Changes

I've been reminded that things don't stay the same for long. My sweet baby has already changed so much since I brought her home from the hospital almost 3 months ago. Everyone says enjoy her now because they don't stay that way for long. I was just saying I can't imagine her actually talking and walking one day, but I know that day will be here before I know it.

Oh, I love this sweet girl. I love watching her grow and change.

I've loved watching her personality shine through these past weeks. I can't wait to see it even more! But for now I just wanna enjoy her while she is still so small and snuggly. I know before I know it things will change again and I'll be longing for these baby days again. 

You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You keep me happy, when skies are gray.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away. 

Goodbye Betty

Wednesday morning Betty suffered from a blood clot. She started shaking like she was having a seizure, she cried out then she was gone. It happened so fast I didn't understand what had happened. I didn't want to accept that my sweet kitty who would have been 4 in March was gone, but she was. I called Clarke and he came home from work, we buried her in the backyard.

It's still hard to believe that she is really gone. Just a couple weeks ago we were saying how she had finally adjusted to having Chloe here, she was using her litter box again, she seems like her old self. Now we have to adjust to her not being here anymore.

The last 2 days have been so hard for us. We took her things and put them in the attic because we just can't look at them anymore. But her favorite window looks so bare now, the place where her food and water bowl used to be is empty and the house is so quiet during the day. I really miss her so much.

We always said she was our first baby. She turned Clarke into a cat person. She really was a good cat. I'll always remember how she loved the Christmas tree. She loved watching the birds at the big bay window in the kitchen. She always sat on the same spot by me on the couch. She either slept right by my head at night or on her window perch in our bedroom. Recently she would follow me into Chloe's room when I nursed her at night. I have written 40 posts about her on this blog. I can't believe this will be the last. I thought Chloe would get to know her, but she never will.

Goodbye Betty, we loved you so much and I wish you didn't have to go so soon. I wasn't ready for you to leave us just yet, it's way too soon. I'll always love you and I'll never forget you. Rest in peace sweet baby. 

Chloe's First Snow

This morning was Chloe's first snow!! We just had to take her out for a little bit to get some pictures, it was really fun.

I put her little North Face jacket on for the first time, it's still too big though!

We had fun showing her all the snow, it really was beautiful.

It's so typical of Richmond weather to be sunny and in the 70s last weekend and now there is snow on the ground! Although as I type this the snow is already melting away. But I'm glad that we got some fun pictures and at least some snow this winter. 

Cloth Diapers, Golf and Big Bows

This past weekend we finally started using our cloth diapers. I am happy to say that so far I've really enjoyed them! I was afraid after spending all that money to set it up I wouldn't like all the washing, but it's a lot easier than I thought. 

And she looks so cute in them!

Sunday it was unseasonably warm here. 70 and sunny, it was so nice! We took Chloe up to The Club for lunch and to hit golf balls with Clarke's family. 

Totally took the baby stroller on the range! She was really good too, and I hit golf balls for the first time in a long time. I just loved her outfit too!

We were also that family that was wearing matching polos. Ha!! I must say the warmer weather was a tease because now I am ready for Spring. But we definitely enjoyed it while it lasted! 

2 Months!

Dear Chloe,
Today you are two months old! Two months! You have changed so much this past month. Your personality has really started to come out, and I love seeing it! You smile so much now, and laugh too. It's very intentional. You still make all your cute little noises too, even more so now.

You love to play with your activity gyms. You kick your feet and laugh and grab at the things hanging above you. You stare and smile while you play, it's so adorable.  Your new nickname is milk dud. Daddy gave it to you because sometimes you smell like milk, our little milk dud. You still love your pacifier, you suck so hard on it.

You are still very small. Your newborn clothes still fit, but they are starting to get small, especially in the arms. I think in about a week or so you'll outgrow them. Most of your 0-3 month clothes fit, some are still a little big though. Your hair has grown some too. It's still dark brown. Everyone says that you have my eyes. I still get stopped in the grocery store or wherever and people tell me how beautiful you are, I agree!

