Ballard Family Christmas (a week early!)

Today we had our first family Christmas with Kya. Eric and I started the tradition of having our own Christmas before we go to our parents, and this will be the last year we have it early. Kya got up at 5 am because she has a cold, but thankfully, we all went back to sleep after she ate. Poor thing - she is teething (we had a nasty smelling poop today that verified our suspicions!) and has a cold. So, I went and got donuts from Daylight after I checked the nutrition facts to make sure I wouldn't have to take Eric to the emergency room with high blood sugar if he ate one. Surprisingly, a glazed donut only has 8 grams of sugar and 20 grams of carbs, which is not bad at all and better than most candy bars. Anyways, by the time, I got home Eric and Kya were up, and we decided to open presents. We opened all of Kya's presents first from us and my parents. She got LOTS of toys, gift cards for a car seat, and a cd/clock radio. She actually helped us with the wrapping paper. It was so cute! Then, Eric and I took turns opening our presents. I was so excited that Eric with the help of Sandy and Randy got me a GPS! We tried it out this afternoon, and I LOVE it. My parents got us gift cards galore, and they got me suits earlier and got Eric clothes like always. The big things I got Eric were some shoes (casual), and a neck massager. We are so blessed and thankful for all that we have. Fletch even enjoyed his toys for about 10 minutes (that's how long it took him to destroy them). We leave tomorrow to go to Eric's parents, and we are excited to see them, but I hope that we don't give them the cold that we now all have! I just hope sweet girl feels better tomorrow and sleeps later than 5!

Thanksgiving!

Kya has been busy these past few weeks. She is always flipping onto her stomach now. I think she likes being on her stomach because she can see everything better. It's funny, though because she will flip on her stomach then get tired of holding her head up and she'll start fussing, so we'll flip her onto her back, and then, she immediately just flips right back to her stomach. She now sleeps on her stomach as well. We put her down on her back, but she will immediately turn over. I'm scared to put a blanket in there with her anymore because she moves so much in her sleep, so Uncle Abel and Nana got Kya some sleep sacks, which are awesome! I guess techincally it says they're wearable blankets, but they are great. I'm just always worried she's going to get cold.

She is also eating stage 1 baby foods. I tried to get her to eat rice cereal after eating the baby food, and she just spits it out. I guess when you have had steak you don't want ground beef. She has loved everything so far. One thing is for sure - she is my daughter because she loves to eat! When we put her in her high chair, she immediately opens her mouth, and if I don't feed her fast enough, she let's me know.

Kya has also discovered her feet, and she loves to suck on her toes or pull her socks off and chew on them. She acts like she's teething with non-stop drool and sticking EVERYTHING in her mouth, but no teeth, yet. She's also been laughing more. She loves it when I act like I'm going to eat her hands and the other day I said Ho Ho Ho during a Christmas song, and she thought that was hilarious. One more Kya update - she barely takes morning naps, but if I'm lucky she'll take like a 3 hour nap in the afternoon, which has been great! I've been able to get a lot of dissertation work done in the afternoons, so I hope she keeps this schedule up!

Fletch has continued to adjust well to Kya. He just kind of sniffs Kya and walks off. She is very interested in him, though. She'll look at him especially when he barks. I think when she's bigger they'll be best friends. Fletch also met Mikey (my parent's dog) for the first time at Thanksgiving, and they actually got along very well.

We really enjoyed my parents, Abel, and Mikey coming to visit us for Thanksgiving. Publix made an exceptional dinner for us to enjoy, and Abel made us pizza from scratch (sauce and everything!) the next night. There are definitely perks to having a brother who worked at a pizza place during college. He has the pizza making down to an art. We were able to go to campus on a warm Thanksgiving day and play with the dogs. My cousin Kim was able to come over and meet Kya for the first time, and Kya loved her! On Friday, we enjoyed watching Auburn come from behind and beat Bama. We even went to Toomer's after the game to help roll the trees.

