Evelyn 4 Months Old

So I'm a bit late on writing this update. Evy turned 4 months old on August 24th and it is hard to believe she is already 1/3 of a year old! Where does the time go? Its crazy to think that a year ago, Evy was just a little peanut in my tummy. Now she is a full blown baby and she is growing by the minute. I never knew I'd love being a mommy so much! :)

Evy Had her 4 month checkup on August 26th and these are her stats:

Weight: 12 pounds, 4.5 ounces. She's in the 25th percentile for weight (and height) which means that 75% of baby girls are bigger then her. She's a little munchkin! She has gained 6 pounds and .5 ounces since she was born. 

Length: 23.5 inches. Even though the hospital where she was born said she was 20 inches at birth, when we took her to the pediatrician 3 days later she only measured 19 inches long. So either they measured wrong when she was born, or my child shrunk an inch in 3 days. You decide. :-P If we are going with the theory that she was actually 19 inches (and the hospital measured wrong initially) then that means that Evy is up 4.5 inches since birth. She is also in the 25th percentile for height. So she is the perfect weight for her height, she's just little! The doctor said that these percentiles do no indicate how big a child will be as an adult, so who knows if Ev will be small or tall when she is older. We'll have to wait and see!

Diaper Size: 2. She's been in size 2s for a while now. Probably at least a month. We have a bunch of size 2 diapers stocked up that my mom got for a killer deal at Babies R Us (Thanks to her awesome friend for spotting the deal and snagging the diapers!). Evy will probably be in these diapers for a few more weeks. She doesn't seem to be growing out of them just yet. 

Clothing Size: 0-3 months. She was even still fitting into some newborn clothes up until a week or so ago. Granted it was a tight fit, but it got the job done when we were all out of clean baby clothes! She's a little munchkin for sure. 

Nicknames: Evy, Ev, Epwin, Ebawin Josapeen, Peen, Chunk Chunk, 

Health: Evy has had several rounds of shots at this point (including at this most recent appointment) and it breaks my heart to see her cry when she gets them. :( We have been so incredibly lucky that she hasn't gotten sick once (knock on wood) I'm 100% sure this has to do with the fact that she is exclusively breastfed. 

Sleep: I have to brag, Evy is a champion sleeper. She has been sleeping through the night and has not woken up ONCE in the middle of the night since she turned 8 weeks old. Watch, now I will have jinxed myself! She typically goes to bed around 10-11pm and sleeps straight through the night until 9 or 10am. This kid spoils me for sure! The only bad thing is that she won't sleep in her crib. Evelyn hasn't slept a single night in her crib since we brought her home from the hospital. She exclusively sleeps in her swing (it doesn't even swing anymore, the batteries died long ago) or the newborn napper in her pack and play. Evy is getting big and I know she won't be able to sleep in these spots for much longer. The problem is she screams like I'm killing her the second she goes in the crib. Matt and I think it is because she hates being "out in the open" and also flat on her back. We've tried roughly 100,000 things to get her to be comfy in the crib but no luck. We'll see what next month brings. 

Diet: Evelyn is still exclusively breast fed. We've been so blessed to have had an easy time with breast feeding. Her pediatrician said that we can begin to introduce solids at any time now. I think I will wait until Evy has doubled her birth weight before doing so. It will likely be the 5-6 month mark before we being solids. I'd like to make all of her own baby food. I plan to continue breast feeding until she is one year old. 

Baby Gear Loves: We couldn't survive without Evy's WubbaNubs, Bumbo Seat, play gym, swing, and Snuggli baby carrier. We also introduced the famous Sophie the Giraffe this month and Evy really seems to like her a lot. 

Milestones: The two biggest milestones for miss Evy this month are that she has begun to grab her feet and stick them in her mouth (adorable!) and she also has begun to sit up in her Bumbo seat. Oh! and she babbles and coos. It's so cute hearing her "talk". 

Evy holding a picture of me when I was a baby. We are pretty much twins. :) 

OmNomNom!

