New House...Moving In's a Pain!

We've been so incredibly busy around that here I haven't posted an update in a while. First thing's first, we've officially moved into our new house!!! We love it here, we love the neighborhood, we love our neighbors, we love the space, we love everything! I say this now because as we were moving in I did NOT love everything. I had to clean...and clean...and clean...and clean. This house was vacant for a few years before it was put on the market after the owner died and the staged furniture did a great job at hiding how really filthy it was. In hindsight, we should have hired a professional cleaning crew (or requested that the seller hire a prof. cleaning crew) to clean from top to bottom before we moved in...but of course, we didn't think of that. So we moved in over a 2 day period and stuffed all our stuff in the living room while I cleaned the house (with the help of my mom and mother-in-law, without which our things would all still be in boxes!) and peeled contact paper off every cabinet in the kitchen. I think my fingers literally bled while I did this.

So, we've come a long way, cleaned up a ton, straightened up the yard and are finally feeling like this place is ours! We've got lots of interior painting to do, but we take it one room at a time. It's less overwhelming this way, and let's face it, I'm easily overwhelmed. Here's a picture of our new place before we moved in...

In other news, Stella is a big ole ball of deliciousness and just turned 9 months on March 1. I still cannot believe this baby is 3 month's shy of one year old.

We go to the doctor today for a follow-up (she had an ear infection last week and has been on antibiotics to clear it up) and her 9 month check up, so I'll post her stats later.

Big Things Ahead!!!

OMG could I be going through any more WONDERFUL things in my life right now?? I think not! Let's chat about 'em, eh?

First, we are MOVING! Yes, moving, yes, for the 5th time in 3 1/2 years. Apparently, we like to torture ourselves and move as much as we can in as few days as possible. Like now, for instance, we close on our new house this Friday and must be out of our rental by Monday at midnight. I'm quite certain Matt and I promised ourselves at least twice that "the next time we move we'll pay someone to do it for us"...are we doing that this time around? No. Of course not. BUT lucky us, Mattie's parents are coming in town with a big ole trailer to help us move. New house...could there be anything more exciting? It's a big old thing, custom built in the 60s with only 1 owner, so while we've got some pretty heavy cosmetic updating to do, the house itself is in wonderful condition. Take a look...

In other news, I'm undergoing certification to become a Pilates instructor! I couldn't be more in love with my career change. I've been into Pilates for over 10 years so now I get to do what I love and call it "work"! Is there anything better than getting to stay home with your little baby daily AND have a career that you love?? I'm gonna go with no. I'm lucky and blessed and happy and excited all at the same time. Certification goes from January to March then we reconvene to "test" anywhere from 2-4 months later. I'm teaching for my dear friend who owns Pilates Bodies in Covington, LA - her support over these last few months has been paramount and I could not have done this without her! Props to you, sweet friend! Here I am in arabasque on the reformer machine at Pilates Bodies...

...and Stella is still just as cute as ever! She's not yet 8 1/2 months old and has rolled over twice now (don't judge, we were a little slow) and is eating her weight in baby food. She LOVES peas...they are her favorite. Surprisingly, she loves prunes. We gave them to her one day to "help things along" and she devoured them, so now we give them to her every now and then. She loves peaches and pears but we are still working on avocados. She's a bit sick right now with a cold that sounds like it's moved to her chest, so I am weary that it may turn into RSV since that's going around. Fingers crossed this little cold passes...and passes soon. I'll update again after we've moved!! And just for kicks, here's Stell Belle...

Stella Sleeps Bunny-Over-the-Face

Sweet Stella has formed a new habit...

...she cannot sleep without her bunny on her face...thanks for the bunny, Aunt Megan (Watts)!

Playdates with Friends

Today Stella and I had a wonderful treat - a playdate with Karla and her baby Jacques! Karla and I are old friends from high school and she and her sweet little fam (introducing new baby Jacques Francois Bezou III) recently moved to the North Shore from NOLA. We are thrilled to have them close by:) We strolled on the lakefront enjoying a beautiful, sunny afternoon...which we must take advantage of before we move! More info on that in a subsequent post...:)

 Stella and Jacques played on the mat for a while...sweet Jacques already behaving like a ladies' man! See, Stella made the move...the hand hold!

 Jacques has hair. Lots of it. All over his head. You can literally run your fingers through it...and it IS luxurious.

