Catching up

I realized I never did an "official" post about Miss Lily's arrival.... it's impossible to catch up on four months in one post, but I will share some of the highlights.

Arrival: Lily Jane was born on July 28 at 9:22 p.m., so just about 2 and a half hours "early." Sometimes I still hesitate when I tell people her birthday, because she was due on July 29, so I had that date in my head constantly for so many months. She was 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was born after a long delivery that started with my water breaking at about 5 a.m.

Growth: Now, at four months, Lily is DOULBE what she was at her lowest weight (got down to 6 lb 9 oz and is now just about 14 pounds).  She eats about 5-6 breastmilk bottles a day, and is the 50th percentile for height, weight and head... a very proportioned baby!

Personality: Lily is a generally very happy baby, loves to smile and laugh, "stand' with mom and dad's help and be walked around so she can look at things, lights in particular!  She has always been very curious - she does not like being on her tummy, I think because she feels like she is missing out on seeing things. We are working on it and she gets better every day.

Sleep:  If you would have told me when Lily was ten days old that she would be sleeping through the night before I knew it, I wouldn't have believed it. But here we are, with her sleeping from about 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. I know how lucky we are, and I hope I am not jinxing things by putting this in writing! Her napping isn't quite as consistent, but we are working on this, too.

 

 

My thoughts on motherhood: I feel so lucky every day to be Lily's mom. The cliches are true - being a mom has changed me and made me truly understand what "unconditional love" is. I treasure each day with her and look forward to the next.

Well, there are about a million more things I could say about Lily, being a mom and everything I look forward to, but it will have to wait for another day, as work, life and Lily call!

Hobbies and a few resolutions

Lately I have been thinking a lot about hobbies. A lot of my loved ones have some wonderful, creative and productive hobbies - cooking/baking, art, photography, and handiwork, to name a few. I also think a lot about my mom and the wonderful things she left to remember her by - beautiful pillows, handmade ornaments, and so much more. It saddens me to think of all the wonderful mementos she would have made for Lily, and that I am so untalented in that area, but that's really another post for another day!

Thinking about all of this has inspired me to create some resolutions and ideas for using my time and talents to be productive and creative.

1. Write, write, write. I love writing and want to do it to ensure I don't forget the millions of memories we are creating with Lily everyday. That is why I hope and plan to write one blog post a week as well as a monthly letter to Lily. Honestly I would love it if people read this blog, but its worthwhile just as an outlet for me and hopefully something Lily can one day look back on and learn about herself and her mom.

2. Organize. Time is tight with a baby, full-time job and lots of weekends spent traveling for both personal and work. And it is easy to overspend on going out and picking up quick dinners. So I am working on creating a weekly meal planner and a binder of easy meal recipes, as well as a budget for our family. Can't exactly say this is creative, but is definitely productive and will hopefully give us opportunities to enjoy time together a little more and also allow us to save for vacations and maybe one of these days, a house we can call our own!

3. Exercise. I've been pretty good about walking, but it's cold now, so I need to do more indoor workouts and also hope to do a weekly yoga class starting in January. Need the "me" time and need to lose the last of the baby weight.

I also still want to find something creative I can do that won't stress me out or break the bank. Maggie suggested crocheting. I would also love to do something with stamped art, but that's definitely not an inexpensive hobby. I am going to keep thinking and looking for inspiration around me and am certainly open to any and all suggestions.

A perfect weekend

We've had many wonderful weekends since Lily was born, 11 weeks and 3 days ago. We've already been to St. Louis (twice), the Lake of the Ozarks and Kansas City and had lots of great visits from friends and family. These past 11 weeks have been full of so many memories and each day is truly a gift with sweet Lily Jane.

However, this past weekend, spent with just me, Kevin and Lily, was as perfect as it gets. Beautiful fall weather, naps, homemade chili and cookie cake, the pumpkin patch and Cardinals baseball. These moments I HOPE I will never forget, but at least blogging about it will help jog my memory as days, weeks and years fly by.

I am so blessed by my family of three and I cherish the days we spend doing nothing but being together.

A few of my favorite things....

Most summers, my favorite thing involves sitting by the pool, drinking beer.

Well, clearly, I am pregnant, so the beer is out. Also, we don't have a pool to go to. Plus, the heat is insane, and really unsafe for people, pregnant or not, to be out too long. So, for this summer, my favorite things are a little different...

World Cup Soccer

This sounds so cheesy, but with a daughter on the way, I love seeing the success of the USA women's soccer team. They are so inspiring and fun to watch. The USA vs. Brazil game was absolutely amazing - the women's team never gave up, scoring the latest goal in the history of Women's World Cup (122nd minute) to tie the game and then winning in shoot-outs. I love that our daughter will grow up in a world where women can truly do anything!

