WHOA White Noise

Why am I already 7 weeks in and just now discovering this so called thing, "White Noise?" Actually, I have heard about it (Amy, my sister-in-law, told me before Curry was born that it was absolutely imperative to have), but last night for the first time I actually put it to use and WHOA does it work!

Time for a bit of honesty...I have been REALLY bad about letting Curry stay in bed with me. It's definitely just laziness on my part because it is so easy to feed her, then place her on the pillow next to me and cuddle up. She always falls RIGHT back to sleep AND it prolongs her sleeping periods for at least two more hours (you guessed it...I definitely jinxed myself as Curry now wakes about 2 and a half to 3 hours every night). So, I have really been struggling with this whole deal since it is a HUGE SIDS concern, and just plain stupid on my part. But, at 3:00 in the am with a screaming baby, you do what you do. Well not anymore, thanks to my new friend, White Noise. I decided to try it out last night and let me tell you, it is a miracle.

I've been doing a lot of research on sleep lately (reading books, magazines, blogs...you name it) about this whole sleeping thing because I really don't want to start bad habits (AKA: Her sleeping in bed with us every night), and it is all about routine. We have been really good about having a "nightly ritual" with her that includes: a bath, massage, warm bottle, then swaddle (although they say she really can't comprehend this whole ritual thing until three months). So, last night I bathed her, gave her a mini-massage with night-time lotion, fed her a warm bottle of breast milk, then swaddled her. She always resists the swaddle a little until I stand up, rock her and soothe her with a pacifier. Then her eyes will get so heavy that she becomes dead weight in my arms. This is when I put her in to the bassinet, which is right beside the bed. Well after all the reading I have done, the consensus is...where she falls asleep (my arms) is where she expects to wake up. So, in mid-slumber (when she opens her eyes to readjust) she freaks out if I'm not holding her like I was when she initially fell asleep. But, in order to avoid this little scenario or disruption in her sleep pattern, you're supposed to put them down when they are still somewhat awake and aware of their surroundings (Again, Curry can still not comprehend all of this, nor does she have the ability to put herself to sleep yet. Hence, the pacifier and rocking before I put her down). However, last night I turned on the Sleep Sheep (makes the White Noise), rocked her for two seconds, then put her down (still semi-awake) and she was out like a light. She didn't even make so much as a whimper when I sat her in the bassinet AND she slept for a solid four hours thanks to the lulling sounds of the Ocean. I couldn't believe it! YAY, I'm no longer torn to a desperate move of putting her in bed with me after she wakes only 30 minutes after me putting her down for the night.

Needless to say...I am sold on the White Noise and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who cares for a recommendation. This will definitely buy any Mother of a newborn child a little more shut eye (which we all know you could kill for)! Heck, it's even helped me go straight to sleep right at the push of a button. Here's to you Sleep Sheep...thanks for giving me a little more of that oh-so-valuable sleep that seems to be unheard of now-a-days!

The Little Things

As I begin this post, I sit here in awe while my little Curr-Bear sleeps away. Isn't it amazing how much babies change in a matter of weeks? Every day I wake up to a difference in her appearance and her doing something new and exciting. Little milestones like this always make me look forward to waking up each morning to my beautiful daughter (Although I could now probably sleep an entire weeks worth just to get it out of my system and "catch up" on it).

First of all, I was looking at the pictures of her from the hospital to now and it is unbelievable that at six weeks she has already gone through such a huge transformation. Her eyes have already started to lighten up (I think she is going to have Adam's gorgeous blue/green eyes, thank goodness!), her skin has set in to a beautiful olive tone (you can thank her Momma for that one), and her hair just keeps getting longer and longer. Her whole face in general has matured and it's so amazing to just stare at her for hours and watch that little brain of hers working in full force. Since day one she's been holding that head high, looking around and focusing on everything that is in her line of sight. It makes you wonder what she could be thinking about as she intently stares at objects (ceiling fans being on of her favorites) being that she doesn't have a whole lot stored up in that memory bank of hers yet. But believe me she is constantly adding to it every minute of the day as she takes it all in. Even as she sits here and sleeps, I wonder what she could possibly be dreaming about?? I will say it is a little sad how fast it's all going by, but I'm trying my best to cherish every moment because I know it will fly by all too soon. So with that being said, here are some of the little things that make me realize what life is really all about.

