Peanut Smiles

Lexi Four Months

April 4, 2013April 9, 2013 peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

This has been a big month with lots of changes for you and for our family. The month started off with me going back to work and you staying at home with Daddy. Coincidentally, the first day I went back, Daddy had a photo shoot, so you also had your first baby-sitter, Great Grandma and Grandpa Sampson. The first week was a little rough, but just as everyone said, it got easier everyday. And it was very reassuring knowing you were home with Daddy having lots of fun.

After being back for only two weeks, I was laid off. Work had been pretty slow for many months and there wasn’t enough for me to do. It was a big surprise especially after all the nice things my work had done for us while on leave and welcoming me back. But, I know there is another great opportunity out there and am LOVING my extra time at home with you!

In addition to all of the changes for our family, you have changed SO much in the last 31 days! At your four month check up you weighed 15.3 lbs (75%) and were 25.75 inches tall (95%). You laughed for the first time near the beginning of the month. Daddy was pulling the little froggy on your car seat down and rubbing the vibrations on your nose and you laughed several times, of course we failed to get it on camera 😦 As the month went on, you laughed a couple of additional times like when I tickle your tummy and neck or shake my head above your face and my hair tickles your face. Hearing your laugh is by far one of my favorite moments/milestones this month.

You continue to be a phenomenal sleeper, God knew you were my child! You consistently sleep through the night for 8-12 hours. We usually swaddle and put you to bed around 10 and you wake around 9. There have been a handful of times when you sleep until 11 and even noon! Although you’re a great night sleeper, your naps are somewhat questionable. For the first three weeks of the month, you took four to five naps a day for 30-40 minutes, making it difficult to get anything done in the day. However, the past few days you’ve slept for longer stretches so we’ll see if that continues. We put you down for your naps awake and wrapped in a receiving blanket. At the beginning of the month, you would cry for about 10 min before falling asleep and now you might cry for two or three minutes.

You have rolled over from belly to back on a couple of different occasions, but not consistently yet. You’ve also gotten much better at tummy time. You can push yourself up to 90 degrees and can hold it there for much longer stretches of time. You’ll also just lay on your tummy with your face on the floor and ‘talk’ for over 10 min. Additionally, you have really strengthened your left side and lift your head in both directions on a daily basis.

Throughout the month you began swatting and grabbing toys on your play gym ad bouncer. Nearly everything that is placed in your hand is brought to your mouth with your favorite items being the hood strings of our sweatshirts and your thumb. You try to suck on your thumb with your pointer finger wrapped around your nose (it does look very cute), but we take it out as much as possible trying to avoid you becoming a thumb sucker. You’ve also gone back to liking the green ‘soothie’ pacifiers, but will only take it right after eating or right before bedtime.

I think you’re beginning to teeth. I think I see a couple white nubbins in your mouth, you bit or chew on everything (verses just sucking), drool, drool and drool some more and are a little more fussy at night than normal. You love music and reading books. Your favorites books are: Brown Bear Brown Bear, Guess Who and Good Night Moon. It’s hilarious to watch you being read to because you just sit on our lap, look at the pages and are still as can be so it’s like your actually understanding what is being read. You’re favorite songs are: ABC’s, 3 Little Fishies, Patty Cake and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. You especially love the ‘LMNOP’ part of ABC’s. I think the ABC’s is the only song Daddy knows, so he sings it to you a couple times a day.

Other changes/favorites: You don’t always fall asleep in your car seat now. You have great head control and LOVE to stand. You rub your eyes when you’re tired. You love to look at yourself in the mirror. Watching hockey really entertains you. You discovered your voice and make high-pitched squeals; its hard to tell if you’re upset or just making noise. About half way through the month we stopped putting prune juice in your bottles since you were pooping much better. We no longer burp you, just sit you up for a little bit and you burp on your own. You’ve also gotten very good at playing by yourself.

My favorite moment of everyday is getting you out of your crib. When you wake up, you’ll chat and coo for sometimes over 10 minutes. It is so fun to watch you on the monitor just looking around and making noise. The moment we walk in the door, you get very quiet and we lean over your crib and see the biggest smile on your face. Once you see our faces your smile gets even bigger and your eyes close and you wiggle your head back and forth while smiling. It is so sweet. After I undo the swaddle flaps you stretch your arms above your head and arch your back. I pick you up and you nuzzle into my shoulder and cuddle for a few moments and then we settle into the chair to nurse. There are no words to describe how wonderful those moments are every morning and it makes my whole day.

