Skin-to-skin

That face!!

Pants-less award

How fun! I was nominated for a blogging award by Adi from second bedroom. Adi and her husband Matt are also IRL friends. She lives nearby and just had her miracle baby O! He's a cutie and I see lots of play dates in our future!  

It's called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Awa..... Oh wait, I keep wanting to say this and the picture doesn't help! ;) it's called The Sisterhood of The World Bloggers Award. From the quick google search I did, it appears this award is to recognize the unique voices of Women everywhere. I capitalize Women because we are all such strong, bold Women who make an impact on others daily. I know you have all impacted my being and I am thankful for that everyday!  Ok, here goes...

The Rules:

1. Link to the person who nominated you.
2. Add the award logo.
3. Answer the questions your nominator asked.
4. Nominate 7 other blogs.
5. Ask your nominees 10 questions.

Adi's Questions...

1.  What's something you love about yourself?

My strength. Even more than my journey through infertility and miscarriage, I've been through a lot of shit in my life. But whatev's. I try not to dwell on it or let it effect me in a negative way. Not to say it doesn't get me down sometimes but everyone's "got shit". If you don't, you're lying!

2. What makes you and your partner suited to one another?

Steve and I started dating when we lived in different states. Every weekend one of us would drive to see the other 3-4 hours away. Sometimes longer because driving through New York is always an X-factor. During the week our relationship was built on phone conversations. We learned to communicate effectively from the beginning. I think that has made all the difference in our relationship. That and the fact that we would do ANYTHING for one another. I really mean it. I know for a fact he would do anything to make me happy and I know I would do the same for him. 

3. What's the perfect day you've had?

I would say my wedding. I would say the day my kid was born. Or the day I met my husband. Those were all phenomenal days! Life changing! But I would say that a perfect day is one spent waking up slowly with a cup of coffee, maybe a morning movie followed by a hike or a walk outside on a sunny, warm but not too warm day. After a nice hot shower I would sit outside with my family and have some lunch under the cabana. Maybe a beer or two. Then early to bed. I know. I'm lame-o. I'm just a simple girl. I prefer not to do the extraordinary but instead I like to find the extraordinary in the simple things. 

4. What's your spot in your home?

Under the cabana by the pool. But in the winter it's covered in snow. :(

5. What would you love to do this weekend?

I would love to lay by the pool and feel the warm sun on my skin. Maybe even drink an ice cold beer under the cabana with my husband. I can't wait for the warmer weather to get here. Soon enough. Then I'll be wishing the heat away. Are you seeing my obsession here?

6. Tell me a story of you as a kid. Any age!!!

I don't have big memories from being a kid. My dad died when I was pretty young then my life became one that I don't care to relive. I do remember being little and my dad would feed the homeless people in downtown Philadelphia every Sunday. My dad was an amazing person! I wasn't allowed to go most Sunday's because he said it was too dangerous. He wouldn't think twice about going into abandoned houses or other places where you would find drugs. He just wanted to touch lives and that he did. Every Christmas he would collect wrapped presents and go around to homeless shelters bringing them to children. I would get to go with him and it has always been etched into my mind ever since. Really and truely what the holidays are about. Giving. Loving. Humanity. I know this story is more my Dad's but it is such a big part of me. 

7. What's on your nightstand?

I took a picture this morning when I read this so that I could reference when I actually wrote this blog. So I'll post it. 

A tall lamp.  Two bottles of lotion - one for really dry skin and one that smells REALLY GOOD! (Thanks Diva!).  Two peppermints that were in my pocket when i got in bed.  A glass of water and a cup of coffee.  As you can see it's 6:52 am and I had a late opening so I took my time getting up and feeding the babe and pumping.  Otherwise I would be walking out the door in about 10 minutes. Speaking of which there are two pumping bottles with breast milk. One from the breast my kid just ate verified by the small amount pumped out. There is the hand held monitor from the video monitor we were given. Also one ear plug. I wear one to help me sleep and switch it during the night when I turn over. My kid STTN but I'm too afraid to wear two that I may not hear him. Then there are my glasses. I'm surprised they aren't upside down. I'm not too careful with them. Under the night stand I have the other half of the video monitor, Sophie and baby vicks. 

8. Name something off your bucket list or just something you hope to do some day. 

Aurora borealis. I want to see the amazement in person. 

9. What's your favorite outfit? (Bonus points for pictures)

I wore it today!

I like simple. I like plain. I'm a white & cream kind of girl. When I wear color, it's usually gray or blue. That's as wild as I get. These are my fav jeans and cozy sweater. It was the day after it snowed up here and Friday, so I decided cozy dress down Friday was in order. 

