Month 3

-  Nicknames: Honey Bunny, Boo Boo, Quinny Winny, Baby Quinn, and my mom calls her Petunes(short for "Petunia")
-  Still hasn't gotten back into the "sleeping through the night"  habit...which is okay! My new favorite part of the day is our mid-night feeding that is followed by her arching her little back and falling asleep in my arms with her arms outstretched above her head
-  Has become quiet the coo-er! I'm still arguing with my husband that she is a genius and has already said her first words "Ya" and "Uh-huh", but he insists that they were just coos...
-  Not a fan of tummy time, no sir! I'm still debating how long I should keep her on her tummy as she screams at me, it seems so cruel to sit there and watch her struggle
-  She is currently learning the score of "The Little Mermaid" through the vocal talents of yours truly
-  We packed away all the 0-3 month clothes and she is now wearing 6 and 9 month attire
-  Moved up to size 2 diapers
-  Likes to go commando and lay in the sun that shines through the nursery window to air out in the afternoon
-  Still fussy, especially in the late afternoon
-  Grandma Cookie bought her a play yard that lets her play piano with her feet and play with all the toys hanging down from it (pictured below) and she LOVES it
-  Devin says she has "Orangutang baby hair" when she wakes up from a nap because it's matted every which way
-  Will not take a bink anymore, should I be happy or sad about this?
-  Since she moved on from the bink, she has been hard at work trying to figure out how to get her thumb into her mouth, she has been successful several times but usually ends up sucking on the palm of her hand instead
-  I can't keep up with how fast her nails are growing, therefore she has self-inflicted scratches all over her face and tummy
-  We are in the process of putting her on a sleep and eat "schedule", will let you know how that pans out
-  We give her a tubby every night to relax her before bed.  At the rate she is growing she will soon be too big for the kitchen sink tub and will have to start having tubby-time in the big girl tub!
-  She has Fred Flinstone feet that have major grip strength 
-  Experienced some major blowouts this month
-  Has the biggest, sweetest, toothless smile that moves the earth every time I see it
-  I think she is doomed to be spoiled because I have a tendency to hold her all day, every day, and only put her down when absolutely necessary
-  While we are on the subject of being spoiled, I probably kiss her about 500 times a day, it's seriously addicting!

Easter photshoot in the blue bunny suit Great Grandma gave her

Quinn does not look happy to be sharing the spotlight with Otto

This is the same look her dad gives me every time I try to take a picture

Chatting with her CiCi whilst attempting to suck her thumb

Playing in her playyard

Morning nap in the big bed ( I get drowsy just looking at this picture)

I never realize how big she is getting until I see someone else holding her

Chit-chatting with Grandma Joelynn

Ever since Quinn was born my outlook on life has completely softened! I think I cry at least once a day over silly things like the lyrics to a song, a picture, a Huggies commercial, goodbyes(to people I won't see for months and to people I will see later that night), a random comments someone makes, or just by looking at the kid. She has made my heart so tender that in some ways it is ridiculous, but in other ways it was necessary.  It's funny how such a tiny person can have such a huge impact on the world!

Month 2

-Every morning when I wake her up I feel like she looks a little different...growing like a weed!
- Baby talk is the new normal in our household, and I don't think I will ever want to go back to talking like a normal human being again
Had her 2 month check-up and she is 12.12 lbs and 24 inches long! 95th percentile for height and 85th percentile for weight (She is a TANK!)
- Doctor said that her height and weight is very proportional so keep doing what we've been doing
- Eats up to 6oz per feeding (breastmilk then supplement with formula)
- Slept through the night 3 nights in a row! (Then we took her out of town for the weekend and she caught my cold so she kinda fell back to waking up two times a night)
- Currently experiencing her first sickness, congestion that makes her snort like a little piggy when we lay her flat
- Starting to notice and play with some toys.  Chews on her Sophie the giraffe, and LOVES her stuffed seahorse named CiCi that plays lullabies
- Loves to smile especially at "P" and "L" sounds ex: "Pop-ce" and "Lalalala"
- Has discovered her hands and enjoys jamming them in her mouth
- Turing into a major drueler!
- Most happy laying flat so she can kick her legs (Devin calls it "starting up her dirt bike")
- Finally let me put her in the BabyBjorn and she fell asleep in about 10 seconds
- Becoming more independent, at bedtime we can put her in her crib wide awake and she is able to put herself to sleep (Devin is much better at this process than I am for some reason as he can get her to sleep in her crib during the day as well, I cannot)
- My new favorite thing is when I'm feeding her I look down at her at her and she has the biggest smile on her face without any prompting!
- I'd still consider her to be a fussy baby, but she is slowly phasing out of it
- Not a fan of bows (K fine, I'm busted, I'M not a fan of bows) becasue they leave a big ring around her noggin, and sometimes they just don't seem practical, but look so very cute when she actually does wear them
- Starting to get rolls on her thighs, arms, neck, and not to mention has the CUTEST double chin I've ever seen!
- Has cheeks that would make a chipmunk jealous!

All dolled up in her blessing dress, the bracelet just kills me!

