10 Things That Made Me Smile in October

October has been a great month!  Here’s what made me smile:

1-7. Trip to MA

How can these pictures not make you smile?   I know I’m biased but this baby is ADORABLE!  We had a great time in MA seeing family and friends and enjoying the fall foliage.

8.  Returning Home to WA

As nice as it is to be away, it’s great to return home.  I’m loving sleeping in my own bed and having The Man around!  Munchkin was super happy to see daddy too.

9.  A Growing Girl

We had a great doctor’s appointment on Monday.  Munchkin is growing well!  At three and a half months, she’s 25 inches long and 14lbs 15 oz.  Both those stats are in the 90th percentile.  She’s teething and grabbing at toys (her favorite is her rattle) to put in her mouth to gum on.  She’s not interested in rolling but really wants to sit up.  If you prop her up on a pillow, she tries to pull herself up.  It looks like she’s doing crunches.  She also loves it when you hold her up so she can stand.  She’s a growing girl and I love it!

10.  Coming Home to a Super Clean House

When I walked into the house after two weeks away, I was elated to see that my husband had cleaned it.  It shone.  It smelled so nice, clutter was gone, fall decorations were up and there was no dog hair in sight.  I left the house a mess and he cleaned it up.  True love that is.  That man is so good to me!

 

I’m linking up with Emmy over at Emmy Mom.

Insert Interesting Title Here

I know I haven’t been posting very much.  Munchkin and I were in MA for two weeks.  I was busy showing off my daughter to friends and family.  We had a great time but I’m glad to be home.  There’s something so nice about coming home to your own stuff after being away.

Even though I have been writing very many posts over the past few months, I have been thinking about posts.  I think about what I want to write and even compose paragraphs in my head as I go about my day.  Then I sit down and I can’t get the words out.  They sound so much better in my head.  So I start a post and never finish it.  I can no longer finish a post in one sitting anymore anyway, since Munchkin normally needs my attention before I’m finished.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving being a mom (have a blog post started on that.)  Priorities have changed and I’m still figuring things out.   What I really need is technology to take my thoughts and turn them into blog posts.  Or maybe I just need to invest in a voice to text program.  Someday I’ll get all the blog posts written…hopefully before Munchkin goes to college!

Dear Munchkin

Dear Munchkin,

Happy three months baby girl!  You're a growing girl and as much as I miss you being small and snuggly, I'm loving watching you get bigger and learn new things.  I loved watching you when you found your foot.  You just stuck it out and stared at it.  I'm just waiting for you to try to get it in your mouth like you do your hands.  You love sucking on your hands and it's not unusual to see you trying to fit them both your mouth at the same time.

You're doing great eating and sleeping.  You have a doctor's appointment once we get home and I can't wait to find out how much you weigh and how long you are!  Your 3 month sleepers don't fit anymore so it's into the 6 month ones.  Some 3 months close still fit so we're transitioning into the larger ones.  You are a much loved and spoiled little girl as we had two different friends give you clothes here in MA.  Mommy didn't have to pack you anything!  Of course Nana also bought you a few outfits as well as some adorable leg warmers.  I'm not sure when I'll need to buy you cloths.  It's great that we love hand me downs.

You're doing great meeting so many new people here in MA!  Everyone thinks your adorable (which you are.)  Thank you for not crying when people you don't know hold you.  I know your sleep schedule is messed up but you're doing ok with that too.  Mommy's so proud of you.  I have to laugh though, at the fact that I have to fight with your Daddy to push your stroller at home and in MA I have to fight with your Nana.  I often joke that it's a good thing I breastfed otherwise I might never get to hold you.

I love being your mommy.  I love seeing your bright blue eyes first thing in the morning.  You're such a happy girl.  I can tell that you're going to like to talk.   You bring such joy to your Daddy and I.   We can't imagine life without you.

Love you lots,
Mommy

THAT Mom

Ever since I told my mom I would travel to MA with Munchkin I was nervous about the plane ride.  The closer it got the more I started to worry and stress about it.  I knew that there wasn't a whole lot I could do. Baby girl is 3 months and while I can do my best to keep her from crying, let's face it, she's a baby and babies cry.

So I did what I could do to prepare.  I dressed her in a onesie and leg warmers for easy diaper changes, had the ergo for easy carrying in the airport and we booked a nonstop red eye flight (to be honest, it was our favorite flight without her.)  I was also telling myself that I could only do my best and if she cried, she cried.  As a friend pointed out on Facebook, it's not like I'm ever going to see any of those people again.

