I decided it was time for a little Caroline update, especially since I had to post this picture. My friend, Katrina, a Purdue grad, sent this bib to us when Caroline was born. There aren’t too many Big Ten schools I would put on Caroline other than Michigan State, but Purdue falls into the “acceptable” category. Most of the others would fall into the “over my dead body” category. Anyway, wanted to share this picture with Katrina and also Brenda who I believe is a big Boilermaker fan.
So, life with Caroline… Here are some highlights in totally random order…
Last week I became a full-fledged real MOM. I put Cheerios in Caroline’s diaper bag when we left the house. Yes, I have arrived. I am a MOM. My daughter eats Cheerios.
Those of you who co-sleep… You have got to be kidding me. And I don’t say that with any disrespect at all. Three nights in the same room with Caroline at my parents’ house and I am SO READY to get back to my own home, my own room, and Caroline in her crib in her own room. It used to be that we went to my parents to relax, catch up on sleep, etc. Now we go and David and I sleep horribly with Caroline in the room with us. She doesn’t sleep well either in the pack and play. I honestly don’t think it would be any different if she were in bed with us either. I know all you co-sleepers swear by it and love it, but it is totally beyond me how you ever do it. My hats off to you if you can make it work.
Caroline thoroughly enjoys the Emma soundtrack. She has a couple favorite pieces that she always stops and listens to when they come on. In fact, if we don’t turn the stereo on, she tells us to do so. She likes music.
Caroline got two teeth in ten days and we were all glad when they were here. She got the top right middle one and then one just to the left of the top middle. Not sure where the top left middle one is yet. We have finally figured out that when she wakes up in the middle of the night and is WIDE AWAKE and doesn’t show any interest in going back to sleep, it is because her tooth broke through.
Right now Caroline’s favorite toys BY FAR are whatever she can find in the recycling basket. Forget Fisher Price! Just give her empty boxes, catalogs and washed out plastic! I have a cute basket that sits on the floor in the kitchen. We use it to collect recycling which we then take out to the bins in the garage. The child is in HEAVEN going through that basket. I had stopped washing out a lot of plastic and such for recycling after I had her because I had to save time somewhere. Now that I have more time and have discovered what a thrill she gets from a cleaned out plastic I.C. Mocha cup, lid and straw from Panera, I’m washing everything just so she can play with it. We’ve also stopped emptying the basket every night and let it collect for a few days so she’s got a nice assortment of junk to play with.
Well, time for a cup of coffee while the little one naps.
Ideas For A New Parent Survival Basket
A suggestion Sallie- the next time you’re set to go somewhere with Caroline in tow (and you plan to use the Pack and Play), spend the week before with her in the pack and play. The first night, let her sleep in her own room, very close to her current crib setup, in the pack & play. After that for a night or two, move her to various places in the house (maybe the guest room? or office? even the living room once?) And face it different ways- so she gets used to SLEEP being the norm (with perhaps a fav blanket or animal), rather than the CRIB being what’s normal.
If you do this every now and then, you shouldn’t have to ever go through a week-long training time again.
Just my two cents!
Blessings~ Jess
lol…I can’t believe you wrote this today. I was logging in to ask you what was going on with Caroline…what her schedule looked like…how she was eating, etc. She is completely precious!
She has a specially sweet face – and luscious hair too! Enjoy every minute!
LOL- I guess I wasn’t a real mom until #2, when I finally gave in and now I tote Cheerios everywhere! With #1 I tried to avoid them, though now I can’t recall why. Isn’t that funny?
Also, it’s funny about the co-sleeping thing… I can’t imagine not sleeping with my girls as babies, though we transitioned my first too her own bed at two, and plan to do that again… I really think it’s all in what you & your child are used to, but there are definitely some kids who are not good co-sleeping companions, and vice versa.
I do wish my 1 yo would nap a bit better on her own, but we’re going to work on that soon…
Caroline is so precious!
