AHHH.....

Who knew a girl could feel so rested after a night of sleeping for five and a half straight hours?? Thanks to my sweet husband for getting up with Madeline for the 3 AM feeding I was able to sleep straight through the night! Wow! I feel so refreshed right now, and this glimpse of what life could be like in just a few short weeks (I'm being super hopeful here when I say "just a few more weeks of the 3 AM feeding"!) just makes me more determined to keep my strict schedule with Madeline! Perhaps I should've taken Eric's offers in the past to get up in the middle of the night a little more often.......

Thanks, Eric, for the "night off"! What a great start to the weekend!

Good Times with Daddy

My husband, Eric, is such a wonderful daddy to our little girl. He has every desire to be a part of all things Madeline--from icky diapers to snuggling to waking up at 6 AM to feed her so I can sleep in on a Saturday. He gave her a bath all on his own last week, and it's so cute how dads just have "their way" of doing things.

Eric is also showing Madeline at a very early age what Saturdays are all about during the fall--college football--from watching ESPN Gameday to flipping between all the "good games" to mapping out your day according to the "good games"! I'm sure next year, she'll be able to experience her very first tailgate and football game live! But for now, she'll just have to learn all she can from the sofa while snuggling with Daddy--ESPN Gameday is the show of choice in this particular photo!

The Validated Mommy

Well, after about 6 weeks, I feel success as a stay at home mommy and wife! I have finally gotten it together, and let's hope that I don't jinx myself with this post.

Madeline seems to have gotten her days and nights back in order, and while she is still waking around 3 or 3:30 AM for a feeding, her schedule is finally falling into place. Everyone kept telling me that if I stuck with a consistent schedule, she would eventually get it, and they were right. Most of the time, she is like clockwork, and I can actually complete chores around the house, run errands, and schedule times to visit with friends with some confidence that Madeline will be doing/needing the appropriate thing at the "scheduled time." Now that's not to say that she doesn't have her days when she seems "off" and out of sorts, but she is human, and don't we all have those days?

Looking at her in her bassinet now versus when we first brought her home is so wild to realize how little she was just 6 short weeks ago. From earlier posts, we all know that Madeline is not the best sleeper in the world (Although that is improving--her "cry it out" times are much shorter now, so hopefully soon we will not have anymore "cry it out" moments when it's time for naps or bed!), and very soon she will outgrow her bassinet. So in true "Anne fashion", I decided that I would start having her take her afternoon naps in her big girl crib, so she can get used to her new surroundings. I figured this would be best since she is just now getting used to being put down in her bassinet, and very soon that won't be her normal sleeping place. Who knows if it really makes a difference, but it makes me feel better about it. Once again, she looks so tiny in such a big crib! The other day she had a wonderful hour and a half nap in her new sleeping place.

While I am married to the most hard working, kindest, incredibly understanding, and most helpful man in the world, I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure that I was living up to the expectations of a stay at home wife and mom. (Whoever says staying at home is so easy, is CRAZY. ) Now who set these expectations for me? Well, I did, of course, and where did I get these expectations for myself? My mom. My mom was a stay at home mom and looking back at all the things she was able to accomplish in a day with three children at home gave me a sense of what I felt I should be able to do with only one child at home. Again in true "Anne fashion", I attempted to tackle all chores, errands, etc. all at once feeling bad if I didn't accomplish my list in each day. Not only did I put Madeline on a schedule, but I made myself a weekly schedule. Cleaning, errands/grocery, laundry, etc. all have a scheduled day of the week. (Yes, I am a bit OCD and anal retentive. Luckily my husband balances me out!) Thank goodness my understanding husband did not care if I didn't make it to the grocery store on the "right day", and we were having leftovers for dinner instead of my planned meal. But, I, of course, felt bad. Well, this week, I have finally fulfilled my expectations of myself! I managed to complete all the things that I wanted to complete on any given day, and my dear, sweet husband has had dinner on the table every night for the last couple of weeks, and even some of the new recipes that I've tagged in my cookbooks were keepers. (I always told him that my cooking genes were lying dormant, but those abilities were indeed there!)

