5 Months

Veda Belle has been rockin' our world for FIVE whole months now! I can hardly even remember life without her, she really completes us.  We wasted so much time sleeping before she made her debut, I feel like we are so much more productive now that we have a little one depending on us.  That being said, lets get to it...

  

Routine/Schedule: I'm all about routine and nothing huge has changed since day one really.  We are still on a three hour schedule of eat-play-sleep-repeat.  One major change has been me going back to work.  I returned to work, on day shift, this last week.  It's been an adjustment for all of us, that's for sure! Veda is currently taking advantage of her daddy because she's got him wrapped around her little finger and she knows it! It's nice that Brett can stay home with her the three days I work and then I can spend time with her/her and Brett on my days off.  Brett and I can compare and exchange notes in order to make us better parents and a better team.  

I'm a happy girl!

Feeding: She is usually/supposed to eat every three hours.  However, when mommy is at work, she 'screams like she's dying' after 2.5 hours, so sometimes daddy has to feed her a little early.  This is just one of the things she's doing to take advantage of him, but he knows now and has been able to distract her to stay on schedule.  Don't worry peeps, she is not starving.  

The cool new bib my Uncle Cory got me!

Sleeping:  Well, as you may remember, I was debating on getting a larger swaddle vs. trying out the sleep sack.  We decided to try out the sleep sack, for a week... she would not sleep through the night so I put her back in her *too small* swaddle and she went back to sleeping 8-10 hours/night.  I ordered a larger swaddle and that's what we're currently using.  It's still an adjustment for her.  Every time we introduce something new, it usually takes her a couple of days to fully adjust.  This swaddle allows her to move her hands up to her chest (rather than by her side) and she seems to get confused as to why she can't get her hands to her mouth.  Then she gets mad and fusses until we *GASP* give her her pacifier.  Yes, she finally understands the pacifier!!! She does not get it all the time, just with sleeping.  I do not want her to have a paci forever, but it will come in handy in restaurants and whatnot.  

Napping is getting better!  I can now sit and rock with her (with the pacifier) and she'll drift off.  It's great! We also have set up a little 'nest' utilizing her boppy so we can put her down while she sleeps (not always for a long period of time, but enough to switch the laundry, do some dishes, etc).  If she wakes up from her nap before I think she should, she'll usually go back to sleep when I give her the paci and shush her a bit. 

Trying out the sleep sack... and taking over mommy & daddy's bed

Stats: We don't have an MD appointment until next month, but at my Breastfeeding Support group, she weighed in at 14lb 9oz.  She's growing and getting that round face and chubby thighs that just kill me! 

She's able to wear her 3 month clothes still, along with 3-6 month and I'm beginning to transition her into some 6 month clothes.  

Struggles: I shouldn't consider it a struggle, but it would be nice if she'd sleep through the night again.  She only seems to wake up the nights when I have to work the next day... silly girl! 

Speaking of work... yeah so I'm back at work, 3 days a week.  It's actually not that bad.  I was pleasantly surprised that my brain came back pretty quickly! Since I've been on maternity leave, our hospital has (finally) gotten computerized charting, so I'm real behind on that and have to take a class next week.  The hardest part, aside from the obvious - missing my family, is pumping.  It takes a long time to set everything up, pump, clean everything and put it away.  I feel guilty taking the time to do it, especially when my coworkers are busy... but I don't plan to stop breastfeeding any time soon, so I'd better just get used to it and keep pumpin' away.  

Also, I think Brett finally realizes why I'm always so sleepy and ready for bed early.  He had her three days this last week and this is the first time in eight years where I've seen him voluntarily go to bed at 9 or 10:30PM!  He's so entertaining to Veda, she must be wearing him out!

Milestones:  She has grown so much in the last month! I'm so impressed by her! She is such a smiler/flirt now.  She can hold her head up, she still bobs a little, but for the most part is pretty steady.  We've been working with her in the bumbo chair to build her core strength.  She also puts weight on her legs when held up, which is new, she was a wet noodle before! She is now a fan of tummy time and I swear this will be the month she rolls over... she looks like she wants to crawl and she somehow manages to get all over her crib at night - while swaddled! 

