Four Month Update

We have been keeping busy! Scott had to go to Vegas for work two weeks ago, and my mom was able to come out and keep me company while he was gone. The weather was awesome, and it was such a perfect visit. I love having my mom around so much! One day I think it hit 80 and we took Odin down to the beach. It was super windy, but still a gorgeous day.

Our lovely beach

Mommy and Odin

Busia and Odin

We were way more excited about the beach than he was

Hi buddy!

He was drooling something fierce that day

A tasty treat on a hot day -raspberry sorbet with fresh raspberries

On my mom's last day here we had to take Odin for his 4 month check up. Getting shots sucks, and there's nothing else to say about that. Odin was such a champ though, and hardly let out a whimper with the first one, but screamed until my heart broke with the second one. His current stats are:

4 months: 12 lbs 6 oz, 24 in
3 months: 12 lbs, 23 in
2 months: 11 lbs, 22 in, head 16 in
1 month: 9 lbs 2 oz, 21 in, head 15 in
7 days: 7 lbs (only checked weight)
4 days: 6 lbs 1 oz, 19 in, head 13.75 in
Birth: 7 lbs, 20 in, head 13.75 in

He is a teeny beeny for weight, but his pediatrician isn't concerned. He has plenty of wet diapers, his poops are the right color, he's meeting all of the milestones, he's gaining weight, and he's been teething the past month. Plus, Scott and I are not huge people so it makes sense we don't have a huge baby. I think Odin might have inherited my super fast metabolism, too. As a kid my mom used to have to buy Slim pants for me, and then safety pin them over because they were still too big for my skin and bones body.

In the waiting room

Waiting for the doctor

After the appointment I had to take my mom to Union Station and we arrived just as the bus driver announced last call. Talk about cutting it close! It's always so hard to say goodbye to my mom. Odin loves his Busia so much! I am so incredibly thankful she was able to come out and spend a few days with us while Scott was gone. I would have been so lonely and most likely super stressed to be home alone with a little baby for three days, and I can't even begin to describe the relief of having my mom around. I guess you never are too old to want your mommy.

I didn't have much time to be sad though, because we had ladies' night at Matilda to attend! Matilda used to be our neighborhood bar, and is still one of my most favorite joints in the city. At one point I used to go up there 3-4 nights a week, just to hang out with staff or grab a bite to eat. It was about a 20 second walk from our second Chicago apartment, so it was super convenient too. It seriously was like my own personal Cheers! A lot has changed now, people have moved away, turnover of the staff, remodeling inside... For the first time in my life I did not know a single person there, either staff or clientele (other than the people I was with, obviously), and it was so weird.

Anyway, Odin got to meet my friends Kathleen, Sumiaya, and Paul for the first time, and I think he charmed everyone. Even after getting shots and missing a nap or two, he was such a sweet baby and was perfectly content to hang out in the carrier with me.

Odin and Kathleen

After we got home it hit me that we were all alone and I really started missing my mom (Scott wouldn't get home until 1am that night). Something about being pregnant and having a baby made me reevaluate and appreciate in a new way my relationship with my parents, especially my mom. It has also made me super emotional and I always find myself thinking about the cycles of birth, life, and death. It makes me sad to think of my elderly relatives that I have limited time with, that Odin has limited time with, and I feel so guilty that I'm 300 miles away and not able to spend quality time with them. There have been some nights that I dwell on that fact too much and I just get way too worked up over it.

It's weird starting my family at age 30, because for my whole life "my family" has been my parents and siblings. But now "my family" is me, Scott, and Odin, and our little unit comes first. Scott has a great job here in Chicago, and because of it I am able to stay at home with Odin during the day, and that is the most important thing to me. I'm thankful we have been able to make it to Michigan 3 times during Odin's 4 months of life, and even though we aren't able to see our relatives every day or week or month, we are making it work.

I've learned that life doesn't play out the way you plan. I always thought I'd get married and raise my kids only a few miles from my parents and siblings. Still things I'd like, but I'm happy with how things are right now. I love so much about my life, and welcome the future with open arms.

Speaking of the future, our really good friends Ben and Jaimie are pregnant with their first -a little girl! They come over to hang out about once every week or so, and we always have such a great time with them. I can't wait for Odin to have a little friend to play with! I cried when Jaimie told me their 5 year plan was to stay in the city, because it seems like everyone is moving OUT of the city, and it feels like we are losing friends left and right. Last time they came over the weather was still super nice so we dusted off the grill and had a bbq!

Grill Masters

Love her bump! 22-23 ish weeks?

Wearing our green for St. Patrick's Day

Burgers want to go to the party in my tummy?? OK!

Family photo St. Patty's style

We need a bigger table!

I love Jaimie's face =)

Getting lots of use out of the Bjorn from my awesome friend Julie

Then after Ben and Jaimie went home, Scott and I took Odin for our first family walk together. It was the most perfect day!