Week 16: Fathers' Day and Vacation Bible School

Coming back from Annual Conference, we prepared to celebrate Mike's first Father's Day.  Fortunately I helped Kylie pick out some presents the week before - including a personalized coffee mug with lots of pictures of her, a onesie that says "Happy First Father's Day Daddy", and a book called "I Love You Daddy" about a bear and his bear cub. 

It was a hectic morning/day as I had church in the morning, and then VBS set-up was that afternoon.  Mike spent the day with Kylie, who was a little fussy from being at AC the week before.  But they hung in there.  We got to have Biscuitville breakfast together - Mike got a sausage and egg sandwich - and then I picked him up a smoothie for lunch. 

After the VBS set-up, I came home and we had steaks on the grill.  The meal miraculously came together quite well.  I picked up some filets with Kylie the week before and kept em in the freezer.  We had "surf and turf" as I also had shrimp, and rounded out the plate with corn on the cob (not pictured because we were SO hungry!)  I was thankful to get to have the dinner with him, and Kylie cooperated and let us eat in quiet!

Mike is obviously the best dad a girl could ask for.  She LOVES him and often will hang out in his "mancave" with him watching the Mets play baseball. He is selfless with his time and energy, especially when mom needs a nap and disappears in the bed room. I know next year we'll have an even more special Father's day celebration for him.

As for VBS, no, Kylie wasn't old enough to participate this year.  But - it was quite the week! Fortunately with our daycare we were able to shift the time a bit.  I dropped Kylie off around 11/11:30AM, and then Mike was able to pick her up around 5/5:30PM when done with work.  It is so great they are flexible and willing to work with us.  She seemed to do well with him also - going to bed right as he'd bring her home.  I would miss seeing her before then, obviously, but would get to do the 10:30PM feeding.  Sometimes I would have just drifted off when I'd hear her stirring... :)  I was glad when Friday rolled around and we were able to relax some on Saturday morning!

I'd rather be home than at Annual Conference

Kylie continues to grow and is making new discoveries each day.  She's currently keeping her hands in her mouth fairly regularly, and the drool down her arms is soaking her outfits.  She doesn't seem to be teething yet, but that may not be far off.  She is also cooing a lot - it is so cute to hear her humming her own little tune.  I'm enjoying singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as it always makes her smile and giggle. 

Still capturing these precious moments
- she is the best baby :)

Week 15: Kylie Does Annual Conference

We had fun trekking out to Greenville for Annual Conference this year. Last summer I saw all the young moms with babies in their Moby wraps and thought it looked adorable and easy. Boy who was I kidding!  For one, Kylie doesn't like any baby carriers and it was either hold her or have her in the car seat/stroller. Packing was a unique experience as well. Last year was a big year as I was to be ordained!  I spent a while shopping for dresses for both the clergy session (where you are formally voted forward after recommendation from the board) and the actual ordination service. 

Love that look!

This year- I could hardly think of anything but Kylie's needs- mainly the pack and play! I took one suitcase, knowing it'd be tricky to get in and out of the hotel already. With her multiple onesies, diapers, a small fan (ha!) I had exactly one-third of the suitcase left for me. I decided on dresses for each day!  Easy to throw on in the dark and would immediately look nice. Shoes- "hmm I need a bigger summer shoe selection". 

The drive out went fine- Kylie sleeps like a rock on road trips. And with a baby- no snacks needed or fussing about music choices. We had a little Red Robin date right at 5 to avoid any crowds. She did start crying when my food arrived- when I realized (again!) how much help Mike is!  That night we had a group meeting at 7, when she is generally asleep, but she was quiet the whole time and went right to bed after. I neglected to bring a sheet for the pack and play mat- so I heard a lot of swooshing all night. 

I had not been in a hotel room with a baby before. Once she went down and the lights were off- there was no noise or light allowed. I could not find my cell phone- and the alarm clock was the dimmest I'd ever had. So feeling around I eventually found it!  Fortunately I was so tired I konked right out myself. 

The week was a fun blend of one-on-one time with Kylie and seeing friends, many of whom held her while she was asleep, fussing, you name it!  At one point I forgot I was supposed to be on stage with the other deacons, so she came up with me- bottle and all!

Thursday she was terrific and hardly cried at all. Friday was a different story- and thru lunch she screamed and screamed. I had a part in the afternoon session, so I couldn't just go back to the hotel. A friend miraculously got her to sleep and she ended up being fine. But I was stressed!  Admittedly Annual Conference is super tiring- so her screams were certainly warranted- but it was still stressful to try and keep her calm. 

We made it home Saturday afternoon- and I think the week finally sunk in. She was extra fussy that evening and eventually we got her to sleep. It took a few days for her to finally catch up on her rest. 

All in all, I loved having Kylie with me for AC and am so thankful to have the memories of being together with her. I also think she'd do better next year to stay home or with grandparents as its really not a kid-oriented event. I will have a bigger hand in the ordination activities next year, so I also wouldn't be able to give her my full attention anyhow. But for this year- she was my cute little arm candy and definitely brightened the spirits of everyone who saw her.

Week 14: Like a Duck to Water!

This week Kylie participated in her first "Water Play" day at daycare.  It was very cute - they attached a little notice to our take home paper and asked that parents provide a bathing suit and towel.  We went to Target and picked out the cutest suits we could find.  One had long sleeves and a cute bottom part - which I thought would help with the sun.  

Not sure how she feels about it... 

The other was a simple one-piece - both "watermelon" designs.  So adorable!  We called and checked with the pediatrician and its not recommended to use sunscreen for a baby any younger than 4 months old.  So we will wait.  It is still crazy to me I have a person so young in my house...14 weeks old!

