We're back!

We have settled back home from our trip to NC. It was just almost NC. Right on the very edge of Georgia. Hailey did absolutely fabulous on the way there, while we were there and going home. There were a lot of challenges though... 1. Packing. How much baby food and diapers do I pack? Am I forgetting something?! 2. Being able to travel in timely manner yet change diapers and nurse. 3. The pressure on Hailey's ears as we went up and down the mountain. 4. Finding our way on the mountain. 5. Taking care of Hailey amongst chaos and other responsibilities on the retreat.

I got car sick.... bleh! I haven't been car sick in a really long time because I found if I sit in the front seat, I'm fine. One time, I sat in the back with Hailey to give her juice as we went down the mountain (hoping it would help with her ears) and it only took a few minutes for me to start feeling sick. We got all the way down the mountain and Sean had to turn back around. Oh my.... I forgot how terrible car sickness was! Luckily, Angela had told me about a pressure point on the wrist for nausea. I pushed the point the whole way up and I think that is why I didn't blow chunks. As soon as I got to the house, I fed Hailey and went to sleep. My dear husband made sure Hailey got to bed and then stuck around, missing the arcade, to make sure I was okay.

Sean thought he was getting away from work for a few days.... haha. We accidently busted a pretty large hole in the wall at the home we were at. It was a complete accident while playing a dancing game. One of the guys fell and then tripped over the fireplace and a huge black bear stool. Sean worked his drywall magic and Adam painted. It looks pretty darn good I must say! Good job guys!!

Oh, and some of the girls and I got locked out of the house up there. Friday most of our group went whitewater rafting. Three of the girls stayed with Hailey and I to go horseback riding (Hailey and I didn't ride though). We left after the whitewater rafting group. I closed the front door and then thought, I need to look around for a key to lock it. Well, evidently the door automatically locks itself. This is a good thing because I don't have to worry about someone getting in while we are gone but how are we going to get in when we get back??? Eeek. I put in a quick call to the Shaws but they were already rafting. When we got back from horseback riding, it would be hours before the rest of the group comes. We ended up lifint one of our girls up to climb onto the porch and she was able to get in one of the doors there. Whew! Otherwise we would have been stuck outside for almost 4 hours with a tired 10 month old!

Sean and I were saying that the youth retreat was successful if just one youth got closer or came to know God. Luckily, it was more than just one! Our prayer is that a lot of seeds were planted and/or watered and there will be fruit from what God did on the youth retreat. !

It's so close!

Before I know it, we will be heading out the door for the NC youth retreat! Hailey and I are setting out early in the morning to pick up Angela and be on our way. The schedule worked out perfect today... Hailey was ready for bed at 6 PM. After feeding and pj's she was in bed shortly after 6:30. This means she will probably be up around 5:30 in the morning but that's good so she can play before the long road trip. Ugh... this means I gotta get up earlier than that! Originally I said 4:30 but I think I'm going to push it to 5:00. I always push it. Yes, I am one of those late people. But I am aiming to get out the door at 6:30 (which is early) so hopefully I will be on time to Angela's. Mmmmmm... I already hear Starbucks calling my name.

During the massive packing this evening, Hailey crawled into my suitcase and had a blast with all the clothes. It was adorable!

Tata 4 now!

Hailey is 10 months old!

I don't have a lot of time to post b/c it is hectic crazy around here! Between an almost walking beautiful baby, work, getting ready for the youth retreat and Sean's school, we don't have a lot of free time on our hands.

We leave for the youth retreat this Wednesday morning. Hailey and I are going with Angela early to set-up before the rest of the youth come later. Everyone else is leaving in the evening and driving during the night.

Tomorrow is so busy... I gotta work for a couple hours in the morning. Then get home to do laundry, pack and whatnot. I may have to make a last run to the store too. In fact, yes I do cause I'm out of baby tylenol! Then my mom is coming over to see Hailey and give me free time to do last minute stuff. My plan (we'll see how this goes) is to put Hailey to bed really early tomorrow night so she gets up early and has time to play before she is stuck in the car for a very long time. The ride to NC is 8 hours but it will take us longer b/c of stops.

