14 months

MA is just getting too big. Height/weight will need to wait until next month when she goes to the Dr. She is still in 18 month clothes. She is now walking, well running really!

She talks SO much. MA knows the sounds of many animals, such as duck, cow, monkey, tiger, cat, dog, rooster. She also knows car sounds and the meaning of many words. We are still working on understanding 'no,' haha. She understands, but isn't too happy!

She was a bumble bee for Halloween and looooved it. She refused to take off her costume! We didn't go trick or treating, though, because MA was sick with a cold & fever. She loved all the kids, though. And, we made sugar cookies!

We go back to the Dr. 12/13 for a 15 month check up. Then, to a specialty hospital to look at her finger on 12/19. I pray they just want to monitor it, or do physical therapy. Surgery scares the crap out of me.

Funny first: poop in the tub. 'What's that?' as MA picks her poop up in the tub!! Eww!!

1 Year!!

So, I have lots of catching up to do. Life just got in our way. Once MA started rolling and moving, we were having way too much fun playing to sit down and write everything. But, we hit the huge milestone of 1 year, and I wanted to jot some things down so that I remember them.

So, let's work backwards...
At our last Dr's appointment on 9/13/12, MA was 21 lbs. 7 oz. and 28 1/4". She was in the 74th percentile in weight and 24th in height. We were told that we needed to do a referral to Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, MA in order to get her finger looked at and decifer if it is truly a trigger finger. Her Dr's appointment before that was in June, where she was 20 lbs 1 oz and 27."
Since then, she has taken a total of 11 steps in a row. Not yet walking independently, but definitely getting there. She needs some security, like she will walk the entire length of our home if she is holding your one hand. We are up to 6 teeth: 4 on top and 2 on bottom. She got her first tooth on 4/15 at 7 months old. She took her first steps on 9/3/12, where she did 3 steps in a row.

My last blog left off at 4 months. Since then - MA breezed through rice cereal and solid foods. She loves her food. Carrots gave her a tough time at first. She loved them but her belly did not. At about 6 months, we introduced finger foods, such as the little puffs that she can eat, and teething biscuits. So far *fingers crossed* no allergies. She did have a reaction to something in the Gerber yogurts that do not need to be refrigerated, so we are careful with that kind of stuff.

Of course MA's first "word" was "dada," which she said while we were on a vacation to Delaware to visit her grandparents in March before I went back to work, just shy of 6 months. Since then, she just does not shut up. Today, we are up to several actual words, such as "I did it," "what's that," "baby," "daddy," "dad," "dog," and unfortunately "shit." It definitely sounds like she makes sentences. Like, today it sounded like "did you see that?" and "are you kidding?" I think she is just repeating sounds that she hears but it is just so cute. She also knows "three" if you say, "one, two..." then she will yell "three." Sounds more like "eee."

She is also singing a lot - any sort of music comes on and she tries to sing along and bounces her booty along to the music! Her bedtime lullaby is "Hush Little Baby."

MA went to her first beach at 9 1/2 months old. She got around by crab walking on the sand because she didn't like the feel of it on her knees. She loved the water, though, and has been a waterbug ever since.  She went into her first pool at 11 months and cried when we had to get out!

MA started crawling at 8 1/2 months and pulling herself up soon after. She sat up by herself at 6 months old.

February: 5 Months

March: 6 Months

April: 7 Months

May: 8 Months

June: 9 Months

July: 10 Months

August: 11 Months

September: 1 Year! Taken at MA's birthday party.

4 Months!

(This was written on 1/13/2012.)

This past month flew by and MA has changed so much. We went to the doctor yesterday and she is 14 lbs. 8 oz. and 24 3/4 inches! The doctor said she is slightly above average in height and slightly below average in weight. She is almost sitting up by herself and can sit up no problem with just a little support. Still no luck on the rolling front, but we are getting there!

She does so well in her exersaucer and does not need any help sitting. She even got the hang of jumping in it! She now completely reaches for objects and grabs them. She is also very much teething: drooling constantly, chewing on everything, etc.
Another milestone is that we started rice cereal today with MA. She loved it! It was a little messy but I think she is really going to love her food. We've heard some good giggles at this point, also.

