Nnnnnnneh!

Rossleigh started saying "no" a couple of weeks ago and has now perfected it's use.  LOL  She, like most toddlers, says it quite often and even when she means to say "yes".  The funny thing about it is the WAY she says "no".  If you've ever watched Duck Dynasty, you know that Phil, Si and Jase all say "no" like "nnnnneh".  From the very first time she started saying "no", that's EXACTLY how she says it.  It cracks me up.  

P.S. - Her Daddy put her hair into pigtails.  I thought he did a really good job (especially for his first time and on a VERY wiggly toddler).  

Mohawk child

Yep!   You're seeing the pictures right - we gave her a "faux-hawk".  I know that it's probably perceived as cruel to some, but for us it's just good, clean fun!   Our child had the sad misfortune if inheriting my fine hair.   Fine hair is great for having naturally stick-straight hair.   In the winter, it sticks up in all directions due to static electricity.   Last, but not least, you get these stubborn sections of hair that just won't lay right... Yep!   She's got all that going for her, and on top of that, she's still got that baby peach fuzz texture!

When you can't tackle crazy hair, just make it look crazier!   Her daddy had great fun with this.  I'm not so sure about the Einstein 'do.   I think she rocks the mohawk though!   ;)

Reindeer butt!

Rossleigh received a little 3-pc Christmas outfit from Agnieszka.  How cute is she with her little reindeer butt?  Ha ha!!

Daddy Daycare

She loves it when her Daddy loves on her!

With me going back to work, it of course means that Miss Rossleigh will be cared for by someone else while I am gone.  It will usually be her daddy, a grandmother, Godmother, or neighbor, but today was Lance's first time to really solely take care of Rossleigh.  He's taken her out a couple of times, but they've only been for a couple of hours at a time (which is still more than what a lot of fathers would do, I believe) - once with her Uncle Willie and once with Pops (Lance's dad).   Today, however, was the first time he'd have her for 9-10 hours at a time with no assistance.  Man!!  He did GREAT!!  :)  

I, of course, checked in from time to time (like I believe most new mothers would do) via phone call or text to see how things were going.  He was just so cool and collected; it was obvious that Daddy had things under control.  The best part is that, in the scenario of caring for a baby all day, I think that most dads would immediately hand the baby back over to Mama as soon as she got home.  You know, like, "Okay, now you're home...it's time for YOU to take over now."  This guy?  Nuh-uh...I had to TAKE her away from him in order to get to see her.  He loved being able to have her all to himself for the day!!  LOL

I'm just so proud!  For a man who never really pictured himself as someone having children, he sure has turned out to be one amazing daddy!  :)

On another note, most people tend to think that Rossleigh looks more like me (but several see more of Lance in her), but she sure does have a few of her Daddy's characteristics.  At this point in her life, they are obviously not learned - just innate habits.  Check out the picture below.  This was taken a few days after we were able to bring her home from the hospital and she was still sleeping with us.  I left out of the room one morning to pump and when I returned I came back to this sight.  I just HAD to capture the moment!! 

They even SLEEP just alike!  Check out their legs - each of them has one hanging off the bed.  Isn't that hilarious??

Looking back...

Sometimes it's hard to believe that Rossleigh is just 9 1/2 weeks old.  When I look back at everything that she's been through in her short little life, it just doesn't even seem real.  It feels like it was almost like a dream?  Fortunately (and unfortunately), I have pictures to remind me of how far she has come...

September 26th, 2012 (just shortly before noon) - Happiest day of my life!!  :)

First time I got to see her - about 10:00pm
the day she was born. It was a LONG day!

First family photo - taken the morning of her surgery (5 days old)

Post-surgery in PICU/recovery.  Swollen, but rockin' the bow!  ;)

Post-surgery...Love the expression on her face!

Happy little bean pod!

Daddy getting to REALLY hold her for the first time after surgery.
  

First time for Nana, Pops, and Gigi to get to hold Rossleigh.  Such happy, happy grandparents!

First time to be able to wear CLOTHES!!!  ;)

Sweet, smiley girl

No tubes or wires!  Last night in the hospital.  Praise the Lord!

Finally at home in my own bed!!  :)

Couch creepin'

I thought I'd share a funny video with you.  Rossleigh was just fussy fussy last night.  We're trying to establish a sleep schedule that will work a little better when we're both back at work full time, so we're slowly and gradually making some tweaks.  As a result, we have to keep her awake for periods of time and she just isn't happy about it at all.  When Lance is responsible for keeping her awake, he gets pretty creative!!  Sometimes, I don't know if the things he does is to entertain her or us more, but this time it was most definitely US!!  LOL

Are we cruel?  Let us know!!  By the way, I think I got the settings changed so comments can be made without having to sign into Google!!  Sorry about that!!  :)

Dancing & Giggles

Just thought I'd share a couple of short videos with you!  We hope you enjoy watching them!!  :)

The first one is Rossleigh dancing with her Daddy.  Sometimes when you're waiting for formula to warm up and you have a fussy, impatient baby, you'll do just about anything to help the time pass more quickly (and quietly) for everyone.  LOL  Lance is particularly good at distracting her - sometimes by singing, dancing, making silly faces, and/or funny noises.  I'm not so sure how much SHE likes the dancing right now, but Lance loves it!  ;)   He's such a wonderful daddy!!

I mentioned in a recent post that Rossleigh giggled for the first time and promised that I would try to capture it and post it here.  I caught a tiny giggle so I thought I'd share it here.  You might want to turn your sound up so you can hear her soft, sweet giggle.  When she smiles and laughs, she just lights up my world.  I hope she brings a little joy to your day as well!  :)

Getting ready for Christmas

Since I'm still not back to work yet, I didn't have to take part in the dreaded retail/Black Friday festivities (darn)!!  Instead we got to work on decorating our house for Christmas.  Nana and Megan came over to help fluff our...ahem, FIVE Christmas trees (but this year we're only putting up 3) and start decorating a bit.  While Nana fluffed the trees, Lance got everything out of the attic and put the outdoor decorations out, and Megan and I put away the Fall decorations, cleaned up a bit and decorated the big tree.

In the midst of decorating, Rossleigh needed a wardrobe change (and BATH) after an incident with a diaper (yes, again)...While I was getting stuff ready for her bath, Megan held her.  I absolutely LOVE these pictures!!

Rossleigh LOVES her cousin, Megan!!  Nana refers to them as the Alpha and Omega.  With Nana's grandchildren, the order goes:  Megan, Conner, Jake, and Rossleigh, so she started and ended with girls!  At one point in the evening, Megan was holding Rossleigh.  After a while, Nana couldn't stand it and wanted to hold her.  After she took her from Megan, RCD started fussing.  Nana gave her back to Megan and the fussing stopped!!  We found out that Megan is the BABY WHISPERER!!!  ;)


After the bath, we ate Thanksgiving leftovers and then decorated some more!!  We got a LOT done!!  Lance and I still have a ways to go to be completely ready for Christmas, but we got a very nice head start thanks to Nana and Megan.  :)

Relaxing in Daddy's arms