*side note* "Galore" is a funny looking word. :)

'Tis the season for Christmas parties! I didn't attend my work party this year (Thursday, Dec. 20th) in part due to having Henlie and mostly because it was McKade's birthday that day and the family went to Denny's for dinner :)  My breakfast dinner was so tasty :)  

After dinner, Matt and I headed up to Orem.  We stopped at Target to get a card and gift card for a friend of mine who had gotten married that day.  Then we had to stop at Petco because Mocha was running out of food.  Matt also got her some new toys (squeaky tennis balls that fit her mouth size well - she loves squeaky things!)  Then it was up to see Katie at her wedding reception.  She was so pretty!  I know she and Rob will be super happy as they start their new life together :)

We didn't stay, but Matt did snag a hot cocoa for the trip back to Payson where we watched the BYU bowl game at Lynell's and had cake and ice cream for McKade's birthday.  Mocha was pretty excited to get to come, too!

Friday, Dec. 21st was supposed to be the end of the world thanks to the Mayan calendar.  Really, the cycles of the calendar just reset on that day, but whatever :)  It made for some entertaining memes and posts on the internets.  It was also the Winter Solstice, so we had didgeridoo meditation night/end of the world party/McKade's sleepover party. We got to Mom and Dad's just after sunset to hear the last of didgeridoo mediation, courtesy Curtis.  Then it was time for dinner :)  After dinner, we all got to hang out because the sleepover didn't start until 8pm :) Fortunately, McKade was eventually convinced to start early, so we started watching Monsters vs. Aliens around 7pm and had popcorn.  Jason, Camile, and Charlie also made it over partway through the movie.  They also brought a selection of movies, so after the first movie, it was put to a vote and The Karate Kid (the new one) won out, much to McKade's dismay.  I was so sleepy at the end, and Henlie and I dozed off.  The movie ended around 11pm, and we came home.  It was funny.  We didn't sleep over and neither did Jason and Camile, but between the two of us, we had a whole bunch of stuff!  Guess that's what kids do to you ;)  I'm glad Jackie and Curtis slept over so McKade had someone at his sleepover :)  We did go back Saturday morning for breakfast, though! (And to see the ring......Devan proposed to Kayla Saturday morning - and she accepted :)  Next addition to the family will be made official sometime in May.  We're so thrilled for the two of them!)

That afternoon, we met up with my parents who were in town for the secret Erdmann Christmas party.  Mom was going to cut my hair Friday, but the scheduling didn't work out.  We cut off over 8 inches of hair.  I'm going to donate it via Pantene - mostly because I wanted it shorter and I had that much hair, so why not?  I really needed it cut because it was so long that all I had to do was look down (not even bend over), and it would be in whatever was in front of me.  (When you're changing diapers, this isn't a good thing.)  Now I don't actually have to pull my hair all back to do stuff!  While she had the stuff out, she also gave Dad a haircut :)  Then we visited some more before we needed to start getting ready for Christmas parties.

The Covalt party was in Provo at 6pm.  I wanted to stop at the store on the way, plus take stuff to DI (finally - it has been sitting in the kitchen and collecting more stuff forever!)  We left early but opted not to stop at Walmart on the way.  We did, however, go to DI.  It was so slow that they only had one lane open!  Yay for me loading all of the boxes earlier in the day into my trunk ;)  It's nice to have the floor in the kitchen back :)  We were still early, though, so we stopped at Fresh Market and picked up things we needed for the next couple of parties since we won't have shopping days really before Christmas.  Then we headed over to Grandma's.  We were the first ones there besides Sharon, who had been helping with dinner :)  We didn't stay very long since the Erdmann party was at 7pm, but we did get to visit with people, meet Lisa's fiancé, and let people see Henlie.  However, the party hadn't actually started by the time we left.  Highlight of the party?  Seeing Charlie get so excited when she would see McKade :)  She loves him :)

The Erdmann side hasn't done a Christmas party in years because Grandma is a serious worrier and stresses out waiting for people to arrive.  I guess we could have told her we were having a party this year because there was no snow or ice in the parking lot - much safer than the last party. John and Trish were in charge of getting Grandma and Grandpa there, and they succeeded well.  We got there about 7:20pm, and everyone was excited to see Henlie.  I loved getting to visit with Natalie and Lindsay too.  I'm pretty sure I haven't seen or talked to Lindsay since she got married..... in the summer of 2010.... yeah, fail.

