Last week he was also very good, but for some reason busted into tears any time the camera came out!
2.28.2012
2.5 months- random pictures
Since I don't have much time for words, I'm going to try to be better about at least getting some pics updated throughout each month. Lachlan was a GREAT boy yesterday-- he slept for 9 straight hours at night and then napped really well all day...when he was awake, he played and was not fussy!
Last week he was also very good, but for some reason busted into tears any time the camera came out!
Last week he was also very good, but for some reason busted into tears any time the camera came out!
2.25.2012
Baby Products I'm Lovin!
It was so overwhelming to decide what baby items to register for and buy cause everyone has different opinions, but here are the items I'm SO glad we have!
1. Miracle Blanket
I got a few other kinds of swaddling blankets, but should have gone with my gut and just went with the Miracle Blanket. Lachlan has been a great sleeper from the beginning and I truly think it's due to a good, tight swaddle...if he weren't swaddled his arms would be flying around and waking himself up. We did try other sleepsack/swaddle combos that would velcro around him and I don't know how he did it, but even at 1 week old he could loosen out of those.
2. Rock-n-Play
This also was very recommended and am glad we got it. I also think this is another reason he sleeps so well-- it cradles/cuddles the baby much more snuggly than laying in a huge crib. I also like that it is on an incline cause he has some reflux and I just worry about him choking laying flat. The rocking motion also comes in handy sometimes when he has trouble falling asleep-- the problem with using a rocking chair is when we move him into bed, then he'll wake up. With this, you don't have to move the baby once he is asleep and you are done rocking. Fisher Price makes this in several colors and styles.
3. Boppy Lounger
This was not really recommended to me, but I saw a lot of positive review on it. At the last minute I added to our registry and am so glad I did. When we are tired of holding him, it is the perfect place to plop him down-- it also has a slight incline and snugs around the body. He takes many naps in here too. At dinner time, we put this on the table so he can chill there with us.
4. Baby Timer
Download an app for your phone to track everything with your baby. I thought this was idiotic when people recommended it to me, but there is so much you are keeping track of that it is a MUST HAVE! I used Log4Baby on the iphone- it could use some improvements, but overall was really great. You can even email yourself a summary of each day. You log each time you do a diaper change and if it was wet/dirty/both. This is really helpful if you breastfeed because you have to count how many wet and dirty diapers you have each day to ensure they are getting enough food. It also logs each time he feeds- you can log bottle ounces or the number of minutes on each boob. We also used it to log when he took his medicine-- you can set reminders to go off too. It also can track the sleep- but we found this pretty hard to do since he took so many catnaps. You can also add in any other items you want to track.
5. Swing and Bouncy Seat
I honestly didn't want a zillion toys, but trust me when I say you need these for the parents sanity! It gives you a break from constantly holding and entertaining the baby....plus Lachlan takes naps frequently in both of these cause they magically put him to sleep. We really like that the swing will swing in 2 different directions (side to side OR front to back) and it plugs in vs. using batteries.
6. Bum Genius 4.0s
I was a little nervous about the cloth diapers, but these have been pretty awesome so far! Cotton Babies just had a sale to get rid of some old colors/patterns where they were Buy 2, Get 1 Free. For just under $200, we have 16 diapers we use. I do laundry every other day and it really isn't too bad or time consuming-- the only part that takes time is to put the inserts into the diapers after washing. It really surprises me that so many people are opposed to them because we both think they are just as easy as disposables and will save SO much money by using them. The only negative I have is that with the disposables there is a line on the outside that turns blue when the diaper is wet, so it makes it easy to know when to change him...you lose that perk with the cloth.
7. Baby Bargains and Baby 411 books by Denise Fields
These were so helpful because of how the books were written/organized. I can quickly find an answer to most any question I have-- and the last thing you want is skimming through a bunch of paragraphs looking for something when your baby is screaming! Baby Bargains is helpful for registering, so want to get this before the baby arrives!
1. Miracle Blanket
I got a few other kinds of swaddling blankets, but should have gone with my gut and just went with the Miracle Blanket. Lachlan has been a great sleeper from the beginning and I truly think it's due to a good, tight swaddle...if he weren't swaddled his arms would be flying around and waking himself up. We did try other sleepsack/swaddle combos that would velcro around him and I don't know how he did it, but even at 1 week old he could loosen out of those.
