Poor baby Lo

Oh...poor Lola! She's has had a terrible diaper rash that just didn't want to go away. It first started on her tutu and then traveled down to her bum. We called the doctor and they gave us a prescription to use for 10 days. It worked after a week but then came back even more fierce on her bum when the prescription ran out. So, we called the doctor back (I guess you can see we have gotten our monies worth out of our doctor over the past week or so)....the solution: Lotrimin AF and stop using wipes.

Through my research I found that you actually aren't suppose to use wipes at all when babies wet their diaper. Only use them when they do #2. Is this common knowledge? Was this something I'm suppose to know as a mother? If so, oops b/c I didn't know this fact. I'm also off on a search for chemical free wipes. I'm sure they have some at Whole Foods.

During the whole diaper rash fiasco, we would let Lola cruise around the house diaper free to help give it some air. It was so cute and she thought it was fun. We had to be on the look-out b/c he would tinkle here and there. It wasn't too hard though b/c she would give a little giggle. It was pretty cute.

Attached are some pics of Lo cruising around nude to help her diaper rash. I think she really loved the freedom. How cute is that bum...there is nothing more adorable. Oh to be a baby again...care-free and loving life!!!

I love shoes

How cute are these little scoots?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Little moon like shoes but still very hip and the mocs....seriously...how adorable!

And Lola will of course have to have some precious converse.

I have an obsession for shoes for myself so it would only be natural if I also obsess over shoes for Miss Lo. Of course we're not quite ready for shoes yet. Although my mom has been trying to buy Lola shoes since she was in the womb and baby shoes are hard to resist, you actually are not suppose to put shoes on babies until they are walking. Research says that "until your baby is walking around outdoors regularly, most doctors and developmental experts don't recommend shoes for babies....Going barefoot can help strengthen your baby's arches and leg muscles, and feeling the textures of what's underfoot can help with balance".

So, even though I ran into these precious shoes on-line and want to buy oh so much, it looks like we'll have to wait until Lo is ready to walk. I think this milestone is right around the corner...Lo is already able to balance for a sec and move along a couch or wall and move from one object to another while standing. But for now, we'll have to stick to these which I also love:

Let there be sleep

Well, it's been a while...since I've had sleep that is. I'm telling you...it's been INSANE!!! Lola has been sleeping badly for a while but at least she would sleep until 3:30 or 4:00 am. We would even have nights where she would go until 5:00 or 6:00 am. ....what a treat that was. But, over the past couple weeks, we've gone back to "newborn style" sleeping - i.e wake up at 11:00 pm, 1:00 am, 3:00 am, 5:00 am and finally at 7:00 am. And, she's up for 45 minute stints. Of course, I usually give up after the 5:00 am wake up call and go ahead and get up for the day.

Let me back up a bit. I feel Clay and I have done a great job as parents so far and there isn't really much I would go back and change about our parenting style. The one thing I would change is our approach to getting Lola on a schedule (or should I say lack of approach). Initially, we had big plans! I did all the research and decided what approach I wanted to take. That was the "Baby Wise" approach. I have so many friends that swear by it. It's great b/c it helps you get on a schedule but it's also flexible. I like the flexible part. I (I say "I" b/c Clay had no clue we actually had an approach...he just did what I said) stuck with this approach and had Lola sleeping through the night until I went back to work when Lo was 12 weeks. At that point, I stopped doing it. Not intentionally but it just kind of happened. I never made a point to work this in my daily rituals. I guess I thought she had been doing well and would keep doing well. Looking back I realize we should have worked harder at this and now I regret that.

Why is this my biggest regret so far? Well, we continue to have problems getting Lola on a schedule. We're not the only ones having problems either. The teachers at school lay all the babies down for a nap at the same time....unfortunately, Miss Lola doesn't always work with them. She pretty much naps when she wants if she naps at all. We do have a good routine at night...6:30 ish we start eating our solids, 7:00:ish take a bath and play, then we get out of the bath, lotion up and read a book. Then Lola has just about an ounce of milk and she's ready for bed. Too bad it's not for the night.

So, last week I became desperate....desperate times always call for desperate measures....right?!?!? Although I hate Babies-R-Us (BRU), I took it upon myself to go and purchase EVERYTHING that could be a sleep remedy....warmer pajamas, different lotions that supposedly help babies sleep, humidifier, etc. I don't even remember everything I got but it doesn't matter b/c none of it worked. So, as a last ditch effort, I scheduled a doctor appt. Although Lola's 9 month appt is scheduled for next Friday, 11/7, I couldn't hold out any longer. I became more than desperate. The doctor said she has more teeth breaking in and seems to have a sinus infection. She gave us a prescription and said to prop her mattress up with a phone book to help her breath better. I'm praying that this works. I must say...you do tend to get used to having no sleep but by Friday I'm typically a walking zombie.

