2 Months, 2 Wonderful!

Parenthood, nothing we thought it would be.  CHALLENGING but REWARDING.  Our little Allie has completely changed our lives. 

We brought her home and had absolutely no idea what to do with her.  There was no instruction manual specifically for Allie Nicole.  I wish there was :)

So we have pick up a few tips along the way:

Parenthood, Day 5:  Allie made a little sound from the backside, so I being the great mom went back to the bedroom to change her diaper.  All of sudden, I scream "Nick!"  Nick thought I had dropped Allie...  No.  Instead I was covered with Allie's poop!!  Yes, I went to open up the diaper and projectile poop came out and was all over the pack and play, my clothes, and onto the carpet.  It was WWIII and Allie had won.  Changing a simple 6 lb 15 oz baby's diaper took 2 grown adults one hour.  Welcome to parenthood!

Take away tip 1:  Allie is a 3 striker, if you hear a noise, give it a minute or two, because there will be two more noises until that diaper should be open, bc otherwise you could be looking at an hour ordeal!

Parenthood, Sleeping

Sleep is a wonderful thing.  Sleeping baby = sleeping parents = happy parents = happy baby

Allie has blessed us in week 8 to sleep through the night.  Meaning we have gotten 6 to 9 hour stretches of straight sleep during the night.  Yes, bedtime is 9:30 and Mom/Dad don't "need" to wake up until 4:30ish.  Does that happen?  No, being the 1st time parents we wake up to listening to the baby monitor or go to her room checking to make sure she is still breathing.

Take away tip #2:  Don't be a worry wart, she is swaddle, sleeping, Brooke/Nick SLEEP :)

Parenthood, Me time

Sometimes being a parent is tough work and we just need a break, so parents are a wonderful asset!  Nick and I have been blessed with 3 nights out:  Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown Concert, Royal's game, Amanda/John's wedding.  Thanks to our wonderful parents!

Tip #3:  Take your parents up on their offer to watch your child, you can say no, but don't be afriad to say yes!

Parenthood, Girly Girl

I am trying my hardest to make Allie into the girly girl, but she wants to be a little tomboy like Leigh Bee.  Every time I place a bow on her head she screams and starts pushing it off...it is a challenge!  I think I need to come to terms with her being a Volleyball player and not a Cheerleader :)

Tip #4, persistence, yes, I will fight through and get her to love those bows!

Parenthood, growing like a beanstalk

This might be a shocker, but our daughter is on track to be tall...gasp!  Yes, having a 6'6" dad will give you the gene of height!  She has grown 4" in 2 months...on average, you grow 1/2" to 1" in a month.  Our little over achiever.

Tip #5, buy a size bigger, 6 month = 9 month clothing!

Our Family of 3!

Stay tune for tips on Allie Nicole, again, these tips are in her instruction manual :)

My Favorite pics of our Allie Gator!

Veggies are here!!

Our garden is starting to produce...I think someone will be making enchiladas tonight!

A True Connection

Tonight was the night I felt a true connection with my beautiful daughter, Allie.  From day one I knew I loved Allie, but for the past three weeks with the struggles of breast-feeding I got caught up in being a "sleep deprived milk cow."  Yes, breast-feeding is probably the hardest thing I have ever done in life.

Today was probably the hardest day, Nick was out of town for work (the 1st day Nick traveled away for work...go figure!), Allie could not get enough food from me, and to top it off Allie got an eye infection.  So here I was no husband, sleep deprived, crying baby, and rushing to Walgreen's by myself in 105 degree weather for the eye medicine.  Wow!  Welcome to parenthood. 

Once I got home from Walgreen's, change diaper, feeding, and placing the ointment in Allie's eye, there I was, holding this sweet baby girl who finally was satisfied and peacefully sleeping.  I started crying, bc after a long day, it was all worth it to see Allie content.  I realized how much I truly love my daughter and am so blessed to have her in my life.  She then of course cracked a huge smile (probably gas), but I am going with her telling me "Mom, you did good today!" 

Parenthood is not what I expected, it is much more, so much more rewarding then anything I ever had experience in my life.  A life changer, but one I am so glad Nick and I made together.

Allie Nicole

Our lives have changed because of this little bundle!

A pic of my two favorite people!!!

If you don't own land...rent it!

Nick and I made a "huge" investment this year or renting a plot of land for gardening.  It is costing us a big $25 for the year.  We thought if we come out with some home grown veggies and an activity for the two (soon to be three) of us to do together this summer, we will be successful!

The start of our gardening:  we are going with 8 tomato plants, 2 cucumber plants, 8 bell pepper plants, and 4 jalapeno pepper plants.  If you are in the Lincoln/Omaha area we might hook you up, hoping we have a good harvest :)

This is probably the most "farming" I will ever do in my life.  Nick on the other hand has big plans for us to own farm ground and go bigger.  Sometimes, I am amazed that I could be/am a farmer's wife...  I still think they need to create a FFA association for woman who marry into agriculture, maybe this is something I should start up?!?

My Farmer...

