Sleep Walking Mama

I think the lack of continuous sleep is starting to get to me. Last week, Chris said that while I was sleeping the other night, I whispered to him in that creepier than humanly natural kind of way, "Come heeeere", while coaxing him to me with my index finger. He was afraid to get up for fear that I might begin spewing pea soup or find Hannah walking on the ceiling. And then last night, I apparently slept walk. Chris said I got up to tend to our crying child, only after dragging my pillow into the living room and stuffing one of my shirts into its case. Next, I picked up one of the decorative couch pillows and put it in Hannah's crib. I then unswaddled her, changed her diaper and woke up as I put her in my confused husband's lap, who was waiting on the couch nearby in case I needed help.

What in the world??? I have absolutely, positively no recollection of any of this whatsoever. How insane am I?

I'm so ready for Hannah to start sleeping through the night so I can start sleeping through the night, if not for my own sanity but for Chris'. Since she was born, he's actually sent me back to bed a few times because apparently I can be pretty worthless in the middle of the night, sleeping on the couch while he does all the work. I have to say that at times, waking me is near impossible. He might as well have two babies to care for. My poor, sweet husband. Do I get any cred for growing and delivering her? Maybe?

I feel like she's on the brink of making it through the night, though. Sleep cometh soon!

Videos For Aunt Gina

We miss you, Aunt G! Come play soon.

Note To Self

I believe it when they say kids grow up so fast. The past ten weeks have been a blur! There are things I want to remember about this time with Hannah and Chris, and if I don’t write them down, they’ll escape my memory. I know there will be more to add, but here are a few that are at the top of my mind:

Every single time I burp Hannah during her feeding, I burp. It never fails.

She started mimicking me this past week. We go back and forth sticking our tongues out at each other and it entertains us both to no end.

On Sunday, I held her up to my shoulder and caught a whiff of something sour. As I ruled out old milk on her clothes, I narrowed my search to the deep crease in her neck where she was stowing away food for later. Bath time is about to get intense.

It’s cute to watch her become more coordinated as she’s learning to put toys in her mouth… that is, of course, when she can find her mouth. Sometimes the toy goes in her ear or in her neck or into her forehead, all the while her little expectant mouth remains wide open. A lot of times she makes it in, but it sure is fun watching her try.

She started grabbing Chris' beard this past week. It makes me laugh because it's getting a little long right now and I'm hoping it'll make him shave it down to a less than Grizzly Adams length. :)

Every morning around 4:30 a.m., Hannah wakes us up. She’s not hungry, so we usually just change her and try to get her peacefully back to sleep. Though we’re so tired, you can’t help but laugh when you walk up to her crib because she has this big smile on her face like, “Heeeey! I thought you’d never come. Let’s play already!”

Every night before she goes to sleep, Hannah and I say goodnight and pray for our family and best friends, and of course, their dogs. We list them off one by one, and we end by saying, “Thanks God for our big family.”

UPDATE: Little Sweet Heart

Today’s visit to the pediatric cardiologist went great and we received good news: Hannah’s heart is normal and healthy. It just makes a little noise. That’s it! Chances are the murmur will disappear as she grows older. But if it doesn’t, it will never develop into anything, and it’s nothing to ever monitor. It’s what is called an innocent heart murmur. So that’s the update!

On top of the good news, we had a great experience at the clinic. The staff was really nice and Hannah was in a great mood. Despite all of the manhandling by strangers, she was super happy, as you can see in the picture of her getting the EKG.

This worried Mama’s mind is at ease. I have to say that Chris is my rock. As I’ve said before, I’m a natural worrier. And he just speaks truth and holds me steady. Since our appointment last week, he has said over and over again that there’s nothing to worry about until there’s something to worry about. Was he ever right! Again, I’m reminded that Hannah is ours to care for, but we’re mere stewards. She belongs to the Lord and He will care for her as He sees fit.

As Hannah of the Old Testament dedicated her son Samuel, likewise, we entrust our Hannah's life to God:

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. For her whole life she will be given over to the Lord.
I Samuel 1:27-28

Little Sweet Heart

Well we took Hannah to her two month check-up yesterday, and as if you hadn't noticed, our little girl is growing so fast! Almost doubling her birth weight, she now weighs 13 pounds, 4 1/2 ounces and measures 23 inches long. Her pediatrician, Dr. Steeger, told us that she's in the 97th percentile for her weight and 85th for her height. She's definitely a big girl!

Hannah also got 3 shots yesterday and handled them like a champ. Her Mom didn't fair so well and winced at the sight of the needles. :)

Dr. Steeger checked Hannah out and said that she's developing normal with one exception - she hears a heart murmur. While this is very common in children, she is referring Hannah to a pediatric cardiologist just to play it safe. Kids typically outgrow innocent heart murmurs. If it is a serious heart murmur needing some type of intervention - which Dr. Steeger does not suspect Hannah has - the child does not grow well. Obviously, Hannah has no problem growing, which is why she isn't as concerned.

So we will not (or try not to) worry until we have something to worry about. It's easier said than done, but we just trust that God knows what He's up to and pray that He protects her. There's peace knowing that God cares for Hannah more than me and Chris do, and He has her best interest in mind for her little sweet heart.

Back To The Daily Grind

My first week back at work wasn't as hard as I expected, thanks to a lot of distraction, welcoming folks and moving into a new office. And the five days spent at work made the weekend that much sweeter with the hubs and baby girl. Now if only I could find a way to have large quantities of caffeine pumped through my system, that'd be fantastic!

My morning beverage of choice lately has been a delightful brew of Matévana tea, made by Teavana. Supposedly, Maté has a stimulant similar to caffeine but doesn't leave you all jittery like coffee can. And with Hannah's 4 a.m. wakings, I need all the help I can get. So far it's done the trick in keeping me from crawling up under my desk to sleep (makes me think of that Seinfeld episode where George's boss busts him for doing that very thing). Oh sleep, how I miss you.

Glimpses of the Second Month