Lots to Learn

We are learning new things each day about our little Jillian and about parenting....shocker, I know! Here are some tidbits of the knowledge we've gained so far:
1. there are lots and lots of opinions about how to do things
2. staying asleep all day leads to awake time at night
3. you should always put a new diaper under the dirty one before uncovering anything
4. grandmas are very helpful in the wee hours of the morning
5. the smallest little smile, whimper, twitch, eyebrow raise, toot or big cry can bring about immense feelings of love and amazement in new parents.


We are all doing really really well despite being on low sleep. Jillian has had many visitors this past weekend, and she has loved being passed around to all of the warm arms and laps of her many new friends :)

We have taken a few outings...to Grandma & Grandpa Zimmerman's house, to Costco, and to the Johnson's house all the way in West Seattle! She enjoys the car rides for sure...we'll have to remember that when nothing else seems to work to get her down for a nap :)

This morning, we went to the pediatrician for the one-week check up, and Jillian performed like a champ. She has gained all of the weight back that she lost, and now weighs a whopping 7 pounds, 2 ounces! She also had to get a PKU test, which involved poking and squeezing, and lots of crying, but we all survived.

Here are some of the latest pictures:

Semi-Sleepless near Seattle

Zach thought of the title for this post :) We are all doing really really well but the nights have been pretty restless. Jillian is going to get her second sponge bath today...she's not so sure about how she likes those yet. We went to the pediatrician yesterday and got a clean bill of health. Jillian has gotten a tiny bit of jaundice since leaving the hospital, but Dr. Rone says it's nothing to worry about. Jillian is eating like a champ (OUCH!), which is really reassuring. She lost 6 ounces since her birth, which is completely normal, but now she should start gaining that weight back and adding more on top of it. We did have to go buy some smaller clothes (even some premie ones) because she's still so tiny. It will be so neat to see how she grows and changes in the coming weeks...she will probably look like a completely different baby! But of course, she will still be a cute as ever :)

It is so wonderful to have Grandma Jennie here staying with us, and Zach's parents have been coming over to visit and help too. Zach's brother Cale gets back into the country tomorrow, and my sister and stepdad will be here on the 23rd. We miss Aunt Reidun who is in Kuwait teaching, but it will be so exciting for Jillian to see her in June! Jillian has met lots of her "aunties" and "uncles" (all of our friends)....Auntie Lyssa was even there for her birth! We are so blessed to have so many great, supportive friends close by.

Jillian Opal Zimmerman born December 9, 2010

There's so much to tell, but we will just post a bunch of pictures for now. The birth went so well...she was born in the water, which is what we were hoping for. She is such a mellow baby. We are enjoying her so so much. She is a true miracle in our eyes!

Weight: 7 lbs, 0 ounces
Length: 19 3/4 inches
Time of birth: 7:48 p.m.

Birth Day:






Day after:

Less than 20 Days Til DD-Day

Well, she's still cookin in there but Due-Date-Day is approaching rapidly. Midwife says Jillian's pretty squished at this point, and she predicts our little one may be at least an 8-pounder. I haven't felt any contractions, but I am having a few other signs that things are definitely progressing toward the "birth-day". Thankfully, I still feel like I have plenty of room to breathe, and I haven't been kicked in a long time...when she moves now, it's mostly when to roll from side to side or to stretch her legs out. Head is down, so she's in position, and ready for her exit :)

Grandma Jenny is on the road and should arrive here in babyville late Friday. It will be nice to have her close and to finalize holiday decorating with her. I still plan to work through next Thursday, the 16th, and then it is officially Winter Break at my school. Having a free week off before the due date is so lucky! We will try to keep people posted by way of Zach's facebook page, email, and blogs as we are able....stay tuned :)