A Day in the Life of Maelin Olivia

Lots of people ask what it's like to stay home with Maelin and wonder what we do all day long.  Lately, Maelin is awake most of the day and sleeps through the night (just the way we want it).  She makes for a great partner in running errands and enjoys the daycare at the gym (most days).  But we also spend a lot of time at home.

In the morning, I like to lay Maelin in bed with Brett to wake him up....this is normally between 6 and 7 AM.  Brett most days is OK with this, however if she is screaming, he wants me to take her away immediately.

After Maelin gets fed she enjoys watching some CNBC with Brett.  He believes that one day she will be a very successful day trader, in reality though, she is just simply intrigued by the bright colors on the screen, not the stocks.

She spends some time on her play-mat

 Enjoys shaking her rattle...

practices sitting up...

and loves long walks in her stroller!

 Throughout the day there are also a lot of diaper changes

and relaxing moments.

On the weekends when we are doing yard work, Maelin bounces in her seat and listens to some Bob Marley

She also gets to hang with her Dad and cuz Charlie (when I was taking this picture, Brett was upset he did not have a chance to put his hair gel in.......I'm going to leave it at that)

Finally, after an exhausting day for our little bug, she passes out after a bottle and a book.

To My Daughter on our First Mother's Day

Dear Maelin Olivia,

You will be reading this entire blog someday and I wanted to write you a letter on our first Mother's Day so you never forget how much you are loved.

Here we are, we have made it two months together and are celebrating our first Mother's Day as a family.  When we first found out about you, we were very surprised and nervous. I knew my life was going to change, but never could I have imagined it to change this much.

You decided to wait until the last minute to make your appearance in this world.  I was scheduled to be induced the morning of March 10th but you had decided to come on your own the night before.  We thought maybe you and I would share birthdays, but you being the stubborn girl you are, must have wanted your own special b-day.  There are really no words to describe what me and your Dad felt the first time we saw you.  The doctors were shocked by your weight but we were shocked by how perfect you were.

Our first weeks home were a bit of adventure, we were trying to learn about you and who you were but also had to move from temporary housing to our real house.  We finally settled when you were a little over a month old and I think you are much happier here!

Before you Maelin Olivia, I had never changed a diaper, rocked a baby to sleep, gave a bottle or bathed a baby.  Everything in the last two months has been a first for me and your Dad.  Some things have gone smoothly, other things not so much....... but we have managed to share lots of laughs and will continue to do so.

Never in a million years did I imagine I'd enjoy being a Mom this much.  You have taught me so so so much in the little time you have been here and I must thank you for that.  I have become A LOT more patient of a person, more flexible, relaxed and have truly learned to enjoy the little things in life.  Surprisingly I have even come to like the color pink..........

I am really looking forward to the days and the years ahead.  It feels amazing to be able to love someone like you this much.  I'm also very thankful you make confused faces at your Dad when he is acting super weird.  He needs to be reminded that he is a bit strange so keep it up and hopefully he will not embarrass you too much when you are older, I will help you out also :)

Love you lots little bug and thank you so much for being you!!!!!!!

Our very first meeting

Sometimes I just cannot stop looking at you......

And your Dad can't stop kissing you!

The Many Faces of Maelin Olivia

Its been a crazy few weeks, hence the lack of updates.  We have finally moved back home, Maelin Olivia has settled into her room and Begley is very happy to have his yard back.  Brett and I have been non-stop unpacking boxes and getting everything back into order.  As of today, we have successfully unpacked all boxes, except many things remain randomly scattered throughout....sigh.

Maelin Olivia is already almost 7 weeks. At her month check up she measured in the 95th percentile in height and 75th percentile in weight....crazy to think somehow we have a "long" baby.  I am guessing this will be one of the few times she is considered tall.....seeing as I have NEVER been referred to as tall (except by my Grandma) and Brett is average at 5'10"

I have avoided getting "sprayed" but the girl can create powerful explosions that never seize to amaze us.  There have been numerous very humorous incidences and all seem to happen on me or on my watch.  Brett has lucked out so far but I am hoping she saves a super gross and messy one for him.

