3 day weekend!

Oh I am SO looking forward to it. Grace was sad when she found out I wasn't coming to work on Monday :)
Now that Ken knows I like to mow the lawn, I have that to do this weekend.
Ken just has to clean out the garage and pull the weeds :) That's all!

I learned something today on my "30" minute walk with mom today. (It wasn't 30, mom! More like 45!) Anyway, I learned that I am out of shape. Maybe I should do the speed walking thing more often.

Starbucks is turning into an extension of our church - today we saw about 10 people from OLMC, including one of our new priests Fr. W, who gave Madeleine a blessing. Good way to start the morning - a blessing for her and an iced venti soy chai for me.

This week I got out all the 6-9 month clothes, and packed away most of her 3-6 month stuff. It's kind of sad how fast she grows out of everything, even though she is pretty much right on schedule for the sizes. It seems like I was just sorting all her clothes before she was born. Now she is grown out of two whole bins of clothes! It was fun to unpack her new stuff - we bought her a few new outfits but mostly she will be wearing Ava's clothes, which is really neat because I still remember dressing her in all those outfits. Pretty soon we're going to actually have to BUY her some clothes. We have hardly had to do that at all yet.

She is really enjoying her cereal, and she also had bananas a few times this week. Next week we are going to try sweet potatoes.

Anyway, everyone have a GREAT weekend!!

My First Award

Yay! Somebody likes me! :)
My friend in England nominated for this award:


Here's what it's all about:

“This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass on to seven others whom you feel are deserving of this award”.

So here I go:

Anne
Meredith
Kathryn
Brenda
Heather
Christi
4andcounting (who is going to have to change the name of her blog soon!)


All of you girls leave lots of nice, encouraging comments for me, and I learn a lot from your blogs.
Thank you!!!

Ok, enough with the 90 degree temperatures

We're ready to break out the fall clothes and hats!

Mowing the Lawn

Don't tell Ken, but I really LIKE mowing the lawn. Actually, it was one of the highlights of my weekend :)

See, I love my baby more than anything in the whole world, but sometimes it is nice to have a little time to myself, even if it's just half an hour. With a 5 month old daughter and a 22 month old little charge, I have someone attached to me, on my lap, on my hip, or hanging on my leg 24/7 it seems. I always did like to mow the lawn before, but now it's almost like a retreat. I can get out in the sunshine, listen to music (Chris Rice was the selection this past weekend), and just enjoy being lost in my thoughts.

I always think of my dad and grandpa, how they were always out working in the yard. Grandpa probably didn't enjoy a self propelled mower or say, an ipod, but it is something that everyone who is blessed with a yard has to do.

It might be a pain to keep up with this yard, and we certainly don't do a very good job, but we are blessed to have a house and a yard to take care of. How about it Ken - want to watch the baby and I'll mow again this weekend?

Success!

She went to bed at 8:00, got up at 1:00, then slept till almost 7:00!!

It could have been the food or not, I'm just thankful to have FINALLY gotten some decent sleep!!

We might try bananas tonight.....

First Family Meal

Madeleine had her first solid food tonight! It was quite the entertaining experience and it almost didn't happen. This post might be too much information for some people, you've been warned!

I had bought some rice cereal from Wild Oats, and I was trying to mix it with breast milk. So I got out the pump, took it apart and washed it, but then I couldn't figure out how to put it back together. Ken and I both tried to figure out how to work it, and he even ended up looking online (I bet in his wildest dreams in his bachelor days, he never thought he'd be looking up how to put a breast pump together!) Anyway, by the time we had it figured out, Madeleine was fussy so I nursed her a little. Then I sat at the table and tried to figure out how to use the pump while Ken was holding her. I got a little milk into the bottle, then tried to mix some cereal with it in a bowl. I accidently dumped way too much out and so I couldn't use that batch. Then I tried again and this time I could hardly get any milk at all out. Ken was acting like he was getting impatient, so I said, "I don't see you trying to get any milk out!" He said, "If I did and something did come out, I don't think you'd want to feed it to the baby!"
Then I started laughing so hard I could hardly mix up the food. So I mixed up a little, and fed it to her. She acted like she didn't like it at first, but then she kept opening her mouth for more. So then I tried to pump a little more milk directly into the bowl so she could have a few more bites. Ken just looked at me and said, "Well, I guess we can't have people over anymore."







I know we have to take it slow because of her possible food allergies. We go back to the doctor next week so I will ask him what else we can give her. It was fun have this first experience with her!! She also really liked sitting in her high chair. It gave her a new perspective :)

Is she hungry?!

Ok, at her 4 month appointment, her pediatrician said that he recommends waiting to start solid foods until they're 6 months old. But he said he hadn't seen anyone do that for a while. I told him I would do it, and he said he'd bet I would have given her some food before her next appointment.

So she's 10 days away from being 6 months old, and the last week she's started waking up 3, 4, 5 or more times in the night to eat. She still goes basically 3 hours between feedings during the day, but this night waking routine is killing me. She doesn't act sick or anything. Tylenol doesn't help. Is the kid just starving?! Should I feed her or wait until the appointment?
She's grabbing for everything and sticks everything in her mouth. She loves to drink my water.

I need some sleep.

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3

Those are the times this kid got up last night.

Finally at 3 am I did something I've never done in 5 1/2 months - let her cry herself to sleep. (I was desperate.) She cried for less than 10 minutes and was out. Then she woke up again at 4:20 and I let her cry again. (Less than 5 minutes.) This time she stayed asleep until 7am.

Somebody needs to invent Tylenol PM for babies. They would make a killing. (Right Jenny? You should get on that :)

Sick

I'm miserable. I have a horrible cold/cough/sore throat. Before kids and in my "regular" job, I would have just called in sick and stayed home in bed all day, maybe begging mom to make me some of her delicious chicken noodle soup. But now I'm the mom and that is not possible anymore. Even if I'm laying in bed feeling like I'm going to die, her needs still come first. Like 2 nights ago, when she decided to wake up every 90 minutes (boy she sure picked a good night for THAT!) Then last night, she slept well but I was up coughing, shivering or sweating all night. Yeah, I also can't take any decent drugs because I'm nursing. Then I had to come to work a half hour early this morning. In this job, if I take a day off, someone else has to take a day off too. So I figure if I have to take care of one kid, I might as well take care of two.

Ava's taking her morning nap, maybe Madeleine and I will go lay down in the guest bedroom and try to take a nap too.

So pray for me! And especially pray that the kids don't get it. Especially my kid. I need some sleep this weekend.

Evening walks

My favorite part of the day - Ken and Madeleine and I walk over to the school playground and swing. Madeleine LOVES being in the Ellaroo Wrap and squeals with delight for the whole walk, arms and legs waving furiously. Sometimes Ken and I have good talks, sometimes we see friends out and stop to chat. I look forward to it every night. (Lately though, it's been in the high 90's until late in the day... it needs to cool down a little!)

Yes she does hold on to the chains. And she loves looking at her Daddy when we swing.

Name Change

In case you didn't notice, I changed the name of my blog.
I thought about it for a long time and couldn't come up with anything I really liked, but was inspired by a U2 song today!!

So if you have me linked on your sidebar, would you please change the name too?

Thank you!

