First Tooth

Guess who popped his first tooth that we noticed today? This guy!

Can you tell how excited he is about it? Also, now we know why he's been a bit of a crab apple these last few days.

xoxo

Weighty Issues

While pregnant, I gained 21 pounds. Within 6 weeks of having Nicholas, I had lost it all. I nursed for as long as I could, and I’m pretty sure that is the reason I lost the weight so quickly. I was unable to work out for some time due to the c-section. The doctor recommended 8 weeks, I didn’t exercise for 10 weeks – I started back up at the same time I returned to work. For a few weeks after I stopped nursing, I continued to eat like I was still nursing and gained about 5-6 pounds back.

To me, it’s not about being thin or looking a certain way in clothes (although of course that is nice too!) Before I got pregnant, I wanted to lose about 20 pounds. I ate really healthy, exercised, and took really good care of myself – but still, I did not lose any weight. I was glad that before I got pregnant, I accepted the way my body was and that it was the size I was meant to be.

Since having the babe, I’ve struggled with the way my body has “repositioned” itself. My stomach is probably my least comfortable area now, but I’m comforted by the fact that my body was strong enough and healthy enough to carry a baby. My health is still a work in progress, as I continue to off and on have blood pressure issues since being pregnant, and I have a follow up with my doctor next week to check things out.

I recently checked my BMI to find out that I am considered to be in the “overweight” range (a BMI of over 25). After I got pregnant, I told myself I would get into the best shape of my life after having the baby. It’s not about just me anymore, and I want to be around to watch my little guy grow for as long as possible. I recently went back to tracking my food and making a commitment to get to the gym at least twice a week. It’s hard to find the time because we see so little of Nicholas, as Nick and I both have to work full time. I’ve been fitting in walks with him when I can, and I’m so thankful that Nick is so supportive of me getting back into shape and feeling better about myself.

It is not easy, but I’m committing myself to a happier, healthier lifestyle, one day at a time.

Furry Friend

So, someone has realized that they have a hairy older brother. The last one kills me, Nicholas is agreeing with all of us that his big brother has some pretty bad breath!

This guy

We got this guy home from dinner with friends and he was a cranky little boy. I changed his diaper, put him in a sleep sack, laid him down, and he started screaming bloody murder. But...about 5 minutes later, I checked on him, told him I loved him and patted his head...came downstairs, and this happened:

Honestly, he's been doing great and I couldn't be happier!

xoxo

Basement Redo

I wish I had some "before pictures", but we're redoing our basement and it is coming out great. The previous owner basically closed off half the basement and "finished" it, turning it into a long yellow room with pale blue trim...that wasn't even remotely attractive. Nick knocked out the wall and pulled up the half carpet, and enclosed the washer, dryer, hot water heater, and boiler. The carpet went in today and here's what we're looking at right now :)

The furniture, TV, and whatever else Nick has ordered (heehee) will be coming in soon and I'll post more pics. Dexter is OBSESSED with carpet and we took him down there and he lost his mind. It's going to be a great fun playroom for him and the babe in the near future :)

Date Night for Mom and Dad

Nick and I had a quick date night this past Sunday and Nick's family was nice enough to watch Nicholas so we could relax a bit (of course, still finished our dinner within the hour...I think we're just used to eating super fast now :)

I've mentioned it before, but the iPhone is great for letting me snap one picture after the other, and very quickly. Here are some great shots I took before we left and once we got back from dinner.

Crazy Uncle Dan love (yes that's what we'll call him..:)

Auntie Love

Auntie love times 2!

Kills me!

Yes...I know I'm cute

Wait...make sure you get none of Nana and ALL of me

Papou and me!

Mama Love!

Close up on Mama Love!

Hi Nana!

More Nana love!

xoxo

Sleep Training the babe

I hate to jinx it, but sleep training the babe has been going pretty well so far.

Nicholas is WIPED OUT by a little after 6 pm each night, sometimes even earlier. It’s kind of a bummer because we don’t get to see him all day. He also isn’t on a schedule at day care, I think they start doing “group” naps when he is around 6 months old – which actually isn’t that far off. Whenever we are with him all day, he really seems to be more of a cat napper, sometimes sleeping 40 minutes, sometimes 2 hours, throughout the day. I’ve been tracking his sleep patterns for the last week +, and there is no rhyme or reason to it. The only set thing is that he’s in bed by 7 ish and up by 6 ish – he’s almost always up before 6 though if he doesn’t wake up for a middle of the night feeding.

Here’s what we’ve been doing at night:

A few weeks ago, we started a routine of “bath, bottle, and bed” As soon as he starts to get a bit cranky, we bring him upstairs, turn the lights down low, and start the white noise machine. The white noise machine is supposed to trigger his "calming reflex", and it really seems to do the trick. Since he’s not mobile yet, a bath really doesn’t take very long, maybe 10 minutes max. He usually starts to get upset after the bath though, so I quickly diaper him and rub some lotion on him (I’m hoping he eventually enjoys this, but right now he just becomes a crabby arse!) Then we bring him downstairs for his bottle. He typically falls asleep half way through the bottle and we rouse him awake to get him to finish it. Then we hold him for a little while, make sure that he burps, and then lay him down.

The first night was a NIGHTMARE. He had burped, but apparently needed to burp more. I could tell right away that he was uncomfortable so I picked him up, patted him for awhile, and then he burped again and we laid him back down. I gave him 5 minutes to try and settle himself and it didn’t work. I went to him, kissed him and patted his head, told him I loved him, offered him a pacifier (which he always rejects), and then left him again. I repeated this for almost an hour. He was so worked up that I re - swaddled his arms – that did the trick and he settled himself and went to sleep. It was a rough hour, but I was so thrilled when he finally settled himself on his own. I hated to let him cry even for a minute or two (because I did NOT want to do this), but I realize that it is for the best and I wasn’t “abandoning” him, just trying to get him to realize that he CAN do it on his own (and needs to learn that).

After that first night, it has gotten so much better. I had to do it twice the next night but he was settled within 10 minutes. Last night when I put him down he SCREAMED bloody murder..but only 3 minutes went by, he settled himself, and then was sleeping within 15 minutes.

I haven’t tried to schedule naps yet (because of his cat napping ways) but if he wakes up for night feedings (and he usuall does) he has also been able to settle himself within 5-10 minutes, so I take that as a good sign and a step in the right direction.

This morning was pretty cool to watch – he woke up around 4 am and had completely turned himself around in the crib. He rolls on his side, back, around, it is pretty amazing at how much he is starting to get around!

xoxo