4 months later... 31 Weeks

I've greatly neglected my blog. Although, I'm not too heart broken. Things change a lot when you have a husband, a baby, and a new job. That's an obvious statement, but what I mean has changed is my outlook on social media/networking that has changed as well. Yes, I still check Facebook and play silly games on my Iphone, but as time goes on I'm feeling more guilty and uninterested in wasting my time with technology and socializing via internet. Being a mommy has greatly changed me, and I love it. I think about my students and other children, how they are so wrapped around their technology at every second of the day. How available we make ourselves to technology and others by having a phone in our pocket, as well as allowing GPS to know where we are. It's a scary world. And Justin and I have to raise our sweet, precious little girl in this scary world. 

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned while growing up is that you need to be a positive influence to your children, because your always going to be their role model, but it's up to you to chose to be a good one. Seeing how children are attached to technology, and even myself from time to time, I worry that this will happen to our little girl. I want her to be active, to have conversations with people face-to-face, to play outside in the yard, go sledding or swimming, read a book, go on dates in person, write notes to pass to friends in class on paper, go to school events, and know how to turn off the technology and not have it run her life. Therefore, we (Justin and I) must lead by example. We can't be our daughter's friend. We'll have time to connect with her on an adult level when she is much older, but for now, she is our child and we must do what is best for her. She may only be 7 months now, but she is already observing what we do and say. Babies learn fast, therefore, we need to learn how to put down the technology ourselves.

I've just lost interest in being a part of the online/social networking world. Which is a good thing, I believe. I have more time for God, my husband, my daughter, myself, my job, and all other things that are important in life. I have no issue occasionally updating my blog, or to share my experiences with mother-to-be online, but it will be very limited... so without further ado, 4 months later... here is Zoey:

14 Weeks

Zoey is 14 weeks old!!

She was a little crabby after her night time bath, and the only time I could take a picture without her complaining was when she finally went down for night nights.

She's growing up so fast- she is already in a size 2 diaper!! As of her last Dr. appt, Zoey weighs 12 lbs. 8 oz. and is 25 inches tall!

During one of her naps, she fell asleep holding Mr. Sheep's foot.

She's grasping her toys more each day, as well as trying to put them in her mouth.

She likes her green owl Daddy got her :)

She also thinks her purse is a phone!

And she was just hanging out with her friends in the swing. Love her sooo much!

13 Weeks/3 Months

Two days ago, Zoey turned 13 weeks old!

And yesterday she turned 3 months old!

11 & 12 Weeks

Last week's photos:

Love her smiling face! She was having fun during this photo shoot!

This week, Zoey is 12 weeks old!

 She was a little wiggle worm during this photo shoot, so she was blocking the chalkboard! 

 She has the cutest scowl! Looks just like her daddy did! She's still trying to figure out what exactly the camera is.

And here she is eating her fingers. Still cute as a button. My guess is that she is starting to teeth since she does this and also drools a lot more now.

She's talking (babbling) even more, and sometimes you can get a good laugh out of her by being silly. She particularly likes it when I stick my tongue out at her, and she is starting to fancy whistling sounds! At her last check-up on August 9th, she weighed 11 lbs. 10 oz. and was about 23 in. long. 

It is truly wonderful to watch this little peanut grow!

9 & 10 Weeks Old

Zoey's 9 week old picture:
(She wiggles and throws her arms around so much that she smudged the chalkboard!)

Zoey is beginning to babble/coo more, play/interact with her toys and mirror, and is giving really big smiles! She may even start rolling over very soon. Almost every time I get her from the crib after a nap, she is laying in a different spot/position than what I put her. It's exciting, yet a little scary since we won't be able to leave her laying places without barriers.

Since I have procrastinated on the blog (sorry!) I'l have to update with Zoey's 10 week old picture as well. Although I haven't been consistent with posting, I am still taking her photos. 

She's getting so big and growing so fast! It truly is a blessing to be able to watch your children grow. 

8 Weeks Old

Our little Zo-Bug is 8 weeks old!

She wasn't very interested in being awake for this photo shoot! 

It really is amazing/shocking/tiring at how fast/much a baby's schedule can change... and how much they grow!

From dealing with number 2 issues, to gunky eyes, and cranky nights, sometimes it feel like we take one step forward into a great routine and then the next minute two steps back. Regardless, she is still WONDERFUL. But after having some stomach issues, her eating and sleeping habits got out of a good routine... or just one where I preferred where I was getting sleep at night. However, with pumping and constant comforting, we will get back on track!

She continues to surprise us everyday by doing something new! She's cooing a lot, trying to swing or kick at her toys (especially Mr. Monkey and Mr. Elephant), and she also tries to mimic you when sticking your tongue out!  

I've been meaning to post about breastfeeding and pumping and my experience with it all. The information that I've found when I had worries and struggles was really mixed and didn't help me much, but I hope for it to be beneficial to another new nursing mother who needs advice and is looking for a positive outlook on breastfeeding.

That will be my next post... but for now, here is a picture of Daddy and Zoey during the late night shifts.

7 Weeks OId

Zoey is 7 weeks old.

It has been a tough couple of days for this little girl.  Right now we are battling tummy aches and sleep deprivation. It was even difficult to get a picture of her not crying, hence the next photo that required her paci to keep her calm. 

Some new things this cutie is doing: smiling a lot while awake (especially when you make fart noises with your mouth, of course), giggling at Mr. Elephant and Mr. Monkey, and sleeping almost 5 hours at night, waking up once to be fed/changed, then sleeping almost another 5 hours (with the exception of the past three nights due to belly aches). Hopefully our little angel will feel better soon. 

Until then, we will just hold and comfort her as much as possible. Which I've gotten great at doing things one handed when she allows. 

Here's her and daddy in their Sunday best relaxing on the couch. They are my whole world <3