Happy four months my sweet pea! You continue to grow to be a beautiful, strong and kind little girl. We love being your parents and you make us so happy!

Love, Mom

The many faces of the munchkin

Easter

Lexi, Pregnancy Updates

16 Weeks Post-Partum

April 2, 2013 peanutsmiles

It’s just over 16 weeks since sweet little Lexi made her way into this world and our life has changed in the best possible way. My body on the other hand…not so much. Actually, it isn’t that bad and I really have nothing to complain about.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I told myself I didn’t want to gain more than the recommended 30 lbs., but was prepared to gain twice that. I’ve struggled with weight my whole life. I’m not large, but not skinny, so I figured I was going to gain more than I wanted. To my sweet surprise, I only gained 25 lbs. I’m not sure how much I had lost when I left the hospital, but I’m guessing it was just over 10 lbs. At one week post-partum, my smallest pair of maternity pants were too large and at 10 days, I was able to button pre-pregnancy pants. There is no way I could have worn them, but I could button them. By two and a half weeks I could somewhat comfortably wear two different pairs of pre-pregnancy pants. They fit pretty good when I was standing, but if I sat down I needed to pull them over my mommy pouch and they would fall pretty low in the back which wasn’t a pretty sight for anyone. Additionally, a majority of my shirts didn’t fit well because my boobs were so much bigger and therefore the shirts were too short, which again didn’t help with the plumbers crack issues I had going on.

Around the 1 month mark, I was only up 3 lbs, which I was ecstatic about. Not only had I pretty much lost all of the weight, I did it through Christmas and had eaten anything I wanted. I assumed it would take me 9 months to loose the baby weight and didn’t think I would be able to fit into any of my jeans again, so to say I was happy was a complete understatement.

Fast forward to 16 weeks and I’m 8 lbs. under pre-preggo weight. I have continued to eat whatever I want, occasionally walk for exercise and continue to shed pounds. Breastfeeding is truly an amazing thing! Its going to suck going back. Regardless of the the number on the scale, my body is most definitely different. My stomach is much softer than it was before and I have what I refer to as the lovely inner tube around my waist. No matter what I wear I always have small love handles and a little pouch in front, which makes low-rise jeans pretty much impossible to wear. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find a couple pairs of mid-rise jeans which I don’t think look too much like the traditional ‘mom’ jeans.

After I got the A-O-K to resume exercise I went to several yoga classes, which felt fantastic. With the exception of a couple pregnancy walks, I hadn’t done ANY physical activity in over 12 months, so my first workouts kicked my arse. As I continued to work out and push myself more, I started to notice a decrease in my milk supply so I’ve stayed clear of intense workouts and stuck to stroller walks, which I am more than happy with. Once the trails are clear of all the snow and puddles, I do plan to do some short 3-5 mile runs.

As far as food goes, I haven’t noticed a huge difference in my appetite but have noticed a difference in my cravings. They are so much stronger than when I was pregnant. I’ll get something (candy, ice cream, cookies, really any kind of sweet treat) in my mind and it won’t leave until its been fulfilled. I also feel that if I don’t eat some ‘fatty’ foods, my milk decreases. Whether thats really true, I’m not so sure. I know two different people who were encouraged to gain weight post-partum to help with their milk supply. Part of me wonders if I’m just telling myself the milk is decreasing to help justify the unhealthy (but delicious) food I continue to eat.

Stretch marks. I thought I had made it through the pregnancy with out them, but a few tiny lines showed up to the left of my belly button. I didn’t notice them until a couple weeks after baby, so I’m not sure when they showed up–probably near the end, but I could never see them since my belly was so large. The linea nigra never showed up on me so nothing to report there.

I think thats all there is to report as of now. I’m so thankful I’ve had such an easy recovery and know I won’t be this lucky if there is a next time.

Kristin

Day to Day, Lexi

Signs of Spring

March 28, 2013 peanutsmiles

We’re finally starting to show signs of spring this week. Today it was sunny and 40 with lots of melting snow and chirping birds. And what better way than to enjoy it than an hour walk with my little sleeping beauty. Hoping there are many more days like today around the corner!

