Finally in Her Crib

She has finally moved into her crib - and I think she loves it! We also have her in a pack 'n play while she is downstairs, so I think she is finally more comfortable in an open area for sleeping. We will have to put the cradle and basinet away soon.

And, last night, I can safely say she slept through the night - went to sleep about 10:30 pm and woke up at 6:15am. Let's hope she is setting a new trend.

Today at Parenting Preemies, we learned how to give our babies massages. Scarlet absolutely loved her legs and feet being rubbed, but not her tummy. She has been having an upset tummy lately, but I think it was because we needed to get her medicine refilled. We did today, and for the first time in a few days, she ate without spitting up. Yea!

Next week is the last week for Parenting Preemies, so I will be sad to see it go. However, they will start up again in January and we are welcome to visit any time we are able. I surely will!

I'm thinking about bringing her into my work soon. We shall see how that goes.

Photo Shoot in the Doctor's Office

Scarlet Has Reached My Birthweight

OUCH! All I have to say is - Sorry Mom, that had to hurt!!!

Lindsay's Baby Shower

My friend Lindsay is having her baby in the next few weeks. This is her second baby - both girls. She is very excited and we are excited for her.

Stef - if you are reading this - you were missed. It was strange for me to see your friends without seeing you. Mindy and I remembered you. Love ya, Sis!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Benj!

We went out Friday night to Chili's to celebrate my brother's birthday. Scarlet wanted a margarita, but we told her no. She also wantd to try the salsa, but again, Mom said no.
Benje's planning on moving to Florida next month, so Scarlet will have all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins out of state. Honestly, it makes me very sad, but I understand why he's going. I wish him the best of luck!

Dad just can't get enough of Scarlet.

My parents got Benje a shadw box to display his medals from the army: the purple heart and a commendation for courage under fire.

Hi Daddy!

This week, Scarlet and I surprised Daddy with a visit to his work, Cal Poly Pomona. My mom was actually on campus at a conference and the two of them were having lunch together. Scarlet and I snuck up and surprised them both. Then Len and I had to "carry" the stroller with Scarlet in it down Kellogg Hill to get back to the Library. It was a beautiful walk - which I am sure she will appreciate when she is older (and so will we when we don't have to lift the stroller down the stairs).

School Time

Our little student is progressing in school. I still can't believe that this service is available to her. She is learning to push herself up, getting closer to rolling over without a ramp, and...

holding things. She actually had a rattle in her left hand and was shaking it. She also hit her head with it, which her teacher said all babies do.

9lbs 5 oz and still growing...

Scarlet weighed in last week at 9lbs, 5oz... She has almost tripled her weight and she is aproaching my birth weight: 9lbs 14oz. Ouch!

Scarlet's little friend, Shea Rose, was born this week on October 23. Her mom is a very good friend of mine. She was also born prematurely. Tina, my friend, was 31 weeks along when her water broke. They were able to keep her on bed rest in the hospital until week 32 when she had a c-section. Shea Rose weighs 4lbs, 8oz and is breathing on her own! However, just like Scarlet, she is planning on staying in NICU for about 6 weeks-2 months. I went and visited them on Thursday. All are doing well and I was able to pass along information and clothes - very stranges to me that Scarlet has actually grown out of clothes!

My heart and prayers are with Tina, Dan, and Shea.

8lbs 11oz!

I am sure she will hit 9lbs by the weekend. She is in a growth spurt right now - eating 5-6 ounces at each feeding! She has also been sleeping more at night these last few weeks, and lately more during the day. They say preemies go through twice as many growth spurts than full term babies, making it difficult to get on any kind of schedule. Oh well!

Here is Scarlet with Ragedy Ann:

And here is Scarlet's favorite song:

Scarlet Can Roll Over!

Scarlet is enrolled in school. Literally, she is enrolled in the San Bernardino County School District. She has a Special Education credentialed teacher who comes out once a week (or her assistant) for an hour and works with Scarlet to catch her up developmentally. She will stay with this program until she is caught up - or until she is 3 years old! Unbelievable! Scarlet just couldn't wait to get started on life, so we enrolled her in school. Of course, she has two teachers for parents.

The day after her first day (Registration Day), she actaully rolled over - first one way and then the other. She doesn't like it, so you can hear her complaining - but she can do it!

We reward her with flying through the air and singing - that she does like. It is so great to see her developing and responding so quickly already. This was three weeks ago - and already she is tracking things with her eyes and starting to discover her hands by grabbing and touching things. What a miracle and a blessing school is!

Happy Birthday, Cousin Haley!

This was the first time Scarlet met her cousins - and since they have moved to Georgia, it will be a while before they are all together again. However, here are the brothers with their children:


Here's Scarlet and her Daddy:
And Haley holding Scarlet - wow!

It's Been Awhile...

but I'm back. I haven't been on the computer in a while - updated my blog, checked my email, checked my school email in over a month. Why?

Well, several reasons - When I look at the last post, I realize that probably sums it up - stress. After all, watching your baby turn blue, being told to call 911, riding in an ambulance, and then being told it is simply because I am a new mom - well, it was not something I wish to go through again.

My recent stresses - and reasons for not updating:
1. Honestly - my postpartum depression took a turn for the worse and I am trying to lift myself back up again.
2. Len went back to work. This in some ways was a good thing - a little bit more normal life for both of us. He was home with Scarlet and I for about 5-6 weeks. With him back, he's on more of a schedule and I have more of my summer back - that I lost out on - so I am watching the entire show of Alias, reading, and most of all taking care of Scarlet. When he went back to work, my work somehow calmed down, but doubled.
3. Company - As another attempt at getting back to normal life, we have had people over for dinner. We have really enjoyed the company and look forward to seeing more people.
4. Len's brother and sister-in-law - who is a very dear friend of mine - moved to Georgia with their three kids this week. We have been saying goodbye to them - and I have been having a really hard time letting go. I am sad to see them go, but realize that we will still continue to stay in touch across the miles.
5. I am just really busy. Tuesdays is Parenting Preemies, Wednesdays Scarlet is in school (see above), Thursday is PPD group and breast feeding clinic (yup, still pumping and breastfeeding with a nipple shield. I tell ya, that is extrememly hard, but I know it is the best for her and I am determined not to give up!), and randomly I have other appointments and people to see...

Here is our most recent family photo: