June 2011

Elizabeth is now around 21 pounds.  She now has her first top tooth.  She loves to clap and is able to furniture walk.  It is so adorable to see!  She can't be happy with just crawling...she now 'bear crawls' and tries to stand on everything, no matter what it is!

She waves at everything and gets excited when you wave back. It was so cute because she actually waved to Audie out the window when she saw him.....  She really seems to 'get' things.   She came to the Relay for Life with me.  She was so well behaved!  She's able to play catch and can actually throw very well. I am impressed!

June is a great month because it is the end of school.  I am so fortunate to love my job but also to have a job that I am able to be home in the summer.  This time is like "extra" time and I just want to cuddle and hug her... I suppose we should 'do' some stuff too : ) 

Audie and Kirk worked on the deck and it is now finished on June 28th.  We are planning a 74th bday party for Audie's mom so we're trying to get everything in order. 

We had pictures taken of the 4 grandkids for Dad.  It was very comical!  She eats potatoes and green beans mashed up.  She's a good eater, but isn't interested in feeding her self.  I am still pumping but having trouble keeping up with her.  I'll have to start supplementing with formula to keep her full.  By the end of the month she has 4 teeth! 

May 2011

Elizabeth's new trick is that she can crawl forwards and backwards now.  She just loves books and to be read to.  I am happy to say she mostly sleeps in her crib!!! There are times she has to go in the chair though.  We put a pillow under her mattress to give it a little bit of an angle and she seems to like that better than completely flat.  She now has her second tooth!  She has started to eat 'puffs' and just loves them!

She can clap, which she loves to do!  She now has another cousin! Baby Nathan arrived on May 9th.  He's cute as can be!  We go on walks together at the park.  Aunt Kay let us borrow her stroller, she has a fancy jogging one so we use her old one! If you ask Elizabeth though she'll tell you she's never been on a walk.... she seems to sleep through all of them : )

Elizabeth has this guitar that is from "Wiggles" (the kids' music group) and she absolutely loves it.  It may be the most annoying toy!!!  I may accidentally throw it out the window!  She can now pull out the drawers on the coffee table. I'm scared she'll catch her fingers in them, but so far she hasn't.....

Landon has his first birthday baby and we had a lot of fun!

Playing in Landon's toys

On May 20th we visit the cranialfacial center at the Children's Hospital.  We were there for four hours!!!!  We saw about 6 different specialists and found out some good information.

1. She is partially tongue tied.... probably why she couldn't nurse (this may be the most upsetting news that day...... I was so frustrated this wasn't caught and that I didn't push it more to find out why she wouldn't nurse.....  first time mom mistake : (
2. She has two separate issues going on with her eye/ear and her jaw.
1. The eye/ear asymmetry is thought to be from being in the womb.  I guess she was too squished: ) Doc believes this will work itself out.
2. The jaw on her left side is actually shorter than the right side.  Doc says this is something that can fix itself as the teeth come in the jaw can grow and align itself.  If not there are ways to help it out.  

The recommendation is to come back next May and see where we are at....  Couldn't have received better news! Told ya she is perfect : )

April 2011

Elizabeth loves the baby oatmeal.  She's rolling over to get to things she wants and then scoots backwards.  We got her 6 month pics done (at Portrait Innovations again...they do a great job).  I tried giving her green beans, she wasn't too impressed though.  We'll keep working on them : )  By the end of the month she loves the green beans and peas and carrots, too... So glad she likes her veggies.  She is now 28 inches long and 18 lbs 15 oz.  She's 'down' to the 90th percentile.  Such a healthy baby!  At this doctor appointment we discussed facial asymmetry that we and the doc notice.  We will go to the Children's hospital in May to get it checked out.  Could be many things, including nothing... of course as any 'good' mom I google the possibilities and am concerned.  We think she's just perfect the way she is but of course if something is 'wrong' that needs fixed we don't want to ignore it just because we think she's perfect.... so we anxiously await that appointment : (  Kara is kind enough to give us some stretches and exercises that could help, but can't hurt anything to do. 
We got our taxes done on April 2nd and bought her an easter dress and bonnet.  Her sleeping is still inconsistent... some nights she sleeps for 9 hours straight while other nights we're up each hour.  I can't figure out the reasons, probably just teeth, poor thing, wish I could help her. 

