Weekend Developments

We yet again had a fun packed weekend. We have to make sure we enjoy summer as much as possible, right? Plus, for the past week Andrew and I have finally been doing the last bit of organizing in our new home to get it ready for the little open house party we had Saturday. We had the pleasure of my niece, Katie, sleeping over and spending time with us, but mostly entertaining Kayley while we finished cleaning and preparing on Friday. And my goodness was Katie able to get Kayley to laugh! I had to stop working in the kitchen at one point so I could just watch Katie playing with Kayley, and Kayley laughing her sweet little heart out at what Katie was doing. It was so sweet to see them together. And thank you so much Katie for helping out!

Our open house party was a great success (the first time either of us had planned an open house), and Kayley made it extra special by doing three new things. So not only did we get to spend some great time with family and friends who dropped by (thanks all again for coming!), some of them were able to enjoy some of Kayley’s new discoveries. First in the morning, while my aunt Janet was holding Kayley in a standing position, we were able to watch Kayley attempt to really take some steps for the first time. She has sort of done this before with Andrew, but this time she seemed more intent on it as she took her three steps. We were really excited to see her do this, and hope to see her do it again soon. 

Right before Kayley took her three steps

Shortly after that Kayley sat by herself for about 10 good seconds. She has been trying to sit up more by herself for a while, but this was the first time she really had success. Andrew and I were yet again super excited to see a new development and cannot wait for her to have total success in this area. She loves to practice all the time, which can be tiring for us, but we know what it’s leading to so it’s worth it 100%.

She's doing it! Head up and everything.

Then at the end of the day, after we were blessed with the company of many dear friends and family stopping by, Kayley discovered something completely new to her realm of play. She discovered God has given her two feet that she can reach for and grab onto. It was so fun to see her play with her feet for the first time. I’m wondering if her toes will end up in her mouth. Good thing she takes a bath a couple times a week! 

Reaching for her feet to play with

A new development that Kayley started to work on is crawling. She officially inch wormed for the first time a week and a half ago. Right now it consist mostly of her using both her legs to push herself forward while she on her tummy, and rubbing her face into the floor, but a baby has to start somewhere, right? She’s getting better at pulling her legs up towards her body so her knees are actually under her all the way before she inch worms, but she still hasn’t figured out anything to do with her arms yet. I have confidence that she’ll figure it out when she’s ready, and then the real baby proofing will begin! Oh, and just like her first time rolling over, her first time inch worming occurred while I was putting laundry into the wash. I checked on her and found her on her tummy and half way off her blanket.

This is how I found her. She was originally laying on her back in the middle of the blanket.

Two of our friends also came down from Canada on Sunday to visit us and meet Kayley. It was great to see my "little sister," Lindsey, again, and her husband. Kayley seemed most pleased to finally meet them too. While they were here we talk to a Japanese restaurant for dinner and I successfully ate my meal with chop sticks and one hand while Kayley slept in my other arm. Thanks Lindsey and Andy for coming to visit!

Chopsticks with one hand and a sleeping baby!

Visiting with friends.

Our little one makes life so much more exciting and full of joy. I just love that God blessed us with her and that we get to see and help her grow up in the world.

Birthday! Wedding! Picni!

Last weekend was packed! We started it off by celebrating my birthday with my sister, her husband and one of their daughters and her boyfriend. It was the first time in years that we were remotely near each other for my birthday, so I asked Andrew if we could go out for a birthday dinner with them. We had a delicious dinner at Macaroni Grill and then headed to my sister’s house for a loud game of Last Word and dairy-free chocolate cake. The evening was fun even though Kayley was in a crabby mood almost the whole time. She got to a point where she was super tired and super hungry, but couldn’t figure out what she wanted. She finally decided she was more hungry than tired (her hunger cry was coming out more than her tired cry), but she had worked herself up so much that it took me a while to be able to feed the poor dear. 

Dinner at Macaroni Grill

But boy was she tired! She slept in the next morning and got some extra sleep before our fun celebratory evening of our two friends getting married. That’s right, Kayley went to her first wedding. Andrew and I sat in the back of the sanctuary for the ceremony in case Kayley started crying. Turns out she didn’t start crying, but instead started having fun making babbling noises, so I took her out of the sanctuary anyway and went up to the sky box (nursing mom’s room) at church. Kayley, and two of her future playmates, Noa and Quinn, had a great time babbling and laughing together throughout the whole rest of the ceremony. 

Dressed up for the wedding

 For the reception, Kayley was great, except that she wanted to be held and in an upright position the whole time and we had forgotten our Bjorn baby carrier at home… Oops! This made for a more energy draining evening for Andrew and I since we had to take turns carrying her the whole evening. Our girl isn’t a light feather anymore! She’s been putting on her baby-chub, so our arms were getting tired. We had a wonderful time celebrating with Vernon and Melissa anyway, and Kayley even got to share a dance with Vernon. ~ Congratulations, Vernon and Melissa!!! We’re so happy for you both!!!

