Mission to Declutter

Slightly embarassing.

This is the "knook" of our playroom. (It's a pretty large step-down area with shelving and well... you'll see.)



And here is the opposite corner.



While my children DO have too many toys, the clutter in our house is not just limited to the playroom. I think that room is where it is most obvious, but we certainly have loads of clutter in cabinets, in the attic, in yet-to-be-unpacked boxes, etc.

So my mission is to organize, declutter and have a YARD SALE! We just need to get rid of some stuff to make the organizing part of this mission possible. I'd love to set up a reading corner in the playroom, a craft area, a play area, etc. Right now, it's just so full of toys that I doubt Gavin and Mason even have any idea of what they own. Time to fix that!

Mason's 9 Month Update

This is a bit late, but our Masey Man turned 9 months old recently!

It has been a very busy time for our sweet baby boy. He is now crawling all over the place, and pulling up to stand, cruising furniture, etc. He also learned how to climb stairs! Oh man.

He sprouted two new teeth in the past week, which brings him up to 6 - four on the bottom and two on the top.

He is much more content to sit and play these days. He loves to drive cars on the floor, which is the cutest thing ever. If Gavin has a car that he is driving around, Mason will drive whatever he has in his hand, whether it be a fridge magnet, teether, etc. It does not matter.

Mason learned to say "Aye yi yi". (Which I'm sure I spelled wrong.) He also says "Daddy" now.

As far as food goes, we are still on mostly purees and a very specific diet. He is under the care of a GI, and we return for a follow-up on July 27th. I was very optimistic about his eating problems for the past two weeks, but during the last few days, it appears that his problems are coming back. It's so stressful. So far, he has successfully eaten oatmeal and pears. Not much of a diet for a 9 month old. Thank God we are still exclusively nursing!

Mason's 9 month stats:
Weight: 20lb 4oz
Height: 28 inches
Teeth: 6 chompers!

Big news in Gavin's world!

It's old news around these here parts, since it happened nearly two months ago... but.....

GAVIN IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!!

Go Gavin!

Pretty much, one day we all decided he would wear underwear. So we put him in underwear. He had one accident that day and that was IT. Voila! He was daytime trained immediately, even though two hour car rides, day trips out of the house, etc.

Probably two weeks later, he started waking up on his own at night to use the bathroom, or just waking up dry in the morning. So we all picked a day and declared it his "Last Diaper Night." The next night, we put him in underwear and he never wet the bed.

So, that was our diaper "training" saga. We didn't have to do a darn thing! He was just ready and we could not be more proud of our big guy!

Gavin, you are awesome. Great job, buddy!

Happy Birthday, Gavin!

On June 12th, my baby boy turned 3!!! I'm still not sure how it is possible.

We had a Fiesta Party! (Gav's idea.) It turned out great, even though we had to move it inside due to rain.

Here are some pictures from Gavin's big day!

Gav, chowing down on his birthday breakfast: DONUTS.



Getting into the Fiesta Spirit!



His awesome cake, made with love by his Aunt Tanya and Nana! (Thank you again!)




My boys and I, rockin' our sombreros.



Happy birthday, Gavin! We love you so much!

Post-Baby Body

So... big news in my little world! Last month, at 8 months post partum, I could FINALLY WEAR MY PRE-BABY CLOTHES!!!

Wahoo!!!!

So here is my post-baby belly, updated.





Number of months post-partum: Approximately 8
Number of crunches done: Approximately 0

(Yes, I do realize I'm rocking striped pajama bottoms.)

Mason's GI Journey

Argh. I just typed this out and the whole screen vanished! So now, you all are getting the short version, as Mason woke up from his 12 minute nap!

Yesterday we had a consult with the Pediatric GI team at Albany Med. Mason has had tons of issues since we tried to introduce solid foods almost three months ago, so our pediatrician gave us a GI referral to try and get his problems straightened out.

The consult went well and I really like the doctor we are seeing. We are going to follow a strict diet plan this month (no brown sugar!) and fill out a chart to help us track where we are.



There's his chart. Yes, I made it with crayons and construction paper. :)

Our goal is to narrow down what foods cause his problems. I have a feeling it is EVERYTHING because yes, I've tried this before, but our doctor is wondering if maybe he has outgrown some of his intolerances in the last three months and she also needs a jumping off point as to what we have retried and what works and does not. We go back to the GI on July 27th, but I have strict instructions to call immediately if I suspect he is getting constipated again. I think she is going to be a help to us, FINALLY!

I'm back to update!

Wow. Almost 3 months since I last blogged!!! I need to manage my time better. I feel like I am always rushing! But no worries, I'm back with some updates!

