Happy Halloween

Rachel's first Halloween was pretty eventful... she ate, slept and that's pretty much it! She was able to put on her little flower costume and visit some neighbors and other friends too.

Here she is looking just a little too cute!

Zoe is doing really well with Rachel. She lays down by her and goes right to her when she starts crying.

Her little outfit says "So cute it's scarry" I agree! She still curls up when she sleeps. Of course I do find her sometimes with her hands behind her head- just relaxing!

Update: We went to the doctor's office on Friday again because they weren't really happy with her weight gain from the week before. So they weighed her again and she is almost back up to her birth weight- she's at 7lb 1.9 oz. So we're really excited!

Rachel's Faces

A drive on the Parkway

Yesterday was a beautiful day so we decided to go for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves were absolutely gorgeous! Rachel did great in the car and we all enjoyed getting out and enjoying the view at a couple overlooks.

The view at one of the overlooks. As great as Dustin's photo is, it still does not do the colors justice.

The car makes Rachel sleepy. We hope this continues as she gets older and we travel to see family.

We got out and took a walk at the Peaks of Otter resort in Bedford.

Rachel liked getting out for a few minutes along the way.

Out cold again!

Who does she look more like?

Cast your vote in the box on the side of the page.

2 weeks already?!

It's hard to believe that Rachel is 2 weeks old today! She is doing very well. She has been sleeping well during the night- usually one 5 hour stretch, then she takes a while to settle down after that feeding... I'll take it though!

Her cord fell off a few days ago so we were able to give her a "real" bath! She still does not like bath time though.

I am feeling really good now too. I have been able to get out some this week (thanks to Mom Nieter for spending the week here and helping out!) I even wore my regular jeans today!

She busted out of the blanket, but was still sleeping so peacefully!

Finally starting to stretch out.

Taking a nap with Daddy... he's so comfy!

Taking a walk and enjoying the beautiful weather.

More pics

I've been told that I needed to add more photos, so they're a little random, but they're up!

Rachel decided to fool us her first week home. She slept great during the nights, just woke up to eat then right back to sleep. Well that didn't last! Now that Dustin is going back to work, she wants to be up with him all night!

Overall she is doing great. She really is a very good baby and even when she's fussy, she's more than worth it!

Peacefully sleeping in her swing- if only she were that peaceful in the wee hours of the morning!

Zoe and I both try to catch a little nap when Rachel does.

Zoe is making sure that we're taking good care of her little sister.

Meeting Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Nieter via video conference. Everyone needs to get their webcams hooked up!

Bath time!

Rachel had her first experience with a bath at home. It was just a little sponge bath since she has not lost her belly button yet. This was not one of her favorite activities!

For some reason Mommy got the bad job of washing her.

Look at the curls!

Rachel was much happier in Daddy's arms getting dried off. (I'm not quite sure why I had to be the mean one and he got to cuddle and be the nice guy at the end!)

hospital portraits

The hospital took portraits that you can look at and order if you want. (They are pretty expensive and we will probably recreate the poses ourselves)

Here's how to get to them:

Go to: our365.com
Search "By Hospital"
Baby's Birthday: October 9, 2009
Hospital City: Roanoke VA
Click on: Search
Click on: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
You may have to re-enter the birth day at this time
Click on: Search
Click on: Lori M
Click on the photo of Rachel (there are 6 that will show up)

Hope you enjoy!

Visitors

Rachel's visitors while at the hospital. We are going to be going home tomorrow.

Head full of hair

Rachel with Poppy Nieter

Rachel with Mimi Nieter

Rachel with Papa McCollum

Rachel with Grandma McCollum

Rachel with Uncle Brent and Aunt Kim

Rachel with Nannie McCollum

Rachel with friends, Mike and Amanda

Rachel with friends, David and Kelly

Rachel with Pastor Moe from church

Rachel with neighbors, Clyde and Jeannette

Baby!!!

Rachel Elizabeth was born on October 9 at 10:12am. She was 7 lbs. 2.5 oz. and was 19 inches long. Mom and Baby are doing well. We could have not asked for better nurses and doctors here at the hospital. Everyone has been really helpful. We will be coming home tomorrow. Here are a few pictures from Rachel's first day. There will definitely be a lot more to come.

- This is Dustin by the way. Lori's a little busy at the moment.

Yes, this was my first ever diaper change.

Right before delivery

38 weeks!

I have to be honest when I say that I was hoping that this would not be the picture for the week! It has been a LONG one! I'm just exhausted by the end of each day.
I think everyone has told us what to eat so that I go into labor, from spicy food to seafood to roast. Dustin said he was going to take me to Golden Corral and make me eat some of everything!
I keep having contractions, but they are not extremely consistent. I have heard that the more contractions I have early on, the quicker actual labor is... at this rate, labor should take no time at all! (Yes, I know that this is my first and it will take a while, but let me have a little hope, ok!)

Dr. Appointment

Well, I wish there was news from my doctor's appointment today. I was almost sure that after Sunday's adventure I would have progressed at least a little bit. Nope, Rachel is perfectly happy where she is! So I'm relaxing some now while Dustin is still at marching practice. Then tonight we're planning a long walk!

(In case anyone was wondering, Zoe is becoming increasingly clingy to me. I'll have to post some pictures of how she lays by me.)