So, for the last couple of weeks, Kalaya has had a consistently running nose. I know she got it at her birthday party, from our dear friend Marlee (sorry Jess, but it's true!) and it just kept lingering. She didn't have any other symptoms and it wasn't affecting her, other than the occasional nose wiping.
Enter Wednesday
I knew something was just....off. She didn't look healthy. I don't know how else to explain it. She looked tired all the time. And, she wasn't her happy, playing self. Everything made her fuss. She wouldn't eat and she didn't want to play with anything. All she wanted to do was nurse. And nurse, and nurse and NURSE. That is fine with me, but I didn't get much else done. The biggest hint that she wasn't feeling well was when she fell asleep in the middle of lunch, right into her food. At the time I laughed, but now I know she was starting to feel really, really crummy. (I did take pictures though!) I figured everything was attributed to teething, since she has molars coming in.
Then Thursday night hit.
Poor Kalaya. She was literally up all night. (as was I) She couldn't breathe through her nose and she couldn't nurse. She couldn't sleep. The best part about it was that we were staying at my parent's house, so I didn't have ANYTHING to deal with a sick baby. I didn't have the nose suction thingy (it's a technical term), a thermometer, baby Tylenol, ANYTHING. (poor planning on my part I suppose, but I didn't know, okay??)
Did I mention that Nelson was also out of town????
Did I mention we were supposed to go on a trip to the beach with our youth group on Friday??
She finally fell asleep for a bit, but woke up around 2 am. When I started to nurse her, I really started to worry. She felt HOT. Not warm, not sweaty, just HOT. I debated loading her in the car and going to Urgent Care. Or just driving to Rite Aid to get Tylenol and buy a thermometer. And a nose bulb thingy. I really wanted Nelson there so that we could do all of this together. I decided to squirt some breast milk in her nose, which has worked to clear it out before and our pediatrician recommended.
It worked!!
Thank goodness, she was able to fall asleep for awhile and I was able to sleep a bit too. We slept off and on until morning and then I called to make her an appointment at any possible Kaiser in the Portland area. They got her in for an appointment at 2. She still felt hot and was pretty miserable, but seemed to be doing okay, so I decided not to go to Urgent Care and to wait for the appointment.
As soon as we got there, the nurse took her temperature and it was 102.4!! YIKES!! I know, I know, it's not THAT bad, but remember, first time mom!! The doctor was really nice and very helpful. He diagnosed her with a sinus infection and got her on amoxicillin. (I know that's spelled wrong) He also introduced me to Children's Motrin.
Did I mention I am never using Tylenol again??
Motrin is a God-send. A true miracle. Her fever went right down.
We both slept most of Friday night.
And Nelson came home Saturday.
Things are pretty much back to normal at our house now.
Now, if only this health care was available to all children. And Americans. But, that's a post for another day....
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
12 Month/1 year Appointment
Today was Kalaya's one year appointment and it went very well! This was our first time with our new pediatrician. We decided the drive to Tualatin was just too much and this office is 2 minutes from Nelson's work. Our pediatrician was very highly recommended by a mother from our mommy group, who also practices attachment parenting. She is really nice, very supportive and we really like her, hooray!
The appointment went great! Kalaya is 30 1/2 inches long (89th percentile), 19 lbs 10 1/2 oz (25th percentile) and has a head circumference of 18 1/2 inches (93rd percentile). (She is now in 18 month clothes and wearing a size 4 diaper if she has a disposable on) All in all she was declared "perfect" and healthy! Of course, we already knew that, but it's nice to get a non-biased opinion! : )
Last week I checked the vaccine list to see what was coming up at this appointment and discovered they are scheduled for 5!! FIVE!!! That is shocking to me. I don't really worry about the autism scare and allergic reactions, but that is a LOT of shots! I wouldn't want to do that! So, we had 2 instead, to finish off the series she's started. She'll get the others (MMR, chicken pox and Hep A) in a couple of months, just to give her a break in between! She did very well, BIG cry when she got poked, but calmed down fine. She was a champ at the appointment, showing off her signing and some of her fine motor skills without any coaxing. She was a doll and every one just ate it up, as always!
