Sunday night thoughts

Ann Guthrie has started an amazing blog about their journey through infertility and it's inspiring. I'd like to take more time to reflect on what's truly important, talk to God and be a kinder, more patient person. Let's add 'be thankful' to that list, as well.

I'm so incredibly thankful for a healthy daughter. I'm so thankful for a husband with incredible work ethic and a gentle heart. We have a beautiful home, food on the table, clothes in the drawers, water flowing from the pipes. My parents are, literally, the best. I'm not sure how "blessings" work (I don't think that God blesses some more than others) but I feel overwhelmingly blessed. If life is a road trip of hills and valleys, we are coasting through some good times right now. Don't let me forget this someday when we blow a tire.

Picture post coming at ya

Almost 7 months... and still awesome.

I'd say that I've been meaning to post for awhile now, but that would be all too stereotypical for a blog. I'll just say, hello!

Ms. Audrey Lou is coming up on 30 weeks, aka 7 months! It's pretty amazing watching her go through all of the developmental milestones. She can now sit up with very little assistance, grab things, suck on things, roll over both ways and, most recently, has 2 precious teeth! The first one showed up a couple weeks ago and the second one soon after. She's a developmental over-achiever.

We introduced solid foods at around 4-5 months and she has loved them from the get-go. She got the hang of it really quickly and even coos when she's really enjoying the meal. There is a fantastic video of her first experience with peas - not a big fan. The poor thing is gagging and I'm laughing so hard that she's smiling through the gagging. She is such a champ.

Childcare is actually going better than I could've expected. It probably helps that she isn't super attached to me(or anyone) quite yet so drop offs are a cinch. The other big factor is that the teachers are amazing. Brenda, Violet and Eric have such a calm about them and genuinely care for the kids. I know they love Audrey - likely because she's pretty easy going and cute as the dickens. No, really. Strangers are always telling us how beautiful she is and I get multiple "ooos" and "ahhs" when I post pictures on facebook. She's seriously cute and has big, brown, gorgeous eyes. Still not sure how Phil plus me equals cutest baby ever.

Little Miss is still a great night sleeper, although her latest trick is waking up around 3am to nurse. She takes short little naps throughout the day, usually around 30 minutes. It would probably be easier to work from home if those naps were extended a bit, but I'll take a good night's sleep any day.

I'll end with a few pics - there are 250+ prints in the mail to me as we speak. Girl is well documented. She's smiling much more for the camera but is still a hard bargain for laughs. The exception being when Harvey is running around on one of his spastic episodes, darting to and fro. Hey, it's hilarious, I don't blame her.

looking back - picture post!

let's catch up a bit, shall we? here are some pictures from her first couple weeks...

Taken at the hospital

Going home!

First week

Thug life.

First walk!

First bath - took it like a champ!

Uncle Andy and Soph are smitten

three months in!

Our little "AL" is now 14 weeks old! She's, pretty much, the coolest baby ever. We hang out at home a lot but usually venture out at least once a day to Starbucks or Target or... well, mainly those two. She does well on errands, especially when she's in the stroller and the stroller is moving. If the stroller is stopped or if she's in the car - no guarantees. I thought all babies loved car rides?

This is my last month home with her and I'm feeling good about going back to work. I feel so incredibly blessed to have had this time with her but I'm also ready to have somewhere to go and tasks to accomplish outside the house. Best part is, I should get the best of both worlds because she'll be in daycare for three days a week and I'll have her for the other two.  Let's hope that Big Fish continues to be so lax about such a schedule. It helps that my boss, Chris, likes me a lot and the work that I do so he'll do what he can to keep me. I have a feeling that dropping her off at daycare every M/W/F will be painful; but let's not talk about that. 

Audrey is continuing to grow... she was about 12lbs. at her 2 month check-up and is outgrowing her 3 month clothes and diapers pretty quickly. I love that she has chubs. Phil's quote: "She has her daddy's thighs." Not a whole lot of hair on her head but I swear that there's a tinge of red when you look at it in the sunlight.

She's very close to holding up her own head at all times and has discovered her hands - not only that they're fantastic to suck on but that they can hold onto each other. 90% of the time she picks her thumb over her binky which is pretty stinkin' cute. I was kinda caught off guard by the thumb sucking thing; I guess because neither Sophie nor Ellie were into it. It's quite convenient in terms of "self soothing" but could prove to be a tough habit to break later on. We'll just deal with it when it comes... and dip her thumb in hot sauce.

Al's also started "cooing" more and even broke out a laugh the other night when Phil blew raspberries on her tummy. We have yet to get another laugh out of her but that hasn't stopped Phil from trying. She is giving smiles out more generously, though, which thrills us, of course.

This week, we're heading to Wenatchee for the first time. My parents are over the moon, inviting everyone over to meet her. I'm looking forward to it and see the trip as a last "hoorah" before I go back to work. The only part that is questionable is the car ride over. She usually makes it about 45 minutes into a ride before releasing the hounds(speaking of hounds, have I mentioned that Harvey howls at the top of his lungs every time Audrey starts really crying?). Mom is actually taking the train over to help me on the drive since Phil will be in Alaska for work and will fly into Wenatchee on Thursday. The idea of doing the trip alone was a bit daunting so I'm glad Mom is going out of her way to help.

