Bottles Up!

I am done with bottles. Just done.

I'm tired of the way they have cluttered up my counter top for the past year. They tip over easily. They have multiple parts that get scattered all over the kitchen.

I'm tired of washing them, first by hand back in the breastfeeding days when Violet only had one bottle a night. Now they hoard all the space in the top rack of my dishwasher, leaving us running the machine half empty because the sink is full of all the cups and glasses that won't fit.

Yes, that is a bottle of cheap champagne trying to camouflage itself with the baby bottles.

When we first started bottles, it was once a day. It gave me a break from breastfeeding. It gave Matt a chance to feed Violet and bond with her each evening. And it was one new skill for her to quickly master. One bottle to wash each night isn't so bad. Then I started working. And pumping got old real quick. My milk supply gradually dried up and we committed to bottles full time. Eventually we switched to the simpler Avent bottles versus the excellent but somewhat cumbersome Dr. Brown bottles. And Violet gradually decreased her bottle feedings down to four times a day.

But after a year of this, I'm done.

When I was a babe and it was time to get rid of my bottle, my mom had a unique approach. Our family was living on the OM Logos at the time, a missionary ship traveling the world. When she'd had enough of the bottle, we very ceremoniously filled them with rocks and tossed them overboard, giving them an appropriate burial at sea.

For obvious reasons, I can't take the same approach. But I really, really wish I could.

See, I think my Friend is ready to give up the bottle and be a big girl. A few weeks ago, Matt made her bottles for daycare but forgot to screw in the proper inserts. In short, the bottles weren't going to work. Undeterred, her teachers optimistically poured Violet's milk into a sippy cup and sat her down. And although she had previously shunned milk from a cup, apparently she was hungry enough to drink it all down. And her teachers didn't look back. Teaching the kids to drink from cups is one of the skills they work on at school, and it looked like Violet had just mastered it!

Well, for whatever reason, Violet wouldn't perform the same trick for me at home. Whenever I attempted to give her formula from the sippy cup, she'd let it pool in her mouth and then spit it all out, tossing the cup to the floor with a hoot of displeasure. If there was water or apple juice in the cup she'd eagerly suck it down, but not milk. I was wildly jealous of whatever secret tricks they used at daycare and frustrated that it wasn't carrying over at home.

But this weekend, we had a breakthrough. I waited to bring out the formula until Violet was extra hungry. I gently warmed it. I poured it into the same type of sippy that has had so much success at school. Then I plopped her on my lap and presented her the Nuby just like it was a bottle. And that child drank it all!

And so, I'm hoping we can be done with bottles. Maybe not today, maybe not next week. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

A completely unrelated picture that I couldn't help but share!

Will I miss the snuggly moments of feeding Violet her bottle as she grows full and drowsy on my lap? Of course, just like I miss the breastfeeding days when we could nestle up together and share that special moment together. But I'm excited about finding new ways to cuddle. And I'm oddly excited about my extra counter space.

Next up - ditching formula for real milk!

Healthy Dose of Reality

Health. Feeling good. It's one of those things we take for granted until we feel like crap. Then it's all moan and groan and Good Lord help me I'm never going to feel better again.

I have been more sick this year than I have in a long time. I was expecting it - they say your first year of teaching is the worst. At least I haven't contracted pink eye yet (knock on wood). But everything else, from sinus infections to stomach bugs, has come a'knocking multiple times.

Violet's first year in daycare has gone down pretty much like mine. Between the two of us and Matt (the only one yet to log a trip to the ER, again, knock on wood), someone is always sneezing, sniffling and complaining in our house.

So I'm trying to be more conscious of the times I do feel good (for the record, this is not really one of those times) so I can better appreciate what it is like to breath freely through both nostrils, or swallow without wincing, or speak without sounding like a sixty-year-old two-pack-a-day smoker.

