August Cara Box Reveal

Last month I signed up for Cara Box exchange only really knowing a little bit about it, and I am so glad I did. Cara box is getting to know two different ladies for a month and at the end of the month you send a "care" package to one partner and the other partner sends you one after getting to know one another. Each month there has been a different theme and this months theme was "Seasons of Life." The box centered around where your partner was in their stage of life and what things they would love.

My amazing partners were Tiffany and Betsey

 Tiffany was who I would be sending a box to. Immediately we hit if off, and I enjoyed getting to know her and her little family :). She has the most adorable puppy named Avery, and a very supportive husband. Just reading through her blog and emailing back and forth with her you can tell how important her family is to her and just how loving and caring she is. Filling her box was SO easy! Knowing all that she loves I went a little crazy and made sure to fill it up not only for her but also for her husband and pup. If you'd like to see just what I put in her Cara box, go check out her blog.

Betsey immediately emailed me as soon as we found out who our partners were. She was adorable and immediately told me all about herself! She made it so easy to email her and just gush about Collins. I'm pretty sure that's what all my emails were about :). I felt like she immediately became an instant friend and knew just what I was all about. She did something that really stuck out to me that I have struggled with since the passing of Sloane, and that was actually mentioning and talking about Sloane, and what she sent me blew my mind and was so generous on top of much more.

Unfortunately this is how my box made its way to my front door step. Crushed. Not only crushed but crushed right over the large letters spelling FRAGILE.

Opening up my package I was like a little kid at Christmas. I was so excited. Opening each and every gift just got better and better.



Betsey hit not only my personality spot on but included my two girls, Marty, Lola and Lucy. She didn't leave anyone out! She included adorable little shoes for Collins and some DKNY onesies that I might add are already washed and ready to be worn ASAP.

She bought the dogs some chewable dental treats that they have already been spoiled with, and included an adorable Disney plaque that says, "The most important thing is family." Not to forget my husband, she also included some Margarita mix (and some tequila) that both of us will enjoy. However I will enjoy it in my large Margarita glass that she also made me :).

Betsey did a beautiful job including my entire family. Not only did she get me a key chain with both Sloane and Collins' initials on it she also made a donation to the March of Dimes in Sloane's name.

I wish these two girls lived in Chicago so we could meet up sometime, however if I am ever in the Philly or DC area these two better believe I will be stalking them to hang out :) I cant wait for the next Cara box and to meet two new lovely ladies. I do know I have made forever friends and look forward to stalking their instagrams and continuing to email!

Our first time away

This past weekend I was in a wedding for my good friend Stacey. And with being in her wedding came being away from Collins for the first time, and for 24 hours at that. First things first. Congratulations to Gabe and Stacey Johnson! It was a beautiful wedding and I was honored to be a bridesmaid and Marty and I were fortunate to be able to help you celebrate such a special day in your lives. We had a blast. It has been a long time since we danced all night, and had a few to many drinks. Lots of laughs! 

Collins did go to the rehearsal dinner with us and was perfect. Saturday morning I woke up early to nurse her and have a good hour to love on her. By the time 7:45am came around I was balling like a Collins baby. I looked at Marty sobbing and said, I feel like someone is dying. Dramatic much? Don't get me wrong Collins was in great hands with her Nonna and Pop pop, however being away from my best friend for the first time was hard. I missed her the entire time, thought about her and showed many "snap chats" from Jenna to everyone at the wedding :) she was for sure extremely missed but Marty and I had an amazing adult night out! (It will however be a while before we have another 24 hour MIA from Collins) Pumping blows all day and I just rather have her with us. 

We have her 4 month appointment coming up Thursday so ill be sure to update plus I participated in something so amazing with other bloggers that I will be sharing soon! Until then...a little Collins for all of you! 

V

Daddy Time!!!!

Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. That special person, is me! Yes it's me, the taller one of the dynamic duo that Collins' calls mom and dad. I thought it was just my time to chime in and share just how much Collins has changed my life. For starters, I have discovered my true professional calling. I should, without question, be a host on Sprout TV. I know, most of you are thinking I don't have the experience to be in front of the camera. Nickelodeon would disagree... Legends of the Hidden Temple anyone? See link here --->  15 minutes of fame Handsome 11 yr. old on the Red Jaguars look familiar? I also know the words to the Birthday Song on the Chica Show and have learned Spanish and sign language by watching the Goodnight Show. Yes, I watch Sprout with my 3 month old, and have a blast doing it. I have mastered the art of swaddling, no longer put on her diaper inside out, and have been designated the official bath time supervisor of operations and lifeguard. It's not all fun and games here in the Mitchell home, Collins' does have her mini outbursts and it's in those moments I am reminded I have a long way to go in being a true superhero dad. Here's how the scenario plays itself out. I'm holding Collins, she starts to cry. I try pacifier, no sir I will not take that pacifier! Crying continues, I try to switch positions, maybe she wants to face outward or be up on my shoulder, get outta dodge you fool. Crying now at all time high. Ashley comes over, takes Collins and within 20 seconds, the kid is all smiles. She has certainly got that magic touch. It's also those moments that I realize just how great Ashley is as a mom. She cooks, she cleans, she shops and shops and shops, does laundry, and provides the safest, best environment for raising our sweet little girl.
When Ashley isn't stealing the show, Collins and I do our own little bonding. Which is really me making silly faces at her trying to get her to smile. See below for visual


