Birth through Month One

Addy's first month of life was such a time of learning for us! We had to learn various ways to soothe her as she was fussy a lot! By the one month mark she was sleeping 4-5 hour stretches at a time in her crib. Her one month checkup went great...she was 9 lb 4 oz (50th %) and 22 1/4 inches (95th%!). We decided to start her on Prevacid for her acid reflux. It took two weeks to kick in, but once it did, it made such a difference! Addy learned to love her carseat and stroller during this time and we took advantage by taking lots of walks, going to the mall, and eating out!

Marty bringing Addy home from the hospital. She slept the whole way!

Grammy holding her granddaughter at the house.

Addy's first sponge bath at home...can you see her lungs??

Sweet Adeline smiling in her sleep.

Out for our first family walk.

Grandma getting some cuddle time in the nursery.

Addy's first bow!

urprise look from Addy!

The first real bath went much better!

Sleeping sweetie!

Meeting her cousins for the first time.

First visit with Aunt Sarah.

Addy loves to play on her mat!

Addy's Arrival

Adeline Grace Kiefaber arrived on August 5, 2008 via c-section. She arrived at Fairfax Hospital at 4:30 pm.









It was a hot August Tuesday. I started having contractions at 2:30 am and left for the hospital around 5:30 am. Dr. Wolf broke my water at around 8:30, and shortly after I received the epidural and started pitocin. By around 2 pm I was ready to push. After around 1 1/2 hours of pushing there was little progress, so Dr. Wolf recommended we do a c-section. I was a little bummed b/c I knew recovery would be much harder, but I trusted my doctor and went ahead with it. Addy was born at 4:30 and I was in recovery by around 4:45. We stayed in the hospital until Friday and then headed home.









My mom was with us until Monday morning (thank goodness!). The first few nights were rough...Addy screamed and cried for hours on end and wouldn't sleep anywhere but someone's arms! It turns out she had acid reflux and after a few weeks on medicine, the severe screaming/crying had for the most part subsided.

Virginia Shower

The shower here in Virginia was Saturday. What a blast we had!

The LaVoie family and my mom came in Thursday and we were able to spend some time together before it got crazy. Here's a few pictures from dinner.

The two preggos before dinner...mmmm, we're hungry!

Great-Aunt Brenda, Marleigh, and her Mamaw

I'm hungry Daddy!

The whole crew at dinner...where's John??

Marleigh LOVED that balloon!

Saturday the guys went golfing and the girls came over to go to the shower together. Here's a few "before" shots when we were getting ready to leave.

Kristin, Mandi, Heather, and me. Friends for a LONG time, and many more years to come!

Aunt Sarah, Suzy, and Grandma--the "Cavendish" girls together for the last time before Addy arrives!

Us plus the LaVoie ladies.

The shower was at Eggspectations in Chantilly, VA. They were AMAZING there! Very accommodating and helpful! It was a great location!

Aunt Natalie made this cake...wow! It was beautiful and delicious too!

A view of the set-up.

The "how big is Suzy's belly" game. Seriously girls? Those strings are longer than you!

Opening presents...Sidney was a great helper!

Marty's cameo....can't stay too long, a steak awaits!

Nursery Pictures

35 Weeks

We are 35 weeks tomorrow...where has this time gone?!


My last day of work was June 17. It was very emotional for me, which I didn't really expect. I had been counting down the days for so long that I forgot how attached I had grown to Westlawn. Four years is a long time to spend in one place, and it really felt like home! Now I'm trying to adjust to this "stay at home mom" thing, and it's really different! I think it will be easier once I have an actual baby to take care of :)





We went to Wildwood beach last week. It is where Marty's family has gone for years. His parents and brother and his family was there. It was fun, but a little harder than I anticipated being 34 weeks pregnant. (My back is still thanking me for it!) Here's a few pictures:

Who says fashion needs to suffer during pregnancy?

Sidney, ever the performer!

"Why would anyone want to go on that ride??"


The "before" picture. This ride did Marty in!
(Rylie, on the other hand, was fine!)



The scaredy-cats waiting for the ride-goers!

Next weekend is my shower here in VA. I'll be very happy to see everyone since this is likely the last time I'll get together with friends and family before Addy arrives. I'll be 36 and 1/2 weeks, so hopefully I make it smoothtly past the shower with no problems! I'm packing my bags this week just in case!

Baby Shower in WV

The baby shower in Charleston was this weekend. It was wonderful!! The cake was SO cute. It was from Sam's Club, and for a very reasonable price! It was actually made totally of cupcakes!

My cousin Kelly made the favors. They were 3 cookies in a clear baby-themed cellophane bag. I know she must have spent a lot of time on them!

The shower was at Beau-tea-full Moments tea room in South Charleston. It was so girly and fun, we didn't need to bring one decoration. Here's the table setting.

Overall it was a great weekend! It meant so much to have family and friends come together for me, and for Adeline! It will be my last trip in before Addy arrives, so it was a little surreal to think the next time we come back, there will be three of us!

We also found out that Kelly and John are having another little girl in October! Marleigh is going to be a big sis, and Addy will have a cousin very close in age! How exciting for everyone!

Some more photos from the weekend: