New Hairs and a Tooth!

So I decided I needed a change and went to get my hair cut shorter than it’s ever been before. I colored it too but I’ve done this color the last couple times I’ve gotten my hair done. I LOVE the color. It’s a dark purple-ish red. I wasn’t able to get very good pictures but here are some before and after shots for you.

This was right after my previous hair appointment

And a horrible bathroom picture the day after this appointment

I love my new hair cut and color! Well, new cut, same color.

And Quorra's tooth has finally broken through the gum! You can't quite see it but you can definitely feel that it finally is out. She will be 11 months old in 3 days so she took a while to get a tooth out into the world but I'm okay with it. No nibbling the boobies while nursing and she still has the baby toothless grin. I'm excited that she is on her way to have something to show the doctor when we go for her one year check-up though. 

Any new hair for you all? If you are scared to try something new just remember that it's only hair. It will grow back. 

For the mommas - when did your kids get their teeth? Is Quorra the oldest toothless kid you know of?

Back From My Hiatus

First I want to apologize for not writing in such a long time. Really, I don’t have much time to do anything other than chase Quorra around the house. Soon after my last post she became mobile. She crawls with a quickness. She now, at almost 11 months, pulls herself up on anything and can stand by herself for just a couple seconds. She has only stood up without pulling up on something/someone a couple times. At the rate she is going I know it won’t be soon before she’ll be walking and, honestly, that scares me. She is growing up way to fast!

Most pictures I get of her are blurry since she is always on the move!

Quorra is doing great with solid food. She has gone from smooth purees, to thicker purees, to soft pieces, to feeding herself soft foods, and she now is feeding herself bigger and harder foods. She is doing amazing with it considering she STILL has no teeth. Seriously… not one. She will be 11 months old in just about a week and she just now has a small white bud on the bottom front. Even that is not soft yet and it has been there for a couple weeks now. Someday it will break out of the gum. Someday…

Chicken, carrots, broccoli, and puffs. mmmm 

She eats pretty much anything that we eat, as long as she can chew it. She loves pasta, tomato sauce, pizza, cheese, and Mexican food. And she is all about some well cooked carrots, green beans, and broccoli. Bananas are her favorite though. Well, bananas and puffs. We get the HappyBaby organic puffs. They have a lot less sugar than the other brands and I have to admit that we do feed her primarily organic food when we buy it just for her.

Delicious puffs!

I still am so glad that I had the Baby Bullet. I used it A TON. Quorra had a sensitive gag reflex and had to have purees for a while so the Bullet was needed, for sure. I still use the containers from it for packing her food. I do have to admit that I don’t always make her food. We buy the organic baby food pouches for when we don’t have the time to make something before work or if we are eating something she can’t (like salad or something super spicy). The fruit pouches are our go-to snacks. They are easy to throw into her diaper bag, don’t need to be refrigerated, and all they are made of is fruit.

Oh yeah… and she LOVES chocolate cake and ice cream. Aaaand just chocolate in general. Don’t judge. She loves it and so do I. I was going to wait to give her stuff like that but then decided that if I love it why would I deny her the pleasure of a delicious cupcake? Or some chocolate swirl ice cream? A lot of the time we only have nonfat frozen yogurt and that counts as a healthy dairy treat, right? We do try to make sure that most of what she eats is healthy but not to be too restrictive. That would backfire. Plus, there is nothing wrong with having a treat every so often.  Really, the main goal is to not be those parents who get their kid mozzarella sticks for a meal. Or give their 6 month old French fries. We make sure she gets plenty of fruits and veggies and whole grains, while steering away from overly sugary or fatty foods. We use frozen fruits and vegetables a lot. They are cheap, easy, and we don’t have to worry about them going bad. I just check the label to make sure that they don’t have anything added.

