I think this year may have been my favorite Christmas of all time. James and I really wanted to establish some Garcia family traditions this year, and I think we are off to a fine start!
On Christmas Eve we ate chili and grilled cheese sandwiches before heading to the Lessons and Carols service at church. After church we came home and Cadence opened up her Christmas pajamas present and we watched "Twas the night before Christmas" as a family. Then we read her the story of Jesus's birth before bed, and we planned to watch "Love Actually" with some hot chocolate and popcorn once she was asleep. Unfortunately she didn't go to bed until 11, and then woke up at 2, so we nixed the popcorn and I ended up going to bed an hour into the movie while James slept through the rest of it but woke up for the last 15 minutes.
Christmas morning we woke up and opened presents. The haul this year was:
Me: Loft jeans, Eddie Bauer puffy vest, Cinderella opera tickets, a Scrabble board journal, a Kitchenaid Mixer, "Brave", gum, a Nicholas Sparks book, lottery tickets, and Lindor truffles
James: Stability ball, ear warmer, Duke/Kentucky book, Vitamin Water,
Cadence: 3 books, basketball hoop, Christmas PJs, Cinderella, socks, The Lion King, and a box full of tissue paper
Lilypie First Birthday tickers
Thursday, December 27, 2012
sleeeeeep.....sleeeep!
One thing is true about being a parent--just when you think you have it all figured out, it changes.
Cadence's sleeping has been a rollercoaster since about 4 months. I just kind of went along with it because she was having to put up with my crazy schedule, along with some constipation, colds, growth spurts, rolling over, etc. However a few nights ago she went to bed at 8:30, woke up at 11:30 and did not go back to sleep until 2:00 am. At that point I decided enough was enough and I needed to refer to my Sleep Lady book again for some tips. Crying it out was definitely not going to work because she just cried until she was hysterical and then no amount of "sh sh"-ing and calm sounds would get her to go to sleep.
So we've started the Sleep Lady Shuffle, and so far it's been good. Last night she went to bed at 9:30, woke up at 3, and then slept until 7:15. I'm trying my best to not nurse her to go to sleep, but so far that's been the hardest part. She's been following the sleep lady schedule to a T today, minus the nursing to fall asleep, but apparently I can work on that later. She took a 2 hour nap this morning and I just put her down for her afternoon nap.
Cadence's sleeping has been a rollercoaster since about 4 months. I just kind of went along with it because she was having to put up with my crazy schedule, along with some constipation, colds, growth spurts, rolling over, etc. However a few nights ago she went to bed at 8:30, woke up at 11:30 and did not go back to sleep until 2:00 am. At that point I decided enough was enough and I needed to refer to my Sleep Lady book again for some tips. Crying it out was definitely not going to work because she just cried until she was hysterical and then no amount of "sh sh"-ing and calm sounds would get her to go to sleep.
So we've started the Sleep Lady Shuffle, and so far it's been good. Last night she went to bed at 9:30, woke up at 3, and then slept until 7:15. I'm trying my best to not nurse her to go to sleep, but so far that's been the hardest part. She's been following the sleep lady schedule to a T today, minus the nursing to fall asleep, but apparently I can work on that later. She took a 2 hour nap this morning and I just put her down for her afternoon nap.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmastime
We've spent the past week getting into the Christmas spirit and hanging out with friends. Tuesday night we had a cookie baking party at our house for a small group of friends, Wednesday we had a play date with Leslie and Ella Ogrodowicz, Thursday was our big day at the mall to Santa, and last night James and I got to go out with the res life staff to a MTSU/Vanderbilt men's basketball game. We got seats in the all you can eat and drink zone, so it was pretty fun. Melissa and Erica James watched Cadence while we were out, and all reports state that she was great for them!
Cadence has been so much fun lately--she can pretty much sit up on her own (she still falls occasionally but it's never too bad), and she loves to just sit and play in her room. No new foods yet, although I did give her a chance to use a sippy cup this week and she loves to play with it and take little sips here and there. I've also been trying to feed her more during her two mini meals, usually pears and oatmeal in the morning and pears and sweet potatoes in the evening. I'd like to introduce apples, but I'm afraid they'll make her constipated, so until she gets that all under control I'll stick with those easy to digest foods.
