaped the hospital while I was "out" and got them for me. Yellow is my favorite color, and there are 2 pink ones. The note said "Yellow for my best friend, Pink for the two loves of my life." awwww.....
This is Brian doing "The C-section Dance." It was hilarious. He would throw his arms in the air and curve his back, so he was shaped like a C. Then he would scoot backwards on his heels super fast. Guess you had to be there.... but it was funny. It helped me a lot when I was so nervous about getting cut open.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

First Pediatrician Appointment





We have an EIGHT POUNDER! whoo-hoo! She started at 7 lb 14 oz, went down to 7 lb 8 oz, but has now hit 8! Must be those 15 daily feedings we do....
Dr. Mitch Adams is awesome. Utah Valley Pediatrics is great. Brianna behaved like a pro, though she wasnt nuts about being stripped down and put on a scale. Or having a flashlight in her eyes. But honestly - can you blame her? Would YOU like to have that done? Props to Brianna for being so tough.

Nonny time






Isnt my mom gorgeous?! She and Brianna had some serious bonding time. Im so glad I had mom there for everything. She knows a lot about babies. Must be due to those 8 she had before.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Madly in love with my baby


Yeah, I know this is pic is probably too intimate to post.... but this is MY blog and Iʻll post whatever I want to, dang it. The truth is that this was like my favorite moment of all time. I had just finished feeding my baby for the first time (and yes, Brian stood next to me with a camera... awkward)

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Happy Parents




Happy new parents... especially Chelsea, enjoying her pain meds. Drugs are great.

Daddy daughter time






Itʻs a good thing Iʻm the only one that can feed Brianna.... otherwise Brian would never give me a turn to hold her.




Brian looked fabulous in his surgery suit. And he knew it. Dozens were witness to "the c-section dance." Heʻs got great moves. And seriously - that helped a lot. I wasnʻt happy about having an emergency c-section, but he lightened up the mood and made me laugh. He even WATCHED the whole surgery. Brave man. I was content to hide behind the big blue curtain. And by content, I mean crying, shaking, and basically freaking out. Apparently the anesthesiologist didnʻt like my overly dramatic reaction to being sliced open, so he knocked me out after she was born. Fine with me. By the time I woke up, I had my beautiful baby all cleaned up and ready to cuddle. Brian got the privelege of all the initial bonding. Now we just have to fight over her. Fortunately, at meal times, I always win. OH - her stats: 7 lbs, 14 oz, 19 inches.

Beginnings of Brianna



So this is how the story started.... conception at Motel 6. Just kidding. Gross. Actually, my mom felt inspired on Monday (Feb 4) to start her drive down to Utah from Spokane, Washington. She got sick along the way (apparently, itʻs not a good idea to drink the water in Costa Rica) and had to stay at Motel 6 for two days! So I kept telling myself that I couldnʻt deliver til she got here (since Brian is in Vernal during the week). Mom finally arrived late Wednesday night. Brianna must have realized that I now had a ride to the hospital, since a few hours later (1:30 am Thursday morning) I woke up in painful contractions. Mom drove us to the hospital, which I later figured out was NOT a good idea. She had just taken a sleeping pill! So the drugged up mom drove her laboring daughter through the ice and snow in the middle of the night to the hospital.

Briannaʻs on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30296&l=e04b8&id=511694072

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Brianna McKell!