Baby's First Christmas

Keira had a lovely first Christmas.  We spent Christmas Eve with my parents, brother, and his wife.  After a huge meal at our house, we relaxed on the couch and Keira opened her first present, a play ramp with loads of doodads and mirrors from her Aunt Laura & Uncle Gavin.  Then we went to Busi's house Christmas morning for our traditional breakfast and present opening bonanza.  Afterwards, we headed to my Aunt Sue's house for my family's traditional late lunch and present bonanza...Are you sensing a theme?  Lots of food and fun!  It was really great to be able to spend so much time with family on her first Christmas.  She got lots of toys and clothes and hugs and kisses!  Who could ask for anything more? She was even awake just long enough to watch her presents get opened for her, before crashing again.  Merry Christmas all!

2 Month Check-Up

Keira had her 2 month check-up last Monday and everything is going great!  She is 24 3/4 inches tall, 16 inches around her head, and 15 pounds!  She is able to support her head really well, and is smiling!  Perhaps you can tell from my extravagant use of exclamation points that we're really happy about all of this!!!

Back to Work

I go back to work tomorrow.  Yes, I know that seems soon to many of you, but it has been 7 weeks and my paid benefits have run out.  So tomorrow morning I will pick up the reins in my classroom once again, and push on through Christmas.  I'm sitting here in my classroom, trying to get a feel for what I've missed and where we're at, and I'm not excited at all.  This is not a good sign.  Usually after breaks I'm revved to see everyone again.  All I keep thinking is I'd rather be home, cuddling Keira.  I lost it this morning when I realized that I wouldn't be able to snuggle her back to sleep after our 6 am feeding anymore.  I really hope I find a way to make this work or it could be a miserable end of the year...

First Month Doctor's Visit

So Little Keira is not so little anymore! We went for our first month doctor's visit and she weighed in at 11 lbs. 10 oz.! She has also grown 2.25 inches and her head is 15 inches in circumference. The doctor said this is great progress and shows that she is definitely getting enough food, which is a relief as any first time breast-feeding mom can tell you. You're never quite sure how much she's getting. She has good head control for a baby her age, but still can't lift it using her own power. She likes to stand and bounce quite a bit, with mommy's help of course! We are just getting settled into a better day/night pattern as long as there aren't too many disruptions during the day. Unfortunately, we've had plenty of disruptions in the last week. But when she is looking up at you, wide awake and enthralled, you forget that she had you up into the wee hours of the morning and made you sleep in a chair. I can't believe I have to go back to work in a week...)c: Be sure to check out the new slideshows. As promised, I've added new pics from the last month.

Sleep...

...how I miss you!  I have missed too many nap opportunities this week and I am paying the price.  J.R. went back to work this week and his new position has him on his feet all day.  He is exhausted when he gets home and then he has school work to try and get done.  I am finding it very hard to be patient and not get frustrated when she wakes up to feed and doesn't go back to sleep.  I can't wait until she starts sleeping through the night...

Happy Halloween!

It's Keira's first Halloween and of course we dressed up!  Unfortunately, her eyes are closed in all of the pictures, because, as I may have mentioned before, she sleeps ALL DAY!  Not going to take her around trick or treating because frankly Mommy doesn't need the extra candy around while she tries to loose this baby weight.  I'll try to get the pictures up soon, but I have to do it from J.R.'s computer.  Happy Halloween!

End of Week 2

Yikes!  I can't believe that it's been two weeks already.  I had no idea how steep the learning curve would be.  J.R. goes back to work Monday, and I'll be on my own with her during the day.  I'm not gonna lie...I'm nervous.  I have no idea how I will handle it all.  It would be really great if Keira could figure out the difference between day & night.  This sleeping all day and crying unconsolably all night is exhausting.  I know it's "normal", but it's also mentally and emotionally draining.  The good news is her jaundice is completely gone and she is eating up a storm.  Yay for a healthy baby!  We've also had loads of visitors in the last two weeks.  Everybody has wanted to come and see our darling girl.  It has been really great to see everyone and pass around the baby for a spell.  The copious amounts of food left behind have also been appreciated!  For those of you who were wondering if Ill be keeping this up, the answer is yes, but you'll have to be patient with me.  It's probably going to be awhile in between posts, and they will probably be shorter since I am typing one handed with a sleeping baby on my chest!