Family visits

Since Memorial Day, Mike and Annie, Brian and Jessica, Michael and Laura and Maggie and Steve (not to mention, Ollie, Stella, Tater and Roxie) have all come to visit. It has been so fun to see everyone and show them all the exciting things in Springfield (which mostly involve the new brewery, Springfield Cardinals and food). We appreciate everyone taking the time to come see us, as it's pretty impossible for me to travel right now.

Preparing the nursery

I am putting the finishing touches on baby girl's room! Will share all of the photos soon. For now, I have to share a photo of my boppy cover from etsy - one of the things I splurged on and am so glad I did. It is so beautiful and soft. Also, a friend of mine from Springfield made this awesome diaper/baby clothes wreath. It was such a sweet surprise... I don't want to take it apart, it looks so cute, but at the same time, I want to use all of the clothes!

Lounging

I am trying really hard to not spent too much time being lazy, mostly because it's impossible with work, school, and trying to get ready for baby. However, I am also trying to listen to my body and slow down at night when I can. Love curling up with Cocoa on the couch watching TV. We've gotten really into Sports Night and also CAN NOT wait until Breaking Bad premiers tomorrow!!

My hubs

Sorry to get cheesy again (blame the pregnancy hormones) but I am really trying to enjoy these last days when it is just the two of us. Kevin and I have been together for seven years come October and adding a baby is obviously going to change things - of course for the better overall, but not without some sacrifices on the time and energy we put toward each other right now. He has been working so hard lately, but also trying to make time to spend helping me and just hanging out together. He is not the type to normally buy flowers, but surprised me last week after I had a bad afternoon. So sweet. Can't wait to see him as a dad. OK, enough, sorry!

I am sure in a month from now, I will have a whole new perspective toward my "favorite things." Can't wait to share!

The countdown is on!

Finally have a little time to catch up on blogging... so will probably do about 4 posts at once. Oh well, guess that is life and it's about to get even crazier with baby almost here!

Here are my belly shots from the past month or so. I can't believe how much larger I have gotten (well, it makes sense, there is a baby in there, but still!)

34 weeks


36 weeks


38 weeks


(Clearly I gave up on wearing the same shirt in each photo a long time ago. WAY to hot to put on something with long sleeves!!)

And a final update....
How Far Along: 38 weeks

Total Weight Gain: More than I would like but still within recommended amount.

Maternity Clothes: Basically all maternity (and sweats and Kevin's shirts). It is amazing how much money I have probably saved working from home. I never look cute and sweat through anything I put on in about 5 minutes.

Movement: She is soooo busy in there. Makes me a little nervous. At all of our ultrasound appointments, the techs have mentioned we better get ready for an active little one. Should be challenging to say the least! But right now, I love feeling her move, it is amazing and reassures me she is doing OK in there!

Cravings: Water. I drink sooooo much. And of course, means I am in the restroom every 5 minutes. A never-ending cycling.

Symptoms: Hot and swollen. Can't wear my rings any more :( and no shoes except flip flops fit my feet.

Best Moment this week: Knowing how close we are to meeting our beautiful baby girl! Every new day is one day closer to holding her.

How can I resist?

With all of the scary weather lately, it was lovely to see this...



Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops thats where you'll find me oh
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,why, oh why can't I?

Baby updates and Springfield happenings

The baby has hiccups right now.... reminding me I NEED to post an update to record these memories. It is so crazy to feel the hiccups. I cannot get over the fact that there is a 3 lb. human living inside me! SOOO amazing.

A quick update
How Far Along: 30 weeks

Total Weight Gain: Around 25 lbs...

Maternity Clothes: Basically all maternity (and sweats and Kevin's shirts). So much more comfortable. Did wear a non-maternity shirt for our anniversary. Probably stretched out for future wear, but oh well!

Movement: A lot!! Tons of hiccups, rolls, kicks. So reassuring to feel the constant movement.

Cravings: STILL ice cream and fruit. Can't get enough sweets, seriously.

Symptoms: Hearburn... tiredness.... but overall, not too bad!

Best Moment this week: Celebrated anniversary with Kev! 2 years of marriage and 2 months until baby. So exciting.


Here are pics from weeks 26 and 30.







And on non-baby related note, we are starting to get more settled and more acquainted with Springfield. Have found some good places to eat, been to the Springfield Cardinals game, walked around and ate good food at Artfest and I also got to attend Ozzie Smith Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Induction. Not sure it will ever feel like home here, but at least starting to know my way around and enjoy some of the community events!

Ozzie and Whitey Herzog at Ozzie's induction ceremony


We enjoyed live music and yummy BBQ at Artfest


Delicious fondue at a local eatery


Springfield Cards home opener - they won!


Galloway Station - our fave place to eat in Springfield so far


Clearly, what I have been enjoying includes a lot of food. And I wonder where the 25 lbs has come from... ha! But anyway, we are excited to continue to enjoy Springfield and show fam around this summer! And after all, our baby will be born here, so we will always have a special connection to Springfield, regardless of where we end up!