Merry, Merry!

 



Yes, it's Easter and I'm updating about Christmas. Let's not fight about it. It's a holiday weekend, after all.

Christmas Card 2014. I have a feeling looking at all these pictures is going to make me sad - Wright has grown up so much. He drove me to work this morning. Practically.

 

Merry Christmas from Matt, Erin, Wright and our FitBits. All pictured.



 

We took a trip on the Polar Express. Wright wasn't sure what to think and I can't much blame him.

 

Guys? Help.

Is this not just about the cutest Christmas outfit you ever did see?

Wright's school is closed the week between Christmas and New Years, so I took off too. It was so fun getting to spend lazy mornings with him. I use the word lazy lightly. He's on the move.

But before school closed, he did have a big time at his class Christmas Party! He played Secret Santa and got a truck. He loved it! Namath, not so much.

He was fascnicated by the tree. He was so good to not touch, just admire from afar. He loves lights, so naturally he loved the tree.

His teachers made the sweetest Christmas gifts. This was my favorite, and will probably be my favorite forever. Those feet. I die.

We also dusted off the board games off and spent some adult time testing our knowledge of the 90s. It's harder than it sounds. That's longer ago than I care to admit.

We got dressed up in some of Daddy's Christmas outfits. The sweetest.

 

 

Christmas morning! Every boy needs his own remote.

 

Every dog thinks he needs his own remote as well.

So many toys to choose from after Christmas....

We decided to start early and host both familes at our house. I know in the future we won't want to spend all Christmas day traveling around, so we started like we intend to go on. It worked out really well. But even after a 2 hour nap between get togethers, this little boy was worn out at bedtime.

 

True to form, the wrapping paper was the star of the show.

But the wagon was a super close second. He loooooves his wagon.

 

 

The celebration continued at Zoolight Safari. Lights. Fascination.

 

 

By New Years, we were all tired. Someone almost got a bottle of half and half for breakfast.

The same someone had learned to tell on Namath when he was up to no good. This could come in handy.

 

We spent a quiet New Years Eve at home. Namath got some guy time by the fire.

While I worked on dinner and dessert. These chocolate lava cakes (Pioneer Woman) were sinful.

Dinner wasn't too shabby either.

 

Christmas was beyond fun this year with Wright. We love seeing the world through your eyes, sweet W!

Wright 11 Months

Weight:  Unfortunately, your last visit was a sick visit. Fortunately, you were 21 pounds, 9 ounces. 68th percentile! Project WOW was an overwhelming success. If there were an actual industry for weight gain, your Dad and I would be millionaires.

Height: I haven't the slightest clue. We'll find out at your one year (wahhhh) appointment. I'm constantly rolling up your pants, but baby clothes fit all different ways, so I doubt that's a good gauge.

Sleep: Great sleeper still. Your naps have really improved. Some days over the holidays you took two 2 hour naps. Because God loves me. You don't nap as well at school, and I think you get worn out during the week. Welcome to life, buddy.

Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). 9-12 month clothes, size 3 diapers, size 4 nighttime diapers. You are getting to the point that 12 month clothes fit you best. 

Diet: You tried raspberries and loved them. You will eat pretty much anything with gusto, but favorites are bananas, blueberries, avocados and daddy's turkey vegetable soup with a little greek yogurt. 

Favorite Gear: You are loving the walkers, or anything you can push to get around. It's a quicker way to get to all the cabinets and the things you are supposed to stay away from. 

Milestones/Firsts: Walking with assistance. You've really got the dada word down. No luck on mama. Don't mind me...You've also started giving little hugs and it's just about the sweetest thing that ever was.

Likes: Pointing things out, lights, Namath

Dislikes: Lotion after bath and the end of meal time. This still stands true. 

Things I Don't Want to Forget: I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that a year is coming to a close. It's so fun to watch you grow and learn new things, but so bittersweet to leave that teeny baby behind. We love you tons, Dub! 

Wright 10 Months

We'll just call this the milestone month because you knocked about ten items off your first year bucket list....

Weight:  I cannot stress enough what a good eater you are. You LOVE food. The only thing you've refused so far is formula, so we had to work on that a little. I hope your love for food stays intact!

Height: We haven't had a well visit in a while, so I'm not sure about your height. I would say 27-28 inches.

Sleep: You got two bottom teeth this month, so your sleep was a little more interrupted than usual, but nothing a paci couldn't solve. Sometimes you will wake up in the night, sit up and talk to yourself for a while, and then go back to sleep. You are a character.

Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). 9-12 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and we need to move to size 4 nighttime diapers. That belly is no joke...I think you are in a stiff competition with Santa Claus himself.

Diet: Confession: Granna makes a few solids for you, and the rest you eat at school. I've done a poor job of planning for the weekends so you've had the same things over and over again: Cuties, cinnamon raisin toast, bananas, oatmeal...I promised to do better and went on a shopping trip this weekend. Your favorite has been the variety pack of hummus with carrots. You can't get it fast enough.

Favorite Gear: You love balls and your activity table. You will stand and play with it forever. "Orange light, orange light, tap your hands, on the orange light...." I think I hear that song in my dreams.

Milestones/Firsts: First Iron Bowl tailgate! First teeth! Started crawling and pulling up. As a matter of fact, the first time you crawled, you went straight to your toy basket and pulled up. Check and check. Standing without assistance. You had an exciting month, and it's a whole new ball game now!

Likes: Exersaucer, activity table, walks and getting the mail. 

Dislikes: Lotion after bath and the end of meal time. 

Things I Don't Want to Forget: The holidays have been so fun with you. We are so excited to take part in our normal holiday traditions with you, as well as make some new ones. I pray as the years go forward you understand the meaning of the season and the gift of Christ. You bring us so much joy!

Wright - 8 and 9 Months

I figure combining posts is better than no posts at all to document sweet baby boy's 8th and 9th month.

Weight:  In months 8 and 9 you gained a pound and a half, shooting from the 25th to 42nd percentile. You LOVE real food. Most of the pictures and videos I get from daycare are of you eating. It's great!

Height: At 8 months you were 26 inches. 


Sleep: You are a great sleeper. Most of the time, when you wake up in the morning you are content to just play and talk in your crib until we come get you. 

Clothes/Diapers (Sizes). Size 3!

Diet: Your favorites at school this month were chicken tetrazzini and breakfast pizza. You ate 3 of them. Your clothes are stretching pretty tight around that belly, but I love it!

Favorite Gear: Getting a lot of use out of the shopping cart cover since you are wanting to put your mouth on everything. You have a new love for Sophie now that you are truly teething. Bibs, bibs, bibs.

Milestones/Firsts: Your first Halloween and Thanksgiving! Holidays are so much fun with you. You tore Thanksgiving up. I don't know where you put all this food. On that note, you also had your first trip to Irondale Cafe. Suffice to say, it was a hit.

Likes: Your exersaucer. They call you Tigger at school because you love to bounce.

Dislikes: The only time you truly get upset is lotion after bath. You are such a happy baby. I wish I could get a nightly massage in your place, but alas, I cannot. 

Things I Don't Want to Forget: You worked so hard on crawling this month. It is so exciting to watch you grow into a little person. You are so determined and try and try until you get it right. We love you more than you can imagine!

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!