One for the baby book......

Before viewing the below picture below, please keep in mind that we had just left Starbucks 30 min before where she literally walked up to EVERY table and smiled at the people sitting there until they said "hi" to her and then she moved onto the next table. But... when there is just one man in a red suit.... we get the below reaction. I love that poor Santa smiled through it all!

Thankfully this will be great when she is 16 :-)

Happiest Place for a Toddler

This is going to be a long post, so sit back, grab a drink and enjoy J

Two weeks ago we made the trek to California to take Emersyn to the Happiest Place on Earth. I was a little nervous for the car ride with a toddler. My child is not one of those kids that falls asleep as soon as you get in the car. She tends to stay awake and want to be entertained so I packed a bag of toys and into the car we went.

We met up with my mom and aunt at Starbucks for some breakfast before heading out of town (yep poor Alex was the only boy on the trip). Thankfully, Emersyn loves books and kept herself pretty entertained “reading” in the backseat for a few hours before finally falling asleep. It felt like we stopped at every rest stop and we were at Jacki in the Box for lunch for about 45 min since Emersyn eats slow but we finally made it to the hotel. We checked into our rooms (Alex, E and I in one and my mom and aunt in the other). I was very grateful the rooms were connecting so that Emersyn had double the hotel space to wonder around.

After unpacking the cars and a quick wardrobe change, we headed over to Downtown Disney to shop and find someplace for dinner. We stopped first in World or Disney. I knew that I wanted a sweatshirt since I always borrow my mom’s on these trips so I went looking and found a super cute Tinkerbell sweatshirt. While in line, I found the best purchase of the whole trip- a toy cell phone for Emersyn that lights up, makes a fake photo click sound and has Cinderella talking when you hit certain buttons. She is still playing with it every day on the way to daycare J

 

We stopped in a few other shops and then all agreed we were starving. We decided on Rainforest Café. I know that we have them here in AZ but we never go to them here and it was fun for Emersyn. She was a little scared of the storm at first but got into it pretty quickly. Our friends Tallen and Nate met us all for dinner since they recently moved to Anaheim and we got to catch up. We hit the Lego store and a few more stores on the way home then bath, bottle and bed time.

We agreed that we would only be doing Disneyland this trip due to the fact that we only had 2 days and a toddler that needs naps so the next morning we got ready and headed over to the park. After the gates opened we went to the bakery for coffee (a must) and pastries. Then we headed over to Peter Pan for Emersyn’s first ride. She was not a fan of the dark we found out and that ride is dark (first mistake for mom lol). We then went on the carousel because she was eyeing it the whole time we were in line for Peter Pan. She did better on that. Then onto It’s a Small World. She did enjoy that by the time it ended. We decided that the adults wanted to do a ride and choose Indiana Jones. My mom’s shoulder was hurting so she stayed out with Emersyn while we went on. We came back to a sleeping baby so we took turns going on Pirates while Emersyn slept. She was awake by the time Alex and I got done and we headed over to the Country Bear restaurant for lunch. It was fantastic!

 

We headed over to the Winnie the Pooh ride and then decided to wear Emersyn out on Tom Sawyer’s Island so she would nap again. She ran around and loved it and was totally ready for a nap by the time we got back to the hotel room. After nap, we headed back to the park and hit up Buzz Lightyear. She rode with my mom and Alex and I would just like to point out that I kicked his butt J We hit the tea cups, Dumbo, dinner and hunted mansion before heading home for the night.

 

The next day was just as fun. We hit up Toon Town, tea cups 2 more times, Dumbo again, the adults got to go on Space Mountain, the submarines, we saw the parade, went on the train, and the Columbia boat. The trip was a huge success and I can’t wait to go back again with her. In fact, my mom and I are already trying to figure out when we can fit another trip in as soon as all of us recover from the lack of sleep :-)



Thankful Day 8

Since I will be pretty busy tomorrow.... this concludes my thankful posts for awhile. I will post about how Thanksgiving went in a few days, but we are focusing on what I am thankful for so.....

