FREEEEE Christmas Cards!!!

So, my friend Lori showed me this on Shutterfly. Apparently, it is really easy to do. You can get 50 free Christmas cards through Shutterfly. If you want this awesome deal, and it does work, you just follow this link (here). This isn't a hoax, and I didn't think it was true until I saw Lori's. It is true. They have the cutest cards! We have always loved Shutterfly, and we used them for all kinds of holiday cards. I also earn Pampers Rewards so that I can use it on Shutterfly!! Their cards aren't cheesy looking. The cards are cute and different...not your average holiday cards.

We decided that for our holiday cards this year that we would use Shutterfly's cute Santa Belt cards. We took pictures of Eden that matched, and then we just dragged and dropped the picture. Making the cards is super easy! You can also make holiday scrapbook pages!!!

My favs:

Christmas Cards: Click HERE

Holiday Cards: Click HERE

Personalized Mugs: Click HERE

Yummm...food!

Eden is getting so big. I can't believe how fast things go when you have a baby. She is 4 1/2 months old, and she can do so many things!! Yesterday, Eden had to go get her 4 month shots. She weighed 15 lbs. 2 oz. 26 1/2 inches. The doctor said yesterday that we could start her on strained baby foods like veggies and fruits. We have already been feeding her rice in her Bumbo chair, so last night, we upgraded to tender sweet carrots and bananas. She seemed to like the carrots the best, but she may have just been getting tired.

I swear this baby is going to take off soon! She rolls everywhere, and she has started using her legs when she is on the floor. Of course, she can't get her chest off the floor. She can get her chest off the floor if she raises it with her arms when she's on her belly. She just can't coordinate the legs AND the arms. haha. Still, she is doing sooo good.

Today, she is pretty fussy. She is NEVER fussy, and so I guess it is from her shots yesterday. The first time, the shots didn't make her fussy, but this time, you can just tell she doesn't feel good. Well, I just wanted to write a short post about her new foods. Hope everyone out there is doing great!

Almost 4 months old!

Whoosh, time has just flown by, and I have barely had time to shower, much less post on this blog. I do more home videos and picture taking than blogging. I guess I am a little old fashioned.
I like picture books, movies, and scrapbooks much more than writing a post. I think Eden will really like to have all those one day. Plus, with working...Lordy!

Well, Eden Maria is almost 4 months old. She will turn 4 months on Nov. 1st. I would like to have a birthday party (super small) for 6 months. Just invite some close friends and family. Really just an excuse to get everyone together. She is still the happiest, most laid back baby that I have ever known. She sleeps all night (95% of the time), and she entertains herself. Now, she rolls EVERYWHERE! I can't keep her still. She obviously can't crawl, but when she sees something she wants, she just starts rolling continuously until she gets there. She does really well with her head up too. We started cereal a month early (I know, bad mommy), but she is already 14 1/2 lbs., and she is a BIG and TALL baby. She was just never full. I tried to spoon feed her, but she gagged. :( So, we will try that again soon.

We got her Tom Bagby pics made for three months! She had one tiny cry during the session, but he got the most amazing pictures of her!

Eden has had a time with sicknesses. I was never a sick baby, and neither was Seth, but Eden seems to catch everything. She's had two ear infections, and this is her second bad cold. This one, she actually coughs tons. This past week she went to the doctor and the ER. I am taking her back tomorrow morning to make sure she is doing good. She is the happiest sick baby. It just stinks because she can't eat very well, and she can't sleep well because she can't get air.

I have been back at work for almost one month, and it has...been sad. Okay, well, really...it hasn't. I have fabulous children, and they are always willing to do their work. I think this is the best Spanish classes that I have had in years! But...I am still away from my Eedie. I do still wish that I could just stay home and take care of her. Teaching is soooo much easier than being a stay-at-home mom. I hope one day that we make enough income that I can stay with her.

Seth and I can't believe how much things have changed. Of course, it has all been a welcome and sweet change. We thought that life was great before Eden, but now, we know the true meaning of life. I have to say, the greatest thing in the world is being her mom. Anything else is so trivial compared to being her mom. I love my baby girl more than anything. Seth and I have talked about having another baby, but we are still so undecided, because...sure, we want one, but it would be so hard to divide our attention from Eden. I guess you learn how to do that though.

