One more for today........

Because I cannot resist.....here's my girl in the much-talked-about swing - taking her daily 3 hour nap. *sigh* I love her so much. Our little Chunky K.


And...because I feel like he gets the shaft in all my picture AWing (attention whoring), here's our passive, loving, loyal, stoic Treble (aka Tboy) last night -cuddling with his mama. *sigh* I love our boy so much, too! (*excuse the greasy look of mine- it was a humid day and I had a hat on all day!*)


The fur kids were cuddling all close and spooning, and we went to sit Keifer in between their backs, because it really was a framer, but Tboy moved at the last minute. Poop. He gets skittish with too much "baby" around his "dance space". Poor Keifer - every picture of her with Sage, it looks like she's being licked beyond belief. LOL.

7 weeks old!

Yesterday, Keifer turned 7 weeks old (*if you go by weeks and not the actual date*). It is unbelievable to me just how fast the time is going. We spend our days getting up, (mommy is usually blurry-eyed from the early AM feeding), eating/feeding, changing diapers, going for a walk around the loop with our fur siblings before it gets too hot, swinging, swinging swinging. Yes, lots of swinging, since our little angel just doesn't like to nap in her crib during the day- she only naps for about 30 minutes tops at any given nap time if placed in there. *sigh*. Of course, that is usually when mommy tries to sneak in another nap as well, only to get about 10 minutes of that deep sleep, enough to make wrinkles on her face, before Keifer's crying gets to be too much. So down to the swing we usually go. One good thing, though, is that Keifer has been (for the last week or so, knock on lots of wood), going to bed around 10ish each night and sleeping until about 4 or 5 AM! I hope this keeps up - as our attempts at getting her on a Babywise-type 3 hour schedule (wake up, eat, play, sleep) have been trying and not going over so well. If she can start sleeping at night on her own, well then, all the power to her, as her mommy craves sleep all the time! The more, the better.

Our girl is a happy girl. She smiles every morning at daddy and mommy - and seems to really have a thing for her daddy. His funny faces and sweet cooings to her apparently have won her heart over. However, when daddy is holding her and she hears her mommy's voice, she will stop and look and listen for mommy. She cooes and "talks" all the time, usually when she's eating (*it sounds like she's saying, 'yeah, yeah'*), but especially when she is on her activity mat, looking up at her star that lights up and makes music. I call that star "Mr. Star man" because there is a smiley face on it *hee hee*. I try to sing to her as much as possible, and to read to her from her already-huge pile of books (that I cannot stop buying). I know sometimes she will listen to me or actually look at the pages, so I'm hoping that the text will sink into her little brain and get her brain neurons firing and she'll innately want to devour books as much as her mommy does (*although mommy hasn't done that in awhile, sniff sniff*). Sassy Sage continues to try and kiss our sweet girl whenever she thinks she can- especially after a particularly messy feeding -which I try to stop, of course. I'm scared that somehow she might suffocate her with all the licks! However, if our Chunky K. happens to spit up on her mat after an enduring tummy time session, I will call the fur siblings over to quickly clean it up before it soaks in (they are great cleaners!). Yes, the tummy time. She has a love/hate relationship with tummy time. She is obviously getting so much stronger each and every day, and clearly LOVES to be able to be higher and see more things, but that tummy time wears her out. Hee hee. Mommy is a task master - I make sure she tries to get on her tummy at least 2-3 times a day.

Silly Sasser

Mr. Star man, you're so funny!

Working very hard *grunt grunt* on being a strong girl

Keifer's Papa and Nana are coming down today to babysit for mama tomorrow - so mama can go into work and start packing up some stuff to be moved back to her classroom (we're moving again after a brief 2 year stint in another school while they remodeled our classrooms). Nana is on the edge, ready to fly down here now, I think. I know they'll be in awe at how BIG our girl is getting! Its always a sad goodbye when any of the grandparents leave, as they live a few hours away.

Sass wants to know what the fuss is about on this thing

Snoozing after a social day on Auntie Jilly

Get these things OFF ME! *wail*

We're leaving, on a jet plane.........

YAY! Yesterday I finally booked me and CJ's tickets for his extended family reunion this summer! His mom's family does this every 5 years, and this year it'll be in Lake Tahoe for 4 days! We are all going - should be interesting travels with a 3 month old - and then, the big ending - we'll be flying up and visiting our egg donor, Mooshie, and her family! YAY!
She'll have a newborn baby, and Maddie will be 2 1/2 years old! I'm so excited! We haven't seen them since last July, right after the embryo transfer, when they stayed with us for 12 days. It's going to be so awesome and surreal- I'm willing to bet we have hundreds of pictures and tons of dropshot videos after that trip. Keifer will get to "meet' her 1/3 siblings! AMAZING! I get teary-eyed just thinking about it!

