my little froggy

We have been waiting for this day for a few weeks now. The Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has loomed in my thoughts since we found out Marlee's left hip has slight dysplasia. Now I want you to know, going into this I figured Marlee was completely fine and would need no treatment. I mean she's my child and utterly perfect. And the fact that we have been through a lot with this kid made me wish this even more.

Of course, we never get our way. We spent a total of three hours at the hospital. First we saw a resident who was extremely tall and definitely didn't lack in the "good looking" department...seriously he gives a good name to doctors! He acessed Marlee's hips and she was, of course, stubborn as could be. So to make absolutely sure what they were working with, he ordered an ultrasound.

An ultrasound was nothing new for us. The hospital, however, was and we got lost. After we finally found where we were going we went into an ultrasound room with a tech who's name slips my mind. As she started the ultrasound her phone rang. "Sure go ahead and answer it" BIG MISTAKE! That opened up the flood gates to her personal life to which I didn't care. She proceeded to tell me her son was in private school and she couldn't afford it because her husband of 25 years left her for a stripper, YES A STRIPPER. This lasted for a good 30 mins. Finally it was over and we were sent back to our room.

We were then greated by her doctor, Dr. Hering. He's an older man and definitely looks and sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He was followed by the tall handsome resident and another younger doctor who's name was Nick (he was a cutie too!). Dr. Hering said, "Marlee has an abnormality in her left hip that has the ability to easily slip out of socket. We will put her in a harness for 6 weeks. This treatment is 99% effective and we're expecting great results." My heart sank. While I was happy for the treatment and its effectiveness, I was sad to put Marlee through this. I know the routine all too well because my hips were out of socket when I was born. I went through the same ordeal only earlier in life.

A nurse and Dr. Nick showed me how to put the harness on her. She has to wear it for 23.5 hours a day. She gets 30 minutes of freedom a day. Every other day that 30 mins will go toward either her evening bath or tummy/freedom time. I pray that the next 6 weeks fly by for Marlee's sake!

Aside from our adventure today, my little stinker is 14 weeks old. Can you believe it?! She is growing so big and smiles all the time. She absolutely makes my day everyday. I love being a mom.

Spring is here!

As I write this, it's storming outside. Our first spring storm is upon us!!! Although In love winter, spring is my second favorite season. I enjoy the storms, especially the severe ones. There is something about a severe thunderstorm that gets your adrenaline going!

The past two days have been great. Yesterday we went to lunch with Scot's Dad. I don't look forward to our meetings. This might sound mean, but there is something about Scot's dad that rubs me the wrong way. Have you ever met that guy (old or young) who knows it all? Not only does he know it all, but you know nothing and he lets you know that. He has done and seen everything. If I ask a question or throw in some input he is quick to disagree or make me feel stupid. I now know where Scot gets it from. We have had many fights over the way he [Scot] reacts to my questions or comments. Infact when we are around his dad, I feel that Scot's attitude changes for the worse. It is very aggravating, but I tend to ignore it.

Aside from his dad's attitude we had a fairly good afternoon. At 5 I went to Kristin's to babysit Tanner and Grace. I brought Marlee along so they could finally meet her. They were amazed at how little she was. I don't think they understood why she wasn't their size! They "oooed and awwwed" for a while and Grace was very into helping and telling me that Marlee was hungry. I finally got home around 9:15, needless to say it was a long night. And to add to it, Marlee was incredibly cranky last night. She fell asleep in her swing and slept all night in her crib. She's such a big girl!

I babysat again today until 2 o'clock. Afterwards we went to Kid-to-Kid. I have been there once before to buy some bows, but haven't ever looked at their clothes selection. I found A LOT of stuff, but selected 4 things and only spent 11 dollars!!

Scot is a big Aggies fan, so when I found the Gig'Em onesie I had to get it. Lucky for me it was only $2.50! I figured it would make Scot's day if she wore it, so when we got home he was napping and I slipped it on her and we went to wake him up. He loved it! Except the ruffles; he seems to think girls don't need ruffles. I BEG TO DIFFER!

Dear swing, I love you

Marlee has absolutely hated her swing from day one. I could understand, it's nothing fancy and very boring (in my opinion). When picking out a swing the first quality I wanted was cozy. I figured the baby would be spending quite a bit of time in there. The second quality was cute, I'm a woman what do you expect?! After finding out Marlee was a girl all I thought was GIRLY! I very much regret this because she hated her swing...until now. It seems she's grow into it and has taken quite a liking to it.

Last night Marlee was having an "off" night. She was exhausted and fighting it whole heartedly. She screamed for about an hour before I set her in the swing. I prayed for silence and sleep. As soon as I pressed 4 and the swing started, she was quiet (beat that, paci!). Three mins later she was out. I picked her up, put her in her crib, and she didn't wake up until 6:30 this morning. Thank you swing, for doing your job!

