Cloth Diapers

And the journey begins...

So far, so good!

Not to mention, she has the cutest little bum in them!

2 Months

Gwen,

You are two months old! I think back over the last 62 days and my mind is already filled with so many memories of our short time together. I can only imagine what the next 62 years - Lord willing - will bring. Your dad and I constantly talk about you and your precious baby ways. You seem to have something new about you that captivates us almost every day. Whether it's a new sound you make or a new roll in your legs, we are delighted by it. We are delighted by you. In fact, recently I was looking at pictures of you (there are only a few *smile) and you literally took my breath away. I still am amazed that you're ours. I have such a hard time believing that you started as nothing and were formed so perfectly in my womb - the work of only a mighty and loving God. Your dad thinks it's funny when I over analyze it, but it honestly gets me every time. I wasn't pregnant and then I was and you grew and developed a little every day for nine months and then I gave birth to you and now you're two months old and smiling at me like you think I'm the funniest thing in the world. You're my daughter and I'm your mom. I'm still in awe of the entire thing! Someone pinch me. 

You are such a happy baby. You love to look at the world. You love to be held and snuggle close. You love to be comforted. You love to sleep close to me. You love to be alone on the floor and stretch out. You love to nurse. You love looking at lights and the fan. You love your paci when you're tired. You love bath time. You love the vacuum. You love your blankie. You love to smile. You even enjoy having your diaper changed. Most of the time *smile. You've never been a super fussy baby, but of course we've had our days and evenings. Weeks three to seven were probably the hardest, but now you're so much more content. Even getting you to sleep at night has become almost crying free. (We thank you for that, sweet girl.) There are just a handful of reasons why you are sometimes sad, and you seem to know that mommy or daddy will always save the day.

When we first brought you home, I wanted to freeze time, but now I'm eager to see what else you have up your sleeve. I have finally come to grips with the fact that you will grow up, get big and not wear 0-3 month clothes the rest of your life. And that is wonderful. I can't wait to see you in every stage. I know you'll steal my heart even more with each one.

You've enriched our lives in so many ways. I pray that God would you use you in crazy awesome ways, and that His will would be done in your life. I also pray that He would give us the discernment and wisdom to raise you well. When I start worrying or being fearful, I try to immediately lay those thoughts and feelings at His feet. You are my greatest care in the world right now, and His word says to cast all of our cares upon Him. So I do. 

The last two months have been a whirlwind of entertaining visitors, figuring out your likes and dislikes, adjusting to new sleep patterns, your first long car ride to Nebraska, meeting new cousins, braving grocery trips and errands for the first time, going on walks, Mommy and Me classes, blog updates and pictures capturing your every move (or so it seems), and lots and lots of kisses, laughter, prayer, tears of joy and adoration. You have such a sweet, sweet spirit, and we thank God for you.

I fall more in love with you every day!

Love always,

Mommy

Gwen's Birth Story (found!)

** UPDATE **

My friend Carrie found my original birth story post through her Google Reader. I don't even know what Google Reader is, but I am so THANKFUL for it and for CARRIE! You have no idea how important this was to me and how appreciative I am! I cried when I got her email this morning.

Below is the original post - yay!

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"Due Date"

I was due on March 20th but always assumed I'd go over my due date, so when the day came and went, it wasn't much of a surprise to Tom and I. Our midwives and good friend, Diedra, a doula, had told us that the majority of first time moms "go late." I was comfortable--except for some back pain--and still loving being pregnant, so I was okay with that baby staying "in Hawaii" until he/she decided it was time to come out to cold Minnesota and meet us. Tom and I enjoyed "livin' it up" the last couple weekends by going to or renting movies, meeting friends for breakfast or dinner, finishing things around the house, getting massages and talking and soaking up our last few days of it just being the two of us. 

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Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity. - Edwin Hubbel Chapin

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"Now Overdue"

I felt great on Sunday the 20th, and even better on Monday the 21st. I told everyone at work that they could probably expect to see me the rest of the week. (I was shooting to have the baby on the 28th since 28 is my favorite number *smile. In fact, my friend Kara told me that if I was desperate, perhaps getting adjusted would help. I had a chiropractic appointment scheduled for the next night (the 22nd) and even contemplated cancelling it and moving it closer to the 28th...I'll say it for you, "Wow, Sarah.") 

I went to the gym that night in order to get my 8th time in for the month (to get my $20 credit from my employer - great perk!). I had a ton of energy and felt really good. And then Tuesday rolled around...I showed up at work and my boss commented on how she couldn't believe I was still there. I told her I was tired and pretty sore from working out the night before. We laughed about my being 40+ weeks pregnant and still going to the gym, and I went about my typical day. But things changed as the day progressed...I remember being very tired and feeling sluggish by the end of the day. That night, upon getting off the bus and walking to my car before heading to my chiro appointment, I sent the following text messages to Tom:

Me: I feel like tonight could be the night. :)
Tom: Why do you feel like tonight could be the night?
Me: I just didn't feel as great as I have by the end of other days. Who knows. :)

Little did we know, that night WOULD be the night. Well, kind of...

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When a child is born into the world, God draws his hand out from near his own heart, and lends something of himself to the parent, and says, "Keep it till I come." - Henry Ward Beecher

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"March 23rd"

Thankfully, Tom and I were able to get a full night's sleep; however, I noticed that I had what felt like mild menstrual cramps throughout the night. I woke up at 6:00 am and said to Tom, "Hey honey...I feel different," which was my way of letting him know that I thought I was in labor without freaking him out. He immediately perked up  and asked me a few questions about what exactly "different" meant. I told him I had some cramping throughout the night and had gone to the bathroom at 5:00 am, which was very unlike me. He recommended I call the on-call midwife to see what she said. I explained to Bridget (one of our favorite midwives!) what I was experiencing and asked whether she'd recommend I go into work that day. She said she couldn't really tell me what to do, that the contractions could go on like this for hours or even dissipate, and to just listen to my body. 

Tom and I got up and checked the news to see what traffic and the weather was like. My route to work was completely backed up due to an accident and the weather was iffy, so I decided I'd email my boss to see if I could work from home just to be safe. At this point, I wasn't having any real contractions, but the conditions outside would make it pretty difficult to get to the hospital if the contractions started. Not to mention the whole "water breaking at work" scenario that kept running through my mind...Thankfully, my boss gave me the go ahead to stay home.

We figured we should try to go back to sleep and get as much rest as we could. Sleep? Ha. By this time -- 7:30ish -- contractions had started, and although I couldn't sleep through them, they were definitely bearable. We got up a bit later and both logged in to our work email. I was excited to work from home for the first time! I had some technical issues and had to call our IT guru, Sean, back at the office to help me out. He thought nothing of my having to take 30 second breaks so I could breath through the contractions (which quickly became very consistent at 5 minutes apart and lasting 20-30 seconds) while he was helping me. 

Tom was working on the laptop, and I was on our main computer. I had two cups of raspberry tea and a bowl of hearty oatmeal made by my very sweet hubby. Tom did a load of laundry. At this point, I was still thinking it could be a false alarm, so I didn't want to overthink anything and get anyone too excited. I had heard about too many women going to the hospital thinking they were in labor, only to be sent home, and I really didn't want to be one of them. I paced around the living room and sat on the birthing ball.

At the recommendation of our friend Diedra, Tom and I had planned on my laboring at home for as long as possible. I had visions of our watching a funny movie, playing games, or going on a walk (in a blizzard? No thanks.) but time was going very quickly and all that was on my mind was reply to emails, shower, pick-up - breathe for contraction- clean the bathroom and kitchen, call our doula, reply to emails - breathe for contraction - and get that car loaded. Our bags were packed and everything was laying out on our guest bed, ready to be carried out. We had magazines, the diaper bag, Gatorade, protein bars, snacks for the hospital, clothes for what seemed like a week, three blankets for the baby, extra blankets and pillows, washed and ready going home outfits, a rolling pin to use for back pain, bath stuff, beach towels, and a ton of other things that I thought we'd need during our 48 hour stay in the hospital (this was obviously our first child) but didn't end up using.

