5 months old! (updated)

Today Persephone is 5 months old! Can you believe it? Because I'm still having a little trouble with it.


What she's doing now...

- She's been mock holding her bottle during feedings. Most of the time she's unconsciously pulling it away from her mouth and you have to hold it in place so she doesn't keep yanking it out. Over the past couple of days I guess she's realized her arms move and she's been flailing them. Here's a video of her "tapping her leg" ha ha ha. Persephone tapping her leg .  At first I burst out laughing then I worried something was wrong with her. I know that sounds bad, but I'm just being honest. She's been grabbing/reaching for things a lot more...toys, our faces and even more fun - our glasses. She also "scratches" things. If she's sitting in our lap, she's constantly curling her fingers over our clothes or hers. I noticed she does this too when she wakes up from nap/sleep...she'll start scratching the bed before fully opening her eyes.

- She loves her fingers and toes! She almost always has her hands in her mouth, but when she's laying in the floor or in the pack 'n play she constantly pulls her feet up to her mouth. Persephone sucking on her toes

- She can officially give her "nini" back to herself. This is what we call the pacifier because I hate the words "paci" and "binky". I chose "nini" after a little terror named Mackenzie on the show Toddlers and Tiaras ha ha "WHERE'S MY NINI?!?!"

- She's been rolling to one side or the other for almost 2 months now, but last night she FINALLY rolled completely over from her back to her belly. I have caught her a couple of times flip from her belly to her back during the night when she was in her crib, but this was a first from back to belly. ((Does this sound as convoluted as it does when I read it??)) The first two times she did it we didn't say anything, but when she continued we started cheering and clapping. I took a couple of photos, of course my mom joked that anyone can take a picture of a baby on their back/belly and claim they rolled over. Soooo I recorded a video and did a FaceTime chat to prove her wrong ;)  Persephone Rolling Over

- What hair she does have is getting longer. She's now got a little bald ring around the back of her head.

- She's a drool machine. Right around 3mos she was drooling non-stop, we were almost convinced she was cutting a tooth, but it never happened. The drooling started back up about a week ago and we think we can feel some ridges on the top gums, but aren't sure.

- Bath time is a favorite of hers. From newborn to about a month I used to bathe her in a baby tub on our kitchen table, then moved to the kitchen sink and eventually started doing it in the real tub at 3mos. I just use the newborn sling that came with the baby tub. I don't prop it up or anything, but use it to keep her head cushioned and above the water. She loves kicking her chunky legs and splashing, she also enjoys sucking on her fingers too - I guess because they get wet?

- She's eating 6oz 4-6 times a day, depends on how long she takes naps between feedings. For about a month now she's been a once a day pooper.

- She's still a TROOPER with sleep and has continued her habit of sleeping through the night :)

Rebels with a cause

Tattoos...you either love them or hate them.

I personally have no issue with them, although I do think some people make questionable decisions on what they get tattooed. I just remind myself they're the ones who have to live with it, not me.

When I was 16 my mom let me get my belly button pierced and apparently I promised I would NEVER get a tattoo. I don't remember agreeing to that, but...I guess I forgot. Sorry Mom.

I got my first tattoo in 2004, a little pink star on my right foot. I loved it (and still do) although it has faded a bunch. I wish the artist would have told me pink isn't the best color and that your foot is one of the areas that fades the quickest...but he didn't. It could stand a touch up.

In 2011 I got two paw prints on my left wrist for my kitties. I know some of you may be thinking how lame, so if you are - screw you. Our cats are part of the family and I love them so there you have it. I love my paws and every time I look at them I'm reminded of my sweet fur babies.

Throughout my pregnancy Hardy and I discussed what we would get tattoo wise for our baby. He said almost from day one he wanted his/her footprint. So this weekend we made it happen.

Persephone's room is my own version of a Disney theme. Her Mimi & Pops ordered us this awesome personalized vinyl wall decal of her name in Disney font with Minnie's head as the accent for her room. So when I began to seriously consider what I wanted for a tattoo, I knew Minnie would be involved. It just so happens that the design I liked best has a "P" in it.

Saturday we headed down to Killer Ink in Buford, GA and got started. <> I was first and even though I've gotten two tattoos prior (and given birth) I was sooo nervous about getting this. I chose to get it on my right wrist because I already have the cat paws on my left, and I wanted Persephone to be showcased just the same :)

I think I know why people get tattoos, its because you quickly forget the pain haha. Unlike a piercing the tattoo really only hurts when they're doing it, a few days after its just tender like sunburn. So it isn't until you go back for another that you remember it hurts.

So here they are, my Minnie for Persephone (you can see a "P" on the left or right). And Hardy got her footprint (the one they stamped at the hospital) with her name in Disney font on his left inner arm.

We are so happy with the results :)

Happy Valentine's Day

It was exactly one year ago today that we heard our sweet girls heartbeat for the first time. Hard to believe its already come full circle.

Whether you're single, in a relationship, married or divorced, I hope you had a great Valentine's and if you hate today, hope you had a happy Thursday.

Here's are some photos of our Valentine over the last few days ;)

Days of the Dead

Earlier this year a friend of mine sent me a message about some upcoming conventions that would be in Atlanta (because of my affiliation with the haunted house).  One in particular caught my interest, Days of the Dead.  It's a horror convention that features a lot of guests from the horror genre.  They also have a trade show with booths of business'/people who sell things horror/sci-fi related and many people actually had homemade items.

