Taking Flight

Baby girl finally took her first plane rides this past week. I write "finally" at 2.5 months old because Alaskan babies tend to start travel at a very young age (often just days old depending where born and where baby lives). We took the route to Anchorage via Juneau for my work. Whew--going solo had me a bit apprehensive, but the entire 3-day/2-night hotel stay went very well! No crying on any flights and she nursed perfectly during landings. We even had the entire row to ourselves 75% of the time.

It wasn't long into the journey when I realized going to the bathroom would be tricky or delayed. I feel so fortunate that my co-workers, and then everyone attending the same training were so supportive and open to having a baby around.  There was someone eager to hold her as I presented. Someone in the office even remarked how happy everyone sounds when a baby is hanging out. Her easy going nature to nap in strange places and with loud noises worked well at the Central Office.

Miss A had many moose sightings from the pair hanging around our hotel and the training site. She slept through Costco and adjusted to much cooler weather. I didn't want to pack in a lot during the quick trip so as not to be overwhelmed. But Miss A did get to meet a couple of special people.

And to try something entirely new I bought too big Little Swimmers diapers which I doubled up for a 10 minute swirl around in the hotel pool.

It took Andy the second night of us away to realize the bedroom was dark at night, missing the nightlight. I think he had some good, hard sleep, although he says he was lonely in Sitka.

And now we're more prepared for our next Anchorage trip in less than two weeks, and for one extra night. Maybe she'll see the inside of Alaska's one and only Olive Garden!

In other news, Andy is enjoying a full weekend off from work and is smoking the last of our king salmon stock. A great way to open up the freezer for some new fillets as the fishing season starts.

*Amy

Grandma J

February was the month of Grandmas. Miss A was held and loved all day every day (not that she isn't normally, but you know...) Andy's mom arrived the day after Grandma C and picked up with the Grandmotherly love and wonderful help around the house. She remembered a lot of things from when A's cousins were babies, and shared stories about them.
Grandma J saw the evolving sucking on thumbs and fingers and the start of blowing bubbles.

 I'm pretty sure Grandma Judy enjoyed seeing her son in the role of loving father.

Andy say, "Thanks for coming and we'll see you in several months!" She's currently spending time with the other grandkids up in Nome.

Since we're now Grandma-less, this week of work with Miss A went really well. It's so nice to have a bit of a predictable schedule going on.

And to add just because, she entertained her parents for a long time last night by stepping up the happy blowing bubbles bit. She's not a spitter, or even a burper, so her drool production was fun to witness.

*Amy

Two Months Old

Miss A is now in month two of life. She's been able to meet her first family members outside Mom and Dad, gone for walks in the fresh air, begin playing in her activity gym and batting toys around, dabbled with sticking her thumb in her mouth, growing some impressive eyelashes, and starting to fill in her eyebrows too.

Her smiles come more rapidly, delighting anyone who sees them. She's mastered the word "goo" and continues to showcase awesome neck and leg strength. Oh, and she only wakes about twice a night now!

She managed to dirty her white onesies this day but I think yellow suits just fine. It is amazing to a first time mother how soon some clothes can be outgrown!

*Amy

Grandma C

My mom met her first grandchild a week and a half ago. For the next ten days they were nearly inseparable. Grandma Cathy took care of Miss A while I returned to work, and well, just about all the time. We were spoiled with all sorts of care-taking, and now A is used to rocking to sleep in someone's arms. They had fun together downstairs as I worked upstairs. It was nice to go down and give A a kiss whenever I wanted, and catch them having good times together.

 Going to watch Eskimo dancing in traditional kuspuks and mukluks

 We were the only guests touring the nearby Raptor Center

 Learning to count already

 Grandma's sweet little Valentine

This book was one of her Valentine's gifts from Grandma.
She absolutely delighted in it!

 A's wild hair before Grandma would style and "tame" it every day with her special product

 This may or may not have been staged

A bucket of dungeness crabs from friends. I'm gonna get you!

My mom was born to be a Grandma. It sure was special relationship-building time for the two, and also enjoyable having her in Alaska. The weather was pretty much nice to boot too! And now we get ready for a visit from Grandma J...

*Amy

Partners

Miss A had her 6-week wellness check today and is doing great.

