new toys = fun

 { photo: Wes at his first birthday party }

Our little guy just had his first birthday!  And we were so blessed to receive so many great new toys!  Wes was thrilled! ...for about 2 days! Then... it happened.  He got bored! All these new toys & he could care less.  I was devastated.  So, thanks to my genus mom & sister, the toy rotation plan came to life & our boring toy problem has been SOLVED!

Toy rotation plan:

> divide toys into 3 piles = 3 week rotation (I tried to put similar kinds of toys in separate piles) *I do have a few larger toys (like his "ride on" car) that I just rotate every other week- so if it has been out, I put it away - if it's put away, the next week I pull it out
> buy 2 plastic bins (size according to your size of toy pile)
> leave one set out/put away in toy bins/baskets
> put the other 2 sets of toy piles into the plastic bins & store -- store away, but also still easy access for you to make switch time easy -- I stack mine in a closet (the bin on top is the bin that I will pull out to play with next)
> play with toys for ONE WEEK
> Sunday night when he goes to bed, I pull the old switcheroo!  (Again, I put this bin under the other one in our closet so that the bin on top will be easier to grab the next week)
> Monday morning = Mondays that can be so drab are the most exciting day ever!!!! NEW TOYS!!!!!!

...This morning... I can hardly get a bottle of milk ready without Wes flipping out because he wants it sooo badly!!  (him wanting the milk badly is every morning!) And we were walking from the kitchen into the family room where I give him his bottle... he's frantically following me UNTIL... his eye catches the magnetic farm on our fridge!  "That wasn't there yesterday!!!" He thought to himself.... You are right my genius child.  It is NEW. But old.... shhh don't tell him it's his.  I can't tell you how much he loved that farm today!  And he hasn't played with that in months! So fun!  I love our toy rotation!


{ photo : Wes playing with his new birthday toys at his party }

sweet little words.

I can't wait to Wes starts talking!  He babbles a lot, but as fas as we know, still no official words yet!  But I found this today (via) and I think it is fabulous!  I totally want to get one & write down all the wonderful things that Westin says!

"My Quotable Kid" 

This looks like fun too to keep track of birthdays!!

"more!"

A few days ago we started to teach Wes some sign language.  We picked out our top 12 we thought would be good to begin with.  The one we've used the most, "more",  has been sooo helpful & he loves it!  He learned it so quickly!  He's so smart!

{ Westin signing "more" }

I downloaded photos from this website & saved them as an album on our iphones so that we can use them as a reference to remember which ones & how to do them.

Here are our 12 signs:

 

I'm thinking about getting "Signing Time: My First Signs" OR "Sign with your Baby"  - Thoughts??

month by month { 3 months }

{ 3 months : weeks 13-16 }

This was the beginning of a mental fight for me as I tried started a routine!  I wanted him to perfectly stick to this beautiful schedule that I made for him-- but he rarely did!  So, LET GO oh you control-loving-mamas! (LIKE ME!) A schedule/routine is very wise... but remember your baby is also a human being & sometimes is hungry/sleepy at different times like you & I are. It's OK. I know... I know... Shh, shhhh.  It's OK.  Just try a schedule/routine-- and STICK TO IT, because it will take time!!! They will get into a "rhythm" (may not be a perfect schedule...) 

...unless they are like me who to this day I can't remember to 1) pump before I go to bed 2) grab my retainer/night guard... I forget every night! Not just a little exaggerating! 

{ schedule } 
> Feeding: nurse every 2.5-3.5 hours (a lot of growth spurts at this age- so feed when hungry!) 5-8x a day
> Wake time:  Suggested wake time is (40-1.5 min?) (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: Nighttime: 10 hrs + Daytime: 5 hrs/3 naps (or 4 or 5!) = Total: 15 hrs  And a 6-8pm bedtime (suggested after 6 weeks old) *total hours may be closer to 12 than 15

Sample: (nursing)
(3:30) early morning feeding
7:00 am wake
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:00 pm
*(10:00 pm) dreamfeed

{ sleep } 

Sleep goals: 
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. You want baby to be able to fall sleep on her own in her own bed when it is time to sleep. 

