2.5 Months in Pictures

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything! A quick little update before mega-photo overload. 


Around 2 months old (April) I got Elsie on a pretty strict schedule and at about 2 1/2 months she started sleeping through the night. She sleeps 8-10 hours at night. I've been very much enjoying finally getting to sleep. I'm sleeping instead of blogging. or cleaning. or doing laundry. I've slept more in the past 2 months than I did the entire time (cumulative) I was pregnant. Now that I'm finally able to sleep - I am! A lot! I'm loving it! I've almost forgotten about the God awful insomnia I had for 9 months. 


I think I'm finally getting back into my old routines and getting rid of some of this baby weight- only ten pounds to go!! It feels like these last 10 are never gonna go away. Who ever said nursing makes it just "melt away" is full of crap. It doesn't. Its just nursing propaganda. By the time you figure out it's a big fat freakin' lie, it's too late. You've gotten the hang of it. You've bought a $300 pump. It's too late. You're committed. But, I'd do it anyway, so whatever. 


Anywho! In keeping with true Wood family fashion, we've been keeping pretty busy! Here's what we've been up to the past few months!

loves napping on Daddy

I'm not lying, she always wakes up this happy

We went to GA in early May for a long weekend:

(out of order pics, I'm too impatient to reorganize them)

perfect angel on the plane

hard life, traveling and all

Best buddies

she carries her weight in her cheeks

We had pictures made with her crazy cousins

She finally got to meet my Dad, she was a big fan

I got to meet Baby Gam!! (Graham)

We got her a Bumbo seat and she thinks it's the most amazing thing ever:

Helping me cook

Watching tv with Daddy

We celebrated my first Mothers Day:

All ready for bed after a perfect day, Daddy and Elsie went all out :)

Elsie started rolling over:

Her 'look what I did' face!

her excited face

Elsie got her 4 month shots

And as usual - Daddy was there fix it! I can.not handle it, he has to do the dirty work. She started out tall and skinny, then was normal, and is now short and skinny. Next time she'll prob be tall and chunky! But for now, she's a teenie weenie..4.5 months old now and still drowning in her 0-3 nightgowns. So...everyone who bought us gowns - thanks! We've gotten your money's worth out of them. 

As of her 4month appointment: 

13 lbs, 5oz (32%)

23 3/4 inches (22%)

sweet Daddy...Mommy can't handle that awful cry

We celebrated Ben's first Fathers Day!

There aren't enough days in the year to celebrate how wonderful he is, he is too good to us!

ready to kill some weeds

Elsie, Ben's mom and I went to Ohio so Elsie could meet Ben's grandmother. We had a great time and Elsie loved her great-Grandma Clo! She doesn't like to be held by anyone other than me and Ben, but went straight to Clo like she sees her everyday.

This blanket was laid out perfectly on the floor for her to play on

practicing rollovers on her blankie

And exactly why we don't put them on her while she's sleeping

perfect angel on the plane

Daddy missed her so much he bought her a monkey. which she loves.

giving monkey lovin'

We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary

Ben and I have been married for 2 years! I can't even describe how incredible these last 2 years have been. They've flown by. When we got married, he promised to give me everything I've ever wanted, and he's done that and then some! I'm still not sure how I managed to get so lucky. 


Yesterday we just got back from a little weekend getaway to Chippewa Falls, WI to celebrate our anniversary. The Wood family likes to celebrate, can ya tell? We had a great time, and Wisconsin is surprisingly beautiful. It's crazy that there's gorgeous rolling hills just one state away from flat Minnesota. 


Elsie was a little difficult for the car ride there, but she had an episode with her crib and I think it just ruined her mood for the day. Understandably. Let's just say I'm pretty sure she'll never.ever.ever want to sleep in it. Other than that, she was a perfect traveler the entire time - she fits right in! She's so exhausted today. She went to bed last night at 9:30, woke up at 7 and 9 this morning to eat, and has been asleep all day (it's 1pm). Have I mentioned how much I love my little sleepy head??

Excited about our trip!

This place was so beautiful we went twice

so relaxing. Wineries are our new favorite thing.

