Addy has been getting over a bit of a cold and my poor girl has been pretty needy as a result. Yesterday in particular, she slept most of the day and cried when she was awake. It about broke my heart. As she fell into yet another fitful nap at one point, it made me realize how truly grateful I am to get to be a stay at home Mom. There are times where it is extremely difficult and I wish that I could talk to another adult, but then I see my girl. Even in the difficult moments like this one, I am happy I am home. Because if I wasn't someone else would be, and while they would do there best to take care of her and love her, they are not half as invested as I am in her. I am glad I home, because even when she is difficult, she is mine, and that gives me more patience and love then I could have with anyone else.

Today she is doing better...still having a bit of a hard time but still better. Which brings me to another reason I'm glad I get to be home with her. I desperately had to go to the bathroom, but she had been so fussy I thought for sure she would cry. So I put her in her crib, turned on her mobile my parents got for her, and literally ran to the bathroom. I thought I would hear her wailing within two seconds. But I heard nothing. When I finished, I ran back and found this:

Today is December 25th-Christmas Day. I am spending it here in Oklahoma with my babies in the home we've made. This season has been full of lessons, and peace and joy from sometimes unlikely sources. We've laughed a lot, cried some, and learned to enjoy being just the three of us for this fleeting moment in time.

Addy got to meet her Grandparents, and some of her Auntie and Uncles in CA since the holidays are about family. She got to meet Santa a few times and we got to enjoy visiting with some of our cousins, Aunts and Uncles in Texas, shopping, laughing, baking, playing games and going to the aquarium. We enjoyed dinner with some old friends and new ones. We got to do some service here and there, and be served in other ways. Best of all we got to spend time learning about the babe that made this all possible as we held our own babe. Our Savior-who saved the world, saved all of us, and made the entire world a little bit softer and a little bit sweeter. I love him and I am so happy we get to celebrate his birth with all our hearts and all of our whole selves. Merry Christmas everyone.

My friend Lindee asked me the other day for a list of things that I've found I couldn't do without since having Addy. At first, I could only think of one thing, but since then I've realized there are several. Of course, I am not the most experienced Mother, but I figured I would blog about the ones that have helped me immensely hoping that maybe they can help many of my friends who are pregnant. I would also like to put a disclaimer that I realize that this shows how spoiled I am to have all these things, and I know most women before me could do it without these things. But my philosophy is why do it if you don't have to? Haha, anywho. Here goes.

1. The Swaddler by Summer Infant.
I won't spend to much time on this one since I already blogged about it previously, but it has seriously done wonders for her sleeping schedule. My Mom had always sworn by swaddling, but every time we did it no matter how tight, she would break out and be upset. This has made it so that neither of those things happen that often! So I would say this is a must have, and it takes the edge off those rough nights.
2. The Frontal Pack Carrier by Baby Bjorn
Sometimes I feel like I need five more hands just to get half of the things done that I used to. Examples: Cleaning, Dishes, Going on walks, etc. At first, I felt like it was impossible because while I know I shouldn't hold her all the time, there is a limit to how long I will let my baby cry [at least until she's older and can understand things..] before I pick her up. Plus, I imagine she won't always want me to hold her so much, and I love to do it, so why not. This beautiful thing makes it so that I can do all these things and more! Which is wonderful, because as silly as it sounds, it makes me feel more purposed and productive. Plus, its great for walks at the park or outdoor activities. You can face the baby towards you or out. Its great.

3. Baby Gas Drops
I don't know if every baby has as much painful gas as my girl does [just like her Grandpa Hanaike!] but  it is no fun to hear her screaming or see her hurting. The gas drops are cheap, and they are fast acting and they relieve some of the pain she feels and I couldn't do without them.


4. Pacifiers [duh-but we like Philip's Soothies and Avent Orthodontic BPA Free ones] and Pacifier Wipes [ours are Arm & Hammer].
The two kind I listed Addy does better with then others-plus they are supposed to be better for the kids mouths/latch.
But, at the end of the day, pacifiers are going to fall-its just the way it is. And sometimes you are not in a place where you can rinse it off. Enter pacifier wipes-I keep them in my diaper bag, and they are great for moments like that. They are made specifically for pacifiers to, so you know they do a good job cleaning it, while still being safe for your baby.



5. A Baby Bath [ours is by Summer Infant]
This is not necessarily a must have-but I have found that I like these better then using the sink or just a tub. This is probably because they get so slippery when their wet, and I am paranoid and get nervous that she will slip or something. The pre-made baby baths have a ridge making it so that the baby has a WAY harder time slipping and it props them up and in a sitting position. It just makes me feel more confident while bathing her, as silly as that sounds.
4. The Boppy
Love, love love this thing. Not only is it great for feeding the baby [whether you breastfeed or bottle feed] but its also great to help them work on their body strength in different positions and what not. We would not want to be without this thing!

