Mama... You Heard It First!

 Sammie and I were talking a lot today just before we headed off to the mall. She loves to howl like a wolf, and it's a good thing I decided to grab Daddy's phone and start video-ing....

You heard the "Mama", right? It looks like she thought it was a mistake since she got quiet after wards. Maybe she had to reflect on it :)

Also today, I left to get a haircut and Daddy gave her her daily ounce of water with pro-biotic in her sippy cup! He said that she took right to it. She dribbled some, but had no problems with it. Yay! That's our girl! Just go with the flow.

The Weekend

Nothing fantastic happened this weekend.  Saturday, we met up with Mike, Lori, and Nate At Fry's Electronics. Lori noticed that Sammie was a stinky little girl and when I took her out of the car seat/stroller, she had pooped ALL over her outfit and seat! I wasn't prepared because she never poops like that and we have never changed a diaper out in public. Even my wipes were dried out. At least had an extra onesie in my bag. Time to be more prepared! Well, needless to say, Sammie got to walk around the store. Usually, she's just confined to the car seat, but not this time!
Today, we were supposed to hang out with Mikaela and Baby Reiston, but Sammie was feeling a little cranky and had a couple of long naps, so the timing of hanging out was all wrong. I'm not sure if she was cranky because cousin Nate was sick or because I started dairy back in my diet. We just have to keep a watch on her. So.... Daddy, Sammie, and I went to Toys R Us, Old Navy, and the grocery store. We bought Sammie her first sippy cup. It's a Tommee Tippee- the same brand of bottle she uses that centers their products on breast fed babies. The bottles look just like the breast and the sippy cup is supposed to help the transition from breast to cup. We are excited to try her water in it! As for the grocery trip, she started getting a little bored in the car seat, so once again, I took her out and carried her around the store. She loved looking at all the cans and bottles and people shopping. We even galloped around and she just giggled :) I think it's time we leave the car seat in the car and just put her in the basket. She's getting to be such a big girl!

The Specialist (doctor update)

Today was our appointment with the pediatric GI specialist. Good thing we decided to bring a poopie diaper, and luckily, on Sammie's 'end' she decided to poop right before we left :) Dr. Jatla said that it seems that the blood in her poop could be 1 of 2 reasons: either a food allergy or a bacteria in her colon, possibly C. diff. We told him that I had eliminated dairy, eggs, and soy from my diet and the blood is still randomly there, but that Sammie is in no pain. He said that these sorts of things don't follow any "rules"- anything goes. He said that I can introduce those foods back in my diet since they're not the reason and also gave us a list of common food allergies, mild to more severe, and I can cut them out one by one, if I choose. He also took the poopie diaper that we brought in and is sending it to the lab to have it cultured for any type of bacteria or parasite that could be in her GI tract. We should get those results in by Tuesday. If it is a bacteria or parasite, she'll just need an antibiotic. In the mean time, I will be slowly introducing my old foods and will begin to eliminate gluten... I sure do love bread! Until then, we'll just have to wait. But Dr. Jatla said that this isn't very harmful, it won't interfere with her growth or development and she'll eventually out grow it (probably by 1 year).

As for Sammie, she was nothing but smiles at the doctor's office, once again charming everyone. The only thing is that she did not want to be on the table. She must have had vaccination flashbacks ha ha

Daddy & Sammie

Mommy & Sammie

Bubbles!!!

I have been forgetting to post this: It's been happening for about a week or so... when Sammie breaks out of her wrap, she doesn't fuss at all; what she does is, bang her legs on the mattress or hit the bumper, as if she's knocking "Helloooo, Mommy, come check on me!" It's so funny. I think I hear knocking in my sleep, but it's just Sammie needing some help. She'll also be wide awake when I go in there, but as soon as I re-wrap her and give her the paci, she goes right back to sleep. She also goes from sleeping in the middle of the crib, to wiggling down about a foot and right next to the bumper. I think I will invest in a breathable bumper, because I know she is going to be a mover!!!

