A Few Hours of Sleep

Last night I crawled into bed at 9:30 pm. Shelby was asleep sometime between 9 and 9:30. She slept until 2:30 when I awoke to hear her stirring. We got up and completed a ritual familiar to many parents, we changed a diaper and then settled on the couch to feed. She nursed for 30 minutes and then fell back asleep. I put her back in her bassinet and went back to bed and slept until I heard her stirring again. At 5:45. She slept for five hours the first stretch and then another 2 hours and 45 minutes the second stretch. I could hardly believe it! What a great 3 1/2 week old I have. But who am I kidding, she is only 3 1/2 weeks old, so she will not be consistent. Plus, so many things can irritate a little baby. But she's an angel, so I will take whatever she gives!

As Soon As I Said Something...

about my baby girl loving her sling, she decided she hated it and screamed bloody murder uncontrollably every time we tried to put her in it. Oh well, she had a colicky period yesterday but finally settled down to sleep at around 10:30. Maybe she'll decide in a couple of days that she likes it again. We can only hope.

The Sling

My daughter and I have a new best friend. The sling. It lets mama do some work and baby to be close to mama. I recommend them to all mothers with newborns!

Gargoyles

I recently posted about gargoyles, well, recent being within about the last month. Here is one I found on the web that I especially love. I am thinking about buying some for outside our home!
There's nothing like an angel to protect you.

Gifts

I have been, of course, besieged by gifts from all kinds of people since Shelby was born. I am behind on the thank yous (so sue me, I'm sleep deprived). People want to constantly ask me what big things do we want or need. Here's the thing, we have just about all of the big things. She has no pink clothes except what I bought her this week with the money her Granny sent her. But people don't want to buy her new clothes. I'm not sure why. My brothers really want to get her something big, so I reserved the last real big thing for them and I refuse to even mention it here for fear someone will read it and buy it before they do. So, anyone reading this who feels compelled to send a gift, pink or girlie clothes in size 6 mths or larger or size 2 diapers (Luvs brand please, the Huggies and Pampers leak too easily).

If you want...

To see more pix of Shelby and read her updates check out this site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/shelbyclareherrett

Some New Things I Have Learned

since becoming a mama.
1) Sleep is not overrated.
2) When a baby looks up at you and seems to smile, (even if it is only gas) your heart will melt into your stomach.
3) Dogs are dogs. It's that simple
4) Cleaning and scrubbing really can wait til tomorrow.
5) People who appear to be hard and crusty will dissolve at the sight of a tiny newborn.
6) Always be nice to nurses.
7) Hospital food rocks. Especially because you don't have to cook it.
8) Breastfeeding is hard but is truly what is best.
9) Prayer goes a long way.
10) Take it all with a grain of salt. The doctor might call for more weight checks, and the blood work might not yet be done, but it will all turn out for the best!

And We Welcome

Shelby Clare born July 6, 2006 8 lbs 5 oz 20 inches long! She is the love and joy of our lives!

Here's One to File

for the week you were born baby Herrett. Ken Lay, the corrupt founder of Enron, died at age 64. Guess he'll get justice on the other side. An interesting note for baby Herrett, you will be born on the one year anniversary of the London train bombings.

On a lighter note, you share your birthday with Ringo Starr! And your first birthday will be 7/7/07! A lucky number indeed!

Happy 4th of July

Like I would let the entire day pass without acknowledging the country's birthday. We shoot off fireworks and have pancake breakfasts and parades. It was also the day that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away. Happy Birthday America!

I Know I Promised....

but being a new mom in a few days, this one was impossible to pass up! Plus I need to pass time doing something other than counting minutes!

You Are a Newborn Soul

You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance. On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others. You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative. Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you. Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter. You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything. You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships. Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

In Case You Haven't Noticed

I've been obsessed with the blogthings website. I really enjoy it though. It's fun to play around so that works. BTW, I have never had "magic brownies" that Hyde would make on That '70's Show. Just in the interest of complete disclosure. I will try to put some more space with "real" posts before I put too much more from blogthings!

Here are some cute animals, maybe I will try to find them a place in the nursery!

I Fully Agree With This One....I am Sweet and Natural Aren't I?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

I Don't Know How They Came Up With This Based On My Name....

You Are Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies Ice Cream

Not *those* magic brownies!

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

And There Are People Who Believe This About Me Too...:)

You Are a Strawberry Margarita

You're so sweet it's a little overwhelming, and people are a little afraid of corrupting you... It's a little difficult to imagine you with a margarita. And you're truly a different person after you've kicked back a couple!

What Flavor Margarita Are You?

That's Where I Want To Be...

Your 2005 Song Is

Beverly Hills by Weezer "My automobile is a piece of crap My fashion sense is a little whack And my friends are just as screwy as me" You breezed through 2005 in your own funky style!

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Candy Heart

Your Candy Heart Says "First Kiss"

You're a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship. You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you Your flirting style: friendly and sweet What turns you off: cynics who don't believe in romance Why you're hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

One Smart Cookie

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Jelly Belly

You Are a Root Beer Jelly Bean

You are truly All American and down to earth. You don't have fancy tastes, and you don't apologize for who you are. You enjoy tradition and proven quality.

What Flavor Jelly Bean Are You?

Alias

***Kristen Michel Herrett's Aliases***
Your movie star name: Chips James
Your fashion designer name is Kristen Athens
Your socialite name is Krissy Mike NYC
Your fly girl / guy name is K Her
Your detective name is Panda Sleezeville
Your barfly name is Pudding Cosmopolitan
Your soap opera name is Michel Pinecrest
Your rock star name is Sweet Tarts Cheetah
Your Star Wars name is Kricha Herjef
Your punk rock band name is The Sedate Pinochle Cards
The Amazing Meganame Generatorhttp://www.blogthings.com/meganamegenerator/

Distance

I have a friend who I now over the last 12 months have started considering to be more of an acquaintance. There are a few reasons for this:
1) We are at very different places in our lives and she has no appreciation for the fact that I have accepted a certain level of maturity necessary to be a wife and mother.
2) I can no longer accept the fact that she is unable and unwilling to realize that life is unfair and sometimes we have to compromise our personal comforts for those we love.
3) We never see each other, which is in part because she is unable to have a level of stability in her life that allows her to travel and in part due to the fact that when I visit (infrequently) the area that she lives, I no longer make getting together a priority.
I am being selfish here I feel, but I'm not going to feel guilty about that. I am going through a period in my life where my husband, my child and my family are number one (after only God) and I'm not very interested in quitting different things (jobs, careers etc) based on principle. I have reached a level of maturity that makes me realize that I have to make certain sacrifices because of the level of love for my husband and child in my life. I have accepted that my way is not the only way and that is putting me at a distance with this friend and a few others in my past. To be honest, I like this distance, it helps me to focus on what's important and leave everything else on the side where I can ignore it if I have to!

An Angel For You Today

I might have posted this picture before, but here is an angel to guide you through your day. We all have a guardian angel. I have one who seems to have worked overtime in the last ten months. I know this angel looks a little like a fairy, which brings me to this point that angels really don't come in the packages we always think of. Take a group of my favorite angels, gargoyles. Gargoyles assume the shape of the beast to fight the beast. A gargoyle outside your door keeps the evil spirits out of your home. Cherubs are not actually fat, naked babies. They are cute to think of that way though. So, here she is and may she protect you all day.

Wild Ones

Max, Moishe, Tzippy and Emil are having a Wild Rumpus in the Nursery!