See you later, Dada!

Today we say "see you later" to Chad! He is hitting the road for the next 30 days. (We did find out yesterday that after a little schedule change we will actually get to see him for a day and a half on this run!) Having Chad home these *almost* 9 months, has been nothing short of amazing. I picked Chad up from the bus May 31st at 2PM. Exactly 12 hours later, my water broke, and our baby girl arrived on June 1st. She was waiting on her daddy. And I knew instantly that they would have such an incredible love for each other.




Since then Chad has (for the most part minus a couple little trips), been home with us. And when I say home, he has been here, at HOME, through it all. We have gone through, survived, persevered, laughed, cried, been completely sleep deprived, slept in different rooms so that he could get sleep and then get up with Salem in the morning, stayed in our pj's for days, been neurotic first time parents, taken Salem to the doctor for a sniffle, taken Salem to the doctor because she stopped breathing, taken her to the doctor because the doctors thought something was wrong with her hips, been with our daughter as she had tubes put in her ears, sat with her in our arms on an airplane for over 10 hours on our way to Arizona, held her in our arms for HOURS just so she would sleep, smiled more than we ever thought possible, and have loved harder than we ever could put into words.

We knew this day was around the corner when Chad would have to hit the road again. It kind of snuck up on us. So today we are beyond sad to say "See you later, Dada!" I have grown to love my husband in a way that I didn't know existed. Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love him more, I see him everyday with our daughter, and I'm smitten. He has gone from being so nervous and not sure what to do with a "baby" to being the most confident, loving, and attentive father. Every morning he goes to get her up out of her crib, he sings her the same song, and her face LIGHTS up. Then she starts yelling, "Dada, dada, dada!!!" and raises her arms up to get his good morning hug. And I know he melts at this each and every time. They have a special bond. She knows her daddy will drop everything to play with her and spend time with her. She LOVES having his full attention. This morning I heard them both playing and laughing and I could've sworn I heard Salem say something that sounded like, "Ohhh, Dada!" haha! She adores her Daddy. And I know he adores her. Can't you tell? ; )



We love you Dada! Safe travels! And we are already counting down the days until we are all together again!

Feeding Salem

I am not one of those die hard breast feeding mom's. In fact, ask any of my friends, and I was completely repulsed at the idea of nursing while I was pregnant. When Salem was born and wouldn't "latch on," I immediately told the nurse, "just give her some formula." I wasn't into it, I didn't care if she nursed or took a bottle, as long as she was eating, it was all ok by me. After she had lost a significant amount of weight in the hospital, I remember sobbing and telling them to JUST GIVE HER FORMULA ALREADY! At this point they sent in the sweetest, most kind, lactation consultant. Previously, Carla, the "boobie nazi," had tried to help me and I ended up screaming at her and she made me cry. This new lady was wonderful. She rigged up this contraption to trick Salem into latching on. And when Salem finally latched on, the waterworks started! Chad was crying, I was crying, even the lactation consultant was crying! It was one of the most amazing feelings and instantly I was hooked! I knew this is what I wanted to do, this was the choice I wanted to make. I would set my goal of nursing in 3 month increments so as not to become overwhelmed.

A few weeks ago I went to the doctor. Apparently my weight, unbeknownst to me, had dropped drastically. Yes, I knew that I had lost all my baby weight and then some, and yes I knew even my smallest clothes weren't fitting me, but I chalked it up to nursing such a big baby. (over 21lbs!) However, after running some tests, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. And the possibility of not being able to continue to nurse Salem scared me. I have loved it. It truly brings me a sense of peace and calm and bonding that I didn't know existed. I cried and cried about thinking I'd have to wean her. The doctors weren't against me continuing to nurse at all, I was just too nervous about the medication that they wanted me on, being passed to her. So after being sent to 2 doctors and a thyroid specialist, it was determined that I do NOT have Graves Disease, I have postpartum thyroiditis. And that changed everything. Basically this is a condition that some women get after they have a baby, and it clears up within 12-18 months. So this is the best possible thyroid problem to have. : )

I never knew how much I loved being able to provide nourishment to my child until I was faced with the possibility of having to give it up. I look at Salem and am so proud of my body for producing substance to feed her. The times of nursing where we sit in her rocker, and I hold her hand, and she squeezes my hand back, are something I will remember and cherish forever. I haven't set any more "goals" of when I will stop nursing, I just know that for now, I'm enjoying where we are and how far we've come...which is a lot better than where I thought I would be! I guess I'm eating my words...

I wrote this blog more for me to be able to remember these thoughts and feelings.

