Playing with Daddy

Kiri was looking so cute today while playing with Daddy.

Touchdown!

New York Visitors

Some of Kiri's Great Grandparents from New York visited. This was the Fishers furthest trip west and we were honored that they came to stay with us on their big trip.

Great Grandma, Ryan, Kiri, Great Grandpa

  

First Snowflakes

Kiri had her first snowflakes hit her face today and she loved it.

Bundled up for the snow falling from one cloud on a crisp, partly sunny day

Tuckered out on the way home after it had stopped snowing

See how I've grown - in my carseat

Yep, Kiri is still a little baby, but she's come a long way in less than 5 months.  Here's a comparison in her carseat. The first picture is on her way home from the hospital at three days old. The other is from last weekend when she was 4.5 months old.

3 things I didn't expect when becoming a mom

Now that I am approaching 5 months of being a mom, I thought I'd reflect on the things I didn't expect. I have many friends having babies right now and thought this may be useful.

1) Milk and baby dishes
I knew that keeping at breast feeding was important and I took full advantage of the lactation specialists at the hospital to get help. However, I totally underestimated the full-time job of being a food source. Between feeding, pumping and baby dishes, there just wasn't a lot of other time in those first couple months. Most surprising to me was baby dishes. I bought extra bottles and pumping supplies, but you have to keep washing in order to have them ready for next feedings. To this day, I spend more time on this activity than I had ever perceived as needed. And to those of you who have multiple kids, I'll need to know how you juggle this with other little ones running around.

2) Healing takes time
Birth, in my case, was a bit of an ordeal. But even if it hadn't been, there is some real healing for your body. As I felt better, I realized that I hadn't been in very good shape right after birth. I had a very healthy pregnancy and was working out with my trainer until the end, but birthing took a lot out of me. Give yourself time and rest.

3) She is portable and personable
Want to go out? Do it now while your baby is little. We happened to have a bunch of big occasions right after our baby was born - birthdays, 10th anniversary. We brought baby along to fancy meals out and she was always great. The servers and patrons remarked on our cute and quiet baby. She's so easily fascinated by lights and other people that restaurants are an ideal setting for her best behavior. We have the advantage that Colorado's fanciest places are still more casual than other places, but we didn't have a problem bringing her out to any fine dining establishments.

Four months pictures and highlights

September 2, 2012

Four month highlights
* Even more smiling and loud giggling
* Holds up her own head
* Pushes herself up on her arms
* Rolls from side to side (but not over) 
* Growing - feet stick out over edge of carseat 
* Started attending daycare
* First airplane trip
* First time to Minnesota, her second state visited
* First time in a wedding, flower girl for her Uncle Garrett and Aunt Kayla
* Received her first passport
* Had her first cold


Mommy's Reflections
Kiri turned 3 months old right as Ryan hurt his back. That has impacted our routines a bit and impacted her first out of state trip. We flew, rather than drove, to Minnesota for Garrett and Kayla's wedding. Kiri was the flower girl or flowerbaby as I called her. Kiri was a champ on both flights, though it was easier on the way out when Krista was traveling with us. Kiri did a great job for the wedding and I was quite happy to walk down the aisle and know that no one was looking at me. She was just fine being passed around to family and friends. She didn't like the very loud music during the dance, but was just fine when we retreated back from the speakers. She was tuckered out at the end and did a great job as a flowerbaby.

Kiri also started daycare this month. Everyone is wondering how I am doing with that. Just fine is the answer. I like the provider, I don't feel there are too many kids and I feel she is well cared for. It was nice that she could be at home with us for three months between myself, Daddy and Krista, but as a working mom, it had to happen sometime.

Ryan and I have been abundantly blessed by Kiri. We often sit around and marvel at her. This little human, our daughter. She entertains and amazes us.

4 month family photo

Reception

Flowerbaby Weekend Part 3 - The Reception

And then it was time to eat, sing, and dance. Garrett and Kayla threw a great party. Kiri was awake for most of it and got held by lots of extended family members.

Caleb didn't feel like posing for this family photo

Cousin Denise

Great Great Aunt Kathy

Great Aunt Joanne

Cousins Amy and Kyle

Great Great Aunt Bitti

Cousins Doug and Tim and Aunt Briana

Great Uncle Tom

Uncle Garrett and Aunt Kayla Dance

Bad Back Club

Great Uncle Dennis

Kiri and Oma delight in one another

Four Generations

All done being Flowerbaby. Can I eat my dress now?