Leinenkugel Brewing Company

over 100 years old




Can I just say - when I worked at SweetWater, I always silently judged all the parents there with kids and babies. Now, I'm that parent. at a brewery. with a baby. sampling beers. I had maybe 12oz of beer in 3 hours, I bet those other parents probably only had ab that much too. I kinda feel bad for thinking they shouldn't of been there. oops!

ready for her first dip in the pool

one last glass

Other randoms lately:

 yum toes

seriously, she can fit all of them in her mouth

milk coma

Can you tell why I haven't posted anything lately? I think we like to keep pretty busy in the summer to make up for the long winters of doing nothing. Even though this past winter was awesome. Gotta enjoy the nice weather while its here, right? This weekend my Dad is coming in town to go fishing with Ben so we're pretty excited about getting him out on the river. We need to find her a lifejacket that will fit, so if anyone has any ideas let me know! I'm hoping I can find something bc I really want to go!

I promise to post more often! I'm sure the 5 family members that actually read this are dying to know more about what's going on with us. HA! This long post is so imperfect it's driving me nuts, I wanted to add ab 50 more pictures but for some reason my blogger is messing up and posting pictures in the wrong places - in the middle of the post, in the beginning, etc...so if anyone knows why...HELP!

Happy 4th of July!

-LJ

Where Do I Begin?

I don't even know where to start??

Elsie's 2 month appointment was on Friday - she is now 11.3 lbs and 22.5 inches. It looks like her weight has finally caught up to her height :) The Dr said "wow, I'd say she looks like a little more than 11lbs." HAHA! She got several shots, and lets just say she didn't like it one bit. Ben held her down while they did it, and then got to calm her down after. I was not the right person for that job. It was awful.

Daddy fix it :(

She was a good little snuggler after her shots, the Moby came in handy
p.s. doesn't she kinda look like a baby doll here??

The appointment, other than the shots, went well. She is lifting her head on her own - she's been doing that since she was 2 wks old, following me across the room, cooing a lot, smiling, making faces..she loves to stick her tongue out! She's so happy, even in the middle of the night she's smiling. I'll feed her & put her back down and she'll just lie there and smile at herself til she falls back to sleep. She really is such an easy baby! Except when Ben was out of town she went a little no nap crazy on me....we were both really happy when he got home. One more Canada trip this week and it should be a few months before he has to go out of town again. And it's only for a few days, thank goodness. 

The day Ben got home, she was happy to see him :)

Our Easter Bunny trip went well, too. She wasn't really thrilled to see him because we took away her paci and woke her up from her nap. But, she looked gorgeous in her little dress :) We took her to get some photos made in the mall while we were there and they turned out really cute, too. 

Ben absolutely melted for her in this dress...
I was under strict instructions to make sure she had a matching hair bow :)

One day she'll probably hate me for posting this picture, but it's just too funny. We woke her up from her nap to take her somewhere and she was not too happy about it! Look at this face!!! HAHAHA (she was back asleep in 5 minutes)

I was asleep...now I'm in the stupid carseat. How did this happen?!!?

We have a trip for GA planned for next month and I can't wait to finally show her off to our GA friends & family, a much needed little mini vacation! We're all so excited!!

-LJ

My Little Chunker

Ben weighed Elsie today.....12 POUNDS!!!!

It may be a little off depending on the scale and she wasn't nakey like she has to be at the Dr. Her 2 month appt is next Friday, I can't wait to see how big my little chunker is. I have a feeling she's no longer tall and skinny :) I am making Ben go with me, I just don't think I can handle shots alone. 

She is becoming a little person so fast. All of a sudden she became a little flirt! She smiles all day - when she is awake, sleeping, playing, even while eating she'll take a little break to smile for a little bit. She is such an easy, happy baby so far. Last night at 4am she woke up to eat and then was in the mood to play for a minute. She got all smiley and then giggled!! She's been trying and last night the sounds finally came out. It sounded more like a gasp for air but it was definitely a giggle. Such a cute little sound!