March 2011

Elizabeth loves to/is able to:

• squeal loudly
• sit by herself
• scoot backwards
• play with her 1st tooth
• play on the floor while I pump
• start eating oatmeal (she likes it!)
• 'stir the pot' with daddy's hand
• rolls over quickly when you put her on her back
• loves the remote
• would love to watch TV......

I love March because... I have spring break... Elizabeth gets lots of extra hugs and kisses from me! Good thing I was on spring break because she literally woke up each hour during the night... for over a week : (  Probably due to teething, but wow... rough nights!   We did some shopping and had Sara's baby shower.   Shower went well and Elizabeth was very well behaved!  I wore her in the Moby wrap to get things ready and she just slept on me.

All dressed up for Sara's shower

Aunt Sara and Elizabeth

She likes it.... mostly : )

Feb. 2011

What an exciting month!  A year ago I found out I was pregnant, now I have this beautiful baby!  I feel so blessed : )  At the end of the month Elizabeth weighs in at 15 lbs and 14 oz!  She is 25 1/2 inches long.  She's in the 91st and 92nd percentiles.  Such a  healthy baby! 

One of the most adorable things she does this month is she 'talks' in this whispery/airy voice... She just babbles away... It is so beautiful! 
I may have won "mom of the year" because I was lucky enough to get her first 'roll over' on video. It happened on Feb. 5th.  I was so excited to be home and taping when it happened.  She knew I wouldn't be able to take if she did it while I was at work.  It was so cute! Watch below to see if for yourself....

She just loves to play with her hands and feet. It's almost as is she's thinking "who put these wonderful toys right here for me to play with????"

She typically falls asleep in the bouncy while I'm in the shower.  She can't resist the sound!  As for the night.... the best way to describe her sleep patterns is that it's consistently inconsistent.  She 'typically' gets up a few times throughout the night... some nights it's only once or twice and she'll easily go back to sleep with a little rocking or walking... other nights : (  She'll be up for hours, need bottles, and lots of lovin : )  Audie and I believe her mind is so active and engaged at all times that she is unable to 'turn it off'.  You can just see those gears going at all times and I think at night she just can't seem to relax.  I hope she's able to work through this as I am such a great sleeper and LOVE SLEEP... Audie on the other hand is like Elizabeth and has never slept well (let alone now that he's hurt).  His mind races and can't seem to relax.  Me... well, sleeping is my forte!  Audie always says I'm like a sloth... you could drape me over a tree branch and I could sleep fine... I think he's right!  Oh yeah, and she seems to always poop at night........... and not only poop, but blow out of the diaper..... 

E loves the bath still.  She loves to play with Violet (the purple dog) and adores the exersaucer.  She can make rasberries and practices often... spit flies everywhere!  So adorable.....   She still has blue eyes and loves to catch glimpses of the TV  (Mom still says she can't watch TV : )

Unfortunately, this month is not all fun... Poor Audie has to have neck surgery on the 15th.  We are fortunate that we have family around so they can help with the baby.  Grandpa stayed with Elizabeth for two days while I was with Audie at the hospital.  All went 'well', although as with any surgery you're down and out for awhile.  He's such a trooper.  I hope Elizabeth gets his strength and endurance.  I take the Tues, Wed, and Thursday off.  Aunt Sara watches E on Friday so I can return to work.  The next week she stays with Aunt Kay and Landon.  Grandpa has her the next Monday and aunt Kay has her the rest of the week.  Of course it has to be at the most inopportune time for my work..... no other time then conferences... I feel terrible I can't be at home where I'm needed and even feel bad I'm not doing my best at school... mommy guilt is a difficult thing : (  Audie of course misses Elizabeth and it's hard for him not to hold her or go to her when he hears her cry.  She misses him too!  She did her best trying to adapt to having someone else watch her for about 3 weeks.  She's glad to have him back in March (although he probably shouldn't be watching her as he's not recovered).

