Jordy Liz Blogs

Starbucks Giveaway!

2013-06-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am teaming up with a group of bloggers to give away a Starbucks gift card. And who doesn't want that?

Good luck!

(If you're reading through a feed, click on over to see the giveaway!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dear Liam, You are three months old.

2013-06-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Liam,

You are three months old today. This last month - your third month - has been my absolute favorite so far.

At eight and nine weeks, you started settling into a great routine. You would eat every three hours, play for about an hour, and take a nap until it was time to eat again. You also dropped one of your night feedings, which left us only having to get up once in the middle of the night around 3 a.m.

At ten weeks, you found your thumb! That same night, you slept ten hours straight. It was incredible. For the first time in three months, I got more than three hours of sleep. Since then, you've been sleeping anywhere from nine to eleven hours a night, and we are so okay with that.

At eleven and twelve weeks, you turned into a little boy all of a sudden. You find yourself in the mirror and give big grins to the little boy looking back at you. You pull yourself up to sitting position with the help of holding onto my thumbs, and then immediately stand straight up. You can't stand sitting still anymore now that you know this trick.

You're smiling and talking and moving around. As soon as you see me peek over your crib in the morning, you get a huge smile on your face and start kicking your legs and flailing your arms. You're much more of a morning person than I am.

Your routine is still going strong. You've become so predictable and are an overall content baby. You only cry when you're hungry (and I don't blame you) and fuss a little when you're tired (again, I don't blame you). In between, you're content just looking around and being loved on.

Bath time is still your favorite time of the day and you enjoy kicking and splashing in the water. As soon as you hear the faucet running, you grow quiet and start to smile. Knowing how much you love baths, we took you for a swim the other weekend. You were so relaxed to just sit back in your float and hang out in the water. That might be the only way we'll be able to beat the heat this summer. Your second favorite time of the day is the morning when you catch an episode of Little Einsteins. You squeal and kick at the show; it's so fun to watch.

You also started day care this last week. While I was hesitant at first, you have done so great. The teachers say you never cry and you enjoy sitting back and watching all of the other babies. You are so content when I pick you up and it makes my mama heart happy and settled.

So like I said, this last month has been a joy. Your routine is down. You're sleeping like a champ. You're fun to be around and you make our days brighter.

I can't wait to see you grow even more.

Love you, Mama
Past letters: One month | Two months

Week Twenty-Three: 21 graces.

2013-06-14T08:24:00.002-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Casey booking a flight to come see me in August!

Starbucks iced coffee for $1.

Bridge lights.

A long overdue date night...

...with a productive conversation.

Game night with friends.

Opening a bottle of wine given to me to drink post-pregnancy.

A sweet friend who rocked Liam to sleep.

Liam successfully starting a full week of daycare and doing so well.

Running a quick errand while Liam is still at daycare.

Big grins from Liam when I pick him up.

Getting back to work...

...and getting back into a routine.

Finding a flight to spontaneously go to Texas for half off the normal cost.

Getting an oil change "on the house."

The last night of Bible Study for the summer.

Pulling out our wedding album.

County music videos.

Simple recipes.

Grocery shopping solo.

Liam making his first daycare craft.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Liam's second month.

2013-06-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Before Liam turns three months tomorrow - already - I am playing catch up and sharing pictures and tidbits of his first two months. This is his second month; look back to yesterday for the first.

Growing: At two months, he weighed 12 lbs. 2 1/2 oz. (46%) and was 24 1/4 inches long (97%). Long and lean!

Wearing: He is well into 3 month clothes and size 1-2 diapers. I packed all of his 0-3 clothes away when he was just five weeks old! He's also accommodating those long legs and wearing 6 month pajamas.

Eating: He is still taking 4 ounces every three hours - if we can hold him off that long.

Doing: He "woke up" and noticed the world around him. He is now smiling when he sees our faces and loves to see what's going on. He's also on a great, more predictable routine.

Loving: He loves his play mat, bouncer, and being upright to look around. Bath time is his favorite time of the day and if it weren't for the water getting cold, he would stay in it all night.

{We moved when he was just four weeks old, so we had to get creative during nap time.}

{We pulled out the play mat and he loves it. And of course, Mia is always close by.}

{Tummy time isn't always so successful.}

{Dog's best friend.}

{Can you believe the size of those feet?}

{Bath time is his favorite time.}

{Smiling!}

{Our first walk around the new neighborhood.}

{His first plane ride to Texas.}

(He met the rest of his Texas family! First up, Uncle Will.}

{And then, Great Aunt Catha who is playing the role of a back-up grandmother.}

{My first Mother's Day.}

{Liam and Pop.}

{Two months old!}

Me and him.

2013-06-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

1. We met at a bar...

2. ...and we would tell each other later that we both knew this was it on that same night...

3. ...but it wasn't too much later because we were married nine months to the day we met.