1- I am thankful that I was born and live in the United States. I am grateful that I am free to speak my mind, that I am able to pursue an education and a career of my choice. I am thankful for the countless men and woman that serve this country in the military, police, fireman, etc.
2- I am thankful for the people that work the thankless jobs that make my life easier. All I do is wheel my trash out to the curb and someone picks it up, my mail is delivered Mon-Sat with no issues, the streets are kept clean and playgrounds and parks are kept up. I know that these people don't hear thank you enough so.... THANK YOU!
3- I am thankful that I grew up in Iowa. That I spent my summers playing in the woods behind my house and catching lightening bugs. I am thankful that I grew up with seasons. I wouldn't want to move back to the snow but I am grateful that I grew up with it.
4- I am thankful for Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday and I love all the food and family time. I can't wait until tomorrow :-)

Thankful day 7

Today I am thankful for little things:

1- Starbucks coffee. It really does make me happy when I am having a bad day or start off the day right when I know it is going to be rough. I look forward to the day I can take Emersyn and any other kids there for mommy to have coffee and them to have hot chocolate.
2- Twilight. I realize that I am addicted to the series and if that is what my addiction is.... I am ok with it. I am currently reading the series again for the 5th time and still look forward to putting Emersyn in bed, finishing my workout and getting to lay on the couch and read. Also- the movies are FANTASTIC! I could watch them everyday and not get bored.
3- Disneyland. I love the magic and aura of it. I love that feeling you get as you walk through the gates and I am so thankful that I get to share that with Emersyn next week.
4- Target- I could get lose in Target for hours just looking at all the fun stuff. I love that store.
5- Going out for breakfast. We don't do it much but going out for breakfast is my favorite thing. I love it!

Thankful day 4,5 and 6 :-)

This weekend was a long one so I missed my thankful days. Here is day 4, 5, and 6 all combined.

1-      I am thankful for my friends. I have some amazing friends that are always there to support me and love me. I don’t know how I was blessed to get such great people.

2-      I am thankful for my job. I don’t always like my job and most mornings I despise getting up early for it, but in this economy and having the amazing co-workers I do- I truly am thankful and like my job 90% of the time.

3-      I am thankful for my new house. It is perfect. I love the fact that Emersyn has lots of room to run around. I love my big kitchen to cook in and I love the neighborhood. I love it all.

I will continue to be thankful tomorrow J Tune back in J

Thankful- Day 3

Thankful- Day 3

I am amazingly thankful that I was born into such a wonderful loving family. My mom is by far the best mom around. If I am only half the mom she is, I will be great. I grew up always knowing I was loved and supported by not only my mom but my grandparents, my aunts and uncles and my cousins. I am very close to all of them. In fact, my aunt comes to my house to visit Emersyn weekly. I can’t imagine life without any of them. The things I am thankful for:

1-      That no matter what mistakes I make, I know that I am still loved and cared for.

2-      That, although not planned, that everyone is in LOVE with Emersyn and would drop anything for her.

3-      That I always have back-up daycare between my mom and aunt.

4-      That my kids will grow up with the same kind of love that I had.

5-      That Alex and my family get along so well. In fact, some days, my mom and him get along better then he and I do lol

6-      That I have a future of holidays, birthdays and random days to spend with them.

Thankful- Day 2

I am extremely thankful for Alex. I could not have found myself a better man. God knew what he was doing when he sent me him. It is worth having dated all the losers to finally end up in a spot where I could appreciate how wonderful he is. Reasons I am thankful for:

1.       He is the best father ever. He absolutely loves his daughter and she loves him.

2.       He makes me laugh all the time. I literally end up crying I am laughing so hard on a frequent basis.

3.       He puts up with my mood swings- which can be often.

4.       He takes care of my car and the house, both things that I am too flakey to remember to do.

5.       He choose me! I am VERY thankful for that!

Thankful- Day 1

With 1 week left until Thanksgiving, I am going to do a daily countdown of what I am thankful for. Today I am thankful that I was blessed with such an amazing child. I have always wanted to be a mom. It was something that I just knew I wanted, but I admit I was starting to wonder if it would happen for me. Although she was a very happy surprise (once the shock wore off), I wouldn’t change how she came into this world at all. I am thankful for:

1-      Her sweet smile. Nothing melts your heart like having this little angel smile at you.

