Tidbits of Advice: Must Have #2 (A timer!)

So, sometimes li'l miss MVJ is a little bugger. Letting her "cry it out" is really tough for me, but JJ helps assure me that sometimes that's just what babies need to do. I do not recommend using that strategy with very new babies. I read somewhere that new babies are learning to trust, so you want to let them know that when they cry, you are doing something about it. But, when they get older, crying is a way they wind down. MVJ is *sort of* getting into a routine. She has a general morning nap, afternoon nap, evening nap and bedtime! Sometimes we are the culprits who throw off her schedule, and then we know when we've pushed it too far and she's gotten overtired. But, anyways, back to Must Have Item #2! Like I said, letting her cry it out is tough for me, so SIL LJ recommended a timer. She said one of her friends set a timer for 10 minutes to assure herself that it really hadn't been "forever". Especially at her afternoon nap, it seems that MVJ cries it out for a bit. I set the timer for 10 minutes, and usually she is asleep by 5. If not, I do go in and check to make sure everything's ok -- does she need a diapey change that I missed? Is she too hot or cold? Usually a small intervention is all she needs and she's back off to sleepyland.

Back to Life

MVJ is totally out of sync. We got home last night after traveling since Tuesday. She was ready to be home. She cried for the last hour of the trip and we KNEW that the only thing she wanted was to be out of her carseat, so the only thing we could do was just truck along as quickly and safely as possible. I did not say as sanely as possible. I get rather tense when my baby's going hoarse from crying and I can't do anything but assure her Daddy's getting us home as quickly and safely as possible!

We enjoyed lots of time with family and friends, but regular naps and bedtimes just didn't happen as easily. Plus there was an hour time change thrown in there just for funsies. She did a lot of sleeping ON others, so today, for example, she felt she needed to be held all day. She nursed like every two hours too. Man! A friend, MO, thought it might have something to do with feeling secure and familiar with it. I'm guessing, that and a possible growth spurt?

Now I've been working on uploading pictures from the big day. For some reason our computer is naughty and I can only upload five pictures at a time on facebook and it takes for-ev-er. Blegh. But, I'm trucking through because I think I got a few good ones. Basically a montage of MVJ sleeping on various family members, some ridulous dancing at the wedding, and lots and lots of Js (with a mix of some Cs, Ss and Bs!). I'm throwing in some pics from the Bizzo zoo as well. We hit up the N Family Picnic -- my Grandma's side of the family -- for good measure. MVJ just hadn't had enough of the game "Pass the Baby"! : )

Just a few quotes...

SIL LJ on MVJ's looks (as well as her kiddos'): "The J genes are very strong!"

Doctor buddy (pediatrician) on why MVJ doesn't like him: "She smells the fear of other children on me!"

Nephew (3y.o.) BJ on the birthday present he was handing me (still wrapped): "Water guns! Water guns!"

Random Update

Ugh, it's been a while again! When I post regularly, I feel like I can just post a short little story at a time, but when I am absent for some time I feel like I have to catch you up to my life! : ) Well, quickly, here's what we've been up to:

*I started working with summer kiddos again this summer! But, this summer I was smart and decided I'd only work with 2-3 kids. So, it's been great so far! JJ and MVJ get some M-Daddy time, I get out of the house, I get to get to know some of the kiddos on my caseload next year and we make a little money! win-win-win-win!

*We started up sand volleyball again. It's a bit trickier with a four - almost five - month older. Good thing she has become bffs with the gal who is the site manager. But, we've also arranged it so either JJ or I can be sitting out at all times. Oh, and we're undefeated... yay!

*MVJ continues to be a cranky little thing. Adding to it is the fact that we are travelling. I've finally figured out that we have to slow down a bit more. Right now, for example, I'm chilling at the hotel room while she slowly wakes up from a glorious nap as the rest of the crew is at the wedding rehearsal.

*Our nephew's getting married! Woohoo! JJ was honored that he was asked to be a groomsman! If you think it's a bit odd that we have a nephew getting married, how about this fact: our niece is pregnant! We're going to be a great aunt and uncle in about six weeks (or two if you talk to her sister!). Yay for babies! LKH (she's already got a name that lucky ducky) will make our trips to Minneapolis that much more special!

Ok... I better actually get dressed for the groom's supper (at our SIL/BIL LC/MC's house). Chi-chi's wearing her pink tu-tu! : )

Teefers?

