Kennedy's 19 Week Check In

19 weeks and growing so big!  Baby girl had another great week of growing, playing, learning and loving.  :)

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is somewhere between 13 1/2 and 14 pounds.
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can roll from back to tummy with ease now... although she still doesn't quite know what to do with herself once she gets onto her tummy. 
• Kennedy has graduated from zombie to zombie-dactyl.  She still does her zombie talking and adds in a high pitched pteradactyl-like screech every so often.
• Still no teeth, but I think we are getting pretty close.  She is slobbering like it's her job and chewing on everything she can get into her mouth.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.
• I have such an overload of milk (completely full freezer and 1/4 full deep freezer) that I finally decided to contact the National Milk Bank to discuss donation.  I found out that by taking Colace, I have made my milk ineligible for donation.  However, 24 hours after I stop taking it, my milk can be collected for donation.  So... the loads and loads of milk I have saved already is ours to keep... but I will start storing for donation soon.  I'm kind of excited about this.  :)

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... Still.
• Naps have been pretty good this week.  Fingers crossed this trend continues.  :)

PP Mommy Check In

• Back down to 123-124 this week.  Bye Bye Thanksgiving poundage!
• Right now I 124 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 really great!  We are both so very excited for our little girl's first Christmas. 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

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

  Product Love: 

• Love: Amber teething necklace.  We weren't completely sure how well it was working... then we spent one night without it.  Yep.  It works.  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.

Picture Time!!

Bonus Family Pictures!!  :)

 

Recipe: BEST.meatballs.EVER (according to my husband)

*I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his claim because he gobbled them all up before I had a chance to try one...

A little back story... My husband works first shift and I work second.  We "baby swap" in the parking garage most days when he is leaving and I am arriving.  Fun stuff.  I like to *try* (key word TRY) to get something in the crock pot for him for dinner before I leave for work.  More often than not, the last hour or so before I leave for work is complete and utter chaos.  Kennedy is waking up from her nap, I'm trying to get all the pieces of my breast pump sterilized and packed (doing this the night before would make a lot more sense... but that just never happens), Kennedy blows out a diaper then wants to nurse, Lucy destroys a fluffy dog toy all over the living room, etc etc etc.  And in the midst of all of this, I am scrambling to throw a bunch of stuff in my crock pot that may or may not be edible.  :) 
This is why I went nutso with the crock pot meals (link here) before Kennedy arrived.  When things get really crazy, I just grab a bag from my freezer, toss it in the crock pot and run out the door.

So earlier in the week, I had the foresight to thaw out a pound of ground beef.  What for?  I dunno.  Just seemed like a good idea at the time.  Yesterday I knew I needed to use the ground beef, but for the life of me couldn't figure out what to do with it.  We had already made chili over the weekend and I didn't have time to do up a whole spaghetti sauce.  I was stuck.  

Then I thought... meatballs!!  Kevin loves meatballs!  I can whip some together real quick, no problem.  But I wanted to jazz them up somehow... and so...

BBQ Cheddar Meatballs (or the BEST.meatballs.EVER according to Kevin)

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg
• generous amount of Famous Dave's Steakburger Seasoning
• 1 jar of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Dino BBQ Sensuous Slathering Sauce)

Combine everything except the BBQ sauce into a mixing bowl and mix well.  Roll into large meatballs and place in glass baking dish.  Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until browned.  Place in crock pot on low and cover with BBQ sauce.  

Simple.  Delicious.  :)  Next time I make them I will make sure to hide a few from Kevin so I can actually try them. 

Kennedy's 18 Week Check In

This little peanut is growing so fast!!  This was a great week for us!  I am so lucky to have such a sweet, fun little girl!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is 13 pounds 9 ounces and 26 1/4 inches, according to her appointment on Tuesday.
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers and 3 more on the way.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy has been a rolling machine this week.  She almost instantly starts wiggling and rolling when I lay her down on her back.  This is cute to watch, but it makes nap times kind of crazy.  I lay her down, she rolls over and screams.  I flip her on her back, she rolls over and screams.  And repeat and repeat and repeat until she tires out and falls asleep.
• Kennedy has started zombie talking.  It's pretty funny.  She gets this low growling deep voice and babbles non stop for several minutes.  I think she has been watching too much Walking Dead with daddy. 
• No teeth yet, but they are definitely working their way in.  Kennedy has really been chomping down on my knuckles and shoulder every chance she gets.  She has tons of teething toys, but I guess they just don't taste as good as mommy's fingers. 

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work has been a challenge this week.  I don't know if there is something wrong with my pump or if it somehow got turned on in my bag, but twice this week- two nights in a row- the pump died after only a minute and a half.  I was almost in tears!!  Not cool, Medela.  I keep meaning to call them to see if it needs replaced, but I keep getting side tracked.  Oops.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... I don't think we are ever going to get past 4 hours... but that's ok.
• Naps haven't been so great this week, mostly because she keeps rolling over!  Maybe next week will be better.

