Birthday and Fiona

What a fabulous birthday! My wish came true...I got to spend a ton of time with Fiona watching her play and grow. We played outside, we went to Marbles, we played with Dada's cows at the dairy, and saw a ton of family. Below are some of my favorite Fiona moments from my birthday weekend.
Fiona at Marble's Kids Museum pushing the shopping cart around. She is definately her Daddy's child...putting whole bacon in the cart!
We have now discovered the slide at Marbles and is our new favorite thing to do.
Fiona eating some birthday cake at Giggle-Giggle's house.
My very determined Fiona climbing out of the sandbox. Gotta love that tongue!
Fiona and Mommy petting the baby calf. Only a few weeks old. Fiona wasn't too thrilled when the calf tried to suckle on her arm.

Halloween

Halloween is one of those holidays that I absolutely loved as a child but somehow forget to plan for as an adult. I just couldn't make up my mind on what Fiona should go as - so at the last minute I bought a t-shirt from Target and sewed a little rag skirt onto the bottom. Functional, easy, cute...and most importantly did not involve anything on her head.

We had a great time at our friend Oscar's party - he was one of our most favorite characters, the caterpillar from the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

After the party we returned home expecting trick-o-treaters, but had none. Fiona was thrilled to find that the bowl of KitKats was still full, and now every time we walk past the counter she points and says "Um um um!" I have never seen a toddler devour chocolate so quickly.

And now its time to plan for the rest of the holidays...Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and all of the birthdays in between. If you're on my Christmas list...and you know who you are...your deadline for gift requests is Thanksgiving. Just FYI.

Fall and Friends

I absolutely LOVE the fall. It is my favorite time of year. There is just something about pumpkins, the cool weather, and the State Fair that is rooted deep within my soul. Ever since I was a small child, I looked forward to picking out my pumpkin and jumping into the first pile of raked leaves. This year I've had the delight of watching Fiona enjoy my same passions as well.



We've also spent some time out with our friend Grace at the most amazing place on earth for toddlers called "Fit For Fun" in Wilmington, NC. A giant padded warehouse with a million toys and activities for 4 and under only. It was a mommy's dream! Thanks friends! Hope we can do it again soon!!!

Out of Town, Part 1

Phew, I've finally gotten a chance to write. I feel like I haven't been home in forever!

Starting last Thursday Will, Fiona, and I traveled from NC to Alabama to see Will's grandmother "Mamaw." The last time we had seen Mamaw was when I was 7 months pregnant, so it was past-due time to introduce her to Fiona.

Before traveling to see Mamaw, I had been warned by Lea (Will's sister) that Mamaw would try to fatten us up. And trust me, I know a thing or two about the Southern hospitality of feeding people...but I have never been offered so much food in all my life! As soon as we arrived, she gave us hugs and kisses, and then coffee, cereal, orange juice, and sausage-egg-biscuits (in that order). When breakfast was done, she said "Now I've got a roast with vegetables, cornbread, salad, and potatoes for lunch." Not to mention the sweet-potato pies, and two cakes she had baked previous to our arrival...YUM! I am all about home-cookin' so I was thrilled to be in Mamaw cooking heaven. Thanks Mamaw!

Mamaw is also an avid quilter and I was able to secure some fabulous tips on putting together my quilt-tops. Fiona also decided to take up quilting and borrowed one of Mamaw's hand-quilted baskets to study.

The weather was incredible while we were in Alabama. Fiona definately enjoyed playing some soccer with Dada.


We also got to visit with Will's Uncle Ed and Aunt Ruby while in Alabama. Fiona just thought Uncle Ed was a hoot and would just chuckle when he played hide & seek games under the tablecloth at dinner.

However, the trip had to come to a close, and we headed back home on Sunday. On the way home we stopped at a grocery store to give Fiona's behind a break from the carseat...so she decided to help me do some impromptu shopping.

And once back to home sweet home we repacked the car on Sunday night and headed to Bald Head Island on Monday. I'll write all about that adventure and post pictures soon.

Copycat breakup...

Well friends, I hate to admit it, but when I see a good thing going I have no problem being a copycat to whatever that good thing is.

Recently, my BFF Catherine (What Lies Within) deactivated her facebook account. At first I was shocked and in horror. I'll admit I threw a pity party that I could no longer simply fb her or just check her status reports to see what she was up to. But today I got caught up online between Twitter, Facebook, The City, email, and blogs. Its just too much.

I began to think how I could simplify this matter. I could link The City to update Twitter to update Facebook...but then I couldn't see what people wrote back on fb. It was all making my head spin, so I stopped into Catherine's blog and read this quote "The constant connection to a whole lot of people who don't all know me on an intimate level is not necessary to live a full life!" Why in the world didn't I think of that sooner?

Long story short: in T-23 hours and counting my fb page will be deactivated and I will relinquish myself to this blog (where I'll be updating pics), The City (our church's website) and Twitter.

Facebook, I'm sorry, but its not you, its me.

Update

Just thought I would give all you Farmer Family Fans out there a little update on our lives since I feel like we are completely crazy and never see anyone anymore...

Will - got the news that he has been accepted into NCSU's phD program for Animal Science and will begin in August.

Jennifer- is working three 12-hour shifts a week in the pediatric emergency department at Wake Med Hosptial and loving it....drama, drama, drama!

Fiona - is crawling/scooting, pulling herself up to stand, takes baby steps while holding your hands, sleeps most of the night in her crib, says "Hi-Dada" (all one smushed-together word) when she sees Will in the mornings, is a complete mama's girl and will let you know very quickly if you try to hold her, and is growing so quickly!!! (Where is my pause button?)

For those of you who we haven't seen in a while, we miss you. I hope we see you soon. Now that we have our schedules worked out for a bit I hope we can make some trips. But until then...SMILE!

Fiona's Thin Mint

You know you're in trouble when this thought crosses your mind: "Hum, my kid sure is being quiet right now."

Fiona found my Girl Scout Thin Mints...she sure was quiet, and happy...and covered in chocolate.

Ahh, the book I read when I was a child that motivated me to become a nurse today. Yes, really.

If you have never read Nurse Nancy you should...its a great book.

I recently have started my new job at the Children's Emergency Department at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh. PHEW - talk about busy. We are the busiest ER in the state. We also see the strangest and most outrageous things...things I never thought possible. And No...I can't tell you about them. Sorry! Patient privacy rules.

However, I can say - I love my job. Its wild and wacky, but very fun. So if your child ever gets a serious boo-boo come and see me. We're open 24/7...but mind the wait. Just cause you know me doesn't mean I can get you seen in under 2 hours.

Hopefully my schedule will even out soon and I'll only be working 3 days a week - which will allow me more Fiona time which may even translate into more blogspot time. Who knows - you may even get a video update of Fiona next time. :o)

On a humerous note - yesterday Will and Fiona and I went to the pool to get some much needed exercise. Will was looking at Fiona's swimmies and said - what about the diaper? Fiona wears a "swim diaper" which is basically just a cover with no padding - meant only to keep in solids...not to soak up liquids. At which point Will squeals "EWWW...she pees in the pool?" Yes honey, she pees in the pool - much like the rest of the people who swim in it. "EWWW...people really pee in the pool?!!?!!?" At which point I bust out laughing....yes honey, people pee in the pool all the time. For some reason - Will cannot get through his head that the majority of people who go swimming will pee in the pool at some point or another. I personally think this is hysterical as I watch him do calculations to see what percentage of the pool water is actually pee. He came up with 10%...I think thats a bit high. Anywho - to back me up on this. Who of you have peed in the pool. Oh come on now, don't be shy. Really - have you peed in the pool?

Hello world!

Hello world!

Nice to see you again...its been a while hasn't it? Sorry I haven't been around to blog, but life has taken over in full swing. As mentioned in my last blog, I don't get to see Fiona or Will much due to work schedules. And right now, I'm getting to blog because Will is over at some friend's house (so he isn't here to say, "noo...don't blog, snuggle with me!").

So here's the updates on our lives...

Fiona
Fiona is doing great! She is almost 6 months old and growing so quickly. You can see all her pictures on my facebook page. I update there more frequently than here.
Breastfeeding - Fiona has decided that she is too mature to breastfeed in public; or even during the day for that matter. Which has forced me to pump for her daytime meals. I don't mind at all, but it has definately given me a new found respect for "exclusively pumping" mamas. My hats off to you all.
C0-sleeping - Fiona still has not transitioned to her crib. She'll nap there during the day for an hour or so at a time, but will not do long bouts of sleep in the crib. Therefore, she is still co-sleeping with us (something that before she was born I swore I would never do). We hope to have her in her own crib by 12 months if not sooner. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment...but if I hear "just let her cry it out one more time" I'm going to smack someone. Trust me honey, we've tried.

Will
Job
Will recently got a new job working for Ohio State University assisting in collecting samples and materials for research on antibiotic resistant salmonella in hog farms. He works in the local NC hog farms and comes home stinking like them too. Its long hard work but somebody has to do it. We're just thankful he has a job right now. He is starting his application to his get his PHD at NCSU...but that will depend on whether or not the school has enough grant $ to fund him.
Community Group
Recently we were asked to begin our own Community Group here in Angier for Vintage 21 (our church). We've been blessed to have 2 regular attendees (thanks Emily and Andrew!), and we're hoping for more folks soon. Its been an interesting challenge to work on truely living as Jesus' disciples...but hopefully we'll improve in His will. If anyone ever wants to come we hold CG at 7pm every Wednesday night.

Jennifer
Job
Jennifer just accepted a new job at Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh working in the Pediatric Emergency Department. I start February 23rd and am so excited but nervous as well. I'm going to miss everyone at Fuquay-Varina Pediatrics as they are all so wonderful. But life is one of those funny ever-changing things and it was too good an opportunity to pass up. I'll *hopefully* be working 3 twelve hour shifts per week.
Mama
I must say - being a mama is my most favorite thing in the world. Right now I'm laying in bed next to Fiona. Watching her sleep and holding her while she naps are my two most favorite nighttime activities. I love to play with her and watch her grow before my eyes. She's just beautiful. Thank you Lord for blessing me with her! I can't wait for more!

Well I think that about covers it for now. I'll try to blog more often, I promise. But when I've got a Fiona to play with, no offense, but she comes 1st.

Peace Love and Contentment - Jennifer

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...it was Saturday.

Saturday is that magical day that all of us in the working world long for. Saturday is my day of relaxation, of getting chores done, and my most favorite part...getting to have Fiona for a whole day.

You see, Monday through Friday I get to see Fiona for about 3 hours total each day. "How can that be?" you ask...

Well, I wake up at 6:30 and get ready for work while she finishes sleeping. I wake her up at 7am, feed her, put her in her carseat, and drive her to Gabu (my mom, who takes care of her). Total morning Fiona time = 30 minutes tops.

In the evenings I get off from work around 5pm. At least one night a week I have 'late-night' which means I can't leave until the last patient is out the door. Most times this is around 5:30-6pm; the other week it was 6:45. Anyhow, I digress. I get off work at 5pm, retrieve my babe and head home. We usually get home by 5:45. At this point she eats, I cook supper (or not), we play, and then at 7:30-8pm she falls asleep. Total evening Fiona time = approximately 2-2.5 hours.

Now, I hear some of you saying "Yeah, but you get to see her while she is sleeping. Plus, you get up 3 times a night to feed her. Isn't that enough time for you?" NO. If I had it my way, I would spend every minute of every day with her and that still wouldn't be enough time.

Back to Saturday. The problem with Saturdays is that I hardly interact with Fiona during the week. While she has a pretty good routine established with Gabu, somehow that doesn't happen with me on Saturdays. In other words, each Saturday I have to re-learn what she wants and how she wants it. For example, during the week my mom gives her bottles, and Fiona doesn't have to work very hard for her meal. On the weekend she nurses and gets mad that my milk doesn't come out faster. So we spend 30 minutes with her screaming until she wears herself out enough that she'll take whatever she can get. I also struggle with wanting to play with her and find myself forgetting that she needs to nap. Add in any travel, appointments, or seeing friends and family and it can be a disaster waiting to happen.

By Sundays Fiona and I are back into a rhythm and can function pretty well together. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. And then that ugly Monday rolls around and I lose it all over again until the next weekend.

So what can I do? I've already requested changing my schedule from a 5 day a week routine to a 4 day a week routine. But that wasn't approved. I have a job lined up that would start in February for 3 days a week, but after some challenging patients this week I wonder if that job is really right for me.

I guess all I can do is learn from each Saturday and pray that the next will be smoother.

Until next time...this is working mom #185011 signing off.

So I haven't exactly lived up to the one blog a week minimum that I set for myself 5 weeks ago when I went back to work.

