In loving memory

My dear friend LEBean and I have many things in common, one of which being that our daughters got to meet all of their maternal great grandparents.  And in less than four days time we also shared mourning one pass away.

My grandma Jolene died on July 30.  The munchkin and I just got home from Nebraska for the funeral. At this time two months ago, our family wasn't sure if Grandma would get to meet her great granddaughter; she was in the hospital fighting for her life.  Thanks be to God, she was back in the nursing home when we were in Nebraska over the July 4 holiday.  While Grandma couldn't say anything to her, I know that she found joy in seeing my baby girl.

I spent weeks in the summer and school holidays at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Grandma was the elementary school secretary so she had the same vacation time.  She would take me to the town pool, the playground, and park.  This little 5 foot tall woman would drive me in the behemoth of a car to nearby Norfolk to go shopping at Gibson's and Sunset Plaza and lunch at Double K.  She played library with me with the books my dad and his siblings read.  I would sit with her and Grandpa in the very back corner pew of the Lutheran church and sing along with her soprano voice.  For my birthday she made the cake of my choice, from scratch, in the shape of a clown, butterfly, rabbit, or elephant.  She would cook me egg mcmuffins for breakfast served with cranberry juice cocktail.  I would help her wash the dishes by hand (there's still no dishwasher in the house) and we would joke that the grapefruit spoons looked that way because my aunt Joni had chewed on them when she was little.  On New Year's Eve she and Grandpa made air popped popcorn coated with butter and salt and we stayed up until the ball dropped in New York; I could never make it any later.  Every time I hang Lexi's diapers on the clothesline outside I think about how I helped her hang clothes out next to the jars of tea and pickles baking in the sun.  She always sent me cards and money for Halloween and Valentine's Day, even once I got to college.  I still got a stocking and Easter basket when I had well outgrown it.  Grandma loved cheering on the Huskers, traveling with her sisters Adrienne and LaRue, and listening to polka music on the radio on Sunday mornings.  She was incredibly generous, always saw the good in everyone, and never complained.  Grandma and Grandpa were married for 60 years.

Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2005, although she was exhibiting memory loss years before that.  I would not wish this disease on anyone.  It was heartbreaking to watch it slowly take away this active woman who was loved by so many, and unfortunately her two dear sisters were also afflicted.  In Grandma Jo's memory I am going to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's next month.  If you are able I would appreciate any donation towards this cause and your prayers for my family as we grieve, for all those affected by this disease, and for those working to find a cure.

Big Girl!

Last week we had some more "firsts".  The munchkin got to see Nebraska for the first time.  We didn't know how she'd handle the long car ride, but she was great.  I pumped in the car and fed her from the front seat when she started to fuss.  She'd stay awake for a little while afterwards but then the motion of the car eventually got her to sleep.  She still slept normally at night, which was a big relief.

Little L met lots of family members, great aunts and uncles, cousins, and her great grandparents.  I am so blessed that all of them are alive and able to see her.  We even got a 4 generation picture from my dad's side of the family.  She handled being held by strangers really well.  Something we've noticed about her is that she doesn't like to be away from the action.  The two days that we spent seeing the most people she didn't really nap but one of those nights she slept for seven hours straight, which was great for Mom and Dad!

We watched fireworks two nights in a row and they didn't scare her.  She loves being outside anyway and really liked looking at the pretty lights.

While we were on vacation she figured out how to roll from her back to her tummy.  Now she almost always does it immediately after we lay her down.  It's been nice because now I don't have to do forced tummy time, she does it herself!  She's lifting up her head well and supporting herself using her elbows.  She also figured out how to roll back onto her back wearing the bulky cloth diapers; she rolled really early on but hasn't done it again until now.  She doesn't do it every time, so sometimes she gets tired and mad and needs a little help. There've been a couple times already where she's managed to roll in the same direction and off her quilt completely.  It's time to give back her little play mat because she doesn't have enough room to move.  Since she's figured out the rolling she has changed her sleeping position and is becoming a side sleeper like her mommy.

The munchkin is talking and smiling a lot more and has discovered the fun of blowing raspberries.  We go through multiple bibs a day!  Next week she has her four month shots and this weekend will be her first time at the pool.

We are definitely tired at the end of the day but it's worth it.  Our big girl brings us so much joy and it's exciting to watch her reach all these milestones.

