Audrey's first year

October, 2009

After Czech grandmother visited us in Atlanta in the summer time, it was our turn to go to Czech and introduce Audrey to our family and friends in person.
We have decided to go in the fall as the weather is perfect (not too cold and not too hot) for lots and lots of walks with the stroller and we wanted to make sure that Audrey underwent at least one round of her vaccinations.
She was also young enough where traveling should be easy as she slept a lot. On the way from Atlanta to Prague we got a direct flight. I was flying alone with Audrey and Jeremy was to join us later. I made sure to pack all of her favorite toys, plenty of water (as high altitude flights are really dehydrating) and formula. We were seated in a row of three seats with a wall in front of us and once we got up in the cruising altitude, a hanging bassinet was installed there for Audrey to have her own "crib". Next to me was a young couple flying to Prague to just tour Czech. They were very nice and offered to help if I needed. Also flight attendants were kind and offered their assistance.

Misa, being the youngest kid passenger, got her own bed

I was lucky to sit next to a young couple who lovingly cuddled with Misa when I needed a little break.

Other passengers were not so happy to see a baby onboard. Audrey did great, she slept or I held her in my arms and there was NO crying at all. We got happy looks and kind words from people leaving the plane ;o) Audrey did great but mommy was exhausted!
Luckily, my parents waited for me in Prague to help me with Audrey and our luggage. Once we got on the fast train for Brno, I immediately fell asleep as my parents were enjoying their first moments with Audrey.
First few days were very easy as Audrey slept almost all the time. Even when we went to Reprofit to show off our little miracle, she slept through being picked up and played with by so many people. But eventually, she did wake up and we could take a few pictures with her being awake.

With Dr. Machac who did Misa's transfer almost a year ago

With Eva and Jana at Reprofit

During our one month stay, we have done a lot of bonding with grand parents as they insisted on baby-sitting day and night. Words cannot express how nice it was to sleep all night long again. Audrey was sleeping with my parents in their bedroom and my mom was eager to get up every three hours to give her a bottle. Even my brother Martin, the night owl, helped with baby-sitting.

Grandpa was happy to spend every moment with his granddaughter

Uncle Martin has the special touch!

Exercising with grandma

Audrey got to meet all of her relatives and more and also got to experience Czech in its most beautiful fall colors. We went on many, many walks, picked apples from my parents' orchard, Audrey made friends with some of my friends' children as we are planning on raising her to be a "Czmerican" ;o)
Her Czech equivalent of Audrey Michelle is so popular that our friends and family in the US and Czech don't call her by any other name but Misa (Meesha).

Mommy's friends have babies too and Misa will have buddies

Picking apples wore Misa out!

Flight back was a little nicer as Czech airlines did give us an extra seat and Misa could keep her car seat and get some sleep. It was a long flight as we were flying from Prague to New York to Atlanta. We arrived in Prague the night before, stayed at a hotel near the airport. As the flight is during the day, Misa didn't do much sleeping but all the passengers were very understanding. She liked having her own seat the best.

On the plane like at home

The hardest part was flying from NYC to ATL. By that time, she was really tired and off her daily routine. We barely made our flight, we were hot, and we got stuck in a line for take off for AN HOUR without any updates. By that time, Misa was sweating, uncomfortable and screaming bloody murder throughout the entire plane (we were sitting two rows behind first class). She fell asleep immediately after take off but that one hour was the worst and the longest in my life! From what I've heard, Whitney Houston's as well as she was sitting just two rows in front of us.
We have eventually made it to Atlanta but getting Misa over her jet leg was another challenge!

First Surgery

We have noticed that Misa's frenulum (membrane under her tongue) was tight, restricting her tongue movement (Jeremy had this problem as a baby, so did my brother). Our pediatrician confirmed this and we had an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist. This procedure was going to take just a few seconds when the doctor cuts back her frenulum but what was the scariest for me was the fact that they wanted to do this procedure under anesthesia, meaning: no food or drink since midnight, arrival at the hospital at 6AM and procedure at 7.30AM. I was more afraid of the scream of waking her up at 5AM, to make it to the hospital in time and not giving her anything to eat or drink - you just cannot reason with a new born to wait to eat! So I have fed Misa an extra feeding right before midnight. She was a happy camper all the way until her surgery.

Misa kept laughing and making faces as she got her tiny surgery gown

I got a sterile outfit too to carry her to the operating room. She was such a trooper, her little body was almost lost on that huge operating table. She got a mini gas mask and she was quickly put to sleep. Few minutes later she was brought back to us, got her breakfast and we were on our way home.
She has been sticking her tongue out at us ever since!

Lounging at home

Bonding with our kitties

Halloween

We were hoping to make Misa's first Halloween special but the weather didn't cooperate much. Since Misa is our little lady bug, we couldn't think of a better costume for her than a lady bug. She wasn't too fond of being captured in a body suit and a head piece. With the cold misting rain, we just ran to trick or treat to the closest neighbors and then quickly back. Oh well, hopefully, next year when she is older, weather will be better and she will enjoy this holiday better.