Tracy and Carol's family did a program of the Christmas story and we sang carols waiting for Santa to arrive - which he did.  He was a pretty awesome Santa too.  It was really nice to visit with family we rarely see while eating tasty food :)

To which Santa replied, "Mrs. Claus allows it." lol

We gave all of our grandparents this year a picture of Henlie.  Grandma and Grandpa opened theirs while we were in line to get food, apparently.  However, Grandma, suffering from dementia, reopened it later while we were sitting down.  I love her reactions, even if they'd already opened it :)

Grandma also was continually overwhelmed during the dinner.  She kept telling us that everything in the room belonged to them (family members, that is ;))  She also stood and told us all how much she loved us.  She also bore her testimony and told us all to stay close to Heavenly Father.  I love her.  It's kind of sad to think my grandparents are getting old and that they may not be around for very long.  We really need to make a better effort to visit them all and enjoy the time we still have with them before they're gone.

Sunday, we actually made it to church.  We only stayed for sacrament meeting, though.  It was so nice to be back and to visit with people :)  Good news - we haven't missed tithing settlement.  We signed up for right after church this coming week. 

Sunday evening was the Christiansen party.  We had a tasty dinner while visiting, and then we headed downstairs for some awkward family updates and gifts. 


Monday was Christmas Eve, which is the annual Wilson Christmas party.  It gets shorter and shorter each year since most of the grandkids are grown up and don't prepare something for the "program." (This usually consisted of singing a song or playing an instrument.)  I have enjoyed the "pass along" gifts Beardalls instigated a few years ago.  White Elephant style - but no game, just passing until someone decides passing should be over and we open them.  And then there is still trading :)  This year we ended up with Swiss Miss and Marvel hand and face wipes. 

After dinner, we sang carols.  Grandma Wilson held Henlie while I read the Christmas story as Koreen played Silent Night.  After we sing Silent Night, it's time to open presents.  Caleen failed to bring Henlie's present :), but Koreen and Steven got her something as well.  Since she is the youngest, she got to open hers first.  They gave her a dress for next year (12 month size) and a 3 month jumper.  She is now fitting into her newborn clothes at almost 2 months old, so hopefully by the time she gets to 3 months, she can wear her 0-3 month clothes :)  I got some lip gloss, a sagittarius necklace, and a little bagpipe playing lego man.  Matt got a 2 litre of Mountain Dew and some kitchen utensils. 


After presents, we loaded up and headed home.  We got home with lots of time - which is so weird because I swear when I was little, sometimes we wouldn't be done until 12am.  At least, not before 10pm :)

Really, I think this post is mainly to share more pictures :) 

I kept Henlie in the room with me the entire time, except for when the nursery needed to take her to check vitals and whatever else they do.  Dr. Fullmer, our pediatrician, stopped by on Monday to check her out.  He said everything was great.  The only thing we needed to worry about was keeping her warm.  Since she was three weeks early, she didn't have time to add the extra fat to keep her insulated, and since she was already tiny, we didn't want her using up what fat stores she had in order to stay warm.  After that, she came back from the nursery with two blankets, instead of just one :)
Once, the nursery kept her for an hour in an incubator because her temp was a little low. Other than that, she stayed with us.
 

