Outing turned into 3 ring circus.....

So I was feeling super adventurous today...we have had great days and nights lately and I thought to myself.."let's keep this going...we will be champs at errands and sleep in no time!" Well, Miss Emma decided to show me otherwise...here is our day.and feel free to laugh out loud and feel sorry for me at the same time.

We were going to eat breakfast with my dad at work - free food:) But I didn't realize we HAD to be there at 8:30..I thought it was rolling..so needless to say...at 8:10 we were not even close to leaving. Emma slept from 10:30-3:30 last night, and then from 4:30-7..pretty good..although I was hoping to shower and eat before she got up. I guess I will need to get up at 6:30 for that to happen..pretty hard if you just fell asleep an hour and a half ago...Anyway...I nursed her for 10 minutes..where she then fell asleep..great. Brent had not left yet, so I quickly handed her off to him so I could shower. I then realized I also had to pump..so I would have something for her while we were out..which takes an eternity it seems. We finally got out of the house at 8:45 (guess getting somewhere at 8:30 was not realistic!) I wanted to try getting out, so we headed to Target..I always NEED something from Target..where I ran into a great blog friend (hi Carrie!). I have ran into friends every time I have been out and I love it - it makes the trip so much better! The Target trip went great - I even toted her into the fitting room to try on some workout wear (yes...I need to workout!) We checked out and the girl was still sleeing..so I thought.."yes, we will continue to push our luck and go to the mall!" It was only 9:35..and the mall did not open until 10..so we drove around the parking lot for 20 minutes (I had to waste gas in the truck somehow since I don't drive anywhere hardly ever!) We went in a few stores in the mall...honestly, it was just great to walk around in air conditioning. She started to stir and wake up, so I quickly made my way back to Nordstroms where we had parked. Enroute, I ran into a good family friend (seeing a trend here - who needs visitors over to your house..just head out!), where I probably stayed 10 minutes too long to chat (although I loved seeing then!!!!). By the time we got to the car, Emma was crying pretty good....so I raced to get her in, load up the BOB (thank god for trucks and tailgates) and get my butt home.

Of course, I hit every light...and there was a wreck right by the mall that had just happened..so I had to pull over for the emergency vehicles and all. By this time, Emma was full on screaming - choking and gagging herself because she was crying so hard. It was awful...I hated to hear it and I felt like such a selfish mom. I almost pulled over on Woodcroft Parkway to feed her even though we were less than a mile from home. And of course, I got behind every slow driver in the world. I was yelling and waving at them to get out of my way..they must have thought I was crazy!!

When I pulled into the driveway, I left everything in the car but the milk and Emma..and raced inside to give her the bottle I had. 3 minutes into her eating, I hear 3 massive poops...farts...whatever you want to call them. Emma is not skeered..and loves for the whole city of Durham to hear her poop (that's my girl!) I then felt warm and wet all at the same time...yes..she pooped so hard it leaked and got on me! Successful morning so far! I wasn't sure whether to change her or just let it be since she was so hungry. I let her eat for a few minutes and then changed her. I change her downstairs on a mat sometimes to eliminate trips up and down the stairs..and somehow Sunflower (my cat) managed to get all mixed up in the poop affair during this one changing. She had it all over her paw and foot..which I only noticed all over the kitchen floor an hour later.

So.....that was my morning! It took me 2 hours to get Emma settled after that - she was so hungry she ate too fast..which then resulted in spit up..which then meant more eating! She is sound asleep and snoring in her swing right now...totally oblivious to the chaos and stress of the morning..and thank god..I would never want her to remember that! Happy Thursday everyone!!

One month update

Today we had our one month doctor appointment, even though Emma is technically over 5 weeks old. Here are her stats:

weight - 9 lbs. 8 oz. - 75th percentile!
length - 21 - 50th perccentile (not surprising..neither Brent or I are particularly tall!)

We got our second hepatitis B shot today, and Emma only cried when the needle stuck her (I would too) and luckily I was able to console her before we left the room. Our pediatrician is great and puts up with all my crazy questions (which I write down beforehand and take notes during our appt as if there is going to be a test later..) She said that Emma looks perfect, and I couldn't agree more! We are still having some spit up/reflux issues on some days - any thoughts you mommas out there? Is my diet really that closely related to her behavior?

We are still sleeping good - getting up 2-3 times a night. I can't complain too much...this morning she awoke at 5:45, but went down at 6:15 then slept until 9am. I slept in (7:30) and then was able to shower, eat cereal, and drink coffee...what a treat!

Our nightly ritual has been walking together - mainly to the grocery store for odds and ends, and sometimes to Menchies for froyo:) She does great - even if she isnt sleeping, she just sits and watches..hardly fusses at all.

