and she is eating her very first meals. [for the last 3 1/2 months!!]

YES, Miss Bella is already 7 1/2 months old and took on a new milestone this past week of eating solids :0)  It has truly been a LONGGGGG time coming and I am enjoying making her meals at home :0)  It is extremely important to me to feed my daughter the healthiest and freshest meals so I opt to make them myself instead of feed her from a jar.  Organic brown rice cereal has been her first meal for the past several days and has been a huge success with her eating around 1/2 a serving twice a day.  I am looking forward to the coming days and experiencing her likes and dislikes of ALL the different fruits and veggies, obviously I am hoping for MORE likes!!  I am currently boiling up a sweet potato for this weeks meal and plan on making her meals every Sunday and then freezing leftovers.  I will be starting with a variety of veggies before introducing her to the fruits because of their natural sweetness :0)  I have been attempting solids on and off with Dovie since the beginning of her 4th month of life after I got clearance from her pediatrician.  Feeding time became a battle and a frustrating time for both of us.  Grammie and Grampie and her daycare ALL had unsuccessful attempts at solids with her...she was just not ready!!  Every two weeks I tried again and ALAS 3 1/2 months later she is eating them no problem!!  SHE LOVES HER BROWN RICE CEREAL :0)  This mama is learning patience and perseverance <3

Any of you experience a similar situation when starting solids?  Any feeding advice for this first-time momma?

Thanks,
Jamie Leigh.

staying strong.

Today my daughter had her 4th month appointment and weighed in at a whopping 12 pds 1 oz and 25 inches long :0)  She is doing so well that the doctor even gave me clearance to begin her on solids :0)  Organic brown rice here we come with the camcorder in hand!!

The Christmas decorations have been hung in our lil home and the presents are awaiting to be wrapped.   Meanwhile, Christmas tunes fill the rooms and twinkle lights capture Bella's sight!!  This is Miss Bella's VERY 1st Christmas and I want to begin a few traditions for this family of ours...her and I <3

I will treasure this season now MORE then ever before!!  I want to capture the simple joys of giving and receiving this holiday :0)  BIG thanks to family and friends loving on this lil peanut of mine.  Much to be thankful for these days!!

We are all going to be keeping the elves busy these next few weeks in preparation of Santas BIG arrival to our nook in downtown Petoskey.  Santa is going to be spoiling someone special this year...I know this for sure ;0)

Much Love,

Jamie Leigh.

im back.O=

OLD PICTURE...BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH I HAD TO REPOST!!

Sowwy for the lack of posts around this neck of the woods.  Life has been crazy busy with work/parenthood.  My mother had yet another knee replacement surgery towards the end of October so I have been running the yarn shop by myself these last weeks with my mom helping out as much as possible despite her painful recovery.  We have both been working throughout this week transitioning the storefront from fall decor into the festive Christmas season :0)  I adore this time of year and it puts everyone in such a joyful mood.  Its kind of contagious and I am looking forward to the coming weeks as the streets of downtown Petoskey fill with holiday festivities and shopping.  Support your local stores this holiday season...we surely appreciate your business!!

Other news...I can hardly believe my baby girl is already 3 1/2 months old!!  She is sleeping on her boppy pillow right next to me as I type this post and as I glance over to her every few minutes I cannot help but form a smile across my lips.  Her days are filled with much love and attention from myself others <3  Her cheeks and forehead are smothered with numerous kisses each and everyday.  Her grasp is so strong around my pointer finger as she drinks her 'baba' in my arms.  I cannot possibly get enough of her BIG gummy smiles while she watches her reflection in the mirror :0)  I marvel at her outlook on life...if she is being held it is a must that she be facing outward so she can take in ALL her surroundings.  Rattles and stuffed animals do nothing for entertainment BUT turn on a ceiling fan and watch her gaze at it in curiosity.  I find much comfort in the fact that she is mine forever and ever!  I am so blessed to be the mother to Miss Bella Annelyse.
 

Lastly, this 'Kaide' long cardigan designed by Norah Gaughan is currently on my needles.  I almost have the back 100% completed and then will proceed onto the right/left fronts.  I am not quite sure what I fell in love more with...the cabled/textured pattern or the three leather buckles by Jul :0)  All I know is that it is a beauty and has been on my knitting wish list for quite sometime.

All is good in this lil family of ours.  Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!

<3  Jamie Leigh.
 

cozy weekend inside.

Our 'Indian' summer has finally come to an end and the start of a very wet, windy and cold fall has set in  Friday morning.

This weekend Miss Bella and I are planning on catching up on some much needed rest because she is battling her first and hopefully last yeast infection...POOR BABY :0(  I now have her on some medicated ointment and also sprinkling her tiny bum with 100% corn starch to dry out the wetness and already I am seeing some positive results!!  She was ALL smiles this morning when she awoke and this was a first...you cannot imagine how happy that made this mama :0) :0) :0)  Our most common awakenings happened with a ear-piercing cry for such an early hour prolly from the discomfort of an itchy and slight burning sensation from the yeast.  Happy to almost be on the other side of this infection and now I am well aware of the signs of yeast and if it ever occurs again I will be on top of it quickly...thanks to grannie and her medical inquisition of Bella's symptoms.

Now off to spend the afternoon drinking hot tea, knitting, researching health plans, and of course napping!

What is everyone else doing this weekend??

Jamie Leigh.

almost 2 months old.

