Happy New Year!

We here at the Zschunke house are celebrating New Years by doing nothing special - well, unless you count family time as special...which we do!  Cecelia and Jeff took their first (of many I'm sure) outing yesterday by themselves.  Jeff was very excited to take his daughter out and show her off.  They went to a bookstore, the bank, the library and a coffee shop.  It can be tricky heading out with an infant during the cold weather months.  Do you take the carseat in, or carry her, or put her in a carrier like a sling or the Baby Bjorn?  Once inside, do you keep her in her snow suit, or take her out to cool her down?  And if she's sleeping...well, these days we definitely don't mess with that!  She's getting bigger now and her eating is spaced out to a slightly more predictable routine so that we can trust her to "last" in between feedings without me.  Not that she couldn't before, it was just one more thing to plan for then, just in case.  At the same time, I got a much needed rest.  Since we've been trying an earlier bed time, Cecelia's fired back with a (very) early morning wake up - approximately between 3 and 4 AM, so I've been trying to catch up on some rest with some day time naps for me too.  And since this increase in wake ups, I'm scrapping the very early bed time for a slightly later one to see what happens.  Hopefully the new year will bring some more sleep.  Not what most people are probably thinking this evening as they toast each other and watch fireworks, but we're not most people.  Happy New Year!!!

Age: 24 Weeks

This week I am 24 weeks old and what a week it's been.  Let me tell you about Christmas.  First I celebrated with my daddy's family the Sunday before Christmas.  Then we went to my mom's aunt and uncle's house on Christmas even, church, and then another aunt and uncle's house after church.  On Christmas day, I had lots of visitors to watch me open presents and eat breakfast at our house and then we went to my dad's uncle's house.  Then, there were even more parties and people to visit after Christmas.  I am tired!  But I still don't show it when it's time to sleep...but that's another story.  On Monday, I started really sitting up by myself.  I still topple sometimes, but I can hold my balance for a bit.  Mom will have to get some video of that excitement.  Have a Happy New Year, everyone!!!

The Experts: Part I

In honor of the approaching new year, I'll be posting about one "expert" each day and what I do/do not like about what they have to say.  It is my resolution to follow my gut - actually, in the course of my half year of motherhood I've already resolved this a few times...but then I second guess myself.  All part of the package.  Coming soon: Dr. Karp (The Happiest Baby on the Block), Dr. Sears (all three of them), Elizabeth Pantley (No Cry Sleep Solution), Lu Hannessian (my bff), and more.  Of course tomorrow will be our weekly update, but from there I'll try to tackle one of these at a time.  Trust your gut...it gets really big when you're pregnant for a reason.

Professional Pics

So, when you have a baby you are also gifted coupons to get "free" portraits at every imaginable place.  Three of these coupons were set to expire December 31st, and I'm not one to pass up anything that's being offered for free.  So, first we went to JCPenney.  I packed a TON of outfits as it said to bring multiple outfits.  When I asked the photographer, she indicated that we could do three outfits...so not quite as many as I may have imagined.  We started off with her Christening outfit, since on that day we never ended up with any pictures of her in her cap.  The photographer took a bunch of pictures.  Then, when she went to the computer, she realized that the cord had come out and only three of the photos she'd taken had been sent to the computer.  Awesome.  Cece was already out of her Christening gown and the photographer asked if I'd like to do those over again.  I wouldn't.  So, next we did traditional first photos with a towel over her head, with a stuffed animal, etc.  When I saw the final results, I wasn't over the top excited about any particular one, so I chose one with the hooded towel for my free 8 x 10 and stopped at that.  When we got back out of the room a family had been waiting the whole time we were having photos taken.  Their appointment was 20 minutes before ours but they had arrived late.  I felt horrible that they had been waiting that whole time.  There were others waiting to pick up their photos.  You could feel frustration in the air.

On next to Picture People.  I nursed the baby in between to try and curb any frustration.  During our first photo shoot, she was happy, smiling, making eye contact.  The whole 9 yards.  At Picture People, she'd had enough of all that smiley, happy business.  I felt like there was no way they had gotten a good shot out of that.  Fortunately, I was wrong.  And Picture People really know how to give the hard sell.  You wait a bit, but then they come out with a framed set of blown up photos of your little darling and walk you through the digital shots.  For this coupon, I was able to get two free 8 x 10's...and so I did.  You can see their shots here: Picture People Photos 

And finally, the following week we went to Target for a family photo.  There we found a deserted studio.  The photographer let us know it was our lucky day because no one else was scheduled until 7:30 at night and she was bored, so we were now her entertainment.  She was great with the baby and got some great shots too.  We got our free 8 x 10 and also 2 5x7's for some lucky grandparents.  When we came out, there were people waiting to pick up venting their frustrations again.  I guess that's all part of the experience though, but it's good to hear from some (dissatisfied) customers.  You can see these shots here: Target Photos
When you click on the above link, my name is now Ellen Zschurike (note the even funnier spelling) and the access code is: LTTT0940102833TAR


And, upon picking up our JCPenney portrait, I was told that my daughter's picture was selected by the photographer to showcase as a sample of work for others planning to get pictures taken.  So begins her modeling career and my role as a stage mom.  PS - I am TOTALLY joking.  We did get another free portrait sheet out of it though.  I won't quit my day job.  Wait...

Babies Movie Trailer

I referred to this trailer in an earlier post and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the full feature in theaters.

Houdini

Cecelia's always had a knack for getting out of things, and conversely, getting into things too.  In the hospital, she successfully wiggled her foot out of her super security Lo Jack ankle bracelet...twice.  She was also an excellent de-swaddler.  There would be one possible flap to get your leg shimmied through and she'd manage.  She'd flail and thrash until her arms were free and by the end it just looked pretty comical.  We decided perhaps swaddling wasn't her bag.  I'm sure we'll likewise find socks all about the house shortly and once she can undress herself - look out.  

Snow Days

This past weekend, PA experienced one of its biggest snowstorms...ever.  So, Cecelia did too.  Now, as a teacher, I relish in snow days.  A surprise day off - who doesn't love that?!?  So, over the past weeks/month, when every snow fall occurred on the weekend and was easily cleaned, I mourned for those that I knew were frustrated that that snow could be easily cleaned by Monday morning.  Please, don't get me wrong.  I don't want there to be unsafe driving conditions for anyone, ever, especially those that still have to brave the roads regardless.  But, isn't it helpful to not have school buses on the roads in addition to the rest of the traffic on mornings like that?  All part of the package.  This past Monday, even though it snowed on Saturday, the clean up was enough to warrant a two hour delay (a close second...but still nice) in the district where I work.  My cousin's district got the full day - yay!  Long story short, next fall I'll return to the classroom and I know that I'll be an even more avid promoter of snow days.  Not only will it be a surprise day off.  But a surprise day off with my baby girl and my hubby - bliss.  Top that off with hot cocoa.