Holiday Family Pictures

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is take our holiday pictures.  Now that we've found an amazing photographer it's so easy to get it set up.  The kids have a good time.  We run around and play and end up with such great pictures.   I love to see our family get older every year.

I waited 'till the last possible minute to get these pictures taken in hopes for snow, but it never came.  It was so cold and windy this day that we had to make it super quick.  Poor Peyton couldn't really handle the cold and Jeff had to take him to the car a couple of times to warm up.   Noah on the other hand loved every minute.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even feel the cold.  Next year I should just suck it up and realize there is no way we're having snow pictures.  Either way, we got what we needed and we were in and out in about 40 minutes.  Success.

Peyton - 17 Weeks Old

Noah 19 Weeks

Here we are another five weeks late and another update done way too late.  What a great five weeks it's been though. Peyton has been sleeping much better, started solids and is getting in to a much better routine.  The kid is growing fast and is still smiling all the time.  He's so fun to have around the house.

• How old is Peyton?: 17 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:  16 lbs | Size 2 diapers | 6-9mo clothes
• Sleep: He is still all crazy with the swaddle.  We know he wants it and sleeps great in it but then rolls over so that's not good.  We've been swaddling him with his hands out the last couple of weeks and just putting him on his belly since he can roll over anyway and he's been doing much better.  

 Up for the day between 7-8
 Nap an hour late
 Nap 1: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.25 ish hours
 Nap 2: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.25 ish hours
 Nap 3: 1-1.5 hrs
 Up until about 7p
 Down for the night around 7-7:30p

• Milestones: We started solid food!  He eats so good and I can already tell he's going to be just like Noah eating everything we give him.  So far we've tried bananas, apple sauce, cereal, sweet potatoes and peas. 
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: So excited for Christmas.  Peyton is almost sitting on his own which will be so fun having him watch everyone on Christmas.  Noah is really getting into the holidays and giving and wrapping presents so I know he'll be super excited this year to be a part of everything. We'll be having lots of family time and really it'll just be a lot less work for everyone so it'll be nice to have a little break too.  Time is passing just too quick and soon enough our little guy is going to be a half a year old. Oh my.

Picking a Christmas Tree

Once we moved into our new house last year and no longer had carpet, we decided it would be a great idea to head out and get a real tree.  I've never really been opposed just really grew up with artificial ones. Jeff on the other hand was able to go out with his family and cut one down often and I know how much he loved doing that, so now we get to do it too.  And no excuses because we don't have carpet anymore!  After lasts years not so great experience of going way too late, it getting dark and being way too cold, we made sure this year we were well prepared and the kids were ready to go.  We bundled them up nice and tight, headed out right after nap time and it worked out great!  We picked a tree out nice and fast and Jeff cut it while the kids and I explored.  We packed it up and had it up in the house in a couple of hours.  Much better than last year!

We decided to get different lights for our tree this year and didn't have enough, so we waited for a couple of days to get it all decorated.  Not Noahs not favorite idea.  I'm pretty sure he asked about the tree about a million times before we finally were able to decorate it. Then once we were all done he kept asking if we were sure we were done and why we didn't have more decorations to put up.  It's safe to say he's already enjoying the Christmas season.

Enjoying the Warm Winter Weather

I realize this is super late, but as usual, being a stay at home mom (not really, but still being on maternity leave) leaves me no time to keep up here.  Who knew all the extra time at home meant I was even more busy than working full time.  Luckily for us so far, this winter has been super warm and we've been enjoying the outdoors as much as possible until the dreaded snow arrives. A couple of weeks ago, Noah and I went for a late night walk to look at the stars and ended up in the backyard cuddled under a blanket while making up stories and looking for shooting stars.  Last week, we took Peyton out to explore outside.  We bundled him up in the stroller while Noah and I jumped in puddles and walked around in the rain.

