Chicago!

I've been extremely stir crazy.  This whole "let's pretend like it's spring and then snow, and more snow, and more snow" is just annoying.  I'm done with winter.  Thankfully, we have warmer temps coming our way - or at least high forties/low fifties.  At this point, I'll take it.

Since Zoe and I are home all day by ourselves, I decided to see if Kate would mind a visit from us!  So, Zoe and I packed up and made a mid week getaway to Chicago.  We left Tuesday and came back Friday.  I was a little nervous about the car ride since I'd be by myself, but she did great.  There were some bouts of crying, but she eventually fell back asleep.  We made one stop both times to eat and that was it.  

The Hanson girls are so cute, and Zoe was just enthralled by all the action.  Thanks again Geoff and Kate for letting us crash your house for a few days!! :)  We had so much fun!

Annie showing funny faces to Zoe in the mirror.

I guess Zoe didn't want to smile :)

She soon spit up (or drooled as Lauren called it) :)

All of the kids were fascinated by this ball toy.

Less Than One Month

Sunday marked one month until our little goose starts day care. The first four days are just trial runs for us. We can drop her off and pick her up anytime. I'm purposely scheduling things for myself so that I can keep busy while she's there and I haven't gone back to work yet. I'm just dreading it. I'm excited to see everyone. I'm excited to have adult conversation during the day. But I'm going to miss the heck out of this little girl.

Big Girl Food

At Zoe's four month check up, her doctor said we could start her on rice cereal.  I was hoping to start her right on real food since I wouldn't even want to eat rice cereal based on it's smell, but Dr. Butry wants to wait until 6 months since she's gaining weight just fine, so who am I to argue.  

Zoe sometimes seems interested in what I'm eating.  If I'm holding her on my lap, she'll grab for my utensil and move her head back and forth (which she always does when she knows it's time to nurse or have her bottle).  So I thought feeding her the rice cereal would be easy!  I was very wrong....

She was interested at first....

Then decided the bib was way more fun....

The solid food sheet the doctor gave us said to start with "4-8 T" once per day and move up to twice per day after 1-2 weeks.  Umm...I don't even think ONE tablespoon is making it into her stomach right now.  I try making noises, pretending like I'm eating it too, nothing.  I know right now, it's more about getting her used to the motions and the texture, etc.  She's still on the same amount of milk she was getting before, so the cereal is by no means replacing feedings.  

I just hope she gets the hang of this thing!

Cheap Amusements

Aaron would probably disagree with me, but I don't think we have an over abundance of toys.  Yes, we have a few large pieces, like her play mat and exersaucer, but she likes them both and they keep her occupied while I get a few things done hands free, so I can live with them.  All of the little things fit nicely in a basket on our book shelf.

Her two favorite items though?  Her hands.  And most recently, her feet.  She is SO expensive ;) ;)

She found her hands a long time ago.  When she's starting to get fussy around bed time?  Aaron just pops a finger into her mouth and she's content.  Last night she was actually sucking his thumb.  Why would she suck her own when she can chomp on daddy's forever??

I knew she'd find her feet soon.  We left my parents and she was SO close to getting them.  Of course, the day after we got home, jackpot!!  A whole new world of excitement has opened up for her.  It's really the cutest thing ever.  

Next up....getting those babies in her mouth with more frequency :)

Nursery Updates

We finally did a few more things to the nursery.  I only have one small project left, and then everything that I wanted to do is complete.  Only about a year in the making :)  

I pinned this "announcement" on Pinterest a long time ago.  My mom cross stitched all of ours, but I knew I wanted something a little more modern (not that I don't like mine).  Aaron put it together a while ago, and we just now got around to printing it.

We found this print at the DIY fair near our house this summer (before we knew we were having a girl).

We also wanted to frame her announcement that went out to friends and family.  

This collage is actually in the living room, but I wanted to show the end result.  We love it!  The large print we ordered is currently being framed and will go above our couch.

I'll try to remember to take a few full room photos once I finish the lamp shade project in the nursery.  I plan to do it at some point before going back to work.  Maybe I'll enlist my mom's help when they are here next :)

Road Trips!

To try and help pass the time this winter (have I mentioned how by now, I HATE winter??), we've taken a few road trips...

First, Aaron had an unexpected trip to Cali for work for a few days.  He was actually so close to my BFF and her husband.  If I could have found a last minute babysitter, I definitely would have tried to go with him.  Since I'm usually counting down the minutes until Aaron gets home from work every day, I knew that I needed to go somewhere the days he was gone.  So, we called Beeba and Grandpa and asked if they'd like a visit!  We were already planning on coming the following week, but as if they would ever say no.  So, Zoe, Wally and I packed up and headed to Rockford for a few days in the middle of the week.  

Sink bath!  And she could care less that her hands taste
like soap.  Her hands are in her mouth CONSTANTLY.

My head itches!!

She is OBSESSED with crunching.  She does crunches
all of the time when she's laying down.  I wish I was that
motivated :)

Next, Zoe and I headed to Bay City to spend some time with my college roommate and her little girl, Grace.  We had so much fun and I'm so glad we were able to get together and catch up.  I can't wait for warmer weather when we can get together and let the girls play outside.

Again, with the crunches.  I probably should have propped her
against Grace for a better photo.  Oh well :)

Then it was back to Rockford!  My dad had a retreat, so my mom and I made it a girls weekend.  We drove over a few days early, and Zoe and I made cookies for Grandpa.  She didn't last very long even though I kept telling her how fun it was and that she'd eventually love the taste of cookie dough.  We visited with Kelly and Luna for lunch one day and met Nana and Grandpa for lunch on Saturday.  Beeba was more than happy to watch Zoe during her nap while I went and used my gift certificate from my BFF for a mani/pedi.  It was so nice to get out of the house and not worry about schedules and just sit and relax and be pampered.  Thank you again Steph!!

