15 weeks!

Gosh, has it really been over a month since I posted here?! Geez! I’m going to attribute the bulk of that to going back to work, even if it is only part time. Time sure does fly by…

I feel like we’ve had more ‘firsts’ too that I don’t want to forget! I had my first mother’s day, Tori was dedicated at church, Tori’s first real laugh, Tori’s first time in daycare, Tori’s first time with a babysitter, Tori’s first visit with Aunt Laura and Uncle Steve–so much!

Mother’s day was a very sweet day, and I loved that we got to dedicate our little girl to the Lord! We pray that we can be godly parents to her. One of the more profound moments for us before she was born was when someone shared with us that the goal of Christian parents was not to rear a godly child but to BE godly parents. Sure, we help her along and point her in the right direction, but the ultimate decision when she’s older of how to live her life and where to place her trust and faith is hers.

I realized after the fact that I probably should’ve taken a picture of Tori on her first day at daycare, but I was an emotional mess! The night before, David graciously offered to follow us out to daycare at 6:30am and stay for a little bit with our girl until she settled in. I had to be at work pretty quickly after drop-off, but it really eased my mind to know he was watching out for her for a bit. Her time there has been full of emotional moments for me as a mommy. Hindsight is always 20/20. But, we are adjusting to them and they are adjusting to her. Things aren’t perfect, but improvement is good.

Tori has started to laugh on occasion. I never know exactly when it’s going to pop up, and so far when it does, there’s never a camera around! One of these days I’ll capture that sweet sound, but for now, here’ s a few more fun smiling pics.

David and I celebrated 9 wonderful years of marriage this month too! One great achievement that came from this was Tori’s first time with a babysitter. Granted, it was a friend and fellow CRNA, PALS-certified, and adores Tori–that helps. Thank you, Jen!

One final funny moment (because this post is already too long!) was when I came in one morning to get Tori up for the day and found her like this:

Yep, time to start weaning her swaddle!

double digits!

Li’l Tori is 10 weeks old–wow!

We had a couple highlights this past week that I wanted to share, and I must say that I think Tori did famously!

We had our first, just the 3 of us, dinner out on the town, such as it is. And by that, I mean we sat at outdoor tables and had some yummy sushi and delicious froyo! David came home one night and asked if we could go out, so we just did! No planning, no worrying (on my part about all the germs we’d encounter)–we just went, and it was great! (Can’t believe I didn’t get a pic of this, but next time!)

Secondly, Tori had a new sleep record–she went 9.25 hours between feedings one night! Granted, it hasn’t been that long again since, but she’s still consistently giving us 8+ hours each night between feeds (going 3 weeks strong!)–kudos to BabyWise and diligent parenting, IMHO! She’s even waking up happy…

We also had our first Easter together on Sunday, and while the day and picture weren’t perfect, it was still a beautiful thing…

my baby girl is 2 months old

I’m amazed at how quickly this baby girl grows–I feel like there are things that change almost daily in her. The past week or so alone has already made such a difference in her ability to hold her head more steady, push off things with her legs, lift her head a bit off the ground when on her tummy, and strengthen her vocal abilities. Her nana says that she’s got a low tone to her voice–maybe she’ll be an alto singer like her momma. She’s so very alert these days too–looking back and forth at things, tracking objects/people in front of her as they move, kicking her legs a LOT, being more and more vocal. It’s really been fun to work with her and try to see things through her world. We’ll lay on the ground together for tummy time, and I find myself trying to follow her eyes and look at what she looks at, see things how she does. It’s like rediscovering things all over again.

As I was trying to snap some cutesy pics of her kicking and having a grand ol’ time, I feel like she was practicing for Dancing with the Stars or Riverdance… so cute!

7 weeks old!

My little peanut is growing up so fast already–7 weeks old!

