Please Remember

To my little Goose,

Tomorrow is the big day - your first day of daycare.  I can't believe it's already here.  These past six months have just flown by.  They say time flies when you have kids and it is unfortunately oh so true.  It seems like just yesterday you were this itty bitty newborn, but instead you are such a big girl already who laughs and smiles and talks to her toys nonstop.

I've had a hard time these past few days processing exactly what this all means and how our days are going to change.  I know as time passes, you'll love going to school.  You'll make tons of new friends, you'll be excited to see all three of your teachers.  But I can't help being upset about how much I will miss.  So far, I was the first one who was able to see all of your firsts.  Your first smile, your first real, belly laugh.  And now it's going to be someone else.

I know you are much, too little to remember any of our time together over the past half of year.  But please know that these six months were the best ever.  You changed our lives in such a big way when you came into this world and I wouldn't give one second of it up for anything (even on your worst days ;) ).  

I'll always remember the look on daddy's face when he finally saw you.  I'll remember the sheer joy at watching you learn so many new things about this big world that is all so new to you.  The way that your giggles turn me to absolute mush...and how you laugh at the strangest things, but we'll go with it :)  The way that you have the biggest smiles when we come get you in the morning.  The way that you go for a bottle likes it's the last time you'll ever eat.  And the list goes on and on.

Tonight daddy is traveling for work and I got to put you to bed.  So, I rocked you a little longer and smelled that fresh bath smell.  Tears rolled down my cheeks as I told you how special these six months were and how much I'll miss you.  And I told you over and over again how much I love you.  Please baby girl, don't ever forget that.  Even though I can't be with you all day anymore, you are still my little Goose.

I love you Goose.

xoxo,

Mommy

Mommy Fail

Don't worry...this is not my first.  Since Zoe's 5 months old, I'm guessing it's normal to have those moments where you are like, "Crap, I can't believe I did that."  Like the time I was trying to let her sit in a tripod and she face planted into the floor and screamed bloody murder.  Yeah, I pretty much cried right along with her.  (Disclaimer, I was sitting right there with her with my hands on her but she wriggled out.)  

Newest, mommy fail was much more scary.  We've been talking about unswaddling Zoe for a while know.  By talking, I mean me bringing it up and us both quickly deciding that she sleeps so well, why mess with something that's not broken.  Recently, she's been busting out more frequently.  Sometimes one arm, sometimes both.  Sometimes she'd go back to sleep on her own, sometimes she wouldn't settle back down unless we snuck in and reswaddled her.  It was getting kind of annoying to deal with to be honest.  Plus, she was starting to try to roll from back to front which would just be so unsafe while swaddled.

Enter last night.  She had a really rough day.  SUPER cranky.  Let's just say I was counting down the hours until Aaron came home so I could get a breather.  She went down great at her normal bedtime (her naps were horrible).  Then she busted out of her swaddle around 11.  Aaron went in and fixed it and said she was on her side.  That should have been the red light.  She cried on and off for the next few hours and then got really upset at 1 am.  I decided she must be hungry so I went in to feed her.  And there she was on her stomach, one arm out, and not able to roll back :(  My heart completely jumped out of my chest.  I scooped her up and said sorry to her a million times.  I thanked God over and over again while I was feeding her that everything was ok and that nothing happened.  

No more beloved swaddle.

She woke up on and off the rest of the night.  She was in a completely different direction when I went to get her this morning so I'm not sure if she rolled or scooted, but she was all smiles.  

Her naps today have been terrible even if I go in to put her back on her back and shush her.  She knows how to roll from tummy to back.  She's been doing it for months and does it all the time during tummy time.  I'm not quite sure what the difference is now.  We'll see how tonight goes.

She's also seemed extra hungry these past two days.  So maybe the horrible naps are also attributed to a growth spurt.  I hate that this is all happening at once, because I'm unable to pinpoint exactly what the problem is.  Just when you think you've got it down....

We are supposed to go on a road trip next week before I go back to work, but now I'm not so sure that will be a good idea.  I know I wouldn't want to be a hotel room next to us.  I'm hoping she gets it all figured out before then.  We'll see.  As they say, this too shall pass...it's just a matter of when.

Easter

Zoe got to celebrate TWO weeks of Easter for her first.  

Beeba and Grandpa headed to Colorado to visit Aunt Jodi and Mark since Mark was confirmed at Easter mass.  So, Beeba and Grandpa decided to come over the weekend before to give Goose her Easter basket.  She loved the giraffe toy and really wasn't interested in much else :)  But everything was much needed and the clothes and sandals are going to be adorable this summer.  

