A Birth Story

This is long overdue. I mean, Zoë is sneaking up on 4 months old (ugh they grow too fast!). But before I completely forget, though at this moment it's solidly etched in my memory, I wanted to tell her birth story. And feel free to not read - it's quite long.

So it actually starts the Saturday before I had her. I had been walking around having braxton hicks off and on for a couple of weeks but nothing too serious and they definitely were not in a pattern. So I pushed myself to walk. A LOT. I walked in the parking lot during lunch. I went to the mall to walk around. I was oh so ready for her to be here (not to mention pregnancy for me wasn't all that great...I still don't miss being pregnant).

Early Saturday afternoon, I started having some more intense contractions but I didn't really think anything of it. I thought maybe I was psyching myself out. After a few hours of it and noticing they were getting closer, I started timing them. And they started getting closer. And my pelvis felt like it was going to explode. After a few hours of watching them stay consistent - no more than 5 minutes apart but closer to 2 or 3 minutes and lasting for a minimum of 30 seconds - I called my mom (my hubby was at work and I was not calling him unless it was to tell him to come home - I knew he would become discombobbled if I did call :)).

I was nervous. I wondered if this was really the real deal. I had nothing to go off of. The contractions were quite uncomfortable but they weren't wrapping around to my back like everyone said they would. Plus, at my last visit though I was 80% effaced, dilation was between 1 and 2 cm. What if nothing had changed? That can happen even with consistent contractions, right?

So I said all this to my mom. And she thought it was the real deal. I kept doubting. And asking. And she kept telling me, "I don't know, Meg. That really sounds like it's the real thing." She eventually asked if I had called the on-call doc. I admitted I hadn't. I was nervous. She told me to call, so we hung up and I did.

The on-call doc asked me all the same questions my mom did. And finally told me to monitor it for another hour or so and if they kept up to go to the hospital.

Well they weren't letting up. So I called my mom and freaked out some more. And she asked if I had called Ben. I hadn't. What if this isn't it?!?!  I didn't want to be one of those people who went several times before the real thing. I don't know why. I don't judge anyone for going and it ends up being false labor or whatever else it could be. I just only wanted to go to the hospital once (I'm not a big fan of them) and come home with a baby in my arms.

So I called Ben. And he made the decision: "I'm coming home!"

Ok then. To the hospital we will go. I started making sure we had everything we would need between contractions. And in the shortest time possible, Ben was home, the car was packed, and we were headed to the hospital.

After finally being checked in and being hooked up to a monitor for some 2 hours, they sent me home. I was right. I was having contractions. Steady. But they weren't changing anything down there. Talk about frustrating. Especially considering when we asked the doctor how we would know if we needed to come back, he said, "Well, normally this is when we tell you to come to the hospital. But in your case, if they get stronger is when you need to come back." Great. Just what I wanted to hear.

Thankfully, the contractions let up some. But not much. So I walked around in the early phases of labor.

Sunday came and went. So did Monday. And all I could think was, "I hate walking around in labor but not feeling enough change to go anywhere. I'm gonna be stuck like this for eternity!" Can you tell I was sick of pregnancy and ready for my little bundle?

And then I woke up Tuesday at one am in pain. Not much more than Saturday. But enough to wake me up (and that's pretty intense as I'm ridiculously hard to wake up; just ask Ben). So I started clocking them. At first they were about 10 minutes apart. So I dozed off and on. And I tried to make myself comfortable. And they started getting closer. And I wasn't getting sleep.

Finally, after 4 hours of clocking them, watching them get closer, and wishing Zoë was positioned a bit differently, I woke Ben up. I asked him to clock them. And by that time they were no more than 5 minutes apart and lasting a good 40 seconds. After he clocked them like that for 3 hours, we called my doctor's office. I purposely waited until their office was open as I was NOT going back to the assessment center. No thanks. I'd had enough of that!

They told me to come in and my doc would check me. Phew! At least if I was wrong then it would just be my doc and some other people I had become comfortable with. And no long waiting for 2 hours while hooked to a machine.

So we arrived. He checked me. And after stripping my membranes and stretching me to a 4, he sent us on our way to the hospital. He also said he would be behind us shortly to break my water. Woo! It was here! Finally, I was going to be working on getting to hold my baby in my arms!

