Take Three! (or four, depending on how you count)

Mel is now on the next level of formula, we'll see if this one will work! Before Melanie was born, I was polling my friends to see who used what type of formula. My friend Annie said, and I quote - "He (her son) then went to Similac Alimentum which is the step prior to prescription formula. May you never have the formula drama that we had!!!" Well, despite Annie's wishes for us, we are having some drama. This formula (Alimentum, what Annie's son was on and now Melanie is) helps break down the proteins, and we're hoping this will help her little tummy. It did seem to be getting better for a few days on the soy, but now we're back to the random tantrums and the stomach pains. Keep the little peanut and her tummy in your prayers!

Trip to Chicago!

Melanie took her first interstate trip this weekend; we went to Yorkville to stay with Jeff's Aunt Sandy, Uncle Rick, and cousin Becky. They threw Miss Melanie a shower, and she had a great time! She got to meet lots of new friends, including 9-month-old Sadie and some of Mommy's friends. She got to spend time with both sets of grandparents, Aunt Cory & Uncle Randy, and see cousin Charlie again. It was great to see everyone, and we were very happy that Melanie behaved wonderfully, during both car rides and overnight! Daddy even had a good time, since he got to play golf, smoke three cigars, AND eat at Monical's on the way back! Fun for everyone!

Nine Pounds!

Melanie's two-month well-baby visit was today. No, she's not two months old yet, but whatever, there we were, so we got lots of things done in our TWO HOUR appointment (thirty minutes were spent with just Mel and me hanging out in the room....)

First. Melanie is in the 10-25% for her weight, which is 9 pounds and a quarter of an ounce. The doctor seemed fine with that. She is in the 50% range for her height, which is 22 and a quarter of an inch. She passed all of his developmental checks, and he was pleased with her progress all around. She got her two-month shots, and she did awesome with them. She cried a little when she got stuck, but she calmed herself down very well. Overall, for being in the doctor's office for more than two hours, she did great - didn't really throw any kind of fit.

Now for her stomach problems.... based on everything I told the doctor (who I continue to love), we decided to change her formula; we're still on Similac, but just a different version. The can promises to "reduce gas and fussiness in just three days" - I'm counting on it :) I'm supposed to follow up with the doc in a week and let him know how she's doing - I really hope that this helps with her crying fits she has. He agreed it didn't seem like colic, since it happens at all times of the day (church, or lunch, or dinner...)

We had a nice long walk today, to Target, Walgreen's, the doctor's office.... it's gorgeous out!!

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Melanie joined the Doan girls on Saturday morning for the Susan G. Komen walk for the cure. We intended to do the 5k walk, but got started late since we were seeking shelter deciding if the weather was going to cooperate. So instead we did the 1-mile family walk, which I think Julie was more satisfied with anyway, this far along in her pregnancy! Of course, add on the mile we walked to and from the car, and we still got quite a walk in! It was another great Indy turnout, and we had a good time despite the weather!

Saturday night, Grandma & Grandpa babysat while Jeff and I went to dinner (after Julie and I got to catch a movie). One of the questions the pediatrician asked me today (see other post) was if Jeff and I had gotten a date night yet. I guess he wasn't expecting to hear about our once a week outings and the fact that Mel had already spent the night away from us! He said that as long as we weren't going to Vegas every weekend, he wasn't worried!

Sunday was Mel's first trip to church, and it didn't go so well. We may wait until she's a bit older - or more predictable - before trying that again!

Melanie on the town

As expected, Melanie survived quite well at Grandma & Grandpa's on Tuesday night. We picked her up on Wednesday night with a yummy meal in Frankfort, and brought her home to somewhat of a restless night of sleep, but nothing too bad.

Thursday was baby-on-the-go. We went to my VP's 50th birthday celebration at my office, and then to lunch with Laura (where she had a meltdown - Mel, not Laura!), then down to a shady part of town to pick up our packets for the Susan G. Komen 5k on Saturday, then home for a two-hour nap (together). Then it was up and on a walk on the beautiful day - we ran errands culminating at Target, then home to see Dad. Then for a walk to Marsh to get dinner, and a nice grilled-out dinner. Last night was an awesome night of sleep - she only needed one overnight feeding! I'm not getting too far ahead of myself with that one, it was probably a fluke. But it was awesome nonetheless. She didn't even wake up for her first-ever earthquake, measuring 5.2 on the Richter!

Today, we went to Jeff's work to show off Miss M. Then we headed up to see Grandma, who was shopping at Clay Terrace (this was the second day in a row Melanie got to meet her Grandma out shopping!! Lucky girl, living so close to her!). After a few more errands, it was home to eat and then get dropped back off with Daddy while I went out with my coworkers for an extended birthday celebration for my VP (who I hope is feeling halfway decent tomorrow morning - it was getting ugly!!)

Tomorrow Julie, Mom, Mel and I plan to walk the Susan G. Komen 5k; hopefully we'll stay dry!!

Six Weeks

Miss Melanie is six weeks old! Time flies.....

Today, I have four doctor appointments, and tomorrow I have a meeting for work. So, Melanie gets the extreme pleasure of staying the night with Grandma & Grandpa! Yes, that's right. I'm a mother who will send her daughter away for a night at the tender age of six weeks! It was difficult to pack her up this morning - and she tried to make it more difficult by being very cuddly before she left! Jeff and I are going to dinner at my parents' tomorrow night to pick her up - so it's two full days sans baby. Weird.

She had a puny weekend; she was feeling a little out of sorts, I think - her eating and sleeping were off, and she got sick. She seems to have bounced back now - she slept most of the day yesterday. I'm hoping that it was catching up on her sleep, versus feeling worse. However, since her eating is back on track, I'm optimistic.

Another development, she LOVES her pacifier, and so do I!!

Her shirt in the photo above says "I love Mommy." I'll keep reminding myself of that if I feel like a bad one for sending her to Grandma's for the night!!

Location, Location, Location

(no, that doesn't read "lactation, lactation, lactation..." - I've been reading too many baby books!!)

*That's our new patio furniture featured above!

Top Reasons I Love Where We Live (in no particular order, except number one)
10. Melanie and I can walk to Walgreen's, Blockbuster and Marsh and still make it back before it rains
9. We could conceivably walk to Target, Kohl's, and HomeGoods (among many other stores), but we didn't want to get rained on.

8. Jeff and I both work close enough to home that we can come home for lunch.

7. There is a pool in our subdivision. I only wish I had twelve weeks off of work when it was OPEN!

6. We're one mile, door-to-door, to our church and daycare
5. We're within walking distance to Melanie's (and my) doctor.
4. We're within walking distance to several restaurants and/or bars (although we don't like the closest bar, PJ O'Keefe's)
3. We're within 5 miles (or less) of downtown Zionsville
2. They're opening 2 Monical's within five miles of us - okay, that's more Jeff's top reason than mine.
1. We're 30 miles, door-to-door, to Grandma and Grandpa Doan's house.