Grandpa Joe

My sweet Grandpa Joe passed away the day after his 93rd birthday. He was a man of few words that we all loved very much. It took some effort (and translation at times because he couldn't understand me) to get him really talking, but when he did, he had good stories and intelligent things to say. My Grandma Lillian was a little crazy in the later part of her life (the early part could be argued as well), so I am very thankful that my grandpa's mind was so sharp for the entire duration of his life. I have many fond memories of he and my Grandma Lillian; a few at the "farm" but most in their "5th wheel" that they adored. To this day, whenever I hear a diesel truck I think of them pulling up to our house at 1313 Shamrock Lane. I will always remember him in his jumpsuits, teasing our pets, carrying Grandma's purse, and saying "Jesus Christ, Lillian." We joke about he and my grandma fighting, but they loved each other very deeply for the 50+ years they were married. Grandpa Joe really took great care of her and was lost for the last almost 8 years without her. I find peace in knowing that they are together again in heaven. And while it is sad to think that I can no longer ask my Grandpa how he is doing, it is comforting to know that he can no longer give me the heartbreaking answer of "well, I'm still here." I only wish that Haven could have met him because I think she would have brought a lot of joy to his simple life.

Lady in Leopard

Just because I love these pictures...

Bottle Time

Just when I was getting numb to the initial pain of breastfeeding, it was time to start pumping and the pain started again. But with that came Benton's first time to feed Haven and she took the bottle like a little champ. She was googly-eyed and passed out when she was done. So cute! But then again, we think everything she does right now is so cute :)

My plan was for Benton to feed her a bottle every night, but I quickly learned that I would never build up a supply if we did that so that plan was very short lived.

the after

Dutch was there for moral support

So far behind...again :(

Wow, I am super behind on my blogging, but I haven't had two hands very often since Haven was born and I don't want to chicken peck the keyboard that much. I am going to start with some more recent posts and will go back and fill in the blanks once I have time to get caught up. She is changing so much, I want to document everything but don't want to forget the recent stuff because I am trying to remember the December and January happenings. Very recently, Haven has started taking 2-3 hour naps in her crib on her tummy, so I have a lot more free time. Hopefully there is lots of blogging in my very near future!

12 Days Continued

with her cousin, Emily

One of my favorites - not one of hers! Benton referred to this outfit as her "chicken suit." It shed so bad and whoever designed it does not have kids because they would not have put fur/feathers on the sleeves. It was definitely not practical, but it was so dang cute!

With her Aunt B in (only one of) the adorable crocodile shoes her Aunt B gave her!

12 Days of Christmas

When I was in elementary school and my mom was teaching elementary school, she and I wore different Christmas attire every day from December 1 thru December 25. We shared many of them and most had very large matching earrings. We were like a walking craft show for the month of December. I remember one of my favorites was a homemade sweatshirt with a big glittery Christmas tree painted on - it had ornaments and puff paint galore! We did not subject Haven to any "crafts" but she did have many-a-Christmas outfits to carry on our tradition. I tried to get pictures of each, but I think I may have missed a few. Contrary to my brothers (sarcastic) advice, we have opted not to get our baby's ears pierced, so her accessories were in the form of shoes and hats rather than ginormous dangle earrings.

candy cane dress

rattling Santa shoes

missing her Russian hat

singing reindeer shoes

more pictures to follow...

Two Weeks

We took Haven for her two week doctor appointment on Friday, December 4. It was my first time to get her out of the house by myself and it was a little bit traumatic, but we made it. Haven doesn't like getting in her car seat initially, so she was screaming therefore Dutch was whining and jumping up at her car seat and I couldn't find my keys. I finally grabbed my spare set and met Benton at the doctor's parking lot and discovered I left the handle of her car seat up - oops!

Haven weighed in at 7lbs 12 ounces (50%), 21 inches long (80%), and her head circumference was 35.3 centimeters (50%). She had to have her heel pricked and lots of blood drawn out for the second round of the newborn screening...that was traumatic for both of us as well. The screaming must have taken it out of her because she napped very well that afternoon.