Toys

Little C has officially decided that toys are fun. It started with the blocks (mentioned in my last post), but since then it's expanded to pretty much anything she can get her hands on, including my glasses. It's so much fun to watch her start to interact, especially with the things we've had since before she was born (like this lady bug):

And oh yeah, she's sitting up. The blue bumbo is on loan from a co-worker and is AWESOME. C can only handle it for a couple of minutes before her head gets too heavy, but it's really fun while it lasts.  Dancing on her back is still her favorite though. Especially with a fun new wood rattle from Grandma and Grandpa.

Her favorite toy at this point? Definitely her daddy :o)

Development

So while the adults were partying, little C has been busy developing. What's new with our little one? Well the biggest thing is that she now gets toys. It started with blocks that Nana and Saba sent for Channukah. We put one on her lap and she actually grabbed onto it and even brought it to her mouth!

Other favorite things include her play mat (she reaches for the toys herself now)...

...sweatshirt strings....

...and perhaps the best example ever of a brilliant simple idea, her new crinkle paper :)

Grandma Jean got her this crinkle paper for Christmas. It's a soft covering over something that sounds like a potatoe chip bag, and C loves it! It's been really fun to watch her start to interact with the world around her more. I have a feeling max will be next...

Ps she also just started tracking Alex with her eyes and head as he moves across the room. It's pretty awesome. I'll try to get a video

Happy Channukah, Merry Chrismas and a birthday pizza party

Alright, so what's happened since last week? Well, the Provans arrived :o)

Caroline, Norm and Jean all arrived on Thursday for the holiday weekend. Friday we had some fun with a pizza party for Norm's birthday.

On our plates you see deep dish pizza, smuggled up from Chicago by Caroline to surprise Norm. Charlotte celebrated the birthday by wearing her big girl overalls for the first time

Saturday was Christmas eve and we headed over to Todd and Dianne's for a wonderful dinner with the crew.

And Sunday (Christmas Day) Charlotte opened presents in her new pajamas, max got a skunk, and the rest of us got our holiday dress fix for a while.

Phew :o)

Quarter of a year old!

Happy three month birthday baby girl! Everyday you get more amazing :o)

The new normal

So after a rocky start last week I felt like we actually were getting the hang of work and life. Charlotte started eating better at daycare which lead to better sleep and I had started to adjust to being back at work. And then the weekend rolled around and we had two glorious days of uninterrupted family time. We had a nice dinner at home Friday while decorating out tree, we went out with friends Saturday night and Charlotte did great at the restaurant, and had a wonderful brunch at our neighbors Sunday. Sunday's outfit was especially dashing for if I do say so myself:

All and all it was wonderful to do so much as a family, which made going to work this morning really hard.

On the plus side the mothers room in the building I'll be training in is really nice! Between my office and here I should be reasonably comfortable pumping for the duration. And little C is way fun to come home to. She's learning to talk...

Half way through week one

As you guys know I went back to work on Monday, and I'm happy to report we've made it so far. I have to say - it's really different then I expected it to be. I was expecting it to be emotionally difficult, but more than anything I'd say it's been physically difficult. No thanks to the unwelcome sickness that's been working it's was through the house and little C decision it's way better to eat in the middle of the night then it is to eat during the day, I'm tired. Luckily I'm only working part time at this point so I'm writing this from home in PJs, instead of being at work this morning.

I think our saving grace will be settling into a routine, which is why C is at daycare this morning even though I'm home. We've gotten the mornings pretty well down, and once we figure out evenings as well things should get easier. One thing daycare and working has already done for us - we're squeezing more fun out of the waking hours we all have together:

Only two more days until the weekend!

Well that was interesting...

Today was my first day back at work, and I'm happy to report that everyone survived, if just barely.

Last night around midnight I woke up and was sick, and proceeded to wake up to be sick just about every hour. Somehow we all managed to get out of the house this morning, but Alex came home with a fever at lunch and has been in bed since. Poor Charlotte decided at daycare today that she hates bottles, resulting in her eating about half the volume that she should. So far max seems to be fine, but given our luck he might be next.

Not to be all doom and gloom things are at least looking up for some of us (a managed some toast for dinner!). And the silver lining is that the rest of the week has to be easier :o)

Sleep

Last night was a huge night for little C - she slept through it :o)

We put her down as usual around 8:00. She didn't nurse particularly well so I assumed I'd be up with her a couple of times but instead we heard her on the monitor for the first time at 6:15 this morning. Amazing. 11 weeks, 4 days old.

Unrelated to sleep but awfully cute, here's your video fix of the week.

I start back to work tomorrow. Wish us all luck!