Highlights from Tori’s life this past week include: more smiles and coos in response to me and David, tracking well with her eyes as we move about the room, holding her head more steady each day, starting to outgrow some of her 3-month clothes, starting on Zantac for her reflux, and stretching out her time between late night and early morning feedings. We had one night with 8 hours between feedings, and a couple that were 6-7.5 hours apart–woohoo! Progress! And I believe the Zantac is helping as well, even though it’s only been a few days–she’s still spitting up plenty (no big surprise there), but she’s not shrieking out or arching her back mid-feed and after like she had been before. PTL!

thankfully, she still enjoys snuggling with David and me…

I’ve got sunshiiiine on a cloudy day

It’s a little rainy here in Jax this week, but my li’l sweet pea makes even the gray, gloomy days seem wonderful. And frankly, I’ll take the occasional rainy day to get in some good nap times (assuming Tori cooperates, of course ).

Tori is 6 1/2 weeks old already! I had taken a few pics earlier in the week, but I haven’t posted them yet–been a busy couple days. She’s doing well overall–changing so much with each week that goes by. She’s been smiling more on her own, which is so so fun, and she’s definitely finding her voice and becoming more vocal with coos and squawks. She can track us if we walk across the room or she can turn to look if we call her from another part of the room. She’s focusing more on our faces too, which is so great! It’s like she’s really looking at us now, and she’s still smiling! Tori is still struggling with reflux to the point that we started her on some zantac to help. It’s not terrible all day long (worst in afternoon/evening hours), but it’s definitely waking her from naps during the day. I’m ready for her to not hurt! I know many babies have reflux and that she will outgrow this on her own without help from medicines and whatnot, but I think she could be an even happier baby if her symptoms were lessened. Time will tell…

Here’s a couple fun pics–one early morning smile, one mid-squeal, and one representing the home team!

she’s smiling!

…and not just with gas!

sleeping in the crib at last

My little angel has unofficially made the transition into her crib full-time. I say unofficially because it’s only been for one full night so far, but that night went pretty well. I’ve been napping her in the crib for a while, but she’s continued to stay in the bassinet in our bedroom at night so I don’t have to fumble out to the nursery for the late-night feedings. (I like the warm convenience of bedside nursing. ) This transition is a bittersweet thing for me, I have to say. I love being able to just look over the edge of my bed into her bassinet and see her sleeping, hear her soft breathing and occasional squawk, give the siderail a jiggle of two to get her back to dreamland. But I also love having my hubs next to me in bed, which was intermittent with the tiny squeaker next to me. So, last night as David was getting ready to sleep next door in order to get good rest before his work week started, I made the fast decision to try and sleep her in the crib so David could be in our bed and get good rest too. Overall I think it went well. I only had one ‘false alarm’ that caused me to unnecessarily go into her room only to find her fast asleep, so that’s a small victory in my book. She did great–I think it’s her momma that just needs to relax a bit.

David and I also had our first (of what I assume will be many) pediatrician late-night calls. Tori’s little eye was a little weepy with some yellowish stuff, and David had a bit of a cold, so we made a special trip in to see Dr. Joyner and be sure all was well. Poor Tori has had to endure some eye ointment, but it seems like it was just a plugged tear duct and that she was having some allergy issues (have I mentioned the ridiculous pollen count down here right now?!). Whew! It’s looking much better now though!

My parents were in town for a few days this past week, and what a treat for Nana and Grampa to meet little Tori! My mom got sick while here, which was a super-bummer, but I guess that just means she needs to come back soon. Uncle Chad and Aunt Christy also got to meet my li’l sweet pea, and that too was so fun. Here are a few of my favorite memories…

time flies

I can’t believe we’ve been home for a month already since our little bundle of joy arrived! This has truly been one of the best things ever; it has been full of ups and downs, good days and tougher days (and nights!). But I absolutely treasure this little baby–sometimes when I’m snuggling up with her, I still find myself thinking that I can’t believe I am her mommy and get to be with her so much! What a blessing.

This past week has been challenging with trying to figure out Tori’s sleeping needs, working around her growth spurt, helping her learn to take a bottle, and learning that some crying is going to be inevitable. Listening to her cry as she gets off to sleep can be so mentally exhausting! I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those moms that can just let her kid cry it out for an hour or more while ‘learning the skill of sleep’. I’m lucky to get to the 5 minute mark before going in to recheck diaper, swaddle, etc. and soothe her back to her droopy-eyed state. <sigh>She has good days and bad days, but one thing I have definitely learned–respect her sleep time. She gets easily overstimulated and overtired, and then she has an even tougher time getting to sleep, and then she’s tired and doesn’t nurse well, yadda yadda. This parenting stuff is no joke!

