I can almost hear these words coming out of our little Emma's mouth. Let's just say she's adjusting to this whole formula thing just fine. No emotional scars on this baby... just give her some food -- any food -- and she's fine. She doesn't even seem to mind the horrific smell of this stuff (although it makes me want to gag!).
It has been really nice letting other people feed her and not stressing about pumping and replacing bottles. Besides giving me a break, it's a good way for her to get more comfortable around others. As some of you already know, she is a little particular about who holds her.
She even took a bottle from me okay. She was a little confused about how to suck at first, but eventually figured it out and was done in 2 minutes flat. Of course, that was a bottle of breast milk. The real test is when I try to give her formula, but she's taken it fine from everyone else, so I'm thinking positively.
She doesn't seem to be reacting to the formula either. She does have some dry skin on her cheeks all of the sudden, but I also gave her cereal the other day for the first time in a long time and it was caked all over her face. So, it might be from that, but I'm keeping a close eye on it. But if all goes well, she'll most likely be weaned by this weekend or next week at the latest.
I am also doing better than I expected. I thought for sure I would cry through our first bottle-feeding together, but I found myself more worried about her swallowing air that I didn't even think twice about it. Before I knew it, it was over, and I was fine. A much easier transition than I expected.
I have to say that I will miss the late-night feedings the most. That was the only time Emma nursed like a "normal" baby -- all snuggly and not so EXTREMELY wiggly. There is something special about no one else being up in the house and the two of us spending some quiet, relaxing time together. As most of you know, the words quiet and relaxing don't exactly describe miss Emma -- AT. ALL. But during our late-night feedings, she nurses and ends up falling asleep on my shoulder. Her sweet face always ends up facing mine and I snuggle with her, cheek to cheek. That is of course, in between kissing those chubby cheeks and little lips a million times. It is in those moments that all of this is worth it. Every single second. By the way, for those who are wondering, I will be nursing our next child for as long as I can. Like I said, totally worth it.
So we're doing great. Emma slept a pretty long stretch last night after Jeff gave her a bottle, so maybe we have finally turned a corner. Still, I'm not holding my breath. I don't count on anything happening more than once with this little peanut. I just treasure the moments when it goes well. It's the only way I stay sane. Plus, we are going away to Geneva this weekend, so I'm sure her sleep schedule will be all off and we'll be starting from scratch next week. BUT, we'll get spend some quality time with the B clan, and I may actually be able to order food from a menu, so I'm looking forward to it. I wonder if they have an Aurelio's in Geneva… :o)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
The Moment of Truth
So yesterday was Emma's follow-up with the GI. Her reflux has been bad (not worse, but not better); she's been constipated; she had lots of blood in her stool last week (after going almost 3 full days without a bowel movement); and she woke up crying 3 nights in a row after I ate some Vegan chocolate cookies (allergy-free AND delicious I might add...). So, I was expecting to be told formula was the next step. I was sad, but spent the last week praying about it and slowly came to terms with the fact that this was best for Emma. Plus, I've been having goofy things happening to me and have been registering record low numbers on the scale, so I was okay with it. I thought.
Then the GI tests her stool and not only is the consistency okay, but there was no blood. In other words, she's fine. The blood from the other day was because of her "constipation," which is actually normal, according to the GI. He said he has seen breastfed babies go 10 times a day and some go every 10 days. Our peanut is growing still -- currently 14 lb, 13 oz and 26 1/4 in -- so her body is absorbing what it needs and getting rid of it WHEN it needs to.
Oh, okay. But what about the reflux?
The Prevacid won't stop it from happening; it will only make it less painful. The rest she will have to grow out of over time.
Okay, so what does this mean?
Well, the diet has obviously worked, which means I can continue breastfeeding. I should be happy, right? But I'm not. Jeff really thinks it's time to move her to a hypoallergenic formula. But if I do that, it's for selfish reasons, not for Emma's benefit like I have been telling myself for the last week. That's hard for me. I feel like I'm letting her down.
