FebruMaevey

The end of February brought us to Maeve's 5th month birthday mark! How that is possible, I'm not even sure. She's continued to be an opinionated, squeal, chatty little munchkin. So long as she's not tired, she's a social butterfly. Loud, louuuud, happy squeals fill the rooms where strangers are found. Her way of saying "Hello!" "I'm happy!!" "You're new!!!"

Being her mama (and if you ask Adam, her daddy) is nothing (ok...mostly) fun! She can be quite exhausting, but for the most part she's an easy baby, and I'm really starting to feel more and more sure of myself. Sure that I know her needs and can identify her cues pretty quickly.

She's not sitting up on her own quite yet, but she likes to practice. She'll give the Bumbo a shot here and there, but after about five minutes she begins arching her back and trying to climb out. Never mind that she can't climb. (Did we mention she wants what she wants?)

Another super cute Maeve-ism, most smiles she scrunches her nose and sticks out her tongue. It.Is.Adorable.

Also, the girl who was not so in to tummy time before is the tummy Queen! She is our little alligator, flipping over and trying to crawl away the moment you lay her down to change her diaper. On the play-mat she flips over almost immediately and we often return to find her turned 180 degrees.

Watching her doggies.

She is very impressed with her Christmas toy from her Grandma and Grandpa. (Spot on grandparents!) A gyroscopic music box it has the music on one side, a mirror on another and the third side has little beads you can slide back and forth. A few weeks ago she watched me slide the beads back and forth and push the toy to make it swing and copied me. Three times in a row! It was absolutely amazing to see her do something deliberately. Amazing!

Another Maevey favorite is still eating her clothes. Particularly dresses and long shirts. But in a pinch, bibs will satisfy.

Look at those yummy baby feet! How I love this little girl and spending all day kissing her chipmunk cheeks and nibbling her little toes!

Four Month Stats

Baby girl's appointments are often the highlight of my month. It's exciting to see how much she's grown, hear where she is percentile wise, and find out the pediatrician's take on her development. The shots...I could do without the shots, and so could Maevey, but what can you do?

Holding steady our munchkin continues to be tall and skinny. Though not in the 90% like we were as babes, she's still 77% at 25.5in and up from 33% to 40% at 13lbs 5oz.

I'm convinced the weight gain is all in those sweet Fisher chipmunk cheeks.

(Along with her nose, it's one of her for sure Mama traits

Funny enough, the when the sweet older nurse at her appointment remarked on those "big ole cheeks" Maeve burst into tears. Upon apology and telling our sensitive girl it was meant as a compliment, she stopped crying.

I could not make this up. It was hilarious.

Four Months Old

I cannot believe it's been four months.

But it has. Monday marked four months since I birthed our little smiley sassy pants. Four months since I went from "I will never have this baby" to "I will never sleep again" to "I will never get anything done again." Four months since our surprise redhead made our lives complete. (for now at least ;)

Every day I am reminded, at least once, how lucky I am that we're able to make this stay-at-home thing work. While I do get stir crazy from time to time (how many trips to Target can I "need" this week..) and the adult conversation is a little lacking, it's still wonderful to get to spend my time watching Maeve change and learn new things. It's amazing to me how literally within the span of two days she'll have developed a new skill, make a new sound, notice new things or even have grown an unbelievable amount! Yesterday I went to put her in a 3-6 onesie that fit her last week and this week the buttons were barely clasping!

At four months Maeve has mastered rolling front to back and back to front. As of this weekend she's begun rolling around to get where and what she wants. Goodbye playmat. Goodbye ten minutes to wash dishes. She can also inch her way towards things when motivated. It seems the dogs are a great source of motivation.They will be very inconvenienced once she can crawl and doomed once she can walk. She is in love with her puppies, especially Kitri who still isn't quite sure what to make of Miss Maeve, but is very curious and gentle with her.

Kitri keeping Maeve company while I dried my hair. (Yay for...doctor's appts?!)

Maeve has turned my days into some new form of mommy alligator wrestling. Changing her diaper is a challenge as she flips herself around and kicks her legs as fast as she can while "talking" to me. Bathtime is a similar event, and often ends with her splashing too much water in her face or getting us soaking wet. She is super giggly these days too. I can never seem to catch it on film, but it makes you smile just to hear her deep little laugh. Among the things Maeve finds funny; pretending to eat her up (especially if you munch on her cheeks and feet and make plenty of "nom nom" noises), raspberries on her tummy, her feet in Daddy's beard, Mommy's hair in her face, singing and dancing silly songs, funny faces and her doggies. Everytime she gives a good smile her dimples pop and her little eyes sing! I LOVE it! I'm pretty sure people on facebook are petitioning I quit posting baby pictures but I.can't.help.it!!!

Ofcourse by the time I got the picture she was distracted, but still. It's so cute to see her perch with Adam and rub her little toes in his itchy beard!

As sweet and cute as she is, Maeve is also a tad opinionated and has very little patience for things not going her way. She's not high strung, but she's definitely not laid back either. Things that upset Maeve: not getting what she wants, being held facing in and not the crowds, being held by strangers, carseat, stroller, swing, bouncer...basically anything that contains her. Things that make Maeve cry: blowing your nose, sneezing loudly, dogs barking, keeping her contained too long and not putting her down on time for her naps. That girl loves to sleep and she's becoming less and less portable during naptime and bedtime.

All the cliches surrounding motherhood and parenthood are all I can think of to say about being a mother to my sweet little munchkin. I won't, because who really likes hearing those things, but know they're all true. Even in times of frustration I look at her, especially while nursing and think, "You're amazing! You're beautiful! I adore you and can't believe I'm so lucky to have you!" I imagine what she'll be like as a toddler, a child....a young woman. What her interests will be and where they will take her. How is it possible to love someone so tiny so darn much?

She was talking to me here. "Bah bah bah oooooooh"

Happy four months munchkin! Our lives will always be for the better because of you!

Lots of 3AM

If Maeve isn't teething or going through one long growth spurt, than it's obvious she's trying to kill me.

We have seen an awful lot of 3am these days, and that's not usual for our family. We were incredibly lucky that Maeve came home wanting to sleep long stretches. At night those first six weeks we set alarms and had to wake her up to get in most of her late night, every two hour feedings. Normally her schedule is bedtime at 7pm, midnight feeding and 6:30am breakfast. Like clockwork! Most of the time she starts to wake up before we've gotten to her for that late feeding. Naps have become the similar clockwork predictability, back down in the morning until 10am, back down from 12:30pm to 3pm and then perhaps a catnap in the late afternoon while we wait for Daddy.

Not this week my friends. This week has been exhausting. Starting Monday night we've been waking up just about every other hour. Down at 7pm, up at 10pm, up at 12am, up at 1:15am, up at 3am, up at 5am, up at 6:30am, up at 8:45am....then down at 11am, but a short short nap. Essentially cutting out her first morning nap, shortening her other and being a bit of a pill in between. Let me tell you, it's been quite frustrating. I know there are others out there who have it worse, who hardly ever get sleep, but this has been a rough week. I knew I was exhausted when sometime between bedtime and "DOES SHE KNOW IT IS 4AM?!?! I WAS JUST IN THERE!!!" I went to go to the bathroom and ran into the door. Because it was still closed.

Oye.

We have several theories. One is teething; she can't get enough things in her mouth, and if you get close enough she'll pull your hand or finger in her mouth to gnaw down. I haven't taken a good look in her mouth, but last weekend my sister-in-law thought she could see something lurking down in those gums. Our second theory is the obvious, especially the more I read. In ten days our little munchkin will be four months old!!!! While there's no noted 4mo growth spurt, it's not impossible that she's having one anyhow. All the signs are there; constant demand for food, messy schedule, crankiness, latching on and off in frustration. Yep, she's a regular peach right now. My only hesitation, outside of her timing, is that her last growth spurts have only lasted about 24-48hrs, and last night was our fourth night of crazy. Finally, our last theory. She's trying to kill me. Or at least drive me into madness. Maybe she's bored, and hearing me mutter to myself at 4am and walk face first into walls is very entertaining.

The Cliche New Years Resolution Post

I know it's cliche to do a post on New Year's resolutions, and worse to post about it a week after the New Year BUT I have a three month old. So sue me. ;)

In thinking about what I want to commit to for 2012 I've considered; what I regret about 2011, what I appreciated and am proud of from 2011, what I want for my family and my daughter, who I aspire to become and what it will take to become that woman.