11:30 rolled around, and the contractions had increased in consistency to every 3 minutes. I was also nauseous and thought I was going to be sick twice, but the nausea passed. I was managing and breathing through the contractions, yet at the same time I was thinking, "If this is only the beginning, what will contractions feel like in a few hours?!" This was the only time I questioned my endurance and told Tom I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to endure what lied ahead. He reassured me that I was strong and could do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which he had said to me several times by that point. I asked him -- politely -- to please come up with something else to say, because we were only a few hours in and I had heard that enough *smile.

I called Bridget back to give her an update, and she suggested we come in so I could be checked. I told her we had a few more things to take care of at home and that they could expect us there within an hour. She said they'd have a room ready. It was really happening! I felt excitement and nervousness for the unknowns. This was the biggest day of our lives thus far - would it be a boy or a girl? How would the labor progress? Would my birth plan really happen? I was pumped that Bridget was the midwife on call that day, since Tom and I had met her previously and really liked her. Taking a shower was a huge relief, and for those 15 minutes, I felt almost nothing during my contractions. It was a wonderful break! For a little while, at least...

So this was it - we were going to the hospital! Tom quickly finished loading our car, and I put on my boots and winter coat very quickly during a rest between contractions. We walked to the car during my next break. I recall looking at the clock when we were backing out of our driveway and seeing that it was 1:25. The ride there was bumpy and uncomfortable. I remember being at a stoplight and looking over to the car beside us, thinking to myself how at any point, you could be next to a car with a woman laboring in it and never know. Such a random thought, but this was the biggest event to ever happen to us and I kind of wanted to roll down my window and shout to the whole world that I was about to meet my first son or daughter. A big"Honk! I'm in labor!" flag on our window would have worked as well. (Now that's an idea!) I asked Tom to please try and avoid potholes, and he obliged. Thankfully we had a very short 5-10 minute drive to the hospital.

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The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

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"The Hospital"

We pulled up to the ER entrance, as instructed, and walked inside. Tom made several trips in with all of our stuff (I'm pretty sure the staff thought we were crazy for having brought so much), while I waited for him to walk up to the maternity ward together. The staff offered me a wheelchair, which I declined. (We instead used it as a cart - ha.) I was able to walk on my own but had to pause in the corner of the elevator for a contraction once we were on the second floor. We were led to our room and met Bridget, our midwife, and our labor nurse, Erin. At 2:30 pm, Bridget said I was 3, almost 4 cm dilated. I knew some women walk around at 3 cm for weeks, so I was a bit disappointed by this news. The contractions were definitely strong at this point.

I labored in the hospital bed for some time, while talking to Tom and Bridget. She gently rubbed my legs and feet, while Tom tried to get me to eat a chocolate protein bar and encouraged me to keep drinking water. I was eager to get in the big tub in my room, but since the water can be relaxing and slow labor down, we decided I shouldn't get in too early. 

I finally did get in the tub an hour later (3:30 pm), which is also about the time our doula, Kali, arrived. I was amazed at how great the water felt and seemed to ease my contractions, although I found it a bit difficult to get comfortable in the tub (I really needed handrails to hold on to). I requested hot water be added to the tub a few times b/c I was shivering, which they told me was due to adrenaline. Everyone was so sweet and reassuring. Tom never left my side.

About 45 minutes later (4:15 pm), I got out of the tub. I tried sitting/rocking on the "birth ball" (aka exercise ball) and leaning against the bed. I wanted to transition to leaning on the birth ball while in bed but never made it that far. I was on my hands and knees on the bed when I felt a very, very strong urge to push. I didn't resist it, pushing with the contraction, and at 4:52 pm I suddenly felt and heard a loud "pop" - my water had broken! (Tom loves to tell that part of the story, because he finds it so fascinating.) 
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A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities. - Eda J. Le Shan
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"5 cm"

Bridget warned me that my contractions would be closer and more intense now that this cushioning was gone, and she knows what she's talking about. She asked if she could check me, and at 5:00 pm I was at 5 cm. Only 5 cm?? In my mind, we were still a long way from actually pushing and meeting our little one. 

