So I'll Remember: The Nursing Room.

At the end of Sunday School yesterday morning, I headed over to the nursery to pick up Baby D and head to the nursing room for D's mid-morning meal.  On the way to church that morning, her eyes were already starting to droop for a little snooze, but she never gave in.  I assured the nursery workers (BLESS THEM) that she'd be ready for a nap in no time, but when I came to feed her, they said she'd never dozed off.  Instead, she just chatted with her little friends and smiled up at the workers.  No biggie.  Sundays are just a free-for-all on the whole baby routine, and I've learned to just go with it.  Kids are resilient.  ;)

Anyway, we headed to the nursing room, and I left the lights off with only a bit of sunlight peeking out from behind the curtains to light the room.  I could hear the music coming from the sanctuary as I nursed my little baby and rocked back and forth in the comfy glider.  I closed my eyes and began to hum along with one of my favorite and most gut-wrenching worship songs ("Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman) as D quietly nursed.  When I looked down after a few moments, I realized she had fallen asleep while eating, all snuggled up on my lap and in my arms.  This never happens anymore these days except for those middle of the night feedings when I'm all too ready to send her back to bed so that I can go back to snoozing.  As I looked at my little baby snuggled up so sweetly, I decided not to return her to the nursery.  I decided not to go back into the service.  I decided not to move even one muscle so that I could sit and relish in that quiet snuggle with my sleeping, precious girl.  Tears started to roll down my face as I listened to the words of that worship song, "Blessed be your name / when the sun's shining down on me / when the world's all as it should be / blessed be your name.  Blessed be your name / on the road marked with suffering / though there's pain in the offering / blessed be your name."

In that moment, our world was as it should be.  The quiet darkness, the small baby girl, the unexpected snuggle.

A blessing from Him, indeed.

4 Months: A Letter.

(A day late in posting this as we were waiting on the 4 month check-up today!)

Dear Baby D,

You are FOUR months old, my love!  That's a lot of months, and I'd like for time to just slow down a bit...but I know it can't.  So, instead, I'll try and soak you up as much as I can...and write down as much as I can!

Here are some of the highlights of this past month!

Growth:
-You weigh 17 pounds and are 26 inches long.  This puts you in the 94th percentile for weight and the 98th for height--you are my big ol' girl!
-You are in 6-9 month clothing and size three diapers.

-Your feet must be growing, because none of your teeny little socks seem to fit anymore!
-Your thighs are so chubby and dimply, and I've never seen so many rolls!  Love them!

Eating:
-During the day, you are nursing about every 2-3 hours.  At night, you wake up to eat 1-3 times, and then you go right back to sleep.  For the most part, you've been whittling these nighttime feedings down to once per night, but then every now and then, you'll wake up to eat ravenously a handful of times.  I guess you are just getting things all sorted out, Baby D!

-I give you a 'dream feeding' right before we go to bed at night, and that buys us an extra long chunk of time for sleeping.  :)  You never even wake up or know what's going on, but you get a full belly...and Mommy and Daddy get a little extra rest.  Win win.

-You nurse on one side for about 5 minutes, and there is NO forcing you to go back for seconds if you don't want to!
-Mommy developed a yucky case of mastitis this month, but we pushed through with nursing.  I could tell you were frustrated with the drop in milk supply, but we kept going.  I think you could tell something was wrong since I was so sick I couldn't snuggle and hold you all that much, so you were very interested in where I was all of those sick days.  You wanted extra Mommy time...and I missed you, too.  :)

-While you eat, you like to hold my fingers (so tightly!), play with/pull on my hair, and grasp my shirt.
-Sometimes you can hardly finish eating, because you want so badly to smile at me.  It is precious.
-Bottles are still the enemy, although Daddy tricked you into taking one this month.  You are PICKY about this issue, for sure!

-When you are done nursing, your instinct to roll over kicks in, and you start doing barrel rolls into my body.  It's like you can't make yourself NOT do this, and it is hilarious.  Not super hilarious when you are still eating...ouch.


Sleeping:
-During the day, you take about 4 naps at 45 minutes to an hour and a half.  The naps are starting to fall into a regular(ish) routine, which helps us know how to plan our day.

-In the last couple of weeks, we've started letting you fuss a bit if you wake up too early from a nap.  You are proving to be a short napper who likes a LOT of nighttime sleep (I'll take it!), but there are a sometimes when you wake up fighting mad from a nap, which shows me that you didn't get all of your sleep out quite yet.  You'll usually cry off and on for about 15-30 minutes before falling back to sleep for another chunk of time.  Then...you wake up happily.  :)

-At night, you go to bed at the same time as your big sis at around 6:45pm, and you wake up around 6:30-7:30am.  We're going to start trying to set a wake-up time this next month now that your patterns are a little more solid, and I bet that will help keep things somewhat predictable throughout the rest of the day.

