Flashback...

Each evening around 8pm, Sophia is pretty fussy (shocker huh?). Our new way to solve this problem is to have a dance party with her in the living room!! (As you can see in the picture, it knocks her out after about 15 minutes of dancing!)

For the past two nights, daddy has been dancing with her to Earth, Wind, and Fire. Tonight, mommy decided to get in on the action!! Dancing with her in the living room with the music pretty loud brought back some great Butler memories with my sorority sisters at Phi Psi on their dance floor. Oh, those were the days huh? Dancing until 1 or 2 in the morning!!

Alas, flash forward many years and you still find me on a dancing on a Friday night -- but no fraternity party, just a "Long" party; no cute shirts, only comfortable clothes; no dirty sweaty boys, only babies with spit up; no shady characters from the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood, only 3 people in attendance; no sticky floors, just clean carpet; and no more late nights, just "early" mornings!! It's me and my girl and my handsome husband rockin' our dance floor!!

Ah, the memories of those college days and a full-night's worth of sleep without interruption!!

Allyson

I have never been so glad......

... to see POOP in my entire life!!

(If you aren't comfortable talking/reading about poop, you might skip this post!)

One of the joys of being a new mother is dealing with the "not so desirable" things in life like bowel movements. Sophia has always been "regular" and I didn't think twice about her lack of BM's. Once it had been 3 full days, going on our 4th day without a BM, I decided I would call the pediatrician and just see if there was anything I could do to stimulate a BM. She told me to do a rectal temp and that should work!! Yikes, poor child. I waited until my mom came up to our house on Tuesday so she could do the dirty work! Too bad it didn't work. My mom suggested some baby glycerin suppositories! So I marched myself to Kroger to make the big purchase. Unfortunately they only had childrens suppositories! The pharmacist at Kroger told me that her MD suggested a 1/4 of a suppository in her 3 month old... so I took the advice and had my mom try 1/4 of one in our almost 2 month old. Didn't work!! Rats!!! I started to internally panic! I knew she didn't have a bowel obstruction b/c she was passing gas like crazy (and it was very vile!)

So yesterday I decided I needed to try another 1/4 of one ... although I wasn't as good as my mom and when I would put it in, she would push it out. After about 5 tries, I was starting to lose hope that I was never going to get it in... although, when she pushed it out for the 5th time, along with it came POOP!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been so excited to see poop in my entire life! I almost did a "HAPPY DANCE!" I thought, well if that technique worked, I would keep trying it to see if we could get more out -- I mean, 5 days worth of poop -- what does that really look like? How much is it?? So we got three more "poops" out!! Needless to say, this mama was happy that she couldn't get it in for the first time... my clumsy-ness caused a huge BM!!

Happy Dance, Happy Dance...

Allyson and Sophia

Thumbs Up

I hope you enjoy this video of Sophia!! Make sure to turn up the volume and you can hear her beautiful sounds! It is very precious!! She loves to be on her back on her play mat! She will lay there for over 30 minutes at times listening to the sounds, looking around, and making fun noises!! It has been so much fun to watch her learn to "coo" and "talk" with me!!! It is also so much fun to have her interacting with us!!

Enjoy!

Allyson and Sophia

"8" is great!

We hit the BIG E-I-G-H-T last night!!! Sophia slept from 10pm to 6am this morning!! I was thrilled!! Unfortunately I woke up a few times to check on her, but overall had a great nights sleep! Can't really complain since she isn't quite 2 months old yet!! I hope this is a new trend that we are starting and not just a fluke! Now, if I could get this child to take more than 1-3 hours total worth of naps during the day, I would be in heaven!! Minimal naps during the day = meltdown at night!! It isn't pretty folks!!

PS> This isn't Sophia!! Just an adorable picture I had to post!!!

Hope all is well for you all out in blogger-land!

I am looking forward to a chance to blog more this weekend and post a few pictures! I might try a video!!

Well, this mom is going back to bed for (hopefully) 2 more hours of sleep!

Allyson and Sophia

An angel kiss...

Long long ago, one night Sophia was "kissed" by an angel!!! Who wouldn't kiss this precious little baby girl??

Many of you have probably wondered about the "red" mark on her face? What is it? Will it go away? Is it a birthmark?

I thought I would blog about our little "Angel kiss" as I like to call it. For those of you medically savvy people, you will enjoy this blog... others, you might find it a bit dry and boring!! Oh well, enjoy!

