ExerSaucering

Ok, I have put Marley to sleep a few times in the past couple of days. I might not suck as much as I thought. She still loves me and she still needs me. Tonight, I actually fed her and then she just laid by me and went to sleep. It was the first time we did not have to move around to get her to go to sleep. I know she is really tired. She normally takes a BIG nap on Sunday afternoons to recuperate from the week, but she didn't get that this Sunday. So, hopefully when I get off early tomorrow, we can come home and take a nap.

Marley has gotten ticklish all over all the sudden. She like it when I tickle her neck, her ears, her tummy, her arms, her thighs, and her feet. It is really entertaining because she it puts her in a good mood now. When she is crying and I can do it and she cheers up.

Yesterday, we put Marley in the ExerSaucer and she actually played with it!! She grabbed things and tried to chew on them... it was so exciting that she can actually do it now! A week ago, she looked around like, "what the hell am I supposed to do with this?" Now she really likes it!This evening, Marley was acting really fussy, so I tried her new vibrating teether that Santa brought her. I don't actually know if she is teething yet, but she LOVED it! I had to hold it most of the time, but I got a few pictures of her looking independent and doing it herself. The first time she bit down on it she made an "Oh, crap!" face and then a big old smile!And this is what Asa is doing tonight. Notice all the super-cool equipment! He is such a country boy...

I suck

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today, Asa's sister Noah-Beth brought us the video she recorded when Marley was born. She has a great clip of when Asa came out and told everyone that we had a girl! It was so sweet! I remember that we had our video camera when we were in the hospital, but we didn't record anything. I am definitely doing that with the next baby. I am really sad that we don't have videos of some things. We also have Asa's mom's video and she recorded everyone's reaction to seeing her in the nursery window. That was also amazing. Since I was in the recovery room from the c-section, I didn't get to see when people saw her for the first time. It was also nice to see who all came! I had no idea since they weren't there when I got out of recovery.

Marley has been getting really close to sitting up lately. She can do it for about 2 seconds and then falls over. It is weird to see her in that position though... even for a short time. She is looking like a real baby!

Marley never wants to fall asleep with me anymore. I asked on babycenter.com if anyone else ever had that problem. She will only fall asleep in my Asa's arms. He holds her against his chest with her stomach against him. I will try to hold her in the exact same position and she will cry and cry. As soon as I give her to him, she is quiet and falls asleep. So, I am wondering if it is possible that my milk is distracting? She is not hungry because I always try that. She will push her face into my boob and scream. I have tried holding her in different positions, but she only likes to fall asleep that way. I am getting really upset because I hate not being able to put her to sleep. It is nice that he had something that he is really good at it, but he is not always around. I need to be able to do it and it is making me depressed that I cannot. I just have to hand her over and be defeated.

Christmas

Well, the parade of family is still happening, but I should write about the past few days before I forget. And before it gets to be an extremely long blog!

Christmas Eve:

Marley and I worked until almost 11 am. We literally had NO ONE come into the office! So, I we went home, took a nap, a shower, and ate. At two, we headed to Asa's mother's house. She had some food for us there and presents! We had missed Christmas at Asa's grandmother's house the day before, so we had even more presents to open! Marley took a little nap and then was ready for the action. I actually "practiced" opening a present with her the night before. I know. I'm weird. So, she was a pro by the time she had to open some in front of people. I sat her between my legs and helped her open the presents. She had no idea what was going on, but she really liked the wrapping paper. She got one gift that was in a large box. I set it on my lap and she looked really cute behind it. She got lots of toys. I asked people for toys since she has several places that need them. And she got a lot! She also got a few books, some clothes, and some other random stuff. She did really well with opening the presents. I would tear off a little piece and then she would hold it while I moved the present up, pulling off the paper. It worked great! Asa's step-dad, Lewis, built him a dutch oven stand for cooking over a fire. He made it with his own two hands. I think it's pretty impressive!After the presents were open and the kids had played a little while, it was time to head to my mom's. Asa's sister, Emily, came with us and we had a great time. Mimi and Papa Gene came into town for Christmas, so they were there. We ate chicken spaghetti and Mimi brought every dessert she ran into on the way here from Austin. It was fun to blend the two families. Even if it was only one member of Asa's family and she had hung out with most of my family members before, it felt really good to have all of us there together. I wish it could happen more often. We watched a little bit of A Christmas Story. I have never seen the entire movie all the way through, and I didn't get to fix that this year. Maybe I will have Asa download it on the computer and watch it sometime in the next couple of days. When we were leaving that night, I realized that I had no idea where my phone was. But, I figured it would show up and left anyway.

