Mother's Day

As we approach Mia's 7 month mark, I have passed (or am currently passing) 2 pretty major milestones in my life. Last Monday was my 30th birthday (or what I like to refer to as the 9th anniversary of my 21st birthday) and today is my first Mother's Day as a mom.

I guess I always thought that on both of these days I would want to do something BIG....that I would need to commemorate them with a huge fancy dinner or an elaborate day of planned outings and photo ops. But when my birthday finally got here, all I really wanted to do was be at home with my family. I think it was hard for Dan to fathom me not wanting to go out, and I'm pretty sure the confused look on his face when he asked me time and again "are you sure you don't want to do anything?" was him trying to decide if my simple "I'm sure." was sarcastic....or if he was miserably failing some test I had put forth. Truth be told, this year, I already had everything I could want. I have an amazing man who I comitted to spend my life with almost a year and a half ago, and since have fallen more deeply in love with than I could have ever imagined. I have a healthy baby girl who is the absolute center of my universe, even on her "less than awesome" days. I have a beautiful home that we got to build from the ground up. And most importantly, God lets me wake up every morning (so far) to enjoy it all.

Today is Mother's Day and I think this year, for many reasons (one big one...,) has taught me how important Moms are. First, I am so happy that I can say that my mother is one of my absolute best friends. She is the person I call when I'm having a bad day, or an exceptionally good one. She is my confidant, my shoulder to cry on, and just an amazing role model as a woman and a mother. Secondly, this is my first Mother's Day as the star of the show (at least in my own house). I have been so blessed to be able to spend every day for the last almost 7 months with the most amazing little girl that God ever put on the planet. Her smile is the highlight of my day....every day. And even her sad faces make me giggle sometimes (and mother of the year goes to..... ;-)) Because of her, this year on Mother's Day I don't need the big production that I once thought I would. Today, all I want to do is spend time with the reason that I'm a mom....well the two reasons (Dan was kind of important in that process too).

And on a final note, this year has brought to light just how much I need to cherish the people in my life. My heart goes out to those who have lost a child or a parent.....I cannot even begin to imagine the pain. I think it's these events that teach us how short life is, and how important it is to be present in every moment. So, today, I will bask in being a mom. I am so thankful that I have everything I could want and need right here under one roof.

To all the mommies reading this, I wish you the most amazing Mother's Day! You have the hardest job in the world, but the best :)

here are a few pics of why I get to celebrate today......

