Operation Nap Time

Well folks, it is official. Operation nap time has begun around here. We are gearing up for heading back to work so that means one thing... the honeymoon is over. The sleeping in late, the lazy days of napping in mommy's arms, and all of my other infant indulgences have to stop for a few weeks. Since I have to leave my sweet baby girl with someone else, I have to be rigid to get her on a nice schedule. It shouldn't take long... and I already can't wait to break my own rules.

No more vibrating naps for a few days

No more swinging naps for a while

No more naps for... oh wait, how did that get in there?

If I know she is adjusted to a schedule, it will help ease my mind when I am gone in so many ways. It will make it easier for her caretaker to know what she needs and when. Since she will be losing spending the day with me, I want to replace my security with a routine that she will be able to feel secure in. She will know what to expect so she feels safe and happy. She will get the sleep, rest, and playtime she needs. This will all make for one happy, healthy and well adjusted baby. Blah, blah, blah...let's just call this what it is. I am her mother and want to do all of the decision making for my girl. I guess that is the control freak in me. This is me controlling what happens while I am away. A working girl has to make it work somehow right?

Since she was born, I have kept a consistent night time schedule and routine, and she falls asleep like a champ. Every night, I put her to bed awake in her crib between 8:00 and 8:30 and she falls asleep on her own! Yesterday, her first day of nap training felt very easy. She took two naps in her crib and fell asleep on her own both times right away! The problem is ... sometimes she fakes me out and makes me think she is sleeping ... then she wakes up after 30 minutes. After letting her cry less than 5 minutes, she was back to sleeping like an angel. Did I mention what a pleasant and good baby she is?

Are you sleeping in there?

So after one day, I am feeling good. This will be fairly easy, and it will make going back to work that much easier.

Look Alike

Do you think this sweet little girl looks like her Daddy? 

Is this not the cutest kid ever in an old school sweatsuit riding a badass big wheel?

Monday is the New Sunday

Another busy weekend for our family. Early January birthday celebrations had us enjoying our weekend with family. My hubby and I had a great time celebrating without the kids for our favorite Sissy's  birthday dinner. We had so much fun jamming to music and letting loose like when we first met. You forget what it is like even driving in the car alone!

Dancing for the ATM camera! Ha!

Then with the blink of an eye, it was Monday again. This Monday was different though. My DVR is packed with all kinds of good tv shows so it lessened the blow. In a few weeks, I will be returning to work and I wonder if I will be able to stay awake late enough to enjoy this new Monday night lineup.

The morning started off a little slow... nothing a few cups of coffee couldn't fix. We were just hanging around. I learned that I am not the only one who has an interest in photography. "Cheese mommy!" Maybe she can teach me a few things.

After our morning, we visited our favorite babysitter to talk about my return to work. I am trying to make plans for child care for my two sweeties when I return to my teaching job. Figuring out child care is a stressful job in itself. You want to do what is best for your child, best financially, and manageable for mom and dad. I am lucky and blessed to have my mom to rely on along with our babysitter! Knowing your kids are cared for, loved, and taken care of when you have to be away from them is such a relief. Hopefully, it will be the medicine that will mend my broken heart.

Here's hoping for a great week. XOXO

Just Another Day

This week was rough as we tried to get back into our routine after the holiday madness. The girls and I spent two lazy days in PJs just playing. Keira is really getting the hang of tummy time. When propped up on her arms, she can tuck and roll over. She looks genuinely amazed and pleased with herself after she does so. She will look up at me like "Got ya!" She is still working hard to be able to push herself off the ground, and she is getting stronger everyday.

Big sis loves trying to help "Gaga" when she is on her mat. She is constantly kissing her, grabbing her head, giving her a bink, and overloading her with a million toys. If I leave the room for a second, it takes me a minute to dig Keira out from the carnage of toys she is buried under. Kay loves her sissy so much she wants her to have everything. Last night, as I was folding clothes, I watched as my water obsessed daughter poured a bottle of water on her little sister's chest to "give Gaga drink." My cat like reflexes were just not quick enough this time. She is hysterical, and she has been a great big sis.

Kay is coming to an age where she is starting to play more independently. She loves going in the playroom and quietly playing with her toys. She is truly into imitating Mommy and Daddy. She is a real helper and loves to do her chores. She explores everything. Her new interest is feeding baby. "I help you mommy."

I love the holidays, but man are they exhausting! We finally have the house back to looking like normal people actually live here rather than some dysfunctional, delusional hoarder from TLC. It took a few days, but the house is coming along. As much as it can come along with this little cutie tearing it up at every turn.

Chit Chat

These smiles never get old..

after these huge smiles, we just chit chat...



Our conversations are deep. She has so much to say for such a little girl.

3 months old

My precious little baby girl is 3 and a half months old. Baby Gaga, as she is affectionately known by her doting sister, has been the easiest baby. She is the sweetest child ever. She has added so much love and joy to our family and my life more than I ever thought possible.

First of all, this little girl is growing like a weed. At birth, she looked healthy and strong at 5 pounds 13 ounces, and she has just continued to grow healthy and strong!

Keira - 1 month

Keira - 2 months

and here she is at 3 months...

Keira - 3 months

Keira - 3 months

Keira - 3 months

At 3 months, Keira...

* weighs 12 pounds, 9 ounces (as of today) and is a little over 22 inches long. She is over 80th percentile in both! Such a drastic change from my tiny, little Kay. Keira is my chunky monkey. She nurses like a champ! I can't believe how much weight she is gaining! 

* wears size 2 diapers and 6 month clothing...but not for long! She has an oddly long torso and I have trouble buttoning her clothes.

* smiles at me every time she sees my face. The BIGGEST, happiest, I LOVE YOU MOMMY smile I have ever seen. 

* talks to me all the time. After I feed her before bed, we sit in her quiet room and talk to each other. She lays on my lap and coos. Her lips form this perfect little heart shape as she finds her voice. 

*goes to bed between 8:00-8:30 after our nightly ritual of a warm bath, feed, book, and bed. She falls asleep great on her own and wakes up to eat once a night. When she wakes in the early morning, I bring her in bed with me to feed her, snuggle, and sleep until big sissy wakes up. It is my favorite time of the day. Sleeping with her warmth against my chest as she snuggles in next to me and leaves her chin on my chest is the greatest feeling in all eternity. We are lucky because big sis sleeps until 8 in the morning so we can get some extra sleep.

After 15 weeks, we are in our groove. Our next mission: operation nap schedule will be starting soon. For now, we are happy just the way we are. This little girl lights up my life like no other. I simply cannot. get. enough.

2013

Did I ever mention how much I love a fresh start? My excitement builds at the prospect of a new beginning, the possibilities. A time to rejuvenate and renew. You can recommit yourself to your existing passions and explore new interests. I am excited for this year. 

Hopefully, this little blog will be buzzing with our escapades this year. I like blogging, but I LOVE going back and reading my thoughts and looking at the pictures of past posts. Especially since Keira was born. I love going back to remember my time with Kay at this age. I like to compare how we spend our days. I like to compare their features, stats, and expressions. 

I love taking pictures and documenting our lives. Since I stopped blogging I haven't taken as many pictures, and I regret it. My sweet Baby Keira is just too cute, and I need to make sure I take as many pictures as I can to capture her beauty before she continues to grow and grow and grow! She is my big girl. I can't wait to dust off my camera and continue exploring my interest in photography.

I have so many things I want to accomplish this year from health and fitness goals to career goals and so much in between. I have so many things I want to enjoy. 

Most importantly, I want to enjoy my family. So I will start today snuggling and holding this little girl every chance I get.

Keira - 13 weeks