3 Months Old Today!

I can't believe that Gwen is 3 months old today. The time has flown by so fast. If I hadn't been laid off I would have been back at work and Mike would be on his paternity leave (which he is scared about). 12 weeks off for a baby is definitely not long enough, even though I think I am ready to go back to work. I am sure once the time comes I will be devastated so until then I am enjoying every day with my little one.

Gwen is doing great. The acid reflux medicine has helped tremendously. She is rarely fussy during the day now. We were having some issues feeding her at lunch and dinner so I have moved to giving her a bottle for lunch and dinner. It seems to be going really well. It's enjoyable to feed her again!

Gwen sleeps 10+ hours at night and she now takes 2 naps a day in the crib. She seems to love her crib and I'll hear her "laughing & talking" to herself a lot. This works out wonderful actually as the number of "I'm starving/exhausted freak outs" when Mike gets home from work have declined. We were having a few issues with Gwen not taking a bottle from Mike nor was she responding too well to him. We are now making it a point to have him feed her dinner, have activity time with her after work, bathe her, and put her to bed, almost all on his own. This is so he gets that quality time with her that I normally get all day.

Here are some pictures of the little one. I have started a album titled "Winter 2009". Enjoy!

*Notice the book she has to stand on since she is too short.

Ladies and Gentlemen.......we have colic.

Gwen had to go to the doctors today because she has been having some acid reflux issues. Luckily she sleeps 10+ hours a night, but the days have been a tad rough. The pediatrician put her on a prescription that is like a baby's version of Zantac. It should work within a day or 2.

Other than that Gwen is doing great. She is 13 lbs 6 oz. She is holding her head up like a champ and one of her new favorite things to do is have me carry her around in her Bjorn. She talks so much now and there is nothing like waking up to her smile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For the first time in over10 years I was asleep before it turned midnight. Mike and I stayed in, made nachos, and watched Stepbrothers with our little Gwen (who was actually an angel yesterday and today. We thought she hated holidays!!). Even my parents partied it up in Vegas!! My, my how the times have changed............

This time last year I had no idea how my life was about to be turned upside down. I think I spent most of 2008 completely in shock at how life took control of me vs. me taking control of my life. I started 2008 as an independent woman, who could just pack up and go, with a great job and ended it as a woman whose life revolves around feeding a baby and collecting unemployment. Looking back I don't think I embraced being pregnant and having a baby as much as I should have, mainly because I was in shock. This is what I have built my New Years Resolutions on. Here they are (and none of them have to do with getting in shape or losing weight!!)

1. Take charge of my life. In lieu of watching life happen to me and missing what my life once was, I have to embrace this "new" life. This may mean joining mommy's groups, doing activities with other moms and Gwen during the day, spending more time with my friends, getting a babysitter at least once a month to that I can be a couple with Mike, going on family friendly vacations (Maui here we come......) and finding a job that I will love, not just one that I have to have.

2. Let things go. I spend my days cleaning the house and freaking out about what I "have to do". I need to just let it go and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I won't be judged by the state of my house and in the long run it won't matter........what matters is the laugh and smile of my child, the love of my husband........not a clean kitchen.

3. Finish what I started. I always start things and never finish. I have always been like that. This year I am going to get things done. I don't want Gwen to have a half assed baby book some day :-)

I am really looking forward to 2009 as it is going to mean some great changes and the beginning of a new life. Happy New Year to everyone and I am hoping your 2009 will be as fulfilling as I know mine will be :-)

An "OK" Christmas

Well Gwen survived her very first Christmas..........barely. She caught her mommy's cold and was simply miserable for Denise's Christmas Eve Party. She spent the night screaming with her mommy in her room. Luckily though the cold lasted 2 days and she slept the entire Christmas Eve night and most of Christmas Day. Gwen got to finally meet her Uncle Joe and a lot of new friends. She had a great time in Tulsa and it is such a joy to watch her talk, smile, and interact with people. For me that is what the holiday is all about!

Everyone was so generous to her for Christmas and I can see she is going to be spoiled. Her favorite toy came from Grandma P/Papa and is a Glow Worm whom we named "Glowy" after Rat Boy's Glow Worm (long story). I think she likes Glowy best because she has a chimple just like Gwen does.

Here are a few photos from the holiday. Enjoy!!

2 Month Check-Up

Gwen had her 2 month check up today. She weighs 12 lbs 1 oz and is 23" long (she was born at 7 lbs 2 oz and 19" long). The doctor said she is perfect! She had her shots and did really well. She screamed so much that she stopped breathing, but after a minute I put a pacifier in and she fell asleep.

Gwen's Trip To NY

Gwen had her first trip to NY and it was a success! She was absolutely perfect on the plane rides. If it wasn't for all the delays in Chicago we wouldn't have had any crying, but of course the delays screwed up her feeding schedule, and we all know how much Gwen loves to eat!

Gwen got to meet her cousins Olivia and Grace, her Aunt Christine and Uncle Mike, as well as extended family and friends. A party was thrown in her honor and it was wonderful. She was pretty cranky but survived.

Mike and I spent our first night away from Gwen when we went to a wedding in Saratoga (Congratulations Melissa and Chris). I had major anxiety and even cried when I left her. I had Mike up around 7:30 am to go back to Utica to see her............I have become such a mom!

I have a cute story to share. We were all eating dinner at my parents house and Grace was playing a game called Lucky Duck. Well I look over and Grace has a Lucky Duck playing card on Gwen's lap. All of a sudden you hear Grace say "she's not playing". She was trying to get Gwen to play with her. TOO CUTE!!

Here are a few pictures from our trip. The rest can be seen in my Tis The Season album. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

I Know All Moms Say This But.........

Our daughter is seriously the cutest baby in the world!

I added a new album to my photos. It's called Tis the Season and all holiday photos will be posted there. Check it out............