July 05, 2008

It's been so long since I've added a journal entry...our little girl is getting so big, and is into everything now. She has to be supervised at all times :)
Here are some monthly updates on Meredith:

January:
Jan 18th - Mere sat on our bed all by herself; Jan 20th - Meredith's Dedication, Jan 22nd - Put her paci in her mouth by herself (she just likes biting on it), Jan 25th - Mere had cereal for the first time tonight, and she loved it!, Jan 31st - Mere's first tooth has broken through

February:
Feb 1st - Mere had Sweet Potato babyfood for the first time (We decided we were going to only give her organic babyfood, and mostly organic when she starts with table food, made sour faces), Feb 5th - Mere's second tooth has broken through, Feb 6th - Mere had Applesauce babyfood for the first time (made lots of sour faces), Feb 10th - Mere had Peas babyfood for the first time (she loved them!), Feb 14th - Mere had Carrot babyfood for the first time (made more sour faces), Feb17th - Mere had Banana babyfood for the first time (no sour faces), Feb 21st - checkup, more shots :( Feb 24th - Mere had Prune babyfood for the first time (made faces, but not sour faces), Feb 27th - First time Mere splashed in the bath, she had so much fun...she's always loved bathtime, but now it's even more fun for her

March:
Mar 1st - 6 month pics taken, Mar 5th - Mere is now in size 3 diapers, our little girl has moved out of the swaddlers and into the cruisers, Mere had Pear babyfood for the first time (liked them ok), Mar 7th - Mere started crawling backwards, Mar 8th - Mere played in the snow and we helped her make her first snow angel, Mar 10th - Mere had Green Bean babyfood for the first time (she liked them), Mar 16th - noticed that Mere is jealous of Carter, Mar 22nd - Mere snorted for the first time (when Matt was tickling her), Mar 30th - Mere's third tooth has broken through, has recently been sitting up by herself from being on her tummy

April:
Apr 5th - Mere's fourth tooth has broken through, & has recently been scooting over to me when she's playing and laying her head on my leg - so cute!!, Apr 6th - Mere had a teething biscuit for the first time (organic barley, seemed to like it), Apr 10th - Mere crawled for the first time (so cute!!), Apr 11th - bit off a piece of her teething biscuit and choked on it, so she's not getting any more of those, wrote on her face with a pen (right by her eye - she was so dangerous tonight), & sat in the grass for the first time (didn't seem to mind it), Apr 13th - Carter's dedication (Mere kinda screamed out during the prayer), Mere's been hitting a lot lately (and hitting and biting...mostly me), Apr 14th - Mere started crawling really good today (went after Annabelle and then her laptop), Apr 24th - Mere is starting to pull up on things, loves going on stroller rides (she sticks her feet straight out and smiles the whole way, so cute!!), Apr 31st - Mere crawled up the first step today and was going onto the second when I got her (she was so proud of herself)

May:
May 5th - Mere's 6th tooth has broken through, May 7th - Mere pulled up in her crib tonight, May 8th - Mere (with the assistance of her sweet daddy) sent me flowers at work (early Mother's Day; I was so surprised!), May 9th - Mere bit on her crib...so there are lovely teeth marks all in it...wow!, May 10th - went to the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cafe with the girls (and Carter)...we went last year for the first time, and we're making it a Mother's Day tradition...I love mommy-daughter time!!, May 11th - Mother's Day!!, May 13th - had so much fun playing with a paper towel, loves tearing it up, May 15th - Mere said dada for the first time (and she pointed to Matt when she said it...we think it was just a coincidence), May 17th - Mere had Gerber Graduates puffs (sweet potato) for the first time (first non-organic, and first finger food)...she wasn't sure about them, and acted like she was going to choke on a whole one, & she got attached to her paci today, and barely took it out of her mouth, May 18th - Mere's first Biker Sunday, looked so cute in her pink motorcycle tank (& pink shades), May 21st - 9 month checkup (no shots...yeah!!), May 22nd - Mere had noodles for the first time (she loved them!), May 24th - Mere had banana puffs for the first time, May 25th - Mere said mama for the first time, May 26th - our first family vacation with Mere began today, May 29th - Mere's 7th tooth has broken through, Mere went on her first ride today (it was a Bert & Ernie firetruck...and she loved it...she fussed after it quit, so she rode again :) May 30th - Mere said puff tonight...she pointed to them and said it, May 31st - Mere rode on the firetruck two more times (got it on video), and rode on a carousel (I had to hold her on and walk around with it...she loved it)

