Two Months

Lucy has changed so much this month! She is weighing in at 12 pounds 8 ounces and is 23 1/4 inches long...needless to say our little one isn't so little anymore! Her first real doctor visit went well, even the shots. On the initial poke I saw this wave of terror cross her face, and she looked at me like, "What the HELL, MOM!?!?" and then burst into tears. But once it was all over and I picked her up, she was fine. She slept a lot today but otherwise handled things like a real trooper.

You wouldn't know it from her picture, but she is all smiles these days. She's got a huge grin that lights up her whole face, but gets shy around a camera. She responds to noises we make and is very interested in the shape of our mouths and how we make all of those fascinating sounds. She turns her head to look at things and stare at toys and mobiles, and it looks like she's thinking about how she can get her hands on them. Won't be long now!

Besides her smiles she's got all kinds of other faces, but a lot of the time she looks very serious and studious about things. Her brow crinkles up like she's concentrating really hard. I took her into work to visit a couple of weeks ago, and everyone was trying to figure out who she looks like. I said most often she seems to resemble Husband, although some of her faces are totally me. Right on cue, she made the "studious" face, and a longtime co-worker of mine said, "yep, that's Jessica!"

We have also gotten out quite a bit more this month, including a road trip to Iowa to visit my parents over the 4th of July. It was just she and I, and I have to say she was a champ. She loves the car and is generally asleep within minutes of taking off. I've also taken her along to run errands, and we go for walks around the neighborhood or to meet friends for a walk in the park or around one of the lakes.

Another big milestone this month was that Lucy started sleeping through the night. Since July 10th she has been generally sleeping from about 10:30PM until 6AM. This is HUGE! She started doing this all on her own, with no "training" from us. The first couple of nights I kept waking up and checking on her to make sure she was breathing (first time parent paranoia I guess). The bedtime has varied a bit sometimes, but is getting more consistent. We are now working on laying her down when she is drowsy instead of totally asleep, and have a bedtime routine in place. She likes the bath, so we have her little tub out every night as part of the whole process. I am just counting my blessings and enjoying the sleep while I can, since I know there will be backslides every now and then.

Overall Lucy is more of a joy each and every day. Things have gotten a bit easier now that she's more resilient and interactive, not to mention that I'm getting some sleep! She is growing and changing so fast...I already have those feelings of "she's never going to be this small again..." I have about a month left before I have to go back to work, and I plan to enjoy it to the fullest.

Weekend Fun

This weekend, my cousin Kristi made the trip up from Dubuque, IA to see us. We had such a good time...after putting Lucy down for the night on Friday, we stayed up talking, finally going to bed when we realized it was 2AM! Saturday morning we went to the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, then to a favorite local fabric shop Crafty Planet, followed by a late lunch. Lucy was such a good little girl while we were out. I carried her in the Baby Bjorn when we were at the farmer's market, which she loves, and she was awake and just looking around while we were shopping and at lunch. I think she enjoyed our girls day!

Kristi and I were able to go out to dinner that night while Husband watched Lucy, which was great. We talked and talked and drank a margarita and some beer(s)...which I have not been able to partake in for quite some time! I loved having her here, and Lucy gave her all kinds of smiles. It was such a great weekend (wish I would have taken more photos) thank you Kristi for coming!


Today was a pretty relaxing day around here, and I took advantage of the time to organize some photos from the past couple of months and get them uploaded to my Flickr account while Lucy napped with her daddy. Check them out here (or click on the photo link on the right side of this page). Best way to view is by clicking on the labeled sets on the right side of my photostream page. Enjoy!

Happy 16th Birthday, Brandon

Dear Brandon,

WHAT A YEAR. Holy roller coaster. This one has been tough for you on many levels. I can safely say, though, that we seem to be climbing back up to the level part of the ride. For all of this year's troubles, you have hung on and handled it for the most part in a quiet, patient way. I recognize it because it is exactly how your father handles things.

In the midst of all of this, you found out you were getting a new brother or sister. We told you this news while having dinner at Olive Garden, and you said, "cool." You also expressed your interest in having a brother. :) The very last day of May, your sister Lucy was born. I was worried you might be disappointed she wasn't a boy, but you didn't seem to mind. I will always remember you coming to visit me in my room while I was in labor, and the first time you came to meet Lucy and hold her.

As always Brandon, you are most helpful around the house, especially since Lucy was born and I have been home on maternity leave. You take care of Buddy and make sure he gets out during the day. He loves to go rollerblading with you. You and your dad have done quite a bit of landscaping and yard work this summer, which you seem to really enjoy. When you're in the house, you always ask me if there is anything I need you to do. If I need a break to take a shower or some other two-handed activity, you are always eager to take Lucy and hold her or give her a bottle. I can't tell you how much this helps.

Just a couple of days ago, we learned that some things finally happened that make it one step closer for you to officially live at our house. To celebrate, your dad took us out to dinner at Santorini, and we all experimented with some Greek food. I hope this is a time you will always remember, as I will. I know it has been months and we have not ever been sure that this would happen...but I hope you know we always wanted you here. You are the missing puzzle piece in our funny little family.

This year will be another one full of changes. A new school, new friends, maybe your first job (and hopefully driving - you know what you need to do!) Overall, a new start. Dad, Lucy and I are right there with you as you take the journey.

Love,
Jess

PS - Oh, and physically? You are now taller than your dad. You started wearing contacts instead of glasses, and look like a young man. Look out girls of Hopkins High School, there's a new kid in town! :)

You Don't Have to Convince Me...

Star Spangled Spectacular

Lucy and I took a roadtrip together down to Storm Lake to spend the 4th with my family. Husband and Brandon stayed home so I could have the liberty of leaving and returning whenever I wanted to, because I'm told that's what people on maternity leave are supposed to do...so we left Thursday and came back Monday. Lucy was a champ in the car, mostly sleeping the whole way down and back.

We had a great time. I had forgotten how much fun SL is on the 4th, and this was even a cool and damp one. It may not seem like a big deal to an outsider, but I think it just reminds me of growing up there. I'm a sucker for traditions and the 4th of July was something we always celebrated when I was a kid - we go to the parade, we go to my grandparent's house for lunch, we go to the park to see all of the displays and art booths, maybe catch a show in the bandshell, then we head to the lake and stake out our spot for the fireworks. The whole Overmohle clan sits in the same place every year for the parade, and the same place every year for the fireworks. Although the scenery has changed a bit over the years, I love the fact that any member of our extended family can know where to find us. As my own family expands, I hope this tradition continues and we are able to make it back at least every now and then to be reminded of what a small town 4th of July is all about.

Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us. It was nice to spend the time with you!