2. Baby will sleep for the correct length of time for her naps. 

This means nap one is 1.5-2.5 hours (most will be 1.5-2). Nap two is the same. Nap three might be the same, or it might be 30-60 minutes. If there is a nap four, it is usually 30-60 minutes.  *The best way to work toward your secondary goal is to time waketime correctly.

But let's be honest here... Westin rarely ever napped 1-2 hours!  And he survived.  And he was happy the whole way through.  So, again, do your best... But, it may not work!!

And, I stopped swaddling.  He just wanted to be free!

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }

> clip on mirror: this one comes with both a suction for windows + a clip (switch it for whatever you need).  We use the clip & clip it onto his car seat bar so that *if he flew forward in an accident* the mirror is above his head & not in front of him like most car mirrors. Its so easy to adjust even once you get in the front, easy to see their sweet face & super cheap.

{ tips } 
> naps: For a 3 and 4 month old, it's not suggested to let your baby cry it out mid-nap (not till 6 months)-especially if they are just learning to sleep on their own. WAIT 10-15 minutes & see if they will fall back asleep before you go in & try to help soothe.  

> "sleep through the night" - you will read this phrase 5 million times & it will haunt you... But, "sleep through the night" at the age generally means a stretch of 5-6 hours.  So don't think that it means ALL night :)

> dreamfeed: The dreamfeed is typically between 10-11 PM.  A feeding after 11:30 PM is not a dreamfeed; that is a night feeding. Time your dreamfeed 2.5-4 hours after the final feeding of the day. You want baby to be hungry enough to take a good feeding at the dreamfeed. However, you don't want it so late that it disrupts nighttime sleep. Disruption to nighttime sleep will cause baby to wake earlier in the morning.

month by month { 2 months }

{ 2 months : weeks 9-12 }
This is when their little personality is slowly coming out!  Our little guy really had some big belly laughs this month!! And begun grabbing/batting at toys.

{ schedule } same as 1 month> Feeding: Nurse every 2.5-3 hours (8-10 feedings a day; may go down to 7 if sleeping 7-8 hrs a night)
> Wake time: Suggested wake time is 40-60 min.  (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: 6-8 naps a day; maybe sleeping 7-8 hours a night
Follow your baby's rhythm: earlier bedtimes & longer night sleep periods develop 

{ sleep } 
Sleep goals: same as weeks 1-8
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed (didn't do this! Still.)
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed,  and fall asleep on his own  (beginning to!)


We started transitioning him to his pack n play- I probably would've started putting him in his crib but we were about to take a trip, so I didn't want to get him used to his crib then have to transition him again so quickly!  So we did the pack n play first and started putting him in there for some naps & bedtime. At the end of this month when we got home we started putting him in his own crib!


*He still slept really well wherever!  Not as much in the arms always, but for sure in his car seat or stroller, if we put him in there and rocked it he would fall asleep when he needed to.


I also started swaddling only half his body-- I left his arms out!  He liked the tightness on his "body" but would get really upset if his arms weren't free... so, we let them free!!  

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }
> I'll start with an important but controversial one: Diapers!  Let me just say this cause I'm not going into disposables verse cloth (but check this out if you're debating), IF you are going with disposable, get Pampers :)  I didn't try them all, but I tried Seventh Generation & Huggies-- both leaked terribly!  If you want to be cautious of fragrances, etc. get Pampers Sensitives (that's what I used the first 3 months).  




> Jesus Storybook Bible: Best Bible ever!!! (For adults too, not kidding!) Just get it. And start reading!!!






{ tips } 
> cell phone: when your sweet one starts crying when sleeping in a dark room I bring my cell phone with me when I go to check!  Why, you may ask? 1) I use the light from it to check for a dirty diaper (I can't see in the dark & I do not want to turn on the light to wake him even more!) 2) in case I decide he's waking cause he's hungry I have my phone with me to use my TotalBaby timer to clock his feeding
> start reading! If you haven't yet (like I hadn't!) start reading now about beginning a routine for your little one.  As I've said before I've made a combo of Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child & Babywise. But start doing your research on what you'd like to do.  Many do start with routines from day 1, but "majority" say 3 months (at least that's what majority told me!).

month by month { 1 month }

{ 1 month : weeks 5-8 }
For some reason babies tend to get fussy around 6 weeks - so don't be surprise when you're sweet angel starts to change into a little monster!  (but still an adorable one!) 