Marley was asleep really quickly after we got home. I decided that Asa and I should do our stocking for each other since they had been sitting full in the living room for a few days. We had a nice time doing something together and it was fun to see what he had picked out for me. I got some really cozy and soft socks, scrapbooking stuff, my very own flashlight (!), and a step-counter. I got Asa some wipes for fishing, Whoppers (the candy, not the burger), a bandanna, a meat injector (yea, that's a weird gift), a funnel... stuff he wants when we go to the store, but we never get. I had three things that I couldn't fit in his stocking, so I took them to my mom's really quickly that night for her to put in his stocking at her house. Then, we passed out with Marley next to us. I was really excited, even though Marley couldn't really tell what was happening.

Christmas:

Asa and I woke up early, took showers, and got ready for the day. I was really worried since Marley likes to sleep until 10 in the morning now. We needed to get her up earlier than that and I didn't want it to ruin the day. We did wake her up though, got her dressed and ready for our own little Christmas. Santa filled Marley's stocking and brought her her own basket with a few toys in it. I sat her between my legs again and went through everything with her. Asa filmed and took pictures for a while and then we switched. She participated by eating the paper and giving me lots of smiles and laughs. She seemed to really like the stocking part. She was paying attention and wanting to touch everything I pulled out. She looked genuinely happy about what was going on! We gave her a couple of toys from us and the clothes I had been gathering for a couple of months. It was very emotional for me to actually do something as a family like this. We have been creating memories for almost 5 months, but Christmas is so special. I couldn't help but think about all the future Chirstmases we will have together and how exciting they will be!

Next, we headed to my mom's. When we got there, half of the people were still sleeping and Joel was making breakfast. We ate and then it was present time! First of all, my mom bought each of us a stocking with our names on them! It was so nice too see Asa and Marley with their own stockings! Marley was ready her morning nap by the time we got to presents, so she slept with me for a little while and then with Mimi while I opened my presents. That meant that when Marley woke up just as everyone was finishing, all eyes were on us. We had seven adoring fans watching us open presents. Marley really is good at performing for a crowd though. She smiled and talked her way through it while Asa and Uncle Chris took pictures of everything. She hammed it up.

She got tons of toys and lots of clothes from everyone! We also got a nice basket to sit in the living room and house all of her toys. Her favorite toy was actually a ball that you can see in the next set of pictures. She can grab it really well and keep a hold on it while she chews on it! Every girl's dream! It was also fun to see how much Emily and Chris really love her. They were fascinated with everything she did and Emily wanted to help with every step while Chris took pictures of everything. It made me want to cry when I thought about how much a baby brings people together and makes people happy. My mom is also going to start a tradition of giving Marley an ornament each year for Christmas. Then, one day when she moves out of my house and has her own Christmas tree, she has 18 years worth of ornaments to decorate with. I think that is such a neat idea! I love spending Christmas with my family. This one was really special for me since it was the first one with Marley and I loved every minute of it.

So, after presents Marley and my mom took a nap together while I tried to get Chris to explain to me how to make my camera take good picture without the flash. I know it is possible because this camera was so damn expensive that it better be. But all the pictures without flash come out blurry. He helped me out, so hopefully we will have some better pictures to show now!

Next was Asa's dad's house. We showed up and ate lunch with everyone. We all hung out outside for a while and Marley took another nap. (It seems like she is sleeping through the day when I explain this, but the naps only lasted for 20 - 30 minutes tops.) Then, it was present time again! They do this thing where everyone gets one present and then you go around in a circle and take turns opening presents. This was hard since everyone is watching me and I don't like being put on the spot. But, I managed and we all got what we had asked for. Marley got more toys, I got gift cards, and Asa got a drill and money for boots. Marley didn't really help as much at this house since she was tired already from the day. She just sat there while I waved her gifts in front of her. Then she got fussy. After a little while of no one being able to please her, I said goodbye and went back to mom's house for dinner.