I also included some pictures of Kya in her beautiful dress that my friend Shannon embroidered for her! We tried to get her picture with Santa yesterday, and the people I talked to at the mall neglected to tell me that Santa takes a break at 5, which is exactly when we got there. Boo! We'll try again this week, though.

Big Girl Food!

Kya has had a big week! She is now eating four times a day and going to bed by 8:30, which has been awesome! She sleeps until about 7:30-8:30. I'm not sure how we got a baby that is such a great sleeper! She is definitely staying up more during the day, though. Today was a big day for her. First, we went on a walk on Auburn's campus, which was her first visit to campus. Fletch enjoyed running around Cater lawn, and Kya fell asleep while we were walking around. Then, she flipped from her back to stomach and then, flipped back to her back. She's been really close the past few weeks and finally did it today. THEN, she ate rice cereal for the first time. When she took her first bite, she made this face like "what the heck is this?!?" I guess I gave her a double whammy because she had formula for the first time and the rice cereal. She ate about half of it, but she did so good. She kept trying to suck on the spoon. It was so funny. I can't believe how much she is growing, and it is so fun to watch her discover new things. We got her a bouncer this week, which is a little too big for her, but she really likes it. We have to stuff towels around her to help her stay upright, and put books under her feet, so she can touch. She has bounced a few times and she has twisted around in it. She likes grabbing the teething toy (purple thing) because she can easily grasp it. One other funny thing she did today was pull her mobile all the way down and try to chew on it. We kept thinking that it was falling, but we saw her pull it down today, and figured out that she was actually grabbing and pulling it down. She is getting so strong!!! Well, we are all looking forward to Nana, Pop Noah, and Uncle Abel coming in town on Wednesday for Thanksgiving in Auburn. This is the first year of my life that I am not traveling somewhere on Thanksgiving! That is definitely a perk of having a baby - people will come to you! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

4 months

All I have to say is that I need to do a better job of updating the blog, but we have been so busy! Not to mention - I am on overdrive trying to finish up my dissertation. Kya has been growing and changing so much this past month. We went in for her 4 month appointment, and she did so good! She weighs 14.8 or 14 lbs 8 ounces, and she's still in the 50th percentile for weight. She is 25 inches long, and in the 75th percentile for height. She got two shots, and she only cried after the second one, and thankfully, I didn't cry this time. The nurse commented on how well she did. She is a tough little girl! Our only problem is she has some excema, so if anyone has any advice about that I would love it! Her scalp is still really dry despite greasing her up every night with baby oil, but the doctor said we're doing a good job of keeping it under control. Poor girl just has really dry skin. Other than that, she is doing extremely well!

She has grown so much this past month. She is holding her head up so well, and she loves kicking. She will turn herself in her crib, so she can kick against the side. We're getting her a bouncer soon to be able to stand in - she won't be able to bounce just yet. Also, she loves "talking"! It is non-stop now that she knows she can make noise. I wake up to her cooing in her crib, which is so sweet. She really is a happy baby. She has also been laughing a lot more, which I love to hear her laugh. It is so cute!

Kya has been a world traveler this past month. We visited the Alabama coast one weekend, then, we went to our first tailgate at State. And we just got back from Texas AGAIN! I had a conference in Austin, and my parents came with us to watch Kya. We visited some towns in the hill country and enjoyed some good German food! Kya does so well traveling, but I know she was glad to get home and get out of her carseat. She needs to move! She also enjoys being spoiled by her grandparents. She didn't even go a day without them - we got back Wednesday, and Eric's parents came in town Thursday to watch Kya while I work this weekend and Eric is speaking at his friend, Matt's retreat in Georgia. She will be awful on Monday when she is not getting attention 24/7. I think Kya looks exactly like her daddy, but she acts like me in some ways. She is laid back like Eric, but she gets mad when she is hungry and you don't feed her fast enough. Plus, she really likes hearing the sound of her own voice and being the center of attention. So, I guess she hasn't gotten anything good from me! But, I think she is going to be quite the talker. She really likes the high-pitched noises and gurgling. We are so thankful for Kya, and God as truly blessed us with her. Eric was in Haiti this past week, and he had the chance to visit one of the tent cities, and he was just broken over how these people live. We are so thankful that we have a roof over our heads, and we are able to provide for Kya's basic needs. Thanks to everyone that prayed for Eric while he was in Haiti - he had an unbelievable experience and God taught him so much! Now, I want to adopt a kid from Haiti after hearing his stories, but I won't get ahead of myself.

