10 Weeks Old = Pictures of Our Beautiful Girl!

These pictures were taken through the end of February. Don't forget to check out the posts below!!

Mommy holding Adelle in her snowsuit!








Our little family!








Daddy and Adelle








She was parallel with the bottom of the picture when I laid her down! Mommy's little scooter!





I love this picture!










Mommy and Adelle on a lazy Sunday morning!








Zonked out on the Boppy.








Papa Bruce and Adelle









Addie sucking on her fingers.









Laughing







Smile!







Even more smiles!!

Part Vent and Part Asking for Help

I am chubby.

I know this and was starting to do something about it when we found out I was pregnant. We watched my weight throughout my pregnancy and it was fantastic, "right where it should be for a healthy pregnancy," the doctor said, "you're doing great." Now that I am two months out, I am right back where I started, before pregnancy, and want to do something about it.

This is where the venting begins...
I know a person who makes comments about people being fat all the time. This person says, "If you don't want to be fat, don't be. It's as simple as that. Make sure you're burning more calories than you are taking in. Simple." IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE for some people. When I was pregnant, we were talking about going to the gym to work out. This person asked a group of us if we exercise when we get home from work. Bring almost 8 months pregnant I said sarcastically, "Walking is enough exercise for me!" while I rubbed my belly. To this the person said, "Really? Do you think so?" So then I said, "When I get home I go for a walk with Brian then I have to sit down because I am exhausted - I'm growing a person here!!" They just smiled and walked away - WTH!

Another person I know really makes me upset because they often talk of, "fat chicks." When talking about giving birth and pregnancy they've said, "I don't know how any fat chick could do it!" When I heard this, Brian and I were just starting out journey and it made me mad because, well, I am said "fat chick." I wanted to prove this person wrong, and kick the person in the throat a little bit. I was also hoping that this person would visit us in the hospital so I could look at them and say, "What do you know, fat chicks CAN do it!" But they didn't come to visit.

UGH!

This is where I am asking for help...
I need and want to do something about my weight. I see the beautiful pictures Katie took of my family and all I see is that fat chick. I hate that chubby version of me! I need help. I need and want to go hiking, walking, biking, swimming, etc. I need and want to be active and good company will help!

So - does anyone want to set up exercise dates with me/us? I like to walk around the MOA when it's crappy outside and I love walking in general. Swimming is another favorite of mine but I can't do it that often because of my eczema (which is really bad now that Addie is here). I also love to go for bike rides, though I like a leisurely ride and not one that will keep up with Lance Armstrong.

If you want to set something up send me an email!

9 Weeks Old = 2 Months!!

Adelle is growing!
I can not believe my Sweet Girl is 2 months old already (9 weeks, really)! Good lord how time flies! She is doing so many things it is hard to remember what is new and what isn't. Yes she can hold her head up, but it isn't for short periods of time. It is usually whenever she is sitting or propped up - which is whenever she is awake. She LOVES to look around and LOVES to look at lights. She still hates tummy time but we have her down there a few times a day anyway until she gets really fussy. She is able to lift her head and shoulders off the floor - I'm not sure how far off the floor she should have them, but they're off the floor so I'm happy. She is also talking more! I shouldn't be too happy about this because this probably means she is going to like to talk, just like Mommy, but it's so fun to hear! In the morning she giggles, smiles and coos where at night she smiles and tests the top of her range as she squeaks and screeches. It is fun to see her change and grow!

To celebrate Adelle turning 2 months, we decided to have her picture taken (see the 7 week post). By a professional! We got our pictures taken during the session as well, but that really doesn't matter.

Anyway, we went to see Brian's friend, Katie, who owns a photography studio called, "Behind the Lens Photography." We got there and were concerned about how Adelle would react to the new situation, not to mention the three shots she had in her little legs an hour earlier! She did really well though and Katie was able to capture some amazingly beautiful shots of our little girl! I can not wait to see the prints in my hands!

If you would like to see the pictures, and order one/some for your self because Adelle is so adorable, visit Pictage and search for Adelle, or click here. You'll have to register, but it's free and you'll get to see Adelle so isn't it worth it?!

Let us know if you like the pictures and which ones were your favorites. It's tough to decide, so there WILL be more than one favorite!

