Magic Swing

This is Emily's newest nap spot!  Her swing!  Believe me, I thought I had tried everything to get Emily to nap somewhere other than in my arms.  Her bassinet, her crib--both in a darkened room with and without white noise.  In her swing, bouncer, car seat, etc.  Tried 'em all.  Or so I thought.  I had tried the swing, but I hadn't tried putting her in the swing once she was already asleep.  I'd always put her in it awake.  The trick is apparently to wait until she's asleep and then put her in the swing.

She had her first day at Ms. Ruth's last week.  I had seriously been concerned that Ruth might tell us she couldn't take care of Emily--I mean, she takes care of multiple other children too so if Emily was going to need to be held all day I was ready for her to tell us she was too much to handle.  Lo and behold, when I picked Emily up after her first day, Ruth said she took a 2 hour nap that afternoon.  I immediately assumed that meant Ruth held her all afternoon, but no she said Emily slept in the swing.  WHAT--for TWO HOURS!?!?  I quickly asked exaclty what she had done so we could repeat it at home and sure enough, it worked!  I've since had several days in a row where Emily has napped anywhere from 30 minutes up to an hour and a half in her swing at home.  Hallelujah (trumpets sounding in the background)!!  It's like I'm a new woman!  We've all benefited from this--not only can I get caught up on (or at least stay on top of) chores at home, but more importantly it means Noah gets some one-on-one attention now too.  And I think Emily probably sleeps better this way too.  And everyone knows a well rested baby is a much happier baby.

Thank you Ruth for discovering the magic swing!!  I'm not sure we can give you enough praise for that!!

My Oh My Dinosaurs!

It's time to have an update that's just focused on Noah.  Noah's latest obsession is dinosaurs.  It started right after Emily was born and has just escalated.  He not only has toy dinosaurs to play with, but he wants to know ALL about them--what's this one called?  What does it eat?  Will it try to eat us?  How big was it?  etc. etc.  We've checked out some books from the library so we could learn the proper names of the dinosaurs and he quickly memorized those and will correct anyone who he thinks isn't pronouncing the names correctly.  Yes, my 3 year old will correct your pronunciation of this 5 syllable dinosaur name.  It's a little riduculous.  The most recent thing is that he now has imaginary friends.  While I know that's a totally normal thing for his age, I think he's the first kid I've come across whose imaginary friends are dinosaurs.  We have to call and ask if T-Rex and Velociraptor can come over to spend the night.  His "friends" will run along side our car when we drive somewhere.  You get the picture. 

He still likes Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story but for now those guys have taken a back seat to the dinosaurs.

Probably his other love second only to the dinosaurs is his baby sister Emily.  He loves on her all the time.  We have been luck that his adjustment to big brother has gone pretty smoothly.  He likes to be a big helper and just waits for her to be awake so he can play with her.  We make up songs together to sing to her.  I love watching him with her.  When she started daycare last week I asked him if he was going to help Ms. Ruth take care of Emily and he responded with "Yes.  I'll make sure Ben (another younger boy at daycare) doesn't bite her (Ben has issues with this sometimes and Noah has experienced this first hand)."  Already watching out for his little sister!

I haven't had time to look around yet but we're thinking of trying to move Noah into a preschool setting for daycare soon.  His in home daycare has been great but we think he's ready to be in an environment where he can learn more and be challenged.  He's known all his letters and numbers for a longtime.  He can count to 100 almost perfectly and knows many letter sounds.  I think he would learn things quickly if he was exposed to them more often and right now I'm not having the kind of time to do that with him as much as I would like to.  Hopefully I can look into that soon.

Emily's Baptism

Emily was baptized on September 18th. We had a fun weekend full of family time and celebration.  Again, a huge thanks to my Dad who came up early (and stayed later) to help give me a little break and share in the snuggle time with Little Miss who was in the middle of her "I'll only nap if you'll hold me" phase.  As you can see below Granddad quickly became profiecient in one handed tasks.

All grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were on hand to share in the fun of the weekend.  Thanks to my Mom we got lots of pictures of everybody spending time with Noah and Emily.  And as Emily is starting to have a few more awake and happy times during the day it's fun to see those captured in photos.

Her baptism was Sunday September 18th at our church, Point of Grace.  We chose Kristi & Casey (Emily's Aunt and Uncle) and our good friends J.B. & Laura to be Emily's Godparents.  J.B., Laura & their son Isaac live in Milwaukee so they were only able to join us in spirit for her baptism.  We love the following verses that were used during her baptismal service:

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. Psalm 8:1-2

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surley you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:5-7

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

It's definitely a blessing to watch your child be baptized and also to be surrounded by so many people that you know love and care for her. After the service was over we all enjoyed some Rudy's BBQ and cake back at our house--just a small gathering of family.  It was a great weekend and we are so glad all our family was able to be here to celebrate with us.

Emily 2 months

Emily's 2 month stats:
Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz (75-90th percentile)

Height: 23.25 inches (75-90th percentile)

Head Circumference: 38.5 cm (50th percentile)

Emily's likes: Eating, sleeping, and pooping; being held

Emily's dislikes: Everything else that doesn't involve eating, sleeping, pooping or being held

Highlights this month:

Emily's first month of life was extremely easy-she ate when she needed to, slept when she needed to, cried only when she was really trying to tell us something.  Her second month was pretty much the opposite.  After rehashing some of our experiences to her pediatrician at her well check he said it sounded like she was dealing with some colic.  She went through a phase were she basically had to be held in order to sleep for naps during the day.  Being held in an infant carrier (like the baby Bjorn) didn't work either.  She cried a lot more often for what seemed like no reason to us.  Basically we felt like she was either eating, sleeping, or crying.  Thankfully the crying really wasn't a large amount (not the classic 3 hours defined by colic) but she just has to be held in order to be calm.  For whatever reason this was only during the day for the most part so we were still able to get ok sleep most of the time.  We were pleased to learn she's healthy and growing and that there's no physical reason for her crankiness and will now wait it out.  It's already starting to get better.  Thank goodness!

