HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tonight we went trick-or-treating at On With Life where Glenn and Gracie got to meet some of my patients.  Gracie actually tolerated her costume really well... but Red wasn't as cooperative!

Tonight I am thankful for a job that I like enough to come back to at night for entertainment!

Today was my last official day of maternity leave and Gracie and I had a pretty good day.  We started rough, though, at the doctors office where she had to get her first shots.  It was very sad!  I thought I was plenty used to her cry that it wouldn't bother me.  But a whole new type of cry was invented with the shots and it was heart wrenching!  

We had a little baby photo shoot that afternoon in her little halloween outfit.  Later we went to Target for more professional pictures.  We had so much fun taking pictures there!  She was a little fussy and we had to cut the session short but we still got some good pictures.  It will be fun to go back when she's a bit older!

Tonight I am thankful for my mother-in-law who is so happy to help with Gracie!

Grandma Judy came to Des Moines to babysit today.  The report was that she was a perfect little angel.  She didn't fuss at all.  Why can't she do that with me???   Work was good today but it's nice that I get to be home with her tomorrow.   It's funny how staying home makes me appreciate going to work, and going to work makes me appreciate staying home.  

Today I am thankful for my health and the health of my family.  

Miracle of miracles!  Gracie slept through the night last night!!  I had to get up a few times to reinsert the pacifier but I didn't have to feed her until she took a bottle this morning.  Wow!  That was great!  Will we be lucky enough to get a repeat performance tonight?!

I thought I would add a picture of what our nights REALLY look like!!  Ha ha!

Tonight I am thankful for my parents for their love and generosity.  

I'm sure you are all dying to know how my day went.  Well, am I a bad mother if I say that is was really good?  Because it was.  Our day started rocky because the alarm wasn't set right (actually the clock wasn't set right) because our power was out yesterday.  We didn't wake up till a few minutes before 7.  Not good because I told Carissa I was going to leave my house at 7.  Anyway- we got ready to go in a fury and really didn't even have time to think about whether or not it was sad.  But I did get to work on time and had a really good day.  So- today I'm thankful for awesome co-workers especially Aaryn who brought me doughnuts and flowers and Kim who brought me a pumpkin spice latte.  

Glenn and I attempted dinner out again and ended up leaving in a rush before we got kicked out for disrupting other patrons.  The funny thing is how EVERYONE has advice for you when you're trying to calm a crying baby.  "You should put her on the dryer"  "Take her for a drive" "Tell your husband to put her up over his shoulder"  "Blah Blah Blah"  as if we've had this child for 2 months and haven't tried or even heard of any of these solutions.  But some of the people were nice and understanding with the sympathetic looks and the "it will pass" comments.  

Tonight Glenn is thankful for Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster.  

Last night I was reading my favorite magazine- Real Simple- and they had a story about a few readers that kept a "gratitude journal".  In it they simply listed things for which they were thankful everyday.  The article suggested that there are actually health benefits to this type of journal (making it somewhat of an ironic selfish venture!).  Anyway- I'd like to add a "gratitude" component to my blog from now until Thanksgiving and see where that gets me.  

On another note, I'm going back to work in the morning.  Wish me luck!  I can't believe I've been home with Grace for 2 months and now it's time to get on with our lives.  It will be interesting to see how it goes in the morning.  

Today I'm thankful for my beautiful daughter and my wonderful husband who is a wonderful daddy.  

So, I keep taking pictures all week of Gracie doing the same thing and by the time the weekend comes, my battery is dead.  :(  Last weekend I didn't get any pictures of Gracie's first hayrack ride and today I didn't get any pictures of her first Race for the Cure, Farmer's Market, and watching the Nebraska game at the Chicken Coop.  

Yes, Glenn and I took Grace downtown to join the other 19,997 people (or so) in the Komen Race for the Cure.  It was cold and very very crowded and I learned something about my husband today... he does not enjoy crowds and really hates them with a stroller!  So we started walking on the race route and bailed after about 5 blocks.  We hit up the farmer's market instead for some of Glenn's favorite cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos.  

Later Glenn talked me into going to the Chicken Coop to watch the Nebraska game.  These days ANY excuse to get out of the house is a good one for me.  So, we packed Grace up once again and she slept through the entire game (almost).  Of course I sat there with my iced tea and read a book!  (The Audacity of Hope by Barrack Obama... very good so far but I need a dictionary with me when I read it!)

We got the car back today so Gracie and I weren't confined to the house.  We did a little shopping from Craig's List and got a bunch of baby clothes!  I got 2 dresses and 4 outfits (I think all of them are Baby Gap) for $27.  I guess this is what I'll do until garage sale season opens again!  :)  

Has anyone ever heard of Gripe water?  Our pediatrician says that some moms swear by it for colic.  We started trying that today but if it works, it's definitely not instant!!  Are we going to make it to 4 months?????

