November...5 Months!

I know I am behind...I can't believe how fast time goes and how hard it is to find time to keep up with my blogging.  I have so many pictures of Madalin through out the months that I have a hard time choosing which ones to use.  Maybe that is why I procrastinate.  Who know!

November flew by just like the last four months.  Madalin is growing so fast and she is learning new things every week. She is rolling over a lot and actually enjoys being on her stomach a lot more than her back.  She also is starting to play better on her own so Momma is actually getting a few things done through out the week! 

She still doesn't nap the greatest unless she is in my arms.  I am to blame for this because I didn't have her sleep in her crib or bassinet for nap time during my 12 week leave.  The plan is to work on this in the new year!

This month we also started doing some sleep training.  This was something that we chose to do to help Madalin sleep better.  It seemed as though she wasn't sleeping very well and she would not stay sleeping once she fell asleep either.  We wake her up around 6:30 during the week, and she was having a hard time waking up and just seemed tired throughout the day.  We decided she needed to get better sleep and learn to fall asleep on her own.  We had a few rough nights but after the third night she had it down.  For most of November bedtime wasn't stressful for anyone.  We will see if it lasts...I have heard there are regressions. 

Madalin has been able to sleep through the night without having any feedings.  This has allowed me to get better sleep.  I do wake up one time a night to pump as I feel it is important to keep my supply up.  Also, it helps me build up my supply in the freezer.  Dan would say I could stop though because it is starting to look like we may need to buy a new freezer...it is filling up!

Madalin was able to experience her first plane ride the week of Thanksgiving.  We decided to go to Angela's (Dan's sister) house for Thanksgiving.  The whole Walstra side was getting together in Barrington IL (suburb of Chicago).  Madalin and I flew to Chicago for Thanksgiving, while Dan rode with the rest of his family that live in Sioux Center.  We were able to find a reasonable priced ticket from Sioux City to O'Hare but the downside was we had to fly on Thanksgiving morning.  I actually liked this because the plane wasn't full and the airport was not busy at all!  I learned through this experience that people are VERY nice to you when you are traveling with a baby.  The TSA was helpful and took their time helping me with my bags, shoes, and coats.   Madalin did exceptionally well on the flights.  She slept the majority of the flight to Chicago and she slept the 2nd half of the flight on our way home. The experience was as good as it gets in my book!

Some of the things we would like to remember about 5 Months:

• Says Dada...but does not associate that with Daddy yet!  
• Rolls over...A LOT.  She rolls very fast...no more laying on furniture
• Starting to sit up but still working on our back muscles
• Giggles & more giggles
• Loves her jumpy/bouncy chair
• Sleeps through the night (most nights) w/o any feedings
• Transitioning more out of 3month cloths
• Size 2 Diapers
•  Eating around 5-6oz every 3-3.5 hours (exclusively nursing --gets distracted very easily while eating)

LOVE Bath Time

Papa's Girl

 

 

Love Reading books!

We celebrated Georgia Ann's entrance into this world in November!
(Christy Anema-Moeller & Justin Moeller's little girl)

5 Months

5 Months

on the plane...I'm Tired

Practicing Sitting up :)

5 Months

5 Months

October 2013...Fall Happenings

4 Month Stats....

 

Weight:  14lbs & 12 oz.  (50%)

Height:  25.5 inches (87%)

Head: 15.51 inches (17%)

Rolled Over:  October 26th

Giggles: October 20th

The best girly screams:  October 27th

New Favorite Toy:  Sophie Giraffe

 

Madalin still likes everything owls...Momma is pretty sure it is the beady eyes!

 

 

4 Months Old

 

4 Months old

 

 Momma's Cousin Christy came to visit...Baby Moeller is due mid-November. Baby Moeller and Madalin will be besties...also we have decided that we will be pen pals!