Tom and Kali encouraged me to try some different positions: leaning over the bed, sitting on the birth ball, laying in bed (which was not comfortable - I only lasted 1 or 2 contractions in this position), swaying with Tom, and resting my head and upper body on the birth ball while it was on the bed. It was during this time that I was probably most out of my groove and struggled to find the right position. I wanted to keep moving but found it difficult to get comfortable, because moving took a lot of energy. I was thirsty. Hot and then cold. I didn't want anyone to touch me. And I asked Tom to get some gum because I thought his breath smelled. 

Kali encouraged me to look him in the eyes, which I didn't even realize I wasn't doing. I think I found it easier to focus, breath and get through contractions "in the dark" than by looking around the room and at the people with me. Bridget requested to check me again about 45 minutes later. I really didn't want to be checked because it hurt (I was in labor and concerned about it "hurting"??), but when she told me that if I was far enough long we could move to the water birth suite, I eagerly moved into position. 
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Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility. - Kate Douglas Wiggin

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"8 cm"

I was 8 cm dilated, and we were on our way to the water birth suite! My labor was progressing just as we had hoped and prayed would happen.

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As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible. - Ruth Bell Graham

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"Moving to the water birth suite"

Our nurse, Erin, suggested I go to the bathroom once more before we left - that was quite the feat. I think both she and Tom had to help me, because I'd have a contraction and need to lean on someone, and sitting and standing wasn't easy. They weren't lying when they said you just do not care about who sees you naked when you're in labor. I changed from my coral-and-white-polka-dot nightie into a hospital gown (reluctantly *smile), and we walked around the corner to the suite where our baby would be born. 

Once there, we had to wait for the nurse and midwife to fill the tub with the right water temperature, because it couldn't be too warm. I got through my contractions by leaning on Tom. I finally got in the tub around 5:30 pm and started on my knees with my hands resting on the sides of the tub. I loved that the sun was still shining, and I could see outside. That is when I opened my eyes, which wasn't often.

Bridget's shift was over at 6:00 pm and Elizabeth, the next midwife on call, took over from there. She was the first midwife we ever saw at the clinic and another one of our favorites. Being someone who loves to capture memories through photographs, of course, I requested we take a picture with both of them before Bridget left. I breathily asked if they would take a picture with me, and everyone thought it was pretty funny. Those who know me well are probably not surprised one bit by this.

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I finally believe in love at first sight.

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"Pushing"

Pushing...talk about intense pressure! By this time I had moved to sitting while bracing my body with my hands underneath of me (kind of -- I naturally floated to the top of the water). I remember asking Elizabeth if "this" was considered pushing, and she chuckled and said, "Yes! You've been pushing for awhile." I guess I thought there'd be more of an announcement or something telling me that it was time to push that would make it official. There wasn't really any way not to push when I felt the urge. No one asked me if I wanted anything for the pain, just as I had requested in my birth plan.

I tried to focus on my breathing -- in for 4 and out for 8 -- like we had been taught in our "Birthing with Confidence" class. But it was tough to get a deep breath for that to work. I had breaks where I would rest and relax, which were wonderful. I told Elizabeth how great those were. She agreed with me and said, "but those aren't the contractions that get the baby here." So true! I shifted my thinking to start welcoming the harder contractions instead of dreading them as they built up, and I could sense my body preparing for the next one. I'd usually have three in a row. I requested more hot water for the tub a few times. 

At one point I apologized to everyone and said, "this must be boring for you guys." Everyone laughed. I also asked if I was really loud, and the nurse said there are women with epidurals who are louder. I honestly felt like everyone in the maternity ward could hear me! Tom said I was incredibly calm. 

I couldn't believe it when Kali, our doula, told me they had wheeled in the tray of supplies needed for the baby. It was so comforting to me we were getting close to the end. And then Tom told me he could see the baby's head, and it had dark hair! I also couldn't believe that the head was showing, because I hadn't really felt anything change. 