Still, she IS uncomfortable when she nurses (I can tell it hurts her), and I am literally driving myself crazy about the eating thing. The second she cries, I rack my brain, "Oh crap. What did I eat?" I think the cookies put me -- and Jeff -- over the edge. It wasn't like I was cheating and had a slice a pizza. I ate something I thought was safe, but it still seemed to hurt her. And being responsible for physically hurting your child is a horrible feeling and terrible burden. I cried and cried out of guilt: I didn't need the cookies. How could I do that to her? That's when Jeff said, "Enough is enough."
After MUCH discussion, we've decided to wean her for the next week or two. It won't be the easiest thing I ever do, but I guess it is for the greater good. I hope. Part of me is relieved, while the other half is sad and full of guilt. The good news is I have an awesome support system. Jeff has been really supportive, and I know his concern is only out of love. He has a vested interest in Emma and me, so I know he has thought long and hard about this. And my mom and sister have also been great listeners, as have my close friends. Thank you everyone for your patient ears and kind words. I know I can get a little nuts sometimes and talk in circles, but you were all loving and non-judgmental. Thank you.
I guess it's all about letting go. A part of the parenting role that I just have to get used to. I guess part of me still felt I had some form of "control" if I was the one feeding her. But in the end, her true discomfort -- her reflux -- is nothing I can "fix."
As far as being sad about weaning, my mom reminded me that I will be sad no matter when I decide to stop breastfeeding Emma -- whether it's now or 6 months from now. So true. And maybe, just maybe she WILL sleep better at night (although I have to add that ALL current research says food has nothing to do with sleep patterns). Still, if we can eliminate one or two night feedings, maybe her reflux won't wake her up and she will be able to sleep comfortably -- hopefully.
So then came the moment of truth -- Emma's first formula feeding. She's never had anything but breast milk, but she took it okay. I wasn't there, but Jeff said she kind of looked at him like, "What's this?" and played with the bottle for a few minutes. Then she must have decided she was hungry enough, so she sucked it down. All of it. So now we wait and see if she reacts. The formula still has the proteins in it (which cause the allergic reactions), but they are supposedly broken down enough for her to easily digest. We will see. If she's okay, she'll be on formula from here on out (even it is $25 a can... yikes!). If not, I will continue to breastfeed. That's the plan.
One upside, of course, is I will be able to eat, eat, eat! It's weird to think about. I'm so used to water, veggies, organic oat bran, rice milk, fruit, and organic chicken and turkey, that anything else will feel "wrong." I guess that's the positive I received from all of this. I have always liked eating healthy, but now I even enjoy cooking healthy, as in from scratch. That's right... from scratch. I even made homemade French fries (in Canola oil) for Jeff the other day. Not rocket science and certainly not very healthy, I know, but the point is that before I would have never entertained the idea, especially when a McDonald's is just down the street. Why bother? Now I see how fun it is. I am making Jeff homemade spaghetti sauce tonight.
Overall, I plan to incorporate my new healthy habits into our everyday meals. I have to say that God is so good -- He always brings a positive out of every experience. Heck, if I didn't have the gestational diabetes, how would I have had the discipline to stay on this new diet? His plan is always perfect.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have planned my first splurges, and they are NOT healthy. Let me indulge you all: it will start off with a Starbucks white chocolate mocha (soy, no whip) for breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I so miss PB!!) for lunch, and Aurelio's pizza (extra sauce) for dinner. And brownies for desert, of course. Not that I've put that much thought into it or anything.
So there you have it. Our first major parenting decision has been made. We just pray it was the right one.
Then the GI tests her stool and not only is the consistency okay, but there was no blood. In other words, she's fine. The blood from the other day was because of her "constipation," which is actually normal, according to the GI. He said he has seen breastfed babies go 10 times a day and some go every 10 days. Our peanut is growing still -- currently 14 lb, 13 oz and 26 1/4 in -- so her body is absorbing what it needs and getting rid of it WHEN it needs to.
Oh, okay. But what about the reflux?
The Prevacid won't stop it from happening; it will only make it less painful. The rest she will have to grow out of over time.
Okay, so what does this mean?
