February 20, 2009

One week old today

Introducing... Tessa Kae Ririe

Born February 13th, 2009, this little girl has lit up our lives and home. She is learning about life outside the womb as she gets over the disappointment of setting up shop in my uterus. She also has a knack for knowing right when Mom drifts off to sleep - a situation she lets us know about in no uncertain terms. We're getting the hang of feeding, (not) sleeping, diapers, pumping, quick showers, and nursing bras. All she has to do is open her eyes and coo and we just melt.

I've heard the clamoring for pictures, so without further ado, here are several from the last week.

Ted made me breakfast the morning of, not knowing we'd have to wait 8 hours from the time of eating due to the c-section because of anesthesia side effects. Ted poked his head in the bathroom that morning and said, "You want bacon for breakfast?" Say no more!!!


I had to lie down most of the day, hence the squinting. Ted donned his spacesuit while the four of us (including my mom and sister) played along with Jeopardy. It was very annoying for the anesthesiologist to come in and explain the procedure during Final Jeopardy. That and the crazy woman who stuck our baby's heel twice because she was talking too much after the first time, causing the blood to dry up, were my only complaints about the day.


Notice they had to strap me down. Ted walked in and said, "Whoa. Getting crucified, sweetie?"


Her entrance into the world - slimy, bloody, and screaming. I was behind the curtain and couldn't see, but Ted said he just looked at her in awe. She's truly a miracle.


Ted making the "ceremonial" cut. Of course he did his usual meticulous job. He doesn't know this, but as the nurses were rushing around and doing everything that had to be done (yanking what looked like a massive liver from my incision, etc), I peeked from behind the curtain at him. He stayed near our baby, and I saw him just gently touch her cheek, her tummy, her head, her hand, and couldn't stop staring at her. It was one of the sweetest moments I've ever seen.


Mom doing her "ceremonial" skin-picking and eye de-boogering. It's a bad habit.


Dad and Tessa.


Grandma Deanne Kae and Tessa Kae.


Not surprisingly, the girl's got some lungs.


Aunt Shannon and Tessa.

Another mommy pic. I can't believe she's mine. So perfect, so baby-smelling, such a gift.


The poor thing had dagger-like fingernails when she was born, so these shirts with the mittens is all she's been wearing. She's got quick reflexes, though, and gets to her face before we can get to her hands. Don't tell Phi-Phi, but we have no problem dressing her in the most chic fashions; off-the-shoulder is so vogue.


I couldn't resist. The bow is stuck on with boob cream.


No no! No pictures! Where's my bodyguard??


One of the few shots with her eyes open. She still has issues focusing, so she looks a little freaky.


Her first outing with just mommy! Where'd we go? To get wrangled by a lactation consultant. My nipples are still recuperating.


...And her little piggies.

Publish Post

Thanks for stopping by!

27 comments:

The Hyer Family said...

I can't stop looking at her!!! I LOVE the photo straight out of the uterus...it's perfect...I have some pics to send you...I'll do that soon..love that little Ted, I mean Tessa...

Megan said...

She is such a doll! Congratulations!

There are few things in this life more precious than new daddy moments. It is so sweet!

I hate how big babies get poked and prodded more than normal because of their size and diabetes worries. It's just not fair! They made raw meat out of Thomas's feet. When Katie came 7 oz. bigger (9 lbs. 10 oz.), we got our pediatrician to put a stop to all the testing.

I hope you find success after seeing the lactation specialist. I had to do that with Thomas, too. Our nurse had to hold him to my breast for 45 minutes while he screamed. As a new mom, I'd never have done that! Good luck with all the "equipment" and feedings. Don't forget that cabbage leaves are your friend: http://www.drgreene.com/21_1814.html

Love ya Al (& Ted & Tessa)!

:)

Syphus Circus said...

OH! What a doll! I wanted a girl SO BAD, lucky Allison. I guess that's what happens when you're "the 1st girl".

Seriously, she is gorgeous! I can't wait to meet her, and squeeze her, and put a bow in her hair and dress her in pink. Can I have a turn?

Emily S said...

I'm in favor of these chubby babies, personally. It ups the kissability factor by a lot. She's really cute!

Sorry about the feeding issues. That shaved-off nipple feeling is the WORST.

dana said...

