Of Pacifiers, Dog Toys and Crazy Weather ...

So, Olive doesn't really 'get' pacifiers, but we use them sometimes to try and calm her down during a crying jag. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately, because we use them infrequently and when we are just a bit frantic ourselves, our pacifiers sometimes get left in places they should not be.

We started out with two blue/turquoise pacifiers (a shower gift from Erik and Sarah) and came home from the hospital with another blue one. After Olive was born, my Mom picked up two pink pacifiers because ... well, I think they jumped in her cart. Not too long ago, we discovered shards of blue pacifier all over the rug in Olive's room one morning. Now, Olive does not have teeth - or the mobility to snatch and transport a pacifier. Our dear puppy Zoe does - and apparently really loves those pacifiers! (They do last a bit longer than some of the dog toys we have paid more for ...)

Currently, we have lost two blue and two pink pacifiers to our dear furry friend. We did rescue the one that our nephew Will fed to Zoe, but only temporarily, it seems, as it has now gone MIA! Because Olive is sometimes, er, pacified by a pacifier, we recently purchased another two-pack of pink pacifiers. We are trying to be vigilant about keeping them out of puppy range ... I'm not sure how successful we will be!

Today Kyle went to work in a sweater, a light sweater, but a sweater. It is still August, right!?! I know, just barely, but still. It is lovely cool weather so I shouldn't complain, but I have doubts about the tomatoes on our plant (almost a bush now!) out back if fall is here to stay.

We will post more photos soon ...

- H

Why ...

We know that Olive cannot yet 'get' little stories and songs, but we have begun listening to lullabies and nursery rhymes while we rock her at night and reading books when she is awake during the day. This way we will have the habits of reading books and listening to music when she is old enough to appreciate them.

However, Kyle is worried that these stories, songs, and rhymes will be forever stuck in our brains (which will probably happen) and will push out other vital pieces of information such as how to tie his shoes. So, if you notice that Kyle has suddenly developed a propensity for slip-on (or even velcro!!) shoes, you might want to teach him that shoe-tying rhyme so that he can redevelop those skills!

;)

One Month!

Our little Olive is one month old today. What a ride the last 31 days have been! Having a newborn at home is a great excuse to spend a good chunk of August inside (although I'm sure our AC bill will not be pretty - Yikes!).

Also, we've had the wonderful gift of guests galore! My mom and Tim, my dad, and Kyle's parents all were able to be here the day Olive arrived - despite some pretty short notice. Mom and Tim stayed for a bit, and Russ and Rae came back later for a long weekend. Matt and Liz (and Will and new Baby Charlie) came to visit this past weekend. We are also looking forward to more guests - Chad, Jen and Ben, and Mom and Tim (for a second lap)!

Our guests have helped with chores, helped with projects, and generally encouraged us in this process and helped get us out of the house. (It is daunting to get out with Olive - although not as daunting, I'm sure, as venturing out with infant twins like some of our friends and family!!) Thank you very much to all!

Olive is a wonderful baby. We're starting to get into a schedule, more or less. She is a good eater and a very good little night-time sleeper. (Right now all bets are off for her afternoons and evenings. Please know that we'll pick up the phone if we can!) We have had some pretty frustrating bouts of crying, but we don't think it is anything out of the ordinary. And we are becoming more skilled at soothing our little one. A few nights with a seemingly inconsolable infant have helped us think outside the box!

A few more details:

Today was also Olive's one-month appointment with her pediatrician. She weighed in at 8 lbs and 7 ozs and is now 21 inches tall/long. Her doc thinks that she is growing well and that her eating and sleeping patterns are not out of the ordinary. (A big relief for me and Kyle. We were worried that she was a bit slow in her weight gain.) Olive received the second shot in her Hep-B series today which just about broke my heart. Suffice it to say, her prior inconsolable crying was nothing compared to watching her actually wail in pain!

And finally:

A photo of Olive all bundled up in her Sleepy Wrap carrier for a walk with Mommy, Daddy and Zoe.



A photo of Olive and her daddy celebrating cousin Will's birthday at the Magic House (the St. Louis Children's Museum).




- H

Marking three weeks ...

Even though Olive was four weeks old yesterday, we have a few photos to post of our little girl at three weeks:







Our alphabet wall ... We are still accumulating letters and numbers. It will be finished before too long!!:



Another view of Olive's room:



This is the quilt that Kyle's mom made-see earlier posts-and Kyle and his dad installed the new shelves.

We won't wait so long before our next post!!

- H

Just so you don't think we've disappeared ...

A few mundane details of our lives:

Kyle is in Tennessee for work. He left Tuesday and returns tonight late. The big pit has been calling his name, and he finally answered the call. Thus, little Olive and I have been fending for ourselves the past few days.

Things are pretty uneventful - Olive and I hang out a lot at home. Olive loves a car ride, but they get fit it in between her requested meals and naps (for both the little one and her mom!).

I finally met with a lactation consultant. Her advice and encouragement were very helpful because breast feeding is not as easy and intuitive as one might expect.

Also - I was recently reminded that a good bra makes a huge difference. No need to share the gory details, but worth every penny!

We all are missing Kyle, but poor Zoe is particularly longing for his return ... I am currently neither talented nor confident enough to take both Olive and Zoe out for a proper walk. Not to worry, although its a bit rough, Zoe has been able to get some of her frolic out by romping around our back garden, and I will make sure she gets in a good walk very soon!

A few new photos of our little Olive ...

Olive in her bathtub waiting for Mommy to finish brushing her teeth:



Olive hanging out with her Daddy:





Olive on her one-week birthday:






- H

Olive's One Week Check-Up

Today we went to visit Olive's pediatrician:

Olive was born weighing 6 lbs 10 ozs, left the hospital at 6 lbs 3 ozs and weighed in today at 7 lbs 5 ozs.

Olive at birth measured 19.5 inches, and today measured 20.5 inches.

All in all she is on track, her growth pleases the doctor, and we head back later this month for her one-month appointment, barring any unfavorable developments.

Great news which pleased both Kyle and me.

- H

The Miraculous Sheep

Once upon a time there were two new (very new) parents, who delivered a wonderful little girl named Olive. They spent 48 hours after her birth in the hospital. While there, Miss Olive was a joy during the day - she glowed whether in the arms of family or sweetly snuggled in the hospital bassinet. But, after dark, the bassinet was not her favorite place. The parents snuggled her in their arms to get some sleep but worried mightily that she would tumble and find harm. These parents returned home and brought baby to bed one more night, for her sleep and theirs, when she did not want to sleep in her cute little bassinet by their bed.

The next day - hark! - they remembered, a gift they received twice, once from a young mom and once from an experienced grandmother ... the Sleep Sheep.



(Note - the new parents received no compensation in exchange for this post.) This amazing device emits a variety of sounds, including rain, heartbeat, whale sounds and a white noise setting. The new parents attached it to Olive's bassinet and turned on the rain noises (as they did not enjoy the sensation of sleeping with the fishes) ... and almost immediately, Olive's distress was relieved. She relaxed, sighed and slept.

What a miraculous little device, providing the proper environment for all to dream sweet. (Note 2 - This miracle may not continue, but the new parents are happy to celebrate while it lasts.)

The End.

- H