Racing and Smiling

Tomorrow is Evelyn's two month appointment. On the one hand I am totally looking forward to it because I always get so many compliments about how beautiful she is, but this time that feeling is tempered by the knowledge that she'll be getting three shots this time around. I hate seeing her cry as hard as she does when they give her a shot, but three will probably send the poor girl over the edge! I've already packed her bag for tomorrow's outing and the infant Tylenol is in there so I can immediately administer some.

Over the last week or so Evie has actually remained consistent with going down for the night around 9pm and she typically wakes up around 4 or 4:30am. I have gotten her to the point where I can feed her and she usually goes back to sleep by 5am and then wakes up around 8 for good. I had a hard few days getting used to having more sleep all at once, though. It was like my brain and body rejected the notion of the world existing on more than 2 and a half hours of sleep at a time. ;) I am so glad she's settling into sleeping for longer, though! Now, if I could just get her to sleep around 9 and then stay asleep until around 5:30 that would be great once I start back up to work in July.

This weekend was a busy one. I walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday. I walked with my mom and her friend, Alice, and we brought Evelyn along dressed in her pink. It was an early morning getting up at 4:30am when Evie woke up and then my mom picked me up a little before 6 so we weren't late picking up Alice. We got to the RBC Center, hopped on a bus and were dropped off at Meredith College for the pre-racing activities. I've never walked before and I was bowled over by all the free stuff and the amount of people! I shouldn't really have been surprised by the people, but the free stuff...holy cow! I have three awesome recycled bags (pink of course) to add to my grocery reusables and those were filled with chachkies galore. Little pom poms, a cape, visors, hand fans, sunscreen towelettes, Gatorade, a foam boomerang...free food samples. I could go on, but it would be pointless. I love that it's all pink and I think some of the stuff will end up in the prize drawer at school. Besides the free stuff it was really great to see the support for curing breast cancer. Next year I am going to resolve to raise more money. Dianne and Bill each donated money on my fund raising page, which was awesome. I honestly didn't expect to get a lot because I registered for the walk so late. Still, any money is better than none. It turned out that there were roughly 22,000 people walking or running this year and a little over 1.7 million dollars in pledges! What I thought was great was that I started Evie out early and I plan on walking every year with her. Thank goodness my mom kept hounding me to register! :) So, each year the three of us will be out there walking and perhaps one day we won't have to walk because that elusive cure will be found.

So, although they call it a race we really didn't run at all. We walked and made good time considering we had a two month old and this was my first big walk since having her. It was a 5K walk and we made it in a little under two hours. Evelyn stayed asleep until the halfway point (literally we stopped at the clock and sign that said "half way"). I had to feed her and I promise, once I get the pictures from my mom, I will post the picture of Evie and me sitting on the curb having a bottle. Around the one mile to go mark I ended up having to carry Evelyn because she did not want to go back to sleep and it was starting to get too warm for her. So, I took a lightweight cloth diaper and draped it over her head to protect her from the sun and we walked the rest of the way with me carrying her. She didn't start to feel heavy until we were nearly to the finish line, but my arms were hurting by Sunday morning (as were my legs). Then, as we were crossing the finish line someone who must have been from the press took our picture. Nothing like a baby dressed in pink and being carried to get people's attention. I'm hoping it was someone from the Komen Foundation here in Raleigh so that if they post the picture I can get a copy. The neat thing about the race was that we walked all through the neighborhoods of Raleigh and the residents there REALLY get into it. People had fans, sprinklers, music, signs, and water tables set up. There was one house that had a much older lady (in her 80s) sitting on her porch with a younger women and a sign hanging out proclaiming how many years she has been clear of her cancer. It was really amazing and kept you pushing on. Walking was so much more interesting and fun as a result.

So, here are some pictures of the walk and from this past week in general:

This was the start/finish line. We were finishing the early start (where only women participate and it's a non-competitive walk/run)and the throngs of people are the competitive runners and walkers.


Sitting down for a rest at the finish


Leaving the race area for the shuttle bus we ran into Ms. Wuf who is NC State's Women's sports mascot. Our goal for July 4th is to get a picture of Evie with Wool E. Bull who is the mascot of the Durham Bulls baseball team (we're going to a game on July 3)


Finally, here is a video I posted to YouTube of me getting Evelyn to smile for us...if you're curious about the music it's a song called "The Ecstasy of Dancing Fleas" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra

Sleep...coming soon to a mom near you!

I know, I know! It's been 10 days since the last post and I am sorry. Thankfully the few family members who follow this little blog haven't gotten on my case yet. :) It's been busy around here or at least it feels like it's been busy. I don't know where the day goes sometimes!

So over the last 10 days I have gone to the doctor for my six week check up. My incision is healing perfectly and I got a clean bill of health. I was really hopeful that Evelyn would have slept through the whole appointment, but no such luck. We woke up that morning and she went down for a morning nap around 8:30 and I was stuck waking her up at 9:30 in order to feed her a little before we got into the car. By the time I got to the doctor she was well worked up. I had her almost asleep when they asked me to provide a urine sample...I thought I was home free until I had to flush the toilet and that sent the poor little one right over the edge. So, during my actual exam the nurse held the baby while the doctor checked on me. I guess I shouldn't feel bad (but I do) because the doctors and nurses are in the business of women and babies.

