Happy 1st Birthday Brianna

Jolynn's best friend-to-be, Brianna, had her 1st birthday party today. There were so many kids there. It was fun to see which ones were going to fall into the same age group. There were the 2-3 year olds that were crazy running around. Then the 1 year olds that were just learning to walk. Then the 3mo (Jolynn) - 9mo that were still in the hold me stage. I realized that most of my picture and video taping has been by me. I have one picture of Jolynn and me (and I took that one too) - when we were in the hospital.

So I had Mike take some of me and Jolynn.

Three Months

I don't know what is scarier - being back to work or Jolynn being 3 months. Time is going by so fast. Jolynn has made great progress on her development. She can hold her head up pretty well, her arms don't flail as much, and the smiles and coos just keep coming. She likes to be pulled up by her arms and plop back down on the pillow. She also likes to "stand" or "sit". Neither of which she can actually do on her own yet, but she can see so much and loves that. Thankfully she has finally started to find her hands, and in turn, something to suck on. I don't think she has decided yet if it will be her thumb, a finger, or a couple fingers. Her mood is the best in the morning. I think she is like her momma - she is a morning person. We haven't quite got the sleeping thing down yet as far as timing. She sleeps very well and for long periods, but not the right periods. She still wakes up at 4am; eats, then falls asleep for a hour or so, then we have our awake time. This is where all the cooing and smiles happen. She loves having a conversation around 7am. I hope to have even 15 minutes to spend with her before we have to pack up. Through out the day she takes little cat naps and then between 5 and 6 she goes down for the count. Doesn't wake up until midnight. But then sleeps from midnight to 4am. Somehow we need to move that 6 hour slot up so it is when WE are sleeping too.

We have a new toy from Grandma Margaret. It is a tummy time playmat. She lays on the "scoop" and there is a flower petal mat underneath. She is able to hold her head up and touch the ground with her hands and feet. She scoots around in a circle using her limbs. There are activities on each petal. This has also helped with getting rid of her gas because she is on her tummy forcing the pressure out.

I don't think I posted about her 2 month check up last time. She did very well. 50% in all areas. Doctor was very pleased with her weight gain. She was 7lb 10oz. We have been weighing her on our home scale and last Saturday she was 8lb 1.5oz. She doesn't go back until 4 months now.

It is funny how so many of our friends had babies around the same time. Erin has a boy, Richard Jr, that is about 4 months older than Jo. We joke that we have arranged them to be married. Talking about them dating and going to prom. There is competition though. Jared and Naomi have Brody, also about 4 months older than Jo. Richard Jr already has one up on Brody though, Jo and Richard have already been on a "date", chaperoned by us mommies. Then there is Jodi's daughter, Brianna. She had her 1st birthday party this past weekend. B and Jo are going to be best friends like their mommas.

I am so happy to have such a supportive network of friends and family. Grandparents have stepped up to help with watching Jolynn or Polly, or both. Jon has started to realize that I will need him a bit more now that I am back at work. He pitches in when he can, but still needs a little push now and then. I love watching him with Jolynn - she loves her daddy so much.

We had her 3 month photos at Flash. It was an evening session. Jolynn was not as cooperative as her first photo shoot. There was a lot of crying. I don't know if it was her gas, the fact that we woke her up, or she didn't like the photographer. I felt a little uncomfortable with this photographer; I really liked our first girl, Maggie. She happened to be the manager - must be why she was so good. Wish we could get her again. Anyway, Jolynn didn't like getting her photo taken so we had to reschedule for a morning session. Jon will have to take her because I'm not taking off work to get her picture taken.

That's been our month in a nut shell.

(Jolynn - now that momma is back to work, please don't grow-up too fast. Love you.)

Como Zoo

It was Jolynn's first visit to a zoo. Yes she is bit young so she basically slept through the whole thing. It was nice to get her out of the house though and have a beautiful day out for a stroll. Erin had asked if we wanted to join her, Shirley Jean, and Baby Richard. It was fun watching Shirley get excited about all the animals and saying what each sound was from each animal. Made me look forward to Jolynn going at an age where she can interact as well.

Video to come later after we edit all the pieces into one.

Updates to Jolynn's Room

Mike and I installed a closet system in Jolynn's room. Now everything is so organized. I can tell what size clothes she has for each stage and there is a place for her diapers, toys, clothes that would go in her dresser but she is not to that size yet, and blankets.










I also added some things to the wall with books and shelves of stuffed animals. In a small box is the hand cast from the State Fair. Next to that, photos from her 1 month Flash session.

I finally hung the painting from Jodi and the 3D metal artwork. There is still a painting of a fairy that is going on the other side.


I also attached this artwork (using Jolynn's name) with 3M hooks to her door. Mike and Margaret bought this from the State Fair. Each letter is made into a character that has meaning:
J: flying bird=prosperity
O: butterfly=love
L: fish=goodluck
Y: sitting bird=happiness
N: sailboats=hope
N: bamboo=honesty, upright

Two Months

Believe it. We are at TWO MONTHS! Our little peanut is growing so much. She has nearly doubled her birth weight. She is eating so much and so fast you would think she was at the milk booth at the State Fair. Whenever I am feeding her I always think about this photo. It was my favorite at the time. Can't hold her like that anymore. I can barely hold her with one hand to burp her like Jon does.
We are just starting to get into the coos. It feels like she stays up more than she sleeps lately. We have been playing with an activity center that my mom found. Adding our own play things to it. So far she hasn't grasped onto anything, but she loves looking at everything-especially the lighted stuff.

