We just got back from our trip to Canada. It was nice, but I do wish that we could have spent a little more time and had a chance to go to Waterton Park. Before we left for Canada though, Grandpa Kline came to visit and see our new house. He arrived around 4 pm on Monday the 3rd. All three of us went to the airport together to pick him up. Daddy was on call on the 3rd and the 4th all day long but didn’t have to go into work. After picking Grandpa up we drove into downtown Salt Lake and they went to surprise Kevin while I stayed in the car to feed you. Kevin decided to come home with us instead of on the bus and we were crowded in the backseat. Candace finished classes around 7 pm and came over to our house then. For dinner, Chris and Grandpa went to pick up pizza as well as some groceries and movies.
On Tuesday morning, we opted not to go to the parade and instead hiked up Rock Canyon. You weren’t enjoying yourself in the backpack too much so Daddy and you and me left early and Kevin, Candace and Grandpa hiked a little longer. We had lots to do to get ready to leave for Canada before 4 pm. We stopped at Fred Meyer to pick up some groceries as well as a water timer for the hose in the backyard. We didn’t want our new grass to die while we were gone.
Monday, June 26, 2000
You are six and a half months old. It is
amazing how quickly time passes. You do so many fun things and are
delightful to be around. Even in church you are mostly well behaved.
Yesterday you slept through most of Sacrament Meeting, you played on
daddy’s lap in Sunday School and in Relief Society I laid you on the
floor and you played most of the time. You have such a sweet
disposition.
Yesterday we invited Kevin and Candace and Becky and Kyle over for dinner to celebrate Becky’s birthday. You are quite the life of the party now. You did your scrunchy nose thing quite often and everyone laughed. We got some good pictures.
Grandpa Kline might come for a visit next week. If so, he will come on Monday morning and then we will drop him off at the airport on our way home to Canada. We leave on the 4th. Perhaps we will get to see fireworks on the way.
Yesterday we invited Kevin and Candace and Becky and Kyle over for dinner to celebrate Becky’s birthday. You are quite the life of the party now. You did your scrunchy nose thing quite often and everyone laughed. We got some good pictures.
Grandpa Kline might come for a visit next week. If so, he will come on Monday morning and then we will drop him off at the airport on our way home to Canada. We leave on the 4th. Perhaps we will get to see fireworks on the way.
Thursday, June 22, 2000
You only cried for about 10 seconds when you got your shots yesterday. You were such a brave girl. The nurses even said how good you were, and as always, that you are so cute. It’s true.
You have grown an inch and a half and gained a few ounces. You now weigh 18 lbs 15 oz and measure 28 inches in length. The doctor says you will be tall and skinny. Yeah for you! You’ll outgrow me before you’re two at this rate. Love ya.
You have grown an inch and a half and gained a few ounces. You now weigh 18 lbs 15 oz and measure 28 inches in length. The doctor says you will be tall and skinny. Yeah for you! You’ll outgrow me before you’re two at this rate. Love ya.
Wednesday, June 21, 2000
Donna had her baby on Monday the 19th. She was only in labor for less than 5 hours. Wade was 20 ½ inches long and weighed 9 lbs 5 oz. Whew. Big baby. Both Donna and Wade are doing fine and should be going home from the hospital today. I am sure that Donna is glad that at least the pregnancy part is over with, though the first couple of months with a newborn are pretty exhausting. Too bad they aren’t closer so that we could help them out. Donna’s parents are driving out on Monday to spend some time.
You didn’t have your doctor’s appointment last week because Dr. Berry was called away to the hospital on an emergency, so we get to go today. Unfortunately last week when they called me, I had already given you painkiller for the shots. You were so sleepy all afternoon.
We borrowed a fun toy from our friends the Mattsons. It is a car that you can sit in and play with a lot of toys and gadgets that are attached. I am hoping that it will help to strengthen your legs some because you just don’t have any strength for standing, even when I hold you up. Maybe you are just spoiled and would rather be held. By the way you are crying in your bed right now, I would tend to believe that is true.
You have started to scrunch up your nose and make some pretty funny looking faces at us. You are developing quite an opinion of some things.
You didn’t have your doctor’s appointment last week because Dr. Berry was called away to the hospital on an emergency, so we get to go today. Unfortunately last week when they called me, I had already given you painkiller for the shots. You were so sleepy all afternoon.
We borrowed a fun toy from our friends the Mattsons. It is a car that you can sit in and play with a lot of toys and gadgets that are attached. I am hoping that it will help to strengthen your legs some because you just don’t have any strength for standing, even when I hold you up. Maybe you are just spoiled and would rather be held. By the way you are crying in your bed right now, I would tend to believe that is true.
You have started to scrunch up your nose and make some pretty funny looking faces at us. You are developing quite an opinion of some things.
Monday, June 12, 2000
You have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday as well, which means more shots for you. You never like them (who does?), but you are so good about it. At your four-month check up you were 26 ½ inches long, and I think that you have grown some since then. You seem as though you are going to be very tall.
You are learning how to sit up on your own. You’re still rather wobbly but you get steadier every day. You are sleeping right now and usually for your first morning nap you only sleep 45 minutes, but you have been asleep for an hour and a half already. The weekend must have pooped you out.
Aunt Donna is ready to have a baby any day now. She is having a boy and he is already named Wade. Actually his full name will be Dallin Wade Rice—the same as his dad.
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
It has been awhile since I last wrote and a lot has happened in that time. We moved on May 5th and 6th, but that wasn’t without a lot of stress. Less than two hours before we were supposed to close on our new home, the mortgage company decided they wouldn’t honor the interest rate that we had agreed upon, but would be happy to give us a new loan at a ½ % higher. We had to put off closing and Chris began scrambling trying to find someone else who would finance our loan. When he called to tell me that all of this was happening, I just couldn’t believe it. I was sick to my stomach and so disappointed. We had already had so much disappointment with the other house that we lost, that I couldn’t believe it was happening again.
Another immediate problem was that we had told Patrick and April Mattson, the people who are buying our house, that they could move in over the weekend of the 5th and 6th–as we were moving out supposedly. They had moved all of their stuff out of their BYU apartment on the 2nd and into study and we had moved everything of ours from the study down into the dining room. We were pretty cramped all week long.
