We're 6 months old!

Miss Mia turned 6 months on the 26th! It's amazing to think that, not only do I have a child, but that child is now 6 months old! My little nina still is having sleeping issues. She's doing better at being on a schedule for naps during the day, but she's not sleeping at night. Steve has taken to sleeping on the floor in her room because she is up so many times. I pray that this is a quick-lived phase. She still loves her green beans much more than any fruits. During the day, Steve feeds her a bowl of cereal. Then, in the evening, I feed her a bowl of cereal with fruit mixed in and about 2-3 teaspoons of a veggie.

I'm now totally done breast feeding. It's still weird knowing I don't need to get up in the middle of the night to pump - or plan my trips around pumping times! I'm also back on full dosage of my meds. It wasn't nearly as horrid this time as it was the first time I started on the meds. I just continue to feel guilty knowing I chose my meds of breastfeeding. But - then I start to think of how good I've felt the past two weeks (not a migraine in sight) and how being migraine-free is so much better for Amelia than me breastfeeding. She still gets the breast milk I've frozen; and alternate between formula and breast milk. I also think of the positives - getting formula ensures that she's getting her vitamin D every day.

I've also started working out - my goal is to try for a workout once a day. I would love to say that my goal is high school weight, but I don't see that. So, we'll say it's to slim down, eat better, and continue working out. Any weight I lose will be a bonus, and help me keep away from diabetes in the future!

Now, I sit here wishing it were after midnight so I could go crawl in bed. I am so tired - I was up at 5 so I could work out before work.

Christmas 2008

Christmas was here and then I blinked and it was gone. It was a wonderful day, and a wonderful season. I feel as though there was so much I didn't get to do with Miss Mia. But, we did make cookies (okay, so that was Mom and Jen and me) and we listened to Christmas music. But - we never got to sit under the tree at night and just enjoy it's beauty.

On Christmas Eve, Steve's Parents and sister stopped out. Miss Mia got some books and Pail Pal Toys along with a Baby Whoozit. She ripped into her gifts. Steve's brother got her a ball, slippers and a blanket. She loves the ball.

We then went to Gram Gregonis' and had dinner with John and Marilyn, Mom and Dad and Gram G. Miss Mia was dressed as Santa. She looked too cute.

Christmas morning, we took our time with our gifts and then my parents stopped in, along with Gram Surrena and Tia.

We spent the day napping and just hanging out, enjoying Miss Mia's first Christmas.

Kraynak's

Steve and I took Miss Mia to Santa Land at Kraynak's this past Wednesday. We didn't know how much Amelia would appreciate it, but we still wanted to continue the family tradition of visiting each year.

We dressed her in one of her Santa outfits and headed over the Hermitage. She was entranced by all of the movement and sparklies. I got a few good pictures of her, but spent most of the time enjoying her reactions to the displays.

First Foods

Tonight, Miss Mia got her first taste of carrots. Loved them. She would've kept eating if I hadn't been worried she might have a reaction to them as it was the first night she'd had them.

By the end of the meal, she was quite the messy baby, but totally worth it as she is just so cute.

Christmas Prepping

Tonight, we put the finishing touches on our tree. I made certain to enjoy the sparkle of the twinkle lights reflecting off the glass ornaments as it's probably the last year we'll have the fancy ornaments on the tree for awhile. Don't know if I trust an 18 month old and their exploration to the delicate ornaments I love to collect. I think I'll be better off with simple, not breakable ornaments until Amelia is older.

We also decorated the tree downstairs. It was simple - just a beautiful silver bow atop a 7 1/2 foot prelit pencil tree with glittery snowflakes and icicles. It's all a-twinkle when the overheads lights are off and the only thing lit are the tree's lights.

I hung "garland" over the windows in every room, with bows at the corners. I still have some more work to do on those, but I think it looks pretty nice if I say so myself. I just want the place to look perfect for Steve's 40th birthday on the 13th.

We had Amelia place the last ornament on the family tree in the living room. It was the large Baby's First Christmas ornament from Wendell August. She really seemed to like the ornament. Well, she enjoyed chewing on it, that's for certain. She sat at the foot of the tree looking at the various lights and ornaments, then got it into her head that she needed to grab onto the tree. I was worried she's give a good yank and the tree would topple over, but it didn't happen. And yes, I had her in a fancy dress so I could snap a few photos while she played with the tree.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was again at my house. This year, it was a small meal. JR and Michelle came down with Austin. Mom and Dad came up and John and Marilyn stopped in. After we were done eating, Goob and Tia came up for pie. Dad had been waiting for the pie since last Saturday when we made all the pumpkin puree up.


After we finished eating, I played a game with Austin and we watched Deck the Halls.


Miss Mia sat with us at the table and got to have peas. Not that exciting of a meal for her, but it was still something!



I am so excited to share this holiday season with Amelia. I hope we start some great family traditions that will last for years and help make her memories all the more special.


Day after Thanksgiving, I didn't hit the stores. Instead, I hit the net - and bought a tv.


We started decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. It's much harder this year as I have to keep an eye on Amelia while still trying to get everything done! I think I'll be taking the minimalistic approach and only doing some stuff to give us the festive atmosphere instead of going overboard as I would like to do.


