Visit from the Keels...

Grandpa Keel & Grandma Anna got quality time with Izzy before the gang showed up...
Cousin Dylan, Aunt Kimmy & Cousin Taylor were very hands on & helpful!
A little project from Pottery Barn...
Turned out very cute!
Bathtime & Buddha Belly!!!
Staring off in the distance before her bedtime bath...

And a hint of a smile...

This past weekend Mike went up to Notre Dame with some buddies to watch a football game (among other things!). While daddy was away Izzy had some visitors: Grandpa Keel, Grandma Anna, Aunt Kimmy, and cousins Taylor & Dylan. We had lots of meals out (which Izzy slept through) and lots of fun times snuggling with Izzy. She is one loved little girl...

Starting to Smile...

Yesterday Izzy turned 6 weeks old...and in the last week Izzy has started to give us social smiles (meaning smiling at us, rather than in her sleep)! She's getting very alert and following people and lights with her eyes. The interaction we are getting from her keeps us on our toes and excited for what will be coming next! This is the closest we could get to a smile in a picture...and she's sporting a new winter hat her Aunt Kimmy's friend gave her :)
This is how Izzy sleeps...too precious! We swaddle her and then lay her on the wedge/positioner, then wrap her snuggly. Such a big girl in her crib...she is snug as a bug in a rug!

Izzy is now a little over 6 weeks old...she had a pediatrician appointment last week and weighed in at 9 lbs 11 oz...we knew she was close to 10lbs as she is becoming a CHUNK! Love it...

New Friends for Izzy...

Sandi & baby EllanaDeanna & baby Connor

Cheryl & babies Preston & Holly
Rachel & baby Ella
Jaime & baby Luke

The months of September & October were busy ones in the baby department: we had 8 friends that had babies within 6 weeks!!! Other friends not pictured: Suzanne & baby Max, Angela & baby Jackson, Debbie & baby Max.

It's been fun visiting the hospital and homes of my new mom friends...and Izzy meeting all her new play pals! Watching my friends become moms has been a joy and I am looking forward to raising our kids together! Here's to Fall birthday parties!!!

"I am the Luckiest..."

Our friends, Courtney & Zach, came over two weeks ago to shoot Izzy's newborn pictures. Izzy was asleep until we stripped her down, then she remained wide-eyed for almost 30 minutes for the camera...and peed twice (thankfully no other accidents occurred)! The pictures turned out beautifully and I am so thankful for the memories. The link below is just a sampling of all the pics Zach took. I'd HIGHLY recommend him! Make sure you have your volume turned up on your computer, as the song is one of my most favorites by Ben Folds. Enjoy...

http://www.zachdobson.com/mcculloch.htm

Happy Halloween!!!

Today was Izzy's first Halloween...she celebrated by sleeping ALL DAY. Seriously, there was little, if any, wake time. Mom was able to shower, do laundry, nap, and shop at the mall all in one day! When dad got home from work, she helped him pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters!

Izzy cannot wait for next Halloween, she has a cheerleader costume from her Aunt Gail that she is just dying to wear! Until then...the pumpkin will do just fine (thanks Grand Roo!).

Happy Halloween!

Week Three...

A closeup of Miss Izzy

Naptime...Katie Monster squeezed in between!
Pammy & Marjan stopped by for a visit!
Izzy loved staring at Pam & Marjan...very alert!
Daddy's nighttime routine...
Izzy holding tight to daddy's hand!

The third week of Isabelle's life has been a transitional one in the McCulloch household! A friend of ours gave us a book called "The Baby Whisperer" that has changed our lives! Mike and I read how to "calm, connect and communicate" with Izzy through her nonverbal cues and cries. Izzy is now out of our bed and into her crib 100% of the time. Wanted to start this habit early...getting her to fall asleep in her own bed for both naptimes and nighttimes. Also, we have learned to catch her tiredness early and put her down at her first cues, so as not to overtire or overstimulate her. We have also started the nightly ritual/routine of bathtime before bed. Izzy LOVES the warm water her daddy splashes her with and her massage afterwards. All of these things have made her a much happier baby (and Mike and I are more rested, as well)! Oh, and Izzy had her longest sleep stretch yet...she only woke up ONCE in the middle of the night on Friday. She never fusses at night...always goes right back to sleep after her feedings. Hopefully we are on our way to more sleep in the upcoming days and weeks!

This past week 4 of our friends had babies. All are healthy and happy...2 boys and 2 girls to join Izzy's circle of friends! I will post pictures soon!

Week Two...

How sweet...Saying goodbye to mom was difficult...
Grandma Berger (Mike's mom)
Izzy snoozing in her crib...
Bundled up for her walk on the Monon...


Week Two of Isabelle's life was another successful one! We feel we need to make it through the first 8 weeks and then we're golden!

-Izzy is on a routine 3 hour feeding schedule...and most times we are waking her to feed her (changing diapers, stripping down, tickling, wet washcloth, et al to keep her awake!).

-Nights are not sleepless...she maintains her 3 hour cycle we have her on during the day.

-She has finally taken to a pacifier, which helps her self-soothe.

-I took her on her first power walk on the Monon Trail, which she slept through!

-She had several visitors this week: Grandma Berger, Molly, Katie, the Fellers, Grandma & Grandpa McCulloch and our photographer friends Zach and Courtney (I will post pics from their session soon!)

-Izzy's 2 week Pediatrician appointment was a major success! Dr. wanted Izzy to gain 1/2 ounce to an ounce a day (meaning, ideally gaining 7 oz. max)...she actually gained 18 ounces!!! Guess she is making up for a low birth rate...and guess she is getting enough milk at each feeding! This really helped my confidence in nursing, to say the least.




I believe that's all the updates for now. Mike and I are happy to say we are surviving and THRIVING in our newly adjusted life. Each day is completely different from the previous...and it is all trial and error. But we are loving every minute of it!