 Sweet baby Jacques!

 Precious pals...Stella was this small 2 seconds ago, wasn't she?!

 Just a sweet shot of my Stella Badella

Stella - "Jacques, can I just touch your hair...real quick?"

Jacques - "Ok, Stella, here - just for a sec."

I Think All "Baby-wearing, Breastfeeding, Cloth-diapering, Co-sleeping" Mommas Would Hate Me

...but I'm one of those on-the-fence mommies about lots of things "baby". If you are a new mommy or a repeat mommy or an older mommy, you are probably aware of the 2 types of mommies of our generation. In one corner, you've got the aforementioned "Natural Mommy" who believes only in things like cloth-diapering, natural child-birthing, baby-wearing, co-sleeping, recycling, breastfeeding, all things "organic" for her children/family. In the other corner, you've got "those other people"...mothers of Pampers-wearing, crib-sleeping, bottle-feeding, day-caring babies. Who else feels like you may be shot if these "Natural Mommies" see one of us "other people" feeding our baby from a bottle? I do. I'm hugely obsessed with blogging (more so reading other blogs, but whatevs)  because I like to learn by seeing people in action in their everyday lives and some of these Natural Mommy bloggers intimidate me...alot. Not because I'm uneducated in the ways of their lifestyle...on the contrary, I've researched everything about being a "Natural Mommy". But it's their (ok, not all of them, but just some of them) stance on "other people" that intimidates me. Anyone out there feel the same way? I like to adopt some of the lifestyles from the "Natural Mommy" world, but not all of them. Sometimes I feel like they hate us "on-the-fence" mommies more than "those other people" because we can't stick it out all the way and live 100% naturally!

I've never been an all or nothing kind of girl because I change my mind. I like to change it a lot. So I can't commit to one form of Mommyism. Sure, I like the idea of baby wearing - I wore Stella in slings for a while just to gain use of my arms again. I loved breastfeeding Stella for 7 months. But then we switched to formula. In theory, I like the idea of co-sleeping UP TO A POINT. I make all my baby food at home. Right now, I'm blessed to stay at home with Stella instead of sending her to daycare...so I'm sort of a Natural Mommy, right? WRONG.

I couldn't have a natural childbirth, or even a tradition, medicated one, for that matter, because of gestational diabetes and my petite frame...not to mention Stella's head was "off the charts" big, so says my ultrasound tech. So I already started this whole thing with a strike against me. However, I loved breastfeeding and continued nursing Stella for 7 months...that's sort of "Natural Mother"-ing, isn't it?? WRONG...American Academy of Pediatrics suggests you breastfeed for at least one year, and many of these "Natural Mommies" are breastfeeding up until their children can master their multiplication tables. So maybe Stella stayed in a co-sleeper for a few month after she was born, but big deal - she is nice and cozy in her big, beautiful crib right down the hall in her very own nursery. She likes it there. We like her there. End of story.

I hate the idea of cloth diapering. I mean, really hate it. I don't care how well you wash that diaper out, it's NOT going back on my daughter's tush. I tried to like the idea...even talked to my husband about what he thought about cloth diapering...but in the end, it's just not right for us. And when it comes down to it, how much extra energy and water will those extra loads of laundry add on to your daily/weekly regimen all in the name of trying to be more eco-friendly? What do you do when you travel and don't have access to a washing machine? Keep the dirty diaper in your bag until you return home? Throw it away? I don't think so...cloth diapers ain't cheap...it's estimated that a start up set is anywhere between $250-$700. I wouldn't be throwing ANYTHING from that diaper set away! I've read that if you do travel and use cloth diapers, it's wise to buy disposable diapers while away from home, but doesn't that defeat the purpose?

I'm ranting, I know...and I do NOT want to offend any natural mothers out there, because I do admire the commitment to your cause. Heck, I even tried to join your people. It just doesn't work for us. And, as I stated, this group of soldiering "natural mommies" that criticize us "other people" and "on -the-fencers" is just a small, small portion of the real "Natural Mommies". I'm trying not to stereotype here:) I just wish us "on the fence" mommies could choose to bottle feed our baby or throw a Pampers on her without the judgment:) I get an "A" for effort, right?

Stella Swings for the First Time!

I had to upload this video of Stella swinging for the first time. We were at the neighborhood park in my sister's neighborhood celebrating Christmas with Pops and the rest of the gang. How hilarious is this...and the fact that my sister was caught imitating "Elf"...that might be my favorite part...

