"Crawling"

Ella started army crawling over Christmas. My life just got 10x harder. No more leaving her on the bed or on the hall floor while I do the laundry- she could fall down the stairs! yeep. 

Night Nurse?

I can't decide how I feel about this article. It's about a mom who chose to hire a night time nanny with her second baby.

I mean, I get it. Babies are hard. But I still feel iffy about it. This mom doesn't have to wake up at all during the night and spends a vacation away while the nanny sleep trains the baby. Bliss!

I must feel this way because I'm a bit jealous. Kudos to this mom who is aware of the strains on her relationship and personal well-being that her motherhood situation causes, and then solves the situation. And then stands up to other mom's judgement about her solution.

Provo Fashion Week

While I adore Eleanor, I'm pumped to share something non-baby related...

Thankful

It was so nice to have my parents in town last week. They are so lovely. My mom suggested going to Hogle Zoo in SLC- which is a fabulous idea- but I thought... I will sweat so much walking around outside... maybe an aquarium? I'm glad she settled because gosh I liked it. The penguins getting fed, the octopus suctioned on to the glass, the tunnel under the pool of sharks, ooo and the 14 ft. anaconda in the South America animals section- it made me want to go to one of the huge aquariums with whales in CA or Florida... or wherever they are. Some of us may have snoozed during the visit, I won't say who.

My teeth look miraculously white in this photo... 

Also, I wanted to say that these blog posts on a woman's career were so inspiring to me. Although currently my career is being a mom at home, and I'm mostly happy with that (it is rewarding, but you know it has it's ups and downs), it felt satisfying to me to read posts about confident career women, especially this video of Peggy in the tv show Mad Men, which is set in the 60's. 

On a separate note, Grandma Phoebe you will love to know that my good friend Whitney Lawter (the one who went to India whose blog you followed?) is expecting a baby boy at the beginning of next year! As is my other previous room mate, Kelsey, whom I don't think you know, but they are both expecting baby boys within weeks of each other. I'm so giddy for them. Was it coincidental?! I think they planned it :)

And, I found a legit website for moms and moms-to-be, wellroundedny.com. It's sophisticated, talking about maternity and mom wear, nursery decor, the cool diaper bag options, and personal stories of how moms deal with twins and babies in the NICU and that sort of thing.

Some more photos under the "read more" if you're interested.

Baby Favorites #2

Brent and I went rather minimal when it came to baby supplies, I think (though that is relative- because we still have a ton of baby stuff). There are so many things to buy, and it's tricky because it's not 100% your baby will like everything! So here's my "list":

The Carseat

This happened today on the way home from the grocery store. That little snoozer. ALSO, she went to bed a whole hour earlier than usual! At 8pm. Very good news. Lets hope that keeps up. Although, when my mom gets here in a few weeks, I'm sure she'll be keeping Ella awake till way past both of their bedtimes ;)

Baby Spam & Nonsense

It is ridiculously silly how excited I get over normal baby bodily functions. When she burps after eating, it's like a small victory. And I am over the moon when she has a crazy diaper- then I feel validated I'm feeding her enough.

I'm obsessed over the nursing dresses, and frankly the shirts too, by Swedish designed Boob Nursing Wear (Update: I found this dress cheaper and in the U.S. at figure8maternity.com and I've bought it!). I feel like they would make nursing so much easier! They're a little pricey... so I haven't bit the bullet yet, but I want to. It has a simple little flap that you just pull up to nurse. It almost seems like I could make one... but... you know.

Also, I just finished reading "Anne of Avonlea" and it was so fabulous. I need to read more! I mean, I have the time. 

Brent is also leaving this Friday (with one of his brothers) for Austin, Texas to go to a BYU football game. He is so pumped about it- always nice to have something good to look forward to. I didn't want to face the hassle of a plane ride with Ella for just a football game- not quite my thing, so it'll be just us girls this weekend. Hopefully it won't be too boring. I'll have to find something fun for us to do. 

