Bailey's new record!

Well, I'm not exactly sure how much a 7-week old baby is supposed to sleep during the night, but our Bailey set her new record the other night. We had a good 9-hours stretch!!! And it was wonderful - Thanks Bay!

Bailey was finally able to meet all of her American cousins last week when we traveled to Southern Indiana to celebrate Christmas with Jeremy's family (and my parents). It was great to see everyone and lots of fun watching the kids around Bailey. I really enjoyed when Calvin was reading one of his favorite books to Bailey while she was laying near the fireplace listening to him.

Here are the recent baby stats:

• Weight at the last doctor check-up = 11lb 7oz (that was two weeks ago, I'm guessing she's right around 12lb now)
• Height at the last doctor check-up = 23 1/4 inches (she will soon outgrow her bassinet)
• Feedings = 7-9 times a day
• Diapers = she already wears size 2 (I think we go thru about 12-15/day)
• Tummy time is one of her favorites pastimes! 
• Development - she holds her head very well; recognizes faces & voices; has big toothless smiles; loves to talk/coo (like her daddy).
• She's simply a perfect child :)

A present for mama at 5 weeks!

Bailey decided to give her mama an awesome present this week - stretch her night sleeping for 6 hours! Whoo-hoo!!! Lately it's been anywhere between 4.5-5 hours, but now she's going even longer. I'm SO thankful that Bailey knows the difference between night and day.

During the day she still eats every 2-3 hours. In the evening Jeremy gets to feed her out of a bottle (our doctor recommended to give a bottle once a day so she's used to it). Between some feedings she sleeps, but more and more she is wide awake. Bailey loves music and when you dance with her, she loves to stare right into your eyes or bright objects, and of course she loves playing with grandma and grandpa - who never want to put her down :) Bailey also loves to talk already, in the mornings and late evenings when we change diapers especially.

My favorite time of the day is when Jeremy comes home in the evening, takes Bailey into his arms, and she starts staring at him. You can see in her eyes she's trying to say "Oh dad, finally, you're home! I missed you today!" It is the sweetest scene because Jeremy has the same look for her.

I started going to work last week, showing a few properties now and then. I feel very strange being out without Bay, almost like I'm missing something for my showing. But I know she's home and well taken care of by my parents - I'm very grateful for them being here and helping us out.

3+ weeks old & 1st Thanksgiving celebration

I've always heard people say that once you have kids the time will fly by faster than it normally does. And now I couldn't agree more. It seems that just yesterday Bailey was born, but now she is already three+ weeks old!

Bailey has been absolutely wonderful - very easy to take care of, good eater, good sleeper, and in general a very happy baby. She cries for two reasons - when a diaper needs to be changed and when she's hungry. It seems she's already figured out day/night time. During the day she eats every 2-3 hours (some days it's every hour); during the night we're on every 4 (sometimes a little longer) hour schedule. We went to the doctor for her 2-week check up, and the doc said she's doing great. Bailey has gained a pound over her birth weight and grew an inch - by now I'm certain she's over 10 pounds!

Bailey's first Thanksgiving didn't go as we planned. Her cousin Ben got a little sick two days before Thanksgiving, and his doctor put him on antibiotics. As first-time parents we (I) got a little nervous about having him around Bailey, so Josh, Christi, Calvin and Ben did not get to come and meet Bailey (sorry Calvin). Grandma Judy, uncle Jed, and Russian grandparents were our Thanksgiving party. Jeremy was the chef of the day, making tons of delicious food - and because we were short on people to eat it, we still are enjoying the leftovers.

We've had two photo sessions for Bailey already, and should have all of the pictures soon. These are just some previews.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is Jeremy's birthday, and for the first time we're celebrating it as a new family. We are also celebrating 1-week-old Bailey, and oh what a week has it been!
Bailey was born on November 2 at 7:16pm. Her birth weight was 9 pounds, and she was 22 inches long. She came exactly a week after my original due date - the day Jeremy predicted. I was induced on November 1st around 11am, and it took over 30 hours for Bailey to finally come into this world. During labor and delivery Jeremy was the greatest support person - he kept me occupied and not letting me go insane (since I couldn't get up after I got my epidural), and later "helping" the doctor to deliver Bailey.
We've been home for five days (hard to believe it's already been that long) adjusting to our new lives. Bailey eats usually every 2-3 hours during the day, and for the last two nights every 4-4.5 hours - for which I'm very grateful. She already had the first doctor's appointment. The doc said she's doing well, already almost back at her birth weight.

This is our favorite facial expression - she smiles day and night.

Halloween baby?

5 days over due and still no baby...
This is the first year in the last five that Jeremy and I are not having a Halloween party. We both really enjoy this holiday as we get to dress up, be silly, and have a great time with lots of our friends. If baby B decides to show up today we will always have halloween/birthday party. But of course she needs to come first before we start planning her birthday party.
Tomorrow morning we have another doctor's appointment...I'm hoping for some progress