Baby A Letter: February 17, 2014

This is the very last letter I wrote to Amelia before she was born.  I am so grateful that I decided to document this journey for her (and myself!).  Looking back on these has been so wonderful and I hope to do this for all my future babies!  I cannot believe a year has gone by and Amelia will be ONE in SIX DAYS!! Maybe I will finally get around to writing her birth story.

Pregnancy Week: 37 (and 6 days!)

Oh little miss Amelia,

How your mommy has been a slacker!  We are finally down to the home stretch!  Less than 19 days (HOPEFULLY) until I get to hold you in my arms, stare at your little eye lashes, count your fingers and toes… all the wonderful things I have dreamed about for the past nine months you have made my body your home.  And yet, as we near the end, I am suddenly finding myself not ready for you to be here…

Having your first child is terrifying!  I didn’t think I would be one of those proverbial first time moms, and here I am...  My whole life I have spent praying I would get to be someone’s mommy some day and convinced myself that I would absolutely rock at it.  Everything I ever wanted my mom to be, I would be.  And everything she did wrong, I would not repeat.  Now, the thought of being responsible for another life, molding and shaping your morals and values, making sure you are always taken care of… YIKES!  Let’s put on the breaks!!!

I am only telling you all this so that in the future, when you are getting ready to have your own children, every emotion you experience, I have experienced too.  I am sure that all of my doubts and fears will go out the window as soon as I see you, but I want you to know that all of this is completely normal.  This is just as much a record for me as it is for you.  I love you so much already my heart could burst.  And yet, at the same time, I don’t want you to leave me because I don’t want to fail you.  There are so many emotions and feelings that I cannot even begin to put in to words… so I will just have to trust that I can help you sort out your own feelings on being pregnant when the time comes!

In other news… We have started our weekly doctor’s appointments to check on mommy progress.  The first check, I was 2-3 cm dilated, 75% effaced and you were at station -1.  I was convinced this meant you would come soon and maybe I would have the Valentine’s baby that Papa wants so badly.  And then the second check came, and mommy thought, “PROGRESS!” but alas, there was none.  So… now we wait; your mommy is convinced that she will now go past her due date and never meet you!  Papa is so bummed you weren’t a Valentine’s Day baby, but it’s alright with me that you don’t have to share your special day with a holiday!

Your nursery is almost complete!  Aunt JoAnn painted your amazing initial tree a few weekends back and things are finally coming together.  Mommy and daddy built your crib on a lazy Sunday afternoon and put all your bedding where it belongs.  The giant, most comfortable chair on the face of the plant that mommy just had to have was finally delivered and has made its home in the corner of your room.  It is HUGE and takes up way too much space, but I love it and that is all that matters.  All of your clothes are washed, organized and stored according to size. Tonight, mommy will hopefully figure out your cloth diaper situation and tomorrow we pick up all the hand-me-down’s from Erin and Luke!  Now, if we get the car seat installed, we are officially “READY” for you to come home!!! If only I thought you would cooperate.

No new cravings or anything fun to report.  I do get the occasional bout of acid reflux from eating spicy food or drinking way too many fluids before bed, but for the most part, this pregnancy thing has been super easy.  Yes, my right side does hurt from you ALWAYS pushing against it.  And yes, I am tired of going to the bathroom 5 times a night and still feeling like my bladder is full.  But, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat to get you at the end of all this!

The waiting game has begun little one… T-minus 15 DAYS until your due date!  Please don’t wait that long to come!  As much as I know I have no control over when you are ready, I just want to hold you and love on you already!

Love you more than you will ever know,

Your mommy

All About Amelia - 11 months

Holy moly... this is my LAST monthly update!!!  This time next month, we will have a ONE YEAR OLD!  Where has the time gone?  It feels like we just brought Amelia home from the hospital yesterday.  I can honestly say this has been the BEST,  yet toughest, year of my life.  Life really does pass by in the blink of an eye, but thank heaven for little girls!

1-23-15

  

Roughly 22 lbs and 29 inches

Sleeping Habits: Hallelujah!!! AMELIA IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! You guys... it has been absolutely phenomenal getting 8 hours of sleep in a row again.  I feel like a new woman, a better parent and wife!  It's amazing what consecutive hours of sleep will do for ya.  Bedtime routine has stayed the same and Amelia is usually down for 11 hours before her morning feed.  Occasionally she will go back to sleep for another hour which is even more awesome!  We still (usually) get two naps a day from her but they always vary in length.

