Hold On Tight...to Your Dreams!

Dear Bebe went to her one month doctor's appointment today. Dear Hubby and I were trying to guess how much she weighed now, since we have been feeding her "on demand" around the clock. We knew it had to be substantial. After we both threw out our guesses, DH decided to make it competitive and bet whoever had the closest guess to her actual weight would get lunch bought by the other. (Kind of silly since we share the same bank account, but hey, it was one less lunch I had to make!)





We really like the doctor we go to...but we have to hope each time we make an appointment that he is available. This pediatrician's office is the best in town, but there are 13 different doctors there. I remember the days of having ONE pediatrician who had his own office and we never had to worry about seeing anyone different. I think those days may be long gone, unless you live in Mayberry. There's nothing wrong with Mayberry, I just don't live there.

(This was a photo taken a few weeks back...so small! Oh the miracle of life...)

Well, Dear Bebe surprised us both! She came in at a whopping 8 lbs and 11 oz! She gained three pounds in a month! WOW! Needless to say, we were both wrong, but I was closer so he bought the lunch.



She also grew two inches which is great...I'm checking out the next phase of baby clothes we have and moving past the newborn sets. I'm going to save a couple of the cutie petutie outfits to save for her and show her someday how tiny she was when she was born.

I've also been writing to her in a journal since I was pregnant. I really enjoy this and hope she gets to read it someday... journals are great when you jot things down that happen from day to day. Last night I pulled out a journal I wrote in March of 2007. It brought tears to my eyes when I read about a "very vivid" dream I had. I had a dream about holding my baby in my arms and I wrote "she had brown hair, very pretty." Not sure if I believe dreams predict the future but I do know this dream helped me to keep trying and to not give up. It worked.

A Sweet Surprise

I was on the phone one day last week with a friend of mine when there was a very loud knock at the door. It was so loud it made me jump! I checked to see who it was and to my surprise, it was the mailman. "Hmmmm, I thought. I haven't ordered anything lately. I wonder if it is for Dear Hubby." I opened the door and he handed me a package addressed to me. Inside was a nicely wrapped package and it had things inside for Dear Bebe! The package is from Michelle over on I'm a Little Teapot!How sweet and kind to think of her. She sent pretty reversible blankies (one is polka dotted and matches the nursery, way to go, Michelle!) and petite child's hangers in a lovely padded satin. There's even some sweet smelling and very fancy soap to keep everything fresh.

Thank you from all of us here at the Jillian's Pages household, especially from Dear Bebe! She is going to LOVE to snuggle up in those blankets. We feel so blessed to have such a kind friend in blogland. We're glad to have met you.

The love and friendship among bloggers is still so amazing to me, how we connect by reading each other's posts and learning about each other's lives. Very special, indeed!

Thank You From Dear Bebe & Those Darn Cats!

All of these nice gifts arrived for me...



"Here is a package from Germany...from Dear Daddy's cousin in Germany...Danke Shoen!!! "

"And how nice is this gift basket full of neat toys and goodies for me to play with from Dear Daddy's boss...now I know I'm just a month old but can we negotiate that raise you were talking about???? I'm going to need a car in 15 years...."

" And wow, a nice set of new clothes for when I get bigger ...from my two Great Aunts down in Georgia. How pretty I'm going to look...Thank you! "

" And from Gramma's cousins in Las Vegas...this little Anne Geddes baby in an egg....she's going to be lots of fun to play with. My own little doll baby! Thank you!
And now Dear Mommy has to share something with you...time for my nap...."

Hello! All is going well, other than the late night zombie feelings that come over us... but I think these darn cats know when I am busy with Dear Bebe...smart little buggers! They start to do all kinds of awful things...tearing into their food (its not like I'm not feeding them, honest!) Jumping up spastically and running behind the TV screen, chasing each other all over the house...knocking things over...going into forbidden rooms and sleeping on furniture they KNOW is off limits. I think they are taunting me when Dear Bebe is in my arms and I'm feeding her...they know I can't yell and chase after them! For now, I guess I can't deny them their fun. I haven't been able to pay attention to them like I had for all of these years. I just hope our house can take it!

