Freedom!

Yesterday gail and steve came to visit. Gail said TJ and i could have an outing and she and steve would watch Jaely. I, of course, was anxious for an outing. We wanted to go see Baby Mama, but the showing didn't work with our schedule of feedings, so we went to target, circuit city and Traverse Pie company. It was nice, but i must admit i wanted to call and check on jaely a ton. It was relaxing not to take the stroller in and out and not to worry if her binky would fall out of her mouth during the car ride. It was wonderful just to hang out with family. As soon as gail got to our house she scooped jaely right up. Jaelynne was extremely fussy during the night TJ had to fall asleep with her on his chest. She wanted nothing to do with laying down, especially in her crib. I think it was gas. Tomorrow grandpa jer comes.

Gail also made us an awesome pot roast and a delicious cake (Jaely turned a month old). I just ate the leftovers. Yum.

It is still so strange for it to be Sunday and for me not to be busy correcting papers. Rather i am busy taking care of jaely and doing our laundry. Next i can either take a shower or a nap before her next feeding. Hummmm decisions, decisions.

Greek Salad Anyone?

Yesterday my aunt, uncle, and brother stopped at Panera bread on their way to visit. I kindly requested soup and a greek salad. I love feta cheese. I poured my dressing on and was mixing it around when i spotted something that didn't look right. At closer inspection (moving aside a big hunk of lettuce) there was a dead, hairy, big moth laying on my lettuce. Panera has let me down. I spent last summer there writing my thesis, eating and drinking. TJ and i love that place. It has let me down. Nasty! My aunt decided not to eat her greek salad.

Visitors!

Yesterday, instead of going to my breastfeeding class, i hung out with friends. One friend just had a baby a week after Jaely was born and the other friend already has two kids. It was so nice to get out, sit outside in the beautiful weather and talk about babies, school, and life. Jaely was awake for most of the outing.

Today was wonderful. My aunt carol, uncle mike and my brother jered came over to visit me and jaely. . . I think primarily Jaely. She was fussier than normal, but i don't think they minded. It really makes me sad that family is not close by to see Jaely more, but i am so thankful people are making the effort to see her. My other brother and his wife are coming to stay in June. I am super excited.

On Saturday gail and steve are coming and then on monday my dad is coming. I love my family.

Right now Jaely is wearing an adorable dress. It is so cute. Of course, after family leaves, she becomes content and plays on her blanket. I wish they had gotten to see it. She is alert and not crying, but kicking, tooting, and looking everywhere.

Yikes!

Yesterday evening, while Jaely was sleeping, we met with two guys about the land behind our house that is for sale. I want that land so bad for a couple of reasons. I don't want anyone building back there, it seems like a good investment, and it would be nice to have two acres as opposed to one. However, they would not budge on their price last night. Or at least they didn't pick up on the fact that we want to negotiate when i said the price is too high. 28,900 is a ton of money. Of course, one guy figured out our monthly budget and he said we should easily be able to make payments of 137.00 a month. I said that we could, but it is the balloon payment at the end that we are worried about. Then i told him that i will not be working next year. He punched the numbers and said "yikes, that would be very tight. Maybe you should work." We knew that we would have to sacrifice some things for me to stay home with Jaely next year. It is just hard to pass up such a good opportunity. But if they won't come down at all on the price, we are going to have to pass it up. We don't want to stretch ourselves and cause extra stress.

Weird day

My day has consisted of sleeping and nursing. I am so sick. . . i never knew my body could produce so much mucus. My head feels all cloudy, my throat hurts, and my head is pounding. I really have slept most of the day, waking to feed Jaely, change her diaper, and put her back down. I haven't changed out of my pajamas in two days. Poor Jaely. I have had to stop mid feeding to blow my nose, and she really doesn't like me sneezing when she is latched on. Hopefully, tomorrow i will wake up and feel completely better. . . hopefully. Sorry for all the whining!

Food

It all started with dad and his shrimp casserole. Then. . .
Jered and his Thai curry chicken
Charity and Party chicken
Corrie and chicken pot pie
Sarah, nate, and corbin with pizza hut
Rob, Kim, Noah, and ryan with lee's chicken (i am eating leftovers as i type!)
Tonight. . . The Bailey's are providing dinner.

TJ and i cannot believe how much it helps to not have to worry about meals. . . and we both love leftovers, so lunches are basically taken care of too. Thanks everyone!

The cards are pouring in. The gifts are still coming. Visitors are sharing their love with Jaely as they hold and cuddle her. Life is good. We are blessed beyond belief.

Beautiful Day

I am currently typing on TJ's laptop. . .my mac went crazy when TJ was connecting our video camera up to it. My beloved mac. This morning, i took Jaely in her stroller outside and raked and weeded our side garden and our massive back garden. It felt so good to be outside, to get fresh air and to get something accomplished. She basically slept the entire time. I bundled her up and made sure she was out of direct sunlight. We had a great day together. TJ got the fallen tree almost all cleaned up. We are both sleep deprived. I probably should be sleeping right now, instead of blogging. I just put Jaelynne down in her swing. I held her for a long time while she slept, but decided i should probably do something with my time. . . other than stare at my beautiful daughter. Don't get me wrong, i did stare for a considerable amount of time. . . so long in fact that she has sleep marks on her cute little cheeks. I need to write more thank you notes. They are never ending because the love and thoughtfulness of our friends and family doesn't end. It is wonderful! TJ had to make a trip to meijers early this morning because we found out the hard way that huggies diapers are slightly larger than pampers diapers. The "slightly" matters a lot when you are only 6 pounds 14 ounces. Explosions of nastiness can occur. We will have to save the huggies for when she is a little bit bigger. You can tell my level of sleepiness by how often and quickly i change subjects. I also laugh at the dumbest things. . . laughs so hard i have tears streaming down my face. Life is crazy, but oh so good!

Normal

Life is starting to feel normal again. . . like we have always had jaelynne. We are still learning, but we are definitely settling in. We even went for a walk today and we are making sure that we don't become hermits by going to meijers and target and such. TJ is overwhelmed with going back to work, finishing the built-in, and preparing the yard for spring. The tree that fell on our cars has left behind a big stump and plenty of sticks. Gail suggested we invite every child we know and have a big stick gathering party. Sounds fun! Right now Jaely is in her swing. Friends are bringing over pizza and TJ is reading the paper. I am so thankful that last night Jaely nursed at 2 and 6, no 4. I got a little more sleep last night than the night before. And i got a nap in, too. It took me all morning to write a thank-you note to our builder. He sent the nicest cookies that came in an adorable "It's a Girl" tin that plays music when you open it up. They are the best cookies i think i have ever had. I need to remember the company when i went to send a little something to someone. Of course, we are wondering if he is just buttering us up before we meet about that land contract, but i think he is genuinely a nice guy. . . he did after all give us our first christmas in our new home ornament and passes to the home show every year. Anyway, it took awhile to write him a thank you note between nursing, sleeping, and taking care of some phone calls. Thankfully, i was able to get more thank you notes done in the afternoon. Well, i better go and try to get things accomplished. I can't post without pictures. . .