Christmas Recap 2013

    So it's been a bit since I posted :) Although work has been slower than ever, life seems to be busier than ever (at least busy enough to keep me from blogging). I've been doing a lot of thinking about what things might need to go away once our family expands even more. These moms who blog daily while being responsible for multiple children and working full-time: Kudos to them. They are more disciplined than I and require less sleep.
    Anyway, we had a great Christmas season. I had a plan all devised to save ahead for Christmas this year, but with work the way it has been recently for me and the way it always is for John, it just wasn't possible. Thankfully through another's generosity and just moving funds, we were able to give everyone we love at least a small gift. It's funny that even though we purposed to have a small Christmas, we ended up having a big one. John says the biggest he can remember in his adult life. Our families are so gracious.
    Not that it's about gifts, because truly it isn't. I almost felt guilty at all the things we received. I confided that to my mother-in-law on Christmas morning and she advised me that "I don't know why, but He put me here and not there". Insinuating that she was not going to feel guilty at where God had placed her in life vs. where some others might be. I agree with her. Although I know He does place us where He does in part so we can bless others. But I digress.
    The Saturday before Christmas we exchanged gifts with my mom and grandma in our hometown and that's when the gifts started. I guess it's probably considered tacky to brag about your gifts, especially as a grown adult, but I got so many things I love and I love the people who gave them to me. A short list is that I received 4 maxi skirts, 2 infinity chevron-print scarves, a watch, glitter gel polish for my DIY gel mani kit, stainless steel mixing bowls, sheets, a sewing machine, a sound bar for our TV, a Coach purse, a high-grade ched knife and magnetic knife strip and an afternoon at Painting with a Twist. And taken out to lots of wonderful meals, and served lots of wonderful home-cooked meals. My I'm a spoiled girl!
    Sophia got gobs of things, even though we all tried to tell ourself that she's young and won't remember it. Actually we did good and only got her two small things. But the grandparents and great-grandparents couldn't be stopped! She got lots of toys, several books, a mini guitar, a motorized ATV (she isn't big enough for it yet but she sits on it), and several cute outfits. She got another Mud Pie outfit and I just love it! They're more expensive than I would by (although we get them on Amazon for much less than retail prices), but they're sure cute and a nice treat!
    John got lots of gift cards to Lowes (he wants to build a rabbit hutch)and a couple other places, Vibram shoes, 2 t-shirts, 2 new Tervis tumblers, some K-cups, beef kerky and footed pajamas. The latter he has talked about wanting for a long time. Weirdo! :) If there's any gifts I left out please forgive me. We received so many it's embarrassing I can't remember them all. But I was glad to receive them all!
    We had a wonderful time in the Tampa area, even staying an extra day! My in-laws and I get along great. They even take me out dancing. They all enjoy dancing and know John doesn't, so they fill my dance card. We went salsa dancing one night and swing dancing another. We enjoyed my sister-in-law's annual Christmas Eve party. This year it was Minute to Win It themed. So fun! My father-in-law took us out shooting (although I just watched this time around), popped us kettle corn and took us out for a very extravagant Christmas buffet in St. Petersburg Beach. My mother-in-law treated me to Greek, two rounds at the Ale House (I ate the Nutty Brother dessert twice in one week! But I shared!) and IHOP brunch. I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention something...
    New Year's Eve we had dinner at my mom's house with some friends of hers and some friends of ours. Then she kept Sophia overnight while we went downtown to watch our local "Pelican Drop" and fireworks. New Year's Day my grandma put out the last and final huge holiday spread.
    And that's good because I've gotten a holiday spread of my own. Right across my gut. Five pounds worth. I'm aiming to have that gone when I zip up my bridesmaid's dress February 1st. Back in the saddle again. This year I puposed to use our DSLR to take photos rather than relying on phones. I'm so glad I did. I got some lovely photos, and I'll share just a few.

At MawMaw's House

MiMi and Sophie

She still LOVES Uncle Jeff!

Feeding Grammy

With Grandpa and Great Grandma at the shooting field

Taking a walk with Great Grandma- and wearing my ear protection like a champ

Shoot em up

Eat em up

Eat her up! She's eatin it up!

Sunny windy day

Grandpa's baby peacock, Peep

Christmas morning with all the girls- note the matching jammies

Opening presents- the start. Couldn't see the floor when we were done :)

Oh! A Box!

Playing with mommy's purse

And her mini Minnie guitar

The footed jammies!

Our little family Christmas morning

Christmas dinner buffet

On a balcony at the Don Cesar

My love

Naptime with Grammy

Swing dancing!

Grammy bought Sophie a twirly skirt!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving this year! We spent wonderful time with friends. Friends who cook and take pictures and play games!

Here are some of the aforementioned pictures that may show up on a Christmas card :)

Time Flies When You Have a Baby

I knew it had been a while since I posted. So long that I had to go back and look at my last post to see how "far" in life I'd chronicled here. I can't believe it's only 4 days short of a month! Where did the time go.

Well, the time went to work, cleaning, traveling and lots of feeding, rocking and kissing.

