Hoka 10k 2018

Hoka 10k 2018

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Baby James: 10 weeks...Jammin' with James


This boy is in love with music! He is still obsessed with his jungle gym play mat. I think we can officially label this as his favorite toy!
This is Scout. This is the coolest toy EVER. If you have a kid, you should get one!

I have a confession. I'm just gonna put this out in the open and expect people to call me crazy. I'm already getting on Pinterest to look up ideas for his first birthday party! Seriously...I'm doing this. It's not that I want that day to come (we're having so much fun now) but the thought of planning a party for my little man is so exciting. I have two ideas so far: Bow tie party (cuz he's my little man) and The Jungle Book (cuz he loves the song "Bare Necessities"). We'll see how his personality develops and make mental notes of his favorite things but, for now, I'm pinning ideas for those two :)
His sister Izzie is a great protector.

James is officially in cloth diapers. We've been doing them all week long. So far, so good. I have no complaints and think it will save lots of money in the long run. We use the flip diaper system and bought 3 day packs which gave us 6 covers and 18 inserts. If I feel like I'm washing them often, I may buy another day pack but it's not overwhelming just yet.

James has also been sleeping in his crib all week long. I'm trying to get myself used to him being in a different room (it's so hard!). I'm just paranoid that I won't be able to hear him when he needs me.

James' eating has been weird this week again. I thought he might have had another growth spurt...I just don't know. Sometimes he can go two or so hours during the day and sometimes eats every hour. I hope all goes well with his feeding when he starts going to the sitter next week. Hopefully I'll have enough bottles prepared.

Looking back in my journal, I've written something each day about how much fun James has been. He is really responding to his toys and I have so much fun playing with him! He grabbed one of  the hanging toys on his jungle gym this week and wouldn't let go...it may not sound cute but it was :)

We went on a few adventures this week:

-Baby Laptime and lunch with daddy (he actually stayed awake during laptime)

-Thrifting with Lindsay and Michael

-grocery shopping (where James had a few admirers)

-Polaris mall to hang out with Aunt Amy and cousins, Molly and Cooper


As most of y'all know, I go back to work on Monday. I thought I was coping well at the beginning of the week but started breaking down towards the end of the week. I've lost count of how many times I've cried. It just breaks my heart that I can't stay at home with my little boy. I'll be honest...I'M STRUGGLING...like, for real. I just keep thinking to myself "Was getting my doctorate degree and an amazing job worth all of the student loans I'm paying?" Sometimes I think it isn't (my loan payments are WAY MORE than our mortgage payment) but then I realize how rewarding my job is and how easy it is to get a job in my field...major blessing. Anyway, I'm a mess and that's the main point of the blabbing in this paragraph.
James is starting to explore toys by putting them in his mouth.

Finally, I wanna go back to the cloth diaper thing for a moment. My friend told me about a homemade detergent for cloth diapers and I was really excited about it because I knew it would save major money. My bubble quickly burst (ed?) when I was cautioned about using homemade detergents for cloth diapers. Because of this, I've spent most of the morning doing research and have determined that I feel good about using the detergent I made. I would love to hear every one's thoughts on how to wash cloth diapers!

Happy 10 weeks, James!! Please don't forget about mommy when you go to the sitter!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Baby James: 9 weeks...I'm Growing Immensely!


This week has been all about growth! James went through a 3 day growth spurt this week and it was EXHAUSTING! He ate every hour...no joke. Sometimes it was one boob, sometimes both. He drank so much milk during that day that each of those days, towards the end of the evening, he would have a major spit up! Let's just say that mommy and daddy had a few extra wardrobe changes this week. On a positive note, he seems to have gotten past the fussy stage he just had :)

He went to his 2 month well visit at the pediatrician's office this week. I was most excited about finding out his weight and least excited about his first round of immunizations. At his 2 week appointment, he weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20.25 inches long. At this appointment, he was 9 lbs. 14 oz. and 22.75 inches long! Good growing, son! Also, Dr. D confirmed what I have been saying the last couple of weeks...when she entered the room she said "Oh my, his head has grown!" His head circumference is in the 66 percentile which seems fine but, compared to the rest of him, it looks huge. She did a thorough check up and said that there is no concern regarding his big head :)

