growing

 Elida rounded out into five months earlier this October, and Adam and I find ourselves asking the cliche question of where does the time go?  Already, she is sitting up without (much) support from us.  Yesterday, she took a first bite of rice cereal as we begin the journey into introducing solid foods.  She wasn't so sure of this new step though.  Also, she is reaching for anything and everything while she talks and giggles constantly.  She is becoming an active little person who is very much aware and curious in her world.

As parents, Adam and I continue to learn and grow too.  Adam was gone this past week for a work trip and I got to experience being a single parent, which is definitely challenging.  I admire those who do this full time because it is a lot of work!  Thankfully, we are usually doing this together and are continually learning to communicate better and work together.  We try not to do too many internet searches and really just try and trust our instincts.  I think our biggest current challenge is to not try and do it all because there are just not enough hours in the day.  It is okay if our house isn't clean and I didn't get that whatever it was done.  What we keep striving for is to be present and enjoy each day we have.

As I am thinking our own growth as parents and about Elida speedily growing and changing, I thought it would be fun to have the photos show you the growth that has happened in these five short months. We used the bear as a comparison each month. When I write next, she may be twice as big as teady.

 

Much love from our growing family to yours.  We will update everyone soon!

changes

Adam and I have realized quickly through this parenting journey that the moment we think we have something figured out, the situation changes. We start to relax and something new comes our way.  I am pretty sure that parenting will constantly be a learning experience where I will be humbled by not knowing (a lot) and learning by living through the constant changes of our young and complicated family member.  This has been on my mind a lot as I figure out how to be a mom, a full time school counselor, a good partner, and a caring friend to others and myself.

Elida turns four months in a few days, and if you haven't seen her lately, you will be surprised by how much she has grown and transformed. It is amazing how much she has changed since we took our trip to Minnesota and she was 2 months old.  She now giggles, which melts my heart with joy.  Her giggle is this throaty and genuine laugh that makes me and Adam think we are the funniest comedians.  She also has been rolling from her back to her stomach a handful of times.   She is much more interactive and definitely smiles when someone she knows comes into a room.  Every day she seems to present us with something new- a different sound, a new movement or facial expression.

I went back to work on August 1st, and that was a big change for me and my routine.  No more lazy days with me and my baby at home.  The last month, I now seem to be in a constant rush- getting up early, rushing over at noon to feed Elida during my half hour lunch break, leaving work to pick her up from child care.  With my mom and stepdad taking Elida once a week and her going to an early childhood learning center called "The Teaching Tree" the rest of the week, we know she is in good hands, yet it feels sad to miss out on a big chunk of her day during the week.  I haven't loved this change.

Throughout all the changes Elida is going through and the changes in our lives as we adjust to new routines, I do feel like we are managing pretty well.  We definitely have evenings where Adam and I collapse on the bed after Lida falls asleep and we are just so so so tired.... and then Lida gets up 3 times in the night even though she usually sleeps all night long.  We have some mornings where I arrive late in a flustered hurry at work because the morning routine took longer than usual.  And then I try to remain calm and counsel distraught teenagers all day.  I have moments after work where I wonder when I will get to make that phone call or exercise or see any friends because there are just not enough hours in the day.  And then (thank goodness) we have had days, where it all just falls together and we are super parents and super humans, somehow meeting the needs of our child and even ourselves.  Those days are nice.

With all this change that has happened every day since Elida was born, one thing that has been consistent (and growing) is our love for this little girl.  She is truly amazing and we are very aware that we are so lucky to have her.  I can't help but smile when she smiles.  Laugh when she laughs.  Feel sad when she gets sad.  I can't help but adore her more and more every day.  That will never change.

(Lida's first Tour de Fat)

Ida and Elida

Lida turned 2 months over the 4th of July while we were visiting family in Minnesota.  She has already outgrown clothes with her long torso and is changing every day.  She smiles consistently when we sing silly songs. She rolls over to her side and loves to maintain eye contact and coo.  I am knocking on wood as I write this, but she also now sleeps 6 or 7 hour stretches at night.  We are pretty happy and better rested too!