I can't believe it's only 3 days until Christmas! We have been so blessed this year by the generosity and kindness of our friends and family, it is clear every day, but even more obvious around the holidays.
Cadence has been so much fun lately--she can pretty much sit up on her own (she still falls occasionally but it's never too bad), and she loves to just sit and play in her room. No new foods yet, although I did give her a chance to use a sippy cup this week and she loves to play with it and take little sips here and there. I've also been trying to feed her more during her two mini meals, usually pears and oatmeal in the morning and pears and sweet potatoes in the evening. I'd like to introduce apples, but I'm afraid they'll make her constipated, so until she gets that all under control I'll stick with those easy to digest foods.
I can't believe it's only 3 days until Christmas! We have been so blessed this year by the generosity and kindness of our friends and family, it is clear every day, but even more obvious around the holidays.
Friday, December 14, 2012
6 months old!
Today is Cadence's half birthday! She woke up so happy and excited this morning, it was like she knew of the great occasion. Granted we didn't do anything special to celebrate, but she did have a great day today, full of activities and smiles.
First we went to watch James, Kelly, Jamison, AJ, Amanda, and Adam Mansell present The Grinch Who Stole Christmas in chapel. It was the last time James was going to be the grinch, so I wanted Cadence to be there for it. Then we brought the ice cream cake I made up to lunch for James's advisees, and after that we were off to take Charles Li to the dentist and run some errands at Walmart and the post office. We managed to get everything done, including a break to feed and change Cadence, and got to the dentist just as Charles was checking out. And not a single fussy moment from the C-dog!
Then we got back and drove James home from work, and it was time to set up the concessions stand for the basketball game. This was our 4th set of games in 5 days, so I am SO glad to take a break.
I did an unofficial measurement of Cadence this afternoon, and I would guess she's at 16 pounds and 28.5 inches. Big growing girl! So far she's had tastes of banana, pear, and sweet potatoes, and we have apples waiting in the freezer. I actually really enjoy making her baby food because I can make so many meals with such little food! Big impact!
Cadence was sleeping so well, but the past few nights have been a little rough, but I do believe it's time for another growth spurt, so I will blame that.
First we went to watch James, Kelly, Jamison, AJ, Amanda, and Adam Mansell present The Grinch Who Stole Christmas in chapel. It was the last time James was going to be the grinch, so I wanted Cadence to be there for it. Then we brought the ice cream cake I made up to lunch for James's advisees, and after that we were off to take Charles Li to the dentist and run some errands at Walmart and the post office. We managed to get everything done, including a break to feed and change Cadence, and got to the dentist just as Charles was checking out. And not a single fussy moment from the C-dog!
Then we got back and drove James home from work, and it was time to set up the concessions stand for the basketball game. This was our 4th set of games in 5 days, so I am SO glad to take a break.
I did an unofficial measurement of Cadence this afternoon, and I would guess she's at 16 pounds and 28.5 inches. Big growing girl! So far she's had tastes of banana, pear, and sweet potatoes, and we have apples waiting in the freezer. I actually really enjoy making her baby food because I can make so many meals with such little food! Big impact!
Cadence was sleeping so well, but the past few nights have been a little rough, but I do believe it's time for another growth spurt, so I will blame that.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Cadence's first cold
Cadence had her first "illness" this week, the common cold! How exciting! She was really a happy baby through it all, and even seemed more talkative while she was sick. She had to battle a runny/stuffy nose, cough, and watery eyes. Constipation also came a'knocking, but it likewise did not seem to bother her. I definitely found out what 5 days worth of baby waste looks like--yikes!
We've been very busy with basketball this week, and next week promises to be even busier. Hoping that she can push through and be a good girl while she gets passed around the stands this week!
We've been very busy with basketball this week, and next week promises to be even busier. Hoping that she can push through and be a good girl while she gets passed around the stands this week!