6 Months

Dear Amelia,

Yesterday marked your half birthday! You've been with us for 6 WHOLE months now! I can't believe it....It seems like just yesterday we brought you home and all you did was sleep. At the same time, it feels like you've always been here and I have a hard time remembering what we did P.M. (Pre-Mia). It's a weird feeling.
I hear people tell me that the first year just flies by, and I have to agree. I'm hoping after this year, things slow down. Every month you change so much! I feel like in 6 more months you'll be asking to borrow the car and bringing home boys with skinny jeans and Beiber haircuts! (Lord, I hope by the time you read this, that is no longer the trend, and at this point in the letter you are laughing hysterically at what kids today think is "fashionable")
We had your 6 Month well visit today and I had been dying to know how much you had grown. It seems like this month we boxed up clothes that you had outgrown MUCH more quickly than in previous months. You went from wearing 3-6 mo at the beginning of this month and now you are in 6-9 or just 9 mo sizes! You weighed in at 17.1lb (74%) and measured at a whopping 27 1/4 in (94%)!! And I guess now we know WHY you don't fit into 6 mo anymore. We had to move you up a jammie size a couple of weeks ago because you were too long for the 6 mo ones. I'm not sure how it happened, but I think there is a good chance you will pass up your mom (not that that's any feat, but I always imagined you would be a shorty like me). Your Daddy was so proud when he found out :) Also, I had been bracing myself for the shots portion of the visit. I knew it was going to be bad and assumed it would be worse than previous visits as you seem to now have a "Diva" complex that causes you to react more dramatically than likely necessary to most things ;-) To my surprise though, you were an absolute CHAMP! You took the shots, and didnt even start crying until the second one, and even then, only cried for less than 10 seconds, then started smiling at me again. I have said it before, and i'll say it again....YOU ARE AWESOME!
This month you mastered sitting on your own. You started the month out a little wobbly, but now, it's like you were a born sitter, if there is such a thing. Since you discovered your new talent, you much prefer sitting to laying. That could be the reason your head has completely rounded out. The doctor even commented that it was "perfect"! If there was an competition for sitting and having a very round head....you would win first place ;-) The doctor was also impressed with your motor skills. She said that you were very advanced in that department and that you were much stronger than a 6 mo old is expected to be. Also, I should tell you....this SOUNDS like bragging, but I am only repeating what the doctor said. I can't help it if you are an over achiever at such a young age. Your Dad is probably responsible for that, or at least he would claim to be. You are still not rolling from your stomach to your back, which is supposedly the easier of the two ways, but the doctor doesnt seem concerned. Since you seem to really enjoy tummy time, she says it would not be uncommon for you to skip over that and go straight to crawling. Sounds weird to me, but I am going to take her word for it. She hasn't steered us wrong yet!
Until this last week, you were still keeping about the same schedule. You woke up around 6, took a 2 hour nap from 7-9, a short one from around 11-12ish and then another longer one later in the afternoon, then to bed at 7 (if you make it that long). Last week and this week you managed to prove me wrong yet again. I should start by saying that for a majority of this month you have been teething. When you are teething, you are still awesome, but on a slightly milder scale. You are a lot more irritable, a little less predictable when it comes to eating, and much less predictable when it comes to sleep. This last week you still go to bed at 7, but you have woken up anywhere from 2-4 times a night for no apparent reason and it takes you much longer than usual to re-settle and fall back asleep. Your father and I have tried all sorts of remedies. We are stocked with every teether, teething gels, tablets and of course, baby tylenol. Nothing seems to help a whole heck of a lot. Dr. Le said that even though you have been teething, there are no teeth that she could see that are about to break through....I guess this means 6 more weeks of winter? Wait....I think that's something else. Basically what it means is that whatever you are doign now is going to continue until your teeth finally make their big debut. Yay! (in case you haven't learned my tones yet....that one is 'sarcasm')
You are still on Soy formula, around 4-5 6oz bottles a day and you have started eating again, this time, oatmeal! After a 2 week revolt, you picked it back up again and seem to really enjoy it now! We just got the clear on starting veggies, I for one can't wait! Although, since we are going on a trip the end of this month, I think we're gonna give it a go the first of May. Also, we are trying to switch you back over to a milk based formula. It's really something that I wanted to try just to see if you could be a little less high maintenance. If it doesnt work, no biggie...just thought we'd give it a shot and the doc seems to think it was a good idea as well.
i know there is so much more that went on and I also knew that I would forget most of it, so this month, i made notes! Here are a few things I wrote down:
*You like to sleep with your feet through the crib bars...every time I come in, I change your position, and every time I come back, your feet are hanging out again. I'm assuming you like it, so I stopped messing you up ;-)
*I think your best friend is your monkey that sleeps in your crib with you. I hear you talking in the mornings and when I go in there, you are always holding her and smiling :)
*You crack up when Luci is around! It's kind of like you guys have a secret....
*When you get tired now, you rub the hair on the back of your head
*For the last week, you like for us to rock you to sleep, this is something we havent been able to do since you were about 3 months old! I know it's a phase, but i am really enjoying it.
*you rarely wake up crying, mostly we just hear you "talking" in the mornings, such a nice change from when you were a newborn!
*YOU LOVE BATHTIME! evenings are not your favorite time of day, but if you start to get fussy, I know that bathtime will turn you around. You are sitting up on your own now and you love playing with and eating your bath toys and kicking your feet and splashing....another one of my favorite times of the day
*You celebrated your first Easter
*You met the long awaited Baby Joseph!! All you wanted to do was touch and "pat" him....but that will have to wait until he's a little more ready to defend himself ;)
I'm sure there is more that I've forgotten, but I guess that's it for now.
I just want you to know that you are my favorite person. You make me laugh so hard every day! Your smile is the light of my life and I'm not sure how I managed before you got here. Mommy and Daddy are going on their first get away next weekend and you are going to stay with your Grammy. I know she is thrilled to death and I know you will have the best time. Your dad and I....I'm sure we will survive, but I can say with a certain amount of confidence that I will miss you terribly. It's a good thing we get cell service in Mexico, there's no way we could go 2 whole days without seeing your precious face. I love you, Mimi!

Love,
Mommy

I've included some pics of you this month.....

Bathtub FULL of toys, but your toes are your favorite thing

24 Weeks!

You love your exersaucer :)

Meeting Baby Joseph for the first time!

You like to have a blanket, but don't like to have your feet covered. Need to make sure you have access 100% of the time ;-)

I just like your cute tooshie....

We have every teether ever made, but your SPOON is what you prefer to chew on. Hey, whatever works!

Baby's First Easter!

"yea, i sit. what's it to ya?"

