What's For Dinner?

It has always been a bit of a pet peeve of mine when people ask if we've started feeding Charlotte "real food." As though my milk is not enough, as though I'm depriving her of something. I may not be a woman with an over-supply issue, but Charlotte is continuing to grow and thrive.

"Solid food" is a better term to use. And the answer is yes, we have. I had hoped to exclusively breast feed Charlotte for 6 months and then introduce solids. I'm not able to keep up with her 100% since returning to work - stress, time constraints, sleep deprivation, blah blah blah. I figured if I had to start supplementing, homemade additive-free solids seemed to be a better choice than formula. At her 4-month check-up, her pediatrician gave us the okay to either start solids or wait a while - - he did not pressure us one way or the other. He let us know which foods would probably be easiest on her system and let us know to introduce new foods slowly so we could keep an eye out for allergies or sensitivities.

The week before Christmas, we gave her a bit of rice cereal. She loved it!!

"Hmm, what is this?"

"OMG it's delicious!"

"Let me help you with that, Mommy!"

"What do you mean 'all done!'?"

She took to it like it's something she's been doing forever! She squealed in between bites, stretching her arms out for more. It made for a very happy memory!

After she had rice cereal for a couple of weeks (about every other day) and had no problems, we decided to start adding some fruit and veggies. My brother Chris got us a Baby Bullet, and it looks like making our own baby food will be as easy as it will be budget-friendly (have you seen the price of a tiny jar of baby food?)!

On January 1, Charlotte got her first taste of bananas. They were a HUGE success!

"This doesn't taste like rice..."

"Bananas are yummy!"

Practicing her karate chops while she eats...

 For those of you wondering, no, the introduction of solid foods has not helped her nighttime sleep at all. It's been worse these last 6 weeks or so than ever before - last Saturday she was up every 20 - 40 minutes for about 6 hours. After that she slept 2 hours.

Now that Ben's back in Kentucky (YAY) and staying with Charlotte during the day, we're working to get her into a good routine - especially at bedtime. Since Saturday, it's gotten a little bit better each night, so we're hoping that progress continues.

It was great to spend time with our family and friends, but I think all 3 of us were ready to get home and spend some time as a family. After 400 miles of distance between us for 6 weeks, it's sooooo nice to have Ben home! While the situation is not what either of us feels is best, we're glad that Ben can stay home with Charlotte while I work.

2011 was full of blessings, joys, challenges, opportunity, and good health... here's hoping the trend continues in 2012!! :o)

Traditions

Charlotte got to move The Bear!

Every year, my parents hung this count-down-to-Christmas (seen above). For the 24 days leading up to Christmas, this little stuffed bear moves around his house "looking for Christmas." You're supposed to read the clue each day and snap The Bear in place. On Christmas Eve, The Bear "finds Christmas" in his living room.

Growing up, my brothers and sister and I FOUGHT and FOUGHT and FOUGHT over whose turn it was to move The Bear. I guess the older 3 were probably pretty over it by the time Chris and I were paying much attention to it, but I remember racing each other down to the family room each morning to "move The Bear," setting super-early alarms to wake up to beat the others to moving The Bear, and I even remember several physical fights over who was supposed to move The Bear that day. My parents eventually wrote out a rotation to end the quarreling.

Today, Charlotte got to move The Bear for the first time! Of course, she needed help snapping him in place, and she was way more interested in how The Bear tasted than the calendar itself, but I am thrilled for her to be a part of this tradition.

Christmastime is filled with lovely childhood memories for me... going to the Christmas tree farm to find our perfect tree, trimming the tree with all of our wonderfully hideous homemade decorations with Dad's Christmas records playing, reading Christmas stories under the tree on Christmas Eve, and bundling everyone up in the old van and braving the weather to midnight mass. We always left milk, cookies, and carrots (for the reindeer, of course) before midnight mass, just in case our house was one of Santa's first stops - but he never came while we were at church.

