Monday, April 30, 2012

D: D: D:

Guyz.

I just checked the google analytics for this blog, and it said that some people found it through the google search, using "barefoot and pregnant". I thought I would try it out to see how close to the top by blog was.

Big mistake.

First off, I guess there are a ton of other blogs with this title.

Second, most of them talked about the oppression of women...and while I am all for some equal respect between men and women...I am a very young stay at home mom that does all the cooking, cleaning, and irons my husbands shirts. Maybe not the voice of feminism those bloggers are looking for.

Third, and most unfortunate of all...

There is a ton of pregnancy themed porn out there. Thankfully I didn't use the google image search, so I only saw the link titles and short descriptions. But I saw enough to know that once you get past the 5th page of a google search, no good can be found.


In other news, I am determined to look good when we go to the beach this July, so I am really amping up my weight loss efforts. So far I'm trying no sugar, no white flour, and pretty much no carbs. It's hard to fit in workouts with a baby, but my goals are to go jogging at least three times a week (I'm trying for every day, but I am also starting to sleep train Daisy...so she is not the happiest of campers) and I am doing a Pilates video I found on netflix. The great thing about that, is I don't feel super awkward because no one can see me if I close the blinds. I've been to workout classes before and just feel like a big clumsy fool. This way, I get to exercise without feeling embarrassed about messing up the moves! My point in telling the internet this, is I need some help. What do you do to stay fit? How do you ignore those raging chocolate/ice cream/fried chicken cravings? What has worked for you? If you have kids, how do you fit in working out?

Thanks, internet. You're the best.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Firsts





Daisy has reached some milestones lately. 


Daisy loves to sit up. Also spit up and drool, by the looks of her shirt.

Ever since we had our visit to North Carolina, Daisy has been very anxious to grow up. I really do believe that spending so much time with her cousin Liam, who is two months older than her, influenced her desire to move around. Before our visit, she hated tummy time and only rolled occasionally. Since we have returned, she has mastered rolling, tummy time, and recently started trying to sit up. She can now stay sitting up if we place her there, but can't get up on her own. 

We have started giving Daisy solids. She loves it. Her favorites so far have been mangoes and bananas. She tolerates sweet potatoes, and seems to enjoy other vegetables like squash, carrots, spinach, and peas. Until I replace my blender, we are using these organic foods. Once I get a new blender or a food processor, I will probably start making our own baby food-especially if our garden goes well.

Daisy had her first cold.
She kept pretty good spirits throughout the ordeal. This is a  picture of her enjoying the evenings we would have in the bathroom, hoping the steam would help with her congestion. Thankfully, we are finally on the tail end of her first illness. She still has a runny nose, and her sleeping isn't back to what I would like it to be, but what her sleeping ever really great? No. It wasn't. 



Monday, April 9, 2012

Catching Up


So I meant to blog more this past month, but of course other things got in the way. We have had a busy month. Here are some things we have done (or stuff Daisy has done, because I basically only take pictures of her):



Daisy mastered use of her hands


Found her feet



Got a Bumbo


Made some pie


Enjoyed the freak warm weather down town


Daisy is now much more comfortable about tummy time, and has really mastered rolling


Said goodbye to Sam




Coordinated with cousin Liam


Went on walks with cousin Max and Uncle Kevin


Went down the slide with Uncle Thomas


Swings with Mom




Got cute new clothes from Grandma Day and Aunt Ashley


Was bored by the animatronic dinosaurs at the NC zoo


Made more pie


Celebrated cousin Max's 3rd birthday at the discovery museum


Confronted a turkey with cousin Max


Greeted by Jordan at the airport with beautiful flowers


Had a beautiful Easter dress made by Grandma Day


I got a lovely surprise from the Easter Bunny


It has been a really fun, eventful month. We went to North Carolina to see my brother Sam, off on his LDS mission to Brazil. Jordan could only stay for the weekend, but I was able to spend two weeks there with my family. My older sister was also visiting with her two boys, so the house was very full and very fun.

I love my little family! Life is pretty perfect right now.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Daisy Pie!

Daisy is four months old today!



I know. It seems incredible to me as well.


