Happy Halloween!

Weekends are for photos!

Ever since returning to work my camera hasn't seen as much action. Evenings are not the best time to capture the moments with no natural light and the need for a flash. My new fancy camera did come with an external flash but I have not taken the time to learn how to use it. Since Brynn is growing so fast I want to make sure I take the time to get quality photos (besides the 100s on my iPhone!). We did two little photo sessions 1.in her halloween costume which I'll save for tomorrow and 2. just because (which are above). My new goal is to start bringing the DSLR wherever we go and document more "real life" photos vs planned shots in our living room. Wish me luck!

The working mama

a preview of our weekend photo shoot (love the drool!)..more to come tomorrow

As I start my 4th week (time flies!) back at work I've had some time to think about how I really feel about returning to work. Prior to going back to work the last four weeks were by far the best of my leave, Brynn was much easier to pack up and take to the store and much more content. I think I accomplished more in the last three weeks than I did my entire leave when it came to craft and house projects! But as my first day back got closer and closer I didn't feel as devastated as I thought I would. Since finding out about baby I thought I would want to work part time..or stay home for at least a year. IF I could have taken a longer leave and still returned to my current job I would have..but I don't live in Europe :) From the very beginning I set up myself up to think I was going to be devastated to return to work. As in teary eyed/sob fest/begging Kyle to let me stay home.

But it didn't happen. I was ok.

I do miss seeing Brynn during the day but for the most part I keep myself busy enough that the days fly by. I especially like the days I start at 7AM because Brynn doesn't usually wake up until 830 (or later sometimes!) and I'm home around 345/4 so I have the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend with her. One of my favorites times of day is in the morning when I wake her up to nurse before I get ready. She's so content to just snuggle and fill her belly with no distractions as I fight the urge to not fall asleep with her. When the clock will no longer let me delay the inevitable I lay her down, heavy with sleep and sneak out to shower. Of course it's hard to leave a snuggly baby but it's easier than an awake baby who has to watch you leave them behind.

I think working gives me the time to myself that I don't get when I'm home and allows be to have another identity besides mom. I also no longer think my day centers around work, work is now simply apart of my day, more of a task to achieve so I can be with my baby. Or as another working mama friend said "my day starts when I get home." When people first asked how I felt about my return I told them that I was ready but "to ask me in a few weeks" because I thought I'd have a better grasp on my true feelings. Well here we are and I still feel like it's the right decision but again "ask me a few weeks".

5

Five years ago Kyle and I met. I know there are many events that led to our actual meeting but when it comes down to it the combination of Katie Book's birthday and Brett and Michelle Medin's wedding rehearsal dinner led to the perfect night! Four years ago today we were engaged and now we are a family.

I always knew Kyle would be a wonderful dad. He was already an excellent cat and dog dad so adding baby into the mix came naturally. I love watching the two of them interact and I love the smiles I think she saves just for him. I love that when I sneak back into the bedroom before leaving for work he has moved over to sleep closer to baby and comfort her back to sleep. I love how he "looks forward" to his Fridays with you. The quote above sums up my feelings perfectly, there is just something special about a dad and his daughter.

The suspect has been identified...

Crime? Walking on the baby blankets.....with feet that should have obviously been wiped before coming inside! Whoops :) Almost everytime we lay a blanket down for Brynn to play on Magnus will sneak over so he can share in the blanket or if we leave it on the floor after play time we'll find him laying on it even though he has the rest of the rug or his chair to choose from!

In case you need a closer look..

This behavior started early when I was still pregnant as he liked to lay on my fabric when I was sewing things for Brynn's room!

How to: Get laundry done with a 4 month old baby

Get them involved! The only way my laundry doesn't sit in a pile for days/weeks (not that there isnt a giant pile of white socks in our bedroom... I hate folding socks!!) is to combine playtime and laundry time. I usually give Brynn a pile of clothes that are easy to re-fold and she's usually entertained long enough for me to get through the pile.

Brynn: 4 Months!

Once again...growing up too fast but getting cuter everyday. Luckily babies become more fun as they grow :)
Brynn you were a joy this past month and despite your mommy having to go back to work you continue to thrive. You got some fun new toys this month including a jumper and a play table. At first I didn't think you'd be read for the table until you could stand but as it turns out if you take two legs off it turns into a fun thing to kick. And boy do you love to kick it! It's probably the toy that you'll play independently the longest (and anything longer than 10 minutes is a win!). It might be a little noisy annoucing all the colors and shapes in Spanish but you really like it and your mom has already learned the entire alphabet in spanish :) It's fun to watch you in the jumper as your movements have become much more coordinated in the last month. You can move between the stations and actively play with the buttons.

You are so so close to rolling over from back to belly. You'll teeter on your side as you try to look behind you but then roll back to your back at the last moment. I know it's going to happen anytime. You have less interest in rolling from belly to back which is suppose to happen first. You usually happily do your tummy time holding your head up high and then you decide you've had enough by crying into the blanket below you. We know you'll roll when your ready and to be perfectly honest we know the sooner you roll the sooner you become mobile and it's fine with us if you delay that a little longer!
You continue to babble and "yell" loudly. You like to yell the most in the morning.. It's like your saying "hello world! I am so happy!!!"
When I come home all I want to do is hold, nurse, and snuggle you. Not much else gets done! Dad wants to do the same and so we trade off :) because the nursing time is all mine!
You now recognize the dog and like to watch where he goes. We've let you "pet" him which means grabbing a fist full of fur. He doesn't mind... yet. He seems genuinely concerned about you and enjoys trying to get as close as possible in an attempt to give you a lick which is not allowed. Both your dad and I think we lucked out in the dog department.
You also know when you are being set down and we are leaving the room and when you are not happy about it you let us know. You also know when it's time time to get out of your car seat and you help by arching up.. which only makes it more difficult to get you out but I think it's cute.
You sleep well and we still enjoy having you close next to our bed. I feel like it extends the hours in the day that get to be with you.
Your 4 month check up went well! You are right on track and the immunizations a didn't faze you much (mom didn't watch again...) You cried/screamed for a minute but settled down to nurse and had a good rest of the night. You came in at 68.6% for weight (14lbs 6oz) and in the exact science of baby measuring 90% for height (25.5 inches long). Long and not that lean :) The next two months sound like a whirlwind of milestones and then solids at 6 moths. We plan on taking the baby led weaning approach which based on how much you like to grab objects and put them straight to your mouth already I think you'll really enjoy it! Now we just need to find room for a high chair :)
I think your favorite toy is this Taggies dolly. You love to stuff her in your mouth and reach for her during tummy time.

You have many nicknames including, Brynny, Brynn Brynn, and Monkey. I actually think you are starting to recognize your name despite dad's concern that you might respond to monkey :)