Apples & Rolls

Today was a big day for Kathryn, although she started off as Suzy Sourpants.  She hadn't pooped in two days, so she was kinda grumpy (says Gangy) until she dropped a big load.  After that, Gertrude Gigglesford & Lady Chatterly both made appearance.  She was much happier.  

When Jared and I both got home from work, she was busy playing on her floor gym.  She loves that thing.  She's been working hard on rolling over from her back to front.  She's been close quite a few times, but just couldn't quite make it happen.  Well, Jared and I were both watching her (I was a bit distracted by the computer though) and Jared says, "Look!", so I stopped what I was doing and looked up. She was just about to roll over.  We silently cheered her on and then she did it!  We both started cheering and clapping and she looked at us like, "What's the big deal?"  I tried getting her to do it again so I could catch it on video, but no luck.  I'll keep trying though.

Then, for dinner, we decided to let her try something other than rice.  We decided on apples since she's been a little plugged up, if you catch my drift.  We have a Baby Bullet we plan to use that my cousin and his wife gave us, but we haven't pulled it out yet and I bought some baby food at Target over the weekend.  Well...Kathryn LOVED her apples.  You can see it on the video.  What you don't see is that she loved it more with each bite and kept going Mmmm Mmmmm as she ate.  It was so cute.  I think she's gonna like food just like her mama!

Just Another Day WIth the Honeybaby

Kathryn slept pretty well last night, except she woke up three times.  She hasn't pooped in two days.  That always affects her moods. She's been very agreeable all day, but when she hasn't pooped, she doesn't like to sleep as much.  She fought sleep all day, but eventually did go down for a three hour nap around 2:30.  She's such a silly girl.  After she woke up, I fed and changed her (no poop though) and she watched me do dishes.  Then she wanted to play with her friends on her mat.  See the video below.  All in all, just another day with the Honeybaby.

Ommm....Ommm

I really wish my camera batteries hadn't died tonight or that I could find the charger for the video camera.  I really wanted to video tape Kathryn "omming" herself to sleep tonight.  We knew she was tired.  Jared fed her like he always does, but she was fighting sleep.  I decided to try and nurse her straight from the boob to help relax her.

On a side note, (yes, I digress from my story), earlier when Jared was holding her and she'd been fussing a little, I said to her, "You want some milk straight from the boob?"  The second she heard the word boob, her head whipped around so fast, I swear I felt a breeze.  It was pretty funny. Now...back to my original story.

Well, I did nurse her in her room.  She's been sleeping in her crib the last four nights and it's been great!  Anyway...she was playing and not really nursing, so I decided to just lay her in her crib with her little ocean toy on.  She loved it and I stayed with her for a bit and we said some prayers and she was still playing.  I returned to the living room (with our wonderful video monitor!) and watched and listened as she played.  She messed around for a while and then she began to omm.  Omming is when she starts to zone out.  My mom (Gangy) noticed it first a while ago, but tonight was hilarious.  She was all sprawled out and I knew she was ready to go sleep because all I could hear was ommmm ommmm.  Sure enough, she was out like a light a few minutes later.  As I type this I'm watching the video monitor and she's still sprawled out sound asleep. Let's just hope she stays that way!

A Little Perspective

While I usually keep this blog upbeat and humorous, I had to share my feelings tonight.  I was nursing Kathryn and checking my email when I came across a story on Yahoo's homepage. 

It was a blog for a little girl who was born 11 days before Kathryn and has Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  Her name is Avery and she is not expected to live very long...the best case scenario being 18 months.  Her parents created a "bucket list" for Avery and blog about her adventures to spread awareness about her condition.  As I read her blog, I found myself crying, unable to fathom what her parents are going through and imagining what I would do if Kathryn had to suffer like Avery.  I don't know much about SMA, but it sounds like a cruel disease, not only taking the life of the sufferer, but robbing them of all the amazing things babies do as they grow, like kick their legs and coo. 

There was a video on the blog of another little girl, Estella, who had SMA, which was discovered at her routine 8-week check-up.  Unfortunately, Estella passed away at 8 months old and the video chronicling her life, was so hard to watch. She started off like any other healthy baby and as she got sicker, she was surrounded by more and more tubing and machinery, and she lost her ability to "talk".  I can't imagine never hearing Kathryn's voice again or seeing her little legs flailing about.  Needless to say, I was very emotional while watching it and I found myself sobbing. 

Shortly after watching it, Kathryn was done nursing and she looked up at me, almost like she knew I was sad.  I picked her up and she just smiled at me.  I think it was the first time I really understood how much I love my daughter.  I held her like I've never held her before and she let me.  It was like she knew I needed to.  When I pulled her back, she just stared into my eyes, almost as if she were trying to communicate with me.  Then she made a smacking sound with her lips and leaned towards my mouth.  I think she was trying to kiss me.  It'll always her first kiss to me in my heart. 

Tonight I find myself so grateful for a healthy daughter...one I can go on adventures with and teach and learn from because there are people like Avery and Estella's parents who won't get that chance.  Although I never met either girl, I'm thankful for what they gave me tonight and I won't forget either of them for that. 

If you'd like to learn their stories, go to http://averycan.blogspot.com.

I love this girl.

 

A Family Trait

Well...she's definitely an Isbell.  She can't keep her pants up.  These pants are 0-3 months and her hips and butt are still too small to hold them up.  Hopefully she'll keep this trait and not get my big ol' butt!

Sleep...please sleep!

See this child?  It's a good thing she's cute. She'd be in trouble otherwise.  For the most part, Kathryn is a fantastic baby.  She's always so happy and agreeable.  However, there is one department she needs improving in:  nighttime sleeping.  She's a good napper, but not so great at night.  Last night we tried her in her crib for the first time.  She loves to nap and play in her crib, so we decided to make the move from the bassinet next to my bed to her bedroom. We even got one of those fancy shmancy video monitors so I could keep an eye on her.  She went down around 8:30 pm, no problem.  At 10:30 she woke up and I rocked her back to sleep.  She woke up again around midnight. She doesn't cry when she wakes, she just looks around and makes little coos. It is cute, but at this point, I realized I needed some sleep, so back into our room she came.  She wouldn't stay in her bassinet though, so once again, she ended up on my chest.  She'd been doing so well.   I know this too shall pass...but when?!?!?

Up Your Nose With a Rubber Hose

I've been known to stick things up my nose on occasion: Skittles, Smarties, and even my finger from time to time.  If this photo is any indication, Kathryn takes after her mother. 

5 Month Picture Montage

Here's a little montage of Kathryn's first five months.  We sure love that girl!

5 Months Old

5 months ago, Kathryn Elizabeth came into our lives.  She has been such a blessing (even if she's still not sleeping through the night!) and is the sweetest little soul.  Every day she amazes us and we love watching her learn and grow.  She's so alert and curious and she smiles so much.  It's hard to imagine our lives without her.

I wrote this in the hospital the night she was born:

As many of you know, becoming a mother was never in my plans. I wasn't one of those girls who dreamed of being a mommy. I thought I might have kids, but I never set out to make it happen. I'd been married to Jared for 10 years and together as a couple for 14 years and I was content with our carefree lifestyle. I couldn't imagine anything holding me back from doing what I wanted to do. That all changed on April 22, 2011 when I discovered I was pregnant.

I felt more like a 16 year old than a a woman of 31. When I saw those results, all I could think was, "How did this happen?" and "What in the heck am I going to do? I can't be a mom!" I was scared out of my wits and it didn't help that I was 3000 miles away visiting my sister in Washington state when I found out. I couldn't even tell my husband face to face, but when I did tell him, he knew exactly what to say to make me realize we may just be able to pull this off. He said to me, "This is amazing. You don't know how long I've wanted to hear this from you. Thank you for this gift." Hearing those words, I knew it might be possible.

The timing just wasn't great though. Jared had been unexpectedly discharged from the navy three months earlier and was going to school full time. I had no clue how we could manage adding a child to our lives, but somehow it all worked out and in August he found a great job with BAE Systems doing what he loves best: computer stuff. It all was coming together and then my mom offered to come take care of the baby when I had to return to work. It was such a relief knowing my mom would be there to care for my child while I went to work to care of my first graders.

I thought I had all the time in the world to prepare for this baby. So much happened though and so quickly. We drove to Farmington, on the other side of Hartford, every week for special ultrasounds to make sure her heart was okay due to my Sjogren's Syndrome. We knew from the get go she was a fighter. We knew she was feisty just like her mom. We loved getting to see our baby every week and were so excited to learn we were having a daughter. Jared was over the moon because for years, that's all he'd ever talk about when it came to kids. He just wanted to have a little girl. He high-fived me in the ultrasound room when we found out. It was awesome.

The time flew and today she finally arrived, four weeks early. I didn't know what to expect. I was scared and nervous and to be truthful, I was in denial. There was no way that I was going to be a mother. I would be responsible for another human being. The thought completely overwhelmed me. However, thinking back on the events of today I believe my daughter was meant to be here. She overcame so much to come into our lives. She somehow managed to sidestep my plans of living a no child lifestyle. Then, she overcame the heart defects I could've given to her. I also had a major surgery that resulted in carrying her to term unsafe. And finally today, after a difficult c-section where we discovered she had two knots in her cord, she made it here. She overcame so much when she just could've given up. She's here for a reason. What that reason is, I don't know and as I look at her in her little oxygen helmet, I just want to hold her and keep her safe and thank her for showing me strength and a love I didn't know I had in me. I wish I could snuggle her and be with her. I've only been able to hold her for ten minutes, but those ten minutes have been some of the most poignant in my life. I can't wait to get to know her better and find out why she was so determined to come into my life. Kathryn Elizabeth, you are a gift in my life I didn't even know I wanted until I felt you moving inside me and when I look into your sweet face, which is so familiar and yet so strange. I love you my daughter and I hope to be the best mom I can be to you. I'm going to learn so much from you. Thank you for coming into my life.

Still pregnant...waiting for my c-section.

Meeting Kathryn for the first time.

Holding Kathryn for the first time.

I hated seeing her in the oxygen helmet and all hooked up.  

And here she is as the happy baby she is today.

Kathryn is Tutu Cute!

Kathryn went to her first birthday party for her friend Gianna.  It was a tutu themed party.  I didn't get any pictures at the party, but we took some when she woke up from her nap.  I think she looks adorable!

Blue-Eyed Girl

While I was pregnant, I had no doubt that our little girl would have brown eyes.  Everyone in Jared's family has brown eyes and his grandmother was full-blooded Portuguese.  I figured the brown eyes would just be dominant and my blue eyes wouldn't stand a chance. 

When she was born, her eyes were a deep blue. Most babies are born with bluish colored eyes, so I thought they'd eventually change to brown.  However, as we approach her 5 month birthday, they're bluer than ever.  They're a crystal blue and sometimes look gray, just like mine.  I love her blue eyes.

The other day while talking to my dad, he once again expressed his surprise that she has blue eyes and then proceeded to ask me, "You didn't mess around, did you?"  I know he was joking, but it's something we've joked about too.  At first we joked her father was either Brandon Flowers, Henry Cavill or Ian Somerhalder (a few of my celebrity crushes).  However, after the eyes stayed blue, we've determined her real father is Ian Somerhalder.  There's no way else to explain the eyes.  The proof is in the photos.  Haha.

Happy 100th Birthday Fenway Park

 There's a magical place in Boston called Fenway Park.  There's no place like it on Earth and today it's celebrating its 100th birthday.  I can't wait to take Kathryn there someday.

Let's go Red Sox!

Born to be a Red Sox fan.

Kathryn's First Eastah

No, I didn't misspell Easter in the title.  We live in New England and here people drop the Rs.  We don't, but we love to make fun of those who do.  Anyway...I thought I'd post some pictures from Kathryn's first Easter.  I kept my Easter basket from when I was little, but my mom made her a pretty purple bow to add to it.  We didn't do much in terms of presents...she was 4 months old for goodness sakes.  She got a little stuffed rabbit, an Easter egg spinny light thing, some Play-Doh, a PEZ dispenser (which she will someday place strategically on someone's leg during a piano recital someday) and some Laffy Taffy, which I ate, of course.  Kathryn's Neena gave her the cutest little Peter Rabbit plate and cup set along with a stuffed lamb.  It's so cute. I don't have any pictures of it yet to post because they're still on Jared's camera.

For dinner we went to our New England family's house (we're honorary Parenteau's) in Rhode Island.  We had a lot of fun and it was even more special because my mom was here.  I can't wait for next year so we can dye eggs and she can get excited about it.  Happy Easter...a little late!

