Blowing Bubbles

Rowan's beginning to feel better. How can I tell? Her smile is back, she's awake longer, she's not crying or fussy and she's "talking" or should I say, blowing bubbles? This is her latest thing. She has figured out that if she puts her hand up to her mouth or with her binky in her mouth, she can make some really cool noises off her hand that echo. She also blows bubbles with all of the drooling she's doing lately. I have to say, it's pretty endearing. She's changing so quickly. One week she learned how to screech, another week she learned how to belly laugh, this week it's the bubbles and other cool noises. I guess what people say is true, "enjoy every minute because they grow and change so quickly."

First Illness

Okay, so I've thought before that Rowan had a cold or congestion etc. but there is no comparing those times to what she has now. Yesterday, I came home from work and had the stomach flu. Todd, apparently, didn't want me to outdo him and also began his case of stomach flu yesterday. Rowan has been feeling sick all weekend. You know...fussy, a different cry than her normal (and she doesn't really cry much at all), threw up on Saturday and was running a low grade fever. She got sick again last night and her fever crept up. I thought, "great, I hope she's not getting the stomach flu." How would we manage that. So, with all of us under the weather, good old Grandma (highly allergic to cats and all) came out (did I mention that we had a "bad" snow storm headed this way) and helped take care of Rowan while Todd and I took care of ourselves. Grandma was a trooper and slept in the cold spare bedroom (don't ask) and got up at 1 a.m. when Rowan was crying to feed her. What would we do without her? This morning, Rowan made her true, first official sick visit to the doctor (Todd and I were still sick, of course). Rowan has an upper respiratory infection so she was put on her first round of antibiotics and hopefully, her last for awhile. She hates the medicine (who are they fooling? A 4 month old doesn't know what bubblegum tastes like!). She's on it for 10 days and home from daycare until her fever breaks. She's sleeping a lot today, trying to recover. We're praying she doesn't come down with the stomach flu on top of everything else. What a month this has been!

2nd Cousin and Marine Tyler

Here's our salute to 2nd Cousin Tyler. These pictures were taken the night before he embarked on his endeavor as a Marine. Rowan posed in a few pictures with him. It will be interesting to see the before and after when he returns from boot camp. Interestingly, Rowan has always reminded me a little of Tyler as a baby. They both had a little, perfectly proportionate and round head, dark hair (what they had of it), and dark eyes.

Pasta House Waitress

So Aunt Amanda, Rowan and I ran out to the mall on Saturday night while Daddy and Uncle Craig were at the Blues/Blackhawks game. All of the restaurants at the mall were crowded so we decided to eat at Pasta House in Ellisville. We arrived and were seated...by the way, the boy (and I mean boy) gave us 3 menus and place settings. That gave us a good laugh because he obviously thought Rowan was going to order something for herself. The waitress (also young) arrived and commented on how cute Rowan was but it went something like this, "She is sooo cute for how little she is." Hmmmm...translation: usually little babies are all ugly?? Then, she returned later to say again, "She is so cute and I'm NOT lying!" What??? Does she typically lie to people and wanted to reassure me that she was not lying to me? She made this comment a couple of times and referred to her 2 year old at home. Interesting conversation. Very awkward.

The Big, Big Day

Tomorrow is the big, big day. The day I leave Rowan at the sitter ALL day for the first time. I'm a little weepy, I have to admit. There's no getting out of this one. No more surgeries (thank goodness) or maternity leave. I feel a little better knowing that she's not so little and helpless. She's bigger, older, interacts more, smiles more and her latest, laughs more. She's in good hands and I'm sure I'll be consumed in the daily chaos that comes with teaching middle schoolers. Today I'm just enjoying the last day home with her.

Also today we ran some errands (yes mom and dad, she was bundled up!). We went to the new Target and Whole Foods. I'm in awe of Whole Foods. I love that place! I wish we could afford to shop there for all of our groceries. I could always find something to eat there. Their meat counter is to die for and their pastries always look so good! Rowan, as usual, was a great little shopper.

The Crib

Well, I'm not sure who had a bigger night last night, Rowan or Todd and I. Rowan slept in her crib for the first time last night. She's officially out of our room and it's kind of sad. I noticed I was much more in tune to the monitor last night eventhough it was on Todd's side of the bed. She woke up around 4 for a feeding but then went right back to sleep until about 7:30. Irwin is currently using Rowan's Pack 'n Play as his nap spot. It was time to move her. I return to work on Tuesday of next week. Although a little sad, it was nice to be able to talk, move around, and turn on lights without worrying about disturbing her. Another big step!

Rowan's Baptism

Today Rowan was baptized. I can't believe today has already come and gone. It seems like so long ago that I called Dr. Wilson to set it up. She looked so pretty in the family gown and the holy water didn't bother her a bit. She has lots of people who love her who shared in the day. Hopefully, I'll figure out how to work the new camera and I'll be able to post some pictures soon. She's such a little lady!

Settling In

I'm home for 2 weeks recovering from my ordeal. It's nice to have the extra time with Rowan, I can't lie. She's a lot to take care of during the day as I heal but I needed her and she needed me. Her smile changes everything. I'm able to eat more and more. Every bite I put in my mouth I second guess and wonder if I'll regret it in an hour or so with the onset of pain. So far, so good. My milk supply was low while in the hospital. I'm slowly trying to gain it back. I've been using Reglan (by prescription) and yesterday, added Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle with the hope that I'll regain my abundant supply. That's been the hardest. It's hard to imagine having to stop breastfeeding so early. I enjoy the time with her and know the benefits are incredible. I'm doing what I can do and that's all I can do. Stay positive! On another note, Rowan has found her hands. They go directly into her mouth no matter how hard we try to keep them out. It's hard to tell if she's hungry or just interested in her hands. She's keeping me busy and I love every minute of it!