So, my New Years Resolutions are as follows:

1. Live everyday consciously, choosing to be the heroine of my own story and living to be an example for my daughter. As Adam says, "if you're not living, you're dying."

2. Become connected with a volunteer organization such as Junior Women's Club, Volunteer America, etc. I'm not setting any amount of goal hours just yet because Maeve is still small and our schedule can be pretty unpredictable. I feel like it's important for me to infuse myself in our community and find a way to give back. Loving the world is being a part of the kingdom, and I don't feel like I'm very good at this. The last time I was really involved with volunteerism was high school through the symphony, ballet and nursing homes. I grew up watching my mother and her friends give back to our community through Junior League on a weekly basis and I aspire to follow her example.

3. Run a Half-Marathon! This was a goal of mine last year that was pushed aside due to doctor's orders with my pregnancy. I'm giving myself all the way until next December to meet this goal, and until the end of May to pick my half-marathon. Running for me has been a new and fun outlet over the last year, as well as great exercise. Considering I still have a third of my baby weight to lose, I feel like I have even greater motivation to meet this goal. So far I've done several 5ks and two 10ks, and I'm due to run my first race (a 5k) in a year next month.

There.

There are other goals I have lingering in the back of my mind, other things I feel half-committed to, but for now I think this is a good stopping point. An achievable, do-able list of goals for this year.

2012

Can you believe it?

At Five Weeks

At five weeks our little Maeve is still a lot of mystery. She's helping us navigate the night time hours and discover what bedtime for an infant is like. Ever the cuddlebug, we're working to teach her it's ok not to be held all the time. Last night was big for us in that we went to church for the first time since she was born! We had plenty of volunteer baby snugglers, I got to see friends I've missed since September, and Miss Maeve got to meet her little friend Miss Alice, just a few months older than her! Next week we'll all be welcoming the Reagan twins into the world, and there will be two more baby friends to love! What a year! Six babies will born to our circle of friends between June and February. We couldn't be more excited!

Our weekend in pictures:

After successfully nursing in the Target parking lot, Maeve passed out burping.

My sweet, sleepy girl.

Arms crossed, holding her head as she sleeps.

After church Adam and Maeve took the dogs out and then sat down to rest "just a sec".

The Merry Month of Maeve

Today marks a solid month since our baby girl's birth. It seems unbelievable that so much time has passed since we went from a couple to a family of three. In these last four weeks we've seen her change and grow before our eyes; losing much of her newborn looks and wail, beginning to "coo" and "ahh", having her first bath, and winning over many of our friends and family.

The bean at a day old.

The bean at 4wks

At a month old....

The bean likes to be snuggled to sleep in our bed. She loves her wubby and to be swaddled, anytime of day. She prefers to be held in your arms or the wrap rather than watch the world from her swing. She falls asleep in the car, on walks and while she eats and she sleeps through just about anything!

My little boppy sleeper.

Some days I look at her and immediately am drawn to thoughts of our last 24hrs as two. Our precious time in the hospital, hours creeping by, full of quiet wonders and speculation. I was in pain, I was elated, I was nervous, I was antsy, I was crying, I was laughing, I felt so alive. I don't know that I've ever felt more love for Adam than I did that night. There is something unbelievable romantic about knowing the person you've committed your life to is standing by your side, loving you through this incredibly hard thing; a marathon event with the ultimate prize you created together and both get to share in.

Our new family.

Life is amazing, and I wouldn't change it for a thing.

Your Daily Bean

Yesterday was the first day of just Mama and Maeve. This weekend, with Adam's help, I was able to catch up on some sleep during the day, but it still did not quite prepare me for our Monday. Maeve did well after her first two feedings, but come 11am she was done. Exhausted, she hit meltdown city. For two hours, every time I got her to settle and finally dared lay her down, she woke up sobbing after no more than 5 minutes! Why did I let my mother go home?! Not knowing what else to do, I put her in the car and we drove around town for about 30minutes. Wrongly assuming that did the trick, I took our slumbering babe upstairs, set her carseat in our cool dark room, shut the door....and heard crazing wailing.