Speaking of Dr appointments - I had my checkup today. I have been given permission to start easing back into working out, and I am sooo excited. For now I guess it's just walking and yoga, but it's only a matter of time before I'm back at spin class and I can't wait. Last week I weighed myself at Bed Bath & Beyond and it wasn't pretty. Apparently that scale was broken bc I got a better result. I've lost 20lbs since I had her, and 7 since the day I left the hospital. I read that I shouldn't be losing more than a pound a week so I'm pretty happy with that. My sister and I are going to do Weight Watchers. I'm starting Monday - I wanted to wait for this appt and Easter to get out of the way. I am ohhhh SOOOO excited about getting back into my gym routine. Even better, my sister in law works at the daycare in the gym so I don't even have to worry about leaving Elsie with a stranger. I think she'll be in pretty good hands :)

Chunky Monkey - lying on the floor talking to her blinky kitty
(her play gym has a cat that lights up and plays music...she's a big fan)

I'm still here!

I'm still alive, promise! Updating this thing just hasn't...I don't know...hasn't been on my list of priorities lately. It's not that I haven't had time. I've had plenty. I'm just using it differently now, I guess. I'm finally (sorta) forcing myself to slow down some and get some rest. It seems like right after she was born, because of her hospital ordeal, we hit the ground running and then just kept going. I'm finally taking the time to slow down and just enjoy her. I just can't seem to take time away from her to get much of anything done. We're getting in lots of snuggle naps and I am soaking up every single second, every little smile, coo and giggle. I'll eventually get caught up, but for now: paper plates will do, we'll muster up some clean laundry, and dinner usually works itself out.

She is 6 weeks old now! I can't believe how time has flown by. At her 2wk appt she was 8lbs, 9 oz and 22inches. Tall and skinny! I'm excited to see how big she is at her 2 month appt, it's in 2 weeks.

-LJ

One more thing...

Just when I think she can't get any funnier:

Elsie has Johnson feet. long toes. And her little feet are just perfect for kissing..

Last night I was kissing the ball of her foot, right under her toes...and she opened up her toes, wrapped them around and squeezed my lip! All with her little monkey toes...HA!!

Goodness, she is soo funny!

-LJ

Just A Few...

reasons why my little girl is so perfect!!

(not an all inclusive list, of course - it would take me all year to write that one)


- she makes the funniest faces
- she loves to snuggle
- as long as her belly is full, she's happy as can be...wonder where she gets that from?
- she has "Johnson feet" (her second toe is longer than the others)
- she's fuzzy like a little monkey. I know its just baby fuzz and it'll fall out eventually, so I'm  enjoying it a little extra
- Areas that are perfect for kissing: her soft spot (fits my lips just perfect!), her chubby little cheeks, her chin...and her 2nd chin, too! :)
- She sleeps for 4 1/2 hour stretches through the night
- when Ben puts his face right up to hers, she tries to suck on his nose
- almost every time he touches her with his beard, she sneezes
- when her belly is full, she smiles in her sleep
- she is sooo good when we leave the house - haven't done it often, but enough to know she's soo good!
- her blue eyes are sooo huge! I am hoping they stay blue
- she is just like me. More on that subject when I eventually write about her birth. :)


Ben: "She's kinda like her Mom...if all her needs are taken care of she's pretty great company. Otherwise, it's gonna get loud."


HAHA...so true :)

TEN DAYS!!!

I can't believe my sweet girl is TEN days old!! These ten days have been a whirlwind - I plan to write about it all. Next week. For this week, Ben is on vacation and I am forcing myself to sit still and enjoy our time together. That's much easier said than done, not the enjoying our time part, the part about sitting still. I can't stand for things to be out of sorts! I keep reminding myself that the mail (serisouly, I have a pile of 3 weeks worth of mail), laundry, dishes, and everything else can wait. They'll still be there later but my sweet girl isn't always going to be this snuggly and tiny. Today was our first day where we weren't busy with dr appointments and errands, or with Ben dealing with work and school. It was amazing!

For today's adventure, we did newborn photos. For the first half, Elsie was a little stinker. She peed on Ben twice, pooped on me twice, pooped/peed on 3 blankets and the carpet. Our photographer even stepped in Elsie's pee. LOL! After the first half, she went to sleep and she was a perfect super model. I'm sure most of you have already seen this preview: Jen Thompson Photography

-LJ

The photographer we worked with takes beautiful photographs. I can't wait to see the rest.