-We still swaddle you, but we only do your legs and the blanket is not tight.  I think you're about done with the swaddle since you can kick out of it pretty easily, but it sure signals to you that it's time to sleep.  Like magic!  Also, the bumper is a thing of the past now that you're getting mobile (ie floppy).  ;)

-You like to hold your open hand over your face and eyes while you try to settle into sleep.
-While you're falling asleep in your crib, you'll suck on your paci or spit it out and suck on your hands, and you'll sometimes moan yourself to sleep.  It is pretty funny to hear.  ;)

-This past month, we've been putting you down for your naps and nighttime while you are still awake but drowsy. You are doing so well putting yourself to sleep!  We still love to rock you for just a bit and read a few books in the evening, but you take care of the rest for the most part.
-However, at this phase, you are pretty partial to Mommy being the one to put you to bed.  ;)


Play:
-Over this past month, your little personality is really starting to peek through.  You seem to be very laid back and peaceful, and you are content to just watch your big sister bop around the house.  You currently prefer Mommy to all other people, and you occasionally get a bit upset if you can't find me with your eyes.  But when we are home and in our regular routine, you are just so very calm and relaxed.  You like to be snuggled and just look around at what's going on.  What a life!!

-You smile with your whole face!  Your eyes light up, your eyebrows go up, your mouth opens wide, your cheeks crinkle, your chin gets dimples.  ADORABLE.

-You gurgle constantly when you try to 'talk' to us.  Even during those nighttime feedings, you try to 'sonar signal' us with your gurgles just to check and see if we are there.  It is all we can do to keep quiet and let you fall back to sleep while nursing.

-You can spread your toes out so far!

-The baby mullet is still going strong, and your hair on top of your head is getting thicker, too.
-You keep sucking on your hands and fingers so much they are getting chapped!

-You laugh and smile at your sister more than anyone.

-You have discovered your hands more this month, and you like to hold our shirts, blankets, my hair, and any little toys or rattles we give you.  You also love to grab at the toys on your play gym.
-You can push up onto your arms in order to lift your head while laying on your tummy.

-You are trying SO HARD to roll over!  It makes you frustrated when you can't do it, but you are learning and getting stronger and stronger.
-You LOVE bathtime with your Daddy and your big sister.  You smile up at them as they sing and sprinkle you with water.  Now that you are getting bigger, your chubby legs hang off the end of your bath chair, and you love to kick and splash the water with your feet.  So cute!

-When we go to kiss you, you open your mouth so wide and close your eyes as if you are bracing yourself for something awesome!  Love that.

-For some reason, you are so ticklish when I change your clothes.  Something about pulling and tugging to get you in and out of your onesies and other clothes makes you giggle and grin so much!  Love it.
-You can clasp your hands together, and you will rake them across the floor to see what you'll find there.

Events/Activities:

-Your first Christmas!  You turned three months old on Christmas Eve, and when you woke up, it was Christmas!  We spent the holiday with Mommy's family, and it was such a special time.  You didn't handle the first day of traveling very well, and I kind of don't blame you: two hours on the road and then two different Christmases with two different sets of family all in one day!  Whew!

After that day, you seemed to fall back into your normal routine.  Everyone wanted to love on you, and they couldn't believe how big you'd gotten!  Christmas was really your last few times where you could fall asleep on someone in the midst of a noisy room.

Your Nama and Aunt Caitlin got to get in a few last snuggles, and then when we got home, you were very much all about being in your own room to sleep.  I'm glad they got to snuggle you just once more while you slept.  Precious memories.

-Your first snow!  Although this winter has been unseasonably warm, we did get a little bit of snow a few days ago!  I bundled you up and took you outside to take a few pictures.  The wind weirded you out so much, and I don't blame you--it was COLD!  Snow will be much more fun to you next year.  ;)

 My love, you are so precious, and each day that we get to spend with you is a true gift from our Lord.  We pray that you will be under His protection and that you'll come to love Him with your whole heart.  You are a blessing, a gift, and a treasure.

I'll love you forever,

Mommy

Snowy Day.

Recently, in our little corner of the world, we received the first snow of the season.  It was also Baby D's first snow!  We bundled up and headed outside for a few pictures.

She was not amused with me.  

Nor with the snow.

Not in the least.

;)

See?

Tiny, snowy footprints. 

Do you see it, Mommy?  SNOW!

She kept trying to wipe it off.  The girl doesn't like a mess.  What can I say.  ;)

It's so BWITE!

'Twas a lovely, snowy morning.

And then...

...we spent the rest of the day snuggling in our jammies.

A good day.

:)

Favorite Christmas Present.

After reading a very inspiring blog post regarding Christmas gifts and such, we decided to follow this little guide for buying gifts for our girls:

One thing they want.

One thing they need.

One thing to wear.

One thing to read.

(And one thing to give...when they're older and can understand).

Anyway, for E's "to wear" gift, I found this shirt on etsy.com:

I'm a teensy tad obsessed with Jane Austen (Baby D's middle name is Jane, after all), and my favorite book in the whole universe just happens to be Pride and Prejudice.

Read it.

Love it.

Do it. 

Now.

