Working Hard

Dear Maddie,

Well we are successfully making the adjustment to Mommy being back at work. Two weeks ago was the first dreaded day back. It's hard to believe that 12 weeks went so fast. It's hard to believe that you're already 3 months old!

The worst part about going back to work is the leaving. Once I'm there, it's so busy I can easily distract myself. But I sure do love talking about you and showing off your pictures! I definitely miss being home to put you to bed every night and watch you spend some time with Daddy, but I also think it's good for Mommy to be working. Not only will it help provide a better future for you, but I hope that it gives you something to admire about me.

Being a mommy is definitely hard, being a working mommy even harder, being a working mommy who works midnights is extremely hard! It's the perfect solution for us right now, and so far, I have to say you have done great with letting Mommy get some sleep during the day. You usually take good naps or at least like to snuggle and relax with me. So we are definitely making it work so far. However, I do know the time is approaching where you will want to be up a lot more. So we are just going to figure things out as they go.

Now, moving on from me working, let's talk about you working! You have been hard at work this past month. You are now cooing and babbling a lot, smiling tons, and I've even gotten 2 giggles out of you! You are slowly starting to like tummy time more - especially since you've learned how to roll over! You're becoming an expert at holding your head up, both when on your tummy and sitting up! Speaking of which you are also loving to sit propped up or in your Bumbo! I think the big thing is that you just are loving to explore your world now. So hear are so pictures showing your hard work this month!

Holding your head high

 

Sitting pretty

 Tummy time!

All smiles!

Aw that smile just makes me melt! Your favorite time to flash it - when we come to get you from your crib, no matter what time it is you always give us a big old grin! Love you baby girl!


<3 Mommy!

PS: To see some great smiles, check out the link to Maddie's 3 month pictures on my Facebook page!

Pic of the Week - Da Bears

Dear Madeline,

As you will quickly learn, our family is huge sports fanatics! So this is sure to be just the first of many sporty outfits you will be "sporting". Now I know it is June and no where near football season, but since the Bulls and Hawks disappointed and the Cubs and Sox are clearly nothing to brag about this season, we are moving on! Besides, this cute onesie won't fit you come September.

13 Weeks

Also note that the back of this onesie does say Bernard and has the number 1. Unfortunately, we were unable to capture that in a pic due to an explosive diaper shortly after this picture was taken...better luck next time!

Love you peanut!

Mommy!!!

Pic of the Week - Rub-a-dub-dub

Dear Maddie-

This week is all about bath time! You're slowly beginning to like bath time more and for some reason you love for Daddy to give you your bath. Here are a couple precious pictures of you all wrapped up after your bath - I just love how you can see your smile in your eyes in the second one! :)

Twelve weeks old

Twelve weeks old

Kisses...

Mommy!

Pic(s) of the Week

Dear Madeline,

Well our weekly picture update is a little late this week because Mommy had to go back to work Monday night. :( There will be a post on that experience hopefully at the end of this week. But this is the last week that I have to play "catch up" on your pictures.

One of the things that Daddy and I have come to find out about you is that you sleep SO much better when you are swaddled. So here you are at 7 weeks and 11 weeks sporting your swaddles. Uncle Fran thinks you look like a glow worm in the green one - someday I will show you what exactly our glow worms were.

Seven weeks old

Eleven weeks old

Love you little glow worm!!!

Mommy :)

Pic(s) of the Week

Dear Madeline,

This picture from when you were four weeks old shows you sporting your first summery outfit - we also took our first walk this day!

Four weeks old

And I love this picture from last week - my little girly girl!

Ten weeks old

And here you just truly looked like a sleeping angel. You melt my heart!

Ten weeks old

Love you forever and ever!

Mommy!

Two Months "Two" Fast

Dear Madeline,

I can not believe that you are already two months old!! How has that much time passed already?  

Two months and a week

It's amazing how fast you are growing now. Last week we went to the pediatrician for your two month check-up. You weighed 9 lb 10.5 oz and were 22 3/4 in long. Overall the doctor was very happy with how you are doing. He said you're very healthy, look great, and even thinks your hemangiomas are starting to get better. Which reminds me, Grandma refers to them as "angel kisses" so that is what we have been calling them now. So when I refer to that in future letters you know what I mean. :)  We did talk about how you had been a little more fussy lately and doing a lot of spitting up. So we decided to try some medication for acid reflux to see if that helps (after all, all of your cousins have had to take something, so it comes as no surprise). I must admit that you do seem to be doing better. Which is reassuring to me because I hated the fact that I was putting you on yet ANOTHER medication at such a young age. But I just want you to be comfortable and the happy baby I know you are. We also had your first set of vaccinations. You of course cried, but did very good. You were a little irritable for the rest of the day, but back to yourself the next morning!

We were supposed to go see the dermatologist the same day, but I was lucky enough to get you squeezed in the week before. He was also happy with how you are doing. He feels that some of the angel kisses have definitely improved. We were pretty much in and out this visit, especially since you had no desire to be messed with that day. He kept you on the same dose of medication and we follow up with him June 6.

Now on to the more fun things...
You are definitely becoming more and more alert; which we love because you have the most beautiful eyes to look at (say Thank you Daddy!).

You now are smiling when people talk to you or smile at you. Daddy and I were just saying how your smiles just make our heart melt!

You love to put your hands in your mouth, and have even started to put your toys in your mouth too.

You can now lift your head when you are on your tummy and are getting very good at holding it up while you are being held. You prefer to be held in an upright position now, and I'd imagine it's because you are very in to exploring your surroundings now.

You're even making noises in response to people talking to you. You have the cutest little cry; Grandma says it's hard to take that cry seriously because it's so sweet.  

Our weekends this month have been very busy. We celebrated your Papa's 60th birthday on May 1st by going to Granny and Papa's house. I think your presence was all he needed to make his birthday perfect.

Papa's 60th Birthday

The following weekend was Mother's Day, my first Mother's Day! It was a perfect day spent with you and Daddy and our two families. Although we had a pretty hectic day of running around to a few different places, it was worth it.

Our First Mother's Day

Three Generations

This past weekend we had your first big "event" - your baby dedication. The was an extra special day because not only were you dedicated but your cousin Delaney was as well. The service was on Saturday, May 14, 2011 and then on Sunday we had a celebration for you girls with our family and friends. Although it was a pretty exhausting weekend, it was a great time!

Dedication

You and Pastor Tim

You and your Godparents

You and Delaney

You and Delaney making each other smile!

Here is Bible verse that Daddy and I chose for you:

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 Love you little angel!

Mommy <3

Pic(s) of the Week

Dear Maddie,

Another week, another set of pictures! Look how much you've grown...

Three weeks

Baby Dedication with Delaney - Nine weeks

Love you!

XO Mommy