Weighing in at 9 lbs. 15 ounces
Length at nearly 22 inches
14.5 in. head circumference

She took her 3 vaccination shots, and 1 oral, like a champ. Just some good, hard crying at the time followed up with a deep nap (some preemptive infant Tylenol may have helped). Beforehand a gaggle of nurses came to our room and we were approached for some photos. I signed a release form allowing her image to be used in IHS stuff or promotion of hospital services, if so used. They all watched the photo shoot, gave her lots of attention and commented on her hair. Maybe she'll make the cover of their annual report! haha.

Andy flew out Sunday to Ketchikan for a week of training. (makes for an interesting last week of maternity leave on the homefront) While he improves in the exciting world of report writing by day and shops at the town's old school Walmart by night, Miss A and I have been taking videos and pictures to send him.

Don't mind that she's wearing the same outfit as the last blog video, but here's some vocabulary and new skills:

Now, the title of this blog is about Andy and I. Of course I miss him this week, and also for the parenting he does with our daughter, but I really miss him. Like more than is normal. It's clear our love and connection has deepened since Dec. 17th. I realize that's not ground-breaking but it's clear that having a child together has really added to our relationship. I won't go on and gush, but I appreciate, love, value, respect and enjoy my husband on new levels. It's just awesome. So I miss my partner right now. And I know he misses his girls too. He's not all that far and he's back pretty soon but life is just better when we're all together.

*Amy

Maternity Leave

A quick word about maternity leave, from my perspective. After working full-time for nearly 10 years it's an adjustment to be off work for 8 weeks, now down to 2. It goes without saying that learning to be a mom to my new beautiful daughter is a lifestyle I love and cherish. This time together will be remembered always and set us up for a wonderful connection. But I must admit that being on leave has been an adjustment. Granted I spend all day in my house anyway but usually it's within the walls of my home office. Change of scenery it really is not. Change of tempo, absolutely. I'm used to taking time off for some sort of travel around or out of Alaska. Rarely is leave taken and I remain at home. And if I'm home I am productive.

Here's that word "productive." In my pre-Miss A mind I planned to take care of her, recuperate myself and get some projects done around the house. I figured I'd even reorganize my recipes with any extra time I'd come upon! HA!

Usually the measure of a day is made based on how much I could accomplish, cross of my list. Between work tasks and needs around the house, or planned activities, I could look back on the day and see how I was productive. Being a mom to a newborn is not the same. I don't have the familiar sense of what I "did" during a day. I know it's obvious but it's something to feel to know. I will not quantify the diapers changed or how many feedings over how much time. At first it seemed odd that simple things are not easily accomplished even though I'm home all day, like writing cards, updating the baby book and making dinner.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm learning to "be present." My friend Jesse wrote about this a lot when he served in Africa. I am there for my daughter, we veg out when she sleeps on me, and we stare at each other. Taking a shower or a trip to the grocery store becomes a major activity (I realize that will change). It's good to readjust my tempo and slow it down. I am getting to know and soak in my newborn's perfection. We are partners in the day. I'm calibrating for a new purpose in my life with many more tempo changes to come, which I know will pick up greatly!

I've thought a lot this past year about preparing and adjusting, but mentally considering maternity leave was not on "the list." It has been quite interesting and quite lovely. Now, to think about going back to work (in my own home) with my own baby. Thankfully we have Grandmas visiting all February to help with that transition.

So here's what I'm doing, or checking off the list, during maternity leave: love love and love.

(the recipes will wait)
*Amy

One Month Old

Miss A is one month old. Of course time just flies by and yet her arrival last month seems part of a far-away holiday land, long ago.

"Paws" the polar bear was made just for A by Uncle Kyle and Auntie Steph. I think her monthly photo shoot tells some sort of story (not sure what kind) about A's new relationship with Paws. I'm interested to see how the two of them evolve over this first year.

The days, on maternity leave for me, are sliding by. We might just be discovering some sort of routine. It's amazing to me that we've already had to retire some newborn clothes! Recently she's become soooo happy in the mornings. Every smile, reflex or the real deal, is amazing to witness. While missing some major smiles, this video glimpses at the happy morning girl (if you can stomach the talking mother).

She is quite strong and one of my favorite baby-isms is the Moro reflex. That's when she throws out her arms in a full reach. It's like she says, "what gives?" Or she's ready to catch a football. The outreach happens for just a moment, usually during a diaper change, and is hard to capture. Here's a partial "moro":

 Typical sighting of mom and baby

 Tummy Time!

She has great strength, and sense of hanging on!

Miss A loves her black & white books right now, finally felt sunshine during the dark Sitka winter and her hair continues to grow. It's been an amazing, challenging and life-changing month.

*Amy