I love Sophia so much, I could just squish her. Sure sometimes I wonder when I'll ever get projects completed since they are squeezed into naptime and bedtime. Sure I care a little less about tidiness these days. But cuddles and kisses are more important. I do have to admit it still wears on me mentally when I can't check stuff all the to do list.

What all has been going on around here? Well, Sophia had her first Easter. She was a doll baby. In fact just the other day from afar someone thought she was a baby doll :) She is just that pretty. I don't know how I got such a dainty attractive baby.

We went out to our church's camp ground Easter afternoon. They had an egg hunt for the adults. Two egss had big prizes. John found one and it had 2 movie tickets, a Chick-fil-a gift card, $20 and some candy. Jackpot! I'm married to a winner!

Two days after Easter Sophie had her 4 mo appointment. She is right on track for development. She was 25 inches and 14.5 pounds, putting her in the 75-90 percentile for height and the 50-75 percentile for weight. She is now in 3-6 month clothes. She rolls back to front all the time. This has disrupted her sleep some since she hasn't figured out rolling back just yet. She also has laughed a few times. It is the cutest thing, her little giggle. She and I both light up when she laughs.

She's starting to chew more. I ordered her a Sophie Giraffe. I hope she likes it! I'm convinced there should be a baby gear rental service. It's such a shame to buy something only to discover your child didn't care for it or outgrew it too quickly. I don't know if it's teething, or just getting older, or the change in environment (we took a trip) but her routine is so off. Her eating is hit and miss, she VERY easily distracted when eating, she's napping less and at inopportune times. At least she still does pretty good at night. But I'm really anxious to get her back on some form of schedule or routine again, but that's hard to do when you work all day then have a function at night too.

Work has been pretty busy. In fact I didn't leave until almost 6 today. I would have left at 4:45 but when I made my final rounds a fellow co-worker was near crying she was so overwhelmed. I miss the time with Sophia and I was pretty tired, but I was glad to make her Friday afternoon better.

I've told work I would like to go down to 2 days when our staffing levels allow, but with one person out on bedrest and then maternity leave, and another going on maternity leave in 6 weeks or so, I'm not sure how soon that will happen :(

I'm finding work still is affecting my breastfeeding. At least once a day I think about quitting. Mainly because I can only find time to pump once at work, and even then I feel guilty if we are busy. And when are we not? I call it the triple P break- Pump, Pee and ______. Inevitably potty time and pump time run into each other. By the time I potty, setup the pump, pump and put away the pump, I'm gone like 30 minutes.

At this point, if it weren't for the Weight Watchers points and that I think overall it is helping me to lose weight I would probably quit. That's really the only motivation I have left. We had gotten on the right foot again as far as Sophia latching on, provided I didn't let her get too hungry. I was only pumping at work and I loved it. But then the distraction phase set in. And then I worked more. And the last 3-4 days she is back to crying and frustration at the breast. It's kinda pitiful and hard to watch your baby arch away from you and scream. The rejection hurts me a little. Maybe more than a little. Pitiful baby.

Overall motherhood is great. I just wish it didn't bring so much angst and guilt sometimes. But when I feel that way I try to soak in the sight of my smiling baby and take a deep breath. 

At the dog beach

Popcorn and a movie anyone?

Christmas 2012

Our first Christmas with a baby. I know it was Sophia's first Christmas too but I feel like next year's will be more meaningful with her. This year all she wanted for Christmas was a dry diaper and a full boob :)

Christmas Eve we went to my grandma's and my mom came over too. My grandma likes to do gifts and such on Christmas Eve, always has. Sadly we didn't take any pictures!

Sophia received some clothes, headbands and a mobile for her crib, the latter of which mommy was very happy to receive!

I got a pair of Toms (yay!) in the metallic herringbone pattern and Classic style and an at home gel manicure kit. I am really happy about both of those!

Christmas day we snuggled in just the three of us. Our first Christmas in our home and our first Christmas as parents. It was very low key. We'd agreed not to exchange gifts but rather to plan a date night. But, I did sneak and put candy in John's stocking and a bone in the dog's.

I did her morning feeding and then we opened stockings. John bested me this year! He got me crazy socks, yoga pants I'd been eyeing, a chevron print scarf and a pair of Tommy Hilfiger black and herringbone riding boots. I was so surprised!! They are all lovely and fashionable!

Then we slept in, Sophia napping with me in the bed while Papa watched some streaming shows on Netflix.
Around noon Papa started getting together lunch. We had Honeybaked ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, baked beans, macaroni, yeast rolls, turtle pie and Klondike crunch ice cream. It was all very good.

Later on we took a short walk, gave Sophie a bath after her blowout and then watched the latest Batman and Trouble With the Curve (disclaimer again that we have a DVD player to filter out profanity and objectionable scenes). I really enjoyed the latter, even though there was a lot of silence due to the potty mouth of the crotchety old character Clint Eastwood plays.

So I'll wrap you up with some updated Sophie photos. Christmas Day was warm and all her Christmas outfits are long sleeved, so she didn't end up in them on Christmas :( But she wore plenty in the days leading up to it.

My little rein"dear"

Christmas lunch

Christmas Day. Does this flower make my head look big? :)

Trip to see the LC

I love baths!

Stylin

I love the wrap- as long as I'm sleepy

Who says you can't mix animal prints? :)