Sunday was another eventful day. It was my last day being the teacher in the 4 and 5 year old Sunday school classroom since Marsha is teaching next week, and the week after that is Rally Sunday when the kids graduate and more up. No, no, I’m not stopping teaching. There is actually a slight age gap with the kids at church for those who come to 1^st service and there are no children moving up into the class, so I am thus also graduating with my students and teaming up with Betty to teach in the 1^st and 2^nd grade classroom. I’m excited I get all my students back again! 

Birthday pic with my baby

 After church Andrew and I headed home to bake coconut cup cakes for the church picnic later that day. The weather was perfect for the picnic (and for my birthday ^_^).  And Andrew and I made sure we brought the Bjorn with so our hands would be more free while at the picnic. We all had a great time with our church family. It was so nice to be able to spend so much time together, share and meal, and even play a few games with one another.

Bjorn: Don't leave home without it!

Fun at the picnic

It was quite a packed weekend, but oh so much fun! Kayley took two days to recover from it all and slept in an extra hour on Monday and Tuesday.

Birthday! Bridal! Buffet!

This last weekend was started off with Kayley and I saying happy birthday to Andrew! 

His birthday was on Friday, so we thus celebrated the 28 years God has blessed him with after he got off work. I believe Andrew had an extra fun time celebrating his birthday this year since it was his first as a father and second as a husband. The first thing he did when he walked through the door after work was to give Kayley and I a big hug and then picked up Kayley to snuggle her to thank her for her birthday wish (picture above). We went on a fun family adventure to H-Mart where we shared a chicken katsu (so good!), and then had desert at Menchies. Kayley slept through dinner, but she was wide-eyed when we were at Menchies. Maybe she was hoping we’d share some ice cream with her. 

Yummy!

I need to get better at aiming the camera to get Kayley in the photo when she's in the Bjorn.

On Saturday Kayley and I went to our friend Melissa’s bridal shower. Kayley was yet again captivated by watching everyone who was there. So much so that when she started saying she was hungry, I fed her under my nursing cover and she was getting mad that she couldn’t look around. She thus only ate enough to satisfy herself for the time being so she could get back to people watching. And there was a lot of fun going on too, with great food, a cooking demo, fun games and Melissa opening up her gifts. Meanwhile at home, Andrew tackled a huge to-do list and got a lot done around our home. Thanks so much, love! All three of us were tired by the time it was late afternoon, so we ended our day with Mediterranean take-out and a movie. Kayley enjoyed playing with her toys, cuddling with us, and even watching a bit of TV. 

One of the games was for each table to design a wedding dress with toilet paper.

Sunday was a packed day! We started off with the three of us being in my 4 to 5 year old Sunday school classroom. But it turns out all my students were out of town or didn’t make it to first service. So the three of us enjoyed time together, and hanging out with Patty talking about kids, children’s ministries and more. I guess Kayley really enjoyed playing because she slept through ALL of service. Well she was awake for the first half of the first worship song, but she didn’t wake up until after Pastor Craig said the benediction. 

And then I learned a life lesson in motherhood: not only is it a good idea to have a spare shirt with you (which I carry in Kayley’s diaper bag), it is also a great idea to have an extra pair of pants (which I didn’t have). Little Miss Kayley’s tummy decided to make her diaper deposit extra explosive and not only did it go through her cute little diaper cover and the backside of the dress she had on, since she was sitting on my lap when it happened it also went through my jeans… Not a lot thank goodness, but enough for me to want to change clothes and be sad that I couldn’t. Thank God for baby wipes being able to clean up a lot! But I took the situation in stride as much as I could, had Andrew clean up Kayley while I cleaned up myself as much as possible and rinsed off her clothes as much as I could (and yes Kayley changed clothes; we always have 2 changes of outfits for our little one just in case). 

This is what she originally wore to church.

After that little episode we enjoyed a fabulous lunch with our church’s young adult group, AMP. This month’s event was to cook a taste meal together, eat together, and fellowship together as we get to know one another more. Everyone did a phenomenal job! Even the set up for the buffet line and explanation of what each item was was fun. The food was so delicious and it was so great fellowshipping and sharing a meal together. I hope we’re able to do it again. Of course as soon as we got home I started a load of laundry. 

Working in the church kitchen together!

Gizmos and Gadgets Part Three: Sleep Time

As most people know, babies sleep a LOT. Thus the items use for them to sleep in is important. Kayley has three different items that she sleeps in. Here are my thoughts on them.

