Nachos, Beer & Baby Talk

This weekend we threw a couples diapers and wipes party for my sister and brother in law for their newest addition to their family, baby girl Jones! We all do the same thing, where we tell the gender but not the name. Alisha will be having a scheduled cesarean section at the end of the month so soon enough we will get to meet the lil princess and find out her name! 

We had a nacho bar with all the fixins and of course some Carol Jones strawberry cupcakes! We had a great turn out and I think everyone had a good time. I love that times have changed and there are more options, rather than a traditional baby shower, and the men can be involved! Brooke, my oldest sister, and I had asked Alisha and Matt what they wanted to do for their newest addition and they said they wanted to get all of their favorite people together and celebrate before the baby arrives, so that's exactly what we did! Unfortunately I failed yet again and didn't take any pictures! However, after asking my sisters we were able to come up with two pictures, between the three of us, so pathetic! 

A pinterest find!

Clayton and Lettie! When I put Lettie on his lap he said, "Lettie is a BIG baby now!" haha

2 Months Old

It wasn't until I took this picture and I compared it to her one month picture that I realized how much she has grown! Lettie is still in size 1 diapers and we are getting into her 3-6 month clothes because she is so long! Lettie girl continues to sleep through the night and doing well at daycare. I am thinking about moving her into her room next weekend... so stay tuned! 

We went and saw Dr. Boe and Ms Lettie is hitting every milestone! When Dr. Boe looked at her weight at her 2 week appointment compared to her 2 month appointment,  he saw she has gained 4 pounds and his response was "Strong work!" It made me giggle. I will have to say it's pretty cool to know that all of her weight gain and nutrition has come from me! (That's the nurse nerd in me!) Lettie also had to get some vaccines, 3 shots and 1 oral :( but she handled it well. We didn't notice any side effects from the vaccines other than she was a little more sleepy than normal. 

Lettie's Measurement

Height: 22 3/4 in = 56th percentile

Weight: 11 lb 14 oz = 60th percentile

Head Circumference: 15 1/2 in = 79th percentile

Workin Momma

Well Lettie and I officially made it through my first week back at work! I am 99.9% sure it was harder for me than it was for her, haha. Monday was definitely the hardest day and of course we were running behind at work and I didn't pick up Lettie until 5:30!  She was the last kid to be picked up (great I'm already that MOM) but we got through it and the babysitter said she did great! Lettie did not have any problems taking a bottle at daycare and the babysitter keeps telling me how wonderful of a baby she is, which I wont lie is really nice to hear. However, Ms. Lettie was in a different outfit every night I picked her up, other than one! I have tried to tell her that these blowouts are not lady like but she apparently has her own opinion! ;) She also continued to sleep through the night this week even with the change of routine! I'm thinking next weekend I am gonna try moving her into her room!

I love how smiley my baby is and it makes dropping her off at daycare and picking her up from daycare that much easier because I know she being taken care of! Here are some pictures from our tough week... ;)

5 Weeks Old

I can't believe my baby is 5 weeks old, I am not sure where the time has gone. Breastfeeding is going great and we have really gotten the hang of things by this point. I call her the milk monster because I am not sure where all of it goes but she sure loves to eat. She is growing like a weed and is finally into her 0 - 3 month clothes and she has graduated into size 1 diapers. She is getting more smiley every day and is awake for longer periods of time. She truly is the happiest baby and (knock on wood) a great sleeper! For the last week she has slept through the night so I hope that continues! Since I am home alone for 5 days out of the week the fact that she is sleeping so well makes me one happy momma! 

Ms. Lettie is sure getting a personality!!! :) 

One Month Old

Stitch is my teddy bear from childhood and I thought it would be fun to use him in all of her monthly pictures to show her growth! Now I know I am biased but I just can't get over how beautiful my baby girl is! 

Two Weeks Old

Another doctors appointment and Ms. Lettie is almost back up to her birth weight, which is right where she should be! My milk came in when she was 3 days old which was a relief. I did break down and supplemented once with formula, it was on the third night and she just couldn't be consoled but once she ate she was as happy as a clam and went right to sleep! 

I also learned at this appointment that babies who are solely breastfed need a vitamin D supplement because it's the only vitamin that isn't transferred through breastmilk. So we picked up concentrated Vitamin D drops and she will get 400 iu per day.  I love learning new things! 

She eats every 2 - 4 hours during the day but sleeps about 4-5 hours at night gets up to eat and then goes back to sleep for another 2-4 hours. She is a good little sleeper already so I know I'm a lucky momma in that aspect. She is easily consoled and loves to snuggle with mommy and daddy. 

Her measurements: (I think the CNA wrote down the percentiles wrong :( but I will share what I was given)

Height: 20 in = 49th percentile

Weight: 7lb 5oz = 29th percentile

Head Circumference: 14.25 in = 87th percentile 

Reality

Well my baby is a little over a week old and my husband has gone back to work. As I have mentioned before he is an over the road truck driver, meaning when he leaves the house "to go to work" he doesn't come home until all of his "loads are delivered" which is usually about 5 days. This has always been his career and it is to no surprise to me but on this day I am feeling mad. I am mad that the father to my baby doesn't get to see her grow every day, I am mad that this is the life we live and I am also mad at the people who take it for granted. (Just to clarify... this is a new momma ranting and and I may not agree with what I am saying tomorrow but for today I have to get it out.) I just wish we had a "normal" life. I wish we both had 9-5 jobs and we got to all three be home together every night but that just isn't in the cards for us right now and I hate it. 

Ya know, I do consider myself to be a strong women. Someone who can do it all. But I know with what I am taking on... full time job, part time graduate school and single motherhood 5 days out of the week... I am going to have to ask for help, and I HATE asking for help! That is probably going to be my biggest feat in all of this. I also hate for feeling the way that I do because I know it is just as hard for my husband to be out on the road. Today I just feel like life isn't always fair but...

 what I do know is that I have a BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY BABY GIRL and that in itself is enough for me :) 

We miss you Daddy