June:
Jun 5th - Mere had whole green peas, Jun 8th - Mere took her pajama pants off, not sure how she did it, but there they were, Jun 13th - Mere stood for the first time by herself, she just got up off the floor by herself, Jun 14th - Mere's 8th tooth has broken through, Jun 15th - Father's Day!!, Jun 16th - got attached to the Father's Day cards that she got for her daddy...kept wanting us to give them to her, and she threw tantrums when she couldn't have them, sat toys in front of Carter today so he could play with them, Jun 17th - Mere ate Cheerios for the first time tonight (I was so nervous about giving them to her, but she did really well with them, and seemed to like them), Jun 18th - really sweet to her babies, she has recently started hugging them, and she'll crawl around holding onto them & she will point to her head when you ask her where it is, Jun 19th - throws toys under the couch, and then looks under it for them...started doing it this week & Matt asked her where her ear was and she pointed to it, Jun 20th - noticed that Mere prefers the color yellow (we were playing with 3 balls (red, yellow, and blue), and she only wanted the yellow one...and she prefers her yellow baby over her pink one), Jun 23rd - Mere had a great day with Meep, and was so sweet (she gave Carter toys to play with, and handed Meep clothes out of the basket to fold), Jun 24th - Mere stood up by herself several times at Nana's, Jun 25th - Mere chewed on the sides of her bed this morning...thankfully, it wasn't much, she tried to give her baby some of her bottle today, Mere kept dancing tonight (so super cute!!!), Jun 28th - 9 month pics, Mere had juice for the first time (Organic apple carrot, very watered down - she wasn't crazy about it, I wasn't surprised), Jun 29th - Mere had pieces of baked sweet potato rolled in rice cereal...she loved it, and made a huge mess :)

I'll try to do better about keeping this updated...I just don't have much spare time these days.
We're planning Meredith's big FIRST Birthday bash!!! I have mixed emotions about the upcoming event...every day with her becomes more exciting, and it's great watching her grow and learn. But, I'm also a little sad about it...I can't believe how fast this year has gone by...it seems like she just arrived. I'm just not completely ready for it...but I guess it's coming whether I'm ready or not :) We're having the party at Two Rivers Mansion (we were wanting to have it the day of her birthday, but they were booked, so we're having it the next day...Sunday, August 17th). Patty Russell (the lady that made our wedding cake (Patty Cakes)) is making Meredith's cake and a cake for all of the guests (it's a Mad Hatter Cake...so excited, her cakes are the best!!!) We have a photographer from Krista Lee Photography that is coming to take pictures...her pictures are amazing!! You can check out her website at www.kristaleephotography.com. We decided on a princess theme...cause she's our little princess :) I'll try to keep the website updated with more party plans.

Since every day goes by so incredibly fast, we just try to make the most of our time together with Meredith. She loves for us to play with her, and especially loves being read to. She has favorite books that she brings to us to read her. And she loves looking at pictures...especially ones of herself :) Recently, she's been getting into cartoons...we don't let her watch a lot, but she seems to really enjoy it :) And she doesn't just watch...it has to be interactive...she points and talks, and makes sure that we're watching, too. And she has recently started dancing, which is the most adorable thing I've ever seen!!! There is one song that is by far her favorite...she dances almost every time she hears it. It's precious!!!

Hope everyone had a very happy 4th!! Have a great weekend!
-Shanda

Meredith's Dedication

Meredith was dedicated on Sunday, January 20th during the 11:00 service at our Church. It was such a special day for us!! Meredith woke up in a great mood, and we enjoyed our morning with her before going to Church. She usually doesn't spit up that often, but she did for some reason today...I was so worried she was going to spit up on her dedication dress...it's a beautiful silk dress. It was so cold today!!! Since her dress was so long, we had to wait to put it on her at Church. She often leaks out of her diapers, so we decided to put two on her for the service :)
She was so good during the dedication service!! We were so proud of her! I was so emotional today...I cried several times this morning, and had to fight back tears during the service. I thank God daily for giving Meredith to us to take care of for him...she's our daughter, but she's also His. We love her so much!! I'm so thanful that we have a wonderful family and Church family that love her, too!

She's such a blessing!! The song played during her slide show said "You're a little piece of heaven," and she really is!! Her smile and giggle can melt your heart!

We love you baby!!

