Baby A Letter: November 27, 2013

Since I have finally caught up to real time... I am going to post these letters on the day I wrote to you... one year later! I know it's pretty cheesy, but I am excited none the less!

Pregnancy Week: 26

Amelia Grace,

Well… mommy made you your very own email account today! **email** is forever yours!  I have not decided when I am going to give you the password to your account, but I do know that I am going to continue to write to you throughout the years and send you pictures of the “little” moments along the way.  These letters were just supposed to last through my pregnancy, but I want you to know as much about yourself growing up as you can.

Grandma Jamie wasn’t good about keeping a record of my milestones growing up and I want to be so much better for you!  Mimi still has a book of what your daddy’s first word was, his hand prints, first steps, etc and that is just so much fun to look back on.  I really hope I can stay on top of your milestones and get them into a book and hopefully the occasional email so you know and I can remember all these BIG firsts.  Daddy thinks I am crazy and that email will probably go away by the time you are big enough to use it, but I am going to try anyways!

This week, I discovered you LOVE Christmas music!  Every time I put the Christmas song station on the radio, you don’t stop kicking me.  I am so excited to take you to the Mannheim Steamroller concert to see if you love it live as much as you do when we rock out in the car!  I hope you enjoy a wide variety of music like your momma does.  Grandpa Keith exposed me to all the “oldies” growing up and they are still some of my favorites!  I plan on doing the same for you, so let’s hope you appreciate it like I came to.

Our pregnancy countdown has reached the double digits finally!  97 days from today is your due date little one.  Please don’t keep us waiting longer than that!!!  I stepped on the scale the other day and it appears mommy is continuing to gain weight even though I don’t really look that much bigger or feel any bigger.  I can’t wait to see you on our ultrasound next week and ensure you are still growing properly!  As much as I hate knowing the scale keeps creeping higher, I know that it is because you are growing into a strong little girl.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and mommy can’t wait to stuff her face!  I have been thinking about Thanksgiving food for weeks now and I guess you could call it my first real craving.  In fact, I was so impatient last night that I made myself my own mini sweet potato casserole for dinner.  Other than my excitement for food, the month of November always helps to remind me how blessed and thankful I am for my life and the people in it.  This year has been amazing for your daddy and me.  We feel “settled” into our home, we added Cleopatra to our family to keep Leonidas company, we officially became husband and wife, we found out we were expecting you… Life could not be greater right now and I remind myself of that every day and continue to thank God for his many blessings!

Mommy doesn’t have much else to report… so until next time!

Love you baby girl,

Momma

True Life: I'm a Bad Blogger

I have been AWFUL about blogging and it makes me really sad!  I feel like my life is in fast forward at the moment and I am just running on autopilot.   This means that blogging has taken a backseat while I hold on and try to play catch up!

I have been back at my old job for the past two weeks and being a working mom is torture on my sanity.  I've said it before and I will say it again, I honestly don't know HOW working mom's do this ALL the time! I cannot keep up.  My house is a mess, my chore chart has fallen apart, my relationship with my husband has been neglected, I haven't shaved my legs in weeks (Okay, this isn't anything new) and I feel like little Amelia is changing every time I blink!
 

 Soaking up the last days of fall before it snowed in Nebraska

In the last few weeks, my little girl's vocabulary has exploded!  Our pediatrician was shocked at her 9 month appointment on Monday when Amelia's was babbling "baby" at herself in the mirror.  She now says "mama," "dada," "baba" (for Bobdog, our bullmastiff) "Mimi" and "papa" as well as "baby."  Her recent extreme lack of sleep was also explained by her sudden growth spurt.  My peanut is 28 inches tall and went from the 20th percentile in height to the 67th percentile.  Needless to say, I am exhausted but now feel a little satisfaction for the many sleepless nights we have had.
 

Playing her favorite baby at Grandpa and Grandma's house

In other wonderful news... Amelia is now tolerating dairy!  I haven't blogged about this yet, but Amelia has suffered from MSPI (Milk Soy Protein Intolerance) since she was diagnosed at 10 days old.  This means that in order to continue nursing, both she and I have been on a dairy free diet for the past EIGHT months (she outgrew soy intolerance by 4 months).  If you love ice cream, cheese and chocolate as much as I do, you understand why this has been pure torture.  I am so thankful that I was able to stick to the diet and maintain our breastfeeding relationship!

Homemade lasagna followed by yogurt... I'll take the messy face if it means I can eat dairy!

I am so excited that we can both enjoy all the holiday foods coming up!  I was getting super nervous that I wouldn't be able to enjoy our families Thanksgiving feast if we were still dairy-free.  It's a silly thing to worry about, but Thanksgiving dinner is my absolute favorite and I look forward to it all year long.

Amelia and I want to wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving and we sincerely hope you are able to enjoy family time with those who matter most!  We also hope you score everything on your Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday wish list!!!