On Friday, Adam and I took in one of the most AMAZING moments as parents because Curry finally smiled! Now, she's been "smiling" since she was about two weeks old (I put it in quotation because it's more of a reflex then a true smile), but she actually smiled with a purpose for the first time yesterday while Adam was holding her. She looked straight at him and put on the biggest grin you have ever seen! I know I can speak for the both of us when I say that our hearts just melted away! I wish we would have got it on camera but we were so focused on that tiny little face smiling from ear to ear that we just couldn't take our eyes off of her to even think about reaching for a camera. Another little thing that I absolutely die for every time is Curry's precious sigh. She always makes this adorable little "cooh" noise when she is perfectly content and it absolutely makes me want to eat her up it is SO cute! See for yourself because I actually snagged this one on video...(Turns out I actually caught a glimpse of that gorgeous smile too!)

See what I mean?! If that doesn't make you smile I don't know what will. Another little thing I adore is Curry's love for her tongue. She's recently found this little tool in her mouth and has started sticking it out non-stop. She'll make this little reptile move and bring it in and out of her mouth like a lizard tasting the air. SO ADORABLE, she just sits there playing with it all day long. Again, I could just stare at her for days and never not be amused. I guess that's what happens when it's your own flesh and blood.

As it turns out, there are so many "little things" I could tell you about but I'm sure you've had enough of my "Mom-Bragging" for the day. For now, that's all I've got. Time to finish the laundry (down-side of being a temporary stay-at-home-Mom...there's no excuse to not folding the clean clothes, ugh!)

Breastfeeding 101

DISCLAIMER: This post will be full of TMI! I mentioned in my first post that breastfeeding was nothing like I had ever imagined. In fact, it was nothing that I could have ever prepared myself for, even if I was aware of the excruciating pain, bloody nipples, and massive stretch marks. I definitely had a preconceived notion of how breastfeeding was going to be...and this was not it! Wowsers! Now, I know I am making this whole breastfeeding thing out to be like it is the worst possible thing in the world, (which I know it's not because my sister-in-law, Amy, breastfed like a champ) but truth of the matter is I blame it on the Nurse I had my first night's stay in the hospital. You see, immediately after I had Curry the Nurse placed her on my bosom to begin the breastfeeding process. Curry did a relatively good job of "latching on" at first (fun new breastfeeding term I am now all too familiar with), but when it came down to it she just couldn't get anything out. This horrific process transitioned in to the night where the Nurse basically forced Curry onto my boob (like a dive bomber going in to battle) every two hours and by morning I was already bloody and cracked. Nothing that Lanolin cream could even help! OUCH! So needless to say, I was already traumatized by the second day! I will say that not being able to provide nourishment for your first born child is quite traumatic on a Mom, but once we were home I resorted to the next best thing...the Medela Pump. I know it seems like I threw in the towel a little too early (and believe me I did try once we were home), but being that she is still getting the boob juice (just not straight from the source) it works out great for the both of us. I am not cringing in terror every three hours when it's time for her to nurse and she is still getting ALL of the fabulous nutrients only the breast can provide.

And who would have thought that I am actually a milk-making machine?! Turns out, I'm not lacking in the milk department at all. Just open my freezer and see the 85+ stored bags of milk, not to mention the six-5 ounce bottles in the fridge ready for Curry at a moments notice. Heck, I may even open up my own milk factory at this point, ha!

We're definitely settled in now and the feedings are great, especially since not breastfeeding allows for Adam to partake in the bonding experience with Curry AND it also allows for us to get out and about without whipping out the boob. Now, if only those bottles would wash themselves!