Kristin

Lexi

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

March 17, 2013March 21, 2013 peanutsmiles

Lexi

The perfect morning

March 14, 2013March 21, 2013 peanutsmiles

Today was my perfect morning! I had gotten to bed at a decent time the night before (around 11), so when my alarm went off at 7:30, I felt well rested. I quickly got myself ready, went downstairs to begin pumping. I was just about to begin pumping the other side when my favorite little monkey woke up! I love when I get to see her before I leave for work, and it is even better when I get to feed her. I rushed upstairs to a smiling happy little girl. Standing over her crib, I always say, “Good Morning! Did you have a good nights sleep?” and she always responds with a large smiles that sends endorphins throughout my body. Upon unwrapping her from her swaddle, she arches her back and stretches her arms above her head and just coos. What is more precious than that? We did a quick feeding, changed her diaper and brought her into see Bill. I gave my kisses and said my good-byes and was out the door without feeling rushed and on schedule. Best way to start out a Thursday!

Alexis Monthly Posts

Lexi Three Months

March 4, 2013April 5, 2013 peanutsmiles

My sweet sweet Lexi,

Today marks your three month birthday as well as the day I had to return to work. So far, the day has gone pretty well. It helps knowing you’re home with Daddy but I still had a hard time leaving you. I knew you were going to be in great hands, and that you wouldn’t miss me (out of sight out of mind for you for another couple of months), but the milestone that it represents was difficult. I enjoyed my time at home with you so much and would LOVE for that to be an everyday reality, but it just isn’t in the cards right now. And since it is something that I’ve always wanted it’s hard for me to just watch that dream slip out of my hands. Last night was much more difficult than today. I didn’t want to lay you down and every time I thought about me not being with you everyday and doing the things I did growing up, I choked up.

On to your Three Month Update

This month, a new 2nd cousin, Paxton, and a friend, Memphis were born. While visiting with them, it was incredible to see how much you’ve grown and hard to believe how little you used to be. I’m not sure how much you weigh or how tall you are, but I’m guessing around 14 lbs and 25 inches. At the beginning of the month, you weren’t a big fan of tummy time and would only last a minute or two without fussing. You also were showing a strong preference to your lift your head only on your right side. By the end of the month you increased the time you spent on your tummy to five+ minutes and will lift your head to the left a little bit. You still prefer your right and will always switch it to that side after we let go of holding it to the left. You’ve also rolled over from your tummy to your back two times. The first time was by complete accident. The second, you lifted your head up a bit and were turning it sideways to see the TV, got your arm under yourself and rolled over. You continue to get that arm under you but are a little hesitant on going too far.

Your hands continue to be your favorite toy and are always chewing on them. You often chew on my hand when you are held facing out (which is definitely your preference). With the constant hand chewing is a constant dribble of drool all over your face. About half way through the month you got a nasty rash on your neck from a lack of air exposure as well as drool, spit up and milk not getting cleaned well. It was pretty red and then turned into little bumps, but it cleared up in about a week with some baby powder, A&D and Desitin.

Like your mommy, you enjoy your sleep, and late into the morning. We usually put you to sleep between 9 and 10 pm and you usually wake up between 9:00 and 9:30am. This past weekend, you even slept until 10:30! I couldn’t believe it! However, you aren’t the best napper. You usually take about four naps a day. The first is about an hour after you wake up, the second is just after noon, the third is around dinnertime and the forth is just before you go to bed all lasting between 30 and 60 minutes. This month you’ve also developed a nice little bald spot on the back of your head from laying on your back. You’re a little squirmer at night. Most mornings when you wake up, you’re facing the complete opposite side we lied you down at, but you’re head rarely moves. You just pivot your whole body. Additionally, sometimes when you wake up, you’ll just lay in your crib and talk to yourself and look around for 5-10 minutes before you start crying. It is so fun to watch you on the monitor just being happy.

Music continues to be a favorite for you. You love it when we sing to you, your star plays or we just have music on in the house. You squeal, smile and are just very content when it is on. You haven’t quite started grabbing for things intentionally yet. You’ll hit a toy, grasp my necklace, clothing or hair often, but it is still unintentional.

