**Three Months**

I now have a three month old...where has the time gone?

The past three months have literally flown by. 

I thought people were joking when they said to cherish this time because it will be gone before you know it.  Well, isn't that the truth!

SLEEP

Quinn is sleeping through the night and has been consistently since I went back to work two weeks ago.

I put her down around 8 p.m. and she will sleep until about 6:30 a.m.

She still naps in the living room, usually in her swing or seat.  I've tried many times to get her nap in her crib but she refuses.

I haven't figured out if she's a morning person yet.  There are days when she is awake and is smiling like crazy when I go to get her up.  Other mornings it's a chore to get her to wake up and when she does, she's pissed.

FEEDING

5 ounces every 3 hours.  We're now using level 2 nipples so feedings are going a bit faster.

WEIGHT

A whopping 11 pounds, 5 ounces.

DIAPER SIZE

Size 1.  She has the cutest set of buns.

CLOTHES SIZE

Rocking 0-3 months still.  Some of her onesies are getting a little tight but she has a lot of growing room in her jammies.

My mom has said that when I was a baby, I always followed clothes size to a T.  So when I was six months old, I was in 6 months clothes...you get the drift. 
I think Quinn will follow suit unless she has an extreme growth spurt which I don't happening. 
I'm ready for her to be in 3-6 months clothes so that we have more outfit options instead of dressing her in the same clothes every week.

EYE COLOR

Deep blue.

HAIR COLOR

Strawberry blonde to a light brown.

MILESTONES

Quinn can stand up on her legs and support herself with help from us. 

She is able to bend over by herself a little bit (from a sitting position).  When she bends over, she doesn't completely fall over like every time before.

She can't roll over fully yet.  She can roll over to her sides but I think it's going to be a little while yet until she's able to completely roll over.  We do work on it a little bit though!

FAVORITES
She is starting to laugh and continues to smile all the time (unless there is a camera in her face).

She is obsessed with the television as in, I have to turn it off to get her attention.  Exactly like someone else I know, not going to mention names but COUGH **DADDY** COUGH.  Again, not going to mention names.

She loves being at home and definitely knows where home is.

Every day that I pick Quinn up from daycare, I always get a compliment on how good a baby she is.  One lady said that Quinn makes her want to have another baby but then she works with the other babies and it completely changes her mind.

Happy three months pretty girl!  We love you!

10 Day YOU Challenge {Songs}

Two songs:

{one}

Carried Away by George Strait

Hubby and my wedding song.

{two}

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

Feel good song of now.

I also like Helena Beat by this group.

What are you favorites?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Films}

{one}

Favorite.

Mary Poppins

This is my all time favorite movie (close tie with the Sound of Music).  I watched this almost daily as a little girl, between this, The Wizard of Oz and My Little Pony.  I used to pretend my luggage was bottomless and I could pull anything out of it.  How awesome would that be?  And to be able to use your umbrella to fly?!  Bomb!

You better believe Quinn will be watching it!  If she's anything like her mama, she'll love it.  Even my 2 1/2 year old niece watches it!

{two}

Newer release.

Just Go With It

I love Jennifer Aniston and of course Adam Sandler is always hilarious.  I watched this when it came out on DVD this summer and found it super funny.  The next day, I sat with my husband and watched it again.  One of the funnier films I've seen this year. 

I watched Bridesmaids with my sister this past weekend, while it was funny (and very naughty), I think it will be even funnier the second go around.  Sort of like Stepbrothers was for me - maybe because everyone talks it up so much that its a little bit of a let down if you're not laughing the entire time. 

Hello govner!

{three}

Netflix Queue.

This movie is the one I'm most excited about seeing out of all the movies in my queue.  I read the book, enjoyed it and am excited to see the movie. 

Hello Colin Egglesfield!

What are your favorite movies?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Books}

Four books:

{one}

 The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

This is hands down, probably my favorite book.  Such a good, interesting, keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat, read.  It's a must read for all.  I don't even get into the whole religion aspect of it that a bunch of people had a problem with when the movie came out.  Either way, it was an engaging book.  Angels & Demons is also a very good read by the same author.

{two}

My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler

Hilarious!  She's had some very interesting rendezvous'.