But here's the deal - despite all the colds and viruses and general crud going around, on the whole we have been relatively healthy. This fact was brought home this week as I indulged in one of my favorite guilty pleasures, MTV's Teen Mom 2. One of the young moms happened to get pregnant with twins (don't even get me started) but if that wasn't stressful enough, now it seems like one of the baby girls might have something seriously wrong with her. While her sister is right on track with milestones like rolling over and putting weight on her legs, baby Ali is being left behind. Every time mom Leah takes her to a doctor, the visit ends in tears as the news is always inconclusive and frightening - potential problems with her spine, her brain. Just by looking at her, you can tell there is something wrong with this baby, especially when compared to her twin. And while generally I watch this series with an eye roll and a "you've got to be kidding me" at the stupid situations these moms insist on putting themselves in, this week I was tearing up watching the agony one young girl is going through as she deals with the potentially horrifying unknowns. The worst feeling in the world as a mom is when there is something wrong with your child and you can't control it, you can't fix it. And as much as I think these girls make stupid choices and continue to go back to bad relationships and willingly become the poster children for every teen mom stat on record, my heart can't help but break for Leah and her situation. And watching her story, it reminded me that a few runny noses are nothing. On the whole, we are so healthy and happy that I should be shouting my Thank Yous to the heavens every day.

But that's what happens when you feel good. You forget, you take it for granted. Until the next bug invades your body and leaves you a shivering, pathetic mess clutching your kleenex. So while I may be battling allergies, a sinus infection and laryngitis, you know what? I'm still so, so grateful for a healthy, happy family, including a certain baby girl who is so eager to laugh and give kisses and share her sweetness.

Hanging with the Boys

Checking out the toy...

Having a little taste...

And... bliss!

Puzzled

Check out the awesome new puzzle I got from Fairy Godmother Emily!

Now, how do you work this thing?

The box said "2+ years" but I'm pretty advanced...

Ooooh! Thanks, Daddy!

One Year

One Year

 

Dear Violet,

One whole year has come and gone since you came into our lives.

One year...

I knew my world had changed the minute you came into it. In the blink of an eye, you became the most important thing in my life. You have brought us more joy than I ever imagined.

One day...

It seems hard to believe that you were ever that tiny newborn, helpless in my arms. I cried when we brought you home; I was so overwhelmed with emotion. You were so small! And completely dependent on us for everything! The responsibility of it all was enormous. We spent long nights awake together. There were days when you did nothing much but eat, sleep and poop.

One week...

Then you gave us that first smile. You held your head up. As soon as one milestone was conquered, you were off to the next one. You love keeping us on our toes! You learned to sit, to eat cereal, you started school, protested your way through tummy time, learned to roll over.

First smile...

Suddenly it was hard to remember the days when all you did was cuddle in our arms day and night.

You experienced your first trip to the pool, the first ride on an airplane, we shared our first Mother's Day. I have been amazed at how much you have learned. You understand what I'm saying. You can point to things when I ask you. You are so eager to follow directions. Your smile is beautiful, your expressions are priceless. Every day you do something that makes me smile, burst out laughing, makes me stop and take a breath to thank God for you. You are such a good girl. I am a better, stronger, more patient, more loving person because of you. I am so lucky to be your Mommy.

I love you.

Mommy

My birthday girl...

PS Although I tried mightily and failed miserably to capture it on camera, guess what my little girl did today, on her first birthday... she took her first steps!

Monday's Child

52 Weeks

I can't believe this is the last of the Monday's Child series. Since the day Violet was born, I've been taking a picture of her every Monday, and the change has been unbelieveable. My Monday's Child truly is fair of face. Here she is, sporting some new clothes she got from the ever-generous Heather - just look at that fur-lined vest! (Ignore the snot, please.)

I'm a little sad to end the picture series, although good grief it has become a lot of work now that Violet doesn't care to sit still anymore. It's been fun to go back and review the transformation, however. We had a slideshow running on the tv of all her Monday pictures during the birthday party and it was amazing to remember how little she started out.

Anyway, I wax nostalgic. It's hard not to feel sentimental at milestones like this. Plus it's late and I'm exhausted (and facing another batch of cupcakes that need frosting). I'll sign off for now.

Tomorrow's the big day! My little girl turns one!

It's My Party...

Okay, here come the last of the birthday party pictures, I promise. You saw the decor and cake, here are the presents. And can I just say, Violet was a rock star throughout the event. She helped open every present (only slightly distracted by the colorful tissue paper) and proceeded to play with everything she got. Not a single gift got ignored. She got so many compliments from all the guests on how well behaved she was - no melt downs, she didn't refuse her cake, she let everyone hold her and fuss over her - she was a champ. Of course, Violet does love the spotlight, so I was not surprised.

An embarrassment of riches.

Mimi's gift - a walker stroller!

A little mommy already!

The tunnel! Violet didn't  hesitate to dive into this one!

Here she comes!

Grandma's present - a rockin', ridin' push-me-mobile!

But of course, all good things must come to an end. Violet did not want her big day to be over and had a colossal meltdown when Daddy innocently tried to help her with one of her toys. I was a bad Mommy and decided to snap pictures instead of rushing over to pick her up. Even beside herself, she's still adorable.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

 

It really was too funny - the girl was so good all day long, it was only a matter of time. Rest assured, she went to bed content. As did I. But boy am I glad we only have to do this once a year! I am exhausted! (And I just baked another batch of cupcakes for Violet to take to school tomorrow on her actual birthday.) I am ready to close the book on this year and start the next one!

Birthday Cake

She goes in for the grab...

But quickly realizes hands are just slowing her down...

Does she like it? It's so hard to tell...

That's one happy birthday girl!

You are Invited...

Even though she won't officially turn one until Tuesday, we celebrated Violet's birthday today. It was such a sweet afternoon. I was stressing a bit over the whole first-birthday thing, seeing as this is the first party I've thrown for a child of my own. Should I go all out and hire a clown? Get a custom made cake? Buy a party theme pack so the invitations will match the napkins, which match the plates, which match Violet's outfit?

In the end, I decided to keep it simple, DIY what I could, and try my hand at being crafty without stressing out too much over the tiny details. (Although the invitations did match the napkins, which matched the plates, and Violet's outfit.) Here's a little peek at the pre-party planning that went down earlier. (Actual party pictures to come!)

And so you get a sense of the theme...

Yep, made 'em myself! Fly on over... get it?

Red and black. Who can resist that color combination?!

Tower 'o cupcakes

Seriously, how cute are these?! So proud of myself, have to admit!

Who's Awake?

It will come as little shock that a recent study has confirmed that women are more likely to give up sleep to care for their children than men are. Are we surprised?

Now, before you guys (or my husband, who might be the only male who actually reads this blog) get all defensive, another study might hold the answer as to why. I was reading the Motherlode blog the other day when I stumbled on this fascinating study. According to the research results, the number one sound most likely to wake a sleeping woman is - a baby's cry. (And this holds true regardless of whether she actually has children.) The blog post continues to list the sounds most likely to wake a man - a car alarm, the howling wind, a buzzing fly... But a baby's cry? That sound doesn't even crack the top ten noises that wake men up.

This is fascinating to me.

So perhaps we women spend more sleepless hours caring for children because we're the ones that wake up! Now, granted, my dear husband has been known to wake me up out of a sound sleep to announce that the baby is crying, only to roll back over and bliss out again while I haul myself up the stairs. (His exact words that fateful night were, I believe, "Honey (and he may or may not have used this endearment), you have GOT to wake up!") So it proves that this man of mine does wake up to the sounds of a baby's cry.

And to be completely fair, Matt has done his share of night duty. Just the other night, I woke up only as he was getting back in bed at 3 a.m., a restless Violet nestled on his shoulder. I hadn't even heard him get up, much less noticed that she was crying.

Violet's new sleep-style - the butt in the air face-plant.

