Five Months Old

Today my sweet girl is 20 I repeat TWENTY weeks old.  I almost have a six month old baby.  How did this happen? I blinked and poof she's a big girl.  It's so exciting to see her changing though.  She's really turning into her own little person.  She's got the sweetest personality.  I just love her to death.  Here is what's new with Goose.

• She is laughing.  We finally got the sweetest chuckle out of her.  I however being so excited about it forgot to pick up my phone and record it.  I've yet to be able to get her to do it again.  Go figure.  She's a bit stubborn.


• She is finally rolling from back to tummy! I was so excited for her.  She really thinks she is a big girl.  Every time I lay her on her play mat she immediately rolls over.  She's figured it out and she's obsessed with rolling over.  I guess we better baby proof because she'll be crawling before we know it.


• I'm not sure how much she weighs for sure but she's definitely over 16 pounds.


• She is still doing well in her crib.  She had a hard time napping over Memorial Day weekend with all the commotion but I'm hoping she makes up her naps throughout the week.


• She is reaching for everything and sticks whatever she can find in her mouth.  What a slobber machine I have on my hands.


• She is in love with baby food.  All the child does is eat.  I think I'm going to try using the Baby Food cook book this week, that my friend Erin got for me.


• She's found my hair.  Once she grabs hold, there is no prying the death grip that her little fingers have on my hair.  Guess it's ponytails from here on out.


• She loves the pool.  I have a water baby for sure.


• She's getting shy.  When somebody comes up and talks to her she smiles and turns her head away.  It's the cutest thing ever!

She's perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  I don't even remember what life was like before her.

 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fom-BWOvygk&w=425&h=349]

Memorial Weekend Hoopla

What a LONG (but fabulous of course) weekend. It's Tuesday and I'm beat. I feel like it should already be Friday again. Anybody else feeling that way today? Over the last three days I have had so much food I think I might not be able to button my jeans today (jazzercise here I come). I have soaked up so much sun that I may just be a lobster today. I have played so much corn-hole that my arm may just fall off. Also, I have had LOTS of people at my house so I am definitely enjoying the peace and quiet today. I am so grateful that I got to spend such a beautiful weekend with family and friends. Thanks to all the brave men and women who fight everyday for our freedom, so that we can enjoy these times with our loved ones. Let's see how should I do a recap....why, bullet points and pictures of course!

• Friday night was dinner and a movie with two of my best friends ever.  I drove down to Tennessee and met them at The Streets of Indian Lakes for a little dinner and drinks at Sam's Sports Grill (delish by the way).  Afterwards we headed over to the theater to see The Hangover II.  It was really funny and actually less crude than I thought it would be surprisingly enough.  It was really nice to get out and about with the girls for a few hours thanks to a wonderful husband.  He's a great dad :)

[caption id="attachment_430" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="One of my besties Jayme"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_431" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Me and Erin (this is the very first friend I ever made when we moved to BG and now she has moved away from me. Oh how I miss her.)"][/caption]

• Saturday my sister, brother-in-law and their two kids came over for some pool action.  We swam all day long and that evening we tossed (we'll we didn't literally toss it on there..you get what I mean) some fish and shrimp on the grill.  It was a fantastic day and thanks to lots of haziness nobody got burnt...until Sunday and Monday that is.


• Sunday we had lots of family over.  My sister, BIL, niece and nephew, BIL's oldest son, my aunt, her son, her BF, my mom, my step-dad and four crazy dogs running around.  It was a packed house and boy did we have a great day.  Swimming, corn-hole (very competitive in this family might I add), burgers and dogs (not the living ones I was referring to earlier) on the grill and an overall had a fantastic day.


• Monday....we were pretty exhausted from a long weekend so decided to once again lounge by the pool all day.  I may or may not have turned into a lobster.  That evening after putting some steaks on the grill, eating, showering and cleaning up around the house and pool, we crashed.  I mean as in we were asleep before our heads even hit the pillow.

[caption id="attachment_432" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Ouch. You should see it today. So much for wearing 30 proof sunscreen all day!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_433" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Lougin'"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_434" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Gotta love the baby pool hats right?!"][/caption]

Jump around, jump up and get down Jump around, jump around...

Emma is finally big enough to go in her JUMPEROO!  I've been introducing her to in small doses and she loves it.  She is so intrigued by the lights and sounds.  She's even figuring out how to jump in it, even though it's only her tip toes that touch the ground!