Picking out sunhats at Target

The cutest one :)

We also picked out sunhats this week. The daycare workers like to take her in a little buggy and ride around to help break up the day and get them some fresh air.  Kylie reclines in the back under a canopy - so she isn't really exposed to sun.  I'm glad she enjoys it.  She's been doing much better lately with sleeping at daycare also.  We brought in a sleep sack that doesn't wrap up her arms - and she seems more relaxed wearing that.  She is still adjusting to the noise - and the setting I'm sure - and so we brought in a noise machine.  (Go figure - my baby would need ambient noise to rest)  It is a little sheep that has a sound machine you pop inside.  It hangs on the outside of the crib for her - and they turn the volume up.  I wonder if it drives them crazy to have that noise going... but it helps her!

Kylie, her swaddle, and her Sleep Sheep!

We are getting the hang of the "daycare" experience.  I like having a choice as to which six-hour block she can go.  Some days - like last week - I take her later so she can stay longer into the day.  Today I'll need to drop her off first thing so I can scoot up to Garner for a meeting.  I don't know if it affects her much one way or the other, but we can see.  I just love knowing she's safe and being well-cared for. 

Life is so busy getting ready for Vacation Bible School these days that I haven't done much to attend to the home life - at least until I contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease!!  I didn't know adults could get that.  All week it was hard to grip her bottles, and it felt all blistery on the bottom of my feet - presumably from a run.  But it turned out to be HFM!  Friday afternoon I went to the doctor's office and received confirmation.  There isn't much that can be done as it is a viral infection.  So I rested and stayed home from church so as to avoid giving it to others.  It was such a nice weekend to have time to be home - get laundry done, clean the fridge, and rest.  I feel well suited to head into this week with Annual Conference starting on Wednesday. It also coincided with our 5 year anniversary - so we were able to celebrate for a couple of days.  Kylie joined us out for our steak dinner and was very well behaved.  It helped that we went at the 4:00 hour!  Lately we've been eating at 4 and going to bed at 7!

Time with dad!

It is fun to see Kylie continuing to grow and change.  She is very eager these days to sit up, and is often making a face and straining to lift her torso upwards.  Her boppy helps with that.  I can hold her up and she enjoys that more - getting even stronger with her neck to keep her head from flopping.  She is smiling all the time - and even started giggling yesterday some.  I love to see her happy - its hard now to remember the times she wasn't smiling.  Her fingers are always moving and gripping things - especially when she's being held.  When we pick her up out of her bassinet - she often grabs on and knows she's being carried. 

Those feet!

Sweet gift from Brad and Bobbie!

She is singing more now - to herself mostly.  She's way more verbal in general.  I am trying to read to her more - mostly whatever book is nearby.  Though her books are upstairs, I'm trying to be better about bringing them down.  We like "I Love You More" - a cute story about the love between Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare.... "I love you all the way to the moon and back!"

That smile!

Hanging out on the poppy

Last night she had trouble going down.  I turned on some music, and it was relaxing for us both to sit and listen to the tunes.  I found some baby relaxing music - a blend of classical.  I would love to know how it helps her calm and rest.  Having done yoga the past couple of days - I'm all about things that center and bring restoration.  

Week 13: And so it begins!!

Kylie began daycare this week.  We went last week to the "Meet The Teachers" event and were reminded that it was a safe and warm place for her to be while we both work.  I think we were both a little saddened to be letting go of her so quickly - but trusting its a good thing for her in many ways - and us!

Our "La Farm" date before daycare 

On Wednesday morning I brought her to the daycare about 9:30AM.  It was comforting to walk in and be greeted right away - "ready for day one?"  I think its nice when you are expected and known when coming into an unfamiliar setting.  The teachers were very gracious to re-explain what needs to happen. I'd brought Kylie some back-up onesies, a big box of diapers, and her bottles for the day.  There is a specific process for preparing the bottles, indicating them as "breastmilk", and filling out her paperwork for the day.  We let the teachers know when she woke up, last ate, last had a diaper change, etc.  We are on a 3/4 time schedule 5 days a week - so 6 hours a day.  The plan was to return around 3:30PM. 

Right after leaving day care on day 1!

Still in awe 30 minutes later!

Then out like a light... 

Fortunately I'd planned to have lunch with a friend, and that was a nice diversion from having to leave her for the first time.  I was a little saddened to first walk away from her - but having to complete some paperwork and admin things helped distract me.  After the lunch, I went home and took a nap in the quiet house.  SO quiet.  And by then it was time to go get her practically. 

Saturday morning: no daycare

The next day went well also - it was harder getting out the door so I didn't drop her off until 10AM.  But they were just sitting there and I laid Kylie down on the mat with the teachers.  She seemed right at home.  Coming back at 4 - she looked so relaxed.  They said she was way less anxious and fussy than the day before.  Friday I took her to daycare, and Mike was going to pick her up.  Fortunately he let me come too- which I wouldn't have thought I'd be that excited to go.  When we got there Friday she was crying.  The teachers said she had some gas - so we went and bought some gas drops to help.  I am also going to try and cut out dairy for a few weeks and see if it makes any difference.  It may not, but it probably can't hurt.  They were very excited that she did so well in the buggy for walks outside.  They said she really enjoyed it.  They'll also help her play with water at some point also - not sure what that entails, but sounds fun!  We got a newsletter on Friday afternoon detailing her day - it even had her picture on it.  <3

Going with mom and dad to get their haircut!

All in all, its going well having her in daycare.  I feel way less anxious about the things I need to do for work - teaching, phone calls, meetings, etc.  She is fun to have along, but still so little that she's fairly unpredictable.  It's great to know she is in a safe place in good hands.  I feel very good about this new pattern.  And I'm thankful we still had a month to be together after I went back to work - a nice and long transition.  I can't wait to see how she grows and learns there.