Conversations with Gavin

Gavin is just two months shy of his 3rd birthday. He is the most amazing kid. Every day I realize more and more how lucky I am to be his mom! We have just the best conversations.

The other day we were in the car. We had stopped for ice cream and he found 57 cents in my console, which he put in his pocket. While we were driving back home, he was telling me how he was going to spend his money. It went like this:

"Mama, I'm gonna buy you a new car. And daddy a car. And Masey a car. And I'm gonna buy you a new house, by those trees. I'll get you a zebra in your house, but no scary lions. I'll get you a birdie, but no scary spiders. I'll keep you safe, mama."

This morning, he woke up and was telling me about what happened when Grandma came to visit last night:

"Grandma came over. She brought me a new toy. It makes different shapes. She brought me jelly beans. That make me happy." Hops out of bed, lays on the floor. "I want to think about animals, mama. What do spiders eat? What do lions eat? Do lions eat steak? Lions have sharp teeth. Dolphins no have sharp teeth. Dolphins have round teeth. What do a hippopotumus do?"

Every day he surprises me more and more with what he knows, and I love talking to him.

I love you, Gav! Keep being the amazing kid you are!

So I guess I am a "crunchy" mom, and it works...

... for me. But it seems that everyone has an opinion on what I do with my kids. Even my grandmother will fight me tooth and nail regarding my opinion about carseats.

It's not to say that my choices are "right" in any way. But they are right for me and my family! I think as moms, we all want to be the best we can be. We all make decisions that we feel are right for our kids. Just because someone does it differently, doesn't mean they are wrong. They are just different. And that is what makes the world interesting!

So what makes me "crunchy"?
I'm pro-breastfeeding.
I waited until after 6 months to start solid foods with Mason.
I co-sleep.
I think my baby sling is the greatest invention. EVER. I LOVE IT.
I kept Gavin rear-facing until two years old (before it was advised by the AAP) and plan to do the same with Mason.
I cloth diaper. (Well, most of the time! I'm getting back into it! Mason is in cloth right now.)
I disagree with CIO sleep training for babies, and yes, I get up to soothe Mason every time he wakes... even if it's 6 times or more a night! YAWN.

Those are just my beliefs. And they work for me. I think everyone has the right to do what they want for their kids (within reason, of course - there are plenty of things that we can all agree are BAD). The way that I parent isn't the only way to parent - we are all raising wonderful children just the way we want to!

Mason's 1/2 Birthday!

Mason celebrated his 1/2 Birthday on March 24th! I cannot believe my little man is six months old. Time is going by much too fast. (And I don't have a picture to share just yet, as our lap top crashed and my mom graciously loaned me hers to use. So pictures to follow!)

This has been a busy time for Mason! He can now sit up on his own, and can even stand up while holding onto something for a minute or two. He grew his first two teeth and started eating solid foods. He said his first word - Dada!

As of his 6 month visit, he is up to 18.5lbs! The doctor thinks his height measurment might have been incorrect at his 4 month check up, and he measured in at 27 3/4 inches. He is wearing 12 month clothing, but can fit into some 18 month things, such as onesies. He is such a big boy!

We love you, Mason! Happy 1/2 Birthday!

Wow

I haven't blogged in over a month! I am so busy! It's kind of crazy. Between taking care of the boys, doing some freelance work and working two nights a week, I'm a busy woman! But I'm back to post some updates!!!

Random Pain

This is purely to complain.

I woke up this morning with the worst pain in my hips. It hurts to carry Mason and walk, which is unfortunate because Mason wants to be carried ALL. THE. TIME.

Then, it spread to my pelvis, so now it's a more generalized pain, though my hips still hurt.

And now, it's spreading to my lower back.

Did I fall down the stairs in my sleep or something? Yikes.

Autocorrect

Okay, so this is a lame post but I have to complain a bit.

I love my new phone, but I HATE AUTOCORRECT! Examples below:

"Mason" always autocorrects to Nazi, or Madonna. What? So if you ever see a facebook status from me saying that Nazi won't nap, or Madonna keeps puking on me, just know that it is, in fact, my little Mason Man I am referring to.

I was emailing a friend the other day and I said how I was never into workout DVDs. Except "DVDs" autocorrected to "screaming". So I told her I wasn't into "workout screaming". Isn't that how Mason got here? HAHA, nevermind!

And I think this is the funniest autocorrect error. I had the below conversation with my mom via text message:

Me: My husband is such an ass sometimes!
Mom: Why?
Me: He is just such a hero.
Mom: What? An ass and a hero?
Me: Jerk. I meant Jerk. Stupid autocorrect.