3 months

So, I guess we've been pretty busy this month, so I haven't gotten to post at all. Kya has changed so much in the past month. She has started smiling, and we've heard her laugh a few times. She also has started "talking", and I love when she's by herself and she just starts making noises as loudly as she can. I think she might be quite the talker. I do love that she can smile, though because she has peed all over her changing pad, and then, she gives me this big toothless grin, and you just can't be upset when she does that. She has started to get fussier - I think if she takes a short nap, she doesn't like to be in her crib by herself. She is pretty social and loves to talk and smile at other people. She's also flipped over from her stomach to her back a few times, but it's been awhile since she has done that. The most awesome thing she does now is SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! She started doing that at exactly 10 weeks! We really tried to get her on a schedule, and I think that is what did it. Thank you babywise! She eats so much, too! Eric and I are so blessed to have Kya, and we are so thankful and humbled that God trusted us to raise her. We won't be traveling around as much this month except to go to MS to visit Eric's family, and maybe go to a football game. It gets tricky going anywhere for a lengthy period of time since I am still breastfeeding. I always feel like I have to worry about how much time has gone by since I have pumped or fed her. I know it is so good for her, and she hasn't been sick, yet - even though Eric and I have both had colds, plus it is FREE, so I will continue to do it, but I won't miss the whole schedule thing or worrying about what time it is. Kya made another trip to Houston because I had a workshop at Rice University about negotiating a faculty position, which was helpful, but also intimidating. I was away from her for two days, and I did pretty well, but I missed her like crazy. My parents were so nice to watch her, and the picture where she is laughing is when she is sitting on my dad's lap, and he had asked her if she was going to poop on him again. She has kind of explosive bowel movements, and sometimes they are leaky. I have tried like three types of diapers, but she has leaked through all of them! I'm sure she'll really enjoy reading this when she's 13!

2 months

Kya had her two month appointment on September 3rd, and she weighed in at 11 lbs 2 oz and 23.5 inches. She is in the 50th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height. We were getting excited that maybe Kya would be tall until my mom burst our bubble that yours truly was in the 90th percentile for height when I was little, and we all know how that turned out - I stopped growing at 2 until I was about 13. With two short parents, Kya will most likely be short! Kya also had to get two shots and drink one immunization, which gave her diarrhea. Kya didn't cry when she got the first shot, but she did when she got the second, and dang it my eyes teared up exactly like they did the last time she got a shot. It's like the instant I hear her cry out in pain, my eyes tear up. It's terrible! Eric made me hold her, and after I cried, he promised to hold her from now on. We both hate her getting shots, but we know it's for the best! Then, Pop Noah and Nana came in town that night. I am so glad that they picked this weekend because I was sick with a nasty cold, and they took the late night feedings and helped take care of little K. My dad told me that he actually planned his meeting in Huntsville so that he could come visit - I guess when you're the boss, you can do that. Apparently, they are going to start having monthly meetings in Huntsville.... One new thing Kya has started doing is sucking her thumb, which I think is funny, but we try to discourage it by taking her thumb out when she starts doing it. It's weird to me that she has just started doing it, but I guess she finally found her thumb. We have tried to give her a pacifier, but she always spits it out unless we hold it or put her hand up to her face so she can hold it. Also, the Jersey Shore girl onesie is a gift from our dear friend Katie who is from New Jersey. I am in no way endorsing the MTV Jersey Shore show, but I think Kya looks so cute in this onesie! Thanks Aunt Katie! The next photo is Kya watching TV. She squirms around until she can see the TV all the time. Eric claims that Sportscenter is her favorite show. The last photo is showing Kya flipped 180 degrees from how I put her down. I have no idea how she does this. I guess I should put a camera in there to film it. I can't believe how big little girl is getting, and she has started to smile all the time. It is so cute!