Well, until next time...and it may be a while...hope everyone is doing great!

If I were...

If I were a month, I would be July. The love of my life, Eden, came into my life on the very first day of this great month. It will always be special now.

If I were a day of the week, I would be Saturday. It is the only day of the week that Seth is home, and it is always great family time.

If I were a time of day, I would be 6am. I love crisp cool air in the early morning. Plus, I like coffee.

If I were sea animal, I would be a sea lion. I would just hang out on the pier and be lazy.

If I were a direction, it would be north. I want to live in a place that gets lots of snow. Also, sometimes Southern attitude gets me in a bad mood.

If I were a piece of furniture, it would be a pillow top bed. I LOVE to nap.

If I were a gemstone, I would be a diamond. Cliche, I know, but I LOVE big sparkly clear brilliant diamonds. Classy...and shallow...(not me, the diamond...haha).

If I were a tree, I would be a Bonsai. Short, ethnic, and beautiful. ;)

If I were a flower, I would be a peace rose. They are light pink and yellow. Beautiful.

If I were a kind of weather, I would be a snow storm. The colder the better for me. I love big thick snow.

If I were a car, I would be a yellow Mini Cooper. :( I used to have one, but had to get "rid" of it. Grrrr.

If I were a place, I would be Europe. I love every single country there. I love languages, and I could live there my whole life. I have been 6 times, but it still feels like I am missing so much.

If I were a fabric, I would be lace. When I was a little girl, lace was my security item. Kind of like a blanket. I had to have it everywhere. Still, to this day, if I touch lace, it calms me.

If I were a scent, I would be Eden's hair after a bath. I don't think I will ever...in all my life...forget that smell. It will always make my heart melt.

If I were a song, I would be The Warmth by Incubus. It is a little vulgar, but it has the BEST message, and it empowers me.

If I were a pair of shoes, I would be cork wedged heels. I have had a pair since HS, and I still have three different pair. LOVE them.

Month Two!!

Whoosh. It has been a while since I have had time to update. My poor baby has had her first cold. It started with a stomach bug, and then it turned into a cold. She is on the down side now, but she is still pretty sick. We took her to the doctor twice, and he said she must have gotten it from a kid.

So, she has been resting a lot. Eden still sleeps so much during the night. Usually, she sleeps from 8:30-2am, and then until 6am, and then until 9am. She seems like she sleeps a little more now that she has been sick. You can see her here with daddy. I think she is fond of him! ;)



I go back to school in a month. I am excited to meet my students, and I actually miss working. I am NOT looking forward to leaving Eden. I will miss her more than anything. I don't know how anyone leaves their babies. I know it is necessary, but does it kill everyone? It makes me want to cry.

Anyway, Eden turned two months old on 9.1.2010. She is getting so big. She is 12 lbs. 2 oz. as of last night, and she is 25 1/2 inches!!! Even the doctor said she was very tall. She is long and skinny, and she looks more like a 4 month old. In fact, I bet she weighs more than a bunch of babies. The crazy thing is that she is so long that she is already in 3-6 month clothes because the snaps won't button on newborn and 3 months. She smiles and plays all the time now. She actually grasps things and shakes them. She also laughs when you fake laugh at her, and she laughs when you sing to her. She almost never ever fusses. She has a little since she has been sick, but only like for 10 minutes. (knock on wood).

I went to the mall the other day. I didn't buy myself one thing. Ahhh the joys of motherhood. I did, however, buy Eden a "buttload" (as Seth says) of Gap clothes. I even got her a cute little purple hoodie. Now, the search is on for the perfect Halloween outfit. I want her to be a strawberry. I might actually make her outfit.

Since the last time that I wrote, we changed Eden's room. Her room is sooo much bigger now. She has pink walls, and her closets are huge. MUCH BETTER. I can't believe this kid has so much stuff...and there is just more to come.

Seth has been working nights still! :( Sad face, sad face, sad face. However, we THINK we have something hooked up for next semester. Oh how I pray it works out. It has been really tough being alone at night so much. He only has 50 hours left of college, and then he can start teaching. We thought that he might be able to quit his job and have me pay the bills. TOTALLY worth it so that he could finish up school, but I make too much (even on maternity leave) to qualify for WIC or for ArKids. I told the doctor the other day that it is punishment for having a Master's Degree. haha.

Well, I'm off to tend to the baby cakes. Hopefully, she will make a full recovery soon. I am ready to get out and about. Also, I hope to update more.

Back to school??? no.

Hello world! Yes, it has been quite a while, but I am not sure who all reads this anyway. If you are out there blog readers, here is what has been happening in our life! It has been the normal baby raisings. Eden is currently 10 lbs. 10 oz. I am sooo excited about that, because my sweetie likes to grow longer and not really fatter. I am glad she is finally packing on a little more weight. She is currently 24 inches, and many tell me that she is sooo tall. I am not sure where she gets that from. I am just 5 ft., and Seth is only 6 ft.

As for her health, she is doing great. She is still on the same sleep schedule, and she sleeps all through the night. Occasionally, she will wake up around 3-4am for a snack, but she goes right back to sleep until 7ish. Thanking Jesus for that! Her "baby acne" is almost gone, and I think it might have been an allergy or heat rash...according to the doctor. I am just glad she is good. Her DUMB tear duct is STILL clogged! I have rubbed it, and we have been through an entire bottle of drops! No luck. She is smiling more than ever now! She knows that she gets a reaction out of it, so we oooo and ahhhh, and she smiles again!

This weekend, Seth and I took Eden to the 64 Galore. Daddy waited in the car with her because it was soooooo hot. Wayyy too hot for a baby. We got her tons of winter clothes. Most brand new with the tags still on them!!

We also went swimming. Eden stayed with Chasidy, and they had lots of fun. I am glad that she likes her, and she is getting adapted to how it will be in October. Seth and I had some mommy/daddy time, and it was nice to get some sun, but I missed my cupcake like crazy, and so we ended up picking her up early! haha.

We are about to start some major house renovations here! We are adding on a sun room soon, and the animals are getting booted to the sun room and a bedroom so that we can open up our whole house. I currently keep the fuzzy babies away from Eden...just in case.

Well, I will write more soon. Now = bedtime! :)

Baptism at Wesley UMC

Today was magical. It was so precious to see my baby girl welcomed into the Kingdom of God. I am such a proud mom, and I am soooo blessed to have a honest, loving, and humble husband and a beautiful baby girl.

Lala, Papaw, Granny Lu, and Great Granny all came to see Eden, and my mom's friend Debbie came. Also, Eden's godmother, Lori came.

1 Month Old

It is August 3rd, and I am just now getting to update my blog. Whooosh. Motherhood. My sweet baby is sleeping right now, and she has been sleeping since 9:30pm. It is 2:30am. I am about to wake her up to feed her. I know that I should let her sleep, but I think it is best that she get some calories during the night.

Yesterday, baby cakes weighed 9 lbs. 13 oz. I am very excited, because we had some ups and downs with her weight gain, and it is sooo nice to know that she is on the gaining side. She has outgrown almost all of her newborn clothes, and I am packing them up one little cute outfit at a time.

This past week we went to visit the lady who will keep her starting in October. It made me feel so good, because she is soooo gentle with children, and I know she will give Eden lots of attention. She only has two children, and so Eden will only be around two other kids. That means less germs. We also went to visit her Godmother, Lori. It was probably even more fun for mommy to get some quality girl time. Of course, during the visit, Eden slept most of the time. She did really well in the car seat up to Lori's too.

This week we have two big events!!! We have Eden's big cristianing/baptism. It is going to be at a Methodist church, and Seth is becoming Methodist that day too. We bought her a beautiful satin white dress, and granny Lu bought her a white satin bow. Then, on Thursday we have our Bagby viewing for her newborn pictures. I am soooo excited. I bet the pics will be great.

