Princess Mia

A woman I work with gave Mia one of the most adorable baby gifts I've ever seen. I cannot wait to stroll her around the park in this!

10 Weeks Old

Being Mia's mother is by far the most rewarding thing I've ever done. As much as I knew I wanted to be a mother, I just didn't grasp how deep my love for her would be. I still cry several times a week just from watching her and feeling my love for her swell inside me. It usually happens when she needs me. I've learned how to soothe her and she now knows I'm her "go-to" person. Most times as soon as I cuddle her, no matter what is going on with her, she'll calm down. I can tell from the way she looks at me that she depends on me and that kicks all my mothering instincts into gear. I don't ever want to let her down.

Mia has a good command of her neck now so we've put her in her big girl seat this week and we removed the sling from her bathtub. She loved sitting down in the water and kicking her feet. I can't wait to get her in the pool this summer! She continues to talk more and more, mimicking the varying pitches of our voices with her own. Mike and I are mesmerized by her and spend hours each day talking to her.

Our weekend

On Friday we finalized the loan paperwork for Moda. That evening we celebrated with Jennifer and Freddy and their kids at a pizza place. Afterward Margo and Grant had us over for some adult beverages. We sat outside drinking and enjoying the weather. It was a great night and Mike and I will never forget it!

The following day we were very hung over and did not accomplish much of anything until late in the day. I went to the mall and finalized my Oaks outfit. Mamaw and Papaw Robbins stopped by to see Mia and brought ribs with them. Yummy!

On Sunday I took Mia to brunch with the Wilsons. We went to see Marsha and Cathy's new place in the Highlands and it turns out their backyard looks straight into the back of Matt's apartment. What a coincidence! We hung out for quite awhile and it completely reminded me of when I was a kid and Grandma and Grandpa would cook Sunday dinner and we'd all hang out together. It made me realize how much I miss them but how happy I am that we have such a close family. I know Mia will grow up knowing the love, fun and security that comes from having such a large, happy family.

After we left Marsha's we hung out with Nana and Pawpaw Wilson, then went to watch Emie play softball. Unfortunately Emie hurt her hand and had to leave the game early to go to the urgent care center. Dad told me later that she chipped a bone in her hand. My heart was breaking for her. Her parents are going through a divorce right now, such a traumatic time for a child on its own. Now she's got to deal with this too. Please keep her and Sam in your thoughts and prayers. They are such sweet, good kids.

Mia and I finished up our Sunday by a visit to Granny Hollkamp. Mom was putting together her Oaks and Derby outfits and wanted me to take a look. All I have to say is she looked HOT! I told her I wanted to wear the outfits she bought! We had a very nice mommy/daughter visit. Mom and I have always been close, but I have felt even closer to her now that I'm a mom. I told her that I look at Mia and I have so many overwhelming feelings of love for her. I said that it's even sweeter to me because I know that she looked at me that way when I was a baby and she had all those feelings for me that I have for Mia now. Of course she laughed and said she didn't look at me like that until after I was 3 months old (I had colic until then!). 

It is making me sad to realize I only have two weeks left before I go back to work. Kim asked me today if I really didn't want to go back, because she would miss the adult conversation. I agree that I'd miss the conversation, but I can honestly say that I truly enjoy just hanging out with Mia all day. I love talking to her, playing with her, singing to her, and watching all the new things she does. Maybe at some point I'd get bored with it or I'd need more, but I'm definitely not there yet. My sticking point would be my ego. I get so much of my identity from my job. I'm very proud of what I do and how far I've worked my way up since I've been out of the military. I'm not sure I could give that up, or if I did, what that would do to my self-esteem. But who knows what the future will bring. I told Mike and Freddy that I want to look into web design and start managing Moda's e-business. If that ends up being successful, maybe there's an "at-home" future in that for me!

Moda Ready

On Tuesday Mike and I took Mia for a walk in the park and then went to visit Mamaw and Papaw. I got some really cute pictures of them with Mia. Finally!

Mike and Freddy signed the lease yesterday for the store space and we close on the loan tomorrow. Construction should begin next week, with a goal of opening in time for the development's grand opening June 20. Freddy and Mike met with an event planner yesterday to begin working on our opening events. Looks like we'll do a fashion show complete with a red carpet. The planner used to work in NYC and has a contact at GQ. Apparently they have expressed interest in sponsoring our opening event. We'll see!

