The Swing

Heroes are rare individuals who impact our lives in profound ways. Today, I have a new hero that ranks pretty high on my list - the inventor of the battery operated swing. That genius who combined terry cloth comfort, a soft lullaby, and stuffed animals in motion.

I know what your thinking, "this guy (or gal) didn't keep people from starving," but your wrong. Mommy and Daddy may well have starved to death if it weren't for the swing. Then you're thinking "but he didn't invent a medical device that save lives." Wrong again, the swing has prevented countless parents from losing their minds or having a nervous breakdown.

So the next time you pray God's blessings on those that feed the hungry and cloth the poor, remember the saint who impacted my life today. The inventor of The Battery Operated Swing.

The Smile

Baby Bella is beginning to show her personality. She is pictured here while laughing at herself - it seems her hiccups were amusing. She definitely has a great sense of humor and it's alleged by Mommy that she even possesses Daddy's pouty lip. No photographic evidence exist to substantial that claim.

She is starting to have much more awake time where she loves to look around, kick her legs, and more often than not, enjoy a serious round of hiccups. Something she started in the womb and vigorously carried into her life.

Today was a good day all around. Mommy took Baby Bella out on the town by herself which allowed Daddy to sleep in this morning. Mommy is a rock star!!!! Then Daddy kept Baby Bella in the afternoon so that Mommy could shop alone - a first in 2 weeks.

Late in the evening Baby Bella snuggled with Daddy on the hammock. She most definitely loves the outdoors.

Of Tubbies and Mommies

Yesterday, we observed the time honored tradition of dunking the baby in the tub. What for me was a celebration of the Baby Bella Belly button, was for Mom a celebration of being able to clean every crease and cranny of her new off spring. A sponge bath only goes so far.

Needless to say, Bella didn't share Mommas excitement. As for Skyler, he thought the timing was poor since the screams emanating from the bathroom coincided with his bedtime. We have received a formal request from Big Brother that the Baby Bella Bath Bonanza be moved to his waking hours. So ordered!

Like most dramatic events in her life, this one ended with a warm blanket and a sigh of relief - in Mommas arms. It's amazing to watch this little gift turn from storm to calm with just the simplest brush against Mommas skin. A magnificent marriage of nature and the natural - the nature of child to be soothed by its mother and Deborah's natural ability to nurture her child.

At times it seems hard to discern which is the greater miracle - the mother or the child.

Baby Bella Belly Button

More excitement on day 11! I discovered more than the usual surprise when changing Baby Bella's diaper this morning. Lying just under her raspberry gown, and not in the correct spot, was the umbilical cord. The Baby Bella Belly Button is HERE!

My Girls

There is nothing on earth as sweet as watching your kids snuggle with their mother. We can already tell that Baby Bella is a snuggler - in the great tradition of her parents and big brother.

Here are my girls, both pretty in pink, snuggling like bears.

Big Brother

Baby Bella is blessed to have the best big brother ever!!!!! Skyler has been amazing in both his love and support for Bella. Even more amazing is his help in caring for Baby Bella. He was the first person to get to hold Bella in the hospital (after Mommy and Daddy). She was always the first person he inquired about when he called us while in the hospital.

He holds her, gently rubs her head, offers comfort and carries her diaper bag everywhere we go. She is one lucky little girl!

Today was a special day in the Cain house. Skyler changed his very first diaper!!!!!!! How many 7 year old Big Brothers can do that? I take a lot of comfort in seeing their early bond and knowing Skyler will always be looking out for Baby Bella in her life.

Memorial Day 2009

What a life for a 1 week old. Baby Bella let mommy and daddy sleep in until 4am - she knows how start a holiday off right. After a quick breakfast with Mommy, Bella was off for yet another heel prick to check her jaundice level. We received the wonderful news that she had a measurable improvement for the first time in her young life.

After a short nap Baby Bella welcomed Grandma and Grandpa Cain to the house for some spoiling. (Everyone knows that Grandma rules in the spoiling department) The fam then headed out for some delicious catfish at a local establishment - Whiskers.

I put my sunglass clip on Bella and immediately realized she was born for the blues. The Baby Bella Blues were born!

Later in the day Mommy and Bella watched daddy mow the yard and then Big Brother and Daddy practice baseball.

Daddy's Initiation

Baby Bella awoke at 4:00am for a feeding and change - this, we now know, is normal. Mommy did her part then turned her over to Daddy for a quick change. What follows could only be referred to as - The Initiation of Daddy.

I took her to the nursery to allow Mommy a few more winks. I quickly pulled the diaper back and then closed it again to give her a chance to "spray". (Why is it that infants love to pee the minute they feel fresh air under the diaper) She didn't mist at all so I felt it safe to remove the diaper.