Noah thought it was so great that we could go outside while raining.  Every kid should be able to run around outside and get wet and dirty.  Of course I made him take all his clothes off out in the garage after we were done. None of that dirt needed to get in the house. We ended up with huge collection of rocks and sticks after our walk and made the weirdest art project ever a couple of days later.  We literally glued the rocks and sticks to a paper plate and added random pieces of paper and felt.  He was so proud; he facetimed pretty much every single family member to show them his creation.  *art projects for cheap*

So we're hoping this weather continues as long as possible.  I'm looking forward to some playdates in the snow but lets be honest, I rather be at the beach than bundled up outside with the kiddos.

when you realize family-time is the best time

After a crazy week we finally made it to a couple of days at home with the kids.  With Hillary visiting GV last week and then Jeff training for a couple more days, our weekend at home as a family pretty much dissipated and instead we worked our butts off trying to make everything work.  Finally on Sunday we got some good quality time and realized how nice it is to all be together...and how much easier it all is.

I'm back at work today but Jeff still has a couple of days off and we're going to soak it up as much as we can.  Peyton is growing up quick and part of me is loving being home more and working less.  Such a change than when Noah was this old.  We're looking forward to a great Thanksgiving week with lots of family cuddles and maybe even a nap or two to catch up.

Happy Halloween!

I'm really not super into Halloween and my favorite part about this holiday has always been to be at work.  I loved how busy it was and all the crazy calls we got. Since Noah didn't really get what it was all about the last couple of  years we've never really celebrated, but now we don't have a choice.  Noah totally gets it and now that he's been able to experience getting all the free candy, I don't think we'll ever get away with forgetting about it.

We went to Grand Valley and walked around the housing area where all the students were giving out candy.  Noah had a blast and was super cute heading to all the kids' apartments.  We made out with some really good candy which I'm super excited to steal.

Noah was really set on being a princess for the longest time and although a little leery I thought I would go with it.  Plus Peyton would have made a great frog.  Eventually, after walking around target we discovered a DocMcstuffins costume and he was insistent he wanted to be her.  No problem, plus I had a coupon.  Score.  When we went to try it on we realized it was super small and only came in one size.  Crazy enough, Noah had no problem wearing another doctor outfit and so we settled on that. Next year though, matching costumes for the kids.

Peyton - 12 Weeks Old

Noah 12 Week Update

Man, it's been five weeks since a Peyton update?  If that doesn't scream second child, I don't know what does.  Peyton is growing up so fast and getting so strong.  He smiles and talks all the time and really is just a happy baby.  We can't complain with how easy he's been.

• How old is Peyton?: 12 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:  Just over 14lbs | Size 2 diapers | Just moved to 3-6mo clothes
• Sleep: So sleep has been super weird the last five weeks.  We went from amazing 9ish hours of sleep at night to waking up random.  Partly because he's managed to get out of the swaddle and apparently can't handle sleeping without it. He's still going down at 7 and sleeping 7-9 hours most of the time and then getting up around 7-8 so not too bad but you just never know when he's going to get out of the swaddle and then we have to wake up anyway to re-swaddle him. I can't wait till the swaddle phase is over.  During the day he takes good naps and we eat about every three hoursish.  His longest awake time is at night from about 5:15-7 and then he's back down for the day. 
• Milestones: Nothing super new.  He has rolled over both ways but only twice from back to belly.  He can sit in the bumbo on his own and I may have even let him try some apple sauce which he likes.  I can't wait to introduce solids.
• Best Moment of the Week:  We've been so busy, but honestly one of the great things about Peyton is how he just adapts to whatever is going on.  He's such an easy-going baby.
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: October is almost over! ...which means Jeff will be home more often, things will slow down and we'll all get to spend some good family time together; that is if GV football team doesn't go to playoffs. *eye-roll*  Otherwise, there's Thanksgiving and Christmas which I'm super excited for.  Lots of time off and lots of family!

Our First Trip to the ER

It's been quite the couple of days.  On Thursday I was getting ready to go to my barre class; I had Peyton fed and ready to go, we were all packed, and I got a call from school that Noah had bumped his head and  had to pick him up because he probably needed stitches.  Of course I didn't think it would be that bad but we stopped by school and sure enough it granted a trip to the emergency room.  I packed up both boys and spent a nice two house visit at the ER.  Luckily everything went great, the hospital staff was amazing and Noah was super brave after getting his four stitches.

Jeff worked all weekend so the boys and I kept busy with Target trips, a visit from Papa Bill and Aunt Jenny, lots of help from Noah with baking and cooking, and lots of post nap snuggles with the kids. Our week ahead is just a busy with both Jeff and I working lots.  Noah has his Fall Harvest Festival in which he'll be singing some songs with his class.  I'm super excited to watch him and he's super excited to be able to show me how good he sings.  We've been practicing around the house for the last two weeks singing the same songs over and over and he's ready to go!