Two Month Check-Up

Well, Miss Mia had her two month check-up today. Our little Piglet is getting big! Mia now weighs 11 lbs 4 oz and is 23 inches long. She is in the 75th percentile for height and weight! The doctor seemed to question the amount we're feeding her, but I bumped it up only due to Mia's demand. I usually feed her 5 times a day and 4-5 ounces per feeding (unless we do a "dream feed", in which she'll only take about 2 ounces). I don't force her to eat, and I stop when she's full. It amazes me that I'm being questioned about it because in the beginning I was being questioned about feeding her too little! 

Mia got her two-month shots today also. She screamed when she got them and it broke my heart to hear her like that. I cried a little too. But as soon as they gave her the liquid vaccine (can't remember which one that was) she calmed down immediately. She must have liked the taste. She has slept a little more than usual today and we took a nap together in Mommy's bed this afternoon. But otherwise she's done fine. I put a small amount of pain reliever in her bottle to help any soreness or fever, so maybe that's made it easier on her.

Mia has been sleeping great! She almost always has a stretch of anywhere from 5-8 hours each night. She sleeps in her car seat in her bedroom. After she slept so well at Granny's in her car seat, and after I went in to check on her in her bed two times and found her laying in spit-up, I thought I'd try it out. The first night I tried it she slept 5 hours. Ever since then, she's done very well in there, always sleeping at least that long. I figure if she's sleeping 5-8 hours, she must be okay! I still lay her down in her crib for naps, and once she stops the random jerking motions with her hands when she sleeps, I'll put her in her crib at night also. At this point we have a system that's working and I don't see any need to mess with it!

Mike and I are now alternating nights with Mia since she only wakes up once between her "dream feed" and her "morning feed". She usually sleeps from 11 to 4 or 5, then wakes up for "the day" at about 7 or 7:30, so we're trying to get her to forgo the bottle at that first wakening. We give her the paci and usually she falls back to sleep. Sometimes she really is hungry and will wake back up, but other times she'll sleep until 7. And there have been two occasions when she hasn't woken up at all, but has slept the full 8 hours. I read that her stomach is now large enough to hold the food required to sleep that long, that's what prompted our experiment. So we'll see how it goes. It will be very nice to have her sleeping through the night once I go back to work.

Today Mia started trying to get her entire fist in her mouth. Up until now she's licked her thumbs and fingers a lot, but hasn't gone so far as to try to shove it all in. She was doing pretty well for her first attempts! She also started reaching for her feet today. She was very busy!

Some other news:

• Today was Daddy's first day of "Moda-ployment". Last Friday was his last day at First Res. We still haven't finalized the loan or the lease for the store so it's a little uneasy, but we expect them both to be done within the next week.  We'll keep you posted!
• Mom, Missy, Cara and I went to a scrapbooking workshop in Richmond over the weekend. It was a very relaxing time. I love to scrapbook and I finished an entire album of Mia's birth and hospital stay. It was nice to get away with Mom and Missy after saying good-bye to Grandma last week. We needed the time together. 
• While I was scrapbooking, Daddy and Mia spent the weekend together. On Saturday Mia stayed the night with Mamaw and Papaw while Daddy helped Matt move into his new apartment. Mia told me she had a wonderful time!
• Yesterday Mike and I took Mia to visit Matt's new apartment across from Cherokee Park. We ended up taking a 3.5 mile walk, and I carried Mia in the Bjorn for over 3 of those miles! Matt pushed the stroller in case I couldn't hang, but I only passed the carrier over to Mike at the very end. Great exercise!
• I don't think I can stress this enough, I am madly in love with my daughter. I just sit and watch her and think about all the fun we're going to have through the years. I love holding her, rocking her, laughing with her, playing with her...I'm in heaven just being her mom. I would do anything for that girl and every choice Mike and I make for her is out of love and research and thoughtful consideration. I have found myself getting defensive lately when someone questions the choices we make for her. Lately I've been questioned about the amount of food we feed her (some say too much, others act like we're starving her), where she's sleeping (some can't believe she's not in her crib, others think she should be in our room), what clothes she's wearing (she's either overdressed or going to catch a cold), what type of child care we're going to use (home care, nanny, daycare)...it goes on and on. I believe that most people have good intentions, but it's starting to wear on me. I just try to keep in mind that we're her parents and ultimately we know what's best for her.
• Amy R noted in her blog that she's never in any photos with RJ because she's always the photographer and I'm no different. I'll work on that. Also, thank you to Amy for the idea of the photo show!