[caption id="attachment_426" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Dis ting is veeewwwwyy interwesting..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_427" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="She looks terrified but she's actually extremely intrigued by all of it."][/caption]

And for your viewing pleasure...videos of baby cuteness!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70k5cfloylM&w=425&h=349]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5sjJgeBD7U&w=425&h=349]

Little Mermaid

First off, I just want to thank everyone for all the advice from my last post.  Naps are getting easier.  I've had to just break down and do the crib thing.  When I know she's getting really sleepy (by either rubbing her eyes or getting fussy) I will take her and lay her in her crib with her favorite monkey, her Seahorse and binky (aka blanket).  After a few minutes her paci will pop out and she starts crying.  After around 5 minutes of crying I go in and soothe her without talking to her, put her paci back in and BAM! She's usually out in less than a minute.  Sometimes I have to go back in twice and do that same thing but it's really working.  She's out of our bed at night and sleeping in the crib for naps and I have to say so far so good.  Keep your fingers crossed it stays this way!

A few days ago, it was a sunny 85 degree day and with Emma napping well I finally got to enjoy a day by the pool.  The water was still a bit chilly but worth getting in to cool off.  When Emma woke up from her nap I decided it was time to introduce her to the swimming pool since she will probably be spending a lot of time in it this summer.  I of course only let her feet touch the water since it was still a little cold but she loved it! I would take some water and sprinkle on her to cool her off and she would get a huge smile on her face.  The water is really starting to warm up so soon we will be able to put her in her baby float and really let her enjoy the water.  I think I'm going to have a mermaid on my hands.

[caption id="attachment_419" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="I'm ready for the pool Mom!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_420" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="First time in. I think she's a fan!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="461" caption="We decided to strip the bathing suit. I bought a size 3-6 months but it's super tight. She loves being naked anyway so it works. I love my little chunker!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_422" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Yep, I'm cool in my Hello Kitty Shades :)"][/caption]

I'm so glad it's warm! Bring on summertime!

Mommy Advice?

Calling all mommies! I am needing some advice, if you have any.  In the last week or two Miss Emma has decided that naps are for the birds.  I can get her to sleep just fine and I will either put her in her swing (which she was sleeping in for an hour or two at a time) or her bassinet.  I have tried getting her to nap in her crib and she does not want anything to do with it.  The problem is that lately she's popping right back awake in a matter of minutes.  My only guess is that she's realizing I'm no longer holding her because I'm rocking her to sleep.  Once she doesn't feel me anymore she's waking up.  Why is it that babies have to change up their routines? As soon as you think you have the schedule down pat, they go and change it.  I have heard that the best thing to do is let them fall asleep on their own in their crib, but I can only handle the crying for so long.  As a mommy, my heart goes out to her just laying in there crying because she wants me.  The longest I've let her lay in her crib and cry herself to sleep is 25 minutes.  Is that too short? I just don't want her thinking that her crib is a "bad place".  I am finding it difficult to find time to get anything done around the house.  I'm even struggling to make it to the gym while childcare is open (from 8 to 12) because her routine is totally out of whack.  She's sleeping great at night.  However, her sleep at night has changed some too.  From around 2 and 1/2 months of age up until the last few weeks, she was sleeping from 9 or 10 to 8 or 9 in the morning (talk about wonderful!).  Now, she is sleeping from 9 or 10 to 6 sometimes 7 or 7:30.  I really miss that extra hour or two of sleep.  Most of you I know are saying "OH HUSH! You are one of the lucky ones!" And you know what? You are probably right, because I really do get great sleep at night but I am just thinking there has to be some reason why she's waking up earlier now...

Aside from sleeping, I am so extremely tired of baby puke, it's not even funny.  We've been dealing with Acid Reflux since we brought her home from the hospital in January.  Her pediatrician says that she will grow out of it and that starting her on solid foods should really help.  Pshhhhh! Yeah right.  Now, instead of puking up just plain white, curdled milk she is puking up yellow, white, curdled and stinky milk.  It's been such a challenge to deal with.  I even stopped breastfeeding her at three months old because we were sure that putting her on a special formula would fix the problem.  We were wrong.  If I would have known that we were going to be dealing with puke either way, I would have continued breastfeeding her.  She has been eating cereal for almost three weeks now twice a day and as of last week we incorporated her first vegetables.  So far squash and carrots are a big hit but they are not helping with keeping her food down.  You would think with special formula, Prevacid (for reflux), cereal and vegetables that she would be keeping her food down better.  I guess I just have to be patient and wait it out.  The pediatrician told us that once she starts standing and crawling that she should grow out of it since she will be in an upright position most of the time.  Boy, I can't wait for her to stand! Although, at this rate she is going to be 10 by the time she does.  I'm still waiting patiently for her to roll from back to belly.  She gets so frustrated (as do I).  She gets her whole body twisted around but cannot figure out how to get her big head to go with the rest of her body.  I'm hoping she does it soon!