Daisy is just the best. She continues to be the happiest and calmest little girl in all the land.

Daisy loves:


Peek-a-boo with Dad

Pig wrasslin

Tummy time



Walks with Mom


Looking at everything-paintings, pictures, illustrations, and yes, tv


Bath time
Daisy is starting to get favorites. She has her favorite toys (her stuffed alligator and pig), a favorite blanket, and a favorite pacifier.

When she cries as she wakes up from a nap or in the morning, as soon as Jordan or I poke our heads over the bassinet or crib, she breaks into a huge grin and starts waving her arms and legs around. She just can't wait to play with us!

She is much better at taking naps, and we are starting to get on a much more predictable schedule. Her naps are still short-40 min to an hour, but I'm hoping that will change. She still wakes up twice during the night, but once every 3-4 hours is a lot better than every 2 hours, so I'll take it.

Daisy is starting to use her hands to grab things she wants. Sometimes its really cute-she will put her hand on my cheek, grab my shirt when she wants my attention, or hold onto my hands. Sometimes it's funny-she grabs toys right out of my hands and put them directly into her mouth, and tried to catch the water during bath time. Sometimes it hurts-my hair is now always up, and I'm considering cutting quite a bit of it off.

Daisy loves to babble, and I just love having "conversations" with her.


Daisy we love you! We love having you in our family!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Nawlins, or Our Tour de Food

So our trip to New Orleans was just the best ever.

Daisy and I arrived just before midnight Thursday night. Daisy is a great travel buddy-when the times of the flights don't interfere with her sleep too much. It was perfect-each flight was during her nap time, and timed just right so she woke up when we got off the plane and I could find a comfortable spot to feed and change her. I have done those things on the plane, but it definitely isn't ideal. Especially changing a diaper in a plane bathroom. That is tricky.

Anyways, I was real excited to visit Jordan. This was perhaps his most stressful business trip (either a tie or a close second: his last trip before my due date. Poor guy was terrified I would go into labor without him). A big thing was happening with his jobs customer that he works with, and he was working very long days.

Friday was a pretty low key day. Jordan had to work so Daisy and I hung out, went shopping, and saw a movie. Now, here is a part where I brag a little bit. There are a lot of cute babies out there. Really adorable babies. Daisy is one of them (in my humble opinion). But I am not the only one that feels this way. Every single time I venture out into the world-every time-someone stops to tell me how beautiful Daisy is. So we were walking into the movie theater, and we passed what one could call a "pimped out" suv. It was playing some music that appeared to be all bass, raised up, huge rims, etc. As I walked by with Daisy, I heard someone yell "Hey!" I turned to look, and all the windows were rolled down and one door was open with a young woman hanging out of it. She then yelled "She is so cute!" And lets be honest. She totally is.


Look at that little girl!

I picked Jordan up at the end of the day, and we got to show Daisy off to all of his co-workers. We then headed to our fancy downtown hotel. One of the HUGE benefits of this little vacation is that Jordan's work paid for everything but my meals and airfare, since Jordan was still technically on a business trip. We were pretty tired, so we ordered some takeout-Cajun shrimp pesto pizza. Absolutely delicious.

Saturday was the day that we celebrated my birthday, since Jordan was working most of Friday. The day started with a trip to the Ruby Slipper for brunch.

Here we are about to leave-does this remind anyone else of The Hangover?

Jordan got salmon eggs Benedict and I got blackberry cheesecake stuffed french toast. We shared, of course. So so so so delicious. Next we started walking around, heading towards the french quarter. We stopped by my favorite place in the world:

My parents used to order pralines from here every Christmas.

We had a great time exploring the little shops, watching street performers, admiring street artists, and listening to every hipster gypsy band that has ever existed (seriously. There was a moustachioed tuba player and waif like cellist on every street corner). Daisy did great-she would nap in the baby bjorn like a pro, and we found a nice park to stop and nurse in. We did get some looks that seemed to say: "Why did you bring a baby to New Orleans?" but whatevs. She is a great baby to travel with.


This is a really cool looking city


For an afternoon snack, we went to Cafe du Monde and got beignets.
At first I thought all the powdered sugar might be a little over kill. Don't worry. It wasn't.

