Mia - 7 & 8 months

Hi Everyone...

Finally we got this blog all caught up with all of the emails I've sent before. Mommy thought it would be a good idea for us to make a blog so that we could share pictures, milestones and if she can figure it out video clips with our family. It's hard when everyone lives so far away and we only get to see you every month or so. This way you can stay in touch!

So I guess I owe everyone an update of the last 2 months. Let's see. We went to Boston, then we went to Bathurst for Memere's birthday. (We have some pictures of that HERE) Then it was Mommy and Daddy's anniversary. Then we went to Bathurst for Caroline's wedding and it was also Thanksgiving. The one "free" weekend we had in a long time we all got really sick with the cold. Then I got a tooth. Then Nanny Flogeras came to visit and then I turned 8 months old. (Mom did an 8 month photoshoot, you can see the pictures HERE) It has been very busy.

A few updates on me. I now have 2 teeth. My two bottom teeth. Wanna see?

I'm eating all kinds of stuff. I've had sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, peas, green beans. (I really DON'T like green beans) I've also had apples, bananas, plums, pears, and prunes. Of course I also have rice or barley cereal and my favorite snack is MumMums. I also really like apple juice but I still haven't totally figured out the sippy cup. Mommy is going to introduce me to chicken soon. Then we might try some yoghurt and cheeses oh and Cheerios too.

Mommy hasn't weighed me in a while but she thinks I'm right around 20lbs. She should probably get me on the scale and measure my length too. We don't go back to the Dr. until Dec. 1 so it might be nice to know before then.

I now say MomMom and Dada. I know that MomMom is for Mommy, but I'm still confused about Dada. I call Mommy and Daddy Dada.

Yesterday, (October 28) I officially crawled for the first time. Like leg in front of leg and used my arms right. Just a few steps before I collapsed. I really wanted to get to the laptop cored, that got me moving pretty fast.

I don't think I have much more to tell you. Mommy has been keeping me busy. On Mondays we have baby class, this week was fun, it was a class all about TOYS. Then Tuesdays and Thursdays we go swimming. Today we're going to go visit Denise. She's going to be my babysitter when Mommy goes back to work. And then we try to visit with Ellen and Anja once every week or two. So we've always got something going on.

I need to go get ready, so I will go for now. But now that we're all caught up on here I might update a lot more often, with pictures and updates of things I can do. That way, everyone who is always asking Mommy for pictures or an update on Mia will be able to check here to see if there's anything new. (you can still ask Mommy too, but this way is just as easy)

Big hugs and kisses to you all.

Love,
Mia

Fall Photoshoot

I've been wanting to get some family photos of us for a while now so we decided to take some fall photos with Mia and the gorgeous fall colors this area has to offer. We went to Mactaquac Park and brought the camera and tripod along. Here are a few of the photos that we got.

You can see them in color, individually, here: Fall Photoshoot

Our trip to the USA

Every year for the last 4 years we've been going to Boston to visit our friends, Christine and Mark and their daughter Emma. We almost didn't go this year because we weren't sure how Mia would handle the drive, but at the last minute we decided to go for it. We're so glad we did because we had a fabulous time. We drove to Portland Maine first and spent the night there, then drove to Boston the following day. We went directly into the city and walked around for a few hours, then went to Christine's parents house for a bbq or as they call it, a cookout. The following day we went shopping at the Wrentham Outlets (only 30 minutes from Providence, Rhode Island...we'll have to go next time so we can cross that off on our map). We then left for Bangor the following day, stopping in Kittery and Freeport for more shopping. We had a great trip and can't wait for next year already.

Mia was fabulous! We brought her play pen for her to sleep in and she went right to sleep every night. She would wake up around 4am every morning and cry, so she and I would then share a bed while Paul was in the other bed.

Here are some pictures of our trip: BOSTON 2008

Mia - 5 & 6 months

Written by Mia: ...Thurs, August 28, 2008

Hi Everyone...

Well, the time has come for another update, I am now 6 months old! That's a half of a year! Time sure has flown by, but I really did have a great first 6 months. Sorry for not sending a 5 month update. I just couldn't get Mommy to type it out for me, it was probably my fault though, cause I wasn't letting her sleep. I was doing really well until just after 4 months. I decided that discovering things was way more fun than sleeping so I stopped sleeping. During the day and at night time. I did get a little cranky but Mommy got really cranky, cause she says she needs some sleep. So Mommy bought a book that would help her teach me how to sleep, it's called the Sleep Easy Solution. The first night I was not happy and cried for over an hour, the second night I cried for about 45 minutes, the third night was around 30 minutes and by the 4th night I was sleeping from 7:30 pm to 7:30 am. Mom gives me a small 'ghost' feeding at around 11pm and I don't wake up until morning. I also take 2 naps during the day time and I must say, it sure does give me a lot more energy to play when I'm well rested.

