may hay-day

wow, may was great. it went by in a flash, but it was such a great month. still a few days left, but those don't count. :)

well i talked about mother's day & jeff coming into roanoke to be with us before he deploys. we had such a great time. we explored roanoke, enjoyed the mountains (& food & shopping) & then went to visit jeff's parents in chattanooga. & lena had her first road trip! she did great, slept the whole way basically! jeff's parents got to meet lena for the first time & we all had a great time seeing each other & checking out the city. we went on incline railway... claims to be the world's steepest railway incline.... but yeah, chattanooga was fun. & it was really nice to have that time together with his parents while we could.

at mill mountain star

with the grandparents in chattanooga

in front of the river

looks steep huh?

from tennessee, we left & drove to visit our friends toby & lindsey & their son jackson in north carolina. again lena was a travel champ..... slept the whole time while mommy complained about the lack of space in our sweet little chevy aveo..... wow, 2 adults, one carseat, stroller & luggage make for some seriously cramped quarters. but we survived the 2nd leg of our road trip & had a great few days seeing our friends. we met their son jackson (1 & 1/2) for the first time & he is such a sweet boy! jeff & toby played soccer together in high school & he was jeff's best man at our wedding. toby & lindsey are great friends & we were lucky to plan a last minute visit with them.

the best pic we could get.... the kids weren't having it

future soccer star

and then it was back to roanoke to enjoy the last of jeff's leave before he deployed. we fed lena rice cereal & she did really well eating & had planned on only feeding that to her until she turns 6 months, but decided to incorporate some veggies because A. jeff will get to see her eat & B. she got a bit clogged up..... the girl didn't poop for 3 days! poor thing. so we gave her sweet potatoes & she loved them! & then she pooped the biggest poop jeff & i have ever seen! my mom & bill through a family get together to say farewell to jeff & we got to meet our cousin april's baby emery! she's almost 11 months & such a little doll!

the family & our babies - see a pic of us all pregnant here.... (except zach, that would be weird)

"lemme do it mom!"

and then jeff had to leave. that was the hardest day. saying good bye was the hardest thing i've had to do. it just felt so different than the other times we've been apart. mostly because of lena, & also because he's going to war.... basically. a tearful morning, i tried to stay strong for lena (& myself & jeff), but i couldn't stop crying. we got a gate pass so we could wait with him until he boarded the plane. it felt surreal to say goodbye, people were around, lena was getting tired, it was just weird. but we had several hugs & kisses before i had to take lena in my arms & walk away from the gate, tears streaming down my face. i kept turning around to see him just one more time as i walked through the terminal & he watched, waved & blew kisses to us the whole time. when i got back outside of the security check point my mom was there waiting & there was a lady who had been sitting there earlier before jeff, lena & i left for the gate & i looked at her through my tears & she was crying for us. i wish i had smiled or said something, but at the time i couldn't see jeff anymore & i just felt like i had to flee, i had to get out of there or i was gonna break down. but i appreciate her compassion & empathy.

and now he's gone. & it's just lena & i ..... & mom & bill. & we're trying to make the most of things, getting back on a regular diet (no more restaurant outings), getting lena on a better nap schedule, introducing more veggies - the latest were peas & i can say i don't think she's a fan.

but i did go to ballet class for the first time in about a year. & it felt really good. so i have that to look forward to. i'll write more on dancing again in another post. there will be more of that. but i want to end this post saying that i had a great time with my husband, baby, & extended families & am thankful we're in the states right now & that i have an even stronger appreciation for military families.....

before the drive to the airport

my 1st mommy's day

sunday was my first mother's day! & it was wonderful! saturday jeff had flown into roanoke so we were already in celebratory mode..... so i woke up sunday morning to my husband & baby & everything just felt right. we celebrated with my mom & bill by going for brunch. & then we grilled out later & ashely & the boys came over. it was a great day! & we'll celebrate again when we see jeff's mom in tennessee this weekend. we're driving from virginia & they're driving from florida & we're meeting half way so they can meet lena & see jeff before he deploys. but let's not talk about that. we're still enjoying time together as our little family of 3 right now......