{three}

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

I'm a huge fan of all Nicholas Sparks' work.  You know him as the author of many books that have been turned into movies (A Walk To Remember, Dear John, Message In A Bottle, The Notebook...).  The Guardian is my favorite of all his work.  It's thrilling with a side of romance.  Good read if you're looking for something that is easy and intriguing.

{four}

Anything Harry Potter.

Such a good series that is not just for kids.  I have only read the first three but the last four are on my 'to read' list which these days is about 4865465455.6 miles long.  I want to know how it ends!

What are your favorite books?  Any must-reads?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Food}

Five foods via Pinterest (click on pic):

{one}

Baked Potato Soup

This looks super yummy and my husband would love it.  I'm going to try it out sometime as the weather get's colder.

{two}
Marlboro Man Sandwich

I made this for dinner last week and added mozzerella as suggested.  I also used sirloin tips and did not add Tabasco sauce.  This is sure to be a favorite around our house.

{three}

Chicken Mole Pizza.

Featured in this month's Pampered Chef's newsletter.  It looks delicious and PC are always easy to make.  I will try this at least once.

{four}

Crescent breakfast ring.

Because I love breakfast but more specifially anything with eggs, cheese and bacon...lots of bacon.

{five}

Glazed donut muffins.

Say what?!  I particularly love anything glazed that revolves around a donut.  I'm worried that these will become a fast favorite if I make them but I should try them at least once...right?

Any new recipes you would like to share?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Places}

Six places:

{one}

New York, New York.

This is the number one place that I want to take a trip to.   I haven't decided when exactly I'm going to go but it's either going to be in the summer or around Christmas.  Summer means baseball and the beauty of Central Park while it's nice out and Christmas means seeing the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.  I also must visit the Today Show, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero.

{two}

The beach.

I haven't vacationed out of the United States and the next vacation I go on will be by the beach, with lots o' cocktails, in Mexico or some other place where it's warm.  All I need is my passport and someone to pay and I'm ready to go!

{three}
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
The water park capital of the world or something like that.  We honeymooned and celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary here so it will always have a special little place in my heart.  We can't wait to go back and to bring Quinn with!

{four}
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio.
The roller coaster park of the world...enough said.
Looks like so much fun!

{five}
Peppers Grill & Sports Pub, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
I went to college at UNI and fell in love with Pepper's.  I have never in my life ordered anything from there that tasted bad.  My favorite is the Chicken Finger Salad.  I wish there was a restaurant of this caliber closer to where we live or Pepper's delivered to my house (ya know a few hours away).

{six}

God's country.

Where do you want take a trip to?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Wants}

Seven wants:

{one}

Seeing a Yankees/Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium.  This year I will settle for a Yankees World Series Championship.

{two}

A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.  Doesn't every girl?  Since the price of these are equivalent to my mortgage payment times five , I will probably never own a pair.  A girl can only dream.

{three}

A fancy pants camera.

{four}

A new pair of running shoes.

 {five}
New TV storage for my living room with a lot of shelves for DVD's and books.



{six}

A family car with a big rear end to put all Quinn's goodies.  Plus, I would look really good in this car.

{seven}
The Pioneer Woman cookbook.

What do you want?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Fears}

{one}

Snakes & spiders.

{two}

Being kidnapped or raped.

{three}

Fire

{four}

Not being the best mom possible, disappointing my child, or having my child hate me.

{five}

Dying young or losing a child/husband (or any close family member for that matter).

{six}
Small spaces.

{seven}
Getting pregnant again.  The thought of this makes me want to cry and vomit everywhere.  Not because I have a bad child just because pregnancy doesn't look good on me and my body detests it.

{eight}
The dark.
I got this one from my dad, I swear.  Either way, I don't ever walk around my house without at least one light on.  My husband has shut the basement lights off on me numerous times and I've literally had tears run down my face on at least one of those occasions.  This is also why I don't go to haunted houses and if I do, I'm attached to someones arm with a grip the Hulk couldn't even break.


What do you fear?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Loves}

{one}

Family.

My husband, daughter and my family are my number one loves (extended and all).  Duh, how can it not be?!  These are the people who are stuck with me for life.  You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family...

{two}

Friends. 

