Two Steps Forward...

One Step Back.

Remember that post about finally getting some rest? Some much needed rest? And how I was going to go conquer the world? Yeah, that didn't happen. Not even close. Why?

I ended up with a headache to beat all. I know this is going to sound completely crazy...but I think I get headaches when I actually get sleep. How can that be possible?!? I've started tracking my headaches again and there definitely seems to be a correlation between getting more sleep (or changing my sleep pattern) and having a bummer of a headache the next day or two.

So tomorrow's Saturday...my day to sleep in...and I'm going to put my theory to the test. I'm going to force myself up out of bed like I normally do. Stumble to get my slippers on. Go pick up the baby. Rub the sand out of my eyeballs. Get the toothpicks to prop the ol' eyelids open with.  And begin the morning ritual of demanding that my eyes start to focus.

Who's with me??

*crickets*

Okay then, so I guess it's just me.

Tooth Fairy Time

Lily, who just for the record is 5 1/2 years old exactly, has now lost a total of 3 teeth already.

She lost her first two when she was 4.

And she has 3 more wiggly ones ready to take their turn at falling out.

This one just occurred this morning...

Horray Lily!

Rest

Aahhh. Rest.

It's amazing what a night a sleep can do for a person. I had forgotten what it felt like to wake up in the morning feeling rested.

I'm more used to the sand-in-your-eyes, need me some toothpicks to prop the ol' eyes open with kind of feeling. (I wish I were exaggerating.)

But last night...oooohhhhh...last night was wonderful. Amazing. Sublime.

Hattie was only up once. Yes...once. One little ol' time. Singular. Uno. The big ONE.

After 11 months of waking up mulitiple times a night (were talking 2 on a very good night...6 on a bad night...and 12ish on a "I'm about to cut a tooth" night), only waking up once seemed like such a gift. A much needed reprieve. A blessing. A miracle. A kick-up-your-heels way to start your day.

So thanks, Hattie-Cakes. Big kisses from Mama...mmmwwwwaaaaa!

And World, ya better watch out cause here I come! You got nothing on me today!

Chompers

The day has arrived. Hattie's first tooth has officially popped through. These pics were taken March 9, 2014.

We spent a few days prior to that with some poor sleep and a few crabby moments, but overall, she was mostly her normal self. Hattie doesn't normally drool and I expected her to do this when a tooth would push through, but must to my amazement, she never did. I have so many girl bibs and I haven't had to use any of them. This girl is just not a drooler.

I should have logged the exact day in on the blog, but somehow (go figure) life got busy and I forgot. Today...tooth number 2 has just cut through. You can't see it much yet, but you can feel it. Poor girly has been a little crankier these past couple of days and again, sleep was disrupted. I knew what to be on the lookout for so this time I wasn't one bit surprised when I checked in her month and felt the little chomper. Wowza, they are razor sharp.

And because I love sepia. :)

Under The Weather

Still alive...just under the weather the past few days.

I managed to catch me a bug of some sort. It's been a wicked headache, nauseated tummy, and tender swollen glands on the left side of my neck.

Hoping to be returning to regular scheduled programming tomorrow.

A Budding Artist

Lily has an affinity for crayons. Or markers. Or colored pencils. Or anything art related.

True Story.

This girl wakes up asking if she can draw a picture. I'm not exaggerating. She could spend all day drawing and needs some sort of creative outlet each day. We honestly have gone through reams and reams of paper.

Today was no different. She asked, as always, if she could draw a picture. Lily grabbed a book and started trying to copy the page. I was so impressed. What do you think? And remember...she's only 5.

We are going to a family art day next weekend and I can't wait for her to take part. I just know she is going to be smiling from ear to ear.

1st draft

 

2nd draft...added more detail

Ps...sorry for the blurry pics...I had one very squirmy baby trying to get her paws on the camera. :)

 

 

 

Here's another, just cause it's cute.

Hattie Joy - 10 Months Old

 

I can hardly believe that Hattie is 10 months old already. The time has just flown by. My baby isn't such a baby anymore...and her first birthday will be here before I know it. *sniffle*

 

This little one is so much fun. I am absolutely loving having a baby in the house yet again. I am trying to bank up these memories in my heart, knowing that is will be my last baby. There are so many moments to savor and treasure.

 

 

 

Each night, I am the one who puts Hattie to bed. I love being the mama, the one who gets to nurse her to sleep, the one who gives her her last snuggles before drifting off to sleep. There's just something magical about being in a dimly lit room, rocking and snuggling in the rocking chair. Everything is peaceful, everything is quiet. It's my most favorite time of the day. Just the two of us, enjoying each other's company.

 

Hattie is on the go. All. The. Time. She is crawling faster and faster with each passing day. She can pull herself up to standing by hanging on to almost anything. Chairs, couch, piano bench, a leg...whatever is in her way. I'm guessing it won't be long until she has tired of crawling and wants to do more of the walking. I can already feel the ache in my back. 

 

Hattie loves to dance. She cracks us up as she starts bopping up and down as soon as there is music. There's nothing cuter than the be-bop of a baby.

Her newest thing: Rocking her own baby. Once a baby-doll is put in her lap, Hattie will gingerly and lovingly give it hugs. Then she will start rocking back and forth, smiling all the while. She loves to rock her baby.

 

Hattie is starting to sign already. She knows "all done" and has just started signing "nurse". She hasn't signed "more" yet, but if you do it to her, and it's what she is trying to tell you, she will smile from ear to ear as if to let you know "Good job! That's right!"

These days are fleeting, the memories so precious. I don't want to miss even one of them. I want to be intentional. Intentional to take the time to play with her. Intentional to give her kisses and tickle her tummy. Intentional to soak in her babyhood. No matter the state of my kitchen, the piles of laundry, or the sight of my sticky floors. Yes, these days will be gone all too soon.