Typical Dinner at Our House...

...pic of a typical dinner at our house. Me on the floor with AR while she is crawling or pulling up on me while trying to get my food.



#lovemyAR

"Perk" of Post-Pregnancy...

...I had another "fun" post-pregnancy surgery today. When I went back to work, I swore all my shoes fit but about a week later, I had ingrown toenails on both feet. OMG! It hurt so bad as in I couldn't get up off the floor or put on flip flops without grimacing from pain.

Then I saw on FB that Jenni had her ingrown toenails fixed. I decided to bit the bullet since I'd met my deductible for the year so I made an appointment. I was in and out today in about 30 minutes. He had to call my OB first to get permissions since I'm breastfeeding. She gave the go ahead so we got started.

He numbed both my toes. Holy heck, it hurt like *insert profanity of your choice*! It was worst than an epidural, probably because it was like 3-5 shots in each toe. But once the med set in, I couldn't feel a thing. I closed my eyes and didn't watch the actual cutting and all that because I thought I might lose my lunch if I did. It was nice to just close my eyes and relax for a bit too.

When he was done, he wrapped my toes up and I had to shove them back in my tennis shoes. I guess I wasn't thinking ahead when I got dressed in the morning. He wrapped the toe up to soak up all the blood but by the time I got home, it soaked through the gauze and even through my shoe!?!

As the numbness started to wear off (right at bedtime for AR), it was a little painful. Once I got her to bed, I went to Walgreens (Matt was home with her) to get soap and antibiotic ointment. I swear I walked back and forth at least three times looking for this soap. After the third Walgreens employee, I said you're coming with me as I hobbled along. I have to soak my feet 2x/day so I'll do it when I pump at night and I guess when I feed her in the morning at 5am, that should be interesting!

I came home after my appointment and unloaded my car. Then I got AR and when we came home, we went to her room and read...it seemed like not much movement or things for her to get into. Of course, she loves to crawl and pull up all over Mommy!

So yet another "perk" of being a mom that's entirely worth it because look at that smile! I love my sweet AR!

Family Pics...

...about a month ago, we had family pics done. They turned out great!!! Here are some of my faves:









This is what my girl does to me all the time! Good thing I rarely wear make-up.



I love, love, LOVE this one!



I spent $7 on these socks/shoes and they were barely in any pics.



She was all into this scrunched nose face.



Although this pic was VERY uncomfortable for me, I think it turned out great.



Christmas card!


I spent almost $15 on this outfit which I think is ridiculous to spend that much on a baby outfit (and it was all on clearance!). But like my co-worker told me, I haven't had to buy ANY clothes yet so it was okay to spend this much on an outfit. Her babysitter gave her the headband as a Halloween gift so it all came together great!



I'm hoping to get a DSLR camera for Christmas so then I can do photoshoots on my own...hint, hint Matt!

Six Month Check-Up...

...Today was AR's six month check-up.

Weight: 16.7 lbs (50%)

Length: 26.5 inches (80%)

Teething bottom lower left

Sleep: Get rid of paci, let her CIO, Matt should put her to bed and get up with her; also needs to nap better (3 naps/day consistently)

Separation and stranger anxiety is all normal (which we all know she has right now)!

Bowels are normal; should start eating more food and feeding herself.

After today, I'm for sure switching doctors and have already called a few places to set up meeting. I typically disagree with the majority of what she suggests (although I do agree that she needs to ditch the paci for bed and nap better but she offers no suggestions how to do this). She makes me feel like a bad mom. I know I'm not perfect but come on, give me a little praise for doing SOMETHING right! The nurses/front desk lady aren't memorable or super friendly. The shot nurse is the nicest and it took her three visits to warm up to me and show some personality!

Tonight I tried to put her to bed without the paci. She started crying and after a couple minutes, I stuck my head back in there and she had pulled herself up and was standing in her bed crying. I laid her back down and she repeated the same thing. I gave her the paci and she was out like a light. So...any ideas how to ditch the paci???

I did make her an appointment at the sleep clinic at St. Luke's. Actually I just go meet with a pediatric sleep doctor and she crafts me a plan I have to follow to a T or else it won't work. Yes, I think it's a little ridiculous to go to a sleep doctor for a six month old but I've already met my deductible so it should only be the $40 co-pay. The way I look at it is if it work, it's the best $40 I've ever spent. If it doesn't work, well, I've wasted $40 on sillier stuff.

