Made it to six weeks!

Everyone I talked to said, 'Just wait until six weeks, things get so much easier!'. So since Isabella has been born I have been waiting for that six week mark thinking I will be doing so much better. Well it is here and I can definitely say things have gotten better. I wouldn't say necessarily right at six weeks it happened, but I think it is just by the time you get here you have learned SO much and gotten in to more of a groove, even if you haven't gotten more sleep. =)

So Bella is doing great and I will post pictures below. She already seems like she has grown SO much and I just love her to pieces. We are on a pretty good schedule. She is more alert and awake now so I don't have as much time to myself or to nap, but she is also getting more interactive and has actually smiled a few times! I tell you when that little toothless mouth opens up wide and you know she is actually smiling at you, it is the happiest moment. Still haven't really gotten the nursing down so I have decided to give it two more weeks and after that I may just go to pumping and giving her a bottle full time. It isn't ideal, but the frustration that the nursing causes me is just so taxing. I had these grand designs on the bonding experience of nursing and it just has not been at all what I expected. But I know how good it is for her so I will try as long as I can to not switch to formula.

So in news other than baby news, although there isn't much of it, last weekend we went to Galveston for my cousin David's wedding. He married an adorable girl named Mary and we had a great time just getting out of town. My parents rented a beach house that we all stayed in and we had a great time just relaxing. They had bicycles there and I haven't ridden a bike in, I swear, 15 years or something. It was so fun, I really want to get a bike. What great exercise! And speaking of exercise, I have slowly started ramping up on exercise and trying to eat better. I have about 15 pounds that I would like to lose, although I am only like 6 or 7 away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I just think my pre-pregnancy weight was too high. =)

Last night Jason was a sweetheart and watched Bella while I went out to eat and to a movie with Jessica and Gaby. I haven't had a girls night out in a long time and it was so nice to catch up. We went to eat at Gloria's on Greenville, which I haven't been to since they redid it. It looks great! The bar and patio are way bigger which is nice and we sat out on the patio and the weather was GREAT. Then we went to see Up, which I highly recommend. Pixar always does such a great job with their movies.

Jason's parents are in town this weekend to visit the little one and I think we are going out to eat at our favorite place. Houston's! I love it.

Here are some new pics of Isabella as promised...

I just think this is so cute. I walked in and saw them both sprawled out...

This is my cousin and his new wife. I know it isn't Bella, but just thought I would share. =)

Here is my sister with Isabella at their wedding.

I don't know what it says about me as a mother, but I think this is so cute...

Tried to wake her up by doing some tummy time, which she usually hates. Nope, she just kept snoozing...

Love this pic. Jason said it looks like she should have a tiny Corona in that hand...

Hello out there!

Hello outside world! My little angel is now four weeks old and I cannot believe it. Tomorrow is officially one month. The last month has been kind of a blur. I live in increments of three hours for the most part, some times less during the day, sometimes more at night (if I am lucky), but I pretty much live on a cycle of feed her, play with her, put her down for a nap then figure out what I can accomplish in the next 1-2 hours before she wakes up to eat again. It is hard and the nursing is still a challenge, but I feel like we are both starting to get the hang of it a little more at least.

The bright side of having nursing issue is I had to give her a bottle sooner than I would have planned to, but that means I have more freedom to go do things now if I need to leave a bottle with whoever is watching her. So Jason and I have actually gotten to go out to eat and to a movie twice in the last couple of weeks. If you know me, you know I LOVE movies, so that was a huge treat. First we went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, which was terrible, but still nice to get out. Then last Saturday when Jason's parents were here we went to dinner and a movie for my birthday (which was actually Monday and completely uneventful). We went to this place called Bene Bene. We are always on the look out for good Italian food, but usually are disappointed with the fare we find. This place got good reviews online and was close so we decided to try it. I think this is probably the best meal I have had in a LONG time. It was pretty authentic and had a great atmosphere. We started with this salad with cherry tomatoes, avacado, kalamata olives and mozzarella balls in a champagne vinaigrette, then I had a Chilean Seabass with a lemon caper dressing on it. SO delicious. We also split a bottle of some Chianti which I wish I could remember the name of.