my sweet girl

my loves

3 generations

so i guess i don't need 27 diapers & other things i learned

like that lena loves the ittsy-bittsy spider song, repeated over & over again

and that people on an airplane are not phased by a crazy woman singing the ittsy-bittsy spider song over & over again as she rocks back & forth in her seat the entire flight

and that i can change a diaper on top of the toilet in a teeny tiny lavatory during turbulence, as well as pee while holding a child in a teeny tiny lavatory during turbulence

and that i no longer have the time or energy to be worried about what other people think of me as i do what i have to do for my daughter - including wearing poo covered jeans for 15 hours & having spit up all over my shirt as i walk around LAX & taking up the entire walkway as i push a stroller & a luggage cart through customs in hawaii

and most importantly that there are many, many kind, helpful & understandable people in this world

& i feel very accomplished (as noted in the picture - horrible hair, glasses, poo pants & all)...... i survived 27 hours of international travel all by myself with a 4 & 1/2 month old! & it went much better than i had been envisioning in the several weeks/ months prior to our departure. lena was amazing during the trip, she slept most of the time, only cried during take off on 3 of the flights & at the gate in LAX & chicago.

what a life experience. & i send a huge thank you to the navy guy who helped me navigate through customs in hawaii, the military wife who was behind me as we had to go through security AGAIN in hawaii, jim (retired air force - sensing a pattern here) & lisa who tried to convince the boarding guy to let me on before 1st class in hawaii, the woman from saipan who sat next to me & gave me gum on the flight from hawaii to LAX, the german couple who also tried to convince the boarding guy to let me board first in LA, the couple from roanoke who at first gave me a dirty look as i rolled up to the gate area with a crying baby, but later offered to help as we waited to board in chicago. and all the many others who kept their rolling eyes or irritated comments to themselves & to the others who were patient as i struggled with baby, stroller, carrier, 3-1-1 bag, breast milk, lap top, shoes, 2 carry on bags and all during the security check points.

i am pleased to determine the trip a success. yes she cried, yes she had a blow out, yes she peed all over herself, me & the changing table somewhere above the pacific ocean, yes i had to sing in front of people, yes i smelled like baby poo & b.o by the time we got to roanoke, & yes i barely had anything to eat for like 30 hours, but i was a happy camper & i think lena was too.

for 3 of the 4 flights we had the entire row to ourselves.... maybe it was because i called ahead & spoke to someone to arrange our seats ahead of time, maybe it was all the rocking & singing (the guy next to us on the flight from guam to hawaii asked to be reseated), maybe it was purchasing extra legroom seats, maybe all of the above, but it was awesome to spread out & not worry about someone elbowing my child in the head & to have a place to stash all the extra stuff.

and man, were there ever a lot of extra stuff. i did pack 27 diapers & probably only used 12. i had tylenol, gas drops, thermometer, saline drops, extra clothes (which was the only thing i really did use), extra bibs & burp cloths, extra shirts for me (which i needed, but never got around to changing - it was hard enough trying to pee with a baby, much less change clothes)..... but we made it & now are dealing with the jet lag. the first night was the worst, 3 & 1/2 hours of non-stop crying, the second night was better- we were awake again from 1-4am, but not crying the whole time, just playing, singing (again!) & rocking until we both fell asleep. & last night, we were up from 1230 - 2, so it's getting better!

so happy to be here, but we miss daddy! we can't wait to see him when he has some leave in a week or so..... & then he's off to the desert. we will miss him so much! but like we proved during the trip, we will get through it!

let's celebrate: 100 & 4 months!

ok, this is my 100th post! & lena is 4 months old! yipee!

here are lena's 4 month updates:

weight: 14.4

forgot what her height was.... i think 25 in??

she's doing well, except for the baby eczema she has..... the nooks of her elbows & knees are so red & we've been using a prescribed lotion & hydrocortisone cream, which works well, but i am hesitant to use the hydrocortisone too much.....