Austin and Amelia are so cute together. They're both just fascinated by each other. I hope they continue to enjoy each other's company as they get older!

Yesterday, Jen Hart dropped in for a visit. She got to see Amelia at her best and her worst. Amelia started off with smiles and let Jen hold her. Then, she needed a nap, but refused to lay down, so she just cried. Then, she was good again.

Jen is so much fun to visit with. She makes me laugh!

Tomorrow is the first day of Buck. Steve's mom and sister are watching Amelia. I'm a nervous wreck. Steve's mom can't watch Amelia by herself, and we all know my feelings on his sister. Then, add to the mix that his one uncle, who I don't care for at all - and neither does Steve - will also be there, hunting, with a gun. Yeah, that's got me all nervous. I keep thinking I should call off work so I can keep Amelia here. Then, I think I need to start letting her go at some point because I've only left her with Mom and Steve - and Gram Surrena last week during Yoga. It's just hard for me because, if I don't trust someone why should I put my nina in their arms? I don't care who it is - family, friend or just random people, I need TRUST.

My Buddha Buddy

My Buddy has been with me since 2001. He's been the greatest dog, and is spoiled rotten by all of the customers who stop in at my Dad's garage. My Gram G always makes certain to have treats for him. He grabs peoples gloves and carries them around, the same with shoes. He doesn't chew, them, he just carries them around. He "talks" too. He lets Tia's cats cuddle with him, which is way too cute.

We found out tonight that he has cancer. The vet has given him only a few weeks. Mom is thinking it might be much sooner than a few weeks.

It's hard to think such a good and loving doggie is suffering. He's still in great spirits, so we're gonna spoil him rotten until he gets worse. Then, we'll have to make a very hard decision and say good-bye to one of family members.

Rainy Days and Mondays

It's dreary here tonight. Walking out of work was so depressing. It was already dark, due to the heavy clouds looming overhead.

At home, I tried getting the house in order for Thursday. Steve is upset that we're having Thanksgiving. After 6 years, he should know we're going to have have Turkey Day. I'd rather have it than go anywhere. I can't help it I'm such a homebody. Plus, my depression is really bad right now, so I think that's playing a part.

While I cuddled with Amelia, Steve warmed my dinner - and shattered a depression plate - don't ask. I have no clue why hubby would decide to place an ANTIQUE in the microwave. Then, DH began putting away some of Amelia's items from the family room. AND cracked the pack n play. Let's not even get into the fact that my carpets are half scrubbed, due to the bissell scrubber dying.

I now have a migraine, the house looks worse than it did before I got home from work, and it's raining outside. Not the best of nights. But there were some positives. I got to cuddle with Amelia, Hansy is being a lovey doggie tonight, and my mom cuddled with Amelia while Dad and Steve got the mattresses from my guest room (now nursery) ready to be moved to their house for THEIR guest room (my old room).

At work, I pulled the same name for Secret Santa as I had last year. What are the odds??? Now, I'm trying to figure out my benefits plans for work and just what tier I want for medical, dental and vision, and how much to put in for my flexible spending. Two more days this week! Yeah! And, yoga tomorrow after work. I'm not looking forward to it, but at the same time, I am. Again, it's that entire homebody thing. I just don't wanna leave my house.

Since I'm in SUCH the wah wah mood tonight, I'll just say that I'm having massive guilt issues over the entire BF vs formula thing. My symptoms are coming back, sometimes a lot worse than before, and I know I ned to start on my meds again. I just feel this horrendous guilt for not continuing with the BF for the entire year as I had wanted. I just gotta tell myself that the formula is a small price to pay for not having this horrid migraines that take away hours of my life that I could be enjoying with Amelia.

Now, I think I'm gonna go get a snack . . . something like air popped popcorn, or pumpkin butter on oatmeal bread.

Sunday Evening Ramble

The dryer is running in the background while Miss Mia and I cuddle in our big chair waiting for Daddy to get home. She is grabbing her feet and determining if both will fit in her mouth at the same time. Every-so-often, she turns around and glances at me, smiling when we make eye contact. She amazes me with the new things she learns, seemingly overnight. Sometimes, it feels as though my heart will burst with how much I love her!

Daddy is home now, and Amelia has gone into his arms for some Daddy and Me cuddle time. I know I need to get up and get my pumps so I can express milk and go to bed. But, I'm tired. Can't I just sleep here on my chair? Can't my milk just somehow magically end up in her baabaas?

Tonight, while Amelia sat in her high chair, I made skillet lasagna. She is very enamoured of bottles, and reaches for my water bottle each time I get something to drink. So, I thought I'd see how she reacted by giving her one of the sippy cups we've accumulated. She loved it. Yeah, by the time she was done, she was soaked, but she enjoyed drinking from the sippy cup, holding it without any help from Mommy. I don't think any liquid actually made it into her mouth, but she was so happy and smiley from being able to add yet another accomplishment to her list of firsts!

We're still working on our "first foods". We've done sweet potatoes and pumpkin so far. My mom came up last night and we baked 4 pumpkins and made them into puree - for baby food and for pumpkin pies. I also made some into pumpkin butter. It was the first time I made anything with the pumpkin butter recipe and I'm still not certain if I like it or not.

Well, I work in office tomorrow, so I'm going to get my lazy butt up and get pumping so I can go crawl in bed . . .