But on the whole, I've probably spent more nighttime hours with Violet than Matt has. Breastfeeding skews the balance, for sure. And the fact that I have more patience, especially in the middle of the night. And before I went back to work, I also had a great deal more sympathy for the fact that Matt had to be up and performing in front of other people, while I merely had to be up and and functioning for our child (who doesn't care if I've showered/brushed my teeth/have bags under my eyes the size of couch cushions). But now that I'm a working mom, and my alarm clock goes off a good hour before his, and I spend all day on my feet dealing with 200+ children that don't belong to me, and I have my own needy child to come home to, I'm much more likely to let Matt get up and check on Violet without feeling guilty about it.

What about you, moms? Does this study ring true in your house?

Night Night!

Violet learned a fun trick this past weekend. When the grandparents came up to visit, Grandpa took a little snooze in the chair. Violet kept pointing at him, so Grandma kept explaining that Grandpa was "night-night". She would tuck her hands under her tilted head in the universal sign for sleeping. Well, it didn't take long for Violet to catch on. Soon she was also doing the hands under her cheek sign every time she looked at Grandpa. Whenever we asked if she was ready for night-night, the hands went to the cheek. So cute! Later that afternoon when I put her in her crib for a nap, she would sit up until I told her "night night, Violet!" at which point she would promptly throw herself to the bed and lay her head on the mattress. She's such a smartie.

Here Comes the Sun

It was nice when we came home from school yesterday, I just had to scoop Violet up and take her outside. The great outdoors are much greater for her now that she can crawl and explore, but it's been too cold lately to really enjoy it. So I siezed the first golden afternoon that's come our way. Here we are in the front yard on Valentine's Day.

Violet was especially captivated with the leaves and grass that kept sticking to her. Fortunately, I think I kept most of it out of her mouth. Here's hoping we have many more warm days ahead.

Mommy feet, Baby feet.

I was trying to get a picture to capture the potential curls Violet might be growing, but this picture doesn't really do it justice.

Monday's Child

 51 Weeks

Just look at that drool. Welcome to our lives now. At least Violet didn't eat the grass she is clutching in her hand. And at least it's finally warm enough outside to go outside and get some vitamin D!

We had a busy, busy weekend which involved leaving Violet with lots of people while we ran around. On Saturday, we dropped her off at the neighbor's house so we could visit one of Matt's coworkers in the hospital. Violet was greatly entertained next door and even got to take a walk with the boys. She was asleep when we returned and we actually had to wake her up from her nap because... it was Parents' Night Out at daycare and Matt and I were off on a date night! So we woke up the babe just to drop her off again. Fortunately she didn't seem too displeased. And we enjoyed a lovely night out courtesy of Matt's sweet grandma (Christmas gift cards, whoo hoo!).

Then Sunday we headed to church and left Violet in the nursery for the first time. Several people asked us how it went and my reply has been, "Well, they didn't page us!" So it can't have gone too badly. I'm glad that first time is over and it went well. Hopefully we can establish a good Sunday morning routine now. Sunday afternoon Matt's parents came up, with Aunt Judie and Aunt Ruth Ann (from Montana!) in tow and we had a lovely visit. Needless to say, I didn't get much crossed off the to-do list this weekend, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves.

Pretty in Pink

Violet shows off her latest chomper. Say "aaaaahhhhh"!

First time in her new outfit - drooled in in 2.4 seconds.

Showing Daddy where the "light!" is.

Smiling behind the paci.

Peace and Quiet

Sometimes you just gotta have some peace and quiet.

Free Time?

I read a fascinating article in the New York Times the other day (and I apologize for how pretentious that sentence sounds). For a while now I've been browsing the Motherlode blog (great name!) that appears in the Sunday Magazine. It is always full of interesting topics, from whether our girls are being indoctrinated by a Cinderella culture to what to do on yet another snow day "stuck" with the kids.

Anyway, this particular article addressed a study recently completed on how much free time parents have. It did a minute by minute breakdown of the day and basically concluded that after work, the commute, chores, taking care of the kids, cooking, sleeping... Parents basically have a mere 90 minutes to call their own each day.