Having fun with Nana...

cute little ladybug!  Madalin went trick/treating at Momma's work.  We got some candy for Daddy!

playing in Daddy's leaf pile

snuggles with Momma

going for a walk

 

one of my favorite toys

 

 

 

4 Months

Madalin:

This month has been a tough month on Momma.  We have had a lot of changes and I am not sure I was ready for all those to happen so quickly. Momma can easily say that this has been one of the hardest months since you have been born.  Lots of lessons learned and not enough sleep to remember a whole lot about this month!

One of the hardest days started on October 1, 2013.  Momma went back to work.  You of course did a great job.  You slept through the night and woke up around 6:30am.  Perfect timing for Momma to spend quality time with you before we had to get moving.  Momma tries to have you start feeding around 6:50am.  I cried the whole weekend and on Monday.  Tuesday morning daddy came with us to drop you off of daycare.  I was pretty sure that I would not be able to leave without you unless Daddy was there to walk me out the door.  That is what happened.  I held you for a long time at daycare before Daddy motioned we had to go. I think Donna was worried that I wasn't going to leave he house. Momma had tears rolling down her cheeks from the moment I had you out of your car seat.  It was so hard to let you go.  I told daddy that I was very mad at him for making me leave you.  I am not sure he heard all I had to say because it was in between my sniffles and tears.  I had to go back home before going into work to redo my make up.  Once I got to the office it was a little better but so hard to concentrate on work when all I wanted to do was see you!  You did great at daycare!  You kept your regular schedule and you just need one bottle while you are away from momma. 

The first weekend of October, we went on our  first family adventure to Minneapolis.  We did a lot of fun things as a family and we even got to squeeze in a little shopping at the end of our trip.  On Saturday morning we went to an apple orchard and we rode a hay wagon out to the apple trees.  We picked a few apples and they were delicious.  You also go to help daddy feed the goats and lamas at the petting zoo.  Daddy got to indulge in the variety of apple foods...apple beer, apple fritter, and apple brat.  After the apple orchard we made our way through Stillwater MN...what a cute little town.  We ate dinner at a great little dinner.  You slept through most of it!  We then caught a cute little train and rode it from north to south along the Mississippi River.  For the most part you enjoyed the ride.  You were able to see lots of trees.  You also saw red, orange, and yellow leaves telling us that the season was changing.  We also saw two waterfalls, but they were small and far away...if you blinked you may miss it!  We had a great weekend and you slept so good even though we were in a hotel room and not in your room at home!

 We had a big weekend the middle of October.  Momma's friend Ann got married.  On Friday night you came along with Momma and Daddy to rehearsal dinner.  We had a tough night.  You didn't like taking your bottle and Momma didn't catch the cue that you were hungry and not tired.  I felt so bad about that, but once I caught on you ate like a champ and then fell asleep in Auntie Danielle's arms. On Saturday morning we had an early morning in order to get to the reception hall by 8:00am.  You slept through the night so good and you woke up well rested and ready to go.  You were rubbing your eyes, which you typically do in the morning and you accidentally scratched your eye.  Momma and Daddy just thought you poked your eye but Momma soon learned that it was a bigger deal than that.  While everyone was getting ready at the church you just kept crying and crying.  I knew your little eye hurt.  Daddy called the eye doctor and we were instructed to put a cold wet rag on your eye and it would heal in a few hours.  It was a rough day on Momma.  I learned what it is like to be a mom and wanting/needing to be in two places at once.  I wanted to be apart of my friends wedding and be there as a personal attendant.  I also wanted to hold you and keep you close because I knew you were not feeling well and your little eye hurt you so.  Needless to say the morning ended, daddy came to pick you up for the afternoon.  Daddy was a little overwhelmed when he arrive at the church.  This was a glimpse of what he found...Momma was crying with her shirt half up from trying to feed you and mascara running down her cheek. You were crying but about ready to fall asleep.  In the afternoon, you woke up from your nap and your eye was much better.  Nana (Momma's Mom) came to take care of you for the evening so Daddy could come to the wedding with momma.  You were great for Nana.  You read a lot of books, played, took a bath, and Nana rocked you to sleep.  You slept through the night that night and we had a much better Sunday!

