Today is an anniversary I will never forget. It was one year ago today that we found out we were expecting this little angel!
It was late in the evening on Memorial Day, and I remember we were very excited and a little scared and in disbelief. We didn't think there was much possibility that we could already be pregnant. Everyday since, my thoughts have been filled with this sweet baby. She changed our lives immediately and I'm so glad she is ours!
We love you Claire Campbell! You are the best little surprise ever!
Claire, you are 4 months old! It seems like you're growing and changing so rapidly these days! Sometimes I get sad because you aren't a tiny newborn anymore, but you are so much fun right now that I can't get too sad.
We go to the pediatrician week after next once Mommy's done with school, so I will update your stats then. Right now, you weigh between 16-17 lbs. You wear mostly 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers.
Here's the other exciting things you're doing: - You are SO close to rolling over. You basically do it, but can't get completely flat on your belly because of that pesky arm. Tonight we thought for sure it was going to happen...you were working so hard to get over your arm and getting very frustrated. It will happen soon! - You don't like to be held like a little baby anymore unless you're going to sleep. If we put you in that position, you will do little crunches and try to sit up. You much prefer to be held upright where you can look over our shoulder.
- You talk constantly! It's the cutest thing ever. You wake up very happy in the morning! You like to shriek, squeal, and jabber. We have some of our best conversations when you're on your changing pad. - You still love to eat. Usually you eat every 2 hours and you have the chunk to prove it. Your thighs are so adorably chubby! If I remember correctly, the pediatrician wants us to hold off until 6 months to introduce foods, but I'll get more info about that at your appointment.
- You're such a good sleeper! Every since Mommy went back to work, you go to sleep at 8:30-9 and have been sleeping until around 4, then eating and going back to sleep until 7. BUT this week you've started sleeping straight through to sometime between 5:30-7. We've been using the miracle blanket, but tonight we're trying out the sleep sack for the first time. So far, so good! You've become very easy to put to bed at night...your Daddy has a special walk that he does with you to help you wind down for the night. He calls it "the dinosaur" and it's pretty darn cute. Your Daddy is so taken with you! I don't think there's anything cuter than Dads with their baby girls.
- You're spitting up a lot more, usually at least once after you eat. It worries me, especially when it comes out of your nose, but honestly it seems to bother me more than it does you. Reflux is for the birds. - You're drooling up a storm lately! Between that and spitting up, burp rags are never far away these days.
- We're doing lots of tummy time! You're lunging forward, almost like you want to do a somersault. Once your arms are stronger, I think you'll be crawling in no time. - Your current favorite things: your Sophie teether, your stuffed pig "Hammy", your gym, musical ladybug, "Charlie & Lola" on Disney Junior, and when someone blows raspberries on your tummy, legs, or feet!
- You came to visit Mommy's work after school on Tuesday and you were quite a hit! Everyone was so sweet and just made over you! Then you went to your first happy hour - Mom had a coke - ha! You were so good and I am always so proud to show you off to people. - In just over a week, school will be over and Mommy will be free to spend all her time with you again! I can't wait to do so many fun things together. I'm proud of us for doing so well since I went back to work. It's not easy to be apart, but we've made it work. I couldn't have done it without Daddy and Pinky. I'm so glad you've gotten this special time with your Pinky! She takes such good care of you!
- You got to meet Mommy's grandmother, Mammawie, and Aunt Dian this month. You cozied right up to your great-grandmother and took a nice, long nap in her arms. It was very special to have all 4 generations together!
We love you, Beautybear, and we're so proud that you are ours! I feel so blessed and privileged that I get to be your Mama and watch you grow up. Your sweet little snores when you sleep are my favorite sound ever. You are my little angel.
I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. We spent the weekend in Sugar Land visiting Cam's family. On Sunday morning when I checked email on my phone, I had a link to this waiting for me:
I am so thankful that I get to be the mother to this precious baby girl, and that I get to experience this adventure with my wonderful husband. I love you Claire and Cam, thank you for making me a mommy!
I feel so behind in updating! Let's play catch up!
Cam had his gallbladder removed a few weeks ago. Just when we were starting to think it might not be an issue anymore, he had another attack and they decided to do surgery. He's feeling almost 100% now and we're glad it's all taken care of. The whole thing was definitely God's timing because if it had happened a few weeks earlier, I wouldn't have been walking as well as I was when I needed to be on my feet taking care of him and Claire. And if it had happened a few weeks later, I'd have been back at work and unable to be at home with him. I feel like I got to repay him in a very small way for all of the months he took care of me recently. If you'd told me a year ago that both of us would have to have surgery during the first half of 2013 while we were having/taking care of our first child, I would have laughed so hard. We plan, God laughs...and I've learned to accept it.
My ankle is much better and life is much more normal now, thankfully. I "graduated" from physical therapy recently and continue to do it at home each day on my own. I don't quite know how to explain it, but I feel like every new thing I've been able to do since my injury has been part of the process of "waking up" to my normal life again. I know there was lots of medical care, science, and physical therapy involved in my recovery...but to me, the fact that I can walk again truly feels like a miracle. Anyone who saw me in the first few weeks after I broke my ankle would probably agree. Some of it all feels like it happened to someone else, and yet I don't ever want to forget it. It changed my perspective on everything and I don't want to forget how grateful I am for the simple things in life, like being able to walk around with Claire or stroll her to the mailbox. It's still painful at times, and likely will be for awhile. But I am so, so thankful to God for my healing and my renewed perspective on life.
I went back to work last week. It's hard to leave Claire, but luckily I only have to do it for a few more weeks and then it will be summer! We are so lucky that my Mom keeps her for us. It's the next best thing to me being there and it gives Claire a chance to hang out with her Pinky (and Papaw, who comes home most days for lunch now)! Working is proving to be pretty painful on my ankle, and by the end of most days, I'm hobbling around. I wasn't in nearly this much pain in the few weeks before I came back to work, so I'm hopeful it will calm down again once school ends. I'm busy and exhausted, but happy to get to come home to my Claire and Cam each day. I feel like all I do at school when I'm not teaching and after Claire goes to sleep at night is pump...or clean and sterilize pump parts! Pumping enough milk for a baby that eats every 2 hours is serious stuff, but we're getting into a routine.
Claire is in such a cute phase right now! She is so smiley and happy! All it takes it a little talking to her and she will break out in the cutest gummy grin. She's definitely found her voice and loves to "talk" to us! One of her happiest and loudest times is always when she gets up to eat around 4 or 5 in the morning. It is the dead of night and totally quiet and she is just gurgling away, happy as a lark. It's hard not to smile, even if we're half asleep! She is also a chunk supreme! She's growing like a weed. Poor thing has two outfits that she only got to wear once because her head has gotten too big to even get them on!
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