Putting Ghosts to Bed

Dear Friends and Family,

Mr. mouse went back to work today after taking three weeks off to spend with Pioneer and me. I'm so glad we got to spend the time together. Although Pioneer won't remember the time, Mr. mouse will and equally importantly, I will.

Every relationship has baggage, and I'll be the first to admit ours has some. We've had a sore point in the past where I've asked Mr. mouse to take time off, he seemingly agreed, but when push came to shove, it didn't happen. Some were for longer periods of time, some shorter. Each time I felt betrayed like work was more important than our relationship and I felt that something was broken in our communication process.

I asked Mr. mouse to take time off with Pioneer and he knew and I knew and he knew I knew and I knew he knew I knew that it was more than a one off request. It was a request to make amends for the prior times and a request to help put those ghosts to bed. It was a request to say please say this is worth it.

And he delivered. There were a couple of emails and a couple of calls and a couple of trips into the office, but overall, he took the time off and we're all the better for it.

Now, sadly, I'm into my final five weeks. Then, my baby will be in someone else's hands while I go back to work as well. She's upstairs sleeping while I have breakfast and blog. Then, I'll spend some time watching her and getting stuff done around the house.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: She was a champ on the ride home yesterday. Woke up twice to eat and once for a diaper. And, she slept the rest of the trip until the last thirty minutes. We caved and gave her a pacifier for it until we got home. No point in stopping for an hour when you're so close to home.

06.29.09: First Road Trip

Dear Friends and Family,

We loaded up the car for Pioneer's first road trip. How does someone so small generate so much luggage? There's the pack and play, the stroller, the car seat, the diaper bag, the clothes, the blankets, the toys, the diapers, the wipes, the back up bottles, the back up formula... It's truly impressive.

We had to make three stops on the drive over. The first two took about an hour a piece for feedings - we ate during the first one and Mr. mouse picked up groceries during the second one. The third was a splash and dash diaper change. It took a little over seven hours for what was previously a four hour trip. Pioneer slept for pieces of the ride. She cried for pieces of the ride. She was awake for about thirty minutes. We all made it in one piece, except for the car, which lost a mirror Saturday night.

We had dinner Saturday night with friends. And, on Sunday, we visited a friend who couldn't make it to dinner and then hung out at another friends' house for the afternoon and evening. It was all low key and manageable with Pioneer. She's slept fine in the hotel room in her pack and play. And, she's been managing with the different feeding locations. We'll see how it all pans out when we get home and weigh her. I'm concerned because she's been eating less frequently for shorter periods of time - the math isn't reassuring. But, if she's hungry, she should eat longer, right? Human self-preservation does kick in at some point, doesn't it?

Today, we have a dentist appointment and then the drive back home. Tomorrow, I'm on my own. Mr. mouse goes back to work for three days. And, that brings me to the home stretch - four weeks on my own with Pioneer before I go back to work. It goes too quickly. She's so precious.


Cheers!
mouse

Follow-Up Appointment

Dear Friends and Family,

We went in yesterday for my six week follow-up appointment.

Doctor says everything looks good. I'm cleared for resuming all normal pre-pregnancy activities. Sounds like I have a hot date with the stationary bike and a couple of light weights in the near future.

Life is good.


Cheers!
mouse

Potential Daycare Solution

Dear Friends and Family,

We went to work yesterday to look at a daycare center located by the office. It looked like a potential solution for the next six months until a spot opens up at a daycare center by home. It's not the same as the 2:1 care she's been getting at home, but hopefully she'll adapt and do okay with it.

We stopped by the office to give everyone a chance to meet Pioneer. It took a little longer than expected. But, I'm glad my old boss had the chance to meet her.

Well, Pioneer is up and fussing so I'd better go get ready.


Cheers!
mouse

06.24.09: Weekend Catch Up and Pioneer's Development Update

Dear Friends and Family,

In catch up mode this morning now that Mr. mouse's folks are gone.

Saturday, we spent the morning at home doing the newborn thing. Then, we went out for lunch (rotisserie chicken) and spent the early afternoon letting Pioneer sleep at the restaurant. We came home to let Pioneer eat and then went for a walk to finish up the day and to let me stretch my legs.

Sunday, Mr. mouse went to the airport to pick up his Dad and Step Mom. We went out for a Father's Day brunch. We spent lunch playing pass the baby - Pioneer was in a good mood, so it was fun for all of us.

