Monday, January 25, 2010
Tummy Time
I know there have been a number of plain picture posts lately, but this one is too cute not to post.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
"Noah's Hope-Fix You"
My aunt sent me this forward about a charity sweepstakes tied to the movie 'Extraordinary Measures.' I first watched the video mentioned below with Ellie in my arms, it made me cry almost immediately. To think of having a happy healthy baby and then life changes so suddenly, I cannot imagine. It made enough of an impact on me that I wanted to share it with all of you. If you have a chance, check the site out and vote! Help make a difference.
The E-mail Message:
"WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! We have entered a video titled “Noah’s Hope—Fix You” into a contest associated with the up-coming release of the movie “Extraordinary Measures” featuring Brandon Fraiser and Harrison Ford. The winner of the contest will receive up to $10,000 to go to the charity or research fund of their choice. We are asking family and friends to VISIT THE SITE AND VOTE EVERYDAY. If we win, we will use this money to fund research to find a cure for Late Infantile Batten Disease….a terminal neurological disease which is affecting two of my three children. Currently there is no treatment and the disease is always fatal. We will also match any winnings out of our foundation to further research efforts. Please help Noah and Laine, and the many other precious children affected by this devastating disease. For more information about Batten Disease, please visit our website: http://www.noahshope.com/
TO VOTE:
1. Please go to the following website. http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/#/quilt
2. In search box at bottom of page type “NOAH” (a picture of Noah as a baby should appear in box. Click Picture
3. The video will play…you can vote by clicking the “VOTE” button in the top right corner.
4. VOTE EVERY 24 HOURS...its easy! (Voting continues to until the end of January.)
Monday, January 18, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
2-Month Stats
The verdict is in. Ellie is a BIG baby. Here are the stats thus far:
2 Months
Height: 23 3/4 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 13 pounds 6.5 ounces (99th percentile)
Head Cir.: 15 1/2 inches (68th percentile)
2 Weeks
Height: 20 1/2 inches (85th percentile)
Weight: 9 pounds 2.5 ounces (95th percentile)
Head Cir.: 14 1/2 inches (89th percentile)
At Birth
Height: 20 1/2 inches
Weight: 8 pounds 14.6 ounces
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Oh what a night
I am not sure if it was the newness of day-care, or all the fun Eleanor had at playing with her Aunt Megan yesterday- but something made her one tired baby. She fell asleep on the car ride home from Aunt Megan's, woke up for a diaper/clothing change, then had her before bedtime feeding. She feel asleep as Nick walked her back to swaddle her for bed (usually he walks/rocks with her for a few minutes before she zonks out) and she was out.* That was around 10:15PM.
It is 6:30AM and I am still waiting for her to wake up. When I looked at the clock at 6AM, I jumped out of bed so I could start getting ready before she woke up (in order to make it to work on time). I figured the minute she heard me moving around she would wake up. Thinking she would need me any minute, I rushed to take a shower, brush my teeth, do my hair and all the other fun morning routine items. Now I sit here, pretty much ready for the day--- still with a sleeping baby. I am not complaining. I LOVE that she is such a great sleeper and that she knew her nights and days from the minute she arrived. I just wish I didn't have extra time before work (valuable time that could have been spent sleeping).
It is almost 6:45AM, I am giving in and doing what I vowed I will never do since she obviously doesn't need to be forced to eat- wake a sleeping baby. If I don't, we will never make it to work in a timely manner.
On another quick Eleanor note: today is the big 2 month check-up. Complete with shots. I have told her all about it, but think Mom is more scared then baby. Good thing it is late enough in the day, so Nick is going to go with us.
*Poor Nick had a boy's bike ride night and didn't get to see Ellie all day! I think he secretly looks forward to their time together when he puts her to sleep, and he didn't get that yesterday since she went to sleep right away. I think I will let him have quality time with her at the Drs. appointment today- say during shot time!
It is 6:30AM and I am still waiting for her to wake up. When I looked at the clock at 6AM, I jumped out of bed so I could start getting ready before she woke up (in order to make it to work on time). I figured the minute she heard me moving around she would wake up. Thinking she would need me any minute, I rushed to take a shower, brush my teeth, do my hair and all the other fun morning routine items. Now I sit here, pretty much ready for the day--- still with a sleeping baby. I am not complaining. I LOVE that she is such a great sleeper and that she knew her nights and days from the minute she arrived. I just wish I didn't have extra time before work (valuable time that could have been spent sleeping).
It is almost 6:45AM, I am giving in and doing what I vowed I will never do since she obviously doesn't need to be forced to eat- wake a sleeping baby. If I don't, we will never make it to work in a timely manner.
On another quick Eleanor note: today is the big 2 month check-up. Complete with shots. I have told her all about it, but think Mom is more scared then baby. Good thing it is late enough in the day, so Nick is going to go with us.
