Friday, July 26, 2013

The One with the Two Month Favorites

Liam is almost three months old ::gasp:: and I am finally sitting down to write about the things that have been really helpful and useful during the last month.

All images (other than the ones of my precious son!) are found through Amazon searches.

Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack 
This thing is seriously awesome.  It's the perfect place to dry all of Liam's bottles and their zillion parts.  Plus it looks cute on the counter.

Boppy Pillow

I originally registered for this pillow to use when breastfeeding.  We all know how that turned out.  However, this pillow is also great to prop Liam up on after he eats and when I need to use both hands to type or make a bottle.  I have also found that Liam sleeps well on this.  I think it's the cocoon-like feeling like he gets when he's swaddled.  Obviously, I am sitting right there with him anytime he's on this.  It can also be used for tummy time and they make super cute covers for the pillow.

Dapple Dish Liquid
I know we can use regular dish detergent to wash L's bottles.  But, I like the idea of something fragrance free made specifically for bottles.  This stuff is great and gets that gross formula smell off the bottles.  Plus, they make a travel sized one (which we've obviously gotten a ton of use out of during our road trips) and a refill bag so you don't need to keep buying the dispenser. 

Sassy Ring O' Links
As Liam has become more alert and interested in toys, these have been an awesome toy for him.  The bright colors hold his attention and he can grab onto the rings when you put them in his hand.  Plus, they are super portable and easy to throw in the diaper bag when we leave the house.

Motorola Wireless Video Monitor


I seriously love this thing.  While Liam is still rooming in, we have the camera in our bedroom.  When he goes to bed at night, I can use the monitor to keep an eye on him until we go to bed (which is usually shortly after him anyway!).  The picture quality is great and we can even talk to him through the camera.

iBabyLog App

Originally, I downloaded this app to keep track of feedings.  However, I have used it for so much more.  I keep track of Liam's diaper changes, sleeping, doctor's visits, and medications.  It's been so helpful to have everything in one place.  You can even share the data with other users and if I can get my mom on the smartphone bandwagon before the fall, I am hoping she can use it to keep track of Liam's daily activities while I'm at work.  It's a free app that has some ads on the top but they don't interfere with the app at all.  I've been very happy with it.

So those are just a few of the things that have been especially useful over the past month.  Can't believe I'll be doing a three month update post soon.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The One with the Thursday Thoughts

Liam and I are back from North Carolina and trying to get back into a routine.  We had a really nice time visiting family and L even tried out the pool for the first time.  I'll do a separate post about that soon.

In the meantime, onto the Thursday thoughts...
  • L's baptism is in a few weeks.  I have about eleventy jillion things to do between now and then.  Least of which is getting this house organized.  There is stuff everywhere.  We are really running out of room here.
  • I made banana bread yesterday with some too ripe to eat bananas.  It turned out pretty well and I just had some for breakfast.
  • I am already thinking about when I am going to go into my classroom to start getting organized.  I hate this feeling every summer, but I am finding myself really dreading it this summer.  It's going to mean going back to work and leaving Liam.  I could seriously burst into tears just about any time I think about this.
  • I downloaded a book on my Nook and have read almost 300 pages.  I still cannot figure out if I've read it before.  The premise and some of the story are so familiar but I'm still not sure.
  • I participated in a children's book exchange with some friends.  I sent out one children's book and Liam is supposed to get 36 in return.  He's gotten quite a few so far from all over the country.  It's been a great way to build up his library.
  • I just realized I have no pictures in this post.  I'm too lazy to plug in my phone or camera to transfer pictures.
  • The moms' group we joined is a lot of fun.  I've met some really great moms and babies and it's so nice to get out of the house every Monday.  We've even made other plans to walk in the park and go to the mall.
  • Liam has started to swat at the toys above him on his playmat.  It's so amazing to watch him develop these skills.  He's still not a fan of tummy time.
  • Since I got back from vacation on Tuesday afternoon, I've done 5 loads of laundry.  I feel like I'm living in the laundry room!  
Little man is waking up from his morning snooze so I'm off to entertain him and decide if we are leaving the house today.

