Zoe Louise | Three Months

I can't even handle the chub on those thighs!

Miss Zoe, we've really hit a turning point this month.  I'm fearful to even write about the huge improvements you've made in case I'm jinxing us :)  Mommy's knocking on wood while typing this.  

Daddy and I were talking the other day about how we can't believe you are already three months old.  And three months old means that mommy is already half way done with her maternity leave.  I can't even think about that right now though.  I miss that newborn smell and the way you'd curl up on my shoulder to fall asleep.  But...you are getting to be so much fun.  Your personality is really starting to shine through, you are so much more alert, you smile all the time, and you are much less cranky :)  I love watching you do new things every day.  You rubbed your eye a while ago when you were tired and it was the highlight of my day seeing you do something new.  It's funny how something like that means nothing to other people, and even daddy thought I was crazy for being so excited.  Having you has really opened my eyes to the small things in life that I take for granted.  Like rolling over, or putting your hands in your mouth.  It's such a huge accomplishment for you and I get so excited to see you exploring this big world.  

Stats:  You don't have another appointment until 4 months.  Based on you growing out of all of your 3 month clothes, I'd say you are right on track.  

Likes:  Swaddled to sleep.  Our bigger sized sleep sacks finally came...yay!  Eating.  White noise CD.  Bath time.  You've really started splashing like crazy.  Your mobile.  The fabric hoop art I put over your dresser/changing table.  You can be cranky and ready for a nap, but as soon as I plop you on your changer to get you ready for bed, you start smiling and sometimes giggling at the birdies on the fabric.  You love facing outward when we are holding you.  And I'm sad to admit, that you love the TV :(  Terrible habit I know, but I think you just like the lights and movement.  You also LOVE Mr. Hungry Caterpillar that Nana got you.  You'll try to eat the legs, the head, you'll throw it while laughing, and shake it to hear it rattle.  Maybe this will turn out to be your "baby" like mommy had when she was little :)  You also love your hands.  You'll be screaming away in your car seat and then suddenly silence.  I turn down the radio and sure enough, I can hear you sucking away :)  You also hold them like you are praying when you take your bottle.  It is so sweet.  I love those chubby little fingers.

Dislikes:  Being burped during/after your bottle.  You are getting much better with this though.  I now only burp you a few times and it seems to be going better now that you are getting more before we make you wait.  Being overtired.  Early evening until bed time can still be rough but you are definitely getting better.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Sleeping through the night and going to bed a little earlier.  You now usually sleep until 6:45 am or sometime in the 7 am hour.  If you wake up before 7 am, I put you back to bed after eating.  Otherwise, we are up for the day.  You've dropped down to 6 feedings, and now you get your last bottle around 9 pm, and you are finally falling to sleep shortly after.  Eventually, once you are old enough to cry it out a little, I know you'll be able to fall asleep on your own.  We'll get there.  This is already a huge improvement over last month.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  Getting you to sleep at a normal time.  We're getting there though.

Secret Tricks:  You still love to bounce and rock side to side simultaneously when you are overtired or cranky.  

Sleep:  You take your last bottle a little before or after 9 pm depending on the day and sleeping anywhere from 6:45 am to 8 am.  You still need a lot of our help to fall asleep.  

We moved you to your crib this month.  Mommy and daddy are sleeping so much better now without having to listen to your grunting :)  The only hard part is that I usually don't hear you through the monitor until you are VERY awake and ready to eat.

Your naps are getting a little worse.  You only nap for about 45 minutes some days.  I can only keep you up for 1-1.5 hours before you get cranky.  I've started to let you cry for a few minutes when you hit this point and you usually fall back to sleep.  Part of me wonders if you are close to ready to move down to 5 feedings a day.  Somedays I feel like I am waking you up from every nap to make sure you get all of your feedings in before 9pm.

Temperament/Personality:  You really are becoming such a happy baby.  You make it known when you want something, but you let us know when you are content too.

Eating:  You've been down to 6 feedings pretty consistently now.  You take 5 oz when you take a bottle, which seems like so much to me for such a little girl, but I'm not going to fight you on this one.  You aren't by any means overweight and you are actually content once you are finished eating, so I guess you need that much :)  I still nurse twice in the mornings and pump three times. You now get only one formula bottle.  I still haven't had to touch the freezer stash, but I'm starting to get close to pumping less than the amount you are eating in your bottles, so I might need it soon.  Or I'll go back to two formula bottles a day.  We'll see what we decide.

I love those chub chubs!

Randoms: I packed away your 3 month clothes this month :(  Mommy does love wearing new clothes though so it's been fun getting out your 6 month outfits.

