Sewing

I don't have any pictures, since B is of course at work, but this morning E sat on my lap as I sewed!  It was so special to have my tiny daughter sitting with me as I worked on a simple little project.  I really hope to pass on my love of sewing on to her.  Of course, it's totally OK if she never wants to learn, but until she can tell me 'no', I'm going to cherish having her with me as I work.

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day with Elizabeth out of the womb!  B and E made my day super special.  Seriously, the best part was spending so much time together.  Saturday my loves went out and ran some mommy day errands, which I thought was so sweet.  This morning I was treated to breakfast in bed (french toast, my favorite!) and lots of cuddles.

Once we were all up and moving, E and I went on a little date to Starbucks while daddy took a nap.  By time we got back home, Elizabeth had fallen asleep so we switched cars and headed north to Temecula for lunch.  I chose to go to Buffalo Wild Wings.  Not fancy or special, but I was craving their wings!

Once we were back home I took the pup to play while B did some chores around the house.  Including hanging up the mobile I made last night.  B took E in to the garage to finish my Mother's Day gift from her.  A few minutes later he called to me to bring some wipes and the camera.

He had used (wall) paint (I know) to get her handprint in to a book, with the goal of each baby putting their hand print in the book each year till they are 18.  How creative and sweet is that?!  I was super impressed!  And after I snapped a few pictures she went straight in to the bath!

 I also got the Ju Ju Be diaper bag I've been wanting, and I love it as much as I thought.

5 months!

Oh, my sweet little lovie, where has the time gone?!  Somehow you are already starting your 5th month of life with us!  You are so strong and getting nice and chubby.  I had to put away a few of your 3 month clothes last week.  Depending on the brand you mostly wear 3-6 or 6 month clothing.  But the 6 months are mostly pants because of your cloth diapers.  Your crazy spitting up has finally slowed down, although some days you throw up a lot.

Stats:
12.3 pounds at your 5 month appointment.  You also have two teeth (top and bottom I-teeth), though they are just above your gums.  More must be on their way because we have had a drooling, gnawing, little girl over here the past week.

Likes: Rolling around on the floor, car rides, her exer-saucer, nursing, being read to (though only rhyming books so far), cuddling, pulling on Mackie's face when he gets too close, being outside (we love the Botanic Garden and go all the time), BATH TIME, and sleeping in the corners of her crib.

Dislikes: Getting dressed and falling asleep

Milestones:  We have a scooter!  Baby girl will roll and scoot herself all over the place!  Her top right incisor has dropped down, and she is so over playing on her back.  Elizabeth's first plane ride happened this month, too.  We flew to Houston and she got to meet the whole Maillet side of the family (my dad's side).  That included her great grandparents, too!

Normal Day:
E wakes up at about 6:15 and I bring her in to bed to nurse.  She falls back asleep with me and I wake her up by 8:30 so we can make it to Stroller Strides on time.  We are working really hard on helping E nap for longer periods of time.  These 30 minute, twice a day naps are OVER.  This momma isn't putting up with them anymore :)  Right now she naps at 11:30 and 3:30.

By 6:30 we are both tired and it's time to start our evening routine.  E takes a long bath filled with singing and splashes.  If daddy is home, he helps too.  Then it's pajamas, nursing, and off to sleep.  She doesn't always fall right to sleep, but it's been months and months since she has cried after being put to bed.

Elizabeth eats every 3 1/2-4 hours, and always right after waking up.

She is still sleeping through the night, from 7:30-6:15, praise God.  Although she is a horrible napper, at least she gets a solid 11 hours at night!

My fear

The thing you're most afraid of

I know this is morbid, but I’m terrified of being incapacitated and thus leaving Elizabeth alone till someone finds her.  I (obviously) have anxiety, but since becoming a mom all my tiny anxieties have combined in to that big one.

Day 3

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable

Oh goodness, there are a LOT.

Not having an aisle or window seat on a plane

Bugs

Having a damp nose

Shoes that are too tight in the toes

Underwear

That feeling right before you step under the water in the shower when you’re chilly and misty

Seeing someone's fat hang out of their clothing

Going to bed with a messy house

Hearing people fight in public

Very small dogs

When people stand in my space

Feeling grit under my feet

Seeing strangers' toes

Confrontation with family

Ear wax and boogers (not Elizabeths though)

When the sheets are tucked too tight

Ok, so I'm a bit neurotic.

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day wish-list...and by Mother's Day, B, I mean any time/occasion/holiday.

Be-Prepared Diaper Bag, Albion Ring, No-Limits Tank

A pedicure, lunch date with my little family, a sweet card, and Starbucks are also very acceptable gifts too.

Preparing for a Little One: Packing for the Hospital

Momma:
Chapstick
Water bottle.  My giant Nalgene is in like 87% of the hospital pictures
A BreastFriend (I used both a BF and a Bobby...BF wins for the first few weeks!!)
Nursing bras or tanks, though really, after pushing a baby out, your modesty is gone.
Camera + charger
iPad/iPhone + charger
Your own pillow in a colored case (so the hospital doesn't think it's theirs).
A bath sheet.  Hospital towels are itty bitty!
Makeup, contact stuff, toiletries....
A comfy going home outfit.  I wore a maxi dress and cardigan.
Any paperwork your hospital requires
A "birth plan" if you didn't already give it to your OB
Cozy loose flanel pants...I wanted NO extra pressure down there

Baby:
A few cute nightgowns
Baby hats
If your doctor thinks you might have a peanut, bring one premie outfit.  E didn't fill out her newborn clothes till 2.5 months.
A going home outfit

...and that was 48 hours after giving birth.  Yikes.

Tips:
We have a Britax Chaperone and the seat came with the "premie" insert already installed.  Elizabeth was 6.2 when we left the hospital and the insert is suggested for use up to 11 pounds.  NO.  WAY.  We physically couldn't get her in the carseat and buckled.  We looked like total idiots to the nurses.  Eventually we figured that we had to remove the insert.  So be aware.

You will want to wear the mesh panties and pads they give you.  And the ice packs...heavenly.  I brought grannie panties with, but didn't use them till we got home.

Most of the time I was topless and cuddling a diapered Elizabeth under the covers.  We had as much skin-to-skin contact as possible.  B did too, sometimes I would nap and he would take his shirt off and cuddle with her.