Abram and I had a better day today --- (yesterday he decided it was a cat-nap day, where I think he only took one or two 30 minute naps, which meant, no naps for mommy). Abram definitely had a lot of ground to make up today, as he spent most of the day sleeping, catching up from yesterday I suppose. Nothing is planned for us for the weekend, just a quiet weekend at home with Daddy, Abram, and myself.

I'll post more photos soon.

Getting Bigger Every Day!

We have had fun hanging with Grandma Nancy this past week. On Sunday, Grandma gave little Abram his tubby (bath). I am not sure who enjoyed it more, Grandma or Abram....we are lucky that Abe likes showers and baths as much as he does (the only part he doesn't like is getting out of the water to dry off). We also went over to Nana Barb and Grandpa Jim's for lunch, and they are both always super excited to see little Abram. Daddy was out of town in Minneapolis for work over the weekend, but was warmly welcomed home on Sunday evening (unfortunately he brought back a cold with him).

Abram is growing so fast! I have already had to loosen his carseat straps. He is such an amazing little boy - changing so much each day. Today, Abram and I went to our mom's chat at the hospital - it is a nice time for me to get out and interact with other new moms. He was awake for most of it today and was happily cooing.

I hope all is going well in your worlds!

2 weeks old today!

Abram sucking vigorously on his thumb for the first time :)

Auntie Sarah, Uncle Ed, and Abram all stuffed after a delicious Valentine's dinner.

Daddy, Uncle Bob and Abram posing for a photo after Bob dropped by for a visit his past Sunday.

AJ focusing on his Baby Einstein fishy mirror -- he was enthralled with it!

The McHoganstein's came for a visit to meet Abram (our neighbors)

Abram wearing Eden's dolls sunglasses

Hi All,

Sorry it's been awhile since I last updated the blog. Life sure gets busy at home with a new little one. Abram is growing and changing every day. Yesterday for the first time he saw him self in the mirror and he stayed focused on himself for about 10 minutes. It was really precious to hear him cooing at himself.

Last Friday, Kodi had his first wrestling meet and he did a wonderful job. Matt, Abram and I drove up to Cedarburg to cheer him on. Both Kodi and Eden are doing well, aside from a minor cold right now. I am hoping that Abe won't get their cold, hopefully the antibodies in my milk will be strong enough :). Kodi and Eden both still adore their little brother and it is so sweet to watch the affection they show him.

We have been blessed with a number of visitors (friends and family) that I am having trouble keeping up with photos from various visits. Let's see here....last weekend Sarah (my sister) and Ed (her husband) came to town for the weekend and had fun bonding with Abram. On Valentine's Day, Ed and Matt cooked steaks and they were the best home cooked steaks that Matt and I have ever eaten....we will now only cook our steaks at home a la Ed.

On Sunday, our brother-in-law, Uncle Bob, stopped by for a visit with little Abram. Now all the family has now met little AJ.

Then on Monday, Abram and I took a little venture out of the house to Nana Barb and Grandpa Jim's house for a little lunch date. Nana graciously made us lunch while we chatted and relaxed together.

On Tuesday, Abram and I went to a mom's chat at St. Joseph's hospital - a new mom's support group. This week we focused on playing...Abe slept the whole time, but I enjoyed getting out of the house for some socialization with other new moms.

My mom came to town yesterday evening and will be in town for the next week bonding with Abram. Matt heads to Minneapolis tomorrow for work and will be gone until Sunday. Hopefully Abram will not grow too much while he is gone :D.

I hope you all have a great week! I'll try to update again sometime soon.

:) Beth and Abram

We wanted to document the price of gas so when Abram grows up, he can look back and see how "cheap" gas was when he was born.

My favorite part of the day....cuddle time!

Daddy loves playing the guitar for Abram.

Abram is spent after a marathon feeding session.

Exhausted after our walk --- still dressed up in his sweet little puppy jumpsuit (a gift from Auntie Beth and Uncle Patrick)

Daddy and Abram enjoying the sunshine as we begin our walk. Abram is all bundled up in the quilt Auntie Sarah made for him.

Hi All,
We had a beautiful day yesterday here in Wisco. The snow is quickly melting and it was refreshing to have one day of sunshine. Abram had his first doctor’s appointment yesterday and it went well. He is now 7 pounds 3 ounces and is looking great! After the appointment, we brought Abram over to school to meet the secretaries and then we took Abram for a long walk. He slept the whole walk but it was nice to get out and about for a little while.

