Sleep.... ZZZZZ.....

Our life changed on Friday a few days ago and I have been scared to write about it. On Friday, January 28th, we put Maggie down to sleep at 10 pm and was planning on waking up for the middle of the night feeding as we have been for the last three months. Hours went by. I woke up around 7 am. I awoke confused and sleepy. I couldn't remember waking up with her in the middle of the night. I ALWAYS wake up with her. Even though we are bottle feeding, I am the middle of the night partner and Mike is early morning first bottle of the day guy. He is more of a morning person. In the early days, sometimes I wouldn't go to sleep till AFTER the 2 am feeding. I know crazy. But Friday morning was foggy, just not outside, but in my head. I just didn't remember getting up to feed her. I thought I heard her, make those grunt like noises, but no big tears of "COME GET ME MOM" like noises. I thought and asked Mike, "Did you wake up and feed her?" He said no. I said, "Are you sure?" He said, "YES, when do I ever get up to feed her." Good point. So then we counted the bottles, and sure as they were there that morning, NO ONE fed her. She slept the entire night. It was like winning the lottery. Surely, this is a fluke. An off night. Then, the next night, she woke up and I did hear her grunting. I went to the bathroom, a step in the middle of the night I usually don't do, but the time I came out, she fell back to sleep on her own! I did not change her or feed her. I went back to bed. She slept 7 hours that night. The next night, I heard grunting away and surely I was going to get her up and feed her. But then, motherly instincts kicked in. What if she doesn't need me to get her out and change her? What if she doesn't need fed? Would I mess up our new routine of blissfully sleeping through the night? Does she know if I would get her off the track of success?

So I very quietly, picked her up. Changed her diaper in Super Man-like speed. Then I gently laid her back in the crib with binky. She went back to sleep. Sunday night- same thing- quickly changed a diaper, but did not give her a bottle.

Ladies and gentleman, we have a baby that Sleeps through the night. Let's give it a few days before we call it a small victory, but my goodness we were all shocked.

Mike Bjorn

Today I have been home working on my self review. I hate this time of year. So much paperwork. Mike is "off" today cause he was on call last night. He busted out the Baby Bjorn and is walking around the house with her in it. He is now watching a movie while standing up so we can practice having her in it. It also allows her to practic her head support.

Meet Sophie

I once had a french student named Sophie... that story is for another day. Look at Maggie's new friend Sophie the Giraffe. Sophie squeaks, so we are training Buster not to EAT Sophie. He is doing good so far. Not sure how long that is going to last. But for now, Sopie is Maggie's friend. Oh, and I think I got the slightest little chuckle out of her. I freaked out and called Mike into the room. I couldn't get her to repeat it.
Oh, and one more thing... tonight she woke up from her evening nap and I changed her. Brought her downstairs to play. She totally started to grunt and turn red. Then I smelled it. The grunting and turning red happened for about five minutes. Then we had to get her bath ready and get rid of a very poopy diaper!!

Prayer List

So many people need our prayers. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. I hold Maggie every day and count our blessings. If you have extra prayers, here are few folks that need our help:

Tony DiBartolo- Brain Tumor- ACOUSTIC NEUROMA
Carol Gandle- Ovarian Cancer
Ron Adamski- Leukemia
Scott Sinclair- ALL- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Skyra's Mom- Just got out of hospital
Jerry Cosentino- James's Brother
Aunt Rita
Ann Sinclair- Pregnant
Mandi Hartwig- Pregnant
Deza Whalen- Pregnant
Margie Kim- Pregnant
Officer Yaslowitz Families
Officer Battinger Families

We went to church in downtown at Sacred Heart. Maggie did great and drank a bottle during the first reading, was alert during the gospel and fell asleep at communion. It was the reading that discuss the Beatitudes. One of my favorites:

•Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
•Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
•Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
•Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
•Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
•Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
•Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
•Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This was a quick pick of her fairy Godmother holding her.

