Husband's Birthday

Husband was all excited about my birthday, but when it came time for his birthday he felt about the same way as I did...just kinda bleh to turn 29. We had already planned to have a joint birthday "party" so for his actual birthday it was pretty low key...

Husband actually had to work on his birthday. :( We went to dinner the night before at one of his favorite restaurants...On the Border! Ha! Not my idea of good Mexican food, but since I hadn't had it in a while it was pretty good! Husband of course enjoyed a birthday margarita. :) We were happy to take Prestyn with us, and she was well behaved the entire dinner!

Earlier this day I had to run out to get Husband's final birthday present. Once we got home from dinner I wrapped his presents...I thought about telling him he couldn't have them until the day after his birthday since we weren't going to be with him on his actual birthday...all along I had planned on visiting him at the fire station on his birthday, and was going to surprise him with presents. But then I didn't want him to get suspicious and wanted him to get presents on his birthday!

So Husband's presents were all wrapped, and ready for him for the morning of his birthday! I knew P and I would be up anyway the morning of at some point so we could watch him open his presents...Husband couldn't wait! He opened them while we were sleeping! haha! I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to see his reaction, but I know he liked them. :) He got:: a new phone, a personalized phone cover, Wheel of Fortune game for the Wii, and a collage to take to the fire station with pictures of me and P.

I kind of thought Husband suspected that we'd be going to the fire station since he never asked what we planned on doing that day. But as we were getting ready to leave I was telling him we were getting ready to take a nap. Much to his surprise we showed up at the fire station!

P picked out a special outfit for her daddy's birthday which included fire truck leg warmers & her Longhorns paci. I tried to match her outfit because I really wanted some good family pictures at the station! We got some! And I was so glad since we didn't get any newborn pics with Ryan's gear...that's another story...I'll post about newborn pics including the pictures after I finally send these announcements out!

We weren't at the station long when the guys got a call so off they go! We hung out until they got back, took our pictures, then P was ready to leave! Here's the kicker::

Every time I go to Watauga I have to make a stop to Rosa's! It just makes me feel like I'm in Lubbock, and I lubbock that place! Since I made this stop I went home a different way than a came...wrong choice! Detour! It took us about 30 minutes just to get on the highway!

Once we were on the highway it was smooth sailing...until...we hit rush hour traffic! We finally got to a point where songs & a paci were not going to hold P over any longer...I had to pull over at a not so safe area to feed her...we were fine though! And headed on our way home...it's a good thing I didn't wait to feed her since it took a total of 3.5 hours to get home!

I know this post is about Husband's birthday & all glory to him BUT...what ever happened to courtesy drivers?! uugghh!! I was getting so frustrated, but because I'm a lady...a southern lady...and a mother...I neither gave the finger or yelled curse words...although I kinda wanted to...learn some road manners people!!!

And that's all I have to say about that!

Cheers to turning 29 husband!! XOXO

Growth Spurts

"They" say growth spurts happen at 3 days, 7 days, 10 days then 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks and months...here's my thoughts on how these growth spurts have gone!

3 days--oh my! At this point I didn't know there was a 3 day growth spurt, but it TOTALLY explains that day in the hospital...talk about cluster feeding! You were just a growing, and wanted to do nothing but eat!

7 days--yeah right...like I remember what happened at 7 days. We were at home, and I felt like all you did was eat and sleep...which is what I did too...so yeah I don't remember much from this point!