Kathryn visiting the Easter Bunny.

Waiting to see the Easter Bunny.  There was something wrong with Rosi's camera.  I think it's hilarious.

3 Generations: Grandma, Kathryn, Mom

Our first Easter as a complete family.

Me and Baby Kathryn

Suzy Sourpants

Kathryn has many alter egos.  Most days she is the lovable, agreeable Honeybaby.  However, today...Suzy Sourpants came for a visit.  Jared left for work at 4am and had class this evening and my mom went to New Hampshire and Maine with a friend, leaving me and Kate to ourselves all day.  We had a fun day planned.  We were going to Miss Becky's house so she could meet her daycare provider and her daycare friends.  She'll be starting on May 4th two days a week.  However, as she and I were getting ready, we found that Buster a.k.a. "Stupid" somehow got a hold of a pacifier (which she doesn't even use!) and had eaten a good portion of it.  Having already spent a butt ton of money on things he's swallowed, I called the vet and had to race him down there so they could induce vomiting, resulting in a $79 vet bill instead of $2000 surgery that we had to do a couple of months ago...which is one reason Buster now has health insurance.  Anyway...I digress.  The point is, the whole morning got all screwed up, which interfered with her nap and feeding schedules, thus resulting in the emergence of Suzy Sourpants. While this picture wasn't taken today, this pretty much sums up her mood.  Hopefully the Honeybaby returns tomorrow!

"Hello.  My name is Suzy Sourpants.  I'm here to make your life miserable!"

Lady Chatterly

She's also found her voice and LOVES to talk, just like her mom.  She's got an opinion about everything.  In this clip, she's got a lot to say about the Red Sox.

Chowin' Down

Kathryn started eating rice cereal recently. She was quite messy at first, but has gotten the hang of it.  She's also started sitting in her high chair. She looks like such a big girl in it!  This is a video of her first day in the high chair. She was a little sloppy this day, but so cute. She loves food just like her mommy!

Auntie A Comes to Town

We were excited to have Amanda come out and meet Kathryn.  We didn't do much, but it was good to just hang out.  We drank frozen hot chocolates, went walking at Bluff Point and Amanda got to meet up with an old friend who lives in New Hampshire.  Kathryn really liked her Auntie A.  Amanda took a bunch of pictures.  Here are some of my favorites.

 Kathryn eating her morning rice cereal.  She loves it and is getting better and better at it everyday!

        My blue eyed girl

The joys of motherhood.  Feeding the baby while at The 99.  Luckily my mom was willing to feed me too!

 

A and K at The 99

Kathryn's last evening with Auntie A.  We'll miss you!  Thanks for a fun visit.

A Day at the Bluff

Kathryn is lucky enough to have her Auntie A (a.k.a. Amanda, a.k.a. Michelle) visiting from Seattle.  She got in on Friday and will be here till Wednesday morning. I'm on Spring Break, so A's lucky enough to get to spend time with me too.  Today while Jared was at work, we decided to make the drive to Bluff Point in Groton.  I used to walk there all the time when I still lived in Groton.  It was freakishly hot today, around 84 degrees, but we went anyways.  It was cool when we got there, but by the time we made it to the bluff we were roasting.  Unfortunately, Amanda only had pants and was fairly miserable throughout the walk.  Kathryn seemed to enjoy herself as she went out on her first real outing in her jogging stroller.  Once she got used to the jostling, she fell asleep.  We're all beat though and are perfectly happy doing nothing tomorrow, although I'm determined to get a good picture of A and K together tomorrow. The feet are the only proof Amanda was with us today!

Request Filled

So...per my sister-in-law Bekki's request that I make a blog dedicated to "all things Kathryn", here it is: Life with the Honeybaby or the Adventures of Stretch Lala.  These are two of her alter egos.  For those who know us well, know we have a tendency to give silly names to our pets (i.e. Wicky Poop Tail or Teeny Tiny Toe) and the tradition has carried over to our child.  She has four alter egos in addition to Kathryn Elizabeth, they are: Honeybaby, Stretch Lala, Hungry Baby, and Stinker McStinkerton.  I'll delve more into them later and explain why those names were chosen. But until then, this is just to let Bekki know the blog is up and running (thanks to my new computer and Jared's ability to get most of my old files from the old laptop!).