Bright Starts Bounce-A-Bout Activity Center

This is one of Miss A's favorite toys... or should I say "Activity Center"! She loves it because there are so many fun things to look at. The best part about this toy is that there are NO BATTERIES REQUIRED and she still loves it! I hung up another Bright Starts Tug n Pull Musical Pig on it so there's some music for her to listen to. There are seven different toys on it and you can order more off their website. We probably won't order anymore because we have a lot of other toys we clip on to it. There's also a little tray where you can set more toys, pacifiers, or even a sippy cup [filled with water of course ;)] on it.

My mom isn't thrilled with this activity center because she can't walk around the house with it like she wants her to. I like it because it keeps her entertained in one place! She still gets her exercise because she can bounce on it! She hasn't quite mastered the bouncing aspect of it yet but soon! We registered for this for our baby shower and happily received it as a gift! We thought the bouncers would be safer than the baby walkers so she doesn't get into anything she's not supposed to. This would definitely be the better option for those with stairs!

 

 

10 Things I Love About Being a Mommy

It really is the little things that bring the most joy to life.

[In no particular order.]

1. Baby Smiles: My baby can smile when I'm in the worst mood ever and that will be enough to make me smile too. I can be so angry and then she'll laugh at me and suddenly I feel all better, if only for a few minutes. 
2. Baby Milestones: Any new thing my baby learns is enough to celebrate! The first time she reached for her toys... The first time she rolled over... The first time she used a bottle.. The first time she rode in her car seat home from the hospital... The first time in her stroller... The first time she made a noise other than crying... The first time she smiled... laughed... cooed... screeched! The first time she took a bath... The first time she put her own pacifier in her mouth. I can't wait until she crawls, sits up by herself, starts eating solids, and walks by herself! All these firsts make me grab my camera, call my mom and tell her, and write them down in her baby book. Depending on the milestone, it's even enough to grab a glass of wine with Bill after dinner! It's just exciting that she's growing and learning new things. I guess I can't really explain why it's exciting. It just is. 
3. I Get to Be a Kid Again on the Holidays: I am taking my daughter to see Santa Claus this month! How cool! I can't even remember the last time I visited Santa. It's been quite some time...! I get to be the one to make sure Santa enjoys his milk & cookies that we set out! ;) And as long as she's been a good baby, she'll get to open presents from Santa. We will get to visit the Easter Bunny too! And do fun holiday activities like Easter egg hunts and dressing up at Halloween. I still dress up for Halloween but it's going to be fun to share the holiday excitement with our daughter.
4. Snuggle/Cuddle Time: I never knew how cute babies were... I really never realized how precious they are. They are tiny, little baby humans... haha! Think about it. It's crazy that they will grow up into one of us someday! I looove taking naps with my baby. She snuggles her head on my chest and falls asleep... like a little angel! [until she wakes up crying!] Her cheeks are so pudgy and round. It's hard not to wake her by giving her so many kisses! Now she doesn't love cuddling 24/7, but when she starts rubbing her eyes, that's my cue to wrap her in a blanket and rock her in my arms! It warms my heart <3. 
5. Playing Dress Up: I love dressing my baby in cute little outfits. Since I have a girl, I love putting her in dresses and cute floral pants. I was lucky to have a baby born with some hair so we put little headbands, flowers, bows, and ribbons in her hair to doll her up. She's so beautiful! I'm hoping we will have a baby boy next because I just love little boy slacks and flannel or button up long sleeve shirts. I will put a little stylish cap on him. Awww.. I just love baby clothes. The coolest thing is that with babies they will look cute in almost anything you put on them!
6. Showing Her Off: It's so fun bringing my baby everywhere because people are just drawn to babies! I had random strangers coming up to me in stores when I was pregnant and now that I have my baby, they're still coming up to me! I don't mind though. They all point and talk to her in a funny baby voice. "Aww look at the wittle baaaby guwrll". It's great. I feel so proud to be the one that gets to keep her! :D
7. Playing Peek-A-Boo, Supergirl, & The Itsy Bitsy Spider: These are currently my baby's favorite games. We can play peek-a-boo anywhere and everywhere and she'll just have a blast. Same thing for Supergirl... I lift her in the air and she smiles sooo big! Right when I say Supergirl, she starts smiling because she knows what's gonna happen next. Her absolute favorite song is the Itsy Bitsy Spider. I sing this song over and over doing the hand motions because she absolutely loves it. If she's crying... even screaming I can sing this song and she'll stop and listen to it. I know this category is very similar to the Baby Smiles one but this is different because I am the one making her happy. It's comforting that she likes her mommy and that I can entertain her. :D
8. More Extended Family Time: We already keep in touch with our families pretty well. But since babies grow so fast, everyone wants to see her more so they don't miss out on her growing up! That means we all get to see more of our families. Now we already do see our families quite a bit, but let's face it... people are drawn to babies! It puts an increase on the number of visitors! :D No big deal. 
9. Learning a New Way of Life: I am not a different person now that I'm a mother but I am learning how to live differently. I can't do everything the same way that I used to because I have a baby to take care of and to guide growing up. I can't just stay out til midnight whenever I feel like. There are cons of having a baby that interfere with the sudden change in your life but I'm seeing a new perspective of life now. I understand some of the life of a mother. I still have LOTS of learning because I only have a four month old! But I think about how I was when I was a baby and what my mom went through... and all mothers that I know. I understand new things... It's just interesting how I suddenly have a different lifestyle. I have to do a little planning now. That's all. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy my life.
10. WE MADE OUR BABY! : No one else can make the same exact baby we did. She is unique to Bill & I. I'm just bewildered by this still. My baby grew inside of me and came out of thin air! Well, it feels like it anyways! It's just a weird feeling that's kind of neat to think about.

