9 Months!

Holy Moly, girlfriend!!! You are growing into such a big girl. I can not believe that you have been on the outside almost as long as you were in my belly.  Here's a little of what you have been up to:

• You have been weaned and drink 4 bottles a day.
• You are the proud owner of 4 teeth. 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom.
• We have an excellent schedule going (please don't let this jinx it). Bedtime is 8:00pm.Wake up time is 7:30a.m. You take 2 naps. One around 10:00 a.m. and another around 3:00p.m., each lasting about 1.5hrs. 
• When we carry you to your room for nap and bedtime, as soon as we turn out the lights, you lay your head on our shoulders. Please never stop doing this...
• wearing size 3 diapers
• 6-9 or 6-12 clothes
• Took your first step according to Mommy
• Started Clapping, and your very lady like about it, I might add. You keep one hand still and pat the other hand against it.
• You "drop it likes it hot" or do the "booty pop" whichever you prefer (bounces up and down when music comes on).
• Standing independently for long periods of time.
• Prefer to stand upright all the time, including shopping carts.
• You get much pleasure out of gurgling your milk
• starting to give high fives and this totally cracks you up.
• Your a super fast crawler
• Love to be outside and around people

You really are the best baby and sooooo much fun! We love you more and more everyday. We are so blessed to be your parents.

And just for fun, Lets have a look at what my belly looked like at 9 months:

Oh.MY.Goodness...

The Great Debate: What is the Definition of a Step?

This morning I began jumping for joy and shouting to Brandon (who was right next to me), "Presley took her first step"!!!! "Ummm, no she didn't," he replied. We went back and forth like that for a few minutes,and eventually he convinced me that what she had done did not count as a step.

So here's what happened.

She was standing and then pulled one foot forward...then she fell.

Brandon is adamant that she not only has to pull one foot forward, but also has bring her other foot next to the foot that she first stepped with, before it can be considered a step. Does that make sense???

So my lovely blogger friends, what's your consensus? Did she or didn't she? This is not only important because it will go down in her baby book for all of eternity, but my ego is on the line here....


Lastly, I leave you with this... because who doesn't need a good laugh on a Monday.

Stand Proud

I'm not sure what it was about today, but Presley has decided she prefers to stand with no support. At 7:30 this morning, she managed to balance herself enough to stand on our bed. Then she did it again and again and again. Thus starting a day full of her letting go, standing, and my heart stopping. She already has 2 bruises on her face, so I was pretty sure we wouldn't make it through today without another. Thankfully, so far so good. She has been standing independently for a couple of weeks now, but it would be few and far between.She is getting closer and closer to taking her first step. I can't believe it! Anyway, I caught a little of her standing on video, but she is not in the best mood because I wouldn't give her anymore Mum Mum's. Pardon the attitude.

(Also, there is a short period of blackness because I had to put the phone down. I apologize for the sub par videography skills).

A little of this, A little of that...

First, if you use Similac formula, they are recalling FIVE MILLION cans of formula due to possible bug parts. GROSS!! Guess what? I went to Costco yesterday and bought a huge thing of Similac formula and it was on the recall list. Woo Hoo...and just as I get done nursing. Go here for more information.

Now for my Boobs, sorry...TMI...I know, but it's all I can think about right now. Let me start by saying that the body is quite amazing. I know that it's taking a while for my milk to dry up because my body just wants to make sure that I really am "done". I appreciate this.  I really really do, but I'm getting impatient. I have read that because of this, it will probably take a week to ten days. Well, I'm at a week and getting uncomfortable...like really really uncomfortable. It hurts to hold Presley and rock her, which is completely unavoidable . I also never realized how many times I/things hit or rub against my boobs.OUCH!

For my last bit of randomness, Presley has a new trick. I, however, am not so happy about this. She has learned to turn herself around and stand up in the shopping carts. Then when I try and sit her down, she lets me know very clearly how unhappy this makes her. Fun times, friends!

Now, I'm off to ice my chest...

.

Wordless Wednesday: Splish Splash, I was Takin' a Bath

Closed for Business

Notice: The Souders' Dairy Farm is officially closed for business.

 The "cows", however, haven't gotten the hint and are still producing milk. 

