Last trip to Franklin

As our time here is winding down we have been trying to get out to all of our favorite places knowing that it is likely we may never be in Nashville again. My eyes water up just thinking about it. They also water up thinking about how much packing I still have left to do even though I have been packing for two days now. 

 Franklin is a southern suburb of Nashville, where all of the famous country singers have their ranches and country houses. It is quaint and has a great downtown square. This time we stopped in the Factory, above, where there are antique shops and novelty stores. We decided to get dessert before lunch and shared a scoop of banana cream ice-cream, my favorite! Riley loved it too!

 We stopped and had lunch at Riff Burger, the decor was really retro and the burgers were pretty good. Overall, I would recommend to anyone heading out towards Franklin.

On a side note, Riley has apparently gotten too big for her swing. She never liked the swing, but it came in handy during showers. In fact, the swing is permanently in the bathroom because that is the only time she is ever in it. Well she has managed to wiggle her arms free, grab a hold of the top and pull herself up to a stand. I know this might sound silly, but where has my baby gone?

We love the park

We might as well just pack up and move to the park, we have been spending so much time there lately. I am trying to enjoy these days as much as I can knowing I will be working full time soon. The weather has been so perfect here lately and when the sun is out, so are we.

 Riley is getting so big! Look at that belly and look at how good she is at sitting up on her own!

We just laid on our blanket and watched the planes go by. It was bliss.

I love days like these.

Introducing Solid Food

 Riley had rice cereal for the first time today. She picked up the whole eating thing right away and even grabbed the spoon from me and tried to feed herself!

Now that she has had rice cereal, the question is what should we give her next? Sweet potatoes, peaches, bananas? I can't wait to start whippin' up some yummy stuff for our little love bug!

Do not try this at home

5 Months

Our sweet little love bug is 5 months old and this is what she is up to these days:

• She sits up on her own
• Has a new fascination with her tongue, sticking it out and pointing it while making this crazy face I can't even describe. She will literally stop whatever she is doing to make this ridiculous face and stick her tongue out. It is hilarious!
• Has flown in an airplane across the country, and did great. 
• Tries to drink water out of the faucet when she gets baths (don't worry, I don't let her)
• Eats bubbles when she is taking a bath (I try to stop her)
• Is quite the wiggle worm during tummy time and flips from back to front, and turns 360 degrees
• Likes sucking on her toes.
• Talks like crazy, and if you don't respond she starts yelling
• Pinches like crazy and I swear I almost cry when she gets me good (like when she grabbed the side of my neck and I swore she almost ripped an artery out)
• Gives lots of kisses by grabbing onto our face, opening her mouth, and rubbing it all over (thanks for the bath Ry baby)
• Has recently started fake coughing, even though she has never had a real cough
• Right before she eats she opens her mouth, sticks out her tounge and pants like she is dying of thirst
• Has not started to eat solids yet

Needless to say this girl is a character! I can't believe we are almost half way through her first year.

Happy Baby!

Most of the time anyways :)

4 months!

Riley had her 4 month doctors appointment yesterday, and everything went well. Although I might of had a mini-heart attack when the doc spent a good 2 minutes listening to her heartbeat. It usually takes no more than 15 seconds, so when he kept moving the stethoscope around her chest and listening, it made me nervous. He said she was breathing at the same pace with her heart, so he thought she might have a heart murmur, but she doesn't! Whew!

By the way what is it with parents of sick kids letting those germy little rascals run around the waiting room touching all of the toys/books and contaminating all of the air! I was thoroughly annoyed, and wanted to tell a couple of moms, "don't you see that sign over there for the sick waiting area?!" Ugh, so inconsiderate!

So here are the 4 month stats:

13 lbs 13 oz (Josh was way off with his prediction of 16 lbs)

24.5 inches long (tall?)

still no signs of a Chapa-sized head

Doc gave the green light for solid foods, so Josh and I are probably going to try out some rice-cereal this weekend. Pics definitely to follow. On Valentine's day we took Riley to Buca di Beppo and I put a little juice from my lemon on her lips. I know this is like the oldest trick in the books for causing funny baby faces, but it worked like a champ and had us laughing hysterically.  Sorry I have no pictures, I know you would love them!

