Double digits?!

Ryleigh is 10 months old!!!!! 

 Weight:  19lbs 15oz

EATING
Lots of new things going on. Still drinking 6oz bottles of breastmilk.  She's gotten to try several new things, and her favorite food so far is definitely guacamole! She goes crazy for it and will be a bottomless pit in a Mexican restaurant, eating it as long as there is more to offer.  Aside from guacamole, she's gotten to try refried beans, potato soup, cool whip, lots and lots of Puffs....she is no longer content as long as she has a full belly while we are eating. If she sees us with food, she's curious and wants it no matter how full she is! We can usually keep her happy with puffs but more and more we find ourselves letting her get a little taste off of our fork.  I'm insanely paranoid about her choking on something, especially on days when she's more congested, so we don't let her eat things that need to be chewed right now (other than puffs that dissolve). 

TEETHING
 As of 10 months she has 5 teeth! All four of her front teeth, and her top right incisor.  The three top teeth all came in together (that was loads of fun....) and are not fully down yet but they're getting there.  It's ridiculously cute to catch a glimpse of them and I can't believe that probably by the end of the year her smile will look different because she'll have so many teeth showing!  She will also be getting more foods as she gets more of these teeth and I am more confident that she can chew without choking...although I'm probably going to stay paranoid about that until she 10, haha.

SLEEPING
Lots of recent changes here, for day-time sleeping anyway. She's still pretty good with her 11-ish hours at night of sleep.  She's definitely needing her naps now that she's more mobile.  We just follow her cues...she started with one big 2-2.5hr nap around 11or 12 in the afternoon, but quickly transitioned to a morning nap around 9 or 10 that lasts about 2hrs and then a late afternoon nap around 4ish.  She is always on the go and needing her sleep these days!

ACTIVITY
Pulling up on any and everything!

She now says/has said:
 "Dada"
"Mama"
"Papa" (my father-in-law)
"Kk" referring to Kona
"Ssssssssssssss"
"Thhhhhhhh"
"Kkkkkk"
"Ba ba ba ba"
"Ta ta ta ta"
"Guh"
"RrrrrLLl" <--Her version of Ryleigh that she's copied us saying a couple times.
"Go, Go, Go!"
"Ko" <--Kona
"Reee" <--Reece
"Cak" <----Clap
"Hi"
"Hi Dada"
"Daw" <---Dog


clicking her tongue
making the sound of a rolling "R" (like in Spanish)
Waving Hi & Bye bye

We also learned that she has her Daddy's creepy talent of being able to clear her throat.  It's such a weird thing that I don't even really know how to describe but if you're around us long enough I'm sure you've heard Jake do it.  Ryleigh did it a couple times last week and it caught us off guard! haha

DIAPERING
Size 3, mostly only Luvs because they fit her well and they're cheaper than Pampers.

 CLOTHES
  Mostly 12 month but we can also put 18 month pants on her for added length. String bean.




 SPECIAL FIRSTS 
--pulling up on any & everything

--meeting SANTA!!

--seeing Christmas lights

--"driving" Daddy's car around the neighborhood

--eating a Breadstick...loved it!!

--Giving kisses!! if we ask and sometimes even when we don't, she will lean in and give sloppy open-mouth kisses complete with a lick! haha...that's what happens when she learns from two dogs.  Shes started kissing her toys (and oddly enough her bouncy seat that is used more these days as something to pull up on). It's so sweet!

 

 

We are in full birthday planning mode now!  I am so excited about how all of my ideas are coming together.  I picked a theme around 6months and recently completely changed it to something I am completely in love with. I don't want to rush time but I am so excited for her party!

 

 

 

Happy August! Happy Football Season!

Can we take a minute to freak out and wonder where this year has gone?
It's August. Whoa.
 I almost have a 6 month old. 
Whoa.

But, it's August! Yay! 
Because I know that August is still technically summer, but for me it signals the beginning of fall.

& Fall means Football season!

