Thursday, April 8, 2010

Teething at 5 Days Old!

As soon as Ella was born and the doctor put her up on my chest, screaming her first cries, the first thing I noticed is two little white bumps on her bottom gums that looked like teeth. The nurse looked and said it was just that her gums were swollen there where the teeth will come in later. Okay, I guess. And then I just kind of let it go.
Tuesday night we had a rough night. By 4:30 am I had literally had half an hour of sleep somewhere between 5 diaper changes, 4 feedings and several trips in to try and quiet her. So far Ella had been pretty easygoing at night and my milk had just come in that day, so I figured her digestive system was adjusting or something. Then the next day she had her first check-up and I noticed when she was crying while they weighed her that those white bumps were back! After the nurse left I took a closer look and that was definitely a tooth! I told the doctor when she came in for the check-up and she was shocked when she looked. She said that you always read about it in books or hear about it, but this was the first time she had actually seen it. She even admitted that when I told her about it she thought it was just going to be a cyst or something. She was very excited to have seen her first neonatal tooth!
Anyway, she felt it and said that it's nice and sturdy in her gums, so there is nothing to worry about. The only problem would be if it were loose it could be a choking hazard. So when the other one breaks through, and it looks like it will pretty soon, we just have to check to make sure it is not loose either. Otherwise it is fine and shouldn't cause any problems in the future when the rest of her teeth come in. And yes, I'm still nursing her! The teeth are on her bottom gums, so if she's latched on properly, her tongue covers the tooth from hurting me. And no, she will not be eating solids any time soon!
I tried to get a picture, but trying to get a newborn to hold still, open her mouth and keep her tongue and hands out of the way is pretty much impossible, so this is the best I got.
It looks like some kind of light reflection from the camera, but that is a tooth and the little bump to the left of it is the other tooth just under the surface. It doesn't look nice, but I promise I wasn't hurting her holding her mouth like that!
Not that we don't have enough pictures on here of her, but here are couple more normal pictures of her.

So cute!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Home Sweet Home, "Mommy & I came home today!"

Happy Easter, everyone! Claire and Ella came home today. Grandma Shook made a fitting feast for all to enjoy. Thanks mom! Logan and Tolan were happy to come home, too. They’ve been at Grandma and Grandpa Shook’s house since Thursday evening. They had a great time! The kids got lots of yummy candy from the Easter Bunny. We think Tolan found a new favorite candy…PEZ! Logan enjoys it as well. We discovered his affinity for Pez when he decided to top off his salad with it at the dinner table. We hope that everyone had a great Easter as we remember our Savior’s ressurection. Enjoy these first day at home/ Easter Day pics!
First dress...getting ready to leave the hospital.


Ella snuggled up in her car seat...first car ride!



A dozen roses for Mommy and a dozen for Ella. Daddy made the card from scratch...what can I say, I know how to use a glue gun : )




Boppy pillow cute!







Daddy is teaching Logan and Tolan to be protective of little Ella already.




Daddy's favorite pic.




Isn't he a sweet guy?



Who me? ; )



Saturday, April 3, 2010

Ella Whitney Shook... "Today, I had visitors"

Ella had her first visitors today. Older brothers, Logan and Tolan and both sets of Grandparents! Tolan readily accepted the idea that his little sister had arrived and he was happy to meet her, while Logan took a little time to warm up to her. You will see the transition in the pictures below.

Ella is sleeping and eating well. She fussed the first hour of life, but has been calm since. Let's hope it stays that way :) Claire is doing well, also. We couldn't be happier!



















































































Friday, April 2, 2010

Ella Whitney Shook, Born a Good Friday Baby!

Claire and I are happy to share with you that Ella Whitney Shook was born this Friday evening, April 2nd at 6:00 pm! Ella is 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 inches long. She looks a lot like her oldest big brother, Logan did when he was born...at least for now. Claire will post some comparison pictures in a few days. Labor and delivery went very well. Both baby and Mommy are doing terrific!! Ella is already eating well and loves her 1st binky :) For now, enjoy these pictures! More to come!








































I put this Helicopter in here for Logan and Tolan. It landed right outside of our window today.