4 for 4

Go us!  What's cool is that their series on parables was 8 services long and I saw half :)

I won't be there next weekend b/c hopefully I am in AZ.  So...we've got 2 weeks until we return.

Today's service was awesome.  Addie started to fuss, but she was tired.  And I braved through her little wimpers until she fell asleep.  I honestly think she's growing out of the 'I want to be held/rocked/bounced/patted to sleep' phase.  Sad!  She'd rather be stretched out in her comfy bed.  I was also informed there's a specific section for those of us who decide to bring their children into the 'big service.'  Lol.  The man meant well, surly, but I get the hint.  I enjoy sitting up higher on the 2nd level.  I can see everything.  I don't have to dodge between people's heads...nobody sits too close ;)  BUT I guess there's a section in the wayyyy back on the main floor where they've taken out seats for strollers and car seats.  Very accommodating, very cool...but I'm comfortable where I am.  In two weeks, I will brave The Kid Section :)

Here's the parable of today's service:  The Parable of the Rich Fool.  It was all about greed.  The pastor asked us to go home and make this list (so here it is):

How Rich Am I?
At the very least I have a roof over my head, heat in the winter, ac in the summer, I have food to fill my belly, I have water...I am very rich.

I have a perfect mate in my husband with a fulfilling marriage.  I have Addison...I am a mother.  I have several family members who love our family.  I have an abundance of LOVE.  I am very rich.

I have work.  I have a rewarding job.  I have a paycheck.  I have an education.  I have a Bachelor of Science degree.  I have my diploma from a four year college.  I am very rich.

I have a mother and father.  I have grandparents and even great grandparents still living.  I have sisters who I can call my best friends.  I know my family.  I am very rich.

I have sight and the ability to hear.  I can walk.  I can run.  I have good health.  I am very rich.

I believe in God.  I have a faith.  Although I am currently building my relationship with Him and discovering new things daily, I am very rich.

I have an education.  I have a college degree.  I have my diploma, framed.  I am an educator.  I am very rich.

I have morals and values.  I am happy to be who I am.  I have confidence (for the most part).  I am very rich.

I love life.  I believe in quality over quantity.  I am very rich.

So...with that list as complete as this moment will let it be, I have a lot to rejoice and lift up to Him.  I am very very very rich!

Two Home Days

Thank you, Lord for only making the work week Monday through Friday.  I do not believe I'd make it another bloody day <3

I mean that with every ounce of my body...and believe me there are plenty of ounces these days.  I am ready for work to find a normal schedule.  To have my assistant and know what to expect.  I am ready to know my curriculum and be efficient in preparing for the week ahead.  Oh the woes of a new teacher.  I'm exhausted in the worse sense.  I feel like I'm a bad Mom.

I feel once things feel the least bit normal, I can get back into my workout regimen.  I desperately need it in my life.   I eat pretty good.  But like every working woman, I succumb to the easiness that is poor food choices more often than I'd like to admit.

Pat, my mother-in-law has been in town this week.  It's been great having her here.  Taking care of Addie and spending some quality solo time with her.  Mike picked up over time on Wednesday, so it's be such a luxury to us to have her here.  Just wish she lived closer.  OR....we lived there (yup, I still miss AZ!).

The weather has had a cool breeze.  It's been wonderful.  Mosquitos on the other hand...not wonderful at all.  What's their purpose on this planet?  Ugh!  I haven't been eaten up...but I fear of going outside past almost sun down with Addison in fear of her being eaten alive!

Here's to TWO...did you see that TWO WHOLE DAYS....HOME with my baby girl.  You have no idea how excited I am.  She's HUGE.  5 month post is next....stay tunned

F to the IVE

M.O.N.T.H.S.

Too big for me too fast.  Gosh.  I say it all the time, but hopefully the repetition makes it ring true.  Addison Irene...sssssslllllooooowwwwwww ddddoooowwwwwwnnnnnnnnnn! Pretty please!