Boy when he told us to go did the nervousness jump by about 200%! I didn't know I could feel that nervous. It was worse than performing an entire recital on my own! But the excitement knowing Zoë was coming somewhere in the near future far surpassed that.

So we got all set up in an L&D room. My mom and younger sister, Laura, came to be with us. And my dad, brother, and Ben's mom came to wait in the waiting room. Eventually, Ben's dad joined the rest of the group once he got off of work.

I didn't want an epidural - I'm a needle ninny and I wanted to try to have her as natural as possible. So I continued to labor without. The contractions really never got much stronger than they were when I woke up. I never felt them in my back. But man was her head hitting the front of my pelvic bone! Even after my doc broke my water the contractions were steady but never stronger. (The entire time my contractions never wrapped around to my back. I even asked if that was bad and my nurse told me no, it's just typical that they do wrap around.)

Finally around noon, I had had enough. I hadn't budged from a 4 since my doc had checked me at 8:30 that morning. And I was getting really annoyed: all the pain with no improvement? No thank you! Just as I was calling the nurse to ask for the epidural, she was walking in to tell me my doc had ordered pitocin. Perfect timing!

*Side Note* Looking back, I wonder if I would have made it without the epidural, because honestly my reasoning behind getting it was this: "I'm not dilating. I'm really, really, really annoyed that I'm not dilating. If the pain is not being productive, I'd rather be comfortable than sit here thinking during every contraction (which was about every 2 to 3 minutes mind you), 'Why is this not working!?'" The pain wasn't great but I was fine with it if it was doing what it was supposed to. But it wasn't. And that wasn't something I could do anything to change considering she was in the perfect position. Not to mention, I kept changing positioins and sitting on the birthing ball to see if any of that would help. Nada. And as such, my mind went into the future and worried (oh if I would just let go and trust God!) that even the pitocin wouldn't work (Dear God, please no! I really don't want surgery at all if I can avoid it!). So I got the epidural and boy was it nice to be comfortable :) *End Side Note*


My nurse was awesome and immediately said, "Let's get you the epidual before we start the pitocin." Oh thank God! My thoughts exactly! By 12:30 the anesthesiologist was in. I was so ready I didn't even have time to freak out about a needle between my spine. They got the medicine going and it worked great on all but one spot. They ended up giving me some pain meds to fix a hot spot I had and were done with it. Before leaving, my nurse checked me and yet again, I was still at 4 cm.

Now I could sleep! And boy was I glad because no sleep AND really hungry were starting to have a bad toll on my body. Not to mention all the frustration from getting no where - ugh!

After a nice 1.5 hours of sleep, we goofed off, and by we I mean my younger sister made this ridiculous video. Around 2 pm my doc came in to check me and I was at 6 cm! AHHH! Finally! Some change. Not much considering I had been in labor since 1:30 am but still! Better than nothing :)

That gave me some hope. As we sat around waiting for my docs day to end, I kept praying, "God, whatever happens, I really would like to not have a c-section and I really would love to have my doc deliver Zoë." Neither necessities but both were of great comfort to me and meant a lot to me. So I asked.

And God blessed me with both!

This next tidbit isn't much, however, I want to remember it so I'm going to write it :) Around 4:30 my nurse came in to let me know my doc had called and said he would be by after he had finished clinic. BTW, both of my nurses were AWESOME! A God send! And I really clicked with my second. Even had several conversations with her (I was her only patient that day). So anywho, she came in and told me that but asked if I would want her to check me as we would be waiting a bit before he got off. I told her I was a bit nervous but I really wanted to know. She smiled: she was just as curious as I was. And...9.5! Heck yes! She even said she was being a bit stingy just in case my doc said something less. We also agreed to not tell him she had checked me so he would have to: we all wanted to see what he thought compared to her. Plus it was kind of fun (Not so sure I would have had this much fun at this point if I hadn't had the epidural!).  :)

Somewhere close to 5 my doc came in and all I could think was if my nurse was right I should be ready to have Zoë!

He checked me. And I will never forget the face he made because in that moment I forgot how funny (laughing funny, not weird funny) my doc could be and thought, "Hell no! We were wrong. We were so wrong. There is no way I'm about to have a baby..." So I mustered up the courage to look straight at him and asked, "What?"

He proceeded to get the biggest, goofy grin I've ever seen while saying, "You're gettin' ready to have a baby!"

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! YES!!! HALLELUJAH! SHE'S A COMIN'!!!