Still waiting to see her do some rolling!! Here are some snapshots from the past month:

MA, 1-5-2012

MA, 1-2-2012

MA, 12-29-2011

MA, 12-24-2011

MA, 12-22-2011

MA, 12-22-2011

13 Weeks - 3 months!

MA turned 3 months old this Monday! She graduated from a newborn to an infant and she is truly showing it this week! Santa came early and brought her an Exersaucer. She's a little wobbly, but does awesome otherwise. She JUST reaches the bottom, so it will probably just get better in the next couple of weeks.

She also seems to be going through a growth spurt this week and upped her intake to 6 oz. bottles.  We are now weaned from the boob and strictly on formula. If I wasn't going back to work it may be different; though, I'm not sure how I'd feel about nursing a teething infant, either!

Another milestone is that we heard MA's first laugh Tuesday night! I am so glad that both MJ and my Mom were also here to hear it! MA is just the most awesome baby and continues to amaze me each day.

I may move to updating this monthly, as MA gets older... Until then, here she is!

MA, 13 Weeks

12 Weeks

MA has been working hard at grabbing for things this week. We started reading the "touch and feel" books and she was touching the fabric inside of them and laughing. She also fell in love with this stupid little worm that hangs above her swing. She is very excited now that she can hold him, so he pretty much goes with her! She seems to be getting much better control of her hands, which is good, because making her wear mittens in the nighttime is getting old!

She is also sitting up so much better in her Bumbo seat. She doesn't need anything around her to help her in it and really seems pretty steady in it. I wouldn't leave her in it and walk away by any means, but she doesn't need constant hands-on to enjoy it.

She also discovered that there are things (fish) on her mat that she does tummy time on so she tries to get them. I really think she has just blossomed this past week and is doing so much more. Maybe it's because she decided that she is a big girl and doesn't need naps anymore! We are lucky if we get a total of 2 hours a day in naps, and they are usually broken up into 30 minute cat naps. But, she is sleeping great at night, so I won't complain - as long as she doesn't get cranky!

We are enjoying the Christmas movies that have been on tv, since she has found a love for that! She also likes yelling at us and finding her voice. She "talks" up a storm! I can't believe she is going to be 3 months old soon! She's transformed from a newborn to a real, interactive baby! It's so funny. I am hoping she starts laughing soon - I can't wait for that!

MA, 11 Weeks Old

11 Weeks

Yesterday MJ weighed himself and then weighed MA with him and came up with 13 lbs 6 oz! Our little girl is getting so big. She is reaching for things more and sometimes actually gets them now. She smiles so hard and is so close to those giggles, but we haven't heard them yet.

She is still doing awesome in the crib at night. She usually goes in it between 8-9pm and will wake up once throughout the night, then be up for the day around 7am. I really can't complain about that! We are still working on the naps during the day though. She will get pretty cranky after being up for more than 2 hours, but has started fighting her sleep. She sleeps great if we are in the car, or if we are in a restaurant in her car seat... but struggles napping at home. We've tried the swing, the bouncer chair and the crib. The most luck we've had is with the swing but it's usually 20-30 minute cat naps. I truly don't mind her being up during the day, but when she gets cranky - she gets cranky!

We decorated for Christmas this week and MA really loved watching all the decorations go up. I can't wait until she is able to help decorate the tree. She loves just looking at the lights of the tree and listening to our singing Santas.

MA, 11 Weeks

10 Weeks (last week's post)

MA has been exploring more of her environment each day. It seems, though, that she is now fighting her sleep because she wants to see everything in the world. And that makes a pretty cranky baby by the end of the day!

This week she discovered her feet and has begun reaching towards them. It is amazing to watch her as she discovers new objects around her. She loves anything that plays music or has flashing lights and oh my goodness does she love her TV.

She has been doing awesome in the crib, still, and I am so glad. At least I know that if she is cranky throughout the day, that she will at least sleep the majority of the night in her crib. MA is an awesome baby and I am so lucky to have her.

She is starting to reach for things and by the end of the week was holding items that were put in her hand. Everyday is a new day to grow for her!

MA, 10 Weeks

9 Weeks

We are trying to get back into the swing of things with our now quiet household. I think MA got used to the hustle and bustle! She is now sleeping in her crib every night, which is great. She usually goes to sleep around 9pm and sleeps until around 7am, waking up 1 or 2 times throughout the night. She still can only go 1 1/2 - 2 hours of being awake before she gets winey and cranky. She now tries to stay up and fight her sleep and I have to physically pick her up and hold her to fall asleep. Before, she would just fall asleep wherever she was.