Happy Thursday!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The One with the Thursday Thoughts

Hello blogging world!

Hope everyone had a good 4th of July weekend and your week is going well so far.

Here are some of the things that have been floating around in my head lately...
  • I wish the weather would make up its mind.  It's hot and muggy, it's raining and cloudy, it's windy and cool.  Uh, I know it's New England, but I'm done with this craziness.
  • I went to Old Navy yesterday and was pleasantly surprised when I saw that it was Stuff and Save Day!  I picked up some shorts (Mommy's hips have definitely spread and she needed to go up a size...boo!) and some super cute shirts and tanks.
 These have little lobsters on them.  In love.
From here.

 Totally not a blouse type person but this one is super comfy and cute.
From here.
  • We have a party to go to this weekend and I am whipping up some ramen noodle salad.  It's super easy to make and only has a few ingredients.  It's so yummy!  I tried to find my recipe online, but other people seem to put weird shit in it (uh balsamic vinegar in this sounds gross) so I'll share my recipe.  The key is to make this the night before you serve it so it has time to soak up all the juices overnight.  It's one package of cole slaw mix, 2-3 scallions (chopped), 2 packages of Ramen noodles (beef or Oriental flavor, crushed), 1 cup of sliced almonds, 1 cup of vegetable oil, 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, and the Ramen noodle flavor packets.  Mix everything together and refrigerate overnight.
  • Oh, speaking of refrigerators...ours shit the bed this weekend.  Hubs came home quite late on Friday night and we discovered not so cold milk and melting ice cubes.  Luckily, we have a big freezer downstairs so I was able to save all the food that was in there.  All the stuff in the refrigerator went into coolers in the kitchen and we crossed our fingers that we would be able to save everything.  And then we went shopping for a fridge.  Holy goodness those things cost a lot of money!  Didn't exactly budget for that!  We were able to pick one up on Saturday and it was quite the project to get it in the house.  Fortunately, we saved most of the food and Hubs was able to hook everything up successfully.

This gives me agita.  I mean my kitchen was such a flippin mess!

That marine cooler came in quite handy.
  • We are embarking on another very long road trip next week.  Let the packing of all the things begin yet again.
  • The postpartum hair loss has begun.  I may be bald by the time L is 6 months old.
  • Liam stretches like a grown man.  With full arched back and groans.  It's hysterical to watch.
  • My first day of birth control to start our IVF process was one year ago Monday.  It blows my mind that it has been an entire year...
Hope you are having a fabulous Thursday!

Friday, July 5, 2013

The One with the Two Month Update

Liam Michael you are

TWO MONTHS OLD!


How did another month go by already?  Mommy sometimes wants to just freeze time and keep you this small forever!

What are your stats and what does the doctor say?
At your doctor's appointment on July 1st you weighed 13 pounds and were 23 inches long. You are in the 75% for weight.  Dr. G and I talked all about how you had been doing since our last visit and he was super happy with how you looked and sounded.  We talked about swimming (you can go in the ocean and the pool on vacation!), how much you are eating and sleeping, and about using some different products on your skin because you have a very mild case of eczema.  You also got three shots and one oral vaccine.  You did pretty well and only cried when the needles went in (so did Mommy!).  You were super tired that afternoon and little fussy that night, but overall you did very well.  Your hair is still blond and your eyes are a steel blue color.

 War wounds.  Good thing you have chubby thighs.

What are you eating?
You are eating 6 four-ounce bottles of Similac Advance formula a day and you usually have 1 two-ounce bottle after your bath before you go to sleep.  Because you are sleeping longer at night, sometimes it is hard to fit all six bottles in your day.  We are going to be starting to give you five-ounce bottles soon and hopefully going down to five bottles a day.

