Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wonderful Wednesday's

Dear Katie,

Today we had, yet, another "Wonderful Wednesday" together. The only difference, this time we got to play with Grandma Carole and your Great Aunt Sandy! As always, you were the absolutely perfect baby. You woke up in the BEST mood, smiling like crazy. You played on your activity mat, kicking around, playing and shaking all of the toys and even spent some time in your jumperoo. We finally had to take you out of there, after you started to get very upset that one of the toys, attached to the tray, wouldn't fit into your mouth!

Around lunchtime, we took you over to Aunt Sandy's, picked her up and then went to a new restaurant in the Brookhaven area. As we were wrapping up lunch, the waiter came over to tell us how amazed he was at how well behaved you were! He said that most babies your age are usually not interested in sitting in a restaurant, but you were so good! That's my girl! :) I'm sure it means that we are in for it pretty soon.

This afternoon, we took you to the Chattahoochee River for a nice 3-mile walk. As always, you just looked around, kicked your feet and eventually took a nap.

We only have a few more Wednesday's together, so I am looking forward to planning some very fun adventures for us over the next few weeks!

Sleep well, sweet pea!

Love,
Mama

Sunday, April 25, 2010

First Tooth!

Dear Katie,

Yesterday morning I decided to feel along your bottom gum line to see if I could feel any progress with those little teeth of yours. You've been drooling up a storm, chewing on anything you can get your hands on and, sometimes, getting a little irritable (until I apply some Baby Orajel to your gums). I honestly didn't think I would feel anything, but got a nice surprise! Sure enough your first tooth has popped through on the bottom right center!

Razor sharp. Like puppy teeth.

Mommy's just glad she discovered it with her finger instead of while you were eating! ;)

You're growing up, baby girl...

Love,
Mama

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Bananas

Dear Katie,

You're moving on up, girl! You have officially graduated from rice cereal and oatmeal, and today you had your first experience with a fruit. Good 'ole bananas! I wish we had gotten a couple of your reactions on camera, but they were so quick that each time we missed them. The one in particular I remember the clearest is you making a "gagging" face! I think you even pursed your lips together at one point, in an attempt to convey to us that you had no desire to eat anymore! Overall, though, you did extremely well and appeared to have a very good appetite (as always)!

We will continue with the bananas tomorrow and Monday before we move onto the Sweet Potatoes! Exciting stuff, let me tell you!

Love,
Mama

Monday, April 19, 2010

Busy Busy

Dear Katie,

Mommy has been very busy lately and hasn't been able to find any time to update your blog. It's been a good type of busy, though! This weekend, "Nana" Sundi came to visit you. She hadn't seen you since we drove you down to Orlando when you were 3 months old, so it had been quite some time!

When we picked you up from school on Friday, I honestly couldn't believe my eyes - you were sitting in your favorite bouncy seat and holding your bottle all by yourself!! One of your teachers had told me you like to hold it, but I just assumed you were resting your hands on the bottle - not that you were off on your own, feeding yourself! It was so cute to see, but sort of tugged at my heart strings at the same time.

We had quite an eventful weekend, and as always you were such a doll baby. We took you to lunch over in Grant Park, strolled through a very historic cemetery, took you to church on Sunday (the church ladies thought you were the SWEETEST baby!) and strolled along the Silver Comet Trail.

I had really hoped after a busy weekend you would sleep well last night, but you had other plans for us. For whatever reason, you woke up 3 times last night in hysterics. I'm assuming it's your gums that are bothering you, but I could be wrong. Needless to say, with me not being able to sleep and you waking up way too many times, your Mother is tired tonight. 2 hours of sleep is not enough for your Mama!

So, tonight, I am keeping my fingers crossed that you sleep...but given that you fell asleep after only 3 ounces of your 7 ounce bottle, I have a feeling it will be another long night. But, that's part of being a Mother isn't it? ;)

Love,
Mommy

Monday, April 12, 2010

5 Months Ago Today...

Dear Katie,

5 months ago, at this very moment, we were in the hospital room looking at you, holding you, and trying to grasp the idea that you were finally in our lives. I was exhausted after having a ton of IV fluid pumped into my body, as well as getting an epidural, and then surgery to bring you into the world. Don't forget even just the flood of emotions we were experiencing.

In so many ways, I can remember these moments as if they were yesterday, but in other ways, it feels as though you have always been here. So many people told me this would happen, but I never believed them until now. Your Dad and I asked each other a couple times over the weekend how is it possible that you have been alive for 5 full months. 5 MONTHS! Almost half of a year! It's honestly crazy.

