Im not even sure at this point if anyone still follows my blog. I don't blame them if they don't since its been about a year since I have updated.

Anyway, this is just a post to introduce NolaBear Designs.... I know some of you have daughters and if not know people that do or will need a shower gift or birthday gift at some point :-)

You can find us on www.etsy.com under www.etsy.com/shop/nolabeardesigns.
You can "like" us on facebook under NolaBear Designs

We sell custom barrette holders, custom wall letters, handmade headbands and beautiful, unique barrettes. Come check us out!

If you have any questions you can email me at nolabeardesigns@gmail.com or you can comment here :-)
I hope everyone is doing well!!

Florida and other stuff

We just got back form vacation a few days ago....we went to visit J's parents in Florida and then went to Orlando for 4 nights...we couldn't get Nola out of the pool! Tank god for the zero entry not that it would have mattered....she would go running in up to her neck (with us following of course) and a ton of times she fell and went under and we would just pick her right up and she wouldn't even be upset...why cant she do that in swimming lessons? Thank god she loves the water, the beach will be a lot of fun this year!

When we got home I had to bring Nola for her 15 month check-up. I always dread these because of the shots...I cant bare to see her in pain...anyway..I knew that Nola was thin..But I mean tall and slender no sickly skinny - she doesn't have a big appetite and when she is teething she pretty much doesn't eat...Well she only weighed 20.8 which was a pound less than last time so now she has fallen off the "curve" so we have to go back in a month to get weighed....J was very concerned....I mean yeah I know she needs more fat and isn't a big eater but she also started walking and is very active....I think she will gain weight and be fine. I don't want to freak out about it. That's not going to accomplish anything...

She is hysterical...her personality has really started to come out...she laughs constantly and squeals with excitement and dances to anything musical...she is pure joy!

WOW...how time has flown

I know I have been MIA..I don't know how you all do it...I cant seem to find enough time to sit here and write all I want to write....

Nola is 15 months old...I cant believe where the time has gone. She is the love of my life..she is more than that but words can not describe....

She walks, she laughs a lot, she hugs, she kisses, and her smile is infectious...I am not sure what I did with my life before her. Its not all roses all the time though....as I have said to many people being a mom and taking care of her is easy..its the sleep deprivation that is an absolute killer...Yes, she sleeps 7-5 or sometimes longer but when she is teething it is a nightmare..I never remember anyone telling me teething times could be so bad! I think her last bottom eye tooth is coming in and then hopefully the top ones wont be so bad....she is such a good, good little girl.

For now, this is all I have time to write...Ill leave you with some pictures of my Nola Bear and hope to post again soon....I check all your blogs all the time though to make sure you are all doing OK :-)

Stopping Time

I wish there was a way to stop time...to make it freeze....

I knew when I got pregnant that this would more than likely be my only one...and when we found out it was our little Nola I knew we wouldn't have anymore. I still haven't had that feeling that I want to have another because its Nola I want to have all over again. I know that makes no sense to any of you I'm sure but...I love her more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone and I hate that she is already 7 months...

I'm a baby person...I want to freeze time right now...I want to freeze the smile that is plastered on her face every minute of every day. I want to freeze how she kicks in so much excitement when we walk in her room to get her from sleeping. I want to freeze how she giggles when I tickle her side. I want to freeze the mad women she has become in her jumparoo, up and down vigerously over and over (its hysterical). I want to freeze how she reaches for my face and brings it closer and I want to freeze how she giggles when swaddled when I kiss her lips.. I love her so much I want her to stay just he way she is.

I tell Jack (even though he already knows) that I don't want to have another baby, I want to have her all over again. She has been such a joy since the moment she joined the world...no colic, no crying spells, no nothing...just all smiles.

Is it terrible to be so sad that she is not always going to be little? I'm tearing up writing this just thinking about it...I know there are joys at each age but I want this age.

I looked at some old videos Jack took of Nola in her first few weeks and months and he squeals etc are the cutest thing ever and I already forgot what she was like somewhat and that was always my biggest fear if you ask him, forgetting.

I'm babbling I know...I don't post as much anymore because all my time when she is up is hers..and when she sleeps, I have to get things done so I am sorry I don't post as much. Anyhow, I just wanted to get that all off my chest.