These are the people who have the choice on being in my life or not.  I've kept a few strong friendships from high school, a few from college and now all the friendships I've developed through my husband.  Even though I may not talk to my besties every day or even once a week/month or whenever, it's nice to know we can pick right back up where we left off.

{three} 

Shoes.

{four}

Staying up late and sleeping in the next morning.  I only get to do this on occasion but I still love it!

{five}

Television.

New fall shows and premieres.

Modern Family, Tosh, Castle, Glee & anything Real Housewives.

{six}
Iced coffee and cranberry vodka's.  I don't get to indulge in the latter very often but it still holds a place in my heart and a black spot in my mind.

{seven}
Christmas!

{eight}
Anything that will keep my baby contained, entertained and happy.

{nine}

Working out and playing slow-pitch softball.

What are your loves?

10 Day YOU Challenge {Secrets}

I'm going to attempt to blog for 10 days in a row.  This of course means I'll have to dedicate part of my weekend to writing because we know I can't plan ahead.  Do you think I can do it?  Are you laughing?

I've seen this on a couple different blogs.  Seems simple and fun.

Today is ten secrets.

{one}

My baby is going to be 3 months old next week and I still have anxiety over who gets to hold her and who gets to watch her.

{two}

I'm constantly analyzing who's in my life, how they got there and if I think they should remain.  I don't kick people out of my life for good very often but I definitely adjust and minimize those people who bring negativity or drama.

{three}

I was a cheerleader for 1 year in high school.  It's crazy because it doesn't match my personality at all. 

I wish I was more outgoing and less shy like my husband.  I won't say I'm socially awkward but some might.  Maybe it's a good thing that I'm not so I balance the relationship out.  Yes, these go together.

{four}

When I was younger I hated my name.  What was I thinking?!  Rachel - such an awesome name.

{five}

I ate an entire pan of funfetti cake in college all by myself.  I'm okay with this and I still love this cake and myself all the same.

{six}

In the past, I've been envious of others.  Since graduating college and more so the last year, I've gained a lot of confidence in myself and am practicing more self-love (not to be confused with self-absorption).  I love my friends, family and everything I've been given or worked for in my life.  No need to be jealous of anyone here.  I realize that jealousy gets you no where and you should love and be yourself always. 

After all, God gives you what he thinks you can handle. 

{seven}

I love to pinch other people's pimples.  Yep, I said it.  You know it's fun, don't judge.

{eight}

I want time to freeze.  Quinn is already growing up so fast and I just want her to stay this cute and fun forever.  Next thing I know, she'll be getting on the bus for her first day of kindergarten.

Is this what everyone mom thinks?

{nine}

We have a video monitor in our bedroom that obviously is on the baby.  Every night, I think I hear people in her room.  I have a strong fear that she will be taken in the  middle of the night through her window.  Freaks me out.

{ten}

I went to Vegas a year and a half ago and hated it.  I will never go again, unless I'm forced.

What are your secrets?

Book Club Friday: Valley of the Dolls

This week I am reading Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann.  This is the story of three Gucci clad, pill ("dolls") popping woman whom Susann modeled after Judy Garland, Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe. 

Plot summary via:

In 1945, Anne Welles moves to New York City from Lawrenceville, Massachusetts, and finds employment with a talent agency representing the Broadway musical Hit the Sky. She meets Neely O'Hara (who changed her name from Ethel Agnes O'Neill), a vaudeville star living in her building, and recommends her for a role in the show’s chorus. Jennifer North, a showgirl with limited talent regarded for her beauty, appears in the play as well. The three women become fast friends. Over the next twenty years, the women embark on careers that bring them to the heights of fame and eventual self-destruction.

I was drawn to read this book because it's the "all time pop-culture classic" and it has gotten rave reviews. 

The book is an easy read so far.  I love the way Susann transitions from one setting to another.  She doesn't draw it out like some books do, talking for two whole pages about the weather, scenery and such going from point A to point B.  She gets to the point. 

I have yet to get to the juicy, pill popping part but I am on my way.  Neely is turning into quite the successful singer and Jennifer and Anne are known but not super popular but they all live together at this point in the book (was I supposed to give that away?).  I'm sure once they all hit the big time, the pill popping madness shall begin.