Up in the Great {Brown} North

Greetings from Minnesota! We got here safe and sound on Saturday night, but we have had a whirlwind since. I'll tell you what's up.

Friday, Phil and I drove up to Kansas City and met my folks. We spent the night with family, and rested up for our long trek the next day. Saturday, we dropped Phil off at the KC airport to fly home and then headed up I-35. We got to White Bear Lake around 6:30 on St. Patrick's Day. Overall, Jillian did wonderful in the car! We had someone with her in the back seat at all times and she wasn't too fussy. She was only fussy if she was hungry or wet. It did not mess up her night sleep schedule whatsoever, but it did mess with her eating. She would eat fine in the morning and before bed, but her feedings in the middle of the day were low amounts. Since we traveled, these are the only pictures we got of Jillian on her first St. Patrick's Day.

 {Looking like she had a green beer herself}

{So over it mom!}

On our trip from KC to White Bear Lake Saturday, my mom got a call saying my grandma had fallen and broken her hip pretty severely. We thought about visiting her before, but I definitely wanted Jillian to meet her after that. On Sunday, we packed up again and headed to Sioux City and got to my aunt's house around 7:30 p.m. The next day, (yesterday), we went to the hospital to see my grandma. We didn't stay long because we needed to head home, but we did get a picture of the 4 generations :) Jillian is the 5th great-grandchild for my grandma and the 4th great-granddaughter. I may be biased, but she is the cutest one :) It sounds like the surgery was successful for my grandma, but she has fallen a few times in the past 2 or 3 years and her next fall could really do some major damage. We're hoping she'll continue to surprise us and heal quickly.

{4 Webb generations}

We got home around 6 last night, before all the major rain hit the Twin Cities. Today we had a leisurely morning before visiting my dad at his newly renovated office! It's been done for awhile, but it was my first chance to see it in person.

 {Chilling on the floor while the staff oohed and aahed over her}

 {Our family in dad's new office}

 {Obviously the excitement was too much for little Jilly}

{My dad's bobble head collection now includes one of him!}

{Left to right: John Calvin, Jesus, and Chaz}

After that, my mom and I did a little shopping at Kohl's, started some laundry, and now we're relaxing. I miss Phil, but we have Skyped twice now so that has been nice. No big plans for tomorrow since both my folks have to work. Friday we'll make the trek back to KC which will include picking Phil up from the airport. By Saturday we'll be home again.

I am very thankful that I get to see my folks and so happy Jillian got to meet my grandma. By the end of this trip, she will have met 9 extended family members on my side, visited 3 new states, and traveled over 40 hours. Of course she won't remember any of it, but I sure will :)

Hope y'all are having a great week so far!

Tomorrow's Another Day

Today was rough yet again.

Basically Phil's defense will be pushed back 4 weeks for the moment. I'm praying it is not pushed back any more! We also got a nice surprise involving insurance, (read: sarcasm). They told our pediatrician that there were not even covering Jillian's hospital stay! That of course really upset Phil. He said he'll take care of it while Jillian and I are out of town. I just hope it isn't too much of a struggle. He has enough on his plate right now. Jillian was also not a super happy girl for about 80% of the day. If that means tomorrow's road trip will be easy, then I'll take it.

However, that 20%? It was the highlight of my day week year :)

See for yourself... {and please don't judge the mommy that still in her pajamas}

Sinking Sand

I'm pooped.

Not only am I trying to get the apartment ready for the big Minnesota trip, but we've had some really emotional ups and downs the past four days. I'm emotionally spent because it's all or nothing. I either have a fantastic day, (like yesterday with our play date with Miss Ashley and Addi Claire, the crib coming in several days early, and Jillian being very playful), or a really awful day, (like Monday and today with our closet smelling like pot again, Jillian is in an awful mood, and Phil gets disheartening news about his defense/dissertation).