10. Say something nice about a fellow blogger. 

I could pick any of you! Adi - your a sweet person and an amazing baker to boot! Suzanne - I marvel in amazement at your strength. Everyday. Amie - always supportive. Always. Even when you're "feeling it" you are always there to rejoice with others. Amanda - what can I say that I haven't said before? Always the first to comment and lift me up or offer your excitement. You are going to be such a great Mommy. Your heart is Gold! Allison - you know I love you and Rowie. Laura - my first bestie blogger. Squeezes to you and Ruby! I guess I can't really pick just one but today I pick Beth. Beth, you know you're my girl! I wouldn't have gotten through my pregnancy without your support and I'm so thankful for your friendship. Your texts lift me up, keep me smiling and make my day! XOXO girl. I will come visit you guys some day! Really!

Here's where I have to pick 10. Or 7. What's the rules? AHHH..... Hell with the rules. 

Beth @ what's up with my ovaries

Amanda @ genuine graveau

Erika@ something beautiful

Alison @ belle haven drive 

Suzanne@ our journey to a baby bump

Jessah@ dreaming of dimples

Amie@ is it time yet?

Tonisha@ two girls mom

Diva@ beyond baby belly envy

Holly@ oh baby, baby
Chase @ Chaseing Dreams

And my questions....

1. Tell me about something you feel most passionate about. 

2.  What is your all time favorite movie?

3.  What is one thing that you absolutely hate doing but one you have to do everyday?

4.  If you had a boat, what would you name it?

5.  If you were buying a puppy, what breed would it be & what would you name it?

6.  What is your favorite time of year and why do you like it best?

7.  If you could witness any event from the past, present or future, what would it be?

8.  Who do people say you look like? Bonus points for pictures. 

9.  What is your best and/or worst quality?

10.  If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Ready...... Set........ GO!!

Besties

Diva at BeyondBabyBellyEnvy.blogspot.com has inspired me to finally post about some baby products that I love and one (couldn't think of more) that I find pointless. I have not been paid to review these products, these are all products that I have used or am using with my baby and my words are based on my own personal experiences. I'm sure there are plenty o' people who disagree but, here are my thoughts....

1. Halo Blanket Sleepsacks

When Kyle was little, (I say that lIke he isn't still a baby!), I would use blankets on him while he slept. He was rarely out of my sight and he really didn't move. He slept and cried. That's about it. So I saw no harm in it. Until one night I woke up to find the blanket over his head. Queue Mommy freak out!! He was fine, I recovered and to this day I have no idea how he did this! Ever since that day we started using these Sleepsacks. The swaddle one is great for little ones because the velcro is so strong he had a hard time wiggling out of it. My only complaint is that he's a hot sleeper so often it was too warm for him. I know Halo also makes a cotton one so that may have worked better in retrospect. We use the non-swaddle one now and it has been perfect for keeping him warm during this cold snowy New England winter. I even found another one at the thrift store for 75 cents!!!

image via amazon.com

image via amazon.com

2. Muslin Swaddle Blankets

These are great even though Kyle hates to be swaddled. They are lightweight, stretchy and really soft. I find that they are so versatile I never leave home without one. Infact the other day I found 3 balled up in my purse bag. No wonder I couldn't find any for daycare! They also work well as a cover up for nursing a nosey baby or tucked around a wiggly baby to help him calm down while nursing. 

image via amazon.com

3. Dreft 

This is the first on my not-so-favorite list. It's not that it does a bad job or it smells bad, it's just that it costs more than the birth of my son!! I bought a bottle before he was born and washed his things in it originally but that was the last time I used it. I suppose I should use it up! We wash his things with our perfume-free, dye-free detergent and have never had a problem. Infact we throw his things with our things to wash all the time. Personally I can't see paying the extra dough for this one. 

image via amazon.com

4. Dr. Browns Bottles

I love my Dr. Browns. My baby is gassy but rarely even needs to be burped when we use this bottle. It's really good at getting the air out before it gets to the baby. My personal favorite are the glass bottles. There is something about plastic that makes me feel like it's never clean enough. However, we use the plastic for daycare because state law says no glass. Either way these bottles are awesome! The one down side is that there are lots of parts to wash and little holes on those parts so it does take extra time. But I've gotten very efficient with my bottle washing system and I don't even thinking about it anymore. 

image via amazon.com

5. Medela Nipple Shield (X-Small)

This little piece of plastic saved nursing for me. I have no doubt i would have given up if it wasn't for this. It was reccomended to me by my lactation consultant. Her exact words were "use this and all your problems will be fixed". I remember because I was so skeptical. But sure as shit, it worked! She reccomended the extra small for little mouths and it was amazing. I had two, just incase the dog ate one or I lost one. I definitely recommend getting two just so you don't have to keep washing one everytime you use it. The best part- it allowed us to keep nursing until one day I didn't need it anymore. Once he grew a little and learned how to latch, he started doing it on his own. So thankful for this thing!