The builder was kind enough to let us move in to our new house without closing if we would pay rent until we closed. We had a bunch of people come and help us move Friday night and finished most of it then. We slept at our old house that night and began moving again in the morning. My job was cleaning and of course taking care of you, though Karra did come on Friday night to watch you while I was busy packing and moving. Patrick was so helpful in helping us move, he probably did more than anyone else. Perhaps he had a greater incentive–the sooner we moved, the sooner he could move his family in. After we moved all of our stuff, Chris went back to help Patrick move his stuff out of the extra bedroom. We are glad that they are moving in to our house; we like them so well that we wish we were closer neighbors. They also have a little girl who is 8-months old named Kaitlyn.
Chris was successful in finding a mortgage company that would completely take over our loan and we were finally able to close on Wednesday the 10th. What a roller coaster ride the last couple of weeks have been.
We were the only ones who had moved into this part of the development for about three weeks. The house on the other end of our building was finished at the same time as ours, but it is now available. I guess things fell through with the bank. We certainly know how frustrating that can be. We weren’t even getting any mail for a couple of weeks yet or any cable. We got two fuzzy channels–one of them was a BYU station so we can still get shows like Sesame Street and Arthur. Every so often I will let you watch Barney.
Being a mom sure is challenging at times. Sometimes I think one of the greatest challenges is not getting stuck in a rut and wasting time watching TV all day long. I have had a lot to keep me busy over the last couple of weeks, but there are days when things get a little mundane. Taking care of you is basically a three-hour cycle. Feed you, change your diaper, put you to bed, get you up, play with you, and then start all over.
We usually go on walks during the day. When the weather is nice we take a walk in the morning and then again in the late afternoon. In the morning we just walk around the development. The road goes in a big oval shape and Chris measured the distance for one lap to be 7/10 of a mile. We do three laps most days. In the afternoon, we usually walk to a store or something. It is usually quite a distance, but I tell Chris where we are going and he stops to pick us up on his way home from work. We have walked to Wal-mart, Fred Meyer, Shopko etc. You fall asleep at some point during the walk. It has been a bit cooler lately with a lot of wind and some rain, so on those days we are pretty much confined to the house. I think you actually miss our walks when we don’t go. I know I do. I am trying really hard to get back in shape.
I was wearing out the tires on our stroller quite quickly, so we bought a jogging stroller from Wal-mart. It is not your favorite because it isn’t as comfortable and it doesn’t give you quite as smooth of a ride as your regular stroller, but it works well.
You mainly just drink milk but your dad gives you the occasional popsicle, which you love. You have started noticing that we are eating however, and watch us rather intently. I imagine, once I start feeding you, mealtimes won’t be too peaceful.
In the past couple of weeks, you had rolled over a couple of times, but didn’t seem too fascinated with it. And then all of sudden, one day you know how to do it lickety-split and anytime I put you on your tummy now you promptly roll over. You favor your right side most of the time. It is hard to believe that you are almost 6 months old already. I have a hard time remembering what you were like as a newborn. Good thing I have kept this journal-it helps me remember a lot of little things I would otherwise forget.
Your hair is quite thick on top, but pretty sparse in the back and on the sides. It is starting to grow though and you have a lot more hair than some little bald-headed babies. There is one spot on the top that is quite curly and twice as long as the rest of your hair. I put a berette in it which looks quite cute.
On Monday, Memorial Day, you screamed for the first time. It was just a short little scream, but a real one just the same. Brad and I were sitting on the couch talking and you were lying on the floor and out it came. Still, you are so cute.
We went to our new ward for the first time last Sunday. We are not really excited about it because I don’t think there are many wards in the church that compare with the Provo North 2nd ward. We have loved being a part of it and sharing in the love and friendship. We are now in the Provo North 1st ward boundaries and go to another church which is a couple miles away. It is in the same stake as the 2nd ward, but we now meet in the “Brown” church. We hope that it will be a good experience for us.
We have new neighbors to the right of us—two doors down--Brandon and Kristen Fish.
They are expecting a little boy in about a month. They are very nice people, and Chris and I hope that we can be good friends.
Thursday, May 04, 2000
You have been so crabby the last couple of days because you are already getting a tooth. I first noticed it yesterday. But you can’t be normal about it and get one in the front, you are getting in one of your molars. It has taken me a couple of hours just to get you to take a nap, but it sounds as though you finally went to sleep.
We were hoping to be able to start moving in a couple of hours to our new home, but the mortgage company has made some major screw ups, and Chris is still trying to work out the mess. I feel sick about it. The people who are moving in here have had their stuff in our extra room since Monday and we have moved everything from that room down into the dining room. It is packed and there is little room even to move. We have been eating off of a card table this week in the living room.
At your four-month check-up on the 20th of April, you weighed in at 17 lbs 3 oz, your head measured 41.5 cm and you were 26 inches long. After measuring you, the nurse said, “She’s right on schedule for a 6-month old.” She looked at me in surprise when I told her that you were only four months old! The doctor says that you are doing great and are very healthy. We are so grateful for that.
You rolled over a couple of times today. The first time you rolled over was last week. You are growing so fast. Sometimes it is hard to remember what you were like as a newborn. You jabber a lot now and certainly are sucking on your toys a lot—that comes with a bunch of drool as well. You have definitely outgrown your cradle. You don’t have much elbow room, especially since you like to sleep with your arms over your head and spread out. You have about four inches of head room left. As soon as we do move you will be in your new crib with plenty of room for growing.
We flew to Arizona to see Grandpa Kline for Easter. This was your second flight in 4 ½ short months of life, and you did so well. It was very late on Friday night the 21st of April—about 9:15—but as soon as we took off, I fed you and put you in your chair and you were quickly off to sleep. You slept straight through until 8 am the next morning. Kevin and Candace came with us as well. Grandpa was happy to see you, but more happy just to show you off.
On Saturday we drove for about 2 ½ hours to an observatory and by the time we got there they were closing. We were only able to spend a couple of minutes in one of the buildings and then had to leave. Just as we were leaving, you messed your diaper royally. It was running all over the place and both Chris and I were trying hard to keep the front seat of the rental car clean. You do do some gross diapers at times. I don’t appreciate them very much. When we were about one hour away from home you started getting tired and cranky and basically cried (screamed) the rest of the way home.
We went to church Sunday morning with Kevin, Candace and Grandpa. We don’t normally eat out on Sunday, but we did go to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and to see Lew and Ardie, Grandpa’s stepdad, who was more like a dad to him than his real dad.
On Monday morning we went for a hike for about an hour. You slept most of the time and were so thirsty when we finished that you gulped down water until you realized that it wasn’t milk.
Kevin and Candace flew out Monday night and we all flew out home early Tuesday morning. We dropped Daddy off at work and then went on home.