At 5 months Mommy started giving me some cereal for supper. At first I didn't know I was supposed to eat the stuff on the spoon...I was trying to eat the spoon! Then when I figured it out I really liked it. Now I can't eat it fast enough. Mommy says I'm a little impatient, but I just can't help myself. I'm hungry at suppertime. We're going on vacation in a few days but when we get back Mommy is going to make me some baby food, I'm going to start with sweet potatoes and then we'll go from there. I'm excited to try some vegetables. I'm sure Mommy will have lot's of pictures for everyone to see.

Mommy says I'm a big girl now. If Mommy puts me in a sitting position on my play mat I can stay like that and reach for my toys. I topple over eventually but it depends on what I'm doing. I like to roll everywhere. That's how I get places. I also like wiggling in circles when I'm on my belly. I'm trying really hard to pull myself up to sit when I'm lying down but I just can't quite do it yet, mommy says it shouldn't be too long though.

I love to smile at everyone. I love laughing too. Especially if you tickle my belly. That's really funny. Sometimes I just have to look at Mommy and I start laughing. She can be really funny.

I like petting my dog Molly. She's really soft and Molly doesn't seem to mind. Even when I pull her hair she just sits there. I try not to pull her hair though, cause I know it could hurt her, but I'm happy Molly is my dog.

I'm learning to make new sounds. My favorite right now is Mommommommom. I also say Dadadada, Mamamama, babababa. I don't know what they mean yet though.

I had my 6 month check up and I weighed 15lbs 6oz and measured 27inches long. I had to get two needles and Dr. Sainz gave them to me when I was lying on my belly talking to Mommy. I only screamed with my second needle but I didn't cry. I was too fascinated with the wind chimes in the room to even worry about my needles.

I hope I get to see you real soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures from when I was first born to now... Enjoy!

0-6 month photos

Hugs and kisses to all of you.
Love,

Mia

Mia - Month 4

Written by Mia: Thurs, July 3, 2008
Hi Everyone...

This was another really busy month. My busiest yet actually....

Only a few days after my 3 month birthday, Mommy and Daddy brought me to the mall to get my ears pierced. I was a very good girl. I only screamed a little bit and it was just because the lady scared me with the sound of the piercing gun. I was fine minutes afterward and have had no problems letting mommy clean my ears. Plus I think they make me look really pretty.

On June 1st, I was baptized in my church, in New Maryland. My uncle Matt and aunt Metaxia are my godparents. I got to visit with some family and got some really nice presents. I especially liked my lamb who says a prayer. Mommy plays it every night when we do my bedtime prayers.

As for 'regular' life, I've become a lot more interactive. I really don't like to sit still anymore. On June 19, 2008 I rolled over for the first time, twice in a row actually. Mommy was so happy, she actually got some pictures of my very first roll over! Mommy and Daddy got me a jolly jumper this month. It's my favorite!!! I could spend hours in it. I'm a very good jumper. I also got an excersaucer but I'm still a little too small for that. I think I just need practice though. Mommy brought me swimming for the first time in a really big pool. It was a lot of fun. The lifeguard thought I had a pool at home because I was such a good swimmer. I kicked my feet and flailed my arms!

Mommy is very proud of me because I am now sleeping through the nights. I usually go to sleep between 9 and 10 and wake up around 7 or 8, just to have a snack, then I go back to sleep for another hour or two. Mommy says she's getting more rest now than she has in years!!!

I had my doctors appointment and I am a very healthy baby. I have met all of my 4 month milestones. I can now smile, follow you with my eyes, talk (baby talk of course), I just started giggling, I like to grab my toes, I love to grab toys and put them in my mouth, I lift my head up when I'm on my belly, I roll over from my belly to my back and have gone from my back to my belly twice. Mommy says I'm a lot of fun now. I also got weighed and measured at my doctors appointment. I weigh 13 lbs and measured 25 inches. Mommy was sure I weighed more than that!!! She says I am getting to be very heavy. I think it's just the car seat that makes me heavy.

That's about all I have to say for now. I'm excited for this month. Mommy's friend Ellen had a baby girl, Anja, and so I get to play with her now.

