8 weeks

I've become a spring widow.  Farming has started, and Ainsley is seeing less of Daddy.  I hope this spring goes by fast.  Ainsley seems to change every day and becomes more alert each day.  She loves to lay on her changing table and look out the window while getting her diaper changed.  I laid her in her crib the other day for the first time while I was putting clothes away in her room, and she liked laying watching her mobile.  

I stole this picture from Jennifer.  I'm sure Ainsley was thinking...Where did Mommy send me, and why won't that kid (Drake) stop yelling and banging stuff so I can fall asleep.

Last Wednesday was her first full day away from me.  Aunt Jennifer watched her while I came home to work on the payroll.  I missed her like crazy, but it was nice to have a few hours to get some things done.  It's amazing how much I can get done when she's not here!  Drake was just a little jealous, and was extra onery for Jennifer. 


Drake still loves Ainsley, even if she did steal all his Mommy's attention!

Grandma Shelly watched her Friday night while I went to bunco.  Joel was suppose to go with me and hang out with Lou and Kirk, but he was in the fields and couldn't get home in time.  We switched her formula Friday also.  She's now on soy formula, and seems to be doing a little better.  She's still gassy, but not nearly as gassy as she has been. 

Saturday night we went out with the Bangert's, and she was pretty good.  We were almost able to get all the way through our meal before she started fussing.  It was really loud in there, and it was nice to get out!  I think it was a little much for Ainsley!

Here is a video where I try to get her to smile, but needless to say, she won't do it for the camera!

We put together her play gym on Sunday, and she likes to lay and look at the toys.  She's entertained by it for 15-20 minutes before she gets tired of it.  You can see a video of her playing here.

We had her two month appointment (a few days early) yesterday.  She weighs 10 pounds 8 ounces now and is 22 1/2 inches long.  She's on the curve now, and is right at average for her age, coming in around the 50th percentile in almost all measurements.  The doctor was really happy with her growth.  At her last appointment, she wasn't even on the curve, and was around the 7th percentile.  She's really taken off like a weed and seems to be eating all the time.   We're giving her four ounces at a time now, and she still eats every 2-3 hours. 



Ainsley has to listen to Mommy talk about milk prices, etc. all day, so she might as well be dressed the part!

She got her shots yesterday, too.  They gave her two in one leg and one in the other.   She only screamed for a minute or so, and was falling asleep as I got her dressed.  She slept for 5 hours or so, and then woke up screaming later that afternoon.  Grandma Rita came over and held her and rocked her when she got off work.  Ainsley ended up sleeping all day long.  I think she was only up for a total of 1-2 hours all day yesterday. 

Tuesday was a different story.  She was up the entire day.  She only took 2-3 five minute cat naps all day.  She was so happy and good.  I feel bad for leaving her in her bouncer most of the day, but I have to get some work done.  I hate that I can't hold her all day long, but I also know that I don't want to get in that habit!


Daddy put her to sleep

I can tell she feels better today, and she's been up  most of the day.  I woke up with her at 2 this morning and when I started talking to her while changing her diaper, she gave me the biggest smile.  She was so groggy yesterday and I could tell she didn't feel good, so the smile made me feel a lot better.

Here are some more pictures from the wedding. 



Instead of the garter, he found a big pair of underwear under her dress!  The whole thing only happened because he was drunk enough the night before to go to Walmart and get some....thanks to Brett and Amy!

Below are a few pictures I stole from Mom's camera.  She had fun changing Ainsley's hair accessories last week when she babysat her!

  

7 weeks

Ainsley was 7 weeks old yesterday!  She smiled for Joel for the first time yesterday morning.  He said that she pooped and he laid her down to change her diaper and she gave him the biggest smile.  It seems like she smiles when she knows she's done something we don't care for (poopy diapers, screaming, etc). 

7 week picture...we got some new hair accessories the other day, so we had to try them out!

As soon as I took her headband off, she passed out!

She has been drooling a lot lately.  I'm not for sure what the deal is with all the drool, but at least she isn't spitting up, so I shouldn't complain too much.  She's still eating around three ounces every two and a half to three hours.  Evening is her time of choice.  From seven until eleven every night she is wide awake. 

She loves to stare down the turtle on her bouncer!

This picture was taken around 11 the other night...wide awake as usual!

