Gigantosaurus Update

 So like I said, my computer crashed right after Christmas :( luckily I was able to get all my stuff off of it before it had to be wiped! My pictures are safe...  Grammy brought her computer to town for me so I could get photos off my cameras and post an update! I won’t get my laptop back until sometime next week though.

Christmas Day

Christmas was really awesome for us. I tried to get Kaylee to help open her presents but it didn't go so well ;) a little too young... Next year! She got lots of toys, I made her a stocking, and she got her first movie: Legend of the Guardians - the Owls of Ga'hoole. I also have some Christmas ornaments now and it's so exciting to think that someday we'll have our own tree! This year we had Christmas morning at Grammy and Grampa's house.

Sickness

Kaylee is just starting to get over a nasty cold. It started earlier in Dec, just before we came to Edmonton, but it got really bad around New Years. We were to the doctor about 3 times in 2 weeks. Twice for my paranoia of an ear infection, and once for her 3 month check-up (She was 12 lbs 5 oz on January 5^th). She never had an ear infection and the doctor was completely not worried. I found how useful a nasal aspirator can be in clearing out her nose so she could breath better, but I also found out how much she HATES it! She got a little used to it though. I think she actually had 2 different colds, both from me. I asked the doctor what I could do to stop the cycle of passing colds back and forth and he said to take ColdFX. I asked him if I could take that while nursing and he said yes, but the package and the pharmacist said no. Tricky... luckily we're both getting over our colds! Fun fact: babies don't have sinuses until they're 2 (or so my doctor says). I figured Kaylee was having sinus pressure because she kept holding the sides of her head but not crying, and apparently that's not possible! In other health news, Kaylee managed to avoid the stomach flu for the second time… Grammy had it at new years.

On her own two feet!

Kaylee has been "standing" a lot lately! She can totally support her own weight on her legs, but she doesn't have the balance to stand on her own. She hasn't really rolled over yet or tried to get up on her hands and knees, but tummy time is kind of new for her since new years. She doesn't care for it much. She arches her back so her arms and legs aren't really touching the floor for the whole time she's there and I think her back must get sore! Any advice on how to encourage her to relax her arms and legs some?

Speechless (but not silent!!)

Grampa has been trying to teach her to say 'mum'. Kaylee's always being asked, "Can you say mum? Muuuuummmm" She totally gurgles/grunts/coos back, but it never really sounds like mum. It actually sometimes sounds more like 'Laura' but it's just coincidence. I've been trying to teach her 'bazinga' instead! Or rather, to make it easier, "ba-in-ga". It also doesn't work :p. Both attempts at trying to get her to talk earn us smiles though so it's still satisfying!

Kaylee-Bug

I've noticed a secondary theme ( the primary one being owls of course) in Kaylee's things: bugs. There are bees, ladybugs, dragonflies, and butterflies on a good number of her things. I've also started calling her Kaylee-bug. (and Kaylee-bird, Kaylee-button, and Kaylee-girl).

Searching for baby photography ideas…

A friend showed me this link when I was pregnant and now I want to start taking some of these kind of pics with Kaylee! It probably would have been easier when she was fresh out, but I didn't have all my craft supplies uncovered then. Now that I've unpacked all my scrap material, I think I can set some of these up. The one idea I have so far is one with a hot air balloon. I would love to get more suggestions, so please, suggest away!! :) I think I would really like to get into photography, ESPECIALLY baby photography since I have such a cute subject to practice with!

Sound of Music (to my ears, anyway!)
Kaylee laughed for me for the first time on Jan 23rd! She had already had her first laugh about a week ago but it was when Grammy was changing her diaper and I was in the shower. I missed her first one, but the first one I heard was also very special! I had just put her into a front carrier because she was being fussy and I wanted to finish making my salad. She looked up at me, smiled big so her susie fell out, and gave a tiny laugh. I hope she laughs more soon, cuz it was darn cute!!


We spent our first night in my place in Regina on the 22nd! It felt pretty quiet after Grammy and Grampa went home, and Kaylee seemed not content the next day. The 24th was a really good day though, she seemed very happy wherever she was. :) I hope that means she's getting used to this place! When I've talked to Grammy or Grampa on speakerphone since I've moved here, Kaylee hears their voices and smiles,or looks kind of questioning. I can tell she misses them and their voices are definitely recognized!
Baby news
Congrats to Christin and Franz on their new baby boy Eli! He was born on January 6^th. Also more congrats to Mariclaire and Shaun on their baby boy Michael, who was born on January 13^th.  Next up to have a baby: Leah!!  AND more congratulations to Diana and Jason, who are now expecting! :D

Today

Kaylee slept from midnight until 10am this morning! What an amazing girl. Then we had a bottle and played some. She was hugging Olivia (who now has a nickname: Livy) and passing her susie from hand to hand! Yay fine motor skills! We’re going to the farm to visit Grammy and Grampa tonight.

Reflections on 4 months (Jan 25)
The past four months have had some of the best days of my life! Looking back, I can't believe everything that has happened. Before I was pregnant I could never imagine being able to go through giving birth, and now I've done it! And she's smiled and laughed. And she can communicate with her eyes - I know when she's asking to be picked up or squirming for a diaper change, and the particular tone of complaint when she's hungry or needs a nap... I can't believe I've come this far! It gives me strength to believe that I will be able to handle the lifelong learning curve of being a mom :)

Ahead

Tomorrow Kaylee has her 4-month immunizations, poor girl! We also have a photo session at McMaster Studios booked for tomorrow morning… I won it at Christmas from a draw at the Town ‘N’ Country mall. Then I’m hoping to have some people over in the near future… some of my friends haven’t met Kaylee yet and no one has seen my new place!  When I get my laptop back, I’ll update more often, I PROMISE! I like sharing Kaylee-news with everyone! I’ve been jotting down things I wanted to mention in the blog while my computer hasn’t been working, and I don’t have the list with me right now. I know I’m forgetting some things… I’ll put them up later!

Kaylee's room in Regina:

Kaylee's favourite TV Show:

Tasty bottle!:

Christmas Toys:

General CUTENESS!:



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Please respond!:

1) Do you have any ideas for photos I could set up with fabric backgrounds?

2) Any suggestions for cradle cap? Kaylee's got it bad.