My baby boy is growing. Fast. He is giant. A chubby little happy giant.
At 4 Months Abram is 17.8lbs, 26inches long and wearing 6-9 Mo clothing. He is only about 10lbs less than Lucy.
Smiley. Oh boy does he smile. Content. This kid just hangs out. He only cries when he is hungry and I am too busy to feed him (ha) and gets fussy (mildly) when he is ready for bed. I am so spoiled. If I knew all babies from here on out would be this easy I would have ten of them. Well, minus the whole birthing part…
Abram rolls from his belly to his back. He is grabbing his feet and starting to put his toes in his mouth. He likes to chat on occasion and loves his exer-saucer.
He is quite the opposite of Lucy. He is not needy for attention. I could leave him on a blanket or something and he just lays out and talks to himself. With Lucy, If I left her sight she would whine for me… she is getting better with that. Kind of. I understand though, I like people too! I didn’t have to do much sleep training with Abram at all, when he was/is put in his bed, he goes to sleep. He is on a good sleep/ wake schedule and I can pretty much time his naps to the second. Lucy wasn’t too bad either, but it did take about two weeks to get her trained. I think I cried harder than she did for most of it. Phew.
He was sleeping through the night. He started waking up recently around three again but still, he goes right down afterwards and gives me at least another four hours after that. Thank God for you kid. I feel bad answer questions about his sleeping when people ask me. He is not normal. Well, maybe for formula fed babies?
His cheeks are warm a squishy. I like them. I like his dimples.
The Doctor asked Lucy today if she had a boyfriend. She said: “No! Abram is my boyfriend!”. I love them. She loves him. He loves her.
On a side note, I have gained four pounds this Holiday. Ugh!!!! I am not surprised, I’ve been eating like an idiot. My name is Janet and I am addicted to Chocolate Chip cookies. I can’t resist them. I have also been addicted to someone’s Peanut Butter Fudge (You know who you are). In one day I calculated eating 700 calories worth of Christmas cookies. That my friend, is ridiculous. Where is the self-control? So, as of Wednesday I am on a strict Clean Eating Cleanse again and have worked out everyday so far (Ha-Ha. That is only two days). I HATE working out. I will not be surprised if it doesn’t last but, hopefully, Lord willing, it will. I am so out of shape. So sad.
Good bye. Off to do other things, like, yell at Lucy for coloring on my new bed spread.
I keep our Christmas Cards for a long time. Ryan hates it. He tries to throw them away right after Christmas, I can’t do that. Most of you know how much Christmas cards cost, especially the photo cards! I think it is about mid February that I actually take them down. And after they are down, I still wont throw them away.
Aren’t you glad that your money was not wasted on me?!
There are so many cool things you can do with old Christmas cards. My favorite, and probably the easiest is to use them to make new cards. We just cut out all of the greetings and the pictures and glue them onto new cards. Voila! A creative new Christmas Card for your liking!
We actually used this idea in my Sunday School class this past Sunday. We gave the students a few options of things to write on the inside and let them run with the decorating. I think they turned out really cool.
Here are just a few examples of the cards we made…
We had to buy a new refrigerator. Ours died. It is one of those purchases that you just LOVE having to buy right before the Holidays. Ah, life, always keeping us on our toes.
Anyhow, other than the fact that I was not happy to have had to buy a new one, I am really obsessed with it. Love it. I give it hugs sometimes. Ryan thinks I am weird. I am not sure if it is the fridge or the fact I have never owned anything so nice and shiny before?
So, when I had to re-stock my fridge it got me thinking, “where the heck do I put everything”? I know there has to be a more functional place to put things in comparison to the way I have been doing it.
I posed the question to my Aunt who has the same fridge and she said she was wondering the same thing so she looked it up. I haven’t looked it up, I just took her word for it. Our new fridge has a place to put milk on the door but I didn’t want to do that because I was used to putting it on a shelf and I wanted to keep my dressings on the shelf (read that sentence with a whiney voice). “That is exactly what you are supposed to do!” she said. Hooray! HaHa.
Apparently this is how you should do things (it makes sense to me!):
The bottom of the fridge is the coldest so things that would spoil should go down there (milk, sour cream, yogurt…). The middle is where you keep your eggs so that little hands can’t reach them. The top shelf you keep your sauces and other things that might need to be refrigerated but might not necessarily go bad if you keep them out. The doors hold dressings, jams, jellies. They aren’t effected by the change in temperature from opening and closing the doors.
