Family P: Oh, Boy!

 A quick update…

oh boy!

oh boy!

oh boy!

oh boy!

16 Weeks / 17 Weeks – Finally the nausea has started waning! Reclaiming some energy. Looking more pregnant, less chubby!

18 Weeks

18 Weeks

18 Weeks – 18 Week Appointment and Sonogram, revealed a healthy, squirmy, growing baby. Celebrated with a gender reveal (It’s a Boy!) gathering with Family and Friends at Chicken Scratch. Complete with Sprinkles cupcakes filled with blue icing.

Gender Reveal - It's a boy!

Gender Reveal – It’s a boy!

Gender Reveal - It's a boy!

Gender Reveal – It’s a boy!

19 Weeks / 20 Weeks – Lots of Christmas shopping (not the most fun when pregnant with a toddler), swim lessons (I fear it’s almost time to invest in a maternity suit) and running around town.

21 Weeks / 22 Weeks – 22 Week Visit with Dr. Crites, baby boy has a strong heartbeat and is already kicking like a little mad man. Thanksgiving prep, Hosted Thanksgiving Dinner, Bethany’s visit

Food cravings: Anything Sweet! Pie, Pie Pie! Especially Emporium’s Apple AKA Lord of the Pies and Drop Dead Gourdous (Pumpkin), Carbs (Bagels, Muffins, Bread), Macaroni and Cheese, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Hot Chocolate

Food Aversions: Meat is still iffy at the moment, especially chicken.

Family P: Pumpkin Doodle

IMG_4800

Yep! Finally getting around to making an announcement, at almost 16 weeks pregnant, I’m sure some of you were starting to wonder about my growing midsection. Daniel and I’s hearts are overwhelmed with joy! Becoming parents less than 2 years ago was the most wonderful gift and we couldn’t feel more blessed to be expecting another sweet baby on or around April 1st.

 

Picture 2

So you may remember… (hopefully not too well) that I blogged through my pregnancy with Via at Prego Mego … not likely that I’ll be able to capture as many details as I did when I was toddler-free, but my hope is that I’ll be able to document some of the major milestones with sweet baby #2 for the baby book! (Seeing as this post is happening 4 out of 10 months in to my pregnancy, don’t hold out too much hope!)

First Trimester ( and then some)

Week 5 – Despite being absolutely positive that I was NOT pregnant, and sure that my body was still trying to figure out how to ovulate & nurse a toddler… We took a home pregnancy test. And it was OH, SO POSITIVE. Ecstatic, Terrified, Shocked… I’m not sure I can accurately recall my exact emotion. Ready, or not…  Here we go… AGAIN!

Week 6 – Nursing & Pregnancy… did you know that in order to successfully continue nursing through pregnancy, Mom needs to consume an additional 500-800 calories a day? Not a joke. In some ways, I was starving… and in others, I’ve had no appetite what-so-ever. I won’t even get in to the other challenges that come with nursing a toddler while pregnant…  At this point, I was just PRAYING that my supply would remain decent and that Via will nurse happily as long as she wanted. Very mild nausea, slight fatigue, but easily distracted by chasing a toddler.

Week 7 – Nausea and fatigue settled in… Trying to nap with Liv during the day so I could keep up with her in the mornings / late afternoons. Nausea infinitely worse between 2AM – 8AM.

Week 8 – Family trip to California definitely came with a few awkward puking moments, huge dip in milk supply, awful summer cold… Still a wonderful two weeks of fun in the sun and of course, shared the happy news with Family Gorham.

Week 9 – Our First Sono revealed a wiggly little nugget with a strong heartbeat and revised Due Date (April 9th). Crazy hormones. Crying at the wonder of airplanes and Zillow commercials. Lots of Sonic Cherry Limeades to ease the pain of playing in the late afternoon Texas heat.

Week 10 – the roughest, by far. First half of the week spent in bed with the “Labor Day Stomach Bug” that just about wiped out my milk supply then an A/C that decided to quit… Dropped down to 2x nursing a day, once in the morning, once before bed.

Week 11 – Nausea, Nausea Nausea…. Finally gave in to a prescription for Zofran. Trying to snack often, drink lots of water. Snacking on Peppermint and Ginger candies. Expensive A/C and Foundation Fixes, decisions to be made about selling / moving / repairing our 100year old home. Dropped morning nursing session.