Hope you all have a very happy month of July!!!

Love,

Mia

Mia's Baptism

Date: June 1, 2008



Priest: Fr. Mark
Godparents: Metaxia and Matthew

CEREMONY PHOTOS

"Photoshoot" PHOTOS

Mia - Month 3

Written by Mia: Tue, 27 May 2008

Hi Everyone...

Well, yesterday I turned 3 months old. Wow how time flies. Mommy says I'm a whole new baby compared to the baby I was 3 months ago. I didn't have a doctors appointment this month, so Mommy weighed me at home and took my measurements, so these are approximates. I weigh about 12lbs 3oz and I measure about 23 1/2 inches. Mommy was really surprised to see that's all I measured. My feet are already hanging out of my car seat so she thought for sure I was measuring much longer. Mommy and Daddy are shopping around for a big girl car seat for me, one of the 3 in 1's that I can use until I'm about 4 years old. That's exciting!

I've been a very good girl lately. Mommy is happy that I finally have a pretty good schedule. I go to sleep around 10pm every night. Sometimes in Mommy or Daddy's arms or sometimes in my crib. Then Mommy or Daddy put me in my crib and I sleep till about 3:30-4:00am. I wake up because I'm really hungry. Then after I eat I usually fall a sleep right away or (sometimes I fall a sleep eating). Then I usually wake up around 6 or 7am. That's my favorite time cause I get to go in bed with Mommy and Daddy. Daddy gets up at 7am for work, so then I take his spot and then I let Mommy sleep until about 9 or 10am. Then we're both well rested so we can play all day. I also take naps late morning and in the afternoon and sometimes one in the early evening. Mommy says I'm doing really well with naps, because she can put me down in my crib or playpen, and if I'm tired I will sleep. If not, I'll just talk to myself until she comes to get me.

I have developed a bad habit that Mommy and Daddy really don't like though...I'm sucking my thumb. I started off sucking my fist, but that's getting too big for my mouth. My thumb is just perfect and it's just like my soother! Plus, sometimes I lose my soother and sucking calms me down and relaxes me, so my thumb is really the perfect thing! If I'm sitting with Mommy or Daddy, I'll grab their fingers and put them in my mouth. Mommy tried to give me a really cold toy to put in my mouth, she called it a teether...I don't know what that was, but I didn't want it at all.

A few things I'm really enjoying now are my swing, my playpen with the vibration turned on, a small music player that has pretty lights, the mobile in my crib, my glow worm and I love going for walks in my stroller and drives in the car. I really like it when Mommy sings and reads to me too. At night time when Mommy and Daddy are in the living room, I like sitting on their laps facing out, so I can see everything going on. Sometimes if I'm laying down, I pull my head up so that they can help me sit up to see everything. Mommy says I don't like to sit a whole lot though, cause every time she tries to make me sit, I stand. If Mommy and Daddy are holding me I can stand up nice and straight now and hold my weight up. Mommy says she can't wait for me to get full head control so that she can put me in a jolly jumper. I don't know what that is, but I bet it's fun!

I don't like belly time as much as I used to. Mom is making me do it a bit more than before. I usually grunt a lot then start to cry. She says I need to do it for exercise and usually she lies down with me. Sometimes that helps, but sometimes I just don't want to.

I notice Molly a lot now. Molly doesn't seem to be very interested in me though. Sometimes Mommy or Daddy will call her over so I can pet her, but sometimes Molly won't come close enough for me to reach. I think we'll be good friends when I get older.

Mommy's been buying me a lot of summer clothes. I was needing some clothes because I outgrew a lot of the ones I had. Mommy says I'm a big girl, cause now I wear size 3-6 months and some 6-9 months. Mommy bought me a new jumper the other day and it's already too short! She says it's because my legs are so long. I also got a pair of sandals in size 1. They're still a little big, but I think they'll fit me really well for the summer time.

Mommy and Daddy are bringing me to get my ears pierced this week. I'm excited. Then on Sunday I have my Baptism. Mommy made me try on my pretty white dress. I liked kicking in it and laughed when the dress fell on my face. Mommy said she'll be sure to take a lot of pics to show everyone that can't make it.

I guess that's about all I have to say for this month.

I hope everyone is doing very well. Lot's of hugs and baby kisses!

Mia

(I wrote this with Mommy's help, I can't type yet!)

Mia - Month 2

Written by Mia (28/04/08):

Mommy said I'm growing up so fast that I could write my own update from now on. So here it is.

