a little game....

The rules are below…Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

10 years ago I was:
1. trying to make up my mind what to do with my life
2. still breeding reptiles
3. applying to go back to school
4. moving back in with my dad
5. learning how to waiting tables

5 things on today’s to do list:
1. make dinner
2. work on house update photo album online
3. mommy time with Romy
4. Watch Biggest Loser
5. Take shower and do hair before bed and after Romy is in bed

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. CHOCOLATE
2. Cheese
3. pretzels
4. granola bars
5. CHOCOLATE

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. quit working
2. Pay off all of our debts
3. go on vacation....here, there and everywhere
4. help family out financially
5. hire people to finish the rennovations on our house

5 places I have lived:
1. a hotel room for a week
2. on Laura's floor for two weeks (before i bought a bed)
3. Denver, CO
4. Malvern, PA
5. Royersford, PA

5 jobs I have had:
1. landscape designer
2. Reptile Breeder
3. Cashier at Linens store
4. Cashier at grocery store
5. Cashier at women's apparel store

tag to: Laura, Colleen, Carolyn, Cynthia and Allison (although none of you have BLOGs)

moving on up

Romy has been pulling up into a standing position, with assistance, for the past week. She will hold onto my fingers and pull until she is in a full standing position and then she begins to giggle and coo. Romy does this hilarious thing with her voice when she is happy. it sounds like a hiccup (I’ll have to tape it so I have it forever). You know she is really happy when she makes this noise. On her 7 month birthday, July 18th, I sat her next to the dishwasher as I unloaded it. Next thing I know, she reached up and placed her hands on the opened door and pulled herself into standing. Her first reaction was fear as I looked at her gasping to cry but that quickly turned into a hiccup with giggles. Then she looked at me with the question – now what? And kept on giggling.

This past weekend was a mommy weekend. She seemed so comfortable with me. So much so, that she would not nap well for fear of missing out on time with me or fear that I will be gone when she wakes up. She has not been napping well for me, but does well for everyone else. I wonder what this is about.

She had begun to roll about when she sleeps. Ted and I have discussed dropping the mattress so she will not be able to climb out. I guess the rule of thumb is that when the child can pull themselves up, it’s time to lower the mattress. I watch her when she isn’t looking and see her rolling this way and that and kicking her legs about. She has become a bit more interested in her crib.

Her eyes are still changing. They seem very hazel. I’m not sure if they are changing to brown or not. Every day they appear a different color.

I am not sure where she picked it up but recently she began to lower her voice very raspy (sounds like she is possessed) and then coughs and then begins again. It sounds so funny. It is almost as if she knows she is being funny.

Romy hung out with her friend Meredith last night. Meredith is two months older than she is. It’s neat because they will go to the same school. Her mommy, Sheri and I are hoping that they are friends…because we will remain friends. It is nice to have a mommy friend to hang out with and share baby experiences and relate to. Meredith is starting to try to walk. She walks while holding onto one finger from mommy. It’s great to see her develop. She is conquering milestone after milestone. Romy watches and is so intent. Won’t be long before she is mobile!!!

Romy is 7 mths old today!

Romy is 7 months old!

Wow – ok, time really DOES fly by after you have a baby. It is important to capture and jot down all the little things your baby does along the way because before you know it, they will be asking you for the car keys and you will be wondering where the time went.

The past seven months have been a whirlwind of emotions and full of new, wonderful, often trying experiences, but nonetheless, all have been experiences that have challenged me and made me grow as a individual, partner and a new mommy.