It seems like yesterday you would spend most of your day sleeping/laying in our arms, and these days you are the happiest being active. You love to lay on your mat kicking, spending time on your tummy and looking at your fingers and toes. Just recently you have started to grab a hold of your feet, although you don't look at them as much as you do your hands. You LOVE to be taken on walks...we love to stroll you around the neighborhood, take you to the Silver Comet Trail and even the Chattahoochee River Trail. This weekend, we introduced you to a "jumperoo", but you haven't quite mastered the concept of jumping. I am sure, before we know it, this is all you will want to do!

You are now eating oatmeal in the evening - an upgrade from rice cereal - and seem to like it. Soon, we are going to start moving in the direction of you eating oatmeal two times/day - hopefully by next week. You're still getting breast milk throughout the day, primarily from me pumping and, according to your teachers, have started to hold your own bottle.

We love to try to find different ways to make you laugh, and we've definitely learned we can't do the same trick more than once! You get tired of our tricks pretty quick, and seem to laugh at the most random things. Tonight, you started laughing just because I laughed...and then you wouldn't stop! It was the perfect way to end your bedtime routine.

Your Daddy and I are looking forward to seeing how much you change/develop over the next month, taking you on adventures and having visits from family and friends. I am sure we are in for many wonderful surprises!

Happy 5 months!

Love,
Mommy

Saturday, April 10, 2010

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Dear Katie,

We had such a nice day with you today, enjoying the beautiful weather. This afternoon, we decided to try something new and took you down by the Chattahoochee River and walked/ran 3.5 miles. It's a beautiful setting - the paved trail runs alongside the river for a 1/2 mile and then curves/wraps all around streams, mini waterfalls, etc. Before we knew it, you were sound asleep breathing in the cool air.

We came home, and after you ate, we packed you back up again and took you and Tungsten to the dog park. I thought it may be nice for you to go into the Baby Bjorn b/c a) you would be secure and b) you could look around at all of the animals. While I couldn't see you, since you were facing out, Daddy told me repeatedly that you had a very big smile on your face! It was nice to watch Tungsten run around with other doggies and run after his ball.

We did decide, however, that it's not safe to take you to the dog park. While we tried to stay away from the dogs, there were a few that were very interested in checking you out...not safe!

You're still raspy-sounding from having the Croup, and we are anxious for you to get to sounding better. I'm hoping you will continue to use this weekend as a way to rest up, get some sleep and feel better.

We love you!

Love,
Mommy

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Croup

Dear Katie,

After waking up a second morning in a row with a raspy voice, I decided it was time to call the doctor and get you in for an appointment. Thankfully, your primary pediatrician was available to see you (I love her) right away. When we arrived, she saw us coming down the hall and immediately had a look of "oh no" on her face - she knew you weren't due to come back in for a visit since you were just there for your 4-month check-up!

I took you into Room #6 (our standard room), and told the sweet nurse what had been going on with you over the past 3 days. She listened to your chest and heard quite a bit of congestion. This prompted her to take your pulse and measure your oxygen levels - something I have never seen them do before. While a little alarming, I knew that everything would be fine. Thankfully, your levels were at 97% (out of 100%)- PHEW! That was a very good sign!

When Dr. Wolfe came into the room, I re-explained what I had just told the nurse. She listened to your breathing and agreed that there was quite a bit of congestion. She asked me if there was any possibility that you had inhaled a "foreign object", and I said that I didn't think so. While I know everything you put into your mouth at home, I don't necessarily know what goes on at daycare! I asked her if she thought this is what the problem was, and thankfully she said no, but it was a standard question whenever there is this level of congestion.

As if you knew what was going on, you let out a very loud cough right on cue - immediately the congestion cleared up for a bit. While I know you didn't do this on purpose, I still want to say thank you! You immediately relieved the doctor's mind that anything was inhaled and she was able to diagnose the problem.

You have or had the croup! Many of my friends said a couple days ago they thought this was the problem after you had the "barking" cough, but I didn't think it would go away so quickly. It turns out the cough is just one symptom of this virus, and the raspy voice is what really gave it away to the doctor.

She told me she thought you were over the hump and now on the mend, although your cough will probably linger for a couple weeks. Luckily, because I waited to take you in, she did not want to put you on any form of medications. FYI: Your Daddy and I are not fans of you taking medications when they aren't necessary!!!

