Spring Fling

Bella's new favorite words are "signed up." It sounds silly but she now knows if I sign her up for something she gets to try

Something new with a bunch of kids. Last Saturday I signed her up for a Western Cheer's spring fling. It was a full Saturday clinic where she learned a cheer routine and then the following Friday she'd preform at the nampa civic center. 

She was so excited Saturday morning but it really was just such a long day for her (9am to 3pm) so she was exhausted and done by the time I picked her up. I think I really should have gotten there sooner to help calm the beast. If you know Bella you know the more tired she gets the crazier she gets and her listening skills are 100% out the window. I asked her if she had fun and she said "it was a little bossy." Lol. 

Anyway luckily they sent out an email with a link to the routine for the girls to practice and practice we did! I'm glad because I don't think she would have remembered anything if we didn't. I actually had a lot of fun practicing with her because she's so dang cute to me! 

Friday came and I was more excited than she was I think..even though she kept saying "come on mom, were late!" From the min she woke up lol. But i looked up cheer hairstyles and made her and Olivia some bows brought put some make up on her and we were ready! She needed up doing such a good job! I was def a proud mom. The only bummer was that Doug had to work so he missed it, but being the awesome dad he is he kept texting me asking me how she was doing. 

After she preformed she said "mom sign me up again!" 

I love my body.

I am grateful for breastfeeding. It is so hard and tiring at first not to mention painful (nobody warned me). Day #5 was the hardest and I was tempted to give up. Especially since Charlie likes to comfort suck but not on a pacifier. I tried 6 different kinds. But I am now grateful and 100% okay with her not caring for a pacifier and here's why.

Last week when we were at the hospital before anything really got started we sat around for about 5+ hours. I fed Charlie twice and both times with a cover like I always do. Even though I knew the nurses and doctors are professionals and we were in our own room but that's just how I feel comfortable nursing everywhere besides my home. Well then they putin Charlie's IV and that was terrible. Three nurses held her down on her little bed and she screamed and cried and I couldn't pick her up. Doug couldn't pick her up. I couldn't explain what was happening because she couldnt understand. I tried holding her little face and it didn't help her. Finally I decided I didn't care who was around and I leaned over the table, pulled down my shirt and nursed my baby. That was the only thing that calmed her down and soothed her. 

There is moments in life when you want to take away every ounce of pain your child is having. You are willing to do anything to comfort your baby and I am so grateful that even though I couldn't take away her pain I could still comfort her. She stopped crying and the nurse was able to finish faster. Yes I am grateful that I didn't give up. That I didn't care what others thought and mostly that I was able to find a way to show my baby that I love her and helped soothe her. 

Bella is playing soccer!

When Charlie was 2 weeks old I was crazy and signed Bella up for soccer. I thought "how fun to do something JUST for Bella." Then after I thought "it's so cold outside, what was I thinking!?" But then I learned it was indoor soccer! This mama was happy! 

They only had two practices and then games every Saturday for a few weeks. Bella loved it! She wasn't very focused during the game but she had fun running around, dancing and occasionally kicking the ball. They didn't keep score at all but you can bet your bottom dollar that Doug and I got waaaayyy too into the game lol. I'm a little worried for when she gets older...

It's nice being back in Idaho for things like this because she didn't just have Doug and I cheering for her but she had both sets of grandparents and my sister went to her games when they could too. She loved it:) 

Bella and her team at their first practice. 

Getting her certificate after her last game.

Her entire team. How cute are they!?

Bella taking a "selfie" with her soccer buddy:) 

I'm so glad I signed Bella up this year! It was a little crazy with a new baby at first but it really did feel great to do something just for Bella and that so many of her favorite people went. My parents especially because they only missed one game! Super grandparents!

Charlie's 2 month update and favorites!

My little chunky monkey is a whopping 12 lbs and 9 ounces and over 24 inches long. She's in the 80th percentile for weight and 90 for height. She really has grown so much this month. She is a great sleeper and before she started taking her medicine she'd sleep from 9 or 10pm until 4am sometimes 6am! Now I have to wake her up 5 hours after she last ate and she's so funny when I wake her up to feed her in the middle of the night. She doesnt cry just is pretty limp lol. She opens her eyes for a second or two and then falls asleep again. I have to Un-swaddle her, tickle her feet to get her to eat. 

This second month has gone by so quickly. It's finally not freezing so we have been able to put Charlie in the moby and go in walks, or go to the park and both Bella and I have loved that! 

Speaking of moby here are our favorites for this month! 

1. Jungle play mat: Charlie loves looking around now. She just stares at the animals on her play May and smiles at them. It's so cute! 

2. Moby wrap: seriously the best thing ever!! We live really close to a park so I was able to put Charlie in the moby with a blanket around to keep her warm while Bella road her bike and Doug walked the dog. Charlie fell asleep in the moby so I was able to really enjoy the fresh air and watching and listening to Bella play. I also used it at the kids fair, church, and the store. Charlie falls asleep every time! 

3. Her fist: it's so funny, the last two weeks she has just loved her hands and is constantly putting her little fist in her mouth. It's so cute watching her discover her little hands:)

4. Aden and anais swaddle blankets: these are newer. My sweet sister brought these to the hospital while Charlie was there and I have loved them! They are big enough to wrap around my chunky girl and she really stays swaddled in them. I've also used them to nurse in. They are really light so Charlie doesn't get as sweaty and it's nice just taking one of these instead if a swaddle blanket and a nursing cover. 

