A Couple Shout Outs...

So, this morning I decided to try a Spinach smoothie suggested by my most amazing sister-in-law over at http://ryandcar.blogspot.com/. She always has the most amazing, healthy, and yummy recipes ever! Here is the link to the smoothie http://ryandcar.blogspot.com/2011/02/oh-for-love-of-spinach.html

 And of course I can't blog without a cute picture of our little girl.  Thanks to the Nelsons for this very cute outfit!

A visit from the family!

This last week my sister, dad, and nieces came down for a couple days. Every 3 months Natasha has to make the trek with Mashaela and MaKenna because they are both seen by doctors down here.
Mashaela has had diabetes since she was 4, and was not able to get adequate care in Billings so she meets with a doctor here every 3 months. Her last couple of appointments have gone very well and the doctor has been pleased with her sugar levels.
MaKenna has to come down to get a CT Scan on her lungs and a MRI on her foot to see if any more tumors show up. Praise the Lord all of her scans looked good again this time. It is always a very scary couple of weeks leading up to the scans. My dad came with my sister so she would have someone to drive with and he could see his newest granddaughter.
Selfishly, I love that my sister has to come down here every 3 months because then I get to see her and the kids! I love being an Auntie!
Here are some pics of the visit:

MaKenna changing a diaper

Playing with my Auntie

the girls

My papa

Celebrating good news with ice cream sundaes from Uncle Tyler

having some tummy time with cousin

getting loves from Mashaela

Ohh look at my pretty Easter basket from my Grandma Pitsch

girls, girls, girls

2 month stats....

On Monday Rilyn turned 2 months, and yesterday we had her 2 month baby visit.  Rilyn is doing very well, and the pediatrician along with everyone who meets her is surprised at how strong she is.  Tyler always joked that his kids would start training while they were in the womb and apparently that happened.

Training for what you ask....well when Tyler was sure we were having a boy it was his basketball team that I apparently was going to birth...I think we needed 10 boys or something like that.  So, I don't know exactly what Rilyn has been training for but she has been able to hold her head up since birth, will bear weight on her legs when you just have her grasp your fingers, and her and Tyler do nightly sit-ups.  I, of course, am focusing on her mind and we sing songs and read stories everyday.  Pretty soon I will pull out the alphabet blocks and get started on those...

In all honesty we know we are just super proud parents...I mean we still marvel over how loud and big her bowel movements are.  The kid can make a spit bubble and Tyler and I think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

So at 2 months what is Rilyn doing other than being super amazing...

She is 13lbs 6 oz, 23 1/2 inches long, and her head circumference is 15 1/4 inches.
What does that mean...we have a big kid with a small head.  Last weekend I had to pull out the 3-6 month clothing, and thought I could leave the 0-3 month stuff in for a couple more weeks but after trying two different outfits today they are all going to be put away.  I thought the 3 - 6 month stuff would look huge on her, but nope fits her just fine.  The doctor politely told me that she could go longer in between feeds, but I'm pretty sure he got the hint when I gave him the "you want me to let my baby go hungry look."

Speaking of food she is still feeding on demand mommy's milk only.  We haven't tried a bottle yet, but I know that is in the future as Grandma Decker will be getting her the 25th of April and as much as she loves her she probably doesn't want a baby that has never been offered a bottle.  Breastfeeding has been very difficult for Rilyn and I, well and Tyler.  So, now that FINALLY it is going awesome I don't want to deal with pumping and bottle feeding.

Rilyn has learned a lot of new tricks this month...one including the duckie grab which was in the previous post.  She also likes to listen to stories (finally) for about 2 - 3 minutes and play under her play mat thingy for about 3 - 5 minutes.  I am learning babies have a very short attention span.  Yes I know I am a special education teacher and I should know this as many of my students have the same attention span as Rilyn; however, it is completely different when it is your own as so many wise people have told me in the past (a.k.a my mom and sister).

