Props to baby photographers...

Andrew, being the amazing photographer that he is, decided to take some pictures of Levi... you know, the more professional looking ones. We went into his room and setup 4 different props/poses for pictures. We thought we were being smart by having everything set up in advance. The first pictures were going to be in the suitcase (the ones you see here). We put him in there and he fell asleep which was perfect. Oh things were going to work out great. This thought quickly ended as soon as we moved to pose #2. He peed all over the blanket and then then started to scream. We soon realized that our picture taking moment was over and that we would have to try again later. I guess 1 out of 4 poses is better than nothing. I now have a much higher appreciation for baby photographers!

1 Week Old

Happy 1 week birthday Levi!

In the first week of Levi's life:
- Day 1 and 2, lots of crying but since then he has been very consolable (change diaper, feed, or just needs to be held.)
- I didn't know if I would be a pacifier person but due to the crying on day 1 & 2 I thought I would give it a try and Levi loved it. He had been latching and feeding really well up until then. I don't know if it was the pacifier or something else but since then, latching has been very frustrating. Let's just say there has been no more pacifier since that one time.
- Takes most of his naps in his car seat that clicks into the swing. I have LOVED this swing!
- When I received them, I thought, "who needs 4 swaddle blankets?" Well now I am glad I kept them. Last night, Levi peed through his diaper and had to be completely changed 3 times which meant that he woke up this morning in swaddle blanket #4.
- He consistently eats every 2 hours
- He came out with long finger nails so on day 2, he had his first fingernail clipping
- He has had lots of visitors and I have to admit, he is so cute I would want to come visit all the time too=)
- Thank you Grandma Gail for staying with me the first week. I can't wait for you to come back and hold me and someday play with me. Love, Levi
- A lot of just trying to figure it out but Andrew has been amazing and we are doing well. Levi has brought so many smiles to our faces already. We can't wait to watch him grow!

Who would have thought....

We would be nursing our babies at the same time=)

Cousins

Even though Katie and her boys were here on Saturday, since Levi came that night, they had to come right back up to see him. I can't wait for these boys to be able to play together. I am seeing lots of adventures being had in the future.

Here are a few pictures of our time together (if you read Katie's blog you have seen most of them but I still wanted to document them here).

I am pretty sure that these boys have the best grandma ever!!!

Levi James Feil

Levi James Feil
7 lbs. 14 oz.
21 in. long

Well, here we go on our new adventure. It all started at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Katie, Henry, and Charlie were in Fresno and hung out for the day on Saturday while John attended a coaches clinic at Fresno City College. We went shopping all day and I felt totally normal. Not even a hint that this little guy would be coming in just a few hours. I had worked up until that Friday but with my sister's experiences of being induced on day 10 with both of her boys, I was expecting to be late as well.... God had different plans.

Andrew and I went to bed at 10:30 that night and at 11:30 I was startled awake when my water broke. At first I wasn't sure what happened but figuring that I didn't pee my pants, it must have been my water. Contractions didn't start right away so I jumped in the shower before plans were made. The doctor told us because of possible infections we should come in right away.... a few minutes later the contractions started. Not slow and easy like some people but pretty intense right away. We got to the hospital and was immediately checked in and sent to a room to be checked out. YES, they confirmed my water broke and that labor was in progress (who needs to "check" and make sure a woman is in labor...) From there we were taken to the delivery room and got all set up. Everything progressed really fast. I got to the hospital at 4 cm and in about 45 mins was at 5 cm. 5 cm. lasted for about an hour with hard contractions and so much pressure in between that I couldn't catch my breath. I also started to have the shakes which made me feel out of control of my body. I first asked for iv pain meds but instead went right for the epidural. As much as I would like to have a completely natural birth, I can't say that I regret getting it. Things calmed down after that except the shakes continued. I tried to sleep for awhile but the shakes kept me up. Andrew on the other hand had no problems sleeping on the window seat next to me. 30 mins. after the epidural, they checked my again and I was at 7 cm, 45 mins later at an 8 and an hour later at a 10. It was now about 5 a.m. Again, hearing Katie's story, I didn't want to start pushing until I felt the urge and the nurse agreed since they hadn't even called the doctor yet. I waited until 6:30 and then started to push. After about 4 pushes, she told me the doctor was on his way but if I kept pushing this baby would be out before he got here so I stopped. 20 minutes later my doctor came in and after 3 pushes, Levi came into the world at &:12 a.m. About an hour later I got really queezy a threw up quite a bit but all in all it was a good process with no complications... thank you Jesus!!

Welcome to the world!

39 weeks

Here I am at 39 weeks...
This was also taken right when I got home from my last day of teaching. A very weird feeling to not go back on Monday. I have had the same classroom for 4 years and I got a little teary eyed when I had to turn in my key. I am so glad that I am leaving with this feeling of knowing that I love to teach.... But now for a new adventure, bring on Baby Feil=)

39 weeks

Well, I am 5 days away from my due date so sometime soon Baby Feil will be making his/her entrance into this world. As of Tuesday I was 3 cm. dialated and have another apt. today so see if things are still progressing. It is a crazy feeling to just be waiting around to feel something happen. I am still teaching as of now and Friday will be my last day. It is wierd to think that I wont have a classroom to go to and a place to be everyday. Definitely a bitter-sweet feeling but I can't wait to be a mom and figure out everyday what that means. Be praying for Andrew and I as we deliver this baby and begin parenthood.

Baby Feil Canvas

Some Fresno friends threw me a baby shower a few weekends ago and this was a gift from my friend Jessie. She is very artistic and creative and I absolutely love what she made. Some mod podge, book pages, fabric, letters, and twine were used to create an amazing "Baby Feil" sign that now hangs on the outside of our nursery door.

Soon Baby Feil will have a name!!!

(Colette, I hope this is close enough to get a better idea of the sign.)