All About Amelia - 9 months

Holy cow... three quarters of a year have passed for our little Amelia Grace!  Where in the world has time gone?  They were all right when they said "Time flies when you are having fun!"

11-23-14

20 pounds (71%) and 28 inches long (67%)

Sleeping Habits: What is sleep?!  Bedtime routine starting at 7pm and in her crib by 8pm.  She usually wakes up every 3-4 hours to eat (teething and MAJOR growth spurt) and a few other times to have her pacifier back and readjust.  Amelia does not stop moving even when she sleeps!  I never find her in the same spot I laid her down.  We usually can get two naps out of her, but most don't last more than 30 minutes!

Relaxing before bed with Daddy

Eating Habits: Amelia has three solid meals a day, plus snacks.  She is still breastfeeding about 6 times a day but also loves her sippy cup of water!

New Foods Amelia Tried: DAIRY!!! Amelia FINALLY outgrew her milk protein intolerance and we are having a blast trying tons of new foods! Pizza, Cheetos, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, chicken noodle soup, olives, yogurt, lasagna, chocolate chip cookies, and tuna were some of her favorites this month.

 

Trying Lasagna and Yogurt for the first time!

New Discoveries/Developments/Accomplishments: Amelia has mastered feeding herself by hand and hates when we try and feed her.  We are working on using a spoon, but aren't having much luck.  She LOVES her new sippy cup though!  She also took us by surprise and started using a straw all on her own!  On 11-3-14, Amelia randomly grabbed her Barnyard Sit/Stand toy and walked across the room.  Completely took both Brandon and I by surprise!  I am so grateful that she hasn't mastered walking on her own JUST yet and is still cruising along furniture or using mama's hands! 

Places Amelia Traveled: Grandpa/Grandma's house, Mimi and Papa's house, MOPS meetings, church, a craft fair AND Amelia got to go to work with mama a few times!

Special Events or Holidays: We celebrated our first Halloween with Minnie Mouse!  Amelia had a blast Trick or Treating at both grandpa Keith and Grandma Carole's AND Mimi and Papa's!  She was so spoiled with new treats and a new sippy cup and spoons.

 Checking out her goodies from Mimi and Papa

New Friends: We finally got a playdate in with Harper this month!  Her parents family have been an extension of the Koch's for almost 30 years.  It is so special that Harper and Amelia are only 2 weeks apart!

New Baby Babble:  "Baby" and "Mimi" are the only clear words for this month.  Amelia gets a kick out of finding herself in the mirror and saying "baaabeee" and playing her new baby dolls.  Another new development is more consistent giggles!  Amelia has the sweetest giggle and little voice I have ever heard!

Likes/Dislikes: Amelia still LOVES bath time and would spend a good hour in the tub with her toys if I would let her.  I enjoying giving her baths every night because hello... BABY MAGIC LOTION!  They really should sell Baby Magic air freshener so I could smell squishy baby smell all day long.  I wish I could say this has changed, but she still HATES getting in her car seat!  She has started arching her back, screaming and crying every single time we put her in her seat.  I am not sure why she hates it so much since she enjoys car rides (for the most part).  Her latest obsession is a baby doll that my dad and step-mom bought her.  She has one at our house as well, but doesn't seem to enjoy it as much.  She holds the baby by the arm and swings it around, bashes it's head into the floor (ok... it's cute when she does it, promise!) and gives it tons of open mouth kisses!

 Bath Time

Parents Update:  Brandon's business is really taking off and he is busier than ever!  It's both a blessing and a curse because it means we can pay the bills but we see less and less of him.  I was asked to come back to work at my old job a few weeks ago, so I am working Monday-Wednesday-Friday for the time being.  Things are crazy and I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day... the house is a mess, I hardly cook anymore and I can't remember the last time I shaved my legs... but we make it work!  We are having a blast playing with Amelia and getting to act like kids again!

Baby A Letter: November 19, 2013

HOLY FREAKING COW!!!! I wrote this post EXACTLY one year ago today!  I cannot even wrap my head around that... Amelia was still comfy in my belly and I was ecstatic she had a name!  Where is time going?!  Please slow down... =(

 

Pregnancy Week: 25

Dear baby Amelia,

That’s right… we finally picked out your NAME!!!  I have been awful about writing these last few weeks as it seems there is so much to cram into such a short time span.  But, you are officially our little Amelia Grace Koch.  Daddy apparently decided on your name weeks ago but didn’t fill in your mommy until last Sunday.  Needless to say, I was thrilled and we haven’t stopped using your name in conversation since.  I really hope you love your name as much as we do.  You feel like an Amelia inside of me, so I really hope it fits when you come into the world!

Here I go in attempt to fill you in on the last almost three weeks!

