Emmah: Nine Months

Weight: 17 lbs
Sleep: 9pm, 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am, 8am...phew, Mama is TIRED
Clothing: 6-9mos/9mos, but her little squishy self needs 12 mos bottoms now
Likes: pickles! the Frozen soundtrack, morning cuddles, going for walks/runs, shaking your head "no"
Dislikes: car seat, naps, green peas
Milestones: Your 5th & 6th teeth came in this month, scooting on your back, holding your baby food pouch to eat, pulling yourself up and standing

Emmah bear, time is flying by and you are growing so fast. This past month we visited with Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Devan in Delaware. They cannot believe how big you are! Most days, the only way you will sleep is when you are in the stroller/car-seat/high chair. I think it is because your teeth that came in and now you may be getting more.

You do not mind sour things, you have sucked on a lime, lemon, pickle, and none of them phased you! Now whenever Mama eats a pickle, you demand that I share, so I do [you even take a bite!]. Pickles are the only not-pureed thing you like to eat. You still love music, especially the Frozen soundtrack [Do you wanna build a snowmaaaaaan?] You also like to shake your head back and forth like you are responding "no" to us. It is quite hilarious. You love to stand up and hold our hands and you even pulled yourself up while you were taking a bath. 

You are just the most beautiful baby on the planet and we love you so much. I can't believe you will be ONE year old in three months!

KISS!

One of Those Days

Today was one of those days. 

One of those days that when Emmah woke up, I rolled out of bed and said "we're going to Starbucks!"

It really has been one of those months, to be honest. Emmah has refused to nap lately and is waking up almost every two hours at night. This mama is getting no sleep. On top of this, I am struggling to find the balance. 

The balance I have been so deperately seeking since Emmah turned 6 months old. I finally felt like I was [somewhat] back to my normal self, but here I am 3 months later feeling less than adequate. The day I feel like the best Mom, I feel like a terrible wife [did I even say one kind thing to my husband today or did I only ask him to take the garbage out?] Other than yesterday, I couldn't tell you the last time I cooked dinner. Our poor furbabies probably think I hate them. I wear running shorts and a t-shirt most days [Do I run? Not most days. But I do walk! Most days.] And "me-time"...who is me again? [seriously, who am I?]

Starbucks didn't help this morning. 

Exhaustion combined with a fussy baby who didn't want to leave Mama's side brought me to tears. Mike took Emmah, told me to take a few minutes to myself, and reminded me to run to Jesus.

 I opened the good book and God spoke. 

"The LORD sets prisoners free"

[Psalm 146:7]

Freedom.

This is what God offers me daily. 

He offers me freedom from the pressures of being the best at everything. He tells me that I am enough. Even if dinner is PB&Js three nights this week, I am enough. He tells me that we have enough. He tells me to live more simply. He tells me that comparison is the thief of joy.

He sets me free.

We're working on finding the balance. 

Mamas, did you struggle with finding balance? What did you do?

Happy Easter!

Emmah: Six Months

Weight: 15 lbs
Sleep: Great! Waking up at midnight & 6am to nurse, but still stirring around 3am
Clothing size: 6-9 mos/9 mos, and you still fit into a few of your 6 mos onsies & jammies
Likes: things that make crinkly noises, talking to Grandma & Grandpa via Facetime, bath time, Utley the cat
Dislikes: tummy time, getting your jacket on, going in your crib awake
Milestones: You can sit up & you got your first tooth!

This month seemed to fly by faster than all the others. You are growing right before our eyes, making me question if it is really possible for time to go by this quickly. I saw a newborn baby this month and thought "were you really that small and fragile?!" 

 Your first tooth cut through this month, just a few days before your half-birthday, and you handled it like a champ! You are our tough baby bear. Speaking of tough, you love Utley, our cat. You grab onto him and he loves it. When he hears you making noises, he will come find you and sit right in front of you so you can pet him and grab onto his fur. Whenever he comes into the room we are in, your eyes light up and you watch his every move. Daddy & I think you are going to be best buddies growing up.  And growing you are doing. You have some of the chunkiest legs I have ever seen a baby, and I must say they are also the cutest. I want to squeeze and kiss them every time I change your diaper! Actually, I do squeeze and kiss them every time I change your diaper :)

Oh, and your favorite toy is the wipes wrapper/container. You love that crinkly noise it makes!

WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Half-Birthday, Emmah bear.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Emmah: Four Months

Weight: 14 lbs

Sleep: Sleeping great, on more of a routine/pattern now!

Clothing size: 3-6 mos/6 mos

Likes: Cuppycake song, baths, crib mobile

Dislikes: getting in the car-seat, tummy time, long car-rides 

You love looking at yourself in the mirror, and you are becoming interested in your jumperoo. You have learned to give kisses and you love giving them. You have been going to sleep each night at 9pm and waking up for the day at 10am. You wake up at 12am & 6am to eat and you also wake at 3am, but usually soothe yourself back to sleep. You love it when I sing to you, and your new favorite song is the cuppycake song. Every time I sing it, you stop fussing and stare at me with the biggest smile on your face. If you could have it your way, you'd have me sing it to you all day long.

This past month, we traveled to Pensacola, Florida to visit your Nana & Papa for Christmas, and you were not happy about being in the car-seat for so long. We celebrated your first Christmas and you went swimming for the first time in the indoor pool, you loved it.

