turkey and other things to be thankful for

We had a pretty mellow Thanksgiving. Tre was working so Lelia, the pups and I went over to my parent's house where my Grandparents joined us. The food was excellent and plentiful and Lelia even decided to graciously go down for a nap right before chow time...perfect! I feel so overwhelmingly blessed this year and it was nice to be with family!

Lelia and Great Grandma Doty

Lelia and Great Grandpa Doty (she's named after his mother)

GGD reading with Leelee

Koko and Leelee

Grandpa and Lelia

Lelia hanging out!

The Thanksgiving pups...they enjoyed quite a few fallen table scraps!

Hope all enjoyed a wonderful time of giving thanks with those they love!

4 months already

Little Lelia Drew is 4 months old today!

New Lelia 'Can-Do's'

• Can sit all by herself in her Bumbo! We got the Bumbo from Lelia's good friend Claire and she just LOVES it! She likes to be upright and be able to interact with her environment. During meals we place her on the table so she can be a part of our family time and when the dogs are around we put her on the floor so they can all get used to each other...supervised, of course! We usually put the tray on with a few toys and she bides her time fiddling with them. Mostly she just swipes the toys off the tray and when she gets really bored, she'll even take the tray itself off.

• Starting to take an interest in the dogs and the cat. She likes to sit in her Bumbo on the floor and watch everything they do. Sometimes they even come over to sniff/greet her and she smiles and smiles! Ellie has even gotten close enough that Lelia was able to pet her a bit. Lelia was quite gentle so hopefully we're off to a good start! The dogs seem to like her but the cat keeps his distance...go figure!

• Lately, when the dogs are told to 'speak', Lelia laughs when they bark. I've captured it on video but will have to post it later as Tre has that camera with him. It's pretty funny! Our dogs are not barkers so we have to coerce them with treats to speak but I'm glad she finds humor in their barks and doesn't start wailing.

• She has entered the 'back arching' stage. I'm quite sure it's not an actual STAGE, per se, but whenever she's had enough of sitting in her Bumbo, being held or gets tired...she arches her back and protests with loud grunts. And since she's so strong, sometimes it's hard to keep a hold of her! Yikes!

• She continues to be a stellar sleeper at night sleeping from about 10 PM to at least 6 AM if not 7 or 8 AM. WOW! The unfortunate part of her sleeping so long at night is that she doesn't sleep much during the day which makes for some LONG days. But we'll take long days over sleepless nights anyday!

• Her eyes are still pretty light...kind of a greyish blue! Maybe they'll remain that color...maybe they'll be green...maybe even hazel? Do you bloggers have any guesses?

• At last weigh in she was 14.5 lbs and 24 1/2 inches. Her next Peds appointment is in early December so I'm excited to see her stats then. Her cheeks and chins are growing rapidly so maybe she's having a growth spurt?!?

Life is busy with us now that I'm back at work. We find that we have only 1 family day per week where we're all together for a whole day. Otherwise Tre and I are like ships in the night...he comes home from his 24 hour shift in the morning, I give him a quick report and head off to work. I get home around 6 ish and we have a few hours before heading off to bed. We do get some family time at supper and in the early evening. But since Lelia goes to bed so late, we're usually so exhausted we're in bed right after her. We'll get some scheduling relief in January when my work counterpart is trained. Then I'll be true part-time, working 3 days one week and 2 days the following week. I think it's going to be a really good schedule that should increase our family days off together. Yipee!

I'll leave you with some new Lelia pics...look at those HUGE chipmunk cheeks! They are soo big they droop into baby-jowls! Hilarious! Also, note the excessive drool on her chin and in a large semi-circle on the front of her clothing in most of the pics. She's a complete drool monkey!

Big girl in her Bumbo!

She likes the Mr. Giraffe sticker that Tre put on the tray!

Petting Ellie...yes there is a little popcorn treat enticement for Ellie. You do whatcha gotta do!

Ellie and Lelia hanging out

Tsavo and Lelia hanging out

Some time with the furries!

Smiling drooling girl

Look at those jowls! Woo hoo!

What color eyes do I have?

Yes, the darker fabric on her chest is drool covered. She's a drool machine!

3 month Monkey

Lelia Drew is now just over 3 months old.

I was downloading pictures onto our new computer including over 500 of Lelia's birth (can you tell she's our first?!? 500 pics in 2 days IS a bit excessive, I do have to say!) As I shuffled through the images, all the feelings of her birth came rushing back. All the pain, the pushing, the moment I first saw her face, exploring her tiny fingers and toes, watching my husband transform into a father, pride, accomplishment, and utter AWE.

Three months later, although it's cliche, I gotta say it... I don't remember a time when she wasn't part of our lives. It seems as though she's always been with us. Always meant to be our little girl. Every day is different...some days are more challenging than others...but I've never been so happy in my entire life. I love waking up each morning to her smile and giggle. Watching her grow and discover new things each day. Snickering as she 'talks' herself to sleep at night.