The minute the diaper was completely removed and in mid-air flight to the trash can, Baby Bella decided to spray the changing table pad. Oh well, what is one more piece of laundry?

I then cleaned her up and slid another diaper under her precious bottom. Just I lifted her legs to slide she.....you guessed it, sprayed again. This time it ran down her tummy and legs and onto the cutest gown you have ever seen.

Fine, I can just change the gown. But wait, I don't know where the gowns are located. After a successful search, I managed to remove the old gown (with no help from the flailing arms of Baby Bella). I then begin the process of adorning her with a new gown. Just as the gown was successfully over her head.....yep, she hurled all over the clean gown.

So to review - it took me 2 gowns and a changing pad cover to successfully change one diaper. At this rate, I will never be caught up on laundry.

A Day of First

Baby Bella continued to experience new things on day 6. She made her first dining adventure to Olive Garden and behaved like a complete lady. She let mommy complete her meal without any interruption. Bella also made her first shopping trip to Target - you should buy Target stock - a new loyal customer has been born.

After a very eventful week, the family is in much need to rest.

Beauty and Jaundice

Baby Bella began her day, just as she did yesterday, with a stick to the heel. Her poor feet are starting to bruise from all of the blood drawn in recent days. We were hoping for a reading lower than the 17.2 we received on Friday - we didn't get our wish.

The Ped. called in early afternoon with a jaundice level of 18 and asked us to immediately take Baby Bella to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. We scurried around with tears running down our cheeks and made the necessary arrangements to spend the night and next day at Vandy.

Upon our arrival, the staff installed an I.V. and began drawing blood. They spoke of admitting her and giving Baby Bella photo therapy using the UV light and blanket.

Four hours later we were on our way home without any treatment for the stubborn jaundice in her system. It seems our Ped. was unaware that the Vandy protocol is to not start photo therapy until the level reaching 20. How nice it would have been to have known that earlier in the day.

Now approaching midnight, we are home again and ready to crawl in bed. All I want to do is hold my family close and get some rest.

Baby Bella with her IV is pictured below.

Blythe Family Celebrates Bella

The Blythe family gathered to celebrate Baby Bella and the arrival of Aunt Bethany. A good time was had by all - Bethany and Grandma Blair were introduced to Bella for the fist time. Papa and Nana took the opportunity to love her up as well.

Little Cupcake

Mommy has a new little cupcake!

We survived our first night at home with Baby Bella. Now it is not nice to lie to your blog, so I won't say we are rested or that the fog of sleeplessness has lifted. I can say however, that Baby Bella slept and fed much better at home than in the hospital.

It feels so nice to be in our bed once again and to have Baby Bella home. We tried to lay her in the bassinet but she ended up sleeping on our chests for most of the night. (Yes, I know the experts say not to do that - but the experts have not met my Bella)

Bella paid a visit to the ped. today for a jaundice test. The doctor is alarmed that her level has doubled since we left the hospital. We will have to re-test tomorrow and we are hoping for a good number.

Observation: The favorite time for a baby to mess up a diaper is immediately after you have replaced it with a new one. We will call this Baby Truth # 2.

What then is Baby Truth # 1? The favorite time for a baby to wake up is immediately after the parents fall to sleep.

The Ride Home

Baby Bella comes home from the Hospital!

The First Bath

Mom could not wait to give Baby Bella her first bath at home and swaddle her in her own blankets. Bella did not share her enthusiasm.

Dressed for Homecoming

Baby Bella was wrapped in Aunt Bessie's blankie for the ride home. We immediately laid our little princess in her crib to unpack and get oranize. Bella was so at home in her new environment that she slept......like a baby.

Winking at Daddy

And Daddy winked back!

Papa and Nana Visit

Papa and Nana came to the house to give us an opportunity to nap. This thing called sleep is in short supply these days. Of course, it was really about them getting to see and hold their newest grandchild and only granddaughter. But we appreciated the rest!!!!

Bella - Day 2

So little, so precious, so poopy, soooooooo everything. All she does is eat and mess diapers but all I can do is sit and stare at her. I can't remember the last time I cried this much - and for all the right reasons.

How is it that something so small can hold so much promise? How is it that something so helpless can command so much respect? How is it that something so pure can be gifted to a world so corrupt? How?

We have made it through a night and a day. All we want now is to take our blessing home and settle into our routine. One more night here and we depart on a new journey - family of four!

Dillard's Loves Bella

Bella Arrives

Labor was induced at 7:30am.
Deborah started pushing at 3:15pm.
Isabella Reagan Blythe Cain was born at 3:46pm.

Capture the Moment

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