Well, the diet has obviously worked, which means I can continue breastfeeding. I should be happy, right? But I'm not. Jeff really thinks it's time to move her to a hypoallergenic formula. But if I do that, it's for selfish reasons, not for Emma's benefit like I have been telling myself for the last week. That's hard for me. I feel like I'm letting her down.
Still, she IS uncomfortable when she nurses (I can tell it hurts her), and I am literally driving myself crazy about the eating thing. The second she cries, I rack my brain, "Oh crap. What did I eat?" I think the cookies put me -- and Jeff -- over the edge. It wasn't like I was cheating and had a slice a pizza. I ate something I thought was safe, but it still seemed to hurt her. And being responsible for physically hurting your child is a horrible feeling and terrible burden. I cried and cried out of guilt: I didn't need the cookies. How could I do that to her? That's when Jeff said, "Enough is enough."
After MUCH discussion, we've decided to wean her for the next week or two. It won't be the easiest thing I ever do, but I guess it is for the greater good. I hope. Part of me is relieved, while the other half is sad and full of guilt. The good news is I have an awesome support system. Jeff has been really supportive, and I know his concern is only out of love. He has a vested interest in Emma and me, so I know he has thought long and hard about this. And my mom and sister have also been great listeners, as have my close friends. Thank you everyone for your patient ears and kind words. I know I can get a little nuts sometimes and talk in circles, but you were all loving and non-judgmental. Thank you.
I guess it's all about letting go. A part of the parenting role that I just have to get used to. I guess part of me still felt I had some form of "control" if I was the one feeding her. But in the end, her true discomfort -- her reflux -- is nothing I can "fix."
As far as being sad about weaning, my mom reminded me that I will be sad no matter when I decide to stop breastfeeding Emma -- whether it's now or 6 months from now. So true. And maybe, just maybe she WILL sleep better at night (although I have to add that ALL current research says food has nothing to do with sleep patterns). Still, if we can eliminate one or two night feedings, maybe her reflux won't wake her up and she will be able to sleep comfortably -- hopefully.
So then came the moment of truth -- Emma's first formula feeding. She's never had anything but breast milk, but she took it okay. I wasn't there, but Jeff said she kind of looked at him like, "What's this?" and played with the bottle for a few minutes. Then she must have decided she was hungry enough, so she sucked it down. All of it. So now we wait and see if she reacts. The formula still has the proteins in it (which cause the allergic reactions), but they are supposedly broken down enough for her to easily digest. We will see. If she's okay, she'll be on formula from here on out (even it is $25 a can... yikes!). If not, I will continue to breastfeed. That's the plan.
One upside, of course, is I will be able to eat, eat, eat! It's weird to think about. I'm so used to water, veggies, organic oat bran, rice milk, fruit, and organic chicken and turkey, that anything else will feel "wrong." I guess that's the positive I received from all of this. I have always liked eating healthy, but now I even enjoy cooking healthy, as in from scratch. That's right... from scratch. I even made homemade French fries (in Canola oil) for Jeff the other day. Not rocket science and certainly not very healthy, I know, but the point is that before I would have never entertained the idea, especially when a McDonald's is just down the street. Why bother? Now I see how fun it is. I am making Jeff homemade spaghetti sauce tonight.
Overall, I plan to incorporate my new healthy habits into our everyday meals. I have to say that God is so good -- He always brings a positive out of every experience. Heck, if I didn't have the gestational diabetes, how would I have had the discipline to stay on this new diet? His plan is always perfect.
Now, don't get me wrong, I have planned my first splurges, and they are NOT healthy. Let me indulge you all: it will start off with a Starbucks white chocolate mocha (soy, no whip) for breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I so miss PB!!) for lunch, and Aurelio's pizza (extra sauce) for dinner. And brownies for desert, of course. Not that I've put that much thought into it or anything.
So there you have it. Our first major parenting decision has been made. We just pray it was the right one.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Monday, January 09, 2006
One of Our First Family Photos
This is from Emma's baptism, which was a few months ago, but I've been meaning to post it for a while now.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
They say to never pray for patience...
