been there, done that

Well, we're about off to the doctor to see what more can be done for this 20-day long ear infection. Poor Bianca.

I have to tell a quick story that happened this morning. It's almost humorous. Every mom has this story. Bianca is not feeling well at all. She wouldn't eat any of her cereal or fruit this morning. So, I picked her up out of her high chair and about 3 seconds later, vomit. I mean VOMIT. This was.... had to be..... every last drop that had been in her bottle previously. I also smelled the medicine I had given her before the bottle, so I know she emptied out. What's the big deal about this - nothing. For any mom out there, they have this same story. Her puke was ALL OVER ME. In my hair, my shirt, my pants, and my wooly UGG slippers. Disgusting. She just kept going and couldn't quit. It came out her nose, her mouth, and something else came out her bottom cause she puked so hard. Poor thing! Needless to say, the kitchen floor was covered, I was covered, she was covered. So....what did we do???....... we took a bath together! She got fresh and clean and decided to take a nap. Momma got clean and had to recover the hard woods.

I'll keep you posted.

Anniversary

I just want to take a minute to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my brother, Matt, and his wife, Wendy. Today they celebrate 8 years of being married, 12 years of being together as a couple. Congrats and best wishes for many more!

Side note - B's ears are STILL not better. Another doctor appointment tomorrow.....I'll keep you updated when we get done!

Better!!!....or bEtTer???

I just don't know. Is my baby feeling better or no? I don't see her pulling on her ears as much. However, she is Cranky (capital "C" folks) and not eating well at all. No fever, but not much below 100 degrees, either. Looks like we'll be making a trip back to the doctor's office by the end of the week to see what she says. Maybe B is just getting more teeth. Maybe she didn't sleep well last night. Who knows.

This weekend Derek and I noticed she's really starting to say different-sounding-letters. By that, I mean she's got her B's and M's down very well. B...B....B.....and Ma....ma....ma.... are quite clear. Not so much "momma" or "ball", but it's like she wants to say those things. So cute. We just love each day we have with her.

Bianca looking better - maybe she's feeling good!!!

er....

well.....

Then again.....maybe not???

7 months, not happy!

Well, we've been battling the same stupid ear(s) infection for over 2 weeks now. I took Bianca to her 10-day re-check appointment, knowing she was still not acting herself. Sure enough, her left ear was no better and her right ear was worse. I felt terrible for her! So now we are on a stronger antibiotic (ahhh.... needless to say, no more constipation issues) for 10 more days. She's almost been on it for 72-hours, and I'm really not so sure we're starting to see improvement yet.

I can't believe she's 7 months old! I took these pics today, but I don't think she was in the mood. The camera was not making her happy. Lately all she wants is to be held.... and that is NOT like my little independent girl at all!

Love is in the Air....

So Friday night I did something I'd never done before: took some engagement pics. My friend/ coworker is getting married this October and said she wanted to have some engagement pics done. I told her I couldn't promise anything spectacular, but I'd sure give it a whirl. The experience for me would be priceless. They are a cute couple. Dan is actually working in the Bahamas (yeah - really.... the Bahamas..... ridiculous!). He works on elevators. He was home visiting for a short time so we had to squeeze in the photo shoot. Ashley has just graduated from nursing school and will be moving down there once she passes boards, etc (once again, how ridiculously awesome). They've been together and faced some challenges, but WOW they have proved that even distance can't keep two people from LOVE!!! How fresh and romantic!!! We had a fun time - even though it was HOT. Ashley..... I hope you like some of these!!!

elevator theme here....

My personal fave.....

IT'S A BOY!!!

I know it's not my news to share...... but I'm soooo happy for them I can't contain myself. My brother, Matt, and his wife Wendy are having a baby boy!!! YEAH!!! We all are so thrilled - the Schaub name lives on! Congrats, you two!

Matt called me yesterday to share the news. His words, "It's gonna be shotguns and footballs, Liz! Shotguns and footballs!!!" He was so thrilled. (for those of you who didn't know already - Matt is an avid hunter and thoroughly supports the Constitutional rights)

Their new baby boy will be greeted by adorable big sister, Sidney. Congrats!

Don't Blink

There's a first time for everything. These last 6 months have been full of firsts. Lately - like in the last week - I feel I've really been hit with a lot of firsts.

1. First Tooth. Bianca now has 2 teeth that are obvious in the bottom of her mouth. She's such a good girl - didn't even fuss that much.

2. First Ear Infection. Hopefully the last. I had terrible ear infections as a child. Derek had none. Let's hope she follows her daddy. I took her to the doctor on Friday because "momma knew" something was wrong. She woke up extra early from her sleep and naps. Not fussy at all, though. She also had been pulling on them. The doctor couldn't believe she was not fussy and still sleeping well.

