tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12036301175926978762024-03-13T14:00:50.665-05:00the desires of my heartKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-18355907402432529992013-03-05T17:50:00.003-06:002013-03-06T11:26:22.864-06:00Aven Hope - 6 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My baby girl is half a year old! This month was my favorite so far - things just seemed to click and she was SO SO HAPPY! Plus we had no sleep issues this month. A well rested baby = a well rested and happy momma.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><u>6 month Stats</u>:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weight: 18 1/4 lbs - 88%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Length: - 28 inches - 95%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Head: - 17 inches - 75%</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hello, blue eyes!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Feeding</strong> - Nursing is still going strong, and I made it to my original "goal" of 6 months! I can't imagine stopping at this point and now hope to make it to one year. I had a dramatic dip in supply midway through the month that lasted a few days and it made me really sad as I thought I was done - made me realize how much I enjoy nursing and wasn't ready to stop. Turns out I was just dehydrated and it's all back to normal now. We're still doing five liquid feedings a day, though we may drop to four once we fully introduce solids. Now that she's 6 months we plan to do a combination of purees and Baby Led Weaning I think - she doesn't seem fully ready for BLW. Next month's post will be full of our adventures in solids, I'm sure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we have two nursing sessions and three bottles a day - she has two while I'm at work and I've been doing a pumped bottle before bed. She nurses in the morning and when I get home around 5:30 or 6 PM but I want her to take a full meal again at bedtime and a bottle seems to work better for that. She's taking 6-7 oz. bottles now (downing them in 5 minutes!) and nurses for 7ish minutes per side. Again, this has to be in her nursery with nothing else going on or she gets distracted! She still goes between bottle and nursing so easily which is great. She is spitting up much less these days and doesn't need to burp midway through a bottle like she used to - she'll usually have one good burp when she's done (on her own, I don't have to pat her) and that's it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Holds her own bottle! For a few seconds anyway :)</em> **</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We moved to size 3 diapers midway through the month and she's still mostly in 6 month clothing, some 9 month jammies and pants for length. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Awake time</strong> - Her max waketime seems to be 1.5ish hours during the day and 2-2.5 hours in the evening. We still try to get her down before she hits her wall, but once she's hit it she lets us know that it's time to nap! The newest thing this month is baby girl found her voice! She LOVES to squeal and screech and sing, exploring all the different ranges in her voice box. There's no better sound! She is also rolling all over the place - still mostly back to front, but has gone front to back a few times. Doesn't mind being on her tummy anymore and often puts her feet and hands up at the same time, like she's superbaby. She loves to stand and jump so her jumperoo is her favorite thing right now. And if you're holding her in your lap she'll jump up and down over and over again while squealing - it's the cutest thing! She is grabbing for toys now then puts them right in her mouth. She's got quite the grasp! She loves her puppy Keely and her eyes follow wherever she goes. She also likes to pet (aka grab fur) her, and thankfully Keely girl is very patient.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Laughing at mommy in the jumperoo</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Playing with Keely</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleeping</strong> - This was the best month sleeping wise! After she got sick last month and was up every hour for two weeks, we had to start sleep training all over again once she was feeling better. Thankfully, she only cried a little bit then was right back on track with sleeping through the night once again! Right at the beginning of the month we started a new schedule where we took out the 4th catnap and started keeping her awake between the two evening feedings. At first, it was hard for her to stay happily awake but she quickly got used to it. She's now sleeping 11-12 hours a night, uninterrupted, which is amazing. Sometimes she'll cry out but only for a few moments then she quickly settles herself back down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She's down to two big naps a day and one catnap. Her morning and afternoon nap are 2-2.5 hours and her evening nap is now a catnap lasting 30-45 minutes, but she's really been fighting that one lately. I still want her to take that one, otherwise she'd need to go to bed a few hours after her last nap which would put bedtime around 5:30 and I get home from work then! So the catnap is for her to get a little rest so she can be up and happy for a few hours in the evening. I know she'll drop it soon and we'll need to move bedtime even earlier, but not just yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we are still swaddling and I can't see stopping anytime soon...she is rolling all over the place now but still hasn't rolled over in her swaddle, so I'm not willing to mess with a good thing! This girl LOVES being swaddled and will coo and get a HUGE grin on her face when I wrap her up. I had this 6 month mark in my mind about having to stop and was starting to get stressed about it but came to the realization that if that's what she needs to sleep, so be it. She'll let me know when she's ready to drop it! That being said, she outgrew all her sleepsacks by length so we're using the Miracle Blanket adjusted for her length (sometimes with an A&A blanket over for warmth).</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So happy in her swaddle!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Temperament</strong> - I am just continually in awe of how blessed we are by our sweet little baby (and slightly afraid that if we have more they'll be terrors!). She is such a happy, content little girl! We went out to lunch and dinner a few times this month and brought her along, and she was happy just to sit and chew on her toys. We also got our taxes done and refied our house so had to bring her along on those evening appointments, and both times people commented on how good she was, just sitting there chewing on Sophie. Many mornings this month she woke on her own just happy as can be - squealing in her crib for up to a half hour before I go and get her. She only really gets fussy when we've pushed her past her wall and she needs sleep. Teething was in full force this month and it didn't really seem to affect her that much! It only affected one night's sleep and a few naps here and there, but nowhere near as bad as I was anticipating. She is much more generous with her beautiful smiles this month, flashing them all the time. She is also so snuggly, which we LOVE! I know babies that are so busy and always moving and don't want to stop and snuggle, and I am so glad that Aven likes to snuggle. In the morning she'll rest her little head on my shoulder, and in the evenings she'll just sit happily on our lap. She continues to make the funniest faces and expressions - I could stare at her little face all day. :)</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Funny little bald hippo!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Outings/Firsts/Other</strong> - We started this month out by getting our precious little angel <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2013/03/avens-dedication.html" target="_blank">dedicated at our church</a>. It was a nice ceremony then we had our parents, Brian/Naomi and kids, and my best friend Betsy and her husband and little boy. Aven was awake for like 5 hours straight but didn't fuss once! She did so good! We also went to a dinner party at my cousins house and put her to bed in her pack and play there and she fell fast asleep. Tyge and I got to hang out longer and enjoy ourselves while she was sleeping away, then we transferred her to her crib once we were home. She also went to her first high school basketball game (Tyge's cousin) and was very wary of all the loud noises (I thought she was gonna lose it the first time the buzzer went off!), but didn't shed a tear and did well. We've also started taking her on more errands and out of the house a bit more, and she seems to like it! </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the basketball game with Auntie Jill</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First Valentine's Day</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The biggest first this month is that little girl got her first tooth - no, teeth! She cut her bottom two at the same time. I first noticed them early last week and still can't believe it - she's too little to have teeth! Like I said, it didn't really affect her sleep or temperament that much, so I pray that the rest of teething is this easy. When she does get irritable, to help ease the pain we're giving her Hyland's Teething Tablets, using ice cubes and frozen bananas in the mesh feeder for gnawing, and rubbing diluted clove oil on her gums.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Look at those toothers!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>As for me:</strong> Ooooh what wonders a good stretch of sleep will do. I feel so much more rested and alert and not as cranky! I'll admit I have been struggling with anxiety a bit and my need to control things - something I'm not very good at relaxing about. Still a work in progress. :) Thankfully this month hasn't been to busy commitment -wise, so it's been really nice to have evenings and weekends at home with my little one. Speaking of commitments, I stepped down from serving on the worship team at church for a little bit. It was a really hard decision, as that's something I wanted to do forever and LOVE doing, but serving this month was more stressful than normal. I've been back a few months since she's been born, but this month it hit me how much of my weekend singing takes up and with me working during the week, my weekend time with her is so precious. Plus, with still nursing it's hard to plan pumping sessions while I'm gone a good chunk of the day. My worship director so graciously and kindly gave me from April through the summer off, and even though I only served once a month, that's one more weekend free with Aven and Tyge. That being said, I can't wait to rejoin come September (when she's a year old and most likely done nursing)!</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Taking a catnap with my sweet baby</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Schedule</strong> - 22 weeks was a day after her 5 month birthday and she started sleeping through the night again after being sick. The first week of the month we kept the same schedule as last month, but around 23 weeks we noticed she was able to stay up longer in the evenings and didn't seem to need her 4th catnap anymore (which made me sad to lose that snuggly time of her sleeping in my arms). So we tried a few nights with this schedule and have been using it ever since:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:15-7:30 AM - Wake up and nurse followed by playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9:00 AM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:30 AM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1:00 PM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3:00 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4:30 or 5:00 PM - Catnap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 or 6:00 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:30 or 8:00 PM (2 hours after she got up from her catnap) - Nurse followed by bedtime routine - usually asleep by 8:15</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And she usually makes it until morning without a peep! </span></li>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Enough pictures until next month, Mom :)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**A few of these pics were snapped by our awesome nanny Stephanie, so I can't take credit for them all. Her sending me these pics often gets me through the workday! </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-73107615458507856682013-02-14T09:00:00.000-06:002013-02-27T17:49:12.288-06:00A Valentine's Day Love Story - Part 2<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was on this day last year that we announced our pregnancy with <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-love-story.html" target="_blank">this little Love Story</a>! It was so fun to finally let all our friends and family in our big news and to share in our joy with everyone on the biggest "love" day of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This Valentine's Day tops that however, as we have our sweet little love here in our arms! We had a fun little red themed photo shoot last weekend...I can't believe how big she is already getting! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The End :)</span> </div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-10771120222799356602013-02-06T17:40:00.000-06:002013-03-05T17:41:50.255-06:00Aven's Dedication<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last weekend was a special event - we had our sweet baby girl dedicated! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now I grew up Catholic and was baptized as a baby, but was also baptized again as an adult after (re)committing my life to Jesus. I want Aven to grow up and make her own decision to follow the Lord and show her commitment through baptism when she decides she is ready. That being said, we still wanted to participate in an infant dedication, which our church describes as "the act of giving back to God the gift he has given you as parents. It is an act of worship, thanksgiving, dependence, trust, and commitment." We also wanted to publicly covenant to raise Aven children by modeling Godly principles with the desire that one day, she will receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We invited the Grandparents, Brian, Naomi, JJ, & Lark, and my best friend Besty, her husband Eric, and son Levi. We kept it to a small group of family (and my best friend) who will be Aven's spiritual mentors throughout her life and support her in her faith as she grows. Since our church is a mega-church, they had a separate service on Saturday night for the babies and their families - 6 total were dedicated. It was a short service, beginning with a slideshow of the babies, then the parents and babies came to the stage where the children's pastor read their names and meanings as well as the life verse the parents had picked out. She prayed for each child, then the guests prayed over the children as well, and that was it! Short and sweet. :) We then had everyone over for dinner and cake to celebrate with us. We are so blessed to have family and friends to help guide us as we parent our little girl and she is so blessed to have such amazing people in her life who care for and love her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The verse we picked for Aven was <strong>Psalm 25:5</strong> - Guide me in your truth<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14257A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and teach me,<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-25-5">for you are God my Savior, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-25-5">and my hope is in you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14257C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> all day long. <em>(Yes, I picked a verse with HOPE in it, as that's her middle name!)</em></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Watching herself in the slideshow</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Proud parents</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The children's pastor praying over her</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With Mom and Dad</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The whole crew!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>A little cake celebration after - too bad she couldn't have any!