Tempting Tuesday #4

Dear Monster,

   Your Dad and I have decided to purchase the Baby Signing Time pack for you! After reading through how the program will grow with you and us, we got SO excited! I also talked with Miss Alyssa and read her wonderful blog regarding the pack as she is working through it with your buddy Jonah. We think it is going to be fantastic! We can't wait to communicate with you in such a unique and fun way. The site says that about 80% of children who used the program were advanced readers too! WOO! I can't wait!
~~~

Hello readers! *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* It's Tempting Tuesday and I am so so so happy about this author! I started reading her novels when one of my fellow "Dangerous Hero Addicts" over at Goodreads recommended her. I asked for an author with a great sense of humor and some not-so-cheesy writing and MAN does this author meet and exceed all of my expectations!

So, welcome to the Tempting Tuesday crew:

Tessa Dare

I just cannot say enough about this author! She is like comfort food. I'm drawn to her mainly because she writes simple stories that revolve around these profound characters that just absorb you into the story. From page one I absolutely cannot wait to learn everything about the world, characters, and series in general. 

Tessa Dare fell in love with books while she moved from place to place to place as a child. She says her only constants were the characters in the books she read and the characters in her head (which, apparently, still speak to her daily). It took me a couple times of seeing authors talk about the "characters in their heads" and then asking my husband about his head characters to realize that this is a pretty standard thing. I guess when you're meant to be a writer you just have random plot lines and characters floating around up there and eventually you put them down on paper. Tessa Dare did, and thank goodness for that.

Amongst her fans are the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award (which she has won twice), the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award (which she has been a finalist for twice), Booklist Magazine (which named her one of the "new stars of historical romance"), and many other countries (her books have been contracted to be translated into 10 different languages).

One thing that Tessa Dare does that I so wish some other historical romance authors would do is relate to her modern day readers. She is most notably doing this in her newer Spindle Cove Series. In this series she created a fictional seaside resort for "unconventional women" (aka women who were pursuing knowledge and even *gasp* a career during the Regency Era). On her website she states that she had the most fun writing the "the strong-willed, unsuspecting men who find their hearts ensnared by these unlikely heroines". I have the first two books of this series sitting on my dresser as we speak. I'm just waiting...waiting...waiting...for Liam to nap so that I can do some power reading through those books, which critics are already raving about. The first Spindle Cove novel, A Night to Surrender, received critical acclaim, including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. The digital-only release Once Upon a Winter’s Eve: A Spindle Cove Novella spent four wonderful weeks on the USA Today bestseller list. The next Spindle Cove installment, A Week to be Wicked (which I am already drooling over), will be available March 27, 2012 from Avon Books.

So, if I have convinced you to at least give her a try, here are her series:

The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy (which I am currently reading and LOVING)

The Stud Club Trilogy (read it- adored it! Especially Lily and Julian's Book)

The Spindle Cove Series (on my to-do dresser)

If you give her a try, let me know how it goes. What are you currently reading? Anything you're excited about reading here soon?

Happy Tempting Tuesday everyone!! <3

***Special Note: Please remember that most of the titles and covers of books in the historical romance genre are cheesy. It's gonna happen. Be prepared to look beyond the name and cover to the awesome books within!***

How I Know I'm A Mother...(besides the obvious)

Dear Monster,

   I didn't realize how very much I have changed since becoming your Mom! The changes are numerous and most of them are small but there are a couple that really caught me by surprise. Either way, I love you and I love me and life has been better than I ever could have imagined since you joined us.
~~~

Hello readers! Sorry for the lack of Payday Friday. Things have been a little chaotic since I got home from my visit with my Mom. So, I'm hoarding my favorite product until this coming Friday and today I'm going to review all of the lovely(?) ways that my son has changed me as a person. I was thinking about this list a couple of days ago when a friend of mine mentioned that I seemed "calmer" now that Liam is here. I stared at her in bald-faced shock because I truly feel like I have been flying by the seat of my pants for the last year. 2011 was the year of me learning that, no matter how valiantly I may try, there are certain things I just do not have control over. This has left me wondering who the hell DOES have control over said things but...we'll discuss that on a different day. Today, is about my list. Hopefully other Mommies can agree with some of it but, if not, I'm okay with my new insanity. ;)

The Top 25 Reasons That I Know I'm A Mother

1) My new accessories consist of boogers, spit up and drool.

2) Liam starts to throw up and I hold out my hands to catch it because, usually, I'm no where near a burp cloth. Then I hold a crying Liam, getting puke in my hair and all over my clothes but, in the end, that's the least of my concerns. Gross, yes, but not until I think about it later.

3) Going grocery shopping alone is now considered "getting some ME time".

4) My six month old son has more clothes than I do.

5) I pick Liam's  boogers and it's no big deal...to me anyway.

6) Okay, I admit it, I actually enjoy driving the Mommy Mobile!

7) I know a million and a half things to clean with baby wipes.

8) I feel the need to stick a binky in the mouth of anyone that's whining...anyone.

9) I can go from wanting to rip my hair out with frustration to crying over baby pictures in 2.5 seconds.

10) Through sheer force of will, I can put off needing to pee for up to 12 hours.

11) ‎"What kind of poop was it?" will ALWAYS turns into an hour long conversation that can involve laughing, crying, and sighs of frustration.