On a positive note, even with the lack of sleep, Lola is still a happy baby full of energy. She rarely ever fusses and always has a smile on her face. I wish we could say the same about her mother. If anyone has any other advise, PLEASE GIVE!!!

Halloween is Friday. I'm so excited!!! Lola's first Halloween. Woohoo!!! She is going to be a dragonfly. The costume is adorable....can't wait to get her in it and post the pics so everyone can see.

We love music

In our little family, we love music and we want Lola to develop the same love . A couple weeks ago at Right Start I found this precious wood animal band set. I didn't attach a picture but they are adorable. In the set, there was a castanet, animal bells, fish noisemaker, lady bug moracas and a zebra clapper. They are adorable. Lola has already started making music.

The music set was made by a company called Sassafras Enterprises (http://www.sassafrasenterprises.com/). I loved it so much that I went on-line to look at their other toys/products. I loved it all!!! Why? Well, I love that they are old-fashioned wood toys. Sometimes (or all the time for that matter) the simplest toys are the best! Another plus is that you don't have to worry about exposure to BPA and pthatlates that is an ongoing concern with plastic toys. And, the number one reason why I love their toys, is that Lola loves them. Our next purchase will be the xylophone and tambourine. Before you know it, we'll have a full blown band going at our house.

We of course think that Lola is already musically inclined. Everytime she digs in her toy box she always goes straight for her music set and shakes away. Here are some more pics of baby Lola playing with her animal band set. We have a lot of fun with this and I recommend it to all!!!

In addition to the musical instruments, Sassafras has so many other great toys to choose from too. Anything from circus push toys to precious lunch bags to cooking sets for kids. One of my favorites is the bug hotel. I remember as a kid running around my neighborhood at night catching lightning bugs and putting them in my little bug holder. It was one of my favorite things to do! This takes me back to those times where everything was so free and all fun. I can't wait for Lola to be able to do some of the same things that I did as a kid.

Another one of my favorite websites for toys is http://www.stewarttoys.com/. You can find all the fabulous classic toys here at a very reasonable price. Check it out!!!

We're back!!!!

Oh gosh...it's been so long!!! I don't even know where to start b/c I really do have so much to say (imagine that). So, I guess I'll start where we left off and try to get everything else in this week.

Where did we leave off???? Oh yes...GO TECH!!! Wowsers!!! They have really impressed the last couple weeks. We're ecstatic. This weekend (Tech vs. Texas) will be the biggest game in Texas Tech's history. AND...College Gameday is making their way to Lubbock, TX. Woohoo!!! Here's the sad news...we had plans to go to Lubbock for the game but yesterday made an executive decision that it will be too hard to make it all work. Bummer!!! BUT...we'll be watching from home with our rally hats on.

Now, the past two weeks, I'm happy to say I've done a good job with my old football "rituals" which is waking up, start College Gameday at 9:00 a.m. and watch football all day and all night. It has really exhausted me though. Attached are some pics from last weekend. We went to watch the game at a friends house and had a great time. Lola loves it b/c she is able to play with the kids of our friends. It's a blast!

As mentioned, I have so much to say but will save for future blogs. Life has been crazy lately and Lola is really starting to come into her own. I'm sad b/c I feel like she is almost a toddler now which leads me to one of my subjects of discussion....is it baby #2 time!?!? Other things that I can't wait to discuss are Lo's precious teeth, NO sleep...back to the basics (babywise), diaper rash...what to do, a sick baby...off to the doctor, our new favorite toys, my new job, How to manage it all? (btw...I don't have the answer to this), cousin Magill is almost here, marathon is almost here, Are we leaving Dallas? I'm telling you...I really do have a lot to say so stay tuned.

GO TECH!!!

One of my great loves is college football. Now, I'll admit since Lola has entered our lives I have a harder time watching football the way I used to i.e. spend ALL day Saturday - 10:00 a.m. when College Gameday coverage begins until around 11:00 p.m. when the last game ends. Seriously, I love it!!! It gives me this adrenaline rush like no other. In addition to Lola, Clay doesn't want to dedicate all day on Saturday to football anymore. I'm very dissappointed in him. A couple weekends ago he said "I'm footballed out" and I responded by saying "I don't understand how you can say that. This has always been something we love. I don't feel like I even know you anymore". Now, I realize this is a bit extreme but I am a little dissappointed that Clay has grown out of our obsession for college football.