Mom came up Monday and watched her while I worked, and she had lots of fun picking out an outfit and hair accessories.  We got a shipment of new bows Monday, so Mom had plenty to choose from!

We go to the doctor next week for her two month wellness check.  I'm anxious to see what she's weighing.

I went to upload pictures, and had a few surprises.  Daddy had a photo shoot with Ainsley while I was in the shower!  (If you can't tell, he's in love with his new boots.)

Spring is here!  There are lots of buds coming up on our trees.

Wedding weekend

WOW!  That pretty much sums up my thoughts from this weekend.  Thomas and Jamie had a beautiful wedding, and it was nice to see everyone.  Who knew that blue and red would look so good together?  The colors looked great, and so did the bride and groom!  Jamie's dress was gorgeous, and she made a beautiful bride.  I'm excited to have a new sister-in-law!

It was nice to see and introduce Ainsley to everyone.  I was worried about how the weekend would go, since all three of us were in the wedding, but it ended up going relatively smooth.  Our blood pressure only went up a few times when we had no idea where Ainsley was.  I think Joel was more worried about her than me, and would get up to go find her every once in a while!  Aunt Jennifer and Brianna took good care of her while Joel and I finished pictures after the wedding. 

The actual wedding was pretty stress-free.  Jamie was the most laid-back bride I've come across.  Thomas, on the other hand, was more worried about things than Jamie.  They both did pretty good, except they couldn't figure out how to light a candle.  Although, I'm sure noone noticed! 

Ainsley and Avery (Jamie's niece) were baby bridesmaids.  Jeanine McEvers made them dresses to match the bridesmaid's dresses, and it turned out to be absolutely adorable!  I'm upset that we didn't get any pictures of Ainsley and Avery together in their dresses.

I did get a quick picture of Uncle Thomas, Aunt Jamie, and Ainsley together after the wedding.

Grandpa Bill is one very proud Grandpa!

We had five generations at the wedding!

I didn't get a picture with the groom, but I did manage to get one with Tanner.  He actually smiled while taking a picture with his favorite sister!

Ainsley did good at the reception.  I was worried about it being too loud, and we couldn't hear her when she cried or burped, so Mom and Mark took her home around 10.  Ryder was one of the highlights of the reception!  I think he got every single girl out of the dance floor.  He only got turned down once, and his face was priceless.  Another highlight was Thomas pulling out a pair of big underwear from underneath Jamie's dress.  I missed getting pictures of lots of things, and that is one of them.  I know Jamie's face was priceless when he pulled them out! 

I have found out how hard it is to pack for a newborn.  Our car was full going down for the weekend.  We stayed at Dad's Friday and Saturday night and Ainsley did good both nights.  It feels good to be home and relax after a hectic weekend!  Below are a few pictures after the rehearsal.

Congratulations to Thomas and Jamie!  Now, we need a niece or nephew!!! (And I'm not talking about another dog.)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ainsley wants to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

We had to get her toenails ready for the big wedding this weekend.  Joel didn't know I painted her toenails and woke up with her in the middle of the night to change her diaper/feed her and thought she was bleeding!  Oops!

6 Weeks

Ainsley had an exciting weekend!  We went to Roodhouse to visit Mom at the Spring Open House and then stopped by the Amish store on our way back to Hettick.  We found Ainsley a couple of bonnets at the Amish store, but unfortunately, they didn't have any infant sizes.  My plan was to go down to Madilynn's first birthday party Saturday afternoon, but everyone and their dog had the flu down there in the last week, so we decided not to chance it.  Instead of visiting the Davis's, Mom and I went over to Matt and Elizabeth's new house.  It is very nice!  We ate at the Salsa Grill that night and then Ainsley spent the night away from home for the first time.  Thom's Bachelor party was Saturday night, so Ainsley and I packed up and stayed the night at Dad's.  After packing and going down there for one night, I've decided I need a bigger vehicle!  She did really good being away from home and slept good at Dad's.  She even smiled for Dad a few times Sunday morning!

Dad came up Monday and watched Ainsley while I worked, and I think she smiled at Dad a few more times, but I don't know if I really believe it.  She's only smiled for me the one time.  I'll believe it when I see another one out of her! 

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and Mom met me in Springfield to watch Ainsley while I went for my appointment.  Ainsley had her first trip to the mall yesterday and her first stroller ride!  She did pretty good while we shopped.  

Ainsley was six weeks old yesterday!  She's officially in 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers. 