So as I sit here in a quiet, clean, and orderly house and reflect over the past two weeks, I am feeling like I am fitting into my new job rather well. (There were moments when I wondered if it would come together and what on earth were we thinking when we agreed that I would stay home.) As with most jobs, on the job training is the best way to learn, and it takes a few weeks to get adjusted. (I should know that. I am a former teacher, and when do you REALLY learn how to teach and conduct classroom management? Your first year when you have your very own class!) I feel like I'm there--that is until next week when I can take Madeline to the Gold's Gym kids care, and a whole new element will be added to the daily routine--my work out! But for now, I'm just going to enjoy my feelings of success because I am one lucky girl to be able to stay home to be with our daughter all day! I wouldn't trade my new job for anything!

Our First Date

This past Friday Eric and I were able to go on our first date since Madeline was born. It wasn't a traditional date--we went to a good friend's surprise birthday party. We had such a good time, and while we missed our baby girl, we really enjoyed being with each other having adult conversation with many of our good friends. Hopefully we'll continue to make time for ourselves to get out and enjoy each other's company without our precious cargo.

(I feel I must comment on Eric's t-shirt. He wore it in honor of our friend's birthday as well as in honor of our first adults only night out.)

My Name is Anne, and I'm Addicted to Blogs!!

I love reading blogs, and it all started with my friend Nancy. I started reading her "Greetings from the Beach" when she first started it, and then I started clicking on her friends' blogs. Then I started clicking on their friends' links. Before you know it, I am keeping up with all of these blogs of people I've never met, but I feel like I know them and their families. I absolutely love it and love reading about their children, family adventures, and general trials and tribulations of life! So, I stole this from Anne (who is a link on Aileen's blog). I hope she doesn't mind, but I thought it was an interesting tag.

The Alphabet Tag and it's random facts. Here goes:


Attached or single? Attached since 2002

Best friend? Steph--We've been friends since the fifth grade, and I feel really old when I can say that I've been friends with her for over 20 years! That's a comment my parents used to make when I was a kid!

Cake or Pie? Not sure on this one...I enjoy them both with ice cream on the side.

Day of Choice? Saturday (in the fall)...I LOVE college football and all that comes with it! Any other time of year Wednesday is my day of choice. House cleaning and chore days are behind me, and I look forward to the upcoming weekend with my husband.

Essential Item? Only one item? That's tough. I gotta have my morning coffee, but I would consider my make-up and beauty regimen essential as well. If I don't have those two things, I may scare people!

Favorite color? Pink

Gummy bears or worms? I'm not a fan of either. If I'm going to eat a chewy gummy candy, I'd rather have Swedish Fish.

Hometown? I was born in Pennsylvania, but I was essentially raised in Columbia, SC since we moved here when I was 6 years old.

Indulgence? Facials, massages, and manicures/pedicures

January or July? July

Kids? One and I'm still getting used to telling people that I have a child! Kind of like when you get married and have to use your new last name. It's the same feeling for me!

Life isn't complete….until you decide it is.

Marriage Date? June 19, 2004

Number of Brothers and Sisters? 2 wonderful older brothers

Oranges or Apples? Both. I love fruit!!!

Phobias? Would you consider clutter/disorganization a phobia?

Quote? Everything happens for a reason, and it all works out in the end. (not sure if that's the exact quote)

Reasons to Smile? My husband, my baby, having dinner with close friends, having a good workout at the gym, having glass of wine on the back deck in the spring

Season of Choice? Spring because it leads to summer, and I love summer!

Type of bed? King

Unknown Fact? I have 2 facts: 1) I had surgery for 2 herniated discs in my neck last May. 2) I completed the Marine Corp Mud Run two falls ago, and I loved every second of it. For those that know me well, I'm not really into swimming through mud pits or scaling mud walls, but it was a pretty awesome experience.

Vegetable? All veggies are yummy! Like fruit, I LOVE vegetables.

Worst habits? I'm with Anne on this one--cussing.

X-Ray or Ultrasound? I hope I don't need either one anytime soon, but I'll have either one if it will help doctors fix whatever is wrong with me!

Your favorite food? fruits and veggies/Mexican is also at the top of my list

Zodiac sign? Sagittarius

This post comes a day late, but nevertheless, it still baffles me that we've had this precious baby girl in our house exactly one month! Where has the time gone? Madeline has brought us laughs, frustrations (nighttime sleeping!!! AARRRGGGHHH!!!), and love each and every day! She has changed so much since we've had her home. She is so much more alert during her waketimes, can lift her head briefly when lying on a flat surface, focus on an object or face, and respond to noises and voices. Sometimes she cracks a smile, and Eric and I like to think she's smiling at us, but it's probably gas! That's okay because soon enough she'll be smiling and cooing at us for real!

