New Blog

I've got a new blog at Viewpoint : images. Please come check me out there.

- Kellie

Moving on

While I've been posting at a new family blog (comment if you'd like the link... all my blog friends are welcome...just trying to keep creeps out), I've been debating what the purpose of this blog is and what I should write. And when I should write. Who knew being a mom was so time consuming?

I'm closing up shop on this blog, but have started a new one: http://everjoyful.wordpress.com/. Hope to see you there!

Joy

Little Bean is just so cute, I just might burst with joy.

Super Woman

Last night was my surprise date. It was wonderful! Hub's mom came to babysit and Little Bean had a great time - and even ate well from her bottle. Hubs and I went out for a yummy dinner and then we went and saw the Indiana Jones movie. It was pretty cute. It was a WONDERFUL evening!

After I was thoroughly refreshed last night, my super woman powers were put to the test today.We have plans to go on the boat with my parents this weekend, and we just realized that we forgot all about our dog, Jazzy. Oops! We used to take her on the boat, but with Sucia (insane puppy), and the baby, and yucky weather, I think it would be too much to bring a 70 pound pooch on the boat as well. We found a place we can take her (the Pet Smart Pet Hotel, which looks SO cute) IF I could take Jazzy to the vet to get a couple shots this morning. She needs to get them 48 hours before hotel check-in. Eek! Managing the baby in her carseat and Jazzy (who is stronger than me) at the vet...with all the other dogs coming in and out. Well, whew!

In thee end, Jazzy got her shots, reservations have been made for Jazzy at the pet hotel, Little Bean is sleeping, clean laundry is folded on the couch, a load of clean diapers is in the dryer, and the baby will be at the pediatrician for another vaccine this afternoon. I AM SUPER WOMAN.

Highs and Lows

Each week at my mommy's group, we go around and share highs and lows for the week. I can never remember what mine were (I guess that's a good sign, in a way) so I decided to write them down this week. My group meets tomorrow morning, so I thought I'd share my list with you!

Lows:

1. I've been having some bad dreams where something bad happens to the baby, usually because I did something stupid or made a bad decision. I hate these dreams. I wake up and want to just run into her room and make sure she's ok. I don't do that because I don't want to wake her up, so I just sleep really poorly the rest of the night until I know she's ok.

2. Little Bean hasn't been taking a bottle as well anymore. That's just a big stinkin' pain and leads to much more evening crying than we're used to.

3. I got pretty overwhelmed this week. Baby had a few rough afternoons, a very long day on Thursday because Hubs had to work a wedding rehearsal at church, and then an extra day on Saturday while he worked at a wedding. I don't mind that he worked at the wedding (he's doing it for me!), and he has done one other and it wasn't bad. It was just a long, long week. We decided that we needed a code word that I could tell him when I need HELP of some sort.

Highs:

1. Hubs must have been sensing my desperation, because when I told him about it, he told me he had a surprise date night planned already for Tuesday night. Hurray! Isn't he great? Somehow, I always manage to ruin the surprises. I don't know what we're doing, just that a babysitter is coming tomorrow night and we're going out. It's been great having that to look forward to...it made Saturday much more bearable!

2. After we got back from church on Sunday, Little Bean was asleep in her car seat and we just set it in her crib. We figured we had about 15 minutes until she woke up (she doesn't usually sleep long in her car seat once it's not moving), so we were going to take a quick nap. She slept for 2 whole hours! It was fantastic! Her naps are usually only 45 minutes long, so this was great!

3. I mentioned this is my last post, but it's been so fun to see her smiling at things she thinks are pretty. It's so sweet! =)

Sunny Saturday

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday. It was the weekend of our neighborhood garage sale (although they really need to just hold it every other year - there weren't enough houses having a sale). Hubs had afternoon/evening plans, so we decided to go for a walk through the neighborhood. Jazzy was very happy to come along! We took the baby in her carrier, and she did great. We've been trying to put her in it more so she can get used to it, and also to put hats on her more so she will learn to like sun hats. She was happy the whole time, and took a long nap when we got back.

