Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Why We Smile More for Daddy

CSO - and other new names.

We know we need to focus on calling her by her real name, but it's so hard when she inspires such great nicknames!  (Plus, Daddy always calls her Elizabeth, and Mommy calls her Bessie.  Poor kid!)

Here's the new list that you can add to her in-utero names (B and BNut are still in use as is Busy B) :

Bessie Boo Bear
Boo Bear
Boo Beary Crunch
Beezus (as in, "I love you to pieces, you silly Beezus)
Chief Snuggle Officer (CSO)
Snuggle Butt
Snuggle Monster
Booger Pie

FIVE WEEKS OF FUN!

Well, Miss Bessie is now 10 pounds, 10 ounces and 21" long already!  She's growing like a cuddly little weed.  She's also starting to really smile now.  I'm pretty sure we'll be able to get a video of it very soon for everyone!

The Grandmas came up over the last week and a half.  I put up a picture of Grandma Beth last week, and this week there is a picture of Grandma Jolene and Aunt Nicky to put up!  Bessie sure is loved!

We're venturing out in the world a lot more now with our new "family" car.  Yesterday we visited some "big" kids (5 and 6 month olds!) and we're going to the park with Robyn's family again on Thursday.  I could get used to this mommy schedule...except for the sleeping...

Bessie still sleeps when it's dark, but she also still needs to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours...until...WHAT'S THIS?  She slept from 8pm to 1am last night!!!  We couldn't believe it!  And she didn't torture mommy with the 3am, 4:30, 5:50 routine, either.  She was up at 4 and again at 6:15am.  Could we be turning a corner?  Probably not, but we hope so!  Mommy and Daddy could use the rest!



Friday, March 26, 2010

ONE MONTH ALREADY!

Tuesday marked Bessie's one month birthday.  I can't believe it's already been a month!  I can't believe it's only been a month!  It's gone so quickly, and yet, it seems like she's always been here.

We're starting to see some intentional smiles!  As soon as I can capture a few cute ones on the camera, I'll put them up!

We're trying to work on a routine, but it's been a little difficult - more guests keep pouring in.  The good news is we're settling back in to it today, and after the last of the grandmas leave on Monday we should be able to re-establish fairly well.  Make fun of tummy time, song time and book reading time all you will, but it helps settle her down for her naps!  (and more naps supposedly equals better sleep at night.  or any sleep at night.  we'll take any!)

I attached a few photos from Tuesday (her "birthday") so you can compare her growth from 4 weeks ago!  Hugeness!  We get weighed again on the 30th, and I'm excited to see what kind of progress we're making.  Unfortunately, she's asleep in both photos.  Turns out Bessie and Grandma like to skip activity time in favor of snuggle time - and you know what? when you're 4 weeks old, that's just fine.


Sunday, March 21, 2010

Squeezing in a few...

We're about to be a whole month old on Tuesday!  And today we ate lunch out...at a restaurant...in public...and she slept like a little BNut in her carrier.  We've been out on walks, out to the park, and all over the town!

She does have a new trick, "the witching hour."  She likes to be inconsolable from 7:30pm to 8pm now.  Scream, scream, scream.  It's really fun and we're all big fans.

But let's not focus on that - let's enjoy the cuteness!  We're not sure if these smiles are intentional or not, but anytime between 4 and 6 weeks is when we can expect them...as soon as they are intentional, you can bet a little video will go up on here!



Monday, March 15, 2010

Baby Jig

Web Chat

Only 3 weeks old, and already our first web chat!  Hi from Chicago, Baby Logan!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Busy Week for our Busy Bessie Bee

Bessie had a busy little week.  We found out that she's up to 8lbs, 7oz, so she's gained a whole 2 pounds since birth.  We won't have that update this week - we get a break from the doctor and don't have to go back until 3/30.  (If you're wondering, Mommy has lost 20 pounds!  I have a ways to go, but it does feel good to shed some of it - if only I didn't look like a deflated balloon!)

