Meghan and I are back from our weekend at Gramma K's.  It was the first time flying for Meghan and the first time flying with a baby for me.  It was interesting but ultimately rewarding and definitely something I will do again.  I thought Meghan did quite well on the plane and only had a hard time landing coming back to Denver.  We took a small jet to Albuquerque, which ended up being a 50 minute flight.  She slept from take off to landing, woohoo!  I thought  "This is going to be easy!"  The only problem on that flight was there wasn't much room, which made it hard to nurse Meghan before take off. 

We had such a good time with Grandma - we both were spoiled rotten and I got to catch up on some sleep.  Meghan showed Grandma K and Uncle Dan some of her new tricks.  They were just tickled! 

The flight home was a bit harder for Meghan.  I think many factors contributed to this.  She is just getting over a cold, it was right in between feeding and nap time, and of course the depcompression of the cabin.  She was not happy as we decended.  I know her ears were hurting her and I tried ALL the tricks in the book to help her ears pop - no such luck.  All I could do was comfort her and rock her.  It killed me because she looked up at me like "Mom!, it hurts! Can't you do something?!"  It was a learning experience and will now know what to expect and prepare for next time.

On another note - I think I'm getting the 3 month itch.  Although my dear husband vows we're done with kiddo's (he has his boy, my stepson and girl), I have a small tiny itch that wants to be scratched.  I have so many reasons as to why I would love to create another beautiful Mike/Amanda offspring (that I won't go into on here).  Now that I have experienced such an amazing, miraculous event,  I have a hard time agreeing with not having anymore.  I know it's a life changing event, I'm not saying I want another right away, right now, as Meghan deserves my undivided attention.  However, who knows where we may be in a couple of years, things may change.  I don't plan to close my heart completely to what God may have in store for us.  Is it wrong to hope that my dear husband may change his mind and open up to the possibility as well?  Am I being selfish? 

In order to help get over this itch I thought it would be appropriate to mention that this week last year is when Meghan was conceived.  It seems like yesterday and ages ago!  Neither of us thought a month after quiting birth control that we'd get pregnant.  I think we both we a bit naive in thinking that this time, this year we'd be getting pregnant.  After all, I did read that getting off birth control could make your cycles a bit "off".  HA!  Before we went on our honeymoon I began tracking - they came right on schedule - until a month later when one was missed.   

I remember being so afraid to buy a pregnancy test at the store.  Not to mention that they cost an arm and a leg.  I remember going to the store after I was "late", picking one up, and hiding it under the rest of the groceries.  I walked around the store for ages debating whether I should get it or put it back.  I knew I had a GYN appt. on the 16th of December.  I went back in forth in my mind all the reasons I should or shouldn't get the test.  Ultimately I decided to wait until my appointment, it could of been just the birth control right?  None of my symptoms could have possibly been because I was pregnant.  hehehe.  Why spend the money on the test when they can just test you at the appointment? 

December 16th, 2005 rolled around - the most nerve wreaking day!  I knew the nurse would ask when my last period was and that I would respond with "I am almost two weeks late". I knew that she would then ask for a pregnancy test.  I peed, they tested and a few very long seconds later as I walked out of the bathroom the nurse said "Well, you're pregnant!"  I cried.  Happy tears, mixed with a bit of disbelief.  I never knew how much a small little test and three words could bring such joy to a couples lives until then.  Here we are, a year later, with a beautiful, healthy, 3 month old baby girl!     

Yes, now that our darling daughter is in daycare it was only a matter of time before she caught her first cold.  I never thought it would be this quick.  Monday after I fed her she spit up and along with it came some phlegm.  That was when I knew she'd be getting a cold.  Sure enough, the next morning she woke up with rattled breathing.  Luckily it's just a cold and the doctor said we were still clear to fly down to Gramma's this weekend.  On a positive note, I did get to stay home with her for those three days and take care of the little angel.  I got spoiled being able to spend three days in a row with her.  She seems to be feeling better (mornings are still a little rough congestion wise), but now Mommy caught the crud.  I guess as long as our pumpkin is in daycare she'll be bringing home all kinds of stuff.    Because of this we all plan to get our flu shots.   