Momma & Daddy at the wedding!

Momma & Friends

 

The following week, we made the decision to move you to your own room and have you sleep in your crib.  This was another big step for momma letting go!  You did great the first week but the second week was a trip!  Another lesson learned for Momma...I finally understand what it is to be sleep deprived while trying to be a working wife and mom.  That was one exhausting week!  Four out of the five days you slept only 45 minutes at a time.  I would put you down and 45 minutes later you were awake.  One night you were awake for 1.5 hours and wanted to talk and tell Momma story after story.  I tried to listen but I think I was half awake for most of it.  I am sure glad it got better the following week!  I don't think I could do that for more than 1 week!  WHOA!

Saturday morning after our LONG...LONG...LONG Week.  Momma can't believe she is posting this picture but I think it tells the story of the week! 

 

The last week of October, I took you to the farm.  Nana and momma made applesauce for you!  We made enough for you to eat applesauce everyday this coming spring/summer!  We are going to try to hide it from Daddy because he LOVES applesauce!  We also went out to the field and you took a few pictures with Uncle Todd.  He showed you the tractor and wagons.  You even got to go up in the wagon and touch the corn.  Momma was a little nervous but Uncle Todd took GREAT care of you!

Uncle Todd & the John Deer...do you see my pink John Deer shirt!

 

Up in the wagon with Uncle Todd

 

Like: Bret from daycare; butterfly mobile; chewing on my fingers, afternoons with momma, Very Hungry Caterpillar book, standing on my feet, bath time

Don't like:  drinking bottle after 7:00pm, shirts going over your head, tummy time right after eating

MISC: You are still in 3M clothes but a few 3M clothes are starting to get small.  We are still in size 1 diapers but momma is thinking that is going to end very soon.



Three Month Pics

Once again we had Sadee Lane Photography take Madalin's 3 month pictures.  She does such a wonderful job! She is so patient with babies and with parents.  It is wonderful to have her capture Madalin's personality.  We will treasure these pictures forever!

 

 

Precious little toes

We got her to smile after she worked through a tired spell

Daddy is working pretty hard to get a smile out of her!

 

 

 

 

I was born to be a model :)

 Daddy's little firegirl!

favorite family pics

 

So Pretty!

3 Months Old

I am falling behind with my blog...WOW!!

Dear Madalin,

You are three months old and growing every week.  Your Dad and I continue to think you change every week!  We love it that you are growing so well but at the same time it seems like we blink and you are changing!

You are also starting to make a lot of noise.  Sometimes we can hear you from across the house.  You have your moments of loud coos and ahhs.  You are starting to like tummy time a little bit better, but you seem to drool quite a bit during tummy time. I usually have to wash the blanket or tummy time pillow daily.  Speaking of wash...Momma is always doing wash.  It seems a though the wash machine or dryer is going everyday and most of the time it is your clothes. 

We have officially transitioned to size 1 diapers.  Last month they seemed a bit large but you are growing into them well.  You haven't had as many "blow-outs" since we started putting you in size 1 diapers.  You are wearing size 0-3 or 3 months.  Some of your 0-3 sleepers are coming to an end because you are getting so tall.  Your feet are going to break out of them within the next few weeks.  You are getting so long.  Some of your 3 month clothes are a little big but I am afraid they will start fitting well in the next few weeks.

You are drinking around 4oz every 2.5 to 3 hours.  There are days when you don't like eating as well as days were it seems you can't get enough to eat.  You especially like to eat every 1.5 to 2 hours in the evening before going  to bed.  Momma is ok with that because you sleep well at night.  You still go to sleep around 9:00pm.  I have tried to move it up to 8:30 but it seems as though that throws you off and you wake up 2-3 times during the night.  Momma has learned to stick with 9:00pm bedtime with an early evening nap.