4. He's the youngest of three and I'm the oldest of three, which means we sometimes butt heads...

5. ...but one of the best things we did for the communication in our marriage was to sync our iPhone calendars.

6. Oh, and we've lived in three houses in our three years of marriage (but I'm hoping to not continue that trend).

To fill in the gaps, read the story of us.

{Linking up with Mama Kat.}

Liam's first month.

2013-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Before Liam turns three months on Friday - already - I am going to play catch up and share pictures and tidbits of his first two months. Today will be the first month; come back tomorrow for the second.

Growing: At one week, he was back to his birth weight of 8 lbs. 1 oz. By the end of the month, he weighed 10 lbs. 14 1/2 oz. (70%) and was 23 inches long (95%).

Wearing: He wore 0-3 month clothes and newborn diapers; he was into size 1 diapers by the end of the month.

Eating: After a few weeks of nursing, he switched to formula and took 3-4 ounces every three hours.

Doing: Sleeping, eating and sleeping some more.

Loving: Sleeping, eating, and sleeping.

{Newborn photos taken at the hospital.}

{This dog doesn't leave his side.}

{Where he slept for the first three weeks.}

{Was he really this tiny?}

{First Easter.}

{Always checking.}

{His grandparents came back to visit!}

{Liam and Pop.}

{How we did our taxes this year.}
{One month old!}

Words on motherhood.

2013-06-10T21:30:00.001-07:00

I sit at my dining room table with a Pandora station playing in the background. The baby is asleep upstairs, the dog is asleep at my feet, and I really just want to go to sleep. I started back at work full-time today and Liam started at his new daycare. We're getting back into our real life routine around here.

After a busy day at work, I solo-parented tonight and I will again twice more this week. And then I will rinse and repeat for the next two months. While it's a sacrifice I'm more than willing to make for my husband, it doesn't make it any easier. It's hard and I'm tired.

If there's anything I learned about motherhood, it's that it can be exciting, exhausting, fun, hard, lonely, enriching, emotional, tiring and exciting all at the same exact time. But the hardest part is the lonely. And the lonely is amplified by the tired.

So while I want to spill words onto this page and share my scattered thoughts about what I have learned about motherhood, I just don't have them formed quite yet. I'm resting in the words of these wonderful women who have been there, done that, and are still walking through the trenches.

If you're a mother, I hope these words bring encouragement on the hard days and that they make the good days so much more good. If you're a soon-to-be mother, I hope you tuck them away to read when the days are long, hard and you're yearning for a "thank you."

These words are your "thank you" - you're doing a good job.

It Doesn't Help Anyone To Not Be Honest About Motherhood by Sarah Mae

For the Dog Days of Motherhood When You Want Your Money Back by Lisa-Jo

Before I Forget: What No One Remembers About New Motherhood by Jodi Peltason

...which inspired Before I Forget, New Mama by me.

Week Twenty-Two: 21 graces.

2013-06-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Friends providing a guest bed for our sleeping baby so we could enjoy time with those friends.

Outdoor patios.

Someone at church stopping by to check on me as I held a crying baby outside.

Surprise flowers and a card from my husband.

Sunflowers.

Overhearing a manager compliment a new employee.

Walking through a bookstore for the first time in months.

Finding my favorite author on the clearance rack.

Mid-afternoon latte.

A baby who sleeps straight through errands.

Lunch with the expecting Jen.

Another play date with a friend and her twin boys.

Talking through baby "stuff" with other new moms.

Budget talks.

The convenience and ease of the iPhone camera.

Dr. Pepper Ten.

Liam having a good first day at daycare...

...and me having a good first day back at work.

Working for people who are flexible with my schedule and family needs.

Ellen.

Great Ebay deals.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Do you follow me on Google Reader? If so, read this.

2013-06-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, Google Reader is going by the wayside come July 1st. Over 200 of you follow me through Google Friend Connect, which links up to Google Reader - it's the box of your pretty faces on the left-hand side of this blog. When Google Reader goes, so will your feed to this blog.

So that we don't lose touch, there are a couple of alternative ways to follow this blog.

**Before you subscribe, make sure you're visiting www.jordylizblogs.com and not the old www.jordy-liz.com!**

1. Follow me on Blog Lovin'.

This is a blog feed similar to Google Reader.

2. Subscribe by email.

By entering your email address, you'll get my posts straight to your inbox.

3. Bookmark this site.

Just press Ctrl + D to add this blog to your favorite links!

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Liam goes on a plane.

2013-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I survived my first plane trip with an eight-week-old.

In the early part of May, Liam and I went to my home state of Texas to visit. Secretly, I had been dreading the trip since before he was born, knowing it was coming. My brother was graduating from college, the last of the brood, and I knew I would be attending his graduation with a baby in tow. Once Liam was born, I booked a flight to travel home with him solo.

I begged Chris to go, knowing he couldn't due to work. The truth is, I just wanted company for the plane ride. I didn't want to do the plane ride alone. I wasn't scared of my abilities or being able to handle Liam; I was scared of other people's reaction to a potentially screaming baby.

