The Sippy Cup Intro and Extra Pics

7 Months

Dear Elise,

It almost pains me to type SEVEN months!  That's more than half a year old, now!  You are such a big girl!  Your feet finally touch the ground now when you sit in your walker, and you can even make it move backwards on the tile.  You want to crawl so bad but just haven't quite figured out how to get up on your knees.  You're really good at lunging and dive bombing to get to things you must have...like the phone, computer, and remote.  You have mastered the jumper, and have become awesome entertainment in it.  The only downside is that one time you were jumping and spinning so much you hit your head on the side of the door frame.  Sorry, baby!

You still have no teeth, but I'm not complaining since you're still breastfeeding!  Surprisingly, you aren't really a huge fan of solids.  Right now you currently like: applesauce, pears, peaches, bananas, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and you seem indifferent to peas and carrots.  We'll see what you think of the sippy cup today or tomorrow.  Hopefully you'll like it more than you do a bottle (which is not at all).

You have learned how to make new sounds.  My personal favorite is "Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma."  You have started sticking your tongue out at Daddy and blowing spit, which is pretty funny too.  Since you stay pretty mellow all the time and don't hand smiles out for free, Daddy used to be the only one to get you to laugh.  Now I can laugh at you in your walker across the room and you will laugh back.

You love to be outside and go on walks.  I'd love to go on walks too if someone would push me around in a stroller.  We are thinking about getting one of those swings from Toys R Us to hang from the tree in the back yard for you.  You have finally taken interest in the dog(s).  The only interest they have in you is to lick every inch of your soft baby skin, including your face.  I have tried and tried to stop this, but it is inevitable.  So, we'll say that's how you build up your immune system.

As of a week ago yesterday, you started sleeping in your crib instead of with us or in your PNP beside our bed.  It was long overdue since I had only intended on letting you sleep in the PNP for a few months.  I had never intended on letting you sleep in the bed with us, but that's another one of those things mom's say before they know what they're talking about.  Last night (the day you turned 7 months old) you slept all night long... from 11pm-7:40am.  Please let this become a routine and not just a once-in-seven-months kind of deal.  On the downside, last night I was feeding you in our bed before you went down for the night.  I always lay you on this one particular pillow.  It's the same pillow we laid you on to sleep in between us when you were first born.  You fit perfectly in the middle of it, all snug as a bug.  Last night, I told your Daddy it was too bad we didn't take a picture of you sleeping on it, because now your legs and feet stick off the end of it.

It's so fun watching you explore new things, with the exception of pulling my hair, lips, and nose and pinching me.  I do enjoy watching your daddy squirm when you pull his arm hair, though.  You don't shy away from new people, but you definitely don't flash them a grin without some persuasion.  We are complimented all the time about how beautiful are (you get that from me, even if you do look like your daddy) and how good you are.  We can't help but agree, because we are beyond proud of you.

This Is How I Eat My Peas

Elise was fussy the other day while I was trying to feed her, so I just put some peas on the spoon and gave it to her to distract her from fussing.  Well, it worked, but I had a mess to clean up!

Visiting Girlfriends

Last Thursday, Elise and I went to visit our friends, Scout and Alexis.  Scout was born 2 weeks after Elise.  We went out to lunch and hit a few stores.  I was so proud of Elise.  She was so good all day long being drug in and out stores in the heat.  She didn't fuss at all.

While we were going to the baby stores, I realized that I have a serious addiction.  An addiction to baby bows.  Even worse than just having an addiction, I also have the mentality that 'Bigger is Better' so I must buy the huge bows to attach to my daughter's head and hope her neck can support them.  Her daddy isn't such a fan of the huge bows but his opinion doesn't matter when it comes to that.  My most recent purchase was a big lavender bow and a smaller green bow.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to enter a 12 step program to kick this.

Anyway, here's a few pictures of Elise and Scout...

 

Here's a few pics of Elise from today in her cute denim jeans doing her acrobats.