...otherwise, God might give you LOTs to be patient about. Well, I guess you could say that's where we are at right now! :o)
Overall, the GI appt. went well, although we didn't learn anything we didn't already know. He agrees that Emma has reflux and upped her prescription to Prevacid since the Zantac wasn't doing much of anything. This is quite the concoction. It took Walgreens two days to get it ready. I guess it's some sort of compound. We have to refrigerate it and shake it REALLY well before giving to her. She gets it twice a day about 20 minutes before a feeding. This is supposed to lower the acidic levels in her tummy and hopefully eliminate the pain she is feeling. We're praying that it works no only to eliminate the pain, but that it helps her (and us!) sleep again. The last few nights have been pretty bad. Maybe 1-2 hrs sleep tops. Of course, her cold hasn't helped, but thankfully that is going away! We don't need one more thing keeping Emma up at night. The Prevacid can take a week to 10 days to kick in, so pray, pray, pray!!! Jeff and I are truly at our wits' end.
The GI also agreed that she has a milk allergy and most likely a soy allergy too (quick fact: 50% of infants who are allergic to dairy are allergic to soy). Her stool tested positive for blood and is always mucousy -- sure signs of an allergy. And although you can't really get a clear answer as to what an infant is allergic to, with Jeff's milk allergy and my lactose intolerance, we're pretty sure that's the issue. I also have noticed that milk, red sauce, my prenatal vitamins, and products with major soy seem to affect her, so I'm staying away from all of those, as well as eggs and peanuts (just in case). Her reflux could or could not be connected to her allergy, but there's no way to know for sure.
The doc also encouraged me to continue breastfeeding up until my 6-mo goal, which made me happy. Although there are special formulas out there, he believes the benefits Emma gets from my milk override any negatives. We're also not introducing any dairy into Emma's diet until she is after a year old. My poor little bunny has to wait that long to enjoy cheese! Oh well, if I can survive that, so can she -- at least she doesn't know what she's missing! :o)
So there ya go. We have a follow-up appt. in 3 weeks to see if there is any improvement, and we'll go from there. Maybe I'll end up breastfeeding longer than 6 mo, but we'll have to see what's best for Emma. The GI doesn't want me to go on an elimination diet to target her allergies because he doesn't really feel they are conclusive and in the end, will drive me crazy (as if I'm not already?). Anyway, I sort of agree with him, although my friend Cara is having success with it. Still, I figure this guy does this for a living, so I'm going to trust him, and I'm just going to do my best without going completely insane.
The massive lack of sleep does not seem to bothering Emma though. She is smiling and talking up a storm and has definitely found her toes. She is almost rolling over from back to tummy -- she's so close! And sitting up is just around the corner. She can do it by herself in her Boppy, and the other day, she lifted herself up from an incline position and sat up for several seconds. The GI even said during her exam that she was almost there. I'm excited but sad at the same time... where does the time go?
Her new fav toy is her exersaucer -- she really amuses herself in it and methodically plays which each toy (I detect some anal traits here...God help her if she's like me!). She also loves anything she can get her hands on and put in her mouth. She also is VERY vocal -- as in she knows what she wants and you better listen and respond ASAP. And so it begins... :o)
Jeff and her are also bonding a lot lately. Since my exhaustion has reached record levels, he's been really good about taking her on weekends and the nights that he is home. It's really cute to see them together, and Emma really knows her Daddy now. Heck, yesterday he got her to take two naps that were over an hour. THIS. NEVER. HAPPENS. We're not sure if it was the meds kicking in already or if she was just beyond exhausted, but it was encouraging. I also got her back to sleep today for another hour+, so we'll see. We can only be positive at this point for the sake of our sanity. Thankfully we have our faith to give us hope. We know God wants Emma better just as much as we do!
That should do it for now. One side note: Great Great Grandma Emma turned 92 today and is as healthy as ever. In fact, we plan to pay her a visit this week, so updated pix to come. Stay tuned!