Jillian

A Gift for Bebe!

A package arrived all the way from Canada for Dear Bebe from one of my blogger pals ....Oliver Rain. It was wrapped in pink gingham paper with a pretty pink ribbon. I LOVE pink gingham...how did she know???? :-) And inside is the MOST ADORABLE handmade sweater PLUS a pretty pair of ballet slipper shoes. Sweet sweet sweet. She did an excellent job on the sweater, as seen below. I wish I could knit or crochet like that. See, I'm not even sure if it is knitted or crocheted! I am going to guess crochet. Either way, it is so cute and so nice of her to think of Dear Bebe. THANK YOU!

Other nice gifts have arrived, too for Dear Bebe. One from Germany even! I will post those pictures when I get a chance, it is almost time for Bebe's feeding.

Once again, a thank you to Oliver Rain for the generous and kind gift. You make blogging such a pleasure.

Bebe's First Photo Session

Today Bebe had her first photo session. We went to a fabulous photography studio located in Central Pennsylvania. The woman who runs this business and is the photographer does amazing work. Take a look at the Pea Pod Photography website here for some examples of her work. Dear Hubby and I were included in the photos too and I just can't wait for them to be finished with our proofs. The next decision will be tough...picking out which photos to purchase. So many of them turned out well with creative angles and poses. This is where the difficulty will come in!

Dear Hubby said "it looks like this is going to be our Christmas gift to each other this year!" So, it sounds like we can at least buy more than one photo. Yay!

Dear Bebe did very well. Yesterday was her actual due date so she is about one month old. Still small like the size of a newborn, she was very alert and kept looking at the photographer which even surprised her!

I would love to post a photo from today but I did not get any digital proofs nor did I remember to bring my own camera! I had thought of it to take pictures of the photo session (I'm not even sure that would have been allowed) but forgot in the hustle and bustle of trying to get everyone ready this morning. I was just coming off of my late night/early morning shift and Dear Hubby was still trying to sleep in to recover from his overnight shift when the house turned into a flurry of activity. Get this ready, who's got the bottles ready, is the diaper bag packed. Whew! I'm learning, I'm learning. Here is a link to her blog to see more samples since I didn't get any today. Pea Pod Photography Blog

It is almost 40 minutes from our house and we made it there on time...and if anyone knows us (especially Dear Hubs) it is a miracle if we can arrive anywhere ON TIME.

I just know this was something I wanted to have done, a very special time to capture in pictures before she starts getting too big. Something to treasure for a lifetime.

A Saucier GIVEAWAY!

A GIVEAWAY with "sauce!" Hop on over to The Pink Potpourri for a neat giveaway...this gal is asking for help with her trip to be on Wheel of Fortune...how fun! All you have to do is give her some tips on what to wear on TV and you'll be entered.



Then you could win a bottle of Country Bob's sauce! Yum! I need a little help in the kitchen these days with Dear Bebe taking up much of my time so I thought this was a fun giveaway. Good luck! Hurry, you only have until Monday morning at 8.

Circle of Life

Gramma was here to visit Dear Bebe for a few days and to help Mommy Jillian and Dear Daddy catch up on some much needed sleep. First, we'd like to say a big THANK YOU!!!!! I am feeling so much better today after getting some extra ZZZzzzzz's.

Something Gramma said struck me and I wanted to blog about it. We tend to get caught up in the frenzy of taking care of a newborn, which we should, but there's also something much deeper too, to think about. And maybe the late nights alone with Dear Bebe help us think when there's no other noise or distractions.

She said it was great to see Dear Bebe and to be a Grandmother because it helped her realize the whole circle of life. She had me, I had Dear Bebe, and now hopefully someday Dear Bebe will too, experience motherhood. Seems simple enough but when you think about how delicate and fragile life is...it is amazing how we keep on keeping on. Maybe it's because I just had a friend who is a dealer at our antique mall go through a terrible tragedy. She just lost her daughter who was in her twenties. She died suddenly while they were out clothes shopping.

