Five on Friday

::: 1 :::

This week I took Leo to the Getty - a really cool art museum here in LA. I had high hopes of it being a real cultral event for my little 8 month old, but I think we ended up spending more time waiting for elevators than we did looking at any real art. I think we'll go again when we don't need a stroller. 

::: 2 ::: 

There has been a baby explosion within my group of girlfriends and within the last 6 weeks we have welcomes three baby girls! I had the opportunity to meet sweet AJ and bring dinner to her parents house. This is their second baby, and going to their house on day 3 of being home was really eye opening.

When I had Leo, on day 3, I literally had felt like my world had been shaken, turned, twisted. Nothing was the same, everything was overwhelming, and we all were just tip toeing in our new weirdness.

My friends gave me hope that with baby number 2, you are just a loooooot cooler about everything! They're rocking it! 

::: 3 :::

Chef's Table Season 2 came out this week and the first episode is based on Grant Achatz and his Chicago based restaurant Alinea. It was an amazing episode, beautiful, inspiring, and wildly entertaining. I highly recommend it (its on Netflix) if you get an hour this weekend! 

::: 4 ::: 

Leo is really loving our trips to the park, which is crazy to think that I'm starting to have a kid that I can take to the park! How is this possible??! He thinks the swings are just the coolest thing in the world and spends all 15 minutes giggling to himself with pure joy. 

::: 5 ::: 

I can't believe its already the weekend....short weeks are amazing! We have a dinner party with new friends tonight, I'm sneaking away to get my hair highlighted, and we're stocking the freezer with some freezer meals for when I'm gone in Chicago. 

High Tea

Ok, so I think we have found the most ideal baby shower/sprinkle location ever.

High Tea at The Peninsula hotel!

Our "book club" got together to celebrate Dawn's second baby - a girl! - on Sunday. Her and our friend Laura are both having C-sections on the exact same day next week, so our group will be growing quite a bit!

It was so lovely to spend a Sunday afternoon over tea, champagne, and an amazing tower of goodies. We had a harpist right behind our table, and I'm pretty sure we could've stayed at our table all night long.

 After we polished off our trays, we had Dawn open a few girly gifts to celebrate her upcoming addition. 

 Some of our husbands and babies hung out while we were busy - so it turned out to be a fun Sunday for everyone involved. 

And a perfect way to celebrate our two dear friends! 

Five on Friday

TGIF!

 Here's a bit of a recap of our last two weeks...

::: 1 :::

The best thing that happened this week was the arrival of my new cousiniece Carter. She's absolutely beautiful and perfect, and will be Leo's sweetest best friend ever. 

::: 2 :::

We started swim lessons and it is just about the cutest thing ever. We are doing our lessons in the valley with another one of my cousins (opposite side of the family as above cousin) and his son Nolan. The class is 30 minutes, and Leo loved every minute that we were in the pool. The class seems to focus on getting the kids comfortable in the water, learning how to go under water, kicking and paddling.

Getting out of the pool is kind of a cluster though, I won't lie. I learned a pro-tip from a mom there though, so I'm excited to try it today. Her advice was to take off his suit in the pool right as you are about to get out. Trying to take off the wet suit, while drying both you and the baby off, getting both of you dressed, the whole nine yards was a little stressful. Plus, he was like instantly starving so that added a fun layer of screaming!

::: 3 :::

We've been hitting up a lot of happy hours lately, and I have to give a little shout out to this high chair. It's by Phil & Teds and its totally collapsible. It's a perfect spot for Leo because he's at our eye level, but doesn't have an awkward high chair taking up space in a tight restaurant. The only issue is not all tables are compliant, so there have been a few times when he's had to chill on our laps for dinner.

::: 4 ::: 

Speaking of baby products, we had to stick a breathable bumper in Leo's crib. Overnight, the slats on Leo's crib because the coolest toy everrrrr and he kept getting all of his limbs stuck. After 3 nights of waking up around 2am to pull his leg or arm out of it, we finally bought and installed this bumper. 

It's kind of a pain to put on, but its been really nice not have to worry about broken bones.

::: 5 :::

 

I'm leaving these three boys next week for the first time and I'm equal parts terrified of the heartbreak and thrilled to sleep in and be free as a bird. 

