Sawyer's Real First Snow

Today we woke up to snow.  Technically this is Sawyer second snow.  I wrote in my planner March 8th, 2010 as Sawyer's first snow.  I got her all bundled up.  She could barely walk because she had so many layers.  Just to catch up on things Sawyer and daddy stayed home on Saturday so I could go give flu shots at church.  This is the first Saturday we both have been home in a long time time, so I feel like I did my good deed for the year.  It's so hard being away from Sawyer.  Getting us all home together is rare.  I'm just a home body.  Sunday Jake and Uncle Luke went hunting while my mom, Sawyer and I went to the craft fair.  It was fun.  I got Sawyer some cute snowflake leg warmers and my mom got a beaded necklace to hold her badge.  I also got lots of ideas for crafts.  I really wish that I could do so much more, like sew.  I started crocheting and am working on my first granny square blanket.  Here are some pics.

She was picking the snow off her boots and eating it.

Arts and Crafts

Lately, I have been feeling crafty.  Look what I made out of $5.00 from Michael's.  A beautiful wreath and Christmas tags.

Books!

Every Wednesday at the North Mason Timerland Library they have story time for babies and toddlers.  It starts at 10:00.  Sawyer and I went this morning, she loves it.  She is kind of in between groups, she's not a baby who just lays in a car seat or lets me hold her but she isn't quite as grown-up as the toddlers/preschoolers.  It's good for her and I will continue taking her.  She loves books, that is all she plays with are her books.  She brings them to me all day long and I read them to her over and over again.  At one point we only had like two books and they were Christmas books (hand me downs from Clare) and we read them until they fell apart.  I actually threw them away the other day, I couldn't help but feeling a little guilty.  Thank God she is spoiled rotten and got lots of new books for her birthday.  There hasn't been a lot of work for me lately, I am a Per Diem nurse at Harrison in Bremerton.  I am only actually required to work two days a month.  Every one is picking up extra shifts for holiday money, which leaves me with no work.  I worry about money but I shouldn't because we are fine.  It is nice to just work weekends and not put my child in daycare.  Usually they are begging for me to come in and work and I feel guilty for saying no.  I really can't win.  I just have to remind myself that I am lucky to have a job.  I am also lucky to be able to stay home with my baby, have a roof over our heads and be able to put food on the table.  I know many families are struggling.  Sawyer is growing up so fast and I love being with her.  I actually get sick when I am away from her, the only time I am okay is when I am at work.  After reading, we decided to head into town as I was driving Sawyer was fussy, then I remembered I forgot to feed her breakfast.  Oops.  Like I said, being a mom is so hard and I'm not perfect.  She had milk when she got up and it was only 11, she isn't really a big eater but I knew she needed something in her belly.  We went to visit my mom at work, to wear her out some more.  Then we went to visit my Grandma, then home for a nap.  Last night I needed to get out of the house, so we took Sawyer to baby swim at the YMCA in Bremerton, daddy got to get in the pool too.  It was fun but cold.  We had dinner at Brother Don's and I actually carried Sawyer out of her car seat and straight to bed this is something we never really got to do with Sawyer.  She just never wants to miss a thing but after swimming and dinner out she was exhausted.  I think she is also beginning to trust us and know we will be here when she wakes up. 

12 Month Check-up

Today was Sawyer's one year well baby check.  Jake took the morning off to go with us.  We have an amazing pediatrician.  I remember driving to her new baby checks the first month and just crying on the way there, arriving late and frazzled with no sleep as all new parents do but Dr. Bronald at the Children's Clinic was absolutely amazing.  She told us exactly what we needed to hear.  I remember her just looking at me and saying, "Having a baby was the hardest thing I have ever done, harder then residency, just plain hard and breast feeding ever harder, but it's all worth it in the end."  Over the past year I think we have developed quite a bond, I am truly thankful for and appreciate everything she does for us.  Sawyer got a clean bill of health.  Four vaccines (two in each thigh), which I am sure is more traumatic for me than her.  She only cried a second.  We have had the same nurse for every appointment, until today we had a new face but she was amazing and the receptionists are always so nice to us.  This is the first year that Sawyer got a flu shot, a big step for me because I really didn't used to think they actually worked but after being sick with the flu twice and having two really bad colds this year, I'd figure we'd give it a shot.  I had a doctor appointment myself today as well and in addition to the flu shot, I got my Tdap (Tetanus with Pertussis).  One in each arm which I have to say I was impressed because I didn't really feel anything.  I am sure I will be sore tomorrow and Sawyer as well.  Since we have been married over two years and Sawyer is already one, I have a lot to catch up on.  I will posted her height and weight since she was born on this blog.  So our main concern to Dr. Bronald; "baby b.o."!  Sawyer always gets stinky arm pits, even with baths every day to every other day, and I could have sworn babies don't have sebaceous glands yet.  Doctor just laughed and said it's usually feet complaints but not armpits.  Maybe we will have to use deodorant early on her.  Dr. Bronald also found that Sawyer had lots of ear wax.  So pulled out two big clumps from both ears.  I got the green flag to just use soapy bath water and a syringe and just have at it.  I always tried to keep water out of her ears and usually just used a baby wipe and my finger.  I literally learn something new every day.  It's hard being a mamma but I am getting better at it.  So now Sawyer has squeaky clean ears.  Dr. Bronald says Sawyer is the size and acts like a 20 month old. 
Sawyer stats over the last year, oh my how she has grown;
11/3/09 @ 12:48 8.10#, 20 inches
11/4/09 8.3# (leaving hospital)
11/6/09 7.12# (she almost lost 10%, then at last my milk came in)
11/7/09 8.1#
11/17/09 9.1#, 23 inches (she grew 3 inches in two weeks, all she did was nurse)
12/8/09 10.12# @ 5 weeks
1/12/10 15.12#, 25.5 inches (10 weeks)
1/26/10 16.11#
2/22/09 18.0#
3/2/10 18.10#, 27.5 inches (four months)
4/27/10 21.8#, 29 inches (six months)
7/1310 23.0#, 31 inches (nine months)
10/18/10 26.11#, 33 inches (99% height, 92% weight-one year old)
This is a picture of Sawyer before shots.....

This is a picture of Sawyer after shots.....

The beginning....

So, I decided to start a blog for my family and I.  I feel like life is going by too fast.  I want to remember it and treasure it.  I also think it is therapeutic and I will become a better person all around.  A whole year has flown by since, Sawyer Jean came into our lives.  I want to do this for her and my husband.  I don't want to sugar coat anything.  I want to be myself and write about the truth, good days and bad.