12) It is now 100% normal to find binkies, burp cloths, teething toys, and bottles in my purse. Even during Sean's days with Liam.

13) I have resigned myself to the fact that, for now, uninterrupted nap time excites me more than uninterrupted sexy time. (This would bother me more if I knew that Sean felt differently...but, for now, we both REALLY enjoy our naps)

14) Sneeze pee.

15) The last thing I do on a vacation is relax.

16) I have learned and mastered the intricate dance that is "Avoiding the Bouncer/Mat/Toys/Excersaucer/Play Arches/Animals/Rogue Bottles/Binkies that are on my living room floor".

17) I know what the "About to Puke Face" looks like...and it's not because of too many nights partying.

18) I enjoy seeing people's baby pictures now...when the hell did that happen?

19) Instead of getting angry and exasperated with parents when their child is having an epic meltdown a couple of isles over, I just feel so so so bad for them. 

20) I LOOOOOOOVE shopping for baby food! I have NEVER been so excited for mushed up vegetables, fruits, and meats.

21) My body doesn't know how to sleep passed 630am anymore. That's IF I make it that long.

22) I know the complete and overwhelming joy that the simple phrase "Sleeping Through the Night" brings.

23) I don't know how to relax without the little fussing/talking/burping/pooping sounds that Liam makes all day.

24) Everything in my home has a fine layer of drool coating it. Even if you can't see it, it's there.

25) Last but not least, I wake up, go through my day, and go to bed with a feeling of being whole. Never felt anything quite like it. Don't know how I'd ever live without it.

So there you have it folks: My Top 25 Reasons That I Know I'm A Mom! Is there anything you'd add to my list??? If you had to make a list what would it be for?

Anywho, I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I spend it working. Blah. For the next two weeks I will be soaking up every second that I have with my tiny family because, as of March 11th, it's back to full time work for me. So nervous and excited! One day soon I'll do a blow-by-blow of what I do at work all day!

Liam had an amazing day with Daddy yesterday so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that he decides to give me a good day today! I hope everyone enjoys their Monday! :D

Happy 6 Months Monster!

Dear Monster,

   Today you are, technically, six months old! I can't believe it's been half a year since you graced us with your presence. I have, very selectively, blocked out a bunch of those early months due to stress or exhaustion but there are some mental snap shots that I will never forget. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for us. We love you so so so much Tiny Monster. ;)
~~~

Hi readers! Well, I made it safely home from Woodland Park! Huzzah! I can't even begin to explain how nice it was to stay up there with my Mom and be able to watch my tiny man bond with his Bug. My mom let me sleep in a couple of times and took over while I napped a few times. It was amazing! So much fun! I will post pictures and blog about how lovely it is to have such an amazing Mom here to help us out on a later date but today...today my little man is 6 months old and this one is all for him!

So, let's see...Liam's life in pictures thus far.

This was his birthday!

This was, quite possibly, the scariest day of Sean and my lives. I was told around noon on this day that my preeclampsia had progressed to a dangerous degree and that the doctors were concerned that I may start having seizures. So, onward to a C-section! Liam came out at 30 weeks and 2 days (2 1/2 months early). He was 2lbs 7oz and 15 1/4" long. The doctors told us that he probably wouldn't cry due to premature lungs but he showed them by hollering at us while they were trying to listen to his heart.

Fast Forward: One month

He was still very very tiny but when he turned one month old we were finally able to try bottle feeding! He took to it like a natural. Because he was so small we had to start with very tiny amounts but once he figured it out, he progressed like it was his JOB!

Fast Forward: Two months

When we finally brought Liam home he was still on oxygen and he still had pretty severe acid reflux. After several weeks of Sean and I staying awake for 24-48hrs at a time with only 3-4hrs of sleep in between, we came across a sale at Target! (Bless you Target for the many gifts you bring to our lives) They had a swing that was one sale and when you bought the swing the bouncer was free! These two products saved our lives and our marriage. Wonderful! Once we got his sleep schedule figured out, things started to progress rapidly!

Fast Forward: Three months

Our first big trip! Around the time Liam turned 3 months we were scheduled to be at the Hopkins Family Thanksgiving. We were a little nervous because it would be the longest trip we had taken since bringing him home. Ahhh! But, as we had hoped, he was a freaking superstar! He didn't fuss, he let everyone hold him, he ate like a champ, then fell asleep right before we headed home. I mean, COME ON! Best. Kid. Ever. He got to meet his Great Grandma and he just smiled and smiled! We thought we were the luckiest people in the world! It turns out that, when he travels, Liam is just a very pleasant baby. :)

Fast Forward: Four months

Merry Christmas! This was the first time we were able to do family pictures and they turned out great! It was also the first time Liam experienced really cold wind...not great. He was a trooper though. We got our shots then he went inside and crashed. :)

Fast Forward: Five months

Look at those red eyebrows! And the hair! We love it! To celebrate him turning 5 months, and him being a "supported sitter", we started solid foods! Woo! He LOVES peaches, pears, and prunes. He HATES green beans, peas, and squash. He's pretty indifferent to carrots, sweet potatoes, and bananas. That is all we know so far...but it's enough to start making our own baby food! Once he is a "sitter" we will begin mixing our own foods for him. So excited!

Hello SIX MONTHS!

Okay...seriously...I adore this picture. Gotta love the Zoolander face. Liam is 6 months old today. If you're wondering why he doesn't look like a 6 month old, it's because he isn't...technically. If you go according to conception and when he was SUPPOSE to be born, he's 3 1/2 months old right now. He is right on track for this age, which is wonderful, but trying to explain to a stranger that he is 6 months but really only 3 1/2 months is obnoxious. So, for the first year of his life we will be referring to him as his adjusted age and once it actually starts to matter (like on his first birthday) we will switch it around. Now that you're thoroughly confused, here is an update on what our little monster is doing:

ROLLING

He cries before, he cries during, but once he's rolled himself over it's all smiles, stares, and drool. :P

SMILING

I mean, come on...looks at those cheeks!

PULLING OBJECTS TOWARD HIM

Even his Grandma's hair.

SLEEPING...ANYWHERE

He's got it rough guys...geez.

RECOGNIZING AND GRASPING TOYS

This kid loves his elephant.

SUPPORTED SITTING

Geez Mom, I got this. Relax.

BEING ADORABLE

My happy Mountain Man!

So, here we are, six months left until he's one year old and plowing through his adjusted developmental milestones. We, literally, cannot wait to see what he'll be doing when we head over the mountains to see the other side of his family for Easter! Everyday this kid does something new and, sometimes scary, for his parents but we wouldn't trade it for the world. :D

Tomorrow is vaccine day for my little man. ACK! What are your plans for tomorrow? It's going to be PAYDAY FRIDAY here at Mom and Monster! Can't wait to tell you guys about my new favorite product!!

Motoring Momma Monday

Dear Monster,

Over the river and through the woods
To Grandmother's house we go!
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow

Over the river and through the woods
Oh how the wind does blow
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go

[Everybody now]
Over the river and through the woods
To Grandmother's house we go
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow

Over the river and through the woods
Oh how the wind does blow
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go

[Instrumental]

Over the river and through the woods
And through the barnyard gate
We seem to go extremely slow
It is so hard to wait
~~~

