Fertility, Pregnancy, Baby stuff

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It’s been a bit over a month since we quit Gymboree  and none of us have been sick since. Coincidence? I think not. I know once Kaili starts preschool, colds will be inevitable but I am just fine with waiting another year or so to deal with all of that. She has been attending the gym daycare a few days each week and so far she hasn’t caught anything so maybe just maybe Gymboree wasn’t up on the sanitizing as much as they bragged about.

What we are experiencing is a little separation anxiety for the first time. She gets a little sad when I leave her at the gym daycare and apparently she wants to be held the whole time. I really need to get her more social interaction with kiddos her own age. We are lucky to have good friends that have a 1 1/2 year old daughter. The girls are starting to get to the age where they can interact more with each other and it’s so fun to watch.

Isla and Kaili
playing with the birthday present Isla got for Kaili
water play
so fun!

Kaili hasn’t taken any steps on her own yet but she is really loving her walker. I mean reaallly loving it. Here is a video  I took of her, laughing the whole way through.

Mommy Wars

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“Are you mom enough?” The Time Magazine cover story which features a skinny mom in jeans breast-feeding her 3-year-old. Really, am I mom enough? I didn’t know motherhood was a contest, but then again maybe it is. Extreme Parenting vs. Babywise vs. Attatchment parenting vs. Ferber method. Stay at home moms vs. working moms.There are so many ways to raise a child and each one points fingers at the next.

Do I agree with that picture? Well what does that matter? What the article did do was it  got me thinking, no matter how I choose to parent, there are some things I want to teach Kaili, really teach her.

I want her to be kind. The girl who always says please and thank you to the waiter, librarian, grocery store clerk and the elderly.

I want her to be open-minded. Free of bigotry and racism.

I want her to see the good in people. Befriend the kid that gets bullied and stand up for herself if she is the one being bullied.

I want her to know how much she was wanted and how much she is loved. Always. But that she is not the center of the universe and never will be.

I want her to see the world, with me and without me. Experience new cultures, religions, people and places. Open her heart and mind of the benefits of studying and visiting foreign lands.

I want her to be able to spot superficiality a mile away. Surround herself with people who are good and stay true to herself.

I want her to be able to laugh at herself.  It’s humbling.

I want her to be able to say No!

I want her to forget about what other people think of her! What does she think about herself? That is what really matters.

I want her to know that “diamonds are not a girls best friend”. Friends are invaluable they stick with you through good times and bad. Some may come and go and that is Ok too.

If she has a sibling I hope for them to be close. The best friend she can’t get rid of. I hope for them to share secrets that no one else knows, stick up for each other and stay loyal to each other through it all, good and bad.

I want her to know that everything happens for a reason. There will be good times and bad times. That she is loved unconditionally. She can be whatever she wants and do whatever she thinks she can and that “home is where the heart is” and we are here for her always.

1 Year Checkup and a Few Sea Lions

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This morning we headed to the Pediatricians office for Kaili’s one year appointment,these are really no fun at all. She only weighs 17 lbs and is 28 inches long. The dr. isn’t worried about her weight although she is a little low on iron. It’s because the girl just doesn’t eat much. Maybe I should start giving her some  steaks to gnaw on, they can double as a teether too! Speaking of teeth, Kaili now has 3 top teeth with one on the way, 4 bottom teeth and a molar.

She received her TB test, Iron level test and got 4 vaccinations. Poor thing tried to be so strong but alas a few tears were shed. The Dr. said to expect a fever from the Chicken Pox vax for the next few days and a fever from the MMR vax next week. Fingers crossed she sails through without any side effects.

Shane’s folks have been in town since Kaili’s party last weekend and we have had a busy fun-filled week. Shane and I got out for a date night, we don’t get those very often so it was fun to not have to worry about diapers and cleaning up the floor under a high chair for a change. We enjoyed a glass of wine at a French wine bar downtown then hit up Brian Malarkey’s restaurant, Searsucker.

We took Shane’s parents to a few yummy restaurants and we took Kaili to SeaWorld for her first time. I love SeaWorld!! We got ourselves a 2 year membership and I fully intend on getting good use out of it. Kaili had a great time and was such a good girl. She sat through the pet show and the dolphin show. She loved looking at all the Seagulls circling around waiting to get a snack of dolphin food, she enjoyed watching mommy feed the ducks during lunch and she loved the Skyride she went on with Grandma and Grandpa. She wasn’t too sure about the Sea Lions, I think it’s because they are so loud.

“I will wave for fish”
a little unsure
this guy wasn’t messing around, he wanted his fish and he wanted it NOW
enjoying the dolphin show

Kaili enjoyed the Pet Show, so did mommy!

This past week has been a mini-staycation but all good things must come to an end. Shane’s folks have headed home and Shane is back to work on Monday. Time for a cleanse I think, mind and body!

Birthday Fiesta!

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 I can’t believe my baby is entering toddler hood. Kaili’s Fiesta was a hit and we had some pretty good food: tamales, carnitas, guacamole, rice, beans and for dessert, cupcakes! Recipes coming soon.

I had a blast planning her party, my creative juices have been put on hold since I stopped teaching so this was a fun outlet. I printed her monthly pictures in black and white, used a corner rounder on them and strung them above the table. I struggled with the umbrella topiary, they didn’t turn out like I wanted them too, but they were still cute.  My mom helped me paint her name banner and helped me with the cooking. It was great having a bunch of our friends and family to help with everything and here to celebrate her big day. I love you all!