Check out her thighs!

She's starting to fill out!

You looking at me???

First Smile!

We've had a rough few days, but this afternoon I forgot all about the last 48 hours when Ainsley smiled for the first time. We had just got home from the doctor's office and I changed her diaper and had her on my lap talking to her when she looked up at me and I could see it starting out of the corner of her mouth and sure enough, her whole mouth curved up and she smiled at me! I completely lost it and started crying and called Joel to tell him. It's amazing how rough a couple days can be and then one little thing can make you completely forget about them! Of course, I've been trying to get her to do it again and she won't budge. It was the sweetest thing in the whole world when she looked up at me and gave me that gummy smile!

Our last few days haven't been the easiest. Tuesday night she projectile vomited again, and this time it was a lot worse than the first time she did it. She was in her Nap Nanny in the bedroom and it went everywhere. She was covered in it, the Nap Nanny was covered, and it even went so far that it got on our sheets. I thought I was going to be sick because I was so worried about her, and of course, I was crying because I felt horrible. She hasn't done it since, and actually slept pretty good that night. Wednesday I thought she was getting sick. Her voice (I know she really doesn't have a voice, but her grunts, etc.) sounded raspy, her nose was stuffed up, and her temperature was running around 99.5. Thursday was absolutely horrible and I hope I never have another day like that again. She was fussy all day and couldn't get comfortable. I had to hold her for most of the day and even then, she would still squirm and fuss in my arms. At that point, I started thinking it was her acid reflux because she would gag and try to cough something up that wasn't there. I know Joel could care less if we ever have a night like Thursday night again. I put her to bed around 10:30 and she was fussy, so Joel got up with her and took her into the living room. I woke up around one and neither of them was back in the bedroom. I got up and looked in the living room and Joel was asleep on the couch and Ainsley was asleep in her bouncer. I didn't want to wake them up, so I went back to bed. Joel came in and woke me up at 5 to take her. I couldn't believe that I slept that long. Seven entire hours of pretty much uninterrupted sleep....that's unheard of! I have to say that it felt pretty good. Joel wasn't very happy, and I know he was very frustrated through the night. I still can't believe he didn't come wake me up sooner.

Mom came up today to watch her while I worked, and she was still pretty fussy. I tried to call the doctor again and they finally called me back around 2. They wanted me to bring her in so they could listen to her. RSV was on their mind and they wanted to rule it out. They listened to her, took her oxygen level, looked in her ears, and said that everything looked good. It made me feel a little better knowing she didn't have an infection, but we still didn't get any answers on her fussiness and why it seems like she's in pain with her throat. She has seemed better since we got home from the doctor, so hopefully it was just a few day thing and it's starting to pass.

They weighed her at the doctor's office, and she was 9 pounds 6 ounces! That was with her clothes on and a pretty wet diaper, so I'm guessing she's really around 8 1/2-9 pounds, but she's definitely putting on the pounds!!! We've moved up to size 1 diapers, and I had to put most of her newborn clothes away the other day because she has outgrown them.

I've been forgetting to mention in the last few posts that she's started crying real tears. When she's fussing/crying and I see real tears, I feel terrible! She has also started grabbing my hair every time I pick her up. She gets a handful of it, and it's hard to get it out of her hands sometimes!

Our baby is changing daily and I don't know if I'm ready for all of it! She's not the itty bitty baby we brought home from the hospital just a few short weeks ago.

Ainsley is 5 weeks old!

Has it really been five weeks already??? I think we're getting very close to getting a smile out of her, and I can't wait! When Ainsley was born, her ears were paper thin and they have filled out. Her eyelashes were pretty much non-existent when she was born, and now they are thick and getting long. Blueish-gray is the color of her eyes, and I know it can still change, but I have a feeling she's going to have Joel's blue eyes. Only time will tell...

Mommy's first day back to work

I started back to work today. Mom was going to come up and watch Ainsley for me, but she's been sick and was afraid to give it to her. So, I was able to experience working from home while taking care of Ainsley at the same time, and it wasn't too bad. She was really good today and slept in her bouncer most of the day. She really likes her swing, which is in the living room and I was worried about getting her to sleep in something else but it didn't seem to phase her. Click here to see a video of her in the bouncer being good while Mommy worked. She just stared at the turtle hanging down while she was awake and every once in a while, a hand would hit either the turtle or flower and she would stare at it. She's changing so fast!