Mt. Dora

Today we went to Mt. Dora for Craig Cisek's birthday. We love Jessica and Craig! They have two boys who are just getting so big and so cute!! One looks like Craig and the other more like Jessica. So adorable! We had such a great time.


Left: Brighton

Below:Greyson

Fighting Cancer

Our dear friend Carol Gandle has been fighting Ovarian cancer these last several months. She has been going to chemo and we have been supporting her with small surprises through out this journey. Today we posted this photo on her facebook page. I can't imagine what she is going through and we keep her in our prayers and know she will get through this.

Favorite Part of the Day

This is after her bath, new diaper, lotion and we have our Rafi cd playing in the background. She is starting to open her hands more and tonight she was really interested in the bottle-- attempting to hold it and touch it. I love this. She took about 7 ounces last night and went to bed after. She goes in her crib still awake, but sleepy. We put sally on and out she went. The sleep sack was the one Aunt Lisa gave her for Christmas.

Burlwood Stroll

So Mike was "OFF" today and in total Dad mode while I did emails and worked in the kitchen. I suggest to him, why don't you take her for a walk around the block. I had did this once before, but Mike did not join us. But instead of loading her up in the garage and taking everyone (meaning Buster too) out for a walk, he brings the entire stroller into the kitchen, puts Buster on the leash and then heads out via the front door. It was adorable and odd all at the same time. Here is the photo of him loading everyone up in the kitchen.

Zapatoes

When I went to pick Maggie up Gloria and Veronica (the little girl that stays all day at the house with her) were looking for Maggie's Zapatoes which is Shoes in Spanish. I thought the socks would stay on better if she had shoes on them. They all fall off all the time. But when they are on, they are so cute. This is her Buster tribute outfit too.

Children's Gasparilla

Today, I organized all of my managers and team for the Children's Gasparilla Parade. It was 50 degrees and chilly. Maggie stayed home and played with Grand Ma Kutsch all day. She loved it. Here are few shots of the parade.

Home Alone

Tonight Mike and Maggie are home alone. I had to come to Tallahassee for work where one of my managers was being interviewed on TV. Mike picked Maggie up from Gloria's and they spent the entire evening together... just the two of them. He fed her and took care of her all by himself. He even put her to bed where she slept six hours in her crib. At one point, she fell asleep in her bouncy seat, "the poop chair", and Mike didn't want to move her to the crib because he feared waking her up, but after 20 minutes of her fast asleep, he successfully moved her into her crib. I am so proud of him!

The photo on the left is what he sent me this morning titled "GOOD MORNING TO YOU". Notice he put her FSU onesie on her because they watched the FSU basektball game together. He put her in a sleep sack for the night. FSU won. Dad won. Maggie won. A victory for all.



The one below is the one that he took when she was picked up and at home with him in the afternoon.

Fresh Air

Today we decided to get some fresh air. The last two days have been gloomy and rainy. Since Mike is on call at 3:30, and didn't have to work today, she spent the day with him and did not go to daycare. After my conference call I decided to test out the stroller. The temp was perfect, but I still bundled her up. I got Buster's coller on and off we went. She didn't even make it one time around the block before she was snoozing. She loved all of it... fresh air, all the things to see and hear.

Baptism

On Saturday, we Baptised Maggie at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Dade City. This is the same church that I was baptised at more than 33 years ago. She wore a gown that has been passed down more than 50 years in Mike's family. It was such a wonderful day that she was surrounded by family and friends. Ann Cosentino was named her God Mother and James DeTuccio was named her God Father. They are a perfect fit for Maggie and we are blessed to have them in our lives. They also served as Maid of Honor and Best Man in our Wedding.

*You can click on the photo to make it bigger.