I called Southwest Airlines on the Sunday before to verify everything.

"I can check the stroller at the gate?"

"Yes."

"And the car seat?"

"Yes."

"And my husband can escort me through security?"

"Yes."

"Okay, great."

"Do you have any other questions, ma'am?"

"No," I lied.

"Thank you for flying Southwest."

First of all, packing for a trip with a baby is a little complicated solely due to the fact that they use and dirty everything up until the minute you're walking out the door. We woke Liam up half an hour before we had to leave so that he would ruin as little as possible. He still managed to pee on the changing pad, dirty an outfit and soil two burp cloths. In the meantime, Mia peed by the back door thanks in part to medication she was on and the fact that we were upstairs too preoccupied to remember we had to deal with the dog, too.

"Is that water or pee?" Chris asked. I didn't want to think the worst so I willed it to be water as if the ceiling had all of a sudden sprung a leak.

But it was pee. We were trying to get out of the house on time so of course it would be pee. One cleaned-up accident and fed baby later, we made it to the airport in time.

The plane was just over half full, so they let me bring his car seat on board and we had our own row. A young couple, presumably still in college, passed us by as they were boarding.

"Lets sit right here," the girl said, motioning to the row behind us.

"You don't want to go in the back?" the guy said, after eying my baby.

"Oh, if you're worried about the baby, he'll be fine. He'll be asleep in no time!" I convinced them as Liam began to doze off in his car seat. They smiled and took the seat behind us. Nothing like an empty promise to make me really feel pressure to keep the baby from crying. I'm pretty sure the guy obliged out of pressure, too.

Liam was great for the first hour of the two-hour flight. He slept, ate and was mostly content. About halfway through, he got fussy. And let me tell you something. When you're on a plane with a tiny baby who starts crying, ten seconds feels like three hours and the tiniest noise feels likes its echoing through the entire aircraft. No one was even looking at us but it felt like everyone was looking at us. And all I could think of was that I promised the people behind us he wouldn't cry. Don't make me break a promise, Liam.

I decided to change him and took him back to the lavatory. Only one was open, so I went in to the extremely small room. I put the toilet lid down, sat on it and laid Liam on my lap. As I changed him, he started screaming and I wondered just how much everyone else could hear. A screaming baby in a tiny, closed lavatory is loud. When we were done, I quickly got back to my seat only to realize I left his shorts in the bathroom.

As a flight attendant passed by, I asked her if she wouldn't mind checking the bathroom for his shorts. She came back with the tiny shorts and said, "I think you may have gone into the bathroom without the changing table. The one across from that one has a changing table."

Of course.

"Oh, okay!" I said. "I'll make note of that for next time."

We made it off the plane without any major meltdowns, spent six days in Texas, and flew back the following Monday evening. Apparently airports all have different rules about "escorts" because I ended up having to go through security on my own with a stroller, car seat, baby, diaper bag, and purse in tow. And then he decided to have a dirty diaper five minutes before boarding. And the plane was overbooked so we were shoved in a back corner.

But thanks to an evening flight, he slept the whole way home.

I'm not afraid of flying with a baby anymore. But I am already fearing flying with a future toddler.

Week Twenty-One: 21 graces.

2013-05-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Starting a marriage devotional that we end with each night.

Purchasing new appliances.

Negotiating to save money.

Our first road trip as a family of three.

A twenty-degree drop in temperature.

Candied apples.

Greenery.

A two-hour drive of only conversation instead of music.

A three-day weekend.

An extra day with Chris.

Liam finding his thumb...

...and sleeping ten-hour nights because of it...

...for three days straight and counting!

Evening walks.

Fresh strawberries.

Nice customer service phone calls.

Declaring a "no television" night.

Seeing my co-workers I've missed.

Consignment stores.

Sno-cones.

Free shipping.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

A very good day with a breath of fresh air.

2013-05-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we slipped away to Flagstaff, a quaint town just two and a half hours north of Phoenix. I came up with the idea during the week when I started feeling the need to get out of town, take in a breath of fresh air, and enjoy being with just the three of us. It was our first "road trip" with Liam and he slept like a champ in his car seat.

We spent the car ride up with no music and just conversation. We stepped into the town where the weather was 25 degrees cooler and the streets were busy with people soaking up the three-day weekend.

We ate, shopped, ate, shopped, ate, relaxed, talked, and enjoyed one another.

Two onesies, one explosive diaper and four bottles later, we called it a very good day.

Week Twenty: 21 graces.

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

My husband surprising me with a scheduled pedicure.

An early morning breakfast date with Chris and Liam.

Afternoon naps for all three of us.

Going out with friends as a couple.

My sweet friend Rachel being back in town after two years away.

Baby pajamas.

Seeing other Aggies in Arizona.

Sorting through pictures that bring back memories.