Keeping with the giraffe theme (her
basket was a giraffe too)

This little chick was mine when I was little.
Beeba found it and cleaned it up for us.

Of course "King Tut" had to be in the picture too (...Brody the dog).

The dogs were a little upset Zoe got a basket and they didn't.

Grandpa time!

For the actual Easter weekend, Nana and Grandpa came to visit.  She was so cute in her Easter dress!  She loved the toys from Nana and Grandpa.  The cellophane on the outside of the her basket was the biggest hit :)

Aaron thought she looked like a tight rope
walker with her onesie and tights on.  So...he
found a rope and we posed her :)

Uncle Nate came over for lunch and to
watch the U of M game :)

Zoe Louise | Five Months

I hate that the first thing I think about when seeing this post is that I only have one month left at home with you.  This has been the most amazing few months and I am so fortunate that I work at a company that allows me to take this much time off.  I just think about everything we got to experience together and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Let's make this last month count Goose.

Stats:  Not sure.  We'll know next month at her 6 month checkup.

Likes:  Swaddled to sleep.  Eating.  White noise CD.  Bath time.  Your mobile.  Momma Sofie.  Mr. Hungry Caterpillar.  Daddy's crazy songs.  You also love your hands and feet.  And EVERYTHING goes in your mouth these days.

Dislikes:  Being burped during/after your bottle.  Being overtired.  I've also started to try and ween you from your swaddle (one arm out during a few naps).  Sometimes it goes ok and sometimes your naps are horrible.  We'll keep working on it.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Keeping up with your earlier bedtime and sleeping until 7:30 or 8 am!  Although, you are starting to get up earlier around 7.  We'll see if that stays consistent.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  The 45 minute nap intruder is still in full force :(  Also, weening you from your swaddle.  Part of me wonders if we should just go cold turkey.  I don't think I could handle the cries though.

Secret Tricks:  You still are a busy body and get bored easily.

Sleep:  You still take your last bottle at 7:30pm and are down by 8pm at the latest.  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.  There have been a few days recently where you decided it was best to get up at 6:30 am.  While working, this time was normal for me, but I've definitely gotten used to staying up later and getting up later.  I need to work on that before going back to work.

Temperament/Personality:  You are hilarious.  You started babbling a lot more this week.  We visited your friends in Chicago this past week and I'm wondering if you finally learned a little more from Caroline.  We love hearing it though!  You don't really talk to us, but hearing you chat with your safari friends and mama Sofie makes our day.  

And the things that make you laugh.  I will never understand them, but daddy and I will gladly act like idiots to hear those laughs :)  Last weekend, daddy kept saying "Ok mommy" a million times and I kept thinking he was actually talking to me.  Nope.  You found it hilarious and giggled FOREVER.

Eating:  Still at 5 feedings.  You're now taking about 5.5 oz for each of your bottles.  I still nurse twice in the mornings.  I pump once at night before bed.  I'm dropping the afternoon pumping this week.  I've been conflicted on doing it, but it's just getting to hard to fit it in while you are up and wanting my attention.  I need to start weening anyhow before going back to work so I guess this is as good of time as any.  You still only get one formula bottle.  I don't know if we'll make it quite to 6 months, but it will be close.  I think stopping all the way is going to be harder for me than I thought :(

You are getting much better at eating your rice cereal.  Some of it is FINALLY making it to your belly.  And you actually like to "help" me put it in your mouth which generally means it ends up all over your face :)  But it's super cute.

Randoms: All 6 month clothes.  We did keep the 9 month Easter outfit for you since I want you to wear it more than once.  You are in size 2 diapers.  

Milestones:  You still are trying SO hard to roll from back to tummy but no luck yet.  Talking is definitely the biggie this month.  You are starting to get better at tripoding too.  If I sit behind you to catch you, you do pretty well.

Outings:  Chicago!!  This was big for mommy.  We made it all by ourselves without too many meltdowns :)  A big thank you to the Hansons for letting us visit for a few days.

Favorite Baby Gear:  I am so glad we registered for the City Mini GT stroller.  And I'm so glad you can go in it now.  Even Beeba commented on how nice of a ride it was when we took you for a walk last weekend.  I'm excited for warmer weather so we can go out with it more often.

Comparison shots!  It's so crazy to look back at these.  Obviously, I know you are so much bigger compared to one month.  But even just from 4 months!

Love you Goose!  I can't wait to spend this last month off work with you :)