{ schedule }
> Feeding: Nurse every 2.5-3 hours (8-10 feedings a day; may go down to 7 if sleeping 7-8 hrs a night)
> Wake time: Suggested wake time is 40-60 min.  (no more than 2 hours)
> Sleep: 6-8 naps a day; maybe sleeping 7-8 hours a night
Follow your baby's rhythm: earlier bedtimes & longer night sleep periods develop (I didn't know this!!)

{ sleep }
Sleep goals: same as weeks 1-4
from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 
1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed (didn't do this!)
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed, and fall asleep on his own  (didn't do this!)


6-8 weeks may be a good time to start sleep training (again, remember I didn't have a strategy...)  
4 sleep training strategies from Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child:
1. "Let cry," Ignoring, extinction
2. Controlled crying, partial ignoring, graduated extinction
3. Check & console *this is more like what we started to do
4. Scheduled awakenings


{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }

> sticky bellies - stickers you put on their bellies & take monthly photo updates, SO GREAT!!

> activity mat - they won't do much on it, but this is a good time to try & watch their interest peak - Wes was captivated by the animals :)

{ tips } 
> "Try to meet your baby's needs. If he's hungry, feed him.  If he's tired, sleep him" (Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child, p204)

> Get out of the house

> Do something that makes you feel good - go get your hair done, or a pedicure or something! :)

> Socialize (sometimes I'd forget to do this... don't do that!)

love this resource.

So I just got home from "Wives Conference" with Campus Crusade for Christ.  There I attended a dinner with moms of infants - preschoolers.  Joyce Rowland from East 91st Street Christian Church joined us to share her wealth of knowledge to us young moms.  Man, am I grateful!!!  I learned so much!  Here are two of the resources she gave us.  Honestly, I had no idea babies could learn so much about Jesus.  Can't wait to teach Wes!!

*if you want these files, let me know & I can email them to you!

new post series: month by month { weeks 1-4 }

Hey Mamas & soon-to-be-Mamas:  This series is for you!

In "month by month" I will tell you things I've learned from being a parent -- things pertaining to each month, like favorite toys, best baby products, baby food, our schedule.  You may or may not agree & may totally think I'm crazy, but, it could be really helpful too & hopefully you can get some good tips from me!  I hope it will be helpful.  And I hope it will free you up, keep you from making my same mistakes & keep you from buying baby stuff you don't need.  Obviously all babies are different.  So don't stress (like I do) & just do your best!

I'm an open book, feel free to ask me anything & I'd be happy to fill you in on what we did! Good AND bad!

*And please feel free to leave comments about things you learned, stuff you like, etc. Let's all share the wealth, ladies!

Enjoy.

{ weeks 1-4 }

I don't know whether to say this is the easiest or hardest period... As far as schedule, what to do, easiest -- emotionally (postpartum) & physically (lack of sleep), probably the hardest!

{ schedule }
> Feeding: Nurse every 2-3 hours (8-10 feedings)
*if you are having trouble breast feeding I highly suggest going to see a lactation consultant- we went all the time!
> Wake time: whatever the sweet babe wants!  I think the best thing is to start trying to learn your baby.  Suggested wake time is 30-45 min.  This is great time because overall most babies you can really take anywhere you go!  And they will easily fall asleep either in your arms or in their car seat or stroller when they need to sleep.  There is nothing like your newborn falling asleep in your arms or on your chest! Sigh. But do be cautious of overdoing it, your baby will sleep best being stationary & being in a bed (ps I didn't know that... oops!)
> Sleep: well, I didn't have a schedule.... I may change that next time... I really like Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child

{ sleep }

Sleep goals:  

from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom: 

1. baby sleeps when he should
2. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed
3. baby sleeps when he should, in his own bed, and fall asleep on his own
*don't let your baby sleep more than 5 hours if you are breastfeeding (until 5 weeks)


We had a hard time with Westin sleeping at night (he was very congested), so we ended up putting him in his bouncer seat (since he wasn't moving it was safe).  We'd let him fall asleep with the vibration on, then turn it off once he was asleep. He slept so well in it, it really helped him get his days/nights acclimated which helped us accomplish sleep goal #1.