We were hoping to be able to start moving in a couple of hours to our new home, but the mortgage company has made some major screw ups, and Chris is still trying to work out the mess. I feel sick about it. The people who are moving in here have had their stuff in our extra room since Monday and we have moved everything from that room down into the dining room. It is packed and there is little room even to move. We have been eating off of a card table this week in the living room.
At your four-month check-up on the 20th of April, you weighed in at 17 lbs 3 oz, your head measured 41.5 cm and you were 26 inches long. After measuring you, the nurse said, “She’s right on schedule for a 6-month old.” She looked at me in surprise when I told her that you were only four months old! The doctor says that you are doing great and are very healthy. We are so grateful for that.
You rolled over a couple of times today. The first time you rolled over was last week. You are growing so fast. Sometimes it is hard to remember what you were like as a newborn. You jabber a lot now and certainly are sucking on your toys a lot—that comes with a bunch of drool as well. You have definitely outgrown your cradle. You don’t have much elbow room, especially since you like to sleep with your arms over your head and spread out. You have about four inches of head room left. As soon as we do move you will be in your new crib with plenty of room for growing.
We flew to Arizona to see Grandpa Kline for Easter. This was your second flight in 4 ½ short months of life, and you did so well. It was very late on Friday night the 21st of April—about 9:15—but as soon as we took off, I fed you and put you in your chair and you were quickly off to sleep. You slept straight through until 8 am the next morning. Kevin and Candace came with us as well. Grandpa was happy to see you, but more happy just to show you off.
On Saturday we drove for about 2 ½ hours to an observatory and by the time we got there they were closing. We were only able to spend a couple of minutes in one of the buildings and then had to leave. Just as we were leaving, you messed your diaper royally. It was running all over the place and both Chris and I were trying hard to keep the front seat of the rental car clean. You do do some gross diapers at times. I don’t appreciate them very much. When we were about one hour away from home you started getting tired and cranky and basically cried (screamed) the rest of the way home.
We went to church Sunday morning with Kevin, Candace and Grandpa. We don’t normally eat out on Sunday, but we did go to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner and to see Lew and Ardie, Grandpa’s stepdad, who was more like a dad to him than his real dad.
On Monday morning we went for a hike for about an hour. You slept most of the time and were so thirsty when we finished that you gulped down water until you realized that it wasn’t milk.
Kevin and Candace flew out Monday night and we all flew out home early Tuesday morning. We dropped Daddy off at work and then went on home.
Friday, April 14, 2000
Hi! It is raining today and the thunder woke you up earlier, but the rain should get rid of some the pollen in the air. You seem to have allergies already, and I am so sorry. I’ve only had them for about 4 years and if you have them already, Spring won’t be so much fun for you.
You were sick a couple of weeks ago. You caught a cold from your cousins, Nathan and Kaden. Fortunately it wasn’t too bad and it didn’t last for very long. The first morning of your cold when you woke up, it was about 6:30 and you weren’t able to breathe very well. Daddy gave you a blessing and blessed you to get well quickly without many problems. I propped up the mattress in your crib so that you could breathe easier.
You have started giving wonderful kisses to me. Perhaps it is because I give you so many that you instinctively know how to give them back to me. You are so sweet. You are becoming more and more vocal all of the time. There aren’t any words that you know how to say but you do enjoy jabbering.
Daddy is finishing off another semester at BYU. He hasn’t enjoyed this one all that much and is glad to get it behind him. He will be taking classes throughout the summer which he isn’t all that excited about either, but he will graduate one year from now. Yaaaaa!
We are told that our new house will be ready on May 12, but possibly sooner. We are hoping at least for May 4 when our interest rate lock will expire. They are just finishing painting this week and the cupboards will go in next.
I was sick with some kind of flu bug this week. I wasn’t throwing up or anything but just ached all over. It wasn’t so easy taking care of you, but you were so good and patient with me. Thanks for being such a wonderful little girl.
You were sick a couple of weeks ago. You caught a cold from your cousins, Nathan and Kaden. Fortunately it wasn’t too bad and it didn’t last for very long. The first morning of your cold when you woke up, it was about 6:30 and you weren’t able to breathe very well. Daddy gave you a blessing and blessed you to get well quickly without many problems. I propped up the mattress in your crib so that you could breathe easier.
You have started giving wonderful kisses to me. Perhaps it is because I give you so many that you instinctively know how to give them back to me. You are so sweet. You are becoming more and more vocal all of the time. There aren’t any words that you know how to say but you do enjoy jabbering.
Daddy is finishing off another semester at BYU. He hasn’t enjoyed this one all that much and is glad to get it behind him. He will be taking classes throughout the summer which he isn’t all that excited about either, but he will graduate one year from now. Yaaaaa!
We are told that our new house will be ready on May 12, but possibly sooner. We are hoping at least for May 4 when our interest rate lock will expire. They are just finishing painting this week and the cupboards will go in next.
I was sick with some kind of flu bug this week. I wasn’t throwing up or anything but just ached all over. It wasn’t so easy taking care of you, but you were so good and patient with me. Thanks for being such a wonderful little girl.
Wednesday, March 29, 2000
You laughed. We were at a dinner at King’s home on Sunday afternoon. We were waiting for Dallin, Donna and Angela to arrive and Kaden was entertaining you by laughing nonstop. All of a sudden you started laughing too. It was so cute. You didn’t know quite what to think of this new sound coming out of your mouth and were sometimes on the verge of crying. I wish that we could have videotaped it, but I am sure that we will have other opportunities.
All of my brothers and my sister were together on Sunday except for Shane. We had a dinner and then sat around and talked afterwards. Everyone thinks that you are such a wonderful baby because you don’t cry very much. I agree; you are wonderful. You do have your moments of crying and tears, especially in the evening, but that’s normal for all babies.
Your daddy and I sure do love you. We love having you in our home and being able to teach you and watch you grow. You do so many cute things and are patient with us.
I am beginning to pack up some things before we move. I am glad that I have this much time because it gives me a chance to “spring clean” and get rid of those things that we no longer use. Dad and I went through our closets on Saturday and took out all of the things we no longer wear. Kevin and Candace, Dallin, Mitch, Susan, and Karra all came over to take a look and probably took 2/3 of the stuff away. We are going to take the rest to D.I. (Deseret Industries).
The weather is finally spring-like and so wonderful. We will take more walks outside now that it is nicer. We usually walk around the Park Ridge Development.
All of my brothers and my sister were together on Sunday except for Shane. We had a dinner and then sat around and talked afterwards. Everyone thinks that you are such a wonderful baby because you don’t cry very much. I agree; you are wonderful. You do have your moments of crying and tears, especially in the evening, but that’s normal for all babies.
