Research Conference, Intramurals, Standing, Etc

Hailey
Hailey is growing quickly. She is already 3 months old and has accomplished some developmental feats. She can roll over on a a bed (and almost has the floor mastered, but not quite), she smiles, and seems to recognize Mom and Dad's voices from other voices, and most recently, she laughs when tickled (if she's in the mood).

Hailey lifting her head

Hailey in here jumping toy. She is strong enough that she can stand, jump or swing.

Visit Friends and Family
On President's Day we met the Shorts, Bruce's friend from the mission and his wife in Salt Lake. We dressed Hailey in her Sao Paulo soccer outfit that we bought when we were in Brazil, and in her Brazilian sandal which were given to us as a gift. After lunch with the Shorts we went to Layton to visit Grandma Waite. We forgot to get pictures of Grandma and Hailey, but we were able to see Sue and the girls, and Paul while we were there.

Hailey in her Brazilian soccer outfit.

Hailey in the "butt up" position, attempting to roll over. She gets in this position, then wiggles a lot, and when she's lucky and her arm isn't blocking her path she rolls.

Conference, Swimming, Laughing
I presented at a research conference in Cedar City, UT on February 26 and Bruce and Hailey were able to join me at the conference. We stayed at a hotel the night before the conference and Hailey went swimming for the first time ever! She loves the water and even tolerated our splashing. It's fun to watch her face light-up as she kicks and moves in the water.

My poster looked good and the conference was interesting.

Rachel and her poster at the conference

Bruce in the lab as a subject

Bruce using the Purdue Pegboard

Bruce doing to grip strength test

After the conference we stopped at a sporting goods store and while I was trying on shoes Bruce was trying to clean Hailey's double chin when without warning, she started laughing. We were so amused that we tickled her over and over. She doesn't laugh every time we try to tickle her now, but on an occasion you get a cute giggle and or an burst of laughter as a reward for the effort.

Standing Hailey

Hailey has gone to class with me a few times when Bruce has a group project and on Monday one of my classmates took this video of Hailey Bailey in the Museum of Art on campus. She's standing on my lap, so content to just watch people and pictures and to move her arms and legs.

Pots
I finished a project for my ceramics class. The pots shown are for a "Somewhere You've Never Visited in Provo" project. We chose a location we'd never visited and made a ceramic object somehow related. I chose the Farmer's Market, so each pot represents a food.

Classes
Other classes are going well for me- interesting but not too overwhelming- as is training for the half marathon. I will be running the Provo City Half on May 1.

Bruce
Bruce is also doing well. His classes continue to be challenging, but interesting. He is on the ward intramural basketball team, and plays in the morning with some guys from the ward 3 times a week. He also looks forward to intramural football which will be start in a week or two.

The water polo team we both play on has had a good season thus far. Bruce and I are both pretty good players. I'm a strong swimming so I maneuver in the tube well, and have an ok shot (Bruce had to take me in the parking lot to give a few lessons, but they seem to have helped). Bruce compensates for any lack of swimming with overall strength, and a powerful throw, so overall we both contribute and have fun. Hailey watched or sleeps on deck.

Business Venture
Final item of interest: Bruce and I are starting a small, home-based party rental company. This week we acquired a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, and will have an ice shaver by end of week. We plan to rent the equipment to schools and individuals in the Utah Valley area and hope to make the endeavor profitable. Feel free to view the website Bruce is designing, and rent the equipment if you live in the area. http://brucesommerfeldt.com/party.htm

Doctor Visit and Baby Blessing

Tests
Bruce had tests this week, which meant he didn't have any classes, but still spent quite a bit of time on school work. He thinks he did well on his tests but he won't have results for another week or so.

I also took a test this week and I also think I did well but results will not confirm or reject that hypothesis for a few days.

Research
I've been preparing a scientific poster to present at a research conference February 26th at Southern Utah University. It's coming along well and I've had to confront some of the weaknesses of my research. Both are important parts of the process.

Hailey sleeping

Check-up
Hailey had her 2 month check up, and unlike Sarah's baby Alayna, Hailey isn't freakishly big (I'm sure she'll make up for it later in life). She's about the 50th percentile in both height and weight with a slightly faster rate of growth in height than weight. The doctor recommended all kinds of supplements for both Hailey and me including, but not limited to DHA, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and a general prenatal supplement. I have mixed feelings on the recommendations. I've read the literature, I know what the substances do in the body and how they influence development and I want to do what's best for Hailey, but by the time I supplement myself on her behalf, and her, what's the point of eating. Not to mention that the amount that comes out in urine makes the extra $40 a month hard to justify. "Sigh" Oh, the great decision of life. :)

Baby Blessing
Hailey was blessed in church today. She wore a beautiful dress my Mom made for her and we wrapped her in the beautiful blanket that my Mom also made for her. Thanks Grandma Waite!