Good morning readers! This morning Liam and I will be traveling to my Mom's house where we'll be hanging out until Wednesday. This is the longest trip we'll have taken so far and *gasp* it's without Daddy! Yep, we're leaving Dad at home as a belated Valentine's Day gift. Three whole days to just sit around, work on his writing, and probably watch all of the Tom Cruise movies I refuse to watch with him. ;)

So, I'm going to give you a glimpse into the mind of a traveling mother! Here's what is going through my mind right now:

1) I need to leave by 1200pm........It's 1130am.

2) Formula

3) Diapers & wipes

4) At least two outfits per day and jammies for each night

5) GAH! SOCKS!

*deep breath* Almost lost it there for a second

6) Which toys?

7) Do I bring the bouncer?

8) How many binkies? I know I'll lose at least 2 while I'm there

9) The swaddle and a blanket...but which blanket?

10) Do I bring his play mat?

11) WHERE WILL ALL OF THIS FIT??

*deep breath* Okay...it's totally fine...

12) Almost forgot about burp clothes and bibs....how many of those freaking things will I need?

13) Solid foods...wait...did my Mom say she had those?

14) WAIT! WHAT DOES MY MOM ALREADY HAVE UP THERE???

*calls Mom*

15) Jeep carrier

16) 3 bottles

17) Oh crap, I have to switch the laundry to the dryer

*switches laundry*

18) Have to bring Alyssa her slings

19) Bulb syringe

20) Tylenol

21) Gas Drops

22) How long ago did he eat? He likes to throw up if we travel too soon after eating

*throws an extra burp cloth in the car seat*

23) Do I bring his vibrating frog? He loves that thing...hm...

24) Which teething toy is his favorite right now?

*throws the red teething toy in the bag...pulls it out....puts the yellow one in...wait...*

25) Did I already get the formula?

26) Almost forget the camera

27) Which shoes?

28) Almost forgot his jackets...

29) Did I already grab his binkies?

*throws an extra binky in the car seat*

30) Remember to stop by the library on your way out.

31) I just realized I haven't even packed for myself yet....................

Well, now that I have thoroughly thrown myself into "panic attack" mode, I'm going to pack for myself. Do you have a packing routine? Are you as scatter brained as I am when you're packing for a trip?

I probably won't have much time to write while I'm up in the mountains with my Mom and the Monster (I mean...she DOES have a hot tub), so I'll be on hiatus until Thursday! I hope you all have a wonderful Tempting Tuesday (have you tried any of the authors?) and that you get to relax on Hump Day! See you all again on Thursday!

