She's her father's daughter for sure.

Notice any similarities? 

1983 vs 2012

I think Sug's cheeks may be even bigger than baby James?

VACA!

Last week I had to go to Florida to work and some how the stars aligned and James and Sug were able to come with and stay the weekend.  It was so nice.  Despite having to work Thursday and part of Friday, we were still able to get in some much needed family time and just relax.  Sug was an awesome little traveler and had many first - first time in the ocean, first time in the swimming pool, first flight... the list goes on. 

I can say that although this was a very different trip compared to our vacations pre-baby - we didn't mind it at all.  It was nice to just sit and catch up with each other and enjoy the breeze and sun.  James and I always notice after we've been on vacation and return back to work - we end up missing each other's company.  Sugar Bear was especially cranky on Tuesday when she returned back to daycare - and I think it's because she missed us too.  It was a successful family vaca and I look forward to the many ahead!

The Milk Memos

One thing I've missed since becoming a mother is the luxury of reading.  It has always been a way for me to escape and relax for the night.  But since the Sug-meister has entered our life; if my head's on a pillow - don't expect my eyes to be open.  James and I don't normally sit down until Sug is asleep at 9 and at that point we still have all our normal household chores, the dog to walk and sometimes if we are lucky - we watch our ever-growing DVR list.

But the past three weeks Sug has been on a nursing strike - she's the opposite of most babies - preferring the bottle over the boob.  So during those weeks I was using my electric pump A LOT - which I found to be the perfect time to read a few pages and let my mind rest.  (She has since decided that nursing isn't the devil and my poor little pump can take a breather.  This is good for everyone. (James was washing 14 bottles a day!!))

The first postpartum book I've been able to read is of course about being a mom.  It was given to me by a friend and has offered a lot of wisdom and support about breast feeding while working.  It's written by two successful IBM executives who bonded over their electric pumps and baby stories as they pumped in their offices' lactation room over the course of a year. It offers tips on how to juggle your two jobs and not go crazy in the mean time.  Most importantly, it made me not feel so alone in my endeavor to give Sug the best and still bring home the bacon.  I'm not the first woman to do this and definitely won't be the last.

We got the water

We baptized Sug on Mother's Day and it was such an awesome day.  She was definitely surrounded by love and support by our family and friends.  It was a very memorable occasion.

Sug's Crib

We finally have Sug's room complete (one of the only in the house) and I love it. 

I wanted it to be light, calm and airy; without being too girly.  I tried to keep a lot of the larger pieces such as the walls and furniture gender neutral.  Sug may have a brother someday and this mom is too lazy and cheap to redecorate.  I think it turned out fairly nice; without breaking the bank.

Won't you join us for a tour?

The room is actually quite large, so we had plenty of room to keep the guest bed in place.  Which is nice when Grandmas come to visit.

The artwork is a graphic of Little Women, one of my favorite books growing up.  I think I've read it 3 times and could recite the movie by heart.  The gray background of the image is the text of the entire book.  The rocking chair was a gift from James' parents and is where we snuggle every night before bed.

 

I found this dresser on craiglist.  My talented friend Rick refinished the drawers white and I replaced the pulls with white Lucite knobs.  It's one of my favorite pieces in our house; it turned out great.

The art was really expensive - 3 white cheap canvases, a hole punch, Sherwin Williams paint samples and glue. 

The mini-rocker is a custom piece made by my grandpa.  80 years old and he's still keeping busy.  I love that Sug will be able to give this to her kiddos some day.  The bear in the rocker was made by my mom using fabric scrapes from my Grandma Pearlie.

The bedding was made by my mom, after I purchased way too much fabric.  I couldn't make a decision and was running out of time (February was among us).  But I think it turned out perfect and oooo so cute.  She even made the sheets which actually fit better than the store bought ones.

And of course my favorite baby animals photos (Glued and nailed to the wall, I had nightmares of them falling off and breaking over her head.  They aren't coming down without a sledge hammer now.)

James and I made this piece of art right before she arrived.  It's a favorite song of ours and made me real weepy when I was pregnant.

