We had Allie's 2-month check-up today and her stats were:
HEIGHT: 23 1/4 inches
WEIGHT: 12 lbs. 10 1/2 ounces
HEAD: 15 3/4
She was scheduled to get 2 shots and 1 oral vaccination today, however we broke it up so she only received one today and the other two will come next Monday. Ben went with us today, luckily. After the last time I was so nervous because she screamed after the shot. Ben took the lead today and talked to her during the process and of course, she did not make a peep. Must be a dad thing. :)
Last week, Allie decided it was time to start "sleeping through the night" but I don't mean the measly 5 hours all the books define as "sleeping through the night." I mean 9 SOLID HOURS OF CONTINUOUS SLEEP - AKA, the Ross' version of "sleeping through the night." She is a trooper. We bathe her around 9 pm, give her a bottle and put her to bed by 10 pm and we do not hear a peep out of her until 7 am.
Allie is such a wonderful blessing - I cannot imagine life without the little babette. The thought of going back to work terrifies me as we have such a great time together during the day (tear).
I need to suck it up! :(
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I'm 2-months-old!
Dear Lord where has the time gone?
Yesterday, August 11th, Allie turned 2-months-old so we had a little photo shoot. She laughed, kicked, squealed and smiled the entire time. Please check out my little ham...I think we might have an attention hog on our hands.
Yesterday, August 11th, Allie turned 2-months-old so we had a little photo shoot. She laughed, kicked, squealed and smiled the entire time. Please check out my little ham...I think we might have an attention hog on our hands.
Addition Pictures
Ben's grill...I forgot to take the cover off
Sink...how exciting
Outdoor kitchen/outside seating area - the green tarp keeps my leopard wrought iron barstools dry :)
Same
Patio set
TV
My NEW, SPACIOUS office!
Living area
We do not have a bed in the addition yet so pictures of the bedroom and bathroom will come at a later date.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Allie & "The Bouncer"
She loves this thing!
The video is really grainy as it was taken from my Blackberry (yet another reason why I need an iPhone!) but you can definitely tell what she's doing.
The video is really grainy as it was taken from my Blackberry (yet another reason why I need an iPhone!) but you can definitely tell what she's doing.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
I'm no longer friends...
...with Dr. Brown.
When I registered for bottles, I intentionally avoided Dr. Brown's. Who wants to clean all those parts? Well, in typical C-Ross fashion, I ate those words the day our pediatrician (who is simply amazing might I add) recommended we bite the bullet and use them.
So here we are, the proud owners of 15 of these dang things, complete with all 6 parts...per bottle that is. That's 90 parts people!
I wonder if he/she ever had to use these stupid things?
When I registered for bottles, I intentionally avoided Dr. Brown's. Who wants to clean all those parts? Well, in typical C-Ross fashion, I ate those words the day our pediatrician (who is simply amazing might I add) recommended we bite the bullet and use them.
So here we are, the proud owners of 15 of these dang things, complete with all 6 parts...per bottle that is. That's 90 parts people!
I wonder if he/she ever had to use these stupid things?
Passy "Roulette"
So I'm not sure if my child is a) extremely smart or b) a royal pain in the butt sometimes. We have two different types of passy's in the house - the regular Playtex Ortho's and a Wubba Nub.
It NEVER fails - when I try and get her to take a nap, if I give her the Playtex passy, she wants the Wubba Nub...if I start with the Wubba Nub, we end with the Playtex one.
I have no idea where my child gets her strong-willed personality. :)
It NEVER fails - when I try and get her to take a nap, if I give her the Playtex passy, she wants the Wubba Nub...if I start with the Wubba Nub, we end with the Playtex one.
I have no idea where my child gets her strong-willed personality. :)
Our evening routine
Allie gets fussy in the evenings. I'm not sure if she's bored from being inside the majority of the afternoon or if she's tired, hungry...who knows.
We added onto the house this year including a large covered patio area with ceiling fans and outdoor kitchen. In the evenings we typically eat dinner then sit outside for 1 1/2 - 2 hours to cheer up our little girl. Typically she falls asleep (see pic below from last night), gets her 74th wind of the day, then we head inside for a bath, bottle, then bed.
We added onto the house this year including a large covered patio area with ceiling fans and outdoor kitchen. In the evenings we typically eat dinner then sit outside for 1 1/2 - 2 hours to cheer up our little girl. Typically she falls asleep (see pic below from last night), gets her 74th wind of the day, then we head inside for a bath, bottle, then bed.
