Month Three Brought Us Glee

To say that month three with Margo has been amazing is an understatement. Margo’s little personality is really starting to shine through and she is getting more and more fun each day! In month three, Margo started smiling a ton, rolls over from her tummy to her back, although Cary says he saw her roll both ways on her play mat once—I have yet to see it! She is holding things with her hands and becoming more aware of them, drooling A LOT and continues to talk up a storm! I have been around lots of babies and do not remember this much cooing and gooing, squeeling and ooohhing at such a young age! We are definitely going to have a talker on our hands and I better start preparing to answer tons of repetitive questions.

The night before I was to return to work, Margo gave me a most special gift with her first real laughter. She gave me big belly laughs over and over and it made my heart smile so big! She now laughs for me every day and it is so much fun to play with her in this way!

She is a little rolly polly and definitely is “healthy” as they say! She weighs 14 lbs. 10 oz and went from the 10th to the 60th percentile since her last appointment! She is 24” and in the 27% for height and her head is 14%. She is so cooperative in letting me trim her nails and most loves her bath time. Her eyes are dark dark brown and her eyelashes are so so long—like a giraffe’s—as my sister pointed out! She is getting a little beauty mark on her face near her right eye. Right now it just looks like a tiny freckle. I hope it doesn’t get too big and actually is beautiful! Otherwise, her pediatrician wants to watch it closely and we may end up having it removed.

One of her favorite toys continues to be the play gym and she loves her cell phone and aquarium toy from Christmas. She also loves to look at herself in the mirror in her bed. Sometimes I come in in the morning and after her naps to find her rolled on her back and chatting with herself in the mirror.

Margo’s reflux is staying steady and she is doing much better than in month two. She has good days and bad days, but we have seen marked improvement on this front. Motherhood is amazing and fills my heart with joy and gratitude each day! I love that so many friends have had babies around the same time, so I can seek out advice, share stories, swap ideas, etc…

A New Year, A New Frontier

The new year brought some new challenges for the Weavers. After four amazing months off with Margo, I went back to work. Luckily, my boss agreed that I could go part-time three days a week. This enabled us to cancel Margo’s slot in daycare and she is now being lovingly cared for by my mom on Mondays and Fridays and by Cary’s mom on Thursdays. This has been a difficult adjustment for me, as I know it is for all moms. Part of the reason Cary and I waited so long to get pregnant was because I desperately wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and we were not in a position for me to quit working.

For those of you who know me well, I have felt very strongly on this subject since I was just a teen and am sad that the circumstances of our society do not allow for more mothers to stay at home. It is just too expensive to live and I think most of us, including myself, want to be able to maintain a certain lifestyle. Sometimes I think I should just put my selfishness aside, buy a simple house in a less desirable neighborhood and be with my Margo. Things cannot buy us happiness, but my sweet girl sure can. At the same time, I feel that I didn’t work so hard to go to a great school, earn my degree and build a life to give it all up. I want Margo to go to summer camp, have college paid for, etc… all things that neither Cary or I had. It’s a catch-22 and there is no real solution, so off to work I go, missing my girl terribly, but also knowing that I am doing what I think is best for all of us. It is so comforting that she is with our moms and perhaps if things work out as planned, I will get to start staying home with her in a year or so.

Don’t get me wrong, I know I am VERY lucky that I have such an awesome arrangement with both my job and our mothers. My heart really goes out to those mothers who have to work full-time and especially those single moms who do it all alone! I count my blessings everyday and am all the more grateful for my special time with Margo on my days off and the weekend.

During my pregnancy, one of my favorite things was sweets—especially brownies. I ate sugar to my heart’s desire and got Cary on a big sugar kick too. I would buy things I NEVER buy like cookies, whole cakes and ice cream at the store and eat something every day at lunch and dinner. Since I had Margo, this has been my biggest downfall and I actually gained a few pounds around the holidays. So… Cary and I gave up sweets and sodas except once on the weekend. I have had to pass up carrot cake at work, warm Shipley’s donuts, muffins and more, but I have stuck to my guns and have managed to get a few pounds off. I think it is going to take some serious exercise to get the last few pregnancy pounds off, but I feel much better without all this sugar in my body. After the first few weeks, it has gotten much easier to resist the temptations. The plan is to continue this at least through Lent, but I am hoping we can make it a permanent lifestyle change instead.