On a lighter note, she’s slowly doing a little bit more, like starting to hold her head up a little bit and pushing with her legs when she’s having some tummy time.

And much to her daddy’s chagrin, she keeps finding and sucking her thumb–I think she got that from me.

3 weeks already?!

Some days feel a little long, yet the weeks seem to fly by–I can’t believe my little one is 3 weeks old!

We had a great check-up with the pediatrician last week–weighing in at 9 lb, 5 oz and measuring 21.25 inches long–hooray! The doctor came in and said, “she is the average height and weight… of a 2 month old.” Tori is having some trouble with reflux, which is pretty common in the little ones. It’s so frustrating for us as we try to prevent the massive spit-up sessions and keep her body somewhat upright especially after feedings–slowly we are figuring it out though. Poor li’l thing. But, other than the reflux, clean bill of health–thank You, Lord.

I think she may have hit a bit of a growth spurt–she’s eating a little more frequently and definitely more voraciously in the last couple days. She’s doing pretty well with Baby Wise, and we are learning and growing together more each day. I would love to be able to give her the “gift of sleep,” as they like to say. Although this pic makes it look like she’s got it all covered already.

So, how’s daddy doing, you ask? David has been an amazing father! He’s been taking great care of me and Tori, and he’s been so wonderful to give me an hour or two of uninterrupted rest in the late evening until he’s ready to sleep himself. He headed back to work full time this week, so Tori and I are working on a daytime routine while he’s away. Yesterday Tori and I managed to do some grocery shopping, sew some blankets, and even take the dog for a walk. I think it’s good for my hormones and sanity to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine. And while Tori is doing well with her 3 hour schedule of feeding–awake time–asleep time, David’s still spending a night or two each week outside of our bedroom to make sure he gets solid sleep at least a couple nights a week for work-related stuff. Hopefully that won’t last too long, poor guy.

And to end on a high note, here’s a short picture montage of our wake-up and eat routine… enjoy!

starting to wake up...

why is it so bright outside?

really? another picture?

<yawn> and now you're using flash?! i'm up, i promise!

with a full heart

I don’t really have anything profound or earth-shattering to talk about, but I’m contentedly sitting next to my sleeping daughter and thought I’d give an update.

I’m loving on my li’l sweet pea as much as possible (in-laws are here this week, so it’s a little less-so than usual), and I’m learning more about her constantly. I find that God gives us the grace for each day and the little ‘challenges’ and learning exercises we encounter. We are making progress in understanding her days/nights, her cries, her needs, her likes/dislikes. Her days and nights are still off by a few hours, but she has been going for one 4-5 hour stretch of sleep at night, which is a blessing. She definitely has a span of 2 or so hours each evening when she is barely consolable, and I have shed more tears for her in these hours than any other. From all I’ve read and heard from other moms, it’s not uncommon to have this super-fussy time on a daily basis–but be encouraged! This too shall pass. The rest of the day is pretty much plain ol’ wonderful. I love this girl!

We’ve been implementing the Baby Wise method (utilizing cycles of feed-awake-asleep) along with the 5 Ss from Happiest Baby on the Block, and we’re pretty pleased with the results. We have by no means perfected any of it nor do we stick to everything down to the letter. We have, however, found some very useful techniques for soothing her and getting her into a routine, and for those I am grateful.

I am physically feeling good–it’s been several days since I’ve taken anything for pain (not even Motrin), and I’m getting around very well. I won’t be back to running for a bit yet because, well, ‘stuff’ isn’t quite healed up enough for that. I’ve had some emotional ups and downs, especially when trying to figure out the inconsolable times and dealing with personal over-stimulation due to visitors and houseguests. But David has been a rock and such a strong support to me and a great dad to our daughter, and that has made all the difference.

Well, it’s about time to go feed Tori Grace again and get ready for our 2-week check up with the pediatrician this morning. Will write more soon…

Have you ever seen such cute feet?!