We tried to go out each day with Pioneer. Monday, we went to Millennium Park and to dinner in Chinatown. Tuesday, we went to the lake. And, today, we're going to tour daycare options by work.

Pioneer's been busy doing what babies do. Her eyelashes are coming in. She has new hair on her head that's all about an inch long and looks like a faux hawk. The hair on her forehead and arms and legs and shoulders is getting finer and fainter. She has baby acne which is fortunately beginning to clear up.

Our eating routine has gotten a lot smoother. We've got the latch thing down. She knows her green pillow. And, when I lay her on it, she calms down and lets me turn her to her side. She opens wide and looks at me with an okay, I'm ready look on her face. Latch and go. For side two, she sometimes gives a funny look like she's doing me a favor - an oh, all right, if you insist, I'll have a bite look. It's such a contrast from when we started. I still remember the disaster feed when she was three days old at Babies R Us. And, the struggles during the first two weeks when I almost gave up. What a difference a month can make.

This weekend, we've noticed a smile on her face. The books say it's gas. We're convinced it's a smile. And, last night, she began to figure out how to make some serious forward momentum. I wouldn't call it crawling. But, she's figured out how to raise her head, kick off with her feet and slide across the bed. Guess her days of unsupervised sleeping on our bed are over. She can slide her way off. In fact, last night, I got woken when she burrowed her head into my shoulder. It was cute.

And, last but not least, she's been doing it for awhile, but I never wrote about it. Sometimes, she gets a serious look on her face and raises her right arm in the air. We call it the reviewing the troops pose.

I lied. I've got one more topic to cover. The aggressive burping, holding vertical for 20 minutes after each feeding and belly sleep have made a ton of difference in Pioneer's fussiness. She's had four good days - enough to make us feel like we might be onto something. And, she's been gaining weight for the past week. Hurray!


Cheers!
mouse

Yeah, I'm Annoyed

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday, we let Pioneer take a super long nap in the afternoon. As a result, we had the mother of all cluster feeds last night. She was going at it like a chain smoker. Mr. mouse was sick so I was on my own for it - including diapers, burps and holding her. No biggie. Live and learn.

Today, I wanted to wake Pioneer from her afternoon nap to avoid Groundhog Day tonight. Well, Mr. mouse in his wisdom wanted to let her sleep. Now, here I am repeating last night, while Mr. mouse, apparently, is at the airport with his folks. Guess I was wrong in assuming he was dropping them off curbside.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: I should clarify, annoyed with Mr. mouse, not Pioneer.

PPS: It could be a growth spurt. Or, Pioneer likes Italian food.

PPPS: It's a good thing Mr. mouse waited with his folks, their flight cancelled last night and he was able to help. But, still, he should have let me know beforehand...

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) aka Acid Reflux aka Heartburn

Dear Friends and Family,

As first time parents, the mouse household is a little bit of the blind leading the deaf nowadays. We've read a lot of books. We've talked through a lot of ideas. We've surfed the web for the collective communal wisdom. And, we've analyzed as only two engineers can. And, then, as humans, we caved.

Is it colic? acid reflux? high need? fussiness? spoiled? The list of possible causes is a mile long. The list of possible "fixes" even longer. The two symptoms we are trying to solve for: poor weight gain and fussiness (recognizing the two aren't necessarily related).

I won't bore you with the detailed map, but here's the laundry list.

Potential Causes: not feeding often enough, not feeding enough at each feeding, not sleeping enough, sleeping too much, colic, acid reflux, diaper, hunger, hot, cold, tired, overstimulated, needs comfort, gas

Potential Fixes: more persistent feeding, more frequent top offs, wake for feeding, swaddle, belly sleep, probiotics, gripe water, hold vertical for 20 minutes, more frequent feedings, less persistent feeding, angled sleep, more aggressive burping, smaller bottles, change my diet, angled eating, baby sling, baby hammock

We hit a brick wall on Wednesday with a day of non-stop crying combined with my Dad being here. So, we did a lot of research Wednesday night and a lot of thinking Thursday morning. And, decided on an experiment Thursday morning.

Yesterday, we did the twenty minute vertical hold after each feeding, the aggressive burping (it can take Pioneer up to 10 minutes to burp after a breastfeeding), and the belly sleeping. Her fussiness decreased dramatically - we had one two hour spell at night, but the day went swimmingly. I think we missed an evening nap opportunity sometime after five o'clock that triggered the evening fussiness.

