Much needed night out.

So, Saturday evening was my first night out without Miss Emma. My plan was to do nothing all weekend due to sleep deprivation from a newborn but at the last-minute I decided I could take an hour or two and go to dinner and spend some time with my sisters.  First, let me start by saying that not having her with me I totally felt naked. I kept looking around with that feeling of "somebody STOLE my BABY, OMG!!" but then after a deep breath realized that she was home safe and sound, snuggling on the couch with her daddy. It was just really nice to relax for a couple of hours without the screaming, spit up, dirty diapers and constant frazzle that comes with being a new mommy.

I remember when "going out" had a totally different meaning than it does now.  In past years going out would have been trying to make it to as many bars as humanly possible in one night but over the last two years my lifestyle has changed dramatically.  I have some things in my past that I am not proud of but I wouldn't change a second of my life because it has brought me to where I am today.  I am a totally different person now thanks to a closer relationship with Christ and newfound attitude on life.  I'm a better Christian, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend than I was two years ago.  Being a responsible human being is so important to me today.  I have responsibilities now and being selfish is not something I aspire to be.  Nowadays, going out means having a nice dinner, listening to some music (because me and music go together like pb&j) and having a couple of glasses of Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling (yum yum).  I can't tell you how nice it was to sit there with some lovely ladies and have wonderful conversation, delicious food and tasty wine.  Just feeling like a normal human being again was so nice, however I may have shed a tear or two because I missed my sweet girl.  At 10:30 I called it a night and headed home.  When I walked in the door my sweet babysitter husband had already fed Emma, (I made sure to leave him with a pumped bottle because I don't think he would have been very happy when she started screaming and he had no boob to give her, although it would have been a funny site to see him try!) put her in her pj's and had her sound asleep.  I have the best husband in the world.  He's such a great father.  I am truly blessed to have him in my life.  Every woman needs a "Dustin" in their life.  If you are with someone who doesn't respect you, love you unconditionally and treat you life a princess my best advice is to keep on looking.  I suppose it is time for me to give him a Guys Night Out.  I'm sure he would appreciate a break as well.  He can go do....well, whatever it is guys do.  Next, up we need a date night.  However, that one may just have to wait awhile because I don't think I'm quite ready for one of us to not be with her!

All in all, I would have to say it was a much needed, relaxing evening out!

[caption id="attachment_303" align="alignleft" width="403" caption="My beautiful sisters."][/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_304" align="alignleft" width="407" caption="My oldest sister Jen and Me"][/caption]

 

 

Sunday Sunshine

Emma loves church. She did so good today. She really enjoys the music. It put her right to sleep and she never made a peep. She'll be singing right along before I know it!
I just love our church and all the wonderful people we have met in the last year. The message Jason preached today was so powerful. We all have to remember to not live in the past but instead live in God's vision.  We have to know that his plan for our lives is the right one and quit trying to create our own. He will lead and guide our hearts. I'm thankful for the Lord's sovereignty. I am proud to say I've been saved by GRACE through CHRIST alone.
What a beautiful sunny day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I think a walk with my sweet family is in order.

Two Months Already

Yesterday, we had Emma's two month check up.  First of all, it is so hard to believe that she's already been here for two months.  I'm not quite sure where the time went.  I'm sure it's been lost due to sleep deprivation and the many hours spent just staring at our baby.  I have been dreading and looking forward to this appointment for a while.  I couldn't wait to find out how much she had grown and finally try to figure out a solution to all the vomit after feedings.  However, I was not looking forward to the dreaded shots! Fortunately, my husband was able to be there with me, otherwise I may have just lost it.  She did such a good job getting her shots.  I mean, of course there was screaming but as soon as I picked her up and gave her some kisses she calmed right down.  I knew from other moms that shots can cause a fever so we made sure to stop on the way home and pick up some Infant Tylenol (lifesaver!).  For the first hour or two after her shots she was perfectly fine but boy did the fever come up fast.  In the blink of an eye my baby went from smiling and sweet to screaming in pain.  Her poor little legs were red and swollen and couldn't even handle us just barely touching her legs.  After a dose of Tylenol and some snuggly rocking, her pain eased a bit and she was finally able to eat (didn't know that shots caused loss of appetite...poor girl couldn't even eat!).  She filled her tummy and was asleep by 9:30 and we didn't hear a peep out of her until 4:30am.  That is her longest stretch of sleep since we brought her home.  It also might help that we have finally found a solution to her fussy, vomit filled feedings.  At the doctor's office, her Pediatrician asked how the reflux was going and on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst we told him she was still about a 6.  He suggested we go ahead and start adding 2 tsp of rice cereal to a pumped bottle of breast milk a couple of times a day.  I cannot even tell you how much of an improvement it's made just in 24 hours.  She's had three bottles with the cereal so far and she's a different baby.  Her personality is happier, she is sleeping great, she is active and alert when she is awake and she will even lay on her mat or in her bassinet for more than ten minutes now without screaming for me.  It's amazing and I think me and Dustin may actually catch up on some much-needed sleep now.  I think with breast milk being so thin it wasn't settling well on her tummy.  Now that there is some substance in there she is able to keep it down.  She is still spitting up a bit but nothing like she was.

Hallelujah!!

As for her growth she is up to 11 lbs 2 oz and 22 3/4 in.  She's growing fast and now that we are adding cereal to her diet she will really plump up I'm sure! I can't wait for her legs to get chunky.  I probably drive her insane.  I am constantly squeezing her little fat rolls.  I just can't help myself!

Now, I would have an entire video of the shot process but a certain someone, *Dustin* not gonna name any names deleted the video off of my phone.  So here is just a small clip of the aftermath.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5KVcm_Q5mI&w=480&h=390]

Stinky Baby

As I'm recording a sweet video of Emma she decided it was perfect timing to fill up her diaper.
Who wants to come change it for me? Any volunteers? No? I don't blame you!

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5KVcm_Q5mI&w=480&h=390]

Stinky Baby

As I'm recording a sweet video of Emma she decided it was perfect timing to fill up her diaper.

Who wants to come change it for me? Any volunteers? No? I don't blame you!

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7hklREYyds&w=480&h=390]

Baby's First Roadtrip

Heading to Cinncinati for the weekend. I cannot even explain how excited I am. I am actually blogging from the road right now (on my new phone!) and I can't tell you how normal its making me feel. The fact that Emma is old enough to travel is crazy to me! We are traveling as a family of three. I love it! So far Emma has done so good. It's a three hour drive and we are about thirty minutes away and haven't heard a single cry. It probably has something to do with the fact that I filled her little belly up before we left. Dustin has to work tomorrow but after that we are going to a nice dinner at Mitchell's Fish Market and then to Newport Aquarium. Emma may not know what fish are yet but I think she will enjoy looking at the water and fish in the tanks. That is if she stays awake while we are there! I will take lots of pictures and post them when we get back!