.Hollis Parker Week Six.

MONDAY:
We had a SUPER busy weekend. We were all tired. Hollis stayed in her jams (pajamas) all day. She didn't seem to mind. It was also grandma Carol's birthday! We sent her some birthday love!
We got our last meal from the meal train from the wonderful Alonso family. I even got to hang out for a bit with Melissa and the handsome Xander. The girls went downstairs to play with the other girls! The Alonso's got Hollis an amazing book! It is special to her name. As the book progresses, it spells out her NAME! It is so adorable. We were all in bed by 9:45. Sleepy. Sleepy. Sleepy.

TUESDAY:
Today, Sofia the First joined us as we played with the play yard in our fancy dress for the day! I love to try and hit the lion on the play yard! He rattles. I got to wear a beautiful H&M dress. I look so good in color! Mommy was finally able to get me to participate in my one month photos. I smiled a bit, then got really wiggly. Of course, as soon as mommy got me all dressed, background laid out, etc. she turned on the camera. NO BATTERY! Well, where is the charger?! MISSING! Not good. We are still on the hunt for it.

Sofia with a hott mess of hair!

eye contact: Hollis specialty!

Playing babies! <3

lion-->my favorite!

Fancy dress, fancy bow, fancy shoes!

<3

WEDNESDAY:

GO BATT! :) (Stella has a bit of a crush on #5)

Hollis hangs out with Cheryl in the concession stand! 

Post game photo op! <3

Someone got her birth certificate in the mail! She is legit now! 

THURSDAY:

Six weeks post-partum! Headed to the doctor!

we meet again lion!

Braves baseball is always fun! Stella loves to watch! Go Braves! 

FRIDAY:

I just love love love this romper! It was a bit snug (not why she is crying) so I decided to retire it to the too small bin. But, I had to get a picture of her in it. I just love it! 

This is a burp cloth. Well... Alissa and Mia came to visit, so we spent some time at the Dorsey's so Stella and Mia could play! I was sitting in the living room, I smell something burning, and BAM! I walk into the kitchen and this caught on fire on a candle! Yikes! 

Mia and Stella were funny. They talk about each other all the time... then when the time came to play, they weren't feeling it. They were cordial to each other. 

They did play on the trampoline together! it was funny to watch them bounce and fall. hehe. 

SATURDAY:
Alissa, Mia, Hollis and I headed to the mall. I had a big list of things that needed accomplished. It didn't go very well. I felt like a nut walking around, screaming kid.... kid who needs to potty.... having to nurse Hollis. Hot mess! Hollis would scream and Mia had to use the potty. CONSTANT cycle. Nothing was accomplished! Nothing!

SUNDAY:

We got to hear Vera sing at church on Sunday. She sang beautifully! It was great to see the young girl be so active! Way to go Vera!! :) 

Hollis did the usual sleep during church deal! She does a great job in church and everyone loves to hold her! :) She got to wear a dress without tights too! The weather was nice enough. Whew!

Week.6.Postpartum.Questions.

How far along: 6 weeks post partum

Total weight gain: one pound LESS than pre-pregnancy weight!

Maternity clothes: Not any more.. they don't fit. My regular clothes are fitting, but not like they used to. 

Stretch marks: Yup. It is amazing what you can see when you give birth. The belly is gone, by I can see the marks now! 

Sleep: We get good sleep. Hollis sleeps from about 10p-4a, eats, then goes back to sleep immediately until about 7a. :) Glorious!

Best moment of this week: Follow up doctor appointment went wonderfully. Healed and ready to get back in the gym. (and tanning... hehe)

Miss anything: I miss not being able to just go go go. Baby reminds me to stop every two hours during the day. She needs to eat. hehe. 

Movement: Hollis is a mover! (just like in the womb) She kicks, tries to stand, lifts her head up, flails her arms, and can lift her head. She has rolled a few times. So strong!

Food cravings: Just trying to get back on track. I need to find a good breastfeeding diet that will help me get back on track and still be healthy for Hollis. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I get a massive headache immediately after she starts screaming. It could be a mixture of sleepiness and the loud SCREAMING. 

Have you started to show yet: I still have a belly. It isn't big enough to warrant maternity clothes, but I would love for the little pouch to go away. hehe.

Gender: Little Lady! Hollis Parker <3

Labor signs: DONE AND OVER WITH! :) 

Belly button in or out: in. stretch mark is reddish. 

Wedding rings on or off: on. 

Happy or moody most of the time: So happy. She is amazing. It is very overwhelming when she is screaming and I have no solution. (I don't want to be 'that' family in public)

Looking forward to: Watching this little one grow-up! <3

Six Week Follow Up... Yikes!

I can't lie. I was super nervous about my follow up appointment with my doctor. I haven't been brave enough to check out the situation down there... no desire to see that (especially if it is a hot mess!). So.. I left that up to the doctor! Hollis and I got there about 5 minutes early. Well, Hollis wanted nothing to do with being in her carseat ((she really doesn't appreciate it)) so she was out and looking around in her cute bow and outfit. Everyone loved her!

Just being a fuss in the waiting room... She looks calm here.. she was fussing!

So, back we go to scale. Errr... not excited about that. Sure did take off my shoes.. that counts! haha. I just laid Hollis on the chair that was next to the scale. Where else was I supposed to put her? The nurses loved her. So, got weighed and walked to the room. Back to the awful paper 'blanket', if you can call it that. The assistant was shocked at how alert and strong Hollis is. She said, "She isn't a typical 6 week newborn." John and I have thought this since she was about a week old. She is just so strong! Anyway, in came the doc. We had a conversation about birth control, exercise, nursing, and just googled over Hollis. She loved her baby announcement! She had seen her picture on Facebook already! I am waiting to get the pictures back so I can print it for her. It was part of my gift for her from the delivery. I can't wait to print it for her! I am excited to get back into working out. Before I got pregnant, I had been going to the gym (not as much as I should have... but I went!) so I want to get back into it. No one can predict the shape that will be left over after a pregnancy. It is a strange thing. I have a lot of work to do. I have a goal. I will keep you updated on my workouts and if they work.

Because Hollis was fussing, I was holding her. She was fine. It was kind of weird to be getting an exam and your baby is on your chest. It was also weird to be there and not be pregnant! So strange but amazing! As soon as the doctor left the room, Hollis lost her shit! She was screaming!!! She needed a diaper change AND fed. Good timing baby. So, I changed her, and then fed her. I felt bad for staying in the room, but when this girl needs to eat, she needs to eat!


Tips for your 6 Week Postpartum Check-Up:

1. Research birth control options so you can decide at the office to either schedule another appointment (for IUD etc) or so that it can be sent to the pharmacy.

2. Try to feed baby before you are there. Mine was sleeping so it wasn't possible, but if you can, I would. Could prevent a melt-down.

3. Don't be too nervous. I was so scared it would hurt. It was fine. No pain. Just like a normal checkup.

4. Make a list of questions you have. You don't see or contact your OBGYN often.. so get it all done while you are there.

5. Don't stress about the scale. I called at week 3 asking if I could work out. I got the go ahead at my appointment. (I guess I shouldn't rush things)

6. Talk to your doctor about the having sex again. He/She may have advice to make it at least somewhat enjoyable.

7. THANK YOUR DOCTOR! This person brought you safely through a SERIOUS body change and life event. I know some people don't think the doctor does much... only swoops in at the end, but I am so glad I have the doctor I have. She was consulted and knew exactly what was going on while I was in labor. (If she were sitting by my side the whole time, no one would be at the office... and that isn't fair to those patients. Trust me, I would be ticked if I had an appointment and she weren't there because someone was in labor!) My doc is encouraging, kind, and great at what she does. :)

Six weeks ago I gave birth. I am doing great. Feel great and my body is healing. My baby is growing, healthy, and loves to smile! :)

-Alexis-

*Hollis' Easter Attire*

I have had my eye on this Easter dress before Hollis was born. I am so blessed. Aunt Karmon bought it for Hollis and I knew I wanted to add a fun Easter hat. Don't you remember always wearing a new dress, gloves, tights, white shoes, and HAT! I knew it was a necessity. haha. So.. I was on the hunt. I have searched for a while. I finally found a pin on Pinterest of a little doll hat on a headband. I can do that... so, I did. I am in love with the final result and it was easy and cheap to do. (much better than the $30.00 from Janie and Jack) 

I already told John we are going to be the purple family... now I need to find a purple dress! :)

Dress from BabyGap and Hat by Me!

