Glorious Sleeps

Do you know what a blessing it is to have an infant sleep through the night?

I didn't fully comprehend until this little goose came along.

 

Amberly's sleeping record this past week:

Sunday night - 6.5 hours

Monday night - nearly 9.5 hours

Tuesday - 6.5 hours

Wednesday - over 9.5 hours!

Thursday - 10.5 hours!

Friday - nearly 9 hours

Saturday - 10 hours

 

We are so elated! (And so grateful.)

 

Laugh every time I see that expression. ("Who is that weird lady taking my picture?") 

That face actually looks very similar to my baby pics!

 

I never catch her full smile in time! One day...

 Celebrating our glorious sleeps! Mommy and Baby feeling oh so good.

Trust me, her sleep habits weren't always like this. Our holidays were wonderful but exhausting. I'm so grateful to research and gather ideas so that I can get a little practical guidance on this parenting thing. Maybe she just realized how much she loves her sleep, or maybe it's just a transition babies go through once they hit the 2 month mark. However, I think it has to do with us incorporating Babywise and Baby Whisperer ideas into her daily routine. I know it probably doesn't work for all babies, but if you are struggling in the sleep department it's worth a read!

 Life is pretty awesome.

She only gets better and better.

I just love that little Goose.

Normalities

Guess who got a sitter and went on a date?

 We did!

Jonathan surprised me when I came home from a belated baby shower last Saturday. We drove all the way up to Midway to see the ice castles, and turned right back around when we saw the ginormous line. And on we drove to 7 Peaks! Us and the 13 year olds. Like that girl's major biff behind us?

*We just made up a rule that we have to go ice skating every winter since we've  successfully gone every year since we met. Good thing! This way I can remember my three sweet tricks on the ice...ha ha

 

And guess who slept 9.5 hours straight last night?

 Amberly Faith did!

And so I am feeling more and more like myself these days. Amazing how sleep does that to a person.

 

I just wonder what she's contemplating here? Amberly sure makes some entertaining faces. I tend to laugh out loud a lot when I'm home alone with her.

 

Life is starting to feel a little more normal again. It's just about 1,000 times better is all.

Celebrating my 28th

Happy Birthday to me! Mama came down and spoiled us with a delicious lunch at my very favorite

La Jolla Groves. I have never tasted anything at this restaurant that I don't like. It's amazing.

 

 Jonathan took Amberly home and my mom took me to a running store to buy me a new pair of running shoes! I realized it took me way longer to pick the right shoes than the amount of time it took me to decide anything regarding my wedding four years ago...

They are very purpley.

 

And that sweet husband of mine bought me a few gifts and took me to Macaroni Grill, mostly because I was craving that rosemary garlic bread they give you as an appetizer.

Baby Girl does great at restaurants, she just snoozes the entire time so it hasn't been a big deal to take her with us yet.:-)

 

The following Sunday my mom invited a LOT of people over to the house to celebrate. I'm thinking that many people showed up only to see Amberly Faith, but how can I blame them?

 

 I mean come on.

 

Happy 28th to me! Yep, I'm pretty mature I guess.

2 Months

Dear Little Miss Expressive,

Sometimes you make the most awesome faces.

 



2 month stats:

Weight 11 lbs. 11.5 oz (77%)

Length 23.25 inches (80%)

Head Circumference 14.75 inches (25%)

 

You already rolled to your side one time when I was changing your diaper! We've got to watch you close Little One.



 

We were so brave and got your vaccinations! Here's to hoping round 2 won't be so traumatic. I had to take a picture of your little bandaged legs. Too cute.

 

And...you are just the most adorable baby in the whole wide world.

It is so fun to finally bust out the wardrobe now that you've put on some good baby chub! You can wear your 3 month clothes now and it's fun to play dress up. ;-)



 

 Rough night before Mommy's birthday...you little goose!

 At two months I finally decided it was time to get some ideas and give you at least somewhat of a structured routine. Babywise and Baby Whisperer gave me the same basic idea: Eat, Wake, Sleep cycle every three hours. It's working beautifully! During the day we have more predictability, and last night you slept 7 hours straight for the second time! You are averaging anywhere from 5 to 7 hours for the first stretch, and then you sleep anywhere from 2 to 3 hours after that. Thank you, Amberly! We love how great you are at falling asleep right when we put you down, since you get enough "practice" during the day of self-soothing yourself to sleep right when we put you in your crib. It took a few days of work for your mama to get you on this routine, but it's so worth it! You have a tired cry after you've been awake for awhile. So I swaddle you, give you your paci, hold you for just a minute or two, and put you in your crib. It's seriously the best to see you lay there with your eyes open, so relaxed. You normally fall asleep in a matter of seconds. On rare occasions you'll wimper for a few minutes before falling asleep on your own.

