Andrew Brooks, One Month

Andrew Brooks Fisher Stats (10/26):
Height: 21.5 inches
Weight: 10 lbs, 13.5 oz
Clothes: Size 0-3 months
Diapers: Size 1

Eating: Breastfeeds every 2 hours, sometimes we can get a 3 hour stretch, but not very often. He likes his milk! His weight was great at the doctors, and they said just keep it up :) I have  an abundance of milk, and have been feeding each time on one side to prevent the spitting up. He is a "happy spitter"
so we don't think he has reflux, thankfully. He is all boy and is very loud when he is gassy and going #2, and often looks so proud of himself when he lets one rip. LOL.

Sleeping: His best stretch is after his bath at night, going from 7pm-10pm. After that, he will go around 1.5 to 2 hours. He's been sleeping in his crib and in a swaddle. Andy is a regular Houdini when it comes to getting out of it! So far, Drew like his nap times in the swing or someone's arms for about 1.5 hours, and can sleep amazingly well with a ton of noise going on around him. He is awake more and more of the time, and rotates between a sleepy-day and a really alert/awake day.

Hair: Light Brown with a Red tint in the sunlight

Eyes: Blue Grey

Likes: Bath time, getting his hair combed, tummy time (more than the girls), watching his sisters play and when they talk to him, sometimes his pacifier. Loves to nurse and snuggle, and push up on your chest while you are holding him to get a better view.

Dislikes: Sitting in his car seat when the car is not in motion; he abhors Lindsay's pickup car line and cries the entire 20 minutes, then falls asleep as soon as we pull into the driveway. LOL. He doesn't get mad very often, but when he does he will ramp up and give us some warnings.

Our sweet boy wakes up in the morning a happy, smiley guy. He always has a big smile for his sisters, and I think they will probably elicit the first giggles too!

Andy B has been losing his hair in front and sides, and has quite the receding hairline. He looks like a sweet little old man!

Boy, is this boy STRONG! He has been trying to launch himself out of arms since day one, and will fling his wobbly head around while pushing up on your shoulder. He's a wiggly one!

Sissy Love: Drew has been getting plenty of love and kisses from his doting big sisters...

In the afternoons he likes to fuss and as soon as I put him down on the floor to kick and stretch, he is a happy camper. It's as if he is telling us, "Mama, let me loose, I want to MOVE!"

Andrew makes the cutest noise, a grunting that sounds like he is clearing his voice... it sounds a little like a dolphin. He gurgles and coos and will say, "Goo".

Rocking an unintentional faux hawk

Tummy Time Fun... Look out Sissy's, I will be after you in a few months!!

Andrew's little personality so far is a thoughtful, observant and easy-going little guy. We love you our precious boy, and are loving every minute of joy you bring to our family!

Andrew First Weeks at Home

Andrew Brooks, 1 week old

* Eating: Little Buddy loves to eat, probably every two hours. He nurses well, and gets so cozy that I have a hard time keeping him from falling asleep! He is a spitter-upper, especially if I lay him flat before he burps at least twice :) At our one week check up he had gained back almost all of his birth weight, minus a half an ounce, and at two week check up he weighted almost 9 lbs.

* Sleeping: Andrew has been spoiled having so many arms to hold him while he sleeps! We have all been loving our snugly little boy, and enjoying watching him snooze. He sleeps through the girls crazy dance 'shows', the TV and blender. I think it is just survival skills of the 3rd child LOL. He is sleeping in his crib at night in a swaddle for 1.5-2 hour stretches...not to bad! He is not a big fan of the swaddle, and is so strong he wiggles his way out.

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

* First's: Andrew got a sponge bath on Monday after he came home from the hospital. He did well (thanks to the heater) and LOVED getting his hair combed! Daddy did a nice comb-over ;) Nothing like that sweet, fresh baby smell!

After the first week his umbilical cord fell off (really fast compared to the girls!) and he got his first real bath and loved it! 

We visited Terhune Farms to get our pumpkins and a cherry pie :) The girls had fun picking out a tiny pumpkin for baby brother.

Thanks Auntie Annie for the cute warm outfit! 

*Alert Boy: Andrew's been having more and more alert awake time, and has been trying hard to focus on faces and prints. He really enjoys laying on the floor kicking his legs and watching his big sisters! He is so strong and lifts his head really high when he is being held over your shoulder or during tummy time :)

Laid-back little dude

*Appearance: Andrew's eyes are blue (for now at least!), and his hair has a touch of strawberry in it, especially in the sunlight.

