Weekend Catch Up

 Hey! I'm back and it hasn't been a whole month. I take the small victories these days. Two weekends ago we had a great weekend. Then the stomach bug hit our house. This weekend was also fabulous. I'm covering two of the three. Guess which ones?

Running post baby. I could do a whole post on this subject but the main takeway has been flexibility - in pace, schedule and distance. I've switched things up and have run at days and hours my pre baby self would find ungodly. Heck, my post baby self finds them ungodly too, but mind over matter.

All that being said, we are in the short and sweet time of year that Saturday morning runs can be enjoyable after 8 a.m., which means we can go on some family runs (yay!) outside our neighborhood (double yay!). Don't be fooled by the picture: he enjoyed it. Don't be fooled by the picture: I didn't push him.

I did push him around the grocery store after to get the fixings for sausage cream cheese crescents. This was before I broke the news he wasn't getting any just yet.

We went to a friend's to watch the game - they have a baby girl about Wright's age - his first football date. Roar.

He always asks to wear this shirt. Give the baby what he wants.

Saturday mornings are just about my favorite time of the week. We put on a pot of coffee, the Food Network, and watch Wright play. He is so happy jumping in his exersaucer or playing on the floor. It's so nice to have that one day a week we aren't rushing to get somewhere and can enjoy the morning.

That face!

Another favorite time: patio date nights. We try to do these once a week or so just to get out from in front of the television and enjoy catching up. As you can see from the picture, they are very fancy.

Blonde baby. Velour track suit. Big pumpkin.

I love this little man. I think the feeling is mutual.

We made Plain Chicken's Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls for the game this past weekend. We decided we also needed chips and rotel. Wright claimed the chips.

Saturday I headed out to a local consignment sale to pick up some fall and winter clothes for little man. I did not know what I was getting myself into. I wasn't prepared for the line, nor did I bring a Radio Flyer.

Meanwhile, back at the home front, the boys were snacking and football watching.

Saturday night we got to leave the house for a date night. (Grandparents are the best).
After an Alabama loss, a fried Oreo seemed fitting to end the meal.

Sunday morning we took this cutie to brunch. The last time we came to this restaurant was the morning we found out we were expecting Wright, so it was fun to bring him along. Spoon fed, baby led weaning, he does it all. He ate enough for a 3 year old.

Toast, eggs and pancakes that stole the show. What better way to end this post?

Weekends are a little different know, but they sure are a lot of fun.

Five on Friday

I'm so glad Five on Friday is back! I've found so many fun blogs and good products and tips this way, so here's to sharing some more!

1. Milani Baked Blush

I first read of this over on Ealy Nation. After researching (as I always do) and reading 23 rave reviews, I decided after surviving Stomach Flu 2014 I needed a few happies. This made me happy, and made me look like I hadn't just survived babies first stomach flu (where's that entry in the baby book?). I went with Luminoso, and I love the color and the lasting power is pretty great too. Love a good drugstore find!

2. Fall Drinks

Cliche, but cliche for a reason. They are so good! I enjoyed half of this moments before I got a call that Wright had the stomach bug. The caffeine served me well the next two days.

3. NYX Butter Gloss

I meant to blog about how much I liked this before Wright was born. In fact, it wouldn't do to have a baby without getting every shade possible to take to the hospital. That's normal, right?
These are just enough color for me and are a steal at $5. Creme Brulee is a favorite, with Tiramisu and Eclair following close behind. These were only found at Ulta, but this weekend I discovered them at my local CVS.

4. Arts and Crafts

Oh my. Have you seen anything cuter than baby leaf painting? Doubtful.






































5. This Dessert

If you live in Birmingham, run, don't walk to the Tavern and try this out. You will need to run as it's essentially two giant desserts melded together to form one. Fork for size gauging purposes.

Wright 7 Months

I am woefully behind on the blog, and it makes me sad for a number of reasons. This is just about the only place I document our day to day, and this has been such a huge year, I'm mad at myself I haven't done a better job keeping track. With a pledge to do better, I present to you a month late post on what's up with WTS.

