Kennedy's 25 Week Check In

We are closing in on Kennedy's half birthday.  Wow!!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is right around 15 pounds.  Length wise I am clueless, but I know she is very long!
• K still fits into 3 month tops and 3 month bottoms... but anything that is one piece (like sleep and plays)... she is in 6 or 9 month.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• We have been playing with Mum Mum crackers for the last few weeks, watching to see if Kennedy becomes more interested in solid foods and I think we are finally there.  We gave her a few bites of rice cereal on Thursday and Friday nights, but she really didn't seem to care much for it.  Tomorrow we are taking the leap with Baby Lead Weaning, which is a method of introducing- or more encouraging the baby to introduce themselves- to solid foods.  I have done a fair amount of research on this and Kevin and I have decided that we think this is best for our baby girl, so... tomorrow will be a fun day.  We are going to start with avacado.  :)  I'll be sure to get some green messy pictures and tell how it goes.  Wish us luck!!
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

 

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!  
• Pumping at work is also going well.
• As above, the Mum Mum crackers have been so-so, the rice cereal was kind of blah.  Tomorrow... the real fun begins.

 

Sleep

• Night time sleep has been much better this week, now that we are home and back into our routine.  Daddy has even managed to get baby girl to sleep in her crib for the first half of the night a few nights in a row now.  He is doing excellent with bed time.
• Naps have been good overall.  We are working on the 2-3-4 nap schedule, but having some snags because of my work schedule.  I am trying to work us into a routine that will allow her to get a good full nap in before we have to leave for the sitters... but not too early that she needs a nap there then gets woken up when daddy comes to pick her up.  We will get there.  And if nothing else, we will have a baby who is flexible and will nap when she needs to/when she can vs when the schedule dictates.

 
PP Mommy Check In

• Holding steady at a pound or two below my goal.
• Right now I am 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 happy to have a full house again this week.  He is really enjoying his new jobs with his steady hours and weekends off.

 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing really new and exciting this week.  It was more of a settling back into our groove type of week.
•  Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Fisher Price Glow Worm- we have been using this at nap time and it seems to work great.  Kennedy stares at it and plays with it until she falls asleep.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Nothing this coming week, but her half birthday and 6 month check up is next week.

  Picture Time:

Kennedy's 24 Week Check In

What a busy week it's been for us.  We started out by flying to Orlando on Tuesday morning (I'll post about this fiasco later!) to visit with my family.  It was a wonderful trip, always too short, but so very sweet.  Kennedy got to meet her great grandparents for the first time and picked up her very first (of many many to come) Disney treat.  We decided not to actually visit any of the Disney parks (Daddy wants to be there for that and he couldn't make it this time)... but we did sneak in some Downtown Disney shopping.  e also skipped the beach this time, but making the rounds to visit friends and family kept us plenty busy.  We flew home on Friday morning and by Friday afternoon we were headed to Pittsburgh where we enjoyed a very belated Christmas with Kevin's side of the family.  We had a blast there and Kennedy made out with quite the Christmas loot (pictures to follow).  We left Pittsburgh this morning and we are now headed home.  Phew!!  I need a vacation from my vacation.  :)

Baby girl did wonderful traveling and I really enjoyed having a whole week off with her.  I am not looking forward to returning to work on Monday.  Not one bit.

My little nap jail escape artist

 
How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is close to 15 pounds, if I had to guess.  She is getting noticeably heavier and longer.
• K still fits into 3 month tops and 3 month bottoms... but anything that is one piece (like sleep and plays)... she is in 6 or 9 month.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.  We have gone up one snap in the rise in all of her CDs and stretched out one or two snaps at the waist. 
• We did spend the entire week in disposable diapers.  Yuck!!  Traveling with cloth is, unfortunately, just not practical.  Kennedy wore size 2s. 

Development & Milestones

• First airplane ride was our big milestone this week.  She did really well.  I kept her in my ring sling for the majority of the flight (except on the way down when we lucked out and got our own row!).  She nursed in the sling and took a nap as well.  I am so so lucky (and I'm sure the passengers nearby would agree) to have such an easy going, happy baby.
• She sits perfectly without support and even tries to scooch on her butt a little.  It's very cute!
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!  Nursing in the airport and on the plane was... well... interesting.  But we did ok and only flashed the boob a couple of times.  :/
• This is the first time, since she was born, that I have not been attached to my pump.  I took it with me, just in case, but I didn't have to pump at all for the whole week.  It was glorious!!

Sleep

• Night time sleep has kind of wacky this week.  Due to our travels she was up extra early, nap times were a bit off and stayed up late some nights... but that is just what happens when traveling.  She took everything in stride and really only got cranky when she was way overdue for a nap.  She did sleep in bed with me when we were away, and it worked out fine.  I know bed sharing can be kind of scary, but we were very safe about it... and you know what... it was really pretty awesome to see her smiley little face right next to me in the morning.
• Naps were all over the place this week.  All things considered, she did really well.  Next week, we plan to work on a 2-3-4 nap schedule.  She will wake up in the morning and 2 hours after she wakes up I will put her down for her first nap.  3 hours after she wakes up from her morning nap, I will put her down for her afternoon nap.  4 hours after she wakes up from her afternoon nap, Kevin will put her to bed.  This will be tricky and the timing will not be exact because I have to take her to the sitter and go to work in the afternoon... but we will stick to this schedule as best we can.