After a little nap at the hotel, we went to dinner at Mr. B's Bistro. K, this was seriously the most delicious and fanciest food I have ever had. Jordan got the fattest pork chop I have ever seen, and I got their signature barbecue shrimp. I was in HEAVEN. So good. Also, turns out they have the recipe for the shrimp on their website, and it doesn't look too complicated. Guess what the Smith family is eating for the rest of ever?

Sunday we had a lazy morning-unfortunately we missed the meeting time for the only ward. We ordered room service, and got some great rest. In the afternoon we went to a family themed Mardi Gras parade, where Daisy was just an animal and got so many beads.

Look how she attacks the baby bjorn! Honey Badger don't care!

It was a lot of fun. We had dinner at a little outdoor place called Cafe Amelie. It was the our first candle lit dinner under the stars! The food was delicious! Daisy slept the whole time!

Monday Jordan had to work again, so Daisy and I walked along the Mississippi River, went back to Southern Candymakers (obvs) and explored the french quarter a little more. Of course we had yet another to die for dinner.

It was the most perfect weekend. We had a wonderful time. New Orleans is a really cool and interesting city, and clearly from this post, offers delicious foods. The best part? This:




Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Poop and other things

So every now and then I check this blog that chronicles inappropriate facebook posts parents make about their babies. I do that partly because it's hilarious, and partly because I fear I might make it on there someday.

One of the things that you aren't supposed to talk about on facebook is poop. I get that. It's gross. But guess what? This is my blog, and this poop story is hilarious. Don't worry though-I won't post the pictures :)

So Jordan, Daisy and I went to my parents house for Christmas. I was in the kitchen making caramel, and Jordan was in the guest room changing Daisy's diaper. All of a sudden, I hear Jordan frantically yelling my name. I run into the room, thinking that something has gone terribly wrong (I am super paranoid all the time now, so of course my first thought was that Daisy was seizing or something like that) and I look at Daisy on our bed. She was just kicking her feet, looking around and being altogether cute. I asked Jordan what the problem was, and he replied with: "Look at me!" So I give Jordan a once over and then I really start to see what the problem was. Poop. Everywhere. There was a spray pattern all across his shirt-up into his beard!-across the wall, all over the bedside lamp....it was everywhere. Now, I should have rushed to his aid right then, but first I called my mom down so she could take pictures...poor guy.

I just remembered that story the other day and had to share it.

Daisy is starting to get a more normal schedule. We are still working on naps though. She is supposed to be asleep right now-I just fed her, got her to sleep, and placed her gently in her crib. The baby monitor is right next to me, and it sounds like Daisy has just woken up and is cooing and sneezing and making adorable sounds. I know I shouldn't go in and see if she will fall back asleep on her own...but I don't know how long I'll last. She is pretty great to cuddle with.

My mom and I have started to do craft fairs. We have only done one, but I got enough to get an iphone, so we are optimistic. We are applying for another one this month. My mom makes these beautiful quilts, and I think for this next one I might make a coordinating set of crib bedding. I made Daisy's, and I think it would be fun to make some to match her quilts.

We have an etsy shop, but I won't even post the link yet-we haven't uploaded any pictures of our products yet. But when we do, I will. My older sister is apart of this too, she also makes great quilts. Here is one she recently made for my grandma:



This weekend Daisy and I are going to join Jordan in New Orleans. I am real excited. Jordan has to travel a lot for his job. It isn't nearly as bad as families in the military, but it still can be a downer. But! I get to spend my birthday with my husband and my baby in a city I've never been to.

K, Daisy is refusing to go to sleep. I guess if she just insists I can watch LOTR and cuddle with her. AGAIN. What a needy girl ;)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Where to begin?

So I haven't blogged since I popped Daisy out. Sorry about that. Having a baby around takes a while to get used to. Because I don't have a ton of time before I need to get back on tap (feed Daisy) I'll make this list more efficient with some lists.

