Books

I just finished Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide for the Rest of Us , and it is hilarious.  It is a quick read, and if don't take yourself too seriously, I think you'll enjoy it!

The next book I want to read is Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family by Catherine Newman.  I believe I read about it on A Cup of Jo , and after reading the preview pages on Amazon.com, I know I will enjoy it.  I especially like the author's attempt to describe the overwhelming emotion a mother has for her child as found below.

"Until it happened to us, I didn't understand that having a baby would feel like falling in love, but like falling in love on a bad acid trip.  With an alarm clock a pooping alarm clock.  I wasn't prepared to lie awake by the sleeping babe, my heart pounding audibly and so swollen with passion that I could barely breathe. ... Nobody mentioned the way my heart would be brought to its knees, a thousand times a day, by my love for the baby."

How Fast Time Flies

1 Month

Loves to eat

Sleeps 3-4 hours at night, eats, and sleeps for another 3-4 hours

Naps throughout the day

 

2 Months

 Loves to eat

Smiling

Sleeping a little longer between feedings!

Interested in books

 3 Months

Still loves to eat

Tries to "watch" TV

Loves the sound of her voice

Sleeps all night - 10 pm - 6/7 am!

4 Months

Eating like a champ - only breastmilk

Actively grabs toys and brings to mouth

Recognizes Mom and Dad

Rolls over from tummy to back

Smiling all the time!

Sleeping all night (approximately 8/9-6/7)

Short naps during the day

Children's Books

Since I've finished college, I have started to enjoy reading more.  I even started a book club with some friends, but it disbanded as members moved away (and summer plans got in the way.)  When Avery was a newborn, I would just read her my "adult" book aloud instead of selecting from her bookshelf as she didn't pay attention to the pictures anyways.  But now, I have replaced my books with her books as she LOVES to read.  Last night, we were reading Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, and Avery sat in my lap smiling at each page.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading a book more than I did last night.

For my shower, the hosts requested everyone to bring a favorite childhood book.  It was a great way to build a library for Avery and share memories of childhood at the shower. I strongly recommend it if you're hosting a shower!

Sleep

My baby sleeps all night.  Maybe it is too early to celebrate, but Avery is sleeping from about 9:30 to about 6:00 - sometimes it is 5:45, sometimes 6:30 because I wake her up!  At daycare, she takes short naps usually only 1 hour or less, but the workers say she is happy and alert when she's not sleeping.  I started reading a book about teaching your child to sleep all night as I thought it might have some useful tips, but I quickly discovered she has been sleeping all night for several weeks now by most standards (which is 12-5).  I am so blessed to have such a sweet bean that let's me sleep all night.

Recent Readings

15 Ways to Stay Married for 15 Years by Lydia Netzer

I LOVE #5; one of the best feelings in the world...especially if speaking about parenting skills when you're feeling less than confident as a new parent.  Husband is a wonderful Dad. 

Our Wedding Rings as photographed by Shawna Noel.

Planet Parenthood: The Funny, Helpful, Absolutely Essential Survivor's Guide to a Strange New World by Julie Tilsner

I've read only a few chapters in this book, but I love the author's sense of humor. It is nice to know others worry about the same things like making sure your baby is still breathing if she's been quiet for more than 3 minutes while you're in the other room.  Avery has had a stuffy nose since last week. I hate how it sounds so uncomfortable for her when she is first falling asleep (eventually she clears it enough to breathe silently), but I do like the reassurance that she is, in fact, still breathing when listening to her fall asleep each night.

Newborn Noises

Avery is the first grand baby for both my family and Husband's family, so I haven't been around many newborns - just my cousins' babies.  I had no idea how loud tiny newborns can be.  The first few nights at home, Husband and I couldn't believe the loud noises she made.  And even more alarming was the fact that we couldn't distinguish from what end some of those noises were coming!  We frequently refer to her as a little elephant as she makes this adorable, loud elephant noise. I am not sure how she does it as I have been unable to replicate it.

