Happy 1/2 Birthday Lainey!

Dear Lainey,

Today you are 6 months old! I didn't know how unbelievably excited I would be on this day but I am so happy to celebrate your unbirthday with you.  You are starting to act and look like a such a big girl and I fear that my little baby is already growing up so fast.  You are so beautiful! I honestly believe that you are the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.  You are so funny! You make me laugh right out loud every single day and I know that Daddy thinks you are hysterical too! He is always giggling at your funny faces and your crazy noises and your seriously playful personality.  You are starting to sit up all by yourself, and not just for a few seconds while I hover over you to make sure you don't fall- but you have been slowly starting to sit up and play.  I am so proud of you!  Today we woke up a little earlier than usual and I sang the Happy Birthday song to you all morning.  You had apples and oatmeal for breakfast and Mama made you this silly little 1/2 birthday hat.  We snuggled and played all morning until Mama had to go to work :-( I have officially decided that I will be playing hookie on your REAL birthday every year for as long as you let me celebrate with you!  When Mama left for work you and Daddy spent the morning together bouncing in your seat and practicing your tummy time!  Grammy came over this afternoon to spend time with you until Mama got home from work and you did an AWESOME job showing her how you are such a big sitting girl! When Mama got home from work we snuggled some more.  You had chicken and apples for dinner, yes everything was homemade so the chicken was definitely a funky texture and your silly faces warmed my heart! After dinner we skyped with Grampy and Auntie Catherine and they were so excited when you screamed "HAAA" at them- which we have all decided is your version of HI.  Mama then gave you a bath, which you still LOVE, and we snuggled until you fell asleep.  I hope that you had a special day and that we always spend a little extra time together on all of your 1/2 birthdays! Mama LOVED celebrating her 1/2 birthdays and I hope that you and I can make our own silly 1/2 birthday traditions!  The past 6 months has been the most meaningful time in my life.  I love you more than you could ever understand and much more than I could ever express in this letter.  I hope that you feel my love every day and you know how grateful I am for you!  I honestly believe that I love everyone that I cared about before you were born even more now as I see them with you especially Daddy.  I couldn't be happier that I picked your Daddy to spend the rest of my life with.  We were so excited to get married and start a family and I think that you ended up with the best daddy in the entire world.  You are the most beautiful, smart, funny, playful, silly, healthy, strong, sweet, loving, lovable, curious little monkey in the world.  Happy 1/2 Birthday Lainey!

I love you!
Mama

Rice is Nice

 So in order to publish this post I needed to preface with Sunday's post about breastfeeding.  While reading all this extreme views on feeding babies there are so many conflicting reports about when to start on rice cereal. I thought that this would be something I wouldn't even consider until Lainey was 6 months old but let's face it- my kid is advanced and it only makes sense she would start rice cereal early too.  She has been showing so many signs that she was ready for a little bit more in her diet.  She stares at us while we eat, reaches for our food and our utensils and opens her mouth as we put food in our own mouths. Needless to say our pediatrician supports feeding babies at 4 months old.  He would support us if we decided to wait as well but after much back and forth I decided to go for it, trust my instincts and not look back.  The kid is a natural and I am so happy that we decided to start this phase!

We love this bowl, a gift from my Aunt MaryLou

We got her all set in her swing seat, adjusted her bib

and explained that she was about to get some Num Nums!!

We started Lainey with 1 Tbsp of rice with 5 Tbsp's of breastmilk.  Let's be clear here, we were basically spoon feeding her milk it was so thin.  Maybe slightly over the top but as mentioned before I am neurotic about all things food related.

Lainey was pretty sure she was going to love what was about to come.  She was all smiles and giggles as Mama and Daddy gushed over her and were just plain giddy with excitement.

Like I said before- She's a natural

HMMMMM what's this?

The first few bites surely dribbled down her chin!

Not sure she likes this?????

Wait YES I DO!!!!!!

Lainey absolutely loved her first rice cereal experience! It was bittersweet for me.  I am so happy that she is a big girl and eating rice cereal and I want her to experience all of the milestones as she is supposed to be but its sad to know that I am no longer the only one feeding her. And she is truly getting big so fast!

