So glad I had a daughter...

SAS used to be the dreaded store my parents would take us to when we were kids. I was convinced it was their way of torturing us or it had to be some sort of punishment for something I had done that week. I never understood how my mom (and my dad, go figure) could spend so much time at that place.

Never thought I would put my kids through that same kind of torture........Lina is only 6 weeks old, yesterday was her first trip to SAS........we were there for 2 hours.
I even fed Lina there, while I shopped. I learned that breastfeeding while standing is totally made possible with a hooter-hider.

Candi bought TOOONNSS of super cute buttons for scrapbooking.

Mom bought some soccer ball fabric to make her new grand-daughters a blanket.

I bought tons of ribbon and elastic to make bows.

Got started on some right away:

First Month Doctor Visit

Lina had her one month check up, I didn't really know what to expect (what's new?) as far as her weight gain and what not so I was just grateful to hear that she is doing well.

Here are the stats:

Weight: 10.5 (75%)
Length: 22" (75%)
Head: 14.5 (25%)

She is growing!!

What To Expect...

I read so many books that I thought were going to fully prepare me for everything that Lina would throw my way.
I've been on this mission to become the mom who knows exactly what to expect around every corner...


I read Baby Wise....expected to have Lina sleeping, eating, and playing like clock work; allowing me to plan my day around her schedule to the minute.


I read Baby Whisperer....expected to be able to decipher between all of Lina's different cries and be able to tend to her need right away; allowing me to understand all the cues she gave me.


I watched Happiest Baby on The Block....expected to be able to soothe my baby within minutes of her starting to cry using 5 very basic techniques; allowing me to keep her calm anywhere and everywhere I went regardless of the situation.


I read every magazine article from my various free subscriptions...expected to have to buy every latest top of the line gizmo and gadget in order to provide the utmost care for Lina.


I took into consideration all the advice (and boy have I gotten my share of unsolicited advice)......not really sure what to expect from all that.


I got her on a eating schedule (every 3 hours) we were both really happy about it. I was left with a scheduled nap time that I could count on to run errands, sleep, read, do housework, make phone calls, etc.


Just when I thought I had it figured out........she went and changed it on me. Today, I used every method I could think of to get her to go down for her naps. Some worked for one nap, others worked for the others.....


Here she is swaddled, fast asleep listening to "womb sounds".

Next nap, she opted for no swaddling and instead a spanish music playlist.

After a couple days of her new eating habits, I am adjusting. (According to "What to Expect the First Year, it's due to a growth spurt.)

I refuse to think that all my research has been in vain......

At the end of the day I am still left unsure of what it is I am supposed to be doing to get Lina to be the perfect little baby, keep myself sane, and still have time to do all the stuff I need to do!!

Life Savers!

In my whole three weeks of being a mom I have discovered a few modern day devices that have become "must haves" for me.

1. Lilly Padz

2. Bouncy Chair that has vibration and calming sound

3. Good Breast Pump

4. A good book that you can escape to that will help keep you sane while cooped up in the house with a baby crying at you all the time

4. Loving, supportive, and patient husband who reminds you that he loves you even though some days you don't shower until the afternoon, still don't fit into your jeans, might have stretch marks, and have meltdowns more often than you want to admit.