3 Months Old!!

 I can't believe my baby girl is a quarter of a year old already!!  Wow!!

Kennedy's 13 Week Check In

13 weeks already... and tomorrow marks 3 whole months.  Time sure does fly when you are watching your little one grow and learn.  I swear it seems like she changes and grows right before my very eyes.  I love watching her explore the world around her and discover new things.

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy has to be 12 pounds.  She is getting h-e-a-v-y!!!
• Mostly 3 month clothes, although we are blowing through those at an alarming rate.  She wore a 6 month outfit this week and it fit great, but I am not ready to switch to 6 month clothes just yet.  :(  I'm not ready for my baby to grow so fast!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy is still a drooling machine!!  We finally did start putting a bib on her after having to change her onesie 3 times in one afternoon due soley to slobber.
• She is has not rolled over yet, which surprises me.  She does, however, love to lay and sleep on her side.
• Her coordination is really improving and I have noticed a huge difference this week.  She is now able to hold onto and shake her rattle and lovie.  She is also able to grab the tosy on her car seat bar.  Before she would sort of aimlessly bat at them, but now she can easily grab and hold onto them.  So cool to watch her learn to things and accomplish new skills. 

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is... going.  Sometimes it's hard for me to find/make the time, especially on busy days.  And there have been a few nights where I have not had a chance to pump... at all.  Let me tell you that is NOT pleasant.  I am really struggling to make it a priority on busy nights as I don't want to feel like a burden to my coworkers.  Thankfully I have some very understanding coworkers who try to shoo me off the floor if they realize I haven't yet.   
• She is mostly doing good with the bottle, although daddy did have a few rough nights this past week.  Hopefully next week will be better. 

Sleep

• Sleep is about the same.  Longest stretches are 4 hours, but she seems to sleep really well for those 4 hours.  We are still working out the kinks in our bedtime routine.  I have to give Kevin a ton of credit here.  5 nights a week he handles bath and bed time all by himself.  I know it's not easy for him, but he is really doing a wonderful job.
• Naps have been great.  When Kevin leaves for work in the morning, I get to enjoy my Lucy/Kennedy snuggle time and it is the BEST!!!  Baby girl is napping a little less during the day and, unfortunately due to my crazy schedule we have not worked out a scheduled nap time... but she naps when she needs to and seems well rested so I am not too worried just yet.

PP Mommy Check In

• I reach my goal weight!!!!!!!!!  Woot woot!!!!!!  Now to maintain for... umm... ever.  :)  Seriously, it feels so good to be back where I want to be.  I am still not as in shape as I would like to be, but today I will just celebrate my goal weight.  Tomorrow... I will work on my endurance, run time, etc.
• Right now I weigh about 125 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*

 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing good.  He had a few rough nights this week.  It really kills me to read texts from him while I am at work saying "I don't know what to do, she won't stop screaming."  I would give anything to be able to stay home with my baby girl, but it's just not in the cards.  I know he does the very best that he can and he is an amazing, kind, loving father.  I just wish I could help more.  I know how frustrating it can be when you feel like you have tried everything and she won't.stop.crying.  At the same time though, crying or not, I know he loves his daddy/Kennedy time and wouldn't trade it for anything in this world.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new really in this department. 
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: Kennedy's mobile that is attached to her pack-n-play.  She LOVES watching her owls flying around in circles.  She giggles and coos and talks to them while they spin around and around.  It is so adorable!
• Hate:  Hmm... work?  Is work an option?

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Sweat test is this coming Thursday, followed by a consult with a genetic counselor.  I'm nervous, but have faith that all will go well.
• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.

Picture Time!!

 

Kennedy's 12 Week Check In

I am happy to report that Kennedy's first (and second) days with the sitter went wonderfully.  We are blessed to have found an in-home daycare provider who loves what she does, loves the kids she watches and is just all around fabulous.  Regardless of how awesome she is... it still stinks to have to leave my baby girl and yes, of course, I cried the whole way to work.  I wonder how long this will last, lol.