The doctor reassured me we are doing everything right in terms of taking care of you/treating this virus and to just be patient - it will go away soon!

It has been quite obvious you haven't felt well given your overall demeanor. You aren't your constant cheerful self, which I miss (especially on my one day off with you!), but I know it's only temporary. Hopefully by tomorrow, my happy baby will be back!

Your Daddy and I took you and the dog out for a nice walk on the Silver Comet Trail tonight and that seemed to cheer you up quite a bit...that and a nice dinner (milk) when we got home! :)

Please get some rest tonight and feel better.

We love you!

Love,
Mommy

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

1 Year Ago Today...

Dear Katie,

April 6th is a very special day for Mommy and Daddy, as one year ago today was the day we learned I was pregnant with you! I will never forget that day, as well as the couple days leading up to the moment I took the pregnancy test. The Friday night before (April 3rd), your Daddy and I had dinner with your Great Aunt Sandy and Great Uncle Don, as well as with Daddy's cousins. I had had a very long week at work and all I wanted to do was to have a nice cold glass of beer. I hadn't had but a couple of sips and remember practically falling asleep right there at the dinner table! I pushed the beer to the side, ate my dinner, and counted down the minutes until I could go home and crawl into bed.

The next day we hung around the house doing chores. We planned to meet up with everyone later in the afternoon, but couldn't leave until I took a little nap - something your Mommy rarely does. When I woke up two hours later, we both thought that maybe I was coming down with something because napping (especially that long) just isn't something I do, let alone for 2 hours! Once again, while at dinner, I thought I was going to fall asleep right in the middle of eating! Something wasn't right.

Sunday morning, your Daddy and I had to take his cousin up to the Appalachian Trail in the North Carolina mountains. During the drive, my back started to ache terribly and all I could think about was both eating (a lot) and sleeping! It suddenly occurred to me that maybe I was pregnant. NO...really? Could it be? I kept quiet until later that night. I had a small wave of nausea and decided that maybe I should tell your Dad that I was planning on taking a pregnancy test the next afternoon.

All day Monday, April 6th, I was sitting at work feeling extremely ancy. I was terrified to take the pregnancy test - only because I figured I had gotten my hopes up and it would be negative. After all this time of wanting to get pregnant, could it be that it had actually happened?

I raced home, but then decided I wasn't ready to take the test. I made dinner, ate, did the dishes and while your Dad was watching some TV, I snuck upstairs to take the test. The instructions say to wait a full 5 minutes before reviewing the results, but I didn't have to! Within 2 minutes, the test was showing the darkest two red lines and I knew it! I WAS PREGNANT!!!!!

I walked downstairs, shaking, held the test up in front of your Dad's face and said, "Look!" He asked me what it was and what it meant (I believe he was in denial) and I told him we were going to have a baby.

And, there you have it...that's where the journey officially began. 7 months later, you were born...and here it is one year to the date of when I took the test, and you are just shy of 5 months old. It's truly a miracle, and one that we are both SO thankful for.

Love,
Mommy

Monday, April 5, 2010

First Day of School: Take 2

Dear Katie,

Wow, honey, today you had a BIG day! Today was the first day at your new school! I'm not sure about you, but I am very happy that you are at this school/daycare as opposed to where you have been for the past few weeks. Daddy and I felt it made more sense to have you closer to home in the event that either a) I have plans after work or b) I am sick and am unable to take you/pick you up. Not to mention, I just like this place so much better than where you were!

I enjoyed meeting your new teachers - Miss Laura and Miss Lucita! I called the school a couple of times today to check in on you and each time I received rave reviews! Both teachers were so impressed by how alert you are and LOVED that you are such a cuddler! When I picked you up, I had a note stating how they spent the day getting to know you and gave you lots of hugs! That made Mommy very, very happy to hear.

Last night you had a rough night...it seems as though this cold (or allergies?) is causing you some issues again at night. You woke us up around 2:30 with the most horrendous "barking" cough. Once I picked you up and suctioned out your nose, you were ALL smiles! We were up with you for approximately an hour before you settled back down and I rocked you to sleep. Thankfully, you woke up this morning with just a standard cough, so I ruled out the possibility that you have the croup. Let's just see what happens tonight!

I'm looking forward to your second day at your new school and hope you are too!

Love,
Mommy

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy 1st Easter!

