where'd my baby go?

Holy moly. I'm pretty sure in the past few days my baby has been replaced by a super smart, super active, super advanced super baby.  I thought it was just me, but then Bill said the same thing today.  She is just so much more aware of her world, playing with toys, trying to roll over, having long conversations, laughing and reacting to us, voicing her displeasure, eating everything she can get to her mouth. It is amazing to watch and a little sad how fast it is going by. In just a few days she'll already be 7 months old!
As we venture out more as the cold/flu season winds down, we are reminded more and more just how small she is for her age. When I tell people she 6 months old usually their response is "she's so small" -- said with a questioning tone and a look of "feed you baby already." At which point I clarify that she is a preemie. It is interesting though how many people you meet on a regular basis who had a preemie or were a preemie themselves.
One thing is for sure, I am enjoying every new development. I have such a sense of pride when she does something new and fascinating and am so excited to see what is to come.

Holding my head up like a pro

Singing Itsy Bitsy Spider with mommy. I especially love "down came the rain" part. 

Knuckle sandwich

Belly busting out my jammies. And I also now accessorize with bangles. 

Dressed up for a dinner date with mommy and daddy. 

Grinning at my mommy while chilling with my daddy. 

My new big girl stroller. 

passing the torch

So a little bit of slightly embarrassing self-disclosure for today's post. I still sleep with my blankie. Like the same blankie that I have had since I was a baby.  Or I guess what is left of the blankie.  I was SO attached to that blankie when I was young that my mom cut it in half so I had a traveling half and a half that had to stay in my bedroom. Smart woman because somehow there is only one half left.  

This blankie was the ying to my thumb sucking yang.  It was part of my whole process. So tonight when Avery started holding on to another blankie while she was sucking her thumb I thought maybe it was time to pass what is left of my blankie down to Avery.  I don't know if she'll attach to it like I did, but I figured something that has been so special to me for so many years deserves to be shared with someone so special to me for so many years to come.  She is my new comfort.  Plus, let's not forget that I did just turn 30, so maybe, just maybe it was time...

Avery and the blankie

Thinking about rolling

I made it pretty far. 

Such a sweet face. 

Sleeping with daddy. 

Wearing the shirt mommy made me. 

taking it back: special edition

Today is my birthday. That picture above is me 30 years ago. Yep, I've reached a new decade. I must say that turning 30 isn't so bad. Might be that my day was so busy I didn't even realize it was my birthday. Really I think 30 isn't so bad because I my life is so full that age doesn't really seem important.So here's to 30. I hope it does its best to out do the 20s.  (p.s. do we look alike?)

happy easter.

Happy Easter everyone. Today Avery went to her first church service. I was COMPLETELY anxious the entire time; so many people, such a small space.  She was so good though and got lots of ooh and aahs; especially for her eyelashes.  We spent the rest of the day with Bill's family.  I thought I left my camera at home; turns out it was in my purse, so the only Easter pictures I have are from after we got home and I put her dress back on to snap a few pictures. She was starving, so I got what I could. Hope everyone had a nice day with friends and family!

I'm hungry

Seriously, I will eat anything. 

Her Easter basket sunglasses. This is the only way she'd let me put them on her. 

lessons learned.

If everything happens for a reason, I have to think that maybe part of the reason everything has happened was to teach me that I do, in fact, have what it takes to get through anything.  I'm going to need to channel my new found outlook in the coming weeks with some pretty big changes at work. It is nothing I know I can't handle and better yet, nothing I know I can't totally make the best of.  And I always find encouragement from all the things Avery conquers everyday. Just today she had some major head control going on! I was one proud momma! So a special shout out to my biggest, little inspiration.

Seriously those eyelashes deserve a blog of their own. 

it's all in a name badge

This is the name badge that was on Avery's isolet from day one:

Doesn't seem like much. But this name badge stayed on her bed from the day she was born to the day she discharged. I always thought it was weird that the badge only identified the baby's mother. Clearly there is no spot to put the father's name anywhere.  The thing I liked the most is all new babies get a name badge. NICU or not. This badge doesn't differentiate based on size, gestational age,  length of stay. To the badge every baby is a baby worth announcing.
I still have this badge in a shadow box I put together of some of her stuff.  I looked at this thing a million times and couldn't just throw it away when we left.

love.

My two favorite people. Ever.
I promise I won't (purposely) be a slacker blogger now that I am Kelli Eller, WM. That's how I am going to sign all my professional documents because being a working mom takes a lot and is a well earned title. Maybe some day when I win the mega millions I will be Kelli Eller, SAHM but for now I promise to do my best not to neglect this blog.