Sorting through sweet cards from friends and family.

Group text messages with my sister and brother.

Crockpot meals.

Surprise gifts from Italy courtesy of Casey.

Baby play dates.

Spending the morning talking with another new mom.

Walks in the park before the triple digits set in for the day.

Liam sleeping two nine-hour stretches this week.

Keeping frozen cookie dough at the ready.

Liam sticking to his routine.

The smell of freshly washed baby laundry.

New makeup.

My husband surprising me with a sweet card and book on a random weekday.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Let's not lose touch.

2013-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, Google Reader is going by the wayside come July. At least 220 of you follow me through Google Friend Connect, which links up to Google Reader - it's the box of your pretty faces on the left-hand side of this blog.

So that we don't lose touch, there are a couple of alternative ways to follow this blog.

**Before you subscribe, make sure you're visiting www.jordylizblogs.com and not the old www.jordy-liz.com!**

1. Follow me on Blog Lovin'.

This is a blog feed similar to Google Reader.

2. Subscribe by email.

By entering your email address, you'll get my posts straight to your inbox.

3. Bookmark this site.

Just press Ctrl + D to add this blog to your favorite links!

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Where God is in the storms.

2013-05-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Growing up in Texas, I'm fully aware of the devastation tornadoes can bring. We had tornado drills in school where we gathered desks and hid underneath them. We had a plan in place at home to go into the central-most room in the house with no windows, usually a bathroom or hall closet.

One Saturday when I was younger, the school carnival was taking place on a stormy day. While we were all gathered in the school gymnasium, a tornado struck down, hopping down the street I lived on. We came home to debris in the yard, but my friend down the street came home to a home destroyed by a black funnel of wind. A random touchdown that changed an otherwise normal Saturday.

As I watch the coverage of Oklahoma, I choke back tears which come easier these days since being pregnant and becoming a mom. I look at the neighborhoods completely flattened into shreds of wood and mangled cars and scattered belongings. I cant help but think, Where would you even begin?

How could you possibly rebuild?

The devastation seems overwhelming. A school building crumbled on top of children and teachers while rescuers dig for survivors as parents hang onto slivers of hope. Home after home of families who put everything they had into four walls, destroyed in just minutes. A highway full of cars crashed into one another as they were just trying to get to a safe place.

Where do the survivors go?

I can barely keep it together as they interview survivors who are barely keeping it together. With only the clothes on their back, they come out of shelters to skies turned blue and dig through piles of scrap. Everything they hold dear is in piles that look like those you'd find in a junkyard.

Where was God?

It's easy for people to look up to the dark sky and wonder where He was. To wonder what He was doing when the mile-wide funnel of wind was ripping through a neighborhood, just like we wondered when a shooter entered an elementary school armed with destruction and two bombers roamed through the streets of Boston and an explosion devastated a small town in Texas.

Where was God?

He was hurting just like He hurts when a single tear falls from our eyes. He was hurting when the children He created turned against one another and He hurt when the earth He formed turned on His creation. He was with the children trapped under their school's walls and their parents as they couldn't get answers fast enough. He was with the man listening to storm coverage on the radio who got under cover in the nick of time. He was with each rescuer as they listened to their inner voice - His voice - to lead them to survivors.

And He's there today as His beloved come out of hiding to see what little they have left. He's with each of us as we hurt for those who hurt, because that's His love coming through us to others.

God's with us. God's in us. Through every storm, every raindrop, every hurt.

Praying for you, Oklahoma.

Week Nineteen: 21 graces.

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Having my own row on the flight to Texas with Liam.

Swinging into a cool breeze.

Middle of the night thunderstorms.

A solo pedicure.

Being home in Texas.

Strangers waving at strangers.

A stranger helping me with a bottle.

Seeing my baby brother graduate college.

Being blessed and showered with clothes for both me and Liam from my mom and aunt.

A safe flight back.

Liam sleeping the entire flight home.

A helpful seatmate.

A good two-month well visit for Liam.

Mother's Day texts and cards.

Being greeted with Starbucks at the airport.

Impromptu help from my mother-in-law.

Liam on good behavior and all smiles at the doctor's office.

Nonstop baby smiles in the morning.

Seeing my sweet friend, Rachel, after two long years.

An afternoon iced coffee pick-me-up.

Shaded parking.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Dear Liam, You are two months old.

