Mia woke up in time to watch Fucodome hit a 3 run homer to tie the game! But as you can tell by the look on her face, Cubs lost in the 10th inning!

Opening Day

Mia must be tired from her road trip. She didn't sleep very well last night (neither did I) and she was so tired all morning. Finally, she fell asleep around 1pm but it was just in time for our newest Cubs fan to miss opening day! She was all dressed up in her cubs outfit that Uncle Brian bought for her. It's a rainy day too so maybe that accounts for napping a lot today. Good thing baseball season is long, I am sure she will be up for another game!

Mia's first road trip

We survived Mia's first road trip! I was very nervous about it since she is nursing and had a tendency to cluster feed at any given time. But, she surprised us and did amazing! We only made two stops on the way out and one stop on the way back (for us to pull over so I could nurse her). We drove out to Grandpa's apartment on Saturday and then went to visit Mia's great grandparents and great aunts Sue and Jean. They loved her and she was a very good baby for them. She let them hold her and kiss her. She started to get a bit fussy later in the afternoon so we headed back to Grandpa's apartment. She loved when he rocked her and held her, she calmed down right away. She didn't sleep as well as she has been, I bet because she was in a different place to sleep. Sunday we woke up and headed back. I learned that she may not take a pacifier BUT she will suck on my pinkie finger and that honestly kept her quiet for some time in the truck! The last 20 minutes of the trip she started to fuss and actually took a little formula from the bottles, between that and mommy's finger she held it together until we could get home so she could nurse. All in all, she did 100% better than Daddy and I imagined and am glad that first road trip is over with. Now we know a little bit more what to expect next time and know what little tricks will help us next time.

photos: top is Mia on her way leaving Chicago heading to MI! middle is great grandma Caporale holding her bottom Mia smiling glad to be home, and enjoying mommy blowing magic wind in her face!

Today my little Mimi is 5 weeks old. I think I am getting the hang of being a mommy and finally starting to read her needs. Finally had a chance to put up Mia's wooden letters. You do realize fitting in a shower and putting letters up and doing a load of laundry with a newborn is quite impressive! It was a cold and snowy one so we stayed in. Mia's nookey-potsey photo was from last week before her cord fell out. Nookey-potsey is a term my grandma would call my dad and my aunts when they were naked babies and he in turned said that to my brother and I and now I find myself calling Mia it too!

1 month progress

Hard to believe Mia is over one month old! She is growing so fast. She is starting to take a bottle slowly. Yes, she is nursed and the milk bar is opened to her 24/7 but during her growth spurts and late night cluster feeding, it is nice to give mommy a break and a chance for daddy to feed her. She is so much more alert during the day and has made great eye contact with me! She has even smiled a few times at mommy. We are trying to take her out more, she screams at first then ends up enjoying the car ride...she did great at Target the other night but only lasted about 15 minutes before she wanted mommy to nurse her. She is also enjoying tummy time more, she can really pick up her head and kick those little legs! Last night my big girl slept so well IN her bassinet! So let's hope that keeps up before she makes the move to her crib.

Photo taken this morning after our walk with the beagles, Mia took a nice nap in her Bjorn. Her favorite song that calms her down right away is Roller in the Coaster by Justin Roberts, she LOVES that song...takes after mommy and daddy, she already likes folky music!

it's gone

Mia is officially clear to take her first tub bath - she lost her umbilical cord yesterday! I knew it would be coming out soon, so when I changed her diaper yesterday afternoon I noticed her belly button was clear! I couldn't find the cord, but then it was inside her pj's....hehe. She is officially a big girl! Tonight we get to try out her tub and wash her up with her rubber duckies. Here is a photo of her from her first day on Earth. So cute!

night # with miracle blanket

Grandma came for a visit yesterday. First we walked with the beagles and Mia in the bjorn to the train to meet her. Then we took a stroller walk in the neighborhood and finally one more stroller walk to drop grandma off at the train! Needless to say it was a beautiful day outside and we even hung out in the backyard while mommy and grandma drank mocha's and Mia slept in the fresh air. So my mom picked us up a miracle blanket and honestly Mia was much calmer last night. She slept in her bassinet for longer intervals and was not nearly as fussy. So I am hoping this blanket truly lives up to its name...if tonight goes as smoothly I think I know one of the gifts I will be giving a new mommy for her shower gift soon, wink wink. PS - guys still working in basement, won't be finished until Monday! So I am glad some of our visitors postponed their trips. Plus with Ms. Fussy Bussy, hopefully she will be in better spirits next week for more visitors!

first walk with the beagles

I think we are all getting a little cabin fever. It's a beautiful day outside so I strapped on the Bjorn (Corey's male version of the sling) and leashed the beagles and off we went! It went much better than I had thought...knock on wood the beagles seemed to be very careful, almost like they KNEW I was carrying precious cargo. Mia fussed as we walked out the door but she fell asleep soon after. It was great for us all to get some fresh air! I also plan on taking her to Flossmoor this afternoon to run some errands. I am so glad we can actually walk to things almost like being in the city. Mia is still sleeping so I will catch up on some more things around the house. Also, the guys are still working in the basement and should be done on Saturday. It will be nice to have a play area for Mia once she's a bit older!

almost 3 weeks

Tomorrow Mia will be 3 weeks. It's been a challenging week because she has been quite fussy and irregular with her eating. Today she seems to be more leveled out and even enjoyed some tummy time and sitting up time. She is still latching on great but it's just keeping her awake while nursing that is the challenge. Last night Daddy had to calm her down before bed. I think sometimes she gets overtired and we just need to settle her down. I am ordering her the miracle blanket because she has been a little Houdini and escaping her swaddles. The miracle blanket promises to keep them swaddles and comforted according to Happiest Baby on the Block! She is really focusing on things more, especially my sling since it's black and white!

2 weeks old

Mia is already 2 weeks old! She went this morning for her check-up and did great! This time, she didn't cry as much and when the nurse and doctor examined her she did SUPER! Great news, she gained 1 pound - she is now 8 pounds 2 ounces, in the 50 percentile. So breastfeeding is working for her I am so glad. Grandma has been staying with us this week and has been a huge help! It's been a busy week but hopefully tonight daddy will come home on time and we'll enjoy a quiet evening. Here are a few photos of Mia, the one with her hands crossed is my favorite, she just did this in her sling during nap time today! What a smart baby!