MIA

Sorry I've been MIA this week.  There's been a LOT happening around here, and all of it needs to make it's way over here to be documented at some point. 

Unfortunately, I went back to work this week, so that has ummm... sucked. 

Also, the Rangers are in the WORLD SERIES, so clearly we've been busy mentally willing this thing to happen!

We did make it over to the pumpkin patch before church one morning as well.  Here's a picture during the 5 minutes Avery tolerated it:

Sweet Baby Jesus (or Why Mary is My Homegirl)

Seeing as I am not, in fact, a Catholic I have never really paid too much attention to Mary outside of the Christmas season.  However, since becoming a mother myself, I have been thinking a lot more about Jesus's mom, and the baby Jesus, and I have so. many. questions.

For example, did baby Jesus:

• spit up down the back of Mary's 30 billionth fresh tunic right before they were about to leave for the market?
• wait until Mary's cart was full and then decide to go into freak out mode for no apparent reason?
• have dirty diapers so massive they made Mary say, "Oh, Jesus!" and call Joseph over to look?
• sleep through the night from birth?
• be all sweet and nursing and then grab Mary's breast with his baby razor claws?
• cry for so long Mary made Joseph strap him on the donkey and take a ride around the block?

They wrapped him swaddling clothes, though, so I'm guessing there was some screaming. 

Then the shepherds show up to check out her baby and discuss what the angels told them.  And "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)  Well, I'll bet so. 

See, this new mom thing is stressful.  (And I'm only basing this on my own personal experience, maybe the rest of you paid more attention in the how not to kill your baby prenatal classes.)  Those first few days with your new baby are unreal.  You are constantly worried you will somehow break them, or immediately scar them for life.  I never imagined there would be so many decisions to make in just the first few days, and no one will tell you what to do, they just keep giving you options and being all "It's your decision, mom!" while you frantically look around trying to figure out whose mom they are talking to.  Then they send you home and you Google like you have never Googled before.  And your baby is a normal human.

Then, there's Mary.  Whose baby is most decidedly not just a normal human.  But she does not freak out.  Instead, she treasures it all up and she ponders it. 

So, thank you, Mary, for reminding me to not freak out. Our situations are incredibly different for sure, but I can try to focus less on the unknown and spend more time treasuring moments with my daughter and trusting in your son.   Blessed are you among women, homegirl.

2 Months

Today Avery is 2 months old!  This month seemed to go a little slower than last, which I was so grateful for.  She did a ton of growing and changing this month.  Here are the stats from the doctor's appointment today:

Height: 23.25 inches

Weight: 12lbs 13oz

Head: 16 inches

Basically, she is one big ole healthy baby.  She's currently wearing anything from size 3 months to 6 months, and all of the newborn clothes have been officially retired.  Tear. 

Today was the first round of vaccinations as well, and little bit handled it like a champ.  Sam and I got our flu vaccines at the same time, you know, for solidarity.  Avery definitely screamed her giant little head off, but calmed right down once I was able to hold her again, and she hasn't really been fussy at all today.  We love love love her pediatrician's office, by the way.

Overall, this month has been all about awareness.  Following us with her eyes, smiling, and "talking" have all popped up over the last few weeks.  She zeroes in on us as soon as she hears our voices, and can follow us across the room.  I am also loving the megawatt smiles I get in the morning when I go in to nurse her.  The changing table is still her favorite place in the house and after she's changed we spend a few minutes just reveling in the coos and squeals. 

And then, there's the sleep.  So. Amazing.  We are now getting at least one 5-8 hour stretch per night, and it is fabulous.  Now, I just need to train myself to go to sleep when you do, so I can get the full benefit!

She's still loving the swaddle, "showers", her swing, ceiling fans and nursing.  A new development this month was tolerating the carrier.  Alas, Avery is proving to be kind of a yuppie baby.  She still will have nothing to do with the Moby, but loves her some Baby Bjorn.  (And yes, I have watched every tutorial there is for the Moby wrap, homegirl is just not having it!)  I think she likes that she can see out the sides of the Baby Bjorn better.  Now, instead of hauling the car seat in and out of stores, we just use the carrier.  Avery gets to see what's happening, and I get a little bit of a workout.  Win-win!

We seriously could not love this little girl more.  She brings joy to our hearts and purpose to our days.  Love you to the moon and back, Avery!

Swing Swing Swing

Avery loves her swing.  Mommy loves being able to shower without Avery doing the ugly cry. 

In short, thanks for the swing Aunt Lauren & Uncle Steve!

Big Plans

I had big plans for today.  A list of chores to accomplish and errands to run.  Things like bedroom organization and menu planning and, well, showering.
But every time I put little bit down in her swing or under her activity mat to hang out for a minute while I got things done, she would express her displeasure.  So finally, I got the message.  I sat and held my baby for the better part of the afternoon.  We read stories and made faces at each other and had a good long heart to heart.