Kalaya is crawling, crawling, crawling! She pulls up on everything, even things we wouldn't think possible! She has stood without holding onto anything 3 times, only for about 2 second, but it happened! She "walks" all around the coffee table, the couch, etc. I knew once she became mobile, everything else was going to happen quickly, and I was right! She's not too far from walking, we can sense it! We are a pretty baby proof household these days!
She is independently playing really well. She has some fun new toys that she plays with really well. She has a new ride on toy and some things with buttons. She's starting some imaginative play too, she pours tea into her teacup, drinks from the cup and shares with her dolls. She kisses her dolls and puts them in the stroller or rocking chair, so sweet!!
She has started sleeping through the night!!! It seems like she is the last baby on earth to do so, but I don't care, it is happening!! (Of course, now that I'm bragging, it won't happen tonight) She's eating lots of different foods (some days) and likes to feed herself. Other days, it's just breast milk still, but she just got tooth #9 last week and we can see #10 (both molars) pushing through, so I'm sure she's in some pain!
Life is about to change a little bit for Kalaya and I. We are going to start watching another baby every day. Andrew is 6 months old. We will watch him most mornings from about 8 until 1. I am really excited about the additional income, but it will be an adjustment to our lifestyle. No more sleeping in! : ( We'll see how everything goes!
The appointment went great! Kalaya is 30 1/2 inches long (89th percentile), 19 lbs 10 1/2 oz (25th percentile) and has a head circumference of 18 1/2 inches (93rd percentile). (She is now in 18 month clothes and wearing a size 4 diaper if she has a disposable on) All in all she was declared "perfect" and healthy! Of course, we already knew that, but it's nice to get a non-biased opinion! : )
Last week I checked the vaccine list to see what was coming up at this appointment and discovered they are scheduled for 5!! FIVE!!! That is shocking to me. I don't really worry about the autism scare and allergic reactions, but that is a LOT of shots! I wouldn't want to do that! So, we had 2 instead, to finish off the series she's started. She'll get the others (MMR, chicken pox and Hep A) in a couple of months, just to give her a break in between! She did very well, BIG cry when she got poked, but calmed down fine. She was a champ at the appointment, showing off her signing and some of her fine motor skills without any coaxing. She was a doll and every one just ate it up, as always!
Kalaya is crawling, crawling, crawling! She pulls up on everything, even things we wouldn't think possible! She has stood without holding onto anything 3 times, only for about 2 second, but it happened! She "walks" all around the coffee table, the couch, etc. I knew once she became mobile, everything else was going to happen quickly, and I was right! She's not too far from walking, we can sense it! We are a pretty baby proof household these days!
She is independently playing really well. She has some fun new toys that she plays with really well. She has a new ride on toy and some things with buttons. She's starting some imaginative play too, she pours tea into her teacup, drinks from the cup and shares with her dolls. She kisses her dolls and puts them in the stroller or rocking chair, so sweet!!
She has started sleeping through the night!!! It seems like she is the last baby on earth to do so, but I don't care, it is happening!! (Of course, now that I'm bragging, it won't happen tonight) She's eating lots of different foods (some days) and likes to feed herself. Other days, it's just breast milk still, but she just got tooth #9 last week and we can see #10 (both molars) pushing through, so I'm sure she's in some pain!
Life is about to change a little bit for Kalaya and I. We are going to start watching another baby every day. Andrew is 6 months old. We will watch him most mornings from about 8 until 1. I am really excited about the additional income, but it will be an adjustment to our lifestyle. No more sleeping in! : ( We'll see how everything goes!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Well, it's my second Mother's Day and I am just as grateful as last year! Maybe even more so than last year, since this year I can move freely, shower myself, walk, and am no longer on massive painkillers recovering from a Cesarean birth!! Worth it, of course, but it's nice to be healed!
Here are some things I have learned since my first Mother's Day:
*Always pack more diapers than you think you need. And then add a couple more.
*Once a baby learns to reach out and grab, their arms secretly extend a foot longer than you think they can.
*Nurture over nature only goes so far...
*If you forget something in the diaper bag, you will need it 5 minutes later
*A child can be entertained by almost anything
*A child can be bored with 25 toys to choose from
*If a baby isn't ready to do something, you can't force them
*I can survive on 45 minutes of sleep
*More than 4 hours straight feels AMAZING
*I can't be away from my child for more than 3 hours. Ever. And I love being that bonded to her!