she can roll over both ways, although from her back to her tummy is her favorite & seems easier for her than the other way, but we've seen her kick it from her tummy to her back

she tries really hard to get her foot in her mouth, but it always slips out at the last second

she is interested more in her toys & likes to hold on to them & of course put them in her mouth

she is sleeping well, sometimes she has an early morning awakening (3 or 4am) but usually goes back to sleep after being rocked, but most nights she sleeps 11-12 hours with 3-4 feedings/ diaper changes

she naps a lot less during the day

i think that's about all, gotta make this short, lots to do before we leave.... NEXT WEEK! i can't believe how fast time goes, we'll be heading out to the states so soon!! can't wait to be back!!

willingness

willingness to let go, willingness to learn, willingness to accept...... i am struggling with an overwhelming fear of flying with miss lena..... as well as trying to be malleable as i learn how to be the best mom for lena. & this isn't easy, & it isn't about me. i knew that logically before she was born, but now that she's here it can be difficult to really face the reality that i'm not in control of everything, she is her own person (& by some people's definition "a difficult baby") but she is who she is and it isn't bad. in fact the things that some may see as undesirable can serve as strengths for her one day. but right now she is loud & she is fussy (a lot) & she is sweet & she loves to smile & she loves to cry & scream & she loves to spit up (a lot) & she loves to be entertained & she loves to have the attention on her. really... this kid knows when you are focused on her or not.... if i talk while she's nursing she will stop eating, look up at me & if she's really upset about it, will proceed to cry, but if she's just slightly bothered will give me a look like "mom, be quiet, i'm trying to eat" & then go back to nursing once i'm quiet & looking at her. really.

& yeah, last monday i went to an enlisted spouses meeting at chilli's & thought how nice it would be for her, she likes being out seeing new things, she loves being held & interacting with people.... it'll be a great time. well, as soon as i order she starts to get fussy. so my friend joy takes her & walks her around a bit, but she's not soothing down very well, so i take her & we go outside, but it's really hot so we go in & walk around. well, lena is screaming at the top of her lungs, i'm trying to feed her (maybe she's hungry) but no, she's just tearing at the nursing cover screaming & arching her back, so we continue to walk & it just gets worse, so i take her outside until the waitress can wrap the food up to go & bring me the check. & the whole table of spouses, most of whom are mothers (& there were 3 other "well behaved" babies there) were sympathetic, but i could tell they were kinda floored.... "wow, she's got some lungs" "is she colicky?" "will she take a pacifier?"..... those were just a few of the well meaning comments. but at the time i just wanted to get the hell out of there. it's frustrating, because i don't think there is anything seriously wrong with lena, but i don't know what she wants or needs & she is inconsolable. & it makes me feel like a bad mom. & then she goes home & snuggles & is so sweet. she is an intense baby. & i feel like this is a huge lesson for me. it's like someone is handing me a mirror in the form of my child. i am intense & lena has so many of the same characteristics as i do. very up & down. at one end of the spectrum or the other. & i am so trying to appreciate her for who she is, i'll admit there are times when i wish she was one of those calm mellow babies, but she's not & she is perfect the way she is. it's me who has to change, i need to change my outlook, learn to be more patient, not worry about other peoples opinions (i really do know my child the best out of anyone) & learn to see these trying times as lessons or adventures or times that are really no big deal.... because she is healthy, she is growing, she is learning about the world & i don't want my opinions of what i'd rather her do inform how she develops. i want to accept the way she is & not have any negative emotion cloud how i perceive my daughter.

but i'm still scared to death to get on that plane & travel with her for 24 hours. trying to let it go.... it'll be what it'll be & hopefully i'll never have to see anyone that's on the plane with us ever again....

mastitis, united, & coco's.... oh my!

sorry, lame title.... i tried.