5. The Swing
Remember when you were a kid and you hated naps and you'd try to fight them? Ya. Addy's already started that-she just loves to be a part of the action. But this swing makes it so that I can put her down and actually go to the bathroom or what have you. Often, she finds it so soothing, she falls asleep in it. Nice.

For the breastfeeding Momma's out there:

6. A Breast Pump [ours is by Aveno]
    This is great for long car rides since you can have a bottle of breast milk for the baby and not have to stop, and also for when you've been up a million times that night and your spouse wants to help out a take turn. Don't pump to much though, because then your will produce to much. Which leads us to our next one..



7. Pads to prevent leakage [again, Aveno or Lanisoh are great brands. NOT Gerber ones.]
   I know everyone leaks a little bit but some people do more then others. These have been a LIFESAVER. It could be a huge embarrassment to walk around with a wet shirt, but these make it not a problem. Also, it can be uncomfortable and cold to leak if you know what I mean.

8. Feeding Cover [ours is by BeBe Au Lait].
   There are moments where baby needs to eat, no matter where you are or who your with. And even if its awkward or difficult, if you don't have a bottle, you just have to grin and bear it. These are great because they make it so you feed your baby, while still looking slightly fashionable and comfortable haha.

 Anyways, these are all things that have been great and extremely useful for me in my journey of motherhood so far. I realize many women do great without them, but I am not wonder women and they have been my must haves. So there you have it!

Today, even though its Saturday, Lester had to go in to take the practical part of his paramedic exam [which he passed WOO HOO!]. As that meant another day of just me and Addy, we decided we would have a Christmas movie marathon. In planning this, I made a list of movies that were a must watch for the holidays. Each movie brought back so many different memories and feelings-I've had so many Christmas's with them that it seems impossible that now I am watching them not in SF, but with my daughter in OK. Anyways-it was bittersweet since we won't be home for the holiday, but still wonderful to think of all the new traditions we're making as a new family. Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year isn't it?

So here is a list of my favorite family Christmas movies:

White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Home Alone 1 & 2
The Year Without A Santa Claus
Rudolph
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Frosty The Snow Man
Scrooge
If You Believe
Polar Express
Its A Wonderful Life

When Lester got home, we made a stop at the ward Christmas party and took a practice picture of Addy with Santa-we may do another one or two because we want her to understand the wonder and magic that he is. So even though we won't be home this year like many of the songs say, we are still finding things to enjoy about this season and loving the fact that we are together.

I have put off blogging about our last day or two at home because I felt like that would mean that it was officially over and I would feel sad. But it was such a good experience that it can't be left out, and I suppose now I can start looking forward to the next time we can all be together again.

On Friday, my parents let Luke & Sam take the day off of school so they could spend some time with us. We went to the Stonestown mall at first to do some window shopping, then headed over to the SF zoo. It was a blast. They have redone alot of it since we were last there and it was really nice. I also loved seeing both Luke and Sam wanting to take turns walking with Addy in the carrier. They love her so much, and I love them so much. Anywho, we had a really good time. That evening we had fun making our own personal pizzas and watching some Christmas movies before decorating the tree we had gotten the other night. I'm so glad we were able to be there for that Christmas tradition, especially since we won't be there the day of.










Saturday we were all actually home together, so we went to see Luke's robot skills at a school club event. Then we headed over to Fort Point, which is literally right under the bridge. I couldn't believe the views-and that we haven't been there before after all our years living there haha! It was ripe with history and gorgeous architecture, and I loved every second of it. Lester and I think it would be perfect for going to Halloween night if you want to freak yourself out haha! We then headed over to Golden Gate Park for a delicious picnic lunch [who knew it was so hard to find Dutch Crunch out of the bay area?] and that was fun.  On our way out, we had to stop at Ocean Beach. Lester was adamant that we had to dip Addy's little feet in the ocean so she could experience the ocean. ADORABLE and our little adventurer didn't even cry! I knew she was CA girl at heart! [We took a great video, but I'm having issues posting it..so check that out on mine or Lester's facebook I guess..] We visited my Grandma Chandler after this for a gem of a 4 generation picture and we had a good little talk. Finally, we headed home for roast for dinner and visits from a ton of family. Again, we felt engulfed in the love of our family, both immediate and extended and it was wonderful. After everyone had left, we stayed up playing some Monopoly Deal and tried not to cry as we said our beginning goodbyes. After packing some, my Mom read me a bedtime story till I fell asleep and it brought me back to days long gone by. I have to make sure I do that with my sweet girl.












The next morning we said goodbye to my Mom and loaded up so my Dad and Luke could take us to the airport. It was a little emotional and hard to say goodbye to them-this will probably be the longest time I will have ever been away from home; and it will most definitely be the first Christmas I spend away from home. But I've decided to try not to see this as a bad thing-its been a year of firsts. My first time becoming a Mom, my first time living in Oklahoma, our first times not in college, and our parents first time being Grandparents. All these things are good things, especially when I choose to make them so. Plus, I got to come home with the two I love and who love me most. I realize more and more every day that family is everything. We three our now our own family-and that is literally a beautiful thing.