Tidbits of Advice: Must Have #3 (A yoga ball!)

Hopefully you've caught on that my must haves are things you may not traditionally associate with must haves for babies. We happened upon this must have when I had decided to drag out my yoga ball to start to get back into shape a few months ago. I was a little bit more ... eager ... back then. Now my back into shape plan consists of breastfeeding (seriously, it's the best plan evah!) and taking long walks. Everything in between consists of eating everything in sight. Whoops! Back to the yoga ball! I found that if I hold MVJ while bouncing on the ball, she enjoys it, calms quickly and can even sometimes get out stubborn burps. Lately, only Daddy is able to put her down to sleep - when Mommy holds her/rocks her at night she just wants to be fed! Naughty girl! So, the yoga baller has generally been Daddy lately.

A few quotes about MVJ

Whenever anyone sees MVJ generally the first remark is: "Oh my! Look at that hair!" It really is her distinguishing feature.

I love this quote from KC, "She won't have to use mascara a day in her life!"

Oh, and this one from niecey (MVJ's cousin) LJ, "She's the biggest I've ever seen her!" Yup, I agree LJ! Every single day this is true! Especially going through all these pictures, I'm feeling rather reminiscent lately.

And I love how accurate this quote is by SIL (MVJ's auntie/godmother) LJ, "I love how the world is always such a surprise to you!" (MVJ has a wide-eyed surprised look frequently!)

Just some layout ideas . . .

Ugh, I am way overthinking this... I know... Today I got all of my scrapbooking stuff out and it is now littering the floor/couch/coffee table in our small apartment. Thank goodness JJ works tomorrow! I planned on getting quite a bit done with Baby Girl napped, but no. Again, I just had to get some things down on paper (cheap, scrap paper rather than the more expensive CM paper!) before I could get started. And again I found tons of stuff that I just wanted to sit and look at. The bands from my wrist, JJ's wrist, MVJ's wrist/foot from the hospital. The ultrasound pics. The professional pics. The "yay you're pregnant", baby shower, "yay you gave birth", and Baptism cards. I did manage to jot down the ideas I have so far for pages and get them in order. Here they are so far. Feel free to give me feedback!!

Title Page
Ultrasound
Preggo pics/Baby Shower
Hospital Pics/Hospital Stuff/Your Name
Professional Pics/Announcement
Nicknames
With Mommy
With Daddy
With K's (4 Generations)
With J's
Baptism
Hands/Feet
Firsts
A Day in the Life
Bathtime
Sleepytime
Tummy time
Bumbo chair/swing
Faces
Food
South Babies
Friends
Fashionista
Month by Month

And that should take me through my first paper pack! Eeks! I'm planning on doing the "Firsts" and on after her 6th month so I actually have about half-way through the first year represented!! We have 6th month photographs scheduled with: her. Hopefully everything goes well and Chi-chi smiles big!

Walmart Outing

Today I just had to get a few groceries and other items so I ran to Walmart because I was close by. While there I decided to pick up the photo CDs I had ordered a few days ago. This was the second time I ordered them because the first order didn't go through for some reason. Today I stopped by the photo counter and after much searching, the guy was like, "I see your order and see that it is done, but I can't find them." I was like, (to myself), "Oh boy here we go again. . . " Then I actually said, "Ok, well I have to go get charcoal and lighter fluid, so I'll just be back in a few minutes." After walking to the other side of the store, (and walking by the school supplies -- NO! Not school supplies! School can't be starting soon!! But yes! Yes! New markers!) I found the charcoal and headed back. The guy was like, "Nope. Can't find them. You'll have to order them again." Boo! I have had so much trouble with Sam's Club and Walmart for photos, but they are so the cheapest and most convenient (MOST of the time). So, I'll have to put in order number three. Boo, hiss boo. Does anyone have suggestions for where to get photos printed??!

Also, I completed a few more pages in our family scrapbook -- including the birth of li'l miss MVJ, but I canNOT get myself to start her album! I was just about to get all my stuff out (it's still in our kitchen from unpacking from our mini-trip to AJ and LJ's), but JJ started complaining about how much room my scrapbooking stuff takes up when I lay it out in our living room. I know, I know. I need a day long retreat or something. I just need to dive in, and it'll be great!

A cricut project

I finally did it! I broke out my vinyl! I finished a cricut project! For my birthday, my brother bought me the 12x24 cutting mats and today I bought transfer paper, so I was ready to go. I have a "Home Accents" solutions cartridge, so this image was easy to make, but it was still nerve-wracking because I had never used the vinyl or transfer tape. With JJ's help, I think it turned out pretty well!