{ baby stuff : I'd buy this again }
> bouncer - Like I said before, Westin slept in this most all nights :)
> nipple shield + breast cream - this may be a life saver (it was for me) - best part was sending Scott out to buy it for me, what a great husband!
> Nuk pacifer - we started using this because he just wanted to pacify all the time!


>  these swaddling blankets!!! I seriously wouldn't worry about owning any others :) They are adorable, light weight (you can use 2 if its cold out), AND breathable! So no worries!








> Lansinoh nursing pads: they do the job & they are affordable!
> Lansinoh milk storage bags: I use a Madela breast pump that I borrowed from a friend (which I highly suggest if possible!) and it is awesome -- but their storage bags are very expensive!  What I do: use the Madela bottles to pump, then pour the milk into the Lansinoh storage bags!  It may seem like an extra step, but its not.. pulling the tape on & off the Madela storage bags to get them to stay on your pump & worrying about it spilling over... not fun.  Yes, you have to wash your bottles, but you have to wash your breastshield anyways... and its worth the $$ you save!
> Baby monitor: This is obviously on the $$ side, but I think it's totally worth it!  I bought a cheaper one (this one) that was middle of the line, and it broke within a few weeks.  So I returned it, used my gift cards & splurged.  I would for sure be just great with a "non slim" monitor, but one major advantage to the slim is that I can easily stick it in my pocket!!  I try to clip it on sometimes, but its hard to clip it on one handed! (Which is most of my life with a baby in the other arm!) You don't need video, but it has come in major handy!  1) I don't go in as much as a crazy Mommy checking on her precious baby 2) A few times (when he was older) he's gotten his leg stuck in the bed rungs & I saw that & was able to help him immediately verse thinking he just needs to cry himself to sleep! 3) (Again, when he was older...) I was able to see that it was time to move his bed down as I saw him pull himself up & leaning over the edge of his crib for the first time! AHH! (I ran faster than I've ever ran before!!!!)

> hooter hider: I for sure would rather go without, especially at the beginning, it's helpful to have full-view to figure things out!  But, I LOVED being able to nurse while other people we're around & to not feel like we're on full display!  (The link is to my friend's site! She has beautiful fabric & they are well made!!) -- Be careful when purchasing, pay attention to the fabric (always!): if it's too thin/poor quality it won't stay stiff enough for you to see your baby.






{ tips } 
> Guests: In general, I personally suggest no overnight guests the first 2 weeks unless you feel VERY comfortable with them (I had my mom with us the first few days & would do that again in a heartbeat!)  But just to warn you, the reason why I suggest this is you most likely will be a little highly emotional (irrational maybe?) & potentially in some a lot of pain, and your trying to figure things out with your little one - especially if you're nursing.  So with all this, it can just be tricky to have others staying at your home with you.  My highest emotional disaster (with some constant crying) peeked at the end of week 2.  As for guests just stopping by -- I loved that!
> You: Don't feel bad buying a few transition clothes - you're in an awkward stage; your maternity clothes don't fit & your old clothes don't fit -- I went to Walmart & bought a few tops & a pair of jeans, barely spent anything & was able to find some pretty cool stuff!  Its totally worth the extra $$ to have a few things to wear during this time that you feel pretty in!
> Sleep when your baby sleeps!  Take naps - turn off your phone (I think every time I napped, my phone would ring... oops!)
> Do whatever seems natural to you to soothe your baby, don't worry about developing bad habits yet.
> Log your baby's feed/sleep schedule (it will really help you figure out your baby).  If you have an iPhone get this app: Total Baby  It's AAMAZING! It's perfect for that mommy-brain :)
> Give your sweet one a bottle once a week... it may seem annoying or silly now, but trust me, when you begin to be out & about more in the future & want babysitters it will make your life sooo much easier if your baby is used to a bottle!

vintage blocks + wes.

Today I picked up my hubs from work & took a quick stop at the antique store on our way home.  We have gone there soo many times over the past few years & have never bought anything... until today!  Our first purchase: vintage blocks.  Aren't they adorable?!  I'm so glad we found the right letters to be able to spell something for our little guy.

And bonus, the lion & the lamb blocks!  I love that something as simple as a toy block can help Westin look to Jesus & understand more of His character.

 Here's a photo of the blocks up on his bookshelf.

ps Joel, I feel like you should get two shout outs in this photo -- Your sweet gift + I found something in our car the other day & it made it to Wes' room! Look familiar??

 The little man was crawling around on the floor while I put  his blocks up -- I couldn't resist to take a few of him.  I mean, I like the blocks and all... but this face... and that drool!

...oh, and THOSE EYES!!!

first solids.

Today we began a new journey with our little guy -- solid food!  We started him with rice cereal.  He has a little over a week before he turns 6 months, but we thought we'd give it a try today because we were both home with Wes & Scott will be traveling some soon so we wanted to begin before that.

Here's the video:

I think he really liked it!  He struggled a little at the beginning, but he finished all of it!! So fun!

I'm planning on just rice cereal for the first few weeks, then we'll move onto fruits then veggies.  And my plan is to puree it all myself!  (I hope this lasts cause I'm pretty excited about it!)  

Here's the website that I'm using to learn how to do it.  And here is the schedule I'm using to begin this whole eating solids process.

"to do" list before you have a baby.

1. learn how to get ready for the day in 30 min. or less (you never know how long they will or won't nap... to be safe, plan on 30-- then even with a 20 min. nap, hopefully your baby will be OK to chill in bed for a few) *this includes shower & shaving, hair, makeup & clothes.  Good luck.... And don't skip the shave... you still have a hubby :)


2. train your hair to be able to go at least every other day for a shower (more would be best) -- helpful tips: dry shampoo - works great & smells wonderful!


3. ...and find a way to wear it dirty that still makes you feel pretty (I suggest up in some way)

{ this is my go-to-no-shower-up-do }

3. have exercise equipment at home - no space? no problem... I recommend this.

4. finish all projects you would like to do (even 9 months pregnant you will have an easier time getting it complete)

5. either get used to drinking cold coffee OR buy a great thermos that keeps your coffee warm :)  ...Or the other option is to microwave over & over & over.... *I suggest buying some type of one-cup coffee pot -saves time not having to clean & fill a big pot

6. finish all books you've started to read (...you'll be busy reading baby books & blogs)
*Here's my favorite book & my favorite blog.

7. save some money to buy a few post-pregnancy clothes (tops & bottoms) - my tip: go to walmart, I found super cute skinny jeans for $7!!  You'll probably only need them for a few weeks, but you don't feel like wearing your maternity clothes & you won't fit in your old stuff. Sorry. But bonus is you get to experience the joy of jeans becoming to big on you if you have a transition pair or two!  *tops- it is probably worth it to splurge more than $7 :) ...because your chest will be large for a long time!  (at least as long as your breast feed)
(one more thing... wait to buy your nursing bra till your milk comes in-- until then you can always wear a sports bra-- and buy one that is both comfy & pretty)

8. make sure you have all your baby essentials & do all your returns & exchanges

9.  finish all your thank you cards from your baby shower(s)

10. have someone help you give your home a good hard clean!  ...When you're sitting around all day (...and night) feeding your newborn, you don't want to be starring at the cobwebs you couldn't bend over & reach up to get while you were pregnant :)

11. if you like to watch TV, get some type of DVR... or get used to missing half the show

12. the most important one... prepare yourself to be blessed beyond your imagination with the most precious gift that you get the opportunity to take care of!  It's worth all the sacrifice, tears, dirty hair & new jeans :)