We are getting so excited to take her to Arizona in less than 4 weeks! I am going to have a hard time sharing my little love bug, but I can't wait for everyone to see just how adorable and feisty this girl really is!

Ever since both of my grandmas joined facebook I have found myself with little motivation to blog, since they were my primary audience before. But, I am already starting to regret not blogging more during this time for myself, since I don't keep up with a journal this is really the best way to keep track of the little details that fade with time. So, I am going to try to start writing more often. I can't even tell you how many half-written posts are sitting unpublished, I just never really know where I am going with these things.

We have been pretty busy over here at the Chapa house. Our schedules are opposite, so when I am at work Josh is home with Riley and as soon as I get home he quickly puts on his shoes gives his girls a kiss and is out the door on his way to work. It is a bummer not spending much time together, but it is nice that we both get to spend so much one-on-one time with Riley and I think we both know how lucky we are to have that. She is growing and changing so much every day it is amazing. In the last week or so she has learned that when she cries, she gets picked up. She wants to be held all the time, but not in cradle position like before, she needs to be upright with a view of her surroundings. If I set her down and walk away she follows me with her big sparkly eyes and as soon as I am out of sight the yelling begins.And I mean yelling, not baby crying, but screechy shouts, like "hey you, get back here!" It's hard getting anything done, but a little bit of me enjoys the fact that she knows her Mama and wants her around all of the time.

Before last week Riley had never been on the floor, nearly 4 months old and this little girl has NEVER been on the floor, such a diva! We actually have  polished concrete floors that are cold and hard (even with a blanket down), but when I bought a yoga mat I knew it would be perfect for tummy time. Riley loves it, and Lola loves it even more. As soon as I put Riley down Lola is in total investigation mode sniffing booty, nibbling toes and standing on baby's back (good thing she is only 5 lbs). 

They are BFFs. They might not know it yet, but I see a great friendship on the horizon for these two :)

Just because she's cute

 

Just woke up from a nap.

If Riley could just stay this size/age for a little bit longer I would be pleased. She is perfectly aware of her surroundings and interested in everything, but isn't yet mobile. She still loves to snuggle, but also has quite the sassy attitude. And...just look at those cheeks! I love being her mommy!

PS I need to either learn how to use my camera, or get a new one. My pictures are always blurry and the lighting is always funky! Urgh! I hear babies do great things for your tax return. Maybe this little credit of ours will earn us a new camera! Any suggestions?

7 weeks

Baby Riley is 7 weeks old today, I can hardly believe it.
She had her 6 weeks appointment last Monday and Doc says she is looking great!

So here is a little run down on Riley at 7 weeks:

• She has slept 7 hours straight the past 2 nights, and all of this uninterrupted sleep is actually making mommy more tired. 
• She weighed in at 9lb 11oz and measured 22 inches at her last appt. 41% for weight, 61% for height, up from 20% and 23% at 3 weeks. Which is so validating, if you have ever been a nursing mother you know what I mean.
• She is eating about 8 times a day down from 10, thank God. 
• She smiles and coos all day. 
• My favorite time is at night when I lay her down next to me and the room is silent and lit up by the moon, her big eyes still open and she looks me straight in the eyes and smiles. I smile back and we drift off to dreamland.  
• And yes, she is sleeping in our bed. Doc says she better be in her crib by 4 months or else we will be in trouble! I can't help it though, I love having her next me, hearing her sigh with her exhales, plus she sleeps so much longer!
• She can roll from fer back to her tummy.
• Loves having her feet rubbed and likes getting her diaper changed.
• She is still in newborn diapers. 
• Her eyes are still dark gray, no color yet. 
• Mommy and daddy are wrapped around her finger!

4 weeks old

I finally found my camera! Here are some pictures to hold you over until I find the time to write about life with my baby.

10-23-2010

Riley Jo Chapa

3:10pm 

7 lbs 10 oz

20 inches 

More to come soon...

Get Out of Here!

2 days past my due date and only 1 centimeter dilated. Really?! 

Things I am looking forward to:

• Holding my baby girl and snuggling and kissing her
• Playing dress up
• Having a waist
• Laying on my stomach!!!!

Things I am doing to get labor started:

• Walking up and down the 6 floors of stairs in our building
• Eating spicy food
• Buying castor oil, just in case I get the guts to actually drink it
• Hoping the full moon tomorrow really can induce labor

 

HUGE

38 weeks and 4 days

At the state capitol after our stop at Oktoberfest in Germantown

Sorry to all of the strangers who were touched by my tummy. What? It's not like I can suck it in and the crowd was tight, especially by the beer tents.
By the way, take special notice of the tree on the right. Yep, the leaves are changing. Fall is here. Just in time for visitors!

Riley Jo - We're Ready for You!

 Your diaper bag is packed and ready to go.

 You now have plenty of books thanks to Grand-Jen and mommy's wonderful co-workers who threw you a surprise "Stock the Bookshelf" baby shower. These are  the ones that don't fit on your bookshelf.

And mommy has started to pack her bag for the hospital with pretty things. A pretty new pillow case, slippers, robe and socks, face wipes, toiletries, headbands, and a nursing bra are sitting snug waiting for the big day.



Oh, and we even have your "nursery" ready.

Everyone keeps asking about Riley's nursery. Well, this is it for now. She has bedding and other stuff for a room, but we are in a one bedroom right now so this will have to do for now.

So, we are officially ready for baby Riley to make her grand appearance. I have been making jokes for the past couple months about how I don't want her to come out. I say things every day and then think, did I really just say that out loud? Today at my surprise baby shower I told everyone I was worried she would not be cute and when I put pictures on facebook people would think "yikes" but comment on how cute she was anyways. Who says that?! More importantly, what mommy-to-be says that? Really, I am not worried about this. Duh...of course she will be cute :)

The reality is that I have been really scared. Scared to go through labor and delivery. Scared to learn how to feed her and change her and bathe her. Scared to bring her home and have her rely on me for everything.

So I make jokes and tell people crazy things that make it sound like I am not excited for her.

But, I am!

 I can't wait to hold her and love on her and snuggle her and stare at her for hours.

In related news, I met the pediatrician this week and had our 38 week appt with the midwife. I gained 3 pounds since last week! I have started having Braxton Hicks that aren't painful at all but make my stomach get really tight and hard. I will keep you posted, cross your fingers that she arrives before my sister leaves!

New Moms, I need your help!!!

I have a couple of questions I need answered from new moms. Seriously friends, I NEED you to help me out with these, especially number 1.

1. Living out of state, everyone in our family wants to know when they should come out to meet the new baby. Should they come around the due date, right after the baby is born, or wait until after we have a routine down with baby and are not stressed with the whole, "we just brought home a new baby and are trying to entertain people at the same time" thing? What did you prefer when you first had your baby?

2. What do you wish you had with you during your hospital stay/ what did you love having with you during your hospital stay? Do I really need slippers, what type of clothes should I bring, am I really going to watch DVD's?

3. Any other advice? I know people say that everyone gives you unsolicited advice when you are pregnant, but I really haven't received any and I am really freaking out about everything now that I have less than 3 weeks left.

36 Weeks

Fall has finally arrived, and just in time for company! I had another busy week with the final installment of my weekend class wrapping up Saturday afternoon. Now I just have to get working on these papers and try to get them done before the baby comes.

 Josh and Lola enjoying the 60's on the balcony

My good friend Angelica and her boyfriend Jon were in town for the night on Saturday and I was sooooo excited to see her! She is our first friend to come visit and I loved having her here even though it was for such a short amount of time. We had dinner at Whiskey Kitchen and showed them around town Sunday morning before she had to jet off back to PHX. We had a little photo shoot on the terrace at our place, and this is the only shot I have of us. Hopefully Jon got some better pics with his pro self-timer skills.

 Jon, Angelica, Riley, Me and Josh

(Standing next to little Angelica you can really see how big this belly is!)

Less than 4 weeks to go...I don't think I can grow anymore!

This is becoming a habit

As I sit down to write this blog I am thinking it is going to look very similar to other posts. It seems all I can post lately is what I did over the weekend, baby bump pictures, or updates from my appointments. Well, I am stickin gwith my pattern for this post.

This weekend was crazy, like usual. Friday night Josh and I tried Pie in the Sky Pizza right by Vanderbilt. It was good, and really cute. We sat on the patio and while we were there a couple came with about 10 other people and were married! She wore a short strapless white dress and a flower in her hair, he wore jeans and an untucked white button up shirt. They brought 3 centerpieces, set them on the table, took their wedding license out of a manila folder signed it and then order pitchers of beer and pizza pies. I told Josh I thought they must have had their first date their or something. Why else would you get married at a pizza place?

On Saturday we attended "New Beginnings: Childbirth Preparation Crach Course" from 8:30-4:30! I didn't learn anything new about birth, but I did like learning about standard practices at Vanderbilt. I think it was very informative for daddy though, and he even got to try on the "empathy belly". He said it wasn't bad, but try carrying that around all day every day!

On Sunday morning we attempted to go to Pancake Pantry for the 5 millionth time, but the line was even crazier than normal so we went to Frothy Monkey instead. It is a trendy coffee shop in the 12 South neighborhood. I am going to take my sister here when she comes next month (only 4 more weeks, Chels!)

*I wrote the post like 3 days ago and forgot to post it...I will update with new baby bump (bulge) pictures soon, I promise!

Keeps growing and growing and growing....

34 weeks.

My stomach hurts from the stretching and I have forgotten what it looked like before. Sounds weird, but I cannot remember what my belly button looked like or how my clothes looked when they weren't being stretched over this giant bump.

On Thursday we met the sweetest family who provide in home child care, we also had an appointment and the baby is measuring right on track, like normal. We met with another one of the primary midwives this week, I really liked her. She was young and had a really cute dress. She spent a lot of time answering questions and acted interested when I told her stories that she probably didn't have time to hear. I told her how everyone always asks me why I have a midwife and not an OB, and how every time I say "midwife" people look at me confused and say, "are you having the baby at home, in the tub?" We giggled, because no I am not having my baby at home, she will be born at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Also, while they fully support natural birth, if I decide I want an epidural I can get one! I decided to go with the Vanderbilt Midwives instead of an OB because my beliefs on birthing follow closely with their philosophy:

"Pregnancy is a natural process. Everyone deserves a safe and satisfying birth experience. In most cases, birth can occur with very little intervention. With education and good communication between the family and the provider, our clients can make decisions about their care. We facilitate, not dictate the process, intervening only when indicated."

I am not a hippy, nor do I look down on women who choose OBs. Like most decisions, it really is just a matter of personal preference.

Weekend Happenings

Warning: the following post is a random compilation of this weekends happenings. It is all unrelated and disjointed but I am too tired to creatively tie it all together or do separate posts. Deal with it. : )

This weekend was one of those rare occasions where I found balance in recreational activities and chores. Chores including housework, shopping, and homework (blah).

Aside from finishing the third disk of Dexter Season 4, Josh and I took advantage of the nice weather and tried a restaurant that we had yet to experience. Taco Mamacita is in the Edgehill neighborhood, has a huge patio and the margaritas looked so good (no I did not have one, or even try Josh's). Also, there is a super cute baby store next door called Tweed, which I will be visiting the next chance I get!

We spent Saturday running errands, watching college football and eating wings.

Belly shot thrown in for no good reason.

Sunday morning I met with some friends and classmates to work on homework. Of course we were distracted by baby stuff and spent a good hour going over alternatives to the name we have picked for baby. Josh and I settled on name early on simply because it was the first name we agreed on and it just seemed to work. But, I do not particularly love it. The problem is that Josh only likes one other name that I am not a fan of and the names I love he will not even consider. I am also extremely picky about names. Not just the sound of the name, but also the aesthetics. I want a name that is visually balanced when written or typed. For instance I would never spell her name Rylie or Rylee because there is more going on on the left side than the right and it bugs me. The Y needs to go at the end! Is that crazy? 

So it looks like this is still her name:

Riley Jo Chapa

(Notice the balance of letters)

After a homework, baby talk and breakfast at Frothy Monkey, Josh and I took a drive through Percy Warner park with the windows down and the sunroof open, and talked about all the fun things that will come with having Riley here, outside of the womb.  

We finished off the drive with a stop at Whole Foods where we bought and devoured mini cupcakes and chocolate covered cheesecake bites. It was a sweet end to a great weekend.