Mommy brain - and a whoopsy story

"Mommy brain" has officially set in. CJ always used to caution me about watching where I walked when I was PG, because I used to *well, I still do*, trip on the dogs' bones, or toys. I've been known to almost stumble down the stairs, and he is freaked that I'll trip carrying Keifer (no worries, I''m extra careful). When I was newly PG ,and had morning sickness, I was known to sometimes pour orange juice over my cereal instead of the milk, or put things in the fridge that should really be put in the cupboard.
So it was a fun little giggle the other night, when I went to strip the sheets to make way for a clean pair. There, underneath the sheets we had been sleeping on for a week, were the pair from before, never taken off before the other pair was put on. I yelled downstairs to CJ, wondering if it was him that had put the sheets on over the older pair? Nope. *Blush*. It was me -- I had made the bed myself last time with no help, while CJ was at softball. It was definitely not my proudest moment, but wow, did we have a good laugh over it. Hee hee. I think this is what some people call "mommy brain". The chemically induced crazies.

Changing our little Chunky K's diapers have been an adventure, too. Not only is she continually super dramatic as she does her business, but she sometimes will take us off guard: just when we think she is done, she'll let out another low grunt and suddenly a little stream of poo will just fly on out. LOL. It is gross to imagine, but quite hilarious. CJ got caught tonight by the surprise, so not only did he barely catch the excess poo that flew out, but while he was wiping her leg off that she had kicked into the poo (because boy, oh boy, this girl is a KICKY girl), she started peeing as well. She completely soaked the blanket we have underneath her on the Pack & Play changer. Hee Hee. Such is the life in the adventures with K.

The love in a family

OK. *grimace* The following pictures I'm about to share with you -well, I'm not really fond of them. They are me looking my absolute worst - ever. They are of me, exactly 2 hours after giving birth via the C-section - after 9 + hours of labor and the emergency C-section, and lots of tears, vomiting, pain, lots of meds, 2 epidurals, and finally, the joy of meeting my precious girl. I'm bloated beyond belief and looking like almost death - so pale, chubby, and just flat-out "out of it". But - they accompany the story I just learned of last night - when CJ, Keifer and I were at Corey and Jill's and Jill shared the story of our niece Abby with us.

Apparently, a few weeks after Keifer was born and Abby had visited us that same night in the hospital - she was given an assignment in her Kindergarten class. The children were each given a paper star and they were told, if they had one wish in the world, what would that wish be, and they were to practice their new writing skills and write it out on the star. Abby, our dear Abby, wrote:

"I wish my Auntie Carrie didn't have to get cut open".

I know. I'm imagining you are oohing and ahhing, and saying, "oh my, what a sweet child", while at the same time wondering what the dickens a 5 year old girl knows about her auntie getting CUT OPEN!
Well, CJ videotaped the C-section of Keifer coming out - and although there are no visuals of the cutting or any type of blood -only of Keifer coming out - this precocious 5 year old was alert and aware enough of understanding that Keifer came out of her Auntie's tummy, through the big incision she had seen her Auntie showing her mommy. She also saw her Auntie after the C-section, as you can see in pictures, and I remember her being uncharacteristically quiet while near me - me, with the bloated face and eyes, pale skin, and IVs going into my arms, along with the catheter peeking out from under the sheets. She had no idea what her Auntie had just gone through - but she knew her Auntie hadn't had an easy time, and she was most likely freaked out by the gear and tubes her auntie had attached to her.
I remember that night, Abby had taken the arm with my IVs in it, and told me "Auntie, you look pretty", and then kissed my arm. We all know I was not a pretty sight, but the loving gesture makes my heart swell with love for this gorgeous 5 year old who is wise beyond her years. *sigh*.

I wonder if I'm growing.....ahh, yes, I am!

Keifer is making us swoon more and more each day. She is beginning to smile upon seeing us for the first time, and loves to sit forever and just watch us talk to her and make those ridiculous baby faces and stupid noises! Hey, if it makes her smile, so be it, I'll be the dorky mom (I already had the dorky status, being a teacher of 3 year olds! LOL). Our hearts are bursting with love for this girl, who is already outgrowing her 0-3 month clothes! YIKES!

We're going to spend the weekend going through more of her piles of clothes and sadly, packing up the things that don't fit. Unbelievably, something (like, say a sleeper) that fit her only 4-5 days ago, might be too SMALL today! Crazy! But she is starting to eat more - sometimes up to 6 ounces, and it is apparent. CJ and I like to jokingly refer to her as our "Chunky K". Of course, its meant with the utmost affection!

She continues to NOT prefer to take a bath -even when we use the mesh sling to prevent her from slipping or getting too wet. She makes her little scared noises, which breaks my heart. We've been able to start reading more books to her, and she seems to enjoy listening to our voices. I found a couple more Roger Priddy books (*blush, I'm addicted*) which I LOVE, and I'm hoping she feels the same way once she realizes that I'm reading to her. The pictures are awesome, and the text is simple and rhyming.

