Good Things Come To Those Who Wait!

I started this blog over the summer, and I was a little over half way in my pregnancy. I love how I have the birth of my daughter and her milestones documented. I am grateful for this here little blog. Since I started blogging, I have wanted a new look for the blog. I am so excited to tell you that I have to wait no more! My hubby surprised me with a blog design makeover for Valentines Day! I am a lucky girl. Now I will have a blog that will match the cuteness of its precious, dimpled star! Okay, it might not match her cuteness...

but I am really excited for a new design!

My friends Angela and I have been eyeing The Design Girl's blog for a while. Her work is awesome... see for yourself. Angela just celebrated a birthday, and she was lucky to get an amazing new design from The Design Girl. Check out Ang's new look here. I love it, especially her beautiful new banners! I can't wait for my makeover...in a week or two, you will see some really good things around here! 

So here's to a hubby who listens and who surprises me with thoughtful gifts! Happy early Valentine's Day!

Novacare

Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad in the world! Love you Dad xoxo!

Trying to fit physical therapy into my already jammed packed day was hard, but I am going to therapy 3 times a week. Ever since my skiing "incident," my poor knee has never been the same. All I want is to run, run, run, and I can't! It is more than frustrating.

After the new year, I started back at the gym - every day. It was great. I was on maternity leave so I would take care of the baby all day then hit the gym... perhaps a glimpse at what life would be like as a stay at home mom?!? After a few weeks, I was just starting to feel good. I was just starting to get in the groove. You know that feeling...when you look forward to putting your earplugs in with the latest Katy Perry or Lady Gaga song and crankin up the speed on the treadmill. Well, I was able to enjoy it for all of a day because I had a terrible pain in my knee. A pain so bad that my friends Katy and Pink would have to wait until another day.

Dobbie took me to one his orthopedic friends in Philadelphia. I was so stressed thinking it might be a tear or something left over from my skiing "incident,"but it ended up being bursitis and arthritis. Rehab is the answer. What happened to the good old days at Rutgers when I could hit up Doc Monac for a cortisone shot!!! Now it is rehab for 4 weeks. Who has 4 weeks in their busy lives? I know I don't. With a full time job and a brand new baby...4 weeks does not cut it for me. However, I decided to be a good little patient because if I want to meet my long term goal of a half marathon this summer then I better do it the right way.

So I am finishing up week 2... at least I am half way done. I can't wait to be finished so I can rush home to see my little lady every night!

Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad in the world! Love you Dad xoxo!

Progress

What is it about making progress...moving forward? Feeling accomplished, being successful, achieving goals ... these things have always been motivators for me. I love making progress whether it is a small, tiny task or a huge life commitment. Looking back to see how far you have come is rewarding and it keeps you moving forward.

Here in our household, we are making progress. Dobbie is making progress in his new job. He is working hard, getting a handle on his new responsibilities, and I am truly proud of him. He is accepting this new challenge and tackling it by the horns? Huh? Does that make sense? Anyway, he is jumping right in and he has already made progress with accounts, conversations, and training.

I am making progress. Every morning, I drop Kay off and as I drive off, I don't cry as much. That is progress. Being a working mom is tough. Leaving a baby who smiles at you and squeezes your fingers is heart wrenching. I am making it through. Every day gets easier as I focus on what I need to get done in order to get home to snuggle my peanut. I never truly understood what it meant to have NO time for yourself until now.

I am even making progress at work. Lesson plans are up to date, assessments are completed, organization is underway... I am getting back into a routine. Even if I don't feel like I am making progress (it is a hard thing in the world of education), my little first graders are making progress and that is what matters.

Our baby Kay is making more and more progress every day. She is great at tummy time, and she tucks and rolls over almost every time she is on her belly now! She is getting great at holding up her head and she is attempting to sit up when she is laying on her boppy pillow. It is cute to see her straining and leaning forward. She even grunts like a fat, little munchkin. Even Lexi is making progress in her baby recovery! She has rejoined the ranks of camp Lexi (aka under our bed). She is back to sleeping in our room and spending a lot of time with us while we watch tv. Lexi seems less put out by the baby, and she is starting to show protective behavior like laying near her to watch her.

Kay is turning into such a beautiful baby. Her long, curling eyelashes and her perfect, rosy heart shaped lips ... I can picture them at any time during the day and smile. It is these images that help me keep moving...making progress.

The Weekend

I was looking forward to this weekend so much. My to do list was jam packed, but I couldn't wait to wake up and just be with the baby all day. Then Saturday morning, I woke up and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I thought I was just really tired. My first full week back to work really kicked my butt. As Saturday went on, I felt worse and worse. I had to climb back in bed and sleep. I couldn't be around the baby because I was worried she will get sick from me. Last night, I even had a fever! I can't remember the last time I had a fever. This is torture. I am thinking I have the flu.

I have this beautiful baby just waiting for me, and I am nervous that she is going to get sick from me. I am still talking care of her, but I am not holding her and letting her sleep on me today. If she gets sick, I will be upset! Plus, I can't really take any days off of work.

So I guess my chores, errands, and school work will have to wait. I am going to nurse my sickness on the couch with a Law and Order SVU marathon.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that Kay has mastered the tuck and roll! HA! If I put her on her tummy, up on her forearms, she can tuck her arm and roll herself over. Hey, it's something! She gets so proud of herself too! She smiles and giggles when we clap.

She is such a happy baby lately. She smiles non stop. She truly has such a beautiful smile. I think my favorite smile is the first smile you get in the morning when you peak over the crib and she sees you. She lights up.

Suck, Suck, Suck

I am sure you thought this title was referring to returning to work...but you were wrong! Make sure your sound is on. Listen to this little discover her hands!

Changes

Kay has changed so much in the past week! She is starting to do new things, and I love watching her grow. She is 15 weeks old, and she is the sweetest baby in the world.

She has started really exploring her hands lately. She makes a fist, puts it in her mouth, and sucks on her little hand. It is the cutest thing ever. She looks at her hands now...it is like she is thinking "what are these things?" She has really started to grab my fingers and hair. I can't wait for her to reach out for an object and hold it in her hand.

She is talking all the time. She sings and coos to me constantly. She started blowing bubbles and making raspberries with her lips. It is adorable. She leaves a little spit bubble on her lip!

Kailyn has made so much progress during tummy time. She can hold her head up much better in the past two weeks, and she has stopped crying the instant I put her down.

2 weeks ago and I could barely lift my head

Look at me now! 

It is a little harder without the pillow, but she tries her hardest! She even kicks her back legs up like she is trying to turn herself over.

Watching Kailyn grow and change has been one of the most unique experiences. These things may seem little, but they show me how my girl is exploring her own little world. I love you sweet girl.

The faces of Kailyn

"Hi Mom" face

"I Love You Mom" face

"You are scaring me Mom" face

"Stop It Mom" face

"WAHHHH!" face

The beautiful baby face