My mom took the night shift the last three nights so I should be super rested but I'm freakin' exhausted after the weekend and today. She was so attached to me all weekend so at all the holidays, she was on me (she fell asleep while I was eating Thanksgiving meal at my dad's on Saturday). Luckily, she'd go to my mom most of the time but my mom's and my grandma's both have hardwood so I was hesitant to let her play on the ground much since she's a crawling machine, she hardly ever stays on the quilt any more. Then I thought I wouldn't feed her the peas for lunch to hopefully give her bowels a break. Oh no, between that and fighting a nap, she cried off and on almost the entire two hour car ride home from Cape. Then I tried to unpack the car but with a mobile baby, that's nearly impossible. Then shots and an overtired baby makes for a LONG evening! Whew!!!

Good news though is that baby girl is doing good and growing well and that's the most important thing. Now here are some pics from the weekend:

Turkey Trot 2012...

...I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and don't have too bad of a turkey hangover! Luckily, with a little one on your lap and trying to get your food, it really limited my intake so I'm not feeling too bad today.

Yesterday morning, AR and I did our first Turkey Trot. I'm hoping this is a tradition that we can do over the years and it'll teach her if you want to pig (or turkey) out then you have to work out first. I have to be honest though and tell you, we didn't finish. :-( There were 4,000 people registered! I had left the house early enough so that I could find parking, nurse her and get to the starting line. It didn't take nearly as long to get there as I thought it would so she had about a 20 minute nap in the car and that was it.

After I nursed her, we walked probably a half mile to the starting line (oh and btw, it was GORGEOUS out!). Then we stood and waited and waited and waited...All 4,000 of us were crammed in together and AR was not a fan of what was in her sight line...everyone's butts! We finally got going and it was a lot of fun. We saw Elvis, lots of people dressed up like turkeys and even someone dressed like a penguin. AR was loving the people around her and she kept holding on to her stroller trying to pull herself up to get a better look.

About a mile and a half in, we were getting close to where we'd parked and it was already after 9. I made the executive decision to cut out because 1. I knew parking was going to be a bear when the race was over and 2. I was hoping to let AR get in a long nap before the Thanksgiving festivities. It ended up being a good decision re: parking/driving but AR still only got in about a 30 minute nap on the way home and then once we got inside.

Here are some pics from the day. I asked a grandpa to take this picture. He told me it turned out good so I took his word and got on the way. Uh...this is his definition of good???



I wasn't too concerned because I knew I'd taken a cute one of us at the starting line. Then I got home to upload the pics and realized instead of a picture, I'd taken a video. Smh...



Luckily, I'd taken one on my phone and text it to our family. So I called my dad who emailed it to me so I have at least one decent pic of us at our first Turkey Trot!



Our goal next year will be to finish the race but hey, at least we got out there and started a tradition!

The Bearded Guy...

...Hey guys! AR here. Mommy introduced me to the oddest looking person this past weekend. Let me tell you about it. Saturda morning Mommy and I went to breakfast with one of her besties she said. They gabbed the whole time while I played in my seat and smiled at everyone. Then we went to this place to pick up something furry that Mommy said was for Daddy (Mommy here, I got Matt's deer hide from his deer last year tanned as a Christmas present so sssh! don't tell him). After that I was worn out so I napped in the carseat while Mommy sat in the Denny's parking lot playing on her tablet. When I woke up, I was in for a real shock. We went to this store with lots of hunting stuff, Daddy took us there a couple weekends ago. We stood in line with a bunch of kids and when we got up front, Mommy put me in the arms of some chubby guy with a big, white beard. I was so surprised that I couldn't take my eyes off him and my fingers out of his beard. Then all of the sudden, I heard a bunch of jingle bells and everyone calling my name. That made me smile but then I was back to this bearded guy. He was telling me to be a good girl then he kissed me on the head and Mommy took me back. What a weird experience!

 

 

When we got home, Mommy told me I was such a good girl and showed me these pictures:

I still don't know who he is but Mommy says I'll see him again next year. Good because I can't wait to touch his beard again!

Sweet Treat from Treat!!!

...Treat is Shutterfly’s exciting new greeting card brand that makes it easy for people to create and send one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Think Christmas season coming up and who doesn't love personalized cards? It reminds me of when you'd go to the mall and they would type in the person's name so it was "personalized." We've really come a long way since then, eh? With AR, I'm thinking we'll do personalized birthday cards for the grandmas and grandpas because they're always asking for new pictures of her.

Treat has decided to give us a sweet treat: create and send a totally personalized greeting card from Treat for FREE. Go to their website www.treat.com and use this code: TREATBLOGR The offer is only good on Monday 11/19 & Tuesday 11/20 so don't miss out. Head over to www.treat.com and make your card! Be sure to let me know what kind of card you made. Happy personalizing!!!

