Thriving Thursdays

She's found her voice.. this is what I hear for at least 2 hours a day.. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Leave me alone.. I just woke up.

Bath Time!

So it has to be said. My little girl LOVES the water!! Everyone warned me.. "The first bath.. they will scream and fuss..!" Well that wasn't the case with Abigail at all! She just bounced her little froggy legs off the tub and bounced and splashed in the water! I really look forward to bath time now.. especially with the smiles! Right now I have a tub that I put on my counter in my kitchen and she has a bath in there. I like it because of the detachable hose on the sink.. and she likes the sprinkles of water on her.

Soon though, she will be a bit too big I for that and someone got me this great inflatable baby tub that you can put in your own tub!! When she starts sitting up on her own (which is sooner than I want it to be....) I am definitely going to be using it!! I can't wait to see her splashing and exploring in so much more water!

On a side note, I am officially addicted to this new camera. Still no artistic pictures, but lots of experimenting.. which, apparently, Abby is tired of.

Mom, are you seriously another taking picture?

Really?! Enough already. I'm playing.

It's here!

My wrap arrived last week and I thought I'd wait a week before I blogged about it, just to give it some fair trial time.. and.. I LOVE IT! I have taken her for walks in it, gone shopping with it and best of all, been able to do some much missed cooking and house work! Abby loves it too! I tried to take a good picture, but I haven't mastered the one-handed self portrait yet with the new camera.Abby doesn't look too impressed in the picture, but trust me, she loves it. I usually have her facing out because she likes to see everything that is going on around her. When she is a bit tired, I put her facing towards me and she is out within a couple minutes! The fabric is great and does not get hot at all. I would say my favorite thing to do with this wrap is go for walks with her. I love being able to hug her or rub her bum while we are both enjoying the fresh air. It is unbelievably relaxing.

Oh.. another great thing about the wrap is.. I have both hands free to play with my camera!

New Toy..

I have this little problem. When I get an idea in my head, it haunts me until I have satisfied it. My most recent idea was that I should invest in a better camera.. (if you saw all the blurry, horrible pictures I had been taking, you would understand why..) I mean, why pay someone else to do what you could potentially do yourself? Every bad picture I took I was one step closer to paying someone some serious money to get some good ones. I will most likely have pictures done once in a while, but I have that new, crazy mom urge, to photograph my daughter whenever she moves. And then there are all the seasons and holiday pictures.. I figured putting some money into a good camera will save me a lot of money in the future.
I got the idea a couple days ago, and now am the owner of a Canon Rebel XS! (Thanks Angie for the suggestion) I have no idea how to use all the functions yet, but have been able to play around with it for about an hour total (that's all that Abby has let me do so far.. haha)
These are some of the pictures I have taken.

As soon as I got home I ripped it out of the box and Abby woke up in time for her first photo shoot

Then after a nap, a couple other snaps.

Now these are not very artistic photos.. and when I upload the pictures it takes so much away from the quality.. but they are amazing to me. It captures every little perfection on her perfect little face, down to the drool drip on her chin.

Next week after Kindermusik on Thursday, I am going to do a little baby photo shoot at a friends house with Abby and her little guy Cayden. My mission this week, is to gather as many cute little props to put in the pictures. I have no idea how it is going to go, and how Abby is going to be.. but.. practice makes perfect! I can't wait to see what we can come up with!

Feel free to give me ideas if you have them!!

Thriving Thursdays

Our morning conversation

Wordless Wednesday

Success!

So, after a long drive, long wait and lots of talking.. Abby's tongue tie is officially snipped. I avoided watching at all costs.. but could hear that my little girl was a trooper. She was a little "off" for a while.. but after a nice nap on the drive home, she was smiling at me as if nothing happened! I have to do tongue exercises with her for a week and the doctor warned me they will be uncomfortable for her.. poor little girl. I did happen to stop off at work after the procedure and Abby got to visit, and we ran into someone who had a tongue tie whose parents opted to wait to snip it to see if it would grow out and it didn't. She had to have the surgery at 4 years old and still has a bit of a speech impediment and her tongue tip never really grew. It made me feel a lot better about the decision, especially since she kept saying I made the right choice.