The other random refrigerator factoid I happen to remember learning in school is that you should always defrost meat on the bottom shelf because if it leaks and drips down your fridge, you will have to throw everything it touches away in case it has salmonella. If you keep it on the bottom shelf there is less of a chance to ruin your other food (and again, it is coldest down there).
My new fridge has a separate temperature gauge for the drawers. I am excited about this because my fruit and veggies were always freezing up in my other fridge. Weird.
Ok. Well. Now you know. Cuz’ I know you were really wondering about this!
Well my girl, you are now three years old. Why does three seem so much older than two?
What a beautiful girl you are. Very sweet and sensitive, funny and smart.
You have really embraced being a big sister. I can’t believe how easy the transition has been for you. You treat Abram like he has been around your whole life. I love watching you try to play with him and give him big hugs while saying “I love you My Buddy!”. Sweetest thing ever.
You absolutely love wearing your pajamas. You could say this has been some sort of a struggle between the two of us. You have to change into your pajamas everyday for nap time (after finally convincing you to get out of them) and then we have to “conversate” to get you back out of them after nap time only to get right back in them (usually the same Princess PJs or Kitty PJs) three hours later for bed time. You could let me pick out a pair for you every once in a while…
You sing all day long. All day. You make up your own songs that make no sense and you dance around. All day.
Your favorite foods are pizza, mac and cheese, broccoli, goldfish, string beans, butter (yes, you like to eat butter) and cottage cheese with apple butter. Quite balanced wouldn’t you say? I can’t complain, you will usually try anything and eat pretty well most of the time as long as you aren’t busy playing.
You don’t have a favorite movie but you LOVE watching movies. At three years old we have already had to have you fast from TV. You like to play with Barbies and little doll type people. You love to read and you make me tell you a “story” every time we go to bed after reading books (stories are made-up from our heads using our imagination). You are getting really good at doing puzzles and your favorite place to go is the Library. Pink is your favorite color and you still love shoes.
You think your Dad can fix anything. Whenever you break something or find that something is broken you say: “It’s ok Mommy, Daddy can take it to work and fix it with his tools”. Here is a secret, he usually just throws it away and you forget about it (like your Barbie shoes) or he brings you home a new one (like your pink headband). I can’t have you thinking he is amazing forever! <wink>
Did I mention you like to sing?
You are in two dance classes. I think you prefer Jazz because you pick up the moves quicker but you love going to ballet too. You walk around the house “pee-ay” and “wellavay”-ing everywhere. I ask you after every class if you made any new friends and you say “no, I was shy in class today”.
We had a “Pinkalicious” Birthday Party for you and a few of your little girlfriends on you Birthday. When you woke up and saw the house decorated in pink, you ran into my room with a big smile and said: “I love my party Mom!”. It was the best compliment ever.
I love you so much. You make me smile and laugh and get really angry. You are my best friend and I am so honored to be your Mother. Your Dad, let’s just say he is wrapped around your little finger. He only takes your advice these days… good thing you have a good sense of fashion! Your MiMi spoils you rotten. I’ve been begging her to stop buying you stuff.
You love your cousins. obsessed. We can’t go anywhere without you asking if they will be there too. You admire Keely, love to play with Lila and Mae, compare “adulthood” to Ezra and never forget to include Jude. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family, aren’t we?
Hoping and praying for another wonderful year together filled with lots of laughter and new experiences.
While doing laundry I noticed a rather large spider under our sanitary sink. I am not normally afraid of spiders or other insects but this one was particularly on the large side. It gave me the wiggles.
Here is the conversation between Lucy and Iregarding our pet spider…
Me: Lucy! look at the huge spider!
Lucy: I’ll be right back Mom, I will get some toilet paper for you.
Me: What? For me?
Lucy: Yeah!
[Returns with worlds smallest wad of toilet paper]
Lucy: Here Mom! Be very, very careful.
Me: Uh, why don’t you get it?
Lucy: No, I’m very scared!
Me: Why don’t we just leave it here for Daddy to get when he comes home?
Lucy: Wait here, I have a very good idea.
[Lucy returns with a dust pan and a broom from her dress-up basket, again, very small]
Lucy: Here Mom, you can get it with this and take it outside.
[I could not say no. The look of trust and faith in her eyes, I had to go for it. I didn’t want to, but she was so proud of her idea that I couldn’t let her down.]
Me: [Bending down to “scoop” it up] Ah! Ah! <jumping , skipping, shaking, yelling> Ah!!!
Lucy: What’s wrong Mom, did he tickle you?
Me: No, I just got scared because he is really big and was crawling around. Why don’t you try it?
Lucy: Not today.
The spider is still under the sink. We will leave him for Daddy.
This is the BEST time of year for crafts. I love doing Fall crafts (and Christmas crafts coming up here soon). There are so many things in nature that you can use and be inspired by when trying to get all crafty.
What is the first thing we all notice and love about Autumn (besides the beautiful weather)? The Trees!
I save all of my wine corks because I would really like to do something creative with them. I have yet to do anything so I thought I would spare a few for this Pinterest inspired craft. Lucy loved it. It was so easy!
WHAT DO I NEED?
Paper/ Construction Paper
Glue Stick
Scissors
Paint
Wine Corks
WHAT DO I DO?
Using brown construction paper, cut out something that looks similar to a tree trunk (not hard to do if you aren’t artistic).
Glue your “tree” to another piece of paper.
Get Stampin’! Dip your corks into the paint and go crazy.
Lauren is a photographer who specializes in toddler, family, maternity, newborn, engagement, and senior portraits. She has also been known to do a few boudoir sessions (OwOw).
She is also a freind, that is why I am giving her a free plug <wink>.
If you are interested in getting more information you can check out her facebook page (Lauren Hauser Photography) or contact her directly at laurenhauser09@gmail.com.
A few months ago while shopping at Target, I noticed a fabulous pregnant woman walking in front of me. I remember thinking “Man, why can’t I ever think of putting outfits together like that?”. We ended up crossing paths in the diaper department and somehow got to chatting.
After talking about our girls (we both had one in our carts about the same age) and discussing the future arrival of our second, she suggested that we exchange information and get together for a play date. This is what I thought: ” What? Are you serious? Someone this interesting, fashionable and beautiful wants to get together with me? I do happen to look the worst I ever have today and she wants to hang out?! Wow! This is so exciting”. It kind of felt like the first time I was asked on a date by a guy whom I wasn’t pursuing first (HaHa).
That information was really besides the point of my story but I thought you would find it funny…
We did get together and we have hung out a few times since then. This girl really is fabulous. She is probably one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. She dresses so cool and her house is perfectly cute. She is talented in many ways; she is a musician, she makes her children’s clothes, she is super crafty and creative, a vegetarian… pretty much one of those girls that make you think “is there anything you aren’t good at?”.
But, you know what, she is one of the most down to earth people I have ever met as well. So non judgemental and very laid back (obviously since she asked some rugged looking chick on a play-date at Target)!
As of late I have really been struggling with discontentment. You might look at me and think “why would she be discontent”? Well, I have been discontent and particularly with “things”. Most people who have stay-at-home wives /mothers do it because they can afford not to have two working parents. This is not entirely true with us. It is a struggle. We get by and we are never in need but we really have to be wise with our money. We can’t do as many things or have as many things as others. It is challenging but so worth the sacrifice.
Because of our situation, it is easy to want and covet and feel like “I don’t have anything”. None of my clothes fit and they are out of style. I really need a new vacuum and new curtains and I would like… you name it, I want it. I have even been thinking about getting a part-time job so that I can buy all of these unnecessary wants. Seems simple but what is really happening is that I am willing to give in to these things, take time away from my family so I can buy more. I mean, isn’t that what our culture is really about? More. More. More. Gotta have it. Yes, you need it. WRONG!
What I have learned through my new friend is that it is ok to live simply. You do not “need” all of these things. Use what you have. Appreciate what you have. She really lives this way and cultivates this lifestyle. After talking with her and being with her, I realize how much I do have and how much I have begun to take on society’s way of thinking. I covet and want when really, I have MORE than enough. So what, my shoes are out of style- did you know in other countries it is really hard to come by a good pair of shoes <sarcastic tone>? But seriously, we hear these stories and “know” about what goes on but when do we actually think about it and become grateful for what we have? Clearly more than most people.
What is wrong with me. I know, completely normal but why should this be normal? Why is it okay? What are we so greedy and lustful?
You know the saying; give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life (something like that?)? Well that is how I should be investing my time, money and energy. What am I teaching my children by always wanting? If Lucy wants something, she should save HER money and buy it or, use what she has, or, make it.
I think the first step for me is to really start appreciating what I/we have. I have so much and have been blessed in so many ways.
All of this I know is easier said than done. But boy, am I grateful for new friends. I hope that I can inspire someone in a positive way someday as she has inspired me.
Who cares what the world thinks about me.
What is truly important in life?
And, also, my new friend has taught me that you can be glamorous and simple at the same time. I just have to figure out how she does it…
<wink>
Disclaimer: I realize my writing skills have been diminishing due to my sleep deprivation. Forgive me. They will return in time. Thanks for reading anyway!
I know I am going a little out-of-order since I still haven’t written about my birth story but I wanted to get this in before I forget. And, I only have a few minutes to write, the other story will take me a lot longer to write. It’s a good one! lol
So, my baby is one month old. Can ya believe it? I certainly can not!!
I call this picture:Sacrifice. Sacrifice is sharing your blanky with your little brother.
11 lbs 15 oz. Chunker!
He is smiling, coo-ing and I swear he has rolled over three times. I think he is too young for this to be intentional but I saw it happen.
Abram is an amazing baby. Definitely easier than Lucy but that could be because I have a better idea as to what to do with a baby this time. He is very laid back. He eats very well and sleeps great. I am spoiled and so blessed (I am very sorry to all of the Moms who have babies that do neither of these things well. I wouldn’t have made this information public but this is sort of my Baby Book so I kind of had too. Please forgive me if this makes you upset -eek! Call My Mother-in-law, she can help you! Ha).
Abram has really cute dimples just like his Daddy. He has Lucy’s eyes. Definitely Ryan’s temperament. Maybe he has my knees? I’m not sure yet. Ha-Ha. It’s okay, I am glad he is all Price, he is a boy and that is how it should be. Plus, I think his Dad is a stud sp hopefully he will be too.
He has had a bad case of baby acne but that is clearing up. I guess that means it isn’t currently bad, but it was.
The hardest thing about having a boy? The diaper situation. That kid has things squirting out everywhere. I did not think such things were possible, but oh they are!!! Thank goodness we have hardwood floors. That is all I have to say about that!!
He does not spit up. I didn’t think babies didn’t spit up but apparently they don’t. With Lucy I was washing burp cloths every other day and I have a massive amount of burp cloths. I assumed that was how all babies were. I use burp cloths now to cover up his p****, not for spit up. {wink}
I still think nursing is one of the most painful things ever. It only took three weeks for me to heal and not have any pain. Why do I do this?!
When Abe was first born I am pretty sure that he has/had a sensitivity to dairy which meant I had to cut dairy out of my diet. Waaaah! I am grateful for that now because I couldn’t eat Ice Cream and I learned to use other foods besides cheese to flavor things. The DR says he is normal now so I can start eating dairy again but I am going to do it slowly and really try not to eat as much of it. I actually have come to enjoy it somewhat but it really does limit my choices which has been very annoying.
Back to my pre-baby weight but my body is not in pre-baby shape. I need to jump back on the workout wagon. Was I ever on a workout wagon? Ah, well, I guess I should just start working out. Or, something.
Lucy l.o.v.e.s. her brother!! Oh my goodness. She can not hug and kiss him enough. She does try to hold him and pick him up which is kind of scary so I have to be careful. I thought I was doing a good job yesterday when I put hin in the crib when I left the room for a minute only to return to find Lucy also in his crib. Oy. She is very helpful and does not seem the least bit jealous. Praise God! I did not know how this was going to go over…
I love him so much. Of course I think he is the cutest thing ever. It is amazing how one can love someone so much. I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love Lucy but I do. What a blessing he has already been to our lives, just in one short little month. Being a family of four is so much fun.
Don’t w0rry, all of this has come with difficulties as well. It has not been all rainbows and sunshine. My lack of sleep has caused me to become way more irritable with Lucy so I am constantly praying for patience. It is not that she is “bad” she just likes to get into things and she is really independent which gets me really annoyed sometimes and instead of being merciful and patient, I get easily frustrated. It makes me sad because she is so sweet and I don’t want to be a “mean Mommy”, I want to train her lovingly and again, patiently. I want to help her and teach her, not snap at her and make her feel like she is inconveniencing me. It is also really hard when the baby has fussy time during bed time or dinner time. I feel like I am ignoring Lucy or brushing her off (I usually read her books before bed but often we have had to skip them because of the baby) when I have to attend to him and it makes me sad.
The other difficult thing is that right after the baby was born Ryan had a HUGE commercial job which caused him to work 15+ hour work days for three weeks straight. That was TERRIBLE! Thank God for people who came by to help out and for bringing us meals so I didn’t have to cook. Not only did I have a brand new baby, a crazy two-year old, I lost my husband. Kudos to all of you single Mom’s out there who have to do this by yourself everyday.
It would be nice to actually get dressed and go out on a date for a few hours. Ah. One day.
Thanks for visiting. Sorry I have been MIA. I will probably not be posting too frequently for a little while. You know, still trying to figure things out.
Goodnight. It is nap time. Hallelujah!
PS. Can you believe there were two Abram’s at the Doctors Office yesterday! What in the world?!
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