Zoolander-Blue Steel

We also make valiant attempts to work on her computer skills.



"Well dad, looks like sales are down"

My favorite part of the day is the morning. She gives us the biggest smile you can imagine. It's as if  her sleep lasted 4 years and she's seeing us for the first time, she is that happy in the morning.

Collins and I play, we make faces, we have fun, and each day I get wrapped a little tighter around her finger. As she grows up little by little, I can't help but think about what our lives and our relationship will be like.
When she is 2 we will sing and dance together
When she is 4 I will be her superhero and ultimate fixer of bumps and bruises
When she is 8 my magic tricks will once again be cool to someone other than me
When she is 16 I will be the referee for her and Ashley!
When she is 24 I will teach her that success in love and in life looks a lot like hard work.
And for every age in between and beyond, I will protect her, provide for her, be her tea time companion, her keeper of secrets, biggest fan, and proud of everything she will ever do in her life.

Collins Dad and future SproutTV host,
Marty

A child of God

That's right! Collins was baptized this weekend on Sunday and we couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect, all of our close friends and family attended, and we had a perfectly well behaved baby :) Collins did great. Never made a peep during mass (actually slept the whole time) and was an angel during the baptism. For those that attended thank you so much for helping us celebrate such an amazing moment in Collins' life. When we met with Father Dennis he made a comment that I will always remember, he said Collins is now a child of god and already has an angel in heaven, her sister. I was hoping in some way we could remember Sloane on Collins big day and Father Dennis did just that. I know Sloane was looking down on Sunday making sure her sister was being a good girl :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My little girl is 3 months! Everyday she amazes Marty and I, with her facial expressions, coos, and just how darn good she is as a baby (I hope I didn't just stick my foot in my mouth). Knowing how bad of a baby I was I figured I would get pay back, however not the case. Collins is just so happy all of the time, eating, sleeping, playing, starring :)

 

 

Look how much she has changed!

We haven't been back to the doctor since her 2 month appointment however we tried weighing her on the scale the other day, and we are pretty sure she is close to 12 pounds! She definitely likes to eat and is getting bigger so I'll be anxious to see how big she is when we go back to the doctor in a couple weeks.

Parties are slowing down finally so we plan on some relaxation as a family. Because in just a few short weeks or so its going to be my favorite time of year...FALL! Reds, Oranges, Pumpkins, Hot coffee, Jeans, Sweaters, Leaves oh my!! I cannot wait especially with a little fashionista on my hands ill be able to get her into a whole bunch of amazing threads including this adorable Boo Dress her Nonna bought her. Boo Dress

Well I am off to attend to Collins who just conveniently woke up. Its SHARK week so I think ill introduce her to one of the best weeks of her life...

Things nobody told me

Now that Collins is 3 months old, and we are getting to the point of some what of a routine I look back on these past few months and can't believe some of the things nobody told me! 

1. Breast feeding. Now from a post back anyone could tell how big into breast feeding I am. I was lucky enough to have my husband family and close friends supporting me right from the beginning. But nobody told me that my nipples may scab, bleed, and feel like the baby was ripping them off my boob! I had heard it would be hard but not the potential death of my nipples. So there I was. DETERMINED to breast feed. All the while I'm bleeding and watching the clock cringing knowing Collins needs to eat in 20 minutes. My thought, how come those girls on 16 and pregnant are able to breast feed and here I am a 28 year old woman struggling. Well let me tell you I can now see why so many moms give up. It is a hard thing to over come and I really didn't have it that bad (knock on wood no infections). But with the determination I had and support I was not giving up and I am still exclusively breast feeding. Just knowing I am the one who has kept her alive with MY milk and making her grow just amazes me. 

