Something Saturdays (3/31/18)

Can you believe that tomorrow is Easter?!! I'm so much more excited about James' first Easter than I was about his first Christmas since he can actually sort of notice things around him now so it'll be more fun (he was only 2 weeks old on Christmas). We even got him a little Easter basket! We're actually beginning the festivities today with Michael's mom's family, then tomorrow we'll celebrate with his stepmom's family. This is going to be the first time a lot of people have met James so it'll definitely be fun (just cross your fingers everyone lets him nap, or I'll have a cranky baby on my hands.) This last week wasn't terribly exciting, just lots of getting things done and fun times with baby <3

Something Saturdays (3/24/18)

Things are crazy as ever around here! Last weekend we had more time hanging out with parents, and my mom did her "trial run" of babysitting James-which went well so yay! Monday Michael did a presentation to all the classes at our old high school about mental health and James and I went to see him for some of it. Michael's mom also teaches there so she was so excited to show her grandbaby off. I spent the rest of the week working on stuff around here. Yesterday Michael's mom and sister came over and hung out which was fun and today we might be having some friends over for dinner (he also does our taxes so this is like our payment lol).

Something Saturdays (3/17/18)

Hello friends! Great news, I made and photographed a recipe for the blog this week! So that'll be coming soon! Yayyyy.

Last weekend was another busy but fun one. Saturday, we went to church with Michael's dad and stepmom and James did really well-he slept for half of it and just chilled with his binkie in for the rest. Then we went back to their house and had dinner. James definitely didn't get enough sleep, but that's ok. Sunday we had an old friend over that we hadn't seen in awhile which was nice, and Michael's aunt stopped by as well with a sweet personalized baby blanket. Monday I took James to the breastfeeding support group they have at the hospital (last time we went he was only a week old)-mostly so I could weigh him, lol. This is how cool my kid is--he was crying in the car until I started playing music and he dozed off peacefully when Renegade was playing. He has good taste in music. It also became clear that he is almost definitely teething, which I'm so sad about because 1-it hurts him and 2-I love his little gummy grins and I'm not ready for him to have teeth! The fact that he's now pretty much wearing 6 month clothes doesn't help, my little baby is growing up waaay too fast! Tuesday we just did our thing at home but then a friend of Michael's and mine from high school (she was in Michael's class though so I haven't seen her since she graduated when I was 15) came over for a bit to visit and that was super nice. Wednesday Michael left for Columbus where he was presenting at a conference for work on Thursday-and he got home yesterday! We missed him so so much but we were ok. It was so sweet to see HOW EXCITED James was to see him!

Oh yeah and Happy St. Patrick's Day! I've never been a big fan (largely because I don't drink) so it's just a Saturday to me but I hope you guys all stay safe and have fun!

James-3 Months!

Date: March 10, 2018

Height: approx. 24 inches (I had to measure him so goodness knows there's room for error lol)

Weight: 13 lbs. 1 oz.

Sleeping Pattern: He takes 6 naps during the day that usually are anywhere from 45 minutes-1 hour and 45 minutes long and then he sleeps at night however long he will go between eating and before his wakeup time at 6am. He was on a good kick where he just woke up once and it was starting to be later (like 4 am) but then he had a growth spurt and it's thrown everything off and the last few nights he's been up twice a night again. *sigh* His naptime routine is he gets put into his Halo sleepsack swaddle and then I sit with him and sing to him until he's done fussing, then I put him into his crib and he sleeps (his bedtime/middle of the night feedings he just nurses and goes back to sleep). More specific schedule info in the day in the life section.

Eating Habits: Pretty much the same as the last couple months! During the day he eats every 2-3 hours and does a really cute lip smacking thing and little grunty/coughy sound to signal "hey feed me." He's gotten less hungry and demanding, though, overall. And he takes bottles well now, too--with no issues transitioning between that and nursing now.

