She may look more like Daddy....

...but she's got mommy's dimple.

My little love muffin!

Ready for Vacation

So, Saturday starts vacation! Personally, I can't wait.  It will be Emma's first vacation!  First trip to OCMD! First time seeing the Ocean!  I may cry :)  We've been going to OCMD with my extended family since I was 2 weeks old.  That means, this will be my 30th family vaca to OCMD in a row!  There are anywhere from 15 - 30 of us every year.  This year I think there will be about 17 ppl there?  Actually a small turn out this year.  My sister and her family won't be there for the first time!  She just had baby girl #2, so it's just too much right now. (tear)

Anyway, DH and I started packing last night.  We already have our 2 biggest suitcases packed and we haven't even started on baby stuff.  Unfortunately we are BOTH over packers, but at least that means neither one of us gets upset at the other for wanting to take everything but the kitchen sink. 

Yesterday DH woke up and could barely talk.  Before having Emma he would REFUSE to go to the doctor, but fortunately baby girl has made him be proactive. Turns out he has laryngitis. Thank goodness he went when he did as he is now on meds and it is getting better already!  He hasn't been able to hold and cuddle our little love muffin for two days (he was away the day before), so I have a feeling tonight (not contagious anymore) she may be getting smothered a bit.  

Here we are a few days ago:

My baby is getting big so fast!  I'm enjoying every second of it.  

Here is her update!

Age: 15 Weeks (tomorrow)

Weight & Height: Next appt. is in August.

Things I enjoy: I love slobbering and sticking out my tongue.  Bathtime is awesome and I still love my play mat.  I started sucking my thumb too and I even spit out Mr. Binks (my pacifier) to get my thumb in there.  Mommy and Daddy aren't sure what to think of it, but there's nothing they can do to stop me!

Skills I've mastered: Bedtime routine!  I sleep for 9-10 hours almost every night. Mommy is very proud of me.  I am also starting to grab the toys on my playmat.  I don't use my hands that much, but i'm working on it more and more everyday. 

Looking forward to: Being able to grab onto my toys and rolling over one of these days.  I think it's gonna happen soon.

Tough Times: I have been having blowouts daily at daycare.  Mommy and Daddy had to throw out my outfit from Tuesday because I got stains all over it that didn't even come out in the wash.  I also still don't love tummytime, but it is getting a little easier. 

Exciting Events: Seeing the ocean for the first time!  I can't wait to go for walks on the boardwalk.

First Quarter of Life

I don't think I officially posted "monthly" photos of Emma.  I'm going to try and start doing monthly photos so its a little easier to compare.  I can't believe she is a quarter of a year old already!  Time flies when you're having fun.  Here are months 1 - 3.

1 DAY OLD - 8lb 11oz

1 MONTH OLD - 10 lbs 1 oz

2 MONTHS OLD - 11 lbs 6.5 oz

3 MONTHS OLD - not weighed yet (but she's gotta be at least 12 lbs.)

Finally starting to look at the camera :)

Week #2 of daycare is lightyears easier than Week #1. When I say easier, I mean on me.  She did great her first week and best feeling today was walking in and the teacher right away says "Hello Emma".  It's the little things.  She did have 2 blowouts yesterday.  We've already gone through 3 of the 5 "spare" outfits we took to daycare, hahaha.  At least I know it's not just me!

Yesterday DH took Emma to and from daycare so I could go to field hockey.  I saw her at 7am and didn't see her awake again until 4:30am this morning (she decided to wake a little earlier than normal).  I think she just missed me too much.  It was torture, but I knew she was in good hands with Daddy.  He even does bathtime when I am not there! :)

Emma sleeps at least 9 hours a night now (for about 7 days straight).  I have a VERY VERY GOOD BABY and I know this isn't the "norm".  I'll take it though for as long as I can.  

The next big thing is when we introduce solid foods for Emma.  Best case scenario would be around 6 months.  I know a lot of people start at 4 months, but that just seems very young to me.  I'm not sure what the exact time will be, but for now I think we are doing pretty good.

Until next time......

100th Post

Today is officially my 100th post!

So many things to talk about.

First and foremost, Emma slept for 10 HOURS LAST NIGHT!  I woke up at 6am and she was still asleep, I didn't know what to do with myself.  My alarm is set for 6:15 for the day and I normally have to wake her up, but that is because she has already gotten up at 3 or 4am for a feeding.  I'm not complaining at all! I'm hoping it's the start of a trend, even though I must say I'm perfectly happy with the 7 - 8 hours she sleeps normally these days.