*Parent's should not decide things that they or their children are going to do or not do before you are a parent yourself and get to know your individual child
*Breastfeeding is a fantastic diet
*That motherhood is the most heartwrentchingly wonderful thing you can ever experience!
Happy Mother's Day!!
Here are some things I have learned since my first Mother's Day:
*Always pack more diapers than you think you need. And then add a couple more.
*Once a baby learns to reach out and grab, their arms secretly extend a foot longer than you think they can.
*Nurture over nature only goes so far...
*If you forget something in the diaper bag, you will need it 5 minutes later
*A child can be entertained by almost anything
*A child can be bored with 25 toys to choose from
*If a baby isn't ready to do something, you can't force them
*I can survive on 45 minutes of sleep
*More than 4 hours straight feels AMAZING
*I can't be away from my child for more than 3 hours. Ever. And I love being that bonded to her!
*Parent's should not decide things that they or their children are going to do or not do before you are a parent yourself and get to know your individual child
*Breastfeeding is a fantastic diet
*That motherhood is the most heartwrentchingly wonderful thing you can ever experience!
Happy Mother's Day!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Happy First Birthday, Part II
I haven't written anything on this blog yet, even though my name (for some reason) comes first. But I thought since it's Kalaya's first birthday, I'd write something. It's kind of cheating though, because this is what I wrote when I first found out Kelly was pregnant, way back in October of 2008. Holy crap, that seems like a long time ago. Anyway, happy birthday sweetheart! (Also, I sprinkled in some updated notes, mostly/completely for my own enjoyment.)
October 8, 2008
Baby.
Baby, baby, baby, baby!
(Like Reese Witherspoon in ‘Walk the Line,’ only not as dramatic.)
*At the time, this was topical. Now, well, yikes.
I think I was nervous for about three seconds when your mother first showed me the positive test. I’m hoping that’s a normal feeling, and I suppose I’d rather be nervous for three seconds as opposed to three years. But I’m not nervous anymore.
I have only told a handful of people about you up to this point, and most of them have asked me if I’m nervous. And my answer is always the same. I don’t want to sound arrogant, or unrealistic, or patronizing in any sense, but I can’t even begin to explain how not nervous I am. What’s the opposite of nervous? Probably ‘ready’, but I wouldn’t assume that I’m ready to raise another human being. Let’s ask the Microsoft Word Thesaurus…
Calm? Composed? Tranquil? That doesn’t seem right. Oh, I found it.
UNRUFFLED.
That’s me. Your father is completely unruffled.
I know I’ll be ruffled at various points in your life, like when you first talk back, or when you burn your hand on the stove, or when you drive our car into a ditch, or when you tell me you hate baseball/softball and break my heart into 162 pieces. But every time I think about you now, I am unabashedly unruffled.
It’s very strange because I can’t seem to stop thinking about you, or touching your mother in the spot where I think you’re sleeping, or looking at our first pictures of you on the refrigerator. I wish I were better with words, since I am unable to describe how it’s possible to love someone without knowing them. But it happens.
I think I will keep these little musings about you until reach an arbitrary age like 18 or 21. *Or, you know, stop after this one. I think it would be neat to give you something like this on a birthday or before you go off to college (not that you have to go to college, I’m just saying). You know, assuming we don’t hate each other or something.
I know I am lazy so I hope that I can keep up with this. *Damn! It’s already October 8th, you’re already nine weeks old (in womb time), and this is just the first time I’ve written anything. I don’t see how I can’t keep writing to you, but this is the same man who buys running shoes and jogs for a week before giving up.
But I’m also too excited about you now that we’ve seen you (and you waved! I don’t care what anyone says, I saw you wave, and it was a real wave, and it was awesome) to not write to you and tell you about things you probably don’t care about and I probably won’t remember.
So I’ll write to you at least once a week (if not more), because if there is one thing I can do well, writing would be it. (If there are two things I can do well, they would be writing and conceiving children. Yeah, Micronesian genetics!)
I should probably go to bed before your mother gets mad at me for staying up too late (she sleeps and eats a lot so you will be happy and healthy when you come see us for the first time), but I want you to know two things:
1) You have an absolutely amazing mother. Sometimes you will forget this, just as sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be married to her. But she is an incredible, beautiful woman. Any good that you have in you will surely come from her.
