He's back!

It seems as though the sickness has left my husband! Can I get a HUGE "WHOO HOO"? The 3 WEEK fever, aches, chills and hot flashes have finally made it's way out of our house, and I have my hubby back. I can't tell you how depressing it was to not have him readily available to assist with "family duties" in the evening. Us girls really missed our man. :) I DO NOT look forward to future sickness for any of us, but alas it's sure to come. 

We love you daddy!!!

MISSING: MR. SANDMAN {$1000 REWARD}

Oh boy!!!! It's been a rough couple of weeks (or has it been months?). Amelia decided to switch from sleeping ALL NIGHT to not sleeping hardly at all. If I remember right, when she WAS sleeping through the night, it was a dickens to get her down for naps and STAY down. Now she goes right to sleep for naps, even though it only ranges from 30-60 minutes! Last night a decision had to be made! I've read online articles about sleep, bought a book, listened to advice from friends and family and had finally compiled a plan in my mind. 

1. Put Amelia down earlier than 10pm (this had been her bedtime before)

2. Don't let her fall asleep in my arms. Instead, get her drowsy and lay her down in the crib so she KNOWS she's in her crib. We don't want her mad that I'm not there when she wakes up and is alone and not in my arms.

3. If she wakes, simply "shuush" her and gently touch her shoulder and cheek.

4. DON'T PICK HER UP!!!

5. I will only feed her if it has been AT LEAST 4 hours since the last feeding... Hopefully stretching this out soon, because I know she's capable of sleeping through the night.

6. DON'T PICK HER UP!!! Unless she is screaming bloody murder. Only hold her long enough to calm her then set her back in her crib :-/

7. Finally, don't swaddle her. This is hard for me. She used to sleep the best when swaddled, but now that she's getting bigger I suppose she needs to get used to her body movements and start learning to soothe herself.

So there it is, my 7 step plan. If you can call it that. May Mr. Sandman bring her, and me, many dreams!!!!

Life Happens...

     Well the lentil soup had to be put on the back burner (hehe). Instead it was replaced by chicken noodle soup! Between Amelia not sleeping much these days and a sick husband life got a little more complicated this weekend. Mom (thats me!) had to take on ALMOST all the chores this weekend, not to say I got them all done!!! Made me realize how truly blessed I am to have a partner to share the parenting. I just kept thinking, I would never be able to do this on my own!!! My thoughts are with all those single parents out there. You are a stronger force than I could ever be. A village is truly needed to raise our babies!!!

     In other news, a nursery remodel is underway. We have put up curtains in Amelia's room, in an attempt to create a darker sleep environment for her (has yet to provide any help in longer sleep periods). Picture frames were purchased as well to add to the warm feeling we are trying to create in the nursery. If you were to visit our house we have nearly no wall art. I am mostly terrified to commit to hanging anything on our walls. I am not a natural decorator!!! It just ends up looking cluttered and messy. Decorator needed!!! So stay tuned for pictures of the new nursery. Don't be expecting anything other than white walls however, no need to paint when we plan on moving when this lease is up!

     Here are some pics of the nursery BEFORE Amelia came home... OK, they are just of her crib. But there is a glider chair, changing table and our bookcase in there.. again, a messy cluttered disaster. Her name sticker on the wall (which I put up when labor started, in fear of her room not being done when she came home. I also installed the car seat base while I was in labor) ended up peeling off, so that is now on her door. Notice, nothing is on the wall! That's about to change.

Creative Buzz...

I'm feeling that urge again. You know, that one that urges you to find your creative side. If I plan things right I will be posting a blog this weekend on how to make Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup with Kale. This recipe has found it's way into our kitchen at least once a week for the last couple of months.

Lentil Varieties

I hope to post about some sewing adventures in the future also!

A Binky Blanket I made a couple years ago.

Stay tuned!!!

Momma Meetings

This past weekend we met up with my Mom down in Roseburg, Oregon. Since she has moved down to Northern Cali we have made a point to meet up about once a month. Either we make our way down there, which has only been once (due to not wanting to travel that far with baby), or she makes the journey up to us. On a couple occasions we decide to meet in the middle and stay a couple nights in a hotel. This monthly meeting was fantastic. She got some good pricing on the hotel as well as Wildlife Safari!!! The afternoon we arrived we almost immediately hoped back in the car to go discover some animals

Some of my favorites...

The next day we drove out Hwy 138 along the Umpqua River. WOW!!! How beautiful!!! We found some potential camping and hiking spots!!! I can't wait for warm weather so we can take Amelia on hikes and even more fun, camping! I better start getting ready for summer. Already prepared with Little Swimmers...what else will I need? I can just see our car now... loaded down with mostly baby things. I have so many great memories of camping from when I was a youngin'. I can't wait to aid in creating her camping memories.

Ok, back on subject... We had a great time visiting Gammy!!!

Now I leave you with a video of what was and still remains the best part of Wildlife Safari... The car pecking Ostrich.

Newport Photo Walk

The day in Newport Beach was amazing. The weather was HOT on the beach, there was an ever so slight breeze, there was fantastic people watching opportunities, and of course family was there to enjoy the day with. We strolled down the beach and back enjoying the bright Oregon coast sunshine and the warmth it had to offer. Enjoying the casual walk and easy going conversations, Amelia so silently fell into her short afternoon nap. I looked down on her, all nestled into my body and said "It must be nice to nap in this nice ocean breeze". Next we were all off to Lighthouse Deli to consume the most delicious fish and chips around. After we were full and content we drove down to the Historic Newport Bay Front and enjoyed MORE strolling and sunshine. While we were there the sun made it's descent showing off it's cozy yellow hues, carrying us into the calm of the evening. The bay front provides spectacular views of the Newport bridge, old and new fishing boats, bay seals and sea lions, and of course some of the locals (crazy or not). The temperature began to decline as we made our way back to our cars, urging us to seek warmth. The day was over, and I was so very relaxed. The day proved to be just what I needed to reconnect with my husband, let the worries float out of my mind and enjoy the small things in life. I couldn't have asked for a better Oregon Coast day.

The End