The Harnisch Family

The Harnisch Family

Mar 8, 2010

The Battle of the Bottle!

The fight is on!!
In one corner we've got a hefty 9 pounder named Macy and over in the other corner we've got a teeny 4oz bottle. Who's it gonna be folks? At first glance Macy appears to be favored to bring home the gold, however, the small and mighty underdog is putting up one hell of a fight! After-all, "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog". It's a close match, but I just hope there are not too many more overtimes.
YES! Ladies & Gentlemen, I do believe we have a winner! Macy threw up a desperate buzzer-beater to win the game.
"Mr. Bottle's response "Macy, you may have one this battle, but you have not yet won the war - Good luck to you my friend."
********
UGGGHHH - I am going back to work tomorrow...can't believe it's tomorrow already! So obviously we have to figure out this bottle situation. Pros & Cons of breastfeeding I suppose. I kind of blame myself for not being more consistent with introducing the bottle to her more regularly. She had always taken it with no problem the few times we were out & about. But it has been a couple weeks. My dad has been a LOT of help. We have tried several different types of bottles, various nipples, a variety of positions, we even experimented with different temperatures for the breast milk. To no avail!
I have heard that it is not a good idea for me, the mommy, to feed the bottle to her (as that may be confusing), I have even tried leaving the room. We need to give this girl some credit. She's a smart cookie. I think she KNOWS that "hey, what's the deal? mommy's here, so get this STINKY bottle out of my mouth." She screams and clearly wants nothing to do with any bottle :-( It goes against all of my motherly instincts to hide out in another room just listening to her scream as my dad & sometimes Joe, try very hard to get her to take the bottle.
I had talked through some ideas with my friend Heidi and I think the approach that finally worked was to get her out of her "nursing" environment. We believe she associates the family room and her nursery with nursing. Makes sense. So...after a long fight, my dad took her into the front office, where we have a recliner, and gave it another shot. SUCCESS! Awesome, I am so glad this is working, at least so far! :)
I had been confused as to why she was putting up such a fight all of the sudden as she had taken to the bottle just fine before. I think this may be a good sign that her cognitive skills are really kicking in. She's is both fortunately and unfortunately a smart little peanut!
******
I am VERY MUCH looking forward to rejoining my Monday Night Volleyball league tonight. My co-ed team, Pete's Pucca Posse (don't ask) never really filled my spot, they have been playing one girl short most of the time I was gone. :-) I have also started working out (and I use this term lightly) at The Common Ground here in Elkhorn. So between getting a bit of physical activity through some competitive volleyball and at the gym, I hope to get my pre-baby bod back.
Bring on Summer! but swimsuit season can wait just a bit longer...hehe

Mar 5, 2010

a new blog to follow

Ever since Macy was born I have found a new hobby. I used to read books - now I read blogs. It has been, not only entertaining, but therapeutic to read up and follow other mommy adventures (I use the term loosely). I honestly never thought I would be a "mommy-blogger"! But here I am...
I have a few close friends who keep a family blog (I wish a few more of my besties would jump on the blog band-wagon - no pressure Bootie, tehe). I especially enjoy reading the blogs from other moms right here in the Omaha area who also have a baby or toddler with Down Syndrome. I have found much comfort sharing in their joys and learning of their challenges. There are many that come along with this new journey of raising a child with DS. I already feel as though I have known them forever because of their amazing blogs (Casie, Shannon, Jamie, Steph, etc), but look forward to more meaningful connections with them, in PERSON! Like at mom's coffees, or this weekends, Parent's Night Out event, etc... I also follow a couple other blogs from mom's around the country. I just really "connect" with and understand their thoughts, words & pictures.

Anyway, back to the reason for this particular blog post. As of last night, I am following a new baby blog:
http://www.halpertbeesly.com/baby/
Yes, this is Jim & Pam from "The Office." They gave birth to their baby girl during last night's special 1-hour episode. YES, I do realize this is all fictitious...but I think I might still "follow" and keep up on their life at home with their new babe via their blog, just because. HAHAHAHA WEIRD, I KNOW. But I think it could provide a bit of comic-relief. :-) Plus, I love the Office!

Mar 2, 2010

Snow, Snow Go AWAY!!

Oh my goodness, the sun is shining bright and the temps have skyrocketed into the upper 30's!! We had better get outside and enjoy this gorgeous weather.
Not sure if you can see it, but we sidewalk chalked "SNOW, SNOW GO AWAY!"
...love McKenzie
Let's go for a car ride
this way mommy!
We go church mommy! up ahead!
Now let's see if Uncle Ja and Aunt Bethany are home...nope...
but lets dance in their driveway anyway! :-)I know what you're thinking...this girl has way to much time on her to hands! Is this all she does every day long is hang around and frolic all day with her daughters snapping photos of EVERYTHING...she needs to get a life, right? Well, right now, this IS my life. I am trying to enjoy each and every minute I have while on maternity leave. I love and cherish spending this quality time with my 2 best friends. I can't help but photograph everything, in an effort to capture these precious moments...they are not going to last forever.
This is who I am, this is just what I do...get used to it...
Also - I do very much believe a camera captures the true essence of ones soul.
Unfortunately, beginning next week I will not have as much free time on my hands. I will be going back to work. wow, how time flies!
So, after next week, I am certain that my blog postings will be a bit more sparse.

Me & my Girls

We were all dressed up and ready to go to Toddler Storytime at the Elkhorn Library. I thought, ah heck, we're running ahead of schedule and have an extra 6 minutes to spare...









Let's snap a few fun pics!!



I
LOVE
my
beautiful
ANGELS!

Mar 1, 2010

Macy's Baptism

In the words of Pastor Mark:
"We are gathered to celebrate the
Washing of Baptism for Macy Lee Harnisch.

In Holy Baptism God brings us into a new family and calls us by name - CHILD OF GOD. Through the Washing of Baptism we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming into our lives. By water and the Word we are given gifts of faith, life, and forgiveness of sins.
God made water a sign of the Kingdom and of cleansing and of rebirth.MACY LEE, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Pastor Mark's Prayer to Macy: Gracious Lord, we thank you for the new life and the new name you give us in Holy Baptism. We thank you for the Holy Spirit coming into our lives. We pray for your child Macy Lee. Watch over her as she grows in faith. Look with favor upon her. Help her to know you, to live with your love, to hear your truth, and to tell the story of Jesus in Word and deed. As a Christian community, remind us of the promises of Baptism and make us examples of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today Macy received a candle. Pastor Mark said "Let your light so shine before others that they might see your good works and glorify your God who is in heaven!" (Mathew 5:16)"This is your sister in Christ! Macy - Welcome to the Lord's family!Isn't this blanket beautiful!?! It is difficult to tell in this photo, but that is a large ANGEL...
It was created with love by the ladies of Bethany. :-)
I think it is so neat that all the kids are invited up to the alter for a front row seat of the baptism! Pastor's Mark and Wenda Fry
This precious gown has been passed down through 4 generations. My mom (Macy's Grandma Lee) wore it. Me and all four of my sisters wore it. McKenzie & now Macy!! It is just beautiful. I will post some more pics of Macy in it later this week. You've got to get a closer look at the adorable hat/bonnett & booties that go along with it too :-)
with Great Grandma Salisbury
Macy's Godparents - Dan & Keri Mallory and Shelly & Gordy Harnisch
Afterwards we invited everyone over for a celebration and feast. What a GREAT DAY!