Evy does what she want ;) 

Flannel Jammies and Bunny Slippers

Sitting in her Bumbo like a big girl

Lots of Love,

Giuli

The Truckin' Life for Me

Last night the pups and I tagged along with Matt to work. My mom watched Evy overnight while we were gone. Matt drives an 18-wheeler for a trucking company. He's "local" which means he is back home each morning (he works overnight). He typically drives from East St. Louis, IL down to Mount Vernon, MO and back which is about 30 minutes west of Springfield, MO. Last night he drove from East St. Louis, IL over to Indianapolis, IN. I have no idea how my husband does what he does. I would get so tired driving overnight! On our way to Indy Matt hauled 44,000 pounds of mustard and ketchup that was making its way from Springfield, MO to Ontario, Canada. Talk about random! 

Getting ready to hit the road!

My hot hubs with his Big Rig. Notice Copee creeping in the driver seat, lol!

Two little trucker dogs

Copernicus, Audrey & I used to ride along with Matt pretty frequently before I got pregnant with Evelyn last August. This was the first time we came along in the truck in almost 9 months. The pups were so excited to be back in the truck. They have a blast riding along. I think Copernicus would try to drive the truck if he could. He LOVES to sit in the driver seat (when the truck is parked, of course). 

My family (minus, Evy, of course)

Matt drives a truck that has a half-sleeper in it. That means there is a small bed right behind the driver's seat. It isn't fancy like some over-the-road trucker's sleeper cabs, but it gets the job done. While Matt drives, the pups and I relax in the bed. We talk, I read and then eventually go to sleep. It isn't super comfy. I joke with Matt that it feels like a prison bed, but it's fun to ride along with him. There is a little light for reading and a curtain (you can see it behind Matt's head) that I can pull shut so the light doesn't distract him. 

Someone made herself right at home and stole my pillow!

It was a BUMPY ride from St. Louis to Indy due to numerous pot holes and road construction

We made a brief pit stop to grab a bite to eat. Me driving a semi? That's a frightening thought, haha! Notice all the bugs splattered all over the truck to the right of me. Yuck!

I wound up passing out pretty early, about 10pm. The dogs zonked right out as well. I think they are under the impression that Matt just drives a giant bed around for a living. Matt drove all through the night. The bumps and jolts of the truck would wake me up every couple minutes. It's so weird because I'll fall asleep and then a bump will slightly wake me and then I'll fall right back asleep. It makes dreams and reality blur together and it's super weird. Matt drove us to Indy where he dropped his trailer and picked up another trailer to bring back to St. Louis. This trailer contained 23,000 pounds of Pampers Cruisers Size 5 and 6 diapers. I told Matt we needed to steal the trailer! Too bad Evy only wears a Size 2 diaper right now. 

View of "The Lou" from East St. Louis, IL

We got back to St. Louis around 9 am and after dropping his trailer and truck, Matt and I headed home to our little munchkin. The trucking life is fun, but it's definitely not something I could do every night, like my hubs! It's good to be home. Now I'm off to my own (non-bumpy) bed to pass out! How did you spend your Saturday night?

Lots of Love,

Giuli

What To Expect When You Didn't Expect You'd Be Expecting

How's that for a tongue twister of a title! :-P

This month marks the one year anniversary of me finding out I was pregnant. It is hard to believe a whole year has passed from when I found out that I was going to be a mommy! 

In August 2012, 8 months after getting engaged, Matt and I discovered I was pregnant with our first child. To say this would be a huge surprise would be the understatement of the century! Matt and I went out to eat dinner together the day after I returned from visiting my friend, Brittney, in Flagstaff, AZ. I got my favorite Thai Food and Matt got some New York Style Pizza. While eating our dinner, Matt was alarmed when I ravenously insisted on eating his pizza. Without missing a beat, Matt said, "I think you're pregnant!". I totally laughed this off and told him that I felt fine and there was NO WAY I was pregnant. I mean, come on, we've all had those moments where we are SURE that we are pregnant (only to find out we are not). The thought of being pregnant didn't even cross my mind at this time. I thought he was nuts.