but yep, mastitis... oh boy. got that last week & it hit me hard. it's an infection from breast feeding & i was sick, sick, sick as a dog. throwing up, fever of 103, aches, chills, not fun. but got on antibiotics & immediately started feeling better. not sure how i got it..... i think it's from going to zumba, sweating my toukas off & then sitting in the burger king drive thru for 30 min (it's guam & at 8pm at a fast food drive thru with an old chamorro lady trying to run the joint, it alas, does take 30 minutes) - side note: this is a pretty funny story so i'll backtrack in a minute but this is so OOG (only on guam).... i pull up & wait behind a truck at the squack box for like 10 min, then he pulls up & i can order, ordering an oreo shake for jeff - i was being good - & it takes her a minute, i had to prompt her to make sure she was still there, but after she figures it out & i can, i pull up. then more waiting, about another 15 minutes & then i make it to the window. i get up there & she says "chocolate?" & i say "oreo shake" & she says "with chocolate?" me: "whatever it's made with." her: "we only have chocolate." me, in my head: "why'd you ask?" , out loud: "sure." she goes away, comes back & says "we don't have chocolate. do you want something else?" me: "no." her: "i will just give you cash back (i had paid with debit card, i never have cash) because i don't know how to do a refund"...... so i waited in a burger king drive through for 30 minutes for nothing. SO, this is when i think all that sweat & nasty-work-out-ness caused my inflammation. sitting with my stinky breast pads that long couldn't possibly have been good. but who knows, i just know i don't want to get it again.... or go through the burger king drive thru anymore.....

& yay!! i booked our tickets back to the states! & got the good seats.... for no extra charge! on continental i have the seats with the bassinet hook-up! & on united i have extra leg room! well i had to pay $49 for that one, but it'll be way worth it when the seat in front of me is not compressing us into a big ball of baby, blankets & tray tables.

& coco's island.... jeff swam from guam to the island yesterday! wish lena & i could have gone to watch, but he was gone all day & came home burnt (even though he says he reapplied), so that's no place for a baby.

on a sleep note.... lena's in the crib for the first part of the night again! have yet to see another 7 hours straight, but we get some good sleep time in before the little midnight tap dancer takes over our bed.....

that'll show you

ok, so i shoulda kept my big mouth shut.... after cheerfully sharing, um.... bragging, that lena slept 7 hours straight in her crib on facebook, she has decided to show us who's boss by not sleeping in her crib at night again..... sad face here. yep, that night of 7 blissful hours was followed the next night, by one, yes one hour in her crib & the rest of the night spent back in the big kid bed so us parents could get some sleep. and again last night, same thing.... she won't stay in her crib.... i put her down, she sleeps for about an hour & wakes up & cries. i rock her, put her back down & immediately with the crying again. rock her some more, feed her, put her down.... no bueno..... hmmm......

on a better note, a much cuter, sweet note.... a video of lena laughing! this will melt your heart!

yes!

the past 2 nights have been a success.... she's sleeping in her crib..... but we have yet to see for how long. the night before last, she went down around 9 & i woke her up around 3 to feed her. she was out when i went to get her from the crib. & then last night she went down at 830 & the stupid monitor's battery died around 1230, so i didn't feel ok leaving her in her room by herself without some way of hearing if she was ok. so she came to our bed at that point. BUT, monitors are charged & we are ready for another night! i'm just so happy she is liking her crib! now what are we gonna do when we leave here & go to va? hope she's adaptable!

the good, the bad & the baby

last night was full of 2 notable firsts..... to start, lena is pretty good whenever we're out, not fussy, usually sleeping or at least interested in looking around.... well, that ended last night when jeff & i went to eat at our fav restaurant mermaid tavern (ruby tuesday holds a close second). not shortly after we ordered did the sweet sleepy lena rouse from slumberland & turn into a major fussbutt. ok, she wasn't that bad, but jeff & i had to take turns eating our food as one of us constantly walked her around so she wouldn't start howling again. so the sweet newborn days of constant/ consistent sleep are coming to an end..... ah boy.....

second, & this one is big, lena slept in her crib for part of the night!!!! ok, let me back up & put our embarrassing secret out there. lena sleeps in our bed. gasp! shock! i know, i know, not good.... bad habits, SIDS, accidently elbowing the baby in the head, etc. but it just happened one night when she was around 1 month old & it just was so nice to finally have sleep (she is a fantastic adult bed sleeper) & it was so easy to breast feed & honestly it was so sweet to have her right next to us (she's also a wonderful cuddler). so we kept doing it. & it's great, we all have been sleeping well at nights since she was a month old. (& she hasn't received any el-blows to the noggin.) but in the back of my mind is that little voice saying, "amy, when will she sleep on her own? if you don't start soon, you'll end up with a 5 year old in our bed...." plus i'm also really ashamed to talk about it, but honestly out of the handful of people i've told there has only been one negative commenter, the others have pretty much said, "whatever works for you" ..... to my face & probably much worse behind my back.

