A Bit of a Family Resemblance

There might be a bit of a family resemblance :)  Pictures of your Dad coming soon!

See, I add embarrassing pictures of myself as well!

Special Stocking

Your Great-grandma Abbie has made Christmas stockings for every generation (except hers).  Your Grandpa and his siblings all have similar looking stockings.  I and my cousins all have similar looking stockings; they are different than our parents.  All of the people who married into the family have similar looking stockings; they are different yet from the others.  And, she has continued that with the great-grandchildren.  You were privileged enough to get one of these stocking this year!  It was a labor of love and we love that she did this for us.

Four Month Check-up

Today was your four month check-up.  Everything went well.  You are 17 lbs 12.5 oz. (90th percentile), 26.5 inches long (93rd percentile), and have a head circumference of 43.5 cm (75th percentile).  

I was extremely impressed by the nurse.  She gave you your shots so quickly you didn't even realize until the third one that you were supposed to be crying and by then she was done. 

Kim says you turn your head a bit too much to the left (that's always the direction it seems to flop to in your swing) so we are going to work on getting you to turn to the right more.

A Year Ago Today

Exactly a year ago today, I had your dad drop me off at the tanning place downtown.  It was the Sunday after Christmas.  My parents had been here and your dad's parents had come the day after Christmas for dinner.  

Over Thanksgiving, we had decided that we were open to the idea of having a kid.  I had felt tired over Christmas but thought that was just because of everything going on.  However, I was a bit late and thought I would check and see.  So, on my way home, I walked to the Rite Aid and bought a pregnancy test.  

I walked home and went straight to the bathroom without telling your dad what I was thinking.  With this particular test, you are supposed to wait for 2 minutes to know for sure what the results are...it was clear in about 30 seconds.  I immediately went to tell your dad (he was doing dishes).  He was so excited.  We hardly slept at all that night. A year ago today our lives changed forever.  Happy one year!

Always with the Look of Shock

Christmas 2010

Christmas has come and gone.  It's been quite the busy weekend.  Your Dad and I are not feeling like doing much today!  

I think you have enjoyed the lights on the tree as much as anything.  Grandma and Grandpa Shaffar came on Thursday.  We went to the Magic at the Mill and looked at lights there that evening.  Mike and Kathleen came over Friday and we had tamales and tacos for dinner and opened presents.  Uncle Matt stopped Christmas morning, ate a piece of chocolate cake, and dropped Ace off to hang with us until Tuesday.  Then, Grandma and Grandpa Jones and Donald came for Christmas dinner.  Donald kicked your mom's hiney in Canasta.  He's quite the card shark!

Your Dad and I both felt that Christmas meant so much more with you here this year.  Thank you!  I will post more about what you got for Christmas later.

Next Size Up

A couple of weeks ago, we had to go through your clothes again.  I got a little worried that you were going to outgrow the outfit that Aunt Lois and Claudia gave you before I could get a picture so we took some when we were at the coast.

The Flash...or Looks of Surprise

Dad and I had fun taking pictures of you yesterday evening.  The flash on the camera kept giving you a look of surprise...pretty darn cute!

First Shoes and Sand

All three of us came to Lincoln City, for a few days, yesterday to celebrate our anniversary.  Your Dad and I try to do something like this each year...for our anniversary and Christmas.  Last year we came to Lincoln City too.  It's nice to come here because it's so close; only an hour drive, and in the winter there's a lot less people.  Plus, the rooms are more affordable.  

The problem with Lincoln City is outlet shopping; I have very little resistance.  We did pretty well this year though.  Your Dad finally won and you got your first pair of shoes.  A pair of Robeez that look like little tennis shoes.  I think I resisted because it makes you look so grown-up.  We also found a great hat and mittens for you. 

With your new warm duds, we took you for your first walk on the beach.  Dad carried you in your Kelty pack; you promptly fell asleep.  Apparently, you weren't too excited :)

Breastfeeding as a Meditative Activity

I always have a hard time relaxing and taking the time to just "be."  I never thought breastfeeding or pumping would provide that opportunity/lesson.  It's certainly possible to do other things while I'm feeding you...and I do.  But, I've started taking the opportunity when I pump at work to just sit quietly for the 10 minutes that it takes.  Sometimes, I think about you; sometimes, I thing about other things.  But mostly, I just close my eyes and try to quiet my mind.  I'm choosing to see this time as a gift.  Most of the time at work, if I take a break, I just surf the net.  Taking time to close my eyes and quiet my mind is much better.  Thank you for showing me that! 

And, I would never trade the quiet morning feedings with you snuggled up close to me for anything in the world.

My Year in Status -2010

There was a cool little app on Facebook today that put together a list of the status posts for the year.  I was able to pick and choose which ones I wanted.  Thought I'd put it here since a number of them dealt with you!  I might even send out copies with the Christmas cards that will be a bit late...again.

Being a Better Person

Usually, our spouse is a person who makes us want to be a better person.  Andrew does that some for me but he is loving and supportive either way (whether I'm better or not) and I love him so much for that.  You, however, are a new person that my actions will help to shape.  For that and my love for you, you make me want to be a better person!

Ultrasound Pictures From 20 Weeks