Getting ready for Christmas

Dani got her bangs trimmed today. With the dry weather out, her hair has straightened and her bangs are always in her eyes. Now those that know me know that I'm not really into "doing" hair, plus her hair is so fine that it won't hold a clip, so we trimmed about 1/8th of an inch off her bangs. Craig was saying "That's too much! That's too much!" so I barely got enough off to put in her baby book. She had her first cat-related injury last week. Sully nipped her in the face. When he was younger, we noticed that if we yelled or laughed loudly, he would bite your foot. ( Apparently, loud noises agitate him) So, then we thought it was fun to lay of the floor and scream, and he would gently bite our face. We thought it was so cute and funny at the time. Well, you see where this is going. Dani was crying loudly in my lap because she didn't want to take a nap and out of nowhere Sully zoomed in and nipped her! He only left a tiny scratch but now we are being more careful when Dani is crying. Tomorrow is craft day with Aunt Sandy. A day where we spend the whole day visiting, eating delicious food, and oh yeah, doing crafts! It is a tradition that started when Craig and I moved here. We try to make enough gifts for the whole family. We joke all the time that Sarah is going to be in her 20's, coming home for craft day with Aunt Sandy. This will be fun because it is Dani's first craft day.

Fellowship of the Metroplex Halloween House

Yesterday was our FOM Halloween house with our lifegroup. Basically, its like a mini fall festival at several of our church members houses, that way we can get to know our neighbors better. Our lifegroup did ours at a neighborhood park in Kennedale. It was really fun, much less hectic and personal than a fall festival, and the neighbors loved it! We gave out corndogs, lemonaid, hot cocoa and smores. We also had games to play. Dani had fun but was also a little overwhelmed by all the hub bub.

Dani's wish list

OK, all you members of the Dani fan club ( AKA relatives!) Here is a Christmas list for Dani since I know I will be getting requests soon.
*Classic Crankypants, Monster Booty size 12-18 months, one pair. (www.crankypantshome.com) *Dream-eze Organic All-in-one Diapers, size large, any color ( www.hip-green-baby.com) *Mother-ease Sandy's Unbleached or colored cotton fitted diapers, size large, (www.mother-ease.com) * Also she would like some bibs that fit around her chubby neck better. *Soft leather shoes like Robeez, Shooshoos, Pediped etc. I think that's about it for now, I will add things as I think of them. And now for your token cute picture of the day- Dani in her Zebra costume courtesy of Grama Cathy!

A tooth! My kingdom for a tooth!

Dani cut her first tooth today. It is barely visible above the gumline and is invisible in this picture, but what an exciting day! I can see the outline of one next to it as well. What a sweetie, you would never have known it by her demeanor.
My Dad got back from Scotland on Monday, and brought Dani a kilt and matching tamershan (spelling?). Here she is inspecting my Manchester United scarf.

Dani's first ponytail!

Hiking at Cedar Hill

We went hiking at Cedar Hill State park, and also walked around an old farm there, called Penn Farm. It is the original homestead, that has been preserved. It is pretty cool to see the timbers in the barn that were hand hewn in 1850.

State fair

Craig and I went to the state fair of Texas last week! We had lots of fun and the weather was beautiful. Dani did great on such a big outing.

More WA pics

Dani and "Marnie"















Going to church with Uncle Mat.








With cousin Becky and her husband Leo. I love the look on Dani's face in this one!

A few Washington pics!

Dani meeting Uncle Mat

All fours now!!!

We have been having so much fun, we haven't had to time to post any pics.

Meeting great Grama for the first time!

5 Months old!

I can't believe how fast time has flown by. When I was pregnant, 5 months seemed to drag on and on. That's not the case now with new milestones for Dani every day, and different Mom's groups for me to connect with. I went to a La Leche League meeting yesterday for the first time. It was great to be around other breastfeeding Moms and children. Dani is very interested in the world as of late, and gets hungry but is too excited to concentrate on eating. Then Craig and Sarah joined me in the evening for a potluck of other EC'ing families.

Big sister

Big sister Sarah!

With a dolphin on her carribean cruise.

Cutie pie!

Isn't she cute! That's all I can say....

4 months old!

pretend walking w/ grama

sitting up with daddy

big smile!!!

Its been awhile...

Its been pointed out to me that I haven't updated my blog lately. Probably because I usually only have on hand available to type, and Dani hates sitting at the computer with me. She is at the point now where the world is her oyster, and she is happiest when she is being entertained. Whether it is toys, funny faces, or songs, she doesn't just want to be held anymore! She has even protested a few times when a forbidden toy is removed. Also, everything is going in her mouth so we have reached a new level of hygiene in the house. Her elimination communication is going great, she even pottied in a big person toilet at the library! That may come as TMI for some people, but I think it is amazing how smart babies are if we just give them the chance. So yes, I brag about my baby's potties!! It has become increasingly hard to get a prefold diaper on a 15 pound, wriggly, rolling baby. I need to make a trip to the toy store for some fun distracting toys that she can have only at diaper changes, maybe that will help. I don't have any pics of her on this computer, so check back later when I add some recent ones of our precious little girl!!

Fun with fleece

I have been having fun with my sewing machine, now that Dani is a little more independent and can sit in her swing for a few minutes here and there. First, I made her a cozy for her Baby Bjorn Little Potty. I used the pattern from doityourselfec.blogspot.com. There are some great patterns on there! Dani loves using her potty now that her bum has a warm fuzzy seat! Next, I tried a fleece soaker using Katrina's fleece soaker pattern, and that was actually easier than the cozy! I had a hard time with the sizing, even though I measured Dani, it still turned out way too small. Then I went too big, then I finally made one that fits. We used it last night as a night time cover and it was awesome! Even though her dipey was pretty wet, her soaker stayed nice and dry. I can't wait to make some with some fun colors.

Dani's likes and dislikes

Dani's little personality is starting to come out. She delights us everyday with new developements! Some of her favorite things: Nursing is definitely number one! The look of adoration she gets on her face while nursing makes all the struggles we had at first totally worthwhile. Snuggling: Yes, Dani sleeps in bed with me. She loves to nestle in between my arm and my chest, with her arms either above her head or clasped in a praying position under her cheek. So cute!!! Also napping on people's chests like a little spider monkey tops her list for snuggle time. Her crib: She actually likes her crib, she loves to have some diaper free time in there doing tummy time or "bicycling" her legs and babbling. She even took two naps in there this week! The outdoors: Dani is outdoorsy just like her Mommy. If she is fussy, a good walk around the yard is all it takes to calm her down. Daddy's voice: She loves listening to him read to her while doing tummy time ( as long as she's eaten recently!) So far Dani has read Breaking Dawn and Timeline :) Hair washes: She closes her eyes and puts her hands behind her head in the running water.

I'm sure every baby has dislikes- here are Dani's. We are doing demand feedings with her, and thats what she does- DEMAND. If she has to wait at all for me to get my shirt ready, it screaming time! She usually wakes up from her nap "starving" so look out if she starts to wake up! Diaper changes: She loves having her diaper taken off, wiped with a warm wipey, and airing out. She does not like having her new diaper put on! I have gotten really fast with a quick jellyroll/snappi application of the diaper so that has helped. Her potty seat: She has a love/hate relationship with this thing. She went a few weeks and refused to use it, would arch and scream if I held her over it, so we ditched it and let her potty on an old prefold. Then, I learned a more comfortable way to hold her over it, and for the last week she has been pottying and pooping in it! Yesterday, she got a really snotty nose and has decided she doesn't want to go in the seat again, I think she will like it again once she feels better. ( So this morning she did her morning poopy in the bathroom sink! My Mom was not thrilled since it is right next to her toothbrush haha!!) Baths: Hit or miss, sometimes she is great, other times it like she is saying " This was NOT on my list of things to do today!" Her stroller and car seat: Since she can't be snuggled or fed while in either of these, she HATES both of them.

We are all having fun getting to know Dani, and can't wait to see what she is going to do next!

Pictures

I forgot to add pictures to my last one! There is probably some way to go back and add them but I'm too lazy to look!

Baby hobbies!

What do you do when you are used to working full time and suddenly have lots of time at home with a new baby? You overload yourself with baby hobbies!! So far we are dabbling in elimination communication, babywearing and cloth diapers. I may try baby sign language too. The EC is going pretty well, except that half the time I am so comfy on the couch that I don't want to get up and take her to potty when she starts squirming. The baby carriers are really fun, I started using them in the house to do chores today ( she is in her moby wrap sleeping right now) and of course the cloth diapers are going great. I love the cloth wipes my friend made for me, if you are interested she sells them on etsy ( her blog is linked on my page: Lyndys Rants and Raves) All of this is only since I have started getting some good sleep, its hard to have hobbies on 2 hours of sleep!! Also praise the Lord I only had a mild case of the baby blues and maybe only cried like 5 times over nothing. I have to say I cannot imagine having a new baby without the family and church support that I have had. I would be hungry, unshowered and exhausted if not for the meals, cleaning and baby-holding help I have had!!

Babymoon!