Some of our friends got us cute Georgia outfits for Ryleigh at our baby shower, and she's sadly starting to outgrow them!  She's a little too small to fit into her Georgia cheerleader outfit, so I found this cute onesie set through Target online:

Target NCAA Infant Bodysuit Sets

I can't wait for them to arrive!  We've already started sizing up to 6-9 month onesies for a little extra length [baby girl's a stringbean!] so I'm hoping these last her through October/November when long sleeves will be needed anyway. 

 

 

The red ones will pair pretty adorably with the UGA headbow I made her

[also available in my Etsy shop!]

 

#DoItForDylan

Today one of my friends is celebrating the short life of her son, Dylan.  Dylan and his twin brother, Grant, were born prematurely four years ago.  Grant is a healthy little four year old, but unfortunately today marks 4 years since Dylan's passing.  In honor of Dylan's memory, the family is asking that everyone do an act of kindness today to spread happiness and love.  Buy someone's food who is behind you in a drive-thru, donate to a charity, let someone out ahead of you in traffic, smile at someone who looks like they need it....then share it on Facebook with the hashtag #DoItForDylan. 

 

36 Weeks!

How far along?  36 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: +26.5 lbs  (last week)<--My 36 week appt. got cancelled due to the snow, so we will have to wait and see next week!

Maternity clothes? Yes. 

Sleep: pretty much the same.

Best baby moment this week:  taking some impromptu snow belly pictures!  Had to document the prego snowstorm!

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything?  Sleeping through the night.  Moving quickly.  
 

Movement: Still strong!  Some days she's more mobile than others, but when she moves she really moves!

Food cravings: Cinnamon Applesauce!  And SpaghettiO's...not together, I promise.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Have you started to show yet: of course, getting pretty large & in charge!

Gender: girl :)

Labor Signs: Some Braxton Hicks contractions...feeling some slight pressure and my hip joints have started popping, so definitely seeing signs of my body preparing. 

Belly Button in or out?  I'd go with just pretty flat.  Still an innie, but extremely shallow.

Wedding rings on or off? On, but some days it's a little snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy/tired.  

Looking forward to:  Maternity pictures on Saturday and Superbowl Sunday!  Going to be a fun weekend :)

 

 

 

35 Weeks!

How far along?  35 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: +26.5 lbs  (no change since our last appointment)

Maternity clothes? Yes, oh yes. 

Sleep: blah still...uncomfortable, waking up starving at 3am, and all that jazz.  But, at least I'm able to fall back to sleep pretty quickly so I am very thankful for that!  Jake has also been an absolutely amazing husband and has had to tuck me in most nights...And by that I mean, by the time I lay down and get my pregnancy body pillow situated, I can't reach the covers! So he's been adorable and tucking me in so that I'm nice and comfy :)

Best baby moment this week:  Receiving some sweet gifts for Ryleigh, and also feeling overall much more settled because we have a lot organized and ready for her.  Still a few things left on the to-do list, though.

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything?  Sleeping through the night.  Moving quickly.  Sushi. 
 

Movement: Still strong!  Some days she's more mobile than others, but when she moves she really moves!

Food cravings: Still pasta, chocolate milk, and juice.  Loving fruit in any form--lately lots of granny smith apples & peanut butter!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes :)  belly bump is measuring right on track at 36cm/36 weeks [I've been measuring 4 days ahead almost my whole pregnancy]

Gender: Sweet little girl :)

Labor Signs: just some Braxton Hicks contractions...Several people have also said my belly looks like it's gotten lower, and I sort of agree.  No real labor signs though, and hopefully not for at least another two weeks! [Just had a slight heart attack typing that...]

Belly Button in or out?  I'd go with just pretty flat.  Still an innie, but extremely shallow.

Wedding rings on or off? On, but some days it's a little snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy/tired.  

Looking forward to: A fun weekend celebrating friends and our sweet nephew's 1st birthday!  Also, can't wait for our maternity pictures in a couple of weeks!!

 

 

31 Weeks!

Not the best picture, but it was the only one we got on Christmas day!

How far along?  31 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: +23lbs...darn those Christmas cookies! haha but really things seem to be on track and my OB is happy with where we're at so far....

Maternity clothes? All the time!  Now I'm also trying to focus on nursing clothing and taking that into account when/if I purchase any clothing.