Elizabeth kept telling me how strong I was and saying "good job." I would push with everything I had. Tom said my face was bright red, and the veins were popping out of my neck. I knew we were close when I saw our nurse Erin reach for the baby blanket. I pushed towards the pressure (mentally) and visualized the baby moving down the birth canal with each contraction. Elizabeth gently guided the head out and told me to push one more time. It actually required two more gigantic pushes, and then a huge feeling of physical relief as the baby was entirely out. The cord was briefly wrapped around the baby's neck.

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Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

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"She's here!"

I opened my eyes to see the baby in the water, and then Elizabeth gently placed the baby on my chest with a blanket. Erin asked what kind of baby we had, but it took Tom a few seconds to tell me because her legs were closed. Finally he said, "it's a girl?!" And my first words were, "are you serious?!" Instant tears. I was in disbelief after feeling so strongly that it was a boy for 20 weeks that we had a DAUGHTER! One of my first thoughts was that my family was not going to believe it. (We already have four boys, and my sister and sister-in-law were both due with boys, so she would be the first and only girl out of seven grandkids.) I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

We had done it! And after dreaming about her for so long, she was finally in my arms. God had just given us the most incredible gift ever. It's hard to even describe the wave of emotions that came over Tom and I in those first moments. I think I said "ohmigosh" five or six times *smile. We had prayed for this day for so long. I had specifically prayed that God's hands would be over the midwife and nurses on call that day and that He would go before us and prepare the way. There was such peace and calmness during my labor and her birth. She was healthy and beautiful. It was everything I had hoped to experience and more, and we give Him all the glory and honor for that. After 11 hours of labor, at 7:17 pm our lives were forever changed.

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The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. - Rajneesh

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We waited for the cord to stop pulsing before Tom cut it. The next couple hours are a blur --delivering the placenta (one more push), getting out of the tub (very slowly) and moving to the bed, getting her weight and height (she weighed more and was shorter than I expected), nursing for the first time (she was a natural), telling Trisha, Erin and John the big news, moving back to my old room, discussing her name, and finally, after more than an hour deciding on Gwendolyn Rebecca, making the much anticipated phone calls to family and sending out text messages, taking pictures, updating Facebook, and my parents arriving around 10:30 pm. 

It was a whirlwind of complete JOY.

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Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. - Jeremiah 1:5

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"Her Name"

Tom and I were in a gift shop while on our vacation in Ireland last June, and before leaving the store I picked up an Irish Baby Names book. I was flipping through it and saw "Gwendolyn" on a page, turned around and asked Tom if he liked that name, and he said yes. There weren't many names that we both liked, so agreeing on one was a big deal. We weren't pregnant at the time but had hopes of starting our family soon. We went through a looooong list of girl names and looked on hundreds (not really, but it felt like it) of baby name websites, but always came back to Gwendolyn during our search. Tom suggested we buy the inexpensive book while in the gift shop, but I didn't think we needed to. You have no idea how much I wish we had now that our Gwendolyn is here! We had narrowed it down to two names, and thought we'd know right away when we saw her which of the two names she looked most like. It was harder than we though, but she's such a Gwen to me now. Our other name was Maeve, a very Irish name meaning "joy" and "intoxicating."

My sister is my best friend. She and I have always been close, and I'm so thankful to know what it's like to have the love of a big sister in addition to my big brothers. Becca has a heart of gold and would do anything for her family and friends. I've always said that if I ever got on the show Survivor and had to select a family member to come visit me while I was away, it'd be a tough decision to decide between her and Tom *smile. She always says the right thing when I need her the most. She's real. She's forgiving. We never fight (and I only remember a few fights growing up.) She makes me and the rest of our family a priority, and she always sees the best in people. We have shared so many laughs and tears together over the years, and I wanted to recognize the immense love and admiration I have for my sister by naming our daughter after her.

Gwendolyn means "blessed" and Rebecca means "captivating".

We are blessed and captivated by our daughter and God's grace every day! And that, my friends, is how Gwen came into the world. I'll leave you with a video of her less than 24 hours after she was born. (Sorry for the orientation of it - I wasn't able to edit the format of the video taken from our new camera.)