*Thank you Babyise and Baby Whisperer. This is amazing.

 

And I do have you in your own room in your own big crib for the whole night. You just seem to sleep more soundly in there. And your parents certainly sleep more soundly in our own room too. I didn't expect to have you in your room so early, but it's just working out really well for the three of us!

 

Now when you cry, it's easier for me to understand what you're trying to tell me.

You love sleeping on your tummy, so we let you nap that way some times. This also helps prevent the flat spot that is forming on the right side of your head! We're doing what we can to stretch your neck so we can avoid paying $3000 for one of those baby helmets!

  

 

Uncle Joshey got to spend some quality time with you this past weekend.

 

And you are growing tremendously! Crazy to think you weigh nearly double what you weighed when you were born!

We might call you our Buddha Baby from time to time. We just love love love that chub!

 

 

A few of your favorite things:

Cuddling

Big fluffy blankets, the more the better

Warmth

Lights - especially above the bathroom mirror

Mama's milk

Music

Cooing at Daddy

 

A few of your NON favorite things:

Being in one position too long (you get bored fast you smarty pants)

Not having your arms free

Cold hands or feet

Dirty diapers

Too many kisses (DADDY!!)

 

A few of Mommy's and Daddy's favorite things:

Your sneezes followed by a long, feminine sigh...so stinkin cute

Your big beautiful smile

Your conversations/cooing with us

Your big curious eyes

Your beefy legs

Your dimples!

 

You are too much fun, and such an angel. I feel so incredibly blessed to be your mama.



A Blessing for Amberly Faith

What a special day, a gathering of so many people we cherish. And to have our daughter surrounded by so many people who love and care for her. She is one blessed little girl (pun intended)!

 

Sunday December 29th, 2013 (Happy Anniversary DanIcia!!)

 

This is our dear friend LeGrand, who we lovingly call Amberly's godfather. We study with LeGrand on Sunday evenings.

 

Aunty Mary, Uncle Josh, and Aunt Sara!
I confess I love when they steal my camera for shots like these.

 

My daughter's bodyguards. :)

 

Her favorite men.

 

My cousin Deena made this gorgeous blessing dress with darling little shoes. It is perfect and Amberly looks like an angel in it!

 

 Matchy matchy in our Christmasy colors.
Take 2.

 

Take 3?

 I think she might mix up her granddaddy's from time to time!

 

Our ward was combined with another student ward on Sunday, so Bishop Hernandez just happened to be there. Too ironic. Dean Hernandez is over admissions at BYU Law School, and gave us that fateful phone call August 2011 that changed the course of our lives. I thought it was pretty cool he was on the stand for Amberly's blessing!

 

 

With her proud Papa

 

And glowing Mama.

 

This was probably our favorite day of Christmas break. We love gathering both families together to celebrate, because we really lucked out with how well the Dittos and Mechams enjoy being together. It is such a party! We enjoyed the afternoon at my parents' new home in South Jordan with good food, conversation, and some riotous games. ;-)

 

Amberly's blessing was beautiful, and I wrote down the majority of it in her baby book. It was pretty special to get a glimpse of our daughter's future life, and what a spiritual leader she'll be among her friends and family. We are so blessed to raise such a courageous, determined little spirit! I know she'll be a force for good in this world.

 

P.S. It was pretty adorable how she sneezed right into the microphone with her dainty little baby sneeze - two times. How come every little thing she does is so darling?

That Smile

She has teased us time and again, and we knew that magic moment was right around the corner.
We'd get little snippets here and there, and full out toothless grins during her sleep that would melt any heart anywhere.

But this morning, after I was feeding her about 5:45am, Amberly Faith looked up at her mama, locked eyes, and gave me one of the richest standstill moments of my life.

Dimples on both sides, full-out 100%, level 10 smile. Ear to ear. I love this picture but just imagine: this photo only captures about half of what she was giving us in the early morning.

