Banished!

I do NOT remember Samara being such a noisy sleeper...I'm sure she probably was and I've blocked it from my memory.

I have not been getting a lot of sleep. Presley is in the bassinet beside me and she is LOUD! She grunts, snorts and is generally just a noisy breather. So, after a month, I'd had enough and decided she could go to the crib in her room...it's not like she's in a dungeon. She's in a beautiful nursery we spent many hours making just perfect.

I sleep so much better. Shawn sleeps so much better. And truth be told, Presley is sleeping better as well.

So why do I feel so guilty?!?!

Dance Parties

Do other families have nightly dance parties in their kitchens? If not, I highly recommend it...it is quite possibly one of my favorite parts of the day. We finish supper, clean up, crank the tunes and go to it! Samara does not stop grinning through the entire thing. In fact, when it's time to turn down the music, she gets a bit pissed and wants more "dance? dance?". Presley is getting in on the action too but has no opinion yet. It's impossible to stay mad, grumpy or stressed. Go on, try it! I dare you!

What are we dancing to? Well, I'm one of those annoying people that pick a favorite song and then play it a zillion times a day until I can no longer stand to listen to it (and neither can anyone else in the house).

Songs I've ruined and can no longer play during our dance parties:
My Girl - The Temptations
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

The current song I'm close to ruining:
Cover of The Rolling Stone - Dr. Hook

What song would kick off your dance party? Be honest, embarrassing admissions are completely welcome!

Wordless Wednesday

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What is it with babies loving to poop in freshly changed diapers?!

Christmas Recap

I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas! Here is our recap, told through pictures.

Shawn and I had a ridiculously good time playing "Santa"...filling stockings and loading the tree full of presents (we weren't able to have ANY presents under the tree until Samara went to bed Christmas Eve night since she doesn't follow the concept of "hands off!"). Notice our tree, no decorations within an arm's reach of a 19 month old toddler!

We got Samara's big present all prepped and ready to play with. It's probably the most organized it will EVER be!
We had a rough night with Presley and neither of us got much sleep. At one point (3:30am, I think?!), Shawn asked me if we should just open presents then! Sam cooperated by sleeping in until 8:30am. In fact, we were anxiously waiting for her to wake up so we could get started!

She was absolutely thrilled. She really "got it" this year. She eagerly tore open presents (not always just her own!) and oooh-ed and aahhh-ed over everything.
Presley slept through the whole thing. Must have been very tired after not sleeping all night!

She did wake up later to put on her cute Santa outfit...bought by Mom and Bill when we weren't sure if we were getting a Santa Claus or a Mrs. Claus! Doesn't she look cute? And just a bit like a boy?!Samara was busy cooking in her kitchen all day.
Best Christmas gifts ever, 2 precious little girls. I'm already excited for next year!

And our first non-gassy smile from our littlest one!
Happy Holidays! Much love to you all!

Hello 29, Goodbye 28!

Today is my 29th birthday. That is starting to sound old. I feel pretty good about it but won't be singing the same tune next year...of that I'm sure! It's been a wonderful year. I have a perfect little family and am grateful to have many fantastic people in my life. 29 will be just fine!

Now for the fun stuff...what am I hoping to get this year? Well...sadly, I can't think of anything material I am really desiring. What I would like is a delicious and decadent meal out with dinner companions who are not attached to my boob or throwing food every 5 seconds followed by a full night of uninterrupted sleep. HA! Dream on, hey?! Well, it's my birthday and I can dream if I want to!

1 month!!

Presley is 1 month old today. SO hard to believe. I think it's going even faster this time around.

At 1 month, she really isn't doing THAT much. Cute as a button though! She eats, sleeps, poops on an endless repeating cycle. She is quite alert when she's awake and makes really good eye contact...so much that her doctor commented on it. Her neck is super strong already and she lifts her head up to inspect things.

I don't have her weight and height at 1 month but at her 3 week check up, she weighed 9 pounds (65th percentile) and was 53 cm long (65th percentile). She is still in newborn diapers and clothing.