Sitting up in my bumbo like a big girl. 

Putting a little weight on my legs!

Adventures: We went to the Getty Villa in Malibu for my birthday at the beginning of last month.  We went with our good friends and their little boy.  It was our first time going and I had been wanting to go for a while.  It is much smaller than the Getty Center and didn't seem to take too long to get through it.  It has stunning views and I'm glad we went, but if I'm being honest, I didn't think it was the greatest thing ever.  

We had our biggest adventure to date this month, too.  I really wanted to get Veda home to meet my grandma Grace.  She has Alzhiemer's and I'm always worrying about her health.  I know she and Veda will never remember that they met, but it meant something to me to get her home ... so off to Iowa we went.  We took a redeye with a pit stop in Dallas, TX.  I was so nervous the night of the flight, I was pacing back and forth and what do you know? Veda is a natural born traveler.  Really... she did great! She met all of my brothers for the first time and my sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.  She also met some of my aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  She was such a little ham, smiling at everyone who held her.  She was a little trooper! 

Layover in Dallas, TX

Daddy's girl, in the airplane

Heading back home after a fun trip in Iowa. 

Hanging out with one of her cousins, Hunter

Meeting my new friend, Alice.  Thanks for making the trek ladies!

Realizations:  I guess I realize that going back to work isn't so bad.  I definitely had an 'aha' moment at work the other day though.  I've recently talked to two women who got pregnant after their first child was 4 months old.  I thought to myself, that would be hard to have back to back pregnancies, but it wouldn't be that bad.  Veda is a little angel, we could totally handle another one already... That is, until I went back to work and sitting in the restroom, suddenly remembered how hard it was to work when I was hugely pregnant, and then thought about having to go home and be hugely pregnant and take care of an infant.  So I ate an entire package of birth control pills... kidding, but seriously... um baby numero dos will have to wait!

Just chillin'

How we (the parents) are doing:  I think we are doing fantastic.  We're adjusting to all the changes that we are faced with quite well.  Brett is impatiently waiting for his career to finally blow up (its happening, this stuff takes time).  We're in a good place right now.  

Really enjoying my days off!

Looking forward to: I think this week we are going to take Veda to the neighborhood pool and introduce her to the water! I'm really pumped about it! Oh, and next weekend I have a four day weekend, so that should be fun!

And in case you forgot... I was trying to think of a cute way to capture her growth over the next year, so what I've decided is this: I bought a dress that's size 12 Months and I plan to put her in it every month until it fits.

... these photos coming soon ...

4 Months

Another month has come and gone and my tiny newborn is now four months old! I really can't believe it. Time is flying and she's changed our lives in so many ways - all for the better!

Looking like Great Grandma Margaret (which is
where her middle name 'Belle' comes from)

So sleepy after a fun filled day on mommy's 30th birthday!

Routine/Schedule: Our routine is still the same, we're on a three hour schedule.  I know it's not for everyone, but I am SO GLAD that we started this from day one. I am convinced this is the reason she sleeps through the night (up to TEN hours some nights!!).  I plan to do the same thing with any/all kids that we have.  I crave routine, babies crave routine, it just works for us!

Our sleepy head.  She usually spends the last few hours of her
sleepy time in our bed.  If she sleeps til 6, I feed her and then keep
her with us until 9 am when she wakes up for the day. 

Feeding: Miss V still gets fed every three hours.  I was planning to space the feedings out to every four hours, but to meet her needs I've actually had to sometimes feed her after only two or two and a half hours. Maybe she's just increasing my supply.  

She's a really good little feeder now, we have no latch issues anymore.  Thank goodness! She also used to be quite the dawdler and take up to 30 minutes on each side! Every time she ate I had to plant myself in one spot for an hour giving me two hours of free time between feedings, which really meant one hour since she also wanted to nap on me.  She's dropped down to 10-20 minutes per side, I am so thankful!

