Something Saturdays (5/26/18)

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EEEE TODAY IS MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING!!! I can't believe it's finally here. I'm matron of honor (along with her maid of honor sister) and I've never been in a wedding before aside from my own or being a flower girl so this is going to be interesting! Plus poor baby James is being left with his grandma for most of the day + bedtime for the first time, which makes me anxious but fingers crossed that he does ok. Tomorrow is my family's inaugural Memorial Day pool party which will hopefully be fun! Then Michael has Monday off so we'll get some much needed relaxation. What are your weekend plans?

Pecan Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow--whatever you call it, it's delicious (for those who don't know: it's chex cereal coated in a butter/chocolate/pb mixture and then tossed in powdered sugar). And I don't know why I had never even thought about using the same method to coat something other than chex. But when I saw this recipe using toasted pecans...oh my goodness I knew I had to make it happen. Plus...it's stupid easy. Which is necessary in the unpredictable life of being a new(ish) mama.

I actually sort of am enjoying baking/making desserts with James now. I'll put him in a baby wrap and he likes to face outward and then chew on one of his baby spoons or something while I make stuff (and sometimes he tries to "help"). I think the kitchen and me making stuff in the kitchen is just super new and interesting for him and it's sort of adorable and warms my heart.

Plus it means I get to have treats. So it's a win all around.

Speaking of wins, these pecan muddy buddies definitely are one. I think I still prefer classic puppy chow but I liked the nuttiness of these-and Michael was a BIG fan. He couldn't get enough. He may have even eaten more of them than me! Which is sort of a big deal.

Something Saturdays (5/19/18)

How was your Mother's Day weekend guys?? I have to say mine was pretty perfect. Saturday we had a wedding for Michael's cousin (which luckily everything was like 5-10 minutes from our house) and James was flawless. He even fell asleep in my arms in church (which he hasn't just fallen asleep like that since he was like 2-3 months old--and it wasn't even naptime yet so he wasn't overtired!) He honestly dealt with everything so great. Then, my 1st Mother's Day, he could not have been happier to just be home with his mommy and daddy. He was so sweet and affectionate and happy all day. And he napped like a champ. It was awesome. And Michael was so sweet and vacuumed for me and brought me food and had James pick me a dandelion (they're flowers!) and he and James painted me a picture. Seriously...so much love for that husband and that baby of mine.

The rest of the week I did some cleaning and blogging and generally got things done. I had to work a little tomorrow and today I have a wedding! Which I always enjoy but I hate having to be away from James for so long (not to mention pumping is always annoying). But tomorrow I'll just be home with my boys so it's all good!

James-5 Months!

Date: May 10, 2018

Sleeping Pattern: We're consistently sleeping through the night-WOOOO!!! He takes 3 full naps and there's 1 optional little catnap before bedtime. Honestly, overall, he's a good little sleeper-even though naps can be hit or miss. He still wears his sleepsack for all naps and bedtime, just with his arms unswaddled, and I pretty much just sit with him, sing him 1-2 songs, then put him down and he falls asleep pretty quickly 90% of the time.

Eating Habits: During the day James eats every 3-3.5 hours, generally, and I mean it goes pretty well. He usually spends about 20ish minutes eating-so long as he doesn't get too distracted haha. He's so cute when he's hungry, though, with his little gaping baby bird mouth.

Development: Little guy is getting mobile! He rolls from his back to front and front to back and also scoots himself a bit so he's able to kind of get places. It's so cool to see him go after toys and get them, though! He's also clearly working on sitting up-he's holding his head and shoulders up off the floor when you lay him down, he's frequently curling in on himself, etc. So I'm sure by next month he'll probably be doing it or close to it. James has also developed object permanence (AKA he knows people still exist even when he can't see them)-which has caused a small amount of separation anxiety sometimes (and results in the saddest sobbing cry everrr. Also he now raises his arms in the air that he wants picked up--he does this 80% of the time when put down.)