*SIGH*

Did I mention I have no idea what I'm doing? The answer came when I finally just laid down and snuggled my little Maevey Bean, and off she drifted. Oh. It's that easy? Unfortunately since she over-exhausted herself, she had no interest in eating and then kept us up until the wee hours; mad, hungry, tired and with a much greater will than either of her parents.

Today she's sleeping soundly. A little too soundly... Now, in my growing fear and paranoia surrounding these little bit, I wonder, "Will she be up all night? What's the price I'll have to pay for a midday nap?" Goodness, at least she's a snuggly, loveable night owl.

My chimpunk cheeked girl, once she finally gave in.

Mushroom Maeve in her new pjs and hat Adam found for her. Look at those long fingers!!

Saying Goodbye

Today was the day I'd been trying for weeks to pretend wasn't coming. Today we put my Mom on an airplane back to Virginia. My mom flew into DFW the day my water broke, having anticipated a few days time together, maybe even a week before baby came. Instead, as you all know, Maeve made her appearance the next night. Originally she was supposed to leave the following week, and we pushed it a week. Then...we pushed it another week. Three weeks in all, I don't know what I'll do without her! It was wonderful to have the guidance, company and care. I will miss the calm reassurance and loving time spent with my mom, and Maeve will miss those extra snuggles and grandmother love.

Come back soon Mom!!!

Maevey Bean 3wks old

Maeve and Mama 3wks old

three generations of O'Connell women

Learnin' to be Mama

It feels strange that Maeve has been here with us already for 18 days, and we've been home together for 15! We really struggled initially with nursing, but these last 5 days we seem to have found our rhythm. We've not needed to trick her into nursing with the syringe, or finger feed since last Thursday; and instead of becoming angrier when I get ready to nurse now seems to calm down and relax when she knows that's what's about to happen. Further evidence of her knew adjustment to nursing, at her appointment last week, Maeve had already jumped to 8lbs 15oz in not quite two weeks! That's right, she's becoming a little chunky munk, her O'Connell genes shining right through.

(I'm hoping by writing this I don't in fact jinx us...)

I managed to talk my mom into extending her stay, and am worriedly looking towards her departure Saturday. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do without her help once she's gone!

Read: I don't feel very qualified to do this on 'my own.'

But for now we're spending our time nursing, snuggling and napping. Occasionally sneaking out of the house for a midwife or pediatrician appointment.

I know I'm biased, but just look at this little cutie!

Happy Birthday Maeve

How can we have had this precious little Irish lady for a whole week as of tonight? It seems both impossible to have had her that long, and even more impossible that she hasn't always been here snuggled in between Adam and me.

We have had a beautiful first week, off to a bumpy start with Maeve's billirubin levels a bit too high and my developing post-partum pre-eclampsia. We ended up in the hospital several days longer than expected; Maeve to do some tanning and Mama to take it easy.

So far, so good though. Our girl is a sweetheart with a redhead's passion. She is seldom upset, but when she is boy does she let you know! Easy to soothe and happiest when cuddled, this little bean is perfect in every way!

Tour of the Nursery

Here's a tour of our little lady's nursery! I'm not sure why the colors are a bit dull in these, I opened the curtains hoping that would help. Trust me, it's a cheery place. :)

Please ignore my voice (why do we all sound so funny on video?) and enjoy the very, very short tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYSFtsLm4F8

the sweet little crib

changing table and dresser

nursing and reading corner

3D Ultrasound 36.5wks

Today I was surprised by a few minutes of 3D ultrasound, and the tech secretly gave me two pictures before Dr.Howard came in!

My family has joked about it from the flat, regular ultrasounds, but I really think 001 may have my nose! She still has her hand up by her face, and I lost some quality scanning it in, but still!!!

Pretty Little Things

Last night Adam and I started tackling our list (ok, my list) piece by piece and decided the biggest thing to take on was laundry. Yikes! We hadn't cut any tags in the whole shopping process, and we have clothes for quite a few months in since babes in my family tend to grow very, very quickly. I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures before everything made its way downstairs to be washed. I'm sure you're sick of pictures of my baby clothes pictures, but I just had to share a few with the world!

While it's not the best picture, here is 001's coming home outfit. Adam and I picked it out together last weekend and both LOVE it!

I know Christmas is quite a ways off, but we couldn't resist this sweet little dress and matching bloomers!

My sweet friend Jenny bought 001 her first ballerina outfit!