Open Wide

After Rebecca's four month check up we got the all clear to start giving her rice cereal; followed by vegetables and fruits, if she seemed interested. For a couple weeks she has been watching us while we ate and occasionally grabbing for stuff so we thought for sure she was ready. The first time we tried to give her the rice cereal she got it everywhere, but her mouth. Clearly not interested. Jordan and I have both tried it and it doesn't taste very good, so I can't blame her!

Unsuspecting, enjoying the high chair.

Unsure of what is happening, but willing to play along.

Over It!!

 We tried a couple days later and it was a little better, but still didn't seem ready for it. After a week or two break we tried again and now she seems to be enjoying it. Rebecca will eat up (or cover herself with) all the cereal I make for her and then we follow it up with a bottle.

Clearly enjoying herself. Likes the rice cereal and love getting messy!

We are going to be starting on the veggies soon and I am going to attempt to make at least some of her baby food!

Monthly Pictures and a Date Night

We've been taking monthly photos of Rebecca and I thought I'd do a quick recap of the first four months. I look forward to seeing the progression through the year. At first I didn't notice a big change between months 2 and 3, but now I can see that is when her personality started to come out!!

Right before leaving the hospital - 4 days old

Trying to figure out what we are doing and why we are making her lay on the floor alone

She gets it now,  "just lay here for pictures and don't cry and it will be over sooner..."

"I'll smile if it means you'll pick me up soon!"

All smiles now -  "I love being the center of attention"

This past weekend, Labor Day, Jordan and I had a rehearsal dinner and wedding to attend. Jordan's parents had the privilege of watching Becca both nights. I hated having to leave her, but it felt good to have some grown up time. Especially since we got to dress up. I know we need to make an effort at date nights (or days) for Jordan and I, but I feel like with us both working the time we do have with her is so precious!

New Tricks and Sweet Sounds

People are right when they say that babies change and do new things every day. And I think every month I myself has said this is when she has made the biggest change. Of course at the time it feels like it, but there is a noticeable difference daily. To me, every milestone is a bigger change because it means she is one step closer to being a walking talking person.

<3

In the last 3 weeks she has learned to roll over (back to front) and loves playing with her feet. She has been trying to roll over for about a week and was getting so frustrated when she couldn't get it. It finally clicked and now she loves to roll over, look around and loves sleeping on her stomach! She had found her feet a while ago, but never took an interest. Now she loves playing with them and sticking them in her mouth!

They really taste good, mommy!

 We also caught some real laughs on video. I was changing her diaper and burped (and excused myself), she thought it was the funniest thing ever. We tried to recreate it and couldn't get the exact laugh again, but did get some good giggles out of her!!

Back to Work

I was extremely lucky to have such a long maternity leave. Becca was almost 15 weeks old before I officially started back to work full time. Throughout July I worked one almost full week and then a few half days here and there. All of those days, my mother in law, Joyce, kept Becca. It made it a little easier knowing she was with family and she was right around the corner. The first day that Jordan had to take her to his mom's house I was an emotional wreck. It seemed like she would be do much further away and I wouldn't see if her for much longer. We both made it through the day though!!

Gigi and Papa BS love Becca, even when she is being fussy!!

At the end of the month we started taking Becca to day care. I was holding it together pretty well while we were dropping her off, but then she started crying and I lost it. I felt like I was deserting my baby. It was a rough morning, but the day care called to let me know that she stopped crying soon after I left. Plus I knew that she wasn't crying because I was leaving her, just because she was having a fussy moment. The next week was easier, but I still hate not getting to see her smiling face throughout the day. Now by the time we all get home from work/daycare the hours are so short until bedtime. It is nice to know that she still gets to split time between Gigi and daycare!

Mommy and Becca - First day of day care

Becca and Daddy - First day of day care

Becca seems to be adjusting just fine. She is usually tired when we get there in the mornings so she is usually really quiet and when I pick her up at the end of the she is always happy. I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back to work, but for now I know this is the most logical next step.

Delaware

It was important to me to take Rebecca to Delaware early on, so that she could meet her family and friends up there. We took the first trip right before she was 8 weeks old. The drive up was relatively easy and luckily she slept most of the way. We stopped at a rest area to feed and change her and she fell back asleep until we got stuck in traffic with about 20 minutes left. The weekend was great! We spent time relaxing and visiting with family and friends.

Stopping for a bottle and practicing the self portrait!

Bottle from Grampy

Bottle and spending time with Mia and Aunt Maggie

Meeting Babche - Four generations!

Every July we take a trip to our beach house in Dewey. I was so excited to take Becca to some place that I have such great memories of growing up. We left late on a Friday evening and she slept the whole way. It was a long drive for Jordan and I, because it was late and we had long days at work. Right before we left for this vacation Becca had just started consistently sleeping through the night, so that was such a nice perk of the trip too!

Becca helping to raise the flag

2012 Family Picture

We had four full days at the beach house and packed a lot of stuff in to our time there; the Starboard's annual Bull Run, shopping, lots of our favorite restaurants, my birthday dinner, and lots of firsts for Becca. Jordan and I were lucky enough to get a couple of afternoon dates in while my parents watched Becca. This was the most they've got to see her since she was born so I was happy they got to spend some alone time playing with and holding her!

Date afternoon, beer and a grapefruit crush!!

Worn out!

Is it 9am yet, I'm ready for a drink

Guess this will have to do for another 20 years...

First time at Funland, getting ready to ride the carousel!

First time at the beach, toes in the sand and water!

Is this supposed to be fun?!?

Pro Pictures

Throughout Becca's first month we had the opportunity to get some professional pictures taken. The hospital has a photographer on staff that takes pictures that you can purchase. We took Becca down to the nursery area and took a few pictures of her and of her and us. They immediately put the shots into a slide show and like any new parents we were emotional as soon as we saw pictures of our baby and bought the package!!

Courtesy of Chesapeake General Hospital

Courtesy of Chesapeake General Hospital

Courtesy of Chesapeake General Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

We also had a couple other photographs taken by Holly from Shutterfly {Sweet} Photography and by a friend of ours from work Harold. Becca was not a happy camper while Holly was taking pictures, but she was able to get some nice shots. We had Harold take pictures a couple weeks later and she was a complete angel! Never know what you are going to get with a newborn.

Courtesy of Shutterfly {Sweet} Photography

                                                               One of my favorites!!

Courtesy of Shutterfly {Sweet} Photography

                         
                We hope she will enjoy lazy Sunday afternoons watching football, but seriously doubt it!!

Courtesy of Harold Yates

Courtesy of Harold Yates

Courtesy of Harold Yates

2 Month Update

Yes, I am way behind on updating this, but we've had a busy two months! So most of this will be some new pictures of Becca. I promise one day I'll get back into the swing of things and will be able to do more consistent updates.

Our sweet little girl has grown so much over the last 2 months. We have finally adjusted to taking her out with us and gotten into a rhythm. Plus we took her on her first trip to Delaware, she was so good in the car thankfully!

First Bath

Perfecting the pout face!

First little friend!

Homecoming

Given the short distance from the hospital to our house the trip home was uneventful. When we got home we brought Becca inside in her carrier and put her down in our family room. Chloe immediately came over to smell and inspect her, but Izzy stayed away for a few days. Since then both cats have been amazing! They may stay away when she cries too much or too loudly, but for the most part they like to sit in the same room as her by her pack n play. It made Jordan and I happy that they seem to be adjust so well so far!

Welcome Home Becca!!

Chloe checking Becca out

Izzy wants to see what this thing is that keeps crying!

Jordan and I sat down on the couch with Becca and were kinda like "what next?" You spend nine months preparing yourself for a baby, but yet the day you bring them home it feels so surreal. My parents were still staying with us for a few nights so they ran out to the drug store to pick up my prescriptions and other supplies. We took the time to enjoy the silence for a moment and then Jordan set to work setting up the pack and play and getting other things ready.

What's next?

Coming home was tiring!

We finally got settled into a routine over the next week. It was great that Jordan was able to be at home for the whole week and we enjoyed the time we were all able to spent together. Becca slept pretty well at night. Usually going for 2-3 hours stretches between feedings. That first week she spent a lot of time sleeping on our chests and we enjoyed having her close by.

Mommy and Becca

Daddy and Becca (and her monkey butt!)

It was nice having my parents with us the first few days we were home. They offered the perfect amount of support and it was comforting to know that if something happened they were close by to offer assistance. Jordan's parents were over daily for visits and helped give us a break holding Becca, bring meals, and helping with Becca's transition to the bottle. I don't think that we can thank our families enough for all the support they gave us during our time at home!

Mia and Grampy

Gigi giving Becca her first bottle

Grandaddy and Becca