 

Passed out at Grandpa and Grandma Masilko's

Eating Habits: Three solid meals a day, plus snacks, and breastfeeding about 4 times a day, depending on mama's work schedule.  Amelia especially loves fruit, olives, veggie straws and water!

 

Loving food at the Neuvirth's

New Foods Amelia Tried: We are still having fun incorporating dairy into our diets!  This month, Amelia and I enjoyed quiche, cheesecake, Masilko veggie dip, mac n' cheese, taco soup and chilli with cheese.  She also tried bacon and pork and dumplings which were HUGE hits!  Introducing new foods is so much fun!

Yup... loving dairy!

New Discoveries/Developments/Accomplishments: Amelia cut her top left tooth on Christmas Eve which helps explain her crankiness.  She has mastered waving bye-bye and clapping when she excited or playing patty-cake.  Her feet have also become quite an obsession which is funny because she never really paid attention to them when she was younger.  In other HUGE news, Amelia took her first solo steps on 1-6-15.  It was a series of about 6 steps to reach mama, but every day she gets a little more adventurous and I will be surprised if she isn't fully walking by her first birthday!

Someone's getting BIG

Places Amelia Traveled: We were super busy this month with the Holiday's!  We had Christmas Eve at GG's for the Koch's and Great Aunt Cheri's for the Engelmann's.  Christmas day we spent the morning at home, afternoon at Mimi and Papa's and evening at Grandpa and Grandma E's. We also had the opportunity to spend a few days/nights at Mater Filius, which we really enjoyed.  A road trip to West Point was also involved for our celebration with Amelia's Great Grandpa and Grandma Neuvirth.  She LOVED getting spoiled by them and eating at her Great Grandma N's home cooking!  The weather was also phenomenal this month and we headed to the zoo and Chic-Fil-A for a play date!

 Fascinated with the aquarium at the zoo

Playing in Norfolk

Special Events or Holidays: First Christmas and New Years!  Christmas details above... New Years Eve we spent with Brandon's cousins and friends and Amelia had a sleepover at Grandpa and Grandma Englmann's house!  Amelia actually got to have sleepovers at ALL her grandparents houses this month!  One over night on a Saturday at Mimi and Papa's and one over night with her Masilko cousin's in Norfolk at Grandma and Grandpa Masilko's.  She is so well loved!

Getting good at opening presents

New Friends: We had a few MOPS meetings this month where Amelia made new friends.  She also enjoyed playing with little Zion during our stay at Mater Filius.  Our zoo play date was with Wilder and Isla and Chic-Fil-A was with Harper!  She also got to play with her Masilko cousin's towards the end of December.  So many friends, so little time!

Play date "hugs"

New Baby Babble: "Hey-oh" for hello, "ba-bah" for bye-bye, "utt" for uh-oh.  Amelia is getting SO great at imitating everyone.  She also loves waving bye-bye and is attempting to blow kisses while face timing family.  My favorite thing she picked up on this month is holding her hand up to her ear like a phone while we are using our phones.  It is ADORABLE!

Big brown eyes babbling away on her phone

Likes/Dislikes: Thankfully, Amelia is back to loving her bath again!  So glad the unhappiness while bathing was just a phase and we have our happy baby back!  We also made the switch to a convertible car seat this month and Amelia loves being more upright in the car!  Grandpa Keith is still watching Amelia 3 days a week while I work and she absolutely loves her time with him.  Most evenings when I pick her up, she hardly cares I am there!

Bath Time reading

Parents Update:  Brandon schedule is staying pretty busy and consistent, but he was able to take off early a few days to spend more time with Amelia and give my dad a break.  They always have the best adventures together and I love watching their relationship grow!  I am still busy working 3-4 days a week until the new gal officially takes the reins in March.  We still aren't sure where we will be financially at the end of all this (tax season and all) and don't know if I need to find something permanent part or full time.  Only time will tell, but we all know my heart lies at home with my baby girl!  In other news, with grandparents so willing to spend time with Amelia, Brandon and I have been taking full advantage and getting together with friends or having date nights as much as possible.  It's so awesome to fall in love with your best friend!!!  My love for that man gets deeper every single day, especially since he has become a father.  I sincerely hope this continues for infinity!

