Future Troublemakers of America

Annika had her first play date today with Eden Selah Rosensteel. They had quite the burping contest! Eden's parents have informed us that Annika will be responsible for keeping Eden out of trouble since she is the older one (by 13 days)..haha.

Overall Annika is doing quite well. We are adjusting a bit more to life as parents and feel like we are getting to know her better too. Although I would like to be up at midnight drinking champagne to celebrate the New Year, it is more likely I'll be changing a poopy diaper and wiping up puke off the couch. Ahh, parenthood...

1-800-GRANDMA'S

Annika has now met 3 of her 6 Grandma's and is anxious to meet her other 3! Grandma Godard came to the rescue last week when Ben went back to work (thank you Mom!). Grandma and Grandpa Headington came to meet her on Saturday. And Grandma Sullivan was here today. She also got to meet her Aunt Trisha and Uncle Seth today when my family came for Christmas. My family brought our traditional Christmas Eve meal and we just sat around and talked and laughed. It has been great to have so many visits from family for Christmas! We look forward to Grandma and Grandpa Zimmerman's visit next weekend.

Star Baby Weighing Her Options

After days of non-stop phone calls from local modeling agencies, star baby Annika Zimmerman has decided to take some time off and spend the holidays with her parents. The local heart throb has been in the lime light ever since her birth last week. At only 7 days old, Annika becomes the first female super model in history to have a cat named Meso.
"Annika has done a great job trying to reach out to her fans," her spokesperson and father stated this afternoon. "She just needs a few days to recenter and focus on her future."
You know what they say... "the future is so bright, I've gotta wear shades."

Night Shift

Life in our house has gone from relatively peaceful and quiet to utter chaos since the arrival of Annika. Although the adjustment has been REALLY hard at times, it is equally as wonderful and joyous. Ben and I are continually amazed at how beautiful she is and that she is our flesh and blood. We just simply love her in ways we both have never experienced. God is good.

The first 2 days were great because she slept several hours at night and was pretty happy most of the time. The last few days have been much more challenging because she wants to sleep all day and be awake all night, she will not sleep by herself (on her back as is suggested), and breastfeeding has been quite challenging. Ben and I were both getting pretty frustrated but we took some time today to pray, regroup, and come up with a plan. So...I slept from 6pm-1am while he took care of her, and now I'm taking over for the night. We meet with the Lactation Consultant tomorrow and I'm hoping we will walk away with a better plan for feeding as the current is a bit too stressful.

I have to give kudos to Ben...he has been the calming force in our house during this chaos and I feel so blessed to share this journey with him. Life is good...

Day 6 - Line has been crossed...peace treaty signed

The Westside Kitties and Annika have reached a mutual agreement after both parties attest that "line has been crossed" with recent incident.
At approximately 2:13pm Mango approached his feeding bowl to find "the most ungodly act of indecency".
Unable to walk, Annika R. Zimmerman managed to take a dirty diaper down a full flight of stairs and place it into the feeding receptacle of the feline felons.
The treaty was signed after the Westside Kitties realized that nothing more disgraceful could possible top this prank.
The Zimmerman household looks forward to the calming wake of this treaty...and momma looks forward to the reporter of this article elevating his standards of journalism.

Day 5 - Turf war escalates with "unacceptable" gesture of disrespect

Tempers flared as continuing gang activity threatens the peace of the Zimmerman home. Annika needed consoling after finding long cat hair in her bed overnight.
When asked about the aggressive behavior from the Westside Kitties, Annika farted.
Tension is high as the neighborhood eagerly awaits retaliation from the raging babe.

Day 4 - Hidden camera uncovers shocking truth

Just minutes after Sara starting showing some attention to our cats, Annika was caught on hidden camera expressing her obvious jealousy with taunting contortions.
When asked about the secret footage, Annika simply puked on herself and was reported to have said, "gaaablaaaapaa."
We will bring you updates as more facts are known about the situation.

Day 3 - Annika and Boppy become fast friends

So...it seems reasonable that I reset the titles of these posts to reflect Annika's age rather than the B.A. (before Annika) units of measure.
We came home from the hospital today and it was nice to unpack. The cats were eager to sniff their new sister.
Annika is feeding well and is really digging her Boppy. Mom is out for a few moments of freedom in between feedings.
Oh ya....we also had our first official "blow out". Sara struggled to get through while I jumped in head first. I was really proud.

We look forward to our first night home and hopefully getting some type of schedule going.

See ya later.

Day 4 - Dad in trouble after snoring incident

Sara and baby Annika are finally sleeping after a ridiculous night of snoring from dad. Things are going really well. The baby is healthy and hungry. Sara is healing and nursing.
We would love to have visitors later today between 5pm and 8pm if you are interested.
We are in room 689 at Meriter.

