a tooth!

I want to share this with you Momma!
Ready to head out for a walk.
Cuddles!
I'm teething and cranky!
Want my duckie?
I'm the cutest thing ever!
I'm showing you my food because I am so proud of my new addiction to breakfast bars.
Waving... waving at everything!


All I can say is that I hope that Coranelle doesn't go through this entire ordeal every time a little tooth pops through her gums. But, she has one! Ryan noticed it Wed. evening.... and now I notice it every time she is nursing! :-) She is growing up! And with her new permanent car seat, she really seems as if she's becoming a little kid. Now, if we can only get her to stay for an hour in child care so that we can go to church or to Rec center yoga. Is she getting separation anxiety again? Because I am pretty sure she already had it for 4 whole months! Hopefully when she starts walking on her own, she'll be a bit more independent! On the other hand, she was pretty cute sitting on our laps and giggling in the lobby during church.

Last night, we went to Amy and Vann's house for dinner with Ken and Jenny. I met Amy and Jenny in prenatal yoga and they have become great friends. I am very thankful for both of them and love that our husbands get along. After dinner last night, we all put the babies to bed upstairs, and stayed playing games until almost 11:30. It was truly the most fun I have had with friends in as long as I can remember. It was wonderful to laugh and talk and drink enough wine to make me a bit too silly. I cannot wait until our girls are old enough to play and have sleepovers at each other's houses. It will be fun to watch them grow up and be able to spoil them with movies, popcorn, pizza and manicures.

In other news, I'm chugging along with my class. I am about 2/3rds done with it and have enjoyed talking with so many other educators about strategies to teach ELLs. It has been a lot of work, but it has been a fun change of pace. I also started watching another little girl on Friday. She is the daughter of two teachers who live in our neighborhood. She is very easy going and I think it will be good for Coranelle to have another baby around 1 day a week. It was hard to get them both down for naps, but I had a tiny glimpse of what life would be like with twins. I enjoyed seeing Coranelle wave and talk to baby Mia. She did pretty well with my attention being split. I was thankful that my mom came down for a bit to help out.

A few other perks from tonight- chicken noodle soup from Cost-co made with rotisserie chicken- yum! So good! (Thanks Jenny, for mentioning it once upon a time). And, cappuccino custard from Good Times. Lastly, the giggles erupting from my baby girl while she played with her daddy before bed.

not for cowards

On one of my recent facebook posts, complaining about Coranelle's nursing strike, a friend of ours wrote something like, "Motherhood is not for cowards". Whew... is she right. I'll broaden that and say, parenthood is not for cowards. Coranelle has showed us that in some many ways in the last few weeks. She has had a terrible cold and diaper rash, then she stopped nursing for 5 days, starting nursing again, went on strike again, and most recently got some sort of stomach bug. Yup, last night at 3 am she was fussing. Ryan went in to check on her and rubbed her back for a while. When he left, she started fussing again. I went in and decided to change her diaper, because she smelled poopy. I lifted her out of the crib and she started coughing and gagging and then she threw up all over both of us. Poor thing! So, I went and got Ryan and we drew a bath, started a load of laundry, and stripped her down- only to find the biggest blowout I've ever seen (literally up to her chin). (Am I being to graphic?- yup- that's cause being a parent is not for cowards!). We proceeded to take her temp (95) and bathe her. She was all about the bath at 3am, even though I was exhausted and worried. I got out the What to Expect in the First Year Book to read about vomiting. I gave her a bit of juice and then she nursed and went back to sleep. So, I have no idea what caused the vomiting spell! She had some jarred baby food yesterday, instead of my homemade baby food, but I doubt that could do it. I don't think it is an allergy because everything she ate yesterday, she's been eating for a least a couple of weeks. Anyhow, I have a fear of people throwing up. I know it's a strange fear, but I HATE it when people get sick. And, I got over that fear last night when I got thrown up on for the first time in my life!
She seemed okay today, but did not have much of an appetite. I tried to feed her rice cereal and bananas for her meals, but she wouldn't eat any dinner. It's hard to get my peanut to put on weight when she refuses to nurse and then has no appetite!
So, to all the parents out there- I respect all that you do and have done for your kids. I know a lot of it goes unrecognized, but you are courageous and anything but cowards! Thanks for all of the hours of sleep you lose, for all of the diapers you change, all of the messes you clean up, and all of the hours and days you spend worrying about your kids!
I hope that all of you are having great week! Keep our little one in your prayers!

