100 things learned in the last 50 weeks

Makayla is 50 weeks old today!

She is so close to being one year old.

I was thinking back on this year

and all the experiences

we've had

and the many many things we've all learned.

I started jotting

them down to see if

I could come up with a

list of 50 "new" things

from the last 50 weeks.

My first pass at the list

ended with 82 things...

so I decided to make it an even 100.

Here goes...

some of the learnings, firsts, challenges

or "new things" we (or one of us...Ellen, Brandon or Makayla)
experienced in the past 50 weeks.

1. install a car seat base
2. assemble a stroller
3. set up/take down a travel crib
4. set up maternity leave
5. avoid induction
6. organize baby supplies/clothes in small condo
7. water breaking
8. contractions
9. epidural
10. birth a baby
11. name a baby
12. hospital stay
13. nurse a baby
14. use a breast pump (for many months)
15. feed a baby a bottle
16. change diapers (many/daily)
17. learn to use cloth diapers
18. care for a newborn
19. learning what a certain cry means
20. spend hours watching a sleeping baby
21. spend hours with baby sleeping on your chest
22. spend hours trying to get baby to sleep
23. walking with a stroller
24. not sleeping at night/waking many times
25. packing a diaper bag (and remembering it)
26. trying to get baby on a schedule
27. organizing who is doing what during the "night shift"
28. walking away when you need a break from the crying
29. a new meaning to teamwork
30. pediatric well checks
31. driving with a happy baby
32. driving with an unhappy baby
33. the love of the pacifier
34. the blessing of a paci clip
35. swaddling
36. bathing a baby
37. photography session with baby
38. helping a baby learn to to sleep in her crib
39. battling the 45 minute intruder at naps
40. mastering the art of "dream feeding"
41. washing mountains of baby clothes, bibs, blankets
42. tummy time
43. sitting in her bumbo seat
44. traveling with a baby
45. dressing a baby
46. learning to scoot around
47. going back to work full time, after maternity leave
48. having a child in day care
49. reading baby books - before, during and after each stage
50. chewing on everything
51. bouncing in her exersaucer
52. constant use of bibs, for 10 months
53. impromptu baby photo sessions at home
54. going TV-less
55. constant dark under-eye circles
56. rolling over
57. baby nicknames
58. "school" pictures
59. holidays with a baby
60. packing for a trip with a baby
61. homemade baby food
62. starting solids
63. sleeping on her belly
64. sitting up on her own
65. teething
66. crawling
67. pulling up
68. standing up
69. first trip to the pool
70. moving from travel crib to real crib
71. having to Cry It Out
72. start sleeping through the night
73. riding in a grocery cart
74. eating finger foods
75. swinging
76. "strolling" in the park
77. sick parent taking care of baby
78. sick baby
79. sick baby doctor visit
80. baby ER visit
81. baby x-ray
82. administering medicine to baby
83. baby blood tests
84. round-the-clock baby temperature checks and soothing
85. easter basket/egg hunts
86. first birthday planning
87. cruising around the coffee table
88. first plane ride
89. assisted steps
90. baby DVDs
91. baby sign language
92. reading board books
93. entertaining with tupperware, cell phones, and sunglasses
94. waving
95. clapping
96. blowing kisses
97. deciding to not like the tub anymore
98. laughing
99. first word(s)
100. loving a baby more than words can express

We've definitely learned and experienced a lot...

through joy, tears, smiles and trying our best.

Loving our girl and being the best parents we can be...

my how this year has flown!