Of course, I forgot to take pics of her while we were out and about. Instead? I remembered to take pictures of her while she's SLEEPING. Oh well... being so cute and greeting all her fans is an exhausting job.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sleeping beauty
Margot and I have had a busy few days. We went to Mother & Baby yoga yesterday followed by a visit to our friend Monika and her son, Timothy, who's only 4 days older than Margot. Today, Margot and I walked to the Forum for Youth Investment, (my old job) and she got a chance to woo everyone there. It's amazing how these 3 events consitute a "busy" few days for me. How things have changed!
Of course, I forgot to take pics of her while we were out and about. Instead? I remembered to take pictures of her while she's SLEEPING. Oh well... being so cute and greeting all her fans is an exhausting job.
Snoozing after our exhausting yoga class
Getting in her beauty sleep before our visit to the Forum.
Of course, I forgot to take pics of her while we were out and about. Instead? I remembered to take pictures of her while she's SLEEPING. Oh well... being so cute and greeting all her fans is an exhausting job.
Too cute for words
Today, Margot discovered the mirror that hangs over her baby papasan in the living room. She also discovered her tongue!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Texas & Tennessee Pride
Amongst the thoughtful gifts Margot has received, a clear message has been sent to our girl: she will be a fan of the University of Tennessee.
AND, there will be no confusion about where her daddy comes from!
On the flip side, here's what she's gotten from my neck of the woods. At least this message is clear, too. SLU class of 2034!
(This could all could be a study in American culture, but I won't go there...)
AND, there will be no confusion about where her daddy comes from!
On the flip side, here's what she's gotten from my neck of the woods. At least this message is clear, too. SLU class of 2034!
(This could all could be a study in American culture, but I won't go there...)
McDonald Farms
Lately, I've been feeling like I should add "milk production and management" to my list of hobbies. I think a lot of new moms feel this way. The friends who told me that breastfeeding would be one of my biggest challenges as a new mom were not kidding! While I know it's a blessing that I can give Margot all the milk she needs (x2!), this over-abundance stuff comes with a whole set of challenges that I won't get into... When I opened the fridge this morning, here's the "back stock" from the weekend. Whew!
For the time being, our girl is staying well-fed, and the extra milk is going in the deep freezer. Whatever milk isn't needed down the road will be given away or donated. It's nice to know I can help a baby in need!
For the time being, our girl is staying well-fed, and the extra milk is going in the deep freezer. Whatever milk isn't needed down the road will be given away or donated. It's nice to know I can help a baby in need!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Six Weeks
We made it! I now understand why there is significance in reaching the "six week mark". Margot is sleeping for longer stretches, and waking up only once during the night which translates into a lot more sanity for Tucker, and especially me. The brain fog is still there, though it's lifting. Thank goodness.
VISITORS!
Last Friday, Auntie Cameron came by during her work trip to DC from Austin. There are a lot of Lubbockites that Margot needs to meet, and I'm glad Cammie got to be one of the first.
Our neighbor Clare came by for a visit and brought banana bread - my favorite! She was taking a break from her twin girls, Anna and Maddie, who turned 3 this week.
We visited Lock and Holly Saturday night. It's so nice having good friends (and another Lubbockite!) so close by.
Monday, January 23, 2012
These boots were made for Margot
Last night, our good friends Dan and Julie came over for a visit. Dan and Julie happen to be amazing parents, and specialize in blonde haired, blue eyed little girls. Just ask their girls Ella and Kelsey who I'm sure have a lot to say on the matter.
It was good to see these two for many reasons, especially since we could be our slightly frazzled, milk stained, rookie-parent selves with them. We comiserated over the experience of starting out as new parents and they gave us something to look forward to (I think) as their girls are older, and they're through the thick of things (I think).
