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Baby Doll

Ever since the new baby arrived, Liliana has become more and more attached to her baby doll.

Of course I needed to add a picture of my Rosie.

This might not mean anything to everybody...

I've been thinking a lot about what has been going on in the world lately.  It's amazing how social media gives every one a voice--for better or for worse.  But this quote came to mind as I've been thinking about my life.  It's from the LDS leader George Albert Smith:

"There are two influences ever present in the world. One is constructive and elevating and comes from our Heavenly Father; the other is destructive and debasing and comes from Lucifer. We have our agency and make our own choice in life subject to these unseen powers. There is a division line well defined that separates the Lord’s territory from Lucifer’s. If we live on the Lord’s side of the line Lucifer cannot come there to influence us, but if we cross the line into his territory we are in his power. By keeping the commandments of the Lord we are safe on His side of the line, but if we disobey His teachings we voluntarily cross into the zone of temptation and invite the destruction that is ever present there. Knowing this, how anxious we should always be to live on the Lord’s side of the line."

It's Time: Labor & Delivery

Well, it didn't happen.  I did not go into labor on my own.  I wanted to (who doesn't?) but it didn't happen.  I had contractions, but nothing regular and they were barely labor contractions.  At my last appointment I was totally thinned out and dilated 2 cm.  Promising, but not great.  My official due date was March 15th.  But I also had an induction date set for the 18th.

My mother-in-law came into town on the 14th, and we went all over.  We walked around Zorinshy Lake, we went to the zoo, we walked around a shopping center place in Papillion...we tried to get things going.  I had my membranes stripped earlier in the week, hoping that it would do something.  But still nothing.  Apparently I had created such a nice home for the little girl that she decided she didn't want to come out!  =)

Since my mother-in-law was going to take care of Liliana while we were in the hospital, we spent the days going over Lili's routine and things like that.  On Sunday we did a dry run to the hospital (so she would know exactly how to get there).  It was quiet at the hospital, and since we hadn't had our hospital tour yet, they offered to give us one.  So we were able to see the labor and delivery floor, what the rooms looked like, and the procedure when we get there on induction day.

So, the 18th came around and the night before I got zero sleep.  How can you sleep knowing the next day you're going to have a baby?!  I was excited and nervous...I mean, hello, I was about to push a small pumpkin out of my body!  I hadn't been sleeping well the past week, so I knew not sleeping the night before was only going to make it worse. 

Daddy and new daughter

We got to the hospital just before 8am.  We got all checked in and met our nurse.  At the hospital I was at they try to do a one-to-one ratio of nurses to patients.  It is awesome.  Well, it was awesome for me because I had the BEST nurse.  She was so kind and loving (two great qualities needed in a labor and delivery nurse) and she would always explain what she was doing before she did it.  So I got all hooked up, and she checked my cervix...no progress.  Still at a 2.  She started a small amount of pitocin (on a side note: I know there are horror stories about the effect of pitocin, but I found none of them to be true).  At 4 centimeters a doctor (not my doctor--she was busy) came in to break my water.  Labor and the contractions continued to progress.  

Big sister.  Oh how I missed her while I was in the hospital.

She has stork bites every common place babies get them!

The contractions were getting worse and worse...they were painful.  Very painful.  At 7 centimeters I asked for an epidural--and at that point it couldn't come soon enough!  After that, it was beautiful!  While I was in labor the first time around I labored quite a bit at home, and then when I finally got the epidural in the hospital it only took on one side.  I felt a lot of what was going on...and the pain!  Luckily, it was my first child so I didn't really know any better.  I thought that's what it was supposed to be like--painful!  This time my only problem was that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to feel when it was time to push.  Turns out that isn't so much of a problem.  You know that "urge to push" feeling that people talk about?  Yeah, I felt that.  I pushed with the nurse for about 45 minutes, and I didn't feel any real pain (not like with Liliana--at all).  I felt pressure and it was VERY tiring having to push, push, push, but it wasn't painful.  Since everything happened in close proximity of each other, Adam had to be sure not to see anything he didn't want to see.  So he sat in a chair right behind me and put his hand on my shoulder as I pushed.  If he stood up he would have seen everything!  And everyone kept commenting on how much hair she had, and I was almost, almost tempted to have them bring the mirror so I could see it.  It was sort of weird to feel what was going on...I could feel the head being "right there"...then the doctor came in, and we finished the job.  Within 3 rounds of pushes the baby was out.  