Seriously, if I could have jumped for joy I would have! No c-section! Thank you God! AND my doc was delivering! SO FREAKIN' BLESSED!

He almost immediately had me start pushing. Then he had to go tell a colleague they could leave, he didn't need them to assist in a c-section (GO ON HOME! We don't need you here today!!!). So my nurse took over. When my doc came back he sat in a chair, while he waited on all the sterile equipment and the rest of the delivery team to arrive, and started looking at the book my sister was reading. I find this stinking hilarious that he is so low-key he just propped his feet back and started talking with us about her book. I guess I find it funny because I love that he is laid back but if action needs to be taken he's there (no I didn't feel like I wasn't being cared for while he did that and that is all that matters to me). I still laugh about that.

As soon as the team arrived, they got everything set up while I kept on pushing. And people moved around. And I kept pushing. And everything was together. And finally after 30 minutes of pushing (total!):

Zoë Grace Daigle

was born @ 17:27

weighing 7 lbs 10.1 oz

and measuring 21 in

(I am still in awe over her long, piano fingers! And how freshly wrinkled they were!)

And sweet Zoë,

I'm still wowed over you as much as day one! I tell you almost every day I could squish you I love you so much! That may sound awful but it's really because I feel like I could explode from how much I love you (gah words just don't do how much I love you justice). That, my dear, is your birth story! And I wouldn't have it any other way because you came into this world a healthy, pink bundle of joy! All ready to cuddle in your mommy's arms!

I love you sweet girl!

Mommy

Finally!

If I didn't have to explain, this would be a wordless Wednesday. BUT I've been meaning to post a picture of the painting I did to hang above Zoë's crib. This is what Ben and I opted to do since we don't have a nursery (we will rejoice the day we have our room back to ourselves!). Ben helped - he painted the verse in Hebrew on the bottom.

The top right corner is Zoë's name written in greek.

It's a bit rough for a painting but we were pleased with the way it came out. I've actually caught her looking up at it, probably because of all the contrast. No matter reason, it's cute to me :)

I'll also leave you with a video of Zoë in the Johnny Jump Up. I think it's cute because occasionally she will be able to jump but usually she just spins in circles while staring at her toys. Here ya go:

In case you were wondering...

So it's almost always a mystery where those socks disappear to when you've finished the laundry. And most people, myself included, joke about the washer eating them. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the washer trying to eat the burp cloth but I do have pictures of the aftermath:

Here you have the entire cloth. Notice the bottom left corner.

Notice the tears. And how wrinkly it is...

This shows a bit better all the wrinkled, messed up fabric.

I wrestled with the washer to get this out. The washer still works but it does have a bit of esteem issues now considering I won this battle. It just better not try to eat anymore socks.

Memory Monday v. 4

I want to cherish for a lifetime...


The way you cuddle (and have since I would assume conception considering you have since I could feel you move in the womb). Zoë, not to say any siblings that may come after you won't cuddle, but it is your nature. We have recently started calling you our koala baby because of the way you spread your arms across Mommy or Daddy's chest when you're being held and cling to our shirt (or our skin if fabric isn't available). Then you find a place to nestle your head and, if you so desire in that moment, nuzzle your nose into the nape of our neck. I so wish attachments wouldn't be formed if I allowed you to sleep on me for every nap because the way you cuddle when you're asleep is just as sweet (obviously I've done it some since I know :)).

I'm All In for an Easy Post

I'm all in for an easy post. Not because my precious baby is raising hell around here. We've actually been doing quite well despite her love of boycotting naps. I'm just exhausted, have a lot of hard family stuff on my mind, and have been quite mindless these past couple of days (and I hate to admit I'm loving it...I guess my mind needed a reprieve all it's own).

So here is to a fun, easy post :) Feel free to join in. You can click the button to take you to the link.

