Turner - 9 months

March 2, 2014

9 months...I can't even comprehend this!

Baby Stats:

Weight

20.6 lbs (62 percentile)

Length
29.6" (92 percentile)

Sleep
Turner is a very good sleeper. Goes down between 8-8:30 and gets up anytime after 7 am.

Daily Routine
Nothing really has changed here. Tate leaves everyday with Turner around 8 and drops him off @ daycare or brings him to work with him since Tate trains our daycare lady. Days he bring him to work he will go to the gym daycare for an hour. Tate picks him up everyday except Wed. Wed is my evening with him and I love it!!! Number of naps everyday varies. He usually takes cat naps to and from daycare and then sometimes he takes 1 really long nap (3 hours) @ daycare, sometime 2 - 1-1.5 hour naps. On the weekends at home with us, he takes 2 naps.

Feeding
Still gets 6 bottles/feedings a day for a total of 30-35 ounces. I still am breastfeeding/nursing. He gets nursed for sure 2 times a day during the week, would be 3 if I didn't have tax season. I never expected to go this long but as long as I'm producing, I can't imagine just stopping. I never had a goal before but now hope to make it to the one year mark.

He also gets 3 solid meals a day. Breakfast after 9 am bottle, lunch at noon and dinner at 6.

Diaper Size
Cloth diapers!!! Still going good and have had no problems with leaks lately.

Clothes Size
Baby clothes are soooo weird. He has a few 6 month outfits he still fits in. He is wearing 9 month for the majority of this clothes. In 9 & 12 month PJ's.

Hair Color
Blonde with hints of brown. I feel like it's getting darker as he gets older.

Eye Color
Blue eyes with long lashes just like his daddy!!!

Milestones
-walking around furniture like it's his job
-First time away from mom and dad overnight. We went to Mexico so my mom and sister watched him. He did wonderful but I missed him like crazy...don't know if I can ever do that again ;)
-My mom and sister taught him how to go up the stairs...he loves doing it.
-started finger food
-Turner learned how to clap this month...it is seriously the cutest thing!

Likes
-ABC's - can't get enough of them
-when we sing to him in the car if he's upset. If he is crying in his car set, all we need to do is bust out 'Wheels on the Bus', 'If you're Happy and you know it' or 'Itsy bitsy spider' and he's calms down.
-all food still. There has not been on single thing that he does not like...thank gosh
-Tuner loves the bath tub. His favorite thing to do is crawl in the bathroom and stand up to the bathtub. He just stares at his big ducky tub hoping bath time is coming. He then bang his hands on the tub like a drum with excitement.


Dislikes
-he now hates getting his diaper changed. Making him sit still for longer than 30 seconds is SO HARD! We have to give him something to hold/put in his mouth so that he lets us.
-getting dressed. I have to make this a game so he doesn't get mad.

He loves his lil' vibrating piggy on his teething gums

He is so perfect!!!

Standing like pro...not problem!!!

Celebrated Valentines Day!!

Turner,

You are my perfect baby! I still can't believe that I get to be your mama. You make your dad and I laugh all the time. You facial expressions are hilarious. You are so determined to do everything....whether it be moving objects that are in your way or not taking a nap, you really don't give up! If you do surrender, you will cry for a few seconds and be over it. You won't let a lil' boo boo get in your way either. From day 1...the most used word to describe you was 'strong' and strong you are. You hit your head, no big deal...you fall, no big deal, you get your 2nd flu shot...no big deal! You amaze us everyday.Tax season is almost over which also means you almost turn 1. I'm not sure where the last 9 months have gone because they truly have been the best! I love you with all my heart!!!!

xoxo...mum

  

Lent

Lent has arrived...and boy did it arrive fast. On Tuesday I saw someone posted what they were giving up for lent and that is when I realized that he next day was Ash Wednesday. 

*bad Catholic, bad Catholic*

I've been so consumed with work and spending time with my family, I hadn't even realized that Easter was six weeks out. I'm excited though because by the time Easter arrives, tax season will be over...can I get a wooohoooooo!!!

So what to give up. In years past, I have given up chocolate, treats in general, alcohol...just to name a few.

I've taken a different route this year and decided to give up my Twitter & Facebook phone apps.

No more checking those on my phone. I felt like I was on it CONSTANTLY and what better way to cut the habit then give it up for lent. So we are now a few days in...so far so good. I only check Facebook at home (have yet to check Twitter)...and that's only if I feel like turning on the computer, which is for the most part, I don't want to but sometimes need to for work.

I will also be partaking in meatless Fridays. Not too hard for me considering I am not much of a meat person anyway, but still something to think about. I always have to remind Tate to not eat meat...he always forgets. 

So if you message me on FB or tweet me something, probably be a few longer hours than normal of when I would respond because I'm taking a small social media break. Who knows, it may become a new norm.