After dinner we went to see Star Trek. Now I have never seen a single Star Trek movie or episode on TV, but I LOVED it. I seriously think everyone should see it and would like it. It is funny, interesting, action packed, well cast, etc. I really enjoyed it and I love Zachary Quinto anyway from Heroes so I was excited to see him.

Tuesday night I got to go meet some of my friends out at Cru, this wine bar in Plano, for my birthday dinner. It has been a while since I have really gotten to spend any quality time with them so it was really nice to get to catch up on my gossip. =)

This has been my first week by myself with Isabella for the whole week. I thought my mom was going to be able to come again for a couple of days, but it turns out she has things to do OTHER than take care of me. I know, not fair. =) It hasn't been too bad, but it is definitely a lot easier when there is someone else around to help. Especially now that she is getting more alert and is awake more, I find myself trying to figure out what to do with her since she can't really play or anything. I spend a lot of time just talking to her and asking her rhetorical questions. Sometimes we dance to this Coldplay lullaby CD that my friend Courtney bought her. Sometimes I just put her in her bouncy seat that she, thankfully, loves. So far she hates her swing, but we are going to work on that.

I have my first doctors appointment tomorrow with my OB since she was born. It is funny how you start to miss your OB when you have been seeing her every week for a month or two before. Next Wednesday I am going to Tyler. I haven't been home in forever it seems like! I am really excited about it and then we will leave Friday from there to go to Galveston for my cousins wedding. My parents rented a beach house for the long weekend so we will stay for a four day weekend. Should be nice and relaxing!

Taking a breather

Good morning everyone. I finally have a few minutes to check email and blog a bit. Isabella is threatening to wake from her nap but I am hoping it will pass. =)

So motherhood is great and Isabella is amazing, but it is HARD. People tell you the first few weeks are hard, but this is seriously the hardest thing I have ever done. Nursing is still not going great so that adds to the frustration for sure, but we are working on it! Jason's mom came for a few days last week to help and my mom is back for a few days now. It is SO much easier when there is someone else around. Just to be able to hand her off to someone so I can shower or whatever is so nice. I had my first taste of being home alone with her for two days last week and it was definitely trying. I think one thing I am doing wrong is just not sleeping during the day like I should. I have never been much of a napper and I don't do well with just sitting around, so when she is sleeping I always feel like I should be doing something. But I am trying to just make myself take long naps, even when I don't feel super tired. I think that has helped in the last couple of days, because today I feel pretty good.

We are working on getting Bella on a better schedule. She is starting to do better about going right to sleep at night, but she usually has a couple of nap times where she really fights going to sleep and sometimes doesn't sleep at all until her next feeding. The hardest thing is trying to find answers or solutions to problems in any book or online. I read so much before she was born about what to do to get them to sleep well and nurse well and all this other stuff, but you find one opinion about how to do things and you will find ten other books saying the exact opposite. Wake her every three hours/never wake a sleeping baby. Let them cry it out/rush to their side the minute they start fussing. Rock them to sleep/put them in bed before they fall asleep. Who knows? I am just trying different things right now to see which works best for us. If any of you moms out there have any advice feel free to pass it along!

Pictures of Isabella

Here are some pics I have taken of Bella. Not as good as Jasons, but still cute! This first one is of my mom and her. We are about to go to the doctor and she is wearing the new sundress Tamra bought her!


Here she is about to go home from the hospital!


Here she is sleeping like an angel in her crib.


Here she is with her Aunt Amanda!

And here she is with my friend Tamra!

Getting better, a little better all the time...