5. Bibs: oh my goodness does this girly need a bib. If she doesn't wear one I'll have to change her clothes 3 or 4 times a day. She prefers mommy bibs ;) 

6. Swing: Charlie finally loves her swing. She will stares at the little flowers (or bears, we have both) and then falls asleep which is nice because I can get things done or I can play or read with Bella. 

Grateful Tuesday.

Man am I grateful for my family today. Charlie's doctor called me today to tell me they're going to start her on medicine tomorrow which is great but it makes me nervous because they have to monitor her for 24 hours at the hospital. I'm sure everything will be fine though:) 

I asked Doug to give Charlie and I a blessing tomorrow which I know will make us both feel better. 

Anyway I wanted to make a little post about how grateful I am for my family because this is very short notice but my family is still able to take care of Bella while Doug and I are at the hospital with Charlie. I would feel guilty about leaving Bella for so long if she wasn't so excited to have a sleepover with her cousin Olivia! I'm grateful that Doug and I will be able to focus on Charlie and not having to worry about how Bella is doing. Man having two kids is tough when it comes to mom guilt. So tonight I made sure to spend some fun quality time with my bellsie while still snuggling my Charlie girl. We watched Taylor swift music videos while I watched Bella dance and sing. That girl loves to dance! 

Wish us all luck tomorrow and say a little prayer for Charlie. I hope that tomorrow goes by smoothly for my little baby. 

Best Sunday.

Oh man this week was hard on my heart. My little Charlie was born with a hemangioma on her lady bits and normally they aren't a big deal just a red birth mark that go away on their own but hers opened up and so every time she peed or pooped she'd scream in pain:( I took her to the ER when I realized it opened and of course it was 9:30pm when Doug wasn't home. Luckily his work is awesome and let him get off early  to be with his baby. They gave us some antibiotics and told us to see the dermatologist ASAP. Bella was sweet on our way there though. Charlie was crying and Bella handed her her violet (stuffed animal) and turned on the nighttime lullaby and said "it's okay Charlie. They're going to make you feel better." 

And the next day Bella thanked me for feeding her and taking care of Charlie. 

Anyway the next day we took her to the dermatologist who said she wants to start her on Propranolol which is a medicine they usually use on older people who have high blood pressure and when she starts it they'll have to monitor her at the hospital for 3-4 hours and then every three weeks. The Propranolol is suppose to make the hemangioma shrink. Ugh I just hate the idea of my baby in the hospital and every time she shrieks because she's in pain breaks my heart. So far the two ointments they gave us have been helping and she doesn't cry as hard when she goes potty. I wish I could take the pain away. I'm a pretty tough person I believe. I can handle a lot but when it comes to my babies I'm mush and need Doug and to pray a lot. I am grateful though that I could ask him to give us a blessing. 

So after a hard week Saturday came bright and early! Bella had her soccer game at 9am and she was crazy as always. Would play for 2 min then come talk to her Grammy and hug her grandpoo and ask him to buy her popcorn. She's silly. 

Hilarious picture of Bella taking a "selfie" with her soccer buddy. Bella found my old camera this week and has LOVED it! 

Then we went to the kids fair in Boise and that was a lot of fun. Charlie and I got to really use our moby wrap and Charlie LOVED it! She slept so good while she was in it. I think Bella's favorite part of the day was going to a Mexican restaurant (with her aunt becki) to eat because she has asked us every day since if we can go back...it was super yummy :) 

So Sunday Doug and I got up with ugly attitudes because we had a meeting with the bishop at 9:30 and we go to church at 1. We were pretty certain we were going to get callings and what do you know...say hello to middleton 9th ward ctr 4 teachers. Again! Doug and I thought it was pretty funny that they picked us again to teach the 4 year olds especially since they didn't know that was our calling before. We must be really good at it :) I'm super excited! I love going to relief society but I loved teaching before too, especially with Doug. 

Since we were ready hours before church we were really able to relax and enjoy each other. We honestly were all in great moods by the time church started. As always we had amazing talks and lessons and I was able to meet more people which is always nice. Me we got home the day was still so nice we hurried and are dinner so we could go outside. Bella rode her bike and scooter. I put Charlie in the moby again which she again loved! She looked around for a while then passed out. The give if us (including the bailey) walked to the park where Doug got baileys frisbee stuck in a tree and on top of the baseball pit. He also got Bella's doll stuck in a tree...he's awesome. So Bella had to help him (she is so brave!) 

(In the tree)

Bella helping Doug while I was super worried. Being up there didn't phase Bella at all! Doug was so proud of his brave girl he told me to take a picture...only reason I did. 

My Charlie girl enjoying being outside! 

Seriously yesterday was great! Church was great, exactly what I needed. And I was able to truly enjoy my family. I missed being outside so much. When I was pregnant I didn't really want to go on walks because my body hurt and then it was too cold to take Charlie outside so I stayed inside with her so this felt like a treat. Best way to end a crazy week. 

Charlie's Newborn Pictures.

Our good friends Amanda and Cameron gifted us with newborn pictures for Charlie and we were so excited! Amanda always raves about what an awesome photographer Becky is and she was right. Becky made us feel so comfortable and she was amazing and patient with Charlie. even when we got Charlie naked and she pooped and peed on her blanket :) newborns are fun!
click here to check out Becky Robinson's Photography Facebook page and here to see her website if your interested in using her as your photographer in the future. again she did an amazing job! now enjoy my babies newborn pictures :) I know I am!