Here is what I recall…

Month ONE: Holy cow. This baby is not going anywhere and she is still here when we wake up. Who would have ever thought! Elation of the new package still fulfills me – welcoming all visitors so we can boast about our beautiful new baby. Household chores? Who CARES?!! What dog? When was the last day the cats were fed? Have you SEEN these cute little feet and hands? I suspected to be sorer than I was, but healed rather quickly. Breast-feeding is challenging but well worth every effort. So ecstatic to be able to sleep on my back, stomach and however the heck I want to sleep! Surprised at how quiet the baby is, she hardly ever cries. Christmas is a blur but enjoyed not having to go anywhere. Loving my slippers and sleeping on the futon in the TV room. Cannot believe how HUNGRY I am! Took 50 pictures a day! Posted pics online. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month TWO: Elation still overwhelms me. Still in awe of the new little one. Fawning over her preciousness. Breast feeding has gotten much more comfortable. Still watching Bringing Home Baby and A Baby Story as they are the most wonderful comparable shows to my most recent experience. Thrilled to be fitting into three month pregnancy clothes. Starting to feel human again. Still sharing baby with new guests. Still sharing labor story with everyone who hasn’t heard it and some who have to hear it twice. Appreciating cooked meals from Ted’s mom. Napping when baby naps. Hormones still making me all giggly and warm inside though started to feel a bit more “questionable” like PMS. Waking every other hour to feed as she lay in her co-sleeper next to us in our bedroom. Watching Ted hold her as she sleep on his chest. Seeing how tiny she is against us and remembering how much she grew in just one month. Began pumping breast milk for reserves for when I go back to work. Introduced a pacifier. Took 50 pictures a day! Posted pics online. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month THREE: Getting my period for the first time in almost a year. Job searching. Laura visits and meets Romy for the first time. Taking advantage of other people holding her and trying to get something accomplished in that short period of time. Inviting friends over to get chores accomplished. Comfortable with breast-feeding. Took 50 pictures a day! Began taking her to the Exeter Library for Lap-Sit time, a story and play time for infants. This is where we met Sheri (mommy) and Meredith (2 mths older than Romy)…a playmate and soon-to-be friend. Took on the stay-at-home mommy job and started cooking dinner for sweety! This may have happened prior to this time, but I cannot remember. We never went hungry….i know that much. Feeding baby every other hour. Took plenty of pictures a day! Posted pics online. Could get things done while she slept. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month FOUR: Job searching and interviewing. Getting very anxious as unemployment benefits will run out soon. Totally over the baby shows…I can do it all better. Hahhahhahaha. Loving Jon & Kate plus 8 now. Could still get things done while she slept. No longer napping when she naps….doing chores instead. Wondering how I will juggle two kids. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month FIVE: Enjoying EVERY MINUTE I have at home with baby. Wishing Romy could get where she wanted to go on her own. Wishing I didn’t have to work but stressed about not working. Keeping the house relatively clean and proud of it. Try rice cereal but she hates it. Introduce vegetables and applesauce and watch her enjoy new foods. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month SIX: Romy is just about six mths of age when she starts daycare and I start my new job (Roland & Schlegel). She gets a cold a week into daycare and I get sick too. Ted gets sick shortly thereafter. Baby gets over illnesses but I hang onto whatever it is as we enter Month SEVEN. Romy gets her first tooth about 6 ½ mths. I find it practically impossible to do everything I think I am responsible for and haven’t learned to ask for help with anything. Feel the house is an utter mess and let it bother me. Though by the end of the month I start to allow things go a little more. Poop is taking on a new consistency and smell. Loving that I don’t have to change ALL the dirty diapers since she is watched during the weekdays. Trying to keep up with posting pictures online. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

Month SEVEN: Romy pulled herself up to a standing position last night as I placed her next to the dishwasher door as it lay open. She placed both of her hands down and pushed up and stood for a second, almost started to cry but then cooed a little giggle. Might be crawling soon as she downward-dogged it this morning. I’m still sick. She is still the best thing on earth. We are so blessed and thankful. She is beautiful.

There are days when i think i'm the worst mom ever and then there are days when i think i'm the best. There are times when i think i'm the worst partner and there are days when i feel i'm the best. and then there are days when i feel like i couldn't possibly be responsible for any mor things and then there are days when i can't wait to have another baby. I guess what it boils down to is that, after seven months, i'm doing the best that I can. I'm so happy, so in love and so blessed with this life....i remember this every chance i get.

Party girl

She is SO CUTE!

Romy – you are so freakin cute it makes my heart dance with enjoyment every time I even think of you!

We had a surprise party for my mom’s birthday (58) last Saturday, July 12th. The secret was well kept and Mom was certainly surprised. Romy enjoys crowds of people. She pretty much skipped her naps for the day and didn’t go to bed until late. My brother was amazed at how well she behaved through the entire party. Romy seems to like to take it all in. She stares and is quiet like she is thinking and processing everything she sees. I like to think I am the same way. Ted is very similar to that too. She is SUCH a delight when she is not teething.

Romy is trying to go from sitting to belly in order to try to crawl. She gets discouraged when she cannot get to where she wanted to go. However, I have noticed that she will use her butt while in sitting position in order to move forward. It is when she is laying down that she cannot figure out how to go forward.

I decided to buy some more toys today. Time flies by and next thing you know you find yourself thinking – I wonder if she could use some more challenging toys…those old toys seem to be boring her. She is also growing out of her 9 mth clothes very quickly. She is into 12 mth clothing now. I imagine she is around 19 pounds.

She LOVES when her Daddy even threatens to kiss her coming at her making piggy noises. She will flinch up with anticipation. It is so hilarious. She laughs out loud. One of my favorite memories which I think will stay embedded in my mind for a while (hopefully forever) will be of the three of us laying in bed laughing and playing. I’m sure there will be more days like that, but even as an almost 7 month old, Romy is able to enjoy the childish antics her mommy and daddy play just to get a rise out of her. If only she knew … if only she could grasp… just how much she is loved.