So today is the last day of her first week of daycare.  I am very happy with everything so far.

Day #1 I called at 10 am and they said she was doing great.  When i picked her up I could tell she had been crying. The teacher said she had just had a blowout and cried when she was getting changed.  Beings that I've been in that exact same situation, I didn't really get that upset.  When I picked her up she felt a little cold and she ended up spitting up all over me within seconds.  Again,  none of this is out of the ordinary, but it wasn't the picture perfect first day pick up. I so appreciate her daily log sheet as I saw when she ate, what she ate, when she slept, how long and how many diapers had been changed.  So it was obvious she was getting hugged and held a good amount, even if just for those times of things that needed to be done. Here is our reunion that I soooooooooooooo needed:




Day #2 I again called at 10 am and they said everything was great again. This is what I saw this time when I came for pick up...

I would say she is adjusting well :)

Today I may not even call at 10am!  

I must say, you think you have great feelings when your baby does certain things, but I have NEVER felt so good and full of excitement/adrenaline than when I walk in that center to pick her up.  It is literally the best feeling in the world.  She definitely gets spoiled and snuggled when she gets home.  DH and I are excited to spend the next 4 days with her.  It's funny to feel like you miss her, but I have to admit that being at work around adults has been nice too.

Pumping at work is going well.  I do it twice a day around 10 am and 3 pm.  Today however I had to pump right when I got to work as I had not drained one side at 3am like I normally do.  I'll still pump at 10 and 3.

This weekend is Emma's baptism.  She'll be wearing the same dress her older cousin Savannah wore and she'll also have the same bonnet Aunt Cheryl wore.  Aunt Cheryl is in heaven now, so it has extra special meaning for us.

I'm excited to have both sides of the family over and to have everyone together.  I'm hoping it all runs smoothly and I would so love a nice day on Sunday so we could take advantage of the backyard.  Since thunderstorms have been happening about about 12 hours for the past month I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high.  We are getting Mission BBQ for food and I'm definitely excited about that.  It's delicious and I highly recommend it if there is one by you. 

Here is Emma's Update:

Age: 13 Weeks (tomorrow)

Weight & Height: Don't have exacts, but she has to be at least half a pound heavier and an inch or two longer than her two month.  Next appt. is in August.

Things I enjoy: I still love my play mat.  I love laughing at mommy and daddy when they talk to me.  I love falling asleep in the car and my pacifier. I also love bathtime!  I always smile when mommy pours water on the back of my head, it feels awesome. 

Skills I've mastered: Getting so good at holding my head up.  Also I can fall asleep by myself in my crib really well. 

Looking forward to: Seeing all my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins this weekend.

Tough Times: I'm not a fan of tummy time still, mommy tries, but I just cry the whole time.  

Exciting Events: As all of you know, I started daycare and it's really fun seeing all the other babies all day.

Looking forward to: Getting more into a routine and beach vacation is only 16 days away!!!!!!!!

Here I am:

I think we need more family picks.

So far so good

Pumping at work.....not so bad.

Just called daycare and talked to one of her teachers.  She said Emma hadn't cried at all (yet).  They gave her a bottle at 9:05 and she was currently in a bouncy chair.   She said she'd call me if there were any problems.

I guess I can't ask for anything more right?  I miss her like crazy (it's been 3 hours since I dropped her off), but fortunately I'm currently busy at work so I'm not going crazy.

I hope I don't squeeze her too hard when I see her, but no promises on the amount of kisses she will consume from mommy and daddy :)

1st Day Back to Work

Well, I've showered, packed my computer, packed the breast pump and accessories, layer out tomorrow's bottles, dried and straightened my hair and laid out my and Emma's outfits for tomorrow.

We've spent the last 87 days together and tomorrow I'm dropping my baby off at daycare tomorrow.  I don't quite feel sad or nervous at the moment.  Honestly just tired.  I don't know what tomorrow will hold but thoughts and prayers of strength and confidence would be appreciated.

I know I'm doing a good thing for her and she will have many benefits to daycare.  I know I'll be happy back at work, but I still with we could spend every day all day together for a while longer.

I better get to bed.