Overall, the GI appt. went well, although we didn't learn anything we didn't already know. He agrees that Emma has reflux and upped her prescription to Prevacid since the Zantac wasn't doing much of anything. This is quite the concoction. It took Walgreens two days to get it ready. I guess it's some sort of compound. We have to refrigerate it and shake it REALLY well before giving to her. She gets it twice a day about 20 minutes before a feeding. This is supposed to lower the acidic levels in her tummy and hopefully eliminate the pain she is feeling. We're praying that it works no only to eliminate the pain, but that it helps her (and us!) sleep again. The last few nights have been pretty bad. Maybe 1-2 hrs sleep tops. Of course, her cold hasn't helped, but thankfully that is going away! We don't need one more thing keeping Emma up at night. The Prevacid can take a week to 10 days to kick in, so pray, pray, pray!!! Jeff and I are truly at our wits' end.
The GI also agreed that she has a milk allergy and most likely a soy allergy too (quick fact: 50% of infants who are allergic to dairy are allergic to soy). Her stool tested positive for blood and is always mucousy -- sure signs of an allergy. And although you can't really get a clear answer as to what an infant is allergic to, with Jeff's milk allergy and my lactose intolerance, we're pretty sure that's the issue. I also have noticed that milk, red sauce, my prenatal vitamins, and products with major soy seem to affect her, so I'm staying away from all of those, as well as eggs and peanuts (just in case). Her reflux could or could not be connected to her allergy, but there's no way to know for sure.
The doc also encouraged me to continue breastfeeding up until my 6-mo goal, which made me happy. Although there are special formulas out there, he believes the benefits Emma gets from my milk override any negatives. We're also not introducing any dairy into Emma's diet until she is after a year old. My poor little bunny has to wait that long to enjoy cheese! Oh well, if I can survive that, so can she -- at least she doesn't know what she's missing! :o)
So there ya go. We have a follow-up appt. in 3 weeks to see if there is any improvement, and we'll go from there. Maybe I'll end up breastfeeding longer than 6 mo, but we'll have to see what's best for Emma. The GI doesn't want me to go on an elimination diet to target her allergies because he doesn't really feel they are conclusive and in the end, will drive me crazy (as if I'm not already?). Anyway, I sort of agree with him, although my friend Cara is having success with it. Still, I figure this guy does this for a living, so I'm going to trust him, and I'm just going to do my best without going completely insane.
The massive lack of sleep does not seem to bothering Emma though. She is smiling and talking up a storm and has definitely found her toes. She is almost rolling over from back to tummy -- she's so close! And sitting up is just around the corner. She can do it by herself in her Boppy, and the other day, she lifted herself up from an incline position and sat up for several seconds. The GI even said during her exam that she was almost there. I'm excited but sad at the same time... where does the time go?
Her new fav toy is her exersaucer -- she really amuses herself in it and methodically plays which each toy (I detect some anal traits here...God help her if she's like me!). She also loves anything she can get her hands on and put in her mouth. She also is VERY vocal -- as in she knows what she wants and you better listen and respond ASAP. And so it begins... :o)
Jeff and her are also bonding a lot lately. Since my exhaustion has reached record levels, he's been really good about taking her on weekends and the nights that he is home. It's really cute to see them together, and Emma really knows her Daddy now. Heck, yesterday he got her to take two naps that were over an hour. THIS. NEVER. HAPPENS. We're not sure if it was the meds kicking in already or if she was just beyond exhausted, but it was encouraging. I also got her back to sleep today for another hour+, so we'll see. We can only be positive at this point for the sake of our sanity. Thankfully we have our faith to give us hope. We know God wants Emma better just as much as we do!
That should do it for now. One side note: Great Great Grandma Emma turned 92 today and is as healthy as ever. In fact, we plan to pay her a visit this week, so updated pix to come. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
4 1/2 months
Well, one of my New Year's resolutions should surely be to update this thing more often. I promise to try. Many times I hesitate to update because things aren't going as smoothly as I'd like. But in the end, every day has its ups and downs, so that's really no excuse.