Aside from that whole pesky work full-time thing, we had a great week!  We even went pumpkin picking on Thursday!  So fun!!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is probably 12 pounds by now.  She is my little double chinned chunker
• Mostly 3 month clothes.  Some 0-3 and some 3-6.  She is actually starting to outgrow some of her 0-3 and 3 month clothes.  Big girl!!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy is a slobbery, slippery, drooly, slobbermouth.  It amazes me that she can soak through her shirt in minutes.  She is going to have to live in a bib.  I don't think she is teething just yet as she hasn't displayed any other symptoms... but the drool... oh my goodness!!
• She is crazy about her hands!  She loves chewing on them and using them to bat at her toys.  I love watching her explore and learn.
• She is verrrrry close to rolling over.  She gets up onto her side, but can't quite get all the way over just yet.  I give it a few more days to a week or so.  She seems pretty determined.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is great!
• Pumping at work is umm... interesting.  But going well.  Thankfully my stash continues to grow.  I will have to post a pic soon... our freezer is almost completely full and looks ridiculous!
• She is doing great with the bottle and did great with the bottle for the sitter also.

Sleep

• Sleep is getting much better.  Still not more than 4 hours at a stretch, but she seems to be sleeping better and more rested.
• Naps have been good.  Usually when Kevin leaves for work in the morning, he puts Kennedy in bed with me to nurse then she stays there and snuggles and naps with me.  This is my absolute most favorite part of the day.  We cuddle and she talks and giggles then eventually falls asleep for an hour or two.  I just lay there and stare at her for a while then usually doze off myself for half an hour or an hour.  Pure bliss.

PP Mommy Check In

• Down another pound this week!  Getting close!!
• I am 3 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight, goal #1.
• 2 pounds to go to goal #2, my final goal.
• Right now I weigh about 127 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing good.  He is also very happy with our choice of a sitter which makes the whole deal much easier.  He actually gets the good end of the stick too because he gets to pick baby girl up!  Lucky guy!

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• We finally got our information for our appointment for the sweat test.  Details on this later, but in a nutshell... November 1st... any spare prayers would be appreciated.
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: My breast pump (Medela Freestyle) and hands free pumping bra.  I was really nervous about being able to make pumping at work... well... work.  I am a floor nurse, so I don't exactly have lots of time to spare.  Actually I have zero time to spare.  I have been able to sneak off to a closet in the middle of each shift and pump... get this... WHILE I do my charting.  This is a huge help!
• Hate:  Baby socks.  So pointless.  They do not stay on for more than 5 minutes... ever.  Can't they put the sticky stuff on the inside so they stay put??  Sheesh.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.
• First full day at the sitters tomorrow.  Good thing is since I am working day shift I will get to be home for dinner an bath time.  I love dinner and bath time!

Picture Time!!

Pumpkin Picking

It isn't fall until we have pumpkins in our yard!!!!!  :)

Before I went in to work today, Kevin and I took Kennedy to her first pumpkin patch.  We ended up with lots of great pictures and a trunk full of pumpkins.  Then we came home and played around in the leaves with Lucy.  Even though Lucy wasn't really *into* posing for pictures... I'll call it a success!!

This is my absolute favorite!!!

Kennedy's 11 Week Check In

We are on our own, back to work full time and settling into parenthood.  We had a few rough days/nights this week... but every day we get to spend with this beautiful baby girl is a true blessing.

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is approaching 12 pounds and is one tall girl!
• Mostly 3 month clothes.  Some 0-3 and some 3-6.  We are slowly working our way into her fall/winter wardrobe.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy has been a drooling machine lately.
• She loves exploring her hands and chewing on them.
• She is working on rolling over.  She is able to get up onto her side, but can't quite make it all the way over just yet, but it won't be long.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing pretty good... we have had a few rough days this week where she din't eat well, but for the most part doing great!
• Same with the bottle.  A few rough days/nights for daddy, but all in all a good week.

