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!!

Lake Cabin 2015

After leaving the FDR Presidential Library, we high-tailed it to Dairy Queen for lunch and got back on the road. We drove to Albany and stayed the night before heading to the Lake Cabin near Dartmouth we rented for a couple days before Jarrett's conference. The cabin was located on Otter Pond in New Hampshire, situated next Lake Sunapee, a 30 minute drive to the university. 

Welcome to New Hampshire

Welcome to Massachusetts

I tried to get a picture of the Vermont sign, but was too slow..LOL.

Our little cabin was a two-bedroom cutie, and the girls were so excited to see the fake flowers in the window boxes... the cabin name was called the "Ladyslipper". LOL.

After running all over the place (glad to be out of the car) they took dibs on their beds. Outside the window is the pond, and they had fun laying on the bed together and looking at the water.

As soon as they saw the water what did the girls want to do? GO SWIMMING! It was amazingly clear and pretty warm.

After making some hot dogs for dinner, we roasted marshmallows in the "back yard" of the cabin...

Here's the "back yard"... basically a patch of dirt and a dock! It was so peaceful and serene looking out over the water in the evenings.

During the girls naptime, J and I sat would sit on the screened in porch and just talk. How nice is it to be able to talk to your best friend in the whole world with a view like this....

The next day we went to Lake Sunapee State beach and the girls declared they like lakes better than beaches. When I asked why, they said, "No big waves and you can see to the bottom!" I think I like them better because there are no sharks or jelly fish. LOL

The girls have made huge progress in swimming this summer, mainly because they've gone almost everyday! Both girls are pretty confident swimming with floaties, and we have been progressing to one floatie/ then no floaties!

SWIMMING!!

Madison was feeling pretty confident and took off swimming back to shore by herself...LOL

I have no pictures for this (I wish I did!), but the cabin we rented had a big two-seat canoe that they let guests use. The girls REALLY wanted to go, and so did Jarrett and I. I was a little nervous, mainly because i've never canoed and I was nearing 8 months pregnant. LOL. Jarrett secured the canoe as I got in first and sat in front, then he handed me Lindsay, who was squealing because she realized she was in a boat and it was rocking and could possibly tip over (both girls had floaties on). Then he handed me Madison who decided she was with Lindsay and wanted no part of a rocking boat. After Jarrett climbed in we were off and looked pretty silly in the early morning hours getting a hang of canoeing with two kids who were squealing, "Let's go back to the dock!!" Jarrett informed me that I had to steer the canoe since I was up front, which I was fine with, but with Maddie positioned between my legs, my giant baby bump and a paddle, well, let's just say I wasn't at the top of my game coordination-wise ;) Jarrett was the motor that paddled us ladies around...haha. After a few minutes and we all calmed down, we could appreciate the beauty of the lake and trying something new as a family! It was a sweet, sweet memory and we had so much fun, we woke up again the next day and went canoeing again!

What else better to eat after a hard day playing at the lake...Reid Tacos!!

Maddie Gracie loving dinner!

We visited downtown Lake Sunapee Harbor and saw all the gorgeous boats parked in the marina. The girls saw some ducks and had to say hello...

Snapped a picture of my beautiful, big girl five year old... going to Kindergarten in just a few weeks!!

We visited a farm, ok, well a Dairy/Creamery that claimed to have the best ice cream in Vermont. So knowing our affinity for ice cream, we had to pay a visit. They had animals that the kids could pet and Madison LOVED it...

Maddie named this doneky "Don-key-a"...LOL. 

Our last day at the cabin we went back to the Sunapee Harbor and took a sight-seeing boat around the lake. We were worried about a pending thunderstorm (check out those clouds!) but were so lucky we didn't get rained out!

Here's the boat we cruised on... I can't remember why Lindsay was grumpy, but it makes for a funny picture. 

We sat inside on the bottom level of the boat (in case of rain!) and it was perfect. 

I was three shades of red when the captain asked me jokingly, "I can drive a boat, but have no experience delivering babies... you won't be having this baby anytime soon I hope?!"  No sir. LOL.

Lighthouse in the lake, one of two!

We drove by TONS of amazing lake houses, and we had to take a picture of this one with a WATER SLIDE!! 

Beautiful!

Here's our friend the Captain who gave children on board the opportunity to drive the boat. Guess who volunteered first? LOL.

Driving the boat was serious business.

He offered Lindsay the chance to drive too, but she was feeling a little embarrassed and didn't want to wear the hat so she politely declined.

We climbed to this gazebo on a hill overlooking the lake and the girls put on a dance-show for us.

We were sad to leave the lake, but enjoyed the hotel Jarrett picked for the conference: one with a POOL! I bet you can guess what we did while poor Daddy was at his conference...

Dartmouth University

Sweet girls in downtown Hanover

Family Selfie...Fisher Family Vacation 2015! 

After the conference we drove home (a whopping 7 hours!!) Most of the traffic we caught was around NYC at 5pm on a Friday, otherwise it wouldn't have been so bad. We drove through a total of 6 states in one day... that might be a record for us! Can't do that on the West Coast. We had an amazing time, and it was so relaxing. It was a fantastic last hurrah before baby is born and we are home-bound for several months. It is crazy to think the next Fisher Family Selfie with have another face in it... Baby Brother!