You are getting SO big, Emmah and your smile lights up my day like nothing else! 

I love you.

One & Two Month Favorites

1. Summer Infant SwaddleMe: These are awesome. No need to have to worry about being a swaddling pro. These do the job for you. I even packed these in my hospital bag.

2. Rock N Play: Emmah slept in this for the first few weeks. When we laid her flat on her back, she would spit up and make this gasping/choking noise that scared the dickens out of me. This way, she was tilted up a bit, and it solved the problem!

3. BabyGanics Hand Sanitizer: I had these all over the house. I don't know why, but it was much easier/less offensive to ask people that were visiting to say "here, please use this first" (while simultaneously squirting it in their hands so they had no choice) than to ask them to go wash their hands. But this brand is alcohol-free which is supposedly better for baby.

4. Cozy Cover: This made life much easier (i.e. no blankets flying off your baby and singing farewell as it floats away down the street) Obviously you do not need this in the summer or if you live somewhere warm, but here in Chicago, this winter has been brutal. It stretches around the car seat and keeps baby warm like a winter jacket!

5. Chicco Infant Carrier: So far this carrier has worked great for us. We haven't tried any others, but this one works for both Mommy AND Daddy. 

6. Baby Aquaphor: THE BEST DIAPER RASH OINTMENT. We tried Butt Paste and both types of Desitin. This has worked the best and doesn't stink.

7. Pacifiers: These are the only pacifiers Emmah would take! 

8. Baby Swing: This was the only thing Emmah could stand to be in longer than 10 minutes (besides our arms), and she would often sleep in it too!

Emmah: Two Months

Weight: 11.9 lbs

Height: 23 inches

Sleep: Sleeping 2-4 hours at a time (in Mommy & Daddy's bed)

Clothing size: 0-3 mos

Likes: bath time, loud music, playing on activity mat in the boppy
Dislikes: being alone for more than 30 seconds, Huggies diapers and the chemical rash/burn that came with it!
Milestones: starting to grab things

This month has been so much fun. 

We have watched you become more and more alert each day.
You have noticed the toys hanging from your activity mat and grabbed the bunny's ear on your rattle.  At the beginning of November, you got a chemical rash/burn from a Huggies diaper and Mommy just about lost her cool. A mother's love is truly like no other.
We have used facetime to talk to Grandma & Grandpa this month and you love it!
They love you so much. And so do we!

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!

Emmah: One Month

Weight: 10 lbs or so
Sleep: You are sleeping most of the day, staying awake for about 2 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. At night you have been sleeping for 2-3 hours at a time with an occasional 4 hour stretch.
Breastfeeding: Still going great, you are eating every 2-3 hours. Some days you cluster feed in the afternoon. I have started to pump and have given you 2 or 3 bottles so far! You are perfectly comfortable with boob or bottle, yay!
Clothing size: 0-3 months
Likes: being held, bath time, AVENT soothie pacifiers, Daddy's mustache kisses, music, car rides
Dislikes: waiting to be fed, being put down for more than 15 minutes

I cannot believe that it has been one month already.
Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

At the beginning of the month you did not like to be put down at all, but now you enjoy your bouncy seat or swing (only for a short period of time, no longer than 20 min). You are very alert and I can tell your vision is developing. When you looks at us, we can tell you are actually seeing us instead of staring off into space. You are a calm and happy baby, only fussing when I take too long to realize you are hungry. You can hold your head up pretty well, tummy time is helping you get stronger!

 I cannot explain how much I love you.

Emmah: One Week

Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz She lost a few ounces, but the doctor said that it was normal for breastfed babies to lose a few ounces the first week. 
Height: 21 inches

Sleep: Emmah has been sleeping her days away & sleeping 2-4 hours at a time through the night
Breastfeeding: Has been going pretty smoothly. My boobs were sore/cracked/etc. by the third day, but I used a shield to help my nips heal back to their full glory. Now, I can't complain! It is crazy how babies are born with the instinct to search for a nipple.
Clothing size: NB 
Likes: Grandma & Grandpa, Nana & Papa, being held, eating
Dislikes: her first bath, getting undressed at her doctor's appointment

Overall, the first week has been amazing. Emmah is becoming more alert each day, and staying awake a little bit longer in-between feedings. We had my parents here for the first week and now Mike's parents are here. The help has been amazing, I have been able to shower and get some solid rest. I can't believe it has been a week already with our Emmah bear.

I am listening to her squeak in her sleep as I type this.
Oh how I love her so...

Are you ready?

For cuteness overload?!

Daddy & Emmah

Emmah meets Mommy

Sleepy baby

First family photo

We're going home!

First outing: Lunch at Flat Top

Emmah Bear out to get ice cream

I am so in love, I might spontaneously combust. 

Seriously. Ya'll we're right.

Motherhood is indescribable.

Sweet Emmah Elizabeth

After a 48+ hour labor & delivery, Emmah is here and we couldn't be happier!

My heart has exploded. 

(I cried when they stuck her little foot to get blood)

This little girl has stolen our hearts.

(birth story to come soon)

Nursery Sneak Peek

We painted the nursery on Friday!

Here is a sneak peek...

I am finishing up on some details and then I will share the final product

:)

More Baby Showers

I was thrown two more showers, one with family in NY & one with friends in Chicago. 

We have the best friends & family on the planet.

We are so thankful for all of the amazing people in our lives.