I just LOVE this little girl of mine. Love her to pieces!

What she's been up to:

• Giggling and laughing up a storm. She's such a happy baby and her laugh is adorable (I'm biased, I know). I'm hoping to get some video of her laughing. She's such a riot!

• Starting to grab things. Tre and I have been waiting anxiously for quite some time for her to start trying to grab things. She plays on her jungle mat quite well now and grabs at the hippo, giraffe, monkey and banana. It's hilarious to watch her explore the world with her hands. I'm still not convinced she really knows HOW to control her hands, but I think she's becoming more aware that they are actually attached TO her!

• Taking a bottle really well! And after running the bottles under warm water and heating up water in the microwave, Tre broke down and purchased a bottle warmer. Bottles in 2 minutes...evidently it's wonderful cuz he can't stop singing praises. As a 'bottle warmer' in my own right, I will never get to enjoy this new toy but am glad that this tidbit of modern technology eases the bottle routine around here!

• Likes to read books, listen to music and (ahem) watch DVD's on the TV. Oh, I know how unwholesome the TV watching is...but some days when Tre and I are completely exhausted, sitting like drooling vegetables in front of a mediocre DVD is just heavenly! Hopefully we're not rotting her brain too much!

• Enjoys going for walks in the stroller. She's quite a nature girl. When we're outside, she watches the squirrels and birds and 'talks' a lot. With cold weather moving in, I'm trying to figure out how to keep her warm and bundled up enough to enjoy Autumn walks together.

Target achieved...going in to GRAB

Ah...success!

Hey!

Happy girl!

Firsts...

It's been a week of 'firsts' for us here at Cl8n Camp.

*Lelia's first visit to the pumpkin patch.

A sunny October day, beautiful pumpkins and nice family time...photos to follow.

*My first visit to the animal emergency hospital with a sick dog and a newborn.
Let's just say it was a L-O-N-G day, just to find out Ellie had kennel cough. Big whoop!

*My first day back at work since Lelia's birth.

After some initial watery eyes, once I got to work I was far too busy to spend time missing my sweet Monkey. I can say...I have NEVER been more excited to come home!! Seeing Lelia's happy little face after a long day is the best thing EVER!

*My Mom's first day of watching Lelia when I was at work.

She'll be watching Lelia from time-to-time on Monday's. They had a good time together reading books, going for a walk and playing and I'm so grateful that Lelia will get to have a close relationship with Koko. Lucky little girl!

*Tre's first day of watching Lelia when was at work.

Tre was pretty nervous about his first day of daddy day care and after a bit of a rough start, they are figuring it out. They ran errands together, watched Pokoyo and Baby Einstein, read some books and even went to a Mommy Matinee (more on that next!). We are blessed that Tre and I can work our schedules to divide Lelia's care between us. I'm thankful he's willing to stay at home with Lelia so I can work. He's such a good Daddy!

*Lelia's first movie.

Tre took Lelia to a Mommy Matinee to 'watch' the newest Harry Potter movie. Despite the fact that he hates that they call it a "Mommy" matinee (Dad's stay home with kids too...can't they call it a Papa Picture?) he was mildly entertained and he got a decent break as Lelia slept for most of the movie.

All in all, despite all the change/chaos/disruption this week, the transitions have been fairly smooth. Lelia continues to sleep well (10/11PM - 7/8AM) and has easily taken a bottle for feedings when I'm at work. YEAH! Tre has been settling into his role of Daddy daycare and despite a few crazy moments, is enjoying his time one-on-one with kiddo. After some initial doubts about my own return to work, I'm very appreciative of the time I get to spend working at a job that I enjoy.

I think we are well on our way to finding our balance. We know it's a daily thing...but we're off to a rockin' start!

The news around here...

Lelia

Our little sweetie will be 11 weeks old tomorrow. She had her 2 month doctor's appointment yesterday (2 weeks late, obviously) and we got the good news that she's a healthy happy little girl (which we long suspected but was nice to have some medical affirmation of). Here's a quick run-down of what our little one is up to...

• holding her head up with amazing control, will sit with minimal assistance and likes to stand up on her sturdy little legs...with our arms securely around her belly, of course. She's working pretty hard on trying to sit up from a laying down position...oh mercy!
• talking non-stop. Specific things that incite chatter are...people, the stickers on the wall by her changing table, Yuk Duck, dogs and anything shiny. If you talk back to her she'll keep up the banter for quite awhile. A total riot!
• giggling/laughing more and more. By far my FAVORITE thing!
• is 12 lbs 15oz and 23 3/4 inches of chubby monkey at yesterday's appointment, putting her in the 83rd percentile for weight and 82nd percentile for height (or so they say). Holy moley! She's obviously eating well and growing like a weed!

