O Christmas Tree

This is the first year Jareth and I have had our very own big Christmas tree!  It is not real and we got it really cheap but we love it just the same!  I'm very excited about the tree skirt we get to use for the first time as well...hand-stitched by my Grandma every single sequence and bead!  I think it is just lovely.  Now all we need is some snow.....

I. AM. NOT. WEAK.

Stay awake. All I need to do is stay awake.  Fight it. Cry. Wiggle.  Don't let it get the best of me.  I think I can, I think I can. I will not fall to the pressure. Silly Sleep, that is for the WEAK!

Our favorite day of the year

Yes, we love every holiday but Thanksgiving is the best!  We love to cook, eat, and be lazy!  It also lets me remember our special wedding day as we had a great turkey dinner to celebrate then too.  Here is Minka all dressed up for the special occasion.

 

You may be wondering where are her clothes?  She must be freezing!  It's Thanksgiving for God's sake! 

Nope, not freezing- it is 80 degrees here today!

Good Morning Pre-Pregnancy Weight

What a lovely way to start the day!  I have finally reached my pre-pregnancy weight after three looooonnngg months!  Yay for me :)  I plan on celebrating with a large glass of wine and a bountiful Thanksgiving!

Booyah.

3 months!

Minka is 3 months old today!  Where has the time gone?

Let's Join Together

I have found this website called www.AnySoldier.com.  This website brings together soldiers in need and people wanting to provide love, support, and care packages to them.  The website works as a facilitator allowing a soldier from any branch of the military to become their groups volunteer to request items and disperse them when received.  Some of these soldiers have been deployed recently, some are almost done with their deployments.  They are stationed all over, the ones I looked at mainly were in Afghanistan or Iraq.  They can represent hundreds of other soldiers or a small group, a handful of soldiers.  These are men and women currently deployed of all ages in all sorts of conditions.

I have chosen to send a package to a group represented by Specialist Andres Montero.  His unit is from Texas and he is asking for a number of items for 11 males and 5 females. They are estimated to be in Iraq until October 2011.  The items specifically requested include the following:

Dove Body Wash
Wet wipes/baby wipes
Lotion
Air Fresheners
Beef Jerky (no pork allowed)
Band-Aids
Q-Tips
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Trail Mix
Face Wash
Female Razors
Green Socks (Army issued, no sizes mentioned)
Coffee
Quick Breakfast food such as Muffins, Cereals, Bagels etc
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Shower Shoes
Bed Sheets

Other common requests include:
Letters- write like you would to a friend, thank them for their work, wish them a happy holiday, have your child make a card or draw a picture etc
Letter materials- stamps, paper, envelopes, pens
Books


Homemade items NOT accepted

Now, I am asking for your support so we can meet some of their requests.  I am going to be sending a package Monday December 6th so it has time to arrive before the holidays.  I plan on sending additional packages after the holidays to continue our support after the madness settles down again after Christmas.  This is completely voluntary.  If you would like to help me, please mail items to our house and I will be compiling donations from our friends and family across the country and our new friends and family here at Fort Rucker.

If you want more information, need our house address or have questions please email me at emilyandjareth@gmail.com!

If you choose not to donate any items, please at least say a prayer for the soldiers who serve our country everyday.

Storytime

It is never too early to start good habits right?  The other day,  I read a book to Minka and she focused on each page intently as I read the entire book.  Ever since then I have begun to read much more.  She LOVES it!  We can sit for 20 minutes just reading books and she can stay focused and happy the entire time just listening to my voice and admiring the pictures. 

Hands & Legs

Minka's new favorite thing is to eat her hands.  I do not just mean nibble on her fingers.  She gets closer everyday to completely swallowing her entire fists.

Check out Minka's adorable leg warmers :)

BWS

Jareth has now completed another section of flight school.  He just passed his last check ride with flying colors and this week he will start BWS, Basic Warfighter Skills.  This is a short, "fun" class that he will be doing until Christmas exodus rolls around.  After Christmas he will start the LAST section of flight school and will go through a 12 week course learning how to fly his specialized aircraft, the Blackhawk.  I can't believe how fast this is going!  We are so proud of our soldier!

Minka Bean

Yesterday I am proud to say I survived Minka's first shots...and she did too! Jareth was able to come with us and I was very happy to hear this wonderful news!  First we got her checked out and she is as healthy as can be!  She weighs 12 lbs 6 oz to put her in the 62nd percentile, her head is 40.5 cm to put her in the 78th percentile, and she is 24.75 inches long to put her in the 97th percentile!  It looks like we may have another Sequoia on our hands.

Then we had to do three shots and an oral injection.  The Dr held her legs while Jareth held her arms and shielded the tiniest mad face from me.  She screamed and cried a bit while he did the shots but calmed down very quickly while Jareth cuddled with her after.  That little pouty lip just breaks my heart! 

Glad to say we completed her first set of shots and she is doing very well with it!

Where, Oh, Where Did My House Go?

Oh yeah, Minka stole it.  After returning to work, I think I need to work on some time management skills because there is simply just not enough time to clean and definitely not enough space to organize all of Minka's stuff!  Look at this ridiculousness....

Christmas Came Early

We decided to try to get most of our Christmas shopping done early this year.  A couple weeks ago I bought a Christmas tree at a garage sale because it was such a good deal so we just put it up right then- 2 months early!  I pulled out some other decorations as I was putting away the Halloween decorations- one less time to dig out the boxes. I also got to put out my Grandma's ceramics for the first time this year too!  So in the spirit of gift buying we had to get Minka something special and we decided on an exersaucer.  This may be more of a gift for us as she becomes ever increasingly squirmy and will be soon rolling and in a few months sitting up.  Here is a pic of her checking it out.  She is still too small and needs more body control but when we get home after the holidays I hope to have her using it all the time!

Beauty Sleep

This is the first time Minka has worn a real t-shirt and pants pajama set.  Isn't she cute?  She looks older by the day!

A few of our favorite things

I have only been a Mom for 2 1/2 months but by now we have gotten into a routine.  The hour time change has totally wiped out Minka and she is going to bed an hour early and unfortunately hungry an hour earlier in the morning.  I still can not complain though- she is still sleeping until 4:30 or later and I have a wonderful husband to help out as needed!  So far after these short 11 weeks, I have learned how to pack a diaper bag like a pro for any occasion, identify Minka's cry and soothe her quite quickly, and love our smiley good mornings.  There have been hurdles along the way and we learn swiftly. 

A few of our favorite things include:

• SwaddleMe blanket.  Oh boy!  Minka LOVES to be swaddled.  When she realizes what we are doing as we tuck her feet in and then one arm at a time, she shoots us a big gummy smile to let us know we have approximately 4 minutes before she is out for the night. 
• Womb Bear.  This was the first thing Jareth and I purchased after finding out we were pregnant and I am sure glad we did.  Every now and then Minka will let out a cry or two a few hours after being put down and all we have to do is turn the womb bear back on and it lulls her right back to sleep- truly a dream come true!
• Pacifier.  We must not forget this little, very important, piece of gear.  Best used to soothe a tired baby in busy places or fend off a feeding until I can clear the checkout line.
• Soothie.  Soothie is a brand we love for bottles and pacifiers.  They can be put in each and every way, even as I dodge other vehicles and search for her mouth with my arm bent all around her carseat.  They also have proven to be the best for feedings with less dribble and choking-yikes!
• Google.  Even though we read too many baby books, went to baby classes, and were given instructions by experts, we still utilize Google to find our answers for cradle cap, jittery arm movements, and every other minor concern to ensure Minka is happy and healthy.  Pediatricians must be forever grateful for Google.
• Gymboree Outift.  Minka received an adorable outfit from Gymboree including a onesie, sweatshirt, and sweatpants.  If it came in my size I would be wearing it right now. The only time I see it is on laundry day when it is being folded, then back on Minka it goes...
• Gummy smiles. Squeals of delight.  A restful head laying on my shoulder.  These are just a few of my most favorite things :)

Hanging with Dad

So Many Activities!

We got Minka's play yard for a great deal so after adding a few toys of our own, she loves to kick and play in there!

Birthday Treats

Jareth, Minka and I went to a local steakhouse for my birthday dinner and boy it was delicious!  We also enjoyed some DQ cake as well :)  It was fun to relax with my family and enjoy it with my favorite people!

Oh my, I am cute!

We bought Minka a play yard since she loves the one at day care and she just stared at herself totally consumed by the cute baby looking back!

Play time!

Minka is learning so fast!  She now likes to watch Jareth and I move about a room, she turns to find our voices, and she is also starting to like to touch different textures and stare in the mirror!  It is fun to watch her at daycare, the babies love to stare at each other!

DS Designs

I just want to help do a bit of promoting for my sister's new etsy shop!  She makes beautiful hair bows for girls!  She has a bunch of different styles and colors to choose from.  Check it out here.

A little progress

I have to admit, I have not been the most adamant about tummy time.  We would do it for a few minutes when I would remember but never worked it into our daily routine.  Since Minka started daycare I asked that her provider work on that with her.  I have also been spending more time with her over the last couple weeks and it looks like it may be paying off a little bit at a time!