P90X Update

The bad news? Only five weeks down and a LOT more to go.

The good news? We have both lost 5 pounds so we will be continuing the program!

We have found it's much more pleasant and less interrupting if we just do the workout together after Drew goes down for bed. The entire program give you a nice, all-inclusive workout each week with everything from cardio to lifting and yoga to a karate-type movements. Although I'd rather be running, it's still only highs in the 30's right now and I just can't bear that. P90X it is.

So kudos to us for surviving 5 weeks of the program and losing about a pound a week!

My 3 Children

Bailey and Lacy love their baby....

But I love the faces Drew makes when inspecting and analyzing Bailey...

And I especially love the kisses Bailey sneaks in when I'm snapping pictures...

Babywearing

I'm officially a "babywearer"! I was able to finally try out my Beco Gemini baby carrier outside this past weekend at the dog park and have used it quite a few times since then around the house. Although we were given a Baby Bjorn for my shower as a gift, we read quite a few reviews discussing how they killed people's back and weren't good for the infants spine. The Beco Gemini has had FAB reviews since coming out and is much more ergonomic making it better for baby and carrier. I LOVE how it barely feels like he is on me and the device is so easy to use. I feel like he's so secure and comfortable in the Beco. And yet another wonderful feature is that he can ride on our back, unlike the Bjorn. The Beco can also hold a child up to 35 pounds meaning Derek can have him when he is a toddler on his back down the road!

It's taken Drew some time to warm up to the carrier, but he falls right asleep now. He mostly faces in when around the house and he loves snuggling up to mommy in it while I cook dinner or clean the house!

 

KU Basketball

GO JAYHAWKS!!

ELITE EIGHT BABY!!!!

Cirque Du Soleil - Michael Jackson

We bought tickets! I'm SUPER excited that these two forces have combined for a show coming to Cleveland in July 2012. We have seen a couple Cirque shows in the past and love them. And, of course, who doesn't love MJ?!

We assume this show will sell out since they are only here one night so we went ahead and made the big purchase. Now I just have to wait 16 months to actually see the show!!!

Click HERE to see the website and promo video.

Signs of Spring

 Although we're supposed to get snow this week, I'm excited to see some signs of spring around the city. From my favorite flip flops, to buds poking up through the mulch to blue jays and red robins scrounging up worms, it's just a refreshing feeling. This means running outside, and barbecuing on the grill. It means yard work and summer brews on the patio. But mostly, it means the sun is coming. And you can bet that I'll be soaking up every ray possible!

What is your favorite part about spring?!

Catching a Smile

We're not fully able to get a smile on demand yet, but here are a couple shots of semi-smiles that I managed to capture. His real smile is even cuter and much more enthusiastic, but you can get the idea from these....

10 Things I Couldn't Have Survived Without

I thought it would be fun to list out the top 10 things that help me survive these first couple of months with a newborn! Here they are in order starting with the least important.Obviously there are a lot more items that most mothers have (ie: burp cloths, pacifiers, etc) that I'm not including.

#10: Eddie Bauer car seat cover.

We have managed to not freeze the toes off our little one with this wonderful, fleece cover. It has protected him from the harsh winter snowfalls up here in Cleveland and kept him warm and cozy!

#9: Target nursing tank tops

I have lived in these tank tops since Drew's birth. They are long, comfortable and extremely easy to use.

#8: Bouncy seat
Although we don't use it as much anymore, we wore it out the first 6 weeks or so! It helped me be able to take showers, go to the bathroom, get a bite to eat, etc. Life savor!

#7: Medela breast pump
Due to Drew's latching problems in the beginning as well as the pain I was experiencing from breastfeeding, I pumped a LOT to help my supply increase. Now I only pump one time a day to store up a bit of milk, but it was a HUGE help in the beginning.

#6: Sleep sheep / Homedics sound spa
The white noise from these two items have kept our angel asleep through the sounds of creaky wood floors, dogs barking, and much more.

#5: Mylicon
Our little one prefers not to release gas in the form of a burp, but in the form of a quiet but deadly way. We can often hear his stomach 'brewing' much like adults after eating a huge Mexican food meal. This has really helped him endure the gas stuck in his little body and sleep better.

#4: Halo swaddle sleep sack

Drew HAS to be swaddled to sleep. From day 1 he would wake up if his hands were out and about. We LOVE the Halo sleep sacks and especially the fleece one for the winter time.

#3: Lanolin cream

Breastfeeding was painful. EXTREMELY painful. While it doesn't hurt nearly at all anymore, this stuff was a lifesaver in the beginning. I had it all throughout the house and would have died from pain had it not been for this cream.

