In other firsts, she also hysterically giggled for the first time the other night when I was getting her ready for bed. It is absoultely priceless. I love how she gets pissed when I stop. Unfortunately, I could only email a portion of the video, so it isn't the whole thing. Certainly enough though. Love this kid.
Rolls and Giggles
Elena is officially rolling over. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been waiting for her to do this for weeks. Now that it has, I have a twinge of sadness at how fast my girl is growing up. She is clearly not a baby anymore. I mean, duh, she's a baby, but not a baby-baby. She must have gotten quite a work out from Eleanor at PT yesterday. I'm thinking it greased up her baby parts nice and good because there was no slowing girlfriend's roll today. We were doing tummy time on the floor and she cocked her head back and the rest of her body followed. She was supremely pleased with herself. Paul and I were hooting and hollering and cheering like whack jobs. Not sure how tummy time works now that she knows how to get out of it. Hmm.
In other firsts, she also hysterically giggled for the first time the other night when I was getting her ready for bed. It is absoultely priceless. I love how she gets pissed when I stop. Unfortunately, I could only email a portion of the video, so it isn't the whole thing. Certainly enough though. Love this kid.
In other firsts, she also hysterically giggled for the first time the other night when I was getting her ready for bed. It is absoultely priceless. I love how she gets pissed when I stop. Unfortunately, I could only email a portion of the video, so it isn't the whole thing. Certainly enough though. Love this kid.
Hello? Is anybody out there?
I am a creeper. A lurker. A sit-in-the-back-and-wait-for-somebody-else-to-ask-the-question-I-want-to kind of girl. I've been that way for most of my life, and although people who meet me would never guess I have social anxiety, it is real and I do. This is not a character trait I am proud of. Certainly not one that I want to pass on to Elena as she blossoms into a young woman. I want to teach her confidence. I want her to be heard, to contribute, to express herself. I want for her so many things that I worry I won't be able to teach her adequately because of my shortcomings-my anxieties. I've realized that I need to work towards being a better version of myself so that I can be that example to her.
So here I am today, coming out of hiding to share my voice. So that maybe one day my little sunshine girl will know her mama as someone who had something to say and said it, even if no one wanted to listen.
I love reading blogs and there are a handful that I regularly keep up with. Today I've decided to officially follow them and be an active participant in the blogging world. Now that I am a stay at home mom, preparing for a huge move to a place where I know NO ONE, I'm looking forward to blogging as a way to connect and share with people. So, here goes this girl, out on a limb, ready to say whatever it is I want to say. I'll start with thanks for stopping by :)
So here I am today, coming out of hiding to share my voice. So that maybe one day my little sunshine girl will know her mama as someone who had something to say and said it, even if no one wanted to listen.
I love reading blogs and there are a handful that I regularly keep up with. Today I've decided to officially follow them and be an active participant in the blogging world. Now that I am a stay at home mom, preparing for a huge move to a place where I know NO ONE, I'm looking forward to blogging as a way to connect and share with people. So, here goes this girl, out on a limb, ready to say whatever it is I want to say. I'll start with thanks for stopping by :)
5 months!
Wednesday was Elena's 5 monthiversary. Here are two of my favorite shots from our photo shoot:
The fact that she is able to pretty much sit unassisted in her chair shows just how big she is getting. Last month I kept having to prop her up so she wouldn't keel over. Now, she's like, "Mom, I got this." This was also her first time wearing her new baby legs. Girlfriend loves to be stylish. And Mommy loves how they keep her little ham hocks legs warm.
Not sure if she is teething, getting separation anxiety, or what, but we have had some serious sleepy time issues the past 4 nights. Gone are the days of putting her down after I nurse her, drowsy but awake. I thought sleep issues were supposed to get better in the 5th month, not worse! Tuesday night it took over 3 hours to get her down, and an hour and a half the following two nights. Tonight wasn't so bad- she fell asleep nursing but woke up 2 times crying in the first hour of sleep. I'm stumped. I was hoping I could be one of the lucky ones to avoid any kind of sleep training.
She is developing quite a personality. My sunshine girl is always smiling. Well, except for the night night escapades of late. For real, though. She smiles at everyone and everything. It doesn't matter if you wear glasses, have a beard, or even if you have a deep voice. If you smile at her, she smiles back. It is pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Not sure if she is teething, getting separation anxiety, or what, but we have had some serious sleepy time issues the past 4 nights. Gone are the days of putting her down after I nurse her, drowsy but awake. I thought sleep issues were supposed to get better in the 5th month, not worse! Tuesday night it took over 3 hours to get her down, and an hour and a half the following two nights. Tonight wasn't so bad- she fell asleep nursing but woke up 2 times crying in the first hour of sleep. I'm stumped. I was hoping I could be one of the lucky ones to avoid any kind of sleep training.
She is developing quite a personality. My sunshine girl is always smiling. Well, except for the night night escapades of late. For real, though. She smiles at everyone and everything. It doesn't matter if you wear glasses, have a beard, or even if you have a deep voice. If you smile at her, she smiles back. It is pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Monday's Moments
Just some random happenings from our day.