Development: James can see much further away so he'll spot you across the room and give you a grin-and on the same note he's better at recognition. When Michael comes home from work and comes up to say hi to James he is gifted with the BIGGEST and happiest grin. And, in general, if people smile at him and look him in the eye he'll smile back at them. He's still crazy strong and fully can control his head-he's also been starting to sort of sit himself up from a reclining position, and he's making moves towards rolling onto his front from his back (NOOO). He has had his first laughs (!) and he's also talking a ton, but I'll get more into that in the talking section. He's started noticing patterns in life and what they mean (ie when he gets dressed and put in his sleepsack he starts fussing because he knows it's bedtime, or when he hears the garage door he gets excited because he knows daddy is home). And I believe he has started teething, joy of joys.

Mischief: He pretty much laughs at me while I change his poopy diapers. He also still loves to spitup on everyone and everything. James has also been grabbing mine or Michael's hands to chew on (due to aforementioned probable teething). Oh and there was a really fun phase where he'd start to sort of go for me and I'd say "No no no" and he's grin then he'd go back for it, looking at me out of the corner of my eye with a half smile then grinning again when I said "No no no". He even started to start to try to imitate it and go "Oh, oh, oh..." After a few times of this though he seemed to figure out I was actually preventing him from doing something so then he got frustrated with it and the game was done.

Cuteness: Uh yeah I have the cutest baby ever sooooo...lol. He has the biggest most fun personality and he's such a happy baby! He smiles and coos and grins and squeals and LAUGHS! He's only laughed a few times, usually when he thinks me or Michael are being funny. He's also laughed during one of our favorite things (dance party!!) and his feet seem to be ticklish so he laughs when Michael rubs his stubble on them. James also likes to clasp his little hands together, which is adorbs, and he's figured out how to be coy. I'll smile at him and he'll grin and bury his face in his daddy's chest while still peeking at me out of the corner of his eye and smiling (and he'll do the same to Michael when I'm holding him). Kid knows he's cute. He sticks his tongue out while smiling sometimes which is of course-CUTE and he just makes the best faces when he stretches or is studying something with his furrowed brow or when he's sounding out a new sound or just...like anytime.

Nicknames: James-y, Littlest Bob, Nugget (or Nug or Nuggy), Chicken Nugget/Chicken, 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 has really started to find his voice and all his little coos and sounds sound more intentional and like he's talking in his own cute little way. He's also playing with volume now so sometimes he'll squeal or say something really loud and other times he'll coo something softly. He makes a lot of sounds that sound like words (Hii, mamama, etc.) and honestly it's just so fun to hear the different things he says. I think we have a talkative little guy on our hands (surprise surprise :P).

Favorites: Me and Michael (like...so much, not to brag but our baby loves us lol). Dancing. Being sang to (or whistled to). Being naked (still, as soon as his clothes come off he's happy. Happier if his diaper comes off too). Being smiled at and talked to. Chewing on his hands or mommy and daddy's hands. Being tickled on his feet or tummy. Eating. Playing on his activity gym. Playing with mommy's hair. Kisses.

Dislikes: Being denied food when he wants to eat. Being kept from going to sleep when tired (but, conversely, he also dislikes bedtime). Generally still dislikes the carseat although that is getting better. Being held in a position that he does not want to be in in that moment/being held down. Shots (poor little buddy). Being forced to remain in tummy time past the point he's decided he's done. Getting dressed. He's generally so happy, though, he honestly doesn't dislike much.

Firsts: He went to church for the first time last Saturday (he did so good!) He had his first big family get together (which was also his longest-1 hour- car ride) and has been going on more outings in general (they're rough on his sleep but he does pretty well considering. It helps that he'll now take the wubbanub binkie so that'll keep him calm when he's tired or hungry and being kept from being able to eat or sleep). He had his first LAUGH which is just my favorite.

Concerns: Still not much in the way of concerns! He had about a week last month where he went on a nap strike and that was rough on me but I think he was going through a developmental leap and he was fine after it was over. So yeah...so far so good.