Blogger - GRRR...and a sleep update

I am very sad. I worked on Gwen's birth story for weeks a little here and there. I was so excited to have it done and hit publish. And then - of all posts - it was deleted due to some issues Blogger was having the day I posted it. Seriously?! Sigh...

I try not to think about it and am still hoping they'll recover it for me like they've recovered other people's posts. Please walk with me in faith on this, blog readers!! Thankfully they have recovered a version of it in my drafts, but it's an old version and there is still quite a bit missing. So that's why it was there and then suddenly gone...

Miss Gwen is doing awesome. She is so much fun right now, and I love our "routine". Nights are still hit or miss - sometimes she sleeps really well (3+ hrs would be considered well in my book) and other nights I am up three or four (sometimes five) times, yet somehow I have yet to feel absolutely sleep deprived. Tired? Yes, but not sleep deprived. Maybe I drink too much coffee *smile. The hardest is waking up in the morning, but once I am up and get ready, I do well the rest of the day. And of course, I think it's progressively gotten easier to cope with less sleep as the weeks have gone on. 

Example...this was the night of 5/16:

crib - 9:45

up - 2:00

(That is 4 hours and 15 minutes people!)

crib - 2:15

up - 3:00

crib - 3:30

up - 5:35

crib - 5:55

up - 6:45

And this was last night:

crib - 8:15 pm

up - 9:20

crib - 9:40

up - 1:00 

(That's over 3 hours; however, we didn't get to bed until close to 11:00...)

crib - 1:15

up - 2:25

crib - 2:50

up - 4:50

crib - 5:15

up - 6:10 

(Tom brought her into bed and she nursed and then slept until 7:30)

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** UPDATE FROM LAST NIGHT 5/18 **
Awesome night! I love how she does that after I post about her sleeping *smile.
crib - 8:45
up - 1:10
crib - 1:20
up - 4:00
crib - 4:15
up - 6:40

And then we layed in bed (she slept but i didn't really fall back asleep) until 8:00

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I was JUST thinking yesterday that I need to start paying attention to see if she's forming a regular pattern, and then Tom randomly emailed me this yesterday afternoon:

I think we should start writing down Gwen's schedule for a few days, so we
can see if there's a potential pattern we could use for establishing a
schedule. Apparently you should start establishing a routine at 2-4 months
of age. We're almost in that time frame! :)

We are like SO on the same page *smile. 

At this point, it's totally random, although I have noticed she's almost always taking her final "day" nap around 5:30 or 6:00. That's the only consistent thing I've noticed. Looking back at our night journal, I see that we're putting her down anywhere between 7:30 and 10:30, but it's usually around 8:30 or 9:00. There doesn't seem to be anything I do or eat that makes her sleep longer or shorter that I can think of. I do think she's using me to sooth herself though so we're going to try and put a stop to that asap. I can't believe I haven't thought about that before - she will go 4 hours sometimes but then randomly is up every hour hungry? Um, she's a trickster and her mommy fell for it. I'll try not to nurse every time I go in there tonight and see how things go.


When we first came home with her and had 12 weeks in front of me, that seemed like for-ever and now I return to work in a month. I know it'll go very quickly, and I'm suddenly feeling pressure to have real structure to our lives. I kind of like flying by the seat of our pants right now, but I know it's best for Gwen AND for us. Right now it's no big deal to sleep until 8:00 or 9:00, but obviously that won't be an option in four short weeks. Sigh...


Any suggestions or advice? I'd love to hear it.


It wouldn't be a good post without a few pics...

 I love her all swaddled up.

 Jacob showed Gwen his scooter skills this past weekend!

 Smiling at daddy...

 Grandma told Gwen to stop tipping her barber *smile. I think it's hilarious how she only has hair around the base of her head. Bless her heart!

 Best friends.

8 Weeks Old

Good morning, friends!
I am 8 weeks old today, which means I am only days away from being two months old. Life is really changing, and I'm growing and learning new things every day.