Peyton keeps getting bigger and bigger every day too.  It's so much more fun this time around.  Maybe Noah hanging out and me going back to work early has made a difference but I'm really enjoying being with Peyton so much more while he's this little.  He talks and smiles and is such a happy baby.  I don't even remember what life without him was like. So here's to another busy weekend.  Hope that we all make it all in one piece and no more injuries would be great.

Pumpkin Patch Adventures

I promise I'm still here and alive.  I feel like I should have time to update on here but somehow when I get to work I'm actually doing work things or the million other things on my to-do list. We're still chugging along this fall semester.  It seems as busy as ever with Jeff still working a ton and now with two kids.   I've been making an effort to get out of the house and do more activities when Jeff isn't home and that's proven to make time go by faster which is nice.  We've done a couple of family yoga classes, art classes and a couple of trips to the park.  By far Noah's favorite, although closely followed by the art classes.  I've been heading out to Barre classes which I'm obsessed with.  They're such a great workout and I just can't get enough.

We do sometimes get to spend time together as a family and last week we headed out to the pumpkin patch to get pumpkins, cider and lots of apples for applesauce.  Noah's biggest concern was getting his doughnut before we left, not really the pumpkins.   He was a good helper though walking around looking for the best one.  We loaded up the pumpkins, picked up some cider and a ton of apples and finally headed home with two happy kids.  So, success!

Next on our list is to carve the pumpkins which should be quite the adventure with Noah this year.  I wonder if he'll be brave enough to stick his hands inside.  Part of me thinks he will just want to go at it with the saw and "help".

Peyton - Seven Weeks Old

Noah Seven Week Update

We're starting to really get in a good routine at home.  Finally settling into having two little people around the house.  I feel like Peytons' been here way longer than he has.  Noah has adjusted quite well to Peyton and is mostly a good helper unless he's in one of his moods. #justlikemom  Then he just throws a toddler fit and we try and pass time until he gets his crap together again. Overall though, we're doing much better than expected.  I wonder if Peyton just seems easier because we've already done it once before or because he really is an easier baby.... not that Noah was that hard but more overwhelming switching from no kids to one?  Who knows.

I'm finally back at work for a couple of days a week and that is super nice.  Great to get a little computer time in and get stuff done.  Also great to talk to adults and laugh at how ridiculous and highschoolish adults still are.  I missed that. Going back part time will be nice in the long run too because I'll technically be part time until Christmas so I'll be able to be home with the kids a little more for longer.  Really it's best for everyone.

• How old is Peyton?: 7 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:  Just under 12lbs
• Sleep: 4-5 hour stretches at night and we try to wake him up during the day if it's been three ish hours since he last ate. He's typically up for about an hour and then sleeps for about two... all day long. We put him down for the night sometime between 6p-8p depending on how fussy he is but his witching hour/s haven't been that bad (like Noah was) so it's a little easier. At night usually he will sleep 7ish - midnight ish - 4ish - up for the day anywhere from 6a-8a.  Depending on if Jeff is working that night he might take the first feed and then I do the next otherwise we switch.  It's nice only getting up once at night. =)
• Milestones: His head continues to seem really strong.  I'm amazed at how well he has control.  Maybe it's because his head is not as big as Noahs was.  The best though is all the smiling this kid does.  He cooing and the noises are so fun.  He's such a happy kid and as long as he's not gassy or hungry he's so content. 

• Weigh Progress: I had my six week check up and I probably have 7-10 lbs to lose but I'm not super worried.  My pants fit so that's good enough.  
• Best Moment of the Week:  Grandma came back down this week for a surprise couple of days which was great.  Going back to work was also much needed and I'm happy to get back to some sort of routine. 
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Grandma #2 is here this coming weekend which means more help, more cuddles and more sleep.  ...and maybe my first night out for a couple of drinks which is also much needed. 

Peytons' Birth Announcements with Basic Invite

This post was sponsored by Basic Invite but all opinions are my own.  Thanks for supporting the brands that support this little corner of the web. 

