Greasy Ellie

Here are a couple pics of Ellie's head all lubed up last night to get rid of her cradle cap. I know, we're mean parents taking pictures! The baby oil seems to be doing the trick, though. Her scalp looks a lot better. Did discover that it's going to take a couple shampoos to get all the oil out of her hair. She's still looking a bit greasy today :)

And here's a pic of Ellie bundled up before we left for a morning run. It is so beautiful here today. I just love fall weather! I was so motivated while we were out that I went almost four miles, running most of it. I may be sore tomorrow, but it's supposed to rain the rest of the week so I wanted to get in plenty of outdoors time today.

Changes

For the big Monday Night Football game yesterday, Ellie sported a new outfit from her Aunt Maggie! I think she didn't smile for the pictures because she had a feeling the game wouldn't have a good outcome...
As Brian and I watched most of the game in bed last night, I couldn't help thinking how much our lives have changed from just a year ago. We spent most football Sundays last fall and winter at a local sports bar, wherever we could get the Packers games on TV. We had a great time drinking beer and cheering on the Packers (and, in the case of Brian, a whole host of other teams...) These football days usually were completely unproductive. Something about having a beer buzz by mid-afternoon. But we always had a great time and I really enjoyed that time we got together.
This year we would make an interesting trio if the family visited a bar to catch the Packers games. Luckily we get a couple of them on regular cable this season. But last night we couldn't even stay awake for the whole game! And I know the money we would've spent in the past on beer and bar food is already getting eaten up by diapers and other baby costs. I don't foresee a lot of going out of any kind in our future. I guess we're officially parents first and football fans second (or maybe third?) these days. But I didn't mind that I missed some of the Packers drives while changing Ellie's diaper and putting on her pajamas. Sports bars are fun, but nothing compared to watching my baby girl smile -- which she does SO much right now but never when I have the camera ready!
My priorities are so different these days. And, at least in this case, change is wonderful.

Sleepy baby = well-rested parents (by Brian)

So, I may be jinxing it, but I'll say it anyway. Ellie has been sleeping better every night.
Lately, Dorothy and I have been able to put Ellie under her mobile after 9 p.m. and let her fall asleep on her own. She's quite cute. She kicks and flails for a while, but after a while, her hands go up above her head and she passes out.
Last night, Ellie put herself to sleep again under the dancing Classic Pooh characters. That was about 9:30. Somehow, some way, Ellie slept until 3:45 a.m. It was AWESOME.
I got her down at 4:15 and expected she would be up in a couple hours. Her second leg of sleep is usually much shorter than the first. But she slept until I was leaving for work about 7:45.
I know we can't expect this all the time, but it seems like Ellie is getting more self-sufficient (as much as you can expect from a 2-month-old). And it's nice to know we can put her down and she can play or entertain herself, even if it's just for a few minutes.
She's growing like a weed, and I know the days when her parents aren't cool to her are going to be here sooner than we want, but it's nice to see her find ways to comfort herself and learn.
We love her so much.

Nice doctor, mean nurse

Ellie got another glowing report at her doctor's appointment today. But she also had to get her first shots :( She was a trooper, but definitely let out some "in pain" cries when the nurse stuck her with three different needles! I was able to comfort her after a few minutes... however, I already let Brian know he's in charge of the next appointment where she needs shots. (He couldn't make it to today's appointment because of work.) It was so sad to watch.
On a brighter note, Ellie is growing and healthy. She is 12 lbs, 8 oz! And she grew another inch in the last month. She's now 23.5 inches long. Ellie is in the 88th percentile for weight and length. Her weight gain is exciting for me to see because we haven't increased her bottle volume much at all in the past month, so she's clearly getting more milk from nursing than she once was. I can sort of tell, because she's nursing better. Of course, now that we've got this good rhythm going... I'll start work next week and have to pump more and nurse less. Hopefully my supply with stay up and Ellie will adjust to added daytime bottles OK.
Doctor said she is doing great, just a couple minor issues. Ellie has an umbilical hernia, which basically means her bellybutton is a major outie right now -- because her intestines are poking through a little, ew. But it doesn't cause her any pain and it should self-correct in the next year or so. Brian and I noticed it a few weeks ago when Ellie started having major nighttime fussiness. When she cries hard the bellybutton sticks out even further.
The other diagnosis from today's appointment was cradle cap. It's basically severely dry skin on Ellie's scalp. The treatment should be interesting. We're supposed use her baby brush to get the flaking skin off and then rub olive oil (or baby oil) on her head a few hours before bath time. I anticipate getting some pics of this, so stay tuned! Poor baby.
Oh, and here are some pics from our weekend. Dad and baby were all decked out in Illini gear. (Brian went to a tailgate with Rob before Saturday's Illini game and Ellie had to show her team spirit on the trip to C-U.)