This is her tonight during her nightly tummy time, looking none the wiser!

So, thanks again everyone for the advise!

Until the next decision...

Dear Abby

Tomorrow I am taking you to get your tongue tie snipped. I hope that I made the right decision by getting it done, but only time will tell. I am quite certain I am going to cry when it happens, so feel free to ignore me. I hope it doesn't hurt too much, and that nursing makes all the pain go away. Better yet, I hope it doesn't hurt at all and that you don't even notice it. If this decision makes things worse off for you than you would have been, I hope you know that I had your best interests at heart and tried to do the right thing.
Love you pumpkin bum.
Mommy

Just Wondering..

What is it about babies that just make you want to kiss them.. ALL THE TIME.. I don't know, but I am definitely guilty of doing it!

Looking Back..

I have been doing a little "mom reflection" today, and my new addiction, blogging, seems to be the best way to reflect! I am so amazed at how fast time flies and how little is remembered. I am the kind of person with a photographic memory. I remember everything.. conversations that took place years ago, silly little details and events.. but for the life of me, I can't remember how it used to be when Abby was just born. I have tried to remember the quiet and peaceful first week, when all she did was eat, poop and sleep. Tried to remember the next few weeks, when I would fall apart crying after she would finally sleep, wondering how I would make it through the day and why, in the great scheme of things, was this path chosen for me at the time. I definitely was not planning to become a mother yet and was really happy with the path I was already on. I DO remember the struggle through pregnancy and the decisions that I was faced with. I remember every second of that.. but everything after she was born seems like a fast-paced blur. Maybe because it is so repetitious? I don't mind forgetting the struggles, but I forget the good times too and I don't want to. I guess that is something I will have to cope with and hope that one day it will change. Until that happens, I will have to deal with it and focus on the present.. which happens to be pretty great! Sometimes shes fussy, but a lot of the times she's happy. And I love her more every day that passes. I remember seeing movies of babies being born and wondering when she was born, why I didn't feel this immediate great and passionate love for her.. and I felt horrible. But now I miss her when she sleeps, and can't wait to wake up in the morning and spend time with her. I think the struggles that I had, and will have, are a big part of what makes our bond so strong. Now there is no question in my mind that this change in path, as difficult as it can be, was the right path to take.

On a side note, we are just getting ready to go for our walk.. and it is a bit chilly out, so she is nice and bundled.. and of course I thought she looked cute and snapped a picture to share..

Definitely the right path..

Thriving Thursdays

I decided that it would be a good idea to do little videos for all those who can't see what Abby is doing all the time. I will try to get one every thursday.. and if you have a better word for me instead of thriving, I would love to hear it!

Wordless Wednesday

I see these around so I thought I'd try it, even though I have already blogged today..

I'm the luckiest mom alive :)

Bambooed Baby!

I read a blog by Jenn over at Baby Making Machine talking about Sugar Sweet Baby wraps. Now, I have a baby carrier that I have been using.. the standard kind that you see everywhere in stores. I like it, but it feels weird and foreign when I wear it. Abby also seems to like it, but I don't rush to put it on. I always wanted to try wraps and slings, but heard they were so complicated to put on. When I read up about this wrap, I was so excited! Here is a wrap, that is SIMPLE to tie and made out of bamboo..! Plus, it comes in different designs (which was good and bad.. because it took me so long to decide!!!) The carrier I have right now is only good for about a year, but this wrap can be adjusted for toddlers as well. There was a contest to win one of the wraps.. but I didn't want to wait and went ahead and ordered it right away! I can't can't can't can't even wait for it to arrive!!!! I'm sure I will have another blog dedicated to it when it gets here.. with pictures of course! Speaking of pictures.. I have also decided to budget in a new camera to capture the moments.. I don't know what kind of camera to get though, so any suggestions are more than welcome!