2. Hormones. I am no stranger to crazy hormones within my pregnancies. However the after pregnancy hormones, a few I was unaware of until they hit me. Like sweating, I'm not talking a little underarm and upper lip sweat. I'm talking waking up in the morning in a pool of sweat. I would wake up and look at Marty and ask him what is wrong with me I am sweating like a pig! All normal of course per Dr. Khater. So not only was I sweating as if I ran a marathon (which I clearly wasn't because my hips don't lie) my hair was also falling out. Yup this is normal too. Postpartum alopecia. I had this with Sloane too but it ended quickly since I had become pregnant with Collins. This time however I am loosing my hair in clumps. I guess I don't have to get a haircut anytime soon though since it just falls out. 

3. Body Image. You mean my belly isn't going to immediately go back to like it was and ill loose those 35 pounds ASAP. What? But Jessica Alba looked amazing just 6 week later. Guess what we aren't celebrities and don't have personal trainers, and chefs or don't have the money to immediately get a tummy tuck. I gained 25 pounds this pregnancy and had an extra 10 pounds from Sloane's pregnancy. So I had 35 pounds to loose. Immediately following my C-section I thought I'd at least drop the 6 pounds Collins was right? Nope. Instead I ballooned up. I'm not lying when I say my toes looked like tiny sausages packed far to much and my ankles, what ankles. I wasn't told that I would retain a crazy amount of water actually putting on more weight. Awesome. 

4. C-section recovery. After having Sloane via a vaginal birth that didn't require an episiotomy, I didn't really matter to me that Collins was arriving via c-section. I had all these women always saying they would never want a c-section unless absolutely necessary. To me you could have legit cut my body in half and have Collins fall out, I didn't care how she was born just as long as she was healthy. I still stand by that statement however holy cow recovery was rough. The c-section itself was a breeze. 20 minutes and Collins was born but it took at least 8 weeks until I felt completely comfortable with my c-section stitch. Immediately coming home I was unable to get in and out of bed by myself, showering was a production and I was unable to care for Collins on my own.

5. Hormones, again. I had heard about postpartum and knew that I might have it considering the loss of Sloane and then immediately getting pregnant again. This being a touchy subject that not many like to talk about I will say that for me the weeks following Collins birth everything made me cry. TV shows, just staring at Collins or the weather! I even cried during dinner once to Marty because I didn't want to die. Where did that even come from? I cried saying I never want Collins to grow up without a mother. Where was I going and why did I think I was going to die? Weird feelings that lasted a few weeks and every now and again they will resurface. 

When you're pregnant everyone has opinions, get sleep now because you won't when the baby arrives. Or oh with breast feeding you'll drop the weight just like that. Let me tell you EVERYONE is different and every pregnancy is different. But one thing is for sure. All those things I listed that I didn't know don't matter because the love you have for your newborn baby makes those all disappear. I don't care that I sweat, or if my belly still looks 4 months pregnant. All that matters is Collins and that she is perfectly healthy and loved more than she will ever know. 
I wasn't one to post belly pictures but it is truly amazing to see the before and the after :)



The night before Collins was born



Makes it all worth it

All 2 months of Collins

Collins will be 3 months next week, so to be blogging about all 2 months of her is embarrassing. I am late extremely late! I need to put Collins down and get some stuff done! Wait who am I kidding, I'm sorry I rather hold Collins than clean, cook, and blog :) Marty might disagree after having takeout for the past week! Kidding, kind of.

Collins had her 2 month check up and did amazing! She is in the 20% in weight and 29% in height. Weighing 10lbs 3oz and 22 1/2 inches. So she's just a petite little girl :) for now! She is playing with toys, is more alert and unfortunately loves TV! I say unfortunately because that is the last thing I want my child to do, watch hours of TV rather than go outside and play. I guess a few minutes here and there isn't bad, plus she's not even 3 months right!? She LOVES the pool and being outside. She could stay out all day. As far as her reflux goes it has gotten much better. She has her days where its puke city, but overall I think the probiotics are helping. We also have started taking her to a Chiropractor to see if that may help with the reflux. She went on her first visit yesterday and let me tell you the rest of the day, Collins was exhausted from all that massaging! She slept most of the day! We will see if it helps any, her next visit is Wednesday!

 

 

Collins had her first holiday too, 4th of July. She partied all day for two BBQs however when it was time for the fireworks that Daddy and Pop Pop lit off she went into sensory overload and had to go inside.

This past month has been very busy, lots of graduations, weddings (for mommy and daddy to go to) and birthdays. And they are not ending. August is full of parties! Including Collins' baptism. The Mitchells are coming to town and will finally meet their niece!

My parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary back on May 22nd. Because it is on Sloane's birthday and we had just had Collins we finally were able to officially celebrate this past weekend with a surprise party! Uncle Zeke and Aunt Coty came into town too and Collins got to meet her Auntie.

