Happy New Year!

Yes, we did another photo shoot here at Grandma's house. We can't help ourselves:) Dan, Svea, and I would have been ringing in the New Year with the Anderson's and Bjork's in Bismarck this year, but this three day blizzard has killed those plans. Dan went back to Minnesota so he wouldn't miss Sunday services and Svea and I stayed in Jamestown since we didn't feel comfortable with her on the road. I miss Dan:( I wish he were here, but I'm glad he's home safe. At least Grandma Beth is getting extra days with Svea....I know she and Grandpa Ron are elated that we are still here. Happy New Year everyone....2010 has been very good to us. We hope it's been a good year for you too!

p.s. sorry sweetie about the flower on her head...I know it's not your favorite!

Meeting Svea for the First Time

Obviously Mom did not meet Svea for the first time, but this was the two of them during our Christmas Day meal. Mom graciously gave up the opportunity to eat with all of us to hold the little girl. It was tough, but she got through it:)

Svea got to meet my Mom's side of the family for the first time this Christmas. My Aunt Shawn gave me a quick hug when she first saw me then said, "get out of my way....I wanna see that baby". Ha! They all loved her and enjoyed getting to meet her. They, of course, thinks she's a sweetheart as we do too!Aunt Shawn and LauraCousin Laura
Uncle John
Cousin Eric
Great-Grandpa Marlan

Rupert

This is my mom's cat. Yes, he IS a cat. I know he might not look much like a cat, but his genes say he is. Rupert is eight years old. We got him from a breeder in Arizona when I was in college. When I picked him up he didn't have any hair and looked like a Sphynx. He's actually a Cornish Rex. I think he looks like a cross between a cat, a rat, and a mini kangaroo. He's been so funny with the baby. The first night he hid under the bed, something he's never done, after she cried. He's doing better now and actually laid on Mom's lap last night while she held the baby. So yes, he looks a little alien and is quite neurotic, but this is the goofy cat Rupert. He seriously is THAT small....seven or eight pounds.

Happy Anniversary

Today marks three years that Dan and I have been married. I can sincerely say that I love my husband more today than ever. We've been through quite a lot in three short years. It's been crazy at times, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I love you sweetie and Happy Anniverary!

The picture below is for Kathy:) hee hee! It was taken last week in Paynesville....Svea is wearing the newborn sleeper you bought for her. She doesn't fit in it anymore!

2 Months

Svea-today you are two months old. What another amazing month we've had with you. Mommy has to go back to work after Christmas and this makes me so very sad. You have had so many changes this past month. I could not pick which two month picture to share. They are all so cute and we love how it looks like you have your arm around your bear like he's your best friend.
-You moved into size one diapers this month and you just started wearing 0-3 month clothes.
-You've started to SMILE! This has been our most favorite thing to do with you this month. Smiling is always on your terms, but when you give us a big smile it melts our hearts.
-You weight appromiately 11 lbs. We are not positive, but that's what we came up with when we weighed you at home.

-You started grabbing more at toys and really tracking when we move toys or music in front of your face. You will also turn towards our voices.
-Your neck muscles continue to get stronger and when we put you on your play mat your feet go wild

-You are eating every three hours and go one 4-5 hour stretch at night.
-You sleep with Mom in the guest bedroom on your side. It is the only way everyone gets sleep. This helps your acid reflux and you do much better with it.
-When you wake up at night to eat we change you and feed you and we are back to bed within 20-30 minutes.

-You really love your pacifier and use it a lot more this month. Everyone comments on how loud you are when you suck. You mean business!
-You are starting to coo and make noises like you are trying to communicate.
-At Grandma and Grandpa's house you discovered yourself in the mirror. We change you on the floor right next to the floor length mirror and it's fun to watch you see yourself. It makes you smile...you make us smile too! We love you! You are the best Christmas gift we could ever get!

More of Baby's First Christmas

These pictures range from the 24th to the 26th. Christmas Eve was just our little family of three plus a the infamous feline and canine that reside at our house. Even though our Christmas Eve is a little hectic it was still memorable. We made our tradition of knoefla soup....so good! Dan had three services and in between them we spent time together and I helped pack us up to head to Mayville the next day.