2-      Her stubbornness. Now you might not initially see how this is something I am thankful for but, it will serve her well later in life. She will not be oneto give up when things get hard.

3-      Her laugh. Now that she is older, she laughs when we laugh which I think is hilarious because she has no idea why she is laughing.

4-      Her hugs. She gives the best hugs. I love when she snuggles up close.

5-      Her food preferences- She has the food palette of someone much older. She loves mushrooms, olives, tofu, and she loves her veggies. There isn’t much this girl won’t eat or at least try.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

6-      Her life. I am so blessed and so honored that I get to be her mother and watch her grow up.

Lymphomathon

This morning at the Phoenix zoo they did a walk to raise money for Lymphoma reseach. My friend Meg's mom is fighting this right now so when she asked me to walk, it was a no brainer. Emersyn and I would be there. It was awesome to see all the survivors and supporters out there. It was a chilly morning but we were ready and what was awesome was that you could enjoy the zoo and look at the animals while walking. It took us almost 2 hours to complete just 3 miles since we were stopping to look at the animals and chat. It was awesome to spend time with friends and since Jamie pushed the stroller the whole time (thanks again), I got to just walk and enjoy. After 2 hours in the fresh air and lots of running around the zoo herself, my little animal was exhuasted. She crashed literally within 5 min of getting in the car lol.

Meg and Jamie- we are down for next year! Sign us up :-)


All bundled up and ready to go. It was early and cold.

She wasn't sure of the baboons..... neither were Jamie and I.

She wasn't a big fan of the fake Orangutan. Although the real ones she was practically banging on the glass to get them to come close.

A morning running around at the zoo wears a girl out.

Watch out for Karma

Karma is a fiesty tempermental thing that comes back to get you when you least expect it.  I will admit before I had a kid, I had a lot of opinions on how to raise kids and I thought I was right (all the moms can insert laughter here because you all know you did too). Well, I used to look at mother's that had their kids on a strict schedule and rarely veered off of it as uptight and anal. I was never going to be that way. They needed to relax. Skip to 1 year later and...... I am SO that mom!

I went into motherhood with intentions for being layed back, however 3 weeks after my bundle of joy came into the world, the colic hit and a schedule was the only thing that could save me. I should have known that I would be that mom since I am a total planner and don't really like doing things spur of the moment. In fact, Alex makes fun of me because I know what is going on for both of the upcoming holidays already as far as my family is involved. (His family waits until the last minute to make plans- yes I struggle with it lol).

Will I tell people we can't go to something because it's scheduled during naptime? Yep! Will I make my family meet earlier for dinner so just in case the service is slow at the restuarant we are home by 7 for bath? Yep! I am that mom! And you know what, I am ok that other people gossip and roll their eyes at me. It works for me and Emersyn so we are keeping it up. Who knows, maybe she will grow up to love planning just like me :-)

It's my labor day!!!

Today is my labor day! Yes Emersyn was born tomorrow but she was born 19 min into the day and I had her by c-section so all the pain and hassle occurred today for me.

I had gone to the Dr for my weekly check up on Tuesday and was told I was not dilated at all. I was sure then that I would make it to my 10/8 scheduled C-section and stopped shaving my legs daily (stupid mistake). I worked a full 8 hour day at work getting ready for an audit that was due to happen the first part of the following week. I made dinner as normal, watched TV as normal and even had my nightly bowl of Cocoa Krispies that I craved my entire pregnancy. Alex and I got ready for bed and lay down for the night around 9:30. Not 5 min later, I felt what I can only describe as a bubble popping and then lots of warmth on my legs. I rushed to the bathroom as Alex yelled what’s wrong. I sat on the toilet and had what sounded like the longest pee every. “I think my water broke”, I yelled back to Alex. Who then jumped up and rushed into the bathroom. Ok… it was go time.