I’ve found the baby bathtub to be very awkward. It’s hard for you to stay in the little seat so I always have a hand on you which makes it difficult to wash you well. As a result, I’ve started getting in the tub with you and you love it! You’re able to kick your legs and love “floating” on your back and looking up at me. It is also much easier to make sure I get you clean.

There were a couple of moments this month that stuck out to me as favorites. One of them actually happened almost every morning. After you had nursed, I would bring you into our bed to see Daddy and play. The three of us would lay in bed together, play and adore you. It was such a peaceful way to start each day. Another favorite moment(s) was while changing your diaper in the morning, you would kick your legs, squeal in delight and chatter away to me. Your voice soothes my soul and your smiles melt my heart. Another favorite moment was just before you went to sleep. You were bundled up in your swaddle, had just eaten and we were rocking while you were sucking away on the nuk with your eyes wide open staring at me. We rocked and stared at each other for a good five minutes. Finally, it was as if you decided “I’m going to sleep”; you spit out the nuk, nuzzled your head into the crook of my arm, closed your eyes and went to sleep. It was so sweet and loving and it is a moment I will never forget.

Love, Mom

Alexis Monthly Posts

Lexi Two Months

February 4, 2013March 19, 2013 peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

You are two months old and have officially stolen my heart with your beautiful smiles and sweet demeanor. You continue to be a dream of a child—so good that I’m already ready for you to have a brother or sister, but we’re still going to wait awhile! This past month feels like a fairytale and that life is just too good. The beginning of the month started off with a clogged duct for me—which may or may not have lead to mastitis. I also had a nasty cold, so I’m not entirely sure I had the infection or not, but took some antibiotics just in case.

Then at around 6 ½ weeks you began sleeping through the night. You had always been a good sleeper, only getting up once a night with you, but now you sleep anywhere from 8-12 hours every night. At your two month checkup the Dr. couldn’t believe that and said it was very rare for a baby that young to be sleeping for such long stretches. Although, you sleep for a long time during the night—you still sleep quite a bit in the day. You haven’t developed a consistent schedule as far as how long or when you sleep, but after you wake up in the morning, you usually eat, we change your diaper and you play for about an hour and then you’re ready for nap, which we always try to lay you in your crib for. The only reason you wouldn’t sleep there is if we have somewhere to go, which then you sleep in your car seat. You usually sleep anywhere from an hour to three hours and then wake up and repeat the eating and changing. This time, you usually stay up for about 2 hours and then take another nap. Sometimes you sleep in your crib, but your afternoon naps are usually a little shorter sometimes just 30 minutes—especially if you are in your crib. You prefer to be held for your afternoon naps and usually wake up pretty quickly if we lay you down. You take one more nap in the evening before we put you to sleep for the night somewhere around 11. We’ve also started putting you to sleep awake from time to time. About half of the time you’re already so tired that you fall asleep without a peep, the other half you cry for about 10-15 min. and then fall asleep. I had a really hard time (and still don’t like) listening to you cry it out, but I know it is for your own good.

This month you have also mastered smiling. At the beginning of the month we would get an occasional smile out of you, and by the end of the month it’s hard to find a moment without you smiling. Whenever you see Mom or Dad’s face we see that beautiful smile of yours, and have even noticed a little dimple in your right cheek. You also began cooing and it is the most precious noise I’ve ever heard. Rachel barrowed us a play gym that had a toy on the top that plays music and lights up and you absolutely love it! We turn it on with you in the bouncer and you smile and squeal in delight. It is so fun to watch and listen to you have fun!

As a result of the love for the music toy, we’ve been playing more music for you, and you really seem to like it, especially when we dance. We’ve played a few nursery rhymes for you, but have mostly listened to the Killers. Overall you really enjoy any kind of movement. You instantly fall asleep in the car, and almost always settle down if we pick you up and just carry you around the house with us as we do our business—especially if you are facing outward and can watch what is going on. We’ve tried putting you in the baby carrier a few times and you do OK in it, but I find myself always holding you if I bend over to grab something and sometimes it feels a little awkward. Also, when you’re upset and tired you like us jiggling our arms a little bit to help you fall asleep. The only movement you haven’t seemed to love is the swing. In addition to movement from us, you are quite the little kicker. You love to kick your legs and flale your arms—especially when you’re diaper is off. Whenever we set you down to change your diaper, you usually begin to cry but as soon as we undo the diaper and wipe you, you’re a happy kicking little girl!

