First Trip to the Library

Today we took Sylvia to the library to meet my coworkers.  She loved it! There are alot of things to look at in the library.  And later we played outside.  It was a fun day!

Good night!

New Friend!

I bought this hand puppet for Sylvia from the dollar store and she loves it! A dollar well spent!

Ahhh...less stress!

I still have a lot to learn at the library, but as I'm getting more comfortable in my role, learning more about my regular responsibilities and the general work flows I'm finding myself falling in love with my new job.  I like the people I work with and am grateful for the lower stress levels.  The library has it's own set of stressors, but nothing comparable to trying to get someone's $100,000 hospital claim paid, or getting someone approved for the medication they have been out for 3 days.  I feel like a new person working at the library.  Today,  I met the local chess club guys.  They are a few older gentleman that meet at the library to play chess every Wednesday.  They were great and they even invited me to join them. 

Part of working at the library , is the responsibility to stay up on current reading lists, which means I need to read! Since having Sylvia there has been next to no time at all to read.  I have been wanting to watch less time and spend less time on the computer anyways, and now I have motivation to do so.  It's pretty much impossible to read while Sylvia is awake, so during her afternoon nap, instead of TV or playing on the computer as I normally do, I have started to read.  (Housework has to wait until night-time when I know she's down for the night...if I try to start a cleaning project during the day while she is napping, you can guarantee she will wake up in 15 minutes.  It's just my luck, and I have learned to accept it.)  So, I may only get 15 minutes of reading in, or on a good day maybe 45 minutes.  Either way, I'll take it!

Sylvia was in a great mood tonight.  We spent some time outside sitting in the shade this afternoon.  It was so gorgeous out, it would have been wrong not to spend some time outside.

A new toy!

Over the weekend we bought Sylvia this toy keyboard.  We took her with us and had a hard time deciding which light up musical/sounds toy to buy, but she helped pick it out.  This was the toy she had the best reaction to, so this was the one we bought.  So far, it has proved to be an investment! She loves playing with it.


Tonight when she was supposed to be calming down for sleep she discovered another new sound she can make, "HA!" She said it over and over and over. Ha ha ha ha , but I didn't get the video camera out because she was supposed to be getting ready for bed, quiet time. Little stinker!

A new sound

Allen and I have been blowing raspberries at Sylvia for a long time now.  It almost always makes her smile.  It was one of the first things found that made her smile.  She has now started to sort of blow her own raspberries and it's super cute.  I haven't been able to catch it on video yet, but if I do I will post it up.

Saturday was a full 8 hour day at work, which it was not very nice to be away from the family all day, but I did get to come home for my hour long lunch and that was awesome!

Sunday was church of course and then we went to eat at Kutters with some friends we haven't seen in a while.  One of them, I hadn't seen in almost 2 years! It was great to spend some time with them.  Note to self and Allen, if eating out with Sylvia, choose restaurants with outdoor patios! She was so well behaved, and she took a nap! 

Today we went on an improptu walk in the park with Michelle and Cohen after Allen went to work.  I love watching the trees change from bare to green.  It's magical!

Uh oh! We are in trouble!

This is where she started....

and this is where she ended up after four rolls!

Do I see a sense of accomplishment in this smile?

Too stinkin cute!

She's rolling all over the place! She rolled herself over four times in a row today.  She's reaching and grabbing things.  She's growing up so fast I can hardly believe.  Next thing you know, she will be able to sit on her own!

Day two at the library was a little less overwhelming.  The biggest difference between this job and my previous job is the structure.  There is a schedule of things to do, but it's not a rigid minute by minute planned schedule.  It's much more relaxed.  I've been so used to having every minute of of every day scheduled for me for almost four years straight, I'm not quite sure how to handle myself yet.  Tomorrow is my first full 8 hour day , and I get an hour lunch.  My 6-8 minute drive to and from work is amazing.  I will be able to drive home and feed my baby girl on my lunch! How awesome is that?

First Day

My first day on the job was a success.  I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of information thrown at me, but I can tell I will like the job.  There was a staff meeting this morning, so I was able to meet pretty much everyone today.  It's a nice group of women and one very nice male custodian.  It was busier than what I had anticipated.  In fact they were banging on the doors just before 10 am, opening time.  I successfully checked a few people's books in and out.  I'm pretty sure that's the easy part of what they do at the library.  We didn't get too deep into everything, since I only worked 4 hours today.  I'm only working four hours tomorrow too, but Saturday will be a full day.  I have a lot to learn. 

Sylvia was in a good mood today, but it wasn't really nice enough to go to the park today.  So we stayed home and played inside.

The Adventure Begins Tomorrow

Hi, great grandma!

See my keys, Mommy?

I can open my mouth wider, see!

The library called today and I start tomorrow.  Part of me is a little sad.  I really enjoyed this past week home full time with Sylvia.  Part of me is very excited.  This job should be a perfect fit for and is going to give me the opportunity to interact with people face to face.  Something I haven't really had to do, besides co-workers in four years.  I am nervous too.  Pray for me and I will give a report tomorrow.

