A year, or two, in review

Wow, I can't believe I didn't do a 'year in review' this time last year, because, well, 2008 was pretty exciting. We moved to and from SoCal, went to tapings of Deal or No Deal and The Price is Right, experienced an earthquake. Went to Bangkok a time or three (and got 'married' there). Got engaged, officially. Found out we were expecting, subsequently found out it was a girl.

But I think 2009 has been the best year yet for me, for obvious reasons. The main reason being a super cute little girl named Macy. Then, after over nine years together, Burin and I finally ran down to the courthouse and got married.

I hope 2010 is good to us, and I'm sure it will be. I hope it's good to you, too.

The Night Before Christmas

9 months

Hello, neglected blog.

Macy is now nine months old and is growing like a weed. She finally got her first tooth and and has some more coming in. She is crawling at the speed of lightening and is pulling up on anything and everything she can. Trying her darndest to stand, too. :) She understands what "no!" means (or "no-no!"), and will shake her head yes and no (although I don't think she quite knows what she's doing). I can say "pat-a-cake" and she will clap her hands, and I can say "peek-a-boo" and she will cover her eyes. Oh, and when she hears music, she dances!

She had her nine month checkup yesterday. She is average for both height and weight (18.5 pounds). She got stuck twice - one finger prick for a CBC and one shot for the second part of her flu vaccine.

Christmas is quickly coming upon us, and I can't wait for her to get her presents from Santa. :)

In other news, today is Burin's birthday. I'll keep his age confidential. And I just joined a gym. Eep!

Another update soon! With pics, perhaps.

Trick or Treat!

Here she is, our little baby bee, on her first Halloween!

Flashback Friday

(click on image to enlarge a bit)

Ok, this isn't so much a 'flashback' as it is a let's-compare-mommy-and-baby-at-the-same-age photo. Macy was NO-O-O-O-T happy when I stripped her down to try to recreate that picture of me butt naked in my crib at six months. A couple of things to note: we're laying on the same Raggedy Ann & Andy blanket that my grandmother made (simultaneously now, "aww"). And let's just take a moment to marvel at my SWEET bumper pad. Lovely hues of pea green, mustard yellow, and tangerine orange. It was 1979 folks, what can I say. But Macy and I do favor a bit, no?

(I've been meaning to post this for a while, but forgot about it at some point. Oops.)

Fall, Family, Fun, Festivals, and Fairs

I think October may just be my favorite month. It brings the start of the fall season, the Mississippi State Fair, my birthday, fall festivals, and Halloween!

Now, I admit, pre-baby we didn't go to the fair or any festivals, but now that we have Macy, I want to start being more active and start traditions early. And let me tell you, we have ventured out more in the past week than we have in the past ten years!

This past Saturday, we went to the Township Fall Festival on Highland Colony (didn't get there til towards the end but we still ate and had a family portrait made with the pony!). From there, we went to the Jackson Street Fall Festival. Not a lot going on there, but it was still nice to get out and walk around in the cool air.

On Monday, we went to the fair for a couple of hours. I think Macy enjoyed all the sights, smells, and sounds. Burin played a couple of games and won her a couple of stuffed animals! Then of course we had to eat some of the fair food. We ate at Penn's (this doesn't constitute as "fair food" to me though since you can go to Penn's at any time of the year), shared a funnel cake, and Burin got a roasted corn... cob.. thing. It was the first time in YEARS that I had been to the fair, and I'm pretty sure it was my and Burin's first time to go together as well! I'm telling you, we don't get out much, unless it's Target or WalMart.

This coming Saturday is the Renaissance Fall Festival. I'm not sure we'll make it to that one though since Burin has to work both Friday and Saturday nights, plus Macy and I have a little birthday party to go to that afternoon, but it sounds kinda fun.

Halloween is coming up after that and I cannot wait to get Macy all dressed up for her first Halloween! What oh what will she be??? ;)

Six Months

I can't believe my baby is half a year old! As the saying goes, they grow way too fast! So what all have we been up to?

Well, our adventure with solid foods is going pretty well. So far she has eaten most everything I have given her, except chicken noodle dinner and turkey. I think it's the texture she doesn't like, so I'm going to wait a while before I try those again. But most all the other fruits and veggies she will eat.

