Saturday, April 30, 2011

3 Months Old!

Audrey will be 3 months old on Tuesday.  I'm writing this a little early because the downside of her being 3 months old is that my maternity leave has come to an end and I return to work on Monday.  I anticipate having no energy this week so I won't be doing any blogging.

Audrey is still a wonderful baby.  She brings us so much joy.  Being a mom is the best thing in the world,  Truly...  Monday is going to be a rough day.  In 3 months, I have not been apart from her for more than 3 hours.  So yeah, I'm dreading this week.  She did a trial run at daycare on Friday.  My worries/anxiety were lessened some and she did well with the teachers.  She napped, played, and took a bottle while she was there for 2 hours.  She did great... and I did okay... although after 2 hours I was READY to go pick her up.  So, here's what 3 months looks like...

Unofficial Stats:
Weight:  11 lbs 9 oz
Height:  23 inches
Wearing size 1 diapers, but moving to size 2 this week.  Wearing 6 month clothes and still some 0 to 3.  Although I am packing away more and more every week.  Sigh.

Things for me to remember:  (skip to the bottom if you just want to see pics :)  )
  • Audrey is now reaching for toys and bringing them towards her mouth.  She also can help hold the paci in her mouth.
  • She loves her play gym and gets really excited and flaps her arms and legs.  It's her little dance.
  • She makes eye contact all the time.  She definitely knows who Mom and Dad are.
  • She squeals, squeaks, and coos a lot.  She smiles all the time!  Except when I try to take a picture or video... she stops and just stares at it... haha.  Her favorite is to have a conversation where I talk and she coos and smiles.  Best part of the day.
  • She eats every 2 hours during the day, plays for about 45 minutes, naps for 30-45 minutes and then repeats.
  • She loves to sit on our laps or in her Bumbo.  She can stay in her Bumbo for over 10 min.
  • She can bear weight on her legs and stand with us supporting her upper body for about a minute.
  • She props up on her elbows during tummy time and is getting very close to rolling.
  • She's not a big fan of her car seat and still cries in the car (unless someone sits back there with her), but does great in her Bjorn in stores and in restaurants.
  • She loves being outside... we go out a lot to walk, sit in the rocking chairs, or play on the ground.
  • She sleeps 10-11 hours at night.   She often sleeps this long uninterrupted, but sometimes wakes up once to eat.  We still swaddle her.
  •  
Meeting the Easter Bunny April 23, 2011

Is there something on my dress?

Mom, you are boring me.  I'm going to eat my hand.

Sticking my tongue out

There's a little smile.

Tummy time is hard work!

I'm getting so big!

     More pics on facebook!
      Sara
       

      Friday, April 29, 2011

      Boiled Pickle Eggs and Chicken bowg...heyyyo

      Audrey went to daycare for a couple of hours this morning.  We went by to get some paper work done and wanted to see how she would do.  The short time she was there, she was good.  It wore her out, she was overwhelmed with the new smells, sounds, and people.  Sara is getting used to the fact that she will have to go back to work and leave AJ at daycare, SLOOOOOWLY!! haha.  We shall keep everyone updated on her daycare progress.

      On another note.  I shawl did some good ole cowntry cooking today!  Picked a few turnips, pickled some boiled eggs, boiled chicken for bowg tonight, fed sweet bread starter and began a sourdough starter!  Really excited about the sourdough starter.  Getting geared up for my garden!  Also getting geared up to start going to some local produce stands and farmer's markets.  Gonna freeze, can and pickle all kinds of goodies this year.  Self-sufficiency is growing each year at a time, tho in small increments, never-the-less still growing!  In ten years, I can not even fathom how much in groceries I will not have to purchase.  Just need some more land for gardening and a few laying hens, maybe even a milk cow and some goats; thinking about it, probably some pigs and a steer or two.  Gonna have to upsize the yard by then tho.

      Anywho, bout to go get some grass cut.  I will let ya know how the chicken bowg turns out.  By the way for those of you who had the pleasure of eating my Papa's chicken bowg, AJ, this is his recipe!

      Heyyyo

      Paul

      The Draft, not the one in my work shorts.

      One of the most highly anticipated sporting events every year for myself.  The NFL Draft.  Its the day that every first round pick has more "upside" than not.  Every pick is a good pick..Sarcasm.  The days after the first are the best.

      I am a Panthers fan.  Not sure what I think about the draft pick.  He is an amazing athlete and has a winning charisma.  But will he work to improve on being a prototypical QB, because those are the ones who succeed in the NFL.  Recent examples; Jamarcus Russell, Vince Young, are busts.  They are great athletes, but did not work hard to be a great player.  On the other hand; Philip Rivers, Donovan Mcnabb and Mike Vick.  These guys had to work to become more of that prototypical QB.  If Can Newton can become more of a pocket presence like Donovan and Vick have become, he will be successful.  If he does not, he will be Jamarcus Russel part two.