1. What do you keep a stockpile of?Hmmm...this really isn't a question I can answer as we are limited on space. I guess the closest we get to stockpiling right now: diapers. I always make sure to have plenty of extra on hand. Such is my life right now :)
2. If Ben & Jerry asked you to invent an ice cream, what would it be?Oh geez...and I thought this was going to be an easy post. I could sit and think about this F-O-R-E-V-E-R!.........ummmmm......well definitely a vanilla base. I love me some plain vanilla.Then maybe some carmel, with fudge and maybe some chocolate mousse. With some pecans. And some toffee. Oh and rasberries. Yeah. Delectable! In my opinion :)
3. How do you blow off steam?Gah, answering this makes me sad. Because I really can't do it right now. Seeing as gas still costs over $3 a gallon (and yes I'm aware that is cheap compared to some places but it's still ridiculous). But my favorite, back when gas was a buck twenty max, was to just drive. No where in particular. Just go. And preferably on a road with faster speeds :)Now...I'm not 100% sure because I'm not a runner. Cleaning doesn't help me. And I don't have access to a punching bag. A punching bag would be my other option if I had it.OH!It came to me - baking. I love baking. Sometimes cooking works well too but many times I'll rummage up whatever I can find to bake something yummy.
4. What would you do if you had an hour to yourself anywhere within a ten mile radius of your home...no kids, no hubby, just you?Well - I paruse Target. Or I find a silent corner in a coffee shop and read or fiddle around on my computer. And if I can have the house to myself, veg out in front of the T.V. 
5. When you were 16, what was your curfew in the summertime?Midnight. I loved this too because my parents were flexible: if my friends and I were going to watch a movie late or something of the sort, as long as I called and asked, generally my parents would allow me to stay out later. However, that didn't happen that frequently and they left room for saying no. And I couldn't be any later than midnight if no changes were made to my plans.

Wordless Wednesday v. 2

Nothing more serene (or precious) to me than my sleeping sweet pea.

Learning to Roll

Yeah. The early phases. I mean she rolled over once at about 6 weeks of age. Then she did it again at 11 weeks. The awesome part of the 2nd time: my sister was taking pictures when she did it.

 Trying desperately to get her head up enough to look at Aunt Lindsey

Starting to get the leverage and momentum needed...

 And she has made it to her side...

 Ta Da!!

Due to her dislike of tummy-time (still), she has yet to reproduce this. However, she has started rolling from her back to her side. I don't think she's too interested in getting to her tummy so she tottering from back to side seems to keep her perfectly content.

As for some precious, precious pictures my sister caught:

My sweet happy drooler :) I absolutely love how she puts her hands together. So dainty! All girl!

I am oh so in love with her blue blue eyes! She got them from her daddy.

Always determined to let us know exactly how she feels. No guess work here.

Self-soothing. Loves her hand, fingers, and thumb. Whatever part of her hand she can get comfortably to her mouth first, that's what she'll be sucking on.

Love her sweet smile and how it pushes her chubby cheeks. I love her so much!

So grateful Lindsey took the time to take these pictures for me. And edit several. It's nice to have Zoë captured at different stages, especially considering she's rapidly leaving them behind. Love my precious, baby girl!

Memory Monday v. 3

I want to cherish for a lifetime...


the way you started singing (and you were only 11 weeks old the first time you did!). And yes, you really do sing. You don't have words yet, but your cooing in time with me lets me know without a doubt you are singing with me. It makes me wonder if you will be a singer. Or if you just enjoy singing. I at least know you will enjoy music because there are some songs you will not sing ever, others you sing with me sometimes, and then there are your favorites. The only reason you choose not to sing is if you are in a bad mood or extremely tired, though it's usually the latter of those two. Just another glimpse of your precious heart. I love you my sweet Zoë!

3 Months Old

So I am a wee bit behind on posting this but as this is the first opportunity I have, this is as good as it's gonna get :) And warning it is long...

I cannot believe she is 3 months old already! I mean...where on earth did time go? I was able to capture a few good photos of her on her actual 3 month birthday so I will post those. I am also going to start posting a picture of her on a blanket my aunt, her great aunt, made for her once a month. That way we have some way to really mark just how big she is getting. I really don't want to say that...you know I want to put a brick on her head and keep her this small forever....but then again I don't. But without further lamenting her growing like a wild flower (a sweeter way than calling her a weed ;)), here is said picture (oh and pardon that it is awful - it was a quick one and I didn't look at it until way after the fact...oops!):




I know there is no point of reference but she is getting SO big! She's getting close to weighing 15 pounds and I'm sure she's at least 25 inches by now! CAH-RA-ZY!

Here are some pictures from our little photo shoot. Be ware - there are quite a few!


