Monday, October 31, 2011

Blog Makeover


Just wanted to let everyone know that I am in the process of giving this blog a much needed makeover!  So if you notice a lot less posts around here that's why. I'll be very excited when I'm done and when I finally feel like this blog really reflects me and my family of three!  For now here is a silly picture of my sweet little helper helping me give this blog a makeover!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!
Have FUN, Be SAFE, and eat yummy CANDY!

Leave us a comment down bellow telling us what you and / or your little one are dressing up as today. We would love to hear about all the cool costumes!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Bathtub Fun


Normally Chloe takes a bath with either Mike or I in our bathtub, but lately I have been giving her a bath in her own tub. I thought she would hate it but she actually really loves it!!  She's all smiles while splashing in the water, makes me so happy!! Its so funny the things that make me happy these days. Life has definitively changed for me. I love being a Mom!


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Babywearing 101: The Benefits and Safety Tips

-- Mike wearing Chloe in our BabyHawk Mei Tai. --

Here is a list of some of the amazing benefits that come with wearing your baby. It's pretty incredible how much babywearing benefits both the baby and parents.

Benefits:

:: Mothers oxytocin (the love hormone) levels are increased through close physical contact with the baby, leading to a more intimate maternal bond, easier time with breastfeeding, and better care of the baby, thus lowering the incidence of postpartum depression

:: Babies who are carried are calmer because all of their primal/survival needs are met. The caregiver can be seen, heard, smelled, and touched by the baby

.:: Babywearing helps babies develop socially by being able to study people more closely thus teaching them facial expressions, langue, and body langue. 

:: Independence is established earlier.

:: Attachment between baby and caregiver is more secure.

:: Being able to hold your baby for an extended period of time while having your arms and hands free.

:: Babywearing allows the baby to spend more time exploring there surroundings while still feeling safe and secure in their caregivers arms.

Safety Tips:

::Wear your baby high with both front and back carry's.

:: Make sure  your baby's nose and mouth is always cleared.

:: Always have one hand on your baby while putting them in the carrier.

:: Read and follow the directions that come with your carrier.

:: Never wear your baby facing out. It puts to much pressure on their spine and can be overstimulating for 
them. 

:: Next up, a list of all the different carrier's and where to buy them.

A Big Thank You

THANK YOU!

I just wanted to take a minute to say hi to all the new followers of my blog. Thank you so much for all your support and for taking the time to read my blog!! I would love to get to know each one of you, so please leave me a comment telling me a little bit about yourself! I'm so very excited to get to know all of you!! Oh, and if you have a blog as well I would love to check it out so please leave me a comment with the link to your blog!



Monday, October 24, 2011

Adventure: Pumpkin Patch, 2011


After church on Sunday Mike and I took Chloe to the pumpkin patch. We didn't stay very long, and Chloe was so tired that she slept most of the time, but that didn't stop us from having a good time. It was so nice to spend time together as a family and to be outside enjoying the fresh air. We decided we're definitely going to be making this a tradition we do every year with Chloe!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Healthy As Can Be!



Yesterday we had to take Chloe in for her appointment with the children's heart specialist so they could run a couple tests on Chloe and do an ultrasound of her heart to make sure the heart murmur she has is nothing serious. I was so nervous and sad for my sweet Chloe but she did amazing! She was as happy as can be kicking her little legs and arms and smiling away at the nurse and doctor. The doctor listened to Chloe's heart and asked us a couple questions, like if Chloe had a difficult time breathing or becomes sweaty and lethargic while nursing. We said no. He said it sounds like Chloe's heart murmur is nothing to worry about but wanted to still have her get an ultrasound done to bee 100 % sure.  During the ultrasound I got to hold Chloe in my arms and she quickly fell asleep, I was so relieved that she was able to rest for a bit.

After the ultrasound the doctor came in to look at the pictures of Chloe's heart, he told us we have nothing to worry about, that our daughter is as healthy as can be. He said that Chloe has a small hole but that over time it should close and that it wont cause her any trouble now or later in life. Mike and I were so relived when the doctor told us the good news!! I quickly scooped my baby up in my arms and gave her lots of kisses all over and told her "your as healthy as can be".

I am beyond grateful to God that my sweet Chloe is healthy and that this wont affect her in any way!! I cant imagine how hard it must be on parents when they find out their baby has a health issue. I can only imagine how incredibly terrifying and stressful that would be. I pray that all the family's going through something like this would come to know Jesus and that he would give them peace and comfort. I pray that they give all their burdens to God. Jesus will never turn his back on you, and will always be waiting with open arms, always!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Babywearing 101: Why I Love Babywearing

I decided that I'm going to write a babywearing series! I have never done anything like this before so I'm a little nervous but also really excited to pass on what I have learned thus far. Babywearing is something that I love and support and I would love to be able to educate more parents on all the amazing benefits that come with wearing your baby!


This series will include:

:: Why I love babywearing

:: The benefits of babywearing and safety tips 

:: Choices of carriers and where to buy

:: Best babywearing Links and videos

So to start this off here are my top 6 reasons why I love babywearing:
    :: My daughter loves it! She feels happy, safe, and content while being worn. Chloe is a very happy baby and rarely ever gets fussy, I honestly feel like babywearing has played a huge part in how happy and easygoing she is.

    :: Babywearing has helped me build a strong secure attachment with my daughter. Having Chloe so close to me at all times has helped me to learn her "language" which in turn has helped me to meet her needs right away, before she gets to the point of crying.

