11 weeks

Today marks 11 weeks since Gloria was born. It's crazy to think that it's already been 2 1/2 months since we went to the hospital as a couple and left as a family. She's changing so fast, learning so many new things, smiling all of the time, and even laughing - so many changes in such a short time.

Gloria and I are going to take another road trip tomorrow to St. Joe to visit my mom and others. I'm hoping that Gloria is as good of a traveler as she was last time we went to St. Joe. We'll be leaving around 10 and then coming back around 6ish. Wish us luck!

What a week!

I haven't had much time to post this week - so I'll try to do an overview right now.

"Grammy kisses are the best!"

Gloria slept for 9 - count them NINE - straight hours on Monday night! That's the most she's ever slept straight through. She hasn't done it since then though.

My mom was able to come this week after a two weeks of having to stay at home with a sick kitty. (Butterscotch is feeling much better now!) It was nice having her around during the day to play with Gloria (and me). I was able to do some things that I've been putting off for too long - like put clean sheets on the bed and cut up a melon. We took Gloria with us to the mall one day and had a great time. Gloria was a perfect little angel the entire time. She was awake for part of the trip just looking at her surroundings and then took a nap. I had to feed her twice while we were there but it's not really a big deal anymore, as long as I can find nice dressing rooms with benches. I bought some shirts and Gloria got some more bibs.

We also took Gloria on a trip to Walmart to get more diapers (of course)! She got hungry while we were there, so now she knows what the Walmart dressing rooms look like too.

Gloria learned a new trick from her Grammy this week - how to knock the monkey down from his perch on her play mat!

"Hi Monkey!"

I had ordered some things from Target and they arrived this week. One thing is a set of chimes for her playmat. She is really good at hitting them to make music - and she likes to hold onto them and move them around.

Today Gloria and I were on our own. Instead of sitting at home all day, we went to two kid sales at local churches. Although there was a ton of stuff at each, we left empty-handed. Not a big deal though. I really just went so we could get out of the house. Gloria did great again, riding in her car seat attached to the stroller. (I'm still trying to get the hang of carrying her around in a wrap or sling.)

When we got home after our adventures today, she ate, played, and then fell asleep for a 3 hour nap. Rob actually got home at a decent time today and was able to enjoy Gloria's company a little more than he usually does before she goes to bed for the night. We gave her a bath in the big bathtub all by herself and she loved it! She is a little fishie :)

"I made a lot of waves! I like splashing!"

"Look at me - in the big tub all by myself. Pretty cool!"

Happy 1st Easter!

Today we woke up and were able to celebrate two different special occasions! It's Gloria's first Easter and her 10 week birthday! She's been a very good girl today - eating well and taking great naps (in Rob's arms or on his chest). Just now she's playing on her playmat and she's started doing TWO new things -

lifting her legs up in the air

and she's starting to roll onto her right side.

She got herself into this position all on her own. Rob and I were merely spectators of this amazing thing!

We also have a big ball with chimes in it. I put it near Gloria's hand and I think she's figuring out that when she hits it, it makes the chimes ring. She's so cute!

Yesterday we had a great time at my dad's house. Gloria was well behaved and liked seeing her great-grandma and Auntie Karen again :) She did well in the car too. She slept about a half an hour both ways and was awake and happy looking at her toys for the rest of the time.

"I got a cute 'My First Easter' bunny from my great-grandma!"

"If I give you a half-smile, will you stop taking pictures?"

"Look! I can blow bubbles!"

On Friday night, Gloria went to sleep around 10pm and when we heard her little noises telling us she was ready to eat again, it was 6am!!!! She slept for 8 hours straight. I was in disbelief, thinking that something might be wrong with my clock. But nope, it was really 6 in the morning. She didn't do it again last night, but I really can't complain. She's a good sleeper - sleeping through the night since like 5 weeks old with only a few breaks for eating. We can pretty much count on her going to bed between 8:30 and 10, then sleeping 5-7 hours, eating, sleeping 2-3 hours, eating, and sleeping about 1-1 1/2 more. Gloria is taking after her mommy - she likes her sleep at night.

Remember when Gloria used to be a tiny bundle of baby...in case you don't remember, here's a picture.