Breastfeeding is still going well. No formula for this kid! We are working on weaning and are down to 3 nursings (expressed milk when I’m working) a day. Quorra nurses early in the morning, around 7am; once in the middle of the day, before her 3pm nap; and once in the evening, around 9pm. We don’t nurse before bed anymore. Our sessions are only about 5-10 minutes now and when I pump I get between 3 and 4 ounces. My goal is to cut out the afternoon session/bottle by the end of the month. Then it would be great to only nurse once a day by the time she turns one. I’m not sure how long it will take us to cut out that final session. I am looking forward to not pumping anymore so much I can taste it. I hate pumping. It’s a complete pain in the ass. I know it’s worth it so I do it but I will cheer the day that I don’t have to do it anymore.

Quorra also is working more on adding to her vocabulary. She babbles all the time and says “mom,” “dad,” “hi,” “nom” (when she is eating or wants more, I am to blame for that one), and “yeah.” Hopefully we will get more words out of her soon. We are going to work on baby sign language too and see if that helps her communicate and get the meaning of words sooner.

She still is all about her “puppy.” The dog is very tolerant of her banging on him and yelling in his face. He loves that she shares her food with him, although I’m not as thrilled about it.

This happens every day...

Quorra is still a little bean. She still fits into some of her 6 month clothing and most of her 9 month clothing. We only have some 12 month items to fit her length.

Sleep could be better. She tends to not go to bed until about 11pm (sometimes later) but she does usually sleep until 8am. She takes 2-3 naps a day, for about a half an hour at a time. The biggest problem is that when Quorra is with me she prefers to be sleeping with me. I don’t have the heart to let her cry in her crib so when she wakes up there and cries I go get her and bring her to bed, where she falls back asleep. Sometimes she wakes up as soon as I go to put her in the crib so we don’t even get that far. She always falls asleep on me or in my arms but that’s what works to get her to sleep so that’s what we do. Do you all have any suggestions on how I can work on Quorra’s sleep habits? How can I get her to fall asleep on her own?

Overall, I am LOVING being a mom. She is so much fun and each stage she goes through just seems even better than the one before. It definitely is work and takes energy and patience but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m sad that she has grown up so quickly but watching her learn and grow is amazing. I’m excited to see her go through all the milestones to come, I just want to relish in every moment and make them last as long as I can. Does it always seem to go this fast? 

The pink blur is her beloved Taggies blanket

Life is Precious, Hug Your Babies

I will warn you ahead of time, this post is slightly a downer. So if you decide not to read the whole thing I won't be offended.

This has been a very tough week. Please forgive me for being vague. I want to honor the privacy of those who are dealing with the hardest point in their lives.

For a few weeks now some friends have been watching their son's health go downhill. Their son was born with spina bifida and recently got pneumonia. Generally, those with spina bifida can live relatively long lives.... as long as they don't get pneumonia. His doctors have tried very hard to get this little boy better. I hate to say that he was unable to recover. His parents lost a sweet little boy. I can't imagine what his parents and the rest of his family are going through.

Also, my coworker and his wife suddenly lost their precious 3 month old daughter this week. This really hit home for me and breaks my heart. I don't want to give too much information, again, in respect to the family's privacy. But I can share that she was a perfectly healthy little girl and her passing was extremely sudden and unexpected. They believe the cause was SIDS.

Both of these losses have been really hard on my group of friends. One friend was very close to the family of the little boy and her and her husband both worked closely with our coworker. My sister and I have our family's babies and Noah is very close to the age of the little girl.

It's so hard to even fathom what these families are going through. I would do anything to protect my child. Knowing that you can do absolutely nothing to save them.... No one should have to bury their child. No one.

I don't even know how to console them. What do you say to someone that just lost their child?? How can I say anything that would help?

Sorry, I know most of this doesn't make sense. I'm just so brought aback by both of these events. I can't imagine losing my child. Or a family member losing a child. I love my child with every thread of my being. The only way I can think of it feeling is it being like your heart was ripped out.

I savor in every moment I have with Quorra and the rest of the babies. You never know what the next moment holds so hug your loved ones tight and tell them you love them.

I love cleaning her poop and throw-up. I love putting her to my breast to feed her. I love how she drools all over my face when she grabs me and gives me "kisses." I love when she screams just to be heard. I love her cries and her whines. I love her giggles and smiles. I love her smacks, pinches, and headbutts. I love when she smells fresh bath sweet and when she smells like cheesy-feet. I love everything about her. I will let her know everyday, multiple times a day.

