A Child of God...

Marin was baptized on Sunday. It was such a special day! The ceremony was so beautiful, and she didn't cry one peep. (Even though Mommy kinda messed up feeding times, and she was due to eat right on the button when the ceremony started.) There were four other babies (all girls!) who were baptized with her, and none of them cried either. What good girls!

Jason and I chose my brother, Jake, to be Marin's godfather, and our friend, Mika, to be her godmother. We are so honored to have them as her godparents. We know that Jake will not only protect Marin, but will teach her all about kindness, by example. He and Marin will also probably have a lot of laughs along the way. And we know that Mika will not only be a fabulous leader in the way of faith, but will also teach Marin all about the important value of friendship and the virtue of family. What a lucky little lady to have these, and many other important role models in her life!

Marin was baptized at Old St. Pat's. It is the oldest public building in Chicago. It is a gorgeous church, and it was a perfect day. We feel so lucky to have had so many friends and family that were able to celebrate with us. And afterwards, we had about 40 people back to our home for a party. It was unorganized chaos with all of those people in our small space, but it worked. Jason made his famous pork loin, and we made some sides. My mom was a huge help by making food as well, and my Grandma Martin, at 91, insisted on making 3 kinds of cookies from scratch. There were at least 10 dozen of them! Marin was happy as can be to get passed from person to person all day long. She is so loved, and we are so grateful.

It was a day for the history books- or at least her baby book. I can't wait to tell Marin all about it someday. Our little Angel.

5 months old!!!!

Five Month Stats:

13 lbs. 15.8 oz (10th percentile)

Another month has flown by in the blink of an eye! Marin was five months old on Wednesday!

Here are a few of the new tricks she has up her sleeves:

** We think that she is getting ready to cut some teeth. None have popped through yet, but everything goes into her mouth. Her hands are her favorite. One day, I went in there to feel around for teeth, and she gnawed away at my finger like it was a carrot stick! We're using all makes and models of teethers.

** Marin is much more into toys these days. Especially those that she can get a really good grip on. She really likes her colorful rings. She grabs at them and then shakes her arms up and down as if it were the most fun she could imagine.

** She loves to hold onto soft things. When it is time for her nap, often times I give her a small stuffed animal that is just her size. She loves this little bunny that she has with soft ears, from Grandma. Marin is really a cuddler. She loves to cuddle with her stuffed animals, and she loves to cuddle with us, as well.

** Now that she is rolling all the time, Marin sleeps on her side or on her stomach. Gone are the days of the swaddle. Earlier this month I found her on her stomach on the swaddle, and that was the end of that. And speaking of rolling, this is her main mode of getting places. She rolls all over the place and she can seriously move!

** When Marin is on her tummy she acts like she wants to crawl. She pulls her legs under her bottom and scoots back and forth. If she knew to pull her arms under her, she would crawl.

** She still loves "reading" aka look at bright pictures in books. One recent development as she learns to interact with toys more, is that she wants to hold her books now. When we read to her she reaches out for the pages. She has some tiny books that she can hold all on her own.

** Marin is laughing a lot! It cracks us up when she cracks herself up. Jason is the best at making her laugh. And this past weekend at Lake Minnetonka, she went on the swings for the first time, and that make her laugh and laugh and laugh.

** We think that Marin might be having a little bit of a growth spurt. She is waking up at night one time again now. She wakes up at about 3:30am as hungry as a bear. The good news is that she is all business. She barely opens her eyes. She just eats and then goes right back to sleep. Still, I will be glad when this growth spurt is past us. :)

** She is a little harder to put down at night these days, too. It used to be that we could feed her, say our prayers, and lay her down sleepy and she'd just go to sleep. Lately when we do this she starts to cry. All the books and her doctor, say that it is time for us to let her cry it out, but I can't quite do that yet. I will some day- but she's so little. And, I love snuggling her to sleep in my arms. We did have one night on our cousin's trip where we were willingly bullied (if there is such a thing) by Jason's cousin Don, a father of three non criers, to let her cry it out. As we were sitting there listening to her cry, he could tell how pained I was. To credit that she needed to learn to sooth herself Don said, "She's just sitting up there saying, "I'm bored. Come entertain me!" I told him that I was worried she was saying, "I'm learning not to trust, Mom. Your ruining my ability to maintain a lasting relationship. If you let me cry one more second I'll grow up to be a stripper!" However, I stayed the course and she fell asleep (eventually) peacefully and soundly.

** Marin loves to hold onto something when she eats. This is one of my favorite things. For some reason I find it so endearing. She swings her free arm around searching for something to grab. I usually offer her my finger, and she grips it tightly. I love it. That is some serious bonding.

** I think we're on our last month of exclusive breastfeeding. At the beginning of month six we will start to introduce rice cereal, as the doctor suggest we do. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it will be a welcome break from the pressure of maintaining my supply, on the other I will miss the irreplaceable bond. Still, we'll have a few remaining times of the day when she will nurse, and I will cherish these, until she is old enough where it is weird.

** Marin is starting to realize how the rest of the world eats. She watches your every move when you put a glass to your mouth. And she watches intently as we eat. Hopefully this will help us when we introduce food to her (and the concept of a spoon in her mouth!) in a matter of weeks.

** Marin is very adaptable. She will usually go to anyone at any time and let them hold her. One exception being poor Auntie Molly this week- as much as she was looking forward to some quality bonding time, I think she caught Marin on a particularly over tired night, and she just wanted mom and dad. I hope that this does not stick around. What good is daycare, if not to make the child easier to pass from person to person?!

** Marin's personality is really proving to be pretty laid back. She takes after her dad in that way, for sure. That sorta worked out nicely for me, didn't it? Easy going husband+ easy going baby= less crazy, crazy mama!

** Of course we're still singing daily and dancing our little hearts out. In addition to loving to "stand" she is pulling herself up when aided, and I think will sit on her own soon. She is very strong. As she gets sturdier, she's getting a little more playful, too. We love the airplane- soaring high above our heads- and a recent addition- the rocket ship (she cracks up at the jerky blast off).

We have a great month ahead filled with a lot of momentous events. Her baptism, her first vacation and first plane ride just to name a few. And, fast as it goes, we love watching Marin grown and change daily. Marin fills even the grayest of days with warm July sunshine!

4th of July Weekend

Last weekend we headed to Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota for our annual Patterson Cousins reunion. Marin met a lot of her cousins (well, 2nd cousins), Jason got in some fishing, and we both got in our annual dose of showing off in the way of water sports. I laid it on really thick since being pregnant last summer left me an observer rather than a participant, and left me begging for this years opportunity. I didn't fare so badly, either. First time out on the kneeboard I did a 360, and after my first wipe out, I did two 360's in a row! Not bad for an old lady. (Can you hear the horn tooting all the way to your own computer?!) :)

These trips are always a good time. Not only because it is a very laid back group where casual conversation and laughter are totally organic, or because we have two boats and every water equipment toy at our disposal- but because it is family. And the time is jammed full of everything that word draws to mind. Good times, with good people, a lot of laughter, and the requisite consumption of beer and junk food.

When we started these trips maybe eight years ago, there were no children, and the majority of us were just past college age. This year, there were five children (ages: 7yrs, 5yrs, 14mos, 9mos and 5 mos) and the "adult" crowd is, well, at the age where staying up until 11pm is pushing it. If you're like me, you fight through the drooping eye lids waiting for someone else to suggest calling it a night; if you're like Jason, you excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, and never come back again. Lucky for him, he avoided the ceremonial "pile on" (which is the normal penalty for being the first to bed) for fear that we would either wake the babies, or bust the air mattress.

Marin looked so cute in her little life jacket, and was a rock star on the boat. When it was nap time, we made a little cubby for her on the floor under the dashboard of the boat where she slept for hours. It was in this very spot that she slept right through her very first fireworks.

She loved watching her older cousins, and they all played with her so sweetly. Marin played in the sand, loved the water, and survived the weekend burn free and without getting sunscreen in her eyes. I think it's safe to say- we have a water baby! Hip Hip Hooray! One day, she even drove the boat! ;)

Jason's cousin Bob and Gretchen were perfect hosts. As a group of 9 adults and 5 babies the lake was not the only place we left a wake. I am sure their home (and their pets, who are used to the quiet) are still recovering from the Patterson takeover. But, we had great weather, and enjoyed our time together. What could be better than that?

Thank you, thank you, Patterson cousins. Our group may have evolved over the years, but the memories are still being made.

Father's Day (one week later)...