      This move leads me to believe that the parents probably will not be able to get a second round pick this year. I could be wrong, but if they thought they would be able to trade into the second round I would have expected A WR or DL.  Why I think Can will be successful.  He is going to a team who was not good last year.  He is also going to a team with a very good defense, very good running backs and this team is full of great leadership.  He is going into a locker room with Jordan Gross and Jon Beason, as well as others.  These guys are going to get him pointed in the right direction and lock down on him.  Also I believe Steve Smith will be in the locker room, he will be a guide for Newton.
      Why I believe he will not succeed.  He has been great at every level, and in a short amount of time.  His athletic ability is so high that he has not needed to be a great tactician.  Well, the NFL is a league of tacticians,  athletes are unbelievable atletes, but people do not understand how smart these guys are.  They also do not understand how quick their brain works during the decision making progress.  Newton is going to be just another big fast guy.  Can he progress through the tough times.  Can he handle the pressure as well as the struggles of not winning.  In summary, Can Cam learn fast enough without getting discouraged and not get the I AM GOD syndrome.

      I hope he succeeds.  As a Panther's fan and a football fan.  If Cam can not "get the big head" and he accpets learning, he will be fine.

      Let me know what you guys think.  This will be open for discussion.  pass the post along and let's get some discussion going!!

      Paul

      Saturday, April 23, 2011

      FIRE AT&T

      I have said a few things about this before.  Here is a link.  AT&T is going to limit home internet use!  They are also the leaders for limiting cell phone internet use as well.  This is absolutely unacceptable.  They say that their way is alot better than the proposals Time Warner Cable and Comcast proposed back in 2008 and 2009, respectively.  Call your representatives about this.  Also, the best way to keep this from happening is to FIRE them, get another internet provider.  For you people who like to watch YouTube, Netflix and Hulu, this is going to be ridiculously expensive!  Start looking for ways to get internet rather than with AT&T.  They are the market mover, if they are allowed to do this without retribution from their customers, then all the other carriers will follow!

      here is an explanation of usage when watching videos and movies use during.  This explains cell phone usage as well.

      Streaming videos and movies and usage

      If we continue to let these shared monopolies take advantage of us, prices will continue to rise.
      If you have AT&T FIRE'M


      "If you find yourself not finding anything, you are finding all the wrong places to look."

      Paul

      Friday, April 22, 2011

      Pictures & A Video

       
      We do lots of talking!

      Pretty Princess

      10 weeks old

      Paul, Hannah, Audrey, Emily, and DenDen April 16th
      Aunt Emily and Paul with Audrey


      Family picture

      Our cookie monster :)

      Falling asleep with Daddy

      April 22... 11 weeks old

      Gorgeous

      Big baby blues

      Model Pose

      Sara's new saving site

      Sara found this awesome site for coupons and discounts for just about everything.  Whom ever does this has alot of time.  Check it out in the Money tab of the blog.  Southern Savers!!

      A moment of momentous moments.

      This moment would be the thundering crack of lightening as a spring storm approaches.  A baby in the swing asleep, a full belly of food and content.  A dog "cat" napping and a cat desperate top get outside.  One moment creates a bunch of moments, or is it the other way around?  A bunch of moments create one moment?   Either way, combined, they are momentous. 

      ..Thought for the day...

      Gonna get some garden pics up once I get it started.  If anyone has any heirloom plants they want to share let me know.  I have some okra seed from last years plants, they were some of the largest okra plants I have ever seen.  Let me know if you want some. 



      maybe some more pictures of Audrey will be up today!  I will have to get my wife in gear!

      Paul

      Sunday, April 17, 2011

      Something new when old is the new fad..........

      Saved $70 today at the G Store, wife Sara is the one to compliment on that one.  Got me a picnic to bbq one day to! heeeeeyo.

      Got some big time props to give out and do some homeboy marketing at the same time.  Doug Mccormick (a fine Chesterfield County/McBee product) released his new CD last week.  Go get it, its gooooood.

      For you Tar Heels, Chase Rice ( a fine Tar Heel football product) released a cd to.  It is gooood too, go get it.

      Been dabbling on the Twitter scene a few days now,  mixed emotions are swirling.  I do not really understand the lingo and hyphenating, or why I only get 140 letters, or whatever it is.  But it seems fairly cool, gonna give it some more time.  Holler and me and follow, @paulheels.  Probably gonna have the same witty, unique paulisms and words of wisdom as the blog and Faceplace. 

      Audrey has been awesome.  the cooing and aahing are fun and it just tickles my innards when she smiles at me.  Sara has been the one updating pictures and the sorts.  I can not wait til she can sit up and crawl around.  I know I am going to get the usual, "you just wait until she starts crawling you are gonna be run ragged"... blah blah blah.  I CAN NOT WAIT, gotta lose some more weight!  Gonna raise her right and early, eating dirt in the garden will be a picture soon!

      Yall keep in touch.  Holler when you are in Aiken and we will feed ya.

      "Keeping it simple when simple is all I got"

      Paul

      Saturday, April 16, 2011

      So its beena while

      Whenever there is a moment that becomes a real moment and not just a moment in time, that moment will be momentous!


      A post for the ages, one that will stick with you through out the day like sandspur between the toes, you Sandhill folks know what I mean. 