Little Mr. with his tie shirt like Daddy

We love you Handsome Boy, and all the joy you bring to our family! xo

Andrew's Arrival & Birth Story

 SURPRISE!! This one word summarizes this entire pregnancy and delivery! Andrew decided to make his debut into this world almost two weeks early, and came at 38 weeks and 3 days. All Praise to God for a healthy baby boy and delivery!

Andrew's Birth Story

On Friday, September 25th  I woke up in the morning completely not knowing I would be having a baby by 11 pm that night! I fully expected to have to be induced like I was with the girls, and showed no signs labor was approaching at all. I didn't even bother asking the Dr.'s when to go to the hospital if contractions began on their own. LOL. 

After picking up Lindsay from school, I began feeling what I thought might be contractions, and so I thought, "I bet if I move around these will go away." So I proceeded to get the grill some chicken and make dinner. By the time Jarrett got home around 5:45 pm, I told him, "I don't want to freak you out, but I think I have been having contractions since 4 pm. They will probably stop after I eat dinner. By the way, have you by chance packed your hospital bag yet?" He hadn't. Mine wasn't fully packed either. So we ate dinner, and Jarrett gave the girls their shower while I did the dishes. By this time they were getting a little more uncomfortable and definitely not going away. So being the crazy lady I am, my first thought was, "If I am going to the hospital tonight to be checked for labor (because it was probably just a false alarm), my neighbor will stay with the girls and I need to clean house." 

The sweet ladies at church were throwing a baby shower for me the next day, Saturday, and my second thought after I cleaned house was, "I need to take a shower and blow dry my hair so it looks good for the shower tomorrow!". I put on my pajamas and then it started getting real. After J packed his bag and I finished up packing mine, we talked to the girls before bed and told them that Miss Liz might be here when they wake up in the morning. The girls were excited Baby Brother might be coming tonight, and then Madison's lip quivered and she said, "If I miss you Mama, I will just look at your picture!" Aww. I held it together ok, but a few tears slipped out ;) 

Jarrett and I began to time the contractions around 8:30 pm, and after about 15 minutes coming 2.5-3 minutes apart and becoming more uncomfortable, I was thinking I would like to have some pain meds sooner rather than later. J called the hospital and the Dr. and they 'calmly' told him to get to the hospital NOW since it was my 3rd baby. So I called Miss Liz, but she didn't answer. Yikes! We waited 10 more minutes and I told J, run across the street to our neighbor and see if she can stay with the girls until Liz can make it over. Luckily, my neighbor Nancy was home and came right over. 

We pulled into the hospital parking lot around 9:42 pm, and I slowly made my way to the ER. They offered me a wheel chair to get to L&D, but I refused because I was thinking, "If I walk, maybe I will be dilated enough and they won't send me home!" Well, after getting to my room and putting on a gown, things were getting increasingly uncomfortable, and I was ready for an epidural, but couldn't get one until they admitted me and started my IV. 

When they finally got around to checking me, I was at a 6 cm, and they were working on completing admission paperwork. Five minutes later my water broke, and then the room got really busy! They called the Dr. (who was already on his way) while tables and scales with delivery equipment rushed into the room. My hopes for an epidural passed by quickly when the checked me and said, "Get the Dr. in here, she's ready to push!" Jarrett said it was about 12 minutes (felt like 12 hours!) later and he was here, arriving at 10:47 pm! Hats off to all you ladies out there who do this L&D thing without pain medication... it is not fun. So happy to have a beautiful, healthy baby to make it all worth while ;) Afterwards we could hear the nurses laughing and filling out admission paperwork... they asked, "Can you sign this that it is ok that we delivered your baby?" LOL.

The Dr. asked me how big my other kids were before he put him on the scale. (8 lbs 1oz and 6 lbs, 9 oz) Then told me, "Well, this guy is going to be your biggest! Whoa baby.. and he was EARLY!

Hi Daddy!! 

Daddy and his look-alike

Saturday morning Jarrett picked up Lindsay and Madison from our house where they were staying with Miss Liz. The girls both wore their Big Sister shirts and were thrilled to stop by the gift shop and pick out two cute stuffed animal presents for Baby Brother. They couldn't wait to love on him ;)

That night we saw fireworks from Princeton's football game from our hospital window!

Handsome boy in his going-home outfit!

Late Saturday night Nonna arrived, thankfully she was able to change her flight and come sooner! Sunday morning we came home from the hospital and saw this adorable sign the girls and Nonna made for Baby Andrew!

The girls were so excited when he came home, and said, "We really get to keep him!" They couldn't wait to take turns holding their new baby brother!

Big Sis Madison

Big Sis Lindsay

Things have been super busy around here, and Andrew has been such a sweet, mellow little personality! He is nursing like a champ and is quite the little snuggler. Andrew fits right into our loud, crazy bunch and is the perfect addition to our family! xo

Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

Hello World...