Over the past few days I have found myself stopping just to revel in her. Just to hold her. (I've done the same thing with Noah too...) I feel so lucky to have Quorra, Noah, Broderick, George, and Benjamin and for them all to be happy and healthy babies. I will pray that they stay happy and healthy and enjoy every moment with them.

Okay, so I'm going to wrap this up because I'm sure I'm being a total bummer but I just want you to please tell your loved ones how much they really mean to you. Hold them. Kiss them. Life is precious and we never know what the next day may hold.


I also want to encourage everyone to please take CPR, especially if you have a little one.

Relay Recap

Last Friday was our local Relay for Life. My friends and I participated and I'm so glad we were able to be a part of this amazing event. Of course, our team name was the Real Housewives of Harrisonburg. We already called ourselves that so it was the obvious choice.

We sold delicious goodies while we were there and made over $200 in that night alone. Over all, we made $1950! I'm so glad that we passed our goal and were able to help fund research for better cancer treatments, help patients and families as they fight, and help to make more birthdays.

There were soooo many people there! They said this was the biggest turnout they have had so far, which is great. Other groups sold yummy food too and we were more then happy to help them raise funds. My favorite was the fresh doughnuts. Mmmm....

We walked and hung out with the ladies and the babies.

The luminary ceremony was incredibly touching. Friends and families lite candles in honor and memory of those affected by cancer. Then bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" which reminded me of my grandparents and uncle. I looked over to my dad who was in tears. That was the kicker for me.

We stayed until about 3:30am but I wish we had stayed all night. I would love to do the Relay for Life again next year and now that we have some experience we'll be better prepared. And since the babies will be older next year it should definitely be easier. 

I know that you are totally stoked to help the cause. You can put together your own Relay team at the Relay for Life website or you can donate to our team next year. Together we can kick cancer's ass.

Why I Relay

You may have already heard from my sister, Jessica over at Heart on Homestead, we are participating in this year's Relay for Life.

The Relay for Life is held by the American Cancer Society and raises money to help find cures, better treatment, and help those currently affected by cancer in many different ways. Cancer has touched our family and friends and is a horrible thing to face. The Relay was mentioned in one of our many get-togethers with the RHH and we decided to go for it.

We all have our own reason why we Relay. This is mine:

I Relay because my grandfather was a great man. He was the keystone of our family and I wish so much that he was here to meet my daughter. He had throat cancer, which he fought and beat. Then he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He fought that and had surgery to remove part of his lung. When he was re-diagnosed years later he didn't want to fight anymore. He decided he just wanted to be home with his family and enjoy the time he had left with them. I saw him soon before he passed away and he was in pain, couldn't eat more than a couple bites of food at a time, and was just a portion of the man I remembered. It hurt so much to see him like that. I knew when he passed that he was in a place where he could no longer suffer but he shouldn't have had to suffer like that. I feel like cancer stole him from our family.

I Relay because my Uncle George, Nicole at Pampers and Pumps' father, fought childhood cancer. He was able to beat it but the treatments were not what they are today and they gave him another list of problems. He was diagnosed with skin cancer and prostate cancer as an adult. Not only was he fighting these cancers he was dealing with fluid surrounding his heart and lungs. He had numerous procedures to help remove/lessen the fluid but it continued to return. There was a point where he needed a lung transplant to survive. Unfortunately, he could not receive the transplant at the time due to his prostate cancer diagnosis being so recent. I saw him work just to breathe. He lost a lot of weight and looked sick and tired. I hated seeing him like that. I am so glad that I  was able to visit him in the hospital the month before he passed. My uncle never got to meet my daughter, which really upsets me, but he knew that she was born and that we were doing well. Quorra attended his funeral at only a couple weeks old. My cousin's sons will never know their grandfather. Cancer and side effects from the treatments are why all the babies will never get to meet my amazing Uncle George.