The Waiting Game…

I am 38.5 weeks.  2 weeks ago, the doctor says be ready, this baby is coming early!  Yea!!!  Bags are packed ready to go.  Wait, the bags are still pack and I am still pregnant.  UGH!  I am sorry Doctor Tomjack, but don’t tell me that!  Nick/I have to look at those hospital bags every night and wonder if we are going to use them.  No, they are going to remain there for another 1.5 weeks or even worse…longer!  Coming into work everyday with people saying “You are here still?”  So frustrating.  Also, I love Facebook, but if I see one more Facebook friend announce their little bundle has come, I am going to go crazy!!

My older co-worker (grandparent age) has asked me if I have been spending enough time in the bedroom to natural induced the labor.  First, awkward!  Second, yes, I have read numerous articles on how to naturally induce labor, gone on numerous walks, eat spicy food, and even spent time in the bedroom…  I think this little bug is just trying to push my buttons early.

Well here to the LONGEST couple of weeks in front of me!!!

Birth and Beyond Class

We just finished our 8 week long session of birthing classes, every Sunday night, 6 to 8:30.  I am very excited to have my Sunday evenings back!

So have to share a few of my favorite moments...

Nick's face when we saw the live birth, needless to say, he will be at the head of the bed with me and there will be no mirror!

There is always that awkward person/people in class...no we weren't them...but we got paired up with them...  We were learning how to give the baby a bath and they asked, "Can we bring our baby in the shower with us?  We already let our dog/cat come in the shower with us?"  Yes, I know there is an economic crisis out there and this is saving money on the water bill, but seriously, I think family showers should probably end when the baby comes along.  Just saying...

Breast Feeding, I agree, that it is great for your baby, but it does not mean you should breast feed your child for 3 years?  Our instructor shared her own personal experience of breast feeding each child for 3 years...  She has 4 children!  I am sorry, I going to opt out on that time frame!  When my child can walk/talk and ask for milk, I think that milk will be coming from a farm animal!

Getting Bigger...Getting Ready...Just need the Baby!

Home Stretch!  6 more weeks and Baby Ward will make their entrance!  I am officially waddling around the office/home and nesting away.  I think every room of our apartment has some sort of baby item and has been organized and reorganized.  I can't believe in 6 weeks I will finally know and hold our little boy or girl!

Here is a pic of the crib Nick assembled on Monday night.  Once we know if it is a boy/girl we (I) can finally decorate!!

And here is the latest/greatest pic of my baby bump...

Nick off to Vegas...

I am a very jealous wife right now...  In 3 days my husband gets to go off to Vegas with 6 of his good friends to golf, watch sports, and drink beer.  Pretty much the 3 best things in a man's life. 

I ponder "why do guys get to live up 9 months before a baby is born, when the ladies have to go to the prison of healthier eating habits, no drinking, and gaining weight?"  Is it because Adam was created before Eve?  Is it because men are less responsible than women?  I don't know the answer...  Maybe one day I will learn the answer...

Tax Incentive for a Mom!

The IRS announced that breast feeding supplies now qualify as medical care expenses.  We can use our FSA, HSA, or you can itemize them on the Schedule A effective 2010 tax year.  Yahoo!  Is it bad this confirms my decision to breast feed?  I guess I am a true accountant :) 

Of course the IRS is very loose on wording.  "Supplies that assist lactaion"  I can only imagine the crazy things people will try to pull over on their returns!

The IRS does note they do not say breast feeding vs. formula is better, but formula is classified as "food" and can't be deducted...ummm...

Oh well, one more way to keep my money from the government!

Parenthood = finding new tax savings!

Entering the World of Elastic Waistbands

Well, it is the 24 week mark and I have officially converted to maternity clothes.  Stretchy waistbands is my new fashion trend.  My bump FINALLY appeared and I am rather fond of it EXCEPT for when working out.  I teach a boot camp class on Wednesday morning and for the first time, I was the "slow" kid.  Usually I am showing these crazy options to the participants and going full out, but now I get to demonstrate once and then do the low impact option...ugggh!  My participants tell me it is motivation to them, bc they don't want to be beat out be a pregnant lady...  Oh goodness!

Pic- 24 weeks, stomach has grown, butt has remained the same, I was hoping that would go down!

Arriving June 2011

The Wards will be a party of 3 in June! 

It is crazy we are at the 20 week mark...yes, halfway there!  We (Nick) decided to be surprise on whether it is a boy/girl, so for the FIRST time in my life I am not able to plan.  Nick thinks it is going to control my spending habits, but does he realize that now I will be shopping for both a boy and a girl?!?

We have lots to get ready for the arrival of our first child; setting up the nursery, child birth classes, picking out names!  At one point in my life I thought I had it all figured out...Zack, Kelly, AC, Lisa, Jessie and have a dog name Screech, can you name that show?  Now when it is reality, it is a lot harder than I thought!  My dad already suggested Al and Alrenia... 

As for being pregnant....I think I might be one of the lucky ones, no morning sickness!  Still am waiting for the converting over to maternity clothes.  I am assuming it will happen in the next week or so.  I am kind of looking forward to the world of elastic waist bands ;)

We also experience our first shower!  Dibelka side.  Lets say we know this baby will be Corn Born, but they will BLEED PURPLE!!  Go Cats :)

That is all for now!  First blog out of the way...many more to come!!