Allison, she is ABSOLUTELY adorable! I love her little face. She's beautiful! Allllmost makes me want another baby, almost.
Good luck with the next few weeks.

The Bunker Family said...

I can smell the new baby scent!When can I bring you dinner?

Anonymous said...

You should sell those photos to the manufacturers of C-section tools - you make it look, fun.

Tessa looks great. We want a baby now, too. (check) Looking forward to holding all 9pounds of adorability.

Brett & Megan

Unknown said...

she's beautiful! congrats mom and dad!

Jean said...

Great great great pictures and great recap. She is such a doll!! I love that baby smell too! (The sweet, soft one, not the poo one.) And I dig Ted's spacesuit. I hope he saved that. :-)

Kristi David said...

She's yummy! I'm so excited for you and you look just gorgeous!

I must say those first daddy moments are precious and getting to hold those sweet little bodies for the first time is euphoric. There is no better drug in the world.

Syphus Circus said...

Hey Mommy, she has your fingers! I just noticed that! Allison, I'm so glad that you shared that glimpse you had of Ted with Tessa, right after she was born. That is a precious moment that you will treasure forever! XOXOXO

Emily S. said...

Looks like an Emily S. already commented! Anyway - she is beautiful! Adorable! I love newborns so I automatically love yours! It is so sweet to hear about your first few days at home. Sounds like you are hanging in there! :-) Can't wait to see more pictures...

Kizzycakes said...

too beautiful. i can't believe you have your very own baby!!!! this makes me totally excited -- for you and for me. i hope we get to hang out together with our sweetie-pies. thanks for posting. she's just a doll!

Montgomery Family said...

SO beautiful!!! I'm so happy for you! That was me almost a year ago and it feels like it was yesterday. I know EVERYONE says this, but it will FLY by, so enjoy every moment with her! Congrats!

Anna said...

Wow, she is adorable!!!! Truly. And Ted it just makes me grin seeing you as a Dad. Your Tessa is a lucky girl to have such cool parents.

Marianne said...

She is fabulous! I'm so happy for you guys. I love that you got fondled by a lactation specialist. It's strange to have someone forcefully grabbing your boobs as if they aren't yours. Mine had a thick Vietnamese accent. One of my favorite post pardum memories. Call E. Bevan if your nipples decide that they are going to crack/bleed and fall off. She has all the solutions. Hope I get to meet her sometime!

Melanie said...

Wow, what a beautiful baby! She really is gorgeous. We are so happy for you guys and hope you are doing well!

courtney said...

so so so so. so. so. so pretty! oh i love her. congratulations!

Kathleen said...

Good work you two. And even without Uncle Dan's don't have ugly children gum. You're experts. We can hardly wait to come out and see her (and you too of course, but get used to the back burner, that's your new seat right?) We love you guys, all three! Oh and Lucy loves Tessa already, she keeps pointing to her picture on Del and Becky's kitchen door and smiling, pointing, and declaring "baby".

candcfamily said...

I wish we were there, Jill says when Tessa is older that they could be cousins. Babies are so fun! I am so excited for you. It does get easier!

Brittany said...

So cute! Congratulations! I love that picture where she's "still having issues focusing" her eyes. We can all breath a sigh of relief that Allison has replenished the earth. We wouldn't want this line to end!

Brittany said...

Sorry, I meant breathe.

La La Land said...

1.She is even more beautiful in person! I am so happy that I got to see her!
2.Does Phi-Phi read your blog?
3.I should have warned you about the lactation specialists (the nurses at the hospital refer to them with the hail Hitler sign). They are bad news.
4.E.Beavan, on the other hand, is good news.

dietcokegrrl said...

OK--I am so behind on things! I left you a comment on the PAWAMOKI blog, but didn't here!

Hope all is going well and you guys are adjusting to being a family of three! She is beautiful!! Congrats again!

sachia said...

She is stunning and I loves her little grunts in church while she sleeps. She keeps reminding us all that she is there!!! What a cutie pie.

charrette said...

So so so so beautiful!
I loved every photo and every word of this post.

Renee said...

She's SO gorgeous! I can't wait to meet her in person. Speaking of which...I'm gonna be in town next weekend for Courtney's wedding. Will I get to see you??

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