We had lots of visitors.  Mostly it was Matt's family, but some ward members stopped by too.
Someone recommended using a blanket you could take home to get the dog used to her smell, so we used this little moon and stars blanket for Mocha.  Also, my in-laws were great about taking Mocha to their house.  She freaks out if she's left along for long periods of time.  Matt would go home in the mornings to feed the cat and the bird, and to grab things that we didn't bring with us the first night ;)



Fortunately for me, I already had Monday off of work.  It was supposed to be my first week back in Orem editing, and Jan had scheduled me for 32 hours.  I sent her a text with a picture saying, "So, I won't be making it in this week after all."  We had a good chat after that.  And then another one since Ray had sent flowers to the Orem office for me, Jan, and Shannon.  Jan got them to send them down to the hospital for me instead.  It was sweet :)

I was able to move around a bit on Monday.  Tuesday was even better, though.  Yay for being able to get out of bed :)  Although, when you can move around and start feeling better, you can get pretty stir crazy.  I took some photos, listened to some music on Matt's laptop, and took a shower.  That was probably the best part - aside from going home that is :)


Tuesday was the day we checked out.  We asked how early we could go (didn't know if it had to be a full 48 hours or not), and they said as long as the doctors said we were both good, we could leave whenever.  Dr. Fullmer checked in on Henlie on his lunch break and cleared her.  Dr. Dewey was supposed to have swung by Tuesday morning, but never did.  Around 2pm, we had the nurses page him.  He called into my room and we set up to meet at his office on Wednesday morning, so I was good to go.  Then it was just a matter of the nursery and my nurse going over stuff with us to be discharged.

Mom and Jennifer came to help us carry all of our stuff out to the car.  Even though we came with very little, we ended up going home with a lot!  The nursery nurse came and discharged Henlie.  The billing office came to explain our bill.  Poor girl, I was nursing when she came in.  I didn't realize she wasn't from Labor and Delivery at first.  (You get used to just nursing in the open....)  Finally, Bonnie (my last nurse - she and Tylene were my favorites) discharged me, and saved Jennifer.....

You see, Jenn wasn't doing so hot.  She went to use the restroom and passed out.  I ran out and got Bonnie, who came in and checked on Jenn.  It took her awhile to be able to smell whatever awful thing they make you smell after that.  Jenn didn't even remember it happening.  We both got to go out in wheelchairs :)

I told you I'd post this eventually :)  Oh, and it's super long - so enjoy if you read it all :) Or at least enjoy however far you get ;)  Oh, and I have no inhibitions and labor is ugly, so it will get a bit graphic.  You've been warned.

Let's start with the Friday before, shall we?  It was November 2nd and I had my 36 week check with Dr. Dewey that morning.  Matt came with me as the doc was going to do the strep culture and check to see how dilated I was and the baby's position and all of that.  I was still measuring about 1.5 weeks smaller than I should have been, so the doctor did some ultrasounds to check the fluid around the baby.  While he was at it, he took a series of measurements to get an idea of how big she was.  The fluids were great and he estimated she was about 5.5 pounds.  I was dilated to a 2.  He told me I wasn't going to make it to 40 weeks, but we hoped for another one to two weeks. (Really, I was 36.5 weeks at this check, so nearly 3 weeks left).  I wasn't put on bed rest or anything, but I was told not to do certain activities that could induce labor.

Now let's fast forward to Sunday, November 4th.  I had sharing time that week, and Saturday I had finished prepping the game we were going to play.  Matt didn't feel well, so he didn't go to church.  He was supposed to give the benediction in sacrament meeting, so I ended up doing it for him :)  I had a couple of contractions in my back during sacrament meeting.  It was hard finding a comfortable position, especially because the benches in our church suck.  They have very little padding on the seat and are just wood for the back. :p  At one point, I was so uncomfortable I got up and had to walk around outside of the chapel.  Whitney, bless her heart, told me later that if I hadn't walked in when I did, she was going to go check on me :)

After sacrament was primary, and I made it through both sharing times.  I only really remember one contraction while I was doing the sharing time, but I apparently didn't really let on I had one :) Go me.  I had a few more as church neared an end. 

When I got home, Matt asked if I wanted to go to his parents' for dinner.  I was quite hungry, and I figured if I ended up going to the hospital and having to wait for an eternity before she was born, I was going to eat.  I'd heard you don't get to eat until after baby is born, so I was going to get some fuel in case I had hours of laboring before giving birth. 