Hey do you people have any more of that stuff??

So, tomorrow will be one week of rice cereal.  So far it has had zero affect on her nighttime sleep habits - but she is happy, loving the cereal and in a few weeks we are sure she will love some REAL food as well. 

Breast is Best?

Let me first preface this post by saying that I am a breastfeeding supporter, a formula feeding supporter and as one of our fellow bloggers put so perfectly I support feeding babies!! I think that whatever works for you and your family is great.  I have thought a lot about this topic in the past 4 months and I think that this is a huge decision for a family to make and one that should be made without worrying about what other people will think of you.  Being a parent is stressful enough and I for one will be sure to never judge a mother feeding her baby again- boob, bottle or whatever!

When I first decided to give the whole Breastfeeding thing a go I started reading all these books, websites, articles etc. etc. etc. etc. about feeding babies.  It wasn't such a good idea for me and has truly led to a very neurotic mama.  For some reason I am obsessed with ensuring that Lainey gets the absolute best nutritional start possible.  I definitely struggled with breastfeeding in the beginning.  I suffered sore and bleeding nipples, engorgement, latch-on difficulties and a roller-coaster of hormonal emotions.  But somehow we made it through.  We utilized a nipple shield- well actually 5 nipple shields since Boomer decided to eat them when he was jealous of the baby- and lots and lots of trial and error.  At an evening feeding on week 12 Lainey decided that she no longer wanted to use the nipple shield and latched on perfectly for the first time ever.  From that point forward we started feedings without the nipple shield and now she feeds without it at every feeding.  Now that I am back at work I am trying to master the art of producing enough milk, pumping and nursing when I am home.  I honestly believe that this process is an art NOT a science as there doesn't seem to be any magic one step potion that makes this process work.  It is a full-time commitment, a time consuming process and surely makes balancing work and motherhood just a little bit tougher.  But I can say without hesitation that it is something I am committed to doing this for as long as I am possible.  I would love to give a date but at this point I take it week by week and give myself a little pat on the back every Friday when I get home from work.  I have been blessed to be able to produce enough milk- with some diet changes (bring on the oatmeal) and a few extra pumps on days when its just not flowing like it should- and so I have decided that I want to provide my baby with mama milk through the most important months of her development.  I want to formally apologize to all those nursing mama's that I judged prior to starting my own experience.  For a long time I thought you were "weird."   I had no idea how difficult it was and how much a lifestyle commitment it would be.  I am happy to report that I am finally realizing the beauty of this gift and I am grateful for the experience that we have had thus far.

Snow Day!

Lainey's First Snow

Growing up my mother always made a very big deal about the FIRST SNOW of the season.  As far back as I can remember she would make my brother, my sister and I go for a walk during the first snow.  It sounds silly but we all loved this and as soon as the weather turned cold and smell of snow was in the air we would get as excited about our walk as we would about the potential to have a SNOW DAY from school.  I can honestly remember getting woken up in the middle of the night to walk down the street in back just to be sure we didn't miss it!  When I was in college I would call my mom during the first snow if I wasn't with her and she would talk with me as I did a quick walk around campus.  This is one of the traditions that I hope to carry on with Lainey.  We did miss the first few snowfalls because they were short snow showers and by the time I got Lainey all bundled up they had passed.  BUT I was able to get her out there during the first snow that amounted to anything and here is a peak at our very first "walk in the snow"

Thank you Corey for my snow suit!

I made a small snowball and let her take a taste.  MMMM she loved it!!!!

 

 

 

All bundled up and ADORABLE!

As you can see I am also trying out some new designs with the blog and I am hoping that you will stick with me as I try out some new things!!!

Happy New Year!

So as most of you remember Lainey's middle name "EVE" was chosen to represent the first time Aaron and I met- New Years Eve.  This year, like every other year since 2004, Aaron had to work.  Lainey, Boomer and I had our own little mini NYE bash until the two of them wore themselves out and crashed before the ball dropped.  As much as I wanted my little moo to welcome in the new year with us I have to admit that I was happy that the "kids" decided to sleep through the 10 second countdown as Aaron got out of work at 11, was home at 11:30, and was able to pour us some classic cocktails in time for us to celebrate our own special moment.  This was our 6th midnight kiss and it truly gets better each year. 