The doctor was AMAZING.  I cannot say enough good things about her!  It was a slightly stressful time because as the baby came out the cord was around her neck, the doctor had to cut the cord (which was fine by Adam), and they put the baby right on my chest.  I had been wanting to do skin to skin right away, but when they put her on my chest, she stopped breathing.  Then they took her off for a second to get her to breathe (and she would) then they put her back on me, and she would stop breathing again.  They said it was because she was so used to being inside me and being comfortable that when she was placed on me she would forget to breathe on her own.  I don't know if that's true, but I thought it was sweet.  Needless to say we couldn't do skin to skin right away because they needed to get her to breathe on her own and be evaluated.  Adam said as soon as they took her and did their thing, the baby "pinked" right up.  And she was fine--perfect in every way.  (Just like I had prayed for).  Seconds after I delivered another nurse came in to assist.  She politely asked "what I just had", without even thinking I said, "boy".  Haha.  I was so out of it.  I quickly corrected myself.  Sometimes I think about it now and chuckle to myself on how silly it was.

As they were working on the baby, the doctor helped me "deliver" the placenta (which was incredibly painful with Liliana, but this time around near painless).  Happily, no stitches were needed.  They brought my "big" baby (8lbs 3oz) to me and I just held her.  She did (and does) have a ton of black hair; more than Lili.  With Liliana the first thing I noticed were her big eyebrows.  With this one, it was her HUGE cheeks!  I guess her 8lbs had to go somewhere...so they went to her cheeks!  I think at first Adam and I were a little surprised that she didn't look like either of us.  She looked Mexican, and a lot like my dad (so did Lili...and now look at her, a little Adam).  It was an unusually busy day on the labor and delivery floor of the hospital.  Normally my nurse would have been with me the whole time and taken me to the post-partum room.  But since so many women were in labor she had to go help another patient.  Consequently I had to have another nurse (and tech) come and finish up with me.  I was not thrilled with the fact that this new nurse had to give my newborn baby a shot.  She was nice, but not nearly as nice and gentle as my other nurse.  I kept motioning to Adam to stay with the baby to watch over and protect her.  She was fine and the nurse wasn't bad--I was just more comfortable with the other nurse.  We will wheeled to the post-partum room and spent 2 or 3 nights there...I can't remember now!  =)  All I remember is when we could finally be discharged, we were ready!

Here is my beautiful Rosalyn.

Overall, our whole hospital experience was really great.  I would recommend this hospital to anyone.  Everyone was so nice and helpful, and the food was great--and 24 hours.  I had french toast at 2 in the morning one day!  Everything was great with the baby, and my wonderful mother-in-law took excellent care of Liliana while we were gone.  I was a little tired (as you can imagine) but overall I felt pretty good--all things considered. 

40 Weeks

Baby Size: Pumpkin--what?!  A pumpkin?!

Symptoms: The baby is VERY low, and moving like crazy.  I'm tired all the time and have trouble moving around--but not as bad as with Liliana.  I remember with her I could barely walk down the street without being in a lot of pain.  In fact, we've been going on long walks and out places in an effort to get things going.  So far...nothing.  I had my membranes stripped.  Nothing.  I'm having contractions, but nothing regular.  But really, I'm just waiting for my water to break.  It did the first time around, and that's how I knew (for sure) I was in labor.  I'm not confident about timing contractions and knowing what's real and when to go to the hospital.

Workout: Squats and pre-natal yoga.  All my joints are aching.

Cravings: Nothing.  My appetite has subsided.

Best Moment(s) of the week: Induction!  I have an induction date set.

Missing: My sanity.  I worry about EVERYTHING.  And I'm so close to delivery; I'm just ready to see and meet her and know that she is okay.  I realize once she is here there will be a whole new set of worries, but for now, I just want to get through labor and delivery!  Oh, and I'm getting tired of being cubby...and having a fat face.  I know it's inevitable to get a puffy face, but still...I hate it!

39 Weeks--We all can't be supermodels

Baby Size: Watermelon

Symptoms: Nothing!  Seriously...next to nothing!  Ever since I turned 37 weeks I've been feeling pretty good--unfortunately.  ;)  I mean, I'm tired-- a lot.  I try to take a nap when my toddler takes a nap.  Sometimes I get extremely hunger, but other than that I don't have a ton of contractions or pains.  I'm dilated 1 cm (I've been dilated that much for 3 weeks).  Soooo...now I'm just waiting.

I don't mind being pregnant since I'm not in much pain.  But I still worry constantly, and I'd like to see her (deliver her) and know she is perfect and healthy and safe.  But I know once she is here there will come a whole new set of worries.  It's tough.

Workout: Squats.  I try to do squats because I heard it can help put you into labor.  So far, nothing.  But I guess a little working out can't hurt.

Cravings: Mangoes!  The already cut ones from Costco are the best!

Best Moment(s) of the week: Getting the glider I've been wanting!

Missing: The ability to bend over without any problems or awkwardness.

35 Weeks

Baby Size: Coconut

Symptoms:Contractions, contractions, contractions...all the time.   So different than last time...or not.  Maybe I did get a lot of contractions the first time around and just didn't realize it.  And I have a serious case of pregnancy-brain.  I've decided to embrace it.  I crack eggs over the sink, and as I was cracking and opening an egg I totally spaced and just opened the egg up and let it go down the drain...then as I was silently chastising myself as I grabbed another egg--I did it again!  I opened another egg and let it go down the drain!  I have no idea what I was thinking.

But speaking of eggs...I was making a scrambled egg for Liliana one morning and as I went to put the carton of eggs back into the fridge, the carton literally flew out of my hands and fell to the floor.  All of the eggs (there were only 4 left) broke, but all in the carton.  Easy--just pick it up and throw it away.  As I picked it up, I turned around and AGAIN it flew out of my hands and splatter all over the floor!  Luckily, my sweet husband was home and cleaned it all up!  Man oh man!  I just couldn't help it!

And no swelling yet (by this time last time I was way swollen).  But you can see from my picture my face is officially chubby.  I can't help it.  It just happens.
 

Workout: None...and it's a terrible thing.  Now anything I do that raises my heart rate causes pain and contractions.  It's quite annoying.

Cravings: Hotdogs...but I'm not eating them.  I've never been a huge hot dog fan, but for some reason they sound delicious to me!  Oh, and salmon...the very pricey salmon. 

Best Moment(s) of the week: Just feeling okay.  Contractions are in check and other symptoms are manageable.

Missing: Sleeping on my back, laying on my stomach...and really working out...and eating anything I want.  And being able to pick up and play with Liliana like a normal person.

31 Weeks

This is at around 29 weeks while playing at the Children's Museum.

Baby Size: Pineapple

Symptoms: Heartburn and Acid Reflux in full force.  I sleep sitting up like the Elephant Man.  My neck hurts as a result, and every so often I nestle down in bed and I wake up chocking on the acid coming back up.  It's pretty awesome---not really; it's gross and scary.  And I get a ton more Braxton Hicks then I ever did the first time around.  Oh, and emotions!  I can feel myself getting REALLY angry over stupid things...so stupid I can't even think of them right now.  Like, if dinner is taking longer to cook then I thought it would...silly things like that.  It's very weird.  I can go from happy to sad to angry in seconds!  Ohhhh...and I had to take the 3-hour glucose test.  I passed, but the actual test was miserable!  It was so hard not to throw up!  Seriously, I did not handle it well...and you get pricked over and over...man I hope I never have to do that again!
 

Workout: I'm only doing Pilates and yoga these days.  Back to the Braxton Hicks...I had what I believed was way too many in a certain amount of time.  (4-5 in an hour and painful) so I went into the doctor's office to be monitored.  Everything was fine, but still kind of scary.  And the only thing--the only thing--I can think of that I did differently that day was workout at the gym (which, ironically, I felt the best I had felt while running...but...then the contractions came...) so I've been nervous to go back to working out.  So, I'm sticking with prenatal Pilates and yoga.

Cravings: None really.  In fact my appetite isn't what it used to be...which is good, because I was eating everything!  Now, I just eat normal.

Best Moment(s) of the week: I say this a lot, but movement...it is, by far, the coolest part of being pregnant.

Missing: Sleeping on my back, laying on my stomach...and really working out.

24 Weeks

Baby Size:Canteloupe

Symptoms: Pregnancy dreams!  I really don't remember them being this bad and vivid with my last pregnancy.  The other night I glanced at the computer screen while my husband was watching "Breaking Bad" with headphones, and I had a nightmare about drug dealers!  (I watched the first two season on the show, but it got to be too intense for me.)

Workout: Some prenatal Pilates.  It was a busy week, and I find that if I don't workout in the morning then it's probably not happening--sadly.

Cravings: Sweets.  All day every day...no joke.

Best Moment(s) of the week: Hearing the heart beat--it never gets old.  I had my regular check-up this week, and everything looks good.

Missing: Being regular.  With my last pregnancy I was regular until the bitter end; in fact it wasn't until after I gave birth that I had a problem.  This time around, after the first trimester it has been rough in that department!

This week has been busy, but relatively uneventful--just the normal "life" things that need to be done.  I'm currently dealing with a toddler who is struggling with finding her way.  She cries more now then she ever has in her little life.  We're struggling to figure out the best way to handle it.  I really don't want a spoiled monster for a child, but when you're in the moment and it's happening it's hard to know the "right" thing to do.  Overall she's still a very good girl, but man does she have her moments. 

22 Weeks

Baby Size: Papaya

Symptoms: Stuffy nose.  It wakes me up at night, because I can't breathe.  I've started wearing Breathe Right strips and they have been helping a ton.

Workout: Went to the gym 3 times...cardio mostly.  Plus Lili likes playing at the Kids Club.  Also, at home, I did an Arm workout 3 times, as well as Prenatal Pilates.

Cravings: Still Apples.  I have at least one every day.

Best Moment(s) of the week: Getting to the gym.

Missing: Eating food with reckless abandon.  Lili and I went to one of our favorite places, Whole Foods, and at the cheese counter they were giving away samples of Parmesan.  We each ate a piece and it was delicious, so I decided to buy a small block of it ($22.99/lb!!).  When I got home I realized it was "raw milk Parmesan"...........it's probably okay for me to eat, but just to be on the safe side I didn't/haven't eaten it.  =(  But it was so yummy in the store!

I'll try to lay off the bathroom photos next time.  =)

My belly button is starting to make it's way out.  I guess that makes sense because my uterus is just above my belly button, I think.  Or it's at my belly button.  Either way, it was probably around this time last pregnancy that my belly button started to pop.  I used to think outtie belly buttons on pregnant women looked ugly...but when I had one, I couldn't care less about it!  I remember thinking I'd put tape or something over it, but in the end it really didn't matter to me.

I have a couple pairs of pants I want to turn into maternity jeans.  I have all the materials, and I've read plenty of blogs/instructions on what to do...but I'm still nervous about messing them up so I haven't made any yet.  Plus, the weather is starting to get really cold so I'm pretty okay with sweats!  Ha!  My desire to "look cute" this pregnancy is waning.  Darn.

