Spring Break and 2 month update.

Q and I spent spring break in the Dublin/Lampasas area. Here's a little rundown of how busy the week was for us:

We went to a wedding, visited Nana for a day, had a baby shower, shopped, visited Grams for a few days, a TON of driving, and she was constantly passed around from family and friends. But luckily I have been blessed with a pretty awesome child and she was (mostly) smiles through it all. We had such a great time visiting everyone, but we're SO glad to be back home and back to seeing daddy everyday!

Since we've been back home, Q has had her two month appointment. I think we all know that means shots. Luckily daddy was off two days in a row (miracle!) so he was able to come and support her (and me). There was a split second where I thought she wasn't going to cry, but then the tears came. It wasn't too bad though, with the help of Tylenol, we made it through. She actually only cried a few minutes after the shots and was good for the rest of the day! Tough little cookie!

She officially weighs 12lbs and is now 23 inches long! Growing little lady! We had to ask her doctor about a few things; over spring break, Q developed a skin/diaper rash, as well as cradle cap (or as M and I call it, cradle crap!) There was a while where the poor little thing would cry when we changed her diaper because it hurt so bad :(. But we've gotten that cleared up now and have switched to fragrance free soaps and lotions, which seems to be working so far. As from the cradle crap, the doctor suggested to rub some baby oil on her head and it's worked for a couple of days, but it's coming back. Any suggestions that might clear that up for good would be greatly appreciated!

A little update on Q's schedule: we were doing pretty well with it, until we went to visit everyone back home. No one could put her down for a second, so she's gotten used to falling asleep in warm arms and not in her crib. But I can't blame them I guess, she's just SO cuddly! I am finding out that I'm not so crazy about getting her on a perfect schedule anymore. We just kind of do whatever works for us. The main reason for this, I think, is because I'm used to being a mom now. It took longer than I thought, honestly. And in the beginning, as I've confessed in past blogs, it's pretty darn hard! When Q was first born, people would ask me all the time, "How do you like being a mom?" and some would even ask, "Isn't it the best job in the world?" That's the worst question you could ever ask a new mom, at least it was for me! Why don't you save that question for a few months down the road, when we're adjusted to this new life? I'm going to start asking new moms, "Would you like a shot?!" That's more appropriate for the first few weeks!

But now feel free to ask how I love being a mom, because now I can't truthfully say that's it's so awesome! Especially since the little one smiles all time! Those little toothless grins make it all worth while!


Best parenting advice I've recieved thus far:

DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

ROUTINE! ROUTINE! ROUTINE!

This week I've been trying get Q on a routine (both for her sanity and mommy and daddy's!). After researching online, my husband and I decided 6 weeks would be a good time to start this. Then I started reading the book, On Becoming Babywise ,and found out if we started Q's routine on week one, according to the book, she would already be sleeping through the night. Can I have a do-over?! After kicking myself for not reading the book sooner, we began the long process of starting a routine. *note: this book was loaned to me by a friend who has had success with this method three different times, so you know I jumped at the suggestion! The book suggests a parenting/feeding style called parent directed feeding, in this process I decide when she eats/sleeps/etc. while at the same time staying flexible to her needs and making sure she stays full, happy and satisfied. It's basically a nice medium between parent led routines and baby led routines. I'm all about nice happy mediums, I just can't take all the EXTREMES of the world!

Anyway, I began by looking at sample routines online and used the sample as a guideline for Q's routine. According to her routine, she gets three naps throughout the day and six feedings (or more if she wakes at night, which she ALWAYS does at the moment). The first two days were pretty rocky, so I revised the times to make it more accommodating for everyone (the day does NOT start before 7AM!). It's going.....how shall I say this......okay (I guess). I feel like it's more of a hit and miss with Q. Sometimes she's all about routine and making life easier for mommy and sometimes she just wants to see just how far she can push it (and she's only 6 weeks old! What does that mean for the teen years?!). Another obstacle we had to conquer was the transition from sleeping in her swing in mommy and daddy's room to her crib in her nursery. (**confession** sometimes I let her sleep beside us when she constantly wakes up. I know, I know this is BAD, VERY BAD! We're working on it, OK?!) All I can say about that is she's officially cried herself to sleep as of yesterday, during that time basically locked myself in our bathroom and made as much noise as possible so I wouldn't be tempted to go pick her up. You might think that makes me a bad mommy, and if so feel free to come get my child on a schedule for me!

