Baby Prepping 101

Aliyah practiced diapering her bunny...

Isn't this one of the cutest cloth diapers you've ever seen?!?

The REAL edition

I’ve been reminiscing on the preparation we did before Aliyah arrived and trying to remember everything before our new baby girl arrives. But thinking back on the things a new baby course teaches you - how to change a diaper, how to swaddle, how to give baby their first bath - I realized that all of that stuff is fairly easy and intuitive.

What we really need is a how-to class on all of the things that you have to learn the hard way. A class on the stuff no one ever prepares you for until you’re in the thick of it

Here’s what my dream “Baby Prep 101” class syllabus would look like:

Course 1: How to get baby poop off the walls

Course 2: How to breastfeed while simultaneously making a pot of soup

Pro tip: Moby Wrap!

Course 3: How to drive a car with one arm, while reaching into the backseat to hold a pacifier in your child’s mouth with the other.

Course 4: How to walk ninja-style silent out of your child’s room at nap time

Pro tip: Wear socks

Course 5: How to successfully buckle a wild, protesting child into a carseat during a rainstorm.

Pro tip: distract them with goldfish or car keys. Block the rain with an umbrella strategically held between your ribs and elbow

Course 6: How to cut tiny finger/toe nails without taking off an appendage

Pro tip: Fingernails are easiest cut on sleepy babies.

Course 7: How to get crud out of the corners of baby eyes without having your child react as if you are trying to stab them with a hot poker.

Course 8: How to change a baby’s diaper in a public restroom without catching the plague, the funk, or swine flu.

Got any pro tips you’d add to the list above? Maybe a completely different course you’d add to my syllabus? I want to hear them! And who do we need to talk to to make this class a reality?!?!

Weekend Recap

I know that it is already Wednesday, but I wanted to share some of our great adventures from this past weekend. We have been keeping busy and it has been so much fun!!

FRIDAY:

After I did a quick sign language storytime in the morning, Grammy and I decided to take Aliyah to the movies to see Ice Age 4. Aliyah did great - probably because Grammy is a pro when it comes to packing lots of healthy snacks to keep her happy!

In the afternoon, Tyler and I decided to indulge in some retail therapy and make a trip out to Nebraska Furniture Mart. We stopped in at Famous Dave's for dinner and Aliyah really enjoyed the pork ribs! She keeps it classy with the raised pinky finger!

SATURDAY:
We didn't get any pictures on Saturday, but we had a great day hanging out with YaYa and BopBop all afternoon. We went to our neighborhood luau at the pool, Chipotle for dinner, and had an ice cream treat for dessert. Aliyah even talked everyone into watching a Dumbo (one of her favorite Disney movies) with her when we got home. Aliyah got in lots of good snuggles and kisses!

SUNDAY:

Grandpapa wanted to take Aliyah fishing! We headed to Antioch Park to let the little one have a go at it. She didn't catch anything, but I think she had a great time!

Trying out her own fishing pole, but the fish still weren't biting.

So... she decided a net would be best.

When we walked to the park to play, Aliyah found a bench and scooted all the way to one side. She patted the place next to her and said it was for Evie. She is always thinking of her sister - such a sweet girl!

 We walked around the lake.

 And then headed back home.

Another GREAT day!

MONDAY:

I know Monday is not technically the weekend, but since the weather had cooled down the past few days, Grammy, Aliyah and I decided to take advantage of the last nice morning of the week and go to Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Aliyah got to ride the tractors, pet the goats, and feed the fish. She also loved the big slide and looking at all the other farm animals.

It has been nice to have so much time with our families! Another bonus to waiting past 40 weeks, is that my calendar is completely clear to fill our days of waiting with fun activities together!

41 Weeks: Bathroom Interrogations

Because my family thinks they are funny...

Although, I guess this picture is pretty appropriate considering how often I frequent the loo these days! I have threatened to find a tree if I have to if a bathroom isn't spotted soon (don't worry - it hasn't gotten that serious... yet).

On a similar note, every time I go to the bathroom, Tyler waits 30 seconds and then yells, “Honey, is everything ok?” and I yell back “Yes! If it wasn’t I would tell you!” For some reason, I think Tyler has convinced himself that I will go into the bathroom and give birth to our daughter in a matter of minutes without making a noise or notifying him. lol!

I am feeling pretty good - Just ready for this sweet baby. I have an appointment with my OB (yeah! she is back in town) tomorrow and also a sonogram to make sure my fluid levels are still okay. Everly moves around a bunch and gets hiccups often, so I feel those are good signs she is doing ok in there!

Still Waiting For Baby

... Waiting ...

The weekend has come and gone and we are still waiting... At this point, I’m making up completely frivolous things to put on my pre baby to-do list like:

45. Must try out a new hair style/idea on pinterest.

46. Reorganize our closet.

And then I convince myself that she’s not here yet because I haven’t done these things. Then I do them, and there’s still no sign of labor starting any time soon and I have to create number 47 and 48 on my list.

Thank you all so much for the comments, advice and sharing your own stories with me. I’ve found so much encouragement in your words.

Perhaps tomorrow is our big day. and if not, I’m pretty sure it’s because I haven’t accomplished number 47 on my list, vacuum out the floorboards of my car... again

That surely must be the thing she’s waiting on.

Back on Track

Last night I needed a little refocusing. I let my mind wander into "what if..."

Luckily I am surrounded by so much love and support! My mom brought over some beautiful flowers, an amazing friend passed along a stroller they no longer use and I have so many other wonderful friends/family sharing words of encouragement daily through facebook messages, texts and emails. I am always blown away by all the generosity and love in our lives!

Also a HUGE thanks to my wonderful husband! He surprised us girls with an ice cream treat after dinner and watched Aliyah so that I could take a long shower and run through the playlist of songs we have chosen to play during my labor with Everly. He lit a couple candles for me and rubbed my feet when I was finished and Aliyah was sleeping peacefully in her bed.

I am back on track and focused on the task that lies ahead.

Our Bedroom

True Story...

Happy August!

Celebrating 40 weeks with a cool dip in the pool to escape the hot Kansas air.

We’ve had a few rounds of chanting “Everly, Everly, Everly!” stadium crowd style yesterday in the hopes of encouraging her to join us.

My due date has come and gone. July 31st - that date that seemed so far away last November on Thanksgiving morning when we learned that we were expecting again. It’s here and so far, she’s not. I do have to admit that I am a little excited to have an August baby (I love the peridot birthstone!) and my OBGYN is out-of-town until Saturday (she was on vacation over Aliyah's due date too). Maybe Everly is waiting for her to return??

Even though Everly's "due date" has been on the calendar for months, you will rarely hear me describe a baby's arrival as "early" or "late"... Just an estimation - a guess. She didn't come before her estimated due date, but whatever happens from today forward means she’ll be on time - her time.