And I've decided not to keep track of my weight gain.  I don't own a scale, and I'm not too concerned about it.  Although I can tell you I'm gaining weight much differently then with Liliana.  This time around I appear to only be gaining weight in my hips and thighs!  (Every girl's nightmare).  Oh well...not much I can do now.  I'm trying to workout still (although I don't workout nearly as hard as I'd like) and I try to eat sensibly.  To be honest, I'm not too concerned about losing the weight once I have the baby.  I'm also trying to cut down on eating overt sugar.  That is, cookies, cake,  brownies, ice cream...you get the idea.  It's harder then you think, because I would eat desserts all day every day if given the chance!

21 Weeks

I've said this before, but it's worth saying again: Being pregnant is by far the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.  I am always amazed by pregnancy and the absolute miracle of birth.  Do you know how insurmountable the task of getting pregnant (the actual science behind it) seems to be?  It seems so unlikely.  Well, for me, it's happened again and I couldn't be more excited--and nervous--and a little scared.

Baby Size: Pomegranate

Weight gain: 9lbs total so far

Symptoms: Feeling bigger as I can feel my uterus growing.

Workout: None...oh wait, Prenatal Pilates (it doesn't really feel like a workout though)...it was a lazy week. 

Cravings: Granny Smith Apples

Best Moment(s) of the week: Anatomy scan!  Everything looks great!  Let's hope it stays that way!

Missing: My desire to workout.  =(

18 Weeks

One of the things that I wish I had done with my first pregnancy was take more picture of me actually being pregnant.  I wish I had documented my growth better.  There is probably a handful of photos of me, and I think they're all from my 8th and 9th months.  So...I've sort of dropped the ball already.  But starting now is better then nothing.  

Here we go....

Baby Size: A bell pepper

Weight gain: yes--I don't know the amount at the moment, but I'll know next time.  =)

Symptoms: A slight amount of nausea, hunger, extremely emotional over random stuff, and slight back pain.

Workout: Running 3-4 times a week, light weight training 2 times a week, and Prenatal Pilates 3-4 times a week.  Let's see if I can keep it up.

Cravings: Meat.  Steak.  Vegetables.

Best Moment(s) of the week: Increasing amount of fetal movement--there really is something in there!

Missing: Carefree living in my body.

For the Next One

When I was pregnant with Liliana it was so surreal.  Everything was new and exciting and scary!  I loved being pregnant, and I worried all the time that something, anything would go wrong.  (Nothing did, in fact I had a textbook pregnancy and delivery--but that didn't stop the worry.)  But because of the worry I didn't document anything.  I waited until the last minute to purchase baby items, maternity clothes, pick names, etc.  I didn't want something to go wrong then be stuck with the reminder of all the baby clothes for my lack of baby........it was irrational.  I think a little worry is healthy.  But trust me, I take the worry to another level.

After she was born, I vowed to make a list of things I remember for the next pregnancy, so I could do it differently.  I'm sure "not worry so much" would be at the top of the list.  But as many new mothers know, time goes quickly and before I knew it a year had passed since she was born.  As a result, I don't remember those things "for the next one" like I used to. 

Some of the things I remember I wanted to do differently include:

1. Try not to gain as much weight.  With Liliana I gained (gulp) 35 lbs.  I ate anything and everything I wanted--it showed.  =)  I was able to lose all the weight and then some by the time she was 4-5 months old, with little exercise and a regular diet.  I chalk it up to breastfeeding.  Actually it was around that time (4 months post-partum) that I did start working out slowly.

For the next one, I told myself to try not to gain as much weight.  I was really wanted to not gain weight in my face--although I think that's unavoidable once I get to the third trimester.

2. Workout--longer.  I wish I would have been more detailed on my workouts with Lili.  I know I was able to run until 32 weeks with Liliana, then it got too uncomfortable.  I did the ellipitical for a while, but I pretty much say I stopped working out at 32 weeks. 

For the next one I hope to keeping running until at least 36 weeks.  I also did prenatal pilates the first time around, and for the next one I hope to do it more regularly.