 Snuggles with Daddy

Zoo day with mama

Baby A Letter: January 19, 2014

Reading this letter makes me sick to my stomach.  This was the absolute worst thing I have ever experienced and I still can't wrap my head around the accident.  I am so thankful that God and uncle Gary kept Amelia and I safe... God is so good!

Pregnancy Week: 33

Baby Amelia Grace,

It has been a long time since mommy has written!  I am not nearly as dedicated to this as I thought I would be; hopefully, this isn’t a sign of what is to come with my goals of writing to you.  Things have been absolutely crazy as of late and I haven’t made this a priority as I know that I should.  Where to begin?

Mommy decided to roll her car with you still inside of me on the morning of December 27, 2013.  It was the scariest moment of my life and I was so worried that I harmed you!  Not the easiest phone call to make to your daddy, might I add.  We were on our way to my Uncle Gary’s funeral and mommy had her cruise control set going way too fast around a curve.  Although the temperature outside seemed extremely warm for December, the road was still slick and mommy lost control when a deer ran out in front of her.

Time stood still as the Suzuki first veered sideways and then proceeded to roll down the hill and into a ravine.  We had amazing guardian angels watching over us, baby girl.  So many things could have gone wrong, but, miraculously did not. 

• The passenger seat floor mat flew up and landed on top of the driver side window.  This prevented all the glass from cutting mommy as the window shattered upon impact of the roll over.
• Even though it was the end of December, there was no snow on the ground and the temperature was actually really nice (probably mid-40’s).
• There were so many trees that we could have hit as we rolled down the hill, but we managed to miss them all. 
• The airbags never deployed which would have caused more damage to us both. 
• Unlike most pregnant women, mommy was a nut about wearing her seat belt and had done research on how to properly place the belt to lessen impact on you in the event of an accident.
• The car landed on the driver side which meant that mommy wasn’t suspended by her seat belt and she could easily maneuver into a more comfortable position while we waited for help.
• Somehow, mommy’s cell phone landed right within reach to call for help.  We were hidden by trees and brush in the ravine and cars could not see us from the road.  Mommy’s open purse also fell right next to her without any of its contents being spilled.

Because I rolled the Suzuki, we were not given our hospital preference and had to be taken to the trauma center, UNMC.  Mommy was able to call daddy from the squad and have him meet us there (even though he was already all the way to the Gretna exit on his way to us!).  The ride to the hospital was the worst half hour of my life.  You decided to be stubborn and did not want to move for me no matter what tricks I tried and the EMTs did not have the proper equipment to detect your heartbeat.  I spent the whole ride convinced that I had lost you before I even got the chance to hold you.

Thankfully, once in the ER, the doctors found your heartbeat right away.  We were admitted overnight to the OB floor as mommy had irritated her uterus and was having contractions every two to seven minutes.  Mommy sent daddy back to work after everything calmed down end eventually Grandpa Keith, who met us in the ER as well, left too.  Grandma Jamie and Grandpa Doug arrived once we were admitted to OB and didn’t leave our side for several hours (Grandma Jamie would only agree to leave once daddy was back for good).  Daddy got off of work around 5:00 and mommy sent him home to take care of the dogs before he returned to stay the night.  Throughout the day and night, we had several visitors.  Corie, Andy and baby Jacob visited us for about an hour and Corie even did mom’s nails to help her relax.  Maggie and baby Carter, Makayla, Grandpa Keith (came back!) and Grandma Carole, Aunt Cheri and Cousin Jill… they all stopped in to check on us.  Everyone was so worried that you would make your debut into the world at 31 weeks!!! Once again, God and our guardian angels were on our side… we were able to check out of the hospital the next morning and spent all weekend lounging around with daddy at the house.

The best thing to come out of the whole ordeal (other than you continuing to “cook”) was mommy’s BRAND NEW SUV!!!  Daddy wanted mommy to have the safest and best vehicle around to keep you and I safe, so he purchased us a top-of-the-line Dodge Durango.  This was mommy’s dream car and she never thought she would own one.  Of course, mommy cried she was so overcome with happiness and knowing that you would be safe in the car with her!  You really do have the best daddy ever.