CJ and I might have our first date night this weekend -possibly. Its been 6 weeks of no alone time for mommy and daddy together, and mommy is ready for a date night! I think we'll go see Johnny and Orlando swashbuckling through their third movie! Auntie Jill is actually BEGGING us to go out alone, so she can have Keifer all to herself for a few hours (well, she'll actually have Abby to contend with, as Abby and Jill have a competition as to who gets to hold Keifer the most!) It is really great that they are fighting to be with her! So much love! *big smiles*


Its hard to believe our girl was 6 weeks old already this week. I can't imagine having to go back to work next week and my heart aches for people who do have to go back to work right away, or after their 6 week leave. I'm already dreading August when I go back to work! For now, I focus on all the amazing things our girl is doing everyday...............

Keifer and her new pal, Holland - "Chums for life?"

Before I had Keifer, I posted about my friend Julie's now-3 year old daughter, Holland, who was obsessed with baby Keifer inside my belly. She was obsessed with her because she now is beginning to understand the reality of a baby can be inside a "mommy" and then comes out and is the baby. Well, last week when I was home visiting, Holland and Keifer had their first (of hopefully many) face-to-face meetings! Holland was over the moon excited to meet Keifer and was a very animated, dramatic friend. She was oohing and ahhing over Keifer, called her her little "chum" (*LOL*), and captivated my parents with her astounding vocabulary and lack of shyness. She and my mom were best buds by the end of the visit - having raided Keifer's bookshelf and having asked ten million questions about everything in the parameter of herself. I even got a great video clip of Holland reading " Peek -a - Boo Baby" to Keifer.

Last night, poor Holland was visited by the NUK fairy -the fairy that comes to bigger girls and takes their NUKS away (leaving a gift in place), and brings those NUKS to the new babies of the world. Apparently it was a rough go of it for poor Holland, but she was comforted somewhat by the idea that "baby Keifer" would be getting her favorite Mickey Mouse NUK. *sigh*. What a doll. Enjoy the pics.

Meeting her newest friend

My parents w/their new buddyGetting to know Treble - who was 'on guard" for baby duty
Even Sager was read to!

Checking on Keifer's eating status

Kisses goodbye

Keifer had her first out of town visit!

Keifer and I arrived home on Saturday afternoon, with the fur kids in tow. She did wonderful on the drive to and from my parents house - she slept the entire time, and woke up both ways with only 5 minutes left in the drive.
She got to meet her extended family and when you say "manhandled", well, she was! Literally! She got to meet MY Papa and Grandma on Wednesday, and they were both thrilled to pieces to meet her. My Papa actually sang to her in Polish (dropshots to come later), and was talking and cooing to her until she got fussy. Thursday was my birthday, and she got to meet some more friends - including Miss Holland, whom I'll make another post on soon! We went out to eat at my favorite place, and then came back home to have a "cake and ice cream/meet Keifer party". It was so much fun and she was passed around like crazy.

I think the highlight was watching CJ and I's goddaugher - my cousin's daughter Aubrie - meet Keifer. From the minute she walked in the front door, all she could think about was "baby baby baby!". She wanted to help swing the baby, help read to the baby (holding the book up for her to look at all the pages), help wipe the baby's bottom (because she wipes her own dollies bottoms!), and kiss her. She also tried lifting Keifer up, but we put the kibosh on that! LOL.
Friday was a bit more relaxing, we only met one of mommy's friends that day - and then we took a sweaty walk with the furkids. We came back home Saturday AM and boy, was Daddy overjoyed to see us all again - especially Keif!

All sweaty under my hat in the Ergo carrier

Aubrie has a blast meeting KeiferHelping wipe the baby bottom-- "Baby POOP, baby POOP!"
Well, hello you red thing! Who is THIS? ELMO??Mommy's favorite: 2 paws and 2 feet: best pals!
meeting my great-grandpa for the 1st time and great-grandma Gina

4 generations
meeting my other great-grandma

guess what? I smile & coo a LOT now!

big blue eyes, like my daddy!
thanks for looking!

What did I do my first Mother's Day?

Keifer says "ohhh, it was my mommy's first Mother's Day - an event that she was honored and ever-so-grateful to experience!".

Wow; what a great weekend we had! My parents came down Saturday and we enjoyed a dinner out at the Roadhouse - where we all stared at Miss K. until she fussed. LOL. Then my mom and I went downtown to see "Champions on Ice" skating show - it was so fun! Pure entertainment, we both really enjoyed it.