Final Countdown!

WOW!!


Doesn't get much more real than that!

 As of last week's appointment I was told to take it easy and stay off my feet as much as I could. As of Tuesday, I was told not to do anything! She didn't use the term "bed rest" but said that other than showering or making myself some food, I am not supposed to me on my feet at all. So...I guess that's bed rest, right? Not sure. I have to go back to the Dr tomorrow for a non-stress test. She said whether I'm induced or go into labor on my own - I definitely won't make it to my due date! So...no matter what my girl will be here in less than eleven days!! 11 days!!!! I am hoping that if she comes during non-business hours that it'll be this weekend bc my Dr is on call all weekend.

Being lazy hasn't been that bad so far. I thought I'd be a little more stir crazy but I'm too tired to do anything anyway. The baby's room is perfectly organized and ready to go, which is the only one that matters. Last night my SIL and BIL came over and cooked us dinner, and brought Elsie some cookies. :) My animals won't leave my side.


yesss, we love Mom's bed! Our bedroom tv was the smartest purchase ever
- one of our Christmas presents to each other

Ben rented me 5 movies. I started with Dolphin Tale. I don't care if anyone makes fun of me, I might be slightly obsessed with dolphins. And I might have cried during almost the whole movie. :)

Hopefully next time I post something the baby will be here!!!

-LJ

Worst Preggo Brain Moment of All Time

Wow. This is embarrassing. I'm wayyyy pregnant, so whatever.

Let me just say - I call my husband at work every day. He works long, busy days. Sometimes he has 5 minutes to chat, sometimes he doesn't. Usually it's just a "hey, how's your day?" or "you'll never believe what the cat just did" or just something to try and give him a little break. Sometimes, like today, I need help with a serious dilemma.

Let me just start with my defense:
- A few years ago, Ben's cousin introduced us to the Keurig. It's been life changing. Thanks, Sarah!
- I don't drink coffee every day, so if we're out of K-Cups I just go without or on a weekend Ben will make a pot. I literally have not made a pot of coffee in at least 2 years.

This morning I call Ben's office:

- This is Ben
- hey, gotta sec for your wife?
- Are you in labor?
- No
- I guess, what's up
- I need your help with something, but please don't laugh. It's so confusing and I'm having a major preggo brain moment right now
-ook
- I'm trying to make coffee, and this is so confusing. It says you put in 1 tbsp for 6 oz of water, my measuring cup says 8oz is a cup and I have 7 cups...but, I already put 2tbsp in there...please figure this out for me..
-Why do you have 7 cups? You're not gonna drink 7 cups
- I know, that's just how much water I poured in the pot and it seems like easier math
- ok, how much coffee is in the filter?
- 2 tbsp
-no, like an inch? two inches? why are you using tablespoons? It’s not as complicated as you’re making it
- about a fingernail, I guess 1/4th an inch?
- pour out all that water and put in like 4 cups, then just use the coffee you have in the filter already

- <I forget it's plugged into the wall, pick up the pot to dump the water in the sink, and spill water everywhere. Then the water gauge gets all foggy but I can tell there's still 6 cups-ish and I'm not attempting this mess again>

-soo, you said 6 cups of water and how much coffee??
- why 6 cups? <I explain what just happened> What if I worked in production or something and you couldn't just call my office and ask me this kinda stuff??
- Well, I guess I would just drive to the gas station** and buy some
- <makes an intercom sound, now making fun of me> Ben Wood, you have a phone call. Your wife is trying to make coffee
- not funny, Ben. This is so confusing; this is the worst preggo brain I've ever had. I really can’t figure this out
- You have no idea how patient I am. Tell ya what, put in about another spoonful of coffee grounds, make what you have and if it's not good then just go to the gas station and buy yourself some coffee, ok?

WOW. Love him

It tasted just fine. After I put in sugar and creamer you can’t really tell how it tastes anyway so I don’t know why I was so concerned with doing it right. Whatever. Thanks, babe!