Babywearing and Baby Favorites

I find myself a little obsessed with 'baby wearing.' I think it's the combination of having use of both your hands (I didn't quite realize the beauty of this concept until holding a baby all the time...) while keeping the little teddy still so close by. Unfortunately, Ella is kind of hit or miss with whether or not she likes to lounge in the Ergo carrier...

But, in researching baby carriers, I don't remember finding anything negative about the Ergo! So, I did want to share my own personal experiences so people on the lookout can get both sides:

I am in that stage of postpartum where all my hair is falling out. Whereas my previous bad hair habit was picking my split ends, now its running my hands through my hair to get out the loose strands... and it never stops. 

Also, Eleanor will be 3 months on Tues., Aug. 19th. It was cool when she was a newborn and all, but I like her way better now that she can smile and stay awake for more than 30 seconds at a time.

Mothers Around the World & Pasta

These interviews about Motherhood Around the World are so fascinating- and even more so now that I have Eleanor. Each interview goes into detail about the differences in parenting, pregnancy, and birth in other countries. In China, babies don't wear diapers. Instead, they have a hole in their pants and just use the bathroom on the streets!

image from this blog about international living

On an unrelated note, I made this Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta a couple times this past week, and shoot it was delicious. I have been on a sun-dried tomato kick really. I found this sun-dried tomato pesto at Wal-Mart a bit ago (it's the same stuff I use for the pasta- it's in this little side cart by the produce section that has nuts and dried fruits you can put on salads), and I put it on just plain pasta or cous-cous and it is delightful.

 And don't mind me:

Night Out

Friday night, on the BYU football field, they showed the movie Remember the Titans on the big screens. It was free! And fabulous I might add. The weather was breezy and I was a little giddy, I must admit. That movie is a classic and, I can't remember the last time all three of us went out on the town.

We were so pleased Eleanor did so well. She slept through a lot of it (it was right around her bedtime- the movie started at 9pm and she usually goes to bed sometime around 9:30-10:30pm) which was a dream. I fed her in the middle of the movie... and at least, no one seemed offended... it was dark and I could cover pretty much everything with my shirt. If only I could be so inconspicuous in the daylight!

The diapers and socks. I just love it. Very Risky Business of her :)

Eleanor: 2 Months

-she's starting to smile way more, and to coo. I cannot describe the cuteness of the noises that are coming out of this little baby.

-she sucks her thumb/whatever fingers she can get in her mouth to go to sleep. She'll take a binky at times, but its really the fingers that = sleep.

-she's slept through the night the last week or so, starting at 10:30pm - 6:30am and now its been till 8am. It's wonderful. Perhaps because of the thumb sucking?

-weight: 10 lbs. 7 oz. height: 22in. long - in the mid twenties percentile. So she is smaller than the normal baby, but the doctor didn't seem worried at all - which definitely put me at ease.

-wears size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes. This was a very exciting jump for me. 

I'm sure this is mostly normal, but I cannot get over reading other ladies' blogs about their babies! I love seeing what others' experiences are and how mine compare.

She's been liking to sit up lately. It's so wonderful- it makes her seem so big.

Eleanor had her first vaccination shots on July 21st. I was so impressed with the pediatrician- two ladies came in to give her the 3 shots, and they did it so quickly! Eleanor got over the shots pretty quick, but after she had come home and taken a nap, she did cry for a good half hour. Even the rest of the day she was a bit edgy. I gave her some infant Tylenol (grape flavored... yeesh), and after like 2 min, that stuff was done spit up, projectile style. But there she was, finally settled by being in the nude and with a binky. By the next day though, she seemed back to her sweet baby self. 

Eleanor's Baby Photos

I'm just dying over these sweet photos of Ella (taken when she was 11 days old! seems like ages ago). I'd love to share. They were taken by our good friend Mari Hesterman of Mariko Kay Photography (here's the link to her website). We are lucky to have a good friend who also happens to take fabulous photos for a living!

She Loves... She Hates...

