A Little Bit of Perspective

Last week was a terrible week. From Monday morning, through late Wednesday it felt like everything that could go wrong, did. From a disappointment at work and post-shots fevers, to insurance issues following a fender bender, I was struggling to get make it through Monday. Then on Tuesday we learned that our landlord - who had previously denied this - wishes to list our house and he gave us a month's notice to move. We have lived in the same house since moving here 3.5 years ago and we love the area where we are. The house is a bit dated, and there's a lot that could be done to spruce the place up, but it is roomy and we have enjoyed making it our own. And, best of all, the landlord never raised our rent (which helps to explain why we haven't considered moving to date). By mid-week my anxiety level was reaching dangerous levels and, unfortunately, my emotions got the better of me more than once (sorry Jason!)

By Thursday I was counting the minutes to the end of the week and looking forward to a long weekend (even one undoubtedly filled with house hunting, cleaning and starting a new to-do list!) Much to my surprise I received a special delivery to my office. One of my best friends, Mellisa, sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and, in an instant, my week turned around. Thanks to her sweet card she gave me a little bit of perspective and I was able to take a step back from the "woe is me" attitude I had adopted and see things with a bit more clarity. Yes, it was a difficult week. Many tears were shed out of disappointment, frustration and anxiety. But with her words, Mellisa reminded me that I have more strength than I sometimes recognize, and God will always present a window when a door is closed. It was just what I needed to snap back into reality and she reminded me to be grateful for the amazing life that I have. Do I wish the week had gone differently? Absolutely. But now, I am ready for the next steps and I'm looking forward to what the future may hold - professionally, personally, and physically. Looks like I owe Mellisa more than a thank you....

This morning as I was writing this post, I realized that it is the last day of May. Then I looked back in the multiple albums on my phone and confirmed what I thought...it was this day one year ago that I learned I was pregnant. Jas was in Canada and I took a pregnancy test (several if I'm being honest) in a Target bathroom over my lunch break (if it sounds less than glamorous, that's because it was! Nothing like crying tears of shock and joy alone in a public restroom). I cannot believe that it has been a year, as many days it feels like I just found out we were going to have a baby. A year later, I have a happy, healthy four month old who is just about the sweetest and easiest baby in the world. Even with the current frustration and stress we are dealing with as a family, it's hard to imagine things could be better!

4 Months!

I cannot believe it, but my baby was 4 months old yesterday! Time is speeding by, even faster now I think since I have returned to work. It seems she looks bigger almost everyday and she is always doing something new. She slept more than 12 hours on Saturday night so she woke up in a great mood (as did her well rested parents!) After she ate, I snapped a few 4 month pictures. I feel like she looks so much different than she did even at her 3 month pictures.

At four months, Hadley:

 - loves smiling and has started to giggle (which often sounds like a dolphin!)

 - is rolling over regularly from her tummy to her back 

 - will try to roll from her back to her belly, but often gets her arm stuck and ends up just laying on her side instead 

 - eats up to 6 oz per feeding and sleeps an average of 10.5 hours a night

 - "talks" a lot and is always cooing and telling stories

 - is enjoying daycare, even if she regularly sleeps more than half the day!

She continues to be sweet and easy going, rarely crying and she is friendly to everyone as long as they will cuddle with her. She is sometimes startled by the dog barking, but we hope she gets used to this sound soon since Gracen won't stop barking at unseen/largely non-existent dangers anytime soon. 

This morning, Hadley had her four month checkup at the pediatrician, and her second round of vaccinations. Despite a weekend battling a runny nose and diarrhea, she was in a good mood and was smiling and talking to the doctor the whole visit. As of today, Hadley:
 - is 23.5 inches long (20th percentile - short little nugget like her mama)
 - weighs 13 lbs 2 oz and fills out 3 month clothes (25-30th percentile)
 - her head measures 17 inches (97th perecentile!) making her our own little bobble head

The pediatrician said that she seems physically advanced for her age and everything looks good. We agree that she is pretty perfect! I am excited to see what new adventures the next month brings.

Pre-shots picture. We were both looking a bit rough following the shots! 

TGIF

I'm so glad it's Friday and I'm looking forward to a weekend with the family! Little Miss was in a great mood this morning (as per usual) and I had to snap a few pics before we left the house.

On Sunday, Hadley will be 4 months old. How has this happened so fast?! She is getting bigger by the day and I am starting to miss my tiny little baby already. In the past month, Hadley has started doing more things, including rolling over, giggling and "talking." She comes by that last part naturally! I have a few videos to share but I can't get them to upload for some reason so I'll keep trying. Here's to hoping everyone has a great weekend and check in soon to get Hadley's 4 month update and pictures! 