We had a HUGE prime rib roast that was 17 pounds! It was so delicious! Marley got to spend some more quality time with my Mimi and mom. Marley finally got really mad that we were not at home, so we had to leave. I think it was the most time she has spent away from home. She's a home-body. She fell asleep immediately. Asa and I took down the tree and put it in the woods behind our apartment. The tree has been dead since the day we got it, so I was pretty sick of it. We packed up our Christmas stuff and were amazed at how much more room we have in the living room without a tree in the middle of it! Then we crashed.

Day after Christmas:

My mom called at 10 and said that Mimi and Papa Gene were about to leave. So, we headed over to their house to say goodbye. We ate breakfast and said goodbye to Mimi and Papa. We were sitting at the table with Marley and my mom and Joel when Marley went at a bag of fudge. She was literally scooting and whining until she got to it and then sucking the heck out of the bag. She couldn't taste it, but she could definitely smell it. She even got mad when we tried to take it away from her. She's already a chocoholic. Then, we headed to Wal Mart to waste time until we can go to Asa's mom's house for our stockings. I was really glad Mimi and Papa got to come. They love Marley and I know Marley is going to love them. We ended up buying some crap at Wal Mart, nothing really important. Then, we went out to Donna's house to get the stocking she had for the three of us. Marley got a really nice blanket that will be perfect for playing on. We also got a couple of books and a few lotions and stuff for me. Since we were not there for their Christmas on Christmas morning, it was important for us to get out there to see her.

On the way home, we found out that my Aunt Julie, Uncle Andy, and cousins Jack and Alex were coming tonight! So, they got here this evening and we all had dinner at my mom's. They brought us gifts, but Marley could not stay long enough for us to open them tonight. Marley opened hers earlier in the night though. I forget what it's actual name is, but it is this cool toy that has smaller toys hanging off the sides of it. We could tell she loved it since she was trying to shove it in her mouth.

So, tomorrow we will spend more time with them and then Sunday Grandma Karen and Grandpa David are coming and it is my mom's birthday. Marley is going to be pooped.

Playtime with Mommy

Here is another video. This was last night... Marley is back to her old self! For a week, I didn't hear many laughs or much talking. So, it was good to hear it!

This is going to be a long one...

We have a big collection of pictures from yesterday. We tried to take a family picture right outside of our apartment, but it really didn't work out. We want to give our grandparents a family picture for Christmas in a pretty frame. So, we went to my mom's house to let her take some of us. We got a few good ones.
Then, we had a mini photo shoot. God, I love this baby! She is the cutest baby in the whole wide world!

Marley was a great sport going shopping all day on Saturday. We got a lot of shopping done for Marley and I bought things for Asa's stocking. She took a few short naps and I fed her twice in the car. It was much easier there since I don't really have to cover up. She hung out in my wrap while we walked around the mall. I wanted to buy some nursing tops, but they are so dang expensive! I will just stick with my tank top with a shirt over it technique for now. At Bed Bath and Beyond, my sister decided she wanted to wear Marley. I warned her that people would think Marley was her baby, but she said whatever. So, I wrapped her all in it and put Marley in. On the way into the store Marley let out a cute little giggle like, "woohoo this is fun!" In the store, when she say me or my mom she would look at us and get so excited like it was so cool that we happened to be there with her! People came up and told Emily that "her" baby was cute and she would just smile and say thank you!! I wanted to walk up and be like, "No, MY baby is cute! That's not her baby!" Most 15 year olds would not want people to think that they had a baby, but Emily was great. Emily is a great aunt!

After the long day of shopping, Marley got some play time with her Papa and her feet (her new favorite toy).
Marley is just now getting back into the normal swing of things. She still has a cough and congestion, but it is better. I don't really know if it's because of the medicine though. She slept a lot yesterday, as she has been for a week. She has been getting really hot at night because she is still being swaddled. We try about once a week to leave her unwrapped, but she always hits herself and she wakes up. So, the nights are not very restful because she gets too hot, I unwrap her, she flails around for 10 minutes and cools off, I wrap her back up. It makes me tired. I also think she is teething. Yesterday she was really grumpy all day, just didn't want to do much. She has been rubbing her ear and chewing on anything that comes near her mouth. So, maybe that's coming. If so, I'm not ready. I hope it doesn't ruin Christmas.

I am finally getting excited about Christmas! I have to work all day today and half days on Tuesday and Wednesday. But I doubt anything important is going to happen. All the college kids are gone. So, I am pretty much in Christmas mode. We got Marley quite a bit. I shopped on the sale clothing racks and bought just random stuff that I thought was cute, even if was for 12 months. I just stayed with the season it will be when she is that age and got a bunch of cute stuff for almost nothing. She will also be getting some toys from us. I know everyone else is buying toys and we will probably get doubles. But, she has three places that will need toys, so it will be great. She will be very entertained wherever she is.

Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

I am hoping this will put me in the Christmas mood! I am really sad that I am not in the mood yet. This is my favorite time of the year usually!

Grabby

Marley is such a little thief lately. She stole my menu from me last night at dinner. She stole my paper I was trying to write on at work. And she tried to steal my phone from me while I sending a text message. We take a shower together every other day (the days that we don't have to soap her up). We have a shower head that has a hose attached to it and come off (can't think of the name). So, I usually take it down and spray it on her tummy and legs and she loves it. Well, the past two times, she will reach out and try to grab the water. She sticks her hand in it and opens and closes her fingers like she is trying to grab it. It's really cool to watch her try to figure it out. It is so cute, but tiring, to try to keep an eye on what she's going for. What happened to the little newborn that just sat there staring at everybody.

We were at Wal Mart yesterday and we ran into one of our friends who just had a baby. She was six weeks old and about 7 and a half pounds. It was the first time that I got to see how big Marley has gotten. She was only that small until about 3 weeks, but it was still crazy to see. Marley looked huge in comparison!

She is getting better very slowly. Now I am getting sick. I haven't gotten there all the way, but I feel it coming. Marley is still coughing, but it's not a big ordeal to suction her everyday. She is also just pretty grouchy. She just wants to sleep and chill at home. Unfortunately, she has to chill in her stroller or wrap so that we can get some Christmas shopping done. Today we are going to Lufkin with my mom and Emily to do some shopping. Hopefully she can make it.

Still Sick

Being the mother of a sick baby is not very fun. I feel like I can't do anything right. This is now four full days that Marley has been sick. I called the doctor on Monday morning to ask if there is anything I should be doing. They told me I was doing everything right and they called in a prescription for Marley. Well, I went to Kroger to pick it up on Monday evening. when I got home, I opened the package and read the box. "Not for use with children under two years of age." So, I freaked myself out and didn't give it to her. What if the pharmacy messed up and misunderstood what my doctor's office had said? Or what if there was a typo when they faxed it to the pharmacy? I don't want to poison my child!!

Monday night was miserable. I was up most of the night with her. She kept getting hot and I kept taking her temperature. And she cried and cried. Probably because I had to take her temperature so many times... She barely ate, and when she did she could hardly breathe.

Tuesday morning, I looked at the box again. This time I saw the tiny print that said "Consult your doctor if under 6 months of age". So, they do let babies have this! So, I gave the meds and hoped they would work. I tried to feed her in the afternoon and she just could not do it. I was suctioning and trying and suctioning and trying. It wouldn't work. So, I called the doctor and asked what I should do about her not being able to eat. She said, keep giving her the meds and call back Wednesday. The rest of the day was spent with a lot of sleeping. I feel like I am seriously drugging my baby with how much she is sleeping. But it is working! I can definitely tell that she is clearing up. I am still suctioning and she is still coughing, but she is eating! That's very important.

So, with all this sickness, I feel like no learning happens. No rolling over, talking, laughing, practicing sitting. Just cuddling and feeding. Which isn't so bad, I just hope she can pick up where she left off even if she hasn't done these things in a few days.

Side note: I really need to start Marley's scrapbook. I have been meaning to and I even ordered the prints of a ton of pictures. Now, I just have to DO IT!

Breast Feeding

One of the first things my mother asked me after she had recovered from the initial shock of me being pregnant was, "Are you going to breastfeed?" This is a common questions for people to ask a pregnant woman (at least those that know you well enough). I usually told people that I was going to try. My mom nursed me for 14 months, Chris for 8 months, and Emily for 2 years. I really didn't read much about it during my pregnancy, I just wanted to try it out.

Well, it is the best decision I have made. I honestly don't know why you would choose otherwise, unless you physically couldn't do it. It is the most powerful, rewarding, and wonderful thing. I remember when they wheeled me in from recovery from the c-section. The nurse came in and was rattling all this stuff at me. Then she asked if I was going to breast feed. I said yes, and she said "Let me see your nipples." weird look to nurse, pull down gown "Oooo, you are going to have a hard time. You have flat nipples." Ok, side note. If you are pregnant with your first child and want to breast feed ask you doctor about this ahead of time! This is not the moment you want to find this out. Anyway, I was very sad. They brought me a nipple shield and my mom stayed to help me try it. When I tried to feed Marley for the first time without the shield we did not have very much luck. But as soon as I put it on, she did great. Nursing her in the hospital was rather easy. Every time she was hungry I would try without the shield first, but most of the time we needed it. Other than that, it came naturally. I know that most women have more problems than this and there are plenty of reasons why breast feeding is hard. But, I think it is so worth it.