Mother's Day morning, I was able to sleep in! YAY! Then I woke up, and came downstairs to a vase of beautiful yellow tulips (my favorite flower), and CJ had 2 cards for me: one from the fur kids and one from Miss K. His gift to me was a spa package! WHOA! I get to experience a 4 hour luxury afternoon getting a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure! WHOA WHOA! It is also my birthday present and gift for having Keifer. Wow. Talk about being blown away. Then, my parents also had a gift - a 14K gold mother/child pendant necklace. It's beautiful and I can hardly believe I get to wear one!

That afternoon, after my parents left for home, CJ and I packed up and hit an outlet mall so mommy could buy some new summer clothes that don't involve a maternity panel! I was able to find a pair of jeans, capris, and shorts that actually button and zip!YAY! And a ton of shirts and tanks (at Old Navy outlet, cheap and cute!) and at the Gap outlet (where I got to burn through a gift card!). I was so relieved to come home and actually have options of something to wear instead of my maternity clothes. I've lost 30 pounds, but the last 15 are a bugger and I haven't been able to do much more than walk yet.

I'll be MIA for a few more days- it's been a whirlwind lately. Yesterday, I took Keif to meet one of my class of boys at work, and two of the moms. Then we had pie for "lunch dessert" at my workplace in honor of my birthday on Thursday. *sigh, so sweet*. Last night I had a massage already scheduled, and it was pure heaven on earth. Oye, did I need it. My back is a mess.
This AM, I had my hair cut and colored, and did a little clearance shopping for a pair of jeans for my miss K. and tonight I have a class at school/work; it'll be my last one for the year.

Tomorrow I leave in the AM for Duluth and will be up there until Saturday. So that's my story and if you need to get a hold of me - CALL! :)

Abby carried my "baby doll" in my sling, and took care of her because her mom wouldn't share Keifer with her! LOL

Abby & Uncle love on Keifer

Big cousin is still very much in love with her baby cousin

Gooey Butter Cake

Recipe! From Erin on my online board! YUMMY STUFF! WOW!
(don't go overboard on the almond extract )- -*blush* I did and whoa, too much for me, but wowza, too die for cake!

Gooey Butter Cake -

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter1 box yellow cake mix3 eggs1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese1/2 t almond extract4 cups of confectioners' sugar

Procedure
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease one 9x13 cake pan. Melt butter. Empty cake mix into a large bowl. Stir melted butter, along with one egg, into the cake mix. Press mixture into pan. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, almond extract, confectioners sugar and the remaining two eggs. Beat for three minutes with an electric mixer set on medium high speed. Spread over top of the cake mixture in the pan. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes until golden brown on top. Allow cake to cool. Dust the top with confectioners sugar. (Cake will be gooey on the top, so don't overbake!)

Happy ONE MONTH to Keifer!

Here's Keifer's one month photo shoot! She wasn't too keen on it,but we shook our Red-nosed Whoozit at her and she seemed to like that -- until she lost interest and realized her FINGERS might taste better than anything at all (see last picture of her photo shoot).

One month ago today I labored and had my baby angel. Its hard to believe that this month went by in such a blur - it's amazing to me and yet scary - scary that the time goes TOO fast and soon she'll be growing so fast and we won't have our child who stays in one place! LOL. I also do not even want to THINK about having to go back to work in August - the thought of it breaks my heart.

Keifer is starting to become SO alert and will track things with her eyes. She clearly listens when you talk, and I made the mistake of having MTV videos on while she was in her swing the other day - she completely turned her head to watch and listen! She does love her music - if she seems fussy and nothing works, I still put on a variety of music and dance with her. She loves her musical options on the chairs and swing, and loves to be held and rocked and cuddled. She is doing so -so at night - its very inconsistent about any type of sleeping schedule, but we'll get there. We have some time, right? She varies on how much she'll eat - anywhere from 2 to 5 ounces in a sitting. She clearly has gained weight - as you can see in the post comparing her to Christian!

I'm excited that this will be my first official "Mother's Day" to celebrate as a mommy to a "human" child (as opposed to my fur kids). I'm looking forward to celebrating it for years to come, but in the back of my mind, I still remember and pray for all the mommies in the world who desperately want to be a mommy and haven't been able to achieve that. I can remember all too clearly the past few years of heartache and sadness about this particular holiday. It hurts, very deep and its very hard to act like nothing is wrong if you happen to be around family or friends. So try to remember if you have family or friends, if they have no children and you're not sure if they're trying or not to have children, to try and be empathetic to that fact. Who knows, that woman may be dying inside about the question, "so, when are you guys gonna have one?".

Here's my sweet angel girl in all her glory!

Hangin' out in my infant chair while mommy bakes a cake in my honor! (*notice my trustworthy bodyguard, Tboy, in the background*). I like to sit in these chairs that move and shake!

Is that ALMOST a smile? Its almost time for "real" social smiling, right?