Week 12 – Second Sonogram and all good news 🙂 Mama’s belly is growing (already)… managing to keep weight gain under control this time! (If you don’t remember, I gained 62 pounds with Liv – about 40 pounds more than I probably should have! All of which it took me a year to lose!) Ready for the nausea and exhaustion to ease up. Realizing that chasing a toddler all-day, every-day is infinitely more difficult while trying not to puke. Also – hot dogs are the most foul smelling toddler lunch of all time.

Week 13 – Gramma G in town for 2.5 weeks to visit! Lots of meals out, trips to the arboretum, Perot, Swim Lessons, fun at Gramma B’s House! Less nausea, More food aversion/cravings. Broke the news to my dearest childhood friend, Ashley, whose wedding I’ll be 32 weeks pregnant in 🙂 Purchased my first pair of designer maternity denim… worth every penny.

HUGE WIN! *** Liv FINALLY started sleeping through the night!!! (At 19 months!) 8:00PM-6:00AM (give or take 30 min or so!) ***

Week 14 – Papa G in town for the weekend to visit with lots of fun fall treats! Fun meals out… and Pie… Spent lots of time outside in the gorgeous October weather! Finally completely weaned Liv. Finding it difficult to get dressed in the mornings. Most of my clothes are pretty snug, and my maternity goods from round 1 are just slightly too stretched out.

Week 15 – Finally reclaiming some energy! Still having 2-3 pretty bad headaches/migraines a month (something I was lucky enough to have completely escaped last pregnancy). Still holding out hope that they’ll fade once my hormones finally find some balance. The weather is finally wonderful making it easier to get out and play outside!

Food cravings: Honeycrisp Apples, Bagels, Macaroni and Cheese, Yogurt, Trader Joes Sweet & Spicy Pecans, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Twizzlers (thanks, Tammy!), Tortilla Soup, Chili, Sweet Tea, Peppermint Candies, Grapefruit Juice

Food Aversions: meat, especially chicken / steak

Thankful for a toddler who is finally learning to sleep, loves to give nose kisses and will surely be the best big sister in the world. Couldn’t do pregnancy round 2 without the bestest of friends and supportive family. Grateful for this crazy wonderful life we have. Can’t wait to meet the newest member of our little family this spring!

Olivia: 18 Months

Stats:

22 lbs, 15th Percentile

31.5 inches 50th Percentile

Size: 18 months

Tooth Count: 12 (including 4 molars!)

Hair: Still so wispy and thin but getting longer every day! Still strawberry-blonde and beautiful… almost enough for a pony… OK, not really.

Nicknames: Via, Doodle (Bug)

Loves: Chairs, Swimming, Sand, Vehicles (Cars, Busses, Trains, Motorcycles), Playing outside, playing dress-up, building with blocks, helping sweep the floor with her pint-sized “Moon”, Bubbles, giving kisses, going to the Zoo, Pop-Pops (Popsicles), her Bestie Bayo, Running / Playing Ready, Set, Go!, Slides, hats, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Calliou, Jumping, “Riding”

Sweeping

Hat

Swimming With Bayo

Cranks: Sitting in a highchair for longer than about 15 minutes, making dinners out pretty darn frustrating for mom and dad. Dinners at family-friendly / outdoor restaurants like Chicken Scratch & The Lot are frequent. Not being able to go outside. Going to bed.

Favorite Foods: “Hot Cheese” (Macaroni & Cheese), Beans, Peas, Cheese Sticks, Strawberries (“AwBeeBees”), Hot Dogs, Tomatoes (“MayMos”), Ice Cream “I-Meam”, Chicken Stir Fry,

Favorite Books: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, “Things that GO”, “I love you so”, “Daddy Hugs”, “Llama, Llama, Red Pajama”, “Beep, Beep” … we read close to 10 books a night before bed.

Milestones and other things…

Understands when she’s made a poop, tinkle, or toot in her diaper, promptly announces “Doodie!”, “Tinkle!”, or “TOOTS” – When she burps… instead of saying “Excuse me” like her Mama would like her to… she says, “Nice!”

