We survived!!!

My hand stays in my mouth ALL DAY LONG

Well, we survived my two days back at work, and Ellie's Mother's Day Out! It was actually really nice to get back into the swing of things! I don't think Ellie minded one bit being at MDO. She had tons of women holding her, and loving on her for the two days. I was amazed at how much work I was able to get done. I had a college fair Tuesday night, and felt like I hadn't been away for the last 3 months. I am VERY THANKFUL for my wonderful co-worker, Allison. She recruits with me in GA, and handled everything while I was out. I didn't come back to very many emails, and ZERO counselor/parent/student issues! That definitely made the transition easier.

My schedule is not the typical 8 - 5 job... Sometimes I have day events, and sometimes I have night events. Luckily this spring I don't have many day and night events on the same day... that will be a different story in the fall. I am hoping to get in some hours during the day with Ellie if I have to be away at night. We are going to play our work schedules by ear, and are hoping it all works out!

We also had a great play date this week with Taylor. Allison (Taylor's mom) and I were due on the same day. Ellie came early, and Taylor came late - so they are about 2 weeks apart. She is such a sweet baby, and has a head full of beautiful hair. Thanks to Tori for hosting us!

Hanging out with Taylor


Meeting Grant and Tori (she loved Grant)


We had our 3 month reflux check-up this morning, and everything looks great. She has tolerated the Zantac just fine, and is pretty much past the fussiness. It really does make a HUGE difference. Our doctor considers Ellie a "happy spiter" meaning she spits up a TON, but doesn't seem to mind it... It's me that seems to mind ALL the spit up. Yesterday, we changed clothes FIVE times. It's lunchtime, and we are in our THIRD outfit. It's not just a little spit up after she eats. She eats, burps, and throws up (usually a puddle on the floor). We do use bibs and burp cloths, but it doesn't catch it all. She then will typically spit-up/throw-up during her wake time, and then after her nap (before her next feeding). Our doctor said as long as she is not fussy, and gaining weight there is really nothing we can do. We try to keep her upright at least 30 minutes after her feedings, and used a sleep positioner.

Weight was 12.5 pounds, which puts her in the 40th percentile for weight. They didn't do her height since this was a reflux check-up.

Ellie loves spending time on her play mat and has started to hit a few toys (probably by mistake as her hand is on the way to her mouth), and likes the music. She also loves her Leap Frog Caterpillar. She got this for Christmas and it has been a hit!

Love my Caterpillar


Playing on Grant's play mat (with Grant as Spider Man)

3 months and Mother's Day Out

Sorry, I am little behind on my 3 month post. We had a busy, but fun weekend AND started Mother's Day Out today! I am now officially back at work (BOO), for today and tomorrow. Ellie is at MDO from 9:30 - 1:30. Next week, I will start back full time and she'll be there from 9:30 - 4:00 every day. I think she had a good day. I was able to get so much done. I have an event tonight so she'll have a lot of Daddy time. We go back to the doctor this Friday for a reflux check, so I will update on her stats. She is still sleeping good... She spent the weekend with her MeMe and Pap, and woke up both nights around 4 a.m. Once she was back home, she slept her regular 9 hours.

Playdate with The Hudson Family



I did better than I thought today when we dropped her off... No tears!




3 Month Update:

LOVES to smile and coo
LOVES her bouncy seat
LOVES her Praise Baby DVD (and anything else on TV)
LOVES bathtime
LOVES looking at lights
Eating 5 oz per feeding (she gets at least 1 bottle a day)
Sleeping good
Riding in the car as long as the music is going

HATES:
Going to bed
Changing clothes
Getting Swaddled

Have a good week

11 weeks and SLEEP!!!!

This sweet baby girl is 11 weeks old! I can't believe next week I will be blogging about my 3 month old. Whew - time does fly. We've had some great times in the last 3 months, and some not so great times. She has truly made our life so much sweeter. I thank the Lord everyday that he blessed us with this sweet angel.

This morning after 10 1/2 hours of sleep


We are still not on any type of "schedule" or "routine". "WE" are all sleeping at least 8 hours a night and last night was another 10 1/2 hour night!!! I think we are going to start the bedtime routine earlier so she wakes up before 9 or 10 a.m.!

She enjoys playing on her mat, but still hates tummy time... Sophie is always close behind while Ellie is on the floor, or in her bouncy seat



We have a big weekend coming up. Ellie will be staying with her MeMe, Pap, Aunt Kelly, and Uncle Jonathan for the weekend. I will be heading to our annual Girls Weekend with the best friends a girl could ask for. Jay will be heading out of town for a 2 night band gig. I am looking forward to spending some much needed time with my best friends, but also a little nervous about leaving her for the weekend. (She will only be across town in Auburn, but I am making myself not visit unless it's an emergency ;-) I can do this! She will be in the best care, and spoiled rotten when I return.

Other pictures from this week...

Love being on my changing table


And how could you not resist kissing that sweet face

Miracle Blanket

We LOVE the Miracle Blanket. I have been searching for a great swaddle blanket. We tried different ones, but none seemed to do the trick. Ellie ALWAYS breaks out of them by morning (or during the night) and wakes herself up with her arms. I was picking up a gift for a friend and found this - The Miracle Blanket. I had never heard of this one, but thought it was worth trying. The sales rep said they have never had one returned! This has definitely been a success! Ellie has slept at least 8 hours since we bought it... and last night she sleep 10 1/2 hours!!! AMAZING!!! She probably would have slept longer, but I had to feed her :-) If anyone out there is looking for a great swaddle blanket, try the Miracle Blanket!!!

Sorry there are no pictures... I am on Jay's computer and all the pictures are on mine.

10 weeks old

Wow - 10 weeks has flown by. Ellie's personality is really starting to develop and I am finally figuring out her "cries". I love that she recognizes Jay and me, and smiles all the time. With 10 weeks, comes the dreaded 12 week mark which means... back to work. It really has started to hit me over the last week, and I am a little nervous. I really think I will be fine once I am back in the swing of things! We'll see...

We are still in the process of figuring out our routine. We did have a successful night with Ellie sleeping 8 hours! We'll see what tonight holds.


We haven't been out much with the cold weather. Since the weather has kept us in, we've been trying to do lots of tummy time...


and you see how much she enjoys it.

SNOW DAY!!!

I guess this is considered Ellie's first snow! We didn't get much, but it sure is cold outside. You can tell she is so excited to be outside.




Hanging out with my sister

Hook 'em Horns

2 months old

I can't believe Ellie is 2 months old. She is so much more alert now. She smiles all the time, and recognizes Jay and me. She giggles in her sleep and it's so funny. She has found her hands, and tries to suck her thumb. She loves her bouncy seat, and hates tummy time. She is doing okay of the sleep front... some nights she'll sleep 7 - 8 hours, and other nights she goes back to the 3 - 4 hours.

We are going to attempt a schedule again starting Sunday night. We re-read Babywise and are hoping to settle into a routine before I return to work.

Ellie also had her first non-relative babysitter Friday night! She was pretty fussy, so I am hoping she'll babysit again!

Sleeping after her shots


No more pictures Mom


We are looking forward to an exciting 2010!