You still enjoy being swaddled every night for bed time.  You continue to sleep very well.  You wake up one time a night or sometimes you even let momma sleep through the night.  Momma still wakes up 2-3 times a night to check on you.  Momma is learning to trust that you are ok and God is watching over you.  It is hard for momma to let go!

The beginning of September we went on a little road trip to Brainard MN.  Every year your daddy's mom's side gets together over Labor Day for a family reunion.  Everyone was so excited to see you!  You did great traveling!  You slept most of the time and we stopped twice for you to eat.  At the lake we did a lot of walking around and looking at nature.  You were able to watch a lot of little kids play in the sand and make pretty sand castles.  We also went golfing.  You got to ride a long in the cart and watch daddy play like a pro :)! 

You had a baby shower in September as well.  We took a trip to Sioux Falls and you got to see your favorite bestie...Auntie Danielle's house.  Auntie Danielle spoils you and loves you completely!  She put together the cutest little shower for momma and you.  There was sparkles everywhere just like a princess.  You also got a yummy cookie with lots of frosting.  Momma ate way to much of it :)  You received many wonderful gifts from lots of Momma's friends.  You got a ton of clothes which mommy loved!  All my friends have good taste so you will be dressed to the "nines" this coming winter/spring! 

You got to spend a lot of time with Nanna the month of September.  Momma had a few weekends where she needed to attend events for momma's friends.  Momma's friend Kari got married the beginning of September.  Nanna took care of you in the afternoon and into the evening.  Nanna and Papa brought you back home that night and daddy tucked you in for bed.  Momma was very sad that she wasn't able to put you to bed.  Momma treasures the time we have when she gets you ready for bed and rocks you to sleep.  The last weekend of September you spent the whole day with Nanna.  Momma dropped you off at 7:15am and got back home around 8:00pm.  That was a LONG day away from you...Momma really missed you! 

The last weeks of September were the end of all day with Momma.  October 1st is when momma is going back to work.  The positive in all of this is that Momma is only working half days.  In the mornings you are going to be going to Donna Keizer.  She has an in home daycare.  She has taken care of children for 30+ years.  She will do a great job at taking care of you for the morning hours.  Momma is planning on dropping you off at 7:20am and picking you up around 12:15/12:30pm.  The last two weeks of September, Momma and you have been having lots of cuddle time in the mornings and afternoons.  I have been trying to lay your down for your naps in the morning so that daycare won't be so hard on you.  In the afternoon thought, you are all momma's!  You take your afternoon nap in my arms and I wouldn't trade that time for anything!  I love our cuddle/snuggle time together.  Also, you sleep a lot better when you are in my arms...so why not take your afternoon nap with momma!

Things you love: Play yard (especially mr. owl), Momma Owl and baby Owl, Baby Owl book -- "Who's Hiding", lullaby music, bath time, stroller rides, and Polly your car seat doll.

Things you don't like: Being in your car seat for a long time unless you are sleeping, laying down for long periods of time while awake (you love to be held & by the action)

We love you so much!

Your Momma

September 29 -- 3 Months Old (Disclaimer...you just woke up)

 

When Iowa Hawkeyes played Iowa State...Hawkeyes let IA State get a touchdown!  We were SAD!

Thanks to Uncle Todd...I am the cutest Hawkeye cheerleader!

Madalin Ann -- 2 Months

Dear Madalin,

You are already two months old!  I can't believe it!  You are growing up so fast...I wish it would slow down.  It seems as though every few days either your daddy or myself mention how we think you are changing.  You are turning into a little girl. 

You definitely have your girly moments.  The past two months, we hear a lot of high pitch coo's and other noises coming from you...very girly!  You also have a high pitched noise for when you are uncomfortable or need to be held...what a diva!  Daddy and I are loving this month.  You respond quite a bit to our voices trying (sometimes begging) for your attention. You have two different ways you respond.  One way is full of excitement with big smiles and sometimes a little giggle.  We love that response and we work very hard to keep it going.  The other response is a bit different.  You stare at us with your big blue glassy eyes with the look like "what do you want from me?".  Both make you momma and daddy laugh. 