Presley is a good eater...but a very quick eater. No hour long sessions for us. I really worried at the beginning if she was getting enough in that time but the 65th percentile weight indicates she is! I struggle to make it last 10 minutes and usually she'll only eat from one side. She eats every 3 hours, except at night when she does a longer stretch of 4-5 hours. She does a quick 5 minute feed at that time and then continues on the 3 hour schedule. No complaints...I was getting down about this because the birth club I belong to online has some babies who are already doing 6 hour stretches or sleeping through the night. Then I remember getting up every 30 minutes or so with Sam and I'm counting my lucky stars! With any luck we won't have to wait until 9 months like Samara to all be sleeping through the night again.

Her favorite activities are being held and snuggled. ALL THE TIME. She will put up with the swing or bassinet on occasion but will leave you guessing as to which time it will be. She likes her activity mat and detests tummy time unless it's on us. She enjoys kisses from her sister although her sister seems to think she needs them to last for 10 seconds. She puts up with the Beco for a bit but then voices her displeasure that we are cheating by holding her in that instead of our arms.

Overall, the first month has been wonderful. We are very lucky to have such a precious girl. It has been hard for sure...while she isn't as fussy/colicky/high needs as Samara was at this age, she is definitely not as easy as some babies I have been around. That being said, as I type this, she is snoozing so peacefully in my arms that I can't really recall her ever being difficult. It's funny how babies can do that, hey?!

Things I never want to forget:
-those super cute baby smiles while she is sleeping. Yeah, yeah...it's gas...whatever!
-those super cute baby giggles while she is sleeping. Melt my heart!
-little baby sneezes...and when she doesn't quite sneeze and goes...little gasp of breath and then aaahhhhh!

Cloth Diaper Rant

This is not my first cloth diaper rant. It most likely won't be my last. WHY am I having such difficulty with these things? We have had endless leaks, I've stripped them dozens of times, contacted the manufacturer, tried different inserts, doubled the inserts, changed the sizing...I just can't win. It is so frustrating to always be changing not only the diaper that didn't do its job but also the pants/tights/skirt Samara happens to be wearing as well. I think I'm going through more laundry with her now than I did when she was a newborn!

Now the latest problem is that they could knock you over with the ammonia smell. Apparently this means there is buildup on the diapers. Great. I spent an extraordinary amount of money on "special" cloth diaper laundry detergent when our regular Tide Free didn't seem to be cutting it. What next?! I'm going to try a major strip with Oxyclean and bleach and hopefully that brings us at least to square 1. GRRRR...

And no, giving up is NOT an option. We spent way too much money on these things to switch now! Also, I'm stubborn as hell and I will not let them beat me!

Pet Peeve

I have many...but here's one I just encountered for the 1,899th time.

You're driving along, minding your own business, when you see the person next to you frantically trying to get into your lane. Do you:
A. Speed up so he can't get in front of you
B. Look the other way and pretend not to notice
C. Tap on your brakes and give him a wave so that he can enter the lane

A and B are enticing and I admit to having used them from time to time. Normally though, I'm an option C driver. Now this is where my pet peeve comes in. NO THANKS WHATSOEVER! No friendly wave, salute, honk, wink, head bob or anything. I could have easily chosen A or B, Mister/Ma'am! Doesn't it make you want to "accidentally" ram them?!

Husha Husha!

Picture Catch Up Part 2

Picture Catch Up Part 1

Leftovers

• How is it Friday already? I'm not sure but I am THANKFUL. Shawn is off from work for the weekend, we're back to 2 on 2. I like those odds much better than newborn and high needs toddler vs. exhausted mama!
• Samara has started "burping" Presley, me, her dolls, herself...except it's not always on the back so I think technically it's just hitting?
• Isn't it weird how newborns seem to follow something with their eyes but you can't see what it is? A ghost?! A family member from the other side?!
• One of my favorite memories of the past few weeks was when Shawn and Samara came home from music class and they had been taught "I'm a Little Teapot". Watching my handsome husband do the song and actions over and over with Samara will always brighten my day.
• After my boasting post the other day, the other 2 days this week were TOUGH. I won't say dismal...not quite that bad but by the end of both days I was completely emotionally exhausted. I have got to stop beating myself up about letting some things slide but at the end of the day I'm not always proud of the mom I've been to these 2 darlings. I need to refill my patience...but how????
• We took a drive the other night to look at Christmas lights and cranked the Christmas tunes. There was no better way to get in the mood for the season. Samara was THRILLED and ooh-ed and aahh-ed almost as much and as loud as Shawn!
• For more leftovers, join our host here!
  