World-class Shopper

Here are some pictures from Gloria's trip to the doctor on Wednesday.

"What are you doing to me, Dr. Clark?"


"Oooh, look at that bug!"


"This isn't so bad - being snuggled by Daddy."
Little did she know, but the nurse was on her way in with the shots :(

Gloria has been a world-class shopper this week. Yesterday, April and I took her to Target and we were gone for more than 3 hours. I was able to feed her in the dressing room and she was as happy as a clam for the majority of the time we were there. I found a different kind of baby carrier while I was there and April and I tried Gloria in it when we got home. I think she likes it :)




Today, my friend Susie and I took Gloria with us to a thrift store where she behaved herself - until it was time to leave. (Either she really wanted to go or she wanted to keep shopping.) I nursed her in the dressing room there too and it went really well. I'm becoming more and more brave as the days go by. Look how cute she was today! I just want to squeeze her she's so cute!


Tomorrow, Rob, Gloria, and I are heading to Lawrence for Easter with my dad and family and Rob's parents. My grandma just got back from 2 months in Florida so it will be exciting to see her again and see her "meet" Gloria again. The only time she saw her was when Gloria was 2 days old! It's been really snowy today so hopefully the roads are okay for our trip.

And now, I'm going to divulge a little secret - a secret hand sign that Gloria has shared with her Auntie April...

2 month doctor visit

Today Gloria went for her 2 month doctor visit. Here are her stats. She now weighs 13 lbs. 1 oz. (95th percentile). She is 23 1/4 inches long (75th percentile) and her head circumference is 16 inches (80th percentile). The doctor said she is doing great with nothing for us to be concerned about. Gloria does prefer looking to her right so her head is a bit flatter on that side so we need to start propping her on her left side while she's sleeping and try to get her to look to the left when she's playing by making all of the exciting things be on that side. She got 3 shots today - 2 in her left thigh and one in her right. She did cry right after the first one went in and cried during the remaining two. I started crying before the nurse even gave her the first shot. Afterwards, I nursed her and she calmed right down. The nurse said that Gloria would probably be really sleepy today and it seems like she has been. She slept on the way home and stayed sleeping until 1:30 - a two hour nap - in my arms of course :) Then she ate a little, played for an hour, ate a bit more and then took another two hour nap, but not as deep of a sleep as earlier. While she was playing this afternoon, Gloria made sure that I knew she was okay and was telling me how happy she was. Take a look (and a listen)!

Gloria's next appointment is Wednesday, May 21 - she'll be 4 months, 1 week, and 1 day old. She'll have to get more shots then. Hopefully she does just as well as she did today.

Adventures in the Car

Over the last 48 hours, Gloria has traveled in the car to three different places. Yesterday, she and I took a day trip to St. Joe to visit my mom and grandparents. She was a super car rider. She slept about 30 minutes and then looked at her toys and pictures that I have hung up in the car. Only a tiny bit of crying for about a minute as we were getting off the exit. She did great on the way home too!

Today, I decided that I needed to get out of the house. It was a gloomy gray day - the kind of day where you want to stay in bed. (Not that that is an option when you have a baby!) So, after Gloria ate around 11, I packed her up and we went to Walmart. She had a lot of fun looking at all of the baby stuff and we bought her some presents - like diaper wipes and burp cloths.

And tonight, Rob and I needed to go grocery shopping so Gloria got to go along. She did pretty well until 15 minutes into our shopping. She started crying/screaming with her face turning red for about 5 minutes and then she promptly fell asleep.

Now she's playing with Rob - who, hopefully, is trying to wear her out a bit so she'll eat her "before bed" meal and sleep for 5-7 hours before needing to eat again.

Today we put Gloria in a bathing suit that I bought last week at a consignment sale. It looks soooo cute on her! I just have to share the picture. It fit pretty well right now so I don't know if it will last until the weather is warm enough to go in a baby pool or until July when she can start swimming lessons. Oh well - we'll just wait and see.

Gloria met someone FAMOUS!!!