Sylvia was such a stinker at bedtime tonight.  She was talking up a storm like it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Kicking her legs and screeching at me in joy. Smiling and touching my face.  UGH! Isn't that something older kids do to get out of sleep? She's too little to be pulling this business. Took almost two hours to get her down. 

First Day of Spring

Well, today was officially the first day of spring, but instead of March, it felt like June out there.  Such wierd weather! We'll take it though.  Sylvia is absolutely loving our trips outdoors.  In fact we went outside today and I brought her inside and she cried to go back outside. She was on a roll today too! Literally! She kept rolling over today on her blanket.  She hasn't quite figured out that she can go places by rolling, but I can see it coming soon. 

Allen's foot/ankle was much better today.  He is still dosing on ibuprofen, but was able to go to work again. 

Miss Sylvia woke up at 5:30 AM ready to rock and roll this morning and then took a nap at 8 AM, but by the time she went back to sleep I had already eaten breakfast and drank my cup of coffee, so now I am really tired. Early bed for me! Good night all.

Catch up Blog

Yesterday was Allen's 30th birthday.  The big 3-0! We went out for sushi and then to the big Newsboys concert in Quincy, sans Sylvia.  She was going to spend the evening at her great aunt Amy, but she has been going through some pretty big mood swings here lately.  The dr mentioned that he thinks she is going through a normal phase of infancy called "separation anxiety" a little bit earlier than some babies.  We decided it best just to let someone she was already familiar with babysit, so she spent the evening at my mom's house.  The concert was absolutely amazing.  It was a worship concert, how awesome it was to worship with 1500 other people including the legend Michael Tait himself! It was so much fun.  There were three opening bands that were great too.  Here are the links to each bands page: Abandon , Anthem Lights , The City Harmonic , and of course Newsboys . Our seats were so close to the stage and even closer to the cat walk.  It was one of the best shows we have seen. 

We didn't make it to church today because when we got up this morning, Allen could barely move around.  After sushi we went to Culver's for some dessert and Allen turned his ankle over on an uneven part of the the parking lot. Of course, then we were on our feet for most of the show.  So, after sleeping his foot and ankle became very stiff.  He started to feel better later in the day, but is still in a bit of pain.

I bought some bubbles for Sylvia today. She was only slightly interested in them. Just being outside is enough stimulation for her to begin with. 

And last but not least, Caleb came over for dinner tonight, so I made something new I've never made before, chicken pot pie "cupcakes" with mashed potatoes "icing". They were a hit! YUM! Recipe here .

4 month check up

Smiling at her Daddy.

Smiling at her Mommy.

Sylvia had to see Dr. Bubolz twice this week.  At the beginning of the week it was for her cold. Today it was for her four month check up and shots.  Can you believe our baby girl is 4 months already? Time is flying by so quickly and she is growing up so fast! She weighs 12 lbs, and is 24 and 1/2 inches long.  Still a tall and skinny girl, but the doctor was pleased with her weight gain.  He told us we were doing a good job.  I mentioned something about her crazy sleep issues, and all he had to say was, "Some infants don't require as much sleep as others." Great. I know he wasn't going to have a magic answer, but I was hoping for maybe a little bit more. Oh well, we will keep plugging away at trying to get her to fall asleep on her own and stay asleep. She had a shot in each leg and one oral vaccine.  Her next check up will be in May. 

Allen and I took her to the park today before noon, before the wind started.  It was such a gorgeous morning! It would have been a crime to not spend some time outside.  Of course, spending time outside means putting sunblock all over Sylvia's fair skin.  Which also means a bath, but it's totally worth it! I can't wait til the trees put out their leaves and we can take a blanket and have picnic in the park.  For now, we have to use the stroller for shade. 

Grandma Brenda? Can you hear me? I can hear you, but I can't see you!

DAD! IT'S GRANDMA!

And then we had to take the phone away....UGH! Everything she gets ahold...straight into the mouth!

Today Sylvia talked to her Grandma Brenda on the phone.  She is really intrigued by our cell phones.  Maybe a bit too intrigued!

Great weather, great day!

There aren't too many things cuter than a baby in a hooded towel!

Today, was another amazing day with Miss Sylvia Sue.  She is such a joy.  The day started off good when she got up at 5:10 a.m., and instead of staying up for the day, went back to sleep and let her mommy and daddy sleep in until 9:00 a.m.! It was a glorious night of sleep.  A rare gem of a morning Allen and I were so grateful for.  This crazy kiddo has been treating bed time like nap time, and fighting us hard core on staying in bed.  Things were going so well with bed time, but one night about two and a half weeks ago , she flipped a switch.  Our sleep since then has been extremely erratic and very interrupted.  Last night was WONDERFUL! She woke in a good mood, and stayed in a good mood all day (minus bedtime, which, I'm just going to say...doesn't count). She is feeling much much better.  Only a little cough remains, and an occasionally runny nose.  We spent our morning hanging out with Daddy, but when Daddy  went to work, we packed up and went to the park.  We met one of my close friends from bible study, Michelle and her baby boy, Cohen.  Sylvia napped for the first part of our walk, but once she woke up she was delighted to be riding in the her stroller at the park.  Michelle and I pushed our kiddos alot longer than I thought, which means we walked alot further than I thought. Which, is a good thing! More time walking = more calories burned.  It's so much easier to exercise with someone else.  If it's not raining, Allen and I will probably take Sylvia to the park again in the morning. 