First of all, Emma is growing like a weed and gets more and more fun (and beautiful!) every day. Her 4-mo doctor's appt. showed her at 13 lb, 12 oz (50th percentile) and 25 inches (75th percentile). Her hand and eye coordination is amazing. This girl can pull her binkie in and out of her mouth by herself! The other day she even figured out how a toothbrush works. She is totally mesmerized every time I brush my teeth, so I finally gave her my toothbrush to play with. Low and behold, within 10 minutes she was brushing her tongue! I ended up having to take it away from her so she wouldn't choke herself.
She can also roll over from her tummy to her back and is enjoying her tummy time much more. She can hold her head up with no problem and loves to try and sit up. She also talks and talks and talks...
We also tried cereal, and she loved it! In fact, we can't spoon it fast enough for her. The only drawback has been that it seems to make her a little constipated, so we're going to hold off for a little while. We've got other things we're trying to take care of right now.
That leads me to the "not going so smoothly" part. Emma's reflux has gotten worse over the last few months. What used to be a slight issue has turned into hourly discomfort. She's a trooper and still manages to smile and play, but that's the sad part to me. She's actually just used to dealing with it. People always comment to me how much she chomps on her hands, but I know it's because her tummy and/or throat are bothering her. Some people assume she's teething or that she's hungry, but I know the difference. We're pretty sure she has what is called silent reflux, which means she spits up what she eats but constantly swallows it back down. How uncomfortable! We also think that it might be linked to allergies, so we're seeing a pediatric GI on Jan 5. I've since stopped dairy and soy, which has seemed to have helped a little, but not a ton. There is soy in everything, and I'm just learning what to look for. So depending on what the GI says, I may have to go on a very strict diet. Hmmmm, just like when I was pregnant. :o( I guess we'll see...
The good news is that our little bunny slept her longest stretch last night, going 8 hours without feeding. A total milestone considering last week she was up every hour. We have since put her carrier in her crib, which has kept her upright and sleeping. What is frustrating is that she WAS doing really well until the reflux flared up. Now we're lucky if she sleeps for more than 3 hrs straight. Hopefully last night was the start of more sleep to come!
Christmas was a blast -- more so than we thought. Emma really humored us with her gifts. She seemed pretty interested in the bows and wrapping paper. Jeff and I only bought her four small stocking stuffers and one present from Santa (an outfit). We figured she really doesn't know the difference, plus she had plenty of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents and great aunts and uncles to spoil her rotten. She now has a new wardrobe and plenty of toys to occupy her this coming year. We are MORE than blessed! Thank you all!
Emma also received the best gift for her 4-mo birthday -- a new cousin! Evan Zuiden was born on Dec. 14 at a whopping 9 lb, 11 oz. At that size, he'll be beating up Emma before we know it. No, he is actually very sweet and sleepy -- and he seems very tiny to me. So strange to think that Emma was that small once -- actually 3 lb smaller! How time flies...
Well, better get back to mommyhood. I'll try to post an update after our dr.'s appt. on the 5th. Please pray that nothing serious is going on inside of our little angel. I just want her to be able to play and sleep comfortably again.
Love you all!
First of all, Emma is growing like a weed and gets more and more fun (and beautiful!) every day. Her 4-mo doctor's appt. showed her at 13 lb, 12 oz (50th percentile) and 25 inches (75th percentile). Her hand and eye coordination is amazing. This girl can pull her binkie in and out of her mouth by herself! The other day she even figured out how a toothbrush works. She is totally mesmerized every time I brush my teeth, so I finally gave her my toothbrush to play with. Low and behold, within 10 minutes she was brushing her tongue! I ended up having to take it away from her so she wouldn't choke herself.
She can also roll over from her tummy to her back and is enjoying her tummy time much more. She can hold her head up with no problem and loves to try and sit up. She also talks and talks and talks...
We also tried cereal, and she loved it! In fact, we can't spoon it fast enough for her. The only drawback has been that it seems to make her a little constipated, so we're going to hold off for a little while. We've got other things we're trying to take care of right now.
