Sunday fun!

We had our first full day outing as a family. We went to visit our friends, Mick, James, and baby Olivia. What fun! It takes so much planning to get out of the house it's almost comical. Diapers, wipes, bottle, juice, formula (for nap time), change of clothes, toys, snacks, spoon, etc.

After loading the car (note the beer tucked safely between the baby and the diaper bag (oh, dear!) we headed out.


They smoked us a turkey!


The girls got to play.


And Jeff got to play! We'll have to get Jeff...er...I mean Zoe, some legos.

So much Goodness today!

We started off the day getting serious yard work done. Zoe played in her stroller in the yard and Jeff and I worked, worked, worked. Its wonderful to start getting things done around the house again.

We had a visit from Nana and Honey (my parents), which is always a treat. We missed the first nap of the day, but had an AWESOME 2 hour afternoon nap! Yeah!

We had a trip to Wally world for the week's groceries and a few sundries. We stayed way under budget. (Yes, we have one now.) And Zoe got a new sippy cup. She was having trouble with the first one I bought. No interest in it at all. In fact, she would cry every time I tried to get her to use it. Upon the recommendation of a friend (thanks, Lisa) we got one that much more closely resembled a bottle and nipple. It took a little work, but she used it! Not only that, we got her to hold it. And when it fell out, she could get it back in there! I almost started clapping for her, but I didn't want to scare her. I did, however, run for the camera. Soon, I hope, she'll figure out how to pick it up and get started herself.


And finally, to cap off an already fabulous and relaxing day around the house, Zoe went to bed with NO problems. No crying at all! Normally, a good night putting her down is when she falls asleep while taking her bottle. Otherwise, she starts crying as soon as the bottle is done and continues until she falls asleep. Tonight she finished the bottle and was still wide awake, but just stared at me. I rocked her and talked to her, and she kept looking at me. I walked her around the room and bounced her a bit and she was content to stay lying in my arms. She babbled back a bit and I was worried she wouldn't sleep, so I put her in her big girl bed and laid down next to her. She thrashed her head a bit as she always does falling asleep. She rolled around. Moaned some like she always does waking up and then she nodded off. It was amazing.

Zoe has...

...discovered clapping.
...learned to feed herself as long as its something large.
...started sleeping on her side.
...tasted ice cream. mmmmm.
...welcomed Jeff home from work everyday with the biggest smile.
...started hanging onto me when I hold her.

Beautiful!

Family Fun!

Last weekend we had Jeff's nephew Brian, his wife Audrey, and their new baby Elijah come up for a visit. They are not only family, but some of our dearest friends, too. We spent most of the time relaxing and enjoying each other's company....a great visit.

So Busy!

Our day started early with a doctor's appointment...the big one. Zoe started her immunizations today and got 4 shots! After that, we headed to the lab for blood work. Oh my poor girl! They tried 4 times and didn't end up with enough blood for all the tests. We all thought Zoe had been through enough for the day and we will have to go back and try again next week. (When I get to bring in lovely stool samples)

After that we headed to the county's early intervention office for our first meeting with them. I'm glad we did, because I walked away with a better idea of things I should be working on with Zoe while I am home with her.

It doesn't should like much, but that took up the entire morning and messed with Zoe's schedule. When I got home I had a sleeping baby in my arms and discovered the dog had had a horrible smelly accident all over the kitchen floor. Zoe cried when I put her down, but the mess needed cleaning up pronto, and just then the TV repair guy showed up. Too much at one time!!

Now it is early afternoon. Zoe is back down for a nap. I have dishes and laundry running, and when Zoe wakes up we are off to Nana's for a visit. Hopefully Jeff will be home after that to help me tidy up the house because we have family coming in town tonight for a weekend visit.

Whew! I once laughed at mom's complaining how hard and how busy they are. I get it now. I really get it. One little baby makes everything so much more complicated.

But look how cute!! Dried snot and all. It is all so worth it.

She changes daily.

Zoe likes the hot tub!

A Great Day!

Zoe slept until 6:30am!!! Originally she woke at 2am. I didn't get her. She woke again at 3am, and her crying sounded serious, so I went to get her, laid her in her big girl bed and then laid down beside her. She woke a couple times, but never for very long and she slept until 6:30!! Wow!!

We played and had breakfast until about 9, when I got on exercise clothes and headed out for a power walk. I even jogged a little (a very little, but still...) After that, we met Lisa and Briana for lunch and a bit of shopping. I feel like such a power Mommy being organized enough to get out of the house with her and all the gear! I know this is a small feat for all the experienced Mommies out there, but for me, it was a big step.