There, see, it's just a cute little saying...

MVJ Update

Oh my goodness gracious! MVJ is 21 weeks old today! She will be 5 months officially on Thursday! She's getting to be such a big girl and we are loving learning more about her every day! Here is an update on things she does/likes/doesn't like:

*Yesterday we found what it appears M has been searching for for a while ------> A TOOTH! MVJ has a little guy poking through her bottom gum. Finally some proof that she was teething (AJ!).

*MVJ is a rollin' fool, but still only tummy to back. When we put her on her back, sometimes she twists and cocks her head back, but no turning yet. When she turns from her tummy to her back, she sometimes gets scared and sometimes upset, but always surprised!

*MVJ has had two successful cereal feedings. We got new spoons and they seem to be working well. They're also longer, so they're supposed to be good for getting all the food out of baby food jars. We're planning on making our baby food, so I'm not sure how helpful that will be! Anyways, she likes to chop down and we can maybe even start her highchair soon -- she loves to sit up like a big girl.

*MVJ continues to love: her bumbo, bear and pig with skinny arms that she can easily grab, swing, being held, nursing, nursing laying down and falling asleep (stinker!), the camera, sleep, sleeping in her stroller, sleeping in her carseat, sleeping on the couch, sleeping in her crib (you get the picture)

*MVJ seems to be getting on a schedule. She'll go to bed right around 9 pm, sleep until around 4-4:30ish, sleep again until 7:30ish, watch the Today Show with Mommy, sleep again at around 10am, hang out until around 1 pm, when she takes her afternoon nap -- which can last up to 3 hours!!, then, depending on the afternoon nap, sometimes she'll take another brief snooze at around 6:30/7:00, then back to sleep for the night. YAY for schedules!!

*MVJ loves to chat -- and she loves to chat on the phone! : ) She'll just ooh and ahh, and purse her lips. It's so cute!

*MVJ also seems to have consolidated her bathroom breaks. AND, (knock on wood), she doesn't seem to be up for the game of peeing/pooping on Mommy or Daddy lately. Yes!

*MVJ likes other people -- but mostly from the comfort and safety of Mommy or Daddy's arms. She will flirt and chat with other kiddos and adults, as long as they are not too close, and as long as they don't try to hold her! Stinker!

*A few firsts in the last few weeks: going to a zoo, getting her toenails painted, attending weddings (and receptions), meeting tons of relatives, and of course her tooth!

Ssssso Sssssslimy

We went to the Dakota Zoo last weekend with my brother WJK and his girlfriend, SH. We had a blast and it was great to spend some time with them. For her very first visit to any zoo, MVJ slept the whole time! Our first stop was the reptile area, and I just cannot shake the willies I get from thinking about snakes. I canNOT stand snakes. I know it is a girly girl thing, but I am totally that girl who jumps on the nearest thing off the ground (i.e. a picnic table, chair, JJ...) when I see a snake slithering through the grass. Ewwww... just thinking about it gives me the creepy crawlies. So, while we were walking about, SH tells this story, that I cannot get out of my head. Her friend had a pet python, who she used to sleep with. OK. Hold the phone. She a) has a pet python and b) she SLEEPS with it?!? We could not be friends. Moving on, she says that the python started acting strange and at night it would streeeetch out and then relax back down, streeeetch out, and then relax back down several times a night. Finally her friend called the vet who said to get rid of the snake immediately. It was checking to see if it was big enough to EAT HER. CREEEEEEPY.

Whah Waa (the Debbie Downer sound)

We lost our first volleyball match last night. Boo! It's actually our first loss at all in the new bracket (ahem... the gold one...). AND we lost to a team that has not won a single game let alone whole match in the new bracket. BOOOOOOO. I played the first game and we lost by just a little bit. It's rally scoring, and it was 26-29. We had a side-out and they won. I hate losing on those terms. The second game I was sidelined with Chi-chi and we won. No drawing correlations allowed! The third game I hardly saw at all because my little darling became STARVING and I was in the van feeding my ravenous beast. JJ said they got on a roll and won by a landslide. Boo. We came home at about 9pm to watch Top Chef Masters only to find out it was on at 8 and re-aired at 10. I put Cheechers to bed, drank a delicious banana smoothie made by JJ, and decided I was going to stay up and watch the 10 showing (can you tell we are one of the poor saps sans TiVo?). I was asleep by 10:30 and JJ woke me up to turn off the TV some time after 11. : )

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?