more photos and a thank you

Because both of our families live out of state, Virginia's baptism was a weekend affair with guests traveling to Connecticut from New York, Maryland and Florida.  Heath's sister Nichole organized a dinner in a private room at a local restaurant the night before the baptism.   We really enjoyed getting to spend some extra time with our family.  We also loved getting to share Virginia with some of our family members that had either never met her or hadn't seen her since she was in the hospital.

Below are some more photos from Virginia's baptism day:

Lastly, we owe Heath's parents a huge thank you for all of their help for the last 2 weeks.  They have been caring for Virginia while I have been at work and were also a huge help in preparing for Virginia's baptism brunch.  

We don't say it enough, but the support of both of our parents in the past year has been unbelievably important to us.  The good days, the bad days, the celebrations and the frustrations, they have been by our side through it all.  Most people recognize that Heath and I went through alot in the past 9 months, but I'm not sure that people realize the countless hours that our parents spent at the hospital, the countless phone calls that they made, the miles that they drove, the meals that they made, the tears that they shed.  Their love for Virginia is SO evident and we are so thankful for their support.  

To Moma, Bob Bob, Neno and Papa, Virginia loves you very much! 

Virginia's Baptism

Not only is Virginia a million dollar baby (probably more than that, but I don't care to know or calculate the total), but I firmly believe she is probably a million prayers baby too.  I know I have said enough Hail Marys to wear out a set of rosary beads and I'm sure that doesn't even make a dent in the amount of prayers that have been said for our little girl.  

Within days of Virginia's birth we reached out to our Parish, St. Thomas Aquinas, to have her name added to the prayer line.  Within another few days Father Martin visited us in the hospital.  I was back in the hospital due to complications from the c-section and Virginia was in the NBSCU having difficulties due to her PDA and blood pressure issues.  It was a scary time to say the least.  Father Martin graciously sat with me and prayed with me and asked to baptize Virginia.  I hesitated, as Heath was not at the hospital at the time, and deep down I felt that I wanted her baptism to be a celebration, a joyous occasion.  He obliged, but I could tell that he had not seen many (any?) babies as small as Virginia before. He asked me to call him anytime and he would come to the hospital to baptize her.  Before he left he said a prayer over Virginia and promised to pray for her daily.  Not only did he pray for her daily, but every mass at St. Thomas, every day prayed for Virginia for 4 months.  Every Sunday Heath and I would squeeze each others hands as they included "newborn baby Virginia Kathryn Kent" in the intentions.  It was such a comfort. 

Well, a celebration we had! Heath, Virginia and I were so happy to celebrate with about 50 of our family members and friends.  Thank you all who joined us in person and in spirit.  We can hardly express what your support and love mean to us.  Our little Virginia is so lucky to have each of you in her life.  

Below are a few photos from the day.  I will add more as I receive them from some of the other photographers in the family. (Thank you to Aunt Karen for these photos!)

With Father Martin

Heath, Virginia and I with her God Parents

With all of Virginia's cousins

food

We have been offering Virginia a little bit of baby oatmeal each day.

I'd say she seems to like it! 

 I admit that I was very skeptical about how she would do with solid foods.  Based on all the trouble we had with bottle feeding when she was in the NICU, I admittedly had low realistic expectations and was prepared for a long process.  Virginia certainly made me eat my words!  She opens her mouth, moves the food around and gets a good amount down the gullet!  There has been no gagging, choking or tight lip refusal; all things she threw our way during those tough excruciating weeks and weeks of bottle feeding.  

We joined a CSA (community supported agriculture) and have a half share for the next 12 or so weeks.  I am committed to feeding ourselves and Virginia healthy and interesting foods from what arrives each week in our box from the farm.  Our first box arrived this week with a whole lot of greens!  It looks like Heath and I will be eating lots of salads for the next week.  We received 3 different types of lettuce, kale, garlic scapes, radishes, and beets.  Hopefully by the time that Virginia is ready to move past oatmeal we will be getting more carrots and beans and less lettuce :)

Friends

Virginia has been meeting lots of new baby friends lately!  She has already had playdates with Jack, Sadie, and all of her cousins and last week she finally met Miss Claire.  Diana, Nate and Claire came down from Boston for the day last Wednesday and kept Virginia and I company (and made us a delicious dinner!) while Heath was at work and school.

Diana is one of my best friends from RPI.  We spent 5 years in Architecture School together and were roommates in Rome together.  Diana and I also happen to share a birthday.  When we found out that we were both pregnant and due just 5 or so weeks apart we talked about how neat it would have been if our due dates were a little closer together so that maybe the babies would share a birthday too. Never did we imagine that Virginia would arrive almost 10 weeks before Claire.  

Diana and Nate have been there for us every step of the way.  We are so thankful to them for their support during the scary days and the happy days.  Ironically Diana sent me a text message while I was in the OR for Virginia's birth saying she had a dream the previous night that we had a healthy baby.  She didn't know that delivery was imminent and I think she meant that message to serve as bed rest motivation, instead it served as much needed comfort.

I know these girls are going to be great friends some day!  

Virginia is now weighing 12lbs and 5ish ounces.  She loves sitting up (with some assistance) and hates tummy time.  She was a champion traveler again this past weekend, even when we spent hours in traffic on our drive home from Maryland.  She also continues to be an excellent nighttime sleeper :) 

Naps

This is the face of a little girl who no longer likes to take the long, predictable naps that she used to take:

Now she prefers to nap like this:

And wake up only a short time later, usually after I have tried to place her ever so gently and quietly in her crib.

At least she wakes up happy!

Im sure we are to blame for the sudden lack of naps.  Its been hot, we have been busy, and our schedule has been anything but routine.  We have been having fun though!  Just in the past few days we went to a birthday party, we saw family, we went to a parade, and have had a few baby playdates.  I have been a nervous preemie mom and have been using purell and wiping her hands, carseat, stroller and toys like crazy.  I have found it very challenging to find the balance between cautiously enjoying our summer and feeling like a crazy person.  

Virginia is in her crib and has been  napping for more than 10 minutes now......

A little laugh

Apparently Virginia thinks my rendition of twinkle twinkle is funny.   She is full of giggles these days. They are usually even longer than this clip, but she stopped when she saw the camera :)

7 Months Old!

I love this months photos because they are such an accurate sample of all of Virginia's faces.  She is such a happy, smiley, giggly baby.  She also loves to have her hands in her mouth.  We are so smitten and just having so much fun with her!

At 7 months old Virginia:

Weighs 11lbs 7oz

Is 23 inches long

Her adjusted age is 3.5 months

Almost grown out of 0-3 month clothes and starting to fit into 3-6 month clothes

Loves the momaroo, links, her garden toy and her butterfly toy

Is very ticklish

Is working on sitting up and rolling over

Is consistently sleeping 9+ hours at night

Has appointments with the Physical Therapist every other week

Doesn't have another Doctors appointment until July