A Conflict of the Hats...

Tonight was one of those nights where I felt so lost. Elora was doing just fine and dandy on our way to teach my ZUMBA class. When I arrived at the clubhouse, I parked the car and proceeded to unload. Just as I begin to unfasten Elora from the carseat she has this...explosive, exorcist sit-up...hat just won't stop. It was all down the front of her. It was on the carseat straps, buckles. It had seeped down into the cover and began dripping on to the mat thingy that protected the back seat from the carseat. I stood there for a moment trying to decide whether or not to cancel class. I knew I had new students and I didn't want to disappoint of leave a poor impression. A flaky impression. So I called a friend and asked her opinion. She gave me good advise and I then called another friend whom I knew would be on her way to class. This friend, I asked her to bring me a couple towels to sop up the mess and dry off the Zumba Baby.

I waited there by the car, waiting for the towels to arrive. I began to think about how it sucks that I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Here I am, trying to help and encourage other women to be fit and healthy, but also trying to be a good mother. What was the right choice. Cancelling the class and taking Elora Danan home? Staying to teach while hoping that she won't do that again in her pack'n'play? I took my friend's (a seasoned mother of 3) advise to stay and teach, but just to let them know that if it happens again I will have to cut the class short and I could credit them home the class. I know that I am a GREAT mother...but...I still have this fear that others will judge me an unfit mother for choosing to stay and teach. sigh.

I take my job seriously. I don't teach my Zumba Fitness classes for me, you know. I don't like crowds. I don't like being in front of folks. It scares the living hez out of me. Every class I am freaking out on the inside as I take the 'stage' and begin teaching. Even after 3 years! No, this is not for me. I believe deep in my heart that these women are special. That they deserve to be encouraged and helped. I care whether or not they attend a class... not for monetary reasons, but because I want to make sure that they never give up on their goals. That they never give up on themselves!

I'm sure someone out there is thinking...nanny, babysitter, daycare. Um...no. No. No! I am her caregiver. However, I appreciate and am EXTREMELY grateful for all help that is given me and I love my 'village' that helps me. My baby stays with me.

Golly, I really gotta get something to eat and then go to sleep...

New Year's Resolution #1

My first resolution for 2013 is to be the best mom I can possibly be to Elora. I will strive to only provide her with the very best nutrition. I promise to set forth a good example in all things in life. From eating right and working out to making the bed in the morning. Nothing is too great or too small. I promise to guide her and teach her how to become a well-rounded person. I will train her up according to the Bible. I promise to teach her about self worth, through taking care of myself (I am guilty of not caring for myself like I should).

The list is long, but I think you get the point. I just want her to grow up and excel. I am first and foremost her primary educator. I do not take this task lightly. Some may call me strict or mean. Some may call me paranoid or even the opposite, because I don't run to her and pick her up every time she whimpers or even cries. Finding the right balance is difficult. However God gave me instincts for a reason. He created women to be mothers. I know that I can and will do a good job.

I love this Hat. Motherhood. Love it.

This picture was the first time I danced with my daughter. Still brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

Elora Danan 2 days old. Getting ready to leave the hospital.
02/26/12

Tooth #2 is coming in....

This teething situation..stinks...majorly. Elora's second tooth is beginning to rear is head. I wish they would all come in at once. I could really use the sleep. Baby has very low grade fever, crystal clear running nose, mucus-y cough (from all the drainage), and sneezing (allergies?). She is now regurgitating her meals. Not throwing up. She nurses. She coughs. She regurgitates all of it. Aside from all that she is super active, explores (gets into everything), and is very happy. She does have bouts of crankiness and crying when her incoming tooth is bothering her. I'm in for another rough day. Yesterday alone I was covered in the regurgitated breastmilk. Changed my clothes 3 times. This morning she got me in bed. I must now wash the bedding.

Infant Massage...hmm

This is Elora's and my second week going to an Infant Massage class on base. It's a free class - I'm all about the free! I'm not too sure Elora is very interested right now. Both times she wiggled all over the place. I spent more time trying to get her back on her back instead of listening to the instructor and practicing on my baby. I'm glad they gave us handouts on the different techniques and what not. The point of these classes is not so much to learn to massage my 6 month old but more so to socialize my infant and get the heck out of the house. I am so content to stay home alone with my precious baby everyday. However, being a recluse is probably not the best way to help Elora become socially apt. My hope is that Elora will begin to like it and stay still one day. Right now she is in her exploration stage, because she is finally able to move about on her own.

I guess I should probably talk about the benefits of Infant Massage, blah blah blah...but that requires research and I'm out of time right now. I'll follow up later on the subject. I gotta go to St. Pete for a BBQ at one of Eric's co-worker's house. I have to put on my try-not-to-be-so-darn-weird-and-geeky hat. I have a baby now so I really gotta talk to the females. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before...Females make me uncomfortable. I never know what to talk about. I don't enjoy most of the topics they chose. BUT I have a kid now, so I'm expected to be all motherly and talk about stuff. I feel that it ends up being a competition. Well, my baby is only 8 months and she does this. But my baby is better, because it spits up all the time. Well, yours isn't nearly as advanced as mine, because my child does this or the other.

