COLIC

My beautiful, sweet, soft and snuggly baby turned into a fussy, beautiful, sweet, soft, colicky baby in just 4 weeks. At this point I'm labeling it Colic due to the fact that she is fussy all day long and not comfortable in any particular position for more than 3-5 minutes. It's not that she just wants to be held because that is not enough.. you have to constantly change positions. The swing is not acceptable to her, the boppy is not acceptable, the baby lounger is not acceptable, the bouncy seat is not acceptable. Nothing, really works except standing up, constantly moving and changing positions. IT'S FRUSTRATING. My mother has come every day to help and so for that, I really can't complain since it's been nothing compared to if I were here all day with no helping hands. My mom has been a LIFESAVER. We have all these cute girly contraptions and the " cadillac of swings" as we call it (Fisher Price Cradle Swing) and nothing is working. There has been a day when she didn't sleep for 12 hours from 9:45 AM -11:00PM that night. Another day it was 10 hours. BUT... the weird part is... she's a great sleeper at night. She'll sleep for 7 hours straight some nights??? So, that's my sanity and I can't complain. IT'S HER POOR TUMMY. She can't sit still while eating she pulls up her legs, wiggles and grunts and is battling this constantly. As frustrated as it gets and as sorry as I feel for myself, once she's sleeping I think about how hard it must be for the little ones to have a constant pain in their tummies. I wonder if it feels like when we gorge ourselves at Claim Jumper on a Frisco Sourdough Burger and fries??? Or does it feel like the stomach flu? Well, I guess I'll never know, but I will fight and do everything I can to make my beautiful baby happy and as content until this all passes. Please pray that if it is Colic, that it goes away in the sacred 3 -4 months that most propose.

So, in desperation I've searched the internet and verbatim she has everything they label as "colic" But she has a dr's appointment so we can rule anything else out and I'll go from there. But, today when I typed in colic a link came up, I clicked on it and found Colic Calm. Needless to say, I'm gonna try it. I'll let you know if it works. One of those things where I doubt it will, but just have to try it so I can have satisfaction of knowing I tried. It's all SAFE, HOMEOPATHIC and FDA approved. See, they have me sold. :)

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY ... and thank you for letting me vent to you.... I feel better already!

25 is Good!!

For me I felt like turning 25 was another milestone. Then the next big one will be 30. So, I was a bit nervous. Now that I reflect on my life since August 29th (my birthday) I have only good thoughts. I have God. I have a great church. I have a wonderful husband (Thank you Lyndsay and Lori Velarde and Revolution Church) I have the best parent in laws EVER. I have another beautiful child. I live in a house that we've made home. My husband has a job he loves which makes everyone happy. I've already been able to retire and become a stay at home mom. And, I have lots of friends and family that I've had since before I turned 25 that has made life what it is today.

25 has been and is going to be a great year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIELYN NOELLE

One month ago today at 1:42 PM my life changed. I should say our families life changed. Alexa became a big sister, I became a 25 year old mother of 2 and Chris became a 22 year old father of 2. We have been blessed with such a beautiful and healthy baby girl. One thing I've noticed that's changed drastically for me is TIME. I definitely value my time more. I don't get to throw Alexa in the car and run out the door anymore. In fact, I barely get out the door anymore. It's all about timing now. My biggest thought is " Why did I think one was so hard? That was easy and nothing compared to two!!!" The biggest positive is that now I will get double the hugs and double the kisses from now until FOREVER. And with each child, I feel a deeper connection and love for my husband. He is a hands on DAD and I'm forever gratetful for that. So, a month ago my life changed for the BEST. Happy 1 Month Birthday Brielyn...

WOW.. TIME FLIES BY!

Nothing But A Cow...

I'm in love with my daughter Brielyn, she's so special to me and we've been able to bond as I'm breastfeeding her. I wasn't able to have this experience with Alexa so I'm enjoying the bond BUT..... I FEEL LIKE A COW. My daughter seriously wants to nurse ALL DAY LONG. I told my husband I'm never getting my boobs back, she's claimed them. Nothing else makes her happy. It makes me feel good at times to know I comfort her and she needs me, but sometimes I have the " give me a break" feeling and the thoughts that I'll never get out of the house if this continues.

Well, I'm sorry for the lack of blogs but now you know what I'm doing all day long. Poor Alexa, good thing she plays well by herself and has been an angel of a big sister. She says "Baby Lunch" when I'm feeding the baby :)

I will hopefully soon be adding more pictures but our camera actually is broken and it has been since Brielyn was born. BUMMER. We didn't realize til we went to take it to the hospital. Not a good time for us to figure that one out, but oh well.

BRIELYN NOELLE HOFF.. is HERE!!!

So, it all started at 4AM on Thursday September 14th when I felt contractions. I couldn't believe it, so I waited a while before I woke up Chris. The contractions were at 6 minutes apart so we waited but they stayed consistent. We called my mom to let her know we were planning on going to the hospital when they were only 3 minutes apart. My bags were not packed so I got my stuff together kissed the soon to be Big Sister bye and we got out the door by 6:30AM.

Chris and I stopped by Ralphs to get some waters and a few magazines for the labor process! My labor was almost pain free and it went by super fast. I walked a bit to get things going and soon enough I was at a 6 cm getting an epidural and next thing we are at a 10 ready to push. My husband and I had a great experience talking together (while I could feel nothing from waist down) and chatting with our great nurses at Los Alamitos Hospital. Brielyn Noelle Hoff was born at 1:42 PM weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 ozs and 19 1/2 inches long. Her middle name is significant as we named her after her cousin Autumn Noelle Boulton. Autumn has been an amazing cousin to Alexa (little mommy in the works) and I know she's happy we had another girl for her to play with to offset all the boys in our family!

If you haven't seen her, we look forward to sharing her with you. This first week I've had LOTS of help from my and Chris' family. Grandpa Hal (Chris' dad) I joke is my "Manny" as Britney Spears had. He has stayed with us for a week helping keep Alexa busy and entertained during the new phase. He seriously has his motor home here, it's been NICE. My sisters and mom have been amazing and I'm so blessed with a loving family on both sides. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We are blessed to have another healthy addition!!!!

MOMMY'S NIGHT OUT! August 29th...

I promised I'd update you on my special secret night out with my sisters, mom and Aunt. I met my sister (Lynelle) at her house and from there she guided me to "Complexions Day Spa" in Seal Beach. I have to admit my Mom a few days before slipped and told me she was booking a facial and pedicure for Saturday but I didn't believe her as it's a holiday weekend and figured she was covering up for her mistake. At that point I thought we were going to Burke Williams. The day of my birthday, my sister called and said " I scheduled my pedicure with you guys!" WHOOOOOPS... so, that clarified it for me. It's okay, it just goes to show my family is very verbal, excitable and not great at secrets. So, I was still surprised when we got to Complexions. I hadn't been there before. The service was great and I was treated to a Mothers Massage. I was in heaven and as usual my thought was why don't I do this more often. I've had a few massages in my life but never a Maternity Massage and it was just as relaxing. We all got our services done and then chatted in the Quiet Room. Yeah, you know my family, we broke the QUIET ROOM RULES :) Then afterwards, we went to Lyndsay's house to be with our husbands and kids and had my favorite OREO CAKE from Katella Deli. IT WAS A GREAT BIRTHDAY... very relaxing and fulfilling.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES!

Picture: Chris and I before going out to my Friday night dinner and Surprise!!!

Since last time I blogged, it's been crazy but fun!!! My birthday is today, August 29th.. THE BIG 25!!! And it just so happens that I'm pregnant. That doesn't surprise me, how about you?? LOL So, Chris took me out last Friday night to one of my fav restaurants " Black Angus" then surprised me and we went and stayed at the Woodfin Suites Hotel in Brea. The next day we went home and cleaned and stocked up at Costco for our LONG BEACH CHAMPIONS BARBECUE on Sunday. It was AWESOME. We had a great turn out with all the players and their families. We all piled in Chris and I's home and had some hot dogs, hamburgers and many wonderful side dishes and desserts. I love to get together and have parties like that, so It was enjoyable for me. Monday was mellow but FUN. Alexa and I went to Seal Beach along with the crew that met there every Monday in summer. It was their last time meeting and it was great to see The Johnsons, The Twals, The Boultons and Glonchaks. Funniest part was as I packed the car, my next door neighbor (who has 2 girls) was getting into the car to go to Seal Beach as well so Alexa got to play with them at the beach too! Tuesday rolled around and Chris' parents came down. They helped us paint Brielyn's room put up chair rail and we all had a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (MY NEW FAV RESTAURANT) My dish was amazing.. try it next time it's CHICKEN COSTALETTA. Today I'm resting up for my SECRET night out with my sisters, mom and aunts!!!!! Except I kinda heard part of it.... I'll keep you posted and put up some pictures and updates. WHAT A WONDERFUL ONGOING 25TH.. THANKS EVERYONE....