I know they'll all do great, and that its good for everyone, but it'll be weird at first. 

And yes, the Mexico sun, a cold margarita, and two of my best girlfriends will ease the blow.

Thursday Thoughts

::: I still need to get around recapping our time in Chicago - and my goal is to get that up here by Monday. I feel like if I don't get a post on here - than I'll lose the pictures!

::: This past weekend we finally took the Bob stroller out onto the mountains and we all ran as a little squad. It was pretty freaking adorable and I know Joel has been looking forward to this day since I first told him I was pregnant. 

::: Leo is the happiest little baby when we are outside, which is the perfect excuse for patio happy hours and dinners outside! 

::: After taking a two week vacation from reality, I've felt 100% under water since I've gotten back. The days have not been long enough, and I feel like I've been running around with my head cut off. I let so much "stuff" pile up, and now I'm having to deal with that pile.

::: Hold me accountable to this, but I plan to go back to Chicago for 4-5 weeks this summer, and my goal will be to keep up with life while I'm there - unlike this last trip!

::: I finally found a lamp for our little play area and found a few fun pieces for the top of the book shelf. We hang out in this little corner all day,  so I've appreciated looking at the spruced up version!

::: I've gone one week 100% carb free. I'm leaving for Mexico in a few weeks and I'm not cheating until the day I land my feet in that country! Unfortunately, the scale still hasn't budged, I thought for sure I'd be down a few pounds....but, alas, nothing!

::: Which is why I will be rocking one pieces. I'm hoping a spray tan, and an expensive one piece bathing suit will perform miracles (or at least illusions of miracles) while I'm there.

::: We just started watching People vs. OJ on FX and both Joel and I are super into it. We're not big TV show people, but this one is hard to not binge.

::: Leo (and I) are going through a ton of transitions right now. As soon as you feel like you've got this parenting thing under control....things have to change. We started solid foods this past month, (which hasn't gone amazing), we're trying to drop his middle nap (which hasn't gone amazing), and we're going to stop breast feeding this Sunday, on his 7 month birthday (which is making me sad).

::: Leo also has really bad dry skin on his face that I can't seem to get rid of. We've tried a few OTC options, but it just doesn't want to let up. Any pro tips out there before I take him to the doctor next week?

Leo - Month 4

::: 1 month recap ::: 2 month recap ::: 3 month recap :::

Weight:   12lbs 7oz and 24.5"

Nicknames: Wee-Woo, Leeman, Lee-Lee, Goo monster,

 

Clothes: I could buy clothes for you every single day and it takes everything in me not to. Everyone always complains about boy clothes being hard to find, and I do think the selection sucks but I love the hunt and thrill of finding darling outfits. 

You're too tall for 0-3 months, but your booties help hide the floods ;) - otherwise, you're in a pretty good mix of 3mth, 3-6mth, and even a few 6mth sleepers.

Sleep:  You're a great sleeper and typically sleep from 7:30pm-6:30am, but this month we will be switching up a few things on you. You've loved your baby taco (the FP Rock and Play) and your miracle blanket swaddle, but you are outgrowing them. Right now you are taking naps in your crib with the help of a Merlin suit and soon you will be sleeping in the crib full time! You're getting to be such a big boy!

Schedule: We've had a nice schedule going this past month. No day is exactly the same, but if you wake up at 6:30...

6:30am feed

6:30-8am play

8-10am nap

10am feed

10:30- 1:30 nap and play

1:45 pm feed 

1:45-3pm play

3pm -5pm nap

5pm feed

6:45pm bath

7:15pm bottle

7:30pm bed

Health: We are so thankful for your perfect health!

Crying: You're easy to please, but you do whine when you're not happy. You'll take your paci to calm down and then continue to play - or if you're really fussy, you typically need a nap.

 

Feeding:  Most days you eat 5 times unless you have a growth spurt and wake up around 4am, then you'll sneak in a 6th feeding. You're exclusively breastfed, but Dad gives you a 7oz bottle before bed.

Likes:  This has been a really fun month! You love to make faces, mimic noises, make funny noises with your lips, and blow rasperries. You love to "stand", you are really liking your neutron looking rattle, and your kick mat that you got for Christmas.