The bookshelf used to be a weird little closet with sliding doors. It's much better served as a place for books, keepsakes and old toys of ours.  James' dad got Sug her first sneakers - I have a feeling they will be bike buddies.

This post took a really long time. 

The End.

Mr. Parker

Bennett Parker was born yesterday.  Sug can barely contain herself, she's so excited.

Getting to Know You - 3 Months!

3 months, that's all? 

People always say 'It goes by so fast'... and I understand the saying, but both James and I agree - it feels like this little Sug has been with us much longer!  I've also heard the first three months are the hardest.  So we are celebrating our survival and the fact that James and I are still married and Gus has not been sent out for adoption.

Now for the update:

She's getting chunky - weighing in at 12.5 lbs.  We haven't measured her lately, but she's definitely getting long.  Her feet now kick the arm rest when I cradle her in the rocking chair.  She is still strictly a breast milk baby and has slept through the night a few times - but has yet to make it a real habit.

This month we had our first call from daycare, telling us to pick her up because she was sick - turned out to be a clogged eye duct and an ear infection.  Since she was kicked out of daycare for the day - she got to come to work with momma and the bosses never even noticed!

She was also baptised last weekend (many photos of that to come) and was the sweetest baby you've ever seen dressed in white! 

She's sitting up (although wobbly) and is enjoying the new wonders of toys!  Especially ones that move or have mirrors - those are the bomb.  It's very, very hard for her to sit still and if you ask her about it she'll normally respond back with spit bubbles or small coyote howls.

She can definitely pick my voice out in a room and is starting to acknowledge my presence when I pick her up from daycare (which makes momma very happy). 

She's still pretty much perfect, if you ask me.  Although if she could do her own laundry, she'd be even more fantastic.

Here she is in her "Sugar Bowl" wearing the cutest outfit we own.  Who doesn't love a naked baby?!

Zzzzzz

I spoke too soon.  See below post.

ZZZzzzz

4 day's shy of 3 months.... we are sleeping through the night!

HOT DOG! 

Way to go Sugar Bear!

Busted.

This week is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!  I put it in all caps, because it has been screaming at me since last Wednesday.  The administration at Sug's school house so very helpfully put together a long list of all the things we should do for her teachers.  I guess they can't rely on us to show our appreciation in our own ways.

Today we were to supply a homemade dish for a "Hawaiian" pot luck lunch.  As one of my first duties as a school mom - I very diligently went to Eatzi's and bought a homemade dessert and dumped it into a plastic container at home. 

Tomorrow is "wacky pack" day - we are suppose to send them fun and creative treats that the kids help make.  While at Eatzi's last night - I bought three "wacky" chocolate bars. 

And on Thursday - we present them with "gift bags" that are full of items that represent our appreciation.  I'm turning "gift bag" day into "gift card" day.  Nothing says 'thank you for taking care of my most prized possesion' like a gift card to Wal-Mart.

James and I also show our heartfelt appreciation at the beginning of every month with an auto draft of a very nice sum directly to their account.

Maybe next year I'll be a better school mom.  Maybe I'll get the hang of all this bribery and be the best homeschool mom ever! 

I tried using the excuse that I'm a working mom - but then I realized all the other moms are too. 

Busted.

Next week is BANQUET MANAGER APPRECIATION WEEK!  To be directly followed in June with HOTEL PROJECT DEVELOPER APPRECIATION WEEK! 

Don't worry guys, we'll make a daily list of all the things you can do to show how much you care.

HAPPY FRIDAY

We're busy this weekend - preparing for next weekend - Sugar Bear will be getting baptised on Mother's Day!

All of our family and a couple of close friends will be joining us in the ceremony and of course we'll have a fun little fiesta following to celebrate Sug!

Can I get an AMEN!

AMEN!

Brown Eyes?

Her eyes are still changing - but I think they might be leaning my direction.

Liz is Getting Married.

We threw a shower for my cousin Elizabeth, who is getting married this summer.  Sug was quite the hit - as you can see.  All the little girls took turns feeding her and she had an orchestra of back pats while getting burped.  I think they were most excited that she was born on Valentine's Day - as they mentioned it to anyone who came close.

Sug can't help that she's popular.