We finally purchased a crib and dresser for your room about two weeks ago.  Granted, they are both still in boxes in your room, at least they are there and we are getting closer to being ready for your arrival!  Your baby shower is next Sunday, so hopefully we get lots of things checked off your nursery list and mommy can start pulling things together.  Aunt JoAnn, Grandma Jaime and Great-grandma Carole are coming down in two weeks to paint and help tie in all the different elements in your room.  Mommy is SO excited to finally get things done and feel like we are prepared for you to come into our lives!!!

I think that is enough excitement for now… until my next letter!

Love you more than you will ever know,

Mommy

Baby A Letter: December 24, 2013

How did I have time to write a letter to you on Christmas eve?!  I am SO excited for your first Christmas tomorrow, Amelia!  I hope you love everything we (and Santa!) got you.  You really do complete our lives!

Pregnancy Week: 30

Amelia,

It has been almost three weeks since my last letter!  Momma feels like such a slacker, but we have been extremely busy with work and the holidays.  Our hectic schedules have also kept us from preparing for your arrival.  You still have no furniture in your room or anything on your baby registry.  Even though Christmas is tomorrow, I am hoping that I can drag your dad out this weekend to start making some big purchases at Nebraska Furniture Mart to tackle something off of my list for you.

Let’s see where to pick back up… Mommy had your 27.5 week ultrasound finally and Corie went with as daddy was out of town for work.  You are quite the active little girl as the ultrasound technician never got a clear photo of you!  You wouldn’t keep your hands out of your face or mouth.  Little stinker already, I can tell!  My right side pain wasn’t my rib cage like I had originally thought; apparently my uterus has started pushing on my ureter and has caused fluid to backup into my right kidney.  This is causing some intense pain at times, but as long as there is no infection, there isn’t anything to do for the pain unless I undergo surgery to have stints put in (which isn’t an option in my book!).  Also, your growth looked great and they are no longer concerned because you were already weighing in at two pounds, nine ounces!  For the record, that is bigger than most babies at 27.5 weeks.

We have doctor’s appointments every two weeks now that we hit our third trimester.  At your last appointment, mommy was almost 29 weeks along and you were already measuring 31 weeks!  Apparently you are going to be one big little girl!  Hopefully, this also means you are going to be healthy and give momma all the baby chub her heart desires.  Our next appointment isn’t until New Years Eve, which is hard to believe because that is exactly one week from today!  2013 has been a crazy, eventful, life changing year and we can’t wait for 2014 to finally meet you and see what other amazing things God has in store for the Koch family!

Grandma Jamie and Grandpa Doug gave you your first Christmas present and stocking over the weekend.  Mommy can’t wait to put you in the headbands and snuggle you in your new blanket.  I am anxiously awaiting your arrival, if you didn’t already pick up on that.  I am sure that Mimi and Papa will also have gifts waiting for you on Christmas morning.  You aren’t even born yet and are already spoiled rotten!!!

Until next time little miss,

Love you to the moon and back,

Momma

All About Amelia - 10 Months

12-23-14

  
I would estimate 22 lbs and 28.5 inches

Sleeping Habits: We still aren't sure what sleep looks like around here.  Our bedtime routine is still the same and we almost always have Amelia in her crib by 8pm after story time.  Amelia was teething majorly this month and cut her first top tooth!  She started feeding twice a night again and mommy is exhausted from her constant waking throughout the night!  We usually can get two naps a day from her, but they always vary in length.

 

What nap time looks like at mama's work!

 

A very rare car seat nap

Eating Habits: Three solid meals a day, plus snacks, and breastfeeding about 5 times a day, depending on mama's work schedule.

 

Do I have something on my face?! 

Feed ME!!!

New Foods Amelia Tried: All things dairy have been wonderful!  Amelia now loves yogurt and Cheetos Cheese Popcorn Puffs.  She also got to try stuffing, turkey and ham for Thanksgiving, but still isn't a fan of mashed potatoes.  We also introduced a variety of store-bought squeeze pouches while she has enjoyed and polishes off in a few seconds!

 

Thanksgiving food goodness

New Discoveries/Developments/Accomplishments: Bath time now involves lots of splashing with her wash cloth which is very fun to watch!  Amelia stood for the first time 100% on her own on 12*13*14 for about 15 seconds.  We will see how long it takes for her to start walking alone!  She almost immediately falls to the ground when she realizes she is standing alone.  She also cut her very first top tooth on 12*13*14.  You can see that what a very big day for her and probably helps explain the major lack of sleep happening!

