Some photos of Jenna's first two months...

I've been neglecting the blog lately....been busy being a mom. :) Here are some photos!

New Traditions...

So having a child has made me think about what I'd like my house to be like. It's been quite the transition to realize that this little girl looks to ME as her mom. Sounds silly...but I realize she's going to grow up and I am the one (and her daddy) that's setting the stage for how she views things. That includes holiday traditions.

Luckily she's a little young to be thinking about what we're actually doing so it's given us a bit of time to figure it out. Having a child during holiday season kinda forces you to think about things a little faster though!

So here's something I thought I'd do regarding Halloween. While I know that pumpkin carving is super fun.. I also know that's a lot of food going to rot every single year. So... this is a tradition I want to start for my family. Instead of carving a pumpkin and leaving it to rot, in these first few years we'll paint our pumpkins. Then everyone can choose what type of food they want their pumpkin to turn into (Muffins, Pancakes, Fries (haven't tried this yet), bread...etc.) and we'll cut open the pumpkins and use the meat for their special food item. That way the pumpkin is used, we figure out new recipes and we get to eat too! I think this also might work with carving depending on how great I can get at scooping out the edible insides and leaving the carving on the outside.... I still don't know how I feel about trick or treating because I don't like the idea of a candy holiday. But I do like the idea of costumes, so I think this time of year is a great time to pick out a fun costume to wear that night and the rest of the year (until the little ones (or us) outgrow them).

For Thanksgiving and Christmas I still have not a clue of what we'll do. I am VERY thankful there's a little time before that has to be figured out. Right now we take things one step at a time and pray along the way!

Blessings,

Kristine

The Sweetest Thing...

So I've realized that I still haven't posted the birth story, and well might not post it due to TMI. :) But... I did want to share something sweet my husband did for me while in the hospital and when we went home.

In the hospital I had a c-section and was confined to the bed. Eric totally stepped up and took care of the baby, I've told you that. I am not sure if I mentioned that he also helped me in and out of bed and to the bathroom. He took care of both of us perfectly.

When we got home I was still in recovery from the c-section (and technically still am). It was hard to move around, he helped me put on pants and shoes and other things that were difficult for me. When it came time to sleep at night, I went to the bed but I could not get up on it. This was due to my c-section and not really being able to move my legs beyond a certain point nor use my abdominal muscles (I did have major surgery!). He went around and tried to find something for me to step on to make it easier. In the hospital I had a step stool and that really helped me get into bed. He tried a tool box and some wood thing but those didn't work because it was hard to even step up on those things.

I decided that maybe I just was going to have to sleep on the couch or something. Eric wasn't having that though and he began to think of how to help me. While I was feeding the baby in her room I heard this banging coming from the bedroom. I asked him if he was okay since I couldn't get up while feeding her and he said he was okay. When I went into the bedroom after feeding the baby I couldn't believe my eyes...he had taken the bed apart and put the mattresses on the floor! It was the sweetest thing! I could easily get in and out of bed AND get this..the bed felt tons better!

At first I thought it was because I was sitting in a hospital bed for days in and days out...but we realized the bed was finally supported the right way when it was on the floor. So on the floor it's stayed and we couldn't be happier. But.. I just wanted to share with you how wonderful and thoughtful my husband is! I praise God for him. :)

Letter to Jenna (One Month)

Dear Jenna,

Well my dear Jenna time has flown by this past four weeks. In these past weeks we've spent a lot of time together, nearly every waking moment. Mommy is so blessed to have you my little one. To think, a month ago we were in the hospital and you were coming into this world! Crazy! It was a long long journey those 36 hours, but definitely worth it to have you on the outside so we can see your pretty face and hold you close.

Lately we've spent a lot of nights together and sometimes you are sad and I don't know how to help you....but slowly you're learning how to tell me what you want and I am learning how to figure out what you need.I've been using the milk sign more often when feeding you and I think you are really looking and figuring that out. Mommy wants to teach you more signs once you are ready to help us communicate even better. I have a feel that when you learn those signs, things will go loads better and you won't be as sad or frustrated when Mommy and Daddy can't figure out what you need.

When you were born you were 7lbs 10 ounces. When we left the hospital you were 6lbs 14 ounces... yes we were having issues feeding you and you lost some water weight too! Now you are probably close to or over 9lbs and growing every day! Every now and then you give us a smile. We see you moving your head around to look at things, listening very intently to everything said and gaining more and more control of your motor functions. You are very deliberately moving your hands to try to hold things, pushing with your legs to try to move yourself where you want to be and gaining more neck strength. It's pretty cool to see. Before you know it you'll be able to hold your head up! That will be a wonderful day because it'll open new opportunities for you!

Now a letter to you wouldn't be complete without talking about your Daddy. He loves you so much! He stayed home for a few weeks after you were born just to spend time with you and to help mommy out. Now he goes to work every day so that we can have a place to live and food to eat. He comes home when he can on lunch breaks just to see your sweet face and hold you close. You'll see we have a lot of photos of you and Daddy and that's because he loves to hold you! Something he loves to do with you right now is play "Airplane/Superwoman". That's when he holds you under your tummy, supports your neck and makes you fly like superwoman. You seem to like it a lot! You also like when he moves you up and down. We have a feeling we might have a future aerobatic pilot on our hands with how much you love the movements! Only time will tell. Daddy hopes to take you up in a plane someday and teach you how to fly! But one thing at a time...for right now... it's playing airplane in the house and holding you close.