Last several stressful hours of our trip

We fly standby, since Ken works for an airline. I get free tickets and mom was on a buddy pass. The flights all looked great on Saturday, but on Sunday we got to the airport, and the first flight (5pm) to Charlotte was full. We tried to think of some options. We could fly to Charlotte on the 7pm, but the last flight to Indy was full. We could still take the flight, stay in Charlotte overnight, and fly home the next day at 1:30 or 2:50. However, we'd have to get a hotel, the checkout was at 11, and then we'd have all our luggage plus a baby, carseat and stroller. We could stay in Birmingham, get a hotel, and try to catch 2 flights that didn't look good the next day. While we were trying to figure this out, the gate agent took pity on us, moved someone up to first class, kicked another Non Revenue traveller off, and let us on the 5:00 flight at the VERY LAST SECOND. We didn't even have time to call Ken and tell him we made it.
Then we went to Charlotte and had like 5 minutes to get all the way across the airport to catch the next plane. We made it, but were hot and sweaty and exhausted. Then we got on that plane, and after we took off, Madeleine screamed for at least 20 minutes straight. She wouldn't eat, she wouldn't look at toys or books, she wouldn't drink water. (That is her new favorite thing.) She was just SO exhausted she didn't know what to do with herself. Everyone around us ordered Bloody Marys or beer and I don't blame them. Then when she FINALLY fell asleep, we encountered the WORST turbulence I have ever experienced. Mom was SO scared. At one point it actually felt like we were going down. It was very scary and you can bet I was saying plenty of Acts of Contrition. That reminds me, I need to go to confession. That was no fun at all but at least Madeleine slept through it.
We finally made it home with our exhausted little girl. It was a great trip, and I'm glad we went. But we're driving down for Thanksgiving!

Our Weekend Adventure

My godson/cousin Blake joined the Marines. He is 18 years old, just graduated from high school, and he's a great kid. His mom, who is my mom's youngest sister, threw him a going away party on Saturday. We got the invitation a few weeks ago and Mom and I hatched a plan. :)

Our plan was to fly down to Birmingham, Alabama, have my cousin Nick pick us up at the airport, and surprise everyone at the party. It got even more fun than that because Nick told everyone he had a big surprise that they would find out on Saturday at the party. They went CRAZY trying to guess what it was. They even called me several times so I would call Nick and see if I could get it out of him and report back! The only clue he gave them was that they would "notice it immediately" when he came. So we got up at 4:30am on Saturday, flew through Charlotte to Birmingham. Madeleine did GREAT on those first two flights. The second flight was a little rough for us though. It was a 50 seater plane and mom and I were sitting across the aisle from each other. Next to mom was an Indian woman with her wild little toddler. She could not hold him on her lap. He was spitting on mom, shaking his juice cup everyone, pounding things on the back of the seat in front of him, pinching and grabbing mom, and getting down on the floor. Also he kept biting a Tic Tac container until it splintered into a million pieces. The flight attendant came over at least 5 times and told her that if she wouldn't hold him on her lap, we were going to turn the plane around. The lady on the other side of me was sobbing the whole time. I asked if she was ok and told her that I'd be happy to listen if she wanted to talk about it, but she didn't because she said that would just make her cry more. So say a prayer for her if you get a chance.


Nick picked us up and drove us straight to the party. It was at an ourdoor park, and the temperature reached 100 degrees. We walked up to the pavilion, and everyone was SHOCKED to see us! Oh it was great. They were so happy we were there. The party was a lot of fun. We spent most of the time sitting in front of a giant fan. Madeleine even took a nap in her stroller in front of it. It was SO hot, but she was a trooper. She never complained once. (Except when "strange" people tried to hold her!)

Grandma, Aunt Christy (Blake's mom) and my mom

We tried to keep cool by playing in the water, but it was just TOO hot in the sun, so we stayed in the shade by the big fan.

Saturday night we went to mass at Sacred Heart, and then went to another cousin's birthday party. Then we stayed in a hotel that night. Madeleine slept with me, because there was no way I was putting her in the "crib" they brought, and she did great.

The next morning almost everyone in the family met for breakfast. We took up most of the room and it was great visiting and catching up. Madeleine was a big hit. She did SO well all weekend.

My Goddaughter Cassie and Madeleine Our table. Can you tell we're Catholic by the number of people?

After breakfast, we all went with Blake to the Marine Corps Center. He had to do sign some papers and then he left on the bus. It was an emotional morning for everyone, especially his mom. When he got his picture with her, he whispered "Mommy" in her ear. We used a whole roll of what we named "Alabama Kleenex" - toilet paper. He's going to 13 weeks of Basic Training, then 10 days of leave (He'll be home on Thanksgiving so we'll get to see him), and then 3 months of job training. We are so proud of him. When he left, I gave him a hug and said, "Love you." He said "I love you too," then gave Madeleine a kiss and said, "Bye Cutie." We will miss him a lot, but we know this will be great for him.

Blake, Madeleine and me

GOD BLESS MY MARINE

by Diane Sarlow

God bless my Marine, and keep him safe for me,

Whether in the air, on land or on the sea.

God bless my Marine, and bring him safely home,

Guide my letters to him, so he won't feel alone.

God bless my Marine when I'm not by his side;

Please let him know I love him and let him feel my pride.

And when he does come home, and better days are seen;

I'll always thank you, God, for blessing my Marine.

New Experiences

First airplane ride

First hotel stay

First time my cousin Nick held a baby :)

Stay tuned....

Fun post coming Monday :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

New Favorite Toy

I'm finally big enough!

Last Day of Summer

Well, I made it.
And it wasn't so hard after all.


Although it looks like some of us have had all the summer excitement we can take!
Good luck tomorrow on your first day of second grade, Grace!

Lifeguarding

My very favorite job I ever had was a lifeguard at my neighborhood pool. I guarded for 3 summers while I was in college, while I was at home living with my parents. Seriously, if I could do it now, I would. I was the head guard, so I was "in charge" of all the high school guards, so of course that made me feel important! We had lots of kids that came to the pool every day. I had a lot of great memories of going to the pool while I was little, and the guards being really nice to me, so I went out of my way to make the kids feel special. I'd swim with a few of them during adult swim, let them help me test the chlorine every hour, toss them in the deep end (they would all line up for that!), and I remembered all their names. Lots of moms told me that their kids would cheer when they saw my car in the parking lot. :)

I was just remembering some stories from the pool and wanted to share them! So here goes...

I had Fridays off every week, but I usually got a call about something during the day. One time, the three guards that were working called me at home and said frantically, "Beth, you better get down here now!" I asked why, but they wouldn't tell me, and just told me to come. So I thought someone was drowning or something and they didn't know what to do. (That wouldn't have surprised me.) So I flew down to the pool. When I got there, all three of them were huddled under the umbrella with worried looks on their faces. They pointed down to the shallow end, and there was a huge Italian woman who had just moved into the neighborhood with her two little boys. She was laying out, face up with her big sunglasses, her bikini bottom, and NOTHING ELSE. Yeah. I had to go tell her to put her top back on.

The second time was the only time I ever had to "save" someone. There was a Chinese family that moved in right behind the pool one summer. One day, the mom and a little boy who was about 3 came in. The mom said, "Look Mark. Nice water. Cool water. We come back after lunch and swim." Then they turned around and left.
After lunch they came back with their bathing suits on and got into the shallow end. I could tell the mom was scared of the water - she wouldn't even let the water get higher than her waist. Mark, on the other hand, was not scared. His mom had him jump in to her and she would catch him before he even hit the water. One time she wasn't looking for a second and he fell all the way in. He loved that, but his mom picked him up and said, "No Mark! You wait for Mommy!" Well, Mark decided that he didn't want to wait for Mommy. He ran down a little ways and jumped in before his mom could get to him. Whenever he jumped in, he would just float there, the top of his little head sticking out, holding his breath, until his mom got to him. He did that several times, each time running a little further from his mom. She kept yelling, "No Mark! Wait for mommy wait for mommy!" He didn't listen. So he ran down to the deep end. By this time his mom was screaming, "No Mark NO JUMP NO JUMP!" Mark just looked at his mom, and jumped right in. So I had to jump in and take him back down to the shallow end to his mom. His mom grabbed him, started spanking and yelling, and dragged him home leaving all their clothes and towels behind. A few hours later, Mark came walking back in, wearing a life jacket, water wings, and a ring around his waist. Whenever he jumped in after that, his knees barely got wet!
I don't know what happened at home, but he listened a lot better for the rest of the summer!

Longest nap ever!