2013-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Liam,
You are two months old. In one way, it feels like it's been forever since we met you. In another, it feels like it is going by way too fast. I'm sure it will be like that for a while.
You grew leaps and bounds this last month and your personality is starting to peek out. At five weeks, we introduced the playmat because you are so alert. You love playing on the mat, watching the lights and grabbing at the hanging toys.
You also started smiling right around four to five weeks. Your smiles are now intentional and contagious. I remember one night when your dad took over night shifts, I came in your room for the first time in the morning. I came by your crib and you looked up and smiled so big. It melted me.
Speaking of, we moved you to your big crib right around seven weeks. You adjusted well and have been sleeping in seven hour stretches ever since. You usually go to bed around eight in the evening, wake up once between two and four in the morning, and then wake up for the day around seven. It's been an amazing difference for us all!
You're a long and lean boy. At your two-month appointment, you measured 24 1/4 inches (97th percentile) and 12 pounds 2 1/2 ounces (46th percentile). You were officially in 3 month size clothes by five weeks and have even started busting into a few 6 month size clothes. I can barely keep up with your length and don't even know what size clothes to buy anymore. It's getting hard to predict just how much you'll grow each month.
You love the mornings, looking over my shoulder, and finally being swaddled. We love watching you grow and change day to day.
Keep smiling.
Love you, Mama
Past letters: One month

The sorority of motherhood.

2013-05-12T19:15:00.001-07:00

Today was my first official Mother's Day as a mother. Last May, I didn't expect to be a mother this May. I thought that maybe I'd be pregnant. And here I am with a two-month-old.

I love how life works in its own way.

I spent my first Mother's Day in Texas with my family. My brother graduated college, the last of the siblings to do so. This trip was planned well before Liam was born; it was just a matter of booking the flight. So last Wednesday, I flew with a two-month-old. (More on that later.)

We drove up to the small Texas town of Nacogdoches on Saturday along with the rest of the graduating class's families. The parking lot was packed and we made our way up to the coliseum with a baby in tow. As we neared the entrance, we got separated and I ended up alone with Liam. I needed to use the restroom and he needed to be changed and so there I stood in line to the women's restroom. Except there was one of me. And I had a baby in my arms.

I think it's a right of passage into motherhood when you successfully use the restroom while holding a baby. Just saying.

When we walked out, I had officially lost my family. Liam was hungry and the ceremony hadn't started yet, so I dropped my diaper bag in front of me, stood back near the exit doors and juggled a crying baby while fishing out a bottle from the side pocket. As I struggled with trying to mix the formula into the prefilled bottle, a sweet woman walked up to me.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Normally, I'd say, "Nope! I got it!" That's just how I am. I refuse help. But the day I became a mother, I screamed for help from the start. I'll take any help I can get. Because I realized that when you have another human being to raise and care for, one can't get enough help.

"Yes," I said. And I kept juggling both the baby and the bottle.

"Can I shake the bottle for you?" she said. And it's like she read my mind. She just knew what I needed. I nodded and said please and she mixed the bottle for me.

"How old is he?" she asked, and I told her he was just eight weeks old. "Mine is, too," and she handed me the bottle and walked away.

On Saturday, I got my first real glimpse into the sorority of motherhood. Mothers helping mothers. Women getting women. Shaking bottles that need to be shaken and grabbing burp cloths dropped in the midst of juggling. We don't have to ask or beg. We just have to nod and say yes, I'd love a helping hand if just for a minute.

I am blessed to be in that special sorority this Mother's Day. I didn't expect it, and I sure don't deserve it, but Liam gave me the ticket in.

To all you mothers, and especially my own...

Happy Mother's Day.

Week Eighteen: 21 graces.

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Getting an unexpected refund.

A fresh haircut.

Alone time to wander the mall.

Cooler weather.

Liam loving the playmat.

Being in Texas - home.

A safe flight.

A flight that isn't full so I could have my own row and the carseat.

Helpful flight attendants.

Liam sleeping seven hours straight.

A mid-afternoon latte.

Time with my mom and aunt.

Tex-mex.

Morning smiles from Liam.

Helping hands from family.

Finding a daycare that fits.

Hearing God's voice through coincidental circumstances and others' voices.

Being treated to clothes for myself...

...and Liam.

Seeing Liam's developments each day.

Spotting a blue jay.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

A few of my favorite baby things.

2013-05-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

When we registered for our new baby, it was pretty overwhelming. There were so many items to choose from and so many options for each of those items. What did we need? How were we supposed to know if it was the best choice? I sought out the advice from friends, registered, and was blessed with many great things for Liam.
After almost two months of trying them all out, here are my favorites (and what I consider must-haves). I've included the links to Target, Babies R Us, BuyBuyBaby and Amazon so you can easily add them to your registry if you see something you like!