We have been spending more time with her getting her to walk. she loves to have her hands held while she tries to take one foot in front of the other. She starts to giggle and click her voice (odd noise) while she is walking. She tends to drag her toes as she steps tippy-toe. She needs some shoes to assist her. Socks with grippy bottoms help. She will hold herself up while holding onto the coffee table.

She is learning how to be gentle while petting the animals. She pets Walden and he tries to play with his toys with her. We haven't quite figured out how this will work, but Romy has quite a strong grip and Walden tends to think she is playing tug-o-war.

She has moved to Stage two foods. Her poop is becoming more solid! ahhh...the milestones!

Bee stings

Holy hanna – when you say JUMP – I’ll jump…and take yer a** to the emergency room to prevent respiratory failure from being poisoned by some damn yellow jackets. Scary.

Ted was attacked by an angry mob of bees yesterday and I did just that…drove 85 mph to the hospital to prevent a brush with death. Thank goodness we made it in time and he is recuperating well after being pumped full of enough allergy meds and steroids to knock a horse off its feet.

Thank goodness I was home at the time! Talk about adrenaline rush...

I love you sweetheart! I would do anything to prevent harm to you!

One month down...

I have GOT to blog more often...

To say we survived the first month would be slighting the fact that though we made it, Ted and I are still sick after the first month of my starting work and Romy starting daycare. We are both battling a reoccurring sinus infection. Romy is feeling better, although the poor thing was battling an ear infection and a cold and then busted a tooth through. Little did we know she was working on the latter since all the symptoms correspond with having a cold….of which she had anyway. The first month has been a tough one. One where household chores have been thrown to the back seat and meal-making has become a juggling act with baby to mom and baby to dad in order to keep baby happy while dinner is made.

Over the past month I have learned that being a working mommy is a bit of a chore. Learning to prioritize and being able to put Romy and Ted first in lieu of cleaning has been a struggle for me. I HATE a dirty kitchen. There have been more and more times when the kitchen has been dirty when I turn in for bed. Of course, the fact that I have been combating a sinus infection, coming, going and coming back again, have made it that more difficult for me to stay energized enough to complete chores after Romy goes to bed. After she hits the sack….we are short to follow. It’s no wonder that parents drink so much caffeine…

Romy’s schedule is as follows: Monday and Tuesday, Jackie (Grandmother) watches her at our house; Wednesday she goes to “school” (I call daycare this as it seems less of a nanny situation since she is really learning when she is there), Thursday my mom (Nana) comes to the house and Friday, school again. It is nice to NOT have to pack her bag every day, especially on Mondays.

I keep waiting for Romy to show more interest in crawling but so far her efforts are moving her entire body backwards and becoming irritated when she finds herself more out of reach from the toy that is in front of her. I like to hold her hands and have her stand on the floor. I’m trying to work on her standing from a sitting position. She loves to stand on the floor and tries moving like she is walking. She understands the theory of one foot in front of the other so that is a start.

I have noticed how different she is with me than with Ted. Ted makes her smile and laugh – he is the funny parent. I guess I’m all business because she seems to know how to work me. For instance…she knows if she spits out her pacifier enough times that I will eventually offer her the breast whereas she will have to cry herself to sleep with Daddy. I think weaning her from the breast will be difficult. I have been trying to let her go longer and longer in her crib but it seems like one meal during the night is what we are sticking to for now. While she was trying to push out that first tooth, she wanted to suckle all night long. And of course, I let her. And of course….I went unrested.

She is eating more and more food throughout the day. I am still only breast feeding her for breakfast and then she gets (BM) milk and food at lunch and (BM) milk and food for dinner. She is nursed to go to sleep if she needs some comforting and isn’t tired enough to put herself to sleep. Again, I think I spoil her with nursing…

I’m going to TRY to continue breast feeding her until it becomes an issue with teeth or low on supply. Right now I am pumping once a day, which seems adequate, but I have had to dip into my frozen supply more times than one. To go without formula is my goal….but it’s a difficult (and exhausting) goal to attain.

The new job is going well. The convenience of being so close to home is GREAT! The people are friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. It’s nice to have a reason to get dressed up – although getting dressed up some mornings is challenging. Doing my hair has become a feat in its own. I wear it up more often than down. Washing it has to be done at night. Styling it should be done at night too, but I often find myself going to bed with a wet head and then throwing it up in the morning. Two months ago I had 5 inches cut off and thought I was ready to go short. I ended up so annoyed with how short it was I am now growing it back out again.

Summer is flying by and I just thought the other day that we really have no summer events planned. I had thought that joining the pool would be fun, but I’m glad we didn’t because I have no idea when we would find the time to go. I think when Romy needs me less, planning more events will become a necessity. Right now, it seems she is in my lap more often than not.