So we get to the airport and we have a little extra time so we headed to the USO so I could nurse Munchkin.  Once we headed to security there was no one there so I was able to walk right through.  The TSA people thought she was adorable and of course I agreed.  I didn't have to wait to long to board and we got settled.  We were in the extra space seats on JetBlue and the extra leg room was nice.  It would be nice if they also made the seat a little wider but oh well.

I was in the window and just after I sat down the passenger in the aisle sat down.  I waited nervously to see who would be sitting in between us.  Thankfully, the flight wasn't full so no one was there!  Even better was the fact that the row in front of us was empty and the lady moved up to that row.  I don't think she was all that excited to be in the same row as a baby!  I enjoyed having the whole row to myself.  It was so nice to be able to spread out and have baby stuff in the seat next to me.

Munchkin did well but as we started taxiing, Munchkin started to cry.  She cried as we took off.  I was going to nurse her to help with her ears but she didn't want to.  Her ears didn't seem to both her which was nice.  She cried during take off and after about 20 minutes of crying she fell asleep.  I was so thankful I was only THAT MOM with the crying baby for a short time.  She also wasn't the only kiddo crying so I didn't feel quite so bad!

She slept the whole flight.  My arm fell asleep and I needed to use the restroom so after about 1/2 way through I put the ergo on and it helped a lot.  She woke up right before we landed and I was able to nurse.  She was a happy baby and that made me really happy.  I was holding her up to my shoulder and patting her back after we landed and all of a sudden she threw up on me.  It got on my  shoulder, back and on my pants.  It just made me smile because when I was about a year old and flew with my mom, I threw up on her.  I was prepared unlike my mom (YAY for learning from her!) with an extra shirt.

Overall, the flight went so well.  I'm hoping that the flight back home isn't full either because the extra space was so nice!  As for being here in MA, it's been fun so far!  Nana is a happy camper and getting lots of munchkin snuggles.

Wordless Wednesday

A couple of things that make me happy:

 

 

International Babywearing Week

October 8-14, 2012 is International Babywearing Week.  I’m happy to say we are a babywearing family, though not as often I would like.

I think the neck pain I had right after Munchkin was a deterrent in the beginning, as was the fact that I had no idea what I was doing!  I have two moby wraps but I have a hard time with them.  I haven’t used them too much (read: none.)  My friend Joyce did come and show me how to use it.  Munchkin did not like it and cried when I put her in it.  I haven’t tried since.  I should but there’s just way to much fabric for me.  I’m sure I’ll get around to trying it again at some point.

Joyce also let me borrow her Mei Tai carrier. I like this one a lot more because it’s so much easier to use. Munchkin didn’t mind being in while asleep but when she was awake she would cry the entire time.  I’ll be trying this one again once she’s a little bigger.

The Man likes to just carry her and that works for us.  I did want her to get used to a carrier since I knew we had an airplane ride in our near future and I wanted to be able to use a carrier for the trip.  Munchkin will be on my lap for the nonstop flight from Seattle to Boston.  I knew a carrier would make life easier while walking through the airport.

So we bought an Ergo.  I had been wanting this carrier but put off buying it cause it is expensive.  This has been a good investment and she doesn’t mind riding in it, even with the infant insert.  I know it’s going to make walking around the airport easier.  She even falls asleep in it which is great.  I love wearing this carrier because I don’t feel like I’m carrying munchkin at all.  It’s super comfortable and is one of the best baby items we’ve purchased.

I don’t have a ring sling and I really want one (yes, that’s hint.)  I feel like the ring sling would be great for around house while the Ergo is great for out and about.  I love having her close and still having my hands free.

Do/Did/Will you wear your baby? 

What carrier did/do you prefer?

Why?

A Surprising New Love

I have a new love and it’s kinda surprising, at least to me. I know it will be to some family members too!  I’m finding that I LOVE cloth diapering Munchkin.  The dipes are just so cute, from the cow print to the pretty love lace.  Cloth diapers are also called fluff and I love her fluffy butt!  It’s just too cute.  I never knew that diapering your baby could be fun but it is!

I was very overwhelmed in the beginning.  Cloth diapering has it’s own lingo and there are so many options, from pockets to AIO’s to prefolds.  I decided that pockets seemed like a good idea and would be pretty easy.  I stocked up on them when I could.  I have some brand new ones and some used ones.  I joined a cloth swap group on Facebook for my area.  This has been a great resource and I’ve learned so much from those who have experience cloth diapering.  My mom also had some prefolds that they didn’t end up using with me 32 years ago.  I also picked up a few more prefolds, snappis and covers off the swap.  To my surprise I am LOVING using prefolds. 