Day 3 - Proud daddy "kickin' it" with baby while momma sleeps

Everyone is trying to sleep but I had to post our first family photo.

Day 3 - Baby arrives at 5:31am

Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly introduce to you our daughter - Annika Rose Zimmerman.

We are also proud to announce that she can probably kick the crap out of any little boys who want to push her around on the playground.

8 lb. 15 oz. , 19 in. BOOOYAAAA!!!!

Sara and baby are doing great. We are all very exhausted. Sara and I haven't slept in over 48 hours so we will spend most of the day sleeping.

I will post another message later this afternoon about what room we are being moved to if anyone would be interested in visiting tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Day 2 - Video update...

Day 2 - Dr. Feelgood...we love you.

After several hours of standing, sitting, laying down, standing, crouching, sitting the tub, and standing...we welcomed the warm embrace of Dr. Feelgood.

Sara took an epidural around 7:30pm and is doing VERY well.

We are resting for the time being. Looking more like a 12/11 baby instead of a 12/10. We'll keep you posted.

Day 2 - Baby will be grounded for two weeks

Sara and I have decided to ground our baby to her crib for the next two weeks. She is now over a week late, and in my family this was completely unacceptable.

The Pitocin doses have been steadily going up and in return the smiles have been increasinly going down. I'm being referred to as "ice-chip boy" and am gladly serving in any way that I can.

Pray for Sara and our baby.

Thanks everyone.

Day 2 - Here we go...

The doctor has decided that Pitocin will help speed the process. Sara has been put on an I.V. that will start to speed and strengthen the contractions.
If Pitocin doesn't do the trick in the next couple of hours the doctor will rupture her membranes.
Sara is doing a great job and we are both excited to meet our little angel.

See ya soon.

Day 2 - Mom needs sleep...dad couldn't be better

It's been a long night for Sara with wakening contractions coming every 10 minutes. She is doing well and is eating breakfast.

Our next update is coming in the next couple of hours and we are anxious to see what's next. The likely scenarios are:

1. Another 12 hour Cervidil

2. A faster acting replacement to Cervidil

3. Pitocin only or after any of the above

4. Breaking her water

We'll let you know what happens.

Day 1 - Round 2

The doctor just visited and notified us that there has been very little change since this morning. They decided it is best to go for another round of Cervidil...yippie!
We won't get another update from the doctor until 11am tomorrow so Sara and I are going to get some sleep.

Thanks for checking in with us! See you tomorrow.

Day 1 - Nearing our 12 hour update...

It has been almost 12 hours since we started our journey...ok, actually 41 weeks. The nurse is convinced that I'm not pregnant but Sara and I felt it was safest just to double-check.

The doctor will be here in about 5 minutes to decide whether we are ready for Pitocin. Keep Sara in your prayers as she is getting a bit nervous. We are both hoping that she would "go naturally" as the Pitocin can be a bit intense.

Baby's little heart is pitter-pattering like a locomotive in the background.

We'll update the blog as soon as we know what's going on.

Love you.

Day 1...Still Waiting

It has been a wonderful day of relaxation and rest. I sort of feel like I am at a spa because the staff has been so wonderful...just constantly asking how we are doing and making sure we don't need anything. Ben has watched at least 2 full football games and I have read and napped...I couldn't ask for a better Sunday.

I am feeling fine with the occasional contraction...nothing intolerable at this point. The doctor will check for progress at 10pm and make a decision from there regarding the next step. We are both excited and ready to get this going! I am connected to a fetal heart rate and contraction monitor and the nurse said she is the "perfect baby". Her heart rate is completely normal and responds to kicking and contractions as she should...that was reassuring to hear. The doctor we met with this morning felt my belly and he feels she will be about a 8.5 pound baby...ouch. Not looking forward to that part. Thank God for the epidural.

Thank you for all the emails and calls of support...we are so blessed with such loving family and friends.

Sara

Day 1 - Still Waiting

Sara really likes the ice cream here.

Day 1 - Waiting

Sara and I checked into Meriter this morning to get the "baby party" started. She is currently a week overdue and we are both much more comfortable with this baby growing on the outside rather than on the inside.

The first step of this process is referred to as "ripening", in which a medication is applied to the cervix to help it soften. We will get an update tonight at 10 PM to see if we go for round 2 or if we are ready to start induction.

Sara just enjoyed some ice cream and is down for a nap. All I can hear is the baby's heart beat in the monitor. It is a sweet sound.

I'm living large in a hospital bed, watching football with no sound, surfing on wireless Internet...all with access to a fully stocked kitchen. Let me know if I should sneak some cheese sticks out to you.

I'll keep everyone posted as things develop.

Thanks for your love and prayers.

Ben