Abel Christopher | 3 & 4 month update

THREE | FOUR

Oh my darling baby boy,

You keep me so busy that it's hard to find the time to sit down and type up your monthly updates so your three and four month are going to be combined.

It's crazy to me how much you grow overnight. As much as I love watching you sleep I dislike it just the same because it seems that every time you fall asleep at night you wake up the next morning a little bit bigger. Every time I have to raise your straps on your car seat or widen them on your high chair it amazes me that you have grown right before my eyes over night. As much as I want you stay my little boy I love watching you grow and learn new things.

You love grabbing everything in arms distance and it instantly goes to your mouth and if you can't get your chubby little hand on anything you have those fingers in your mouth, nom nom nom.

You still haven't rolled over since you did it when you were two months but we are working on it. You like to roll up on your side but don't like to nudge yourself all the way over yet.

You love having books read to you. Your current favorite is the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The pictures make you giggle and smile.

 I love singing to you and Wheels on the Bus is a current favorite because I do the hand motions with you.

You are getting stronger every day and weighed a whole 15 pounds at your last appointment. Being able to hang out at home with you everyday is such a blessing and I wouldn't want it any other way. We love hanging out in the kitchen dancing to your girlfriend, Taylor Swift while I clean or bake.

You don't nap very well during the day but you do sleep about 8 hours straight every night and that I very much appreciate.

  

Motherhood was nothing like I expected at all. Motherhood is exhausting. Motherhood is overwhelming. Motherhood is messy. Motherhood is not showering for 3 days but your child is dressed to impress. Motherhood is having To Do things on your list for 3 weeks before they get done. Motherhood is middle of the night feedings. Motherhood is early mornings full of smiles and giggles. Motherhood is by far the best thing that has happened to me because you little man fill my heart with an overwhelming love and joy that I couldn't imagine my life without now. You fill the void that has ached my soul. You complete this family and I wouldn't want my life any other way.  

XOXO, 

Abel Christopher | 2 months

TWO

oh little man,

You have grown so much this past month! You seem so big to me and I can't get over your chunky little thighs! You have started cooing more and are discovering more things around you. You have started chewing on your hands and trying to grab for things.Your eyesight has improved and you love watching the TV and taking in everything in around you. You love the sunshine and love being outside. It is so much fun being your mamma and being able to watch you learn new things. You are growing so fast I can't stand it.

With us moving we are still trying to settle in and you have been a champ about it. You had so much fun in Iowa visiting family. You also rolled over for the first time while we were home! I have yet to catch it on camera though or your smile. You are extra sneaky and make sure to stop doing it as soon as I get my camera ready.

Being able to spend time with family and having to leave and come out to Maryland has been a struggle. It sucked before but now it sucks even worse with our little man. We dislike having him so far away from family and our family not being able to spend time with him. It's hard to not have any help as well. 

We love Maryland though. There is so much to do here and the weather is much better than Texas. It's gorgeous here and there are so many opportunities for us. They have tons of programs to get us involved with the community and meet new people. Did I say how much we love this place and how much better it is than Texas?

You love your monkey swing! You will lay there and smile and coo at those monkeys all day long if you could. I usually put you in your swing so I can get something done around the house but I end up sitting and watching you.You finally enjoy your bath time now too, no tears! 

You slept a whole 8 hours of  straight the other night but it was only because you didn't have a very good afternoon nap. You usually sleep about 5 hours straight and then wake up at 3 to nurse then back to sleep till about 5:30-6:30am. It's a good thing your mamma is a morning person ;)

 People get such a kick over your hair. It is definitely going to go blonde and is always crazy and sticking up. Something else you get from your mamma. We are thinking that you will go blonde and curly but time will tell. Your eyes are starting to look more grey as well. It's crazy how much you have changed in such a short amount of time. It pulls at my mamma heart strings. Being your mom is the greatest thing I will ever do in my life and I am so happy. 

I left you for the first time to get my haircut while I was at home in Iowa. I was gone for about 3 hours but man I didn't like it. It was so hard to be away from you. We are doing much better this month. We are both learning and growing together. Parenthood is not what I expected at all. They don't lie when they say you can never prepare for a child. All the books & articles I read didn't prepare me for all this love and fear. The scary/overwhelming part has subsided and now I am overtaken more by my every ending love for you. I never knew it was possible to love someone so much so deeply. I have two sunshines in my life now and I am so blessed. 

(Excuse the blurry photo but he is just so adorable!)

Breastfeeding is going better and I'm trying to work on upping my supply. We still supplement with formula about 2-3 times a day and that's okay because you are still getting feed and you still have those darling chubby cheeks. 