This year they were having a "reunion" special with many of the cast members from House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects as well as Return of the Living Dead.  I know some of you are probably think "What in the hell is she talking about?".  Well if you would watch a horror movie or two, you might know!  For some unknown reason, Ace Frehley (one of the founding members of KISS) was actually going to be there too so Hardy and a friend of mine for work were pumped to go.

We decided to only do a 1 day pass for 2/2/13 (which was $20 - totally worth it).  It was held at the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta.  We arrived at about 11:20am and walked around the trade show.  There were so many neat things...from t-shirts, to action figures, posters, masks, vintage toys, handmade crafts, jewelry, wall art.  It was kind of overwhelming, but in a good way.  The only thing that's awkward about a trade show is when you walk by other tables that don't interest you.  It's like you feel this automatic guilt for not stopping.

I was most impressed by one particular table for Will Pigg - he hand cuts artwork and he had them displayed in a shadowbox.  He had this AMAZING cut out of R2D2 (Star Wars...keep up people), Scar and Simba and Malificent.  I didn't buy anything then, but I will definitely be checking up on his Etsy shop.

Check out this quick image I pulled from his Etsy shop of Malificent:

 

 

Can you believe he HAND CUT all of that detail??  He said he'll do custom artwork too.  It may cost a little more than the templates he's already created - but I think it's worth it!! 

 

 

We eventually made it to the "stars".  Hardy and Pamela wanted Ace Frehley's autograph so we got in his line first.  At conventions like this, you generally have to pay for an autograph/photo with the actors/writers.  At first you might think this is a scam, but every one has to make a living.  They take time out of their schedules to come by and hang out with fans and most of them have to pay for their hotel room anyway.  I have no problem with it as long as its not outrageous.  Ace was charging $30/autograph and $30/photo...I was nice enough and let Hardy do both - - you know a once in a lifetime experience kind of deal.

 

Here's his photo with Ace:

 

 

 

He got his copy of Ace's book No Regrets signed

 

 

 

Walking back through the Hall of Fame so to speak...we stopped at PJ Soles table.  She's starred in several films (Halloween, Carrie, Stripes and Rock 'N' Roll High School).  Photos with her were free, so Hardy took his first then she called me over to take one with her (so sweet).  She made me put my bag down and fluffed my hair before our photo was taken.  So so so nice!

 

 

 

After that we went back to the car to drop off their autographs then went back inside for lunch.  I did get my photo taken with a scary ass clown (the costume is from the Killer Klowns from Outer Space movie).

 

 

We ate inside the Sheraton and it was amazing.  I was still undecided of who I wanted an autograph by - I knew I wanted someone from House of 1,000 Corpses, but couldn't decide on Bill Moseley or Sid Haig.  On the elevator ride down we realized we were on it with Michael Berryman (most notably remembered for his role in the original The Hills Have Eyes).  He chatted with Hardy for a brief second and then we all went our separate ways.  We ended up paying $10 to get a photo with him later - after him being so nice we figured he deserved it.  He moved Hardy's sunglasses out of the way so you could see his KISS t-shirt.  God I look like a goober.

 

 

 

After circling the room 100 times, I finally decided on Bill Moseley because his line was shorter, but I'm glad I did.  He was also very cordial and friendly.

 

 

 

He's been a bunch of movies and TV shows, but for me I remember him best as Otis from House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects.  He signed this photo for me...

 

 

 

 

We had a lot of fun and I think we'll certainly consider attending again next year!

Diapers

Rewind to August when I had a baby shower at work, I got a tooooon of diapers and wipes.  Ranging from newborn to size 3.  I feel so lucky and thankful for every gift, but I must say these were most DEFINITELY appreciated.  I'm actually down to my last case of wipes and have used all but the size 3 diapers.

They ranged from Huggies, Pampers and Luvs.  I actually liked Luvs when she was a newborn, they hugged her the best.  On the occasion that we ran out of a specific size and had to go buy some (because I didn't want to trade in my bigger packs for fear of needing them ha ha), other than name brand I tried Publix and Babies R Us and wasn't thrilled, they actually felt like the same exact diaper which was too thin - in my opinion. 

I love Huggies because they have Disney print <<mock me if you want>>, but they're a little more than I like to pay.  I don't like the way Pampers smell.  Luvs work pretty good but don't have the wetness indicator (call me spoiled).  I know I can just pick my baby up and smell her and know if she's wet or not, but I still like the line.

When she finally moved up to 2's, I realized the diaper cake I never took apart was made entirely out of 2's.  I spent one Saturday morning taking each diaper off the cake - took me a while, but it was worth it for a free pack of diapers.  These diapers were nicer than Publix/Babies R US, but I had no idea where they were from.  I'm not really sure why it matters which diaper I like.  After all, it's not my toosh they're swaddled around.  But when you feel the difference between some of these brands...I know I would NOT want to wear a paper thin diaper, so I don't want my baby to either.  Persephone has been sleeping through the night since Christmas (thanks to my Mom) and I have noticed on a couple of occasions (depending on how long she sleeps) the gel material inside Huggies would come out.  I hate the thought of her being in a wet diaper for 6+ hours, but who's going to wake their baby up in the middle of sleep to change the diaper?????

 

Anyway, I found out the diapers from the cake were Target brand.  I'm very happy with their absorbency and they seem durable thus far.  I'm sure the older your child gets your diaper needs may change, but for now I think it's safe to say I'll stick with Target, unless I find a reason not to like them anymore. 

 

 

 

What were/are your favorite brand of diapers?