Don't worry, I did NOT delete IG off my phone...that would just be ridiculous when I have a cute baby to share with the world ;)

Did you give up anything lent?

Turner's 6 month photos

We took Turner's 6 month photos outside...in winter...on what was somewhat of a cold day...
(it was above 10 degrees)

To say he was a trooper was an understatement...we got all our pictures done in 20 minutes. So thankful for Kimberly Williams Photography for capturing these special moments!!!

This one is my fav...my boys, my heart!!

Turner - 8 months

February 2, 2014

8 months...WWWHHHAAATT!?!?!

Baby Stats:

Weight

19.4 lbs
(I'm not sure our accurate this is since it was on the home scale and it's not much different than 7 months...but he did start crawling right after 7 months so I guess being more active will slow down the weight gain).

Length
28" (92nd percentile) @ his 6 month check up

Sleep
Turner is still sleeping good. I'm afraid I will jinx it if I say anything...but I don't remember the last time we had to get up in the middle of the night for him [knock on wood]. This is especially nice since I'm working long days and really don't feel like I can function on my limited sleep that I am getting, imagine throwing in a waking baby - I don't even want to think of that!

Daily Routine
Not much change here. What we have going is working for us and our lil' man so I don't want to change anything up. Wakes at 7 - Bed at 8:30 (that actual time he is put down into his crib, bedtime routine starts at 8). 2 naps during the day + 2 little ones in the car to and from daycare. Sometimes he only takes one long nap during the day that will last 2-3 hours.

Feeding
This is another area that is working for us that I don't want to change. Turner gets a total of 35 ounces during the day in 6 feedings. Since it's tax season, I usually only get to nurse him 2x a day vs 3. On Wed & Friday it is 3x.  We've tried stretching him to 4 hours between feedings thinking he was ready and boy was he not. He goes 3 hours between, sometimes it stretches out to 4 (especially if he's napping), but otherwise it's still 3 and it's OK with us. I tell Tate he eats like his mama...6 small meals during the day! He is also getting 3 solid meals a day. A little breakfast after his 9 o'clock bottle...usually a fruit. Then lunch is at noon after his bottle and is usually rice or oatmeal. Dinner is a veggie (or mixed veggies).

Diaper Size
We still cloth diaper. I think I need to strip the diapers, just haven't gotten around to it yet. Turner has yet to get a diaper rash (once again, knocking on wood). If he shows any start of redness, we slather on some coconut oil and it goes away in a day. We did increase the snap size on his diapers. Mostly using the BumGenius brand as we have the best luck with those.

Clothes Size
Turner wears 6 month and 9 month sleepers. He is growing out of many of his 6 month clothes, so we is currently wearing the remaining ones that fit and 9 month clothing.

Hair Color
Blonde with hints of brown. I feel like it's getting darker as he gets older.

Eye Color
Blue eyes with long lashes just like his daddy!!!

Milestones/Likes/Dislikes
Learning to give (open mouth) kisses when we ask for them. It's the best!!!

CRAWLING FORWARD. This one was huge! About a week after he turned 7 months he learned to crawl forward and there has been no stopping him.



Not only is he crawling, but he's also standing. He loves to crawl up to something, get on his knees and then to try to stand. It is the cutest thing to see how determined he is to try all these new things.

Mama's lil' helper with laundry!!!

Turner is now officially obsessed with Mya. He is ALWAYS looking for her and want her to pay attention to him. She still really doesn't want anything to do with him unless he has food on his face. When he is in his bouncer, he will jump, scream and constantly try to get her attention. It is the cutest thing ever.

Turner also loves everything except his toys. Wants to get into everything...including tupperware. I sometimes wonder why we even have kid toys. All he really wants is everything he can't have or that is not his.

Has fun at daycare (Angie's) with his friend Colton. Colton has had a hard time adjusting to starting daycare...he would just cry all day. Once Turner learned to crawl, he would crawl over to Colton while he was crying and would try to console him (at least that is what Angie took it as...we will go with it).

Turner still dislikes being his high chair without food...so we started to give him a mum mum to keep him occupied until we have his food ready.

Still doesn't like to be in his crib if he's ready to be up for the day.

Can you tell it's tax season...here is his monthly photo, taken 2 weeks late...with socks on and not lined up on the rug how I would like...and I'm lucky to get a picture without his arms flying all over! Oh...and it was taken with the phone...not the nice camera! #monthlyupdatefail

Turner,

What was life like before you...I seriously don't remember and really don't care to. I say this every month...but being your mom is the best thing ever! Even though life is crazier with you...it is so worth it! Your smile melts my heart and your giggles make me cry! We hear constantly how cute you are and our daycare lady, Angie gets told all the time that she is so lucky to watch you...which she knows she is! Love you so much...like more than you will ever know!

xoxo...mama

  

It's the big LOVE day!!!