Anyhoo... Tonight was Samantha's first bubble bath. She was in awe of the bubbles and liked to eat them too...

Tomorrow is our big GI doctor's appointment. Wish us luck!!!!!

Gray Day

Nothing new today. It looked like it was going to rain, but didn't. We went to Hobby Lobby and Walmart- Bor-ring. But we did book Grandma Maria's plane ticket to come visit for Easter!

If you put me on my tummy, I will roll over....

look how long Sammie's hair is getting!

Miss Serious

Little Bird, Fly Through My Window

I Go Walkin'...

It's a beautiful day today! Spring is just about here! Sammie hasn't been taking good naps (only two 30minute naps) so I thought if we could get out and take a nice walk, she could get a good one in. It worked better than I thought. During her "before we leave" feed, she fell asleep and has been asleep since. I guess it was just the thought of going for a walk that wore her out. I still want to go... maybe she'll wake up soon. Hmm... Unfortunately, I'm more worried about her sleep.

Well, she slept from 4- 4:50... not too bad, so we went on that walk. Thanks for the jogging stroller, Shila and Grant!!! She's still a tad small for it, but propped on a towel and some extra cushion behind her head, she's just fine.... as long as we don't go off-roading, that is.

Rockin'

I have been thinking about getting Samantha on a better sleep routine. Right now, she takes her naps in the swing, but she's at the age where sleep patterns are developing and I don't want trouble later. After many conversations with Rebecca about sleep schedules and such, I kept trying to figure out how I am going to do this, since Sammie will only nap while swinging. She suggested that I could let her fall asleep in the swing, then move her to the crib, but I knew that would wake her up. Anyway, this morning after her morning feed, I saw she was getting tired, so I gave her her paci and rocked her in her bedroom. It's very relaxing in there because we keep baby lullabies and beach sounds playing 24 hours. Within 10 minutes she was out. So I placed her in the crib and what do you know? This little active monkey just kept moving in her sleep. I had to swipe her up and swaddle her. She slept through it all and slept almost 2 hours (~9:00- 10:45). Next nap, same deal. She's still napping now... and I was worried! HA! I figure I'll get her adjusted to napping in the crib and eventually, I can cut out or cut down the rocking. I'm just curious to know when she's going to be able to sleep without that dang swaddle!

As you know, Sammie loves to be in the kitchen helping to bake, cook, clean... you name it! Here she is helping Grandma Wells make some brownies on Friday...

I'm happy to see there's no chocolate ALL over her face!

Thursday

Nothing new today. I think Sammie felt fine from her vaccines from yesterday. She didn't need any Tylenol today :) and is sound asleep now. We have an appointment for Sammie on Friday, the 25th with Dr. Jatla, a pediatric GI specialist. Hopefully he can give us an answer!

playing on Grandma's big queen bed

Rock*Star (Doctor Update)

We went to the doctor today. Sammie is 13 1/2 pounds and 24 inches long. She is growing just fine! I am still finding blood in her diapers- it's so visible. I didn't even have to ask the pedi about a GI referral, she brought it up when I told her that I don't think it's food at all. She doesn't fuss or hurt. She's just a normal happy little girl with blood in her poop. BUT if it is food, then maybe it's gluten, so I opted to stop eating gluten (I'm going to start Sunday). The GI doc is supposed to call some time this week or early next week to set up an appointment. I hope he can help us cause I don't think our pedi is too familiar with what is going on. Also, my goal was to start Sammie on rice cereal at 5 months, but now we need to wait until we find out what's causing the blood, just so we don't add to it :/
When I put Sammie down on the exam table today she rolled right over. I flipped her back to her stomach and over she went again. I think she was trying to impress the doctor, but she wasn't even in the room. Sammie got her 4 month vaccines and was a rock star. She didn't cry as long as her 2 month shots, and she barely cried then. She was pretty chipper today and very tired tonight. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Bring on the Tylenol!
As far as the swaddling, the doctor said if she sleeps best when swaddled (with both arms in) to keep doing it. Since it's only at bed time there's no harm in her not being able to move or feel things around her. When she's ready (maybe in a month or so) we can take the swaddle off and she'll learn in a few days to sleep without it. Beside the blood thing, it was a pretty good check up.