 

Weight:  You are knocking this out of the park. You LOVE food. There hasn't been one thing we've given you that you haven't liked. You take four 5-6 oz. bottles while you are at daycare, plus the solids I send and the table food they prepare. You were up 3 lbs. at your last doctor appointment, only one month since starting the weight gain program. 


Height: Not sure on height - your last visit we only did weight since it was a sick visit. Sad trombone. 


Sleep: Still a great sleeper. You got sick this month, so you had some restless nights with your ears and coughing, but all in all, I can't complain. You go down around 7:30 and wake up at 7-7:15. 


Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). Size 2 daytime diapers, size 3 nighttime diapers, 6 month clothes. 


Diet: Breastmilk and solids. You especially love banana and pineapple. Granna loves making you food, so we let her go to town. You love Granna's applesauce!


Favorite Gear: Aden and Anais lovey blanket, exersaucer, inflatable bath tub.


Milestones/Firsts: Sad first: you got sick this month. Double ear infection, followed a week later by the stomach virus. You didn't run a fever with your ear infection and showed no signs of feeling bad. We took you to the doctor because you had some eye goop, and your best friend at school had come down with pinkeye. No pinkeye, but both ears were inflamed. You are such a trooper!


Likes: Bathtime, water and balls. 


Dislikes: Having lotion rubbed on you. The struggle is real.


Things I Don't Want to Forget: Oh my goodness - you are the happiest, most content baby. Even when you were sick you were happy just to snuggle on the couch with me, which I didn't mind one bit. I love watching you grow and develop all your own likes and dislikes. You are our biggest blessing!

Wright Takes on Florida

This year marked our first family beach trip. A simple endeavor, if you will.

Check and check. Matt and I love to make a gas station stop for road trip candy. Common purchases: nerds, air heads, sour straws and sunflower seeds. Wright slept.

We left after work, so we stopped halfway to spend the night. Matt grew up doing this, and it worked well with a 6 month old. This stop included his first trip to Cracker Barrel. It was a hit. Our 6 month old little old man loved to people watch at the Barrel.

"Biscuits? You can put them right here."

Sleeping in the same room with Wright was interesting, but not as bad as I thought. It made for a very early bed time, which was fine with this Golden Girl.

We arrived at the beach, and night one we headed to Dewey Destin's so we could sit on the pier and dine al fresco. Wright has really taken to solids and had a great time eating outside.

 The next day was his beach debut. He did pretty well! Have you ever seen a cuter baby? (No.)

Sweet little preppy baby.

It was record breaking heat during our visit, so he spent a lot of time at the pool at the house. Sidenote: A pool at the house is genius with a baby this age.

He didn't like it. Not one bit.

While Wright had some solo time with the grandparents, Matt and I got a little time with our toes in the sand. Florida never disappoints - the water is island-esque and the sand is like sugar.

The sweetest turtle in the gulf. He loved kicking his feet in the pool, and going on float rides. He was WORN out by the end of the day.

We took a break from the water long enough to go on a 'back to school' shopping trip.

"Whatcha think about these shoes?"

"Great. I'll take them."

There's a whole world out there, buddy. We have so much fun going on new adventures with you!

The grands forgot nothing when it came to beach gear for Wright. Baby Adirondack chair? Check.

It's not a trip to Destin without a trip to the Donut Hole before you skip town. Little man had applesauce. And pancakes. And eggs. And fruit. And biscuits.

Which made for a restful car ride. He was kind enough to join us when we returned to the grocery to prepare for the week - and his first week of school.

Bring it on!

We were so blessed to have a wonderful first vacation with Wright. He has so many people that love him and take such joy in taking care of him and being a big part of his life and all his fun (and sometimes not fun) firsts. This was a highlight of his first year, and sweet family memories. Can't wait until 2015!

Wright 6 Months

How has another month passed? Better yet, how has half a YEAR passed? Moving on...