Over the weeks Maelin Olivia has started to show a bit of her personality.  We have tried to capture this through her many strange, hilarious and sometimes creepy faces.

Tired Smile!!!!!

SUPER Pissed Off!!!

What in the world is that?

AHHH, that felt great, time for a diaper change

Comatose and showing my multiple chins (yikes)

Wide awake and ready to go

Seriously, stop taking my picture

Smiling sweet for everyone starring at me

Calming a fussy Maelin

 Little Maelin is almost a month old and for the most part has been a good baby.  She however has her VERY FUSSY moments which can prove to be quite exhausting.  We have tried just about everything to calm her screams....some we learned from Grandma and others we learned by mistake.  Below is a summary of what we discovered over the last few weeks!

Grandma Sue showed us this hold which Maelin took a liking to

Brett improvised Grandma Sue's hold and Maelin also liked this one

 After a shower one day I was holding a fussy Maelin and the minute I walked in the sun, she passed out! I guess the the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

The mamaroo swing and her elephant pacifier

LONG walks in the baby bjourn.  This is what she looks like when removed.  Her mouth even holds the form of her nuk

 After a good feeding!

Week One - We made it through

We made it through Week One with no major incidents, phew!  We had a mixture of good and bad nights but obviously that is to be expected.  We tried to get to know Maelin more but all she wants to do is eat, sleep and poop.  I will admit, there was A LOT of googling done on a daily basis to make sure that everything she was doing or we were doing was normal :)

In addition to changing numerous diapers, feedings and rocking we managed to get out and about. We made about four trips to the Home Depot in order to pick out carpet, paint, a kitchen sink and faucet for the house which is nearing completion in a few weeks.  We also enjoyed some time on Michigan Avenue, picking out a new wardrobe for Brett (I am sure this is not surprising).  Maelin also met a lot of our friends and family throughout the week.

The week was filled with "firsts".  There were a lot of good firsts that we enjoyed like our stroller walk, Baby Bjorn walk and lullabye time.  There were also a few bad firsts including the sponge bath (which she absolutely hated) and the first poop spray.  You hear about "the spray" but until you experience it you don't really understand the reality of it.  I was the one that got sprayed and was very happy Brett was home to take over the rest of the diaper change so I could wash off (SO GROSS).

Overall, the first week was fun, especially having Brett around.  Week Two will be a bit different since he has to go back to work, something I am very sad about.  We are looking forward to all the new "firsts" we have yet to experience in the weeks to come.

Tired after the long day of updating Dad's wardrobe

Finally calm after first sponge bath

Some bonding time

Begley has taken a liking to Maelin

Poop face!

Lovin' the Baby Bjourn

Coming Home

We finally arrived home on Saturday.  There were a few complications and Maelin Olivia had to stay in the NICU, but she is all better now!

Maelin did surprise us all with her size.  Throughout my pregnancy the doctors kept telling me I was measuring small and most likely would have a small baby.  I was even told at one appointment to buy preemie clothes for her first few days.  Well as it turns out, her ten day late arrival really paid off and she gained lots of extra weight.  Never did I imagine we would have an 8 lb 5 oz baby, she even shocked the docs with her size.  Needless to say we were not prepared with a going home outfit but jammed her into something for the quick drive home.  Time to now go shopping :)

It was great to bring her home and start to get to know her better.  So far Begley doesn't understand who or what she is and just looks at her and then walks away, which is fine for now.

Below are some pictures from the hospital and also from her first days home.  We love her so much and cannot wait to see how she grows and changes!

Maelin Olivia

Going home, all wedged in an outfit that is WAY TO SMALL

Ready for the car!

At home

Just relaxing

Relaxing some more

And more :) 

The Hood Experiment - PART II (Baby) - Announcing the arrival of Maelin Olivia

We proudly announce the arrival of Maelin Olivia, born March 10th, weighing 8 lbs 5 oz.

Family is doing good, stay tuned for pictures!