Update: Sleep

Well, I enjoyed the 8 hour sleeping stretches for a week, but baby girl has decided she likes to eat at 2:30am again. It was fun while it lasted...

(I should have known better...I warn parents of this all the time in the office...we'll get there again!)

Two Months Old!!

Exactly two months ago, today, I was heading to my OB for a routine check-up - not knowing that at 8:19 that evening, Jon and I would be blessed with the most beautiful little angel.

Now at 2 months, Leighton is smiling, cooing, tracking and entertaining us endlessly. We love her more than words could ever express!!

She also decided to bless us with the gift of sleep at 8 weeks - she is sleeping through the night - 9pm to 5am. AMAZING - Mommy is forever grateful!

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Our 2 month visit to the pediatrician was today, too:

Weight: 10 pounds, 10 ounces - maintaining at the 50th percentile

Length: 23 inches - maintaining at the 75th percentile

She screamed like crazy for her first big set of vaccines (ouch!), but calmed down when I was able to pick her up and love her...she ate and fell asleep soon after.

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Here's a little video of her this morning - like any baby, the moment the camera arrives, all the tricks immediately cease. We'll catch those coos and smiles soon!

New Year, New Look...

Yes, this is the right place...just decided to spice up the blog for 2009. Maybe it will become a yearly ritual. This blogging stuff is fun...we'll see how well I keep up with it when I return to work.

Yes, I am returning to work - Feb 2nd - I'll still be working 4 day weeks (like always), but I'll be seeing my last patient at 3:45 now, so I can be out of the office no later than 5pm to pick up my little angel. Before, I was seeing patients until 4:45 and sometimes, after charting and phone calls, I wouldn't leave until 6 or 6:30pm - that is too late for little Leigh-Bug to be waiting for me. So, now, we should be home around 5:15pm, and we'll anxiously await Daddy's arrival. I'll be so sad to leave Leighton...but she'll be in great hands.

M,W,F: Leighton will be watched by a friend who has a little girl (2 yrs old) and two older children in middle & high school. She lives 2 minutes from my office, so I can visit anytime!

T: Leighton will be watched by Grandma Mary (how awesome is that?!)...and have special playtime with her older cousin Taylor (8 months)! How PERFECT!

Th: Home with Mommy!

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The new blog design is courtesy of: Leelou Blogs

Growing Baby Girl...

Is she changing fast or what? I used to shrug off the statement "they grow so fast," but like so many other things about parenthood - it can't be denied...they DO grow and change so fast.

Leigh-bug in the 'Bumbo' is hilarious - she's so little and seeing her propped up to sitting position is too funny. She's unsure of it, though...wouldn't even crack a smile - plus, she says "my tights are creeping, mom, get me out of this thing...!!"

Haddads + Colorado

For those of you who don't know: Dani, Nick, Jake, Tye and Jossie moved to Colorado in December. (Leighton already misses her cousins...) They are on a huge lot in a small town outside of Breckenridge - lots of nature, animals, and SNOW! The boys have taken to snowboarding like little champions (do I see pro-extreme sports in their futures?)....and actually, Dani has really taken to it too!! Jossie is ready to graduate from skiis to a board - she can't be left in her brothers' dust. And Nick, who was already really good, is perfecting his skills and teaching the rest of the family. I thought I would share some recent photos since she has yet to start her own blog...(get going Dani! just kidding - love you lots and miss you terribly!)

Matt, Liz & Madeline in People Magazine

For those of you who follow my cousin's blog (who lost his wife during childbirth last March...), the current issue of People magazine (Jan 26th edition, Patrick Swayze on cover) features a very nice article on his struggles, joys, and overall adventures of single-parenthood.

His blog has become more than he could have ever imagined...initially, it was just intended to be an online journal for Matt to express his feelings, keep his family and friends updated, and for Madeline to read and reflect on 20 years from now.

It has since become a worldwide phenomenon with major media attention (I had summoned Oprah and Ellen to feature him on their shows when he first lost Liz...they never responded...), but now with possible book and reality show offers, who knows where his tragic misfortune in losing Liz will lead him and Madeline. He has a good head on his shoulders...he'll make the right decisions for his family...I know that.

He has also created a foundation in honor of Liz to help other parents who have lost a spouse and may be struggling to raise their children alone: The Liz Logelin Foundation: For the love of Liz

Here's a great video interview he did in Chicago that was placed on YouTube: Matt Logelin Interview; Chicago, Jan 2nd

Here is my own original blog post, if you missed it: Blogger Post, May 2008

The whole story still brings tears to my eyes...I can't even start to imagine...

Smile!

So, here she is...smiling away!! Caught it mostly with my cell phone camera and a few with the still shot camera - although the LCD screen on my Sony Cybershot is on the fritz (after 5 years and about 3 drops to the ground) - so we will be purchasing a new camera soon, after I'm done researching all the new technology. I might be able to get a few more images out of my old one; the screen decides to work off/on for no rhyme or reason...we'll see. In the meantime...here's our smiling girl!

preparing for the big moment...

thinking a little more...

yes! there it is!

...and again!

...and again!

daddy's tickling me...

what a happy girl!

Smile?

Leighton is definitely smiling responsively to people and toys now (so exciting!)...but I swear the second she sees the camera nearing, she changes her mood - too funny!! I will keep trying to catch that heartwarming gesture...in the meantime, enjoy these pics of my attempt to catch our growing angel smiling. Oh, and daddy showing off his Bjorn skills (thanks, Gubby!). Aw...my two favorite people.

after bathtime - little "chick"

pooped out from all that work...

she smiled seconds prior to that frown...

now she's distressed from all the attention...

"no hands...look at us"

New Years

Welcome 2009!!! What a big year this will be - little Leighton will be changing so much in the coming year. Jon and I have so much to celebrate and to be thankful for.

We spent New Years at the Aupperles - food, fun and games! So different than New Years in Las Vegas like the last few years...oh how times have changed. We were home by 11pm...and by the time Leighton was settled and asleep - Jon and I said "Happy New Year" to each other - and drifted off to sleep ourselves.

Paige (almost 2 years), Taylor (8 months)