A Good Day

Today was a great day for us! Danielle chilled out on her blanket on the floor and rolled around while I was able to finish up laundry, pay bills and make some phone calls. She's almost rolling over from back to belly but kind of gets stuck on her arm. That, and she doesn't like tummy time LOL So I don't think she wants to completely get to her belly. Its amazing still that she can occupy herself for some time, as long as she has one of her favorite toys. She'll just babble away while chewing on the toy.

Occasionally she will try to lift herself up, as if to sit up, but doesn't get more than 1/4 inch off the ground. Mostly she does that when she's laying on my legs, but she's trying! Some days she won't bend at the waist at all, I don't know whats up with that. Her next appt is in January and I'll talk to the Ped about starting solids if she's ready. I've been reading about making her baby food, I can't believe I'm even thinking about it. I just never imagined all the things I would be concerned about, once I was a mom. But hey, if it saves money, and is better for Danielle nutritionally, I'll do what I can.

Other than that, we are just getting ready for the holiday vacation. I leave this Wednesday for PA for a week. Mom has a family dinner on Saturday, something she hasn't done for years. I'm excited. Danielle will have a Christmas here on Sunday, then Saturday with her cousins, then on Christmas with Brians family. I'll finally get to meet my niece Jade when I'm home.

This Sunday is when we are doing our own Christmas, for Danielle's First Christmas. I can't wait. We're just having a few problems with Danielle being really fussy around strangers. Sometimes she doesn't even want Brian, since he's gone all day. Poor things, they only really get like an hour or two together each day. I thought about keeping her up later at night but she's got her sleep routine down so well, I don't want to disturb that. She loves her routine!

While I'm in PA, I won't have internet so I'll update that trip once I get to Chicago. Happy Holidays!!!

It's my birthday!

My berfday, happy happy berfday!! I've always loved my birthday, it's the one day I don't mind attention on me. Otherwise it makes me nervous. Anyway, had a great day. Danielle played quietly on the couch for a while so I could get some lazy time. Tyson was all in my face showing his love. The weather was craptastic, cold and rainy, although 50 degrees isn't even cold to my mom. So where's the good part in that? There was snow on Transmountain!! It snowed just for me on my birthday HAHA Then the Starbucks cashier flirted with me for a bit, and called me "Miss." That might not be such a big deal, but I've been called Ma'am ever since we got to North Carolina. It's a military thing. Kimberley and I hit up the mall, it was dead and we got to stroll around with nobody pushing us out of their way or rushing past us.

Brian picked up dinner so I didn't have to cook, and helped me bathe Danielle, get her pj's on and fed her and put her to bed. Then he brought out some good chocolate (wanted me to share them though) and surprised me with 3 beautiful pink roses and a card. Then I am going on Saturday to finally get my next tattoo. Its a surprise til I can get a picture of it, and post it on here. So I'm off to bed, to snuggle with Brian and go to sleep after the best 30th birthday anybody could have. Ok, pretty cheesy but I love it.

Developments of 3 months

It sounds crazy but as soon as Danielle hit 3 months old, suddenly she could do so many new things! She started being able to pick up her rattle and shake it. Danielle was on the couch next to me, and I heard her rattle shake. I had to think for a minute, I didn't put it in her hand. The next day, she could pick it up and try to put it in her mouth, which also caused her to hit herself in the head a few times HAHA We are still working on the teething rings though. She's able to hold her rattle, because it has thin handles and she can hold her small Eeyore blanket. Thats her new favorite toy.

Now she can entertain herself for more time, just staring at the ceiling fan. Whats up there, I'm not sure, but it's fascinating. My gripe for now is the Pediatric Clinic at the hospital. Now we are military and get free healthcare. I'm happy, since I didn't have to pay a dime to give birth to Danielle. With that said, you get what you pay for. You'll see in a minute.

When I called to make her 2 month well baby appointment, I did call late. So I expected to have to wait a bit for her to be seen. They made her appt at 12 weeks, but corrected me by saying that she was only 2 1/2 months because it was on the 19th of the month. Her birthday is the 31st. Ok...annoying but whatever. For her 4 month well baby appointment, I called on Dec. 4th, a month ahead of time, right? They booked her for Jan. 21st. When I questioned this, I was told "Oh its only a couple weeks after she turns 4 months." No, its 3 weeks after her 4 month birthday. And this won't interfere with her shots and stuff? So yeah...even after calling a month ahead of time, her next appt is almost 2 months away. Nice, huh? Like I said, you get what you pay for.

Holiday Season

The day after Thanksgiving, our Christmas tree was up. I was too excited to wait any longer. This Christmas feels different, for so many reasons. The main one is Danielle. The second one is Brian is home to celebrate, and not in Iraq...yet. Looking back, yes, last year was a good day, especially since I was almost positive I was pregnant. I just hadn't had a BFP (big fat positive) to prove it yet. In fact, I had 3 BFN (big fat negative) before I got my positive test.

The holidays just have much more meaning to me now that we have a child. Christmas can still be about Brian and I, somewhat, but its now more about her. Danielle needs a special ornament, the new toys, getting to see the lights and decorations. I feel like a little kid myself HAHA I still think about the miscarriage over Christmas of 2005 but I have come to terms with it. That baby just wasn't the right time or place for Brian and me. I barely held it together when Brian was at NTC while Danielle was 3 to 8 weeks. How could I do an entire year of an infant without him? Um...I guess like I'm about to do in 2 months...

Anyway, I guess the point is I can see this holiday through Danielle's eyes. Or what I think it means to her. This lucky girl will have 3 Christmas holidays, starting at our house to Mammaw's to Grandma & Grandpa's. I already have toys for her under our tree!

I just truly couldn't imagine what it would be like for us to finally have a baby. As hard as it can be sometimes, I don't think my heart could be any fuller of love for my family.