Dislikes: You don't like to bet put into the car seat, but once we start moving, you're good. You don't like being cold, being tired, or getting bored.

Milestones:  You rolled more in your 3rd month than you did in your 4th but you'll still surprise with one here and there. You're really starting to grab things lately, and I'm noticing a lot more 2 handed play too. I think the way you mimic us is a pretty adorable milestone and your overall strength is seriously impressive.

Places You’ve Gone:  Coco, Papa , Aunt Hannah and Aunt Birdie have been with you this whole month and have taken you just about everywhere. You went to more restaurants this month than most babies go to in a year. We went down to Newport Beach, went for hikes, spent a lot of time at the ocean, visited the Venice canals and hit up Rodeo Drive a few times too.

Visitors: You met your Great Grandma - Kuka - this month....She's 87 and flew to California from Chicago with your cousin Liz. It was pretty amazing Leo that you got to meet such an important part of my life.

Postpartum:  Now that I feel back to normal, I want to look back to normal too! I still have 10 pounds to lose and these seem to be pretty dang sticky. I'm really trying to stay active with you and eat a lot less carbs. I was hoping that breastfeeding you was going to do all the work for me, but it looks like I'm going to have to give it a little more effort to get back into my jeans.

 

Roscoe: This month he has started to give you a kiss almost everyday and you love it. If I let him, I think he would kiss you for ten minutes straight. He turned four this month too!

5 on Friday

::: 1 :::

So my girlfriend Beth shared this genius app with me and I have to say, I think its the first app that has truly made me want to cry. It's exactly what I needed  You need to have an account at Shutterfly, but that's about it. The app will upload all of your pictures to the website (which backs them up for free!) and you can order prints, make calendars, whatever directly off their site. I send real pictures to my mother-in-law and Grandma and its normally such a pain, but voila! Life made simpler! 

::: 2 ::: 

Leo is a pretty rock star sleeper. He goes down in his miracle blanket and the rock and play at around 7:30am and normally sleeps pretty soundly until 6 or 6:30am.  He's starting to outgrow both so the last few weeks we've been playing around with transitioning out of the swaddle and into the crib. 

We tried the Aden and Anais wearable blankets first and they were not a success. Leo needs something to blunt his movements in order to sleep soundly, so after a lot of research we ordered the Merlin suit and so far, naps in his crib have gone really well (even though he looks like a buffoon!). I'm hoping he will have success with it overnight too but I'm going to wait just a few more days of successful naps before we rip the band-aid!

::: 3 ::: 

I'm also updating my snapchat a lot lately! I'm tshields622 if you're on it!

I'm really trying to make sure that I'm getting in 10,000 steps a day so I'm back to wearing my fitbit religiously everyday, and will even clip it on my robe so that I don't miss any steps in the morning. This week I've been doing a "Work Week Hustle" with my cousin Liz back at home and it's been such a huge motivator! Have you ever done a fitbit challenge? They're actually pretty fun! 

Also - I feel like I should get an extra 1,000 steps at the end of the day since most of my steps are with a 13 pound baby strapped to my chest!

::: 4 :::

I can't believe Leo is going to start eating actual food sometime here in the near future! I'm not going to introduce any solids until 6 months, but I want to start understanding the best way to go about how and what to introduce. Joel and I are really intrigued by Baby Led Weaning, so that's the first book I'm going to read. My doc is ok with it but warned me that it can be scary with the first few gags....so we'll see.  I have a feeling we'll end up doing a mix of everything.

::: 5 :::

Along with getting in 10,000 steps a day, I'm trying realllllly hard to cut back on carbs. I have a few staple carb free meals (meatballs, stuffed peppers, chili, etc.) but I'm looking for a few more to try out. Any easy favorites? I've found a few of these on Pintrest that have caught my eye too....

How to spoil new parents...

We've had so many people shower us with love and gifts over Leo's arrival, its been incredibly humbling and eye opening. 

When we lost my Aunt Peggy almost four years ago, I was taught a lesson in "showing up". Our entire community, and then some, showed up for Aunt Peggy, for her family, and for ours....and has continued to do so. I learned that a card goes a really long way and that even the smallest of gestures - like running carpool, or walking the dog - are gestures that are never forgotten.