Yep, Miss P is officially weaned. The last time she was breastfed was very early Thursday morning. Here's the down low, ladies:

I have not had any severe pain or terrible engorgement. I dropped one feeding every week to give my body time to adjust. Since I last fed Presley on Thursday, I have remained very full. I am looking a little porn starish, so I'll be super happy when my body decides it's okay to stop making milk.I also haven't experienced any sort of depression or weight gain yet. As for Presley, I don't think she has even realized what's happened. I was so worried that she would be upset or traumatized by the experience. Nope, she's as happy as a lark with her bottles, and Momma is pretty happy too. In fact, it feels very Freeing! Margarita? 2 please!

There are a few downers though. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't the tiniest bit sad to loose that special time with Presley, and I also have a little "Mom guilt". I know "breast is best", but I'm ready to have them back to myself, thank you. Then there's this yucky stuff called Formula. Okay, it's not that yucky, but I considered my milk to be "liquid gold". It's also expensive! Boo to paying for food. My stash that looked quite large is now almost all gone, so it's only formula from here on out.

My Mom came in town this weekend, and since Presley was weaned. She took the baby every  night, and I got to sleep in. Woo Hoo (normally, I would have preferred to wake up and feed her because of my utter hatred towards the pump)!! Thank you so much, Mimi!

If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer them. To all the Momma's still nursing, you should be incredibly proud. It's hard work! Sometimes you don't even realize how hard until your not doing it anymore. Way to go, ladies!

Here is Presley showing off her new skillz...

 (pardon the horrible quality, it was taken with my phone)

Fashion Friday: I Want but Probably Won't

I love fall. One reason being the clothes. There are so many cute things out, and I so want to be THE girl that can pull them off.

Let's take this vest for example.

I wish I was the kind of girl who could throw this on and NOT look like some sort of puffy furry blobby thingy. Do you want to know the truth? I am the owner of an adorable fur vest. It sits in my closet and taunts me. I put it on and blahhh. I think I'm just not the furry vest girl.



And these...oh these totally fab over the knee boots.

I.want.them.on.my.feet. However, I'm 5'3" and they would probably be less "over the knee" boots and more "almost to my crotch" boots. I'm still going to give them a try.


Yes, last but not least, the cargo skinny pant.

I went bananas (Rachel Zoe) when I first saw them on Jessica Alba. I told myself they would most certainly be a fall staple. Then I tried them on... I will never where these. Never. Ever. I still want to be the cargo skinny pant girl though...just not that bad.

Wordless Wednesday: Daddy's Biggest Fan

My Girls

I just have to share this because I feel so completely blessed. I have become super close with a group of women on babycenter. We found each other because we were all trying to concieve around the same time. The thing is, these aren't just regular woman. They are some of the strongest, coolest, caring people I know.

About 3 of us got pregnant the first month, but that left everyone else. I refused to leave the group until I was able to witness everyone get pregnant. Well, guess what? Everyone that remains in our group has gotten pregnant. We have all had our babies except for one, and she is due the end of this month (Laura)! I can not tell you what an amazing ride we have had together.

We have all been a part of each other's lowest lows and highest highs. We have supported each other during some really hard times:

• Miscarriages
• One mama gave birth to twins and raised them on her own for 5 months while her husband was protecting our country (Sandy).
• The loss of family members
• Multiple negative pregnancy tests
• Failed fertility treatments
• Premature twins (they are healthy and growing great)
• Rough patches with the husbands
• Surgeries/gallbladder attacks (sarah20)

We had our second to last baby born this morning (Congrats, Sarah! He is precious) which is what inspired me to share a little about our group.Our group has also had almost all girls ( with the exception of 2 sweet baby boys),  and 2 sets of twins (Shannon, Sandy). Love you ladies!

 Since I'm on the subject of supportive woman, all my baby blog Mama's are the BEST. Y'all have been such a wealth of knowledge, understanding and support. I'm so glad we all found each other!

On a completely random note, I received a blog award from Marie over at "The things we Find Inside". Please go check out her blog. It is fantabluous, y'all! My next step is passing on the love, but I'm going to put that in a separate post. My sister is in town and I want to soak up every minute with her until she heads back home (another one of the strongest, smartest, wittiest, most caring women I know).

Wordless Wednesday: Little Lady Longhorn

I wanna Wean-er.

My husband, who I love dearly, can be a bit....how do I put this nicely??? Immature at certain times. Here is one of them:

While enjoying a dinner out, I told Brandon, "I think I want to wean her (referring to Presley, of course)." He, literally almost spit his food out across the table. Then replied with," hahaha, you want a wiener. Is there something you need to tell me?" After, letting him know I was NOT amused ( I take this subject very seriously). I began to explain my reasoning for why I think it might be time to stop breastfeeding Presley. All the while, watching him attempt to hold in his laughter each time I repeated the phrase. And so the ongoing joke in our household was born. "I wanna wean-er".