You continue to get bigger and stronger everyday! At your 2 month check up you weighed 12 lbs. and 5 oz., which is in the 75% for weight an were 23.5” long which is in the 97% for height. You’ve also gotten pretty good at holding your head up on tummy time. You can push yourself up so your head is at 90 degrees, which the Dr. said is normal for a 4 month old.

You continue to be a good eater. We give you a bottle about once a day and have never questioned it. With the bottle you’ll down 4-5 ounces without a question, and I’m sure would drink more if you could. We always need to put a nuk in your mouth as soon as you’re done with the bottle to satisfy your sucking need and so you don’t get upset the bottle is gone. Since I began nursing you, I always put a burp rag under you chin to help keep you clean and now when I do it, you know you’re going to get to eat. If you’re crying you settle down and look at me and smile while open your mouth and kind of bob your head like you’re ready. It is very sweet! With that, you’ve had some constipation problems this month. You would go 3+ days without pooping, when you were previously going a couple times a day. Additionally, if you were awake, you were grunting, pushing and generally very uncomfortable. The Dr. recommended we add a little prune juice to your bottle and that has seemed to help a lot. The overall consistency has changed from yellow-mustardy and seedy to something that resembles peanut butter.

I can’t believe you’re already 2 months old. You have brought more joy and happiness into our lives than we ever thought was possible. We pray for your safety and health everyday and thank God for blessing us with such a beautiful, healthy and happy little girl. You truly are the sunshine of our everyday!

Love,

Mom

Uncategorized

Sleeping through the night

January 19, 2013April 12, 2013 peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

Last night you slept for over 12 hours straight! I.can.NOT.believe.it.!!! You are only 6 1/2 weeks old. I didn’t even know it was possible for babies this young to do this! Yesterday afternoon/evening you were being a little stinker and just wouldn’t sleep no matter what we did. Eventually, you feel asleep around 8:30. Typically, you’ll wake up around 11 to nurse one more time before you sleep until 7ish in the morning. Around midnight, we tried to wake you up to nurse and you just wanted to sleep. Reluctantly I let you sleep, knowing that meant I would have to get up in the middle of the night to feed you. I couldn’t believe when I woke up around 6 and my boobs were about to explode. I’m sure this long sleeping stretch was a fluke, but we can always hope this is the start of sleeping through the night.

Love, Mom

**Update: Not a fluke, you have consistently slept through the night since you were 6 1/2 weeks old. There have even been a couple of instances where you have slept until 11am or noon!

Alexis Monthly Posts, Lexi

Lexi One Month

January 1, 2013April 5, 2013 peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

I can’t believe you are already one month old! This past month went by too quickly, and I’m shocked at how much you have already changed.

At about the week and a half mark, we transitioned from sleeping in the family room to you sleeping in your crib and me in my bedroom. The first night was a little touch and go. I leapt out of bed every time I heard you make a sound, but as the nights went on, I learned more about your sleep patterns. You’re a loud little sleeper. You grunt and make all sorts of noises, even let out a couple loud cries only to fall back asleep. By the end of the month, I would only get up when you were waking to eat. This has made a big difference in our ability to sleep and not wake ever 10 to 20 minutes from your noises.

We’ve now developed a somewhat predictable schedule. As soon as I’m done feeding you between 12 and 1 am, I go to bed and then Daddy puts you to sleep. About 6 hours later, you wake up to be changed and fed and then go back to sleep for another four or five hours. This time, Daddy gets up changes your diaper and plays with you for as long as he can before you need to be fed so I can get a couple extra minutes of sleep. So, I really only have to get up once throughout the night, which isn’t too bad. I’ve tried to be really good about keeping the lights off and not talking to reinforce night time is for sleeping. We’ve also developed the pattern to only swaddle you at night, which seems to help cue that it is night time. Overall, you’re a very good sleeper. You love to sleep in people’s arms but will sleep in your Pack ‘N Play, crib, bouncer or car seat.