My friend joycers gave me some cloth diapers as well.  Back in the day she had two in diapers so it’s quite the stash!  They’re fitteds and at first I was unsure about them.  I was really wanting to do pockets and I didn’t know if I would use them.  Well, I’ve broken them out and they are awesome!  Between the prefolds and the fitteds I don’t have to buy any more pockets because they fill out the stash quite nicely.  I’ll probably still get more pockets because they’re fun and I’ll be able to get used ones cheap from the swap group.

I’ve also started dabbling in wool to use with the prefolds and fitteds. Wool is great as a diaper cover because it allows for air flow (helping keep rashes down) and it naturally absorbs liquid well.  I was intimidated by it and the fact that it has to be lanolized.  Once I watched a video on YouTube on how to do it I saw how easy it is I decided to jump in. I’ve made some wool longies and a soakers out of sweaters.  It’s just so much fun!  I love the options that are available.  There really is something for everyone on any budget.

 

I know I can’t be the only one who loves to cloth diaper!  Who else is with me?  What’s your favorite part of cloth diapering?

October Milspouse Friday Fill In

Welcome October!  I’m loving the cooler nights and warm days we’ve been having.  The trees are turning and while it’s not as pretty as the Northeast, I’ll take it.  I’m hoping there is still some gorgeous foliage when I head east in a couple of weeks.

I’m linking up with Wifey over at Wife of a Sailor.  Make sure you head over there and check out how other people are answering these questions.

 

1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?

A family friend died this month and while I wish she was still with us, I know it was her time.  I know the grief her family is feeling and my heart hurts for them.  I know time will help though the pain will continue to be there.

2. What was your favorite thing that happened in September?

September was a good month.  I got some great deals on clothes for munchkin at the JBC consignment event, we traveled to Eugene for a Ducks game and got to see family (and meet an Aunt that The Man hadn’t seen in years), Munchkin is getting bigger and is “talking” to us more, we did a corn maze and visited a pumpkin patch, got a bountiful basket, The Man finished the fence and walkway projects…I could go on.  They are all little things but they add up to a great month!  I’m still enjoying having The Man at home though I think we are both getting to the point where we want him to be able to go to work!

3. Sometimes I like to sit on my couch and eat ice cream from the container with a spoon. - Courtesy of Just Another Snarky Navy Wife

4. What was your favorite childhood Halloween costume? - Courtesy of Random Army Wife

I don’t remember too many of my costumes.  I was a smurf one year, and a clown and a witch.  That’s all I remember.  I’m going to go with clown because I remember it scared my little cousin cause he didn’t realize it was me.

5. What are you looking forward to in October?

I’m looking forward to visiting the east coast and having munchkin meet family & friends.  I’m not really looking forward to the plane ride but I’m doing my best to not stress about it. I’m thankful it’s a nonstop flight!

I’m also looking forward to The Man getting a start date for work.

Every post needs a picture so how about one of Munchkin?

A Great Day

Sunday was one of those really great days.  It just happened with little planning.  It was a day that made me to thankful for all the blessings I have!

It started out with DH having a cup of coffee ready for me when I got out of the shower.  Then we headed to church for bible study and worship service. 

After church we had a picnic at the waterfront.  It was a gorgeous fall day.  There was a clear blue sky, a slight breeze and warm temps.  There were kids playing in the playground and munchkin was happy in her car seat.  She hates her car seat but it helped that she snoozed a little while we ate.  I fed her and then we were on our way.

We headed up to Kingston to Sunrise Hill Farm.  I had found it online and we were super excited to find a farm that had a pumpkin patch!  What made it even better is that they were having a Hero’s weekend.  So for the corn maze all active/reserve/vet/fire/police etc were free and there immediate families were 1/2 off.  What a great deal!

We had a great time in the maze and even managed to find all 8 checkpoints!  It helps that DH used to navigate a sub…a maze isn’t that hard.  We only got turned around once or twice.  Munchkin wasn’t sure what to make of it (she was in her stroller) but about half way through she fell asleep.  I think it was the bumpiness.  I was just happy she wasn’t crying! 

After the maze we walked around the farm.  It was smaller than I expected but it was nice.  They had a horse drawn cart ride,  U-Pick flowers, a pumpkin patch, pumpkin slingers and apple picking.  I think I saw about 8 apple trees on the property but they were full of apples.  There was also a small hay made for little kids.  I’m looking forward to next year when Munchkin is bigger and will be a little more involved in fun fall activities!

Once we got home, The Man kept Munchkin so I could get out and have some me time.  I had realized the night before that I hadn’t had any in a long, long time.  I hit a few thrift stores and then enjoyed a cup of Carmel Apple Cider at Starbucks while reading a book.  When I got home The Man had dinner ready and Amazing Race was on.

 

It was just a great day.  Nothing to complicated, just time with my favorite people!

Munchkin during the maze

The pumpkin patch

Cute pricing sign

The Apple trees