Just an ordinary day...

I have had a marvelous day. Let me start by saying I did NOT sleep last night. Rhett likes to party at 2 am. I woke up SO sore and exhausted. I drank TWO iced coffees, took Hudson to school and came home to rest with my baby. When I got home I felt refreshed (ahem, coffee?), decided to coupon and go shop at target instead. Rhett was an angel in his carrier while we were out which is so rare. We had lunch with our favorite cop and my bestie, Jackie, at a cute outdoor bistro. We went to the associate store and scored some great berries and picked Hudson up. Hudson had a great day and the weather was so great I took him through sonic to get a slushy. We came home and spent 2 hours outside in the sunshine, took baths and both boys are already in their PJs. 

I know you probably don't really care about my day. It was an ordinary day. I didn't cross one thing off of my to-do list for the second day in a row. I have mountains of laundry to be folded and dusty tables... But I feel like for the first time since becoming a mom of two, I managed the whole day well and all by myself. I had patience and grace with my children. 

All that to say, the thing that made all of the difference in my day was that before he walked out the door this morning, my husband got to his knees and prayed for me and for my day. Hudson came in and saw us praying together. I want nothing more from this life than to raise Godly children who see that example through their daddy and I. No I do not have it together, I looked like a hot mess dropping Hudson off today but as my previous post stated, Hudson thought I looked great when I picked him up. He told me this morning that he loved me to the sun and back. These are the moments that matter.

Jesus, help me to remember that the laundry can wait, the dusty tables aren't going to hurt anyone and its ok to have frozen pizza for dinner sometimes. My babies are only babies for a short time. I want them to see YOU in all I do... And sometimes the best ways to show them that are through sonic slushies and playing in the sandbox. 

Rhett is 2 months old!

Rhett turned 2 months old last Saturday. We had his two month check up on last Monday and he is a growing boy! So he is officially 10 weeks old this week!

Rhett--
-You weigh 10 lbs on the money! You've ALMOST doubled your birth weight, big boy!
-You've offically outgrown (in length) your newborn outfits. So we are in 0-3 months now!
-I am just in the process of moving you to size 1 diapers because I am tired of cleaning up blow-outs.
-You're nursing every 2.5-3 hours in the day.
-At night you've been nursing around 9:30 and going until 4 without eating for the last three nights. Momma is pushing baby wise on you and it's working!
-You just started smiling this last week! yay!
-You are a momma's boy through and through, and I am ok with it!
-You are a snuggler and love being held 24/7.
-I moved you out of our room this week and into your room and we have all slept much better.
-You were diagnosed with colic about two weeks ago. We started lactobacillus drops and they have helped. Our worst time is about 4-7 pm... but you do fine if I just sit and rock you.
-You are my little bitty pride and joy, an exact replica of your daddy, we are all (including big brother) just smitten with you!

colic time

sweet baby smiles

Motivation

See this girl? (on the right, with the curly hair...)

That's me, in college. Most people go to college and gain weight like crazy. I went to college and lost weight. I have always had issues with my weight. My Senior year in high school I lost 16 lbs which kick started my love for exercise. I will never be the type of person who can get away without exercising. I ended up rooming with all cross country runners in college who all ate healthy and ran daily... so what did I do? Ate healthy and ran 3-6 miles (and did one half marathon) daily.

This picture was Valentines Day 2007.
It is significant for two reasons...
1. Because that is the night Bryan and I officially started dating again. The last meal of my "single" life was out with my friends that night.
2. Because I tore my ACL (ligament in my right knee) playing basketball with said roommates 6 days later... basically ending my running career... except when I started running again after we got married and tore it again and had a second surgery... but that is a whole different story.

So what has bad impact on weight... serious (comfortable) relationships and inactivity.

Why am I posting this?

Well because 2 babies and 6 years later I have packed on like 70ish lbs. I look at that girl in that picture and see the body I used to have... (and funny enough I thought I was fat then too) and I want that back. I want to fit into cute clothes again. I have already lost 25 lbs post baby so I am looking at 45-50 lbs more to lose.

My hubby just did insanity and has been eating crazy healthy which is a huge inspiration to me. He is 5 lbs from his goal weight and looks amazing. I am so proud of him but somewhat jealous that he just had to buy all new clothes for work because he was swimming in his others. SO I started insanity this week. It's been a challenge because of my knee there are still some things I can't really do. My orthopedic doctor basically told me I couldn't run ever again and I needed to be careful with high impact stuff because I would be looking at a total knee replacement before I was 40 since I have already had two ACL surgeries on the same knee. So with a few modifications I powered through the workouts. I am SO sore but am hoping to see results quickly. Since it will be YEARS before I (hopefully) get pregnant again, I am also hoping to lose weight to minimize complications that I had with both of my first two pregnancies. I am also following the insanity diet, with an added meal since I am nursing and don't want to deplete my milk supply.