Adventures in Baby Swaddling Part 2

Dear Monster,

   Your escape artist days are over! ha ha! ;)
~~~

Good morning readers! This morning, I am ecstatic! Why? Because THE SWADDLE WORKS! Huzzah!! As you know, last Saturday our new swaddle by the Pea Wee Baby Co. arrived! So, we tested it out the first night and found that we needed to throw a light blanket over his feet to make sure he stays warm enough to sleep through the night. Once we got that down, it was easy peasy! For those that have never seen or worked with one of these swaddles I made some visual aides! :D The swaddle takes some work to get down but once you have it, you have it and it gets easier and easier every time! So here we go:

How to swaddle a baby using a Pea Wee Baby Co. SwaddleBuddy Sack! 

Step 1:

 You should probably have a baby to swaddle...Just sayin'. Lucky for me, I found this one rolling around my floor. Let's get him swaddled and ready to eat then go to bed!

Step 2:

With this swaddle you'll notice that one end of the swaddle is obviously for the feet (it's closed) and the other end opens up into two separate panels and has velcro ALL over it! At this point I would NORMALLY say "read the freaking instructions" but, trust me, they won't help! The pictures kind of do but the written instructions include phrases like "square panel of fabric loop" and "hook tape". Uh.....huh. SO! I'm gonna make this as easy as I can! Point the end with the two open panels UP and the end that's closed DOWN. Separate the top panel from the bottom panel and fold it down. It should look like the picture above...Velcro, tags, panels, and all!

Step 3:

Lay your kiddo on the swaddle so that their armpits line up with the top seam. Then tuck the feet into the sack.

Step 4:

This is where it gets a little confusing to read, so stay with me. Bring the end of left arm wrap up between your little one's arm and torso. Then wrap the end around the outside of the arm and attach the velco on the end of the wrap to the velcro along the back of the swaddle. It sounds like complete chaos but when you have it in your hands and you're actually looking at it, it makes total sense! It should look like the picture above when you're done with this step. It might be a little awkward getting it wrapped around the arm the first time but practice makes perfect and after a couple of trial runs, Liam was a champ!

Step 5:

Repeat with the other arm wrap and the other arm. The first time you attempt this you may think that it looks completely uncomfortable and that your kiddo's arms are in some crazy position but, I assure you, they're not. I spent several minutes feeling his arms and shoulders and back and neck and everything just to make sure it all felt normal and comfortable and making sure that everything was in it's correct place. The entire time I was searching him for some sign of discomfort Liam was just chillin' out looking at me like I was a crazy person. If you keep the arm wraps and velco a little loose here, all will be well!

Step 6:

Raise the panel that as been bent down this whole time so that it reaches just below your little one's shoulders. You'll see the giant velcro patch facing up on the left side of the panel and the side that attaches to it is facing down on the right side of the panel.

Step 7:

Wrap the left panel underneath.

Step 8:

Attach the velcro on the right side of the panel to it's waiting velcro friend along the back of the swaddle and TADA! Swaddled baby!

Step 9:

Enjoy. ;)

I love love love this swaddle! It encourages Liam to keep his arms at his side throughout the night when before he was working and working to get his arms free. By the morning he was exhausted and he would always have one little fist sticking out. No more! He still has freedom to move his legs, which is great because Liam's a kicker and a bouncer, but I've found that he falls asleep faster without the ability to work at getting those arms free. In the morning we unswaddle him, do a couple quick arm stretches to make sure he is comfortable after sleeping with his arms by his side for the night (these stretches are by NO MEANS necessary- I just do them because I'm crazy and I think stretching helps him grow hehe), then we start our day. The only thing we've had to do a little differently is throw a little blanket over his feet at night so that he stays warm. The swaddle is 100% cotton so it's breathable but on winter nights it can leave the feet just a tiny bit chilled (again, the blanket is not really necessary- I'm just crazy about his body temperature and the calories he burns because he is a preemie). The blanket solved that problem and everything else has been fine! Also, if you browse back through the pictures, you'll notice that Liam wasn't fussing or thrashing or anything while I was wrapping him. He just hung out while I did each step and Sean took pictures. It feels like there are more steps to using this swaddle but Liam fusses a heck of a lot less when we're getting him into it than he has with his previous means of swaddling.

So, I've listed my reasons for loving this swaddle but here are a couple more provided by the Pea Wee Baby Company:

• Easy to use
• Bust-proof
• Baby is unable to kick out of leg pouch
• No scratching from zippers
• Fabric is 100% cotton to reduce risk of overheating
• No loose blankets
• Fabric stretches to prevent inhibition of lung function
• Legs are free to prevent hip dysplasia
• Even pressure across the torso relieves colic
• Baby's arms stay in the preferred swaddle position - at the sides
• Invented by a Mom!

So, there you have it ladies and gents, our new amazing swaddle that works like a dream! I'm so happy we found this hidden treasure and I hope you try it out if you're looking for a new swaddle!

I'm off to make myself lunch, watch some Grey's Anatomy, and enjoy my day off with my Monster while we wait for Dad to come home. I hope you're all having a lovely Friday!

My Mellow Mommy Monday and a gift for Valentine's Day!

Dear Monster,

   I can't freaking WAIT until you're in school and we have to stay up late making cookies and cards for your class! We're going to have so much fun talking about all the kids in your class and about who you want to give that "special valentine card" to. It's gonna be great, but until then we'll cuddle and hang out and talk about what Daddy gets us each year. :)
~~~

Hello readers and Happy Valentine's Day!! Let's start with yesterday... We were visited by our good friends over at In The Land Of Lou, Miss Alyssa and Mr Jonah! Alyssa and I absolutely LOVE our Mommy Days and Liam loves watching and learning from Jonah. As always, us Mommys had a chance to sit and talk about life, love, and family while we munched on Chicken Pot Pie and enjoyed our monsters taking some long naps.

Jonah's messy face after lunch time

Jonah enjoying the excersaucer

Liam checking out how Jonah was rocking the excersaucer

Sitting on the floor with Mom :)

Waiting for...

MOM!?!

Getting nervous about the camera

Silly man...

Jonah getting kisses from Mom

Facepalm!

Trying to get a picture with the boys

We gave up and just ended up getting a picture with the Moms

What an awesome day! Can't wait until our next Mommy Day! :D But, alas, we had to head to our separate corners of good ol' Colorado and move forward to today, which is VALENTINE'S DAY!?!

I am SO not a mushy-gushy-lovey-emotional-puddle-on-the-floor type of person...but I still love Valentine's Day! I try to show the appropriate amount of mush on this day. I give a gift, give a hug, give a kiss...and whatever else. ;) I've tried the full spectrum of gifts throughout my many Valentine's Days and I have found one tried and true rule for gift giving: Simplicity is best. Obviously for the big things it is necessary to be extravagant but for annual holidays and birthdays, I love the simple things in life.

So, for this Valentine's Day I fell in love with this simple idea for your significant other:

The New and Improved Gift Basket!

It's called The New and Improved Gift Basket because everything in it is a new and improved version of something that your significant other already has! I love the creativity that is involved in this gift basket and how it reminds your Valentine of how well you know them and how much you love them and want them to have the very best in life!

Step 1: You'll need a basket-  A great example of a basket for this would be if your Valentine needed new slippers or shoes! Grab a new pair of your Valentine's favorite slippers or shoes at their favorite store and TADA: BASKET!

Step 2: Filler- This is my favorite part! Does your Valentine need a new razor? Is their wallet falling apart? Did their favorite mug get broken a couple of years ago? Is there jewelry that needs to be repaired? Can you hunt down their favorite body soap or deodorant that's running out? How's that favorite toothbrush looking these days? That towel that they always use at home and take with them on every trip? Get creative! You know their routines, wants, and needs better than anyone so take a couple of minutes to run through the routine and find out what's fading, cracking, tearing, or just plain missing. 

Step 3: You'll need some kind of wrapper for the basket- I love the idea of a new version of an old shirt for this. Does your Valentine have a favorite jersey or print shirt that is fading or ripping? Find a new version and wrap your completed basket in it!

Step 4: Finalize it- Finish up the basket with a gift card for you guys' favorite restaurant where you will both try something brand new on the menu. It could become your new favorite food!

What do you think? It's great for a last minute idea because it involves things that are already sitting around the house and that you already know your Valentine loves! If you chose to use the idea, I hope you enjoy putting it together and that your significant other loves it! If you chose a different idea, what was it? How did it go?

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!!! If it's not full of mush, I hope it's full of fun...but it better be bursting with love. If not, come talk to me. :::hugs:::

Adventures in Baby Swaddling

Dear Monster,

   You grew so fast! And you're such a little Houdini with your arms! We had to buy you a larger swaddle that would actually hold you in. We tried to let you sleep through the night without the swaddle...nope, you wanted nothing to do with it. Your physical therapist says this is fine for at least another couple of months so we're gonna roll with it, work with you, and hope you're not still being swaddled by your significant other someday. ;)
~~~

Two blogs in one day?? Whaaaaaat??

I just had to share our swaddling story with you guys. Why? Because our brand new swaddle arrived today!! I'm going to post about our progress with it because it's a strange swaddler and it may or may not work so we'll be learning together!

As I'm sure you guys have read, Liam was in the NICU for 7 1/2 weeks after he was born. During this time it was very important for him to be swaddled as a premature baby's "moro" or startle reflex is usually brought on by excessive stimulation with their arms. So from about 3 weeks on, he was tucked into a preemie swaddle and he did just great!

The very first time Liam was swaddled. He loved every second.

We had been told that the more chances he had to contain himself and sleep the more he would grow. So, we were very please to see that Liam adored his swaddle time. We would wrap him up, in what now seem impossibly small swaddle blankets, and he would instantly fall asleep and rest for hours. This wonderful trait continued throughout his NICU time and onto his time here at home. We've gone through three different stages of swaddle so far.

1. Swaddle Blankets

We loved Carter's brand Swaddle Blankets. They are super stretchy and they're pretty big so there is some growing room!

2. Halo brand Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle (Preemie)

The NICU sent us home with this wonderful swaddle. Made of the softest Micro-Fleece ever (in my opinion), the SleepSack has adjustable velcro straps that help contain the arms but, unlike other swaddles, also allows for the arms to be outside the swaddle. It's also the only product that carries the gold seals from leading SIDS and safety organizations and is approved as "Hip Healthy" by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. We freaking loved this thing!

3. Halo Brand Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle (Newborn)

This size was also sent home with us by the NICU. Liam finally fit into it about a month ago. All of the things listed for the Preemie swaddle sack apply to the Newborn size. The only difference is that the velcro arm wrapper can be removed so that it can become just a sleep sack instead of a swaddle sack.

Well, Liam has finally grown out of the Newborn size and, as much as we would love to continue with the Halo brand, Liam has figured out how to maneuver his arms out of the swaddle, then he uses said arms to twist himself into some awful position, then he cries...at 2am. This coming from a kid that has been sleeping through the night for the last 3 months. Uh-uh. Not okay. Mommy loves her sleep entirely too much. So, Sean and I had to find a different brand. What we stumbled across in our search was the Pea Wee Baby SwaddleBuddy Sack! We ordered it on Thursday and it arrived today! I am so so so excited about this thing!

Here is how it works:

Here is ours that came today:

 The directions:

Our brand new swaddle is in the wash right now and I can't WAIT to use it tonight! We love the color! We love the idea behind the design. We're just hoping it actually works well. It may take a couple of nights but I will keep all of you updated as we work through the growing pains of trying something new. 

If you have a kiddo, did you swaddle? What was your favorite brand? How long were you able to swaddle? 

In general, have you tried anything new this week? Something new coming up for you?

Simply Saturday

Dear Monster,

   We have been a busy family for the last couple of days and you have been SO good! You smile at people, you don't cry when strangers hold you, and you slept through most of the meeting yesterday! You're growing up little man. We love you!
~~~