Sophia has a "hemangioma" on the right side of her face. She was not born with it. In fact, hemangioma's typically present themselves in the first 7-10 days of an infant's life. It is a type of vascular anomaly (birthmark), however it will go away (unlike many birthmarks). It is a benign tumor of endotheilial cells that normally line the blood vessels. The cells multiply at a rapid rate.

Infant hemangiomas have a fairly predictable pattern of growth. They grow over the first 6-12 months, then begin involuting (shrinking) which can take another year or two. The red or "strawberry" color will go away as well. It will never regrow after it involutes.

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor in infants. Between 4-10% of Caucasian infants have at least 1 hemangioma. They are 3-5x more common in females than in males, especially fair-skinned girls (like our little princess). They are rare in other nationalities.

They still do not know the cause of hemangiomas. They are usually not hereditary. They can not be prevented. 60% of all hemangiomas occur in the head and neck area. 25% in the trunk and 15% in the arms and legs. 80% usually just grow as a single tumor.

There is no treatment for a superficial hemangioma as in Sophia's case. They will go away on their own... you just have to let Mother Nature run her course!

So, hopefully all of your questions have been answered. I had never heard of a hemangioma before this occurred. Who knew?

Allyson and Sophia (our angel kissed princess)

"Bubble" Bath

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Mommy and Daddy went out on Thursday night to celebrate Valentine's Day while Grammie and Grampie Kiesel watched Sophia!! Of course she slept the full time we were gone --- why can't we get her to do that??

Today, mommy had a little surprise for daddy!! Grammie Kiesel got her a nice little Valentine's outfit -- with an adorable "Be Mine" heart on the butt!! Aunt Sarah and I got her dressed and ready while daddy was taking a shower. Getting her dressed can sometimes be a challenge in itself!! However, as you can see below, she was a pretty happy camper!!














See, I am finally growing into my cloth diapers!!! It doesn't look that huge does it?? If you look closely, I am finally getting a little fat roll on my thigh!! We are talking "very little!"

When he came out of the bathroom, he was greeted by this sweet face ...











Poor daddy!!! But at least she was holding onto his card! :)












Ah... isn't this sweet of the two of them?














Sophia is hanging out on her back -- one of her favorite positions to play in!!! Check out my cute outfit!!

Tonight before bed, Daddy and Mommy gave Sophia a bath!! We called it a "bubble" bath b/c at least 5-10 times we saw little "Bubbles" coming up from the bath water!! Bubble Bath takes on a whole other meaning huh?












Hope everyone had a great day being cherished by someone they love!!! I know we were!!

Allyson and Sophia!

Where in the world are the Longs?

I know, I have caught grief from more than one person about my lack of blogging! I really do try to get on here and blog, but I am so preoccupied by a little Princess during the day (and night) that I find myself a little behind on common tasks, such as blogging. Nate has always called me one of the most efficient people he knows and he and I both recognized... I just can't be "efficient" with an infant at home. I used to be the "Household Queen" and do laundry, sweep, clean the kitchen, hang up clothes, pick up the house... all at once. Now I find myself just struggling to eat and nurse at the same time! But alas, Grammie and Grampie Kiesel are here today for some relief for this mama.

I know it has been over a week since the last post... so let me recap!

Sunday we had a nice journey up to the northside for a few visits. We first visited Chris and Ingrid Baird. Nate works with Chris at Cummins. They just welcomed their first baby girl Elissa into the world 2 weeks after Sophia. We had a nice visit and took a long walk!! It was so beautiful outside!!














Although the sun was out, it was really windy, so we tried to block her face from the wind. Isn't she precious?











This was the first time Chris and Ingrid had their stroller out and about! I think they really enjoyed the walk!! We know Elissa did b/c she slept the whole time!!! Not our little Sophia, she had to scream for a little bit until she fell asleep!!

After our visit with the Baird's, we headed over to the Bounsalls for a little visit!! I babysat for Lauren (below) starting when she was 4 months old and have stayed connected to the Bounsall's since 1998! Over 10 years!! They are like my second family and they are just such WONDERFUL people!! :) I wished they lived closer!! Lauren will make a wonderful babysitter someday soon!! I can't believe how fast the time has gone!!














Monday Grampie came to visit after his doctor's appt. He always loves his one-on-one time with Sophia!














She loves laying in the sun for her daily Vit D! He was doing some "exercises" with her legs!! After a tough workout with her "trainer", she took a nice long nap for us!!