Can accurately complete some of her puzzles alone (Melissa & Doug, Chunky pieces)

Can identify several animals and tell you what sound they make.

Can put multiple words together to make short phrases (“Hi, Dog!” or “Big Ball” or “Car Go”)

Can sort of say “I Love you” although is sort of sounds like “I wub wub”

Can climb up on most anything… which we are learning is quite dangerous.

Understands the possessive, likes to identify who things belong to… “Mommy’s… Car” “Dayda’s Pillow”

Converted Crib to Toddler Bed

First tinkle in big girl potty!!

Identifying people and objects around her *Points* “Car, and, mommy, annnnd, chaulk, annnd plane”

Summer 2013 Highlights

June

Sedona trip with Family Gorham

Sedona

Sedona

Swim Lessons @ Emler Swim School

Weekend in Fort Worth for Townsend Engagement Party

Rakowska Family moves to Texas!

July

Fourth of July Party

Gramma G Visit

August

These first few weeks of August have been REALLY  hot making it really difficult to be outside much. (Huge bummer for a toddler who loves the outdoors). Most of our days filled with play dates, early morning zoo and park trips, swim lessons.

First trip to the Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Dearest Via,

I love how you say, “Help Me!” and “Up Please” … and how sometimes you get “Up” and “Down” (AKA “Noun”) confused… Your recent obsession with “Noise,” anything you can hear but not see. How you say, “Here you go” when you’re giving or sharing. How you love to hold my hand when we are walking together. How you’ve learned to ask for “Milk!” and how you still want to nurse like a newborn some days. You’ve definitely found your voice but you’re still such a sweet and gentle kid. Although your Dayda and I worry that you’ll be co-sleeping until you’re 10, we secretly love going to bed as a family. Sometimes you roll over reach out to hold Daddy’s hand while you sleep… and it melts his heart every time. Last Saturday, Daddy and I were working in the kitchen, cleaning out cabinets while you were napping in your room. We were trying our best to keep quiet but you must have heard us because suddenly (I was pretty startled) I heard your little footsteps walking through the kitchen. You’d gotten up and out of bed and walked in to find us without making a peep. Although it may not sound like much, it hit us like a ton of bricks… you’ve gotten SO big. You’re really not a baby any more. Every day you act more and more like a big kid. You’re talking more and more and really communicating what you want and need most of the time. You get frustrated easily when we try to stop you from doing things yourself… this independence means lots of clean-up for mommy but watching you experiment is totally worth it. You love playing outside and the heat doesn’t seem to get to you in the slightest. When I’m cooking dinner in the evenings, you sometimes stand at the back door and repeat “OUTside… Ball.. annnnnd Car… and Chaulk… and Plane… and DAYDA!” Almost every night after dinner, you and daddy play the “Ready, Set Go!” game in the hallway. Daddy sits on one end and you stand at the other while he says, Ready… Set…. Then you squeal “GO” and run down the hallway full speed ahead into his arms. This is solid entertainment long enough for mommy to finish cleaning the kitchen and helps get wiggles out before bath and bedtime. Speaking of bedtime, you’re still no where near sleeping through the night… but we plan on working on that over the next 6 months. You really are a sweet kid and we’re so proud of how smart and gentle you are. It’s so rewarding and wonderful watching you grow. You are the most wonderful gift I’ve ever been given. I love you, so. 

Love,

Mommy.

Olivia: 15 Months

Stats

20 lbs 12 oz (25th percentile)

29.75 inches (50th percentile)

Size: 18 months

Tooth Count: 4.5 top, 3.5 bottom (cutting first molar!)

Nicknames: Via, ViaVia, Doodle, Liv, Luvbug

*disclaimer: this post is now OVER a month late… but still mostly relevant 🙂

Loves: Being Outside in the backyard or at the park, Water “Agua” (Drinking, Splashing at Klyde Warren, Playing, Swimming) , Balloons, Balls, Babies, The Swings, Popsicles, crushed ice, animals, cars/trains/ things with wheels, the Durch, reading books before bedtime, plants, dirt, music, blocks.