Daddy's such a goofball :)

Aunt Nana (Deanna) going through your flash cards with you

You decided to do a little rearranging. That sunshade will NOT be in your line of sight.

Dont know where you got this from, but you get a mouth full of air and blow it out as hard as you can....its hilarious!

you and Cousin Teagan (exactly 6 mo older than you) on Greek Easter

this is Mia's remote

I'm so glad you dont care when things are on your head....it makes for good pictures ;-)

you and cousin Teagan on her 1st bday and your half bday :) To look, you wouldnt think they were 6 mo apart!

Playing at the doctor's office

Help a Sister OUT!

Ok peeps....if you're waiting for a Mia update, keep waiting. This is about me.

Let's start with - you people are NOT my friends! Where were you when I felt I needed to eat dessert after EVERY meal for almost a year?! Where were you when I thought it was a good idea to order pizza every night for a week straight and NOT have any leftovers.....on more than a one week occasion?! Where were you when I couldn't fit into my pants after the first trimester of my pregnancy?! And holy crap......have you seen pictures of me at 40 weeks pregnant?! I'm shocked I still fit into the damn elevator.....wow. just wow. NEXT time (if there is a next time) PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SAY SOMETHING! I will not break....I probably won't even cry. And when I make it through a 40 week period only putting on a "normal" amount of weight, I WILL hug you. So please....just SAY something!

So, here I am. My kid is almost 6  months old and I am still trying to lose baby weight. I am 5 lbs away from pre-pregnancy weight (although it looks like more given the loose skin and lumpy hind parts) and I am OVER IT! I never in a million years thought that it would be so hard to lose weight. If I had, I probably would have re-thought some of those less than sound caloric decisions that I made for the better part of a year. All I heard and read told me that I would breast feed and weight would just FALL off.....lies. The only time I lost weight without trying was when I shoved a 7lb 6oz human through my lady parts! (and if it weren't for the drugs, I don't think you could say that was without trying....). Ridiculous.

Given that I have been so misinformed, I have stopped reading. I have started working my toosh off every day, and quit waiting on the weight fairy to come and take back her missing lbs. I guess it's working, and I'm just bitter that it took me 6 months to realize that I'm not some skinny 21 yr old that can bounce back from a 40 lb, 9 month bender and be "bikini ready" in  3 months. Stupid 21 yr olds.

But for real....I love you guys. Even when I'm mean.

Undoing what we've done.....

Well, Mia is now 23 weeks. She can no longer roll from her stomach to her back, is now refusing to eat with a spoon either rice cereal or oatmeal (which are the only two things we've tried...) AND for the last 3 days she has woken up before 6. It's official, I am going to stop blogging. This is getting completely ridiculous.

Although she peaked at 5 months, she is still pretty awesome, and I think we'll keep her ;-)

This weekend is Kristin's bachelorette party (I'm so excited) which means that I will be spending the night (only the second since she was born) away from my little angel. I have all the confidence in the world that Dan will not do anything that can't be undone, so I am very comfortable with leaving her with him ;-) Joking aside, Dan is an excellent daddy, and I know they will both be fine.

Next month, Dan and I will be venturing to Mexico to watch Kristin and Jon get married. We will be gone for 3 days and 2 nights (approximately 60 hours, but who's counting)....what I assume will be the longest weekend ever given that we are going sans Mia. Although I know we are going to have so much fun, I am still having some anxiety about being away. Mia will have a blast with her Grammy though and will probably not even notice that I'm gone ;-) I am very excited about getting away with just Dan and, maybe even moreso about the potential to sleep in past 6AM! This day and age....it's the small victories.

I know that I stopped recording publicy how I was doing as far as the baby weight....so I guess now's as good a time as any to bring it up. I had every intention of being back to my prepregnancy weight by march. well, March has come (and almost gone) now and I am still 7lbs shy of my goal. I am able to fit into all (well very close to all) of my pre-pregnancy clothes though so I guess I can't complain too much. I'm finding that the place I am having the hardest time losing weight, is not the place I carried the 7.6 lb human....it's in the trunk. Awesome. I recently tried on my swimsuit and to be honest, I flashed back to that time last summer where I could "fit" into my swimsuit, but it was no secret to anyone, that I probably shouldnt be wearing it....I have confidence though that I will get there, and I'm just hoping that I get there before April 28, when we leave for Mexico.

I think I have learned an important lesson here. Eating like a fat@ss, even WHILE you are growing a human inside of you, has its consequences. I can't say I won't do the same thing again, but at least I will be more realistic about the return of my body. And given that I have NO desire to grow another human in the near future (or ever...) I have plenty of time to regain my prepregnancy self ;-)

Stopping to smell the roses....

