Week 12: Great visit and Memorial Day weekend!

Our little cupcake is up to 3 months today!  13 weeks old - what a tiny miracle. 

Covering up her "Three Months Old" sticker

Last week we had our first big road trip up to Virginia to visit with grandparents and her aunt Tricia.  It was fun to have her in the car with me as we drove - and she slept the whole way.  We stopped a couple of times for gas and she wanted her diaper changed.  Seems acceptable :)  While up there, I was thankful to get to take a nap while my mom and Tricia watched her.  We hung around mostly - had great food, went to a wine tasting, went out to lunch.  Kylie would cry a bit in the mornings, so my dad took her for a walk and let her sleep while he did some yard work.  She also cried in the evenings, and I would rock her to sleep and she'd go down early.  We packed the pack n play, and she slept in the bottom of that.  It worked great! 

No place like Gram's arms

So big and alert!

We took her to Pollak Vineyards where Mike and I were married.  Amazing how much has happened in the five years since then.  We will celebrate our anniversary next weekend. 

With Tricia at Pollak!

Chillin' with a bottle

She loved laying on the carpet in their family room

Gram and Gramps!

Lunch at Wild Wolf!

On the way home I was SO sleepy!  We stopped at Sheetz and I got some food and a bottle of water.  It was hard to look in the back and see she was zonked out!  She made it almost the whole way again - but wanted a bottle about 30 mins out.  I was thankful I could give her a bottle and not need to nurse her right there in the car.  I'm so glad feeding is going well - I didn't realize what a challenge it all can be as a new mom and baby combo. 

I was very pleased with our stop at Harris Teeter on the way home.  I got to park in the "New/Expectant Mom" spot out front.  As we approached the store, a woman came and said "there aren't any more carts in there" and she brought us one!  At check out, the cashier offered to take our bags to the car - and I accepted.  Regretfully I don't always accept help these days - but this was very kind.  We had a nice hamburger dinner. So into beef these days!

That fan!

The next day I had church, and when I returned home it was a rainy afternoon.  Kylie and I hung out on the couch resting.  She was pretty tired - from the trip, but maybe also the change in routine.  The following day was Memorial Day. Mike and I got up and took her to La Farm for some coffee and bread - one of our favorite treats.  We were glad to have the day to be together.  Kylie and I watched the National Memorial Day concert that my family used to always attend in DC.  I was too much of a wimp to stay up and watch at 8PM - and fortunately they had it on the PBS station to stream later... We had hamburgers again for lunch - such a treat!  We like getting the hang of this eating at home thing.  Though it was hard to get going on Tuesday - I am glad we had the holiday to kick off summer!

Happy Memorial Day!

On the move

Kylie had a big day yesterday as we got up and out to work.  She attended her first staff meeting - and sat sweetly in her car seat / stroller for the two hours.  She mostly worked on fitting her entire hand into her mouth.  She is nothing if not a determined young lady.  It wasn't until almost the two-hour mark that she started crying.  She was in desperate need of a diaper change!  I can only imagine - I would want to leave also.  As we walked through the church past all of the preschoolers she is quite the celebrity - they love to see the little baby.  I can't believe so many of them are graduating - such sweet young kids. 

We had a few coffee dates in the morning, too.  I've been trying to go "low-dairy" as opposed to none - not that we know of an allergy/intolerance, but couldn't hurt.  So I've cut out lattes for the most part.  Yesterday, though, I indulged in a soy latte and it was so good!  I am hoping it didn't keep her too wired :) 

So cute :)

She came along on a couple errands on the way home as well - and was such a good sport.  It was the first "hot" day - about 85*. Fortunately the car stayed cool.  I am nervous that she's going to overheat in our backseat, so I am pretty on top of keeping the AC going. 