I have to get up early tomorrow for my drug screening and physical for the library job.  After the physical I go to city hall to sign my paperwork and prove my citizenship.  I will in a few days be finding out what date I will be starting.  I am looking forward to being a full time Mommy with a part time job.  Sylvia and Allen are excited about it too!

Last Day of Work

Today was my last day at Blue Cross and Blue Shield.  It was nice to hear the expressions of caring from coworkers.  I felt that I will be genuinely missed.  Even though I will miss alot about my job including my coworkers, the job at the library is going to be much better for our family.  God is leading the way to an exciting adventure for us. I look forward to updating you on this adventure as it unfolds.  Right now, we are waiting for my FBI background check to come back clean (as it will...) so that I can schedule a physical and drug screening at the hospital. 

Sylvia is a feeling a little bit better today, but still at only about 70%.  Maybe tomorrow we will be at 100%.  I am looking forward to getting to spend all day with her and most of the day with Allen too!

Update

Well, the coughing continued throughout the night so we called the dr's office and were able to get her in this afternoon.  The good news is that she doesn't have any kind of infection, the bad news is she definately has a cold. Actually, apparantly we all do.  Allen and I both thought we were suffering from allergies starting late last week, but the fact that Sylvia has this cold with all the same symptoms as us confirms another cold bug has hit the Cooley home.  Did you know that infants do not develop seasonal allergies? The dr said we wouldn't start to see seasonal allergies until she was three or four.  Also, one of the benefits of breastfeeding Sylvia is that she is continuously receiving antibodies from the milk.  In fact the doctor's orders were to breastfeed as often as possible and to help her to get plenty of sleep.  Let me tell you what, the first part is the easy part.  Helping her get to sleep is a whole different thing.  When she doesnt feel good she doesn't want to be any where but in our arms, and mostly my arms because I'm the lady with the boobs. She fought sleep pretty hard tonight, and last night I think Allen and I slept a total of 3 broken hours.  Hopefully the breastmilk will work it's magic and she will be feeling better tomorrow.

On a different note...Allen and I both are on jury duty notification...neither one of us have been called yet and hopefully neither one of us will. UGH!

And lastly, only two more days left working at BCBS!

End of the weekend

Church today was great! One our great friends came to church with us to see what it is we are excited about.  I hope she loved it.  The time change didn't agree with Sylvia.  She was pretty fussy all afternoon and was ready for bed before 8:00 p.m. , of course she wasn't down for the night until 9:00 p.m.  With Sylvia, it isn't every that easy.  She likes to wake three or four times in a row before she will stay asleep.  Last night, we fed her at 2:00 a.m. and didn't wake her up until 8:45, this was a record breaking night for Sylvia.  Tonight, though as she sleeps she has a cough, which we are watching closely. My concern is, the extra sleep may be due to her not feeling well.  If this is the case, she may have to go to the dr's sooner than her 2 month well care check up which is scheduled for Friday. We will keep you updated.  I'm just glad that Allen will be home with her Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Wednesday will be my last day at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, so I can be with her Thursday and Friday.  No babysitters needed this week! :) Hope everyone else had a great weekend too. Love you all!

First Visit To the Park

Today was such a beautiful day, so warm and sunny, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take Sylvia to the park.  She had a great time.  She love it so much we are definately going to make it a regular thing! We found a cute little hat in some of the things a friend had given us that was just perfect for the occasion.  It shielded her face from the sun and made for some adorable pictures too!

Great day with the kiddo!

Today was an unexpected great day off from work.  I had the morning scheduled off to have my fingerprints taken for my FBI background check for the library position, but then my mom needed to see a doctor after work, so I called my supervisor and was allowed to take the whole day off. It was a paid day off because I still have some vacation to use up. 

I will take any extra time with my family that I can.  Allen was glad for me to stay home too! Sylvia is always cute but today she was extra cuddly with me.  Her extra cuddly days are the best! Today was one of those "Pinch me! Is this really my life, am I really this happy?" days.  Thanking God for my wonderful husband and baby girl all day every day!

The Jumperoo!

The pictures speak for themselves!

Sylvia Go to Sleep!

Here is a cute picture of Sylvia from earlier this evening, but let me tell you what, this kiddo was not very cute tonight fighting sleep for two and a half hours.  I'm pretty sure both of us will have battle bruises from her banging her head against me so hard.  One thing I will say, if there is one word to describe my little high maintenance baby girl, it is persistent. She doesn't give up until her body gives up. UGH! Please pray that she will stop this nonsense!

New Toy: Jumperoo!