I've really done a lot of growing up in the last few weeks. I now weigh 11lbs 9oz and measure 22.5inches (Mommy didn't measure me right last month.) I had more needles at the doctors today. Mommy says I did very good. I only cried for my second needle. Mommy did too.

Now that I'm bigger I don't need as much sleep anymore, so that makes more playtime for mom and me. I really like playing on the floor with Mommy. I like belly time so I can wiggle my whole body right off the blanket we're playing on. Mommy says someone should invent a baby Swiffer suit that I could wear while I wiggle so that I could clean the floors at the same time. She says she's kidding but I'm not so sure. Actually that's another favorite thing of mine...vacuuming. It puts me to sleep, so our floors stay really clean!

I had a growth spurt at 6 weeks. I was starving all of the time. I didn't mean to be a bad girl but I wanted to eat every 1.5-2 hours and cried a lot. I'm happy that passed though it was no fun being that hungry.

Mom and Dad have made the arrangements for my baptism. It's going to be June 1. Uncle Matt and aunt Metaxia will be my godparents. :) I'm happy they said yes.

Mom said I've been a very good girl during our outings. I really like shopping, especially in my stroller. I really like the music at church too. I got to meet all the people at Mommy's work (well Mom says I met them but I slept through it), but I was very awake to meet Daddy's coworkers, they have nice bright lights at his office! I also got to meet the people from mom's old work (fpl) and some of Mommy and Daddy's friends who have come by the house. Everyone is so nice!

Overall I'm a really happy girl, I like to smile and like it when people talk to me. I really like the nice weather we've been getting. It means that I get to go for walks. I like those, I like drives too.

Here are some pictures that Mommy took of me this past month...

I hope everyone is doing very well. Lot's of hugs and baby kisses!

Mia

Mia - Month 1

Mia had her 1 month check on April 3, 2008 (it was a week late because our doctor was on vacation). Mia now weighede 9lbs 4oz and measured about 23 inches. She got her second Hepatitis B shot and I must say, handled it quite well. Mia was a little cranky for our appointment because she was hungry but it sure didn't stop everyone at the doctors office to get in some cuddling. I'm sure every person there got a turn to walk up and down the hall with her. I was a proud Mama, watching as everyone bragged her up. I certainly couldn't disagree with any of their compliments!

I really can't get over how fast time flies, I mean already she's 5 1/2 weeks. She's changed so much it's hard to believe!!! We're starting to get a little interaction from her. She started smiling about a week ago. She has a dimple on her left cheek, so cute! Hopefully I'll be able to get a good picture sometime soon. She loves playing on her play mat. She's started to "talk" on it, and I just love hearing her. Nothing like the sound of a baby's voice (when they aren't screaming). Every once in a while she'll squeal or coo on her play mat and it scares her and she starts to cry. So funny. Her sneezes are as cute as ever. If you didn't hear, she does about 6-8 sneezes in a row and then lets out a huge Ahhhhhhh at the end, it's just adorable.

She's getting better and better with daily routines. She used to scream bloody murder when I would change her, and now she only screams about 1 out of 4 times. Not bad... Actually when I'm talking to her while I'm changing her, that's usually when I get the CUTEST smiles. She's getting better with baths too. I just need to keep it QUICK. We crank the heat in the bathroom and usually she's ok. She screams but not half as much as before. Her clothes finally fit, so we've ventured outside of sleeper world. Makes it so fun to get her ready in the morning.

I've been keeping her busy. We've signed up for a 10 week Me and My Mom program that will teach us all kinds of things like baby massage, baby sign language, how to introduce baby to solids when it comes time, etc. We also get play time with the other babies at the end. It's lot's of fun. We've also been shopping a few times. She loves the car and her stroller. It makes it nice for me to get out of the house and I love showing her off too.

She still loves to be held. She's such a cuddlebug...no complaints here! Luckily she's comfortable in her play pen so I can set her down in there from time to time (ie bathroom break) or if she falls a sleep I can put her in there. We need to work on me putting her in there awake and her falling a sleep...that has yet to happen.

All in all we're all very happy! We're loving every minute with her. She truly is our little princess.

Here are a few pictures from her first 5 weeks of life...

Mia's birth Announcement

Introducing for the first time...