Mia's Second Month

Shaking Things Up

I awoke with a start this morning to my bed shaking back and forth. I sat up and quickly noticed my other bedroom furniture was shaking as well. Although it was dark, I could hear the lamp, picture frames and candles rocking back and forth. I knew immediately it was an earthquake. I didn't feel panicked because it didn't seem like the walls were going to crumble or anything. So I just sat there, listening and waiting to see if it would get stronger. It didn't. Once it stopped I went to the living room. Mike had been asleep on the couch (it was his turn with Mia) and when I got out there he was looking out the door. He hadn't been sure it wasn't a tornado, although he was saying he hadn't heard any storms. We checked on Mia and went back to bed. Once we got up for the day an earthquake was indeed confirmed, a 5.2 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was in Illinois, over 160 miles away. What an interesting start to our day!

Another major occurrence today is that it's Mike's last day at First Res. His primary job after today will be entrepreneur! He is very nervous, as I would expect, but excited also. I have complete faith in him and in this idea, and I can't wait to see what the next year will bring. Worst case scenario is that the idea doesn't work, we sell off the inventory, move to a less expensive house or apartment, and he has some great experience for his resume. Well, I take that back. The worst case scenario would be if he had this great opportunity and did nothing with it, regretting it for the rest of his life. That would be worst case. So I'm 100% supportive. Who wants to sit around in old age talking about all the things they could have done?

Mia Cakes

I can't remember if I blogged about Mike's plan to make Mia Cakes each Sunday morning for his girl as soon as she's old enough. Mia Cakes will be pancakes made especially for her, I'm assuming in whatever shape her heart desires, with whatever ingredients or toppings she so chooses. Even though this Sunday ritual won't be happening anytime soon, the name Mia Cakes has stuck with us, and we now refer to our girl as Mia Cakes (as well as Mia Milk Face, Piglet and Punkin). Here are a few pics of Mia Cakes. We need to get some updated pics with Mamaw and Papaw Robbins to add to the collection.

The Old Ladies

Funerals are never easy, and today was no different. It was so hard seeing my mom and her siblings grieve for a woman who we all secretly thought would live forever. I mean, the woman was never sick until a few short months ago. I always thought that was such a gift to her, to be able to live her life the way she wanted to until the very end. But I think that made her sudden illness and passing much harder for her children. 

Having lost Grandma Ruby so recently, I think it somehow made Grandma Sarah's passing easier for me. I realized there comes a time when it is no longer the best thing for them to hang on and we need to let them go. The one thing that was different about today was that Grandma Sarah left behind a sister. For as long as I can remember, it's always been Grandma and Aunt Catsy. They come as a pair. The family has taken to fondly referring to them as "the old ladies". Today, as we were leaving the church I happened to catch a glimpse of Aunt Catsy, sitting very still in her wheelchair as everyone filed out around her. She was watching Grandma's casket and there was such a look of grief on her face. As I watched her it hit me in my gut how I would feel if something happened to Missy and it was heart-wrenching. I immediately sought out my own sister and clung to her.  We just stood there together, crying. I pray to God that Missy and I have as many years together as those "old ladies" did, and I pray that Aunt Catsy can somehow find peace without her sister.

Grandma Sarah

Grandma passed away this morning. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. 

So many blessings

In case I have failed to mention this before, I am so crazy in love with my husband and my baby. I can't believe how blessed I am to have them both in my life. I feel so full and complete now. There is no more perfect feeling than when Mike and I are laying together with Mia, kissing her, watching her, laughing at her while she laughs at us. Is there really anything sweeter? Since I first found out I was pregnant, my relationship with Mike has gotten deeper and deeper, but now there is an additional excitement and respect between us. We've created this perfect, beautiful child and we can't wait to see what new things she'll bring us each day. I still can't believe the joy I feel just laying on the floor next to Mike and Mia as she takes in the world around her. And when she squeals or squeaks - well, that makes me smile until I cry. Happiness. That's what I'm filled with. And so much love. I am blessed.

Grandma Sarah

Grandma Sarah is not doing well. In fact, when I got to the hospital yesterday evening, the nurses were telling mom she had "minutes" to live. We all went in, gathered around her, said prayers, told her good-bye and waited. Well, we're still waiting. Grandma apparently had other plans!