Paul left for Ohio for the week.
Elena had her 5 month appointment. She got 3 shots and two Daffy Duck band aids.
She hardly slept all day and finally passed out at 8:45 (crap...she is tossing and turning and rubbing her eyes as I watch her on the monitor. And now crying.)
I wore Elena poop for the first time. Her blowout erupted out of the back of her pants while I was burping her on my lap. Cloth dipes were in the wash and she was in a disposable. Nice.
I cried when my friend text me that Giuliana.Rancic has breast cancer.
I made two boxes of frozen hors d' oeuvres from Trader Joe's for dinner and proceeded to throw them out b/c they were nasty.
Watched Elena as she pulled her paci in and out of her mouth, closely studying it while she maneuvered it with her little hands. Her dexterity amazes me.
My most favorite time of today was nursing. I adore how she pulls at my hair, strokes the fabric of my shirt, plucks at my bra strap, and punches and pokes at my boob. It is the cutest thing ever.
I foolishly worried that a dear friend was mad at me. Like we are in high school or something. I can be totally paranoidsometimes a lot of the time.
I foolishly worried that a dear friend was mad at me. Like we are in high school or something. I can be totally paranoid
Time continued to fly, as it has for the past 152 days. Just a few months ago those now exploring hands were balled up drinking fists.
I got a nose.frida in the mail today. Google it. It's not as gross as it sounds and I am kinda excited to try it.
After 10 months of living at this address I finally ordered garbage service.
Ordering said garbage service was the only thing I checked off my list of things to do.
I forgot to water the mums.
Lola peed 6 times on one wee wee pad. That is by far the most ever!
Grandpa stopped by. His visits will be missed when we are in Ohio. He'll have to learn how to SKYPE so he can sing to Elena.
Halloween is coming and it needs to hurry so I can get this candy out.of.my.house. Seriously, I will never buy candy so prematurely again. Honest.
Not bad for an unproductive Monday. What's a post without a picture...
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| Weighing in at 14lbs 8 oz |
Cloth Diaper Trial
Well before this little mama was born, the concept of cloth diapering (CDing) really intrigued me, and not necessarily for the reasons one might suspect. I am by no means what you would call an environmentalist. Truthfully, I am embarrassed by my own consumption of paper towels and the rate at which I waste things ::hangs head in shame:: I am making a conscious effort to improve this flaw and become more green. Really. So, although CDing is not something I'm looking into as a means to save the planet, I am happy to be reducing the carbon footprint of my family.
The real lure for me began with the excitement of having pretty little things to launder, neatly stuff, fold, and color-coordinate. I live for that kind of stuff. And who doesn't fancy fluffy baby bottoms--all padded and cushy in all colors of the rainbow? I should also mention that Elena's heiney bears a slight resemblance to two perfect little mozzarellas and is practically begging for cute little bum covers! That heiney and all it is capable of is what sealed the deal and pushed me to do a CD trial. This is what I have been dealing with on a daily basis...
Blowouts. Lots of them. I don't know what the heck this kid eats when I'm not looking, or where the force of wind she can muster comes from, but it is impressive. Listen, I've fastened many a diaper in my day, so I am fairly certain my diapering skills are not to blame. And yes, I've tried different brands and bigger sizes...but nothing has outsmarted her poop. What is a mom to do? I love laundry and all, but this girl has only so many clothes, and going through 2 and 3 outfits a day is not happening no matter how much I love a costume change. And frankly I was getting a little embarrassed every time I went out and needed to strip down my poor girl and de-poop her. Did I mention I had to use scissors to cut and remove a onesie saturated in poop the other morning? True story. So, I started thinking about CDing again, how it interested me, and how I remembered reading that leaks and seepage were less common in cloth. No brainer. Husband was an easy sell, surprisingly, and so I have decided I am going to give it a shot.
When you hear cloth diapers, don't be fooled. We aren't talking those boring white pre-folds of cotton that your mom used to fasten with ducky pins. Oh no. These bad boys don't even need to be dunked in the toilet like the cloth diapers of the past. These are much cuter and a lot friendlier to clean! Just pop them in a wet bag and when you have enough dipes to wash, dump the dipes and the bag in the wash. No pre-treating or dunking necessary. Now, once baby girl is on solids, and baby poop is no longer the lovely, water-soluble poop of the exclusively breast fed baby, you will have to let the poop roll off the dipe into the toilet before tossing it in the wet bag. Behold, the glorious stash that awaits my baby's tush.
I have done a shit ton of research online about brands and styles and stumbled across this site which is one of several that offer a cloth diaper trial. How cool is that? Basically, I paid $165 for them to send me the above goodies to test drive. I can wash, use, soil, fall in love with them and keep them. Or, do all of the above and return them if I hate them for a refund! This way, I don't have to lay out a bunch of money on only one brand and risk hating them. Instead, I can try out the different styles--All in ones, pre-folds, pocket diapers, one-size etc.-- and see which, if any, I want to keep or return. Seems like a no brainer! I am totally nerding out over this and cannot wait to get started.