Dinner was delicious, as usual.  I did have to pause a couple times during contractions, but I was good. :)  I overate a bit, which didn't help me later in the evening.  As we hung out after dinner, the contractions were getting worse.  I ended up pacing and visiting the restroom (a more comfortable position in there) quite a bit.  I really wasn't feeling that well, so we asked Matt's dad if he'd help give me a blessing.  They couldn't find the consecrated oil, so Larry had to consecrate some more.  I don't think I've ever witnessed that before.  Anyway, Dad annointed me and Matt gave me a blessing that labor would go well and I'd be able to handle it, or something like that.  Mom and I cried :)  I firmly believe that blessing helped quite a bit.  Maybe not with the pain, but with everything that ensued anyway.

Mom kept telling us to go into the hospital, but I didn't think it was time just yet.  Plus, no one wants to get sent home being told it's not real labor :)  Although, if I'd gone early enough, they may have tried to stop it since I wasn't quite 37 weeks (the magic number when you are considered full-term).  I, however, put my faith in my body knowing what to do, Henlie knowing when she was ready, and Heavenly Father that everything was going to be alright and that I'd know when it was time to go to the hospital :)  So with that, we went home :)

Somewhere between 5pm and 6pm is when this whole laboring process started to get annoying (in other words, more frequent contractions and pain).  I'd wander the house.  I'd sit on the couch, lounge on the couch, move to the bedroom and curl up in the fetal position; anything to find somewhere comfortable.  I really started not feeling well.  Between contractions, I was freezing and shivering and would bundle up.  Then a contraction would start and I would feel so nauseous and hot and sweaty and gross, and I couldn't get the blanket off of me fast enough.  This lasted awhile.  At some point while laying on the bed, I did actually throw up.  Unfortunately for Matt, it got on the bed and the floor, and not so much in the garbage can :(  Poor guy - but he cleaned up after me.  (Multiple times, I'm told.  It's a good thing we didn't have to sleep there for a few nights because he told me it still smelled bad - so he would clean it again, leave the window open, and Febreeze the room.) 

At this point, we moved back to the living room.  I'd gotten past where pacing felt good and lounged on the couch with my legs up on the coffee table.  We opened the balcony door to let some air in, and I continued my hot and cold flashes.  I believe Matt turned soccer on.  I didn't watch most of it.  I had my eyes closed most of the time.  Matt Googled throwing up and labor - apparently that's a sign of transition.  However, after vomiting, I felt a little better, so we hung out a bit.  Poor Matt - he was sitting next to me and began timing my contractions.  I guess they were about five minutes apart - and I have no idea how long they were lasting.  When one would start, I would grab his leg until it peaked and I got some relief.  After awhile, I threw up again. (Don't worry, Matt had gotten me supplies of a new trash can and tissues.)  After that, I felt like crap, I was in pain and had been for awhile that I told him, "I think I want to go in now." hahaha I hadn't packed my bag.  I had thought about it for a few days but never got around to it.  We had no idea where the camera had ended up.  The video camera was found, but dead.  I still don't know where its charger is.  So all we took to the hospital, aside from my trash can and tissues :) (Matt replaced the liner for me.) were our phones, one phone charger (good thinking on my hubby's part), and my contact case, solution, and glasses (because I hate sleeping in my contacts :)) 

When we got to the hospital (apparently just before 9:30pm), I was still doing okay.  I mean, I moved slowly and walked funny, but I could walk :)  We parked and walked into Emergency to check in.  Yeah, I went with him. :)  I didn't, however, sign anything because I was contracting.  Nor did I sit.  I found if I leaned over, supported on something, and stood on my tip-toes, I found a smidgen of relief during contractions.  That's what I was doing when Matt signed the paperwork :)  Then we walked over to Labor and Delivery. 

The nurse asked if we needed to check in.  She took down our information, and I told her I thought I was still in early labor. hahaha  She got us into a room and told me to at least strip the bottom half - so I opted to do that and left my T-shirt on under the hospital gown.  She asked if I wanted an epidural.  There was no hesitation from me when I said yes :)  So they paged whoever to come give me an epidural.  She got me hooked up and checked me.  I was at a 6 or a 7.  When I heard that, I felt better about myself.  I did go a long time laboring at home.  I didn't come in at like a 4 and have to hang out in the hospital for an eternity.  I was proud of myself and this accomplishment.  They paged the doctor, and I guess he was sort of wait and see at that point. 

