Friday, June 22, 2012

23 Things I Think New Parents Should Know


A very accurate and amusing article...
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1. The more time and effort put into decorating a nursery, the more likely that the baby will sleep in your room.
2. Things that don't wake a sleeping newborn: loud noises and bright lights. Things that do wake a sleeping newborn: sitting down to eat dinner.
3. Maybe they'll say it's the eyes. Maybe they'll say it's the mouth. Whatever it is, people will insist on telling you that your newborn looks like you. It's almost never true.
4. You may not want to cut your baby's nails because you are afraid of making her bleed. However, if you don't cut your baby's nails, she will probably scratch herself and, then, she'll bleed. So, why postpone the inevitable?
5. There is no greater thrill than the first time a baby calls out "mama" or "dada," even when it is directed toward the cat.
6. Sleeping a lot and eating a lot are traits highly cherished in babies. Unfortunately, neither are particularly admired in adults.
7. As a new parent, strangers will often approach you to ask, "Is she a good baby?" Surprise them by saying, "No, she's kind of an #$$hole."
8. You will discover that there must have been something very, very tricky about composing a melody for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," The ABC's," and "Baa Baa Black Sheep."
9. From the moment you arrive home from the hospital, you will be asked if your baby sleeps through the night. Tell them you don't know. Tell them you spend most nights out clubbing.
10. Make sure you learn all the noises that farm animals make. Even though most people no longer live on farms, the sounds that sheep, pigs and cows make are priority number one when teaching your little one to talk.
11. If she is wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.
12. If you are wearing a nice outfit, it is likely that your baby will poop.
13. Despite advances in science, no one has figured out how to diagnose a dirty diaper besides sniffing at it or peeking in it. When you're in public, learn to do this discreetly.
14. Never in your wildest dreams (or worst nightmares) did you ever imagine how much you would be talking about poop. Unless you work for a laxative company. If you work for a laxative company, you are probably already talking about poop a lot.
15. Strangers are friendly when you're with with a baby. That said, strangers are even friendlier when you're with a puppy.
16. One of the surprise perks of having a baby? When you're with one, you can talk to yourself out loud and people don't look at you like you're crazy.
17. Everyone tells you to "sleep when the baby's sleeping." It's good advice. But, remember, it's "sleep when the baby's sleeping... unless the baby fell asleep in the car and you're driving."
18. Don't beat yourself up over every little thing. Babies have really low expectations.
19. If you think you might be posting too many pictures on Facebook, you probably are.
20. No matter how much you love your child, naptime is never long enough.
21. When people come to visit in the first weeks after you come home from the hospital, remember they are there to see you and the baby. Remember they don't expect you or your house to look perfect. And remember, if you are talking anywhere near the baby monitor, there's a good chance they can hear you.
22. The secret to being a good parent? There isn't one. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
23. When all else fails, if you can't stop your baby from crying, turn on some music and dance around the living room. Even if the crying doesn't stop, at least you'll enjoy yourself.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Father's Day

Violet made a beautiful pink tie (with red hearts) for Father's Day. Gene was very excited and proud to wear it to work today.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Boobs, Boobs, Boobs...


Violet was holding her Ariel doll and for some reason she felt that her bra looked like eye glasses.  She came up to Gene and said, "Papa, glasses" while pointing to her chest.  Gene replies with, "No Violet, those aren't glasses, those are boobs!"  So what happens for the next five minutes?  Violet walks around the house screaming, "boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs, boobs."

Look at Me!

Violet started to do this new thing where she takes my face in both her hands and says, "Mama, look at me!"

It makes me melt....

Pregnancy Update

I haven't posted any pictures or updates in quite some time and that is because I have been lazy busy with researching and shopping for the baby and Violet's new "big girl" room.  Even though I saved most of the stuff from Violet's baby days, it seems that there are still a million things I have to buy.

As far as pregnancy goes, the baby dropped over the weekend, which has eased the heartburn.  However, I am waddling even more now and having a hard time staying on my feet for over an hour.  When I was pregnant with Violet my stomach was HUGE and I know it's hard to imagine but this time around, I am even bigger.  I actually had a woman stop me in front of the hospital and ask if I was in labor.  She assumed I didn't want to go inside, so I was pacing around to progress the labor.  When I told her that my due date is almost 2 months away, she almost had a heart attack on the spot.  I don't even think she believed me.

In other news, I am +30lbs and have been craving Sour Power Straws.  I have been indulging in them daily -without any guilt I may add!

Due Date Predictor: July 4th, 7th or 11th.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Dancing Queen

My dad's favorite band was ABBA, which meant that their Greatest Hits album was on constant repeat in our house.  When the weekends rolled around or when guests came to visit, dad would put on their DVD (full blast of course) and proudly proclaim that they were the greatest band that ever lived.  Being a moody teenager at the time, I moped around begging him to turn that crap off.   Back then I thought that Eminem was the only artist that was worthy of a title such as "the greatest".  When my dad passed away, we all sat in our living room and listened to ABBA and I actually started to appreciate the Swedish band.  Not for their musical talent, but for what they represent and the memory that they evoke.   Their signature song Dancing Queen always makes me tear up and think of my dad.  It also reminds me that I have my own little dancing queen at home...