Dear Katie,

Happy 1st Easter, baby girl!! I hope you had a fun day with Mommy and Daddy, despite the fact that you were very overtired. It seems as though you may have a touch of another cold, and you were up from roughly midnight-3 am this morning, and didn't nap as long this morning as we had hoped you would. But, regardless, I think you had a very nice Easter.

We took you and Tungsten to the Silver Comet Trail for roughly a 4 mile walk. You seemed to really enjoy yourself...just snoozing away in the fresh, cool air. Tungsten had a blast looking at all of the bikers passing us by and even running through a stream that ran alongside the trail. He was a complete mess by the time we made it back to the car.

The Easter Bunny visited you, but said that because it's your first Easter and you are only 4.5 months old, he wanted to go light on the goodies. Next year, however, I think you will be in for a real treat! He plans to hide all sorts of eggs for you and something tells me he may put some extra candy in your basket...but, you will just have to wait until next year.

Tomorrow you have a big day - you start at your new school/daycare. Mommy and Daddy are very excited about this new place, and hope that you enjoy meeting a new teacher and new friends! On that note, I hope that you sleep through the night and sleep as peacefully as you are right now.

Sweet dreams, sweet baby girl...and, again, Happy Easter!

Love,
Mommy

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Saturday Mornings and an Easter Egg Hunt

Dear Katie,

One of my most favorite moments is when you are waking up for the final time in the morning - typically around 9:00 or 9:30 am. Usually around 8:45, I will start to really watch you on the monitor, waiting for you to come out of a deep sleep. Out of nowhere, you will begin to stir, do a couple stretches and slowly start to open your eyes. I wait for a couple minutes just so I know you are actually awake before I go rushing upstairs to see that bright shining smile of yours. It never fails that as soon as you focus on either me or your daddy, you light up. You literally start to smile from ear-to-ear.

This morning, you did exactly that, and it is the best way I could ask to start my weekend! After you woke up, I fed you and then took you upstairs to get you dressed. Being a nerd that I am, I already had your little outfit picked out - a cute pair of jeans and a onesie that says, "Somebunny loves me!". Why this outfit, you ask? Well, because today you were attending your first Easter egg hunt and I thought a bunny outfit was appropriate!

Some neighbors coordinated this for the toddlers and older kids in the neighborhood, and I decided to take you along so you could get a taste of what you will experience next year. I put you in the Baby Bjorn and showed you off to all of the neighbors - many of which had never seen you before. Everyone thought you were just the cutest thing ever, and you kept showing off your gummy smile to anyone that would come up to you and say hello!

This afternoon, I bought you your Easter basket. I hope you like it...it's white with a purple/white polka dotted ribbon around it. It will match your Easter dress that you will wear tomorrow just perfect!

Daddy and I had a great time with you today. As always, you were in the best mood, giving us smiles and laughs. We're looking forward to celebrating your first Easter tomorrow.

Love,
Mommy

"Dear Katie..." posts

Tonight while feeding Katie her last meal before bedtime, I had an idea...it's called "Dear Katie". Moving forward, instead of the blog being written by me to you (the readers), it is going to be in more of a letter format to Katie. The posts will still be about our days, new things that Katie is learning and experiencing, but in just a slightly different format.

I hope my idea works, and I hope you enjoy it.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sleep Sack: Day 3

I haven't had much to report on the past few nights, hence the lack of blogging. I will say, however, that I am keeping at it with this whole arms-out-of-the-swaddle/use the sleep sack thing and will say the past 2 nights were MUCH better. A friend emailed me and reminded me babies like consistency (thanks Jenn!), so I decided to just keep the same routine up and see what happens.

Just before bed, I put her in the sleep sack, nurse her one last time (her top-off feeding) and then put her in the crib. I have then been swaddling just her legs, but keeping both arms out. Tuesday night she slept until 3:30 before waking up with her arms flying all around (I went in, gave her a paci, and then ended up having to hold her and rock with her for 5 minutes to calm her back down...she then slept until 5:00). Last night she slept until 4:30. I woke up to her crying...went in, gave her the paci and that was all I needed to do to calm her down. She went right back to sleep and slept until 5:45.

If anything, during all of this, I have at least learned to keep my patience level in tact and remember this isn't something that HAS to happen overnight. If I keep swaddling her legs for the next couple months, so be it. Our biggest concern is making sure her arms are out in the event she rolls onto her belly.

I hope I didn't just jinx myself by writing all of this and end up being up all night!