Monday, September 24, 2012

100 days...




He's been in my life for 100 days and any day before that seems like a lifetime ago! How did I live 32 years without him and what will I do when he goes off to college??


In 100 days, he's gone from NB sized clothes to 6-9 month clothing.

He weighs well over 15 lbs!

He now guzzles at least 5 oz per feeding.. but I'm pumping 8-10 so I'm kind of confused.


He smiles

He laughs

He blows bubbles

He burps

He farts

He's all boy


We transitioned in him into his own room- where he sleeps from 7:30PM-2:30AM and then 3:00AM-7:30AM.

He wakes up Happy and rarely cries. He is PERFECT.


He is a social butterfly. flirts with the ladies and is very alert. I hope he's not a heartbreaker.


oh 100 days- have come an gone... and we're looking forward to a lifetime of adventure with him.




xoxo

Scrub a dub dub!





We LOVE bath time! We give Landon a bath almost every night at 6 PM. HE.LOVES.IT!! HE doesn't mind water on his face or anything!!

*We give him water baths every night and we use shampoo and soap once a week.
*Landon also gets his nails cut once a week
*He uses his cetaphil moisturizing lotion 3 times a day for his infant Eczema.

Here is a photo of my babes enjoying his bath!

And He loves his little towels! Keeps him warm and toasty!



Now bath time can be REALLY fun! It's a little scary at first but once I started giving him baths and realized how much he enjoys it, its become one of our nightly rituals to get him to sleep!

the whale tub. We've never given Landon baths in the sink, it's always been in this little tub- Inside the big tub! you really can't go wrong with the whale tub, it seems big at first but they'll grow in and out of it in no time!

** Whale spout cover- It was one of our must haves- the last thing I wanted was for him to bump his head! LOVE IT.

** Octopus Floating Bath Thermometer- this little item should be #1 on everyones list! My sister got this for me. It basically tells you if the bath is cold, ideal or HOT. you want it at ideal. My husband gets really nervous around hot substances and this device really eases his mind!

**1 Towel & 2 Wash clothes. I put one wet towel on his chest and the other I use to scrub him clean!

**Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo- is a great product because it has natural oats and helps with his Eczema.

** Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Shampoo... Landon has cradle cap and so far- this shampoo helps it! I put a pea size on his wash cloth and scrub his scalp- then gently rinse!

**Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion - this product is great! It keeps him moisturized, he doesn't look greasy and its light weight! I also use it as well since I stopped using frou frou smelling soaps and lotions. It ensures that he won't get an allergy to my skin since I also breastfeed him!

Remember- Bath time is fun time!

p.s. I also started infant potty training. I will post about it this week!

XOXO

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Little Tiny Prints Thank You cards...

well I discovered a Free coupon code for Tiny Prints!


Enter My new Thank You cards! SO CUTE RIGHT??? 20 free prints for FREE, Shipping USPS is $3.50. Can't beat that!

Now, Does anyone want to give us some stuff to be thankful for? JUST KIDDING!

You can get your thank you cards for free HERE

Promotional Code is: "FREETHANKS"

Let me know if you use it too! xoxo

Monday, September 17, 2012

must have products- 3 months


Well, we've reached month 3 and here is a basic rundown of our MUST have products!

***First is our Little Lamb Swing from Fisher-Price... what on earth would my husband do without this??? Landon LOVES his swing! He will take a 2-3 hour nap in it everyday. I and nervous for the day where he's too heavy to fit in it anymore!! It is a must have in our house and it sits perfectly in the corner of our living room!

***Our monitor- Summer Infant Complete Coverage Color Video Monitor is amazing! You can even hear him breathing!! I love that it is colored during the day and night vision at night! We did a lot of research on Baby Monitors and we use it EVERY night while he sleeps in his own room! Of course I sleep with the monitor RIGHT NEXT TO MY FACE- but he's sleeping longer hours and this monitor is A MUST!


***These Summer Infant Swaddleme blankets are AMAZING!!! They keep him super snug and safe! We loved his Swaddle blankets while he was smaller, but he started wiggling out of it and he was getting too long for them. Enter these amazing wraps and life was changing! sometimes I watch him (in the monitor) magically squirming out of them, but 95% of the time, he sleeps snug as a bug!

