2008: The Year of Cheyenne

2008 has been so good.

The majority of the year I was pregnant and the months flew by, until the very end. Towards the end of pregnancy, the days felt like weeks, but finally Cheyenne arrived. She has completely changed my life. Now I'm a mother, which is taking some time getting use to, but I think I'm doing alright.

As I look forward to 2009, I anticipate another great year.

Logged 212 Miles in 2008

If it's not apparent by the blog, I enjoy documenting things, including my runs. 2008 was the first year I kept and maintained an exercise journal. I logged 212 miles. Not bad, considering I was pregnant. Next year, my goal is to run 400 miles and I'm hoping that will come easy since I plan on participating in several races.

One race I'm really looking forward to is The Cowtown coming up in February. The last Cowtown race I ran was the 5K and this time around I plan on running the 10K
(6 miles). Linda and I have committed to running the half marathon in 2010. Training for that will definitely be intense.

Sunday Morning

This morning we went to church and for the first time we left Cheyenne in the church nursery, instead of taking her to our Sunday school class and to the sanctuary. From what I hear, she didn't even notice my absence, until she got hungry.


After church we came home and I cleaned house while Trey and her spent some quality time watching football.




What a cute grin

She discovered her hands

and wrist

and arm

Dancing Dinosaurs

Cheyenne is 5 wks old and today for the first time, she noticed the dancing dinosaurs.

Look at My Chubby Checks & Diaper Explosions

Here is a video we'd like to share with you.


For a small baby, you wouldn't think Cheyenne could produce a lot of poop. She continues to prove me wrong. The other night I was feeding her and I heard, smelled and felt her poop. It was funny, until I felt warm liquid on my lap. Disgusting!

It doesn't end there, this morning Trey had to keep changing her within a few minutes time frame, because she kept leaking out of her diaper. I guarantee you, her diaper was on her tight, but every now and then she manages to squeeze some juice out. I know it's gross.

Christmas in Abilene

Christmas Eve at Nanny & Dave's House


Cheyenne was wearing a cute outfit, but she had a little accident and I had to dress her in PJ's. Only she could get away with wearing her PJ's in front of company.

Christmas Day


More Photos

Merry Christmas Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

An Update: Asking for Help is Okay

I've had several friends and family who read the blog ask me how nursing Cheyenne is going, so I thought I'd do a brief update on a post I wrote a few weeks ago. After working with a lactation consultant, when Cheyenne was 2 wks old, we haven't had anymore problems.

One thing I've learned about nursing a baby, is that it's hard work and sometimes an inconvenience. For example, when planning an afternoon out, I have to consider when and where I will feed Cheyenne and if I pump I have to think about storage and handling, so the milk won't spoil, not to mention totting around my pump bag. As if a diaper bag wasn't enough.

Even with all the inconvenience, the benefits out way any reason for me to supplement, so I continue to nurse. I'm not sure how long I will do it, I'm aiming for at least 6 months. This morning I went to the library and checked out a book Sleep Deprived No More. I wanted to get some ideas on how to help Cheyenne sleep completely though the night. While reading, I was encouraged to find out that women who exclusively breast feed get more sleep and that includes REM sleep, than women who formula feed their babies.

She's still waking up once in the middle of the night. I'm hoping soon, I can write how she's sleeping for longer periods of time.

Cheyenne's First Abilene Trip

Well, we're back home and getting back to our routine. The trip to Abilene was good. We spent most of our time visiting and introducing Cheyenne to everyone. She got passed around and around and she seemed to like it (except in this picture it looks like she has some serious gas).

Aunt Jari & Cheyenne

I was concerned she was going to get use to being carried, but since we've been back, she's been doing good in her crib and swing. My mom pointed out that Cheyenne likes her quite time too and I have to agree. Sometimes, when I go to the nursery to check on her, she's wide eyed, quiet, and just looking around.

While we were in Abilene, Trey's parents watched her for us, while we went to Jonny and JoNell's to watch the Cowboys game. That was our first time out without her. It felt strange not having her around, but I appreciated the break.

Anderson Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

Making Our Rounds

We've been in Abilene for a few days and Cheyenne and I have been making our rounds visiting everybody. We've seen friends, family, and old co-workers.

Brandon and Cheyenne



Earlier today, I met up with Landrea for lunch. She had her son a few weeks ago. The waitress at the restaurant asked if Cheyenne and her son were twins. No, their only a few days apart, but not twins. I can't imagine having two infants.


