Just One Month Old Already

Cora, you are the best thing in our lives and our precious baby girl.  

I experience a simultaneous feeling of, I can't believe you are already one month old, and I just feel as though I've always known you.

I like to call you my itty bitty baby because you're so tiny.  I love to cuddle with you sleeping against my chest.  When you're awake and looking at my face, you know I can't set you down.  I'm a sucker for your funny faces, adorable coos, and big yawns.  I want to capture each moment and detail to save forever.  I miss you anytime you're not in my arms, and I really have to plan for down time with you each day to feel satisfied and as though I've made the most of my day with you.  

Here are some facts we've learned about you - after having known you for just one month already.  

One Month Stats:

Weight: 6lbs 14oz (fifth percentile)

Height:  20.5in (thirtieth percentile)

All About You:

Hair: long and full brown hair 

Eyes: light eyes, gray blue, and we see green in them at times

-Your sleeping patterns are to wake up like clockwork for feedings every three hours.  If you feed from 12-1245, you'll be up at 3 no matter when you actually fall asleep! If you do go over this length of time without waking up to eat, you wake up freaking out.  

It looks something like this.

-Your feeding schedule is as mentioned above.  You have a bit of reflux going on.  You have a sonogram scheduled for Monday to help determine the severity of it.  The medicine we have tried, just hasn't seemed to make a difference.  In fact, you've had to go to the doctor each week for something or another.  But, you're actually very healthy.  I can't imagine what some parents go through and am so thankful it hasn't been anything too serious.  

-Some sounds and motions you make are to hold your arms out in front of you when you burp, to gurgle and coo as you sleep, to lift your head from shoulder or ground (during tummy time) to look at us, to kick or push with your legs, and to cry and fuss. You'll put up with a short stint in tummy time, and you really work your legs and move your head. 

-This month, you especially like to be held while you sleep. You will lay in the same spot on someone's shoulder or chest for long naps.  You enjoy your swing, the moby wrap, and being in our arms.  As can be expected, your favorite activity is to eat.

-Your dislikes are to spit up and burp.  You usually cry afterward.  But, you also do not like the reflux medicine.  You make a face that shows that, when you take it.  

-Your favorite toys and games don't really exist at this point.  You enjoy staring at the pegboard, and toys hanging on the pegboard, behind your changing pad.  Oh, you do love your pacifier!  That's kind of like a toy. 

-By the end of the month, you are learning to work with your neck and leg muscles.  You are learning to follow a toy with your eyes.  You seem to have mastered getting out of your swaddle.  

We love you, Cora!

Friday Night Project

I found some frames on sale, while out and about this week. I knew I wanted them to create some bow holders for Cora, so I snagged them. Cora, in her sling, was ecstatic, too.



Then, I found some ribbon that ties into her nursery and voila - bow holders!









This one is going up too, but I ran out of ribbon.



Can't wait to hang them up on her pegboard!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

You know all of those "Things I Learned from Dad," articles, cards, or cartoons? I've learned a lot from my dad over the years. He has always been a great person to learn lessons through and to model your own attitude after, but I've never sat down and thought about what the specific things I would say I've learned from him are. Let me give it a go in honor of his birthday today...

-Work hard, have goals, and know where you're headed.

-The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

-Never assume you're getting a deal unless you actually try to deal.

-Throw caution to the wind when excitement or passion supersedes other anxieties about purchases, choices, decisions, etc.

-Be honest.

-Record the game and fall asleep during the playback.

-Be nice, but don't be taken advantage of.

-Have fun in your work and play.

-Love your family.

-Don't be afraid to repeat a great joke, or even just your run of the mill smart-ass remark.

-If you've already sold it, stop selling it.

-Mom is right.

-Find people interesting.

-Believe in magic. But, don't teach people your tricks unless they're going to use them.

-Be the kind of person that is spoken well of, especially when not present.

-Make the most of your resources... When writing an amazing list for Dad's birthday, make it count for Father's Day, too. Happy early Father's Day, too, Dad!

I love you and am so proud to have a dad that has spent his short sixty-three years being the kind of man who teaches his daughter these lessons. Happy Birthday!!

...and Happy Father's Day, too!

Tell Me About It Tuesday

Time for me to tell you what's been up with me...