Hello readers! Sorry for absence on Payday Friday but, as you read above, we have had an intense couple of days. On Thursday I pulled almost 12 break-less hours at work, then came home and had to work super late (with the help of a glass of wine and my amazing husband) on my presentation for my work meeting on Friday. Normally I am not a procrastinator but a kid, a husband, friends, and life in general have made a procrastinator out of me. Friday morning I got my little man up around 530am (after such a loooong day on Thursday this was just torture) so that he could eat at 6, then eat again at 10am so that we could make it to my meeting at 12pm and stay there for what seemed like forever! After the meeting, which he did amazing at, we went to Lacey's house and hung out there for a while. Again, he rocked it! Once we got home, we ate, settled the tummy, and we were right out the door again to go to Target and buy the stuff for Liam's dresser, some formula, and a couple of those impulse items that Target is just wonderful for. We then came home, ate dinner, put the dresser together, almost had heart attacks when we realized it was 1130pm and Liam hadn't been fed yet, fed Liam, then went to bed.

Liam's new dresser! I love the little shark cube!

I am tired.

So, today is Simply Saturday. I have no where to go. I have nothing to do. I get to just relax. Today I will be browsing through applications from people who want to come to my house and watch my son (and try to sift through the homicidal maniacs), fill Liam's new dresser (we didn't quite get to the point of putting clothes in it last night), possibly do some housework (maybe only laundry), play some Skyrim, enjoy my time with my son, and enjoy the snow that is, once again, falling. Today is going to be a wonderful day, damn it! ;)

What are you guys doing today? How are you enjoying this Simply Saturday?