Sleep: Seems to be okay...getting tired and taking some weekend or evening naps here and there.  I've gotten a few leg cramps in the middle of the night which is not fun.  I'm having a little more back/hip pain as this bump gets bigger and bigger so sometimes it's difficult to figure out a way to lay that is comfortable.

Best baby moment this week:  Several!  Jake and I went to childbirth class on Saturday and learned lots about preparing for the exciting, yet dreaded, childbirth.  I have to admit that it pretty much scares the mess out of me.  But, I'm now feeling super informed and finding some confidence in myself and the choices that Jake and I will make for bringing our daughter into this world.  We had a great instructor and both really liked the class.  

 

On our way home from class, we bought little one's crib mattress!  Selecting one seems overwhelming and impossible to do with all of the choices available, but I did some research and we settled on the Lullaby Earth Stage 2 crib mattress from Buy Buy Baby [thank you 20% off BBB coupon!].  It's a huge matter of personal preference, but the important aspects came down to organic materials, firmness/support, and it's waterproof so it will be easy to clean and hold up well.

 

Also all the love and Christmas gifts for Ryleigh :)  She's already one lucky little girl.  She got some outfits and pj's, bedtime prayer board book, squeeze/teethe blocks, and two handmade quilts!  I had to hold myself together when I opened up the beautiful quilt from my friend Shanti, which she also had embroidered with Ryleigh's name and it has the softest minky fabric back.  That will keep her warm next winter for sure! 

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything?  Being able to sit down and get up quickly...being able to get dressed quickly...being able to do anything quickly...haha

Movement: lots, especially around meal times or after 7:30pm.  Night owl!

Food cravings: Still pasta, chocolate milk, and juice!  Trying out some out-of-the-ordinary flavors but not necessarily weird--like Hawaiian pizza.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes :)  belly bump is measuring right on track at 32cm/32 weeks [I've been measuring 4 days ahead for a while now]

Gender: GIRL!  

Labor Signs: No, hopefully not until sometime in February!

Belly Button in or out?  In, but getting pretty shallow. 

Wedding rings on or off? On, but some days it's a little snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy/tired.  I do get emotional over sad/sweet things.  

Looking forward to: More nursery progress, and celebrating on New Year's Eve--closing out one pretty great year and looking forward to 2014 because I know it will be even better!  Also our maternity pictures and baby shower coming up in a few weeks!

 

 

 

29 Weeks!

Whoa hello 3rd trimester!  I can't believe we are already a week in, and that I'm going to be 30 weeks next week! That number just makes me feel like I'm sooo far along! 

Had my Glucose test this morning for my 28/29 week appointment.  I guess it wasn't quite as horrible as I had built it up to be, but it was still pretty nasty.  I took the first sip of my drink [I had the red one] and thought "well, maybe this won't be so bad" because it tasted like really strong Hawaiian Punch.  However, by the time I got to the bottom of that bottle I was questioning if I'd be able to hold it down for an hour!  I was told to put it in the refrigerator so that it tasted better, but I think that made it thicken a little.  Yuck--makes me gag just thinking about it again.

Everything else at the appointment seemed good! Measuring on track, baby's strong heartbeat at 143 bpm, and got my T-dap [whooping cough] vaccine.  Also found out yesterday at my follow-up renal ultrasound--for checking my kidneys/Hydronephrosis--that baby girl is head-down.  Of course, it's early and she could still move, but that's a good sign for being on track for a "normal" delivery.

Me & hubs before my company Christmas dinner last weekend :)

How far along? 29 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: +20lbs...little bit of a jump in the past month! Let's blame it on Thanksgiving....

Maternity clothes? All the time!  With a couple pre-prego shirts and sweaters mixed in, although those options are starting to dwindle because they won't fully cover my belly. [And let's be honest--some of Jake's sweatpants and shirts for comfy lounge clothes and pajamas!]

