Back to Blogging!!!!

I decided my New Year's resolution was to start blogging again. So, I am beginning early. This way, if I quit again before the New Year then I technically haven't broken my resolution!! :)I really do enjoy blogging, and what a great memory I am making for Claire to look back on one day. She will have cyber proof that her mother is totally awesome... or a complete idiot! :) Anyway, today I am making my first holiday goodies to give away- Chex party mix. This stuff is SO EASY to make! I hope that it turns out good, because I am going to start giving it to my neighbors tomorrow! I got the yummy recipe at the Chex website. I would link to it, but I am rusty at blogging and will have to freshen up on my skills. I can't remember how to link!!! However, I did remember that Chex cereal is B1G1 this week (ending today) at Publix! WOHOO!! Plus I had 2 $1/2 coupons that allowed me to get 6 boxes of cereal for $9.(They are usually $3.50 per box!!) I love a good grocery deal, as most of you probably already know. Well, the Chex Mix is out of the oven and it looks good enough to eat! Success!! I hope that you all are excited that I am back to join the blogging world, I know I am!!! Stay tuned because I am going to start posting recipes, deal alerts on great sales, and general information that will just make you smarter overall... :)

Claire is 4 months?!

It is SO HARD to believe that our baby is 4 months! She did so good today when she got her shots and her check up. She is progressing wonderfully and is just as sweet as ever. She was in the 50-60% in both weight and height today. YAH for plump breast-fed babies!! She is a little behind on her head control, but that's okay because she was 4 weeks early! The MD said that I needed to stop my 3am feeding because Claire is capable of sleeping through the night now that she is over 12 lbs. She also said that we have a short window of opportunity to break this habit before Claire becomes programmed to expect the feed. This is sad to me because 3am is the sweetest time! She nurses so softly and seems so content. I am not sure when I will enforce this plan, but it won't be tonight- my baby just got her shots! The MD also recommended that we begin allowing Claire to put herself to sleep or "self soothe". This news comes at a very BAD time because just this week Claire has become a nap-fighting ninja. That kid can keep herself awake during nap time even in her miracle blanket. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the miracle blanket, it is a legal straight-jacket for babies- a MUST have!) It's not really a straight jacket...its just a great swaddle blanket and Claire still likes to be swaddled. The doctor also mentioned starting rice cereal when I felt comfortable with Claire's ability to take it. Maybe I am crazy, but all of these things just seem like too much too soon. I want my baby to nurse when she wants (even if it is 3am), and I want to rock her to sleep if she wants me to (even if it means I'll be doing it until she is 12), and I want her to nurse exclusively for a little longer... I know she has to grow up but I never knew how fast time could fly until really wanted it to freeze for a while. I am just going to have to keep enjoying each day with my baby! I am so thankful to God for our blessing!

Meet Claire!

Claire is a DREAM baby. She goes to bed around 8pm, wakes up to nurse around 3am and then sleeps again until 8am. She has cried twice in her life and her smiles just light up the room. I know that a baby this good is not the norm, so I am enjoying every minute. She still sleeps beside our bed in her bassinet. This is for my comfort, not hers. I love waking up and being able to see her in the night. She is beautiful always, but especially when she sleeps. She has slept all night long in her crib, but I just miss her too much to leave her there. She turns 4 months old January 3rd and I can't believe it! She is trying to sit up on her on now and is working on her head control. The head control is coming along, but she HATES tummy time, so I have to get creative when I try to help her use her neck muscles. She loves to shake her rattle and bring everything she touches to that sweet little mouth. She is so aware of everything around her now that I can hardly nurse her. She will eat a little, then look around a little, then eat some more, then look at me and smile. Nursing has become an Olympic sport! My favorite nursing session is the 3am feeding while she is still partly asleep and fully concentrated on eating- it reminds me of how she nursed when she was tiny and didn't realize there was a whole new world around her. Josh is just as in love with her as I am. At times, he will wake up with us at 3am and talk to her while she nurses. He loves to talk to her and hold her. She really loves her daddy too!! Her personality is very laid back. She is content and goes with the flow. She doesn't cry if she is hungry or sleepy, she will just call out "UGG" and we know what she needs. One of her favorite past times is filling up her pants in the car seat. Last week she set a new record- in route to the mall she managed to shoot poo up to her shoulders! That earned her a full out wardrobe change in the Dillard's bathroom. I wish that I would have taken her picture! So now, my days are mainly spent cooking, cleaning, and loving on our baby. I am so thankful for what we have and am still amazed daily by God's provision! My Picasa website stays updated with new pictures and the link is still active on this blog. I am going to put some of my favorite pics. on here too! Love you all and hope you enjoy all of our pictures and blogs!

It's been a while!!

So, A LOT has happened since I last posted anything on here. Hopefully I can begin to post things more faithfully. Just so you know- Claire did come October 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm. She weighed in at 5 lbs 3 ounces. She was 17 inches long and 100% AMAZING! I have never been so blown away by something as amazing as motherhood. I believe that this is as good as it gets. I love every second that I am with Claire and wouldn't want to be doing anything else. My family is the most important thing to me. It's funny- everyone says, "I have no idea what I did before my children got here." I actually remember very well- I used to waste time, money, and energy on things that were ridiculously unimportant. I am thankful that my eyes have been opened to the things in life that matter- loving Jesus,loving family, and loving all other people. I still have my job at Vanderbilt and I am working 1 day each month. I know that sounds crazy, but it keeps all of my license current and it leaves the door to Vanderbilt open for the future. Also, I have been blessed with the most amazing group of friends and new mothers imaginable. The moms get together about twice a month for lunch and spend the afternoon watching our little ones play while we gab. My awesome friends check on us regularly and share in every new thing that Claire learns.