Are you tired of hearing from me yet this week? ;-) Well i thought I would just take a minute to post my recent observation of my life. I know I almost always find times to blog about my bad days or rough periods (in regards to unpredictability and lack of routine) but today is different.....

This has been a big week for us, not just because I've posted 3 times, but I am just realizing how quickly my little one is growing up. This week alone, she mastered eating with a spoon, she rolled from back to stomach AND stomach to back, and she has worked herself down to 2 long naps a day. I wish I could take credit for any one of these things....but I don't feel like I can.

From the beginning of this little adventure I have had a plan. Now, my plan has NEVER been the one that we followed, but I had one, none the less! I think that maybe, just maybe, I have learned to chill out (just a little) and let things be. I've stopped obsessing over milestones and schedules and just let my kid do what comes natural. I have to say, it's been freeing.

It reminds me of when I was pregnant - I remember the exact moment in my pregnancy where it became real. I was FOR SURE showing, I was feeling her move constantly and my body slowed down dramatically....it was the moment I said - 'Holy Sh*t! I'm gonna have a baby!' Well, I think after almost 5 months, it's finally hit me....I'm a MOM...like with a KID! And I love it :)

My friend Deanna is about to have her baby (and I CAN'T WAIT!) and last night we (her, Kristin and I) were talking about her upcoming delivery and reminiscing about ours. I remember vividly the first time I laid eyes on Amelia. She was the most beautiful thing in the world....at least as beautiful as something covered in white goo could be ;-) I remember the first time she cried and I VERY vividly remember being awake....for a really long time....like WEEKS! Whenever I think back to that, I realize that as happy as I was that day, I am even happier now. I would have sworn on October 19, 2011 that that was NOT possible. But here I am, 5 months later and every time I go get Mia from her crib and she smiles and laughs like I am the funniest person on the planet.....I fall a little more in love.

I guess we've established that this post doesnt really have a point....but it's my blog and I can post what I want ;-) I just wanted to put it in writing, that I have it pretty good. I can't think of one single thing I would change about the last 5 months....and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I'll make sure to update everyone next week when Mia masters the English language....that's the next milestone, right? ;-)

This is getting ridiculous....

So, I guess there is a reason to hold off until her actual 'month markers'....she rolled over today. Probably because I just wrote a blog about how she hasn't and doesnt seem interested in it. Clearly I was mistaken ;-)
Here's the first glimpse, I'm so proud!!!

PS. I know she doesn't understand me when i tell her how old she is...it's mainly just so when I look back, I know ;-)

5 months (and 10 yrs for the furry one!)

I think I'll start off by writing a letter to my first daughter...the furry one
Dear Luci,
You are 10 years old today! There have been many times in your life that I was pretty sure you weren't going to make it.....and no, it's not because you are old and decrepid or because you have serious life threatening health issues, it's mostly because at 10 years old, you still act like a puppy sometimes....and not in the good kind of way ;-) Since we moved into the new house, you seem more relaxed. You enjoy rolling around in the grass (which you are, of course, allergic to) and then trying to scoot inside before I can brush you off. But I think your favorite thing is scratching at the door, and not necessarily because you need to go out or are ready to come back in....I'm pretty sure you are just trying to see how quickly i come running. Rest assured, my response time has improved dramatically....thanks for keeping me on my toes.
You are getting more and more curious (and slightly annoyed) with your sister. It's funny because when she was younger and cried, you would immediately get up and go to her crib or her swing and act genuinely concerned. Now, the odds are better that you will get up and go into Dad's man room to get some peace and quiet! When she's not crying now, you like to sneak up to her room and fall asleep behind the rocker....it's really pretty sweet.
It's hard for me to believe that you are already 10, I still remember my 20th birthday when you were brought in to me with a huge ribbon and the cutest little puppy face :) Just so you know, I still think you're pretty cute.

I love you baby girl! Let's try to hang out for another 10 ;-)

Love,
Mom

Now to the less furry daughter.....