These eyes will KILL you with cuteness!!

WOW!!!  Where has the time gone!?  Sowwy for my absence it has been quite the chaotic adjustment since being back at work.  I was happy/sad to see my 6-week maternity leave come to an end.  I was anxious to get back at what I know and do BEST and at the same time nervous to loosen my hold and allow another to watch over the care of my daughter for eight hours each day.  Now that a few weeks have passed and I am settling upon somewhat of a routine I hope to get back to regular postings :0)


 I know some acquaintances of mine have disapproved of my decision to put my newborn of not quite two months into daycare.  I have to say my decision was the correct one to make for my family.  Being a single mother I DO NOT have the luxuries of being a stay-at-home mom and quite frankly if I had the choice to work outside the home or to be a stay-at-home mom, ULTIMATELY, I would choose to work.  I have learned that I truly enjoy being a working mother.    The place my daughter attends daycare I know and trust 100% to take care of the needs of my baby.  They are thrilled to see her each and every morning when I drop her off and the majority of the time she is very content when I arrive to pick her up after my workday.  My daughter is thriving off the social aspects of childcare :0)  At home, 99% of the time it is just her and I and her interactions with the outside world are lacking.  I strongly desire for her to grow into being a well-nurtured, caring and respectful individual and she will be able to do this by learning what it is like to live in a community!!  My decision to put my daughter into daycare at such a young age does not make me any less of a mother.  I treasure the time I do have with her each evening and every weekend :0)  People need not to be so quick to judge and understand that parents choose the best possible choices for their families and just because that does not line up with what their family chooses as right does not mean others choices are necessarily wrong!!  Nuff said.

On another note, knitting has taken on full force!!  Currently on my needles is a simple, yet interesting lace scarf being knit out of Silk Garden Light, by Noro.  I hope to have it completed by early next week and will post a few pictures after the ends have been woven in and the fringe has been added :0)

Lastly, my daughter is such a lil peanut ;0)  Just a few short days before being two months old and still wearing newborn diapers/outfits.  They have just begun to fit her perfectly and she will prolly outgrow them in the next few weeks.  This change of sizes from newborn to 0-3 months brings with it mixed emotions.  I know I will NEVER get to see her in those outfits again!!  (just pictures and memories will remain) BUT, a new set of outfits to dress my cutie pie in await...;0)  

Everyday she is becoming more aware of her surroundings and is full of smiles and occasional coo's.  My love continues to grow for her each day and I am trying my best to live in the moment and not rush her onto the next developmental stage and to just let her become and grow on her time, not societies!

Hey everyone, CHECK OUT the baby rolls!

I love you Bella Annelyse <3

your mommy. 

3 weeks.

Look at me crack a smile...!:0)

Can hardly believe my lil peanut is already 3 weeks old!!  Her actual due date was TODAY but she blessed us with her presence three weeks ago :0) 

I took her on a little stroll through downtown this morning and ran into her third-shift nurse from the hospital eating breakfast outside the 'Twisted Olive Cafe' with her two girls...how exciting!! 

Yesterday, she weighed in at 5 pds 14 oz...almost to the 6 pd marker!! Lately I have been noticing she has been rejecting my milk and I have been frequenting the bathroom with a few upset stomachs regarding drinking MORE 2 % milk.  Going to be switching over to soy and see if that brings any relief to our digestive problems.  Will keep you updated.

MOM...I wish your milk would not upset my tummy so much...comfort me, PLEASE!!

Its official!!  It did not take me long to lose the excess baby weight.  I am now wearing ALL my pre-preggo everything!!  Its like having a whole new wardrobe since it has not been touched in nine months...lovin it especially since I DO NOT have the finances to purchase new clothing :0)


I am literally obsessed with dressing my baby girl in headbands and leg warmers!!  Going to knit her a pair of wooly leg warmers for this quickly approaching fall season.  Anyone know of any etsy/online stores I am able to purchase cutesy accessories at a reasonable cost??  LEAVE ME A COMMENT.

Off to Bill's Farm Market to purchase some needed fresh produce and Meijers to pick up some more Tassimo 'coffee discs' and paper towels.  Throughly enjoying the sunshine and my lil sidekick...the little blessings in life are what really matters :0) 

Love you Peanut.

Your mamma.

10 things I have learned bout motherhood.

So here ya go:

(1.)  NEVER trust a baby's bowels and ALWAYS try to have a diaper on their bum at all times!!
(2.)  Your nipples are not prepared to take the trauma of latching on incorrectly the first few days of breastfeeding!
(3.)  Baby garments are a heck of a lot faster to knit up THEN accessories or adult garments :0)
(4.)  I had to make it a daily priority in my schedule to start pumping and storing milk supply for when I go back to work in a few weeks.
(5.)  That my greatest bonding time would be our breastfeeding sessions.
(6.)  Baby wearing allows me to get things done around the home and our companion on downtown walks.
(7.)  Dancing on every inch of this apartments floor occurs in the morning, afternoon, and nighttime...I am getting in the best shape of my life!
(8.)  She prefers me to sing to her over anyone else or the radio...and that is surprising because I cannot carry a tune if my life depended on it :0)
(9.)  To listen to the advice of your mother because she has been down this road before.  Thanks Mommasita <3
(10.)  How much I cannot wait to see that very 1st smile from my Bella Annelyse :0)

Happy Sunday!

P.S.  She likes to show off her precious hand knits!!