4 month check-up

Lauren and I have been very busy these past few weeks. We continue to walk around the inside track at the Rec Center using the Baby Bjorn. It's amazing how many people talk to you when you have a baby. All of the kids smile and wave at Lauren, while all of the ladies want to know how old she is, what her name is, etc. Quite a few older men tease me about starting Lauren's workouts early. Not only am I able to get a workout in, but our walks have become a social hour as well.

Last week we visited with my friend Jillian and her daughter, London who is 16 months old. London kept waving to Lauren and just couldn't understand why Lauren couldn't move like she could. Lauren was amazed by London and couldn't take her eyes off her. Before we know it both little girls will be running around causing trouble together.

Lauren had her 4 month check-up last Friday. Dr. Siegel was very happy with her progress. She weighs 13 pounds and is 24.5 inches. After her check-up, Dr. Siegel left the room and we waited for the nurse to come back and administer Lauren's shots. However, Lauren was so cozy in the fuzzy blanket I had her wrapped up in that she fell asleep. Imagine waking up to someone giving you shots in both little legs. It was the first time I cried when Lauren cried. I felt so terrible for her. Her entire head turned red and she just screamed. Poor little thing. The shots gave Lauren her first fever last Friday night as well. Everything turned out fine, but Geoff and I were both very concerned for a few days.

Last Saturday was my first night without Lauren. Aunt Stephie and Uncle Jon were kind enough to watch Lauren overnight, so Geoff and I could celebrate our 6 year anniversary in the city. We had a great time and Lauren survived even though Aunt Stephie forgot to give Lauren one bottle! :)

Then, Geoff had to leave for a business trip Sunday afternoon through Monday night. Lauren was not happy that her Daddy wasn't home and decided to cry/scream on and off all night. The only way Lauren and I ended up sleeping was on the couch with me rubbing her tummy. After only one night of a crying baby, I just don't know how parents with colicky babies do it.

Lauren and I also visited Geoff at work and went to lunch with some of his colleagues a few days ago. Lots of fun up in Racine for the day.

Our new adventure has been going to music classes. There is a local child activity center in Highland Park called Sprouts. They have music, craft, and gym classes for children ages 4 months to 5 years. Lauren and I have been attending their 4-12 month music classes on Thursday afternoons. What fun! Lauren loves to shake the little maracas, play the little song games, and watch all of the other babies. I keep forgetting to bring the camera, but I promise pictures sometime.

Lauren keeps growing

Everything is slowly getting back to normal around our house after the holidays. In fact, it's very quiet around here now, as Aunt Stephie and Uncle Jon moved into their new apartment last week.


(Who put me in this box?)

So now it's just the three of us trying to figure out family life. We realized last weekend that this might be the first full week when we are on our own. Thanks to all of our family and friends who have helped out since Lauren's birth. Without your support and guidance we wouldn't be where we are today!

One thing I realized throughout the past months is that life is never predictable with a baby. Just as I thought Lauren was on a wonderful eating and sleeping schedule, everything changed last week. From Thanksgiving until the first week in January, Lauren was sleeping from 8-8 and eating every three hours during the day pretty regulary. I was rested and knew how to plan my days ahead of time. Oh, but wait, last week Lauren decided to wake up every night sometime between 3-5am and then preceeded to be awake anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. She rarely needed anything when she woke up, just some attention, but would not fall back asleep. So after 5 days of trying to figure out what the issue was, we introduced Lauren to baby cereal on Sunday evening. I was so excited about this adventure and thought it would be lots of fun, only to find out the first cereal experience from Lauren's perspective would not go the same way. She just couldn't understand why the cereal wasn't coming fast enough. Each time I took the spoon away to put more cereal on it, she cried. Toward the end of the feeding she figured it out and calmed down a bit.



When I fed her yesterday she was much calmer and smiled during the majority of the feeding.



She is also working on rolling over. Last week she rolled from her stomach to her back numerous times and seemed to love it. When she plays on her back, she is often able to get onto one side, but can't quite get all the way over.



Lauren loves to play with her new toys. The Whoozit and Skwish from Cousin Jude have become favorites very quickly. She also loves her rattle, phone and stuffed dog named Otter from Grammie and Grandpa.



We started going on walks at the local Rec Center. Lauren rides along in the Baby Bjorn as I walk around the track. She has become quite the star, as everyone asks what her name is and how old she is. We are still working on taking naps up in her crib. She is doing much better than a few weeks ago, but is still not predictable. In fact, she is sleeping next to me on the couch right now. Lauren has pretty much mastered sucking her thumb, especially around nap time.



Another fun game we have started is riding around the house in the clothes basket. Everyone thought I was crazy when we started this game, but Lauren just loves it. There are only so many activities that work during the sub-zero temps here in Chicago. I think we will take a wagon ride around the basement this afternoon. Fun times!

Spindler Family Christmas

After arriving home from San Diego, Lauren had one day to rest and then we headed up north to Grandpa and Grammie's cabin. Up there she enjoyed her first sleigh ride, played with her toys while the "big kids" played cards, and was spoiled like crazy. Grandpa spent lots of time reading Snow Friends, while Grammie rocked her to sleep during her daytime naps. The week ended with a magical first Spindler Christmas for Lauren.

PS I forgot to add that while reading Snow Friends, Grandpa was teaching Lauren how to say Otter. His nickname is now Grandpa Otter. Wouldn't it be funny if she ends up calling him that one day?

Playing with Grandpa


First sleigh ride


Hangin' with Grandpa and Grammie


WOW...a wagon!


First wagon ride in the snow

Trip to San Diego

Here are a few photos from our trip to San Diego. Lauren was a rock star on the airplane and enjoyed meeting Geoff's family members. We had a good time, even though the weather was not what we had hoped.

PS I forgot to add that Lauren discovered how to suck her thumb while in San Diego. As parents we are currently having the debate as to should we try to stop her now, or just let it go. She is just so dog gone cute with her thumb in her mouth.


Lauren's first plane ride.


Christmas on the beach


Hangin' with Grandpa and Dad in the desert.


Geoff with Jude and cousin Katherine with Lauren.