I was giggling at her this morning while she stared down the basement steps through the cat door for about 5 minutes. She was enamored by whatever it was she saw. Perhaps thinking to herself, I wonder if I could fit through there? She is still delighted with the animals. She reaches for them and pets them with full hand when she can. I am trying to teach her “gently” when petting since she goes at them with full hand open and closes grabbing a full hand of fur. Get an animal on an “off” day – she may get bitten.

Speaking of which….she loves to pinch me. She reaches and stretches when she is nursing and PINCHES! It HURTS. I gently grab her hand and firmly say NO. Any ideas on how to handle that would be appreciated.

When she does become mobile, we will have a lot of child-proofing to do. As it is, we will need to become more conscious about what we leave out and where she can reach. I already think she will be eating dogfood if we don’t’ move it. She enjoys watching Walden when he eats. She rests in her walker, watches and giggles.

Her smile melts me. Her giggles fill me with joy. Her motions and movements make me proud. Although I whine (more than I should probably) – everything she does sparks an emotion in me.

I am so blessed with this life.

I can see the light!

Well folks, after months of endless searching and stressful days of submitting my resume...I was offered a Paralegal job...and guess what? I took it!!! It's a great job, close to home with great benefits. I have never been much of a religious person but i prayed and prayed for something...anything....to come my way to ease the burden of Ted having to care for his whole family. I feel so relieved...so so so relieved.

I go back to work next Monday so I am enjoying my last week home with Romy. I have been very blessed to have stayed home with her so long. she is almost 6 mths old already! We took a drive to visit Grandpop (aka Duck..this is what we decided to call him until Romy decides). She LOVES her Duck!

My dad is so cute with her! I love to watch the two of them together! She makes this histerical face when he kisses her because of his mustache. But there is something about him...she is always laughing. Too cute!

We got Romy a walker last week and she took to moving right along as soon as she was placed in it. She has always beena great stander so we wanted to give her the opportunity to use those legs. I'm so glad we got it because she is really starting to put two and two together. Yesterday i had her across the room and she moved all the way over to the dining room to see me.

i'll say it again...time flies...

Romy has turned 5 months old and boy, is she changing! She can now sit (almost) unassisted, will sleep through the night (if her tummy is full), says momma and dada and baba (?) and can successfully put herself to sleep for naps and night-night. She continues to amaze us both.

We need more toys. you cannot have enough toys, because babies (and kids i would imagine) have a short attention span. They get tired of things fast and so you have to alternate what they play with. You really cannot have enough toys. Mom and I got two toys this past weekend. I think she is already bored of them. She loves the plastic box with the plastic blocks. Right now, it's whatever she can put in her mouth...whatever makes noise....and whatever sounds cool.

Rice cereal...we have started to introduce "solids". I figured I would try it since she began to show interest in what I was eating...reaching out for my food. I have been consistent with the cereal for a week almost and she is finally getting the drift. I have read that it takes a while for infants to understand swallowing. Sucking, they have down pat. Swallowing is a bit more challenging...which is why they drool so much. Interesting.

I've started to feed her in her highchair since she can sit now and decided it would be a good idea for her to make the association of chair to food. She has been picky about where in the house she takes a bottle as the TV room has been her comfort room for breast feeding. I cannot give her a bottle in that room. We have since moved to the dining room for mealtime.

Now i know why people put toys on the highchair...this would keep their fingers busy with something other than their mouths. And i imagine it would keep their minds off of the task at hand. Instead of thinking so much about it...and risk getting annoyed...you should preoccupy them with other things. I have to get a highchair toy. I figure when she masters swallowing, I will introduce other Stage 1 foods. No hurry. She obviously doesn't care too much about food yet.

life before Romy...and now.

Things I took for granted: peeing uninterrupted; having a telephone conversation uninterrupted; making dinner uninterrupted; sleeping; browsing the internet; posting to my blog...

Romy is in bed...my time to reflect on my day and giggle about the little things, which, in the moment, made me perturbed, but only in the slightest bit. Things that i used to be able to do without worry have now become things to squeeze in my marathon day of caring for our daughter. Getting the mail from the mailbox; folding laundry; eating; feeding the animals; cleaning the house; running to the store (any errands); showering; and tons more. I laugh when i visit the mailbox with infant in hand, when i shower with her in her vibrating chair directly outside the shower curtain so i can keep her entertained with peek-a-boo while i sneak in shaving my legs; while she sits nestled in her swing as I prepare a meal for myself; or place her on her pack-and-play changing station as i make my trip to the bathroom; or juggle her in one arm as I toss wet laundry into the dryer. Every minute of every day I learn how to live while juggling our daughter who cannot live without my help, who would sit unbearably unhappy if I didn't entertain her every minute she begged for my attention. This is my life. 24/7.

I'm not writing about this because it annoys me. No, not at all. I write this because I often reflect on how life used to be and how much, even though chaotic and much more complex, life is so much more meaningful and wonderful and full of happiness; thankfulness and pride. I'm so proud of our family, how we manage to get along in a day of so many stresses and remain close and never forget to remind one another how much we love one another. Our family; me, Ted and Romy is the greatest thing I have ever accomplished. It may not be the best word choice, but it feels like the one thing in my life that has made me proud, like a promotion at work or something, but so much bigger. I love my life. I am madly in love with Ted and our daughter. and i wouldn't change anything at all, not ever. They make life worth living and living full of life!

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Romy can ROLL! Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were the beginning of it all....now she is becoming a pro! Too bad I cannot figure out how to post a video yet....but i haven't captured it on tape yet anyway. She is very proud of herself. No more placing her on the couch or chair while going to the bathroom....

I have now learned that a carpet will be beneficial for the comfort of little ones who spend the majority of the time on the floor... Ted and I will be purchasing an area rug to help Romy's knees. (and ours). She even rolled for her Daddy, when the evening hours are her most tired. She is testing the volume of her voice too. She has begun screeching and fluctuating the tones of her voice - squeeling and cooing uncontrollably.

Mommy wishing Romy a Happy 4 month birthday. I know, i already made a post for her 4 month birthday, but this pic was taken on THE day. Luckily it was warm and we got to wear a sundress! Here are more from that day...

wow - that's big. i just realized you can pick the size of your picture on this blog. how funny. anyway - still looking like daddy!! She is a Daddy's girl... and she loves to be outside. loves the brightness of it all....

here she is with Grandmother, before going outside. I got to plant daylilies while she got to sun herself. not really....she was kept out of the sun.

And today, we went for our walk early because the day was going to get hotter. There is nothing like a walk in the stroller to get our baby sleeping. and when she wakes up...she is all smiles.

Our sweety...endlessly making me smile back and give so many kisses, no one could keep count.

my little yogi

So Bebbie gave Romy her first yoga outfit and she looks absolutely adorable! We even practiced her yoga moves by stretching her legs and arms. she smiles and goos and gaas while i reach her arms above her head and practice the bicycle with her legs.

There is certainly no shortage on cute baby clothes. Romy is starting to grab things and be interested in "things" now. Even when i breastfeed her she looks around as if she is missing something... She is also starting to sit up better and continuing her efforts in rolling over. She is almost there. i must admit, she doesn't give up easily. She is fine playing on her mat for a half hour at a time. She is wonderful sitting on my lap for bits of time. It is so cool to watch her development more of a bond with me. Every day i can see that she recognizes me from further away and knows where i am at all times. well...she'd like to think she does. at least, i notice that it has become an important thing for her to know where i am at all times.

I love being a mom. more than i thought i ever would. i love being the "go to" person. Romy loves me...better yet, she needs me. and i need her just as much...little does she know.

4 month check-up

Romy had her 4 month check-up today. She weighs 15 lbs 15 oz and is 25 3/4 inches long. she is overall pretty much in the 95th percentile in each category. my big Mullins' baby girl! it is interesting that in two months she went from being in the 50th percentile for height and is now in the 95th. we new she grew - but she grew more than i thought!

I decided to dress her in her Halloween costume today. I'm sure it will still fit her come October as it is made to fit up to 18 months of age. it's pretty big... check out my little dragonfly.

The weather has been so warm the past few days. I always am sure to get Romy outdoors for her walk. I like to rant off names of all the flowers, trees and shrubs along the way. What better way for her to get to know the names of them all!? I was always into horticulture, who knows, maybe she will be too. she loves animals...i love animals... It cracks me up to watch her watch Walden. She gets a kick out of him. The first time I heard her laugh out loud, cackling and howling, she was laughing at Walden.

Baby gets kisses. She started to recognize the cats too. Last night she was watching Matilda and then reached out and grabbed her fur (and didn't let go without assistance) while Tilly just looked at her, as if to say.....ouchhhhhhhhh. She loves to watch all the animals. there are lots of them to watch.

cutie patootie. She loves being outside. Nanna got her this hat. It's great to keep the sun out of her eyes. Also, i find it important that any hat contain something to tie it onto her head. great help! I can't wait to be able to work outside and have her watch me in the garden.



