Baby Madness

If you want to get pregnant, come to my office.  Or if you don't, stay far, far away.  In 2009, the corporate office at Laura Mercier Cosmetics / Gurwitch Products saw the birth of 9 babies.  Yes, 9!  Actually, we had a tenth at our satellite office in New York - so there were 10 babies!!!  I guess it was bound to happen since it's an office of predominantly women and most of within the same age group - 25 - 35.  It's been a lot of fun to have this many pregnancies and babies happen within such a short time frame.  Our co-workers have had to endure talk of pregnancy woes, birth stories and breastfeeding.  You also have to be careful which office you walk into since me or one other mom could be strapped to a pumping device - you really don't want that image burned into your head.  The fun part is that all of our kids get to grow up together.  And we just had our first play date with almost 8 of the babies present.  

3 of the Gilbride Quads (Saoirse, Gunner & Ruby from back to front) in excersaucers and Ava & Jack on the floor.

The 4th Gilbride Quad - Jude.  Check out that cute faux hawk!

Amelia, Ava & Jack.  They loved petting each other:)

My sweet girl Amelia with Jack

Amelia, Jack & Ava - checkin each other out

Ruby taking a break with a bottle.  Amelia peeking into the photo.

Saoirse - "Look at how pretty I am!"

Gunner

From left to right - Jack, Jude, Saoirse, Ruby, Perrine & Ava.  We couldn't get all of them into one photo!

Amelia, Jack, Jude making a getaway, Saoirse, Ruby & Perrine

Ruby, Perrine & Ava

Many babies = so much fun!

Amelia and I can't wait for the next play date! 

Happy 6 Month Birthday!

Today is Amelia's 6 month birthday!  I can't believe 6 months have gone by in a blink.  There are so many milestones we're looking forward to, but I don't want this time to pass by so quickly. She's already getting so long that her little body spills over my sides as I cradle her at night.  I know one day I won't even be able to hold her that way any longer and it makes me sad.  Every day she is learning something new.  Just recently she started sitting up on her own for short periods of time.  She's been eating bananas, avocados and sweet potatoes in addition to her cereal.  And she got her first tooth on Sunday, the 24th - the bottom center left.  Today she got her 6 month vaccinations and it was more traumatic for me than for her.  She's a total champ and only cried a little.  My biggest concern right now is her slow weight gain.  Her pediatrician isn't worried, so I'm not going to be crazy about it.  She weighs 13 lbs, 13 oz and is 25 1/4 inches.  Her weight is only in the 15th percentile and her height is in the 40th.  I have to come to terms with her being small.  

We've had lots of visitors over the past couple of weeks.  First, Martin's friend Marina came to visit.  Then Martin's parents, David & Lela came this past weekend.  Grandma and Grandpa Turner hadn't seen Amelia since October.  Amelia was fascinated by her Grandpa and his baseball caps!  Or maybe it was all of his funny expressions:)

Well, I only have 6 months to plan her first birthday party - I've got to get started.

Marina & Amelia

Happy baby playing with Grandma

Amelia's first trip to the zoo!

Grandma Turner & Amelia at the zoo

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!  We spent the evening in Austin with awesome friends from New York and California.  Since Amelia has been having a hard time sleeping at night, I was in bed pretty early.  And got really pissed off at Martin for waking me up to wish me a Happy New Year.  I know - bad form on my part.  Amelia has developed this crazy pattern of waking up sometimes 3 or 4 times a night since Christmas.  I have been running on fumes for the last couple of weeks.  But a few nights ago some significant changes happened - first, she finally took a pacifier.  This has been amazing since I know she just needs a little comfort at night sometimes.  Then, two nights ago we started a new sleep routine that includes me feeding her a little bit earlier than normal (8pm) and then keeping her awake until we put her in her crib.  This has been challenging because she has always fallen asleep while nursing at night.  But I have woken her up for the last two nights and then worked on getting her drowsy again so we can put her in her crib "drowsy but awake".  Thank you to the Child Whisperer and other books.  The first night she only woke up twice.  Last night she woke up once but very briefly and was soothed back to sleep with her pacifier in a matter of seconds, then once to nurse at 4am.  This is a huge success!!!  She fell asleep last night at 9pm and slept (with one feeding at 4am) until 7:30 this morning!!!  As Missy would say "Amen, pass the gravy!"  I am wary of giving myself too much celebration since this could just be a fluke.  But, I'm hopeful that this is the start of a wonderful new pattern.


Happy New Year to everyone!  We are so blessed to have such amazing friends and family!  Thank you to John & Melody for coming to Texas and spending the holiday with us.  And to Boone - I hope you have recovered from that night!  We missed seeing you the next day:)


Enjoy some photos:

Turner Family in Austin.  UT stadium in background.

Rockin' New Year's Eve with a game of Yatzee.  Friends Melody, Jeff, & Boone.

Uncle John scores big with Amelia!

John & Melody

Melody, Amelia, John and Bug & Dex.  They're going to have some cute kids!

little monkey

She's up to something

An Ode to Sleep

O' Sleep, where art thou?  

As the sun goes down each night, I think of you and anticipate your warm embrace.  Yet each night, you tease me with only moments in your grasp.  Have you turned your back on my home? 

 Our babe would like to meet you, Sleep.  She does not yet know what it feels like to be held in your arms.  You have only danced for short moments in her crib and then you move on.  Why, Sleep, do you not stay with her?  Sleep, please bless my baby with your nocturnal coos that will keep her in slumber from eve to morn.  

O' Sleep, my family misses you.  Please come back.