End of Maternity Leave

Six Weeks Old

Elaine started smiling this past week.  Her favorite time to give me lots of smiles is early in the morning (when I'm trying to get her to go back to sleep so I can get just another hour or two).  What a glorious sight to wake up to! Watch a video!

We all went out together to do our Christmas shopping Friday (Mike had off from work).  We were out from around 1:00pm until 6:30pm. Elaine slept almost the whole time and only needed to eat once, which we did in the car.  We got almost all the gifts we needed - Mike ran out later for a few we had left.  It was a really fun day.  Several of the stores we went to were small, local businesses, which was nice, because I think they're more likely to have unique gifts.  I'd much rather give them our business.

In other news...Mike's car is at the mechanic getting inspected and a few minor repairs.  We got our Christmas tree - sort of.  It's just a tree that blew over at our friend's property.

Mommy wisdom I've acquired

Unconditional love is wiping chunky spit up off your baby's face before washing it off your skin and out of your hair (or in Mike's case, before wiping it off your Steelers shirt).

If you thought you were done laughing at flatulence noises, you would be incorrect.

Motherhood is deciding what to do with myself after setting the baby down, not knowing how much time she will allow me.  Should I use the bathroom first? Or get more water?  I could also use some food, as I think I didn't get to have breakfast.  When was the last time I showered again?

There are some things that are just impossible to do with one hand, such as opening child-proof medicine bottles (especially the prescription bottles) and clipping coupons.

A sure way to get the baby to cry is to set a plate of food down in front of you.

Here comes the bride - OMG what a cute baby!

The wedding Mass

Elaine made her first public appearance at our friends' wedding yesterday at five weeks old.  She fussed all morning, then slept through the entire ceremony - thankfully!  At the reception, she was awake almost the entire time, only dozing off a handful of times for a few minutes.  So her only nap was the three hours on the way to the church and through Mass.  When we got home, she slept seven hours straight!  She was so well behaved at the reception, she loved looking around at all the lights, decorations and new faces.  So many people came up to see her and hold her.  Everyone was so helpful, offering to hold her while I ate or get food and water for me.

Mr. and Mrs. Deo

We had one unfortunate moment at the reception....a complete diaper blowout.  Somehow the extra outfits didn't make it into the diaper bag I took that night.  But I kept my calm, used baby wipes to get rid of all the yucky stuff and let it dry.  No problem.  No one holding her could tell. ;)

My handsome date

Passed out at the reception

Some members of our young adult faith group

Early morning face

Chubby cheeks

This morning we went to Mass together as a family for the first time since she was born.  She finished her bottle, then needed a little more from Mommy to satisfy her big belly.  Otherwise she was an angel.  This week I have my six week doctor's appointment.  I have to go back to work one week from tomorrow. :(  I haven't done any Christmas shopping at all, although I have a list of specific items to get and stores to hit.  I will either have to send Mike out or figure out how to do it myself.  We'll see!  I did bring out our Christmas decorations and set some of them out.  I hope we can get our tree soon - we won't have time today I don't think.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

One Month Old

I can't believe it's been one month since she came into the world.  What was life like without her?  She has already changed so much - she's making new sounds and expressions, has slightly longer awake periods, and doesn't nurse every 30-60min (thank goodness).  She had outgrown her newborn clothes in her fourth week and is now filling out the length of her 0-3mo. outfits.  I snapped these pictures just before bed.

Today she had her one month doctor appointment.  She weighed in at 9lb. 11oz. (in the 50th-75th percentile) and measured 22.5in in length (in the 90th percentile).  Overall everything looks great with her and she's perfectly healthy.  She was very content at the office and didn't cry until she got her shot, when she wailed a few times, then happily went back to nursing.  We go back in one month.

When we got home, we went for a 40 minute walk.  She loved it - I don't know if I've ever seen her sleep so soundly.  The carrier Aunt Lina gave us was really cool.  The weather was beautiful with temperature in the 60's.

This past weekend, Mom and Dad Muckian came to visit us.  They came Saturday around lunch and spent the afternoon cuddling Elaine.  She was really good for them and was very spoiled the whole weekend.   Mike and his dad went to the furniture store and we purchased our new bed!  I'm so excited.  It's being delivered tomorrow.  That night Mike threw together a delicious, healthy dinner and we hung around the apartment.  Sunday we split up and went to Mass.  Elaine got to visit a little bit more with Grandma and Grandpa then they had to go home.  In a few more weeks we'll see them in Pittsburgh for Christmas!

Last week I spent two days over at Mom and Dad Mischinski's where I visited with them, Kelly and Mark.  It was nice to get out of the house and have some company.  I always enjoy just sitting around with my family.  Mark is so big!  And he's very demanding of entertainment. ;) We all had a workout session together, one of my first since the delivery.  I'm still around 15lb. over my weight before the pregnancy, so I'm trying to eat healthy and exercise to get back to it - and to keep baby healthy.

Here are a few other pics I got last week - Kelly took some photos while we were there, but I didn't get a copy of them.

Aaand the passed-out-after-nursing picture

Mike had a business trip to Boston last week.  His company rented a van and drove up to have a meeting with a client.  They also stopped at one of the offices of the company that is acquiring them to meet some of the new people.

This weekend we are going to the wedding of a couple we met through church.  Our doctor approved us to take Elaine in public, so we're going to try!

Thanksgiving

Mom set a lovely table

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad Mischinski's.  On the menu was a 17lb. grilled turkey, Gammy's stuffing, Mike's Irish mashed potatoes, Mom's gravy, Mike's cranberry sauce, peas, and rolls.  For dessert, we had Mike's vanilla bean cheesecake - the best I've ever had.

The preparations

We had a relaxing day cooking, watching football, and of course snuggling the baby.  The weather was beautiful with a high of 55F so we even got to enjoy some time outside.

Elaine was in someone's arm's most of the day,
but she did sleep a  little bit in the bassinet

She loved sleeping on Pop-pop...

 

...and on Grandmom

This weekend we stayed home and had family time.  Saturday we had our family portrait taken for our church directory.  Elaine cried through the whole thing - she just needed to sleep.

Our portrait outfits

 

Watching football with Daddy

Three weeks (and one day) old