Quack

Today's silver lining, when C's diaper leaked during her nap this afternoon I had an excuse to change her into the awesome pajama sack nana got her. I'm a sucker for fuzzy ducks, what can I say?

We survived!

Just what did we survive since the last post? Nothing big, just a trip to Boston and the first day of daycare.

When Rachel was staying with us back in October she made me realize that it is possible to travel with an infant. So trying to take advantage of my maternity leave as much as possible, Charlotte and I headed off to Boston last Thursday. Alex had to work so it was just the two of us, but we actually managed just fine. The flights weren't crowded and Charlotte did really well on the plane.

Once we got to Boston we drove up to Grammy and Grammy Sue's house, where we meet up with the Pytels, and eventually Nana and Saba.  It wasn't quiet:

But it was wonderful. and we got some great pictures:

As far as daycare goes, Charlotte did 4 hours this morning and we both survived, but I'm still a little too emotional to talk about it. Charlotte did fine. I didn't so much. But she's back home now and well is well with the world.

Phew, what a week.

Quick update

Boston is great. We're having great fun playing with cousins and Grammy and Grammy Sue. Travel was easier than expected, and C's adjusting just fine to the new scene.

We made it

Well it can be done. You can fly with a ten week old and live to tell the tale :) After leaving the house at 5:30 this morning we arrived in Boston safe and sound.

Overall travel was way easier than expected. Alex parked so he could help check the suitcase and the car seat, and the Madison TSA agent let me through security wearing Charlotte in the. Moby so that was easy as well. The flight out of Madison was empty so we even got our own row (making nursing MUCH easier). The connection in DC was fine, aside from a three diaper diaper change, and while Charlotte fussed at bit on the second flight, it wasn't enough to seriously bother anyone.

Hair

One of the first things people comment on when they see Charlotte is her hair. In fact the very first thing the very first person that ever saw her (my OB) said was "Oh my, we can braid her hair". People kept telling me the hair would fall out - they were wrong.

Most of the time it's pretty straight and sticking straight up.

But right after her bath a little Zimet shines through :o)

Wow she's making weird faces in both of those pictures. Anyway, this little one might be getting a hair cut for her three month birthday :o)

Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving everyone! Today we had our first thanksgiving as a family of three (plus dog), and it was absolutely wonderful. To all our friends and family that we didn't see today, thank you for the invites and we hope you had a great celebration, but saying home this year was perfect. We had a relaxing morning, both Alex and I got a chance to run, and we got to hang around in sweats, slowly making side dishes throughout the day. We even tossed a football around in the back yard (until max stole it). When we did sit down we got to enjoy a great meal with Charlotte on one of our laps the whole time.

After dinner there was much playing as a family. Tummy time for adults and baby, as well as singing and dancing. Bath time with dad and lullabies with mom, then off to dream land for baby C in her own crib.

The best part of today was having time to sit down and really think about all that I'm grateful for. It's a pretty overwhelming list that includes:

• Our beautiful, healthy baby girl
• My amazing husband
• The amazing life we've created together
• My wonderful family
• The help that my family is getting to get healthy
• My circle of amazing friends
• The world's best dog (and that he's SO wonderful with Charlotte)

Thank you to everyone that has in anyway helped us to get to this moment - I'm awfully happy to be here.

So is Charlotte :)

2 month well child visit

Charlotte got to go in for her two month well child visit yesterday. I'm pleased to announce that she's great :o) She was 9 lb 14 oz and 22 inches long which the doctor says looks just fine for her growth chart. The unfortunate part of the visit was the immunizations, three shots which poor little Charlotte did not care for one bit. At least she got some cool band aids out of the deal.

Saba's got it figured out

I just got a couple of pictures from my dad which included a few from the naming. While the first cousins picture may not have been a clear winner...

Eva says "I eat your face Charlotte"

The pictures did also include a great one of my dad and Charlotte snoozing:

When I first saw it I couldn't figure out why it looked so familiar, until I realized it was pretty close to a repeat of one he took with Eva back in May:

I think Saba's got this whole grandparent thing figured out - only hold the baby when they're ready to nap :o)

2 Months!

Happy two month birthday baby girl!

Something I've seen my friends do is take a picture of their child in the same position repeatedly as they grow. Seems like a good idea, so let me present the first of what will hopefully be many installments of Charlotte and her Aardvark:

2 months

On a lighter note

Phew, that last post was a heavy one. To lighten things up, here's Charlotte just waking up from one of her afternoon naps. Dare you not to smile :)

Looking ahead

Dear Charlotte,

Today we went into Pooh Bear and met Miss Nancy, who will be your teacher when I go back to work.

