Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Nap at Last

Savannah is a very unpredictable napper. Fortunately, she sleeps pretty regularly through the night, these days. She usually take a longish morning nap but the afternoon nap is always a question mark. After trying to get her down for a while, I passed her off to Tom so they could watch football together, and I could get something done! Apparently, she just tired herself out and just passed out on her play cushion (or whatever its called). Pretty cute, eh?


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Savannah

Once again I need to start with berating myself for not posting for such a long time. Savannah is nearly 9 months old and I haven't written a thing about this spirited, funny, unpredictable, smiley, beautiful little soul that joined our family in February.

Her entry into the world was unexpectatedly rough on me. In spite of a very planned out c-section, we had several unplanned complications such as me becoming momentarily paralyzed and unable to speak, or move, after being given a spinal. They quickly did a c-section to get my little girl out. Unfortunately, I was not conscience for the experience. I woke in the recovery room not knowing where I was or what had happened. I quickly realized that I had just given birth."What did we have?????" I asked my husband. "A girl," he answered.

After I got to hold my little blessing, I became sick with a post-operative ileus. I was on an IV and forbidden to eat or drink for a couple of days while the air and gas in my belly escaped. This made nursing complicated, and me dehydrated and miserable. Unfortunately, Selby was not allowed to see me for a few days and this was quite tortuous for all of us. She wanted desperately to see her little sister.

But, the most important thing was that Savannah was healthy -- and here. I rested and healed while my wonderful husband took care of me and the girls (which is now my new favorite phrase "the girls").

Once home, I quickly discovered why all my friends hated me with Selby. She was SOO easy to care for. Savannah, as we often say, is no Selby. She's sweet and wonderful in her own right, but not as easy as Selby (apparently, few babies are). She slept sporadically and ate small amounts -- often. She was happiest in my arms, which is wonderful but tiring. We quickly ran out and bought a variety of swings and sleep apparatuses. They each worked for a bit, but now at 9 months we've gotten rid of all of them (and trying to forget how much they all costs).

She's reaching her developmental milestones much faster than Selby did. She rolled over at about 3 months and crawled at about 7 months. Now she's pulling her self up, clapping, waving and doing a lot of downward dog.

Selby is totally in love with her and such a good big sister. We're incredibly blessed, tired and happy to finally have our family complete. I promise (to try) to write more frequently about my two love muffins and post many photos and videos. Here's a few to get started.



Love at first sight.

Daddy planting a big one on his little one.

Savannah's first party at 3 weeks old. Why are we wearing mustaches? Why not?




















Big and little loves.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Selby Reads

It's really the most amazing thing so far, I think. She is actually reading to Tom or me every night. Granted the books, words and sentences are very short, and not very interesting. But the fact that she can read an entire book to us gives both her and us a lot of joy. We started with the first series of BOB: Early Reading Books. She quickly went through all 12 books and was very ready for more so we ordered the next level, which she's read half of already. It's like you think this will never happen and then -- boom -- it does.

I'm feeling especially attached to her these days knowing our time as a unit of three is quickly approaching the end. WIth baby #2 due this Sunday, our days are really numbered. I have a few mommy/daughter afternoons planned this week. Then my parents show up on Saturday and The Donut shows up on Sunday!

I'm doing my best to prepare Selby for what it will be like with a new baby in the house. She seems to be taking it in stride, but who knows what it really will be like? I certainly don't. I'm sure we'll have moments of jealousy, but hopefully they're not often or long.

Here are some photos from a great photo shoot with did with Sheri. I can't stand how adorable she is.



Friday, January 13, 2012

Science Experiment Success

I wish I had photos of Selby's science experiment but I was too busy helping her to take any. But watching her put it all together was soooo adorable and, fortunately, a success. It's surreal to see her grow as a student, as well as a little girl. She's now able to do simple addition and subtraction and we just got her these first reader Bob books, which she reads TO US. It's amazing to watch her sound out the words, and to see her self-satisfied smile when she figures it out and finishes a book (granted the books are about five pages). My other favorite Selby thing these days is listening to her sing The Lion King. She's learning a lot of the songs by heart, which I'm not allowed to sing with her in the car. "No singing Mama!"

Here she is with one of her favorite holiday gifts (a matching pajama set for her and her American Girl Baby).

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Resolution to Write More about Selby (and, eventually, her Sibling)

Once again I'm making the resolution/commitment to write more about the amazing Selby. Trust me, it's not for lack of subject matter. She is continuously funny and wonderful. Tom and I frequently say out loud how blessed we are to have such a good-natured, funny and absolutely adorable little girl. For some reason (maybe the impending birth of her sibling), she has been incredibly loving these past few months. At least a couple of times a day she'll say, out of nowhere, "I love you mommy (and then daddy if he's around)."

Today, the plan was to send her on a school field trip as part of winter break camp (her school resumes tomorrow). Because neither Tom or I was going on this trip, as one of us usually does during the school year, she decided she didn't want to go. I told her she could stay home with me and I would kiss and hug her all day long with one movie break. "Ok, let's do that," she said as she crawled into my lap to be kissed and hugged. So I gave her a little sample and asked "Won't this get boring?" and she answered "When I get bored I can watch a movie!" I did eventually convince her to go on the school trip and she, eventually, happily went because her friend Saige was going as well. But I think we both missed out : )

And then there's The Donut ... scheduled to arrive on 2/12/12. Selby will kiss my belly and say good morning and good night to it almost every day. I'm excited to give her a sibling, but nervous about all of our adjustments to having a needy newborn. But, Selby is definitely excited about it and I'm trying to prepare her as best as I can. Here are a few recent photos of her:


Proudly sporting a stach on mustache night in Puerto Vallarta.


Multitasking in PV


My little ballerina.


With Adrian, her assistant teacher and possibly first crush, after her Winter Concert performance.


With her buddy Jada and new favorite stuffed animal Nahla.