And I'm back in that humbling seat yet again being shown from friends and family that the outpouring of love, support, and kindness makes everything sweeter.

Now that I've had a baby, it will change the way I help my friends and family who will go on to have the next set of babies, so with that,  I thought I would talk about the three best gestures that we have received and plan to give. 

::: FOOD ::: 

Since my mom was here for three weeks, I didn't have to think about even making my breakfast. My mom had Joel and I eating like kings, and everything she was making, she was freezing the extras. It was a glorious system. But when she had to go back home, I realized that besides freezer dinners, I really had no food that I could eat in a pinch. I was out for a walk with Leo on my first day alone...already emotional from having to say goodbye to my mom that morning....when I got a call that a delivery driver was waiting for me at our building. 

My cousins had ordered Joel and I a huge gift basket of lunches and dinners from an amazing deli here in LA. I honestly started crying in the elevator with the delivery man. Not only was I starving (and hormonal), but I was just so overcome by the gesture. This pack of food gave Joel and I at least three lunches and dinners, plus snacks and dessert, and allowed us to eat healthy, fast, and well.

 

It was over the top amazing and a gesture I'll never forget (and if you live in LA, I couldn't recommend this enough).

::: GIFT BOXES :::

 

The first time I opened up my computer after a week of hibernation, I saw that I had a Facebook message from friends from my hometown. They had started a new business - Care Carton - and wanted to send me a care package to welcome Leo. I felt like it was such a hug from home.....just to be thought of so randomly...was so kind, and the Care Carton was again, just over the top. 

 

A little something for me (bath salt and body balm), and a little something for Leo (black and white muslin swaddle and a book)....all "just because". This little package left a big impact and I plan to use them again for any occasion - birthdays, new adventures, and babies. It's takes the guess work out of putting together a gift basket for friends who don't live nearby.

Kellie, one of the owners (along with her husband Blake), are offering a $5.00 coupon for the next two weeks, just type in TEATIME and you'll get a little discount off your order! Let me know if you take advantage.

Their company's slogan is "A memorable gift made easy" and it truly was just that. 

::: TIME, COMPANY, and WINE ::: 

I think my friends knew how hard it was going to be me for me when my mom left, so all last week I was surrounded by girlfriends popping over to just sit with me and keep me company. Wether it be for lunch, or a coffee break, or even to let me sneak away for a manicure....having the company of friends during the first few weeks of having a newborn was the most comforting hours of my day. 

---

We've been spoiled, and Joel and I truly feel like "To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required" and we've been reminded of that during this season of life.

Five on Friday

Whoa, this week just flew the heck by. We are most definitely in the throws of the last month of pregnancy and it's not for the weak! Along with now weekly doctor appointments, there's all of the other stuff that I'd like to get done before baby (other doc appointments, oil changes, vet appointments, house stuff etc). Add in a birthing class every Thursday, trying to get work done, and calendar full of other fun celebrations, we've got ourselves a jam packed month!

::: 1 :::

Thankfully last weekend we spent every day at home getting major work done. This was the nursery on Saturday night. 

It's come a long way, I promise!! 

::: 2 ::: 

 With every forward step we took in the nursery, it left us with two extra steps in another room of the house.  All of baby's bath stuff, meant we needed to reorganize the guest bathroom. It was just a joke, but it feels so good now to have everything feeling as organized as I can get it. 

 

::: 3 :::  

Plus, since I was clearly nesting....the fall stuff went out too while we were at it. I don't need the extra clutter, so I'm keeping it really easy this year, but I'll show some better pics next week! 

 

::: 4 ::: 

It's been very, very hot in LA this week....and after a long walk, Roscoe popped up on the cool tile fireplace to cool off. He used to sleep up there all the time as a little pup....pass me some kleenx.

::: 5 ::: 

We don't have much planned for this weekend which I'm really, really thankful for. Aside from my cousins wedding shower on Sunday, we're going to lay low. Hopefully make it to a bar for the Vols and Hawkeye games, and that's about it! Hope you all have a great weekend!