Bryan took before pictures of me. I am horrified. I haven't even looked at them, but I saw my squishy, stretch marked belly in the mirror and know they aren't pretty. When I lose enough weight, I might share them with y'all.

All of that said... the girl in that picture wasn't a happy girl... being skinny didn't make me happy. I was lonely and sad. I had a lot of self-confidence issues then and I was terribly moody. My marriage and babies have made me the most happy person in the whole world. God made me to be a wife and mommy. Those things make me happy. Do I want to be skinny? YES! Of course. But realistically that isn't going to make me happy.

So my days of cookies (my downfall) and soda are gone. I have given up my diet coke. I have (twice) in the last 24 hours ignored the Oreos that are in my fridge screaming EAT ME and have eaten a handful of grapes instead... it's the small thing, people.

Please please please let me know if you're on this journey too, I am sure I will need all of the encouragement I can get. It's hard to make myself work out on NO sleep... but you've got to start somewhere and... well here I am.

Rhett Joseph 7 weeks old and changes at work!

Oh baby Rhett... how you make my heart so so happy. You are the snuggliest little guy ever. I wouldn't normally be doing a 7 week post, but I did a 6 wk with Hudson and want to be able to compare!

Rhett--
-You've officially outgrown all the preemie clothes and diapers. We are fitting in the newborn stuff well!
-You're still nursing like a champ, every 3 hours AROUND-THE-CLOCK... or 2.5 like yesterday when you're growing.
-I think you're around 9 lbs. We will find out for sure at the doctor for your 2 month check up in a few weeks.
-Your big brother is obsessed with you. He thinks you're the greatest thing ever. He brings the ipad over to you and lets you watch his shows with him. He brings you Buzz and Woody and all of his digs to play with. I really think he can't wait until you can actually play with him. He is mommy's helper and loves to give you your paci.
-Your favorite place to sleep (other than with momma) is in your rock-and-play by the fireplace. Not necessarily with the fireplace on, but just with the fan on. It's sweet.
-I've started playing Praise Baby for you. You love it and will instantly quiet down, most of the time.
-You hate the car. We must work on that... especially since Hudson loves the car.
-You're becoming so much more alert lately. You have a long period in the morning when you're really happy and cooing. We haven't seen you smile yet, but brother and I try SO hard to get you to!
-You met Grandma Jeda this week. She has spent hours and hours holding you and loving on you. It is special time for me to see her with you. It makes my heart so happy that both of my grandmas (your great-grandmas!) get to spend time with you (and helping me!).
-You're doing better with neck and head control, but aren't a fan of tummy time yet.
-You love being held and want to be held 24/7. You spend a lot of time in the Moby wrap when it's just us and brother.
-I think you're just perfect, especially since you're really just 3 weeks old gestationally! Now if we could just start working on sleeping more at night. I'm not asking for much... just more than 2 hours of sleep at a time would be nice!

I am also excited that I found out this week for sure that I am switching my schedule at work. We are so blessed that Bryan found out that he got a promotion literally the day before I had Rhett... God has incredible timing! I have been working 2 12-hr day shifts a week since Hudson was born, and I really liked that schedule but with circumstances beyond our control for now with our childcare, we have decided to switch things up. I will just be working Friday nights when I go back to work in May. While that does kind of mess up our Saturdays, it lets me be a stay-at-home mommy with my boys. Bryan will be home with them while I am working on Friday nights and while I sleep on Saturday mornings. I think the schedule will work out well for the summer and help me with nursing Rhett, because when I went back to work with Hudson it was impossible for me to pump there and keep nursing him. Having childcare for my babies really really stresses me out and while we've made things work with Hudson, it is too hard (and expensive!) with two kids, especially when looking for something just two days a week. It makes me happy that Rhett won't have to go anywhere while he is so little... and maybe not ever. I have been so happy with our childcare with Hudson but I don't think anyone can do as good of a job raising my boys as I can... but on the flip side of that, I really love my job, so this lets me still be a nurse one night a week, so I won't lose my skills, and I still get to have time with adults in the "real" world. I am thankful that the hospital has been so great to work with me and my schedule. It isn't every day that you find a work place or bosses that are so great... (on that note, anyone looking for a nursing job in NWA, hit me up, we'd love to have you at WRMS!) So my Fridays are going to be a bit tricky, but I think between my grandma, my dad, and Janet, hopefully I can have a little help on Fridays so I can rest before I work... and if not, I can nap when they nap and make do. I'm hardly sleeping right now anyways, ha!

Sorry my posts are few and far between... I've got my hands full and I've been battling a yucky virus that had me coughing out my lungs... I'll try to fit a post in before Rhett's 2 month post, but no promises... for now I am just enjoying my time at home with my two little loves. :-)

Things that make my life easier...

Ok, so having two kids has been VERY interesting... there are a few things that I didn't have with Hudson that I have now with Rhett that are making my life SO much easier these days! (All opinions are my own...)