It was nice to be with our family, listening to stories I'd never heard. It's always eye-opening to hear others' perspectives on a person and to hear about a side of them you have never experienced yourself. I remember feeling like this after both Grandma Ruby's and Uncle Jimmy's deaths also. There were so many other facets of their lives that I never knew until they were gone. The same holds true with Grandma Sarah. I got to hear about a woman who told bedtime stories to her children where she was the hero, I learned her favorite songs, I heard about her strength and the respect her former co-workers had for her. It shouldn't be surprising that there are so many things about her I didn't know. She lived a full 55 years before I was even born! But we each have only a limited understanding of the people around us based on our own interactions, when in truth there are so many other experiences in their lives that make them who they are.

I am sure the end is very near for my grandma and it will be sad to see her go. But I am so completely comforted to know that she lived her live more completely in her later years than anyone I've ever heard of. It's not often someone passes at 90 having had no serious health problems or hospitalizations until 4 months prior to their death. Not many women her age would still take the bus to exercise class or walk to McDonald's to meet her friends for coffee (or in her case, tea). I admire her ability to squeeze every drop of fun and enjoyment out of the life she was given, and I hope I can follow the example she set for me.

Baby Talk

Well, Mia started talking to me today. I was holding her and surfing the web and I heard her going "g-g-g-g-g". I stopped what I was doing and started mimicking her. She smiled and did it again. We did that three times and then she made some other assorted gurgles and coos. I put her on her play mat and she started making other noises. I called Mike so he could hear her and I also videotaped her for a couple minutes. What a big girl!!

7 Weeks Old

We've been very busy and haven't done a good job of keeping you all updated. Life with a baby is very full!

• Mia had her first road trip. We went to Cincy to celebrate birthdays with the Wilsons. She did very well and had a lot of fun with her Nana and Pawpaw, aunts, uncle and cousins. 
• Matt and Allison stopped by for a visit last week. Unfortunately Mia was a little fussy while they were here. Seems like that never fails to happen when we have visitors.
• Mia also had her first portraits taken. She cried and cried for quite awhile and we thought we'd have to leave and try again another time. But she ended up settling down enough for us to get some really great shots. 
• Mommy and Mia went to the mall twice last week! Our first trip was quite the adventure. It was pouring down rain and I couldn't figure out how to open the stroller. Mia sat in the car screaming while I stood in the rain calling Daddy to get instructions. Mia also pooped while waiting and I had to take her to the public restroom to change her. Just so happened that bathroom didn't have a changing station, so I had to do it on the stroller. She had a poop explosion and it was on her clothes. Mia proceeded to put her hands and feet in it, and it was about that time that I discovered I only had two wipes left. Good times! Our second trip to the mall went much better.
• We had lunch on Thursday with some girlfriends from Jewish and on Friday with Kim, Murphy and Grayson. Kim and I laughed recalling how crazy and immature we were not so long ago, and here we were  - the grown-ups - dining nonchalantly with our babies.
• Mommy and Daddy went to Atlanta to a fashion trade show for the weekend and Mia stayed with Nana and Pawpaw. I cried when I left Mia. Mike and I looked at her pictures all weekend, even going so far as to show them to complete strangers (that was after a few beers, of course!). We had a great time though. I haven't had so many belly laughs in a long time, and the weekend was a love fest between Mike and I. Starting Moda has really brought us together and we're so excited about what it may bring us. We met with many different brands and even placed orders with some. I can't wait to see the response from our community when we open.
• Grandma Sarah is back in the hospital and not doing well. She has pneumonia and CHF. Her weight is down below 70 pounds and we are trying to get her into hospice as an inpatient. It makes me sad for Mom and her siblings, but it's been so inspiring to see how active she remained for so long. I hope I'm still getting together with my friends and attending exercise class at 89! Please keep Grandma and our family in your prayers.
• My car is on the outs AGAIN. I will see what they say when I take it to the shop next week. If it's too expensive, it may be time to bite the bullet and get something else. But, as I think you are all aware by now, I don't want a car payment!
• I can't believe my girl is 7 weeks old. When I got back from Atlanta it was evident how quickly she's growing! She's much more alert and is enjoying swinging and looking at toys more now. She also loves her baths and we give her one each night after her 7 pm bottle. I haven't been as diligent as I should about tummy time, because she spits up each time I lay her on her tummy. Then she puts her face in it and screams. Not so fun for Mia. Fortunately Grace will lick it up for us! :-)