Your daddy and I sure do love you. We love having you in our home and being able to teach you and watch you grow. You do so many cute things and are patient with us.
I am beginning to pack up some things before we move. I am glad that I have this much time because it gives me a chance to “spring clean” and get rid of those things that we no longer use. Dad and I went through our closets on Saturday and took out all of the things we no longer wear. Kevin and Candace, Dallin, Mitch, Susan, and Karra all came over to take a look and probably took 2/3 of the stuff away. We are going to take the rest to D.I. (Deseret Industries).
The weather is finally spring-like and so wonderful. We will take more walks outside now that it is nicer. We usually walk around the Park Ridge Development.
Thursday, March 23, 2000
You love to sit up and see the world. Lying down just doesn’t cut it anymore. If you are lying down you will try to lift your head and shoulders up, unfortunately for you but fortunately for me, you are not strong enough yet. If Dad or I hold onto your hands and pull you up, you sit up so easily.
We went shopping with Donna, Angela, Susan, Kaden and Nathan yesterday. I think we spent about 4 hours at the mall, looking around and walking. We had lunch there as well and you even took two separate naps. I think I wore you out. When I took you home, you were asleep in no time.
Daddy called and asked us to join him for dinner at Los Hermanos. He was having dinner with his group from work, so back into your car seat. Not your favorite thing. You cried a bit but there’s not much I can do when I am driving. You were asleep by the time we reached the restaurant though that didn’t last for long.
You are sleeping so well at night. Usually you go to sleep before 9:30 pm and sleep until 6:45 am. Daylight savings time will mess up your schedule a bit though in a couple of weeks when we have to move our clocks forward.
We went shopping with Donna, Angela, Susan, Kaden and Nathan yesterday. I think we spent about 4 hours at the mall, looking around and walking. We had lunch there as well and you even took two separate naps. I think I wore you out. When I took you home, you were asleep in no time.
Daddy called and asked us to join him for dinner at Los Hermanos. He was having dinner with his group from work, so back into your car seat. Not your favorite thing. You cried a bit but there’s not much I can do when I am driving. You were asleep by the time we reached the restaurant though that didn’t last for long.
You are sleeping so well at night. Usually you go to sleep before 9:30 pm and sleep until 6:45 am. Daylight savings time will mess up your schedule a bit though in a couple of weeks when we have to move our clocks forward.
Tuesday, March 21, 2000
Becky looked beautiful on both her wedding day and again this weekend for her second reception. Chris’ parents flew in on Friday afternoon for the reception on Saturday night. They stayed with Kevin and Candace since they have a spare bedroom that isn’t filled with as much junk as ours.
Our spare room seems to be the catch-all for boxes that we are saving for our move or for toys that you play with. We spend most of our time in there during the day since it is warmer than downstairs and rather comfy.
Dallin and family arrived in Utah early Friday morning. They drove all night long and got to Donna’s parent’s house around 5 am. I guess Angela had thrown up around 4 am and they were more than anxious to get her into a bathtub. Eww!
Our spare room seems to be the catch-all for boxes that we are saving for our move or for toys that you play with. We spend most of our time in there during the day since it is warmer than downstairs and rather comfy.
Dallin and family arrived in Utah early Friday morning. They drove all night long and got to Donna’s parent’s house around 5 am. I guess Angela had thrown up around 4 am and they were more than anxious to get her into a bathtub. Eww!
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
We are back at home after a whirlwind weekend away. We left for Portland last Thursday after Chris arrived home from work. The weather was nasty up to the Point of the Mountain with snow falling fast and furiously. As we drove into the Salt Lake Valley, both the skies and the roads cleared up and made the trip so much more pleasant. Our flight was scheduled for 8:30 pm and we arrived at the airport after parking at Park ‘n Fly around 7:45. We weren’t too worried since we knew we would be able to pre-board with you.
You were pretty good on the flight. Your eyes bugged open during the take-off with the loudness of the engines and the different feeling of taking off. You cried a bit, but I had a bottle handy and soon you were fast asleep. You woke for the landing, which must have hurt your ears because you cried very loudly. Again, I gave you a bottle and the sucking and swallowing seemed to help.
The return flight to Utah wasn’t quite so hard on you and I find that’s the same for me. My ears always feel weird when I land in Portland. I imagine it is because it is so close to sea level.
Your schedule was rather messed up over the weekend but still you did so well. People wanted to hold you and I know that after awhile it gets to be too much for you. You didn’t get to bed early any of the nights that we were gone and certainly made up for the lost sleep once we got home.
We went to church in Vancouver with Chris’ parents on Sunday morning—Sacrament Meeting only actually—and then left to go see Dallin and family. We headed to the coast with a picnic lunch and had a fun day. Our flight on Monday morning left before 8:00 am so we were up early. We had rented a car for the weekend so it was nice that we didn’t have to inconvenience anyone with such an early schedule.
You were pretty good on the flight. Your eyes bugged open during the take-off with the loudness of the engines and the different feeling of taking off. You cried a bit, but I had a bottle handy and soon you were fast asleep. You woke for the landing, which must have hurt your ears because you cried very loudly. Again, I gave you a bottle and the sucking and swallowing seemed to help.
The return flight to Utah wasn’t quite so hard on you and I find that’s the same for me. My ears always feel weird when I land in Portland. I imagine it is because it is so close to sea level.
Your schedule was rather messed up over the weekend but still you did so well. People wanted to hold you and I know that after awhile it gets to be too much for you. You didn’t get to bed early any of the nights that we were gone and certainly made up for the lost sleep once we got home.
We went to church in Vancouver with Chris’ parents on Sunday morning—Sacrament Meeting only actually—and then left to go see Dallin and family. We headed to the coast with a picnic lunch and had a fun day. Our flight on Monday morning left before 8:00 am so we were up early. We had rented a car for the weekend so it was nice that we didn’t have to inconvenience anyone with such an early schedule.
Wednesday, March 01, 2000
Last Tuesday, I told Monica from D.O.T.S. that I would not be coming back to work full-time, but that I would be willing to do some occasional work from home. I haven’t heard back from her yet. On Wednesday, I took you to see the people I used to work with at D.O.T.S. and they all thought you were wonderful. In fact, the people in Data Entry have nicknamed you Amy Adorable. I think it is cute and fits you well.