Any advice is much appreciated! Being a new mom can be so stressful sometimes.  You just want to have all the answers and when you don't  it's frustrating.  Know what I mean?

Painted Piggies

I am not sure if I'm going to have a girly girl on my hands or not. Maybe she's taking after me. I was sporty and always hanging with the boys. I did however aways have my make up on. I was a little girly. So far she's not really a fan of bows. I mainly only put small ones in her hair and they don't last long. She also kickes all socks and shoes off. Half the time we are out, people tell me my little boy is cute (if there isn't a bow in her hair). I mean personally I think she looks like a girl with little girly features but maybe I'm just partial. Since the bows get ripped out and the shoes fly across the room I decided to do something she can't do anything about...

Painted her lil piggies and fingernails! Man was it a challenge. The little booger wouldn't sit still. Also I had to blow on each nail otherwise she smeared it in a second. Aren't they just the cutest though!

Long day...

Emma has felt terrible today and it seems like nothing I did helped. Poor girl is teething I do believe. Since we had such a yucky day nothing could possibly be any cuter than baby pictures, right? Baby cuteness always makes things better.

I'm off to bed and praying we both get a good nights sleep!

Weekend Update

What a quick weekend. It's almost like I blinked and it was gone. On Friday we took Emma to her 4 month check up, which went great. I guessed her weight correclty. She I a solid 14 lbs and 24 1/2 inches long. She is a little over 50th percentile. Perfect! She is growing up right before my eyes. I was looking back at pictures and she has changed so much. After a round of shots and a few minutes of snuggling her to calm her down we headed out to run a few errands. She did much better with this round of shots. No crying and less swelling in her legs. I think giving her Tylenol before the appointment and then every 4 hours on the dot helped a lot. She slept most the day, not really wanting to be touched since she was sore. That evening we put her in her pj's and went out for some hibachi and sushi. She slept the whole time. Sweet girl. We got home, filled her belly with some yummy cereal and snuggled in on the couch for a movie. I cannot even express what a fabulous day it was. I could use more of them.

Saturday, we were up early to prepare for my nephews 3rd birthday. Our intentions were to have a pool party but it ended up being a yucky cold day. We moved the party in doors and it ended up working out. Several people attempted getting in the pool but that was short lived since it was freezing! Poor Ethan got out purple and shivering. He was much happier inside playing the Wii where it was warm. The day was fantastic. Ethan got some amazing gifts and played until he dropped. That night the birthday boy and his sissy spent the night with us and enjoyed waking up to a yummy breakfast I had ready for them.

I just love weekends like that. It went by too fast.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="The Mario Party Set Up"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="The Spread! Yum Yum We had a make your own Sub set up, shrimp pasta salad (I need to post this recipe bc it's fab!), baked beans, chips and hot dogs."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption=""My Mawwio and Wuigi Birfday Cak!e" -BoBo aka Ethan"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Somebody is a happy camper!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Yoshi stuffed animal that me and Uncle Dustin got him."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="DSi from us. He is a little rotten :)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="Have you ever seen a child so excited to get clothes. He's too cute!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="The big surprise from his mommy and daddy!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="My big 18 week old in her Johnny Jumper! She's not such a fan yet..."][/caption]

Morning Conversation

This morning at the crack of dawn this is what my conversation was with Dustin as he's waking out the door for work...

Dustin: Where are my truck keys? (Said in hateful tone mind you)

Me: I don't know...(half asleep, remember its earrrrly)

Dustin: Well, you drove the truck yesterday and I neeeeed them!

Me: Just take the car! (Pulls covers over her head)

Dustin: I neeeed the truck keys because the pharmacy key is on them! I've searched everywhere. (Huffing and puffing)

Me: Why in the world would you put your work keys on our truck key chain? That's just stupid.