On a side note, I am able to write this blog because Abby is currently occupied..

She is having a conversation with the toy.. cutie pie!! :)

Bah Bah Bumbo!

So it has been over a week since the last blog.. I have been very busy! Abby doesn't seem to want to nap at all anymore.. and wants to learn every second that she's awake.. so that means constant stimulation! I didn't think that at 2 months, she would be ready for this.. but here she is..!

Her bumbo chair!!! I can't say how much I love this thing!(Thanks again godmother!) I also can't say how much SHE loves this thing! She can see everything that is going on and she also gets to watch Tarzan.

This also makes it much easier for me to get a meal in.. and while I eat, I get to see this..!

Love you pumpkin bum!!

Look Mom! I Have Fingers!!

Every day my little girl surprises me more and more at how fast she learns! 2 weeks ago she started sucking her thumb and I have mixed feelings about it.
Great things..

• Its super cute
• It calms her down
• She can fall back asleep so much easier now
• Did I mention it's super cute?

Bad things..

• Bad for teeth
• Hard habit to break

So what do I do? Unfortunately.. try and stop her if shes awake and IF I manage to catch her (she is quite sneaky..)I pop her suckie in her mouth, because I figure its an easier habit to break. This is proving to be a bit harder than I thought it would be. She went from not knowing her hands were hers to be an expert at finding her mouth!

A positive thing has come from her new found hands though.. she is a PRO at grabbing stuff! Usually its her dress that she pulls up to show off her diaper.. but now she has toys that she grabs and plays with and her play mats get good use! And she always has a good grip on her blanket when she naps.

Or someone's necklace!

I can't believe how just 2 weeks ago, she had no idea how to use her fingers.. and this last week it's like she has known all along how to use them! Whats next?! Things are moving too fast for me! Slow down little girl and stay a baby for a bit longer please.

Forever

I don't know what it is.. but I am an emotional wreck still. I thought that ended with pregnancy?! I am not one to cry a lot, but I find if I start thinking about how much I love Abby, I get teary eyed! In fact, writing that made me think of how much I love her and now I am! WHAT THE HECK! Not that its a bad thing.. but I never thought I would love someone so much that I am brought to tears when I think about it.

So.. I have been writing a lullaby for Abby that I have a really hard time singing, because I cry when I try to sing it, but hopefully one day I will record it and post it. I did, however, come across this song tonight. I remember when I first heard it, and instantly fell inlove. Maybe because hot Uncle Jesse was the one who was singing it on Full House? I'm sure that has something to do with it haha. Anyways, these are the lyrics:

If every word I said
Could make you laugh
I'd talk forever
I asked the sky just what we had
It showed forever
If the song I sing to you
Could fill your heart with joy
I'd sing forever

Forever, forever
I've been so happy loving you

Let the love I have for you live in your heart
And be forever



Now, listening to it again, I find it such a perfect little song to sing to her.. and tomorrow I am going to figure out how to play it on the piano/guitar. In the mean time, acapella it is :)

The Incident..

So.. I have been meaning to blog about this for almost a week now. Last Friday, my sweet little girl's digestive system decided to be a bit more efficient. She did not poop until Sunday.. which I thought was horrible and that something was wrong, but after doing some reading and checking out blogs I realized it's completely normal. What ISN'T normal is what came out of her Sunday. Now, if you have a weak stomach, please do not continue reading this.. especially since there a visual aids.

I was at my moms visiting sitting in the livingroom relaxing and watching a movie. We had both been hoping that Abby would poop because she used to poop about 6 times a day! Then we heard it. The poop farts. She was just playing in her chair so I let her stay there for a bit because there is always a poop after shock (I found this out the hard way while changing her diaper right away.. twice.. they say girls don't squirt anything.. they LIE!)

