4 months old, Thanksgiving and Meeting Aunt Florence

Whew, I've been away for a while and the stories have piled up. I'll try to catch them all.

On Saturday, November 21, Christina turned 4 months old. The following Monday we had our 4 month well baby check-up and shots. She's 13lbs 4oz and in the 50th percentile for height and weight and 25th percentile for head size. I was going to take a picture of her pediatrician, but after the shots, I forgot. Dr. said she looked great and we could begin solid foods, which we'd done about 2 weeks earlier with cereal. She's loving it!
Thanksgiving was spent with my mom and dad since Ruel had to work (he worked Thanksgiving to get Christmas Eve and Christmas day off, a good deal I thought). Even though it was just three adults and Christina, mom and dad still pulled out all the stops and we had Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Caserole, Sweet Potatoes, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce and Pears with Cheese. We definitely stuffed ourselves and of course Ruel was the recipient of some fine leftovers!
I have a picture of Christina in her Thanksgiving outfit, but I will have to post tomorrow, since Mom took the picture and it's on her camera.
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to Walt Disney World with Ruel's sister Florence and her boyfriend Michael. It was the first time Florence had met her niece. Christina is the first granddaughter for Ruel's parents and Florence was the only girl out of 4, so she was glad to have another girl on the Manuel Team! We had a wonderful day park hopping and Christina was so good despite being carted around and it being a little nippy (around 65 degrees for a high). Oh yeah, and Christina held the bottle by herself for the first time yesterday while we were sitting in Frontier Land at the Magic Kingdom.



Today we started on what I would call "real" food. Her first food: Pears. She loves them! It's so exciting to see her grow and change. We did pears for breakfast and dinner. So far so good, no breakouts that we can tell. We'll continue for three days to make sure there is no allergy before moving onto another fruit or veggie.



We are so blessed with friends and family. It has been a wonderful 4 months despite all the learning we've done in being first-time parents. We look forward to each of the firsts that are still to come.

With the holiday season approaching there are many joys in store. Next weekend Ruel and I are going with my mom and dad to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you've never heard of them, Google them and take a listen, you'll recognize them.

Ruel is still working some interviews for an IT job in the medical field. We keep praying and know that an opportunity will come through, when the time is right.

That's all for now, I'll try to post more regularly in the future!
Kaycee

Christina's first trip to Walt Disney World

On November 7th, we went for our annual trip to Epcot for the food and wine festival. This is something we look forward to each year. I was worried about taking Christina out on such a long trip, but she did wonderfully.
We move around World Showcase from the right to left and enjoy foods and drinks from around the world.
My dad always loves to stop and look at the hobby trains near Germany. So we took the opportunity to get a photo of Christina and her Grandpa enjoying the train display.

And no post would be complete without a picture of Christina and my mom (Grandma), even though it's obvious that Christina wasn't into a photo op at the time.

In other news, Ruel is working really hard to help his parents come over from the Philippines. There are so many details, but we take them one at a time and work through it. We are hoping they will be able to come over sometime next year around summer. It will be great for Christina to finally meet her Grandma and Grandpa Manuel.
That's all for this week. Christina is thriving and about 3 1/2 months old. She'll be 4 months (oh my goodness!) on November 21.
Kaycee

Where did October go?

I can't believe it's October 27th already!!
We have had our 3 month (or as I said, our quarter year) birthday, taken our first road trip and continue to have so many new moments. The biggest event of course, was our road trip to VA. Fourteen hours each way and we did it in 5 days. Christina did amazinginly well. We made several stops along the way, but for being confined in a seat, facing backward for such a long time, she was a doll!

It was wonderful to see the Sandridge family. Christina got to meet cousins, 2nd cousins, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles and most importantly, she got to meet her Great Grandparents.

Christina and her cousin Levi. Christina is 3 months and Levi is 6 months!

It was cold up there! Even the locals mentioned it was a little unseasonable.
We traveled to Carter Mountain which is a pick-your-own orchard. It was very busy, but we took time to sample the apples (and the wine) and walk among the trees. Ruel and I discovered how difficult it was to manuever a full sized stroller among the apple tree rows on a mountain top. Christina didn't really like the cold, but we tried to keep her bundled up.

Saturday, a friend, Kellee and I are going to Winter Park for a Fall Family Festival and then Christina and I will sit out on the front porch to greet the many trick-or-treaters.
Happy Halloween Everyone!
Kaycee

I thought October was COOL?!?

It was 94 degrees today with a heat index of 102. It's October 7th, when do we get some relief?!?
As promised, here are some pictures of her day care.
Miss Lizette has primary care of Christina throughout the week. She is a very nice lady and Christina loves her.


Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit our friends Jen and Greg while Ruel worked on Saturday. Jen was having a fall open house for her Premier Jewelry. I just love that stuff and am having my own Bunco and catalog party at her house in November. Come one, come all!

I'm getting the impression that Christina really does like men. She was as good as gold for almost 3 hours while we were at the Norton household and I think a lot had to do with Greg holding her for the majority of the time. Ruel is already worried about when she'll start dating...

From Christina Imee Baby Pictures

I've been in the offices all week for a face to face program meeting and it has been a real eye-opener as to how hard it is to get yourself and a baby ready in the morning. Monday it took me almost 2 hours! We're learning to prepare as much as possible the night before and get into a routine. Thankfully, my company is very progressive and I'm able to work from home most of the time.
Tuesday, Ruel called while I was at dinner and said, "we reached another milestone!" He was very excited that Christina had reached up and pulled a toy on her activity gym hard enough to make it sing. Yes, dads can be just as cute as the baby!

Today though, has been long. Christina has been fighting a cold for the past several days and her runny nose has progressed to a congested chest. The daycare finally called today and recommended we get her to the pediatrician. Diagnosis: ear infection. Ugh! So, Christina is now on Amoxicillan and I'm learning the hard way that the pink stuff goes everywhere!
One last picture of my mom (grandma) and Christina in the rocking chair.

That's all for this week, more next week.

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