Our pediatrician said that we can now begin to give her veggies (either baby food or pureed) and water via bottle.  I'm not too sure yet.  He said some babies won't really get the hang of swallowing until six months, but honestly, I'd rather just keep her on strictly breastmilk until six months, which I'm pretty sure is what the AAP recommends.  I'll entertain the idea of water since it gets really hot and I don't want her to get dehydrated. It would also be easy if we should fly somewhere, I could give her a bottle of water during take off and landing.

Daddy trying to get a burp out of this little bug!

Sleeping:  She still sleeps through the night, by some miracle! I'm sure that'll change when teething begins, but I sure hope not.  Right now my great debate is whether or not to continue swaddling her.  She sleeps so well with it, I don't want to ruin a good thing.  However, she is outgrowing her swaddles so I'm undecided on whether or not I should buy a bigger one or just transition her to the sleep sack.  I think her arms will still go wild and wake her up, I guess I'll just have to try it and find out.  

Her napping could still use some improvement.  She typically sleeps 10-30 minutes for every three hours of wake time.  It really should be at least an hour, but since she sleeps all night, I won't complain.

Sleeping in the Moby!

Nap time... on daddy, because she can't sleep during the day
unless she is on someone!

Stats: At her last checkup (last week) she weighed in at 12 pounds 10 ounces and is now 23.5 inches long.  She's growing well!  She got her shots that day, too.  She tolerates them pretty well.  Of course she cries a bit but then she just gets sleepy.  She doesn't really become cranky for the day, just naps more than usual (probably the normal amount that she should be!).
She can still fit in to some 0-3 month clothes and sometimes wears 3-6 months.  She seams to be pretty on target with her age/size.

Think Spring!

Struggles: We really haven't had any issues, for the second month in a row! Woot! Woot! I am in denial a bit that I turned thirty over the weekend.  Whatever, my mom told me that my thirties would likely be the best years of my life and I couldn't agree more! 

I'm also a little concerned about returning to work as its fast approaching.  I'm set to return (to day shift) the first week of June. I'm nervous about switching to days because it is very different, however I know I'll get an appropriate amount of orientation before they set me free again :) I'm hoping to get on an every other day schedule in the beginning so that my milk supply can sustain.  I may decide that I'm not a big fan of that, we'll just have to see.  

I also plan to start looking into nannies/sitters for last minute situation if they should arise.  For example, if Brett gets a meeting or an audition that he must attend and I can't get the day switched.  I'm sure that'll be a stressful process.

Still making silly faces :)

Starting to show interest in Sophie!

Milestones:  She finally smiles with a purpose! Oh, it melts my heart every time! She's so darn adorable (maybe I'm biased, but seriously, look at that face!). She's also starting to giggle a little bit.  It's just a tiny little chuckle.  She must be saving the big one for something really impressive ;) She's also cooing up a storm.  She just talks and talks... I'm sure she inherited that from her daddy! 

When she does tummy time she looks like she may try to roll over one of these days, which means I can't leave her unattended on the couch/ottoman/changing pad like I've been doing! She also puts a little weight on her legs like she's trying to stand and holds her head a little better each day.

Adventures:  We've had a pretty uneventful month.  Oh, that's not completely true I guess.  We escaped LaLa Land for a few days to celebrate our anniversary (8 together, 1 married).  We drove up the coast to Pismo Beach, where we were married.  We honestly just relaxed.  Did a little wine tasting, ate great food and saw a few of friends from the area.  We had hoped to see more, but we never left Pismo/SLO.  We also had some professional photos taken of Veda by our wedding photographers, Marcia & Michael who so graciously volunteered to do it! We absolutely love them! Of course, Veda wouldn't give us even ONE smile... little turd!

We've also been on a bajillion walks, which is nothing new, but it is pretty cute to watch her look all around at the trees.  I feel like the only other places she's been is to doctors and dental visits! We rode along with daddy to an audition in Santa Monica and I regretted every second of the crappy traffic on the way back... I've gotten pretty used to just hanging in/around the neighborhood. 