So I promise that in the next few days I'll take some lovely pics and share some Fiona stories with you.

Things to look forward to reading about -

1. Rolling over
2. Lullabies - why do so many stink?
3. Sleeping in the big girl crib
4. Fenugreek and maple syrup

See you all soon! Love Jenn

Hi Aunt Sarah!

To everyone who doesn't know already - my sweet sister Sarah is living in Paris France until next summer. So Fiona thought it would be nice to post a video for Aunt Sarah to see how big she is getting. Fiona says hi to all of ya'll too.

Vacation & other tid-bits

Hey all,

We just got home from a fantastic vacation down at the beach with my best friend Catherine and her family. It was an amazing time of relaxation and learning. Catherine has a sweet little girl who is almost 16 months, and she is wild (in a good way of course!). It was so much fun to watch what we have to look forward to in the next year. Fiona was totally mesmerized by Grace's ability to walk and play and say "Hi baby!"

Will, Jennifer & Fiona at the Beach

Jennifer, Fiona, and Grace

Fiona showing off her beach hat.

On a different note, I am starting a new blog that will be devoted to deeper, more spiritual matters. It won't be for everyone's taste, but I just thought I would throw it out there.

www.DeepInEternalThought.blogspot.com

Last of all, tomorrow I am starting back to work. Therefore, the number of posts per week will significantly diminish. I hope that I will post once weekly, but I can't promise anything. I'm assuming that the little time I will be getting with Fiona will be spent with her and not on here.

Well folks, thats all for now. I'll give you the update on going back to work soon.

Peace - Jennifer

Back to reality.

This Monday 10/6 is the big day...back to work I go.

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed spending the last 10 weeks with my sweet Fiona. It has been a miracle evolving before my eyes.

I am currently in denial that I only have 2 more days of this before I will spend 40+ hours a week away from her.

I understand that God challenges us in different ways, and usually He doesn't pick something easy to challenge us on. I just wish that I had more time....so instead of finishing this blog, I'm going back to watching her sleep.

Hope you understand. Love, Me

Playing!

Yesterday I noticed that Fiona was starting to reach for her toys. She has a toy cow that hangs from the ceiling in the Element & she kept motioning like she was going to grab it but never did. However, today Fiona actually grabbed onto one of her toys and was totally mesmerized by the noises and lights. I am so excited!!!

Strangers make me laugh.

So I just got home from the thrift store where I was shopping for some warm things for Fiona. While I was there she was asleep in her car seat, so I just toted her along.

As I was standing near the sweaters a lady walks up and says "So how far along are you?"

Thinking she meant to ask how old Fiona is, I said "Oh...you mean, well, she's 2 months."

At which point she turns and says "Oh! I didn't even see her! Sorry! I guess you're still just losing the baby weight."

.....Uh, yeah.

I don't know who was more embarassed me or her.

To try and make a joke out of things I said "Well, it sure would be funny if I were pregnant."

At which point she turned and said "You have been using protection haven't you?"

......Ok, awkward...time to check out.

Hahahaha. Ahh, strangers make me laugh.

Fiona update!

Yesterday Fiona had her 2 month checkup...wow, has it really been 2 months already? Yeppers, she's 9 weeks old today. I remember when she was only 9 weeks old in my belly. :o)

So here is the update on Miss Fiona:

Weight 10lbs 15.5oz (50th %)
Length 24 inches (75th %)
Head 15.5 inches (50th %)

She also got her first shots yesterday. It was pitiful, but she was a champ and did great. I think it wrecked my nerves more than hers. Anyhow - here are some new pics...enjoy!

Fiona and I relaxing this morning.

This is for all of you who don't believe that Fiona makes mad faces.

Sitting up!

Visiting Faithdog with Daddy.


Startled by the camera.

Comfy on Mommy.

Canning

As some of you may know, we (as in Will and my Dad) have had quite the garden this year. We've grown everything from tomatoes to peppers, collards to cucumbers, eggplants to watermelons, and everything in between.

On this gardening adventure we have also learned to can food in order not to waste anything. We now have a pantry FULL of canned foods. The list includes the following -

Pear preserves
Fig preserves
Tomato concentrate
Heirloom tomato soup
Vegetable soup
Salsa
Green beans
Dill pickles
Bread and Butter pickles

Overall, we have approximately 150 quart jars full of yummy food from the garden.
For those of you who are intrigued by this amazing plethora of food, I highly suggest you splurge on the $68_ canner at Wal-Mart and go for it! It is wonderfully simple and definately worth the time. Some would say its domestic, but I say its earthy. :o)

Cloth Diaper Update

Fiona chillin in her Fuzzi Bunz

So like our friend Jessica, I thought I would give ya'll a cloth diaper update. Who knows - maybe one of you other mamas out there will be able to use this info. All babies are different and require different diapering techniques to keep them, and their bottoms happy. Just as an FYI - Fiona has a very sensitive bottom & doesn't tolerate being wet very well if at all.

First of all let me say that I would not recommend using cloth diapers on your newborn until s/he is a few weeks old. Especially if this is your first baby or your first cloth diapering experience.

When Fiona was a newborn she used up to 25 diapers a day. You say this doesn't seem like a lot, but disposables are ~$0.25 each...which amounts to several dollars a day.

I bought cloth pre-folds from Green Mountain Diapers at $1.75 each (I bought 3 dozen - a total of $63.) These pre-folds are held together by something called a snappi fastner (another few dollars for a package of three). And then covered with an outter cover to keep the moisture from seeping through onto clothes.

The covers that I originally bought were Bummis Super Snaps. These covers just snap in place over top of the cloth diaper. The positives to this type of cover is that they are not expensive (~$12 each), and you re-use them through several diaper changes until they are wet or stinky. The downside to these is that there is no protective layer to keep babies from being wet. The layering order goes: Bottom, Cotton pre-fold diaper, Bummis cover. Therefore once baby is wet or dirty they are going to sit in it until you change them. Now some babies don't mind this and don't fuss very much when wet. Well...not Fiona. As soon as Fiona would become even the slightest bit wet she would scream and scream and scream until she was changed.

Needless to say - this type of cover just wasn't going to work for us. We needed a type of cloth diapering style that would keep Fiona's bum dry even if she was wet, capiche?

So onto ebay I went and bought some diaper covers called Fuzzi Bunz. Fuzzi Bunz are a pocket style cover which means that you slip the cloth diaper inside a pouch in the cover and that there is a layer between the cloth diaper and the baby's bottom. The positives to this type of cover is that it keeps baby's bottom dryer and keeps the wetness contained in the cloth diaper in the pocket. The downside is that they are expensive brand new (~$18 each...I bought mine secondhand for ~$12 each), and they can only be used once then must be washed. The way I use my Fuzzi Bunz is to stuff the pocket with a folded cloth pre-fold diaper (which I already had, so I didn't buy any additional "inserts"). So, the layering order goes: Bottom, fleece layer of the Fuzzi Bunz to keep baby dry, Cotton pre-fold, outter waterproof layer of the Fuzzi Bunz.

This method has worked wonders for us! Fiona loves her Fuzzi Bunz and rarely fusses about being wet. We wash the FB and cotton pre-folds daily because I don't have enough Fuzzi Bunz to last us more than a day. I am also still using ~4 disposable diapers during the night in order to have all the FB washed and ready for the next day. If I had enough FB to last me through the night I would definately use them - they're just so easy.

Overall - if you have never used cloth diapers I would seriously recommend purchasing a trial pack from a company like Green Mountain Diapers. That way you can test out several different types before deciding which one will work best for your child and your budget.

Last of all, I would like to pitch the idea for cloth wipes. I'm using cotton flannel wipes for Fiona. They're just two pieces of flannel sewn together ~6"x6" and I use a spray bottle with a diluted mixture of California Baby Diaper Area Wash to make them wet before using. The benefit is the cost is cheap, and I can just wash and re-use when done. For you sewing mamas these are super easy to make. Just get some flannel, cut into 6x6 squares. Place wrong-sides together and serge the edges. Voila! For you non-sewing mamas, you can buy some online at Green Mountain Diapers.

For additional resources on how-to cloth diaper check out these videos on You-Tube:
Using cloth pre-fold, snappi, and bummis cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCPGsB8k5sM
Using Fuzzi Bunz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj3PqDPloSQ

Yippee!!!

Yippee!!! My best friend is moving back to NC!!!!!!!!!!!! Catherine and her lovely family are moving home (hopefully next week) after being away for over 2 years. I am so excited! God is so good! Yippee!!!