10 days--This was right around Easter. You didn't eat or sleep anymore than before, but this is when we started noticing your growth in development. You started interacting with us after this spurt. :)

3 weeks--Yeah...I thought this was bad...until we got to the 6 week which I'll talk about next. At 3 weeks we started feeling much more comfortable with taking you places. We took you to Life Group for the first time. You SCREAMED when you were ready to eat & Mommy had to hurry to the Mother's Room to feed you...you wanted to nurse FOREVER...after about 40 minutes Mommy knew Daddy was waiting to leave so I unlatched you, and off we went...BIG MISTAKE! HUGE! Life Group was having a picnic after church this day so we took you to that...again...all you wanted to do was eat. Mommy still wasn't quite comfortable nursing in public so most of the picnic time was spent nursing you in the car...you finally went to sleep so Mommy could eat. :)

6 weeks--mmmm hmmm yeah....this one lasted FOREVER! You were wanting to nurse every 2 hours! And Mommy let you of course because I knew you were going through a growth spurt! At 8 weeks you were still nursing every 2 hours, and Mommy could not get anything done! You started having a lot more awake time with this growth spurt so you'd eat, play, barely sleep, then want to eat again! So...yeah...at 8 weeks Mommy thought...we've got to do something to get back to eating every 2.5 hours! It took 1 day of extended your nap 30 minutes then feeding you. The first 2 times we did it that day were a little difficult, but you did it! And we were back to eating every 2.5 hours!

9 weeks--I think this has been my favorite growth spurt! You began sleeping loner & going 3 hours between feedings! Mommy is able to get lots done, and may just finally send your birth announcements! ha! After this growth spurt I actually had to wake you for day time feedings! Daddy was ready to move you to your room at 8 weeks, but Mommy wanted to wait until 1 week after your 2 month shots...well...1 week after your 2 month shots was the 9 week growth spurt. It has taken you some time to adjust to sleeping in your crib, but you're doing it so no turning back! So I'm not sure if it's the growth spurt or sleeping in your box now, but you went from only waking up once at night to waking up 2-3 times. :(

We are in week 11 and I think you're getting back to only waking up once during the night. Knock on wood that this continues! Mommy makes it a point to thank Jesus every time you have a good sleeping session! I believe He is looking out for you kid. :) ... and Mommy too!

Up next:: the 12 week/3 month growth spurt. Oy! :)

Let Freedom Ring!

Let the white doves sing...let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning! Let the weak be strong...let the right be wrong...roll the stone away...let freedom ring...it's...Memorial Day!

So Memorial Day and Independence Day may be celebrated on different days and technically for different reasons, but the bottom line is we live in a free country that is free because of our fore fathers and the men and women who have continued to serve so that our freedom may continue...

What a wonderful country we live in to be able to celebrate those who serve! It's not just about the day off and grilling out, but the reason behind the season!

How did we spend our Memorial Day?! Well...considering I haven't worked since Spring Break and Husband has every 3rd day off all my days run together so when most were so excited for the extra day I was just excited that those who deserve the daily recognition were getting it! However we did enjoy the day off & grilled!

Husband got a new grill for an early birthday present, and was super excited to smoke a brisket all day! While he manned the grill I took care of the baby & got some things around the house picked up. :) For me...that was an enjoyable day!

The food was wonderful! Especially for a 1st timer! And P and I really enjoyed our time outside! It's so fun to see her grabbing, playing, and laughing with her toys!

Way to go Husband! We'll let you continue to grill out for us... :) BTW...this was P's 2nd outfit of the day...she wasn't in the 1st one long enough for the picture! Let's just say...she loves America!

 

How Lucky am I?!

Sometimes I just lay in bed saying my prayers thinking how blessed I am! Or sitting in a nice relaxing bath thinking how lucky I am!

So taking a nice relaxing bath is something I did occasionally...one would think that being a mother would be it would become even more sporatic Oh the contrary! I take a bubble bath every other night & it is amazing!

After P's bath Husband puts her to bed, and I take a bath! When Prestyn was still sleeping in our room I would hear Husband singing to her and lulling her to sleep...I thought I was going to miss that when she was moved to her own room...

Thankfully our bathroom backs up to her bedroom so I can still hear him singing to her...even if it's just twinkle twinkle & wheels on the bus over and over again! He does it...and it works! And it makes me smile!

He certainly has a touch that I don't...I can make her smile all day long, but when it's time to go to bed...Mommy does not have the special touch! I guess she relates me to fun and him to sleep! haha!

So as much as my little one smiles also reminds me how lucky I am! We are always told what a happy baby we have! Since she's our only one it's all I know, but I do feel quite lucky & blessed to have such a happy baby! I'm not sure if that's because she comes from such happy parents or the fact that we educated ourselves with the 5 S's from the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD before she was born! ::Note to New Parents:: The 5 S's work!

I'm also trying to practice the ways of Babywise...Read my Eat::Play::Sleep post about that...in the book it says that you will have a happy baby, and many people will tell you how lucky you are to have such a happy baby!

Yes...we are lucky...but we also work VERY hard! I'm not going to lie...she does get cranky! And for those who have only seen that side...I'm sorry! :( When she's in an environment that she knows and is comfortable with she's extremely happy...but yes...we have to work very hard to ensure this! It means being very engaged during her awake time & making sure she gets good sleep!

To have a husband who is also so helpful with our daughter makes me feel incredibly blessed. It's the little things...the fact that I get to take a bubble bath every other night...the fact that when she wakes up & it's not time to eat he spends time with her so I can sleep a little bit :) It's all the little things that add up to make one big thing...A LUCKY LIFE! :)

Date Nights

I began this blog when Ryan and I were engaged...I often blogged about (or had intentions to blog about) our weekly date nights...I was quite flattered recently to be asked from a friend for ideas for date night. :) We take date nights seriously as it's a time for us to be completely focused on each other...and now that we have a little one date nights are even more important! So I thought I'd blog about our recent ones. :)

It took a couple weeks for a couple reasons...1. I had to have enough milk pumped for Prestyn to get a bottle & I didn't start pumping until she was a month old. 2. I had major surgery (Husband is laughing out loud at that one) so outings took lots of energy & I was sore & exhausted...3. We're new parents and are so in love with our little girl that we weren't ready to leave her...so we just took her with us everywhere!

Our first official date night (we went to Chipotle and church one evening & left P with my mom, but Ryan doesn't think that counts..) so our first official date night was on a day that both my mom & dad could babysit! For those who don't know my dad works & lives in San Antonio, and hasn't seen Prestyn since she was born so he quickly jumped on the opportunity to join my mom here at our home to babysit P! ...even though he ended up taking a nap while Mom did most of the work! haha!

Sorry...I'm rambling! I've been craving hibachi & sushi since I was pregnant...sushi I couldn't have...hibachi I could, but never did...so we went to Edohana (sp?) for date night! Since it was a celebration or (monument as Husband would call it) we went ALL out! We ordered a bottle of wine, sushi, edamami, and had a hibachi meal! I was really taking my time enjoying this one-on-one time with my husband since our baby was born. Once we finished...the night was young! Prestyn was doing great with Nonna and Papa (they were sending us pictures of the good time she was having & smiles to show it!). Our friends were having neighbors over so we went on over there. Tons of fun! But eventually we were ready to come home to our princess. :)

Since then we have kept up with our weekly date nights. This past weekend Ryan's mom & her boyfriend came to babysit while we went to a movie! And this weekend we will be celebrating our birthdays with our friends while my mom babysits.

I love Husband & our date nights!

P.S. If you have any creative ideas for date nights let me know...we're always in for fun & different things!

XOXO

Prestyn's 2nd Month

Dear Prestyn,

I cannot believe you are already 2 months old! It's true what they say...time flies when you're having fun! I do have to say though...the 1st month didn't fly as fast! haha! That month was a month of both of us getting used to this new life! But the 2nd month...oh it's been so fun!!

*You are really smiling and laughing a lot now! We have figured out that you love when we sing and dance with you. You like when we move your arms and legs to make you dance! Oh your giggles get Mommy really laughing! Sometimes it makes me want to cry because of how happy you are & how happy that makes me to see you so happy! Haha! Can you feel the happiness?! If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!