2) I hope, hope, hope, that you have an amazing father. My biggest fear in life is not being good enough for you. It’s hard for me to express my feelings sometimes (most times), especially when that feeling is love. But I love you already, I loved you when you waved at me, I loved you yesterday and I will love you tomorrow.
I can’t wait to see you again.
~Daddy
October 8, 2008
Baby.
Baby, baby, baby, baby!
(Like Reese Witherspoon in ‘Walk the Line,’ only not as dramatic.)
*At the time, this was topical. Now, well, yikes.
I think I was nervous for about three seconds when your mother first showed me the positive test. I’m hoping that’s a normal feeling, and I suppose I’d rather be nervous for three seconds as opposed to three years. But I’m not nervous anymore.
I have only told a handful of people about you up to this point, and most of them have asked me if I’m nervous. And my answer is always the same. I don’t want to sound arrogant, or unrealistic, or patronizing in any sense, but I can’t even begin to explain how not nervous I am. What’s the opposite of nervous? Probably ‘ready’, but I wouldn’t assume that I’m ready to raise another human being. Let’s ask the Microsoft Word Thesaurus…
Calm? Composed? Tranquil? That doesn’t seem right. Oh, I found it.
UNRUFFLED.
That’s me. Your father is completely unruffled.
I know I’ll be ruffled at various points in your life, like when you first talk back, or when you burn your hand on the stove, or when you drive our car into a ditch, or when you tell me you hate baseball/softball and break my heart into 162 pieces. But every time I think about you now, I am unabashedly unruffled.
It’s very strange because I can’t seem to stop thinking about you, or touching your mother in the spot where I think you’re sleeping, or looking at our first pictures of you on the refrigerator. I wish I were better with words, since I am unable to describe how it’s possible to love someone without knowing them. But it happens.
I think I will keep these little musings about you until reach an arbitrary age like 18 or 21. *Or, you know, stop after this one. I think it would be neat to give you something like this on a birthday or before you go off to college (not that you have to go to college, I’m just saying). You know, assuming we don’t hate each other or something.
I know I am lazy so I hope that I can keep up with this. *Damn! It’s already October 8th, you’re already nine weeks old (in womb time), and this is just the first time I’ve written anything. I don’t see how I can’t keep writing to you, but this is the same man who buys running shoes and jogs for a week before giving up.
But I’m also too excited about you now that we’ve seen you (and you waved! I don’t care what anyone says, I saw you wave, and it was a real wave, and it was awesome) to not write to you and tell you about things you probably don’t care about and I probably won’t remember.
So I’ll write to you at least once a week (if not more), because if there is one thing I can do well, writing would be it. (If there are two things I can do well, they would be writing and conceiving children. Yeah, Micronesian genetics!)
I should probably go to bed before your mother gets mad at me for staying up too late (she sleeps and eats a lot so you will be happy and healthy when you come see us for the first time), but I want you to know two things:
1) You have an absolutely amazing mother. Sometimes you will forget this, just as sometimes I forget how lucky I am to be married to her. But she is an incredible, beautiful woman. Any good that you have in you will surely come from her.
2) I hope, hope, hope, that you have an amazing father. My biggest fear in life is not being good enough for you. It’s hard for me to express my feelings sometimes (most times), especially when that feeling is love. But I love you already, I loved you when you waved at me, I loved you yesterday and I will love you tomorrow.
I can’t wait to see you again.
~Daddy
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Happy First Birthday
To my beautiful Kalaya,Well, you are one year old! How time flies! This has been such a wonderful and fun year! I am so blessed to be your mother. Many people know that they were born to be artists, dancers, writers, athletes, and inventors. I know that I was born to be your mommy.
I have always wanted to be a mommy. Now that you're in my life, I knew that I always wanted to be YOUR mommy. I love every moment of raising and taking care of you. I have loved, cherished and treasured every moment we've had together in your first year of life. We've never been apart for more than a couple of hours and I wouldn't have had it any other way. You have slept next to me since the night you were born, which has been a joy. Even on those growth spurt or teething nights when you were up every 45 minutes to nurse, it has been so special, because Mommy knew that it wasn't going to last very long and some day she would look back and miss being able to cuddle you, rock you and comfort you.