Romy loves standing. she hasn't quite sat up on her own yet, but she loves standing more than sitting anyway. If you hold her just a little, she pretty much can hold herself up. For this reason, i bought her shoes. I got her some tiny Keds sneakers. These have really proven to help her get more of a grasp on the ground when she is in her jumper. Also, any shoes, not just Keds are great for this purpose. It's keeping them on her feet that is the challenging part.

more pics

She quats, she poops. she grunts with this too. too bad you can't hear that. funny.

and she still loves bath time...

yep, i love my fingers. taste like chocolate.

and some day i will be able to sit up on this couch all by myself.

Finding Time to Blog!

Ok, between the array of stuff I do in the course of a day, I have been so lame as to slack off on my blog. Why? Well, in the course of a day - I find about 1-2 hours of free time, depending on the length of Romy's nap. During these bouts of down time I find myself, vacuuming, grocery shopping, checking emails, applying for jobs, making phone calls, dusting, cleaning the bathrooms, picking up after the cats....the list goes on. Days fly by and leave me wondering what it is that I am left with in order to remind me to enjoy every moment i have with Romy. I do....but it's a race against time to get stuff done that needs to be done. So, i'm done making excuses. Here I am....and Romy is nearly 4 months old.



To date, i am guessing she is almost 16 lbs. she has indeed gotten taller too, i'll guess 24.5". She goes for her four mth check up this week so i'll find out for sure. When I take her out and people ask me how old she is, they are almost always astonished when I tell them how young she is. She dwarfs the five month old girls in her Library Story time group. I'm told she is a Mullins' girl. big. so be it. she is gorgeous nonetheless.


Romy is getting good at holding her head up and is almost ready to roll over.


















She is constantly figuring new and interesting things to do with her lips. See the fish face? loves it. Spending time on her tummy gets aggravating as she gets irritated when she cannot go the direction she wants to go. With a little help from mommy, a push off from the feet proves she can go an inch with success....i really don't want her too mobile yet. still need to baby proof the house!




Fingers. all of them. in the mouth. all the time. the way this child naws at her fingers you would think she is teething. no sign of teeth here, but we insist on getting them all in the mouth all hours of the day.





We laugh, we smile, we crack up sometimes. Romy is a happy girl. She loves play time and becomes pretty demanding of my attention. I must say, i am a sucker for it too. I think of it this way...some day i will be starving for her affection and she won't have time for me. I'm sucking it all up now.















Romy has started to make lots of noise. ok, so she is talking. we thought something was wrong. i found out yesterday why she is mimicking noises. i know babies mimic so i've read that you should talk to your baby, not make odd goos and gaas to them. they need to learn their annunciations. that's what i do. mommmmmm, mommmmmma, daaaaaaaaaa, dada. Romy started to eeeeeeeee, aahhhhhhhh, cooooooooo, gaaaaaaaaaaaa and i listened as grandmother made nonsense noises to her on her playmat yesterday. i said, what are you teaching her? ok - killer mom instinct kicking in. talk to the baby - don't make weird noises. we want her to talk. yikes. i'm mean. well, i was nice about it. maybe i read too much. i believe some things i read.











Ahh, the Baby Bjorn. now, i'm borrowing this from a friend but i will not have another baby without purchasing one of these. brilliant! she LOVES it! she wants to see everything! she kicks her legs and is so excited when she even sees me getting it ready for her. Of course, it wasn't the warmest day and my neighbors probably thought i was nuts, but we walked around and she loved it. i love it too. I put her in there to do my shopping - she is starting to not like sitting in her car seat all the time, so this is a big help. she's heavy and i'm certain this is why my back is killing me, but it's worth it to keep her smiling.






feet, toes, hands, skin, cheeks...you want to capture it all so that you can remind them when they are bigger how tiny they once were. i love her feet. i love the softness of her skin. i love her smell, all except when we have huge blow outs. i will digress for a moment into the crap faze - there will be craps, so big and powerful that even the greatest of all diapers will not hold up to its enormousness. clothes will need changing. several times, perhaps. i laugh. she laughs. Daddy laughs. it's funny. sometimes one bath leads to another bath. i carry a change of clothes wherever we go. i go prepared. i think of large craps. these are the things that encompass my thoughts upon leaving the house. boobs, check. change of clothes, check. diapers a plenty, check.



Daycare. it's out there and now she has to go. Hopefully (pros and cons there) I will be going to work soon and she has to go to daycare. i'm looking forward to it because i know she will skyrocket with her learning as she is exposed to other children. I'm not looking forward to it because i LOVE our time together. absence makes the heart grow fonder...she will learn to love me more when i am not always there for her. ugh...it is as hard as they say it is. it will always be hard saying goodbye (for now) to your child. how could it not be.






i'll enjoy watching her play for now, with me, alone. i'll capture these past four months and remember them to be the greatest, yet most trying times of my life....and i'll be sure to tell her about them later - that they are the most significant, wonderful, captivating times i could ever have dreampt of.