Yes, autocrrect will turn your jerky husband into a hero!

So there is my silly vent.

Oh, and regarding my below blog post... turns out it isn't my belly that is my body issue. It is my lumpy butt and thighs! GROSS! So I decided that, if I go swimming in Florida, I'm wearing the bikini I wore while pregnant. I have worse things to hide than my belly, and the boyshorts cover most of my disgusting butt.

Bathing Suit Shopping and Post-Baby Belly

So, I'm brave to show this, but here is my belly almost 5 months after having Mason. (The stretch marks are darker than they appear, lol!)

Now, I can't remember the last time I went to a gym. I was banned from working out while I was pregnant due to a high-risk pregnancy. And since then, I haven't had time! Yes, I'm making excuses. But I really don't have the time (or the gym membership!) to go. (Dear husband, please get me the treadmill I've been asking for since November, thanks!) Also, I'm still breastfeeding and plan on doing so for at least the rest of 2011, so I am always extra hungry and thirsty, and my body needs extra calories right now.

Anyway, we are going to Florida in a few weeks and I need a bathing suit! I proudly rocked a bikini while pregnant with both boys, but I want to hide my after-baby belly. I need to find a tankini. Not a tiny little strappy bikini (sigh), but something that covers my belly. And probably boy-shorts to cover my hips.

Yipee.

My Pretty New Stroller

Check it out! We've (well, I've!) been looking for a light-weight side-by-side stroller to take to Disney in a few weeks. Also, to use this spring and summer to take the boys for walks. I bought a Maclaren Twin Triumph! It's chocolate brown and beautiful! I love strollers. If I had tons of money (and Jordan wouldn't kill me) I'd likely own every beautiful stroller ever made. Anyway, this one should do the trick for Disney and warm weather! Tomorrow is supposed to be near 60 degrees, so we might get to take it for a test drive.

Cheap Diapers at Walgreens

Just wanted to share this great deal! You can get 4 Jumbo Packs of Walgreens Diapers for $10.

This week, Walgreens Brand diapers are B1G1. They are $8.99 a pack. In the front of most stores is an Infant Care Coupon Book, which offers a $2 coupon for Walgreens Diapers. You only need one coupon and it only needs to be scanned once - it will automatically be applied to all four packs of diapers, for a total discount of $8!

(To my local moms, the Walgreens on Rt. 9 had these coupon books. And I have two extra if anyone needs it!)

It cost me $10.68 for four packs - two of size 3 and two of size 4. In the size 3, you get 36 diapers. In size 4, you get 31. Not a bad deal!

Here's the math:
Pack 1: $8.99
Pack 2: FREE
Pack 3: $8.99
Pack 4: FREE

Total: $17.98
Coupon: -$8.00

Total (before tax!) $9.98!!! That's about $2.50 a pack.

Jordan and I grabbed four packs on Sunday, but I'm heading back to stock up a bit. These are the first diapers I've bought Mason since he's been born, but I know he will be in disposables full-time while we are in Florida next month!

Where have I been?

You poor blog. You have been neglected! I am a stay-at-home mom now, and I have even less time for you!

Since quitting my job to stay home with the boys, I have been busier than ever! I'm not sure how it's possible, but I really am busier now than I was when I was working 40 hours a week. It's a good kind of busy, though. Mason and Gavin keep me on my feet. I'm enjoying it - I feel like I am really investing in their lives by being home with them. And I've even found a bit of time to invest in myself. I am taking a crocheting class and checked an adult book out of the library for the first time that I can remember!

Anyway - all is well over this way! I will try to find some more time to blog! :)

Mason's Four Month Birthday!

My baby boy turned four months old on Monday! Where is the time going? He had his four month well baby visit and he is doing great! He is above the 90% for both weight and height - he is a big boy! He is teething (and drooling!) like crazy and is very close to rolling in both directions. He is still no where near sleeping through the night. In fact, he does quite the opposite at this point in his life! We have not started solid foods yet. He is still nursing every 2 hours or so.






Mason's 4 month stats:

Weight: 16lbs, 15oz
Height: 26.75 inches
No teeth yet, but they are coming!

We love you Mason!

The Beginning of the End...

Today is the first day of my last week of work! EEK. I'm excited and nervous and anxious. It's going to be a good change - a new chapter of life.

Also, Jordan got some great news about work today! He is accepting a new position that opens up amazing opportunities for him. I am so proud of him for taking the initiative and taking on this new job. And I'm very excited at the prospect of traveling with him on some of his business trips!

2011 is looking like a very big year for our family.