Completely unrelated... I'm very happy that I'm still able to take decent self-portraits, even while holding a baby. I tend to be our primary photographer, and most pictures that include me are self-portraits. Little Bean has started seeing things around her and reacting more to them. While I was taking pictures of us, she noticed the little orange light on our camera that lights up when taking a shot. She loved it and would look right at the camera and smile. Also, while getting ready to feed her, I put my nursing cover on, and for the first time, she noticed the flowered print on the cover. She just stared at it and smiled big. It's so sweet to watch her wake up to the pretty world around her. =)

Mommy Vacation

My new mommy vacation: the oil change place. Yes, seriously. I don't know if it's a local chain or national, but our oil change place is called Oil Can Henry's, and I love going there. Today after Little Bean was fed and getting sleepy, we headed out. First we drove through Starbucks and got a ridiculously long request of a latte: a tall, nonfat, decaff, sugar-free caramel latte, in a grande cup with room at the top, which they made perfectly. Then, I drove across the street and drove up to Henry's. Did I have to lug the carseat out of the car, wake up the baby, and wait in the dirty waiting room? Absolutely not. It's a drive through oil change! I pulled in, they gave me a complimentary newspaper, and baby and I both got to relax in the car for a bit. It was wonderful!

15 minutes to sit in my car, drinking my latte, reading a newspaper, with the baby sleeping in the back... that's my new mommy vacation!

Dinner time

This is a momentous week in my new mommy-life because it is the first week that I think I will be able to make dinner each night by myself. At this point, I just have dinner plans every night and I'm just hoping to be able to make it.... but I think I can do it.

It's a simple menu, and includes a lot of left-overs, but that's ok. Also, I'm only focusing on Monday-Friday right now. I generally try to have something in mind for Saturday, but sometimes it's left for impromptu plans with hubs and we always do something super simple on Sundays (like tuna melts or something). So, here's what we're having:

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie (which I had never made before - and was super easy and yummy)

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie left overs

Wednesday: Pasta bake

Thursday: Finish the chicken pot pie

Friday: BBQ Hamburgers (supposed to be 86 outside!)

Saturday: Either Pasta Bake left overs (or save it for next week), or grill something - since it's supposed to be in the 80's outside. Yahoo!


And THAT, my friends, is a huge milestone for me. I think I've definitely shocked hubs, and made his evenings far easier.

Mother's Day Baptism

This weekend, I had the best Mother's Day present possible - Little Bean was baptized into God's covenant family. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! We pray that she will always know that she is His, a beloved sheep in His pasture. We pray that she will know the abundant joy that only comes from knowing and serving her Lord.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

She did great during the baptism. She got squirmy right before we were called up, and stayed pretty squirmy while our pastor talked about baptism. But, as soon as he took her, she calmed down and just listened. She loves his voice! She didn't cry at all when he poured water on her head. And best of all, she didn't spit up on him - that was my great fear. =)

For those who aren't used to baptizing infants, I thought I'd explain what it means. I think it is often misunderstood. Infant baptism isn't the same as a declaration of salvation, or the same as a baby dedication. While we do take vows to teach Caitlin our faith (like a dedication), the sacrament itself isn't about us - it's about our baby and God. Baptism is how we are identified as part of God's covenant family - just like circumcision was to the Jews. Circumcision didn't guarantee that a Jew would have faith in the coming Messiah, neither does baptism guarantee that someone will have true saving faith in Jesus. However, God does give covenant promises that are generational - to "you and your children." As such, we baptize our children, teach them our faith, and trust that God will reveal Himself to her personally as she grows. Of course, she still needs to confess her faith when she gets older, but we pray that she won't ever remember a day when she didn't know Jesus as her savior.

new blog

I've been keeping a private family blog where I post family updates and photos. For the sake of privacy, I won't be posting too many family and baby pictures here. I'll still be posting here (hopefully more than I have been lately!), but I'll be posting more on the other one. If you and I have become blog friends and you'd like the link to the other blog, just leave me a comment to let me know and include your email address.

six weeks

Little Bean is six weeks old. Oh my goodness. How does it go by so quickly?

I'm doing well, just trying to figure out how to do this new life and get things done...besides holding, rocking, bouncing, and playing with Little Bean. I'm really stuck trying to figure out how to make dinner. She isn't napping much at that time of day. Any ideas?

