Joy and Grace: A Tale of Two Sisters: July 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Week 5

Week 5 aka SLEEP!

On Sunday Ava Joy was officially one month old. I cannot believe it. Apparently she was waiting to be a month old to sleep by herself. Sunday night she went down for 3 hours and 10 minutes. I was so excited about that I didn't try to put her down again. Come Monday she went down for 3 hours, then 2.5, then 1, then another hour. The week has progressed as such. I am so proud of her! We are doing many things to help her sleep and feel comfortable sleeping by herself. We have a heartbeat sound machine (thanks to Auntie Bergen) that we play. It's loud and creepy but if it helps we're all for it. Also, I have been swaddling her. She HATES it so I swaddle her, stick her on the boob, and she falls asleep. Also, I have placed my breast pads in her bed so that she can still smell me. Don't know what is helping the most or if it's the combination of all of them but this baby is finally sleeping out of our arms. Am I crazy that this makes me sad??? I'm super proud and enjoying sleeping in my bed with my husband again, but at the same time feel sad that this season of Ava Joy's is already coming to an end. My sweet newborn is growing up.

Sunday Auntie Bergen and the cousins came to visit. We went shopping to the Carters outlet. I had pumped a bottle to have on hand just in case because I'm still not comfortable feeding her in public. I did get to give her a bottle for the first time. She took it great from me.

On Tuesday Ava Joy had her one month check-up. She weighed in at 9 pounds 9 ounces and 21.5 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile. She was a champ at her appointment. Now I just get to dread next months appointment... shots. :'(

Here are some pictures from our week:

One month pics!

My cuddle bug.

Megan came to visit!

Cousin Kayliny.

Daddy Cuddles

At the doctor.

Sleeping beauty.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Week 4

My baby is 4 weeks old today. In two days she'll be one month old. This is so hard to believe. It has only been a month and I already cannot imagine my life without her. Everyday is so wonderful and I love her more and more everyday. She is the best thing in my life. Ever.

This week on Sunday Ava Joy and I took our first solo grocery shopping trip. We have been on many outings so far but this was the first time I took her by myself. She did great. She was awake when we went into Publix but fell asleep right when we got in and slept the whole time. Later in the day Sunday Maddie and Kym came to visit. Unfortunately, somebody was being a bit of a cranky pants so they'll have to come back soon for more cuddles!

Wednesday Auntie Pie came to visit. We went to Panera for lunch and then shopping at Target. After much fighting Baby Girl finally fell asleep right before we went in for lunch and slept through our whole outing. We can't wait to see Auntie Pie again... and hopefully next time she'll bring Uncle Berry with her!

On Friday GMomma, Auntie Blair, and Great Grammie came for the day. They all got lots of snuggle time. I must admit I do have difficulties sharing but think I did a very good job. I was glad to have Ava Joy back in my arms.

Sleeping progress: One night this week (don't remember which) but we made it 2 hours and 21 minutes in the pack n play! We are making progress!

Pictures from the week:

Maddie holding Ava Joy for the first time.

Cuddling with my Princess.

Auntie Pie and Ava Joy!

Pretty much the cutest thing. Ever.

Grandma cuddles.

"Reading" with Auntie Blair.

Great Grammie cuddles.

Mommy cuddle time.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Week 3

I can't believe my baby girl is already 3 weeks old. Somebody, please- just stop the time. Freeze it! Seriously. It is just going too fast already. I am soaking in every minute of it. I can't believe how much she has grown and changed already. This week she laughed for Jordan and two days later giggled for me. Sooooo stinking precious. Also, on Tuesday she was having tummy time on her play mat and scooting across it. I told Jordan to look and right when he did Ava Joy rolled from her belly to her back. I thought maybe this was a one time thing, but low and behold she has continued to do this. As I said, she's growing up too fast!

We are continuing to work on the whole sleeping by herself thing. She will go down for an hour at a time. Which even though it isn't much, it is progress. Earlier in the week she napped for 2 hours in her swing. She also does well in her car seat. What can I say, Ava Joy just loves her mommy and daddy to hold her.

On Jordan's days off we have begun introducing Ava Joy to the best thing ever- that's right she has already watched the first three Harry Potter movies (and by watched I mean slept through). It's all about exposure. I can't wait until I can read them with her one day!

This week Karen and Emily also came to visit. We went to Chillis for lunch and both babies did wonderfully. Emily enjoyed some of her mommy's food and Ava Joy slept the whole time.

This upcoming week we have many visitors coming, Maddie and Kym, Auntie Pie, GMomma, Auntie Blair, and Great Grammie. Lots to look forward to!

Here are some pictures from Week 3:

Baby Girl Giggles!

Ava Joy loves her changing table and is always super smiley in the morning.

Sleeping with Daddy.

Cousin Emily came to visit.

A tear free bath time!!!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Week 2

At the beginning of the week Jordan (Daddy) had to go back to work. I was so sad. I loved every minute of the three of us at home together. Plus, he was such a huge help! Luckily my parents and sister came last weekend to ease the blow a bit. They were here Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday Matt, Renee, and Baby Arianna also came to meet Ava Joy. It's hard to believe that Renee and I grew up together, playing with house with our baby dolls, and now here we are with babies of our own! This week my sister and her family stayed at the resort Jordan works at Wednesday through Saturday so we got to see them a lot and Ava Joy got to see her cousins. We also went on her third Target outing with my sister and Evie (that's right third trip to Target before she was even 2 weeks old- raising this child right!).

This week Ava Joy also started laughing and giggling. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever! She still is not sleeping by herself at all, she sleeps for two 4-5 hour stretches at night while being held. Daddy takes the first round and Mommy takes the second. I feel like I'm living in a constant state of exhaustion but it truly is all worth it and I know how quickly it will go. It already makes me sad how fast these first two weeks have gone- so exhaustion and all I continue to love every second of this season.

Lastly, I wanted to post something I should have put in the very first labor and delivery post. Jordan posted the sweetest thing on Facebook the first night she was born and he stayed up with her. I just wanted it saved somehow so I figured I'd copy and paste it on here:

I have taken the liberty this evening to take this beautiful young lady I just met out on a date. It just so happens that it is her first one ever. Being her first time, I sought the blessings of her mother, and to some surprise, received the approval of my wife. Feeling honored on this most joyous of occasions, I have not hesitated to hold her close, and whisper a multitude of sweet nothings into her ear. The night is young, but she drifts off in my arms. I can't bear the thought of letting go, to miss a moment, and so I keep my caffeinated beverage of choice close by, to last me till morning, when I will return her to her mother. Thankful that I may live in this moment until a time that is but a distant thought; I shall continue to declare how hard I have fallen for this beautiful girl I have known only a short while, using only my left arm because my right is, and will continue to be, preoccupied. (Posted June 23@1:27am)

Here are some pictures from the week: