a few of my favorite things

First, my apologies for the gigantic pictures. I'm lazy. So I copied and pasted.

Today I was thinking of my favorite things. Here are a few.

1. Levi 524 Too Superlow jeans. They're tight in the morning and stretch out in all the right places by the end of the day. And they don't break the bank. I have two pairs. Love.

2. Kirkland brand Macadamia nut clusters with salted caramel. This is sin in a jar. Heavenly.

3. Homemade pizza. It's more fun and delicious than ordering out. Cheaper too (sometimes). We've had a couple of these in the past week. I also like spreading sauce and cheese on a wheat pita to turn it into a pizza. Yum. (note: this is not a pizza we made. I have a hard time remembering to photograph our food)

4. My black Adidas jacket. It looks a little like this one. We bought this gem in Park City on our honeymoon. I wear it alot. The zipper is broken and the cloth is super worn and thin. And the black is more of a grey from being loved. Yet, I love it. I feel sporty and cute when I wear it. Someday I hope to get a replacement.

5. Euphoria perfume. Hubby bought this for me shortly after we were married. It's my favorite scent. He wears the man version. Makes me want to kiss him all over and, ya know...

6. On the Border chips (round style) and San Antonio's Black Bean & Corn salsa (from Costco). This is a spicy, sexy, heavenly combination of the most delicious chip and the most delicious salsa. It leaves that amazing burn on your tongue that makes you want more. I may or may not be headed to Costco today to get 4 more jars...

7. Bath & Body Works lotion. Black Amethyst or Irresistible Apple. It's the perfect silky smooth and not sticky consistency of lotion. Both scents are divine. mmm.

8. Silver hoop earrings. Not too big, not too small. I wear them almost every day. My current pair(s) need replacing. They're not sterling silver and thus not really silver anymore...

9. Deep action cream cleanser. I still get zits (ick) and this is the only face wash I've found that consistently keeps my face the clearest.

10. My wedding ring. (please disregard my face in this photo, my eyes are a little odd) I wanted something simple, elegant, and unique. I got exactly what I wanted. The man in the photo ain't half bad either :-)

And those are a few of my favorite things!!!

random ramblings

After writing that mommy post and generating one comment, I decided I should change something.

I shouldn't try to write in my blog to generate comments. I should just write in it for me.

And if someone comments, awesome. If not? Big whoop.

So, here's to writing in MY blog for ME.

I guess I don't really have much to say. Other than I'm pretty sure it was pouring rain for about 7 hours last night. It was lovely laying in bed listening to it pound down. Too bad we're in an apartment on the second floor so we don't get the full effect... At least our backyard is a forest so it amplifies the sound.

Also, I love the TV show Chuck.

Especially while eating ice cream. And snuggling my hubby.

And sometimes I eat lots of cookies while watching Biggest Loser.

If we can survive next week, we may be able to survive anything. Hubby has 6 tests in 5 days. Looks like a mall walking and dinner alone kinda week.

Good thing I have a baby to keep me company... Sometimes I get really, really lonely.

Is it so lame that going to Costco or Target to just walk around is exciting to me?

Maybe because I need to be around people.

I wish I knew more people here who are in my same situation.

Or maybe I just wish I knew what the people I know do all day.

Maybe I think just because they have more than one kid they're too busy to hang out with me.

What do mom's with more than one kid do all day?

Do they "hang out" with another mom who has only one tiny baby?

It feels weird to call one of those mom's and say "I'm bored. What're you doing? Wanna hang out?"

And it's not warm enough to call and say "Wanna go to the park? Or to the zoo?"

I guess I'll never know what they do unless I ask.

Also, I feel really young sometimes...

...and by sometimes I mean, all the time. Almost.

I think I'll take a nap.

p.s. I love Burt's Bees baby shampoo & lotion. It makes my baby smell delicious!

Mommy Favorites

I feel inspired to write a "Mommy Favorite's" post. Before I had my baby, I always wished someone would tell me the most essential things to get. Well, I had alot of people tell me. And everything was different. Now that I have my little angel here, I have compiled my own list of most essential things to have. He's still little, so I'm sure the list will change as he does.