Last week, when people were wishing Jason a Happy Father's Day for the first time, he kept saying, "Father's Day is for my dad." It reminded me of the first time I met his dad when I shyly offered, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Patterson." And he shot back, almost as a scold (although the nicest possible scold), "Mr. Patterson was my dad; call me Bill!"

Although when Jason woke up last Sunday, and I wished him a Happy Father's Day, I asked him how it felt, and he admitted that it did feel special. And it should have. Jason is a great Daddy. Marin and I are the lucky recipients of his generous love and comfort.

When you choose a man you will marry, you know his attributes and how they compliment your own. For me, it was Jason's sense of wit, and laughter that really won me over. His sense of responsibility and delicate care for me let me know that he'd be a great husband. But I didn't really have any idea about what kind of a father he'd be. Sure, he made jokes with my goddaughter about how she was going to turn into a pumpkin if she ate pumpkin pie. And I remember a warm hearted moment on a quiet night in Wisconsin when Jason fished at the end of the pier with his cousin's son. But not until Marin was born was it really confirmed that Jason would be an absolutely amazing father. What I have learned is, it is the same reasons why I fell in love with Jason, that have made Marin googoo for him as well. He is playful and fun. He is kind and gentle. When Marin was only a few days old he was the first one to pop out of bed and run to her side and quietly calm her sweet frightened cries. As she grows, Jason is always the first to play with her and test what she can do. Where I want to keep her clean, and safe; Jason knows better to let her explore her new world and discover on her own. Jason has great pride in Marin. It is largely because of him that she thrives as she does.

As a mother, it is an incredible gift to know that your child sees their father as the superstar of her life. When Jason enters a room Marin follows him all the way across the room and beams when he comes to her. I am eternally grateful that Jason sees Marin as the most important thing in our lives. As a wife, I feel immensely lucky to get to embark on this journey of parenthood with Jason. He keeps me grounded. He keeps me calm. And he loves both Marin and me wholeheartedly.

This Father's Day was special not only because it was Jason's first, but because we were able to spend it with both of our dads- together. Last Father's Day we told our families that we were going to have a baby. How quickly a year goes. This year, we revelled at how much a new life changes the entire dynamics of a family. As always, Marin was the source of much joy on Father's Day. Jason and I feel very lucky not only to be very close to our dads, but to each have a grandfather in our lives. Along with our dads, they both have taught us a lot about the people we are today.

As Jason realized very quickly last Sunday, Father's Day absolutely is for him. And he's right, being a dad is special. And it's all because of his Mare-bear.

Jason, you are truly a terrific father. I hope you know how important you are in our lives. We love you to the moon and back.

And...Exhale!

Wow. It has been a busy week. But I think I can finally stop holding by breath. Things are starting to slow down from a sprint to a jog, and life is getting back on track.

Here's where the marathon began:
My brother got married last weekend (June 20th). It was a gorgeous weekend. We all had a great time and welcome his wife (that word is still a little hard to swallow -my baby brother has a wife!!) into our family with great honor and joy. It was also a very emotional weekend; Jake is my only sibling, and the baby by six years. I am so incredibly happy for him, but am still not quite sure he should be 16, let alone the 25 year old grown adult husband that he truly is.

The wedding brought a weekend packed with events starting with the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday, straight through to the brunch on Sunday. And it turns out that when you have two parents of a 4 month old infant who are both in a wedding, that the infant needs to also attend... and who's being cared for for the day by a darling Aunt and Uncle (Jason's) that live 150 miles away... it is a bit like a clown fire drill at the circus. Everyone going in different directions at ridiculous speeds.

Add to this: Family in town from all over, both for the wedding (essentially ALL of my family, and Jason's parents) and to watch Marin (Jason's aforementioned Aunt and Uncle) who were staying with us, plus Father's Day (Jason's first- so I wanted it to be extra special)... and you see why I have been holding my breath.

As if that weren't enough, on Thursday before the circus rolled into town I came down with a cold. I have one sibling who gets married once in his life, requiring one weekend out of my entire existence, and of course, I'm sick. What are the odds. What's more is, I only got sick because I apparently underestimated the toxicity of germs from a person who only weighs 12 pounds. Marin had been sick, and she passed it to me. In all of Jake's wedding pictures I either have watery eyes (and not from crying) or a red nose from blowing it until my brains about burst. People will look back at the pictures and think I was a crack addict. Johanna the red-nosed bridesmaid.

