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!
*Amy
Sunday, February 19, 2012
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
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!
*Amy
Thursday, February 16, 2012
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!
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
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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
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
Monday, January 23, 2012
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
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.
*Amy
Thursday, January 19, 2012
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":
"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).
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
Monday, December 26, 2011
The Greatest Gift
Miss A
Our daughter was born a week before Christmas on December 17th. We are in love with her and have thoroughly enjoyed these first 10 days with this beautiful, new life!
At nearly a week over due we decided with the doctor to induce labor on the 16th. It was a 19-hour day in the hospital, with about 13.5 hours of pain-med free go-get-em labor (while restricted to an oxygen mask and machines given bebe's propensity to move her heart away from the fetal monitor), I did not progress much in dilation (and not at all in the last 4 intense hours of contractions), so the call was made at 1am to move ahead with a cesarean section. A team was called in and assembled. My amazing doctor and her surgeon husband ran the operation which went as smoothly as could be. She was tilted in such a way that would not allow her to lower and engage for delivery. Plus, my pelvis was a bit small for her. Her being overdue and the failure to progress proved she would not arrive traditionally no matter what.
I don't know if the doctor wanted to make me feel better by saying so but she did state that in all her 22 years of OB work I was the toughest laboring women she encountered. As the surgery wrapped up Harry Belafonte's music played in the OR and we all sang along. I think I was delirious from the last 20 hours and for bebe to finally arrive! Andy was amazing and we never cursed--it was just a focused day of hard work as a team. And here's where that got us:
We love her hair. We love her alertness. We laugh when she poops on us. We love her sleeping on us. We adore her big hands. We marvel at her sounds and arm stretches. We strive to soothe her when needed. We feel all is right and we have our family.
I wasn't hit over the head with overwhelming feelings and emotions. Rather, this start to Motherhood has been like waves washing over me with its amazing meaning and love.
I'm sure we'll read more soon about our beginnings with Miss A from Daddy, but for now I need to sneak in a shower while I can and before she needs to feed.
*Amy
ps--it's amazing how quickly we have begun using the third person when addressing ourselves as Daddy and Mommy. No hesitation to embrace those titles!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Yup, the Waiting Game
I thought we'd be done with pregnancy posts, but why not share an update as we wait for bebe girl to decide when she wants to make her debut?
Her due date on Saturday the10th obviously came and went. Actually, it was a warm and fantastically beautiful day so we took to Totem Park in Sitka for some brisk walking (by Amy's standards). She's dropped a lot.
This location is where Andy and I took a walk in January and discussed being open to starting a family. Seemed fitting to return to the area on the very day we've focused on for most of this year.
Maternity leave started today and we spent a good while this morning at the hospital for an ultrasound, Non-Stress Test and bio-screening. Everything shows that bebe is still doing well inside and all is functioning as it still should. From the quick look at her face she seems to be sprouting some major lips! I think they'll take after Andy. We had very visible confirmation that she is still a she. And we were given the very loose estimate of weight at 8 lbs. 1 oz, plus or minus 19 ounces!!! What a margin of error!
I am 2 cm dilated, thinning and effacing without contractions kicking in. Let's get kicking, I say! The plan is to repeat this morning's routine again on Wednesday if nothing transpires.
As we just wait and wonder, we pick away at house cleaning and walking. The baby/guest room is nearly finished (but again, she'll stay upstairs with us for her early months).
Her due date on Saturday the10th obviously came and went. Actually, it was a warm and fantastically beautiful day so we took to Totem Park in Sitka for some brisk walking (by Amy's standards). She's dropped a lot.
Maternity leave started today and we spent a good while this morning at the hospital for an ultrasound, Non-Stress Test and bio-screening. Everything shows that bebe is still doing well inside and all is functioning as it still should. From the quick look at her face she seems to be sprouting some major lips! I think they'll take after Andy. We had very visible confirmation that she is still a she. And we were given the very loose estimate of weight at 8 lbs. 1 oz, plus or minus 19 ounces!!! What a margin of error!
I am 2 cm dilated, thinning and effacing without contractions kicking in. Let's get kicking, I say! The plan is to repeat this morning's routine again on Wednesday if nothing transpires.
As we just wait and wonder, we pick away at house cleaning and walking. The baby/guest room is nearly finished (but again, she'll stay upstairs with us for her early months).
The dresser can only fit in the closet. It is FULL!
Andy says it's a lot of toe-tapping and kinda stinks not having control, but we'll take her when she's good and ready. Thanks for your thoughts and inquiries!
*Amy
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