Just chillin' with mama

In the exact spot we were married - one year later.  A lot has changed in that year!

I guess we did also have a couple of play dates.  We visited one of my former coworkers and her daughter one day and went to a local park to meet up with a bunch of new moms for a picnic.  We also attended one breastfeeding group so I could see how much she takes in (about 4.5 oz).  We'll probably go back to that closer to the time I return to work so I know how much she should get via bottles for daddy. 

There is a nearby pool that we've been patiently waiting to finish getting remodeled and it should be done this summer, I'm so excited to take Veda swimming to find out if she's a little water baby like her parents.  I'm hoping we'll find out she inherited my skin tone rather than her daddy's because I don't want her to burn!

Celebrating our anniversary with our new addition

Realizations:  Brett and I are a pretty great team!  I've been pleasantly surprised at how well we're able to adapt to each new challenge.  Of course we argue because he's not doing everything exactly the way I want it done and vice versa but, in the end, that's what will make Veda a well rounded individual.  Brett and I are complete opposites, but that's why it works for us.  We're having so much fun being parents! 

About 3 weeks old, look how much she has grown!
Heartbreaking & exciting all at the same time.
4 Months old below

How we (the parents) are doing:  No complaints over here!  I mentioned I interviewed for a new position last month.  In case you missed the post about it, I applied to be the charge nurse at night, however, I've decided that night shift will not be best for our family, so I am instead switching to day shift in the same unit.  

I am so excited about Brett's career right now.  Obviously, I've always believed in him... I moved across the country, away from everything I've ever known to help him pursue his dream.  It's all paying off now! I mentioned he has a new manager, he's also about to sign with a great agency and really has been busy.  He's auditioned for lead roles in two major network television shows, two national commercials, voice over work and this last week he auditioned to be one of the main characters in the broadway musical Book of Mormon.  I am SO PROUD of him! He's also working on getting a comedy special done.  It's going to appear to be 'overnight' success - that's what they always want you to think - even though he's been at it for thirteen years.  Veda really is his good luck charm!

Looking forward to: I want to savor every second of this last month of maternity leave.  I feel so fortunate to have gotten to spend the first five months with her and, again, so thankful that I only work three days a week.  Loooong days, and I am going to miss her so much, but I know she's in good hands with daddy.  I'd like to get back to the midwest sometime this summer... I'm not sure when, but this little rascal needs to meet her great grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins and other extended family!

We have a serious daddy's girl on our hands!  I think
he's pretty smitten, too!  <3 nbsp="">

And in case you forgot... I was trying to think of a cute way to capture her growth over the next year, so what I've decided is this: I bought a dress that's size 12 Months and I plan to put her in it every month until it fits.

4 Months

That BIG decision...

When I went on maternity leave in late December last year, I was working night shift as a staff RN in one of our hospital's ICUs.  I've actually been doing night shift for my entire nursing career, which is coming up on seven years!
Let me just say, nursing is a very demanding job. It's completely selfless and can be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting.  The patients in our hospital are VERY sick.  Patients come to us for "Higher Level of Care," I feel like we are sometimes their last hope.  That said - I wouldn't want to do anything else, unless I could be a stay at home mom of course!  While I was pregnant, this already difficult job, got a lot harder.  I spent a majority of my time off, sleeping.  I decided that when I came back from leave, I would like to go to dayshift.  I was totally content in that decision, until...
A week or so after I left for maternity leave, I learned that one of our Clinical Coordinators (AKA Charge Nurse) had resigned from the position, which sparked an interest for me. I have strong leadership skills and felt I would be a good fit for the job.  I had already been acting as relief charge nurse for a couple of years and I was ready for a change.  Being a clinical coordinator means less patient care and more management driven skills.  I reached out to my manager and made sure to apply when the position was opened up online.
Since January, I've been going back and forth.  Do I want to work nights as a charge nurse or do I want to work days as a staff nurse?  I've weighed the Pros & Cons a million times, at least. I decided the only way I would go back to nights, was for the Clinical Coordinator position.
Here are some of my Pros/Cons.

