2 month Apt!

Yesterday was the big day! Audrey had her 2 month doctors appointment! We had an early appointment which really wasn't a big deal since we get up early then she takes a morning nap (or two). We left and as I was making my way to the Autobahn, I noticed a pile up of cars. I was like great, it's too late to go the other way and my cell phone is out of minutes to call and tell them we'll be late or even to call Ben. We took two cars because he had somethings to do after her appointment on base and I wasn't sure how she would do. Anyways, the backup was from the other direction of traffic. Here there were three cars involved in a pile up and had traffic jammed the entire 2-3miles to the Autobahn. The road where it happened is where 3 exits of the Autobahn meet. It was backed up everywhere except where we were going! haha

We got there checked in and were called right back. The entire day and night before I was fretting about her shots. I know, I can't help it. I'll get better though, knowing she does awesome with it. She weighted 13lbs 12oz 24 1/5 inches long! That put her at the 93%wt and the 96%ht. The doctor asked if she was a 4 month old! haha Everything developmentally was more like a 4month old he said! I was just so proud! She still has her blocked tear duct but is better that it was.

Since the Tylenol recall there has been nothing on base. A large part of it is because they don't carry generic brands of alot of things. And of course the bottles I had were the recalled ones. With the help of Aunt Susie I figured out what her dose would be of children's tylenol since they did have that in the BX generic brand. I went in on Wednesday and grabbed the last bottle! Whew! Then when we got the appointment, the doctor gave us a script for some through the pharmacy.

The moment came and it was shot time. I was throwing back and forth only getting two shots that day then getting the other two on Monday but when we went back, she only had three ready. Here the Rotavirus is now an oral vaccine! So we opted to get them all at once. Ben held her legs and blocked so I could see. She wailed at first but as soon as we picked her up and gave her the bink, she was okay. I cried longer than she did. Just tears, not wailing! We got her calmed down, gave her the tylenol and she went to sleep for about an hour.

With her doing so awesome, we stayed on base with Ben while he had his dentist appointment and grabbed some lunch. She woke up and was just as happy as could be! I couldn't believe it! She fell back asleep through lunch and didn't wake up until we got home. When Ben came home he took Audrey so I could take a nap. She ended up falling asleep again too!

She did so great. She only got a little warm and fussy in the evening but did wonderful. I gave her a bath, she nursed, got her medicine, and put herself to sleep. I ended up staying up a little later than I wanted to just getting some things done after everyone was sleeping.

Still no passport....... ahhh but hopefully very soon! Keep praying!!!

Big Girl!

So Miss Auddy is almost 9 weeks old! She has her 2 month appointment coming up and I can't wait to see how much she weights and how tall she is! She's doing so much better at sleeping through the night! We've have a few stretches of 8 hours but it's usually 5-6. The past few night have been a little off. She's been WIDE awake, wanting to play until about 2330! But on Friday night, she was in bed sleeping at 1930. I think I just need to get better at giving her a routine, not so much a time routine but the same things every night. Her mornings are great. She wakes up, plays a little, eats, gets dressed, eats some more, helps make Momma breakfast and is usually napping by 0900. I get to read my Bible, read some news, do some laundry, and have just a few minutes to myself.

We're still waiting on her passport.... please pray it gets here soon. I'm making my lists of things to take home, making piles-I could have us packed and ready to go in no time!

Getting Better

We made it through! Whew. Ben's starting to feel better and Audrey hasn't gotten sick! Thank you God! I'm still fighting a scratchy throat but that's nothing! It's been a long week. We found another car. It was a good deal and is very nice. Ben found a '98 BMW 523i. This is the only time in our lives we will ever completely own two BMWs haha!! It's silver with black leather inside. Auddy's car-seat fits 100% better in this car. We can actually recline our seats and not hit it.

Ben's working this weekend so we don't have much planned. Well, I do have some cleaning and putting clothes away, but my heart won't be broken if it doesn't get done :). She's getting so big! She's really trying to coo now, it's so adorable. After she wakes up and when I'm changing her diaper she'll tell me stories and smile like crazy! It just makes me melt. She holds her head up like a big girl and whenever she's on her belly she scoots! I can't believe she's going to be 2 months old soon! My guess is she will be every bit of 14lbs!

She had her hearing screening the other day and the tech said "wow, she got great numbers!" She does very well at following our voices, turning towards noises. I had my 6wk check up yesterday and it went very well. I'm all cleared for exercising. When she told me that I laughed and thought, well isn't dancing, holding, walking, lifting and 13lbs baby all day just that?