Romy is two months old

Her two month visit to the Pediatrician revealed our little one to be 12 lb, 9oz, 22.5" long, and a head circumfrence of 16". She is in the 90th percentile for weight and head size and the 50th for length. It is so surprising to me that she is not longer...with a daddy, uncles and grandfathers over 6 feet tall. Her eyes are still blue and i see no signs of them changing.

She is holding her head up wonderfully and starting to flip herself on her side and back again without trouble. She smiles at the sound of our voices. She makes so many noises it is the most precious thing in the world to hear her little baby voice. She is crying more. She still isn't sleeping through the night but has increased the number of hours she is sleeping. She is pretty easy to read...and i cannot complain - she is a good baby.

She had her vaccinations last Friday and spiked a temperature and was a bit irritable for a few hours. It was difficult to watch her in pain and discomfort. I think we handled it well though. thank goodness for Courtenay's Infant Tylenol advice. that stuff works quick and like a champ.

The MOM job is getting easier for me. well, i guess that isn't the correct word, but things seem to be falling into place with me. going out with her isn't all that frightening. i am building up my muscles from her weight combined with the weight of the car seat. man, it's a workout. I'm currently seeking employment and touring daycares and enjoying the time i have left. Life is less stressful these days.

Date night

People weren't kidding when they told me that time would start to fly by once you have a child. Romy is two months old and just the other day, while holding a newborn who weighed as much as Romy once did, I realized my little one has taken off and is growing into a toddler before my eyes. Before I know it, she will be walking.

Post pardum depression may or may not effect you after you have a baby. I prepared myself for hormone hell, and after the first two weeks flew by without an ounce of irritation, i thought i was in the clear. It wasn't until week 6 that my new reality started to set in. Making the adjustment from me to MOM seemed to frighten me all of the sudden. Stress of finances, lack of "work", the unknown future, worries of whether i'm going to succeed with raising a child were all lingering and scaring the crap out of me. The good thing to know is, it was all normal. The first thing I am thankful for is girlfriends. without them, i may have allowed myself to sink deeper. the most important thing is recognizing your feelings, staring them in the face and devising a plan to conquer them. conquering them meant, to me, finding myself. the Pam i knew pre-pregnancy...the woman who got lost in maternity clothes and hormone hell.

date night. an absolute necessity in regaining your spiritual strength, reconnecting with your mate and reminding yourself you are a woman who deserves to feel wonderful and sexy -- even all the while keeping your MOM priorities -- just on back burner for a mere evening in order to recapture your sanity.

24/7 is a lot of time to spend with your newborn. while most of it is awesome - there are times when i stepped back and asked myself....oh my god....can i just sleep NOW. maternity leave is a must, and a much appreciated leave of absence from work, but make no mistake...this is not a vacation. this is an exploration of self...finding the best way to slowly acclimate yourslef into a new life. it takes a lot of effort, patience, and understanding - all from within.

i am so thankful to have gone out to dinner with Ted over Valentine's Day weekend. It became a huge eye opener - a breath of fresh air - my mini theraputic vacation - from my MOM duties. It was refreshing, comfortable, enjoyable - heck, it was so much fun! i saw what i love in me ...i could breathe easy and relax and not worry. one, just one of these every other month or so...i believe, will keep me on my feet. that, and a refreshing visit to the hair salon.

Being a MOM is the hardest job i have ever had but truly the most rewarding. but even the best jobs in the world need stepping away from so you can truly enjoy the beauty of them.

and now it's February...

Well, it's true...just when you figured out your baby's schedule, it changes. Romy has gone from waking every 2 1/2 - 3 hours to sleeping 7 hours straight yesterday. I believe she is going through a growth spurt...

watching your baby try to imitate you is the most wonderful thing so far. she is making noises and mimmicing my mouth movements. she oooo, ahhhhhhhs, ohhhhhhhhs and it's so incredible. her hands went from clenched to open. her neck is stronger. she is more interested and becomes less interested in a short period of time. she loves to be held. she smiles at the sound of my voice in the morning. she is intrigued by bright things. she smells wonderful. her little cries make me want to wash away everything that bothers her. her play mat is finally a place to practice focusing. her tummy mats are proving more useful.

her eyes are still blue, her hair fell out and is growing in darker. her skin is sensitive and breaks out here and there. she loves high pitch noises and the sound of her daddy's voice. she loves attention but loves chillin in her vibrating chair. she enjoys being read to and looking at bright pictures in her books. she isn't too enamored by rattles or loud sounds or clapping. she loves being walked around, facing out, held tightly to my chest. her little legs are straightening as she tries to stand every day. she sits up with a little help from her Bumbo.