You started sleeping in your crib a couple nights ago. Your not a fan of the crib yet, but you definitely love sleeping in your room. You've had a couple nights in your room where you've slept for 6 hours straight! But I think my favorite part of you sleeping in your room is in the morning. I come in there and you smile so big at me, it just makes my day!

Being your mom is the best job I've ever had. You bring me so much joy and happiness, my heart is so full. I love you baby girl!
Love always,
  Your Mommy

Sunday Update

Around here recently....

Chloe has been enjoying all her Christmas gifts, especially her new activity gym. She'll just stare and smile at all her "treetop friends" hanging above her. She'll kick her feet and sometimes grab for them too, it's so cute. Betty also likes to watch!

Friday night me and Clarke went on our first "date night" since Chloe was born. It was really nice to have time for just the two of us, but I kept saying how weird it was to not have her there. We saw Les Miserables, it was sooo good. We saw it on Broadway back in 2007 when we visited NYC and we have loved this musical ever since. 

Last night Chloe slept in her crib for the first time, well sorta. I decided it was time for her to start sleeping in her crib, in her own room. At first she loved it, although she wasn't asleep. In hopes of establishing a routine I put her in her crib around her normal bedtime. After an hour of crying we finally broke down and put her in her little napper, still in her room. She fell asleep and slept for almost 6 hours straight! This is the longest she has ever gone, so I called it a success. She also wore her sleep sack for the first time, and she really liked this. Tonight we'll try the crib again.

I've gotten back into running/working out again. It's been so great to be able to run again, even though it's hard. I keep telling myself the more I run the easier it will get. Although running has been so great for me I think it is causing problems with my milk supply. Yesterday I realized that on days I work out I seem to not make as much milk. I read to drink more water, I am really hoping this helps. Any other moms out there have this problem?

Hello 2013!

Last night we celebrated 2012 by going over to a friend's house for dinner and to ring in the new year. It was definitely low key, which is what we really wanted. I took some cute pictures, all of Chloe of course!

My sweet little girl before leaving. Had to do a little photo shoot of her in her party dress!!

One of me and her, she looks like a little doll sometimes!

We spent the evening with longtime friends. Chloe was definitely the center of attention, everyone got a chance to hold her. I also must say it was sweet because my friend's seven year old daughter was there having a sleepover with a friend, got a glimpse into my future. They were really cute too. 

First new year's eve as a family of three. 

After the ball dropped we totally went home, I fed Chloe and we all went to sleep! It was a really fun evening though. The older I get the more I realize I don't need to go out and make such a huge deal about new year's eve. It's just an excuse for a fun night with friends!

I saw this questionnaire about 2012 on another blog and thought it was cute so I'm including it.

1. What are you most thankful for?
My little girl, my health, modern medicine that allowed me to have a healthy baby and allow me to continue to have children after complications. Jesus, my husband, family and friends. 

2. What were the highlights of 2012 for you?

Being pregnant, our trip out west, my daughter being born!

3. What are you hoping for in 2013?

Quality time with my daughter, husband, family and friends, more time running, a bunch of firsts for Chloe, joining a mommy group, hopefully some fun trips and Chloe sleeping through the night!

4. What were some of your favorites of 2012? (clothes, movies, songs, TV shows )

I loved my cotton sundresses during pregnancy and vanilla ice cream cones from McDonald's. I loved cute scarves and necklaces.  I loved when we got rid of cable and joined Netflix. I loved watching Parenthood, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Hot in Cleveland, 30 Rock and How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. Of course I still loved Glee. I loved my new iPhone, instagram and twitter.

5. Who was God to you in 2012? (and if He was nothing to you - please be honest. You don't need to give Sunday school answers. I want to be able to pray that He will be something to you this year!)

God became the person I could rely on for anything. The person I trusted most during pregnancy and especially while I was in the hospital having Chloe. He was my comforter and gave me the strength to heal from a hard labor and delivery.