Christmas Day we drove to ND. We fed Svea at 9:00 am, jumped in the car, and decided to drive as far as we could before she woke up. I, however, forgot to let Dan in on these plans and by Fergus Falls he wanted to stop for food and bathroom. I wouldn't let him....sorry sweetie! He found some food in the car and got a taste of what pregnancy "I've got to pee" feels like. Ha! He was actually a trooper and we had a good laugh at my crazy addiction to manic driving when I'm trying to get from point A to point B. We made it in three hours and the little girl didn't say a peep. We fed her right when we got there, but it was great to make it the whole way.

We celebrated with my family, aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandparents. It was a very relaxing afternoon and evening. Mayville was where I spent my first Christmas so it was fun for me to have Svea's there too. Her Great-Grandparents were elated to have her. Grandpa Marlan had to be persuaded to give her up and Grandma Barbara got to rock and sing to her...one of her favorite things to do and a very fond memory of mine from when I was little.

On the 26th we made our way to Jamestown where we had Christmas with my Mom and Ron. Home always feels so comfortable and safe, but not with a little one it feels that way even more so. I'm not sure why, but it's great to be home.

Our First Family Christmas

I'll add some more photos later, but for now I know Kathy is probably going crazy not seeing any new pictures of little Svea in a few days! We had a wonderful first Christmas. She's been a very happy baby the last few days smiling for everyone. More soon:)

A Social Network Christmas

Christmas Pictures of Svea coming soon!

Back to Work....blah!

Say a prayer that my school springs a major water leak or the lunch ladies accidentally contaminate the entire lunch supply making it impossible to have school. Yes, I have to go to work this morning. As you read this I am driving there or just arriving with huge aligator tears. It is supposed to snow so maybe school will actually be cancelled. Dan is home today with Svea so that is comforting. I am still hoping that something happens that makes it possible for me to stay home more with Svea before she goes to school. I still think I could make good money by selling my breastmilk, but Dan isn't too keen on the idea....I'm still researching it! ha! The following are three pictures I took of Svea this past week. I am so goikng to miss seeing her little face today.Someone looks like a Dornfeld in this picture!
Smiling again....she's getting the hang of this!
Taking a nap in my pack n play....don't worry Mom doesn't leave the room when I sleep on my side with a hood on:) She lasted 20 minutes! We'll get there:)

Daddy's Girl

This just never gets old for me...watching these two interact. Dan, thank you for being such a wonderful Dad!

Bath Time

I don't know what she's staring at, but it's something exciting! I'm pretty sure she was looking at her Dad:) One of my former students and her parents sent us this little towel made for babies to wear while they have their bath to keep them warm. I wash her up and then put this on while I wash her hair and she really seems to like it. I love bath time....if it didn't dry up her skin I'd give her a bath for an hour. It'll be fun when she starts interacting with the water, but for now it's fun to see her reaction to the warm water.

First Trip to Church

Svea went to church for the first time today! Mom and Dad picked out her outfit last night together, which I think is SO cute how Dan actually has an opinion on what she wears. We picked out something different, but then this morning I realized the tutu was an option as I had a pair of black tights! I didn't think of it the night before and Dan approves as well:) Ha! She did so well. She slept or looked around the whole service and didn't cry once. Pastor Audrey introduced her and had us stand up. Her Mom and Dad are extremely proud!All ready to go!

Wait! I need a jacket...it's cold outside! Mom caught the tail end of my smile at her!

Merry Christmas From Our House to Yours

The ultimate gift is what we celebrate at Christmas time of Jesus dying for us on the cross. The second best gift is having such a wonderful family and our baby girl to share it with. Dan and I were talking the other night reminising from last year when we visited the Andreson's and helped put Laila to bed. She must have said a million times, "tell me the story about Jesus on the cross". It was so endearing and sweet...we can't wait to share that same story with our little girl. Merry Christmas!

Tummy Time

We haven't quite mastered the task of staying awake for this yet:)

Too Small or Too Big

Svea is in between sizes. Her newborn pants are getting too small, but theses 0-3 month pants are huge on her. She's still in mostly newborn clothes at almost seven weeks. Not much else is new...we are still enjoying our time at home together. I try not to think about having to go back to work....huge tear:(

Vikings Game Cancelled....

....because 16+ inches of snow and an inflatable roof just don't always hold out. This video is crazy to watch!
By the way Svea slept for another 4 1/2 to 5 hour stretch last night!!