Monday we ventured on our first real solo trip together - to the mall. I was beyond nervous...what if she started screaming uncontrollably? What if I couldn't figure out the handicapped doors with a stroller?! Fortunately, I went to JCrew first to visit my old co-workers - who loved seeing her, and a friend from church happened to be in there! She offered to watch her while I tried stuff on (not fun for 5 weeks post pardum..) and we had coffee together at the e-bar. It was great - I felt like I was beginning to be a whole person again...getting out, going places....we are thinking of taking our show on the road again this Friday for Fridays on the Front Porch since the weather is going to be so nice!

Lately, Emma has been spoiled rotten - her favorite place to nap is on my chest and I absolutely love it. I love her sweet milk breath and her precious little lips. I am actually typing this post with one hand while I snuggle her with the other:)

No full smiles yet, but the pediatrician said that Emma seems to be more observant and that those types smile closer to 6 weeks...meanwhile poor Emma has to put up with me in her face all the time smiling, trying to get her to smile back!!

We're still alive!!

Whoa - I've been missing from the blog world for way too long!! Things have actually been going pretty good.  We still have some bad days, but we have made large strides.  Currently, as I type this at 7:45am, Emma is still asleep.  She has been going down around 8:30-9:30, then sleeping until about midnight, then up again around 5, and sleeping until 8am.  And I am happy to report that she is sleeping in her crib - and I am NOT glued to the monitor all night!  In fact, when we first tried it last week, I gave Brent the monitor and "checked out" for most of the night. I hardly heard her wake up - Brent was doing all the work! Now, I am doing better and we have learned to put the sound on the lowest setting.  Emma stirs a lot - going in and out of her REM sleep - grunting and snorting.  I was waking up panicking that she couldn't breathe or was in distress until I realized it was all normal. 
Emma loves tummy time!  She loves to try and push herself over her small pillow on the activty mat, and she loves to lay on my chest and look around.  She most assuredly falls asleep in the carseat - whether just sitting in it in the bathroom while I shower, or in the car, or on a stroll.  I am liking this fact:) She was really into the swing for awhile and napped good there, but I am trying to get her to nap in her crib only (or carseat if we are mobile).

We are one month old! 

NURSING - is getting better.  She is a tad bit more efficient on the breast, but not enough where I am willing to be up for hours with her overnight.  We still use a bottle during the night, which unfortunately means I am still up pumping...but that is far less time consuming!  I nurse her as much as I can during the day, but try and space out her feedings.  At night and early morning, she is every 3 hours.  Then she becomes some alien in the afternoon and wants to snack...a little here...a little there... I need to do better at enoucraging full meals or nothing at all.  She spits up sometimes and we really have to be sure to keep her upright any time she eats, and then for 30 minutes after.  She may also be a drooler...bibs anyone?

WEIGHT - at our 3 week appt on July 3, Emma was 8 lbs. 4.5 oz!  It was a huge relief because I was unsure whether she was gaining enough weight.  Surely, she was, since she was only 6 lbs. 8 oz. 3 weeks prior.  The pediatrician was really encouraged and surprised - she did not think Emma would have gained that much.  Do we have a chunkster on our hands???

OUTINGS - On her one month birthday, Brent and I took her to lunch at Brixx...well...we took ourselves, and Emma slept the whole time.  It was our first real outing with her, and it was a success!  I then ventured to Raleigh by myself (how's that for courage!) to eat lunch with Brent.  Of course, everyone at the pharmacy oggled all over her, as well as everyone at Hayes Barton Cafe..she even had her own piece of cake!  She slept the whole time - except for the way home. She started screaming as soon as we reached the RBC center on Wade Ave.  I got off 40 onto the Cary exit to feed her. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, she stopped and fell asleep!  I decided to chance it and continue home - and we made it!  I know she will have to cry, but I also knew she was probably famished at that point!

Emma was generous and shared her slice of cake with us:)

Other things that weigh on me all day long:
-my thank you cards....I am way behind!  I had intentions of ordering cards with her newborn pics on them, but have not picked them out yet...so thus, not cards done.  I promise to everyone that it is not an indication of my appreciation.  We feel very blessed by all the care and gifts we have received in the last months.
-the slow return to normalcy - things like cooking meals (even eating meals), going places, etc..  I wonder if I will ever do these things again:) I have never missed going to work so much! (although Emma sure beats working...in all seriousness!)
-when will Emma be big enough to fit into all her cute outfits?!?!  She has a ton of 3 month clothes but can't wear them yet!  I also CAN'T wait to take her out more.

Emma loves to rock some crazy hair!

again...bad hair day!

I bought this little toy doll at Baby Boutique in Chapel Hill and it goes with Emma in her car seat.  She probably isn't aware of it, but I like to think she is holding onto it:)

Tummy time fail.  She normally does not fall asleep and loves to push around on the floor.

She is starting to have more personality everyday...