She scoots and rolls all over the place and is trying her darndest to crawl! She gets up on all fours and rocks back and forth, and is on the verge of figuring out how to move one leg and arm at a time. It's only a matter of time before she takes off, I just know it! :)

She also sat by herself for the first time a few days ago. She still topples over eventually, so she still needs to work on those back muscles and learn to balance herself.

She is fascinated with carpet and will lay on the floor and scratch at it for minutes at a time.

She chews on everything, but no signs of teeth yet.

She loves the remote control, my BlackBerry, and Ziploc bags (yes, we let her crumple these while supervised). I'm determined to not buy her anymore fancy toys. (kidding.)

She reached for her daddy on her six-month birthday and it was the sweetest thing. She thinks the world of him.

She has started to babble a lot. So far it's "na na na na na na na," and last night she said "da da da" a few times. It even sounded like she said "blah blah blah" a couple of times!

She went for her six-month checkup last week and checked out ok, as usual. She weighs 16 1/2 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches. Head circumference is 42 cm.

So that about sums it up this go around. I had a lot more pictures I was planning to post, but I hate Blogger with every fiber of my being and its formatting and the things it does with photos and I just don't have time to mess with it right now. I can't even make paragraphs without having to put it in "edit html" mode?!?!

Oh well, until next time...

Quick update...

...because I know you're ALL wondering, "What in the world happened to Brandi?" but mostly I know you're thinking, "It's about time for some more pictures of Macy!"

Well, a couple of weeks ago I cancelled the internet option on my BlackBerry, and right around the same time, my laptop crashed and died, so I have not been on the computer checking my email or facebook much at all since then because I'm not too thrilled about having to come use this big honkin' desktop.

But, I guess all this came at a good time and maybe it was a good thing to go cold turkey on computer/BlackBerry use because I was needing to do that anyway. I've been needing to try to structure my days more and do more things around the house and spend more time with Macy and all...

Things are looking up though as far as the laptop. Yes, I lost EVERYTHING on my hard drive... pictures, files, iTunes, you name it. I really don't want to think about it all. But fortunately we had a lot of pictures backed up on an external hard drive.. the one thing I'm mostly worried about right now is my iTunes. Gotta figure something out. Burin totally reformatted the computer and I think he is going to order another hard drive or something? I don't know. Hopefully I will get some pictures up soon though!

I think this one calls for celebration

The first few times it was no big deal. I would dutifully take my lotion, lip gloss, and anti-bacterial out of the little purple makeup bag in my purse, put it in a Ziploc, and, like any obedient airline passenger, place it in the bin for TSA to inspect under the x-ray machine at the airport. I flew so many times between LAX and JAN last year that after a while, that Ziploc eventually became my permanent makeup bag. Switching those liquids from one bag to the other would be one less thing to worry about when traveling.

But somewhere along the way, I misplaced the little purple makeup bag, and I kept putting off looking for a new one because, well, the Ziploc worked fine, I guess. I mean, sure, it wasn't pretty, and no, I never took it out of my purse in public, but still, I just never put in the effort to get a new one. But yesterday, in the glorious land of Target, I finally got one. After carrying my powder and lip gloss around in a dirty, beat up Ziploc in my purse for a year - I think this calls for celebration.

Orlando Trip

Two 30-year-old chicks, airports, hotels, rental cars, Cheesecake Factory, Mickey Mouse, American Idol Experience, Tower of Terror, roller coasters, House of Blues, souvenir shopping, Universal Studios, funnel cakes, The Ugly Truth, TGIFriday's, water rides (squishy, wet socks and shoes anyone?), The Cat in the Hat, Super Target (yes, Target!)...

That's the stuff fun trips are made of.

Four Months

Macy had her four-month checkup today. Here's the stats, because I know you all want to know.

Weight: 14 lbs 12 oz (2 lbs heavier than two months ago)
Height: 24 1/2 in (1 1/2 inches longer than two months ago)
Head: 40 cm (err.. no change..)

Sorry Valerie, they didn't write down the percentiles this time!

What has Macy been up to?

What else do I have to post about?

Chillin' in tha crib.


Tummy time.


First spoon feeding. Yes, more ended up on her than in her tummy.

Bumbo time.

(Have I mentioned that Macy is potty-trained? Yes, that's right. Every time she sits in her Bumbo, she goes poo. I. kid. you. not.)

And finally, she found her feet.

Her First Fourth

Macy is terribly excited about celebrating her first Fourth of July!



Happy Independence Day!

We don't feed this child soap, I swear...

...but she does like to bubble.

Laughter

My baby is growing up too fast! She laughed for the first time today, and it was the sweetest sound. I must admit I'm a little jealous because Burin was the one holding her and playing with her in the back seat of the car before we left a parking lot. I was in the driver's seat so I didn't get to see it the first time, but I heard it. Then he turned her around to where I could see her and she laughed again! It was the cutest thing.

Anyway, in addition to rolling over, sucking on her hands, and grabbing/pulling on the front of her shirt or dress, her new thing is to suck her bottom lip in! She almost looks like a little old toothless man when she does it.

Pics coming soon! We got a new camera and I just haven't taken the time to figure out how to get the pictures off!

Two-month Checkup

Macy had her two-month checkup on Tuesday and checked out fine! She got her first round of vaccinations - one oral and three injections. :( Not too many tears were shed. She cried for all of about two minutes and was asleep by the time we pulled out of the parking lot.

She is growing! Here's her stats:
Weight: 12 lbs 13 oz (80%)
Length: 23 inches (50%)
Head circumference: 40 cm (75%)

Burin is always commenting that Macy looks older than two months, and he attributes it to her face looking more mature than other two-month olds. Dr. Ellison even made a comment about how she looks older than two months!

She can almost hold her head up completely now, and is on her way to rolling over.. she just can't quite get her arm out from under her. She'll probably be walking by the time she's six months :D

Anyway, she goes back in July for her four-month checkup and second round of shots.

Wordless Wednesday

The Knot is Tied!

Why I Love My Refrigerator

(click to enlarge if you feel so inclined)

I love going to my refrigerator. Why? Not because of what's in it (well... sometimes), but because of what's on it. I recently got out my ACEO collection and bought some of those magnet frames and stuck some on my fridge, collage-esque. I figured, what good are they doing in a binder where I can't see them? I love these little things. Tiny, affordable works of art. I think I'll be hitting up Etsy again soon to add to my collection. Wouldn't it be awesome to have my whole fridge covered with these? And if you haven't noticed, I seem to have a little theme going on....

I'll let you guess which one of these I made myself. ;)

The two chicks on the right are graduating this year! Congrats Nanci-Taylor and Courtnay!

Mother's Day and Fun With Iron-ons

I had a great weekend/first Mother's Day visiting with friends and family! Macy had a little fever and was not feeling too well though, poor baby. :(



I thought I'd get a little creative, if you will, and bought some iron-on letters and made an "I luv Dot" onesie. I printed off a picture and put it in a 'grandma's brag book' for my mom for Mother's Day. I going to do the same for Pop (my dad) and put a picture in a frame for Father's Day next month!


Macy is two months old today! I'll do a two-month update after her appointment on Wednesday to get her shots. That is, if she'll be able to get them since she's been having fever (again today).

Things I Love About Her

*The way she puckers her lips and looks up at me with her big brown eyes. It is so funny!

*Her cute little baby snores.

*The way she curls her fists close to her chest or mouth when she eats.

*The way she stretches - LOUDLY.

*The way she smiles when she is drowsy.

*Her eyelashes, which have really sprouted within the past couple of days.

*The way she "talks" sometimes when she has her pacifier.

*Her long toes - and the way she curls them.

*The way she sometimes reminds me of a Kewpie doll.

(photo taken from here)

Happy Easter!

We took Macy to Northpark on Thursday to have her picture made with the Easter Bunny! She behaved pretty well. ;)



And the Easter Bunny came to visit her too! Here's her (not-so-traditional) Easter basket. He kept it pretty simple this year: some rattles, burp cloths, Easter booties, pacifiers, a Pat the Bunny book, and a pink hippo puppet/bath mitt (hidden behind the book).

Hey hey hey

Look who's one month today!