NIGHTS 

Pros:

New Position - a change I had hoped for

Management - minimal patient care

More Money!!

No more union dues

No weekends required

Brett could go to auditions during the day because, technically, I'd be home
Veda might not even know I'm gone at night

Cons:

Difficult sleep/wake cycle

Lose a day for each day worked due to prep sleep/recovery sleep

I may hear Veda/Brett during the day and get less sleep

I'll get to see Veda for a couple hours a day - 

Brett would be sitting at home with her at night, and caring for her during the day

Brett would miss many shows

DAYS

Pros: 

Totally different than nights - can learn a lot

Can still care for patients

Will not have to flip/flop schedule

Therefore, can work every other day if I chose 

Covered by the union

Brett will not have to miss shows and can schedule auditions on my off days

Brett will only have to watch Veda during the day

Cons:

Less money

Busier 

Long days away from Veda

Brett may have to miss meetings/auditions

Not sure how much support I'd have to continue pumping/breast feeding

Maybe you can see why this was such a difficult decision for me, the pros and cons are almost equal. 

I had an interview a couple of weeks ago with the other three clinical coordinators, my manager, my director and another nurse who work(ed) on the unit.  I was nervous for a few reasons, (1) it's an interview (2) I still have serious baby brain!

I've gone back and forth and back and forth and asked family and friends for advice.  Brett and I have talked at length about what would be best for us.  I asked co-workers who work both day and night and have small kids what they prefer and why.  Honestly, it was a mixed response. I was kind of hoping someone could make the decision for me ;) 

Either way we don't have to use daycare, which I'm so grateful! We are going to interview some babysitters for last minute things (ex I'm at work and Brett has an audition or a show).  

I've ultimately decided that it is not in my/our best interest for me to return to night shift at this time, so when I do return to work in early June, it will be on day shift!  I'm feeling both excited and guilty about this decision.  

I came to the realization today, that I never really make decisions with MY BEST INTEREST in mind.  I care too much about how what I do will effect other people.  I feel guilty because I'm leaving my coworkers on nightshift.  I know the person who is taking over is an incredible nurse and will do an excellent job, I just feel bad.  My coworkers trust me, asked me to take over in this position and have expressed that they can't wait for me to come back. But I'm not, not to nights anyway.  I'm sure they will be happy for me, but I still can't help feeling like this.  This is probably the only time I've made a decision with me and my family in mind.  I'm not bending over backwards to make someone else happy, I'm making myself happy.  Brett asked me if I feel like this is holding back professionally, I told him "There will be other opportunities, however, the next position I'm applying for is full time mommy." ;) 

My hope is that I can confidently say, in six months, that this was the best decision I've made, career-wise, so far.  So here's to new journeys and experiences! 

Car seat safety

I just want to put it out there that I am NOT a certified car seat specialist and I don't think that I know more than you.

So we recently had a baby, SURPRISE! When Veda was born, we didn't even have a car seat bought yet.  She came a month early and we had planned to go to Babies R Us the night she came, but they had closed.  Luckily, my husband is a fantastic human being, and went to Babies R Us on Veda's birthday to get the remaining necessities.  And, thankfully, he is charming enough to have convinced two women, who worked there, help him complete our list!

Since we didn't have the car seat prior to her birth, we obviously didn't have it installed when we were ready to take her home.  About a week after she was born, we had a Certified Car Seat Specialist come check out how we had done and give us some helpful hints.  I just want to share these with other mamas because I've seen A LOT of my friends' kids NOT properly secured in their car seats.  I just wanted to write a quick post, to hopefully educate you on what is key so that your precious little bundle is as safe as (s)he can be!!

The man that we hired came to our house and talked to us for about an hour, including instructing us on how to put baby into the seat and going to the car to learn how to correctly install the seat. He voluntarily does this because he lost his grandson in a tragic car accident and this is his new passion.