We then had our first big visit to our new daycare.  They have a "meet the teachers" time they encourage new parents to attend - meeting the women who care for the children (I didn't see any men - but there may be some who work there also!).  It is a cute room with two sides - about 8 babies on each side with a few workers.  Admittedly, Mike and I are saddened to be dropping her off - but I know she's going to love hanging out there.  There were boppy pillows strewn around the room with babies just hanging out - and oodles of toys.  There is also a back darkened space with cribs for nap time with some music going.  They are on top of feedings and diaper changes.  Sounds like the drop-off time is big for information sharing - and then they take it from there. 

Fixed up!

Checking out daycare

Memories with dad

Smiles with mom

So tired afterwards

It seems as though they are pretty flexible when it comes to picking up.  Coming from work - I may occasionally hit some traffic, so its nice to know I don't need to rush to meet a certain time. It's also helpful that we can keep a 3/4 time schedule rather than full time - as I don't work all day in an office.  They will keep her longer on days when I'm out and Mike will need to pick her up later after he's done.  We can also have the grandparents pick her up when needed.  We leave the car seat at the day care, which will help for transferring between vehicles.  I hadn't thought of that - but makes sense. 

Today we are heading over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house up in VA!  I felt very paralyzed trying to figure out what to pack.  Usually I just throw a few of my things in a bag.  But I'm not quite sure how much to bring for a newborn for just a couple of days.  More is less?  I will take the pack and play for sleeping - and that will probably work fine. A couple bags of diapers, a zillion onesies, her boppy pillow, all her bottles.  I hope we don't find we forgot something!  Looking forward to the trip - both seeing how she does on the road, and getting away for a little bit.  Will need to be back for Sunday morning - but will be nice to have a mini-vacation. 

Week 11: Getting checked out!

Our little cupcake continues to grow and keep us smiling as she offers frequent grins and giggles.  She and I continue to have our morning dates at a local bakery - for where better can you wake up than with a hot cup of dark, rich coffee with the smell of freshly baked bread. Next week is our last week of full time at home.  Then she'll start day care.  I am not sure how I feel about it - I am enjoying our time together, and I know it'll be a blessing to have someone watching over her a few hours a day. My hope is that the time she is there I'll be productive enough to make a concerted effort to be present with her when she is home.  Next week we go to "Meet the Teachers" - and I'm excited to familiarize myself with them. 

It was chilly out-- needed her cap!

Yesterday we went to a different doctor as we continue to discern her possible issues with tongue tie.  More and more Kylie continues to stick her tongue out at us - and its apparent she's not severely hampered in her mobility.  However we still want to be sure she'll be ok - in the present and long-term. We went to a doctor that Mike actually sees as his general practitioner. The nurse was super sweet and had such a way with Kylie.  She is now up to 9 lbs 10 oz, so there's clearly not an issue with gaining weight!  We loved the paper that covered the exam table.  Adorable.  The doctor did a thorough exam and said that he didn't think there'd be any issues with her and that we'd be OK to decide not to have her tongue clipped.  He said that only within the recent five years or so is this procedure becoming more commonplace. We really appreciated again how thorough he was and the confidence he passed along in our decision-making.  We think we will just see how she does in the future and go from there. 

Horton Hears a Hoo!

Kylie continues to sleep well at night - generally knocking out around 7:30PM and sleeping all the way to 1AM sometimes!  She sometimes then gets up around 4:30AM, which depending on  how I feel I may shake Mike and have him feed her.  Sometimes, though, its nice to wake up and have some quiet time after she goes back down to read and just be in the dark and quiet!  She had a few days this week, too, of sleeping on the couch all afternoon.  And she got a bath!  Smelling all squeaky clean.  She is definitely getting the hang of "tummy time" and cries less frequently.  I will often hold her up after a little and really encourage the neck strength.  

Smiling during a diaper change in the car!

She loves to be held upright so that she can turn her head around and see what's going on - she doesn't generally like the cradle-hold unless she's about to fall asleep.  She is certainly alert!  She is capturing the hearts of all the preschool teachers and they generously hold her and rock her during chapel.  Next week is my last week to lead chapel, and I'll miss seeing all those kids and finding creative ways to teach them Bible stories. I've learned so much from teaching them - I think it ought to be an imperative element of every pastor's training! 