I Relay because my friends have lost family members to cancer. Because my friends have parents who have spent years fighting cancer. Because my husband has lost family members to cancer. I Relay for those who won't get to watch their kids grow up. For those who have lost spouses, parents, siblings, and best friends. For those who have taken care of a family member or friend that is fighting. I Relay because cancer sucks. I Relay to make more birthdays.

Ever dollar helps find cures and better treatments. Please consider donating to our team. Even just $5. Remember that donations are tax deductible, so you can get the money back.

Help us make more birthdays.

Visit my personal Relay for Life page to make a donation. You can donate there or you can click on my team's page and donate toward the team's goal.

How has cancer affected you? Why do you Relay?

Diaper Rash Woes

I'm so sad that my little one has had diaper rash for the past week or so. She never got diaper rash before she starting eating solids and now she gets it every couple weeks. This current go around is a bit harder for me to kick. Her other rashes went away after a few days. This one is sticking around much too long.

I am always pretty neurotic about changing Quorra's diapers often. Once I notice that she has pooped or peed she gets changed. Then I dry her bottom with a cloth diaper before putting her disposable diaper on. I give her no-diaper time after her bath too. This process was great for preventing diaper rash for the first six months of her life. Once Quorra started eating solids, though, I couldn't keep them away. I watch what foods she eats to see if a certain one or type of food causes it and I haven't found any correlation.

I thought maybe it's the wipes... Maybe it's the diapers... Maybe it's the person who took care of her that day... I can't figure it out.

Quorra's poor little bottom is all red, raw, and now peeling a tiny bit. I feel so bad for her. I can tell it's painful since she fusses when I wipe her (which I don't do unless I have to). Petroleum jelly hasn't helped. Desatin hasn't  helped. Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment hasn't helped. I have now turned to A&D Ointment.

Wish me luck. If you all have any suggestions I would love to hear them. If the ointment doesn't help my next step is to put breastmilk on her bottom. Sounds weird, I know, but I have heard that breastmilk does wonders.

Have you moms have had a diaper rash that just wouldn't go away? What helped?

Babies, Babies Everywhere!

Sorry I have been absent lately. I am learning that it was actually easier to take care of Quorra when she was a newborn. She is now 7 months old (cue tears) and requires constant attention. She is either eating, playing, or cuddling. I get no down time. She went from sleeping practically all the time that she wasn't nursing to taking one 45 minute (if I'm lucky) nap in the evening. On the weekends when I get to spend the whole day with her she still only takes a few naps throughout the entire day and they are all shorter than an hour. She needs to be entertained all the time. Like, now. She is yelling at me from her bouncer because she is now bored with it.

I love playing with her though. She laughs and giggles and squeals. She is amazing and is learning all the time. I wish that I could look at things with the same amazement that she does. As Quorra is getting older she is much more persistent with her need for mommy-cuddles. She is definitely a mommy-baby. It's fine with me because I love to have her with me and, even though it makes it tough to do anything else, I'll stop what I'm doing anytime to hold her. My family has noticed that she wants to always be with mommy and has made comments about her  learning to be okay with separation. Really, when I am gone she is fine. She wants me when she knows I am there. While it might get on some people's nerves I am truly okay with it. Okay.... I'll be honest. I love it. I love knowing that all Quorra wants is me.

On another note, I have another nephew as of today!! My brother Chris has a new son! His fiancee, Kendalle, gave birth to a 7 lb 13.8 oz little boy today at 6:45pm. His name is Benjamin Nunes (Nunes is a family name) and he is adorable.

Both parents and Benjamin are doing great but are very tired. I got to see them for a few minutes today but was sure not to stay long. I know that after giving birth all you want to do is sleep for a couple minutes and spend time getting to know your baby. I'll see them again tomorrow, I'm sure. 

If you couldn't tell yet, our family is pretty good at making the babies. Benjamin is the fifth in the past 12 months. And my second cousin is expecting her first baby in September. The family reunion this year is going to be chock full of babies. I can't wait to get them all together! 

I am so excited that I got to meet the new member of the family. I am nervous for the young parents but they have the best support system in the world.