Don't forget to check out the 10 Things I Hate About Pregnancy! :)

Our Nuh Night Bedtime Routine

I never thought a four month old baby could enjoy story time as much as she does. Before Miss A was born, I asked the nurse who came to visit us at home when a good time would be to start reading to a baby. She said from day one! The sooner the better! I was surprised because I found it silly. But she was right. I started reading books to Miss A around the second month and she was fascinated with the them. [or so it seemed!!] Even though she can't understand the story quite yet, she certainly loves looking at the big, bright colored pictures. She always gets excited and kicks her legs before I read to her.

I could be wrong, but I think it is a VERY important activity to spend doing with your children. Reading is so beneficial for learning, bonding, and entertaining. They will discover the lives of many new characters and take on adventures with them. Books will help your children learn how to read and SPELL! The more you read, the better your spelling should be since you see it written over and over again. I thoroughly enjoy reading so I want to give my daughter the opportunity to discover books too. If she doesn't enjoy reading in the long run [which I don't see how that's possible! :/ ] then at least she will get a glimpse of what she'll be learning when school comes and she's forced to read!

For now, we have set a fun bedtime activity of reading some bright picture books. We stretch out on my bed on our backs and I hold the book up above her head and read. I try my best to read in different voices and with enthusiasm so she can enjoy it. :D I also think reading aloud helps your baby develop language too because they are listening to you talk to them. Sometimes Miss A stares at me while I'm reading the book instead of looking at the pages... funny but as long as she's enjoying it, it's allll good!

Bedtime Routine

1. Bottle
2. Change Diaper
3. Pajamas
4. Story Time/ Cuddle Time <3
5. Crib with Winnie the Pooh mobile playing

Zombie Dad on Thirds

He might not be so pleased to see that I've used these pics for my blog! :D

I know I have already tweeted about this several times, [for those of you who follow me on Twitter], but I am really frustrated by Bill's work schedule! He works in dispatch at the police station and while it is important for people to do that job, it is also important for them to keep a semi-consistent schedule so family life is not so SCREWY. Since he started this job in March (?) he has already covered all the shifts... two or three times already! He changes what shift he is on each month. Right now he switched to THIRD SHIFT again... I hate him on thirds. I swear it is worse than seconds because he cannot figure out his sleep schedule. He tries to sleep once he gets home at 9:30am until 5:00pm. The problem is that we have a four month old who is not the quietest baby! She has her fussy moments. She has her giggly, happy moments that are loud. Bill sleeps with the fan on the room, but today he came walking outta the bedroom at 1:30pm, saying he's up. He's too hungry to sleep and he woke up every time Miss A cried this morning, which he says was four times. GREAT, I'm thinking to myself. This is bad because he will be irritable (understandingly of course) and he will eventually have to go back to sleep. I look forward to our time together and it's too hard with him being a Zombie Dad all day & night.

