First Birthday

Caroline turned one on October 16th. She woke up to a birthday banner and presents!

I took the day off of work, C skipped her morning nap and we met a friend at the Little Gym. It was Caroline's first time and she LOVED it!

Miss Becca came over after lunch and brought some goodies including this super cute coffee filter wreath! She is so talented!

We had a nap and then headed to take family pictures.  I could not be happier with how they turned out... especially since it was FREEZING outside. Here are a few of my favorites...

After pictures we headed to our favorite Mexican place for dinner and cake. We had such a fun day with our sweet girl.  I can't believe I have a ONE year old!

11 Months

Caroline, you are 11 months old.  I can hardly believe it. You are my LITTLE baby with a BIG personality. 

~You are crawling FAST. You do not stop all day. You love to play with the remote, pull out all of the DVD's and I swear you know how to work the DVD player. Your dad and I have seen you turn it on more than once,

~ You have really gotten good at pulling up and have starting side stepping

~ You give kisses, blow kisses, and raise your hands when we call the Hogs!

~ you still just have the 2 teeth on bottom

 

~ You're eating (small) 3 meals a day and still taking 5 bottles a day with 7.5 oz of formula

~ You're a great eater. You eat table food and I give you no baby food. We cut up bananas, blueberries, strawberries, cucumber, sweet potato, tomatoes, and yogurt

~ you will drink water out of a sippee cup but not milk. Sometimes I'm afraid you'll go to Kindergarten with a bottle

~ You're wearing size 3 diapers

~ You're wearing 9-12 month clothes and size 2 shoes

~ You love to sing

~ You love bath time

~ You love playing with Gus and Fifi

~ You love playing in Gus's water bowl and I tell you at least 20 times a day "no" when you reach for it

~ You do NOT like having your diaper changed (it means having to be still)

 

~ You LOVE your nanny Miss Becca. (And so do your mom and dad.)

~ You love your grandparents. When they are around you want nothing to do with us.



~ We left you for the first time overnight this past weekend. Mom had to go to Vegas for work.  Each of us has left you overnight with the other, but this was the first time for both of us to leave you for more than 1 night. Your Joodge and Baba kept you and you had a ball. We had a great time too, but we REALLY missed you!

 

 

I can't believe it's time to plan your first birthday party! It seems impossible that you could be one year old. I am looking forward to celebrating your life with family and friends next month. Mommy loves you SO much!

 

Be The Gift

I am excited to host a guest post from Keisha, a blog friend and cancer survivor. If you are like me, HATE cancer and will do anything to help find a cure... here is your chance!

 

 

Hey guys, I’m Keisha.  You can normally find my version of crazy over at bigpittstop.blogspot.com, but today I get to hang out with the Fites and all of you!  And while I don’t have a cute picture to include of Caroline that probably would have made you read more!  But, I assure you this has everything to do with her.

I started my blog in 2008 as a way to share with friends and family about my personal journey with cancer.  When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 25, I had lots of people who were curious but didn’t want to ask questions or who wanted an update and asked every day.  So, I birthed “bigpittstop” out of the drive to journal my thoughts and share my journey.  6 months later, after I finished treatment and was announced in Remission, I had to begin to learn to navigate my “new normal”.  Talk about a process!  I was 26, a single gal living 300 miles away from my family, in my dream job and trying to figure out how I was going to move beyond this label of “cancer survivor”.  I embraced it, but I didn’t want it to define me.  So I navigated.  I mistaked.  I dreamed.  I loved.  I lost.  And, I kept evolving. 

A year ago, I had the opportunity laid before me to join the team of the American Cancer Society.  It was my “someday” job.  My “when I’m ready to leave where I am” job.  My “when the right door opens, I’ll step through it” job.  But, here’s the deal.  Once you’ve walked through a cancer journey you understand that you don’t have time to wait for “somedays”.  Today comes and it goes and that’s all you’ve got.  So the organization I had been volunteering for became my employer.  (insert chapter 3 of bigpittstop!)

That’s what brings me to the opportunity that Heather has opened up for me to share with you.  3 years ago the American Cancer Society embarked on a transformational program and 3 weeks ago we kicked off and launched our enrollment locally in Northwest Arkansas for the Cancer Prevention Study – 3.  So what’s the big deal?  Oh, I’m so glad you asked!

This is the first time a local cancer research opportunity has come to Northwest Arkansas and will help us provide answers for the next generation.  The first one conducted in the 50s linked cancer and smoking and led to the Surgeon General’s label being added to cigarettes.  The second, done in late 70s, linked obesity and cancer.  But, the group that enrolled has aged out of a research population and in order to continue to get answers moving forward, it’s time to enroll a new research group. 