</em></span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-19648073734194550682013-01-30T22:58:00.000-06:002013-02-27T17:50:58.895-06:00Aven Hope - 5 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whoa, we're at 5 months - almost a half a year old! January was by FAR the fastest month...it seriously flew by. Here's what we've been up to in her fourth month of life:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Feeding</strong> - Little Hippo (Hippies, Punkin, Chunkin, Punkies, Punky Doodle, Pumpkin Butternut Squash Face, Aven Hopies, Hopie the Hippo, Hippy Doodle Nug, Nugget - she has several nicknames) is still a great eater! We're doing 5 liquid feedings a day and haven't introduced solids on a consistent basis yet. I did buy a box of Earth's Best rice cereal and on a whim one evening tried giving some to her mixed with breastmilk. She didn't seem to love or hate it, was just so-so about the whole experience. We plan to wait until 6 months to do regular solid feedings and I'm toying with the idea of doing </span><a href="http://www.babyledweaning.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Baby Led Weaning</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, or a combo of purees and BLW - we'll see. She does sit at her high chair while we eat dinner and plays with her toys and smiles at us. I love family meal time! </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is new...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not so bad...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But I think I like my milk better!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nursing is still going well, though it has to be done in her nursery with no other distractions (ie Dad, Keely) around or she won't eat well. She is so interested in the world around her! Still going between the bottle and nursing juts fine - I'm lucky! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She's still in size 2 diapers and mainly 6 month clothing now - some of the 3-6 month still fits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Look at that belly! Love her rolls! And her sparse hair...being my daughter, I'm shocked she doesn't have more!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Awake time</strong> - She's doing around 1.5 hours of awake time, then starts to hit her wall. This month she started sitting up less supported - she can tripod sit using her hands as support if we let go. She's only faceplanted a FEW times. ;) She also still LOVES standing and will enthusiasticly jump up and down (while supported) on her chubby little legs. We put her in both her doorway jumper and her exersaucer thing and she really enjoys both. She doesn't hate tummy time anymore and can do mini pushups while on her tummy - her head and neck are so strong! The big news this month is that she finally rolled over! She went back to tummy for the first time close to 5 months - I missed it and was at work, but sweet Stephanie took pictures. I did get to see her do it a few days later, and she rolls every so often but prefers to be on her back. She also found her toes the end of January and can't keep them out of her hands and mouth! She started grabbing for things she wants now and has a great grip - including on hair, earrings, anything. And everything she grabs goes instantly into her mouth! We are bathing her 1-2 times a week, usually one weeknight or a weekend morning - it's not really part of our bedtime routine yet. We used the kitchen sink a few times this month and she liked that! She's also getting more aware of Keely and loves to watch her wherever she goes - they are already best buddies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Oh, hi Keely!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Getting better with tummy time!</em> </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Found my toes and haven't let go of them since...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>This is a tame version of her aggressive eating face - she does this anytime she puts something in her mouth and we find it hilarious!</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Tummy time with Keely</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRm71cPsApc/USKOA0PW_pI/AAAAAAAACVo/S6LybPDMyAs/s1600/avenexer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JRm71cPsApc/USKOA0PW_pI/AAAAAAAACVo/S6LybPDMyAs/s400/avenexer.JPG" width="298" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Wide eyed in the exersaucer</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utb5U9pRXtU/USKOC87p9vI/AAAAAAAACVw/C7hl_Y8UJEw/s1600/avenjumper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-utb5U9pRXtU/USKOC87p9vI/AAAAAAAACVw/C7hl_Y8UJEw/s400/avenjumper.JPG" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Hanging out in the jumperoo</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleeping</strong> - This month started out fantastic, then got horrible. After me being home for 2 weeks over Christmas she settled into her new routine of going to bed a bit earlier and dropping a feeding and a nap. She was sleeping through the night pretty consistently and taking 3 solid naps plus one catnap a day from weeks 17-21, then it all changed when we went up North to visit Tyge's parents in late January. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We brought her pack 'n play (she's too big for the rock 'n play) and knew it'd be hard for her to fall asleep somewhere new for the first night or so. She was up every few hours every night there, then we discovered she was sick upon returning home. For two weeks after we got home she was up. every. single. hour. at night - it was brutal. We had just gotten used to her sleeping through again since my return to work, so this was a major downturn for everyone! She'd wake up and couldn't breathe so would cry, and we'd go get and rock and comfort her and she'd go back down after a few minutes. It was so frustrating because by the time I was falling back asleep, she was up again! Tyge and I took turns getting her as she was obviously sick so there was nothing we could do but comfort her when she cried. I did feed her a few times when she'd cry out middle of the night, but mostly she just wanted to be sat upright to breathe and rocked back to sleep...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She's still a good napper (before our trip) but needs to be at home in her crib to get a good solid nap in - gone are the days where I can bring her anywhere and she'll nap! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And even though she starting rolling over this month, we are swaddling for both night and naptime. I tried a one arm out swaddle and it did NOT go well! She is normally a great self soother but it took her almost 45 minutes to settle herself (not crying, just fussing and waving her little arm around!) unswaddled, which ruined her whole nap. She hasn't attempted rolling over swaddled yet and we had a video monitor so can see if she did. Her head strength is much better these days so she would be able to lift it up and breathe in the few seconds it would take us to go flip her over, should that happen. Our ped said we'd need to look at dropping the swaddle around 6 months, so I'm not too concerned just yet. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fogGEkoqTzI/USKOFjE9CII/AAAAAAAACV4/bpmYAh8POso/s1600/avensicksmirk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fogGEkoqTzI/USKOFjE9CII/AAAAAAAACV4/bpmYAh8POso/s400/avensicksmirk.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Love that little smirk!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Temperament</strong> - She is getting more and more generous with her gorgeous smiles! Still such a happy little girl the first half of the month, then she got another bad cold that lasted 2 weeks and totally threw her off. It was so sad to see her so sick and stuffy and miserable, and there was really little we could do. Humidifier, snot sucking, and lots of cuddles seemed to be the only things that helped! Thankfully she's starting to feel much better and back to her sweet little self. Sick or not though, it is so fun to see her little personality begin to develop. She makes the funniest faces and loves to giggle. She is ticklish, that's for sure! She is so content to just sit in your lap and make faces, read a book, or just sit. All of these toys we/others bought her aren't getting much use yet haha!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Very beginning of the month - Tyge calls her it waltermelon smile :)</span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>This is one of her many faces - she sucks her little bottom lip in and makes this "mmmm" sound while looking up, then breaks into a HUGE grin. So cute!</em> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Tyge made up captions for this series - clockwise starting from top left: 1.) Hey Mom, guess what I just did?! 2.) Oh no - that wasn't a toot! 3.) Emergency! Change me! 4.) All better!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Outings/Firsts/Other</strong> - We're still keeping a low key schedule, especially after the holidays. We did take a trip up North the end of January and while she was a great traveller, she didn't sleep well (at night) while there. I'm hoping this was due to the sickness and that we can take her overnight places without ruining sleep habits each time! Other than that, we didn't do much this month! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>As for me:</strong> The beginning of the month was good but the end was not....lack of sleep just makes everything worse, I tell ya! Tyge and I started to get cranky at each other, I was sleep deprived and not doing as well at work, it's a spiral. Thankfully she's feeling better now and we're into a new month - it can only go up from here! Body wise, since being back at work and over the holidays I put on some of the baby weight I had pretty easily and initially lost, so that was frustrating. At this point though, I'm too tired to do anything about it. :) I admit, when I learned that she had rolled over for the first time and I missed it, I was upset and teared up a bit. Thankfully I got to see her do it soon thereafter and I realize that being a working mom does mean possibly missing out on a few firsts, but in the grand scheme of her life not seeing the FIRST time she rolled over isn't that big of a deal. I just feel so blessed that our nanny is so loving and caring enough to document it for me! Speaking of, things are going amazing with her and we love having her in our home - Keely and Aven do too! It makes my workday go so much smoother knowing she is so well cared for in the comfort of our own home. Plus, I love being able to head straight home from work and not stop to pick her up anywhere!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Schedule</strong> - Like I said, we do the eat/play/sleep thing and have been settled into the routine below since 4 months. She was doing great with it until we went up North and it's took 2+ weeks to get her back on track once we were home, as she was sick. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 AM - Wake up and nurse followed by playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 AM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:00 AM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">12:30 PM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4:00 PM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 PM - Catnap in swing or in our arms while we watch TV</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 PM - Nurse followed by bedtime routine - usually asleep by 9:00</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Before being sick she'd make it all night, then the last half of the month she was up several times a night.</span></li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVr1H9HpRAQ/URxtKI5avFI/AAAAAAAACQs/eNd3v8cGddI/s1600/_D7K7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVr1H9HpRAQ/URxtKI5avFI/AAAAAAAACQs/eNd3v8cGddI/s400/_D7K7893.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Our dear sweet Aven Hope!</em></span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-20511926493234815832013-01-22T14:27:00.000-06:002013-02-27T16:42:05.851-06:00Visit Up North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since we had a 3 day weekend, we took Aven up North to stay at Baga and Maga's house for the second time in her little life! It was so nice to get away and visit family, and we really enjoyed our time there. Unfortunately, little miss did NOT do well with sleeping in a different environment and was up several times a night. Once we got home, she got full blown sick so we figured she caught a bug up there and was starting to get sick, which affected her sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We only snapped a few pics while there, but they show how blessed Aven is to have so many people in her life who love her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Eating cousin JJ's head</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4WyBzkzVx4/URxsEyC68yI/AAAAAAAACPU/vgdEvCH5CV0/s1600/_D7K7736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4WyBzkzVx4/URxsEyC68yI/AAAAAAAACPU/vgdEvCH5CV0/s400/_D7K7736.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This picture is SO precious!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRlVTU2Ks9c/URxsJt1Dq2I/AAAAAAAACPc/ZBPNgMiZ91s/s1600/_D7K7739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRlVTU2Ks9c/URxsJt1Dq2I/AAAAAAAACPc/ZBPNgMiZ91s/s400/_D7K7739.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With her Great Grandpa Reuben and Great Grandma Ellen - her only living Great Grandma</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud6-5ddX-JQ/URxsQApEI6I/AAAAAAAACPk/KQPOsMpQqLM/s1600/_D7K7760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud6-5ddX-JQ/URxsQApEI6I/AAAAAAAACPk/KQPOsMpQqLM/s400/_D7K7760.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With Uncle Brian, JJ, and Maga</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vV683FGObqQ/URxsaQcesbI/AAAAAAAACPw/OR8Mb7EZNh8/s1600/_D7K7767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vV683FGObqQ/URxsaQcesbI/AAAAAAAACPw/OR8Mb7EZNh8/s400/_D7K7767.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then this happened. A true badge of honor for a Dad! ;)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-70269121820805443142012-12-30T13:58:00.000-06:002013-02-27T16:39:48.113-06:00Aven Hope - 4 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little Miss is 4 months old! Honestly, I have to say that this past month was a harder one...the transition back to work was tough, coupled with some sleeping issues. Thankfully we seem to be back on track now as I've had the past 11 days of holiday break at home with her to spend some quality time and tweak the schedule a bit. Now I'll have to adjust AGAIN to being away from her, haha! Anyway, here's what we've been up to the past month:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Feeding</strong> - Little Hippo is still a good eater! For the first half of the past month we were on a 3 hour schedule (6 feedings), but are now on a combo 3-3.5 hour one (5 feedings). Nursing was different this month as she is now waaaay more aware of her surroundings and gets distracted quite easily. She'll eat steadily for 5 minutes, but then stop and smile at me, talks, look around. It's really cute but at the same time, I want her to eat a full meal! She is more efficient at eating now too, so it really only takes her 5-10 minutes per side to finish. She still goes back and forth between bottle and nursing very easily, so I am lucky! I am able to pump at work and do 2-3 sessions, averaging 15 oz. total, which is more than enough for her next day's meals. Now that we are doing 5 feedings a day, she'll get 3 nursing sessions and 2 bottles. She's now up to 6 oz. of breast milk in a bottle and sometimes does 7! I know we can think about rice cereal this month, but since it's not really nutritionally necessary and just something else to add to the plate (no pun intended!) I think we'll wait until 6 months to try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Love that little smirk</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvcntu4Kajo/URxj3lE_JII/AAAAAAAACK4/ISYArYx8a5c/s1600/_D7K7575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvcntu4Kajo/URxj3lE_JII/AAAAAAAACK4/ISYArYx8a5c/s400/_D7K7575.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Look at those legs!