Back to Work...

Ok...so it has been a long while since I posted last and wanted to give the latest and greatest updates on L and the rest of the family.

We had a wonderful, quiet Christmas at home. Just the three of us and Colby hanging out, opening presents and eating cinnamon rolls with mimosas. It was nice and low-key and we really got to spend some quality time with L before the craziness of New Years weekend and then going back to work. That's right...back to work...ugh!

L had her trial run at daycare on the 29th of December and it was miserable for me. Mike and I definitely think they do the trial runs more for the parents :) Leighton did great though (after a little rough start as she was boycotting eating) and we all survived. It was nice to go grab breakfast and spend the day together, just the two of us.

Then...we were off to GR for New Years eve and the Hormuth Family Christmas. We spent the long weekend with Scott and Michelle Hagley, where they smothered L with hugs and kisses and she was living it up. The Hormuth Family Christmas was chaotic and fun with 25 people crammed into a living room with a large tree and a TON of presents. L was oblivious, but I'm sure in a few years we are going to have to hold her back from trying to get at all those pretty presents!

Unfortunately, I had to go back to work this week, so I've been back at TPN since Monday. It has been really hard to leave L, but the workload is already picking up so I don't have much time to think about missing her. I have to say that by 5:00 I'm counting down the minutes to leave and pick up my precious baby!

We don't have much on our plate for the next month or so, so it should be nice and quiet here in Chicago. L's baptism is scheduled for 2/6/10 and then her 4 month well visit at the pediatrician's is on 2/19/10 so we'll update more then!

Love and hugs to all!

Big Smiles

Got some big time smiles from Leighton tonight and just let the camera go.

Belated 8 Week Update

I'm about 2 weeks late posting the update for Leighton, but thought I'd get the info up on the blog anyway :)

We went to our 8 week appointment at her pediatrician's office on December 10th and she did great despite the multiple vaccinations she needed that day. No one likes watching their child cry in pain, but it was brief and she didn't seem to be affected by them for more than a few seconds.

She weighed in at 10 lbs 5 oz and was 22 1/2 inches long. She still seems super tiny and is just starting to transition from her newborn clothes and diapers to 0-3 month stuff. I'm sad to see the teeny tiny outfits go, but excited to get her into new and fun outfits!

Leighton is still our amazing sleeper and has been sleeping 10 hours a night since 3 1/2 weeks old. There are many days when I still need to go in and wake her up because I don't want her to sleep too late into the day.

She is starting to be awake more often during the day and is full of smiles and coos. She LOVES hanging out on the dining room table staring at the light that hangs above her.

Her new best buddy is Colby and they are getting along well. Colby is gentle with her and gives her lots of licks/kisses on her feet, hands and face. We still watch them like a hawk, but I think the two of them will do well together as she gets older.

My cousin, Suzanne, came up to Chicago a few weeks ago to play with Leighton and give me time to bake my cookies, which was wonderful!! I was able to bake about 15 different kinds of cookies this year, which was really fun and relaxing! I was so surprised that I was able to fit the baking in this year with Leighton in our lives, but it is nice to know I can do it :)

We'll be staying in Chicago for Christmas this year (again), but without Jan and Shaun :( So we'll (Mike, Leighton and I) go to Christmas Eve mass and then have our little Christmas together on the 25th. We'll then make the short trek to Grand Rapids for New Years Eve to stay with the Hagleys and do the annual Hormuth Family Christmas weekend.

Then...sadly...I'm back to work on Monday, January 4th. I can't believe my maternity leave is almost over. I know Leighton will be well taken care of at her daycare center, but I wish I could stay home and be with her. The time we'll spend together will be so much sweeter though and I'm keeping that in mind.

I hope those who are reading this have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

December 14 Pics

December 7

If you're having trouble seeing any of the slideshows, make sure you have the latest version of flash flash player here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Happy Thanksgiving

We're Sitting Up (sort of)

Leighton is showing some pretty incredible lower back strength as she starts to hold herself up. Her neck strength seems to be catching up. Christina's hilarious facial expressions behind her are the best part of the pics.



And these are from Sunday - just more pics I couldn't help from snapping.

1 Month Update

Leighton scared me a little bit this morning when I woke up to Mike's alarm at 7 am to realize that she had not woken up during the night/early morning for her feeding. I jumped out of bed to see if she was ok and found her sound asleep (to my HUGE surprise) and realized that she had slept from 11:30 pm to almost 8 am by the time she actually got up!!!!

We took her to her 1 month check-up at the pediatrician's office and all went well. She weighs 8 lbs 13 oz and is still 21.5 inches long!

The doctor confirmed that we should start introducing a bottle every day in her feeding schedule which will be a really nice break for me. Plus...Mike gets some time to spend with her. She also pointed out that L is being sneaky and trying to get too many feedings out of me with the 1-1 1/2 hour feedings, so we have permission to make her wait until we hit the 2 1/2 hour mark before she gets to eat. So far it has been a little hard as she is screaming in protest as I type this while Mike tries to rock her. Oh well...we will all be better in the long run if she waits a bit :)

We then made a trip to my work after the doctor's appointment where L got to hang out with my work friends and get a little time with everyone. All in all a really good day for us!

New Pics - we're smiling now

First Trip to G.R.

New Pics

At some point I need to put the camera down. We just can't seem to be able to do so.

Who does she look like?

Lots of people have asked us this. I've decided she doesn't necessarily look like either of us, but definitely resembles a lot of Christina's baby pictures.

Happy Leighton

Pics with Aunt Barbara

Thanks for everything!

Happy Halloween!

More new pics

There are a bunch here, click on the slideshow player for a link to the thumbnail format.

Leighton Waking Up

Forgot to post this when I recorded it earlier this week.

2 Week Update

Mike has been posting all the pictures, but we haven't really posted any updates on Leighton and how she has been doing the last 2 weeks.

We had our two week appointment on Friday and she did great! She's now weighing in at 7 lbs 3 oz and that has our pediatrician very pleased!

Unfortunately, we had a little scare earlier this week when we learned that Leighton tested positive for a mutation of the Cystic Fibrosis gene in her newborn screening test taken at the hospital. We had to bring her in for more testing and thankfully learned that she does not have CF, but is an unaffected carrier. This basically means that if she wants to have children some day she would need to be aware that if her husband is also a carrier, they have a 25% chance of having a child with CF.

That being said, we are just happy that we have a healthy child at this point!

Leighton is an amazing baby. She is so easy-going and doesn't make a peep unless we are changing her diaper or she is hungry. Other than that, she is calm and a joy to hug and kiss and cuddle. She's just so tiny and cute!!!

We are definitely in love with her and can't imagine our lives without her. We also can't remember the last time we slept for more than 3 hours, but we somehow don't care when we look at her sweet face.

We'll continue to update with pictures and can't wait to share her with all of our friends and family!

-C

Some new pics

Tried to actually set up a few photos at home with some ideas I stole from pictures I saw online.

Leighton's First Bath

Maybe not her favorite experience so far, but pretty entertaining for us!

Leighton is Home

Leighton came home yesterday and we survived our first night on our own. And of course, more pics.

Leighton's visitors

Leighton Olivia

She's here!

D Day is Fast Approaching!

Okay...so tomorrow is my due date day or "D Day" as I am calling it. And based on the last few weeks of doctors visits, I am going to assume this day is going to come and go without a peep or contraction from my little stubborn one.

So...we'll be counting down the next few days and come hell or high water, this child is coming into this world on Thursday, October 15th!

Say your prayers folks and send me all the spicy food you can find!!!

Love

C

ND vs. Nevada