My favorite outfit :) <3

Her hair!

I am doing OK - still feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the change - going back to work, preparing for Vacation Bible School and all the graduation stuff, preparing to leave one workplace and enter another - all while having a little one in tow.  But the blessings are immeasurable.  I still just LOVE looking back in the mirror and seeing her sit in the car seat.  

She looks so quiet and content - "wherever we're going, it'll be fun!"  I am enjoying having time to do a bit of strength training and returning to a favorite Jillian Michaels video.  I feel my quads strengthening already!  It's amazing how toned my arms are becoming just toting Kylie around - whether holding her or carrying her in the car seat.  I lifted her right out of a grocery cart the other day and was so impressed with myself - ha. 

Next week we'll take our first road trip as we head over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house!

Week 10: Finding a new normal

We are so excited to have a little girl who is smiling these days.  She started figuring it out last week and still seems to find joy in smiling!!  If we are grinning, she often will emulate our smile.  But many times she is in such a good mood that she'll start herself. 

Smiling for Uncle Kyle's birthday

It's been another fun week!  She started coming with me to work - starting Monday with preschool chapel.  It went well as she was able to meet some of the kids and be held by the teachers.  She didn't cry too much!  I found she was not too up for sleeping in our room/in her bassinet in the afternoons - so I let her sleep on the couch while I did some work in our room.  New meaning to "telecommuting"!

Out like a light!

Tuesday we both woke up and were super tired. I think going back to work I am still adjusting with what the evenings bring.  We went grocery shopping and putzed around- but both were pretty wiped.  Fortunately we got a nap in that afternoon.  

With a meeting cancelled in the morning, Wednesday was another day that we had to get work done and not be out and about too much.  I enjoy being able to let her nap in both the mornings and afternoons - though some days are better than others.  

My knee is doing better, and I've been heeding the doctor's instructions to try strength training more and building up some muscle in my legs - and doing some walking to help stretch them out.  Having not exercised in months upon months - I have to ease back into it.  Though I'm still trying to savor the nicer weather these days before it gets insanely hot for the summer! 

Thursday Kylie came to church with me for preschool chapel.  She was starting to get a bit fussy a few minutes before - and I was worried she'd cry through the whole thing.  I sent up a little prayer, and she ended up sleeping the whole time!  What a blessing that was.  Unfortunately we then went to lunch, where she cried/screamed.  I went to get salad from the salad bar and I think she wasn't sure about being bottle-fed by someone else!  Fortunately she calmed down - lesson learned: never leave the swaddle blanket in the car! 

Hey smiley :)

We are loving our time with baby Kylie.  Everyone says "it goes so fast" - and while admittedly there are many days and nights that are exhausting - we know this time with her is special and are savoring it as much as we can.  Mike and I enjoy being able to share the duties of changing, feeding, cuddling and calming down.  He is also getting into reading to her.  Today she was all about being on her play mat and looking at all the toy animals hanging from above.  She is also learning to shove her whole hand into her mouth and often is chewing on it.  We aren't sure how far away teething is - but its cute to watch her sucking on all her fingers at once!

Play time mat

Our pink princess

"whooo's the cutest?"

We are still trying to figure out when/how to establish a bedtime routine. I read about things we can try - but often we're thankful when she stops crying and goes to sleep.  They say to put babies to bed when they're sleepy vs. sleeping - though its a fun game to lay her down and decide whether she'll start crying again or not.  One time she did fall back asleep - but generally she wants to be rescued right away!  Around 7:30 or so she conks out for the night - and I'm usually right behind her!  Her before-midnight sleep stretch is much longer than afterwards - so I try to indulge.  I am finding, though, with her more frequent morning waking and desiring some quiet/alone time - that I'll hit 3AM and want to just stay awake and make coffee and just work/be.  Is that strange?! 

Love outfits with ruffles

Just browsing the sales!