After the excitement of catching up with Dr. D, we had to do the immunizations. She assumed he would be easy because he's such a good baby BUT he had some issues with the oral immunization. I've never had a problem giving him his vitamin orally but Dr. D had issues! He had major spit up the first attempt so she had to get another thing of the immunization (I hope I don't get charged twice!). As far as the three shots, he did well. He cried as he was getting them but quickly stopped after it was over. He slept a couple of hours afterwards so that Mr. Boo and I were able to go out to eat for lunch. It wasn't until we got home that things were sad. My poor baby screamed in pain. His entire thigh was red and swollen :( Once we gave him some Tylenol and let him sleep on my chest, he slept for 3 hours and was fine when he woke up. He was happy the rest of the evening and didn't need any more Tylenol. I have a brave boy!

My boy is still sleeping well at night (even through the growth spurt period) and sleeps 4 1/2 to 6 hours for his first session then about 3 after that.

I noticed this week, even though it's been going on a little longer, that he is less interested in his paci (which is ok with me!). I guess it's just not his thing.

Mr. Boo and I went on our first date without James! Last weekend, Grandma Deb came to watch him while we went out for lunch. I knew James was in good hands but I was worried that he would be really fussy the whole time. When we got back home, Deb said he slept the entire time! For those who are curious, Mr. Boo and I went to Local Cantina at Creekside in Gahanna. It was SO DELICIOUS! I definitely recommend checking it out...I think Grandview has one as well. (P.S. I realized the importance of going on baby-less dates. I was in such a good mood by the time we were finished with our date)

The only "first" I can think of this week is the fact that I started experimenting with our cloth diapers. I put one on  for a few minutes the other day to see if he would tolerate it. I then realized I hadn't washed the inserts yet so I took it off and took care of business. I put another one on him Thursday evening and night. Things seemed to go well but the diapers are so huge! It makes him look funny!

I guess there's one more "first." I met up with two new friends (from my Bradley birth course) for sushi happy hour. We all decided to bring our babies! It was very interesting trying to fit in this tiny restaurant with our three car seats, three diaper bags, etc. Kirstin and I arrived first and the workers probably thought we were crazy because we were trying to figure out if we were going to hold our babies vs. keeping them in their seats, etc. I can't speak for the other ladies but I was confused! :)

One more full week with my boy before I go back to work...so much adjustment in my future.


Friday, February 14, 2014

James Turns 2 Months!



Dear Baby James:

You are two months old now! Oh my goodness. YOU ARE AWESOME! You have grown so much the last month, physically and skillfully (I have no idea if skillfully is actually a word, James. Your mommy doesn't have the best grammar but I know lots of big anatomical words).

You smile now! I love seeing your cute toothless smile but I have the hardest time trying to get a picture of it! Every time you are in a playful mood and you start to smile, I'll grab the camera to take pictures but I can't catch that sweet smile. BUT I think I got lucky and caught part of one:
8 weeks old

You have also become grabby. When you're being held, you like to grab mommy's hair, shirt, etc. It's cute right now but I'm sure it will start to hurt eventually when you learn how to pull!

You and daddy were able to bond a little more this month when you learned to take your milk from a bottle. Daddy really loves these moments since mommy is able to be with you all day.
You and daddy around 5 weeks old.

You started "talking" this month...well, more like cooing and gooing. It is the most precious thing. I feel like you are trying to tell me how much you love me but you just don't know how to say it ;) hehehe.

This month, you started sleeping more at night to help mommy get more sleep and you have officially outgrown your newborn clothes (although the next size is too big!). You weighed 9 pounds and 14 ounces at your doctor appointment yesterday!

Just like your mommy and daddy, you LOVE music and dancing. We have had so much fun the last week listening to mommy's favorite Disney songs. I think your personal favorite may be "Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book! Daddy said he was showing off his drum skills with you the other day and that you really liked the noises!
Rock and Roll!

I think you might be a morning person because we tend to have our best conversations during that time. I brag to people about how good you are but this month you have been just a little fussier (but that's normal, little man...you are still a really good baby!).

Mommy has been really sad lately because I have to go back to work soon and you will start going to Jane's during the day. I'm sure you will have a great time with her and your new friends but mommy will miss you so much during the day. Hopefully I will be able to use our situation to teach you some sort of life lesson when you get older. I'm trying to look at this in a positive way! Mommy's going to miss you but, for now, I'm still with you for another week so let's make the most of it!

