Biggest loser update/school

Okay this will be my final blog of the night.... I have lost 10 lbs so far!!! YIPPIE! I think I am in the lead but you never know who will surprise me. Our deal is.. whoeever wins 20 lbs first gets 20 bucks from the other two.. Wish me luck!

Also a quick update on school.. I just took the second anatomy and got a B!!!!!! WHOO HOO! This next term I am taking the third anatomy and then I will take microbiology over the summer. Next winter I will beable to apply for the nursing program. I am so ready!

Edwin is a busy bee with school right now. He is currently taking his nursing pre-req's at PCC. But he is also finishing his Pharmacy tech stuff through Penn Foster online. Also this Spring term he will be starting at concordia university to finish his bachelors for business. I don't think I could handle everything he is doing but he seems to be doing great with it so far! I am so proud of him!!
Alrighty.. Now that you are all caught up in our lives I am going to bed! Good night!

Changes

Sooooo... we have not really told a lot of people yet (No Karla I am not pregnant again..hehe) We are buying a little house. HOORAY! We wanted to wait to tell everyone because the paper work was not final yet. But we signed all the papers today and will be closing next week. We will get to move in on April 27th!! There is some work that needs to be done but edwin and I are sooo excited to have a place to call our own. It is 3 bedroom 2 bath and it has an AMAZING deck off the back. It has a little yard and it is by a creek. I will post some pictures of the outside now and then I will do some before and afters of the inside in a couple of months.

Malaika Mwango! 4 months old!!!

Sheesh... its almost time to post her 5 month blog! Life has been amazingly busy and I have had very little time to do anything! But Malaika has been growing and changing as each day passes.


She had her 4 month check-up last week and she was a trooper! I was so thankful that my friend Jessie could come with me and hang out. I always get flustered when she has to get shots.
Poor Malaika still has thrush... that stuff is the devil! So she had to get thrush medicine and her three shots in each leg and some medicine in the mouth. When we got home she was a little irritable but did good. Then the next day she crashed! She slept for most of the day (I got soooo much housework done!)
Her stats at the doc office were ..... 15 lbs 10 oz, and 26 1/2 inches long chubba wubba!
she has out grown all of her 3 month stuff and I just started pulling out the 6-9 month stuff. I can't believe how many cute clothes she has!!



Things she does that make me laugh:
* When she coughs... she farts... that will ALWAYS make me laugh
* She likes to suck on her fingers... but then she sucks them to hard and chokes herself
* She makes funny expressions when eating greenbeans! (We did too when we tasted them.. YUCK!)
* She is learning how to fake cry
* She is gigglin!!!! When we tickle her to much and she can't giggle anymore she does this highpitched scream.. then she lets out this sigh of relief when we stop.
* If you sit her in one place for to long the seat will be covered in drool. We thought bibs would work.. but they don't.
* She likes to play ith the remote and gets really excited when it comes close to her. She breathes in and kicks her legs.. so cute!

I think my favorite time is in the morning when we are just waking up. She likes to snuggle just like me and we can spend a few hours in bed just snuggling and "telling secrets" I hope that as she gets older this can be a tradition of ours.


Some things that don't get us to excited....
* She trys out new crys every once in awhile.. this girl can scream
* She is starting to recognize people who are not her mommy... She then trys out one of her new crys. This can be very stressful when mommy has a final to study for.
* She pretty much wants to sit up all the time and do what we are doing.. including grabbing our plates and bringing them to our lap!


Some new things :
* She is still going with the letter B... and then spits all over everything while trying it out!
* She can now stand and swivel around in her jumper. She can spin the ball and she knows how to get the music to play by pushing the little keys.
* She is practicing piano and guitar with daddy... It is interesting to watch her get used to being around them. The first day he put her on his lap she just looked at the keyboard and didn't really do much. Now when he puts her up there she leans forward and presses down on the keys.
* She is eating rice cereal and a little veggie here and there. I am still BF her but she is getting the majority of her food from Our friends at Similac (thank goodness I am able to get WIC)
* She is starting to respond when we talk to her.. I will say something to her and then pause and she will make a noise back.. then she will pause and I will do it again. It is pretty fun.
*she is still in size 1-2 diapers.. but we are moving her to size 3 because Costco doesn't have reg size 2.


All in all it has been amazing and we are learning new things every day. I have my days when I am stressed and need a break.. But then I have my days that all I want to do is play with her and spend time snugglin. I can't think of a better way to spend my days! (well.... I can't think of a better way to spend most days.. hehe )

I hope everyone is doing great.. I will be writing a few more blogs about some other stuff going on in our lives so STAY TUNED...

A Beautiful Day

As most of you know Portland rarely has beautiful days in the winter months… well I got to experience one! YAY!

We decided since it was so nice outside we would take Malaika to the park and enjoy some much needed Vitamin D. The day before we had done an indoor shopping trip to Washington square and mommy spent WAY too much money. We got a really cute sun hat and some new shades for baby so I knew that this wonderful sunny day was the perfect day to use them. When we first got there I think she was a little shocked… she looked around and then made funny faces when the sun would get in her eyes. We sat on a blanket for about an hour and then we decided she should probably go inside. It was fun though to see her reaction to the birds and the grass (she wanted to eat it of course).