3. Try not to worry so much.  Nope, not a chance.  I think I probably told myself not to worry about every pain or lack-of-pain with the next one, but there's no way I cannot worry.  The first trimester is the worst, because I feel at any second something could go wrong--and I wouldn't know, because you can't feel the baby and I don't really feel pregnant.  Look, I know that doesn't make sense, and a lot of my "worryings" are unfounded.  But I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't worry.  I'd like to try to worry less though.

4. Take more pictures...of me...of my growing belly.  This is one that I need to do period.  Take more pictures.  I was looking through all of my pics and there are tons of cute little Lili, but hardly any of me and Lili or my husband and Lili and there certainly aren't any of all of us together.  As for when I was pregnant with her, I think I have one picture from when I was 6 months along, and a few from when I was 8 and 9 months...that's it.

For the next one, take more pictures...of people (us).  I'd like to have visual documentation of my growing belly.  It would have been so nice to be able to compare my belly the first time around with my belly the next time around.

5. Be a cute pregnant lady.  Towards the end (what I remember most) I think I just looked frumpy--in fact I know I did.  And lazy.  I slept a lot, and didn't really go out much.  I didn't have many maternity clothes, and it was so hard to find cute ones.  I mostly wore my husband's old t-shirts (until those got to be too small).  I wore my regular pants (unbuttoned of course) until about 8 months, then it was men's basketball shorts and other things with elastic waistbands.  I gave up.

For the next one, I want to look cute!  Yes, I realize that's on me.  I need to take the time to do my hair and put make-up on, but I'd also like to find cute maternity clothes!

**I guess this post will be a work-in-progress.  As I think of more things I wanted to do differently I'll document them.  But I gotta tell ya, the more time that passes the harder that's going to be.**

This Girl

When Liliana cries or has a snotty nose I bring her into the bathroom, take a little toilet paper and wipe her nose.  The first couple times she didn't like it (as I assume most kids do)...but now she doesn't mind it.  In fact, I may go so far as to say she likes it???

Another thing she loves is taking a shower.  We have a stand up shower in our room, and she loves playing in the shower--even when the water is off.  If I'm in the bathroom, she'll come in and get in the shower.  I feel that is a little dangerous so I never leave her alone it in the bathroom when she's in the shower (no matter if water is on or off).  For that reason we keep the bathroom doors closed.  But the other day I we were in my bedroom playing, and I left the room to get something.  In the 2-3 minutes that I was gone, I come back and found Lili "blowing her nose" with almost all of the toilet paper.  And sometimes she gets confused and puts the toilet paper up to her hair instead--I don't know what she's doing.  When she's done she'll put the "used" tissue in the trash (she LOVES throwing things away).  Needless to say, I tried to salvage some, but then I gave up.  I feel like her love of toilet paper could be a good thing when we're potty training, as I could say something like, "we only use toilet paper when we sit on the potty."  Who knows.  I've never potty trained anyone and I don't plan to do it with her anytime soon.

Motivation

I have to admit, I've lost a quite a bit of motivation to write in this blog.  I had it (motivation)--for a while--and I had all sorts of plans in my head for it.  But now, I have kind of lost the desire.  I've somewhat become disenchanted with blogs in general, to be honest.  The more blogs I read--that are popular--the more I'm convinced that people have no idea what they're talking about.  I read posts about getting your child to sit still in church, or what it is like to have multiple kids, or--what bugs me the most--posts about "essential hospital bag items" or "newborn must-haves".  These lists, obviously, are completely subjective!  And for some reason, when people try to pass them off as necessary I get annoyed.  I'm not saying I want these posts to go away, but man, they sure do annoy me sometimes.  

I don't know...and posts on Motherhood--well, I never read those.  I guess I'm not to that point; the point where I need encouragement in the Mom department.  I'm not saying I'm a great mom by any means, but I think my baby and I are happy.  I don't know.