We are still working on her nighttime sleep schedule. Unlike the daytime, she is extremely unpredictable at night. Sometimes, she'll wake every 3 hours (like the daytime), and sometimes she'll wake every hour and a half. Or sometimes she'll sleep longer than 3 hours. It's a little frustrating especially since her days are so predictable. I wonder if we are pushing to drop that 2-3 AM feeding too quickly, and she's just not ready to do it. (Any experienced mom advice on nighttime sleeping is welcome!) As I have mentioned before, she also doesn't like to be in her bassinet in her room by herself when it's time to sleep, so we have to let her cry herself to sleep (when nothing else is wrong, of course), and Eric and I certainly find those minutes of crying to be frustrating.

Madeline has completed our household and fits right into our lives just like a missing puzzle piece. Eric and I had no idea how much we would adore this little girl (even during those late night frustrating times)! We cherish every moment with her as we continue to grow together as a family.

The Last Forty Four Weeks

Forty four weeks sounds like a long time, huh? A lot can happen in forty four weeks, and the last forty four weeks of my life have been a whirlwind. I found out I was pregnant, experienced the ups and downs of pregnancy, finished up my tenth year of teaching fifth grade, resigned from my teaching position to become a full time mommy, and had a baby girl!

I have to say my pregnancy was nothing like I thought it was going to be. I have nothing to compare it to since this was my first, but I think I had it pretty easy. I didn't need real maternity clothes until I was six months along, and I was able to work out at the gym until the day I delivered (literally!). Yes, I was that crazy pregnant girl in the gym everyday doing cardio and pushing weights around. The staff and many of the other gym rat regulars became increasingly nervous the bigger my belly grew saying things like, "Are you sure you won't go into labor doing that?" It was amusing I have to say. And, yes, I was that crazy pregnant girl that was having contractions but decided that "one last workout" would make me feel better. Later that day, I went into the hospital, and 10 hours later, I had my sweet baby in my arms.

On Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 1:13 pm my life changed forever. I gave birth to a beautful baby girl named Madeline Grace (7 lbs. 1 oz and 20.5 in.) after only 45 minutes of pushing. Again, I have nothing to compare this labor and delivery to, but I feel like 45 minutes of pushing is not too bad for a rookie who blew off taking any kind of labor and delivery classes. And, once again, I was that crazy pregnant lady who asked the nurse, "Exactly how do I push?" when it was time.

The last four weeks have been the most exhausting of them all, but at the same time, they have been the most wonderful of them all. Madeline is such a sweet natured baby, and probably like most newborns, she only gets really upset when she's tired, hungry, or wet. However, she is starting to fight sleep at night when her little eyelids want to shut, and I think it's simply because she doesn't want to be alone in her bassinet. She loves to snuggle in your arms and fall asleep that way, but I don't plan to encourage that behavior so much that it becomes a nightly routine. After I've checked to make sure nothing else could be wrong with her, my husband and I have to just let her cry and soothe herself. I can already see how hard it is to want to give in at the moment, but I know in the long run, we will all be happier and more well rested. I feel so blessed to have this little life in my care, but at the same time, I feel such an awesome sense of responsibility to raise her to be a well mannered, independent, productive citizen. I can't wait to watch her personality develop, and I can only hope the decisions I make as a parent enhance her personality.

I can't believe how much Madeline's already changed in just four short weeks. She's outgrown the newborn diapers and her newborn clothes. She can even fit into some of those little snazzy slippers that are so impractical but adorable! (see picture below) She's much more alert during waketimes and seems to be able to focus on objects more clearly. She actually notices the mobile above her when she sits in her swing. The other day she shifted her eyes in my direction when I was talking to her and lifts her head up when I'm burping her on my shoulder. I'm trying to soak up every minute because I know how time flies and before I know it, I'll be posting about her first day of school!

I haven't mentioned much about her daddy, but I think this picture says it all! I think it's safe to say that she's a daddy's girl!


I have no idea what lies ahead for the Stewart family, but I know our adventures as a family of three has only just begun.

Now I am really going to get this blog up and running thanks to my most creative friend, Nancy! Thank you Nancy for sprucing up my blog!