Now, don't be all jealous and stuff, but we're pretty sure MVJ is teething. Ugh. Poor thing! Mommy's wiped out, Daddy's wiped out and baby's wiped out! So, we don't see any white or feel any bumps like other mommies have told me their children have, but here are our symptoms:

1) cranky
2) puts EVERYTHING in her mouth
3) drool monster
4) seems to be running a very slight fever
5) about at that age
6) rejects her paci
7) teething tablets help

Thank goodness for that last one. Teething tablets are awesome - and homeopathic with "no" side effects (which JJ believes to be impossible). We've also tried a few teething rings. We have a few at home, but they seem so big. Luckily, CLJ happened to have some small rings, and one of them was pink. Well, we just know that won't do for little Mr. ACJ, so little Miss MVJ took it off her hands! She'll suck on it (post refridgeration for coolness), but it doesn't seem to be her favorite thing yet.

Baby Watch is OVER!!

CLJ and JPJ welcomed son ACJ into the world at about 2:15 this afternoon! Congratulations to the J family! God bless all THREE of you! I haven't seen him yet, but I heard he has tons of dark hair just like miss MVJ had when she was born! CLJ and JPJ went in to the hospital at 3am, so I'm TRYING my best to wait and let them rest/get acquainted/celebrate their new family. Darn it's hard! I just want to snuggle that new baby... even for five minutes! : )

Tidbits of Advice: Diaper Decisions

So I was going to write some advice about diapering, but I don't think ANYONE would take my advice... I have been pooped on several times after all... but I can tell you what we've noticed about the diapers themselves. First of all, I don't have a huge rhyme or reason for which diapers I buy. I guess I just go where the sales/coupons are! We've bought cases at Sam's club to an emergency pack from the grocery store (don't recommend this -- usually much more expensive).

The two brands we've used the most are Pampers and Huggies. They are the ones with the most coupons/free samples I guess. When we started, we had to buy the preemie ones, then to the newborn, then to size 1, then 1-2 and now we're at size 2's. The preemie/newborn ones were great -- they have the little notch cut out for the umbilical cord. We liked pampers the best for these. We had one pack of pampers that seemed to have a netting-type thing in the diaper, and when we'd change her, the netting would be stuck to her little bottom. We were not impressed with this, but I haven't noticed this in any subsequent pamper diapers that we've bought. Pampers seem to be softer than the huggies. The huggies seem to be a bit thicker/stiffer. We've really enjoyed the huggies pure and natural (and the $3 off coupons I've been finding everywhere for them). They seem softer. Don't buy diapers based on the character design... no matter how cute it just won't be seen by probably anyone but you!

The wipes we've come to love are the pampers ones. They just seem softer and smell the best! : ) Again, I buy wipes based on what's on sale/what I have a coupon for.

Has anyone tried other brands with success... or major problems?

First Hibachi Experience

I'm not quite a food adventurist... I generally order the same thing at familiar restaurants and don't venture out too far from my "norm". I'm sure all of you are sighing a sad sigh. I know. I know. So when we were in Fargo a few weeks ago and my SIL LJ decided we were going to try the new Japanese restaurant I was a tid bit leary. BUT, I'm so glad we went! It's called Kobe and if at least two people are ordering from the hibachi menu, you get to sit at the hibachi. It was so much fun. First of all, we got served some mushroom soup. (which I didn't touch at all... ick!) But, I'm glad my cutie pie nephew BJ doesn't share my taste, because we may have missed this situation: B finished his soup and darted around the table to mommy (LJ) to exclaimed, "The toup is touper touper good!!" : )

Then came the "show"! Of course I did miss some of it due to a certain baby who seems to only get hungry when it's time for mommy and daddy to eat! But, parts I didn't miss were niecey LJ getting scared out of her mind at the fire parts of the show. As SIL LJ put it later, she was not just scared she was pissed at them for having the nerve to have fire there. She started on a chair next to LJ. Then, inched off the chair to behind mommy LJ. Then, the next thing we knew, she was against the wall with her hands over her eyes! (JJ has this picture on his cellphone!)

Another part of the show was when the hibachi griller (?) cut vegetables and attempted to throw them into people's mouths. It took BIL AJ a few tries and then the griller practically drowned him in what he called sake. Next up was nephew BJ. He didn't quite get the concept and the griller did his best to get a veggie in there, throwing three at a time a few times. heehee Next up was yours truly, and, ahem, I hate to gloat, but I caught mine on the first try! I guess I just have a big mouth? We'll say a good throw plus good coordination. heehee... yeah... that's what we'll say.