Favorite Foods: Tomatoes, Oranges, Grapefruit, Peas, Strawberries, Kiwi, Generally anything “Ball” shaped, Mac n Cheese, Hot Dogs, beans, broccoli, Cheerios, Bunnies, Chicken Stir Fry, Spaghetti, Ham. Occasional Treats: French Fries, Ice Cream, Popsicles

Favorite Books: Baby Bodies, Where’s Spot?, Daddy Hugs, peek-a-who, Duck & Goose 123, Beep, Beep Car Book, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Brown Bear Brown Bear, Head to Toe

Favorite TV shows: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Calliou, Dinosaur Train

Cranks: seeing mommy at the chiropractor, going to the nursery at church, having her face wiped, Balloon Envy, long meals out, being contained, leaving the park before she’s ready, sleeping in her own bed.

Words:

  1. Baby
  2. Ball
  3. Dog (sometimes “hi dog”)
  4. Agua (Water)
  5. milk (“miilll”)
  6. Cheese
  7. Peas
  8. Please
  9. Giraffe (“gee”)
  10. Bird (“Bees”)
  11. Belly Button (“Debbie”)
  12. uh-oh
  13. Taco
  14. Avocado (cag-oh)
  15. beans
  16. car
  17. goodnight (“nigh-no”)
  18. bunny (“mummy”)
  19. banana (“nanny”)
  20. NO
  21. Zoo
  22. plane (“lain”)
  23. bug
  24. flower (“bah-lor”)
  25. choo-choo
  26. diaper (“biper” or “bumpah”)
  27. hat
  28. nose
  29. shoe
  30. elbow
  31. eyeball
  32. cherrio (“ohs”)
  33. tomato (“maymo”)
  34. blankie (“Beebee”)
  35. All Done
  36. Berry
  37. Blues (AKA BlueBerries)
  38. Open (“oh-pee”)
  39. Teeth
  40. Hot
  41. Hotdog
  42. Leaf
  43. Toes
  44. Goose
  45. Ice
  46. Ice Cream
  47. Bus
  48. Chicken (“Chicky”)
  49. Coffee (“Cah-Cah” – Actually refers to any adult beverage… coffee, beer, or soda)
  50. Blocks

People

  • Mama, mommy, maaahmee
  • Dada, Dayda
  • “Bayo” BFF Paden
  • “B” Bethany
  • “G” Gramma G
  • “Papa” Papa G
  • “MAW-MAW”
  • “EEEM” Auntie Em
  • “Pip” Uncle Chippy
  • “Hold Me” Holden

Sounds

  • Snake (“ssssss”)
  • Horse (“nay”)
  • Duck and the duck says “Ka-Co”
  • Cow (“boooo” or “moooyah”)
  • Cat “Me-ow”
  • Bird (bees) says “tee tee or beep beep”
  • Fish (“blub blub blub”)
  • Lion (“ahhhhh”)
  • Tiger (“OWWW”)
  • Sheep (“baah”)
  • Pig ( Actually, no sound, just an “oink” face… and it’s the cutest darn thing in the world)
  • Elephant
  • Squirrel

Can find:

  • nose
  • eyes
  • tongue
  • hair
  • belly button
  • ears
  • hands/fingers
  • feet/toes
  • elbow
  • mouth
  • teeth

Still not sleeping through the night… much less in her own bed. Quite attached to mommy and daddy. Slowly warming to friends/family and gaining some independence. Nursing 2-3x a day and usually once in the middle of the night.

Spring 2013 Highlights:

March

Walking! (At around 2 weeks after her first birthday!)

Weekly Wednesday play-dates with Paden

NIce Weather means lots of afternoons at the Park (Favorites: Exall, Scottish Rite, Abbott/Coffee)

 Haley’s Wedding // weekend trip to the Omni

Rakowska Family visit

Easter at White Rock Fellowship

Easter Egg Hunt at Great Paw Paw’s House

GG visits for Great Grandaddy’s 90th Birthday

Arboretum Visits

 April

The Dallas Zoo Membership

Lots of chiropractor visits

New pediatrician – Dr. Agrawal

Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease

NO MORE PACIFIER!

