month 10

dear Cora,

happy 10 months, dear one!

this month has been so full of fun. you love playing, and singing, and dancing. when we sing to you, you dance and clap. you waved bye bye for the first time on the 23^rd. it was the funniest wave, you just put your hand up and held it there. too cool to actually wave your arm around 😛 you also signed “all done” after I signed it to you! I think that means you are starting to really understand it, and hopefully will use it more and more. you also sign “hungry” now, which is fantastic, unless you do it at the grocery store when we aren’t even half way done shopping 😛 luckily, puffs always save the day.

you are a total champ at pulling yourself up to standing, and we had to lower the crib to the lowest height this month. you are growing like a weed. I feel like you are so tall now. when you pull yourself up on your play table, you can reach so much farther. you are also getting a further reach at the coffee table. no cell phone, remote control, napkin, or cup is safe with you around 😛 we really should get rid of the coffee table, but I don’t know where I would put my glass 😛

you got an ear infection this month and are taking antibiotics for it. you were such a sad baby for a few days, it broke my heart. you also had basically no appetite, and weren’t eating very much. it worried me a lot, so we went to the doctor and he prescribed antibiotics. once the antibiotics kicked in, your appetite started to come back and your mood improved a ton. you are back to eating your normal amount, and drinking all of your bottles.

you still don’t have a single tooth! even without teeth, your pediatrician gave us the ok to start feeding you some softer table food. you had rotisserie chicken, bread, cheese, green beans, and baked potato this month. you love picking food up and feeding yourself, but you do get a little frustrated that you can’t get the quantity of food you are used to eating in the same amount of time 😛

I worry that you are almost done breastfeeding. I really wanted to breastfeed for a whole year, but then pumping was so awful so I stopped doing that. we have made it a whole two months longer without pumping, which is kind of a miracle, but you get less and less interested every day. I’m already starting to grieve the loss of that special time with you. giving up breastfeeding means you are growing from my tiny baby into a little girl, and I’m just not ready.

you are sleeping great. your bedtime is around 7 pm, I nurse and feed you a bottle at 9 and then you usually sleep until 6 am when I nurse and feed you another bottle. most mornings you go back to sleep after that and sleep until Daddy wakes you up for school around 7 am. I am so thankful you are turning into such a great sleeper.

you are so expressive lately! you make the funniest faces, and “talk” really loudly. it’s quite funny and entertaining. you also rarely sit still for me to take photos of you anymore. most of the time, I get at least ten photos of you crawling closer to the camera and/or reaching for the lens. 😛

you are still wearing size 2 diapers, and 3-6 and 6-9 month clothing.

favorites

Cora – standing, playing with anything you aren’t supposed to, crawling super fast, anything that makes sound or plays music.

Me – sleeping through the night and snuggling you in the morning.

pictures

how did it get so late so soon?

How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? ― Dr. Seuss

my baby is 6 months old today. where has that time gone? I have been back at work for 1 month. where has that time gone?

I spent my entire childhood hoping time would speed up, that I would grow up faster, that I would be an adult, that my life would begin. and it seemed to take FOREVER. time moved so slowly.

then I turned 18. and I blinked. now I’m 28. I have a husband, a home, and 6 months of pure joy in a tiny baby girl package. I’m afraid if I take a nap, she’ll be 28. with a husband. and possibly a baby of her own.

I feel like I’m standing still while time rushes by me and I have my hands outstretched, desperately trying to slow it down, to grab on to the good times, and hold them tight, before they are gone.

there isn’t enough time in the day to be all things. to be a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister,  a coworker, an employee, a housekeeper, a crafter, a blogger. I’m a poor juggler. I am working towards being ok with not getting everything done every day. and focusing on being a wife and mother first. if that means I go to bed, and get up the next day, and the living room is still a mess from the night before, that’s the way it is. I’m trying to soak up all of this beautiful time with a little girl who learns, grows, and develops every day. every night as I’m getting ready for bed, utterly exhausted, and craving sleep, I think, someday, I will want this time back. and that keeps me going.

twentyeight

“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22” – err. 28. I turned 28 two days ago.

Dear 27,

Thank you for a healthy pregnancy. Thank you for a natural labor and birth. Thank you for a healthy daughter. Thank you for motherhood. Thank you for more love. Thank you for more kisses. Thank you for more patience. Thank you for more grace. Thank you.

Dear 28,

I hope to get a little more sleep. I hope to be a better wife, a better mother. I hope to continue to find time to be silly with Cora. I hope to find balance with my time. I hope to spend alone time with my husband. I hope to have some me time. I hope to make new friends and spend more time with old ones. I hope to grow in my faith. I hope.

the tired mother’s creed

Repeat after me:

1. I shall not judge my house, my kid’s summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest’s standards.
2. I shall not measure what I’ve accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I’ve tickled into my kids
3. I shall say “yes” to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we’re building.
4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.
5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers, but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.
6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.
7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.
8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.
9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.
10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three (well one) children – out loud, especially in front of my daughter.
11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.
12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my “unfine” moments.
13. I shall say “sorry” when sorry is necessary.
14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.
15. I shall make space in my grown up world for goofball moments with my kids.
16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.
17. I shall model kind words – to kids and grown-ups alike.
18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan – this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.
19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.
20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they’ll all be in college.