3 Months

Baby is starting to show his adorably gummy grin and will interact more playfully with friends and family. If you've spent the last few months a little cut off from friends while adjusting to your new life, now is the time to reconnect. Introduce them to baby (look, he laughs and coos now!) and don't worry if your adult conversation skills are a little out of practice -- baby will provide all the entertainment you need


Wow! So many things to tell you about 3 months.

* She is smacking and making contact on the toys on the bouncy seat

* She is sleeping about 6 hours a night

* She still hates burping. She just fights it so much.

* She is starting to put her hand in her mouth.

* She is starting to gain head strength. She can keep it up for a few seconds, but then plops it down.

* Wears 3-6 months clothes.

* Only takes her binky at night time or sometimes very rarely to soothe during the day.

* Drinking 6 ounces- 5 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 5 pm, 9:30 pm = 30 ounces

* We don't like Huggies. We think they are for BOYS. We like Pampers or Luvs. Size 2.

* We think she weighs about 13 pounds.

Routine

We are almost 3 months old and I can't believe it. Here is what a normal day is shaping up to look like. In between the feedings there is more and more awake time and being alert. She still snoozes through out the day, but she is so much more alert now.



4 am- This is the start of Maggie's Day- We hear grunts over the monitor and I get up, quickly change her, go down stairs and get a bottle warmed up and the feed her. She usually goes right back to sleep after her bottle.

8 am- 8:30- Usually, she gets up around this time. Change of Diaper, Bottle and she then gets dressed.

11/Noon- Change Diaper/Bottle

2ish- Change Diaper/Bottle

5:30ish- Change/Diaper/Bottle

8:30/9:00- Bath time, lotion, sleeper,

9:30/1O pm- Bottle and then back to bed for the night.

Toy time

The photo on the left is of my DUCKMASTER from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. My friend Kelly who is the PR Director there sent it to Maggie last week.

Today we played with lots of toys. I am really starting to make more and more contact with toys on my bouncy seat. I am also starting to grab hold of the toy keys that I got at one of my showers. I just have to be careful not to smack myself in the face when I get so excited to hold the firm grip on them.

I also played on my play mat upstairs and love looking at the monkey and kicking my feet and hitting the inflatable ball that is attached.

I had two poopy diapers today. I usually poop in my poop chair (bouncy seat). I kick my feet wildly and that is surely the sign that I have delivered the goods. I am starting to hold my neck up more and more. Stronger each day. I can look around things better and I am loving the view.


Pictured above is the Sing-A-Ma-jig that nana and papa got her. She loves this thing.

Baby C Shower

Today I attended a beautiful shower for Baby C and Ann. She is one of my bestest friends and I was so excited to attend. Baby C is due in Mid-February! So excited to meet him and I know he is blessed with excellent parents.

Tummy Time with Dad

Rush hour on a Friday is spent with dad with time on the tummy time mat. She is really swatting at the toys.

Austin and Anna

This week Mike and I both went to Austin for a kick off meeting. It was my first night away from her. I was away for about 48 hours and missed Maggie terribly. She was such a good girl for Nana and Papa who came all the way from Vero Beach to stay with her at our house.

While in Austin we saw Mike's cousin Anna Fetchick. We took her to dinner and had a wonderful time catching up with her and her college life.



While in Austin we visited Richardson Farms. Here are some shots of us in the chicken coop.



If this chicken below only knew how Mike can eat chicken wings like no tomorrow:


And his baby back baby back baby back ribs....

Church

Today I went to church and I got to wear my pretty outfit that Sheada gave me. I slept the entire time and was a complete angel.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Maggie rang in the new year at Grand Ma and Pap Pap's house in Dade City. We first took her Jeremy Deza's to watch the first half of the FSU game. After she drank her bottle she was ready for bed. We snuggled her in her car seat and went to Abbey Drive. This was around 8:30. After a quick diaper change which she slept through, she snuggled in for the end of the year. This was her first overnight trip to Dade City. She slept for 8.5 hours, a Maggie World Record. I woke up and changed her and she slept for about four more.