We are flying to Portland in a week and a half for your Aunt Becky’s wedding. She is getting married in the Portland temple on March 11th to Kyle Bake. I hope that you will enjoy the flight and that you won’t cry much. Grandpa Kline will also be in Portland at that time. I hope that we will be able to also see my brother, Dallin, and his family while we are there, but if not, they will be in Utah the week following for Spring Break.
We are flying to Portland in a week and a half for your Aunt Becky’s wedding. She is getting married in the Portland temple on March 11th to Kyle Bake. I hope that you will enjoy the flight and that you won’t cry much. Grandpa Kline will also be in Portland at that time. I hope that we will be able to also see my brother, Dallin, and his family while we are there, but if not, they will be in Utah the week following for Spring Break.
Monday, February 28, 2000
Well, lots of things have happened since I last wrote. On the 16th I took you in for your 2 month check-up. You are off the charts in your weight and height. You already weigh 13 lbs 14 oz. and are 24 ½ inches in length. You are outgrowing your clothes so quickly and are already wearing 3 to 6 month sizes. You have the chubbiest cheeks that are so much fun to kiss.
We blessed you on Sunday the 20th and most of our family was here to share in your special day. Chris’ Mom and Dad flew in on Friday afternoon and were anxious to see their first grandchild. My mom and dad left Stirling around noon on Friday, drove to Rexburg to pick up Mitch and arrived at Brad’s house in Salt Lake City around midnight. They took time to go shopping on Saturday morning and then went for lunch at Susan’s around 1 pm. They didn’t come to see you until around 6 pm. You and I did happen to run into my mom while we were out shopping on Saturday morning. She was happy to see you but wanted to keep on shopping.
You were pretty fussy on Saturday because of all the new people wanting to hold you and passing you around. I wasn’t holding you too much since everyone else was so excited to see you. You were a lot happier on Sunday after a good night’s rest.
We blessed you at the church on Sunday afternoon and had a dinner afterwards. The following people attended your blessing: Kevin and Candance, Becky and Kyle, Grandma and Grandpa Ball, Jenni and Lori, Susan, Karra and Jenna, Brad, Mitch, Grandma and Grandpa Rice, Rick and Virginia Johnson (the Elder’s Quorum President and my Visiting Teaching Companion) and Brother Bohn from the bishopric.
You slept through the blessing and woke up just as daddy said “Amen”. Some of the ideas mentioned in your blessing were intelligence, leadership, friendship, missionary work, love of family, blessings of the gospel, and temple marriage. It was a beautiful day.
Daddy went skiing with Kevin, Lori, and Jenni on Monday since it was a holiday and he got the day off from work. I stayed home with you and Dad and Brad came to visit and then Mitch. We didn’t go over to Susan’s at all during the weekend because there was still a chance the Nathan would get chicken pox. (He never did get them).
Balls flew home on Monday night. My parents went back to Salt Lake on Tuesday morning to attend a funeral of one of Mom’s cousins in Bountiful. They left for home on Wednesday morning.
Sad news about our house. It was sold last week. We were given our deposits back, which they tell us we were lucky to get. Chris and I were trying so hard to have faith that this was supposed to happen but still we were both very sad. This was Thursday.
Friday afternoon while I was home cleaning, I received a phone call from a Patrick Mattson. He had seen the “For Rent” and “For Sale” signs in our windows and wondered if he could look at our house. He was right outside. He loved our house and brought his wife back to look a couple of hours later. They have decided that they want to buy our house and are checking on being pre-approved for our assumable FHA loan. It is amazing to us that this happened one day after our house sale fell through. One week earlier and we could have moved into the house. Now we will have to wait a couple of months before our new townhouse is finished. We do believe that this is all meant to happen though it has been rather disheartening.
Mitch came to Provo for the weekend on Friday night. Brad had a date so Chris and I drove to Sandy to pick Mitch up. He had originally planned to go home for the weekend, but there was a blizzard in Montana and the interstate was closed. Mitch had received his mission call on Friday night and wanted to be able to open it with family.
We arrived back in Provo around 9:45 and Brad and Maureen arrived shortly thereafter. Mitch has been called to serve in the Helsinki, Finland mission and will enter the MTC on May 24th. Wow! That’s probably one of the hardest languages to learn.
On Saturday morning, Chris and I went and looked at what is still available and still to be built in the fourth phase of the Park Ridge project. The one home that we would like and that will be ready the soonest has already been sold. The real estate agent said he would call the young man who is purchasing the home and ask if he would be willing to trade for a home being built later since he will be gone most of the summer. We haven’t heard back yet.
Mitch babysat you while Dad and I went to the temple on Saturday night. We hadn’t been for awhile and it was so good to be back. We need to make an effort to attend more often. We certainly can use the spiritual uplift and any added blessings it might bring.
On Sunday, we went to the missionary homecoming of Chris’ mission president. They were returning from another mission as an Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency of the South Pacific I believe. Chris was excited to see them and to show off his beautiful daughter.
We headed to Brad’s in Salt Lake afterward to have lunch and drop Mitch off. Brad didn’t know we were coming but we brought leftover pizza to share. He had his own leftover pizza so we had plenty.
You are growing so quickly. You smile so beautifully all of the time now. You are especially happy in the morning and the smiles are ever abundant. You are able to grab for things and you concentrate so deeply as you try to grasp your toys. Your eyes are beginning to change colors. One is more brown than the other, but both eyes are still predominantly a very dark blue color. You love to take baths.
We blessed you on Sunday the 20th and most of our family was here to share in your special day. Chris’ Mom and Dad flew in on Friday afternoon and were anxious to see their first grandchild. My mom and dad left Stirling around noon on Friday, drove to Rexburg to pick up Mitch and arrived at Brad’s house in Salt Lake City around midnight. They took time to go shopping on Saturday morning and then went for lunch at Susan’s around 1 pm. They didn’t come to see you until around 6 pm. You and I did happen to run into my mom while we were out shopping on Saturday morning. She was happy to see you but wanted to keep on shopping.
You were pretty fussy on Saturday because of all the new people wanting to hold you and passing you around. I wasn’t holding you too much since everyone else was so excited to see you. You were a lot happier on Sunday after a good night’s rest.
We blessed you at the church on Sunday afternoon and had a dinner afterwards. The following people attended your blessing: Kevin and Candance, Becky and Kyle, Grandma and Grandpa Ball, Jenni and Lori, Susan, Karra and Jenna, Brad, Mitch, Grandma and Grandpa Rice, Rick and Virginia Johnson (the Elder’s Quorum President and my Visiting Teaching Companion) and Brother Bohn from the bishopric.
