A Few of My Favorite [Baby] Things

There are a few things that I just don't know what I would do without, or that have truly made my life as a mother so much easier. I have thought of things over the last ~2 years and have had intentions of giving them as gifts to my friends as they have babies. I forget things a lot, or wait until it's too last minute, which is a problem for gifting, since most of them need to be purchased online or require a trip to Toledo. Anyway, recently, I made a list of the favorites I could think of on my phone. I decided maybe since I am terrible at actually gifting these to those who could use them, I can at least share and show them on here so they can get them themselves or register for them for their showers. I may update this once I have Baby #2 since I am sure that I am forgetting things that I loved with Corbo. I'll try to go in a use order... Starting with my most favorite:

Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets

Found on Amazon & many stores

These big, thin, soft blankets are perfect for a true swaddle, which I am a super-huge fan of. They are lightweight enough to not make your baby super-hot in the summer, and big enough to wrap them tightly and tuck in for a secure swaddle. I would love to show you how I swaddle my baby... come for a visit in March, or bring me yours. There are generic ones now but I would make sure to feel them first, as some are not as soft as others. Also, Aden & Anais make a super soft version that is to die for... and even more expensive... but oh so soft!

The next few were life savers for me but not as cute as swaddle blankets...

Mother Love Nipple Cream

Found on Amazon

This is something that my friend recommended to me when I was pregnant with my first. It is WAY better than lanolin. Lanolin is sticky. Sticky is not cool for anything on your boobs, ever, in my opinion, but especially if they get sore or tender, since your poor nipples will stick to your bra or nursing pad and you'll have to peel that off. Ouch. Not cool. This is and lightweight and very effective. I put it on alllllll the time for prevention and I never had a single issue. And there are lots of issues to be had. Oh! and it's all natural and organic. Score! It is safe for consumption, so no worries about your little baby eating it when it's time to breastfeed. Apparently also works well as a diaper rash ointment. Who knew. (I have used it for a lip balm already too, but since I hate olive oil, I immediately regretted that decision.)

Medela Steam Bags

Found on Amazon and most stores

These little bags are awesome for the working, breastfeeding momma! You can use them multiple times and they are very simple to use. All you do is rinse off your pump parts, throw them in the bag with some water and microwave it for a couple minutes. Tada! Clean pump!

Medela Pump Wipes

Found on Amazon and some stores

Another excellent tool to have for the working, breastfeeding momma! Just wipe down the parts. That's it. Ready to go for another pump session. These are a little more on the pricey side for what they are- and it's one time use for each- but requires even less effort (like going to the kitchen/breakroom) than the steam bags.

Medela Pumping Bra

Amazon and stores

I hate pictures of women pumping. Ugh. Sorry. This also is a stark reminder of how much I hate pumping. I don't think this is exciting or anything, but it's a complete necessity for a working, breastfeeding momma. Or at least with a job like mine. I type my patient notes while pumping milk to feed the baby. Multitasking at it's finest. I suppose even a stay-at-home mom would appreciate having 2 hands free while pumping. Then again... I'm sorry that you're pumping while home with your baby... because I truly hate that.

Side note.... Baby girl has a major case of the hiccups right now and it's driving me nuts. Breathe, little one, breathe....

Rock 'N Play

found on amazon and stores

This is Andrew's most recommended baby item. We got this handed down from my brother and it's the basic version. The link and picture is the deluxe version, which I believe has a vibrator and a toy attachment. Even the most basic version (what we have) is amazing. Babies just love it! Or at least, ours and all our friends' who tried it loved it! Can't get your baby to sleep for very long? Try this!

Flannel Burp Cloths

Homemade: here's one of many patterns

I think homemade flannel burp cloths are the best! When I'm dealing with yucky icky things I want them to at least enjoy the prints and colors (part of why I love cloth diapering). Sure those plain white diapers are super absorbent and handily already made... but if you don't sew, find someone who does who can make you a stash of these for your baby. :) Or ask me, and I'll make them for you!

Burt's Bees Shampoo and Body Wash

found in most stores

Now this is actually something that I've recently changed my mind on. We've been using this on Corbo since he was born and he's never had a bad reaction to it, I love the way it smells, and I figured it was healthier than BabyMagic or Johnson&Johnson (which Corbo DID have a reaction to) since it's natural. However, with my handy dandy EWG Skin Deep App I've learned that the original scented kind is rated a 3 (anything below a 4 is good enough for me) but the fragrance-free version (pictured above) is only a 1! I haven't tried it yet but I think I would miss the smell!

on that note...                                        Shea Moisture Baby Lotion

Most stores & Amazon

This lotion is a 1 on EWG and it smells DELIGHTFUL!!! Their shampoo and wash is also only a 1 and I imagine it must have a similar smell so I think that is what I will try next. 

Munchkin 360 Sippy Cup

amazon and some stores

This is definitely my favorite sippy cup. We have used a large variety of sippy cups since I had a large variety passed down to me, but this is one I actually purchased on my own! It is considered spill-proof... but as with most every sippy cup, they should be listed as spill-resistant, not spill-proof! 

You can drink anywhere around the rim, no special place, and there is no straw or sippy spout for kids to become attached to. I may be partial to this cup since it is recommended by dentists since it has no spout. :) 

Munchkin Snack Cup

most stores and amazon

I suppose any snack cup would work fine and more or less then same. This is the kind we have. I more so just wanted to point out that this is a super nice thing to have for your toddler. Makes going out so much easier.

Summer Infant Tiny Diner Placemat

amazon

We got this as a hand-me-down from my sister/nephews and I thought I would never use it and that it was a silly thing to have or want. My, how I was wrong! Once your little one starts feeding themselves and outgrows their high chair table, this is the next thing to move to! It has suction cups under it to keep it in place- which is very important for curious toddlers who like to move everything. It also has the catch tray for when their food doesn't go straight in their mouths. (I think I need one of these for myself...) Anyway- It has made clean up after meals SO much easier!

Skip Hop Travel Bib

amazon

This is a great bib to keep in your diaper bag (or purse). It folds up into itself and takes up a tiny amount of space in your bag. It also has that little food catcher pouch that miraculously catches the food your babe drops. It's a thin material that you can easily toss in the washer. (if you remember to get it out of your bag.)

Now if you have any interest in (which every expecting mom should at least consider...) or curiosity about cloth diapering... here are a few of my favorite supplies...

Bum Genius 4.0 *apparently now it's 5.0 OS Pocket Diaper

CottonBabies or Amazon

I also like their all-in-ones (AIO) for some times, but this is my favorite go-to quality diaper. I've tried 4 different brands of diapers and this is my favorite. I would recommend if you're starting out cloth diapering to get a couple different brands and kinds so you can find the one that works best with your washing system and baby. This happens to be mine. I've since gotten rid of almost all the other brands and stocked up on this kind. When I was getting my stash, they were all solid colors, except maybe a couple of prints. Now they have more exciting prints, which makes me sad that I already have enough diapers!

Kanga Care Wet Bag

Amazon

I started out with the very popular PlanetWise wet and wet/dry bags to store dirty cloth diapers in, but despite their large selection of cute prints, there are some things about them that I don't love. I have since found this Kanga Care brand and it has cute prints AND the function that I didn't find in the PlanetWise brand. The main thing that I didn't like about the PlanetWise bags is that there is a lining that is not attached to the outside, except at the zipper. So when you throw in the wash with your diapers, the liner comes out, gets all twisted and is sometimes VERY difficult to unravel, usually causing you to spill water all over the place because it created a pocket for it. Ugh. This Kanga Care brand is all one layer and you don't have that issue! It also folds up smaller/nicer to put in your diaper bag, and since you shouldn't dry either kind in the dryer- this one air dries back to it's soft feel. The PlanetWise is stiff and annoying- like when you hang dry jeans instead of fluffing them in the dryer. Yuck. I also think this bag does a better job of hiding the smell.

speaking of smell...

Diaper Fresh

amazon

When your diaper bags or pails are getting stinky before you have a chance to wash them- spray some of this in the bag and it will neutralize the odor! So easy. I bought an 8 oz bottle and it's still mostly full- doesn't take much and I don't use it that often.

Spray Pal

amazon

I absolutely recommend a diaper sprayer to clean your poopy diapers (once your kid is on solids, or formula) for a hands-off approach to yucky diapers. However, you can spray your diapers without a sprayPal, or you'll get splatter all over your bathroom. Yuck. You just clip the diaper at the top and spray away. So easy.

Well, that's all for now. Like I said, I'll let you know if and when I find more things I just can't live without once I start all over again with baby girl!!!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share or ask any questions!

#2. Week 23

Size of baby: grapefruit
What's that Babe up to: forming nip.ples. no really. also, listening to my voice and heartbeat- probably realizing that my heartrate is crazy and fast!! Can hear other loud noises too- and she hears plenty of those from Corbin! He likes to say "hi!"
Symptoms:  lower back and hip pain, swelling is starting! & occasional heartburn, and nightly congestion
Food cravings or aversions: none

Weight: 171
Weight gain so far: uhhhh... math.. 26 pounds. They say you should gain 25-35 pounds. Well! I've got 17 weeks to spread out 9 pounds!! Yeah right, we all know that's not gonna happen
Maternity Clothes: just went through all my pants again, trying to find my right size. Unfortunately, most of them were too tight. I do still have a couple pair of normal pants that still fit. And by normal, I mean not maternity, but larger than my normal size. :)
Sleep: sleeping through the night so I'm gonna say great! I would sleep better if my throat and nose didn't get so full though. Vicks is REALLY helping with this though!!
Best moment this week: feeling baby girl moving so much more!!
Miss Anything: being able to do what I want. We've been talking about doing MDS in January if my Dr okays it tomorrow. I've been back and forth on whether it would be a good idea, but yesterday I got really excited to go and be useful as a baby sitter and helping in the kitchen or what have you... and then I read my post from my last pregnancy when I was 32 weeks. It was Christmas and I was swollen and sore and miserable and uncomfortable and that's all I wrote about. That makes me not want to go. So perhaps we shall just wait and see!!!