Sleep

• A rough week in the sleep department.  The sleep fairy has taken a vacation.  Kennedy has been up almost every hour for the past 2 nights.  Sometimes she's hungry, sometimes she's wet, sometimes she just wants to make sure I am not sleeping.  ;)  When I have tried changing and nursing and swaddling and singing and rocking... and nothing seems to work... I put her in her ring sling and walk some laps.  She usually settles down pretty quickly once I start walking around.
• Naps have been so-so this week.
• If you are holding the sleep fairy hostage, please send her back my way, mmkay?

PP Mommy Check In

• Down 2 pounds this week!!!  Must all that pacing the halls in the middle of the night.  :)
• I am 2 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight, goal #1.
• 3 pounds to go to goal #2, my final goal.
• Right now I weigh about 128 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin had a rough week.  He had bath and bed times all to himself (with the exception of Wednesday) all week.  He did great, but not without stress and hours of dealing with a screaming baby.  I'm sure he will hit his groove soon and bed time will get easier.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing really new and exciting to report this week.  We managed to avoid the sitter for another week because our schedules just worked out that way.  We are very fortunate to be able to do 90% of the baby care between the two of us.  It may involve baby swapping Chinese Fire Drills in the parking lot of our Dunkin Donuts... but it works for us.
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: Fleece sleep sacks.  They are so warm and soft... the perfect thing to put Kennedy in after her bath.  Makes me kind of wish I could have one for myself.
• Hate:  The cheap garbage can we picked up for the cloth diapers.  It won't stay shut and it bugs the snot out of me.  I will be finding a new one very very soon.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.
• First trip to the sitter is Tuesday!!  :(

Picture Time!!

Kennedy's 10 Week Check In

Well... after this week, Kevin and I will be on our own.  We will both be back to work full time, my mom will be back in Florida and Kennedy will be going to the sitter a few days a week.  This marks the last of all of the new baby excitement coming to an end.  We will be settling in to our new normal.  I'm excited, scared, sad... this is really bittersweet for me.  I wish I could just hit the pause button and stay right here forever.

 

Cranktastic baby during my attempt at our weekly photo shoot.

Airplane!!

How Big Is Baby?

• Miss Kennedy is 11 lbs 12 oz (68th percentile).  She is 24 3/4 in (>97 percentile)... we have one long and lean little lady!
• Mostly 0-3 and 3 month cloths.  She is even sporting some 3-6 month outfits too.  The newborn clothes are almost completely retired.  (same as last week)
• Full time cloth diapering.  We have moved up one snap in length and are kind of in between snaps (which is a pain!) in the waist.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy loves tummy time and lounging in her boppy.
• She loves kicking the singing monkey on her play mat and swatting at all of the cool toys.
• She is also loving her rattle socks.  I am anxiously waiting on the wrist rattles I ordered to come in.  She is really going to love those.
• She has been very vocal this week, talking, cooing and gurgling.  I can't wait to hear some belly laughs!

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing great!
• Since I went back to work this week, she has been taking the bottle at night.  My mom and Kevin had a rough night the day after her vaccines where she didn't want to eat... but other than that, she has been taking the bottle well also.

Sleep

• We took a bit of a step back in her sleep routine... we are at about 3 hours at a time now.  Although she does seem to get one good long stretch, sometimes as long as 5 hours, when she first falls asleep. 
• Naps great in the morning, but still cranky at bed time.  :)

PP Mommy Check In

• Gah!  I went up a pound this week!!  I blame my mom's good cooking and my midnight snacks.  :/  Which puts me back at my pre-pregnancy weight... so not terrible, but I'm not happy to be moving in the wrong direction.
• 5 pounds to go to goal #2, my final goal.
• Right now I weigh about 130 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125*