SUCCESS!!

My first day flying solo with the girls was a complete success! I had a girlfriend and her 2 girls over for a playdate in the morning so that was a good distraction. After lunch, I managed to get Samara and Presley both napping at the same time so I took advantage and took a little snooze myself. I had time leftover so I windexed all the mirrors in the house and prepped supper. I know that every day will not be this easy (and most will probably be the opposite) but I'm so thankful that at least the first day was easy(ish!).

SANTA!

The visit to Santa was a complete success...no tears from either girl. Samara was VERY excited when she first spotted him but when it came time to sit on his lap, she would not crack a smile. I guess the idea of Santa is much better than the real thing!

Sigh...

All good things must come to end. Tomorrow Shawn returns to work. It has been amazing having him home for the past 3 weeks while we settle into our family of 4. We are REALLY going to miss him while he's at work. I wish he didn't have to go back but his girls (myself included!) will be eagerly awaiting him when he comes home every day.
p.s. - when am I going to shower, eat, pee, etc.?!

Family Pictures 2010

Ahhhh...

I've got a chicken, sundried tomato and artichoke bake in the fridge ready to be baked for dinner, the house is tidy, my to do list is completely empty for the first time in...well, I'm not sure how long! Shawn is in the basement wrapping my birthday and Christmas presents and both kids are napping peacefully. LIFE IS GOOD!!! Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Leftovers

• I didn't want to say anything until I was absolutely, positively sure. Samara is now 19 months, Presley is 2.5 weeks old so I think (hope!) it's safe to say..........NO STRETCH MARKS!!! Some of you understand that this was my worst fear. I had an extreme skin care regiment that involved many lotions, potions, creams, butters and oils. They say those things don't work but having the softest belly for miles isn't a bad side effect at any rate!
• Is there anything nicer than a newborn snoozing the afternoon away on your chest?
• Is there anything more tiring than a newborn who ONLY prefers snoozing on your chest?! I'm trying not to be concerned with creating "bad habits" and whatnot. This is our last baby so I will just treasure these moments.
• Is anyone on Goodreads? I could use some more friends for good book suggestions.
• Shawn goes back to work on Wednesday. Excuse me while I wet myself in fear of being alone with my 2 girls.
  
• Samara now knows to call Presley "Esey"...however, she thinks all babies she sees are "Esey".
• I love Christmas but man, oh man, does the house ever seem cluttered with all the extra "stuff".
• Almost down to my goal weight...another 6.4 pounds to go!

Join the host of Friday Night Leftovers HERE!

Santa!

For some unknown reason, Samara has taken a liking to Santa. She is too young to understand what he does but she loves him just the same. She is always on the lookout for him, whether it be toys in stores or inflatable ones on people's lawns.

Here we are looking through Richard Scarry's big book of words. We do this probably 45 times a day!




Stay tuned to find out what she thinks of the real thing when we go for pictures!

Pobby?

Guess who pooped on the potty (or pobby, as she likes to call it) last night?? SAMMY!!!! She has been tricking us for a couple of months now...saying, "poop? pobby?" We go and take her and nothing happens. I'm not at all concerned because it's early and I have no specific goal in mind for such a thing. I figure she'll do it when she's ready and I'm not going to fight for it sooner just for bragging rights.

That being said, when she asks to sit on it, I'm game. This time, we made it! I made such a big deal about it, then called Shawn and he made such a big deal about it that it's possible we scared her a bit. She seemed really confused as to why we were freaking out. When she looked at what she had done in the potty, she simply said, "EW". That's my girl!

Wordless Wednesday