I've started walking. Today was day two of really trying to walk every day. I think that all the baby weight that is just going to come off fast has done that, and I'm going to have to work for the rest.

Happy May day to you!

Gratitude

Thank you to the nice woman at the bead store who held my crying baby while I picked out my beads.

Thank you to my husband who has been making me dinner every night.

Thank you to my husband who gave me a gift certificate to get a massage tonight.

Thank you to the wonderful massage therapist, who made me feel like jelly.

Thank you to Little Bean who is currently sleeping and not crying.

Thank you to my mom who is coming to babysit this Saturday night so hubs and I can go on a date alone, with no risk of a baby crying.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tired and hot

Today is a beautiful, sunny Saturday. Little Bean and I decided that it would be a fun day to go on an adventure. I decided to pack up the stroller and go for a walk to Quiznos and Bartells. Unfortunately, I always under-estimate distance and elevation. Also, it turns out that I don't actually have any warm-weather clothing that fits me yet. Yet, I'm persistent...we would go anyway! It took me 45 minutes each way, and I was so, SO hot.

I've been crashed on the recliner the whole rest of the afternoon. Perhaps an hour and a half walk is a bit much for my first bit of exercise in a two months. I really can't count the 9-month pregnant waddling as exercise, can I?

Two weeks

I've been a mom for two weeks now. Wow.

Generally, if you do anything for 14 days in a row, you would seem pretty comfortable and adept at doing it. Yet, after 14 days of caring for this little one, there are so many ways in which I'm still completely clueless. Two weeks seems short, and she's still so tiny, yet my labor seems so long ago. It seems like forever ago since I was on bedrest, or had a day of plans that didn't revolve around breastfeeding. So, in some ways, two weeks seems like a long time. On the other hand, it's also a very short time. It's amazing to me that I've fed baby girl over 120 times, and yet it still seems so foreign...a thing we're still both figuring out. I would think that after doing something 100 times you'd get pretty good at it.

She's growing so fast. She was so tiny when she was first born, my mom brought us some preemie sized sleepers and hats. The hats still fit, but her sleepers are too small. I love my little doll - I can't believe she's outgrowing clothes already.

First day

Today is my first day home, without help. It's just me....and a baby. Thankfully, (and I can't say that enough), Little Bean has been really great today... sleeping for long periods and eating well. I did manage to get a shower and dry my hair. Actually, Little Bean started crying just as I got the shampoo in, but by the time I rinsed it and turned off the water, she had stopped...and slept for a couple more hours. I didn't manage to eat lunch until 2pm.

Somehow, we ended up house-sitting my parents puppy for a week or two while they are visiting my sister. It was fine while my mom was here too, but today is the first day of me home alone...with two dogs...and one of them is an insane little puppy. So, while Little Bean has been great today, I woke up twice last night for the puppy - once because she sounded like she was going to throw up, and once because she actually did throw up. When I finally managed to get Little Bean to sleep in her bassinet so I could eat lunch, I found dog doo in the dining room. My first day home with the baby is going well, but I'm not sure I'll survive the day with the puppy. And she will be here another week. I'm not sure I'll make it.

Unrelated baby news... Little Bean is gaining weight really well. She had a pediatrician appointment yesterday and weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces (her birth weight was 6 pounds, 5.5 oz), and she's an inch taller than when she was born. She's growing so quickly!

Abundance

Sometimes, there is so much going on in my life, and so many emotions all at once, that it is overwhelming. I avoid my blog since I don't hardly know where or how I would start to describe it all. I am in one of those times.

Baby girl, my snuggle bug who I love to call Little Bean, is absolutely amazing. I love her sweet little face. I absolutely love all the funny expressions she makes. She sure can communicate a lot with just her little face that is the size of a small grapefruit.

I know she needs to grow and get bigger. Health equals growth. I know that, and of course, I want her to be healthy and grow. Yet, my heart aches at the thought of it. I know that she is changing each hour and day and I'll never get these moments back. I try to take as many photos as I can, only to be frustrated at my cameras in ability to capture her sweetness. Instead, I resort to spending hours snuggling her close and trying my hardest to remember how she looks and feels. Yesterday, I fed her and she fell asleep in my arm afterwards. We snuggled and I tried my hardest to hold her close and not wake her. We sat like that until it was time to feed her again a couple hours later.