The CR-V was getting fixed today so Gracie and I were homebound all day.  At least it was a rainy day.  I can't believe I only have one more day of maternity leave.  Looking back, the time went really fast.  I'm ready to go back though.  I actually miss work and miss treating my patients.  I just need to remember that I felt this way when work stresses me out.  It scares me a little that I will miss so much time with the baby.  I haven't been away from her for more than just a few hours.  Obviously I'm also nervous about leaving her at day care with strangers.   I know that's going to be hard!  Thanks so much to my friend Carissa who is going to watch her the first day I go back.  That will make it so much easier.   

Gracie has started imitating Glenn and I when we make faces at her.  She will try to open her mouth wide or stick out her tongue if we do it first.  It's so cute!

She's still crying a lot but she had a great morning today.  She didn't cry at all until about 11 am and had her entire bottle without fussing at all.  I hope this new medicine is doing it's job and making her feel better.  Has anyone heard of Gripe water?  I've had people recommend this stuff for colic but I don't know where to get it.  

Tonight we had bath time and she seems to be liking it more and more.   She didn't cry at all during her bath tonight.  I hope it makes her sleep better!

We found something that Gracie likes!  The problem is that daddy isn't too excited about it.  She always seems to settle down on the changing table.  So we put her on the floor and took off her clothes and she was happy as a lark (for a while- let's not get carried away with happiness, right?) Daddy hopes she will grow out of that before she's a teenager!  Of course, I had the camera out!

We went to get some family pictures taken today which was really fun.  The girl that took the pictures is just getting started so we just goofed off in her living room and got some decent pictures.  Hopefully I can send them out soon!  Gracie has really been having a rough time with her reflux lately and the new medicine hasn't really "set in" yet.  So we're expecting another long night.  

We went back to the pediatrician today to discuss the reflux/colic situation.  Gracie was pretty fussy today and obviously not feeling well.  The doctor gave us some new medication and some encouragement that we were doing the right things.  He says it should all be over at 4 months... which sounds like a long time for us!  

We headed to Council Bluffs today for Sarah and Joe's wedding shower.  Gracie and I experienced our first hayrack ride!  (pictures coming soon)  Glenn and I didn't know about the tradition of throwing hay at passersby and therefore getting mauled with hay by those who passed us.  So, we were constantly having to cover Gracie up with blankets to keep the hay out and off of her.  Turns out, the hay ride would have been better saved for a few years down the road.  But we all survived.  We are still pulling hay out of every nook and cranny.  

We warded off a full night of crying with a little baby photo shoot and some time in the swing. We all took turns giving kisses... including Red!  We finally got a picture of a smile.  Glenn is off to the Nebraska game in Ames today so Gracie and I are bonding at home.  

From emedicinehealth.com:   

Medical experts define colic as: 

crying lasting more than 3 hours a day... check

3 times a week...  check 

A baby may establish a daily pattern of crying, such as early morning or evening...  check

Yup- pretty sure we have an official colicky baby!  It's tough but we're making it.  

Our friends Tonya and Nate had baby twins yesterday.  We went to the hospital to see the cuties.  They were so tiny and made Gracie look really big.  It was sort of a reunion with all of us and our children.  Our group is really growing!

I didn't get to take a picture of her sleeping in her bed at night so here's one of her taking a nap!

We went to Outback last night for dinner with our friends and Gracie apparently wasn't a fan.  She cried and cried and cried some more.  We had to take turns holding her in the lobby area so we didn't disturb everyone's meal.  I did get a lot of sympathetic looks from parents which was nice.  She cried from 6pm to about 9:30 pm.  We told her that when she gets older, she owes us a dinner at Outback!

Her Own Room

Our baby girl slept in her own room, in her own crib last night.  It was really scary for me!  I got up to check on her at least 5 times before I fell asleep!  But she did great!  She's getting so big so fast.  The pediatrician gave us the OK to put her to sleep on her belly.  We're really happy about that because she will not sleep on her back and she's been so tired and fussy.  He says that the newest research says that the SIDS risk increases when you put an "inexperienced tummy sleeper" in that position.  Gracie has been sleeping on her tummy on our chests since we were in the hospital so she's very used to it.  

Thome Family

My good friend Carissa has convinced me, with her monthly family updates, that I need to keep a record of the things that happen in my life.  Well, my life hasn't been nearly exciting enough to keep a record, but, since the birth of our daughter, we have a lot more to talk about!  So, welcome to our blog.  My goal will be to update it every month with pictures and narratives of the things that have filled our lives.  I hope you enjoy it!