Babyville: Population 3
a little update from our adventures after the baby bump...

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Two Months!

I've become one of those people who says things like, "Can you believe my baby is two months old?!?"
Your answer might be, yes- it has been two months since she was born, so I totally believe it! But while two months doesn't exactly mean we have to start researching public schools in Brooklyn (although, honestly, two years might!), I can really say these past eight weeks have flown. Things have gone from "figuring it out" to settling into a rhythm, and I am really enjoying this time watching Zoe grow and develop each day.
Big excitement in the Swanson/Hillebrand household these days? Well, Zoe has dimples! We know this because she smiles-- quite a lot (although it is hard to catch it on film!). Her smiles are up to her- sometimes you do the exact same thing that got a smile the day before and she stares past you at the much more interesting light fixture behind your head.She is starting to grab, although not with what you could quite call intention, and she successfully gets her fist (whole thing, who can bother with a little thumb) into her mouth now. She went through a period of punching herself in the face while trying this trick, but has made it pretty much past that stage! She HATES being on her tummy, and her mother hates making her do this, as it is pretty much guaranteed to put an end to any fun times we were having.

And, she's proven that nothing stays consistent-- pretty much anything that I say using the word "never" or "always" ends that day. (Such as- Zoe always falls asleep in the carrier or she never wakes up before midnight!) She's done some solid seven....almost eight...hour stretches of sleep, but isn't ready yet to make that a permanent habit.

Aaron and I are enjoying her every day, trying new strategies when she's cranky, and finding new high pitch voices (I swore I wouldn't use) to make her smile! Hard to resist!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Four Weeks!

In honor of Zoe's 4 week birthday-- a blog update for you!
The past four weeks have been a bit of a time warp-- overall, the time has gone by so fast, but individual days at times go by so slow! We were lucky enough to have full time help the first three weeks, giving Zoe's Grandma and Granddaddy Swanson and Nana Hillebrand the chance to get to know her, and giving tons of support to us! This week has been solo for Mom and Zoe, and we've done pretty well-- not exactly routinized yet, but getting there.

Watching a brand new person all day every day is quite a new experience. I get to track the littlest changes in her development, the tiny little things that will eventually lead to a walking and talking child. But not yet! So far, Zoe can do exciting, life changing things, like lift her own head up off of your shoulder (she especially likes to do this when you are burping her, so that she is away from the spit cloth and over your neck), and kick her feet like crazy (which Aaron uses to help her kick on her socks or pant legs). And we are learning more about her likes and dislikes:

Zoe likes:
-Eating
-Staring at the light from a window
-Watching the light up toy on her play mat (she watches this like it is TV, I'm worried she'll develop an addiction)
-Looking at our black and white pillow, or the bars on her crib
-When you hold her feet (seriously, the tighter the better, it can calm her down when she's crying)
-Pressure and rocking- being held tightly, the bouncy chair, etc.
-Walking outside in the Ergo or the stroller
Zoe dislikes:

-Getting the hiccups (which she gets all the time)
-Waking up with a dirty diaper (so she screams)
-Waking up hungry (so she screams)
-Being too tired (but that doesn't mean she'll always fall asleep. Tricky!)
-The cold weather (wait, that's actually Mom. Zoe hasn't complained.)

Biggest surprise so far:
Babies make a LOT of weird noises. At least, I hope they do-- if not, we have one weird baby! Zoe has two noises in particular that she likes to make:
1. The squeaky door
2. The snorty pig
She is very good at both of these!

Biggest disappointment about having a baby:
I can no longer call my urge to eat baked goods a pregnancy craving.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Zoe Sylvia Swanson Hillebrand





Born: February 25th, 2011
20 inches long
7 lbs 9 oz
and Pretty Darn Cute

Zoe was born at 3:10 pm on Friday, February 25th-- after a long labor/ c-section that I won't write about right now. She spent 4 days as a Manhattanite at NYU hospital, where the fantastic nurses helped us to acclimate to her and her needs, and helped me with pain meds! She learned that she actually lives in Brooklyn last Tuesday, when she came home with Mom and Dad and met her cat, Zippy. Zippy is not quite sure what to make of her yet, and a little jealous that Zoe gets to be on all the furniture she's banned from.
My parents have been here the past week or so, and we are so very grateful for the help and the time they get to spend with Zoe. They will be tagging out with Aaron's mom this weekend- we are so lucky to have such a supportive family. As I've been recovering and acting as a one woman food machine (seriously, there is no exaggeration to how much newborns eat!), Aaron has been a fantastic diaper changing, rocking to sleep, house organizing new dad. Zoe only wants to eat when she's with me, so it is helpful to have some non-eating options for her between Aaron and her grandparents.