No judgements on the placement of her bouncy.  She was strapped
in and I was literally one inch from her at all times :)

Whew...what a crazy February!  And now we have nothing planned until April.  I know Aaron is excited for us to be home :)

Zoe Louise | Four Months

I'm really excited about being 4 months old!!

Oh, could I hold your hand please?

Four months, FOUR months!  How am I even writing this post already?  I went over to our neighbor's to drop something off and she made a comment how you were almost three months already.  I had to correct her and we both were talking about how fast it's going by!  Grandpa is amazed how much you've changed since Christmas.  Your temperament is just so much better.  You have your moments, but you are definitely a completely different baby from when we stayed with them just months ago :)

Stats:  14 lbs and 14 oz (60th percentile...we thought for sure she'd be higher based on her thighs :) ).  24.5 inches long (50th percentile).  Her head is 16.5 inches around (still in the 90th percentile..she has a HUGE head).

Likes:  Swaddled to sleep.  Eating.  White noise CD.  Bath time.  Your mobile.  You now are noticing your artwork above your crib.  You usually wake up in the morning and sit and chat away with the animals until I come get you.  You love facing outward when we are holding you.  TV.  Mr. Hungry Caterpillar.  Daddy's crazy songs.  Number one on the charts right now is "I'm Getting Ready for Bed You Guys."  Add a head bobble while singing and you smile pretty much on queue :)  You also love your hands.  And other peoples as well.  You'll take a pacifier, but nothing compares to hands :)

Dislikes:  Being burped during/after your bottle.  Being overtired.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Going to bed around 7:30-8 or shortly after.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  The 45 nap intruder is definitely here and not going away.  Thankfully, Kate gave us some great tips!  I still wish you'd just keep sleeping through.  I hate hearing those cries.  Half the time when I go in to check on you, your eyes are closed tight so it's almost like you are crying in your sleep.

Secret Tricks:  Changing activities is key!  It's always a dance of trying to figure out just what you want to be doing.  Play on your play mat?  Sit in your bouncy?  Be held?  Being helped to "walk" around?  Read a book?  Play with your ball?  The possibilities are endless.  I guess it keeps us busy during the few hours you are up in between naps :)

Sleep:  You now take your last bottle between 7:30 and 8pm.  You are then down for the night until anywhere from 7-8am.  You now take 3 naps during the day.  Two long ones that are around 2 hours or a little more and then a short catnap from about 5-6pm.  

Temperament/Personality:  I definitely think you are going to have your stubborn moments.  I can already see your independent side coming through.  You aren't much of a snuggler anymore.  You much prefer to be standing or "walking" along on the ground.  You'll usually snuggle in the morning after breakfast, so some days we don't get started on our day for a while.  I need to make sure I take advantage of those snuggles while they last :)

Eating:  You've been down to 5 feedings pretty consistently now.  You take 5ish (sometimes 4.5, sometimes 5, sometimes 5.5) oz when you take a bottle.  I still nurse twice in the mornings and pump two times. You now get only one formula bottle.  We still have a ton in the freezer.  I'm thinking we just might make it to 6 months!  Or at least 5 for sure.  This is so much longer than I thought we'd make it.  You also sometimes try to hold your own bottle but usually just get your hands in the way :)

Randoms: You are now in pretty much all 6 month clothes.  You have one three month outfit that still fits, but that's it.  You are in size 2 diapers exclusively now.  And I'm getting a little nervous.  Some of your 6 months clothes just now fit - or at least the ones that have feet.  You either need to stop growing, or spring needs to arrive sooner rather than later or you will be wearing shorts when it's still winter out.  I have a feeling we're going to have this problem every season.  My guess is that we are going to need 9 and 12 months summer clothes for you.  I guess that just means mommy gets to shop more for those cute little clothes :)

Milestones:  You love to "walk" with our help.  You've been able to move one foot in front of the other for a while now but you want to do it ALL OF THE TIME now.  Maybe you'll just skip crawling and move right to walking in a few months :)

You try really hard to roll from back to front.  I usually put a toy to the side and you try so hard to roll over to get to it.  I know it's a whole new ball game once you can do this though.

You found your hair this month.  It is so adorable watching you play with the top of your head.  Beeba and I had fun giggling at you and cheering you on.

You also started sucking on your bottom lip and don't mind being on your tummy.

Drool...LOTS of it.  Dr. Butry said your salivary glands are developing now and you don't quite know how to swallow your spit right now so that's the cause.  Apparently no teeth yet :)

Outings: We've had a big month!  We came back to Rockford for my birthday.  We also visited Jenny and Grace for a day.  We ran errands as well.  I can't wait for warmer weather.  We will definitely head straight to the zoo and buy our membership :)  And go for long walks in the neighborhood.  Can you tell I'm ready for winter to be over??

Favorite Baby Gear:  We broke out the exersaucer this month.  Sometimes you love it and sometimes you hate it.  I think you are frustrated that you can't touch the ground and that the toys don't come off so you can't put them in your mouth.  After all the places we've been this month, I'm so glad we have the snap n' go stroller.  I now have tendinitis (I am so old) in my wrist so this has been a huge help rather than lugging around you and the car seat.

I love how this picture shows all of the toys that now overtake or living room :)

Sitting in the bumbo.  This is also becoming a favorite.  And this photo is just hilarious to me :)

And now comparison shots again :)

Love you little goose!