When we got home from the hospital, I was determined to not need the nipple shield. Asa kept telling me not to worry about it, because I was lucky to be able to do it in the first place. But it was such a hassle. I was going to make this work. After about two weeks, we had it. We threw away the shield and never needed it again.

I am very lucky that things have gone smoothly since then. The feeling of being able to give your child the best food for them is amazing. I am in no way bashing anyone who doesn't do it because I truly believe it is a personal decision. You have to do what works for you and your baby in the long run.

Besides the obvious benefits for Marley, here are some benefits for me:
- I get way more sleep at night. Being able to put her in bed with me and not have to hold anything means that I can just go back to sleep while she eats.
- No work needed. When out in public, you don't have to find somewhere to get clean water and mix a bottle. It's right there, perfect temperature, ready to go.
- It reduces your risk of breast cancer.
- It is such an intense bonding experience. Here is this thing that only you can give your baby. And your baby knows it. There is nothing better than her pulling away and giving me a huge smile. It gives you the feeling that you are best mom in the world and that you are giving your baby the greatest gift.

This is all the incentive I need to keep going. I plan to do it as long as Marley wants. I am very lucky to be able to have her at the office with me during the day. I know it would be easier for me and even Carrie if I was bottle feeding her, but this is so important to me that it is worth it. And it doesn't embarrass me. I have not fed her in a restaurant yet... I have planned around it so far. But, I am sure I will. I have every right to. And anyone who is embarrassed can look the other way.

For anyone who is thinking about breastfeeding, at least try it. Get help if there is a problem. Just because our bodies were meant to do it, does not mean it is easy. I am actually looking into becoming a lactation consultant. I think it would be a very rewarding job for me.

So, thank you Mom. You gave all of us a fabulous gift and I appreciate you more every time I sit down to feed Marley. I hope that one day Marley will appreciate what I am doing. It is not any easy job, but it is the best job.

Sick Little Baby

Marley is sick. She is very congested and has a pretty nasty sounding cough. She does not have a fever, but I am constantly feeling her head. She has now been asleep for about 3 hours. I know she had a really long weekend with everyone visiting and us not being at home very much. So, being tired and sick is not good. We really should have stayed home a little more this weekend instead of carting her everywhere.

We went to Asa's dad's house Friday night for a party. Saturday morning was graduation for two of Asa's sisters, so we went to that. We asked Emily V. to text us when they started to call names. At like 9:45 am she sent us a message and Asa is like, "We have to go right now!" (This should have been the part where I said, "What exactly did the text say?") We rush around and throw things in the car and speed up to the school, illegally park, and rush in. They haven't called a single name. Asa gets out his phone and tells me what the message said. It had actually said, "I will text you when they start calling names..." Good job, Asa. So, Marley slept through it luckily and it was over in like an hour. Then, on to another party at Asa's mom's house. See the previous blog to find out how that went...

Today, my Mimi came into town with a family friend, Linda. They visited for lunch on their way to Arkansas. Mimi will be back tomorrow to take care of Chris and Emily while my mom and Joel go to Rockport for a vacation. Needless to say, she was held by a lot of people this weekend... some she liked and some she didn't...

We went and bought a warm mist humidifier and we are trying to keep her suctioned. Other than that there isn't much we can do. Except extra lovin'! Her little cough is so pitiful and cute! She is getting so big too. I don't know how it can possibly happen so fast! she still hasn't rolled over since Thanksgiving. She doesn't even try anymore. So, I don't think it counts really. Her legs are really strong though. She can stand up for 30 seconds or so with me holding her with one hand. Since she hasn't been very happy the past few days, I feel like she hasn't been learning very much. It might be silly to feel like that. But I do. She just wants to sleep all the time right now... which is good for the laundry in our room, but bad for learning time.

Sassy Mama

I really feel like I have turned into a bitch the past few days. I have make sassy remarks to Asa's family and given really bad looks to other ones. Maybe I am just in a bad mood... maybe I'm stressed... or maybe I'm tired.

