Snow!

The first week of November brought a BIG snowstorm to Minot! We officially got 9 inches, but judging by the huge drifts on our deck (and the massive overhang of snow hanging off our roof!) it looks like we got a little more at our apartment. The storm stranded us at Grandma and Grandpa Olson's house on Thursday night since we weren't sure we'd make it up the hill we have to take to get back home! The snow also meant our best friends from Fargo weren't able to make their scheduled visit, which was a huge bummer...but they'll come see us soon!

Meredith is starting to really be chatty (see the new videos on her Photobucket site) and thinks she's a pretty funny little girl. I also discovered this week that you can actually put a baby down for a nap when she's not sleeping yet--and 8 times out of 10, she'll put herself to sleep after a bit of complaining! It was quite the revelation, and is definitely helping us establish a bit better (and more predictable) nap schedule.

I'm going to get some new photos up soon, but for now make sure to check out the two new videos to hear Meredith's cute giggle (also a first this week--she's been busy!) and her new way of talking!

Carolyn

Busy weekend

It was a busy weekend for Meredith--she had a baby shower on Saturday put on by one of Grandma Lori's good friends, then was baptized on Sunday morning! She did great during the baptism and was sound asleep until just before Pastor Bob got her head wet. It was pretty cute, she slit her eyes and looked up at him like "Hey, what are you planning to do to me, buster?" :) There are photos from the baptism and a couple of updated shots on our photobucket website.

Meredith is growing like crazy and loves to hold her head up high when she's on her tummy and smiles at the baby in the mirror whenever she sees her reflection. She's still a very happy, joyful baby and we're having so much fun watching her change and discover the world!

Busy, busy, busy...

It's been two weeks since the big move, and I think we still have almost as many boxes sitting around this apartment! Unpacking is not an easy task with a 10-week old in the picture...especially our 10-week old, who has decided naps are totally overrated (!!!). Meredith has cut down the length and frequency of her naps quite a bit these last couple of weeks, and it makes for one very overtired little girl come about 6pm. I'm hoping it's just a phase she'll kick very soon...!

It's hard to believe how quickly these past 10 weeks have gone and how much Meredith has already changed. She's developing quite a little personality and has a very happy, joyful disposition. She's started giving us these funny, silly laughs and big, gummy smiles that are so cute. She still loves bathtime and has recently discovered the wonders of ceiling fans (she's thrilled that she has her very own fan in her new nursery). It's fun to watch her take in the world and discover new things every day.

Charlie is keeping busy with his internships and starts work at the hospital tomorrow morning, and I've been trying to stay on top of all our laundry! Seems like we're always busy doing something, but we're so happy to be back in Minot with family nearby.

Make sure to check out the new photos on Meredith's photobucket!

Love,
Carolyn

Why not Minot!

We've arrived in the Magic City and are here to stay! The move was pretty smooth this past weekend (except for a very poorly timed and miserable cold I managed to pick up) and our new apartment has boxes and furniture scattered everywhere. We're slowly unpacking, since Charlie's still in Fargo this week finishing up his pharmacy rotation there and Meredith and I are staying with Grandma and Grandpa Olson for the week. I think Meredith was a bit overwhelmed by all the changes in the last week--yesterday she napped for about 2 hours total during the day in 20 minute intervals, so was not a happy camper by about 7pm. Soon we'll be all settled in though and I think we'll all feel better then.

Meredith is really growing like a weed! Last week she had her 2 month appointment and was 11lbs 4ozs and 23 inches long, which is just great. She's in the 75th percentile for her weight/height and head size, and was the same percentile at her 2 week appointment so that's all good. She had her first shots last week too and was none too pleased with that experience...we heard a new octave from her after the needles were over! She's doing fine now though--good thing babies don't have great long term memories!

 

There are new photos on our Photobucket from our trip to see Great Grandma Bea in Sioux Falls last week. We also got to see my cousin Jodi, her husband Matt and their two girls, Sydney and Nyah which was a lot of fun. Meredith has been one busy girl! 

Carolyn

Changes!

Meredith is coming up on the two-month mark and is growing like crazy. We visited one of my old co-workers this weekend who just had a baby about a week ago, and compared to that little guy, she's huge! Amazing how fast things change with a baby.

We've had some excitement over the last month, too. I had a nice little visit to the ER a couple of weeks ago...I was putting away laundry and tried to get a dresser drawer that sticks to shut, and in the process the handle snapped off and sliced my right index finger. The worst part was I was alone with Meredith when it happened--thankfully she was happy in her swing at the time. Lucky for both of us, our good friend Kayla works about 5 blocks down the road and she rushed over to help out until Charlie got home and we could head to the ER. 6 stitches later everything is fine, but it was still a pretty scary afternoon.