SCG Sundays with the Shus

Canton

May

B’s graduation from TCU

Mother’s Day

Gramma G / Papa visit Dallas

Baby Dedication @ WRF

Justin and Cass visit Dallas

Patio Lunches // Dinners: Chicken Scratch, Stack house, Good 2 Go Taco

Splashing at Klyde Warren Park

Sweet Via Via, 

In the past few months, your dad and I have really started to feel like we’re getting to know you. You are starting to grow into your big personality. You are so gentle and kind, just like your dad. I’m starting to see so much of his temperament in you. You don’t like to be rushed or hurried. You do things in your own time. Sometimes I wonder if you’ll be introverted like your dad or extroverted like me. You are frequently happy in your own little world, talking to yourself, imagining, and learning. You’re very inquisitive. You like to figure out how things work… you’ll stay captivated by mechanical things for several minutes – wheels, water, whatever. You love animals… and can identify too many to count. You make the most adorable sound when we talk about fishies “Blub, Blub, Blub…” And you witnessed first hand what sound a tiger makes… not “RAWR”… “OOOOWWW.” And you say it with such confidence. You love your Dad more than anything and he adores that you wake up asking for him every morning, “Dayda?” “Dayda?” You’re still nursing like a champ… 2-3… sometimes 4 or even 5 times a day… and several times at night… Your pediatrician has advised me against continued nighttime nursing and cosleeping… but your Dad and I are confident that we’re doing what is best for you. In fact, I love nursing as much as you do. I cherish our quiet alone time more and more each day. You’re a pistol when it comes to eating… sometimes you shovel so much food in your mouth that I wonder if you’re actually a gerbil… more often than not though, you feed most of your meals to “The Durch” – speaking of – you love the Durch… you’re learning to be gentle with her, but you’ve got a ways to come before you’re ready for a little brother or sister (#notanannouncement). Paden Shugart, “Bayo” is your bestie… and you ask for him EVERY.DAY. Going to the grocery store with you is almost impossible, you love to holler out the names of all of the fruits and veggies as we roll past… You’re getting more and more confident on your feet. You love to play in the backyard, at the park, in the fountains at Klyde Warren Park but you’re still somewhat timid when bigger kids are around.

You’re quite attached to me… and for the moment, that’s wonderful.

You are such a special little soul and I can’t imagine life without you.

I love you.

Mommy

Olivia: First Birthday Party

When you’re born on Valentine’s Day – it’s only natural to have your first birthday party themed to match. I’ll admit – between my mom and mother-in-law we went a little overboard with the decorations (Especially the balloons – or “BAHHHs” as Olivia likes to call them).

Here are a few of my favorite shots (captured by the very talented Zach Freeman, a friend of Auntie B’s from TCU. Link to his website below)

Olivia and a “BAHHHH”

Great Grandparents and Great Great Granny

Enjoying Some Blueberries

BAAAHHHloons

Opening Presents

Grandparents

“All Done”

Friends and Family

Zach Freeman Photography 

We feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to celebrate with such amazing Friends and Family! So thankful that Olivia will be able to look back as see that all of her Grandparents, Great-Grandparents AND Great-Great Granny were able to come and celebrate with her. Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate her first year (and our first as parents!)

Much Love,

Momma Meg

Olivia: 12 Months

Stats

18 lbs 5 oz (10th percentile)

28.5 inches (30th percentile)

Size: 12 months

Tooth Count: 4 top, 2 bottom

Nicknames: LoveBug, Liv, Little Bit

Loves:

Park play dates! Our favorite parks right now: Lake Cliff Park in Oak Cliff, The Children’s Park at Scottish Rite Hospital, A recent fav – Exall Park in East Dallas and of course, Klyde Warren Park downtown. Doesn’t matter if it’s 20 minutes or an hour… this lil gal LOVES to be outside.

Music: Especially loves listening to Dad play guitar and piano. Loves to dance and/or head-bang when she hears music.  Likes to wiggle along with the dancing giraffes that Poppa G gave her for Valentine’s Day! Loves her new musical instruments (especially the drum and shakers!) – a special birthday gift from her Great God Mother Peri. Even though it’s hard to admit…  because it means admitting that we’ve been re watching the series… I’ll say it, she LOVES the Theme song  from “The OC”

Books: Loves to read more and more everyday! (I’ll take a little bit of credit here… we’ve been reading nightly since she was 4 months old) Favorite Books right now are: “Let’s Look Baby Einstein” – she loves to point out the “BAHHHH” (Balls). Also loves to imitate the “Reach Up high”  and “Peek-a-boo” babies in “My First Body Book”. Still in rotation: Where’s Spot?, Rainforest Discoveries and all of the touch and feel animal books.