8 Weeks Old

Adelle is Growing!
Well, we went to the doctor on Tuesday for Adelle's 2 month check-up. We found out that our Sweet Girl is 10lbs 5ozs which is up from her 2 week appointment weight of 7lbs 13ozs. She is in the 50th percentile for her weight, which I don't really care about, I just want her to be healthy. She has grown to 23 and 3/4 inches tall - the 75th percentile! We also found out that her crusty eye is normal and she'll probably grow out of that within the year. The spit bubbles she likes to make and spit out of her mouth are normal as is her ability to track objects and people.

Our little girl is doing really well and we couldn't be happier!

The one thing we weren't prepared for was her 2 month vaccinations! It COMPLETELY slipped my mind. The nurse came in and told us that she would be giving Adelle 3 shots in her thighs and one vaccination orally. Adelle loved the oral vaccination, it was sweet and she was a bit hungry so I think that helped. Then the nurse told me and Brian to each take an arm while she held down her legs and swiftly gave her the shots. This wouldn't have been so bad but Adelle was in shock at first, looking at the nurse with her big eyes filling with tears and then her vocal chords caught up with her eyes and she let out a wail. The kind of wail that doesn't have enough sound to carry through the entire thing so for a bit we just saw her mouth open, face deep red, tears streaming, tongue shaking, and not a single sound was coming out. Then she took a breath and did it again. This is where I lost it! I was crying so much - I didn't want her to be in pain but I had to keep thinking, "This is going to keep her healthy."

After Brian and I got her dressed again we took her down to Mankato to have her picture taken. See, I told you the shots completely slipped my mind. I wouldn't have scheduled pictures on shot day! Anyway, we got down there about 1pm and left around 3pm with the photographer, a friend of Brian's named Katie, took almost 400 pictures! She was awesome and I can't wait to see the pictures!!

She is growing so much and I love spending time with her, looking at her, watching her explore this world of ours. It makes me excited to see who she will become! But that is a LONG time in the future and I want to, and plan to, enjoy every minute my baby is just that - a baby!

7 Weeks Old = First Day Back Already?!

I am so very lucky to have been able to take off 7 weeks to get to know our beautiful little girl! I am very blessed to know she likes to be held close when she is fussy and facing outward when she is awake. I am happy to know she doesn't mind 'strangers'. However, I was completely devastated to be away from my Sweet Girl!

I love my job. I love getting in front of the kids and interacting with them. I love teaching and I missed it while I was gone. I also missed my students - they are kind and enthusiastic which helped! Another thing that helped was talking with my friends! Knowing they have been through this, or are there to support me is a great feeling!!

It's a good thing that we are having friends watch her at first - instead of a day care. I think that would have traumatized me! By the way, we've found a great day care not too far from the house. She's young and very organized. We found her through our friend, Kelly, who graciously posted a message at her work. We didn't even know about it! We are SO blessed to have such caring friends! Anyway, Adelle will start at Grow With Me Family Childcare in April when a spot opens up. Until then, she is with Gina and her adorable twins (Jeremy too at the end of the day)!

Again, we are blessed!

6 Weeks Old

Adelle is Growing!
Adelle celebrated 6 weeks by getting all sorts of hugs for her first Valentine's Day! Grandma Dottie and Grandpa John watched Addie on Saturday while Brian was at a meeting all day and I went to a movie with my sisters! Side note (story): We went to see Valentine's Day. It was cute and light-hearted which was perfect for the mood we were in. We also saw the trailer for the new Sex and the City movie and have already planned a date to see it together. YAY!

Sunday was more laid back. We, Brian, Addie and I, laid around and watched movies and the Olympics. Ben, one of Adelle's Godfathers, came by to hang out with us. He is HILARIOUS and kept us laughing the whole time he was here. He is also really sweet because when I put him to work hanging clothes on hangers, he didn't flinch. He just did it and then brought everything upstairs for me. P.S. Ben, they are still in the basket!! While Ben was here, Maria came over. Ben and Maria are hilarious separate, but get them together and watch out!!! The only funny person missing from that equation was Pat (Addie's OTHER Godfather)!

Grandma Dottie and Grandpa John came by on Sunday to drop off Adelle's Valentine's Day present - BOOKS! We have been reading to her a lot so more books are needed! I know she can't remember them, but I like to read her a mixture of books and I don't really want to read the same few books every night. So keep those books coming Grandma and Grandpa - she LOVES them!!