Mommy is trying to start you on more routines slowly. Like making sure you are in your jammers at night and regular onsies/pants/dresses during the day. She also has been trying to read to you out of your bible Miss Janet got you once a day. It's going to be so important that you learn about Jesus and Mommy and Daddy hope to teach you all about Him. For now it's simple prayers and short bible lessons. The fun stuff begins in a few months!

Over time I am sure you'll realize just how long winded Mommy can be. And how silly it is that she mixes up tenses in a letter to you....but your Daddy and I want you to know that we love you very much and praise God that you are in our lives. Even in the hard times when you are sad and mad at us, we love you and always will.

Love,

Mommy

One Month Old!

Jenna's one month old today! Yes, it does seem to go by fast...but honestly I am glad we are getting closer to the six week mark! She is starting to smile every now and then and respond to our voices and actions. She's a very curious girl who loves to look at the clouds and anything outside. She also loves to face out when we're carrying her so she can see the world.

Taking the Truck

Today we made a trip to the grocery store with the truck. Eric took the car so we kinda had no choice but to try the car seat out without the base. Don't worry, it's made to go in vehicles with or without the base. I saw the instructions for how to install it without the base on the side and I put it in the car. On the way to the car though the sweet older lady from across the street practically ran over to see Jenna. She hadn't seen her yet and was dying to meet her. She told me that she was making Jenna a quilt!A Quilt! Isn't that sweet of her! I need to visit that lady more often. She's got family but they live out of town so she doesn't see them that often. She's pretty busy with her clubs and things which is awesome. I can't wait to see the quilt she's making Jenna. :)

Grocery Store

I went to the grocery store with Jenna kinda awake but not screaming (a definite plus). She did pretty well in the cart and I quickly rushed around the store with my list in hand to get the items I needed before she had a meltdown. We made it to the check out line where she started to cry a little more, and I pushed her pacifier back in her mouth to help soothe her. When we got to the car she started to cry, but at least I got mostly all the groceries I needed!

Crock Pot Meals

So I've got this cook book called Fix it and Forget it. It's a book of crock pot meals. I've decided that as hard as it is to cook during the day when I am taking care of Jenna, I should at least attempt to take out the crock pot/slow cooker and see how making a week or so of meals in that works. Plus, meal planning definitely helps in the food budget. Something that's taken a hit this past month when we were in survival mode!

Right now the girl is sleeping in her swing, or at least calm.....no...she's sleeping. Yay! I might start blogging a monthly letter to her like I see other mom's do. I think later one she might really love to read them. :)

K... I am out!

Blessings,

KR

Time Flies and possible privacy change...

I've debated about this and I am still debating about making this blog a private blog. Meaning, that only those that ask permission can view it and not everyone that wants to on a whim. I'd like to post more pictures of Jenna on here, but am weary to as I don't know who's reading it. As she gets older and we take more photos, this becomes a bigger issue.

What are your thoughts? If you are a reader/follower of this blog what do you think? If you'd like to be included in the inevitable change, please e-mail me your e-mail address at kristinereed@gmail.com. I'll try to include as many e-mails as I already have so people might not have to worry...but if you aren't included just e-mail me and we'll figure this thing out.

Random tidbit of information...

Minutes can feel like hours when the baby is crying, but also when it's sleeping. :)

I should be napping right now, but the need for social interaction is winning. Blogging helps me keep sane I think. It'll also be fun to look back later and see what was going on in those first few weeks of Jenna's life. It's so weird that I have a daughter now. I think it hits home more when I say the word daughter. Her name somehow doesn't do it, nor the fact that I've held her and fed her and clothed her...but saying the word Daughter, man.

For Eric the moment she came behind the curtain in the hospital it became real. This is really happening...we have a baby. He stepped up immediately and even now when he's working, the times he's home he's more than willing to hold her, change her and if needed, feed her. Great husband and father he is!

I think things are still settling in for me in this transition period. I cannot imagine what it's like for people who just get married and have a baby right away. People do it, lots of people also divorce because of it. I am glad I had 4 years with my husband before the baby came along. It gave us time to experience some things together and to grow in our relationship enough to survive this next transition. It also gave us time to grow in our relationship with the Lord more...something we are still doing and want to be a good example for Jenna too.

It's just I think going to take longer for me for things to really really sink in. Don't worry, Jenna's going to be fine whilst I figure things out. The need to care for her and make sure she's safe is definitely there. I was just thinking the other day while we were in the mall with her how horrible it would feel be someone took her or harmed her. That's how I knew I had that protective instinct in there. When she cries I want to "fix" her problems the best I can to make sure she feels safe and secure. I just think the whole bonding thing will grow over time as she becomes more interactive.

It is however special when she hears my voice and calms even for a second. She recognizes who I am and definitely knows where the food comes from. ;) It'll be nice when her umbilical cord thing is healed completely and we can start baths. I want Eric to be the one to do a lot of the bedtime routine so he can have that special time with her. Right now things are just in survival mode until she is more regular and I figure out some form of routine that works. I have a few books to read thanks to some dear friends regarding this issue.... so those should help!

Okay... I've written quite enough. I do this for my own benefit. If people choose to read it, that's okay with me obviously because I've posted it up here. But if not it's here for me to look back and reflect upon.

Blessings,

Kristine