why we love our church

Check out the following link. It is one of the many reasons we enjoy our church so much. Look closely at the video and you can see Heidi- my mother in law- working on alterations for dresses. The whole production is such a great event!

http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_14397565#axzz0fq9jbEXT

some pictures

Cora playing with Coranelle at Makana's first birthday party.
Makana's first cake- Yum!
Coranelle's new favorite book.
Ryan giving sweet baby Charlie a bottle. Coranelle, see how easy that is?
We babysat Charlie on Friday night. It was fun to give the girls a bath together. We had to restrain Coranelle because she is such a spaz. Charlie, on the other hand, was an angel.
Little C- So so cute! We'll babysit you anytime!
You girls will be good friends someday!
Eating the butterfly on Valentines Day.
Coranelle's first Valentines Day! This was at our date to a local coffee shop.

I thought I'd take a few minutes and add a few pictures. Hopefully more to come soon! (As soon as I remember to put batteries in the camera!

stubborn

So, for all of you wonderful, kind ladies who are worried about my baby- she seems to be done with the nursing strike! Horray! That was a stressful, emotional 5 days!

I finally took Coranelle to the doctor on Monday, though we couldn't see our pediatrician. In short, there was no reason for the refusal to nurse. She did not appear to be teething, there were no signs of sore throat, ear infection, stomach issues, etc. The pediatrician told me she didn't know the cause or what to tell me. They did weigh her and tell me she was only 15 pounds, and that made me more upset. How was I to get her to gain weight if she wouldn't nurse or take formula!? That left me even more frustrated. When she refused again that afternoon, we both ended up crying. The only sweet thing about this was that when I covered my face with my hands to cry, she reached up and pulled my hands away with this super concerned look on her face. She is quite the sweet, intuitive little peanut!

Tuesday, I finally got her to nurse with a renewed patience. I nursed her right after she woke up (every time), after massaging her gums with Oragel, in her room, in the dark, with the sound machine on and rocking her. Did I mention my child is stubborn? Ah well. I am just glad that we're somewhat back to normal. Thanks for your prayers, advice and concern.

This week, I started my online class (Spanish For Educators). So far, I am really enjoying it and the challenge it presents. It is fun to be reading, writing and thinking in Spanish again and discussion key issue in education with other professionals. But, it is taking a lot more time and effort than I imagined. This week, I had two chapters to read and learn in a Spanish textbook. I also had 4 papers to write, 8 long research articles to read(half in Spanish) and I have to get online and make substantial comments in discussions twice a day. So, that is taking me all of Coranelle's naps, plus evening time. The fact that the class is online means it takes a lot of time for me to navigate this new means of learning. Where to post everything and making sure I have all of the programs necessary to download articles and create papers and presentations. All this to say, if I am MIA in my blogging for the next month, you'll know why!

Plus, starting next week, I am going to begin doing childcare on Fridays for a teacher in the neighborhood who has a 5 month old. I think it will be a fun change for me and really good for Coranelle.

Speaking of Coranelle, she is tired and wanting my attention, so I must go. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful rest of your week!

update on the situation

Since I got so many comments from many of you concerned and wonderful ladies, I thought I should post an update on how things are going. Thanks for your advice- all of you. If you don't know what I am updating, you can see my former post.

After my post Friday night, Coranelle woke up at 3am and refused to settle down. She was screaming and so upset. So, I rocked her, changed her, tried to nurse her(unsuccessfully), massaged her, etc. Actually, it was quite sweet because as I rocked her, she kept reaching up to kiss my face. But, when I tried to put her back down, she'd spit out her pacifier and scream. Finally, I tried putting her down unswaddled, so she could grab her pacifier if she decided she wanted it. She cried for 4 minutes and then slept through the rest of the night. I am not sure if that was her way of signaling to me that she was done with the swaddle, but she spent the rest of the weekend sleeping that way. One plus from this whole situation!