You are the best baby.  I swear.  You are in a size 2 diaper.  Eating only formula bottles as of yesterday.  Thank you for being a wonderful nurser and giving me a wonderful nursing experience.  Thank you for adapting to the bottle so very well and making it that much easier for Mommy to give up nursing you.  Thank you for always gripping Mommy so tight while nursing you...and holding your free hand up to my chest, holding onto whatever you could (usually my nursing tank/bra).  You are a blessing in my life each and every day.  Thank you, Lord, for giving us Addie <3

{cheese}

Some 3 months clothes still fit you, but they are getting more and more snug by the hour.  You are more comfortable in 6 month clothing for sure.  The bows Juliette bought you were perfect when you were born, but are now too small.  They look silly on top of your head, however, Mommy refuses to put them away!  The bows that were too incredibly big for you when we first brought you home are now just right.  I still put you in a bow everyday...sometimes I just feel bad b/c they leave a mark on your head, but you truly don't seem to mind them.

{chunky monkey}

You smile...nonstop.  You are the happiest baby I've ever known.  You are getting more rolls...in your thighs, wrists, and chin :)  I love them- SO much!  I love that you are so happy...it makes me feel like what I am doing is right...and working...whew!

{sittin for a minute}

Your first two teeth are starting to show more.  You do this silly face when you wrinkle your nose and smile...then breathe quickly in and out of your nose.  It makes us laugh really hard.  Papa bought you a Bumbo...and you love it.  It makes you feel big and helps you sit up....since you have decided to not try that on your own b/c we always help you :)  Bad Mommy and Daddy, but we just love you so much and hate to hear you cry!

{timber}

You also love the jumper Mimi and Martin bought you!  You seemed unsure at first, but quickly realized how fun it is to bounce and get a good workout.  The experts say your eyes are learning to focus more and more on things further away.  We believe it's true.  You continue to amaze us and make us laugh.

{smiley face- w/GG's sniffer}

You sleep all night, but every morning at 6 am you fuss.  Either for your binky or just because.  And Mommy and Daddy have gotten into the terrible habit of putting you in bed with us :)  We love it.  You got back to sleep for two hours.  You start your day with an 8 am feeding- 6 oz and 4 tablespoons of oatmeal.  You eat that three times a day- a breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  And for your last bottle of the day we give you 8 oz.  So far, this seems to be perfect for you.  You eat every 4 hours.

{copin' a lean}

{bumbo seat}

{starting to fuss}

{crabby face}

Just for the record, I'd take breast milk poo over formula/cereal poo any day!  Poor baby girl.  You get rashes so easy...too easy.  I don't know what to do!  I'm sorry lovie.

Well, I can't imagine you being any bigger...*tear*

3 for 3

We like church.  It has been a good thing in our life.  I am hoping to 'get connected' as they say, but it takes a lot of courage to walk up to a row of women at a table and speak up.  Weird that that just came out of my mouth.  I'm not one to be shy...or to not speak up.  In fact, it's my mouth that has gotten Mike and I where we are today.  Never giving up.  So, I do not know why this is so hard for me.  Maybe b/c they last time I went consecutively I was in middle school.  Eons ago.

I know that fact really doesn't matter. I almost feel like since I'm not 100% comfortable in this church yet that I'm not comfortable going up to a complete stranger standing in a group saying, "Hi.  My name is Heather.  I need friends."  Maybe it's because you really aren't supposed to use these groups to meet friends.  lol.  I'd be caught red handed.  Ha!  Laughing in my chair right now.

Anyways...today was a little rough with little bit.  She was squeaky...in place you really shouldn't be squeaky.  It's ok though...the lady in the front of me was cleaning out her email inbox...with the sound ON.  Geesh!  And one weekend, I saw a teenage boy with his iPod earphone in his ear hidden from his parents.  He fiddled with the thing the entire time...prob scared out of his mind he'd get caught :)  *sigh* to be young (and stupid again)!!  We had to leave a little early.  Of course, that's when the message was coming to an end and all making sense.  Arg!  It's cool b/c I can re-watch it online!  Yay for technology!!

I love having her with me.  I love how every single person who sees us stops to talk to her and she gives them a huge smile.  I love that everyone tells me she's pretty.  She is.  And she's all mine!  I like our Sunday routine.  I think we'll stick to it.

