Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Welcome Sweet Baby Girl Amelie!

We are delighted to welcome Amelie Han Bickford into our family!  She was born on Thursday, August 1st at 8:22am and weighed 8 lbs, 3 ounces. 

Throughout my pregnancy I was struggling to decide if I should have another C-section or try and deliver via a v-bac.  I decided that I would wait until the last couple of weeks to decide and just a few weeks ago we found out that Amelie was in a breech position just like Oliver was.  So I guess she decided for me!

I was a little less anxious about the surgery this time since I knew what to expect.  We had a bit of a rough start though as it took the nurses 3 tries to insert my IV and 3 times to try and draw blood.  My arm is still full of bruises from all the little stabs!  The surgery itself went very quickly and Amelie was out after what seemed like only 5 minutes.  The doctor said that she greeted them right away with pee and a poop!  She started wailing pretty quickly while they were cleaning her up but calmed down after being wrapped in a warm blanket and snuggled with Rhett and I while they finished sewing me up.  She is so delicate and beautiful and we are in awe of her!

We stayed in the hospital for 2 days and 2 nights - the recovery this time around has been a bit harder but overall we are all doing well and adjusting to being a family of four.  So far Amelie is very mellow and quiet and sleeps alot. Oliver has been adjusting reasonably well and in general is only mildly interested in her :) We're sure that will change as she becomes more interactive.

We are so grateful to my parents and my sister for helping us out for the initial days at the hospital and at home! 

Last day of pregnancy!

Getting ready for surgery

Starting a new fashion trend

Welcome baby Amelie!

Snuggling with Mommy

First photo shoot

Aww, someone loves her Daddy

Posing for Auntie Iris

Kisses from big brother Oliver

Our little pumpkin





Sunday, June 23, 2013

ABC's

Super cute video of Oliver singing his abc's!

My 40th Birthday

Wow I can't believe that I'm already 40!  It hasn't quite sunk in yet but overall I found that turning 30 was much more difficult.  We were originally planning to celebrate my birthday in Paris with our good friends the Hill-Stachs but felt it best to cancel after we found out we were pregnant.  My attempt to compensate involved throwing myself a French themed super girly birthday party - brunch and spa day!  I was very touched that my sister took the time to drive up and help me celebrate which made the day extra special. 

Postcard for my party invitation

Me and my special boy on my birthday

Proud of my belly!

Opening the beautiful gift my friends made for me

Birthday brunch!


On our way to dinner with Auntie Iris

I love my family!

Oliver hamming it up for Auntie Iris


Spring 2013

Here are a few photo highlights from Spring 2013: Easter basket, Cherry Blossum viewing at the UW, a quick weekend trip to Portland to see the Han-Godino's, girls trip for me to Palm Springs and Mother's Day!







New baby elephant Lily!






 



 
Mother's Day
 

Angie's 40th

This is the year that many of my friends and I turn the big 4.0! Angie was up first and we celebrated at The Tamarind Tree followed by karaoke afterwards.  Happy birthday Angie!!











Surprise!!

After much discussion over the past 2 years, Rhett and I decided upon a plan to someday expand our family likely via adoption.  Much of this was due to practicality such as finances, my age and our overall energy levels.  We were also under the impression that having children naturally on our own would be very challenging as we had discovered during our attempts to have Oliver.  So we were both incredibly surprised to find out late November that we were pregnant!  I must admit that it took a couple of months to fully process and reset expectations but we are now both very excited and happy that things worked out this way.   I'm actually really thankful that this came to us unexpectedly and unplanned as it takes all the thinking and analysis out of the equation. 

I am now 33 weeks along and we will be welcoming our baby girl in early August!  Thus far my pregnancy has gone very well without any morning sickness or other aches and pains.  I've been trying to watch what I eat moreso than when I was pregnant with Oliver.  My main cravings have been fruit which is better than hamburgers, pizza and chips like the first time around! 

Here are a few pics:

Our baby girl ~ 21 weeks

Wow, her right hand!

Belly pic ~ 5 months