Traveling to the midwest was a joy.  Elida was an awesome traveler and was entertained thoroughly by Iota's snout sticking over the backseat to say hello every now and then through Nebraska.  We got to spend a chunk of time at the Jaskowiak family cabin on the lake where we swam, fished, kayaked and took rides on the boat.  Elida even dipped in the lake!  It was hot, but such good time with family in a beautiful setting.  I can still hear the loons calling.

A highlight of the trip was a couple final days in Des Moines, IA where Lida got to meet some of her Iowa family, particularly her great grandmother and namesake, Ida Ruth.  This was very special for me to see their instant connection and spend time with two women who I love more than most in this world.

Elida continues to be such a joy and Adam and I are learning to relax and enjoy each and every moment with her as we stumble through being new parents.

one month

Elida Caroline Jaskowiak was born on May 4th at 2:30 a.m.  She was 7 pounds, 10 oz. and 21 inches long.   While we have had some challenges, beginning with a 46 hour labor, we are so happy Lida is in our lives. Her birth story has some dramatic moments, but she entered this world in her own way and was happy and healthy, which is what matters most. It may take me awhile to forget the pain and initial struggles, but she has been worth it, and we are filled with joy to have her with us.

Already, she has been in our lives for a month as of Monday. She has started to give us a genuine smile here and there.  She follows us with her wide and alert eyes and is sleeping good stretches of the night.  Her hair still cracks us up.  Her mullet that she was born with matches Adam's hair color.  She definitely looks like her dad. We are slightly sleep deprived, but finding our way and learning something new every day.  Today, I carried Elida around Sunflower Grocery Store in a sling, and it felt like a huge victory that we made it out with groceries and no wailing.  Yay us.  So, we are all doing well.  Once we get more used to these new lives we are living, I hope to continue this blog and update it regularly.  Overall, we are loving this little person and are so grateful for her.

spicy food

Tomorrow (April 27th) is our due date, a day we know is subjective.  Only 5% of women deliver on their due date.  The competitive gene in me wants to beat those odds and have our little girl say hello to the world tomorrow.  Will it happen?

I've had moments of eager anticipation this week as I googled all the natural forms of induction and then tried many of them, with hopes it would encourage her to start this process.  My list of techniques that I have tried so far includes eggplant parmesan, red raspberry leaf tea, trigger points on my ankles and hands, yoga poses, sex, evening primrose oil and spicy thai food, and attempts at relaxing.  Last night, after an almost unbearable meal of green curry thai food that was way too spicy to enjoy, I realized that she will come in her own time, when she is ready.  It may be tomorrow or it could still be days from now. No spumoni ice cream (another old wive's tale for induction) will jump start this independent little person.  She will be here when the time is right.

So, in the meantime, we continue to wait in wonder and awe through this journey.  My mom is here for support.  All of our important pre-baby tasks are complete.  Adam is so excited to be a dad.  Her room, decorated and filled with birds of all shapes and sizes is waiting for her approval (see the photo below).  And, she will be here when she is good and ready. 

waiting for her arrival

Welcome to the first posting of our blog! We wanted to create an inclusive place to post a few photos, tell some interesting stories and reflect on this new chapter as we become parents.  Hopefully, you will enjoy our musings and random moments we share with you.  Click on the tab "Canadian Bacon Bits (About Us)" to read the story behind the title.

Our due date for our little girl to arrive is April 27th, and we are trying to patiently wait for her arrival. Adam is nesting by cleaning every cupboard and closet in our house and I am adding to list after list and wondering which day we will meet her.  It is a busy and joyful time for us.  With the help of a tripod and Adam as an aspiring photographer, we took a few photos to document this 9 month phase...

Thank you for taking the time to read and care about us and our journey.  We hope this will help you feel more connected to us as we travel this new path of unknown excitement and adventure....