A Snowy Blizzard Day in Pictures

Svea and I did some chores around the house this morning like this. She only tolerates the baby bjorn as long as she's sleeping. When she woke up we skyped with Grandma Beth in North Dakota.
We made a gluten and dairy free strawberry cream cheese cake! Yum....yes, those are fork marks in the cake where I just eat it right out of the pan. The effect of making and eating so much of this cake is I did Zumba this afternoon.

We had a blizzard today although you cannot tell from this picture. Dan had to go into church this morning and call people to cancel the Christmas Program practice.

Christmas cards are done and ready for delivery

We did some online shopping for Svea with the gift cards we had from her showers. Just as much fun as being in the store. I got some clothes and sleepers for her for when she is around 9 months.

At the end of the day we skyped with Grandma, Grandpa, and Ashlyn in Wisconsin.
She is kind of fussy this evening as she had spit up what seemed like most of her zantac this morning. We are waiting for the evening does to kick in....poor little girl, we both hate seeing her in pain. We're praying for a good night sleep for all of us.

Sleep!

Wow! Svea slept 4 1/2 hours last night for the first time! Mom is feeling rested and doesn't even remember her dreams! She then ate and went back to sleep in a half hour and slept 3 1/2 more! It was a good night and she is a happy baby today:)

Purple Tutu Photo Shoot

I just love her round belly!

Dan came home for lunch today to Svea and I having our own little photo shoot. Even though he claims he's not into bows and girly stuff I beg to differ because he was head over heals at how cute she looked. She will be 6 weeks tomorrow and I'm guessing she weighs around 9 lbs! Svea and I have been co-sleeping together the past few nights in the guest bedroom to accommodate for her acid reflux. She sleeps three hours at a time lying on top of my chest. We've pushed the bed against the wall and I sleep as close to the wall as I can. She does really well this way and we'll continue to take it day by day. I must admit, it feels so good to fall asleep snuggling our little girl:)

Dan's Christmas Horoscope

I came across this on msn....pick your favorite Christmas movie and there was a horoscope that shared your personality. Dan's pick was, of course, Charlie Brown Christmas. Here's what it says about him. Some parts are true and some are a "little" off:)

You are a romantic and probably practice hot yoga. You bemoan the loss of spirituality and real magic that Christmas had when you were a kid. You may also be prone to wishful thinking, which your friends cruelly call immaturity behind your back. But your conflictedness about the overcommercialism of Christmas and the lack of attention paid to Jesus's birth does honestly disturb you, though you rarely set foot in a church. But there's a real fun streak hidden in all that angst, and you'd like nothing better than to dance and drink your troubles away at the end of a really confusing day.

What We've Been Up To!

So the sleeping for longer periods on her back didn't last, however Svea is doing better with her acid reflux. We have just gone to having her sleep on our chest while we lay propped up on our backs so that she isn't in any pain at night and we all get more sleep. Although it's not the most comfortable we know it won't last forever.....at least this way we get even more snuggle time with her while she is still so small and wants to snuggle with her Mom and Dad! We'll keep trying every couple of nights to keep her on her back and see how long she lasts. It's still usually just an hour. She loves her play mat. She will follow the animals around with her eyes and occasionally reaches for the rings. I'm still pretty sure it's accidental reaches, but it's fun to pretend! She is getting close to smiling in reaction to our smiles. She's done it a few times, but nothing consistent yet.
These two just can't get enough of each other! Svea loves to cuddle with her Dad as much as she can.

Knock on Wood!

Guess who slept for 3 hours straight in her pack n play last night? This girl did!!!
Her parents are SO happy! I just about fell out of bed as I blindly felt around for my glasses in the middle of the night and finally saw the clock that read 3:00 am.....what time did we put her to bed???? It was 12:00! One, two, three, OMG that's three hours! Can I get a PTL, an Halleluiah, or an Amen! She hasn't slept this long in her pack n play for three weeks. I hope this means the zantac, gripe water, and mom cutting out dairy is helping her finally. As you see from the title this has only happened one night so we will be "knocking on wood"!

Grandma Beth Week

Here are a few pictures from Grandma Beth week! We had a few rough nights and some of the days blended together, but we had a great time trying to get Svea to smile at us, holding her, and playing with her on her exercise mat. We even got out of the house one day and went shopping to one store and took turns staying in the car with Svea as she's still not supposed to be "out" if we can help it. Thank you Mom and Dan for a great birthday and for helping me with Svea, getting a little break here and there to sleep! It has been wonderful to have Dan and Grandmas here for the past month to help through the most busiest "baby time"!