"Stand Up!!!!"

Caroline is such a busy baby! If she's not asleep, she likes to "Go, Go, Baby Go!!" She wiggles, she giggles, she rolls, she kicks, she talks, she bounces. Fortunately, she finds Chris and I to be very entertaining and thinks that we are just hilarious. Our comedy act(We're funny?!?) will keep her still and happy on occasion. At 4 months old she actually prefers to be standing at all times. This may be where all of her Mommy's time is going to... being her full-time spotter!
She doesn't want to lay down, she doesn't want to sit up.... she wants to STAND UP!! So much so that we even made up a silly song about Caroline standing up. She recognizes it and is so proud of herself when she hears it- grinning from ear to ear! We recently got her a doorway jumper which she loves and happens to afford some free time to shower for Dear ole' Mom!

"STAND UP!!!!!!!!!!"

Dear Blog Buddies... you have been missed!!

There are just not enough hours in the day! I fully intended to keep this blog up, but time seems to be working against me. The last time I wrote I think I promised to be back soon, and I did have the BEST of intentions. But, alas, being both Mommy and Wifey have proven to be more time consuming than I had expected and I am still working on making some "Mommy time" during which I can blog. Not sure how you all do it... but I do want to continue here.

I think a large part of my problem is that I have the desire to go back and catch everyone up on the past 4 months BEFORE I continue on. Which would be a "days and days" of writing ordeal and honestly, isn't happening.=) So, I am starting from here and moving forward!!!

Please forgive me for being a bad blogger and know that while I've been gone I have been giving all of my energy to the star of my blog.... Miss Caroline!

Hope to see you soon!!! As I leave, here is a recent picture of Caroline... She's growing up so quickly! I already miss those sleepy baby-baby days but I've been soaking up every sweet minute!

Top 10 Baby Must-Haves!!!

1. Miracle Blanket- when I first heard about this blanket, I thought this seemed like cruel and unusual punishment for babies. After meeting Caroline and seeing that she thinks her hands must constantly rub against her little face, I realized that keeping her swaddled tight at night was a must! It also keeps her from scratching her face and helps her understand when it is time to go to sleep at night.

2. Pampers Swaddlers- a MUST for breastfed babies! We all know that things can get pretty powerful down there and these diapers have saved a number of outfits from major damage;-)

3. Gripe Water- Caroline is a very good baby but sometimes she will get a stomach ache and nothing that this mommy does can make it feel better. This is when the Gripe Water comes in and saves the day!! It's all natural and soothes her little tummy. We rarely use it, but when we do it can be a life saver!

4. Wipe Warmer- From the day that Caroline came home from the hospital she has hated to have her diaper changed. The wipes are cold and more than anything she hates to be naked! What can I say?! She's a modest monkey... this makes mommy and daddy very happy;-) After a few days I remembered that we had been given a wipe warmer at a shower and once we began to use it, Caroline stopped fussing during her diaper changes... music to my ears!

5. Medela In Style Advance- After my recent surgery Caroline would not go back to nursing... she now prefers the bottle. Sad for me, but in order to offer Caroline the best nutrition possible, I pump full time. It's pricy, but I am so glad that we invested in a good pump, especially given our current circumstances! Get it, you won't regret it!

6. Playtex Drop-Ins Natural Latch Bottles- I knew from working in a day care that I wanted to use the Playtex system. There don't seem to be enough hours in a day as it is and I certainly don't have the time to wash a dozen bottles a day! Target even has generic bottle liners which can ease the cost of the disposable liners.

7. Huggies Lavender Nighttime Bath- It smells so sweet on our little girl!!! Caroline gets her bath at night, every night, I love cuddling her afterwards. There is nothing like a squeeky clean baby and the scent is our favorite!

8. Old School Cloth Diapers- I use these all day, everyday to clean up random baby mess! I go through half a dozen a day and you would be amazed by what needs to be wiped up!=)

9 Paci-Clip(s)- If you have a paci baby these are a definate must have! Caroline has one on at all times and honestly, I prefer the cute ones with her initals or other cute detail on them. This is so not a necessity, but it will help you to not lose pacis and you can instantly "pacify" your baby when needed!

10.Boppy Pillow- I used this at the hospital, I used this while nursing, I use this for tummy time and I use this to prop Caroline against. It goes everywhere with us!

Welcome 2009!!!

For New Years this year Chris and I decided to have our first date night alone since Caroline was born! I surprised Chris by making plans with my Mom for Caroline to go to Florence for the night and Mom brought her back the next morning, so the withdrawls weren't too bad!=) She spent less than 24 hours away from me so it was actually a nice break and great for the two of us to have time to talk about something other than our little Caroline...since our world naturally revolves around her!

We went to Matt and Carla's house to ring in the New Year and had a great time actually talking to adults, outside of work...even if they are work buddies! Spending New Years together was nice since we spent it apart last year... Chris went Skiing in Colorado and I went out with the Girls! This year I got my "New Years Kiss"!!! I hope you had a Happy New Years!!!

I'm Coming Back, I Promise!!!!

So much has been going on since Caroline was born and I fully intend to catch you all up on everything! I am going to be back dating some entries from her birth forward so I can keep record of everything that has happened! Without question my life since my little one arrived has been the most happy, yet exhausting, time of my life. Check back over the next few days for updates!!! I hope everyone is doing well!!=)

Caroline's Christmas Loot!

Sure... it's a bit ridiculous. We know this!! THIS is what our little one got for her first Christmas.


After looking at this picture it was easy for us to see that Santa may have gotten a bit caught up and gone overboard on the presents... after all, that is not what Christmas is about, is it!?!=) In Santa's defense, she did get quite a few books and developmental toys that she will really use in the months too come. In the mean time, they are taking up quite a bit of space in my living room! So, we are now toy box shopping!