New Venture

The munchkin is growing fast!  We're constantly marveling at the new things she shows us.  She is smiling a lot and making the cutest gurgling and cooing noises.  Her hand-eye coordination is improving; her hands are often in her mouth and she grabs her bib and toys hanging down in front of her.  She likes to stand up while we hold her and is close to rolling over from her back to tummy.  Little L is getting better at putting herself to sleep; this morning she tired herself out playing on her mat and fell asleep there for about 45 minutes. :)  She's going to bed earlier at night, between 10 and 11, and sleeps for 4-5 hours before needing to eat, then she'll sleep again for another 3-4 hours.

Cloth diapering is going well.  I've gotten into the routine of washing every other day and typically hang them outside to dry.  (One reason to be thankful for Texas summer)  Since she's sleeping for longer stretches at night I put in one hemp insert and it absorbs really well.  Since I've been so pleased with my FuzziBunz I've decided to get involved in their member affiliate program.  If you or someone you know is interested in ordering their products you can order from my link on their site.



I'm also open to hosting a "Diaper Party" where you can see with my little model how they work.  :) I can e-mail you the company brochure that is a great snapshot of their products and how easy they are to use.  Starting tomorrow until the end of the month if you buy 5 diapers you get a 6th one free.

Please pray for this new opportunity for me.  I've considered doing a home business off and on for years and I think this one could be a good fit.  Using cloth diapers has saved us and my friends a lot of money and trash already and I'm hoping others will want to be a part of the growing community!

Freebies

So on Sunday morning I checked my email and received about a dozen different messages with coupons for free goodies for my birthday.  I get so excited now when I find deals for free stuff that I wanted to share so you can have an even happier birthday!  And if you know of ones that I've missed, comment please.

Pie Five

 This is our lunch last weekend that cost us $5 and the receipt had one of those survey requests to get 20% off next time.  For your birthday you get a free personal pizza with as many toppings as you want.  The pizzas are big enough that you can share. They were having a special that day and drinks were a $1 and we split a salad and dessert.

Baskin Robbins
You get a free scoop of ice cream the week of your birthday and you get a coupon for another one when you sign up for emails.  They send out BOGO coupons for their featured flavor for the month.

Jersey Mike's
Free Regular sub and drink, has to be used on your birthday with ID.  They send out other coupons pretty regularly.

Benihana
$30 off, has to be used Monday-Thursday.

Panera Bread
There's a surprise on my rewards card that I haven't redeemed yet, I've got 60 days to do it.

Chili's
Free brownie sundae with entree purchase.  They send these and free app coupons out a lot, and kids eat free coupons.

Sweet Tomatoes
My favorite restaurant, and they just opened one close by our house.  BOGO with the purchase of 2 drinks.  If you get on their email list you'll get coupons weekly and I get print coupons with the newspaper often.

Godiva
10% off your purchase and a free piece of chocolate.  Also you can go in once a month and get a free truffle, just give them your rewards card or email address.  I'll take Little L for a walk around the mall and get my treat so we have something to do in the afternoon.

Jason's Deli
$5 off.  I always fill out their surveys on the receipts to get a free cookie.

La Madeleine
Free pastry.  You get a free cup of soup when you sign up I think.

Fuddruckers
Free 1/3 lb burger with entree purchase.

Marble Slab
Free small cone on your birthday. They do free samples of new products every once in awhile.

Boston Market
Free dessert with meal purchase.  They send coupons frequently.

On the Border
Free queso or brownie sundae with entree purchase.  I get coupons often.

TCBY
$3 off purchase and $3 off pie or cake.  They also gave me free yogurt on Mother's Day.

Taco Bueno
Free cheesecake chimichangas with combo purchase.  I always use their free taco coupons from Stars and Rangers games.

Which wich
Free regular sandwich.  I think I got a free sandwich when I signed up.

Starbucks
Register a gift card and get a free drink.  They have a star system where you can earn free syrups and drinks. You can register multiple cards to the same account.

Yumilicious
Free yogurt on your birthday, just show your ID.  They've started a rewards program.

Bucca di Beppo
Free brownie sundae.  They have print coupons too.

Blue Mesa and El Fenix
A friend just told me about these places last night so it may be too late to cash in this year but I signed up my hubby whose birthday is August...

DSW
$5 coupon

Victoria's Secret
$10 coupon

Anthropologie
15% off your purchase & they include a cute trinket with the coupon.

I'm probably not going to use all of these, particularly the ones where you have to purchase something, but lots of variety out there.  I'm not bothered by lots of promotional emails; most of the time I check my email on my phone so it's easily to scan and delete them.  And then periodically I check it on the computer and clean out old messages I didn't use.  Hope you can enjoy some of these too!