</em></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stats:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weight - 15.5 lbs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Length - 26 inches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Head - 14.5 inches</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had to pack away most of her 3 month clothes the other day *tear* as she's outgrowing them in length. She's in mostly 3-6 month clothing and a size 2 diaper now - just finishing up a pack of 1's then will move fully to 2's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Awake time</strong> - We are still following the Babywise method of "eat/play/sleep" and she does so well with it. She can definitely stay awake longer now, but it's not the same every time. Sometimes she can make it 1.5 hours before hitting her wall, other times it's an hour and 10 minutes. There has also been a few times where she hasn't napped in between feedings so gone 3 hours being awake - that's not good and she gets fussy. Usually the magic number seems to be around 1.5 hours before she gets grumpy and it's time to swaddle. Her awake time is so much more fun this month - she is getting more and more alert and interactive! She LOVES to show off her beautiful smile and chat and coo along with it. She has the cutest little giggle, and loves to talk to us all the time. We got out her highchair and she'll sit in it while we eat and just hang out playing with her toys. She still loves Sophie the giraffe and will put any toy (or anything - burp cloths, mom's hair, etc) we give her right in her mouth. Speaking of mouth, she drools a lot so we have to keep a bib on most of the time! Little Miss got spoiled over Christmas and got some great new toys! She loves ones that light up and make sound, and will stay entertained by them for awhile. Since she loves standing so much we set out her jumperoo and though she doesn't quite get it yet, she'll enjoy it soon! She also likes to sit in her Bumbo chair, though her thighs are a bit chunky and she gets stuck out the way out. :) She tolerates tummy time much better this month and I think likes it now! She'll squeal and play with whatever is in front of her. She does well with tummy time but still hasn't shown any signs of rolling over either way, but that'll come. Maybe once we stop the swaddle she'll figure it out. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Big little girl in her high chair!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Very serious in her Bumbo</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Tummy time!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Getting stronger!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleeping</strong> - This was a rough month for sleeping...like I said in last month's update, at 10 weeks she started sleeping through the night for about 3 weeks, then I went back to work. And from 13 weeks until just this past week (17 weeks), she's been waking twice a night! I think it was for a few reasons...1.) The change with me going back to work and not being with her all day affected her, and I think she misses me so maybe wanted to see me more at night? 2.) She is more distracted during eating so may not fill up as much during the day, leaving her hungry at night. 3.) Teething? 4.) We were putting her to bed too late. Whatever the reason, she would wake at 2 or 3 AM then 5 or 6 AM, like clockwork. Some nights we just let he cry at the 2 or 3 AM one - my limit was 10 minutes. Normally she settled down before then, but if not one of us would go pick her up and rock her for a few minutes to get her back to sleep. Then at 5 or 6 AM I knew it was probably hunger, so I'd feed her from one side then put her back down, only to get her back up at 7 or 7:30 before I went to work. That second wakeup was really rough, because I get up at 6 AM to get myself ready so if she was up at 5, I was up for the day. (diaper change, nurse, swaddle, lights out, sing </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Z6pWhM6TA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cuppycake</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> song and rock)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So once I was home for Holiday break, we started a new schedule for sleeping, basically taking away one catnap and moving her bedtime back an hour. It's worked really well for the past 10 days, praise the Lord! She's been sleeping through most nights with this new schedule so I think we're on to something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Loves her toys</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She is still a great napper and with our new schedule is down to 3 naps a day and sometimes one catnap in the evening. Around 14 weeks we moved all naps to her crib and that's worked out great! One Saturday I tried one nap in there and it went well, so we haven't looked back since. Because she is getting more distracted, the lights and Keely barking were inhibiting good sleep, so I think being in her room really helps. That being said, if we're NOT home during her nap, she's a lot less likely to do so. She used to sleep anywhere in her carseat or my arms, but now she's much more social and wants to be a part of whatever is going on, whether it's a Costco trip or being at someone else's house. For naps we do a shortened bedtime routine where I swaddle her in an A&A blanket, turn the lights off, rock for literally a minute, then put her down. She usually puts herself to sleep quickly. We rarely use the swing anymore, and if we do it's for her evening catnap before bed, if that's not in our arms. :) I think we may put it away soon...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Cheeks!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Temperament</strong> - She is still such a happy little girl! Rarely fusses unless she is overtired. Smiles all the time. Loves her puppy. Has the cutest little giggle and makes "mmmm" sounds often. She makes the most hilarious faces! She is ambivalent about baths - doesn't love them, doesn't hate them. We only give her about one a week for now. And her faces - oh my! She makes the most hilarious faces that crack Tyge and I up. She is still a drool factory and chews on anything and everything in front of her, but I don't think she's full blown teething just yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Smile!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Such a ham!</em></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHexUnqLKE/UR0_8EReDdI/AAAAAAAACUQ/aPCTiRL1IZA/s1600/avenkeely.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHexUnqLKE/UR0_8EReDdI/AAAAAAAACUQ/aPCTiRL1IZA/s400/avenkeely.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Best buddies!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Chewing on Baga's hand</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Outings/Firsts/Other</strong> - With me being back at work, we've really pared down outside commitments as all I want to do is be home with her. :) We had her first Christmas which was more fun for us than her I think - she'll enjoy all the magic more in years to come! We also had a play date with my friend Chelsea's son Jack who is 5 weeks older than Aven - I look forward to more of those to come! She started sitting in her high chair with us during dinner at the end of the month and does really well in there. We also got out her exersaucer after we put away the Christmas tree and she doesn't quiiiite know what to do with it yet, but will get there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Future Mr. & Mrs?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>As for me:</strong> Not gonna lie, this was probably the toughest month for me since she's been born. Going back to work was much harder than I thought and I'm still having a hard time adjusting to life as a working mom. I do miss her during the day, but I had prepared myself for that (and Stephanie sends pics!) so it's not so much that, but I'm just having a tough time getting it all done. Working all day I often feel like I'm not giving 100% because I'm thinking of her, then being at home I sometimes think about work and don't give her 100% so it's a weird balance that I've yet to figure out. When I walk in the door at 5:30 or so I have to change, put away the day's pumped milk, wash supplies, feed Aven, get dinner started (Tyge does this most nights, thank goodness!) - it all sounds piddly but it's a lot at the end of then day when all I want to do is snuggle my little girl. Again, once it becomes more of a routine it'll get MUCH easier but for now it's still a lot. And everything is amplified when you're sleep deprived, which we are.</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Selfie snapped after our Christmas Card Photos - she looks terrified!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Schedule</strong> - Like I said, we do the eat/play/sleep thing and have been settled into the routine below since around 10 weeks:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 AM - Wake up and nurse followed by playtime </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:00 or 8:15 AM - Nap </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10:30 AM - Nurse/Feed and playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:30 or 11:45 AM - Nap
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2:30 or 2:45 PM - Nap
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4:30 or 5 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 or 6 PM - Catnap in swing while we eat dinner, if she wakes she lays there quietly and stares at the tree :)
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:30 PM - Nurse and less stimulating playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 PM - Doze in our arms or bunny swing
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9:30 PM - Nurse followed by bedtime routine - usually in crib by 10 or so
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Starting at 13 weeks she'd get up 1-2 times (3 and 5 AM usually) and we'd either rock her, feed her, or let her self soothe depending on her cry.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And for the past 10 days (around 16 weeks) we've done this routine, which seems to work really well:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:00 AM - Wake up and nurse followed by playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9:30 AM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:30 AM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1:00 PM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3:45 or 4:00 PM - Nap </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and playtime </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 PM - Catnap in swing or in our arms while we watch TV</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 PM - Nurse followed by bedtime routine - usually asleep by 9:00</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And she's been making it until morning without a peep! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We continue to be blessed each day by our sweet Aven Hope! </span><br />
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Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-84150759360704320432012-12-26T15:55:00.000-06:002013-02-27T16:37:30.876-06:00Aven's First Christmas! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had two weekends in a row of Christmas celebrations, which were made that much more special with Miss Aven being around! I think we enjoyed her first Christmas more than she did, but she was such a happy girl, even though she didn't fully realize what was going on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We celebrated with Tyge's family the weekend before with a large family gathering. Aven got dressed in her Christmas finery and was the hit of the party! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With her cousin Saylor and Santa</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>She looks a bit scared, but she's not crying!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The new mommas opening some gifts for the babies</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Aven and Great Grandpa Carl - I love the look on his face</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With Maga and Baga B - she really loves them, despite the look on her face. All the other pics I snapped were blurry....</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Grandma G made Aven her own Christmas tree, but looks like she'd rather eat her dress?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since we were <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2011/12/swan-lake-christmas.html" target="_blank">up North last year</a>, we celebrated with my folks this year and had them over to our house since it's easier for them to come to us, with a baby and all! I sang at church on Christmas Eve so was at practice most of the day, but they all met me at church for the service then we headed back to our house for a beef stew dinner and presents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Grandma and Grandpa G</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Are all these for ME?!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>They taste pretty good anyway...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Oh boy I am so spoiled.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Sweet Keely girl isn't the center of the attention anymore...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then we woke up on Christmas Day and hung out in our PJ's while watching A Christmas Story before getting ready for our big Christmas celebration. We had arranged to cook and serve a Christmas meal for 50 homeless people at a shelter in Minneapolis, and I can't wait to make it a yearly tradition. What better way to celebrate Christ's birth by showing his love and serving others, right? My mom made 50 pounds of ham and planned all the side dishes to go along with, so we arrived armed with food. I was on baby duty while my parents and Tyge prepared the food, then we all served together. It was such a blessing to be able to speak with these folks - they were so thankful for the little they had and so kind to us. I'll admit I was nervous to bring Aven at first, but she brought so much joy to everyone there, wearing her little Christmas headband and smiling away. She was awake the whole time we were there (like 5 hours - a LONG time for her) but didn't get fussy at all! I can't wait to serve again next year, and every year after, to help teach Aven the true meaning of Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And our 2012 Christmas card - my favorite one yet! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Photos by Callie V Photography</em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-40390378477307231592012-12-21T13:24:00.000-06:002013-02-27T16:36:02.709-06:00That He gave His only Son...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I heard a story on KTIS driving into work the other day that made me cry and touched me so much. Being a parent now, things about children affect me more and this one was no different. For Christmas this year, we are planning to serve dinner to 50 people in a homeless shelter downtown, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was a bit nervous to bring Aven. After hearing this story it just put things into perspective for me that Aven isn't solely MY child. She is a child of God, entrusted to my care while she's on earth. Thinking about it that way is so different than the worldly way of looking at our children as our possessions or our prizes. I don't want this to come across as that I don't view Aven as my daughter - because I do - but I recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from above, including her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My point is that this story really hit home for me and helped me to feel more at ease with bringing Aven to a different and perhaps uncomfortable environment on Christmas. What better way to show the love of Christ than through the smiling eyes of a little baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Read the story below...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=t1YGYaJuwV_TBM&tbnid=R9AWCI-_h9NYtM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Femmyk.wordpress.com%2Ftag%2Fjesus-loves-children%2F&ei=UkwdUY2CHYby9gSPpoDgBA&bvm=bv.42452523,d.eWU&psig=AFQjCNFCJbPJHKwZXq_rFhoqvn2NL_vr7A&ust=1360960902658860" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="400" id="irc_mi" src="http://emmyk.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/jesus-child.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="313" /></a></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly Erik squealed with glee and said, ‘Hi.’ He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter as he wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the s</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ource of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists as he said ‘Hi there, baby, hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, ‘What do we do?’ Erik continued to laugh and answer, ‘Hi. ‘Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, ‘Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo!’ Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously intoxicated I thought. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, all except for Erik who was running through his repertoire for the admiring transient, who in turn, reciprocated with his comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. ‘Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,’ I prayed. As I drew closer to the man I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s ‘pick-me-up’ position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.</span></span></em><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /><em> Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby shared their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.</em><br />