Mastitis aside, I'm recovered pretty well.  If I could just shake the mastitis, I'd be nearly 100% - pumping won't be part of my future for much longer. 

Bessie's Grandpa Williams came to visit, and she got to spend some quality time getting properly snuggled.  He was a huge help while I was struggling with my fever and doctor appointments on Friday.  Thanks, Dad!

She also had a play date with her friend Flicka.  Flicka is roughly 19 weeks ahead of B.  She's for sure about 8 pounds ahead of B - isn't it crazy to think all too soon Bessie will be where Flicka is at?  It was so great to have the girls over - having other moms to hang out with really helps keep things in perspective.

I am also including a picture of what Zach calls her Bath Time Jedi pose, and a picture of her gussied up for Chicago's St. Patty's celebrations.  I may not be out with the kids this year making a fool of myself, but I still dressed little B up in the spirit of the day!

Tuesday marks week 3 of life on the outside.  Can't wait to see what she's learned by then!  She's already starting to lift her hands to help hold the bottle.  Pretty cool stuff!!




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Our First Two Weeks

Bessie had her check up today - we've gained 2 whole pounds!  8 pounds, 7 ounces now!  Can you believe it?

I know I need to get some new pictures up here - maybe tomorrow I can take some good ones.

Bessie has a few new tricks...

1.  Farting while eating.  It's hilarious.  We can't stop laughing when she does it.  She squinches up and gets SO MAD while she's sucking on her bottle, and then she turns red, stretches, and FART!

2.  Reaching up her arms when she's being changed.  She wants to be picked up.  It's so cute.

3.  She was rubbing my neck with her little hand today while I was holding her.  It made me feel like she may actually like me!

4.  She picked up her head and moved it clear around today while on her tummy!  Pretty big move when you're two weeks old, folks!

I almost forgot - now that we're over 8 pounds we can go in the bjorn.  Sophie got a walk today as Mommy and Bessie tried out the new front/back pack (worn on the front for now - she's a little nugget, don't you know!)  IT WAS AMAZING!  The weather was picture perfect and the three of us were out enjoying the day.  It was so nice to be just out walking.  Liberating!!!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Happy Two Week Birthday!

As if on cue, our umbillical cord icky came off today!  I was changing her diaper and I looked down and thought, "how does she have two belly buttons?"  then I realized she doesn't.  Hahaha.  (someone is a little sleep deprived, and it isn't Bess.)

We have our 2 week appointment tomorrow, so I'll update on our progress further then.  Later!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Kick!

Who's that Ba-bay?

Who's that baby?  (Who's that baby?)
Mmm...sexy baby!  (Who's that baby?)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

HAPPY 1 WEEK BIRTHDAY, BESSIE!

I know, it's a week late - this motherhood thing is more time consuming than you'd think.  How do people do this with twins?? 

Bessie is up 14 oz on her birthweight.  7lbs, 5oz as of yesterday.   The doctor called her perfect, naturally.

She and I are learning a lot together right now.  I'm learning that baths and diaper changes are considered some form of torture according to her.  I'm learning that it really is okay to sleep when she sleeps - nothing is going to happen to her.  I'm learning that my patience with Sophie Dog is wearing thin...

Sophie has decided the baby makes her nervous, and therefore, she will not be digesting food properly any longer.  The consequences of this decision result in having to rush outside everytime I am up for the 4/5am feeding as well as at critical points durning the day when I'm busy with Bessie.  Sophie starts to dance around doing the, "I'm going to shit the floor dance." and you know what, Soph?  Do it.  Just crap in the dining room.  Mommy only has so many hands.

I think I'm progressing as well.  It's funny, people keep saying, "be sure to take care of yourself."  If I were taking care of myself I'd sleep 8 hours and eat whole meals of food!

The excellent news is Bessie is a snuggle beast.  She loves to nuzzle and cuddle and so far she's a big fan of kisses, too.  We just love her so much!  It's been 8 short days, but it feels like she's always been here with us.  I don't know how we ever lived without her.