This will be a short update, we've got lots of stuff to do! On March 11th at 1:17 PM, Danica Rae Karr arrived by c-section!!! She was 8 pounds even, 20.25 inches and lots of hair! She had her cord around her neck twice which was why she was trapped in the breech position. Praise the Lord for a healthy happy baby. My recovery has gone well, and Dani nurses like a champ! I am having loads of fun with my cloth diapers, trying on all my little covers and prefolds. Craig does great with them as well, and his folding technique holds in the poos just as well as mine. Dani sleeps pretty well at night, we are getting adequate sleep. It helps that my mom is staying with us and will watch her we need a nap. Craig's Mom has been great, bringing desserts and lunches and hanging out to keep us company. Our church lifegroup is doing a dinner a night for a week, this has also been a huge blessing. Anyways, feel free to call for stop by to meet the new family celebrity!!!

Counting down the days

Only a week and a half until my due date. I am so excited to meet her, and so nervous!! Sometimes she sticks her little fists out against my tummy, and they feel so cute I'm sure they are even cuter fists in person. ( If that makes any sense) Here's a recent pic from last weekend. When I saw it, my first thought was " I can't be that huge, I would be ramming into everything with my belly!" But then I realized that I was ramming things. I definitely don't feel that big, I guess because it came on so gradually. I have Dr's appt. tomorrow, and we'll find out more about if we are scheduling a c-section, or whatever. At this point, I am just praying for a healthy happy baby and mommy, and whatever happens happens. ( We can still pray for a flippy baby though!)

Sewing fun

After about an hour of figuring out how to load the bobbin and thread the needle, I was able to start playing with my Christmas sewing machine. I first made Tuffy a hat, which was too small and stangled him so of course I had to put it on the cat. He didn't like it very much either. Here is a picture of my first project: breastfeeding pads. Aren't they hideous?!! It was a challenge to go in a circle, and since I can't find the pins I got for Christmas, the layers didn't want to stay together. They are a cut up gerber cloth diaper. I have to say that it is much harder to sew when your Mom or Grama isn't there to set up the machine, pick the stitch, etc. Next I will make baby leg warmers out of kneehigh socks! Righteous!!

Sarah's birthday

Well, we survived! I think we had around 10 kids over, and 8 spent the night. They were actually great, keeping themselves entertained with movies and video games, and lots of giggling once the boys arrived! I went to bed at 9:30 with my new best friend, Ambien, and Craig stayed up for a couple more hours. Apparently, this is when things got crazy. There was a cake fight complete with throwing of chocolate syrup. Craig did everyones laundry and dried it and cleaned up. If he hadn't told me about it I wouldn't have even known. What a good hubby!! And if Ihad been up, it never would have happened so the kids are glad I went to bed early! Thanks to Michelle for hanging out with us and helping out, and to all the kids for being so good.

Upside right baby

I had a Dr's check up yesterday with an ultrasound. Baby is 5 lbs. 14 oz. and healthy!! But, she is showing her Daddy's stubborn side by refusing to turn head down. This was disconcerting because the last thing I want is a c-section if it can be avoided. So, we need prayers for a flippy baby! I am almost 36 weeks, and not many babies will flip this late ( so my Dr. says ) so pray that she will miraculously be where she is supposed to be at my next checkup. I have heard many people say that their babies actually did flip this late, so maybe mine will be one! She is very active, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

I put the pack n' play in the bedroom to see how it fits, and the kitties are loving it. Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon. Can you spot Sully?

Also keep me in your prayers as we are having a whole crew of 12 year olds over tomorrow for Sarah's b-day party. I think around 10 girls are also spending the night. I don't know because I guess nobody RSVP's anymore??? I'm sure everything will be fine, we will stuff them full of pizza and then cinnamon rolls in the morning and send them home all sugared up. The pets are staying at the clinic ( I may go down and sleep in Tuffy's kennel!!) so they can avoid some stress or possibly an escape out the front door.

First blog

Hi everybody! I decided to enter the world of blogging ( the one that is not on myspace). I'm doing it mainly so my friends and family can keep up with the baby news. For the few who don't know, I am due in March with a girl! I have 2 1/2 more weeks left at work and then two weeks to get ready before baby comes ( hopefully!) Who is that weirdo over there? Oh yes, that is my adorable hubby, Craig. And that is actually an old belly pic, from 2 months ago!!

Random thoughts:

I don't really like the name I came up with for my blog but its all my preggo brain could come up with.

I really want to have time to start some crafting while I'm home with the baby. (after I start getting some sleep)

I have become obsessive about a few things in the last 2 weeks ( from being pregnant) They are: chewing on ice (gross, I know) strong smells ( new tires or rubber, the chlorine smell at the YMCA, the hot corn sacks at work) and being super thrifty. Very weird.

I wish I could lift things and bend over so I could finish my yard projects!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I made homemade laundry soap tonight after hunting around town for all the ingredients. The recipe I am using is: 1 cup Borax, 1 cup washing soda, a bar of Kirks castille soap, grated. Then add 1 tablespoon to laundry. So far so good, even Sarah's socks smelled fresh!! Cheap, cheap cheap!!! Yay!

Well, that's about it for now. I have to go get some ice to chew on.