Saturday, she refused to nurse at all. I was quite worried about her, so we called the on-call pediatrician at our doctor's office. The doctor made it sound like she thought the problem was something lingering from her cold (a sore throat or ear infection). She didn't want us to take Coranelle to urgent care unless she didn't have a wet diaper for 12 hours (which didn't happen). She told us to get her to have fluids however possible (but not whole milk). I went ahead and bought her some yo baby yogurt anyway so that she could have something of substance in her tummy. When she refused to nurse again Saturday night before bed, I just put her down, and then had my own melt down on the phone with my mom. I am just worried about her, my milk supply and my already "underweight" child. Mom thinks I am obsessed with her low weight and worrying to much, but, in my defense, I am a first time mom. I am allowed to be worried about my baby! But, I really do appreciate everyone's concern and help. All weekend, Ryan would help me try to distract and comfort Coranelle enough to nurse her. When she wouldn't nurse, he'd entertain her while I pumped for a long time. Then, he'd slowly feed her juice or my milk through a syringe (one teaspoon at a time).

Coranelle decided to nurse twice yesterday. I was thrilled yesterday afternoon, because she seemed so eager and not in pain. Ironically, she decided to nurse less than an hour after I had just pumped, so I doubt she got much. Last night, she nursed again, after much persuading, massaging her gums and some tylenol. But, at 10:15, she was up again screaming! Yikes. I tried to comfort her, Ryan tried to comfort her, but nothing worked. I rocker her, lying on my lap on the boppy and she was content then, but I knew I couldn't spend the night like that. By midnight, she finally cried herself to sleep, but unfortunately, I could sleep for a long time after that. I was just anticipating the next wake-up.

So, where does that leave us? Well, I am about to go get her and try to get her to nurse. Cross your fingers. And, as soon as our pediatrician opens this morning, I am going to call and get an appointment. I want to rule out an ear infection or get her on some antibiotics, if that is the problem. She did seem to be pulling on her ears more than normal yesterday, but I am not sure if that is just coincidental. I really just want my old baby back!

Thank you all for your thoughts, advice, kind words and prayers! I hope you had a lovely Valentines Day. Enjoy the day off, if you get one!

cupcakes.. and advice please!

We are sitting here, watching the opening ceremonies and eating delicious, chocolate cupcakes from our neighbors. Todd and Lisa came over for a pizza dinner tonight with their beautiful, baby girl. It is so great to have friends with babies that live just a few houses down. We really enjoyed their company and seeing baby Anna.

Ryan is on cloud 9 today. He took the day off and planned to go to a bike shop to look at some Mountain Bikes. I told him last summer that he deserved a new bike and he has been carefully researching and budgeting ever since. His current bike is below his ability level and way below his potential, but he is a good husband and father and didn't want to spend to much right now- considering our current financial situation. Anyhow, he randomly looked on Craigslist this morning and found an awesome posting for a Specialized Stumpjumper with all of the components he hoped for, and at a total bargain price. So, he went to the bike shop to check out some bikes and check on the size of the one posted on Craigslist and at 4pm, he came home with an awesome new bike. It is a 2008 and the previous owner used it just a few times. We ended up spending nowhere near what we budgeted, so that was awesome! He is so excited and I am so happy for him. He also got asked to be in my brother's wedding and we were both so happy, I almost cried. I told him that it seems like God was trying to boost his spirits a bit and reward him for all of his hard work- both at home and in the office. He said he decided today, that God must care about the small things- even mountain bikes for a new daddy.

On his way home from picking up his new bike, he brought me a nice bouquet of Valentines flowers. That was fun! My mom came down today and we went to World Market and Ryan also got me a pretty new scarf and earrings. World Market is SO fun and affordable. It was fun to have lunch with mom, have Ryan home for the day, and do some shopping.