There are countless other reasons that make cloth diapering appealing...the financial savings compared to disposables, no harmful chemicals touching baby's skin, and better for the environment. I am sure to be met with the side eye when people learn of my decision, but I feel good about it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. But I have a feeling it will. This is just the kind of thing I can see myself getting addicted to.
The real lure for me began with the excitement of having pretty little things to launder, neatly stuff, fold, and color-coordinate. I live for that kind of stuff. And who doesn't fancy fluffy baby bottoms--all padded and cushy in all colors of the rainbow? I should also mention that Elena's heiney bears a slight resemblance to two perfect little mozzarellas and is practically begging for cute little bum covers! That heiney and all it is capable of is what sealed the deal and pushed me to do a CD trial. This is what I have been dealing with on a daily basis...
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| Ass-plosion |
Blowouts. Lots of them. I don't know what the heck this kid eats when I'm not looking, or where the force of wind she can muster comes from, but it is impressive. Listen, I've fastened many a diaper in my day, so I am fairly certain my diapering skills are not to blame. And yes, I've tried different brands and bigger sizes...but nothing has outsmarted her poop. What is a mom to do? I love laundry and all, but this girl has only so many clothes, and going through 2 and 3 outfits a day is not happening no matter how much I love a costume change. And frankly I was getting a little embarrassed every time I went out and needed to strip down my poor girl and de-poop her. Did I mention I had to use scissors to cut and remove a onesie saturated in poop the other morning? True story. So, I started thinking about CDing again, how it interested me, and how I remembered reading that leaks and seepage were less common in cloth. No brainer. Husband was an easy sell, surprisingly, and so I have decided I am going to give it a shot.
When you hear cloth diapers, don't be fooled. We aren't talking those boring white pre-folds of cotton that your mom used to fasten with ducky pins. Oh no. These bad boys don't even need to be dunked in the toilet like the cloth diapers of the past. These are much cuter and a lot friendlier to clean! Just pop them in a wet bag and when you have enough dipes to wash, dump the dipes and the bag in the wash. No pre-treating or dunking necessary. Now, once baby girl is on solids, and baby poop is no longer the lovely, water-soluble poop of the exclusively breast fed baby, you will have to let the poop roll off the dipe into the toilet before tossing it in the wet bag. Behold, the glorious stash that awaits my baby's tush.
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| Package of cloth diapers of assorted brands from http://www.jilliansdrawers.com |
There are countless other reasons that make cloth diapering appealing...the financial savings compared to disposables, no harmful chemicals touching baby's skin, and better for the environment. I am sure to be met with the side eye when people learn of my decision, but I feel good about it. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. But I have a feeling it will. This is just the kind of thing I can see myself getting addicted to.
20 week you
Dear Elena,
I can't wrap my brain around how fast time is passing since you were born. When I reached the milestone of 20 weeks pregnant, I remember how LONG it felt to get to that point--the day where the u/s tech told us you were a girl. Now, 20 weeks have happened in the blink of an eye and you are not a newborn. You are an infant--a beautiful, curious, silly, pre-occupied-with-everything, lovable, delicious, sweet little being. 20 weeks of getting to know you has been the funnest job on Earth. I look forward to waking up every morning to see your sunshine smile. My heart melts. You are the greatest joy and Daddy and I are in awe of you. Staring at you has become our favorite past time. It. never. gets. old. Here are some fascinating things about 20 week old YOU...
Love forever--to infinity and back,
Mommy
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| Mommy @ 20 weeks |
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| 20 week YOU |
- you continue to love your swing
- you still rock a mullet/comb over/tail that is hilariously adorable (pics to come!)
- you got your first sniffles
- your piggies are starting to interest you
- you have diaper blowouts daily and I am seriously considering cloth diapering at this point
- you are in love with your Very Hungry Caterpillar
- you love to pull on my bra and play with
my shirt, necklace, face,hairanything you can get your hands on while you nurse. I adore it. - you stop traffic wherever we go...people commenting on what a doll you are. You really are. I know if Nana were here she would call you Dolly. I know it
- you have no form of stranger anxiety what-so-ever and will gladly smile for whoever comes into your view
- you still see Ms. Eleanor at PT 1x/week for your tort and you NEVER cry. You make all the stretches and exercises look so easy. I'm the one who cries. Every week. When I watch you and Ms. Eleanor stretch and play because I am just so proud
Love forever--to infinity and back,
Mommy
And GO!
Trying to be a new mommy blogger. Not sure if the shoe fits, but I'm trying it on for size. This is something I've always wanted to do, and have half-ass done more than a few times...The End Where I Begin, Equal Parts Hope and Faith, BabyCamp, Ten Cent Wishes....Yup, all past blogs that have gone the way of Blogger Heaven. Hoping to stick with this one as a way to document our sweet life with our little mama and keep those interested in the loop. Oh yeah, 'cuz we're leaving everyone and moving to Ohio. Let the adventure begin.
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| Our little family |
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