Hot Mamas

Today was a mellow day. It stormed like crazy in the morning then the clouds broke and we got some cool late afternoon sun. This morning Sara got together with her Hot Mamas. It is a group of 8 ladies that have had or will have babies within months of each other. The first baby arrived in March and the last is scheduled to arrive in about 3 weeks in June.

Here are 7 out of 8 Hot Mamas in all their glory. It is an impressive bunch. Count 'em, there are 17 people in the photo, 7 Hot Mamas and 10 kids. Wow!

Late in the day after nap time we went on a walk around the neighborhood and through Pier Park at the end of our street. It was a field trial of the Baby Bjorn. The carrier was easy to figure out. It is comfortable and felt stable. Eliana gave it her vote of support by immediately passing out in it for the entire walk.

First Week Home

Tomorrow marks one week since we came home from the hospital.  It has been a whirlwind week of settling in and figuring things out.  There have been many naps, long hot showers and many fantastic meals.  Every day brought new milestones, visits with friends and neighbors, and a seemingly endless parade of boxes from FedEx and USPS.

Eliana and Pema became fast friends.  Pema is our dog, a Lhasa Apso.  We cautiously introduced Eliana to Pema.  Pema sniffed her, licked her and bumped her with her nose.  Pema seemed a little spooked at first but she quickly grew accustomed to Eli.  Pema gives her wet kisses when Eli is relaxing in the vibrating swing.  We've found Pema on a few occasions guarding Eli as she naps in the co-sleeper.  Pema lays on the ground right next to the co-sleeper facing the door, ready to pounce on any intruders.  We're not sure Pema has completely figured out Eliana is a baby human.  One time as Pema sniffed her closely Eli farted and straight-up freaked out Pema. Pema leapt backwards and slinked away looking confused and a little dissed.

Eliana and Pema relax and nap together.

Pema gets familiar with Eliana.

AVALANCHE!  Once everyone knew Baby Stiles was a girl the girlie clothes haven't stopped coming.  It has been an avalanche of pink, flowers, butterflies and paisleys.  Eliana has blue eyes so she looks super cute in blue and turquoise outfits.

Here Eliana models a stunning outfit from Grammy Pam.  She looks great doesn't she?  Thank you Grammy Pam for all your help and support over the last week and half!

Look at this pile of clothes!  Our friend Cait from Seattle mailed nearly all of it to us.  Her sister has three girls a few years older than Eliana so we have the steady hook up for years and years.  Thank you Cait and Bridget!

Sara is healing rapidly.  Her body is returning to normal and she is losing weight rapidly.  On Tuesday night we went on a walk to the corner.  Yes, it wasn't far but it was the farthest Sara had walked in nearly a week.  The activities continued throughout the week.

On Wednesday night Sara went to a friend's house for her monthly book club get together with a bunch of girls.  Sara enjoyed having her Thursday Night Girls over on Thursday for home cooked food and conversation.  On Friday we got Thai take-out and ate on the deck at Kendall and Mark's house.  Kendall and Mark had a baby girl, Parker, three days after Eliana was born.  Stay tuned for photos of the two girls together- maybe they'll be BFFs.  On Saturday we walked up to St. Johns to get a coffee and poke around in the stores.  Today we checked out the Portland Farmers Market at King Elementary School to visit with Noah and Aaron from SolPops (on Twitter).  Cucumber lime jalapeño is still one of my favs!  Sara is trying to get out and about every day to build up her strength.

Oh yeah, by the way, Sara and Eliana are champion breastfeeding partners and are considering going for the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

Here we are enjoying our first walk on Tuesday night.  Team Stiles on the move!

Nana Stiles from Maine couldn't resist sending me the below hat and tool belt to cope with fatherhood.  Funny stuff.  The tool belt has baby wipes, diapers, a clothes pin for my nose and even goggles.  Ha!  What got the real laughs was the book for Sara, Porn for New Moms.  It had everyone in tears last night.  Thank you Mom for thinking of us.

Eliana has a special thank you for the Grandparents in Maine.  Enjoy!

Heading Home

Team Stiles is heading home today.  We have been in the hospital since Wednesday, May 6 for an exhausting labor and much needed recovery.  Sara is doing super.  She's not dancing yet but she is mobile and moving around on her own.  Eliana is fantastic.  She is nursing like a pro and power napping which means we get some rest.  Eli is already putting on weight and growing strong.  It even seems like her hair is already longer.  Amazing!

Thank you to everyone that called, visited and brought us food and gifts during our stay in the hospital.  For those with kids you all know the importance of having supportive and helpful friends and family.  We feel very blessed by the solid support of our friends and family.  Feel the love!  Thank you all.  Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, midwives and staff at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center- everyone was so helpful and kind.  The accommodations were good and free wifi is available in the rooms.  The food was decent too.  Lastly, a big shout out and thank you to our midwife, Mary Grabowska.  She has been by our side throughout this entire pregnancy.

Team Stiles over'n out!

40 Weeks to 48 Hrs

It has been a little over 48 hrs since Eliana was born.  We are resting, nursing and changing diapers.   The hospital staff, nurses, midwives and everyone have been fantastic.  The visits from friends and family have been fun and heart warming.

The video is from this morning.  Eli is a charmer.  We are smitten.  Turn the volume up to enjoy the video.

 

Sara is recovering quickly.  She’s made a few laps around the ward floor and took a shower today.  Next stop for Sara is a triathlon!  To finish off the series of belly photos of Sara here is a picture of her at the 40 week mark from Wednesday morning, May 6, around 9AM just as the contractions were getting intense.  Sara was a champ and peeled herself off the bed for the photo op.

Baby Stiles is here!

After a long labor, Eliana Pamela Stiles was born May 7, 2009 at 3:41PM.

Sara labored at home for 16 hours, then we drove to the hospital.  She labored for another 20 hours, then via c-section Eli was born weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long.  Eli is a bruiser and has lots of hair.   Sara is straight up tough and was rock solid throughout the 36 hr labor. She hemorrhaged during the c-section and lost 1/3 of her blood.  Grandma Pam and I were in the operating room.  It was wild watching Eli be pulled from Sara's belly.  Sara is doing well and quickly recovering.  Eliana is already nursing and seems amazingly chill.  We'll be the hospital for the next few days.  Team Stiles now counts 3 members in good standing.

Greg's belly

Our friends Claudia and Juan used a little Photoshop magic to give Greg an actually pregnant belly. Funny, funny stuff!

Hopefully the last big belly picture!

The final countdown.  The baby is due in the next week or so and we are ready!  Greg took me on a fantastic date night on Saturday to one of our favorite restaurants, Lincoln.  We are really enjoying these last few moments with just the two of us, but are anxious and excited to meet Baby Stiles.

April 27, 2009 

39+ weeks

Greg was feeling left out.  Here is his belly picture.