Big Girl and her Two Month Checkup

Laurel had her two month appointment today, and she has grown so much! She now weighs 11 pounds, 4 ounces and is 22.25 inches long. When she was born her measurements put her in the 25th percentile. Now she is just above the 50th! The doctor was very impressed. Everything looked great...and then she had to get three shots. I honestly thought I could be strong and not cry by convincing myself that they would prevent her from getting sick. Oh, I was so wrong. The second they gave her the first two shots (simultaneously), her whole body went rigid and then her face turned bright purple and scrunched up as she started wailing. I could hardly comfort her because of my own tears and sobbing. Thankfully Tim was there and he kept a tight grip on her as the nurses gave the shots.

She is doing pretty well tonight. Sleeping a little more than normal, but that's about it. Hopefully we'll have a good night.

Answered Prayer

My family and I really appreciate ALL the support we have received. I just received a letter from the Unicoi Co GOP Executive Committee stating that they recommend that I be retained as Administrator of Elections. This letter is also being distributed to local media outlets. I am so grateful to God and to so many wonderful friends.

Sarah

Support Needed

Hi everyone. For those of you locally, you've probably read about what is currently happening with my job. Needless to say, Tim, Laurel, and I need everyone's prayers and support right now. You can read about it on The Erwin Record Online (http://www.erwinrecord.net). And if you are a Unicoi County resident (or can send this to one), please consider signing the petition at http://www.WeSupportSarahBailey.com.

Thanks for your support, and as scary as losing my job seems, I know that if that is what happens, God has a plan for my family and me.

Sarah

Pictures from our Photo Shoot

Laurel had her picture taken by local photographer Angel Miller a few weeks ago. They turned out beautifully. Here are a few of them.






You can see all of the pictures by visiting Angel's website http://www.tellingstorieswithphotography.com/. After you enter the site, go to proofs and then click on "Laurel Bailey."

Stomach Virus, Doctor Checkup for Mommy and My New Favorite Baby Book

Just when I thought we had gotten rid of all the sickbugs in our house... I came down with a horrible stomach virus late Friday night and finally started feeling better Sunday. Poor Tim had to rush Laurel to his parents' house to try to avoid having him and her get sick (which we did avoid) and then had to spend the night going back and forth between her and me. Thankfully after a few hours, I was able to start pumping and sending milk so Laurel was able to have breastmilk even though she didn't have mommy with her. Thankfully she did very well even though she was uprooted so abruptly.

She has been a little more fussy than normal since Saturday and I think it is primarily a result of having her routine interrupted and relying on her daddy and her grandparents whereas she usually depends on me for all her meals and to put her to sleep for nighttime as well as naps. She seems to be doing better now though and is currently asleep on my chest.

Also, I had my six week checkup on St. Patricks Day. Everything seemed fine and I'm now only 7 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight (which is pretty good considering that I gained a few pounds more than the recommended amount...we'll leave it at that). I guess the stomach virus might have helped a little with a few of those pounds, huh? :)

And I have officially fallen in love with a baby book! It is "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears and it is wonderful!! The method of parenting that Dr. Sears advocates is known as attachment parenting and it is the idea that babies should be raised with love and compassion, not "trained." He (a pediatrician) and his wife (a nurse and lactation consultant) wrote the book and it just makes sense! They raised eight children, two of whom are now pediatricians and practice along with them. I wish so much that I had read this before Laurel was born but I'm so grateful I found it while she's still very young. One of the reasons I love this book so much is because it encourages mothers to use their intuition and to question methods of childrearing that just don't feel right, like letting baby "cry it out" and keeping baby on a strict schedule when they have such unique needs from day to day. I don't buy into the argument that babies can manipulate and that they can be spoiled when they are so young. I believe when Laurel cries it is because she needs something (food, sleep, diaper change, to be held or something is hurting her) and I believe it is mine and Tim's job to find out what that need is and meet it. It also encourages breastfeeding on cue, babywearing and sleep sharing (an arrangement I wouldn't have considered before she was born but that works well for us at this point). Attachment parenting always me to care for Laurel the way that feels best to me, with limitless cuddles, kisses and nurturing without feeling like I'm spoiling her or making her needy and dependent.