<br /><em> I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, ‘You take care of this baby.’ Somehow I managed, ‘I will,’ from a throat that contained a stone.<br /> He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, ‘God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.’ I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, ‘My God, my God, forgive me.’ I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment, a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, ‘Are you willing to share your son for a moment?’ when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago? The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, ‘To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children. Sometimes it takes a child to remind us of what is really important.</em></span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-28379365004751595732012-12-09T18:06:00.003-06:002012-12-09T18:06:36.582-06:00A few firsts!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had a few firsts this weekend in our family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday was Aven's first Ugly Christmas Sweater party at the Vershums! Tyge and I got decked out in our ugliest, but she looked adorable in her Santa suit. We had a little photo shoot before the party:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Our festive family!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And today was Aven's first big snowfall! We toyed around with the idea of laying her in a sled and dragging her (or hooking it up to Keely!) around the yard, but thought better of it - next year. :) We did, however, dress her up in her adorable North Face snowsuit and fuzzy winter hat, and snap some pictures:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm so excited to get outside!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>It sure is bright out here...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>And cold, brrr!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>How long are we gonna be out here?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Hello, blue eyes!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Okay, time to go in!</em> </span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-42230976218853960772012-12-01T16:50:00.000-06:002012-12-01T16:51:42.970-06:00Aven Hope - 3 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wow...I'll probably say this every month but I can't believe my little girl is already 3 months old! One quarter of a year! And I know the next three quarters will fly by in the blink of an eye. Here's what we've been up to the past month:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Feeding</strong> - Little Hippo is a good eater! We are still on a three hour schedule, and sometimes go 3 1/2 hours between feedings. She nurses really well and now does 10-15 minutes per side. There are times when she only wants 5 minutes or less and it worried me at first, but then she just eats more the next feeding. She is definitely more distracted and aware during feedings - no more needing to keep her awake! Leading up to going back to work, I started feeding her more bottles and she goes back and forth with no problem, which I am so thankful for. On a workday, she'll get 3 nursing sessions and three 4-5 oz. bottles. I'm pumping at work which so far is working out just fine!</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love her lil' baby gut!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Awake
time</strong> - We are still following the Babywise method of "eat/play/sleep"
and she does so well with it. Her max waketime is still only about an hour, sometimes a bit more, but she starts to get fussy around the 60 minute mark after being awake. Though her awake time is so much more fun this month! She is growing so fast and seems to have a new "trick" every day. I'm not sure if she's teething, but she has her hands in her mouth all.the.time. and is drooling a lot. She loves to suck on toys, especially Sophie the Giraffe! We now keep bibs on her most of the time due to the drooling. :) She is getting much better at tummy time and doesn't mind it as much - her head is so strong! She can now sit in the Bumbo chair and hold her head up without support. Her favorite thing to do these days is "stand" - she loves to bear weight on her chunky little legs and can stand with some support from us for a surprisingly long period of time. We tried her out in the doorway jumper thing but she's still too little and just slumps in the seat. Tyge is so excited for the day she can play in that - maybe next month!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hands always near/in my mouth!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hanging out with Sophie in the Bumbo</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tummy time with Dad</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Standing! Look at those cute chunky thighs...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleeping</strong>
- Getting much better! Right after our trip to SD, when she was a little over 8 weeks, we started sleep training. Basically, we started a more consistent bedtime and routine (diaper change, nurse, swaddle, lights out, sing </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Z6pWhM6TA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cuppycake</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> song and rock) and had her learn how to self soothe. She only cried for 2 nights (I know, we are SO lucky!) and now we can lay her down in her crib drowsy but awake and she puts herself to sleep. Right at 10 weeks, she made it from 9 PM to 6 AM without waking, which was amazing! The next night she did 9:30 PM to 7 AM! And from every night on she went from 9:30 or 10 PM to 7 or 7:30 AM with NO PEEPS - it was incredible. And we'd usually wake her in the morning! She needs to get up at 7 AM on workdays for me so I can nurse and have time with her in the mornings, so we usually try to have her in bed by 9:30ish. I was worried that the change with me going back to work would mess up this amazing sleeping through the night, and I was right. Every night this past week she got up once at 3 or 4 AM to feed, but would go right back down after 10 minutes of eating. I know it was really early for her to be STTN anyway, but I'll take it whenever she does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She is still a champion napper (3 naps + 2 catnaps a day and sleeping 1.5-2 hours in between feedings) but that also changed when I went to work, and she didn't nap well for Stephanie (our nanny). I know she's been getting up in the middle of the night because she's not sleeping as well during the day, but it'll just take time for her to get used to Stephanie and not me, and we'll be back on track! She does still nap in her swing and I want to transition her to her crib eventually but with me going back to work, I figured one change at a time was enough for now. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Daddy and his daughter...melts me heart! Her hair looks so red here :)</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Temperament</strong> -
Oh my goodness is she a happy little girl! During her awake time she we get so many good smiles out of her! She loves to talk and coo, and we caught her first giggle a week ago. I was tickling her teeny neck and she let out this adorable giggle! We haven't heard it since, but it was precious. She really only cries when she's overtired (so we try to get her down before that point) or has gas. Her reflux seems to be gone, though she still spits up a normal amount after some feedings. And she only goes #2 every other day or so now so when it's been awhile she can get a bit fussy until she goes. Usually when she's fussing, it's for a reason, and we know how to make it better. It's so nice to have the witching hour and fussiness somewhat behind us, and we are loving our sweet, snuggly, smiley little girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Just look at that grin!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Outings/Other</strong> - We've been in town this month and have really been able to hang out at home without many commitments, which has been so nice. Aven celebrated her first two holidays (Halloween and Thanksgiving) and I can't wait for her first Christmas! Tyge's folks were here for Thanksgiving and it was nice to spend some quality time with them and Brian and Naomi, as they don't get to see her too often. We also went to a baby shower for cousin Alison and her baby Saylor, and met a few friends/family for lunch this month. Knowing that I was returning to work soon though, I really just stayed at home with her!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She had her first cold around 11 weeks, which was so sad to see! She had such a stuffy nose and could barely breathe. We sat in the bathroom with a hot shower running for steam, put a dehumidifier in her room, and used saline spray in her nose with the snot sucker bulb. I also fed bottles for a few days as she had trouble nursing and breathing, poor little thing! I didn't mind the extra cuddles at all, though. :) </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Decorating the tree!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Posing for Christmas card p</em><em>hotos</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>As for me:</strong> The biggest change for me this month was going back to work, which I just posted about. We also decided this month to scratch the daycare option we had selected before she was born and look for a nanny, so I spent the last month of my maternity leave interviewing. I am so happy to say we found someone (Stephanie) who is just amazing! She is seriously a gift from God and I am so thankful for her. It makes my days at work so much better knowing that Aven is in her own home, with someone loving to care for her. She also texts me pictures to get me through the workday and keeps a log of her schedule, which will help as she grows and changes and I'm not with her 24/7 to notice. I haven't been working out at all and now that I'm back at work, have no idea when I'll do that! The baby weight number is gone, but I'm shaped very differently and still have 20 pounds to lose, as I was a bit over my target weight when I got pregnant. Surprisingly though, I'm not as hard on myself and it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I guess I realize what am amazing thing my body went through and am have a little more grace for myself than I did before. Nursing hasn't "melted the weight off" for me at all and I think I'm actually holding on to some because of it, but providing for her is more important to me than crash dieting and working out so hard that my supply drops. That being said, I COULD and SHOULD be watching what I'm eating a bit more. :) I'm not sleeping well at all lately...despite being really tired, I just can't seem to fall asleep when my head hits the pillow. I also sleep really lightly when I do fall asleep - I guess I'm waiting to hear her cry! If I do wake to nurse or hear her cry in the middle of the night, it takes me FOREVER to fall back asleep. Like over an hour. And now that I can't nap during her naps (being back at work) it makes for a long day, so hopefully I can learn to fall asleep better! I also haven't had much quality time for Tyge lately and know I'm paying way more attention to Aven than him, so will work on putting our marriage first this next month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Schedule</strong>
- Like I said, we do the eat/play/sleep thing and have been settled into the routine below since around 10 weeks:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 AM - Wake up and
nurse followed by playtime
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:00 or 8:15 AM - Nap
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10:30 AM - Nurse/Feed and
playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:30 or 11:45 AM - Nap
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1:30 PM - Nurse/Feed and
playtime
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2:30 or 2:45 PM - Nap
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4:30 or 5 PM - Nurse/Feed and
playtime
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 or 6 PM - Catnap in swing while we eat dinner, if she wakes she lays there quietly and stares at the tree :)
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:30 PM - Nurse and
less stimulating playtime
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 PM - Doze in our
arms or bunny swing
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9:30 PM - Nurse
followed by bedtime routine - usually in crib by 10 or so
</span>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And she usually makes it until morning without a peep! Some nights she cries out around 4 AM but if it's not her hunger cry (that's an obvious one!) I leave her be and she settles herself back down after 10 minutes. If she is hungry, we nurse on one side for 10 minutes and she goes right back down.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Life with our sweet Aven Hope gets better each day, and I am so blessed to be her Mommy! </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-42441413749922266052012-11-29T09:00:00.000-06:002012-11-30T15:48:57.652-06:00I survived!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well, my first day back at work is behind me and I survived - not without a few tears, but I made it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tuesday was really bad for me - I think the anticipation of going back to work was worse than actually doing it. I was just holding onto Aven all day and would tear up every so often at the thought of leaving her. We snuggled on the couch most of the day and I took lots of pics and videos to get me through the workdays. Tyge brought me beautiful pink roses on Tuesday night which made me smile and was so thoughtful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So I put Aven to bed and went to bed myself, but had a really hard time falling asleep. I didn't sleep too well and popped right out of bed when my alarm went off at 6 AM - I was already up. I was able to shower and get myself ready, then woke her at 7 to nurse and hang out for an hour until Stephanie (our nanny) got there. When she asked how I was doing I teared up again...luckily Aven was sleeping when I left which made it easier. I did cry most of the way to work, despite listening to cheery Christmas music. I walked into work and was greeted with smiles, cheers, hugs, flowers, and brownies! It was such a warm welcome and it did feel good to be back. Like I've said, I really love my job and the people I work with so that made it easier to come back. It was so fun to show off pictures of my little girl and catch up with everyone, and I spent most of the morning cleaning out my desk area and chatting. I did get in two pumping sessions and figured out the ins and outs of doing that at work, which made me feel better. I thought about Aven all day and was so happy to get a sweet text from Stephanie with THIS face smiling back at me:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCZgygTe9mo/ULfN3FFNTOI/AAAAAAAAB9M/HkM_8jqj0gw/s1600/CAM00084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCZgygTe9mo/ULfN3FFNTOI/AAAAAAAAB9M/HkM_8jqj0gw/s400/CAM00084.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>And she had dressed her in her "I Love Mommy" onesie - how cute!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I left work at 4 so was home in time for the 4:30 feed and walked in to a smiley, happy baby girl! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM2q1maukfw/ULfOhQbo_JI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/vFHUAZAz1ps/s1600/happy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM2q1maukfw/ULfOhQbo_JI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/vFHUAZAz1ps/s400/happy.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My amazing husband came home and cooked a special dinner of crab legs for us, then cleaned up while I snuggled the baby. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZeOfUTQp6w/ULfOoqeKKGI/AAAAAAAAB9g/dZ4JF7Tuy4c/s1600/sleeping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZeOfUTQp6w/ULfOoqeKKGI/AAAAAAAAB9g/dZ4JF7Tuy4c/s400/sleeping.