Red Rover, Red Rover

Let Haven Roll Over


Benton and I were able to witness Haven's first rollover together on her video monitor, but it was not a common practice for about another week. Amy came over to babysit on Thursday, March 25th so I could go to a doctor appointment and Miss Haven went to town with the rolling over while I was gone (of course). It has since become very common and she hardly stays on her back for anytime at all. She's finally mastered the tummy to back maneuver as well, although it seems to be the more frustrating of the two for her. I took this video with my phone on Friday (the day after Amy babysat), so it was still new and exciting.

First Week in Destin

I lost my head for a minute and uploaded these pictures in reverse order, but there are way too many to go back and switch it. So, here is a backwards photo montage of Haven's first week in Destin.

Sleeping on Grammy's shoulder at the airport in Fort Walton Beach. Our flight home was two hours late, but luckily our wait was in the airport and not on the plane. She slept on my shoulder most of the way home, until she woke up to her ears popping. Then she screamed the rest of the way down. I felt so bad for her, but she was so upset that I couldn't get her to latch on and she doesn't love the pacifier so it was tough to make it better. My sister-in-law gave us some Sweet Ease that they use in the NICU, so that helped a little but not a lot. As we were getting off the plane the sweet man sitting in front of my mom told me that screaming is the best thing they can do, so not to feel bad about it. I really did appreciate that, but I still felt horrible for Haven and a little bad for everyone else on the plane.

Floating in the new raft Grammy bought. She sat a little bit low, so I think she drank a lot of water, but she loved it!

Asleep on Grammy's shoulder at Elmo's. She had watched the little kids dance and listen to the one-man-band sing to her long enough.

Sitting with Grandpa and Aunt Amy

Hammin' it up before we left to eat at Elmo's

Swimming with Daddy

Heading down to the pool

nice "headdress" Benton

Happy Easter!

Haven didn't have the headband on for one minute at church and some old man came and ask if she was a boy or a girl. Seriously? I realize if she is in just a diaper, she doesn't scream girl with that little blonde buzz cut. But how did the purple dress not give it away?

My loves in lavender. I'm not sure why the beach is whited out. My photography skills are clearly lacking.

Standing on the table at dinner. I'm not sure my dad would have let any of us do that at her age, but Haven can do anything she wants :)

Our little Rocky, as Grammy referred to her, after her very first swim.

Loving her first swim

How cute is this swimsuit? And so perfectly fitting for our little giraffe.

Apparently the Johnny Jump Up was my favorite toy as a baby and so my mom bought one for Haven. She loved it too. I am going to have to get one of these for home.

Just swingin'

Sitting on the couch before bedtime

Flying is exhausting. On our way to the condo from the airport.

You never know what kind of weather you are going to get for Easter in Destin - we've been there when it's been cold and when it's been miserably hot, but it was perfectly gorgeous the whole week this year. Haven slept pretty well the first couple of nights, but then was back to waking up every three hours by the time Benton got there. Benton walked with her on the beach a couple of mornings, but I was too lazy to go since she was up so much during the night. The few times we left the condo, Haven also showed off her car screaming skills for my dad. I think he was the only one who hadn't witnessed it yet.

Thank you mom and dad; we had a great time and look forward to many more to come!

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Grammy and I took Haven on her first plane ride the Tuesday before Easter. She did...okay. I nursed her on the way up and she pulled off for a short wail a couple of times, but overall the takeoff and landing went pretty well. I think that is supposed to be the rough part, but for Haven it was the middle of the flight when she screamed because she was overtired but didn't want to go to sleep. Thankfully, she did finally sleep the last 30-40ish minutes and woke up just as we were pulling up to the gate.

We made it through security without a hitch. Just waiting to board the plane.

So tired...

but never wants to go to sleep.

I was pulling out all my best tricks, but trying to entertain her was not the easiest task. Drinking my water (although I think there was more slobber going into my cup than water coming out) and kicking the seat in front of us (luckily there was just a kid sitting there) were her favorite things.

Mr. Octopus is one of our favorites. We don't go anywhere without him right now.