Only 3 weeks left...
I am in my 9th week of maternity leave, and I am so sad I only have 3 left. I love staying home with Allie.
Since she was 4 weeks old, we make it a point to get out of the house at least 3 of the 5 work days each week. It's tough, however, with it being as hot as it is outside. We frequent the mall, Towne Center, Hobby Lobby, Lowe's, Target...but I'm running out of large places to go to simply "stroll." Having a June baby is great but living in south Louisiana and still needing to exercise totally sucks because it's just too hot to do anything outdoors until...like 10 pm!
Allie loves the stroller, shopping cart - anything that moves. Here's a picture from our trip to the mall this morning.
Since she was 4 weeks old, we make it a point to get out of the house at least 3 of the 5 work days each week. It's tough, however, with it being as hot as it is outside. We frequent the mall, Towne Center, Hobby Lobby, Lowe's, Target...but I'm running out of large places to go to simply "stroll." Having a June baby is great but living in south Louisiana and still needing to exercise totally sucks because it's just too hot to do anything outdoors until...like 10 pm!
Allie loves the stroller, shopping cart - anything that moves. Here's a picture from our trip to the mall this morning.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Dolled up for FUMC!
I bought Allie a white monogrammed bubble from Banbury Cross several weeks ago, but I accidentally got the 6 month size. I was bummed because it's absolutely adorable and was afraid it would fit her as it was getting cold outside.
...WRONG! Little girl was able to sport the bubble to church this morning and did she look precious or what? Wow, little girls are just way too much fun!
...WRONG! Little girl was able to sport the bubble to church this morning and did she look precious or what? Wow, little girls are just way too much fun!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Our sweet little life
Today we got up around 8 am, drank coffee on the back patio, ate breakfast, Ben mowed the yard, I entertained Allie...
We met two of our tailgating friends, Steve and Lisa Beene and their daughter - new LSU graduate, Kricket, for lunch at Brewbacher's - then went to Best Buy to buy a TV for the outdoor kitchen and addition, then Lowe's. We got a lot done before 2 pm.
Ben made the comment several times that it's amazing how much our lives have changed - he was able to mow the yard before 10 am, rather than starting at 2 pm like in the past (LOL!).
Our little life is simply amazing. Allie Parker is the greatest gift in the entire world, as shown in the pictures below. We planned on going to dinner at Zea tonight, however the 3 of us were having so much fun hanging out on the back patio this afternoon we decided to have leftovers. We are so in love with little Allie - how could you not be?
We met two of our tailgating friends, Steve and Lisa Beene and their daughter - new LSU graduate, Kricket, for lunch at Brewbacher's - then went to Best Buy to buy a TV for the outdoor kitchen and addition, then Lowe's. We got a lot done before 2 pm.
Ben made the comment several times that it's amazing how much our lives have changed - he was able to mow the yard before 10 am, rather than starting at 2 pm like in the past (LOL!).
Our little life is simply amazing. Allie Parker is the greatest gift in the entire world, as shown in the pictures below. We planned on going to dinner at Zea tonight, however the 3 of us were having so much fun hanging out on the back patio this afternoon we decided to have leftovers. We are so in love with little Allie - how could you not be?
Dad is turning into quite the photographer!
John Mayer
I've always loved John Mayer. And in fact, in college, Ben and I had tickets to go to his concert at the Sanger Theater in New Orleans, however mom ended up coming into town so we sold them.
Randomly, 2 days after we came home from the hospital after having Allie, I went to Wal-Mart to get dinner and to simply to get out of the house for a couple minutes. On the way home, I will never forget - I was driving the Tahoe and John Mayer's new song "Half of My Heart" came on and I lost it. It was the first time I had heard it. Going through losing my mom, then having Allie 30 days later, my emotions were (and still are) all over the board. If you've never heard the song, I suggest downloading it as it is one of the sweetest songs I've ever heard.
Over the 4th of July Ben, Allie, Roxy, Toby and I stopped by the cemetery on our way out of town to see mom. It was extremely difficult...harder than I thought it would be, especially with Allie there. When we got in the car after our visit, "Half of My Heart" was playing on XM...what are the chances? I'm not one for symbolism, but I will tell you, since mom passed away, I have had numerous things happen to prove she is with me!
The Chorus:
"Half of my heart's got a grip on the situation, half of my heart takes time. Half of my heart's got the right mind to tell you that I can't keep loving you, oh with half of my heart."
