This is the story of our crazy little family.We do not claim to have it all worked out perfectly. We do not claim to be experts. What we do know is that everyday is a new adventure. Everyday there will be some tears, some laughter, some anger, some misunderstandings, some joy, some sorrow and a whole lot of happiness and love! That is how we know we are doing some things right!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bath Time



Some quality bath time! She has really started to love taking baths. Just thought I would share these memorable moments! I am sure she will hate me for it when she is older that I posted these to the website but oh well...look at how cute she is!


Friday, November 27, 2009

Thanksgiving


Sara's first Thanksgiving was relaxing and enjoyable. Sara was a perfect girl as usual and was very comfortable with the family no matter who was holding her. We spent the afternoon at Aunt Sue and Uncle Bobby's. Dinner was wonderful and there was plenty of food both before the turkey and after the turkey to keep everyone full to the brim. This was Sara as we arrived to Thanksgiving...as you could tell very content! Since we were having dinner at Aunt Sue's house it was only customary that Sara wear one of her Aunt Sue outfits. A bright pink turtle neck with a navy and polka dot jumper dress. She looked absolutely adorable!


Sara has been doing very well otherwise as well. She still is sleeping for about 4 to 4 1/2 hours at a time and in her cradle which makes sleeping for us as the parents very easy. She is still breastfeeding and appears to be getting enough because she seems to be growing everyday.


Thanksgiving consisted of the usual chit chat. many many laughs, and newly formed memories. That was in part to the decision this year to not have a "kids table" and allowing everyone to sit together, in combination with 3 out of 5 of the previous "kids" now being able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Everyone was also eager to have the opportunity to hold Sara, so this holiday was pretty simple for Mommy and Daddy!

Sara ended the night in her traditional "1st Thanksgiving" onsie (thanks to Erica) The whole day was a lot for her, as you can see, and by the end of the night it became very hard for her to keep her eyes open. (Sleeping most of the day must have taken it out of her...haha)

Monday, November 16, 2009

One Month In and We Are Doing Awesome!!

Well we have made it through our first month. I am still in shock to say and think that Sara is one month old already. It seems like just the other day she was kicking around in my belly and giving me unbelievable amounts of heartburn...and now she sits here fast asleep in her bouncy seat like a little angel!! She had her first well visit/check-up. Here are her updates:
*weight....10 lbs

*length.....21 inches

*head circumference.....38 centimeters

She is in the 75th percentile for her weight and head circumference and in the 50th percentile for her length. The doctor said everything looks great...she is progressing normally with no concerns in any areas. Her infection that use to be on her foot(the bracelet from the hospital) has completely diminished as if nothing was ever there. She got a shot as well today..the second round of the hepatitis vaccine. Surprisingly she did wonderful...she cried for a second and then was too interested in observing the doctors office that she quickly soothed herself. Her next visit is on the 22nd of December and she will have to get 2 shots and 1 oral vaccine...but hopefully everything else will remain positive!

It is funny how different she looks in such a short period of time. Within the past week Sara has really started to show her personality. She is observing her surroundings a bit more, watching and recognizing both Dave and myself when we are in the room or talking to her. It is amazing to watch and be a part of. Last night I got a great idea to try and get her hand and foot prints in her memory book. Well that was an adventure to say the least. I borrowed child safe paint from the school that I use to teach at( that way I knew it would not hurt Sara to be on her skin) and within 5 minutes of beginning the process, Sara looked like she got in a paint ball fight. She managed to swing her legs everywhere, spreading the purple paint on her feet all over her legs, took the paint on her hands and grabbed her hair so she had a purple head. The prints barely look like anything in the book with the mess that it became but it was definately a memory I will not soon forget.

One of my other ideas (that I got from Uncle Ray's sister) was to take Sara's picture in the same spot in the house every month. This way we could really see the progress she was making over the months. It helps to take these pictures and then look at them because I am already looking at pictures from the hospital and she looks so tiny and so different from now, so hopefully this will give an interesting insight to how much she is growing! Here is her one month picture:






Saturday, November 7, 2009

Our Little October Baby!




We love being new parents!

Well Sara has been home for about two weeks now (even though she is three weeks old) and we love having her here! She is eager to explore her world and watch everyone around her with her big beautiful eyes. Sata spends a lot of her days with her Mommy while Daddy goes to work but next week Mom is starting to substitute teach again so Daddy will get his turn to spend some quality time with his daughter. Sara continues to grow right before our very eyes. At her last doctors visit Sara weighed in at 8lbs 12 oz. Her next appointment is on the 16th of November so we will see what kind of progress she made...she definately is eating well and she has mastered the art of pooping so I think her progress will be positive.

I have decided to breastfeed. Not only did it appeal to me because it helps to burn calories, but there were many other reasons as well. The time spent breastfeeding is a quality time that Sara and I bond. I have also read so many positive things about the nutrients and benefits of breastmilk for babies, that even though sometimes I wish that I could wake David up at 3 AM to feed her with a formula bottle, I would not trade the time I spend with her for anything.

We have begun to master what Sara does and does not prefer. She loves her walks. I will usually take her on a long walk during the day, which most of the time puts her to sleep, and Dave loves to take her for a walk when he gets home from work at night. Sara also loves the sound of the shower running. When I take a shower I pull the bouncy seat into the edge of the bathroom and no matter what Sara immediately calms down while the water is running and sometimes even falls asleep (if I shower long enough)

Sara has also had a few adventures outside of the home already. She has gone for visits to both grandparents homes for different occassions. We also took Sara for a trip to the Christmas Tree Shoppe in Freehold with Dave, Grammie, and Grampie. She did pretty well. Dave and I understand that she is young and that there are lots of germs out there but we have never taken her anywhere for an extended period of time with strangers and we always have her covered up so that people can't get too close. But I felt as though if I did not get out of the house I was going to go nuts so every once and awhile a little trip to the store to save our sanity works for us.

In the upcoming week Aunt Barbara, Uncle Dick, cousin Mellie, and Aunt Claris will be coming to visit. We look forward to the company!!