With each child we had, my husband and I planned for him to sleep in his crib all the time. But we always ended up co sleeping. My six month old starts out in his crib for safety as we don’t go to bed at 7 pm! I used to move him to our bed when he needed to feed. Now that he sleeps better, I move him asleep when I go to bed.Otherwise I keep waking up to make sure he is okay! It’s just what we’re used to :)Co sleeping is big in the Philippines, some families have all their kids with them even when their kids are in high school! (Sometimes it’s just to save on air conditioning bills 🙂 )We transition our boys out at 3 or so.
Thank you for your sweet comments. We think she’s a little dolly and I guess I can say that because I can’t really take any credit for it. Her hair is coming in so thick and I’m grateful. I know it isn’t that important in the scheme of life, but my hair is on the thinner side and yes I did pray that God would bless her with nice hair so she wouldn’t be follicly challenged like her parents.
Jess – That is a good idea. I will have to remember that.
Sabine – Yes, tape. As a former teacher I know how little kids are obsessed with tape. I’ve actually already started collecting craft stuff for Caroline, but that’s a post for another day…
First of all, what Martha said. What a little dolly!
I’m smiling at the picture of Caroline playing with your junk. I just said good-bye to my 3 grandchildren (7, 6, and 4) who spent most of the afternoon here, making houses from shoeboxes and supplies in my “craft box”. That is the most fun they’ve ever had here, playing with stuff that is basically garbage. Start saving your money now for Scotch tape.
Caroline is absolutely adorable! My babies don’t have that much hair until they are 3 years old! 🙂
What a beautiful smiling face! She appears to be a happy baby even if she is stuck in Big 10 land. I bet she’d be even happier in the ACC. . . : )
Sallie, I just wanted to let you know how much your blog has inspired me as a young mother, wife, and Christian. Your words truly reflect the life of a woman who lives for Christ, her husband, and baby. I love that you are a thinker, and can formulate your very own ideas without having someone else do it for you. I love that you offer grace, forgiveness, and understanding in a world where few of those qualities are evident. I love that the choice you and your husband made regarding more children not only showed your concern for the family God has blessed you with, but also showed what a wonderful, supportive, and loving husband David is….what a beautiful model for the Christian family. You never look down your nose at other people in order to validate your own lifestyle and choices. You never slap hands! You are an oasis in a desert of judgment, pride, and over the top fundamentalism. Thank you for not only using your heart to inspire, but also your mind. (Sorry…just had to say it). 🙂
I am smiling here…..my bed is only just big enough for my pregnant body and DH…shudder shudder at wriggle pants 2 yr old being in there too!
How adorable she is!! I echo you with the sleeping with baby thing. Hats off to those who make it work 🙂 When Lena visits us in bed –usually in the morning for a fifteen minute period before its time to get up — we get kicked in face, tummy, and arms. She is a WILD sleeper. She likes to crawl onto my head and just lay there, totally smothering me. I usually end up dissolved in laughter.
I also have to echo you with the toys that aren’t toys thing. Selena looooooves Tupperware and measuring cups and spoons. She loves used and washed water bottles too. She also enjoys putting our coasters back into their basket. Fun stuff isn’t it?
Enjoy your precious girl!!
Of course, I think that is one cute baby with an “oh so true” saying. 🙂
Now, I must find out where they bought that so I can buy four.
I know *exactly* what you mean about the co-sleeping. I love the idea of it, and enjoy it for an hour or so in the morning when I go get him and nurse him back to sleep. But overall it just doesn’t work for us. We just got back from a week’s vacation today. My 8 month old did not appreciate the crib provided by the hotel so he ended up in bed with us every night. It was awful and none of us slept well at all! I will be thrilled tonight to have him back in his own crib in his own room!
I need to figure out something soon though because we’re taking a 3 week trip overseas for Christmas this year. I can’t go that long without sleep! It was so bad that my husband is even thinking about renting a suite on our next trip.
oooooH, Awwwww, she is such a beautiful girlie. I bet she adores pink! How funny that she loves the Emma soundtrack. I bought it a few months ago and play it in my office almost daily. It’s stunning! Obviously, she has good taste.
Caroline is just adorable! (even with that bib – lol – I grew up in a home where IU ruled)
We will be heading out of town in October and I am very concerned about sleep issues. Let me know if you figure out how to make it work in the future.
Have a great weekend!