A Day in the Life: For a normal day we wake up around 6, I feed him, we play (he has about an hour and 15 minutes of awake time total, including feeding--that's his sweet spot where he naps well and doesn't get overly tired) then he naps until about 9, repeat the same cycle, nap until 12, eat and play, nap until 3, eat and play, nap until 5/5:30, eat and play, nap until 7/7:30, eat and play, sleep until just before 10pm then I change his diaper and feed him and put him to sleep in his cradle by our bed for the night. He wakes up once to eat (but due to teething also sometimes tries to wake up again and I have to give him the binkie until he drifts back off) and then wakes up for the day again at 6am the next day. His playtimes consist of just talking to and looking at each other, tummy time, his activity gym, and fun stuff like that.

Something Saturdays (3/10/18)

Woo! It's been a crazy week. Last weekend, in particular, was go go go. Saturday, we went to a family party for Michael's mom's side in Youngstown, which is over an hour away, and all things considered, James did really well. He didn't nap as long as normal so he was extra sleepy, but other than that he held up and it was fun! Then, Sunday, we went to Michael's cousin's house to meet their brand new baby. Michael and his cousin, Vince, are only a month apart so it's exciting that we now have babies close in age! It was so crazy to hold their sweet little girl, because I already can't remember James being that tiny. Like...what?! It was so so nice to visit and have them to go through this new parent journey with us, we loved it (but, again, poor little James was so tired after the whole thing). Monday we had an appointment for James that took awhile and poor little guy got poked a lot for bloodwork, which killed Michael and I. We also briefly brought him to Michael's work to meet a couple of his co-workers. After that things got more normal, on Tuesday my mom came and had such a happy lovely visit with James. We spent the rest of the week just hanging out, then on Thursday/Friday my little nugget started going through a growth spurt which has meant not so much in the way of sleep for anyone. (Fingers crossed it ends soon!)

I know it's late but I made this collage of all my pregnancy photos and it's crazy to see how I grew over the weeks! Being pregnant already feels like a very distant memory and I can't believe that was James in there!

Something Saturdays (3/3/18)

Great news, ever since the end of James' nap strike he's been doing REALLY well with his naps AND his nighttime sleep-I finally feel like I can see the day he'll sleep through the night (not yet but we're on our way lol), and it means I've been able to get some stuff done around the house (which is good because it really needed cleaned lol). 

Last weekend was good, as always! I worked on Saturday and then just enjoyed time with my boys the rest of it (plus Michael's dad and stepmom stopped in Sunday). On Monday my boss Val came over and met James and we talked about the weddings for this year and all that exciting stuff! Wednesday I unfortunately had to go to another calling hours (I hadn't been to one in like 15 years and then two in 1 week). Yesterday, Michael's friend Lizzy came into town and we visited for a little bit in the evening. And today we're going to a party for one of Michael's cousins in Youngstown (which is about an hour away) which will be James' first time at a family function...I'm excited but also suuuper nervous about how he'll do lol.

Oh also, ALSO, I'm in major trouble. Lately James has been putting everything in his mouth and when I hold him in a cradle hold he starts to go for me over my clothes and I stop him and go "No, no, no" and he grins and goes back (watching me out of the corner of his eye with a look of mischief) and smiles when I tell him "No, no, no" again. AND now he's started also sounding out and going "Oh, oh, oh" while doing so. AKA my kid is trying to say no. While also thinking it's hilarious. See? Major trouble. 

Something Saturdays (2/24/18)

Ahhh this week has been insane.

Sunday, Michael and I left James with his mom for the 1st time and we had a little late Valentine's date night at Gervasi Vineyard (which is like 5 minutes from our house). It was so fun and nice to have that time together and the food was deeelicious (I had short rib with whipped potatoes and carrots, he had a scallop and shrimp pasta with an olive oil and garlic and tomato "salsa" and then we shared a flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse and toffee crumble). And James napped the entire time we were gone so yay! This week was a bit rough though because, for some reason, James decided to nap TERRIBLY. Super short naps at best, refusing to nap at worst. He was crazy happy and playful, though, and he started napping well again yesterday so I think he may have been going through a developmental leap or some such. I'm just glad it's over! He also gave me my longest stretch of sleep yet on Thursday night, he didn't get up to eat until after 4! Unfortunately he wanted to let me know not to get too excited because last night not only did he first wake up to eat at 1, he also got up for a 2nd night feeding around 5ish. Kids, lol. Aside from the sleep stuff we also took James on Wednesday to our hairdresser (Michael needed a haircut) and it was so fun seeing everyone say how cute James is 😄. My cousin Brianna then came over to visit, and on Thursday her mom, my aunt, finally got to meet James and then another cousin, Amber, and her 1 year old Ava came to play! It was SO sweet watching her and James together! Yesterday I went to the calling hours of a family friend, which was sad but it was nice to visit with so many people (James stayed home with his daddy). And today I have to work-boo!

What are your weekend plans?

James-2 Months!

Date: February 10, 2018 (his height and weight are from the 15th when he had his doctor's appointment)

Height: 23.25 inches

Weight: 12 lbs. 3.8 oz.

Sleeping Pattern: Pretty similar to last month but it's much more well established (I feel like as soon as I typed this James decided he'd start struggling with his naps, gah) and he's got longer wake times. More specifics on all of this in the day in the life question.

Eating Habits: Again, pretty much the same as last month-he eats every 2-3 hours during the day and wakes up once or twice in the night. He love love loves to eat-but he's become more efficient about it so it usually only lasts like 10-15 minutes (sometimes he'll even be done after like 8-9 minutes, of course other times he'll be weird and take like 20-30...kids are unpredictable) which is convenient for me lol. He tends to just lay on his boppy, eat, and have a look of intense concentration, usually doing something funny with his hands. If he's denied eating for very long (he pretty much knows that as soon as he wakes up it's eating time) he gets ANGRYYY. He also has started just like smacking his lips when he's hungry haha. And he's had a few bottles, which has been going pretty well.

Development: James is getting SO BIG. Super alert and holds himself up so well. His head control has gotten even better (and he's pretty good at tummy time although he's not a huge fan, he does tolerate it better when he does it on the boppy)-and he's already rolled over a couple times while doing tummy time on the couch. GAH. He's huge on imitation (faces, small body movements, and sounds. Faces are easiest for him but he's been experimenting with the rest) and is cooing a bunch. He's also got crazy strong legs and a strong grip (he's gotten really into grabbing stuff, particularly my hair and shirt) and has gotten pretty awesome at self soothing for sleep.

Mischief: Sometimes he wants to have super short little naps during the day. There have also been a couple times in the last week where he ends up just laying in his crib and playing (namely sticking his tongue out a lot lol) instead of sleeping (adorable, but not great for his sleep)-and he'll occasionally just refuse to nap all together. Aside from that he spits up a lot, usually at the most inopportune moments, and generally seems pretty pleased with himself afterwards. He still sometimes tries to break out of his sleepsack and, mostly at night, oftentimes he'll pop his hand out the top of it and suck on it. His hands are still a bit mischievous sometimes, grabbing at stuff and getting in the way occasionally when he's eating (not as much as they used to, though!) And um...he doesn't love to just sit and be held, he wiggles around a lot and wants to do something and look at stuff. Honestly he's pretty much just a really good baby so there's not much right now!

Cuteness: Somehow he's gotten even CUTER. He is SO expressive and it's so adorable and fun, especially when he gives you big delighted grins (although he also has huuuge playful grins he uses for when he thinks you're being funny or he's having fun that are up there with the joyful ones)-he's getting super super smiley. And he sticks his tongue out a lot lol. When I kiss him I always end it by saying "MUAH" ending with a big open mouth when I pull away and he does the open mouth too and usually loves kisses. When I take him upstairs for sleep (and just in general when I hold him oftentimes) he'll wrap his arms kind of around me in a little hug-like hold. He's also coo-ing (including, but not limited to, trying to imitate us when we go "Ooooh"). And he blows bubbles and has started sucking on his hand to soothe himself/just for fun (oftentimes with a hilarious fierce face). Plus he very clearly knows Michael and I and adores us so it's the sweetest thing ever seeing him light up when the 3 of us are together (he genuinely seems to recognize it and be thrilled about it). AND HE LOVES TO DANCE. We had a little family dance party the other day and he was grinning and essentially laughing and clearly having the time of his life. Honestly...so much cute. Hard to sum it up!

Nicknames: James-y, Littlest Bob, Nugget (or Nug or Nuggy), Bud/Buddy, Goose (short for silly goose), Wiggle Worm, Friend, Sweet Boy, Baby, Love (My love, little love, sweet love), Cutie patootie/pie, My Sweetie/Sweetie-pie, Little/Sweet/Baby Boy (or any combo with any of the other nicknames listed)

Talking: He coos and it's the cutest. He mostly just makes random little noises but sometimes tries (and occasionally succeeds) to say "oooh" or "hiii" (because when we play "the face game"-AKA making faces back and forth with him-we say those a lot with corresponding facial expressions). He's "talking" more and more, though, and I'm obsessed!

Favorites: Me and Michael. Eating. Being naked (seriously, as soon as I take off his outfit he's happier, and when his diaper comes off he's happiest)--this includes baths, he loves them. The face game (he imitates you, you imitate him, it's a cycle of fun). Dancing. Being sang to. Kisses.

Dislikes: Being taken out of the bath, his car seat, being denied food, being held in one stationary position for very long.

Firsts: He was semi-watched by someone other than Michael or I, we've done a test run with all of his parents (technically Michael was there at both houses but he pretty much left them to do everything themselves. We still have to do one of these with my mom) and it went well. So well that we ended up full on leaving him with Michael's mom and sister last weekend while we had a late Valentine's Day dinner! (He slept the entire time, woo!) James had his first non-doctor's visit outing for his baptism, and got to meet his Uncle Josh for the first time. I left him for the first time and worked for the first time (I hate it I hate it I hate it, but he always greets me with big grins when I get back that melt my heart).

Concerns: Nothing in particular, really! Sometimes he struggles with his naps or is cranky and crying for no real reason so that always stresses me out but he always ends up being fine. The severity of the flu season at present too has made us paranoid about James being around people and catching something. Other than that, at the moment things are pretty un-concerning!

A Day in the Life: If it's a normal day at home, usually wake up for the day around 6, feed him, play a bit (tummy time, the face game, walking around, the activity gym, whatever suits our fancy), then put him back down for a nap around 7 or so. Then he generally sleeps well for this nap, until like 8:30-9. Then feeding and another hour-ish of the awake time. Wake up between 11 and 12. Eat and play and back to sleep. Wake up around 2-3. Eat and play and back to sleep. Wake up anywhere from 4-5 then eat and play and sleep. Wake up around 7-7:30. Eat and play (and/or bath twice a week) and sleep. Wake up one more time at 10, change him, nurse him to sleep and then we all go to bed for the night. He then usually wakes up to eat again around 2 and goes right back to sleep. Hopefully he then sleeps until 6 but sometimes he'll wake up around 4 or 5. And, yeah, that's a typical day!

Something Saturdays (2/17/18)

After working Friday and Saturday last week I was so happy to just be at home with both of my boys on Sunday! And we got to have a super delish pasta dinner with Michael's dad and stepmom! 

This week has been super fun. Monday, James napped so good all day so I was super productive. Tuesday, we left the house and went shopping at The Breastfeeding Center (an amazing store with cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and baby-wearing necessities)-they just opened up a new addition and had a sale to celebrate! James is not a huge fan of the car seat but he did pretty good, considering. And then, AND THEN, that night Michael and I were playing some fun music (namely the Powerline songs from Goofy Movie, Why Should I Worry from Oliver and Company, and Shake Your Groove Thing) and Michael made James dance while I also danced and he watched me AND OH MY GOD JAMES HAD THE TIME OF HIS LIFE. He was grinning and laughing and seriously just delighted. He was having so much fun and yeah it was the most fun I've ever had in my entire life. (Fun fact-while I was pregnant with him he used to sort of boogie, and when I sat in on a tap dance my friend was teaching he was kicking up a storm with them. So pretty sure we've got a little dancer on our hands!) Wednesday was his 1st Valentine's Day which...was pretty uneventful. Michael and I are celebrating tomorrow by going out to dinner and leaving James for the first time! (eeee I'm excited and also dreading it.) Thursday, Michael took the day off because James had his 2 month doctor's appointment, it went well except the poor little guy got 2 shots. It was so heartbreaking but even worse when later in the day he was just crying inconsolably in pain (we gave him some acetaminophen and he was ok after that). Friday was uneventful, but luckily my baby was happy again and back to normal! 

Best of 2017 on Instagram

I know. It's Valentine's Day (not New Year's). I'm very late. BUT I was in newborn mode still during the new year and I sort of love being able to look back on a summation on the year via instagram so...it's late. But that's ok.

2017 was pretty much the year of the baby, obviously, it sort of revolved around my being pregnant and then ended with James' birth, but there were some other highlights for sure, definitely lots of tasty food was eaten (but like...we can all probably agree overall 2017 was a dumpster fire and really thank the lord I was pregnant because that was my main reason to stay happy lol). Anywhozzle, let's reminisce about 2017!

We started off the year with my brother and his at-the-time-new-girlfriend-but-soon-to-be-wifey Jilly!

 ^Recipe here.

 I had an awesome Columbus foodie day with my girl Erin of The Spiffy Cookie!

 ^These are my Sweet & Salty Kitchen Sink Cookies, which have become maybe the most popular recipe I posted in 2017!

Michael and I got to go on a little trip to Marietta (he was there for work, I was there for small town charm), which was great since it would end up being our last time away together! (Turns out I was like a week pregnant at that point lol).

 A 2017 round up wouldn't be complete without my fave restaurant, Table 6. 

I got to see my first concert!! My friend Kevin and I were in the 4th row for Shawn Mendes and it was amazinggggg.

 December 10, 2017 this little guy made his arrival.

And we closed out the year with baby snuggles❤️

Something Saturdays (2/10/18)

Last weekend's trial run of James being watched by Michael's dad and stepmom went well! Now we just have to do it with my mom and we'll have a prepared group of babysitters lol. 

Another uneventful, but wonderful, week of life revolving around James. Except, Thursday we went to the Hyundai dealership to talk about the end of our lease and ended up deciding to trade it in for a new 2018 Elantra with an extended warranty because there were a ton of deals and that made the most sense! We don't physically have the car yet because we're waiting on a couple things but we're excited! And yesterday, and today, I'm working for the first time post-baby (just 4 hour shifts of doing promotional samplings, pretty simple, and Michael is with James so I know he's fine). I'm super duper not happy about it, though. So many kudos to parents who work full-time, I can't even imagine. James did ok yesterday, he struggled a smidge, but omigosh HE HAS BEEN SO SMILEY ever since I got back. #imnotcryingyourecrying 

James' Newborn Pictures

These pictures were taken of my little guy when he was only 5 days old, and it's so crazy to see how much he's changed already!!! I'm so relieved there are so many beautiful photos (there are even more than what I'm sharing here), considering James was less than cooperative during the shoot lol. Major kudos to Ashleigh Saylor Photography for being able to capture so many gorgeous moments of when my baby was so tiny!