Not Megan related

One more thing. My brother Danny and his wife Denise have some friends from Utah State who are moving to Missoula to go to graduate school. SO they tell them we live here and they'll get us in touch for info. on apartments, etc. Apparently at the gathering where this information was shared, my brother also says to Stephanie and her husband -- "I don't know how much you'll hang out with them because they're kind've old." To which Stephanie asks our age and when Danny replies that we're 28 and 30 Stephanie tells him that's how old she and her husband are. I don't know whether to be appalled that I am suddenly old or laugh at how delightfully he stuck his foot in his mouth! I love him, but Denise is now my favorite!

Even when she's crying . . .

Megan is cute. Ok I'm going to apologize AGAIN that everything I post is gushing over my daughter but how could you not?

There are a few things that make the girl really cranky and crying: getting out of the bathtub and going to sleep. But even when we've been rocking for 1/2 and hour and she's not calming down, she still makes us laugh (which I think then makes her mad). If she gets really upset, she snorts. If she calms down, she whines -- makes these little protest cries even though she's practically asleep. I think the whining will get really old as she grows but snorting never stops being funny!

We had a beautiful warm Sunday so Megan and I got to wear short sleeves to church! Of course then they turned on the air conditioning. What is wrong with room temperature?

Thumbidextrous

So its the little things that make me happy: Megan is sucking her left thumb as well as her right. Maybe there's hope for being a leftie after all!

I can't believe April is just about over. We are finally getting some weather that is consistently in the 50s and of course my mom has to call from Virginia where they are headed to the beach and tell me how wonderful it is! Other than that, nothing really to report right now.

Talking up a Storm

Megan does not perform for the camera. I think she gets more interested in what is that black thing in front of mom's face! I've been trying and trying to get video of her talking because its so fun to finally have a conversation (so to speak). She really likes to talk to me when she's in the bathtub and she's pretty good about it when I'm on the phone with my mom. She doesn't talk a ton but its pretty cute.



We've been having issues with Megan's head -- she really favors her right side and so we've been working to get her to turn to her left more. Generally speaking, it works because we turn her head after we put her down for the night but last night we hit a snag. Megan has really discovered her thumb and she now wants to suck on it all night. I don't object generally speaking -- with both of our genes for her teeth and jaw she's doomed anyway -- but it's her right thumb so that means she wants to turn that way! I think she's going to be right-handed. I have a hard time depriving her of her thumb because I remember how much I loved mine when I was little!

My Growing Girl

I know she's growing, but it really hits you when you pack a cute outfit away or when you put them in the carseat! The first picture is the day she came home from the hospital and the other one is yesterday. She's getting so big!
On another note, I love having a girl (no offense to everyone with boys) because of the dress-up. I was inspired by my friend Alicia's friend to make my own headbands since the ones in stores often look like garters! This is my first creation . . . and I'm hooked. Someone is going to get a lot more fancy!

Megan's Quilt

I finally finished it! I had decided I wanted to something bright for Megan and not your traditional pink for a girl and I absolutely love stars so I pieced this top before she was born and then with the rush of finishing school and moving, etc. I never got it quilted. Lately Megan's naps have gotten better and our apartment is not that big so there's not much to do so for the past few weeks I have been watching all of my favorite movies in bits and pieces and quilting Megan's quilt! It's finally done and I am so excited. But considering how long it took, I probably should get started on a twin size for her so that when she graduates to a real bed it will be ready to go!

Clarification

That's a flowbee (spelling?). It's a device for cutting hair that you attach to the vacuum cleaner. Best infomercial investment my parents ever made I think.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's 53rd birthday! It's also his first birthday as a Grandpa and I think 53 is a good age for that because he'll be able to make Megan fly and play MarioKart with her. Those are two things that dad did with us as kids . . . ok the MarioKart is something we still do -- its great for father/daughter bonding, especially since I win all the time.