Of course I woke Jonathan up, because she had finally arrived. It was consistent. It was time and time again as we played with her and tickled her and let her recognize our faces. That smile, finally responding and repeating and communicating.

 And we are still floating.

The only thing I can compare it to is the fall of 2009 when I fell in love with Jonathan. Sometimes life stands still. It is pure magic and joy. It is our daughter knowing us and showing us a priceless piece of her precious soul. It is perfect. That smile.

I'd say it's been an unforgettable 28th birthday for me.

Insights on Mothering: Lesson 1

#1: This Too Shall Pass

After doing the research of exactly which vaccinations my 2-month old baby would be receiving today and what diseases we are preventing by doing so, Jonathan and I decided it was the responsible, safest thing to do. We would do anything for our daughter.

I thought I was so brave today as I comforted her while they administered the shots in her little legs. Legs that have only been exposed to this world for nearly nine weeks. My sweet girl, just starting to smile. And then the pain. A rude awakening to life on earth, right? We live in a world of opposition I know.

The first couple of hours weren't so bad, and Jon and I took all the credit thinking that giving her infant tylenol beforehand would make this experience less heart-wrenching. Then two hours later, right as Jon was leaving for class, my sweet Amberly Faith registered the pain in her legs all over again.

By the sound of her shrieking, it was like they were administering those awful shots time and time again. I would have them stick each of my legs ten times to take away that devastated cry, to remove her pain. My child is the most important part of me, and I lost my strength as I tried and failed to calm her tears. There was nothing I could do for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. There was no way I could remove the pain from my precious girl.

And today as I held her in the crook of my arm with my own tears streaming down my face, I remembered our first night in the hospital together. She was afraid and lonely in her little bed, and I pulled her in close to me whispering "Mama's here. Mama's here."

A glimpse into our future swept through my mind as I lay here with her today. I saw Amberly in grade school, then college, and then a grown woman. What future scenarios will bring her back to the crook of my arm, so I can try yet again to comfort my daughter? A favorite broken toy, a group of friends leaving her out, trying out for a team and not making it. A fool who might break her heart, or her agony knowing that she broke someone else's. As a married woman, will she have a hard time getting pregnant? Have a miscarriage? Lose a loved one? I saw each of these potential heartaches, and I saw her crying in the crook of my arm. I won't be able to take her pain away, but I will cry with her and hold her close. I will tell her yet again "Mama's here."

Because that is who my mother has always been. That is what a mother does. And that is what I will now always do. Today was not an easy day; it was heart-wrenching. But I took great comfort in knowing that the dreadful pain from her shots would not last forever. Eventually the pain in her legs will go away. Because just like everthing else, This Too Shall Pass.

I will have my happy, curious baby girl back in my arms in time.

Lesson number one on my journey of mothering. When my heart is breaking for my child and I cannot take the pain away, know that the moment will pass eventually. I will repeat that to myself over and over as I cry with her in the crook of my arm and stroke her beautiful face.

I am so grateful to be married to a man who honors his Priesthood, who quickly returned home when I called and asked for him to give her a blessing. It scared me to hear her cry like that for so long. God bless those with children who have chronic illnesses. 

Snowmobiling

This little goose is just too much fun. She should win a prize for the cutest pouty face I've ever seen.

 

The truth is she loves being cozied up in that snowsuit so much, she slept right through her entire first adventure!

Don't freak out we only went on a little put put ride for about twenty feet or so.

 

 

 All I can really say is, we adore being a family of three.

 

And my oh my, do her aunts and uncles adore Amberly too. According to her Aunt Mary, "This was the first contentious Christmas we've had in years because we fight over the baby!"

 

It's true.

My only regret from the holidays was never catching their arguing on camera. They really do present some good arguments as to why they should be able to hold her next, why they should cuddle her for the longest amount of time, etc. It's hilarious, and oh so cute to see how much love is pouring all over our daughter.

They got a little carried away with a photo shoot while Mom and Dad took a ride on the snowmobile....

 

The child!!!

 

 

 

Eskimo Babies.

 

While I loved being pregnant, this was my first time doing something a little wild since having my body on loan for nine months. It felt liberating not to worry about hurting a developing human inside of me...Look at this sweet jump! Husband is proud of my driving...I think I freaked him out a little.