Thursday, September 23, 2010

What's In a Smile

Dear Ella,

You hit two months old and can't stop smiling. It really is a sight your dad and I can look at all day, every day. I feel joy, pride, excitement, satisfaction, and peace all at once when you smile at me. What strikes me is that I have no idea what you are smiling about. Is it the funny face I make or the high pitch voices I use when talking to you? Or maybe you just have gas? No matter what it is, I know that your smile will always bring me peace. And that got me thinking. Will I always feel so happy when I see you smile? I think the answer is yes. All of your grandparents did everything they could to make your Dad and I happy, comfortable, safe...so I'm sure they get great joy in seeing us smile too. I am pretty sure it never gets old, which is fine by me. So, keep smiling little one, because your happiness means the world to me and your dad, and we will always do everything we can to make you happy.



Ella Jane - 8 weeks



Ella Jane - 9 weeks

Love,

Mom

Ella Jane : 2 Months





Wow, two months. She is still our teeny baby, but I am pretty sure she has some plans of her own to catch up with Grogy.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Underweight???

The past two weeks Jeff and I were starting to think that we were never going to leave the house. Ella was never happy, always fussing, and in general, not a fun baby to be around. Between Jeff's travel schedule and Ella's need to fuss pretty much constantly, I was going a little nuts.

We were starting to notice that she would be really upset after each feeding. That, and the fact that she didn't seem to be putting on weight, was a concern. So, after a few days of stress and panic, we decided something needed to change. I have been committed to breastfeeding since day one, but if it wasn't going to satisfy my girl, then I'd happily go to plan B.

So after a consultation with my lactation consultant neighbor, which got me no where, a pep talk from some neighbors, and guidance from my doctor, we decided to make a final decision once we saw Ella's pediatrician, Dr. Fernandez. At her 2 month check up Ella only weighed 8 lbs 7oz, less than a pound from her birth weight. Something wasn't adding up...

When the dr came to see us he immediately told us that we needed to start supplementing. DONE! I asked for formula samples and was quickly reassured that we would all be okay. I am still nursing her, but adding extra calories to her diet. It really is a win/win situation. It has been such a relief to have our problem solved and to see how much of a difference extra food has done for Ella. She is relaxed, content, and generally happy. We have even gone on several outings this week!

Another Mommy lesson learned: Trust your instincts.



My Skinny-Minny waiting on Dr. Fernandez

So at 2 months Ella is : 8lbs 7 oz 24 inches long She is 10% in weight and 25% in height/length. We go back in two weeks to make sure she is packing on the lbs, which I am sure she is already.

Sadly, being underweight just is not in her genes...

Ella also got her 2 month shots. If I were a better mom, I would know which ones, but I trust the doctor... Poor thing was so happy until the nurse gave her two shots in each leg. She screamed, I cried, Jeff laughed. Classic.



Little does she know...shots are on their way



Still suspect of me - sporting 2 new band-aids

We are happy, relieved, grateful, and comforted to know that Ella is being fed and has overnight become a happy, content little baby. She is smiling all the time now and Jeff and are falling more in love with her every day.

Feeding your kid - who would've thought!?!?!?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

It's A Girl!

Tia Angie and Uncle Dan are expecting their second baby GIRL in January! We are thrilled to welcome the newest cousin to the mix. And yes, this does mean that Ella will have to send back some clothes, but luckily, not all of them.

Congrats to Tia Angie & Uncle Dan - we can't wait to meet the little one. Sofia will be a great big sister, just like Angie was to me.

To read more about Angie and her family, go to their blog.

And because blog posts are never fun without a picture...

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Football Sundays

Sundays in our house mean one thing, football. Jeff had pure joy in his eyes this afternoon at kick-off and had eight games playing at once. Thank you, DirecTV Sunday Ticket. We were watching the games and playing with Ella, and something occured to me. Our football Sundays will never be the same. I sat and watched Jeff play with our Ella and I had to smile, because having a baby even changed how we watch football.



KU/MU Tailgate - November 2008




Chiefs vs Chargers
Arrowhead - October 2009
(Pregnant and didn't know it!)



Chiefs vs Cowboys watching party at our house (ignore the LJ jersey)
October 2009



September 2010
Getting his baby girl ready for her first NFL season

And don't worry, folks. Ella will be outfitted with her Cowboys (and Chiefs)jersey soon! Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Grover A.K.A. Grogy

Back in April, Grandma and Grandpa's friends threw us a baby shower in Kansas City. It was a great time and we were definetely showered with many gifts. Tia Angie, Uncle Dan, and Sofia even came to celebrate. It was our first shower, so we were excited to celebrate the pending arrival of our little girl.



Here we are with our hosts, Scotty & Lucy. And of course, Grandma & Grandpa

We received so many great gifts that day to get us ready for our baby, but one gift especially stuck out. It wasn't until it was in my lap that I believed it was actually ours, let alone going home with us.



Grandpa is very tricky and surprised us with the biggest Grover doll I had ever seen. At first I thought it was for Sofia to play with, but I was wrong, very wrong. We were the proud new owners of a giant Grover. It turns out that Jeff's favorite childhood toy was Grover, who he affecitonately renamed, Grogy.




"Grogy" has since made a place in our home and we foresee you and him becoming great pals, just like your Dad was when he was little. He has been there for every thing so far, even welcoming us home from the hospital. Fortunately, Ella can't drag our Grover around quite yet. So, as she grows we will watch her grow right alongside Grover. Here is Ella at 6 weeks old:



I never would have believed that I would be so happy to have a giant Grover doll in my house, but I am, so thank you Grandma and Grandpa for passing along one of Ella's first traditions. Ella - we look forward to watching you grow up with Grover.

Letter to Ella

Dear Ella,

This week you decided that being held was top priority on your agenda. No matter how many times I put you down, you made it very clear, very loudly that you needed to be in my arms. You tried my patience, made me question my abilities, and even let me shed a few tears, but you also reminded me of a few things. You reminded me that no matter what is going, you are the single most important being in my life, and pretty much always will be. You reminded me to dust myself off and smile, becuase I'm very blessed to have you in my life. And most importantly, you reminded me that life is too short and to savor these moments, because you won't be this little forever, and you certainly won't want me to cuddle you forever. So, thank you my dear, for giving me these memories.



Trying on a bow



Sleeping in my Mom's arms



Bath time - you LOVE a warm bath



Being extra smiley

You were 8 weeks old in all of these pictures. You are becoming very expressive!

Love,

Mom

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Hello There!

In an effort to keep our families and friends in the loop of our growing family, I have decided to create this blog. My goal is to chronicle our changing lives of becoming parents to our baby girl, Ella Jane. We feel so blessed to be Ella's parents and look forward to watching her grow. We hope you enjoy our blog and I especially hope Ella can read it some day and be reminded of how many people love her.