I honestly just need to give all of this to God. I cannot handle all of it and I am just making myself sick with worry. I just want Phil to be able to accomplish his goal. I want to get my long to-do list done. I want Jillian to be a happy girl. I want our road trip to be successful. Holy Moly I have a lot on my plate.

Deep down, I know it's going to work out. However, I'm just so overwhelmed being in the middle of it that I can't see the positive. And honestly? Sometimes I worry that I'll jinx everything by being positive. I know that sounds stupid, but I've always been like that.

To end on a happy note, here are two photos I snapped yesterday of Miss Jillian yesterday before our walk by the lake.

{Miss Cool} 

{I'm sure this will embarrass her someday, but it's awesome for me :)}

Jillian: {Three Months}

Jillian –

You are three months old today! Welcome to infancy my darling. You are no longer considered a newborn :)

According to our measurements at home, and a special weighing appointment at the doctor’s office this past Friday, you are 10 lbs, 10 oz and 23 inches long.

I packed up all of your newborn size clothes as of last week. It was a little sad for me, but you were ready. Depending on the brand, some 0-3 Month and 3 Month clothing can either be too big or just about the right size. You usually let us know when something’s too small by being fussy while we change you. You wear size 1 diapers.

As far as feedings go, we have you at 4 feedings a day and eat between 24 – 27 ounces total for the day. Your low day seems to be Friday, which is interesting to us. You are exclusively on Similac Advance formula. You have become a great burper! Sometimes we just have to sit you upright and you do it for us.

You are still taking Zantac twice a day for your reflux. I can usually tell when you’re having some reflux. You will cough a little and swallow a bit while the area around your eyes get a little red. You may be a little bothered, but you recover fairly quickly.

Bath time is so much fun for you! We actually bathe you every other night, but we’ll do a bubble bath the other nights. You’re really enjoying splashing and stretching your legs as far as they will go.

You are still such a sweet baby. You met lots of family members during your first trip to Tulsa recently and they ALL commented about how wonderful you are. You smiled for them and did really well. Even when you were getting tired, you acted like a sweetie.

Later this week, we will be traveling up to Minnesota to see your Jemma and G-Chaz! It will be quite a trip, but I'm pretty confident you'll be great. You may even get to meet your great-grandmother on my side of the family!

You are REALLY close to rolling over! We’re just waiting as patiently as we can ;) You have laughed a few times and we just love it!!

The Bumbo seat was not a favorite of yours the first few times, but you enjoy it now! You like to sit up and look all around. You also still love watching the ceiling fan when it’s turned on. You’re a very curious baby.

Sleep is great! You sleep between 7 ½ and 10 hours at night. We definitely lucked out with that. Of course, it was nothing we did. Thank you for loving sleep baby girl! As far as naps go, you catnap throughout the day, but nothing set in stone.

As of last week, you love to play peek-a-boo, but only if you’re in the mood. You let us know if you’re tired of playing by staring at us like we’re nuts.

Tummy time is not a favorite of yours. You might move a little, but you mostly cry or fall asleep. You can lift your head if we lay you across our chest, but you don’t enjoy doing it on the floor.

Your daddy and I love watching you grow and look forward to what the next month will bring :)

Here are a few outtakes:

{Achoo!} 

{We had a hard time focusing this morning lol}

{Getting closer to smiling for the camera} 

{And her newest sassy look ;)}

For fun, here is a comparison for her first 3 months:

These are from yesterday after church. We dressed her up in her runner-up Easter dress and tried out her Easter hairbow. She looked so cute! I wanted to post these yesterday, but I thought 3 posts in one day was a little excessive :)

{The whole outfit} 

{Her cute shoe socks}

{I love this face! It's very much like her mama ;)} 

{Daddy got a smile out of her}

Italian Sausage Rigatoni

We had another quick and easy meal this week! I'm pretty sure it came from an ad for Johnsonville sausage, but it was still a hit with us. Again, if I made any changes to the recipe, I make note of it with italics.