 1. Moby Wrap! I was always intimidated by them before... but it is about to be spring and I want to be able to do things outside. I am NOT a fan of my Sit n Stand stroller... so this makes more sense. I can carry Rhett in the Moby and put Hudson in the regular stroller. I taught myself how to use it on YouTube and bought it for half off at a local baby outlet! Win!

2. Fisher Price Rock and Play. I have the one pictured above. Everyone at the hospital with newborns just raves about the Rock and Play. I wasn't sure how much we would use it, but I seriously love it. I carry it from room to room and Rhett sleeps in it right next to our bed. It's the perfect height so I can reach him without getting up. I got it for half off at the same local baby boutique!

3. WubbaNub Pacis. Rhett loves them. He is a month old and can already put his paci back in his own mouth because the stuffed animals are easy to grab. (I got these are Babies-R-Us... we also have an elephant and a rhino that I got at the local baby store too...)

4. Homemade Baby Wipes. Rhett has very sensitive skin. His poor bottom was so raw when he was about a week old. I had seen recipes for homemade baby wipes and decided to give them a try. After a few days of using them, Rhett's bottom was good as new and no more screaming with his diaper changes. I am using the rest of the regular wipes in the diaper bag and on Hudson, but once they're gone I am going to use these on Hudson too.

Homemade Wipes
(I looked at a few different sites and came up with this concoction)

1. Cut a roll of high quality paper towels that come in half sheets (I prefer Viva) in half with a serrated knife, take out the cardboard.
2. Boil 2 cups of water. Cool to room temperature. Put water in a tupperware container that will easily fit roll of paper towels and has a secure fitting lid. I use the ones pictured above.
3. Mix in 1 tablespoon of baby oil and 2 tablespoons of baby soap. I have noticed that the soap mixes better if you mix it when the water is still warm. I use the Aveeno Sensitive Baby Soap because that is what I use on my babies.
4. Put the half roll of paper towels in container . Let sit for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, make sure lid is secure and flip container over for another 10 minutes.
6. Wipes are ready to use, just makes sure to pull from the middle!

One container like this lasts us almost a week. I figured out the cost difference in using these vs. commercial wipes. A container of wipes at the store is about $2 for 60 wipes. One roll of Viva paper towels makes about 140 wipes. Without the use of any coupons the total for using 1/2 roll (one container) is about $1 and the only reason it is so high is because the paper towels are kind of pricey and I use the most expensive soap. I haven't tried with cheaper paper towels but I may try the "stronger" great value ones next and that will take the price way down. I love knowing that I am putting no harsh chemicals on my baby and I know exactly what is going in the wipes.

So those are a few things that are making my life easier these days... What is making YOUR life easier?

Rhett-- 1 month old!

I seriously cannot believe my baby is a month old already (tomorrow)! I was reading back to my posts from when Hudson was a month old and remember what a life change that was-- but this is SO much different.

Oh sweet baby Rhett--
-You weigh somewhere around 6.5 lbs. We have an official weight check on Thursday. You've outgrown the preemie clothes and are fitting in some of the smaller newborns now. You're about to graduate from preemie diapers to newborns when we use up the rest of the preemies.
-You are a replica of your daddy. It kind of freaks me out but I love it at the same time. You have the red-head complexion and a TON of blonde blonde hair. I am secretly hoping you have green or blue eyes-- they're dark blue right now.
-You are a pretty content little baby- as long as you're being held. Momma just bought a Moby wrap and it has been heavenly to be able to use both hands again!
-You are doing pretty good sleeping in your Rock-and-Play at night right by me. Usually you sleep with me for the last hour or so of the night.
-You're eating every 2.5-3 hours during the day and 3-3.5 at night. I am exhausted, but SO glad you're gaining weight!
-Your brother is obsessed with you. He loves it when you open your eyes and look at him. He loves to sing to you and hold you. He gives you 97 kisses a day.
-You are nursing SO well. Makes BF-ing look easy.
-You hate being naked... the only time you really scream is when I change your clothes or your diaper. Otherwise you're pretty quiet and content.
-You've mastered the art of peeing on yourself or me when your diaper is off. This is something we need to work on!
-You're still in seclusion from the world for a few more weeks... so you haven't gotten to meet all of our friends yet, but everyone who has met you agrees that you look just like daddy! Momma is too terrified of you getting RSV or the flu to go out in public too much...
-You've only had a bottle 3 or 4 times but you have done great with it so far.

We love you, Rhett. You have fit right in to our family, and it seems like you've always been here. Happy 1 Month little buddy!

Love,
Mommy


And here are our newborns... thanks to the FABULOUS Katie Cole!

Rhett's birth announcement!

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

I ordered Rhett's birth announcements this morning! I used Gifts to Grow points and got them all for free too! Woo! I also got 50 free prints of all of our newborns to give to family. I just paid $10 shipping for all of it! Pretty good deal if you ask me! I'll share Rhett's newborns, taken by the fabulous Katie Cole in a few days!