rufflebutts...

There's just something about folded excess cloth on a baby's bottom that is just so damn cute! Ever since I started looking at baby girl clothing, "rufflebutts" were always an appeal - tights, pants, you name it, I had to have it. And there's actually a website called RuffleButts.com - who knew?! So I think Sam needs a pair of these bloomers for her 6-month photos... And OMG there are matching LegWarmers!? Too much... X_x

On the move!

In the last 4 months, Samantha has shown us that she doesn't take lying down lightly, and constantly wants to go, go go! For as long as she's been able to hold her head up, she's been wanting to stand, and whenever we hold her up in our laps, she pushes back with her little legs, squats and tries to take steps. So Chris and I decided that what she needed now was a Jumperoo, and a Jumperoo she shall receive!

We decided on the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo since it received the best reviews on both Babies R Us and Amazon. It regularly goes for around $70, but thanks to a recent deal on LivingSocial.com and a $10 coupon I received from being a member of AmazonMom, we only paid around $40. PLUS, thanks to AmazonMom, we get free 2-day shipping through AmazonPrime, so we're going to have this awesomeness by Tuesday -- SO excited! Probably more than Sami will be, but thats ok!

4 months old today!

... and I swear, it's getting harder and harder to take her picture every month!

I can't believe Sami's already 4 months... time has just been flying, though I will admit, this last month seemed to last longer. Maybe it was because of the long nights thanks to teething, or maybe it was just because of having to go back to work. Regardless, 4 months is here, and with her 4-month checkup next week, we're going to soon venture into the world of.... *drumroll*.... SOLIDS! I won't go too much into it now, mostly because I'm somewhat clueless when it comes to what and how much. I just know rice cereal to start, veggies before fruits, and introduce once thing at a time every 5 days or so to make sure there aren't food allergies. Oh, this will be an adventure.

chunkah baby

13lb baby taking in 5oz per feeding. Someone is on her way out of the 0-3 clothes! 3-6 clothes, here we come! Sadly, though, Carters run big, and Childrens Place runs small, so we're making our way through what we have... I just wish Sami had some baby girlfriends so she could pass these clothes on!

The one good thing about being home on Thursdays is being able to go to the lactation clinic at the hospital at 1pm. It's a great support group, though I haven't gotten close to any of the moms that attend yet... of course, this is the first Thursday group I've attended, so we'll see.

I will admit, I feel bad about all the moms I see having troubles... I feel almost guilty. :( I mean, the most of my troubles were cracked nipples and trying to figure out which position she liked best... here there are mothers who need nipple shields and have newborns barely gaining any weight. But they're sticking with it, and they have my utmost respect on that front, and I wish them all the best!

first day at daycare...

... and Mom's first day back to work. =(

No worries, though! It wasn't as bad dropping her off as I thought it was going to be, and I got the biggest smile from her before I left, so it made everything all better. In fact, I think it made Chris more sad seeing me hand her off to someone else than it did me. But the teachers said Samantha had an amazing day, and I've heard nothing short of praises since! It's a great little center, and she has her own little princess crib in the corner and every time I've gone to pick her up, she's been strapped into the infant rocker seat and she's just babbling again to her teacher. It's awesome.

So that's Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tuesdays she's with my mom, and I love it because I know other than Thursdays (when I have her) Tuesdays are going to be so laid back in the dropping off/picking up department, and I'll feel more comfy harrassing my mother for a status update if I want one than calling the center every other hour. Plus, I know I'll be able to go over to my mother's house after work and feed Sam there rather than having to pack another bottle for daycare and not get her there until 5:30-6pm.

And Thursdays she's with me. Go figure though - the awesome baby she is was totaly fussy all day for me, with very little naps, which meant not much time for me to check work emails. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised -- I mean, how much work did I really think I was going to get done while home with an infant all day?

But it's a working schedule, and we're getting used to to. The first week is almost over, and it's only supposed to get easier from here... right?