~ with love from one tired mother to another.

this has been floating around the interwebs. I needed it. especially 1 and 6 (and 10 – but that is a WHOLE other post). I stress A LOT when I know people are going to be at my house. A LOT. my parents’ houses were always, and still are, perfect. nothing out-of-place, no dust, or dirt in sight. I never feel like I can get the mess cleaned up and put away, and vacuumed, and dusted, and polished, and swept, and mopped, and still spend time with my baby girl. my dad is visiting this week. sorry dad, you’re in for a mess 😛

credit.

month 4

dear Cora,

the week you turned three months old, you started rolling over at every tummy time, usually multiple times. then you stopped. for most of the month, you only rolled over every once in a while. this past week, you did it more often. I guess you just have to be in the mood. 😛

you are so close to laughing now. although it is more like a high-pitched squeal, it is definitely a happy sound and we love hearing it.

speaking of squealing, you have started squealing/screaming sometimes instead of talking when you are really excited. you are a loud girl! but it is fun.

you discovered your legs this month. you love pulling them back towards you, and holding on to them, especially during diaper changes. which helps at first, but when we are trying to put the new diaper on, not so much 😛

you arch your back a lot now, sometimes in an attempt to not be buckled into either your car seat or your swing. sorry love, you don’t win that battle.

the second and third week of this month, you ate a ton! it seemed like you always wanted to eat. you went from eating every 3 to 4 hours to every 2. you are now back to every 3 hours. I bet you had a major growth spurt 🙂

you went on your first vacation and had your first long car ride this month. we went to San Diego to visit your Grandpa, Jen, and Uncle Drew. You met two great grandmothers (your daddy’s Granna lives in San Diego, and my Grammy flew from Seattle to spend some time with us at Grandpa’s house).

we bought you a ball that you just love to play with! you can put your hands through it and hold it yourself (I’m pretty sure that is why you love it so much). we also introduced Phoebe, who is your lovey/security blanket. Phoebe has a giraffe head attached to the blanket. it is so soft, and is pink and white. you love her! one nap time you were particularly fussy, so I handed her to you, and you cuddled her to your cheek and went right to sleep. it was so sweet! speaking of handing you things during nap time, we started the process of weaning you off swaddling the last week of this month. we now swaddle you with one arm out. it has been an adjustment for all of us but it is getting so hot, it is better for us to get you out of blankets.

you went to the nursery at church for the first time this month. you did great! mommy didn’t 😛 I was worried about you the whole time. but it is good practice for me to leave you with nursery workers for when I go back to work.

the last two days, you have been so talkative. it is adorable to hear all of your coos, ewws, and awws.

you had a doctor’s appointment 3 days after turning 4 months old. you weigh 12 pounds .05 ounces, you are 23 1/2 inches long, and your head circumference is 16.5 inches.  that puts you in the 12th percentile for length, 9th for weight, and 66th for head circumference. you are our petite little girl. your Mimi bought you a pair of sandals that were size 0-3 months and your foot is about half of the size of the shoe. it cracks me up how tiny your feet are.

you are still wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. we started dressing you in 3-6 month clothes also, so that we get more wear out of them, and as the month went on, they started to fit you a little better (but they are still very roomy :P).

you aren’t sleeping great this month. it seems we’ve had a little bit of regression, and it’s definitely taking its toll on me. but I know this is just a phase, and sooner or later you will sleep well again.

favorites

Cora – Phoebe (angel dear pink giraffe), jumperoo (you aren’t entirely tall enough for this, so we prop a pillow under your feet), Oball, pacifiers

Me – crystal light lemonade, naps, snugli infant carrier (on loan from Aunt Jessi)

pictures

welcome baby

Coraline Jane was born on December 27th, 2012 at 11:21 am. she weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and measured 19.5 inches at birth.

she is perfect in every way. J and I have never been more exhausted, or filled with so much happiness. it is an amazing, indescribable feeling, becoming a parent. and we are loving every moment.

I am working on writing her birth story but honestly, snuggling with her is way more fun than blogging so that is why it is taking a little longer than I had anticipated to get it done.

Bump Update: 39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks

Baby’s size: watermelon (19 to 22 inches, 7 pounds according to what to expect)

Total weight gain: 40 pounds

Maternity clothes: yes

Stretch marks? still there

Sleep: awful 😛

Best moment this week: it was a good week. my mom came to visit me and we had lunch, we went and looked at Christmas lights, and my aunt and cousins came to see us today. it’s been a good week.