Baby Dolls: ever since Christmas (Mamaw gave Olivia her first baby baby)  she’s been obsessed with “Bay-Bos”… we’re totally confident she knows what she’s talking about when she refers to “Bay-Bo” or “Bay-Bah”… even if it includes anything/everything with a face.

Balls: Another recent obsession… (Also stemming from a Mamaw Christmas gift!) This girl loves her Balls. Perhaps just another object she can identify “BAAAAAAH” (Very rarely we get the LL’s at the end.. but usually the first syllable). I think we’re up to 6 Balls ranging in color, size and elasticity. The best part? Her favorite (green with a strobe light in it) cost $.99 from Target.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: We try to limit the amount of TV we watch but occasionally when I desperately need a distraction so I can get a 3 min shower… or on Saturday morning when Liv decides to wake up at 5:15AM and we are just not quite ready to really focus… we’ll put on an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS. She loves it. The music is catchy and honestly not half as terrible as YO GABBA GABBA…. and I generally approve of the message, etc. I’m also guilty of downloading the PBS Video App on my iphone.

Loves to practice walking

Getting Mail!

Wednesdays with Paden

Favorites Foods: Blueberries, Peas, Black Beans, Tomatoes.

Water: A new obsession with sippy cups (as long as it’s not breast milk… she only wants that from the source.) or from mommy’s glass, from a straw like a baby birdie.

Sleeping with Mom and Dad. We have completely embraced co-sleeping and I can honestly say… Once I stopped expecting something “normal” from my baby… I felt much better, even if sometimes it means sharing my bed space.

Nursing. This. Girl. Loves. To. Nurse. How will I even wean her? she ever wean herself? Still nursing every 4 hours or so during the day. More often/predictable when we’re at home. Less often/predictable when we’re out and distracted.

Eating whatever is on Mommy/Daddy’s plate (Especially if it’s french fries –  Yes, I have, on occasion, shared a fry or two. No judgement please.)

The Dallas World Aquarium

“Popsicles” – diluted (70/30 water/juice) organic apple or orange juice… great for teething.

Cranks:

sleeping in footed jammies (these are our current favs – footless by Carters)

cheese

In general, the 5-6pm hour… but 6-8…. she’s golden

Diaper Changes

Not being allowed to have/hold something she wants. (Basically, if it’s round… it’s a ball. and if it’s a ball.. she wants to hold it – especially it it’s a pile of oranges balls at the grocery store)

Long, lingering meals out. Gone are the days when we make it through 3 courses.

Being in the car for longer than about 20 minutes… unless it’s nap time.

Milestones:

Words: Mama, Dada, Baby (Bay-Bo or Bay-Bah), Dog (Duh), Ball (Bah)

Walking with her push cart thing, standing alone.

Kisses (not so much the BLOWING of kisses… but definitely lip-smacking)

Plays Peek-A-Boo

Can tell you what sound a Snake makes and identify it in a book.

Can identify babies/balls in real life and pictures/books.

Putting things in a cup, taking them out, repeat. (This mostly happens with food – especially peas)

Tried Meat/Cheese for the first time. Not really a fan…but hey… girlfriend loves her veggies so I can’t complain.

More effective at expressing her desire to nurse… read: undressing me when she’s ready.

First trip to DeLeon to visit Great Memaw & Pa and Great Great Granny and to say goodbye to Great Great Grandpa

First Birthday! (But… that’s an entire post on its own.)

First Kiss

Some Cute new sounds…

Growing… Growing…

Olivia: 11 Months | Olivia: 10 Months | Olivia: 9 Months

Family P: 2013 New Years Resolutions

For the past few years, Daniel and I have made our New Years Resolutions together (a wonder exercise for young all married people). We usually visit Memaw and Pa in DeLeon for Christmas and conveniently have 3 hours in the car for lots of reflection, brainstorming and list making. Last year,  we each made 10 resolutions each and agreed on 10 family resolutions. (Pats on the back for accomplishing lots improving most)

Admittedly we’re a bit late this year (let’s blame it on that CA Christmas and 3 hour plane rides with a baby) with our trip to DeLeon almost a full month in to 2013. And since I’m trying to cut back on the over share… Here’s a selection of our Family P 2013 Resolutions (basically… all the ones we’re not too embarrassed to share.) Feel free to keep us accountable…

DAN

– Get forked. (on Github…I guess that’s the technical term?) Build something (code) that’s BIG (bigger than a weekend projects) to share. More Here

– Consume more art, less crap.