But there was no time for vanity, because on Sunday morning Marin woke up with a terrible cough. Since Sunday was Father's Day (more on this later) we spent the day monitoring it, and finally decided to take her in first thing Monday morning. Just in time for Jason to ship out to New York on business, leaving me a single mommy for a few days. Monday morning I woke up to call the doctor to find that I, myself, had no voice at this point. When I called some people at work to ask them to take care of some things for me while I was out with Marin, one girl thought it was a man playing a trick on her.

Monday we spent about 2 1/2 hours at the doctor's office because once we got there the doctor got called into a "difficult case" and we were left waiting. Meanwhile, Marin is coughing up a lung, and the girl at the front desk is all but offering to make me lunch while I wait "patiently". When we finally were seen, the doctor listened to Marin's lungs and told me she was so glad that I brought her in (mom panic sets in here). She also said that Marin was the happiest sick baby she has ever seen (mom pride sets in here). Marin would hack up what sounded like her entire miniature lung and then look up at the doctor and grin from ear to ear. Marin was having labored breathing and was given a nebulizer. For those of you who don't know what this is (I didn't) it is a breathing treatment where by a mask was strapped to Marin's tiny little face and she had to breathe in this medicine that is puffed out through this machine that is plugged into the wall (I'm clearly not in medicine- this is as technical as I get.). This lasted only 10 minutes, although considering the fact that Marin was screaming bloody murder the whole time, it seemed like 10 hours. So much for the happiest baby bit. Marin was sitting on my lap and I was essentially holding her down, all the while leaning over the machine thinking maybe it would help my lungs, too.

Horrible as this whole thing was, it apparently worked, so Marin was fitted for a little take home mask and was prescribed an inhaler. The rest of Monday was spent sucking Marin's nose out with the aspirator, and trying to get her to inhale her medicine by way of the inhaler, and a tube attached to the mask. Did I mention that Jason was out of town? Poor guy- it was much harder on him to be away, not knowing what was going on. And lord knows that I was wishing he were home, if for no other reason than his two hands, and his patience. When the day was done, I just wanted to sleep. Marin woke up at 2am, 4am, 4:30am, and 5:30am. Awesome.

When Marin wasn't much better the next day, the doctor wanted to see her back again (mom panic continues). Luckily this time Marin was better! She still had the cough, but the doctor said it sounded like it was moving out of her lungs. Best. News. Ever. When we got home, I was greeted by my darling dog, who went to the bathroom all over the rug by the front door- where she no doubt stood patiently for me to take her out- only for me to ignore her due to the (finally sleeping) sick baby. I vehemently apologized to the dog (who at this point thinks she getting a treat) and flipped the rug over to find the laundering directions. "Profession Clean Only." I interpreted this to mean that I can throw it in the tub for a good soak with mild detergent.

When I finished cleaning up the dogs "accident" a quick check of my blackberry reveals that a student has been trying to reach me and when unsuccessful, wrote a note to a colleague to the tune of, "where the (heck) is Johanna and why isn't she helping me." Oh yeah, I have a job. I quickly write to my colleague to explain the situation, then forward the student a quick response and copy another colleague asking her to expand. I had a information session for a struggling group later in the day that I have gotten a slew of RSVP's for- a can't miss- and I asked the same colleague to cover for me. I spent the next few minutes thanking God for my flexible job and that of my friends that I work with.

But the dog needed to go outside, and with her accident fresh in my mind I wasn't taking any chances. So I gathered the baby in her carrier, throw it around my neck, and get the dog outside. As if I didn't already have my hands full, special treat discovered here: the dog has diarrhea. I can't make this stuff up. I don't have to tell you how I spent the rest of this day, but it deals with a lot of sucking and scooping.

At the end of the day, the house was finally quiet. Another check of my blackberry informs me that we have FOUR showings the next day. I did a little happy dance, then began stuffing diapers in the dryer, and dog beds under the couch. And I emptied the trash cans filled with boxes of snotty kleenex.

It suddenly hit me that it is Tuesday night and the next day we are all leaving the house for 11 days. So I began packing for a dog, and a baby and one tired mama (Jason can pack himself when he gets back) for 11 days. Luckily Jason helped schlep some things to the car before he left for New York- hallelujah- one less trip back and forth. I'm not even sure what made it into my bag. At that point I just hoped that I would be clothed, and that something would fit my slightly bloated post pregnancy frame. I made a master list of all that I needed to pack (categorized by person, of course); it filled an entire legal size of paper. I packed and piled things until after midnight.