So, we are slowly but surely adjusting to this whole thing! Every day gets a little smoother. As you can see from the pictures, Zoe varies from making totally adorable faces to looking kind of like a fussy old man, depending on her expression and pose. Looking at her, I can't help but be floored by the fact that a week and a half ago this is what was in my tummy! I know it happens all the time, but it is a pretty amazing thing! I'm pretty proud of the fact that we made her!



Thanks for the many well wishes, visits from nearby friends, calls and emails we've gotten over the past week or so--- your support is really appreciated, and we love introducing Zoe to her family, "aunts" and "uncles". X's and O's-- from Carey, Aaron, and Zoe S.S. Hillebrand!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Baby Watch 2011



Tick, tock....tick, tock....tick tock

After the doctor told us last week that all is looking good for an early delivery, I can no longer make phone calls without leaving a message or the assumption is that I'm in labor. Last
week's doctor predicted a baby in the 8 pound range and speculated that she'll make her appearance at around 39 weeks. I am 39 weeks tomorrow (gulp), so, we shall see! At my visit this week, no predictions were made.

We've finally gotten pretty "baby ready"-- crib and changing table are in place, baby clothes in bins, diapers ready to go. As ready as we'll ever be, I think. She is moving and kicking up a storm these days, I guess she's feeling crowded.

So, the next time I post will be with baby pictures. Hope you are all staying warm and enjoying February.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Holiday Visits

Christmas, (belated) Hanukkah, Showers and visits-- we had a week of seeing wonderful people in Lansing and Grand Rapids. This baby is in for a warm welcome, considering our fabulous family and friends getting ready to greet her!


Happy New Year to all of you-- very excited to see all that 2011 has to bring!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

December: Art Update






We are getting ready for our long drive to Michigan this week- can't wait to see Hillebrands and Swansons and more! Although I will be honest and say I'm nervous about the drive- the doctor told me to stop every hour and a half, and if you've ever been a road trip with me you'll know that is the opposite of how I like to travel-- I'm more of a destination than a journey kind of girl! However, that's not been the case for this pregnancy, so maybe that's changed. As I'm nearing month 8, I don't mind if the journey slows down a bit!

Aaron just had his third Open Studio at SVA (School of Visual Arts). He did a great job setting up his studio and hiding some of his hundreds of pieces to highlight a few favorites from this fall. He's been making art like ants storing up food for winter lately- trying to get as much made as he can before the baby comes. His next and last Open Studio will be in May, which will be Baby Swandobrand's very first art opening of many to come!

If we are seeing you next weekend or the following week we CAN'T wait! If we don't get to see you at the Michigan Christmukkah/ shower/new year's celebrations than we wish you very happy holidays!

See more of Aaron's art at www.aaronhillebrandart.com

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thanksgiving




We hosted our usual Thanksgiving crowd this year-- after eight years of making Thanksgiving together, Aaron and I have gotten quite good, if I don't say so myself! This year we even did some preparations early, and Aaron's turkey cooking skills are such that we didn't even have to wait around for the turkey to be ready! I didn't cook as much as mingle, but I did that well!

We had a total of ten for dinner. Both of my cousins came this year- Shandra from Philly for her 6th Thanksgiving with us, and Jacy from Wisconsin for his first. We had some regulars join us for "orphans thanksgiving" who aren't able to get home, and a couple first timers. Food consisted of turkey, tofurkey, twice baked mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, cranberries, stuffing, brussel sprouts, mac 'n cheese, three different pies and a south african pudding- pretty much way more food than any group of 10 people need.

I'm very aware that this is representing a shift in our holiday tradition this year. Next year we may have some of the same guests and all the same food, but the nine month old baby will make things feel different!

I'm also very thankful for the amazing friends and family in my life, and for the many blessings I am fortunate enough to have received. At the risk of sounding cheesy... Happy Thanksgiving to you all!