Dan and Julie also came bearing gifts. Included in a large pink bag filled with a plethora of pink items were these boots. I cannot wait for Margot's little feet to be big enough to put these babies on. She's already developing quite a collection of cowboy boots and cowboy themed accessories. From the Trumpette cowboy boot socks (thanks Jenn and Will!) to a cowgirl bib and burp cloth (thanks Karin!), you'd think Margot's dad was a Texan or something?!
Who knows...maybe we have a budding roper (definition for northeast friends: a cowboy who uses a lasso to rope cattle) on our hands?
It was good to see these two for many reasons, especially since we could be our slightly frazzled, milk stained, rookie-parent selves with them. We comiserated over the experience of starting out as new parents and they gave us something to look forward to (I think) as their girls are older, and they're through the thick of things (I think).
Dan and Julie also came bearing gifts. Included in a large pink bag filled with a plethora of pink items were these boots. I cannot wait for Margot's little feet to be big enough to put these babies on. She's already developing quite a collection of cowboy boots and cowboy themed accessories. From the Trumpette cowboy boot socks (thanks Jenn and Will!) to a cowgirl bib and burp cloth (thanks Karin!), you'd think Margot's dad was a Texan or something?!
Who knows...maybe we have a budding roper (definition for northeast friends: a cowboy who uses a lasso to rope cattle) on our hands?
Trials of A New Mom
Since sleep deprivation settled into our lives a few weeks ago, I've been preoccupied with finding a glimmer of hope for my (and Tucker's) sleeping future. I've talked with some close friends and all the moms I know about when their kids started sleeping through the night. I wanted to crack the code on how to make this 'miracle' happen. Knowing Margot is still too little, all of this research was being saved for that magical 3 month mark when the AAP deems it safe to start weening your little one off of the middle-of-the-night feeding. I've looked at calendars, counted weeks and days, and even prepped myself for the sleep training technique we might actually use.
Then a night like last night came along. We had a busy day with Margot, visiting with friends and neighbors. She ate like a champ and kept her bright eyes open just about all afternoon/evening. After our friends left, Tucker swaddled little M in her bassinett with a full belly and she fell asleep around 9pm.
I settled into bed with my usual expectation of getting back up in 2-3 hours. To my surprise, Margot had other plans. Sleeping beauty snoozed herself all the way to 4:15am without barely a peep! Instead of enjoying this quiet time, I scanned the monitor hourly (at least) and had nightmares that she wasn't breathing. I worried, and worried, and waited for her to wake up. When she finally did, I was at the ready and wide awake, instead of my usual groggy, awake-only-two-hours-ago self. Almost as abruptly as she had woken up, she drifted back to sleep with a full belly, content to nod off until daylight.
All this led me to think about the many opportunities I'll have in the days, weeks, months and years ahead to worry about my little girl. Right now, keeping her precious little body well-fed, dry, clean, and warm is literally what keeps me up at night. I have a feeling that on the worrying scale, this is only the tip of the iceburg.
It's a good thing parenthood is gradual process that unfolds itself in stages. I have a lot to learn, a lot to let go of, and many greater challenges ahead, I'm sure. Let's hope my sweet girl doesn't mind putting up with me and that I toughen up sooner than later. Parenthood is not for the weak at heart:)
Then a night like last night came along. We had a busy day with Margot, visiting with friends and neighbors. She ate like a champ and kept her bright eyes open just about all afternoon/evening. After our friends left, Tucker swaddled little M in her bassinett with a full belly and she fell asleep around 9pm.
I settled into bed with my usual expectation of getting back up in 2-3 hours. To my surprise, Margot had other plans. Sleeping beauty snoozed herself all the way to 4:15am without barely a peep! Instead of enjoying this quiet time, I scanned the monitor hourly (at least) and had nightmares that she wasn't breathing. I worried, and worried, and waited for her to wake up. When she finally did, I was at the ready and wide awake, instead of my usual groggy, awake-only-two-hours-ago self. Almost as abruptly as she had woken up, she drifted back to sleep with a full belly, content to nod off until daylight.
