Quinn is 2 weeks old!

Yesterday, Quinn and I ventured out to the hospital for her 2 week appointment.  I was so pleased to see she has gained just over a pound since birth!  She weighed 9 lbs 3 oz (8 lbs at birth) putting her in the 67th percentile for weight.  She was 23 inches long (22.5 at birth) putting her in the 99th percentile in height!  Yes, she is her father's daughter.  This girl is LONG.  Our newborn clothes are a little too short, but our 0-3 month clothes are still a little big.  I have a feeling it'll be this way for quite awhile ;)  maybe even years :) The pediatrician was pleased with her progress.  So are we!

Things at home are going really well.  Tony just went back to work this week.  I know he misses Q but I think he was ready to get back to a little routine.  There's a whole lot to do since he's been gone for 10 days - and if we're lucky, another 2 weeks back at home towards the end of the month.  So the work is piling up for him!

Quinn and I have had good days, but the tiredness has sure hit this week!  I'm sure missing Tony during the days :)... The nights are hit or miss.  Either she sleeps for 45mn-1hour at a time or 2-3hours.  I loooove the 3 hour stretches!  Not sure if she's going through a growth spurt or what, but she eats all the time!  Guess her weight shows ;)

She loves the car (hope I didn't just jinx that). I hope this continues!  It's funny because any time we are at a red light for an extended amount of time she cries a bit...but once we start going again, she's sleeping or just quiet.  I'll take it!

Today I brought Quinn to Santa Monica to see my class.  They were so excited :)  On my way to the classroom, one of my students was on their way to the bathroom.  He looked at me with a puzzled face, said "Ms. Tara?" broke a smile, and then yelled "YOUR BABY!!!" and immediately sprinted back to the classroom and yelled to the entire class that baby and I were there.  They all came storming to the door.. It was so cute.  Of course they all wanted to touch her, asked all sorts of questions.  One question was "If she was an egg to start with, how did she get to be this way?"  I told her to ask her parents tonight at the dinner table ;)

2 weeks!!!

Visiting Santa Monica

1st Anniversary

First comes marriage

...Our move to Okinawa

.....

......

And THEN comes the baby :)

Photo update

Found these at a local Japanese store 4 months ago and had to have them

Thanks auntie Erin!

All of the cousins are in her room

 With Ella

 Right after hanging out with Ella thank god

How she likes to sleep (Dad's favorite pic so far!)

Pretty early for passport photos but we need them!

Quinn Rosen Brown

Our sweet little miracle made her grand and unforgettable appearance on Tuesday afternoon, July 1st, weighing 8 pounds exactly and stretching 22.5 inches long.  I have been anxiously waiting to write this post for 255 days...the day we found out we were pregnant!

Where to even begin!  Quinn sure has kept us on our toes the last couple of weeks.  As her due date was June 21st, waiting another 10 days for her arrival seemed like 10 months!  My midwife scheduled an induction for Monday morning June 30th.  Of course I was hoping for Quinn to come on her own that weekend, but she was just too comfortable ;).  So Monday morning I called in and was admitted by 8:30am.  I packed our bags for a couple of days - but NOT for 4 days!!

To make a long story somewhat short, the induction went smoothly in the beginning.  Things were moving along, but just very slowly.  This made for a looooong 30+ hours until we met our baby girl.  Unfortunately, a couple hours after they broke my water I spiked a fever which was a bit concerning. The doctors and nurses did as they needed to do to take every precaution for baby and I.  They kept me comfortable and assured - it was out of my hands!

Finally, by 12:30pm on Tuesday afternoon things were moving...and moving fast.  The NICC team were in the delivery room waiting to examine Quinn immediately.  It was a bit concerning having about 12 medical bodies in the room at the time, but the trust and comfort I had knowing all of them were there for this sweet baby girl left me with great ease.  I was able to see Quinn for about 10 seconds by my head before they wheeled her off.  That was pretty tough!  It wasn't until about 5 hours later that I was wheeled down to see her.  That "ride" down the hallway that took 30 seconds lasted a lifetime.  I was SO excited to see this miracle :)  She was perfect.  The NICC were having difficulty getting her IV in place so they allowed me to come down and nurse her to get her hydrated. At about 9:00 she was wheeled back to our room, IV in tact, and sweet as can be.

Thursday evening at 5:15pm we received great news that the bacteria did not grow and she had no signs of an infection.  Our prayers were answered!  If interested, she was tested for chorioamnionitis.
WE WERE HEADING HOME!!!

Quinn has opened our hearts to more love than we could ever imagine.
Thanks to all of you for the support these last 9 months!  We can't wait to come home and see everyone.

Last snap of this belly before going in!

The hospital is just over a year old.  It is beautiful.  

This was the view from our room.  Not sure I'll ever be able to labor and deliver in a room with such an incredible view again.  It got me through some tough times, that's for sure! 

Just seconds old

The amazing Doctor Lee who delivered Quinn - and sweated a little of her own using those forceps...

Getting her first treatment through the IV

A great friend of mine brought by some fresh fruit and of course, a 6 pack of Orion for Tony.  THANK YOU AMBER!!!  

Hanging out.  1 day old :)

And we're off!!!

Good thing I packed an extra sleeper with NO footies.  This girl has long legs like her daddy!  High waters like her daddy too.