I haven't calculated my own free time, but I do know that I have had days where I feel like my life isn't mine anymore. There's always something else to be done. Last night Matt gave Violet her bath and I was almost giddy by how much I accomplished while he had her occupied. I wish I could say that I used those precious few moments to prop my feet up or use the new facial mask I've been dying to try since I got it for my birthday. But no, I ran around the house like a mad woman, making bottles for the next day, cleaning the kitchen, starting a load of laundry. And it felt good to get those things crossed off the to-do list. And it makes me a little sad that I felt so accomplished afterward.

My own free time occurs in the time between when Violet goes to bed (8 or 8:30) and when I choose to pass out myself (anywhere between 8:30 and 11). I trade personal time for sleep. Sometimes I can't decide which is more vital. And of course, just because it's my time, doesn't mean I'm always doing things for me. As the comments in the above mentioned article prove, grocery shopping is allotted from "free" time. Um, grocery shopping is not something I do for pleasure!

I'm not complaining (I hear those snorts of disbelief). Life changes when you choose to start a family (note the verb choose. Because it was a choice for me and I accept everything that comes along with it). I wouldn't want it any other way. But I do wistfully miss those carefree days of making decisions on a whim, being spontaneous, when going out meant nothing more complicated than grabbing my car keys. I miss luxuriating in a long, hot shower without having one ear perked up for the sounds of a baby's cry (although my water bill thanks me immensely for my new, truncated showers).

What about you, Moms? Do you agree with the article's assessment of 90 minutes of free time? How do you enjoy those minutes? What do you miss most?

Monday's Child

50 Weeks

Bath time is still awfully fun around these parts! But you know what's not fun? Getting Violet dressed afterward. I have to wrestle her to the ground and practically throw myself on top of her to get her still enough to slap a diaper on. And of course, she wails the whole time. How long will this phase last?

Over the weekend, Mimi showed Violet a fun new trick - at Mimi's house, the ceiling fan/light is controlled via remote. Violet was fascinated. And what's the first thing she did when we came home? Grabbed the tv remote and pointed it at our ceiling fan! Alas, she did not get the same results. Ah well. Such is life, baby, get used to it.

So you know how I'm always keeping tabs on Violet's milestone progress (while I preach about how I don't believe in milestones, blah blah)? Well, I'm happy to report that I took a sneak peek at the 13 month list of "should be able to" accomplishments, and my Friend here is ahead of the game! She's already doing everything a whole month early! Ha! I think we can officially call her a "cruiser" now... she is making her way around the coffee table and to other pieces of furniture pretty darn well. She can also walk holding onto just one hand now. We have got to buy some baby gates, and quick!

May the Force Be With You

I'm sick today, home from school. I'll spare you the gory details. Suffice to say, I woke up feeling pretty rotten. But then I caught sight of the video below on my friend Jason's blog and it actually perked me up a bit. It's been making the internet/Facebook rounds today and you'll see it again on Superbowl Sunday (provided you're the commercial-watching type). Too cute. Exactly what I needed this morning. Happy Friday, everyone!

Having My Cake

Happy birthday to me!

We had dinner with the neighbors yesterday, and since it was my big birthday, A. made cupcakes in my honor. Yummy, right?

Note the far right side of the picture, as Violet goes in for the grab.

"You are going to let Violet have a cupcake to practice with, right?" I was asked. Huh? Apparently, come the big first birthday, some kids have been known to freeze up in front of their cake. "It takes forever for them to even stick a finger in... trust me, let her have one now so she gets used to it..."

Well, what the heck, right? It's a party, my party! And if I hadn't been born, well, Violet wouldn't be here either. It's a reason for her to celebrate, right? So even though I had planned for her first taste of cake to be at her own birthday, we decided to give her a little sneak peek so she could work the kinks out.

Violet shows no reservations as she dives face first into the cupcake.

Um, you have something on your face...

Practice? Who needs practice?!