Empty Nest Already?

Courtney has spent her first 4 months sleeping in the little "sitting room" off our bedroom. So while she's in her own space, complete with doors that we close, she's still technically in our bedroom. Paul's clothes live in the room where she's been sleeping so he's been having to dress in the bathroom every morning. And while that's not really a big deal, it does mean he's had to remember to bring his clothes into the bathroom every night so he won't wake her in the morning. That's been more of a feat for Paul, he tends to be forgetful.

But last night we moved Courtney into her own room. I think it was the second or third time she'd slept in her crib (she's napped in there now and again) but the first time she's been in there for an entire night. We moved her changing table stuff, her clothes, the white noise machine and the video camera. She went down without any problem but Paul and I were both kind of sad. Our little girl is moving up!! The irony was that I never expected her to be in our room for long. I was thinking 6 - 8 weeks, max. It never occurred to me she'd be in our room for so long. Then, I probably thought she'd be sleeping through the night by 6 or 8 weeks.... It was nice to have our room back and for Paul to not have to get dressed, hiding in the bathroom. But we both missed having her so close. And I didn't realize how loud our neighborhood is now that the white noise machine has moved down the hall. I slept terribly.

If we're this sad having her move down the hall, how are we going to do when she goes to her first day of daycare?

Courtney at 4 months

We're home

We arrived home from a week at the beach today. It was a crappy trip, there was construction EVERYWHERE and people can't seem to drive when there's construction.

Anyway, we had a very nice, quiet and relaxing week. The weather did not cooperate, it was CRAZY windy and we couldn't even hang out on the beach or by the pool. I did spend about an hour on the beach one day but had to hide under a blanket to keep warm. And I only went to the pool once. So after a week at the beach, I have no more freckles than when I got there. I was really looking forward to watching Courtney and Paul in the pool, Paul teaching Courtney how to "surf", but Courtney didn't even put on her bathing suit. Seeing as how we have a pool and all here, I think we'll have another chance.

Courtney is doing much better with the cereal. Her grandmother made a real breakthrough while we were at the beach and now she's eating it like a champ. She seems like she's getting so big and grown up already. I mean she can't roll over, she can't say "mama" yet, and she likes to put her feet in her mouth but she seems SO BIG. I can't stand it.

As soon as I find the chord for the camera, I'll update some pictures.

Courtney at the beach for the first time

Our first meal

She didn't eat much, or any at all, but we'll work our way into it.

4 Months - Almost

We went in to the pediatrician today for Courtney's 4 month appointment. She s growing like a weed - she's 26" - 95% for her age. She's up to 14.4 pounds, still 75% for her age. She's growing right on track - she's quite the little over-achiever!! She was quite the little trooper, until she got a shot in each leg. My poor baby girl!! I can't stand to see my baby girl in pain, especially because someone stabs her with a needle!!

Later today Courtney will have her first bowl of cereal. I can't believe we're moving along to big girl food already. How has it been 4 months already?

What a week

This has been our most exhausting week to date, I think. At least what I can remember. Starting Monday afternoon, Courtney has had a meltdown every.day.this.week. She won't nap but she's tired. And then she cries. And then she screams. And it goes on and on and on. For at least an hour. And I know if she would just fall asleep, she'd feel better. She doesn't know that though. So she screams and carries on and wears me out and then, finally, she'll fall asleep. Usually in my arms or next to me in the bed and then I'm trapped. So anything I was hoping to do or cleaning I needed to do or just generally catching my breath, can't really happen. If she'd just sleep, all would be right in the world!! It's exhausting, all this screaming. I mess with nap times, I put her down sooner, I let her cry it out, I try and get her to fall back to sleep and none of it works. She doesn't do reasoning yet so that doesn't work either.

She's been doing a little better with the nighttime sleeps, waking up only once or so. She'll usually wake up around 4 or so and then again around 7 or 8. I guess we can't really call 7am waking up at night. Many people are up for the day already by 7, we're just not those people.

I need a break though. Fortunately, my sister-in-law is going to babysit tonight and Paul and I are going to get some dinner. And next week we're going to Florida for a week. Of course, Courtney is coming also but it will be nice to have Paul and my mother-in-law there to help out. Oh, and did I mention that my back is killing me? I'm going to the chiropractor tomorrow and hopefully a couple more times before we go. I tend to always carry Courtney on my left side and it's beginning to take it's toll.

Despite all of that, Courtney continues to be the cutest girl ever.

The johnny-jump-up is still just a little big for her...

What a nice weekend!

For those that don't live in Atlanta, it was a beautiful weekend here this weekend. It was in the 70's, sunny, beautiful and perfectly spring-y. Adding to the nice weekend, my parents, brother Brian and his girlfriend Carly, were all in town for the weekend. We didn't do a whole lot (I feel like we ate a lot) but we enjoyed one anothers company and spending time together. Of course, when you get right down to it, no one is here to see me. People come to visit and see Courtney. And who can blame them?? She was very well behaved, she smiled at everyone and even had a very long conversation with her grandpa (they were discussing the economy). She is a wonderful granddaughter and niece.

Courtney continues to grow and be a very happy and adorable baby. We had another swimming class this week and she was a real trooper. She seems completely unfazed by the water but wasn't overly thrilled when I dunked her under the water. But she smiles and watches all the other babies and even did a little kicking of her chubby legs. We're going to Florida later this month and I know she's going to love swimming with her daddy!