*Poor Nick had a boy's bike ride night and didn't get to see Ellie all day! I think he secretly looks forward to their time together when he puts her to sleep, and he didn't get that yesterday since she went to sleep right away. I think I will let him have quality time with her at the Drs. appointment today- say during shot time!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A letter from Mommy- Eleanor
Dear Eleanor,
It is crazy to think that you have officially been a part of our lives for 2 months already. You arrived 11 days early, yet with perfect timing as the Christmas tree had been put up with presents placed underneath it just an hour before the 'real' contractions started. Good thing you came early, because you were a big baby! You arrived with a full head of hair, and some lungs to let your arrival be known. You were so special that you had your own personal nurse while in the hospital, courtesy of the fever I passed onto you during labor. Your dad and I were so excited to get to take you home and truly get to know you. The first night home wasn't the greatest, but things have been mostly wonderful since then.
You are an amazing sleeper ,and I could not ask for a better baby. Everyone kept saying to 'just wait' for the rough time to arrive. We are still waiting. Mornings are by far the favorite time of day, and you do have a fussy time in the evening. At only two months old you have gone 9 hours at night between feedings multiple times, sleeping between 7 and 8 of those hours. That makes life so much easier on me since I am back at work full-time this week.
You are a great eater and the nurses in the hospital were right-on when they said you were an 'oral' baby; you will take different kinds of pacifiers, a bottle and your new favorite- your hand and fingers. It has been great being able to watch you grow--- and you have grown. The first week you lost so much weight the doctors were concerned- you have shown them and we cannot wait to see how you weigh in at your appointment tomorrow. Our guess is you will be topping the charts.
You love your crib mobile, craddle swing, Daddy's fingers, laying in your crib, being patted on the tummy, being walked around upright and laying on our chests' for a quick cat nap. Car rides put you to sleep, but you would rather not be in your car seat if you don't have to be. You do great sleeping in your crib both at night and for naps. You are now entering into size 3-6 month clothes and have a long torso that makes bodysuits a hard fit for you (the length fits but the arms are too big). You are starting to like baths more and more each time, but are not a fan of having your head and arms put into clothing.
The smiles you started giving us a few weeks ago have melted our hearts and make our day. I have to admit that we also enjoy your many other faces, including the pouty face you give when you are being fussy.
You really are a great baby and we could not have asked for a better first child. I love you more than I ever dreamed imaginable, and look forward to watching your grow-up (but not too fast please). You are the greatest gift God could have given to your Daddy and I.
Love,
Mommy
It is crazy to think that you have officially been a part of our lives for 2 months already. You arrived 11 days early, yet with perfect timing as the Christmas tree had been put up with presents placed underneath it just an hour before the 'real' contractions started. Good thing you came early, because you were a big baby! You arrived with a full head of hair, and some lungs to let your arrival be known. You were so special that you had your own personal nurse while in the hospital, courtesy of the fever I passed onto you during labor. Your dad and I were so excited to get to take you home and truly get to know you. The first night home wasn't the greatest, but things have been mostly wonderful since then.
You are an amazing sleeper ,and I could not ask for a better baby. Everyone kept saying to 'just wait' for the rough time to arrive. We are still waiting. Mornings are by far the favorite time of day, and you do have a fussy time in the evening. At only two months old you have gone 9 hours at night between feedings multiple times, sleeping between 7 and 8 of those hours. That makes life so much easier on me since I am back at work full-time this week.
You are a great eater and the nurses in the hospital were right-on when they said you were an 'oral' baby; you will take different kinds of pacifiers, a bottle and your new favorite- your hand and fingers. It has been great being able to watch you grow--- and you have grown. The first week you lost so much weight the doctors were concerned- you have shown them and we cannot wait to see how you weigh in at your appointment tomorrow. Our guess is you will be topping the charts.
You love your crib mobile, craddle swing, Daddy's fingers, laying in your crib, being patted on the tummy, being walked around upright and laying on our chests' for a quick cat nap. Car rides put you to sleep, but you would rather not be in your car seat if you don't have to be. You do great sleeping in your crib both at night and for naps. You are now entering into size 3-6 month clothes and have a long torso that makes bodysuits a hard fit for you (the length fits but the arms are too big). You are starting to like baths more and more each time, but are not a fan of having your head and arms put into clothing.
The smiles you started giving us a few weeks ago have melted our hearts and make our day. I have to admit that we also enjoy your many other faces, including the pouty face you give when you are being fussy.
You really are a great baby and we could not have asked for a better first child. I love you more than I ever dreamed imaginable, and look forward to watching your grow-up (but not too fast please). You are the greatest gift God could have given to your Daddy and I.