8 weeks

Kya is growing and growing! Sometimes she eats 6 ounces! I think she is going through a little growth spurt right now because she wants to eat more frequently and eats a lot at a time. We let her cry one day - only to discover she really was hungry not just cranky. I felt so bad when she sucked down 5 ounces in record time. We have started to figure out that she really only cries like crazy if she's starving. There have been a few times that she has fussed herself to sleep, but that only lasts for 10-15 minutes and it's just random whimpers with an occasional cry. We have survived our first week of day care, and she has done so well! The first day she slept the entire 3 hours, which was bad because she was awake and screaming in the afternoon. I never let her sleep that long during the day anymore (at least not until she is taking fewer naps). Eric and I are so thankful that the church has children's day out for infants, so we have something part time and it's cheap. Plus, since Eric works there, we don't have to work any days, and Kya always has a spot even if we show up late. She has started raising her head a lot now, and she has definitely become more aware of her surroundings. She has started smiling at us when we smile at her, which has been really cool. Plus, sometimes when we're talking to her, she answers with a little coo. Eric and I have truly enjoyed watching her grow, and she's only 8 weeks! The picture of her in her little red dress is her first day of children's day out, and the others are around the apt.

7 weeks

I can't believe Kya is 7 weeks! She is still the cutest baby, and she still sleeps good most of the time. She has started eating a lot more and going longer between feedings - thank you Jesus! We had a problem with fleas around our complex, so unfortunately our oldest (Fletch) had to be sent to stay with Grams and Big Daddy for a little while. We already miss him!!! Sandy was here this past week while I went back to school, and boy was she a life saver! She took the late night feeding, and I actually got about 6 - 7 hours of sleep a night. It was awesome! I missed her last night when Kya woke up at 3:30 needing to burp, then again at 5 to eat. I will treasure these times, but I will be glad when she starts sleeping through the night! So, she is starting to follow me or Eric around the room. I recorded her following me last night. It really was the cutest thing! I even woke Eric up so he could watch her follow me. I am so excited about watching her become more aware of her surroundings and starting to do things. Being a parent is such a blessing! God is so good!

6 weeks

I can't believe Kya is six weeks already! She has grown out of her newborn diapers, and she can now wear 3 month onesies. She is so long!!! Her little gut is getting bigger, too. Eric's sister, Hayley came last week and took lots of pictures of Kya. I'm so thankful for her camera! She did a great job. Plus, she let Eric and me go out to eat one night, and it's always nice getting away for a night. The only problem with breastfeeding is that I always have to make sure I am pumping if I'm not feeding her, so it makes things time a little restrictive when we go somewhere. I'm glad that I'm breastfeeding, but I do feel tied down to the clock. One thing that was awesome that happened was that Kya flipped from her stomach to her back this past week. I missed it because I was at the gym. She is already so strong! Today she followed Eric across the room, so she is starting to look us in the face and follow us. Our prayer is that she continues to grow strong and healthy. She is a very pukey baby, so you'll always see her in a bib in most pictures. I normally have baby puke on my clothes at the end of the day, and I normally don't change until the day is over.... Aww the joys of motherhood. Plus, she peed on me the other day, and for some reason, I didn't think it was that gross. I'm not sure why, but I guess when it's your kid, you don't care.

Eric's mom is coming today to help out when I go back to school next week. I am so thankful! I'm going to try to get up really early and practice what it's really going to be like, so we're ready next week. It'll just be nice to be able to run errands without having to take her or worry about when Eric is going to get home. Although she is quite the sleeper when I take her out. She has never cried even if she's been awake - I know that will change soon enough, but I will enjoy it for now.