A few things he told us:
Do not add any thing to your car seat.  For example, furry seat belt covers.  If you are to get in an accident, the car seat company will not take fault because they do not approve of any such attachments.

Do not use a backseat baby mirror.  You have likely figured out what each sound/cry your baby makes means and using a mirror is a major distraction when driving (especially out here!!)

Do not let the car seat touch the seat in front of it.  There should be at least enough room for your finger between car seat and seat in front of it.  This has to do with the shift in gravity when you hit the brakes or get rear ended and so on.

You should not have anything left unsecured in your backseat (or if you have a hatchback).  Imagine, if you get in an accident, everything will fly around.  Would you throw your purse, for example, at your baby's face.  Probably not, secure it with your seatbelt!

What he showed us:
The buckle of the car seat should go over baby's chest, not his abdomen.  As in, the most important organs (heart & lungs).  This is the most common mistake I've seen.  It should be almost aligned with the arm pits.

This is correct.  Buckle over chest, at armpit level. 

NOT correct. Move the buckle up!!!

To be sure the straps are tight enough, you should do the 'pinch test.'  This simply means that between the buckle and shoulder, you should not be able to pinch any fabric - or minimal fabric.  

Pinch Test

The straps should enter the car seat at shoulder level or LOWER.  This ensures that the shoulders are cupped, so to speak, if you should experience impact.  This helps baby to move less in an accident.  It keeps the baby down in the seat, rather than sliding up and then back down - which could cause head trauma. This is the second most common mistake I'm seeing.

It's hard to see, but straps should be either level or BELOW shoulder height. 

Also, the base of the seat should be in so tight that with your non-dominant hand, you should not be able to move it when applying full force.  The seat belt itself should not be locked.  And, of course, the safest place to have the seat is in the middle back seat, rear facing (until 2 years old is the new recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics).

Please, please understand this is not to make it seem like I know everything and you don't.  Keep in mind, my one and only baby is three months old, I'm far from an expert.  However, I felt this information needed to be shared because I can't imagine anything happening to my (or your) baby.

Also, thank you Veda for being such a wonderful model :)

12 weeks // 3 months

Found this on one of our many, many walks.  VR = Veda Riley
Somebody must have snuck out.  Oh, and we have a spirit with us on our walk,
notice the bottom left corner =)

Prepare for photo overload.  I swear, she went from a newborn to a grown up over the last month.  She's just changed so much!  Her personality/demeanor is typically pretty calm.  She has cried a lot this last month, but I think I'm finally figuring her out.  She will let you know when she's tired or hungry and it's usually RIGHT.NOW! She needs to take a nap about every three hours, usually an hour and half after wake time.  If I can put her down as soon as she shows signs (slight whimpering, fussiness) there's no issue (well, except that I can't put her down anywhere, I have to hold her - spoiled!).  If it goes into full on meltdown... it's not pretty!

Beauty Queen Veda, being an angel at the doctors office.  Right before shots :/

Routine/Schedule: Not a lot has changed.  We wake up around 7 every morning and get on our every three hour schedule of wake/eat/play/(attempt to) sleep.  Week eight was a big week for us, she started sleeping through the night.  We're talking 10PM-6-7AM.  At that point she was still in our room, so once she was doing it consistently (maybe a week or so) we transitioned her into her own room.  This was much harder on mama than baby, but we both survived.  Initially I put her in her "bassinet" (an attachment of her Pack N Play that she'd been sleeping in since birth) in her crib.  A week later I tried no bassinet, directly in crib.  She woke up at 2am and required a feeding, I was afraid she wouldn't sleep the rest of the night so I put the bassinet back in and continued to let her sleep in it.  Well, then she started getting pretty long and it was inevitable that she'd need to be in the crib alone soon.  So we tried again, same thing, up at 2 but this time I put her back down in the crib.  Then next night, and every night since, she's slept soundly.  I usually put her to bed awake and let her fall asleep on her own.  Last week I added a mobile to her crib to give her some noise (I always put it on heartbeat rather than music) and something to look at as she's drifting off.