Today, we'll try the same set of changes and see how it goes. If we get three good days, I'll consider it a potential solve. On the weight gain front, we'll see if the two are correlated - if reducing the fussiness gives her a chance to sleep and eat and gain some weight.


Cheers!
mouse

Our First Box

Dear Fiends and Family,

Our first community supported agriculture box arrived yesterday. Whoopee!

What goodies did we get?

• rhubarb
• mint
• lettuce
• spinach
• asparagus
• mushrooms
• green garlic
• strawberries
• eggs

A much "easier" selection to eat than last year when the crops succumbed to torrential rains. It's what you sign up for as a member of a CSA - the good, the bad, the ugly.

I'm so excited!


Cheers!
mouse

PS: Dad came in yesterday to see Pioneer. She was a monster all day. Write more on it tomorrow.

Nurturer vs. Nurturee

Dear Friends and Family,

We were driving home from the mall yesterday when a light bulb went off.

One big difference for me has been the light switch change from nurturee to nurturer. Before Pioneer, I would come home to be nurtured. Mr. mouse would take care of me and ensure that my batteries were recharged for the upcoming day.

Now, we're both nurturers and Pioneer is the nurturee. I don't mind the change in roles. But, recognizing it does give me a sense of accomplishment. I think at some point it'll all evolve and Pioneer won't be as all encompassing as she is now. I'm not worried either way.


Cheers!
mouse

Mouse Update

Dear Friends and Family,

Trixie asked, "how is mouse doing these days?"

Which is a very good question. How IS mouse doing these days?

I've been taking my usual approach to it all - trying to take it all in while trying to take it all in stride. I've been told the usual "you look great" which always feels good. I'm 138 pounds now, which gets me back into non-maternity pants, albeit not my original size, but non-panel pants nonetheless. My eventual goal is to get back to 116-120. I've been averaging about a pound a week which seems like a good pace.

I'm getting my sleep. Pioneer sleeps in 4-5 hour stretches at night. I usually get 8-10 hours in a 10-12 hour stretch which is more than what I was getting before we had her.

I feel totally healed from a physical standpoint. And, hormonally, things have settled down as well.

I've been blissfully enjoying the past week and half with Mr. mouse home. It gives me good time with both of them. And, when I need a break, I can take a break. I have a feeling it won't be as stress-free once he goes back to work.

So, in summary, how is mouse doing these days?

I'm doing very well, thank you. Just doing what makes me happiest - taking each day as it comes and enjoying the little things life has to offer.


Cheers!
mouse

06.15.09: Baby Weekends

Dear Friends and Family,

I get the feeling our weekends are becoming more laid back with Pioneer around.

Saturday, we gave Pioneer a bath. We played with her and took a video of Pioneer moving her head following a toy. Mr. mouse took a nap with Pioneer on the deck. And, the rest of the day was dedicated to the usual, feeding, diapers and sleeping.

Sunday, we took Pioneer out to Babies R Us do some returns and to pick up some breast pump accessories. Then, we went out to lunch before driving home. She managed the trip well. And, I think we have a solution around buying us some time outside. I pump a bottle in advance of the trip. But, we don't give it to her until she's hungry. That buys us up to five hours depending upon timing.

Sunday evening, I held Pioneer while she napped. There's nothing in the world better. She's growing quickly, and there will come a time when she has no interest in being held and I won't have as much time. So, I've been enjoying it while I can.

Last night, she slept like a trooper. She slept from around 9 to 1. Then, from 1:30 to 6. Then, from 6:30 to 9. She put on some good poundage the last two days, so we were okay letting her go that long. It felt decadent.

We're hitting an inflection point. Pioneer's outgrowing her newborn diapers and her newborn clothes (which I'm really sad about), and she's moving up in bottle serving size to three ounces (which I'm paradoxically really excited about). Her CRL (crown to rump length) is the length of my arm from my elbow to the tip of my hand.

She's sleeping again now. Mr. mouse is updating his fantasy baseball team. And, I am blogging (before noon) and having my breakfast.


Cheers!
mouse

Our Kate Moss

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday went by in such a flurry, I forgot to post.

We went in for our one month check up.

We weighed Pioneer before going in to the doctor's office so that we'd be prepared if needed. And, when they weighed her at 6 pounds 14 ounces, both Mr. mouse and I were up in arms. We had weighed her at home at 7 pounds 11 ounces. A second scale at the office showed her at 7 pounds 9 ounces which makes me wonder if her first measurement was off as well - the panic attack one that had her weigh in at 5 pounds 15 ounces. Amateurs.