2 hours this morning in her pack and play here at work. When I say EVER, I mean 5 months! This kid just does not nap. I'm lucky if I get 20 minutes here and there throughout the day. She sleeps best in the car. She seems to really like the pack and play though. I'm glad I brought it over here.
I hope she doesn't stop sleeping so well at night if she starts taking these long naps during the day.

We have some fun stuff going on this week - Fr. Josh's birthday party tonight, Sarah and Chris's engagement party on Thursday, and then a great adventure for this weekend that I can't talk about yet. :) I can't wait though!

If you want to keep a child busy at a restaurant

Give her a lemon. It'll keep her busy for at least 15 minutes, and all the adults will be entertained as well!




This is Madeleine's friend Kallyn. She is moving to Atlanta and we are SAD!!!

Warning

Ma Beck has a warning that everyone with small babies should read.

I didn't know this. I put Madeleine in her carseat on top of things all the time - the cart in the grocery store, the counter when I get to work, and I put her in her bouncy seat on top of the table. Thanks to Ma, I won't do these things anymore.

I always wanted a baby sister....

However, this is not exactly what I had in mind!

Anyway, welcome to the family, Molly!!

HOT!

It is SO hot here. Yesterday I was brave and took 4 girls to the pool for about an hour and a half. (Ok, I wasn't THAT brave. Madeleine was inside with my mom and I was in the pool with Ava.) But when we got in the car, the temperature said 100. It dropped to 98 by the time we got home.

I really wanted to take Madeleine to the State Fair this year. The fair is always a good time, and as Jeff Foxworthy says, if you feel like you have problems with your family, just go to the State Fair! :) But seriously, I just really like the food, and I also like looking at all the 4H projects and other things they have on display there, and seeing all the animals. But I'm not about to go treking through the pig shack and cow barn with a baby in 98 degree heat and humidity. We might have to wait until next year.

It is the last full week of summer vacation. I am really ready for school to start. I think my job will be much more relaxed, and both Ava and Madeleine will get better naps when there isn't so much activity going on in the house. I'm also ready to see all my friends in carpool every day. It's like social hour out there. I think sometimes that is the only adult conversation some of those moms get all day.

Since this is kind of a random post, I'll give you a random picture to go with it.


If you need me I'll be sitting in front of the freezer with the door open!

5 months old!

This month was a good one! Madeleine learned how to roll both ways. She is really chomping on everything but I don't feel any teeth yet. She loves to stretch out on the floor and roll - sometimes she goes across the room! She loves to swim in Grandma's pool. I read books to her every day and she loves that too. She is starting to laugh a lot more and loves interacting with Grace and Ava. She's getting over her little "screaming in big crowds" phase. She is usually really good at church - she sits on my lap most of the time and if she gets squirmy I will put her in the sling and stand in the back and she usually falls asleep.
We have a new issue that just developed a few nights ago. She'll roll on her tummy in the middle of the night and get "stuck." Then she starts crying. I have had to go and flip her back over several times in the last few nights! I hope she gets over that REALLY soon - and either learns how to roll back to her back in the crib or learns how to sleep on her tummy!
She is showing a lot more personality and I'm enjoying every minute of getting to know her!

A moment of my day

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

As you can see, Ava LOVES Madeleine! I spend most of my day keeping Ava from loving on her too roughly! She would lay on top of her and hug her all day if I'd let her.

Chillin'

Night Feedings

I hear her stirring around 3:30 each morning. I stumble out of bed to her crib. She greets me with a smile of recognition as I pick her up and give her a kiss on the cheek. We sit down in our cozy rocking chair, her mouth wide open, frantically searching. She latches on, and instantly her entire body relaxes. We spend about 10 minutes together as she eats and drifts off to sleep. I gently place her back in her crib. She arches her back, gives me a smile, and closes her eyes, her arms thrown over her head in total relaxation and trust. I lay my hands on her and say a little prayer; that she will grow up hearing and accepting God's call to holiness, and that we as her parents will raise her to love Jesus and to answer His call for her life.

No, she's not sleeping through the night yet. And I don't mind one bit.