First 'Sickness'

Addison has been waking up with a goopy, crusty right eye for about a week now.  I told Mike that something is wrong...it's official.  Her doctor has walk-in appointments from 8-9am- perfect.  Since I was at work at 8, I told him to call...they don't open until 8.  They told him he needed an appointment...scheduled for 2:40.  Knowing Mike, you all probably know he was giving me a hard time about being a paranoid Mom and a hypochondriac.  Right?  Well, turns out she has an eye infection, which I guess is the same as pink eye.  Sick.  Poor Addison.

Not sure where she got it.  Nobody at Primrose has claimed to have it.  So...boo.

Eye drops three times a day until the bottle is gone, I believe.  So, to my wonderful husband, thank you for taking Addie to the doctor.  And...I TOLD YOU SO!  :)

Church Goers

Addie has been my little church going buddy.  Since the thought of putting her in the nursery gives me anxiety, I keep her with me.  She goes to the main service with everyone else :)

And she's the best little peanut ever.  Last week, we went with Mimi and Martin and met The Evans family there.  Today we went alone.  It was great.  We are two for two, let's see how well we do from here on out.  There are a few women's groups.  Bad thing is that most are from 9-11 am.  Well, sadly that won't fit into my weekly schedule.  Working Mommy.  Sucks.  Anyways.  There's one night group from 7-9 pm on Thursdays.  It doesn't start till October.  We will see.  I cherish my evenings with my little girl.  Especially by the time Thursday rolls around.

In a few more months, Addison will be old enough to attend other play groups and things.  At six months babies can do so much more.  I don't really know anywhere else to go.  The Y and Gymboree have classes.  I know there are lots of working moms out there...so what do they do?  This isn't a pitty party for me...I just need friends.  I've over this solo stuff :)

I think this church.  The music is loud at times and I worry about her little ears.  She has fallen asleep both times for most of the main message.  It's nice b/c then I get to fully pay attention.  It's modern.  It's HUGE.  I understand what they are talking about.  It's casual.  There's a Sat night service and a 9 am and an 11 am service Sunday.  We've gone at 11 both times b/c little miss has been eating breakfast around 9 am..lazy butt!

Here's to more Sunday Fundays- just Addie and I <3

You & Me

Addison, our weekends consist of a lot of you and me.  I hope this never fades.  I know it will change with time...all things do, but I hope we always get enough of you and me.

I had some silly, unfun errands to run.  A few things to return, you know...all the stuff I don't have time to do Mon-Fri.  But you were just a little peanut.  Along for the ride.  To listen to Mommy blabbing her jaw.  I can't count on my hands how many times I've been walking through the store and a passerby thinks I am talking to them :)  Ha ha.  People must think I'm crazy.  That's alright with me though...it's just you and me.

Every time I'd look at you, you'd just grin.  You can see your bottom two teeth now when you smile big.  I love it.  They're so tiny.  I love your happy demeanor.

This morning around 7, I put you in bed with me.  We share the same pillow.  And you always turn towards me and fall back asleep.  You grab onto my face with both hands and suck your binky vigorously.  Most days I wake up before you and sneak out of the room (Yes, shame on Mommy, but I believe you'd let us know, as you have before, if anything were wrong.)  However, if anything were to happen to you, I'd never forgive myself.  You run this place, Princess.

We've hung out all day...just you and me.  I miss days like this.  I will treasure them while we have them and of course, we always miss Daddy <3

4 Month Pics

Here's the rest of the pics I took on her 4 Month Birthday:

{happy girl}

{whoa! enough of this camera business}

{pretty baby}

{done w/pictures?}

{trying to sit up}

{getting big}

{spit happens}

{that was funny Mommy}

{little naked butt}

{love the quilt w/our wedding fabric swatches...thanks Pat!}

{monkey}

{these feet are something to remember}

I've Got 20

20 minutes until you wake up- most likely.  20,000 things on my mind.  20 things I know I need to post.

Ah!  Work has swallowed my life!  What I'd give to be a stay-at-home mom still.  Geesh!  I do love my job...it seems to get better every day.  Especially today when Addison had a great day with minimal crying.  Yayyy!  It honest to goodness makes it acceptable for me to go to work.  She's only there two days a week.  Which makes us lucky (for price sake) and unlucky (for routine/comfort sake).  However, you cannot have the best of both worlds.