Matching outfit from head to toe!

This doesn't really fall into this category, or any category, but overnight she outgrew her newborn clothes and now wears 0-3 months, or 3 months.  Her feet seem to be the first body part to outgrown an outfit, guess we'll have to teach her to swim ;) She also finally outgrew newborn diapers and wears size 1.  PS I was told the cheap ones are just as good as the expensive ones... not so much! She's had a few blowouts, including one where I had to cut her onesie off of her! We were gifted a few of the cheap brands and I had coupons for a few as well so she's tried a bunch of different kinds. I put her in the cheaper brand (Luvs or Huggies) during the day and Pampers Swaddlers at night or if we're going to be in the car/stroller for awhile.

Oh yeah girl, I hear ya!

Feeding: I'm still feeding Veda every 3 hours, over the last week or so it's been closer to every 2.5 hours - must be a growth spurt. I plan to start spacing them out a little bit more, hoping to feed her every four hours.  She's had some pretty rough days with a lot of gas, we had tried a couple different kinds of gas drops but she still seemed to be having some pretty serious pain, so we started BioGaia.  It's a probiotic that our pediatrician recommended.  We've been on it for about 3 weeks now and its safe to say I can see a change!   The only problem is, it's hard to find on the West coast.  We buy it from our pediatrician, but I finally found it at Walgreens this week! It's expensive, but works. She still occasionally has gas and our friends introduced us to Gripe Water which also helps.
She is still getting only breast milk.  For the first 3.5 weeks of life, I pumped and bottled because her latch was not good.  I got really tired of washing bottles, which I'm sure I've mentioned, so I transitioned her to the breast via a nipple shield. Again, I got tired of washing the nipple shield and it's not that easy to manuever in public under a cover, so I worked really hard and finally got her on the breast! Woo Hoo!!!! Good job baby girl!  She gets between 3-5 oz per feeding.   

I think she may have an allergy to eggs.  Just like daddy... great! I'm not sure when you can get infants allergy tested. My theory behind this, is that I had been eating eggs every day for breakfast since I came home from the hospital.  She had been fussy and gassy pretty much the entire time.  She also had a reddish rash on her face, it looked a lot like the baby acne they can get so it didn't really concern me.  I even mentioned it to her doctor, but he seemed to think it was just my hormones coming through.  Then I noticed it spreading behind her ears and even to her neck, her chin was also getting bright red.  So I cut eggs everything has cleared up.  Brett's pediatrician told me to be careful with things he was allergic to, smart man! 

I also think coffee upsets her little belly.  I was drinking a couple of cups a day, then quit because I thought it was effecting her. I would occasionally get something half-caf at Starbucks with no issues on her end.  This week I started drinking half-caf at home and again she's fussy, so no coffee either.  

Sleeping: My little girl is an angel and is still sleeping through the night! She stirs occasionally, but never cries and puts herself back to sleep.  It doesn't seem to matter what time I put her to sleep, she pretty much always gets up at 7am.  My goal is to get her sleeping twelve hours soon.  Its good to have goals! ;) Napping is another story, however! She is not a good napper! Unless it's on me which means I can get nothing done, she doesn't want to nap.  The only thing that's working right now is to take her for a stroll, so we're getting lots of walks in around here! I have to figure out how to get her to nap, maybe swaddling, or putting her in the front pack or Moby so at least my hands are free!

After a loooong walk with mommy, when she still refused to sleep!

Just napping on mommy, the preferred spot. 

Not Veda, obviously, but I think tis is her motto! 

Stats: We don't have an official update since our next doctor appointment is not until 4 months (May), but I weighed her last week and she was up to 10 pounds 12 ounces, so up 5 pounds since birth!