She is also holding her head up so great, and only wobbles a little. We are working on sitting up, reaching for things and making sounds. She is getting so big so quickly. Part of me just wants her to stay as she is, but the rest of me is just excited to see the person she is becoming. Every day she is showing more and more of her personality. She smiles a lot - unless she's hungry or tired. (She smiles sometimes when she's even tired.) And I think we are going to start hearing some good laughs very very soon. Every now and then one will sneak out.

We battled some tummy troubles this week, but that seems to be cleared up now. She was fighting her sleep for two days, though, while her tummy was gurgling. Those were not fun days! We seem to be getting back on track now and she has been getting some good naps in. (She is napping right now as I type this.)

 

MA, 9 Weeks

8 Weeks

This was a very busy week for us. MA was baptized. MA also met her grandparents this past week. My mom has been staying with us, which has been a great help. It feels funny, really. We have been doing this on our own for two months and I feel somewhat guilty enjoying the help. I know that seems silly.

MA has really blossomed this past week. She is noticing more objects and interacting more with toys. She just loves her swing and the little worm that hangs above her head. She smiles more and laughs at people. She has improved her head control and is able to sit propped up for longer periods of time.

It amazes me that she is now 2 months old. I am looking forward to all there is to come... but cannot believe that I have been out of work for 2 months. I really cannot imagine my life any other way.

MA, 2 months old.

7 Weeks

This week, I decided to go to a two hour Zumba class. While it was very fun and a good workout, it was also the longest that I have been away from MA. She stayed with her daddy and gave him quite the hard time. I hope that does not become a pattern, because she is going to need to stay with other people.

I woke up today feeling like total crap. MJ, being the best husband and daddy in the world, stayed home to help and let me rest. I think I overdid it and was dehydrated. It was very hard not kissing MA all day just in case I picked up a bug.

Tomorrow, we are driving to pick up my Mom at the airport. I am excited for her to meet MA. Of course, she has seen her on Skype, but it is not the same. I hope MA is good on the car ride... which she usually is, but it is a long ride!

I cannot believe MA will be two months old next week.

6 Weeks

This week I am finally learning that there can be more to life than holding an adorable little baby. I am learning that the world does not stop turning, even though yours feels like it does. I am learning that it is okay to put down the baby and do some stuff around the house. I am learning... I am learning...

Okay, so I will admit that the first 5 weeks I held MA nonstop. Well, MJ and I both did. I am learning that she is just fine to sit in her bouncer seat in the room with us while we clean. I am learning that she does not need us to hold her every minute and nor does she seem to want to. She is such a good baby.

We went to the doctor on Monday. MA weighs 10 lbs. 2 oz. and is 21 3/4 inches. She is getting so big. She is almost fully holding her head up. It gets wobbly, but she can do it for quite a long time. She loves car rides. She sleeps so peacefully in the car... and in her swing. It must be the motion. When we go for walks, she sleeps until you stop the stroller. She is too funny.

MA, 6 weeks old

1 1/2 months already... I just cannot believe this. She gets bigger and bigger everyday. Her personality also shows everyday. She is awake more throughout the day and she now fights sleep, like she is going to miss out on something fun. She smiles so much and is overall a very, very good baby. She really only gets fussy when she is hungry or tired. Can't ask for anything more than that!

5 Weeks

During this past week, MA has become more active. She is awake more during the day. I also think she then becomes more stimulated. Yesterday, she was playing and just started crying for no reason and I think it is because there was just too much going on around her. She quieted as soon as I picked her up.

Having a child is definitely most scary but rewarding thing that I have ever done. I look up things online constantly, like how to soothe baby gas and how much she should be eating. I worry that she is not eating enough, then I worry that she is eating too much. I worry she is sleeping too much and then I worry that she did not sleep enough. And then, when I am good and exhausted of worrying, I just look at her and she gives me this huge ear to ear smile - and it makes it all worth it.

I am learning that you cannot call the Dr. for everything. It is trial and error. We learned this week that if we do tummy time after we eat, that we push out a lot of gas. So, this has been helpful in the bellyaches. We also learned that if we put a contoured changing pad in the bassinet, that she does not flail around as much and sleeps more peaceful.