Quinn and brother are total BFF

About to go shoot some hoops (her tshirt says lil' T-Bird!)

Some modeling Quinn did for my Grandma's birthday card, I think she looks delicious!

Work it girl!

Tummytime during sunnytime in the nursery

Hurry up Dr. T, I've got places to be!

Me and my not-so-little baby

Chin and cheeks for days

The poop face!

The family at Grandma Noni's funeral in Moab

ALL the great grand kids with Grandpa Neal

Baby Bjorn and I finally conquered Quinn, once she got in she was out like a light!

Enjoying a bit of fresh air in her swing with CiCi by her side

   As for the parents, we are still adjusting to revolving our lives around this funny little human, and things are making more sense every day.  The biggest thing I want to work on is giving her some space. Not that I want to neglect her, just maybe let her hang out by herself for increments through the day, and not jump up every time she makes a peep.  Realize it's okay for her to cry, and that she is getting to the point where she can soothe herself.
   Best mom moment of the month: We had been at Grandma Noni's viewing for a few hours and Q was getting fussy and snorting up a storm and just felt like crap.  Nothing was soothing her, not even a bink or a bottle, and everyone around was trying to help.  Finally after being passed around to several different people trying to help, someone finally passed her to me and she just stopped crying. It was one of those "Ah-ha!" moments when it hit me... I'm the mom.  I'm the one she needs.  I'm the one she will always need more than anyone else.  I'm the one who has to help her.  I'm the one who has to comfort her. She needs ME.  It probably sounds silly that it has taken me this long to realize this, but it was such a simple moment that meant oh so much.  I know that being a mom is my biggest challenge in life, and I hope this little one bears with me as I try my best figure it out!

Month 1

- Her nickname is "Toad" and "Piggy", Toad because sometimes she acts like a toad, but mostly because she has the cutest, roundest little toad tummy.  Piggy because she snorts when she cries sometimes and let me tell you it is adorable.
- Up until the last few weeks we woul all dread bathtime because of the blood-curdling screams and hyperventilating that would take place, but finally she has succumbed and bathtime has become our FAVORITE part of the day
- She hates getting her clothes changed.  I've tried going fast and I've tried going slow, and either way she is not a fan of that process
- She has grown out of newborn diapers and moved on to Size 1
- Growing out of most of of her newborn clothes as well
- We bought her a swing and it sometimes works when we are trying to put her down for a nap, hopefully she will start loving it more
- Her little vibrating chair is my new best friend becasue I can put her in it when I'm getting ready or cooking and the vibrations lull her into a trance
- Suspecting she may be a bit gassy so I'm watching all the foods I eat: no more chocolate, mexican(onions), or carbonation
-Also began supplementing with formula and there has been a huge difference (poor girl was just starving I suppose)
- Has been sleeping in 4 hour increments at night, so I ususally get up around 3a.m. ish and 6a.m.ish to feed her
- Swaddling is her jam
- We have already moved her into her nursey because she seems to sleep better in that room (we think because it is the warmest in the house) so I now sleep in the guest room next door
- She is following objects with her eyes and focusing on things and grabbing at things with her hands
- Has a strong little neck and is a superstar when it comes to tummytime
- The other night when Devin came home he started talking to her and she got the BIGGEST smile on her face...probably the highlight of my life! Now we catch her smiling at all kinds of things, but mostly her Dad's voice.

 Happy Valentine's! (And I see the beginnings of some lucious neck rolls!)

 Brother...

 Bathtime at Grandma Joelynn's

 Sitting in her chair while Mom gets ready for the day

 Daddy's girl!

 Smiles for Dad

Smiles for Mom

38....she has arrived!

The Birth Story:

It all began when I went into my 37 week appointment (for the rest of the pregnancy I would be going in to the doc's office once a week instead of once every 2 weeks).  I was feeling fit as a fiddle and prepared and happy to carry around my bundle for at least three more weeks... The doctor came in with some troubling news telling me that my blood pressure which was normally 120/75 had jumped to 155/90. He then commented that I was looking a bit puffy in the face and that i was hyperreflexive - all were signs that I could be headed to preclampsia.  He told us to come back in two days and that if my BP hadn't gone down he would induce me.  I was already dialated to a 3.5 and she was turned in the right direction so he had no doubt she was ready to come out. 

I was mortified by this news.  The mortification did not come from worry of mine or her health but for the fact that I felt like I was being rushed into something and I just wasn't mentally ready for yet! In the back of my mind I kept hoping that my blood pressure would go down by the next visit and I could go back on my merry way to being pregnant for a few more weeks.  The next day I worked my 12 hour shift at work, checking my BP periodically and to my dismay it only got higher and all I could think was that this was my last day being pregnant, tomorrow everything changes.  I was so scared of that change staring me in the face! That night afer work I was a basketcase.  Poor Devin was giddy with excitement and I was ruining all the fun by crying at everything.  We made sure our bags were packed and we settled in for the night.