SO, anyway, i've been taking baby steps to get her there. starting with consistent napping during the day in her crib. & now that she's comfortable there i think it might be a reality that she'll sleep at night on her own. i put her down last night for a little evening nap at 730 (we all go to bed around 9pm) until she'd wake for the next feeding & then we'd all go to bed together. well 930 rolled around & she was out, so jeff & i just went to bed. took the baby monitor in our room & left lena in hers & i felt certain she'd be awake within a half an hour of us falling asleep, but nope..... she slept until I woke HER up around 1230!!! i just couldn't take it any more, my boobs were rocks & i needed some relief so i had to get her up to feed her, but i wonder just how long she would have slept?

this was surprisingly easy, well for jeff & lena, a little harder for me...... jeff fell asleep right away, but i laid awake most of that time & went in to check that she was still breathing i think at least 3 times. but this is promising! i won't have to go to college with her, she will gain independence!! yay!!

we'll try again tonight & see if she can do it again & then eventually maybe after i nurse her she can go back in the crib & do the whole night sometime soon!! i'll keep you posted! baby steps....

lena video

here is a montage of lena moments age 0 to (almost) 3 months...... she turns 3 months next week, but i couldn't wait any longer to post the video..... here are some highlights of her developments too......

she has started "crawling"... scooting herself backwards!

she kinda does a mini push up in tummy time - can hold herself up on her elbows

she brings things to her mouth with her hands.....

she brings both hands together (she's done this for a while)

she hugs your neck when you are holding her & especially when she's sleepy, she'll nuzzle into your neck & chest

she's blowing little bubbles with her mouth

she is laughing more & very "talkative"

she is much more predictable.... mommy can tell now when she's hungry, tired, bored, etc

she is napping exclusively in her crib!!!! next step is nights.... but for naps i rock her for a minute, put her white noise cd on & put her down in the crib & with her thumb in her mouth she drifts off & sleeps very well now!

she is very interested in new things.... & really likes people watching!

enjoy the video.... there was so much to chose from, but i tried to keep it short & in most of the clips i try to state what age she is, but not all of them.... it's kinda neat to see how big she has gotten in comparison to her play gym! she is gonna be a tall one like her daddy!

2 months!

Lena, you are 2 months old my dear! & you are such a doll! you had your check up yesterday & everything looks great! here are some highlights at this time......

you weigh 11lbs 13 oz!

you are 23.5 inches long!

you are very vocal... lots of coos & ahhs & even a giddy shreeek here & there

you have found your thumb & love it! you are a great self soother

you are super smiley, especially in the morning!

you sleep through the night - usually 4-6 hr stretches every night (more on sleep in another post to come soon)

you are starting to like your crib more & more - in fact that's where you're napping right now

you love spending time with daddy - when he carries you in "the basket" & you both watch soccer - that's your favorite!!

you are still bald, but i see those little hairs getting longer (can't wait to put all these clips & bows in your hair) ...... & you are blessed with the schultze swirl.... super cute!

you are the sweetest little girl in the world & we love you so so so much!!

grammy, the beach & our baby

ok, i'm getting behind.... i have SO many cute photos i gotta catch up & put some up here! anyway, we had a great visit with grammy & hated it when she had to leave, but really treasure the time we had together. so here are some photos of when we went to the beach!

damn you onesies

ok, so i think i hate onesies, or at least i thought i did until i realized what a giant baby i have (countered with the fact that gerber must have their infant sizes wrong)..... here's the story..... so i was dressing Lena, in a onesie - a 3-6 MONTH SIZED ONESIE - and she is one month old. go figure.... anyway, putting her in a onesie is torture for me.... trying to get it over her head without scratching her or letting her head flop all over the place, feeling like i'm twisting her arm, it's just no fun for her or me.