2 months!

Ellie celebrated her two-month birthday yesterday! I can't believe how fast this time has gone, especially when I look back at pictures of her in the hospital and right after we brought her home. She goes to the doctor for her two-month appointment tomorrow morning and I'm excited to see how much she weighs and how much she's grown.
Brian and I are so proud of the progress she's showing in holding her head up, tolerating tummy time and entertaining herself for short bursts of time. I'd say her favorite thing these days (besides being held by mom or dad) is watching the Pooh mobile above her crib. She smiles even when she hears me winding it up! I love that she's infatuated with it because it gives me a few minutes in the morning to put my contacts in, make coffee and get dressed. I've even been able to get a race-speed shower in during one wind-up of the mobile. Impressive, I know.
And Ellie has fallen asleep on her own a few nights after watching the mobile go round and round. Great progress!
Mom, dad and Ellie had a great weekend. We went to Champaign on Saturday for Rob and Mary's baby shower. Ellie was very excited to help celebrate her future friend, who's due to arrive on Jan. 2, 2010. Mary's 6-year-old niece was very cute during the party. She kept showing Ellie the framed picture of Mary's ultrasound and saying "Look, Ellie, this is going to be your friend!"
We were going to head to St. Louis to see family after the trip into Champaign, but we decided the family needed a little down time the rest of the weekend. So we're going to see family and friends there later this month.
Today we took Ellie to church and got some stuff done around the house. And Brian watched Ellie for a couple hours while I went shopping. I have only three pairs of non-maternity pants that fit me these days... not the best-stocked wardrobe. I don't want to buy a bunch of bigger pants because I'm hoping I'll slim back down at some point. But I do need a few outfits that don't rely on elastic. Plus, it was nice to have a little retail therapy to get myself calmed down about the prospect of returning to work.
We've only got one week of Ellie-palooza left. We're going to make it fun!

My turn to be a baby?

What was supposed to be a quick trip to pick up paperwork today over at the daycare we've chosen for Ellie turned into a bit of a train wreck for me. I got another tour of the infant room while I was there. But it seems louder, brighter, more cluttered and cramped than I remember it being. I'm not sure what I was expected. Maybe a pristine, comforting space complete with several caregivers ready to devote all their time to my Ellie. I know, I'm a little nuts sometimes. But I can't help wanting the best for her.

Long story short, I was in tears by the time I reached the parking lot. And I didn't even have to leave her behind this time! I'm starting to wonder how I'm going to be able to leave her without having a total meltdown. But who can blame me? Look at this little angel...

Soggy mom, damp baby

Ellie-palooza continued today with a trip to a free "new mom" class on incorporating music into the baby's development. Ellie and I decided to walk over to the class, since it was in one of the hospital office buildings just a little over a half mile from our house.
The class was fun and I got some new ideas for songs to sing to entertain Ellie with. But when we went to leave, we discovered it had started to rain. With no other options, I put the blanket over Ellie and changed the walk home into a run. I made pretty good time, but was still soaked by the time we got home. Thankfully Ellie was only a little damp. And she didn't seem bothered by the rain since she slept the whole way home! I'm glad she wasn't screaming or something because I was already feeling like a bad mom. Or is it recommended to take 2-month-olds out when it's raining and 50 degrees? Tomorrow we'll aim for an activity that's a little drier and warmer.