Have a Very Merry Christmas !

Baby, Its Cold Outside

I bundled Brooklyn up to go out on a walk yesterday and she didn't look thrilled about it ...

"ooooh - I know the sun is out, but its chilly out here Mom!"

She was all smiles when we got back home!

Recent Pics ...

Saturday Mornings

... are best spent in PJ's. 

 

:D

PSA: Don't give your dog grapes.

... or your cat for that matter.

We don't know what Daisy (our dog) got into - but it made her very very sick. She was vomiting and ... well, i'll spare you the ugly details ... but she was VERY sick. 

We took her to the vet where they did blood work and sent us home with a lot of meds and a hefty bill. She's doing much better now but we still don't know what made her sick. Apparently grapes or raisins (<---read about it by clicking here) could have been the culprit. Both are toxic to dogs and cats - I had never heard this so I thought I'd spread the word.

A Word from The Overprotective Dad

My Husband wants to make it clear that he has a Size 12 for any boys looking to date his daughter in the future. 

(isnt that smile intimidating? ;)

Daddy, Take My Hand ...

One Month Old!

At one month old she is now 

10lbs 6oz and 23 inches long!

Heres a couple new pics ... because I cant help taking a million pics when she is sleeping. 

:)

Brooklyns Video Blog

In Need of a Mommy Makeover

... and winning one of these beegee clutches would be the perfect way to start off the makeover! aren't they cute??

go ahead, sign up to win! I did! 

Look who found their thumb!

I WISH I had the pic of me when I was a baby sucking my thumb ... I bet it looks identical to this one of Brooklyn!

A day at the park ...

Baby B's New Outfit ...

Outfitted by the Aunties!! ;)

The outfit is from Heather & fam and the boots are from my other stylish sis; Alexa and her family! Thanks guys!!!

Baby's First Thanksgiving

The Cousins: Brooklyn, Kate and Kalina ...

She slept all afternoon until dinner was served ...

My Sister, Neice and Baby Brooklyn!

Gramma and half of the Grandbabies ...

Gramma, Ali and Kalina ...

My Aunt, the baby whisperer ;)

Best Thing I Did Postpartum

... was set up a bed in the nursery.

I'm exclusively breastfeeding, want my baby to sleep in her crib and need my husband to get good sleep. So - a twin bed in the baby's room, no matter how squished, was the perfect solution. My sister suggested it a long time ago but I thought it was a luxury that I really didnt have room for. Turns out that if I scoot things around it does fit - might not look 'pretty' but it fits!

I highly recommend it to all new moms. 

productivity level = nil

Nil: zip, zero, zilch.

- thats what i've accomplished today.

Ive been home 2 hours - 2 hours that I've spent shushing, rocking, feeding, putting down thinking shes asleep and picking right back up. 

My house is a disaster. My hair is even worse and I havent showered or put on decent clothes. Did I mention its almost 1pm?

I just want to clean the house & make it smell good again ... like it did when I was pregnant and nesting like crazy. I want my husband to come home and think I've done well at this new job of mine. I, myself, want to feel like I'm good at it.

But I can't because my baby is miserable. Shes been miserable for the past 5 days - but usually only in the evening. She cries as if she thinks she's been left in the care of the wrong people. She cries as if I am absolutely clueless at meeting her needs.

oh wow - look at that. I just accomplished somthin' ! a blog entry. 

Guess I better go shower now too!! 

She's 3 Weeks Old!

Heres a ton of new pics -

Kalina being an awesome Big Sis ...

Still Nothing Sweeter than a Sleeping Baby ...

Sleepy Baby & Daddy ...

Brooklyns First (real) Bath!

My Post-Partum Plan

I bought this DVD while I was pregnant and I hated the prenatal part of it - so I used the Gabby Reece DVD instead. But today I checked out the post-partum workout DVD that came with it and so far I really like it! It starts out slow - which is what I need right now and shes funny - she says things like "oh I know you dont want to do this - but just ONE MORE!" haha. Sounds dreadful but I love it.

I'll let you know how it goes - I put on 40 pounds with this pregnancy. They weighed me when I came into labor & delivery (i know, nice, right?!). In the past 2.5 weeks Ive lost half of that. That means Im still 20 lbs. heavier than I was last thanksgiving. But 9 mos on, 9 mos off right??