All this led me to think about the many opportunities I'll have in the days, weeks, months and years ahead to worry about my little girl. Right now, keeping her precious little body well-fed, dry, clean, and warm is literally what keeps me up at night. I have a feeling that on the worrying scale, this is only the tip of the iceburg.
It's a good thing parenthood is gradual process that unfolds itself in stages. I have a lot to learn, a lot to let go of, and many greater challenges ahead, I'm sure. Let's hope my sweet girl doesn't mind putting up with me and that I toughen up sooner than later. Parenthood is not for the weak at heart:)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Margot is one month old!
It's hard to believe our sugar plum is already a month old! (Her actual one-month birthday was Monday, so we're a little behind here...)
Baby girl is weighing in at a whopping 9.2 lbs and continues to eat and sleep well. At night, she's starting to sleep for longer stretches which is great news for Tucker and me.
We love her so much!
PS - I know I posted last Friday about Margot being 4 weeks, but we are celebrating it all around here. 4 weeks is totally different than one month;) Any excuse to celebrate a milestone!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Irrevocable
Thank you, Massachusetts, for finally acknowledging what we've all known to be true: Bill, Sarah, Braxton, and Ava are a FAMILY.
January 17th marks a new family holiday for my sister Sarah, her husband Bill, and their two amazing kiddos, Braxton (4), and Ava (2). After years/months of navigating the Massachusetts adoption system, Sarah and Bill can now finally say that together with Braxton and Ava, they are The Rocha family.
My part in the day started at 4am (or yo'-dark-thirty, as my dad would say). I left Margot swaddled in her bassinet and Tucker in bed to catch the first flight to Boston from Baltimore. My dad picked me up at about 8am and we found our way to the Cambridge courthouse to meet the rest of the family.
By 9:30, quite a crowd had formed for the big event. In the lobby of the courthouse, we took picture after picture of the kids, friends, family, social workers, and other foster families who have all played important roles in Braxton and Ava's stories. I think we were all humbled by each others' presences.
Sarah and some friends and their kiddos
Ava's first foster family
Braxton's first foster family
Once the judge was ready, we all filed into a room in the lower corner of the courthouse. Our group was punctuated by lots of strollers, balloons, gifts, and kids running around everywhere. To be trite, you could honestly feel the joy in the air.
As the hearing began, everyone was focused on Bill, Sarah, and the kids who stood before the judge. He spoke loudly and clearly, reading the adoption decree for all 30 of us to hear. Though the words were standard, they moved most of us to tears. My brother-in-law said it best when he said the word he remembered most was "irrevocable"; there's no going back.
Ava and Judge King
Braxton and Judge King
Aunts Anita and Nancy and the kiddos
Bill and Ava
My dad and aunt Nancy
Meg and the kiddos- little do they know, they're going to Disney World next weekend to celebrate!
Family
Reflecting on my sister's family's journey and my own foray into parenthood has led me to wonder who has the "right" to be a parent. None of us are entitled to the experience, that's for sure. The only way I understand parenthood is that it's a privilege, and even if you do your best to earn that privilege, things don't always work out.
Parenting is the repeated choice to do your best, to step beyond your comfort zone often, and to think about life in an interconnected way. It's an opportunity to open yourself up to living in a capacity that's unlike any other. I am so thankful that my sister and my journies have led us to where we are today. We have so much to be thankful for.
My part in the day started at 4am (or yo'-dark-thirty, as my dad would say). I left Margot swaddled in her bassinet and Tucker in bed to catch the first flight to Boston from Baltimore. My dad picked me up at about 8am and we found our way to the Cambridge courthouse to meet the rest of the family.
By 9:30, quite a crowd had formed for the big event. In the lobby of the courthouse, we took picture after picture of the kids, friends, family, social workers, and other foster families who have all played important roles in Braxton and Ava's stories. I think we were all humbled by each others' presences.
