guess who.....

rolled over for the first time today??!!


I DID!! :)

Actually, Mommy's not sure if it was a "true" rollover or if it was by accident after she set me down on my play mat this morning (I may have been leaning farther to one side as she let go of me). Either way, I did it and I liked it!! :)

sleep is good!!

Yup...Teagan has been sleeping through the night!! Well, most of the time anyway. She's been sleeping an average of 6 hour stretches once she goes down at night...last night she actually slept for 8 hours!! Woo hooo!!!! This started the day she received her immunizations and we thought it was just a fluke b/c of how tired she was from them (I woke up at 5am and poked her just to make sure she was okay!). :) Ahh...sleep is good!

The past few days she has been doing better than usual in regards to sticking to a more routine schedule with feeding and napping which is nice since that has been a litle bit of a struggle in the past. This, in turn, is helping her to be a much happier baby (I haven't officially let myself believe that she was "colicky" but it sure has been a close call). We've enjoyed lots of outings lately and she has done so well!! It looks like we are turning a curve and headed in the right direction and we really hope it continues!!

It has been so fun watching her discover the world around her! She enjoys munching on her hands and blowing bubbles in her free time. :) She is holding her head up really well and she keeps trying to sit up on her own. Her smiles and coos make our world go round! She tries to mimic the facial expressions and noises we make at her. During her bath times we always listen to her praise music CD and I usually sing along (she doesn't seem to care that I have a bad voice...although maybe that's why she giggles so much). Anyway, the other day she actually started singing with me (in her coos and oohs language). It was great! :)

Here are some pics that we've taken over the last month. Enjoy!!


SMILE!

so sleepy!


I love hanging out with my Daddy!



"ooohhhh...."

Sometimes I demand that Mommy carry me around in her Baby Bjorn b/c I don't like to be put down...even when she's doing her hair....or cleaning the toilet!

A few of the people I love...(there are many more like Oma/Opa and Nana/Papa who've taken good care of me when Mommy and Daddy go away but Mommy needs to get some updated pictures of us together):


Aunt Jess

Aunt Andie

Mommy's friend (and college roomie!), Stacey

Grandpa and Grandma Keeler (I'm wrapped up in the beautiful blankie that Grandma made me!)

joy

Teagan is now 2 months old and is continuing to make our hearts and faces smile every day! We just returned from her 2 month check up and everything is looking great! Her thrush is gone (although it was passed to me since I'm nursing so I'm on medication) and we feel like her reflux is getting a little better. The doctor refilled her prescription for this as it is common for the reflux to continue until around 4 months. The doctor was very pleased at how Teagan is growing...she now weighs 12 pounds and is 23 inches long (in the 75% range)! She also received 3 of her immunizations...not fun! Poor baby had to be reminded to breathe! She's doing better now after a little Tylenol. Since Tim doesn't have to plow today, we're thinking about spending the rest of our afternoon taking a little road trip somewhere so she can have a good nap and we can all spend some time together. She is getting on more of a predictable schedule although some days go smoother than others. It seems that she will be constantly sleeping one day and the next day she fights sleep and wants to be held and walked around constantly. To be expected at this age I suppose. She's been going down pretty well at night and doing about 4 hour stretches although some nights are only 2 hour stretches...hopefully this passes soon as Mommy is tired! We're also working on some changes with her feedings as the way my milk comes in often causes her to drink too fast and gulp so much air that she gets a gassy stomach and gets fussy and then wants to stop, sometimes only to want to feed again less than 2 hours later. This becomes a perpetual cycle as the short feedings sometimes only allow her to get the first "type" of milk, not the fatty, protein filled milk. Only getting this first milk in her stomach can create an upset stomach because of the excess lactose. This along with her reflux isn't a great combination. Anyway, we're working on some suggestions from the lactation consultant and hope that this is remedied soon so that feedings can be more enjoyable for both of us!

On a happier note, Teagan is discovering her "voice" through her squeals and coos and likes to giggle at the funny faces we make at her. We love how she smiles with her eyes first. For some reason, she is especially giddy in the early morning hours. I was woken up this morning at 5am to these squeals and giggles and as I changed her diaper before feeding her, I couldn't help but laugh despite my tired and "non morning person" demeanor that I got out of the bed with. SHE BRINGS US SUCH JOY! We have a cute video of her smiling/giggling/cooing, however, we're having trouble uploading it. Hopefully we'll be able to post it soon!

perfect combination!

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family history sites - Free family tree

smiles and sickness

Here is one of our favorite pictures of our little pumpkin. She's been smiling and cooing for awhile now but today marks the first time we've really seen her look at us in the eye, stay focused and socially smile (and giggle!!) at us! It was such an amazing feeling to connect with her in this way! She is our little ray of sunshine!!

Unfortunately, these smiling moments have been few lately as we learned today that Teagan has thrush and is also suffering from GER (gastroesophageal reflux) for which she has been given medication for. We're glad that we took the initiative in calling the doctor today to get her seen as we had a gut feeling that something was not right. Please pray for her (and patience and rest for us as this is adding to the already "peak" season of fussiness for infants!) that these conditions would pass soon and she can be feeling more comfortable and more like her beautiful, happy self!

job news

In addition to being a full time Mommy, I'm excited to share that I just accepted a part time job (2 days/week) as an International Adoption Worker at Bethany Christian Services in Holland! I have always dreamed of working in this program and feel so honored to be offered the job! This is the same office that I have been working at for the past few years and I am so happy to be staying a part of this "family!" Although I will miss the Families First Program and working with local families and children at risk, I am looking forward to the change and the ways that God will use me and teach me on the journey ahead which is set to begin after my maternity leave ends (beginning of April). We praise God for His awesome provision!

cozy weekend

0 degrees (feels like -25) means a weekend of cuddling up in pj's, eating pizza, watching movies, warming up by the fire and sleeping in. That's basically what our weekend has consisted of so far (besides an awesome night with friends at the Marsman's on Friday night!). Even though we're ready for this snowy, cold weather to leave for good, we enjoy being able to just "be" at home and spend time as a family (when Tim's not out plowing)!

We figured out that we can take pictures with our video camera and we finally uploaded them to the computer so we can post some updates of Teagan. She is growing so fast! She is definitely losing that "newborn look" and turning into such a big girl!


sweet pea

I like to sleep with my arms in the air!


I love hanging out with my mommy, daddy and big "brother" bailey!




cutie pie



I love my swing!