The next morning my blood pressure had not changed so the doc sent us over to labor and delivery at about 9:00.  We had made the calls so my parents were on their way from Cedar City and Devin's parents were on their way from Moab.  Might I add that my sister-in-law had her baby in Monticello the day before so Devin's family had to leave straight from there to come to us!

   

We got settled in our room and they began the Pitocin and broke my water.   We settled in and began watching our Friends and The Office DVD's.  Our nurse asked us about the epidural and I told her I wanted to hold off.  At one point in my pregnancy  I had thought I would attempt going drug-free, but never wanted to commit to it because I knew there were so many things that could happen at the end that would make it impossible (breach, failure to dialate...etc) So when I found out we were being induced I was already defeated and knew that I wouldn't be able to do it while on the Pitocin.  But I still wanted to give it a try, and if anything I wanted to be able to feel what a really bad contraction felt like before I got the drugs! And my wish was granted. 

After a few hours those contractions were coming hard and fast.  Devin was a great coach.  He stayed calm and collected and was supportive without babying me.  Devin's mom Joelynn came in and coached me through some of them.  My quitting point was when the nurse checked me and I was dialted to a 7.5.  While she was checking me I couldn't do what I had been doing to bear through the pain of that AND the contraction at the same time and started to feel weak, shaky, sweaty, and tired, and ready to vomit.  I looked over at Devin and told him "I can't do it anymore."  He asked me several times if that was what I really wanted before he told the nurse to get the anesthsiologist.  

I remember when the drugs arrived becasue the anesthisiologist smelled like popcorn, and I was already feeling nauseus, so I did not appreciate that.  I was leaned over the bed and mad that I had to go through even more pain, and I was staring at Devin's pants thinking that I was probably going to throw up on them, luckily I did not and as it turned out I couldn't even feel the epidural going in.  I remember the anesthesiologist also saying "Wow, she's pretty sweaty."  I laid back and the nurse checked me again...I was a 9.  I beared through a few more contractions that got easeir and easier as those drugs kicked in.  Then came the pushing.  The epidural was in full effect and I felt like I could push for hours...which I think I did until at 9:28pm we heard the most beautiful cries coming from these little lungs... 

Quinn Marie Dalton was born on 12/28/2012 at 9:28 pm weighing 6lb 11oz and 19 inches long! She was perfect and had the sweetest, softest, high-pitched cry I had ever heard! It was music to my ears.  (About the name, we had three names we liked and decided to wait until we saw her to pick the final one, the middle name is my Grandma's middle name)

Our families had a few minutes to come in and visit us before visiting hours were over, then we traveld up to the Mom and Baby unit where we ate dinner and Devin fell asleep on his not-so-comfy chair.  My adrenaline was full force because I couldn't keep my eyes closed, I just stared in awe at that tiny baby in basinet. We were disscharged the next day at five and bundled Quinn up and took her to her new home. 

Poor baby had a bit of jaundice so they sent us a Bilirubin bed for a few days.  I hated it, but it did the trick and she was jaundice-free in no time. 

 How much the world can change in a day, but I'm coming to realize that change is not such a scary thing....

34

Tis the season to be jolly! We have been living it up and attending as many holiday functions as we can!
Baby is measuring small according to my fundal height measurement but we took a closer look and she is measuring right on at 34 weeks...phew!
So remember how I said we were going to an all day class held by the Labor and Delivery nurses at the hospital...well..after being under the impression that the classes NEVER fill up I waited until the week of the class to sign up and guess what, apparently the classes DO fill up. So, I signed up for the January 5th class since my due date is not til January 16th we should be good, right?
Still feeling great! Still going to the gym and taking Otto for walks. I've gotten comments that I look like I've "dropped."




The nursery is finally decorated! I'm also trying to organize as best I can but I think I will wait to do that when she is here and I get a routine of some sort. I love how everything turned out and its my new favorite room, I could sit in that bowl chair all day!




Here we are at the Crossfit ugly sweater party, devin is rocking the combover and I actually really like it!




Family picture time at the Dalton ugly sweater party!




Oh Christmas tree, I love coming home every night to this thing lighting up my living room...




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32

For thanksgiving we went to Moab since it was our last opportunity to travel before we hit the 34 week mark. While we were there we did a thanksgiving day hike to Arches with Devins dad, brother and our nieces and nephew. We have been to Moab so many times but have never made it to this park, it was a great way to spend the morning before we went home and stuffed ourselves silly!


32 weeks!


Devin doing some acrobatics


Devin, Kent, and Andrew


Payton, Kennedy, and Macray


Devin's sister Sara and I are both expecting baby girls within a few weeks of each other so Devins family threw us a joint baby shower in Moab while we were there for thanksgiving. They did an amazing job and all of the family showed up to support!


The food was amazing! Quiche, asparagus, pumpkin bread, apple strudel, rice pudding, fruit salsa, and a hot chocolate bar...


Here's me busting out some kettleball swings at Crossfit, quite the sight!



A few weeks later doing some overhead squats. I'm definitely limited on the movements I can do so I've just been using really light weight and doing whatever I can to keep my range of motion, we will see if doing this will help me bounce back sooner once baby is here...





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