Let us introduce you to Andrew Brooks Fisher! 

Andrew Brooks Fisher

Born September 25th, 2015 at 10:47 pm

8 lbs, 7 oz | 20.25 inches

Welcomed with Love by Jarrett, Katie & Big Sisters, Lindsay and Madison

Goodbye Summer 2015

It's finally starting to cool down, although the mosquitoes are still around (as I am scratching my millionth bug bite this summer). In the mornings and evenings it cools down, but is still warm during the day... it's only a matter of time before the leaf changing is full swing. I love seasons in NJ! 

Here's a few fun pictures of things we did that I never got around to posting... 

Little Ladies and I at Drumthwacket (NJ governors residence... no, we didn't see Christie)

 At the beginning of summer we visited Drumthwacket, the NJ Governors residence down the street from Princeton. We have driven by it so many times, and wanted to tour it for three years! It was a gorgeous home filled with so much local history.

J in front of the Mansion

 I'm still pregnant (for around 2.5 more weeks at least!) and this summer we discovered an AMAZING Greek restaurant in Ewing...

Girls loved chicken strips and hummus with warm pita. J and I tried a sampler of things, and oh my, it was all divine!

The owner moonlights as a magician at kids birthday parties.

 Magic Show and not having to make dinner = Joy

Bubbles while we eat dinner?! Pure delight.

 The girls played a lot this summer together, and their friendship really is a sweet one. They were pretty excited as boxes began arriving for Baby Brother and a few for them too!

Summer of costume changes: We went through like 2 leotards and 3 outfits every.single.day. 

Who cares about what is inside the box, let's cut a window and make a playhouse!!

Our neighbors, Mr. Art and Miss Carol completely blessed our family a huge way this year by allowing us to come over to their pool any time we wanted! This was music to my ears... nothing like a dip in a cool pool for a huge, swollen pregnant lady with two kids climbing the walls!!

 The girls gained so much confidence in the water this year by being in it almost every single day!

Bathing Beauty... i'm in trouble in 10 years!

Sweet Smile... Our fearless Gracie Girl loved it!!

 In August we had a Lemonade Stand! The girls have been asking to do one since we read the book last year, "Pinkalicious and the Lemonade Stand." Jarrett helped the girls hang a poster on the street and they made around $5 to give to the local Back-to-School supplies fundraiser ;)

I think they ate cupcakes and drank their weight in lemonade.

 Pretty Girls got haircuts a couple weeks before school started...

And my big kindergartner insisted Daddy take her picture by the Christmas tree at Hobby Lobby while looking for stuff for Brother's room.

I'm ready for summer to be over (no bugs and humidity) and CBS to begin, but I miss my Lulu at Kindergarten and not quite ready for the frosty cold mornings and never-ending raking of leaves. I am looking forward to holding Baby Andrew in my arms, going apple picking and making apple pie and our family visiting. Let the pumpkin-spice-salted-caramel-apple craze commence!!

Lindsay's First Day of Kindergarten

The day had finally arrived... it was Lindsay's first day of Kindergarten! I have been dreading this day all summer (I am going to miss my Big Girl!) but my Lulu was so excited and totally ready for her next big adventure! 

Helping me pack her lunch the night before... I snuck in a heart-shaped note to surprise her  :)

 Lindsay had a special first day of school breakfast request: Strata with Raspberries!

She picked out her clothes the night before and decided how she wanted me to do her hair... in a side braid, no bow ;) So grown up!

Lindsay Diane 5 years

Proud of her Kitty backpack and lunch box she picked out herself ;)

We parked close to school and walked her inside the lobby where they took her to her into the Multipurpose room where she waits for her teacher to pick her class up. She gave us a big hug and kiss and a snuggle for Maddie and turned to grab the hand of the principal to go to her place in line.

 I am proud to report I made it through the initial drop off at the door of the Multipurpose room (below). As soon as I turned around to leave, the tears started to fall. I looked over at J and he was teared up too, which made me not feel so bad...LOL. I took one (ok maybe 2) peeks back into the room to make sure she was sitting in the right place and not lost and scared. Then the sunglasses went on so I wouldn't scare the other kids getting dropped off. Thankfully, Lulu didn't see us crying ;) Maddie and I had a great day together, and waited the long 6 hrs to pick up our Big Sissy.

After school Lindsay was tired, but said she had a great day! She met two friends named Makenzie and Zoe and said her new teacher was nice but "a little bit bossy". Haha! Oh boy, the fun times we will have this year in Kindergarten!!