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So the first day is behind me and I hope it only gets easier from here as I figure out the new routine of being a working mom. Thanks for all the prayers and kind texts and phone calls everyone - the support really helped get me through this week!</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-65651380909850339122012-11-18T19:55:00.002-06:002012-11-18T19:55:30.714-06:00Returning to work...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As I sit here on a lazy Sunday evening with my family, I feel so peaceful and don't feel any of the "Sunday night blues" because I don't have to return to work tomorrow! However, it's the last Sunday I'll have like this, as this week is my last full week at home with Aven (and it's a busy holiday one at that!) and I return to work Wednesday 11/28. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Before I had her, I said that I needed to return to work, wanted to work, and genuinely felt I would be a better mother if I was working - you know, having my "own" daily life and identity outside of being a mom. Well I don't know who I was kidding. I've loved every single minute of being Aven's mommy full time and would rather do that 24/7 than any other job on earth (even a professional singer, my "dream" job!). Don't get me wrong - I really do enjoy my job and love the people I work with so feel blessed to return to that environment, but will so miss being with my little girl every minute of every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These past (almost) 12 weeks have flown by so fast - everyone told me they would, and they weren't kidding! I can honestly say it's been the toughest and best 12 weeks of my life, and things truly keep getting better each day. That's why it's so tough to leave her NOW because she's not the helpless dependant little newborn, but getting to be such a sweet, fun little baby whose personality is just now really developing. I feel like I know her so well, know what each cry and coo means, know her routine and schedule, and know exactly what to do to make her happy. I fear that, in returning to work and not being with her all day, I'll lose that. I won't know her as well anymore. And that makes me sad beyond belief. I know I'll still have weeknights and weekends, but also know how much I'll miss out on each day. She is growing and changing and learning so much every day and I'm sad that instead of being a part of her daily world, I'll be working.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In addition to feeling sad, I'm filled with fears - some irrational, some not. I'm afraid she'll love the nanny we hired more than me. I'm afraid I won't be able to pump enough to give her milk for each day. I'm afraid she won't want to nurse when I am home. I'm afraid I won't get anything done besides loving on her, because that's all I'll want to do in the moments I'm not at work. I'm afraid she'll love the nanny more than me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Financially, I do have to go back to work so there's not much choice there. Tyge and I talked and I COULD stay home, but it would be a big cut for us and we're just not able to do that right now. I know 100% that God would provide and we'd be okay if I did stay home, but it was always the "plan" for me to go back, so I'm going to. My dad made an excellent point that if I didn't go back now but in 2 months decided I wanted to, my job would be gone. However, if I go back and 2 months from now decide that I just can't do it, I can always leave. I think that once I go back I'll be fine and will probably adjust and do well in my new working mother role, I've just gotten so used to my stay at home mommy role and am afraid of the change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So for the next 9 days I plan on locking myself in our house and staring at this face all day:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RfR2DB4170/UKmM7HuMZ4I/AAAAAAAAB8I/k6T73SUbITk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RfR2DB4170/UKmM7HuMZ4I/AAAAAAAAB8I/k6T73SUbITk/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Don't judge my penguin comfy pants...)</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this face:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9YD1bjR45I/UKmM1_lsVTI/AAAAAAAAB8A/Iir3Thfy0Lo/s1600/IMAG0736-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9YD1bjR45I/UKmM1_lsVTI/AAAAAAAAB8A/Iir3Thfy0Lo/s400/IMAG0736-1.jpg" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Don't judge my striped comfy pants)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And doing lots of this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RfR2DB4170/UKmM7HuMZ4I/AAAAAAAAB8I/k6T73SUbITk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGg0rN8Vfoc/UKmM8pztp1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/PyxvAgjHoYo/s1600/IMAG0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGg0rN8Vfoc/UKmM8pztp1I/AAAAAAAAB8Q/PyxvAgjHoYo/s400/IMAG0699.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HojT7tvjZOA/UKmM930iEtI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/LdMvwu8TNhw/s1600/IMAG0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HojT7tvjZOA/UKmM930iEtI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/LdMvwu8TNhw/s400/IMAG0717.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And with that, I'm off to go snuggle my sweet baby girl!</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-65004124664928122732012-11-04T10:47:00.001-06:002012-11-04T10:47:49.253-06:00Morning conversation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXsBRHa0HP4QE7QnJu1QsNtdo1uIAIUPsRm_7FCcbISyIoPLpK-sSKBuahTnHSL9KP7ZQoF00DcmFEbJF7ig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ignore my annoying baby talk voice...but it was the best conversation I've had all weekend! :) Love my sweet, smiley, chatty little girl.</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-6520634736391724472012-11-02T19:01:00.000-05:002012-11-02T19:01:08.867-05:001st Halloween!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Halloween was Aven's first official holiday! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyw31yaCKQs/UJRc07W87sI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/EgS6DXtYWUA/s1600/_D7K6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gyw31yaCKQs/UJRc07W87sI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/EgS6DXtYWUA/s400/_D7K6009.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVxLUBAUmsc/UJRdJjlSXoI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/fzLOirOrYVM/s1600/_D7K5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVxLUBAUmsc/UJRdJjlSXoI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/fzLOirOrYVM/s400/_D7K5985.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We spent the day hanging out and met my mom for lunch, wearing the adorable above outfit. She is a bit young for trick or treating (and I'm trying to stay AWAY from candy right now!) so we stayed at home and handed candy out to the neighborhood kiddos while she napped. However, had we gone trick or treating, she would have worn this sweet pea costume - too cute! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y4Zca0yHfk/UJReJ--thAI/AAAAAAAAB5g/dTy6M49oVT0/s1600/IMAG0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y4Zca0yHfk/UJReJ--thAI/AAAAAAAAB5g/dTy6M49oVT0/s400/IMAG0564.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(excuse the phone pic)</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was a sweet first holiday with my baby girl, and I am so looking forward to the rest of the "firsts" to come! It's all going by too fast! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-84123118921564557962012-11-01T10:06:00.000-05:002012-11-03T10:16:36.347-05:00Aven Hope - 2 months<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Where is the one month post, you might ask? Well, this baby care thing is a full time job I tell ya! I so meant to do a one week, two week, at least a one MONTH post, but those milestones flew by before I could even blink. My sweet little girl turned two months old last week (9 weeks today) and I'm finally sitting down to write about what we've been up to this last month! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdW4lnbWEbQ/UInWPnplujI/AAAAAAAAB4U/NDeyYqRzCRs/s1600/_D7K6121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdW4lnbWEbQ/UInWPnplujI/AAAAAAAAB4U/NDeyYqRzCRs/s400/_D7K6121.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<u><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two Month Stats:</span></strong></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Height - 23 3/4 inches - 90th percentile - we knew she'd be tall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weight - 12 lbs -80th percentile</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Head - 15 1/2 inches - 60th percentile</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Feeding</strong> - going really well! Around weeks 5-6 nursing completely stopped hurting and I now look forward to each session. She is eating every three hours (on average) for 15 minutes per side and is a great eater according to her pediatrician! We affectionately call her "Little Hippo". :) She also has a pumped bottle or so a week (usually 4 oz.) and has no confusion going between that and nursing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I think I'll eat this sticker!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Awake time</strong> - We are loosely following the Babywise method of "eat/play/sleep" and it's working out great for her. I've noticed that her max waketime is about an hour (feeding included) - once we hit that 60 minute mark she starts to get owly so we swaddle her and down for a nap she goes. During waketime we do tummy time (which she's not a huge fan of), sing songs, read books, play on her activity mat, talk to Keely, and take LOTS of pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Enough pictures, Mom...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleeping</strong> - Still trying to figure this one out, but we're getting there! She is a really great napper during the day and takes 4 naps that are 1.5-2 hours each - great for momma! She mostly still naps in her </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Cradle-Swing-Little-Snugabunny/dp/B0042D69WY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351954868&sr=8-1&keywords=my+little+snugabunny+cradle+%27n+swing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">bunny swing</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> in the living room, or in her carseat if we're out and about. She's done a few naps in her crib and I plan to start making that the norm more often. She's in there at night now (transitioned around 4 weeks - we ALL sleep better at night that way!) so I need to be consistent with where she naps too. Nighttime sleep has been up and down - the most she's done is a 7 hour stretch, but only a few times. Like I said, around 4 weeks we moved her to </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Podster-Sling-Style-Infant-Lounger/dp/B003HIXOTQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1351901291&sr=8-7&keywords=leachco+pillow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this pillow</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> in her crib and she really seemed to like it. Last weekend we took the pillow away and now she sleeps on an </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dexbaby-Safe-Universal-Wedge-White/dp/B00067AUP2/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1351901445&sr=1-1&keywords=incline+wedge" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">incline wedge</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> (for mild reflux issues) with </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Noggin-Support-Brown-Wheels/dp/B001O9F6M8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1351901355&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=boppy+noggin+be" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">this headrest</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> so she doesn't get a flat head. :) The first few nights in the new setup did NOT go well (I'm talking waking every two hours) and she missed her pillow, but it's much better now. We now have a bedtime routine that we stick to every night where I nurse her (or Tyge does a bottle), then we change her diaper and swaddle her (to wake her up again if she fell asleep nursing - don't want to form that sleep association), read one book, then turn the light off and rock while singing a lullaby. We rock her until she's drowsy but still awake then lay her in her crib. She's does well with then falling the rest of the way to sleep on her own. She usually only gets up once at night between 2 and 4 AM, nurses for 10-15 minutes, then goes right back down with minimal effort. Like I said, we've had some really rough nights here and there but I think we're getting a nice little routine down, for now anyway...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>How can you be upset at that face when she wakes you at 3 AM?!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Outings</strong> - We usually try to do 2-3 outings per week, whether that be lunch with a friend, shopping, seeing Grandma, etc. She does really well in her carseat (hated it at first) and hasn't had any huge public meltdowns, thank goodness! We also had our first two road trips this month! First up North for our baby shower in early October, then to South Dakota for pheasant opener with my family a few weekends ago. She did great both times and actually had her longest stretches of sleep in the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-Play-Sleeper/dp/B007MFBG36/ref=sr_1_9?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1351901836&sr=1-9&keywords=rock+and+play+sleeper" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rock N Play sleeper</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> - love that thing! She's also had a few playdates with her friends (er, my friends kids, but they will be her friends someday!) and I can't wait for more of those!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I'm so excited!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Temperament</strong> - she is a much more happy girl this month! She gave me her first smile at 6 weeks - while I was changing her diaper she flashed me this happy grin. She smiles quite often now when we talk sweet to her and I just melt. Her Daddy can get some really good ones out of her! She continues to have mild reflux symptoms so we take her to the chiropractor and it seems to help from what I can tell. The spitting doesn't seem to cause her pain anymore, but she does spit up quite a bit - more laundry for me! She definitely went through the 6 week fussy stage where she had a bad witching hour in the evening for a week straight, but that's gone now. She really only cries when hungry (but I usually feed her before she gets to that point), is wet (poo doesn't seem to bother her!), is overtired or overstimulated, or while burping - she hates being burped. She has so many cute faces that make me laugh, and I love when she "talks" to me - I can't get enough of her sweet cooing sounds and happy squeals!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>As for me</strong> - My 6 week appointment went great, all is healed! Though I was cleared for exercise, I didn't do anything until this week when I went for my first run - in nearly 11 months! It was more of a jog with walking breaks, but it felt great nonetheless. Whenever it's nice out I try to get Keely and Aven out for a walk, which feels great as well. I've been doing surprisingly well on the less sleep and sometimes get to nap during her morning nap, which is awesome. I try to only schedule a few outings per week so Aven and I have lots of cuddle time together at home, as I know I have to go back to work in a month and will miss that. We were too busy in the first month, so I've toned it down this month which has been nice. The post-birth emotions are more in check, but I do get overwhelmed at times with how consuming it is to take care of her and keep everything running in the home - I have lots of respect for stay at home moms - it's WORK! Though don't get me wrong, I love every minute of it and dread going back to work, really. I can't imagine leaving my little peanut, but don't want to go there yet. I still have another month of 24/7 with her. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Schedule</strong> - Like I said, we do the eat/play/sleep thing and I've been playing around with the times until last week when she finally seemed to settle into a nice routine, that looks something like this:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:30 AM - Wake up and nurse followed by playtime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:30 AM - Nap</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10:30 AM - Nurse and playtime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11:30 AM - Nap</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1:30 PM - Nurse and playtime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2:30 PM - Nap</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4:30 PM - Nurse and playtime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5:30 PM - Nap </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7:00 PM - Nurse and less stimulating playtime </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8:00 PM - Doze in our arms or bunny swing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9:00 PM - Nurse followed by bedtime routine - usually in crib by 9:30</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2-4 AM - Middle of the night feed</span></li>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**I usually wake her from every nap to feed, otherwise she's sleep all day it seems!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">**I tried doing a dreamfeed where I put her to bed at 7-7:30 then wake her back up to feed at 10:30-11 but she doesn't seem to sleep any longer and it actually seems to make her wake more frequently throughout the night.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Being a mommy to my sweet little girl is the best thing I've ever done, and each day truly gets better and better! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>My sweet little angel</em></span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-71069977830510468812012-09-27T09:28:00.000-05:002012-09-27T09:28:03.206-05:00Our Hospital Stay<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So after Miss Aven was born Tyge and I got a few good hours of bonding time in with her and I got to take a bath, then we called the grandparents. We hadn't updated them since heading to the hospital 12+ hours prior, so I'm sure they were wondering what was going on! They wanted us to call anytime day or night so we did exactly that, at about 3 AM! Tyge's folks had driven down to stay at our house minutes from the hospital, and my parents don't live far away so they both came to meet Aven in the middle of the night. We didn't tell them the sex of the baby on the phone and waited until they arrived in person to introduce them to their new grand DAUGHTER, which was really neat.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just a few hours old</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Proud Grandmas meeting her for the first time</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tb1fqXhbh4/UGPBmnBimBI/AAAAAAAABzI/q8O1vBpb-bY/s1600/IMG_3815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tb1fqXhbh4/UGPBmnBimBI/AAAAAAAABzI/q8O1vBpb-bY/s400/IMG_3815.JPG" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Exhausted but happy new momma!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My dad was at the Democratic National convention in Tampa for work and I know it killed him to be away when she arrived. I called him separately and told him she was a girl, and he was so thrilled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After they left, we tried to get some sleep but Aven pretty much cried the whole night in between nursing sessions...I was starving since I had nothing in my stomach from throwing up, so when the cafeteria opened up at 6 AM I ordered breakfast and we were up for the day. We knew we'd have many visitors that day and man, did we ever! We were so blessed to have lots of family and friends visit us that day - I think we had 30+ guests! At one time in the evening, there were 10+ people there at once and I was trying to feed her so the nurse kicked everyone out - oops. That did get a little stressful, but we were so happy to have people come visit us.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_V4syKeTq8/UGPGjD37NMI/AAAAAAAABz8/GuLi0r8U8X0/s1600/bria_louie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L_V4syKeTq8/UGPGjD37NMI/AAAAAAAABz8/GuLi0r8U8X0/s320/bria_louie.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With my old roommate Bria and her 3 month old son Louie - one of the many potential boyfriends for Aven :) It seems all my girlfriends have baby boys!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>4 generations - Aven, Daddy Tyge, Grandpa Denny, Great Grandpa Carl</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With friend Bridget, who is having a baby in late winter!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>With my best friend Betsy, who has prayed for Aven since before she was born</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Kim holding her</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Proud Unca B and Auntie Naomi</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Cousin Lark seems very excited - they are one year apart and will be the best of friends!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After the last guest left around 9 PM on Thursday night, we did sent Aven to the nursery in an attempt to get some sleep since we had been up for almost two days! We managed to get a few hours in, and the nurses would bring her in every 2-3 hours to feed and to check on me. Every nurse and aide there was great and so helpful and I fully took advantage of their knowledge and asked tons of questions. I woke up Friday morning feeling refreshed after actually sleeping some, and I even got to take a shower and do my hair and makeup which felt amazing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday was a more low key day with less visitors and just Tyge and I enjoying our new baby girl and getting to know her. Aven had her first pediatric check up - she was perfectly healthy, though she didn't love being naked and cold! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We took a ton of pictures on Friday since we didn't take any the day before (thanks to my mom for capturing some of our visitors!) and here are a few of my favorites:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also had a few family visitors during the day and Brian and Naomi got to come back Friday around dinnertime as they met her when there were the 10+ people the day before so we wanted to have them back for some more quality time, which was great. My dad also arrived back in MN on Friday night, so got to meet her for the first time as well - that was really special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Memorable story - when my parents were there, we smelled a strong gas odor in our room. Turns out a tanker had overturned a few blocks away and the smell was coming in through the vents. It was really strong in the maternity ward so they evacuated patients and we all had to go in the hallway until the smell cleared. It was a funny sight, all these newborns in their rolling crib/cart things and new mommas in their hospital gowns, hanging out in the hallway. Luckily we were only out there for a hour or so, and it makes for a good story! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So thanks to my daughter for coming 4 minutes into Thursday, we got to stay one more night! I can't imagine having left on Friday....we sent her to the nursery again Friday night and got some more shut eye. "They" say it's best to room in while in the hospital, but I knew I wouldn't have that help with her once we got home, so we opted for sleep and it was a good decision for us. :) Saturday morning we had a discharge class with the nurses, she got checked out by the pediatrician, I got checked out by my midwife, and we were free to go! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Teeny buns and feet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She did NOT like her carseat...and Tyge and I look exhausted!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leaving the hospital with OUR baby in her carseat was such a surreal feeling! Putting her into the car and driving the 2.2 miles home was so nerve wracking - I think I made Tyge go 10 under the speed limit. We arrived home to a welcoming committee of the grandparents with festive decorations and a yummy brunch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All in all, it was such a wonderful delivery and a fantastic hospital stay. Everyone we came into contact there was so great and I felt so good about the care both Aven and I received. Coming home was nice as well, but I did miss the hospital those first few days home - having all the help you need at your fingertips was sure great! </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-51361171994583732192012-09-22T12:44:00.001-05:002012-09-22T13:09:03.863-05:00Aven's Birth Story: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Waiting the 45 minutes for the epi (while they got fluid in me and called the anesthesiologist) was the worst - contractions were coming hard and fast and I was ready for relief. When the guy came in I don't even really remember him or the process - he was quick! Side note - Tyge said he was the exact twin of "The Most Interesting Man In The World" from the Dos Equis commercials:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I did have two contractions while trying to sit still during while he worked, and Tyge and midwife Mary literally had to help hold me still. Good news was I didn't even feel the needle compared to those! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got settled in bed as the meds started to work and was so happy to feel relief soon. I got the shakes a bit but they covered me with warming blankets and I was able to lie down for some glorious rest. We turned the lights off, Tyge went out to Chipotle to get something to eat, and I closed my eyes. I didn't sleep but it felt so good to rest my body and mind before pushing. It was the first time I'd smiled since realizing I was in labor early that morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mary checked me about an hour later and happily told me I was at a 10!!! I had dilated from a 5 to a 10 in an hour! She also explained that baby's head was turned a bit and my pre-epi my tense body wasn't able to relax enough to correct it and dilate fully, so once I got the epi and my body relaxed, the head fixed itself and I dilated quickly. She said I could take a little more time to lay and let baby labor down, then around 9:30 PM it was time to push. I was feeling much more rested and excited at this point to meet baby soon! The epi was a perfect amount - I could still feel and move my legs and bottom, and could also feel the contractions as they came, just more as pressure not pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had Tyge set Pandora to a Black Eyed Peas station and had some upbeat music to begin pushing with. Midwife Mary helped me figure out how and we got into a good rhythm. I could feel most contractions so knew when to push, and she would help guide me with how long or hard to push each time. An hour into pushing, they got the baby warmer ready and started her paperwork for a birth date of 8/29, thinking she'd come before midnight. Baby's heart rate dropped a bit low at one point, but it wasn't too concerning. We continued pushing and I really didn't have any concept of how long it had been. My support team of midwife Mary, doula Mary, nurse Cindy, and especially Tyge were all so encouraging and helpful. They would cheer me on with each push and gave me progress updates. Close to two hours in I started to get really tired and wondered if she'd ever come out! I had asked Tyge to change the music to Hillsong as I wanted a more peaceful setting than the pumped one I had been feeling hours ago. I had my eye on the clock in the room and as we neared midnight, realized she wouldn't be born on 8/29! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I knew we were getting close and when she was crowning, Mary looked at Tyge and asked, "Do you want to catch baby?" Tyge looked shocked and responded with, "I need to wash my hands first!" She said he'd better do it quick as baby was coming on the next push. He made it back in time and sure enough, on the next push the head came out. I looked up and exclaimed, "It's huge!" and everyone laughed! The rest happened so fast but the moment is forever etched in my brain. Baby came out next and Daddy caught her and said, "Girl, girl, it's a girl!" She let out a huge healthy cry and I remember saying her name, Aven Hope, and getting a little teary. Our awesome doula got the entire thing on video, which is obviously just for us, but here are some clips of Tyge's reaction:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>"GIRL!"</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Proud, happy Daddy</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They placed her on my chest right away and since she was still connected her back was to me, but I could tell she was beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After Tyge cut the cord, we got some good skin to skin time right away and she nursed well from the start. We were able to bond for as long as I wanted before they took her away to be cleaned and checked out. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our new family of three!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So it was a 21 hour labor (16 of it without meds) and 2 1/2 hours of pushing, but I'd do it all again tomorrow. It truly was an incredible birth experience and I would not have changed a thing about it. I am glad I was able to experience so much of it naturally, and I'm also glad I made the decision to get the epidural when I did so I could somewhat enjoy the rest of labor and be more rested and "myself" when she finally arrived. The end goal of healthy mom, healthy baby was achieved - praise God!</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-63803845401878555962012-09-22T11:41:00.001-05:002012-09-22T12:45:22.342-05:00Aven's Birth Story: Part 1<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's taken me awhile to write this, mainly because if I've had any chunk of free time I've wanted to sleep! Little Miss is over three weeks old now and I want to get her birth story in writing before I forget much of it, so here goes (warning - this is long!)....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It all started late Tuesday night, August 28th - we were helping some friends move that evening and had pizza, so when I had a stomach ache when we got home around 10 PM I figured it was that. Plus, my office was going to the State Fair the following day and I was a bit nervous about heading there almost a week overdue, so figured the stomach ache could be nerves as well. We headed to bed, though I didn't actually go to sleep. Around 3 AM I started to feel more cramping, and since I didn't have much in terms of Braxton Hicks contractions, I figured this could be labor! I laid awake in bed through them and started timing with my app around 4:30 AM - they were coming every 10 minutes lasting a minute on average and were painful, but manageable. Since I wasn't sleeping anyway, I got up around 5:30 AM and took a shower then woke Tyge up around 6:30 AM and told him he should call his boss and tell him he wasn't coming in that day. He didn't believe me at first but then quickly realized this was it! We laid in bed a bit and continued to time the contractions, which were anywhere from 6-13 minutes apart and getting a bit more intense. Around 9 AM I started picking up the house a bit and finished packing the hospital bag, then watched TV in the living room while laboring (A Baby Story and The Price Is Right!). I was able to eat some Greek yogurt and a PB&J and keep that down, and drank lots of water. I also called my boss and told her I wouldn't be joining them at the State Fair and would be having a baby that day! The pain was still tolerable but the peaks of the contractions were pretty bad - we just continued to time them as they weren't yet close enough to head to the hospital. I labored at home on the ball, over the ottoman, on the bed all morning and nothing was comfortable, so Tyge suggested taking Keely for a walk around noon. We walked very slow and stopped with each contraction, where I had to hang on to Tyge for support when they got bad. It was neat to take a last walk as the three of us, and it was a beautiful day out. When we got home Tyge offered to get us lunch and I wanted mac and cheese from Noodles, so that's what he got! While he was gone the intensity of the contractions picked up a bit, and there were now 6-7 minutes apart on average - still not time. He got home with the food which I ate, and then promptly threw up moments later, as the pain was getting much worse. I was also needing to go to the bathroom after every contraction and wasn't sure if my water had broken or not. It was around 1 PM or so when I called my midwife clinic and told them what was going on. They suggested I come in and get checked to see where I was at and if we should head to the hospital. We packed up the house and Tyge loaded the car just in case, put Keely in her kennel, and off we went!