In other words, this shirt was a must.

It actually could have fallen into the "need" category of Christmas gifts.

That's how necessary it was.

;)

Ha.

Love it.

;)

So. I'm Turning into My Mother.

They said it would happen.

I never believed it.

But it's true.

I'm turning into my mother.

;)

This week, I was tickled when I noticed quite a few quirks and habits I exhibit that can be directly traced back to my Marms.

1.  If I want a quick dessert, I'll scoop out a dollop of reduced fat creamy peanut butter on a spoon and take my time licking it off.

2.  If there is even a HINT of decent weather or sunshine, I try my hardest to maneuver, bargain, plead and push the entire family out the front door for a brisk walk around the neighborhood. 

3.  I'm slightly obsessed with British literature and television and movies.

4.  If I spy a few old and brownish bananas lying around the kitchen, I try and think up any excuse I can conjure for making a loaf of her banana bread.  Playgroup treats?  Sick neighbor in need of sweets?  It's Tuesday and we need banana bread to celebrate that fact?

5.  I keep my bread in the refrigerator.

6.  A real treat in the middle of the day is a trip to Sonic during happy hour.  We are simple folk, Mom and me.

7.  I've started framing my child's craft projects.  She has lots of our childhood holiday crafts framed and pulls them out each year to put on display.  My Mom could DOMINATE Pinterest.   ;)

8.  I eat an apple a day.  Seriously.  Every single day.  If we travel, we pack apples for the trip.  Weird, I know.

9.  I am sometimes better at showing my true appreciation or encouragement towards someone through the written word, and I love to send cards, thank you notes, and little funnies in the mail.

10.  I can hardly function (or at least not function well) without spending time in the Word each day.  My life gets a little haggard when I skip it.  My Mom started us off young with daily quiet time spent reading our Bibles, and I remember not being allowed to watch Saturday cartoons until I'd spent time studying.  We would eat breakfast together each morning, and she would have us practice memory verses around the kitchen table.  My Mom helped us learn to keep our priorities straight from an early age, and I know my faith is stronger for it.

My Marmee is an amazing lady, and I consider it a privilege to emulate her.  

So, I'm becoming my mother?

Bring it. 

;)

A Week in (iPhone) Pictures.

Whenever I get a little restless thinking that I've "done nothing" over the previous week or so, all I need to do is check my phone pictures.  I am reminded that my life is busy and nutso and fun and full.  And how handy to be able to snap little reminders of it each day!

Here's a little glimpse into my life over the last week-ish:

Baby D.  Taking it all in.  Just chillin.  Leg flung over the side of her low-ridin' bouncy seat.  ;)

 

First attempt at potty training in summation:

She asked.

We obliged.

She vociferously declined.

We'll try again later.

;)

Made our favorite roast of all time: pepperoncini roast.  So easy.  SO delish.

(Sear a chuck roast on all sides after seasoning heavily with salt and pepper.

Put seared roast in crock pot with a jar of pepperoncini peppers and their juices.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Shred and serve as mini sandwiches on Hawaiian sweet rolls with cheese.)

Heaven.

Baby D.  Still chillin.  Still being sweet.  And round.  ;)

She currently prefers Mommy to be very close by at all times.  I am relishing this little clingy phase, because I know that all too soon Daddy will totally trump Mommy in the cool factor.  ;)  For now, I'm soaking up her extra snuggles while whispering threats into her ears that she'd better not grow up.  Ever.

Think it'll work?

While in OKC for Christmas, my sis and I decided to try out the new gel nail polish craze.  For about a week, it was amazing.  No chips at all!  But it started crinkling up at the cuticle, and this ridiculousness pictured above is how you have to remove the polish.  Acetone-soaked cotton balls held onto your nails with aluminum foil.  It looked like I was channeling Beyonce or Lady Gaga with that craziness on my hands!  Probably won't get the gel nail polish again.  Expensive and hard to get off.  I'll pass.

 

Completed another Pinterest-inspired project for the little play area of our house.  Bought this gigantic carved wood frame on clearance, sprayed it a pale yellow, stretched burlap over cork board and fitted that into the frame, and, voila!  Perfect display for all of my tiny artist's creations.  ;)

(And, yes, that is a picture of a hippo tooting.  It's a long story, but it is her number one request during coloring time.  If I've drawn one hippo tooting, I've drawn a hundred.)

 

Lots of snuggling.  Lots of playing on the floor.  Lots of laughing and tickling.

Baby D is starting to consolidate her little routine, so my big girl and I get some special time just one on one each day.  I miss our time together so much.  Is that wrong to say?  I love D with all my heart and cherish our time together, too.  It's just that she requires a lot of constant attention right now, and I feel like E is a little lonely sometimes.  So, when the opportunity presents itself for some Mommy and E time, I snatch it up.  Today, we snuggled on my bed in our jammies and played with a pair of cheap reading glasses for about an hour.  

I loved every minute.

Welp, there's a peek into my life over the last few days.  

Who said I was ever bored?!?

;)