Alien Baby McDonald

Does Three Months Really Change Everything?

2009-10-08T10:33:00.004-05:00

I kept hearing everyone say it, "It gets easier after they turn 3 months." I believed it at first, but in the middle of her 2nd month I was so overwhelmed I wasn't sure it was really true.

Then this past Saturday she turned 3 months old!

I had really been struggling with the balance of playing, loving and being with her in general and taking care of the tasks of a household manager. Several things happened so I'm not sure if it was just one of them that made the difference or all of them together, but I really do feel like it is getting easier.

So what happened other than Quinn turning 3 months? I figured out that after Quinn wakes up anywhere between 6 and 8 AM for her first morning feeding that I can put her back to bed. (Shocking I know... but for awhile she was so wide awake at her first feeding that she just would not go back to sleep) I read The Five Minute Jump Start the Day Routine by Melissa at The Inspired Room and started doing a few of those things after Quinn was back in bed. In the morning the bed gets made, dishes get handled and a load of laundry gets thrown in. Lastly, she's really started to like her Bumbo and enjoys sitting with me while I do things like stuff and fold her diapers, make phone calls and balance our budget.

She's so inquisitive and alert. We are really starting to have fun together.

Yes I Cloth Diaper but I'm not exactly an Earth Mamma

2009-10-05T16:16:00.013-05:00

I still remember the first time someone asked if we had considered cloth diapers. I think the exact words out of my mouth were, "Hell no! I don't want poop in my washing machine! That is so gross." I'm beginning to think I should never say never. Especially since only 3 years ago Ryan and I swore we would NEVER have children.

Ryan did the initial research, and got me interested. Poop didn't have to go in my washing machine because of diaper sprayers and cloth diapers are not the same as when I was a kid. No more diaper pins.

Than goodness for Jillian's Drawers or I would have been too overwhelmed by all the choices to try anything. Their Changing Diapers Changing Mind s program got me over my initial nervousness. Looking back at the pictures I took of Quinn in her first cloth diapers is weird... she was sooo skinny.

Thirsties Fab Fitted WITHOUT a cover... It was just so darn cute.

Thirsties Cover over a Chineese Prefold held together with a Snappi

We tried the others but I didn't take any pictures of them on her... anyway... the whole point of this post...

I'm not an earth mamma, I chose cloth diapers to save money and because I thought they were just so darn cute. It was tough at first. When we were trying the different types I thought she didn't like them because she seemed to get really fussy any time she was in one. She was such a heavy wetter as a newborn (probably because she ate like crazy) but I was determined because I liked them so much (I'm really not sure why I liked them so much in the beginning... I just did) and we ended up buying a whole stash (28 to be exact) of BumGenius 3.0 One Size Pocket Diapers.
It's been a month and I still love them and Quinn does too. They are not difficult to take care of. Since she's not a newborn anymore the poopy diapers are less frequent meaning I don't have to use the diaper sprayer that often. I throw them in the wash every other day with a no scent, no additive, no brightener detergent and stuffing them doesn't take that long. They are so soft against her skin, no harsh chemicals, no diaper rash, we are saving money AND we are not filling the landfills with diapers that take forever to break down. It's a win for everyone.

Where does my time go?

2009-09-01T14:49:00.004-05:00

Most days I look up and it's noon and I fell like I just woke up but I've been awake since 7 or 8. So where exactly does this time go?

Quinn wakes up at 7ish when Ryan's alarm goes off. She eats and is then awake and we play/converse for about an hour or two. She eats again. Mostly a snack. If I'm lucky Quinn goes to sleep and I get in the shower, if not I put her in her crib and turn on the mobile. That buys me a little bit of time. I shower and if Quinn is awake she's usually fussy by now. Just wants attention though... so we play some more. She eats again, a full meal this time, I dress her and finish getting myself ready, and it's now at the earliest 11. It seems like so little accomplished for 3 or 4 hours but I have to say that it is the most precious time of my day.

Bonus! Quinn watching herself on the monitor. Love!

She's Here!

2009-08-10T11:19:00.002-05:00

So I lost focus on blogging but I really didn't have much to say in the last few months of my pregnancy. Quinn is now here and 5 weeks old. Over the next week I will try to catch you up on the last 5 weeks of our lives.

Loosing my Cool

2009-04-11T19:31:00.005-05:00

With Quinn's due date approaching it was time to start thinking about a new car but I swear... I didn't know it was considered a minivan. As a matter of fact, the salesman said it was NOT a minivan. But according to both Edmonds.com and Cars.com the Mazda 5 is indeed a minivan. Look at this thing...

It's not that tall, it's not that long, there is no way it could be a minivan. Well, except for the sliding doors and 3rd row of seating. Yes, I said it. I'm looking at a car with sliding doors and a 3rd row of seating. Now, I didn't actually get to drive it. The salesman wouldn't just take a copy of my drivers license, he had to have my phone number too and Ryan just flat out wouldn't give it to him. We had been to 4 other dealerships and none of them required a phone number. But none the less, I sat in it and discovered that I liked it. Ryan's face was a mixture of disgust and pleasure. He liked it too. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. I was just getting used to the idea of driving a car that is considered a wagon, and now I find that I just might like to drive a minivan. I've officially lost my cool.

She moves! and moves... and moves...

2009-03-31T11:43:00.003-05:00

I don't know if I'm just hyper sensitive to all touch including that of my unborn child, or if she's going to turn out to be a squirmer like I was. But Quinn darling.... you are driving your mommy crazy! The doctor (not my normal doctor but the one I had to meet just in case my doctor falls ill or is out of town) told me that right now, she has alot of room to move around. Gee, no kidding.

Only 3 more months to go... Wait... what?!?!

2009-03-26T10:44:00.003-05:00

So I'm trying not to stress out but I only have 3 more months before Quinn shows up and let me tell you, I don't feel like I have anything to show for it. So I lie, I have a new master bedroom closet, a kitchen that is now painted red and a living room that was re-textured and painted and given hardwood floors but Quinn's room is still looking like a storage room. I'm ready for all the bright colors and the mural and the crib and all of the cute little girl clothes to invade that room. I'm ready for a long weekend to be able to do those things... but my boss is right, I'm going to want all of my vacation AFTER she is born.

She moves like she's just dancing away inside there. But I only notice the movement when I'm still. I do however feel her pushing against the outside of my stomach quite a bit. Is she trying to make a break for it? They say that her eyes are now open and her ears are way more sensitive. Poor little thing is probably being assaulted by all of the sounds that she hears at my job. And I wonder if she's tired of hearing my voice since I talk ALL day.

Oh little Quinn, I can't wait to meet you... but please... don't rush... there is still much to do before you get here.

Official Colors

2009-03-16T13:55:00.002-05:00

The official colors for Quinn's room have been chosen! I haven't decided if the walls will be mostly the orangeish color or more the yellowish color. Nothing more to report really... she moves around alot some days, not so much on others. Everything is going really well. I do however feel slightly more pregnant now. I had an hour and a half meeting this morning and couldn't wait to not be sitting in that uncomfortable chair! I guess, based on what people have said, that I look about a month more pregnant than I actually am.

Baby Deals

2009-03-05T23:43:00.002-06:00

So I have to keep myself from buying stuff... these sites have such great deals!!!

http://shnoop.com - Not always baby stuff, but there is from time to time

http://tottlers.com - I'm waiting to see something on here other than socks... but they are pretty darn cute socks!

http://www.babysteals.com - New deal at 9am MST every day!

https://www.mamabargains.com - My favorite thus far. We bought our stroller from here!

http://www.geniusbabies.com/deal-of-the-day.html - I think this one has been the same thing for the past few days...

http://www.greenbabybargains.com - Earth friendly deals!

https://www.mockstarbaby.com - haven't found anything I'm crazy about on this one yet... but it's always possible.

http://www.babyearth.com/baby-sale.html - Daily deals and clearance items.

http://mamasdailydeal.com - I've seen more jogging strollers on this site than anything. We shall see if that is the trend.

And a great site for overall deals to be found: http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com

To Catch you up!

2009-02-27T13:39:00.005-06:00

So, I haven't updated much but it's all been really uninteresting up until now. I can now feel little Quinn rolling and moving around. I'm finally not really all that tired and the nesting has set in.

I went to register the other day and the whole thing is overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that they give you this huge long list of things that you "need" and it's such a crock! I don't need a diaper genie or a baby wipe warmer and I'd rather not register for breast pads and q-tips. And from what I understand, different babies like different bottles and different diapers so no matter what I think she might want, I could be wrong. And, while I'm on the subject, how the heck should I know what I want in a diaper bag until I figure out what exactly I'll need to carry with me. Looking at all of the baby clothes though... now that was fun!

Ryan has found some amazing baby deals sites. I'll post the links later. My favorite one right now is MamaBargains. Not only are the deals fantastic (50+% off retail prices) but the customer service is amazing!

So, We've picked out (and purchased) the bedding, crib and overall colors for the room. And Ryan has done a rough sketch of a mural we are going to paint on one of the walls of her room. I'll attach the photos and then I'll be done for the day.

P.S. the colors seem way more vibrant in person. Maybe I'll scan in an actual swatch later.

It's a GIRL!!!!

2009-02-27T12:41:00.006-06:00

So, I'm sure most of you know this news by now since I'm so late in posting, but here are the pictures from the visit about a month ago.

Introducing Quinn Laurette McDonald

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T09:45:00.002-06:00

We went out last night to welcome in the new year and the sister of one of our friends had her 2 month year old with her. As I was holding the baby it was so surreal to realize that I'm not that far away from having one of my own. I can't wait!

Oh... and you should have seen Ryan holding the baby! It was so sweet. He's going to be such a fantastic father.

New Pictures!!!

2008-12-18T21:07:00.006-06:00

I Swear the Cats Know

2008-12-16T17:07:00.002-06:00

For the past month or more Wookie, who is usually right up near my face at all times, has decided he needs to be laying near or across my lower abdomen and FizzGig who is usually content at my side with his paws on me has to be in my lap if I'm sitting up. Both purr loudly. I hope the little alien finds the purring soothing and not too annoying as I'm sure this behavior is only going to get worse as time goes on. Tyler Durden has changed a bit too as he is now more interested in what the humans are up to, but he's still not a cuddle cat.

We are going through our annual we have to be creative or atleast silly for our Christmas cards thought process. I think we will include a "picture" of the little one but figuring out how to do this in a creative, fun and not tacky sort of way is becoming a challenge.

Hello and Welcome

2008-12-15T18:29:00.000-06:00

So I'm 2 days away from being 12 weeks pregnant. I can't wait to make the public announcement although I can't say I've held my tongue very well. I know it's bad luck but I'm just so darn excited. So to get you up to speed:

At 6 weeks 6 days we saw our little alien for the first time!

Last week we heard the heartbeat. It was absolutely amazing! On Wednesday we have our 2nd sonogram. I can't wait!