My girl

My sweet Valentine

You are 8.5 months old today. You're already a crawling and climbing machine. You have the sweetest little smile. I adore you. I love the way you take your pointer finger to "feel and "trace" anything new that you see. I love the way you eat cheerios with your chubby little hands. You are a very routined baby. You know when your food, naps, and bedtime are coming. You get very excited to go do our "wind down" routine before naps. You love to have books read to you. I love the way you look at your daddy, like he hung the moon. And that's exactly how every little girl should look at their dada's, (because he did hang the moon!). You say "Dada" every time your daddy comes near you. Yesterday, when I got you up from your nap and brought you out to see your Dada, you waved at him and smiled. I love how you clap at everything that excites you. When you see The Nawn, a toy you like, when you saw your Mimi on skype the other day...I love watching you. You have taught me to stop and observe the small things. To truly take it all in. You have taught me to let the not so important things roll off my back. You have taught me to just "be", even when I don't want to. You have the sweetest spirit. You watch Sesame Street so intently. I love the noise you make when I ask if you want to "eat." You have also taken to pulling my shirt down when you want your milk! ; ) You know exactly what you want and you tell us. You love to be outside. This morning I went out to check the mail and you threw your arms up and starting squealing, wanting to go with me. You have the most beautiful eyes! Sort of a greenish blue...we can't figure them out! And the most kissable lips. You put everything in your mouth! No matter what it is. But we've learned that if we keep your paci in your mouth, you won't take it out, so nothing goes in your mouth! This is a huge plus when we're out! : )

You have the most amazing laugh. You think its super funny when something falls. And if it keeps falling, you can't even handle it, you laugh so hard! You are loved by so many people. You bring so much joy to everyone's life. You have brought all of us so much closer. I love you my Punketies, my Pookers, my Salem Sophia...

Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite little, chubby Valentine!

Salem and Isabella

Salem had a playdate the other day with her friend Isabella. She loves other kids! Isabella is my dear friends, Amy and Isaac's, little girl. Isabella greeted Amy and Isaac about 6 weeks early! The girls are exactly 20 weeks a part. Salem wasn't sure what to do with Isabella...so she started licking her! ha! We are looking forward to many more playdates with our girls...and it's a GREAT time for us to catch up!

Salem and the Toy Box

Salem loves her toys! She likes to pull herself up on her toy box and "look" through the toys. Here are some pictures of her "deciding" which one she wants to play with! Isn't she growing up??

8 months old cont'd

I take pictures of Salem on the first of every month to celebrate her "birthday." I will post those pics of the first 7 months. Her aunties (Kendra and Kolby) got her this teddy bear. I try to take her first of the month pictures with the bear so you can see how much she's grown! I missed a few months with the bear!

Greetings!

Every time we go in to get Salem once she wakes up from her naps or in the morning, this is how she greets us. We watch her on the monitor and she'll play for a bit, roll around, talk really loud, but when she's ready to get out, she crawls over to her bumper, pulls it down, and peers over the top! Looking for her mama or dada to rescue her out of the crib!! She's so funny! It's been so neat to see her little personality coming through. And boy does she have a lot of it! ; )

Loves Auntie Kolby

We wanted to show Salem the video of her Auntie Kolby singing...and this is how excited she got when she heard it! Guess she knows amazing talent when she hears it! And not to mention, she ADORES her Auntie Kolby!

8 months old

Today Salem is 8 months old. I can honestly say I am enjoying it all. I have had so many people tell me to "soak it all in, it goes so fast!" And if that is not the truth!! I blinked and she's 8 months. I can't believe it.

Here are some Salem "highlights"

* Sleeps 7-7, naps 9-10:30, and naps 1:30-3:30 (there IS a God!)
* She still nurses and is on 3 "solid" meals a day
* Her favorites are sweet potatoes, apples, pears, squash, and if you mix any of those, she's extra happy
* She pulls herself up on everything.
* She does what I call the "Salem Scooch" If she sees something she wants, she knows how to move to get it. Sometimes she'll crawl, sometimes she just slithers over. She'll find a way if she wants it!
* says, "Dada" when she sees Chad (which of course is his favorite thing ever)
* makes a kissing sound, and all other funny sounds
* She knows how to give a "kiss" when you ask her for one
* Can wave bye-bye
* LOVES when her Auntie Nawni visits (or "The Nawn" as we call her!) Salem starts clapping and shrieking when she sees Tawni!
* Claps like crazy!!
* And LOVES her Sesame Street. She loves the episode, "Baby Bear's Birthday" She'll sit and watch the whole thing

We are so in love with her. She has so much personality. She loves attention! She would be content playing on the floor all day with her toys and one of us!

Happy 8 Months Salem Sophia. You truly are a blessing to us. We love you Punkety!