December 21, 2007

Hello everyone! Well, I've been at work for two weeks now, and it's not as bad as I imagined it would be. Of course, I miss Meredith like crazy, and wish I could be with her every waking moment. She's actually getting into a routine, which is wonderful! We still have to let her cry herself to sleep, which is awful (but usually I get to miss it, because I'm getting in bed myself). She sleeps so good, when she finally goes to bed...and she wakes up in the best moods (I usually miss this, too since I get to work so early now), I'm so glad Matt gets to be there for it. She's been taking her bottle around the same times during the day, and most days has been taking a 3 hour nap...she never did that when I was off :) I really like my new work schedule...although, getting up at 4:30 is really hard, but I'm still nursing Meredith and want to get in a nursing before I leave.

She's growing so quickly...wish I could slow it down!! :) She rolled over for the first time on Monday, Dec 10th at 11:45 pm...I, of course, missed it because I was asleep...but she did it for me the next night and we got it on video. It's the cutest thing ever, I love watching her. And, before I went back to work I was showing her her feet, and now she's all about them...she's constantly playing with them, especially when we change her diaper. And, she's squeling really loud now...she's even scared herself a few times by being so loud. It's so cute hearing her. She loves it when we sing the pumpy umpy umpkin song to her...she gets the biggest smile on her face, it makes me so happy to see her so happy!!

Mere had a checkup at the doctor's office yesterday, and more shots...I was so worried after how she did with the last ones. However, this time she did so well! She barely cried, and has actually been in a really good mood since. She weighs 15 lbs 13 oz, and is 26 inches long. Her head measurement is 41 cm. The doctor said she is in the 90-95% percentile for height and weight (which means, she is bigger in height and weight than 90-95% of babies her age), and is in the 50% percentile for her head measurement. I'm still not planning on giving her any food until she's six months, and I'm going to attempt to make her baby food at that time...we'll see how that goes. They said she's doing great!!

I took the day off to spend with Meredith, since I was worried we wouldn't get any sleep last night...I actually wasn't feeling well and went to sleep at 7:30...and slept till around 8:30 this morning...well, I wasn't asleep the whole time, I got up with Meredith twice to nurse her, change her diaper, and give her more tylenol. But I was so exhausted, I guess I needed all that sleep. I feel much better today...but I'm still not sure if it's just allergies, or if I'm really getting sick. I've been wearing a mask when I nurse Meredith, I would hate to get her sick.

Well, I'm gonna go check on her...she's been taking a nap. And I've been trying to finish wrapping Christmas presents.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Shanda

December 06, 2007

Good morning!! Meredith has been sleeping so well for about two weeks now...ever since she got over the worst of her cold. Several nights she's slept 9 hours straight :) I'm so thankful she's sleeping better because I have to go back to work tomorrow. I'm so glad I was able to take off for 16 weeks to be home with her, but I think it almost has made it harder. I've so enjoyed being with her every day and night, it's going to be so hard to leave her. I'm going to start working a more flexible schedule at work...I'll be going in at 6:30 and leaving at 3:30...that will give me a little more time with her before she goes to bed. We had a trial run on Monday...I got up and got ready like I would for work, and Matt took Mere to Nana's. I picked her up after my doctor's appointment. She was such a good girl, and was so happy...knowing that made me feel better. I only cried a little bit that morning and I was so proud of myself for how well I did. However, every day since then I've cried more. I'm just so worried that I'm going to miss so much!!

Meredith isn't talking to us as much as she was before she got sick...not sure if she lost her voice or if it was uncomfortable to talk. She talks every once in a while now, but not for long. I've been so worried about it, I hope she starts talking to us again like she used to.

Just wanted to make a quick posting...I'm gonna go check to see if Meredith is awake, I want to spend every waking minute with her today!!

November 14, 2007

Meredith slept really good for two nights...on Sunday night, she even slept 7.5 hours...it was awesome!!! However, last night she decided she didn't want to sleep again. I didn't feel good, so not being able to go to sleep made me feel even worse. I think it's allergies, but I want to make sure, so I've been staying away from everyone. I was supposed to go visit Joy, Nana, and Papa yesterday, but decided I better not. Shannon is being induced on Friday, and I don't want to keep anyone from being able to be there. I so hope I get to feeling better so I can go...I'm not gonna take any chances, if I'm not feeling 100% I won't go. It will kill me if I can't be there, but it would make me feel even worse if I got any of them sick, especially Carter. I will cry all day if I can't go...I've been looking forward to it for so long.

Meredith has been talking a lot lately, and recently to the TV...it's so funny!! She is also trying to sit up, if you have her leaned back in your arms...she thinks she's a big girl! We took her to Morrison's last Friday for pictures, and they have just been posted for viewing...she looks beautiful!!!! It's going to be so hard to choose...I want them all!!! If anyone wants to take a look at them, they are at www.morrisonphotography.com (Select Login, enter Hayes, and then click on the link to view Meredith's pictures).