*You've gotten really good at sticking to your schedule! When you went through the 6 week growth spurt though...things REALLY threw us off! You started eating every 2 hours, napping for 30 minutes, and Mommy couldn't get anything done! It took one day of trying to stretch your awake time 30 more minutes, nap time 30 more minutes, and you were back to eating every 2.5 hours! Yay!! Sometimes you even go 3 hours if you're really sleepy & napping well! Weird how these days usually only happen when Mommy leaves you with Daddy...and days that Mommy needs a nap!

*You're still sleeping in the rock 'n' play in our room. However we think you're ready to move to your crib...but I don't know if I'm ready! I told Daddy I wanted to keep you in our room at least 1 week after your shots just in case you needed us close by. So next week...when Daddy will be home for 2 nights we are going to move you to your room. :( We're going to start by putting you to sleep in your rock 'n' play then laying you in your crib after you dream feed. We'll see how this goes...

*Speaking of dream feeding...this has worked wonderfully for Mommy!...and Daddy too! You go to bed around 9. Well Mommy likes to spend some time with Daddy while you're asleep so before Mommy goes to sleep I feed you while you're dreaming...this allows for both of us to get a good 5-6 hours of sleep before you wake up to eat! Doing this you're only waking up once during the night to eat! :)

*You still LOVE morning time! It's getting to where it's taking you a little time to wake up, but you just streeeeeetch on your changing table while Mommy starts your morning routine! You still get a morning massage, but no more baby powder in your hair. Mommy did this before because your hair was so greasy still! haha! But now it's fluffy so I smooth it down with your brush. :)

*You've completely outgrown your newborn pajamas. You're still able to wear some of your newborn clothes, but not many! Definitely not the newborn onesies! You're now wearing size 0-3. We realized you don't have many clothes in this size...I bought you a couple more outfits and a couple pajamas. With the rate you're growing You could be in size 3 months before too long! Since we don't have many options in size 0-3 I don't pick out your outfit the night before anymore. And also since we live in Texas we never know what the weather's going to do! Me picking out your outfits in the morning gives you time to lay on your tummy on your lamb mat!

*You're getting so much better at tummy time, and really enjoying it! You immediately lift your head up and start looking around. We do tummy time after nearly every diaper change. Sometimes you roll over in the short second Mommy is getting your bows out of your closet! If you seem to be having fun during tummy time I'll sometimes read to you, or play with a toy so that you can lift up and see.

*We've also started putting you in the bumbo chair for a little bit each day! So after tummy time I'll put you in the bumbo to see the pictures of the story I read...or I'll read you a new story. Or we'll play with toys! I do most of the playing though...you just like to watch. :) You have such good head control, and a strong trunk that you were ready for the bumbo! Hopefully it will help you to sit unassisted!

*You take most of your naps in your bed now...which is good! There was a point though where you would ONLY nap in you bed which made it hard when we were out...now you'll nap in Mommy arms which makes me happy! You also like to sleep in the car after you've looked out the window for a few minutes...then you're out!

*Your boy-fran, Jaxson, his mommy went back to work so we don't see them as often...but you're always happy to see Miss Kristina and Jaxson! We haven't gotten to see your friend Grey again either, but you will! Don't worry! You did get to meet your new friend, Piper! She lives right behind us with her mommy, Shawna, Daddy, Josh, and brother, Kingston. They'll be moving soon so hopefully you and Piper get lots of play time together before they do! You & Saylor had some fun play time together. Saylor's mommy, Meghan & I, grew up together & hope the same for you and Saylor. I guess since we were such good friends we have the same taste in baby clothes! You & Saylor have 2 matching outfits...that we know of! So we had to get pictures of you with Saylor in your matching outfits!

*It's a good thing that you're getting better at sitting. We'll keep working on this because I think you're getting bored with your play mat and jungle gym. You still laugh when you see yourself in the mirror, but you're not content playing the piano as long anymore...You have noticed the mirror on your swing though. If you look up and see yourself it makes you laugh! You've also noticed the birds hanging from your bouncer that bounce as you kick and bounce. This REALLY gets you going! So sweet to hear your laughter!!

