Great Grandma's visit

My grandma, aunt, and cousin came to visit today. It was great to see them. My grandmother just turned 89 and is still movin' strong. I think it's wonderful that my girls are able to have a relationship with her. My aunt Karen and her daughter Lisa came as well with Lisa's kids. Our family is a little weird. There are 10 boy cousins and 3 girl cousins. One girl for each family. We have each grown up in different parts of the country but remain close through letters and Grandpa's family reunions. Now I have all girls and Lisa has all boys. Who'da thought?

Another female anatomy joke...

Sorry to the men out there who are grossed out by these visuals, but I have another funny female anatomy joke.

Charlie came in to watch me nurse the baby and said "Mom, you know how I have a bum crack? Well, you have a boob crack."

New names for female anatomy

Isabelle came out to my mom after watching me nurse and exclaimed..."I just saw mama's big pimple. It sticks out when she feeds Ava."

If I say so myself...

She's adorable if I do say so myself.

Sickness has been prevalent in the Jex household. Everyone has had mild to severe head colds and ear infections. The girls have been excellent in wearing masks and washing their hands when asked. I know it's been really hard for them to stay away from their sister but so far she's still healthy. Chad has been sad not being able to hold his baby as much as he'd like...hopefully he feels well today.

Ava hates the Billibed!

Ava's billirubin count was rising a little in the hospital so I went in Thursday morning to have a blood check (I came home Wed night because I felt so good). The doctor called about 8:30 pm and said her levels were 14.75, pretty high. The doctor ordered a billibed (bed with fluorescent lights) for the baby to be delivered around 10:30 Thursday night. We had one of the most difficult nights. Let's just say...SHE HATES THE BILLIBED. Remember how I said she didn't cry in the hospital...well she DOES know how to cry.

This is what Ava's feet look like everyday. We've been to the hospital for blood draws for the last five days. Her levels rose to 16.8 and 16.5 on Friday and Saturday. Then they lowered to 13.8 and 13.5 on Sunday and Monday. The numbers are still high, but going down. I don't have to use the billibed tonight. Maybe we'll get some sleep. This has not been the relaxing postpartum recovery I had dreamed of.

Baby Ava has arrived

Ava Noel Jex arrived early Tuesday morning on February 24, 2009. I had an unexpected long and difficult labor and was very thankful for the whole thing to be over. Ava was my largest baby at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. She arrived very purple and didn't cry one little bit!
After about 10 minutes she pinked up, but still no crying.The nurse was an expert stamper. Look at those toogins.Ava loved her bath. Chad said she threw her head back and enjoyed her scalp massage. A girl after my own heart.Her sisters absolutely adore her. Isabelle is missing because of a bad head cold...which these two got soon after this picture was taken along with Dad. Good Times!