It was a great "pick-me-up" after a long a rough week. I think I was in a bit of a funk this week. Not only did we not feel well, it seemed like a quiet, lonely week and Coranelle was really fussy. (still is). Many of my mom friends were out of town or busy with family and it just felt like the days were long without people to meet up with. Plus, Coranelle cried for hours the last few days and it was just so draining. I have no idea what is going on and I am worried and frustrated, and tired! Yesterday, every time I put her down for a nap, she screamed and wailed like crazy. She kept spitting out her pacifier once I put her in the crib. She cried for almost 2 hours before we left for our walk and was only happy yesterday if I held her. She slept less than an hour all day and she keeps waking up earlier and earlier in the mornings. I don't know why. She doesn't have a temperature and she is not pulling on her ears. We can guess that she is teething, but we have thought that since October, so I don't want to assume that. Especially since Ryan didn't get his first tooth until he was 13 months old. I don't know if she doesn't want to sleep because she is so excited about crawling, pulling herself up, waving, talking, etc. that she just wants to practice. Or, she doesn't want to be in the swaddle... or...? So, it was a wonderful relief to get away for a bit last night and go to Power Yoga with Jenny and Amy last night.

I thought today might be a different story... and it was on some fronts. She took naps today, but refused to nurse twice. Man, that is the most frustrating thing ever! Especially when she only nurses every 4 hours, and I know she needs to eat. She would nurse on one side, and then when I switched her over to the other, she would scream- scream to the point of her face turning purple. When I stopped trying to get her to nurse, she'd be okay. So, I decided both times I needed to pump. When I pumped, I got less than an ounce. :-( I don't know if that is because it was my silly hand pump, or because I am not making enough milk anymore. I hate not knowing how much Coranelle is getting. When we weighed her this morning at the gym, she was only 15 pounds, at 9 months. Not quite enough to put her on track to triple her birth weight by a year. She was 13 pounds, 5 ounces at 5 months. I am glad that she is gaining weight, but she is still so skinny! When she wouldn't nurse today, I let her drink the milk I pumped out of a cup(because of course she still won't take a bottle). She took that, so I tried to make her some formula. She spit it out, pushed it away, made faces, totally rejects it. So, what am I supposed to do to help her get enough and gain weight? Really, I am asking. Please don't tell me not to worry.... Because I am going to worry! The other crazy thing is that she'll drink whole milk. Not tons of it, but she'll drink it. I know... I know... you're not supposed to give it to babies until they're 1 year old. But, if she won't nurse and she won't take formula, what am I supposed to do? Should I wean her? Is she weaning herself? I know this sounds bad, but I wouldn't be crushed if she was done nursing at 9 months. I am very thankful that I was able to nurse her until now, but I don't LOVE nursing. I would relish the freedom of having her take milk from a sippy cup- wherever we might be. Right now, I truly have to be home every 3-4 hours to nurse because she won't nurse elsewhere and I am not comfortable doing it either. I just don't know what to do. I will make a call to the pediatrician next week. But, in the meantime, I would love advice from any of you out there that have suggestions.

Next week, I am looking forward to starting my online class- Spanish for Educators II. I also have heard from two different families this week interested in me taking their kiddos for child care next year, so I have that opportunity to ponder on right now. Not much else to report at the moment. So, have a wonderful Valentines Day and a great long weekend (if you get one).

cold and colds

Yes, Coranelle and her Uncle Stefan are going to be best of friends!
awwww! So sweet!
This girl loves her soon-to-be auntie Rachael!
Hanging on to dadda!


Yup, it's snowing here and very chilly and Coranelle and I both have colds. Surprisingly, Coranelle has been very good natured about having a cold. Other than waking up in the morning coughing and having green snot crusted all over her face, she's been a champ. I figure, every baby gets multiple colds every year and it was just our turn. She seems to be feeling much better and I am glad that she is not quite as clingy today as she has been.

We've been working on the new schedule ( 4 nursing sessions and 2 naps) and she's doing really well. At times, she even seems to nurse better because she is actually hungry. If I can keep her awake during our morning walk, her naps are decent in length. I am glad for that because in a week, I'll need her nap times to work on my class.

