Five, Six, Seven

It goes without saying that much has happened since my last post in (gasp) early November. Why is writing updates for blogs either a joy or a chore? I wish I could be more consistent....

So here's what is new with the Bayes...

5 months old

We hosted Thanksgiving for Matt's family for the second year now. Complete with a football game and ugly sweater contest.

Thanksgiving Day

I am still undecided as to whether it was harder playing hostess while I was preggers and still suffering from morning sickness or now that Eliana is here. Either way, I'm grateful to have in-laws who are generally laid back and who will help out when needed! We even celebrated Christmas a little early since all the Bayes were here.

Happy Half Birthday

Merry Christmas

December came and went in a blur. I celebrated another birthday and enjoyed a nice night out with Matt (without Eliana). We celebrated Eliana's first Christmas. She enjoyed ripping (and eating) the paper from her presents. We also made the 11-hour trek down to Red Bud on Christmas Day to celebrate with the Tindalls. We surprised them all--they weren't expecting us to arrive until the 26th. We were able to stay for five days, but even that time went too quickly.

Tindalls Christmas Dinner

Last week Matt had the privilege of giving the opening prayer for the Michigan House of Representatives. We got to meet our Rep--he spent about an hour with us and showed us around the Capital.

Prayer at House of Representatives

And now January is almost over too. Eliana is growing up so quickly, and I'm amazed at the new things she is doing every day.... Like pulling herself up to stand. And rocking on all fours--ready to crawl at any time now.

She's a champion eater. And speaking of food--we're eating dairy again! I put it back in my diet right before my birthday (Happy Birthday to me!!) and aside from a little stomach bug Eliana had after Christmas, all systems are a-go. I am so happy to have dairy again! 

Eliana is saying "dada," "yaya" and many other babbling sounds (still working on "mama"...)  and she waves bye-bye. She sleeps through the night (most nights) and is usually a good napper during the day too. She loves to snuggle with Mommy.

First time in the snow

She likes to read books, listen to music, play with her picnic basket, jump in her Baby Einstein jumper, splash in the tub, and play peek-a-boo. She doesn't like getting dressed, being alone on the floor to play, or rolling over from her stomach to her back. She is very curious and observant, and she loves to watch and take in everything around her.

Months 3 and 4

Four months went by way too fast--it really is true what they say about blinking and missing it. Eliana has changed so much in the last few months. It feels like I just updated this... but, wow... that was 2 months ago. So I'll catch up:

Eliana at Three Months:

Smiles and more smiles! Eliana is such a happy and content little girl. We didn't have a three-month physical, so no new height/weight stats.

Eliana loves sitting in her infant rocker and batting at the toys that hang in front of her. She can even grab and hold on to them!

We pulled out the Bumbo seat and Eliana is practicing sitting up like a big girl. Eliana is finding her voice too. She coos and grins. It makes me melt every time.

Eliana watched her first Packers game--a win. Their season is off to a good start! I went back to teaching part-time, which means Eliana gets to go to the nursery at church for a few hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. She spends Tuesdays with "Grandma" Brenda, the other pastor's wife, and Fridays with Daddy. Leaving her was extremely hard at first. And I don't think it will get any easier for a while.

Eliana at Four Months:

12 pounds, 9 ounce and 25 inches long puts her in the 50th percentile for height and the 5th percentile for weight. She's a string bean! This past month, Eliana has become very interested in her hands. She sucks on her thumb and chews on any finger she can. She's noticing her feet too. Blowing raspberries is one of her favorite things to do. She lights up with smiles when Mommy and Daddy blow 'em back. 

We took a trip to northern Michigan for the Pastor's Conference and finished the journey around Lake Michigan to visit Matt's family. Eliana got to meet her great-grandparents on Matt's side for the first time.

We enjoyed visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Baye, Aunt Annie, Uncle Kaanan, and Aunt Becca too.