While she was at the computer doing something, I had a contraction.  She asked if I felt like I needed to push, and I told her "sort of."  She told me to go ahead and push if that's what I felt like.  So I did.  And then she checked me again - and I was at a 9. hahaha  She paged the other nurse and told her to page the doctor back and tell him to get down here :)  Then it sucked because she told me to breathe through the next contractions and try not to push until the doctor could get there.  She told me if they needed to deliver the baby, they would, but the doctor got paid either way, so we may as well let him join the party :)  Matt, at some point during all of this, told Natalie we were going to have the baby tonight so she could get down here. 

I did not get the epidural.  It's a good thing that for 90 percent of my pregnancy I wasn't planning on having one.  I can see why people complain about their natural labors when they were never anticipating having one.  I, at least, had coping mechanisms.  It wasn't until a couple of weeks before Henlie was born that I decided I might be okay changing my mind during labor and not hating myself for getting an epidural.  Although, I really did want an epidural at that point :)  However, when I heard I was at a 6 or a 7, I knew I'd gone through a lot of the intense pain already without one, and that I could probably go the rest of the way without it.

Yes, the doctor made it in time.  He broke my water to finish getting things going.  They tried to place an IV, but had troubles finding my veins.  I'd have a contraction, and then they'd see a vein, and they'd try to find it after the contraction, but then I'd have another contraction :)  Needless to say, it took awhile before they were able to finally place it.  For this, I'm actually grateful.  After it was all said and done, Dr. Dewey told them they could stop the Pit drip.  I didn't even know they had given me Pitocin, and I most certainly didn't want it.  So I felt good that they couldn't give it to me as early as they may have otherwise done :)  Anyway, back to laboring....

Doc talked me through pushes.  I did my best to keep my vocals low and more relaxed, not high pitched and tense.  Doc said I'd eventually stop making so much noise and just focus on the task at hand.  I'm pretty sure I didn't.  Pretty sure I was growling (for lack of a better term) the whole bloody time (no pun intended).  They were awfully nice during labor, though, and did not tell me I'd shit on the table.  I knew it could happen, and I'm pretty sure I knew after it had happened, but our friend from band was right - they just don't tell you.  Why anyone chooses this profession is beyond me :)

Once Henlie's head crowned, all I wanted was to get her out.  So painful! Doc had to tell me to stop pushing when I wasn't having a contraction.  Clearly he has never given birth before ;)  That "pressure" hurt, gosh dang it!  He also ended up giving me an episiotomy.  Apparently I would have torn rather badly without it.  Whatever, what's done is done.  Honestly, I didn't much care during it all :) 

It was a most odd sensation when her head came out.  A bit of relief! and then her body decided it had to come out too :p  Fortunately, that was a quick one push bit, and it's not quite as large as her head, although it was still painful.  And then I was empty - and we had a baby.  Doc pretty much dragged the placenta out - and I stopped really noticing what was going on.  I remember at one point during labor looking up at Matt (who was standing behind my left shoulder), just to see how he was doing with the whole process.  He appeared fine :)  then I went back to closing my eyes and focusing on the pain and what was going on.  Pretty sure I had my eyes closed most of the time after the doctor got there.  After she was born, I told Matt, "We have a baby," (or something like that) and then I was done.  He wandered over to where they were weighing her and such.  (Next time, he will have more specific instructions about what to take pictures of lol - I got no weight picture, no first bath picture.... granted, Natalie was supposed to run the camera, and she got there after Henlie was born  . . . and we didn't have the actual camera lol :))

Doc stitched me up - and gave me an extra Novocaine shot so he could finish.  Oh yeah, he gave me like 4 Novocaine shots during labor - those hurt!  I just laid there, exhausted.  Natalie had gotten there at some point and was chatting with us.  I was tired, and I was nauseous again.  I asked the nurse what she could give me, and I got hit up with Ibuprofen and Phenergan.  After that, I was a happy camper.  I didn't want to immediately see my baby or anything.  I wanted to sleep.  And I think I did get a wee nap while they were doing whatever it is they do to babies and I was getting sewn up. 