Mischief: This is hilarious-so Michael likes to "attack" James' neck with "om nom nom nom" and now James does it too!  If he's laying on one of us in the vicinity of our faces/necks he will start attacking us and just giggles and giggles as he does it. It's so so funny and so so cute! And the harder you laugh, the harder he laughs, hehe. And his expression when he does it-it's this grin of pure mischief which is so Michael it's crazy. Also, when I'm changing his diaper and lay a wipe over him so he doesn't pee all over the place he frequently takes the wipe and grins like he knows he's not supposed to and it's amusing. Then I put another wipe on...and sometimes he takes that one too. One time he ended up holding 4 wipes.

Cuteness:  I mean I still think like everything James does is cute. The little sounds he makes at the end of a yawn, all of his little talking sounds (and the loud ones, too).  It's so funny what a duality he has--when he's comfortable and familiar (so, especially when he's at home with us) he is so expressive and dramatic and loud and wiggly and silly. But when we're somewhere new or with new people he just sits quietly and studies everything with that furrowed brow of his and wide eyes (and people tell me how laid back he is and I laugh at them). He'll grab my face and give me big kisses, especially if I was gone and am now back. It's SO SWEET. He loves to grab onto his feet and play with them-and he likes it even better when you tickle them (and his butt...his butt is ticklish. It's hilarious.) When you tickle him or he gets excited in general he will give this HUGE open mouthed grin (which sometimes turns into a laugh). That whole attacking thing I told you about in the mischief section is adorable. Sometimes he'll just put his hands on your face and stare into your eyes, and usually smile, and it melts your freaking heart. His giggle is so amazing and probably the best sound on planet Earth (and SO MANY things make him laugh now!) He almost always has a sweet smile to greet people he loves with. Pretty much all the cuteness he did last month he still does. His love of dancing is going strong (he hears music and sees you start to dance and the biggest smile steals across his face)-it's actually really funny because now he'll sort of dance with me. Like if I'm dancing in front of him he'll start grinning and wiggling and kicking around (he still likes it best when you help him dance, though, haha). Sometimes he'll talk to himself in his crib before or during a nap which is freaking cuteness personified. I die over his gaping baby bird mouth when he's ready to eat. And just his little cheeks and drooly mouth that loves to give and receive kisses and his big sweet eyes and his little hands always reaching for you and trying to hold onto you. He adores Michael and I SO much and it's amazing and sweet and adorable. I love him. He's the best thing ever.

Nicknames: James-y, Littlest Bob, Nugget (or Nug or Nuggy), Cutie McCuterson, Drooly, Wiggle Worm/Wiggles, Baby Dinosaur, Tea Kettle (the last 2 are due to the sounds/squeals he makes), Hedgehog (he frequently curls into a hedgehog-like ball), Honey Bunny, Mr. Blue Jeans, Mister, Sir, Bud/Buddy, 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: Ohhh when he gets going he is SO talkative! It's so fun and adorable to watch how he experiments with making different sounds-he screams and squeals and does this dinosaur-sounding inhale, and he makes little coo-ing sounds, and then he sometimes makes what sound like actual words (and he said "ada/dada" for the first time...then he said it like 100 more times lol). It's so fun. (Except for when he's angry and just straight up screams at you...that made Michael break out his dad voice and tell him, "No, James.") I've also caught him talking in his sleep a couple times (he was straight up asleep but talking, so cute) which is extra funny because Michael and I both talk in our sleep so it's like "Ah, our child."

Favorites: Me and Michael. Also his grandparents and Aunt Shannan and cousin Bri. Dancing/music in general. Being sang to (or whistled to). Baths (even more so now-he actually smiles and plays in there). His hedgehog toy. Being smiled at and talked to. People making funny sounds to him. Being tickled. Kisses. His feet. Laughing with mommy and daddy and playing with people in general.

Dislikes: Being put down (sometimes)/walked away from or when he's been on his own too long and decides he's done and wants held NOW. When his teeth are bothering him. Staying up too long. Nap time. Being too hot.

Firsts: So many this month! James said his first word (dada--or, more accurately, "ada"). He also started rolling from his back to his front. He started being about to reach for and move around to grab toys he wants. He started actively giving me and Michael kisses (he grabs my face and brings it to his for a kiss). He "discovered" his feet. Went on his first walk in the stroller (he likes it)! Technically these things happened after his 5 month "birthday"--but just by a couple days. He went to his 1st wedding (and did SO DANGED WELL! He actually fell asleep during mass and really stuck to his schedule really well and still was fine for bedtime) and we had our 1st Mother's Day (where he gave me the best gift ever by being REALLY happy and loving all day and sleeping super super well for his naps and such.)

Concerns: I feel like he's such a skinny little guy I sometimes worry about it a bit but everyone agrees he looks healthy so it's just me being a worrier, I think. Otherwise nothing really, just making sure he gets enough sleep every day!

A Day in the Life: James wakes up around 7AM and usually just lays there and and chews on his fist or talks quietly until I go get him. Then he eats and we play (and visit with daddy before he goes to work) and I put him down for his nap around 8:45ish. Then he's up again and around 10:30. We play (usually we just chat and I also like to let him play on his activity gym and/or roll around on a blanket on the floor with his toys) and then back down to nap around 12:15-12:30ish. Naps until about 2-eats, play, then back to nap around 3:45-4. Then he naps until 5, eats, and we have a nice long play time (Michael usually comes home sometime around now)-if we go on a walk it's usually during this period. He may or may not take a short little nap around 6:30, waking up by 7 though. Then at 7:30 we start getting him ready for bed (we change him, read him a book, then I go put him in his sleepsack, and put lotion on his hands). Then I feed him (around 8) in the rocker in his room and afterwards put him right down in his crib where he sleeps all night. Life's pretty great, honestly.

Something Saturdays (5/12/18)

Ahhh hi hi hi. Life is crazy. James is adorable but also not napping so good so blech. I worked some this week (James got babysat by Grandma Jeanne on Thursday and Grandma Sandi on Friday) and today is Michael's cousin's wedding, which I'm helping set up-and James is attending! So it should be fun/insane. And TOMORROW IS MOTHER'S DAY. Which is sort of a big deal because it's my first one, ya know. I think we're gonna mostly chill, though, which is fine with me.

❤️

Perfect Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots have changed my life.

I mean...as much as carrots can change your life, I suppose.

You know me, I'm never super excited about veggies. Carrots are one of the few I like, but up until now I thought I only really liked raw carrots but NOW...oh now I know the magic of roasted carrots.

(Thanks to Michael's stepmom Jeanne who brought some over with a dinner she made for all of us and totally turned my vegetable world upside down.)

Guys...they're delicious. They get all caramelized around the edges and have the perfect combination of sweet and salty. They're tender but still with some crunch. They're an awesome side dish and super easy to throw together. And I've made them a ton of times already and now I want to make them again!

Something Saturdays (5/5/18)

Guys...I know it's boring to talk about the weather BUT CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER??? Spring took its sweet time arriving and now that it's here I am SO SO STOKED.

Last weekend was great-the wedding I worked went well and James did just fine without me (in fact I'd say he straight up preferred daddy the next day). Sunday we went over to Michael's mom's house where she was hosting dinner for some of her family so James got to play and visit.

This week was mostly full of me getting some stuff done, running some errands, spending time with the Michael and the baby. Michael's stepmom watched James for the first time for a couple hours. So...yeah. All good stuff. Life is good :)

I mean...ice cream, baby, and hubby. What more could I ask for? 

(PS-Haagen-Dazs non diary is LEGIT)

Today I have to work but tomorrow we'll be going to church (finally, gah it's so hard to go with a baby) and then to Michael's dad's house for a visit and some dinner.

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!

{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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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)

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!

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!

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!

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.