My precious baby learned to smile often lately. There's a picture above. It makes my heart MELT! I love being her mom. There is no greater reward than motherhood. I am glad that I took more time off with her. I don't want to miss a minute of her life.

Big Trip, Cord, and Visits

Eden went to Grandma's house yesterday. It was a lot of fun for her. There was lots to do and look at, and finally she wore herself out.

Today, mom and dad got to go to Walmart, and the entire time that we were there, we were looking for stuff for Miss Eden.

Her cord fell off yesterday also, so tonight we are going to give her a real bath in a real baby tub. Of course, her tub is pink, and Daddy is going to video tape it all. :)

She is still on her schedule. She sleeps so much at night that we have to wake her up to feed her. At baby weigh in, she only weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. She is just now back up to her birth weight, and it isn't quick enough. We changed bottle nipples, and that seems to work a lot better. Hopefully, she will start packing on the pounds.

Eden has been visiting a lot. We took her to Danville the other day. She didn't get out of the car, but it was nice for Mommie to see Sarah and Ayla. :) Then, Janet and Daniella came to visit at our house. We had them take pics together, and it was soooo funny. Eden was kind of shocked about the baby beside her. It was fun to visit with Janet while we took care of our babies.

Pics, Baptism, and Sleepy Time

This Tuesday, we went to Tom Bagby and got Eden's newborn pictures made. She did so well until the very end. At first, she was sleepy, and before the end, she woke up, and she peed on the helper lady. Oops. Then, they tried to put her on her belly, and let's just say, she did NOT like it. I think we got some good ones. I will post some as soon as we order them.

Yesterday, we made an appointment with our preacher to get Eden baptized. We are very very excited about it. It will be a private baptism for family and close friends, and we are going to go out to eat to celebrate afterwards. It makes me very happy to know that Eden will be dedicated to God.

Her sleeping schedule is going super well. Lordy, I sure hope I don't jinx myself. The last four nights, she has slept on a regular pattern! She slept most of the night! I'm hoping this means it is a pattern. Hmmm. We shall see.

Well, I am off. I get to go get my hair and toes done today. I am looking forward to it, but I am already missing her. I know it will be good daddy -daughter time.

A Sad Day for Mommie!

Today was tough on me. I quit breastfeeding. I know that doesn't sound like a horrible thing, but emotionally, it has taken a toll on me. I struggled with keeping my supply up, but unfortunately, my baby doesn't latch. I visited with the lactation specialist like three times. I bought two different pumps, and one was really good, but I still didn't produce as much as I had previously. Then, I found out that my precious little Eden is allergic. :( Thennn, I figured out it was too hard to pump every 2 hours when Seth was at work, and I was taking care of her alone. I guess I feel a little guilty, because I wanted to be the mom that breastfed for 8 months, etc., but God has a different plan for us. I prepared for months to breastfeed, and I knew all the benefits for her health. I read blogs, and I even bought books on it. It is just hard to give up something that you feel might benefit your baby, but if she is allergic, then she is allergic. Gahhhh. At least she got the colostrum (sp?). I know that is very beneficial. Plus, she got three weeks almost of milk.

I am very thankful that she is doing better on her nutramigen. She hasn't been fussy at all. She even slept good last night. I get to spend a lot more time with her now that I am not a slave to the pump, and it isn't like she knows the difference. It is just mommie that feels let down by the whole situation.

Well, I hear her waking up. So, I have to go. :) Time for Eden kisses!

Baby Cakes

Oh, what a frowny face baby I have. She learned to smile a few days ago, but she still likes to do the "I'm concentrating so hard" face. Today, we went to Walmart and to get take out, but Eden and I stayed in the car while Daddy ran inside. It was still nice to get out on the town. Of course, Eden slept through the whole thing. She slept all day today. She seems to be sleeping pretty good tonight too. The new formula is doing great. She doesn't fuss at all, but the only set back to it is that she hasn't used the bathroom since Thursday at 8am. :( I am hoping that the new formula kicks in soon. The doctor said it may take a while for her system to get used to it. Any suggestions in case she doesn't have to use the bathroom?


My precious little Baby Cakes makes my day every single day. She is so perfect to me in every way. I know that it is so cliche for moms to oogle and google over their babies, but I can't help myself. She is just like a little angel, and it makes me sooo happy that she is ours.

Seth is in love with her also. She is for sure going to be a daddy's girl, but I hope that she will stay a mommie's girl too. Seth and I still take shifts with her at night, and I will come in, and she will be sleeping in his arms. Makes me melt. Seth and I sing a song to her. It goes like this:

"Eden Maria, you are mommie's best friend (or daddy's best friend). Eden Maria, you drink Nutramigen."

Haha. She loves it, and she occasionally smiles about it. Either that, or it puts her to sleep. We aren't sure if that means she likes it or hates it.

Well, I am off to take a little nap again before my angel wakes up. Pray for us to have a good restful night!

Nutramigen Dreams

I think I have my baby back! Today, we went for Eden's first doctor's appointment. It couldn't have come soon enough! I was so stressed last night. Not frustrated, but when my baby cries, I almost cry too. I wonder if mommies grow out of that!? So, we would feed Eden, and then she would cry so much that her little jaw chattered. Then, she would go silent and rest...then, once again, she would awake and cry. I KNEW something was wrong. They don't give you a book on motherhood, but you just know when something is wrong. Then, Eden threw up. I am not talking a little spit up. She threw up ALL her formula and breast milk. It was just once, but it freaked me out!

I wish I could make more milk, but I guess that is just the card that God dealt me. I am a little bummed...okay, honestly, I am pretty sad that it isn't working.

Anyway, today at the doctor, he told us that Eden weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. That is good, but for a 9 lbs. birth weight, she should be a little heavier. A nurse told me that a newborn should only have 2 oz. The doctor said that is NOT correct. In fact, he said to feed her until she is full. He said that if she has too much then she will give it back. haha. He said that calorie intake for newborns depends on how much they weigh. Since Eden was a big baby, she needs much more than a 6 lbs. or 7 lbs. baby. Therefore, she needs at LEAST 3 oz. Next week, she will need even more. So, we have to feeeeeed that baby!!

We started Nutramigen today (doctor's orders). He said that the Enfamil is giving her too much colic, and he said that she may have a milk allergy. It is strange, because when I was little I was also colic and had to be on the same formula!! We have since given three bottles of Nutramigen, and so far...no spit up, no gas, no fussiness, and she has napped today without crying! I think that she is going to be so much better tonight...not to mention, she has probably been waking up at night because she has been so hungry. Say a prayer for us!

Feeding Fiasco

Wow. Whoosh. What a day! How can a day be so rewarding and confusing at the same time? It is now almost 11pm, and I just now took a shower and sat down to relax a bit. Is it worth it? Totally! Here's the deal about the confusion today:

My baby won't latch. For you mothers out there, you know what a hassle that can be! I have tried for a week and a half, and I have had no luck. So, we bought a fabulous Playtex pump. (Insert poot noise here!) It is a horrible horrible pump. Long story short, I almost have no supply now. Thanks to some advice, I bought a Medela pump today, and it works soooo much better. However, I am praying with all my being that it is not too late. Say a little prayer for me too!

Secondly, the Enfamil Premium Lupil formula that I have been supplementing with is making Eden gassy. The doctor said that toots are normal, but she cries when she has to, and so I switched to Enfamil Gentlease. I am hoping this helps her belly. She hasn't been bad on the previous formula, but I just hate for her to hurt at all.

So, it has been up and down today. I did discover that Eden LOVES to swing. The first time that I put her in it, she cried. I tried again today, and she slept for an hour! Yesss! Her cord is also trying to fall off. It is bleeding a tad. I guess that is normal...at least according to my baby book.

Well world, I am going to get a few minutes of shut eye before I get up again. Mommie-hood is fun, and I love it more than anything. Sure, it is a totally different schedule and way of life, but everytime I look at Eden, I am reminded of my purpose on this Earth!

Eden's First Week

Eden passed out sleeping!

The "Kung Fu Face"

Pretty baby Eden!
Daddy and Eden!

Today, I decided that I would start up a blog again. Since I am going to be off until October, I thought this would be a great way to document all of Eden's growth and changes. Which brings me to Eden Maria Stewart...our little angel child. When I found out I was pregnant, a lot of thoughts went through my head. I knew that life would change forever, and I knew that my world was already different, but in a good way. As my pregnancy went on, I worried constantly. I hated being that way, but the thought of something going wrong with my little "baby bean" made me worry sick. However, God blessing us, the only complication that I had was gestational diabetes. I had to really watch everything that I ate. In the end, after a bajillion finger pricks, Eden was measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule...even though she was a WEEK late. So, the doctor did an ultrasound, and sure enough, she was measuring 9 plus pounds. The doctor decided that we needed a scheduled c section.

I was so nervous, and I think that Seth was too. I had never had surgery at all. I had a million questions, and as usual, I was worried and scared. I only found out the day before I went in that I was going to have one, so it didn't provide a lot of mental prep time! haha. I went in for surgery on July 1, 2010 at 7:00am. I thought that when I went in that they were going to have me sit in a chair and prep my blood, etc. NOPE. It was straight to the bed, undress, and I.V. in. Talk about increasing the anxiety. About an hour or two later (I lost track of time), they wheeled me in to the OR. I got my spinal, and surprisingly, it didn't hurt one bit. It was super fast, and it hurt less than a normal shot. Then, they put the cathetar in...which I didn't feel. Then, I felt this hot sensation move up my legs, and before I knew it the nurse was singing to me. haha. Seth came into the room, and I was pretty calm then. I felt a lot of pressure, and then, I heard Eden cry for the first time. I was in love from the first time I saw her. All I knew at that point was that #1: she was okay, and #2: I had made it through the surgery. Then....came the panic attack! I have no idea where it came from, and I didn't feel anything except my hands go numb. I heard the nurse say, "Ummm, put something in her I.V." Two seconds later, I felt normal again. I guess it was anti-anxiety meds.

Afterwards, they wheeled me into recovery, and even though I wasn't on any meds, I barely remember anything from that room. I remember seeing Eden and being really really tired. Once I stayed there for 30 minutes, I got to go to my normal recovery room. Then, the magic happened. I held Eden and stared at her. I could not believe that she was ours. Seth and I both got really emotional, and we just held her. She had red hair just like her daddy, and her nose and mouth looked like mommie. It was the best moment of my entire life.

She was 9lbs. and 22 inches long. She was born exactly at 10:00 am. What a big baby! I am glad my doctor suggested a c section!

The entire first day, vistors came to meet our Eden Maria. I was on ZERO pain meds, and I thought I was super strong. The I.V., cathetar, and calf socks were a pain, but nothing too big. However, the second day, I had to get up and walk. I stood up, and I shook so badly. I hurt so badly, but I knew that I had to make it to the shower. I was painful, and I quickly asked for pain meds. The whole day was walking and pain. I fed Eden, but she wasn't latching on very well.

On Saturday, we got to go home. I was feeling a little better, but I was soooo happy to be home. It was still hard to get around, but my mom, husband, and mom-in-law helped me shower and move and get the baby for me. She still didn't latch very well, so we decided to start supplementing with a bottle with formula. We also decided to pump and put it in a bottle. She is still gaining lots of weight.

Her hair keeps getting longer, and Seth and I are adjusting pretty well. We take shifts, and we nap when she naps. She has her days and nights somewhat mixed up, but she is getting better. She makes the cutest faces, and daddy calls one the "kung fu face." It is sooo cute. So far, she really really likes to be held. We are afraid that we are spoiling her, but we can't help but hold her.

Her 4th of July was great. As you can see, the fireworks didn't bother her a bit!

Seth has been fabulous! He has supported me in every aspect of this journey! He helps me constantly with Eden, and he even takes care of her for long periods to let me sleep, and thus, heal. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a great family, but I praise God every second for this life He has blessed me with!

One thing is for sure, I love this baby girl more than life! She is perfect in every way! I know most mommies think that about their babies, but she really is a gift from God.