Libby on her tummy

Libby didn't feel like eating yesterday, and today she didn't feel like sleeping. She ate really well today, so we had some good play time! She watched part of the Count of Monte Cristo with dad.

(One of these is from the other day actually--but too cute to leave off).

Libby Rolled Over!

It might have been a fluke, but she did it 3 times today! Also she grabbed hold of the pooh bear on her bouncy and was holding it. Not bad physical development for a day when she was refusing to eat. We upped her zantec :)

Happy Halloween Libby!

Libby was a witch princess for Halloween. She very much enjoyed trunk or treat at the church.

Libby Blowing Bubbles

A new favorite pasttime, along with sucking on her hands until she chokes herself :)

Chubby Libby!

Libby weighed in today at 10 lbs. 3 oz. That is a 2 ounce per day gain! Hooray! Thanks to uncle Dave for the cute shirt and cousin Paige for the hat.

Libby Exposed!

Check out the chubby belly! She had a great eating day yesterday, she wanted to eat almost every hour. We expect a good weigh in on Friday.

Libby Loves to Swing!

Derek said my favorite daddy quote so far..."Libby, when I am around you my cheeks start to hurt from smiling." Perfect.

Libby's Beautiful Dress

Libby loved church on Sunday in her new beautiful dress!

Libby Loves Reid?

After Enrichment meeting today, Reid started putting the moves on Libby...
He got closer....and closer....
Finally holding her hand. Can you believe he is only 17 days older than Libby? Anyway, you are seeing the beginnings of true love :)

Libby Weighs In

Another 3 ounces! Libby tips the scale at 9 lbs. 6 oz. We don't have to go back to the doctor for a whole week! She is also 24 inches long. What a heavy weight!

Libby Loves Bathtime

One of the worst things about parenting is cutting those little fingernails. Today I put Libby into her "spa" robe after the bath to get her in the mood. It was one of the best fingernail cutting times we have had :)

Laundry with Libby

Luckily Libby is still light enough to load onto the laundry and carry in the basket. She loves making lots of laundry for mommy! Our next weigh in (BTW) isn't until Friday since she had gained so much on Monday. :)

Libby Weighs In

Another successful day on the scale for Libby. Yesterday she ate over 1000 mls. Not surprisingly, she was up to 9 lbs. 3 ozs. HORRAY! Mom is also enjoying her first day as a stay at home mom.

Great News! and a tough day

Today Libby gained yet another ounce! She is 8lbs. 13 oz. So, they are leaving the tube OUT! We go back for our next weight check on Monday. She has been eating just fine. The other picture, the tough day part, came from the fact that today Mrs. Norton packed up her classroom and moved it all home. She managed not to cry until the drive home. Following is the text of the letter she sent to her students and colleagues.

October 10, 2007


Dear Staff and Students of Mountlake Terrace High School,


I love teaching. I love Mountlake Terrace High School. When I decided to become a mother, I knew that I would love it, because I love my students so much. I thought I could continue teaching part-time and enjoy the best of both worlds. Since my daughter was born, and in the past few weeks especially, I have come to realize that my time as a teacher is over, at least for now. I always knew that I wasn’t in it forever, so I tried every idea that came to mind, no matter how crazy, no matter how time consuming. I relished just about every moment. While I feel a deep sense of loss that I will not be here at Terrace every day, I move on to motherhood without regrets.
I have criticized myself for even starting this year, leaving students after only a few short weeks, but I think my departure at this time has two important benefits. First, I am leaving knowing that I cannot be the kind of teacher that I want to be and the kind of mother that I want to be. I will not become a bitter stay-at-home mom because I have tried being a working mom, and I realize that for now it is not for me. Secondly, it gives me the opportunity to teach my students by example a lesson far more important than any I could have taught in a lecture or a classroom activity: family is the most important thing in life…even more important than European history.
Thank you to my colleagues who have put up with my feisty nature and encouraged me to be a better teacher. Thank you to my students who have dressed up, danced, debated, and written far more than they ever wanted to. Thank you to my husband whose hard work and love makes it possible for me to stay home with our daughter. Thank you to our daughter for helping me understand what true love and true fulfillment feels like. I will miss you all.


Sincerely,


Tricia Norton

Can you spot the change?

Well, so we thought it would be a few more days with the tube. But this morning, mom was feeding Libby and talking on the phone. When mom stood up with bottle in one hand and phone in the other--she happened to be STANDING ON THE TUBE! So, out came the tube, a few days before the expected date. Needless to say, mom felt HORRIBLE. But, it turns out that it must not hurt very much, because she didn't cry for more than 30 seconds. The doctor said we might as well wait until the weigh in tomorrow to decide if we need to put the tube in again.

Libby Steps Up to the Scale

Today at our doctor's appointment Libby tipped the scales at a whopping 8lbs 12oz! That's up 4oz since the last visit. Doc says that if she keeps gaining the tube comes out on Monday. I know we've gotten our hopes up before about getting it out so cross your fingers.

Libby Weighs In

Today Libby weighed the same that she did on Friday in lbs. and oz. But she had gained a few grams when we switched to kilograms. She ate over 100 mls. several times today! We are going back on Wednesday for another weigh in. If she has gained at least a couple of ounces, we get to take the feeding tube out!

Libby Loves Conference

This is Libby in one of my favorite outfits (which is still WAY too big) listening to President Hinckley's talk this morning.

Libby Learns to Eat, day 19 (written on day 20)

Libby ate 815 mls. yesterday, 715 by mouth! Hooray! To celebrate, we put on our almost matching beanies.

Libby LOVES Eating: like daddy like daughter!

Libby woke up this morning at 3, 5, and 7 to eat. This is a first for her. She is starting to feel the hunger! Especially since the drip was going for the first two feeds. She took in about 700 mls yesterday. Today at the doctor she weighed 8 lbs. 8 0z. Hooray! (She would also like to thank the Gaskill family for the adorable outfit!)

Good News!

Libby has been eating about 90% of her food orally! Today the doctor from Children's called and was very pleased. He said that if she ends up pulling her tube out again, we should just leave it out....wow. She has had a really good day. Tomorrow mom is going back to work, but dad is going to come home early from work to be with her.

Life at home

Libby is getting used to life at home now. She really enjoyed her bath and getting all dressed up in her new outfit from Aunt Maren. She loves to lick the witch's hat.

Can you spot the change?

Yep...you got it. The tube is now on the other side. Derek put her down with the sock off of the opposite hand. She managed to somehow pull the tube out. So, another trip to Children's so they could put in a new one. But two major items of good news. She is back to birthweight! And she took in about 3/4ths of her feeds today by bottle. :)