Back to work

Sadly, Momma Weaver has started back to work. Wednesday was my first day back and it was difficult for me, but it didn't phase Gracie at all. The hardest part of her day was Daddy learning that she likes her milk warm-warm, not just warm. Once he figured that out, here's the picture text I got saying, "Wow! I can't believe I ate 4 ounces!" This is about half an ounce away from her milk-drunk look. When she's eaten a whole bunch, she gets this look the baby community calls "milk-drunk." Daddy and I tell her she's schnaukered (not even sure how to spell that word).









My last few days of maternity leave were so fun. I spent Monday with Gracie, just enjoying our time together. I found myself watching her sleep in the early morning hours. It must be a mom-thing, but I could stare at her for hours, especially when she's asleep. I honestly can't think of anything better than when she wakes up in the middle of the night for a feeding. I change her diaper first. Her room is dark and she's still asleep. When I unzip her sleeper, her legs are crossed and pulled up to her belly, just how she was in my tummy. She arches her back and wrinkles her forehead and makes sweet baby sounds. She's so warm and snuggly and I just take in her baby smell and snuggles. My favorite!

On Monday she also learned a new trick. She can now grab ahold of things. She's much better at using her left hand than her right. Momma's wondering if she's gonna be a south paw like me?! We'll just have to wait and see! This is a snip-it of the text we sent Daddy that day.

On Tuesday my sister had a colonoscopy. No fun. And by the way, everything turned out to be just fine with her. I watched Kyle and Kianna while Steph had it done. It was a bit of a crazy day. With Grace being so young, Kianna being so inquisitive, and Kyle being so active, I was on the move all day long. It gave me a glimpse of what next year will be like when we job-share. I'll definitely have to work on a routine. I also won't be nursing... which will take a huge load off.

We had a super time together though. Kyle and Kianna helped make lunch. We had spaghetti and meatballs, broccoli, and homemade apple sauce. By the way, if you're looking for yummy homemade applesauce that's healthy, try this. Steam thinly sliced apples (just like veggies) with cinnamon on top. Puree the steamed apples and just a little bit of the water/juice to desired consistency. I made up the recipe on the fly because I wanted to have something homemade for Kianna since Kyle and I got to enjoy the spaghetti. The applesauce was super sweet, without adding any sugar. I just Fuji apples, just FYI.

My adorably-cute neice, Pebbles... I mean, Kianna!
She broke the pasta in half before we boiled it.

My amazing broccoli-washer and right hand in the kitchen...

A few other random pictures from this week...


One of Grace's favorite activities is bath time. Momma enjoys it, too, because she is so animated and alert when she's all soaped up! I'm probably going to regret it later, but I encourage her to kick-kick in the bath tub. She loves to make splashes. Later when my bathroom floor's a swimming pool, I kick myself for telling her it was okay.

Blowing spit bubbles...

Big Day!

Today was a big day for Gracie for a few reasons. First off, she woke up in her own bed this morning. It was pretty funny when I went in to get her. She was smiling and laughing as usual, but when I turned the light on, she looked around and noticed she was in her own room. She seemed very proud of herself and was kicking and waving her arms in excitement!

The night was fairly uneventful. She nursed at 6:50 pm, had a bath and bedtime story before rocking to sleep around 7:30 pm. Then at 8:00 pm I laid her down for night-night. Of course I checked on her multiple times to get my Gracie-fix, but she didn't awake until 2:30 am to nurse. 7.5 hours since her last feeding and 7 hours of sleep for her. She nursed and went back to sleep right away, just like always. Then woke again at 6:40 am for another feeding. After eating, she slept again until 8:30 am. What a good sleeper she is!

She's always a happy girl in the mornings. It's hard to be sad about my little baby growing up when every morning starts like this! Please excuse the out of tune singing... Little Gracie isn't aware of pitch just yet, so she enjoys our songs.

Today was also a big day because Grace had her 2 month appointment. I know, 2 months?! Insane how fast time flies! She checked out very well, weighing exactly 10 lbs and measuring 23 inches long. She's in the 75 percentile for height/length and the 25 percentile for weight. Because she's sleeping so well, she has dropped a few feedings. The doctor isn't too concerned about her weight, but said she's a little behind schedule. We're going back in a few weeks for a weight check, but Momma isn't worried. In my unexperienced opinion, she would be fussy if she wasn't getting enough to eat and she isn't. She's all smiles unless she's tired or ready to eat.

Her appointment also included 3 shots and an oral vaccination. I decided on the way to the doctor's office that I wasn't going to get upset about her shots. I knew she'd cry, but I also knew I was doing it to protect her from serious illnesses. As expected, she did cry. I stayed calm and was able to comfort her quickly. So 3 hot pink band-aids and 2 sore thighs later, she's taking a nap to rest from her busy morning.

In her own bed

So tonight is a little bittersweet for Momma Weaver. Gracie is in her own bed for the first time. She's been sleeping soundly in there since 8:00 and Momma has mixed emotions. I'm sad because it feels like the end of an era. Daddy said 2 months is hardly and era, but I disagree. She'll never sleep in our room again. But again, Daddy disagrees. He said she will. Not that I want her in our bed very often, but I secretly hope he's right! I won't be listening to her infant grunts and moans as I drift off to sleep anymore. I won't be able to reach over to her cradle to feel her chest rise and fall. I won't be able to watch her innocently sleep every time I wake up at night. I won't be able to lean in and smell her newly washed baby-smell. There are so many things that will change once she's in her own bed. But I've decided that I can do all those things... I'll just have to get my tushy out of bed and walk across the hall to do them! Right?!

There are a few things to look forward to now that she'll be in her own bed. Right now, for example. She's in bed and we're awake. Daddy is snuggling with Tysie and I can blog again! Turning the ceiling fan on... I always thought it'd make her stuffy. Not stubbing my toe on the cradle when I get out of bed. Turning on the light when I wake before Gracie in the morning. Just a few little things I'm using to 'look on the bright side.'

I've always said life is all about choosing your attitude. I could be super sad that she's growing up so fast or I could choose to roll with the changes and be happy where we're at. I'm somewhere in the middle right now, but I'm trying to obey 1 Thessalonians 5:18. It says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." I'm trying to give thanks and rejoice for all the happiness God has given to me, rather than dwelling on the sadness that comes when time moves too quickly.

I'll update soon on her first night in her crib. Maybe she'll sleep till 4 or 5 am like usual. Maybe she'll get up several times tonight and need her Momma. Maybe I'm not sure which I'm hoping for?