2 Month Stats

We had Genevieve's 2-month Well Baby visit today. Dr. Jay was impressed with her sleeping schedule and said she looks healthy.   Genevieve was not a fan of getting shots.

Here are her stats compared with Ellie's:

Neve's 2-month stats

Weight: 13 pounds 13 ounces (94 percentile)
Height: 23 3/4 inches (94 percentile)
Head circumfrance: 15 1/2 inches (82 percentile)

Ellie's 2-month stats

Weight: 13 pounds 6.5 ounces (99 percentile)
Height: 23 3/4 inches (93 percentile)
Head circumfrance: 15 1/2 inches (68 percentile)


I don't exactly understand how the percentile ranks work.  When comparing the two girls does that mean that kids now weigh more on average and have smaller heads?  

Either way, we grow them big and long (as babies anyway).  I compared my blog entries about Ellie at 2-months with where Genevieve is... they are really similar.  Sleeping about the same and both really happy babies (although Ellie does like to shop more than Neve does).  Nick and I are very lucky to have such wonderful daughters.

A Letter from Mommy- Genevieve

Dear Genevieve,

It is crazy to think that you have officially been a part of our lives for 2 months already. You arrived 5 days early, although I was ready for you to arrive a week or so ahead of that.   You must have thought that I needed a pedicure, because you waited until after a girls day at the spa with Grandma and Aunt Megan.  The nurses commented on my pretty colored toes.   Although the contractions were hard, your delivery was quick (10 minutes of pushing!)   You were a big baby, although not as big as your older sister.   Like Eleanor, you were born with full head of hair that everyone comments on.   You gave us a little scare with your umbilical cord wrapped around your neck, but you were fine once you got out.   With only 10 minutes of pushing, you did not wait for Aunt Megan to arrive so she could be there during your birth.  You can tell people you had your first visitor in the middle of the night (Aunt Megan could not wait to meet you and was there at 2AM).   I loved having you in my room during the hospital stay, it gave Daddy and me time to get to know you before we took you home.   Your big sister was really excited to meet you and has loved you since day one.   She always wants to help in any way she can, and lets Daddy and I know if you need anything.  

The first month was a little rough since we were dealing with your reflux.   You were eating every 2 hours during the day, pretty much all the time in the evening and waking once or twice in the middle of the night (sometimes wanting to eat off and on for 3 hours).   By week four I needed a change, so we went to eating every 2.5 hours during the day.   It was amazing the difference that made.  You started sleeping longer at night and are now sleeping 7-9 hours straight!  You may not have been as good of a sleep as your sister in the beginning, but you are at the same point she was at this age.   It is like you knew I was heading back to work and decided to take it easy on me.   I do miss our middle of the night cuddle times... sometimes.

You are a great eater and it shows!   Breastfeeding with you has been a breeze from the first time. You are pacifier specific and did not want to take one until you were a month old.   I think you surprised the doctor at your 2-week appointment with how much weight you had gained.  Growth has not been an issue with you.   Like your older sister, our guess is you will be topping the charts on weight and height.

You are like your cousin, Liam, in the sense that you don't always like to be held and you are not a fan of being swaddled.  You like to lay down and check things out on your own, with your legs and arms free to explore.  You love your changing table and crib.  Your changing table is your 'happy place,' if you are not happy there, you are not happy anywhere (including Mommy and Daddy's arms)   The fan and mobile are some of your best friends. Like your sister, car rides put you to sleep, but you would rather not be in your car seat if you don't have to be. You are a long baby, enough so that none of your 0-3 month clothes fit (and the majority of them have not fit in a month).   You have slept in your crib since night one and have never had a problem with it.   I love cuddling with you after your morning feeding, I have missed it since going back to work in the mornings.  

The smiles you started giving us a few weeks ago have melted our hearts and make our day. It thrills your sister when she can make you smile... your Mommy and Daddy love it as well.  Your day-care providers have loved you from day one and miss you when you are home with Mommy in the afternoons.  They will be happy to have you all day starting next week.  You sleep in your crib like a champ at day-care, and have initiated two of the three providers with your reflux issue.  

You hardly cry and are content with being dragged around from place to place.   That is a good thing since your big sister does not like to stay at home.  You do pretty well when I put you in the Moby or Ergo baby carrier, this helps a lot!

You really are a great baby and we could not have asked for a better second child.  Your sister set the bar very high, and you have managed to top it!

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

5 on Friday

1. I put Genevieve in bed at 9:45PM last night.   She talked to her mobile and fan, then feel asleep all by herself.   I woke her up at 6:55AM.   I guess she decided to officially cut her night feeding out.  I am not complaining.

2. Genevieve and I ran errands on Tuesday night while Nick gave Ellie a bath and put her to bed.   We went to Younkers to find outfits for our next set of pictures... Neve is not a fan of Younkers and cried the entire time we were there.   The minute we were outside she was quiet.  And once we got home she was all smiles.  I guess she was not in the mood to shop.