Fisher-Price Bouncer

I use this bouncer daily. We keep it downstairs in the living room and it's a great spot to put the baby in when they need to go down for a short nap or you just need a place to put them so you can have your hands free for a minute. It's light, portable and never missed a day of work for the first month of our baby's life.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Graco Click Connect 40 Carseat and FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Stroller

This carseat and stroller are the newest duo in Graco's line. The carseat goes up to 40 pounds or two years, and since our six-week old is already at 12 pounds, I'm sure we'll hit its limit well before he's two. It will save us from having to buy a bigger carseat right away compared to the 30 and 35 pound options.
I can't say enough about this stroller. When we were shopping around, we wanted a stroller that could do it all: go on walks, run errands, travel easily and grow with our baby. We didn't want to have to buy multiple strollers for different functions. The stroller is extremely light and I can unfold it with one hand. Likewise, I can fold it up and throw it in the trunk with one hand (and I'm not strong). The carseat easily clicks into the stroller making it quick to go in and out of stores on a day of errands. Once he's big enough to sit up, there's a comfy spot waiting for him. The stroller actually fits all of Graco's Click Connect carseats in case you go for a different carseat option.
Carseat: Only sold at Babies R Us | Stroller: Only sold at Babies R Us

Tommie Tippee Bottles

We started out using different bottles, but our baby was having major spit-up issues. We were transitioning him from nursing to bottles and he was sucking down the bottles a little too fast. I called a lactation specialist and she recommended these bottles. I love the shape of them; even as a tiny baby, he can hold onto the sides. The nipple is slow-flow so we can manage how much he takes in a time. And they're too cute!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (not sold) | Amazon

aden + anais Swaddle Blankets

These blankets have become a staple in our home and our kid doesn't even like swaddling. Living in a very hot climate, I love how lightweight these blankets are. They are also quite large which is great for laying out on the floor or bundling them up. I often use them to cover up his carseat if I am out running errands. If I could do it all over again, I would only register for these kind of blankets. I would suggest getting at least two packs (eight total) as they are targets for spit-up and wet diapers!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

WubbaNub Pacifier

I didn't even know about these until I received two of them at my baby shower. I love them. The stuffed animal at the end (and there are many animals to choose from) keeps the pacifier in the baby's mouth a little better than if the pacifier was just flying solo. They can also hold onto the animal which is pretty cute. For parents, it makes the pacifier much easier to find and we are often yelling out, "Where's his elephant?"
Target (not sold) | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

The First Year Newborn-to-Toddler Tub

This is a basic tub, but that's what makes it great. It comes with a newborn sling which our son grew out of at about five weeks (or 11 pounds). He can easily sit up in it now due to the grooves at the bottom. It's lightweight, fairly inexpensive and fits on top of counters or in the bathtub.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (similar) | Amazon

Brica Backseat Mirror

I love being able to check on what the baby's doing through my rearview mirror. I can see if he's asleep (as he often falls asleep as soon as he gets in his carseat) or if he's crying, I can see what may be the culprit. Now that he's more alert, he stares at the little baby in the mirror, too!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack

You've got to dry your bottles somehow, so why not make it cute? This sits on top of our counter and is much prettier than a dish towel. You can also purchase "branches" and "flowers" to add to it which are great for drying nipples and bottle accessories. This size fits a maximum of eight bottles. If I was doing it all over again, I would get the "lawn" size which is bigger.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (only sold in white) | Amazon

Cloud B Sleep Sheep

I also didn't register for this, but received it as a gift. This sheep now lives wherever our baby sleeps. When we go to put him down, we turn the sheep on and its relaxing noises lull him to sleep. We might not have survived the first three weeks without it!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (similar) | Amazon

Summer Infant Video Monitor

I love being able to check on what the baby's doing without stealthily creeping into his room. This video monitor is portable so we can bring it all over the house depending on what we're doing while he's asleep. It also has a nightlight feature I've grown to love: I can turn on the nightlight attached to the camera before I go into his room which means I don't have to turn on a bright lamp or overhead light.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Changing Pad Liners

We purchased a precious changing pad cover only to realize how often we had to wash it. A friend bought these liners for us and they make changing so much easier! If the mess doesn't all stay in the diaper, you just throw the liner in the laundry basket and get a new one without having to take the entire changing pad cover on and off each time.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon
(These are all based off of my own personal opinion.)
What are your must-have baby items?

Week Seventeen: 21 graces.

2013-05-03T10:58:00.001-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

A baby who sleeps through errands.

Getting out on a Saturday as a family.

Donating our unused items to Goodwill.

Decluttering.

Having our first dinner date alone since baby.

My mother-in-law being willing to watch Liam.

Making to do lists.

Crossing things off to do lists.

Liam's smiles when he recognizes us.

Falling into more of a routine.

Enjoying a much-needed girls' night.

Photographs.

Air conditioning.

Dark chocolate.

Messages in Dove chocolate hearts.

Friends who take photos of Liam for fun.

Feeling like Liam is truly loved by our circle of friends.

Getting back to Bible Study - all three of us.

Continued visitors.

Hand-me-downs for Liam.

A lunch full of blessings with my co-worker.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Week Sixteen: 21 graces.

2013-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Liam's longer stretches of sleep every now and then.

Warm - but not too warm - weather.

My sister-in-law watching Liam for a good portion of the day.

Grocery shopping for the first time in six weeks.

Our home almost completely unpacked.

Hanging decor on the walls to make it feel like home.

Taking an inaugural walk in the stroller.

Using a car ride to console the baby.

Having my mom to talk to while driving with a crying baby.