While we're on the subject of jobs, Scot is now working 4-8's since the time changed. This means I won't see him all day, unless we get lucky and someone cancels a job. The good thing: more money (to spend on diapers, formula, clothes, and bows!

A few days ago I did a DIY Easter photo session with Marlee. They turned out wonderfully! I am going to send out cards to family and friends for Easter. Here are a few of them.

I just love this little girl!

a late update and Marlee turns 3 months

I'm a few days late...please forgive me!

Marlee has done so well in her crib. I thought that this whole experience might be hard on us both. I really didn't know how she would react to not being close to us during the night. Quite honestly I don't think she knows the difference! While this makes me happy I am also sad that my little girl is growing up and becoming independent (even if she doesn't know it) and sleeping on her own. As I have said before, I love having her so close to me!

Today Marlee turned 3 months old. UNBELIEVABLE!!! It doesn't feel like this journey has already been 3 months long. I am so excited to see my little girl grow! She is becoming so fun!

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY MARLEE ADDISYN!!

Follow up to Day two

Once again yesterday went with out a hitch. I am thinking that Marlee is comfortable sleeping in her room. She slept all night and woke up at 6:00 this morning. I slept a little better than the first night. I find myself always listening and waiting for her to make a noise. Hopefully this will pass and I will be able to get a better nights sleep.

Yesterday I decided that I would like to use cloth diapers, or at least try them out. While I was pregnant I had thought about this. The first word that came to mind was "EW". Now when I think about using cloth diapers the first words that come to mind are "SAVING MONEY". Everyone tells you how many diapers you will be buying, but I don't think you realize until you've just bought a new pack of diapers, and you need to buy a new one a few days later.

Buying bulk would be an option, but we are still spending money on something we are ultimately throwing away! I am trying to research a few brands and read reviews. So far I think BumGenius and Fuzzi Buns look promising. I'm going to buy one of each and see how they work and then go from there. I am so excited to take this cloth journey! Not only will we be helping the Earth, but we'll also be helping out our wallets!

Follow up to Day one & the start of Day two in the crib

Yesterday's attempt at Marlee sleeping in her crib was a success. It took her around 30 mins to fall asleep, and she slept for almost 2 hours. Had she had a few more naps yesterday I don't think she would have freaked out on Scot last night. Fussy time has reared it's ugly head, again.

We started with our normal night time routine: bath, bedtime lotion, 5 oz bottle (she's eating more than 3-4 oz!) and a paci in the mouth. I laid her down in her crib, turned on her seahorse, radio, and fan. She was out before I left the room!

I couldn't help but stare at her as I left. My once 5 lb 12 oz baby is now an 11 lb 8 oz almost 3 month old!!!!Where does the time go? She is such a beautiful baby, and growing so well. I feel so blessed!

Marlee slept a whopping 8 hours last night! I on the other hand slept off and on thinking she was crying. She didn't cry once last night! Had I not woken her up, she would have slept longer. I thought I heard her moving around on the monitor so I went to the kitchen to make her a bottle. I went into her room and she was still snoozing! I decided to go ahead and wake her up, change her, feed her, and put her down for a nap.

This morning after tummy time (I got to finish her laundry!) Marlee was really cranky and possibly over stimulated. I put her down in her paci and turned on her seahorse, and what do you know...out like a light!! I'm going to have to stock up on AA batteries!!!

The only glitch during nap time is the PACI. I have to continuously reinsert it!

Transitioning to the crib: Day One

I have been meaning to transition Marlee to her crib for, lets say......a few weeks now! I really enjoy Marlee being in our room. I like the closeness of her sleeping in her bassinet. I like knowing I can walk a few feet away and there she is. Having said that, rule number one while I was pregnant was after Marlee was 3 months old she couldn't sleep in our room anymore. Scot and I were both adamant about this because it can cause bad habits, and we both want Marlee to be independant and enjoy her own room.

After Scot asking several times when I am going to transition her into her crib, I have finally decided it's time. It is currently nap time and Marlee's first attempt at sleeping in the crib. I set her in her sleep positioner on her side, turned on the radio to KISS FM, and turned on her seahorse. I have been in there twice to replace her paci two times since 12:53...it's 1:08! I am not looking for instant results (although that would be nice!), I know this is a work in progess.

Aside from the transition, Marlee is 12 weeks old today. It's unbelieveable that it's been that long since giving birth. I feels like yesterday that I first held her slimey little body. Now she is becoming her own person and developing such a personality. I love her so much!!!

Happy 12 weeks Marlee Addisyn!!!