Randomly, 2 days after we came home from the hospital after having Allie, I went to Wal-Mart to get dinner and to simply to get out of the house for a couple minutes. On the way home, I will never forget - I was driving the Tahoe and John Mayer's new song "Half of My Heart" came on and I lost it. It was the first time I had heard it. Going through losing my mom, then having Allie 30 days later, my emotions were (and still are) all over the board. If you've never heard the song, I suggest downloading it as it is one of the sweetest songs I've ever heard.
Over the 4th of July Ben, Allie, Roxy, Toby and I stopped by the cemetery on our way out of town to see mom. It was extremely difficult...harder than I thought it would be, especially with Allie there. When we got in the car after our visit, "Half of My Heart" was playing on XM...what are the chances? I'm not one for symbolism, but I will tell you, since mom passed away, I have had numerous things happen to prove she is with me!
The Chorus:
"Half of my heart's got a grip on the situation, half of my heart takes time. Half of my heart's got the right mind to tell you that I can't keep loving you, oh with half of my heart."
Friday, August 6, 2010
My little 8-week-old
I absolutely cannot believe Allie is seriously 8 weeks old - where has the time gone?
It is amazing how much babies change, daily. Just last week she wasn't able to hold her head up very long when she was on my shoulder...this week she's a little bobblehead but she can at least hold it up for 8-10 seconds before it flails and hits either my chin or shoulder. This normally results in a small uproar, but she quickly realizes she's ok.
It is amazing how much babies change, daily. Just last week she wasn't able to hold her head up very long when she was on my shoulder...this week she's a little bobblehead but she can at least hold it up for 8-10 seconds before it flails and hits either my chin or shoulder. This normally results in a small uproar, but she quickly realizes she's ok.
Is she really THAT big?
I know Allie is big/healthy for her age...family tells me, friends tell me, the list could go on...but this morning on our bi-weekly trip to Babies 'r Us I was shocked to see a 3 month old little girl and just how small she was compared to Allie. No kidding, Allie made this kid look like a little peanut...she could dominate her!
Oh well, I know she's healthy. All the studies they release these days on childhood obesity make me nervous but I guess as long as the pediatrician says she looks good we are ok!
Here's a picture of my little shopper during our Babies 'r Us run today. She's a trooper!
Oh well, I know she's healthy. All the studies they release these days on childhood obesity make me nervous but I guess as long as the pediatrician says she looks good we are ok!
Here's a picture of my little shopper during our Babies 'r Us run today. She's a trooper!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Body after baby...
...ugh!
While I've lost all my pregnancy weight (plus a couple extra pounds) I never knew just what my body would look like after the baby arrived. If only I could have picked where I gained the weight!
The week after delivery, my stomach was as flat as it has ever been and I was able to put on my favorite Seven jeans. BUT a lot of my shorts do not fit because my hips, thighs and butt gained the majority of my weight.
I wanted to start running, but I simply do not have the time to build up the endurance you need to make it worthwhile. I bought a workout video by Kendra (the annoying girl from the Hugh Hefner TV show who married the pro football player) and I started it last night. It's pretty good, if you can stand her, because it incorporates several different 5-7 minute workouts. We shall see how it works.
My thighs, butt, arms and legs sure are sore today so it must be doing something.
While I've lost all my pregnancy weight (plus a couple extra pounds) I never knew just what my body would look like after the baby arrived. If only I could have picked where I gained the weight!
The week after delivery, my stomach was as flat as it has ever been and I was able to put on my favorite Seven jeans. BUT a lot of my shorts do not fit because my hips, thighs and butt gained the majority of my weight.
I wanted to start running, but I simply do not have the time to build up the endurance you need to make it worthwhile. I bought a workout video by Kendra (the annoying girl from the Hugh Hefner TV show who married the pro football player) and I started it last night. It's pretty good, if you can stand her, because it incorporates several different 5-7 minute workouts. We shall see how it works.
My thighs, butt, arms and legs sure are sore today so it must be doing something.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Failed attempts at a nap #1 and 2
So I'm attempting to get Allie to at least take one nap during the day. Today, I tried giving her a small bottle to conk her out, then laying her in her crib. NEGATIVE...didn't work. She laid down for 5 minutes max then I heard her talking to herself on the monitor, then 5 minutes later she fussed.
I went in and picked her up, tried the routine over again, and here I am ONCE AGAIN listening to her fuss on the monitor.
How can getting her to take a nap be this frickin' hard? She's so tired it's unbelievable.
I went in and picked her up, tried the routine over again, and here I am ONCE AGAIN listening to her fuss on the monitor.