She is now 4 months old and wants to crawl so bad... she's so determined and gets frustrated when she can't do what she wants. 

The Vermont Teddy Bear Audie sent me for Vday!

Jan. 2011

Here are some highlights from January:

• grabs feet when getting changed
• grabs toys when she's in the bouncy (which happens to still be her 'bed')
• I'm still pumping
• Still has beautiful blue eyes
• Cousin Seth born on the 22nd
• Favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear
• Loves to push buttons on anything!
• Found out Aunt Sara is having a boy in May

Elizabeth turns 3 months on the 24th of January (Aunt Kay's Bday!).  She is such a sweet baby.  She seems so strong.... Spends the days with Dadddy while Mommy is at school.  I hate being away from her.....  I question Audie all night about what she did or didn't do!  I hate to miss a minute of her life... I realize that sounds psychotic, but I can't help it!  I just want to know every little thing she does.....  Baby Seth was born early so his shower is the week after he's born at Rachel's house.  Elizabeth gets hot with all the people and has to be stripped down to her diaper : )  She seems to over heat easily... Daddy is the same way! 
Elizabeth is still sleeping in the bouncer, although sometimes I can get her in the crib for a few hours.... She is just all smiles though when you go into her room when she wakes up... She is so excited for a new day and new adventures... no matter what time it is!
Here are a few January pics:

E loves the exersaucer

Nov and Dec 2010

By Nov 4th Elizabeth was up to 9 lbs and 7 oz.... the starvation was over!!!!  She loved her bottles and was eating great.  On the 8th of Nov. she laughed at Daddy.... such a sweet sound!  Although we try 'tummy time' she is not a big fan right now.... She has great head/neck control so I'm not worried.  She continues to love to have her hair washed.... She was going through a few days of not pooping and like any first time parents Audie and I were getting concerned. Audie suggested we use the 'shit sticks' (as he called them).  Not only had I not heard of them I didn't even want to know about them.... Like most things, it all runs it's course though...On the 20th of November she was sitting in her nice warm bath and decided it was a great time to poop!!!  I wasn't even sure what it was at first... I was like 'what the..............'!  Audie came to the rescue... we fished it out and started over : )  No shit sticks needed, thank goodness!
For Thanksgiving we planned on going to my Dad's..... Elizabeth had other plans... she woke up crying and didn't stop.  Not sure what hurt but she didn't feel well so we stayed home and cuddled.

Sara with Elizabeth, mom, me with Landon

By the end of November is has come apparent that pooping out of the diaper is Elizabeth's favorite trick.  I can't tell you how many adorable outfits have been ruined : (  It got to where I put a night time diaper on her and then just put a second one laying the opposite direction around her back so she wouldn't poop in the bouncy chair (aka 'bed').   I'll spare ya the pics!


On December 5 we had her 6 week pictures take at Portrait Innovations (I should take stock in that company)... it was impossible to choose.... What a cutie!  She was a natural!

Unfortunately, I had to go back to work on Thursday, December 9th : (  It was a very difficult day.....  The only saving grace was knowing she'd be with Audie.  The sad thing was the reason she'd be with Audie was because of his terrible back and neck pain.  He was on workman's comp due to his fall at work and was now unable to return to that work.  As terrible as that is, it was fortunate for Elizabeth because she loves her Daddy so much and wants to be with him at all times.  It makes for very long and hard days on Daddy though. 

Elizabeth loves to be read to and seems to be very involved in everything around her.  I call her Nosy Rosie.... She's so inquisitive.  She was asked to 'play Jesus' at the Christmas contada at church on the 19th of December.  She slept through the entire thing as the girls sang to her...... So sweet!   Grandpa bought her a Christmas tree, one that she can plant.  She loves looking at it!  She tries to watch TV but mommy won't let her : )

Tree Grandpa bought for E

Our tree!