Movement: feeling her moving every day now! She was just doing somersaults, I'm sure of it!
Belly Button: nice that I can see the whole way in to keep it clean, but I'm pretty sure it will never pop out
Wedding Rings: Still fitting! My gloves were feeling a bit tight today at work though! Might be time to move up a size soon!
Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving!! only 2 more weeks!!!

23 weeks

1st pregnancy

I'm gonna go ahead and say that I'm definitely bigger this time around!!! Look how much lower and out my belly is!!! Whoa!!! The wives' tale is that boys are carried low and girls are carried high. I guess I don't fit into that one! In fact, this pregnancy is so much like the first one that maybe this is a boy, too! I guess we should be prepared for that just in case!!

Corbin Jack: My Favorite Little Man

10/1/15 Roughly 19 months-ish

I've decided I should probably record some of my favorite things about Corbin and some of his favorite things and his development. I always intend to, because I know that I will not remember this, even though that kills me because I LOVE this!

Corbin is roughly 19 months old. Some of my favorite things about him are that he likes to snuggle. If you're sitting down, he wants to be right next to you. Or on you. If you lay down on the floor, he will get you a pillow, and then sit on your tummy... or your head. I'm trying to teach him that he needs to be careful with the baby (and my head) but he's not liking that lesson. I also love to watch him run. It's so cute how a toddler swings their legs out and wiggle their hips as they run! 

He likes to play with his kitchen if I'm in the playroom, but will usually bring something out to the living room or kitchen if that's where I am. He likes to play with his tractors, ride and push his Thomas train, and read books. He also likes to help! He enjoys throwing away trash for me, unloading the dishwasher, and "helping" with laundry. If you say the word "bath" out loud he will immediate start taking his clothes off and want to take a bath right away! 

His vocabulary seems to be expanding every day. Most words he says, start with a B. I'll see how many words I can remember: Bo=phone and cow (moo), Be=boots and shoes and pillow, Baby, bay=bag, ba-a=milk and bread and jacket. Ha=hat, ow=out, boo boo, mama= momma and grandma, dada, papa=grandpa, no, yes, he has his own noise for kitty cat that I don't even know how to phonetically spell. daw= dog, bu=truck, bu-u= tractor. Amma=hammer, Omma= Homer (babysitter's dog), some German noises mean something that I haven't been able to figure out, but he's consistent with the sound. He also uses some German sound for teeth and cheese, but I don't know how to write it. If you're German, you should tell me how. It's like me trying to roll my Rs for Spanish, but just the noise, no voice. buh=bugs, mo-mor=more mow-mow= lawnmower, Ha=hot

speaking of trucks and tractors and buses, he loves them all and will point them out every time. He also loves dogs and puppies and kitties... probably all animals. Except bugs. He doesn't like bugs. He likes to point them out in haste and then smash them or run away from them. Smart kid. He also likes to ride the lawnmower, tractors AND Andrew's truck. If he sees his truck he thinks he needs to be in it.

Corbin has also learned how to crawl out of his crib. NOT my favorite thing. We should probably move him to a bed, but we don't have space for that yet!!! If he is doing something that he knows he shouldn't be doing, he will say "no no no" as he continues to do it. Also not my favorite thing. He also doesn't like to listen to me sometimes, but will listen to Andrew. Another non-favorite. He has seemed to get over his love for shrill screaming, for which I'm grateful. He kind of throws tempers like his momma by stomping his feet and whining. Makes me look awesome.

Sometimes when I'm rocking him to sleep- yes he still prefers me to rock him to sleep for bedtime (thankfully not naptime) I just hold him and look at him and bawl my eyes out because I love him so much. I am so afraid that I'll forget these moments, and I'm sure I will, and that just makes my heart so sad. He is such a joy!!

Back to the Beginning

I found this drafted post from a couple weeks ago. It's not very happy or anything and is quite outdated now, but I decided to post it anyway- for my own journaling archives. :)

Greetings, readers!

   So hopefully today's post will be more upbeat than my last post! I did remember a few things I wanted to document about this pregnancy that I didn't include in that post, so I will do them here.

Let's start from the very beginning. 