So, we are asking everyone aged 30-65 who has never had cancer to consider enrolling in the study.  You will be part of a 20 year, long-term study.  To enroll you just go to www.cps3nwark.org and choose your location and time.  You know – early bird gets the worm, or the exact time they want - so we have them set up as 15 minute time slots for your convenience.  Once you pick your time online you will be sent a survey.  It will probably take you 30 minutes or so (depending on computer skills) to complete before you come for your enrollment appointment.  Then, day of, it only takes about 15 minutes.  You will be giving a small blood sample similar to what you would give for general lab work.  That’s it.  Then, every 2 years or so they will send a survey for you to complete (I’d like to say by email, but can you imagine what social media and other communications technology tools will be developed in the next 20 years?!?!?!).

What are they looking for?  Answers.  This study will focus on lifestyle and environment – where we live, what we do, what we eat, how active are we, etc.  How does what we do to ourselves affect us long term?  It’s crazy to think that just 50 years ago we didn’t know what smoking would do to us and because that first group of over 1 million people got involved and was willing to be asked a few personal questions and give a small blood sample, we get to make healthier decisions today.

Technology is only good so long as we use it. There are millions of apps out there that might simplify some of our lives but they don't do us any good unless we download them. Yes that new TV and Cardinal Red grill (yes, I’m a follower!) would make tailgating 3x more fun, but if we don't go out and take advantage then we've only dreamed and not acted.

My challenge is to ask you to ACT. If you wait until tomorrow to register to enroll in this, you've missed your chance.  www.cps3nwark.org We are encouraging as many people to register by Sept 3, this will allow us to plan and prepare for the enrollment – did I mention we are trying to enroll 500 during the 4 days in Northwest Arkansas.

Enrollment Dates are September 17 – 20

Sept 17 | Hope Cancer Resources | Springdale | 9AM-1:30PM

Sept 18 | Fayetteville Public Library | Fayetteville | 2PM – 6:30PM

Sept 19 | Mercy Family YMCA | Rogers, Village on the Creeks| 9AM-1:30PM

Sept 20 | Center for Non-Profits | Rogers | 9AM – 1:30PM

I recently walked into an office that had this sign hanging above the counter where they served customers- “There is no place like this place anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.”  Not only is this the place, but this is the time. I believe we are close to answers.  I believe answers can come in a lifetime.  But we have to stop thinking “someone else will do it” or “they have plenty of people”. Truth is everyone is thinking that.  So, we need YOU.  Your kids need you.  Their friends, classmates and future spouses need you.  Your grand kids need you. I'm guessing that the median age of the readership here probably isn't thinking about grand kids, but neither were those guys in 1950 sitting around a room smoking asking "you think there's something to this?"  Yes!  And we life healthier, longer, more productive lives because of them.

Be the gift. Enroll. www.cps3nwark.org 

Need one more really good reason – check out this video

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If you don't live in NWA, there are enrollment sites all over the nation. Check out www.cancer.org/cps3

Thanks again to Heather.  Thanks to you for reading this far!  And, if you live in Northwest Arkansas and are curious about our local services or how you can volunteer with the American Cancer Society don’t hesitate to give me a call at our local office in Rogers – 479-246-0002.

I. Husband is headed home today! He's been in San Francisco all week for work and they missed their connection and didn't make it home last night as planned. They made it back to town, but then he had to go straight to work because its a VERY big day for his company! We sure missed him while he was gone.

II. It's a big day for his company, Acumen Brands, because they are opening their flagship retail store, Country Outfitter on the Fayetteville Square.

III. . I'd be a silly person if I didn't mention the start of college football season. We are blessed to live in a great college town and whether attending the games or not, the energy is electric in Fayetteville! There's a new Head Hog and lots of fans praying to the football gods that this year is better than the last. I am definitely looking forward to Callin' the Hogs on Saturday... despite the 100 degree temp prediction.

IV. One of my favorite apps: My Fitness Pal. A free app to track calories and exercise. You put in your target weight or to maintain your current weight and track. I've done it before but I'm really trying to stick with it this time. I've got a couple of friends doing it with me and we cheer each other on.

V. C's birthday is fast approaching! I can't believe she's almost one and I'm getting very excited about planning her first birthday party!

The Scheduled Baby- 10 months

 

We get told a lot that Caroline is a very happy baby. Its true that she rarely cries and she smiles and laughs a lot. She is very "go with the flow" and is a great sleeper and eater.  I think that there is truth to some babies being more mild tempered than others, but I know for us, Caroline is much easier to care for and more fun to be around when she is on a schedule.

