Evolution

16 Weeks


Well into our new schedules and doing well! I think the trickiest part is me being away from work for one day. Yes - I’m that important ; ) But truthfully, I feel a little guilty being away one day a week from work, but it’s more fulfilling being home and seeing Nora sit in her little seat and starting to hear her belly laugh. 


She’s getting better at grabbing items - it’s amazing watching her concentrate so hard to pick up toys. She holds on a bit then tosses quite well. 


She’s rounding the bend to 4 months now - ! Next doctor’s visit we’ll be learning about solid foods. What?? Didn’t we just get the hang of bottles? Nutty! 


I’m dreading the 4-month check up: 4 more shots : (

The New Normal

15 Weeks


We’ve officially had our first week of the new schedule and lifestyle! Yes, it went well!


Monday Grammy Batty had a ball with Nora as did Nana Kron on Tuesday! I was a little worried that the house would be too stuffy with this abnormal heat, but everyone managed - thankfully the AC guy is coming to make sure we’re all fixed up for the summer - which I hope isn’t record hot. 


I really liked being back at work - it felt like “me” again. I feel refreshed after a break from the job. Plus I have new team members which is a refresher too. AND our office is re-organizing a bit. So everything feels like new again. 


My team seems supportive of me working 4 days and I really want to make it work. I want to be able to have one day with Nora so it’s not just weekends. On weekdays we basically see her for no more than 1 hour before she goes down for bed! 


What’s funny is I actually feel more guilty about missing ONE day of work than four days with Nora! It seems backwards - what does that say about me?! 

Poof!

14 Weeks


...and just like that I’m back to work tomorrow! It’s an extremely bittersweet feeling. Nora and I have finally hit our groove - we get each other, nursing is going great and I feel like I somewhat “get” what I do as a Mama.


However, I’m looking forward to wearing something other than a nursing tank, remember what high heels feel like and have adult conversations. I think I might get a little stir-crazy if I stayed home... And I praise those women who watch multiple children - whew! It’s tricky enough for me with one!


I’m thankful to have such wonderful mothers who want to watch Nora. Thankful I found someone who I’m comfortable to watch Nora as a new face in our lives. Thankful I can take a 4-day week to enjoy having that one day alone with Nora to watch my little girl grow.


I’m actually not sad or nervous about tomorrow - it’s a lot like going back to school after summer vacation. Back to my desk and friends, I feel refreshed about the work I will do. I was more emotional leaving Nora with the sitter since that’s a total unknown. Starting back with just two days was a good idea too - that way I can dip my toes in, then go back full force next week!

Trial #2

13 Weeks


I had less tears this time : ) Actually, none spilled over which felt like a tiny triumph.


I left Nora with Holly from 10am - 3pm. Boy did I get a lot done...


- bought some size 2 Dr Brown bottle nipples
- shipped a return bottle to Amazon.com
- ate lunch slowly
- unloaded dishwasher
- washed bottle bits and bobs
- vacuumed the entire house as well as along the baseboards
- shook out and vacuumed kitchen rug
- dusted off ceiling fans


At first it was extremely strange in such a quiet house - but once I got going, it was hard to stop! I could have kept going with editing my closet. I almost felt guilty being home with no baby to be responsible for.  


I picked Nora up at 3pm - Holly answered the door with Nora in her arms. Nora took two 1+ hr naps for Holly and drank her two bottles - go Nora! Whew! 


Nora had some time with Nana Kron today and did fairly well - took two bottles and went down to nap for her. I think by the time Nana left, Nora was comfortable with her : ) She’s in the phase where she knows when someone other than Daddy and Mommy are holding her! 

Trial #1

13 Weeks

Well I passed - I mean Nora passed her first few hours at Holly’s, our new sitter for Nora on Wed/Thu : )

Our morning schedule worked out well - Nora woke up from her 1/2hr nap and was fed in time to get out the door to Holly’s by 10am. We went over Nora’s basics and I left for my haircut - Holly’s first objective was to get Nora down to sleep. 

I left for my 11am haircut and was basically in tears before I even got in the car! I think I cried 5 minutes - not too bad? It was nice to just zone out and get my haircut. I came home to a very quiet house - so freaking weird! I took advantage and went on a 2-mi run, washed off, ate some lunch and started her diaper laundry. 

I went back to Holly’s at 1:15 and Holly answered the door with Nora - “She just woke up!” What?? That darn girl slept the entire time there. Of course. Wildcard. So Holly watched me change her cloth diaper and Holly tried to feed her - which didn’t go very well, so Nora at least took the bottle from me - a full 4oz [good Girl!]. 

We’re going to do it again on Thursday for a longer period of time so that Holly may have a chance to change and feed her and Nora gets more acclimated. 

I feel much better - I feel like a lot of worry is gone and I’ll feel even better after another trial on Thursday. 

Lil Janitor

12 Weeks


Jangle those keys, Nora!

Mom, Listen!

12 Weeks


Nora is babbling up a storm! She has a lot to say and when she starts to talk, I have a feeling she won’t stop! It’s pretty cool - so here is a video! [the whole purpose of getting my new phone...]

Hurdle Updates

12 Weeks


Next bottle up: Dr. Brown’s... and he’s workin’ out! I didn’t think there’d be a chance because the nipple is SO small, but Nora seems to be taking to it well. Additionally, I moved my hand closer to her mouth, around the ring of the bottle and rest some of my hand against her cheek which may be helping too. So this made Tuesday and today much better. 


The true test is if Tim can give her a bottle as well as Nana and Gramma Batty! Fingers crossed...


Additionally, putting her down to sleep has been very good - we’ve had a few times where we’ve had to cry it out with her, but the longest she’s gone crying is about 45 minutes. It wasn’t as hard as I thought - getting her to take a bottle is actually more stressful for me. 


Not to mention this weather has been so awesome - I actually have the windows open and yesterday I read some magazines on the deck while Nora slept! Just lovely.

Hurdles

12 Weeks


This weekend was Cry It Out sleep training... and it went way better than we anticipated! Nora is actually fairly good at putting herself to sleep when she’s drowsy! We were proud of her! Of course Tim goes back to work on a Monday and I go to lay Nora down for her first nap when she’s drowsy and the fussing and crying begins... sigh. She doesn’t cry per se, it’s more of a whining and yelling out. I hope this isn’t how my whole day goes... 


Bottle: one step forward, two steps back. She took 4oz from Tim fairly well on Saturday - we used a Playtex bottle/tan rubber nipples instead of a clear silicone nipple which is softer. But then trying it last night didn’t fly well... so I’m going to try the rubber nipple again today. I have back-up bottles to continue experimenting with.

Growin’ Boot!

11 Weeks


The peanut is breakin’ out of her shell! Those 0-3 month onesies are no more - I put on a onesie that has been hanging in her closet - size 3-6 months - and it fits like a glove - whoa! Better start shifting her wardrobe!


I feel like once Nora hit 8 weeks it was easier to dress her in actual clothes - before that, onesies just seemed to be more “baby” like. 

Her and I hit Buy Buy Baby yesterday to get some larger swaddlers too - that tall drink of milk is growing out of those too! 

Sportin’ booties from Spain - thanks Cousin Brian & Fayza!