I'm going to be standing there quietly thinking about Dark Siders II and how I can't wait to get home to play. There's also a Zumba Core Demo I downloaded and want to try it out. Skyrim...I haven't played in forever. I need to test out the dragon shouts using the Kinect. I'm still kinda sore that tomorrow is Hobbit Day and no one wanted to have a Hobbit Day Party with me. I'm still gonna dress Elora up as a baby Hobbit and take pictures...OH SHE'LL LOOK SO DARN CUTE!!! Maybe Eric will let me get away with it. I doubt it though. He's such a party pooper.

*Sorry for grammatical errors and what not. Typing with a baby in your lap who is so eager to help you by slapping at random keys can make blogging quite a challenge. I do try to use spell check and read before posting. I still miss things though.

I really want to win this...

I keep entering these giveaways hoping to win...lol
I love using cloth diapers. They are easy to use, better for Elora, better for the environment, and better for my wallet...in the long run!

If you like cloth diapering...visit the link for your chance to win!

http://www.diaperjunction.com/83112-FYSF-Win-a-BumGenius-Freetime-Babylegs-and-Detergent_b_411.html#

Elora Sits

A couple of weeks ago I decided to do some serious sitting sessions with Elora. In one day she picked up sitting all on her own. She still throws her self backwards and bumps her head, but I think she's starting to figure out that she's doing it to herself. However, being a new mommy I'm still protecting her and putting 1,000 pillows around her to prevent any more head bashing.

Fuzzi-Bunz Giveaway!

I really enjoy using the cloth diaper on my Little Bits. They are super easy to use and clean.

I have not tried the Fuzzi-Bunz, but I have heard great things. I would really like to win, becuase I need more cloth diapers. I only have 5 BumGenius right now!

Enter for your chance to win! Good Luck!

http://www.diaperjunction.com/72012-FYSF-Win-2-Fuzzi-Bunz-Pocket-Diapers_b_387.html

And She Smiles...

Elora is socially smiling now!! We are so excited!

New Hat Adjustments

Motherhood. Exhaustion. I am beginning to believe that the words are synonymous. Late nights. Long days.

I am bound to a schedule that doesn't always makes sense. Although I am nursing, Elora does not always want to eat every 2 hours. Sometimes she'll go 2.5 hours or as long as 4 hours. The longer stretched of time are at night when she sleeps. Last night she slept nearly 6 hours.

Elora's First St Patty's Day

2 weeks post-pregnancy

I'm currently 2 weeks postpartum and as you can see...EXHAUSTED! My Belly is going down rapidly due to breastfeeding. I'm still getting the hang of my new "Motherhood" hat. Long days. Longer nights. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. Being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world!

Elora Danan: My New Hat

So I've been a little distracted with my new hat. My precious newborn daughter. Her name is Elora Danan. She was born last Friday, and is perfect. I am currently BF and sleep is rare for my husband and I. We are grateful to have my mom, 'Lita - short for Abuelita, is here helping us out. I hope to be posting again very soon; however sleeplessness has taken its toll on me. Please be patient as I grow accustomed to this new 'hat'.

Here is a picture of my precious child and one of my beautiful family!

I Stand Proud

Today Eric and I attended a One-Day Intensive Childbirth class. At the beginning of class we were paired with another couple for an exercise. The exercise consisted of interviewing the other couple and then we were suppose to introduce them to the rest of the class and share interesting facts about them. Well, of course they ask about employment and Eric tells them about being in the military. They ask how it affects our pregnancy and if he has to deploy often. Eric tells them that he will most likely be leaving 5-6 days after the birth of our princess for a 6 month deployment.

This leads to many "I'm so sorry!". They turn to me sympathetically and ask me if I have family in the area to help me while he's gone. I don't. What about friends they ask. Plenty. I let them know that I have a support system in place and that I'll be in good hands. At the introductions this comes up again. Everyone feels sorry for Eric, because he's gonna miss so much, and they feel sorry for me because I'll be alone. I appreciate the concern, I really do. However, this is a HAT that I chose to wear and I wear it proudly!

I don't want anyone's pity for being a military wife. I am serving my country by standing by my husband and supporting him in his career. I am proud to have his child. To raise her. To wait for his return, all the while teaching his little princess about how wonderful, brave, and selfless her daddy is!

Photo taken by Samantha Fisher with Keepsake Portraits.
>8 months pregnant<

Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012!

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I'm curious to see what this new year will bring. Eric and I had a great time in church this morning and the sermon was on point!

I, as most, have a long list of new year resolutions. They consist of (in no particular order):

• Being a great mother
• Drinking more water
• Reading my Bible from cover to cover in 365 days
• Staying organized

And the list goes on. What are some of your resolutions?

Lydia the Mommy-to-be

Meet Lydia, the Mommy-to-be.

Pregnancy. I am pregnant. God has blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. I'm excited to meet her very soon.

Kinda looking forward to this whole motherhood thing. This is definitely a new hat for me. So far I think I like the fit. hehe