And then they gave me my baby :) and Matt took pictures and put them on Facebook :) 
We called people.  Matt's parents and Jennifer came and held her. 
Matt got to hold her. 
I got to lay there :)  Oh, and try breastfeeding her.  That's something I wish I would have read up on more before having her, but I never bothered.  Natalie helped me a bit and Henlie nursed for a little bit.  We called my parents, and I think they were driving because we had to reach them on Gloria's cell.  They had been in town (oh yeah, they moved at the end of October because they sold the house.  They're living with Monica in Washington, UT until they get their house built, which is super close to Monica's house anyway.)  Gloria was like, "Why couldn't she have come yesterday?!?"  So they didn't get to see her. :(  It was a little weird hanging out in the hospital and not having my parents walk through the door at some point to visit.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure that's all we called.  I think Natalie was supposed to let some people on that side of the family know.  Dad thought I'd let the grandparents know, but we didn't.  My mom's side of the family found out via FB, and Matt's parents let that side of the family know - unless they had already found out via FB as well :)

After people left, the nurse came back in and I asked her why one earth she wanted to work in labor and delivery.  She just laughed, although I really did want an answer :)  She brought me crackers - which was good, because I was hungry, but it was late, so no food :(  She asked me if I needed to use the restroom, and I told her no.  Apparently that's not the norm, but I don't see how - I just pushed everything out and there is no baby pushing on my bladder - why on earth would I need to pee?  Apparently they aren't supposed to take out the IV until you do, though.  I tried, but nothing.  She got me in the wheelchair to move across the hall to a postpartum room, and then decided to screw it and take it out anyway lol.

Around 3am (I think), the nursery let us know they were going to give Henlie a bath and whatever else - so I sent Matt to take pictures - which he failed to do.  He did, however, pick out the bow they plastered to her head.  It was hot pink with black polkadots.  I think he was proud of his choice, because he told me he picked it and why :)  It wasn't straight pink (I have been kind of anti-pink), and the only other not pink they had was like brown and blue.  It was cute :) (Him telling me this, that is, although the bow is cute too.)  I, however, napped during this whole time.  It was awesome.

And so, that was it.  We arrived at the hospital just before 9:30pm, and Henlie Kaitlynn Biggs was born at 10:11pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012.  She weighed 5 lbs 4 oz.  She was 17.5 inches long.  Her APGAR score was 9-9 (yeah, I'm totally proud of that).  And she's totally cute.  (Trust me, there are some less than cute babies out there.)  She was perfectly healthy, just a little skinny and small, so we have to make sure we keep her warm.  No cone-head.  Her jaundice wasn't really that bad and passed well on its own.  We're so excited she is finally here and truly a part of our family.

Awhile back, I offended a friend who does Matt's hair when I expressed I didn't like the style he gave him. Mostly I was giving him a hard time. I wasn't terribly upset as it is hair and will grow out and can be restyled. However, hair is said friend's life and he is rather emotional. After this disagreement, he unfriended me on Facebook. I let it go. Granted, I'm also at fault for not apologizing and really trying to make amends. Now this friend is in a relationship with my best friend. That's how we met in the first place. After this incident, BFF and I were still friends on FB. However, tonight I checked in on him to find that at some point, he had also unfriended me. Now, we both suck at staying in touch and whatnot, but when we do talk, it's like no time has passed, so I'm a little bit sad that we are apparently no longer friends. I guess that would explain why he never texted me back when I told him Henlie was born and wished him a happy birthday. (They now share a birthday.) It's a little sad to realize I have no close friends outside of family anymore. Although, family, I still love you :)

Yes, I know I haven't posted the birth story just yet - but as today is Henlie's one month birthday and I'm at the computer, I figured it would be more appropriate to write about that.  Birth story is coming soon...promise!

