Belly Sleeping

Over the past few weeks that I’ve been a mother, I couldn’t help but notice that my baby girl wasn’t exactly sleeping soundly. She fussed so much while sleeping that I had to admit it was no surprise that her beautiful little eyes just looked red and tired all the time. She sleeps perfectly restful on our chests and cuddled tightly into our side when we take a nap beside her during the day.

The hubby and I have a strict no sleeping in the bed with us policy that while a night here or there won’t make it a habit; it’s not a move we are willing to make for her safety! (Big toss and turners with a tiny baby between them…could spell disaster.) In the middle of the night last week I was so tired that after several attempts to put my seemingly sleeping baby into her cradle and then getting her out again after she was being fussy I put her on her stomach in my bed while I stretched, took a gulp of my water, and rearranged my pillows so I could sleep sitting up with her on my chest. By the time I got in bed and went to pick her up I noticed that she was sleeping more peacefully than I had ever seen her sleep.

With ease I transferred her to the cradle and she stirred for a moment and then drifted right back to sleep. I know the risks of putting her to sleep on her tummy, so I have only tried it a few times just to see if she really does sleep more soundly.

Yes she does.

However, it is because I know the risks and I know that the SIDS rate dropped after the “Back to Sleep” campaign was established that I’m not going to bask in the enjoyment of giving her long peaceful sleeping nights just yet. When swaddling fails me and she remains fussy, I’m only going to allow myself to put her to sleep on her tummy when I am way beyond the point of just being tired, and need sleep to keep my sanity. I think it is also important to point out that even when she is sleeping peacefully, I am still climbing out of bed multiple times a night to check that she has not buried her face in the mattress, put her limbs through the railing of the crib, and just overall making sure she is safe. So while she may sleep better, as her mother, I’m not always getting that same benefit.

Singing Saturday

I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle (one hand on hip), here is my spout (other arm out straight)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout
Just tip me over and pour me out!
(As song ends, lean over and tip arm out like a spout.)

I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true
Here's an example of what I can do
I can change my handle to my spout (Switch arm positions and repeat tipping motion.)
Just tip me over and pour me out.

Muchin' Monday

Chicken and Broccoli Rolls:

Mmm… a real treat coming late today. This is a great dinner that turns leftovers into a quick and simple snack! It takes minutes to prepare and even less time to cook. I am posting this as though the Chicken is already cooked and shredded (Following Post has Chicken preparation directions).

Utensils:

Knife

Cutting Board

Measuring Cups/Spoons

Medium Sized Bowl

Mixing Spoon

Cookie Sheet

Baggie (for leftovers)

Ingredients:

1 Cup Shredded Chicken

½ Cup Broccoli (finely chopped)

½ Cup Carrots (finely chopped)

½ Cup Mayonnaise

1 tsp Garlic

½ tsp Dill Weed

1 pkg Crescent Rolls   

Directions:

This is your already prepared Chicken.

1>      Preheat Oven to 375*.

2>     Cut Broccoli and Carrots. (I use organic shredded carrots and then just chop into pieces.)

3>     Mix Chicken, Broccoli, Carrots, Mayo, Garlic, and Dill Weed in bowl.

4> Unroll Crescent Rolls onto cookie sheet.

5> Put Large spoonful of mixture on each piece and roll.

6> Bake for 12-14 Minutes or till golden brown.

  Notes:

                Put leftovers in baggie and warm in the microwave (if desired) for an awesome snack over the next couple days. I’m usually big on freezer meals and snacks – but you really shouldn’t freeze anything containing Mayonnaise.

If you have leftover mixture like I always do the mixture tastes great on those mini-sandwich thins as a nice lunch item.

 

I like to serve with a healthy salad and diced potatoes.

Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee

Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee

Bumble bee, bumble bee.

Straight from the farm.

Bumble bee, bumble bee.

Flies under your arm.

To help make this more enjoyable for both you and your baby – simply use your finger to simulate a flying bee, and then give your baby a little tickle under their arm at the end.

The Goodwill Steal

Like many-a frugal persons, I have no qualms about releasing my fashion nose in a search and rescue dog style within the walls of the local Goodwill store. We have an outlet shop here in town, and I can’t tell you how many $80+ dollar Ann Taylor skirts that I bought for only a mere $1.50 on Half Off Saturdays.

But this post isn’t about skirts, no It’s about buying a few good, decent jeans to wear post-pregnancy. Since I still have a hard time (that’s right, only a hard time) fitting in to my size 2 pre-pregnancy jeans I had to go shopping because the maternity pants were sagging to my knees with no belly to help hold them up.

I had to buy size 8 jeans (which I am in no way upset about, I think it’s a wonderful thing actually – perfect size).

It took me about an hour to realize I needed the size 8’s, but after I realized this I went to TOWN! But, I guess I’ll stop teasing you and tell you about my steal of a deal…

Due to spending way too much time at the Goodwill, I have noticed that if a brand is at the Outlet Mall and “popular” - the store automatically puts a “boutique” tag on it… (I once passed a J. Crew tank top with a HOLE in it marked at $7.00) – This has helped me out so much, but I was extra happy to find this deal! ….

I had a pair of Old Navy jeans that were marked up to $9.00 as a “boutique” item. I also had a pair of Banana Republic jeans…not marked up… hmm… and the Old navy pair had a stain on the back pocket (which my husband pointed out when I rambled how I couldn’t believe the BR jeans were not “boutique”… but I won’t complain.) I bought a pair of $80 jeans that honestly look brand-new not even washed for $3.50. I LOVE it.

My Baby Has Boobs!!

No, those aren’t cute little chubby fat rolls you see protruding from Baby K’s chest…Those are boobies. Apparently caused by my hormones, but YES - My newborn baby does in fact have boobs. ANNND, they leak milk. (Wonderful, right?)

The Pediatrician said that the boobs are fine, and NOT to do anything unless they become red or seem irritated, like when they start leaking. (Which has happened twice!) It is important to put a warm compress on her…*gulp*… breasts… when they start leaking or become red and hot to the touch. This is because even she (and MALE babies) can be at risk for the same enemy of the boob…Mastitis. So be SURE to call the Doctor if this happens.

You did read that right, boobs and leaky boobs are even common in male babies as well, so don’t freak out if you have a boy dripping a drop or two of milk from time to time. Here is a link to get more information:

WebMD

I almost wanted to give up...

Yesterday was a tough one. Baby K was cluster feeding most of the day. Every hour and a half she was nursing and my nipples were starting to get sore. At around 11pm I told her that if she continues eating this often Mommy is going to have to feed her a bottle with…… dundundun…formula! Thankfully she went from 11:30 to 4:30 and even then I had to wake her up for a feeding, but she only nursed for a few minutes before going back to a deep sleep. I tried to feed her again at 7:30 and she woke up somewhat to eat and then was just content starring at the wall.

So, I don’t truly plan on giving up (nor did I relly want to), but I may have been broken had she continued cluster feeding the entire night as well. Today is a new day, and I’m back and ready to go.