We were told at birthing class that even after your water breaks, it can take hours for labor still so not to panic and rush. I asked Alex if he thought I would have time to shave my legs and do my hair….. then I got my first contraction. They weren’t strong at first and just felt like the startings of normal monthly cramps but I wasn’t about to worry about a shower anymore. I called my mom, my best friend and my boss (who I apologized to profusely about missing the upcoming audit). I made sure to write out a rent check and told Alex we needed to drop it in the afterhours box on our way. We got in the car and were headed to Desert Banner by 10:00pm. Alex took his time on the drive while my contractions moved into every 5 min and more painful.

We checked into triage, told them the drill and were given a room. They hooked me up to all the fun monitors and started running tests to ensure that I was truly in labor (the fact that I was still leaking wasn’t enough of a clue). Now my contractions are every 2 min. My mom and Alex’s mom arrived at the hospital and sat with us in triage while they hooked me up to an IV. They confirmed I was in labor (duh!) and brought in an ultrasound machine to ensure that Emersyn was still breech. She was and they brought in the anesthesiologist to meet with me. They asked me the last time I ate- it was only 7:30pm so they gave me some Zofran through my IV and had me drink the most awful tasting medicine to neutralize the acids in my stomach before surgery. Now my contractions are only every minute. They gave Alex a snazzy pair of scrubs to put on and told us that we were headed for the OR.

I asked to stop and use the restroom before we left and attempted to pee one last time. Then it was into the wheelchair. As we went through the doors my anesthesiologist was walking by and said he had a quick epidural to do but would be back in 10 min. (FYI… total lie). I was taken to the OR and sat on the table with my legs hanging down waiting for my spinal tap. Alex was told to sit in a chair 15 feet away and not touch anything. Now my contractions are every 20-30 seconds and I am in back labor. I have never been in so much pain in my life and the Dr is not coming. Apparently the epidural he ran to do was not the “piece of cake” he thought it was going to be. I sat on the edge of the table for 20 min while the nurses got their stuff ready and tried to calm me down. I am very proud of the fact that I didn’t scream, yell or even make a lot of noise. I breathed and moaned a little the entire 20 min but did not act like most the women on TV do during labor. Finally, relief with my spinal tap. I honestly can’t tell you if it even hurt. I was in so much pain I didn’t even feel it go in. I just remember the pain stopped.

They laid me down on the table and told me they were ready to start. Alex actually stood up and watched the whole thing. I had the normal “pressure” as they yanked her out and then I heard the Dr say, “She is beautiful. Congrats mom and dad” and the first sounds of baby screams filled the room.

The rest of the night is a blur. We were in recovery for almost 2 hours with our moms due to the fact that neither she nor I could regulate our temperatures post surgery. But finally a little before 4am we were wheeled into the room that would be my home for the next 4 days. And thus started what is my greatest love J

To know you....

I read when I was pregnant that you should sing to your belly the songs you plan to sing once the baby is born because since they are used to it, it will sooth them. I started singing this song to Emersyn whn I was about 6 months pregnant and I still sing it today. The lyrics are more true each day she is in my life....

To know, know, know you
Is to love, love, love you
Just to see you smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know you
Is to love, love, love you
And I do, And I do, And I do....


The middle part still gets me a little emotional since her smile truly does make every trial and heartache that I had to go through to get to this point in my life to have her totally worthwhile :-)

Almost 1 year

It has been awhile since I last posted. With work, building a house and planning a wedding... I have let the blog slip. But no more! I am forcing myself to blog at least once a week since this will be a way for Emersyn to read about her past.

Speaking of Emersyn. She is almost a year old. I cannot believe how quick this first year flew. I will be posting on Friday all about her birth (yes I know her bday is Saturday however she was born 19 min into the day so.... all the work happened on the 30th). We had her 1 year photos taken last weekend. Here are a few of my favorites. Be sure to stop back Friday for another post :-)

Two steps forward, Two steps back

About a month ago, I got very excited because Emersyn had slept through the night without crying out because she couldn’t find her binky. She has been “sleeping” 10 hours a night since she was 5 months old but she cries out 1-3 times a night because she needs her binky and it has fallen into an obscure corner of the crib. She finally figured out how to locate 1 of the two binkies in her crib and get it back in her mouth by herself and I was enjoying the extra sleep. Even though getting up to put in a binky is not as rough as middle of the night feedings, I am still getting interrupted sleep.

