Thursday, May 24, 2007

3 months!

Long time no blog! It's been a busy month and I thought I was so on it with the posts, but alas a month has passed since my last entry and so much has happened!

So far the new skills that Ginger has aquired are rolling over, laughing, screeching for joy, high pitched painful cries of hunger and/or fatigue, and falling asleep on her own!!! Well, not every time, but if tired enough I can lie her down and she will eventually fall asleep.

The main news here is that Ginger and I went to New Jersey for my Dad's 70th B-day, it was a great trip. She had no problem on the plane, she mostly slept and ate and everyone on the flight oohedandawed over her. John couldn't come becuase he didn't have the vacation. But I had my neices and sister to help take care of Ginger.

Here is a photo essay of the trip:



My first mother's day, I have a new holiday! It was a beautiful day and my first day in NJ. I went to Ann's and we hung out with the neighbors the Grants and drank bloody marys, mmmm... Here we are with all the moms (Ann, Sara, Laura) and children (Laura's 3 Neil, Julia, and Ella), Benton Girls, and Ginger.




The next day, Monday, Graciela came up with her brother Guillermo and nephew Ignacio who were up visiting from Argentina and on their way to Boston. Perfect timing that they could come up and meet Ginger. Graciela came up for two nights and had a great time. Pam, my father's fiance cooked up an amazing meal for everyone. I was so grateful that Graciela could spend some time with her first grandchild!




For those of you who understand my love of mint chip ice cream, you know who you are. One thing that is very important in the mint chip is that the chips be actual 'shavings' of chocolate and not big chips. And although you wouldn't think it, this is hard to find. Little did I know that in the town of Madison where I grew up there is in fact the most PERFECT mint chip ice cream on the planet!! Here I am getting my first of many doses.




My next dose of the mint chip ice cream came in the form of my dad's birthday ice cream cake, which he requested. We had already had strawberry shortcake twice that week in honor of his birthday, and next to stawberry shortckake, ice cream is his favorite dessert. Gary (my brother in-law) cooked up some amazing ribs and deviled eggs. Ann made potato salad. We got some authentic fried chicken from a special (NOT KFC) local spot in the "Hollow", a neighborhood in Morristown. Pam's family came (pictured with Butch is her granddaughter Grace). It was a southern lovin' food feast!




Here are the famed Benton Girls (keep your eyes peeled for their debut in People Mag, maybe in a few years....) They all loved taking care of Ginger and did an amazing job. One night they got her to sleep and I didn't have to do anything! Carline is expert diaper changer, a very important skill indeed. And Lizzie and Emily are full of unique ways of entertaining her that I hadn't even tried like making fun noises with their tongues and clapping, and playing peek-a-boo.





A great shot of Emily and baby G.




She is so cute sleeping, I had to get this shot.




And on the last day Kathy who is an aunt for the first time drove up from Baltimore to meet baby G. for the first time. I was so impressed she came up after having just returned from a two month trip to Argentina. But who could resist this cute little girl?! It was great having Kathy, she got to hold Ginger and I got all the news from her amazing trip. She brought wonderful gifts from some of John's relatives, they are so generous. I think we might have to take Ginger down there someday soon...





And finally, this is a shot I took after we came back. This little seat helps babies sit up and Ginger loves it because it can be put on the counter and she feels involved in whatever we're doing in the kitchen.


That's all for now! This weekend we go to the Oregon coast, so look for another posting hopefully next week!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Getting strong and vocal



Ginger is beginning to learn the capabilities of her vocal cords and screeches with excitement at high volumes. She also has a very sweet song-like coo. It is amazing to watch her discover herself. She is gettting very strong on her belly, able to lift her head and check out the world. we are getting more and more response from her and it is totally rewarding!



Here is John reading her Dr. Seuss' ABCs. She makes tons of noise during these sessions which must means she loves his lulling voice.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

John feeds Ginger

Here's one more image I forgot to post. Ginger has been taking a bottle of pumped milk for about a week now. She doesn't love it, but will take it. This is great for dad to get a part in the feeding and for mom to get a break!



Also, I just wanted to let people know that you can click on any image and it will enlarge it for a better closeup, but unfortunately there's no way to order prints. Sorry!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Two Months




Wow, this cute little girl has been with us a total of 8 weeks, unbelievable! We are able to live in the moment as we go through our days, but in retrospect it all happens rather quickly. The moments are so precious I don't want to miss them, but I'm also so excited for all that lies ahead.

Two months old, and so much fun we have had! Luckily I have 6 months of maternity leave. How awful it would be if I had to start getting used to the idea of going back next month. Such a travesty that our country does not give more support for paid maternity leave.

Anyway, without getting political, here are some portraits of what I believe to be our most adorable daughter. Taken this AM.