Tuesday we went over to play with Olivia and Apryl!! We had such a nice time!! Olivia is at such a fun age!! I love reading books to her!! She is especially cuddly after a nap!!











Isn't it amazing that Olivia is a little less than 2 years older than Sophia! It is hard for me to believe Sophia will be that big in just 2 short years!!! We love living 7 minutes away from our dear friends!! They can't move unless we move too!

Today Grampie was able to spend some one-on-one time with Sophia while Mom and I went to Kohl's to get some clearanced clothes for next winter.











Look at Sophia's cute little hands!!! She loves getting a bottle of breastmilk b/c it is SO much less work to get out and less time!! Although, it takes her brain awhile to register that she is full after taking a bottle since it takes her SO long to nurse!!! :)

We have had a very busy week!! Looking forward to the weekend when daddy is home with us!! It is daddy's first full week back to work since Sophia was born!! Rough on mommy so I had to plan lots of social outings and visits!!!

Next week Grammie and Grampie Kiesel are going to FL, what is mommy going to do???

Here is a final picture to close of our little princess!















Sophia is such a good girl in the morning when mommy is trying to get ready for the day!!! She loves to hear the shower water run!! She also loves watching mommy dry her hair!! The white noise from the hair dryer is one of her favorites!

Allyson and Sophia

Pictures, Pictures, and More Pictures...

Nothing really new to report. Just thought I would post some pictures from the past few days!!














Doesn't this look like the most uncomfortable position? She was too precious, I just had to take a picture of the "thinker pose!"











Grampie Kiesel holding Sophia! A little dark to the left. My photography skills pale in comparison to my husband!!














Grammie Kiesel holding her little Princess!! Believe it or not, this is one of Sophia's favorite holds! She loves to look out into the world. She is always afraid she will miss something!! Guess, kind of like her mother!














Auntie Sarah holding Sophia while she gives us a HUGE yawn! Too bad she didn't really last too long in her afternoon nap! Sophia is sporting one of her favorite outfits... can you guess who bought it for her?














Mommie and Sophia!! We were matching today in our green's, so I had to take a picture. Not the best, but it will do!















Guess who? Auntie Sarah holding Sophia!!! She loves resting and cuddling on shoulders!!!


Hope everyone is staying warm in this freezing weather!!!

Allyson and Sophia

Monday, Monday....

Today starts a new week and a new plan for this family!! After reading some books and talking with different people, I decided that we need a routine. Sophia is hardly sleeping during the day at all -- she never seemed to fall asleep. I realized that I need to put her down and she needs to learn to put herself to sleep (within reason obviously). Babies that sleep during the day have more restful sleep at night -- or so I have been told. We have seen that happen on a few occasions where she sleeps during the afternoon -- we usually always have a good day.

I am reading a book called "The Baby Whisperer." It is really good and came highly recommended by a dear friend at church. I am only a few chapters into it... but I am learning a lot. I wished I would have started our "routine" (not to be confused with schedule) weeks ago. 5 weeks isn't too late to start I guess, huh?

Today we went to the doctor and our daughter is going to be a spittin' image of her father (I have a gut feeling)! She has grown almost 2 inches in the past 4 weeks. She is in the 70% for her height! She is up to almost 8 lbs 4 oz. She isn't gaining weight as quickly (as some might like) -- but we are heading in the right direction. She is in the 25% still for her weight. Her head grew another inch as well to put her in the 40% for her head circumference. So, to boil that down -- we have a long skinny baby with a big brain!!! :) Isn't she precious?? We love her!!!

We also had nice visits with co-workers!!! She was on her best behavior!

Yesterday, Grandma and Grandpa Long came to visit Sophia. Grandpa Long brought his keyboard and played some music and sang to her! She always likes hearing people sing. I sing to her and she is probably thinking... "Oh mom, please stop... you don't have a good voice!"













Sophia getting excited to being on Grandma's shoulder!













Sophia is looking at mommy!! (I have no idea why this computer started underlining my text, hum? Random?)















Sophia in her crib this morning when I went into get her up!! She is like a little mummy in her "Miracle Blanket!" And believe me, this is a MIRACLE BLANKET for sleep!!

Well, speaking of sleep... this mommy is going to catch a few zzzz's while Sophia is taking her first "routine" nap this afternoon! It only took her 10 minutes to cry herself to sleep!

Yeah for mommy!

Allyson