That leads me to the "not going so smoothly" part. Emma's reflux has gotten worse over the last few months. What used to be a slight issue has turned into hourly discomfort. She's a trooper and still manages to smile and play, but that's the sad part to me. She's actually just used to dealing with it. People always comment to me how much she chomps on her hands, but I know it's because her tummy and/or throat are bothering her. Some people assume she's teething or that she's hungry, but I know the difference. We're pretty sure she has what is called silent reflux, which means she spits up what she eats but constantly swallows it back down. How uncomfortable! We also think that it might be linked to allergies, so we're seeing a pediatric GI on Jan 5. I've since stopped dairy and soy, which has seemed to have helped a little, but not a ton. There is soy in everything, and I'm just learning what to look for. So depending on what the GI says, I may have to go on a very strict diet. Hmmmm, just like when I was pregnant. :o( I guess we'll see...
The good news is that our little bunny slept her longest stretch last night, going 8 hours without feeding. A total milestone considering last week she was up every hour. We have since put her carrier in her crib, which has kept her upright and sleeping. What is frustrating is that she WAS doing really well until the reflux flared up. Now we're lucky if she sleeps for more than 3 hrs straight. Hopefully last night was the start of more sleep to come!
Christmas was a blast -- more so than we thought. Emma really humored us with her gifts. She seemed pretty interested in the bows and wrapping paper. Jeff and I only bought her four small stocking stuffers and one present from Santa (an outfit). We figured she really doesn't know the difference, plus she had plenty of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents and great aunts and uncles to spoil her rotten. She now has a new wardrobe and plenty of toys to occupy her this coming year. We are MORE than blessed! Thank you all!
Emma also received the best gift for her 4-mo birthday -- a new cousin! Evan Zuiden was born on Dec. 14 at a whopping 9 lb, 11 oz. At that size, he'll be beating up Emma before we know it. No, he is actually very sweet and sleepy -- and he seems very tiny to me. So strange to think that Emma was that small once -- actually 3 lb smaller! How time flies...
Well, better get back to mommyhood. I'll try to post an update after our dr.'s appt. on the 5th. Please pray that nothing serious is going on inside of our little angel. I just want her to be able to play and sleep comfortably again.
Love you all!
Sunday, December 11, 2005
The Best Christmas Gift Ever
It was just about this time last year that we found out about our little miracle. And now we get to celebrate with her this year! Two years of perfect gifts. Praise God -- we are truly blessed!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
3 Months!!!
Hard to believe we've been blessed with Miss Emma for 3 months already. Time sure flies when you're having fun! And fun we are having. Every day is an adventure, and I am finally to the point where I like that! Yes, Miss Anal Rententive likes it! Of course, I don't quite have a choice in the matter, but Emma is teaching me how to not only "go with the flow" but how to enjoy it. We are working on a loose schedule, but I don't sweat the small stuff anymore. If she only eats for 5 mintues, so what. She'll make up for it at the next feeding if she needs it! She's well into the 12-lb mark -- and on her way to 13 -- so I'm not worried about this girl thriving. She is growing like a weed!
So what's new since last I wrote -- tons of course!! Emma is smiling and cooing like crazy. She even giggles and razzes and loves to show off her latest trick -- blowing bubbles. Her head is strong and tall, and she likes to swing at her toys and touch their soft fur, especially Ms. Spider. She still loves to kick around on the floor and will always give you a smile if you make fishy lips. In fact, we had her 3-month pix taken today and she smiled in every one!!! It was so hard to choose. She honestly looked precious in every one!
As of our last doctor's appt, Emma's thrush is gone, but we do think she has acid reflux. We've been giving her medicine for about a week and a half now, and it's getting better... slowly. She still struggles with burps and spitting up for a good hour after she eats, which means she can get a little cranky. But the good news is she is napping a little longer -- sometimes 45 min!! That's a huge improvement from the 15-min naps I was getting for a while. She can usually sleep thru the night for about 6 hours without a feeding, but we still have our share of bad nights. At this point, I know enough tricks now to get her down again -- usually. If we end up snuggling in bed, oh well. Sometimes you just need sleep!