So, after about 10 minutes or so, I think that enough time has passed to investigate. I go to pick her up and her whole back feels soaked. I thought "Oh my god! She's sweating! She must be sick!" Then.. I saw it. Poop. Everywhere. I have had little diaper explosions where it goes up the back a bit... but not like this. The poop made it all the way up to her armpits! So.. here I am.. holding her as far away from me as possible wondering what the heck I am supposed to do! I yelled for my mom and she came and just started laughing at us. Not funny. She grabbed a garbage bag and we laid Abby on it. I proceeded to open her onsie to find that the inside it is worse than I thought. Poop up to her chest, in her belly button, in her armpits, up her back, down her legs.. everywhere!! After I got the clothes off her I brought her to the bathroom and my mom hosed her off with the shower and then I gave her a bath.

Now I have a strong stomach.. but that did me in. Never have I seen something so gross before. I thought last week, that nothing gets worse than that. Then I read on Angie's blog ~ Wife, Lawyer, Mother ~ about her son Owen's explosion HERE.. YUCK! Thank god Abby can't play with her poop yet! I am not looking forward to the day that she can!

I didn't take a picture of the initial situation, but I did take pictures of the outfit after. They really don't do the situation justice, but you get the idea.

So here's to hoping that this is our one and only huge explosion!

Thank You!

This blog is simply to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the feedback about the tongue tie. I knew all along that deep down I wanted to have it done, but when a doctor tells you something, you loose your ground and second-guess yourself. After all.. they are the experts..... right? Unfortunately, because it was discovered so late, no doctor in my region will do the procedure to any newborn older than 2 weeks..! Thank goodness I found someone in Toronto (about 2 hours away) that will do the procedure. I am hoping to have it done within the next two weeks. I'm a little nervous about it.. especially after watching THIS VIDEO (which made me bawl like a baby..) but know that it is the right decision for us.



So thanks again everyone and a special thanks to Monique for blogging about it too.






I'm reminded all the time that choosing her as Abby's Godmother was the right decision as well!

What to do?!

For the past month or so I had suspected that Abby had a tongue tie (Where the skin that attaches from under the tongue to the bottom of your mouth attaches at the tip of the tongue instead) Pediatricians are supposed to check for this during the first week checkups. I was pretty sure I was right, so I asked when she got her two month shots if she did in fact have one. Sure enough.. she does! I didn't notice right away, but thought her tongue looked a little strange.. the tip of her tongue looks like a bum and she didn't seem to be able to stick it out much. I thought this was normal until I saw other babies her age sticking out their tongue. The doctor said that since she is feeding fine, she won't do anything about it now. I don't know what to do. This will be my biggest decision I'll have to make.. because it could affect her life forever.

After doing some research, I found that tongue ties can stretch out and not cause any problems. They can also stay like that and cause speech impediments. Or dental problems.

So.. here are my choices.

Find someone who will snip it now while she is still young.. and apparently it is just as painful as a shot. Hurts for a bit and then is fine.

Pros.. She will be able to stick out her tongue like everyone else and may potentially never encounter speech problems. She may also latch better so I won't be as sore feeding.

Cons.. It may be unnecessary.. and in some cases, cutting it does not prevent the speech impediments that will happen because the tissue is just snipped and not reconnected.

OR I could wait and see. And if there are problems, there is surgery available to correct it when she is older where they will reconnect it correctly.

Pros.. waiting may prove to eliminate the tie if it stretches out

Cons.. she will be older and will have already adapted to speaking with her tie and will need speech therapy to correct it.. AND she will have to go through surgery.. which at that point, would take a couple days to heal.

So what do I do? I know that I don't want my daughter to have to feel different. Life is hard enough without having something else to deal with. I can't imagine how she would feel if someone stuck out their tongue at her and she couldn't do it back. Maybe I am just blowing the whole thing up and it wouldn't be a big deal to her.

How do I make a decision that will affect someone else's life forever?