 

Trying to walk to daddy

Places Amelia Traveled: We headed to Great Grandma and Grandpa Neuvirths for our first annual cookie bake.  Grandma Jamie and Jordyn, Aunt JoAnn and cousin Megan all stopped over to bake and enjoy the fun with us!  Masilko Christmas in Norfolk also happened this month and we had a blast spending the weekend with family!  A visit to Santa at Bass Pro Shop was also a must!  We waited in line for THREE hours just to make sure Amelia got to meet Santa for her first Christmas.

 

Busy Baking

She LOVED Santa, surprisingly!

Special Events or Holidays: First Thanksgiving!!!  and First Christmas celebration!  We love family time!

Thanksgiving 2014

New Friends: This month involved time with both Amelia's Kennedy cousins and her Masilko cousins!  It is so hard not seeing family whenever we want, so we really try and make the most of our time together with them.  We also went to a few MOPS meetings and had a dinner date with Jake, Corie and Erin at Red Robin.

 

Future Husband

New Baby Babble:  "go, go, go" and "peas" for please on occasion.  Amelia usually whispers/mouths the words, but we know what she means.  She also spends a good chunk of time reading her books to us!  Her favorite pastime is grabbing all the books off of her shelf, surrounding herself with a decent pile and babbling while turning all the pages.  It is ADORABLE!

Reading Time

Likes/Dislikes: Amelia got her first baby for Christmas and loves her "baby alive."  However, she does NOT want her baby to have her bottle in it's mouth and will rip it out the second you put it in!  Bathtime has become a bit of a struggle lately and she will occasionally cry the second we put her in the tub until we take her out.  Not sure where it is coming from, but I hope it is just a phase!

 

Before she started hating bath time

Parents Update:  Brandon was able to take some time off for the holidays, so it was nice having him around more and getting to really enjoy time as a family.  I am busy working at least 3 days a week, sometimes 4, all completely dependent on my dad's work schedule.  Did I mention that Amelia has the world's BEST grandparents?!  We are so fortunate that they always want to spend time with her and it gives Brandon and I a much needed break!  Working wasn't so bad at first because I was able to bring in Amelia when we didn't have a sitter.  Unfortunately, that only lasted through December.  It sounds like I will only be working through January, so we will have to see if I am able to continue staying at home or if I need to find something permanent.  It was wonderful 8 months at home with Amelia and I am dreading the thought of not being there for all her firsts!

 

With Daddy before we saw Santa

 Headed to work with mama

Baby A Letter: December 4, 2013

Wow... It's December already!  I feel like time is flying by and reading these letters proves just how true that is!  Oh Amelia... I love you so!

Pregnancy week: 27

Third Trimester Baby Amelia,

Well… we officially hit our third trimester together yesterday!!!  This means we are in the home stretch and mommy and daddy probably need to kick it into high gear.  Although we have no furniture for your room, no car seat or stroller, or diapers to put you in, we have plenty of clothes which is really that matters to a baby girl.  Right?  Or maybe not…

Last week was Thanksgiving and it was wonderful!  Mommy has been craving Thanksgiving food for weeks and hitting three Thanksgivings in one day took care of that.  I went to West Point to see Grandma Jamie’s family for a bit, over to GiGi Harriet’s for another meal, and finally hit up Aunt Bev’s to see Grandpa Keith and family.  It was a lot to take on in one day; mommy was exhausted and very full, but it was well worth the travel.

This week has been mommy’s worst week in terms of discomfort.  Something is happening near my right side/rib cage and it is making me very uncomfortable during the day and makes sleeping at night more difficult.  You are still kicking pretty low for it to be you kicking me in my ribs.  I think my rib cage may finally be expanding and hopefully at our doctor’s appointment on Friday, we can confirm it is that and nothing more.  Also on Friday is another ultrasound!  Usually, the last ultrasound is at the 20 week appointment, but we need to make sure you are growing properly since mommy had subchorionic hematomas.  I can’t wait to see you again!

Daddy is out of town for work this week, so things are pretty quiet on the home front.  Nothing else new to report, so until next week Amelia!

I love you so much!

Momma

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