      Sara will have some more pics up later this week.


      Paul

      Friday, April 15, 2011

      Catching up...

      So, we've had a busy couple of weeks since I posted last.  Last weekend, we went up to NC to visit our families and participate in the UNC football lettermen alumni weekend.  We left Thursday evening, which in hindsight, wasn't the best plan.  Audrey usually has her last feeding around 7 or 7:30 and then goes to bed shortly after.  Usually this is a long feeding because she is gearing up for a long stretch of sleep.  Well, since we were driving, I gave her a bottle of breastmilk instead.  We ended up having to make a few stops and she was just cranky from being tired and having her routine all messed up.  Audrey and I spent all day Friday in Cary with my parents.  She also met great grandma Avedian and we all went out to lunch.  Paul was in Chapel Hill at a golf tournament.  We had so much fun and Audrey did so well all day!  She gave everyone lots of smiles and coos and pretty much melted everyone's hearts.  She sure does love to talk and give you smiles and little laughs.  I can do that ALL day.  Friday night, Paul and I went to the Letterman dinner at Kenan stadium, while Audrey stayed with my parents.  We stayed a little while, but not too long b/c I was very anxious to get back to my baby girl.
      She slept like a champ Friday night, and Saturday we went to brunch with my family before heading to Chapel Hill to spend some time with Mimi.  We  were supposed to go to the Spring game but it was cold & rainy so we opted out.  Mimi enjoyed the extra time with the baby girl.  That evening, we went to Paul's mom's house and spent the night there.  I'm so glad everyone got to spend time with Audrey and I couldn't believe how happy she was the whole time!
      Sunday, we woke up and went to Randleman to eat at Paul's mom's new restaurant, Deep River Cafe.  Everything looked and tasted so good!
      I think Audrey ( & Stoney)  were exhausted from the busy weekend, and they both slept most of the way back home to Aiken.

      Audrey is now 10 weeks old and today she went for her 2 month MD appointment.  She weighs 11 lbs 3 oz (50% percentile) and is 22 inches long (10-25% percentile).  She has grown so much!  I'm so proud!  She got 3 shots today, but she handled them pretty well!  She is right on track for everything.  She's still a happy baby.  She sleeps so well at night!  9 hours last night..  She's starting to bat at toys and squirm around a lot.  She loves to sit in her Bumbo seat and watch tv (whoops!).  She loves staring at faces and recognizes our voices.  She loves going outside and we go on walks or sit outside everyday.

      I have 2 more weeks until I go back to work.  I have very mixed feelings about it.  I just never thought I could be so content at home.  But I am... I love every minute of our time together and I'm really going to miss it.  She'll start daycare and I'm sure she'll be fine, it'll just be an adjustment for everyone.

      Ok time to go... somebody just woke up :)
      Sara

      Sunday, April 3, 2011

      2 months old!

      Audrey is 2 months old today!  The last 2 nights have been a lot better sleep wise.  She is back to just waking up once a night.  Yay!  She goes about 7-8 hours straight before waking to eat.  Pretty good for a 2 month old.  She is currently sleeping next to me on the couch on her Boppy.  She's doing a lot of cat napping today.  We had a busy weekend so far.  On Friday, we all went grocery shopping and then to our friends house for dinner.  Every week we get together with 2 other couples and do dinner at someone's house.  It's a lot of fun and I'm so glad we get to do it every week.  Luckily, we all live within 5 minutes of each other, so it's so convenient.  Audrey has been participating for the past 3-4 weeks (which means we are now able to get back to participating) and she does great.  On Saturday, the weather was gorgeous, so we all went to PetSmart with Stoney then went downtown to walk around and eat lunch.  Audrey really likes being outside and was awake but not crying while we were out.  We also took a blanket out to the backyard and hung out some.  Paul grilled some pork chops for dinner to round up our day.  We had a great weekend, it just went by too fast!  Oh, speaking of weekends, last weekend, Audrey went on her first road trip to Asheville (well Fletcher) for Santi's 1st birthday party.  The weather was cold & rainy, but we still had a great time and Audrey did so well.  As long as I kept her fed, we were good!  She did great on the 3 hour car ride each way too. 

      Audrey has become quite the talker.  We have long conversations that include lots of smiling and cooing.  She definitely knows Paul & my voice & makes eye contact with us.  She continues to breastfeed well and is growing like a weed.  Since her 2 month dr. appt is not until April 15th when she'll be 2.5 months, we did some measurements on her own.  So, her unofficial stats are:

      Length:  21.5 inches
      Weight:  10 lbs 9 oz

      And a reminder, her birth stats were:
      Length: 18.5 inches
      Weight: 6 lbs 6 oz

      Not bad for 2 months!

      Now for the videos and pictures:
      Big stretch!

      Waking up

      Naked baby!

      Chilling in the Bumbo!  Holding her head up

      My sweet girl

      Sneaking in a nap

      Cuddling with my girl... 2 months old!

      Stoney snuck in there!

      Official 2 month picture!

      She's bigger than Panda now!