Weekend Rewind: Making Memories

Hey friends!  Happy Fall.  I hope y'all had a super weekend.  We did mostly soccer and got to take eight girls from my team to the women's professional soccer game here in Orlando.  They had the best time.  It was so special to see them happy and grinning from ear to ear.  They got to get some player autographs and hang out all weekend.  Making memories they will have for a long time.

I also got in some photos of my sweet boy.  He turns three months old on Friday.  Those smiles make me melt.  Cheers to a great week!

 

 

5 favorite phone apps

Hey friends.  How is your home screen looking these days?  I have found myself with more apps than ever. I do a good amount of downloading and deleting but still have several screens worth.

1.  Since I had the baby, I wanted to be more accountable for eating and activity to drop the baby weight and like the free app, My Fitness Pal.  I wasn't one of the lucky ones whose weight just "melted right off" with breastfeeding so I am having to do it the old fashioned way.  Booooooo

2.  Another new fave is the free app INK that allows you to create custom greeting cards and mail them, all from your phone.  You can send as a postcard or greeting card with envelope and they have lots and lots of great, modern templates and they mail them for you.  

3.  Another good app is EBATES.  I am new to the app but my sister has been using for a while and gave me the tip.  You click on the site, find stores you shop at, activate the coupon, cash back, or rebate and shop away.  I have averaged $8-$15 each purchase and they send you a check.  I think it works but them splitting discounts with you.  I have used Neiman Marcus, Sephora, and Nike so far.

4.  This is a great idea but I am terrible at remembering to use it.  I have the Target 5% off card and you can save even more if you use the CartWheel app.  New deals come out on Sunday.  If I sit down and browse then, I am good.  If I am just dropping in for a shopping run, forget it.  I cannot seem to remember to use the app.

5.  This app was saved for last as my fave.  The Hangouts app is something I use with my nieces to text back and forth.  It lets you send pics, send stickers (emojis) and even works as a phone.  They have only called me once.  It was 4:15AM to tell me they missed the baby and asked me to send more pictures.......at 4:15 in the MORNING.  On a school night.  haha  They got their tablets taken away for a week but I couldn't stop laughing.  My sister couldn't believe it.  I feel so bad for telling on them because it was for such a sweet gesture.  We had to set boundaries of no calls from 10:00pm-8:00am.  

I also love the typical social media apps but everyone has those already.  Except my husband, Mr. Anti Social Media.  :)

Hope you're having a super week.  It's still raining raining raining here so we are left to just snuggle up inside.  I am not complaining. 

Weekend Rewind: Baby Overload

Alert! This update is little more than a baby picture overload.  We made it out to our soccer game on Saturday but spent the rest of the weekend at home, on the couch, kissing and cooing...the new norm for us.  Seth is now 10 weeks old and getting more fun by the day.

We went to my team's soccer game Saturday.  It is still SO HOT here.  My sis and Step Mom were kind enough to take care of the little guy for me.

Our friend Tiffany made some adorable personalized outfits and sent us these just in time for football season.  Rollllllll Tide!  

I wanted to get out Sunday but wasn't successful.  My sis made it out and sent me some pictures of them at the beach.  I never learned to surf and am so amazed my little nieces just pop right up.  

 

The highlight of my weekend had to be this sad scene.  He was so tired but wouldn't go down for a nap.  He doesn't have tears yet when he cries but figured out pouting and I'd say he gets extra points for this effort. 

 My husband is a stay-at-home Dad and he sends me pictures during the day.  He has a lot to learn about good photo angles.  I was cracking up when he sent me this one.  Those legs. haha

It's been raining for several days in a row here.  Hoping for some sunshine and definitely ready for some cooler temps.  Hope y'all are off to a great week.  Cheers! 

Baby Update: 2 months old

We made it eight weeks.  That seems like such a small milestone in print but dang, living it feels like a lifetime.  :)  Here's the latest...

Eight week appointment (8/31/16) stats:
Height: 22.25" (16%)     Weight: 11lbs 7.6oz (28%)     Head Circumference: 39cm (44%)

Sleep:  Typically you wake up twice a night but we had one night this week with just one wake up.  You LOVE to lay with Mom or Dad and snuggle up.

 

Eat: Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat.  You eat every 2.5-3 hours.  During the day you eat 4 ounces and at night you are good with just 2 ounces.  Mommy leaves 2-3 breastmilk bottles for the day and you have formula at night.  (Thank you Baby Brezza)

Mood: You are happy most of the time.  You give us about a 60 second warning you are ready for food and a second reminder shortly after that before sounding the alarm.  You try to mimic our facial expressions and love to hear yourself make noises.

Development: You can roll from your back to your side, follow objects with your eyes (you just discovered the TV) and are starting to show interest in a rattle toy.  You enjoy tummy time but get frustrated when you can't scoot around.  We just started to use your Boppy to give you a little more independence.  You started to put weight on your legs when we hold you up.

 

Social: You love everyone you meet.  Mommy has barely taken you anywhere but Daddy takes you out and about.  You came to Mom's work to meet her co-workers this week and cuddled with everyone that held you.  Your cousins see you often and you are always content when they hold you.

Stroller & Carseat: You like both but can get a little impatient when the car isn't rolling.  

