Zoey's big present from Grandpa Downey and Nana was her activity center. It's fishy themed and really cute. I can't wait until she's big enough to play in it. It won't be before too long. We had a great visit with them while they were in town and it was so nice to get to show them Mountain Home and where we live. We ate out, watched KU pull out a WIN and just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company for the weekend.
Last weekend Zoey had her 3rd and final shower. We missed 2 of her showers because she decided to come early, but that just meant she got to be there for the make-up showers. Our church threw her a shower back on my birthday, January 8th and then the ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary threw her a shower last Sunday. When my mother in law said that the ladies wanted to throw Zoey a shower I was very shocked and honored that ladies that have never met her wanted to met her and shower her with girfts! Here are a few pics from that shower.
During the shower her Daddy got a call saying that he had got the job that he had interviewed for on Friday afternoon! YEAH! Ryan now works at Discount Towing as a tow truck driver and after his first week he loves it! He goes on calls and tows cars and trucks and during his down time he gets to take cars apart and disassemble the parts. To me, it just sounds like boys getting to play with their toys, which of course he loves to do when to comes to anything hands on. It's nice for him to have a full time job that's 40 hrs a week and where we know he's got a steady paycheck every week. I'm working only two mornings a week right now, that way I can stay home and take care of Zoey since we don't want her to go to daycare. The days that I do work she stays with her Grandma and Grandpa Kaye and I'm not sure who benefits from it more her or her grandparents. She loves to go over there and is always so good for them so that makes Momma happy! It's nice to be able to get out of the house and work for a bit but come 12:30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, I'm so ready to go pick her up and spend the rest of the day with her.
We have finally seemed to have some what of a routine with her and she knows when things change from her routine. I get up with her at night and while some nights she has me up almost all night, I really do enjoy the mommy and me time that we get to spend together. It's so nice just to be able to hold and cuddle with her right after she's had her bottle and before I put her back down to sleep. I don't think I'd let Ryan get up and feed her now we have a routine because I really love the "just us girl time". Ryan will usually do the 6am feeding because that's when he gets home from the paper route and Zoey has come to expect that is when she gets her and Daddy time. She also now that Daddy has started his job gets him all to herself when he gets home at night and he usually is the one to put her to bed. This has seemed to work pretty well for us. She did have a really rough week this last week. She had days where she would just cry and cry and cry for hours on end. Now, this is not my sweet little princess! She is very good and only really cries when you are getting her naked or she is hungry, besides that she is so good. For whatever the reason this was not the case this last week. She was so fussy! My heart was breaking for her as a Mom because I could not settle her down and had no clue what was wrong with her. The only thing that seemed to work was putting her in her car seat and taking her for a car ride. There were a couple different times that it was my last resort but I ended up doing it just to get her to go to sleep after hours of crying. We did change her bottles to the drop in kind to hopefully get rid of some much air and she has stopped spitting up so much so they seem to really be working for her. We also have been giving her gas drops to help her and they seem to be helping also and she loves them! She will lick her lips for 20 mins. after you give them to her. It is pretty funny to watch! Last night I did move her blanket from the couch where she has been sleeping to her bed and she actually slept in her bed with no problems last night!!!! WOOHOO!! Hopefully all she needed was her blanket that smells like us in there with her and she will continue to sleep in her bed instead of on the couch every night. Yes, she has been sleeping on the couch for the past month because every time you put her in her bed she'd scream. There are so many books out there and parenting websites that tell you should do this and don't do that. Well, I've decided that while those are great as guides whatever works for my daughter is what we are going to do. If her sleeping on the couch doesn't harm her and it helps her to sleep then that's what we are doing. She also sleeps with a light on and that works just fine for us! Every child is different and different things work for each one. Just like the Dr tells me that since she was a preemie that her development will probably be slower for her actual age. I don't believe that one bit. She has had strong neck muscles since day 1 and she has been moving her hands like crazy since then also. She is a fighter and has proved that in the hospital in Little Rock. My baby is doing great and is actually a head of where she should be for her adjusted age. To Ryan and I, she's perfect, but we are just a little bit bias! :) I guess that's all for now! Zoey and I have a big weekend planned for next weekend! We are taking her first road trip to Kansas City for Cayden's 5th Birthday and she gets to meet some family that she's hasn't met before! I'm excited but a little nervous at the same time! I should be taking lots of pics. Please pray that we have a safe trip with very little drama!!!!
