Bath time!

The other night (January 14th, for my records ;) Hannah had her very first big girl bath! We've been bathing her in her little baby bath that lets her lay back and then when she could sit up, in the sink. 

I have never been able to tell if she liked bath's or not. She would get super quiet and just make these weird noises when I poured the warm water over her. She's usually quite chatty, so I knew she either wasn't sure what to make of it or didn't like it and would rush through them.

Well we gave her her very first big girl bath in the tub and she loved it! 

I sat her on the edge at first so she could see the water and her toys, and she cried and tried to squirm herself around and into my arms. When I put her in the water she was very skeptical. She looked like she was trying to figure everything out and definitely did not like that her toys could float up to her. Anytime a toy started floating toward her she would jerk her arms to try and push them away from her, but then would get scared that the water would splash. 

She was pretty cute. She kept looking up at me like "when are you going to take me out of this thing!?!" I'm not the best swimmer (still doing the doggy paddle ;) and it keeps me from being comfortable out in the ocean, lakes, etc...so I really wanted to introduce Hannah to the water and get her comfortable from the beginning. I figured that implementing a nightly bath time routine was a great way to show her that water can be fun! 

She stayed in the tub until her floating turtle told us it was time to get out...and by then she was loving it! She was trying to get all her toys to her and anytime a new toy floated by, she would drop all the others, just to get that one. She loved putting her hands under the water and looking at them...which was pretty adorable. 

I'm so happy that her first bath went well and I am looking forward to bath time with her! 

All wrapped up!

Being a goof ball

Eating her toesies for the first time! 

Bath turtle (it beeps when the water is too hot or too cold)

Little acrobat

All of the supplies needed for bath time/changing time. Hannah has a skin condition that requires non fragrant cleansers and lotions, plus intensive lotions, prescription creams and Vaseline. Poor baby girl.

Enjoying some Yo Gabba Gabba after bath time

Playing in her house earlier in the night

Daddy and Hudson putting up the baby gate for our almost crawling munchkin! 

Random post about baths...I know. But I wanted to document it :) Thanks for reading! 

Weekend Update....bum bum bum!

Oh hello lovelies. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours went wayyyyyyy too fast. 

On Friday my mom offered to babysit Nana overnight so Noah and I could have a long over-due date night. 

We started the night off at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Woodiville; Mi Tierra....fancy, I know. We then headed over to see Django Unchained. Worst.Movie.Ever. 

Honestly, I'm actually offended that people found that to be entertainment (sorry if you did...maybe I am just too sensitive?)

When we picked out a movie to see, I quickly read a summary and Noah looked up reviews and they were great. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. 

For those of you that don't know, the movie is about slavery. Basically a bounty hunter buys and free's a slave, asking for his help to find some "wanted" men, in return. 

They say the "N" word about 7 thousand times. There were three scenes in particular that I actually almost had to get up and walk out of the movie. One scene in particular had me fuming enough to cry. 

The strangest part was that the movie also had funny parts...which was what I found to be offensive. How do you make slavery amusing and entertaining? 

Anyways...enough of my rant...I was just so shocked about what went on in that movie.

Afterwards we went back home and watched a few episodes of Mythbusters (a typical evening in the Cavanah household) with some glasses of wine. 

Saturday we got up bright and early to go get our little munchkin. We missed her so much and couldn't wait to see her. Afterwards we headed over to Home Depot (a place I have become quite familiar with over the past month) to pick up supplies to re-do Hannah's room! 

We decided to take our home improvements very slowly; but we decided that Hannah's room would be the first. She hasn't had her own space yet and we wanted to give her the perfect place to play without dogs stepping over her, and relax and nap, without tv's on and people talking. 

We got all of our supplies and got to work. We thought we would be done by Sunday night....but as most big projects go...that didn't quite happen. My plan is to slowly work on it over the week and *crossing my fingers* hopefully have it done by next weekend. 

I'll post some pictures when we are all done...but I'll give you some "before" pictures to break up this loooong, boring post. *Sorry...I will try my hardest to start taking more picture!*

Obviously its a little dated. Can't wait to show the "after" pictures! 

To cap the weekend, we had my family over for the Seahawks game. I'll be the first to admit...I did a bit of bandwagon jumping to the Seahawks this year. I'm a JETS fan...and well...it's just kind of hard to be a fan of two teams...sometimes the games would be on at the same time..then what?! Anyways...regardless, we were incredibly disappointed in the loss but SO excited for next season! I'm already getting depressed that football season is coming to an end! 

I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Resolutions...

Whew....we've been busy!

I'm sure many of you know...we moved into our new house! We got the word on Christmas Day that we would NEED to sign the papers the very next day. We did...and as of 5pm the following day, the house was officially ours!

We had some things that needed to get done, immediately...so we started putting in late nights right away. But all the hard work paid off and while the house is still a work in progress, we are mostly moved in and loving being on our own!

So excuse me for the lack of blogging...any spare minute I have (aka Hannah's naps) I spend trying to unpack. It's going to be a long process to say the least.

Before I get into resolutions, I have an update! I am officially starting school back up! Luckily for me, I was able to finish all my classes...I just have an internship, student teaching practicum and a few projects (kind of HUGE projects) to complete.
I have mixed feelings about this decision. In fact, I change my mind about my decision 7 times a day. I am nowhere near ready to leave my sweet baby girl. We haven't gotten her into a routine because our previous living conditions had us all living in one room (which meant baby girl had a LATE bedtime)...so I was really hoping to get her onto a schedule as soon as we get settled into our new home. However, the next 4ish months will be crazy with my school schedule, homework, etc, so I don't know how it will work out.
I'm also really nervous. It's been close to 10 months since I've been in a teaching environment and I'm terrified to jump right into teaching again! I have such a mommy brain these days that I feel like I will barely remember ANYTHING I've learned.

On the other hand, I know that I need to finish. Not only for me, but for my family. I've already put so much money into this, I need to have something to show for it. I also want Hannah and our future children to see how important school is and be proud that their mom has a Master's degree and a teaching certificate.
I won't lie though...my biggest motivation is knowing that we are eager to expand our family in the next year and there is NO way I am going back to school with two (or three, or four....crossing my fingers for twins or triplets here!) gorgeous babies at home. Now is the best time.

A small part of me is excited. I met my cooperating teacher. He seems great. He's funny, excitable, and SUPER organized and clean. My kind of teacher. I'll be teaching a Kindergarten class, AM and PM...so I'll have two groups of kiddos every day. I love kids this age....they are still so excited for school and learning.

So yeah...there is my update! I'll be starting in the end of January (gave myself a few weeks to adjust and get ready to leave my monkey.) :'(

Before I actually start to cry...onto the resolutions!

1) Get Hannah onto a schedule. Even with going back to school...I'm going to try my hardest with this. I haven't quite figured out what it will be yet....I know it will involve very early mornings...since I will be at school around 7:30 and I have to spend about 45 minutes dropping Hannah off at my parents....plus give us a long enough time to get ready and packed up for the day...ugh...cringing just thinking about it!

2) Be the best mother I can be. Since I will be spending less time with Nana, I want to make every minute count. Night times will be for reading books, family dinners, etc. No plopping her in the pack and play so I can get the dishes done...those can get done later. I also want to plan a big birthday bash for her and lots of fun family trips once the weather warms up.

3) Finish school. Dreading it...but I'll feel so accomplished knowing its done.

4) Work on being the best "me". Pregnancy does a number on you....and being a mom is hard work. Some people bounce back SO fast and I am so confused! I still have some extra weight, a floofy belly, NEVER do my hair (talking straight into a bun-out-of-the-shower) hair, and I probably put on makeup ONCE every other week. In fact....for the first week of moving we couldn't even find where my makeup bag went during the packing process! Anyways...I've been feeling a little...ehhh "dumpy". I hate that feeling...it makes me have low confidence and self-esteem...and nobody likes that. I want to start running every evening and actually spend time on myself. It's hard when you want to put your baby first...but I'm starting to realize that for my own sanity sometimes I need to make sure I get time, too.

5) Be a better wife. I put Hannah first so often, that I realize I tend to leave N to fend for himself sometimes. This year I am going to try and find that middle ground and make sure that he feels appreciated and loved, too. It's a weird adjustment...my instinct is to always cater to Hannah's every need...(as is Noah's) but I also want Hannah to grow up in a happy home and see what a happy and loving marriage looks like. So far, we've been doing a great job of that...but I don't want things to change, so I want to work on putting even more effort into our marriage.

That's it! Happy New Year everyone!

Our Christmas Card

Linking up with Kristen to share our Christmas card. 

Excuse the iPhone picture of the card...our scanner is broken! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

My thoughts...

I'm sorry for the lack of blogging....we've had a lot of nonsense going on with the house that has kept us busy. More on that later.

My heart is broken for the victims and their families of the Connecticut school shooting. I can't even believe that we live in a world where someone would even THINK about killing innocent children. The thought literally makes me sick to my stomach.

I started crying the second I heard the news last Friday. Every time I think about how those parents are feeling...and knowing that they are waking up without their babies next to them...I start crying again. I think of Hannah......and I can't finish that sentence.

I just don't have enough words in my vocabulary to truly express my devastation over the loss of those innocent lives.

Something else that has been on my chest that has kept me from blogging since Friday is the utter lack of respect from my Facebook "friends." There were people on my friends list posting statuses that made my blood boil and I actually had to tune myself out to social media. Things like "Okay...okay....enough with the statuses...I'm going to break it up. Who's watching GOLD RUSH TONIGHT?!?!" and posting about missing ex-boyfriends, not being invited to Christmas parties and how impatient they are with their life and the lack of said boyfriends and Christmas parties.

I was shocked. You don't have to post about the shooting itself....but maybe just don't post anything at all. There are people actually grieving the loss of children and the thing on your mind is who is watching Gold Rush? I couldn't bite my tongue on one of the commenter's above (because she ALWAYS posts ridiculous things) but I just deleted the rest of them. I just can't stand selfish people...and to me...when something traumatic like this happens, you set aside your selfish issues and think about what you have to be grateful for.

Like I mentioned above...we've had a lot of nonsense going on with the house...but even while we were dealing with it, I kept telling myself that I still have my husband, we still have our beautiful baby, my family and friends are safe....nothing else matters.

I don't mean to grandstand. I've just had a hard time getting back into the swing of things because this just really touches home for me. I have a child now. She is my world and I will do anything to protect her and keep her safe. I wish there was more I (my little ol' self in Washington State) could do to help these families.

Remembering and honoring: 

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Rachel D'Avino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47

Jesse Lewis, 6

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Mary Sherlach, 56

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Victoria Soto, 27

Daniel Barden, 7

Josephine Gay, 7

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

James Mattioli, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6.

What's on Hannah's Christmas List?!

Being that it is Hannah's very first Christmas...Noah and I were so excited to jump into shopping for her. I put together a little list of what Hannah is hoping Santa will bring her this year.

1. Shoes! Toms, Sperry's and Cole Haan Moccasin's - these are too cute and with walking days right around the corner...I would love these to be covering those sweet baby feets! 

2. Lullaby CD (probably downloaded to my phone...who has a CD player these days?!)- she LOVES music...specifically the ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...I'd like to broaden her horizons because frankly...I don't think I can sing either of those songs one more time.

3. Poppity Pop Musical Dino - this is already purchased and ready to be wrapped. I think she will love the popping of these dino balls....mauahahaha.

4. Musical Table - she'll be pulling herself up soon...and I think this will definitely be a motivator! 

5. Anywhere Chair - I forsee lots of fun movie days with her lounging in this. 

6. Cinderella DVD - also already purchased. I'd also like to add any other Disney movies...we are big fans of Disney in this family.

7. Life size Minnie Mouse- already purchased...I think this speaks for itself (* funny story...after we bought this we kept it sitting in the bag that the store put it in and just placed it in the corner of the room. One day I noticed Hannah hyperventilating like she does when she get's really excited but she was staring past my shoulder...I looked behind me and lo and behold, Big Minnie's head was popping out of the bag. She was not pleased when Noah went to go cover her back up!)

8. Activity Walker -  this probably won't get a ton of use for a few more months, but she can sit and play on it until she is ready to use it to start taking her first steps.

9. Bumpy Ball - she loves all things that vibrate and bump around...she'll love this

10. Crawl along snail - just cute...and hopefully will enourage Hannah to crawl after it! 

11. Magical Musical Mirror - this little munchkin loves looking in the mirror at herself...we've already purchased this and I'm sure she's going to love it.

Other things to add to the list: new jammies for Christmas eve, new headbands and hair bows, new binkys, a play cell phone, a sippy cup, finger foods! 

So I think she's got a pretty good list. We are trying not to go overboard this year since we have another large expense on the horizon, but she has LOTS of aunts, uncles and grandparents just waiting to spoil her to pieces! 

Have a great weekend everyone! Noah and I are dropping Hannah off to play with her friend Presley while we go see the Nutcracker tonight and then Hannah and I are off to visit friends in Leavenworth for the rest of the weekend. I'll be sure to do a weekend recap. 

Hananh's 6 Month Post

This is a little late...but better late then never! 

Dear Hannah,

I absolutely can’t believe that you are 6 months old! It seems like it was only a few short weeks ago that you came into the world…but apparently it was actually half a year ago! That doesn’t seem right. Your daddy and I still have those moments of “I can’t believe she is all ours” and “I can’t believe we get to keep her!”

These past two months have been the biggest months for you. Your personality really came out and you are SO funny. You love (LOVE) getting attention. You are very aware when all eyes are on you and you most definitely ham it up.

We got you a jumper (an early Christmas present) and it is without a doubt, your favorite toy, ever. You get so happy when you are jumping in that thing. You also love Minnie and Mickey Mouse and carry around Minnie on a chain made of your little connect toys. We watch a couple episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the mornings (when Mommy is trying to go back to sleep for a few minutes) and you get so excited and happy. You won’t be paying attention to the T.V. at all, but as soon as you hear Mickey’s voice start to sing the theme song, you start pumping your arms up and down and screeching. It’s too cute.

Speaking of sleep; you my little munchkin, are still waking up several times a night to eat. Your daddy has started helping me because I was getting exhausted only running on a few hours of sleep a night. Your pediatrician believes it’s because you are a little Mommy and Daddy’s girl and prefer to be with us at all times…so you know that if you cry enough, you get to come into bed and snuggle with us for the rest of the night. Tricky little girl, you are. ;)

You definitely have us wrapped around your little finger. Several times now I have caught you in a fake cry…once you get your way, you are allllll smiles and laughs. You know what you want and when you want it, and if it’s not happening, all you need to do is scream and you get it. We’re pretty sure this is a stage you will grow out of….hopefully. ;)

You’ve also discovered that you can blow raspberries with your lips and will do it for about 20 minutes non-stop, several times a day. It’s so funny to listen to. Your dad and I will be trying to have a conversation, but at some point we just have to stop and laugh because there is no way we can talk over a 19 pound baby jumping in my lap WHILE blowing loud raspberries, drool flying everywhere.

Oh yes…you are weighing in at 19 pounds 3 ounces. You have gained about 2 pounds and 2 ounces since your 4 month appointment. You are measuring in at 26 ½ inches (although that’s what you measured at your 4 month appointment, so I think that’s an error). You are in the 90^th percentile across the board. Your head is definitely measuring on track now (makes me one relieved mama!).

You have been pretty healthy so far. The only thing we have noticed is a bump behind your right ear and you have incredibly sensitive skin. Skin first; you will break out in rashes quite often…and I can tell they are itchy and uncomfortable because your little hand will start scratching on your chest when one comes up. It always amazes me though, because you never cry or act like you are in discomfort. The doctor says its psoriasis…which is a huge bummer because that is something you will have later in life as well.

The bump behind your ear has been worrying me for months. I’ve brought it up several times to your doctor, but each time we’ve gotten a different answer…but overall the answer is to “not worry about it.” I’m trying not to worry about it, but we are switching doctors soon and I will be anxious to hear their opinion on it.

You got your bottom two teeth in! They are the cutest little teeth I have ever laid my eyes on. I can tell you are pretty proud of them; you love it when I massage your gums and feel those little guys. You are still drooling like crazy…so I’m thinking you are working on your top two teeth and we should see those in a month or so. Poor baby girl, teething does not seem fun….but I promise, you won’t remember this later. But in the meantime, I will keep your teething rings circulating through the freezer for you, just the way you like them!

We have also started solid foods these past two months! So far you have had sweet potatoes, bananas, squash, peas, and carrots. You’ve eaten them all, but we can tell that your least favorites are peas and squash (and Momma’s homemade sweet potatoes)…you prefer the yam version of those. You LOVE carrots and bananas. Those are definitely your favorites.

You are sitting up on your own now and have started trying to lift your hips up off the ground when you are laying on your tummy….so I have a feeling you will be rocking back on your knees soon and scooching your way around!

You went on your very first trip to Disney World in October. We went to Disney first and then drove down to Key West…it was Mommy and Daddy’s honeymoon, but we couldn’t bear to be away from you for a whole week so we took you along. You spent most of the days sitting in your stroller (like a big girl!) but we got all the Disney characters signatures for you. You especially loved the Mexican Donald Duck…you really liked his sombrero. You were also in your first (and hopefully last) hurricane. We passed through Hurricane Sandy on our drive down to the Florida Keys. We slept through that one too.

You are reaching for everything nowadays and it's hard to keep you still. I'm excited for you to be mobile...but I know that you are going to give me a run for my money, just chasing after you all day! 

You have been doing so many amazing things, my sweet girl. I can’t believe how much I love you. You are the most perfect addition to our family and we can’t wait to see what you do next.

*Update*--I forgot to mention this, but want to add it in because I want to always remember it...you are such a snuggler. I am so use to riding backseat of my own car because you prefer my hand to be holding your hand. You like to grab my hand and bring it up to your face. If you are tired, you will fall asleep in an instant the second you are snuggled up with my hand. At night time, when you wake up for the first time and I bring you out of your crib and into Mommy and Daddy's bed, you get so excited and roll to your side with your arms outstretched waiting for me to wrap you into me. Sometimes your snuggle needs make things a little difficult (like if we need to run an errand by ourselves, or when we are trying to sleep train you and get you use to sleeping in your own space) but I absolutely wouldn't trade it for a world because I know looking back on this, I'm not going to remember the inconvenience of asking someone to drive us around; I'm going to remember how much you and I snuggled when you were a baby...:) 

I love you!

Love,

Mommy