3. First Formula. This one is hard for me to swallow. Bianca decided when she was about 5 months old she was done latching on to me. So, I've been pumping. This is really hard - especially when before all we did was nurse on most days when I was at home and not at work. I've kinda decided I'm done. We have a lot of trips coming up, summer is nearing, and some other reasons...... I'm just ready. So, today I gave her a bottle of formula to ease her into the transition. She couldn't have cared less. Ate it like it was candy. Again... sad. I should feel good - breast milk for 7 months. I guess I'm sad that she's getting older! But I must say - breast feeding is HARD WORK. Any mom should feel good about doing it any stretch of time. But now I feel like I can go somewhere for longer than a 4-hour time period!

Those are just a few of the major firsts. B is getting older. Time appears to be flying by. It's like the Kenny Chesney song that is about asking a 100-year-old man his advice on living that long - Don't Blink.

Little Baby Wood

Another coworker, another baby! It's been a big joke at work - "Don't drink the water down in the ER.... you'll get pregnant!" A friend and coworker, Deb, had her baby Sophia last week. Sophia - what a BEAUTIFUL name. Derek and I wanted to use this name ourselves, but "Sophia Cisel" is quite a mouthful if you say it 3 times - or actually....even just once is enough to realize. Anyways, Deb had 5 hour labor very similar to mine. However, Deb worked ALL DAY the day (and the day before) she gave birth. She was out in triage from 7a-7p. I took over for her at 7p and she said, "Gosh, I've been having a lot of cramping and pressure." I assured her that was totally normal and to go home and rest up. She had a big week ahead of her - she was going to be induced. Two hours later she called me from home, saying she had progressed and could barely take the pain, and there was blood. "YOU'RE IN LABOR!!!" I shouted. She came into the hospital and baby Sophia was here hours later. What a champ. Seriously, I don't know anyone who could go through a 12-hour shift, and then come back in and give birth in the same 24-hours. Yikes. Sounds terrible. Deb handled it. Did I also mention her baby was almost 9 pounds??? Double Yikes.

Well, she's home now. She and baby Sophia and husband Rodney seem to be doing great. They have a beautiful home and now a beautiful baby to go in it. I have never met a newborn who stayed awake for my entire visit and photographing. She didn't want to miss a thing. She eats, and eats, and eats! But she's just sooooooo cute!!!!!...... take a peak.......

A special thanks for letting me come over and see the baby, snap some photos, and say hello!!!

Cinco de Mayo

We had a busy day today. It started off with Bianca and I going to her first "Little Gym" class. Little Gym is a franchise - it just so happens there is a local one right down the road from our home. Bianca loved it. It was tons of rolling, playing, and interacting with other little kids. She was the only girl! She was also the youngest. All of the other kids there were crawling. She looked at them with amazement and started really trying to scoot along! You could just tell the wheels in her little brain were turning, ' How do they do that??? I want to do that!!!' Overall she did a great job and we'll for sure be going back again.

Bianca also got a new "toy" today...

She loves playing in the pool!!!

Daddy supervises.....

Later that day I sat out in the sun (while B slept) and proceeded to get sun burnt. Oops. And I always yell at Derek to wear sunscreen. Then that night I made a WONDERFUL dinner. I don't mean to toot my own horn here..... but folks.... it was so good! For those of you who know me, you know I love to cook. Tonight I made homemade fajitas. I squeezed limes and oranges, made my own marinade. I also made corn on the cob (done on the grill) with a sour cream/chili relish. Derek was loving it. He says, "restaurant quality" when he likes what I make! Tonight he said it was "better than restaurant."

Here's the spread....

so yummy.....

not much left over!!!

B enjoyed eating some watermelon at the table with us while mommy & daddy ate...

CHOMPERS!!!

Oh my gosh.... so I woke up yesterday morning to what...... A TOOTH IN MY BABY'S MOUTH!!! I can't believe it!!! And there's another one right next to it, too!!! My little baby is really growing up.

movie flix

Recently we were given a wonderful visit by Derek's parents, Susan and Scott (aka Nana and Grampy). I absolutely love it when they come: Susan gets me out of the house and Scott is a go-to kinda person who gets any and everything done that you ask! It's awesome. This visit Susan and I spent most of our time searching for wedding attire for her and B, and Derek and his dad spent their time fixing boards on our deck and other odds-and-ends. One of those details included hanging a swing off the deck for Bianca. When she visited her cousin Sidney, she LOVED her swing, so we had to get one for her to use at home. Also during this visit, we started using her sippy cup. You'll see in the video we posted Bianca did not really appreciate having to use it at the time......however - she now loves it. I can't believe how much she has already changed. She's rolling over all the time now, drinking from a sippy cup, sits up independently, talks non-stop, etc etc. Well, here's a little clip of videos we have taken over the last month or so. Again, thanks so much for the visit from Derek's parents - we love you, miss you, and wish we could spend every weekend together!!!