She continues to be 50th percentile height and head measurement. And, is now 10th percentile weight (down from 10-25th percentile). We'll continue to weigh her at home and top her off as needed to keep her weight trending in the right direction. If she continues on her current trajectory, I'll be googling modeling school in a couple of years. Although, I do hope she goes for something a little more cerebral than that.


Cheers!
mouse

PS: Hep B shot yesterday as well.

One Month Birthday

Dear Small,

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Small,
Happy Birthday to you.

You're one month old now,
You're one month old now,
You're one month old n-o-w,
You're one month old now.

The month's gone quickly to say the least. And, I'm sure the next month will go just as quickly. You're with your dad now, trying to go down for an afternoon nap. Hopefully he's successful and you get some rest.

I won't spend a lot of time here recapping the month since I've been trying to capture it as we go. But, I do want to say thank you for joining us. I didn't have any preconceived notions on what parenthood would be like. You've exceeded my wildest expectations.


Love,
your mommy

The Cynic's Guide to Breastfeeding

Dear Friends and Family,

It's only in retrospect that I can write this post. It's too much of a nightmare to write it while you're living it.

Week 1: Set Up for Failure
milk production: non-existent, you're producing colostrum, great stuff, but not milk
joint venture status (aka the latch): trust me, it's not instinctive on either side
scheduling: baby sleeps 24/7, in other words, no interest in eating

You're a mess physically and hormonally from giving birth. The baby's a mess from being born. No one's done this before so it's a learning experience for both parties. Everyone wants to know how you're doing. Everyone expects to hear you're doing fine. No one wants to hear you're falling apart at the seams.

Week 2: The Pressure's On
milk production: MILK? it's beginning to come in, kinda sorta, maybe, not sure
joint venture status (aka the latch): reading books, surfing the web for tips
scheduling: baby sleeps 24/7, in other words, no interest in eating

By the end of week 2, the baby's supposed to be back at birth weight. You have a doctor's appointment where they'll be checking. You suspect the birth weight was inflated from all of the fluids that puffed you up, but that's the number you're going to be held to. Get to work!

Week 3: Make or Break Week
milk production: MILK! now everyone wants to know how much
joint venture status (aka the latch): good latches, poor latches, no consistency
scheduling: baby sleeps 24/7, in other words, no interest in eating

Lactation consultants. Formula supplementation. This is the week when you either find your groove or you toss in the towel. Anyone can put up with two weeks of %$#@!, but sooner or later it either gets better or you have to make the call for the baby's health and your sanity. This is the heavy guilt week - with all of the pro-breastfeeding propaganda that's in play.

Week 4: Light at the End of the Tunnel? Or is it a Train?
milk production: seems to be enough
joint venture status (aka the latch): seems to be getting consistent
scheduling: baby begins to wake, sometimes

This is the confidence week. Things seem to be falling into place. But, it feels like a house of cards that can collapse at any moment.

Week 5: A Factory Toyota Would be Proud of
milk production: consistent
joint venture status (aka the latch): consistent
scheduling: baby waking most times

So far, this week seems to be the week when everything starts rocking and rolling. Now, we get to think about things like stockpiling for when I return to work and how to feed away from home.


Cheers!
mouse

Four Weeks Old

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday, Mr. mouse, Pioneer and I celebrated Pioneer's four week birthday. We sang to her, and when she had her night time bottle, she had a "Happy Birthday" bottle a little later with an extra ounce of milk since she's been so busy growing.

Fortunately for my sanity, the day by day changes aren't as dramatic as they were the first couple of weeks. She's continuing to put on weight and look more mature, but it's not as fast paced as it was the first week where I noticed differences every day.

What tricks has Pioneer mastered recently?

There's the poopy diaper look. She doesn't do it all the time, but when she does, it's the best. She gets alert with a look of discovery on her face with her mouth in a little o. Then, she gets focused with her brows together and her face pushing. And, then, poopy diaper. Sometimes there are repeat performances, sometimes it's only one showing.

Her yawns have volume now. It's not just opening her mouth and stretching. You can feel her exhale.

She's feeding better now - staying awake and paying attention.

And, best of all, over the weekend and again last night, she reached for one of her toys. She reached for monkey and she reached for elephant on the mobile. I'm not sure it's purposeful, but I love it nonetheless.