Ohhhh babies. Eleanor likes:
-laying naked on the changing table, as seen above. She just kicks around and sometimes I'll get that rare gummy smile that I'm hoping will soon not be so rare.
-milk of course. She'll be kind of fussy and then I'll put her in the "feeding position" and she just opens her mouth, ready.
-to stretch after she eats- I think this is because she usually kind of snoozes at the end of a meal so when I move her, she stretches out of her slumber. She'll arch her back and put both teeny arms straight above her head.

Eleanor doesn't like:
-loud sneezes that interrupt her. She'll be eating or resting and Brent or I will sneeze, and her little face crinkles up in her little pout. I need to catch a photo of it because that pouty frown! It's too good. Other loud noises, and she just seems to flinch, but something about sneezes!
-tummy time. She'll handle a few minutes, and then... she's over it.
-the burping position. When I have her vertical and I'm trying to burp her, her little head just goes crazy- she cannot find a comfortable position! She doesn't usually like her head turned sideways laying against my chest (unless she's super sleepy), she'll turn her head kind of frantically this way and that, usually ending up face planted in my chest- and I'm like, can you even breathe baby girl?

It's surprising to me how fast the days go. I mean, my day is not physically demanding nor are my activities too varied. Yet, before I know it, it's noon and I'm still snuggling with Ella in my bed. Also, how I look no longer matters. Make up is a no go because I just think to myself how much time I'll save by not putting it on and not having to take it off. If Ella and I go out, we're lucky if I'm wearing something other than sweats and a button down (I never had to buy maternity shorts since I was pregnant in the winter, so I don't quite have any summer clothes that fit yet...). I pretty much always wear button downs at home, they are way easier to nurse in. (I'm liking "nurse" better than "breastfeeding" these days for some reason I can't quite determine. Also, I'm loving all the posts on Facebook about feeding your babies in public. Like this one for instance. Having now experienced breastfeeding and how stressful it is to feel like you can't comfortably feed your baby outside of your home... I'm all for those sorts of posts. Although its funny because I don't feel comfortable yet nursing in public because I know I will show a boob, but the thing is I wish I did feel comfortable showing a bit of boob while nursing because I think I have the right to. If a little something shows, other people can look away rather than me and my hungry baby trying to find an air conditioned closed off room with a chair- other than a toilet).

What's Up

June 12

1. breastfeeding. Is she latching on right? Is she getting enough milk? Why is she always falling asleep while eating? Why is this feeding only 10 min? Why is this feeding 45 min? Does she look like she's gaining weight? My arm hurts from holding her while feeding. I have to switch from one side to the other half way through and burp her in between? That adds even more time to the 30 min feeding. These are my thoughts while breastfeeding and it gets tiresome. But when she's eating and I can hear her little baby swallows- precious.

2. Her skin is just so soft, and everything is just so little. And she makes adorable faces when she's sleeping.

3. When Ella gives mixed signals- I wish babies could talk! She's eating her hands, so I think she's hungry. I start feeding her, and 5 min. later she starts crying. I think maybe she has a little gas, I try to burp her- nothing; and more adorable little whimpering noises. She's eating her hands again, so I try again to feed her. More little cries. She yawns- so I try to rock her to sleep. Nothing. Then the cycle just starts again... eep.

4. If she's been fussy for a while, and I rock her and rock her, and I finally get her to sleep. I feel like its such a sweet victory!

***more pictures after the jump

Ella's Story

Baby Eleanor has my heart! I went into the hospital May 18th, Sunday night, ready to be induced (well, ready- but just so nervous and jittery- I mean everything from that moment until the rest of my life would be new). Brent and I drove to the hospital once we got the phone call that the hospital was ready for us to come in (6:15pm). 

Eleanor

This sweet little baby! I'm excited to blog about her birth and all the details. She is such a little lady already.

Nursery & Baby Worries

I'm all scheduled to be induced on Monday the 19th. Comin right on up. Am I scared out of my mind? Of course. So pumped to see what her little mug looks like? Naturally.