I'm starting to get her nursery in order - along with all of her clothes into the dresser.  Similarly I am working on transitioning my outfits.  Lately I'm thankful there's something clean/semi-clean within reaching distance.  I do have nicer outfits I could put on and need to get my stuff together better.  It is amazing what I'm able to do when I try to commit just 5-10 minutes to a project.  Slow and steady wins the race - or so they say.  I finally also got to the eye doctor and am hopeful to replace my glasses.  The past two times I've been to pick out new frames, though, I've been too tired to decide from all of the options.  I always pick out the same design as I've always had - but can't decide if I want a change... :) 

Week Nine: Having fun

It's been a fun few weeks with our little cupcake. She certainly gets all over the place these days.  It's fun to think back to our first couple of weeks when simply getting across town to Trader Joe's seemed like a big victory.  And we've learned a lot - like enjoying time out and balancing it with rest at home, accepting help when offered (at least I hope that's happening), and keeping a bottle ready at all times. 

Smiling for Grams

Look at that smile!

Last week my mom was here as I was starting to return to work.  It was a huge help to have an extra pair of hands caring for Kylie while I focused on other things.  Unfortunately I hurt my knee the previous week, and going back to church on Sunday seemed to make it a bit worse with all the walking around and such.  So I went to the doctor and got it looked at.  They think it was just tendinitis - and hopefully not a torn ligament.  With some ice and ibuprofen - and some stretching - we hope its on the mend! 

Anyhow - it was nice to have time to take a shower, to have a good nap, to attend a conference-call meeting and doctor's appointment without a baby in tow.  And my husband and I shared a date at Salem Street Pub one evening.  It was awesome.  And even more special to watch Kylie and her Grams bonding.  She has such a gift with babies so its been a double blessing!  It was hard to have her leave as she really has a way of calming her down.

Since then, Kylie continues to grow and amaze us.  She's been smiling - and loves to do it.  I read that when they observe a face smiling, they smile in response.  But they don't tend to like it if you OVERdo it.  It's special whenever I see Kylie grin.  And humorous when she then starts to cry.  Not sure she connects it all yet.  She's adorable. 

Friday was her 2 month physical and she got her vaccinations.  The doctor said she's doing well growing and healthy all over. She still has some eye gunk that comes from a clogged tear duct - we hope it clears up soon. We are still investigating the tongue-tie -- not sure how we feel about getting that clipped.  The doctor recommended having the procedure done - but we'd like to get a second opinion.  For now, Kylie is eating well from the bottle so we're OK with that. 

Getting her check up

Post-vaccination Star Wars sticker

Saturday was Mother's Day Observed - a gift from Kylie and dad.  They took me to La Farm Bakery for coffee and bread.  They know I love to nosh on all the free samples - and that I did.  Kylie and I then headed down to church for a funeral, which she made it mostly through while asleep.  Lunch was wherever I wanted to go - and for some reason I was inclined towards Buffalo Wild Wings.  I think I was thinking I might get a beer. However, I always think how it would make me more tired than I already am. (Will that ever go away?!) We did get ice cream.  Kylie got me a peanut butter parfait like I used to get my mom on Mother's Day.  We were THRILLED to have a friend bring us dinner Saturday night - a yummy veggie quiche and strawberry spinach pecan salad + lemon pie.  The best part - besides the tasty food - was certainly her company and willingness to hold Kylie while we ate.

Breakfast!

Ice cream

Mother's Day itself was also special.  I was very touched how many folks reached out to wish me a Happy First Mother's Day.  I enjoyed being at church with all the moms and the family of God worshiping together.  I also remembered last year's Mother's day.  I was still very sad to not yet be pregnant.  I did not enjoy celebrating other moms while I was feeling quite envious.  This year I couldn't help but remember how sad I was the previous year - and I hope that other women feeling similarly might experience a bit of grace and hope while so many moms were being honored. 

Sunday morning!

Though its only been a couple of months - I LOVE being Kylie's mom and can't imagine a greater blessing.  It's a huge job and so exhausting much of the time.  But its so wonderful to learn and grow alongside of her - and hopefully stay just one step ahead.  Though I'm sure that will be over soon (if its not already!)