Day 31 - Go To Sleep Little Kaycee

Kaycee is a funny bean when it comes to going to sleep. If she's wide awake, she tends to have trouble falling asleep. Well this nap time, it was Anthony's turn to put her to sleep! She gave him a run for his money. He pretty much tried everything!! 

(He tried covering her eyes with a stuffed giraffe.)

(He tried rocking her.)

(He tried bouncing her and patting her and swinging her and dancing with her and singing to her and talking to her and so much more!)

My prayer for today is that Kaycee learns to fall asleep in her bassinet, on her own without the assistance from her parents! 

Day 30 - Musician

Kaycee had a screaming fit today, that Momma and Daddy could not quite figure out how to calm her down. We were going slightly insane, until Anthony came up with a genius idea: Music! He brought his guitar into our bedroom, and started to play her a tune. She loved it! She quieted right down and intently stared at him the whole time. He played her a lot of different tunes, including Third Day and Lion King! 

(Anthony rocking out!)

(Kaycee loving music!)

My prayer for today is that Kaycee grows up to love music and is interested in learning an instrument! 

Day 28 - Strong Girl

Today was Sunday and Night Light was at the Smith house. They had breakfast and a pajama party! Kaycee and I missed the memo and didn't wear our jammies. Momma is still not quite comfortable enough to let Kaycee get passed around, so I was a little nervous around all those teenagers. However, Kaycee slept through all of Night Light and woke up towards the end.  So, we left hungry Kaycee with Frama and Aunt M and Anthony and I went on a date.  (oops about the hungry part :/)

Our date was wonderful! We went to Culvers for ice cream. We tried to talk about things other than Kaycee, which proved to be more difficult than we thought. Although, it was a wonderful date and we really appreciated the 45 minute break! 

I promise I fed Kaycee as soon as we got back! Then Frama wanted to see how strong Kaycee really was. So she sat Kaycee up to sit on her own! However, it took several attempts to get her to sit up and snap a picture right away. About a hundred pictures later, we got one without any adult hands in it! 

(Picture without adult hands)

(Picture with adult hands)

My prayer for today is that all of our friends and family understand that this new Momma is nervous about Kaycee being passed around, and will eventually let everyone hold her! 

Day 27 - Lion King

Anthony has had the Circle of Life song stuck in his head for several days...

So, today Anthony and I discussed all the Disney movies that Anthony had seen or had not seen. We pulled out all the VHS tapes of the Disney movies my family owned. We sorted them into two piles: have seen/don't want to see again and haven't seen/have seen and want to see again! The first of the movies to watch was 

Lion King

(Kaycee was napping during today's viewing, but soon she'll be snuggled on the couch with us for Disney movie nights!)

My prayer for today is that Kaycee enjoys family time and continues to want to be a part of it! 

Day 26 - Two Modes

Kaycee has two modes: 

HAPPY 

(Kaycee smiling at Momma after eating)

or

MAD

(Grama swinging/patting Kaycee to get out the tummy bubbles)

My prayer for today is for a fun filled (notice I did NOT say fussy filled) weekend! 

Day 25 - Daddy Exercises

Last night Kaycee must have had the hugest bubble in her tummy. Poor little peanut couldn't get comfortable and calm last night. We tried everything. Daddy even laid her out over his arm to bounce her. It was funny to watch how long he could go, getting an arm workout with her laying there! 

My prayer for today is that we find the ticket to getting rid of tummy bubbles that hurt our little Peanut! 

Day 24 - Meeting Aunt B

Today Aunt B came to visit Kaycee. We're so excited that she got to meet Kaycee, because they live about 3 hours away and we hadn't made it down to visit yet. I can't wait for the rest of the family to meet her! Kaycee snuggled on Aunt B's lap for a long time, while Aunt B, Dad and I visited. It was wonderful! 

( I took a close up of her hands because she looked so peaceful with her hands folded, like that! )

My prayer for today is that Kaycee will use those folded hands to pray to God! 

Day 23 - Beautiful Weather for a Walk

Today was beautiful outside and Kaycee and I took a walk around the block. She slept most of the time, and I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine! 

Thank you Aunt M for the car seat cover and bundle me. They have been a life saver in so many situations! The cover perfect for keeping the sun out of her eyes and for keeping her warm when there is a breeze. The bundle me is perfect for keeping her comfortable and warm when its chilly outside! 

My prayer for today is the Kaycee enjoys the outdoors! Praying that she likes camping, fishing, hiking, etc. 

Day 22 - Happy Bath

The last few times that Anthony has helped out with bath time, Kaycee has screamed her head off. She was acting as if she did not enjoy a bath... That little stinker...

Well today was bath day, and we knew we were not going to have time to do it before bed. (We were going to the Smith house for NCAA championship game, which would end after bed time) So I gave her a bath in the middle of the day. Maybe the water temperature was just right, maybe there were extra things around to distract her visually, maybe she was in a happy mood, maybe there were no gas bubbles... who knows. But, today, she liked the bath!! 

She's a cute little naked Peanut! 

My prayer for today is safe travels to and from Life Group, in Racine, tomorrow! 

Day 21 - My Little Burrito

Today we went to church for the third time! I'm happy to say that we are getting better with our timing and even ran to the grocery store before church! Church was wonderful and B's sermon was great! I had to feed in the middle of church, but hopefully we'll get some speaker/video back in the nursery soon, so that I don't miss anything! 