What great timing it was when Basic Invite approached me about promoting their wonderful products a couple of months back.  After looking at their website and seeing all the amazing options they had for cards, announcements, and invitations I immediately knew I wanted to use them for Peytons baby announcement.  Every baby needs a good announcement for their baby book, am I right? No #secondchildprobs here.

They have such a great selection of products, and my most favorite thing that sets them apart is the customization options for everything.  You can change the font and the color for pretty much anything which means you can match the card to any event you have.  So great!  You could spend hours making it just like you imagined but it's so easy you can do it in minutes for the parents out there that just need to get it done. 

We went with something more simple to let the pictures do the talking.  I mean, how cute is this child smiling at four days old?!  The Welcome Blessing Birth Announcement was so perfect for this.  And the back with all the extra pictures was such a fun extra touch.  We sent them out to all of our friends and family and we couldn't be happier that we found this new brand.  Check them out at Basic Invite to learn more about their wonderful selection of paper products!

Peyton - Three Weeks Old

Noah Three Week Update

The first two weeks really seemed to fly by and then this week came and I feel like the lack of sleep is really catching up to all of us. Jeff is back to work working longer hours and really, we're just trying to make it all through. Luckily Grandma came for the week, and getting a little extra help has been amazing. Life with two kids really amps things up and makes you wish you knew how good you had it with just one. With Noah only napping for about an hour to an hour and a half each day, days are long and finding time to catch your breath is tough.  Either way, here we are with two and I'm looking forward to the first night I finally sit in bed at 8 after everyone is in bed and I know I'm going to get a continuous stretch of sleep.  ...Only a couple more months, right?

• How old is Peyton?: 3 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:
• Total weight gain since birth: 
• Sleep: 3-4 hour stretches at night and we try to wake him up during the day if it's been three ish hours since he last ate. He's typically up for about an hour and then sleeps for about two... all day long until night time when he's fussy and it takes me forever to put him down for the night. Some days better than others.
• Milestones: His head is really strong.  Much stronger than I remember Noah being.  Starting to coo a little and make little noises.  Smiles some which is so nice. 

• What Mom misses: Honestly, I'm doing ok other than I just want to sleep more, but we're making it through.  Especially last week with Grandma being around we've been able to catch up here and there.  I do miss Jeff being home.  Taking care of two kids is no fun when your husband works 60 hrs a week.
• Weigh Progress: I gained 35lbs with Peyton.  Way more than with Noah at 25.  I've already dropped 30lbs so I'm pretty close to where I started.  Obviously we just have a lot of toning up to do.  I'm way out of shape.
• Best Moment of the Week:  Having grandma around has been great for many reasons.  Sleep obviously, help with keeping Noah busy and just having someone around that can have adult conversations is super nice.  A pair of helpings hands really is nice when you just need a break.
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Well, fall is just so busy I worry about how hard is going to be with two kids.  I really just want to go back to work.  Life there is so much easier.... I'm hoping that as Peyton sleeps better at night we'll all be more rested and can keep moving forward a couple of months until we settle into a little bit more of a routine. 

Diapering with Caboo Baby Wipes

This post was sponsored by Caboo Paper Products but all opinions are my own.  Thanks for supporting the brands that support this little corner of the web. 

When Caboo Paper approached me about trying out some of their baby wipes, I was excited to accept after researching their brand.   They're made with renewable bamboo and sugarcane and 100% biodegradable.  Not only that, but they are perfect for newborn booties because they are fragrance free and don't have any added inks or dyes.

You can buy them are local health foods stores.  Check here for a list of retailers near you or you can buy here on Amazon. We're already almost two weeks in to using them, and even after countless diaper changes newborns go through, we have yet to get a diaper rash like with some of the other brands of wipes that dry out the little toosh.  We've used them in the nursery for nighttime and I even have a pack in my diaper bag for those rare occasions where I'm getting out of the house this early postpartum.  Check them out at Caboo Paper to learn more about this great brand. 

Baby Brother has Arrived

We're very excited to announce that baby brother has finally arrived.... that is, over a week ago. Eeek.  Obviously we've been pretty busy with the two, and free time has been rare but we're very much in love with our new baby and enjoying almost every minute. (except the middle of the night constant feedings)

Peyton David

8lbs 9oz, 20.5in

Born Saturday, August 6th, 2016 @ 1:57pm