My parents have been here for about a week, and they have spoiled me senseless. I am so lucky. Slash, Ella is so lucky. My parents were masterminds and installed this fan in the nursery (all it had was a ceiling light before, and it gets so hot in there with the west facing windows... and I've heard good things about circulating air in the nursery... so we- with huge thanks to my parents- made it happen)

Above is the changing station in the closet. I have a little nook in the nursery where we were originally going to put the changing table, but it was a hellish experience trying to find a dresser that fit the dimensions of the nook. So, I revamped, and decided to put the changing table in the closet, and either a bookshelf or our rocking chair in the nook. Hopefully it works ok. 

The things I'm scared about most:
1. breastfeeding.
I've heard a lot of stories about how difficult it is- baby doesn't latch on right, it hurts a ton, baby doesn't get enough food so they don't gain weight, etc. But, then my mom's like, it was a piece of cake. So, I'm not sure how its gonna go for me.

2. Losing the baby weight.
I know, I'm beyond vain. But for real. I'm almost 190 lbs. I mean, yowza. I need to exercise and eat clean after Ella, but that stuff is hard to do even when you don't have a newborn.

3. Losing my personality
Yes. I still want to be Hannah AND Ella's mom. I still want to be able to talk with other people about things besides babies. I want to be an involved and awesome mom of course, but I still want to be me. I can already see myself sliding down a slippery slope on my all-baby blog posts!

Sidenote- this adorable photo from Natalie Holbrook's Blog makes me want to raise kids in New York City.

My mom and dad are coming into town today, and I'm just so excited.

Almost 36 Weeks

Yikes.

I'll be 36 weeks this Wednesday. Obviously, babies are all I can think about it. If you look at my browsing history on my internet browser.. you'll see words like, "Lasinoh Nipple Cream," "burp cloths," and "convertible baby bag." ... yea.

Pros:
-I'm pregnant.

Cons:
-my feet are so swollen. This is a recent development. Even flip flops leave marks on my feet. Flip Flops. ...the loosest shoes possible. Brent is tired of hearing about it.
-I make an unidentifiable noise every time I pick something up off the floor.
-...
-I thought I would have more cons... and suddenly I can't think of anything else besides swollen feet and... perhaps my life is better than I thought.

Almost 35 Weeks

I keep trying to imagine our life with a newborn... and I just can't do it! When I picture it in my mind, it seems more like bringing home a new puppy... But no. Brent and I will be responsible for this little thing- and its an actual person, not a pet. Like, what we do will impact its life! My mind is blown every time thinking about it. And then I'm like- calm it down sister, a lot of people have babies, it happens every day, no biggie.

Anyhow, I read online how some ladies are so gaga about being pregnant. Let me be real. It's not all that cool (although I'm so grateful for being pregnant- don't even think I'm not- I just want to keep it real, its not all a big picnic). Its so hard to move. I get winded walking up the stairs (and bending to pick something up, or washing the dishes, or tying my shoes, or sneezing- not even joking). I can't even remember a time when my stomach wasn't in the way. Some of my maternity clothes are even a little too snug these days (how is that even possible?). I've been super lucky with the maternity clothes though, I've only bought a few things (and my mom snagged me a few things at Christmas time), and everything else has been hand-me-downs from a few of my sister-in-laws.

A little medical update:
Because of diabetes, I have a non-stress test at the doctor twice a week (these started at 32 weeks) until delivery. I'm hooked up to two little monitors on my stomach for about 30 min that measure the babe's heart rate and any contractions I have (right now, I just have super little ones that I can only sometimes feel- the old Braxton Hicks sort of thing). It's called a non-stress test, not because it measures how stressful my life is and how it's affecting the baby (what I originally thought), but because it's measuring the baby's vitals when the baby is at it's status-quo, or non-stressed.

The red line is the baby's heart rate and the blue line measures my contractions. Those spikes in the blue line are just me coughing, or sitting up, or some small sort of contraction of my middle section- nothing real, thank goodness.

On Friday, I had an ultrasound. The little thing is 5 lbs! She looks like a real person already and no longer a little alien. Her growth is right on schedule. I have the right amount of amniotic fluid (The doctor said if my diabetes was out of control I'd have too much amniotic fluid). I mean, we are blessed that she is so healthy.