So today when you see or hear from your special Bebe, take a moment to give he or she a big hug and think about your circle... it is a precious gift!

Confessions of a Reality Show Junkie

Okay. I'll admit it. I'm a reality show junkie. I didn't really think I was until I started looking forward to what was on tv at night. This is where I sit and watch Dear Bebe or give her a nightly feeding. So the only thing I have to look forward to now are these reality shows while I am in Mommy Mode, which is of course, every night (and day!) Since Dear Bebe is taking her zzzz's right now, I'm going to start confessing. Before I do, I have to let you know we do not have cable TV or Direct TV or anything but an antenna. So all I get are the main broadcast channels which is why I will only mention certain network shows. I might have become an EVEN BIGGER JUNKIE if we did have many more channels....so maybe this is a good thing!

I mean, who can turn away from a guy who dances like this on Dancing with the Stars? Derek Hough. Has. My. Vote. Oh he's not up for election? He's too young for me? He still has my vote! Whoever said the way to a woman's heart is in the kitchen has got it really wrong. WOW. A man who can dance is IT!




The dancer in me of course also watches the OTHER dance show.... So You Think You Can Dance, which is currently not running right now. Which brings me to the confession that yes, I love to watch American Idol as well even though it is a singing contest.

I also like other shows like The Amazing Race. Something about this show has me riveted every time I watch it. Maybe it's the way the race brings out the good or bad sport in the team members. The pressure, the stress...how will they handle it? Who uses their brain? Or their brawn? Great stuff...and you can't script that kind of show either. It is the real deal. The host seems genuine too.

In the past I've really been into The Apprentice, but not as much now. In fact, I don't even know if it is going to be on again? I think they are doing Celebrity Apprentice now but I haven't been looking for it. Maybe it's time that show ended.

There's another show I wasn't going to admit to watching, but since I'm here blogging and confessing, I might as well. Yes, I tend to watch the entire episode of America's Next Top Model. I like the photo shoots and the creativity involved with setting them up. I think it is similar to photo shoots we would set up for TV commercials/promos. Except less model-ly. (New word I just made up!) I don't enjoy watching Tyra Banks either. She is quite taken with herself...but I guess confidence is a good quality????

What shows capture your attention? I do miss a good comedy every now and then. And the reality is.... until my time is filled with kiddie shows and Disney movies repeatedly watched over and over....I'm going to remain hooked on someone else's adventures.

Beautiful Weekend

What gorgeous weather we had this past weekend. And we decided to take Dear Bebe for a walk around the neighborhood. I'm sure it was me who enjoyed it more. I haven't really been out of the house too much unfortunately! Ahhhhhh yes, feeling a bit like a shut in.

So the walk was good. I look a little tired but not too bad post surgery? (Hopefully losing pregnancy weight.)

Dear Bebe also met two more of her siblings, Stepdaughter number two and my Stepson. They thought she was cute and tiny. But they didn't see her when she was REALLY small. She has gained weight since and is filling out nicely.

I'm starting to notice new things about her personality and her new learned movements, etc as she gets older. (Ha! Three weeks!) Yesterday it appeared as though she was trying to hold the bottle and maybe she was. Very early on she would clasp her hands together and link her little fingers. The whole thing has amazed me really, since pregnancy. God is GOOD. I truly believe in a creator and I have no idea how someone could NOT believe after being pregnant and experiencing it for myself. In fact, that would be a good post and I'm sure it would spark some debate or banter.

For now, I just took over the late night shift from Dear Hubby and I'm waiting for Dear Bebe to need her next bottle. Wait a minute...shouldn't I be sleeping?

Election Stress

Bombarded by ads. Bombarded by trash talking. I think I have election stress. Anyone else out there with me?

