Bigger

I've been in the process of going through Jillian's things. This is partially to organize in general, as well as organize for moving this summer. {Sadly, the home I really like has sold, but there are plenty of fish in the sea :) I digress...} I mentioned in Jillian's 5 month post that she still fits in her 0-3 month outfits. Well, the pants are more like capris and it's getting too warm for her fleece pajamas. With this in mind, I decided to pack up a few outfits.

I will admit that I was a little sad. I did not tear up like I did when I packed her newborn clothes away though. As I started to fold the clothes, I got to thinking.

I can vividly remember unwrapping every outfit we received. Whether it be shower gifts or a special gift from a dear friend. I would wash the outfit after studying carefully reading the care instruction tag twice. After the dryer buzzed, I would place the outfit on a white plastic hanger. I lovingly placed the hanger in the special section of my closet. For a few moments, I would just stare.

Thoughts would whirl around in my head. I thought of how my baby girl would be small enough to fit in those outfits. I thought of how she would wear that precious pink dress to church on Sundays. I thought of all the pictures I would take of her in these different outfits. 

Some days, I honestly can't believe I have a daughter. Now I have a daughter that is outgrowing the clothes I would daydream about her wearing. She is such a blessing to me and I am thankful that she's growing up big and strong!

Besides, what new mother doesn't love having an excuse to go shopping ;)

Jillian Tries Rice Cereal

Today was a big day for Miss Jillian! She tried rice cereal for the first time :)

The day started with a little dress-up fun. We got a new dress recently and I was just itching to get it on her!

{Love this girl}

{Of course, we're still practicing the whole sitting-supported thing ;)}

I ran to the grocery store and Phil watched Jillian so I wouldn't have to balance her on those silly carts. Once I got back, we left him alone so he could finish writing his defense power point presentation. Once he was at a stopping point, we decided it was time to try solid food!

{Here it comes...}

{First bite/slurp is in!} 

{"I'm supposed to make bubbles with it, right mama?"}

{A little on the fence in terms of taste} 

{Maybe holding the spoon will change her mind} 

{The experience? Fun! The food? She's not so sure}

We expected her to not be real keen on the cereal. Overall, she did great and we're excited to try again tomorrow!

Taking Photos

I can tell my life is a little more complicated because I am taking less photos of Jillian than I used to! I really need to remedy that. However, I do have a few that are really great :)

{Sit up practice! She's not really steady yet, but we're getting there} 

{I thought I'd help a little. I didn't want her face planting in the floor!} 

{We put her in the swing for a nap and she stayed in this position the whole time. How is this comfortable?} 

{Channeling her inner Fonz :)} 

{Helping dad with his defense presentation while chewing on her "wash-cicle"}

{We named it a "wash-cicle" since it is just a wet washcloth we put in the freezer}

Happy Monday!

Bottled

Part of why I haven't updated in nearly a week is due to a combination of things. For one, I'm severely stressed out. I have a lot on my mind lately and it has caused poor sleeping habits. {Anyone else up at 2 a.m.?} Then I've tried so hard to keep it bottled up inside that I have finally succumbed to the internal pressure. Luckily for me, it happened right as Phil came home last night and I got a deserved 20 minute break to recharge briefly.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I also have a problem. I have a tendency to go on online shopping sprees when I'm stressed out. I always justify it by saying "it's on clearance", or "it's for Jillian's nursery", etc. Of course, it's never a lot of money and not constant, but little amounts add up over time. I also always tell Phil what I did pretty quickly so I'm not hiding it from him. However, you can always see the periods where I've been most stressed because the UPS lady will come to our door several times ;)

With all of that, I just couldn't keep up my facade.

Thanks to my homemaker schedule, I've been able to keep up with the laundry and chores I want to despite how I've been feeling. Throw in a teething infant? That's a little hard. Throw in the stress previously mentioned? Ok, I'm toast.

Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of great things going on amidst many many blessings in my life. I just have a lot on my plate at the moment. I know this is not a reflection on my job as a mother and/or wife. I just wish things were a little more resolved. I mean, Phil is defending his dissertation in 10 days. He is starting his new "big boy" job in 16 days. We are purchasing our first home in the next 3 months. It just feels like everything is falling into place at the last possible second. {insert NBA analogy here}


Once Phil starts his job, we'll be able to afford for me going to my therapist I've seen off and on since 9th grade. I love working with her and she's helped me through many phases in my life. Until then, my mom has been my consult and doing a lovely job. {Thanks mom!}

I know this is a phase and we'll make it through. For now, I just need to uncork my bottle and let it out. Cry a little. Scream in a pillow. Whatever I need to do, (that doesn't involve a credit card!).