I'm loving every minute, but the fun has to stop sometime with the beginning of my job search. I have begun sending my resume...so we will cross our fingers that this process isn't too pain staking.

how do you paraphrase two months?

ok, so the last posting was 11/11/07 and SO much has happened i do not know where to start.

I will start by telling you i was canned from my job on 11/26 and began a three week BORING stint of sitting around and playing house mom until the arrival of our beautiful baby girl...

On December 18th, i gave birth to our wonderful bundle of heart warming joy - Romy Amelia-Janet Mullins, 7 lbs, 3.6 oz., 18.5 " long. It was a Tuesday. The preceding day I was Christmas shopping with Ted's mom and at around noon began feeling a "different" kind of cramping (contractions) so she began to time them. The day went on and the contractions went from being 10 mins apart to being 4 mins apart and we found ourselves at Wal-mart purchasing a stop watch so we could keep better track of the contractions. i was beginning to convince myself this was it. Jackie was able to show Ted just what to do before departing for the evening...and resisting his requests to stick around "just in case". The contractions then started to become erratic and further apart...this was when i gave up hope and went to bed. Two weeks before this, the same thing happened and nothing came of it.

We went to bed. I woke up around 2:30 am with more cramping but ignored it, sucked it up, turned over and went back to sleep. These twinges of cramps came and went until Ted got up for work. I wasn't sure, as i was suffering from the sleeplessness from the night, how often these pains were coming...so I waited for Ted and then announced it may be a good idea to start timing. He did....and we got what we were waiting for. They were coming every 5 mins, lasting for one minute, and went on for one hour. The pains were bareable. I had to breath through them although they still kept me on my feet. I wasn't nervous about the pain just then....i was nervous about welcoming our child into the world. I was about to create my own labor story.

After calling Dr. Baker, he insisted that i come to the hospital although he was not convinced that i was in labor since i was still very jolly. We got there, around 9 am, i walked myself to Triage, was hooked up to machines to monitor the contractions...and after Dr. Baker performed an internal check, he announced that i was 4 cms dilated and that we were having our baby that day. Oh boy. i don't remember what i thought to myself at that point....because the rest is such a whirlwind and i blurrrrrr. Ted tells a much more entertaining story beyond this point. Here's what I recall:

They got us a room where we were going to deliver and set up camp. The contractions were still relatively the same. Dr Baker decided to break my water. Soon after that i was 5 cm. I didn't progress as quickly as the Dr anticipated so he suggested pitocin. I immediately declined and the Dr gave me a few more hours to progress on my own. I progressed....and things got interesting.

The contractions were becoming more and more intense but with the help of my WONDERFUL labor coach, i was able to get through each painstaking one of them by knowing when the end was near. with his soothing voice and consistant rubbing of my leg, each plateau was manageable. I was in a zone. I was so focused until....the woman giving birth next door to us began screaming bloody murder. i became off-kilter. i panicked. i thought - if it's going to get much worse than this, i may need something. Get the Dr. let's find out.... After being checked again, i was told i was 9 1/2 cms dilated, 10 with a contraction and it was time to start pushing. SWEET! i could not have been more excited. They emptied my bladder and it was time.

The pushing was the hardest. but again, with Ted, the nurse and the Dr. - i had the best cheerleaders i could ask for. I have no idea how long it took to get her out - seemed like forever....but there she was! It was 4:31 pm. She was placed on my chest and i thought OMG - there you are. there's my baby girl. welcome! please don't let anyone touch her. :-) she stayed with me for a few mins until they took her to be weighed and measured. it was this time that Ted had with her and the rest for me was repair work....OUCH. that sucked.

The first two weeks after having a baby are a blur to me. I was high on endorphins and happy as a clam. my world could not be much better and life certainly could not offer me much more happiness than i had already gotten. Ted helped out at home so much i had only Romy to focus on. He was everything I needed him to be! Ted, you rule baby. I love you so much.

She is a great little baby. She sleeps, she eats, she poops... a lot ... and she makes me smile endlessly every day. Trying to develop a schedule is difficult and just when i think i have her figured out, she changes. She keeps me on my toes.

Managing my time has become a challenge. I focus on dirty floors but am learning how to let go... a little. I nap when she naps....sometimes....I eat when she naps...I catch up on emails when she naps. thank goodness she naps. Being a mom has its ups and downs. The downs are the things I go through due to lack of sleep. There has not been much to complain about and nothing out of the ordinary, my body just hates getting little to no sleep. The ups - they are endless. Her smiles, her coos, gurgles, gagas and attempts to talk....her toes, her hands, her belly, her butt, her chubby legs....the thought of her crawling, talking, walking and learning how to ride a bike...

Life, this one we created.....our little girl Romy - you are the best! i cannot wait to see what else unravels.

Thank you for choosing us to be your parents!