Weight:  Tough subject. At your 4 month appointment your ped wasn't too concerned with your low weight since you were proportional. We upped your bottles and hoped that would help. At your (traumatic) six month appointment, you had only gained 13 oz, and we were told you HAD to gain weight, and fast. We were given 2 weeks before another weight check, and we would need to start formula and look at doing some blood and urine analysis if you failed to gain. She suggested pumping all your feedings. I knew that would be near impossible, so we went to Plan B, after much, much thought and discussion. Basically we upped you to 20 oz. of bottles while I'm at work, additional feedings at night, plus high calorie solids (bananas, avocado, sweet potatoes, etc. adding in olive oil to solids where appropriate) three times per day. Twelve days later you had gained 1 pound, 4 ounces and had grown an inch. The doctor was thrilled with your progress, so we are continuing on with this plan. You'll go back for another weight check around 7 months. 


Height: 24 inches. Everyone comments on your long legs.


Medical Issues: Just trying to pack the pounds on. Your 6 month appointment scared us and left me with a solid case of mom guilt. You never veered off your developmental track, and you are the happiest baby, but falling off your growth chart had me on edge.


Sleep: Still a great sleeper. You started with a lovey this month. I slept with it for a few nights and then handed it over (barely- that little blanket is great!). You love having something to hold onto and stroke your face with. 


Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). Moving up to size 2 diapers. Yay for weight gain! 3-6 month clothes. You have some 0-3 that still fit, but we are working on that.


Diet: Breastmilk and solids. You have liked everything you tried. I hope this means you won't be a picky eater. We wanted to do baby lead weaning, but with your weight issues, we know you need to eat more than play right now, so we do a combination of baby led and spoon feeding. I like you having time to work on your skills feeding yourself, as well as make sure you are getting the calories in. I'm learning parenting is all about flexibility and figuring out what works best for you, and the mix is working well for now.


Favorite Gear: Exersaucer, Baby Bjorn, Bumbo for snacks. 


Milestones/Firsts: You went to the beach! That's a whole post in itself. You loved the water - mostly the pool. You also got to visit Bryant Denny and put your feet on the field. What a treat! You threw up on the visitors side, but that's neither here nor there.


Likes: Namath, water, other babies. You get so excited to see someone your size.


Dislikes: The few minutes between the end of bath and bedtime. Getting in your car seat. 


Things I Don't Want to Forget: How much you are loved. You started daycare and went to the beach this month. Your grandparents take such joy in everything you do and light up being around you. Waking you up in the morning is the BEST part of your Dad and my day. We think you are just the greatest thing ever! I pray your sweet personality will be a blessing to others through your whole life. We love you more than words, Wright!

Wright 5 Months

Well, I'm officially the worst blogger. But for the sake of keeping up with sweet Wright's monthly stats, I'm trying to jump back on the train. 

When I tagged this post, I noticed the "Baby S" tag. How have we gone from Baby S to a five (almost six) month little boy?! We are loving watching your little personality blossom. You are the happiest baby on the block! 

Weight:  We are working on your weight gain. Oh, to have your problems buddy. We've moved to 6 oz bottles, 5 times a day, which means the pump is my best friend (I've upped to hospital grade) and I'm drowning myself in water. Maybe at your 6 month appointment you'll bust into the 5th percentile. Here's hoping! 

Height: Not sure, but I can tell your legs and torso have gotten longer, string bean. 

Medical Issues: Not a one. You are healthy and happy, happy. 

Sleep: You've been waking up around 3 fussing for your paci. We are trying to let you self soothe but it is hard. Other than that, you go down around 7:45 and we usually have to wake you up at 7 for breakfast.

Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). Still in size 1 diapers - thankful since Amazon just delivered another box today! You are mostly in 3 month clothes. I'm trying not to think about the cute fall things that are 6-9 months that you might not be able to wear. I'm hoping you hit a growth spurt (but you are at such a good snuggling size!)