After church was an Italian Beef potluck. Anthony and I contributed Banana pudding with vanilla wafers for dessert. There were lots of yummy sides and desserts to go with the Italian Beef sandwiches. I wore Kaycee in the Ergo carrier the whole time. 1. because she was sleeping and 2. because that way I got to keep snuggling her the whole time!

Post potluck, Anthony and I came home for a nap and walk! We snuggled as a little family for our nap and then took a short walk around the block. I'm hoping that walks become a regular Neal family daily activity! 

It was bath night and Kaycee seemed less thrilled with the bath tonight. She cried through most of the bath. But after the bath, when she was clean and lotioned, we wrapped her up like a little burrito. Then I snuggled her in the rocking chair for a long time! I love my little burrito!!

My prayer for today is that Kaycee knows how much her Momma and Daddy love her!

Day 20 - Play Play Play

Today was a day full of playing...

First, Ladies Day!
Second, Jenny/Aunt M time!
Third, March Madness with the Smarris Family!

Today was the first day that Kaycee was out pretty much all day. She went to Ladies Day with Momma at Cardinal Drive. We arrived for breakfast; Kaycee was taking a nap. I got in about 2 hours of uninterrupted fellowship and spiritual uplifting before it was time for Kaycee to eat. After awake time and before nap time, Kaycee decided to scream and cry. I put her in the Ergo carrier and walked her around the Auditorium like a million times. She finally fell asleep around lunch time, allowing me to have good fellowship at lunch.

Anthony came and picked Kaycee up around 1 and took her home for some Daddy/Daughter bonding time, that turned into Kaycee napping and then screaming.  He was able to give her her first bottle!!!  She took it like a champ! While that was happening, Aunt M and I were sitting at Jamba, sipping smoothies and chatting! It was amazing to not worry about Kaycee (because she was with her daddy!) for several hours and spend that time with Aunt M.  I felt refreshed and rejuvenated after our Jamba date!

Then I went home and picked up Anthony and Kaycee and we went over to the C house for the March Madness Final Four games. We ate dinner together, passed around Kaycee, and played together. Man was it a good time!

Unfortunately, I was not smart enough to take any pictures of my day.   Can you believe it? I apparently haven't officially gotten the blogging bug yet, because I didn't remember to take pictures for the blog. I'll do better next time!

My prayer for today is that Kaycee grows up enjoying more days like today, full of play, play play!! 

Day 19 - Lunch With Daddy

Today, Kaycee and I took Daddy out for lunch. He went into work a little early, to allow us more time for lunch. We went to On The Border, a Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was really yummy. We both ordered off the lunch menu and really enjoyed our meals. We ordered Sopaipilla's for dessert, it came with honey and chocolate dipping sauce. Our waiter brought us some strawberry sauce as well. It was definitely better than the honey or chocolate sauce! He earned his tip!! 

(Kaycee and Daddy at lunch)

My prayer for today is that Kaycee goes right to sleep after both night feedings, so that Momma is well rested for Ladies Day tomorrow!

Day 18 - My Sleepy Family

Today was a low key kind of day. It was rainy outside and so Kaycee and I stayed inside! She had really good wake time during the day! We spent some time reading, singing, swinging, playing and mostly sleeping! 

Daddy came home and we played some more. All that playing tired us out! Daddy and Kaycee took a nap together! 

My prayer for today is that sleepy Kaycee sleeps well tonight, which will allow Momma and Daddy to have some quality time together! 

Day 17 - Errands and Potty adventures

Today was shopping day. Momma had several errands to run. I had to go to Chase to talk with a banker, and I did it while Kaycee was napping. I left her at home with Grandpa and Uncle J. I hoped that I wouldn't be gone too long and that she would still be sleeping when I returned.

Alas, she was not. Shortly before my return, Kaycee woke up and started to cry/scream. Grandpa had to go pick her up and sooth her. Of course, when I got home she was a happy camper, hanging out with Grandpa, distracting him from his work. 

Then after her next feeding, during nap time, Kaycee and I went on our other errands. We went to Aldi (to pick up some more cornbread crackers - yum!) and to Target to grab a few items. I feel like I have been to Target every day since coming home with Kaycee. There is a never ending need for something... 

I took the Ergo Carrier with me on our shopping trips. It was amazing!! I will definitely put her in it when I'm doing large shopping trips like grocery or a long list at Target. It was a lot of in and out of the car seat for our two short errands today, but well worth it! 

(Kaycee's cute sundress, wish it was warm outside)

Kaycee peed on her Momma for the first time today. I was changing her diaper and she was all clean and ready for a new on. I started to put the new one on her body and all of a sudden my hand was wet. Thanks Kaycee! I could have done with out that shower today! 

I couldn't help but share this picture! It cracks me up! It's the "Look Dad, I'm pooping!" picture! Priceless!

("Look Dad, I'm pooping!")

My prayer for today is that Kaycee continues to really enjoy her Ergo Carrier, so that it can be Momma's ticket item! 

Day 16 - April Fools Day

Unfortunately, we did not play any April Fool's day jokes on any one. But we did go see the Framily! It was Kaycee's first introduction to Ollie (their dog), whom we call her Frog (friend - dog)! It's amusing to watch Frama fight off the family to keep Kaycee!

My prayer for today, is that Kaycee rearranges her days and nights. She seems to have forgotten which one she's supposed to sleep during.