My most favorite thing about her right now is the complete satisfied, drunken look she will get on her face after she's eaten (or in the midst of eating, more like it). It cracks me up. Usually, it's during a feeding, and I need to rouse her to get her to eat some more. Oh... I hate to interrupt her drunken bliss, it is just so sweet.

There are not enough words for love, sweet, adorable in our language.

She's Here!!!

Baby girl has arrived! I think she's the cutest thing ever, but I'm sure all moms think that.


She weighed 6 lbs, 5.5oz, and was 19.5 inches tall. She's tiny! She is swimming in her newborn clothes, so I'm glad I got a few newborn sized things (some people advised just to let her wear big 0-3 mo clothes...but I think they would just fall off). I need a few premie hats, since her little hats just fall off - they are way, way too big. She is a huge snuggle bug, and is most content snuggled up with someone.

What a blessing during Holy week. She is such a great miracle and gift from God. After all of the drama about my preeclampsia, I was blessed to be able to deliver naturally at our birth center. It all went very quickly... I started labor at about 10pm at home, had a handful of contractions that were 10 minutes apart, then they immediately went to 4 minutes apart. We got to the birth center at about 2am and they were 2 minutes apart. She was born at 6am on the dot. Ha - her punctuality did not come from her parents! I'll post the full birth story later. For now, we're just working on learning to eat. It's been more difficult than I anticipated. I'm so thankful hubs is here to help - he is having to help me feed her more than I thought he would. I'm doing fine, but Snuggle Bug would rather snuggle and sleep.

Praise God for his merciful love.

Passing the time

I started a bedrest project that I'm excited about. Now, I should be spending more time writing my thank-you notes, but they will get done in time.

I've been talking for a while about making Snapfish photo albums, but it has yet to ever happen. Part of the problem is that the first step is loading all the photos into snapfish, which takes a really long time, since I'll be doing a year or two at a time.

It's the perfect bedrest project! I don't have to pull out lots of craft supplies, or make a big mess that needs to be cleaned up later. I can just do it all on my laptop from whatever chair or couch I'm in, and I can just do as much or as little at a time as I have energy for.

Maybe by the time baby girl arrives I'll have the last couple years in albums we can enjoy.

So far, I've only uploaded a ton of photos. After I do the rest, I'll let you know how it goes. Any of you ever made photo albums on Snapfish before?

Monday gratitude

Today was ok, tonight was hard. Just long. I couldn't remember the day of the week to put in the title of the post, and when I realized it was Monday, I groaned inwardly. Only Monday. A whole week ahead. I guess I really do need this post.

I went to the midwife today. Everything is looking great- holding steady. That's the best they can hope for right now. That should be great...I should be thrilled. I just keep thinking about how I might be on bedrest for 2.5 more weeks. I'm so selfish - that's really selfish. I should be ecstatic that I'm not being induced today.

So, today, on this Monday, I am grateful for:

• Sleeping in my bed tonight, rather than a hospital bed
• That baby girl has more time to come out on her own
• A friend of mine called today and will be coming over on Thursday
• We lasagna tonight that another friend brought over yesterday
• Hubs hugs me when I cry, which is about daily right now
• The midwife thinks the baby is 6-7 pounds, which sounds a lot easier to push out than a 10 pound baby

That's all I've got. Happy Monday.

the nursery

The nursery is as done as it's going to get before the baby arrives. I was hoping to sew the crib skirt and bumper in these weeks, but it will have to wait. I'm not a very experienced seamstress, so taking on such projects is not conducive to keeping my blood pressure down.

I am so thankful for the hours of work that hubs put in to painting the furniture, for my mom spending her entire Saturday afternoon yesterday sewing the curtain for me, and for my Grandma who made the beautiful Beatrix Potter quilted wall hanging. I know baby girl will love all these gifts!





This bassinet will be baby's first bed, in our room. It was a gift from a couple at our church. I think it is so adorable! What a gift!



Everything is washed, folded and waiting. all we need now is a baby!