Wednesday morning my mom arrived for some much needed relief. With the news that Marin was getting better, I needed to head back to work. I had a meeting in Wheeling, and was 15 minutes late. But I was there and in one piece. That night we went to my parents house for a few days. They helped with Marin, and Jason met us on Friday when he was back in town. It was so great to have us all back under one roof (even if that roof wasn't our own) and on the path to recovery.

Saturday morning, Jason woke up with Marin's cold.

Still, healthy or not, we celebrated a wonderful occasion, and Marin (and I) survived her first bout of sickness. We are headed to Lake Minnetonka in Minneapolis for a Patterson cousin's annual reunion Wednesday morning. And you better believe that come h-e-double hockey sticks or high water, I'll be enjoying a cold drink in the boat by Wednesday afternoon. I'm determined.

I think I have definitely earned my title as "mom".

The long and lean string bean!

When I first started this blog I laid some ground rules. One of those rules was that in writing about our baby, I promised not to act as though she was the greatest baby to ever set foot on the earth. Well, I am afraid that this post might break that rule. Just a little.

Marin had her four month doctor's appointment today and she got a great report! She has already hit many of the six month milestones, and her doctor was impressed with Marin's strength and her overall happy, cheerful attitude. All through her examination, Marin smiled up at the doctor and cooed at her. Dr. Bergquist kept saying what a good baby Marin was and how laid back she seemed. (Yes, people, somehow I produced a laid back child. She gets that from her daddy, for sure!) She didn't even cry that hard when she got her shots!

Here are her 4 month stats:
Weight: 12lbs 12oz (10th percentile)
Height: 25 1/4 inches (70th percentile)

That's right; she is a long and lean string bean! Although the doctor was not concerned about her low weight (it has always been on the low end and she is still growing and thriving) she did say that she wants to monitor it a little bit to make sure that she doesn't continue to place in a lower percentile group next month. Although you may not know it to look at us these days, Jason and I were both skinny rails when we were children. Marin's little waist is so tiny that pants and bloomers are constantly falling off of her. But, we can't get the next size down, because then they are too short. Still, have you seen that girls chunky monkey thighs and arms? The girl can eat, and she is no wimp.

After the appointment I worked from home (but not before a quick, harmless shopping trip (shhh) for Marin's first party shoes that she'll wear to my brother's wedding this weekend). Marin napped for a few hours in the afternoon, but when she woke up she was the perfect apprentice. Here she is hard at work helping mommy.

And of course, Norah had to get in on the action as well.

Sleeping right through it...

One of the problems with being an infant, is that you sleep right through many of your "firsts". I get all excited about some monumental first of Marin's; I get her all geared up, and she sleeps right through it. Case in point: her first parade over Memorial Day (right).

Recently, Marin slept right through her first boat ride. We all headed down to Jason's family's lake cabin last weekend. We had a great time visiting, grilling, and sitting by a nighttime campfire. Jason helped his cousin Neal build a dock, Norah played ball to her hearts content, and Marin entertained us all as she cooed and smiled away. Saturday night when the days work on the dock was done, we all went for a boat ride. Marin slept peacefully all bundled up and didn't move a muscle the entire ride.

She was much more lively the rest of our trip. Here are a few of the highlights, in picture form:

The next day we headed to my parent's house to celebrate my brother's birthday. That night, (at Grandma's request) Marin (and Norah (although this was not Grandma's request)) spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was Marin's first sleepover away from home without Mommy or Daddy. Marin and Grandma spent all day together the next day and had a great time! Marin was a good girl, and they all had so much fun together- visiting neighbors, taking walks, reading books, and chatting with friends (everyone wanted to stop by to see the baby!)

Meanwhile... Jason and I went home to an alarmingly quiet household devoid of any and all responsibility. No dog to take out, no baby to feed... I wish I could say we did something usually wild and crazy with our free Sunday night, but instead we crawled in bed early and didn't make a peep until morning. The next day, the news channels and everyone at work was talking about the huge storms the night before. What storms?

We slept right through it!

Proof that Marin is already teaching her old mom and dad a few things.