Well… about a week ago the streak of sleep has stopped. She is working on 3 teeth and has had a viral infection and all of this has driven her back into the world of “I can’t find my binky” cries in the middle of the night. So… once again I get up, walk down the hallway, locate a binky in a dark room, stick it back in her mouth, cover her up and go back to bed….. several times a night.

I am hoping this relapse is only temporary, however my gut is telling me not to give up on my weekend naps.

M-I-C... See ya real soon

14 weeks from today, I’m heading to Disneyland J I realize that may seem like an awfully long time but I have been looking forward to this since Emersyn was born. My mom and I have been going to Disneyland the week after Thanksgiving for years upon years upon years. It is our family tradition. Last year we missed it due to a new baby, but this year we are heading over. A little known secret and one that I am hopefully not ruining is…. That the week after Thanksgiving is the best time to go. The park is decorated for Christmas, the holiday snacks are in all the restaurants AND there is barely a crowd since everyone came the week before.

Some of you may be wondering why on earth we would want to take a 1 year old to Disney who is going to remember NOTHING of the trip. Well, because Disneyland is more than the rides and the food and the atmosphere. It is about spending time with your family and making memories. Alex and I will remember the memories from this trip and we will be together as a family.

This year instead of just my mom and me, Alex will obviously be coming. He stopped being a Disneyland virgin last March when we all went over spring break. I am excited to go on more rides with him this time since his first time was when I was 3 months pregnant and I skipped most the rides. Plus, my aunt is coming along. She hates most roller coasters so she is the perfect addition when we have a toddler that can’t go on them J Plus, we will be utilizing the stroller swap a lot. And of course, my princess will be first of many trips to the magic kingdom.

Now I will admit as a compulsive and neurotic planner, I have been researching online and reading articles about taking a 1 year old to Disney. Mine message in all of them- take it slower. Bathroom breaks will take longer, eating will take longer, and breaks will occur more. I am fine with that. This trip is not about the amount of rides we go on or the parades or the characters. This trip is about seeing her face light up when we walk through the gates and into the most magical place in the world!

Texture Smexture

I have finally decided to concede that my child is a picky eater. I have been lying to myself for months saying that it was just a phase and that she would finally get it, but alas… I have decided to concede… sort of. Emersyn will be 10 months old on Monday and as her 1^st birthday looms near, I have been trying to broaden her “stage 2” baby food.

Let me start by clarifying that she is not a picky eater when it comes to food; she is a picky eater when it comes to textures. As long as it comes in a “Stage 2” format, my kid will lick the bowl clean. However, when I try to mix in “Stage 3” or cottage cheese, she gags herself until she throws up. She is the first bulimic infant I have ever seen.  I am not a picky eater. I will eat almost everything. However, I do not like melon (any type watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, etc) because of the texture. I think it is gross. Apparently, my child sadly inherited from me her hate of textures…. As much as I would love to blame her father for this L

So what to do? I wouldn’t care what stage food she was on if a trip to Disneyland was not planned for 4 months from now and I refuse to lug baby food around the park. So… I have made the executive decision to skip “Stage 3” food in our house and move straight to table food because when she feeds herself, she is fine. She eats crackers, cheerios, pancakes and bananas, so I am just going to keep broadening her table food intake. I can’t keep cleaning up throw up or spending money on baby food that gets thrown away. Just pray that getting the table food down is an easier process than “Stage 3” for our house J  

Anniversary of the scare

On July 19^th, 2010, a year ago today, I had a pretty big scare in my pregnancy. I told very few people about it but since I have a happy and beautiful baby girl now… here is the story.

I woke up on the 19^th and it was just a normal Monday morning. I got ready and went in to work. I had to pee as soon as I got there (again pretty normal for a 7 month pregnant lady) but when I went, I noticed some spotting. I panicked but waited 5 min and then went to another bathroom (I didn’t want people to get suspicious about my bathroom activity) to check again. More spotting, so of course now I was really panicked. I had not had any spotting my entire pregnancy, so needless to say I was thinking the worst.