2. Rock-n-Play
This also was very recommended and am glad we got it. I also think this is another reason he sleeps so well-- it cradles/cuddles the baby much more snuggly than laying in a huge crib. I also like that it is on an incline cause he has some reflux and I just worry about him choking laying flat. The rocking motion also comes in handy sometimes when he has trouble falling asleep-- the problem with using a rocking chair is when we move him into bed, then he'll wake up. With this, you don't have to move the baby once he is asleep and you are done rocking. Fisher Price makes this in several colors and styles.
3. Boppy Lounger
This was not really recommended to me, but I saw a lot of positive review on it. At the last minute I added to our registry and am so glad I did. When we are tired of holding him, it is the perfect place to plop him down-- it also has a slight incline and snugs around the body. He takes many naps in here too. At dinner time, we put this on the table so he can chill there with us.
4. Baby Timer
Download an app for your phone to track everything with your baby. I thought this was idiotic when people recommended it to me, but there is so much you are keeping track of that it is a MUST HAVE! I used Log4Baby on the iphone- it could use some improvements, but overall was really great. You can even email yourself a summary of each day. You log each time you do a diaper change and if it was wet/dirty/both. This is really helpful if you breastfeed because you have to count how many wet and dirty diapers you have each day to ensure they are getting enough food. It also logs each time he feeds- you can log bottle ounces or the number of minutes on each boob. We also used it to log when he took his medicine-- you can set reminders to go off too. It also can track the sleep- but we found this pretty hard to do since he took so many catnaps. You can also add in any other items you want to track.
5. Swing and Bouncy Seat
I honestly didn't want a zillion toys, but trust me when I say you need these for the parents sanity! It gives you a break from constantly holding and entertaining the baby....plus Lachlan takes naps frequently in both of these cause they magically put him to sleep. We really like that the swing will swing in 2 different directions (side to side OR front to back) and it plugs in vs. using batteries.
6. Bum Genius 4.0s
I was a little nervous about the cloth diapers, but these have been pretty awesome so far! Cotton Babies just had a sale to get rid of some old colors/patterns where they were Buy 2, Get 1 Free. For just under $200, we have 16 diapers we use. I do laundry every other day and it really isn't too bad or time consuming-- the only part that takes time is to put the inserts into the diapers after washing. It really surprises me that so many people are opposed to them because we both think they are just as easy as disposables and will save SO much money by using them. The only negative I have is that with the disposables there is a line on the outside that turns blue when the diaper is wet, so it makes it easy to know when to change him...you lose that perk with the cloth.
7. Baby Bargains and Baby 411 books by Denise Fields
These were so helpful because of how the books were written/organized. I can quickly find an answer to most any question I have-- and the last thing you want is skimming through a bunch of paragraphs looking for something when your baby is screaming! Baby Bargains is helpful for registering, so want to get this before the baby arrives!
2.23.2012
Lachlan - 2 months
Last week Lachlan celebrated turning 2 months old (Feb. 13th)! I feel like he has grown so much in the last month and has definitely started to develop a little personality and can play with him some now.
He still continues to fight off all the ghosts we apparently have in the house:
We got our first real smile from him while playing peek-a-boo just shy of 6 weeks. This continues to be his favorite game at the moment and the best way to get smiles from him.
He went to the doctor at 6 weeks and received several shots-- cried a lot:( He was around the 80th percentile for both length and weight. His length was 23.25 inches and weight was 12 lbs 5 oz. (By the way, when can we start calling it height rather than length??)
Dustin and I went out just ourselves for dinner for the first time since Lachlan was born. I must say a part of me really misses the freedom we used to have and going out to dinner on the weekends. So hopefully we'll continue to make time for this occasionally from now on. It was a bit of work with getting everything packed up for Lachlan to take him to my in-laws and then we had a long wait at the restaurant, so it was a bit uncomfortable going for so long without being able to pump...breastfeeding just makes doing anything for a long period of time difficult!
At 8 weeks I tried putting Lachlan in his crib for a nap to see what would happen- he lasted 20 minutes and woke up very unhappy. I tried doing this for a few days, but he never lasted more than 15-20 minutes, so I've given up trying for the time being-- it's more important to me that he gets good naps in, so be it if it's in his swing or bouncy seat. I was trying to get him used to the crib for naps so transitioning to the crib at night will be easier since he still sleeps in our room.