We are used the last of your size 1 diapers.  I guess we should have taken the ones that Beeba had left back with us...sorry Beeba!  You'll have to save them for the future...or maybe we can stuff her in them for a few more days :)

Milestones:  You can definitely hold your head up now on your own for the most part.  You bobble a little every once in a great while, but it's definitely not happening very much at all now.

You can roll from your belly to your back pretty frequently.  Although you hate being on your stomach for tummy time.  As evidenced by this video.

You are really trying hard to grab your feet.  I have no idea when this typically happens for babies, but I'm always fearful to leave the room in case you do it while I'm gone.  I constantly cheer you on when you are staring and reaching for them.  I think you probably think I'm crazy and wonder what I'm doing :)

And you are giggling and interacting with us more and more.  Daddy loves to get you to talk and laugh with him.  We sit for quite a while on the couch when he gets home from work just trying to get you to do your "tricks."  It's quite entertaining :)

Outings:  We've been to lunch with friends, doctors appointments, and shopping.  You also had your first mall walking experience.  You lasted for quite a while before you were done.  I hope that doesn't mean that you don't like to shop.  Because mommy is a shopper and she'd love a companion :)  I did find a few, cute clearance items at Baby Gap.  We also had a mommy/daughter lunch date at Olga's.  You slept the whole time and were less than impressed.  I know it's just a matter of time before you are fighting me for the snackers :)

We also went to the DIA this past week as a family.  You did pretty well!

Favorite Baby Gear:  We bought the Ergo carrier this month with Christmas money from Nana.  I love it!  And you seem to like it too considering you napped the whole time you were in it when we went on a few walks.  Swaddle sleep sacks.

And now comparison shots again :)

We love you Miss Zoe!  I can't wait to see what month 4 has in store for us :)

Zoe Louise | Newborn Photos

I always knew that when we had kids, I wanted professional pictures.  I didn't care what we had to pay - my baby was only going to be a newborn once.  I wanted to make sure to capture that cute little nose, perfect skin, and stubby little toes.

My friend introduced me to a blog whose writer was in the Detroit area (the blog is now secure so I no longer read it).  She had a baby several years ago and I loved her professional pictures so I bookmarked the photographer's website.  Our time had finally come and I contacted Sarah to capture our baby.  And I couldn't be more happy.

She did an amazing job.  I cried when I saw the proofs, I cried when I opened the package from her, and I get teary eyed every time I look at the images.  She captured Zoe perfectly.  My little newborn who is already three months old.  I'll always have these pictures to look at.  I'll recommend her a million times over.

Thank you Sarah for capturing our sweet baby so perfectly :)

Check out Sarah here at Pazy's Portraits.

And here are just a few of Little Miss.  How cute is she??

Sleep

I've heard that things really turn around at 12 weeks.  I hoped that they would get better (not that they were bad before), but I didn't think it would be this magical week where a switch would just flip.  But that's just what happened.

Zoe slept great before.  I really can't complain.  She really only got up more often than once per night when I had to wake her up to eat when she was first born.  But this momma loves her sleep.  And even just getting up once in the middle of the night was starting to wear on me.  I'm not good with naps so the whole "sleep when baby sleeps" just didn't work for me.  I don't know what my aversion to them is.  I guess I just feel so unproductive...even though let's be honest - I sit and watch old episodes of Brothers and Sisters most days when she's napping so it's not as if I'm actually doing something worth while :)

This week though we hit that magical time.  We had moved her to her crib the previous weekend so I didn't wake up throughout the night hearing her night grunting.  Suddenly, I heard her cry.  I looked at the clock, and was shocked...she made it to just after 7!!  Now, that night she did not go to bed very well for Aaron.  So, I figured she was just overtired.  Next day, repeat.  She slept until almost 8.  And, she's slowly been going to bed earlier and earlier and more quickly with less rocking and shushing.

She now seems to be going to sleep around 10pm (she babbles in her crib starting at around 9:30) and gets up anywhere from 7 am - 8 am.  I'll take it :)  And I'm sure there will be setbacks.  But I'll bask in this magical 12 week time for a while.

First time in her crib.

Beating the Winter Blues

Now that the holidays are over, the next big thing I usually look forward to is spring. And that is FAR, far away. In order to stay out of a funk, I know we need to get out which is challenging with a 2 month old during a flu epidemic.

Yesterday was gorgeous so we tested our new Ergo carrier (thanks Nana!).

Today, we tried our hand at mall walking. And Zoe may have found a few clearance items at Baby Gap (I had nothing to do with it, she begged me.).

Christmas 2012

I can't believe the holidays have already come and gone.  This is my favorite time of year, and I'm so sad it's already over.  Now starts the dreary months of winter without much to look forward to.  And I have made a promise to myself to make sure to get out of the house with Zoe to keep the winter blues away.  But...that is for another post.

