The Clarke's

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

1st Family Vacay

We quickly learned that "vacation" has a new meaning with a baby:o) We also quickly learned that Folly was not the best destination considering Miss Priss hates the beach and temperatures above 75 degrees. Our 1st day there we loaded up the car with a ton of gear and headed to the beach. About 30 minutes, a massive blowout that resulted in throwing away a brand new bathing suit, and major meltdown later, my mom and I took Fin back to the house. The week was not an entire bust, though, and we enjoyed showing Finlay around Charleston.

Waterfront Park & Fin's 1st rose

Cannons at the Battery

Folly Pier

No beach trip is complete without some Low Country Boil!

Sullivan's

Aunt Liza & Finlay

Red's

Don't mind me, mom, just holding my own bottle!

We had lots of this....

The 1st 5 minutes before all hell broke loose!

Party at the Point!

Best dressed baby there, if I do say so!

Diving Marianna & Patrick major baby fever!

This is pretty much how most nights ended up-half naked baby & lots of empty beer!

It really was a great trip despite some challenges! It served as another reminder of how different life is now. I loved watching her reactions to all the new sites and sounds and am confident next summer will be a different story! Next stop this summer....the mountains!!

Saturday, June 8, 2013

3 Months!

Our precious girl is a whole quarter of a year old! The moment we reached 8 weeks, things got so.much.easier every day. Finlay's nightly meltdowns that lasted 6 excruciating weeks became less and less severe & frequent and are now {for the most part} non-existent. Subsequently, along with my hormones returning to normal and the gift of formula, my nightly meltdowns became less and less severe & frequent!! This last month also brought the dreaded return to work for me. The first day was nearly unbearable and full of tears, but by the end of the week I adjusted to our new normal and settled into a schedule. There's part of me {the part that is way too attached & scared of "missing" anything} that wants to stay home, but there's also the part of me that loves my job and actually wants to work. I suppose most mamas run into this dilemma. Luckily teachers have lots of breaks and a schedule conducive to working mamas.

Miss Fin has reached quite a few milestones in her mere 3 months! She's a chubby little thing, weighing in at over 13 pounds. When propped up on a pillow, she can roll from her tummy to her back, which she loves! Most of her clothes are 3-6 months. I bought several 6 month smocks in hopes of them lasting through the summer. She has grown to love the bath. She is just as content as can be laying in her little tub having water poured on her! She most definitely recognizes mommy and daddy. There are still moments when only mommy will do to please her, and I am ok with that! If I had a dollar for every "She looks exactly like Lee!" comment I have gotten, I would be rich. Yes, I'm aware the child I carried for 9 long months then labored with for 11 long hours bares no resemblance to me. That's ok though, luckily her daddy is pretty good-looking;o) The absolute best thing my little 3 month old is now doing......SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!! Amen! Praise the Lord! Granted it's in her pack n play which is in our room. At least she's no longer in our bed, right?! *Knock on wood* she has slept 8 to 8.5 hours 6 nights in a row. 30 ounces of formula a day and my shirt laid down for to sleep on seems to do the trick. Now hopefully we can easily transition to the crib and enjoy a few more full nights sleep until those teeth start to make their appearance!

Such strong head control!

Just chillin

Whoops, fell over.

Toe kisses from big brother.

The sweetest, cutest, most precious girl I get to love on every day! Words really can't describe how drastically life and both Lee and I have changed in just 3 months. Parenthood will do that I guess:o) Here's to the next 2 months home with my growing girl!

My 1st Mama's Day!

It was so fun to be part of this special day for the first time. Lee made me breakfast in bed then I came downstairs to this sweet message, and I have to say, My husband is 2 for 2 when it comes to the last special occasions/gifts. The best presents are free and come from the heart. I wasn't complaining about the new sandals either, though;o)

I adore this picture of my mom and Fin.

Yia Yia admiring Finlay as always!

Grill master and the mesquite chicken & pineapple skewers.

My 1st born about to try and eat the roses.

3 generations of mommies.

Mother's Day has a whole new meaning to me now & I have a whole new appreciation for all the moms out there, especially mine.

I hope I'm the kind of mom to this little girl that deserves to be celebrated! I certainly try my best every single day.

My 1st baby on our 1st Mother's Day! Love, love, love.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Beach, Beer, and Babies

.....is what life is all about!

Happy 2 Months Baby Girl!

I think {knock on wood} we have reached that "it get's better" period that everyone promised was coming! Finlay's nightly meltdowns are much milder, and I'm able to calm her down reasonably fast. She goes about 3 hours during the day between feedings and 4 to 4.5 at night. After weeks of struggling with the decision, we made the transition to formula. I truly agonized over this, and even chickened out in the formula aisle at Target several times. Ultimately I concluded that a happy, stress-free mom is the best thing for Finlay, and I can think of few happier days than the day I no longer had to nurse! She still wants to be held nearly all the time, but she is becoming content on her own more and more. She smiles and makes the most adorable "Ahhhhh" noise. She's not a big fan of tummy time but is itching to roll over. We are still able to take her anywhere, and the louder the noise, the better. Due to unheard of for May rain and low temps, we spent the majority of our anniversary weekend in Charleston eating and drinking at various restaurants. She is wearing 0-3 month and some 3 month clothes and weighs in at 10 lbs, 12 oz. She measures 21 3/4 inches and checked out well! I'm soaking up every moment this week, as I return to work on Monday. {tear} Luckily, though, I'll be taking her to my dad and just 4 weeks until summer vacation.