Then the hubs came home and he felt awful.  So I sent him to bed, grabbed Avery and we made a quick trip to the store for supplies.  When we got home I unloaded and made Sam soup and toast and tea, and took it to him on a tray.

Then I nursed Avery and we read some more.  (Side Note: in addition to actual children's books, we're currently reading Her Fearful Symmetry, because, well, she can listen to me read for really extended periods of time, and you can only do so much Cat in the Hat.)

Now, the day is over, and my kitchen and the nursery are still the only clean rooms in my house.  The errands did not get run.  And, um, I never did get a shower.  But I got to see every new smile that crossed tat sweet girls face, and my husband feels well loved (if not actually well), and that makes today a pretty productive day in my book.

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend Sam was off Friday and Saturday, which is a not-so-minor miracle in this household.  Now I know how all you normal families feel :)

Friday night I put on actual lady clothes for the first time in months (as opposed to maternity clothes and / or sweatpants) and Sam and I went out for sushi and Starbucks.  I made Sam take a picture of Avery and I when we got home because there are 3,496 photos of Sam and Avery and 2 of her and I. 

I just have a few comments regarding this photo. 

a) Thanks to Ain't No Mom Jeans for convincing me to try skinny jeans.  I'm not 100% sold, but for $17 (thank you sale at Old Navy!) it was a worthy experiment.  Also, I'm hoping that wearing something with the word "skinny" in it will send a message to my muffin top (or really, let's just call it what it is... mom top) to get it in gear. b) I totally signed up for Weight Watchers again after I saw this photo.  c)Why is my child looking at me like, "Who the crud are you??" Sigh.

"I'm sorry... Do I know you?

Whatever, we had fun and the sushi was delicious!  It was a much needed date night, so thanks to my mom and dad for babysitting. 

Saturday Avery got to experience her first Rangers game!

Avery got too nervous to watch when they were down 2-1.  Man up, Avery.

We were bummed that we weren't there last night when they clinched the division, but it was a happy festive day today knowing that they were in the playoffs for sure.  Naturally, Avery attracted tons of attention for being completely tiny and adorable. 

Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way through the game because we live on the face of the sun it is still ridiculously hot here, and our seats crept out of the shade.  We didn't think giving her heat stroke would make Avery a fan for life, so we headed out early.   We did, however, stop by the gift shop on our way out and purchase Avery's post-season outfit as all of her other Rangers gear is still too big for her.  Matching Mommy/Daughter shirts aren't lame if they are sports related, right? 

One Month Update

So, where has the time gone?  I cannot believe that it has been more than a month since Avery arrived.  I'm not going to lie, the days kind of blur together from one feeding and diaper change to the next, with very little sleep and some dishes and laundry thrown in for good measure.  For instance, I started this post the day before she turned one month... and that was 8 days ago!! 

I'll be completely honest, I wasn't sure how I would feel about being a mom.  As an only child I got pretty used to alone time, and now there would be this little person there... all the time... with constant needs.  However, it is amazing how much joy the simple tasks of feeding and diaper changes and tummy time bring me.  It catches me off guard on a regular basis, and I treasure this time that we have together.

Avery is changing so quickly!  She has lost her newborn scrunch face, and has turned into a baby.  A big baby!  At her doctor's appointment last Monday she weighed in at 10lbs 11oz and was 22.5 inches long. 

She is also meeting all of her developmental milestones.  She can hold her head up (although it's still a little wobbly!), follow things across the midline, and we have seen a few starter smiles that will absolutely melt your heart. 
As a very discerning baby, here are a list of Avery's likes & dislikes at 1 month old:

Likes:

• Being swaddled
• Sam is an excellent swaddler.  I, however, am really good at using the special swaddle blankets and making sure one of the two that we own is always clean enough to use.
• Feeding
• She is definitely our kid in this regard, and loves loves loves to eat!  We had a rough start with the breastfeeding due to the jaundice and my IV situation, but our pediatrician recommended a fabulous lactation consultant who did an in-home visit that straightened us out.  Now, she's pretty much a champ.  We haven't mastered public situations, but hopefully will soon so that we can be completely formula free (mostly because I hate washing bottles...)
• The Swing
• Loves it.  I love getting things done while she's in it.
• Showers
• Avery is not a huge fan of baths.  However, when we spray her down with the sink attachment she goes into baby bliss mode. 

Dislikes

• Not being fed immediately when she's hungry
• Dirty diapers
• Being strapped in the car seat and not moving
• Sleeping for longer than 3 hours
• Side Note: Avery is also the. noisiest. sleeper. ever.  Grunts, squeaks, throat clearing, she's like a 90 year old man.  This earned her graduation to her crib much sooner than anticipated.  But seriously, her room is 5 feet away from ours and we don't have to use the monitor because she is that loud. 

So, that's where we are at one month (or, almost 6 weeks at this point).  We love this little girl with all of our hearts and can't wait to see what two months will bring!