Your Nursery

A girlfriend of mine is getting her nursery ready for her little love muffin due in October.  She's had several questions in preparing his room, and it made me realize yesterday that I never shared your nursery.  It is my favorite part of our house.  It is the most peaceful room and I love every part of it.  At night when I sneak in your room for your Dreamfeed, I look around your room and try to remember every single memory I have of putting it together.  I think back to when the room was Aunt Molly's, to it being our guest room and me having maternity clothes from your Aunt Laura strung all over the place, to the 2 "snow" days in February when your Daddy and I painted the sweet grey on the walls.  Yes, I have a lot of memories of that room becoming yours.
 After painting, your crib was the first thing that went up. I LOVE your crib.  It took some searching, but it is exactly what I wanted for you.

 The opening weekend of turkey season (March 15th- this is a date you will have to know as a member of this family.  It is like Christmas Day to your Daddy, Papa, uncles, and Luke) I spent some of my time making your sweet mobile.

Your bookcase and changing table belonged to Lukey and Lula.  Your sweet cousin Lula was kind enough to part with it for you.  Your book shelf holds all of your little treasures.

  

Cricket helped me sort through your many books, even though your Daddy was adamant that she NOT be allowed in your room.  

 Your bedding was from your sweet aunts.  I ended up also ordering the crib skirt to match.

 

  The week of my spring break in April, your Nettie came in town and helped your Daddy and me get your nursery all put together.  I was so afraid of hanging these pictures, but your Daddy and your Nettie did an amazing job of making sure they were perfect!  We also hung your curtains...this was quite the ordeal, but your Daddy was a good sport and your Nettie was a problem solver.

 

 And then we waited for your glider that we had ordered in March. When it arrived, we hung your mobile over it and your room was complete.  Well, almost complete...we needed YOU.

 

 

 The day your room finally became complete is a day I will never forget for as long as I live.  Pardon my greasy ponytail.  I had just had a beautiful baby.

Crib: Bratt Decor
Rug: Target
Curtains: World Market
Bedding: Carousel Designs
Mirror: Target
Glider: Stuckey Furniture (local)
Lamp with Pink Shade: Target
Lamb, Bunnies, and Tiger Prints: Animal Print Shop
Paint Color: Knitting Needles by Sherwin Williams

Bad kitty.

Summer Days

Today is our last "real" day of summer together.  You are snuggled in for your morning nap as I stare at you through the monitor.  Again, #babyfreak.  It is no secret that I am less than thrilled about my return as Mrs. E, 5th grade teacher in room 239.  Everyone tells me it will get better.  I know, I know.  But no matter how many wise moms tell that to me, it doesn't make it any easier right now.  This summer we finally found a routine, and I'm going to miss every bit of our days together- even if I didn't get to shower as often as I probably should have.  I feel like I need to document how our days have flowed.

7:00 a.m. Our day begins...Wake up and eat.
You holler until I pop over the side of your crib and then you go to kicking and grunting.  After you eat you spend about 20 minutes on your activity mat talking to your friends.  I lay on your fluffy rug with you and drink my coffee.

8:30 a.m. Nap in swing, generally.

10:00 a.m. Wake up and eat.
After you finish eating, we may run some errands.  You are a fabulous shopper and I thank you for it.  It's so nice to have someone that loves Target like I do.

11:30 a.m. Nap on Mama, in swing, in crib, or in car seat if we are out.

1:00 p.m. Wake up and eat.

2:30 p.m. Your big nap of the day.  You generally sleep in crib, but I've been bad this week knowing it was my last week with you.  You've slept on Mama a lot this week.  I'm sorry I'm not sorry.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wake up and eat.  Often times, I have to be the one to wake you up here.  I worry you won't want to sleep so well at night.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. If we are lucky, you snag a cat nap in here somewhere.  Again, if we are lucky.

7:00 or 7:30 p.m. Eat.

7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Bath and getting ready for bed.
You're favorite time of day.  Knock on wood, you have never once cried in the bath tub.  In fact, it is what calms you down at this hour of the night. We sing and you kick your legs.  Afterward, you love getting all slathered up in some Johnson and Johnson Bedtime Lotion.

