Baby's First Cold!

Well, I am home for the very first time with a sick baby!  I must admit, it has been nice being home for the day...reminds me of the good ol' maternity days.  But, I am not happy that this baby girl of ours is sneezing and coughing all the time.  We just feel so sorry for her! 
Elena started sneezing and coughing on Monday while she was home with grandma.  We kept an eye on it and she appeared to be getting a bit worse while at the babysitter's yesterday.  I decided that it was necessary for me to stay home with her today and get her to Dr. Hagan to be sure her cold wasn't anything more than that.  Thankfully, Elena has not been running a fever, so that put our minds at ease.  When we got to the doctor's office, his nurse, Chelsea, took Elena's pulse and checked her oxygen levels.  She was at 100%, so that ruled out a few infections.  Then, Dr. Hagan came in to listen to her heart and lungs.  All sounded OK.  He checked her ears and throat as well.  All looked OK.  So, Dr. Hagan said we just have a cold on our hands and that her cough could last up to 2 weeks.  Poor baby!  But, we are just so glad it's a cold and nothing more than that.  We really just wanted to err on the side of caution and get Elena in to see the doctor since so much is going around these days with the kids.
Another milestone today, too...ELENA ROLLED OVER!!  When we got home from the doctor's office, Elena was in a playful mood for a bit, so I decided to do a quick session of tummy time, which is usually not one of her favorite things to do.  But, I put her on the floor and she just lifted that head and chest up like she had been doing this for years.  All of a sudden, she just plopped herself right over on her back.  I couldn't believe it!  I quickly turned her over again to see if it was a fluke or if she could do it again and she did!  Of course, I tried again for the third time, but by then she was getting fussy and coughing, so that was the end of that.  I hope to get her on video turning over soon.  I was just so caught up in the moment that I didn't get her the first two times. 
It's been a good day...even though baby is sick.  We've just been watching some TV together and napping.  She is enjoying her swing for now...which I think she likes since she can sit up a bit, helping her breathe better. Back to normal tomorrow and spring break for mom next week...c'mon Friday!!!

3 Months Old!

 
Elena turned 3 months old this week.  Juan and I have been going through some of our pictures over the last three months and just realized how much she has grown.  Elena was just SO tiny when we brought her home and now she is able to stand on our laps with support and arch her back out of a seat when she is very angry.  So many changes in such a short amount of time.  Juan and I discussed how we just feel like we miss her being that small because we didn't feel like we truly enjoyed it being new parents and all.  Just making sure she was taken care of and all that goes along with learning when to feed her and bathe her made us both in a frenzy at times.  We are so thankful for all the photos to help us remember that wonderful time during those first few weeks at home.  As I tried to take some of her three month pictures, I have come to realize that she hates having her picture taken with accessories.  She gets angry when I try to put a hat on her or a headband.  You'll see in the photo below.  I guess she's like her mother... ;)
This past week was our first real five day work week since I headed back to school.  It went by quickly and smoothly.  I am so glad Elena is having fun at the babysitters, although she had a few blow outs this week that if they continue, she may not be asked back to Brenda's during the day ;)  Elena got to spend her Friday with both grandma and grandpa.  What a treat.  Again, we are so happy that she gets to spend at least a day or two a week at home with family while Juan and I work.
Only one more week coming up and then I'm on spring break.  Couldn't have timed this baby better.  Then it'll be back to work until May 21st....then a summer off with the family.  What more could I ask for?!

 Tummy time isn't so bad on my boppy.

 One of our favorite faces...

 Watching a little baby TV before dinner...damn my fist tastes good... ;)

 Snuggly

My headband is almost coming off...

 

And, this is how I feel about having my picture taken.

Happy Birthday!

Last weekend we got together with the family to celebrate my birthday and my dad's birthday at the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis.  We went for their weekly Sunday fried chicken dinner and it was AMAZING, as you will see from the table picture below.  It was great to bring Elena, who behaved herself the entire time, to meet Uncle John and Steve.  It's always so much fun to see Elena with the family. 
Nothing else has really been happening around here...just back to work for us all and Elena is doing great with the babysitter.  Next week is our first full week of work and babysitters.  I'm sure it will be just fine.  In just two weeks I will be on spring break and will have another full week to spend at home with this baby girl of ours.  Did I mention she is 12 weeks now?  Yes, 12 weeks.  I will be taking her 3 month photo this week...my my how time is flying on us.  I don't want to wish the time away, but boy can I not wait until summer.  It's going to be a great one.  No summer school for me, which gives me butterflies to even just think about.  I get to spend my days with Elena...what a dream come true.  Juan will be teaching summer school, but it's not your typical summer school...he is working with middle schoolers doing a lot of exploratory type teaching...it is just a fun summer teaching gig for Juan during the month of June...I am so glad he was approached about this opportunity and ran with it...it will be really great.
Here are some of our photos from the last week or so...

 So tired!

 Hi Steve!

 MMMMM...dinner....

 A precious fist

 Flower in my bouquet from Juan

It was a long day...

We Made It!

Our first week back to reality has been a success at the Diaz homestead.  Elena did great the two days she spent with the babysitter and today she got to stay home with Abuela and just relax!  This short week at school really helped me ease back into the swing of things.  It was really great to get so many hugs and "I'm so glad you're back!" from the kids when I arrived at school on Tuesday.  I forgot how much I missed all of them too.  One of our little kindergarteners told me "Congratulations on you being able to get your baby out, Mrs. Diaz." That was probably the greatest compliment of the day ;)  I'm glad that I have tomorrow off to spend with Elena and we also have Monday off as a family due to President's Day...gotta love the days off as a teacher.  It really is the best job in the world.  Spring break is only a few weeks away...is it bad that I'm already looking forward to it?! I attached some pictures of Elena on her first day at the babysitters, which was also her first Valentine's Day.  She had a special outfit for the day.  Elena also turned 11 weeks old yesterday.  Really?  Eleven weeks already?!  She is getting smarter and stronger by the day.  She talks to Juan and I all the time and she really likes to listen to me sing my ABCs to her...I have no idea why as my voice is absolutely horrendous.  We read LOTS of books everyday and her eyes just light up each time I turn a page.  I hope we have a little reader on our hands. 