Mom & Dad with Hailey

Everyone who came to the blessing: Buss family, Brockbanks, Sommerfeldts

Our family is doing well. Hailey is growing and does more than sleep all day. Some of here recent accomplishments and fascinations are included, as well as the latest with Bruce and Rachel.

Hailey
Hailey will be 2 months on February 2!

Hailey in her hat from Aunt Sarah and her Minni Mouse outfit from Grandma Waite.

Hailey in her bouncer. At first she was very tentative about the bouncer, and would lay content for a few minutes if the vibrator was on. She's become much more content, but she has not figured out that she can make herself bounce by kicking her legs.

SMILES!

Sunday, January 17, 2010 Hailey smiled. Bruce was blew in her face when he was holding her at Scott and Lisa Sommerfeldt's and she unexpectedly grinned. She almost always opens her mouth like this picture shows; sometimes it evolves into a normal smile, sometime it doesn't. Since then, she similes often. She doesn't respond to blowing all the time, but she loves some of the other activities that we have introduced.

Hailey riding the washing machine during the spin cycle.

One activity sure to inspire a smile is riding the washing machine. Our washing machine is not level, so whenever the basin spins the whole machine clatters round, shakes the floor, and bothers the neighbors. One day when Hailey was fussing I was in the kitchen and needed to set he down so I laid her on the washer, which then began spinning. She was either so perplexed she stopped crying, or liked it and stopped crying. Now, whenever she is awake and the washer is spinning we let her go for a ride. She loves it (that's a look of joy, not tears).

Hailey nestled in he hammock cocoon.

Hailey Sleeping in her Hammock. We use a ruler to prop it open so she can see out.

Another unit used for Hailey's pleasure is the hammock. We tried the baby hammock when Hailey was first born, but it seemed as though she would fall out is the hammock was swinging, so we made some structural changes to the hammock and have had success. She has napped in it a few times and enjoys the rocking when she is falling asleep.

Hailey in her "Bear Suit" before a run with Rachel.

If Hailey is upset, you have to get her moving. We've found that almost all screaming can be soothed if you start trekking, so we carry her in the Baby Bjorn baby carrier, we bundle her in her "Bear Suit" and take her for runs, or we put her in the car seat a drive around. One of them is sure to soothe her.

Hailey is elated by the discovery of her mobile.

Hailey in her Sao Paulo, Brazil soccer shirt watching her mobile. This is what I'm talking about- check out that face- she's so cute!

Hailey discovered the mobile in her bed recently and she loves to watch it. We have progressed from "scream when my diaper is changed" to "smile and make cute faces" anytime I see my mobile, including when my diaper is being changed. Super fun.


Hailey has also begun standing with the help of her standing toy (Johnny Jump Up). She plays in it independently for 5-10min after she wakes up. It's nice to have something she can do independently, and we figure if she builds strong muscles now she'll be a better athlete later on. :)

Bruce

Accounting
Bruce stays busy with accounting classes. He continues to enjoy them and has applied for a few opportunities which will help him create a network. His grades were good last term, so if all goes well this semester he'll have a good shot at the masters program. He'll apply at the end of this year.
Shelf
We started building a shelf for the living room- it's like a mantel piece- and is almost built. Pictures to come.

Rachel

Classes
Classes are going well. Hailey goes with me to the ceramics lab and sit in the front pack while I throw pots on the wheel. She's adorable and everyone in the lab thinks that's the greatest thing they've ever seen. It's nice to be able to work with her, and not have to make special arrangements to go to the lab.
Volunteering
I'm volunteering at the Utah Mental Hospital for my abnormal psychology class once a week and overall it's enjoyable.
Half Marathon
Training for my half marathon is going well also. I haven't increased mileage too much recently, but I have a running partner and go running on schedule.

Other

Dates
We've had some fun dates the last few weeks. One week we built ice sculptures. It was mostly unsuccessful, but in the end we used water to melt ice blocks in the shape of the word "LOVE." Another week we had a not talking shopping trip where without words we had to get our partner to find the items off our list. Another week we played the board game Acquire with some friends. You buy land and build corporations. Fun. We're looking to buy it.

Water Polo
Bruce and I are both on an inner tube water polo team with some members of our ward. We play in the BYU pool and have a blast. Bruce is fast and strong so he's invaluable to the team. I'm not as strong, but I'm pretty fast and confident in the tube so overall we both contribute well.

Christmas and New Years Day

Hailey. December 30, 2009

Hailey wearing the scooter helmet that Lindsay bought her. We'll be investing in some leather chaps to compete the outfit. :)

Christmas was spent with the Sommerfeldt's in Mapleton. It was my first Christmas at the Sommerfeldt's, and it was fun to be a part of all their traditions including opening presents in pajamas, omlets, and Christmas dinner in Salt Lake with the extended family.

