Shameless

So, since I've started blogging myself, I've started following other mommy blogs. Some make me pee my pants cause I'm laughing so hard (thankyouverymuch Blair. I've purchased dozens of new undies, especially after reading about the wet seat cushion).

Other blogs have brought tears, and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my little one. And, some blogs have connected me with old friends.

But, some blogs offer free stuff. And this, my friends, is what it is all about.

So, over on Adventures of Baby Kaitlyn, it is the giveaway I have been waiting for. Those cute little knitted (or crocheted) baby hats with the flowers. To.die.for.

I see other babies with these hats on, and wish I had the devotion to make one myself. Sure, I can knit. But I should probably finish the 5 different scarfs I have started first. Or, maybe that baby blanket. Or maybe that blanket I started for my mom. Three years ago.

But why make one yourself when you can enter different giveaways, and hopefully get one yourself, all while being lazy and just writing about it. Score.

So, head on over to Adventures of Baby Kaitlyn (Adventures of Baby Kaitlyn) and enter for yourself. Just don't blog about it. Cause that won't get you any extra entries. Not even three.

Oldies

So, because I went into labor five weeks early, we were not prepared for Ansley's arrival. We managed to make it to the hospital with most things in tow:



Hairdrier, mousse, comfy clothes, slippers, plenty of socks, soap, shampoo, even conditioner, make-up, toothbrush, toothpaste, cell phones, chargers, a great book to read.


However, we forgot one very important item. The camera.


Yes, that's right. I had my very first child and didn't have a camera to document it. Now, you may be thinking the problem could have been solved in a number of ways. Let's take a look.


"Have your hubby run home and get it." Yeah, that would have been a great idea. If we didn't live a little over an hour from the hospital. It was a no go.


"Have your parents bring theirs when they come." My parents were in New Mexico helping my sister move, while Paul's parents were in Arizona on a business trip. Yup, that option was out.


"Run to a Walmart and pick up a disposable." Not only did little Ansley decide to come 5 weeks early, she decided to arrive during the worst flooding I have seen in my lifetime. It started raining the afternoon I was in labor, and didn't stop for about five days. By the time she made her entrance, several roads were closed and the parking lot was under water. The hospital eventually stopped letting people come and go. If you were there, you were staying, if you were coming, you weren't getting through the road blocks.


Luckily, in today's world of gadgets and gizmos a plenty, I did happen to have my camera phone. Not that the pictures are top quality or anything, but at least we have a couple. Besides, everyone was in such a rush after she was born, we didn't get to hold her or even take any pictures until she was already in the NICU.


So, after months, and months of not doing anything, I finally made it a point to get the early pictures off my phone. I thought I would share just a couple.

So, there they are. The first pictures of little A. Every day I'm still amazed that she was such a close part of me. Now, even at the ripe old age of 5 months, she has a temper and a selfish streak that can give any Diva a run for their money.

But, she still has her moments. Her sweet, cuddly moments when she's had enough of the outside world, and she's ready to be back with Mommy. She grabs her little bear, takes her binkie and snuggles in to Mommy's neck for a rest. And it is during those times, when I feel her warm breath, or her constant hiccups, that I'm reminded of when we would settle into bed. I would get comfy, then Ansley would shift around, and after a few kicks to the ribs, she would settle in, and we would sleep.

Drug by the Wagon

So, can you fall off a wagon if you never really get on?

Last week, I posted about wanting to document each day as I saw it. Whether with a picture or paragraph, I wanted to capture each minute and make it a moment.

Guess what? I'm still on track!

Yes, though the photos have yet to be posted, they have been taken. One night, I sat down to post them, and my computer freaked out and shut down and changed all the settings. It was possessed. I swear.

But, we're good to go now, and I'm combining a couple in this one post.

3-1

It's starting to get warmer outside, which means Bunker gets to run around more rather than being cooped up in the kitchen. After a day of chasing the birds and howling at distant trains, he had nothing left. That's about how I felt.

3-2

First of all, I couldn't exactly put a picture of my naked baby online. However, I could not pass up this opportunity. Hence, the lovely cloud. It seems every night at bath time, Rascal cannot handle the fact that the babe has a squeeky toy that she does not. Several times, she has climbed right on in the tub to get that duck. It is normally a battle. Ansley has the duck. Rascal takes the duck. Ansley starts crying. I take the duck from Rascal, clean it, give it to Ansley. Rascal starts whining. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

3-3

Paul has become known by the third shift cashiers at Walmart as "the flower guy." He frequently brings home beautiful flowers. They are quite a pleasant treat. When I first started this job a year ago, he had flowers sent to the office every Tuesday for about three months. Needless to say, I've got a lot of dried flowers and about 12 of the same single flower vase. I wonder if I could get some store credit for returning those to the florist. Or, all the coat hangers we get from the dry cleaners...hmm...

3-4

Ok, so I didn't take this picture. But this is the best.stinkin'.teether.EVER. I know everyone loves their Sophie, but I am not cool enough to own one, so, therefore my child will just have to accept the fact that she doesn't get the trendy toys or clothes. Ok, the trendy clothes part is a lie. She's the best dressed kid this side of our street. But, this teether, a gift from Grandma and Pap-pap, is wonderful. It vibrates. She got this on Thursday, and it has quickly become her favorite. I think the vibrating tickles her, cause she scruntches up her face when it starts going. Oh, and just a side note. If you happen to be riding in the car and feel the floorboard start to vibrate, be sure you check to see if this toy is in the diaper bag that your feet are on BEFORE you start freaking out about the wheel falling off, m'kay?

3-5

Ok. Don't judge me. Seriously. This is a bag of clothes that I set aside to donate to Goodwill. Four months ago. It's been sitting at the foot of my bed for FOUR MONTHS. Yes, that's right. Oh, and, Goodwill is only about 5 minutes from my house. The worst part? The longer the bag sits there, the more things I look at and think "Hmm, I may wear that one day." On second thought, judge me. Maybe then I'll be motivated to get them out of the house.

3-6

Yes, this picture was taken in front of my microwave. Because that's where I was when I remembered to take a picture Saturday night. Though Saturday was a ton of fun, complete with Ansley's first birthday party (not her first birthday party, but her first birthday party. Got it?), it wasn't till I got home that I remembered what I was trying to do. And, not that I'm trying to turn this into a political debate about abortion, but I work for a pregnancy clinic. We had a fundraising banquet recently and brought in $15,000 above the goal! I look at this pin now, and can't believe that Ansley's feet were that size, just about a year ago.

3-7

Here it is! Ansley's Easter dress! Now, I know the point is often to see just how many layers of lacey, frilly, flowery fabric you can squeeze your little one into on Easter, but I could not pass this up. Not only was it a great deal, but it screams "I'm going to be First Lady one day!" Is it not a little Jackie O dress in baby size?? I.LOVE.IT. Plus, she'll be able to wear it other than just for Easter, though I fought the temptation to put her in it this past week for church. Children's Place. Check it out.

So, there it is. My first week of daily documentation. Done. Taking the pictures wasn't the hard part. Finding the time to put them on here was.

And, what have I learned? Well, everything I look at I now ask myself "Is this worth a daily documentation?" It really makes me stop and think. What are the moments that I hope to store away, and what are those that are humbling? Hopefully, I'll be able to be completely honest with these, in hopes that I can keep myself accountable for things I plan to do. Like going to Goodwill. I should try to do that today. Or maybe tomorrow.