"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." Ecclesiastes 8:15

Friday, February 27, 2015

Friday Favorites

We are over the moon excited over here with the news of a new niece or nephew coming in August!  My sister-in-law was asking me about must-haves for a new baby.  I started compiling a list for her (mostly the big things first) but I thought it would be fun to do a few different versions of my favorite baby things.

These are my must-haves for your diaper bag...

 

1.  Huggies Clutch 'n Clean-  I love this wipes case!  You can easily reload it with more wipes, and they stay wet unlike my last case.  Plus it's cute!

2.  Bath and Body Works PocketBac Hand Sanitizer and Holder.  So nice to have after diaper changes, especially because there's not always a safe place to leave the baby (especially in public bathrooms) while you wash your hands.

3.  Arm and Hammer Diaper Bags- These are great for stinky diapers or wet clothes.

4.  Vera Bradley Pacifier Pod- No more losing pacifiers in the bottom of your bag!  Hooray!

5.  Aden and Anais Swaddle Blanket- These are my favorite blankets in the entire world.  They are so so soft!  I always keep one in the diaper bag...great for snuggling, covering up while nursing, or an extra layer if it's chilly.

6.  Aden and Anais Classic Burpy Bib- I recently discovered these and they are as soft as the blankets!  They also have little snaps so you can use it as a bib.  Genius!

7.  Nursing Cover- This website always has codes for a free cover, you just have to pay shipping.  A cover makes times when you have to nurse in public so much easier!

Nothing fancy, just a few things that make life easier!

Happy Friday Friends!!!


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Aria Grace: Two Months

Another month is gone, how is that possible??  Another month of getting to know you, and growing to love you even more.

Walking to pick Lyle up from daycare on a beautiful day!


Weight: 13 pounds
Height: 23 inches

We are a little in-between sizes on clothes.  You are outgrowing your 3 month clothes, but 6 month sizes are a bit too big.  The buttons barely stayed closed on your 3-month sleeper yesterday!  Little boy clothes were cute, but I am loving little girl clothes and bows this time around!

Sleep-  Overall you do great!  Sometimes it takes a while to get you to bed at night, but then you typically sleep in a stretch from 10-11 p.m. until about 4 a.m. then in 2-3 hour stretches after that.  You love to nap in your swing during the day, and will sleep for a couple hours at a time.  If you aren't in your swing then you cat-nap in 30-45 minute stretches.

Eating-  We are still breastfeeding, and you do great.  How often you eat, all depends on what else is going on.  I've been able to pump after your first feeding in the morning, and am starting to get a little stash in the freezer.  I was never very good at pumping the first time around, and never had enough milk stored up, so it feels great to have some extra stored.  I have cut dairy and caffeine out of my diet and it has seemed to help your tummy quite a bit.  (It's always seemed a bit ironic to me that the two times in life when you need caffeine the most (being pregnant and having a newborn) is when you can't have it).  So I drink decaf coffee in the morning and caffeine free diet coke in the afternoon, trying to trick myself into thinking it will help me not be sleepy!  

baby sister and big brother!

Likes-  Sometimes once you are awake and fed you love to just lay on a blanket and kick!  You still love to sit up and look around, and are getting much better at making eye contact with us.  

Dislikes- Having your nose sucked out-you definitely hate that! 

Fun Firsts- I don't know if you would call either of these "fun" but you had your first week of going to work with me and your first hospital stay.  

The last week of January we went back to work.  Monday you were so fussy all day and I was seriously reconsidering this plan!  You hardly slept, were only content when someone was walking you around, and did lots of crying.  I texted family and asked them to pray, and thankfully Tuesday was much better.  I have to say I work with some wonderful ladies and they took turns (actually they kind of fought for turns) holding you.  It was nice to get back into the groove.

The only way I can get you to calm down most days

We only lasted a week at work because starting Friday night you started getting sick.  It started as a stuffy nose, turned into a cough, and then you were wheezing with it too.  Sunday night I started to get a little worried when you woke up crying whenever I laid you down in bed.  I took you downstairs so you could sleep in the swing a little propped up, and I slept on the couch so I could listen for you.  A nervous night for sure.  I called in the morning to get you a doctor appointment.  Long story short, we saw the doctor, had a nasal swab done, and you tested positive for RSV.  Your respirations were pretty fast and oxygen levels were not great, so they decided you needed to be put in the hospital.  Because of your heart murmur they wanted you up at Wesley and were considering sending you by ambulance so you could have oxygen on the way.  They did a little deep suctioning in the ER and your oxygen levels improved (plus the ambulance was an hour away) so we took you up in the truck.  

Visits from the Wichita Thunder hockey team while we were at Wesley.  Lyle picked a stuffed animal out for you!
We ended up staying at Wesley hospital for two nights, and they suctioned you every few hours (which you HATED!)  But I don't blame you.  You did great and didn't end up having to be on any oxygen or medications.  We went home on Wednesday, and
I pulled your pack-and-play so that your head was right beside mine, but I listened to you all night, putting my hand on your chest every little bit to make sure you were still breathing. Such a scary time! I stayed home with you the rest of the week and day by day you improved. We tried to keep our distance from other people and kids, and thankfully GiGi could come down and stay with you Monday and Tuesday while I went back to work.  We were terribly worried about you through this whole ordeal, but also thankful that things weren't much worse. 

My poor sick baby
Lyle Update: Your brother adores you. He loves to talk to you, sing to you, hold your hand, and gives you kisses.  He never seems annoyed when you cry, just tells me, "pat her back, Mom!" Or "I think she wants Mama's milk." I love the bond that exists already!!! 

We love you sweet girl! Happy two months!