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!