1. The first thing I'll tell you about, of course, is Cora. She had her two week check up yesterday and weighed 5 lbs, 12 oz! This was very exciting, considering she dropped too far down from her birth weight, wouldn't eat well, and was jaundice at the end of her first week. Now she wakes up crying to eat - it's like having a real baby, or something! ;). So even though Cora is really the majority of what's up with me, now I am going to try to come up with other things to tell you about.



2. Many people want to know how it feels to be able to do stuff once again, now that I'm off of bed rest. It feels fantastic! I am able to help and do things for myself at the house (thanks to the Moby wrap), run quick errands, when I have help with the baby, and go on walks! I've taken excursions to doctor's offices, CVS, Bye Bye Baby, Target, my parent's house, and Matt and Sarina's house. Woohoo for mobility!!



3. It should be noted that Miles and I became completely obsessed with the tv series Mad Men, thanks to my cousin, Joe. He lent me all the seasons, and we literally watch it all of the time. We are trying to catch up to the current season, airing now. We are making great progress towards that goal, thanks to the ability to avoid true responsibility.



4. I've decided to bite the bullet and buy a new computer. Mine has been on the fritz for some time now, and even though Joanie told me the steps I should take to fix it, I have never done so. I really believe it is an investment and something that will last a long time, so why not!? For a while I've been thinking I might get a desktop computer this time, but now I'm questioning if that's my best option. I don't seem to have a ton of say about where I'm sitting to complete tasks, already. Hmmmmm...



5. It's May today. I love summer, even with the heat that it brings us Texans. I love the sun, swimming, lazy days, lake trips, patios, and all the good times summer brings. I'm happy it's May today.



6. Tomorrow is Jacob's birthday - Happy Birthday, Jacob!! He and Joanie are in the midst of packing and moving this week, so my birthday wish for Jacob is that he gets a moment to relax...soon!



7. I tried those peel and stick nails, and I was disappointed. Maybe I didn't do it right. All I know is I am glad it's in light pink, so that I don't have to remove it right away. It took too long not to leave for at least a day or two.

8. I was really trying to make this a list to ten, but I don't have anything else tonight. Considering this took me almost 24 hours to write, I was probably pushing it getting this far. :)

The End

My Baby Girl

Who is it that has...
simultaneous smiles and frowns?








legs for days?








dark blue newborn eyes?








caps and not clothes?








huge hands?




squeaks for cries?




socks for gloves?




sleepless nights?








pondering poses?








family surrounding her with love?












the happiest mom and dad?




That's right - it's Cora Kaye!  She arrived, Monday, the 16th, at 5:26 pm.  Cora weighed 5 lbs, 8 oz, and measured 18 in long.  We are so in love.

Bye Bye Bed Rest

I have been anxiously awaiting being taken off of bed rest.  During this time I have realized how blessed I am to live close to such amazing friends and family.  

My friends, sister, and sisters in law rocked out my nursery.  They made sure I had everything I needed and got it set up for me!  My mom and Miles' mom spent day after day doing my chores, washing baby clothes, and sometimes just keeping me company.  My dad, my aunt, and father in law made special trips out to my house to bring food and break up the monotony.  I can't explain how amazing all of the support was to me.

Miles did a wonderful job with my sudden "absence" from our household and our social life.  He did great keeping up with things, and, mainly did a great job keeping me together.  Because, despite all of the support and care, I had some bad days and nights dealing with my situation.  

All in all this experience taught me some life lessons and changed my perspective a lot.  To be completely honest, though, I'm still not ready to fully reflect on all of that at this time....

I am selfishly, unrealistically, BEYOND EXCITED that tomorrow I am being induced, delivering this baby, and being taken off of bed rest.    I can't wait to meet our baby girl,  I can't wait to be "better," since delivery is the solution to my health issue, and I can't wait to come home and move on in this new faze of our life!!

Come on, April 15th - you've just turned into so much more than tax day!!

  

Hello, World!

Happy Birthday to the newest member of the Schneider family!

It's the debut of our new nephew... Campbell Benjamin Schneider, born at 7:45 am on April 7th!!

Sarina did such an amazing job throughout her 20+ hour labor.  Matt was also a trooper, being with her every minute of the way.

Campbell weighed in at 8lbs and 8oz, measuring 22in long.  He is a big boy.  He is, of course, taking up an even bigger place in all of our hearts.

Now, they're in the midst of the newborn reality.   It's the beginning of what will be an amazing adventure in their little family.

Congratulations, Matt and Sarina! Welcome, baby boy, Campbell!