Moses Basket – Tadpoles Organic Moses Basket

My cousin gave us his Moses basket when his son out grew it. It has been great to take with us on our weekend get aways and over to family and friend’s houses so Kayley has a safe place to sleep. It has foam padding for the bottom of the matters that feels very comfortable, and Kayley doesn’t have any problem going to sleep in it, or laying in it and babbling away. I like that it’s so light and easy to take along. Sure you can’t fold it in half or anything like that, but since it’s a basket I can carry other things in it when I take it to and from the car. The only down side to it is that the handles like to flip into the basket and be in the way and in Kayley’s face. My way of fixing this problem has been to put a blanket over them to hold them down and out of the basket.

Sleeping in the Moses basket at a hotel

Sleeping in the Moses basket at my sister's house

Pack N Play – Graco Pack n’ Play Playard Chadwick

Features: Bassinet, changing table, bear mobile, organizer with three organizers

Currently we use our Pack n’ Play as Kayley’s bed in our bedroom. We only have her sleep in it at night time and have been using the bassinet level so she is easy to get to at night. She loves to watch her bear mobile as she drifts off to sleep or babbles at them while she tires herself out. We haven’t used the changing table as a changing table, but it’s where I put my PJs. We don’t even have the organizer connected to the Pack n’ Play because we don’t currently have a use for it. So far we’ve just kept it at since she fits in the Moses basket we have. Once she starts moving around more and gets bigger we’ll be taking it to family and friend’s houses so she has a place to sleep and play that is safe and out of the way.

Sleeping in her Pack n' Play

Crib

We have a hand-me-down crib from a friend that I have mentioned before. I don’t know the brand or style it is, but it does have a mattress that can be set at two different heights, and a side that can be lowered. Our crib is located in Kayley’s room, and so far Kayley only takes her daytime naps in it. I like it a lot and am happy to have it. I’m just not mentally ready to have my baby sleep in a different room. This will be a crib that she uses until she grows up to need a big girl bed or/and our family expands and she gets a baby sibling.  Oh! And the mattress is waterproof. We have had any diaper explosions during a nap yet, but I know they’ll happen. 

Sleeping in her crib

Crib Bed Set – Fisher Price Artic Hero 4 Piece Crib Set

Features: Comforter, bumper, fitted sheet, dust ruffle.

I love our crib bedding! It’s so cute! I love the animals and the colors. It’s soft, all machine washable, and seems to be made pretty durable. It only came with one fitted sheet though, so we bought more knowing we might have to change it frequently.

Sleeping in her crib, but you can see more of the bed set

Baby Monitor – Graco Digital Connect Digital Baby Monitor 1 Parent Unit

Features: You can make the receiver lights up or vibrate with the sounds baby is making, receiver end has rechargeable batteries, you can talk to baby via the receiver end, has volume adjustment, and even tell you the temperature.

For our two bedroom apartment, this device works great. It gets reception all throughout our apartment so I don’t have to worry about missing Kayley making noise in her sleep, or babbling or crying after she wakes up. I like the light feature on the receiver so if a lot of noise is going on around me and Kayley makes a very quiet noise, the flash of the light catches my attention instead. Andrew and I have even used this baby monitor as a walky-talky when one of us was with Kayley and the other way in another room (ex: I was napping with Kayley and Hoshi opened our bedroom door all the way. I just whispered “Andrew can you come close the door?” and he did). I do wish that the end that stays with Kayley to pick up her sounds had rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to replace them or have it plugged in (I move it from our room to her bedroom every day and have to unplug it. Not a big deal, but it would be nice if I didn’t have to do that).

The monitor set

Rolling Over

Soon after I posted my list yesterday of Kayley’s developments thus far, she rolled over for the first time! And I totally missed it too. I was in the process of trying to get laundry started and had Kayley lying on a blanket with some of her toys in her bedroom. I kept pocking my head in to check on her, and one time when I did that I found her completely on her tummy! I was so excited! I pulled the camera out of my pocket (I had a feeling she was going to roll over yesterday) and took a picture of her as she turned to look up at me. 

Kayley looking up at me right after she rolled over.

What did she do after she realized she was on her tummy? She cried. That has been her reaction so far to rolling over. First she gets this shocked look in her eyes like “what did I just do?” and then the tears start to well up, and then the crying ensues. I of course called Andrew right away at work after I praised Kayley and calmed her down. I just had to tell him what our little girl did. I was (and still am) so proud of her! And Andrew is too. He was able to enjoy watching her new skill in person last night. 

Proud Mama!

Proud Dada

Way to go Kayley! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you reading this development milestone! Keep working on your coordination and muscles development, little girl. We’ll be right here with you to help you along. Thank you, God, for helping our little girl grow as much as she has so far and helping her to reach a new milestone!