Also, in the past three months after I had Margo I did a terrible job of getting out with her. Not only did I not want her to be exposed to germs, but I found it very stressful to get out for dinners, errands, etc… I now have a goal to get out with her once a week on one of my days off. She hates the car seat, but is getting used to it and we have had two very successful outings. We have gone to lunch both times… once she slept, the other she played and talked to me. We also made trips to Hobby Lobby, Pottery Barn and Janie and Jack. I have quickly learned that she loves getting out and seeing new things. It is still hard for me to juggle all of her stuff and the carrier, but I have to learn eventually. I know it creates a new, fun form of stimulation for her and it helps the day go by faster.

So in the new year, as we face a new frontier, pray for us… that mommy and Margo can be happy and thriving with the work situation, that Cary and I can be successful at our no sugar/soda diet and see it pay off, and that I become a pro at taking Margo on outings!

Christmas Cheer with my Margo Dear!

Margo’s first Christmas was truly memorable! Although she didn’t know what was going on and was a bit overwhelmed by it all, it was so much fun having Santa visit and creating new memories and traditions with her.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Margo did really well until it got to opening presents and there was a bit too much excitement. Margo and Caroline, her cousin, wore matching bows, which was not planned and made it extra special. I loved her in her smocked dress! Alan made his amazing beef tenderloin and we had a meal that rivals even the best of restaurants.

Margo and Grannie

Christmas morning Margo woke up very happy after having slept through the night for 11 hours for only the second time! We took our time feeding her and then set her in her bumbo in front of her toys from Santa. I wanted to go crazy with toys, but knew it wasn’t really necessary since she is so little. I am also going to work really hard at trying to not spoil Margo too much. I think some kids have far too many things and have little appreciation for their toys, so I hope that we can prevent this in our home. I want Margo to have a clear understanding that Christmas is most importantly, about Jesus’ birth. That doesn’t mean that I don’t plan on making it plenty fun too!

The new tradition I started at our house was giving Margo nine books—one from each of Santa’s reindeer with a special message from each of them. I am a huge advocate of reading and thought this would be a fun way to incorporate it in her Christmas, so she receives more than just toys.

Christmas Day was spent with the Weavers and was also a ton of fun. Margo got a lot of attention and enjoyed being around those who love her so much. Our traditional Christmas dinner hit the spot and we enjoyed Ron’s amazing margaritas as well!

Margo was incredibly blessed with lots of awesome toys, clothes, books and more from both of our families. Christmas has always been a special time for us and is by far, my most favorite holiday. Having Margo brings a whole different level of happiness to our lives and now makes the holidays even more amazing and fun! We are truly blessed with such a sweet baby girl!

Month Two Part Deaux

I have realized that I am a bit of an idiot and on my last post about Margo said month 2 flew when it had just begun. So... I am getting on track. Margo has just completed two months and is now three months old!

To say that my Margo is amazing is an understatement. She makes us so incredibly happy and we love her more and more as each day passes! This month has been busy and I am slowly learning to get into the swing of things with her.

Margo is sleeping anywhere between 6-8 hour stretches at night, which has been an incredibly welcome change! She is also sleeping in her crib now and it was very easy to transition her from the moses basket. I think she likes the room to spread out. Due to Margo's reflux, she doesn't like to sleep on her back and it is virtually impossible to get her to sleep for an extended period of time in that way. So... against all the advice, we are sleeping her on her tummy and purchased an Angel Care monitor to detect her every move. If she stops breathing/moving for more than 20 seconds, an alarm will sound. I did a lot of research about the product and trust in it, so I am able to breathe easy at night knowing she is sleeping comfortably and is safe.

Margo is also talking up a storm! She absolutely LOVES to hear herself talk. If she is awake, she is most likely talking. I took this video the day before Thanksgiving and she is already much more verbal a few weeks later. This still is pretty cute and her little personality is showing through.



She is also kicking her legs like crazy and is a very happy baby... smiling and excited all the time. She is our true joy and we love her so much! I am already sad that she is getting so big. Sometimes I miss my little newborn, but I also love looking forward to something new every day. She tickles me pink and brings me so much happiness and laughter!

Sip n' See for my Sweet Pea!

To say that I was devestated when my baby shower was cancelled, due to the onset of my preeclampsia, is an understatement. Not only was I sad to that I couldn't go, but I was mainly upset for my hostesses who had put so much effort into the preparations.

To make up for my shower being cancelled, we had a sip n' see to welcome Miss Margo into the world! We had mimosas to SIP and go to SEE a beautiful Margo in her pink and white sweater dress--matching cake below.