Food cravings: nothing this week

Food aversions: nothing this week

Gender: sweet baby girl

Symptoms: the braxton hicks contractions are picking up, the backache is miserable, and I’m tired all the time. but there can’t be too much time left of this 🙂

Belly Button in or out? still in. this makes me extremely happy.

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: I’m so happy that we are getting closer and closer to meeting our little girl, but my hormones are going crazy and I’ve been pretty moody too.

Looking forward to: meeting my daughter 🙂

What I miss: sleep and sushi, but not for much longer – well, the sushi that is. I’m sure I will be missing sleep for some time to come.

Movement: she is still moving all around in there. mostly pressing her booty or her feet up into my ribs and making my belly go lopsided.

Doctor’s appointment: went well – had my first internal check and was not dilated or effaced at all yet (bummer), but dr. L is very pleased with what he is seeing on the ultrasound. next appointment is this coming thursday.

and for fun, here is the bump at 9, 19, 29, and 39 weeks – wow 😛

Bump Update: 38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks

Baby’s size: watermelon (19 to 22 inches, 6.5 pounds according to what to expect)

Total weight gain: 37 pounds

Maternity clothes: yes, even those are starting to get a little small 😛

Stretch marks? still there

Sleep: not comfortable, but at least now that I’m on maternity leave, I’m getting more of it

Best moment this week: I sewed a nursing cover and I’m really proud of how it turned out

Food cravings: chocolate chip cookies 😛

Food aversions: nothing this week

Gender: baby girl

Symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, pain in my hips and back; definite increase in the braxton hicks contractions, they are getting more painful too.

Belly Button in or out? still in

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: feeling pretty cranky. sort of done with being pregnant 😛

Looking forward to: having this baby

What I miss: won’t have to miss things for too much longer 🙂

Movement: she’s still moving all around, especially when the braxton hicks contractions kick in, she really doesn’t like being squeezed like that 😛

Doctor’s appointment: our tuesday appointment was canceled because dr. L was in emergency surgery. I’m amazed it was the first time that has happened to us this whole pregnancy. so we went on thursday and dr. L said baby girl looks perfect, and everything looks amazing. she had pulled a little foot right in front of her face so that can’t be comfortable. hopefully she puts it back where it belongs soon 😛

maternity leave

I am starting my second week of maternity leave today and I have to say it’s going better than I expected. I was worried about how I would fill my day every day, but it has been surprisingly easy. I have developed a schedule/routine that seems to be working for me. first, I don’t set an alarm. the whole point of dr. L wanting me to go out on maternity leave early was to get more rest, so unless I have somewhere I need to be, I’m letting my body wake up when it wants to. then I exercise. monday, wednesday, friday it’s cardio and toning; tuesday and thursday it’s prenatal yoga. then I make myself breakfast and lay down for a little bit. then I will do any chores that need to be done around the house, or run errands. I might take J lunch at work if he wants me to or I make myself something. then I’ll lay down for a little longer before starting another chore, or working on some crafting.

it’s the stopping what I’m doing and laying down before I over-exert myself that is the hardest part, as I knew it would be. I like to start a task and get it finished, but I just can’t anymore. I get too tired. also, dr. L was very clear that he wants me laying down. so I’m working on patience during those times. thank goodness for netflix. and baby books that I’m still reading through.

on the bright side, I’ve been able to keep the house tidied up, and the shopping and errands taken care of which means more quality time with J when he is home in the evenings and weekends.

Bump Update: 37 Weeks

How far along? 37 weeks – we are full term! baby girl, whenever you are ready to meet us, your daddy and I are more than ready to meet you!

Baby’s size: according to what to expect: watermelon (19 to 22 inches, 6.5 pounds). at the doctor’s appointment on tuesday she was 5 pounds 11 ounces

Total weight gain: 36 pounds

Maternity clothes: yes

Stretch marks? yes, boo

Sleep: well now that I am on maternity leave, I am getting more over all, however, it’s still not comfortable, or very restful. I’m pretty tired most of the time.

Best moment this week: it was a really relaxing week, but the best part was the at-home date J and I had. we made tri tip, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, and had sparkling grape juice from trader joes (so yummy) and watched a great movie. it was perfect.

Food cravings: I had a pumpkin spice muffin from Mimi’s Cafe on monday and I’ve wanted another one ever since 😛

Food aversions: nothing

Gender: precious baby girl

Symptoms: the braxton hicks contractions have picked up and are even feeling a little bit more crampy, hip pain is getting pretty bad, I’ve had a general feeling of ickiness the last couple of days, and fatigue is still there like always 😛

Belly Button in or out? still in 🙂

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: pretty happy thinking this baby could be here any day but no more than 5 weeks from now 🙂

Looking forward to: another great doctor’s appointment on tuesday, sewing a nursing cover and some nursing pads this week

What I miss: laying on my stomach

Movement: she’s still fighting for space in there. a lot.

Doctor’s appointment: tuesday’s appointment was great. he said everything looked wonderful with baby girl, and dr. L reassured me that I should have no problem with labor and delivery as I have large hips perfect for birth 😛