On the physical changes front... Her butt is beginning to fill out into that cute, round baby's butt that everyone loves. Her feet are all healed from the multiple blood draws from the jaundice. Her hair is growing in. She still has hairy little shoulders that I love to kiss. Her forehead isn't as hairy, so you can see her eyebrows. Her legs are stretched out and plumper and more finished looking. And, when she cries, she can shed enough tears to have a drop or two flow down her cheek.

Thursday, we celebrate her one month birthday.


Cheers!
mouse

06.08.09: Mr. mouse Time

Dear Friends and Family,

Our first weekend alone. What'd we do?

Saturday, we went to pick up the mail. We learned Pioneer doesn't mind the car as long as we're in motion. She bawls when we come to a stop. In the afternoon, we had two different friends visit and Pioneer got more clothes - a lovely salmon soy kimono and some cool onesies from Baby Gap.

Sunday, we went out for lunch - Pioneer needed a change, a bottle, and a nap. And then we went shopping for baby clothes and burp cloths. We spent the rest of the day at home playing with P, napping, and watching the F1 race.

Oh, and we got take out sushi for dinner Friday night to celebrate our anniversary. We ate on the bed while I fed Pioneer. It was intimate and low key - just what I needed.


Cheers!
mouse

Null Hypothesis Testing

Dear Friends and Family,

After much plotting of data and comparing measurements, I'm relatively comfortable in my null hypothesis:

• Pioneer gained just under 6 ounces per week for two past two weeks
• the doctor's scale was off last week and weighed her heavy
• her new feeding schedule is fine

Now, I just need to convince the doctor to see it the same way...


Cheers!
mouse

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis

Dear Friends and Family,

We took Pioneer in today for a weigh in to see if our new feeding schedule was impacting her weight.

According to the weigh in, she gained 2 ounces over 8 days which is bad news.

Hypothesis #1: we've been letting her sleep too long at night

Hypothesis #2: we've been letting her get away with shorter feedings when she's not "in the mood"

Hypothesis #3: the doctor's scale is off

We weighed in today on a digital scale. But, last week we weighed in on an analog scale. The doctor noticed her analog scale was off so she went off of the digital readings. But, I just had another thought...

What if the scale was off last week as well, then the delta is still valid! Mr. mouse and I have every incentive to get this right. Otherwise, we can be in for more rigorous monitoring and for supplementing. We'll weigh her on our own scale tonight. And, also compare her other stats.

The things you do when you have two engineers in the house and three scales.


Cheers!
mouse

Mommy Time

Dear Friends and Family,

Pioneer's awake and alert I am not holding her or reading to her or playing with her. I am shockingly neglecting her while I have my cereal and coffee and write my blog. She's safe in her pack and play and amused with watching her hands. I'll go down soon enough to be with her.

Yesterday, P and I made it through the whole day by ourselves. The morning was tough, she was fussy. But, we slept, again, in the afternoon and made it until Mr. mouse came home last night. Today's our third attempt at home alone time. Then, Mr. mouse is taking time off so I should be better prepared for July.

Oh. There she goes. Mommy time is officially over.

Lots of spit up. Glorious spit up.

My step-mother-in-law bought Pioneer a closet full of clothes. Only she knowingly bought clothes she likes, not clothes we like. She said as much just before we opened the box. We dress P in lots of white, yellow, green, brown, and, frankly, blue. Those are the colors Mr. mouse and I like, so those are the colors she wears. Oh, we also like bright red. Noticeably absent from the list? You guessed it. Pink.

Just so we're all on the same page. I wanted a girl. And, I wanted a girl I could dress my way. So, do we return the clothes? Keep them but not use them? Sigh. Guess I'm not the only selfish one in the family.


Cheers!
mouse

Home Alone

Dear Friends and Family,

It wasn't glamorous, but we made it through the day yesterday after dropping off my Mom.

We came home and I carried P up to the living room to change her. Then, I went upstairs to feed her. Afterward, I swaddled her and brought her down to the living room. It bought me two minutes of time to wash my hands, put a couple of slices of cold pizza and half a cookie onto a plate. Add a can of soda, and voila, lunch.

I picked up Pioneer and ate on the couch. I told you it wasn't glamorous.

Then, we went upstairs for two giant burps and a communal nap. Pioneer woke at three to feed. Then we both went back to sleep until 6:30. She fed again and then Mr. mouse came home and we all had dinner together - turkey panini sandwiches for the two of us and pizza flavored milk for P.