If he could stay on one shift, which I guess he is supposed to stay on one shift after a year or so of training, it would be better. We can work around any shift if it's over a longer period of time, because then we get used to it and his body adjusts to his schedule. But now, it's 5:30pm and he's in bed... He told me about thirty minutes ago that he hadn't slept the entire time he was laying down... {wtf}. JUST A LITTLE MORE COMPLAINING. Once he finally gets his sleep schedule adjusted to third shift, he will change back to FIRST SHIFT on Christmas Day. Man they really know how to screw him over. I was thinking that third shift would at least be good for the holidays so he wouldn't have to miss any parties. They sure showed me.

BLAHhhhhhhhhh!

Yes we are very thankful that he got this job. It doesn't cover all our bills [student loans mainly] but it is a good job to begin his career with. And he doesn't complain very much. I do most of it for him. I guess it's something I'm good at. Like a gift or something... hehe :D

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Just found these pictures posted on [my bff's] Candace's Facebook. These brought me back! WAY BACK! Though, honestly this is how I looked only five months ago! I can't believe it. I hardly remember myself being this pregnant! They were taken at my baby shower, about a month before Miss A was born. @ 8 MONTHS PREGNANT! Now my little girl is 3 months!

The camera lens must be fogged or something.. Sorry about the haze! :/

I love this one! LOL

Shari & I <3

Multitasking Mommy!

I didn't know how well I could multitask until Miss A was born. I was really good at it before, but now I'm becoming a professional! The coolest part is that I'm still getting better and better everyday. My baby is only four months old so she's not even crawling yet! I can't imagine how my skills will grow once she's crawling/walking and pulling out all my movies and books from their shelves! At first, I was kind of frustrated that all the attention my baby required. I felt like I couldn't do anything besides feed, change dirty diapers, and play with her. That is all a joy but 24/7??? Everyone needs to enjoy ALL of life's wonderful activities! Soooo lately, I've been getting into cooking wonderful meals with new recipes and foods I've never even tried before. Obviously that takes some time. For me, it requires a good couple hours back and forth, around the kitchen. With an infant, that seems almost impossible! But let me tell you, it's not!

We play peek-a-boo over the counter tops, behind pots & pans, with the potholders, with a gallon of milk, etc. We sing songs and dance... well it's mainly me who does the entertaining in between stirring the boiling liquids, checking the food in the oven, and cleaning the huge mess I made! I drag her swing into the kitchen so she can play with toys and swing while I figure out what the heck I'm trying to cook. Once she gets bored with that, I sit her in her high chair with apples using the Munchkin Food Nets. We set books on the high chair, along with her plastic keys, teddy bears, farm animals, even the whole farm! It really is kind of hectic, especially on her fussy days when she doesn't like to cooperate but it's doable! Once she's done being in the high chair, I lay her on her activity play pad and she plays with her rattles, mirrors, and musical animals. She entertains herself and when she gets bored I make funny sounds and talk to her. I mainly narrate everything I'm doing in funny voices and in occasionally break out into song. It's fun and she giggles and coos! Then when daddy walks through the door around 5:30pm, she's all his while I finish place setting the table and pouring milk into our glasses!!

Life is definitely more interesting with a cute wittle tiny fussy pudgy baby bumpkin!