I am really amazed everyday when I look at her… I am first of all amazed that she is a part of both Edwin and I. (I am also amazed that I did not have to pass a major exam or study really hard to create her.. hehe No dirty jokes here!) Secondly I am amazed at how she is developing. Everyday something new happens and she does something that I would never expect a baby to do. She has the biggest smile in the world (I am so blessed) She is a happy baby in the morning and sometimes in the evening. =) I am so thankful that God has blessed us with her.


Edwin has been home this month so that has really helped us relax a little more and have some great family time. I don’t want to post too much here because I want to post on her 4 month blog but I thought I would share this with you all!

3 months old - a whole new world!

Malaika is now 3 months old!!!! Whoo hoo!!! The doctor promised me at her 2 week check-up that when she hit three months she would be a completely different baby. So we have hit that milestone and he was not lieing! This month was a serious roller coaster but it has had a happy ending. I will explain to you our journey....

At her two month checkup she had her shots She did great at the appointment and we had to keep an eye on her for the first 24 hours for side effects. We were a little nervous because my mom said that I had an allergic reaction to one of the shots when I was little. I told the doctor about it and he said that a lot has changed since I was a baby (Way to make me feel old! ) and that she should be fine but I needed to keep a special eye on her just in case.

She did great. BUT She was a little extra irritable. On friday my mom left for Kansas to go see my brother. Edwin and I were interested to see what life would be like without my mom helping us with the baby. On friday she slept really good all day long and then it was like a switch was turned and she just screamed the whole night. Poor edwin was here by himself with her because I had class. When I got home he was a little frazzeled so I thought I would take her and fix everything with my magical mom powers! YEAH RIGHT! She would be happy for a minute and then all of a sudden SCREAM! The neighbors really figured out that this baby has some lungs. I don't think either of us got any sleep that weekend. The rest of the week was pretty much miserable. Edwin was gone to work during the day and she was not a happy camper. On top of that I put her in her little snugli front pack so I could do some housework and I turned a corner and whopped her head on the door jam. She screamed I broke down in tears and just sat on the floor with her crying! Luckily she was not hurt and I just scared her. I even called the advice nurse crying because I felt so bad! she laughed and said that it happens to eveyone and I was not a bad mom.

By the endof the week my husband looked into my bloodshot eyes and told me he was going to use his OFLA and take the month of February off to help out with the baby and to help us all get on a schedule. I was sooo relieved! I needed a little break and some support to just get through the day with her. I could not believe how much she had cried. (I even left my mom some voicemails of just Malaika crying. LOL )

So friday night edwin picked up mom from the max station and they were both home! HALLELUJAH! I went to class a little blurry eyed but with the excitement that someone else would be there to help me out.

That night Edwin decided we needed to get her into a nice bedtime routine. We decided to feed her a nice warm bottle instead of breastfeeding her and then we laid her down in her cradle and turned on the mobile and walked away. (This was something we could NEVER do before. she would Scream and scream!) She was also not sleeping well in her cradle and slept next to me waking up every 2 hrs to 4 hours to eat.

Within minutes of setting her down she fell asleep! I hopped into bed and went to sleep right with her! She slept from 11 to 6! I kept wakingup checking on her to make sure she was alive!

From that night on she has been sleeping through the night! (Of course Edwin takes all the credit and says it is just because he is home) It has been AMAZING!

This is our typical night schedule

goes to sleep around 9 PM - this is when edwin and I hang out or study . She sleeps until around midnight and then I feed her and changed her diaper if needed. She will then sleep until around 6 (Sometimes she will wake up at 4 if she is hungry) I feed her and then bring her in bed with us and we all sleep until 9. that is when I get up and take a shower and she will continue sleeping until around 11.

Some nights are better than others but it is so nice to finally have a routine!

She has also been extremely happy when she is awake now. She smiles a lot more and is less irritable. She takes a 3 to 4 hour nap from 2 to 6 and then is ready to play again. I feel a lot more rested and relaxed.

Once she hit the three month mark we were thankful for what the doctor had told us earlier and we found out he was right!

Malaika is an amazing baby and she changes every day. when I look at her I see a destiny that God has laid out for her and I can't help but cry. God has blessed Edwin and I with this beautiful, Smart, sociable little baby and we just can't beleive how much she has changed our lives. I look forward to the days ahead and the special times we will get to share with her. I only hope that I can be a great role model to her and show her what life is all about.

Here are some of the things she is doing:

*Tummy time! She is still holding her head up really well. and can roll from her stomach to her back. She cannot roll from her back to her stomach yet

* She can actually sit up on the couch with out help but she is pretty wobbly if we sit her on the floor

* one bad thing... THRUSH! that stinkin stuff won't go away! but it is easier to deal with now

*SMILING BABY! It doesn't matter what you say or do she will smile at you. Edwin and I were having a little squabble the other day and she was looking from him to me and smiling this huge smile! We forgot what we were mad about and just laughed!

