Momma’s Angel

Baby Story Volume 2 - Hospital Stay January 25, 2006

After all the work was done and Sara Ellen and I were both nice and clean, we got comfy on the bed I had just delivered on (cleaned up of course) and were wheeled up to the PostNatal Ward or BarselAvdelingen. A nurse pushed us for a short distance and after bumping into a door frame or something apologized, saying she didn’t have a lisence to drive it. Then she passed us off to an orderly, who when I asked, confirmed he did have a lisence to drive the wheeled bed and took me right into the room I would occupy for the next five nights.

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Sara Ellen’s 6 Week Checkup January 23, 2006

Bless that little girl. She fell asleep and actually stayed that way when I put her in the bassinett!

We went to the healthstation today for her six-week checkup, though she’ll be 7 wks tomorrow. First she was weighed in at 5.180kg and her head has grown 4cm. We saw both a dr (who happened to be the woman I’ve seen - she works there sometimes) and the healthsister/baby nurse. Both said she’s eaten and grown a lot making up plenty for her early delivery. Yay! Nursing so frequently for food and comfort will do that. The doctor checked her hip alignment which was good (that’s what the dr did in the hospital that made her cry so much), her heartbeat and something on her back, I guess her spine. The nurse tested the combined range of motion between her eyes and neck, we already know that’s good. She also lay her on her stomach and Sara Ellen picked her head up, such a strong little girl.

I asked about the funny noises she makes breathing sometimes and was told it’s normal for baby lungs while they mature. The bump on her head she’s had from being delivered should go away in a couple months. I’m taking her back in on February 27th for her first round of vaccines so that she’s got a bit of time to get over the possible fever before we leave. I’ll need to find a pediatrician when we do get home for her 3-month checkup.

*Thanks Alanna to for noticing Sara Ellen weighs 5kg and 180g, not 5,180kg. The conversion is (kg x 2.2 = lbs) and (lbs x .45 = kg).
She weighs 11 lbs 4 oz.

President Bowman

I’ll be home for this! I can go!! Yay!

~~~~~
Randolph-Macon Woman’s College will honor President Kathleen Gill Bowman & Daniel Bowman with a day of celebration, Saturday, March 25, 2006.

Please save this date. Additional information and invitation to follow.

We are preparing a memory box with quotes and stories from students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. If you have a quote or story to share, please e-mail it to clyons@rmwc.edu or mail it to Cindy Lyons, R-MWC, 2500 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503 by January 31, 2006.
~~~~~

Another Good Day January 19, 2006

Hail the wisdom of the American Consular Office!

We went in today to do the Report of Birth stuff and were also given forms for her passport and social security number. All done in one swoop. Yesterday I got some passport photos and I thought they’d work but they wanted her face straight on. I was recommended a nearby photographer and after we finished up the rest I headed over there. It was a bit of a challenge getting her eyes to open and stay open but the employees were really nice and seemed to have fun. I had been given a labeled envelope to put them in and just dropped them off as I passed by on the way home, no need to go through security again.

One of the women who went over our paperwork (and performed the oath for the passport) said “I have kids, but that is one cute baby.”

I also had another opportunity to get some exercise. These two times I’ve gotten in 30 minutes. It included a warm-up, stretches and then some abdominal work. By that time Sara Ellen gets a little fussy. As it is my abdominals I want to work, this suits me fine so far. Maybe in the evening or on weekends I can get Tim to hold her while I do the full hour.

We pick up our snazzy new stroller on Monday.

Oh, and it’s still snowing!

Good Day January 17, 2006

Two great things happened, actually three, today:

• I got to do a short workout from the NYCB Workout DVD. Sara Ellen was actually happy to listen and watch for a while.
• We ordered a Quinny Speedi SX Stoller in sand and only had to pay half ourselves because Dad gave us his leftover kroner when he left!
• It’s snowing and so pretty. I loved walking in it.

This week I hope to apply for Sara Ellen’s citizenship and maybe even her passport but that may have to wait if the Report of Birth Abroad is not granted in a single visit.

Video January 15, 2006

Here is a link to a video we took of Sara Ellen at Christmas.

More to come.

Growing

It’s amazing watching Sara Ellen grow and develop. She already actively looks around. If Tim is holding her and walks away from me she can see and watch me from a distance. She also loves to look at herself and us in the mirror. It’s so fun.

She’s learning to use her arms. Her reach is still wide but she’s learning to reach for me.

She is also learning to smile. It’s so cute. Tim and I try different ways to coax one like playing with her chin, kissing cheeks, or waving my hair over her face. The first few weeks we just enjoyed her sleep grins but these are definitley different from those and so much fun.

And she is getting so long and really strengthening her neck.

Weddings January 12, 2006

I was reading back and remembered that Tim’s cousin’s wedding is also in August. I hope her’s and Sara’s wedding dates are spaced well apart so we don’t have to miss an Altman Family gathering.

Coming Home

I could have mentioned, but forgot on the 23rd that we have secured our homecoming date - March 3, 2006!

We have some work to do before then. This afternoon someone from a moving company will come to take a survey of the belongings we want to move. (Today also includes my 6-week check up, someone coming to get our christmas tree for fire wood and visitors this evening.) We have to sell off a bunch of stuff and find out where to dump the stuff we’re tossing. Then we’ll have to pack in our suitcases what we want to take home on the plane and move into an Opera apartment for maybe a week before we leave. Then we will probably get a hotel room near the airport the night before.

Sara Ellen will probably be attached most of the flight home and then we’ll have a welcoming party of Tim’s Dad, StepMom Jan and StepSis JP. Jan said she’s making banners and JP said she has Christmas presents she decided not to mail so we wouldn’t have to pack them up again. As my family was just here, and we’ll need car space for luggage, probably just one member of my family will come to collect us. Tim’s mom is coming to visit at the end of this month. I’m not sure when Corri will meet her niece. We will be staying with my family until we get our own place. Sometime soon after we return we’ll visit with those of you we haven’t seen for so long and who have not yet met Sara Ellen. All three of us will have to get reaquainted with Eastern Standard Time.

Sara January 11, 2006

There’s going to be a wedding this summer! Sara Caswell is going to marry her boy Nathan. Yay!

I have not yet received the letter containing all the details but I know because she sent me a couple emails asking for related information like price research from my wedding and dress size so she could go ahead and order my dress in lilac. I’m so anxious to hear all about it.

I’ve even found a pattern that I might use for an adorable outfit for Sara Ellen.

I’m sooo excited to be going home so I can be more help and spend time with her. When I was Maid-of-Honor at Brooke Dorner’s wedding, I didn’t plan a shower, this time I’m going to do it up right as Matron-of-Honor. Sounds so funny but I am married with a child. Which by the way is what I’ve always wanted. It’s hard to describe the feeling of having what you’ve always wanted, it’s very satisfying to say the least.