Growth Spurt...Whew!

For the past couple days, Laurel has been going through a growth spurt and eating nonstop. Needless to say, it was very exhausting for momma. She was eating about every hour or two and every three hours at night, and I barely got off of the couch! Poor thing, I think it exhausted her as much as it did me because she has slept almost all day today. She doesn't have her next checkup until March 31st when she'll be two months old, and I can't wait to see how much she weighs.

On Sunday, we had a local photographer (Angel Miller) come to the house and take some pictures of Laurel and a few family pictures. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I'll definitely put some up once we get them.

New Pictures and Update

Everyone is finally feeling better at the Bailey house! I hope we can all stay healthy for awhile now. Laurel is growing so quickly now! She is now making eye contact and will turn her head when she hears Tim or me talking. She is also getting a lot more head control and strength. And she's finally been sleeping more than two hours at a time at night! The key was loud music. So for the past two nights, she has gone to sleep to a Lullabye version of the Rolling Stones (thanks Nick and Ashley!)

So here is a family picture that my dad took at their house.
Family Photo

And this is Tim showing Laurel to Carter, who is always sniffing her and checking on her.
Laurel & Carter

I love this picture of Laurel, she is looking at me as if to say, "Are you sure you can't do anything with Daddy?"
Say What

And on a very sad note, please say a prayer for our friends Whitney and C Jay. Their baby boy, Isaac Liam, was born March 5 and passed away March 6 from a chromosome disorder called Trisomy 18. They were able to spend some time with him and hold him during their short time together.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Big Girl and her Two Month Checkup

Laurel had her two month appointment today, and she has grown so much! She now weighs 11 pounds, 4 ounces and is 22.25 inches long. When she was born her measurements put her in the 25th percentile. Now she is just above the 50th! The doctor was very impressed. Everything looked great...and then she had to get three shots. I honestly thought I could be strong and not cry by convincing myself that they would prevent her from getting sick. Oh, I was so wrong. The second they gave her the first two shots (simultaneously), her whole body went rigid and then her face turned bright purple and scrunched up as she started wailing. I could hardly comfort her because of my own tears and sobbing. Thankfully Tim was there and he kept a tight grip on her as the nurses gave the shots.

She is doing pretty well tonight. Sleeping a little more than normal, but that's about it. Hopefully we'll have a good night.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Answered Prayer

My family and I really appreciate ALL the support we have received. I just received a letter from the Unicoi Co GOP Executive Committee stating that they recommend that I be retained as Administrator of Elections. This letter is also being distributed to local media outlets. I am so grateful to God and to so many wonderful friends.

Sarah

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Support Needed

Hi everyone. For those of you locally, you've probably read about what is currently happening with my job. Needless to say, Tim, Laurel, and I need everyone's prayers and support right now. You can read about it on The Erwin Record Online (http://www.erwinrecord.net). And if you are a Unicoi County resident (or can send this to one), please consider signing the petition at http://www.WeSupportSarahBailey.com.

Thanks for your support, and as scary as losing my job seems, I know that if that is what happens, God has a plan for my family and me.

Sarah

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Pictures from our Photo Shoot

Laurel had her picture taken by local photographer Angel Miller a few weeks ago. They turned out beautifully. Here are a few of them.






You can see all of the pictures by visiting Angel's website http://www.tellingstorieswithphotography.com/. After you enter the site, go to proofs and then click on "Laurel Bailey."