We had a good weekend, but it seemed to go by way too quickly (as always). After swim cass Friday morning, Coranelle and I met my mom in Boulder for some quick shopping and lunch on Pearl Street. Friday night, we went down to Denver and had dinner with some friends from college. Coranelle warmed up to them and was crawling to them and interacting with them. She really liked their crazy chocolate lab. Saturday, we went for a nice walk, and did lots of errands and cleaning. Ryan and I had our own little date night after Coranelle went to bed. We had chips, salsa, margaritas made from scratch, and watched the next Harry Potter movie in our lineup. (We watch the movie after Ryan has finished the book). We had a great time cuddling and enjoying our in-home date. Yesterday, we had lunch with the Morks and then had 3 1/2 couples over to watch the Super Bowl. I think I watched a total of 2 commercials, but truly enjoyed playing with 3 baby girls and a puppy. Now it's back to unloading the dishwasher, washing diapers and maybe some shoveling (although I really don't want to go out there)!

A little something to celebrate- I left Coranelle in the child sitting at the Rec Center this morning for a whole hour. When I came back to get her (a few minutes early because I missed her), she was cuddled up on one of the employees, quiet and content. She let this woman hold her, rock her, and sing to her for an hour! Great strides for her! Other new things this week for Coranelle: She loves pancakes. Ryan bought some pancake batter than you can spray out of a can. I know, it sounds gross, but it is organic and made with wheat flour and agave! Anyhow, I make them for her with blueberries and she LOVES them. She is still just scooting, but getting up on all fours and rocking pretty often. She likes pulling herself up on our hands to stand and "walk". Not much else new that I can think of. I hope you're all staying warm and doing well!

dadadada

Coranelle has taken to going for walks in the pack. She likes being able to see everything. I am happy that she'll hang out so we can get outside and get some exercise!
Adelaide, Coranelle and Charlie, playing together. Really, they just kept hitting each other and taking toys from one another.
Coranelle and Adelaide reading together on Friday night. I love that they are matching and Adelaide has her hand on Coranelle's back.
Playing with Grammadele's sweatshirt string. GPS (grandpa Steve) and Grammadele babysat saturday night so we could go on a date!
Playing with GPS in the tub!
So close to really crawling!

Yesterday, Coranelle started saying "da da". We don't think she has any idea what she is saying, but it is so fun to hear her "talking". She is rarely quiet and seems to always have something to offer to the conversation. I think she'll be talking for real, very soon!

Yesterday, Coranelle also started waving to Grams. It is so fun to see her growing up and we had so much fun listening to her talk last night and watching her scoot around. We feel so very lucky to have her. I know my last post was a bit depressing, and I just have to say, we wouldn't trade Coranelle for anything. I love our little family and we are so happy with our home, Broomfield, having family living close by, and our own little family. I think no matter when you have kids, there is a transition phase. Even if all of our friends and siblings had kids already, we would face challenges with raising Coranelle and learning how to be good parents.

That being said, we had a great time this weekend getting to have dinner with some friends who also have babies that were born in May. It is great to get together with people on a similar page in life. On Saturday, Mom and Steve came to our house so that we could go out on a date. Coranelle did well after she got used to Steve and then had lots of fun while we got some time alone as couple to enjoy church and the delicious salad, breadsticks, and sangria at the Olive Garden. Coranelle seems to be doing better with letting other people hold her and play with her, which is a great relief to me!

I am working on switching Coranelle over from 5 feedings to 4, and from 3 naps a day, to just 2. So we are changing the whole schedule. She is doing well now, but the first few days, it was too much change at once for a touchy kiddo. She just wouldn't fall asleep for naps, so we decided we needed to eliminate one of the changes for a while. We started swaddling Coranelle again for her naps and she slept wonderfully and was cheerful and happy when she was awake. Eventually, we'll get this napping unswaddled down. But, 2 days of her sleeping less than an hour all day long made for a pretty fussy baby, and tired and frustrated parents. I am enjoying the freedom of nursing every 4 hours instead of every 3 and hope that this continues to go well!

That's all for now. I hope you all had a great weekend!