Valentine's Day...our way {Toddler art}

For some reason, I never associated Valentine's Day with traditions, until recently.  Other bloggers were asking their readers to share one of their Valentine's day traditions and it took me a minute to think about ours.

As a kid, I don't remember our classroom Valentine's Day parties, filling out all the cards to my friends, or even all the chocolate.  I remember going shopping on Valentine's Day with my mom and sisters.  Now, my memory tells me this was a tradition of ours, but I may only remember the years that we actually did this (at least one year, I'm sure!)  

As a wife, I have yet to establish any traditions for Valentine's Day in this house and I am not sure that we ever will.  Not because I don't like traditions, but because Valentine's Day has never been a big deal to me or Jeff. Tonight I plan to make a "nothing-fancy" dinner.  We won't share a bottle of nice wine (although I would like to do that!).  We probably won't even exchange cards.  Valentine's Day around here is just another day.  Hallmark doesn't tell me what to do.  

But as a mom to a toddler, I will take every opportunity to make our days special, as I know she will grow up too fast.  

I just love this sun catcher Leila made!  It's perfect for this San Diego sunshine. 

We spent yesterday morning with friends making Valentine's Day crafts.  Kari, from Mommy to Elodie, is the BEST when it comes to planning toddler art activities.

Isn't this "I love you" card adorable?!

Leila doesn't know Valentine's Day from Saturday, but that didn't stop her from enjoying herself!  She won't really understand why she's giving Daddy that card, and she'll probably assume it's his birthday.  But like I said, anything to make our days together a little more special...even if it is just a Hallmark holiday.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  Are you celebrating?

36 weeks {Bumpdate}

I no longer like myself in this shirt after seeing how it photographs. Way too short! But bonus...these pants still fit!

How far along: 36 weeks

Weight gain/loss:  Up one pound this week. Total weight gain= 22.5 lbs. The guilt I have for not exercising lately is overwhelming.  I am not good at relaxing but am finding there is too much to do so exercise gets pushed aside.

Feeling: Like the hungriest woman alive!  I cannot get enough food. Last week I felt tiny, this week I feel huge...my face, my feet, my fingers, and of course, my belly.  After measuring small at my most recent doctor appointment, I feel like we have both grown this week.

Maternity clothes: Yeah. Like I mentioned with my picture, some of these shirts are just not cute anymore.  It's hard enough to feel cute 9 months pregnant, so from now on, I vow to only wear outfits I like myself in.

Stretch marks:  Nope.

Sleep: I've been skipping my nap and found I am sleeping better at night.  Hooray!

Best moment(s) this week:  Celebrating baby Carson with my friends and family.  Lauren threw him a wonderful baby party on Saturday.  It is probably one of the last times I will be with friends and without a child(ren) for quite a while. 

Food cravings: More sweets please. 

Gender: Oh BOY!

Movement: Lots at night when I finally settle myself on the couch.

What I miss:  Feeling cute.  

What I'm looking forward to:  Hearing the news that my longtime BFF Amy is in labor.  She is due on the 20th so it could be any day now!

Weekly wisdom: I will not be pregnant forever or EVER again. Phew.  

Milestones:  One more month!  Thank goodness.  I have been dreading this last month of pregnancy.  Here it is...

Due date: 3-13-13

Newborns {Sleep tip of the month}

I think it's only fitting that my sleep tip this month be focused on newborns as the arrival of Jen's second baby, Carson, is just around the corner! I look forward to being able to help Jen get little C sleeping like a champ.

Newborns don't know night from day, so you will have to help them learn the difference.

During the day...

• Keep the curtains open and the lights on when he's awake.
• Get outside when the weather is nice - research has shown that exposure to sunlight during the day helps babies sleep better at night (this won't be hard since we live in a city with 321 sunny days each year!)
• Feed him every 3 hours - even if you have to wake him up.

During the night...

• Pull down the shades, dim the lights.
• Switch to quiet activities, like massage, quiet reading or singing.
• Keep nighttime feedings brief and boring.

I feel so lucky knowing Lauren will be here to help me get Carson on the right track with his sleep! 

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Falling asleep too fast?

Less is not always more

The Great List {02.11.13}

Happy Monday!  This post is a little late because we've been BUSY doing some great things!

1. We had a party Saturday to celebrate this little guy with friends and family.  Lauren hosted the small gathering complete with delicious food, sweets, and decorations.  Carson got spoiled with all the gifts!  My favorite part was reading all the wishes people wrote for him.  One to fill out was "I wish you grow..." and most people responded, "taller than Jeff."

2. Amy and I sold most of our baby girl clothes at two local consignment stores. It feels good to have that DONE.  No more baby girls in this house!

3. We started going to Teacher Lee's Play to Learn Preschool a year ago.  Because of my new work schedule we haven't been able to attend for almost two months. Luckily she has just opened up a Monday class that we can go to.  Leila loves Teacher Lee and I love what she does for San Diego families.

4. Nesting hit me hard this week.  I organized Carson's dresser full of all his washed clothes, re-organized and purged items from the downstairs closet, and helped Jeff rearrange the kids' room...complete with bunk beds!  It feels so good to have that done.  My list is still long, but nothing left will take us full DAYS to complete.

“The more you appreciate, the more you have to appreciate.” ― Carma Spence

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Come back each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Warning...positive thinking is addicting!

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