We took you on your first big adventure at the age of 5 weeks.  Looking back I wonder if we were crazy or Daddy just needed a vacation.  We took you across two states and you got to see the magnificent Grand Teton Mountains in Jackson WY.  Yes, can you believe it we rode 15 hours with you as a little baby.  We packed what felt like the whole house and took the journey in two days.  We stayed overnight in Casper WY and drove the rest of the way the following day.  You got to see many new things on that trip.  We saw lots of elk and caribou.  We also saw a deer running through our cabin area.  You kept a fairly consistent schedule while on vacation, but momma was pretty adamant about keeping your schedule.  You seemed to keep your schedule fairly well.  You went to bed around ten o'clock and woke up around 4 o'clock each night.  You got to see your cousins (Anna, Levi, and Luke) for the first time and also meet your Uncle Matt and Aunt Mandy.  You got a lot of stroller rides and were able to see lots of different things from a stroller view.  Daddy held you the day we went to Jackson to explore the town.  You were in the Bjorn most of the day and slept very well.   We walked by a street show and a loud gun went off and scare momma and you a lot.  Momma screamed and you started crying.  We walked fast and found a cute little candy store for Daddy!   I can't believe how much you have grown from the week we took you to WY to now...WOW!!

At 6 wks we had a follow up appointment in Sioux Falls for you.  You were growing so fast.  I think this was the appointment that made me realize you are not going to stay little forever.  You are going to grow up...tear, tear, tear.  At six weeks, you weighed 10lbs and 13 oz. and you were 23 inches long.  Nana came with us to help make the trip a little easier for momma because we went shopping that afternoon.  It was your first shopping trip...YAY!!  I promise we will have many more to come and it will be a special time for you and momma!  You got a lot of new clothes and I was so excited for you to wear them that we had a little fashion show when we got home.  A lot of the clothes were a little big for you but you will grow into them.  You were not as excited about the new clothes as momma and didn't appreciate tops and bottoms coming off and on for an hour straight!  Daddy thinks you have too many clothes but I try to explain to him that a cute little girl like you can never had TOO many clothes.

On August 29, 2013, your two month birthday, you had a follow up appointment in Sioux Falls.  I was so excited to hear how you are growing but the thought you had to have shots made me have a pit in my stomach.  You continue to grow well and daddy and I are so happy about that.  At two months you weighed 11lbs 5 oz and you are 23 1/2 inches long.  This puts you right at the 50th percentile which you have been at since you were in momma tummy.  Daddy came with us specifically to help momma get through the shots portion of your appointment.  Daddy helped the nurses keep you stable so they could make sure they hit the right spot.  You had three shots and had to drink one of your vaccines.  You cried a little but then momma was ready to nurse you so you were comforted fairly quickly.  Momma cried as she sat there at heard your little cry of help because it hurt so bad.  I have to remember that it is much less pain having these shots than getting the sickness that these shots prevent.

Daddy's new saying for Madalin:  "Small Fry"

Sizes:  Momma has officially put away your newborn clothes.  This was a sad day with a few tears from momma.  You are fitting into 0-3 very well.  Also, on August 30th you wore your last newborn diaper....so sad!  You are now in size 1, but they seem a little big on you.  I wish there was a newborn+ or .5...that would be perfect for you!

Things you love:  Play yard (especially mr. owl), lullaby music, bath time, being in momma's wrap, stroller rides, and Polly your car seat doll.

Things you don't like:  Being in your car seat for a long time unless you are sleeping, evenings 6:00-8:00pm., laying down for long periods of time while awake (you love to be held & by the action)

We love you so much!

Your Momma

 

Family picture...Grand Tetons

Hanging out with Jeff in front of the cabin in WY

Painted Toes...Love!

 Aunt Mandy & Madalin

Daddy & "small fry"

CUTE as a Button!

 

Look at how long/tall I am