And now for the most important milestone from this month.....drum roll please.....at 8 weeks Lachlan slept 8 hours and 45 minutes STRAIGHT... UNINTERRUPTED... NONSTOP!!!! After this point, he pretty much sleeps right around 7 hours for his first stretch, so pretty good!
Just shy of turning 2 months, Lachlan got tears when he cried...which now makes it seem so much sadder when he cries. And on his 2 month birthday, Dustin had to start travelling for work and was in California for the week. I'm sure it killed him to be away...and luckily for me my mom came to help out, otherwise I think I would have been overwhelmed that week!
Some pics from last month:
He still continues to fight off all the ghosts we apparently have in the house:
We got our first real smile from him while playing peek-a-boo just shy of 6 weeks. This continues to be his favorite game at the moment and the best way to get smiles from him.
He went to the doctor at 6 weeks and received several shots-- cried a lot:( He was around the 80th percentile for both length and weight. His length was 23.25 inches and weight was 12 lbs 5 oz. (By the way, when can we start calling it height rather than length??)
Dustin and I went out just ourselves for dinner for the first time since Lachlan was born. I must say a part of me really misses the freedom we used to have and going out to dinner on the weekends. So hopefully we'll continue to make time for this occasionally from now on. It was a bit of work with getting everything packed up for Lachlan to take him to my in-laws and then we had a long wait at the restaurant, so it was a bit uncomfortable going for so long without being able to pump...breastfeeding just makes doing anything for a long period of time difficult!
At 8 weeks I tried putting Lachlan in his crib for a nap to see what would happen- he lasted 20 minutes and woke up very unhappy. I tried doing this for a few days, but he never lasted more than 15-20 minutes, so I've given up trying for the time being-- it's more important to me that he gets good naps in, so be it if it's in his swing or bouncy seat. I was trying to get him used to the crib for naps so transitioning to the crib at night will be easier since he still sleeps in our room.
And now for the most important milestone from this month.....drum roll please.....at 8 weeks Lachlan slept 8 hours and 45 minutes STRAIGHT... UNINTERRUPTED... NONSTOP!!!! After this point, he pretty much sleeps right around 7 hours for his first stretch, so pretty good!
He still loves being in the bathroom…whether it's just relaxing while we shower and get ready or he is in the tub! Have started doing baths every night because he likes them so much and is better than listening to him fuss since the evenings are his crabby period. On 2/1 it was cute cause he had been in the tub for 30 minutes just completely relaxed and then just started falling asleep in the tub and could NOT keep his eyes open.
We also use the vacuum cleaner A LOT to calm him down. This has been a lifesaver when he cries uncontrollably.
We had our first "Parents as Teachers" visit. This is a great program and recommend anyone with young kids to look into it with your school district. Our district puts a lot of money towards it. Basically once a month someone comes to our home and will assess where Lachlan is at developmentally and then let us know what we can work on with him. They also have workshops and group meetings on different topics you can attend. I think he passed everything and did well his first visit! We've been doing tummy time and he doesn't seem to hate it, but mainly just lays there and sucks on his hands or blanket...so not much strength training going on there!
The weather was really nice for a few days so we went to a nearby park for a walk/stroller ride and took many strolls around the neighborhood. For the most part he was good, but cried when the sun was in his eyes.
We also use the vacuum cleaner A LOT to calm him down. This has been a lifesaver when he cries uncontrollably.
We had our first "Parents as Teachers" visit. This is a great program and recommend anyone with young kids to look into it with your school district. Our district puts a lot of money towards it. Basically once a month someone comes to our home and will assess where Lachlan is at developmentally and then let us know what we can work on with him. They also have workshops and group meetings on different topics you can attend. I think he passed everything and did well his first visit! We've been doing tummy time and he doesn't seem to hate it, but mainly just lays there and sucks on his hands or blanket...so not much strength training going on there!
Just shy of turning 2 months, Lachlan got tears when he cried...which now makes it seem so much sadder when he cries. And on his 2 month birthday, Dustin had to start travelling for work and was in California for the week. I'm sure it killed him to be away...and luckily for me my mom came to help out, otherwise I think I would have been overwhelmed that week!
Here is a typical day at 2 months:
- EVERY night around 7:30 we give him a bath—we let him splash around in there for about 30 minutes.
- Around 8:00 swaddle and give a bottle.
- Still sleeps in our room with the sound machine on waterfall.
- I pump around 1am.
- Awake around 3-4am- change diaper and I give a bottle and pump again. Usually he goes back to sleep pretty easily, but lately he sometimes doesn't want to. In those cases I just stick him in the swing in the family room and he eventually goes back to sleep in there.
- Awake around 6am- change diaper and give you a bottle. Pump again. I usually put him in the swing (if he hasn't just been in there) so I can relax a bit longer. Some days you’ll stay in the swing for a couple hours and fall back asleep.
- Around 9, I shower and get ready while he chills in the bathroom.
- Then the day is just filled with random feedings and sleeping here and there. He takes a 4 oz. bottle almost every 2 hours— longer if he is sleeping. There is NO napping schedule—some days it is all little catnaps while other days he’ll get some decent stretches. Mostly naps in the swing or now really like to sleep in new vibrating bouncy chair.
- Dustin gets home around 6-6:30 usually, just in time for the cranky period…which is getting a little better or at least is shorter now that we started the bath earlier!
2.12.2012
Buffalo Mac-n-Cheese
While on maternity leave I've really enjoyed being able to cook some good dinners and eat a little healthier than we normally do. It seemed lately that I kept seeing recipes for Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese...so I figured it was a sign I should make it! I looked at many recipes on the web, but a lot were from scratch and just seemed too time consuming for me and too many ingredients to buy. So I found this recipe on the Kraft site, but then made lots of changes...I really like how my version turned out:
Ingredients
3 boxes of the cheap Kraft Mac-n-Cheese with the powdered cheese
1 bunch of green onions
1 container of crumbled blue cheese (probably was about 1 cup)
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (use more or less depending on how spicy you want)
2 cups chicken (I used some frozen diced chicken pieces and defrosted in microwave)
1/2 block cream cheese
This will make a lot- probably 10 good serving sizes.
Directions
I boiled my 3 boxes of pasta in a large pot. Drain water and return to pot. Add the powedered cheese from the mac-n-cheese box. I also stirred in a little bit of water (maybe 1/4-1/3 of a cup) or you could use milk. I then added about half a block of cream cheese cut into cubes. Stir until all of the powder cheese is dissolved and cream cheese is melted. Stir in chicken, buffalo sauce, half of the green onions, and half of the blue cheese. Pour into a 9x13 pan (I lightly sprayed with non-stick oil). Sprinkle remaining onions and blue cheese over the top. I baked at 350 for about 20 minutes just to let it all come together.
I forgot to take a picture, so had to use a generic from the internet:
Ingredients
3 boxes of the cheap Kraft Mac-n-Cheese with the powdered cheese
1 bunch of green onions
1 container of crumbled blue cheese (probably was about 1 cup)
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (use more or less depending on how spicy you want)
2 cups chicken (I used some frozen diced chicken pieces and defrosted in microwave)
1/2 block cream cheese
This will make a lot- probably 10 good serving sizes.
Directions
I boiled my 3 boxes of pasta in a large pot. Drain water and return to pot. Add the powedered cheese from the mac-n-cheese box. I also stirred in a little bit of water (maybe 1/4-1/3 of a cup) or you could use milk. I then added about half a block of cream cheese cut into cubes. Stir until all of the powder cheese is dissolved and cream cheese is melted. Stir in chicken, buffalo sauce, half of the green onions, and half of the blue cheese. Pour into a 9x13 pan (I lightly sprayed with non-stick oil). Sprinkle remaining onions and blue cheese over the top. I baked at 350 for about 20 minutes just to let it all come together.
I forgot to take a picture, so had to use a generic from the internet:
2.02.2012
Lachlan - 1 Month
Lachlan turned 1 month on Jan 13, so just imagine this post was up a couple weeks ago :)) Here is a quick recap of his first month and some pictures:
We came home on the Saturday after he was born- as much as I actually really liked being in the hospital because we were so catered to, I was ready to come home. On Sunday we had Jill from In the Moment Photography come over to take newborn pics. Unfortunately Lachlan was cranky, but she was great with being patient and getting some awesome shots! A few are shown below here:
Dustin was off work until after the holidays, so it was a huge help to have him available 24/7. My heart goes out to new mom's who don't have someone around to help them because it is just exhausting! We had many xmas celebrations where Lachlan got some really cute gifts. I was able to get out a xmas card/birth announcement just in time. I used a photo from our newborn photoshoot and then bought a pdf on Etsy to use. Dustin then just took it to Office Depot to print and cut down to size.
Lachlan had his first doctor's appointment and everything looked good. He had slightly surpassed his birth weight, so we no longer have to wake him at the 4-hour mark at night to feed him.
After New Years, Dustin was back to work, but my mom was here for a week to help out. Then it was all on my own...which I actually enjoyed and wasn't too bad at all since he was almost a month old at this point!
Here is pic on 1-month birthday:
Here is a typical 24-Hour period for us at 1 month:
· Every other night Dustin gives Lachlan a bath
· Around 9-9:30 swaddle in the miracle blanket and give a 3 oz. bottle to fill up that tummy
· Lachlan sleeps in our bedroom in the Fisher-Price Rock and Play. We play the sound of a waterfall on the sound machine, which basically just sounds like loud static. I really think the success of his sleeping is due to the Swaddling, Sound machine, and Rock and Play.
· I have to awake and pump around 1am.
· Around 3am Lachlan wakes up- change diaper and give a bottle. I pump again. Usually Lachlan goes back to sleep pretty easily.
· Around 5:30-6am- change diaper and give a bottle. I pump again.
· Normally will wake again between 7-8. Some times I lay him in bed with me on boppy lounger for a while longer. Sometimes I will nurse him so I can stay in bed longer.
· Around 9, we get out of bed and I take a shower while Lachlan is on boppy lounger in the bathroom. He LOVES just laying in there and listening to the shower!
· Then the day is just filled with random feedings and sleeping here and there.
· The only toy he really uses is the swing and some days will nap in here for hours or just be content swinging away. He really likes to be held and will sleep that way. When there is any free time, I am pumping, washing bottles/pump accessories, doing laundry or some chore.
· Dustin gets home around 6:30 usually, just in time for the cranky period! We rarely can both eat dinner at the same time in peace and quiet.
We came home on the Saturday after he was born- as much as I actually really liked being in the hospital because we were so catered to, I was ready to come home. On Sunday we had Jill from In the Moment Photography come over to take newborn pics. Unfortunately Lachlan was cranky, but she was great with being patient and getting some awesome shots! A few are shown below here:
Dustin was off work until after the holidays, so it was a huge help to have him available 24/7. My heart goes out to new mom's who don't have someone around to help them because it is just exhausting! We had many xmas celebrations where Lachlan got some really cute gifts. I was able to get out a xmas card/birth announcement just in time. I used a photo from our newborn photoshoot and then bought a pdf on Etsy to use. Dustin then just took it to Office Depot to print and cut down to size.
Lachlan had his first doctor's appointment and everything looked good. He had slightly surpassed his birth weight, so we no longer have to wake him at the 4-hour mark at night to feed him.
After New Years, Dustin was back to work, but my mom was here for a week to help out. Then it was all on my own...which I actually enjoyed and wasn't too bad at all since he was almost a month old at this point!
Here is pic on 1-month birthday:
Here is a typical 24-Hour period for us at 1 month:
· Every other night Dustin gives Lachlan a bath
· Around 9-9:30 swaddle in the miracle blanket and give a 3 oz. bottle to fill up that tummy
· Lachlan sleeps in our bedroom in the Fisher-Price Rock and Play. We play the sound of a waterfall on the sound machine, which basically just sounds like loud static. I really think the success of his sleeping is due to the Swaddling, Sound machine, and Rock and Play.
· I have to awake and pump around 1am.
· Around 3am Lachlan wakes up- change diaper and give a bottle. I pump again. Usually Lachlan goes back to sleep pretty easily.
· Around 5:30-6am- change diaper and give a bottle. I pump again.
· Normally will wake again between 7-8. Some times I lay him in bed with me on boppy lounger for a while longer. Sometimes I will nurse him so I can stay in bed longer.
· Around 9, we get out of bed and I take a shower while Lachlan is on boppy lounger in the bathroom. He LOVES just laying in there and listening to the shower!
· Then the day is just filled with random feedings and sleeping here and there.
· The only toy he really uses is the swing and some days will nap in here for hours or just be content swinging away. He really likes to be held and will sleep that way. When there is any free time, I am pumping, washing bottles/pump accessories, doing laundry or some chore.
· Dustin gets home around 6:30 usually, just in time for the cranky period! We rarely can both eat dinner at the same time in peace and quiet.
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