Today, there was another party at Asa's mom's house. His Grandma Shirley was also there. This was the third time she had met Marley. I feed Marley in the other room and then come out into the living room where everyone is waiting. They can't stand to wait for Asa to burp her, so he has to hand her over immediately to Grandma Shirley. So, what does she do? She spits up... like all babies... Then, this is what happens:

Gma Shirley: I think someone fed her too much!
Me: Oh, she always does that...
Gma: No, you fed her too much.
Me: evil look
Someone else: Oh, that's normal.
Gma to Gpa: She fed her too much.
Me: Maybe if you quit bouncing her she wouldn't spit up on you...

What the heck! She is my baby and I know how much to feed her! Excuse me if I have been doing it every three hours for four months now and you haven't done it once! Get off my butt!

Ok, maybe this story doesn't sound that sassy, but if you know about the fact that I am normally a quiet person who keeps her mouth shut no matter what, then this is pretty impressive. I imagine saying stuff like this all the time, but rarely do. It kind of made me feel like a grown up to get an attitude, but it made me feel mean at the same time.

A video!

I did it! I did it! Ok, Asa did it! I can finally put videos on my blog! Now, I can bug you with all of my videos that I think are completely adorable and you'll probably get annoyed by! Yay!

Start with this one. Ignore my voice...

Random News

Asa got a job! I can't even explain how happy I am. It is a part time job as a maintenance guy. He will be the only one, so he is THE guy! He will work everyday from 12 to 5... so he will still be able to spend time with Marley! He will also literally be right around the corner. The ad was in the paper, so I thought he would have a pretty slim chance. But when he went in, the lady said that he was the only person who had passed the background check! So, yay for that.

Marley's new favorite thing to do is blow raspberries. She does the tongue-out version as well as the tongue-in version. Spit blows out of her mouth with either option. I got a cute video of it, but we cannot figure out how to put videos on the computer yet. It is quite entertaining though. Make me want to do it back to her. Minus all the spit.

Yesterday, I was feeding Marley on the couch and there was a jacket with a flower pattern sitting next to us on the couch. She stopped eating and started blabbing away. She literally talked to my jacket for 10 minutes while I just sat there and laughed at her. She had her hand in her mouth most of the time, just talking away. It was hilarious. I moved the jacket eventually so that she would go back to eating. But she cried until I put it back. Evidently, she had not finished her story.

Tonight, we went with my mom, Joel, and Emily to the SFA Christmas Reception. Mom got to show off Marley and we got eat some good food. Marley was a perfect angel until the very end when she was ready to go home. There were some smart people there that brought their babies in carriers. I did not. I was dumb.

Speaking of carriers, I used my Moby twice today and it was so nice! I love it. We also got our Christmas cards today! They look pretty good. I wish I has gotten the glossy paper that actually looks like a photo, but I didn't. Now, I have to actually send them out. That's the hard part.

I can't wait for school to over for my mom so that I can go Christmas shopping with my mom! Marley loves shopping!

My child really needs some warm clothes. I ordered her a hat from Old Navy, but it is too big. How do you move a baby around in this freezing weather? Right now we just keep her in the car seat and pile blankets on her while we walk in to the store or whatever. But it's so heavy! If I put her in a jacket, hat, gloves, etc. then we get in the car and she gets too hot. So, she totally needs a hat that fits her and keeps her ears warm, but I have no idea what else to do besides piling blankets on her like we have been.

Shots

We took Marley to her appointment this morning. We were running late, so we literally rushed to get there. Now I feel like an idiot since we waited in the waiting room for at least an hour! Those people are so slow. Asa said he was going to "yell" at them if they made us wait... but I told him to forget about it. Every single doctor's office is like this. We once waited for 2 hours in the waiting room of the OBGYN. She was probably delivering someone else's baby. Didn't she know I was WAY more important?!

Anyway, we are waiting with all the sick kids again when they finally call our name. She gets weighed (14 lbs 10 oz.) and measured (24 inches). I can't believe she is so big already. I just look down at her all the sudden and she is so much bigger than the day before. I swear she gets noticeably bigger every night. So, then we stand in the hallway until they have a room for us! I felt so awkward waiting outside the doors where I could hear everything that was going on inside them. I just stared at the walls and waited. Finally they let us in.