This past weekend Chris, my mom and I had a wedding to attend at Ocean Isle, NC for a good friend of the family. It was Evelyn's first big outing and she did fantastic! We drove down to Ocean Isle on Saturday morning and Evie slept the entire way. Once we had checked into the hotel she woke up and ate some. By the time we all had to change and get to the beach for the wedding she was sleeping in her car seat again. Just as the wedding started she woke up, but Chris and I were ready with a bottle. For almost the rest of the afternoon/evening she slept as we walked around with her in our arms. And then, the icing on the cake, she slept for 8 WHOLE HOURS that night! On the one hand I was really excited about that, but on the other hand I was really bummed because I slept terrible that night. We drove back home on Sunday and she did great all day and in the car. Sunday night she woke up every 3 hours again. *sigh*

The good news is that last night (Monday night) she went to bed at 9:30pm and slept solidly until 4:30am! She was awake for an hour and slept for another three! I could get used to this sleep thing. Today was a little off, though. She didn't take many naps and it was hard to get her to stay asleep for her afternoon nap (which is usually the longest at 2-3 hours). She eventually did and I am hoping that she will still sleep for at least 7 hours tonight. I put her down around 9:15, turned off the nightlight on my way out (a new idea for helping her sleep longer at night) and I am planning on going to bed myself after I finish this post. Keep your fingers crossed for us! I would love to be able to go to her 2 month appointment next week and be able to tell her pediatrician that she is sleeping through the night. ;)

Here are some pictures for you all!

A little tummy time


I'm not so sure about you taking these pictures


Fun time with Daddy


Pretty Little Girl

First Real Bath

This week was a trying one. Napping has been off in a weird way, night time sleep still hasn't gotten back to those lovely 4.5 hour stretches, and I caught a nice big cold. Thankfully I feel better than I did earlier in the week, although I have a wonderful cough and lots of congestion. I wouldn't care, but I feel bad that every time I cough I seem to startle poor Evie!

The great thing about this week was that Evelyn's cord stump finally came off. I was beginning to think that all the doctors were wrong and this thing would be with her forever. I was even getting jealous of all the other moms out there whose children's cords came off in less than two weeks! It took Evelyn's 6 whole weeks and that was with us using rubbing alcohol to swab it a couple times a day! But, it's gone now and that meant that we could finally give our little one a real bath. So, after trying to keep her awake until 9:30 (which didn't work at all) I gave up and had Chris bust out the folding baby tub. We set it up on the pack-n-play:

We thought about just bathing her in the kitchen, but with it being hot down here and the A/C running the kitchen just happens to be one of the colder rooms in the house. So, to the dining room we went. The folding tub was a source of much debate in the household- whether or not it was a good idea or the thought that maybe we should have gotten the more traditional baby tub. This one worked perfectly, I am happy to report. So, tub was at the ready, supplies were all handy and all we needed was to get the baby ready. Chris grabbed the camera and I slowly dipped Evie into the water:


Now, it could have been that she was so tired before the bath or it could be that she loved it. Evelyn was super calm and seemed to really enjoy the bath. I'm not surprised really; warm water makes me happy too.



Chris had to put down the camera to help me wash the rest of her back and head, but I grabbed it again to capture Evie and Daddy getting cuddled up and dried off:

It didn't take Evie long to fall asleep after that lovely and warm bath. Here's to hoping she stays asleep for more than three hours! Goodnight!

Burping and Urping

I had no intention of going six days in between posting here, but it seems time runs away with you when you have a little baby! We are still trying to get this sleeping thing down and the past week is a battle on and off. I had a great three or four nights where Evelyn was sleeping 4 to 4 and a half hours when I first put her down for the night, but then it all went awry. We're back to 3 hours or less for now. Last night was the first night in a week where Evie went down about 9:45pm and slept until 1:15am (which is better than she had been doing). She went down again around 1:45am and woke up at 4:30am and the went down again at 5:00am and slept until nearly 8! It meant more getting up for me, but more rest in the long run. She also slept great today as far as naps go. Fingers crossed for me tomorrow.

So, over the holiday weekend I had the pleasure of catching a cold. I think yesterday was the worst day- the one where you aren't just thinking: "Gee, I think I'm getting a cold" and instead you KNOW you have a cold. I felt crappy, but Chris was home with me, which was nice. We went out to JC Penny so I could buy underwear (on sale!) and grabbed lunch, kicked around Target for a bit too. We stopped at my mom's because she had asked Chris to put some hooks on her balcony for hanging plants. While he did that I fed Evie and burped her too. We stuck around for a little while longer so MeMe could play and visit with Evie. Just before we were getting ready to leave Evelyn urped a bit on MeMe. We all laughed because it was a bit of a surprise, but I had no idea it would lead to a much bigger urp later on! We got home and Evelyn was awake and after about two hours was seeming like she was hungry again. I made a small 2 ounce bottle just in case she wasn't that hungry. I fed an ounce and burped her and then started to feed her again. She was really fussy so I tried burping her again. That's when the urping revisited us. I knew as soon as I heard it that she had spit up a decent amount. But then there were two more vomity burps and it was all over Evie, me, the couch, and some on the floor! So, Chris took care of the couch and floor while I took Evie upstairs. Poor girl- as soon as I started up the stairs with her she let out the most pitiful little cry! 20 minutes later everyone was clean again and Evelyn was in pjs for the night.