Rilyn is sleeping a little longer during the night and just the last couple days we started putting her in her bassinet instead of in bed with us.  So, we are half co-sleeping half co-rooming.  She slept in her bassinet for about 4 hours last night and then slept with us the rest of the night.  She will typically sleep for 3 - 4 hours before needing to feed again.  And no Mr. Pediatrician I am not going to let her cry it out so she sleeps longer.  I am totally fine with letting her eat at night right now...that may change when I go back to work.  I wish the co-sleeping was going better, but Tyler and I always said we would do what worked best for our family and selfishly I want my bed back already.  I miss being able to stretch out and I miss cuddling with my handsome husband!  But, Rilyn's bassinet is so close I can rest my hand on her while we are sleeping so that's okay with me too.  I am having her nap in her crib at least once a day so again she doesn't go to Grandma Decker's and expect to be held the whole time even when she is sleeping.  Of course, I am not sure how her grandma will ever get anything done either since she holds her so close and tight when we are around :)

Rilyn does have Thrush, and we have been tackling that for a couple of weeks now, but haven't had much luck with it.  And, we haven't given her any vaccinations as I am so incredibly confused on how I want to proceed with it.  Since she is just getting over a cold, we didn't do any yesterday because one thing I am firm on is I don't want her to have any vaccinations when her immune system is weakened.  Tyler and I are pro-vaccination, but I want to do some sort of delayed/alternative schedule.  My dream would be to skip most of them until she is ready for school, but I know with her going to daycare that isn't safe for her or the other kids so we are just looking to find what makes us the most comfortable. 

I can't believe it's been 2 months already.  Motherhood is exhausting, overwhelming, and amazing. It has been the best 2 months of my life! 

Bath Time

Rilyn loves her baths. It is really the only time between 4 & 10 PM that she is not fussy.  Unfortunately we have a little bit of a colicky baby.  She is pretty unhappy between those hours and it makes for a long evening.  Especially for Tyler who only gets to see her during that time during the week.  If she is not in the bath, we are holding her walking around the house, which keeps her sort of content.  At least I am getting some arm muscles!  Hopefully this phase passes soon.  She has Thrush right now and getting over a cold so maybe when all that is over she will be a little happier.  Until then it's really long baths for Rilyn and a glass of wine for mom and dad.

Watch her reach for her ducky...this is the first thing she has purposefully reached for and she had to work pretty hard for it.

1) Trying to bring those hands together

2) Got one hand there

3) Got it..now what?

So tired...now why won't she go to sleep until 10??

Nothing like an after bath cuddle!

 

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Today is Tyler's 30th birthday so Rilyn wanted to give a little shout out to her favorite person in the world....

And one more thing....Rilyn is 2 months old today!!!

This is just a Tribute

Housekeeping:

As to the last "nickname" post, I need to add one, and need to give a proper "Shout Out".

A random thought. "Shout Out" makes me wish we had something more original, so maybe we can come up with something new.  Let me know.

M&M - Totally acceptable.  I mean if a Great-Grandma gives you a nickname do you really say no?

Rilyn was born on her Great-Grandma's birthday, along with Great-Grandma's twin.  Both first names start with a M.

RGD - I wish I could take credit, but that came from Kendall.  He gets points for both ingenuity and also for somehow convincing my mom to pronounce RGD as a word.

Kendall, I apologize for taking credit where credit was due.

On that note, on to business

For all those single dudes out there.  I could be a decent fella and let you know that you'll eventually find your lady...And that she'll rock your world...and that it'll be worth the wait.

But No

This Is Just A Tribute

Have you ever come home from a long hard day at the office and found from scratch mushroom risotto waiting for you?

Has your lady been more patient with your kid, more so than you could ever imagine, or what I would describe, BENDING TIME?

Have you every felt that you should buy those "Just Because" flowers daily?

 Has she blown your mind with how amazing of a mom she became in a blink of an eye?

In all seriousness, to you single dudes, I actually can't wait for you to find "HER", but can't help saying one more thing.

I got her.  Neener Neener Neener!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Aunt Stacey! 

Thanks for always loving on me and taking care of me.

We all love you and hope you have an amazing year filled with lots of laughter and love!

 

First Visit to Montana

Last weekend Tyler, Rilyn, and I headed to Montana to introduce Rilyn to the rest of my family.  I was a little nervous driving that long with Rilyn since she is still eating every 2 hours and she is not on a bottle so we had to stop to feed her.  But, she did awesome!  Of course the weather did not cooperate and we ended up staying in a hotel in Buffalo Wyoming on Thursday night.

It was so nice to celebrate her arrival with people we love!  I am looking forward to many more road trips through Wyoming with her.

Rilyn's first stay in a hotel - the classy Motel 6 in Buffalo

talking with her papa

getting loves from cousin Brooklyn

all these girl cousins are going to be so much fun so soon

great Uncle Lamont and great Aunt Jenn

cousin Colton

checking eachother out

getting loves from cousin MaKenna

looking good with some crazy hair

 great grandma Herman

4 generations

grandma babysitting so we could get our first night out alone