AR the Writer...

...my little 6 month old loves to dictate to me and send emails with pictures to our family. She has a big post in progress but I thought I'd share a few with you. The picture is listed first then the email is below it.

Good morning everyone! I have big news...I'm too big for the bouncer! This morning while Mommy was pumping I got bored so I decided to turn over. Then I got up on all 4 and I was rockin' like crazy! It was so much fun but Mommy was holding on to the back of my shirt. Daddy came in and took a picture of me. Then I filled my diaper during all this excitment-whew, sweet potatoes really do me in!

Hope everyone has a good day!

Love,

AR

 

Hey guys,

Remember my play mat from when I was a little baby? I'd just lay there and accidentally turn the piano on with me feet. The other night Mommy sat me in front of the piano and I went crazy! Then last night, she sat me in front of it, I laid back and rolled to my belly and I was standing playing. Mommy said I'm the next Stevie Wonder.

See you all next week!

Love,

AR

 

Hey everyone! I slept awful last night, I'm on the verge of crawling and I just couldn't get my mind off what to do once I get up on all fours. Anyways, I still woke up in a good mood (as always) and when I did, Aunt Liz and Mommy were outside carrying these orange things around the yard. Nana and I were inside watching them. Nana was doing something with orange yarn and then she put it on my head. Next thing I knew, Nana was carrying me outside and Mommy was putting me in the orange thing. Then Aunt Liz and Mommy were like the paparrazzi (I've been listening to the tv when ET is on) and taking my picture like crazy. I didn't mind because I wanted to see what the orange thing tasted like...eh, it didn't have much flavor. I let them have their fun and then my nose was getting cold so I told them to take me back inside! Whatever they did, I kept hearing them say it turned out cute so I'm sending you the pictures they took so let me know what you think.

Happy Saturday!

Love,

AR

 

 

 

Hey everyone,

I know I just emailed yesterday but Mommy and I have been busy! Yesterday, Mommy took me to this Pumpkin Festival. It was a fun time and we got a free pumpkin. Mommy kept talking about yummy kettle corn but wouldn't let me have any. My eyes were really itchy on the way home and I heard Mommy say I might be allergic to hay. I don't know what hay is but I'd better stay away just in case because I did NOT like it...I rubbed my eyes the whole way home.

When we got home, Mommy stripped me down to my diaper. She put me on the floor while she put my clothes away. When she came back, I was hiding under the audaman-hehe! Mommy thought it was funny so I did too. We laughed for a long time! Then we ate green beans. They were yummy! Tonight I ate a whole container of them. I really like them although I'm not sure how they got on my nose-oops!

Tonight Mommy wrapped me up in my duck towel...my hinney was almost hanging out! Mommy says that means I'm growing. We looked at the picture from tonight and one taken in July...I don't know who that kid was in the picture from July, sure didn't look like me!

I came down with a cold last weekend and am slowly getting better. Mommy is introducing me to the world...swimming, pumpkins, something about a parade this weekend.

Love,

AR

 

There you have it! My busy girl, I can only imagine what she'll be typing next!

We've Got a Crawler!!!

...as of Friday, November 9, at 25 weeks we have a crawler. Yes, Miss AR can now crawl! Luckily, it's just mainly from toy to toy or straight to mom because she's still quite a momma's girl. I texted Daddy and said when he gets back from deer hunting, Operation Baby Proof is in full-force. Here's a (dark) video and if you can tell she's multitasking...crawling, hiccuping and pushing the ball out of her way.

 

 

 This one she's crawling straight to me.

 

Which Do You Like Better???

...Hey guys, AR here. My Nana is making Thanksgiving hats for my friends at the babysitter's. Mommy, Nana and I can't decide which one is our favorite so we need your help! Please leave a comment for Mommy letting her know if you like this Indian one the best:

 Or this turkey one the best:

Thanks for your help! Have a good weekend.

Love,

AR

Support Our Troops!!!

...Veteran's Day is right around the corner. Shutterfly is making it VERY easy to support our troops and show them our appreciation. Head over to their Facebook page, click here, select and personalize a card for one of our many soliders and they'll mail it to them at no charge. I know I'm very grateful for all the men and women who defend our country so that we can live in this great nation! Thank you to all our soliders and veterans for all that you've done for us!

Six Month Shots!

 

...these are always fun to look back on and compare each month.