 We also made a quick stop in Columbus to visit the Jacobs--and we were SURPRISED that Grandma Tindall, Aunt Lora, the other Matt, and Boo-dog came to visit us while we were there too. Eliana pulled out some tricks for Grandma Tindall and rolled over from her back to her tummy--three times in a row! We loved all the family time we got that week--and leaving was hard, as always.

Other happenings...
Matt and I dressed up as Prince Eric and Ariel for the church's Fall Fun Fair. (I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but being away from my baby for 5 hours for the first time wasn't exactly fun... )

We are continuing the call process at church as we seek a Senior Pastor to replace Pastor Kasper. In the meanwhile, Matt stays VERY busy. He is preaching more often and seems to have meetings or some other church commitment at least 4 nights every week.

Teaching is going well for me. I'm trying to stay ahead with my lesson plans and on top of my grading. I'm either balancing Eliana on my lap or cramming in as much as I can while she naps... I can't imagine teaching full time. Kudos to those moms who find that balance and make it work for them.

Oh, and how 'bout them Cardinals? Matt thinks it is great that in the year Eliana was born his football team and my baseball team have had championship seasons. Eliana has good teams to cheer for!

Two months old!

Eliana at two months:

- 9 pounds, 9 ounces and 23 inches long

-smiles at mommy and daddy

-starting to coo

-slept through the night once

-lifts head up and looks around

-took first trip--drove with mommy and Connie J. to Red Bud so we could see Gracen and the rest of the Palmers too!

A child of God!

All the Bayes and almost all the Tindalls came to Michigan to celebrate Eliana's baptism on August 6th. It was so good to have everyone together! Grandpa Baye finally got to meet Eliana--he was quite jealous that Grandma Baye and Grandma and Grandpa Tindall got to see her right after she was born. He claimed that he would be the only one allowed to hold her all weekend. But he had to share--there were too many aunts, uncles, and other grandparents who all wanted a turn too!

Matt performed the baptism--such a proud daddy!

Eliana enjoyed meeting all her aunts and uncles, but this weekend really wore her out (and me too!) We've got a few days to rest before we drive down to St. Louis for Gracen's baptism. Eliana will finally get to meet her Auntie Lani, Uncle Jon, and cousins Evan, Haven, and Gracen!

No milk for Mommy

That's right... no more milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream. Eliana has a milk protein allergy, so I have to cut all dairy out of my diet (and  hers). It's really more annoying than anything--constantly reading labels, spending twice as much time grocery shopping, hunting down soy alternatives, watching Matt enjoy a bowl of chocolate ice cream that clearly was meant for me. Our pediatrician says most babies will grow out of this allergy; that it is more like a sensitivity because of an immature digestive system. So no dairy until she's 6 months old, and when we re-introduce dairy to her diet at that point she should be able to tolerate it. One month down... five to go. But who's counting?

And because I can't post without a picture... here's Eliana at one month old!

Eliana at One Month:

Starting to smile at Mommy and Daddy

Neck muscles are getting stronger as she tries to hold up her head on her own

Loves to snuggle and to be held

Weighs 7 lbs 14 oz, 21.5 in. long

Eliana Lois Baye

Three days past my due date and we were on our way to the hospital!
And after 41 hours of labor we have a baby girl!

I was blessed with a smooth pregnancy, an uncomplicated delivery, and a beautiful little girl! Praise God!   

Before we left for the hospital



Pre-epidural, and feeling okay at this point!

 

 

 

Our very first family picture



Eliana Lois entered the world at 6:09 PM on Friday, June 24. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long.

Here's the account of the day, according to Daddy:

Delivery Day – June 24, 2011

It is about 3:52 PM, and I am sitting across from one amazing very-soon-to-be mommy. Very early Wednesday morning (6-22), Megan started having stronger contractions. Over the past 36 hours, they have been forceful, but intermittent. Never better than 10 minutes apart, but they really did the job.

