We have a crib sleeper!

For weeks now Josh and I have been planning to put Caroline in her crib at night, yet she somehow ended up in the cradle every single night (force of habit). Well, Sunday night we finally did it.

Night one

She nursed and fell asleep in my arms and Josh worked his magic and carried her from the living room to the nursery without waking her up (a feat I have yet to conquer). We made sure the monitor worked, figured out the best place for the nightlight, kissed her goodnight, and closed the door (we don't want Parker thinking it's okay to cuddle with her at night quite yet, so the door gets closed for now).

It was so weird not having her next to me. For the past fifteen weeks she has been in the cradle beside me, and it was so strange having it empty. I love the monitor I got. It's an Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor. There is a sensor under her crib mattress that can sense very small movements such as breathing. If Caroline stops breathing for more than 20 seconds, and alarm goes off. I know the chances of something happening to her are slim, but it makes me sleep so much better knowing she's being monitored and I don't have to go check on her constantly. On the transmitter I keep in the room, I can see a moving icon which means it's sensing her movement. It's very reassuring :)

Anyway, Sunday night I heard her "talking" on the monitor at 1:15am. I go in and poor little thing had rolled onto her side (a "trick" she unwillingly learned this weekend; she hasn't figured out how to get back onto her back quite yet, so she doesn't like this trick). I nursed her and tried to put her back in the crib, but of course she was still hungry. I made her a bottle, Josh set her Boppy pillow between us in the bed and fed her a bottle, she fell asleep there, we decided to keep her there, and Josh went to sleep on the couch (his choice, not mine!) to be more comfortable. She ended up sleeping until about 6:30am... just not in the crib, oops!!

Night two

Once again, she nursed and fell asleep in my arms. And once again, Josh put her to bed. She slept until 1:05am (who set up a 1am alarm clock in my little girl's brain?). I nursed her and rocked her for a while (the rocking chair makes noises so I actually stood and did lunge type movements - getting the baby to sleep and getting a workout at the same time!). I tried to put her back in the crib but NOPE she was still hungry. Soooo, I fed her a bottle in bed and she fell asleep in my lap. Josh carried her into the nursery and got her to fall asleep in her crib. 

 Little one slept in her crib until she woke up again at 5:40am!! So proud :) She nursed for a minute before falling asleep again, and spent the rest of the night sleeping on my chest (since the alarm clock goes off at 6am).

In conclusion

In conclusion, my baby is awesome.

;)

Put down that donut!

From my baby shower, nom nom nom nom nom

So, this is a post about getting back to my pre-sweet Caroline body. I'm not afraid to admit that I I gained a little under 40 pounds during my pregnancy, which was much more than I ever thought I would. You know what I blame? Those freaking beautiful, yummy, heavenly donuts. On my way to work, I pass by two Dunkin Donuts. During my pregnancy, I would often use self constraint and make it past that first Dunkin Donuts without stopping... and then celebrate by getting a decaf coffee and two donuts at the second one. FAIL. Many lunch breaks were spent eating and then going out to get a milkshake, a frappuccino, or a white hot chocolate. I had never in my life had a sweet tooth, and pregnancy made it out of control. Obviously, a lot more than donuts contributed to the 40 pound gain, but they sort of represent my lack of healthy eating during pregnancy. Yes, there were also veggies and fruit consumed to give my lady the nutrients she needed, but those should have replaced the donuts, not supplemented them.

During the week following delivery, I lost about 20 of those 40 pounds (over eight of those pounds were pure, donut fed, eight pound baby). In the week following that, about 5 pounds slowly faded away. And then it happened. Someone hit the "pause" button on my scale, I hit that plateau, and I have been stuck there ever since.

Yes, it was only three months ago that I gave birth. Yes, I am thinner than most people I know. Yes, I know you are probably rolling your eyes at me right now. But, if you do the math, I am still 15 pounds more than before I got pregnant. I think I just hide it well since I am tall. And, most of it is in my bum and thighs - easy to conceal in the winter months! If you look closer, my pants are tighter, my shirts are shorter, and this is creating quite the butt crack issue (TMI? Oops!). I tried to dress nice on my first day back to work, and learned that not a single pair of my work pants fit me. Thank goodness my office is casual!

I have set a goal for myself and it is to eat healthier, be more active, and PUT DOWN THAT DONUT! My cravings for sweets have dropped dramatically since the second Caroline "popped out" (don't we wish delivery was really that simple?), but I do still like to treat myself to goodies. I won't punish myself and drop my goodies completely, but I need to be better. Instead of a frappuccino at Starbucks, I need to order a smoothie... they cost the same, I love them both, and one seems a wee bit healthier than the other. I already took a big step in this department by ordering my first "skinny" beverage of my life. And, guess what. I loved it!!

I have been trying to cook healthier for myself and Josh (although, I cannot resist that bacon he makes me on the weekends!). I have cut fried foods out of my diet completely and they are not missed. I live for sites like Skinnytaste that make healthier versions of my favorites. I only drink sodas now when we are getting fast food and it's in the combo. I have also cut down on my ridiculous snacking habits, which got way out of control during my maternity leave (something about having that kitchen nearby is dangerous).

Despite these changes in my diet, that scale just will not budge! Grr, scale. So, I need to be more active, too. My job isn't exactly helping, as I sit at a desk all day. And it has been chilly, so I haven't been walking with Caroline. And, when in the world am I supposed to find time (and money) to go to a gym? SO, now that I am getting my eating habits under control, I need to come up with some way to become more active!

My goal is to drop some weight before the beach in May so I feel like myself in a bathing suit, and to possibly even be at my pre-pregnancy weight by July when we travel to Barcelona. I have no clue if these goals are realistic, as I have never dieted before, but at least it's something to strive for! Even if the numbers on the scale don't drop, I at least want to tone up some of this extra stuff! I just want to feel like me again and for my butt crack issue to be resolved ;) AND I want to be a healthier person, and a good diet and exercise are key!

You can take my donuts, but you can never have my cheesecake!!!!

 

Just a Random Blog...

... to keep me busy on yet another boring day. I seriously wish part-time work was an option (1. we cannot afford that and 2. my office would never allow that), because sitting here all day, doing nothing, and staring at pictures of Caroline (which creates both smiles and occasional tears) is not fun. SO, here's one of those blogs filled with random thoughts of Kaitlin. I will fill it with random picture from my instagram, just to add some prettiness into the mix!

 

Caroline and Eeyore, best friends forever. Caroline loves her Eeyore. I hope she continues to love him, because he's one of those "sentimental" stuffed animals. I bought him on the day we found out we were having a girl (Joshua bought her a lion, but she's not old enough for him quite yet). Eeyore stays in the car while Caroline is at daycare. When I put him in her carseat after I pop her in the car this huge grin spans across her face. The entire ride home consists the sounds of her telling him all about her day (and recently blowing bubbles at him) and her playing with his ears. He also eats dinner with us and often swings with her.

 

That smile just melts my heart. Every time. If I'm doing something and she starts smiling, I drop whatever I'm doing to just stare and smile back. She now smiles whenever Josh or I enter the room. Yesterday, when I picked her up from daycare, she smiled the second she saw me. Ugh, I love that little face. Now, we're trying to help her develop her laugh. She is totally trying, and we have gotten hints of a laugh, but that full blown laughter hasn't happened yet. That will be magical!

 

She definitely has her daddy's eyes. I told Joshua he'll never have to go on an episode of Maury, because just one look at this little girl's eyes says she's his :) I had little hope that she would inherit my blue eyes (silly dominant genes), and her eyes are so pretty, I'm okay with that!

 

Beer and wine have returned into my life, and they are as amazing as I remembered. I still don't really touch liquor (with the exception being the lovely bloody mary below) because, well, eww. I just have to limit what I drink so I don't end up with alcoholic milk for Caroline to drink. Nobody wants a drunken baby!

 

The furry babies are all doing really well with Caroline. Even Wrangler is getting less scared. No pictures of Tollie below, but she actually really loves the baby. She loves rubbing against Caroline's head while she's eating, haha. Parker likes sitting in my lap while Caroline eats (that is an interesting sight). And the dogs are both very good about being gentle with her, but both love licking that bald little head.

 

I'd say I'm a very lucky girl to have such an amazing baby girl, a wonderful husband, super duper pets, and of course terrific family and friends who spoil Caroline from afar. I cannot wait to take her to the beach in May. She will be almost six months old during that trip, and I have heard that is a super cute age! And I really hope the Barcelona trip works out. She'll be almost nine months then and I'm sure that's a super cute age, as well. I think every month is going to be super cute for sweet little Caroline Quinn.

As for me, I am trying to keep myself busy at work to help the days go quicker. I blog, stalk people on Facebook, read random websites, read magazines, etc. Some days are busy, but most are not. I have to stay her though because 1. the pay is high for the area, 2. I need the vacation time I have earned because we have a lot of trips planned, and 3. the schedule and location are super convenient for Caroline's daycare. 

Along with keeping busy, I am also trying to eat healthier, snack less (except for healthy snacks), and lose this pesky baby pooch! I know, it has only been three months, but I want it gone and I want that extra weight gone. Since I am still breastfeeding, I can't exactly cut calories because I need them! But, I can make my calorie healthier. I need to start some sort of exercise routine, but with prepping myself and Caroline for work/daycare in the mornings, working full time, picking Caroline up from daycare, making dinner, feeding Caroline, showering, and trying to get enough sleep, where in the world am I supposed to find that extra hour in a day to work out? So, for now, I am just trying to eat healthier and cutting things like soda and sweets mostly out of my diet. So far, that scale still hasn't budged, but hopefully soon!