By the way, Wednesday's car ride from Ft. Worth to Abilene was great. Cheyenne slept the entire trip.

I Get It, You Don't Like It

Yesterday, I took Cheyenne's Christmas Portraits. I thought it would be cute to have her sleeping with her diaper off and have the Christmas tree in the background. Well, she wasn't having any of that because she peed all over the place. It was so gross and funny all at the same time.

So, this morning I'm packing to go to Abilene. I'll be spending a few days there before Christmas. I'm traveling by myself with Cheyenne, so it should be interesting. We'll leave with her on a full tank and an empty diaper. I'm hoping that will ensure a quiet trip. Trey is already in Abilene. He's working there the rest of the week.

Right now, I have to start packing for the trip. The biggest thing I'm taking is the bassinet. The bed of it comes off of the base, so I'm just taking the bed. I'm thinking for the rest of the things, like clothes and blankets....I'll just throw them in a laundry basket.

Too bad I can't pack the entire nursery. I have a good system at the house, but Cheyenne and I need to get use to traveling, so this will be good for us.

Mattress Preference & First Run Postpartum

Earlier, today Cheyenne & Trey got some football watching time in. Well, that was before she fell asleep.

This past week, she's been sleeping in the nursery. I've noticed she perfers the firm crib mattress versus the soft bassinet. At first, I didn't think I was ready to have her on the other side of the house, but since I've been getting more ZZZZ's I've gotten over it. With her sleeping in her room, I'm not waking at every movement or sigh she makes. Last night, she woke up at 9 pm and slept until 3 am and then woke up again at 6 am. Not bad. I can deal with that schedule.
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In other news, I went for a 2 mile run. It was my first run, since giving birth and I have to say it felt great to be moving again. I'm ready to start logging miles.

Implementing a Saturday Morning Tradition

Oh, I slept so good last night. I think it's because I wore Cheyenne out yesterday afternoon.

I took her to UTA to introduce her to my co-workers and she was awake during most of the visit. On the drive home she got real fussy and cried off and on the entire time.

While she was crying, it made me thankful that the drive to Leah's house isn't too far from mine. (Leah will be providing childcare for Cheyenne, when I return back to work). I'm so glad I didn't choose a daycare in Arlington. I don't think I would be able to handle a commute 4 days a week with a fussy baby. Just the thought terrifies me. So, with all that being said, you can imagine she slept like a baby last night.

This morning, I even had a chance to sleep in. It was so nice to sleep without interruptions. Normally, Trey sleeps through through the night, while I feed and change Cheyenne. His excuse for not helping is he can't feed her because I'm nursing, plus he has to wake up early for work. Both legit reasons.

So, last night I told him,"I going to pump, so you can wake up for Cheyenne's 5/6 am feeding, while I sleep in." Since this morning was such a success, I think I'm going to implement a Saturday morning tradition: Trey feeds the Baby.

Newborn Portraits

Here are the rest of the pictures

2 Week Snapshot

I'll upload more later.

Lingering Hiccups

It seems like everytime I turn around, Cheyenne has the hiccups.

She's Ready for Her Close-Up

The camera loves her!


This morning we went to Cheyenne's doctors appointment and the peditriaican was impressed with her 1 pound weight gain. She still looks a little yellow to me and the doctor said it may just be her natural olive complexion coming in. Who knows? I figured she'd have Trey's skin tone. She seems to look like him in every other way, why not skin too?

From 4 to 6 am & Our Time Away from the House

Do we look tired? We are. Cheyenne had the hiccups at 4 am and didn't fall into a deep sleep until 6 am.
I feel sorry for her when she gets the hiccups becuase I can tell it frustrates her and their is nothing I can do to make it stop.


Not only are we tired from this morning, but we're recovering from yesterday. Yesterday was our first big outing. We went to church, out to eat, and then over to some friends house to watch the Cowboys game. I was surprised she slept through Trey's hollering and screaming durning the game. If you've ever watched a Cowboys game with Trey, you know how rowdy he can get.

Later that night, Cheyenne stayed at home with Trey, while I went with some friends to see Erin at the hospital. She gave birth to Brianna and I wanted to see how they were doing. I was a little worried leaving Cheyenne behind, but I didn't want to take her to the hospital. When I finally made it home, she was anxious to eat. If I would've been out any later, she probably would've had a melt down.

Well, today, was my first time to take her out in public by myself. I was running low on a few groceries, so I packed her up and we headed to the grocery store. She slept through the entire thing. What a wonderful baby.

