A letter to my first born.

Opal, my dearest Opal.. You are the light of mine and your Daddy's eyes. We adore you, love you, and think you're the greatest creation in the entire world. Pretty soon you are going to be given the greatest gift in the world- a sibling. You will forever bear the responsibility and title of being a big sister. He is going to look up to you, come to you for advice before he turns to anyone else, and always expect you to back him up... and you will. 

Coming from someone who bears that title as well, I will always try to help you and guide you as you guide him. You will never be alone.We will shed light on the right and wrong things to show your baby brother. I promise. You're going to rock at being his big sissy! Really!

Before he comes though, we are going to soak up every second we can of alone time with you. We're going to make sure you know that we love you... that we really love you. We're not trying to divide up our love, but rather spread more. He is a blessing, and so are you. I am going to do everything I can to capture the little moments that we have with you forever behind my camera lens. 

You have been my best friend the past 18 months. And now I will have to share you.. Because I know your heart is going to be snatched by his little baby hands.You're going to climb up next to me, but not for our normal cuddles, hugs, and kisses.... but to smother Oliver in hugs and kisses. You're going to look up at me, with that sweet smile on your face, and say, "baby!" and I'm gonna hold back tears. But that's okay. That is exactly what Mama and Daddy want for you both. We know that you will need each other.

Oliver is seriously the luckiest little boy in the whole wide world- because he's got you by his side.

 This week you will be a big sister, 

and I can't wait to see you grow into the greatest one ever.

 Opal, my dearest Opal, I love you so much.

-Mommy.

Hospital Bag Pt. 4: What to pack for Daddy and older Siblings.

 Hey! I am continuing my Hospital Bag Must Haves. You can read my original post here.

I also shared my Mommy needs & Baby needs earlier this week.

Today I want to share what Daddy and older Siblings might need.

Daddy and Opal December 2013

Let's start with Daddy.

Toiletries: 

• Toothbrush. He can use the toothpaste packed in your bag. 
• Glasses and contacts.

Clothes: 

•  Pajamas- something comfy.
•  Spare outfit.

Pillow and Blanket:

• I am not sure if it was just the hospital we were at, but they didn't give my husband a blanket or pillow. His first night was miserable. I am making sure if Dillon stays the night with me that he has these things.

 Snacks: 

• Energy drinks: Men usually are not good at staying up. Thankfully my husband is now a veteran dad and knows how to hang with me when nights are rough. But I am still packing a Red Bull or two for him. It has been a while since we had a newborn on our hands.
• Energy bars: Specialty, granola, whatever he prefers, pack them. It'll help.
• Jerky: Because, men.
• Gum: Useful to help with the long hours of labor, and putting a baby to sleep can take.
• Coffee cup/ Thermus: I am having my husband brew himself some coffee and put it in his huge Thermus the day of our C-section so that he has coffee on hand.
• Chips/ cookies: Cheaper to buy your favs at the grocery store than in a vending machine.

 Gift:

•  Some people like to give gifts to new daddies. I say, if you wanna give the daddy in your life a little something to hold on to from the day his baby was born, do it! I am thinking of doing something for him this time around. I didn't do anything with our first. I think even something little like a card or letter to express your love and gratitude for his support and telling him how great of a dad he is going to be is great. 

Electronics:

• Camera: memory card, charger, batteries if needed.
• Camcorder if you use one.
• Cell phones and chargers.

Now, what do my older children need?

So, I know *most* people usually have a babysitter for their children on call for the big day. But for others, like me, if I go into labor before my mother in law flies in, Opal is going to the hospital with us. I already talked to the DR.'s about it and they've said as long as I don't go into a C-section in that event, she can stay with me the whole time. So, in that scenario- these are the things that will be packed for her.

Movies and books:

• I would be packing Frozen and Tangled, along with our Disney Junior DVD's.
• Portable DVD player if you have one.
• Her favorite books would definitely be going.

2-3 small toys:

•   I would pack several small toys that aren't too obnoxious. So, things like a toy car, teapot and cup, and babydoll.

Coloring book & crayons:

• This is a good quiet way to pass time for just about anyone. This is a must.

Snacks & Drinks:

•   Cheaper and healthier to have these with you than in a vending machine. Just don't forget to pack an empty sippy cup if needed.

Blanket, stuffed animal, pillow, security item:

•  Just like with daddy, they may not provide these things for your child if they're tagging along. so bring the blanket and pillow in the car for daddy to run out and grab when needed.
• My daughter has a big stuffed minnie mouse that she takes everywhere. This would be a must have for the situation. The hospital can be a scary place for a toddler. A security toy/ blanket/ whatever would definitely help their stress level.

Comfy clothes/ extra clothes.

• Comfy is best. Bring pajamas if they nap. Socks and slippers are good so that they don't want to be barefoot. (gross)

Diapers and wipes, (if needed).

•  My daughter is still in diapers, so I would hate to have to send my hubby to go buy these last minute because we forgot them.

Gift. 

•  We are buying our daughter a gift, that we're giving her the day she meets her brother. We decided on some bubbles, play jewelry, Princess Rapunzal dress, and a card. We are getting her these items because ultimately they'll help us at home once we are busy doing other things. I will be nursing a lot, so I can watch Tangled with her in her princess dress. I'm excited for her to open her gift from her brother. It'll be so exciting for her.

I hope all of this helps some of you who just don't know where to start with packing. I will try to add to this, and maybe even add some photos once I pack these items :-) 

 

 xoxo- Chels.

Dillon's birthday was a success!

Dillon's birthday!!

Dillon opening gifts.

 My darling husband insisted he wanted to do nothing for his birthday and wouldn't even give us a list of birthday gift wishes. WELLLLLL, that didn't work for me! I could deal with not being able to invite his friends over for a party, but no party at all?! NO WAY! So I requested the car for a day so that Opal and I could brave the cold to find something for the man in our life.

I kept it small, but I didn't want it to be just another day. So the night before I wrapped gifts, put out some birthday party decor, baked a small cake, and set out some surprises for him.

We woke him up bright and early, told him to cut his hair and shower, and then made him open up gifts!!

He was blown away at how I somehow got all of this done under his nose. Opal and I are sneaky girls, I suppose!

Opal, Daddy, and the clock she picked out for him.

I let Opal pick out everything, from decor to the cake's icing color. She even picked out the funniest gift for her daddy! We were browsing the shelves in Marshall's when this little girl starts yelling, "Daddy! Daddy!" and pointing at this silver clock. I look around so puzzled as to why she wants me to hand her this clock, and when I do she holds on to it for dear life and continues to say, "Daddy!"... I asked my sisters and mom what to do and they agreed to just buy it and let him return it if he didn't want it for his night stand. Luckily, he did. :-)

Opal watching daddy open gifts.

She loved watching her daddy open all of his gifts. It was so precious to watch her face light up when his did. She is the cutest. I am so thankful to be back under the same roof getting to share these moments together. It means everything to see these two build their bond again.

After he opened his gifts we dragged him out to IHOP for a birthday breakfast full of super sugary pancakes! It was lovely. 

The day was great, we ran around and ended the day with cake and a delicious steak dinner.. (cooked by me!) I am glad I didn't listen to this guy and that we spoiled him. It was great to see him so happy and to know he felt loved and appreciated. 

He is definitely the apple of our eyes.

Singing Happy Birthday!

Dillon's cake.

 

The gifts all wrapped up.

Dinosaurs, hats, and mini pinata were all Opal's doing.

Where, OH whereeee have I been?!

Hey guys! I have been so busy busy busy. Opal and I are currently recovering from a small cold that seems to be passing pretty quickly. 

I wanted to share a few of the photos from Dillon's trip. We had so much fun, it was amazing to see Opal and her daddy reconnect and form a bond again. She has been asking for his every day. He is literally the first thing she asks for in the morning. She pops up and smiles really big and lets out the cutest "dada?".... 

It melts my heart. 

Anyways, while he was here we did a lot of activities, so here are some of my favorites:

First, I picked him up in Los Angeles, so we headed to Hollywood BLVD and had lunch at Dave & Busters. We then walked the strip and went to Ripley's Believe it or not. It was a lot of fun and they had some really neat stuff.

We went to Ikea afterwards, and then hit the road to go home.

When we got home we decided to take Opal to the zoo and to an amusement park for children.

 Dillon and Opal fed and pet sting rays. It was very cool.

 They fed the giraffe together! Opal was amazed at how big the giraffe was.

 She loved the petting zoo. She kept saying, "dog, dog, dog".. haha!

She is basically as tall as me, now!

I secretly loved having Dillon there to push the stroller so that I could do more fun stuff!

Opal really enjoyed the merrie-go-round. After this photo was taken, tons of other kids hopped on with us.

 nursing pit stop!

We also took her to the park to play. She and daddy went down all of the slides and she got to go on the swings.

I have a lot more stuff to share, but I still need to edit the photos.

After his week here, we drove to Monterey, CA and to San Francisco. It was amazing.

We had a couple bad luck scenarios but we made the very best out of it.

:-)

Eight month update.

 I know I say this every month, but I seriously cannot believe it has been 8 months since this precious girl came into our life. She changed our lives so much. She makes every argument and disagreement seem miniscule compared to the magnitude of what our family means and stands for. Living apart from my husband the past 2 months has shown not only I, but Dillon too, how much we love each other and want to raise our daughter together.

This past month, she has changed so much. She mastered the crawl, and then surprised us by pulling herself up and standing! She started this with her playpen gate, and now does it in her crib, to the couch, toys, and even to me! She is brilliant!

She has 5 teeth now, her bald spot grew in, and she says "da-da!" We started her on 3rd step foods, but she actually has been eating food off of my plate. She hates eating the mushy baby foods and is all about the textures of actual food.

Jake and the Neverland Pirates has been her favorite tv show, and it still is. She also is loving Sofia the First and Doc Mcstuffins. She also loves the intro song to The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Last but not least, she has learned the "Happy and you know it" song... but instead of clapping, she slaps her thighs with her little hands. It is honestly the cutest thing. She is so cool.

I cannot wait for Dillon to see her next month, he is going to be so amazed at how much she has grown so far. I can't even imagine what I will be writing and sharing in another month. She blows me away every time.

Thankfully, next month I will also be preparing to pick her daddy up from the airport days later! Let the countdown begin!!

-Chels.

Life as mommy, and temporary daddy.

Today I was chatting with Dillon about my next blog post and he had suggested sharing my experience doing 100% of the parenting for the past couple of months that we've been living across the country from each other.

At first, I really didn't even want to talk about it. I don't know if I should refer to myself as a "single" parent, because I'm not single. I have a wonderful husband who is so supportive, emotionally and financially. I don't carry the same burdens or challenges that single mothers and fathers (who have no support from the other parent) have. I would never want to compare the two. 

I also didn't want to talk about it because I wouldn't want to offend my husband in any way. He is seriously such a great daddy and husband, and I don't want him to feel bad or to think that I don't need him. That's absolutely not true. I need him badly! Parenting is much more enjoyable with the support of another person.

But- I have been thinking about it all day...

I just want to say, as someone who grew up in a home that once had physical violence, then a father in prison, and raised by a struggling single mom... I know how hard it can be. I have always admired my mom for how amazing she is, how determined, and strong.. She never relied on anyone else to provide for my sisters and I, aside from the occasional help from my grandparents. I thank God every day that I was raised by such a beautiful and independent woman.

And here I am, currently living with her again, with a baby of my own. She is such a great grandma! She helps me so much, but not in the diaper changing way. She actually has probably only changed 3 diapers in the past few months. (Lucky her!) Her help actually comes in motivation, positive words, great advice, and the occasional "Chelsea, you need to calm down."..

I also have been getting help from my sisters, Marissa and Reyna. They've been the ones to watch Opal while I shower, do my makeup or eat. They are still trying to adjust to having a baby in the household, so its not always easy to ask them, honestly. 

Being Opal's only parent physically right now is tiring. I wish I could just hand her to my husband and take a long hot bath, paint my toes, and draw. Those days are nowhere near the present... So I will have to continue to look forward to them as I go crazy at 3 am when I just want her to sleep. 

I don't know if it is just because she has 5 teeth cutting through right now that it seems harder, but damn... I am exhausted. 

She's been SO fussy, constantly wants to be held... BY ME ONLY.. She will fight a nap all day, and wait until 2 am to fall asleep. And when she finally sleeps, it is in my bed. If I try to move her to the crib she will wake up.. and then it is a nightmare to put her to bed again.. which will eventually be in my bed. Did I mention I am sleeping in a twin size bed right now? Then, when I finally fall asleep around 3, I'll be woken up at 4:30 am for another nursing session. And then awoken again by 8 am the latest... At which point I have to get us up and ready for the day.

I just can't imagine my entire life doing this alone. I hope Dillon and I will be under the same roof as soon as possible! 

I want to tell every parent doing it alone, that I have so much respect for you and everything you do for your children. It is hard work being a stay at home mom, I can't imagine being the breadwinner and sole parent alone. Breaks are few and far between as it is, I seriously don't know how I would do it all.