 I'll keep trying to do the bear pics but she's pretty much all about him and not wanting to look at the camera or smile.

 Click on these pics for a bigger view. I feel like she was teeny tiny in the first month but then about the same all the other months.

Happy six months sweet baby girl!

Miss AR is 24 Weeks or SIX MONTHS!!!

...OMG! Can you believe my baby is half a year old? Six months is a huge milestone to me and I feel like her suddenly turning 6 months means she really IS a big girl!

*The day after you turned 5 months, I gave you carrots which you were not a fan. You should have seen your face, it was hilarious! I ended up mixing just a little bit of carrots with your oatmeal and you ate it no problem. I was splitting your oatmeal between lunch and dinner but now we're back to just eating it at dinner with your veggie mixed in. You do like green beans!

*That Sunday, you woke up at 9 and would.not.go.back.down! Daddy and I had no idea what was going on. You'd fall asleep on us but the second we'd lay you down, wah wah wah-you'd cry! For the first time since you were born, I laid you on my chest and we slept on the couch for a few hours until you finally went down in your crib. I think you had gas but, as usual, you woke up the next morning all smiles!

*You rolled belly to back...FINALLY, you did the easy way! The first time was at Ms. Pam's. That afternoon, we came home and you tried so hard to show Mommy but that silly arm got in the way. After a day or so though, you started showing me.

*You're very lucky to have such crafty women in your life. Nana has made your Halloween outfit, quilts, paci holders, Boppy covers, Moby Wrap and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else. Your great Aunt Jan has been making you clothes, a ribbon board, a coat, a Fredbird hat and this adorable headband. I hope she makes you more of these!

 

*The night before Mommy and Daddy's wedding anniversary, I heard you coughing through the monitor. I checked you out the next morning and you didn't have any boogers or sound congested. You coughed and sneezed all day but that was it. Then on Friday, you'd sneeze and clear stuff would come out of your nose and you started sounded congested :-/ Plus you were sleeping the day away, which we all know you're not a huge fan of sleep, so that was a sure sign something was up. We were supposed to take you to meet Daddy's friends that night but decided it would be best if you stayed home with Grandma. When you woke up Saturday and it STILL wasn't better, I called the doctor (actually this was the 2nd time I'd called) and operation "good-bye cold" was in full effect. You got squirts of Little Noses when you woke up and when you went to bed. We put a vaporizer in your room. We put some Johnson & Johnson soothing soap in your bathwater and poured it over your chest. Then we put a quilt under your mattress so you weren't laying completely flat. You woke up Sunday morning feeling MUCH better and just a little cough. Despite how bad you felt, you were still a happy, smiley girl but you could tell in your eyes that you didn't feel good.

 

*You and mommy went to the Great Pumpkin Festival. You still weren't feeling great but we had a good time. However, I think you may be allergic to hay.

 

*Girl, you are a rollin' and scootin' machine. I walked to the kitchen and came back to find you hiding under the audaman. You're so silly!

 

*I brought you home from Ms. Pam's one day and put you in the bouncer with me while I took a shower. Suddenly, I heard a shriek and pulled the curtain back to check on you. You were sitting there all smiles. You learned this happy shriek from Leila at Ms. Pam's. It's so sweet like you can't get your laugh out fast enough so you have to shriek.

 

*Mommy and Daddy both were really sick one week. You must've known we felt bad because you slept all night from 7pm-4:30am. Then I gave you your paci and you laid in bed until 5am. It was such a blessing because Mommy & Daddy needed that rest. Daddy started feeling better but Mommy didn't. For the first time since you've been born, I let Nana take the monitor and get up with you during the night. I'm so thankful for Nana!

 

*I started giving you milk in a cup without a lid, less than an ounce. You want to hold it yourself so I let you but I help you tilt the milk up. You drink it so well!

 

*You're up on all 4s and rockin' your booty ready to get movin'...watch out world, here comes AR!

 

*This past week, you have turned into a total momma's girl as in tears when I leave the room, freaking out on other people until I hold you. I always wanted you to be a momma's girl but baby, you gotta be nice to everyone!

 

*Your sleep=awful! No need to go into detail but let's just say that I'm grateful when Nana comes to visit so that I can get some rest although she usually brings you to me about 3 or 4 because you won't go back down. I've read up on co-sleeping and we've been doing that some because Momma needs sleep, little girl!

 

So there you have it, the first half of your first year! I love you so much! When I'm away from you, I can't wait to get back to you and sometimes I just sit and stare at your photos thinking how much I love you. I love you more than you'll ever know! OXXO (not the store)