Cheyenne's First Restless NIght & Getting out of the House

I didn't realize how much newborns sleep. Cheyenne usually wakes up while I feed and change her, but other than that she sleeps most of the day and night away.

What's so funny?


Last night, was the first night she had a fit. From 3 am to 6 am, she would wake up every hour and cry for a few minutes. She wasn't colicky, she just wanted to be held or fed or both. After a while, I woke Trey up and said it's your turn, while I get some sleep. He took her and a few minutes later she was sleeping like a baby.

Well, a few days ago, I managed to get out of the house and go for a walk. It was pretty cold that day, so Cheyenne had to stay behind with Trey. Well, today was unusually warm outside, which gave us both an opportunity to get out. So, I bundled Cheyenne up and took her on her first walk in the stroller. I was planning on walking 3 miles, but only managed to walk one, not because I wasn't up to it, but because we stopped and talked to a few people in the neighborhood. By the time I got home, I looked at the clock and realized it took us one hour to walk one mile. That's okay. It was nice to chat with adults and get some fresh air. I'm not use to being home like this and to think it's only been a week, (having Cheyenne home from NICU).

Trey has been weary about us getting out, since Cheyenne had a tough first week, but I think it's safe to start venturing out a little more.

Sweet Baby Girl

I can't get over how much she resembles Trey.





















Doesn't she look all cozy swaddled in that blanket?

The Anderson's

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Privacy in the Nursery

My mom was in town yesterday and today and she made a curtain for the nursery.
Before this curtain was here I had newspaper taped to the window. I like this much better.

We still need to work on the window seat bench and the bedding for the crib. While my mom was here she also helped me out with housework and shopping, while I tried to rest.

Well, today I managed to take several naps while Cheyenne slept and after chatting with the pediatrician and lactation consultant I'm going to take their advice and let her sleep through the night. I'll let her wake me up whenever she's ready to be changed or fed. Last night, was the first night I took that advice and I woke up fairly rested this morning.

Asking For Help is Okay

Cheyenne was doing so good eating and then all of a sudden she refused to take me. I started to get frustrated because I was having to pump and mess with bottles. I didn't mind when she was in NICU, but now that she's home, I didn't want to continue that routine, so I contacted a local voluenteer with La Leche League.

LLL is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.

The woman who taught the breast feeding class, I attended a few months ago, is also a volunteer of LLL, so I called her and she was more than wiling to come over to the house. Within, 5 minutes of working with us, Cheyenne latched on and the problem was solved. Amazing! I kept telling Cheyenne when she was fussy, "You're going to have to try a little harder, if you want me to stop. I'm not giving up on you."

I guess one thing I'm learning about this chapter of life, is that it's okay to ask for help. Whether it be help with meals, cleaning, running errands, and even breast feeding. It's okay.

Cheyenne & Brodee

Jeremy & Elizabeth came through town and I finally had a chance to meet Brodee.

Brodee is 7 weeks old.

Cheyenne's Hospital Pictures

Here is the link

Our First Night Home

Cheyenne did well for her first night home. She's on a 3 hour schedule. She sleeps for 3 hours and then feeds. Now I need to get on her schedule and try to sleep when she does.

Trey and Cheyenne watching football together on the recliner

What is she thinking?

This was her going home outfit. I took several outfits to the hospital, but none of them fit her except for this premie dress that Trey's mom got her.

Okay, it's official, she looks like Trey.

Cheyenne's Homecoming

We're finally home! We were discharged from the hosptial this afternoon. It feels so good to have Cheyenne home. No more visitiation hours.






















We haven't had a chance to thank everyone, but Trey and I truly appreciate the thoughts and prayers.


Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We obviously spent ours at the hospital, but we have so much to be thankful for. Trey's parents and brother came into town for a few hours to see Cheyenne. I'm glad they came into town because otherwise it would've been a lonely day. This year was the first year, I have ever ate out on Thanksgiving. We went to Boston Market, where they were serving turkey. And later that evening, my boss brought us leftovers. So, just like everyone else we got our turkey too.

3rd Day in NICU

Cheyenne's jaundice has dropped from a level 12 to a 7. So, the lamp helped and she's now considered to be at low risk.


Tomorrow, we'll get official word from the doctor, but it looks like we may be admitted tomorrow night to the hospital and get to spend a full night with her before she's discharged to come home Friday.

Today, we were able to hold her as long and as often as we wanted to and I got more skin to skin contact, which made my day.