In other news... we had our second swim class yesterday. It was mostly a resounding success. She dipped underwater briefly 3 times, but then was crying so I didn't want to push it and we stopped. She zonked out for two hours afterwards, and from what I understand 20 minutes in the water for a newborn is a major workout. Here's her in a baby wetsuit learning how to float.



Ginger also love John's guitar playing. He is starting to get some serious mean blues licks which Ginger loves, and as you can see here, does her best to sing along to.



love to everyone, drop us a line!

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Ginger avoids typhoid Fahey

Well, once again I've been remiss in keeping up a weekly blog. I guess we can now call it the biweekly blog, just to be realistic.

I do not recommend both parents getting the flu when you have a new baby. Taking care of a 7 week old when you are both feverish with violent coughs is no fun! We are better now, and Ginger avoided the virus, she is strong like bull!

Unfortunately we haven't taken many photos since the family left. But here's one of Ginger sleeping, a most delicate and enjoyable time for her parents!



Ginger also had her first water lesson after the family left. This is a swim course designed specifically for babies who still have their newborn reflexes, including the dive reflex that causes them to hold their breath when water is splashed on their face. She has her second lesson this week, so I'll take a photo of her in the pool in her little swim diaper. We have been getting her in the bathtub at home and floating her in the water. You can see her hold her breath when water is poured over her face, so hopefully the next lesson we will submerge her underwater. Don't worry, it's safe! Click this link to read more about it:
little dippers

Along with all her pretty smiles. Ginger now makes lots of cooing sounds and one noise pattern that I believe is a primitive giggle, one day to become giggle girl supreme just like her mamma! (we do have the same birthday, after all...)

look again soon for some more pics!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Smiles and family

Hey everyone, it has been a crazy past couple of weeks. First my sister Ann from New Jersey came to visit and help John and I adjust to our new lives. She was a great help and her 3 girls were my training as a mom for the past 13 years which has helped me understand many parenting realities.

Ann holds Ginger



Then my other sister Kathryrn and her 2yo Anna came from Vienna. Anna is a true 'ginger-head' with an equal amount of fiery energy, a window into what our future holds. We went to Pike's Place market and Anna held some enthusiasm for the live crabs...



Ann left and my dad came from Florida. We had amazing breakfast at Lowells in the market, went to the flight museum at Boeing field, and he took all the girls shopping for new clothes. I just got athletic wear to fit so I can start working on getting into shape again. He was very patient and generous with us. Here he is at the flight museum boarding the Concord.



He also loves holding baby Ginger. What a handsome pair!



Kathryn gave me one of her amazing slings that she sells in Austria and helped me to get used to its intricacies. Baby wearing and baby sharing...



Did I mention that Ginger has been smiling for a little over a week? Usually just in the mornings once or twice, then she is worn out and cries. But they are great smiles! Trying to capture it on film ( or LED screen) is a different matter, so this is a little blown out, but from just before her one month old day.




Everyone left today, leaving us to our own devices and to muddle through the realities of parenting. Actually, it will probably easier than with a 2yo around! But we will miss Anna's vibrant energy, as well as her mother's who has endless enthusiasm for the small things. And our papa bear Butch! He was a grounding presence and is a grandfather supreme!

One last shot of Anna holding Ginger.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Ginger's hats

It takes some effort to maintain this blogger thing, and it really isn't even that hard! I guess it's been awhile, I hope people are still checking it out, probably not. Oh well, for those who are, thanks!

We have been having a blast on our maternity leave vacation these past couple of weeks. We manage to get out of the house just about every day and go on some sort of adventure. Mostly just boring errands, but it makes a difference to be able to get out and see the world. Ginger is very tolerant of the multiple transfers from carseat to moby wrap to carseat. We have gone on several walks and enjoyed the two sunny days that Seattle has seen in the past month. Definitely time for some more consistent Vitamin D intake....

We continue to be amazed by all the delicious meals people are bringing us. It has SAVED me!! Thanks to everyone who has participated. We have also gotten some new recipes out of it.

I am doing a little photo feature here of some of the beautiful knit items Ginger recieved from friends and co-workers. The orange hat is pretty much a daily accessory, along with the green sweater outfit. The orange hat was knit by our friend Rachel, thanks Rachel!



The green outfit by one of the nurses I work with whose birthday also happens to be Valentine's Day. Thanks Lynelle! And note the cute little socks, those are knit by one of the OB docs I work with. Thanks Cricket!



The blue bonnet is from another nurse, Meagan, who also just had a girl in October. Thanks Meagan!




The other two are by my coworker midwives Leah and Lisa.





They are a little big right now, but I think will be perfect in the fall. Thanks Lisa and Leah!