Since we got home from the hospital, we really tried to go 3 hours in between feedings and 4 hours at night. We would try everything to calm her down if she was upset before feeding her if it wasn't time for her to eat. We didn't always go three hours, but we only fed her when we had tried everything else (swaddling, bouncing, swinging, paci etc.)  At about 4 weeks, she was on a pretty consistent schedule. I started waking her up at the same time every day (6 am) and feeding her, no matter what time she had eaten last. For example.... even if she had woken up at 4 am and nursed, I woke her up again at 6 to eat again.  Waking her up at the same day helped her (and me) to transition into more of a set schedule. Eventually, when she woke up in the middle of the night, I would try just giving her the paci or rocking her for a bit. Of course I fed her if I thought she was hungry, but eventually she started sleeping through the night.

Now that she is 10 months old, we are a little more lax on the schedule, yet stick to it pretty closely for the most part. It has changed within the last month and I wanted to document it here for future reference.

7:30- 8:00 am- wake up and eat (7.5 ounces and breakfast... usually smooshed (that's a real word ya know) or sliced banana
9:00 am- nap
11:00 am bottle (7.5 ounces) and lunch- (usually cut up fruit or veggie and puffs)
1:30- bottle (7.5 oz)
2:00- afternoon nap (usually until 4)
4:00-4:30- bottle (whenever she wakes up)
7:00- dinner (usually cut up veggie, fruit, or tidbits of what we are eating)
7:30- bath, read, get ready for bed
8:00- bottle (7.5 oz)

*she eats almost no pureed food anymore and is doing really well with picking up cut up fruits and veggies. I will not make any more pureed food except for a few things to use for travel.
*she doesn't sleep past 8. Trust me, there have been LOTS of times that I have wanted to let her sleep, but I know that it will mess up our whole day. I did let her sleep until 9 last Thursday, and she was fussy until nap time, and then didn't take a great afternoon nap! I have learned that sleep induces sleep (for my child) and lack thereof means for a no- good napper. Most of the time she wakes up on her own around 7:00. She plays in her crib for a while, then we go get her about 7:30.
*It is true that C is at home most of the time for her naps in her crib. I think that helps. She has a sound machine and her room is dark.  She does nap at a friend's house in the afternoon 2 days a week, and she did not nap well at first. Once the room was darkened and a sleep machine was used, she's back to a 2 hour+ afternoon nap.
*She takes a paci and has a bunny lovie that she sleeps with. We don't leave home without them. :)
*Sundays are a rough day for us. She has to wake up for her morning nap early to make it to church on time. She's in the nursery for 2 hours and is exhausted by the time we leave. She goes down for her afternoon nap earlier (about noon or 12:30) and sleeps until 3 or so.

The schedule may not be for everyone, but its been a lifesaver for us. I also realize that if there is a "next" child, it may not work for them. But, I definitely want to have a record of what we were up to schedule- wise at 10 months. Ill also probably love to think back on this post next month when she'll decide to stop being cute and sweet and not sleep. :)

Lake Weekend and Julianna's Baby Shower

This past weekend some of my pledge sisters and I got together at Lake Hamilton for a girls weekend. We try and get together a couple of times a year and we always have a great time. One of the girls has a condo on the lake and we had a super fun and relaxing weekend together!

Me and Lizzie. I laughed that we had the same suit... mine was the mom 1 piece version.

We ate and laughed a lot.

As if the lake wasn't enough fun, we hosted a baby shower on Sunday for another pledge sister.  Julianna is welcoming baby Harrison in 5 weeks or less. We had a baseball themed shower to celebrate.

The cake was my favorite part! It was from Harps!

The hostesses with the Guest of Honor

Delta Zeta Spring 06!

TEN Months

Little Miss is TEN months old.

 

Monthly pictures are getting more difficult. Caroline took off this sticker about ten times before I finally got a shot with it on.  She prefers to eat it than to wear it. :)

 

~ We are finally crawling! She started army crawling on Aug 4th and really got the hang of it by the next day. She hasn't stopped since and life is very different now.

~ the week before crawling, she got two teeth just a couple of days apart. She really didn't seem too affected.

~ Caroline fed her self for the first time last weekend. She had spaghetti and peaches.

~ Still wearing size 2 diapers

~ Still eating 7 ounces a day, 5 times a day with 3 meals

~ She gives kisses, high fives, waves bye bye, claps, and loves to scream.

~ She chews on her crib, plays in Gus's water bowl, and gets into everything. She is very mischievous. She has starting hearing the word "no"

~ She goes to most people without fussing, but she really loves her grand parents and Becca, her nanny

~ She takes 2 naps a day- 9 am for 1 hour and 1:30 for 2-3 hours. She sleeps from 8:00 pm to 7:30 am. Girl likes her sleep!

~ The spit up has all but quit! I finally feel like I can pack away the burp cloths and bibs!

~ C continues to be one of the happiest babies. She brings us such joy!