We'll make lots of new memories on this very special Christmas over the next couple of days. On Christmas Eve we'll read those Christmas stories with Charlotte, visit family at Aunt Carol's house, have dinner with Grandma Val & Grandpa Jim, then bundle her up for her very first midnight mass. Christmas morning will be spent opening presents, having dinner with Charlotte's great-grandma & great-grandpa, and then more presents and supper with my parents and brothers and Becky.

There will be an empty spot on the living room floor this year. My sister, who is living in Mumbai right now, had the opportunity to travel to Bethlehem & Jerusalem and is spending Christmas in the holiest of places this year. While we'll all be thinking of her, we know that she's loving this great adventure and being so close to the "reason for the season." We miss you, Bobbi Jo!

I hope you all are blessed with good health and good times spent with the ones you love most!

Happy Holidays!

One-Third of a Year

Charlotte saw her new pediatrician here in Lexington today. In addition to looking gorgeous, he also let us know that Charlotte looks and sounds perfectly healthy! She weighs 13 lbs & 1 oz and is measuring 25.5 inches in length. She's reaching all of the appropriate developmental milestones, too. She's got very good head & neck control, is reaching for & grabbing toys & other objects, she rolls from tummy to back, cooing & laughing at people, chewing on her toes, and eating adequately. 

4-month likes:

Chewing on her toes

Sucking on her finger(s)

Kicking & scratching anything with a sound

Feeling different textures

Singing

Giggling

Funny noises

Bath time

Diaper changes

4-month dislikes:

(some) Car rides

Loud, startling noises

Waking up alone

Boredom

She's growing so quickly and I feel like if I blink, I'll miss something new. She has a high chair now, and I'm pretty excited to put her in it when she starts eating solid food. Each day she becomes more of a person and I just can't get enough of her.

We're very happy that we have just one week left of living in separate states. Ben has greatly enjoyed his time at ISU, but we're both looking forward to living under the same roof. This week I've enjoyed the company of my dear friend Sharon and her darling son Evan. Sharon has been taking great care of Charlotte while I'm at work and somehow managed to find time to tend to the house as well! I've been thinking of ways to keep her, but she must return to Boston tomorrow. Sunday Ben will be going back to IL as my mom makes her way to KY for one last week of school before the break. 

I cannot explain how grateful I am to Sharon, my mom, my mother-in-law, and my dad for spending time with Charlotte while Ben and I are working in separate states. I'm also thankful for their families making their time spent here possible. It's much easier transitioning back to work full-time when I know Charlotte is being watched by baby-friendly people who love her. And thank goodness for text messaging and picture mail!! 

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

If this doesn't put you in a good mood, I don't know what will!!
(Sorry, I can't figure out how to flip the video - you'll have to enjoy it sideways!)

Giving Thanks

We spent last Thanksgiving in Illinois with our families, hiking in the woods with my dad & driving from one dinner to the next. I was carrying a tiny little bundle of joy and didn't even know it. In fact, Ben's cousin Jenn asked the million dollar question that weekend... "When are you guys going to have a baby?" I smiled and said, "Soon, hopefully!" Our double blue lines came just a few days after that!

What a difference a year makes...

A few of my friends have been posting what they're thankful for each day on their Facebook pages. I'm horrible at remembering to do things like that daily, and with moving, going back to work, and soaking up every last minute with Charlotte & Ben, I just couldn't make the commitment on Facebook. 

But I'm here tonight to compile my list! 30 is a nice, round number, and it's convenient that November has 30 days, but in all reality, my list of blessings could go on and on and on and on and on.... But, in no particular order, here are 30 running through my brain this evening.

1. Charlotte - My beautiful, healthy daughter

2. Ben - My handsome, healthy husband

3. My own health

4. The health of my parents and in-laws. I'm so happy that Charlotte has 2 sets of grandparents (and great-grandparents) who love her very much!

5. The health and well-being of my siblings. 

6. The health and well-being of my brothers-in-law.

7. My job - although I dragged my feet going back after maternity leave, I'm so thankful that I have a job when so many others don't this year.

8. Ben's job at ISU - he got a taste of life after college and LIKED IT!

9. That Ben's job was temporary. Yes, it stinks that it wasn't a permanent gig, but since he finishes in December, I can rest easily knowing that our baby girl will be in good hands come January - his hands!