Update on more goodies 6/12
Dunkin Donuts
Free drink coupon is coming in the mail.

Sonic
Free creamslush, drink, or tots.  You get to pick.

Dairy Queen
Blizzard BOGO

Blue Mesa
Free Sunday Brunch

Latest Adventures

Last weekend was our first time away from home since bringing L home from the hospital.  We spent two nights out at her grandparents' ranch a couple hours away.  She had a great time being loved on by Grandpa and Grandma.  It was a nice break for all of us, to be away from the bustle and noise of the city and sit outside looking at the stars.  Little L loves being outside; if she's fussy it's one of our go-to options to calm her down.  I think she likes to hear the birds and the rustle of the leaves and feel the breeze.  Maybe she'll be a hiker like her dad!  She slept great out there, went down earlier and stayed asleep for longer stretches than she typically does at home, I guess the different setting tired her out.

What else have we been up to?
Went to a minor league baseball game with her God-family
Walked around an arts festival with our cousins
Spent an afternoon at the zoo as a family
Gone to Mass and listened to Mom and Dad serve as lectors
Hosted a Memorial Day cookout and got to see her 2 "sisters"

It's been a busy month!

Moving On

A departure from my usual posts, not pregnancy or baby related, there are occasionally other things on my mind that I want to share!

I realized over the last week how important this month is for a lot of people in my life who are graduating.  Here's a breakdown:

Pre-school-a old friend's little girl
Elementary school-my husband's cousin
Middle school-a friend's daughter and my students from last year
High school-3 of my cousins and my first class of students that I taught in Texas
Associate's degree-2 of my husband's cousins
Bachelor's degree-a cousin of mine and one of my husband's

Some of these milestones have been more significant to me, particularly the high school grads.  To see their senior pictures and remembering them as babies, toddlers, 4th graders...

It really doesn't feel like I was in school that long ago myself, but when you do the math-
14 years since high school
9 years since college
3 years (in August) since graduate school  

Time really does pass so quickly.  So many people when they meet Little L tell me to cherish every moment, that it goes by fast.  If I feel nostalgic and sentimental now about my loved ones, I can't imagine how it's going to be when our daughter reaches all these milestones.  I marvel already at how much she's changed in 2 and a half months.  Ok, so this post ended up being about her just a little.

Congratulations to all graduates, at whatever stage!  Praying that God will guide you as you move to this next step in life.

More milestones

Little L had her two month check up this week.  She's gained about 3 pounds and almost 2 inches she was born.  She took the shots like a champ and they didn't seem to bother her after the initial pain.  She's definitely starting to show more of her personality and we get more interaction with her.  She's like her dad in that once she's up for the day, she's real smile-ly, making all sorts of cute little noises while I'm getting her dressed and plays on her mat while I pump.  A morning person!  She's like me in that she has a late bedtime.  It's not consistent but more often than not it's close to midnight before she goes down for the night. A night owl!  It'll be interesting to see as she gets older if she becomes more like one of us.

Speaking of sleep, we've graduated to the pack n'play at night.  Only took us two months from the initial plan.  L has been good about sleeping in the swing but one morning this week I heard her stirring but not crying so I let her be.  When I got out of bed awhile later, the child had wiggled herself about halfway out of the swing, which was at about a 45 degree angle.  So, no more swing at night!  She's getting used to sleeping in a bigger space although sometimes it takes a couple of times before she doesn't startle herself awake.  We're not using the swaddles as much anymore, they're getting too small and some evenings it's been too warm for them.

The cloth diapering is going well.  I do laundry every other day and have been taking advantage of the warmer weather to hang them outside most times.  She hasn't had any blowouts, a couple of little leaks but it's been my fault for not changing her sooner.  It has prevented her from rolling over, I think her center of gravity is off now, though this morning she ended up sleeping on her side so she may figure it out pretty quickly.

Speaking of movement, L is not a big fan of tummy time.  I don't blame her, I don't like exercise either.  The doctor said she needed three ten minute sessions a day. We're lucky to get her to last three minutes, but we're working on it. I do think it tires her out faster.  She does like going on walks with her dad in the carrier and with me in the stroller.  She & I are venturing out more during the day.  Most of the time she's asleep, from the motion of the car and the shopping cart.

I've started back to work a little.  Last night was a daddy daughter night while I was at the zoo and next week she'll be with grandma while I sub.  Thank God for camera phones so I can stay connected to her.  I've been working on building up a milk supply and it's a good thing, she went through about 14 ounces in 7 hours.

Feeling so blessed to celebrate our first Mother's Day together.  She is truly a miracle.