New pics of Eve (Sprout)

(Sorry about the email misfire!) We've been trying to make a point of taking pictures recently, after neglecting to do so for a while. Here are some of the more successful ones...


Her first favorite toy. She can't hold it yet, or even reach for it consistently, but she'll watch it for a long time.

A nice one Juscha got as we were sitting on the futon.

Probably our best smile shot to date.

And this one is just hilarious.

Finding our rhythm

I don't know at what point we'll lose track, but Eve is 9 weeks old now, and 2 months last Monday.  We've been having fun, and most importantly, easing into what will be our "new normal" of both Steve and me working less than full time and juggling Sprout-care.

It was my second full week back at work, and went infinitely more smoothly than the first!  Steve brings Eve in to me at work for a lunch time feeding, and it's something we all look forward to.  My practice has picked right back up, after being away for 8 weeks, and it does feel good to have dedicated time with adults and using my brain. 

We've continued to receive visitors.  Last week, we had my friend and acupuncturist, Laurel and her husband, John, from Red Sage Health, over for dinner, to thank Laurel for her care during our pregnancy and birth. 

We've been venturing outside, taking walks in our neighborhood.  Here's Eve in winter garb, all snuggled in under my coat and scarf.  Fun fact:  both her fleece and hat are from our Florida relatives!  How did that happen?  Also, check out her eyelashes.  They tripled in length recently.  Steve's mother, Shirley, reports that Steve had them as a baby, too (still does, they just look shorter in relation to his face!). 

Eve continues to amaze us with every move and noise.  She has us well trained, and won't allow herself to be put down unless she wants it (which is sometimes the case).  Here's Steve working on his computer with Eve in one of her favorite positions.  Looks comfy, eh?   The flexed hand position is common, too.

New trick as of the last few days:  she likes toys!!  Hallelujah.  She will happily sit and look at something that you or I would find rather boring.  But hey, if it means I can shower or put in a load of laundry or do the dishes, I will find a place in my heart for it, too. 

A few more gratuitous pictures . . .

Naptime with Papa.

Watching Mama and Papa cooking in the kitchen.

Hanging out with Mama.

8 weeks old today

It's hard to believe it's only been 8 weeks since Sprout was born.  It feels like we've had her forever and since just yesterday, at the same time.  Steve and I are continually learning.  Parenthood is apparently a continual lesson in being flexible and having a sense of humor - and our child is easy!!

Eve is being rapidly socialized.  She was a hit at the Harmony Bar, our venerable, smoke-free and very popular local tavern, where we appeared last Friday for a double birthday party.  Wisconsin has a tradition of taverns being for families, so there were at least a dozen other kiddos there.  This family shot was taken by Vicky Selkowe, one of the birthday girls.

Following up with the theme of family photos, we've also been experimenting with webcams and chatting with both sets of grandparents.   It's great for them to see Eve in action (oh yeah, nice to see you two, too.)  Dad took this hilarious shot of their computer screen during one of our calls:

Eve is developing at a rapid rate.  She's sleeping 6-7 hours a stretch at night.  She has discovered her tongue and is constantly sticking it out at me.  She is trying to reach for us, we think, but is uncoordinated enough that it results in us getting bonked in the face more often than not.  She's vocalizing intentionally, making noises that could probably be described as coos.  She alternates seeking our attention with intently observing (mostly light and shadows from what we can tell).  Like my sister said, just looking at her, we feel like we're watching synapses form. 

We're keeping busy and gradually developing routines.  The big development this week was my return to work.  Steve and I each have Eve at home two days a week (I'm set up to work remotely) and then I take her in to the office with me one day a week (planned to be Wednesday).  Today, then, was the first day with Eve in the office, and it went surprisingly well.  She slept, nursed, slept in the sling, woke up and wanted to play (which we did) and charmed some coworkers in the process, slept, fussed, nursed, fussed and slept.  Steve came by and kept her happy for a few hours while I worked and was on call for nursing.  One under-anticipated side effect - I'm exhausted tonight.  Getting used to being back at work, plus baby watching.  I figure it will take a few weeks to fully adjust, but am feeling optimistic about making it!  She's sleeping right now, a well deserved nap.

Eve will be two months old on Monday.  How did that happen?  

2 month well baby visit

Eve had her 2-month well baby check up today.  She's in perfect health and absolutely thriving.   She also got her first immunizations, and took them like a champ.

The important stats at 7 weeks (birth measurements in parentheses):

10 lbs 7 oz (7 lb 7 oz)
23 inches long (19.5")
38 cm head circumference (33 cm)

Yay, baby!  

Elf redux

I mentioned in an earlier post that the Christmas elf outfit we used for Eve this year had been for me Christmas of 1977.  Well, here's the proof, starring my father, John.  Looking good, Dad! 

 

Love, two generations of Christmas elves. 

Holidaze

The holidays are officially over, so it's safe to report on them!  Once again, so much has happened and Eve has changed and grown so much. 

Eve has much longer alert periods now, and can maintain focus on an object.  For about a week, she was sleeping through the night!!  That wasn't a permanent development, apparently, but was definitely hopeful.  She switches seamlessly between breast and bottle, which was very helpful on our 8 hour drive to my family in Bemidji, MN for Christmas.  She slept and fed the whole way, and we were able to avoid stopping constantly thanks to the car adaptor for my pump. 

Absolutely best of all, she is smiling for real and shaking arms and legs with excitement when she hears/sees us.  That is so gratifying!  She smiles and talks through bath time and diaper changes, making those tasks fun for us.

We spent a very pleasant week in Bemidji with my parents, both sibs, and Adam's girlfriend, Kristie.  Most of our pictures are variations of someone lounging around holding Eve.  I'm pretty sure she wasn't put down the entire time except to perhaps play on a blanket.  Fortunately, as the milk maid, I got my share of time with her.

Here are the three of us on Christmas Eve.

Here's the whole gang (Kristie got there later).

We returned to Madison on December 29, and got visitors the next day - Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Charlie for a second Christmas!  It was a great, 4 day visit over New Year's.  Steve and I spent some time remembering last New Year's, how we wondered if we would have a little someone with whom to share this one.  

We had other visitors, too.  Most of my yoga class came over to say hi.  (I'm heading back to class this week and very much looking forward to it).  Here's a nice shot of Karan, our wonderful instructor and avid blog reader.  :)

The best news of the New Year has been the long anticipated birth of our dear friends' daughter.  Dora Grace came into this world on Jan 4.  Proud parents are Shawna and Dan Guinn.  We got to meet Dora on her birthday.

We live only blocks away and spend a lot of time together, so here's hoping the girls like each other!  Since three of four parents are left brained attorneys, we had to properly document the first meeting . . .

Finally, it's my last week of maternity leave.  It's bittersweet, to be sure.  I'm not ready for it to end, not because of going back to work, but because it has been so special to be home full time.  Fortunately, I'm flexible enough in my work that I will be working from home two days a week and taking Sprout in with me one day a week.  And that's just a plan.   Eve is helping me on Thursday with a real estate closing for good friends (also with a baby).  Baby's first closing!