I called Alex and filled him in. I told him that I needed to wait until 7:45 to call the office when they open and then I would tell him what they said. I called the office the second the clock hit 7:45 and filled my Drs Medical assistant in with the issue. She told me that it probably was nothing to be concerned with and that at this point in the game things “down below” are filled with lots of extra blood and a jostle could have caused the spotting but that she would check with the Dr and get back to me.  

Ten min later, she called back to say the Dr had stated that I needed to go to OB triage at the hospital immediately. They would call ahead and fill the hospital in with the details. The reason, my uterus! Most women have an upside-down triangle shaped uterus. Mine is shaped like a heart, so Emersyn grew on mostly only the right side of my uterus. The Dr was concerned that due to my uterus shape that Emersyn had run out of room and my body was ready for labor. Now I was even more panicked. I called Alex and thanked God that we worked in the same office building as we both left and headed over to the hospital in his car. I called my mom and best friend and filled them in and told them I would call when I had news.

The drive although fast, seemed like it took forever. The entire time I was freaking out because I couldn’t remember the last time I felt her move or kick. Was she ok? Why wasn’t she moving? She is way too little to be born this early; I need her to stay inside. We got to the hospital, checked in and I was hooked up to lots of monitors. The heart rate monitor proved that Emersyn was still strong and since she hated any machine that was placed on my belly to monitor her, she started kicking and hitting at it. This relieved Alex and I and made us both laugh which we needed.

I went through a ton of tests. At this point I was starving and was being told I could only have ice chips. Ice chips do not make for a happy pregnant woman J But finally they told me all the tests had come back ok and I just needed to have an ultrasound done. I walked in my adorable hospital gown over to the X-Ray room and lay on the table. First they did an internal ultrasound to ensure that my cervix was not shortening (a dead giveaway that I was starting labor). Nope, cervix was perfect. So now to look at the baby…. this is where we discovered that my stubborn girl was breech. To her credit, she probably ran out of room in my smaller than normal uterus and just couldn’t flip anymore. And she stayed breech another 2 ½ months until she was born. The reason for the spotting they thought, overexertion on my part. I had literally been down on all fours cleaning the baseboards the Saturday before. So I was sentenced to take it easy for the rest of the pregnancy, something I actually found very hard. But thankfully, my angel was perfect and safe.

After over 5 hours of test and ONLY ice chips. Alex and I drove back to work to get my car and I made him stop at Culver’s (because the baby wanted it) to get me some fast food. At least the day ended on a good note.

Pillow Princess

Emersyn is obsessed with throw pillows at the moment. She crawls over to the couch, pulls them down one by one and creates a fort for herself. The smarty figured out that if the pillow is out of reach, she simply needs to pull on the slipcover for the couch and like magic.... they come towards her. This means that A) my couch always looks a wreck because the slipcover is half off almost constantly and B) all my throw pillows have spit up and drool all over them. However, watching her try to move a pillow that is as big as her is totally worth it. Once her pillow fort is built she takes her dolls and stuffed animals in to play. This night, Tigger was the lucky guest for the night.

Happy Birthday America

I have really been lacking in the mandatory parenting activities since Emersyn was born. We didn't go to see Santa Claus, we didn't go to see the Easter Bunny so.... I was determined to celebrate the 4th! We decided to celebrate the 4th on the 3rd though. Mostly because Emersyn is normally in bed when it is still light out and Tuesday we both have to work... meaning Emersyn has to get up at 6am (usually her normal time) for daycare so there would be no sleeping in if she stayed up late. Since there were no fireworks on the 3rd, we decided to have our own small celebration. After bath time, we went out to the patio to light sparklers. We were in luck that a monsoon had hit earlier so even though it was only 7:30 out, it was pretty dark with clouds. Alex and I fought over who got to light the sparklers while we took turns holding Emersyn. She, however, was less than impressed with our small light show. Regardless, I have pictures to show her when she has kids of her own of her first 4th (3rd) of July! :-) The last picture is my favorite, I got Alex smiling and Emersyn leaning on her favorite man!

Daddy/Daughter time

I am a few days late, however I wanted to dedicate a blog to Alex and Emersyn. She is so in love with her daddy and he is wrapped around her little finger. The two loves of my life:

Happy Father's Day, honey!