Once the judge was ready, we all filed into a room in the lower corner of the courthouse. Our group was punctuated by lots of strollers, balloons, gifts, and kids running around everywhere. To be trite, you could honestly feel the joy in the air.
As the hearing began, everyone was focused on Bill, Sarah, and the kids who stood before the judge. He spoke loudly and clearly, reading the adoption decree for all 30 of us to hear. Though the words were standard, they moved most of us to tears. My brother-in-law said it best when he said the word he remembered most was "irrevocable"; there's no going back.
Reflecting on my sister's family's journey and my own foray into parenthood has led me to wonder who has the "right" to be a parent. None of us are entitled to the experience, that's for sure. The only way I understand parenthood is that it's a privilege, and even if you do your best to earn that privilege, things don't always work out.
Parenting is the repeated choice to do your best, to step beyond your comfort zone often, and to think about life in an interconnected way. It's an opportunity to open yourself up to living in a capacity that's unlike any other. I am so thankful that my sister and my journies have led us to where we are today. We have so much to be thankful for.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Voyles' Visit
Saturday night, we got to hang with some of our favorite people: Liz, Ty, and little Emma. Emma is Margot's official "first friend" and is exactly 1 year, 1 week, and 1 day older than our little peanut. I'm sure these two will have a lot of fun together in the years to come!
Margot and Liz, checking each other out.
Ty rocking Margot to sleep.
Tucker and Emma discussing the various features of the Blackberry.
Meg and Margot
Margot and Liz, checking each other out.
Ty rocking Margot to sleep.
Tucker and Emma discussing the various features of the Blackberry.
Meg and Margot
Milkaholic
My name is Margot, and I'm a Milkaholic.
It all started about 4 weeks ago at Holy Cross Hospital. The nurses and my mom were all saying this milk stuff was "liquid gold" and that I had to try it. I gave in. All the other babies were doing it.
I started with a few milliliters here, a few more there. I thought I could control myself. Now, I can't stop until I've had at least 3-4 ounces. I drink so much I usually pass out by the time I'm done. Before I know it, I've slept the day away and all I want is more milk. Help!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Moments with Margot this week
I have that feeling that I'm sure a lot of new moms have: I don't want to miss a second of seeing this little person grow! Alas, I take pictures of her like I'm her personal paparazzi. Oh well:)
Emily and Elizabeth (my brilliant and talented former co-workers from the Forum for Youth Investment) came by on Thursday for lunch. Elizabeth ducked out before I could snap a pic, but here's Emily and little M.
Snoozing while her dad got ready for work.
Wearing her adorable owl outfit from Sassy
Hmm...maybe soon I'll start posting pics of Margot awake?
Emily and Elizabeth (my brilliant and talented former co-workers from the Forum for Youth Investment) came by on Thursday for lunch. Elizabeth ducked out before I could snap a pic, but here's Emily and little M.
Snoozing while her dad got ready for work.
Wearing her adorable owl outfit from Sassy
Hmm...maybe soon I'll start posting pics of Margot awake?
Hey world! I'm 4 weeks old today!
It's hard to believe that it's been 4 weeks since we met our sweet little girl. In some ways, it feels like so much has happened in such a short period of time. In other ways, it feels like we've known Margot forever.
In the past four weeks, Margot has...
- gained almost 2 lbs!
- started straightening and kicking her legs more and more.
- become a champion eater.
- slowly spent a little more time awake each day.
- learned who mommy and daddy are (aren't they the best?!).
- amused everyone around her by making all sorts of expressions in her sleep and waving her arms around like she's conducting an orchestra.
WE LOVE OUR GIRL!
A quick look back at 4 weeks ago today:
Margot and Tucker holding hands for the first time
First bath
The only pic of the 3 of us in the hospital...Tucker is taking a pic of us with the iPad. We wanted to capture every second with her!
In the bassinette
With Gramps
With Granny
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