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I feel a little guilty for not blogging lately but I'm about to feel stupid for some rambling, but here's what's been happening.
Taking care of a baby this age is not really hard, just time consuming. I feel guilty for letting her cry, so there is usually something to do every hour, feed, change, talk to, whatever. She's still a sleepy baby overall and most cries can be fixed with something. Though, late in the afternoon is when she gets fussy - about the time Jeff gets home. Then he gets to hear all the farts she's been building up all day - how appropriate - they get to fart together :)

Life at home is boring. I wish I had more friends that were available during the day. oh well, just more time for bonding with her. She's getting heavier and cuter every day. I still can't tell what her hair is going to do, stay dark or fall out and grow back light. At least her eyelashes are growing. She's smiling more, which I love, though I think it's just her using new facial muscles.

I think I'll try to focus the rest of my time off with establishing a routine. It's still difficult right now since I just feed her on demand. And if I have a rough night with her and she goes for another nap at 9 am, than it's really tempting to take a nap too. I noticed I feel better when I exercise in the morning, so I'm trying to use the Wii Fit more. I've sat Allison in front of the noisy treadmill a few times with mixed results on her reaction. I've taken the stroller out around the neighborhood, but I really need to order a handle bar extender because I can't walk to fast without kicking it. (Damn products made for short people)

I haven't been out that much just because I don't want to breastfeed in public. We did go to Panoply this weekend (Huntsville's big art fest). We got there early before it got too hot. I like checking out the art market. I did buy my first piece of art glass. I've always loved art glass but never had the money to become a collector, so I'm starting small. This artist's collection was inspired by Utah's Arches National Park. We haven't been there, but we did have the anniversary trip to Zion Utah, so it made me love the bowl even more.

Now if the weather will cooperate I'll call up Stacy for a trip the Botanical gardens and some cute photos.

So it only took 6 weeks, but all the baby announcements are finally mailed :)

Yesterday I took her by my work to show her off. So many people just love babies, even people I didnt know at work wanted to hold her. I find this odd. I love my child and I definitely think my nephews and niece are cuter that most kids, but strangers kids are just strangers kids. I can never see me going gaga over just any baby. But either way, people are friendlier to you when you are holding a baby so that's cool.
I'm still getting in the groove of this mom thing. At home life is pretty boring, just eating, sleeping and changing diapers. Allison is still usually a lazy eater. Meaning she'll eat, fall asleep and if I dont wake her up to eat more, she'll eat every hour. My nipples can't handle that. I'm still open to suggestions on how to keep her awake while eating. She's definitely packing on some weight though. She has a cute budda belly and some new wrinkle folds. She's a little more alert at looking at stuff but not quite grabbing it, or grabbing things with intention. Oh, and she's definitely spoiled by being held alot. I'm not ready to hear her scream too long. Speaking of, someone is waking up.

Allison is becoming more alert, following toys and grabbing things, sometimes. But overall its still basic baby stuff. Jeff usually gives her a bottle of formula sometime in the night, so I can sleep for 3 or 4 hours in a row. Well I don't think I've slept 4 hours in a row since she's still noisy.
Some of Jeff's coworkers wives with kids got together in the park next to his office and I met them. (thanks to facebook for catching that). It was a gorgeous day and definitely nice to get out. I also had to call a friend for a drink. The drink wasn't needed as much as girl friend company. Staying at home this long can take away some sanity but I got some of it back. I wish I had more close friends with lil kids - still have 6 weeks off work.
I have my fingers crossed that last week was the last cold week for a while (seems like I've said this before). I can't believe I'm still having to run the heater in April!

Thursday Allison turned 4 weeks old. Not much has changed. She is getting stronger but still has a bobble head. She still grunts loud for unknown reasons but we suspect to push out gas or more. I've nicknamed her little squirt, because a fart usually comes with a little squirt. So far she's still a sleepy and pretty even tempered baby that is not too fussy too often. (I hope I don't have to eat those words soon ) I have a harder time calming her down than Jeff, but I think she mainly associates me with food.
Jeff gave her the first bottle a few nights ago and so far no problems. So now he can give her one in the middle of the night and we can each get at least 4 hours sleep in a row.

Here is a pic of me in my usual position on the couch after feeding her - surrounded by burp cloths and pillows. The spit up levels are increasing and bibs help for some of that. Just last night when I moved her a huge amount of white liquid came POURING out of both nostrils and mouth. I had a quick vision of some sick prank a kid would do with a doll to freak out a little girl. I'm doing more laundry that I ever have because I really don't like that sour milk smell that reeks from the burp cloths or her first outfit of the day.

This is my favorite thing she does. All of a sudden she'll just raise her hand and arm straight up in the air.

The first 3 weeks have flown by like I thought they would. My arms will tell you that Allison is definitely growing. She's also a very noisey baby, grunts snorts, makes a high pitch sound like a car coming to screeching halt and she does these throughout her sleep. So the first 2 weeks we had the bassinette in our room, now it's in the living room just outside our bedroom. Jeff is sleeping better than ever now where I'm still getting up to nurse her every 2-3 hours usually. Breastfeeding did get easier after the 2 week mark. It still hurts initially and then I guess she relaxes and it's better. I have not made it out of the house much because I never know if she's going to eat 3 times in an hour or wait and sleep for 2 hours in between feedings. I'm not ready to be one of those moms that can nurse in public with just a blanket draped over them. And the thought of sitting in a public restroom for 20 to 40 minutes while she eats is not much better. So I think the bottle will get introduced soon.
I'm about to take her to the dr again for her 3rd PKU test. Everyone has said how picky the lab is and yet they still can't get the sample right, it's making me mad.
Jeff's parents are coming back tomorrow, evidently Mimi (Jeff's mom) couldn't wait a whole month to see her :)
I'm still waiting to hear back from a photographer friend to get some good photos to use on a birth announcement.