This Fair is No Fun Mom!

So.....

We took Emma to her very first fair two nights ago.  It did not go over well.  I had a feeling as the day went on that she may not do well.  She didn't nap well that day and was just plain crabby.  It didn't change once we arrived at the fair.  As soon as we walked through the gate she started screaming bloody murder.  Every little thing was scaring her.  Normally, she would have loved it.  Not really sure what got into her.  Let me set the scene for you.  It was seven trillion (yes trillion) degrees outside.  It was so muggy you couldn't breathe.  It was very loud.  It was hot.  Oh did I mention that already? It was a lot of smells all mixed together (corn dogs, sweaty people, smoke and dirt from the figure eight race going on, did I mention sweaty people?).  Because of all these things and Emma's terrible mood we had to carry her the entire time.  She was NOT having any part of her stroller.  Why didn't we just leave you ask? Because the tickets were ten bucks a person to get in and by gosh we were going to get our ten dollars worth.  We are retarded, duh.  After the sun finally went down, the heat subsided a very teensy weensy small bit.  Do you think that really made Emma any happier? Umm no.  I'm still kicking myself for even staying that long because we were only torturing ourselves. We rode all of ONE ride (which was a little worrisome since it was sitting on ply wood because the ground wasn't even).  We ate one very large, nasty corn dog, we drank five hundred bottles of water and one coke.  Dustin downed a funnel cake in about 2.5 seconds because I was about to have a nervous breakdown with said fussy baby.  We played one game (the duck in a pond game, everyone  is a winner so does it even count?).  We watched one round of the figure eight race (Emma was not a fan of those loud cars).  We attempted to ride the carousel with her but they wouldn't let her ride.  36 inches or taller they said.  Boo.  We did however get to spend time with my parents and some great friends of ours.  They have a baby boy that is three weeks younger than Emma.  He loved the fair.  He even slept for half of it.  Lucky lucky lucky.  I wanted to trade babies for the night.  I guess overall it was a good night with great company.

 Wow Mom.  Dim the lights please.

 Thanks Mom.  Hey Gage, wanna play with some grass and not the bad kind if ya know what I mean, my momma has told me to always Just. Say. No.  She's teaching me young,

 

See Gage, isn't this fun?

 When do you think our mommies will let us go on a date?

  My dad says I'm never going to date boys but I think he's just silly.  I will just bat my eyes and he'll give in.

I think my momma is going to be the strict one.  It's ok though Gage, I'll just sneak my dada's phone and call you later :)

Baby Food Try Take One

This past week I attempted my first round of baby food makin'.  I was worried it would turn out terrible but I shocked myself.  It was actually SO easy and quite delicious if I must say.  Such a fresh taste compared to the processing of the jar foods in the grocery store.  Emma has really enjoyed it so far.  The only problem I'm found so far is that since I freeze it, it gets a bit watery when I thaw it out.  I just add a little Mixed Grains or Rice Cereal and it's good to go.  So far I've made Carrots, Squash, Green Beans and Zucchini.  This coming week I'm going to make Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Peas and maybe some Beets.  I'm also going to attempt fruits next week.  I'm thinking they may be a little more difficult.  I'm going to try apples and pears for now.  It's really affordable too.  Much cheaper than the almost $1 per jar at the stores.  Just a bit time consuming, but so worth it.

 Nom Nom Nom

 Zucchini anyone? Her favorite so far.

Do you make your baby's food?

What are your favorites to make?

Leave a comment and share! 

Catch Up Post, Yada Yada Yada

So once again I find myself having to constantly catch up on my blog.  Summer has been so incredibly busy for us.  Busy but so fantastic.  It was really been a whirlwind but I wouldn't change it for anything.  I love that Emma is at an age where we can really be out and do fun things.  She is a great little traveler and loves being around people.  First to catch you up on...Fourth of July festivities.

P.S. I'm typing this post while trying to watch 127 Hours with Dustin, chat with my bestie on Facebook and make sure to listen for a sleeping baby if she arises, so if this post is sporadic I apologize in advance.

Any who, where was I? Oh yes.  Fourth of July.  We had tons of family and friends over at our house for a pool party.  It was perfect weather and great time spent with the people we love most.

P.S.S Speaking of people I love most and friends, I have a post coming up about loyalty and what true friendship is.  Stay tuned for that one.

Again, Sidetracked! Back to where I was.  The Fourth was spent socializing, playing corn hole, horse shoes, swimming and lots of amazing food and fireworks.  I have to say it's probably the best Fourth I've had in so many years.  Emma did a great job being out in the heat.  We kept her cool in the water and under a shady umbrella when she wasn't eating or napping.  So proud of my big girl!