We celebrated Christmas as a family quite a bit before Christmas.  Zoe and I made the drive to Grand Rapids the Wednesday before Christmas.  Since I have so much time off, I figured we should take advantage of being able to make the trip at random times during the week.  And I knew we'd never have enough in one car for all of the presents, plus Zoe and Wally.  Aaron stayed behind and painted our entry way after work and he drove over on Friday afternoon.

Thursday, I was able to visit with high school friends and see all of their kids.  It's crazy how things have changed.

Friday, my mother-in-law stopped over for a few hours to see Zoe.  It was so nice having afternoon company.  Zoe was a little fussy, but I don't think Nana cared :)

Saturday, began the Christmas festivities.  We celebrated Christmas with my dad's extended family.  Sunday, we celebrated with my mom's side.  Monday evening was with my immediate family, and Tuesday was with Aaron's.

We had lots of family time even after Christmas celebrating was over.  It was so nice to be home and have extra help.  It was hard leaving everyone on Sunday, especially since there aren't any future visits planned.  I know something will pop up though with an excuse :)

And now for the photos :)

Zoe was pretty into her gifts :)

Daddy reading to Zoe the night before
we left for GR.  I think he was
more interested in the book
than she was :)

Andrew and Nick got a new dog for Christmas (Nugget).
The other dogs were really interested.

Our yearly picture in front of the tree.

Our little family of 3.

Zoe helping mommy play Sequence. Beeba was nice
enough to play even though she hated it
since she couldn't win.  She would have much
rather play Candy Crush...

Modeling mommy's hair bow creation.

Zoe Louise | Two Months

Such a happy baby!!

Little Girl, how am I already writing this post (a few days late)?  Some days, time seems to just drag by, but then I think that you are already 2 months old, and over 9 weeks.  That is just crazy to me.  I know I'll be saying that probably on every post.

Stats:  Baby girl is 22 3/4 inches and 11 lbs 6 oz.  Still in the 50th percentile.  

Likes:  Still love being swaddled.  You are getting better and better at napping in your pack and play in the bedroom.  You still love eating.  And now that mommy has a different routine down for breastfeeding and formula feeding, this is going much better for us.  White noise CD.  Bath time.  Being bounced and moved from side to side (still a mover).  Mornings are your happiest time of day.  I think the other day, I caught you trying to giggle.  Cutest.thing.ever.

Beeba and Grandpa got you this rocker for Christmas.  You were
very interested!  It's a pretty plush ride.  I know you'll
love it soon enough!

Dislikes:  Being burped during/after your bottle.  Basically, you act like the world is ending.  Being done with your bottle even though we are giving you 4 oz now at each feeding.  Based on how much you spit up, I know you can't be hungry.  Thankfully, you calm down after 5 minutes or so.  But those are excruciating for mommy.  I hate hearing you so upset.  Being overtired.  Early evening until bed time can still be rough but you are definitely getting better.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  You are starting to sleep in until 5 or 6 am.  New Year's Day you even made it to 6:45 am.  Mommy is loving this!  Yay!  One day, you even made it to 7:45 am.  That was awesome!  However, it was the morning after you had what we think was the flu bug so I think it had more to do with that.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  Still nursing.  We have our routine down now though.  And mommy has come to terms with giving you formula for a few feedings.  Minus you thinking burping is the end of the world, things are working out much better for us.  As everyone has said, I can only do so much.  And you will be ok even if you aren't exclusively breast fed until 6 months.

Secret Tricks:  You love to bounce and rock side to side simultaneously when you are overtired or cranky.  That always seems to work when you are done eating too to give you a minute to realize you actually are full.  Tickling your chin seems to do the trick to get you to smile for us :)  Which we could see a million times and still not get tired of it.

Sleep:  You also are sleeping from about 11 or 11:30pm to anywhere from 4ish am to 6 am.  We give you the same amount of bottle every night, so I know that doesn't have anything to do with the length of your sleep.  We'll see if you keep stretching the time.  Mommy is loving her sleep :)  Depending on when you wake up, you go back to bed for 3-4 hours.  Then you eat every 2.5-4 hours throughout the day.  You usually are awake for about an hour after each feeding before you get cranky and need to sleep again.

Recently one night, you would not go to sleep for daddy.  You would fall asleep and wake up 15 minutes later.  I wonder if something was bothering your tummy.  This continued until about 1 am when I got up with you since daddy had to work.  I rocked you for 30 minutes while you slept and moved you to the pack and play.  Then...drum roll...you slept until almost 8am!  So you had your bottle at 10:30pm and then didn't need to eat again until that 8 am feeding.  So I know you can do it little girl.  Let's see if you keep that long stretch up!  Although, you do need to go to bed earlier without all of those wake ups.  Baby steps :)

Temperament/Personality:  While you definitely still have your fussy times, you have gotten so much better this month.  You are definitely happy more of the time which makes mommy so happy.  I love seeing you more content, smiling more often, and even starting to try to laugh and coo.  I know it will only get better from here on out.