Whatever side I am on at this point, really doesn't matter anymore. I'm so tired of all the advertising from both parties and all of the media super-hype that I just can't wait until the election is over.

Anyone with me?

There has got to be a better way to have elections in this country. But how? I wish things were more cut and dry. Like here is candidate A and what he/she stands for and here is candidate B and what he/she stands for. But I guess this just won't work...who would be unbiased enough to put the information out there?

As it is now, all the so called "information" is turning into this in my head "blah blah blah....blah blah blah blabbity blah blah."

On second thought, maybe that's just because we are running low on sleep.

Nah, just get the election over with already! Then I can start stressing over how much my 401k has shrunk in the past week.

Lovin' Little Laundry

After almost 20 years of working in the television industry it would be no surprise to any of you to learn that I am not the most "housewifey" woman on my block. I have my Martha Stewart moments, but basically I'd rather be out doin' the career thang or the antique website thang. Now, since I've had Dear Bebe, I've been more housewifey than usual. And I have actually discovered that I like doing laundry.

Dear Bebe's laundry.

I thought it was going to be a HUGE chore. But who can resist the wee little things like this?

Too cute. And they don't take up too much space and they are light enough to carry. And for some weird reason, it brings me JOY to do this task. Is it hormones??? Is it motherly love?

Shhh...don't tell Dear Hubby he may try to get me to iron something.

This strange new phenomenon may change in time but for now. . .

I'm lovin' laundry!

Gramma's Visit

Gramma was here to see Dear Bebe! It was her first time seeing the baby and she just loved her from the moment she laid eyes on her. Here she is in Dear Bebe's nursery for a feeding. Gramma is so good...she must have done this somewhere before!


It was nice to have another set of hands for a few days. Gave Dear Hubby and I a chance to catch up on some needed sleep and to fit in a few little "chores" we had wanted to take care of. Believe it or not, we are still trying to keep up our antique booth. I have no idea how I will be able to stock it but for now, it is taking a lower priority than it used to. Some things are much more important!


Dear Bebe and Gramma had a good time together...Gramma spoiled her with lots of cradled arm holding and sweet Gramma kisses. We'll never be able to put her in the bassinet now.

How was your weekend? I'd love to hear about your adventures...for now I will live vicariously through your blogs while I am in the new baby phase!

Night Shift

The night shift. I've never worked late at night before and you know, it is not so bad if you go to bed early. I just relieved Dear Hubby from his shift which started around 9pm last night. It is 2:30 am now. Dear Bebe is sound asleep. She will probably wake up now since I decided to try a blog update. If so, I am ready. This is one of the lessons I've learned. What I need or want, not important right now. I always knew this but you just don't LEARN it until you are the parent.

Here is a sweet sign I made for her room while I was in the "good phase" of pregnancy, you know months 5 and 6. It is an old barn board Dear Hubby had salvaged from an area demolition. I have to admit, I saw one on another gal's website called the Bella Cottage (BEAUTIFUL THINGS!) and I decided to try my own version in colors to match the nursery. I think it turned out ok! "My Sweet Baby" couldn't have turned out more true. Well, except we aren't French.

And I also wanted to point out that the polka dot border is not paper...it is handpainted by Dear Hubs. YES, he splotched each one on by hand...using a shoe shine kit sponge!

I got really lucky and found a little porcelain tea set which mimics Momma's LuRay dinnerware. I posted about it back in June but never led on to why I wanted it so badly!

Here's my chandelier project I kept working on. I still haven't trimmed the lampshades...sigh. I guess at this point I never will????

I also like this hat rack...it was in our laundry room/ half bath and was dark brown. During our redecoration this summer we decided it worked well in the nursery as a little "let's play dress up" area. Okay, so it's mostly for me to look at right now...but I just love it. Dear Hubby came home with the little dress from a store that was going out of business. Right now she is too tiny to fit into it but I'm sure many more late night feedings will help her to grow quickly.

And my dark circles will be almost permanent by then. But, it's all worth it.