This past weekend, for the first time since Emma was born I stayed away from home.  For two whole nights.  My sweet husband stayed home so that I could have a fun filled girls weekend in the mountains.  How amazing is he? I surprisingly did better than I thought I would.  I only cried twice.  Once when I pulled out of the drive way and once the first night I went to bed.  It was such a relaxing, much needed getaway.  I really did come back rejuvenated.  Two days of rest with out having to constantly be tending to or worrying about Emma.  Not that I didn't worry about her while I was gone, because I did.  It was just time for me.  I haven't had that since January.  I can't say thanks to Dustin enough for allowing me to go on that trip.  Also, to be with two of my dearest friends in the world was priceless.  We had a ball.  So many laughs.  We cried from laughing so hard several times.  Love both of those girls so much.  Unfortunately, we were missing a member from the trip.  My older sister was supposed to go with us but ended up staying home with her kiddos.  So understandable but we missed her a lot.  Hopefully, the next girls weekend she will be able to attend and be apart of the fun that was had.

 On the road to Gatty Town.

 My delicious dinner at The Peddler Steakhouse.

"We're the three best friends that anybody could have, we're the three best friends that anybody could have, we're the three best friends that anybody could have, and we'll never ever ever ever leave each other!"

A few days after returning back from Gatlinburg, it was time to take Emma to her six month check up.  I am not sure why it was scheduled after she was already six months old but it was a little harder than her other appointments.  She got two shots this time which is much better than the normal three or four but the shots really got her this time.  Fever for 24 hours, chills, body aches...the whole shebang.  Poor girl.  Other than the terrible shots she is growing like a weed.  She is 16.1 lbs and 27 in long.  I think she's going to be tall.  She's pretty much perfection.  See for yourself.

 Striking a Pose

 NOM NOM NOM

Big Baby Blues

Well, that's all folks.  For now anyway.  I promise to blog more when I find the time.  Time slips away from me so fast these days.  All you momma bloggers out there, I don't know how you find the time to blog everyday! I'm impressed.  Keep blogging and I'll keep reading (and commenting when I find an extra minute in my day!).

Gatlinburb Trip 2011 (Part 1)

A post in which to catch you up on how our Gatlinburg trip last week went. Since I took like 100, 389 pictures you will get this in two posts. So in photo form our trip went a little like this...

DAY ONE:

The drive went pretty smooth for the first three hours. Emma slept for awhile and then woke up starving so we stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs and feed her. Let's just say it all went downhill from there. She was tired and ready to get out of her car seat. Screaming in sued from that point on. An hour and a half of crying and you can imagine how excited I was when I saw these mountains in the background.

Needless to say, she was very excited when she was able to stretch out on her mat at the cabin.


This was what we got to look at while we grilled the first night. Brightest moon I've seen in awhile. I guess that's what it looks like when you are in the mountains with no street lights.


DAY TWO:

Our view from the cabin deck.


Dollywood trip was great. Emma did so much better than I thought she would. She only took one cat nap but my mom was such a trooper helping out with her while me and Dustin rode rides all day. We were all beat after six hours of walking a theme park though.


My sweet hubby.

Me and my beautiful momma. We were so blessed to have her go on this trip with us. Not only was she a huge help but she really got to relax and enjoy herself.


The feel and look of Dollywood was great. Just wish there weren't so many hills to climb there!

Crazy baby!


Ferris wheels freak me out, that's why I'm the one taking the picture. Is it weird I will ride the craziest, most scary roller coasters but will not step foot on a ferris wheel?




Mom reminiscing about the days of being in the back seat of one of these :)
jk, jk


Welp, stay tuned for Part Two!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

We are officially on our way to the beautiful Smokey Mountains. Two weeks ago in a sporadic, omg, we are exausted, need a getaway while hubby has a week off for his birthday, moment we decided to book a cabin for four nights. Do you hear that people? Four whole nights and five whole days to sit back and relax. We have a lot on the agenda while we are there but regardless it will still be relaxing.

We are going to Dollywood on Friday. For those of you that read this blog (I do have readers right?) that are not from the south, Dollywood is a theme park that the great Dolly Parton built. It's amazing and you should totally plan a trip. I'm so stocked about it. I haven't been since I was a kid (because that was so many years ago ya know). Since my wonderful mother is coming on this trip with us we will be able to ride all the rides together! I'm ready to feel like a kid again.

Saturday we are going to spend the day shopping in dowtown Gatlinburg and eating as much homeade fudge as humanly possible. Dinner out that night and on Sunday a day at Titanic. I hope me and Emma survive the ship going down. Women and children first, right? Sorry babe. I know Sunday is your birthday and all but the dudes giving out the life boat seats made the rules, not me.

Sunday night, if Dustin survives we have planned a nice dinner out for his 27th birthday and very first Father's Day. After dinner my mom is going to watch Goose for us while we have some alone time. It will be nice to walk Gatlinburg hand in hand and know our sweet baby is in good hands back at the cabin. Have I mentioned I love my momma?

Needless to say, this is going to be one ahhhmazing trip. We are so so excited! When I get back I definitely have a few catch up posts since I've been m.i.a. lately. One including a story about 21st birthday bashs, creeks and four wheeler wrecks. Stay tuned. You don't want to miss it.

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]

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?

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]