The day after Christmas we drove to Colorado and suprised my family. We decided to have a little fun, since our visit was unannounced, so when we arrived we left Hailey in her car seat on the front porch, rang the doorbell, and ran behind the car to watch. Coleen had a look or horror on her face when she saw the unattended baby car seat on the porch. She picked up the car seat and said something to the effect of "Get this inside, then we'll figure out what to do." We were spotted and caught just moments later by Heather or Heidi (not sure which one caught us behind the car) while Coleen uncovered the bundle and immediately recognized her grand baby, Hailey.

Time with the Waite's was great. It was fun to spend time with family, see Sarah's new baby, and relax some. Bruce redecorated Mark and Coleen's bathroom, complete with tile above the existing shower, tan paint accented with red towels, and new hardware (drawer handles, towel rack, etc). He enjoyed the project and the bathroom looks good.

While at the Waite's we became victims of a virus and each spent some time throwing up. It was short lived and no one in the house was sick for more than 24 hours; Bruce was only sick for a few hours one evening, and I was down about a half day. Hailey was spared.

After some time at the Waite's we visited Bruce's sister, Michelle and her family in Denver. It was fun to spend time with their family. We celebrated the New Year at 9PM (they changed the clocks so the kids thought it was midnight), Bruce perfected his Wii Tennis skills, and I got a running top.

Saturday we drove back to Provo, went for a run, and watched a movie (or more correctly, Bruce watched a movie and I watched 20 min then took a nap).

We end a wonderful vacation and look forward to the start of a new semester on Monday.

Family Photos and Blog Entry for December 10, 2009

Rachel and Hailey Sleeping on the Couch
Hailey's Hungry Face

Hailey and Daddy Snuggling


Last week we were lucky enough to have Grandma Waite in town. She was an absolute lifesaver! I went to class as usual and Bruce had a busy week of class and preparation for presentations.

Sunday Bruce and I went to church while Grandma stayed home with Hailey. The doctors recommend that you minimize exposure the first few weeks, and since Grandma was here and it was possible, we figured we would follow their advice. They didn't announce the new baby in sacrament meeting, and since she wasn't with us most people were unaware, or were unsure if I had delivered, or if I was just hiding it well, or something anyway because when I announced it in Relief Society I got a number of confused and suprised looks.

On Monday evening Grandma watched Hailey so Bruce and I could go choose a Christmas Tree. Bruce insists on real trees, so we have the adventure of exploring the Christmas tree lots in search of perfection. Actually, we weren't too particular and ended up with a full, but short tree this year. We assume that our years of "quick picks" will come to a end as soon as we have a kid old enough to help choose. :)

On Tuesday I didn't have class so I collected some data for my research, studied, and ran some errands with Grandma. Bruce camped out with his team most of the day preparing for his presentation.

Wednesday was like Monday, full of classes and intermittent feedings.

Thursday was the final day of classes for the semester. I didn't have any classes, so I went to the midwife- who said my tiny tear from the delivery (not even big enough for stitches) is healing well, that my baby is adorable, and that I'm doing fine. Then Mom and I went shopping. In the afternoon I had a short class, then we all went to the bookstore. Hailey started fussing in the bookstore so I took her to the car to feed her. When Bruce and Mom finished at the bookstore, Bruce drove us to Brick Oven for dinner while I changed Hailey's diaper in the dark (I didn't want to distract him while he was driving). Hailey deposited a little gift on my lap while her diaper was off, but with the lights out, I did not notice until I was in the restaurant. I went to the bathroom where I scrubbed the poop off my pants the best I could and went back to the table for dinner. We all had a good laugh about it and enjoyed dinner.

Day 2 of Life: December 3, 2009

The delivery went well and I was feeling great, so we went home Thursday evening and spent Friday in the comfort of our own apartment. Grandma Waite watched Hailey while I went to class, and in the afternoon we did some shopping at WalMart and went to Scott and Lisa's house.

Hailey's Birth

I went ot the midwife for a routine visit at 40 weeks and they referred me to the hospital for a routine fetal non-stress test to confirm that baby was healthy and well. The test showed some abnormal heart beat patterns, which the doctor said was probably nothing, but just to be safe, they would induce me. So we rode the scooter back to our apartment, packed our bags, got in the car, and drove to the hospital. They began the induction around 1 pm (after a small annoyance that we were not preregistered at the hospital). Bruce and I impatiently passed the time with TV and card games, until the contractions started. I had considered birthing without pain medicine, but hadn't done anything to prepare, and after the pitocin kicked in and contractions started, I opted for the epidural. All went well thereafter.

Mom's plane arrived early the next day and a family friend picked her up from the airport. She stayed in the hospital with us for a few hours until I was cleared to go home.

Haiely