Wow - one whole month has already gone by since we welcomed this little one into the world. This first month has gone by so fast!  To think I only have one more before I have to go back to work! :( 

This has been an interesting month, indeed.  We've faced breastfeeding problems, colic from my poor girl being stuffed with gas bubbles, no sleep, and feeling trapped, along with new perspectives, outings, new routines, and new friends.

I love Facebook.  I've been able to connect with other mommies and feel like I'm not so alone or crazy or different or whatever the case may be.  Interestingly enough, most of these mommies are people I wouldn't have normally reached out to, mostly because we're really more of acquaintances than close friends.  The connections are great :)  For example, during nights Henlie just won't sleep, or not stay asleep for more than five minutes, I pull her into bed next to me and we end up co-sleeping for part of the night.  Now I, for one, have no issues with the thought of co-sleeping.  I hear it does good things for a baby to have that closeness (just like holding her for 20 hours a day does too, I'm sure :)), however, all the experts caution against it due to SIDS.  Yes, co-sleeping is a lot more dangerous as more things can go wrong than if she is in her bassinet.  Matt I don't think has ever been fond of the idea either.  These things make me feel a little bad when she does co-sleep with me.  However, today I posted on the Facebook that we did co-sleep as part of my celebration that Henlie slept through the night last night! woot! Point is, she sleeps longer (aka better) when she is either a) being held or b) co-sleeping.  Anyway, I found a handful of mommies who told me they co-sleep too.  How awesome is that?  I also got some tips from other mommies to help Henlie actually sleep in her bassinet.  (She does sleep in her bassinet too, just sometimes she really doesn't want to be in there - like last night.  After feeding her at 9pm, 10pm, and then having her fuss again at 11pm, I was over trying to get her to sleep there.  And then we slept til 7:30am hehehe)

I feel like we're sort of starting to get into a routine too, just in time for me to go back to work ;)  I'm less worried about the clock regarding her eating and am feeding her more on demand.  Granted, if she was hungry before 3 hours beforehand, I would still feed her :)  We don't do "cry it out," not this early anyway, unless circumstances demand it (like being in the car).  Henlie is seeming to get into a routine with how often she wants to eat, too.  Although on occasion I do have to wake her up during the day to eat.  At night, she can sleep all she wants, during the day - 3 hours tops between feedings :)  However, I'm trying to make sure she goes at least 1.5 hours (preferrably 2 hours) between feedings.  For awhile, she was eating every 45 minutes to an hour, and I don't think that was most effective for either of us.  She was gassy and colicky - and I'm pretty sure she wasn't eating for long enough to get to the hind milk.  She is doing better now though.  Thank heavens.  Colic is not our friend.

Other updates - breastfeeding.  We had latch problems in the beginning, which left me broken and sore.  I started using my nipple shield on both sides, although the right side wasn't too damaged.  She can latch onto it better.  However, now she is so used to the shield that she won't nurse without it. (Not that I offer her the left side without it.  I remember the pain all too well.)  She will, on occassion take the right side without, but she doesn't latch on for as long.  Oh well, at least she is nursing and getting what she needs, and I'm not in constant pain.  Win-win.

Trapped - those first few days home (okay, maybe first week or two), I felt like I couldn't go anywhere.  Matt had the carseat base in his car, and I didn't even know how to put the carseat in my car, not to mention, I didn't know if my seatbelts were compatible (they are, as long as you use the locking clip.  I don't want to learn how to use the locking clip :))  We were getting used to nursing.  She was premature and I wasn't comfortable taking her lots of places.  I was stuck.  That coupled with Matt going back to work and school, breastfeeding problems, and baby blues made life difficult.  However, the hormones are more in check, she's eating fine, and we're used to Matt being gone again :)  Oh, and my darling husband put the base in my car, so I can just pop the carseat in and go!  I am no longer stuck.  I do, however, have to drive when we go places as a family, though :( (Matt used to always drive.)  Henlie and I have even braved Walmart on our very own.