It seems impossible that you're old enough to go to daycare. It feels like we're just getting to know each other and it tears at my heart that we're going to have to spend most of our days apart. I know that Miss Nancy will take great care of you. She's been working in the infant room at Pooh Bear for 10 years, and actually reminds me a lot of Grammy. I know that you're going to learn things in daycare that I wouldn't be able to teach you, and that while the first year is rough your immune system will eventually thank us for the exposure. I know that going back to work is the right thing for me to do for our family, but baby girl I am going to miss you SO much. I am going to miss our morning singing and our late morning cuddles before naps. I am going to miss mom and baby yoga and our afternoon adventures. I am going to miss being the person who gets to spend more time with you then anyone else in the word.

As hard as the visit was, I am glad that we did it today. It served as a great reminder for me to cherish every moment I have left of maternity leave.

I love you Charlotte.

~Mom

Charlotte is 8 weeks, 3 days old today.

Thank you Aunt D!

We got a great package in the mail today - three hats from Auntie D in Sweden! Charlotte wanted to pass along her thanks...

Good morning!

For all those following at home, C's at least in better spirits today :)

First cold?

Poor little C is stuffy this morning. Doesn't seem to be too bad but she's definitely more uncomfortable than usual. And extra snugly too:

Snow!

Yesterday, November 9th, was Charlotte's first snow.

The day didn't start with snow, it started with pouring rain. Which wouldn't have been too bad except it started to rain from the light fixture over the sink. Ah the joys of home ownership. We're now without light on the kitchen, but at least we have power!

From there the day improved. We got to go to yoga:

Watch snow:

And snugel up with a good book while waiting for Alex to get home from work.

Ordinary day take 2

A while back I was inspired by a post Rachel did that captured a day in the life. The idea was to take a picture every hour or so to help you remember all the little wonderful things that make up your day, but are easy to forget. I actually did this for the first time a couple of weeks ago, but then promptly lost all the pictures with a phone upgrade (more than a little frustrating). So today, Charlotte's 7 week birthday, we're trying again.

What do you say Charlotte? Sound like fun?

Yes. If yes means that you'll put down the darn phone and feed me. I'm STARVING!

6:30 View while nursing

C had a great night last night. I was only up once around 3 to nurse, which makes 6:30 feel a lot better than it usually does. It's raining outside - makes a nice background to the sound of C nursing, but it will probably make getting outside today tough.










 
7:30 View while pumping

C is kind enough to keep me company. This is actually her second outfit if the day already. Hurray spit-up.














8:30 Sir pouts a lot

Usually we try to take a walk in the morning with Max, but as I mentioned before it's gross outside. Like 35 degrees and raining gross. I made Max go out back before breakfast, so now he's pouting. I know, I'm cruel. I'm not sure what he's doing with Alex's slippers there. It's better not to ask.






9:30 Tummy time!

C was a fan today. It's hit or miss lately. And yes, that is the third outfit of the day. No wonder I do so much laundry.









10:30 Snooze in the Moby

This is by far C's favorite way to sleep. I like it because it means I have both hands free to do whatever, plus she's warm (I have mentioned it's cold and gross outside?)













11:45 Places To Go

After snoozing, eating and putting on a FuzziBunz diaper for the first time (I wanted to give them a try but at first glance I'm not sold), we're of to grab lunch with my friend Kelly!









12:30 Out and About

C was awesome during lunch. Happy and aware. Occasionally cooing if we weren't gushing at her at that moment. Overall really fun. Unfortunately this was all I captured on film/disk. Fail.












2:30 Ready for Bed

We missed an hour there, but it was mostly travel, nursing and learning that FuzziBunz actually do a pretty good job with pretty nasty diapers. Now we're all snuggled up and ready for an afternoon nap.













3:30 Walk it Out

The rain stopped for a few minutes so we hopped on the chance to get outside. It was cold, grey, and nasty, but at least it was outside.













4:30 Long Distance

Grammy and C got some good face time thanks to her new phone (thanks Chad!). You'll have to take our word that there were some cute faces during the conversation...














5:30 Starting to Crash

C's down for her last nap of the day, and the boys aren't doing much better. Alex came home sick from work today so he's quarantined in the guest bedroom. Max decided the warm cuddle buddy was worth the infection risk.













6:30 Last Stand

6:30 is generally "quick - eat dinner before C realizes that she's tired and needs to go to be" time at our house. Tonight she was kind enough to be entertained by her swing while we munched on chili from the freezer. I got 90% of the way through mine before she'd had enough swing time. Then it was off to the bath before PJ's, nursing, lullabies, and bed.











It's now just about 9:00 and Alex is still in the guest room with Max, Charlotte is sound asleep and I'm about to restock my nursing snack supply before heading to bed myself. All and all a wonderful, ordinary day.