I thought about writing 53 things I love about my dad but thought that people might get tired of reading this all so here's just a few:
He has a great sense of humor. The first time he met Chopper, he wore fake ugly teeth because you always want to make a good impression when your daughter brings a guy home!
He is really good at listening when I have a problem and offers excellent advice.
He's great for Gospel info when you have a question or are preparing a talk -- heck he's great for a talk when you don't want to prepare, he just pulls them out of the file (just kidding)!
He takes funny pictures that I think really show who he is and since I'm in Montana and can't get into trouble for this . . . I love you dad, happy birthday!

Beautiful Weather!

It has finally been beautiful! Yesterday and today we've hit the upper 60s, lower 70s. Chopper and I took Megan to the river and started walking and it turns out she's not a fan of her stroller. Ok, at least being in it only. Since our infant carrier snaps right in it was an easy fix. I guess it'll take some more time to become a stroller baby. But getting out in fresh air and walking around does wonders for the soul. I only hope that the weather stays beautiful so I can enjoy it with her everyday!
Getting strapped into the stroller before we discovered that she would rather ride in the car seat. It was a nice try though.
The mountains behind our apartment complex. We actually live in a nice neighborhood with parks and plenty of sidewalk.
The courthouse in downtown Missoula. They've kept a lot of the original artwork and design on the inside as well so its a really pretty building.

New Gadgets

It is amazing to me that there is literally a product out there for everything you could imagine. How in the world did our parents raise us without all this stuff? Actually, I've tried to be careful about what I have bought into and what I haven't. For example, I have not purchased a changing table because the floor comes with our apartment and she can't wiggle off of it. But I gave in and bought something new: a Snugli. It's the backpack that you wear on your chest and she faces in until she can hold her head steady and then we can put her in to face out. More and more when she's fussy she likes to be held up or facing out to see what's going on. If I cradle her and she's not tired, she arches her back so she can hang her head back and look at the world upside-down. I love the inquisitiveness but my arms are getting tired. So I've only had her in the Snugli a few times and the jury's still out. So far:

PROS
1. She doesn't hate it.
2. It leaves my arms free for the most part so I can do more than I can when I just hold her because I have one arm carrying her and one arm supporting her head.
3. It puts her head in prime real estate for kissing (see example).



CONS
1. I feel like it pulls my back forward and I hunch (again, see example)

2. It's kind've hard to get her in and out of it, she doesn't slide very well, which is probably good for not falling out right?
3. When she throws up (as she did yesterday), there's nowhere for it to go except all over me. Normally I can at least jump out of the way but no, yesterday I heard it coming and all I could do was take it.

April is National Poetry Month!

I completely spaced this until yesterday. That's what I get for living in a mommy bubble! Megan and I are going to start reading Shel Silverstein for the rest of the month I think. But I love poetry. Its hard to teach and learn but I do love it. Someday, my dream is to have a magnificent library, preferably like the one on Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and have one wall with pictures of my family, nature, architecture, and framed poetry. So in honor on National Poetry Month I have added my favorite poetry website from the Academy of American Poets to my list and this is my favorite poem in the world and some pictures that I think really illustrate the poem. I hope I don't get into copywrite trouble -- he's been dead for hundreds of years so I don't think that he'll care. Maybe he'll be flattered. I guess I'll find out when I see him after I die right?

Pied Beauty by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Glory be to God for dappled things--
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches' wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced--fold, fallow, and plough;
And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Diaper Decision

Thanks ladies for your input! I'm going to stick with Pampers for now. I'd rather spend a little more on diapers and have peace of mind. Plus, I need to keep those clothes as clean as I can for future babies! But it wasn't much of a trial I guess. Anyone want some size 2 Parent's Choice diapers? Now on to the other hundred decisions that need to be made!

