Baby TIps

Last night I was thinking about all of our friends and family who are expecting a baby sometime in the near future and I remembered that I keep forgetting to write down my list of "things that worked well" the first time around.  As with all parents, there are a few things I will do differently with the second child, but I actually do have a little list of things I don't want to forget that yielded positive results with G.  So here goes... in no particular order...

1. Sometime during the hospital stay, pack away the nasal aspirator from the hospital.  Tell the nurse that you misplaced it and need a new one.  Having more than one will come in handy later and no stores (that I've found) carry one that works as well.  Do the same with the handy water bottle used wash your nether regions... get as many as you have bathrooms in your house.  
2. Remember to have your husband or a close family member take a baby-smell hospital blanket home each night for your pet(s) to sleep with.   And, those blankets are the best and softest for swaddling, so you'll have a few when you get home that way.
3. Newborn bath time - G hated bath time in the hospital and her first night home.  But then Momma got smart.  During the spit-bath days, throw 2 adult bath towels in the dryer before bath time starts.  Once they are good and warm, fold one on the kitchen counter to place under the naked baby (warmth soothed G, every time).  Turn the dryer back on so that when bath time is over, Daddy can run to retrieve the other warm towel to dry off with.  We spoiled G this way for several weeks.  She was our first and only baby, obviously!  When real baths start, make the water as hot as you would want it (within reason) but luke warm just doesn't cut it. 
4. After every bath, I aspirated G's nostrils.  I asked the doctor and she said it was fine... just like we blow our nose after a shower.  Even at 17 months, I still do it nightly.  When she is sick, she doesn't fight me to clean out the snotty mucous.
5. When transitioning to her crib for nap time and/or bedtime, we found it most helpful to pre-heat her bed with a heating pad while I nursed her.  Then when laying her down, I'd remove the heating pad and lay her down.  Even at mid-night nursing sessions, I'd pick her up, put the heating pad in her bed on medium/low, change her, nurse her, remove the heating pad, and lay her back in the warm spot.  G nursed to sleep until about 8 months, so this worked well for us. 
6. Bedtime routine - bath every night.  I don't know why, but it worked!  Bath, lotion, books, nurse/bottle, bed.   EVERY night.  
7. In the newborn days, when G woke up in the middle of the night wide awake, I would hold her and rock in the dark of our bedroom.  No light or TV, maybe just me singing/humming to her.  I asked the doctor if I was neglecting her, she said I was not.  I was teaching her what night time is and is not for.  She only woke up in the middle of the night (for something other than food or diaper) 3 times.   So she was pretty easy on that front.
8. Diaper changes at night - get a good night light or learn how to do them in total darkness.  Never, ever turn on the light in their sleeping environment at night time (unless poopy or vomit are involved)  No TV either.  Ryan and I were very good at maneuvering anything in the dark.  Even administering medicine.  
9. Have a close friend or family member pack snacks for you to have when you get home from the hospital.  My sister packed me baggies of snacks to keep by my bed, the recliner in the living room.  It was a total life-saver in the middle of the night, when I was too sore to move, or when G had finally fallen asleep and my tummy was growling.   
10. Favorite Brands: Aveeno (wash and lotion), Bordreaux Butt Paste (diaper rash), Pampers Swaddlers, Huggies Sensitive Wipes (unscented), MAM Pacifier (we tried every brand, and G preferred MAM)

That's all that I can think of right now.  I'm glad I finally took the time to write this list down.  I've noticed over the last 17 months that some of the things I thought I'd never forget, have started to become a little foggy in my memory.  Both good and bad things.  Hopefully I'm forgetting a few of the good things on this list... I'd hate to think that there are only 10 things I did right with Gracie!  Just kidding!  Her little personality is proof-positive that we're doing something right AND that God is a gracious and loving Father.  We have been so blessed by her.  It'll be interesting to see what our future baby(ies) are like.  Not to get anyone too excited though... no news on that front for quite a while, I hope!  Unless God is also a funny-guy, too!

Winter Hats

The girls and I decided that today was a good day to buy winter hats! The mornings are getting awfully chilly these days. And besides, who doesn't love wearing pom-pom hats?! Gracie was at the mercy of her mother, which resulted in an adorable penguin to cover her darling head. Kia, on the other hand, pointed out "purple" on the very top row before I could even suggest the pink-striped zebra. So a purple owl adorns her head... in fact, I was only able to convince her to take it off 2 hours later during lunch! Hilarious!

Bath Toys

Gracie's bath toy collection just keeps growing and for some reason they end up all over the house. Kia and Gracie both enjoy moving toys to new rooms all day long. In an effort to organize the bathroom a little better and keep the toys more out of reach, I found this cheap idea on Pinterest. It cost about $10 and required a quick trip to Walmart and Dollar Tree to make it happen. Of course when taking pictures of the new bath toy storage, I couldn't resist the opportunity to snap a few pictures of my wet baby. Isn't she so big?!

I Finally Did It!

It only took 17 months for me to get a picture of all three kids looking at the camera at the same time!

Momma's Little Helper

A Busy Couple of Weeks

The past few weeks have been super busy and super fun at the Weaver house!  The following pictures will show you what we've been up to.

The job share situation has made such a difference in how our family functions.  I have time during the week to get household responsibilities taken care of.  We also have time to do special projects or visit special places.  

Kyle enjoyed a vinegar and baking soda activity on one of our home days!

We've also had time to visit The Grove at Zona Rosa several times.  Sometimes the girls and I go while Kyle is in Pre-K.  Other times we all go together!  I'll post video of the girls playing at The Grove soon!

Kyle is so sweet to the girls.  He's a reading machine (seriously).  He gets the girls wound down before nap time by reading them a few stories.  So precious!

He also makes sure they're safe in the parking lot (sometimes)!

We've been on a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Kyle's Pre-K class. 

He was a monkey up there on the hay bales!

Kyle and Kia got to spend the night on a week night!  All the kids enjoyed some time in Mommy/Aunt Nerned and Daddy/Uncle Ry-Ry's bed!  Sure wish I could spend a few more hours there each night!

Sweet Little Gracie has been able to sleep in a few extra days each week.  

For some reason, I just can't get over watching her sleep.  

She's so sweet and peaceful.

And the smell of her skin when she wakes up, I take it in every chance I get!

The two lovely ladies with whom I spend my home days... Partners in Crime, if you will...

This past weekend, we were able to get away with Aunt B (Brandi) and Uncle Chad on a short lake camping trip.  The weekend went by way too quickly, but we were able to relax and play a little.  Gracie specifically enjoyed all the lovin' from her Aunt and Uncle.  All the attention was on her, so it was a toddler's heaven, if you know what I mean! 

A sweet moment with Aunt B...

Lots of playing on the playground at the State Park.  

Gracie's all about climbing and slides these days!

A nature walk around our campsite.  

Leaves, sticks, and acorns.  Oh my!

And a walk on the nature trail with Daddy, Mommy, and Tysie.  

It was a fabulous weekend!