Watching Liam become more and more alert.

Liam's love of baths.

A nice man, seeing me with a stroller and shopping bags, offering to help me out to my car.

Liam's happy demeanor in the morning.

Surprising my husband with a mid-morning coffee.

Getting a large refund on a medical bill just as other medical bills are coming in.

Being completely healed according to my six-week check-up.

Alone time.

That moment when you figure out the baby's different cries.

Cake pops.

Long naps for Liam which created long stretches of productivity for me.

Starbucks iced tea.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Before I forget, new mama.

2013-04-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Chris and I are among the first of our friends to enter into the world of parenting. Luckily, several of my girlfriends are also having babies this year and I am secretly excited that other women my age will be jumping into this adventure with me.

I read this article the other day about how new moms often forget how foggy those first few weeks with a baby are. Moms who have been-there-done-that forget what it's like to be a brand new mom. I have already found myself forgetting, though I know it was a trying time. And I am not saying we are completely out of it. We are still sleep-deprived (and I'm sure we will be until he graduates college) and we are still learning something new every day. But we've hit a point where we are actually starting to enjoy it.

The thing is, I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget the hard nights, the long days or the snide conversations between two exhausted parents. Just like I don't want to forget the moments when we finally figured it out - whatever it was at the moment - and the sweet moments captured between mother and son, or father and son, or those two exhausted parents. I don't want to forget because it is all a part of the journey.

So, to my pregnant girlfriends out there and to the future me who will most likely do this all over again, I want to remember some things before I forget.

Before I forget, the first two weeks are the hardest. I heard this over and over when I was pregnant, but I had no idea what it would actually entail. You are healing physically. You are all over the place emotionally. Your spouse isn't your first priority anymore and you're not sure what to do with him. You are now responsible for a human life and no one gave you an instruction manual. And you're getting used to little to no sleep.

But something miraculous happens on day fourteen. It gets kind of better. Your body has figured out that it has to function on two-hour increments of sleep at a time. You and your spouse have figured out a rhythm with one another. And you are actually starting to figure out the baby.

On our first night home from the hospital, we couldn't get Liam to sleep. We fed him, changed him, rocked him, swaddled him, and tried getting him to sleep in the bassinet. He was inconsolable. And we had no idea what to do next.

In our birth classes and at the hospital, everyone talked about swaddling. And then we get a baby who hates swaddling. The bassinet had been sitting in our room for over a month waiting for the baby, and now the baby couldn't stand the bassinet. We were up until four in the morning that first night trying to make our baby go to sleep. The only reason it was only until four was because my mom walked in, took Liam, and told us to go to sleep. We looked at each other and climbed into bed.

Eventually, we learned he slept best in the swing. For the first three weeks of his life, he slept in the swing next to my bed. Because it worked. That's the thing: you do what works. Sometimes that means the bassinet gets pushed to the side for a few weeks and sometimes that means you drag a swing into the room at three in the morning. "Just get the swing!" was yelled across the house when the bassinet, bouncer and my arms weren't cutting it. I hope I don't forget what my husband looked like trying to get a swing through our bedroom door that was twice as wide as the door frame.

And I always want to remember that time I found myself in the formula aisle of Walgreens at three in the morning after having a meltdown in my bedroom because I just realized I couldn't keep up with my son's appetite through the physical pain. "How's your night going?" the cashier asked us as we stood there in our pajamas and a newborn in a carseat watching twenty-somethings pass by after a night out on the town. "New baby," we said, and we left it at that. Formula wasn't the plan; nursing was the plan. I had nursing covers, a breast pump, and all of the bells and whistles for nursing. But I couldn't do it. Physically and mentally, I couldn't do it.

I want to remember that moment because it was a moment I had to free myself from a lot of guilt. I felt guilty for costing us money we weren't planning on spending and not giving my son what was only natural. I felt like I had failed both as a mother and a wife. The one thing I had promised to do, I couldn't do.

I soon realized that what was best for me was best for my son. The morning I sat in the glider for three hours trying to appease Liam's never-ending appetite before I even had a chance to use the restroom or get a bite to eat on the very day Chris went back to work was telling of the fact I wasn't taking care of myself. So I just sat there and cried. And if Mama ain't okay, nobody's going to be okay.

I want to remember the first time my husband told me to get out of the house by myself on day ten to go sit in Starbucks for an hour. Nobody knew I had a baby at home. Nobody needed me to feed them or hold them. And I felt like myself for the first time in too many days. On the flip side, there was the night I grabbed my keys without saying a word and got into the car to drive aimlessly around the neighborhood because I just needed to be by myself, without a baby or husband, if only for ten minutes. I learned just how badly I need time to myself to recharge. (I now make it a weekly thing.)

So, before I forget, the first two weeks are the hardest.

Give yourself some slack. Let the dishes pile up. Stay in your pajamas. Tell people, "Now isn't a good time." Let go of the guilt. Cry if you feel like crying. And don't try to justify the crying. Get in the car and drive around the neighborhood - by yourself.