 

This is the newest bow.  It is pretty big.  But, oh well...  I keep telling Jason that the big bows are her signature style.

Zoo Trip

On Saturday, I decided I wanted to take Elise to the zoo.  Jason said he'd go "If I wanted", whatever.  I'm not going to beg him to go with us to the zoo.  I think he was secretly dying to go and didn't want to admit it.  Once we got there, I could definitely see why he'd be so excited, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

We drove across town to the petting zoo, parked, unloaded the stroller, and strapped Elise in.  Meanwhile, I'm taking a little gander around the parking lot and observing the other folks heading into the zoo.  Have you ever heard of "The People of Wal-mart" because "The People of the Zoo" are fierce competition.  Some people shouldn't be allowed to reproduce.

We get up to the window to pay and read the sign that says "NO CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS."  Oh perfect!  The only place in the entire state that doesn't take a debit card and doesn't have an ATM machine.  Jason asked the woman if they take checks... score!  Let's write them a $6 check.  I smuggled my iced tea in, but inhaled it in the first 15 minutes we were there.  While I was petting the donkey (because this is a 5 star zoo, people) I noticed a building to get drinks.  Excellent!

I marched up to the window while Jason pushed Elise to the picnic table.  Then he said "Steph, read the sign."  Well, there were about 6 different signs, but the one he was referring to said "CASH ONLY."  Jesus! People!  Next stop, coke machine.  Sonofa--!  I just gave all my change to the fireman on the road for Fill The Boot.  This is how I get re-paid?!  Looks like I'm gonna have to swallow my spit until we leave.  Luckily, the petting zoo only has a few exhibits... you know the typical horses, buffalo, donkeys, goats, sheep, longhorn.  They did actually have some bears and lions. Probably the most entertaining was the spider monkeys.  Only because they were scratching their butts and opening their mouths at everyone watching.  I, honestly, do not like monkeys because they are creepy, but on Saturday they were the most entertaining thing there.  At least we got our $6 worth.  On our way into the only building with air conditioning (which also happens to house all the snakes) a woman took it upon herself to look at my baby in her stroller and say "awww, she's sunburned."  I didn't even respond, I just pushed the stroller past her into the building. 

Jason said "did you hear her?" 

"Yeah, she's NOT sunburned, she's red because she's hot, that lady is stupid" 

So, we headed back to truck to leave.  We sat in the truck with the AC on full blast, mostly so I could recover Elise could get some air.  All I had on my mind was locating the nearest Sonic.  We finally found one, but as I mentioned before, it's completely impossible for my order to be right.  Even just a drink.  I pushed the button and ordered "One large sweet tea with lemons and one large un-sweet tea."  Silence.....  then "what was that?"  So, I repeated myself.  FIFTEEN minutes later, a chick comes out and asks me if I ordered 2 drinks.  Oh great, no telling what I'm gonna get.  They managed to get it mostly right, with the exception of my lemons.  I was about to push the button again to get them, and Jason said "just forget it."  It would have been more trouble than it was worth I'm sure.  Next time we go to the zoo, I'll be sure to stop at the ATM machine beforehand, make sure to smuggle extra drinks in, and will definitely take pictures of the crazies.

I Just Had A Flashback...

to the time I was forced to take Algebra in college.  More than twice once.  But after a double-take, I realized this is much more serious than equations.  No one can begin to explain the inner workings of my husband's mind.  After getting a glimpse of this, I knew his wheels were turning and we were about to fall victim to another project.  I passed this on my way in the house through the garage...

When Elise Is Mad

Here's some samples of what Elise does when she's mad.  I can't even explain it because I don't know how to type the sounds she makes when she sticks her bottom lip out and blows at me, but it's funny.