8:30 or 9:00 Bedtime.
Bedtime has been a real struggle in our house over the last month.  Your daddy and I were trying to make you more independent and to get you to go to sleep on your own.  We tried the Pick Up Put Down method by The Baby Whisperer.  Yeah, it's a load of crock.  This lasted 1 week.  I now rock you to sleep and very carefully lay you down in your crib once your arms are like spaghetti.  I will probably pay for this later in life when you can't fall asleep on your own, but I don't care.  One day you won't want me to hold you, and so I'm not going to waste these moments.

Now I see you stirring in the  monitor.  You are right on schedule...

3 Months New

Whoops.  I didn't write anything for a month.  Well, in truth, I didn't have any time to waste at a computer.  I've been doing nothing, but loving on you sweet girl.

Today you are 3 months new and in less than a week's time I will have to return to work.  Our endless lazy week days of cuddling and The Good Wife episodes are coming to a close.  I can't begin to tell you how much this kills me.  I've been dreading this all summer.  There is so much I will miss.  I'm not going to harp on it, because quite frankly it's depressing and I can't waste a single moment we have left.

You have had a busy month growing, learning, and becoming a 3 month old.  I keep trying to soak up every.single.second.  We can't get enough of your coos.  You love to suck on your hands, and you think your feet are by far the craziest thing you have seen yet.  You are a bit of a mommy freak, and let's be honest I'm a bit of a baby freak. 

This month you met your future husband.  Call us old fashioned, but we already arranged your marriage.  You'll thank me later.  I'm getting you the most AMAZING mother-in-law out of the deal. 

You are finally getting big enough to wear some of your adorable clothes; and you let me play dress up.  I've dreamed of doing this for as long as I can remember.  You are wearing my dress here, by the way.

You continue to be such a great sleeper, and I still love to watch you sleep.  I mean, REALLY love to watch you sleep.  You're the most peaceful angel.  I would do it your whole nap, except I'm afraid you'll wake up and I'll scare the living mess out of you.  So, I'll admit, a lot of times I just go in the other room and stare at you through the monitor. #babyfreak

 

 

Okay, a bit excessive, I know, but I just can't stand it.

You love your activity mat and this tacky mobile that your Aunt Laura was right about.

 

Someone else loves your activity mat, too.

 

You are the greatest part of our lives, Sweet Girl.  Happy 3 months!

2 Months New

Happy 2 months, Miss E!!  You continue to fill our hearts with so much love and joy.  We are so blessed!  Every day I am reminded of how much you are growing and changing.  It seems like overnight you grew these long eyelashes that curl up on the ends.  I can't get enough of them.  Your "newborn hair" is falling out even though I hate to admit it.  I find strands of it and tell myself that it is Cricket's, but I know it's yours.  Little blonde fuzzies are replacing these dark strands.  You are much calmer and happier.  You still love to be walked around and bounced, but you are becoming more content to chill in your swing.  As much as I love watching you grow, I know these days are going to go by so fast.  I'm trying to soak up every little part.

These days you are starting to smile.  And what a beautiful one you have. 

You love your Daddy.  And he adores you.

 

You are starting to coo and talk to us.  You have the sweetest voice.

 

You are chunking up and I couldn't be happier.  You've moved up a size in diapers.  Welcome to the 1s!

You love your baths.

You are sleeping for longer.  And again, we couldn't be happier.

  

We love you, Sweet Girl.   

All of Your Perfect Little Parts

I can't forget your little tiny parts.  You are perfect in every way.

On the Day You Were Born

You are here!  You are finally here!  I keep pinching myself to make me believe you are truly mine.  (I also keep pinching myself to keep me awake, but that's for another day).  My sweet girl.  Today is your Daddy's birthday.  Yesterday your Lally was telling us all about the day he was born.  You are 7 weeks new tomorrow and I'm so afraid of forgetting any piece of the day you were born.  It was long.  It was tough.  But it was the most beautiful day(s) of my life- right up there next to the rainy day I married your amazing Daddy.

The night before you were to be evicted from my tummy, your Nettie, Papa, She She, Bry Bry, Lula, Lukey, Daddy, and I went to dinner.  It was great to be together.

Nettie and Papa spent the night at our house so that they could wake up with us in the morning.  I didn't sleep a wink.  I was so excited and nervous about becoming your mama.

