To Zoe... you are one month old!

This week, you have started to smile... on purpose! :)

So, because you are a month old, I thought I should hurry and get your picture quickly. I haven't been feeling that great, so it took every ounce of energy to get you to cooperate... which didn't exactly happen. You don't like to be laid down, you are a bit spoiled. In fact, every time we lay you down and it's not bed time,  you throw a big ringer of a fit! These are the best one month pictures that I could get. I would lay you down and quickly rip the paci out and snap the picture! This took many tries, but here is what we got. I had to add a few of the screaming ones, just because they are too funny! 

 

                                               

This one above is the best we got. I liked it, but your daddy made fun of the HUGE bow that is almost bigger than your head. I do agree, it's a bit big, but I was not about to change it and make you take another picture. :)

  

When you are calm, you are pretty dang cute! The one on the left is of you talking to me. You actually have already started to coo for us. In fact, Thursday night (April 19th) was your first official cooing. The picture on the right is of you sleeping. You like to do lots of hand and arm positions when you sleep. And below this is your daddy. We do all kinds of things to get you to calm down in the evenings. We think you have a touch of colic. SO, we have to get creative!

 

   

And finally, this past month has been a challenge for both of us! For me, I am trying to recover from labor, but having lots of bumps in the road. We will get there soon, I am sure! And for you, it's been a struggle to figure out night and day. You are also struggling with always being hungry, at least you think you are. You want to chew and eat on everything! And when we feed you, and have to break to burp, you scream and cry. :) But, you are super healthy and growing like a weed. I am betting you are at least 9 lbs by now, I'm sure of it! This picture is of both of us resting. You look pretty content here during your "milk coma". You are a sprawler, and take up as much space as possible. :) We love you, Zoe, and can't believe it's been over a month since you were born. We can't wait to watch you grow! 

Love,

Mommy

Easter Sunday

This was our first outing to church, and our first outing with me driving! I haven't been able to drive the last few weeks since the surgery, so this was a bit scary. Let me just say, it is TOUGH getting yourself and baby dressed up for church... especially when it's your baby's first "appearance" to our church friends! So of course, I wanted her all dressed up and cute. :) It was nice to finally feel good enough to go somewhere, instead of being at home all day! Easter service was great, and she slept through it all so I was able to listen to the message. Thankful to Jesus for all he sacrificed for our complete and unworthy selves. This Sunday I was very blessed. :)

The last 20 days...

This post will be mostly pictures! In the previous post, it was all about the horrible situation that I can call "my birthing experience". But, as the days go by, it's getting better! My mom stayed the first full week, thank God! When she left, it was up to "us" to keep this baby alive and well! Such responsibility! haha! It's funny when you all of the sudden have to remember that it doesn't matter if you sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom... it's about that baby now! And, oh what learning experiences, and fun it is becoming! Of course the sleep issue is an adjustment, then there is the screaming uncontrollably without ceasing, and then the bathroom blow-outs! BUT, I must say.... it's been sweeter each day! Here are some pictures of the last 20 days of Zoe's life! I can't believe it's already been about 3 weeks!

This is Zoe in her Jeggings. :)

Here is her silly face that she makes after she eats! She is saying , "Thanks mom, that was yummy!"

Above is her snuggling with daddy. :) And below is when we found out that she will calm down after her bath if we turn on the blow dryer ( cool heat of course!). She loves it!

Above is her first visit to Target... I told her she will learn to love this store, as I do!

After our first outing we were exhausted, so we like to snuggle up on the couch!

Here is Zoe with her "Mims", my mom. Mims has been such a help with her! We love you Mims!

"Hiiiiiyyyyyaaaaaaa!" This was a crazy "karate dream" moment during her nap, and we just happen to catch it on our camera!

This was her "0" month picture that I took. She looks so peaceful! No one has to know that she screamed for about 15 minutes right before this, and then wore herself out!

And finally, here is our doctor. We love Dr. Collins, even if it's been a crazy ride! She did everything she could to help Miss Zoe get here safe and healthy. I believe that God just had a different plan for me during all of this, and I am daily thankful that even though it was tough... He got us through it and is still helping me recover each day. At her first 2 day check-up Zoe weighed 7 lbs 13 oz, 20.04 inches long, and 14.02 in. head circumference . Yesterday we went for her follow up to see if she was remaining healthy and thriving. Boy, is she! Yesterday, she weighed 8lbs 9.5 oz, 21.54 in long, and 14.57 head circumference. The doctor said her heart rate, weight, and other data looked perfect! Here are some other facts that have happened with Zoe:

-She found her thumb at week one! (We quickly distract her with a paci instead!)

-She rolls over to one side, then the other.... she is SO strong!

-Her eyes are starting to focus a little better. She definitely knows our voices now and will try and turn toward the voice.

- She grips her paci and tries to hold things by using her fists to clinch against her chest.

- She hiccups and sneezes all the time! The doctor said babies just do this. :)

- She got her fingernails clipped because she scratches her face... this is why she sometimes looks like a boxer with her mitts on.

- I've been only feeding her breast milk, and I also pump. She eats a lot, and acts like she is starving to death if you take her away for a second to burp her! She goes ballistic! She is eating about 3-4 ounces every feeding. About every 3 to 4 hours. At night, she is sleeping about 4-5 hours without waking to eat. Sometimes we have to wake her up if she goes too long.

- She smiles in her sleep a lot, and after she eats! :) She does this funny circle with her lips when she is hungry, and when finished. So cute!

- Bath time is a process, but she is getting better now that she gets to get in the water all the way. Her belly button scab fell off on 4-2-12. Yay!

That's about it! I get to drive soon... I will be driving us to church on Sunday for Easter Service! I am praying it all goes well! Chris goes early since he has to get ready for the worship, so we will be solo getting ready. I hope I'm not late! ;/ No one prepares you fully for anything, so I will try and remember that before I give advice to anyone else! However, I think that it's all purposeful "trial and error" time... it helps us grow as parents and together as a couple! We've already laughed many many times at how "dumb" we feel, or how funny things are. ( Even at 3 a.m.) I'm sure I will post more in the near future! But now, my husband just said that he would change her diaper if I would make him a sandwich! I'm jumping on this trade-off! :)