Weight: I'm not for sure since we haven't had our two month appointment but I'm guessing close to 11 pounds by now.

Length: Dad is guessing about 23 inches.

Loves: You love hanging out with your monkeys on your swing and love having books read to you.

Dislikes: You really aren't a big fan of tummy time.

Wearing: Your 0-3 month clothing and some of your 3 month stuff, though it is a little baggy

Sleeping: You are sleeping about 5 hours then waking up to nurse and then another 3 and 1/2.

                                          xoxo, 

                                             

What's in my diaper bag// traveling with a newborn

After traveling through 10 states in the past 3 weeks I have learned a few things about traveling with an infant and the essentials needed to make the trip easier. 

Traveling with an infant is a lot easier than traveling with older kids that constantly need to be entertained but there are some things that make the trip smoother and more enjoyable. Our son does great on the first day but struggles on the second leg of the trip. He is more fussy and I think just gets to the point that he is tired of being in his car seat. Really who can blame him because honestly after the first couple of hours I was done with the road trip as well. 

1. My diaper bag of choice is a Lily Jade. Honestly I never dreamed of snagging one of these beauties. To me they are the top notch diaper bag to have, I had dreams about this bag. However with the price tag I was for sure I would have to settle for a cheaper one. I was fortunate enough that I found a slightly used one on Instagram that someone was parting with for less than half the cost of a new one. Score. It was exactly the one I wanted as well, the Sarah Grace in silver.  

This bag can easily transition from baby bag to your own purse even after baby has grown and with the quality of the purse it will definitely last that long. Now the bag comes with the baby bag insert but if you hit up there website you can purchase the baby bag separately. This gem has so many pocket and helps keep everything organized that I would suggest investing in if nothing else. I plan on purchasing one in the future for the extra bag I keep in the car.

2. My Logan + Lenora wet & dry diaper clutch has been very handy on this road trip. This bag has a bigger zippered pocket that is lined with plastic that I keep wipes in and a smaller zipper pocket that I keep diapers in. It makes it so easy when we stop somewhere to just grab my clutch and Lily Jade changing mat and head to the restroom with little man. The wet pocket was super handy when we had a diaper blow out and I ended up washing Abel's onesie in the Cracker Barrel's restroom. All I had to do was throw it in the plastic lined compartment and not worry about it getting anything else wet in my bag. 

3. My Baby Mamma Sew Shop clutch is my newest edition to my diaper bag and also my favorite. I traded in my bulky wallet for this gorgeous clutch & there is no turning back. I love shopping small and supporting hardworking mamma's. This mamma's work is superb. She has an amazing selection of fun fabrics & buttery smooth leather to create gorgeous clutches & zippys that you will easily become addicted to. I highly suggest checking out her Etsy shop.

4. I love reading to Abel and like to keep a book in his bag. I'll pull it out and read it randomly to him even though he doesn't understand what's going on. His eyes always locks on with the book and he will sit and intently listen to mamma's voice. This is one of my new favorites for him in our ever expanding library. Can't go wrong with ninjas. I am also always looking for new favorites if anyone has any suggestions! I am bound and determined to make this kid a reader. 

5. I am a breastfeeding mamma but unfortunately don't produce enough to keep up with my little so we keep a bottle and formula in our bag. It has been very handy though because I sit in back next to our son and when he gets fussy and hungry I can fix him a bottle and feed him without us stopping. During the first part of our trip we were using liquid formula and then switched to powder on the second half which then we picked up this handy guy. 

6. My Native Wilds nest is by far the most versatile item in my diaper bag. It is made

of soft breathable bamboo fabric and we use it for everything! I use it for covering up while nursing the most. I prefer to keep myself covered because well I've always been a modest person when it came to what I wear and frankly I'm just not comfortable nursing without being covered. We use it as a blanket to snuggle with after falling asleep while nursing and I've also used it for stretching over his car seat when we go into a store. I plan on using it as my cart cover when he is old enough as well. Hopefully that won't be too soon cause this kid is growing up way too fast!

7. This blanket is by far our most used. It's perfect for hot summer weather and our furnace of a baby, a trait he picked up from daddy. Our son heats up pretty quickly and this fabric is moisture wicking which makes it ideal to swaddle him in. The fabric is so soft and lightweight and it's the perfect size to shove in our diaper bag. I own a few of Rad & Happy blankets and love them all. I'm hoping to eventually add one of her amazing quilts to complete my collection. 

8. My Solly Wrap has been awesome to have while road-tripping. When we stop to eat I can wrap him up and still have my hands free to eat while giving my son a break from sitting in his car seat. The fabric is light and breathable for my hot son and I love having him close. It's perfect for soothing him cause he is wrapped up nice and tight and can rest his head on my chest and hear my heartbeat. You really can't beat all the benefits to baby wearing. 

9. We introduced his monkey WubbaNub at 2 weeks as a suggestion from his Pediatrician. Apparently it's supposed to help an infants breathing? I haven't done too much research but man, pacis are handy. Especially when you have a cute little stuffed animal attached to it. Abel loves hanging on to the monkey and it's harder to loose.   

I also keep a thirty one tote in the back seat with us that includes extra onesies, diapers, wipes and so forth. This is a bag I keep in the car all the time just in case I forget to grab something when heading out the door. I hope to purchase a Lily Jade baby bag to add to my thirty one bag to organize it better.

I adore shopping small and supporting small shops. To me you find the best stuff and better quality than big box store items. I hope you get a chance to check out some of these amazing shops!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, I'm personally ready for Autumn and it can't come soon enough now that we are on the gorgeous East coast!

 xoxo, 

P.S. Excuse the crappy photos. I was on the road while writing this entry and decided to just use my iPhone instead of digging out my camera. 

Abel Christopher | 1 month

ONE

My Darling Son,

 It is truly hard to believe you are already a month old already, though at the same time it's hard to believe that it's only been such a short amount of time. I feel so blessed to be able to take the time to soak up so many moments with you. I love having you curled up on my chest, soaking in your baby smell and memorizing every small detail of you. I hate moving after you have fallen asleep on me. I don't know how mama's get anything done.

To be honest the first couple of weeks with you were hard. Adjusting to motherhood was very overwhelming. I had emotions that I was completely unprepared for and it left me a little more scared than I wanted to be. Nursing has been such a challenge that had me feeling insufficient as a mother. I was crying just as much as you were. Now I feel like we are kind of-sort of getting the hang of it. Kind of. My momma meltdowns have officially slowed down at least. I find myself constantly wishing I knew what you were thinking to make our rough days a little smoother.

You have gained 2 pounds though and weigh a whole 9 pounds and have grown an inch and a half. You are finally fitting into your 0-3 month clothing which I'm super excited about. I was warned that you were going to be a big baby so I skipped on buying a lot of newborn clothes turns out you weren't as big as they thought. Your hair is starting to lighten up and has a slight curl to it after a bath. You have changed so much already.

When you are on your changing table you become startled and throw your little fists up in the air and do this horrible whimper with the most heartbreaking unhappy face that makes me feel like a horrible person for changing your diaper. Bath time is pretty much the same. You positively hate it and I really hope that changes in the near future. You absolutely love being outside though.It always amazes me when we settle you into your car seat fussing and as soon as we are out the door you instantly stop. You are already so curious, it's such a wonder to watch you look around and try to take everything in. You also love music. Anytime I start playing music your eyes get huge and you listen so intently. 

My heart aches with so much love for you my darling boy. You are perfect, more than I could have ever imagined. I love you so much baby boy and I'm so excited about all the adventures we will have together.

Thank you for making me a mama. 

Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee

My darling boy,

I carried you inside me for 38 weeks. You grew from this little peanut into our rock and roller that constantly had the hiccups and loved kicking my ribs. I unceasingly worried about you, prayed for you and dreamed of what you would look like. Its hard to believe you are finally here. 

 Holding you in my arms is the greatest joy I have ever known.  I love kissing your wrinkled little forehead when you look up at me and having your long little fingers wrap around mine. Your feet with your sweet little toes are my favorite, I can't get enough of you. When I look at you I see this little person that we created. You are all ours and we are all yours. 

You are our greatest adventure. 

Welcome to our family, Abel Christopher.

Photos taken by Deirdre Lewis from Pictures of Prose 

xoxo,

Pregnancy Update: 38 weeks

It's hard to believe that our sweet little baby will be here tonight/tomorrow. Unfortunately my blood pressure has gone crazy again and since Baby B is measuring big anyways my Doctor has decided to induce me. I have to say that I am so ready though. I really didn't sleep last night but not because of nerves but more for excitement. It honestly doesn't feel real yet. I keep thinking this will be last time we will have a night together just the two of us. This is the last time I will get ready in the bathroom without a little one to worry about in the other room. A lot of lasts but I am so looking forward to our two becoming three.

eating: fruit! that is nothing new for this pregnancy though. lately I have been on a watermelon kick. 

drinking: chocolate milk. can't get enough.

avoiding: going outside in this ridiculous hot heat. Texas is far too hot. after baby is born we will be on a whirlwind of moving to Maryland and hopefully making a stop in Iowa to show off our sweet boy. I am SO excited to be out of Texas. 

wearing: mostly maternity wear now. I'm running into the slight problem of outgrowing my maternity clothes actually and pretty much wearing maxi skirts and t-shirts. I have also swiped my husband's pj pants. I am plenty ready to wear all my regular clothes again and having all my shoes.

feeling: woah, crazy hormones. there have been tears, lots and lots of tears. enough said.

buying: last minute things needed for the baby and the house. we have been stocking up on groceries and toilet paper so we won't have to venture out too far after baby is here. 

sleeping: everyone keeps telling us to catch up on our sleep now before baby gets here but honestly sleeping hasn't been going that great anyway.  my night time routine consists of sleep, rollover, pee, sleep, rollover, pee. Every time I try to roll over I feel like a beached whale. I'm hoping to squeeze in a nap today before heading to the hospital today.

loving: the idea of finally having a cute little baby to snuggle with. after 9 months of carrying our little peanut it's hard to believe it's time for him to be here. 

getting used to: all the baby items crowding our house. so much baby. we are hoping to find a bigger place in Maryland. In fact house shopping plus a new baby has us pretty excited.

Short update but I have a big To Do list plus a nap calling my name. Wish us luck!

xoxo, 

Pregnancy Update: 27 weeks

Well hello third trimester :)

eating: I have discovered chocolate banana shakes at Which Which and my friends, I am in love. Seriously, it's amazing and Baby B can't get enough of them either. ;)

drinking: Still drinkings lots and lots of water. Water and some more water and milk every now and then. I would kill for a big ol cup of strong black coffee and I am having dreams about chugging 2 liters of Mt. Dew, not really but it does sound like a pretty amazing dream doesn't it?

avoiding: Dropping things as much as possible. It's getting a little bit harder getting down there and getting back up. 

wearing: Still a healthy mix of maternity clothes and my normal wardrobe. I recently bought a pair of maternity boyfriend jeans from Old Navy and they are the most comfortable pair of jeans I have ever owned. Legit.

feeling: The past couple of weeks has been an emotional roller coaster. My blood pressure has been running high so my Doctor ran a bunch of extra tests. They've ruled it as just high blood pressure and she just wants to see me more often to make sure it doesn't develop into anything else. She is also discussing moving my due date up because of the whole blood pressure thing. Le Sigh. I have lots of thoughts on that I am saving for another time. After doing my glucose test (which I passed!) They also discovered that I'm anemic as well. Pregnancy, man... it does all sorts of fun stuff to your body.

buying: So it's well known I have a clothing addiction and apparently that doesn't stop with clothes just for me. Our little Baby B is going to be one sharped dressed little man. 

sleeping: I'm still having the crazy weird dreams every night and sleeping okay and by okay I mean waking up every few hours to switch sides because my hips hurt like crazy when I stay on one side too long and hello I just discovered those awesome leg cramps during pregnancy. Oh my gosh. I thought I was dying. I've only woken up during a dead sleep once from them and I hope it doesn't become a habit. 

loving: All his moving! He has been so active lately. He is all about kicking and nudging and taking up room in my ribs. He is one little party animal. He LOVES hanging out on my right side and he is a morning person like his mama. I can't get over sitting around and feeling all his little moving and grooving. It puts a big ol smile on my face and I know I will miss it but for now I am soaking up every single little kick. 

getting used to: If my Doctor delivers me in the beginning of June like she wants to we are only two months away from Baby B being here. For a lack of a better term I'm over here pooping my pants thinking of all the stuff I still need to get done. I mean I know I will never feel prepared but I'm really feeling unprepared. Next weekend Aaron works so I am devoting the weekend to Baby B and kicking butt on getting my sewing projects done and doing a little bit more work on his nursery. 

Here's a little sneak peak on what I'm working on...

I plan on posting a full post after I am finished with his quilt and the amazing tutorials I found that guided me through making my first one. I'll also post all the other projects I'm working on as well. I discovered Sew Kate Sew, a amazing sewing blog while browsing Pinterest and I can't wait to start working on some of the things she has posted on her blog. Make sure to check it out!

This weekend we are heading to Corpus Christi for a little time away from San Angelo. I am so excited to get out of this town. It's going to be amazing and I will have lots of photos to share. :)

Have an amazing weekend ladies & gents! 

xoxo, 

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.