Maybe all that throwing up made her tired or maybe we're getting on a schedule. Either way the sleeping was great today and she was eating really well too! Here are some pictures from the last week or so:

Silly Old Bear...


Chillin' at the Farmer's Market


Looking cuter than cute in her new outfit thanks to Aunt Pam. The onsie says: "I'll always be Daddy's little girl."


Worried little sleeper

Back in the saddle...

Wow! It doesn't seem possible that Evelyn is getting bigger, but she is! I know it's hard to see it through just pictures (or maybe it's not) but just holding this baby shows me how much she is growing..she's heavy! I handed her over to Chris tonight just because my arms started hurting. Well, and she was fussing up a storm and I figured a new face would be good. ;)

So over the past few days we have been retraining Evie to sleep better. By "we" I really mean me. Chris is helpful, make no mistake, but I am the one that is with her more during the day and all night long. Evie had it good when everyone was holding her all the time and I think she just got used to it. So, her in her mind I think she figured that I would continue to hold her while she slept no matter what time it was. Oh how mistaken she was! We spent the last few days retraining Evie to sleep once I put her down in her crib. It took a few days of her really resisting sleep and being cranky, but last night and today proves to me that I think we're back in the saddle again with good sleeping. I put her to bed at 9:45 last night and she slept straight on until 2:15! I got up, fed her and put her back down at 3:00 and she slept until 5:30am. Fed her again and put her back down and she slept until 8 this morning! She woke up a few times, but I left her in the crib and she went back to sleep each time without me going in to her room. Hooray!

So today we were back to normal with the wake up, cuddle for 30 minutes, eat and then sleep. No real fighting the falling asleep part like she has been doing for the past four days! So, here are a few pictures from yesterday's sleep fight and today's pleasant day:

Evelyn finally gives in to falling asleep:


Evie and Bachman today....best friends:

The String Bean

When Evelyn was first born I thought how tiny she looked. Then I caught sight of her stretching herself out and I realized for a little 6 lb. baby she was actually kind of long. I started calling her "string bean" because she was so skinny. I still call her that, especially when I have her swaddled because she tends to look like a bean or a pea pod. It happens to be one of the cuter looks she has, if you ask me. So, way back when I registered for things at Babies R Us I saw this great swaddler. I chose it because I thought Chris would think it was funny to be able to swaddle our little one to look like a little bean (much like that first picture of what a fetus looks like around the time most of us find out we're pregnant). My brother's sister-in-law (who is awesome) sent us the swaddler, but because Evie was so tiny we couldn't use it. Instead we just use regular blankets for swaddling. Well, now that Evelyn is nearly 9 lbs. we can finally use the swaddler!

Today started out at 70 degrees, but by later this afternoon it dropped to 60 and was rather chilly. Evelyn was wearing a basic pink onsie and I was trying to get her to take a nap. I figured I'd try out this new swaddler. Not only does it make her look EXACTLY like a little string bean it rocks and kept her nice and cozy. If you have Facebook then you may have already seen this picture. If not, then take a look at our little String Bean; or as Chris quipped: Our little Swing Bean:

The Doctor's Appointment

So today Evie and I got up at 6:30am. I say "we" and really mean that SHE got up and then WOULD NOT go back to sleep. I should have known today was going to be long. By the time I did get her to take a small nap I couldn't really go back to bed because I needed to shower and make sure I had a chance to actually dry my hair. So, napping is what Evie did and getting clean is what I did. We ventured out and met up with Chris for lunch before heading to Evelyn's one month appointment. When we got to the office it turned out that they didn't have our appointment in the computer, which was very puzzling. I had the card and I know I put in the date right. Even though they were fully booked they still saw Evelyn and I was very thankful. I guess they have had issues with their computers and when they originally made our appointment I do remember the woman saying something about making sure the computer took the appointment.

At any rate, we did see a doctor (although not our doctor) and here is the very short report:

As of one month old out little Bee weighs 8 lbs. 14 1/2 oz! She is 21 inches long and for height and weight she is in the 50th percentile. Much like when she was in the womb she continues to be the perfect average of what a baby should be! The doctor said she was perfect and very healthy and was happy with how she's growing up so far. Evelyn also had her Hepatitis shot today (the first one was in the hospital and in the nursery so I wasn't there to witness it). There was the brief second after the needle was plunged followed by the worst 3 seconds of silent scream, then followed by the worst crying I have ever heard from my little daughter! I hated hearing it, but I know that I am in for another few years of this type of thing and I gave her lots of kisses to try and make it up to her. After stopping by to see MeMe (my mom) we eventually made it home.

Here's a great picture from this morning when Evelyn was super active and I pulled out her little floor exercise mat...notice she has a new bestest friend in the whole world watching over her: