I quit....

...my job!

Yes, I really did.

Last Wednesday I officially turned in my 30 day notice of my intent to resign from my full time position. However, I am not completely quitting work all together. I am changing from a full time position to a PRN position, which is basically like a substitute teacher, but in the medical profession. I am planning to work for several different companies, hopefully about 2-3 days per week. This will give me some continued income to help financially support my family, a continued outlet to help feel like I am contributing to society, and some extra time at home to be with my sweet baby.

There have been many signs the last several weeks making me lean towards wanting to stay home more with Brylee. I love my job and the team I work with, but my first baby is only a baby once. I feel very blessed to have a job that allows for this kind of flexibility, and it will allow me to stay sharp with my physical therapy skills for when I return to a more consistent working basis once my kids start school.

I am praying that this is a smooth transition and that it brings me more peace, and not stress by the new changes. I am excited and thankful that my manager is so supportive and encouraging of this change. It makes me feel like I am making the right decision.

It is scary to resign from my job, but I am confident that this is the right decision for me and my family. Here's to spending more time for myself & with my baby!

Rangers Vs. Blue Jays

Wednesday night we went to our second (Bryan's third) Rangers baseball game of the season. It was an evening game, and Brylee enjoyed herself so much more than her first game! We went with some friends, Randy and Allison, and enjoyed watching a Rangers victory.

It was a cool evening, so we all had our jackets on. The girls

And Boys

It was dollar hot dog night, so we each enjoyed three hot dogs & home-brought chips!

Brylee really enjoyed looking around at all the people and all the lights

By the end of night, the little girls was tuckered out, and fell asleep despite all the cheering still going on.

We have been working really hard the last two months to be consistent with her bedtime routine, getting her in bed by 8:30. I was slightly worried that falling asleep at the baseball game, then waking her up when we got home to change her clothes, nurse, then get in bed would completely mess her bedtime up. I was so proud of her, and just like a champ, she woke up enough to eat & change clothes at 11 pm when we got home, then fall right back to sleep in her bed. We all were a bit tired Thursday morning, though!

Five Months

When did my baby turn five months old!? And will I be saying that her entire life, not believing how fast time flies!? My little bug is getting so big, especially in these last few weeks. I think she has gained almost 2 pounds this last month since we started rice cereal. Here is Brylee's life at five months old in bullet points...

• 
  
  She goes to bed at 8:30 and wakes up around 6:30-7:00


• 
  
  She takes about 3 naps each day


• 
  
  We can lay her down awake each night & she puts herself to sleep, and she wakes up happy, talking to herself each morning.


• 
  
  She doesn't go down for naps very easily, & fights sleep during the day


• 
  
  She eats 5 times each day, milk & food for 3 of the meals and just milk for 2 meals


• 
  
  She still nurses well, and also takes a bottle while I'm at work


• 
  
  She started rice cereal at about 4 1/2 months, slowly working it into 3 meals each day. Now she also has tried apples this week


• 
  
  I am (trying) to make her food, and have successfully made pureed apples & pears. It seems fun & doable!


• 
  
  She wears 6 months clothes that fit well, and we are wearing 9 month clothes that are a little big, but that's most of the summer stuff we were given at shower (and at this point, I don't want to waste money on summer 6 month clothes she will only wear for another month)


• 
  
  She can sit unsupported only for a few seconds, then topples over


• 
  
  She loves sucking/chewing on her fingers, and now can get her toes in her mouth


• 
  
  She is just starting rolling side to side, but can't get from back to belly yet (and it doesn't look like she's really that close)


• 
  
  She loves watching our dog Paisley, but Paisley still doesn't want anything to do with her


• 
  
  She has been on two plane rides, several long (3+ hour) car rides, and to 2 Rangers' Baseball games


• 
  
  She loves to be tickled under her chin with kisses, and has the cutest laugh!


• 
  
  She loves bath time


• 
  
  She still hates getting dressed in the morning, and screams every day when I put her clothes on, especially her arms through the arm holes


• 
  
  She still likes her swing, floor play mat, and a new exersaucer


• 
  
  She doesn't seem to love reading books yet, and seems too squirmy when we try to sit still to read


• 
  
  She is getting good at grabbing for everything, and we have to make sure glasses are out of reach on the table when I'm feeding her, because she has reached & spilled several drinks already


• 
  
  I think she still has some minor reflux issues, and spits up & burps immediately and several hours after we feed her. But at least its not bothering her like I think it used to


• 
  
  She still has blue eyes and the new hair that is growing in her bald spot on the back of her head is very blond!


• 
  
  We still use Vaseline over the majority of her body each night due to very sensitive & dry skin, with several eczema patches that continue to pop up

Overall, she is a very good and happy baby and we love her to pieces!

Five Months - April 23, 2011

Easter

Just before Easter weekend, Brylee got her first Easter package in the mail from the Atlanta Easter bunny. My mom sent some sweet goodies for Brylee...but of course, Bryan and I will help her eat the cookies and candy she's not quite ready for!

Thank You, Meme & Gramps!

After work on Friday, we loaded up the car and drove to Abilene for Easter weekend. We had a good time hanging out with Bryan's family. It was a great weekend to just hang around the house with cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings. Brylee got a lot of loving, and Bryan and I got a break from 24/7 baby duty.

Nanny and Brylee spent some quality time together

Her Uncle David was making her laugh so hard! We were all cracking up!The two girl cousins have to stick together!

A self-portrait taken by a nine year old...love what you find on your camera when you get home!

Brylee opening her Easter basket from Nanny

She was so curious about this little bunny

And now loves her new toy!

Saturday afternoon Bryan's mom fixed a big Easter lunch, and we spent the afternoon outside playing games & talking!

Our first family Easter!

My sweet girl was very interested in watching the other cousins run around

Her cousins were super sweet...they would find the Easter eggs hidden in the yard then come put them in Brylee's basket. It saved me from having to walk around the yard, and they felt like they were really helping!Brylee is getting really close to being able to sit up on her own. She can hold it momentarily, then usually reaches for something & topples over!

The dog thought she could sneak a few Easter eggs without Brylee noticing

Sunday morning we went to worship at Bryan's parents' church in Abilene. The last time we were there, Brylee was much younger and slept through the entire service. This time, about half way through, she started squealing & screaming and had to be excused and headed to the nursery with Nanny. I didn't realized how thankful I am for our home church full of new babies, all of whom scream and make noise. I never noticed how loud our baby sounded in church until she was the only one there screaming!

We got home Sunday evening, and I hadn't had a chance to color Easter eggs yet. It has been a tradition as long as I can remember to color Easter eggs in my family, so Bryan indulged me and we quickly colored some hard boiled eggs.

Brylee was a trooper, and after a long day she was able to see the eggs get colored right before she had a melt down because she was so exhausted. Our tuckered out girl had a full weekend of fun and family.

As each new holiday comes, I realized more and more how much more fun they are celebrating with a little one. It's hard to imagine Christ loves me more than I love this girl! Thankful He gave us His death, and has given me life!

Springtime Gardening

We had such a great weekend this past week. The weather was great, we had no major appointments or schedules to keep, and we were very productive around the house. Friday after work Bryan and I spent a few hours giving blood for a blood drive in Wylie. Afterwards, we followed the phlebotomists recommendations of having a "hearty meal" and went to eat Mexican food with some fellow blood doners & friends. It was fun to watch their 1 year old sit in a high chair & eat table foods and imagine that in a few short months we will be doing the same thing with Brylee.

Saturday morning we woke up with our "Brylee alarm" at 7:15! It was wonderful to sleep in (our new definition of sleeping in is anything after 7 am!). We went for a morning walk, then spent the morning & early afternoon cleaning both the inside & outside of the house. We went to Lowe's & bought a bunch of plants, mulch, & ground cover to help spruce up our yard. Saturday night we enjoyed grilling out steaks with our good friends Ashley, David, & Emma!

Sunday after church we got to work on the front yard. Brylee was a big help, of course. If you're going to work in the yard, you must have cool shades!

It was fairly windy, and she actually didn't enjoy her time outside very much. I still think she gets over stimulated when its hot, sunny, & windy. So her and I spent our time going back & forth between indoors & out, encouraging Bryan as he continued to work hard.

Before

After

New plants on the side of the house. Hopefully they'll grow as fast as their tag said and cover our ugly gas meter & air conditioner!

Front of the house - Before

After

We didn't do anything fancy; just planted a few hostas, annual flowers, and a couple of perinnials. Enough to make our HOA not bug us and my dad (the green thumb) proud.

We also spent this weekend starting Brylee on rice cereal and learning how to put herself to sleep. It hasn't been as hard as I thought, and the worst it has been is her "crying it out" for about 8 minutes until she goes to sleep. We still love rocking her before bed & naps, but want her to be able to sooth herself some too and not be reliant on us rocking her all the way to sleep. She's not a pro yet, but so far, so good!

Deep In The Heart of Texas...

...there are always babies in Blue Bonnets! We joined in with thousands of Texas parents who took obligatory Spring pictures of their children in the Blue Bonnets.

We walked to the park in our neighborhood Saturday morning, hoping to take the pictures before it got too bright. Unfortunately, we never got a true smile, because Brylee takes after her father in hating the bright sun! Oh well. She still looks awefully cute!

Daily Happenings - Cute Faces

I'll let the pictures do the talking....but really...who couldn't love this sweet face!