There is still a lot to learn... and there always will be. We need to learn how to conquer this stupid baby gas (I really hope MA reads this when she gets older!) and we need to learn how to get more rest throughout the time. With time, this will come. In the meantime, I need to stop and smell the roses. The time is going by way too quickly and if I don't remind myself of that, it will be March and I will be going back to work.

Already, these past 5 weeks feel like a huge blur.

MA, 5 weeks old

4 Weeks

Holy cow, it's been almost a month since MA was born. I just cannot believe how time has flown by. She is getting more and more alert everyday. Actually, as I type this, she is lying in my lap watching the computer screen. She really likes the computer screens and televisions. I think it's probably the bright lights that she is seeing.

This was a good week. We found out that she really likes car rides and sleeps the whole time. We went on a trip to see some family, about 2 1/2 hours away and she only fussed once, to eat and get changed. She is finally big enough to wear in the baby carrier, and she really really loves that! MJ put it on yesterday and cleaned the house so that I could take a nap. LOVE HIM!

Today, it's a beautiful day out, so I plan on pushing MA around the circle in her stroller. She has a little congestion going on, but the Dr. said that it is normal. Still all that crud that was in her I guess from when she was in the womb. We go to the Dr. again 2 weeks and if she still has it, I want to ask about it. 6 weeks seems like a long time to have that going on. In the meantime, we got a humidifier for our room and that seems to help her. If it persists though, we may call the Dr. I hate to see my little lady suffering.

We bought MA a halloween costume the other day. She's going to be a cute little ladybug. :)


I can't believe how much she has grown over the past 4 weeks. Everytime I pick her up, she feels more solid than the last! She's such a happy baby... I love her to pieces.

MA, 4 weeks today.

Three weeks

Well, this week flew by. We went to the Dr. on Wednesday and learned that MA now weighs 7 lbs. 6 oz. So, I guess all of her eating is doing something! She is also 21 1/2 inches long now. She is too tall for her Newborn clothes, but too skinny for 0-3 months, so her outfits look a little silly right now.

Friday, we had quite the scare. MA was making this squealing noise when I would lay her down to change her. At first, I thought she was beginning to laugh. Then, it looked like she was having difficulty breathing. I sat her up, consoled her and called the Dr., who said that it sounded like normal infant congestion and to only be worried if she stopped eating or began to run a fever.  Well, our thermometer is a piece of garbage that takes forever to get a reading. MJ stopped on his way home and bought a "guarenteed accurate" one touch thermometer. Well, we took MA's temp both in the armpit and behind her ear. Both said she had a fever. So, at 2am, we brought her to the emergency room.
Well, we got there and they took a rectal temperature, that was 98.6. So, a pointless trip to the ER, but we learned that MA is perfectly healthy.

Yesterday, we took MA to get newborn photos done. She actually tolerated that pretty well. I was impressed to find that she stayed awake the whole time. She's the best baby...

I cannot believe she is three weeks old already.

Two Weeks

It has been two weeks since MA came into this world. Two weeks ago, our lives changed for the better. Two weeks ago, our daily lives became consumed by another living creature. Two weeks ago, I could not imagine loving so much... but two weeks later, I would not change any moment of it.

I am excited to go to the Dr. on Wednesday, because I'm fairly certain MA needs to be either at or well beyond her birth weight. She is eating like a tank and feels heavier to hold. Her naps are becoming shorter and she is eating more. Last night, we had a great night. We woke up at 12:30pm, 4am, 7am and 9:30am to eat. She is able to fall asleep after eating. I do rock with her after she eats, or we walk around the house. Once she's asleep, MA will sleep soundly in the bassonet (most nights) until she is hungry again.

She has quite the personality at such a young age. I think this is the most shocking to me. She is smiling and making goofy faces. They are usually accompanied by a poop, but not always! She loves to cuddle and have "tummy time" on our chests. She picks her head up pretty far and holds it for awhile. She also has been rolling from her back to her side since we brought her home from the hospital.

I have a feeling that she is going to be a real handful - but I wouldn't have it any other way! She's a beautiful little girl, and I can't wait to see what the next two weeks, months, years bring. I just want it to go a little more slowly. Everyday seems to fly by!

MA, two weeks old today.

Slave Driver

MA is my slave driver, haha. Overall, she's a good baby. She is beautiful and loves to cuddle. She also loves to sleep, but has been more awake more often. Unfortunately, it's usually in the middle of the night.

