Author: whitney.koehler

It is amazing how quickly four weeks can go by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I began this sabbatical journey. So many things have changed since then. I became a mother, Josh became a father, and we welcomed a beautiful daughter into our lives. It is amazing to think about all the ‘firsts’ we have yet to experience.

Last week, we got out of the house and visited some friends. The owners of one of my Funeral Homes invited us over to their home. We met for lunch and they were able to meet Lucille. It was wonderful. I haven’t been out of the house for that long since she was born! We started talking about the holidays and her possibly going to meet Santa. They told me not to worry about it, they had a Santa suit! Before we left, he put on the Santa suit and Lucille was able to get her first pictures with Santa Claus. IT was great not having to worry about crowds and her possibly getting sick. It was a relief to be able to start this tradition with the comfort of friends rather than strangers.

I have finally started getting out of the house with her on my own. It is nice to be independent again. She loves car rides and doesn’t mind being in her car seat while we are out and about. We have another doctor’s appointment this week for her month-old check-up. I am looking forward to seeing how much weight she has gained! We are also going to try to visit some friends and enjoy our last few weeks together. Time really does fly.

I officially have a three week old baby. She has been staying awake longer during the day and loves he lights on the Christmas tree. It is fun to see the personality she is starting to develop. We made our first trip out of the house, that wasn’t a doctor’s office. Let’s just say this is the first time I was excited to go to the grocery store. Lucille did great! She was quiet the entire time, and even was awake for a little while.

We had family over last weekend and probably will have more over this coming weekend. Everyone seems so surprised with how much she is growing and changing. It is hard to tell the changes she is making when we see her every day, so we are trying to document with pictures.

We are starting to plan her trip to Santa for the upcoming weeks. There are so many things to look forward to now.  Christmas is right around the corner and I look forward to spending our first one together as a family. I can only imagine how much bigger she will be by then.

The first two weeks of my sabbatical have been a whirlwind. We welcomed Lucille Autumn Koehler into the world on November 18^th at 1:58am. She decided to bless us a few weeks earlier than expected, my due date wasn’t until December 4^th. She was born a perfect 6lb 13oz and 18.5in long. Once we were released from the hospital we entered our new life as a family of 3! (Plus our 2 Great Danes, Hansel and Gretel)

It is crazy to think that just two weeks ago our lives were so much different. We are now figuring out her schedule, between feedings, changing, and sleeping. She has been an absolute blessing. Thankfully, she has made this adjustment easy on us so far, she has a steady routine that we try to follow daily.

During my first two weeks at home, we have had quite a few visitors. Our families have come to see Lucille a few times a week. Josh’s family travels over 2 hours to spend time with her. It is wonderful to be surrounded by family. She has been showered with love and affection since the day she was born. Hansel and Gretel enjoy her as well, from the moment we walked in the door they knew she was their baby sister. They have been gentle and loving, they even follow us to the nursery when we go to change her or put her down for a nap.

I am looking forward to making as many memories as possible during our time at home together. The next few weeks will be ones I will cherish forever.