Amelia Lillie Flogeras
Date of birth: February 26, 2008, 10:19pm
Weight: 8lbs 13oz
Length: 22 inches

Mia's first birthday cake, she didn't have any. :)


Mia and Daddy the first night:


Our beautiful baby girl:

Amelia Lillie Flogeras - Birth Story

I woke up Monday, February 25th, right around 5am with contractions about 10 mins a part. By around 6am they were 6 mins a part and we were just waiting for them to get 4-5 mins a part lasting 45-60 seconds. At around 9am we headed to L&D because the contractions were now 4-5 mins and lasting about 45 secs. Once we arrived I got checked and I was only 2cm dilated. The nurse said it looked like I was in early labor. We could stay there and see if I would progress, go in the jacuzzi, walk around, or we could leave and go walking and see if I could get it to be between 2-3 mins lasting 60-90 seconds. We decided to go since it seemed like there was still lot's of time.

We went walking for about 2 hours and contractions became quite irregular, but the worse was that some were one on top of the other. They became really close. So we headed back to the hospital. We got there around 2pm I think and then at around 5:30pm I was again given the option to leave because I wasn't dilating...even though I was contracting every 2-4 minutes for about 45-60 seconds. They nurse told me again that it could be very early labor and since I didn't want any drugs, there wasn't much they could do for me even though I was contracting every 2-4 minutes. We HATED the room we had gotten that time so I figured if we left we'd get a new one when we came back. So we went home... We stayed home until about 3am. I tried to get a bit of sleep until I couldn't sleep through the contractions, I got about an hour maybe. The intensity of them was really coming strong now so we decided it was time to go back to the hospital.

When we got back to the hospital and situated in our room (a new room from our previous visit) I got checked and still hadn't changed, I was only 2-3 cm. Again I was told that I could still be in early labor. But now contractions were every 2-3 minutes lasting at least 60 seconds. I tried the jacuzzi and stayed in there until I was all wrinkly...about 1.5 hours. Then I went back to the room. Soon I had been having contractions at least every 5 minutes for 24 hours and I was just TIRED. I wanted to sleep but the pain was just too much. So I decided to take some demoral to get a bit of sleep. I managed to get 2 hours of sleep and then really had to breath through my contractions.

The nurse kept saying that she thought I'd be sent home again, because I just wasn't progressing. This was starting to really upset me. At 9am, the nurse told me that the OB on call would be coming in and that he would probably be sending me home. When the OB walked in I was SO happy. It was MY doctor! He took a look at me and said how do you feel? I said horrible... I've been going through this for over 24 hours and I'm not progressing and they're saying I could be sent home and I'm just tired and in pain... So he said ok... let's get this show on the road. Checked me and said I was 3cm and then said...I'm now going to break your water so you won't be going home again without your baby! I was SO happy to hear that. So he broke my water at 9:45. By 3pm contractions were INTENSE and I had only progressed to 5cm. I was still going natural and to be honest I was just exhausted from the breathing and everything.

So by 4pm, after 35 hours, I decided I needed something or I would never make it. I got some fentinol. At first, it did good... it helped me rest between contractions, I'd get 2 minute naps. But then I was just a mess. I had stayed at 8cm for about 3 hours. When the OB came back to check he said we could be at this for another 5 hours. When he said that I nearly lost my mind. I asked him what my options were and he pretty much said, "Kim, get an epidural. It will let you rest and give you the energy you'll need to push." So Around 7pm I got an epidural. That epidural sure is everything it's cracked up to be!!! I felt FANTASTIC afterwards. So good that we even took out the camera and got some pictures...here's one of Paul and I excitedly waiting to meet Mia:

Since I still wasn't progressing they gave me oxytocin and that REALLY brought on contractions. (every 1.5 mins lasting 1 min!) But now I just felt pressure. Next thing you know BINGO 10cm...and I could PUSH. 50 minutes of pushing and Mia popped out. :) It didn't even feel like it took 50 mins.

As for Mia. She was PERFECT. No one said "It's a girl" and I remember asking a few times if it was a girl. Sure enough, she was our perfect little girl. She let out a little cry, she looked beautiful. She scored a 9 on the Apgar test, and it was just cause her feet came out blue. She opened her eyes shortly after, everything about her was so perfect. I'll never forget that moment.

Amelia Lillie is Born... and so is this blog.

I wanted to create a site where family and friends could come and follow along with Mia's process. Since we don't leave near much family, and many of you seem to be keen on the computer, I figured this was a way for you to stay updated with our family, most notbably with Mia. This is where I'll post pictures, maybe even video and share stories. Hope you visit often and follow along with our family!!!