– Love like dad (Randy) did – be more kind, gentle and without condition

– Take control of the yard, pride in our house (especially the exterior) and man chores

MEG
 
– Take some me time to workout, go to yoga, GNO, etc.
– Stick to meal plan that’s set for the week. Get more creative with menu. Think outside of the box pinterest. Better utilize leftovers
– Be more intentional with planning my day. Make it my goal to accomplish 1 chore, 1 errand, 1 activity for Liv and 1 thing for myself.
– Tackle the Family P photo project. Starting with Olivia’s baby book, our wedding album, framing and hanging prints in hallway (gallery wall?) Most importantly… compile family P 2012 Yearbook
– Relax and release some of the control over baby situations (ex. Nursing, babysitters)

FAMILY P

– Set weekly family night – play games, movie, cook, take out. Make a point to spend at least one night in as a family doing something fun (no chores or multi-tasking, just enjoying each other)

– Go camping! Take a family vacation (just the 3 of us)
 
– Be outside more. Family walks, park, arboretum, find some nature. Create a better outdoor space in our backyard.
– Focus on the family, no cell phone or Internet (including but not limited to: Email, Instagram, Vine, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, SnapChat, etc.) from 6pm-8pm nightly
– Pit Pad Improvements: arrange financially AND execute. Especially – Foundation inspection and repair.  Master bathroom tub/shower, various cosmetic cracks. Power wash exterior of house, yardwork, curb appeal. Look at possibly putting in a raised bed in side yard for herbs and veggies or compost pile.
 
– Pit Pad Improvements (PART 2): Take pride in the exterior of our home – front yard and landscaping, picking up trash, home for trashcans, fix shed, spruce up back yard, create an outdoor space for Olivia.
 
– Generally speaking, buy more organic and local (especially groceries and gifts). Support the little guy.
There ya go… Here’s to hitting “Publish”  in the hopes of keeping myself accountable.

Olivia: 11 Months

Stats:

17.8 lbs

27.5 inches

Size: 12 Months

Size 3 Disposable diapers (on the rare occasion that we use them!)

Tooth Count: 4 on Top, 2 on Bottom

Nicknames: Liv, Liver Dude, Sneekle Freetzie, Chickadee

Finally growing some hair… still our little strawberry blonde, with the longest (dark) lashes I’ve ever seen.

Loves:

The Christmas Tree

Lights, lamps and fans.

Snowmen (not sure what it is about them… the stuffed or picture variety seem to really tickle her…maybe it’s something about that carrot nose?)

Her new Baby-Baby (from Mamaw)

Her new piano just like Daddy’s (from Gramma and Poppa G)

Slides

Big Gee (Giant Giraffe from Auntie Maggie!)

Eating Dirt, Grass and Sticks

Klyde Warren Children’s Park

All stuffed animals, blankets and soft things. Even those that don’t belong to her

Favorite Books: Where’s Spot? (Especially loves it when Mommy/Daddy make animal sounds), Baby Einstein Christmas Books, Mommies are for Counting Stars, Baby Animals Touch and Feel

Favorite Toys: Music table, toy drums, lady bug instruments, Melissa & Doug Puzzles

Little People Nativity Set

Any “toys” that are NOT “toys

Foods: Avocados are now OUT (Who would have thought?) Blueberries always a fav. Peas. Anything pinch-able or swallow whole-able. Also a huge fan of “Cherrios”

Girlfriend LOVES her wubbanub… not ready to give up that Paci….