I had planned to tell the doctor that this time she had to do the exam first and then the shots so that I could immediately comfort/feed her. But they did it that way without me having to tell them. The doctor said "good mama" when I told her I was still breastfeeding. She said that I need to start giving her a vitamin everyday. I'll look into that...

Then came the shots. She was okay for like 5 seconds and then realized what had happened and started screaming. They only gave her two shots, but it made me so sad. As soon as she was done, I swooped her up and fed her. It took her a while to calm down enough to eat, but she did. And we even got a smile before we left the office.

It is now pouring here. The windows at work are rattling when it thunders. Perfect napping weather. But, instead Asa and Marley are at home napping while I work. I would give anything to be in my warm bed with my babies right now.

4 months old

Saturday night was the Nine Flags Festival downtown, complete with a Christmas parade. I told Asa that I had literally been thinking about this parade since Marley was born. I guess it's just Christmas in general, but I always picture how perfect it is all going to be. We will be dressed all warm and cute and Marley will be happy and awake. The Christmas parade will be beautiful and everyone will tell me how adorable she is. All the lights downtown will make us sparkle in pictures and we will drink hot chocolate with our soft gloves on.

Well, the night played out a little differently. We took a family nap and realized 30 minutes before the parade that we needed to get up. So, I didn't get to take a shower and make my hair cute for those perfect photos. Then, I couldn't find any cute, warm clothes for Marley to wear. This poor little girl only has one hat that fits her head and it is not warm at all. I also realized that I do not have a warm hat or coat for that matter (since I am still carrying extra weight around). We got there late, so we could not sit down to watch the show. I realized about 20 minutes in that I had not fed Marley before we left like I planned. So, she started getting fussy. No gloves. No hot chocolate. No warm and cute. But we did get lots of aaawwws about what an adorable little darling we have. She even got her picture taken and got put on the Daily Sentinel website! Yay! She slept through the whole thing. We tried to hide in stores when the fire trucks and police cars came by in the parade and did their sirens. Thanks a lot guys.

Today was a stressful day. I had a test at 4 that I was really worried about. Granted, it was my only final, but any final with a FOUR MONTH OLD (!!) is stressful. I pretty much failed. I would be upset about it if I needed the class for my major, but I don't. I really did try, but I couldn't do it. So, I had Asa keep Marley all day so that I could study at work in my free time. He brought her up there to eat, but other than that I didn't see her. I really missed her. According to Asa she slept the whole day. She is a growin' baby. Her four month appointment (with shots) in tomorrow. Not looking forward to that.

I got my Moby Wrap today and I love it! Marley loves it too! I haven't actually worn it anywhere besides the house, but I will make a trip somewhere tomorrow just so that I can wear it. It is so comfy!

Marley and Kima bonded tonight. It was the cutest thing! Marley just reached out and PET Kima on the head! She doesn't know she can pull her hair yet, so she was very nice about it. Kima turned around and gave Marley a few kisses. They are going to be best friends!We also got a glimpse of the attitude our sweet, Innocent little darlin' is developing...

The Blogger

Dear Mama,

You are the best mommy in the whole world. I just thought I would let you know a few things that I can't tell you yet.

I like sleeping with you and Daddy the best.

When poop explodes out of my diaper and lands on your pants, I want to laugh but I don't.

You should go ahead and warn Kima about all the things I am going to do to her when I get big enough.

Get those dang cameras out of my face all the time! I know I'm cute, but jeez!

I wish me and you and Daddy could just stay at home and play all day instead of going to work.

I don't need the pacifier anymore, but I trick you into thinking I do. It's fun to trick you.

I want 16 brothers and sisters. Like the Duggars...

I really like to watch TV. Daddy lets me watch it when you're not home.

I love to make you smile. Then I can laugh.

I love to be naked. I would be that way all day long if you let me.

I love spitting up on your shirt right before work. It makes you all flustered and I think that's funny.

All those magazines and books you read are pointless. Hang out with me instead and don't worry about that crap. (Am I allowed to say that yet?)

I know my toots are stinky. Quit telling me every time!

Most of all, you and Daddy are my favorite people in the whole world. I love you so much right now, even though I can't tell you that yet. I hope you can tell by how many smiles and cuddles you get.

Love,

Marley V.

I captured a new favorite picture.

This is her mood 90% of the day now. I know teething will start soon, so I am taking advantage of it as much as I can. Stupid teeth will ruin everything.