10. My friends - whether I met you in Illinois, Nevada, or Kentucky - I love you all!

11. Food - I've never gone hungry.

12. Medicine - With blood clots and baby complications, I've been fortunate to be under the care of very skilled nurses & physicians

13. Health Insurance - See #12

14. My coworkers - they made my return so much easier! Thanks for covering for me for 12 weeks!

15. My sense of humor - although not appreciated by everyone, I sure do amuse myself!

16. My education - without it, I would not have a job!

17. Our cars - expensive, yes! They make numerous trips to IL every year way more comfortable & convenient than taking a bus or train.

18. Electricity - could you imagine life without it?

19. Indoor plumbing - see #18

20. USA - and all of the freedom and choices it holds.

21. Pajamas - instant relaxation

22. Furniture - especially my BED and couch

23. Traditional Saturday Morning Breakfast

24. Texting & Skype - help keep me in touch with those nearest & dearest

25. Donny & Marie - my cats!! They've been AMAZING while Charlotte is brand new & during our move.

26. Easy breastfeeding experience

27. My common sense & problem-solving skills - let's face it - not everyone has them.

28. Music - all kinds

29. Baby-friendly technology - thermometers, baby monitors, toys, etc.

30. Eyewear - I'd have massive headaches without my glasses!

I hope that you all have a chance to sit with those that you love this weekend and share what you're thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!! :o) 

Dog-Dog would definitely be on Charlotte's list!

3 Months Old!

I haven't had much time to update the blog lately, but I wanted to post a quick note about Charlotte at 3 months old!

Add caption

Charlotte has been AWESOME through this move!! She tolerated the drive down to KY much much much better than when we came down in September. She misses her Daddy & kitties, but is having a ball with Grandma Val while I'm at work.

3 Month Likes:
Chewing on her hands!!! and anything else that can fit in her mouth
Bath Time
Toys - especially her monkey rattle, "Mr. Star Man," and the crinkly-eared dog
Talking - She's really "found her voice" these last couple of weeks
Smiling


3 Month Dislikes:
Bedtime - although it's been getting a bit easier (knock on wood)
Boredom
Car Rides


In related news, Charlotte is rolling over from tummy to back, follows people around the room, and has been singing, cooing, and GIGGLING!! It's the most precious sound in the whole world.

We'll get settled in pretty soon and I'll get back to blogging more often - I'm sure you'll all be happier for more frequent updates! :o)

Mobility: It Begins

I've been thankful for every. single. day. of maternity leave. I knew things were going to be tight when I decided to take the full 12 weeks that are allowed (7 of which are unpaid...). This amazing time spent watching my little baby during her tiniest times could not have been possible without Ben's job at ISU. Being practically within walking distance to our parents during Charlotte's first 3 months has been the biggest blessing - for all of us. It's going to be incredibly hard to say goodbye to everyone next Monday morning as Charlotte and I move back to Kentucky.

While it's easy to get caught up in how difficult it will be to leave family - especially Ben - behind so that I can return to work, I have to remain thankful for this precious time with Charlotte. We all have to remember how lucky it was for all of this to work out the way it has. Although it stinks that Ben's job here is temporary, we wouldn't have been able to spend these first 3 months up here without it.

I wouldn't have been able to capture this moment today without it...

With my return to work within eyesight (see you next week, MC!), I'm starting to get nervous. I'm nervous about the stress & demands of the job, figuring out how to continue nursing, the lack of sleep, and just leaving my girl every day! I don't want to miss a minute - the girl grows if you blink! I'm also fortunate to have a host of guests lined up to watch C for me while Ben finishes work at ISU. Ben's mom, my dad, my mom, and my friend Sharon are all coming to spend a week or two with us so that C can stay home during the day.

And after the holidays Ben will get to make up for lost time with the opportunity to stay home with her while I finish the school year. We all joke that she'll be able to rattle off her state capitals by Easter! But all joking aside, these two will be just fine. Daddy has a lot to teach Baby, and Baby has a lot to teach Daddy. I know she's been schooling me for over 12 weeks!!

Charlotte telling Ben how to carve his pumpkin