The best part of these last few weeks has been reaching a new level of comfort. I honestly feel like I really know Emma now and that I can read her like no one else. She is truly the love of my life and my heart aches with how much I care about her. She's my buddy, and I absolutely love spending every second with her. It's officially all about her now and, honestly, that just feels natural. I admit I struggled in the beginning, but I am now in total mommy mode -- and it is great!
I do have some time to myself though. I'm back to work, with one day a week in the office (actually just 4 hours), and I work from home the rest of the week. It's been a struggle trying to balance everything, but I'm managing. I just hate ignoring Emma during the day, so I usually get work done at night after Jeff gets home. I know I can't play with her every second, but I want to. It's so fun watching her learn and develop. I can't believe how much she knows already! I do let her explore on her own, but until she can sit up, I feel like I should interact as much as possible. The dishes can wait as far as I'm concerned. I know, I'm obviously a first-time mom. :o)
Well, that's it for now. Forgive all my mommy gush, but it just feels good to honestly say, "Everything is good." It truly is, and I am beyond blessed with this little peanut. She is just such a sweetheart. And Jeff is just as smitten with her. The way he looks at her melts my heart. What more could I ask for?!
So what's new since last I wrote -- tons of course!! Emma is smiling and cooing like crazy. She even giggles and razzes and loves to show off her latest trick -- blowing bubbles. Her head is strong and tall, and she likes to swing at her toys and touch their soft fur, especially Ms. Spider. She still loves to kick around on the floor and will always give you a smile if you make fishy lips. In fact, we had her 3-month pix taken today and she smiled in every one!!! It was so hard to choose. She honestly looked precious in every one!
As of our last doctor's appt, Emma's thrush is gone, but we do think she has acid reflux. We've been giving her medicine for about a week and a half now, and it's getting better... slowly. She still struggles with burps and spitting up for a good hour after she eats, which means she can get a little cranky. But the good news is she is napping a little longer -- sometimes 45 min!! That's a huge improvement from the 15-min naps I was getting for a while. She can usually sleep thru the night for about 6 hours without a feeding, but we still have our share of bad nights. At this point, I know enough tricks now to get her down again -- usually. If we end up snuggling in bed, oh well. Sometimes you just need sleep!
The best part of these last few weeks has been reaching a new level of comfort. I honestly feel like I really know Emma now and that I can read her like no one else. She is truly the love of my life and my heart aches with how much I care about her. She's my buddy, and I absolutely love spending every second with her. It's officially all about her now and, honestly, that just feels natural. I admit I struggled in the beginning, but I am now in total mommy mode -- and it is great!
I do have some time to myself though. I'm back to work, with one day a week in the office (actually just 4 hours), and I work from home the rest of the week. It's been a struggle trying to balance everything, but I'm managing. I just hate ignoring Emma during the day, so I usually get work done at night after Jeff gets home. I know I can't play with her every second, but I want to. It's so fun watching her learn and develop. I can't believe how much she knows already! I do let her explore on her own, but until she can sit up, I feel like I should interact as much as possible. The dishes can wait as far as I'm concerned. I know, I'm obviously a first-time mom. :o)
Well, that's it for now. Forgive all my mommy gush, but it just feels good to honestly say, "Everything is good." It truly is, and I am beyond blessed with this little peanut. She is just such a sweetheart. And Jeff is just as smitten with her. The way he looks at her melts my heart. What more could I ask for?!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Still Smiling...
And sleeping too! We're getting 5 to 6 hour stretches during the night, which means Mommy is smiling too! :o)
Uncle Johnny's Biggest Fan
Or maybe it's the other way around? These two love each other so much, I can't wait until they can play together all the time. Here they are at Johnny's college football game. She was such a trooper that day -- it was so cold!
Before I Was A Mom
I got this via email. I could not have said it better.
Enjoy! :o)
Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Spit on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom - I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests -- Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom - I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
And remember that behind every successful mother...
Is a basket of dirty laundry.
Enjoy! :o)
Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Spit on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom - I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests -- Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom - I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
And remember that behind every successful mother...
Is a basket of dirty laundry.
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