Meghan showed off at the doctor's office.  She laid on her tummy and held her head and chest up and looked around.  She pulled her knees to her chest and grabbed on to her knees.  She talked, talked, talked, at the doctor.  All of these, the doctor said, she shouldn't be doing until 4 1/2 months old (Meghan is just 3 months).  I'm so proud of her, however, I do wonder if they just say such things to make parents beam.  Whether it was BS or not, my face sure lit up!   

Meghan is 3 MONTHS OLD today!!!  *Biiiiiig Sigh*  Yes, three months has passed already.  I say it over and over again, but I really don’t understand where time goes.  It seems like yesterday I was writing about my pregnancy milestones and here I am now writing about Meghan’s!  I love this stage she’s presently in.  She soaks in everything we are saying and doing.  It’s one of those things “you’ll never understand until you become a parent.”  It the most amazing feeling to see Meghan looking at us with such trust - trusting that we’ll guide and steer her in the right directions.  Currently it is with silly songs, nursery rhymes, funny faces and raspberries.  Hehe.  Actually I catch myself having full blown conversations with her, but her responses are normally ooooo’s, ah-ha’s, and mmmmmmm’s.  It touches my heart to know that even though she may not be able to respond in our language, she’s still more than willing to interact.  She loves mimicking our sounds and mouth movements.  She’s so patient and knows that in time and with practice she’ll be able to mimic our actions.  It’s incredible to watch this process.  It’s even more incredible to see her face light up when I praise her afterwards.

This weekend, Nov. 18th, 2006, Meghan is going on her first plane ride.  We’re flying to visit Gramma K and Uncle Dan in New Mexico .  Thankfully it’s a short flight, but it still makes me nervous as it’s a first time on the plane as a mommy.  All kinds of things go through my head; mainly that now it’s not just my safety we’re dealing with, but the safety of my first born!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My little pumpkin head, you are getting so big!  You like to copy Mommy and Daddy’s expressions.  You’ve even learned to blow raspberries with your mouth.  Sometimes you surprise yourself when you do raspberries.  It’s the funniest thing to watch.  You smile all the time – you are such a happy baby.  You’ve started giggling, too!  I think you’re getting ticklish. When Mommy and Daddy lightly brush their fingers on your tummy, you giggle!

Everybody loves you!  You are a social butterfly (much like your Daddy).  You leave people grinning from ear to ear and they can’t wait until they are able to see you again.  You rarely fuss, and when you do it’s only because you are hungry or tired.  You’ve learned to roll from side to side.  On your playmat you roll from one side to the other.  When you are on your tummy you hold your head up so high and kick your legs like crazy!  Even on your back you kick you’re legs so fast that it scoots you around.  You really enjoy sitting up like a big girl so you can look around to see what’s going on.  You’ve started to grab and hold on to things (mainly mom’s hair).  It’s so much fun to watch you grab your toys and hang on to them.  You like to put them in your mouth too. 

You are teething!  I wonder which tooth will appear first?  Daddy calls you a drool machine.  You like to chew on anything that will make your gums feel better.  Anything that gets near your mouth you want to chew on.  Sometimes I think you’ll chew your own fingers off!  You are doing really well so far, not so fussy but very mellow when you’re teeth are bothering you.  You have the loudest farts - how ladylike! hehe. I call you "pooter" since you poot, poot, poot along! Daddy often asks if that was really you or if it was Mommy and she's trying to blame it on the baby.  You definitely inherited Daddy's gassyness. 

You like having your socks off, must be warm blooded like Daddy.  You like to kick off covers so your little piggy toes are exposed.  We have fun playing this game with you, first putting the covers on and then watching you kick the covers until they are off.  Your hair is getting longer but much lighter than the hair you were born with.  Maybe you’ll get Mommy’s color hair!  I can’t wait to brush and curl your hair or put it up in a ponytail or braid.  Your eyelashes are so long.  When you fall asleep in my arms or when you are nursing, I can’t help but stare down at you with amazement - how precious and beautiful you are!  My baby girl, we are so blessed to have such a wonderful gift from God.  You are such a joy in our lives.  I love you precious angel ~ Mommy