Our beautiful Valentine

Punching and kicking! Look at my thumb through my fingers!

'Twas the night before school...

Well, the time has finally come for mom to head back to work tomorrow...I think!  Today several schools had snow days, but my district did not call off school until about noon today.  We'll see if there is school tomorrow, but I am counting on going.  I already have Elena's bag ready to go, so all I have to do tonight is prepare some bottles for her tomorrow.  I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow night what I forgot to send and repeat the routine again for Wednesday.  I even have an outfit picked out for Elena's first Valentine's Day. I'll be sure to take a picture of her tomorrow for her big day.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at school tomorrow.  I know I'll be so busy that I won't be sitting around dwelling on the fact that I miss baby girl so much!!  The days at school have always flown by and I know that won't change at all.  I know I have a lot of work to go back to, but I am so very thankful each and everyday that it is work I love to do.
Juan had a snow day today, so we laid around a lot enjoying each other's company for the day.  We all took a nap together this afternoon and now Elena is sleeping again after eating awhile ago.  I'm glad I took the time this morning to get some vegetable soup in the crock pot so dinner has been done for a few hours now.  We can just relax tonight and get to bed at a reasonable time.  I am honestly excited to get out there tomorrow and get back to reality.
I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about how my morning is going to go dropping her off at the babysitter's, but I know it's all going to be just fine...I think the drive to school listening to my morning radio folks and some good songs will help start the day off right.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone...I know it will be memorable for the Diaz's!!

Here are some more pictures from over the last week...Elena is growing up so fast on us!  She is 11 weeks on Wednesday and it's amazing how alert she is. She is kicking her legs a bunch and batting at objects in front of her.  She LOVES to look at pictures in books and listen when we read.  I couldn't be more proud of her.

I can hold onto my binky sometimes!!

But other times I need a little help...

I love to kick, kick, kick!!!

Elena showing off her kicking moves.

Grandma and Grandpa Keeven came for some fun!

Mom and Homer.  He LOVES her.

Grandpa and Elena's hands

What up, Dad?!

My profile.

10 Weeks Old!

Today marks Elena's 10 week milestone.  I still remember when I was 10 weeks pregnant.  I had a pin that church gave me around that time that was a replica of how big her feet were at that point in her development.  Now that she is 10 weeks old, it is so hard to believe that her feet were smaller than the tip of my pinky almost a year ago.  It really is incredible what the human body can do.  I am fascinated everyday.

Elena is really getting into a good sleeping routine and it has made our lives so much better these days.  She is eating her last meal around 10:00-10:30 each night and then off to bed.  She has been sleeping until about 4-6am ...it just depends!  Juan and I have been thankful for the progress she has made in her sleep.  When she gets up in the morning, she eats and usually goes right back to sleep for a few hours again.  This has been helpful for me because some mornings I get up and get things done while she sleeps and other mornings I just stay in bed, too, and rest for a few more hours!  It's been a good schedule, but that is all about to change come Tuesday!  Back to work for me, but I know getting back into it means that summer is just that much closer...and I, for one, cannot wait to spend the summer in the sun with this baby girl of ours!!
Below are some pictures from over the last week or so.  Elena is growing so quickly...she's becoming quite the chunker!!  We love her so much!!

 I LOVE to snuggle!!

 Daddy wraps me up so good!!

 Mittens love.

 Out shopping with mom and grandma!

 Telling all my secrets to grandma!

 Reading one of my favorite books...Bee bo!!

I have crazy hair...so what?!

2 Month Well Visit

Today was Elena's 2 month check up with Dr. Hagan.  She has not been to the doctor since she was 2 weeks old.  We had a great visit today.  Elena is checking out just fine.  She is growing well weighing 10 lbs 12 oz...the 50th percentile.  She is 23 inches tall putting her in the 75th percentile.  Our baby girl is developing right on track.  Dr. Hagan heard a bit of a heart murmur when he listened to Elena's heart, but last appointment he didn't hear it, so it's just a little bump in her health that we are going to keep an eye on.  If it's still there at our 4 month appointment, we may have a cardiologist listen to Elena's heart just to be sure it's nothing to worry about. Dr. Hagan didn't seem worried and assured me that she is breathing well and eating well, so those are great signs of nothing significant. That definitely put my mind at ease.
At the end of our appointment, Elena had her first round of shots that a typical 2 month old gets.  I was all prepared for the scream that usually accompanies a young infant getting shots, but no loud, blood curdling scream occurred!  What a surprise. Our nurse that administered the shots poked Elena's thigh for the first shot and the baby didn't even move!  It was after she pulled the needle out that Elena started to cry a bit and the nurse told me that sometimes it isn't even the needle that hurts the baby, it's the medicine entering the bloodstream that can cause the pain afterwards.  Elena got two more shots in her other thigh, and by the time we left the doctor's office 5 minutes after the shots were administered, she was asleep.  She woke up for awhile when we got home and was very fussy, but she is now taking another nap.  She's had a big day!  Now to just go and hang on the couch for the rest of the day cuddling with baby girl...sounds good to me ;)

P.S. Happy Birthday Dad...I mean Grandpa!!  :)