Six weeks

Life is so busy that I can't seem to catch up! I wanted to be good about staying up to date on my blogs after Chloe made her entrance but the sun seems to be setting before I can find a minute to sit down and blog. Soooooo, I'm settling for keeping up every 2 weeks... since it takes me about a week to get it written now!!

Chloe turned 6 weeks. I can't believe how much this sweet girl has changed our lives.
Chloe Updates:

*Hasn't been to the doctor (for a regular checkup--see below for an update) since her 2 week checkup but has visibly grown in length and weight

*Eats 4-5oz every 3.5 hours (or so!) during the day but will sometimes go 5 -7 hours between her night feedings. One night, she went 8.5 HOURS!!! Just the last few days Ive been giving her 2-3oz before I go to bed. When she was going these long stretches it would be like 5:30pm to 12am but that would cause her to get up 12, 3, 6 and up for the day at 7:30... which mama didn't like so much!!

*Has been staying with Grammy for a couple hours twice a week and doing great. Even G-pa watched her for a while this past week and Jill came home to them snuggling in the chair  :)

*Starting to smile at me. I thought they were gassy smiles until I made noises and got a smile, looked away and was quiet then when I did the same thing about a minute later, I got another smile. Unless she has the most impeccable timing EVER, I'd say the smiles are starting!!!

*Hovering between Newborn and 0-3months clothing. Most newborn clothes are too tight but she can't quite fully keep up her 0-3 month bottoms!

*Does perfectly in the carseat. Every once in a while we have to rock her as soon as we put her in it but once she is snapped into the car, I've never once had to stop the car to calm, rock, or plug in her pacifier.

*Loves her swing to fall asleep in but still hates her activity mat. Whenever I lay her on it, she turns her head away and starts to cry within a matter of only a couple mins.

*Will rarely fall asleep during the day without her pacifier in but never, ever uses it to fall asleep at night.

*Growing back her hair on the top of her head. Poor girl had gone nearly bald on top (while keeping her long locks in the back though!) and is starting to get the little peach fuzz back.

Update: we went to the Dr yesterday after Chloe had a projectile vomit all over. I'd never seen such a thing and it was sooo sad. Turns out she has acid reflux which was causing her to cry and spit up after every feeding. He started her on some medication to keep the acid down. There is nothing they can do about the reflux action but this will at least help keep the acid in her tummy which also means the vomit will stay there too! She's had 2 doses of the medication and still gets fussy but no spit up at all. The doctor wasn't too worried about her though since she is 9lbs 2oz now!

Sample Schedule at 6 weeks:
7:30am Awake for the day
8 Eat, Awake until 9:30 or 10
10am Catnap in her swing until 11ish
11 Eat, Awake until 12:30
12:30-2:30 Sleep
2:30pm Eat, Awake 2:30-4
4-5:30 Sleep
5:30 Eat, Awake until 8 or sometimes 9
8or9 Sleep until I wake her...
10:30-11pm Eat (so mama can go to bed)
3:30am Eat
That schedule means one awesome thing: I'm usually only up once a night!

MY BABY GIRL IS SMILING!!!!!!!

Sounding like daddy...

Mommy update: After being steady at the same weight for 3 weeks now, the doctor said I will have to work to get the rest of my baby weight off. I'm blessed with GREAT genes which has made weight never be an issue for me. I've never had to choose to pass on dessert, take the stairs instead of the elevator and especially never had to turn on the Kinect instead of catching up on my favorite TV show. Buuuuut, this morning I started Operation: Kick Baby Weight in the Butt. I bought spinach (yes Tyson, I'm eating spinach just like you!) to make salads at lunch, yogurt and granola for breakfast, sipping my water while I drive PASSED Starbucks, and spending Chloe's first morning snooze working out with our Xbox Kinect. This will be good for me. The motivation may take a couple days to catch up but I'm excited to commit to this. Truthfully, I didn't want to write about this. I wanted to seem like it was no big deal and just silently lose it but it's a real fact of having a baby (or a real fact when you eat what you want and gain more than you should!). I don't want to seem vain or like I'm making a big deal out of a few pounds. I don't want to be insensitive to those that have a hard time with weight. Please know that it isn't my intention to be petty or callus but I want to be honest for those other girls that may be silently struggling with wanting to shed their baby weight too. So, honest facts: I had gained 30 lbs as of 5 days before Chloe was born (they didn't weight me upon checkin since I was so far dilated), lost 18 within the first 3 weeks and have been hovering at +12 ever since. I don't think obsessing about weight is healthy and I don't plan to be that way. I just want to be real about where I'm at and that I'd like to get back to pre-pregnancy weight so I can look good for my hot baby daddy :)

Ironically, I wanted to get back to posting my new recipes that I've tried but as I'm writing this, I realize that they aren't too healthy... Maybe next post I will have something a little healthier to suggest. Until then, here are my new finds this post:  Cinnamon Roll Casserole, Secret Fruit Salad, and my personal favorite: Kaelee's Fantastical Overnight French Toast. Trust me, it's that great!

Thanks for reading. I'm headed to eat my spinach salad with raspberry walnut vinaigrette now... and a side of cucumbers and apples :)

*Mama C & Sleeping Baby C*

A Weekend full of Ratliffs

Anyone that knows my family, knows we are close. I've got parents that I can only aspire to be like and the best set of brothers that a girl could ask for.... and if you don't believe me, just ask them. They'd be happy to tell you how great they are  :)

Let me start with a few pics of these guys then tell you about our time together...

When news of Chloe hit the family, they all planned trips out to Cali. My brothers have always been quite protective over me and made it very clear that they weren't letting me cook or clean while they were visiting. So, my brothers and their wives spoiled us rotten. We ate 3 hot meals a day, I had yard work done, our bathroom cleaned, lots of pictures taken of my baby girl, and some helpful advice on my daughter. Details? Why yes, I'd love to tell you more!

Justin is the oldest. The take charge, get-things-done kind of guy. He takes note of things that need done and steps up to do them. Poor guy definitely took care of the whole clan most of the time plus he did his very best with my screaming daughter. He is going to be a great daddy... someday. Until then, he will continue to take care of everyone else!

Tyson is the middle child. Humorous, life of the party. Laid back and always ready with a good comeback. The guy definitely can't sit still so he was always up for an adventure while he was here! He's got 2 kids at home and is a natural daddy. In fact, he is so comfortable with a little one in his hands, he even knows how to keep one occupied while he works hard!

Heather married Justin this past summer. She is goofy but is willing to sit down and have a deep conversation with you. She is passionate about her work and so anxious to be a mommy. Therefore, she smothered Chloe with kisses, took tons of photos, and learned as much as she could about caring for babies. It was the most time I've ever got to spend with her and it was fun to learn more about who she is. And as her and Justin walked into the airport to head home, Sarah made the perfect summary: we are so glad that Justin found her.

And last but certainly not least, Sarah married Tyson almost 6 years ago. She mothers two sweet babies and had so, so much helpful info for me. In the evening, Sarah would pace back and forth to put Chloe to sleep. And, after a night or two of being fussy all evening, Sarah suggested soy formula might help Chloe's tummy. While Luke and I tried to calm our screaming girl, her and Tyson ran to Walmart for the formula. By the next day, Little Missy was much happier. I felt comfortable to ask her questions about anything from poop to eating, burps to clothing. What a blessing!! Plus, she made a killer glazed ham and cheesy potatoes!

Like I said, my family is great. Our weekend was busy but not with visiting places or seeing landmarks,  it was spent around the table, shopping, eating, watching movies, and catching up on the life that we are missing by being separated in 3 states. Here are a few more moments from our time together:

(couples)

(comparing who's gut is bigger...)

(making roast & mashed potatoes)

(Chloe hanging out with the uncles while they worked)

(nap time)

 awesome picture Aunt Heather!!

Uncle Justin lovin'

(Buddha-belly baby)

And finally I am going to leave you with a video of Justin attempting to burp Chloe. Too hilarious!! Tyson is explaining with words, I'm trying to show him, and the whole situation is a typical Ratliff moment. Pardon my pajamas, Little Missy had just peed all over me  :)

So here's my summary of the weekend, I'm one blessed & spoiled girl. I spent some awesome time shopping with my sister in laws. They are the closest thing I will ever get to actual sisters and it was fun to have family to do girlie things with. As far as my brothers are concerned, they are awesome. Period. Thank you for making the time so special for us.  Now, who is ready to start planning our time together next year?!?

Three weeks so quickly turned to four....

My baby girl is turning one month old.

 ONE MONTH!!

I'm amazed every day. Usually at least once a day Luke and I will look at each other and say "I don't understand _____" and we fill in the blank with the thing the newborn has confused us with that day. It's fun to start learning her a little but there is still so many times we haven't got a clue what she's thinking.

Our beloved Mimi left last Friday. What a blessing she had been through the first 3 weeks of Chloe's life. She smothered our girl with an immeasurable amount of kisses, cooked, cleaned, and spoiled us rotten. But, unfortunately, that life isn't reality. This first week without her has been better than I thought. Doing all the feedings myself through the night, putting our frozen meals in the crockpot for dinner, and attempting to keep up with the dishes and laundry hasn't been as tricky as I pictured... However, it's only been 7 days so that feeling might change in another 7. Luke usually spends the evenings holding, feeding, and changing Chloe so I can catch up with our house a little bit which helps so much! We are so, so grateful for the time that my mom got to stay and until next time, we are showing her lots of pictures and Skype when possible so Chloe doesn't ever forget her far-away Mimi and Papa!

Here is the things I will want to remember:
*She is now consistently eating 3oz (90mL) per feeding. No fluctuation anymore. Mama will sometimes sneak 10-15 extra mL at night to get a few more mins of shut-eye but usually she outsmarts me and is done at 90mL anyway!

*Here is an example of her schedule right now:
7:30am -- Eat, Awake until 9-9:30
10:30am -- Eat, Awake until 11-11:30
1:30pm -- Eat, Awake until 3:30
4:30pm -- Eat, Awake until 5:30
7:30pm -- Eat, Awake on & off until 9:30-10 (still cranky time!)
10-ish pm -- Eat and right into bed
2am -- Eat, Rock about 10 mins, Asleep
5am -- Eat, Rock about 10 mins, Asleep
Each night is truly different but that's just a general timeline for our day.

*She will fight & fight & fight if you swaddle her with her hands inside the blanket. From conked out to wide awake is the result of trying to sneak her arms under the covers! As a result, we made a trip to the consignment store to add a couple PJs with hand covers to her collection because her hands get so cold at night.

*When she is having a little meltdown and I can't get her to calm down, I've found a solution that works every time....

One night when she was awake screaming at 2 am, I put her in there with the laundry room fan on until she fell asleep then tiptoed with her to her room (still in the basket, I might add) and left her in there to sleep!! I was too nervous that I'd wake her if I put her in the crib  :)

*Poor girl is balding in the front!! She is losing her hair on top of her head while the back continues to be out-of-control!

Three Week Pictures

**One Month**

She is a diva and I'm okay with that... for now :)