Nap Nanny - dogs best friend?

What is it with our dogs and the Nap Nanny??  They think it's their own personal dog bed!!!  I feel like all we do is wash the cover because they are always sitting on it...I literally kick one of them off it and turn around and another one is on it.  They are crazy!!!

And...that's all I have for today...

Then: the post about loving your husband

When we got married back in April of 2010, there were lots of decisions to be made in the process of planning the wedding. From the photographer to the venue to the caterer to the dresses and tuxes...each decision was made (sometimes with jimmy's input and sometimes not) and that was that. One of the decisions that he did want to be a part of making was the DJ, the song list and our first dance song in particular. He wanted something very classic for us to dance to like Van Morrison or Frank Sinatra. I understood that, but I was very set on dancing to the Brad Paisley song "Then". It was weird that I cared about this because out of the two of us, music is for sure his specialty. But there was a reason. A good one that makes me so happy to this day that he let me override him on. What is that you ask??

We continue to live the lyrics to this song as we continue on with our lives as well as the overall theme. The theme of "I thought I loved you then". As in, when we first met and fell in love, in that moment, there was mo way I thought it was possible to be more in love or more smitten with this guy. No way I could be more in love with him then we were in those initial stages of our relationship.

Well guess what?? That part of our relationship was so great and I think about so often, looking back at those puppy love stage and thinking I has no idea what love really was. Because when Jimmy decided to get down on one knee on April 11, 2009 at Clinton Lake...I loved him so much more at that moment. We were so in love and it was simply amazing and couldn't get any better.

Well guess what?? It did get better and our love did get so much stronger. Because on April 10, 2010, we stood on front of God and our family and friends and promised we would spend the rest of our lives together. For better or worse. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. Forever. And man, staring into Jimmy's eyes on that church altar and experiencing that night with him....I was convinced that we couldn't be more in love. I was convinced the way I felt about him couldn't be any stronger.

However (hopefully you are catching into this trend....), then we decided in our first anniversary that we were going to start trying to have a baby. And when it didn't happen right away, we had to lean on each other and that loved deepened. And when God blessed us with the miracle of pregnancy and I took that test and finally shared the news with Jimmy...sitting on that chair together in our family room hugging and kissing about how our lives would change with this new little bundle of joy- our love couldn't have been any stronger or we couldn't have been more in love.

After going through a full (and long and hot) 9 months of being pregnant and all the fun and moodiness that comes along with that, Jimmy was sure a trooper. It was amusing because he would say no one ever asked him how this pregnancy was going for him (ha) and how he could never be in pain or complain (nope). But he was there to help me with my break downs (totally stepped up to the plate on the day care drama) and all the looming pregnancy to dos. He only missed one doctors appointment the whole time because he told me he loved hearing the heart beat. When it came down to game time he was all in. He was kept track of every move in the delivery room, held my puke bag and then my hand during the epidural a d finally my legs when it was time to push. Literally, emotionally a d physically couldn't have done it without him. I was so in love watching him. The song lyrics told me I would love him more and they were right; he was my rock.

When Charlie arrived though and he got to hold him for the first time, I snapped this picture.  And that was it.  I fell so much more in love with him.  I didn't think it was possible because I thought I loved him so much on all those times before.  But I did.  Holding that little baby boy that we made together and I grew inside me for a full 9 months...I loved him so much more.  A different kind of love, but stronger and deeper.  We were now bonded forever with this little man we made together.

Watching Jimmy as a dad the first few weeks was pretty amazing.  He loved on that little man so much.   I have loved every single moment that we have had together in becoming our little family.

First family picture!!

Love these of Jimmy feeding Mr Charlie the first day we got home.  We stopped a bottle and Jimmy was devastated...but now it's on again and he loves feeding him!

I love seeing them hang out together - it's so cute!  This is one of their favorite spots!

Some funny family pictures that my mom took - love the candid shot!!

So there you have it.  Thank you Brad Paisley for writing such an amazing song that is so true.  Because every time and in every stage I truly thought I couldn't love this man any more than I did in that stage, but guess what?  I love him more than I ever have. Ever.  I'm so thankful for him and am so lucky to have him as such a wonderful partner in life.  He's a great husband, best friend and dad.  I loved dancing with you to this song on our wedding day and every time I hear it in the last 2.5 years it could not be more true.

"Then"

I remember trying not to stare
The night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later
In the front porch light
Taking 45 minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than its ever been
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I remember taking you back
To right where I first met you
You were so suprised
There were people around
But I didn't care
I got down on one knee right there
And once again
I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than its ever been
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I can just see you
With a baby on the way
I can just see you
When your hair is turning grey
What I can't see
Is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
We'll look back someday
At this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then

And I thought I loved you then

Can't believe it - 6 weeks already!

It's so crazy to me that 6 weeks have passed just like that.  I know I literally say that every post, but time flies so fast...which I thought it would be the opposite since I stay at home all day everyday with my little bugger.  But it's quite the opposite and I'm trying to soak up every single moment with him.  I am so incredibly thankful that I'm able to take 6 additional weeks of work off (in addition to the 6 weeks short term disability that is provided).  I won't paid for 4 of the remaining 6, but so worth it.  Plus, we are refinancing our house so guess what...no mortgage payment for October.  Not sure how that worked out so well, but it did!!