We came into the hospital at 11:50 AM to check about some bleeding issues – some discharge in connection with losing the mucus plug. To our surprise, we found that mommy was already 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced, so we were admitted to work on the arrival of our little one.

Mommy has been a champ the entire day. Though her contractions haven’t been as frequent or seemingly as painful as they were at home, in a matter of hours she had gotten to 9 cm dilated (about 3:45 PM). She has gotten to this point almost completely without the aid of an epidural, as that arrived around 3 PM with mommy about 8 cm or more dilated.

The doctor who administered the epidural was an interesting and sharp man, who was fond of teaching his kids math (an immediate connection with Megan) and who’s grandfather was a Lutheran minister (a connection with Matt). Though the epidural was very helpful for the final stages of labor, it did cause Mommy to be extra itchy and somewhat ticklish.

After the epidural was administered, it was time to break the water. The bag of waters was bulging, and when the doctor broke the water, it gushed out and shot to his elbow. Matt was greatly amused (and a little startled). With this step in the process complete, pushing is soon to follow.

The nurses and doctors have all been helpful and accommodating. Our nurse is Nicole, and Dr. Kobald will be the doctor to deliver our firstborn. We are praying for God’s continued protection on the entire process. He has been more than gracious to us thus far – praise Him!

Matt’s mom has met up with Shana in Grafton, WI, and they are driving over here as we speak. Everyone is excited to meet this new little one.

It’s a girl! After some courageous pushing by mom over a period of about 100 minutes, we meet our firstborn, a daughter. Eliana Lois Baye enters the world at 6 lb. 13 oz., 20.5 inches long, at 6:09 PM Eastern. We are so proud. Mommy did absolutely wonderfully, and Eliana is beautiful (even if she looks more like Daddy). All signs so far point to a very healthy and content little girl. We pray she stays that way forever. What a blessing from our heavenly Father. God give us the wisdom and love to raise this child in the fear and love of Him.

36 down, 4 (ish) to go!

Here are some much delayed updates and pictures:

I passed my second glucose tolerance test! Hooray!! And the pregnancy has been relatively smooth sailing since that little road bump.  Baby B likes to kick and wiggle and stretch--which is something that can either bring a smile to my face or a grimace depending where those little feet are planted.

We enjoyed our trip to Green Bay at the end of March. It is always good to see family! Even better when it's both at once--thank you Mom, Dad, Shana, and Kyle for making it out for our second shower! And thank you Mom Baye and Aunt Nancy for giving me another wonderful shower! Since the shower was at the church in Bonduel, we even got to see the 340-year-old Bible that made the news earlier this year. Quite impressive!

When we got back to Michigan we had two more showers--one with all the people I work with at Trinity, and one with our St. Peter family. Both were more extravagant than I could have expected. We are definitely blessed here! We got just about everything we will need for Baby Baye--and then some! Which meant we had a lot of sorting and organizing to do in the nursery!

Lent and Easter were busy for Matt. He preached Palm Sunday weekend, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Saturday as well. I managed to sing with the Festival Choir on Easter Sunday--something I wasn't sure my decreased lung capacity would allow me to do...

Matt and I took a few days after Easter to get away--some much needed time away from work and time to just relax. We enjoyed our stay in Michigan's little Bavaria: Frankenmuth. Megan spent some of her Easter/spring break setting up the nursery. It's just about ready!

And spring finally found Michigan! I was worried that the tulip bulbs I planted in the fall weren't going to make it, but they finally bloomed a few weeks into May. (MAY!!) And all the trees are green again--hooray!

Also, some news on the church front: our senior pastor is taking a call to District. His last Sunday with us at St. Peter is June 19th. (Yes, 2 days before my due date... could be an interesting summer/year ahead.)

Here are the baby bump pictures to bring you up to speed too...

I'm 36 weeks today--and my doctor said that if I go into labor now, they won't stop it! (But realistically, I still have about 4 weeks to go...maybe even more.)

 

27 weeks

 

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36 weeks