Sleep Walking

If it's not one thing, it is another with this little princess. We've been taking our walks like this these days because Ms. Thing has decided she hates the Bob:

One day Haven had herself so worked up with no sign of calming down, so Benton decided to run home with her. Dutch and I decided to try to catch up, but we were a block behind and could hear her screaming. At least we know she has some very healthy lungs! I thought surely she would like the Bob without her carseat because she could face forward and see Dutch, but no. She still screamed. I fear the passers by think we've stolen someone's child because why else would she be throwing such a fit? I should probably add that we don't do this as a form of torture for Haven; it's not fun for any of us, but she usually starts out okay and gets progressively worse. We used to think she would cry herself to sleep, but we've now realized she will not and if we attempt the Bob we turn around at the first sign of a fit. I can only hope this too is something she will outgrow because going on walks is one of our family's favorite pastimes and we can't carry her in the Bjorn forever.

As for sleep...it is very broken around here right now. Haven rolled over for the second time in her swaddle, so we came to the sad conclusion that we can no longer swaddle her. The first night was Monday and it started out VERY rough (I went in 4x and Benton 1x from 8ish to 10ish to put her back to sleep), but then she slept all.through.the.night! Until 8AM! We thought, maybe this won't be so bad after all. WRONG! It has been progressively worse every night since then. We've been trying to not pick her up and just give her a paci to try to help her self soothe in preparation for the sleep training, but I'm not sure it is worth the battle at this point because no one is getting enough sleep. The last two nights I've caved and nursed her because I know that is a guarantee to get her back to sleep. I was hoping we could get her to sleep through the night consistently before we make her cry herself to sleep initially. I'm prepared to listen to her cry when we first put her down, but I don't know how I am going to deal with it in the middle of the night. Ugh...this is a phase that I am looking forward to getting past! I know it will be better for everyone in the end, but the road to get there isn't going to be any fun :(

What's Up Doc?

We took Haven for her four month doctor appointment on Monday afternoon. Once again, bad mama forgot her camera :( That was again unfortunate because I have never seen Haven turn the color she did after her shots. It wasn't sad this time...it was actually kind of funny. Who knew a child so young could scream and hold her breath for so long? She turned so red then purple, but was fine once I picked her up. Drama queen! Her stats were different than we expected...

Weight - 13lbs 14oz (50%)

Height - 25in (75%)

Head - 41cm (50%)

She is so chunky, I expected her to be a higher percentage for weight. I know it is too early to tell, but maybe she won't be a shrimp either?! And if you look back at her happy four month chair picture, that naked noggin looks large, no?

We are glad to know she is growing right on track and a healthy little munchkin. Dr. Curtis said we can start foods anytime now, but I think we are going to wait awhile. I'm not in any hurry and I don't think Haven is ready. We are, however, going to start sleep training after we get back from Destin. That should be super fun with our stubborn child!

Random Tidbits

I'm kind of all over the place today with my blogging, so I thought I'd do one post with some things I've left out over the last two weeks.

• I took Haven to the childcare at the gym and they told me she was the hardest baby to get to sleep (she is a definite sleep fighter). The lady told Haven "I have 30 years of experience and you are not going to win this." Haven was asleep when I went to get her.
• Pop and Giddy came to see Haven last weekend. They got to stay with her on Friday while I went to meet Benton for lunch and get a massage :)
• My aunt Dee stayed with Haven on Saturday night and either she is just being nice, or Haven was really good for her. Either way, Haven was asleep when we got home and didn't wake up until 7:15AM!
• Haven slept in her crib for the first night last Thursday. The only person bothered by that was me...but I'm over it :)
• Haven has not screamed in the car the last few trips. Could we have turned a corner? Only time will tell, I guess.
• I've still been squeezing Haven into some of her 0-3 month clothes, but it's really got to stop. They are just so cute I'm not ready to pack them away, but I can't have her looking like a nerd in high-waters.

Perfect Child

This doesn't happen often, but we had one day last week that Haven was the perfect baby! She napped well in the morning, didn't scream in the car, fell asleep on her own quietly at the mall, slept for two hours in her car seat while I had lunch with a friend, easy diaper change, nursing, and getting back in her car seat at the mall, no screaming in the car on the way home and we wrapped it all up with a happy baby photo shoot. She then took a good nap in the evening (which is very rare) which allowed me to make dinner. And to top off the day, Benton and I both got to watch her roll over for the first time on the monitor. If every day was like this, it would be a fantasy land!