Kaili had a super fun day, maybe too much fun. She had a hard time winding down and it took a few days to get her back on schedule. I think she’s had enough sugar to last until her 2nd birthday.

Here is a glimpse through photos friends and family took.

Chocolate cupcakes with coconut cream cheese frosting
Red velvet cupcakes
cocktail umbrella topiary
swag!

birthday girl!

mmm, sugar is good!
After getting covered in cake she took a dip in her new pool

Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter. Being your mom is the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you more than you will ever know!!

xoxo,

Mommy

All {in a} Year

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6 days! Less than a week and my sweet baby K turns 1-year-old. This has been the longest and shortest year of my life. It seems like just yesterday when Shane and I headed to the hospital to begin the induction process but when I see the pictures of her when she was a few months old and so tiny, it seems like ages ago.

Hardest Days of my Life
So happy to be able to hold you!
We didn't waste any time getting you out of the house.

I look back at the past year fondly {excluding the delivery and recovery} . Kaili has been a happy and easy baby for the most part. I have  heard horror stores about  parents who end up dealing with major sleep issues, food issues, bodily issues, sippy cup issues ect. ect. I think we have had it pretty easy and Shane and I will be the first to admit that when things seem difficult, we really have been lucky. Someone told me once that it’s all a trick to get us to have another one, haha.

She has become such the little lady. She is determined and focused and has become quite the copycat. It’s been amazing to watch her go from this

were you really ever this small?

to this.

I am really looking forward to what the next year brings. I am excited to start our trips to the beach, Sea World and the Zoo. I can’t wait to watch her take it all in.

Someone asked me if parenthood was everything I thought it would be. Yes, yes it is. I was very well prepared to have a baby and I haven’t been surprised by much. But thinking about this more over the past few days, there are a few things I wish I knew before having Kaili.

  • I really really wish someone would have told me I could have insisted on a c-section any time during the 36 hours of labor instead of having to wait until it became an emergency.
  • That finding normal moms to be friends with may prove to be impossible.
  • How many hours I would spend online researching different ailments and the amount of time I will spend worrying about her.
  • That I would still be numb at both incision sites and have sporadic pain when working out a year later.
  • How amazing it is to be able to stay home with her and get to watch her grow and learn in every way.

Happy almost birthday my little love, we are going to do it up big for you!

Spinach + Feta Flatbread

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How amazing was the weather last week? It was the perfect timing for Kaili’s swim lessons, I looked forward to getting in the water each day.

I don’t know about you but when it’s hot and summer-like outside I have a few favorites I like to eat. Fruit of course but I also love a cool Tabbouleh salad, Caprese and now these flat breads or on that list.

Spinach and feta are a perfect combination, add some sautéed onions,garlic and tomatoes and you have an easy and delicious meal.

Pre-heat oven to 425

Whole Wheat Flatbread

Shredded Mozzarella { or any cheese you want }

sautéed spinach with onion + garlic

Crumbled Feta

Sliced Tomatoes

I like to melt the mozzarella on the flatbread a bit to start. Once it’s to your liking, pile on the rest of the ingredients and pop back in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the feta is starting to melt. Kaili and I devoured this  3 times last week and I am pretty sure we will again this week. It’s super easy and super good.

* I found an artisan whole wheat flatbread at Sprouts that only has 90 calories. A lot less than most flat breads or naan bread. You could also use Pita bread.

Enjoy!

 

 

Sleep Troubles

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In four months Shane and I will be Rome and let me tell you after the past month I am very ready for this vacation. We finally recovered from all the sicknesses we endured but now we are battling sleep regression. My great little sleeper is fighting every nap and bedtime with conviction. I thought maybe we were going to soar through the toddler years with a perfect sleep angel on our hands alas she is proving that to be a distant memory as she screams in her room.

Is it her teeth? Is it developmental? Is it separation anxiety? Yep, probably. I have researched all I can and I am now well-educated on the sleep facts of a 1-year-old. Still doesn’t help me. I taught Kaili to fall asleep on her own from a young age, no rocking to sleep, no co-sleeping and every night we had the same bedtime routine. It seems it has all gone to hell.

Is she ready for 1 nap a day? Maybe. So I gave it a shot and it backfired on me. Does she need her bedtime to be pushed back an hour? Maybe. That didn’t work either. Cry it out! I do and she is a persistent little thing, I can only take so many hours of listening to her wail until I have to say to myself “this isn’t working either”.

Hopefully I am jumping the gun with this post. Maybe she will be back to her normal self, welcoming alone time in her crib by the end of the week.

It’s quiet now, she must have worn herself out, only took 45 minutes. For all my friends that have children and have been going through this for months and months, I am sorry.  Is it too early for wine?

Little Swimmer

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It’s Splash Week and our YMCA so that means Kaili gets a week of free swim lessons, wahoo!

I had her model her new bathing suit before we left. Since it was just me taking her I knew I wouldn’t be able to capture any moments in the pool. Hopefully one day this week I will.

The class was a good size, about 10 moms and their babies. The water temp was perfect I could have stayed in there and swam for a long time. Kaili had a blast, she was laughing through the whole class. She had a pretty tight grip on me but other than that showed no fear at all. I think this is going to be great for her. Just might have to sign up for some more this summer.