Sleep: This past week, pretty terrible.  I think it's a combination of being extra tired from the weather, a growing baby, Jake's crazy work schedule last week, the dogs being unsettled because of the weird work schedule, lots of things to do.....I guess I've probably over-done it a bit.  I just can't seem to get comfortable, my kidneys have been acting up again [but still not as painful as 6 weeks ago-thankfully!], I've had more back pain from my ever-growing belly.....the list goes on.  I'm just glad that although I toss and turn all night long, the sleep I do get is pretty darn good--like when you've only been asleep for 45 minutes, wake up/toss & turn, and feel like it's been 5 hours--so I'm not walking around like a zombie all day. 

Best baby moment this week:  Feeling her STRONG kicks.  Some so hard that they move my whole body.  Jake was talking to my belly the other night, and she kicked so hard my belly hit him in the face! haha...Also, had a great time Black Friday shopping!  I found some great deals on things like picture frames and a bookcase for her nursery :)

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything?  Being able to sit down and get up quickly...being able to sleep on my back or my stomach...putting on socks or underwear without difficulty...

Movement: tons

Food cravings: Still pasta.  Always TONS of milk, chocolate milk, and juice!  Ice cream/milkshakes--not necessarily a craving but it's the only thing that seems to help my terrible indigestion/acid reflux or whatever it is. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: The drink for my glucose test made me super queasy.  I think the worst part was having to have an empty stomach.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes :)

Gender: GIRL!  

Labor Signs: No, and better not for a while!

Belly Button in or out?  In, but getting a little shallow. 

Wedding rings on or off? On, but some days it's a little snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy/tired.  I do get emotional over sad/sweet things.  My lack of sleep has made me a little moody/irritable this past week though.

Looking forward to: Childbirth class, Christmas, and getting the crib set up!

 

 

 

25th Birthday Weekend Recap :)

I had a great 25th Birthday weekend!  Saturday morning my parents came up to visit, and we went out to Windy Hill Orchard's Apple Festival.  It sprinkled a little on us when we first got there, but other than that the weather was nice.  We got to feed some animals, eat some cider donuts and drink some cider!  My dad and Jake did the Hard Cider tasting.  After that we quick snapped this picture by their pumpkins :)

Such a good picture of me and my hubby [..and Ryleigh making her presence known nowadays!]...

After the Orchard we went to Empire 2 for lunch and played in their cornhole tournament.  It was a lot of fun, but sadly we did not come even close to win.

Saturday night was some girl time and window shopping with friends, then made chocolate & pecan covered apples....There are photos of that somewhere but they will never see the light of day! Let's just say that the chocolate was not set before we decided to devour them, so it was a little messy to say the least!

Sunday [my actual birthday] started off with a lazy, snuggly morning watching overloads of New Girl on Netflix with Jake...and the treat of breakfast in bed, in the form of these bad boys:

...Let's just call it a recent craving...

Then, got ready and met a couple friends at the Upscale WeeSale.  It was an interesting experience!  I ended up finding some pretty cute little outfits, mostly jumpers/dresses, for little miss!  I was impressed with the nice brands that they had [Ralph Lauren, The Children's Place, Janie & Jack, Gymboree] and most clothing items were priced around $4-6.  The last day prices were cut in half, so we ended up paying $1.50-3 for each of these:

 

 

Black corduroy dress with matching bloomer, 6-9 months from Baby Gap  $3.00

Brown and Pink ruffled leggings, 6 months from Carter's  $2.25 for the set 

 

Jean & Plaid jumper, 6-9 months from The Children's Place $1.50

Autumn Plaid jumper, 6 months from Gymboree $1.50

 

Khaki embroidered jumper, 6 months from Gymboree  $1.50

Jean Capris, 6 months from Janie & Jack  $1.50

 

and my absolute favorite for many reasons [UGA colors, super cute, plaid, and still had tags on!]

Red & Black plaid jumper, 6 months from Ralph Lauren  $3.00

 

Yes, ladies and gents, those are serious deals!  I also got myself a pair of black maternity leggings that were Ingrid & Isabel for only $3.00! 

 

The grand total for everything came to $18.99 with sales tax :)  Even Jake was proud of those deals!

 

 

 

I ended my birthday with a fun dinner with some friends and Jake's side of the family at...wait for it...Charandas! You were surprised, weren't you?! haha we do love that place :)