7 Month Sassafras Stella

On January 1st, Stella turned 7 months old!!!!! I cannot believe she's on the upward side of one year old. She currently:

• sleeps from 7-7...yes, we are in love. Sometimes this varies from 8-6 or 8-8...it all depends on when she goes down. But overall, this girl is sleeping soundly through the night
• has transitioned from nursing to formula - no judging, peeps...it was just the right TIME...we are happy with our decision and are happy that SHE is happy - the main goal, right?!
• hasn't rolled over yet, but sits up by herself most times (for a few strong seconds, at least) and still masters tummy time for about 5 minutes before she goes bananas
• LOVES chatting...she's now saying "mamamama" occasionally, but it's usually in mid-cry, so I don't know how I feel about that. She loves saying "dadadada" and "babababababa" and "gagagagaga" and "aaaaaaaaa"...of COURSE she said "dadadada" first, but what can I say...he is pretty cute to look at. Also, right now she is SQUEALING in delight in her crib...I mean SQUEALING! She gets really loud and surprises herself by how loud she gets, and then does it again because it sounds so cool. It's hilarious to watch and listen to, especially when she doesn't know you are lurking:)
• She's just discovered her feet and grabs them every chance she gets. I am hoping this will strengthen her core so she can start rolling over, then scooting and maybe even crawling. I try not to compare, but I know other babies are crawling at her age and I don't want her to be too far behind. The doctor said it is not a concern that she hasn't rolled over yet, because she isn't skipping any other milestones. She said it's probably because she has no desire to move yet...and I know exactly why. Why struggle for the toy across the room or try to reach the puppies when they will just come to me if I wait long enough? Can we say lazy bones?! At least it's precious at this age! I'll be the first to admit that I'd like to keep her a baby as long as possible...I can still lay her in a position and pretty much bank on the fact that she'll be there after I run to get that cup of coffee I left in the kitchen. Don't worry, folks, I've already had nightmares that she's rolled under the couch or out the front door, so I'm never far away.
• She is getting BIGGER every day, and by BIGGER, I mean she's one fat cookie.

This girlfriend weighed 16lbs 15oz on December 1st and when we went to get the second round of her flu shot  (btw, peeps, GET the flu vaccination for your babies age 6mo+...having a tiny one with the flu is not fun...ask my cousin who had to nurse and sick 10mo old back to good health with NO medication...little ones are too small for Tamiflu and the like) on January 8th she weighed over 19lbs!!!!! My girl is clearly not being starved, even though I just realized that babies between the ages of 5 and 9 months should be eating 7-8oz of formula. Oopsies...Stella's been on 5ish ounces of formula...but let me explain. We just switched to formula after nursing for 7 months and I may or may not have read how many ounces she needed before I just started giving her a 5oz bottle. (Interject great reason for nursing...you never have to measure ANYTHING, thus mistakes like how much to feed your baby are not an issue)

The good thing is, this girl has been growing FINE with her mini bottles and baby food...speaking of baby food, let's see all the things Stella likes to eat!

• rice cereal
• oatmeal cereal
• both cereals mixed with bananas
• both cereals mixed with apples
• peas
• carrots
• sweet potatoes
• green beans
• squash

She's got such a sophisticated palate already! She LOVES her breakfast cereal with apples and cinnamon! Now, the sippy cup is another story...she isn't really a fan, so I've resorted to giving her the occasional bottle of juice....gasp....I know...it's not something I plan on continuing, but the poor thing gets dehydrated with only 4 bottles a day and only a few drops of juice from the sippy cup. For those of you who know what happens when babies don't get enough fluids, its enough to break your heart. Matt and I had to "assist" our sweet girl one night during an intense BM (hey, I never said this blog was PG) so I'd like to avoid ever having to do that again.

In other, more appealing news, I think we may have found another house! We signed the contract on a big ole subdivision house (something we never thought we'd do) and will hopefully close in less than a month. It is fascinating how much your housing specs change once you have a baby. SPACE is a huge factor...as is safe location...not to mention a home that is either on a slab foundation or has sub flooring...the house we are in right now has no sub-flooring and let me tell ya....even Matt is wearing slippers around our house for fear of getting frost bite on his toes! So maybe in a month or so, we'll be moving! Fingers crossed!!!