You slept through the blessing and woke up just as daddy said “Amen”. Some of the ideas mentioned in your blessing were intelligence, leadership, friendship, missionary work, love of family, blessings of the gospel, and temple marriage. It was a beautiful day.
Daddy went skiing with Kevin, Lori, and Jenni on Monday since it was a holiday and he got the day off from work. I stayed home with you and Dad and Brad came to visit and then Mitch. We didn’t go over to Susan’s at all during the weekend because there was still a chance the Nathan would get chicken pox. (He never did get them).
Balls flew home on Monday night. My parents went back to Salt Lake on Tuesday morning to attend a funeral of one of Mom’s cousins in Bountiful. They left for home on Wednesday morning.
Sad news about our house. It was sold last week. We were given our deposits back, which they tell us we were lucky to get. Chris and I were trying so hard to have faith that this was supposed to happen but still we were both very sad. This was Thursday.
Friday afternoon while I was home cleaning, I received a phone call from a Patrick Mattson. He had seen the “For Rent” and “For Sale” signs in our windows and wondered if he could look at our house. He was right outside. He loved our house and brought his wife back to look a couple of hours later. They have decided that they want to buy our house and are checking on being pre-approved for our assumable FHA loan. It is amazing to us that this happened one day after our house sale fell through. One week earlier and we could have moved into the house. Now we will have to wait a couple of months before our new townhouse is finished. We do believe that this is all meant to happen though it has been rather disheartening.
Mitch came to Provo for the weekend on Friday night. Brad had a date so Chris and I drove to Sandy to pick Mitch up. He had originally planned to go home for the weekend, but there was a blizzard in Montana and the interstate was closed. Mitch had received his mission call on Friday night and wanted to be able to open it with family.
We arrived back in Provo around 9:45 and Brad and Maureen arrived shortly thereafter. Mitch has been called to serve in the Helsinki, Finland mission and will enter the MTC on May 24th. Wow! That’s probably one of the hardest languages to learn.
On Saturday morning, Chris and I went and looked at what is still available and still to be built in the fourth phase of the Park Ridge project. The one home that we would like and that will be ready the soonest has already been sold. The real estate agent said he would call the young man who is purchasing the home and ask if he would be willing to trade for a home being built later since he will be gone most of the summer. We haven’t heard back yet.
Mitch babysat you while Dad and I went to the temple on Saturday night. We hadn’t been for awhile and it was so good to be back. We need to make an effort to attend more often. We certainly can use the spiritual uplift and any added blessings it might bring.
On Sunday, we went to the missionary homecoming of Chris’ mission president. They were returning from another mission as an Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency of the South Pacific I believe. Chris was excited to see them and to show off his beautiful daughter.
We headed to Brad’s in Salt Lake afterward to have lunch and drop Mitch off. Brad didn’t know we were coming but we brought leftover pizza to share. He had his own leftover pizza so we had plenty.
You are growing so quickly. You smile so beautifully all of the time now. You are especially happy in the morning and the smiles are ever abundant. You are able to grab for things and you concentrate so deeply as you try to grasp your toys. Your eyes are beginning to change colors. One is more brown than the other, but both eyes are still predominantly a very dark blue color. You love to take baths.
Wednesday, February 10, 2000
It is a rather rainy day today, but that’s so much better than snow. Susan called me a little while ago, crying and so upset. They were in Idaho visiting Carson’s parents last weekend and Nathan was exposed to chicken pox by one family of cousins. They didn’t find out until now even though the cousins were still contagious then. Karra, Jenna, and Kaden already had chicken pox so it is not a problem for them. Nathan will likely be sick next weekend when we plan to bless you and when all of our family will be here. You and I were over at their house yesterday. Unless Nathan breaks out in the next day or so, you should be all right. I hope, I hope, I hope.
Georgetown, the developer, gave us an ultimatum last week to close on our new townhouse or they would sell it to someone else. We have scheduled a closing for tomorrow at 3:30 pm, but as of right now we haven’t rented our home. So, it doesn’t look like we will be moving. Chris and I are so disappointed. It is hard to understand why it was so right for us to put money on a house way back in June of ’99 and now everything seems to be falling apart. We asked our families to fast for us last Sunday, and we have tried to do all that we can to advertise. For some reason it is not right for us to purchase this house now. We haven’t decided what direction we will move in from here but perhaps we will check in to buying a home.
Georgetown, the developer, gave us an ultimatum last week to close on our new townhouse or they would sell it to someone else. We have scheduled a closing for tomorrow at 3:30 pm, but as of right now we haven’t rented our home. So, it doesn’t look like we will be moving. Chris and I are so disappointed. It is hard to understand why it was so right for us to put money on a house way back in June of ’99 and now everything seems to be falling apart. We asked our families to fast for us last Sunday, and we have tried to do all that we can to advertise. For some reason it is not right for us to purchase this house now. We haven’t decided what direction we will move in from here but perhaps we will check in to buying a home.
Wednesday, February 02, 2000
Once we do move though, you will be in your own room. I am not sure how you will like that, but I think you will sleep better because we won’t be making noise around you so often.
I have started exercising in the morning while you are still sleeping. I look forward to being able to take you for walks in the morning when the weather is warmer. It is amazing how much better my attitude is after I exercise and throughout the rest of the day. I tape a tv exercise program each day so that if you happen to wake up at that time, I can still exercise later.
Your sleeping habits are becoming even better. You still go to sleep between 10 and 11 pm, but you now sleep until 5 or 5:30 am. Yeah! I go to sleep just as soon as you do and am not quite so tired in the morning when you first wake up. You have been going right back to sleep after I feed and change you and sleep normally until 8 or 8:30. Then you go back to sleep about an hour later for usually 3 hours. You are so wonderful.
Sunday, January 23, 2000
Yesterday was my birthday. Susan offered to watch you while Daddy and I went out on a date. We had originally planned to go see a movie and have dinner together, but we were late getting to the restaurant and were not able to make it to the movie. Instead we went to play miniature golf. Your dad beat me for the first time. He was quite pleased with himself. We played on an outdoor course because the indoor course was packed and so it was rather chilly. We stopped at the Village Inn afterward for hot chocolate and pie. It was nice to be together and talk and enjoy each other. I missed you but I also knew that you were being well taken care of.
A sweet lady in our ward-Camille Chipman-called on Friday and offered to babysit for us since she saw in the ward bulletin that it was my birthday. She has five children, her youngest five months old, and all were born via c-section. I am amazed at the kindness of the people in our ward and will be sad to leave them when we move. I am also amazed at the kindness of women who are mothers who understand the challenges of motherhood and caring for an infant. Some days I have felt alone in my experiences, but when I talk to other moms, I am pleasantly surprised to find out that my feelings are normal and characteristic of this time in my life.
Mitch is visiting for the weekend. He is staying at Susan’s and should be returning to Rexburg tonight, I think. We dropped him and his friend, Jen, off at her aunt’s house last night and that is why we were running a bit late and missed the movie. I don’t mind though, because golf gave us a chance to talk. We had dinner at Brick Oven, which is my favorite Italian restaurant. I always get the pasta bar because I can put as much sauce on my pasta as I want. Most places don’t give you enough.
I have had some wonderful moments with you as we sit and rock and talk. I like to sing to you, and though I am not the greatest singer, you seem to enjoy it most of the time as well. I usually sing hymns to you and some seem to have an even more special meaning now that I am a mom. Two in particular come to mind. The first is “Abide With Me” (Hymn 166). The last verse reads:
I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I do need him every day. I could not take care of you if I knew that I was doing this on my own. I know that there are angels surrounding us throughout the day who help and comfort both of us.
The other song that brought tears to my eyes is one that I would have never correlated with being a mom. I heard it last Sunday on “The Spoken Word” on tv and was amazed by the message whispered to my heart as I held you in my arms.
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go
It may not be on a mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle’s front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know
I’ll answer dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I’ll go where you want me to go.
Perhaps today there are loving words
Which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now in the paths of sin
Some wanderer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
Tho dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet:
I’ll say what you want me to say.
There’s surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth’s harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life’s short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I’ll be what you want me to be.
Chorus
I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountains or plain or sea;
I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what you want me to be.
For me, this song seemed to be such an anthem for motherhood, though it is usually sung at mission farewells. It is not at work where I can do the most good in this world (It may not be on a mountain height), but within the walls of my own home, teaching you, guiding you, and helping you to know the Savior. I have had plenty of experience mothering with my own younger brothers as they were born into our family and grew, as well as with Susan’s children. Even my babysitting experiences helped me (To paths that I do not know), but to be a mom to my own daughter is completely different, and I am learning all of the time.
I feel very confident that I am to stay at home (I’ll go where you want me to go) and be your mom. Some days I miss the challenge and interaction of working with my peers, but I would miss you more. “Perhaps today there are loving words, which Jesus would have me speak”. There are so many children in this world who rarely hear kind words such as “I love you” or who are not taught about Jesus, about life, or even the ABCs. I feel strongly that I can teach you so much and already you show that you are able to learn. In fact, when you were two days old, you showed the beginnings of your intelligence capacity. I stuck out my tongue at you and you did it right back. I am teaching you the ABCs, 1,2,3,4,5, all about your face and hands, primary songs and church hymns. Right now you listen with real intent and someday you will surprise me.
I try to read scriptures to you along with other books and if you are not tired and fussy you sit and listen. When I glance from the words to your face you have a large grin on your face. You smile so wonderfully and so often and I love it. And you too.
A sweet lady in our ward-Camille Chipman-called on Friday and offered to babysit for us since she saw in the ward bulletin that it was my birthday. She has five children, her youngest five months old, and all were born via c-section. I am amazed at the kindness of the people in our ward and will be sad to leave them when we move. I am also amazed at the kindness of women who are mothers who understand the challenges of motherhood and caring for an infant. Some days I have felt alone in my experiences, but when I talk to other moms, I am pleasantly surprised to find out that my feelings are normal and characteristic of this time in my life.
Mitch is visiting for the weekend. He is staying at Susan’s and should be returning to Rexburg tonight, I think. We dropped him and his friend, Jen, off at her aunt’s house last night and that is why we were running a bit late and missed the movie. I don’t mind though, because golf gave us a chance to talk. We had dinner at Brick Oven, which is my favorite Italian restaurant. I always get the pasta bar because I can put as much sauce on my pasta as I want. Most places don’t give you enough.
I have had some wonderful moments with you as we sit and rock and talk. I like to sing to you, and though I am not the greatest singer, you seem to enjoy it most of the time as well. I usually sing hymns to you and some seem to have an even more special meaning now that I am a mom. Two in particular come to mind. The first is “Abide With Me” (Hymn 166). The last verse reads:
I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I do need him every day. I could not take care of you if I knew that I was doing this on my own. I know that there are angels surrounding us throughout the day who help and comfort both of us.
The other song that brought tears to my eyes is one that I would have never correlated with being a mom. I heard it last Sunday on “The Spoken Word” on tv and was amazed by the message whispered to my heart as I held you in my arms.
I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go
It may not be on a mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle’s front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know
I’ll answer dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I’ll go where you want me to go.
Perhaps today there are loving words
Which Jesus would have me speak;
There may be now in the paths of sin
Some wanderer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
Tho dark and rugged the way,
My voice shall echo the message sweet:
I’ll say what you want me to say.
There’s surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth’s harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life’s short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I’ll be what you want me to be.
Chorus
I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountains or plain or sea;
I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what you want me to be.
For me, this song seemed to be such an anthem for motherhood, though it is usually sung at mission farewells. It is not at work where I can do the most good in this world (It may not be on a mountain height), but within the walls of my own home, teaching you, guiding you, and helping you to know the Savior. I have had plenty of experience mothering with my own younger brothers as they were born into our family and grew, as well as with Susan’s children. Even my babysitting experiences helped me (To paths that I do not know), but to be a mom to my own daughter is completely different, and I am learning all of the time.
I feel very confident that I am to stay at home (I’ll go where you want me to go) and be your mom. Some days I miss the challenge and interaction of working with my peers, but I would miss you more. “Perhaps today there are loving words, which Jesus would have me speak”. There are so many children in this world who rarely hear kind words such as “I love you” or who are not taught about Jesus, about life, or even the ABCs. I feel strongly that I can teach you so much and already you show that you are able to learn. In fact, when you were two days old, you showed the beginnings of your intelligence capacity. I stuck out my tongue at you and you did it right back. I am teaching you the ABCs, 1,2,3,4,5, all about your face and hands, primary songs and church hymns. Right now you listen with real intent and someday you will surprise me.
I try to read scriptures to you along with other books and if you are not tired and fussy you sit and listen. When I glance from the words to your face you have a large grin on your face. You smile so wonderfully and so often and I love it. And you too.