    :: Hands free!! I can still hold my daughter while being able to run errands and clean up around the apartment. 

    :: I love having my daughter in kissing reach!

    :: I love not having to deal with a bulky stroller. It does take some practice to learn how to wear your baby but once you learn it's so easy to do wherever you go.

    :: There are so many beautiful carries out there, you'll want to collect them all!

    I would love to hear your reasons why you love babywearing, leave me a comment down below!

    Up next: The benefits of babywearing and safety tips.

    Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    4 Months Old

    It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing Chloe's 3 month update, its hard to believe a whole month has already gone by and now my sweet Chloe is 4 months old! My daughter amazes me everyday! she is constantly growing and learning! I never knew it would be this exciting to watch your child grow, but it is! In fact, everyday I am left speechless as I watch my daughter evolve right before my eyes. The rapid speed at which she is growing and learning and transforming is bind blowing, it feels as though it is all happening within just a blink of an eye.

    Chloe's stats: On Friday Chloe had her 4 month checkup with her pediatrician. She now weighs 18.5 lbs and is 26 3/4 inches long. This puts Chloe above the 95 % for both weight and height! Since my daughter has been born she has gained a total of 9 lbs and has grown exactly 5 inches. It makes me feel so proud that she is healthy and thriving on just breast milk alone! 

    The doctor said Chloe is in perfect health, and that she is indeed teething (that would explain the constant drooling). But while listening to her heart he noticed that she had a slight heart murmur, he said its very mild (a 1 on a scale of 6). He also said that its common in about 30 % of babies to have a heart murmur and that hes not worried at all, but he would like for Chloe to get an ultrasound done just to be absolutely positive its nothing. So on Thursday Chloe has an ultrasound scheduled for the afternoon, I'm praying this is nothing and that it will correct its self  over time. When the doctor told Mike and I this I wanted to breakdown and cry, I just felt so scared and sad for my sweet baby. Its such a great fear of mine that Chloe will grow up with health issues. As a Mom I am filled with so much worry at times, its exhausting! 

    Chloe is wearing some 3-6 months clothes, but mostly wears size 6-9 months and 9 month, she is still wearing size three in diapers. Chloe seems to have a little more hair in the front these days, which is so exciting! She had a ton of hair when she was born but over time has lost some of it, her hair is also a lot lighter now then when she was born.

    Life with Chloe: Chloe seems so fascinated with everything right now. She loves playing with her toys and feeling all the different textures on them, touching our faces, rolling on her belly, staring at herself in the mirror, standing, making high pitch sqeauls, blowing bubbles, putting everything in her month, holding onto her feet while lying on the floor, music, laughter, grabbing for whatevers in her reach, practicing sitting up, bath time and being carried in our BabyHawk Mei Tai while I clean the apartment and run errands!

    My sweet Chloe has such a beautiful personality. She is pretty much always happy! And I'm not just saying that because I'm her Mom, lots of our friends and family have told us shes the happiest baby they have ever met. I honestly don't know how we got so lucky!! The only time she gets really fussy is when she is overtired or hungry. I try to not let her get to that point to often but sometimes it just happens. I'm having a difficult time seeing Mike and I in her. To me she seems like she is completely her own little person. Mike disagrees and says he can see a lot of me in her, like some of the sounds that she makes and certain  facial expressions that she has are similar to mine.  I have noticed that she frowns when she sleeps, which is something I do too!! 

    Food: Right now Chloe is exclusively breastfeed and will continue to be until we notice that she is ready to start solids, I'm guessing she will be ready around 6-7 months old. I have noticed lately that Chloe is showing an interest in what we're eating, I like to let her smell certain foods so she can experience something new and be involved in what were doing. I'm doing a lot of research on starting solids and plan to make all of Chloe's baby food. I'm also reading a lot about baby led weaning which I will explain in a post about baby food coming soon!

    It's so exciting to be able to watch my daughter grow right before my eyes. My 4 month old baby has taught me so much about love and life. And I will say this over and over again I feel so blessed that God chose me to be Chloe's Mom. This sweet little baby has made me one proud mama!

    Monday, October 10, 2011

    International Babywearing Week

    Happy International Babywearing Week
    October 10th-16th!

    Look for my next post coming later this week about why I love babywearing and the benefits of wearing your baby!

    Sunday, October 9, 2011

    A Beautiful Saturday in October


    Mike has been working a lot lately, which means we haven't spent much time together as a family. We need the money so its great that Mike is working a lot right now but it still doesn't make it any easier. On Saturday Mike didn't have to work and I was pretty thrilled that we were finally going to be spending some quality time together!

    When we all woke up Mike made a big breakfast for us, which has now become a Saturday Morning tradition. Then we went to Target to buy diapers and wipes for Chloe and some cleaning products for the apartment. When ever we need to run errands I always wear Chloe in my Babyhawk. She is as happy as can be all snuggled up to me and I love having her so close!

    After our trip to Target we decided to take a walk by the lake at Coulon park. It was so beautiful outside with the sun shining down and the leaves on the trees fading to red and orange. We sat on a bench looking out at the water while I nursed Chloe. The sun and fresh air felt so good on my skin as I held my sleeping baby in my arms.

    After the park we headed home. Chloe took a long nap, I edited pictures. and Mike made a quick trip to Guitar Center. We had such a nice, relaxing Saturday and it was wonderful to finally be spending some time together as a family!