Sunday, September 18, 2011
Michaela @ Four Months
There have been so many developments in the last month! On the very day she turned three months old, Michaela began to laugh. It was thrilling to hear her do that for the first time, and I kept acting silly just so she would keep laughing. In the last month, her laughter hasn't been a regular thing, but it's a joy to behold when something tickles her funny bone.
In the last couple of weeks, she began rolling over from front to back, and from back to front. I wasn't the first person to see her do this (dagger in my heart). I think Grammy, Auntie Julie, and nanny Elisabeth all saw her do this before I did. The first time I saw her attempting to do so was in her bassinet one morning, and that was the sign I'd been waiting for to transition her into her crib in her nursery. She has taken to her crib very well, and although I put her down on her back, when I go in to check on her she's usually rolled over onto her tummy. I miss having her sleep right next to me, but our house is so tiny that I can almost hear her breathing in her room.
Michaela is becoming more and more coordinated with her hands. She grasps her toys and brings them up to her mouth. Everything goes in the mouth! She's also started to touch my face. It's very sweet. What's not so sweet is how she pulls my hair. Ouch!
Speaking of hair, she has been losing hers. It's all over her sheets and blankets. Most of the hair loss seems to be from the sides of her head. She has so much hair that I don't think it's that noticeable to other people.
Michaela is wearing a size two diaper, and she wears six months sized clothing most of the time. We haven't seen the pediatrician for her official length and weight, but I'm pretty sure she weighs about 16 pounds.
Her disposition continues to be very easy-going. She rarely cries. When she does cry, I know she must not be feeling well. Her acid reflux is still an issue, and that can cause her to be upset. Michaela smiles all the time and vocalizes a lot. So much personality in such a little person! Her mommy, and everyone else who knows her, is absolutely smitten with her.
Updated after pediatrician appointment on Thursday 9/22/11:
Michaela now weighs 14 pounds and 14 ounces. She is 26 inches long. We have the green light to begin solid foods. I was not going to do cereal, but our pediatrician said it was a good practice food and that I could introduce something else five days later - like bananas or avocados. So, I guess we will give it a try!
She didn't fuss too much after her shots, but she was very cranky last night. Grandma stayed overnight with us and did most of the baby wrangling through the night. She is so good to us both. Michael always told me that his mom was "incredible" and he is right. I love having her here with us every week.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Working Mom Blues
Today was the fourth day of the new school year. I am grateful to be in a new school and working with new people, but I honestly hate leaving Michaela. I know she's in good hands with our nanny and her grandparents. It's not that. It's that by the time I get home from wrangling my students (that's what it feels like), I am so tired that I don't feel like I have much left to give her. I totally forgot our little bedtime routine tonight of books and songs and prayers. I don't want her childhood to be less than because I'm tired and distracted when I get home from spending the day with other people's kids.
I just want to pour myself into her. Be there to witness all the firsts. I've already missed a couple just since I went back to work not even two weeks ago. Sigh...
I long to be a SAHM, but I know that even if Michael was here that wouldn't be possible. However, it is something I pray for because I've learned that miracles do happen. Michaela is my miracle. Truly anything is possible. So I'll just keep petitioning the Lord and see what His plans are for our life, and take it one day at a time. It's overwhelming to get anymore ahead of myself than that.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11)
Monday, September 5, 2011
What a Difference a Year Makes!
From this:
To this:
Wow!
It was September 5th last year that I learned that I was pregnant with Michaela. It was an incredibly hard journey - all the failed attempts, Michael's illness and his journey Home, and a very difficult pregnancy. But today, I am the mother of a wonderful little girl. Every day with her is a new adventure, full of delights and challenges.
I remember desperately praying during that two-week wait. Really crying out to the Lord. Acknowledging the near impossibility of this ever happening what with Michael's sperm being effected by the cancer, and my eggs being old. But I knew that God could override all that and create a perfect baby if that was His will for my life. Michaela truly is a miracle, not of modern medicine, but of an all powerful God who lavishes His children with blessings.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
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