*She is starting to laugh - we really have to work for it! We tickle her and tickle her and she smiles really big and takesin air and then all of a sudden giggles! LOL she cracks me up

* we are feeding her rice cereal now. Not a lot but about a tablespoon at night so that her tummy will stay full longer.

* We bought her a jumper/exersaucer thing and she is able to stand in it and bounce around

* she is putting more pressure on her legs when she stands. sometimes I will let go and she will be standing by herself until she gets to excited and wobbles. Edwin and I laughed this morning. We were imagining a little baby like her walking around the house and decided she is to little and it would creep us out! LOL

* she is grabbing onto her toys and holding them for longer periods of time. She is also bringing the toys to her mouth

*We think she is teething already.. she drools like crazy and I put my finger in her mouth when she is upset and rub her gums and that calms her down and she chews on my finger. Also her gums have little bumps on them.

* She is talking A LOT! She talks to the TV when it is on. She loves Daddy time and they make TONS of noise when he is with her. I am trying to teach her how to say mommy! LOL she also likes to talk when I sing to her.

* SHE IS AMAZING and I LOVE her a lot!

* She sat on her first pony at a childrens fair I went to with Nicole. Nicole took the picture so as soon as she gets it to me I will post it.

Thats all I can think of for now but this has been a long blog.

Love ya'll

2 month Check-up and IUC

Today was Malaika's 2 month check-up and what a trooper she was! She is actually almost 10 weeks so this appointment was a little late. I was excited to see how much she had grown it is weird when I hold her and actually think about it. When she lays on my stomach now she stretches all the way from my chin to my hips and her feet are almost to my thighs! What is really weird is you don't really notice it. She is still fiting into some of her newborn stuff but I can tell I am going to have to get out the tote and start packing some things away.

ANYWAY Back to her appointment...

She weighs *drum role please* 12 lbs and 2 oz!!!! They also measured her at 25 inches long. The doctor said she is in the 90th percentile. He was a little shocked at how long she has gotten. He said he wants to monitor it and see if she is just having a major growth spurt now or if she really is going to be tall. He said at the rate she is growing right now all the charts say she will be well over 6 feet! Which is weird because edwin and I are both about 5'7. I asked him if 12 pounds was to much for a 2 month old and he said no because she is very long and needed something to fill her out.
After that were the dreaded shots. I was a basketcase because I had to be there alone and I was afraid she would think that it was me giving her the shots. When the nurse came in Malaika had fallen asleep in my arms and she was so peaceful. The nurse had me lay her down on the table and wake her up a little bit. The first round of meds was in liquid form and that was comical to watch her gag it down. Then the nurse had me hold her arms down and she gave her two shots in each leg (4 SHOTS all together! I would cry too! ) The first one went in and she turned BRIGHT red. He mouth was wide open and as soon as she took a breath she was screaming!!! I kept trying to kiss her face to calm her but I couldn't do anything until the nurse was finished. As soon as she got the bandaids on I picked her up and calmed her down and then she was smiling and cooing. I guess babies forget easily.
The doctor told me all of the signs to watch for just in case she has an allergic reaction. Right now she is asleep in her swing but she keeps doing little cries in her sleep so I wonder if she is dreaming about it! Her next appointment is in March it will be interesting to see how long she is then .
I also had my IUC (Merena) implanted on Monday and it went WAY better than I expected. When I got there I was nervouse because she told me it was going to be really painful. Also I had talked to some people who had it and they said the procedure was really uncomfortable and painful. The doctor walked me through what she was doing step by step and when she told me she was inserting it I held my breath and waited for the pain..... nothing!... Then she said Ok I am done! I was like WHAT I didn;t even feel anything! I was sooooo thankful! So I am good to go for five years now unless we decided to have another baby in less time I can always have it removed. I hve to go back in 2 weeks for a checkup and then I won't see Dr. Byrd until my annual check-up.

hmmmm what else is there... Edwin and I started school this week and that has been going well so far. I can tell This anatomy class is going to be intense and I need to make sure to put as much effort as I can into it. Edwins classes are from 6 to 10 on monday and tuesdya night. This makes for a long day for both of us because he is gone all day long and I am home bymyself. then my class is Friday night from 6 - 10 and then Saturday Morning from 9 to 12. Then I have 2 other classes that are online.
Edwin and I are attempting to start a small business that will take place here and in Africa sooo if you could all be praying that it goes well and that we are doing what the Lord wants us to be doing. I am hoping it will really get going and I will beable to stay home longer. So far it seems to be working!
I hope everyone is doing well!

Biggest Loser Mwango style

That's right we have come to the realization that we are fat..LOL Photographs have been trying to tell me for years but I looked the other way! We decided to have our own biggest loser competition in the house. We are all going to try to lose 20 pounds and we have to do it the healthy way. The incentive? All of us had to put 20 bucks in the pot and also the bragging rights will be the best reward ever! I will keep you posted on how we are all doing (of course I am going to win!!!!!! ) Pilates here I come!