What I wish I had known about having a newborn:

-It's okay if bonding doesn't happen right away. I probably won't tell her this, but I didn't feel like I had bonded with Daisy until weeks 3 or 4. Bonding is hard to describe, but I knew it hadn't happened yet. When I was left alone with her for the first time, I really did not like it. I was so tired, I didn't know what I was doing, and I felt so frustrated. I really resented taking care of her, and I hated feeling that way. When it happened, though...it was wonderful. Every baby book I had said what I went though (baby blues) are totally normal, I just never expected to not instantly fall in love with my sweet little baby. Don't worry-I can't get enough of her now.

-Breastfeeding is hard. It took 4 days for my milk to come in. I expected it to happen after 1 or 2. That was super frustrating, because I really wanted to feed my baby. Also, for the first month or so...it really hurts, and can take a long time. Lanolin and gel pads saved my life.

-You're not a bad mom if you give your baby formula. I wish I would have given her formula the first couple days as we were waiting for my milk to come in. She was fine, (newborns don't need a ton of food) it was her jaundice that the formula could have helped with. The type of jaundice she had gets better when breastmilk (or formula) flush it out of the baby's system. Since I didn't have any milk, I wish I would have given her formula. Her jaundice wouldn't have gotten as bad as it did, and Jordan and I would have felt so much less stressed. Not going to lie-we were freaking out a little bit. Also, every so often (If I have had a rough night) Jordan will let me sleep and give her a bottle. Daisy still latches on to me, my supply is still fine, Jordan gets some bonding time with Daisy, and I get some sleep. We all win.

-Be prepared to be paranoid for life. Maybe it's just me, but I now feel ultra aware of anything that could ever go wrong with, or happen to Daisy. It can be stressful.

-Little babies do great in movie theatres. Date night doesn't have to end! Daisy sleeps right through movies.

No one cares if your dishes don't get done. You just had a baby. You get to do whatever you want.

Recovery takes a lot longer than you think it will. I thought I felt fine, so I started walking all over the place and cleaning the kitchen floor (wtf, Jessica). But then, the drugs wore off. I felt like recovery was worse than labor and delivery. Next time I'm not doing anything. I'm taking all the offers people give to come over and cook, clean, and do whatever else I need.

-Be prepared to turn into a facebook mom. I didn't think I'd be exclusively posting about Daisy every day....can't help it.

Now for some stats on Daisy:

-She is 11.5 weeks old!

-At her 2 month appointment, she weighed 11lbs 9 oz, and was 23 inches long. Thats about a 3 lb and 3 inch gain from her birth stats!

-She is so calm and happy. She rarely cries. Most of the time when she wants something, she just lets out a cute little noise. I feel really grateful that she is so calm.

-The first time she smiled at me I died. Not literally.

-She loves hearing her momma and poppa's voices. She always turns her head towards us and smiles.

-She loves "You Are My Sunshine". It regularly calms her down and puts her to sleep.

-She is starting to fall asleep without my help. She still won't sleep for very long during the day if not being held, but we are working on that. She now has one long stretch of sleep during the night, thank goodness.

-She is starting to discover her hands. She sucks on them all the time, and I catch her studying them too. Last week she was able to reach for a toy and grab onto it. It doesn't happen often, but it's a skill she is developing.

-Daisy is hilarious during tummy time. She lifts her head and shoulders for a while, but usually tummy time ends with her lying with her face on her side, cooing, and licking the blanket.

-She loves bath time and getting her diaper changed.


Her blessing was this past weekend. It was a wonderful experience. My parents and Jordan's parents were able to come visit, and it was really great having all of them here. Daisy was treated like such a princess by the grandparents-plenty of new clothes :) My mom made her beautiful dress, and Jordan's mom gave Daisy a very pretty pearl bracelet. Jordan did a fantastic job with her blessing-he came back with sweat all over his face, poor guy was so nervous. His blessing for Daisy was perfect.

K, this is a super long post. I'll catch up on more later. I've been cooking a lot more vegetarian meals lately, so I'd like to share about that. Jordan and I have weight loss goals and we are trying to work on that together-maybe if I blog about it, I'll be more diligent?

K. Now pictures of the best baby ever.


Blowing milk bubbles bores Daisy I guess?

Daisy with my dad

OMNOMNOM

Nakey time is her favorite time.