All jokes and stress aside, I am still confident that I will succeed in this venture! I'm sure we will DEFINITELY be doing things differently in the future with Q's brother or sister (or maybe we'll just get a puppy and call it a day). I do believe she is getting better though and with the good grace of God we will survive! I'll be sure to give an update on how things are going soon!

*P.S. I kind of like getting parenting advice from everyone I know, but also kind of not. So if you will just give me some encouragement that would be just as fantastic! (Spanks! Love you!)

First trip to the G-ma's house!

Q and mommy and daddy just got back from a weekend full of visits from friends and family. As my step-sister would say, "Every one should walk into a room and feel invisible once in a while." That is definitely what it was like, Q this and Q that. At one point someone even told my husband when he walked in without her, "We don't want to see you! Where's the baby?!" haha. (love you too fam!)

Our weekend started on Friday when we drove to Lampasas to spend the night with Grams and Aunt Lisa. We had a great time! Q even got to meet Uncle Mike and Aunt Cathy for the first time! They brought her all kinds of presents! Actually, every person we saw pretty much had gifts, we didn't really even need to pack anything, she got enough new clothes to last the entire weekend!

Saturday morning, we left to come to Dublin to see NeeNee, Papaw, Aunt Melissa, Cousin Lyla! But first Q had to make an apperance at one of my best friends bridal shower and of course everyone oohed and ahhed over her. After the shower, we went to NeeNee and Papaw's. I'm pretty sure Lyla has psychic powers when it comes to Q because as soon as we walked in the door, she called to see if we had made it yet! Saturday night was a great night full of fantastic food (steak, potatoes, and banana pudding) family and friends! The best part was that NeeNee and Papaw offered to watch Q Saturday night so daddy and I could relax in the hot tub and get a good nights rest! Lyla said she would get up to change her, feed her and rock her back to sleep, but she didn't quite make it.

Sunday after church, Q got to see Nana and Papaw Ken again, and this time Papaw Ken got to hold her for the first time! Sunday night we spent the night with Grams and Aunt Lisa again and this time Grams watched Q during the night so mommy and daddy could sleep (we love family!).

We came home Monday. Q did so good all weekend. But I don't really know for sure, because I only got to hold her a couple of times, every one else hogged her while we were away! Daddy and I both agree that it was a nice little break, but we're also glad we get to hog her constantly now! Here are some pics from Q's first visit to the G'mas!


L reading to Q under her present from Aunt Cathy and Uncle Mike

Q loves her Aunt Cathy





Of course her favorite person is L!



Q and Papaw Ken

It Is An Adventure!

HEY-YO! As you all know, I've recently become a MOM! AH! It's pretty crazy and this has been the quickest 4 weeks of my life! I've decided to start a blog so all our family can keep up with Q as she grows stronger and more beautiful every day! She's already changed so much since she's been home with us. Weighing in a 9lbs, here are the things Q loves as a 4 week old:

-Taking walks with daddy. She loves riding in her stroller looking at the world! And it's a pretty good workout for whoever is pushing!

-Watching TV. Seriously, she is amazed at the huge screen of ever changing lights and sounds.

-Eating (that's a given)

-Sleeping (mommy and daddy can't wait for the day when she decides to sleep through the night!)

-Listening to music a.k.a Mommy and Daddy's singing (yes even daddy!)

Since that's about all she does, that's about all I can tell you that she likes.

Mommy and daddy are hanging in there, still adjusting to all the little changes. It's definitely something you have to get used to, but we both love Q with all our hearts and we're so excited to watch her grow and learn (and more importantly, tell us why she's crying!).

Anyway, I believe that's all I have to say for now. We will be coming home this weekend and hopefully Q can meet anyone she hasn't met yet! We love you all and look forward to you being a part of Q's adventure!

*Best advice I've heard about adjusting to parenthood thus far: "LAUGH! When you're at your wits end, imagine you're on a sitcom and just laugh."

It really works, trust me!

Q today doing what she does best! 4 weeks old tomorrow!