Here are some recent pictures of my girl!

Happy 4th of July

Nola is 4 months old

Its been a little while since I had something post worthy...plus it seems like I am on here once a day reading but not posting...

Nola is doing wonderful - she is such a smiley, happy baby!!! She is still not sleeping through the night but I really don't care...she will be our only child (as I have mentioned before) and I try and savor every moment with her so if she wakes in the middle of the night, although I'm tired, I happily obliged and stare at her in wonder as I feed her.

She is now 4 months old and has started rice cereal 2 times a day...she is really funny with it and soo cute - I posted pictures of her first try! She is growing wonderfully... she is tiny at 12lbs 15oz but long at 24 3/4 inches...she is still in 0-3 clothing but in pj's (because they shrink) she is in 3 month and some 3-6...I still cant believe how tiny she is though...I have all these adorable suits in 3-6 that I am hoping she can fit into through the summer..especially her juicy couture one! hahah

We went to Florida with her to visit jacks parents in may and she did AMAZING! We were gone fro 10 days and went to 3 different cities...she never cried once on the plane and we had a lay over on the outbound and inbound flights. We landed in Tampa and went to his parents in Palm Harbor then after 3 days we drove to Disney and met my parents and my sister and bro in law and my 2 nieces and then after 5 days there we all drove to Punta Gorda to my parents condo's for 4 days and then home! She is truly a wonderful baby and I am not sure what I did in life to deserve such a great baby..whatever I did I am thankful.

Here are some pictures from Florida and her first try with rice cereal!

Random Post about Nola and Motherhood

I havent posted a real post since I think before Nola was born...I either cant find the time or feel that I have nothing interesting that you would feel like reading. But as I sit here Nola is napping so I figured Id write an entry. Ill try not to make it too boring...

Nola is wonderful. I ask myself all the time what I did right in this world to be lucky enough to deserve such a beautiful, happy, wonderful baby girl? When I say that sometimes to people they say, you went through so much to get her of course that is why you deserve her. Yes, I know I went through a lot but that seems so long ago now that I dont think that is the only reason. She is way more special than that...I feel I had to have done something above and beyond to have someone who laughs and smiles at me the minute she sees me. See, Im one of the lucky ones that works at night (right now just 1 night a week) and can spend oodles of time with her. When she is awake all I do is focus on her and in turn I get the biggest smiles and the best giggles...but that is because we are always together and I smother her with attention...she will be my old child and for that she will get everything from me. I know that you love all your children but I cant imagine loving another baby as much as I love her. Please dont misunderstand me, I know I would but I cant imagine it cause my love for her is so undescribable.

Infertility is a sucky thing....but I will tell you, I dont even think of it anymore...it almost seems like it never happened. I cant believe I spent 3 years trying to have her and then got pregnant and she is already here...time does have a way of flying by. I am truely blessed with this little girl who steals my heart everytime I look at her.

3 MONTHS

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY NOLA!!!

My Nola Bear!

Im sorry I dont seem to write anymore...if it makes you feel better I hardly get on facebook...either we are out and about or Nola is napping while I run around and try and get things done... But I did want to post some new pictures of my Nola Bear!

New Nola Pictures

ONE Month

Nola Bear is One Month old! Where has the time gone?

I made an entry with my entire birth story and it never saved so when I actually feel like typing it out again I will but for now, Im too lazy! It was a great experience I will tell you. Contractions started at 2am on Super Bowl sunday and she was born at 9:53am!!

She is a wonderful baby! More updates to come!

She's Arrived

I will be sure to make another entry and tell you the entire story but right now shes asleep on my right shoulder and I wouldn't dream of moving her because i cant help but want to be close to her - shes perfect! and I'm typing with my left hand and I'm a righty!!!!

But without further ado Miss Nola Lenaella Griffin was born Feb 7Th @ 9:53am. She was 6lbs 11oz 20 inches long! only 8 hours of labor which includes 45 minutes of pushing!

37 Week Appointment

Yesterday was out 37 week appointment!

I had to have the AWESOME Strep B culture done. I am not sure about anyone else but with everything I read no one tells you they stick the cu tip in your but? Hellooooo that would have been information that I would have kindly liked so I was pre-pared! Jack had mentioned that he read it but I never did so I thought he was pulling my leg. Guess I should just learn to trust my husband! It was fine, the test takes literally 2 seconds!!!

