Busy, busy, busy!

You are such a big girl now. You are eating rice cereal once a day, and drinking water from your sippy cup, rolling, and you started sleeping in your crib. I can't believe how fast you are growing! You are wearing 3-6 month clothing now. It's time to pack up all the 3 month stuff. BIG GIRL!

We went to the zoo on Tuesday with Leslie, Charley, Jackson, and the Mom's group. You were so good. We got you a new stroller, so we were gliding in style. Then yesterday, Uncle Denis arrived home from Kuwait! He has been gone since Mommy was 3 months pregnant with you. It has been a very busy week. Tonight your Daddy has his first softball game. We were going to go, but it may not be warm enough. You got a boo-boo today and are a little sad. Moose ran up the stairs and Wrigley followed. She scared you, and you got a little scratch on your finger:(. We'll probably stay home and cuddle, if that's okay.

I better go, you will be waking from your morning nap soon, and I have some cleaning to finish up! I love you, baby girl.

XOXO, Mom

The Breastfeeding Conundrum.

As much as I love writing messages to my little girl, I'm going to take a break from that with this entry.  I want to address something that I have discovered to be an issue that many ladies have endured, but nobody talks about;  breastfeeding troubles.

It took me about three years of actively trying with my husband to successfully make a baby, but after that it was a piece of cake!  My pregnancy was so run-of-the-mill and uneventful, it could have been classified as boring.  Even my labor was easy, as far as labor goes.  I never even thought for a second that breastfeeding would be where I had difficulties.  It started in the hospital... Finley got right on it and went to town.  Then as the clock was ticking on the twenty-four hour mark closer and closer with no wet diaper, I was panicking.  Then it happened.  Fifteen minutes before they start to worry, she peed.  Hallelujah!  Things seemed to be just peachy, until we got home.  My milk came in, but wet diapers were a no go.  Off to the doctor we went.  Finley was dropping weight, even after the HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS of breastfeeding.  I gave her a formula bottle and felt unnecessary guilt.  I got a lot of unsolicited and solicited advice, most of it encouraging me to drop the formula.  I heard that my milk had just come in, and that it would be just fine.  I listened, and I stopped giving her formula.  A few days later we went in for a weight check and things were looking up.  She gained two ounces.  Everyone thought things were going great, so I continued to exclusively breastfeed.  Looking back in pictures of my little peanut, I don't know how I didn't see she wasn't gaining enough.  It could have been a mixture of exhaustion, the everyday worries of having an infant, and the fact that love is blind.

Off to the two month appointment.  Finley weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. when she was born.  At her two month appointment, she only weighted 7 lbs. 14 oz.  My husband and I were relieved she had gained, until our idiot bubbles were burst when the doctor look concerned.  She would have preferred her to be in the 9 lb. range.  Well, shit, that's a big difference.  Let's not forget to mention I had spoken with a lactation consultant who all but told me it was IMPOSSIBLE that I wasn't making enough milk.  She wanted me to keep exclusively breastfeeding, and I just wanted my baby to gain weight.  I got a lot of that.  This time I didn't listen.  I even lied to some people to get them to leave me alone.  I started supplementing, and within a week, Finley was 9 lbs.

It wasn't until I spoke to a few women in my small group that I heard similar stories.  I wasn't the only one.  Then my friend's sister had the same problem.  Ladies were coming out of the wood work!  Why hadn't anybody told me that this was possible??  I guess there was one person who did bring it up while I was pregnant... she said, "You can have a healthy baby on breast milk or formula, do what is best for you."  I should have listened.  I could have avoided a ton of guilt and stress.  I still hear stuff to this day.  Finley is 4 months old and I'm not even pumping anymore.  She gets straight Similac, and SHE'S ALIVE!  We have no stress, and I can enjoy my baby.

I think it's important to let moms know that it IS possible you won't make enough milk, and it is OKAY!  Stop with the breastfeeding guilt.  Let us do what is best for us without your pressure and perfect ideals.  I bet your mom fed you formula!  :)

Trying to notice every change in you!

Well, my dear, Finley, you are FOUR MONTHS OLD! You weigh 14 lbs 3.5 oz, and you are 25 in. long! I can't believe how fast you've grown. You crack me up each day with your new sounds. You love to make noise non-stop. Your smiles and giggles are so contagious.