Uncle Andrew calls you a Diva...we'll see how you actually turn out :)

Eating:  You are waking to eat around 4-6ish am, and then 2.5-4 hours throughout the day.  Repeat the cycle.  Daddy still feeds you your last bottle between 10:30-11:30pm.  I'm currently nursing during the early morning feeding, and the next feeding.  I then pump 3 times before bed.  So far, this is working great for us.  I haven't touched the freezer stash yet, and you get 2 formula bottles a day.  I'm trying to extend the breast milk as long as possible which is why I'm throwing in a few formula feedings a day.  And, I want to make sure your tummy can tolerate it.  So far, you are doing great.

Randoms: Your 3 month outfits are just fitting you now.  Very soon, I think you'll be out of those as well.  Sad.  You got a lot of 6 month clothes for Christmas and I scoured the clearance items at Target, so you should be all set once you get to that size.  No rush though.  

Your hair seems to be getting a slight red tint to it.  Yay!  I don't know if it will last though.  

You are still fitting into size 1 diapers.  They seem to fit perfectly now, so I may need to exchange our jumbo box at Target for size 2.  Seriously girl, you are growing up way too fast!!

Milestones: You are awesome at holding your head up.  You still bobble sometimes, but you are definitely getting stronger.

Daddy and Beeba apparently saw you roll from your tummy to your back one day.  I missed it, but then you performed again at your two month checkup.  So yes, they really did see it!  Dr. Butry said you are doing awesome.  You are holding your chest and your head up during tummy time, you can roll from stomach to back, and you are starting to scoot a little when you are doing tummy time.  All one month ahead of schedule per Dr. Butry :)  Here I was worried we were behind since we haven't done much because we were so busy from the holidays.

You are definitely more interested in what is going on around you.  You are content to sit on my lap facing out for quite a while and just look at everything around you.

You have also discovered your hands.  And you suck on them constantly.

Outings: You've definitely been out and about a lot lately with the holidays.  We also visited my work friends a few weeks ago.  I'm trying to limit things for a little while now since you seem to be stuffy again.  Being born around winter is just no fun little miss!  I can't wait for warmer weather when we can just go outside in the backyard or go for a walk.  But at the same time, I don't want to even think about you being that old.

Favorite Baby Gear:  Everything seems to hold your attention for different lengths of time.  Some days, you love the swing Kate let us borrow.  Some days you love your bouncy more.  I really need to remember to bring out your play mat more often now that you are more interested in things around you.

Minus all of the parts to wash, mommy LOVES the Dr. Brown's bottles.  They really eliminate a lot of the air.  And the swaddle sleep sack still.  I don't even want to know how sleep is going to go when we have to stop using these.  Mommy needs to go get bigger sizes since you are pretty much busting out of the ones we have.

Look at the chub on those thighs.  Love :)

And now, comparison shots.  I knew you had grown, but girlie, you are way bigger!!  The outfit you wore in your one month photo barely fits you now.

Love you my pretty, little girl!

2012 | A Year in Review

I've seen a few of these posts this week and thought it was a neat idea.  So here goes...

January  We rang in the new year with friends at a club in Ferndale (my how this New Year's was SO different :) ).

February  I turned 29 and had a "Super Lauta" super bowl party, and most importantly, we found out we were expecting!!

March  We had crazy warm weather here in Michigan.  And we got to see our Little Miss on the ultra sound.  I can't even describe the relief I felt when we found out it was a healthy pregnancy and Zoe was right where she was supposed to be.

April  We finally shared the news with family and friends.

May  Aaron, my mom, and I ran/walked the River Bank Run.  I made my way to Cali to visit my BFF.  We had so much fun!

June  Aaron and I went on vacation which turned into a stay-cation.  We made the best of it :)

July  I got a new car.  And more importantly, my brother got married!  My BFF surprised me and came to the wedding :)  Best surprise ever!

August  My cousin got married and we had our first shower.

September  Our friend's got married and we had our second shower.

October  We finished the nursery, and right at the end of October, we finally got to meet our little girl.  Zoe Louise made her debut on October 28.  She is by far the best part of 2012 :)

November  Zoe had lots of visitors and we made our way back to Grand Rapids for her first Thanksgiving.

I think I overdid the red eye removal on this one :(

December  Zoe celebrated her frist Christmas!!

2012 was amazing.  I really don't know how 2013 will be able to top it :)  I can't wait to see what's in store.