Today Gloria, Rob, and I went to the mall and while we were there we ran into someone very famous! Gloria was brave enough to approach and ask for a picture with him! Check her out :)

Talking, talking, talking

Here's Gloria on Saturday, March 8, having a conversation with me. Just wait until she's a teenager!

Hard work with Daddy

I'm hoping the temperature is as nice as yesterday because I would like to try taking Gloria outside again - maybe this time just laying in her stroller while I go up and down the driveway, trying to avoid the ice and snow that is lingering.

Since Rob is home (yay!) we might try going to the mall today to buy me some more nursing shirts and for Gloria to see the Easter Bunny! I wonder how that will work out.

Yesterday, April, Gloria, and I went to a children's consignment sale at a local church. There were a TON of clothes for newborns up to size 14, toys, and other baby items. I kept a handle on the things I bought - a cute summer dress, a cute summer onesie, two bathing suits for when we start swimming lessons, and a black/white and color toy that can hang on the crib. Gloria picked out the toy. As soon as I showed her the black and white pictures on it her eyes got big and she stared at it. Of course I had to get it for her after that!

Right now Rob and Gloria are "trying" to work...but it was just too much for one of them. :)

We went outside!

It's about 50 degrees out and Gloria and I decided to take a step outside on the driveway. She lasted all of about 15 seconds and then she said it was too bright and too cold. Now we're back in the warm house and she's singing me happy songs while sitting in her bouncy seat. And look at the time - it's about time for her to eat again. Maybe I can grab a bite to eat before she's too hungry.

2 months :)

Look at me! I like to sit up like a big girl. I still need some help propping my head up.

We've made it through 2 months and we're all still alive and smiling (sometimes only barely). I've made some cookies to help Gloria celebrate being alive for 1/6 of a year! Of course the cookies will only be enjoyed by me, Rob, and Auntie April. She's spent her "birthday" by playing a bit, eating a lot, getting a bath, and sleeping - many short cat naps. Gloria even had a special visitor today - her Grandpa Hettig stopped by since he was in the area.

Baths are so much fun!

I like to be snuggled in my warm towel after my bath.


Here's our beautiful family - taken on Friday, March 7. Gloria was 7 weeks 5 days old.

Like a snowflake in a blizzard

A few cute model pictures from yesterday :)



And from Sunday, here's a picture of Gloria with her Great-Grandpa Harbin...


and with her Grandma Harbin...


Another Wednesday in the life of little Gloria. She had a good day - played, ate, and slept. I went to the dentist and Rob watched her for the hour I was gone. She gave him "the poopiest diaper ever" and then slept. She took a 3 hour nap for me this afternoon and now she's ready to eat a nighttime snack and sleep.

Tomorrow is Gloria's 2 month birthday! Crazy crazy crazy! I'm ready for it but at the same time not ready at all. She is growing up too fast. I enjoy the new cute things she does - like talking and smiling - but I don't like having to pack away clothes that are too small and watching her change from an itty-bitty baby.

I keep having to remind myself to enjoy every single moment - even the bad ones - because each moment is fleeting like a single snowflake in a blizzard. It's there and then it's gone and you can't bring it back. I love when she snuggles into my neck when she's falling asleep while I'm burping her. I love the way she smiles and kind of laughs when she's in a light sleep. I love the way she stares intently at the dried flowers hanging in our bedroom. I love the moment right after she wakes up in the morning and I'm talking to her when she grins at me. I love the way she smells and the way she looks. I love her little dance - kicking her legs and moving her arms - when she's watching her mobile or the lights on her playmat. I love her little fingernails on her long fingers. I love the way she concentrates on different black and white pictures or toys. I love the way she loves me - not knowing anything about me except for the fact that I feed her, keep her clean, and snuggle her.

I'm a baby-wearing mama!

First off, let me say that I'm holding Gloria right now without using my hands. I can type with both of them! I'm wearing her on my chest in a Moby wrap that Angela used with Julian. Gloria is sleeping contentedly with her head against my heart. Wish someone would wrap me up and hold me like this.