#2: Iphone

My apps and games saved me from falling asleep with all the middle of the night feedings.

#1: DEREK!

I absolutely wouldn't have survived these past two months without the love and support of my best friend. He has been an amazing father and a the best husband any new mother could ask for.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2 Month Stats

This month was full of changes for Andrew. Although he grew tremendously in size the first month, his personality changes have really developed this past month.

Stats: (2 months and 3 days to be exact)
- Weight: 13 lbs, 3 oz (90th percentile)
- Length: 24 inches (90th percentile)
- Head: 16 inches (50th percentile)

Changes:
- We have SMILES! It's so adorable to watch him smile.
- He now tracks movement around him while keeping eye contact
- He LOVES to sit up. Although you have to hold him, he'd so much rather be sitting than laying down.
- His head control, when upright, has gotten so good!
- He is sleeping in his crib in his room now at night and sometimes for naps.
- He has officially begun to coo and make sweet sounds.
- He is sleeping generally 6-7 hours a night (sometimes more, sometimes less), followed by another 2-3 hours after he eats.
- At night, he still falls asleep much easier when swaddled.

- Tummy time has gotten slightly better. He prefers "modified" tummy time either on the boppy or on someones chest.

Today we went for our 2 month shots which went quite well. He was actually semi-smiling at the nurse which, little did he know, was about to stab him multiple times. He cried for a few minutes, but then as soon as his little toosh was plopped into the car seat, he passed right out!

Baby Feet

Soft.

Kissable.

Scrumptious.

Photo Credit: Cassie Plummer Photography

2 Months Old

 

Happy Two Months to our little ray of sunshine!

 

Full 2 month post coming early next week after we visit the pediatrician's office.

 

Thank Heaven for Little Boys

(and FYI, yes he has gynormous cheeks, but they are somewhat pushed up here!)

Quirky Turkey

Our little turkey has had quite the thumb placement from birth. We noticed this almost immediately after birth and I finally remembered to snap a picture. When Drew makes fists, he likes to place his thumb after his fore-finger.

As weird as it may sound, this is actually a trait passed on by myself, with one exception. My thumb naturally ends up in the middle of my other four fingers, just one over from where Drew holds it.

Weird? Kinda. But charmingly adorable at the same time.

My Two Men

Here are Drew and Derek in their coming home outfit around the same age (6-7 weeks-ish).

Definitely a lot of resemblance.

Banana Bread Beer

I enjoy fruity beers more than regular beer so when I came across this banana bread beer, I was super excited! With a smell and taste (but not overbearing) to that of banana bread, I found it to be a yummy treat.

On a side note, it's great to have a drink now and then again! I was very good while pregnant only having an ounce at a winery once with the fam. Now I just have to time my drinks to when I nurse my little man, but it's WELL worth it!

Exercising!

Our little guy loves to lay on his quilt (made by my good friend, Jenny!) and kick his arms and legs while making faces and sometimes even coo-ing!

My Current Favorite Sound

They are blurry and short, but still makes me smile.

Thankful

The other night I was reading a message board post about the Staats family who had recently lost their 4 month old daughter out of the blue. I clicked the link to her blog (http://kandjstaats.blogspot.com/2008/07/5-months.html) and began reading during the 5am feeding. I sat in silence and weeped. After seeing the pain the mother is going through, I began to feel anger at myself for the selfish moments I've felt over the past 7 weeks. I have so much to be thankful for and need to keep it in perspective when times get rough. Honestly though, our baby is such an angel that the 'rough times' are far and few. It's just that when they hit, they hit hard. Any new mother will agree.

So... I wrote out my thoughts. Turning negative into positive. Everything is a blessing in disguise.

• I am thankful for the cry as the clock reads 3:46 a.m. because it means I will be able comfort my boy without the assistance of a hospital nurse.
• I am thankful when I struggle to nurse because it means my boy doesn't have to eat from a feeding tube.
• I am thankful for his snotty nose and rare cough because it's the worst health issue I have to worry about right now.
• I am thankful for every night that it takes 2.5 hours to get him to sleep because I get to touch him as opposed to him being in a machine at some hospital.
• I am thankful for his screaming cries because it means his lungs are healthy.
• I am thankful for the times I have to wipe urine off the walls, dresser and floor when I'm not fast enough with a diaper because it means my baby's kidneys are functioning.
• I am thankful for the endless loads of laundry because it reminds me that he is not wearing hospital gowns.
• I am thankful for the blow-outs that happen outside the house because it means my boy is healthy enough to be out and about.

I am thankful for so much because right now, this family wants what I have. Good and bad.