It's the little things: 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Looking back...

I can't believe another year has come and gone. It was a crazy and difficult one in many ways (from the very start) but it also brought us our greatest blessing...for that I will be eternally greatful! A few highlights:

Josh and I celebrated 7 years of marriage in Febuary!

We found out we were pregnant in March!

Josh celebrated his 29th Birthday!

I celebrated my 28th!

...and best of all...Jaden boo was born in November!

Dear 2011, be good to us! :) We are excited about the many changes that are just around the corner and we pray that this will be the best year yet! <3

(we're a family of 3...plus two adorable furbabies!!!)

(growing, growing, growing...way too fast!)

(he's here!!! he's perfect!!!)

(this is really happening!!!)

(holy preggo...he's coming!)

(We're almost there!)

(making memories!)

(It's a boy!!!)

(We're having a baby!!!)

(Our Anniversary!)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Jaden's first Christmas...

Just a few photos of our first Christmas as a family of three (there are several more, but these are a couple of my favorite)...we spent the day with Josh's family. Our first Christmas gift for our little man was a gym...the fisher price rainforest gym. We love it. So colorful and so much to look at! :)
I love baby boo's outfit...he looks like such a little stud muffin!

7 weeks...

12-23-10

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Mommy's favorites...

A fellow bloggy friend had mentioned some of her favorite baby items since little Brayden has been home. I have been meaning to do the same thing, just haven't really gotten around to it yet. I have to say, I totally agree with her...that when you get home with that little bundle, things change and you quickly realize what is necessary and practical and what isn't. Here are some of the things I like the most:
As far as diapers...after trying several different types, the huggies little snugglers are my favorite. The wipes too. Preferably the thick, cucumber green tea scented ones...Jaden....well...he's a stinky, explosive little fella (so far we've already ruined several outfits...mmm hmm!!!);P...so, you know...it requires decent wipes and diapers!
With his sensitive skin (poor kiddo got that from me I guess)...we've been using the Aveeno baby wash and lotion.

Those are just some of the things I would recommend :)

Update...

Staring at Daddy!

Sleepy boy!

Where do I begin?! It's been a crazy few weeks to say the least. Jaden has had some rough days...poor boo! He's been dealing with colic. It's so hard to watch your little munchkin scream for hours and not be able to comfort him! Thank goodness we were told about Gripe Water, and told by the pediatrician he could use it. It helps soothe his little tummy when he has one of his colicy episodes. As if that weren't enough my poor boo has baby acne too (nothing we can do about that...it'll go away in a couple of months or so when hormones settle down). So far he usually sleeps between 1 1/2 -2 1/2 hrs at a time (at night)...during the day he occasionally sleeps up to 4 hrs at a time. He still refuses to sleep in his crib or pack and play for the most part. The two places he'll usually fall asleep are on our chest and in his boppy pillow. After a few weeks of refusing to spend any time in his swing, he is now occasionally okay with it. He isn't terribly fond of tummy time unless he's on our chest lifting his head. He amazes me how well he can hold up his head already. It's so much better than when we first brought him home. He loves his baths, as long as the water is good and warm. He won't do lukewarm...it has to be really warm. He's a little high maintenance, ;P lol. When he's hungry, watch out. That is one time when he gets so mad that arms flail and legs will kick...he snorts people!!! He snorts when he gets mad! It's the cutest thing! Oh my goodness!!! When he just wants attention he has the cutest most pitiful little whine! Lol...I have to giggle when I hear it! Lately he has started cooing and smiling occasionally. So precious. When he's done eating he gets this look on his face....we call it "milk drunk"...it's priceless. As far as a schedule...we can't seem to get on one. Just like when he was in my tummy he still does things his way, on his time...there is no putting him on a schedule (mind you, I am not going to stop trying...but so far I haven't had much success). He still gets the hiccups constantly, just like when I was pregnant with him ;) love it! We've had such a rough time with breastfeeding. I nearly quit twice. I had stopped pumping for a day and even though I don't blame women for giving up when it's this complicated, I just couldn't ...not yet. I would end up in tears because I just couldn't give it up. I would do research online whenever I could and since them I've found some women who said that after three months of formula they went back to breast and were able to get their milk supply up (after lots of hard work of course)I've been trying fenugreek seed and the tea...I want to add blessed thistle too when I get a chance to go to the store (we're a one car family again...thanks to that pain in the booty truck of ours that has a new issue every week...long story!). I definitely think it's helping a little...still not really making enough to "feed him" but it's getting a little better. It doesn't help that I still only have my little manual breast pump...the VA says my electric one should be arriving soon. I hope! I'm telling you what, that darn little thing hurts far worse than nursing does!!! He eats sooo much! This little boy will down anywhere between 3-5 onces at a time...every two hours along with what he gets from nursing! (At least it seems like a lot) Usually I nurse him first and then try to give hime whatever else he needs from the bottle. He's grown so much! I can hardly believe how big he's getting, let alone that it's really been 7 weeks tomorrow since I gave birth to my little angel. It seems like he's always been with us. I don't remember life before he came. It's so natural...as hard as it may be sometimes...it is so worth everything!!! I love being mommy. Anytime he falls asleep on my chest (his favorite spot) it melts my heart. He has changed my life so much. While at times with everything I have going on right now it may get a little overwhelming, I wouldn't change it! He's so amazing! I'm so in awe with him and so in love. I still find myself checking to make sure he's breathing every few minutes! I know I need to relax, but I still get so paranoid! I love that little boy so much! :)
That's about all I can think of...I'll post more photos tomorrow for his 7 week birthday. :)

Mommy Progress Report...

(wow that mirror was dustier than I thought...sorry about that!)

6 weeks post partum:
Pre-pregnancy weight: 107 lbs
38 weeks (date of delivery): 144 lbs
2 weeks post partum: 121 lbs
6 weeks post partum: 124 lbs (not sure why it was more than at my two week weigh in...possibly because they were different scales. I don't really feel or look like I gained weight. Either way, weight wise I'm pretty happy with where I'm at right now...mostly I just want to tone my belly and lower half, as far as weight goes, we'll see what feels and looks good).
Goal weight: 115 lbs

The biggest problem I'm having is my hips...not sure if they'll go back down or not. Right now I don't fit into any pants. My maternity pants are too loose and slide down and my regular pants I can't get past my hips.

Another strange thing is my feet. I read that during pregnancy some women's feet "grow" (the ligaments stretch due to the same hormones that allow the pelvis to do its thing)...and I can't fit into any of my shoes either. Needless to say my wardrobe is extremely limited. I have one pair of pants that I bought and one pair of worn out flip flops that I can wear relatively comfortably.

So that's that... 6 weeks after baby boo :)