Saturday, April 28, 2018

Something Saturdays (4/28/18)

First of all, I want to wish this little blog of mine a 1 day belated HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! 7 years ago yesterday I hit publish on my little piece of the internet and I'm so grateful to all of you who have stuck with me on this journey of mine!!

Last weekend was nice-we mostly just relaxed on Saturday and Michael had to work on Sunday. BUT the weather was finally nice enough that when he got home we took James out in the stroller for a walk for the first time and it was so nice AND when we got home James and Michael were playing and I was recording them and James said dada! Multiple times! It was insanely sweet and I'm so glad I have the whole thing on video!

The rest of the week I did some baking/cooking and just enjoyed my baby! And my hubby who has actually been coming home at decent hours, hooray! Today is my first wedding of the season which is exciting but I hate leaving my baby. Ahhhh wish me luck!

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

{Gluten-free} Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies

{Gluten-free} Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies
YAY! I BAKED A SWEET AGAIN! I'm so happy I could cry.

AND AND AND Michael finalllyyyyy really loved a healthier dessert I made (usually he's like "it's fine but it'd be better if it was normal" blah blah). So we've got double the reason to celebrate!
{Gluten-free} Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies
The blondies are AMAZING because they're INSANELY gooey and rich and soft and chewy but then there's also the crunchy toasted pecans on top and melty dark chocolate and-obviously-sea salt on top to make everything even tastier. And yeah they just so happen to be like gluten free, dairy free, and paleo. Which is like WHAAA? You'd seriously never guess there's anything healthified about them. You can trust the Michael seal of approval!
{Gluten-free} Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies
You know part of what makes blondies sosososo yummy?? 3 words: toasted.pecan.butter. YEAH. It's what's holding together a lot of this recipe and allowing it to be its dairy free and gluten free self, but it's also what makes it taste so rich and decadent and gooey and....perfect. Just...perfect. You're gonna love these. I mean it. MAKE THEM!

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Something Saturdays (4/21/18)

Last weekend went pretty well! I made way too much food for my bestie's shower, of course. The good news is now I have lots of leftover waffles and cinnamon rolls :P After the shower, Michael and James and I went to his aunt and uncle's house for a like after-party for his cousin's bridal shower (which I'd had to miss for my friend's) so a bunch of people got to meet and cuddle James. We relaxed on Sunday (always nice). Michael took the day off on Monday for James' 4 month doctor's visit where he got more vaccines. He did pretty well! But on Tuesday my poor little man had a fever from them-he was fine, just extra sleepy and warm. And the fever was gone by the next day. Other than that we've sort of just hung out this week, nothing too exciting. I got 4 blissful nights in a row of James sleeping through the night, followed by 2 nights in a row of him crying for like a straight hour and needing to eat in the middle of the night again. Then last night he slept through the night again, but today is just in so much pain. Stupid teething. Never a dull moment with kiddos lol.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

James-4 Months!


Date: April 10, 2018

Height:  25.59 inches (as of his doctor's appointment on the 16th)

Weight: 13 lbs. 7.2 oz (^ditto)

Sleeping Pattern: We just changed his schedule--previously he took 5 naps (the first two were longer and the rest were short-like 30ish minutes, and he usually skipped the last nap), now he takes 3 full naps and then one optional short little catnap before bedtime, then he's fed and down for the night around 8-8:30. He then either wakes up once in the middle of the night to feed (usually anywhere from 1-4AM) or sleeps through the night! We have a pretty set sleep routine-he gets sleepsacked (although his arms are no longer swaddled-luckily that was a very easy transition) and then sang to and put in his crib and he falls asleep on his own. He's gotten SO SO good at falling asleep on his own, which is helping I think with the 4 month sleep regression stuff. (All the 4 month sleep regression is is baby's sleep becomes more like an adult's-less full and deep right away and with more sleep cycles that they wake a little between each. The problem is when the baby doesn't know how to fall back asleep.)

Eating Habits: My baby is getting so big! He's going longer stretches between eating now (about 3-3.5 hours during the day and 10-11ish hours at night if he sleeps all night). Since he's eating less frequently he's eating more and is SO adorably hungry (big gaping baby bird mouth and little "ahh" sounds when he gets on the boppy to eat lol). He does get distracted more easily now that he's older, and sometimes he seems like he wants to play with it instead of eat but I try to make sure he eats enough!