You have grown so much this year! You are crawling every where and exploring new things! You have learned so much! I love every stage of your life, but some times it's hard for me to believe you're no longer the little lump with the chubby cheeks who was happiest cuddled up on Daddy or Mommy's chest. You are becoming your own person and discovering who you are; it's amazing to watch! Already we are learning one of the hardest parts of being parents; how to let you go! You're learning independence and are determined to do so many things yourself. Luckily, you still need Mommy and Daddy a lot and we are ALWAYS here to help you however we can! We are so blessed to have you in our lives and we can't wait to see where life takes us next. We love you more than we can ever put into words and we're so grateful to God that He has blessed us with such a healthy, wonderful, beautiful baby. You are the joy of my life.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KALAYA MADELYN!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Kalaya's First Birthday Party
Sunday was Kalaya's first birthday party and it was so much fun! We had a great time! We are so blessed that we have all of her grandparents close enough that they all got to come and we had so many wonderful friends attend the party too!
For those of you who don't know, Nelson's father is Pacific Islander, specifically Micronesian. In their culture, the first birthday is the BIG ONE. It probably goes back to a time when it was less common for babies to survive through their first year. So, following tradition, we had a bigger party than I'm used to for a first birthday. But, I'm so glad we did!
We had almost 30 people attend the party all together. We held it at my parent's house (in Portland) so that we'd have enough room for everyone and because it's a more central location than our house in Battle Ground. We kept everything simple and invited a lot of people.
Kalaya wore a super cute dress that I found on clearance (and had a coupon!) that was Carter's. Pink with a first birthday cupcake and a tutu! Too cute! I also found a little crown at Target that she wore too!
I didn't really pick a theme for the party. I'm trying to avoid licensed characters for as long as we can get away with it. Kalaya doesn't watch any TV yet, so she doesn't know who any of them are anyway. Her favorite thing in the whole world is Pippy....maybe we should have had a dachshund party! Next year... : ) Anyway, I just used pink and purple, very basic stuff. We had crepe paper up and a few balloons, with plain paper goods to match. (all from The Dollar Tree, can't beat that!) I'm kicking myself, because I didn't take any pictures of Nelson's excellent job of putting up the streamers!
We had snacks and stuff for the guests and lots of kid activities. I felt the teacher in me coming out, because I basically created "centers"; we had a place to color, a place for Play Dough, a place for bubbles and chalk and a place with lots of different toys. We had a least 10 kids there, who ranged from 6 months to 7 years old and they were all so well behaved! They played and had a great time!
We got lucky and had a pretty nice day. A little windy, but no rain, which for Oregon is GREAT! So, we walked up to the park, which is only about 2 blocks away. It has baby swings, lots of slides and other fun stuff. The kids played and blew bubbles and had a good time!
Then, we went back to the house for cake and presents. I made cupcakes for everyone, from a basic Betty Crocker mix (chocolate) and with cream cheese (BC again) frosting tinted pink. I found really cute cupcake cups at Ikea and used those.For Kalaya, I am just not ready for her to have processed sugar. She doesn't eat a lot of food as it is, I don't want her to develop a sweet tooth if I can help it. Plus, there's so much extra junk in so much of that food! So, I found a recipe for a simple banana cake and made that. It had no sugar and I used organic ingredients. It tasted good! Pretty plain (since I'm used to sugar stuffed cake!) tasting, but really nice texture and a hint of banana flavor. I just made "frosting" out of organic heavy cream whipped up with a little vanilla added. It was really easy to make and I felt so good doing it!
Kalaya went to town! She ate almost ALL of the whipped cream. I had to get her started, gave her a little taste and put her hands in it, but then she ate it! It was really easy and it was good to know that she enjoyed it and that it was actually healthy for her!We didn't really expect presents, but we got some nice ones! She had already gotten her new big girl car seat from my parents. She got lots of 18 month clothes, which we really needed! She got some 24 month too. She got a cute alligator pull toy and an adorable tea set that teaches manners, which she LOVES, new books, a doll and a doll stroller. She'll get some more things from Mommy and Daddy on her real birthday! We had such a great time and feel so blessed and loved that so many friends came out to share the special time together! Now, I need to go write those thank you notes!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Enjoying her first birthday cake!