Wednesday, 19 January, 2000
You have had a nasty rash on your face for the past week. It started with a few pimples here and there, then moved to your ears, and became progressively worse. Your ears were so bad that they were quite swollen. It makes me feel so bad that you have had to experience this and that your face looks so painful. You have been really good about it though and rub your face and ears with your fist only occasionally. I took you to the doctor last Friday and he prescribed some cortisone cream for your ears but said not to put it on your face because you could easily rub it into your eyes. We have just had to let the rash run its course. Dr. Berry said that it is probably due to the dryness of the air, but I also think that you might be allergic to fabric softener dryer sheets. I have stopped using them and hope that your rash goes away.
While we were at the doctor’s office, the nurse, Jennifer, weighed you. I was amazed that you already tip the scales at 12 pounds. No wonder my back hurts so much all of the time. You have already gained half your body weight. You have a double chin and rolls of fat on your legs and arms. At least you aren’t lacking in food and seem to be healthy.
I also weighed myself while at the doctors and was pleasantly surprised to see that I have lost all of the weight I gained while pregnant and hope to be able to continue losing weight over the next couple of months as you continue to nurse.
You are getting more of a routine. Most nights you go to bed around 10 or 10:30 and sleep until about 3 or 3:30. Some days you wake up a bit earlier, and others, like this morning, later—4:30 am. Then I can usually count on you waking up between 6 and 7. We have started giving you a bath before you go to bed and it works wonders at calming you and helping you to sleep, and sleep longer. I usually run a tub full of water and get in and Daddy hands you to me. You love the water. You haven’t learned yet to splash, but I am sure that too will come.
You have started to notice more things. We have some colorful rings that you haven’t bothered much with until today. This morning you were batting them with your hands. It is fun to see the changes happening.
While we were at the doctor’s office, the nurse, Jennifer, weighed you. I was amazed that you already tip the scales at 12 pounds. No wonder my back hurts so much all of the time. You have already gained half your body weight. You have a double chin and rolls of fat on your legs and arms. At least you aren’t lacking in food and seem to be healthy.
I also weighed myself while at the doctors and was pleasantly surprised to see that I have lost all of the weight I gained while pregnant and hope to be able to continue losing weight over the next couple of months as you continue to nurse.
You are getting more of a routine. Most nights you go to bed around 10 or 10:30 and sleep until about 3 or 3:30. Some days you wake up a bit earlier, and others, like this morning, later—4:30 am. Then I can usually count on you waking up between 6 and 7. We have started giving you a bath before you go to bed and it works wonders at calming you and helping you to sleep, and sleep longer. I usually run a tub full of water and get in and Daddy hands you to me. You love the water. You haven’t learned yet to splash, but I am sure that too will come.
You have started to notice more things. We have some colorful rings that you haven’t bothered much with until today. This morning you were batting them with your hands. It is fun to see the changes happening.
Friday, 07 January, 2000
This morning I dressed you in the same sleeper outfit that we brought you home from the hospital in and it is fitting so much better. You are obviously growing and your cheeks are getting pudgier all the time.
The past month of life with you has had its ups and downs. Sometimes you are a perfect little angel and sleep wonderfully through the day and night and the next day you simply refuse to go to sleep whatsoever. You do seem to be getting onto a schedule at night though which is wonderful for me. You have been going to sleep around 10 pm, waking up between 2 and 3 am, going back to sleep without any fuss and sleeping till 6 or 6:30 am. I still get tired, but it’s not as bad as it was.
When we first brought you home, you woke up so much more during the day and night, and I finally figured out that you were cold. So now you wear heavier jammies and sleep in a different bed where the sides are completely enclosed. I was grateful that it was a rather easy solution.
Yesterday, I took you to Aunt Susan’s so that I could get a bit of exercise. Everyone there loves you and will gladly sit and hold you for hours. Karra, who is 10, hopes that she can babysit you in the future.
The past month of life with you has had its ups and downs. Sometimes you are a perfect little angel and sleep wonderfully through the day and night and the next day you simply refuse to go to sleep whatsoever. You do seem to be getting onto a schedule at night though which is wonderful for me. You have been going to sleep around 10 pm, waking up between 2 and 3 am, going back to sleep without any fuss and sleeping till 6 or 6:30 am. I still get tired, but it’s not as bad as it was.
When we first brought you home, you woke up so much more during the day and night, and I finally figured out that you were cold. So now you wear heavier jammies and sleep in a different bed where the sides are completely enclosed. I was grateful that it was a rather easy solution.
Yesterday, I took you to Aunt Susan’s so that I could get a bit of exercise. Everyone there loves you and will gladly sit and hold you for hours. Karra, who is 10, hopes that she can babysit you in the future.
Thursday, 6 January, 2000
The nurses got me out of bed later in the day on the 12th. It hurt immensely, but I found it to be key in my recovery. The longer I stayed in bed, the more stiff and sore I became. I tried to walk around the hospital floor a couple of times a day thereafter. We began to have visitors on the 12th. Susan and her family, Kevin and Candace, and my visiting teacher, Nancy Henderson.
I had a shower on the 13th and it felt wonderful. There was a bench in the shower that I sat on while Chris helped me. I just let the hot water pour over me. I eventually got out of the shower but it was a slow process.
You slept wonderfully the first two nights of your life and then the third night you had it pretty rough. I would feed you, you would sleep for a little while and then you were awake and crying. The nurse kept bringing you to me, and I was so exhausted. Chris slept at the hospital for the first three nights and didn’t get much sleep either on the third night. I finally convinced him to go home around 4 am so that he could get a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep. We finally gave you some formula in a bottle and you went to sleep. You must have been so hungry, and I just didn’t have enough milk yet to satisfy you.
We stayed in the hospital until Tuesday night, December 14th, around 8 or 9 pm. We could have stayed until 3 in the morning, but that didn’t seem like a great idea. The clothes that I had brought for you were much too big, but we bundled you up and took you home regardless.
I had a shower on the 13th and it felt wonderful. There was a bench in the shower that I sat on while Chris helped me. I just let the hot water pour over me. I eventually got out of the shower but it was a slow process.
You slept wonderfully the first two nights of your life and then the third night you had it pretty rough. I would feed you, you would sleep for a little while and then you were awake and crying. The nurse kept bringing you to me, and I was so exhausted. Chris slept at the hospital for the first three nights and didn’t get much sleep either on the third night. I finally convinced him to go home around 4 am so that he could get a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep. We finally gave you some formula in a bottle and you went to sleep. You must have been so hungry, and I just didn’t have enough milk yet to satisfy you.
We stayed in the hospital until Tuesday night, December 14th, around 8 or 9 pm. We could have stayed until 3 in the morning, but that didn’t seem like a great idea. The clothes that I had brought for you were much too big, but we bundled you up and took you home regardless.
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