I thought March would be a good time to have another baby. We wanted Corbin to be at least 2 years old, so February was out. March was the next available month! We don't celebrate any other days in March (except both of our sisters-in-law share a birthday on the 9th.... ironic...) April is totally out of the question because basically everyone in our family has a birthday in April. Andrew wanted May (not sure his real reasons, because all I heard was him post-poning). I didn't want May because it already has our anniversary and Mother's Day. June would probably be acceptable, but I don't really want a summer baby- mainly because I don't want a summer pregnancy, so really, June would be ok. July, August, September, even October- out, because I don't want a summer pregancy. November is a good month but that's basically waiting another year, and December and January are out. That doesn't leave many "ideal" months in my mind to have a baby. Many people, ok maybe most people, don't get to pick when to have a baby- it just happens, or it's not easy to get pregnant. Every body is different. My body seems to know when I want to get pregnant and it listens, first try. So since we have the luxury (truly is a luxury) of picking when to get pregnant... might as well pick a good month.

After the deed was done I realized that I'll be going back to work in June. My babysitter only babysits during the school year. So now I'm going to have to find another babysitter for the summer for 2!! Andrew kindly pointed out that if we had the baby in May, I would have the whole summer off and we wouldn't have to worry about it. Well. Had he said that BEFORE I got pregnant, that probably would have convinced me to wait. Nevertheless, the deed was done and so it goes. I have since found a babysitter so this is no longer a concern. But before then, I was all "we should have waited, yadda yadda yadda." A couple weeks later I started to bleed. It wasn't just a little bit, but it wasn't a ton either. Andrew was gone in Georgia so I called my mom (after talking to Andrew) and she highly recommended calling the Dr in the morning, but if I woke up during the night with more to go to the ER. Nothing happened until morning so I called the Dr and they told me to come down to Defiance right away to get some bloodwork. I was babysitting my future daughter-in-law that day but no one around here knew I was pregnant (except Alexa, and she was working) So I took the 2 babes and my bleeding self down to defiance to get some bloodwork. They called later that day and said my hormone levels were high, congratulations, you're pregnant. So the next thing to do was to get my blood taken again in 2 days to see if it goes up. I worked the next day and passed a clot and the bleeding wasn't slowing down, so I called my Dr again. Dr Reiter, herself, called me back to try to reassure me and tell me what was going on. It was funny because she ended up saying that if I was having a miscarriage there was nothing I could do to stop it and I basically had a 50% chance of miscarrying. Then she kind of chuckled and said, I was calling to reassure you but now I realize I'm not doing a very good job of it! Haha! But she did. It was good to know and there was nothing to do but wait until the next day and get my blood tested. She told me what we would do if they were higher, and what we would do if they were not. So the next morning, before work, I went in to have it tested and they called me back at work and said that the levels were up! So I was to go get an ultrasound the same day to check again to make sure everything was ok. I went in during my lunch break and got the ultrasound. I heard the baby's heartbeat. I was slightly reassured. The Dr called later that day and I missed it, so I had to wait until the next morning to hear that everything looked completely normal and to keep them posted if the bleeding got worse. It never got worse, but it lasted a couple more weeks after that. 

Let me back up to say that when this was all happening, I was feeling tremendous guilt about wishing we had waited to have the baby until May. Guilt is not a cool thing, nor is it from God, but I've been feeling a lot of it lately. I was also, obviously, super-worried that I WAS losing the baby because my friend from work had just lost hers the week before. There were a lot of tears shed that week. (And with Andrew in Georgia, that certainly didn't help!)

At the ultrasound, the tech told me that I was measuring to be due March 9 (see? ironic) Dr Reiter said that wasn't enough difference to change the due date, so it's still March 6. (March 6 is a Sunday, Corbin was born on a Sunday. March 9 is a Wednesday, Corbin was due on a Wednesday)

Every appointment since then has been normal and easy. I've heard the heartbeat at every appointment. My next appt is this Tuesday and my ultrasound will hopefully be scheduled for the next week. Almost half way there! How did that happen?!?!

Baby #2

They say you always take more pictures of the firstborn than you do any of their siblings. I currently have 7 shutterfly books packed with pictures of Corbin documenting his first year and a half of life. I  hope I document this second kid better than I am this pregnancy!! I went from documenting EVERY WEEK of my pregnancy with Corbin and this is my first attempt at a blog post of this pregnancy!

I've thought of things to say a couple times but I haven't had enough motivation to actually get out my keyboard and type my thoughts. (Assuming you know that I also lack the time and energy!)

My thoughts have changed a bit as time goes on, I kind of go back and forth. I was VERY ready for another baby. I love the stage that Corbin is in, but I missed the baby stage, and missed when Corbin was so little. I'd like my kids to be close together in age, about 2 years-ish. Well my due date is less than 2 weeks after Corbin' birthday!

Andrew is a little less than excited about having a baby. Ok, let's be honest, he will never be excited to have a baby. He doesn't really care for babies. If they could come out at Corbin's age/stage he would be fine with having more kids (i think) but he will never want another baby. Tough beans for him, since we are definitely having more than one! (and hopefully more than 2!) Anyway, he kept wanting to put me off from getting pregnant a couple months so that we could have a baby in May instead of March. I figured it was just a stalling tactic (I still believe it was) But then after the deed was done he pointed out that if we had a baby in May, I would have the whole summer off work!!! Why didn't I think of that!? Why didn't he mention that sooner?!? Oh well. Too late. Maybe next time. 