Three Months!

Three months ago today, Kayley was born! I can’t believe it has already been three months! Wow, time sure does fly with a baby. Kayley has grown so much since shemade her entrance into the world. And I don’t just mean in length and weight. I mean in her skills and abilities.

Here development since week 7 at a glimpse:

• She can now track people and animals across the room. She loves to watch Hoshi walk around and play.

• She laughs and we have been able to enjoy two fits of pure delight and lots of baby giggles.

• Her vocal range and the sounds she makes has expanded.

• She has discovered hair is fun to grab onto and tug (Hoshi was a trooper when this happened to her. She didn’t seem fazed at all).

• She loves to practice standing and cries for you to hold her up that way.

• For the past two weeks she has slept for about 7-8 hours at night, wakes up to eat and then sleeps for 1-2 hours more.

• She has not only discovered her hands and how much fun they are to suck and chew on, she has found her thumb. This has helped her to begin to learn how to sooth herself.

• She has discovered how to roll from her back to her side, and back onto her back again.

• She still does not enjoy tummy time that much, but is great at holding up her head and turning it from side to side.

• She plays and interacts with toys. She loves to bring them up to her mouth. 

• She likes book time and seems to look at the pictures and words that are on the pages.

• She has worked herself into a (flexible) schedule of eating and naps during the day.

Our little girl has growing up and developing so much. It has been a joy and a pleasure to watch and help her grow. 

Three days before the three month mark

Family time at Andrew's company picnic

**And today she rolled over for the first time!!!!

How to Keep Sane on a Bad Day

August is here! And thankfully it brought the sun with it! We’ve been having a really off summer here in the Seattle area, so any day it is sunny I’m filled with joy! Kayley and I just got back from a lovely walk in the sun. She was really enjoying looking around at all the plants and houses that we passed, and even focused on a butterfly. And then she fell asleep and is currently taking a nap in her crib. Today has been going pretty good so far, but our week did not start off this easy.

Sunday started at 4:30am for Kayley and I. The poor girl had some gas and was working on getting it out and wasn’t feeling great in the process. So I brought her into bed with us and had her lying on top of me while I rubbed her tummy. This helped a bit, but for two hours we girls were going in and out of sleep as Kayley would pull her legs up and squirm around to try and make herself feel better. She eventually had success and I got up to change her diaper and feed her at 6:30, a mere hour before the alarm was going to go off to get ready for church (and diaper changing and feeding takes about 40mins total).

Well, that’s how our morning started off, and it was packed with getting to church early and working in the nursery (for our first time ^_^), followed by a baby shower, and then home. Kayley was great during the whole day! She seemed to enjoy being in the nursery with us and enjoyed being with all the ladies at the baby shower. But this took a lot out of her too. So when we got home around three in the afternoon we had a very cranky tired baby who just didn’t know what she wanted and was fighting sleep. Who would blame her too? She started her day at 4:30am, had a packed day and was exhausted from it. I was tired too, along with Andrew who had to do some work from the time we got home to about 8:30 at night. Basically we were all really close to the end of our rope and Kayley’s intense continuous crying wasn’t helping any.

So, what did I do to help keep myself as calm as possibly during her crying fits (she only paused from crying to eat and take two short naps) while Andrew was busy doing work? I tried to turn every negative thought I was having into a positive one.

“Why do you have to be so loud?” turned into “I am so thankful you have strong lungs and that you are developing your voice.”

“Of my gosh your cry can sure carry” turned into “I hope one day you can use your strong voice to shout from the mountain tops that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is both fully man and fully God, and that believing in Him is the path to salvation.”

“Would you please stop squiring and kicking as I try to calm and sooth you?” turned into “I am so happy you are working on developing your muscles so that one day you can walk, run, dance, swim, skip, and do so many other things.”

“Can’t you take a break from crying?” turned into “I hope when you’re faced with adversity you will not give up and that you will continue to be persistent.”

I also started to thank God for other things relating to Kayley and our little family. I thanked God that He blessed Andrew and me with her, and that He would choose us as the best parents for her. I thanked God that He brought Andrew and me together as husband and wife. For all that God provides for us; Andrew’s job, our home, our family, our friends, our food, our clothing, even our cat. And so many other things.

I did my best to put my focus on God so that I would be at peace as Kayley cried away. I don’t think I could have gotten through the rest of the day without doing this. I’m not saying doing this made the rest of the day perfect; it was hard! But turning my focus on God instead of focusing on the negative helped to calm my soul and really be there to help support my tired baby girl.

Sunday served as a little reminder that God is always there with us, and focusing on Him can help you get through anything because He’s going through it with you.

All dressed up for church and the baby shower

So cute!

Kayley is wearing the cardigan sweater I wore when I was little