Babysitting Honey

     I am just here to tell you all that Honey has it all wrong. She comes over to my house every Thursday and follows me around like a puppy dog. I tell her what I want and she makes it happen. For example, it's a no-brainer getting the daughter of a librarian to read me book after book after book. Then I play silly games with her to keep her happy like hide-n-seek and where is the lovey (she made this one up). I really try not to give her too much of a run-around since she just turned the grand ole age of 57. I guess that's why they call them grand-mothers. Grand-ole-age...you get it?!
   And the funny thing about this is Honey actually believes that she is babysitting me! Ha. Make no mistake. As soon as Mommy leaves for work, I know who's the boss of the house. And it's not Honey. No siree. I AM IN CHARGE. Just take a look for yourself at all the fun I am having keeping Honey entertained. It's easy as pie.

      I'm going to let you in on a few of my secrets, but you must promise not to tell Honey...or my parents.

     You just get them to do what you want them to do. Let them pick out your clothes. Don't whine or cry when they are dressing you. It will pay off later, just trust me. And besides, what girl doesn't love playing dress-up?!

      Look very interested in anything they suggest. If they want to read to you, let them. They will also usually let you pick the books. And you can ask them anything you want. They are all too eager to assist you in every endeavor.

     And if they want to take pictures, try to be as obliging as possible. Even though I will admit that sitting still can be almost impossible, especially when you are 15 months old. I know this to be an absolute fact.

     If you are still not getting enough attention, go over to the window and ask where Mommy is. It gets them every time. The sympathy vote is always good to pull out if you want to delay your nap a bit.

    Keep a big smile in your back pocket ready in case you think you might be in trouble. A good twinkle of the eye also goes a long way toward restoring goodwill. See demonstration above.

    Then, if you play your cards right, your Mommy will be home to give you sweet kisses before you know it.

                      

And Honey will leave happy. Of course, she will be back next Thursday to follow you around in the same song and dance. I guess they never learn!

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

I had the joy of keeping Little One this week for an entire day! I don't know when I have had so much fun. We read books, played on her playtime mat, and sang and danced together. She had tummy time (even though I am the one who really needs tummy time); I watched her sit in her little pink chair, put her in the bumbo (a new invention from my day) and then laughed when she turned herself around in her exersaucer (the modern version of the walker). She is so tiny that Daughter and Son-in-Law have had to put carpet samples under her feet so that she can stand up! I even could not resist stealing into the room to watch her a bit while she slept. Here she is -- the Little One who has overtaken my heart. By the way, those are not curlers...they are supposed to be bows in her hair!

Little One at Three Months

Lessons Learned in 2 months

I have only been a mom for 10 weeks, yet I feel that I have gained a world of knowledge. Some of these lessons have been learned the hard way (through many errors) and others were through dear family (Honey, GiGi, YaYa, and Kelly) and friends. So this is a thank you to those that have given much needed advice and also a reminder for myself of how little I knew about taking care of a baby when I first started. I am sure this list will continue to expand for the rest of Little One's life!
First off, pregnant moms: 1. You finally get to sleep on your stomach post baby but watch out as you might wake with wet spots on your chest! 2. I loved not having to go to the bathroom every two hours at night, but I have peed on myself more times in the past two months than I had in over 24 years! She is totally worth all the quirks!
Here are some tips for new moms or those taking care of a baby:
Savor EVERY moment. This child is such a sweet blessing.

• Set up a system with your spouse/helper so both of you feel involved and one person does not feel too overwhelmed ... My husband rocks and does diaper duty at night after I feed and burp ... everybody's system is different
• If your baby has spiky hair just embrace it ... hair gel does not work. Trust me.

• Curved baby fingernail scissors over filing, biting (scary) or clippers. Red Cross baby scissors from Target are definitely better than the Walmart brand. Also, always run your finger nail underneath the baby's nail prior to cutting.
• Pampers all the way with the green line
• Have someone show you how to do the "spit bath" prior to the cord falling off because we traumatized Little One...she peed twice and pooped because we didn’t know what we were doing. First real bath: I really like bathing her in the sink without any baby tub/holding device as she loves being buoyant.