I will post a full description of the first birthday party with more pictures soon! For now, here is a picture of the birthday girl in her special outfit and the video of her first birthday cake experience!
This was a shorter one after the initial video (it was taking to long to upload). She keeps signing "Daddy" and getting it in her hair! : ) She enjoyed her sugar-free-organic-banana-flavored-first-birthday cake!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
11 Months
Yup, it's upon us. Kalaya is officially 11 months old. And you know what that means. The next month milestone is 12 and she will be turning 1 year old! I truly cannot believe it. And yet, at the same time, I have a hard time remembering my life without her. I look at her face and think Haven't I known you my whole life? I recognize you like someone I've known for years! That face is as familiar as the one I see when I look in the mirror. But, in so many ways, it has gone so fast. I look at pictures and videos of her from her first few months and even just a couple of months ago and can't believe how much she has changed and how grown up she looks. I hate when people say, "She's starting to look like a little girl!", but I know it's totally true. She's turning into her own little person and showing her own personality.
She is so fun and curious! She makes such funny faces is I swear she already has a sense of humor. She is so giggly and smiley and content. It's so easy to read her and she is such a pleasant baby. She's super active now and is starting to get into everything. She "creeps" around slowly, but efficiently. She knows what she shouldnt' play with and wants it anyway, but responds really well when redirected. She's eating more and more willingly. She has totally mastered the sippy cup and loves drinking water as much as her mommy! She loves to explore new objects and toys. She loves singing songs and hearing stories. She loves, love, LOVES books, which just tickles me to death. I have always loved reading and have hoped to instill that love in all my children. Just today I set her up with 6 or 7 board books while I was cooking dinner. She sat there and just quietly looked at the books for THIRTY MINUTES! It was awesome. Her sleep habits are great and she's started taking longer naps. I'll say this about having a "high needs" baby in the beginning: it makes you appreciate when they get "easier" SO MUCH MORE! I find myself with 2 whole hours every afternoon and hardly know what to do. (of course, now I've jinxed myself and tomorrow she'll only nap for 30 minutes again!!) Sometimes it's almost sad, because I don't feel as needed as I used to be. Obviously she still needs me a ton, but I look back fondly at those days when all she wanted to do was be rocked or nurse all the time, never wanting to be put down. I don't look back at that and think how exhausting it was, only how bonding it was.
So, I'm planning the first birthday party! Nothing big, just inviting a bunch of friends and we'll have bubbles and sidewalk chalk for any little ones that come. I've started looking up first birthday cake recipes and really need to try some out. I know it will be here before I know it! I really need to get invitations out! That's one of my goals for this week. I think we know what we're going to get her too and I actually found TWO coupons for it, which is awesome! I'm waiting to buy it, because I don't want to get it if someone else gets it for her. Honestly though, what this kid will need is clothes. She's starting to wear 18 month stuff and a lot of the 12 month stuff is getting tighter. I'm holding out to shop until after her party. Luckily, we know where there's a fantastic consignment store!
I came across this the other day and it made me cry! She was so small and looked so different! And those cheeks were the best! Ooooohhhh it makes me ache a bit. I can't be around newborns, it makes me think I'm ready to have another one! NOT YET! I can't believe that when I was 11 months, my mom was going to be pregnant in only for more months! Just imagine! Wow.
Even this one, she looks so little and unsteady and this was only in November! Wasn't that just the other day???
She is so fun and curious! She makes such funny faces is I swear she already has a sense of humor. She is so giggly and smiley and content. It's so easy to read her and she is such a pleasant baby. She's super active now and is starting to get into everything. She "creeps" around slowly, but efficiently. She knows what she shouldnt' play with and wants it anyway, but responds really well when redirected. She's eating more and more willingly. She has totally mastered the sippy cup and loves drinking water as much as her mommy! She loves to explore new objects and toys. She loves singing songs and hearing stories. She loves, love, LOVES books, which just tickles me to death. I have always loved reading and have hoped to instill that love in all my children. Just today I set her up with 6 or 7 board books while I was cooking dinner. She sat there and just quietly looked at the books for THIRTY MINUTES! It was awesome. Her sleep habits are great and she's started taking longer naps. I'll say this about having a "high needs" baby in the beginning: it makes you appreciate when they get "easier" SO MUCH MORE! I find myself with 2 whole hours every afternoon and hardly know what to do. (of course, now I've jinxed myself and tomorrow she'll only nap for 30 minutes again!!) Sometimes it's almost sad, because I don't feel as needed as I used to be. Obviously she still needs me a ton, but I look back fondly at those days when all she wanted to do was be rocked or nurse all the time, never wanting to be put down. I don't look back at that and think how exhausting it was, only how bonding it was.