Cranks:

Swings

Sick on Vacation

Diaper Changes

Highchairs

Long drives in the car

Not being allowed to crawl around on the ground at the airport

The Snowsuit

Milestones:

Olivia’s First Christmas Highlights

Christmas at Mamaw’s

1st Cousins Bath at Mamaw’s House with Rylie (5) & Remie (7 mo)

Christmas Party and  Christmas Play at Great Papaw’s House

1st Christmas in CA

Christmas Eve Service @ St. Margaret’s in San Juan Capistrano

 Christmas Morning Presents and traditional Christmas Breakfast

Opening Presents

1st trip to the beach on Christmas Day Tide-Pooling & Exploring

1st trip to Big Bear (Also first time in the snow!)

1st brewery tour (@ Stone Brewery in Escondido, CA)

First real word: “Baby” … except sometimes it sounds more like “BAY-BO”

Other “Words” : Mama, Dada, Geee, Durg Durg Durg (maybe Dog? maybe Durch?)

Patting her tummy, Patting Mommy and Daddy’s back

Pointing at everything and making sounds that sort of sound like “dis” and “dat”

Reaching up high (WEEEEEE!)

Giving Kisses… big, open-mouthed, wet ones.

Olivia: 10 Months | Olivia: 9 Months | Olivia: 8 Months

Mom Life: Sleep Diaries

I do truly look forward to the day when this “series” concludes… until then. An update… the continuation of our sleep diaries… Started Here… Progressed Here

A friend recently posted a link to this article, Sleep: A Misguided and Unhealthy Obsession that really resonated with the way I’ve been feeling about our family sleep situation lately.

After almost 2 weeks in California, and the obvious de-railers that come with traveling, getting back into a routine has been a difficult transition. In addition, we were all sick on vacation for at least 3-4 days each… overlapping to span basically the entire trip. Basically… our California Christmas was spent snuggling co-sleeping in a full-sized guest bed. Actually… most nights Daniel ended up on the couch… I guess Liv and I take up too much room.

So… where are we now? Co-sleeping? … Only Co-sleeping the half of the night that Olivia refuses to sleep in her crib. Nursing only once… Nursing as much and as frequent as Olivia wants… I can’t say that I really know. All I can say is… I’ve definitely started this series with the “If Momma Ain’t Happy” argument… and I’ve made it 180 degrees. My happiness or ability to be a good mother has little to do with the # of hours or consecutive hours of sleep I get. If I’m totally truthful… I’ve actually gotten pretty used to getting up in the middle of the night… nursing in the middle of the night. Going to bed early… waking up late. Occasionally I’ll even indulge in an afternoon nap with Olivia.

NOW… If we could just figure out how to get Olivia to stop being such a sleeping squirm worm… I think we’d all do just fine.

 Featured Image Here

Mom Life: Sleep Diaries

I admit I’ve dragged my feet with this long overdue update to our Sleep Diaries.

Almost 2 months ago, Daniel and I agreed that we needed to embrace some kind of sleep training. Obviously our ultimate goal of having a child who would sleep through the night (ideally 7:30 PM – 7:30 AM) in her own bed. The first few nights were rough… but really, it was nothing as bad as I expected. Not nearly as many tears as anticipated (hers or mine) and fairly successful after just a few nights…. AND THEN… An ear infection happened…. AND THEN… A fever/cough/cold/snotty mess happened…. AND THEN…. more teething…. and it seemed like all that hard work all that tearful training was for nothing. We were back at square one.

Fast Forward to present. For the past few weeks, Olivia and I have both been fighting a bit of a cough/cold…  VERY mild symptoms (luckily) but caused an unfortunate dip in my milk supply… READ: results in attempting to nurse as often as humanly possible… even in the overnight hours to help increase production… thus causing our most recent set-back with sleep training. And we arrive at today… Recovering supply. Happy baby. Tooth #6 completely popped. Cough/Cold almost crushed… and ready to get some good sleep… All to be thrown by a 2 hour time change in less than a week when we fly to California for Christmas.

Lately it feels like it’s ALWAYS going to be something… Although sometimes most of the time I envy my friends who have babies who have been sleeping through the night since they were 6-weeks old… I’ve come to terms with the fact that my precious baby girl… is just NOT an excellent sleeper… and I’m OK with that.

Just a note. Tonight, Olivia crashed while nursing around 8, woke up at 11:45 PM (I nursed her back to sleep)… and almost 2 hours of pump/shop/blogging… I’m still awake. Maybe Momma has sleep issues too?

Featured Image Here

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