At one point the griller had a fire going... I think it was the volcano fire at this time (stacks of onion), and he had to put out the fire. He had this little water bottle in the shape of a little boy... and the boy "peed" out the water. He "put out" the fire and then went to fill up nephew BJ's mouth...

So, all in all, the restaurant was very entertaining and I quite enjoyed my hibachied (is that a word?) veggies.

Oh no you didn't!

Today I was talking to MVJ and all of a sudden she lifted up her hand and covered my mouth!!

Baby Watch!

My good friend CLJ is due TODAY! Yesterday was her brother's wedding. Boo for the timing, but congratulations to A and JA! : ) C's hubby JPJ went to the wedding, along with her mom of course (her top two birthing coaches), so I was priveledged to be able to hang out with her for the day just in case little Mr. J decided to make his appearance. What do women do the day before their due date? I can't answer that personally, but for CLJ, it was BAKE! Yay! The house is cleaned from when her Mom was here the week before... baby boy J's room is totally set up and just waiting for its owner... she did a bunch of cooking with her Mom (chili, chicken and rice, etc)... her thank you notes are in the mail... yup -- it sounded like baking was definitely the thing to do!


We baked and decorated over 100 cookies so she can be all ready to celebrate this new little guy! (Ooh, and check out her new mixer! So fun!) Little miss MVJ was pretty good... but did need some attention of course and we also took a supper break (mmmm.... Blue Moose!), but this is basically what we did all evening! Towards the end, I started running out of ideas and made a few that I wasn't exactly happy with. So... I ended up taking one for the team and being a super duper taste tester. . . and the result? Delish! You can see the two hearts at the bottom right -- those were our taster cookies -- I didn't like the way my heart (the bottom one) turned out and CLJ knew she was ready to try one so she made hers say "EAT ME!"

So now even the cookies are baked! C'mon little J! Mommy and Daddy (and a ton of other family and friends) are ready to meet you!!

Current Complaints

When I was an RA, the first part of our staff meetings was devoted to "thorn, rose and bud". We shared with each other one bad thing from the week, one good thing and one goal or thing we were working on. I looked forward to this time of sharing and adapted to my staff when I was a hall director. Heck, I even used it in my classroom and with my summer kiddos last summer. My bud usually centered around some cleaning project (funny how some things don't change!).

If I were to play thorn, rose, and bud today, I would be hard pressed to choose a thorn. Not because I don't have any, but because I have too many to choose from right now! Let's see, there's the yucky cold that is plaguing not only me but my beautiful baby girl. Oh, and the fact that my little monthly buddy decided to show up after a blessed year long retreat. Hmmm, and then there's my whole losing hair complaint. Grrrrr... we actually had to put in one of those covers over our bathtub drain and I literally have to clean it out after every shower. YUCK! What about the stress of choosing a new doctor? Apparently a ton of doctors aren't taking new patients!

Good thing I have a loving baby, husband and family or I might just want to hide for a few days!!

*Warning!*Warning!*Warning!*

They grow up SO fast!

I have heard that warning again and again and again, but I swear I've been trying to cherish every moment and pay attention to when she's growing and changing. But, yesterday it just hit me. She's not a new little baby. It all started when we got to meet our newest little nephew, Mr. AHJ, all of three days old! He is just the cutest, sweetest thing by the way! But holding him. It's just like nothing. There's no weight there! He's SO tiny! AND he was two pounds more than MVJ. When was she like that??! JJ and I reasoned that she always had to be bundled up, and that seemed to bulk her up a bit. But, still, I just can't even remember holding such a tiny little thing! And his new baby coloring! MVJ looked dark like him in the beginning and now she's a whitey Mcwhiteson just like her mommy! And the neck control! I had to be ever so careful, because now I can pretty much leave MVJ's head to its own devices - she's got it pretty well under control. Oh, and those baby noises! The teeny little baby noises! Oh my goodness --- SO much has changed! And she's only four months old! YUP, that's right! She just celebrated the big four months on Tuesday! We were in Bismarck for my friend's wedding, so we dragged along the big carebear we use for our monthly photoshoots!

The Poopertraitor Vs. The Wedding

...duh duh duuuuuh...