As I said, my thoughts have changed some- This pregnancy is so very different than my first. A few symptoms are different, but mostly my attitude. I cherished my first pregnancy SO much and I'm so glad that I did. It was all brand new and was the most exciting thing to happen to my body and, dare I say, my life? This time around I barely keep track of what week I am (I only know because I put it in my calendar on my phone and it reminds me every Saturday night.) I have no idea how big it is, what it's doing or growing, etc. Last time I was excited to see my belly grow and I couldn't wait to show off my baby bump. This time, I see my expanding belly and my shrinking clothes as only a reminder of what I finally got rid of, and is coming back WAY too easily and fast!!! I dread having to lose this weight and fat again. And yet, I can't stop myself from stuffing my face with the chips at Casa Vieja, or eating the footlong BLT instead of just a 6 inch, or helping myself to seconds, thirds, and fourths, if I happen to make a decent meal. I started out better- healthier choices and healthier portions. And then the fair came to town and all bets have been off. I still prefer the healthier options, but the portion control is ... out of control.

Anyway, I digress, there have been a number of times that I've decided, no, I don't think I want another kid. I really just like Corbin and I know that no other kid will be like him and that makes me sad. I like what we have going here- the 3 of us. I don't know why I thought I had to change it up. I told my sister I wouldn't tell people that I thought those things, but why not... I remember reading a blog back when I was preggers with Corbo and the writer was saying how her first born will always hold a special place in her heart because he made her a mommy. I can see that being true for me too. Of course, everyone always says you end up having enough love to go around, but before this baby gets here, it's so hard to imagine!!!

I see my friends posting pictures of their newborns and it does not pull at my mommy heartstrings. I think, oh I don't feel like feeding a baby every 2 hours. Corbin more or less feeds himself. And oh, I don't feel like remembering to change diapers... ALL THE TIME. Corbin is down to 3 or so a day most days. And OH! I do NOT look forward to pumping. ugh. Or all the baby and nursing paraphenalia that will invade the house. I looked back at my blog today and saw a picture of me at 40 weeks. I looked absolutely bizarre. That is NOT normal human likeness. I did not feel like going through all this again. But when I look at pictures of Corbin as a baby, I think, "oh wait, maybe I do." Not only is he just darling to look at, but those pictures remind me of how I felt when they were taken. Completely smitten with love and joy and satisfaction, and indescribable emotions. Yes. Yes! Yes, I do want this baby and all the love and joy that comes with it! :)

One of the more recent times when I was emotional about having a second baby I texted my mom and sister, the two best listeners and advice-givers I have, and something my sister said has helped- Instead of worrying about not bonding with this baby, just think about how Corbin will love it and think about the interactions they will have. That helps. That sounds like a lot more fun!

Well now this blog post has been completely about how unsure I am about this whole thing, but that's been a lot of what's on my mind lately. Shall we resurrect some stats, and take my first belly shot???

17 Weeks

Size of Baby: large onion (roughly 5.1 inches)

What's that Babe up to: turning rubbery cartilage into bone, puttin' on some fat, just like the babe's momma
Symptoms: emotional, occasional round ligament pain, (headaches have gotten better, so has my sinus congestion)
Food Cravings: COTTAGE CHEESE! and pickels. So cliche.
Food Aversions: haven't had many. just don't like to end on something sweet
Weight: 160
Weight gain so far: 15. yeah I'm not kidding. Really, 15 lbs and I'm only 17 weeks. According to the pros of pregnancy weight-gain, it should only be 5-10 lbs. Last time it was 8 lbs. Today, its 15 lbs. UGH!!!
Maternity Clothes: just a couple shirts, mainly wearing my post-pregnancy clothes with some bella-bands
Sleep: (funny last time I said I was on the couch bc andrew had a sore throat and I knew I'd get a full on cold.. this happed just a couple weeks ago.) Sleep has been good- when I drink the proper amount during the day, I wake up a couple times to go to the bathroom (which is now RIGHT beside my room!!!) but if I don't, I sleep through the night. This week I got out my Snoogle. We are best friends.
Best moment this week: only working 2 days, and getting to spend more fun time with Corbin. Went to Sauder Village, yard saling, and made applesauce with the MIL!
Miss Anything: having control of my emotions.
Movement: I thought I did a couple weeks ago, but I haven't felt it since, so maybe it was just my intestines...
Belly Button: In
Wedding Rings: still fit and freshly cleaned and re-plated
Looking Forward To: really looking forward to the ultrasound so I can hopefully start to bond with this babe... and find a name.

Today, 17 weeks

First pregnancy 17 weeks.

Well that's probably enough for now. No promises on when the next time I'll post will be! Maybe I'll get Andrew to get some better pictures... ;)

Thanks for reading.

6 months: Corbin Jack update!

6 months

WOWza! Corbin is already 6 months old!!! I have been thinking about this blog and for the last 4 months I have had no desire to update anything. Probably because in that 4 months I went back to work and have been adjusting to life as a working momma. This will come as no surprise to anyone, but I do not enjoy being a working momma. However, we have some goals to reach and I didn't go to school for nothing so for this chapter of my life, that is what I am! My dear friend, Alexa, watched Corbin here at our house 2 days a week and my mother-in-law watches him the other day. (Only working 3 days a week is a WONDERFUL compromise) We LOVED having Alexa watch Corbin because not only is she a close friend, she also likes doing dishes and cleaning. Amazing. However, she got herself a real job now working for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, so we had to find a new sitter. (Help her out here!) Corbin goes to a sitter in town who watches 4-5 other kids and that has been wonderful as well. I'm glad that he gets to play with other kids and not be the only one all the time!

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

Weights & Measurements: at his 6 month check up he was 17.12 pounds and 28.5 inches. That puts him at 54% for weight, and 99% for height. I'm pretty sure he had a growth spurt in the last week though! He is still in 6 month clothes which is the first time it's matched his age. He has been in 6 month clothes since he was 3 months. Well, except for his sleepers- those he is wearing 9-12 months! But I have noticed he is starting to grow out of some so we will probably be switching wardrobes soon! (he wore 3-6mo jeans on Sunday and they were definitely small.... oops!)

the first time he got up by himself! Thanks Grandma!

He's Got Skills: Corbin is currently learning how to crawl! He has gotten very quick with his little seal scoot and has gotten 3 crawling steps in a couple times. I'm sure it will be very soon that he is crawling all over the place. 

Last weekend we went to PA to meet my newest little niece (who is absolutely precious and adorable) and my mom taught him how to pull himself up to standing. So now he likes to do that too! 

big stuff

Eat Good Food: He started solid food the week he turned 6 months and he has been loving it! So far he's tasted carrots, sweet potato, peas, banana, rice cereal, and apple yogurt. He's also tried the little dried yogurt melt bites. They are a little tangy, I guess, and last night he gave the funniest face when he ate it! He's a really great  eater- holds his hands out of the way and opens really wide! Sometimes he even says "yum!" as he enthusiastically lunges, mouth wide open, for the next bite. He also likes to naw on the spoon. I am still breast feeding- with my goal being one year (So I don't have to buy formula). He's eating every 3-5 hours, moving more towards every 4-5 hours.

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

Dentition: No teeth yet! He bites and eats everything and drools like a dog but nothing yet. He can bite down really hard and last week he bit down while nursing so momma is JUST fine with no teeth for a while!!!

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

Giggles & Grins: Corbin smiles a lot these days- usually in response to someone talking to him or smiling at him. He laughs the most when someone is teasing him with a toy, or playing peek-a-boo!

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

Rest & Relaxation: So Corbin slept through the night REALLY awesomely the first 4 months of his life. At 4 months he got a little snotty with congestion and ever since then, he thinks he needs to wake up every night and SCREAM. We've been trying what feels like everything with no success to get him to sleep through the night again. Until now- what we are currently trying is what my doctor suggested. When he wakes up- Andrew goes in to get him and gives him a little bit of water in a bottle, then the binky, and he goes back to sleep. Seems to be getting better, or at least he isn't screaming bloody murder anymore. Since he isn't waking up for something yummy, we are hoping eventually he will not wake up in the middle of the night anymore. Other than that he is taking great naps! He usually takes one in the morning and one in the afternoon and occasionally one in the evening. Today he woke up at 6:45, ate, then went right back to sleep! Normally he would be awake for a couple hours before going down for his morning nap but today he is STILL sleeping! (It's currently going on 10:30) Oh I spoke too soon... he is awake up there- I hear him spitting and talking. At least he's happy!

Hocking Hills

Other Firsts: We went on our first vacation with Corbin last week to Hocking Hills State Park in south central Ohio with some college friends from PA. It was BEAUTIFUL! Corbin really liked the hiking- which is no surprise since he has always loved being outside! We stayed at a cabin which was so wonderful! Corbin slept the worst he's EVER slept at night there though... It didn't help that it echoed, but he would wake up 2-4 times a night screaming. How irritating. Luckily we had a king size bed so he slept the second half of the night with us sometimes. There was also a jetted bath tub which I LOVED. Corbin got to try it out too, but unfortunately I left his good-smelling Burts Bees soap there!! Boo! 

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

Love & Hate: Corbin loves baths, being outside, jumping, moving, dogs, grass, and being with his momma. He hates naps, and being hot.

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

photo courtesy: Erikamarie Photography

2 Months: Sleeping & Smiling

2 Months

Size of Corbin: 13.1 pounds (84.1%), 25 inches long (99.9%), 16 inch head (96.4%). Yep. He big.

Corbin's new skills: smiling! "Smiling's my favorite." and rolling over from belly to back! and if sleeping is a skill... he is the master.

What's that chunker eating: I stopped giving him a bottle because I got lazy. And now he's decided he doesn't like it anymore. So we are definitely going back to AT LEAST one bottle a day. He eats about 5-6 times a day.

Getting any sleep: Corbin is sleeping 7-9 hours a night! Rockstar!!! During the day he takes 4-5 naps, some of them catnaps, and some of them marathons. Last night he slept 10 hours. Actually he slept 8 but he was happy for 10... so I count that. :) I really love that I am sleeping again. Andrew and I prayed that our baby would love sleep as much as we do and it would appear that God answered our prayer with a big fat yes! :)
Weight: 173

Weight loss so far: 27 pounds

Best moment this week: Corbin being an awesome traveler to Pennsylvania! Seeing my family, successfully shopping with my mom, and seeing Corbin's big smiles.
Miss Anything: I kind of miss Corbin's squishy newborn cheeks. But I'm reaching for something here.... Life is pretty perfect right now.

Wedding Rings: still. don't. fit.
Looking Forward To: another wonderful day with my little man!

2 months

Journal:
Let's start this journal out on an "intimate" note...
Since we last chitchatted one-sidedly, I had my 6 week checkup and my doctor said everything was great! What a relief. I expressed to her, my disgust at my personal smell. She said to try a douche! hahahahahahahahah! Sorry. That's just funny. Well here is my summary of that experience. It's not pleasurable. It's cold. And it works. That's all!

I was also ready to start exercising again! Wait. what? again? No... I was also ready to start exercising! I learned my first rule to exercising as a nursing mother... empty the boobs first! Wow, and get a better sports bra. Or just wear a pre-pregnancy tiny sports bra on top of the other one. That holds them pretty tight. I am not used to bouncing boobs. I do not like bouncing boobs. That's what I miss! I miss my small perky chest. Now its big and saggy. Next it will be small and saggy. How very sad.

I'm about to get all serious up in here, but before I start whining more about my body, let me point out one thing about my body that Corbin has improved. At least I assume it's compliments of Corbin. My armpit hair has GREATLY diminished! I used to look like I needed to shave them an hour after I just did, and now... I can go TWO days without shaving and it STILL looks better than it did! It's like the hair stopped growing! Talk about life changing.

Ok, here's something I was definitely not expecting- mainly because I didn't really give it much thought. (I now see that I'm repeating myself from last post, but it's still bothering me...) I am having a much harder time with my post-pregnant body than I ever thought I would. My legs and hips and butt have never been much to brag about... always bigger than I wished they were. But I've always been proud of my flat stomach. It's never been hard to keep it flat. When I didn't exercise and ate like a junkie my stomach never got bigger. It all goes to my hips. I did think about this when I got pregnant though. I was afraid I was just going to look like a huge ball of fat because my flat stomach was going to be gone and my hips and thighs were already huge! However, dressing my pregnant self was fun. I liked showing off the bump and it was pretty easy to do. I wasn't ashamed of how big I was getting (even when Andrew kept commenting on my "counter-weight") I felt good about myself! WELL. I knew I wasn't going to like the jelly belly after I had my baby and I was amazed at how pregnant I looked the first couple days after delivery. I was still ok with it, even when Andrew's Grandma sounded amazed when she said, "Oh! You still have a pretty big belly there!" Um. Yeah. She's a grandma so I decided to not take offense. By the end of that first week I had lost 20 pounds and 5 more the second week. My stomach was shrinking like it was it's job and I was NOT even trying!!! How great this is!! Well then it stopped. I didn't loose an ounce of weight after that 25 pounds (remember, I gained 50) and my stomach was done shrinking on it's own. Andrew and I were both getting tired of me wearing yoga pants and his button-downs and my pregnant sister wanted all the maternity clothes back. I packed them up and sent them to PA and dug out my pre-pregnancy clothes. I knew I wouldn't fit into all of them, or even most of them. But I certainly thought SOMETHING would look alright! Not so. I realized that all my life I've dressed a flat stomach and bought clothes that don't hide a flat stomach. I was really really really becoming quite bothered and frustrated every time I tried to find something nice to wear. So I went shopping. I bought 2 shirts and a pair of pants and felt guilty about spending the money. I felt dumb wearing the same 2 shirts every time I wanted to not wear yoga pants and man-flannels so I went shopping again. I tried on probably 50 pairs of pants and came home with 2. They are much bigger than I ever thought I would ever wear. I also got 2 more shirts. I still felt like I had little options and kept thinking how everyone is going to think I only ever wear 2 outfits. I'm sure that no one really cares, if they even did notice. But I still felt like crap about how I look and took forever to pick an outfit. (I know, I know - #firstworldprobs. It is what it is.) So on my birthday I took my birthday money and a little leftover Christmas money and spent the whole day shopping with my mom. I got some great deals and a good selection of clothes!!! I'm much more excited to get dressed now. No more staying in my PJs all day!! :)

27 pounds down, 33 to go!

I have been working out almost every day now too and that is making me feel better. I feel like I'm getting skinnier and tightening my muscles up so much while I'm working out and then I'm always surprised to see all my flub is still there when I take a shower. But I think I'm on the right track. Like they say- it took 9 months to put this weight on, it's going to (apparently) take longer than 9 weeks to get it off. I don't just have to keep my goal in mind of losing all my baby weight plus 10 pounds, I also have to keep in mind that I want that done by February... not tomorrow. :) I do want to thank the people who have encouraged me by telling me that I look great. Relatively speaking, I believe you (as in, compared to how I looked 10 weeks ago...). You don't see me naked so don't be surprised if I don't believe you completely. :) I love the kind words and they are encouraging to me as I try to believe them myself. (now don't go telling me I look great now that I've said all this.... because I WON'T believe you... out of spite)

Happy Easter! Rockin' the sweet outfit from Grandma King!

We took Corbin on his first road trip last weekend to Pennsylvania for my birthday/Easter. The kid rocks. He only woke up once on the way there when we were already stopped and I gave him a bottle and he went right back to sleep until we went up the mountain and all our ears were popping. *pish, flatlanders. On the way home he slept the whole way! What a great traveler... what a relief.

She is 6 months older than him.

Corbin had his 2 month checkup today (Thursday)! He's of course big and tall.  2 months means that he had his first vaccines today, too. :( Well I guess he got one in the hospital, but life was so traumatic then that I don't think he cared. He cares now. I thought I was going to be a hot mess, but I did great!! haha! I felt like a traitor, though, because I was all snuggling with him and he was smiling and then BAM screaming bloody murder as the nurse shot him with that dreadful needle. He shares my sentiments about needles. After she was FINALLY done (no really, it took just a couple seconds) I picked him up and we snuggled some more and he was fine. I nursed him and he promptly fell asleep (the order we do things around here is Sleep, Eat, Awake, Sleep, Eat, Awake. He doesn't ever Eat then Sleep.... thanks to Babywise.) He slept for 3 hours and then screamed like his heart was broken. My heart was actually the one breaking and THAT'S when I lost it and cried a little with him. It was definitely not a cry I've ever heard from him before and it was basically inconsolable. Finally he nursed and when he was finished he cried some more. Unfortunately, we weren't at home so I didn't have any Tylenol to give him so we high-tailed it home so I could give him some, but he fell asleep again as soon as we left and is still sleeping. Those dumb shots are doing a number on him. I know vaccinations are quite controversial these days with more and more people deciding not to vaccinate. I don't really want to get into that here but after much thought and discussion, we decided to go ahead with what my doctor recommends. She made me feel a little better about it when she said she doesn't follow the CDC guidelines exactly because she's a mother and wouldn't do that to her own kids. That's what I like to hear. Her deviation comes at the 1 year shots- she spaces them out more. Anyway.... so tonight we are planning to snuggle and sleep until we all feel all better. Then tomorrow- it's back to work! And by work, I don't mean my job.... I still have 2 more week off. OMG.... 2 weeks is not enough.....

By work, I mean- we are going to start learning how to take daytime naps in the crib. We've been taking a gradual approach to this. I used to rock him to sleep every time and then transfer him to his snuggle rocker. Well when I realized I was rocking him every time and probably shouldn't (I want him to go down for a nap without that "prop") I eventually got him to sleep in his bouncy seat with the vibration on. He was doing great with that - falling asleep on his own after looking around for a while. Well now when it's naptime I am going to try getting him to fall asleep on his own in his crib, instead of the bouncy seat. The bouncy seat is a fine and great place to sleep but what happens when we are somewhere else and it's time for a nap? So that's our next step.
This is the 3rd day I've been writing this blog and today is now the day that we are learning to take a nap in the crib. I was organizing his clothes upstairs and just had him in the swing all cuddled and pacified and he was watching and looking around. Then I watched him falling asleep. I know he would have probably taken a nice long nap in that swing and trust me- I would love him to take a nice long nap right now.... but I said we were going to nap in the crib and I was going to stick to my guns.... So I gently picked him up and wrapped him up and gave him a kiss and laid him in the crib. He has been crying/sleeping for the last 45 minutes now. He will fall asleep but won't stay sleeping. It's not easy letting him cry and keeping him there when I know he would sleep so much better somewhere else! Am I crazy?!?!

Well he's been quiet now for 30 minutes so I'm going to assume he's finally put himself to sleep.... with some occasional encouragement from yours truly. Let's hope he learns this quickly because I am not enjoying it!!!