My First {Official} Mother's Day

Last year for Mother's Day, I had just recently announced I was expecting my first child. After all my issues with PCOS and miscarriages, I didn't know if and when I would get to have a real Mother's Day. Even though it was early on in my pregnancy, I was thankful for the cards I received from my parents and close friend.

This year, I got to celebrate with my precious girl. She is the reason I have the new label "mother". She is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I know she can't express her love aside from spit bubbles and smiling at me, but that's good enough for now :) Her laugh, her smile... really everything about her reminds me of what a miracle a baby truly is. My heart is very full today!

We went to church this morning, then grabbed some Outback-to-go for lunch. I Skyped with my folks, then got to change in comfy clothes. The rest of the day was full of naps, hanging out with two of my favorite people, and kissing on Jillian's precious face. I received two sweet cards and a new foot bath! Throw in my ice cream cake and I'd say this day was successful. I just hope I can make Father's Day just as special for Phil in a month :)

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, godmothers, and moms-to-be!

{With my precious girl :)}

{My favorite people!}

Jillian: {Five Months}

Jillian –

You are five months old today! I honestly can’t believe how fast you are growing. According to our at-home measurements, you are 13 lbs, 9 oz and 24 1/2 inches long.

You are my sunshine! Even when you started cutting a tooth, you really didn’t fuss more than normal. Maybe we’re just getting used to your emerging personality :) You are sweet, a little dramatic, and so funny! I just love when you scrunch up your face while giving a huge smile. It’s my favorite part of every day!

Depending on the brand, some 0-3 Month and 3 Month clothing can either be just about the right size, or a little too short. I tried some 6 Month clothes on you and the length is good, but the width is so huge. You now wear size 1 diapers for the day and size 2 for overnight. We have about 1-½ bags of size 1 diapers left and then we’ll switch completely to size 2.

When you caught your cold, your feedings suffered. The doctor informed us that 7 - 8 oz is too much for your little tummy at one time! Now we usually have you at 5 feedings a day and you have between 6 and 6 ½ ounces for the first four and 6 to 7 ounces for the last bottle. You are still exclusively on Similac Advance formula. We will try rice cereal sometime in the next 3 weeks.

You are still taking Zantac twice a day for your reflux.

Bath time is still a favorite of yours as long as the water is warm. I tried to give you a cold bath after you got really hot outside and you DESPISED it. I mean, within 3 seconds, you were about to scream. I quickly removed you from the tub and promised never to try that again.

Even though you love playing with new people, you are starting to cry as we leave you in the nursery at church. Even our normal tricks to make you smile will make you cry because you know we’re about to leave. I think it’s a little early for separation anxiety so we think you just love us a lot :)

You had your first sickness this month. Shortly after you started putting your feet in your mouth, you caught your first cold. Overall, you weren’t extra fussy and mostly had a runny nose and ate less.

We have teeth! Towards the end of April, I noticed a small sliver on your lower gum. Now your lower right tooth is out and about! We can see the left side is coming too. You didn’t complain much with the teething so we hope that trend continues. I will miss your gummy smile, but I just love your smile period.

You have gotten really close to rolling over. You’ll get to your side and you seem to get stuck. I know you’ll get there, baby girl! Lately, you’ll stare at your hand and move it back and forth, or open and close your palm. Other times, you look at us and turn your wrist back and forth. We know you don’t mean to wave just yet, but we call it your “princess wave” and it’s adorable!

Your favorite toys are Piglet, your monkey, and your links/your activity mat. Your favorite songs seem to be “Here we go Loopy Loo”, (I replace Loopy Loo with Jilly Jill), “When the Saints Go Marching In”, and “Where is Thumbkin”. Your favorite book is “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”, but you do enjoy being read to no matter what the book is. You are starting to help us turn pages on your board books! You love to be kissed on the cheek and chin, and you love it when we lift you over our heads. Your laugh is our favorite thing to hear!

You consistently sleep between 9 ½ and 10 ½ hours at night and we are very thankful for that. You are fighting naps more than you used to. Once we get you to sleep, you’re out for at least 30 minutes.

Tummy time is not so bad anymore now that you’re closer to rolling. I still have to save you from time to time, but it’s not such a dramatic event now. You are scooting your butt a lot more so you’re clearly ready to get around! I have a feeling that you’ll be all over the place once you learn to crawl.

We are so happy to have you in our life baby girl! It’s exciting to watch your change and we love you so much :)

{She's such a sweetie!} 

{Smiling at her daddy} 

{This face is all mama! She may look like her daddy, but she seems to have my personality}

{Heaven help us!}

{HAHA Clearly she was interested in taking pictures}

{She has been "chewing" on her hands a lot more once her teeth came in} 

{Scooting off the chair!} 

{Ma! I said no more pictures} 

{Gosh I love her :)}