*** The Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support is a MUST have right now. We noticed Landon developing a little flat head. My friend had suggested we buy this pillow to help "prevent" flat head and we LOVE it! Its been a week and he's no longer sleeping on the left side. I ordered a second pillow so we could have 1 in his crib and 1 downstairs!

*** MAM baby teethers- I got one of these at my baby shower as a gift and when Landon was old enough to start holding his own toys and the minute he discovered his hands could go into his mouth, I gave him some toys. This item is awesome! He loves chewing on it and it's easy to hold! I got him a few different styles in the same brand!


***Well, Many moms recommended this Little Noses Saline Drops.. it works like a charm! you just put 1-2 drops into his nose and suck it out with the bulb. LOVE it!

*** Tiny Love On the Go Mobile I was very excited to get this item for his carseat! Unfortunately, it is too big for the Graco SnugRide 35... but we switched it out with his mobile on his Play Gym.. it plays music for 30 minutes and he lays there staring at it! As soon as he transitions into a regular stroller, I'm sure we can use it there too!

***Sassy Flip Grip Rattles Easy to grip and Easy to shake! They're lightweight and he loves them!

***Baby Einstein Neptune Soother OOOh my, we introduced this last week and WOW, HE LOVES IT! We are able to put him in his crib at 7-7:3-PM wide awake and he will just listen to the music, stare at the little objects moving and within 10 minutes, he's asleep! I love it!

***Cloud B Twilight Turtle This little guy is also in his crib with him. It's more for me so I can see him while I'm checking on him at night! It's also cute and the little lights that projects onto the walls are awesome!

***Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Deluxe Musical Mobile Gym Fisher-Price GOSH, when I went looking for Mobile Play Gyms, I REALLY stood there and checked out ALL the different gyms! THis particular one is a favorite and I cannot get enough of it! He Plays in this for at least an hour a day! I love that we can take it apart and travel with it!

Well, We love it and I hope that these items help out!

xoxo

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Baby Landon is 3 months!


WOW... 3 months already! Time is flying by!! Slow down little man!

Weight

At our 12 week appointment, we returned to get 2 shots! Landon Weighed 14.10lbs. yes. that's my chubby bunny for you! He also measured 24". The first vaccination he took orally. HE drank it with a smile. his second was a shot and he screamed and was so very upset! I nursed him right away and was was fine afterwards!


Health
Well, Landon has a slight case of Eczema. We are monitoring his dry skin and keep him moisturized 3-4 times a day. I haven't found a shampoo/soap that I love but I use Cetaphil lotion and that works well. In the AM i use Cetaphil and then aquaphor on top of it. Also, I think we will have to get him his first haircut soon! He has 2 little knot tangles! We stopped swaddling him with blankets and we are now using swaddleMe wraps and we love it. It keeps super snug and he sleeps so well! Also, we got him the boppy noggin pillow to help him with his slight flat head. it seems to help!


Sleep

this is a HUGE milestone. at the beginning of month 3, we started letting him nap in his room. After the first week, I had him sleep his first shift in his crib (7:30PM-2AM). About the 3rd week of his transition, he adjusted to sleeping a full night in his own room! It went so smoothly that we never looked back! I think moving him into his own room was actually harder on his dad but we're all sleeping very well like this. His new schedule is:

7:30 AM- wake up, nurse.

8:00-9:30AM- play downstairs with Daddy

9:30-10:30 AM- morning nap

10:30AM- feeding

11:00AM- Play and Learning time (read books, tummy time etc)

1:00 PM- feeding

1:30-3:00 PM- Afternoon Nap in swing... (if he's not in the swing he only sleeps for about 45 minutes.

3:00 PM- feeding

3:30-5 PM- Play- walk around the house.. sing etc

5:30- feeding

6:00-6:30 bath

6:30-7:00 play

7:00 PM- feeding, burped, placed in crib awake...

7:30PM- 2AM Sleep- (I PUMP AT 11 PM)

2:AM FEEDING

2:30AM-7:30 SLEEP!

He is an amazing baby! He has the sweetest personality and he's such a good sleeper! I quickly established a schedule for him and he works very well!


Clothes

He can still squeeze into size 3-6 Clothes in Carters and Gap. Its becoming VERY snug!!! 6 in Ralph Lauren and I'm sure by the end of this week, we will move him into 6-9 weeks. He is in size 2 diapers. I'm pretty sure that will change soon since he's been blowing out of his diapers lately. We also plan to start potty training soon... maybe tomorrow.


Diet

Breastmilk and still going strong! He takes it from a bottle and he has a very strong stomach! I literally can eat anything and everything and he's lays Gas toots like a real man and he has yet to have constipation (knock on wood!). I guess we're doing something right since he weighs 14.10 lbs!


Development

Well he's still doing tummy time, still HATES it. He can lay there for hours playing but he only tolerates tummy time for about 5-10 minutes. he can sit through all his books during reading time, looking at every page- absorbing all the information, HE LOVES reading and we LOVE reading to him. He enjoys holding his toys and nibbling on it. on September 4th, he discovered his fingers and they went straight into his mouth. he enjoys blowing bubbles and he's laughs, smiles and sticks his tongue out. He is stronger left handed. He really has great eye contact and he is super chatty!


Crying

He has developed a little stranger anxiety. For some reason, he gets a little fussy when there is a large crowd but wants to still party. Its very strange! He will stay up and people watch but doesn't like people holding him. IF you hold him, he likes to face out so he can people watch. lol. He doesn't even cry when he wakes up, he'll lightly call us up and stare at his monitor until we come and fetch him. even then, he has a smile. He might fuss when he needs a diaper change and the minute he's in his carseat, he wants his pacifier. When he's at my mothers, he wants a pacifier as well, but he doesn't take one at home... so crying, PSHHHHHH what crying? I literally have to remind him to eat because he rarely cries when he's hungry!


Milestones

1. fully transitioned into own room.
2. only 1 middle of the night feeding. (about 1:30AM)
3. blowing bubbles, laughing and smiling
4. cooing and babbling.
5. Aunt Vanessa insists that he said "MAaaaa-MAH"
6. He's been on a plane and He's visited with family back east!


Postpartum

Well I started working out to tone up. I've lost all of my pregnancy weight but I was feeling giggly. the weird thing is, I think my hips have gotten wider because I still can't fit into my old pants. I do my insanity workout DVD every night next to my husband! After my workout, we sit in our hot tub to relax. I love that he's sleeping through longer stretches and so it's nice to have relaxation time with him hubby! I'm still following my meal plan from baby center and I also started branching off but still staying healthy! I'm proud to say since having landon, I've only been to McDonalds about 3 times?? I feel healthier and happier and full of energy!


I still can't believe he's 3 months!! I must sound like a broken record, but our time has passing us by. Everyday is an exciting adventure and I can't believe how fast he's growing!










Tuesday, September 4, 2012

My Birthday...


I almost went without celebrating my birthday this year. There was TOO much going on to even think about the big 33... but at the very last minute, my mom offered to babysit while I had dinner with a few of our dearest friends.

Usually I do it pretty big, but this year, the best gift I ever got was having Landon. I felt complete. All I wanted to do was snuggle with my love bugs, but a last minute dinner was a sweet gesture from my husband.

The OLD pre-Pregnant me would've gone out until the WEE hours of the morning, but this birthday, we had to be home to pick up my love bugs by 12 midnight.

So we celebrated at Landmark with dinner and then some drinks!

Here are some photos!


This is me and one of my dear friends Vanessa


With my Best Friends and Maid of Honor Jenn


Turning 33 was very interesting, my life feels sweet and complete! I am especially blessed!!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Pump it, Store it, Save it for a rainy day!

I started pumping and saving about 1 week before I went back to work. I frantically tried to pump and store but I always felt that I was doing it wrong... then one day, I googled, googled, and googled some more on how to save and store breast milk and I've only found a handful of helpful step by step sites... So I hope this blog post helps some of you mamas out there!!

STEP 1: BUY PUMP


We have the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Electric Breast Pump with Backpack. I started using the pump at the hospital after delivery to help my milk come in. I love this pump!

STEP 2: WASH YOUR HANDS & PREP

YES.. WASH YOUR HANDS.. I also pre-prep all my pump accessories. It's always ready to go! Make sure you have all your essentials ready, ex: grab some water, get a photo of your baby or your phone to watch a video of him to help stimulate your milk. (Creepy but it works!)

STEP 3: PUMP PUMP PUMP


pump your heart out!! I pump for as long as he feeds. About 15 minutes on both sides. There are days where he will only feed one side, so I'll pump the other side and store. I also prefer to store milk in 2oz, 3 oz and 3.5 oz. Never store more than 4 oz at a time!

STEP 4: STORAGE BAGS


Decide how you want to store milk. I started off storing in bottles but it takes longer to defrost milk and it took up too much space so I changed to these handy Medela bags. I like them because they freeze flat and it's easier to organize!

STEP 5: LABEL STORAGE BAG


Always label with the Date & Amount. I like to add the time as well. If your little one is in daycare make sure you add their name!

STEP 6: OPEN BAG & FILL


Be careful & don't spill your liquid gold!!

STEP 7: CLOSE BAGGY


Best way to close the bag is to seal the ziplock bag 3/4 of the way and then remove all the air from the bag.


you can squeeze it with your hands and to remove the air and then close the bag OR remove the air by rolling the bag over the counter.


the main goal is to remove the air and prevent air bubbles. the second method over the counter works the best!!

STEP 8: LAY FLAT TO CHECK


STEP 9: STORE IN FREEZER


Store your milk flat in the back of the freezer. **DO NOT FREEZE MILK on freezer door!!**

Once your milk is completely frozen, you can stand it up with the earliest date first.


**Before I started freezing this way, My freezer looked a HOT MESS**


That's pretty much it!! Happy Pumping & Saving!!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Fly BABY Fly...




Have you ever sat next to a crying, screaming baby on a plane? well, try flying next to my baby, you won't even realize that he's there... because he's awesome!

over the weekend, my husband and I took a quick flight to PA to visit his family. We wanted to introduce Landon to my husbands family and it was great!!

so lets get down to business...

When we talked about traveling on a plane, I immediately started planning, researching and asking questions to other traveling mommies. I felt 100% prepared once we started packing!

This is for a short direct flight (4.5 hours)what to check and what to carry on.

flying must haves


Packing for the flight:

Travel accessories:
Stroller
Carseat
Carseat base
baby bjorn
boppy

diaper bag
1 manual hand pump(if breastfeeding)- make sure its ready to go in a ziplock bag
breastfeeding cover
1 dress (just incase)& light sweater (I packed these in my purse)
5-7 diapers (you can never have enough!)
wipes
3 changes of clothes, socks and mittens
1-2 blankets
enough pacifiers
pacifier clip (must prevent them falling on the ground!)
a few toys
hand sanitizer

**if you are ziplock bag hoarder like I am.. I organize everything with ziplocks**

So here was our flight.

I dressed Landon in his Jammies. I fed him & bathed him right before we headed to the airport. Once we got to the airport, we loaded the stroller with his boppy, his diaper bag, my purse.

at the airport while my husband checked the luggage and car seat base (free), I put Landon into the baby bjorn so we could walk him through security.

during the security check point, we shuffled everything through the x-ray machines, I walked right through with Landon and then they swabbed my hands and arms (I used the hand sanitizer immediately).

**If you have pumped breast milk, they take that with clean gloves and put it in some machine to check for chemicals.**

I kept him in the bjorn until we boarded the plane. We used the stroller w/car seat to push my husbands carry-on and all of our crap. The stroller w/car seat was tagged and checked at the gate.

Once we boarded, the passenger sitting next to us had the look of fear on his face. he literally looked scared... lol.

Once I sat down, I removed him from the bjorn (put it under the seat)
put on my breastfeeding cover and prepped for take-off.

As the plane began taking off, I fed him so his ears could pop.


Once he was happily fed, He went onto the boppy for a nap. He slept like this for 2 hours. I like the boppy because he was more relaxed sleeping in it. When he woke up, I changed him and he sat in his boppy looking around, smiling and relaxing for a few more hours.


As we prepared for landing, I put back on the nursing cover and nursed him until we landed. when he finished, he was burped and put back into the baby bjorn.

we de-boarded and were off to enjoy our trip!

At the end of our flight, the guy sitting with us told us Landon was awesome!!


Happy Travels everyone!!

**Consult with your pediatrician when you plan on traveling. Landon had his first set of shots a little early (2 weeks before our flight- which is enough time for the vaccination to kick in) so we could fly to PA**