Modified Tummy time. We're not really a fan of the tummy time ;)

Struggles: We've had a pretty good month, I have to say.  I was starting to get anxious about Brett leaving to go back to Kansas for four days.  After his last little road trip, I didn't know how I'd do it again by myself.  I called and begged my mom to come out and help me out! She so graciously said yes! I'm sure she didn't mind ;)

First 'social smile' Daddy said, "Good Morning, Beautiful"
and this is what we got :)

That Daddy guy is funny!

Lazy morning with Daddy

Milestones: Well, she's still working on that social smile.  I can't wait until it's consistent! Her smiles are huge and so freakin' adorable, but they are like seeing a shooting star at this point.  I'm also super excited for her laugh!!  She is cooing up a storm and her most common 'words' are "Ah-goo" and "Yeah."  So cute!  Her neck is getting stronger and stronger and her hands are no longer in constant fists.  

Adventures:  Holy moly! We've been busy this month! We went to our friend's, Derek (our ring bearer) and Jay (his dad),  joint birthday party at a local bowling alley, had brunch with my friend Alyssa who was visiting from Minnesota, went to my coworker's house for a gathering, had friends visit for a day to meet our little princess, had Brett's Uncle Chris and his family stop by on their way to Palm Springs, went to the zoo, went bowling - twice, went to sushi, went to a mommy & me group at the hospital with friends and finally Grandma Rhonda came to help me out for the weekend while daddy was gone.  Wowzers!

Look at her checking Derek out! Happy 4th Birthday D!

It was Nana's birthday, she said this was the best card ever!

It was Daddy's birthday, too, this month.  

Veda & her friend Henry

Veda & her friend Brooklyn

Grandma Rhonda came to help out again, and totally spoiled us!

Realizations:  Man these little ones grow up fast! Physically, Veda is getting so long.  She really is a little string bean.  I never in a million years thought I would have a long/lean baby! Brett & I were such chunky monkeys, it just doesn't make sense! Her little cheeks are filling out though, so maybe it's just a matter of time!
Her eyes are so focused now and she tracks Brett and I when we're moving about the room.  She's just such a little doll face, I can't stop staring at her!
I know we are so, so blessed that we both get to spend so much time with her during this age.  I am looking forward to the next few months when she's holding her head up, smiling on command and beginning to sit up, but I'm also savoring every single second.  Even when she's upset, I remind myself we will only get to do this once (with her... I'm sure she'll have siblings eventually). 

I just love her! She is so perfect!

How we (the parents) are doing:  We are doing amazing! I am still on maternity leave, and plan to be until the first week of June.  I am so fortunate to be able to stay home with her for five months! I wish I didn't have to go back, but, again, I'm lucky that I only have to work three days a week.  I had a job interview last week - it has to do with the decision I'm struggling with, but can't say too much more about it at this time.
Brett's new manager is keeping him BUSY! She's on the exact same page as Brett when it comes to what he wants to do with his career.  We consider Veda his good luck charm.  Since she came a month early, he was forced to reschedule one of his shows, where he met his now manager! He's already had multiple auditions and opportunities, so we are VERY excited to see where this goes.  Maybe I can retire soon and be a full time mommy!

Still not done making these silly faces!

Looking forward to: Brett and I (and Veda, of course!) are going to escape LA for a couple of days to celebrate our anniversary.  We've been married for one year on April 7th (together for 8 years - on the same date).  I can't believe how much our lives have changed in just one year. It's amazing and I'm feeling so much love! We are heading to Pismo Beach, which is where we got married.  I don't have a lot on the agenda, because what can you really do with an infant (?), I just want to get out of town and relax! Also, our wedding photographer ran into Brett at the SLO comedy Festival (where he was named Best of Fest) and offered to do our first family photos! We are going to take them up on that offer this week when we head to Pismo.  I'm so excited, I hope Veda will cooperate!

It started getting hotter,
so I busted out my summer clothes!

And in case you forgot... I was trying to think of a cute way to capture her growth over the next year, so what I've decided is this: I bought a dress that's size 12 Months and I plan to put her in it every month until it fits.

3 Months