Am I ready for Eleanor to be here? Negative. I have a crib (but still no sheet! I need to get on that) and a car seat and a few baby clothes from my mom and the Goodwill store. I keep wanting to buy things, but then I'm like, shoot do I really need it? Then I chicken out. I'm so pumped for my mom to fly into town, then she can take charge- someone needs to, heavens.

xoxo

P.S. I have stretch marks on the sides of my stomach and legs. They're gross. I'll get over my vanity eventually... 

Edinburgh & York

Edinburgh Castle, there you are. Can you believe it was warmer in Edinburgh now in March than it was in May last time I went? Brent and I took the tour there... it was lovely- although a hair boring I must say. Somehow the cliffs and walls are so romantic looking... they take my mind off all the history of the place. In the 1800s a lot of new stuff was built around the castle, so its not quite as old really as you think. The foundations of course are way older. The oldest building there is St. Margaret's Chapel- from around 1100 I think. There she is below.

Glastonbury Tor

My dreams came true. I've been wanting to see Glastonbury Tor since I saw a beautiful photograph of it in 2011 before I went on my study abroad (it was a random photograph displayed in a building on campus, come to fine out it was England). We drove through several adorable towns, with one lane roads (one lane... but two way mind you, so we would have to pull over if there was someone coming the other way), mossy stone walls, and old stone houses and churches to get to it. Then, we hiked up the tor, or hill (thank goodness it wasn't a hard hike) to get to St. Michael's Tower up top.

The views were mystical and fabulous, and the weather? a bit crisp yet sunny, windy, and just beautiful. Perfect for a little hike.

Also, Brent is fitting right in with the aggressive British drivers. :) The roads are narrow and curvy, but no one takes a mind to slow down too much. Thank goodness I'm not driving- we'd be in terrible hands. 

The walk down from the tower led us by this grazing ground. The colors were just so crisp- England's rain makes that green just pop.

P.S. we practically drove right by Stonehenge on the way to Glastonbury without even noticing. We came up over a hill and Brent goes, "Look at that, that's nice." and I'm like-- that is Stonehenge. I'm stunned... and Brent has the mind to tell me to get the camera. Somehow these beautiful sheep got in front, what luck! 

Arrived.

Arrived in England today at the Gatwick airport. Reminder to myself: flying on an airplane is such a pain. Too bad it's always necessary for such fun vacations and to see loved ones (our layover in Iceland didn't even make it better. I was hoping for green lushness out the window... but all we could see was snow. Although- the Reykjavik airport in Iceland seriously looks like Ikea decorated the whole place- wooden floors, clean lines, and other fabulous minimalist design those Swedes have perfected). We had fish and chips for dinner tonight from this dirty little place-- but they were so delicious. Wrapped up in paper that couldn't even handle the grease. Such a delight.

Brent is driving the rental car LIKE A BOSS. I hope I didn't jinx it by saying that.... but seriously, if I was driving, several accidents would have already happened, I'm such a spaz. 

We are taking the train to London tomorrow. Fingers crossed for good weather like we had today (as you can see on the beautiful grounds of the London LDS temple we stopped by). love to all and can't wait to see family soon.
xoxo

What's Up

I am this excited for our England trip. We leave this upcoming Wednesday... eep! I can't even believe it. It's bringing back deja vu feelings from last time. I know this is so crazy, because I only lived in England for a few months, but it does kind of feel like home a little bit. Why is this? Just because I love it so much? Must be.

A few baby items of business:

She showed that lil mug at the last ultrasound, Feb. 17th. I needn't have worried about her being too big- she actually measured 4 days too small! The OB said anything within a week is considered normal, so girlfriend is good to go. About diabetes, I have had to up the amount of insulin I take by quite a bit, which is normal in the second trimester. The placenta gives off some kind of anti-insulin hormone that makes the insulin not work quite as well as it usually would-- so I have to take more to make up for it.

P.S. A huge shout out to Brent who is recovering from his back surgery so nicely. SUCH a blessing.

love to all. Fingers crossed I won't want to die on the long plane ride. xoxo