Landon and Elizabeth in the presents at my Dad's house.... Look for this picture to be repeated in the years to come!

I was so excited to be on Christmas break on the 23rd.  We went to Christmas Eve at Nana's then spent Christmas day running around.  We went to my dad's in the morning, then my mom's then to Audie's mom's at the nursing home.  Busy Busy Day!  On the 28th she went to the doc at she was 13lbs and 10 oz, 24 inches long!  What a growing girl! That put her at the 94th and 96th percentile!!!! 

2010 was a wonderful year... On to 2011!

Oct. 2010

Elizabeth Louise was born naturally on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010 at 10:52 pm.  She weighed 8 lbs 11 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.  She had blue eyes and dark hair (and lots of it!).  The doctor explained the birth as 'fast and furious'.... perhaps more on that another day : )  Nothing will ever compare to holding my precious little baby...... I would have held her all day if I could have!  Oct. 16 was my actual due date.... so you can imagine how 'ready' I was by the 24th.  I work (as a K teacher) until the 15th.  Elizabeth's first smile was for Daddy at the hospital.... she was already 'Daddy's Girl'!  We had lots of visitors (and gifts) at the hospital, at one time we had 15 people in there.... a little over whelming!!!!! 

We took her home on Wednesday the 27th during a terrible wind storm!  We went back to the doc on Thursday  and she was down to 7 lbs 14 oz.... she wasn't nursing well (later to find out basically not at all.....).... wasn't sleeping well and crying lots, I'm sure from starving : (  After a few days of this the doc suggested pumping and giving her a bottle.  Oh, what a happy baby to finally eat!  *Not until May did we find out she was actually partially tongue tied and was probably the reason she couldn't nurse........ We gave it a good shot, but eventually it wasn't for her.... I pumped until she was a year.  I was able to do it exclusively until she was 8 months old, which is when I had to start supplementing with formula (I wasn't too happy about that : (  All, in all, I was very happy to giver her the gift of BM for an entire year, although the pumping was a challenge, I'm sure nursing would have been also. 
Elizabeth tried sleeping in the bassinet but didn't really 'enjoy' it.... She ended up liking her bouncing chair the best (she slept there until she was 6 months old!).  After about a week she was in her own room... mommy and daddy were too noisy for her... she actually slept better in her own room!  She's already so independent!!!!
She loves to have her hair washed... she just lays her head back and closes her eyes... so precious!
 
For Halloween we dressed like a flower.... cutest little flower ever.....  October was a wonderful month!!!! Audie and I feel so blessed to have her and think she's just an absolute angel.  Daddy calls her 'the sweetheart'.  

All because...

A sign above our hallway reads "All because two people fell in love...".  I felt that was a fitting title for a blog devoted to my wonderful family.  Currently, we have three members... Audie (39), Melissa (32), and Elizabeth (14 months).  2011 was a jam-packed year...... Just a few pics to get you caught up and then I will attempt to 'keep up' with our life by posting important, interesting, or just plain normal events this year. 

Events of 2011 (that I remember at the moment...):
*Nephews, Seth and Nathan, born
*Audie's neck surgery (didn't help much, still in intense back, arm, and neck pain)
*Elizabeth mastered crawling, walking, babbling, hugging, and kissing... loves to be read to, sang to, walked around, and play during the night.  (Literally.... she's not a big fan of sleeping.... I'm so excited when she sleeps through the night, not a normal occurrence though : (  )
*Landon turned 1 in May. Elizabeth turned 1 in October.
*I started another year in Kindergarten, which I love!
*Working on my masters in education with a specialization in integrating technology into the classroom.
*Audie finished his '72 Torino.... it's absolutely gorgeous!
*Celebrated Jacqueline's (Audie's mom) 74th birthday at our house this summer.
*Went to the zoo, pumpkin patch, few restaurants, and probably some other places....but I can't think of any at the moment!