With all of that said, our team the Texas Tech Red Raiders are ranked #7. Um yes...#7!!! I almost have to laugh when I type this out b/c it really is a little much. Yes, I know...they are suppose to be good but we haven't really played anyone yet and we continue to move up in the polls. Secondly, anyone that knows Tech football well, knows they always find a way to mess up a good thing. I certainly do hope this is not the case this year but lets just say I'm not going to get our hopes up yet.

We went to Lubbock last weekend to watch the Tech vs. Nebraska game. We had a blast!!! It's always fun to run into people from the "old days" and catch up. We bought Lola a precious Raiders cheerleading outfit and I can't wait to put it on her.

So, tomorrow is a big game. Here are the headlines:

No. 7/5 Red Raiders Face Rival Texas A&M At Kyle Field

We're heading to a friends house tomorrow to begin the festivities at 10:30 a.m. Time to put our rally caps on!!!! Oh good lord...this should be interesting. I'm excited but nervous...although A&M is not so good this year, it's always a good game. Oh, I also have a fabulous Texas Tech papazon chair that I'm busting out for Tech games. I'm hoping it brings luck.

I Love NY

I'm in New York...YEA!!!! However, I already miss my baby girl. I put Lo in her I love NY onsie this morning and we spent the morning together. As usual, it broke my heart to leave her. This trip is very bitter sweet....I'm so excited about being back in NY and seeing friends but I'm very sad to be away from Lo for three days.


I have a meeting tomorrow and then I plan to hit the City. Tomorrow night I'm meeting up with some friends for dinner and drinks. Thursday I plan to have lunch with a girlfriend and shop it up (even though I have NO money to spend...especially since I'm about to have to go buy a new breastpump....I'll get back to that). But, you have to shop when you're in NYC...it's a sin not to....right!?! I plan to hit up all my old hot spots and little secret places....oh how I miss my little secret stores. Then, I'll head to Hoboken to visit my girlfriend Trish who just had a baby. I'm so excited to finally meet baby Harry.


Back to the pump debacle...as you know, I'm still breastfeeding. I traveled here with all my equipment (there is lots of it when you travel) which includes pump, bottles, milk bags, portable cooler, ice packs, etc. Goodness...I need one whole suit case for the breastfeeding gear alone. Anyway, I get to the hotel and immediately get everything out so I can pump as it has been 9 hours since I last pumped. WELL...MY PUMP IS NOT WORKING!!! I panicked and thought WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I GOING TO DO???? I'm stuck out in New Jersey and have no car and don't know where the heck to go even if I had one. I did the only thing I could do which was call my boss, tell her I have an emergency and that I need her help (thank goodness it's a "her"). She laughed as she has had quite a day too. She should be arriving to the hotel shortly and I plan to run down so we can run to Wal-Mart and I can buy an emergency pump. HUH!!! Nothing like getting to know your boss very well. Why does this stuff only happen when you're traveling!?!?!

I'll keep yall posted on trip....it should be a blast!

What happens when you don't babyproof...

I can't keep up with the child....She goes straight for plugs and cords and dog food and cabinets and anything else she can get her hands on!!!! Wowsers....she's a handful!!!!

Vacuum cord going in mouth.... I was able to snap the picture and catch her before it actually got in mouth....pretty talented...huh!?!

In the dog bowl and attempting to eat dog food...this is a daily routine.
















Why do they always go straight to outlets?????

Are all 7 month olds this hyper????

The much dreaded topic

Oh, this is a dreaded topic but it's such a major part of the first year of a babies life so I have to mention it. Breastfeeding definitely has it's ups and downs and you go through many challenges along the way. At times, it's almost been more than I can handle but I'm glad I continue to stick with it.

Unfortunately, I was never able to build up a good supply of milk. This makes breastfeeding that much more challenging. Basically, I was only able to build up enough to keep Lola fed. She's always been a big eater. I continue to struggle with supply issues. Once I went back to work and was pumping the majority of the time, it became merely impossible for me to feed Lo breastmilk 100% of the time. I finally decided that it's ok to supplement some formula (organic). We keep it to a minimum but once I made this decision, this made life a lot easier.