Well, this week we had was another fun week.  Full of trips out shopping, back to Hallmark and even a trip to the PV Jazz festival.  I am pretty sure Jimmy, my mom and sister are not going to know what to do when I go back to work because they won't get pictures of Charlie everyday all day long.  My dad doesn't get them because he still has a phone from like 1999.  But he's waiting to get an iPhone 5.  Haha.

It was crazy when I weighed little Charlie this week and I was in shock because he only gained 6 ounces.  Then I reminded myself that the last few weeks he was a crazy weight-gainer at 16 ounces and 12 ounces and guess what...6 is normal.  So good for you Charlie.  It is weird though because I finally don't feel like all you do is eat.  Not sure if that's the case or I have just adjusted to the way I see life.  One other thing that is nice now?  I feel like my body has finally somewhat adjusted to the sleep schedule at night and I don't NEED a nap everyday.  I will happily take one - don't get me wrong - but if I don't get one, I'm fine now and not crazy at night.  For awhile, no nap for mom meant crazy mom at night and meant dad was up too because mom was tired/frustrated.  So overall, that is good for everyone.  I asked my mom yesterday how she went back to work at 6 weeks with both my sister and I because we were obviously not sleeping through the night...she said...you make it work.  Well, I'm happy I have a few weeks to have to make it work.  He's is sleeping a LOT better and we now have a bed time routine down.  Around 7:30/8 it's bath time.  Which sometimes he loves and sometimes he hates and screams bloody murder and I think that social service might show up because the neighbors can hear him.  Then we dry off and rub lotion on, warm up, get into his PJs and sit with mom.  Then we nurse one last time and he drifts off into baby dream land around 8:45/9.  If he's asleep by 9, then he usually wakes up around 2 or 2:30 (so about 5-5.5 hours...which is great) and then it usually takes an hour for me to change his diaper, feed him and then rock him back to a drowsy state or sleep.  Depending on if he eats on both sides or one, I might have to pump the other one and most of the time I have to pee too.  That usually is the hour or a little over and then this mama is back in bed.  Then the next stretch of his sleep only lasts between 3-4 hours, so he'll wake up between 5:30 and 6:30.  If it's a more reasonable hour, Jimmy tries to give him an ounce in the bottle and then I nurse him again. If I'm lucky, he goes back to sleep one more time until 8 or 8:30 and I get to lay back down.  I'm not going to lie, it's not that bad and it is better because I know what to expect!!  I'm aiming for longer stretches as he gets older!!

Also - this whole bottle thing.  Still is confusing to me, but another post on that.

Ok...where was I going with this post?  Oh yeah, it was another wonderful week with the Charlie man. His nicknames are Chuck, Charlie Bear, Char-Bar, and little Montoya (pronounced "mon-toy-a" in a spanish accent). Yes folks, the accent has moved from the dogs to my son.  And now my husband does it too when he talks to Charlie.  We are completely ridiculous, but I love every minute of it.  Here were the highlights of our days in week 6!

I couldn't end this post without some more pictures though...

One of my fav instagrams of the week - Willy and Charlie tummy time!

This onesie cracks me up - thanks Sharon!

Out to dinner at Salty Iguana with my boys

Passed out after a long week

Chilling on a Friday night

Mom finally got some loving

Wildcat gear with Aunt Lyndsay!

Changed for his dad (check out that stomach!!!)

PV Jazz fest on Saturday night

Mom and Charlie heading to church (love that outfit on him!)

Halfway done with maternity leave and getting very sad already thinking about leaving my little man all day long....

Week 5 with Charlie

Can I say it again I cannot believe how fast you are growing??  It's amazing to be around you all the time and get to see all the changes and fun first hand too.  I feel more blessed every day for this time off I get to spend with just you.  I love it so much.

Week 5 was filled with mom's birthday and your first holiday: labor day!!  We had a fun week with more visitors and a trip into work to see mom and dad's work friends.  You continue to be a good little eater and guess what else happened?  On Sunday night, we put you in your crib for the first time at night.  You kinda sorta liked it, but didn't last all night.  However on Monday night, you were there all night long and did so great waking up for feedings and going right back to sleep.  Mom loved it because she didn't have to wake your dad up at all (I'm sure he appreciated it as well).  It's weird having you in your room at night now and not right next to me, but I pretty much stare at the video monitor that is sitting right next to me for about 5 minutes every time I leave you in there just to make sure you are ok.  And guess what?  You are.  And the fancy Snuza that your Aunt Vanessa convinced your mom to get (that dad is still all up in arms about...)?  Well we are using that and mom is just loving it because it alerts us immediately if you were to stop breathing.  Such a great sigh of relief knowing you are safe.  But it's nice to have you in your crib because when we do get some sleep, your grunting and snorting (all those cute little newborn noises) isn't as loud.