Dustin: Amanda, it's been that way forever and I'm not changing it now! "It wouldn't be a problem if you would put the keys back on the key rack!" (My famous quote...I'm the key Nazi)

Me: Did you check the truck? Maybe I left them in there.

(As he storms out the door to go look I get up to go make coffee..however I can barely see since my eyes are almost glued shut with allergy junk and dry contacts...)

Dustin: (slamming door) Not in there!

Me: Why are you being so mean? I am walking around half asleep while you yell at me!

Dustin: Well you lost the keys!!

Me: Like you've never misplaced anything....pahlease! Did you check the diaper bag? I bet ya they are in there!

Dustin: I already looked and they aren't in there!

Me: I bet you didn't look good, they are in there I betcha.

Dustin: They aren't!

Me: Oh really? Cause looky what I just found in the diaper bag! (Jingling keys in his face) Such a man to say you looked and didn't.

Dustin: I did look.

Me: More like glanced...

Dustin: Bye.

Me: Bye (grrrrrrrrr)

(Door slams in face)

Lesson of the day....men don't look very good am I right? It's like when they go to the fridge and ask where the ketchup is and you specifically tell them and they still overlook it...sheesh! What a morning. Good thing I love him even if he's a meanie :)

First Mother's Day

My first Mother's day went a little like this...

Sunday morning me and Emma slept in while daddy made mommy breakfast.  He of course made my favorite.  Pancakes! During breakfast I opened my cards.  Emma even signed her own card.  It was too cute.  There were no presents to open but only because Dustin somebody waited until the last-minute to Mother's Day shop and quickly realized what he wanted done was going to take several hours.  I am still waiting on that gift....

I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed because for weeks I had been hyping up Mother's Day and what an important one it was since it was my FIRST.  I even mentioned several times wanting something sentimental that represents Emma so on Sunday morning when there was nothing to open I was sad.  I then quickly realized while watching my husband, the father of my sweet baby, feeding Emma her cereal and talking to her that I didn't need a physical gift because the gift was sitting right in front of me.  I'm a wife to an amazing man and the mother to the most precious little baby in the whole wide world.

After, breakfast and some snuggle time with my sweet goose we got ourselves ready to head to my moms.  We bypassed church since we had plans to plant my moms garden for her that day.  After opening some gifts from my mom and sisters we headed outside in the beautiful sunshine to plant my moms garden.  It turned out great and I'm looking forward to reaping the benefits of it :) YUM YUM

The night ended with Dustin feeding and putting Emma to bed (in her crib, such a big girl) and then an hour long massage for mommy! I however missed the last thirty minutes of the massage because I passed out cold! Being a mom is hard work man.

Overall, it was a perfect first Mother's Day.  I am so amazingly blessed to be Emma's mommy.  When I pictured myself as a mother when I was a child I could have never fathomed it being this perfect and wonderful.  I am so incredibly in love with this baby girl and I thank God every day for blessing me with her.

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Finding out Emma was on her way!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_384" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Waiting patiently for her arrival..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Perfection. Best day of my life."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_386" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="My everything."][/caption]

Four Months Old

This baby is growing by leaps and bounds. I am still in the process of trying to find a way to slow this process down but I'm not having any luck.  Emma is four months and one week old today.  Her four-month check up is on Friday.  That means more shots, poor baby.  At least we will know how big she is.  I'm thinking at least 14 or more pounds.  All she does is eat eat eat.  Here's what's new in Emma's world.

She LOVES her cereal.

[caption id="attachment_372" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="NOM NOM NOM"][/caption]

She officially loves LESS clothes.  That means we are in for it when she's 16.  I see turtlenecks and bars on the windows in the near future.

[caption id="attachment_373" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Nekkid Baby"][/caption]

We bought her a new BIG GIRL swing and she finally loves to swing!

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Slept for TWO hours! Miracle swing!"][/caption]

She is still almost rolling over.  So so close.  The kid can't get her big head to go with the rest of her body.  She does loves tummy time though.  She's so strong.

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Baby Jeggings are officially my favorite thing EVs!"][/caption]

She is also sleeping in her crib.  As in ALL the way across the house in HER OWN ROOM.  I miss her SO much.  She stays in her crib all night like a good girl.  From 10 to 6 and then usually with mommy from 6 to 8 or 9.  So glad I have a sleeper!

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="*tear*"][/caption]

This whole experience is just flying by before my eyes.  I'm just trying to savor every second of it.  She's so cute right now...baby stage is the best.  I could eat her for breakfast!