To humor him, when we returned home from eating, I took a home pregnancy test. I set the test down on the counter, results side up, and waited as it developed. Once again, I told him he was crazy and that I was NOT pregnant. Within a minute, the test results popped up on the screen. I picked up the test and stared at it in shock and confusion. It said "Pregnant" clear as day right on the screen, but I was still looking for the "Not" (as in "Not Pregnant").

Because sometimes you just need to see it twice to believe it! lol!

In disbelief, I started laughing hysterically, and took another test. Sure enough, it came up "Pregnant" too. After seeing that second positive pregnancy test, I got totally freaked out and started to cry hysterically. I was totally afraid and so shocked this was happening. Matt was amazing and so sweet. He told me everything was going to be fine and that he loved me so very much.

I was in shock for the better part of my first trimester. I still couldn't believe I was pregnant and I was still sorting out how I felt about everything. Matt and I had always planned on having children, but AFTER we had gotten married. It's not that I didn't want children, it was just so very unexpected. We weren't even married yet! How were we going to afford a baby? And we just signed a lease on a 1 bedroom apartment for heaven's sake (Where was the nursery supposed to go?)! 

Many women dream of being a mommy since they are very young. That wasn't me. I had only recently wrapped my mind around the idea of starting a family. I never expected to be starting that family without any preparation  You see, I'm a researcher and a planner. I felt so unprepared! I didn't know a THING about babies. I was worried I would have NO CLUE what to do as a mommy. Obviously, everything worked out just fine. I love Evelyn with all my heart and I ADORE being a mommy. Evelyn may have been a huge surprise, but she certainly was NOT a mistake!

Evelyn the little "shrimp" at 8 week

I still remember the first time Matt and I heard Evelyn's heartbeat at the doctor's office. The ultrasound tech had Jason Mraz's song "I Won't Give Up" on the radio in the background and I remember thinking how fitting the words were for that moment. This song will always be special to me. It will always be the special song that reminds me of the start of my family. I knew in that moment that I WOULDN'T give up. I knew that whatever life threw at us, we'd get through it together...... as a family. 

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

Well, there's so much they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

Well, I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We've got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use

The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend

For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn

We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in

I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up, still looking up.

Well, I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)

God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)

We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)

God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

Lots of Love,

Giuli

Blast from The Past

Evy is so excited to see Brit again! :)

Saturday night my good friend and college roommate, Brittany, and her wonderful husband, Remy, spent the night with me here at my apartment in St. Louis as they made their way on one heck of a move from Flagstaff, AZ to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. That's a drive of approximately 2,450 miles, in case you were wondering!

Evy, Britt & Remy :)

Brittany and I, as I mentioned, were roomies in college. Back in 2006 I moved over 1,300 miles from my home in St. Louis out to Flagstaff, AZ to begin my college career at Northern Arizona University. Boy was I excited (and scared!). If you know me at all, you know that I am a big lover of the "wild west". Something about the mountains has always stirred and called to my soul. Moving to the beautiful mountains of Flagstaff was a life changing experience for me.

Beautiful Flagstaff

The funny thing is that Brittany was actually NOT my original roommate. It was happy circumstance that brought us into each other's lives. The university had more students then available housing for its incoming freshman class in 2006. I was lucky and got put into a permanent dorm immediately. Brit was in temporary housing at the university's joint sorority/fraternity housing unit. My original roommate and I got along OK, but we weren't friends by any means. When my original roommate joined a sorority on campus, she moved into the sorority house and Brit moved in with me. I still remember hitting it off the very first night she had moved in. I was nervous about getting a new roommate, but it turned out to be a huge blessing. Brit is actually the person who encouraged me to pursue working with animals as a career. I was a business major when I came to college, and without Brit's advice I probably would still be in the business field, but not nearly as happy as I am now!

I only wound up staying in Flagstaff for my freshman year of college. I moved home after 9 amazing months (for a variety of reasons, it's a long story). For the longest time I felt such a pull to return to Flagstaff. It was really difficult for me because I felt like I couldn't be happy in my current life unless I would up moving back out that way. I tried several times to return to Flagstaff, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. One day, I had the huge realization that happiness is found inside of you, wherever you may be, and it isn't necessarily found in a certain physical place.