 
PP Mommy Check In

• Holding steady at a pound or two below my goal.
• Right now I am 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 has missed us this week.  He and Lucy, our puppy, had the house to themselves.  I'm sure they were both able to catch up on sleep, which is good, but they were lonely.  When Kennedy and I did come home on Friday, Kevin was still at work, but Lucy went nuts!!!  You would have thought she hadn't seen us in years.  It was adorable.  When daddy got home from work, Kennedy's face just lit right up.  I think she missed her daddy just as much as he missed his baby girl.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Pretty much just our family visiting spree I wrote about above.
•  Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Booginhead Paci Clips.  I used these on EVERYTHING on the plane.  I had 3 of them and could ahve used 3 more.  If you are like me, once something touches the floor- especially on an airplane- it's as good as gone.  I had a pacifier, burp cloth and toy clipped to her so she could flail around and play with whatever she wanted and if she tried to throw it (which is one of her new favorite things to do)... it only got as far as the leash would go.  Saved me from sanitizing a bunch of toys.

 
Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January 30.  I can't wait to see how big she is getting.

  Picture Time:

Kennedy's 23 Week Check

A new year... I can officially say "My daughter was born LAST YEAR."... I don't like it.  :P  Yesterday we packed up Christmas and today we are packing for our trip to Florida.  2012 was an amazing year... the year I became a mommy, I can only imagine the good things that 2013 has in store for us.

 

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is somewhere between 14 and 15 pounds.  She is growing in length, for sure.  I can't wait to see her newest measurements.
• K still fits into 3 month tops and 3 month bottoms... but anything that is one piece (like sleep and plays)... she is in 6 or 9 month.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.
• This weekend, we actually had to switch to disposables for a few days because of a diaper rash (and we will be in sposies for our Florida trip anyway). I hated the thought of buying more diapers since we had a few leftover size 1s anyway...  well... little miss is practically hulking out of these.  They will get us through Tuesday, but it's a good thing she has some size 2s waiting for her in Florida.  These size 1s won't last long!!

Development & Milestones

• As I was messing around with the pictures for this week's update, Kennedy decided to roll from tummy to back!!  Woohoo!!  I'm not sure why this took her so long, but I'm glad she finally did.
• She is really close to crawling.  She does her mini push up and wiggles her legs.  She tries SO hard!!  Sometimes she scooches an inch or two, but I know it won't be long before she is zooming around the floors. 
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

 

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!  Nursing in the ring sling is harder than I thought it would be... but we'll get it.
• Pumping at work is also going well.

 

Sleep

• Night time sleep has been slowly improving.  Daddy does great with bed time and usually has her to sleep by 9 or 9:30.  She usually wakes up when I get home from work (around 12:30-1am) to nurse... but there were a few nights where she slept until 2... even 3am!!!!!!!  Woohoo!!!!!!  Maybe one of these days we'll make it through the night... but I'll take this as a step in the right direction.  :)
• Naps were pretty good early in the week... the end of the week... not so much.  She fusses, fights, screams and cries when it's time to go down for her nap.  I can tell she is exhausted, but she will fight fight fight to stay awake for an hour, sometimes two.... ugh!!!  When she does finally fall asleep, she's usually out for an hour or two... but oy vey!!  The process to get there has me pulling my hair out!!

 
PP Mommy Check In

• Holding steady at a pound or two below my goal.
• Right now I am 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?

• Kevinis doing great!!  He started his new driving job and he is very happy with this new change.  He will be home every night, every holiday and every weekend.  Plus, it's a pay raise.  Love it!!  He isn't really looking forward to our trip (he will be staying back in Syracuse with Lucy)... but he is looking forward to having a little more room in the bed!!

 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• New Years was uneventful
•  Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Teething Necklace... baby girl loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on and this has managed to keep her occupied and happy for long stretches.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• The end of Kennedy's birth year is in 2 days.  2012 has been such an amazing year that I am sad to see it end... but I know 2013 will be an amazing year full of many firsts.  Bring it on!!
• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.
• We will be taking our first trip on an airplane in a little more than a week.  We are flying down to Orlando to see my family.  I can't wait to post pictures.  :) 

  Picture Time:

Kennedy's 22 Week Check In

5 months down, first Christmas over, the end of the year baby girl was born is right around the corner.  I just can't believe how fast this year has flown by and how quickly Kennedy is growing and changing.