Baths: Ahhhhhh, you love bath time.  It relaxes you and you go right to sleep after you are dressed. 

 

Mom and Dad have loved every minute of your existence.  We are so proud to call you our son.  xoxo

Life Lately

Can someone tell me what day it is?!  I blinked and August is almost over.
Our baby boy turns 8 weeks old today and that little sweetie has brought so much love to our lives.  I have never been one to wake up earlier than I needed to but knowing I am at work all day, I have been getting up 45 minutes or so early just to snuggle with that sweet thing.

We are so lucky to have a happy baby that only cries (so far) when he is hungry or a little over tired.  I haven't been as lucky as some ladies who breastfeed and have their baby weight just melt off so I am in the gym several times a week trying to get back to my old self.  I am back to work full-time and working to find balance and just do the best I can.

Soccer season has started back up so I can squeeze in some exercise with the girls.  We had a pre-season tournament over the weekend and although it was hot, hot, hot, I was happy to get some sun.  Since giving birth June 30th, I have been mostly inside and needed some Vitamin D.

 I hope y'all are having a super week.  We have NO plans this weekend and I am so excited to get some QT with my boys.  Cheers to Friday Eve. :)

Current fave facial products

I have been adjusting my products as my skin has changed during and after pregnancy.  I normally have oily skin but it went perfectly normal during pregnancy.  I was hopeful it would stick but...sigh...oily skin is back.  Luckily I don't get many breakouts and have almost no fine lines (yet) so it's not all bad but I miss the "normal" days already.

I just had a visit to the spa and got DermaPlaning done.  Have you heard of it? I wanted a little more than a typical facial and they happen to be running specials on a few procedures so I tried it.  It's quite simplistic actually, they use a straight blade to do a good exfoliation.  Sounds a little different but I loved it and had noticeable results lasting about a week after my visit.  It was definitely a great way for a little lightening and brightening of my complexion.

I was able to use heavier moisturizers before but have switched back to a lighter version.  I try to find products that are multi-function and quick absorbing.

I have used this for several years.  I was using a liquid serum version but have switched to a lotion style in a pump.  It's a great anti-aging moisturizer plus Vitamin C.  

This is a good mask.  I am a Florida kid with some brown spots and this helps lighten them.  It is easy to apply, dries quick without the skin tightness feeling and leaves skin smooth.  

Parenting: What we used most our first month

We made it our first month as new parents.  Luckily, our baby has been healthy and happy and with both of us home, we have really enjoyed these first weeks as a family.  I have a couple girlfriends with babies on the way and they have asked what we used most.

1. DockATot: We use this everyday. It is basically a portable bassinet but is small enough to put in your bed.  It is lightweight and is worth the investment.  

Save 10% with this code: http://dockatot.refr.cc/3NL2BBV

2. Aden & Anais swaddle blankets  We use these for everything.  They are excellent for swaddling, the perfect lightweight blanket, and good for proping up elbows and heads during feedings.

3. Fisher Price My Little Snugabear Cradle 'n Swing: We actually didn't have a swing purchased before the baby was born and got this as a gift and love it.  The seat is so comfy, there are multiple swinging positions, the owls turn around, and the music is on a timer.  We used this a it more than I anticipated.  It's perfect when you need a few minutes to get chores done.

Munchkin Deluxe Drying Rack: We also have the grass drying rack but found this to be the go-to.

Soothie Pacifier: I read online to not buy many pacifiers since each child can be different on what they prefer.  We got this brand from the hospital and he definitely prefers it.  It's a soft gummie style and we ended up with a couple cute pacifiers with a harder texture and he wouldn't take them (yet).

Baby Monitor:My husband was in charge of the baby monitor and this is what we ended up with.  I don't know pros/cons of other monitors but this has worked great for us.  You can also put an app on your phone to watch from there.  

Bath Tub: This was another item I found from blog recommendations.  It's great.  It holds the baby nice and snug at the perfect angle.  The water doesn't run out of the bottom of it so you can sponge bathe on the countertop or wherever you'd like.  It will also easily convert to tub use once we start giving more traditional baths.  One secret that has worked for us, we leave a warm washcloth on his belly to keep him warm while we wipe him down using a couple other warm-water washcloths.  

Hooded towels: My husband does the bathing and I scoop him up to get him redressed.  These hooded towels are the perfect size and work great to keep him warm after baths.

Honest Baby Wipes: We got lots of diapers and wipes as gifts and these are our faves.  Some brands are "thin" but these are nice and thick and are our current faves.

Baby Gown:  We have several of these and they are a must have.  I would leave him in a gown all day if we could.  We used them for his first doctor appointments since there is redressing required and they're excellent for sleeping.  Any little thing to make overnight diaper changes easier.  He likes his long sleeve footie jammies also but they are a lot more work for mom and dad during the night.  

Happy August!  I made it thru my first week back at work and am starting to feel like this little baby is actually ours.  I have barely left the house except for work, gym, and doctors appointments.  I have the best intentions to take him out to stroll the mall and we end up laying together on the couch most of the day.  We actually made our first outing together on Saturday and went to HomeGoods and he didn't make a peep.  We planned to go to Target also but ended up coming back home.  I'll try to make myself get out again this weekend.  :)

Cheers to a great week.