This month will mark the 7 year anniversary of Brit and I meeting and becoming friends. It's hard to believe all the changes that 7 years has brought: We both have gotten married and were bridesmaids in each other's weddings. Brit was married in Salt Lake City, UT on November 11th, 2011 and I was married in Estes Park, Colorado on June 12th 2013. Brit graduated from Northern Arizona University and is off to Canada with her hubby. Matt and I have had a beautiful baby girl. Seasons come and go, and thousands of miles have always separated us, but Brit and I have remained close no matter how many years or miles come between us. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing and special friend in my life. It isn't everyday that you meet someone that you feel an instant connection with.

Lots of Love,

Giuli

TGIF

This Friday was a nice relaxing evening. Matt works overnight Tuesday-Saturday from 6pm to 6am, so he was off to work and it was just me, Evy & the pups. The weather has been SO nice recently (in the low 70s in the evenings, which is pretty odd for August her in "The Lou"). Evelyn and I went out for a little stroll around our apartment complex. I'm lovin' the Snuggli carrier that my mom's good friend snagged for me.

I am so very lucky to live in the same apartment complex as my mom. It's SO nice, especially when I need help caring for Evy on short notice! Evelyn and I headed over to my mom's house to spend some time with her and her dog, Teddy. 

Evy, hangin' with Teddy and Grandma

Of course, when packing your diaper bag, it's crucial to not forget the essentials. ;-) It was nice to have a glass of wine with my mom and play with Evy.

Evelyn (and I!) LOVE the WubbaNub pacifiers. The only type of paci that Evy likes are the soothie ones, so the WubbaNubs are awesome. She loves to grab at her "Nubs" as we call them. Their little legs fit perfectly in her tiny hands. These things are seriously great (and so freaking adorable)! You'll never lose a pacifier again and they help the paci stay in your baby's mouth.

For the longest time she had a Frog WubbaNub, but he's getting a little yucky and is in desperate need of a bath. My mom is so sweet and surprised us with a new Duckie WubbaNub so Evy doesn't have to part with the paci while Mr. Frog is going for a spin in the washing machine. 

Testing out her new "Nub"

My mom also picked up a few cute outfits on sale at BuyBuy Baby when she stopped in to get Evy's new Nub. How cute are these? They were originally $18 each and my mom got them for $3 each. I swear, my mom should have her own show on TLC called "How to Get Everything for WAY Less!" she is a master bargin hunter. :) 

Pink with Polka Dots? Yes, please!

After visiting for a bit, it was time to head to home to the puppers. I got this adorable pic of Evy and my mom. Looks like my mama has a new Facebook profile pic. ;) Check out those dimples!

Getting a goodbye kiss from Grandma

Evelyn and I headed back to our apartment and we took the pups out for an evening stroll. They were happy to get out for a walk! It was actually a little chilly tonight. I can smell fall in the air! I'm so looking forward to cooler nights, crisp autumn air, fall leaves, and Evy's first trip to the pumpkin patch. 

Why do we have to stop walking? No more photos mom!

There you have it, lovelies. That was my Friday night. How did you spend yours?

Lots of Love,

Giuli

My First Blog Post

We'll here we go! This is the first of what I hope will be many more posts to come. :)

I'm very new to this whole "blogging" thing. While I was pregnant with my daughter, Evelyn, I came across the first blog I've ever followed: The Wise Baby. This blog is a wonderful resource for new moms and moms to be! While reading The Wise Baby, I stumbled upon another great blog, The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart, and many other great blogs and I was hooked! It's so fun getting a peak into other people's lives and get to know them and I thought it would be so nice to be able to look back on my own life as well. Hanging onto memories is something that is very important to me. As a busy working mama, I don't want to forget a single precious moment with my new hubby and daughter.

I hope this blog becomes a place where I can look back and reflect on all the wonderful blessings that I have in my life. I'm looking forward to making new friends through this blog and sharing my life (the highs, lows & everything in between) with all of you.

Lots of Love,

Giuli