Diet: Straight milk. We'll introduce solids in just a couple weeks at the 6 month mark. We've decided to try the baby led weaning approach and we are looking forward to seeing you explore all kinds of foods and start family meals.

Favorite Gear: Sleep sack, your Baby Einstein exersaucer. You have gotten SO good at sitting in your exersaucer and going to town playing and laughing. We love to play with you, but we think it's important you learn independent play, too.  It's so fun to watch you explore and play!

Milestones/Firsts: You had your first Fourth of July. You were more interested in the people around than the fireworks. I think you'll be as social as your Dad. You are rolling constantly, pushing up very well and getting good at grasping things (including hair and jewelry). I look for you to start sitting up in the next month. 

Likes: Strolls, exersaucer and NAMATH. You just love watching him, and get so excited when he gets close to you! I'm not sure he feels the same. 

Dislikes: The few minutes between the end of bath and bedtime. 

Things I Don't Want to Forget: How excited you get to see me and your Dad. Your face lights up and you follow us around the room. It makes me happy that you know who we are and like us close by. Your smile and laugh make the long days so worth it. You are the cutest, smartest and sweetest! We love you tons.

Wright 4 months

Wright,

You are the sweetest! You have the best disposition and you are learning so many new tricks. This was a fun month, but a little bittersweet as you are not so newborn anymore, but a baby who is so curious about the world around him. Love watching you explore and learn new things.

You always have a smile to give when someone talks to you, and your hair is still all there, lightening up, just in time for summer.

You still look a lot like your daddy, but I'm beginning to see a lot of me in you too! You started easily rolling from back to front this month, so there's no leaving you for just a moment.

Since you started rolling, the woombie swaddle wasn't cutting it. You would flip yourself over and your arms weren't quite free enough to let you rest your head back down, so we broke them free.

You were pretty chill about the whole process.

Weight: At your 4 month appointment you weighed 11.2 lbs. You are the 1%, buddy. Although you don't seem hungry, she wanted a little more weight gain and encouraged us to try .5-1 ounces more in your bottles, so you now take 5 oz, 5 times a day. I'm going to take you in for a weight check soon to see if it helped, or maybe you are just little...for now. I don't think its in your genes to be small for long.

 Height: 23.5 inches. You have some long legs.

 Medical Issues: Other than trying to put on a little weight, you got a great report from the doctor. The nurse said you were very advanced for your age - trying to sit up and put your paci in your mouth yourself. She might have been selling us a bill of goods, but your dad and I bought it all. We think you are a genius as well. None of your grandparents were surprised.

Sleep: We've been trying to stop playing the paci game since you are hands free these days, and let you learn to soothe yourself. I would give us a B-. Sometimes, sleep wins. Not to mention it is torturous to listen to you fuss for longer than 30 seconds:)

Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). You are working your way into the 3 month clothes. The 0-3 months are just now getting a little snug, but they still fit, Little Bit. Size 1 diapers during the day, size 2 overnight for bedtime. Works like a charm. 

Diet: Straight milk, although we are looking forward to introducing you to solids in the next 6 weeks or so. Reading up on "baby led weaning". 

Favorite Gear: Sleep sack, Sophie the giraffe and bibs, bibs, bibs. You are a drooler! Will you get teeth soon? Jury is still out.

Milestones/Firsts: You have started giving the BIGGEST smile! Your whole mouth opens and your face lights up. It's the best! I covered this earlier, but you are rolling really well and holding yourself up so well. You are fascinated with every move Namath makes, and he's really started checking you out too. You got an exersaucer from Granna and GPa and love standing up and playing with toys all by yourself. You are growing up! Tear.

Likes: Going for strolls, playing in your exersaucer, relaxing on the couch with daddy.

Dislikes: Getting your hair brushed after bath, which you used to love. I think by that time you know its almost time to eat and you are done playing. 

Things I Don't Want to Forget: Getting you up is probably the best part of my day. I love seeing you wake up and you break into a smile (until diaper change). It's worth all the rushing around to get ready and get out the door to walk in and get to see you and hold you in the mornings. You are so loved!