We found out the hard way that what I ate affects her greatly. The State Fair was great for me, not so much for Jolynn. A few days later she was on that day of pumped breast milk. Before this she hadn't gone to the bathroom for 7 days. We were very worried so I called a nurse at the clinic. She talked to the doctor and called me back with instructions. We were to give her 1/2 oz of prune juice mixed into her milk or with water. Not to exceed 2oz in 24 hours. After 1/2 an oz there was a shart, then at 1oz she pooped out the sides; By 1 1/2 oz Jon had put her in the swing. She threw up most of her brown liquid and then when we went to change her from the puke that was on her onesie we noticed poop on it too. Later looked at the swing and there was poop on the straps. Needless to say we didn't give her anymore prune juice. Couple days later she had the State Fair milk and we had another blow out.

Since my last post Jon also had his 30th (Golden) birthday. We celebrated by going to Fogo de Chao. Jolynn does great at outings. Sleeps through most of it. She went to Benihana, Fogo, Red Robin, and Origami Sushi. I didn't get Jon anything for his birthday. I felt a little bad, but without working I didn't think we could really afford anything nice. He has Jolynn, what else could he want :) His parents gave him a REALLY nice video camera. We have only done a couple videos. Just like with the camera, you need to have this attached to your wrist at all times to catch those moments. It's sad that most of my memories of the past two months are in my head because I didn't take as many pictures or videos as I would have wanted.

State Fair 2010-Part 2

We went to the fair again on Thursday. This time we went with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa Moritz. We arrived a little before every one else so we went to Hamline Dining Hall again and fed Jolynn. We also met up with Knute, Olaf and Stephanie, Sara and Tony, and a couple of their friends. This visit to the fair was all food and purchases. I had corn again and Mouse Trap cheese curds. I swear they are better than anyone else. Also had a Chicago dog, foot long corndog, foot long hot dog, flash frozen ice cream, and my new favorite-fried pickles. Seriously, better than cheese curds.

We ventured into the Merchandise mart and Grandstand. Margaret found this booth that had fairy stuff. Tutus, tiaras, wings, capes, and these crocheted hats with big flowers on them. She came back with a white one. Jolynn was so cute. We went back to the stand and she brought so much attention to the booth. "look how cute she is!" Of course I had to get a purple one and a matching tutu-these will be used at her 3 or 6 month photos.

Jon wanted to go to the Wild booth. They weren't in their normal spot in the Grandstand this year. Finally found them in the Fan Zone-go figure. We picked out 3 outfits there-maybe we will get to a game or two this season.

Inside the Merchandise Mart was a booth that made casts of your hands. We thought what a great idea to get Jolynn's hand done and then again each year. It was soo tiny! I was thinking this morning that I could teach her sign language for all the years (after five you have to do different things with one hand to make a six, seven, etc. without using two hands). Then each year we go back for the cast she can make that sign and we will have how old she was at that State Fair.

Inside the Education bldg they had free calendars with your picture. Jolynn had her photo taken with us and then with the grandparents.

On the way back to our car the sky got really dark and opened up. Luckily we were next to a display of trailers. We ducked inside with 5 other people and waited it out. There was hail and downpours. Good thing we found shelter. When it was over we continued on our way and saw this beautiful double rainbow. Other than that brief downpour it was a gorgeous day.

State Fair 2010

My day started off at 4am with a feeding. Then pumping and a shower. I had a bowl of cereal to tide me over until getting to the fair. I got everything packed up and ready to go, time to get Jolynn in her car seat. Woke her up at 7:30 and she was ready to eat - so I had to feed her and then we were off to Grandma and Grandpa Benson's at 8:00am. Once we got there they were ready to go. We got to the fair around 9:00am. We went to a restaurant called Hamline dining hall (or something like that). Sally met us there when we were just about done. We mapped out all the places we wanted to go and times of things we wanted to see.

First was the Robot Demonstrations in the Educational building. I wasn't impressed. I guess I was expecting more like robot wars. So we passed on that and took a walk around. We found a booth that was taking pictures and putting them on a calendar for FREE. Score! Jolynn brings a lot of attention where ever she goes. How can you resist such an adorable little girl :) The Educational building also had free bags. Jolynn was ready to eat after this excursion. So we went back to the Hamline dining hall and asked for some hot water - they were very nice and didn't mind giving me this and letting me sit in there to feed her out of the sun.

Then we went to see the chickens. My mom is now into raising chickens, so she really wanted to go see them. Jolynn and I waited outside. This was the only photo I took the entire time we were there. Don't worry - you didn't miss anything. This is what she did the entire time we were at the fair.
After the chickens I was on a mission to get my cheese curds. I stopped and got corn on the way. Then we got to the cheese curds. I got those and should have shared. I ended up getting a belly ache and was in the bathroom later.

It was pretty warm. Every now and again there would be a breeze. I was drinking pop (not caffeinated). Pop is not a good source to keep you hydrated. I started to feel faint and decided I better head back to the car and home. Once we got to the car my mom had some water in her cooler. I drank that and combined with the AC in the car, was feeling much better. Note for next time is to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.