Worried Wednesday

Dear Monster,

   Your father and I are making some big decisions here in the next few weeks about having someone come take care of you twice a week so that I can go back to work. This is not an easy decision but please know that whatever we decide, it's in your very best interest. We wouldn't do it otherwise.
~~~

Good morning readers! I am having a Worried Wednesday. Obviously, as a parent, you want what is best for your child. Today I am learning that knowing that you WANT the best and knowing what IS the best, are two very different things. Let me preface this debate by saying that me being a full-time Stay-At-Home-Mom is not a possibility for us financially. Right now I work 2 days a week and Sean works the other 5 so that one of us is always home with Liam.

The great debate has finally happened in my house. Return to work full-time or stay part-time and be home with Liam 5 days a week. This question was recently made much harder because my boss offered me the promotion of my dreams. It is, quite literally, my dream job (besides being a Stay-At-Home-Mom, of course) and it is, quite literally, being handed to me. I have busted my rump for 4+ years to get this dream job. Everyday that I worked I would tell myself that all the crap was worth it because someday someone would recognize what I was doing and how well I was doing it and they would ask what I wanted and I would shout it from the rooftops!! Well, that day has finally come...and I am torn.

Side A: Part-Time Work/Part-Time Stay-At-Home-Mom
I ADORE my child. He is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Hands down. Every moment with him is an absolute miracle (though some miracles tend to be more frustrating than others) and growing and learning with him are my two favorite things in the whole world. Sean and I have seen this child through so very many hard times and I feel like things are finally back on track for him to become a normal, healthy, happy monster. I feel like I can finally enjoy his normal developmental stages like eating solid foods, touching his toes, and babbling on and on. I can finally do all of these things without worrying if he is going to live through the night, what testing needs to be done tomorrow, and who his care givers will be throughout the day. I feel like we are back on track to being a normal family and all I want to do it wallow in this wonderful miracle of my life. I want to do Mommy dates. I want to know every single thing my child does all day. I want to be there for every single development. I want my child to know his mother loves him and that I will ALWAYS be there for him. I know that this is all possible while being a working mom too but I feel like I would have a closer and more solid relationship with my kiddo as a Stay-At-Home-Mom. I love our cuddle days, our grumpy days, and even our teething days. I've actually started to enjoy house work (***GASP***) and I have everything on a nice, neat schedule right now. I love that my husband gets to come home to a clean house (most days) and a happy, healthy family. I love that I am the runner of the household and that things run smoothly (most days). I love being able to vent and bond with people on my blog, and that I have an awesome support system of Mommy Helpers in all of my friends here in Colorado and in my fellow-Mommies on CafeMom. I feel like if I wasn't home as often as I am I wouldn't have time for all of the wonderful things I have come to love about my life recently. I worry that I would become more stressed and angry and possibly resentful of not being able to be home, where I feel like I belong.

Side B: Working-Mom
I ADORE being able to provide for my child. I love that I have knowledge to give him. That there is something substantial about me that will someday fascinate him. I look forward to "Take Your Child to Work" days (wait...do they still do those?). I look forward to Career Day at Liam's school. I love that we will have extra money around the house to buy him things that he needs for his development and fun. Liam will only be watched by someone else 2 days a week. The other 5, either Sean or I will be home with him. Me working 4 days a week will even out how much time each of us spends with Liam. This will be a positive step because right now I see him the most and you can tell that there are days when Sean wishes our positions could be switched. This way, it's all even. But I also know that it will be rough because there will be days when I come home and I am completely exhausted and Sean is completely exhausted but one of us has to stay up. I know that Liam struggles with new people feeding him. He doesn't scream or cry but he definitely KNOWS that it's not Mom or Dad taking care of him. It hurts my heart that someone else may get to see his first steps, his first words, or his first true response to something like sign language. I know all of this but I know that it is important for me to be someone other than just Mom. To have substance to who I am. To have the ability to morph from Mom to Wife to Courtney at the drop of a hat means that I will be a well adjusted human being. To continue my education and to continue to, not just grow, but THRIVE in my career have always been important to me. I know it's important to have something of myself to reflect back on once Liam is out of the house. I know it's important to bring new and exciting things to the table in my relationships with my son, my husband, my family, and my friends. I feel like I could accomplish all of these things by returning back to work and continuing my career.

Answer: I have no freaking idea what is best for my family. I never thought it would be this hard. I figured I'd pop Liam out, hang out with him for about 12 weeks then return to work full-time while Liam was at day care. :dusts hands and walks away:

*sigh* That, my friends, is just not how things are playing out. Trying to find someone to watch my child is STRESSFUL. I trust NO ONE! The two days a week that I work I am checking our BabyESP app at EVERY possible moment to see what's going on and that's just when he's home with his own father! I can't even imaging how I'm going to act when he's being taken care of by a stranger! Liam is constantly in the back of my head and when I get home it is sweet relief every time. Not easy. Not simple. Not anything like I thought it would be. But there are two sides to every coin and I need to truly decide what's best for me, my son, and my husband. No one else. Just us. You'd think that figuring out the best option for 3 little people would be a hell of a lot easier than this.

So what do you all think? What do you prefer? What would you chose? Any advice for this stressed-out, guilt-ridden, over-thinking mother?

Is there anything going on in your life that is causing you to have a Worried Wednesday?

Tempting Tuesday #3

Dear Monster,

   Your Grandma sent you this Elmo activity book that you absolutely adore! You were grabbing the stars and you loved the material that made up the shower curtain on one of the pages. I'm so glad you like these things because reading to you and watching you learn are some of my favorite times!
~~~

Hello again readers! Sorry about the delay in posts! It's been a pretty intense couple of days for our little clan here. Between Denver getting two feet of snow, Liam having a really rough day, and getting a visit from The Harris family, we have been in a whirlwind of action. But I'm back and ready with a fantastic author for Tempting Tuesday! When I'm in the mood for castles, maidens, and a Scottish Brogue I turn to Highlander Romance and:

Monica McCarty

Monica McCarty is the only reason I am a Highlander Romance fan. By now I'm sure you've noticed that I like a writer with a sense of humor and the ability to write HONEST characters. I am just not a fan of swooning maidens and lost loves just because they didn't have a conversation about how the hero and heroine actually felt. I need to see strong woman, caring men, and an active libido. ;) All of the above are what Monica McCarty is famous for. Combining her life experiences of a law degree, her travels all over the world, her husband's professional baseball career (Dave McCarty and the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox ring a bell for anyone?), and her life as a mother into a knowledge base for her worldly and fun characters, she has created a wonderful career for herself.

A self proclaimed nerd and lover of every single type of writing, Monica McCarty's love of reading began very early in her life. It was through her Comparative Legal History class, and a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism that she fell in love with Scottsmen and the idea of Highlander Romance. And after working through her legal career, getting married, having children and building a family while her husband was traveling all over the country with different professional baseball teams, she finally decided to do something for herself. She started writing and never looked back.

Some of my favorites of hers include:
The Campbell Trilogy
The MacLeods of Skye Trilogy
and her most recent and currently in progress - The Highland Guard Series

All of her books are historically accurate (though she may fudge on how romantic and passionate the relationships were). Because of her absolute love of research and debate she makes sure that all books are thoroughly researched and that most of the situations she puts her characters into are as historically correct for the time as possible. She also makes sure to include the history surrounding the era she chose to write in on her website.

I hope you guys look into her books! I adore her! And her men aren't too bad to read either. ;)

Happy Tempting Tuesday everyone! For us, today will be filled with a newly rolling monster, some Skyrim, and snow!! What are you doing today??