Development: He's definitely teething. I think he's started recognizing his name (and some of his most-used nicknames...as far as he's concerned his name could very well be Nugget lol). He's so so strong and good at pushing himself up and it takes way less effort for him to roll from his front to back, now (still making moves to roll from back to front but it hasn't happened yet). He's still super smiley and great with the laughs and definitely seems to recognize the people he sees regularly (namely, his grandparents). I think he's also starting to get less cool with strangers-my dad (who he hasn't seen since his baptism) came over the other day and James looked at me with fear and wailed every time he tried to hold him until I took him back. He's talking more and more and he's seeming to understand our tones and words more and more, and trying to imitate our words more too.

Mischief: He chews on and drools on EVERYTHANGGG--which isn't really his fault, it's that darn teething.  It is pretty funny when he tries to chew on my face though, lol. Also, when Michael "noms" his neck, James gets this fierce look on his face and goes to retaliate and attack daddy. It's hilarious.  He'll do the same thing where he'll do a back and forth that feels almost like a competition if one of us imitates him squealing or if we say "argh" he'll do it back and it feels like he's trying to one up you and it's so so so funny. Otherwise he's not terribly mischievous at present? Oh! Except that sometimes he like "argues" with me-he'll yell/talk at you in an angry manner and it really feels like he's arguing with you/mad at you. It makes me giggle.

Cuteness: This baby is MADE of cute. He gives so many smiles and laughs have become more frequent (he even laughs at himself sometimes which cracks.me.up) and he TALKS TALKS TALKS AND TALKS. He's a particularly large fan of yelling/squealing. James is just very very expressive and has SUCH a personality. I love love love it. He furrows his little brow more often than not (that is courtesy of his daddy) but also will look super wide eyed and surprised and gives huuuuuge grins (courtesy of moi). He adores kisses (especially from me and Michael) and when you get all up in his face (well...at least when we do. Can't say he'd love that from everyone). He's also definitely ticklish, especially on his tummy and feet. He'll grab anything on me he can get his hands on because he wants to hold on tight, which makes my heart smile (but also can be painful, like when he grabs and holds onto my neck skin). He still loves to dance and loves being sang to and music in general (the Tarzan soundtrack and 70's funk are particular favorites). Now that James' arms are free when he sleeps he puts them in super cute positions sometimes-above his head, out to the sides, sometimes he has his hands curled over his eyes (he also now rubs his eyes when he's tired, usually, which is cute-and also conveniently tells me he's sleepy). He really really really adores me and Michael and that's pretty much the cutest thing in the entire world-he's usually super content to just be held by me with our cheeks pressed together, and his face lights up anytime he sees Michael. Honestly everything this baby does is adorable.

Nicknames: James-y, Littlest Bob, Nugget (or Nug or Nuggy), Cutie McCuterson, Mr. Drooly/Drooly Boy, Honey Bunny, Mr. Blue Jeans (don't ask), Mister, Sir, Bud/Buddy, Goose (short for silly goose), Wiggle Worm, Friend, Sweet Boy, Baby, Love (My love, little love, sweet love), Little little, Cutie patootie/pie, My Sweetie/Sweetie-pie, Little/Sweet/Baby Boy (or any combo with any of the other nicknames listed)

Talking: He "talks" sooo much! He's really having fun playing with different volumes and sounds, particularly squeals. It's so crazy because sometimes it really feels like he's talking to you-the way he intently looks at you and "speaks". I love it!

Favorites: Me and Michael. Also his grandparents and Aunt Shannan and cousin Bri. Dancing. Being sang to (or whistled to). Being naked (still). Baths. His wubbanub (a kind of pacifier attached to a stuffed animal). His psyduck (it's a pokemon...he has a stuffed one he got from a friend). Being smiled at and talked to. People making funny sounds to him. Being tickled and/or kissed on his feet or tummy. Playing on his activity gym. Kisses.

Dislikes: Those mean old teeth coming in. Being denied food when he wants to eat. Going to bed. Spending too much time being held by strangers/people he doesn't know super well. Being held in a position that he does not want to be in in that moment/being held down. Being poked with needles (I mean...obviously). Being forced to remain in tummy time past the point he's decided he's done. Getting dressed. And who knows-he's generally happy but sometimes he's just cranky and he dislikes pretty much everything (due to aforementioned mean old teeth, usually).

Firsts: James started teething this past month (not my favorite thing). He also started sleeping in his room all night (previously he'd been in a cradle by our bed) and-AH-he slept through the night for the first time!!

Concerns: Just with all the changes to his schedule I get a little concerned about making sure he's eating enough and everything is timing out right but honestly not much. Just the pain the poor baby goes through from teething.

A Day in the Life: Currently James wakes up around 7am and I feed him and then we play and chill for awhile, spend a little time with daddy before he goes to work, change diaper and outfit (if it got spit up on...which it frequently does), and then go down for a nap around 8:30ish. Wake up again around 10:30, eat, play (which involves tummy time, activity gym, dancing, chatting, general funsies), change, and bed around 12. Eat at 2, repeat the whole cycle, sleep around 3:30. Eat at 5, play, a short little catnap (or rest if he doesn't want to sleep) around 6-6:30ish, more playtime, then we begin bedtime. I read him a story then dress him (while he has his wubbanub (pacifier)) then take him upstairs and put him in his sleepsack, put some lotion on his hands, and feed him. After he's done eating I tell him I love him and lay him in his crib where he (hopefully) sleeps all night-or he wakes up once to eat.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Something Saturdays (4/14/18)

Last weekend was so nice, we got to just spend time together the 3 of us! Then this week has been sort of busy. Monday my mom came over and then later my dad and grandma did (my grandma hasn't met James yet). Tuesday I had to go to a work training so I missed bedtime (sad face) and Wednesday my cousin Brianna came over and hung out most of the day and later Michael's mom and sister came to play/watch James while I went grocery shopping. Thursday I just got stuff done around the house and Friday I started prepping for today. TODAY is my best friend's bridal shower, which-as a matron of honor-I'm throwing with her sister (maid of honor). I'll fill you all in more next week but wish me luck!

Movies/TV Talk (assume there'll be spoilers)
Supernatural-Ok so I haven't seen the latest episode but I just needed to comment on HOW FREAKING EXCITED I AM THAT GABRIEL IS BACK!! And I loved the Scoobynatural episode.

Law & Order: SVU-I don't like Rollins. There-I said it.

Instagram Lately (a few highlights from this week on Instagram)

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Something Saturdays (4/7/18)

Hey hey!

For those of you who celebrate, how was Easter? Our first time actually celebrating a holiday with James went really well!! Saturday was Michael's mom's family and Sunday was his stepmom's and James was a very popular little lad and he did great napping in his pack and play. Hooray! Monday, Michael had the day off and we used the day to recharge from the busy weekend and just enjoy some time with just the 3 of us. The rest of the week I just got things done, mostly. Wednesday Michael's mom came over and watched James for a little bit while I ran a couple errands and Thursday his dad and stepmom came over and brought dinner for us. This weekend will be the first in a long time where we get to sort of just chill and have time with just our little family, and I'm super looking forward to it!

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake

Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake
*gasp*

I'm blogging a recipe.

I KNOW. We're all shocked.

Guys...I'm sorry. Having a baby has completely consumed me and trying to keep up with housework, regular non-blog cooking, and other life things has kept me from making anything for you guys.

BUT HEY. I made something. Here it is! Hooray!
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake
This is totally the perfect recipe for anyone who is busy and it's super family friendly because...yum...chicken and cheese. You pretty much stuff crescent dough with a cream cheese and chicken mixture and top with a sauce made with cream of chicken soup (which I made homemade because even though I'm busy I'm still me) and you top the whole thing with more cheese! Michael was a huge fan when he came home and tried a bite, and you'll love it too. It's comforting and tasty tasty tasty!
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I love it when you try & want to share recipes you found here! Please just rewrite in your own words, use your own photos, & always link back to me! Thanks!

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