Isabella is 9 days old today and I am learning new things every day. She is honestly a really good baby so far. I hear newborns sleep a lot, so maybe that will change, but honestly she really only fusses when she is hungry and as long as she is full she is happy. Sounds like her mom! Getting up two to three times a night to feed is definitely hard and I pretty much feel a little bit crazy all the time, but we are so in love with her. I don't know how she does it, but she gets cuter every time I look at her.

The last couple days I feel like we are getting in to more of a routine. The feeding is still a struggle, but we are managing and she is on a pretty good eat, wake time, sleep time routine with her eating about every 3 hours and in the middle of the night sometimes she even sleeps 4! The last two days I actually wore makeup. Probably won't happen today, but baby steps right? Jason is being super supportive and even though he can't help with some stuff, he tries to help where he can. My mom left on Wednesday and his mom is coming up on Sunday to stay for about a week I think. I think my mom and dad may be up again this Saturday - my mom already misses her like crazy! - and my friend Serena is coming in from New York!! So we are excited to see her and introduce her to Bella.

Yesterday was the first time I got out on my own. I wasn't allowed to drive for a week so yesterday I put on real clothes and makeup and went to Target and Babies R Us and then went to Freebirds to pick up lunch. It is amazing how you really appreciate the little things when you have been cooped up inside for a week. The weather yesterday was so awesome and I actually got to listen to Sirius radio and sing along. =) So that was a nice treat for me. By the end of the day I am usually completely exhausted, but I just count my blessings that she actually sleeps during the night (mostly) when she isn't eating so I can sleep too. I know she will grow up all too soon, so I am really trying to just enjoy every minute, even when I am too tired to even think.

Tomorrow is my friend Courtney's birthday party so I am going to have Jason watch Bella so I can go for just like an hour. I am looking forward to seeing my friends! I have seen some of them since she was born, but not all. Should be a good time, and then my sister is going to come visit for a day next week too. So lots to look forward to in the coming week. OH, and ACL is announcing their lineup for the fall on April 28th! Can't wait to hear it. If it is anywhere close to the Lollapalooza lineup it will be greatness.

Ok, I guess that is all for now. I have some pictures that I took that I will post soon. They aren't anywhere close to as good as Jason's pictures, but they are new all the same and hopefully you will enjoy them!

She's Here!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post about the newest addition to our family! You wouldn't believe how tiring it is to raise a newborn. Ok, I know everyone says that, but it is TIRING. =) Besides being tiring it is also amazingly wonderful and I am so in love with this little girl I can hardly stand it. So, I am guessing you want details so here they are.

April 15 at 1:42 am I woke up and my water had broken (I will spare all the really TMI stuff =) ). So I wake Jason up, call the doctor and the doc says head to the hospital. We call our parents and my sister and Jared and tell them before starting to pack up, although we were mostly packed already. For those who don't know my dad is a CPA and this is like the big day for him every year, so when I called my parents he had literally just walked in the door from work. Sorry dad! =)

So about 2 am I start having contractions and from there on out I have contractions every 2 minutes for the rest of my labor. This is not what they prepare you for in birthing class. I was prepared to have my first contraction, then another one like 30 minutes later and slowly build up and wait a long time for an epidural and do all my breathing etc. Well, all that was out the window and let me tell you, contractions HURT. Yes, I realize another thing people tell you but holy cow, it is so true. By the time we got to checked in and put in our delivery room I was in so much pain I told them I wanted the epidural right away and they said that was fine. So I got one and from then on it was SO much better. I have no idea how or why people do this naturally but I would not suggest it.

So for the next 17 hours I was in labor and just kind of laid in my bed trying to rest and also having people in and out to visit. I couldn't have anything but ice chips so I was starving! Around two the next afternoon I started getting a fever so I had to be put on antibiotics for the rest of my hospital stay, and it also made me not feel so good. But finally around 6:30 pm that night the nurse said I was ready to push! Isabella had been pushing down on me all day so they said she was right there ready to go and that it wouldn't take long. That was very good news to me at the time...some people push for hours!