Things that Sammie does now:
When you are reading a book to her, she will read (babble) with you. She'll even hold on to the pages and turn them :)
She also makes this sound like she's clearing snot from her throat. I think it's cool, just cause she's figuring these things out, but Daddy thinks it's gross.
Laughing some
Drinking water

Going to see Dr. Sperling

exam table paper! Mine!

Water: Mmm Good to the last drop

Today I am 4 Months... and It's Valentine's Day Too!

Today we went to drop off Mommy's breast milk that she says I can't have because it has dairy in it. It is going to a milk bank that will give it to teeny tiny babies whose mommies can't produce healthy milk. We are so happy to help those babies and mommies!

Click Here to learn about the Austin Mother's Milk Bank

Also, I have been chewing/sucking on my thumb A LOT. My gums hurt and some times I wake up in the middle of the night crying. There are so many changes going on. I'm just getting to be a big girl, I guess.

Morning, Sunshine!

Waiting for Mommy to bag MY milk.... Uhh, I mean, HER milk for the babies.

I'm the boss, Daddy

Thumb in mouth, helps me sleep a little better

Growing Pains

I was thinking: Maybe the reason she isn't sleeping well at night isn't the swaddle, maybe she's going through a growth spurt. Sammie didn't do very well without it the past couple of nights (Last night she woke up about 5 times). Well, the pediatrician recommended it, now she's going to have to recommend what I have to do to let this little angel sleep with the use of her arm(s)! I am going to ask if she can sleep on her tummy now. I'm sure she is capable of doing that without the thought of SIDS coming to mind. She holds her head up perfectly when doing tummy time and when she does put her head down, she knows to put it on her side. Speaking of which.... Sammie is rolling over again!! She rolled over Saturday four times and today 10 times in a row!! I knew she needed her cousin Nate's inspiration! I hope she's got it this time. Maybe she's ready to scoot --> crawl.

Can't keep her from playing dress up with tupperware

Just monkeyin' around

Mommy kisses

Flap Those Wings

So this is how I found Sammie this morning... completely broken out of her swaddle. Tonight she is in her crib all alone. No blankies. No swaddle. So far, she's woken herself up once (10:30) by kicking and hitting her face. Oh, geez. She's also started sucking her thumb. I thought that would help this transition  because she could soothe herself, but when she woke up, she didn't even try to. I just gave her her paci and she went right back to sleep. Silly lil' bird!

I'm a Houdini, Mommy :)

 I ordered a ton of diapers with a ton of coupons, so we got them for very cheap! $85 worth of diapers for $33. Thank you, Amazon! and thanks for the great packaging!...even Ali is enjoying it!

Wish we could go to Mardi Gras this year. Maybe when Sammie is older.... Until then, she'll have to practice on Daddy's shoulders...

Throw me something, Mister!

Bustin' Out

Sammie keeps busting out of her magic swaddle wrap. She is determined to always have one arm out, so I am going to wrap her with one arm in and one arm out, each night alternating an arm. It's just that her room gets so cold, her poor little free hand is freezing in the morning. Oh well, I'm sure she'll be ok. I think this weekend, I might see how she does with no wrap, so she can experience all the movements in her crib. I'll have to make sure I clip her claws so she doesn't scratch her face up and take all the blankets out of her bed. She'll have to get zipped into a sleep sack to stay warm. I wish this weather would choose to get warmer and stay warm. It "snowed" last Friday, then Saturday and Sunday were beautiful 70 degrees. Then it sleeted this morning- 20 degrees... brrrrr. Come on Mr. Sun! Hurry UP!