This first month has definitely changed my perspective on life.  Matt will come home and I'll tell him about my day - and the highlights are usually pretty lame compared to what used to constitute a highlight.  Most days, I don't even change out of my PJs.  I feel I've had a productive day if I can get the animals fed before 10am.  It's a plus if I get breakfast in by then too :)  My life is pretty simple, and I feel like this is how it was meant to be.  I try to clean and take care of some things, but she's still so little that it's hard.  Example - today I had the huge success of gathering all of the garbages in the house (every single one was full....) and finagling the bags and boxes out to the dumpster while walking the dog.  That right there is a highlight. I do so little that anything extra is a win, and wins make me happy - and then Matt tells me my life is sad lol.

I can't believe it has been a month already.  She's so cute and a joy to have in our lives (most of the time :))  I'm trying to document things during this time so as not to forget them.  I actually wrote in her baby book the other day (after I purchased the appropriate color of pen ;)).  I'm a step ahead of my mother.  I have some things in my baby book, but most of the blanks are still blank :). 

I think her hair is getting a little longer.  It's still strawberry blonde.  I can't wait until it is long enough to see if it curls. 

Her eyes are still dark blue. 

Dr. Fullmer says she is filling out around the middle, and it seems her thighs are next on the list to fill out. 

People have commented on her long fingers.  Jackie will have to teach her piano one day :) (So don't move too far away forever!) 

Matt used to say Henlie's ears were put on upside-down because the top was skinnier than the bottom; however, her ears are filling out as well.  It makes me a little sad because they had fun little ruffle-like waves in the top that are getting stretched out :) 

I love her upper lip.  It comes to such a cute point in the middle.  She also makes fun "oh" and "oo" faces :) 

Her legs are so long, and she pushes against whatever she can find.  I have to be careful laying her in my lap because she could push right off of me.  I've also had to change the orientation that I change her in (we lay the changing pad down in the bassinet to change her), because she'll push her head right into the side of the bassinet. 

She had a weight check at the doctor's yesterday, and she currently weighs 5 lbs. 8 oz.  From two weeks ago (when she was 5 lbs. 1 oz.), she is gaining half an ounce per day. 

Also two weeks ago, she'd grown to 19.25 inches.  They didn't check her length again at the last appointment, but from my best measurement just taken, she is at 19.5 inches today. 

Just today, I noticed she is making some new noises.  This afternoon she started crying, and I had no idea why because it was a whole new cry I hadn't heard before. 

She still gets hiccups quite a bit, and her little coughs and sneezes are so cute. 

I'm a little scared, but oh so excited to see what new developments occur over the next month!

So I really started this yesterday . . . . but I believe Henlie needed to eat or something and I didn't get to finish.

Anyway, aside from being thankful I can end the meme for another year ;), Friday I was thankful for having a Disney Store back in the Orem Mall.  You see, I ordered a stuffed Piglet online to use in Henlie's newborn photos (she snorts when she cries, and she reminds us of a little piglet....)  Well, nothing ever showed up on the shipment tracking web page.  However, Thursday, Nov. 29 was the last of the estimated arrival dates, and it still hadn't showed up.  I emailed Disney, UPS, and called my local post office.  PO checked and had nothing on their end either, indicating it probably didn't actually get shipped.  So I found a phone number for Disney Store.  Chick set it up to expedite another Piglet to hopefully be here by Saturday.  Friday morning, I got an email saying the item was out of stock, so I called back because I didn't know if that was due to the fact the original didn't really ship or if the one she tried to expedite was not available.  Option 2.  I told them it was fine and I didn't want to replace it with something else.  I also asked for a refund, which, in theory, has been processed on their end.  I don't see it yet on my end, though :\  Anyway, fortunately we have a Disney Store in Orem again, and they had stuffed Piglets.  Plus side? I was able to get the larger Piglet (which I am happier with than I think I would have been with the one I ordered originally) for the same price as the tiny Piglet. Woot.

Also awesome on Friday was free diapers.  I found a group on Facebook for a Utah County diaper exchange - and someone in Orem (right by my work, actually) had extra preemie diapers.  Score! These things are expensive - and she goes through so many!