We were not too happy (and started getting sleepy) about the photo shoot :) Oh and notice the bow didn't last...it's not on in any of the other pics.
I absolutely love how she sucks on her bottom lip! For whatever reason, I think this is sooo sweet :)
My little Sweet Pea! I just love how her face lights up when she smiles. So not happy this pic is quite noisy!
Oh the faces she makes! I'm pretty sure I think this one is cute now and will hate it later. HA!
My happy chunky monkey :) Oh and I absolutely love her toes in this picture!
Seriously! My happy baby...loves her. Very much. And love how the camera captured the movement of her hands and feet, which were happily moving with excitement.
I think it's cute how this pic looks like she's getting ready to clap.
Yet another classic Zoë face...oh can the girl make some faces!
LOVE this! To me it shows just how happy and content she really is. And I love that she's pulling up her shirt.
Ummm...may I say how MAD I am this pic is so out of focus?! I JUST WANNA EAT HER UP! And this adorable pic had to come out so fuzzy...GAH!
Sweet Zoë Girl,

Baby, you are so precious to me! I cannot believe how much you have grown in so little time! You are the best surprise God could have ever given me! There are many times I wish I could find a way to keep you all tiny and small. But that is futile and as much as I love your little bitty self, I cannot wait to see you grow into the woman God has created you to be.

Our days are being spent with you awake more and more. And even though it can be very hard because you get overtired (I'll explain in a bit), you are more happy and content overall.

Here is what you are up to these days:

• You rolled over from tummy to back for your second time about 2 weeks ago. Still haven't reproduced it but you keep getting close.
• You wear size 2 diapers.
• You have been wearing 3-6 month clothes for about 2 weeks and also fit 6 month clothes now.
• You squeal in delight at times.
• You talk all the time. It is soooo cute! You were even talking to yourself in the car today. Oh for the day you have words! Your mouth will run constantly I am sure :)
• You look directly at someone when they're talking to you now.
• For people you've gotten to know and really like (especially myself and daddy) you do this really cute shy smile sometimes. For instance, if daddy is holding you and I start talking to you, you will smile but hide your face in his chest. Oh so precious!
• You are a master at boycotting naps. Every now and then you will sleep for an hour but generally we're doing well if I can get you to take about 6 - 30 minutes naps.
• BUT I can't complain - you sleep through the night like a champ! You go down around 7:30 and wake up some where between 6:30 and 7 A.M.
• You do fight sleep. For practically every nap, and bedtime as well, though not every time, you scream like a banshee. But once we get you somewhat calm and put you down, you don't fuss but 5 minutes and you're out like a light (that is for bedtime at least ;) told you you boycott naps!).
• I would not classify you as a fussy baby. HOWEVER, you currently fuss quite a bit from being overtire due to boycotting naps.
• You eat every 3.5 to 4 hours and total about 6 times a day. You take a 5 oz bottle during your dream feed like a champ. Oh and you're down to eating in about 15 minutes total (well...you were until you began to be more interested in the world around you...now it takes a bit longer but I'm sure that won't last forever).
• You can support your chest and hold your head up when on your tummy. This is a very recent development. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped your hate of tummy time. I'm thinking it's going to take you being able to sit up on your own.
• You can hold your head completely steady. You sit in the bumbo at times and I've tried the johnny jump up once but I didn't have a blanket to help fill in the huge gap in the seat :)
• You are into grabbing objects and blankets or clothes you can get your hands on. Here are some cute pictures of you doing so:

Your owl rattle is one of your favorite objects. Also the blanket you're on is another one of your faves. Your great-Aunt Kelly made it for you.

Love this pic as well! Your cute little belly showing :)

• You are working on laughing. There are several times you looked like you would but couldn't get a noise out. I'm thinking that by your 4 month birthday we will have heard that precious giggle escape your lips.
• You suck your thumb. Mommy isn't so happy about that one as I'm not looking forward to the day I have to break it, but you are able to sooth yourself so... Here is some proof:

terrible picture as your eyes have no light in them but it was the best I could capture

Sweet Pea, I love you so much. I am so happy you are mine! Your interest in the world around you is so much fun to watch. It is my joy to stay home with you and help you learn the world around you. You are precious, my little princess (and daddies too!).
Love you baby!Mommy

Thoughts on Chapter 5 "Spending Time With Your Father"

I am currently reading A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller. Here are some quotes I was struck by as I read them:

"Any relationship, if it is going to grow, needs private space, time together without an agenda, where you can get to know each other. This creates an environment where closeness can happen, where we can begin to understand each other's hearts.

You don't create intimacy; you make room for it. This is true whether you are talking about your spouse, your friend, or God. You need space to be together. Efficiency, multitasking, and busyness all kill intimacy. In short, you can't get to know God on the fly." - p. 47

"If you are not praying, then you are quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all you need in life. You'll always be a little too tired, a little too busy. But if like Jesus, you realize you can't do life on your own, then no matter how busy, no matter how tired you are, you will find the time to pray.

Time in prayer makes you even more dependent on God because you don't have as much time to get things done. Every minute spent in prayer is one less minute where you can be doing something "productive." So the act of praying means that you have to rely more on God." - p. 49

"Regardless of how or when you pray, if you give God the space, he will touch your soul. God knows you are exhausted, but at the same time he longs to be part of your life. A feast awaits." - p. 51

[All italics and underlining are mine]

I sat and thought munched each of those quotes for a bit. Actually, a really long time. And I reread them.

They made me wonder if intimacy scares me. I know I need it. There are times I almost crave it. But in the end, I find myself, many a time, running from it. Because intimacy means love and love means pain, thus intimacy means pain. At least that's what I've learned from this broken world.

However, when God is who you are becoming intimate with, though it means love, it does not mean pain in the way I think of pain. Sure there will be the pain of him prying away at the filth of your flesh, but it is for the purpose of drawing you closer to his heart. Making you more into his likeness. Molding me into a vessel able to be used for his glory, which is our purpose in this life. Pain inflicted by God is not form the possibility he will leave you: "'...I will not fail you or forsake you'" (Joshua 1:5b). There is no possibility for the pain to come from him harming you. It is only so he may refine you.

Yet, that is not how I respond to him. I do a better job at pursuing intimacy with people here who I know will fail me, hurt me, and may possibly leave me. I run around like a chicken with my head cut-off having left no time to pray. I lose heart when life bogs me down but I don't ensure down time with God. I even say I pray constantly. But what is that if I'm not actually taking focused time to be with God as well?

To pray without ceasing is bollucks if you're praying to someone who you've only taken time to know while you're running past. Which is to say, not at all. And in the process, you miss out on the greatest opportunity to know the Creator of the Universe.

Prayer.

*sigh*

I know it will always be a struggle because the ruler of this world wants nothing more than to see me fail. But I hope to truly start making it a priority in my life. That is, making God and keeping God the central focus. That has always been my heart's desire since he opened my eyes. I pray it always will be.

Something seemingly so easy we have made so hard.

I hope I will begin to approach him like a little child (the first few chapters discuss this in a bit more detail. Maybe I'll revisit them at a different time). It is of course what Jesus continually told us to do in the gospels. On a daily basis.

Memory Monday v. 2

I want to cherish for a lifetime...


the way you smile at me like I am the only person in the room. And it reaches your eyes. Sometimes your actual smile may not be so grandeur, but it is there, more so, in your eyes. The way you squint them. And somehow, the blue in them gets deeper. I'm not sure how, but I am almost positive it brings a depth to the color of your eyes that makes the color just a bit darker. It's almost as if you're telling me you love me the only way you can. 

Five Question Friday

I'm waiting on my Nap Evader to go to sleep. Listening to her talk fuss. So I will take some time to do a quick post. And maybe come back later for another post. Maybe...

On to linking up :) Just click the button below and it will take you to the site.





1) Did you do anything special for your kids on the last day of school? Or did your parents do anything special for you?
Well, seeing as my only child is a few days shy of 13 weeks, I'll go with the latter question. My parents would always take us out (us being all four kids) to eat and then take time to tell each one of us how they were proud of us. At least that's what I remember. I'm not sure I will celebrate the end of the school year that way, simply because I'm not, but I definitely want to do something along the lines of commemorating the year and making each kid feel special.
2) What's your favorite summer tradition with your children?
Umm...don't have one yet. So honestly not sure. On a small scale I definitely think an icee or snow cone might just be part of the deal :D
3) What was your favorite thing to do during the summer as a kid?
Hmmm...
Still thinking...
Geez I guess I'm honestly not too sure. I was a book worm (still am honestly) as a kid so my favorite activities didn't ever require a certain season to come along. But now as I think a bit more on it, I probably enjoyed going to the lake with some of our friends. Tubing. Learning to water ski. Attempting and sucking at kneeboarding. Yeah. That was a great summer activity!
4) How old were you when you were married? Were you a Bridezilla?
24. And I have to agree with Mama M - definitely a perfect age to get married.
As to the second question, I don't think I was a bridezilla. I knew what I wanted my wedding to be like and made sure to make specific requests so that it was how I would like it to be but pretty sure bridezilla never entered the picture.
5) What is your favorite girl name? (I'm needing suggestions)
Well I can start off with I love my daughter's name: Zoë. I also like the name Ariadne and Adelaide and Lyla. Just to name a few...