My sister from Midland and her three girls all came into town, which made the day extra special. My hostesses threw Margo an amazing party with all the bells and whistles. There was a really neat "fingerprint" tree where our guests got to leave their mark with a thumbprint and I will treasue this unique little piece of art forever. The flowers were gorgeous and included my favorite--peonies--they were so amazing when they opened up and were the circumfrence of a salad plate!

The sip 'n see was held at one of my most favorite restuarants in Houston, Backstreet Cafe, and the amazing brunch menu included my most favorite, shrimp and grits. It was delicious and I enjoyed every bite, including the mouth watering dessert trio with an apple crisp, creme brulee and Margo's adorable cake!

I loved the little robin egg soaps for the favor that went along with the bird theme in Margo's room. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a soap, but I hear they smell so wonderful you want to eat them. I can't wait to receive my little shipment in the mail.

Margo was an angel the entire time and fell sound asleep about half way through. I had a most wonderful time and am so grateful to my generous hostesses for the best party a girl could ever ask for. I am so glad that despite my cancelled shower, I was still able to celebrate Margo in an extra special way and create amazing memories!

Month Two Flew

Our sweet Margo is now two months old and I cannot believe how much she has grown and changed! Besides the issues she has had with reflux, she is truly an angel baby and we are in love!

Margo now weighs about 9 1/2 lbs and is 21 inches long. Because she was premature, her percentiles are still pretty low, but she is growing like a weed:

17% for weight
10% for height
7% for her head (my head is small too)

Margo is really strong and holds up her head well. We put her in her Bumbo for the first time and she LOVES it--it is hilarious seeing how she responds to it. She can roll over from her tummy to her back. She smiles at mommy and daddy all the time and is talking up a storm. When she is hungry and we are about to feed her, she lets us know by making the cutest sound. The closest way I can describe it is to compare it to howling... it is a mix of excitement and fussing and it melts my heart every time!

She is sleeping anywhere from 3-5 hour stretches. It is very inconsistent and I am eagerly anticipating when she sleeps through the night. By the time I feed her, hold her upright for 20 minutes and then get myself back to sleep, I am often only getting three or so hours a night often times. The sleep deprivation has definitely been the most difficult challenge for me.

Otherwise, everything about my Margo amazes me and I love her more than I ever thought possible. Once we finally manage to get her reflux under control (or she outgrows it), I think she will be a near perfect baby. We are blessed beyond belief and are having fun as we adjust to this new life!

Reflux Sucks!!!

Since we brought Margo home from the hospital, she has been having GI issues... grunting, groaning and struggling all day and night long. First, I thought it was gas and started gas drops with little success. Then, it started to progress to more fussing and spitting up. Margo was diagnosed with reflux and we have been fighting the battle ever since.

We have been on two forms of Prevacid and also a medicine to coat her burning esophagus. She is now on a higher dose of Prevacid and we have another Rx to fill. She is spitting up sometimes 20 times a day and then has BIG throw-ups anywhere between 5-15 times a day. Fortunately, she is still thriving and has actually gained a bit too much weight too fast.

When I brought her home from the hospital as a preemie, the hospital and her pediatrician really stressed fattening her up. I may be have been doing it too agressively because she gained 1.5 lbs in three weeks and she has been eating about 26 ounces a day, which the MD says is more like that of a four month old... oops! I also took her off of my breast milk and have her on lactose free formula which has helped a great deal with the grunting and struggling in her sleep. I am sad that she won't be getting my precious antibodies during RSV and flu season, but am also relieved that she feels better in that sense and it is a relief to not be pumping anymore.

So... instead of filling her new Rx which is supposed to help her empty her belly faster, thus less spitting/throwing up, I am now going to let her tell me when she needs to eat and reduce her feedings to see if that helps. The MD also suggested adding a little rice cereal to her feedings which is supposed to weight down her formula a bit and make it harder to spit up. I think I am going to try that route first instead of putting more chemicals in her body.

Through this process I have started a bad habit with Margo that I SWORE I would not do. She is much more comfortable on her belly and doesn't spit up in that position when she is sleeping. When she is fussy or uncomfortable, I have been letting her sleep on her belly on my chest since she cannot sleep on her belly in bed. I do this about half of the night and sleep little myself. Just this week, I went at least three days with 3 hours or less sleep a night. To say that I am wiped out is an understatement.

I am hoping that some of the new things we try will be a success and we'll start transitioning a healthy/happy baby to her crib in the next few weeks. The MD wants her well and sleeping in her room by three months. Please pray for us as we continue to struggle with the best answer/combination to make our sweet little girl more comfortable.

Poor, Margo, spitting up yet again... she looks a bit like she has fangs--ha ha!