At my last appointment that I told you about which was Monday the 11th I had lost a pound bringing me to 16 gained...yesterday I gained 1. So I back to a gain of 17 which is awesome...I am very proud of myself although I am not sure how that happened! Blood Pressure great and Urine great!

She said after the culture that she was just going to check to see if I had made any progress. I had told her that the night before I was having sharp pains middle abdomen and was not sure if it was Nola or what? She said it probably was her trying to get her head down!

She proceeded to do an internal and man did that hurt - she had to feel around really hard cause she could not locate my cervix! No matter how many times she told me to relax I just couldn't - it was so uncomfortable - which makes me realize how much labor is going to SUCK! Anyway, she said " Oh you have been very busy!" 3 centimeters dilated and cervix is realllyyy thin!!! She said she obviously cant promise that I would go early but she said it is likely....I told her all I wanted to know what how far past my due date she was willing to let me go...I wanted to have an end date in sight! She said because of the diabetes she would take me around my due date! GREAT NEWS!

Great appointment.....except for the cramping and spotting from the appointment...I forgot how much any type of internal appointment SUCKS!

Well, Ill leave you with a belly shot - not a great one but here is one indeed!


Sorry that I look so bad!

We had an u/s this morning to check Nola's weight due to the gestational diabetes. She is doing so well besides being squished inside my small belly! hahahah

She is currently 5lbs 13 ounces which puts her in the 37Th percentile. So she is still a little on the smaller side which works for me as long as she is OK! She looked cute from what I could tell....hard to get a good visual when they are that big. She is head down but she has not dropped yet.

I have my culture for that strep thing next week.....but this week I lost a pound and my blood pressure and urine were great. The gestational diabetes has not really been a factor cause it was so borderline.

Besides that there is not much going on here. Her room is ready and I am still working! My last day will be the 21st so I will have 2 weeks off before her due date. But I will say we are pretty set to go - all I need to do is pack my bag.

I have to say she is soo funny - she moves sooo much all the time - its really an amazing thing to watch her!

My hands are still quite an issue but Ill be done work soon enough so.....here is another picture update!

32 Weeks!

Sorry that I have been MIA lately. I am having such a terrible time with the pregnancy induced carpel tunnel - my right hand swells so bad that I literally cant type...anyway - here I am!

Things here are great. 33 weeks this week. I had my 32 week appointment last Tuesday and gained only 1 pound in the past 4 weeks for a total of 17! I'm doing pretty good if I say so myself! I thought I was going to gain so much more! She said she is going to give me an ultra-sound at 36 weeks to check her weight. Yeah - another chance to see Nola since its been so long. I know they say you cant see much cause she will be much bigger but I am still excited!

The gestational diabetes is under control - come to find out the only number that was off was my fasting number and she said it was only slightly but they wanted to be pro-active so it hasn't been hard to control....thank god!

Nola is kicking up a storm...I cant wait to see the cute feet that look like they might come out the left side of my belly!

Her room is coming along...still need some decorations and need to finish the curtains but besides that she is all set. All her swings, bouncy chairs, stroller and car seat and monitor and the rest of the good stuff is all put together and ready to go as well! I packed her bag today and just need to pack mine!

I know have wanted this for a long time but I cant help but be scared...I mean I am responsible for this little lady now for the rest of my and her life...that's a big thing! Its something that of course I want but cant help but be scared as well! I know Ill get over it the minute I meet her!

Our Baby Shower

Better late than never - I haven't been able to write much because of the swelling in my hands but I am good today so here are some pictures of our baby shower that my mom put together with the help of my sisters on November 15, 2009. Place Card Table Hand Made Place Cards by my mom the artist! Picture of Baby Nola and the Shower Invitation at the place card table Our beautiful cake! The table with hand-made cards by my mom again so guests could write wishes for Nola and the center piece was the favor, Cream scarves for everyone! Diaper Cake made by my sisters! Jack and I Dad, Marica, Me, Jack, Meredith, Mom My parents and sisters and myself Jack & I with my noni (95) & nana (90)