Curry Rose Rope

WOW...I cannot believe it has officially been one month since Curry was born. There is so much to talk about, but where do I begin? How about the birth. It was a normal Monday night as Adam and I went to bed until about 3:15 in the morning when I popped up and yelled to Adam that my water broke. Adam, being the cutest, most nervous and excited parent, at first was a little apprehensive until we opened "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and read aloud what actually happens when your water breaks. Yep, it had broke. I immediately called the Doctor and off we were to the hospital to have a baby. The ride to Dallas was a little ironic in that literally everything the radio played pertained to having a baby. From "All American Girl" by Carrie Underwood to "I Saw God Today" by George Strait, the music was eerily appropriate. When we arrived at the hospital, I was immediately checked in and before I knew it was induced (around 8:00 am) since I was having only minor contractions and only dilated to a 1. By 12:00 pm, I was at a 5 feeling fine with an epidural on tap, and at 1:40 pm at a 10 and ready to push. I know that I am very fortunate to have such an easy labor as I probably only had to push a handful of times and at 1:58 pm Miss Curry Rose Rope at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long made her first debut in to the world. Yup, she was a big one to all our surprise (Even the Doctor thought she was only going to be a 7 pounder)!

I can't explain how holding your newborn child feels as you watch your husband cut the umbilical cord, or how it feels to see your husband, the love of your life, holding that new little baby girl as she's bundled up like a little burrito gazing back at her new Dad. Now it's safe to say I have two loves of my life.

The hospital was a whirlwind experience that lasted for 2 days then we were off to Midlothian with baby in tow. Responsibility takes on a whole new meaning when you begin your new life as Parents and boy is it a change (for the better of course). I'll be honest, we definitely had our work cut out for us the first night as I almost starved my poor daughter and you can imagine the blood-curdling screams we dealt with the entire night. Turns out breastfeeding is not as easy as I had anticipated. What do you mean they don't just latch on and start sucking?! Why does it have to be SO painful?! This will have to be a whole new blog as no one can prepare you for this deal...trust me! By morning, my emotions (which mind you are already a roller-coaster with the hormones) had the best of me and by the time we had the Pediatrician on the phone, I was boo-hooing! Poor Baby Curry couldn't get any milk and we had to supplement a bottle of formula since she hadn't had a poo in 24 hours. After the feeding, life started looking way up AND we had an immediate poo at first swallow of the bottle. Sweet Success!

Speaking of bottles, breastfeeding, sleeping, etc. it's so funny the opinions people give. There's something about a newborn that let's everyone think they can have no filter when it comes to their opinions. Why is this? For example, Adam and I thought it would be a great Christmas present to give all of the family a picture of Baby Curry with Santa being that she was our little Christmas bundle! So, we took our healthy two-week-old to see Santa in Uptown Village at Cedar Hill. Once our name was called (literally within 5 minutes of walking in the door), Adam picked Curry out of her car seat (which we kept covered) and proceeded to put her in Santa's lap. Well, it wasn't three seconds in to him picking her out of the seat when a lady asked how old she was. Being the PROUD new parents we are, Adam immediately boasted that she was two weeks old. All of a sudden, the lady yelled "OH MY GOD!" at the top of her lungs in the most disgruntled and almost threatening voice. I think she thought we were the devil. Again, people have no filters when it comes to your child. Funny how that works, but no matter what the opinion, Adam and I are going to learn this whole parenting thing on our own...even if it does take a couple of mishaps to get it right. That's what being a new parent is all about, right?? So, feel free to throw it out there, but I can't promise it'll stick. =)

I guess the old saying is true, "Time FLIES when you're having fun", and we have been so fortunate to have a FABULOUS baby. I get on to my Mom (Tiva) and Mother-in-Law (Mena) for always saying how "perfect" she is (just worried someone will jinx it) but we're a month in now and she only wakes up ONCE through the night. I know, it's great! I REALLY hope I didn't just jinx that now that it is in writing for all to see. Well, I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to see.

Wish me luck on this new blogging experience. I can't wait to share all of the fun, crazy, sad, exciting, hard, beautiful, loving moments that parenting is all about!