Our big news is our upcoming move to Minot next weekend. On Saturday, we'll be headed back for Charlie to finish up his final few pharmacy rotations. After he graduates in May, he'll be working at the hospital there as a pharmacist. We're really excited about being back in town where we have lots of family and friends for Meredith to grow up with--but we will miss some things and people here in Fargo, too. Moving is always bittersweet!

I'm putting more photos up on our Photobucket today, so make sure to check out just how BIG Meredith is getting!

Love,
Carolyn

New Video

I've put some new videos up of Meredith on her photobucket site--check it out! :)

A milestone...

I read yesterday that a baby is no longer considered a "newborn" after 28 days...and today, Meredith is 29 days old, so that means she's now technically an infant (at least according to the doctors). She's already growing so fast! Now I see why people say 18 years fly by...

Grandma Lori left us last Saturday after nearly three weeks, and it was sad to send her back home to Minot--we'd gotten so used to having her around! She was a BIG help, making grocery runs, providing maid service, rocking the baby at 4am, reassuring me I was doing things right... :) But, we had to start being on our own eventually, and it seems to be going well so far. Meredith and I have settled into somewhat of a routine after Daddy leaves for work in the mornings, usually getting up for an hour or so to eat then napping again until around 10 (just in time for the Price is Right, which we watch under protest because we can't stand Drew Carey!). Meredith is generally a happy, alert baby, and it's so fun to see how she changes from day to day. She's even started giving us a few smiles in the last week!

The big project I've been busy with lately is researching and buying a supply of cloth diapers, which I'm excited about! Most people think we're nuts for using cloth, but so far, I'm having fun with it. Cloth diapering has changed in recent years, and it's so easy that even Dad is handling it just fine! It's really just a matter of a few more loads of laundry a week, and that doesn't bother me at all. Plus, who can say no to a pink, fleecy diaper?! :)

There are a bunch of new photos on Meredith's Photobucket site, so make sure to check it out!

Carolyn

2 week appointment

Meredith had her two week appointment (even though she's closer to 3 weeks) yesterday with the pediatrician. She surprised me with her weight gain though...she's already 9 pounds! I guess that means she's doing fine with nursing! The doctor thought she looked great, and she didn't cry too much during all the poking and prodding. We even stopped by my office for a quick visit after her appointment, so lots of my old co-workers got to get their first live look at her, too. She's changed so much already from when she was born it's amazing--she almost doesn't look like a newborn to me anymore!

I uploaded a bunch more photos to Meredith's Photobucket website--including some of her first meeting with cousin Natalie (and Uncle Perry and Aunt Melissa) who visited this last weekend. I may not be the most objective person, but I think they're the cutest cousins you'll find anywhere! :)

Photos & Video

We have many, many photos and plenty of video of Meredith already (is that any surprise?!) so I thought the easiest way to share them with friends and family would be through a Photobucket website, like cousin Natalie has. This is where I'll try to post photos and video every now and then:

http://s520.photobucket.com/albums/w327/meredithjaymes/

So far, there are a few videos of Meredith's activities, and I'll add more as she lets me (I've got to work around naptimes now!).

Enjoy!

Rockabye Sweet Baby (Meredith) Jaymes

When Meredith fell asleep the other night, I tried out the "night vision" feature on our video camera to get a little footage of our sleeping angel. It turned out just precious, I think--and Meredith seems to be enjoying her dreams! Wonder what she's thinking of? I bet it has to do with eating...

Here's the link to the video (on our Photobucket website): http://s520.photobucket.com/albums/w327/meredithjaymes/?action=view&current=nightvisionsmile_0001.flv

I'll get more photos and video up later, but for now, Meredith is napping so I'd better do the same!

Carolyn

The waiting game!

I thought it was time we joined the 21st century and started one of these fancy blog thingies--especially given the big change that's about to happen in our little family! We're just 3 days away from the due date of Baby Moore, who you're sure to see lots of photos on this page in the days to come. The baby is pretty comfortable inside Mom's tummy right now though, and seems like he/she is settling in for a bit of an extended stay. Everything with the baby looks good though, and we know it won't be long until we start those sleepless nights with our new addition, but we're definitely getting anxious (especially me!). Stay tuned for further updates...!

Carolyn