Dear Amelia,
You are just shy of 5 months old now! Today is your big sister's birthday, and it's amazing to me that in 10 years, she's hardly changed at all, yet from month to month, I can hardly keep up with all the new stuff you're doing! It's hard to know where to even begin....
You have definitely proven to be a Jones this last month. Predictability is definitely our strong suit. You wake up around the same time every day, take a 2 hour nap that starts between 8-9 sometime (this nap will determine how the rest of your day will go....less than 2 hours makes for a rough day for mommy!) then you eat about every 3 hours-ish and take about 2 other short naps until the evening time. Around 5 you have been taking one last long nap, you know, so you're rested for bed time (I wish I had your life) and then you're FAST asleep by 7:30. You don't like to be bothered with things like being rocked or snuggled....you prefer to be put in your crib with your paci, and you take care of the rest. Recently, however, you like be to stroke your face lightly with my hand while you doze off. I think it's your sweet way of compensating for me not getting to rock you anymore :) It's one of my favorite times of the day.
You have now graduated to the high chair! You are still eating rice cereal....but now you are ACTUALLY eating it. Before you mostly just spit it out with a certain amount of force, but you actually chew and swallow these days. When I started spoon feeding you, I put you in the bumbo chair and it seemed to suffice, but now that you have gotten so much more curious, I had to have you more restrained so I could actually find your mouth and have any chance of getting the cereal to it. I wouldn't say you LOVE your highchair, but you tolerate it, as long as you have your own spoon to play with while you wait for me to mix up your grub. You have about a 5 minute attention span when it comes to eating....after that, you're over it. But so am I, so it works out pretty good ;-)
When we play now, you generally spend some time in your exersaucer, and seem to really like it! You get a big kick out of getting all the noise makers going at the same time.....you're furry sister is less than amused with your new pasttime. We also sing (and by 'we', I mean 'I') and dance to some of your favorite songs that your little stuffed pink "learning" dog play. You are still not rolling over, and honestly, seem perfectly content with it. I guess that means I am too ;-) I feel like as soon as you do that, then it's all downhill from there. I'm enjoying you being stationary while it lasts ;-) Well, I say "stationary", but you sure can scoot yourself around on your back like a pro! One new thing is that you can sit up now!! You are a little unstable, but you sure want to do it on your own. You're so independent...it's adorable. You are still in the 'everything that you put in your hand, goes into your mouth' phase and I hear that lasts for years....so I guess I just need to get used to it.
You go in and out of teething, but still no teeth to show for it. The only reason I can tell that's what it is, is that you drool so much during those weeks and you chomp down HARD on anything you put in your mouth (namely, my fingers). This is another phase that I understand can last for months....I have to admit, they are not my favorite weeks. On Fridays of those weeks, mom needs a DRINK! ;-)
I remember when you were younger, it was so easy for us to take you out and about. You slept 80% of the time, and were attached to my boob the other 20%.....that is no longer the case. Your Dad and I have boycotted taking you anywhere at night. It's not that we don't enjoy you screaming at the top of your lungs for no apparent reason in restaurants, it's just that we vowed never to be "those parents"....so, we've sort of put our dinner outings on hiatus. we are getting better at remaining calm when those moments of hysteria arise, and generally they don't last longer than 15-20 minutes, but it may as well be hours when you're unhappy.
One last thing....and my most favorite thing....your smile and laugh :) You truly are one of the happiest babies I've ever seen. When you smile, it's with your whole face! Your little nose squints and your eyes light up and your little gums show.....its the highlight of every one of my days :) And now you laugh....it's the funniest thing I've ever heard. You and I sit on the couch and just laugh at each other every day. I do something funny to make you laugh (you don't give any sympathy laughs, you make me WORK for it!) then as soon as I hear it, I crack up....and then we start all over again. Gosh, I love you. :)

Well, I guess that's about it for this month....you will be 6 months next month! Where has the time gone? Just keep doing what you do....smile, eat, laugh, sleep. Below are a couple of pictures of you this month, but none of them do you justice....

This was one of the first times in your exersaucer...you were a lot happier than this picture leads you to believe.

Just before bathtime....mommy likes to amuse herself at your expense. sorry, baby ;-)

19 Weeks old

This is what you do every time you drink your bottle....its adorable :)

Every morning Daddy gets you and puts you in bed with me, so this is the smile I wake up to every morning :)

just hanging out in the kitchen like a big girl

in honor of our dear friend, Patti Bedford, a lady who you will hear lots about later, we dressed you in leopard print. something every lady should have in her closet.

(RIP Patti, you will be dearly missed, but never forgotten)

she's one of those kids with the pumped up kicks, you know, like in the song...

"Daddy's morning hair cracks me up!"

you and your daddy share Saturday mornings, he looks forward to the weekends for this reason alone :)

mommy finally found a way to satisfy your need to be close AND still have 2 hands. Hallelujah! its a miracle

just reading...no biggie

Getting ready to head to your Great Gradma Jones' 80th bday party

waiting for mommy to make breakfast....always havin to wait on that woman! ;-)

I love you sweet Angel :)

Love,
Mommy