**disclaimer on my gas station: It's really amazing**
Outside of our home, not a lot of excitement goes down in Central Minnesota. understatement of the century When you get a brand new gas station at the end of your street, it’s a big deal. For my Southern friends, it’s like a small version QT - you know, the giant ones with like a thousand options for coffee, cappuccino, slushies, etc….It’s a tiny version of that:  it has a milkshake machine, a variety of flavors of fountain syrup that you can put into your coke, a pretty solid ice cream selection, and live bait. Now we don’t have to drive across town for wormies when we go fishin this summer! Yessss!! It's .8 miles away and we're genuinely excited about this summer - strapping the baby into her stroller, and walking down there for milkshakes. It’s amazing. Seriously, y’all please come over so I can take you to my gas station! Haha

-LJ

37 Weeks!!!

Oh My Goodness, 37 weeks! My watermelon is due in 2 weeks, 6 days! She can't get here soon enough. This picture was taken last week - I think I look the same this week, so it'll do:



After my 36wk appt
"Hey, Ben, I fixed my hair today so I need you to take a pic for me."
Taking a pic of yourself isn't as easy as people make it look, but this one turned out a little better

 My 37 week appointment was today, and still - no exciting news to report...so this will probably be a lame-o post. whatever.

weight gain: "perfect" according to the OB, wayy too much according to me. Still trying to be careful about what I eat, but I'm also to the point of I don't care anymore.

blood pressure: good! It was high at the beginning of the appt, but had gone down by the end. This stupid girl pulled out in front of me on the way there - I think I was just still worked up from almost having a wreck...people in MN drive like idiots.

swelling: not really, only a little at night and in the morning. I've taken off my ring, but still wear it when I leave the house.

Momma can't wait to: love on my baby girl!!

hmm, that's new: My belly button hurts. sooo bad. It lasted about 36 weeks til it popped. I think popped out preggo belly buttons are soo nasty. gross. Anyway, it hurts - must be stretched out ligaments or something, but ouuuuch.

heartburn: actually gotten a lot better, but I've also gotten a lot more conscious of what I'm eating and what I need to stay away from

baby wants: cookies. I imagine her in utero shoving cookies in her face just like this guy:

sleep: surprisingly getting a little better. I think this last week I've slept better than I have this entire pregnancy, which isn't saying much, but I'll take it. I couldn't sleep last night, so I made hair bows. A lot.



I made probably another 10 or so tonight while Ben and I were watching tv, I'll add pics later.
I put alligator clips on the backs, so if she doesn't have hair I can clip them to her headbands.
Ben requested one in Browns colors, and picked out colors for another one,
I KNEW he'd get into bows and outfits :)



Oooh, I almost forgot!

So crazy and maybe TMI.

Whatever.

So I now go to the OB weekly - p.s. sooo not even a big deal, all these women in my birth groups' messages boards are always whining about it, I am convinced they're just a bunch of big babies, anyway - and today was the second time Elsie.freaked.out - squirming her little arms and legs, kicking, and rolling around like crazy. She's not a fan. So today, since it happened a second time, I felt like it wouldn't be a dumb question and I asked.

Me: Can she feel that? She's squirming like crazy.

OB: Oh ya, I'm actually touhing her head right now.

AAHHH!! how crazy!!

So, of course, my goofy husband when we get home:

B: (joking) So, want me to strap on some rubber gloves and grab her head?

Me: Uhh, no thanks, babe.

hahaha. <3 him, he's so funny.

We are so ready for her to get here. Next week is a full moon which may or may not effect labor - so I'm thinking that would be a perfect time. I've knocked out pretty much my entire to do list. All the monitors, swings, bouncy seats are ready to go, her room is almost done, Ben and I have been watching childbirth education videos, the suitcase is packed and sitting by the door (has been for 2 weeks). We're ready. Just waitin' on the princess to decide it's time.

The house was spotless. It's still "clean," but kinda messy again, but I can't really do anything about it. Oh ya, I was told to stay off my feet. So, whatever, I've accepted it. The house will be clean-ish til Mom gets here. Don't worry, Mom - I've got a to-do list ready for you. :) 

-LJ