Happy girl

With Papa

Love that her tongue is hanging out in this one

Some time with Mama

Family photo

In other news

I return to work next Monday Oct 12th. I was really excited to return to my job part-time and stay at home with Lelia part-time. But due to some crazy office politics I'm going to end up working more than I wanted to...and am now NOT so excited about my return to the working world.

We have chosen to not put Lelia in daycare. So, I will only work on the days when Tre is home and my Mom will pick up 3 Monday's in the next few months to help out. I'm finding out that our decision to not put Lelia in daycare and instead divide her care between us, is really challenging us to really look at our priorities.

So, with only 6 days to go before I'm back to starting IV's, hanging chemo and helping guide people through all the emotions and physical challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, I'm feeling quite anxious and overwhelmed. I'm not sure how I'm going to balance working 4 days a week at a very emotionally and physically draining job and also be 100% present/interactive with Lelia the other 3 days while Tre is at work.

Tre and I have been talking a lot about all of this and I'm sure many other couples have faced the decision of how to best balance work and home life. Daycare or no daycare? Who will work? How much? When do we, as individuals, rest and refuel? Is there any way to give my all at both work and at home without exhausting myself? Am I taking on too much or expecting too much of myself? Will our decision to have both of us working compromise Lelia in any way?

For now, I'll go back to work and we'll see how our system runs. If things aren't working, we'll have to readjust and reprioritize. The bottom line is that I just want what's best for our little girl. I want to be present for her and also do something (working) that fulfills me. This is where I'm finding it difficult to meld my different roles as a mother, wife and employee, etc.

We are trying to find our balance...

magnolia

Nope. Not the neighborhood in Seattle.

And it's not the tree/flower.

Do you remember the 1999 movie with Tom Cruise, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore? The movie where frogs fall from the sky?

Well. A frog fell from the sky tonight.

Seriously.

If it didn't fall from the sky above, I have no idea where it came from.

Tre came rushing in the house, dug around in our plastic container drawer and rushed back out the door...giddy and oddly excited. Usually this action is followed by his return with a goosebump inducing giant arachnid in said plastic container. Ewww!

But tonight it was a frog.

?!? I know, right?

Tre said he was getting out of his car when said frog landed on his windshield.

UH.

So, after capturing Mr. Frog in the plastic container, punching holes in it so it could breathe and catching and feeding it a mosquito, I convinced Tre that we needed to return our new found amphibian friend to his 'natural habitat'. We drove down the road a couple miles to an area with two swampy lakes (Smith and Bybee) and released our friendly croaker back into his native home.

Well, I assume it was his native home. I guess I just can't imagine why a frog would choose to live in a tree rather than by murky waters with tons of bugs to eat and water to play in.

At any rate, I feel like we have done the animal kingdom a favor and have spread goodwill to tiny frogs everywhere.

Live long and prosper, tiny aquatic friend!

Mr. Frog...quite a big fella, really!

Mr. Frog's underbelly

Tre, releasing our friend into the wild.

Can you spot our camouflaged friend?

Lelia today

It's hard to believe little Monkeygirl is already 2 months old! Feels like just yesterday we were meeting her for the first time and yet I don't remember a time when she wasn't a part of our lives.

Lelia is now:

• Smiling, smiling smiling. I know I'm totally biased, but she's so stinkin' cute when she smiles!
• She's started "talking". She makes little coos and gurgles. I love hearing her little voice. It makes me giddy.
• She's sleeping from 10 PM ish to 6 AM ish. A nice long 8 hour stretch that is heavenly after the past few months of broken up sleep. Now, if I could only catch up on those missed sleep hours! YAWN!
• She's grown out of/or for some reason has stopped wailing like a banshee from 8 PM until she falls asleep. Thank goodness. I was getting worried that I might have to sell her.
• The woes I had about her poo have been resolved, thanks for asking! The doodies are back to their regular mustard gooey loveliness. I am doing OK on my dairy free diet but have definitely fallen off the wagon a few times. I just can't resist cheese. It's my Achilles heel!
• Lelia has started giggling. Oh my goodness it's amazing! She doesn't do it often which makes me think she doesn't exactly know WHAT she is doing but we know eventually she'll figure it out. I'm REALLY looking forward to that time.
• She holds her head up with amazing control and can even sit with assistance. She's a very strong little girl!
• She's going through a 'Mama Phase' right now. She wants to be with me all the time. The Moby Wrap has become my best friend over the past week as without it I would get NOTHING done. I'm hoping this phase will pass soon. Tre is a bit irritated that all his tricks for soothing her aren't working anymore. She just cries and cries. As soon as he gives Lelia to me, she stops. Sweet, but uhg at the same time. Sometimes I just need some space, ya know?!?
• She hasn't had her 2 month appointment yet (not 'till Oct 5th) so I don't know her exact weight or length but my inexpert measurements put her somewhere in the area of 12 lbs and about 22 inches in length. She's quite the chubbette!

Snoozin' at the beach

My happy girl

A sweet Monkeygirl smile