Things That Have Happened This Week

1. I accidentally bought decaf coffee and noticed it as I was putting the groceries away. I kicked a cabinet.

2. Ellie woke up from 1am to 2am the other night. She was having the time of her life. Kicking, laughing, squealing, playing with my hair, discovering different fabrics in her room.... it was really a big party and I could not figure out why she needed to have some girl talk with mom at 1am. However, she repaid me by sleeping till 8am. She is forgiven :)

3. Sunday night I cooked jambalaya with sausage and cornbread. Monday night I cooked Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti. Tonight I cooked pork chops with broccoli cheese rice, salad and bread. Tomorrow I'm thinking I'll make a pop tart and a Diet Coke. 

3. Since our nieces and nephew were in town last weekend, Grant purchased a few kid-friendly snacks to have in our pantry in case the littles got the munchies. The problem is, now there is a bag of goldfish crackers in my home. I will eat all of them and buy another bag the next time I go to the store. I TOTALLY FORGOT HOW MUCH I LOVE GOLDFISH AND I AM SO GLAD I HAVE A KID NOW. Even though she probably will not be able to eat them for quite some time, I will eat them on her behalf. 

4. I realized today that I do at least one load of laundry every day and at least one load of dishes everyday. With me and Grant both home all day and add Ellie into the mix.... we are using a lot of dishes and wearing a lot of clothes. And Ellie wears about 4 outfits a day, so.....

5. Some kids in my neighborhood were sitting on a corner selling lemonade for 50 cents. I'm a sucker for lemonade stands, so I pulled over and started digging for change in my car. I found enough (it involved a lot of pennies) and the kids were so excited. The little boy walked to my car window, ever so slowly, carrying the cup with two hands, trying not to spill. He got to my window and said "I may have poured you too much!". Poor darling. It was filled to the brim. TO THE BRIM. I had to take 3 sips with my head out the window. They were so proud. And also, THAT WAS A VERY SPECIAL CONCOCTION OF LEMONADE. #Tart 

6. I'm pretty sure the above paragraph marks the first time in the history of the Jen the Newlywed blog that I've used a hashtag.

7. I went to BabiesRUs and got $180 worth of diapers and wipes for $14.74 with coupons and gift cards. I felt like there should be a parade in my honor as I drove home from the store. 

8. I watched Downton Abbey. You guys... I just.... I can't... I just... why? I couldn't stop thinking about it. I had to get up and watch bloopers from the show Friends on YouTube so that I could get happy. It is just all kinds of horrid. 

9. We lowered Ellie's crib mattress. It's not necessary quite yet but I was changing the sheets again and I just felt like doing it now rather than later. And after it was all done and everything was put back together, I teared up a little. Don't judge me. 

10. I did an arm workout and a butt workout and let's just say I won't be doing that again anytime soon.  The soreness abounds. 

Alrighty, my friends, I'm going to go read a magazine in bed now because that sounds like heaven after a long day like today :)

Sleveless Shirts are my Nemesis

So, I lost 8 lbs.

And then I just stopped. 

What is it about cold weather that makes you detest salads and want warm, hot, carby foods? Or maybe I'm like that year round?

Who am I kidding? I KNOW I'm like that year round.

I've got a few more pounds to go before I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight... and then about 5 more after that to get to where I want to be. However, all this winter weather and big comfy sweaters and pants isn't really giving me a sense of urgency. However, I know when summer hits and I want to swear skirts and sundresses and shirts that show my upper arms, then I will be wishing I had been a little more disciplined. I HATE showing my arms. Hate, hate, hate.

I'm actually about to go out to lunch. I looked at the menu of the restaurant we are going to and I see they have lots of yummy salads to choose from. I also saw that there is chicken fried steak there and it's going to be very difficult to pass on that. MASHED POTATOES, Y'ALL. 

Meanwhile, Ellie is still napping and we are supposed to leave very soon for lunch. I still need to feed her and get her dressed. I constantly teeter on the edge of being late or being on time with a cranky child who woke up too soon from her nap. Ugh. She is OUT like a light so I hate to wake her but I've already pushed the time once and hate to ask again. 

In other news, I've discovered some wrinkles around my eyes and I just don't know if I'm ready for all that. Any eye creams you would recommend?

Ellie's Dedication

This weekend, our families joined us for a Sunday afternoon service where we dedicated our Ellie girl. This is different than how most people do things with newborns such as an infant baptism. This isn't symbolizing Ellie's joining of the church. We do not believe that this little ceremony will bring her eternal salvation. All this is is a commitment by me and Grant that we will do all we can to raise our daughter in the ways of the Lord, to teach her about Jesus. 

Our church has so many babies that they knock out several in one day. Our pastor read aloud Ellie's full name, the meaning of her name, and a verse we chose for her. 

I had to fix her outfit :) 

Ellie Paige means Giver of Light, Servant of the Lord.

The verse we chose for her is:

"Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy." - Zephaniah 3:17

At the end of the service, each family came to the front of the chapel. The men kneeled while the wives stood behind them. Then Pastor Gregg and the congregation prayed over our family. It was such a sweet service!

Our little family of three!

After the service, our families joined us for a little celebratory dinner. We changed Ellie into her after party outfit :)

Please know that I am well aware that this headband is SO VERY OVER THE TOP but it made me laugh so hard. Oh my goodness. 

This face. She is such a ham. 

Sweet darling baby girl.... we love you so much.

We are so thankful to our families for coming in from near and far to join us for this special, special occasion. We can't wait to see what kind of little jewel this sweet girl grows up to be!

6 Months

This little girl is 6 months old today....

A few facts about Ellie Paige at 6 months:

LOVES:

Her pacifier

Puppy dog (she thinks he's HILARIOUS)

watching mama cook

watching mama dance

Daddy (LOVES. HIM.)

Talking to herself

Singing in the car

Green Beans

Peas

Bath time

Kicking

Football

Screens

Rocking in the rocking chair with mama

Sleeping on her belly

DISLIKES:

Fruit

Oatmeal

Being Cold

Stoplights

Socks

Crowds

Milestones:

Rolls over both ways

Can sit up if I'm sitting behind her

Sleeps through the night

Sits up in a stroller

Sits in a high chair to eat

Has started to eat puffs!

Grabs toys and transfers them from hand to hand

Hears Grant's voice when he walks in the door, kicks and smiles

13 lbs, 9 oz (8% for weight)

25 inches long (35% for height)

Happy Half Birthday, Baby Girl! We love you love you LOVE you!