Anyways, it's bedtime here and I am spent. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes! We love and miss you all! Have a great day!

One of those Weekends!

So it went from one of those days to one of those weekends! I couldn't wait for the weekend to get here. Ben had off and we were going to do something special together, even if it was just something small. He had some things to take care of on base Friday morning so Audrey and I tagged along. While he was doing his thing with work we went to the BX to try and find some things we were going to get the last time we were one base but couldn't due to the lovely car situation. Anyways, we get in make our way to the baby section and Aud made it known she did not want to be in her car seat! haha So I scoped her up and we went to check out some clothes. We didn't make it real far, the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate. We went out to the car, had a snack, then went to see the girls at WIC. I had so questions about taking the dairy out of my diet for one of the dietitians. It worked out great, I fed Aud and Ben called saying he was all finished. Audrey was out cold so we made a quick stop to the commissary.

We got home, had some lunch, napped a little bit, and Ben said he wasn't feeling good. He started getting chills, achy all over, and had just been holding Audrey. So I made another run to the store to get some sick supplies. I just kept praying for Ben, that he'd feel better and that Auddy didn't get sick. I had him keep his distance from her but it's a pretty small apartment. Yesterday he was still pretty sick. Spent most of the day in bed. Aud was pretty fussy and wanting to eat every hour. I thought maybe it'd be good for us to get out. So I packed us up and tired to go to the BX for the third time. Still didn't make it! haha It was so packed! She got really hungry so I found a spot to feed her. She just wasn't having it. So we packed back up, at least we got out for a little bit, and headed home. She cat napped through the day for about 45 mins here and there. I put her in the tub around 19, she slept for an hour woke up and did not want to go to sleep! haha Finally around 2200 she did and slept till 0330! She was so tired.

Ben's feeling a little better. He's up and moving around. Thank goodness Aud is asleep and I finally got to take a shower. It's been a rough weekend. We didn't go to church this morning, we opted for church via live feed internet. I miss our families so much, especially at times like this. Thank you Mom for the Chicken and Rice soup you froze, it was so wonderful!

Please keep us in your prayers. I'm so thankful Ben's feeling better and that Audrey hasn't gotten sick yet. My throats pretty raw but I got some good sleep last night so I'm golden! Love you all!

Growth Spurt!

I'm pretty positive Miss Auddy is going through another growth spurt! Yesterday she napped from 930 to 1230 then 1300 to 1500 then cat napped for a couple hours then a big nap from 1930 to 2330! Needless to say, she didn't get her 5 hours in a row. It was about every 2. I'll take an off night every now and then.

She's also been a bottomless pit! haha Lil' piglet can't get enough! Ben's off this weekend so if she doesn't get back to her routine at night, I have a helper for a few days!

Well its looking like dairy is the culprit. Trying to be completely dairy free is tough! There is dairy in everything! I'm going to be a professional at reading labels in no time. So far she's done a million times better when I don't eat dairy. She hasn't thrown up, fussed, or cried like she had. Well, she does get pretty upset when she wants to eat and she's in her car seat :)

She's been napping pretty much all morning today too. I'm going to sleep when she sleeps this evening, I stayed up waiting for her to wake up... little did I know she'd sleep 4 hours!

Just one of those days...

Well... yesterday was one of those days. It started out pretty good, Audrey slept 5 hours straight t night, had a good morning, and even took a 3 hour nap late morning. After that she didn't like something I ate and we had a time with gas and spit up. I thought it would be a good idea for us to get out for a little bit. Ben was working so we got all packed up to head onto base and look at somethings at the BX. Aud has grown out of her 0-3 onesies and with the supply planes being able to get to Germany now I thought they might have what I needed.

Audrey was pretty sleepy so once we got moving she was okay and started to fall asleep. When I got in the car and turned it on, I had this feeling that something wasn't right but I couldn't place what it was. Deep down I knew it was the car. So I hop on the Autobahn for the short ride to base, get off on the exit, and made my way through the traffic circle. About half way through the car started acting up. I could feel the car giving out. My RPMs dropped and wouldn't come up, even when I down shifted. I knew the car was dying, I just knew it. It wouldn't pick up speed when I pressed the accelerator and I just started praying that I got to base. I called Ben and thank God he hadn't gone into his meeting yet or I wouldn't have reached him. I said the car is dying I don't know what to do. He said try to get on base, he'd come to my rescue. I pulled up to the gate and don't you know it, God got me to base and then the car died. The car died right at the gate while I was getting my ID checked with a whole line of cars behind me. I tried to turn it back on but it was done. White smoke out the back and everything.