One month

I can't believe that Kya is one month, and she has gained weight great! She is now 9 lbs 3 oz and 21.5 inches long. She took her first road trip to Houston last week, and she did great in the car. We were so thankful! Eric and I got to go to the MLS All-Star game against Manchester United. It was awesome! My dad got us some great seats, and we got to see several awesome goals from Man U. Surprisingly, there seemed to be more Man U fans over MLS fans. Then, Jolie and Adam took us to an Astros game where we sat 5 rows up from home plate! Thank you Adam's job! Now, I'm just trying to get ready to go back to school! It starts in two weeks!!!

3 weeks!

I can't believe Kya is already 3 weeks old! She is growing so fast! Eric and I are getting a decent amount of sleep, and he has started helping with the middle of the night feedings - thank you pump! Kya gets gas really bad, so some nights are worse than others - I guess depending on what I eat. Eric decided to do a full night for me one time, and she did not sleep the entire night - bless her heart. I don't know if it has fully set in that we are parents, but it is so much fun, and she is so precious. It's crazy how much she changes! She is definitely more alert and vocal than she was the first week. She's pretty laid back unless she has crazy gas or is hungry or has a nasty diaper. Funny moments from the past few weeks:
- She sprayed Eric's hand with poop one day when he was changing her
- She peed on me the other day while I was feeding her. I'm not sure how that happened - yes she was wearing a diaper. It's funny how when it's your kid, it doesn't seem that gross.
- She smiles when she has gas. It's really sweet.
- She was following Eric's dad with her eyes, and sometimes she looks at me so intently it seems like she knows what I am saying.
- She turns bright red when she's "working things out"
- Sometimes when she wants to eat she puts her mouth in this "o" shape, and it is so cute!

Basically, I think that she is the cutest baby ever, and she has gotten so much bigger in just three weeks! Eric and I are so blessed to be her parents!!!! We'll be headed to Texas tomorrow, and hopefully, Miss K decides to sleep most of the way. We'll be going to the MLS all-star game on our 3 year anniversary (July 28th), and we'll go to an Astros game with Jolie and Adam. So excited!!!!

She's here!

So, baby Kya is here, and she is two weeks old today! I am so happy that she graced us with her presence a week early. I could not take having contractions off and on for another week! I was also very blessed to have a 7 hour labor. We got to the hospital at 10:15 pm on July 1st, and she came at 3:13 am on July 2nd weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces and she was 20 inches long. She knew she was ready to meet her mommy and daddy! I must say that the epidural is the best medical invention of all time. Once I had that, I was good to go. I was actually at the worst of my contractions when I had it done - the nurse was like you've gone through the worst, and I said give it to me!!! Eric was a really good sport, and I told him to not touch me. I vaguely remember saying that I never wanted to go through this again - I think I asked Eric if he really wanted anymore kids. Then, I decided that it helped squeezing his hand like crazy. I know it bothered him seeing me in so much pain and he couldn't do anything about it. It was all worth it, though! Kya is beautiful - I had this theory that all newborns are ugly no matter what anyone says, but she has changed my mind - of course, I am biased! My parents got to the hospital Friday afternoon, and Eric's got there later that night. Kya always had someone to hold her at all times! We got to go home on the 4th, and I was so exhausted! I never got any sleep in the hospital because during the night, someone was always coming in to check something or they were bringing Kya in or we had visitors. It took me several days to recover - I know all you other moms know what I am talking about! They also don't tell you about all of the stuff that goes on after you give birth - I thought I pop her out, and it's all good - NOT the case, but I will spare everyone the details!

My mom has been here for two weeks, and she has been such a blessing! She has grocery shopped for us non-stop, done the dishes, done the never-ending laundry, taken care of Fletch, run errands, rocked and burped Kya, and I could still go on. She has made it easy for me to take care of Kya or at least try and figure out what I am doing! It really has been a huge help having her here to take care of the day-to-day things, so I can focus on Kya. I will be sad to see her go - I guess we'll really see how well Eric and I can do this when she leaves -BUT she has given us a good start!