When do you sleep and eat?
You are still a great sleeper!  You are sleeping 7 to 8 hours a night and have had some nights lately where you slept for more than 9 hours!  You usually wake up around 6ish, have a bottle, play for an hour or so, and go back to sleep until 8:30 or 9.  You eat again around and then we play for a while on your mat or in your bouncy chair.  Mommy tries to sneak a shower for herself in here too!  If we are going out during the day, Mommy tries to do it during this time before your next bottle; otherwise we wait until after the bottle you have around noontime.  Sometimes you take a long nap after this bottle, but lately you have wanted to take a quick nap and then be awake for a while.  Another bottle between 2:30 and 3:00 and then some stories and another short nap.  You are usually awake when Mommy and Daddy eat dinner and we try to time that around your 6:00 bottle (or whenever Daddy gets home from work...lately that has been very late and sometimes you are in bed before he gets home).  Sometimes you doze off after this bottle, but you are usually very awake during this time and sometimes a little fussy (but we still love you lots!).  We squeeze in another bottle between 8:30 and 9:00 before we start getting ready for bed.  You are a very loud sleeper and make lots of noises before you fully wake up, but you are always very happy once you are all the way awake.

Those crinkly eyed smiles just make Mommy's heart melt.
What do your routines look like?
During the day, we don't have a set nap schedule set up just yet, although your first nap of the day is often in your bouncy seat.  You usually fall asleep in your carseat anytime Mommy takes you out to run errands.  You like to help Mommy water the flowers.  You hang out in your baby carrier and usually fall asleep in the later afternoon when we give the flowers their drinks.  You are still getting a bath every night and you just love that time.  You could be super fussy right before and the minute you get in the water, you are a happy camper.  You love to splash and get water everywhere!  We usually start this around 9:15 or whenever you have settled down after your last bottle.  Dr. G. said to start backing up bath time about 5-10 minutes every week in the hopes of getting you to sleep earlier every night so you are sleeping 10-12 hours at night by 4-5 months.  After your bath, you still get a little baby massage with lotion and then swaddled.  You get a 1-2 ounce bottle and then we read a story before you go to sleep in the Rock 'n Play.

You're outgrowing this tub already!
What size clothes and diapers are you wearing?
You are wearing mostly 3 month clothes and a few 0-3 month clothes still fit you.  Mommy put a 6 month onesie on you this week and it definitely wasn't too big!  You are wearing size 1 diapers but we will be moving into size 2 soon.

What are some things you love?
You love to be moving, whether it's in your stroller or carseat or walking with Mommy in the carrier.  You are always kicking your legs and moving your arms.  Mommy and Daddy are in big trouble when you start crawling and walking!  You still love your playmat and have started to notice all the toys hanging on it now.  You love to watch the fan spin when you are laying on the playmat.  You are so happy on your changing mat when we just let you hang out there.  You laugh and talk to us before your diaper gets changed.  You also love to find your hands and put them in your mouth.  You are getting much better at figuring that out and using them to help you soothe yourself.  You love to stretch your arms and legs, especially when you are waking up.  You also really like to hang out on your Boppy pillow when Mommy is working on the computer.


What are some things you don't love?
You are not thrilled when Mommy makes you have tummy time.  You tend to only last a few minutes before you start getting annoyed that you can't move.  You are still very hot all the time and are not happy if you can't cool down.  You don't like having your movement restricted, like when we strap you in your carseat or swaddle you.  You like being in your carseat and being swaddled once the process is done, but you don't like the initial restriction of your stretching.

What can you do?
You are such a happy baby and have given us lots of social smiles.  You are "talking" to us with coos and noises all the time and love to participate in conversations.  You can find your hands and put them in your mouth with much greater accuracy.  You seem to have a preference for your left hand, which Mommy loves! Your head and neck control has greatly increased and you turn your head from side to side with little support.  You turn your head and eyes to follow sounds and objects.  You keep a tight grasp on anything placed in your hands and love grabbing Mommy's shirt and hair when she is holding you.

 Your big brother left you a few presents the other morning.

