THIS IS WAR, PEACOCK

Finley and mommy almost always see eye-to-eye. However, when it comes to night time sleep, the two have different agendas. Lately, Finley, who gets up every 1-2 hours ready to play, has been winning the battles, but the question is, who will win the war, Nerf Gun mommy or Finley, the animal steele?
#warriors

CAMEL DIAPER?

Fix yourself girl, cuz you've got a camel toe...

UNCLE STEPHEN TO THE RESCUE

(Pic taken 6/21/17)

(Pic taken 8/9/17)

 Anyone who knows Finley knows that she loves to be held. Steph (aka "Uncle Steven") is always willing to oblige even if it means carrying Finley a mile down Butler Street in 95 degree heat because Finley no longer likes her stroller.

Anyone who knows Uncle Steven knows that she loves to make people laugh, and nothing apparently is funnier to Finley than Uncle Steven pretending to "slurp" noodles.

(Video taken 9/10/17)

PLASTIC DUCK

 Dedicated readers of Finally Finley know that Finley is not a big sleeper. Since week two of her life, Finley pretty much would only nap if she were outside even if this meant walking to the historical Allegheny Cemetery to nap by her favorite fountain. Needless to say, interesting people frequent fountains in cemeteries during the middle of the day during the workweek. #warriors                         

 

(Pic taken 8/19/17)

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MY DAUGHTER

Although it's hard to go to work and leave Finley, there is nothing better than coming home to her. Here we are going for an after-work walk. At least once a day, I think to myself...holy moly, I have a daughter. Does life get any sweeter than this? #warriors

TWEET TWEET, FINLEY

Hello, Uncle Peter! Maybe someday Finley will be a clever tweeter, but, for now, no electronics as the world is too exciting and new for Finley to be staring at a screen. However, if she could tweet then it would likely go something like this:

Coo, coo, grrrr, roar, whaaaaaaa, grunt, milk, hold me, but I don’t want to sleep, PACI, porch swing, what’s a nap, goo, goo, ceiling fan, good-by swaddle, Dolly Parton

TAKE NOTE: Finley's tweet is exactly 140 characters long.

(Uncle Pete--Mommy's favorite brother-in-law)

WHERE'S PAP-PAP?

Here he is! Not only does Finley have the best Grandma; but also, she has the best Pap-Pap. Finley, you are loved. You have brought so much to our lives. Pap-Pap is one of the sweetest and most kind people I know. For all intents and purposes, Grandma and Pap-Pap "moved in" with me after Finley was born. I was humbled and had to ask for help. Grandma and Pap-Pap were up to the task. It has been a gift to have them with us. During the first days, weeks, and months of Finley's life, Pap-Pap and I spent hours on the porch with baby Finley talking about love, life, and family. I wonder what Finley thought about all of these conversations. Pap-Pap's favorite thing to say to Finley is, "where'd you get those pretty blue eyes..." SPOILER ALERT: From Pap-Pap.

(Pic taken 7/28/17)

(Pic taken 7/12/17...Pap-Pap caught smiling)

(Pic taken 8/14/17)

(Pic taken 8/16/17)

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

Finley loves hanging out with the "big girls." Here she is with Aunt Cake, Uncle Shady, and her mom. We are just four girls hanging out on the front porch telling stories. When I was a child, one of life's most burning questions was who do you like more, Madonna or Cyndi Lauper? Finley, what do you think? #warriors

AUNTIE HALLIE SAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

(Pic taken 6/22/2017/Auntie Hallie)

Auntie Hallie often comes visiting with the coolest outfits for Finley like the one she is donning in the pictures to the left. Yes, Finley may be small but her dreams are big. 

We love you, Aunt Hallie! Come back soon:)
                                                                       

HANDS

Weekends with Finley are the best. Time ceases to exist, as we explore the world together with new eyes (for both of us). #warriors

#HASHTAG

This was our first day (first hour) home from the hospital. This is one of my all-time favorite photos of Finley and me. Our expressions say it all..#help #nowwhatdowedo #feedme #teamtiffandfinn #tiffinny #howdoiswaddle #fakeittilyoumakeit #wevegotthis.  Needless to say, we have come along way. Sometimes we lose the battle, but we never lose the war. #warriors

(Pic taken 6/4/2017)

I USED TO LIVE ALONE BEFORE I KNEW YOU

(Pic taken 6/4/2017)

(Pic taken 6/4/2017) (Aunt Cake)

After a "passionate" departure from the hospital and confusion with the car seat, Grandma, Pap-Pap, and I took Finley home. We were greeted with amazing "welcome home" decorations from our dear friends and neighbors, Sara ("Uncle Shady") and Michelle ("Aunt Cake"). Welcome to 44th Street, Finley

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS...

...when Finley smiles.

(Pic taken 7/15/17)

BABY 101

By day 3 of Finley's life, I had learned the hard way that Finley was not at all fond of sleeping on her back...or being on her back in any capacity. I also witnessed again how strong Finley is. Here she is working hard to move from her back to her side.