And know that one day, believe it or not, the two weeks are up.

It's going to be okay, new mama.

The hospital bag: what to pack (and not pack) for delivery day.

2013-04-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Since my doctor was determined Liam would come well before 38 weeks, my hospital bag was packed at 36 weeks. And it sat in his nursery for another month.

But looking back, I'd advise to go ahead and pack it that early anyway. It gave me time to add and take away, and it left me feeling a lot less anxious just in case the day came earlier than expected.

As we sat in the hospital, I thought about the things I'm glad we packed, what we didn't really need, and things to remember for next time. I also thought about several of my girlfriends who are currently pregnant and what I'd tell them.

Baby book

When your baby gets their first bath, they also get their footprints done. If you have your baby book handy, the nurse will gladly stamp your baby's foot directly in the book.

Our own pillows

The hospital pillows weren't very comfortable and having my own pillow helped me sleep a little better (if you can sleep at all with a brand new baby right next to you). My husband brought his own pillow, too, which was good since he ended up having to sleep on the bench that the hospital tries to pull off as a bed.

File folder

It seemed like someone was walking in every hour handing us paperwork and having us sign something. It was helpful to have a file folder to shove all the papers in and have in one place once we got back home. I suggest the kind that snap shut so you don't lose anything important.

Notepad and pen

I knew I wanted to capture the progress through delivery, so Chris made sure to write it down on a notepad for me. If you think you'll remember all of the little details on your own, you won't. Since he wrote it down, I was able to capture Liam's birth story.

Makeup wipes

The last thing I wanted to do after delivery was get out of bed to wash my face. Makeup wipes let me stay in bed and helped me feel a little more clean and refreshed each day.

Snacks

We brought snacks for both the nurses and us. The nurses really appreciated the gesture since most of them are on twelve hour shifts. In fact, our delivery nurse was with us from check-in until birth so I know she didn't get much to eat! It was also nice for Chris to have something to snack on while I was in labor and needed him by my side, and for me to have options after delivery.

Special baby blanket

The hospital had someone on staff come around and take newborn photographs. I had packed a special blanket and was able to use this in the picture. They typically lay the babies down on your hospital bed, so it's nice to have something besides the sheet in the photograph.

Toiletry bag

I packed a toiletry bag ahead of time with travel-sized items for both me and Chris: shampoo, conditioner, soap, loofahs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, contact solution, deodorant and makeup wipes. The morning I went into labor, all I had to grab was my glasses and I was good to go. It was helpful not to have to scramble to make sure we didn't forget anything.

Magazines

This one's for my husband. Once I received the epidural, we were calm, relaxed and waiting around for a few hours before delivery. He mentioned he would have liked something mindless to read in the meantime while I was resting.

Water bottles

During labor, I didn't want Chris to leave my side. He was thirsty and had to resort to a tiny paper cup filled with tap water from the delivery room sink. After delivery, I was parched. Having water bottles handy would have been beneficial to us both!

Soft snacks

My appetite was shot right after delivery. Nothing sounded good. Snacks such as jello, pudding, and apple sauce would have been nice to have on hand since they are much easier to stomach than snacks such as crackers or pretzels (which we had plenty of).

A million changes of clothes

I tend to overpack, and this time was no different. Two changes of clothes is plenty: one for right after delivery once you get your first shower and one for the day you head home.

Boppy pillow

I brought a boppy pillow to help with nursing, but I ended up finding it easier to use several hospital pillows.

Baby clothes

I brought several outfits and blankets for Liam to wear after he was born. The hospital ended up providing great shirts that made it easy to check him and change his diaper. They also had plenty of blankets which could get dirty and go into their laundry. He ended up just wearing one outfit on the day we went home and using one blanket in the car (which was the same blanket he used in the photographs).

That's what I would keep, toss, and remember for next time. Do you have anything to add to this list?

Week Fifteen: 21 graces.

2013-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

My mother-in-law cleaning our two places to take one more thing off our plate.

Being able to camp out at my sister-in-law's house while the movers were in and out of our house.

Babies in just diapers.

My mother-in-law coming over at night to give us a chance to unpack a few boxes.

Having a new place to decorate.

Tulips.

Friends who show up to help us move.

My sister-in-law walking into the house at just the right time to relive me from a crying baby.

Taking advantage of a content baby to take a quick shower.

A cable guy who goes the extra mile.

A cool spring breeze.

Unpacking and completing the kitchen.

Liam "passing" at his one-month appointment.

Chris now being closer to his office to come home for lunch.

Going to Target by myself.

A brand new welcome mat.

Having time to myself at Starbucks to write for the first time in two weeks.

Exceptional customer service.

Making a huge dent in the unpacking process.

Taking advantage of prepared freezer meals.

Getting to get out and shop thanks to a napping baby.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!