After lunch, she fought me big time on the afternoon nap, but she did eventually go down, and while she slept, I ate too much chocolate and watched a couple Law and Order episodes. (It was a long nap.) So nice. Next, we played again and waited for Daddy to come home.

We finished the day with a little photo shoot at Nanna's house. We were advised to have family photos made and put them around the house so we and Zoe will see pictures of us as a happy family all the time.



It was by far our best day yet.

Look how well I stand!

Finding our Rhythm

Things are moving well over here. We are still tired and wishing for more regular, longer sleeps, but for the most part we are seeing great progress. For awhile, I had quit wearing my contacts, so I could drop for a nap the second Zoe did. Now I'm getting enough sleep at night to make it through the day. The hours are not what I would like, but they are coming along. I hope as she continues to get more comfortable with us and her new surroundings, she will naturally sleep longer at night. I have to remind myself she hasn't even been with us for a month yet, and she hasn't been home for 2 solid weeks.

We are seeing great progress in other areas, too. She can sit up pretty well now. I can leave her alone while she's sitting, although I still need to make sure she is surrounded by soft things in case she falls, which she does when she laughs hard...or coughs...or gets tired. She can stand for long periods of time while holding onto something, but she can't pull herself up, so we still have a little time left on the baby proofing

She is getting much better at picking up things. And today was the first day we saw her pick something up and bring it to her mouth. We think she'll be feeding herself soon!

And tonight was the first night that she actually played in the bath. She discovered splashing! She didn't even cry when she splashed water in her face. She even let me scrub her! Before tonight she would cry if you tried to use a washcloth on her. Now she is fine. Hair washing, or I should say rinsing, is still a problem, but I'm sure we'll get that under our belts soon, too.

The added sleep is making a serious improvement around here. Before referral, everyone joked, "Get your sleep now." and "Enjoy your naps." But I think that is a mistake. I think before referral, people should practice sleep deprivation. Get used to less before you have to take care of a baby on 3 hours a night. I'm sort of kidding, here, but there is probably some truth to it. I had no idea how badly lack of sleep will affect every other area of your life. It will make you miserable. I'm so glad to see an end to it for us.

Its currently 8pm and like an old lady, I'm off to bed. Good night.

Talking to Nana on the phone

Yesterday's successful bath

Guess who slept through the night?!!

Okay, so she was up at 4am, but she went down at 8pm, and that means 8 hours in her crib! Yee Haw! She did require lots of belly rubs and cooing at the front end of the night, but I'm still pretty happy!

Around 3am I was awake and staring at the video monitor thinking, "Just make it a little longer...just a little longer"

Right now Jeff and Zoe are watching the Wiggles and I'm hoping for a smidgeon of a nap before we have to get up for real and begin the day. We have big plans. Grocery store, Costco, Park, Babies R Us, and perhaps if we're very daring....a bath!!

My darling is not fond of the bath, but we did have one the other day that was much less tragic than all previous attempts. Maybe today we can have an even better one. I want to make sure she likes them before we make them part of the evening routine.

Okay...back to the wiggles.

Quick update

Sleep is still issue number one around here. Zoe just went down at 8pm and I'm hoping it will be for the night. If so, maybe we finally have her on the right time zone! Next we'll work on the duration of those sleeps, but I'm not sure how to go about that.

I have to jump on anytime she sleeps, so I'm off to bed myself. Here's a few photos to tide you over until I can write about what is going on here.

Where we are.

Jeff and I must have brought some type of bug home with us from China. Jeff is cruddy and I am addicted to mucinex. Zoe seemed spared, but this morning woke up grunting like a pig with congestion and won't stop sneezing, coughing, and dripping goo out the nose. She still seems like a jolly little girl. She has been laughing all morning.

Our biggest issue is lack of sleep. This is getting a little better each day, but Zoe does not sleep for long periods at a time. And when she does sleep, she wakes up regularly crying and thrashing and requires cooing and belly rubs to get back down. If you don't get there fast enough, it's all over, and she's up for good. We added music to her room and that helps get her down in the first place.

I find it hard to sleep even when she does because I'm so alert for the slightest noise. If she starts with the fussies, you really have to get there quick to keep her down. My best opportunity for sleep is during the day when Jeff is up with her but that won't work after tomorrow. I consider us very fortunate that this is our only problem, but its a big one.

Zoe is still making progress, which is very exciting.

Another birthday photo

I saw this photo on Dawn's blog (link on right) and I had to steal it. My sweet birthday girl.