Isabella Jane was born at 7pm on the dot. She weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 and 1/2 inches long. She is also absolutely beautiful if I do say so myself. =) The last few days have been a blur. I sleep when I can and my mom is here for a few days to help out. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't here! I would probably have only gotten half the sleep I normally do and would be going hungry I imagine. Jason has also been so great. Doing laundry and cleaning. Who knew having a baby was all it took to get him to do that? Just kidding, honey, I love you. =) Also, just trying to get this breast feeding thing down. That is also quite difficult, but we are working on it! Other than that Bella is really a good baby as long as she is full. She really only cries when she is hungry, which was a lot for a few days, but now we are getting better with that.

Thanks to everyone for your emails, texts, food, thoughts, prayers, flowers and all the other stuff all our friends have done for us. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives and so is Isabella. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures of her so far. Please excuse her head attire, we are working on getting her something more suited to her. =)

Good Music on Good Friday

Today has been a good music day. Do you ever have those? Where you just hear all these songs that you love and some of which you haven't heard in a while? Today it just seems like I keep hearing all these songs that make me in such a good mood so it got me thinking about other songs like that and then I got this list going in my head that I felt the need to share with all of you. Not to mention the fact that I am home with nothing to do but wait for Isabella to decide she is ready to join the outside world. =)

So anyway, I don't claim to be any sort of music critic or to be very 'hip' when it comes to music. I just like what I like and I always like to hear new suggestions for music from friends. So I am just going to list some random songs that I love, and if you are at work, bored and looking for something fun to occupy your time, maybe you want to go track these songs down on iTunes or something. I would also like to challenge anyone reading this to post a comment with a song or ten that you love that might not be on my radar. I don't even care if I don't know you, or whatever. I read lots of peoples blogs who don't know me or at least don't know I am reading their blog. I would just be flattered that you find this little blog interesting in any way, shape or form. Ok, enough rambling from me, here is my list of random songs I either heard recently or that I was thinking of that you may not have heard that I love...

Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way - Title song from their latest CD - please don't stop reading my list if you are an anti-DC person =)
David Bowie - Golden Years - this is the song that Heath Ledger and Shannon Sossaman (sp?) dance to in A Knight's Tale, if you have seen that movie
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car - one of my alltime favorite songs ever
Copeland - Should You Return - sort of a recent find for me...good for mellow/melancholy days
John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads - this song was on The Office last night and I forgot how much I like it
The Avalanche - Frontier Psychiatrist - this song is weird and not really even a normal song per se, but something about it gets under my skin
Billy Bragg and Wilco - California Stars
Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
Dan Seals - Addicted - really old country song but I just heard it today and it reminded me of middle school or something
Counting Crows - Walkaways and Elton John - Goodbye - I put these together because they are both really short songs, like a minute long, but both just GET me
Hank Williams Jr - Texas Women - I love the part when he says he is an Oiler fan. =) The Oilers will live on at least in song!!
Glasvegas - Geraldine and Shiny Toy Guns - Ghost Town - two newish songs that I can't get enough of right now
The Hooters - And We Danced - Makes me dance as well
Journey - Don't Stop Believing - not exactly a 'hidden' gem, but dang it is good
REM - Nightswimming - I bought Automatic for the People recently cause I had lost my million year old copy of it and it made me remember how much I love this song...random fact about this song - Jen dedicated it to Dawson when she was working on that radio station on Dawson's Creek cause they went skinnydipping. =) Yes, I was a Dawson's fan.
Your Wildest Dreams - Moody Blues - heard this last night at Jake's
Patty Griffin - Tony - pretty dark song but I never get tired of it
Shenendoah - 2 Dozen Roses - another song I just never get tired of
Impossible Dream - From Man of La Mancha - makes me always feel like I should be a better person

Ok, that's it for now. Hope you enjoy my very random list of music. This probably doens't even encompass some of my favorite songs, but they are just ones I thought of. Enjoy and don't forget to post your suggestions for my listening pleasure. =)