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is at least 14 pounds now.  She is also growing noticeably longer.  (She can touch the floor from her jumparoo and bounces like a maniac!)
• We did another closet purge this week.  K can still wear 3 month tops and 3 month bottoms... but anything that is one piece (like sleep and plays)... she is in 6 or 9 month.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can sit perfectly now.  It is so fun to watch her sit like a big girl and play with her toys. 
• She is doing great with her rolling and mini push ups.  When she lays on her belly, she kicks up a storm, but doesn't really get anywhere yet.  It won't be long before she is crawling, but not quite yet.
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!  This week I am going to practice nursing in my ring sling.  We will be taking our first plane ride in a few weeks and I want to make sure I can nurse discreetly in the sling for take off and landing.  Wish me luck!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches with an occasional 5 hour stretch, which is glorious!
• Naps have been ok this week.  She has been taking longer to go down for her nap (fussing and fighting to stay awake) and when she finally does fall asleep, it's only been for 20 or 30 minutes at a time.  I'm not sure what that's all about, but I hope this phase passes fast.  Nap time is when mommy cleans and gets things done around the house.

PP Mommy Check In

• Down another pound or two.  Weird.
• Right now I am 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 has had a wonderful week.  He enjoyed 3 days off for Christmas and wrapped up his last week as a housekeeper.  Next week starts a new job with better hours/days and better pay.  He is very excited to be able to have every night and weekend off with his baby girl.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Christmas was wonderful!!  New Years is coming up.  I can't believe in a few days it will be "My baby was born last year."  I'm not looking forward to leaving her birth year behind, but excited to see what 2013 has in store for us
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Teething Necklace... baby girl loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on and this has managed to keep her occupied and happy for long stretches.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• The end of Kennedy's birth year is in 2 days.  2012 has been such an amazing year that I am sad to see it end... but I know 2013 will be an amazing year full of many firsts.  Bring it on!!
• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.
• We will be taking our first trip on an airplane in a little more than a week.  We are flying down to Orlando to see my family.  I can't wait to post pictures.  :) 

  Picture Time:

5 Months Old!!

Kennedy's 21 Week Check In

21 weeks and Christmas is just a few days away.  Last Christmas (aside from being super pukey!) I daydreamed about what it would be like to celebrate with my little one... now here she is and celebrate we will!!  So hard to believe my dreams have come true and we will really be spending this Christmas together!!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy has to be about 14 pounds now.  She is such a big girl!!  
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  I think we will be doing another closet purge/clothing retirement soon.  She is growing like a weed.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can sit easily now for up to a minute or so.  Her balance is getting much better.  
• Baby girl has been talking up a storm and cracking herself up.
• She can now reach the floor from her Jumparoo and loves to bounce bounce bounce.
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches with an occasional 5 hour stretch, which is glorious!
• Naps have been great!  She is napping in her crib regularly.  We are considering trying to transition her to her crib for night time, but I don't know if I am ready to move her to her room.  Seems so far away!!

PP Mommy Check In

• Holding steady at my normal weight now.
• 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 just plain wonderful.  He handles bath time, story time, bed time... all by himself 5 nights a week.  I am so lucky to have him!! 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week really. Christmas is in 2 days and we couldn't be more excited.
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Teething Necklace... baby girl loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on and this has managed to keep her occupied and happy for long stretches.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.
• We will be taking our first trip on an airplane in a few weeks.  We are flying down to Orlando to see my family.  I can't wait to post pictures.  :)

Kennedy's 20 Week Check In

20 weeks.  Just wow.  20 weeks pregnant is half way, half baked, the turning point.... now Kennedy has been outside the womb for 20 weeks and it's hard for me to even remember what it was like to reach the 20 week mark of having her on the inside.  Time is just flying flying by... I wish there was a way for me to stop it somehow. 

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is likely 14 pounds now.  She is growing very tall also.  I have noticed that some of her pants are now becoming high waters, lol.
• 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 sit unsupported fairly well.  She does tend to topple over when she tries to look around, or usually when she tries to watch wherever Lucy goes.  But... we are so proud of how well she can sit.
• Kennedy has been very vocal.  She likes to babble and coo when she first wakes up, which is just the sweetest thing.  She laughs and shrieks when she plays in her bouncer also.  Cracks me up!
• Still no teeth... but still teething with a vengence.  I know they will make their appearance sooner or later.  Later is fine with me... but I don't like seeing her so uncomfortable.  It seems to be worst at night.  Poor girl.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... every once in a blue moon I will get a 5 hour stretch.  Not often... but when I do it's amazing!
• Naps have been pretty good.  Kennedy naps in her crib like a big girl for mommy now.  Daddy is having a tough time getting her to sleep in the crib, but she normally does pretty good for me.

PP Mommy Check In

• Back up a pound or two.  I blame my bake sale and 2 cookie exchanges.  :P
• 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!!  We are so excited for Christmas!!   

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

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

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: Love You Zoo Jumparoo.  This is, by far, Kennedy's favorite toy!
• Hate:  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

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