Adelle really likes to straighten her legs now. We will hold her on our laps, she will 'stand' and we will cheer. Sometimes she smiles when we cheer, but she usually just scowls at us. OR she will raise both eyebrows and look at us like we are crazy (which we are)! That is another thing she can do now and loves to work those brows. She hasn't been able to raise only one, but I am still showing her every day just in case! She almost rolled her tongue too! Someone got a picture of it I think.... She likes listening to music and looking around the room. She is getting more used to looking outside too,even though it is terribly bright. And the most amazing thing she has accomplished this week, though I am probably jinxing it right now, is the ability to sleep through the night! She has been getting to bed anywhere from 11-12 and sleeping until about 5-6. A couple of nights she slept through to 7:30 and Mommy got freaked out when she woke up and looked at the clock! Adelle was just ravenous though! OH, and she has giggled in her light sleep a couple of times! I can't WAIT for those when she is awake!!

Next week we have her 2 month doctor's appointment so we will have LOTS to say then hopefully.

I'll post the few pictures we have and maybe even a video or two, when I am more awake.

:)

5 Weeks Old

A lot has happened this week and not all of it has to do with Adelle!


Adelle is Growing!
We have noticed that our little girl is holding her head up more and more and we continue to be amazed by it. She will just sit and look around at everything, taking it all in. Studying. Being a sponge. During this time, while I am home/holding her, I try to tell her or ask her what she is looking at. I will describe things, and tell her what they are. Sometimes I'll even spell things out for her. I am confident she will be the only 5 year old able to spell out swear words!! When the time comes of course!


Then she is smiling more. We see it more often when she is getting ready for bed (though she is still quite alert) and when she is getting up for the day. When I get her up, I take her blanket off and open the shades (it's NEVER too early to teach her the difference between day and night in my opinion). Once the shades are open I bring her over to the changing table where she continues to stretch and wake up. After a minute she will look at me with an, "I'm ready," look and I will talk with her about what I am doing, what I saw her doing, or what is going on outside while I change her diaper. Then we talk for a bit while she is still on the changing table and THAT is when I see her smiling. We can get her to smile at other times during the day which just MELTS my heart, but I love this time with her because I am usually the only one there - the smiles are all mine! Sigh, I am SO in love!


She is starting to talk more too! She'll mainly say, "uh," and "ah" but it's wonderful! I know she will be actually talking before I know it, but I really love hearing her sounds.


She is already in size 1 diapers. We have been using newborns AND size 1s but she is for sure out of the newborn diapers now. She just doesn't fit them and the things she has to use those diapers for don't fit in them either! ISH!


She is spitting out bubbles/drooling more. I don't know if that is necessarily a good thing, but she doing it and I think it's adorable. I think she is trying to make the sounds I make at her (raspberries and such). When ever she makes a face, I make a sound that goes along with it. So when she sticks out her tongue, I either curl or roll mine OR I'll make the raspberry sound. You can tell that she tries to move her tongue like I do because she'll grimace (nothing new there) and move her tongue.


I weighed her. It's a VERY official method too - I weighed myself then picked her up and got on the scale again. Her weight would be the same as the difference which was 9.2 pounds!! HOLY CRAP I must have good milk!! I also measured her to see how tall she was with another VERY official/exact method - I used her tummy time mat, which has a ruler on it from 1 to something. When I put her head at 1 and straightened her leg, she came out to be 23 inches which would really make her 22 (since I started at 1 - come on people, math isn't even my best subject)!!


On Saturday, Brian and I went out on a date. We went to dinner at Benihana's and then saw Dear John at Southdale AMC. While it was hard to leave it was really nice for me to get out of the house and talk with Brian like an adult (instead of that singsong baby voice or the snap I have been known to do lately). Grandma Dottie and Grandpa John loved watching her!!


Sunday we went over to Eric and Nicole's house so they could meet Adelle and we could hang out with Robert. They made us brunch and we got to talk too! It was really fun, but short. I wish we would have been able to spend more time with them! I know, another time - soon I hope!


Our visit with Eric, Nicole and Robert was cut short because Adelle and I were going to a party at my Aunt's house. Not only was Adelle able to see Sandy again, she was able to meet Auntie GoGo, Uncle Joe, Janice, JJ, Joe Jr. and JESSICA!! Jessica is home on her R&R from Iraq!! I was hoping she was going to be there to meet Addie!


What a busy week! This week will bring more of the same craziness, but we have to get some errands in before I go back in a couple of weeks.

Time sure flies by!!!

Going Private

We have been getting some messages from people we don't know so we have decided to go private. WE were going to do it anyway once Adelle was born, but we are just now getting around to it and the messages expedited the process I think.

If you would like to continue to read my ramblings and look at pictures of our Sweet Pea, then send me an email and I'll put you on the list. We are planning on going private either Sunday or Monday, so hop to it!