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing great.  He has taken over the bath and bed time routine and, with my mom's help this week, really made my first week back to work as painless as possible.  He sent me picture messages every night and kept me updated on my little girl.  I'm so lucky to have such a caring husband and wonderful father to our baby girl.
• Next week (well starting Tuesday night), he will be all on his own at night.  I am praying Kennedy takes it easy on him.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Kennedy had her 2 month check up on Tuesday.  I'm an idiot and wrote down the wrong time so we were 20 minutes late!  Yikes!  Thankfully, they were able to squeeze us in anyway.  Her check up went wonderfully... she is healthy and developing right on track or even a little ahead of schedule in some areas.
• Vaccines.  Baby girl received all of her vaccines on schedule and took them like a champ.  She did run a bit of a fever Tuesday and was a little cranky on Wednesday, but for the most part, no issues at all.  Speaking of vaccines, in the Parade insert in today's paper, there was a great article about vaccinating your children.  http://www.parade.com/health/2012/10/07-why-so-many-parents-are-delaying-vaccines.html  Definitely worth a read.
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: Sleep Sheep from Pottery Barn Kids.  I love the soft ocean sound and so does Kennedy.  I'm brainwashing my little beach babe already.  :)
• Hate:  Leaving my little girl.  Hardest thing for me to do every day that I go to work.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next appointment for Kennedy is at the end of November.
• My mom flies home on Tuesday.  I don't know what I'm going to do without her here!!
• First trip to the sitter is this week.  :(

Picture Time!!
*Kennedy was NOT having her picture taken today... so here are a few from earlier in the week when we were playing around with Halloween costumes.  I'll try to get some better ones next week.

Back In The Saddle

Well... I went back to work this week.  Bleh.

I was blessed to have a warm welcome back from my coworkers (with our staffing shortage I'm pretty sure they were equal parts happy to see ME and just plain happy to see another name on the roster, lol).  I got a lot of "Wow!  You look great!  I can't believe you just had a baby!"  (always good for the ego) and "We missed you."  I wish I could say the same.  I mean I missed the people... sort of... but I didn't miss work.  At.ALL.  The last 9 weeks have been spent loving and cuddling and snuggling and playing with my beautiful new daughter.  I'd be a crazy person to miss work while I was busy doing that.

Which got me thinking... becoming a mother has really changed me in ways I never imagined. 

First, I never really thought I would enjoy being pregnant and to be honest, while I was pregnant there were times (most often times spent praying to the porcelain goddess) that I didn't really enjoy it.  Not long after I had my little girl in my arms did I miss having her in my belly.  Strange.

I've always been a runner.  I dislike walking.  Make that hate walking.  I think it's a waste of time.  Why walk when you can run?  Burn more calories, get there faster.. you know.  I love to run.  Well now... I take Kennedy for walks almost every day and I LOVE it.  I don't care as much about calories and I don't want to go anywhere fast.  I enjoy taking nice little strolls with her and watching her as she looks around and takes in this big world.

I wasn't completely sure about natural birth, cloth diapering, baby wearing and breastfeeding... now I can't imagine any other way.

I used to think parenting was easy and instinctive and the answers just came naturally (or through Google).  Now I know that it is exhausting.  It is work.  And sometimes there aren't any answers.  But it is the absolute most incredible and rewarding role I could ever imagine.  I learn something new about my daughter and myself every single day.  At 16 I was quite certain that I knew it all... and now I fully understand that I never will.

I used to give the super stink eye to parents whose children had random outbursts in the line at Target.  Now I give them a sheepish smile that says "I understand"... unless those children are obnoxiously bratty toddlers screaming about candy.  Control your kids, people!!  But seriously, I am a much more patient and understanding person now.  At least I *think* I am.

I also never ever pictured myself as the type of person who would actually want to be a stay at home mom.  I have worked full time since high school and never pictured myself not working.  After spending 9 wonderful weeks at home with my daughter, I couldn't even begin to imagine going back to work.  I didn't want to.

I had toyed with the idea of starting back gradually, maybe 3 days one week then back to full time the next... but I figured I may as well just get it over with, like ripping off a band aid.  No matter which way I cut it, I will be working full time and it is going to.. well... suck.

So rip off the band aid I did.  I cried the entire drive in to work on Sunday... and Monday... and Tuesday... ok you get it.  One full week down and I cried every.single.day.   I really wish I could spend my days playing with her, helping her learn and watching her grow.

I wish.  I wish.  I wish.  ::sigh::

So Monday it begins again.  Week #2 of my life as a working mother.  Any bets on how many days I will need waterproof mascara this week?  :)