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Just before leaving the house, trying to look as happy as possible!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had several contractions on the 12 minute drive to the clinic, which was very uncomfortable. When we got there the awesome nurse Joanie put us in a room and said Mary was the midwife on duty so she had gone home to rest and prepare for delivery that evening, and Ann was in the clinic with a patient and would be in to check on me soon. She set me up laying down on a table and wanted me to hang out there so they could see if my water had broken. Laying flat on my back while having contractions was not fun...poor Tyge just sat there waiting with me. Ann's patient was taking longer than expected so Joanie kept coming to check on me - she could tell that my pain was getting worse so hurried Ann up a bit! She came in and was able to sample the fluid and determine that my water hadn't broken but was perhaps slowly leaking. During the time it took to run the tests, my contractions got worse and I was having to lean over the stool to manage them. She waited until one was over then checked me for dilation - she was happy to report I was between a 4-5 and in active labor! She said we could head home and wrap things up (aka say goodbye to Keely) then head to the hospital within the hour. However, I threw up again when she was in the room and had a few really bad contractions, so she changed her tune and suggested we head directly to St. John's. The whole clinic wished me luck as we headed out of there, barf bags in tow, to have our baby!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tyge drove as carefully yet quickly as possible to get me there. On the way we called our parents to let them know we were headed to the hospital, and called our neighbor to let Keely out after work before Tyge's parents made it to our house from up North. My clinic had called the hospital and we were pre-registered so once we arrived they got us in a room right away. I honestly don't even remember checking in or getting to our room but it was around 2 PM. I changed into a gown (I was planning to wear my own clothes but had lost all sense of style and modesty already and just wanted to be comfortable) and called our doula Mary to have her join us. The nurse did some initial fetal monitoring and from there, we worked on laboring and managing the contractions as best as possible. Mary the doula and Mary the midwife both arrived around the same time and began to help me labor through things. The contractions were coming almost every 2-3 minutes lasting 30-45 seconds and this lasted for hours. I threw up several times due to the pain. I was most comfortable on the bed on my hands and knees or sitting on the ball bent over the bed, though nothing really helped. I was having some back labor so Tyge held the warming pack on my back to help with that. Around 5-6 PM I got in the tub. I had wanted to "save" that for the last piece of relief, but after 3-4 hours in the hospital of excruciating labor pain, I couldn't wait any longer. Being in the tub helped and Tyge would pour warm water over my belly with each contraction, which felt good. At this point, I was doing a low humming sound to get through each contraction and would start and stop my sounds with the pain. Tyge knew when they were coming and would squeeze my hand. He was so great at reminding me to breath, to relax my other muscles, and was a rock for me. I never got vocal or hysterical, I was just quietly in pain and trying to manage as best I could. Several times I did say that I couldn't do it, I was tired (I hadn't slept at all!), and I wanted the epidural and he did as I asked and reminded me that my body was made to do this, I could do it, baby was coming soon, etc. So I call this phase of the story Part 1 because it is night and day different from Part 2. I honestly blocked out most of Part 1 and don't remember many details, other than it was the worst pain I've ever experienced and I was not myself during it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So around 7 PM I got out of the tub and figured I had to be dilated to at least an 8 - I had been laboring at the hospital for 5+ hours and came in dilated to a 5. The contractions had been so close together for those 5 hours that I just knew I had to be close, maybe even past transition as they were so intense while in the tub. Mary checked me and told me I was at a 5+. I was so defeated that I had made NO progress during those 5 hours. Everyone assured me that it was progress, that the baby was moving down, etc. but I was so defeated and felt those 5 hours of indescribable pain were for nothing. I asked Mary, in her experience, how many more hours I had to go. She didn't want to answer my questions as it wasn't cut and dry, but she let me know that on average I could expect to dilate a centimeter an hour. I did the math - that meant 5 more hours of pain that would only intensify, plus who knows how many hours of pushing. At that time I hadn't slept since the day before and was on hour 16 of drug free labor. I was so tired. I was in so much pain. I truly didn't think I could finish without getting some rest, so I asked for the epidural and meant it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-13823316274138752772012-09-20T09:00:00.000-05:002012-09-20T09:00:09.428-05:00What a difference a year makes.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just about two weeks ago, there was something about this time of year that I recognized. Something about the fall crisp in the air, my friend Katrina's Dipfest party, the UHG Golf Tournament - it all reminded me of something. And then I remembered. Not that I ever forgot, but the blur of the past few weeks with Aven has made my mind not as sharp! This time of year and these events reminded me that one year ago was when we found out we were pregnant for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It all brought back the memory of seeing that pee stick the first time around, and </span><a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-moment-ill-never-forget.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">telling Tyge we were pregnant.</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And then I realized that one year ago today was <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2011/09/confirmed.html" target="_blank">the day we miscarried.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'll be spending a few hours this afternoon at the UHG Golf Tournament where last year I had to fight back tears the entire time. This year, I'll be proudly talking about and showing pictures of my daughter who turns 3 weeks old today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It's so amazing to think that, had we not miscarried our first child, we wouldn't have Aven Hope. Sweet little Aven who we already love so much and can't imagine life without. God truly has a plan for everything that is bigger and better than we can even fathom, and I am so thankful for that. I know we'll meet that first baby in heaven some day, and until then I am so grateful that God planned for Aven to be in our arms instead of just our hearts like the one we lost a year ago.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Me and my sweet baby girl</span></em></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-28834321545185322342012-09-10T17:07:00.000-05:002012-09-10T17:07:32.205-05:00What's in a name?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Aven</strong> - It seems that each time we tell people our daughter's name, we get asked where it came from. I don't really have a cool story behind her first name - it's honestly just a name I heard years ago and filed away as one I really liked. When Tyge and I started talking about baby names I brought Aven up as a girl option, and he liked it as well so we never even thought of any others!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After she was already born and named we decided to look up the meaning (you know, in case it meant dark warrior fairy or something!) and luckily I really like the meaning as well:</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The girl's name Aven \a-ven\ is an alternate spelling of "Eaven" which is the English pronunciation of a very old Irish name "Aoibheann" meaning "fair radiance".</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How fitting is that? :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Hope</strong> - Her middle name was originally to be Marie, which is my and my Grandma's middle name. However, after the mission trip to Esperanza Viva someone suggested that, since the baby was on the trip, we should somehow incorporate our experience into a name. We briefly thought about using Aven Esperanza but thought that sounded a little off for our family, so used the English translation of Living Hope instead. Also, our little miracle gave us hope after the miscarriage that we could conceive again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think it's a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-60505576981473796222012-09-10T16:46:00.002-05:002012-09-10T16:46:57.165-05:00Introducing Aven Hope<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>It's a GIRL!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aven Hope</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Born August 30, 2012 at 12:04 AM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Measuring 19 3/4 inches long</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>**Birth Story and Week One updates to come, I'm still trying to find time to blog when all I want to do is snuggle the baby. :)</em></span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-70066210887408206572012-08-28T09:10:00.001-05:002012-08-28T09:10:10.250-05:003TT<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This one's gonna be pretty one track today, haha!</span><br />
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<img height="266" id="il_fi" src="http://www.thedailybalance.com/wp-content/uploads/HappyPeopleThankful-500x333.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><u>Three Things I'm Thankful/Excited For:</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. I am thankful that Tyge made it home and will be here from start to finish for Petrie's arrival! I seriously can't describe the elation I felt when he walked through that door on Friday night...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. I am thankful that, at 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant, I am not completely miserable. I feel physically pretty good withstanding and not mentally anxious really, just so EXCITED to meet Petrie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. I am thankful that we are so prepared for Petrie's arrival - we have been showered with gifts, help, love, support and I feel about ready as I can be for this exciting new journey! Petrie is already so loved by me and Tyge, and so many of our friends and family that can't wait to meet him/her as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><u>Three Things I'm Praying For:</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Honestly, for Petrie to come soon - I know he/she will come in his/her own time and that God has the perfect plan. I know to trust Him and that His ways are best, but I can't help but pray to meet our little one soon! Also for my wandering mind (will I have to be induced, etc) to stop and take it one day at a time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Praying for a safe and healthy delivery when the time comes. I have my birth "preference" and ways I imagine and would like it to happen, but the important thing is a healthy mom and a healthy baby, so I am open to however that may happen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3. Job related things for some of those I love - my Dad is in Tampa this week for the Republican National Convention and gone next week for the Democratic one, which means a crazy hectic schedule for him when he'd rather be home for Petrie's arrival I'm sure. :) I'm so glad the hurricane missed him there at least! Also for Tyge as this is his first week on the road in MN training with his new boss and learning what a day in the life of his new job will be like. A few more prayers for other family and their job situations, but I'll keep it at that. :)</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-9729745592636302272012-08-26T07:45:00.002-05:002012-08-26T07:47:20.843-05:0040+ Weeks<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Due Date:</strong>
August 24, 2012 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>How far
along:</strong> 40 weeks and 2 days, but who's counting?! ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Bump:</span></strong><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Taken last night before dinner</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Total weight
loss/gain:</strong> +25 lbs total - the last week of Momma's home cooking and indulging at the Fair added a few more than I would have liked, but I was happy to stay right at my goal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Workouts:</strong> 4 hours of walking at the Fair on Friday and an hour walk at a hilly dog park yesterday - planning another one for today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Baby items
purchased:</strong> Nothing this week - we really have everything we need to
start! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Sleep:</strong> Non-existent...getting up 4-5 times a night to pee and then up at 5-6 AM for good. I have lost my ability to sleep in - something I NEVER thought would happen to me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Anything making you
queasy or sick:</strong> Nope</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Symptoms:</strong>
Swelling feet, backache, heartburn, peeing all the time, pressure and pain in the lady parts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Food cravings:</strong>
Muffins! My mom makes awesome ones that I enjoyed all last week. Also had fun at the MN State Fair but didn't get all my usuals (Sweet Martha's, roasted corn) as I don't have as much room in there to gorge! Did enjoy a Pronto Pup, apple dumpling with ice cream, apple cider freezie (best kept secret at the Fair - $1 at the apple booth in the Horticulture building!), and an ice cold root beer. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVHI-2FWPDg/UDoZUYcJVgI/AAAAAAAABr8/Bd7luRNqtmc/s1600/40wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVHI-2FWPDg/UDoZUYcJVgI/AAAAAAAABr8/Bd7luRNqtmc/s400/40wks.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Maternity
clothes:</strong> Oh yes and some of those don't even fit at this point - haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Stretch marks:</strong>
None - happy about that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Gender ideas:</strong>
Tyge is 52% sure it's a girl, I'm 51% sure it's a boy. One of us is
right!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Movement:</strong> Yup - and I'm treasuring every little movement on the inside, even though I can't wait to meet them on the outside!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Labor Signs:</strong>
Head is down, and as of last Thursday I'm 75% effaced and dilated 1-2 cms. Having
some mild Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing that really "feels" like labor yet. My midwife said "see you next week" at my appointment so I guess it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. Trying to do things to move it along so we'll see! I'm so thankful that all the prayers for Petrie to hold off until Tyge got home worked, but I'm ready now! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Miss anything:</strong>
SLEEEEEEP - I know I won't get sleep once the baby is here either, but at least I'll have something to show for my zombie-ness! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Best moment this
week:</strong> Tyge coming home!!!! I was elevating my feet in bed Friday night after walking at the Fair and Keely girl was snuggling with me. All of a sudden she jumped off the bed as she heard the key in the lock, and I slowly waddled down the hall to see my hunny HOME! Such a wonderful feeling to have him here, safe, done with travelling, and ready to enter into this awesome thing to come with me. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Looking forward