So, I'm planning the first birthday party! Nothing big, just inviting a bunch of friends and we'll have bubbles and sidewalk chalk for any little ones that come. I've started looking up first birthday cake recipes and really need to try some out. I know it will be here before I know it! I really need to get invitations out! That's one of my goals for this week. I think we know what we're going to get her too and I actually found TWO coupons for it, which is awesome! I'm waiting to buy it, because I don't want to get it if someone else gets it for her. Honestly though, what this kid will need is clothes. She's starting to wear 18 month stuff and a lot of the 12 month stuff is getting tighter. I'm holding out to shop until after her party. Luckily, we know where there's a fantastic consignment store!
I came across this the other day and it made me cry! She was so small and looked so different! And those cheeks were the best! Ooooohhhh it makes me ache a bit. I can't be around newborns, it makes me think I'm ready to have another one! NOT YET! I can't believe that when I was 11 months, my mom was going to be pregnant in only for more months! Just imagine! Wow.
Even this one, she looks so little and unsteady and this was only in November! Wasn't that just the other day???
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter 2010
Family picture, see note below.
Baby's First Easter. I loooooove her dress! Thank you Ross!
She actually kept the ears on a lot of the day, including at church!
Looking at her loot; new socks and carrot baby food! And bubbles!
Cookie Monster socks
Pail and shovel and new barrettes
Ha, ha, love this one!
We had a very nice Easter weekend, spent with many family members. We are so blessed! Saturday we spent the day with my parents in Portland and had a nice Easter dinner. Sunday morning, Kalaya had her first visit from the Easter Bunny! Then we all went to church and spent time together in the afternoon. Then we drove down to Salem and had another yummy Easter dinner with Nelson's family too. You know, if this keeps up, I may never have to cook on Easter! Enjoy the pictures!
On a side note, I look just LOVELY in our family picture, because I developed a really yucky eye problem this week and spent 3 hours at Urgent Care on Saturday as a result. The doctor is still trying to determine what's wrong, but it's not allergies or pink eye. I've been on antibiotics and they've helped, but they think it's an ulcer on my cornea, whatever that means. I'm going back in today. I can't wear my contacts and opening my eye more than halfway is really painful. It is also very, very sensitive to lights of any kind, including camera flashes. But I wanted a family picture for Easter!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Videos
Here are some videos of recent accomplishments, or attempts to capture them. Mainly these are proof that my daughter is not a trained monkey and does not do things on command!
Kalaya "creeping" around a bit. Though it doesn't appear to make a lot of progress, it is amazing how much ground she covers as soon as your back is turned, particularly if something she's supposed to have is across the room! (aka remote controls or phones!)
Wait for it and you will see the signs for "more", "nurse" and "dog" (which is hard, because it's supposed to be on her leg, but she does it the best she can in the Jumperoo) Then you hear me say "yay!" over and over, because it usually makes Kalaya clap. Nope, not today!
And this includes clapping and the sign for "dog", plus giving the doggie kisses! Mind you I was going for "more". And you will see that our dog licks carpet over and over.
Kalaya "creeping" around a bit. Though it doesn't appear to make a lot of progress, it is amazing how much ground she covers as soon as your back is turned, particularly if something she's supposed to have is across the room! (aka remote controls or phones!)
Wait for it and you will see the signs for "more", "nurse" and "dog" (which is hard, because it's supposed to be on her leg, but she does it the best she can in the Jumperoo) Then you hear me say "yay!" over and over, because it usually makes Kalaya clap. Nope, not today!
And this includes clapping and the sign for "dog", plus giving the doggie kisses! Mind you I was going for "more". And you will see that our dog licks carpet over and over.
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