My friend KKL asked me to be a reader and cake cutter in her wedding and JJ to be their videographer. We were honored -- especially since she planned on having a very small wedding. They got married June 7th, a Sunday, because they wanted to get married outside at a park that was only available (around the time they were looking anyways) on a Sunday. Well, Mother Nature had other ideas for their wedding with SNOW coming that day! Their wedding had to be moved inside, but KKL did SO well. She was so calm and easy going. I was very proud of her! KKL was absolutely radiant. Seriously. BEAUTIFUL bride! Her dress (think Jenna Bush with a slightly lower back v) was stunning!

We get to the Church about a half-hour before the ceremony is supposed to begin. MVJ is so cute in a green polka dot dress, JJ so handsome in his light blue dress shirt and goldish tie, and me, well, I don't know about cute or handsome, but I was wearing a turquoise blue shirt with a skirt my bff TAF got me from Thailand. We were chatting with KKL's soon to be BIL (WA), and he asked us if MVJ had had her first blow-out diaper yet. Yes, yes, we assured him. Right about that time MVJ did the business and then got all smiley. WA was like, yup, that's how I feel after a good poop. We laughed and rushed off to change MVJ. We came to realize that she had gone through: 1 diaper, 1 onesie, 1 pair of tights, 1 pair of bloomers, 1 dress, oh yeah, AND Mommy's shirt! This would normally not be a problem, but I WAS THE READER! And now I had a big poo stain right on my top and a little on my skirt band! That little stinker!! I frantically called my parents to bring a different shirt, but they were already at the Church, and the service was just about to begin. Sooooo... we cleaned it as best we could with a diapey wipe and laughed. What could we do? KKL's program was made like a fan (for that hot summer day she had planned!!), so it did double duty as a fan to dry my shirt!

I don't think anyone noticed, but of course MVJ just had to leave her mark on the day.

In the end, I'm sure this is not the detail KKLA will remember, but I sure will! : ) Blessings to the new A family as they embark on their honeymoon to Sweden today and when things settle down to "normal" married life!

Ways to waste time

I know you DON'T need ideas on how to waste time... you're already reading my blog! (hehe) But, here are a few sites I've checked out recently that have been huge time wasters for me:

texts from last night: there are some REALLY naughty things, so beware. But some are just HILARIOUS. The tagline of the site is "Remember that text you shouldn't have sent last night? We do."

AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com: I just laughed out loud several times just going to the site to get the link.

Tidbits of Advice: Bedtime "Stuff"

So I can FINALLY post this! MVJ has seemed to finally settle into a routine. Yay! Here are a few things I try to remember to do before MVJ falls asleep for the *night* (hopefully) -- they are in no particular order:

*No overhead lights (I only use the side lamp)
*Breastfeeding as late as possible, for as long as possible!
*Diaper change as late as possible, with "butt cream" (I don't know if it actually works, but I feel like it helps protect her bumbum when she wets herself in the middle of the night but before she's ready for her morning meal)
*Classical music -- we have two Baby Einstein CDs (which are amazing!) -- I just start it out really low as soon as we go into her room for sleepytime
*PJs -- I had been using gowns exclusively, but now she kicks them off and only has her top covered. Now, I use sleepers, with one blankie. She has this blanket sleeper that doesn't have legs cut out, so she can still kick around inside of it, but is still zipped in. This is my current fav.
*A little rocking -- this is mostly accomplished during the breastfeeding
*A little story -- I started out reading a daily devotional outloud. I figured it was as good material as any and she wasn't comprehending words so the story didn't need to be at her level. Now I've started reading some of her board books. Who knows when she'll be ready, but at least it'll have just "always been" that way.

OH MY crafts!

On Saturday morning I got an email from Oh My Crafts! saying they were having a sale. I had a few minutes before I was supposed to pick up a friend to hit up a BIG indoor rummage sale, so I hopped on over to the Oh My Crafts! site to take a quick look-see. I was AMAZED to find out everything was 100% off!!! WHAT?! I thought this must be a mistake... but WHAT if?! A few scenarios went through my head... maybe I was the thousandth customer or something! So, I did what any normal obsessed crafter would do..... I LOADED my cart with anything and everything. 100% off?! My total was $31.35 (for shipping) -- I printed the screen just in case and hit submit! It took a long time and that was my first clue. I reloaded it and hit submit again. Nothing. I headed out the door to meet CAJ and checked my email ASAP after the big rummage sale. Yup, my orders were "denied". hehehe Hey, it was worth a shot! : )