*Today you are 9 weeks and 1 day. "They" say growth spurts happen at 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks & months. You may be in your 9 week growth spurt now. Or you're still feeling the effects of your 2 month shots. Or a combination of both! You are VERY sleepy and nursed for 45 minutes this evening! So unlike you! You're a 30 minute nurser...sometimes a little less, but never more!

*Mommy & Daddy have gotten back into our routine of a weekly date night. Nonna has babysat you alone. Nonna & Papa have babysat you. And tomorrow night Grammies and Steve are going to babysit you. You haven't had any trouble taking a bottle from others so we hope this continues. :) It's easier for people to babysit you at our house...maybe eventually you'll be able to go somewhere to be babysat...for now...our home is most comfortable for you. :)

*Mommy and Daddy met Miss Jennifer who is going to babysit you when Mommy goes back to work in the fall. She lives on the street behind us so it'll be wonderful to have you close since Mommy will be teaching at the school in our neighborhood! Now that you've had your 2 month shots we'll consider taking you to the nursery at church while we go to big service...I think I'll still want to take you to Life Group though since 2 hours away from you is too long! Baby steps...

*I am enjoying every moment of you right now. But I'm anxious for you to talk when the day comes...your facial expressions say a lot so I can only imagine what will come out of your mouth one day! We have figured out your tired cry and hunger cry...and we had to hear your painful cry for the first time when you got your shots. This was hard...but not as hard as I thought it was going to be...your tears are what really bother me. :( I hate to see you upset!

*You go to breastfeeding group every Wednesday with Mommy. Here Nurse Cindee weighs you to ease Mommy's worries about you not gaining enough. 1 week you weighed 8.12. 2 weeks later you weighed 9.10! I was pretty proud since my milk is what's helping you gain weight! However...when we went for your 2 month check up your pediatrician, Dr. Drake, was happy that you're gaining weight but...not as much as we'd like to see. At a previous appointment we had talked about your reflux since you spit up often. You're still spitting up so we started giving you Zantac. Maybe you'll be able to keep more milk down, and REALLY start gaining! You DO NOT like the way the Zantac tastes! I'll ask the pharmacist if we can add some better flavor next time we have to get you a refill. :)

Here's how you rated on the WHO Growth Chart:

*Weight: 9 lbs 10 oz 12th Percentile
*Length: 22 in. 28th Percentile
*Head Circumference: 38.6 cm 61st Percentile

And my dear Prestyn...I leave you with this: every day is a gift...that's why it's called the present! Thank you for being a daily gift from God for me. We love you! Xoxo

Last Year in My 20's...

Maybe the title of this post explains why I wasn't too excited about my birthday this year...usually I am! Ryan was all ready to plan a big shin dig, but I just wasn't feeling it! Also...I am a mother now so there are better things to look forward to than turning a year older!

Ryan on the other hand was all excited about my birthday! As soon as I got up to go feed Prestyn in the morning he came in with my present! I read the card after listening to a tearful birthday message from my dad, and teared up from both the card & the phone call! I am surrounded by so much love!

So for my birthday I got a new phone!!! And an arm band to wear it in while I go running...still haven't used it yet! ;) And a very pretty necklace! I also got a day for myself! I went to activate my new phone, get my free birthday spray tan, and spend my birthday money from Nanny! I got new running shoes of course! I am determined to get this baby weight off! I can't blame it all on the baby...I had some weight to lose before I got pregnant, but I can't help that she wanted sweets the whole time I was pregnant! What my baby wants, my baby gets!

The plan was for Ryan to fix my birthday dinner since I didn't really want to go out, and I wanted to spend the evening with our little family...he had to go to the store to get a few things so I decided to start dinner...well I finished dinner & started dessert! haha! We had spaghetti and meatballs and strawberry cake! My sweet husband knows that my favorite, and bought it without telling me! He did such a good job baking it and icing it!

I guess turning 29 isn't so bad...it's next year that I may freak out about! At least I have my husband, child, home, and health! Life is good!