Love,
Mommy
Friday, January 8, 2010
I'm 8 Weeks Old Today!
How fun is it that I am 8 weeks old today! These past 8 weeks have gone by really fast for Mommy, Daddy and me. Here are some fun things about me at 8 weeks:
- I like to smile at people, and not just when I am relieving myself. I have been doing this for about 3 weeks, but it never gets old for my Mom and Dad.
- I got to meet new 'little friends' this past week. 1 1/2 year old Henry didn't seem to care about me too much, he was more interested in the lights and buttons at the roller-skating rink. I think I may have gotten a kiss from him though. My 1 3/4 year old friend, Sophia, took great care of me (http://www.beltmans.blogspot.com/). Her and her friend, Piper, even shared their dolly's.
- I let my Mommy go back to work this past week. I wanted to hang out with someone other than just her. Sophia's Mommy was a lot more fun, and I got to play with Sophia as well. Next week I get to go meet even more 'little friends' at day-care--- I cannot wait!
- I had an official schedule, if only just for this one week. I went to bed between 10PM and 11:30PM each night, woke up after 6-7 hours for some food and slept until 9:30AM. Then I ate again, hung out with my friends and took a nap again until 1PM-1:30PM. We will see if this lasts.
- My fussy time at night has decreased significantly. Maybe Daddy has learned how to make me happy, maybe I am just giving him a break.
- I have chubby checks and round belly, which Daddy loves to pat (the belly).
- Bath time is a lot more fun then it used to be. And I have decreased the frequency of pooping on my bath wraps.
- I have started holding things like a rattle, teething ring and, of course, Mommy and Daddy's fingers.
- Speaking of fingers, I still have a bunch of people wrapped around MY finger. If I could talk, I think I could get Grandpa Greving to do whatever I wanted him too. I cannot blame them for loving me so much, I am pretty fun and when I bring out the smiles they cannot resist.
Next up: the big 2 month birthday!
--- Eleanor Ann
- I like to smile at people, and not just when I am relieving myself. I have been doing this for about 3 weeks, but it never gets old for my Mom and Dad.
- I got to meet new 'little friends' this past week. 1 1/2 year old Henry didn't seem to care about me too much, he was more interested in the lights and buttons at the roller-skating rink. I think I may have gotten a kiss from him though. My 1 3/4 year old friend, Sophia, took great care of me (http://www.beltmans.blogspot.com/). Her and her friend, Piper, even shared their dolly's.
- I let my Mommy go back to work this past week. I wanted to hang out with someone other than just her. Sophia's Mommy was a lot more fun, and I got to play with Sophia as well. Next week I get to go meet even more 'little friends' at day-care--- I cannot wait!
- I had an official schedule, if only just for this one week. I went to bed between 10PM and 11:30PM each night, woke up after 6-7 hours for some food and slept until 9:30AM. Then I ate again, hung out with my friends and took a nap again until 1PM-1:30PM. We will see if this lasts.
- My fussy time at night has decreased significantly. Maybe Daddy has learned how to make me happy, maybe I am just giving him a break.
- I have chubby checks and round belly, which Daddy loves to pat (the belly).
- Bath time is a lot more fun then it used to be. And I have decreased the frequency of pooping on my bath wraps.
- I have started holding things like a rattle, teething ring and, of course, Mommy and Daddy's fingers.
- Speaking of fingers, I still have a bunch of people wrapped around MY finger. If I could talk, I think I could get Grandpa Greving to do whatever I wanted him too. I cannot blame them for loving me so much, I am pretty fun and when I bring out the smiles they cannot resist.
Next up: the big 2 month birthday!
--- Eleanor Ann
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Random thoughts from the drive home
- If a FedEx truck ends up in the ditch, do you think another truck comes to get the packages to deliver? And is this a good reason to buy the insurance on things that are breakable or can be damaged by movements (such as the truck going into the ditch).
- Four automobiles in the ditch within a few hundred feet of each other, must be icy around there.
- Just because you drive a 4-wheel drive automobile doesn't mean you can drive a normal speed in bad weather- see ditch for proof.
- If you want to drive fast, feel free to pass me- I have an 8-week old in my backseat.
- I think I drive a little slower since I have the baby.
- The road with the most blowing has the least number of cars in the ditch. Interesting.
- I am not going to make it home in time to catch The Bold and the Beautiful. Good thing I am taping it (yes, taping).
- Good thing Ellie likes car rides, it is much easier to drive when she is sleeping instead of crying.
- I hope I can plow through this pile of snow the plow has placed in front of our driveway.
- I think I will let Nick get the mail when he gets home. I don't want to walk through the snow.
- I really like that Nick is the main driver, and I hardly ever have to drive myself to work. I cannot wait until next week when that is true again.
- AND WE ARE HOME. I THINK WE WILL STAY HERE.