So there I am with a 1 1/2 month old in the back seat waking up, cars piling up behind me, embarrassed beyond belief, and it was really warming up outside. I had dressed Audrey in pants and short sleeves and ended up having to take her little pants off. Anyways, the gate guards were so wonderful. I looked up with tears in my eyes and was like Sir, what do I do? I said my husband is on duty could I call him to come down. Thanks goodness they knew him and was like oh yeah, and we'll push your car back and you can wait in the building for him. I took Audrey out of the car and the guards pushed my car back. Ah. I called Ben and he came right down. I wasn't a mess, just a little embarrassed, frustrated, and thinking. He talked to the guards, settled me down, then went back to turn in his weapon and grab his car. Thank God for such a wonderful husband. He came back, put us in his car and we went to see about getting my car taken care of. And you know what? Audrey's bulky car seat fit so much better in Ben's little beamer than in my Audi station wagon. We both were like your kidding me. We both could lean our seat back and sit comfortably! Anyways.... we called the German AAA (ADAC) and got things set up for them to come and tow the car down the street to the autoshop on base.

I just kept thanking God that it happened on base and not on the Autobahn. That would have been sooooo bad, sooo bad. God is good.

When he called ADAC he gave them his cell number to call when they got to base but was using my cell phone to talk to the because I had more minutes. Because the cell plans are crazy expensive here and a huge hassel with the contracts, we just got throw away prepaid phones. With the prepaid phones it only costs you to make calls, not receive them. Well in all the fuss, Ben took my phone and gave me his thinking he took his and left mine. While he went to wait on the tow guys Auddy and I hung out at the kennels. She was getting hungry and it was a heck of alot cooler than sitting in a car waiting. Well, the tow guy called Ben's phone which I had, to say he was at the gate. I called Ben and he said he didn't see him, he must be at the other gate. So he went and waited at the other gate. Then the tow guy called back said he was there, then the gate guards called Ben. Well here the tow guy was parked behind the building where Ben couldn't see him and just missed him. With his accent, it couldn't make out much of what he said and had to try and figure it out to tell Ben. We got it worked out and the tow guys said our car was done. I knew when it shut down that it was probably for good and it would be way too much to try and fix.

Ben came back and by that time it was 1800. Aud was sleeping and we both were starving. Poor Ben worked all day and then had to take care of the car mess. So, we went out to eat. Audrey did great sleeping in her seat but had enough. We put her in the car and once again-her belly didn't like something I ate and was pretty gassy. She threw up on the way home, got upset and screamed the last 5 minutes of the drive. I can't function when she screams like that. It honestly breaks my heart in two. I start crying and think about nothing else except getting to her and making her feel better We weren't anywhere that Ben could pull over and we were so close to home. I was opening my door as Ben was putting the car in park. My poor baby was all red and upset. I was crying and as soon as I picked her up out of her car seat she was okay. Poor thing was over tired, hungry and just wanted to be held.

We got home and it was time for Ben to go to bed and Auddy's bath. She was all settled and loved it. She was out cold by 2100. All three of them were. She slept until 0300 this morning!! She had a good night thank God.

Ben called earlier and said the car was a goner and we started talking about options. Pray we find a car that will get us through out time here and thats within our budget. God provides and it's only by his grace I'm really not that concerned. We're not quite sure if we should just find a good deal european car and have two cars again or sell his car too and get a newer car-one that we could take back to the states when we PCS. So, we're down to one car which is a little bit of a hassle, but it's okay.

Praying today goes a little bit better.

Time flys

I can't believe lil' Miss Auddy is almost 2 months old! It feels like the last month and a half was really only a week... wow. We brought Audrey home on our one year anniversary and had a week with just the three of us. My Mom and Grandma came over and got to spend three weeks here. It was the best visit and was so thankful they could come! Ben was able to get paternity leave for about two weeks. They were so unbelievably helpful. It was the first time I had seen my Mom since we left, about 6 months!

Needless to say, I didn't want them to go, at all. It was pretty hard when they left. Ben was working so it was the first day with just Auddy and me. That was the start to a very, very long week. I think she knew I was having a really hard time. She hardly slept during the day and was up every hour for about an hour every night. I felt so bad, Ben would call me while he was at work to check on us and all I did was cry. Then he'd come home and I still was crying. It was so hard. Then she started being really fussy and throwing up off and on. I had no clue what to do. She just wanted to eat then she'd fuss then she'd throw up.. ahh. Little did I know it was what I was eating that was doing that to her. Oh the joys of being a new Mom. I beat myself up so badly about it and worried I wasn't being a good Momma to her. Ben was soo encouraging, supportive, and loving through the whole entire thing. I don't know what I would have done with out him. He would hold her through the night so I could sleep more than an hour. He got up in the morning and would hold her and give her a bottle I had pumped. He cleaned the entire house, washed and folded laundry, got dinner, did the dishes, gave me hugs and kisses when I needed them the most (usually during a break down) and just because.