Payday Friday #3

Dear Monster,

   Your pediatrician told us that babies can have symptoms of teething for several months before they actually get a tooth. You've been "teething" for around a month now and we have yet to see a pearly white. Hopefully you'll cut one soon! The drool is getting a little out of control. ;)
~~~

Good morning readers and welcome back to Payday Friday! My husband actually purchased this weeks Payday Friday piece. We absolutely love love love it!

Welcome to the Payday Friday group: Stage 1 Tommee Tippee Teether!

This simple teething product left Sean and I facepalming ourselves and wondering why we NEVER thought of it! We could have been MILLIONAIRES! ;) WE love our Tommee Tippee Stage 1 Teether because LIAM loves it! It takes a couple of practice runs to figure out the easiest way to get it in your little one's mouth but once you figure out the trick (one side at a time!) it's so easy! The very middle of the arch is flexible for easy manipulation. The textured surface helps massage the gums and promote quicker cutting of teeth. Channels along the teething arch make it easier to apply teething gel. Though our family doesn't use OraGel or other teething gels, several reviews and other Mom's I've talked to say that the channels help the gel stays in place while you put the teether in baby's mouth and promotes even and complete distribution of the gel! You can also dunk the teething arch in water then throw it in the freezer to help with inflammation and irritation while your little one is using it. Because of how it's formed, baby can still babble and breath easily while using the teether and if they're done using it and want to take it out themselves (as Liam has recently decided to learn how to do) one little tug and the teether pops right out! No struggle, no worries! Liam has trouble with regular circular teethers because his mouth is still tiny and he doesn't like to grip things for too long (there are waaaay more exciting things to do hehehe). This one stays in his mouth like a binky while allowing him to continue on with his attempts to roll over, his exercauser time, and his cuddle time with Mom and Dad. If you're struggling with teething, or you just want to try something new, this is the product for you!

What works/worked best for your little one while teething? Are you going to try today's product? If you already have one, do you love it or hate it??

That will conclude yet another Payday Friday! I'm going to treat myself today by trudging into the snow to get my hair cut! So excited! Happy Snow Day and if it's not snowing where you are, Happy Regular Friday! ;)

Whistle While You Work Wednesday

Dear Monster,

   Thanks, in large part, to your father you have a semi-constant flow of modern rock, classic rock, heavy metal, modern classical, and occasional pop music playing in your room. We don't know how, if at all, it will help you but we're hoping you'll enjoy Metallica concerts as much as we do someday because, yes, they will still be rocking.
~~~

Hello readers! You may have noticed the absence of the usual "Temping Tuesday" but yesterday was a rough day for the Monster so we spent most of the day having cuddle time. Next week, look forward to hearing all about my favorite author for the genre of Highlander Romance! Woo!

I have spent most of my morning putting together the playlist that you probably hear in the background right now. Thanks to the lovely Miss Alyssa over at In The Land of Lou, I fell in LOVE with the idea of having music play while browsing around a blog. So, I completely and shamelessly stole her idea for a playlist (Sorry Alyssa! You're just brilliant! You should expect some copy cats. hehehe). When you visit Alyssa's site you will be welcomed by any number of lovely, lilting tunes that put you in a cozy mood to read her wonderful blog. As for mine...well...There are all kinds of stuff on there. All. Kinds. You may have to sort through it to find something you like but I can guarantee there is something on there for everyone.

So, as I was browsing through music that I wanted on my playlist I started wondering how I would define my music preference. Honestly, I can sit and happily listen to every single song on my playlist. It ranges from country (love me some Reba), to classical (oh Yo-Yo Ma...you make my heart soar), to heavy metal (sometimes I just need a little Five Finger Death Punch to bash around to), and pop (Yep. You should expect some GaGa...it's me after all). I don't really think I have a "favorite genre" of music. I'll listen to anything that gets my heart pumping or gives me goosebumps. Honestly, anything. I've heard Christian music that moved me to tears and I've sat through some Lamb of God (most definitely NOT what it sounds like it would be!) where I was able to appreciate the most beautiful poetry. I just love music for every tiny bit of it.

My musical habits and appreciations come mainly from my high school experiences and activities. I played the cello in high school and fell hard and fast for the rich tones and harmonics that can come from that instrument. I was also part of the color guard for the marching band during which time learned to appreciate the climaxes and tumbles of some of the most amazing compositions. All the while I was listening to Mariah Carey and Metallica on the radio on the way to school.

Some of my most emotionally jarring moments in my life, good or bad, are associated with certain songs, groups, or artists. I remember my Aunt Marci (that passed away on 2001) whenever I hear anything by Sarah McLaughlin, Linkin Park reminds me of my cousins, the songs "My Friend of Misery", "Nothing Else Matters", and "The Way You Look Tonight" make me think of my husband. Give me rap and my best friend Angela is gonna fly into my mind (long story), then give me pretty much any pop music from the 90's and there's my best friend Haley. Garth Brooks? Shinedown? Hi Mom! Anything by Eminem? You better believe Buster is there. The album All I Ever Wanted by Kelly Clarkson is gonna make me cringe and want to cry no matter how many times I hear it. And if you play me either "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion or "I See You" by Leona Lewis I will cry all of over you...damn you James Cameron!

So, I want to know: What are your favorite genres of music? What parts of your past have made you love or hate certain types of music? What's the one song you could listen to over and over? Is there a specific song that brings up sweet or sad memories? What's your favorite tune to Whistle While You Work?