The Beach!

Linking up again with Gussy Sews!

I've lived in the desert my whole life but it seems that every summer is hotter than the last. This summer seems especially hot with a little one to keep cool. Going out in the middle of the day is no longer an option, which means we've spent a lot of time indoors this summer. Our new favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is lounge by my in-laws pool, but I've been dreaming of the beach.

I'm a big fan of the beach and I'm a sucker for cheesy beach-loving songs. 

For this post I dug up some family vacay photos and the lyrics to my favorite Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band songs. Enjoy!

I've been dreaming about a "towel on a chair on the sand by the sea..."

"I want to look through my shades and see you there with me..."

"I want to soak up life for awhile, lay back and moan."

 "Been wishin' I were knee deep in the water somewhere..."

"Only worry in the world, is the tide gonna reach my chair?"

"Gonna put the world away for a minute, pretend I don't live in it..."

"Sunshine gonna wash my blues away."

"Not a worry in the world...

Life is good today."

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Katie on Pinterest

I just had to share this photo from the winner of Pioneer Woman's latest photo contest. Can you believe this was taken with a cell phone?

8 Ounces!

Addy had her follow up appointment at the doctor's on Friday and she weighed in at 10 pounds, 10 ounces. She gained 8 ounces in a week! Woo hoo!

Way to put on the weight baby girl!

We can definitely tell that she is quickly gaining weight. Her little cheeks are getting chubbier and she has new rolls on her cute little frog legs. And although she spit up all over my skirt at church yesterday, the medicine seems to be helping with the reflux.

Last week was a rough one, but we made it through. After a fun weekend filled with family and some much needed sleep, Addy and I are feeling rested and ready to take on another week of more frequent feedings. We'll go back to the doctor for another weight check on Friday and hopefully won't have to return until her 6 month check up rolls around.

Thank you all for your sweet words of encouragement last week. What would we do without the support of other moms and helpful friends?

My Inspiration

I'm joining the Inspiration Workshop again over at Gussy Sews. This week's prompt is "Your Inspiration." Confession: While writing this post, I've had Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" stuck in my head. How do I even know the words to this song?

Addy and I have been a bit sleep deprived this week and in need of a little more inspiration. Sometimes the days seem so long but I've been finding hope in this verse:

Source: xpiritmental.com via Katie on Pinterest

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Lamentations 3:21-24

There was a song to this verse that we used to sing in the church I grew up in. I've been singing it to myself lately (It's a nice break from Chicago).

 I've also been inspired by sweet, encouraging words from friends after writing this post.

And then there's these two, the loves of my life. They never fail to inspire me. They make me want to try harder, be better.

You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiration......

Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Aunts and Cousins

So, if my cousin has a baby girl does that make me her second cousin? And if I have a baby does that make them second cousins or great cousins?

Those were the big questions this past week when Addy got to meet my cousin Jamie for the first time. We realized that we hadn't seen each other in over a year! She moved all the way across the country and my trip to visit was canceled when I got pregnant.

Random fact: I found out I was pregnant on her birthday a year ago.

So while she spent a year on the East Coast, I was back home getting fat and giving birth. Sadly she was never able to see me in all my pregnant glory but she spent a day in the 505 last week and it was so good to see her.

As an extra special treat she brought with her, her mom (my aunt) and her niece (my?).  I just love spending time with family. It's so easy. There's no pressure to impress because they've seen you at your worst. (Jamie was there to comfort me the morning of my wedding when I couldn't stop crying from pure exhaustion.)

Our day together was nothing special but it was so enjoyable. We drank coffee, my Aunt helped me paint my house and Jamie and the girls watched movies and played on the floor.

I was sad to see them go. 

Welcome back to the Southwest, Cousin Jamie! You were missed.

Nursing, Nursing and Praying for Wisdom

I woke up Friday morning after 6 straight hours of sleep feeling on top of the world. Matt and I had finally figured out the secrete to getting our baby to sleep through the night. Oh ya! We rock as parents.

Feeling well rested, Addy and I set out for her four month check up. She took those shots like a champ but I left the doctors office feeling much less energetic than when I went in. I learned that Addy only gained about two pounds in the past two months. Hmm, suddenly I don't feel like that great a parent anymore.

The doctor was concerned about her weight gain as was I. She thought it might have to do with my milk supply or possible reflux since she spits up so much. She gave her a prescription for the reflux and suggested I feed her every 2 hours as well as supplement with formula for the next week and then go back in for a weight check.

I left feeling discouraged and frustrated. It's hard not to take that kind of news or advice personally. After all, this is my sole job now, to keep my baby fed and healthy. 

Why didn't I pay more attention to her weight gain? I know she's small for her age, no one fails to point that out to me. But in the same breath, they say what a happy baby she is.

Was I wrong to put her on the schedule she was on? Should I have asked for medicine for the spit up sooner? Should I have forced her to nurse longer when she seemed satisfied and content to just talk to me?