And Turner's pretty dang excited about it...

and if he's excited...the WHOLE house is excited because this little person has everyone wrapped around his tiny little fingers and we all don't mind!

I ALWAYS tell Tate to NOT buy me flowers for Valentines Day. I'm actually not really a flower/plant type of person. I just can't enjoy them because I know they will die. I'm frugal and would be annoyed he spent so much money on flowers that will die than enjoy them! We usually exchange cards and have a nice dinner @ home. He has bought me flowers in prior years for Valentines Day...but they were grocery store flowers, which is totally OK with me because they were priced just right and lived just as long as the people that received flowers that were triple the cost of mine!

Earlier this week I went searching for a special and nice card for him and found a few I liked. I then looked @ back @ the price (because that is what frugal people do) and they were all over $7 ($6.99 to be exact). $7 FOR A DANG CARD!! I can get 2 different 1/2 price appetizers at Applebee's for that much (Applebee's did not pay me to say that & I honestly don't remember the last time we went to Applebee's to enjoy those appetizers...probably when I was pregnant, now I am hungry)!

So I left without a card because I can't spend that much on a card that he will read and throw in a drawer to collect dust for a few years. So I called him and told him that he shouldn't buy me a card either because they are outrageously priced. I mentioned that we should instead just write love notes to each other. That way it's our own words and meaningful and it doesn't cost a damn penny. So now I need to actually write mine...It's all in my head, just need to put in on paper!

So there you have it...another aspect of my life I am trying to control, what my husband does for me for Valentines Day. He actually has free reign to do whatever he wants for me...but he knows I'm an obsessive frugal freak, so I know that no matter what he does...he will ALWAYS get it right! I just had to tell him about that card thing because he knows I love to get cards...but I am not all about spending that much on a card! So now I guess I am more a 'handwritten love note' kind of person!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

First time...

This Friday marks a few first milestones...

First time that I will ever take a vacation during tax season. So thankful for my work letting me go with my husband to Mexico to celebrate the love of some great friends!

Celebrating the marriage of Matt & Randi Rae!!

First time I will be in a swimsuit since having Turner. Wish me luck as I will be hanging with a bunch of ladies that have never been pregnant and will be rocking there 20 something bodies that I once had! Granted I did work my butt off to get back into shape for this trip, I just wish I my stomach was more toned. Yes, I am so critical of myself...aren't we all?!! I've decided to be proud of how far I have come and that I am very lucky to be back into shape as most women have a difficult time with this.

First time I will be away from Turner for longer than 10 hours...including our first overnight away from him! I know he will be fine as my mom and sister will be @ our house taking care of him, but that doesn't mean I am going to miss him like CRAZY!!

 
Thank gosh for technology...we will be Facetiming twice a day to see this precious face!!

First time we are going on a vacation together since our honeymoon to Cabo in October 2011. It is much needed!!! I look forward to relaxing with my toes in the sand and with a drink in my hand (yes I know I rhymed) ;)

First time I will be drinking more than 2 drinks since finding out I was pregnant in September 2012. I am probably going to be a hot mess more talkative and tell everyone that I love them ;) but this mama plans to take full advantage of the all inclusive resort and that I don't have to wake and take care of Turner!!!

I have big plans to do a recap of our trip on here..so stay tuned. At the rate I am going...I should have it up by this fall considering I have posts yet from last July still in draft form that I haven't posted!

Happy HUMP day my friends :)

Tax Season

Tax season officially started on Monday, January 20th. 

I have a big love/hate relationship with it.

I love my job and I love that the time consuming months are when it's cold and sloppy out. I love helping my clients and I really enjoy my co workers. I love that I feel like I am finally at a job that 'I belong' and that I feel appreciated and needed. I love the family/life balance they allow me to have.

I hate the long days and I hate that it's 4:50 am on Friday morning and I've been up already for over an hour working. I hate that I miss out on so much time with my husband and son.

But that's exactly who I do it for. I do it to provide a good home and life for my son. I do it so he can grow up and learn the importance of work/career, but not lose sight about family. 

I'm working my butt off this tax season not only because the work is there...but I want to show myself and my employer, that even with being a new mom, I can still do the hours and still provide outstanding work all while maintaining a life outside of work that involves spending time with my lil' family and my friends.

Not only am I working 70 hour weeks, I am still making time for the gym 3-4 days a week (over my lunch hour), still pumping/breastfeeding Turner, going to Mexico for a 4 day vacation/friend wedding and making time for friends where time allows.

I have goals...one major goal is I want to be promoted to Manager and I hope by proving myself this tax season that motherhood has not slowed or affected my work, a promotion will result. 

So here is to 81 more days of living in my office (kind of..I'm actually working from home right now) and to a great tax season full of laughter, tears (because I miss my son and husband) and to achieving what I am working so hard for.