You have your second cold, but Dr. Adams says it shouldn't last too long. I am sick too. I hope your throat doesn't feel like mommy's!

You were dedicated last weekend (4-7-13). Nana and Papa were here for it! You love them so much! We will be going to visit them again VERY soon! God has really blessed us.

We went to Evan's 2nd birthday party, and you were such a good baby! You always are. I don't think babies can be "bad" - but boy are you easy going! We always get comments on how sweet, smiley, and well-behaved you are.

You are the best!! Xoxo

Mom

You are 16 weeks old today!

Well, we are still in Michigan and are having a great time! You were a perfect angel for your first road trip:). You had your first trip to the (Detroit) zoo, your first Easter, met the Easter Bunny, and smiled through it all. Daddy and Micaela went home yesterday, but we are staying until Saturday. Then we are all going to celebrate your dedication. I'm so glad you like it here. We will be back MANY times<3.

Slow down the clock!

You are growing at quite a rapid pace. You better knock it off, young lady. Hehe, I'm just kidding. I am severely enjoying watching you grow, learn, develop, and change. Your little legs almost touch the ground when you are in your jumper. You are also getting better at controlling your hands. It's pretty impressive!

You got to meet The Hasperts finally. Evan is gonna be your buddy, and there's another boy on his way too! Saturday we are going to his 2nd birthday party! Fun fun!!

Your daddy is getting his wisdom teeth out in a few days, so we'll have to take good care of him! He thinks he'll be at band practice that same day, but mommy knows better. A week after that we are off to Michigan! It's gonna be so much fun. I can't wait for you to meet everyone, and see Nana, Papa, Aunt MK, Uncle Matt, Andrew, & Ryan.

I love you, Munchy <3

Momma is trying to get back in shape.

Well, Finley is now 12 weeks (and 2 days) old and fast approaching 3 months.  We get her 3 month pictures taken (by the lovely Michelle) on Sunday.  We also have her baby dedication class that day... and it's daylight savings... we sure know how to mash as much as possible into our weekends!  Everything has been going well in all things baby.  She sleeps through the night, naps a bunch throughout the day, loves to play with us, but also by herself.  She is always happy and smiling; it's very contagious.  We couldn't be happier.  The only thing I'd like to fix is what is left of my baby belly.  I have been sneaking in workouts when I can, but I haven't been tackling my core.  It's amazing how useless that became.  I've definitely gotten strength back, but she needs some work.  I know I can't complain because I only have six pounds of baby weight left to take off, but it's still difficult and takes more of what I am running out of (time).  Between yoga, Just Dance, and my little hand weights, I will be good!  CAN'T WAIT FOR WARMER WEATHER.  I will be out with Finley in the jogging stroller daily.  Can't come soon enough!

Finley laughed for the first time 2 days ago.  It was very cute.  Just as we figured, and with everything else, she refused to do it again while we were recording.

Don't judge me.. this baby loves TV.  No, I do not plop her in-front of it and go about my day like she isn't there.  I let her watch Yo Gabba Gabba and interact with her while she's doing it (and fold laundry, and wash bottles, and let dogs out, etc.), I swear.  You can't even walk near the TV without her little arms and legs going.  Looking forward to the future with that.......  For now, I am bigger and she can't walk, so HA!

Still consider ourselves the luckiest parents ever.  Even thought about wanting another one ASAP.  That thought was fleeting.  I would like Finley to be at least ONE before we have TWO.

                  You will be rolling over very soon... here you are trying :)

11 weeks & 1 day :)

Well, you are growing like a weed! You are starting to laugh. You think I'm hilarious. I'm sure I'd laugh (or cry) at all the dopey faces little humans make big humans make! You are starting to reach for things. We bought you a jumper this past weekend and I can't wait until your legs reach the floor so you can go to town. You basically hold your head up on your own now. You can pull yourself up on your arms when we do tummy time, you love your "My Pal Violet" and holding a blanky while you sleep. We switched doctors and you loved Dr. Adams. We are surviving your first tiny cold and you couldn't care less. You are so brave! We love you!!!

(This was written last week - Feb 27th, didn't publish for some reason!)

Mom

This is Finley's "not impressed" face... She seem to give this to me often.

11 weeks old!

Your first time out in the snow... still not impressed :)

Somebody pinch me, she doesn't HATE tummy time anymore!