Last Week/First Blood

Stella and I are into our last week of maternity leave. It has been an amazing time of transition. As I look back, I can now laugh at those first few despairing and restless weeks. I'd never thought we would get to this place of confidence and joy. I have, on occasion, referred to myself as "mom"; I finally feel that I deserve that title. Stella is cozily sleeping in her swing while I type this, and it has been such an honor to be her caretaker these last three months.



We've been making the most of our week thus far: reading in bed, playing with toys, nuzzling, playing dress up with Kate and Lindsay, squishing chunky thighs into the bumbo seat, and meeting up with some chums for lunch. New Years Eve is tomorrow night and we will be staying in, and hopefully staying up, for the ball drop.



Grandad Ian is leaving the hospital, which is wonderful news, and Stella will be spending some quality time on his lap this weekend. I believe he is the only person to date that has made her giggle, so she's bound to have a nice time with him.



Today we met up for some Indian food with Kelly and Jake, Steph, Laura, and Lisa. Jake was very funny with Stel; he grabbed at her hands and sucked on her bib. She could not be baited by his approaches, however, and she was pretty much unaware that he sought her attention. He was very jealous of the bottle she received, and he pouted accordingly. Too much cuteness, and she is quite tuckered out from the day. Thanks to the ladies for braving the snow for some much needed adult time!



Also, here is a pic of Stella's first injury! She picked or scratched her ear and bled all over her bassinet sheet. I guess now that I am a mommy, I'd better learn some stain removal tricks!

Baby Stella's First Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! This past year has been so full of joy and blessings, and it was difficult to not tear up as I thought back to this time last year, as we hoped and prayed for a baby. We now get to hold one in our arms, and she is beautiful and healthy. We are incredibly lucky.



Stella spent Christmas Eve at Grandma Louise's with Mom, Dad, Uncle Jack and Colleen, Uncle David and Amy, Michelle, Stephanie and Vito, Mason, and Jan Anderko. As is the tradition, chinese food was ordered and an evening full of laughter was enjoyed. Stella received a lot of cute outfits, books, some developmental toys, and some baby's first ornaments. She wasn't too aware of the gifts (with the exception of those that flashed lights and played music) but she enjoyed all of the cuddling and love.



Stella stayed up very late (12:30 am) and was quite sleepy the next morning when Santa arrived. She was so sleepy in fact, that we have yet to open her Mommy and Daddy's gifts to her. I got her Stellaluna (a book), and Daddy got her a glow worm. We hope that the glow worm will be her "transitional object" for bedtime. We will probably get to the gifts sometime today.



Here is a video montage of Christmas Day. I am still figuring out this flip camera's editing software so I apologize for the sideways view! Grandad Ian must have taken fifty videos as well, so I look forward to seeing those!


We headed out to Elgin on Christmas Day to Aunt Jennie's to play with the Stahlmann family. We were late of course; it was difficult to get out of the door with all the baby gear and gifts. Stella looked like a little present in her velvet outfit. Grandad and Grandma were there waiting to snuggle, as well as Aunt Jennie, Uncle Tony, Uncle Dave, and her cousins Mari and Eric. Stella watched Eric play with his new train set while the family ate and ate and ate some more! Amber, Justina, and Kristie Jackson came over after dinner to open gifts.



Stella got a really cool crawl around ball and a peapod ornament for her ornament box. I intend to keep these marked for her for when she is a grown woman with a tree of her own, although it is daunting for me to think about that!

Getting Loud & Getting Big

We have been having more visitors lately, and it has been a breath of fresh air to have some adult company. Grandpa Gary has been coming up now and again from Kankakee (and usually brings me a latte) and spends some time playing with the babe and making silly noises.

I got it in my head that I wanted to have a dinner party, so I had Grandma Louise come over to keep Stella occupied while I cooked. We had a few pals over, ended up taking out Pita Inn instead, and attempted to watch Public Enemies. Naturally, Stella talked over the movie the whole time, and I couldn't find my glasses, so I had no idea what was happening in the movie. We turned it off. The guests stayed until 11:30- woah, late night! Stella slept well that night, just like Mom and Dad.