Munchkin Food Nets

I recently bought a Munchkins Food Net for my teething (?) baby. These food nets are amazing! Right now she is only four and a half months, so we haven't really started solid foods yet. I still plan on waiting awhile longer before introducing solids but since she appears to be teething, I've been peeling apples and putting them inside the food nets for her. This way she has a nutritious, soothing toy to chew on. The first time we gave it to her she absolutely loved it. She chewed/sucked on the food net like a popsicle. It's sooo cuute and funny! It really was a lifesaver. After hours of fussing/screaming, this was the only thing that calmed her. I'm almost positive it was soothing her gums. I recommend these to all teething babies, especially if they aren't doing well with solids yet. These nets have a handle that snaps tightly shut, preventing the food chunks from entering the baby's mouth. Later, when we start to give her more solids, I'll put more fruits and vegetables inside. But until she's at least six months, I'm only putting apples in them. :)

Baby Steps also makes their own version of the food net. I haven't tried this one but it serves the same purpose as the Munchkins version.  

I know my baby is the cutest in the world, do you?

Everyday I know I'm the luckiest mom ever because I have the cutest baby in the entire world! Seriously! I'm assuming all moms think this way.. If not, I just don't understand! I genuinely believe I have the cutest baby ever. I know my opinion is biased because I'm the mommy but still. She's a sweet little baby doll. She has such big beautiful blue eyes that are filled with curiosity. She has the perfect little pudgy baby cheeks. Her belly is a cute potbelly, big and round! She has a pretty little voice even when she screeches. Her facial expressions are all so unique, funny, and precious (maybe not the grouchy ones but in their own special way, yes!) She's super cute with clothes and just naked, splashing around in her baby tub. Her face lights up with excitement all the time. She smiles and laughs at everything she sees. Miss A is a wonderful baby and every time I look at her the only thing I see is a pure angel! Of course she can be a little monster at times, but overall I've never seen something as sweet and beautiful as my little baby girl. I don't mean to sound arrogant. I'm hoping everyone sees their own baby as I do mine. I can't explain the feeling I get when I'm with her nor do I feel like trying because words can't describe the emotion. She's just a CUTIE PATOOTIE & my little sweetheart! I just love her soooo much! :D

Also, be sure to read the 10 Reasons I Love Being a Mommy!

My Experience Using Fenugreek

I feel guilty and ashamed to be feeding Miss A so much formula! She's only four months and I am almost unable to nurse her... :( I tried using Fenugreek a month ago to help with this situation. Fenugreek is an herb that's supposed to help increase milk supply and help maintain the overall health of your breasts. The first two weeks I took two 500mg capsules three times a day, as directed by the bottle. I was really good about not forgetting to take it because I was desperate to increase my milk supply. It made me smell sweet. [sweeter than I already am! pff..] Sweet like maple syrup. I could smell it especially if I did some type of exercise. It was like I was sweating maple syrup. How pleasant! Anyways after two weeks of taking this herb, there was no noticeable change in my milk supply. :( I might have messed it up by starting an eight hour work day but I pumped consistently. Once at 7:30am, 12:00pm, 4:15pm, and then every 2-3hrs after until bedtime which is around 10-11pm. After two weeks, I kinda lost hope already and only took two capsules once or twice each day for another week or two. But now I have officially stopped all together. I still pump consistently but I only get about 3-4 ounces per day. THAT IS BAD. Let me repeat. THAT IS REALLY BAD. I keep thinking, "Okay, so for the next baby I will know how to keep up my milk supply. I won't supplement as many bottles of formula too early. I won't stop pumping consistently. During the first month when my milk supply is ridiculous and I am LOADED with milk, I will pump like crazy!" I just feel bad because I want to keep giving Miss A breast milk, especially since winter is coming. Colds and flues get passed around more often when it's cold so I want Miss A to have as much protection against viruses as possible! I will keep pumping and trying but Fenugreek has failed me.

I still do have hope that Fenugreek may work for other women. I might not have pumped enough to stimulate milk production. My diet hasn't been the greatest/healthiest lately. Lastly, I don't know if I have been drinking enough fluids or not...

What is really nice and comforting is that I can still nurse Miss A each morning when she wakes up. I never thought I would miss breastfeeding but I really do! It's our snuggle time. It's mommy-baby time. :( I'm hoping to be able to keep it up until she's at least six months old! That is my goal-- hope I'm successful!