Grandma Jamie and I had so much fun shopping together for you in Norfolk!  Mommy has developed a bit of an addiction to picking out clothes for you and Daddy has learned to just keep his mouth shut about it.  Both Grandma Jamie and Grandpa Doug got to feel you kick and squirm around inside my belly!  It was so much fun watching their excitement at the smallest movement.  Of course, no one but me knows the extent of how much you move about in there and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share that bond together!

You have become SO active the past few weeks!  I still feel you the most at night between about 8pm and 10pm while I am lying down or relaxing.  Daddy can now feel you pretty much whenever I put his hand on my tummy without waiting for too long for your first sign of acknowledgement.  It is even to the point that I can feel you while I am standing up!  There are times when I feel overly pregnant and others where I have to remind myself you are still in there.  No new cravings or weird things to report.  My “round ligament” pain is getting worse in my left side and starting to happen more on my right side, but that is to be expected with my continuously bugling belly.

Mommy finally topped her “pre-pregnancy” weight at our 24 week appointment.  It was almost a six pound weight gain in four weeks, but Dr. Gernhart was very happy.  I was wearing my boots and a scarf when I was weighed, but we will ignore that.  We have to have another ultrasound around 28 weeks to make sure that you are still growing properly.  Apparently, the subchorionic hematoma’s that mommy had early on in pregnancy can still affect your growth even after my body has absorbed them.  I am confident that you are growing just fine, but I am so excited to see you again on the ultrasound!

Mimi bought the bedding for your room about two weeks ago.  She is VERY excited about it and has your nursery almost entirely decorated.  Mommy has only seen the bumper pad as Mimi wants to save something for a surprise… but I cheated and looked online at the collection!  No one ever said your mommy has patience or likes surprises!  Your baby shower has also been scheduled for January 26 at Brookestone Village (where mommy used to work).  It seems so far away, but I know time will fly.  My baby center pregnancy tracker alerted me today that I am exactly 25 weeks pregnant and there is only 105 days left until your arrival!  This really puts things into perspective considering we haven’t even started to look for nursery furniture or deep clean your room.  Mommy and Daddy need to get on it little lady!

Daddy and I took you to your first Husker game last weekend!  We were in Dan and Lisa Koch’s suite and it was truly amazing.  Husker football, as you will come to know, is what we Nebraskan’s live and breathe.  They lost, of course, but we had a blast!  You were so active through the game; I really hope this means you are going to be a football fan like your parents.  If not, we will still probably drag you to a game or five… and force you watch Husker football on the weekends so you at least have some basic knowledge of the game and can hold your own in a conversation with boys. This helped your momma tremendously growing up!  Trust me; you will thank me for this someday.

Thanksgiving is next week already and I can hardly believe it!  Mommy and daddy will surly get some Black Friday shopping done and possibly pick out your nursery furniture.  I already admitted I have a shopping problem and your daddy will actually get into the spirit that day and help me fight the crowds!  With only 105 days left, until next time little one!

I love you to the moon and back!

Mommy

Give Thanks November

How in the world is it already NOVEMBER?!  Am I the only one who is having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that 2014 is almost over?  I am so sorry that I was MIA last week.  We were so busy with Halloween activities that I completely lost track of the day and forgot to post!  Amelia has been going through a nap refusal period, so things have been extra crazy in our household.  Combine that with her spurt of extreme activeness and the process of learning to walk... you can understand where I am coming from.  She is so busy now that I didn't even get a clear picture of her in her adorable Minnie Mouse costume!

This is the only picture I have of her looking at the camera... and it's blurry =(

 She was far too interested in the goodies she received to look at mama!

November is one of my favorite months.  Not only is the weather perfect, crisp but not too cold (okay... who am I kidding?  I live in Nebraska; it could snow tomorrow!), but it's full of family time and togetherness.  I look forward to my families Thanksgiving feast all year long.  Side note, why do we save turkey and all the fixings for one time of year?  In my opinion, it should be served at least once a month!

For the past several years, I have challenged myself to use the month November to remember all the reasons I have to give thanks.  God is so good and this is just a small way that I can let the world know just how eternally grateful I am for His grace!  If you don't already do something like this, I urge to take the plunge and give it a try!  It makes me feel so much better about life all month long!

Some of the reasons I gave thanks this month:
-MOPS -I adore my local group! MOPS is such an amazing organization and brings mamas from all different walks of life together.  I love it so much, I joined TWO different groups!
-My faith - Love for God. Enough said.  I could write endless posts on my love for God and all he has blessed me with in life.
-Good health - This is no small reason to give thanks.  I see posts daily on Facebook and Instagram about just how quickly someone's health can change.  Every day is a gift; treat it as such!

This is only a snippet of the reasons I intend on giving thanks during the month of November.  It's only seven days in and I already have more reasons than days in the month.  I hope you all join me on this journey and realize just how many reasons you have to be thankful as well!

 

I'll leave you with one of the few clear pictures I've snapped of Amelia lately.  The only time this girl is still these days is when she's strapped in her car seat!