This past week, you’ve started to get a little fussy, especially at night, so we’re hoping this isn’t the beginning of colic. When you’re awake, all you seem to want to do is eat, even right after you’ve finished eating, you continue making the eating signs. Right now we’re giving you the pacifier to help sooth you. Sometimes you like it, sometimes you don’t.

You’re also very gassy. You’re constantly grunting, holding your breath, red-faced and overall uncomfortable when you’re gassy. Daddy works with you to help ease your pain. He moves your legs around and brings them up and presses them against your tummy. You will pretty much fart on demand for him when he does this. He thinks its hilarious and it helps you feel better so its a win for both sides.

Throughout the month, you’ve also developed a re-occuring blister on your top lip. It doesn’t seem to be painful for you, but eventually it ‘pops’ even though nothing comes out. The skin fall off and another one develops. The nurses say it is common for babies that have a strong suction and its nothing to worry about.

During the month, we also celebrated Christmas and New Years. You are one lucky little girl. You received many gifts from your aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and mommy’s aunts and uncles. You have lots of clothes to wear, books to read and a couple of new toys to play with. During all of the celebrations, you were just a jewel. You looked adorable in your little Christmas dress and just snoozed away as you were passed around to everyone. There were lots of compliments on what a beautiful baby you are.

We are sill overjoyed and feel incredibly blessed to have such a perfect and healthy little girl!

Love, Mom

Lexi

Lexi Hospital Stay

December 21, 2012April 12, 2013 peanutsmiles

Dear Lexi,

About an hour after your arrival, I called Grandma B to tell her about your arrival. The conversation started out very casual as she was just finishing up baking and then I just matter-of-factly asked if she wanted to come meet her grand-daughter and she was OVERJOYED! Her and Grandpa B headed over to the hospital right away.

I had just tried nursing you for the first time, and I thought it went relatively well. I thought you had latched on well, but learned later you weren’t and were sucking in the opposite direction. Instead of your tongue pulling the milk in, you were pushing it out. That first night was a tough one. You screamed a lot. Eventually one of the nurses suggested skin-to-skin contact. They had you lay with your diaper on my bare chest and it really calmed you down, and it was the most soothing thing for me. I really bonded with you during those hours. Your skin was so soft and I just rubbed my hands on your back and we both fell asleep. It was the best sleep I had gotten in months.

Once the lactation nurse arrived in the morning, she came straight to the room and tought us how to latch. The first thing she did was express some colostrum and fed it to you with a syring to get some food into your stomach. Then she showed us several different feeding positions and tricks to help you latch. One of them was having Daddy “tickle” the top of your mouth with his finger to teach you to suck in instead of out.

Later that day, we also went with you for your first bath. I was an emotional wreak. I cried the whole time and not just a couple of sniffles with water in my eyes, I had big-full tears streaming. In addition to the crazy amount of hormone changes my body was going through, I think it was the moment I realized how much I loved you and how perfect you were. I knew I felt those things before, but I hadn’t had the time to comprehend everything and it all just came to me at one time. We were so lucky to have this beautiful, healthy, perfect little girl. God has truly blessed us.

That afternoon/eveing was pretty busy with visitors. Grandpa and Grandma Sampson, Aunt Becca, Great-Grandma and Great Grandpa Sampson, Auntie Angie, Aunt Teresa, Uncle Greg, Ashely, Courtney and Tia all came to visit. This day was pretty overwhelming. I was still nervous about the nursing, I was sore and tired and the constant visitors was a little exhausting Next time, we’ll definitely limit the amount of time people are allowed to stay.

The second night at the hospital went a little better. You had your 24 hour tests, which Daddy went with you for, while I took a bath. When I returned, you and Daddy were hanging out having some skin-to-skin time. Below is a photo of one of Daddy’s favorite memories in the hospital. He said he sung songs and to you and began to realize all of the exciting moments he is going to experience having a daughter, which made him choke up a little bit.

We started the sleeping portion of the night with you in the nursery so we could get a little sleep. It didn’t last long and then just decided to keep you in the room for the rest of the night. The next morning, we began getting all of our stuff ready to go home, met with the lactation consultant again–who was SO helpful, had a quick visit with Rachel and Lauren and then headed home.

Love,

Mom