Stella has been playing with her tongue the last few days. It appears that she has been learning how to manipulate it, and she will stick it out at us and smile. It is making feedings a little more difficult, and reminds me of Kiss, but hey, it's pretty cute nonetheless.



Stella makes a great alarm clock these days, and this is what wakes us up most days. To be honest, I'm not all that quick to jump up and pick her up because it is really fun to hear her chatting. She will often talk to herself (or perhaps, yell for us) for up to ten minutes. As soon as we peek over at her, she gives us her most charming smile.


Stella has been taking in the world around her. Here is a little video of her checking out the TV, looking at the dog, and having a peek to see what Mommy is fussing over. We have instituted "TV-Free Weekdays" to try and quell her insatiable urges to gaze at the boob tube. Instead, we dance around to the ipod, or play on the bed. She still isn't quite taking to tummy-time, but we give it a go every now and again.

Play All Day

Stella has been making some motor developments and is showing off her head control as she looks from side to side to try and watch TV. She can often be seen peeking at the football scores with Daddy. Any day we should be able to pull out the Bumbo seat and prop her up.



Stella has a favorite toy; a bug that lights up and rattles. It's easy to make her smile when she is crabby as long as this bug is within reach, and she gets excited and looks around as soon as she hears it.



Much like cats I've known, Stella is a hair eater. She will often grab a handful of my hair and quickly try to get it into her mouth. She hasn't started mouthing other objects yet, but is quick to lick anything that comes close to her face (shoulders, clothing, couches). We were laying on the couch and she was trying to have a hair ball snack.

Baptism Video and Finger Licking Good

Here is a little vid from Stella's Baptism on 12/6..


Stella has found her hands and sucking on them is currently one of her favorite pastimes. Apparently, all the kids are doing it.

Chatterbox Cheeto

Our little cheeto is beginning to be quite the chatterbox. She started yesterday morning and didn't stop for a few hours. It is so exciting to hear her little girly voice.

Baptism

Stella was baptized this past Sunday at St. Mary's in Des Plaines. This was the same church where my brothers and I were baptized and confirmed. We had a tremendous showing, and I was teary-eyed as I witnessed the outpouring of love. We are so blessed to have such an exceptional group of family and friends that love and support us. It is such a relief to know that Stella will always have people to turn to and love her.


Stella was baptized in the gown that Great Grandma Virginia made for me thirty-two years ago. I am a sucker for this sort of thing, and I wanted to cry the whole time. My "Weema" was so important to me, and impressed upon me not only the joys of baking, but the importance of family, history, and tradition. I know that she was with us, and that she would be proud.


Stella is very lucky to have wonderful godparents; Jennie and Jack. After the baptism, everyone headed over to Grandma Louise's for a packed house party with Pita Inn. It was fun watching a lot of relatives try new foods: that is dolma, a grape leave; that one is falafel, it's yummy; this here is some awesome hot sauce. We got to watch Exador, the new parrot, show off. It was a great day. Many thanks to my mom for the food and for hosting us. Thanks to all who came to celebrate.


Finally, you may have heard me say that when Stella is upset she looks like the Stay Puft Man when the Ghostbusters blast him. Mason made a side by side so you can see for yourself.

Best Job in the World

Stella and I are getting on famously! I love every minute we get to spend together, and it is astonishing how much I love her. I never knew love could be this big. I am certainly blessed to have the opportunity to spend fourteen straight weeks with my baby.

Stella had her two-month appointment on Monday. She weighs 13 pounds (97th percentile) and was 22 3/4 inches (75th percentile). She also got five inoculations. She looked shocked after the first shot, and lost it after the second. She had a minute long meltdown, but was smiling and happy in no time. In fact, she cried more when I took the bandaids off! She was a bit cranky until the next morning, but overall we survived without major trauma.


Today, Stella had her first restaurant outing. We met Sheri and Mikey at Gail's Carriage house, a kitsch little breakfast place with a great menu. Despite the temptation, I stuck to fruit and decaf. I still have 25 pregnancy pounds to shed. Sheri and Mikey are expecting their first baby this January, and they played with Stella for some practice. Hopefully, Stella will have a new little friend for play dates soon! We enjoyed the time out of the house, and I enjoyed some adult conversation.