I uploaded a few more videos on youtube. Click here for a video of her doing tummy time last week. Her neck is really getting stronger. She lays on my chest a lot and she is constantly moving her head around. I need to get her on the floor and let her lay on her tummy more often.

Like I mentioned before, she loves her swing. She has been watching her mobile for a few weeks now. Here is a video from a week ago of her in her swing watching the mobile. (The videos look really grainy on youtube, and I don't know why they uploaded like that. Hopefully I'll figure out how to get them to upload better to youtube the next time.)

She is going to be five weeks tomorrow. She's taking four ounces now at a time and is still filling out a little more every day.

Yesterday we went to Jim and Rita's for supper and the kids had a good time helping Uncle Joel find Waldo and the wizard!

Already a Model???

We think Ainsley is the cutest, most perfect baby in the world, and we're not the least bit partial or anything! Obviously, someone else thinks she's pretty adorable too. We got a letter the other day in the mail from the company that does the hospital baby pictures. They want us to sign an authorization form so that they can use Ainsley's picture in future marketing materials. Now, they may send out that form to everyone, but I'm going to pretend that they don't (I don't know if they do or not), and say that it is just because Ainsley is one cute baby!

We got a card yesterday in the mail (thanks, Aunt Kay!) and I absolutely love it! Everything in it is so true. It says: Things you'll soon discover with your new baby girl: That raising your own princess beats any fairy tale. That a lot of great big people can be wrapped around one little finger. That a toothless smile can light up the world like instant sunshine. That watching her sleep is (sometimes) more satisfying than finding sleep yourself. I really like that last one. I think I could watch her sleep for hours at a time!

Jeanine came Monday night to fit Ainsley for her dress for the wedding. I can't wait to see the finished product! Avery (Jamie's sister's daughter) is going to have a dress made also. Ainsley and Avery will look so cute in their matching dresses! Thomas, Jamie, Jackie, and Avery came up yesterday afternoon so Jeanine could measure Avery. I couldn't believe the difference between Avery and Ainsley! Avery is six weeks older than Ainsley and when I picked her up, it felt like I was holding two of Ainsley. Avery is so alert and such a happy baby (they said that she isn't happy all the time, but I don't believe it). She smiled most of the time she was here.

Thomas, Jamie, and their nieces!

One Month Old!

Ainsley is one month old today! I can't believe how fast the last month has gone. She continues to change every day, and is starting to get little fat rolls on her arms and legs. Fat rolls may be exaggerating, but at least the skin isn't hanging off of her now. She will watch her mobile now for quite a while and will turn her head when Joel or I talk. I don't know if it is the new medicine, or putting cereal in her bottles, but her acid reflux seems to have improved. She makes all kinds of faces when she sleeps and has started to give us little smiles.

Below is a one month picture!

We went to Bluffs today and visited Grandma Rita at the bank and then had lunch at Placke's. She was good and slept for the majority of the trip. When we got home, I put her in the hat Grandma Shelly got her and played photographer.

We tried "tummy time" yesterday. She did pretty good with it.

Sunday was the first day I finally felt like my life was getting back to normal. I was able to clean the house, cook supper, and shave my legs. Yep, I said it-shave my legs. Like I've mentioned before, I'm so glad I wasn't pregnant during the summer because not only did I have swollen ankles, but I also didn't shave my legs for four weeks!!! I felt that cuddling with Ainsley and sleeping was the most important things in the last few weeks and let everything else go. And, it felt good!!!

Dad came up Sunday night and was able to give Ainsley a bottle. She only spit up on him once!

Saturday was a busy day and we had lots of visitors. Anne and Amee visited that morning and then we had a full house that afternoon. Aunt Di, Uncle John, Justin, and Joelle all came over to visit and then Mom, Thomas, and Tanner showed up. I missed Jamie's bachelorette party Saturday night, but I couldn't leave Ainsley yet!

Joelle liked holding Ainsley!

Ainsley and Uncle Thomas with the onesie he bought her.

Uncle Tanner thinks he's pretty cool, too.

Grandma Shelly trying to get Ainsley to burp. It can be a chore!

I think she looks like Joel a little more every day!

Grandma Shelly gave her a bath. She wanted to eat her hand and then needed her pacifier at the end to tide her over!

I can't believe I go back to work on Monday. Hopefully I can get everything I wanted accomplished done by then!