It started to slowly get better, she would sleep during the day only if Ben or I was holding her. She preferred Ben (and still does)! So many people kept saying we were spoiling her which really upset me. I wonder, how do you spoil a 3 wk old? And really, if they were so sleep deprived that it felt like an out of body numb feeling, the only way their baby would sleep for more than an hour would be if they held her they wouldn't hold her because they were spoiling her?? Like Aunt Susie said, what if somebody said sorry, I'm not going to hug you because I just gave you a hug 30 minutes ago? Ben and I both agreed that if that was the only way she and I would get some sleep we would be 100% okay with that and deal with the issue later if there was one.

I started looking things up about breastfeeding and fussy babies and found out most of the things I was eating were common irritants to infants bellies. I felt so awful it took me so long to figure it out. Thank God around the same time she started sleeping more through the night. It started with a few days was every 1.5 then 2 hours at a time then she jumped to 3! A few nights ago she started longer stretches. The one day last week she was cuddled up on Ben, her favorite spot, after he got done with work. I was hold off on her bath because she was so wide awake and I noticed she falls asleep so much better and sleeps longer if I wait until later to bath her. Well as soon as she got comfy she passed right out and slept 4.5 hours. I feel asleep on the couch folding laundry waiting for her to start fussing to eat and give her a bath. We didn't get a bath that night! She woke up at 0030! I couldn't believe it! All four of us, Beretta included were passed out in the living room. I fed her and we all went back to bed. She slept for another 3 hours after that. I was in complete amazement! I was praying so hard for her and her sleep. I was so thankful it was starting to improve!

After she get two good stretches of sleeps she get up about every 2 hours, 1.5 hour until 0800. Her napping throughout the day has improved. I can lay her down and she'll sleep for a little bit but she has to fall asleep on Ben or me first. Again, as long as she getting some sleep I don't care. Giving her a bath each night has helped so much too. All the books said only to bath 2-3 times a week because it could dry out her skin. My Mom said we were bathed every night and that it helped us calm down and get into a routine. She said just use baby oil in the tub. Audrey loves getting a bath. She can go from fussing like crazy to completely calm and relaxed. She loves it! I can't wait to have her in a swimming pool!

I'm trying to really watch my diet because it's really looking like she's pretty sensitive to what I eat. So far I've narrowed it down to chocolate, dairy, and eggs. I'm keeping a food diary to try and keep track of things that might bother her. It's been tough because I'm such a dairy eater and it's a huge part of my diet. I'm going to have to look into some other things to eat that won't be so hard on her.

Nursing is going good. I was having an issue with overproduction for awhile then got it under control but then Aud went through this growth spurt and now I'm back to engorgement. I thought I had a grasp on breastfeeding but after this, it's like I've never known anything! Poor Audrey is my little trial and error baby. I can't wait to see how I'll do with the next one. I was telling my Mom but the time 3 or 4 (God willing) I'm going to be a PRO or at least I hope so!

Now that she's sleeping better and I'm rested I'm able to do things while she sleep during the day. When she has an off night I nap with her but lately it's been pretty good. I'm almost done with the thank you cards from all the thoughtful gifts everyone has sent our Audrey. She is such a loved and blessed little girl. I beating myself up about not having the thank yous done but realized that all of you probably understand. If I hurt or offended somebody by not getting their thank you out before this, I'm really sorry. We're so grateful for all of the gifts, it's just been wild here. Thanks for understanding! Also, with the volcano they shut down our mail for awhile so I'm not sure how long it will take the cards to get to all of you!

Audrey had her best night ever last night. I'm really glad because yesterday and last evening she had a really hard time. She didn't sleep and I ate something that didn't agree with her in the evening. It was 2300 by the time she finally went to sleep and didn't wake until 0415! Then she slept from 0500 to 0730 then to 0930! Thank you God!

Now, I need to get myself off of here and take care some things like dishes, laundry, thank you cards, and 15 other things I can't remember. Hope everyone is having a great day! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! It means the world to all of us. I tell Audrey every night we need to thank Jesus for everyone who is praying for us. Love ya all.