Today, Matt and I brought Abram to school so Eden to show him off to her classmates -- her classmates all listened very well and didn't touch Abram (too many germs this time of year). Friday, Kodi will show Abe off to his class.

Kodi and Eden are both loving their little brother. It is very sweet to see the excitment on their faces when they come home from school. They are both so gentle with him.

We are all doing well here.

Have a great day!

Home Again!

Well yesterday was our first big trip. Matt, Kodi and Eden came to the hospital in the afternoon to pick Abram and I up for our first car ride --- home :). We had a great evening. I went to bed early and then my family came and woke me up around 8pm for a feeding. It was really cute, Kodi and Eden picked out Abrams pj's for the night and then took turns reading books to AJ while I fed him. It was a great family bonding moment and it was too bad we couldn't capture that magical moment on film.

Abram woke up 3 times after the 8pm feeding but other than that he slept well. Today has been a great day also for Matt and I. Abram is a hungry little boy and wants to eat about every 1-2 hours. Matt has been in charge of the fire hose (diaper changes and I can't help but giggle when Abram sprays). It has been nice having Matt home today and he has been such a huge support for me. He will be home until Thursday and then he will work half days on Thursday and Friday. We are hoping that tonight his feedings will spread out a little bit more and he will continue his routine of waking up only 2-3 times during the night.

Tomorrow is our first pediatrician appointment. It is suppose to be nice out, so I am hoping we can take a family walk during the day also as I am starting to get a little stir crazy.

Take Care!
Beth

Our our angel!

Today is Kodi's first communion. While all of our family and friends are at church celebrating with Kodi, Abram and I will be relaxing at the hospital. We are both very sad we can't be there to celebrate with Kodi, but someone will be videoing the communion, so we can watch it later.

We are hoping to go home later this evening (pending the docs approval). All is going very well with us. Abram is actually almost to his birth weight! (it typically takes up to 2 weeks for that to happen). My milk is in, so I'm a little sore, but he has been able to stretch out his feeds a little more now that he is more fully satisfied.

Have a great day everyone!

MORE PIX OF A.J. Gissibl

Today was the big day!

Auntie Beth and Uncle Patrick came to visit today

Auntie Angie and Uncle Marvin made the long trek in the middle of the night to see baby Abram .

Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Jim drove up with Auntie Angie and Uncle Marvin. This photo was taken when Abram was about 1 hour old.

Welcome to the world Baby Abram! Abram was born at 524am on Feburary 5 (his due date). He weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and is 21 1/4 inches long. He gave us a bit of a scare as he kept dropping his heart rate. At about 4:45am they decided we needed to have a cesearan section as he was not tolerating the labor very well anymore. Soon after they cut me open they realized why...his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times....thankfully my cervix didn't dilate any further than it did (or else that could have been double trouble). Thankfully all turned out perfectly.

I am a little sore, but I'm hanging in there. I was able to get a bit of sleep today (so did Matt). I am a little sore from the surgery. It has been fun to finally hold Abram. I love cuddling with him! I'll update the blog more as we have more visitors.

Daddy holding baby Abram soon after he was born

Meet my big brother Kodi and my big sister Eden. We are all very excited about our newest family addition.

Mommy holding baby Abram for the first time. He went to nurse within the first hour and did wonderfully!


Love you all!

Beth and Baby Abram

Our Sleepless Night

Hi All,
Well last night was a long one for Matt and I. My contractions started around 10:30pm and by 1am they were consistently 3-4 minutes apart and lasting 35-40 seconds...so we hoped in the car and headed to the hospital. When I arrived they attached me to the monitor but when they checked my cervix I was still dilated to 1+ centimeters. They kept me for awhile to watch and see if I would dilate more, but by 3am, we were on our way home. My contractions continued until after 5am, but then I was finally able to get some sleep. They are calling it "early labor". My uterus has been quiet today...now it's just the waiting game. I have my routine OB appointment tomorrow, so we shall see if I have dilated any more. I am hoping for a quiet night tonight... I'm off to bed!

Have a good one!
Beth

39 1/2 weeks and counting!

Hi All,
Just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know all is going well still in Gissibl World. No baby yet, but we are patiently waiting. :) Matt and I were busy yesterday cleaning up the house. Today we are heading over the the Clark's (Matt's sister Beth and her husband Patrick) house for a chili cook-off/Super Bowl Party. Since my in-laws are both from Pennsylvania, we will be rooting for Pittsburgh. Enjoy the game everyone!
:D
Beth