• My protective and loving parents thought maybe I had pneumonia so I went to the doctor's but thankfully I checked out OK. Phew! Just congested. I still managed a few smiles at the nurse and doctor despite not feeing 100%. 

• I fell asleep in my pack n plan all by myself! I miss snuggling with my mom, but I know it's better for all of us long term if I can learn to self sooth. And of course, mom is never too far away. I make sure of that.

• I held on to a rattle for the first time. For a few seconds but still. Not really sure I knew exactly what I was doing, but it seemed fun.

• I visited mom's coworkers. A lot of people oo'ed and ahh'ed over me, which always makes a girl feel good. I cried a little bit, but for the most part was pleasant. I'll tell you what though, when a baby cries in a normally quite office setting, heads pop up over cubes and people flock almost instantly. I sure know how to get attention!

• I am no longer the youngest baby at Mommy and Me class. It feels good to pass on advice to younger people, but I definitely look like a big girl compared to four week olds now. Mom said she doesn't even know when it happened. I told her it happened gradually a little every day. Duh.


• I slept for almost six hours one night. (Technically it was five hours and thirty five minutes, but my mom likes to round up.) And never did it again. Unfortunately, it was from 7:30 pm to 1:30 am so mom and dad didn't get six hours of sleep themselves. I keep telling them to go to bed earlier!

• I have started having longer awake times, which means shorter naps during the day.

• I like to lay on a blanket on the floor and smile and coo at my parents. This is also when I get my exercise and work my arms and legs. I move like crazy and get really excited.

• My daddy gave me a manicure last weekend. I cooperated very well.

• I am finding my voice! It's fun to make noises.

• My parents sing funny songs to me such as the Star Spangled Banner. I think they need to break out the nursery rhymes book.

• I am very strong. I like to stand up and flail my arms, do baby sit-ups and can pretty much hold my head up on my own.

• I have started "kissing" my mom back. Open mouthed kisses are the best!

• I love the vacuum cleaner and running water - if I'm sad and I hear either one of those, I usually quiet down.

• My paci works wonders to get me to sleep. And when I'm in my car seat and I'm perhaps a bit disgruntled about being "locked up".

• I still rarely spit up. If I do, it's nothing much.

Hope you're having a great week!

What we've been up to....

Going to church for the first time. 

Tummy time works on dad's knees too.

"Yes, I have almost completely lost my hair. It's no big deal."

(She looks huge in this picture *tear.)

First time she put herself to sleep in her papasan chair - big deal people! (Small steps...)

Love our little Halo sack peanut.

Gwen can't wait to meet her baby cousin in June! For now she just likes feelin' him kick.

And first time she put herself to sleep in her pack n play!

Friday walks around Colby Lake with Amanda and Margie and the girls. We love nice weather!

Uncle Scott and Aunt Nikki lovin' on Gwen.

Thankfully Jacob was around to supervise Gwen's time in the swing.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#641...Cards still arriving in the mail wishing us congratulations.
#642...Blue herons flying over the pond.
#643...Sunshine on my skin after months of cold.
#644...Families flying kites.
#645...Looking into the eyes of an almost 7 week old little girl.
#646...Cardinals and blue jays and robins.
#647...The sweet smell of blooming hyacinths.
#648...The big swap of winter for summer clothes, and a "new" wardrobe.
#649...Great reports at doctor's visits.
#650...A clean car as my Mother's Day gift (my love language is totally acts of service *smile)

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! - Galatians 2: 19-21

I Love...(Mother's Day Edition)

The hair on your left ear...

The way you smile after you wake up from your nap...

Your big, big stretches with your arms above your head...

How we both settle into sleep by twitching our heads...

Getting together in the middle of the night to hang out for 20 minutes...

Listening to Tom talk to you...

The way you stop cold and arch your back when you have to toot...

Our typical 6:15 am cuddle time in mommy and daddy's bed...

How each night you seem to be sleeping longer and longer...

Being home with you all day long...

In fact, you slept for 5 hours straight last night and that was after putting yourself to sleep!

How you can almost completely hold your head up...

The way you enjoy tummy time...

How strong your neck and back is...

How cute you look when you take a bottle from your dad...