Trucks, SWAT and Baseball

Hadley had a great first week of daycare. All of the stimulation seems to be exhausting as she takes at least two long naps during the day and continues to sleep an average of 10 hours overnight. Not that I'm complaining! On Thursday of last week, the school hosted it's annual "Touch a Truck" event. Police and fire units from both the NKC and KC departments were on campus, along with a tactical truck, motorcycles, horses, bomb truck, a show car and an ATV. Not sure the "Tiny Turtles" were too interested in the pomp and circumstance, but Hadley liked the men in uniform (smart girl). Her teacher told me that she cuddled up to a fireman and tried to go to sleep!

Over the weekend, Jason and I went with Tina and Justin to see our first Royals game of the season. Our friend Cody works for a local sports radio station and he was given 4 tickets. Because the Braves were in town, he thought we would like to see the game and he was nice enough to give us the tickets. We had a teacher from Cerner Kids who watched all three kids for us so we could enjoy some adult time. The game was pretty boring (though the Royals pulled it out after a walk off home run in extra innings!) but we enjoyed spending time together. Even though we didn't bring her to the game, we made sure to dress Hadley in her Royals gear. She looked so cute!

Tiny Turtle Fun

Yesterday was Hadley's first day of daycare and I have to admit I was a bit nervous. I have been back to work for almost a month now, but the idea that she would no longer be at home somehow made me sad. Luckily, a few weeks ago we were pleasantly surprised when we received a phone call from Cerner Kids - the Montessori school on campus - letting us know we had made it off the wait list and had a spot available to us in the infant room. Jas and I had a long talk about it and decided that it was worth the extra money each month to have Hadley on campus with us. The school is such a nice perk of Cerner, and I love that I can walk over squeeze her whenever I want. And, even better than the convenience, she is in the same "Tiny Turtles" class as Sadie Kay.

We only have one car right now, and Jas is taking a class off campus, so we are leaving earlier than ever before to ensure we get to work on time. But before leaving I was able to snap a couple of pictures to commemorate her first day of "school." Good thing I took them when I did because by the time we got to school she had blown out her diaper and immediately required a full outfit change!

I was a bit nervous when we dropped her off, but Hadley was just as sweet as ever and had a "great" first day. Apparently it was also an exhausting day because she slept all night. She fell asleep on the way home and I had to wake her up to feed her dinner and she was back asleep within 20 minutes. I had to wake her up again this morning when it was time to get her dressed. Fortunately, she always wakes up happy and I didn't mind the extra cuddles!

The school has an online application called "Daily Connect" where I can check in at anytime to see what Hadley is doing. They update it when she eats, sleeps, gets a new diaper, etc. They also post pictures which I love seeing and every week they publish a newsletter for the parents. I really struggled coming back to work and working mom guilt started full force from Day 1. But having her on campus, and in such a nurturing and educational environment, helps me to feel better. And I'm sure they just love having her smiling little self in class (how could you not?)

Mother's Day Love

Throughout my life, I have been lucky to be surrounded by wonderful women who taught me about the kind of mother I hope to be to my children. Along with my amazing mother, I had three grandmothers, one great-grandmother, aunts, cousins, sisters and godparents who served as examples of strong, independent women many of whom worked full time while managing a household with apparent ease. On my first Mother's Day, I was grateful for the examples of these women. And, like every day, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be Hadley's mother. It is a privilege and my greatest joy. 

My first Mother's Day was amazing and I owe that to my husband. He made such an effort to make me feel special and it was so nice to spend the day at home with him and Hadley. I was able to sleep in, I got breakfast in bed, lots of snuggles, and a delicious homemade dinner. On top of that, Jas gave me a beautiful bouquet and a new garnet ring (Hadley's birthstone). He has set the bar high and now I'm feeling a lot of pressure for Father's Day! 

I cannot thank Jason enough for all he did to make me feel loved and appreciated. I am still new to this parenting game and many days I worry that I'm doing everything wrong. But when I see my baby's smiling face, and the gratitude of my husband for my effort, I feel better. And, for a new mom, that's the best gift. 

Daddy Day Care

I just have to take a minute to brag on Jason. Daycare for Hadley doesn’t start until the 9^th and he took vacation this whole week to stay with her. It’s a shame he’s the breadwinner in our relationship, because he would be a great stay at home dad. Every day, my house is clean when I get home (and really clean, even to my admittedly ridiculous OCD standards). He is completing projects that we have had on the back burner and he continues to cook dinner every night (and also pack my lunch!). He is even making an effort to do the chores he hates – like folding laundry – in order to keep things going. Most importantly, he is getting lots of quality time with Hadley and she is happy as a clam every night when I get home. I could not be more proud of him, or more spoiled by him. I know I don’t tell him enough how grateful I am to have him as my husband, and now as the father of my baby.

As any truth telling parent will agree, having a baby is a complete game changer and our lives are now completely different. In figuring out the craziness that is parenthood, we have struggled with one another at times to maintain a strong connection and loving relationship. We are so grateful to our family and friends for supporting us as we navigate these new waters and we are happy to have you all along for the ride. I am proud of how far we have come and I am excited to see where the future takes us together as a family of three. 

Now time for Daddy to get back to work so he can bring home the bacon!