Magical Sammie

Since Grandma and Grandpa Wells came back in town tonight, I had the day off, but I have to work tomorrow. Sammie and I had a very busy afternoon running errands all over the place. It started with a quick trip to get Daddy's book for school and Babies R Us, then off to Whole Foods and Sprouts since they are down there in the same area. Lugging a baby in and out of the car just for a quick run- in gets tiresome- especially when it's windy outside! But she was good the whole time. She mostly slept and when awake, just looked around. She loves looking around at all the things in the stores and people telling her hello. Her smile is so cute when a stranger talks to her because she gives them this magical sweet shy look and sometimes looks over at me like she's thinking "Mommy, is this cool?"
After dinner (some delicious Daddy's pulled pork for the 5th time in a row-YUM!) we made a "Magic Chocolate Cake": There's no milk, eggs or butter in it and it was DE-LISH! Funny how things that revolve around Sammie are "magic", for example her "Magic Blanket" that helps her sleep through the night and this "Magic Chocolate Cake" that Mommy can have when she wants something sweet to eat. Sammie is just such a magical little girl!
Tonight in the tub, she was having so much fun! She finally laughs and smiles while splashing water around, but then she'll get serious and kick harder. I wonder what she's practicing for?

Guarding Daddy's Texas history book

Sammie and Ali helping make Magic Cake

 

 

Fun in the tub!

Click here for the Magic Chocolate Cake recipe

Well...

Wow. It seems like it's been a while since I've updated. Hmm... Where do I start?

Sammie's last roll over was Saturday morning. I think she forgot how to do it, but when you help her, she gets really excited and proud of herself. I know it's ok because I know that their "skills" can come and go. I just wish it would come back soon. It was so fun! But she is talking more than she had been.

Tonight, Matt started her bath and they played while I finished eating dinner. From the kitchen, I could here Sammie giggling her little head off. I don't know what silly stuff Daddy was doing, but she was having a blast! This is awesome because Sammie has never giggled before (she just babble-screams loud when she's excited) and she is always so serious in the bath. Of course, by the time I got there, she was serious again. Guess I interrupted all the Daddy-fun.

Yesterday was the Superbowl: Packers* vs Steelers. First we went to my co-worker/friend's house just to say hello to everyone from work and so they could see and hold Sammie. She did such an excellent job! Everyone commented on how cute (duh!) and good she is. She didn't fuss at all. Everyone passed her around and she charmed them all. After wards, we went to Brad's house to meet up with Mike, Lori and Nate, and Brad and Jessica. Once again, Sammie was a perfect angel. I even got to feed her a bottle! We got home kind of late and started her night-night routine very late! Last time we do that!!! She didn't get a feed for bedtime until about 9:15. Then she woke up at 12:30 (back to bed at 1am) and again at 5:45 (bed at 6:30am). Boy! What a night! Luckily, she slept until 10:00.

Also, I found out the other night that my prenatal vitamins that I have been taking nightly contain soy. Errgh! So, all the specially prepared meals and all feel like a waste. I feel like I am starting back at the beginning. Guess I'll just have to let the pedi know next week. On top of that, we found blood in her diaper yesterday and today :/ Today's seemed like it was the worst. I'm starting to think it's not food at all and I kind of want another pediatrician to talk to.

"Helping" dry the tupperware

Little love bird

Daddy Day!

Today was my day with Daddy. We started off the day in the snow! After Mommy left for work, we played and I rolled over- I'm getting good at it. Daddy sure is fun to hang out with. He kept me busy all day... as I kept him busy too. I just kept pooping on outfits and peeing while he was changing me- tee hee hee ~Sammie

Beautiful white snow to start the morning!

I'm Gonna Get'Cha!

Me & Daddy :)

so funny

Havin' Fun

Grandma and Grandpa Wells went on vacation this morning to ski at Breckenridge, Colorado (well, Grandpa is skiing). Mommy's good friend, Lori and her son, Nate watched me today. I was so good and had so much fun!- I even rolled over for them. Nate was so sweet to me too. He would hug me, try to hold me, make sure I was warm, and he even tried to feed me my ba-ba. He didn't know that even though I am a baby, I can hold my ba-ba by myself :) It was a good day! ~Sammie

Me and my friend, Nate