I was quick to defend myself. 

The doctor doesn't know what she's talking about. I did exactly what the book said. I'm her Mom, I know best. 

My wise husband kindly reminded me that I had been praying for wisdom and guidance in raising Addy and this might be the Lord's way of giving it to me. Yes, this is true. We go to doctors for a reason, we trust that they are there to help us.

So to make a long post a bit shorter, we've been on the two hour feeding schedule for 3 days now. Poor Addy, she doesn't know if she's coming or going and I really don't either. We're both exhausted. She's refusing to take a bottle, which is one more thing to stress about, but, I think she is starting to gain some more weight.

I'm going to have to get clever over the next week and pray that she starts to take the bottle again. I've read about a few tricks and hoping that something will work. And when this week is over, I am going to continue to pray that God grants me wisdom and shows me areas where I can be a better parent, even if it is hard at times.

Sunshine

Some thoughts on Sunshine via Pinterest for the Inspiration Workshop over at Gussy Sews. Enjoy!

Source: swoonevents.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: wonderfuljoyahead.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: liferearranged.com via Katie on Pinterest

Water Baby!

Addy went swimming for the first time this weekend in her Grandma's pool.

Just like her baths, she loved it! 

I think her Dad was more excited than she was. He couldn't wait to take his little Piglet swimming.

Matt searched high and low for an age appropriate raft for our 4 month old fish.

He came back with lots of goodies including this awesome race car for Cousin Carter.  I think he liked it.

With Cow Appreciation Day, Addy's 4 Month Birthday and swimming for the first time,  it was quite a busy weekend for our little lady!

Addy is 4 Months Old!

Miss Adelyne turned 4 months old yesterday. 

Four months is a frustrating age for a little girl who recently learned to roll over. As soon as we lay her on her back to play, she rolls to her tummy and then the grunting begins. She grunts and cries until we turn her back over only to see her roll back onto to her tummy. Sometimes if she gets enough momentum she just keeps rolling and rolling.

Addy's little world is getting bigger. Her and Mr. Monkey actually interacted during our photo session this month. Addy tried to bite his face off.

Four months huh? Gosh I'm old. 

 Addy will go to the doctor this week for her 4 month shots. I'm excited to see how much she weighs and hopefully get the green light from the pediatrician on starting solid foods. That will be a fun new adventure!

 If it's at all possible, Addy has us falling even more in love with her everyday. She is such a joy! I am so thankful for everyday I get to spend being her Momma.

 Happy Birthday Silly Girl!

Eat More Chicken!

Yesterday was cousin Cater's 3 month Birthday!

It also happened to be Cow Appreciation Day at Chic-Fil-A. Not being ones to miss out on free chicken nuggets or the opportunity to show off our cute kiddos, we made a little outing out of it. And what a fun outing it was!

Homemade cow outfits

 "May I hold your hand, Carter?"

Cute Cousins

Phew! Being a cow is exhausting.

 HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY CARTER GREY!!

 Addy's 4 month Birthday is today and you know what that means... time for our monthly photo session! Come back tomorrow to see the pics. And don't forget to eat more chicken!

Pamper Yourself

Today I am linking up with Gussy from Gussy Sews. Her blog is one of my favorites to stalk, I mean read. Each week she sends out an inspirational prompt and I thought it would be fun to play along. This week's prompt was "Pamper Yourself."

Did this make anyone else think of "Frost Yourself" from "How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days."

 

Source: google.com via Kody on Pinterest

Ok, back to the prompt.

My Mom and I used to go on pedicure dates before I got married and moved away. I love pedicures! They are so relaxing and I love how soft my feet feel afterwards. I don't get to go that often so they are a big treat and this past week, I was treated twice!

My Mother's Day Gift from my Mother-in-Law was a trip to get my nails done while she watched my little one. It was lovely and while I was sitting there, I thought about how much fun it will be to treat Addy to pedicure dates when she gets older.

 

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Although she didn't get her toes painted, Addy did get her first taste of a fun girls outing to the nail salon this weekend. While the boys went golfing, us girls chose a more relaxing activity. I dressed her in a cute new onesie from Aunt M with a matching bow especially for our outing but the lady doing my toes still couldn't tell she was a girl.

Nail Lady: "Boy?'
Me: "No Girl."
Nail Lady: "Looks like a boy."
Me: "She's wearing a bow!"

We might have to wait till she grows more hair before we go back again :)

Family

Isn't family the best?

We've been blessed with wonderful family

who stock up our pantry,

help us hang blinds and install ceiling fans,

who gladly take over baby duty so that we can have a nice meal or take a nap

and treat us to golf and pedicures just to spend time with us.

We had a lovely, long weekend with my family. 

Thanks everyone, for making the trip up to the 505!

We'll miss you "Pickle," but we're so excited for you to go on this new adventure.