I read somewhere that she is likely to be going through a growth spurt. I believe it. She goes through these moments (that sometimes last hours) where she will just eat everything in sight.

The other night, I nursed her on and off for almost three.hours. Then, she drank two oz. of pumped breastmilk. Finally, she fell asleep into a deep slumber.Breastfeeding is much harder than I anticipated. I knew it would be a struggle and I knew it was a commitment, but sheesh! Each day is getting a little easier though. I am glad she is.eating more - She should be back to her birth weight in no time!

Finally!

Well, as you can probably tell from my lack of posting, MA is finally here! My water broke at 4:00am on 9/12/2011. The look on MJ's face was priceless when I woke him up. He actually had to stand in the hallway for a second and ask me if it was real or if he was dreaming. What no one tells you is that when your water breaks, it never stops coming out! For that, I am grateful that I was walking into the hospital at 4:30am and not in the middle of the day!

When we got to the hospital, I did not have regular contractions. They admitted us and put us in the room to get the contractions going. They had me walking around the hallway to help. Around 10am, they became more prominent and by noon they were painful. The doctors said that my body was doing the labor on its own and they did not think I needed any medication to help, at this point. Around 2:30pm or so, I was finally at 4 cm. dialated. I gave in and got the epidural around 3pm or so. From then on, the contractions just got stronger, but with the medication, I was able to get some rest.

Finally, around 9:00pm, they checked me again and I was 9 cm. They wanted to give some medication to help the contractions along, by MA had other plans. They gave me Pictocin and then decided that they were going to have me do some "practice pushes." Well, halfway through the first push, MA's head started to appear. It only took a few more pushes and at 10:00pm, MA was born.

It was beautiful, shocking, exhausting, energizing and confusing, all at once, but I would not change it for the world. MA is the best baby. She has a great personality already and it is only getting more prominent every single day. She is pretty content, as long as she is fed and changed. She has beautiful black hair and loves to cuddle. We love her more than life itself.

 MA, four days old.

MA, 1 day old, at the hospital.

Breakdown

Yep. I had one yesterday. I think every nine-month pregnant person deserves to have one every now and then. This past month has just been a roller coaster. Two weeks ago we were in the hospital having contractions and sent home because of no dialation. From that day forward, it's all I think about. It consumes my brain and I think yesterday was my breaking point.

From the night that we were in the hospital, I have been having steady contractions. Not very strong, but lots throughout the day. I went to the doctor three days later and was 1cm dialated. Good news, I thought. So, the past week, I've been having the same kind of contractions everyday. Go to doctor again yesterday.... still 1cm. He said the baby's head and shoulders need to drop more and that will put things in motion. So, I was sent home with exercises and told to walk walk walk.

So, that's what I will do. It will give me something to focus on. Which is good, because when I went home, I just lost it. I know she's not due yet. I know it's a little irrational. But, when you have family and friends messaging you throughout the day everyday asking if there is a baby yet, it gets tiring. So, I cried. And I cried. I told MJ I can't do this anymore and I want to quit. To see the look on the poor man's face who knew nothing of what to say. He just held me and I cried it out.

I feel more at peace now, though. She will come when she will come. I will do my exercises and stay distracted throughout the day. We go back to the doctor next Thursday, which would be 2 days after our original due date.

Until then, I will enjoy the time with MJ while he is on vacation. I need to enjoy this time off work and not just wait. This is supposed to be a beautiful experience, not an anxiety-filled craziness. So, whatever it will be, it will be.

I'm just along for the ride.

Labor Day

Well, I must say that I thought that MA would have been here by now. The contractions remain, but aren't strong enough to be labor contractions yet. I refuse to go to the hospital again just to be sent home. It is getting uncomfortable to sleep though. When I am not waking up to pee every half hour, I am waking up with excrutiating leg cramps.

I just wish she was in a rush to be in the outside world, like we are for her.

MJ started his vacation today and we had a pretty productive day at home. It has been raining all day... so we got our new dishwasher installed. I made beef stew in the crockpot, which was pretty good. I love my crockpot. It is definitely telling that fall is just around the corner though.

MJ is now trying to install our new garage door opener. I don't hear any swearing coming from the garage yet, so that must be a good sign. I am enjoying this time with him... but, I also cannot stop thinking about this beautiful little girl inside of my tummy.

I just want her to come out and play already.