to:</strong> Meeting Petrie and finding out WHO he/she is!!! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is hopefully my last post like this and instead of "41 weeks", it'll be "Introducing ______!"</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-77522406189532394982012-08-22T12:21:00.000-05:002012-08-22T12:30:17.958-05:00Reflections on Pregnancy<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can't believe that I am almost at 40 weeks! Seriously, it seems like just yesterday we were finding out, then <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-tri-recap-telling-everyone.html" target="_blank">telling our family and friends</a>, <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-day-love-story.html" target="_blank">announcing it on the blog</a>, and now we are days away from the due date! The first 12 weeks did crawl by at a snail's pace, but once I entered into that second trimester the time has just FLOWN by and I find myself not ready for it to be over just yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know the above statement sounds crazy for a pregnant lady about ready to pop to say, but Tyge and I were reflecting last weekend on what an incredible pregnancy I've had. At this point I'm not screaming to "get it out" and not as miserable as many women are at nearly 40 weeks. Aside from the normal uncomfortableness, it has been such an easy, healthy, and happy pregnancy and I am really going to miss it. I am treasuring every kick and wiggle in these last few days and as exciting as it'll be to have Petrie in my arms, I'll really miss having him/her in my belly. I can honestly say that having a miscarriage made me not take this pregnancy for granted for one second. It definitely gave me a positive perspective on things and made me less apt to complain when things weren't so glowing at times. I don't know if I'll be blessed with another pregnancy, so I've really treasured every moment of this one and look back on the past 9 months with nothing but gratitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>13 weeks</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_tuxildyNUA/UB3OmXB8uII/AAAAAAAABdo/bd_R1LeEpxI/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_khxrbg="2" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_tuxildyNUA/UB3OmXB8uII/AAAAAAAABdo/bd_R1LeEpxI/s320/IMG_1535.JPG" width="228" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>36 weeks</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've seen some <strong>"Pregnancy Must Have"</strong> lists on a few other Mommy blogs I read, so wanted to create one of my own. Here are a few things that really helped me get through this pregnancy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Preggie Pops</strong> - I was so nauseous in the beginning that these really helped me, along with having a light snack right away when I got up in the morning.</span></div>
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<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://embracingbeauty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Preggie-Pop-Drops.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Body Pillow</strong> - seriously, a lifesaver! Betsy let me borrow hers (I think it's called The Snuzzler?) and I don't know what I would have done without it. Early on I thought it was just comfy and nice to use, but towards the end here it's made a world of difference in my sleep. Though now that I'm getting up to pee so often it's a bit hard to roll over it, but the increased comfort is totally worth the hassle.</span></div>
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<img height="214" id="il_fi" src="http://orthopedicmassage.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/SZR-FBpreg-blue-300x214.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="300" /><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4INCrnS6xE/UDUXF9agDUI/AAAAAAAABqk/JQgDIaG1Nz8/s1600/keelysnoogle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4INCrnS6xE/UDUXF9agDUI/AAAAAAAABqk/JQgDIaG1Nz8/s320/keelysnoogle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Keely loves it too! </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Ocean Potion Aloe Lotion</strong> - I have Cocoa Butter and Burt's Bees stretch mark lotion, but really haven't used it all that much, and was very lucky to not get stretch marks. I do get pretty dry skin everywhere and have spent time in the sun, and this the the BEST sun care lotion I've ever used. I can only find it at Walmart so stocked up early on and use it every day after my shower!</span></div>
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<img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/00/07/74/00/0000077400070_500X500.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Greek Yogurt</strong> - Of all the cravings I've had, Greek Yogurt was the biggest one! I have this every morning with berries for breakfast, and often again as a snack mid-day. </span></div>
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<img height="172" id="il_fi" src="http://thesnackpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/chobani_6oz0_vanilla_n.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="202" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Tums</strong> - As the heartburn has increased, these seemed to help somewhat. Not completely, but they ease the intense burning a bit! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="imagecache imagecache-gallery_image" height="241" src="http://www.parenting.com/sites/parenting.com/files/imagecache/gallery_image/musthaveswhenpreg_tums.jpg" title="" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Old Navy maternity side runched tanks and yoga pants</strong> - I have some really cute maternity clothes that I wear to work and out on weekends, but I LIVE in these pants and have several colors of the tank that I throw on the minute I get home. </span></div>
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<img alt="" class="gridProdImg" id="cimg_855656_855656032_5801" onmouseout="quickLook.closeQuickLookLauncher(event);" onmouseover="quickLook.openQuickLookLauncher('855656','855656032','5801','1','cimg_855656_855656032_5801',false,'3');" productimagepath="http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/855/855656/quick/on855656-03qlv01.jpg" src="http://www2.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/855/855656/quick/on855656-03qlv01.jpg" /></div>
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<img alt="" class="gridProdImg" id="cimg_818368_818368002_41780" onmouseout="quickLook.closeQuickLookLauncher(event);" onmouseover="quickLook.openQuickLookLauncher('818368','818368002','41780','1','cimg_818368_818368002_41780',false,'3');" productimagepath="http://www4.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/818/818368/quick/on818368-00qlv01.jpg" src="http://www4.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/818/818368/quick/on818368-00qlv01.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>A good bra and maternity undies</strong> - I have the <a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/bras/incredible-by-victorias-secret" target="_blank">Victoria's Secret Incredible</a> for daytime and a comfy sports bra (or no bra haha) for after work. In the beginning, I thought maternity undies were unnecessary but WOW was I wrong! As I got bigger, I bought a few pairs from Target and they are the only one I wear - so comfy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Blue Camelbak water bottle</strong> - I have this exact water bottle and it's been attached to my hand all pregnancy long. I have been so thirsty and just guzzle out of this thing! I get sick of plain water so have been adding lemon juice to make it tastier. I actually thought I lost this one day at work and almost had a meltdown, but my coworker found it for me - crisis averted. :) </span></div>
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<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://uncrate.com/p/2007/11/camelbak-performance-bottle.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="230" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Babycenter</strong> - I am such an information gatherer, so having this App, daily emails, and access to the website has been really helpful. Tyge gets an email too so it's been fun to have him tell me things he's learning and what's going on with the baby each week.</span></div>
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<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="224" data-width="225" height="224" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS6N4gwWB1dzc1kloVdhTMzIiaKNF1Ag5G2nMi4d1Kwld54kf6J" style="height: 224px; width: 225px;" width="225" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Birth stories/Natural birth books</strong> - In the beginning I didn't put too much thought into the actual birth itself, but once I realized that I have to get this thing OUT of me, I've been researching HOW I want to do that. Hearing/reading/watching positive birth stories and reading books like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1331233117&sr=1-1-catcorr"><span style="color: #ca3268;">Ina May's Guide to Childbirth</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Childbirth-Bradley-Way-Revised/dp/0452276594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345647554&sr=8-1&keywords=bradley+birthing+book" target="_blank">Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way,</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/HypnoBirthing-natural-approach-comfortable-birthing/dp/0757302661/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345647588&sr=1-1&keywords=hypnobirthing" target="_blank">Hypnobirthing </a> has offered me so many great, peaceful birth stories that are like the ones I choose to think about when I picture what Petrie's birth will be like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><img height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1333578748l/32127.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="212" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Experienced girlfriends and family</strong> - I am blessed to have many amazing girlfriends, many of who are mommies or pregnant as well. It's been awesome to be surrounded by a network of women who I admire and can pick their brains about what helped them during pregnancy and new mommyhood. Of course, I also looked to my own mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for advice and support along the way which was so valuable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>My amazingly supportive husband</strong> - Seriously, I couldn't have made it through these 9 months without him. In the beginning he was so helpful with taking over household chores, cooking, caring for Keely girl, caring for me, etc. Really he's been pitching in extra the entire time! And he didn't bat an eye at the <a href="http://kateandtyge.blogspot.com/2012/04/nesting-begins-list.html" target="_blank">baby to-do list</a>, complain when I asked him to paint a second coat on the nursery walls, or call me crazy when I insisted on hanging curtains at midnight. He has been so patient, loving, and supportive and made me feel beautiful every day, even when I may feel like a whale. He's had extra added stress with his new job taking him out of town and having to read and learn so many new things, but he's still made me and Petrie #1 priority and for that, I am so thankful. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-08o8HyG3nXQ/UCKSZQqYC6I/AAAAAAAABkc/6vXuomkb3MM/s1600/KateTygeLowResolutionDO_NOT_PRINT-17%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_9czfat="21" height="400" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-08o8HyG3nXQ/UCKSZQqYC6I/AAAAAAAABkc/6vXuomkb3MM/s400/KateTygeLowResolutionDO_NOT_PRINT-17%5B1%5D.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>An attitude of gratitude</strong> - like I said above, this pregnancy was such a blessing for me/us and I've not taken it for granted for one second. I think after one unsuccessful pregnancy, having the privilege of growing this baby for the past 40 weeks is something I am so thankful for that I chose to focus on that and not the negative aspects pregnancy can bring. This really helped me put things into perspective! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And last but not least - <strong>PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER!</strong> I know my pregnancy and Petrie's health has been covered by the prayers of many and I am so thankful for that. I know that's the reason things have been so amazing thus far, and fully trust God's timing and plan for Petrie's birth as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Any day now, ours will be here!!!</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203630117592697876.post-61927583553301958542012-08-19T21:36:00.000-05:002012-08-19T21:36:26.774-05:00QT Week Recap<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This past week has been amazing - I am sitting here reflecting on what a great week it's been and just smiling. Yes, I'm sad that I had to watch my hunny drive away this afternoon to be 7 hours away when I could go into labor at any time, but not as bad as I thought I'd be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Basically since he got home a week ago we set aside every night for just us two to hang out, and that's exactly what we've done! We boated last Saturday all day, got ready for the week last Sunday, and spent each weeknight together this past week. We cooked healthy dinners together, ate outside, took walks, had purposeful talks, watched movies in bed and cuddled each other and Keely girl, and just enjoyed each other's company without a to-do list, outside commitments or distractions. It was glorious - we've never done anything like it since being together! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then this weekend we had a fantastic date on Friday at Acqua on White Bear Lake - yummy food and a beautiful atmosphere. We were going to boat again yesterday but the weather was off and on, so we sat in our backyard and read together all day. Tyge had to study Medical Terminology and I had a few baby books I wanted to read, so we filled Keely's pool for her to splash around in while I got comfy on my sun lounger and Tyge set up shop on the swing. We spent almost 5 hours out there enjoying the peaceful space with crickets and birds chirping - I got some sun, dozed off a few times, and we both relaxed in the quiet. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EoIVRiogwIo/UDGdP5VS5zI/AAAAAAAABpw/n4QD75V8Pjg/s1600/keelypool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EoIVRiogwIo/UDGdP5VS5zI/AAAAAAAABpw/n4QD75V8Pjg/s400/keelypool.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She looooves her pool!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Passed out on the swing next to Dad</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday night we went to see The Campaign, which I thought was funny and literally laughed so hard I almost peed my pants at one part - which isn't hard these days. :) After studying all day poor Tyge needed a laughter break! Then we ate outside at Granite City and split some yummy food, once again enjoying each other's company and reveling in the reality that it was probably our last date night out for awhile! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today we slept in, made brunch and ate together, Tyge mowed, we visited a friend's adorable new baby, packed Tyge up, then he left. Keely and I were outside on the driveway as he pulled away and I took her for a walk as I started to tear up, only a little bit. As I took her for a walk I prayed the entire time and just thanked God for the amazing week Tyge and I had together and for all the exciting things we have in store for us soon. I prayed for his safety on the road, safety for us both and for Petrie while we're apart this week, for Tyge to stay as stress free as possible while taking his final exams this week, and for Petrie to come when he gets home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Honestly though I feel so at peace with whatever will happen - I know it's both Tyge and my desire for him to be here at the start of labor, but we both trust that he'll get here eventually and I have a great plan in place with my mom and our doula, so feel comfortable with that. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My meditation verse this week is Philippians 4:6 - "<span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449">Do not be anxious about anything, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Amen!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mom comes over tomorrow and I'm looking forward to spending the week with here - it'll be nice to have her here during the day with Keely girl, have her home cooking after work each night, and to just spend some QT with my momma before I become a momma myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So this week just FLEW by, and I'm looking forward for this next week to pass just as quickly because I know that with each day that passes Tyge and I are closer to seeing each other again, and becoming PARENTS! :)</span></div>
Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11782954709263743075noreply@blogger.com1