The sound of your voice when you coo...

Your super adorable, open mouthed kisses...

How easy it has come to predict your schedule...

Making eye contact with your big blue eyes...

How you only pretty much have hair left around the back of your head...

How delicious you smell after your bath...

How sweet you are to the nurses and doctors at the pediatricians...

The cute way you latch on...

The convenient way you unlatch when you're full...

How heavy your eyes get when you're sleepy...

The way we juggle your head (not your entire body) to get you to calm down...

How tall you are when you stand up like a big girl...

The way I can no longer fit my fingers around your thighs...

How you have started to put yourself to sleep all on your own...

Looking down at your sweet face when we're on a walk...

The way you pout...

How sometimes you forget that you're upset and randomly stop crying...

How precious you look velcroed tight in your Halo sleep sack...

How darling you look in everything you wear...

The adorable way your second toe is longer than your big one...

Your soft chubby cheeks...

New rolls in your wrists and legs...

Going to mommy and me class together...

How all 10+ pounds of you has helped me get my arm definition back...

How red your face gets when you're really, really, really mad...

Baby sit-ups...

How you just stare at your turtles. Or the fan. Or the lights...

Squeezing your little baby knees...

Our morning routine...

That you've already been to three states...

Feeling your breath on my skin...

When you wrap your hand around my finger...

How cute you look and sound when you suck on your hands...

Calling you by your full name...

When you finally give in and melt into my neck and arms...

How you get baby goosebumps when I scratch your back...

How you're sleeping in your crib like it's no big deal...

Putting you in cute head bands...

Your big yawns and the sound you make afterwards like you've had a really long day...

Gettin' your belly...

How we both love watching Ellen at 9:00 am...

How ticklish you are...

How your cousin, Brooke, calls you "Dendolin"...

Your super tiny toe nails...

Our walks...

How random people tell me how pretty you are...

Not knowing what color eyes you'll have (you know I love surprises)...

Being able to completely focus on you...

Folding your little outfits...

The dimples in your elbows...

How lovable you are even when you have a cold...

Seeing you with your cousins...

Watching you grow and develop with each new day...

But most of all, 

I love being your mommy 

because you have taught me that life is so much more precious and interesting and exciting and challenging than I once thought it was.

That my heart can love even more than I ever thought possible.

That although I am not perfect when it comes to parenting, God's grace is sufficient in my weaknesses.

That huge amounts of joy now come through even the slightest smile or coo or new achievement.

That time won't stand still, but tomorrow will likely be better than today.

That our family wasn't even close to complete without you.

I knew I would love you, but I didn't know I'd love you this much. You melt my heart over and over, day after day, Gwendolyn. I am amazed at how much you have changed and developed over the last six and a half (gasp!) weeks. It's been so much fun to watch every second, and I wouldn't trade this time (or you) for anything!

Thanks for making me a mom, my sweet baby girl.

Love you always and forever,

Mommy
----------------
We slept in this morning...
(Gwen slept from 7:30 pm to 1:00 am last night...then was wide awake from 3:30 until about 4:30 (love middle of the night smiles!). BUT then slept until a little after 7:00 and then again until 9:15 with me in bed. I love our snuggle time in bed (and how she always manages to fight that one arm out.)

 Such a little peanut.

 I came downstairs to find a very special message on the chalkboard (love Tom's pretty flowers too).
I love those two!

Coffee made and waiting for me along with a sweet message from Tom in our Love book (we write in this for special occasions instead of buying cards each time. Saves money and they're all in one place!)

Happy girl during diaper change...

Now we're off to enjoy a Mother's Day picnic with Scott, Nikki and Jacob.
So far, it's a great day!

P.S. Thanks to both my mom and Tom's mom for being wonderful examples to both of us. We love and appreciate all you did for us (I have a whole new appreciation for you, Mom!) and do for us even to this day. Happy Mother's Day to our moms! We love you!

P.P.S. Tom says he feels sorry for our second child, but because everything is so new with Gwen, I don't want to forget these times. Of course I'll love hundreds of things about all of our children. I may just not blog about all of them *smile.