PP Mommy Check In

• I snuck on the scale at work and weighed in.  Still at 125, even after Thanksgiving food craziness.  Woot woot!!
• Right now I 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 great as always.  :)  I have the best husband and father to our little girl.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Kennedy had her 4 month check up on Tuesday.  She is growing wonderfully!!  26 1/4 inches (97%) and 13 pounds 9 ounces (50 something %).  The doctor says she is a healthy (and cute!) baby girl!!  She took her shots without much fuss and made it through the post shot night ok.  I'm so proud of my little girl!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

• Love:

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.

Picture Time!!

 

4 Months Old!!

Visit with Gam Gam, Grandpa and Uncle Mikey... In Pictures

Kennedy's 17 Week Check In

This past week has been absolutely amazing!  My parents and brother drove all the way up from Florida (drove ALL night long!!) to spend Thanksgiving with us.  It was so wonderful to have them here!  They are leaving tomorrow, but this week has just been so wonderful!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is  probably 13- 13 1/2 pounds.
• Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with one medium fleece soaker and 3 more on the way.

Development & Milestones

• Kind of a big deal... KENNEDY ROLLED OVER!!  She still has a tough time getting her arm out from underneath her, but she successfully rolled from back to tummy.  What a big girl!!
• Kennedy has been smiling and "talking" up a storm this week.  Her little personality is really starting to develop and it is just the coolest thing.
• Baby girl loves her Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike.  She has really enjoyed all of the hugs, kisses and extra attention she has gotten this week.  Very loved and sorta spoiled little girl.  :)
• Kennedy has also taken a new interest in her BFF Lucy.  I think this is only the very beginning of a super sweet and fun friendship.
• I think she is starting to teethe... fun stuff.  For the most part, she hasn't seemed too terribly uncomfortable... just lots and lots of extra drool.  She has been wearing an amber necklace (usually around her ankle under a sock) for a few weeks now and I am hoping this will help to get her through with little to no medication for it.  We did use Tylenol once or twice over the past few days when she was having a particularly rough time.  Poor baby girl.  I hope these teeth cut soon so she isn't so uncomfortable.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work has been ok.  Once again there were a few nights where I was unable to pump, which sucks (and HURTS!), but that's just the way it goes with floor nursing.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently now.  I usually get home around 12:30-1am and nurse her, then she sleeps until Kevin gets up for work at 5:30 (sometimes waking up once in between), then it's back to bed until 8:30-9:30am.  Not too bad.
• Naps are going great!  She naps once in the morning and once in the afternoon, usually for about an hour.

PP Mommy Check In

• I have no idea what I weigh this week since Kevin stole the battery for my scale to use for the garage door opener.  I feel pretty good... maybe a little bloated from all of the yummy Thanksgiving leftovers... I will get a new battery so I will be able to keep better track.
• Right now I probably 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 awesome.  I think he really enjoyed having my brother around this week to commiserate with, lol.  As far as daddy-ing goes, in my eyes (and in Kennedy's eyes)... he's #1.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• 5 whole days with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike... how much better could it get?  It's been an awesome week!!
• Oh and Kennedy saw SNOW for the very first time yesterday!  I don't really think she cares much about the white stuff just yet, but Lucy was running around like a crazy puppy enjoying some play time out in the cold.  So cute!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

•  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is Wednesday morning.  Not really looking forward to another round of shots, but I am kind of excited to see how big she has gotten.

 Picture Time!!

 

Kennedy's 16 Week Check In

Every day this little girl amazes me.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe she is already 16 weeks old, it seems like just yesterday I was feeling her kick and roll in my belly.  Other times it's hard to believe she is only 16 weeks old, it's hard to remember what my life was like before I held her in my arms...

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is  probably just over 13 pounds.
• Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.  Added a fleece soaker- size Medium- to the mix as well.  Medium!!  gulp!!

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy just loves her hands.  She slobbers and drools on them constantly.
• This week she has been really interested in mommy and daddy's faces.  She loves to touch them (and slap them) while we are snuggling.
• We introduced the Bumbo seat this week and she LOVES it!!  I will have to pick up the tray for the seat this week because she drops/throws her rattle or lovie and can't pick it up, but she really loves sitting like a big girl in her new seat.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work was much better this week.  My freezer stash is outrageous and I may need to donate some of my stored milk soon because I am almost completely out of room.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently.  I am thinking we are going to stay at this length for a long time and, you know what, that's ok.  I am starting to enjoy my middle of the night nursing sessions with her.  I read her stories or sing to her and she looks at me with the sweetest, sleepiest smiles.  I love it!
• Naps are pretty good.  She has been napping in her crib like a big girl, but only sleeps for maybe an hour stretch.

PP Mommy Check In

• I actually lost a few pounds this week, so I am now under my goal weight.. but with Thanksgiving around the corner I'm sure I will be back up soon.  :)
• Right now I weigh about 123 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 really gotten into his daddy groove.  It is so amazing to see him interact with his baby girl.  She has him wrapped around her teeny little finger already.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

• Bumbo seat.  Baby girl loves hanging out in her big girl seat and I love that I can set her down and clean a room while she plays and talks.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is next week.  More shots.  Boo!!

Picture Time!!