image via amazon.com

6. Plain White Diapers

One bit of advice, don't worry when you wash them they won't feel like gauze anymore. I was nervous when I first opened the package because they felt like un-absorbent gauze pads. I almost returned them but decided since they were cheap enough to give them a shot. After I washed them, I realized that they were exactly what I was looking for. I love them. They are absorbant, thick and easy to wash. Not to mention cheap! I think I now own about 25 of them and we fly through them in a blink!

image via amazon.com

7. Philips Soothie

Kyle has never been crazy about pacifiers but if he uses one it has to be this one. He has zero interest in any other kind. I have a sweet picture of him using another kind when he was first born but it was an anomaly. Even this one isn't used often but when he gets worked up, especially in his car seat, this helps. Thank god. 

image via amazon.com

8. Baby D Drops

Breastfed babies need Vitamin D supplements. I had no idea but seems easy enough? Wrong!! Getting a baby, well my baby anyway, to take medicine out of a syringe is impossible. 1/2 of the sticky liquid ends up down the front of them and all over my hands. Until my friend told me about the concentrated drops!! Just put ONE!! Yes ONE little drop on your nipple, feed baby and wallah! Easy peezy!

9. Fisher Price Rock n' Play

Then there is the God of all things baby. The rock n play or the RNP as those who "know" call it. The day we bought this thing I was desperate. Kyle was not sleeping well. I was tired, in need of sleep, so I sold my soul and saved my sanity. I had heard great things about the RNP in the blogging community but the deal sealer came when, in target, a mom can over to me and said. "Just buy it". I laughed and asked her about it. She said it single handedly saved her when her son was a baby. She said it helped him STTN instantly. Sure enough! It was almost the same day. I'm a bit nervous that the transition out may be hard but I don't feel the need to change something that is working as long as it isn't harmful. His anatomy is fine, he is still under 1/2 the weight limit. He's happy. He's sleeping. I'm sleeping. I call this thing a win-win!!

Image via Amazon.com

Hump Day

I love my boys. Steve didn't think I was getting him in the pic. His face is so funny!

Friday

Stay warm this weekend!!! Happy Friday!

RSV

Holy cow blogging is hard!!! Somewhere between week two of working Mama and the current week five, we've had about 7 snow days and a week of RSV. It's been cray-cray my friends! 

Good news though, RSV got its butt kicked, after it kicked our butt - but who's keeping track. That virus was NO JOKE!!! It was our first official sickness with baby and it took him a whopping one week of full time daycare to catch something. It was so sad to see my little struggling to breathe and Mama was a big fat mess. Two trips to the doctor and none to the hospital though so I'd say I made it through ok. Baby boy never ran a fever and was still smiling at everybody and anybody. We are so blessed with a happy little guy!! I was out on snow days the entire time he was sick so I took advantage of giving out snuggles. 

Day four and five were the worst and we wouldn't have made it through without our friends..... 

Nose Frida!!!!! Oh my god this thing literally saved us. Once you get passed the whole sucking boogies thing it is a gift from God himself. Those bulb syringes don't touch this thing. I can see why people would be grossed out by this thing but not once did snot come anywhere near the foot long tube I sucked through. Even if it did there is an inch thick filter that would catch it before it got anywhere near your mouth. The only problem we ran into was after I caught RSV, I had a hard time snot sucking so that's when the hubby had to man up. 

Our second BFF was our saline nose drops. I'm pretty sure Kyle would disagree because he would cry when I used this stuff but it allowed Frida to do her job so it was A-Ok in my book!

This can be used as a spray too but it said just drops for little noses. 

I read the old wivestale about vicks on babys feet covered with socks will help a cough. I wasn't really buying it but we got pretty desperate. 

So after asking my doctor if baby vicks was safe to use, I was assured it was in small amounts, we gave it a go. Guess what? It worked! I don't know if it was a coincidence or not but I don't care. His coughing slowed enough for him to get a good nights rest. And Mommy too!!

I also tried some generic saline wipes for baby's poor red nose. I'm not sure we'll call these guys our friends. I don't know if it would have been better if I tried them before it became raw or not, but these hurt a raw nose. I felt awful because he would cry when I used them, but he cries when I wipe his nose anyway. Then I used one on my own nose and - HOLY BURN! It says alcohol and fragrance free but something stings! Maybe the name brand would have been better. I don't know. My sister in law swears by them. 

We breathed the steam in the bathroom and he slept in his rock n' play, like always.  We cuddled. We played. We laughed. Yes, my friends, we laughed. You see nothing, not anything, gets this kid down. Despite being sick we had lots of these moments....

..... and these......

..... and then there was this.....

...... and this......

This kid is hilarious. Oh, and here's how much I suck at blogging. I wrote this post a month ago. I need to get better at this.

Reminder

Found this on the table in my classroom this morning and taking this time to remember the journey that is infertility. Thinking of all of us lucky and blessed enough to be snuggling our rainbow babies and wondering why we were chosen and not the others. To those who are still fighting, always rooting for you. 

Never forget.