You are awesome my little man and I will always love you more than anyone else will even think of loving you (besides the Lord, of course). I have a feeling that this next month is going to be so awesome and that you will have so much more to show mommy about yourself. I love you, son!

Here are some outtakes from your "photo session"...Angel wanted to get in on the action:
This is Angel's way of saying "James, please pet me!"

Two cute faces :)

My oldest and my youngest!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Baby James: 8 Weeks...Hip Hop Hooray!

...ho, hey, ho, hey, ho, hey, ho...hip hop hooray...


Remember that song, peeps? O.k., I'll stop now.
One of the reasons I packed away his newborn clothes...it is now a midriff :)

I mentioned in my last post that James had been a little fussy recently. That has continued through this week (except Thursday night...I'm not sure if it was because we had life group and he was surrounded by his favorite people). The thing that calms him changes everyday!

I started writing down his sleep/nap times this week to see if there is a trend so that I can give the sitter an idea of what James' schedule is like. So far, it's all over the place! lol. Some days he'll take 1-2 long naps and that's it. Other days, he may nap 30-45 minutes at a time. He's a crazy boy :)
He lives up to the word printed on his onesie :)

Last weekend, at some point, it was warm enough that we could go on a family walk (we'll be doing these daily once this crap weather is over). The down side to this walk was that hardly anyone in our neighborhood, including us, had shoveled the sidewalks. It was a disgusting slushy walk but at least we got our rear-ends outside!

Firsts this week:

-James is sticking out his tongue a lot and sucked on his fingers for the first time. He hasn't sucked on his fingers a lot but it was kind of cute when he did :)

-James went to his first Super Bowl party but was disappointed that Peyton Manning didn't get the win.
That's a 0-3 month sleeper...it's HUGE on him!

-James met his friend, April, for the first time but paid no attention to her. He was more excited about his buddy, Peyton. He'll learn later in life the importance of women.

-James tolerated his carrier for the first time. I probably had him in it for only 10 minutes but I'm trying to get him used to it. I still think he's a little to small for it even though it says 7 pound minimum.

-James slept in the crib ONE night but, because of his night time fussiness this week, I decided to do postpone that transition. (when I say night time fussiness, I mean between the times of 7-10 p.m....he is still sleeping well at night, thank goodness!)

Other events this week include a visit from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Joan, a trip to the library for Baby Laptime (which we missed because he got hungry so I went to the restroom to feed him), and grocery shopping with mommy!

Finally, this week has been mentally challenging for me. Not because of anything that James has done but because of something I have to do. I have only two more weeks of maternity leave before returning to work :( I seriously DO NOT want to leave my boy and have shed MANY tears this week thinking about it. This little man is so precious to me and I don't want to miss any moment with him. I know that going to PT school was worth it (at least I think it was) but it is the reason I have to work...stupid student loans! Ugh!

If any of you had to return to work after having your babies and have some words of encouragement and/or advice, PLEASE give it to me!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Baby James: Week 7...Lots of "Goos" and "Gahs"


The fabulous thing about the past week? He makes more noise, smiles a lot more, and moves a lot!!! His new favorite thing to do is air swimming (think air guitar but swimming) :) He also LOVES when people talk to him. We have some great conversations, especially in the morning (his favorite time of day). Continuing with listing his favorites, the best way to soothe him is his vibrating bouncer chair or the light/sound machine in his crib.

Firsts:
-First family lunch after church at El Vaquero

-First time listening to Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds"



James has been a little more fussy the last week. I don't think it's a because of a specific reason. Sometimes the fussiness is tolerable and I can figure things out...other times, I get internally frustrated because I'm home alone and the dogs always seem to want something and be annoying when I have to tend to James. This morning, I spilled an entire cup of coffee and broke the mug in the process of trying to calm everyone! Despite this, I'm still loving the experience...this is just all part of figuring out my little man and his needs :)


Of course I don't want to return to work and leave my little man at a sitter but part of me is ready for a normal routine. The biggest challenge so far has been the fact that I feel like I'm doing everything based on Mr. Boo's schedule. Mr. Boo has been very helpful when he's home but there are times, especially on the weekends, when he's gone and I wish he were home (like this morning! lol.).


To end on a positive note, I finished what I could in his baby book and added a few pictures to James' baby room:



Also, Grandma Deb visited yesterday!

I will leave you all with the many faces of James Robert Davis, III: