4 Generations

Elise Ferrell, Maryn Elise Baker, Patricia Baker & Michael Baker

Weighty Issue

I know, two posts in one day ... we're, or, uh I'm CRAZY over here!! I just couldn't keep this to myself. Here she is in her Stokke high chair. Does she look a little bigger to you? Hmm ... Well, Maryn went to the doctor again yesterday and we found that she gained just shy of 1 pound in 10 days!! And here's the kicker .... she had been sick for a couple of days so we were expecting her weight to be about the same. The doc was so impressed and asked what we were feeding her. Really, she hasn't been drinking more formula. It's still typically a struggle to reach her daily minimum on that front. -I started a post on this very issue months ago and kept coming back to it on frustrating days, but never quite felt it was postable- What changed is that she is now eating solids like a champ. She's a fan of squash, bananas, apples, pears, prunes, oatmeal, mango, and avocado. Later after we got home I examined the food log. We started feeding her solids three times a day instead of twice about 10 days ago. Bingo. It feels like this particular issue will continue to work itself out now.

The timing is interesting. A few weeks ago I decided I needed to change my perspective. For example, I decided I didn't need to know her exact weight each week. I did my best to see that she got her formula minimum and then just payed attention. Is she happy? Is she continuing to develop? If the answer to both of these questions was yes and she didn't appear to be losing weight then that was enough. This example doesn't encompass my entire mind shift, rather it's a small piece of the bigger picture. Maryn has had a lot of health issues since she was born, some of which I've blogged about -others I haven't. It's been so easy to get caught up in the worrying and the what ifs. That, my friends, is energy sapping of the highest order. Now, I'm not saying that replacing worry with denial is the answer, being informed and responsible is important. But I refuse to continue to waste valuable energy on that which depletes. My family deserves better and so do I.

Aqua Baby

M & M signed up for a baby swim class at our gym. The purpose of this particular class is to get babies (6-18 months) more comfortable with the water. They meet in the therapy pool so it's nice and warm. It's been great for Maryn. Previously prone to crying at bath time, she now actually enjoys most of her time in the water. And today was only the 4th class. Thanks aqua babies!

I've enjoyed our Saturday morning ritual for the past 4 weeks. 8am aqua baby class followed by breakfast at this lovely bakery in Lombard that serves excellent coffee and European style pastries. Yum!

Standing Room Only

M caught a cold from her dad this week. Today it seemed that all the fluids she drank just drained right back out through her eyes, nose and mouth. Poor kid. She handled it like a champ, though. Yes, she was a little less active than normal, but still interested in playing, listening to music, and eating. We even went for a short walk tonight. I think the fresh air did her good- certainly did for me. 

So, yes, the picture is totally unrelated to the post so far. It just didn't seem right to stick a camera in M's face today with her snotty nose and all. Instead I looked back through I-Photo to see what else I had. 

Here Mike, Scott and Glynn play with cousin Austin's new remote control helicopter at his b-day party this past summer. 

In Your Face

That's right folks- 8 months old today!

Basket Fun

Wordless Wednesday

Cute Stuff

Maryn and I spent Friday in Geneva walking around the downtown and along 3rd street. I stopped in a tea shop for a cold drink while she napped a bit in her stroller. When she woke up we talked, played a couple rounds of patty cake and she practiced standing on my lap. The place was pretty empty, but occasionally someone would smile in our direction as they walked by. One woman came over and Maryn gave her a huge smile. The woman smiled back and said, "oh, what a joy it must be to wake up to you every morning-- you precious girl."

It was the first day we spent out together. We've gone to visit friends or family before, just the two of us, but we hadn't left the house for an extended period just to spend time together. It was so refreshing to focus on enjoying her company alone. Sometimes I forget to enjoy the little moments. I have to soak it up-- her babyhood will be gone before I know it.

She's such a cute, sweet, spirited, smart girl. I often think that I don't know what I did in my life to deserve her. I'm so lucky.

Family Night

We're Back

No, we weren't on vacation. 

I wasn't out of town on business. 

I wasn't overwhelmingly busy ... well, no more than usual. 

I haven't posted to the blog, in what- over 2 weeks, because my camera battery needed to be charged and I wasn't sure where I put the charger. 

Maryn seemed so excited to see her old friend again after breakfast on the porch this morning.