Just Call Me The Baby Whisperer

So, I have these special powers.  If you're a mom you know the ones I'm talking about... the cat-like reflexes when Elise puts something in her mouth or attempts to dive bomb off the couch, the ability to answer the question "why is she crying?  Is she hungry or tired?", being able to run non-stop (cooking dinner, attempting to feed Elise, Bathing Elise, lotion, diaper, jammies, and getting her ready for bed while she screams her tiny little head off because she's teething and ticked off) all while my uterus is ripping in half from cramps, and after last night, the super power of getting the baby back to sleep.

She was sacked out in our bed for a couple hours before we went to bed.  After Jason got out of the shower he picked her up and held her.  I got in bed, nursed her, and gave her to him to lay in her Pack N Play.  Then she was wide awake and fussing.  I got out of bed, walked over and picked her up and rocked her for a little bit in my arms.  Jason had this smirk on his face and said "her eyes are still open, she's still awake."  So, I laid her back down, turned on the seahorse and rubbed her head and she went right back to sleep.  I crawled back in bed, rolled over to Jason and said "from now on, I'd like you to call me Baby Whisperer" which he said wasn't happening, but we'll see about that.

Unfortunately, all my hard work getting her back to sleep was useless.  She woke up at 1:30am, which is very unusual for her.  I figured it was because of the teething.  Jason handed her to me to feed.  I told him it wasn't really time for her to eat but whatever.  She went back down and was up again at 3:15am.  This time I knew she wasn't hungry, so I sat on the floor next to her Pack N Play with my arm on her chest while it tingled and fell asleep.  Unfortunately she did not.  She wasn't having any part of it, so the obvious solution?  Put her in bed with us.

I really wish Jason would read some of those parenting books, because I hate explaining to him at 3:30am that she's just going to have to fuss and doesn't need to be picked up every time.  I know it's hard not to pick her up when he has to go to work in 4 hours, but she'll never be able to soothe herself if we keep intervening.  Maybe one of these days he'll listen to me... since I have super powers and all.  And one of them happens to be that I know everything when it comes to dealing with Elise.

Here are some recent pictures.  We are giving Elise a bath in the big bathtub because she was attempting to flood our kitchen with her's in the sink.  I have to set her on a hand towel so she doesn't slip and slide around.  Sometimes she just falls backwards in the water, so I need to get her a bath seat.

Elise was taking a nap in our bed the other day, so I decided to jump in the shower real quick.  When I got out I found this...  Riley decided to nap with her.  Or protect her?

 

We went back to the park the other day.  A few pictures of Elise and Momma...

And just an extra...

The Love Of My Life

After yesterday, the first day of the blog party, my blog has some new followers.  I have given some thought about what my next post would be about, as I don't want to disappoint my new readers.  I want ya'll to keep coming back for more!  I thought I'd further describe my relationship with my husband.  He is a pretty pivotal character in my life after all, and comes in as a close second to Elise as my favorite people.

As I mentioned, Jason is a firefighter.  He is living his dream.  The funny thing is, when we started dating he was fully prepared for me to melt at the mention of his occupation, and fully disappointed that I didn't go all weak in the knees and swoon over "a man in uniform" or get the crazy giggles because "oh my gawd, my boyfriend is like a fireman, ya'll."  Basically, he wasn't initially my type so I didn't get all giddy over it.  Well, I must say it is a good thing we found each other because even though we have our differences, we manage to bring out the best in each other.  And because when I start a fire it's a good thing to have a fireman as my husband.  You can read more about how we met and got together, but here is a picture of us from way back when we had just started dating.

I think it's important to always have fun, enjoy each other's company, and laugh a lot.  We do our fair share of that.  Our favorite games include throwing, spraying, and pouring water on each other.  I didn't realize those games would become a part of our favorite past times when we started dating, but the first time was at Six Flags in Dallas.  We had been together a few months.  I had one of those $14 (because everything at Six Flags is highway robbery) bottles of Ozarka water with the "Sport Cap."  As he was walking in front of me I thought he looked HOT, so I decided to give him a little squirt in the back to cool him off.  Well, he whipped around just as I went to take a drink of it and squeezed the bottle so hard I started to drown in all the water I had just inhaled.  I choked on the water, and while all these people passed by me I hurled up $10 worth of it, and $2 worth poured out of my nose all onto the concrete.  It was quite a sight to behold.

Fast forward four years later.  We are still up to the same old tricks.  Last Thursday night, Jason was in the shower.  I always have to go in there and ask him to hand me my face wash out of the shower so I can wash my face before bed.  Well, he had been being quite the smart ass all night long, so I thought he was deserving of some cold water.  I took the cup that holds our toothbrushes, filled it up with cold water, and said "I need my face wash" as a diversion.  Then I ripped the shower curtain open and poured it all over him.  Score!  Then I promptly exited the bathroom, because we have a detachable shower head and he's been known to attack with it.  After I left, I heard him in there just laughing.  Probably because he knew in his mind that had grounds to get even.

We got Taco Bell for dinner a couple nights later, and because every single fast food restaurant hates my guts, our order was screwed up as usual.  They shorted us a taco.  So, I tried to barter with my husband.  "You can have the taco if you promise not to throw water on me in the shower."  His response, "Eat it.  My revenge is far better than a taco."  That's scary.  He kind of got me back on Sunday.  He popped me in the butt with a kitchen towel while I was cleaning the sink, so I tried to spray him with the sprayer, but he overpowered me, stood behind me, and pointed and sprayed it right at me.  Then he took off running so I tried to spray him from a distance with the sprayer.  Fail.  Didn't get any on him, but all over the floor and table.  I'm really hoping that when Elise is older, she will be my ally and we can unite against her daddy.

Another reason I love my husband is that he tells me I'm beautiful all the time.  Like on Saturday, I got in the truck and he said:

"Did you fix your hair?"

"No, I just threw some sweats on, why?"

"Are we going to Wal-Mart?"

"Yeah, why???"

"At least we'll fit in."

"Does my hair look bad?"

"Let's just go"

See how important it is to find a man that always makes you feel your best, doesn't mind sacrificing the last taco, share common interests with, and otherwise test whether or not it's possible for water to come out your mouth and nose simultaneously?  Boy, am I glad I found Jason!

Get Here ASAP, It's Gonna Be A Par-tee

I'm super excited to be a part of an "Elite" group of mom bloggers.  It's all thanks to The D-List.  And now, starting today, this week is the official start of Blog Party 2010.  It's a great opportunity for networking and meeting fellow mom bloggers.

  

Without further ado, let me introduce myself to the new folks.  My name is Stephanie.  I made the transition from working woman to stay at home mom about 5 months ago.  That change was brought on by the birth of my daughter Elise.  She was born October 26, 2009.  I am married to a firefighter, but I don't like being defined as "a firefighter's wife."  I am my own person aside from the heroic job title my husband holds.  I was referred to as "Jason's wife"  "Spooner's (his nickname) girlfriend/wife" a lot in the beginning, and soon realized I appreciated being a separate entity and my own person.  My husband, Jason and I have two dogs that were our "number 1's" before Elise came along.  This is a picture of our family prior to Elise...

I started my blog as a way for distant family and friends to follow my pregnancy and keep updated on our life with Elise, but like many other mom bloggers, found comfort in connecting and communicating with moms like me, experiencing the same things as me.  It's especially comforting to have others' experiences to read about when the days are long, the baby's upset, and adult company is few and far between.  So, I started writing my blog more for myself and more for the other mom's that can relate to me.  Blogging is a good way for me to unwind and reflect on my days.

I hope you'll take a look around my blog and settle in.  Maybe you will relate to me and my experiences and will find some comfort in what I share with my readers.  So kick your shoes off, put your feet up and join the party!

A Few Pics For My Mom

 

This was the first time to use her new high chair.  I love it.  It sits in one of our kitchen chairs, and since we don't have a ton of space it's perfect for us.  I'm really glad we decided on this one over the full sized one.  It also transitions into a booster seat when Elise is older.