Well, here's what's been going on with us: the hubs took a couple of summer classes and did very, very well.  In fact, in one of the classes he got the highest grade in the class!  That's a nice confidence booster for him.  Sometimes I forget that he's actually learning stuff when he's gone all day, but then he'll come home and talk about some situation and how the law applies and blah blah blah.  It's at that point I realize/remember that he is working hard and learning loads of stuff.  He's also working part-time at a law firm and gaining experience there.  He works hard and doesn't complain.  I sure am lucky to have him.

Then, after a conversation him and I had one day I got the urge to apply for grad school.  So I did.  And I got in.  I was accepted to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  I think that's pretty exciting.  I won't start until the Spring 2014 semester, and the program I'm in is for Secondary Education with an English Concentration.  I'm hoping to take classes in Administration too.  I think once my kid(s) are in school themselves I'll go back to teaching and eventually get into administration.  

And of course, Liliana.  She is great.  Getting big and running around everywhere.

Hiking is walking

We went to Fontenelle Forest today, and the weather was perfect.  We went first thing in the morning...around 9am and for a little while we were the only ones walking around.  It was our first time going, and it only took about 20 minutes to get there--you can get anywhere in 20 minutes or less in Omaha.  We brought the stroller, and walked the mile long boardwalk.  It took quite awhile because we let Liliana play and do whatever she wanted.  At one point we spent 15 minutes watching her take leaves and throw them over the edge.  She was helping clean up the trail.  Our Lili-Bear got really tired after awhile (she hadn't had a nap yet) so we didn't see all that the forest had to offer.  But for the price, we decided to buy a membership so we can go back at our leisure.  It will be something fun that Liliana and I can go to with Adam when we're looking for something to do.  From the pictures you can see that she is learning to climb up stairs.  She's not so great going down, but I'm trying to teach her.  (I'm also trying to teach her how to get off the couch and bed.)

Of course she wanted to push the stroller as well.  That is, by far, her favorite thing to do these days.  Sometimes she is fearless...she'll do anything.  Today was a good day--plus we got our air conditioner fixed, so that made it even better!

I know I talk a lot about our day-to-day activities, and not much of anything with substance.  I have some ideas in my head, but I have yet to get them down on paper.  But I will...soon.

Growing Up

I'm sad to report that I have to downgrade my perfect baby...she's now just a pretty good baby.  When she wants something, she lets you know she wants it NOW!  It's rough...I didn't realize "it" would be starting so soon!  And I've come to realize that what once was sufficient to entertain her is not enough these days.  That idea reminds me of a talk given by President Eyring...but that's a whole different topic.  So lately I've been trying to come up with activities to keep her busy.  Luckily, Omaha in the summer has tons of stuff to do!  We've been to the Children's Museum, the library, splash pads, various story-times, and of course--the zoo.

I went to the zoo by myself--on a Saturday.  That was not the smartest move.  It was busy and hot.  At first I took her around to various animal displays, but when she showed little interest in looking at the animals, I just let her do what she wanted to do--play and watch people.  Oh, and her favorite thing was to push the stroller (she loves pushing anything...strollers, grocery stores, toys, etc.)  But we were way on the other side of the zoo when Liliana decided she no longer wanted to be there.  At that very same moment she decided she would not go back in the stroller.  As she's screaming and arching her back trying to get away, all I can do is smile and wave at the onlookers.  Oh well, that's life.  It took a long time, but we finally made it out of the zoo and into our car. 

It's interesting how I learn as she grows.  She's very active and always wants to be doing something.  She still sleeps great at night, but she is not loving nap time anymore.

1st Birthday

Yesterday was Liliana's first birthday.  I can't believe it has already been a year since she was born.  Everyone told me the time will go by quickly, but I didn't really believe them--but oh my, they were right.  It feels like just yesterday I was in the hospital getting ready to deliver her.  And often I think of when she was a newborn...I was soooo cautious in everything I did with her.  Truthfully, I'll probably be cautious with the next one too--maybe only slightly less cautious.