i have to admit though i do laugh when the onesie gets caught on her head with just her face poking out.... she looks like some cute crazy creature with her short-sleeved ears.....

but anyway, once the torture of dressing her is over & snaps are snapped.... i realize how snug it is (uh, ya think?) but i'm bewildered because it's a 3-6 MONTH ONESIE!! long story short, i didn't want to go through the pain of twisting her body to get her in & out of this damn onesie again..... i decide to cut her out, while vowing how much I HATE ONESIES!! & she will never again wear one because it's just too difficult!

but after a new dawn & another attempt at a onesie, this time a carter's 3 month, i am rethinking my vow..... maybe just swear off gerber & anything smaller than 3 month sizes (at least for the next week when then she'll probably fit into 6 month sizes....)

here's a snapshot of the remains of the dreaded gerber onesie...... ironic that it says "little lady" on the front, huh?

a close up

the remains....

one month birthday!

yay Lena! you just had your one month birthday! you are more & more beautiful each day! here are some highlights.......

*you weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces at the doctor last week

*you are sleeping better at night

*you're not as fussy - don't think you're colicky, i think you were just going through a growth/ gassy phase

*you are so funny when you wake up - you stretch & throw your head back & stick your little butt butt way out & make the cutest funny face

*you also make the cutest face when you're peeing & pooping - still hoping to catch it on film soon - the face that is..... ;)

*you have had some great bonding time with grammy while she's been visiting

*you have counted to 5 on your fingers - not sure you know what you're doing but i do.....

*you smiled a real smile at me & it melted my heart

i love you sweet Lena, you are the world to me & i love you more than i ever thought i could

happy new year!!

hey there 2011! can't believe it's already here! 2010 was filled with news of pregnancy, the birth of our nephew Grayson, a visit stateside with family, a trip to hong kong, another nephew born - Caleb & then the birth of our sweet baby girl Lena!

grammy is here visiting & we are so happy she's here! Lena is doing well..... we think she's a bit colicky, which i hate.... it is so hard to watch your daughter scream in pain when there is nothing you can do to help her. but today has been good, she has slept all day... which she really needed - last night was epic. poor baby. fingers crossed tonight isn't too bad.....

anyway, here are some latest pics.....

over daddy's shoulder

meeting grammy at the airport

being silly with grammy

2 weeks old

little Lena, you are 2 weeks old today! i can't believe how fast the time has gone by! you are super precious & we fall more & more in love with you each day! you had your 2 week check up today & are back to your birth weight & gained almost an inch in length! here are some current Lena highlights......

*you do not fit into newborn clothes, your long legs simply won't fit

*you wear 0-3 months

*you are breast feeding well

*you like to pee & poop on the scale at the doctors office (& on the changing table at home)

*your umbilical cord stump fell off last night

*you are still mostly bald with a soft dusting of peach fuzz (super soft)

*you like car rides & being on walks in the stroller

*you do not like sleeping at night (this one we gotta work on....)

*when you do sleep you do the cutest things with your hands & arms (very articulate little girl)

*you managed to flip yourself onto your tummy once when you were sleeping (very advanced, but scary for mommy & daddy - doc says to use a sleep positioner)

*we love holding you & spend a lot of time just looking at you & how beautiful you are

thanks for being our sweet baby girl, we are so grateful that you are here in our lives! we love you SO very much!!

being silly with daddy, you burrowed your head into his stinky pits.....

