Just hanging out

Today I have not been feeling so well, but how you feel doesn't matter to your baby!  Bianca still wanted to play.  Well, I really didn't want to get too close to her and get her sick, too, so instead we played pictures.  Here are some looks from today (professionals...Jodi, Kinze - please give back some constructive criticism so I get better at this!):

Yes, this is how her hair really looks - it's hilarious.   I have to push it down at times, but it won't stay down!

Looking at her feet....

Realizing they really are HER feet...

Finally!!!  The catch is complete!

Her favorite thing to do...

My Husband

What a weekend!  For those of you who don't know, I work weekends as an RN in an Emergency Department at a hospital here in Atlanta.  It can sure be tiring, but I do love working.  I miss Bianca a lot when I'm away for 13+ hours, but it's good for her to have daddy/daughter time, too.  

That's right, when I'm off at work, my husband, Derek, is the one who watches Bianca.  I know some people have never left their child alone with their husband, or maybe have only been able to get away for an hour or two.  I leave my hubby and baby alone together for an entire day and evening.  Derek looks forward to these days.  He does an amazing job.  He doesn't complain or get worried - he loves his time with her.  I am in a bookclub with some good female friends in my neighborhood.  One of these girls is going to be in Vancouver for over a month for the Olympics. Yesterday, when I was at work, the girls hosted a "going away" party for her before she departs to Canada.  Of course, I couldn't go, but my husband took Bianca and went himself in my stead.  What a great guy (and yes....he was the only guy).  

I just wanted to take a day to recognize how wonderful my hubby really is.  He lets me have my moments of insanity and doesn't complain.  He lets me keep a job outside of the home.  He gives me personal time to take a bath every night.  I always post how great my baby girl is, but I'd have to say it's because she sure is a lot like her daddy!

3 Month Milestones

I can't believe it.  She's 3 months old.  I actually feel a little sad writing that!  Time is flying by already.  I told Derek last night, "Do you remember when we used to talk about having kids....and NOW look at us!" I feel like we are the luckiest people alive.

Today I took Bianca to get her 3-month photos.  I got to Sears early for the 10am appointment.  Then, the photographer said, "Um.....can I get your name?"  "Cisel!  Here for our 3-month photos," I energetically reply.  "I'm sorry.  We tried calling you.  Our cameras were recently stolen."  I just stood there, dumbfounded.  "So you can't take any photos at all?"  Of course, it was one dumb question.  I was just so aggravated to have gotten Bianca all dressed up (dress, tights, the whole 9-yards), packed 2 other outfits, fed, napped, and to the mall by 10am all to find out the appointment was a "no go."  Granted, it was Sears.  However, we have a VERY nice camera, I've even taken photography classes, and I would totally take her photos myself, except that I don't have studio lights.  I was half tempted to ask just to use their lights!  I left Sears and booked with another company - The Picture People - tomorrow.  Hopefully their cameras don't get stolen.

On a happier note, Bianca is 3 months today!  Here are her milestones:

• Can easily do tummy time for 20+ minutes, with her head held up very high and turning side to side.
• Drools like no tomorrow.
• Able to smile and interact so much more.
• Ticklish under her chin.
• Loves bath time.
• Has discovered her hands and loves looking at them, studying them in amazement.
• Typically has 1-2 major blowouts a day - involving a change of outfits/onesies.
• Does not like to nap and will not follow a nap schedule.
• Sleeps about 9 hours every night.
• Likes to suck her thumb - usually the left but she'll take whichever is available!
• Kind of starting to be a mommy's girl - cries when I put her down or hand her over to someone else.
• Prefers to be breastfed from me at night - will refuse nighttime bottles from others.
• Would sit by herself in her crib or wherever and stare at objects or play by herself for hours if I would let her.
• So excited to shop - I can't hardly get her to nap at the mall.
• Daddy calls her "Nosey Nelly" because she has to be looking around at everything.
• Cries at every stoplight or drive-thru.  The minute the car starts to move, she stops crying.   
• Looks good in everything (of course we think so!) but especially dark colors - red, deep pink, etc. 

This and That

I had a dentist appointment yesterday - no cavities!  What a relief.  I have had such major dental problems in my past, so I'm always scared of what I might hear every 6 months about my teeth.  Not so much scared of the pain - but moreso the $ involved!

Useless Nothings....
Even though I have 2 college degrees, but still feel like I haven't found my calling.
Love organization!  I get excited just thinking about The Container Store!
If I could do anything and get paid the same as i do now - i think i would make crafts all day.
Zen is when I can hold someone's hand who is dying and realize they are not scared.
Anytime I think about how lucky I am, I thank God.  
Bananas on toast with peanut butter and honey is my sandwich of choice.
Everyone tells me I'm a good cook, but i've never made my own recipe - i just read other's very well!
The only time I will buy something is with a coupon or sale - period.
Home for me in the last 5 years has been in 4 different states.

Baby Love

We just love our little baby!  She is such a joy.  Today we got up around 6:30am and heard Bianca starting to wake.  I told Derek I was going to go get her up for the day and he said, "Can you wait for me to come, too?  I love seeing her smile in the morning!"  It is truly the best part of our day - our daughter waking up with a smile on her face when she sees her mamma and daddy!

All dressed up - we love Sundays!

Sundays have been our favorite day since I've been off work.  We have a routine that we have always done: breakfast, church, Steak 'n Shake!  Well, I've been slacking on the breakfast part lately!  Today we did IHOP instead.  We debated on whether or not to take Bianca out in the cold.  It was only in the 20s here.  Then, Derek said, "What do you think people in Illinois do all the time?  It's way colder there!"  So, we went!  Anyways, Bianca looked so cute in her new dress that an old friend from St. Francis got her, I had to snap a few photos....

Thank you, Rachel, for the adorable pink dress.  And thanks to Nana for the warm coat and hat!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome, 2010!  What a great year we are looking forward to having!  Last night, Derek's parents were here and offered to babysit B while we went out to dinner.  How nice it was to have a date night!  We had an awesome dinner at a seafood restaurant in Midtown.  I loved eating lobster - it's been a family tradition since I was a child to eat lobster on New Years Eve.  My dad has always cooked it at home since him and my mom were married.  Here's a little quick pic of hubby and me before going out on the town:

What's funny is that midway through the dinner, we both said how we missed the baby!  We were home by 8pm.  Baby Bianca was loved all evening by her doting Nana and Grampy.  We brought in the new year as every new parent should - sleeping soundly!