bottle fed baby!

Last night, Josh and I planned a dinner at Christoper's World Grille for his managers, supervisors and spouses. It was wonderful! We left Alex at the James' with Kaitlyn, Amy and one of their friends. I called around 7:15 to check on them and could hear Alex screaming in the background. My poor baby. She was hungry and wouldn't take a bottle. Josh made me wait until 8 to check on her again. By that point, she caved, took the bottle and fell asleep! So, my baby WILL take a bottle if she gets hungry enough! Since I had several drinks at dinner, I thought it would be best to give her a bottle when we got home. She thought otherwise. She cried for about half an hour before finally caving again and taking the bottle. She slept all night long! That is 3 bottles she has taken since Tuesday. I know she can do it, it is just a matter of being patient with her!

I am taking both babies out today! We are going to Target this afternoon. Wish me luck! I decided after our last outing, we can only go to one place at a time, otherwise, they both get super fussy!

I ordered the coolest thing for Alex, well actually for me, the other day. I figured since I am home all day and I have time, I will make Alex's food. We saw this thing at Williams Sonoma a few weeks ago and it looked so cool I decided to order it. I tried convincing Josh it should be a Christmas present for Alex. It didn't take much convincing! It is a Beaba Babycook. It should be here next week!

After both girls wake up and I get them dressed for the day, I'll have to take pictures! I bought Alex some Babylegs a few weeks ago and I absolutely love them! They make it so easy for diaper changes since you don't have to take pants off! I guess Alex is such a little trendsetter, because Katie ordered some for Abby too! Both girls will be sporting their Babylegs today!

still no change

I went to the rheumatologist today. No change. I go again on January 13th so I can start a new medication that will actually help the RA. The stuff I am on now just helps with the joint pain. They said I could increase my dosage but it could cause some problems with the amount of cortisone my body produces so I decided not to. Everyone at the office is so nice. They all asked where Alex was. I usually take her to my appointments but Josh stayed home with her and Abby so I could get in and out quicker.

4 month appointment

Alex had her 4 month appointment this morning. Poor baby, it was at 8:10 and she is usually still asleep. She was so good. She smiled at the nurse and Dr. Henderson the entire time....until it was time for shots.

She is growing like a weed!

weight:

birth: 5 lbs 12 oz

2 months: 10 lbs 7 oz

4 months: 13 lbs 1 oz

length:

birth: 19.5 inches

2 months: 22.5 inches

4 months: 24 inches

The doctor told us we can start rice cereal at any time. Since she is so headstrong in the refusal of the bottles, he suggested we start it sooner rather than later so she can get used to having food in her mouth. On to the bottles, he also suggested that we use a bottle for a mid-day feeding instead of night feeding since she tends to be a little fussier at nights to begin with. He said within a week to 10 days of daily bottles, she should finally cave and start taking a bottle without all the crying first. That means that I just need to make sure I am giving her a bottle everyday instead of skipping days. At around 5 months, we'll start combining breast milk and formula until she is completely on formula. That means, I have 1 month to

My pumpkin has been sleeping pretty much all day. She woke up once to eat then went right back to sleep. I'm sure it's the shots. Abby had her 2 month check up and shots today also and she has been sleeping all day. It's been a quiet day here at the Stafin house!

Happy 4 Months!

My sweet, precious baby girl is 4 months old today! She is getting so big! I look at her everyday and can not believe how lucky we are to have such an amazing little one! She is finally starting to fit into some of her 3-6 month old clothes, but is still in her 0-3 month jammies. I am guessing she is around 15 pounds, but we will find out exactly how much tomorrow when we go in for her 4 month appointment! I am not looking forward to it because she is getting shots. :(

Some of our favorite things from the first 4 months...

Jamie's

the big gummy smiles

First giggle

the way she lights up when Josh talks to her

getting up for night time feedings (I know, sounds silly, but I loved our time together in the middle of the nights when she snuggled into me.)

our mid day naps on the couch

Josh's

Baby Pockets (Alex had 2 pairs of Carters pj's that had a pocket on them. Josh loved them on her and was always putting things in her baby pockets, asking why babies need pockets on their jammies. The day I realized she outgrew them, I really thought Josh was going to shed a tear.)