In the morning, Nettie and Papa walked us out to Daddy's truck and gave us big hugs.  Now, they REALLY wanted to be getting in the truck with us at that moment, but Daddy and I had decided we needed some time to settle in to the hospital just the two of us.

My sweet girl, tears rolled down my cheeks in the dark for the entire drive to the hospital.  I thought all the way back to the first time I ever saw your Daddy, then through the years of our lives together, and how all those years brought us to this exact moment.  It was one of the craziest feelings I've ever had.  I can't explain the intense emotions that were drumming through my body.  Your Daddy took my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.  And like most times, he was right.  (But don't tell him I said that.)

When we got to the 3rd floor, I remember a nurse named Kim showed us to our room.  Two other nurses came to help settle us in.  I made sure to tell all of the nurses "Happy Nurses Week."  I wanted them to know I appreciated everything they were doing to take care of us.  I don't know if it was my acknowledgement of Nurses Week or what, but they were all incredible.  Seriously.  They are some of the most amazing humans to ever walk this earth.  Every single one was so kind and did anything and everything to make us comfortable.  I couldn't stomach half of their job requirements.  I have the biggest respect for nurses.  But let me stay on course.  This is all about you, my girl.

Those nurses left us at the end of their shift and then we met Barbara, or Babs.  She was a friend of some of your cousins, so I felt comfortable knowing that we had an "in".  Babs was our nurse for the day, and she was as awesome.  She even stayed on past her shift to be with us.  Dr. White came in to check on us and we started the pitosin to help get you moving.  Soon after, Babs made sure I had an epidural to help with the pain from contractions.  I was terrified about this, but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Again, your Daddy held my hand and told me everything was going to be okay.

Our family members started pouring in around 8:30, beginning with your Lally.  Around lunch time, she began taking bets on what time you would arrive, how big you would be, and what color your hair and eyes would be. 

I bet 1:30 p.m. because it was in a half hour and I was ready.  Of course, I lost.  Good news...we still won all of the money though.  Your college fund is already started with $12!

The day ticked by.  Your Nettie helped me breathe through the nauseousness with each contraction.  Your Papa quietly stood by watching my monitors while I slept.  Your Daddy sneezed into his shirt and practically bathed in hand sanitizer.  He had come down with a cold that morning.  Everyone kept coming back to check on me and to see if you were ready.  Your entire family was there waiting for you. They waited.  And they waited.  And they waited a whole lot more.  They were really patient.

At 7:00 p.m. when the nurses changed shifts Babs left us and in came Kim.  My oh my, the I love I have for Kim.  Kim gave me peppermint oil to help with the nausea and then dosed me with some Zofran.  She joked with our family and placed her bet on your arrival time and size.  She would gently wake me between contractions to change my position to help you move along.  Kim was an angel and she will forever hold a place so dear in my heart.  If you had an unmarried uncle, I would have married him off on the spot.

At 1:20 a.m. she woke me up to tell me it was time.  Dr. White, who also stayed on past her shift for you, came in the room, and in that moment I remember thinking how everything was so calm and peaceful.  Dr. White is also very special to our family.  She delivered your cousins years before you.  I began pushing at 1:25.  Your Daddy was on my right side and Kim was on my left both coaching me along.  Once more, your Daddy held on to me and told me everything was going to be okay.  At 1:36, I closed my eyes and pushed with all my might until I heard Kim tell me to open my eyes... And there you were... Your teeny little hiney staring back at me.  Dr. White's hands wrapping around your small chest.  And suddenly I felt as if my heart was now outside of my body; and I knew that my life -our lives- would never be the same again.  When they placed you on my chest, I held you close and told you everything was going to be okay- just like your Daddy said it would.  You are an amazing little miracle and you have stolen each of our hearts.  Welcome to our lives, Sweet Girl.  You have made my heart so full and our world so much more joyful.  We love you always.

  

ELE 

18 1/2 inches  5 pounds and 5 ounces 

May 7th, 2014

My Love

It is only appropriate that it is raining today.  Five years ago today it poured and it was the most beautiful day of my life. I am so lucky to have married the most amazing man on this earth who makes me a better woman every day.  I love you, my sweet love.