Well, I'm gonna go play with my little sweet pea! Have a wonderful evening!!! Next time I get on, I'll have pictures of sweet baby Carter to post...can't wait!!! :)

November 11, 2007

Good morning!! Meredith still isn't sleeping very well, so I'm gonna call the doctor back in the morning to see if she has any more suggestions, or wants us to bring her in. She did a little better last night...we finally got her to go to sleep at 12:30, and she slept till 5:30. I'm worried that she's not getting enough sleep. We took Mere to Morrison's on Friday (to have her three month pictures, and to make family Christmas pictures). We can't wait to see them...it's going to be so hard to choose. She wore her dedication dress for her three month pictures, and she looked beautiful!!! She was in such a good mood, so I think they probably got some great pictures of her smiling. She wore one of her Christmas dresses for our family Christmas pictures...she was starting to fall asleep, so I'm not sure how they will look. Once she fell asleep, they wanted to get more pictures of her with her clothes off (all she had on was a gold bracelet, gold ring, socks, and shoes)...she looked so precious, and they said it was so rare to get one like that. I just can't wait to see them!!!!! Thanks Meepmers for the dresses and accessories!!! I only have four weeks left with my baby before I have to return to work...I'm so sad about having to leave her! I'm going to be a mess, but I'm sure Mere will be a happy girl with Nana, Papa, and Joy...they will love on her all day, and give her lots of attention (which she loves!), so it helps knowing that she will be with family and will be well taken care of. I am going to miss her so much...I'm so thankful that I've gotten this much time off with her, but I think it also makes it a little harder since I have been with her so long. I hardly remember what life without her was like...Meepmers watched her last night while we had a date night, and I think I talked about her the whole time we were gone...what did I talk about before?? Not really sure. We got a few things for her for Christmas, and it was so much fun!! This Christmas is going to be so different, it will be wonderful!!!

Shannon is going to be induced this Friday at 5:00 am, if Carter hasn't made an appearance before that time. We can't wait!!! She is planning to work Monday-Wednesday, and for a little while on Thursday. Come see us baby Carter!!! I can't wait to see you, and hold you. And Meredith is so excited!!!...she is going to love looking at you!! :) Please keep Matt, Shannon, and Baby Carter in your prayers this week!!

Well, I'm gonna get in there and play with my Mere Bear! Hope you all have a wonderful week! -Shanda

November 01, 2007

Hello Everyone!!! When I made my last posting, I said I was going to do better about adding things to the website, but I really haven't. I've been working on updates to the site all day today.

Meredith is taking a nap right now, and she looks so sweet!!! She went to the doctor for her first shots last Monday...it was awful!! She was in so much pain later that night, and her poor little legs were all red and swollen. When they weighed her, she was 12 lbs 2.5 oz...the doctor said that was a big weight gain for only 3 weeks...not sure what I can do about that, the girl's gotta eat. She is really getting big, she's outgrowing so many things, and is so chubby now...it's so cute!!! I love being home with her, and try not to think about having to go back to work...I will miss her so much!!! She is cooing so much now, and Matt actually thinks she said dada...we have it on video, but I'm pretty sure she didn't. It was so cute, though...he kept calling people and playing the video over the phone.

Ever since Mere had her shots, her sleeping schedule has been off. She wants to stay up all night, and keep me up...at first I thought she had colic, but now I'm thinking it's reflux. She will only stop screaming if we sit her straight up and bounce her, or if I'm nursing her. We started giving her Mylecon drops last night, and she actually had a better night (only one short screaming fit), so I'm not sure if it was the Mylecon or just a coincidence. The nurse at the pediatrician's office said it could be a number of things...she gave me some suggestions, but said she was probably going through a growth spurt (that they usually do between 2 1/2 and 3 months). I hope she starts sleeping better soon because I have to go back to work in 5 weeks :(

My sister is due very soon (on the 18th)...I can't wait till Carter comes, today would be nice!! I'm selfishly wanting him to come soon, so I can have more time with him before I have to go back to work. She talked to her doctor yesterday, and if she hasn't had him before, she'll be induced on the 16th...it would be neat if he came then, because me and Shannon were born on May 16th and Meredith was born on August 16th. I just can't wait to see him and hold him!!! And Meredith can't wait for her buddy to get here...they are going to be so cute together!!! We love you Carter!!!

Well, Meredith has woken up now...she's in her bouncer and is smiling at me and kicking her legs. I'm gonna go play with her now...maybe she'll be good for tummy time (she's getting a little better, but still doesn't really care for it).

Shanda