The Exciting Life of a Post-Partum Mom

Before I had the baby I took Daisy (our dog) EVERY where with me. Since the baby has come it has proven more difficult but I still try to take her when possible. Today she was really exited as she saw me putting my shoes on & getting ready to go - I felt bad for the dog, so I brought her along on the trip to Target. ;-) Afterall, I only needed 2 things - diapers and milk.

Its overcast today and wasnt warm out at all so I new she'd be fine while I ran in. I parked in the back near the cart corral and loaded the baby and the baby's luggage into the cart. Daisy sometimes whines until I get far enough away for her to realize shes not coming in with me - today was no exception. I noticed as I was loading everything in a lady was STARING at me a few cars away as she loaded her stuff. I smiled awkwardly and kept about my business. I honestly had no idea why she was staring at me.

I get in & grab the diapers - after doing the math and realizing they were actually cheaper at Babies R Us and I should've bought them there - I proceed on to get the milk. Over the loud speaker I hear "Will the owner of a gray honda, license plate blah, blah, blah, blah please report to their car." OOOOOH - Thats why she was staring at me. Great - I thought. Is it illegal to leave your dog in the car now? It's not like its 80, 90 or 100 degrees out there for goodness sake - I mean the sun isn't even out yet.

Oh well - I continue to head towards the milk section, grab my cartons and head to the checkout lanes. Im thinking that the security guy is going to be waiting for me but at least I can cross this errand of my list. I head out of the store with diapers and milk in tow and see that no one is waiting for me at my car with the exception of my now quiet and well behaved dog. If only I could explain to Daisy that the whining spectacle she puts on scares people making them think shes in danger, when she's clearly not.

That was probably the most excitement I'll have this week - but that, my friends, is a day in the life of a post-partum mom ... all that excitement and no one to tell it to. The baby's asleep, the husbands at work, the older kid is at school, and the dog doesnt listen too well anyhow.

What happened to my ...

happy, sleepy, non-fussy baby?!?! Shes been REPLACED!

Here she is after she settles down ... :)

The Super Exciting Life of a 2 Week Old

Need. More. Sleep.

As of right now she sleeps about 3-4 hours at a time at night - which is more than I can ask for and I pray that it stays this way - HOWEVER ... getting no more than a 4 hours sleep stretch can have its effects on performing even normal daily tasks.

Yesterday, somehow, a diaper ended up in the hamper and then ultimately made it into the washing machine - only to be discovered after the wash was complete and the insides of the diaper were all over the washing machine and all over the baby clothes, baby blankets & crib sheets. 

I have no idea how to get all the little beads off of the clothes although they've been cleaned out of the washer. I still won't admit that I put the diaper in the hamper but who knows - like I said sleeping 3 .. 4 hours at a time (at best) has its consequences. and I don't recommend trying to function normally in this state. 

And yes - I know, it could be worse. I like to remind myself - it can always be worse. Some babies only sleep 1-2 hour stretches at a time. and I'll get used to it. Eventually. sigh.

How Long until I forget ...

As I watch a women birth naturally on TLC's A Baby Story, I can still remember very distinctly how bad it hurt when the baby's head was making its way through the birth canal. I remember feeling each contraction intensely - until they doubled up and it just continued to burn without reprieve. It is one of those pains Id like to say you will "never forget" - but thats not true. I will forget. I know I will, because I forgot until I was in the delivery room for the 2nd time the pain that I had felt with Kalina. This time I just wonder, how long will it take this time to forget again??? Will I ever fall ill with baby fever again after that pain? 

Eskimo Kisses

This is what we call Milk-Drunk ...

It is out of focus but you get the point. 

:)

Brooklyn's 12 day stats

We had a Dr appt today and the Dr said she is already 

8 lbs 12 oz and 21.5 inches! 

Thats almost a pound more than her birth weight and 1.5 inches longer!

Shes growing wonderfully and looks healthy as can be, he says.

Bathtime!

Brooklyn LOVES bathtime!

... and Daddy LOVES these toes! :D

After her bath she is ready for bed ...

I think shes a little annoyed by the constant 'paparazzi' ;)