Pioneer and I napped while Mr. mouse did some follow-up tax work. And, that was how we made it through our first day alone. (I guess our true first day alone was Wednesday when we came home from the hospital. But this was my first 1:1 time with Pioneer.)


Cheers!
mouse

Supplementing with Formula

Dear Friends and Family,

I was reading an article online last night and a line struck a chord with me...

Should I supplement breast milk with formula?

...Supplementing with formula is often the beginning of the end of breastfeeding. Very soon, one bottle leads to more bottles and eventually to a dwindling milk supply...

It reminded me of Pioneer's second week. The doctor had "ordered" us to begin supplementing because Pioneer was losing too much of her initial body weight. And, so we began the supplementation route. And, frankly, I hated it.

Here was the routine:

• take Pioneer's temperature
• weigh Pioneer
• feed Pioneer
• re-weigh Pioneer
• prepare formula
• supplement, as needed
• put Pioneer down
• get pumping equipment
• pump, as needed
• record all of the data
• repeat

Since we were on a 2 hour cycle, it felt like as soon as we finished one cycle, we were beginning the next.

I laid out the pros and cons of supplementing per the doctor's orders and just continuing with breastfeeding. The BIG ones were:

• don't want to starve our child

vs.

• formula is fake food

And the little ones were:

• get more sleep at night

vs.

• "melamine" factor
• bottle makes Pioneer "lazy"
• supplementing ultimately reduces milk supply

I felt like we were on a slippery slope and that it would almost have been easier if the doctor ordered a complete switch. One is an abrupt transition where you can focus on the baby's health. The other feels like you're fighting a war you know you're ultimately going to lose, but still fighting it one battle at a time. The emotional toll is unbelievable.

Ultimately, Pioneer and I did win the war. We supplemented, but with logic vs. with abandon. And, we fought each feeding cycle hard, not giving in to the temptation to give up. There was one time when I almost broke down in tears in frustration. I was ready to throw in the towel when Pioneer turned a corner and had a good feed. Ultimately, with the doctor's blessing, one week later, we got off the supplementation route and formula is now just an emergency/convenience option.

What'd we win? Ultimately, we won the right to choose our feeding option. There's no right answer, but there is satisfaction in being able to pick what we prefer.


Cheers!
mouse

Last Day with Grandma

Dear Friends and Family,

Today was Pioneer's last full day with her grandma before my mom heads home.

The three weeks flew by. I'm glad Pioneer got to spend the time with her and that my mom got to spend the time with Pioneer.

For me, a lot of the tension/anxiety got better once I started feeding Pioneer in my bedroom. The lock on Pioneer's bedroom door doesn't engage. And, it was nerve racking to have my mom come in while I was feeding Pioneer. I needed that time alone with Pioneer and I needed my privacy. Once I moved to our bedroom, I had more space and I had more time. I didn't have to worry about the interruptions and I also spent some time playing with Pioneer once our feeding was done.

I know I've griped about sharing Pioneer. It's slowly getting better. And, it'll get a lot better in the next couple of weeks once we've had time to bond - just the three of us.

Tomorrow will be a learning adventure for Pioneer and me. We'll be on our own for the first time ever. We'll see how we do.


Cheers!
mouse

06.01.09: Finding My Footing

Dear Friends and Family,

No surprise, the weekend flew by in a blur.

Saturday, Mr. mouse's Dad and Step-Mom came over to see Pioneer. Unfortunately, she wasn't on her best behavior. She was hungry and gaseous all day which made for a fussy baby.

Mr. mouse and I attempted to take her to the airport thinking the car ride would be a good chance for her to catch up on her zzz's. Unfortunately, a dirty diaper and a hungry baby prevented that on the outbound leg. She got a nap in on the return journey.

Saturday evening, some friends in town visited. We had a chance to get caught up and show off the baby. It was a lot lower key and Pioneer slept for almost all of the evening.

Sunday, I focused on sending out birth announcements while Mr. mouse spent the day with Pioneer. We got caught up on thank you cards. And, Mr. mouse and my mom restocked the refrigerator.

Pioneer performed a new trick on Sunday morning. We were practicing tummy time on our bed, and she rolled from her stomach onto her back. She hasn't done it again since, but, that's not bad for a three week old. We'll continue practicing this week.


Cheers!
mouse