She also makes some very obnoxious, not so adorable noises with her other end at inappropriate times.  Avery was five weeks old at the first wedding she attended.  I was nervous that she would start crying in the middle of the ceremony, so I had her pacifier ready and sat in the back of the church to make a quick exit if needed.  She was sleeping peacefully in my arms as the bridal party began to enter the church.  "A nice quick wedding, and we'll be out of here without any disruptions" I thought.  As the groomsmen and maids were walking down the aisle, Avery started a stream of gas that seemed to last the entire length of the processional.  Husband and I were crying with laughter.  Even the couple in front of us got to enjoy the "music." Stinky bean.

Back to Work

Last week, I returned to work.  I was very blessed to have 10 weeks at home with the little bean.  I enjoy working, but I really enjoy snuggling my baby.  I was anxious Sunday night and feeling sorry for myself that I had to leave her.  Thankfully by Monday morning, I had changed my outlook. At this point, I need to work to provide her (and Husband and me) with the lifestyle we desire.  So even though I miss her, I am working to benefit her.  Drop off went while with no tears! The daycare staff even commented that I was doing well for a first time drop off.

This week has been a different story.  I've caught up on all my work from leave, so I have more time to think about her and to miss her.  When I dropped her off today, there were four adults in the baby room.  They started talking about her - how cute she is, all her hair, and her adorable outfits. I wanted to stay in that room and admire her all day too.  I am jealous of those workers.  I spent most of my college days working at daycares, and I never realized how hard it must have been for those parents to leave their babies with me.

This picture is my background at work, and it fills me with warmth every time I see it. I love her so much.

Avery's Arrival

Avery's labor story starts in the early morning hours of June 26, 2012; 4:30 am to be exact.  I woke up thinking my water had broken.  I called the hospital determine if I should go in to be checked out or wait at home as I didn't have any contractions.  The nurse instructed me to go to the hospital.  The possibility of her early arrival was so exciting to Husband and me!

Husband and I arrived at Altru Hospital around 5:30 am.  After running a few tests, it was determined that my water had not broken; however, the hospital staff wanted to keep me for observation for a couple of hours as I had progressed since my appointment on Friday and my blood pressure was slightly elevated. Around 9:00 am, the doctor checked me again, and there was more progress.  Husband and I were told we would be at the hospital a little while longer.

Husband went home to let out the dogs as it had already been several hours.  When he left, Avery's heart rate decelerated. A flurry of nurses and doctors entered the room.  Thankfully, Avery was OK and her heart rate resumed its regular rate.  Given the heart rate drop and my high blood pressure, the doctor determined that it would be best to induce labor despite being only 37 weeks along.  Husband and I were so excited that we would get to meet her that day!

Around 1:00, the doctor broke my water.  The contractions increased in strength and frequency.  The only way I was comfortable was standing.  Around 3:00, I was exhausted and decided to have an IV pain medication to help me rest.  Contractions slowed after the medicine, so the doctor administered Pitocin around 4:30 to pick up the contractions. Although the contractions were strong, progress was slow for the next hour or so.  I didn't think I would be able to go without an epidural given the pace of progress.  Around 6:20, I requested an epidural; however, when the anesthesiologist came in, I felt the urge to push.  The nurse checked, and I was almost completely dilated. After 45 minutes of pushing, Avery was born at 7:07 pm and placed on my tummy. It was the most amazing feeling I have ever experienced.

Why Now?

I have thought about starting a blog many times in the past.  When I finally did over a year ago, I wrote three posts and shut it down after a year of not posting.  The problem in the past wasn't coming up with topics. Rather, the problem was finding the motivation to write about them.  I would come up with lists of blog ideas but never get around to writing any of the posts.  This blog will be different.  This blog won't fail because I'm not writing this blog for myself or for the general Internet audience.  I am writing this blog for Avery.  Since Husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby, there have been numerous stories I've thought I should write down to share with my baby in the future.  And since her birth, there have been even more.

I was told several times by many people that there is nothing like the love you have for your child. You cannot explain it.  You just have to wait until you have your own to feel it.  As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I immediately fell in love with Avery.  Although I didn't know she was going to be a girl yet or that Husband and I would agree on Avery as her name, I knew I couldn't love her any more than I did at that moment...until she was born and I fell even deeper in love with her and have been every day since then.  These stories are for her.