I tried to explain to Lainey that this was her holiday and that I hope ever New Year's Eve she experiences is as magical, hopeful and exciting as it can possibly be.

Of course there needs to be one of my wide eyed girl!

Getting her NYE groove on!

Boomer wasn't quite as entertained by my antics but reluctantly he did participate!

Well I hope that everyone else is looking forward to 2011 as much as I am.  One of my resolutions is to be a more balance woman.  I hope to better manage my role as Mommy, Wife, Working Woman, and still give something to myself.  I have also made a resolution to blog more.  As much as I wish I was a diary writer, or a scrapbooker I am just no good at either and I am hoping that this will be a great way to not only share our stories and moments with family and friends but also a place to hold all of the memories I want to give Lainey when she is older.

A personality all her own...

Well let me start by saying my whole life I have wished for a child with some spunk....maybe a little bit fresh....not a misbehaved child by any means but I hopes to raise a confident strong young lady...Lucky for me I think we are on this road.  I love love love that Lainey knows what she wants and isn't afraid to give a little squeal to let us know.  She is, in my opinion, absolutely hysterical! She has started exploring some new sounds of late and now we are lucky enough to hear a lot more than just your everyday cooing and have started to hear some shrieks, some laughs, and some gurgles. As she makes these beautiful sounds you can see her little eyes light up as she realizes that SHE did that.  It is truly and amazing thing to see pride in your little one's eyes and it's made me realize that I need her to know how very very proud I am of her.....

Dear Lainey,

You are only 4 months old but your mama is about as proud of you as I can be.  Its funny how as a child myself I always thought that I needed to do something really impressive in order for my parents, your Grammy and Grampy, to be proud of me.  You know, things like graduate from college, buy a house, start a 401K, things like that.  I had no idea that on a random day, for particular great achievement, they could look at me and feel pride.  But now that I am watching you sleep beside me I am overwhelmed with pride.  You are 4 months old and you are so independent, beautiful, playful, caring, generous, snuggly, funny and lovable.  You already have a personality all your own and let me tell you little moo that its wonderful.  I love you so much and though I wish all kids of great achievements come your way you should wake up every morning and go to sleep every night knowing that your mama is so proud of you.

Love,
 Mama

New Years Eve!

I have been trying to convince Lainey all day today that New Years Eve is her holiday and that since her middle name is thanks to this WONDERFUL holiday that she is destined to have fabulous New year's Eve's for many years to come.  By the amount of smiles and silliness she has elicited today I am pretty sure she is in agreement that NYE is AWESOME!! I must say that 2010 has been a fabulous year.  But then I really feel like every year I say this.  2008- I was so excited because we had JUST bought our first home, 2009 we were married and JUST found out we were pregnant 2010 we had our beautiful girl and she JUST found her little toes this we*.  We have a lot to be thankful for here in the Babinski household and we have even more to look forward too.  Bring it on 2011- we are excited! 

I have for about as long as I can remember LOVED when babies eat their own toes.  I think it is adorable and have been waiting for this milestone since I found out I was pregnant!  And this week sure enough Lainey reached down, tugged off her sockies (which is a task she has officially mastered) and inserted her big toe into her mouth.  Her face was absolutely priceless and once again this little angel has melted my heart more than I thought possible.  I was actually telling my mother this week that she seems to think that she is the luckiest baby on earth to have feet.  Sometimes she will take a quick nibble and look at me with her big beautiful eyes and I swear she is giving me a look that says "thank you soooooo much for giving me these feet" I don't want to deny that I am sure God had a hand in creating such a beautiful babe but I can't help but lean in close to my moo and whisper "you're welcome"

4 months!

Today my beautiful baby is 4 months old.  It seems like such a big milestone to me.  3 months has been such a fun age and everyday seems to be getting more exciting and more fun!  Of course we will be sharing some Christmas photos and stories  (probably tomorrow) but I just couldn't let today pass without noting that I am so proud of you you cutie Monkey Moo Moo. 