Our trip to Taylor went well. On the way there she slept most of the way. We only had to stop to feed her and change her once - about 20 minutes away from Rob's house. Then on the way home we only had to stop once as well - about 30 minutes after we got on the road. Gloria was well behaved while at Grandma and Grandpa Harbin's house. We brought her play mat so she could have some familiarity. She played well, ate well, and slept well. I was worried that being in a new place she might not sleep as well at night. Luckily, she proved me wrong by staying with her regular night sleep schedule of about 6 hours, 3 hours, and then an hour and a half.

She liked the bouncy seat at her Grandma and Grandpa's house :)

On our way to Taylor

We're about to leave for our first overnight journey with Gloria. I'm a bit nervous. What normally is 2 1/2 - 3 hours in the car will probably turn into 4 hours after factoring in a stop for feeding and a diaper change or two. We've got some toys packed, along with her play mat, lots of clothes, blankies and burp cloths, diapers, and wipes.

Right now she's in her swing just talking away. She's starting to make longer sounds and different sounds with her mouth. I think she's going to have a cute voice :)

I'm feeling better than I have been for the past few days. I can breathe through my nose again and my head feels a bit less tight. I think I might have kicked this cold to the curb!

A Sick Mommy

Blah. I started feeling sick on Tuesday afternoon - a sore throat. Woke up Wednesday with stuffy nose and sore throat. Yesterday I had a fever - chills then sweating. Today my head hurts with crazy pressure and my ears feel pressurized too. It's not easy feeling like poo when you have a beautiful baby to tend to. It's hard to be feeding Gloria when I have to sneeze and then she gets startled. Or when I'm feeding her and my nose is dripping so I have to lean over to grab a kleenex without disturbing her too much. Hopefully my illness goes away soon. So far Gloria hasn't shown any signs of catching my cold and probably won't since she's on a strict diet of my magic boobie milk :)

Thankfully my mom was here this week so she was able to pretty much take Gloria and entertain her unless it was time for her to eat. I honestly don't know how I would've made it through the last few days without my mom. She has got to be the best mommy in the whole world!

A Bite of Birthday Cake

So it's Monday again. Another day of hanging out with Gloria by myself. Wait. Excuse me - I forgot to mention Boomer and Monet. Boomer is not letting me forget that he is here too. Gloria is 7 weeks and 1 day old today! She just took a very very short cat nap with me. I was hoping for a bit more rest than I got. Now she's sitting in her bouncy seat watching me (it's been almost 20 minutes!) and her bouncy seat fishies. Boomer keeps walking around her chair and sniffing her hands and meowing. Poor Boomer feels left out.

Anyways, it was my dad's birthday last Thursday and on Saturday we had a little birthday party at our house. We enjoyed a wonderful lasagna made by Vicki and a yummy pudding cake. Gloria wanted to taste it!

Of course I didn't really feed it to her, but it looks like she's ready to eat it - doesn't it!

She's getting a little anxious to get out of her seat so I'll share one more picture with you. This is when she was about 2 hours old. Why is she growing up so fast?!

I love my mobile!

Gloria loves to lay in her crib and watch her mobile go round and round. I can pretty much count on 20 minutes where she's content to watch the mobile and I can brush my teeth and do other things that need to be done.

And check out her cool bed set. I love it! It totally matches the yellow that Rob painted on the walls and it's so girlie! Perfect for a cute little girl like Gloria!

The trip to the doctor on Thursday went great. Gloria slept on the way there and woke up after about 15 minutes in the waiting room. She was content for most of the time we were there. I had to wait about 45 minutes until the doctor came in to see me. Right when the doctor came in, Gloria started to get fussy. We had a nurse come in and take her to "visit" the other nurses during my exam. She just wanted someone to hold her :) Overall, my first trip with Gloria by myself went well. I might just have to take her somewhere else by myself - maybe in a few weeks.

Yesterday Rob took the day off to spend with his "girls." It was nice to have him home to play with Gloria and give me a bit of a break. I was able to take a bath and relax. I came out of the bathtub to find Rob giving Gloria a lesson on guitars.

She was also working on her neck/head control.



We even attempted to go out to dinner with her last night to Applebees. She slept on the way there and then for about 3/4 of the dinner. However, when she woke up she thought she needed to cry - and did. Luckily, Rob and I had ordered right away and were ready to go when she was.