• Clean under arm/leg creases and belly button really well otherwise they start smelling sour. I felt awful the first time a smelled under her arm. I just didn't know it could smell that bad without being active!
• Buy lots of cheap washcloths (Target or Walmart) and have some upstairs and downstairs
• Have a diaper caddy upstairs and downstairs (basket with diapers, wipes, bibs, a toy and some socks)
• Love the sound lamb from Pottery Barn. Don't buy the high tech Pac N Play with the bassinet, changing system, etc. Just get the regular one.
• Wish i had a good night light ... maybe I will buy in the future
• Booties actually stay on unlike most socks
  
• Keep the brush the hospital gives you and the nose bulb as it is better than the one from Target or Walmart
• Just plan to change lots of diapers at first and then you figure out a system i.e., if she is dirty I try to feed her before changing as she always goes during a feed (saves diapers)
• Buy diapers in bulk from diaper.com
  
• Have husband go to first few visits as doctor limits visitors and he needs to hear why!
• Put the swing in the bathroom so you can take a bath or shower and she most likely will go to sleep swinging
• Always put clean diaper under the diaper you are changing as she might go on you if you don’t! We have some good memories from learning this one.

• Have lots of swaddle blankets ...Carters are bigger than Targets which makes swaddling easier
• Have lots of blankets for tummy time, one in pac-n-play and one in crib
• Use a bassinet especially one that can rock by the bed is nice in the beginning, and it is glorious when you graduate to her sleeping in her crib during the night!
• Side snap onsies are better than over the head as mine hates things pulled over her face
  
• Lay child on back to give vitamin (talk with nurse)
• Have a friend like Jamie Burton make you an awesome sling
• If baby has blocked tear duct, don't let the green gunk freak you out...at least that is what my doctor says

• Buy the Lansinoh cream and breast pads and be mentally prepared for fever in your boobs when your milk comes in (thankfully the discomfort subsides after a bit)
• Don't be shocked when you get home from the hospital and your baby doesn't sleep four hours in a row. I thought she did as she had gone to the nursery. I realized she wasn't sleeping but was being held by sweet nurses. Very unrealistic idea of newborn sleep patterns on my part!

I would love for people to add to this!

My Precious Little One

I am sitting on the couch with my husband and daughter. Yes, I have a beautiful daughter that could keep her parents occupied and in awe by just being. It is amazing the way a grunt, a grin, a sneeze, and a lifting of the head can keep you watching when you love someone so much. I had a dear friend ask, "Is it really true that you can't understand a parent's love until you have your own children?" My answer is YES, but I want to give a small amount of insight in my six weeks of expertise, ha. I will also be putting in the random stats on my little one so that I can remember so please bear with me. I also will likely not be using proper grammar which is going to be very difficult for the Scofield side of the family! I better watch out as my mom aka Honey might edit some of this.

Current stats: Little One is cooing and smiling a lot. She will coo back to you when you talk to her. Amazing! She also is tolerating tummy time more and will lift her head and turn from side to side. Last night she slept for 6 HOURS!! Definitely gaining weight and outgrowing all Newborn clothes and in 0-3mths. Still kicks her right leg a lot especially when upset.

Here is a short blip I wrote in November to try to remember the one month mark:

I am exhausted beyond any point that I have ever reached in my life. The level of tired is so much more as it has been long hours awake for one month and not one weekend. Again, worth it. There are small things, like her breath when she yawns, her hair that won’t stay down, her belly button, and her nostrils that are different sizes that I love. Most people won’t notice these small details but her mom and dad do. They love staring at her and do this more than they watch TV. 

Things I love: grunts and noises as she falls asleep and wakes in the morning. her lips that are perfectly shaped and full of color. her ears that are not small but lay down so nicely. her lip quiver. her pouty face that looks like her father and also sleeping with her mouth open just like he does. her long torso from who knows where (ha). her toes and fingers so delicate. her face so beautiful and so feminine.