Bjorn and a movie

I’ve had a poor showing of updating the blog, so here goes it…

This past weekend we broke out the Baby Bjorn! Stella is now over eight pounds so we were able to slip her into the “front pack” and take a nice stroll around the block. Liz was nervous the entire walk thinking Stella was just going to flop out….even though she ended up falling sound asleep and was secured by a five-point harness.

Last night we tried to squeeze a movie in thinking that Stella would behave for us through the whole thing ….HA! We were very mistaken. The movie was "Firewall" (Harrison Ford) and was actually quite good. Well, the movie is a thriller and builds up to leave you on the edge of your seat for the last 30 minutes wondering how it’s all going to come together at the end. I started giving her a bottle half way through, and of course, 20 minutes from the end, just as I was totally into the flick, Stella started squirming on my lap. With 100% of my attention on the TV, I tried to bounce her, I tried giving her more of her bottle…anything! Finally Liz realizes that my male characteristics of not being able to focus on two things at the same time have overcome me with frustration and she offers to take her (for the record, stopping the movie and finishing it later was not an option at this point). While maintaining blank stare on the TV, I make the hand off and Liz sets Stella in her lap. Liz quickly realizes that the cheap new-born diapers that we got in the mail for free and we’re trying to get rid of are just that,...cheap! Stella’s full diaper snuck out the side and was “leaking” onto Liz’s lap. Of course, oblivious to me, Stella had left her "mark" on my lap and I had no clue! Who knew how long it had been there either….probably since I tried to bounce her right after her feeding. I get up and see that it managed to get down between my legs and onto the couch…..whoops! At this point the movie must be paused! A few towels, cleaning supplies, 3 new outfits and a couch cushion left to dry out, we re-start the movie.
MY BAD!

I promise, I really am a good father! After the movie, I gave Stella a bath and we made up.

(I'm considering forgiving you, Dad)

One month and growing!

We had our one month check-up today and all is well! Stella is packing it on...she's up to 9 pounds, 4 ounces! She's grown almost an inch and is "standing" tall at 21 and 1/4 inches! It sure is reassuring to get a good report.
One of the questions we hear the most right now, is, "how is she sleeping?" I'm still not sure that it will last, but we're getting anywhere from 4 to 6 hours in a row overnight! She appears to be a very content little girl. Of course we have our moments of fussiness or full-on crying, but more often than not, she's very happy!

A couple of "big" moments in this first month:
--our first trip to the mall...Stella slept the entire time. (Let's hope that attitude continues for all future shopping trips...especially as a teenager)
--our first meal out as a family...Stella and I had an errand to run and since we were out and about, Nick decided to meet us. So, we had a rather lovely dining experience at Max & Ermas! ;)
--breaking in the stroller with Grandma Bettcher, "Aunt" Gail, and mom and dad
--the introduction of the pacifier (see photo)



(This was taken during the first weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament...shortly after this photo was taken...)


I guess she lost interest after her mom's and dad's alma maters, Purdue and Miami of Ohio didn't progress any further in the tournament.

Stella and her dad

3 weeks old!! We're still celebrating every precious moment!!

I'm not sure what it is about a dad and daughter...but there is quite a special bond there. Yesterday, Stella and I were sort of struggling through nap times. Ok she was struggling and I was wishing for a nap. Every time I set her down, she just didn't seem content. We went through a day of fussiness and went into the evening overly tired. That is where Nick saved the day!
Around 10pm I was ready to get into bed, but Stella was not. Nick decided it was up to him to have a "talking to" with our daughter. Not long after I had brushed my teeth and climbed into bed, did he walk out of her room, followed by...silence! I asked, "what did you do?!" He smiled and said that he had a "discussion" with our daughter. I didn't get every specific detail. I guess their discussion involved something about his expectations for her and not driving her mother crazy. :) As curious as I am, I don't think I need to know exactly what went on between the two of them. Nick obviously has some sort of calming powers that I'm super thankful for, that hopefully will not wear off anytime soon.
Evidence of these "powers":


and

I am so thankful for both of them!!

Nights out on the town

Saturday, March 10th, Stella attended her first party!! We went "around the corner" to celebrate Christy and Brad's engagement and to give them the proper send off as they move to North Carolina. Stella was thrilled to be going out and was all dressed up in her finest pink outfit, but once at the party, she decided sleeping was the big priority. While friends oohed and aahed, Stella slept through all the commotion of party goers, basketball fans (specifically Miami Redhawk fans) cheering on the big MAC win and anything else that happened to be going on. Hopefully we'll get invited to more parties since she behaved herself so well!

***By the way, Christy and Brad, congratulations again and good luck to you both
as you make this big move and begin planning for your wedding.
What an exciting time!! We'll be praying for you!***

Sunday, March 11th...well, we did it! We went out on our own for the first time since our sweet Stella was born!
Stella's Grandma Karen was in town this past weekend and was more than happy to offer to be Stella's first baby-sitter. After some encouragement and deep thought, I gave in to the idea of going out. So, Nick and I ventured out into a world that we sort of forgot about. A world where I wasn't listening for Stella's cry and where people didn't know that we were new parents. I wasn't sure how I would do away from her, but was delighted to know that she was fine and that I would be too. Obviously someone who has raised 4 children and is on her 16th grandchild is more than capable of watching a baby for a couple of hours. (this was something that I had to keep reminding myself of)
We enjoyed dinner out and conversation to ourselves and were welcomed home to a sleeping baby that I am certain had no idea that we were gone. What a blessing to have Grandma here to trust with our loved one. Not sure when the next date night will be, but I'm glad to know we can handle just a couple of hours away!
I highly encourage any new parents or parents to be, to say, "Yes" when friends and family offer to babysit. It's really great to have the opportunity to focus on each other too!

Happy 2 Week Birthday, Stella!

What a thrill these past two weeks have been. Whenever I am at work or just out and about, I am always anxious to get home to see “my girls.” A couple of new developments recently to update you on.

Stella has discovered that she has control (kind of) over the hands at the end of her arms. More importantly, she has quickly figured out that sucking on her hands provides a great amount of comfort when she starts getting hungry. Although she hits herself in the head three or four times before actually getting the hand(s) in her mouth, it’s wonderful to see the sense of excitement and accomplishment in her eyes once she has landed the prize. We are making great progress!

The other new development is spitting up. She has gotten very good at this after eating! The other night Liz was holding Stella on the couch after just having fed her and realized a diaper change was in order pronto. I offered my services, which I must say I’m getting pretty good at this diaper changing thing. I’ve nearly mastered the 4:00am change and can even do it with little to no light. So anyway, just as I am picking her up from Liz’s arms to go and change her, Liz warns me once again, “Careful, she may spit up.” No sooner does she say that, Stella unloads half of the meal she just put down and for whatever reason this startles Liz and she blurts out, “DON’T THROW HER!”

Now, at this point I really didn’t know how to react to that statement. “Don’t throw her?” She just spit up! Did you really think I was about to throw our daughter because she spit up!? Immediately, Liz starting cracking up at herself realizing what she had just said. It’s now become a family joke to blurt out “don’t throw her” whenever Stella spits up while the other one is holder her. Well, maybe the term “joke” and the topic of throwing your child shouldn’t be in the same sentence, but you get the idea.

We’ve had quite a few requests for more pictures, so here you go!

Like father, like daughter

I couldn't help myself...


it's obvious they both had long, hard days!