Eeeek! Look at the time! I gotta get going!!

The Cutting

This morning Hailey was a tad fussy. As soon as I put on Mickey's Club House on tv, she sat silently watching. Any cartoon grabs her attention. I think because of the vivid colors and the high pitched character voices. Anyways, then she started chewing on my fingers and when I would try to pull away, she would put my fingers back in her mouth. A bit later when I sat her in the highchair (we were trying fresh copped up strawberries and blueberries for the first time!), I noticed something. There have been two teeth that we have been able to see so clearly through her gums. There hasn't been any action... until now! First I noticed one tooth is now higher than the other. Then I noticed the cut on her gums where the tooth is higher. It is breaking through!! We are officially entering The Cutting.

Center of attention

My neighbor told me about a program on Tuesday mornings at the Seminole County Library for babies. I decided to take Hailey this morning and see what it was like. They sang songs, sang a book, walked, play with a tamborine and bells, waived scarfs, etc. Hailey had a blast. There were a lot of babies there. Some older, same age and younger than Hailey.

She sat on my lap for the first few minutes just staring. Then she suddenly decided she had to be the center of attention and was determined to sit in the center of the large rug everyone was gathered around. The center of attention. Then she visited other babies. She was having a blast until I wouldn't let her chew on the hand bells all the babies were given to shake. I think I'm going to make this an every Tuesday thing. The classes are in 30 min. increments and we stayed for two. When we got home, she was ready for bed. It must have tuckered her out cause it wasn't quite time for her nap but she went to sleep in my arms anyway. (Which I don't mind cause she doesn't do that much anymore!)

Hailey is doing pretty good eating solids now. Okay... stepping on soap box for a second and then I will get back to the Hailey eating thing. Why do they call them solids? This so confuses me. It's not solid. It's mushed up! They should call it mushies and then when the baby is actually eating solid food then it is called solids. Stepping off... I am still BFing Hailey too. This has become difficult as she just wants to play. She has never been a very good nurser in the sense that she tends to graze more than get festively plump. You can tell that by her weight. But now it is even worse cause she will nurse for a few minutes and then want to play. I will wait a little bit and then try again. Maybe I will get a few minutes more of nursing. But this takes up time and can be difficult if I have things to do or we have to go somewhere. I thought about maybe it is time to give her more bottles but she does the same thing with bottles. My mom will even hold the bottle in Hailey's mouth while Hailey is playing to get her to drink more. lol... I don't think that will work well with BFing. haha.

I have to admit I'm kinda starting to count down till Hailey is a year old and we can switch to cow's milk. I will still try to nurse in the morning and at night for a bit. It will be hard for me to let go of nursing. I won't have that way of connecting with her anymore. I know once it is completely done it is going to be a little emotional for me. It is one way that I comfort her too. There was one day that I don't remember what happened but Hailey was so very upset. Even though Sean and I were trying to get out the door to something, I said I just gotta nurse her to calm her down. It was like we needed each other and this internal motherly instinct totally kicked in and took over. What if I have that feeling after I have weaned? It will be an urge that I can't do anymore. I hate uncompleted feelings. Yuck. I know, it will all work itself out and we will connect another way. I can look at it this way... I am nursing her now and forming a LASTING connection with her now. Yes. That is the way I will look at it. I will not be losing any connection with her. Just changing a bit. Morphing. But until then, I will enjoy BFing and having this special time with my baby. =o)

One small step for Hailey, one giant leap for baby chaos!

This morning Hailey took her first step! She was standing in front of Sean, not holding onto anything. He put his arms out and said "Come here" and she took her first step!!! We couldn't believe our eyes!

I recognized her desire to walk so I got her a toy yesterday that she can hold onto and walk. She was playing with a similar one of Jacob's at his house and loved it. Instead of buying a used one for $15 I went to Target and bought a new one (but a different kind) for $19. I don't like the one I got so I'm going to get the used one today. It is similar to Jacob's but it's Winnie the Pooh.

It's time to get ready for the day. I need to dress Hailey, clean house and get ready for work. Nana and Aunt Stephanie are coming over to watch Hailey!