We continue to keep up our nursing routine and are trying to introduce the bottle once a day.  It's going ok.  I think dad has figured out the trick though.  You take your pacifier sometimes.  But your head strength.  Holy cow little man, I'm amazed at how much you are holding up your head and staring at things.  It's so fun to see you be so curious and in tune with the world and the objects in it now.  I love guessing what you are staring off at and thinking about.  It's my new mom game I play by myself!

You are keeping mom busy during the day and we are doing some fun activities.  Our favorite it the breastfeeding group on Tuesdays - so thankful that we started going.  We have met some amazing women there and some pretty cute babies!

So here it is - week 5 in review with Mr. Charlie, who continues to make us fall in love with him every day!!!

On the go family

Just a few days after Charlie's arrival, we have tried to continue to stay somewhat active and not just get stuck in the house.  There are many times I would prefer to just sit there, but know it's good for all of us (when Jimmy's around) to get out.  Don't want to get that cabin fever.  I felt guilty about going places at  first.  Especially when someone asked how old you were one time and I told them 9 days and they kind of gave me this look like "what in the world are you doing out with a 9 day old baby?".  Then I asked our pediatrician and she was like - heck girl, get out and about.  It's not cold and flu season...just dont' be dropping him off at the gym day care.

Since then, we have used our judgement and tried to keep in touch with the world.  AKA still attempt to go out to eat every once and a while,

First lunch out at Johnny's in Corinth!

Chilling on the patio at Maloney's 

Mom time at Maloney's

You have also made it to CostCo for lunch with dad and Aunt Lyndsay, Schlotsky's with Aunt Lyndsay and breakfast at RJ's with dad.

...make quick trips to the grocery store, BuyBuy Baby and Target,

Trip around Target with mom...

...picnics in the park (well just one of those so far, but lots and lots of walks around the neighborhood)

Family picnic in Franklin Park

One of our neighborhood walks with your brothers

....of course lots of family time...

Cousin Norah teaching baby Charlie

Cousin Will who points and says "baby" on repeat :)

Time with Papa B

Cousins Kenlie & Maren loving on Charlie

Hanging with Grana

Saturday nights with the Bruns

Aunt Lyndsay loving

loving on Nana B!

and on Labor day we made our first shopping adventure as a family to the Legends.  It was pretty exciting to say the least!

At JCrew...Charlie was not liking the car seat/stroller so we took advantage of the sling!

A few things about this trip.

1. We are glad we got there early because once we left around 12:30 it was SO crowded!!  People were hounding us for our parking spot...
2. Taking a stroller in and out of stores is not-so-easy as it looks (luckily there are some nice people out there that will hold the door every once and a while)
3. Screaming baby in a store makes for lots of looks and a frazzled mom.  However, cute and sleeping baby in a stroller or sling makes for lots of sweet glances and coos and a happy mom.
4. What to do when it's time to change/feed??  TJ Maxx to the rescue

Yep, you read the last bullet.  So one of the things that causes me the most anxiety about going out and about with Charlie is the breastfeeding in public thing.  It really doesn't bother me, but for some reason, I don't want other people to feel weird.  I obviously have a nursing cover, but still.  So you guessed it, while we were shopping the screaming started.  Go down the list of things...needs to be changed?  Needs to eat??  Or needs to sleep?  I would say all 3 in that order.  On top of it, I had to pee bad.  I knew TJ Maxx had a semi-nice bathroom so off we went.  However there was no changing table in the handicap stall.  Bummer.  I figured I would just change him on the stroller (which I had to do before when we went to the KU kick off thing).  There was another couple needing to change 2 of their kids right behind me and they asked an associate from TJ Maxx and they said go to the handicap stalls in the dressing room because they have great benches.  SCORE!  Not only did I go in there to change him, but I also fed him.  I started to get nervous that the lady manning the dressing room was going to kick me out after a certain amount of time, but she didn't.  She was super cool and we were in there around 20 minutes while Jimmy browsed the store with the babyless stroller.  Again, so funny how you are on no real schedule and adhere to the baby's needs in the beginning - very different from our old life!

I have to say, I wasn't sure of where I was going to nurse him, but it worked out quite well in this case. Now when I go to Target, the mall, or anywhere that has dressing rooms, I know that is a great option! I even told another girl at my breastfeeding group and she said she did it at Macy's the other day!! Love it!!

It's crazy to me that was seriously the most exciting part of the shopping outing for me.  I felt so much better about it and more confident that we can make this work after doing it.  Second best thing?  Charlie was NOT having the car seat in the heat, so I busted out my sling which was a birthday present to myself because I love the Moby wrap, but wanted something quick and easy to put on too, and he sat very nicely in the sling for the rest of the time we were shopping.  I got him some cute clothes at the Carter's sale (so ready for fall!!) and this mom got some good shirts to wear during her time off.

I know there are a few readers out there that are breastfeeding or did breastfeed for awhile...any tips on breastfeeding when you are out (shopping, dinner, etc.)?  It is nice to have that option and not have to carry around a bottle, but wanted to see what others did in those cases like at a restaurant?  Do you just sit at your table and nurse??  I am curious!!

Anyway, it has been fun having him more alert and active and we are getting out more and more and it's great!!  I'm continuing to look for some fun activities for the two of us while I am off work for the next 7 weeks, so any and all suggestions are welcome.