Well, I guess I should get back to "work." I have nothing to do, though, ugh. I just took my Fenugreek herb, which is supposed to increase my milk supply, which is taking even more of a hit now that I'm at work. I have been taking it since Friday and have seen no improvement; just that I smell like maple syrup (a common side effect; I'm not a weirdo). I guess I'm just doomed to never make enough milk, whomp whomp.

I hope everyone has a lovely day <3

Boo, Monday; you suck!

Happy Monday, people! For old time's sake, I'm going to add that Monday Sucks. Leaving my baby girl at daycare was extra hard this morning because: 1) she was SO cute all weekend, 2) she watched me as I walked out of the door with this adorably confused look on her face, 3) I LOVE HER BUNCHES, and 4) I do not feel like working.

Good thing I don't feel like working, because I have no work to do! My morning has consisted of putting my first framed picture on my desk (me, hubby, and baby), pumping, and ordering clothes for Caroline off the Carter's website. This is what happens when their Facebook posts a promo code for 15% off and free shipping for orders of $30 or more. Want to see what I got her? Good, because I'm going to show you.

I feel like these purchases were meant to be when the confirmation code was CAR03937835 and I'm ordering for CARoline. Justifies my spontaneous shopping :) And I got all of that for $30, which I think is pretty darn impressive. I have to make sure my lady is comfy in Florida heat this summer!!

We had a wonderful weekend. Little lady discovered that she could blow bubbles this weekend, so my weekend was spent wiping her face with her bib repeatedly, which she finds very entertaining. There were so many smiles this weekend. Happy girl!!

Caroline and I had a "girls' day out" on Saturday. We shopped while Joshua cleaned. It was fun! We had a good time together :) I put together her Neptune saucer (yes, I did it, with minimal help. I just needed Joshua's man muscles for a few of the tasks that my wimpy arms couldn't handle). She adored it. She's not quite large enough for it quite yet, so she never stayed in there for too long, but she loves all the different toys and especially the mirror!

Thank you for the gift, Memaw, Pepaw, and GreatNanny! <3 Video of her cuteness is HERE.

Josh and I enjoyed making fun of the Twilight movies Saturday night. Seriously, who ever thought Kristen Stewart could act? And why do I find telepathic conversations between werewolves HILARIOUS. Such. Bad. Movies. Such an entertaining night with the hubby. 

We had lunch at Hurricane yesterday. It consisted of beers, quesadillas, chocolate cake, and Caroline playing with a straw. It was fun!! Dinner was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Nom nom nom. We also video chatted with my parents which resulted in a Caroline melt-down cured only by food, food, more food, and then a bit more food. Piglet. Like mother like daughter!

I really do not want to be at work today. I want to be with my baby girl. I miss her soooo <3 But, if I wasn't working, we couldn't afford the clothes I ordered her today, Barcelona would be just a dream and not a reality, and I probably couldn't afford the gas to see my family at the beach in May. I just have to keep telling myself it's worth it so my little Caroline can enjoy some of the luxuries in life :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and has a marvelous week! Hugs and kisses from Florida xoxoxo

Lucky Ladies!

I'm a lucky lady to have a husband that is amazing and comfortable with our daughter. I have heard some dads are terrified and uncomfortable. Josh adores his lady. She gets kisses goodbye and kisses hello. He leaves work early so he can beat me at picking her up from daycare (or "steal my baby" as I call it, haha). He's the one that bathes with her (and yes, I mean actually bathes with her... poor lady is going to be traumatized if she hears about that in the future!). He takes care of her so I can have "mommy time" (i.e.: a bath with a glass of wine, a baby-less shopping adventure, etc.). He washes all of her bottles every night. He talks to her in funny accents to get her to smile. She LOVES that. I just know I'm super lucky to be married to a guy who truly loves his baby. I am lucky to have an amazing dad, and I'm so glad Caroline gets to grow up with one, too. It's a good thing they like each other, because, as my mom puts it, Caroline is a "Joshalina" - she looks sooo much like him!!

I write this because right now I'm awake and Joshua is sleeping, but for good reason. First, I think I fell asleep on the couch around 8:00 or 8:30 last night, oops, so my lazy bum NEEDS to be awake right now! Second, after waking me up to eat around 2:30am, Caroline was WIDE AWAKE. Without hesitation, Josh scooped her up and took her to the living room to hang out so I could sleep. When I woke up around 7:00am, Josh was asleep on the couch and Caroline was snoozin' in her swing. Adorable :) It was so nice to get that peacefulness for a bit, so YAY hubby!!!

So, I said "thank you" by just washing a gazillion bottles, doing laundry, and making a tasty pot of coffee for when he wakes up. I may even offer to make breakfast, WHOA THERE.