Annnnddd We're Back!

I know I know! Why has no one said anything to me about what a failure I have been at this blog. Well here are my excuses....1. I am in denial that my little one is getting to be such a big girl. 2. I am horrified at how hard it is to return to work- I have no idea how working mothers have time for anything.... which leads to 3. I didn't want to share my stories because I wanted to keep them all to myself. It's bad enough I have to share her ALL day, 40 hours a week to go to work! and finally 4. We haven't gotten more than about an hour or two of sleep at a time since about mid-November....teething is an evil evil time!

Although I do not feel it is getting any easier to go to work in the morning I do feel as though the little moo is just too darn cute not to share. Instead of backtracking the past two months and blabbering on and on and on and on here is a bunch of pictures of our cutie monkey moo moo. I promise to do better!

And a little video to share just because you've stuck with us! -- Sorry its sideways, someday I will learn the proper way to use technology!

Baby's First Denim!!

So around 2:47 this morning I awoke to Lainey's usual gurgling and cooing. She was awake and ready to eat! I leaned over the bed to look at her in her bassinet and sure enough SHE GREW! I swear to God the girl grew during the two and half hours of sleep we had just got. I started getting nervous thinking that she isn't going to be able to sleep in this bassinet forever despite the fact that I would love to have her beside me until she's 50! I fed her and it was time to change her diaper so we went to her room to use the changing table. I unwrap her from the swaddling blanket and she is busting out of her PJ's. This morning we got up and she doesn't fit in any of her newborn clothes anymore! I was sooooooo excited! As much as I want her to stay little for as long as possible I have been dying to put her in some of her ADORABLE 0-3month clothes. So to celebrate Lainey got to wear jeans for the first time in her life. I love the colors in this butterfly onsie and have had it laying out with her jeans for weeks just waiting for her to wear this cute outfit!

Her tiny little legs looks so cute in these jeans!! And of course she is wearing shoe socks!

She absolutely knows how cute she is today because she has been smirking at me all day!

Just like above- ohhh mom You are crazy!

And because I am obsessed with her pooping face...and finally captured it on video....here is a new video for you to watch! Luckily my mom, dad, sister and I have found Skype so these video's don't need to hold them over until they see her again as we try to skype as often as possible. But for those of you who haven't met the monkey yet- here she is in all her glory!

I love.......

I love your birthmarks, the one on your forehead, left eye and the back of your neck. It makes me sad that they are fading though I am sure you will be happy when you are a teenager trying on makeup. I love your wolf ears. This too I know won't last. Your super black hairy ears make me melt every time I see them. I love that the inside of your ears are the shape of a perfect light bulb. I love your poop face. I love that you concentrate so hard and bat your eyes a few times before pooping. I love all your faces. I love your cute little lips. I love that sometimes when you are sleeping you start smacking your lips together like you are dreaming about eating- Mommy dreams about breakfast frequently too! I love your crooked little pinkies. I love your thumbnails- they are so perfectly shaped I am jealous. I love that your fingernails grow faster than anything I could have imagined. I love that your belly is starting to get a little pudge to it. I love that you have an "inny" belly button. I love that your little tush is so tiny its smaller than my palms. I love your toes and I can't wait until you discover them and start eating them the way that I want to now. I love that you LOVE bath time. I love the noises you make when you are eating. I love that when you get frustrated you scream a little and punch your fists. I love that you are smiling now. I love it when you get up in the middle of the night, look right at me and make the biggest smile of the day- I will love it even more when you smile like this in the daylight. I love that your hair is dark on the bottom and light on the top and that your eyes are blue but in some lights have a brownish tint- its keeping the mystery about what color hair and eyes you will have. I love when you snuggle up on my chest and reach your hand up to touch my neck. I love that you look like me. I love that you look like your daddy. I love it when you make this "whoa" face when Boomer gets close to your face- don't worry he is a dog NOT a really hairy human. I LOVE your nose- especially the tip- this I have loved since our very first ultrasound. I love that every day you are changing but that I can still predict your needs. I love it when you fart- I don't know why this is a surprise to me- I knew that babies poop but I just never imagined that babies fart. I laugh out loud every time you do- even during the night. I love that you pee on me 50% of the time I change you. I love that you recognize me. I love that you recognize your daddy. I love your daddy more than ever- he is such a good daddy, such a good husband and he gave me you! I love when you are sleeping and the light comes on you squeeze your eyelids together and it looks like you are "fake" sleeping. I love that you smirk already. I love that there are still a million things I have to learn about you. I love that your eyebrows are so blonde it looks like you don't have any. I love that you learned to breastfeed. I love that you are such a good baby. I love that everyone describes you as dainty. I love that most of the time when you are nursing you fall asleep with a mouth full of milk (like you are storing it up for later) and when I pick you up to burp you you spit it right out at me. I love how nosy you are. I love that when you are sleepy but still want to know what's going on you look at me with only one eye open- we call it the "one eye." Even your cousins know about the "one eye" and will tell me that you are giving them the "one eye." I love when you are laying on my chest you will pick your head up, stretch as far as you can and look around- it reminds me of a turtle. I love you in your yellow polka dot pants with the firefly on the bum. I love when you wear a headband. I love brushing your hair and the way it looks after its brushed. I love that you are soooo cute. I love YOU......and I will forever and ever and ever.....