I am dead serious when I tell you we are busy with parties. Literally every weekend we have had something since the end of June. Collins next visit isn't until the end of August for her 4 month check up however on Monday she turns 3 months! Where did my baby go :( it is going awfully fast and I am not happy about it. However I love watching her grow at the same time and watching her learn new things and getting more of that sweet little personality she had from the start. Promise I will be back sooner than later. In the meantime as always picture overload of Miss C!

My happy baby :)

Best Friends



4 generations

Not impressed with Mommy

Playing in her mamaRoo www.4moms.com

A day in the life of a mommy...to Collins

I guess writing a blog a week like I used to is harder than I thought. I mean I'm not just laying in bed all day anymore so I'll cut myself some slack :) Collins is going to be 2 months on Saturday and it has flown by! I remember everyone saying enjoy all the little moments because before you know it she will be ten, or time flies by! And you will never fully understand those statements until it happens to you. 2 months old! Woah. Already! Why! STOP GROWING! I think I say that to her at least twice a day. Now I may be a little, a lot partial to Collins since she's my own however she is just the best baby in the entire world! Even when we are dealing with acid reflux (I'll get into that later) she is still smiling and having a good time. She surprises her father and I on a daily basis with her new faces, new coos, and her new thing, snuggling her face into her blanket or into mommy's chest.

At almost 2 months old Collins weighs 9lbs 2oz and is still exclusivley breast feeding. Like I mentioned before she has acid reflux since her two week appointment. After each feeding you better believe you will either have to change her clothes or your own. Spitting up what seems to be everything she just ate however the little girl is gaining weight like a champ so it's not worrysome. At 2 weeks we started her on Zantac. An antibiotic that is supposed to help with the discomfort she feels (having a tummy ache 24/7 would suck so I can imagine where all her grunts and moans were coming from). We had had her on this until about a week ago. We felt like it just wasn't working and her spitting up was getting even worse. So with a good friend of mine, we decided it was time to try another route, the holistic route! Marty and I figured it couldn't hurt and we didn't like giving her medication anyway. We started Collins on some probiotics to help with her digestive system and to help with the exsessive spitting up. We also got some colic tablets for when her little tummy just isnt feeling too well and hurting. The probiotics is in powder form and every morning when daddy gives her their morning ritual bottle we put 1/4 teaspoon in with it. We do that once a day and use the colic tablets (which we place in her mouth and allow them to dissolve) whenever necessary. Let me tell you, taking her off the Zantac and going the holistic route has actually made a difference. I won't lie, I have been skeptical about this alternative form of healing but after using it on Collins I'm hooked. Spitting up has been minimal and when she does spit up it isn't much. She still is gassy from time to time but we work that out together and get her tooting and pooping :). DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion of course, I do not judge those who choose a different approach, I am a FTM and learning as I go :)

Collins' schedule is pretty laid back. I really let her decide when and what she wants to do. She is usually up for the day anywhere between 8am-9am depending on her night time schedule. We will do some tummy time and then nurse for her morning breakfast. Lately shes been playing a little more but usually after she eats it's right back to sleep, because eating is hard work :). We may have a play date, or an errand to run (usually Starbucks) in the morning, or go out for some shopping! During the day we are usually go, go, go and she likes being out. She eats right on schedule every 3 hours so if we are out we find a quiet place to nurse and then go about our activities. Once Marty gets home from work, Collins and I make sure if we aren't already home that we start ending our girl's day and head on home to see daddy. The 3 of us usually go for a walk around the nieghboorhood before dinner or sit outside and enjoy what has been nice weather! Collins has what we like to call "crabby time" from 6pm-9pm where she fights sleep and needs to be held. Anywhere from 9pm-10pm we start bath night. Every other night she gets a bath with soap and we wash her hair. The other nights it's just plain water. Then we do tummy time before we nurse for the last time before bedtime. She will go to sleep anywhere from 10pm-11pm. She sleeps in our room in her rock-n-play sleeper (which I might add is the best thing ever). It is in an incline which helps her reflux and she seems to enjoy it because she has slept in it more than when we put her in her swing or bassinet overnight.

                                                            Rock-n-Play Sleeper

She will then usually wake up anywhere from 1am-3am to nurse. Usually for about 20-40mins and then go back to sleep waking up again between 5am-7am. She is a really good sleeper for only being 2 months. I cannot complain!

So, there it is a day in the life of being Collins' mommy! We are enjoying ourselves to the fullest and soaking up every ounce of her. We have her next doctor's appointment on July 10th, which I am anxious to see what percentile she is in height and weight. So until after her appointment I'll hold you all over with some adorable photos of my sweet Collins.