That's it for now - about to head out for a pedicure while Daddy watches the little lady.

the day after Christmas

Huge thanks to Becca Howell Photography! Al was about 1 month old.

Sitting on the couch, as usual, but this time it's the day after Christmas and a beautiful 7 week old sleeps on my shoulder. Well, my mom just took her for me, but you get the idea. I'm wearing a stunning new locket from Phil that holds a picture of Audrey from the hospital and one of him holding her. He totally spoiled me again - and I'm okay with it. Our hope is that the locket becomes somewhat of an heirloom piece that stays with the family(granted that Audrey doesn't yank it off my neck).

Mom and Dad stayed with us for her first month and were SO helpful. They gave me nap breaks, made fantastic meals and endless pots of coffee, walked Harvey, brought home fresh pastries and the newspaper each morning... all very much appreciated! Of course, they're in love with her and enjoy all the time spent with her in her early days.

Every week is something new... she's holding her head up more, making more noise, kicking her legs, nursing well and does great on walks and outings. I have yet to break out the boob in public - maybe in time.

We had a lovely Christmas: opened stockings at home before heading to Andy and Jen's. Elinor, quite literally, squealed with the opening of each of her gifts. And, I'm pretty sure that everything Sophie received was penguin-related. Add some Boston Terrier slippers and pajama pants for me and you have a spectacular holiday.

Today also marks six years since we lost Melinda. All my love and prayers go out to the Mills.

Welcome, Audrey!

Holy moly - she's here!! Audrey Lou joined us on the "outside" on November 5, 2011(one week ago) at 12:42am - weighing in at 8lbs. 6oz. and 19 3/4 inches! Can you imagine how large she would've been if she had come on the 16th, as planned? My doctor was so sure that I'd at least make it to my due date that he went out of town for the weekend. Yes, quite reminiscent of a sitcom. 

In fact, the "sitcom" day included me going to work(timing contractions along the way), coming back home early and sitting in a tub while trying to determine if what I was feeling were real contractions or false labor. I was so adamant about not wanting to go to the hospital and getting told to go back home... that by the time we did go in around 6:00pm, I was 6cm! 

The drive to the hospital from West Seattle to Ballard was also like something off of "Friends." Although, by then, there was nothing friendly about me. After reassurance from Phil that we would make it, even though it was Friday rush hour, we called my parents to tell them we were going to the hospital and set out. I probably had about 7 contractions on the 25-30 min. drive, desperately clutching Phil's shoulder each time. I may have even cried out a bit - just like the movies. But, believe it or not, I was still concerned that this may not be the real thing. I remember telling Phil, "If this isn't the real thing, they have to give me drugs anyway." The other infamous quote came when I cursed at a red light and Phil said, "Honey, I need you to be positive right now."

Phil pulled into the round-about of the hospital, but was worried about blocking the sidewalk a bit. This was not a concern for me. I kindly/firmly/demanding-ly asked him to go get a wheelchair. He left to do so, but was taking too long for my liking. I busted out of the car and made a run for it. There wasn't anyone at the front desk(which I found appalling at the time) and Phil was nowhere to be seen. I impatiently waited and then walked to the elevators, thinking that I should probably wait for Phil before going up to that blessed fifth floor where they would relieve me with blessed drugs. Luckily, the elevator door opened and there was Phil with a nurse and wheelchair. "It's me," I sighed to the nurse and eagerly climbed in the chair. 

The sight of the hospital room was pure elation. I stripped down without reservation and had a few more contractions with the nurse telling me to breathe through them and that I was doing great(I told Phil she was a lot better than him at this). True elation arrived with the news that I was 6cm. The anesthesiologist gave me an epidural that gave me incredible relief. 

I stayed at 6cm for awhile and Phil even got a little shut-eye. Mom and Dad arrived during that time, too. The main event isn't something that I care to remember, but it was over in half an hour! Here's hoping any future births move as quickly. 

Audrey Lou was placed on my chest for a bit, but then taken into the nursery to get some extra oxygen. They assured me that she would be okay and the doctor continued stitching me up(she was taking so long with the stitching, I asked if she was making a quilt). The doctor was a friendly blonde woman named Dr. Cabodi. I also had great nurses named Laura, Arlana and Debbie. 

We were visited by Andy and Jen, Ann and Colleen, Lindsey B., the Kyles and Chris. Cory and Ann sent sweet pink flowers with a balloon. Mom and Dad brought us Red Mill Burgers and Starbucks which tasted SO good as my appetite finally came back after 9 months. 

This past week with Audrey has been magical. We've been out almost every day for a doctor's appointment, lactation appointment or just a walk. She has truly been spoiling us by sleeping really well and fussing very little. She is so beautiful - such an amazing gift. Was she really in my belly?

She's got a fair amount of dark hair and her eyes looked blue at first, but apparently, all babies start out with blue eyes. This was news to Phil and me; they now look more brown. Greek genes: 1, Redhead genes: 0. My mom says she looks just like me when I was born, so we'll see. 

I think that's about all the words I've got for now. The main idea? I am one happy momma.