(1 month Onesie compliments of Culpeper General!)

Err... 42 week update..?

Well, most of you know by now that Macy made her arrival two weeks ago today on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 1:52pm. She weighed 8 lbs 1 oz (WHERE that came from I have no idea) and was 20 1/2 inches long.

So far motherhood has been great, but very busy and very trying at times! And Burin is so much greater at being a daddy than I ever thought he would be. He is right there changing diapers, feeding her, changing her clothes, and holding her every chance he can get!

Macy is a good baby so far and only fusses when she needs a diaper change or when she is hungry (which is A LOT), or when she just wants to be held. She doesn't really have much of a sleep routine yet (I mean, she is only two weeks old), but we're working on it.

Some of her little quirks - when she's hungry she turns her head all the way to one side and opens her mouth wide, like a little baby bird. And when she is in that half-awake/half-asleep state, she often smiles for about one second and it is the most beautiful smile! I can't wait until she really starts smiling. As far as her features, she definitely got her daddy's eyes and toes, and my nose and lips.

She went for her two-week appointment on Monday and she checked out well! She was up to 8 lbs 3 oz (weight at discharge from the hospital was 7 lbs 9 oz) and was still 20 1/2 inches long. Both height and weight were in the 50th percentile (that was for you Valerie!). We go back in mid-May for her two-month shots, which I know is going to kill me. :(

Overall, Macy is a happy and healthy baby and we are so blessed - she is perfect. She loves when her Pop and Dot and Uncle Chris come to visit and give mommy a little break, and she can't wait to meet her Uncle Sean and Aunt Dana!

Happy little family.

Macy in her going-home outfit, the same one I wore home 30 years ago.

Close-up!

Panda butt.

Bright eyes!

38 Week Update

This could very well be the last picture of me pregnant! I had my 38 week (and 4 days) appointment today and I am dilated 3 cm. Everything still looked great and the doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if the big day was sometime this weekend or early next week! We will see. :)

37 Week Update

I went for my 37 (and a half) week appointment yesterday and everything looks good! I'm dilated 1/2 cm, the baby's head is 'way' down, and she currently weighs in at 6 lbs 14 oz, which is in the 47th percentile blah blah blah statistics blah blah blah. So she'll definitely be a 7+ pounder when she gets here.

In the aftermath of the baby shower, I've been trying to get things together to pack in "the bag." Yes, that bag. The one I will hopefully remember to grab on my way out the door to the hospital. If anyone has any suggestions besides what's in the books and on websites as to what to pack, let me know!

Oh and check this out. I will be stylin' and profilin' in the hospital in my delivery "Gownie." Sorry, I will not model it for you at this time. If you want to see it, come see me in the hospital after the baby is born. :P



In other news and baby preparations, I completed the 4-week "Prepared Childbirth" class a couple of weeks ago, and this past Thursday night I took the breastfeeding class. Doesn't mean that I'm any wiser though! :D I've also been doing a little bit of baby laundry, and finally got all her bibs, receiving blankets, burp cloths, washcloths, waterproof mattress pads, socks and mittens all washed up. I still need to wash her actual clothes though, but kinda hesitant to, not knowing if she'll be able to fit into anything or not, and not knowing what the weather will be like! If I can return anything, I probably will, but just won't know until she gets here. Mom also got the layette that I wore home from the hospital 30+ years ago all washed up and ready to go - so yes, that means that Macy will be wearing the same outfit home. :)

It's all beginning to seem so real now, and it frightens me that in no less than about... oh, three weeks, we're gonna have a baby! But with some great advice from experienced mommy friends, I think we'll be just fine. ;)

Baby Shower!

Had a great time at my baby shower yesterday! Thank you to everyone who came and brought (or sent) gifts!! Here's a few pics.

Me in my baby shower flair: a "new mom to-be" tiara and a baby booty corsage:


The diaper cake that Amanda made. LOVE IT and will not ever want to take it apart.


Mmm FINGER FOOD.


My cupcake tree!


The festivities/opening gifts. (Notice the pink baby rattle balloon in the upper right corner!)






One of my favorite gifts! A burp cloth with the baby's name embroidered on it made by a previous co-worker of mine!