So even though Megan looks like Chopper, she acts like me: gets the hiccups constantly (Chopper hasn't had hiccups in years practically), needs lots of sleep to be in a good mood, loves to read (I am not kidding on this-- you should see how she reacts to the war chapters of Alma in the Book of Mormon when I read them to her. Needless to say she was very excited when Ammoron was defeated), and talks alot/makes noises. But I have found another trait of Chopper's (or Grandma's -- they'll have to fight it out for gene authority on this one): Megan can roll and fold her tongue. Impossible to get on film but she's just so darn cute with her tongue hanging out anyway. But its a fun little talent to watch.

Diaper Diaries -- Day 1

Myth: The only decision to be made about diapers is cloth or disposable.
Fact: Whether you choose cloth or disposable, there are about 10 different choices within either category that make a difference.

Myth: Any kind of diaper will do.
Fact: To be uncovered!

So before Megan was born we were given about two months worth of diapers by friends, family, and the hospital so we hadn't bought any. And while the brands varied, the overwhelming brand we were given was Pampers. In fact, when they gave me ice packs at the hospital, it was actually a newborn swaddler from Pampers that they cut open and filled with ice. Those ice packs NEVER leaked and I would wear them for hours. When we ran out of Pampers in the newborn size we switched to diapers in a bigger size and Megan got really rashy. Its been a fight to keep diaper rash away. I don't use wipes and wash her bum every night. So now I'm back in Pampers but they are expensive so I am on a quest: to find a cheaper diaper that will work.

Today was day 1 and I am using Parent's Choice -- the Walmart brand. Never before have I had the infamous "blowout" but today it happened! Infant poop is bright mustard yellow and watery and it leaked out at her legs and stained her adorable elephant pants! The diaper isn't extremely absorbant and I'm irritated. The problem is the smallest pack is like 50 diapers so now I have 47 diapers that I either use and put up with or something. And I guess I should try another brand. Anyone have any suggestions? I might just pay the money for the peace of mind and cleaner clothes!

2 months!

Megan's 2 month birthday isn't actually until Sunday but her appointment was yesterday. She's doing really well:

Weight -- 11 lbs 10 oz
Length -- 23 1/4 inches
Head -- 15 1/4 inches

Her weight and length put her in the 80th percentile but her head is only 50th. So what that means is that Chopper can no longer call her fat head but can still use terms of endearment such as sausage fingers, jelly roll, and chipmunk cheeks. Actually, when you look at her, her weight and length make her very proportional -- she's not fat by any standard but she does have the most delightful pudginess! She is growing very well.

On the sad side, she got her first shots and that was not fun. I also got a shot -- I've needed a tetanus booster for a few years now but after my mom told me that they use a big square needle (she denies this), I've been putting it off. Actually, it wasn't bad. April, the nurse, was very good and even though I hate my baby being sick and sad there is something wonderful in being the person that she goes to when she is. She's also getting closer to getting that thumb -- its a blurry picture but when we used the flash she startled and pulled it out of her mouth.

He's home!

Between Minneapolis and Missoula there was so much snow (I know, on March 31st!) that Chopper's plane was delayed and we didn't pick him up until nearly 3 in the morning. Then he went to work today. It's SOOO good to have him back!

He was also a sweetheart and brought me presents! A pair of socks from UMW (University of Mary Washington -- my alma mater) because I love socks and a UMW onesie for Megan (yay!) and, this is the best part, a case of Northern Neck Ginger Ale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those of you who don't know, and most of you probably don't -- I'm sorry for your deprivation -- Northern Neck is the BEST ginger ale ever. I was introduced to it by my best friend Krista in college because she is from that area -- King George and Tappahanock, Virginia area -- don't you just love the name Tappahanock? I love Virginia names. Anyway, it's wonderful -- nice and dry with a good ginger flavor and not as sweet as Canada Dry or other brands. Wow, I sound like I'm describing a wine or something. Well this case is going to be treated like a good wine, special occasions only! Its amazing the little things that make us happy!


By the way, Happy April Fool's Day!