Since were on the subject..and I'm sure your wondering. Yes, I am in the process of weaning Presley. So far, I have dropped my second morning feeding and afternoon feeding. The good thing is I'm in no hurry, so we are taking this process very slow. I drop one feeding a week. Next week, I will drop her evening feeding. This will leave only her bedtime and first morning feeding.
For me, these will be the hardest to drop. The morning feeding will be hard only because I'm lazy. Presley cries out around 7- 7:30a.m. I pick her up, bring her in bed with me, and catch a few extra Z's while I feed her. The thought of having to get up and make a bottle, frankly, sucks! Then there's the feeding before bedtime. I love this sweet time with her, and it will certainly be missed. She is usually sleepy, calm, and extra cuddly. Oh, and smelling amazing after her bath.
Presley, thank goodness, doesn't even seem to notice that anything is different. She takes her bottles like I've been giving them to her since day one. I, on the other hand, am struggling with it a little more than I thought. It just kind of makes me sad, you know. The first day was the hardest, but each day has gotten easier.
Honestly, I have no specific reason for choosing to wean her now. I just feel ready.
To all you Mommas still going strong, keep on keeping on! It takes a ton of dedication and you should feel so proud.And...just in case you were wondering, I haven't gained any weight yet. I don't feel ravenously hungry during the day anymore, so I guess my appetite is adjusting. I sure am going to miss being able to eat pretty much anything I want though:(

What I've Come to Realize

Grammie and Poppa graciously offered to take Presley off our hands for a night. Brandon and I didn't have any special plans, just went about our normal Saturday. That's when I realized:

Walks aren't the same without a stroller

Our house is way to quite

Getting to sit down isn't all it's cracked up to be

Only having to put myself to bed isn't near as sweet

Requesting a table for 2 just doesn't seem right

Dinner conversation will never be the same

While Brandon and I will always cherish our time as a couple, we have been forever changed. Things just aren't the same without our sweet baby girl around.

(sleeping in felt pretty darn good though)

Fashion Friday: I need another baby

So friends, I think I need another baby. Nope...not ready to actually have and raise  another one yet. I just want one to dress and buy for. Yesterday, I got to chatting with one of my friends about baby clothes (yes you, Henny) and then wasted half my day looking up "coming home outfits"? I know, know. I have issues, but I just have to share. I brought Presley home from the hospital in the most precious outfit by Baby Biscotti. Umm yeah, every child of mine will go home in a baby Biscotti outfit. In the words of Rachel Zoe, "I Die".

This is some of what I was looking at yesterday:
http://www.itsvintagebaby.com/designers/biscottibaby.html

However, the pics just don't do it justice. You HAVE to see it in person. Okay, I've gotten that out of my system. I guess I should get out of my P.J.'s and get dressed myself . Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing  Labor Day weekend!

The Little Bunny that was...

Warning: this blog post is a tad gruesome.
Apparently, we have had bunnies take residence in our backyard. This actually flattered me that they would choose our yard out of all the other yards. Perhaps the momma bunny could feel my motherly vibes and felt safe leaving her babies close to me. However, I'm pretty sure she chose our yard because we don't have a dog, and well, we pretty much don't have anything in our yard at all. I'm not sure how long they had been there because I haven't even stepped foot out there due to the extreme heat. So how did we make this adorable baby bunny discovery? Well, that's the not so adorable part.

Lets just say that it involved a lawnmower. I'll spare you the details...

Poor Brandon came running inside looking horrified, as he explained to me that he accidentally ran over one. I offered absolutely no support to my husband as I completely freaked out. However, there were two more bunnies (unharmed) that took off terrified in opposite directions. Can you blame them after seeing the sad fate of their little bunny sibling? One tucked itself behind a support pole in our fence and the other in a small hole in the corner of our patio. I felt so incredibly horrible. I just wanted to make them feel better. To my dismay they stayed put for hours, and then when I checked that evening they had high tailed it out of our yard. Poor bunnies.

(After lots of Internet research, the whole lawn mower thing seems to be a pretty common occurrence.)

I did, however, get to snap a few pictures before they had hidden themselves completely.

Wordless Wednesday: New Kicks (thanks, Megan)