Liliana was and is the perfect baby.  Even as a newborn she hardly ever cried.  I read "The Happiest Baby on the Block" when she was just days old, and I remember thinking that many of the suggestions didn't apply to me because I didn't have that problem.  (Although I loved the book and recommend it to anyone).  My sister came to visit when Liliana was just a few weeks old.  The sleeping arrangements were such that Adam slept in another room so that my sister could sleep in the same room as me and the baby.  I remember telling her to wake me in the middle of the night when if she heard Lili wake up without me knowing so I could go to her crib to get her and feed her.  I say that because when Liliana would wake up to nurse, she would just wake up and start making little "baby noises"--she didn't really scream or cry.  Looking back she was a great, great baby!  She still is very good!  She's very happy--all the time.  We are very blessed to have such a beautiful, healthy, smiling child all the time!

So her first birthday.  In the beginning I wanted to make it really big and special...but since we're away from family and we don't have that many really close friends in Omaha I thought we could do something small.  Adam made her a cake, and I bought a couple presents for her to open.  She was wake before Adam left to school, so he got to play with her for a few minutes before heading off.  I took her to the gym (she loves playing at the gym) like we do every day.  Adam came home from school early, and he already arranged to have the day off from work.  After her nap we went swimming for the first time.  Liliana LOVED being in the water!  We were there about an hour, then all of a sudden a ton of people started showing up so we decided to leave and go to a splash pad in the area.  She had so much fun playing in the water, eating strawberries, and watching the other kids run around.  When we came home, Lili was tired so we put her down for a nap, and when she woke up she opened presents and ate her cake.  We had dinner plans at 6 o'clock so we kind of had to rush--but not really, we just needed to be mindful of the time.

She loved the toys she got from grandma and my sister!  The toys talk and sing to her--that will be a lot of fun for her, but not so much for me!  =)

Here are some things about my 1 year old child:

At her last weigh-in (about a week ago) she was 18.5lbs (she was sick; she lost weight).

She's petite.

She smiles all the time, and she has this big cheesey smile she does.

She still only has 2 teeth, but she eats EVERYTHING.  There isn't anything she doesn't like.  Although there are some things she likes more than others.  I keep meaning to go to Whole Foods to get some beets so she can try them.  I love beets, and I'm sure she will too--well, hopefully.

She's learning to share.  She does this by "giving" you whatever item straight in your face.  (She nearly knocked over a little baby at church when she shoved her little stuffed animal in her face in an attempt to "share" it with her).  

She likes being around other children.  She loves following the "big kids" around.

She folds her arms for prayers, and she smiles and claps her hands when we say "Amen"--that's partly our fault, we excitedly say "Amen" over and over trying to get her to say it...so far it hasn't worked...she just gets excited.  Haha

We have dance parties every day--now when she hears any sort of music she "dances".

She gives kisses...mostly open mouth kisses...

She knows the sound of the dishwasher and refrigerator opening.  When she hears them, she comes running.  And oh yes, she's learning to run.

She only sleeps in her crib--which is good and bad.  She falls asleep in her car seat once in a blue moon, and that's only if she's dead tired.  She never falls asleep at church--ugh!
She also gives sympathy coughs.  If she hears someone coughing or sneezing, she start coughing a few times.
 

And...last but not least...she's VERY cute.  We love her lots and lots!

A Skirt on Father's Day

Recently, my grandma sent me a bunch of beautiful fabric.  I'm not a great seamstress, but I'd like to be--I figure the best way to do this is to just keep sewing, just keep sewing.  There are tons of sewing blogs out there, and I stumbled upon this one and decided to make the Hemless A-Line Skirt.  It was actually super easy, although I didn't find the directions particularly easy to follow.  But after looking at the pictures and reading and re-reading the instructions and using my own imagination, I was able to pull it off--I think.

I cut the pattern out, and measured it exactly.  The zipper was the hardest part.  I didn't use a zipper-foot, and I had to do a few of the stitches by hand.  But all in all I think it came out okay.

The top of the skirt has the same pink band around it.

And of course, one picture of my Lili-Bear waking up from a nap.