- Four automobiles in the ditch within a few hundred feet of each other, must be icy around there.
- Just because you drive a 4-wheel drive automobile doesn't mean you can drive a normal speed in bad weather- see ditch for proof.
- If you want to drive fast, feel free to pass me- I have an 8-week old in my backseat.
- I think I drive a little slower since I have the baby.
- The road with the most blowing has the least number of cars in the ditch. Interesting.
- I am not going to make it home in time to catch The Bold and the Beautiful. Good thing I am taping it (yes, taping).
- Good thing Ellie likes car rides, it is much easier to drive when she is sleeping instead of crying.
- I hope I can plow through this pile of snow the plow has placed in front of our driveway.
- I think I will let Nick get the mail when he gets home. I don't want to walk through the snow.
- I really like that Nick is the main driver, and I hardly ever have to drive myself to work. I cannot wait until next week when that is true again.
- AND WE ARE HOME. I THINK WE WILL STAY HERE.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go!
Ellie's first 7 weeks have flown by! Maybe it was the holidays, maybe it was how well behaved she is--- either way it is back to work!
I had my first half-day of work today, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. Maybe it was that work is very busy at this time of year. Maybe it was knowing that Ellie was going to play at her friend Sophia's house for the day, and Mommy knew she was going to be well taken care of.* Maybe it was getting 6 hours of straight sleep so I wasn't walking around with half-shut eyes. Maybe it was the idea of adult interaction. Maybe it was knowing it was a week of half days so I could still spend time with the little smiler. It was probably a combination of them, and more.
Now I am home and get to spend the afternoon with my little bundle of joy. If only she would wake up. I shouldn't complain. Off to work on doing the laundry.
*Unfortunately Daddy's car wouldn't start so she got to help him work from home instead.
I had my first half-day of work today, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. Maybe it was that work is very busy at this time of year. Maybe it was knowing that Ellie was going to play at her friend Sophia's house for the day, and Mommy knew she was going to be well taken care of.* Maybe it was getting 6 hours of straight sleep so I wasn't walking around with half-shut eyes. Maybe it was the idea of adult interaction. Maybe it was knowing it was a week of half days so I could still spend time with the little smiler. It was probably a combination of them, and more.
Now I am home and get to spend the afternoon with my little bundle of joy. If only she would wake up. I shouldn't complain. Off to work on doing the laundry.
*Unfortunately Daddy's car wouldn't start so she got to help him work from home instead.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I love this moblie, and so does Ellie
Eleanor just LOVES her crib mobile, as does her Mommy. I know it isn't much, but her is the first video of her looking at her mobile.
At first we were not going to have a mobile for the crib. They seemed a little expensive for what they were, and I didn't know how much use we/she would get out of it. Then my friend recommended the Manhattan Toy Infant Stim Mobile, so I checked it out.
http://www.best-child-toys.com/black-and-white-baby-mobiles.html
Reasonably priced and not just litte stuffed animals that go around in a circle. Thanks to Ellie's Grandpa Larson, she now has her very own Infant Stim Mobile! We have already changed the cards out once, and it continues to keep her interested.
The only downside: I think the mobile has received more smiles and coos than either Nick or I.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Good Bye 2009, Hello 2010
I have read so many Facebook posts about saying good-bye to the bad in 2009 and hello to the good in 2010. I must say I don't entirely agree.
Yes, 2009 was a hard year. Economically people struggled. There was a lot of financial uncertainty. And we lost many dear to our hearts, often with little warning or explaination.
But don't forget to focus on the positives. Think about all you have, and remember that there are many people out there that would love to have what you have. So often we take things for granted, and never truly appreciate all that God has given to us. For us, we were blessed with the greatest gift of all: our new daughter. Each day I look at her I am reminded of the miracle He gave to us, and what life is truly all about.
So I must say that I am sad 2009 is behind us, it was just a life changing year (yet again). Good-bye to a great year... nothing will ever be the same.
Onto 2010... we look forward to watching Eleanor grow and everything that the year has to offer. May it be as wonderful as the one we just finished.
Yes, 2009 was a hard year. Economically people struggled. There was a lot of financial uncertainty. And we lost many dear to our hearts, often with little warning or explaination.
But don't forget to focus on the positives. Think about all you have, and remember that there are many people out there that would love to have what you have. So often we take things for granted, and never truly appreciate all that God has given to us. For us, we were blessed with the greatest gift of all: our new daughter. Each day I look at her I am reminded of the miracle He gave to us, and what life is truly all about.
So I must say that I am sad 2009 is behind us, it was just a life changing year (yet again). Good-bye to a great year... nothing will ever be the same.
Onto 2010... we look forward to watching Eleanor grow and everything that the year has to offer. May it be as wonderful as the one we just finished.
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