10 weeks, time is flying!

First off, I need to be better about taking pictures. Susie, I'm looking to you for inspiration!
Second, yes, I missed last week, sorry! It was my first day back at work and I just couldn't find time to squeeze it in.
Third, no one said anything about my inability to count in the last post! "8 weeks and 1 month"? I, of course, meant 2 months! (I'll fix that)
We've done a lot in two weeks.
On Tuesday, September 22nd Christina started her first day of day care and I went back to work after 9 weeks of leave/vacation. Yes, I cried.
I need to take pictures (will try tomorrow), but Ruel and I really like Christina's day care. It is called "The First School." They've been in business for over twenty years, only take 4 infants at a time, and the owner is there every day -- I'm convinced they are spoiling our daughter. Lori, the owner, e-mails me with little notes on how Christina is doing and how much they enjoy her.
Christina still hasn't rolled over yet, but her doctor says before she is 4 months she'll be rolling like crazy. She sits up very well and we've already put her in the forward facing stroller. She's tiny, but likes to be able to see the world.
Work is like I never left it, but I do feel a renewed sense of purpose. It was nice to be away for a while and come back ready to tackle the days' challenges.
October is going to be so busy! We are going to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and also taking a road trip to Virginia to see the Sandridge side of the family.
Just one picture this week, but I promise to keep the camera out!

8 weeks old today and 2 months on Monday

First, I don't have any pictures to post this week, sorry!

We've had a pretty good week, time just continues to fly by. I'm still working on her sleep schedule, but it's a daily thing. Most of the time she does very well, but we have our slips, most of them mom and dad's fault (ours) because we take her our or disrupt her routine. All in all, she's a good sleeper.
For new mommies or expecting mommies, I tried the Johnson and Johnson bedtime bath on Sunday; got right in the tub with her since she was so fussy. It worked very well and Christina loved it. I highly recommend having this on hand. If your baby doesn't like baths, use often. If he/she does like baths, use on special occasions or when baby is especially cranky.
I've also discovered that I like Pampers diapers much better than Huggies. Huggies don't fit right in the legs and we end up with several outfit changes a day (sometimes that includes mommy or daddy). So for now, we are a Pampers household.
Since I'm full of reviews today, I'll keep going. We have two swings for Christina. One is a take along swing and is more of a recliner. Great for when she's sleepy, but needs motion. The other is a swing that keeps her upright. She loves this when she is awake and alert since it lets her look around (she also likes the mobile on this one). Though our living room is full of toys and items, it gives us resources to help her be happy (and keep mom and dad sane).
Tomorrow night, Ruel and I are going out for our first Mommy and Daddy Date since Christina was bored. I'm excited and anxious. Excited to get away with my hubby for a few hours of baby-free time and anxious that Christina will get fussy with my mom and dad watching her. Guess it's every new parent's fear. We will just have to see.
That's all for this week!

7 weeks and lots of firsts!

This week had a ton of firsts.
First social smile.

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

First Gator Game.

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

First Labor Day and first dip in our little inflatable pool.

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

In all a wonderful week.
I only have 2 weeks of leave left, and it will be hard to go back to work, but I'll be sure to keep the camera ready and the updates flowing.

Kaycee

Hello September!

I can't believe how time flies. It's September already. Can it be that Christina is 6 weeks old? Had I not saved vacation, today would be my 2nd day back in the office. I can't imagine leaving her yet. I'm sure it won't be any easier in three weeks when I do go back.
We are still working on a routine and I've decided to try to keep a journal of her activities, feedings and naps. Hoping this will help me incorporate more active time as necessary, or build a schedule that we can all get along with. She has some good sleep stretches now. Usually the first time she goes down at night she'll sleep for 4-6 hours at a stretch, then we are back to every 3 hours. For example, last night, she slept from 8 til 1:30, then was up again at 4:00 for another feeding. But, I'm getting used to it and Ruel still takes a feeding or two when he's not working the next day.

I'm learning to cram the day's activities into her naps so that I can say I got something accomplished - - It's still not easy!

Ruel and I are working on the office trying to get it organized so I can scrapbook again. I'm excited, but not sure how to find the time to get it done. Again, I think naps is the time.
Here are some pics for this week!

5 weeks old - lots happened last week

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

We had a busy week from last Tuesday until today.
Wednesday, August 19th, she had a very fussy afternoon and was not really herself. So Ruel took her temperature and she had a slight fever. Unfortunately, fevers, however slight, newborns are nothing to brush off. We went immediately to the pediatrician who then sent us to Arnold Palmer (again). We had another 24 hour stay. This was really traumatic for all of us. Christina had to have blood drawn, and IV and a Spinal Tap. I hope I don't have to see them do that to my baby again for a long, long time (never again would be just fine with me). We were released, exhausted on Thursday, August 20.
On Friday, Christina celebrated her 1 month birthday. I can't believe a month has flown by. All the things I said I was going to get done on Maternity Leave have not even been started. Hats off to all the single moms and dads who are able to keep things running, I don't know how they do it! My days consist of feeding, playing, and trying to get some laundry done or a meal cooked. In the next few weeks, I want to really work on getting Christina into a schedule. Afterall, I go back to work in late September, so we'll need a schedule sooner or later.
Thanks to Auntie Daphne and Uncle Matt for the swing, we really like it. It's going to take a little longer for Christina to hold her head up though....

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

Couldn't resist this picture of her lounging in her nursery...

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

Talk to everyone next week!
Kaycee

4 weeks old and 1 month old on Friday!

I can't believe that she is 4 weeks old, the time is flying by. I don't even feel like I've been away from the office for that long. Days are filled with diaper changes and sometimes outfit changes, assessing her needs and trying to get some additional sleep. We are still working on some pictures too!

I want to say "Thank you" to everyone who has sent well wishes and gifts. We are truly a blessed family with so many friends and relatives to welcome Christina into the world.

Ruel celebrated his 39th birthday on Saturday, August 15th. Mom and Dad Sandridge marked the occasion by taking us out to Joe's Crab Shack, a popular seafood restaurant that is close by. We forgot how loud the music can be in there.

Christina is blooming with health, for which we are both very grateful (and yes, those lungs work just fine!). For the most part she is good baby with only occasional bouts of temper. We noticed today for the first time that she is starting to track sounds and lights. I'm excited b/c that means we are going to have some fun with toys this Christmas.

Here are some pictures from the last week.




P.S. An early wish for a happy birthday to Pa Manuel whose birthday is on August 20th.

3 Weeks old and getting bigger

Today, Christina is 3 weeks old and seems to be flourishing.
At her last pediatric appointment she weighed in at 7lbs, 7oz. Dr. said everything looked great.
We had some wonderful visitors today, her Great Aunts Ima Jean and Ann, my mother's sisters. Christina was on her best behavior and charmed them both. I think my mom will have competition when we go over to Melbourne to visit. Everyone loves to hold and cuddle with her since she's so cooperative to being the center of attention.

Nights are still long, but I think she's starting to get the hang of it. Last night she was very good and slept most of the night, but she was up most of yesterday and I'm not seeing that as much today. I'm thinking tonight may not be as productive. We'll have to wake her up a bit, I think.
Saturday is Ruel's 39th birthday and though we don't have big plans, we do hope to get out to dinner for the night. As small as she is, it isn't too difficult yet.
That's all for this week. More to come next week.
Kaycee