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Stomach Virus, Doctor Checkup for Mommy and My New Favorite Baby Book

Just when I thought we had gotten rid of all the sickbugs in our house... I came down with a horrible stomach virus late Friday night and finally started feeling better Sunday. Poor Tim had to rush Laurel to his parents' house to try to avoid having him and her get sick (which we did avoid) and then had to spend the night going back and forth between her and me. Thankfully after a few hours, I was able to start pumping and sending milk so Laurel was able to have breastmilk even though she didn't have mommy with her. Thankfully she did very well even though she was uprooted so abruptly.

She has been a little more fussy than normal since Saturday and I think it is primarily a result of having her routine interrupted and relying on her daddy and her grandparents whereas she usually depends on me for all her meals and to put her to sleep for nighttime as well as naps. She seems to be doing better now though and is currently asleep on my chest.

Also, I had my six week checkup on St. Patricks Day. Everything seemed fine and I'm now only 7 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight (which is pretty good considering that I gained a few pounds more than the recommended amount...we'll leave it at that). I guess the stomach virus might have helped a little with a few of those pounds, huh? :)

And I have officially fallen in love with a baby book! It is "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears and it is wonderful!! The method of parenting that Dr. Sears advocates is known as attachment parenting and it is the idea that babies should be raised with love and compassion, not "trained." He (a pediatrician) and his wife (a nurse and lactation consultant) wrote the book and it just makes sense! They raised eight children, two of whom are now pediatricians and practice along with them. I wish so much that I had read this before Laurel was born but I'm so grateful I found it while she's still very young. One of the reasons I love this book so much is because it encourages mothers to use their intuition and to question methods of childrearing that just don't feel right, like letting baby "cry it out" and keeping baby on a strict schedule when they have such unique needs from day to day. I don't buy into the argument that babies can manipulate and that they can be spoiled when they are so young. I believe when Laurel cries it is because she needs something (food, sleep, diaper change, to be held or something is hurting her) and I believe it is mine and Tim's job to find out what that need is and meet it. It also encourages breastfeeding on cue, babywearing and sleep sharing (an arrangement I wouldn't have considered before she was born but that works well for us at this point). Attachment parenting always me to care for Laurel the way that feels best to me, with limitless cuddles, kisses and nurturing without feeling like I'm spoiling her or making her needy and dependent.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Growth Spurt...Whew!

For the past couple days, Laurel has been going through a growth spurt and eating nonstop. Needless to say, it was very exhausting for momma. She was eating about every hour or two and every three hours at night, and I barely got off of the couch! Poor thing, I think it exhausted her as much as it did me because she has slept almost all day today. She doesn't have her next checkup until March 31st when she'll be two months old, and I can't wait to see how much she weighs.

On Sunday, we had a local photographer (Angel Miller) come to the house and take some pictures of Laurel and a few family pictures. I can't wait to see how they turn out. I'll definitely put some up once we get them.

Monday, March 9, 2009

New Pictures and Update

Everyone is finally feeling better at the Bailey house! I hope we can all stay healthy for awhile now. Laurel is growing so quickly now! She is now making eye contact and will turn her head when she hears Tim or me talking. She is also getting a lot more head control and strength. And she's finally been sleeping more than two hours at a time at night! The key was loud music. So for the past two nights, she has gone to sleep to a Lullabye version of the Rolling Stones (thanks Nick and Ashley!)

So here is a family picture that my dad took at their house.
Family Photo

And this is Tim showing Laurel to Carter, who is always sniffing her and checking on her.
Laurel & Carter

I love this picture of Laurel, she is looking at me as if to say, "Are you sure you can't do anything with Daddy?"
Say What

And on a very sad note, please say a prayer for our friends Whitney and C Jay. Their baby boy, Isaac Liam, was born March 5 and passed away March 6 from a chromosome disorder called Trisomy 18. They were able to spend some time with him and hold him during their short time together.
Copyright @ The Baileys | Floral Day theme designed by SimplyWP | Bloggerized by GirlyBlogger | Distributed by Deluxe Templates