First and foremost, I have to write about these blankets:

1. Aden+Anais, Swaddleplus blankets

A dear friend of mine got these for her little babe. On Monday we were talking to a couple who were registering at Target. She swore by these blankets and told the couple to get them. I kinda rolled my eyes and thought "too expensive, not worth it." Two days later I went and bought me some. Yes, that's right. I did. These blankets are huge. Super light weight. Stretchy. Perfect for swaddling ANY size baby. And the baby can't break free. And you can layer two for cold nights or one for warm nights. She had me sold when my baby wouldn't fall back asleep at her house while she was doing my hair (friend with same age baby who can highlight my hair? Seriously awesome.). She wrapped my babe in one and put him in the kitchen with the vent fan on. He was out in 2 seconds and slept for almost 2 hours. Sold. Done. I ran out and bought them. (he hasn't been taking good naps lately...or really naps at all, longer than 45 minutes)

Last night my babe slept from 8pm-1:40am. He hasn't done that in weeks. I'm singing Hallelujah's in my head. If you have a new baby and they need to be swaddled. Get these.

Okay, onto the list of things, in no apparent order:

2. Bouncy chair

from Target. Couldn't live without it.

3. Huggies or Kirkland brand diapers.

Don't go cheap on these.

4. Pampers or Huggies wipes.

Don't go cheap on these either.

5. Lansinoh nursing pads.

Don't go cheap on these either.

6. Medela single pump.

Life saver.

7. My Udder Cover nursing cover.

LIFE SAVER. I'm not coordinated enough to just use a blanket.

8. SwaddleMe blankets.

These have velcro and a sack for the legs. Great when he was smaller!

9. Thick, heavy burp clothes.

10. A big, yellow, bath sponge for him to lay on in the bath.

It fits in the sink so he stays warmer and it works better than the plastic tub so far.

And obviously you can't take a baby home without a car seat. I love our Chicco Keyfit. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes! It's about 5-6 lbs lighter than any other car seat. The base is so easy to click in the car, and the seat is so easy to click in the base. I do wish it had a bigger sun shade. And I wish the stroller had a bigger (and easier access to) basket on the bottom.

I'm still testing these to decide if I love or just like:

1. Butt paste cream and spray

2. Johnson's Lavender bath soap

3. Burt's Bees bath soap and lotion

And now here are a couple comparison pictures of my babe and how much he's grown.

(this is the aforementioned bouncy chair. love.)

1 week.

8 weeks.

What are your "Mommy Favorites?"

thoughts on motherhood

Tonight I was thinking. Scary. I know.

I gave up alot to be a mom. My dream for years has been to teach Kindergarten in my own classroom. Well, I did that. But not for very long. Only a few months. I loved it. Best. Job. Ever. And I miss it. Like crazy. I have had many moments where I would do anything to be back in the classroom with my own little group of crazy, wild, nearly out of control, 5 year olds.

Then something changed.

I had my baby.

My life has never been the same. Nor will it ever be the same. Do I miss my job as a teacher? Absolutely. Would I give up being a mom to have that back? Never. You couldn't pay me enough.

It's the little moments in motherhood that make everything worth it. It's those precious times in the middle of the night that make my heart swell with love and gratitude for the wonderful blessing I have to care for one of God's beloved children.

Every explosive poopy diaper, episode of spit up on newly washed jeans, crying alarm clock at 3 am, nights of no sleep, days with no nap, stinky hands, and bumpy face is worth it.

Because at the end of the day I get to rock my baby to sleep, hold him in my arms, and thank God for the beautiful miracle of joy He blessed me with. And for the privilege I have of being a stay at home mom.

Mornings like this aren't too bad either...

I adore my sleepy boys.

Afternoons like this are pretty awesome too. They had a whole conversation together.

It ended in smiles.

There is nothing I love more than being a stay at home mom (except my hubby). It is the best full time job anyone could ever ask for! I would never, ever, give it up to be back in my Kindergarten classroom. Now I just thank the Lord that He gave me the time I had so I could accomplish my dream.

dancin' the night away

Last night we went out dancing. But before we left we had to take care of some things....

First, a cute family picture. I realized yesterday that we only have about three of these. I'm not sure how that happened... We also don't have any family pictures when he was a newborn...except the day we left the hospital. So sad.

Next, we had to give the babe a bath. He loved it. He splashed and gurgled and was very happy. When he exited the delicious pool of warmth, he was only this happy because Scott was there.

Also, he looks a little like he swallowed a watermelon. Sideways.

Finally, we arrived at the dance!

The babe was sleepy, so we let him sleep and we tore it up on the floor. Unfortunately, the music was less than stellar. In fact, it was quite dreadful.

Despite this, we still danced and had a blast! After about 2 minutes we realized we aren't as good as we once were...neither of us could remember much, and we couldn't move as gracefully either. (remember, I did have a baby 7 weeks ago...) Also despite those things other people thought we were quite spectacular.

In fact, we even had a paparazzi. She kept snapping pictures of us. Even when I was sitting down talking to some friends she kept taking my picture. Slightly weird.

After a bit we decided we wanted to play and dance with our babe. So the man got him out of the car seat. He was burning hot and sweaty (it was a little warm and he had some layers on). When the baby exited the seat, he looked like this...

Out cold. Conked. Crashed. Asleep. You choose which adjective you like best.

He did not wake up.

So we danced and took some pictures.

The boys. With their boys.

Note: babe is still asleep.

This was after Scott had danced with him for a minute. Also after he was removed from seat.

Do you suppose he might've been a little tired??

And of course, he had to dance with momma. We shared a delightful almost deacon shuffle to "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing." It was lovely.

He did not wake up.

(my apologizes for my shiny, sweaty face)

The babe continued to sleep so we let him snuggle with some friends while we danced some more. Sadly we have no photographic proof that the three of us did indeed share a slow dance together. Also, we did not put him in the Bjorn as planned.

We did however have an absolutey amazingly fun and awesome time! We came home sweaty, tired and with sore feet. It was a delightful night.

And in case you were wondering, the babe didn't wake up until just at the end when the DJ turned up the music super loud for no known reason. That was our cue to leave. So we did.

Just. Stuff.

I decided my blog needed an update. I've had Halloween in my background since, well, Halloween. And considering it is now basically March...well, you get the idea.

Plus I was inspired by a very inspiring woman. Whose inspiration will be known to all one day.

In other news, my babe is so funny! Yesterday he was seriously a ravenously hungry bottomless pit. I felt like he ate so much! Then last night, he slept. It was glorious.

Today I have been very unproductive. My kitchen is a mess. The laundry is still dirty. My baby's room is a disaster. Our room is nearly uninhabitable. But, I have a very cute new looking blog, and I've fed and taken care of our baby. Oh, and I got to shower today.

My latest obsession? Macadamia nut clusters with salted caramel. From Costco. SO delicious. SO fatty. SO worth it. :-)

Tonight I think we're going to a church Winter Ball. We plan on taking the little guy and strapping him to the hubby in his Bjorn. We haven't danced in forever. I can't wait! Hopefully all will work out...

Growth spurt?

How can I possibly take a nap with this angel sleeping next to me? I just wanted to look at him and take pictures. So I did.

He loves playing with daddy. :-)

So I'm wondering if my dear baby is experiencing a growth spurt. He's been eating like crazy and after only 2 1/2-3 hours he's a ravenously hungry baby (worse than a ravenous wolf). For awhile he's been sleeping alot at night. Usually 6-7 hours between the first two feedings, then 4 hours, then 3 (that's start of one feeding to start of the next). But the past couple nights he's gone only 3 hours (or less) between the first two feedings. He also has been sleeping only about 45-60 minutes in the day and wanting to eat every time he wakes up. And he's more fussy than usual. He's a super happy baby who really doesn't cry, but he's been cranky today and a little yesterday. Which is abnormal.

So I'm thinking, growth spurt? I was reading about it and I guess the symptoms are pretty in line with how I think he's been acting. Also, last night I was totally freaked because I felt like he'd been eating so much and my milk supply for some reason had totally dropped. But apparently that is a common misconception for moms with babies who are in growth spurts. Also, he is almost 7 weeks, so that's about the right timing too.

Anyway, we'll see what happens over the next couple days. He does seem to suddenly be HUGE to me. And suddenly his clothes are not fitting. Even one onsie I had him in just the other day seemed too small this morning. Weird.

As for me, ugh. I just want to exercise. I am so frustrated with my body. Whenever I try to do a work out (10 min ab video 2 days in a row, 25 min cardio video (dumb), walking the mall), I start feeling crappy again. It's driving me crazy. I am so tired of not being active and so tired of feeling gushyness. I know and understand I won't loose all the fat and won't be how I want to for awhile, but I want to at least try and start toning things up! I guess my body has other plans... UGH!!!!