Our Lena

our baby is here! she is so wonderful! we are so in love! she arrived december 9th after a long 21 hour labor..... she weighed in at 8lbs 11oz..... big baby girl!

so after several weeks of waiting & being SO pregnant, the doc finally scheduled an induction at 41 weeks. we were supposed to go in wed morning, but then it got switched to wed at midnight, then after a call that afternoon we were asked to come in at 5:30. funny little thing happened that day.... i started having contractions! yay! labor had started on it's own! so we went in at 5:30 & i was 2-3cm & 80% effaced. so we walked, and walked, and walked & labor progressed on it's own. but after 15 hours & at 7 cm, being in the hospital (no food or drink or comforts of home) was taking a toll on me & i asked for an epidural. totally not part of the birth plan, but i was exhausted & needing help. so after the epidural, i felt great & then i felt nothing & felt numb & regretted getting the epidural. labor stalled & they started pitocin. i feel that if i had been able to be at home & labor until further along i might have lasted longer & wouldn't have gone this route. but it is what it is. i started spiking a fever around 9 cm & her heart rate went up, which indicates a possible infection in the uterus. so they rushed me to try to push her out! after almost 30 minutes of pushing & with help from a vacuum, our sweet baby girl was here!

they placed an IV in her little baby arm in order to give precautionary antibiotics in case there was an infection. & we had to wait 48 hours for her test results, but all turned out fine! she's healthy & perfect! we were in the hospital from wed night until sun afternoon, felt like forever! but the hospital staff & our doctor were amazing! my doc was working in the family health clinic at the hospital, but would take breaks to come check on me & ended up doing the delivery! i had 3rd degree tears from the rushed delivery & the size of her, so recovery has been rough. but i'm feeling a lot better now! but wow, labor & delivery is the most intense experience ever! & nothing went by my birth plan, except that she is here & healthy & lovely! & that's all that matters! breast feeding is going well, sleeping for mom & dad not as much, we still hold her while she sleeps & just stare at her instead of taking naps like we should. just can't take our eyes off her!

here are some pictures of our little beauty! & i have some cute ones with papa too, but it's time to feed, so i'll post more next time!

lena lena, my little ballerina! she has her arms in 5th position while she sleeps! too cute!

a late check out

so, baby girl is really enjoying her time in mommy's tummy..... at 40+ weeks.... trying to be patient, but it is SO HARD! we are so ready to meet her & hold her & i want to be able to move freely & see my knuckles again! but she's healthy & i am dilated (2cm) & 50% effaced, so there's some movement in that direction. it just kinda feels like ground hog's day.... everyday i think, she could be here today! & to top it off, her nursery, clothes, car seat, everything has been ready for weeks..... so not much more nesting to do. trying to sleep & read a lot, take advantage of "me" time..... but i'm so ready for "we" time! here's a pic of the nursery! & a pic of the mobile i made for her.... made it out of extra card stock from our wedding invites!

and the cousin is here!!

my sister had her baby!! caleb is such a cutie!! my sister was scheduled for a c-section (had her first child cohen through c-section) wed nov 24, but went into labor sat nov 20! she was 7cm dilated & 100% effaced & had a successful VBAC!! & caleb is just precious!! here's her post to read more & see the sweet pictures...... now we're just waiting on one more this year!

our 1 year guamaversary!

so we've officially been living in guam for a year! the first part of it seemed to drag on, but then all of a sudden - bam! we've been here a year?! only 2 more to go!! i've met so many great friends since i've been here, jeff's gotten back into soccer, we went to hong kong, i traveled space a for the first time & the biggest news of all - we made a baby!! & man, due date is quick approaching! we just finished a crash lamaze course at the birthing center & i think her nursery is finally finished (pics to come soon)..... so now we just wait for our sweet baby girl to make her appearance! i can not wait to meet her! we are so excited!

maternity photos

the weekend before jeff left, we got to do an awesome photo shoot with mike from jeff's office. he's building his portfolio & wanted to get some maternity shots & of course we wanted to document this awesome time too. we had a blast! the first shoot we got some amazing shots, but only shot for about 30 minutes, which included a double rainbow & then the sky dumped on us! but we got together again a few days later & got some more fun shots! check out his websitehere & if you're in guam, you should contact him & get some special photos done!

the double rainbow!

a kiss after the rain

2nd time shooting, the waves made sure we didn't stay dry for long

air force soccer article

an article about my husband came out today! i'm so proud of him & so excited! he made it stateside safely & soon the training camp begins! read about it here.....