Now, I mentioned work and pumping. This is a challenge in it's own self. First of all, it's VERY hard to set aside 30 minutes two times a day. Well, it really ends up being more than that once you factor in cleaning all the bottles, etc. I had initially tried 3X a day to keep my supply up but that just wasn't going to work...I felt like I was pumping all day and getting no work done. Oh to make matters worse...Um...well...my employer sticks me in a supply closet to pump. Seriously, A SUPPLY CLOSET! So, I've now made it my little home away from home or I guess I should say office away from office. I have my book I'm reading in there, some Time magazines, People magazines, paper towels, water supply, etc. It's kind of cozy now. Here's a lovely pick of my room.

I bet you thought I was joking when I said supply room...nope...it's literally a little closet. So, this is where I spend a hour of my day every day. Pretty pitiful...huh!!!

I have my reasons for posting this blog today. I've been very stressed and depressed about breastfeeding this week as my supply has drastically gone down. I woke up this morning and discovered I had started my period (first one in 18 months). For those of you who don't know...you don't have a period while breastfeeding. I forget how much I HATE the menstrual cycle. The great news is it explains my supply issues this week. I thought I was drying up but that's not the case. Here's what I found:

"The return of menstruation does not mean the end of breastfeeding. The milk does not sour or "go bad" when you are having a period. The milk is no less nutritious when you are menstruating than when you are not. Some women do notice a temporary drop in milk supply in the days just prior to a period and for a few days into one. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. Once the period begins and hormone levels begin to return to normal, the milk supply will boost back up again. Most babies can compensate well for this temporary drop in supply with more frequent nursing".

What a relief!!!!!

My words of encouragement: Get past 6 weeks and it gets a little easier...get past 3 months and it gets even more easy (supply has steadied, no more leaking, can actually sleep without a bra on at night, etc)....if you can get past 6 months, it's all smooth sailing from there. Always tell yourself "You can do it!!! I know this sounds cheesy but it has helped me get through. Here are my tips:

• Read "Baby Wise" and any other material on breast-feeding.
• Medela pump (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/)- I love it! They are expensive so I recommend borrowing or buying one from a friend. You just have to replace the tubing which you can get at a lactation center. If you decide to buy a new one, go with the new version Freestyle pump (http://www.medelafreestyle.com/).
• Talk to other mothers and ask for advice. This is one of the reasons why I loved Itsy Bitsy yoga and post-natal yoga. It was a great opportunities to talk to other mothers.
• Drink lots of water. I've never felt so desperate for water until I started breastfeeding...it's very strange the extreme craving you have.
• Vitamins to take - pre-natal, Fishoil/DHA, fenugreek (helps build your supply). There are also great herbal teas out there that can help with supply that you can get at Whole Foods. You can also take Blessed Thistle and Alfalfa.
• Don't be afraid to supplement formula. If you're stressing over your supply, that will only make matters worse and you won't be able to produce. If needed, take pressure off of yourself. You only can do what you can do.
• Great website to use when you have questions: http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/supply.html.

Lo and her pigtails

It's official, Lola has moved to the "big girl" class at school. She was suppose to be in her original class until 9 months but they can't keep up with her anymore so they started easing her into the next class up. Last week she started full time in the new class. She LOVES it!!!

Lo misses Miss Yolanda & Miss Martha but still gets to visit during the day. Her new teachers are Miss Olga, Miss Candace & Miss Ann. She's also back with her BFFs Jackson & Victoria (they were moved up about a month ago). They say she is always playing and having a blast. You have never seen anything like it. The first day she was in there, they said she played so hard that she finally gave up and just fell asleep on the mat. Then, when we would arrive to pick her up, she would be real happy and giggle but then crawl back to play with the kids longer. When I picked her up on Tuesday, they had her hair in pigtails. I thought it was adorable and she felt like she was "Miss Thing"....she was prancing all around the house with those pigtails and loving every minute.

Lo had her first zoo experience yesterday. My mom said she loved it. I'm so excited she is at an age when she can finally enjoy it b/c I love the zoo and can't wait to spend a lot of time there with Lo. Yesterday she saw all the animals, rode a pony, got a little stuffed peacock from the gift shop....it was all fun and games. After my mom dropped her off at my house, I asked her if she put plenty of sunblock on her. She said "oh yea...we put it on several times throughout the day". I answered that I need to buy some more b/c I can't find ours and my mom said "there was some in her baby bag". Well, that wasn't sunblock in the bag....it was butt paste. So, Lo was covered in butt paste all day....oops!!! For any of you that are interested, it keeps a baby from being sunburned. Pretty funny.