1 month!

Lainey is officially one month old today! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by and how even though its flown by I feel as though Lainey has been with us forever!! Here is a picture of her today- before she pooped out the side of her diaper and needed a new outfit (this is her new favorite thing to do!) The month has really been great! The beginning started out hard as we got used to the sleep deprivation and tackled what seemed like the impossible task of breast feeding. Now that she is one month old I can happily look back and say that we are functioning quite well on minimal sleep and breastfeeding has become a happy, manageable and now loving time! I never thought that I would be able to say that I have kept her alive for one month with my body and it really does make me feel so incredible to have made it through and to still be breastfeeding.

I must say that my favorite thing to do is to sit and watch her just make faces and noises and be herself. Below is a video of my lovebug- complete with her hiccups (she gets them ALL the time) and a really great FART! She is quite talented in this department as well! Well I am sorry to have added 3 posts in one day but I wasn't able to finish the others before now! We are going to spend the rest of the week loving Aaron because he returns to work on Monday :-( Lainey and I are so lucky to have had him home for so long!

God Bless Lainey!

We had Lainey's Christening on September 26th! It was a great day!!! It was one of the most adult moments I have ever had. I thought having a child was adult but having her baptized definitely felt more adult than welcoming her into the world. We were so happy to have so many family members and friends join us! When we called to schedule her baptism we were surprised to only have 2 weeks to pull everything together and let everyone know about her special day! We were so happy that so many people could make it and we missed those who weren't!



Lainey's Godparents are my sister Catherine and Aaron and I's brother-in-law Joe. We are really excited about these choices and think that Lainey is a very special girl to have such great Godparents. If anyone can best represent Aaron and I it is Catherine and Joe. All four of us were not really sure what we were doing that day but luckily we have the nicest priest and he walked us through the process.



Lainey looked absolutely adorable in her Christening gown. Here is Grammy showing her off to me for the picture. Poor Grammy got cut out of all the pictures because I was just so in love with my little one I zoomed right in!



Grammy was nice enough to get Lainey matching shoes, panties, headband and sweater! Here are her cute LITTLE shoes.

Lainey's First Bath!

So Lainey got her first bath on Sept 20th! Her umbilical cord stump was finally all gone and she got to get wet in her tub! At first she was horrified and was holding on to my sweatshirt for dear life. Once I realized that she was SCARED I held her hand for a minute and talked to her and she seemed to calm down and LOVE her bath after that. She has had several baths since then and has shed a single tear about it. She actually cries when I take her out of the bath! Let's hope her love of water lasts forever!

Giving me the "mama save me!" look!

OOhhhh maybe this isn't so bad!

My adorable naked baby!

All finished! She absolutely loves having her hooded towel wrapped around her. She makes this sweet little sighing noise whenever she gets all wrapped up.