Where have you gone?
Well, you survived your big trip to Chicago last month and were a big hit at Auntie Nic and Uncle Brian's wedding.  You also went to visit your great-great aunt Eleanor in Columbus, OH on the way home.  You like to run errands with Mommy and we joined a moms group with lots of other babies your age.  Another big road trip is planned in a couple of weeks!

 
What have you celebrated?
You celebrated your first holiday yesterday on the 4th of July.  You went to a cookout and slept the whole time.  It was so gross and hot outside that Mommy decided we should leave early because you were a sweaty monster but you did so well in the heat.  Plus, you looked pretty darn adorable in your outfit.  We also celebrated Nana's birthday yesterday.  You wanted to help her eat her donut cake!

 Not a care in the world.

Oh just wait until you can have donut cake.  It's kinda a tradition round these parts.

Who has visited and watched you?
You met Auntie Nic and Uncle Brian, along with their families while we were in Chicago.  Nana has gotten to spend lots of time with you (she was a big help on our Chicago trip) and Gramma and Poppa have visited from Maine. 

What was Mommy's Mother of the Year moment this month?
The other day we went for a long walk with our mommy friends and their babies.  Mommy attached the carseat to the stroller for our walk.  Because you don't like to be strapped in unless you have to be, Mommy unhooked all the straps while we were walking.  When it was time to go back in the car, Mommy put your seat in the base in the car.  Mommy looked back at you after about a block and realized she had never strapped you back in!  Cue panic and looking for a quick place to pull over to fix that major problem.  Thank goodness we have a mirror in the car so Mommy could see her huge mistake.  Great mommy over here!

What are some of your nicknames?
Liam Love, Bug, Mr. Man, Doodles, Lovebug, Little Man, Cookie, Pumpkin, Bubba.

And here are some pictures from our photo shoot this morning...


You are truly a miracle, little boy, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives.  Mommy and Daddy could not love you more and it is so fun watching your personality develop.  Can't wait to see what the next month holds!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The One with the Anniversary

Two years ago, I was getting beautified...

 Super talented Lynda Williams and Jennifer Hodge

Two years ago, I got to put on this dress and these shoes (oh Kate Spade, you outdid yourself with these ones)...


Two years ago, I held this man's hands in front of all our family and friends and promised to love him forever...


Two years ago, we danced to this song in a beautiful room filled with so much love...


Two years ago, I promised to divorce him that minute if he put once smear of frosting on my face...






Two years ago, I married the most wonderful man and I am so blessed with the life we have built together...



Happy anniversary my love.

Monday, July 1, 2013

The One with the June Cara Box

This month I participated in the Cara Box exchange again.


Cara Box


Cara Box was started by Kaitlyn at Wifessionals in an effort to get to know other bloggers and receive super fun mail!  This was my third month participating and I had so much fun with this.  Each month has a theme and you can read more about how Cara Box works here.

I was paired up with Amanda at Mama & Co. and Erin from Lucky Clover Boutique.  It was so fun getting to know both ladies and while this month's theme was a little challenging, I enjoyed picking out items for Erin's Cara Box.  Head over to her blog to see what I sent her in the Cara Box.

I came home from Liam's doctor's appointment today to a box from Amanda.  This month's theme was all about fairs and carnivals and Amanda did an awesome job incorporating this theme into the box she sent me.  I didn't make it all that easy for her considering I'm not all that into carnivals (creepy clowns...no thank you!).

In the box from Amanda, there were two toys for Liam (Sassy brand is a fave of mine), funnel cake mix (uh cannot wait to try this out!), cotton candy cookie mix (I got this for Erin too and I almost bought a bag for me...so excited that I make some of these now!), lip balm (it's one of those cute little Eos ones that's shaped like an egg), hand sanitizer and nail polish, and the most adorable monogrammed cup (love.love.love).  Thanks Amanda for all the awesome stuff!

 

Once again, I had so much fun with the Cara Box exchange this month.  Unfortunately, I missed the deadline to sign up for July's exchange because I was on the big road trip, but I am looking forward to participating again soon.

I definitely recommend signing up for this exchange if you haven't already.