Paige's First Month

Not too much to report on as far as Paige is concerned - which being a month old, that's probably a good thing. She has already been on her first plane ride, a 5k hike in the Azorean "mountains" and went to her first street bullfight - which she slept through. I guess it wasn't exciting enough for her but the rest of us enjoyed it. Paige continues to eat well and sleep even better. We're enjoying this sleepy newborn stage as Owen is definately far from it. Here are some pictures of Paige's first month. She's grown so much and the time is passing quickly!

Owen vs. Paige

Now that Paige is here, lots of people who have never seen Owen as a newborn are asking whether or not Paige and Owen look alike as new babies. Here are a few pictures of each a day or so old.

Paige
Owen
Paige
Owen
Though Pagie does not have Owen's doe eyes, I think they look pretty similar but you be the judge.

Owen - a very happy big brother

We think Owen is adapting pretty well to having a baby sister around. He seemed pretty excited and happy to meet her when Jared brought him to the hospital to see Mommy and Baby Paige. Maybe he's just happy that there is room in my lap again for him to sit with me (as long as Paige is sitting elsewhere). We were worried we'd have some jealousy issues but we haven't really seen it yet.

Owen likes to hold Paige for about 30 seconds then he tells me she needs to sit in my lap again.

My sleeping beauties...Owen wanted to nap right next to Paige. He even shared his "night night" with her (is favorite, prized blue blanket).

Owen's happy face.

Pictures of Paige

Here are some pictures of Baby Paige from her first two weeks. Although it seems she sleeps about 80% of the day, we've managed to get a few pictures with her eyes open. It's always a privilege to see her eyes - we forget how much a newborn sleeps!

Paige is ready to leave the hospital

Swaddle me if you like, just keep my hands where I can see them!

Cutie pie

Sleeping like a baby!

Paige - two weeks old

Our daughter has arrived!

We are so happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Paige Elise Solether. Paige, being quite punctual, was born on her due date - July 25th at 2:38am. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 inches long and with a head full of dark hair. She is perfect in every way and we couldn't be more excited.

The birth was fairly quick as those sort of things go. Stacy started having contractions about 9pm, at 10pm we took a walk around the hospital and after a hot bath she decided it was time to head to the hospital. Luckily the "hotel" we were staying in at the base was right next to the emergency room so it was a short walk. Stacy got hooked up to the monitors at 11:45pm, 5 cm dialated with contractions coming about every 2-3 minutes. She opted for the epidural which was in place at 1am and at that point she was 10 cm. The nurse let her labor for a little over an hour with the epidural in place to let the baby drop a bit more. At 2:20am she started pushing and out Paige came at 2:38am. About 5am, Stacy and baby Paige were moved to the "Mommy-Baby" ward for recovery and Jared went back to catch a few zzzz's (the rooms were very small). Greg and Letha each came over after the birth to see their new grandaughter and they all came the next morning to introduce Owen to his baby sister.



Owen has been doing great with her, being most fascinated by the fact that she has no teeth and therefore cannot eat and dring like he can, and also by the fact she always has dirty diapers to be changed.