Giggles and Laughs

Poo-explosion (in the middle of the night on the wall)

First doctors appointment when she poo'd on the nurse

Friday went great. I was so worried how Alex would do with a sitter. Nomi spent a few hours with us before we left and got Alex to take about 6 ounces in a bottle. It was such a huge relief to know she will take a bottle! We dropped her off at the sitters around 7:30 and picked her back up around 10:30. She didn't take a bottle, but was really good for Kaitlyn. She did take about 3 ounces from me when we got there. So, if she is hungry enough, she will take the bottle! Woo hoo!

Squirm Worm!

This morning I checked in on Alex after we got up and she wiggled herself all the way to the corner of her crib! I don't know how she did it, but she did. She was just hanging out sucking on her hand. Last night after I fed her she tried shoving her entire fist in her mouth. She had all but her pinky finger in there. She has a big mouth just like her Mommy and Nomi!

This week has been a Cooper week. He got groomed on Wednesday then he went to the vet yesterday. Poor baby has been neglected since Alex arrived. Cooper tipped the scales at a whopping 67 pounds! The vet said he is in perfect health! He refused to get on the scale at first, then once he saw the treat, he hopped right on. He will do anything for a treat! I love my boy!

Nomi is coming today for a few hours! I can't wait! My Dad is dropping her off while he works in Huntsville, then he is picking up back up when he is done! It is perfect timing because Josh and I have to go to a work party tonight in Houston so this will give me plenty of time to get ready! We are riding down with the James', dropping the girls off with the sitter (which I am still so nervous about) then heading off to the River Oaks Country Club for the party. I know Alex will be in great hands but with the refusal of the bottle it just makes me worry.

Baby Toes!

Ok, for some reason I think baby toes are the cutest things in the world! Alex's little feet are just so soft and cute I can't keep my hands off of them. I am not the only person who loves baby toes. Cooper loves them too! He is always licking her little feet. Alex is sleeping beside me and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some pictures of her little toes sticking out of her pants. I love them so much!

I am feeling so much better tonight! My fever went down before I went to sleep (at 9:30!). Alex slept until 7am! I got up, got ready and Alex and I dropped Coopie off to get groomed. My poor Coop, he has been so neglected since Alex got here. He looks so beautiful now! He is going to the vet tomorrow. Abby got here around 9 and we hung out until Katie came back with lunch! Alex and I had to get back out because I saw the cutest cowgirl onesies at Target last week and I wanted to get them along with the matching pants for her and wouldn't you know it, they didn't have the pants! I decided to wait and see if they get more pants in! The registration was up on my car so I had to take care of that too.

I finished the 3rd book in the Twilight saga today! Rachel is taking the 4th book to Josh for me tomorrow! I am so excited, I can't wait. I know, I'm a bit of a nerd, but I got hooked on the books! I can't wait until the movie comes out on the 21st! You know I'll be there on opening day!

Josh just called, he landed in Houston and should be here in an hour or 2. I know he was only gone one night, but I missed him soo much! It feels like he has been gone forever!

Just the two of us

Josh is in Florida tonight. I am getting sick. Alex had a bad day.

Luckily, Josh will be home tomorrow evening. I can't wait for him to get home. I feel worn down and I have a 100.7 temp. Hopefully it's nothing big, maybe I'm just worn down after the day. I decided to only do bottles for Alex today. I nursed her at 8am then it was supposed to be nothing but bottles. From 10 to 3 we tried bottles and had no luck, she just refused to eat. I finally gave in and nursed her. I really think she just won't take a bottle from me. She took 2 from Josh last week when I wasn't here without a problem. I think I am going to have Katie try giving her a bottle tomorrow while I leave the room.

I am tired so hopefully, Alex will go to sleep early tonight.