They are a perfect match! (just add white tights and silver glitter shoes!)

Close Up: Hat was a doll hat from Hobby Lobby I sprayed white. I added the embellishments with hot glue. They were a set from Hobby Lobby from the scrapbooking section. Then I hot glued the headband (from etsy set years ago). I can't wait to see it all together on Hollis!

This will be the fun outfit she will wear when she gets out of her Easter dress and hat. It is a hand-me-down, but adorable! I can't wait!

What are you and your littles wearing for Easter?

-Alexis-

*Baby's First Easter Basket*

I am so excited to celebrate Easter with Hollis as part of the family. It is a real holiday that we can celebrate together. It is the first time John and I went to Liberty Hill Church (3 years ago) and of course it is fun to have an Easter basket! I have Hollis' all ready to go. I am so excited to 'share' it with her. She will have no idea, but it will be fun with a lot of pictures. We are planning to go to church in the morning and then head to Aunt Tiff and Uncle Pete's to see the family.

I did a little research on things to put in baby's first Easter basket, and I decided to do my own. I am putting things in it that I know we will use at the tiny age of only 6 weeks. She has plenty of toys and can't eat jelly beans... so this is what I came up with. :)

Hollis' First Easter Basket Contents

 1. eggs filled with hair clips (I bought the flowers at craft stores and glued clips to the back to make bows)
2. Two Rompers (hot air balloons and chevron) from Kohl's (only $6.00 each!)
3. Two Sleepers (woodland animals and bunny) from Kohl's (only $7.00 each!)
4. My First Easter Bib (bought this consignment)
5. The Story of Easter board book (bought at Meijer)
6. Chocolate Cross (gotta have some chocolate... Kroger-$1.00)
7. Aden+Anais Stroller Blanket ($20 at Buy Buy Baby)
8. Basket to be used yearly (I bought burlap circles to add her name to it... coming soon)
9. Bunny Stuffed Animal (This was a gift in the hospital from my sister and niece but I can't find a better one, so I added it to her basket. They got it at the hospital gift shop but it is AMAZING and adorable!)
10. Bunny's Bow (I made this with leftovers from Hollis' Easter hat to match)

All packaged up in the basket <3

-All Ready for Easter-

What did you put in your child's first Easter basket?

-Alexis-

::One Month::

After about a week of trying, I finally got Hollis in the onesie to get the picture taken. So... it isn't super accurate, but close enough. It was this or a screaming picture. I prefer her sweet little face! <3

Someone was a little squirmy... and I only had my iPhone to get these pictures. The battery for our camera is dead and I can't find the charger... classic! I am excited about these pictures!

*I have big plans for these pictures. I saw it online. Each month is a different fabric. Then at the end, you put the fabrics together for her 1 year pictures. I have all the fabrics (thanks for helping Michelle) and I am ready to go... now to just get Hollis to participate*

-Alexis-

*Hollis's First Acro Class*

Like I said, when we visited Oglebay Institute (dance studio where I used to work) I knew that we were in for a fun day! Hollis loved to listen to the tap sounds. I am so glad... maybe she will be another tapper! (I loved tap and acro...not ballet so much) Miss Kim took her upstairs and Hollis got to try a few things for acrobat!

This could be one of my favorite pictures of Hollis. <3 She was ready to take on what Miss Kim had in store! Momma's girl!

Backhandspring? Let's try a back-bend first...

I love my tummy time. This made it 100 times more fun! Front handspring?

Just working it!

My first official chinstand! Mommy hated these, so you can excel at them if you want Hollis! 

TA-DA!

Time to work on my balance! (could this outfit be any cuter?!)

Doing great... future olympian? nah... just acro!

This is not as fun as it looks. Hard work. Miss Kim makes you work! <3

Second favorite picture. The face! <3<3 I can rock a balance beam and pink ruffles!

I can only imagine the conversation. I am sure it was about working on her feet. :) 

Here is a quick video. I couldn't get it to turn the right way. Sorry.... turn your head. 

I have already started my research on dance studios in central Ohio. I am not looking for the most wins at a competition, I am looking for technique and ability. I will keep looking. I have a few that I have in the back of my head. Mommy and Me classes are close! I can taste it! :D

-Alexis-