Letter to my Baby: Week 15 & 16

Monday, January 10, 2011

Dear Ryder,

I thought several times over the last week about sitting down and writing your letter, but the reality is I just didn’t have the energy!  You see, we have now officially survived the first time that we all got sick.  It started with you, my baby.   The Tuesday after I wrote your last letter, your daddy and I noticed that you were sleeping more than usual and were a bit fussy.  We thought that maybe you were going through a growth spurt so we just made sure you were fed and comfortable.  Then on Wednesday you woke up all congested and coughing.  You had your first cold!  Fortunately, you fought it off really well.  You were even pretty happy, although less smiley, and just slept a whole bunch.  By Saturday (New Year’s Day) we could tell you were feeling better.

The only problem was you passed the cold on to mommy and daddy!  And we got sick, sick, sick.  We both had to go to the doctor and it has taken about 10 days for us to get better.  It has been about all we could do to take care of you!  Good thing you sleep through the night pretty well.

Despite being sick we tried to have some fun.  Since we weren’t feeling too bad yet on New Year’s Day we took you out and got some cute pictures in your tuxedo onsie.  We've squeezed in a couple of walks.  We have also been reading lots of stories.  You get excited and ‘talk’ to the pictures in your books.  Your favorite right now is “Click, Clack, Moo.”

The biggest thing you have been working on over the last couple of weeks is learning how to grab and hold on to things.  You get so excited when you manage to grab something, and you try to bring everything to your mouth.  You aren’t very coordinated yet, and get a little frustrated when your body doesn’t quite do what you want it to, but every day you are getting better.

You are becoming much more aware of the things around you.  A couple of times you have had the chance to be around other babies.  You get all wiggly, give big smiles, and try to ‘talk’ to your little friends.  

You are now 16 weeks old and our first bit of alone time together is coming to an end.  It feels like a chapter is closing.  Although I am excited for the next phase, a part of me will miss this time of newness for both of us.  We get to grow together.  I am so blessed.

I love you.

 Momma 

Not A Baby Post

I've caught up.  All my saved drafts are now posts.  Phew.
(Note to self:  Although writing weekly letters and learning Photoshop has been fun, it was a lot to take on with a new baby.  Let's lower the expectation next time, eh?).

So, 2011.  The year in which I will turn 30.  The year in which I will celebrate 11 years of marriage.  The year in which I will watch my child grow from infant to toddler.  The year in which I will become a better person.

Hence, the list.  Resolutions that either will or will not happen in the next 365 (-5) days.

Run a Half Marathon.  This was not my brainchild, but rather Kristen's.  However it seems a good plan and will help with the next goal:

Lose the Baby Weight.  I didn't gain horribly, 25 lbs or so if you discount the ridiculous amounts of water weight I amassed the last 3 weeks.  However, considering I wanted to lose 10-15 lbs before I got pregnant (oops) I still have a little ways to go.  I generally tend to lose pretty easily as long as I a exercise and:

Eat Well.  As in Healthy. (as opposed to Well as in Glutenous).  I want to plan meals that involve whole, in-season, and fresh food.  Also, eat out less.

Increase Relaxation Habits.  Yoga, Meditation, Quiet Reflection, etc.  Spend at least 30 minutes a week doing some kind of 'active' relaxation skill.  Work on staying centered.

L.C.S.W.  I will be adding these letters to my name by completing my hours and passing my licensure exams.

Increase Service to Others.  Not yet sure how I want to accomplish this, although ideas are percolating.

Those are the biggies.  There's some other stuff, fun things, like becoming better at the guitar and continuing to grow in my camera / Photoshop abilities.  There's also practical stuff, like following a better budget and being less of a consumerist. Little changes with lots of potential.

Okay 2011.  Here I come. 

Letter to My Baby: Week 14

Monday, December 27, 2010 9:40am

Dear Ryder,

You just fell asleep on my shoulder after eating a hefty 5 oz. meal.  You have been sleeping a lot the past couple of days and your daddy and I think you might be hitting a growth spurt.  Your legs are getting nice fat baby rolls, although you are still pretty long and skinny.  You are also getting more platinum blond hair all over your head.

We had such a great week together.  We celebrated your first Christmas.  Santa Claus came and left you a stocking full of toys and books.  We also got a few things you needed like onesies and a sleep sack.  Momma and Daddy took turns helping you open presents.  You enjoyed ripping the paper and seeing all the bright colors, as well as the extra special attention from both your parents.  You weren’t so sure about all the pictures we kept taking of you though!

 

 

 

Your Daddy has started his 5 week paternity leave and is working on learning your moods and your schedule in preparation for staying home with you.  You are so lucky to have a daddy that loves you so much!  Momma goes back to work in two weeks and can’t believe that it is almost that time already.  I am trying to soak up baby smiles and snuggles to help get me through those first few weeks when I can’t be with you every day.

Your days are very busy now.  You are so much more interested in the world around you than you were even a month ago.  You love to walk around with Momma or Daddy, your bright eyes taking in everything around you as your head swivels back and forth.  You love to give us happy smiles and are learning how to giggle.  Today you sat outside with Momma while she worked on organizing the patio.  You love being in new places; hearing new sounds and seeing new things.

I love you ‘Ryder Spyder’!

Momma

A Raun Family Christmas

Even though we are now scattered across 3 western states, we have done a pretty good job of connecting for a Christmas celebration sometime during the holiday season.  The bigger our family grows, the more difficult it is to get us all into one picture but we did pretty good.  Tyler and Ryder managed to avoid making it into any of the big family pictures; Tyler was manning the camera much of the time and Ryder was napping.  Maybe next year we will do a Christmas photo shoot so everyone can be in a single frame.

 

 

 

 

The kiddos are so so helpful with all food preparation activities.

I love the feeling of everyone being gathered together in one place.  It feels so homey and cozy.  We open presents one person at a time to make it last longer.  It drives the kids a little batty, but is a fun way to enjoy each and every toy before waiting for the next turn.

 

 

 

 

Merry Raun Family Christmas 2010!