Our sweet girl did bless us with her first smile amidst all the crankiness in her second month.  It actually came one morning after she kept me up pretty much all night.  That was a great gift to a very weary Mommy.  Within the last few days she has started to settle down some and has had some more awake and alert periods where she wasn't unhappy.

Emily was baptized on September 18th at Point of Grace.  My dad saved the day and came in to stay with us a few days before and after the baptism (he was here for a full week) to help us get things ready to host all the family and take turns holding Emily.  I loved seeing my Dad bond with both Emily and Noah and I can't say enough praise for all he did to help us out.  (More about that weekend later).

Emily Doodle Pants (as Noah likes to call you)--We love you little one!  Though the last month has been challenging, we wouldn't trade it for anything.   I hope whatever has been bothering you lately goes away soon--we don't like it when you are unhappy and uncomfortable. We love watching you grow and when you smile, there's nothing like it!  Your big brother can't wait for you to be able to play with him--he shows you toys all the time.  Your snuggles are the best.  We look forward to seeing what this next month has in store for you and all of us!

Hard

Remember all those previous posts when I said Emily was such an easy baby.  Man am I glad for those easy 4 weeks because the last 2 weeks sure have been rough.  Granted, it's not all her fault.  But still, as much as I love her, she has not been the easiest baby to have around. 

Yes, something switched with our sweet Emily. Whether it is colic or just the peak of normal baby fussiness, she has been a challenge or a little high maintenance as I like to say. She no longer naps well during the day unless she is held. While I love snuggling her, it's simply not realistic to just sit on the couch with her all day, especially not on the days that I have Noah at home too. Her grumpiness in the evening has become more and more prolonged and more intense. Still only an hour on the worst night but still not fun. Plus I think she has a small cold--just some nasal congestion but with such a tiny little nose and nostrils it doesn't take much to interfere with her breathing and thus her sleeping. Sleep at night for the past week hasn't been as restful for any of us (expect Noah who thankfully sleeps through everything!). I'm so incredibly thankful that the last 2 nights have been a bit better. Oh and the 3 hour nap I was able to take on Sunday afternoon-AMAZING!

Life has been FULL the last couple of weeks.  We've had multiple medical appointments for varied reasons, school started for Mike which means preparing for and teaching 2 classes each week on top of his normal church schedule.  He also preached this past Sunday adding to his list of things to prepare for the week.  School started for me which means preparing for and teaching 1 class (thankfully just one for now!).  The preparing part of mine isn't super hard--it's just hard when it's done balancing a crying 5-6 week old that doesn't want to be put down and her rambunctious 3 year old brother who just wants to have some fun with Mommy.  I'm not even trying to keep a super clean house--just some laundry, dishes, and making sure everyone is fed but even those things are hard when balancing everything else.

So, I'm actually saying it outloud (or at least in print)--life is HARD right now.  Not as hard as it could be (it's all perspective) but it's certainly not easy.   And it's OK to say that.  A friend posted a link to this NPR blog and I think every parent (or person considering parenthood) should read it.  Parenthood Got You Down? You're Not Alone   We need to be honest with ourselves and say it's hard sometimes.  That doesn't make us a bad parent, just an honest one.  Being able to vent I think sometimes can make it feel just a little better--or at least take the edge off (wine helps take the edge off too!).  And it's good to know that other people think it's hard too.  Otherwise you just start questioning yourself as a parent.

So with that, my two pieces of advice to myself and any other parent out there:
1. Babies and young kids change so fast! This stage will be over before you know it.  Enjoy what you can in this moment and trust that new joys (and challenges) are just around the corner.
2. It's ok to say it's hard.  No one said it would be easy. Find someone you can be honest with and tell them how much you are struggling-then at least you won't feel so alone

The verses I've found comfort in lately:
Psalm 62:5-8 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my might rock, my refuge. Trus in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This last week did also provide one especially high note:  a few smiles from Emily amidst all the crying.  The morning after she kept us up all night she gifted me with a giant toothless grin.  A real one.  While she was awake and looking at me (as opposed to the ones we'd seen before when she was busy filling her diaper or nodding off to sleep).  At that moment I'm not sure there was anything more beautiful to me.  We've only seen a few here and there since then but those sure make all the other junk a little easier to tolerate.  Keep 'em coming sweet girl (and feel free to stop all the crying too)!

Wrapping up August

We enjoyed some more visits from family in August--some eager to meet Emily for the first time and others eager to get back for some more baby snuggles.  The Zimmermans came in mid August so Casey could meet Emily (he had to work the weekend she was born as wasn't able to come with Kristi).  The following weekend my parents came back to visit again.  My dad then went over to pick up my Great Aunt Georgie and bring her back to our place so she could meet Emily.  That was a really special visit. 

 Such cute siblings!

 We ended up having to take Emily to the pediatrician to get a little medicine put on her belly button to help it fall off--it was quite stubborn still hanging on after 3-4 weeks.  Finally just after she was a month old we were able to give her a real bath.  Once she got over the shock of the temperature change and going into the water she LOVED it!