Napping: My Current Nemesis

So Zoë is not a fan of naps. At all. But what child is? I mean there is so much to learn and explore. She is even in the process of discovering her body in multiple ways: grabbing her feet, putting her hands together, looking at her hands, moving her tongue around, sticking her tongue out, any part of her she can find a new way to view.

All of these new discoveries are much better than the idea of a nap to her. It makes life interesting. So I try to find information that will aid me in helping her nap. And I liked a post I found. But one thing I really liked was this:

Here are a few other napping notions to keep in mind:

• Many new moms spend too much time comparing their baby to others, wondering why her baby is not napping as long, as frequently, as soundly, etc. Remember that your child's sleep habits are all part of his unique developing persona, and that together you will figure out sleep patterns at your own pace.
• If you are traveling or if your baby is sick, your whole napping schedule may get thrown out of balance. Be patient with your baby and with yourself: Don't expect your baby to jump right back into the old routine. She may be back to it after a few days, or it may change completely! Keep watching the cues for fatigue and prep her for nap time.

{You can read the entire article here}

I love talking with my friends and sister and older moms just to see what they did that works. But what I am always in need of reminding and loved that they said is how you can't compare your child to others.  Not that I sit around and compare. It's more sometimes I find myself wishing she was just a tid bit different, easier.

And then I remind myself of truely how blessed I am. How content my little tater tot is most of the time. And how in the long run, this whole napping business will be a thing of the past that truly mattered very little.

It's a great way to keep me on my toes and find new ways to help her discover the world around her but also teach her that naptime is not something she can completely skimp on :)

Wordless Wednesday v. 1...almost

It's a mostly Wordless Wednesday. But I have to tell this quick story.

Zoë and I went to Target this afternoon in hopes of her actually getting the sleep she was screaming for by one p.m. today after not napping well this morning. She slept. Really well. However, it decided to rain cats and dogs while we were wandering around the store. So we wandered some more in hopes it would stop. It did. For about 10 seconds. So as we stood at the front waiting for a slight break, this sweet lady offered to let her teenage son walk us to the car. He didn't even complain his mom had given him to help us. And the amazing part of that is the umbrella he would be using was only large enough to keep my sweet pea from getting soaked. He even struck up a conversation. And the kid was painfully shy. Reminded me of myself :) Just had to tell that because lately I have felt like the crazy witch in stores lately.

I mean, I am stared down my everyone when Zoë cries in a store. Like I'm horrible to have her out in public while she cries. Because I truly have control over when she does and doesn't cry. Oh wait! She would never cry if it was in my control. It was nice to see some people still care. 

But here is my wordless Wednseday:

My Sweet, Sweet Baby

Memory Monday v. 1

So I was on vacation last week. Hence the one non-noteworthy post :)

But I've been trying to think of a way to help me post more. As the wheels in my brain were turning, I began thinking of what I blog for. And when it comes down to it, the biggest thing is to freeze parts of time so they will always be remembered. And these days, I need that just so I have the memories because let's face it: as much as I would love to be a photog and capture a lot of my days in pictures, I'm still not one to adorn my neck with a camera. Thus I will start my "Memory Monday". A short but sweet and easy post. Plus, a great way to capture in word picture those moments I want to cherish for a lifetime!

I want to cherish for a lifetime...

the way you eat with so much gusto there is no hiding what you are doing. As if I was not already shy about feeding you in public, you definitely eat in a way to make me search for the darkest, abandoned corner possible if the car is not near :) Those loud, smacking sucks - so sweet. And only for my blessed eyes to see: how you gracefully close your eyes, not for want of sleep but from pure enjoyment of your meal. I may not enjoy breastfeeding but you sure do make some tender moments from one of my most hated tasks.