(Pic taken 6/4/2017)

By day 3, I had a couple of rude awakenings as well. Take, for example, the following conversations:

(Day 1)

NURSE: Finley will need to be breast fed every two hours.

MOMMY: Wait, even at night? 

NURSE: Yes.

MOMMY: Wait a second, then when will I sleep...? 

(Day 3)

NURSE: Today you are being discharged.

MOMMY: Wait a second, we have to leave?

Oh, we have come a long way since then. #warriors

(pic taken 6/4/2017) (Finley's "leaving the hospital" outfit)

(Keeping track of Finley 6/5/17) 

(Keeping track of Finley 6/5 and 6/6/17)

KANGAROO LEVEL 5

Oh, sweet Finny, we love you so much. Every day is an adventure with you. Buckle up! Here you are rocking out on the mamaroo, "Kangaroo level 5," which is essentially the equivalent of  "mach ten" for babies! Viewers take note, this may be the first time Finny liked this contraption, which was advertised as a miracle worker. Needless to say, we are still waiting for the miracle. #warriors.

Turns out, Finny and I have something in common...

(Pic taken 1/1/2016)

FINN THE FISH

(Pic taken 6/3/2017)

I told you the name, Finley (Finn), suited her....just look at those fish lips.

SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE

(Pic taken 6/3/2017)

Day 2 in the hospital. Quickly, Finley and I realized that although we did not quite yet understand one another, we still spoke the same language. #warriors

WHAT'S IN A NAME part 2

(Grandma's letters!) 

"Finley" suited our Finley right away.

Some of the other names in the running were Vivian, Quinn, Jax, Addie, Sabine, Jackie, and Tatum.

(A gift from one of mommy's clients. Thank you!)

Here are some of the reasons why Finley works so well: While I was pregnant, it always felt like Finley (Finn) was swimming; Finley has many possible nicknames such as Finn, Finny, Fin-Fin, Finster; one of its meanings is fair-headed warrior; and Finny is one of my favorite, fictional characters from the book A Separate Peace.

(Michelle/"Aunt Cake" pic taken on 6/4/2017)

(Gift from Debby! Thank you)

WHAT'S IN A NAME part 1

It turns out quite a bit. The middle name was never in question. As soon as Grandma and I found out that I was having a girl, while on a conference call with Dr. Thomas' office last fall/early winter, I knew the middle name would be Patience. Turns out it was the right choice! Grandma loves Finley and Finley loves Grandma. Grandma is my inspiration. There is nobody like her. She is kind, brilliant, hilarious, strong, beautiful, optimistic, and full of life. She taught me the most important lesson in my life - to never give up. Because we all never gave up, Finley is here. Notably, I used to think that Grandma had more energy than anyone else until I met Finley! Also, grandma loves to dress Finley in pink, to buy new toys, and to sleep in the same room with Finley...Grandma's favorite phrase to say to Finley is, "Grandma's here..." It comforts her every time. We are so lucky to have her.

(Pic taken 8/14/2017)

(Pic taken 8/17/17)

SKINNY JEANS

Not unlike a movie, I will be artistically shifting between the present and the past until we are caught up. Today, Finley wore her first pair of skinny jeans. Not unlike everything my sweet baby does, she had her own take on the "skinny jean."

SKIN-TO-SKIN

 (Pic taken 6/2/17)

This was our first time lying with one another skin-to-skin. We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. As you can see from her adorable, expectant mouth, Finley was an expert latcher (which is good because she sure likes to eat). During our stay at MaGee Women's Hospital, Finley won the award for being (1) the best eater and (2) the fussiest. As the days and weeks passed, Finley continued to be an expert eater and, although she continued to be fussy, we now use other terms such as passionate, energetic, and busy. We wouldn't want her any other way.

Because this was my first time as a mom and this was Finley's first time as a baby, we both had a lot to learn. Truth be told, my learning curve was much steeper than Finley's. She was the MVP the first couple of weeks. #warriors

TAKE NOTE: Grandma was a fan of her pink hat! Also, some things from the hospital "mistakenly" made it to our house! Whoops:)

(Pic taken 6/17/17)

LOOK WHO'S HERE

Finley arrived on June 2, 2017 at 12:23 pm. Despite her Aunt Cassidy predicting she would be a big baby, she weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces (two ounces below average for those statisticians out there). She is our miracle. The goal was to start this blog the day she was born, but Finley had other plans. Not one to be happy sitting still, Finley and I have not stopped moving since that beautiful sunny day when Finley left the coziness of the womb after an extended visit (she was born 5 days after her May 28 due day). Hey, I don't blame her, I'm sure it was cozy in there. Accordingly, I did not have a chance to sit down in front of computer until I physically returned to work on 9/5/2017.

After Finley made her way down the birth canal, while I pushed (our first successful team effort), Dr. Thomas tossed her to me like a football...I caught her. Touchdown! My first thought was holy moly she's beautiful...followed by, holy moly, she is strong, as she pulled herself up on my chest.

Take Note: One might notice that Finley appears to be somewhat apprehensive. I have since learned that Finley, like her mom, is not too fond of transitions. Together we take it day-by-day. #warriors