How can getting her to take a nap be this frickin' hard? She's so tired it's unbelievable.
Allie's smile
Allie has been smiling since July 12 (I remember because she was a day over one month old) and it simply melts my heart. She is getting her own personality now and I cannot get enough of her when she's well-rested and full.
I caught an Allie P smile on my camera phone yesterday. It's grainy, but you can see that adorable face! This is what makes motherhood the most amazing gift ever.
I caught an Allie P smile on my camera phone yesterday. It's grainy, but you can see that adorable face! This is what makes motherhood the most amazing gift ever.
Ahhhh...the life-saving BOUNCER seat!
For some odd reason, I did not register for a bouncer seat. Not sure why.
When Allie was 5 days old, my friend Dana, who has a son that is 2 days younger than Allie, recommended I buy one. So just like any mom who wants as much help as possible, I ran to Wal-Mart and bought the first bouncer I could find...$20.
Can I tell you, it was the best $20 I have ever spent? This thing is a lifesaver. Not only does Allie actually enjoy it, I DO TOO!
This $20 investment enables me to shower/bathe every day, get ready (even put on make-up and dry my hair), make bottles, cook, blog, do laundry...the list could go on. It's portable and fairly light to move from room to room with her in it (yes, the disclaimer on the thing says DO NOT MOVE WITH CHILD IN IT, but hey, who really obeys those things?). It's amazing!
We laugh because the bouncer is also a "portable toilet." After Allie eats her morning bottle, we head to the bathroom so I can get ready. Without fail, 97% of the time she produces her daily bowel movement thanks to the bouncer - too funny. I guess it's the angle she sits, or maybe the vibration, or maybe it's just a coincidence but it is hysterical!
Cheers to the inventor of the bouncy seat!
When Allie was 5 days old, my friend Dana, who has a son that is 2 days younger than Allie, recommended I buy one. So just like any mom who wants as much help as possible, I ran to Wal-Mart and bought the first bouncer I could find...$20.
Can I tell you, it was the best $20 I have ever spent? This thing is a lifesaver. Not only does Allie actually enjoy it, I DO TOO!
This $20 investment enables me to shower/bathe every day, get ready (even put on make-up and dry my hair), make bottles, cook, blog, do laundry...the list could go on. It's portable and fairly light to move from room to room with her in it (yes, the disclaimer on the thing says DO NOT MOVE WITH CHILD IN IT, but hey, who really obeys those things?). It's amazing!
We laugh because the bouncer is also a "portable toilet." After Allie eats her morning bottle, we head to the bathroom so I can get ready. Without fail, 97% of the time she produces her daily bowel movement thanks to the bouncer - too funny. I guess it's the angle she sits, or maybe the vibration, or maybe it's just a coincidence but it is hysterical!
Cheers to the inventor of the bouncy seat!
It's been awhile
Wow, life is so hectic I haven't had time to update the blog since July 22...
Allie decided a couple weeks ago that she didn't want to take daytime naps anymore. For those parents reading this, you know this leads to a very exhausted child by 5 pm! AND a very tired mom having to constantly entertain a newborn while still managing to get things done around the house. As I type this, she is "cat napping" in the bouncer seat on the island, but I do not envision it lasting long!
Allie decided a couple weeks ago that she didn't want to take daytime naps anymore. For those parents reading this, you know this leads to a very exhausted child by 5 pm! AND a very tired mom having to constantly entertain a newborn while still managing to get things done around the house. As I type this, she is "cat napping" in the bouncer seat on the island, but I do not envision it lasting long!
"G Rob"...formerly known as "B Rob"
For those of you reading who do not know my father-in-law, he's quite the character. Robert is normally quiet, and laid back, but you get him around a LSU tailgate and you see a different man!
Robert coined the nickname "B Rob" after a rapper named Black Rob whose real name is Robert Ross...yes, what are the chances? I am quite unclear as to who and why this name came up, but he thought it was hilarious and not only do Ben and I call him B Rob, our friends, and his tailgate friends do too.
Well, B Rob has changed his name to "G Rob," for Grandpa Rob. HYSTERICAL!
Robert coined the nickname "B Rob" after a rapper named Black Rob whose real name is Robert Ross...yes, what are the chances? I am quite unclear as to who and why this name came up, but he thought it was hilarious and not only do Ben and I call him B Rob, our friends, and his tailgate friends do too.
Well, B Rob has changed his name to "G Rob," for Grandpa Rob. HYSTERICAL!
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