3. Since we got cut short on our shopping Tuesday night, I took both girls to Target by myself on Wednesday night.   This was the first time I have taken them both someplace by myself.   They were great!  It helps that Ellie got to look for things for her so she was happy, and Neve slept the entire time.   Although I will say that the shopping carts do not hold much when you have a 2.5 year old in the child seat and a infant carrier in the main area.  Good thing we did not need big items.

4. I have never been happier to see rain in the forecast!  This warm and sunny weather has been taking a toll on the new sod.  

5. I am glad to go back to work full-time next week... it is really busy and I need more time to get my work done.   I am sad to give up my afternoons with Genevieve and the extra time to get things done around the house.

Bonus: Our baby girl is 2 months old today!  The past 2 months have flown by.

5 on Friday

1. My first week of half-days back at work has gone really well.  It helps that I am swamped with things to do so the mornings fly by.   Genevieve seems to be enjoying day-care.  Her teachers say she is lots of fun to have in the room and a great sleeper!  Whenever I have stopped in she seems to be enjoying herself or asleep in her crib.  While I do miss the extra time with her, I was not sad to drop her off the first day.

2.  Speaking of being a great sleeper, ever since we pushed the amount of time between feedings (from every 2 hours to 2.5-3 hours during the day), we have had an amazing little night-time sleeper.  So amazing that the past few days Genevieve has gone 7+ hours between her last feeding at 10PM and her "middle of the night" feeding.  Last night was 7 hours and 45 minutes (she got up at 5:45AM).  Pretty close to the 8 hours between feedings that I classify as sleeping through the night--- so I am going to say that Genevieve slept through the night last night!   I am shocked because prior to that she was going 4.5-5 hours between night-time feedings.  Another highlight is that she goes to bed without a fuss after her last feeding and without any help from Nick or I!  Twice this week we laid her in her bed and she talked to her mobile and fan for a few minutes before putting herself to sleep. 

3. Another sleeping related note: the other night I let Ellie read books in her bed before she fell asleep.  I just asked that she put the books at the end of the bed so when she woke up in the morning she could read books until Daddy or Mommy came to tell her she could get out of bed (she can get in and out of bed by herself now).   Sure enough, I went to check on her a couple hours later and the books were neatly piled at the end of the bed just like I asked!  Notice that I said neatly, she takes after her Mommy more than her Daddy in that aspect. 

4. I bought a baby carrier this week!  I am really excited about it, and both Genevieve and Eleanor seems to be fans (Ellie more than Neve since I am still learning how to find the best position for Neve in it).   I had a friend that suggested I go to a store in Valley Junction called "Little Padded Seats" to try some of the carriers on.   I did and was really impressed with the service I got while there.  The gentleman explained the differences between carriers and let me try them all on so I could get a real feel for them.   What I really liked was that he did not push one over another, or try to sell me the most expensive one. The carrier is sure to come in handy when we are at the park, walking to the mail box, or doing things around the house when Genevieve wants to be held.  Pictures of the carrier in action to come later.

5. Ellie got to go to the zoo for a day-care field trip yesterday.   Daddy went with her as a parent helper.   Although it was a very quick trip through the zoo, I think they both had a lot of fun.  She has already asked about going back with Sophia, Baby Collin, Brad and LuCinda.  I told her we could see if they were interested.

Prayer Time

We have had a couple sets of friends over during dinner time over the past few months and one of the things we did was say our prayers before eating.   It is really neat to hear what other people do for their meal-time prayer, as well as share what we do.   Ellie enjoys it so much that she has adopted a few of the things she heard/saw.  Now after we do our sign of the cross she wants us to hold hands for the rest of the prayer (thanks Beltman Family).  I know it isn't the normal way to do our meal time prayer, but I love the added unity that it provides and the fact that it means something to Ellie.   They do a little 'prayer' at day-care before meal-time as well (the Open Shut Them song/chant).  We have now started adding that into our meal-time routine along with our normal prayer.  It is a 'prayer' that Ellie leads us in saying and she is really proud of it.   One of the sets of friends that were over for dinner actually sings their meal-time prayer.   We are not that musically talented, so we passed on the singing thing (sorry Trettin Family, we will reserve the singing for when you visit). 

I had to cheat and grab a picture of Ellie and Daddy holding hands during our prayer.  I want to remember it in a photo as well as through stories.  It makes me feel like we are doing something right in raising our daughter.

One Month New

It is a couple weeks behind, but this is Genevieve's 'official' one month photo.   I love that one of my friends gave us a hair bow that clips in Genevieve's hair!  And that the weather was warm enough to show off an outfit that another set of friends gave us.   She is growing up so quickly!  And yet she is still really little.

Just like little sister

 Someone likes to play with Baby Sister's toys.  Including being a baby and laying in the Boppy.

Eyes Wide Open

We love this little baby!

Naked Ellie

For some reason Ellie has a thing about running around naked before bedtime.   Usually we give her a choice, watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or be "Naked Ellie".   Oddly enough, she picked "Naked Ellie" about 50% of the time.  She loves to run laps around our island and instruct us to "chase" her.   It is super cute and even though she is 2 1/2 years old we still let her do it.  I am sure we will have to stop that habit soon enough.

5 on Friday

1. We have been married 4 years!  Wow, they have flown by. And yet so much has changed.

2. Genevieve had her first visit to day-care (and her second visit too).   Ellie had a dentist appointment on Tuesday, so Neve hung out with her new friends for an hour. She slept for most of it and was hanging out under the play mat when I went to pick her up. She visited on Thursday so Nick and I could have an anniversary lunch and run errands without the girls.   Her teachers said she did great.  She will start going half days next week.  Yes, that means my full-time maternity leave is almost over.  I am happy and sad.  Happy because I will enjoy the adult interaction of work and I really do love my job.  Sad because I will miss our Y&R cuddle time and because it means she is growing up.  I don't think I will have this much time off work until I retire (at least I hope it goes that way).

3. Nick had his first trail work day of the season for his mountain biking group (CITA).  It sounds like they had a lot of fun and got a ton accomplished.   Nick is a member of the CITA board this year and it is great to see him be even more involved in something he loves (even if it means more time away from the family).

4. Ellie was a super star at the dentist.   They usually have the kids sit on their parent's lap at this age, but sure enough Ellie wanted to sit in the big chair.  She opened wide when Dental Hygienist Amy  and Doctor Matt asked her to and loved having her teeth brushed.  Not to brag, but she had to be the easiest patient they saw all day.

5. Ellie also had her 1-year follow-up with the ENT.  Her tubes are still in place and doing exactly what they are supposed to.   Once again, she was a star patient--- even when her and Daddy had to wait 45 minutes to see the Doctor.

4 Years Later...

... we have this:

What a fun 4 years it has been.   Here is to many more!

Happy Anniversary to an amazing husband, daddy and best friend.  

I love you, Nick!

Growing Up

I cannot believe how grown-up Ellie has become, she is a little person and a great helper with Baby Sister.

 Daddy thought she needed a basketball and hoop.  She loves it!

She is also a fan of blowing bubbles.  Sometimes the wind helps her make it work.

 She sleeps in some crazy positions--- this one is pretty mild.

 Still loves bath-time.

And fits into the dress that my sister and I both wore when we were little.  My mom made it for us.

Blankie Time

It seems like each night there is a picture opportunity similar to these two pictures: Nick, Genevieve and Eleanor laying on a blanket or two on the floor.  Super cute!

Newborn Pics: Mommy and Daddy

We didn't forget to get a couple of just Mommy and Genevieve, as well as Daddy and Genevieve.  I also though it would be fun to have a picture of her little feet with the symbols of marriage and love that started it all.

5 on Friday

1. We had a spontaneous birthday celebration with Nick's Mom on Saturday.  Isn't it weird how you plan things with people so far in advance because everyone is so busy otherwise, but then there are days were you can get everyone together at the last minute.   Those days are great.

Happy Belated Birthday, Linda!    

2. The new Baby Wise routine seems to be working--- Genevieve has been sleeping 5+ hours straight each night and then getting up only to eat.   We had one night where either the storms woke her up or her cold was bothering her and she was up multiple times.  One off night in 10 days is very doable for Mommy.  What a difference a little sleep makes!

3. We started getting smiles this week--- real smiles!   Nick got one on Sunday and Ellie and I were getting lots starting on Monday.  Ellie is thrilled when Genevieve smiles at her.

4. In addition to smiling, Genevieve has also decided that she is done with her 0-3 month sleepers.  The body suits in that size still fit, but the sleepers are too short.  This was the opposite issue than what we had with Ellie.  

5. Today, Genevieve and I are joining a friend in going garage sale shopping at the Waukee Garage Sales!   Waukee always has really good sales and I have gone to them in the past.  I am VERY excited to go to them and then only have to drive a few minutes back home!    Genevieve is a little off from Ellie in terms of seasons and sizes, so we are looking for a few items to finish out her wardrobe for the next year.  Ellie is in need of a few summer items to wear at day-care as well.  It is hard when you have to leave 2 outfits per kid at day-care in case of an unexpected outfit change.  Those are 2 outfits they will most likely not wear (at least in Ellie's case) so I am hoping to find something really cheap.

The Girls- Newborn Photos

What is a newborn photo shoot without pictures of Big Sister and Little Sister--- this was a must when we were picking a photographer.  Needless to say, the pictures we got were exactly what I dreamed of and more.   Our friend, Emily, made the girls matching tutus and they were perfect for the pictures. The pictures do not do the tutus justice, as they are super cute with lots of detail in the ribbons.  Genevieve was not very fond of hers and proceeded to have her first blow-out in it.   Good thing I could wash it out so it is as good as new.