Italian Sausage Rigatoni

Ingredients
1 pkg (19.76 oz)  Johnsonville Italian Mild Sausage Links, grilled and coin-sliced
1 pkg rigatoni pasta
3 Tbsp olive oil (We used vegetable oil because we are out of olive oil)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (We used about 3 cloves because we love our garlic)
1 large red pepper, chunked and sauteed (We omitted this)
1 jar (26 oz) of your favorite pasta sauce (After the Spaghetti Sauce Affair, we used 3 - 8 oz cans of tomato sauce that we spice ourselves)
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped (We omitted this)


Directions
1. Cook sausage according to package directions, keep warm.
2. In a large pan, place oil and garlic, saute lightly for 30 seconds. Add peppers and cook until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.
3. Combine cooked sausage and pasta sauce with peppers and heat until warm. Mix with the pasta or serve separately. Top with parsley. Serve warm.


Enjoy!

{Italian Sausage Rigatoni}

Day 1

This is it. Day 1 of accountability for me starts now. I've had enough and I'm making a change.

Honestly, I haven't felt this way in awhile. Maybe a little, but definitely not to this degree. I believe I was a senior in high school the last time. What am I talking about? Tunnel-vision determination. Having a specific goal and not letting anything stop me.

My weight is out of control. The pounds melted off for the few weeks I was able to breastfeed. I got down to 4 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I was SO happy.

Then I lost my supply.

Then my body started storing again.

I have always been worried about developing diabetes. I have one grandparent on either side of my family that developed Type II. Now that I'm on Metformin, I realize how close I am to developing it myself.

And? I want to be the type of mother than can keep up with her baby. It's not so bad now, but I want to be the best mama for Jillian I can. This means taking care of myself. Plus, I'm tired of avoiding any photos or videos we do of Jillian. I want to be comfortable taking pictures with my daughter!

I figured that by posting the embarrassing stats on my public blog, that will also help me get a kick in the butt that I need. It's one thing to say you're overweight, but another to admit just how bad it has gotten.

Here goes nothing...

Starting Weight: 235.6
Starting Upper Arm: 15"
Starting Chest: 45"
Starting Waist: 39"
Starting Hips: 50 1/2"
Starting Thighs: 27 1/2"
Starting Calves: 18"

Starting Photo:

Today was the first day. I'm tracking what I'm eating and I re-started my Biggest Loser workout video series. I started it once before but gave it up after awhile. This time? I'm gonna do it! You know how I can tell I have that motivation again?

I woke up this morning feeling really tired, (though that's commonplace right now). I figured losing an hour of sleep was the main culprit. I almost skipped working out like I had been planning. I sucked it up and went to the living room to start. Then halfway through the first workout? I felt sick. I'm talking first trimester, look-out-I'm-gonna-blow kind of sick. I paused the video and chilled out by the toilet just in case. I didn't actually throw up and I started to feel better after about 6 or 7 minutes. I got up and finished my workout. I could have just stopped there, but I knew it was important.

I've made every excuse before.

"I can't workout because the downstairs neighbors will hate me for making all that noise."

"I'm too tired this morning. One day won't hurt."

"I'll start tomorrow."

No. I'm starting today. Wish me luck :)

Video Killed the Radio Star

We interrupt the normal writing portion of this blog to bring you four videos!

Last Sunday night, Jillian was really trying to roll from her back to her belly. She didn't quite get there, but it was definitely progress :)


If you follow me on Twitter, I talked about how Jillian laughed for the first time on Thursday night! However, when I got the camera to capture this wonderful moment... it died. Not only that, but it died right before she laughed for the last time. le sigh. Anyways, this is the missed moment.


Last night, we tried getting her on camera splashing in her tub. This is what we got.
Disclaimer: No naked babies in this video. She was covered by a washcloth :)


Finally, I was playing with Jillian this morning and I got two little laughs on camera!! They don't really happen until 1:47 and 2:03. Enjoy :)


Happy Saturday!

"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles from The Age of Plastic