Today I'm bummed b/c Mike picked up overtime to help pay the bills and it kicked us in the butt.  He got put onto another flight...an overnight. Ugh!  Hello, American Eagle, my husband is only home for 3 days a week.  We need the extra dinero to make ends meet, so he helps you out.  So, why does he get stuck being away from his family for a whole extra night?  Arg!

Teaching is going good.  We have six new students starting in my class Monday and we FINALLY get to open my classroom!  Wooo hooo!  I have an assistant teacher who started this week and I think we will make a great team.  It is super crazy/busy/hectic/stressful at times, but it's what I do Mon-Fri 8-5!  Oi.  I have never and I repeat never worked this much in my life.  I am one lucky girl.

Addie I is Addie I.  Her same old, wonderful, happy, perfect self.  I absolutely cannot believe she's 21 weeks tomorrow. Holy moly lil' mama!

The Crib

We put little miss in her crib Papa built her last night.  She does great going to sleep.  We try our hardest to use no crutches when we put her in bed.  More often than not, we lay her down sleepy and she falls asleep on her own.  There are times when she loses her binky and we have to stick it back in her mouth, but usually we know when she's tired so she crashes.  Yay for a good baby!

{this isn't her last night, but she's in her crib nonetheless}

So, we laid her in the crib.  She looked so tiny there.  I cried.  I only nurse her once a day and she is no longer in our room, next to our bed where she's been her whole four months of life.  She's too big for her cradle.  Ugh.  *tears*  Time is flying...

She fell right asleep.  I watched her from an angle so she couldn't see me.  Precious.

At 12:30 am, we heard a terrible, heart sinking, blood curdling scream on the monitor.  We both jump up, quickly get our barrings that the noise was Addison in shear terror....run into her room to see both legs stuck in the spindles of the crib.  Seriously?  Poor baby girl.

We aborted the crib idea and figure we will wait until we purchase a bumper.  No, we still do not have bedding for Addie.  I am sorry, Lou Lou.  But we moved into our house after she was born and she's been in our room, so there was no need to spend money on decorating when we just bought a house and are getting our life put together.  Now there is a reason and we will be making our purchase soon.

Just for the record (as I'm sure this will change in the years to come b/c it has changed from years past)...the doctors, researchers, and everyone in between tell you to not use bumpers b/c of SIDS.  I agree.  SIDS does occur when there are loose blankets and such in the crib.  Another reason we haven't been more active in finding crib bedding.  But a bumper is now necessary to keep my rolly polly baby safe and not scared for her life in her crib.

No worries, Papa.  We still love your crib and will use it until she climbs out.  However, it was a very scary moment for us!

Pumping Saga

Sadly, work has diminished my supply.  So, pumping just hasn't been working as of late.  The nurse at Addison's pediatrician told me to give her as much breast milk as possible.  And I am.  I still nurse her when she first wakes up in the morning.  This past week I started pumping a measly 2 oz out of both sides.  Plus, she cut those two teeth and seems very frustrated when she's on the breast.  We have also started cereal three times a day, which she's getting more and more used to.  I still wouldn't say she likes it though!  lol.  Poor baby.

I am heartbroken.  I hate that I have to work anyways.  Time spent away from Addiosn, makes me a crabby mommy.  I hate even more that this job has made it impossible for me to breast feed my baby. I don't drink enough water b/c I can't leave the room to get more water when I need.  I also don't drink enough b/c I can't leave to use the restroom whenever I need.  It's a deadly cycle.  And I, I despise it.  I do love teaching.  I like having an income.  I'm just stuck between a rock and a hard spot.

On the other hand, I am lucky I was able to breast feed at all.  I am lucky she got solely breast milk for four whole months.  Some people can't even provide for their newborns for four hours or four days.  She is healthy.  I did my best and that's all I can do.  Addie Lou, Mommy sure loves you.

So, hello formula and the expenses that come with it.  Hello cereal.  It's sad b/c you don't know how many times I have left the house without a bottle b/c for four months I haven't had to think about how I am going to feed my baby.  I was the lady who would breast feed wherever I had to...it's natural...and my baby was hungry! lol.  Once I get out and about, I feel dumb...DUH, Heather...Addie needs a bottle.  Whoops!  I will get the hang of it soon though.