JW's first Easter

This was JW's first Easter, though I am sure he was to small to ever remember it - thankfully his mommy has a blog to document all these firsts!  (I'm pretty pumped that this post is going up in a relatively timely manner - our road trip, month 3 and month 4 posts are still coming!)

Easter started a couple weeks ago when my parents came to visit (that's another post!).  They brought JW a bench with cute little animals on it!  Now to decide where to put it - inside or out?? 

Then Gampy and Buscia came to visit and brought some stuffed animals (thanks to Adam and Esther, too) and a UNC outfit (Daddy loved that one!!)

I wasn't quick enough to get him an Easter basket.  I want a personalized one, so I'll have to be on the ball for next year.  I don't think he missed it this year!  I did buy a cute little felt one at Target and put a couple things in it that he needed - some new bibs, a toy, and an Easter onesie and bib.  He wore the bib for the morning and the onesie after church. 

We started the day early in order to get ready for church.  JW and Daddy lounged in bed while Mommy got ready.  Then we went to church.  I thought we were doing good by being 20 minutes early...ummmm NO.  We were seated in the overflow area and watch the service on a projector screen.  Not really the experience we were going for, but we happy to still receive the message and take communion.  In the end it turned out to be better we were in the other room.  Right around the reading of the Gospel JW got a little antsy in his carseat.  So, Daddy picked him up.  And the smell stung our noses.  We were pretty sure it was a doosie (how do you spell that?!?!?).  So during the Peace, I snuck out to change little JW....oh boy was it ever a doosie... Out the side, up the front and STINKY!!  So needless to say his cute outfit of khakis and a sweater did not last long and we did not get a picture (Boo).  After church we went to Ray's for brunch. Yummy brunch - though no mimosas or bloody mary's were had - can't serve alcohol until after 12:30....booo (we made up for it later).  On the way home we stopped at the park in the neighborhood for a couple pictures.  (not the best pictures, but they will do.  We were in a hurry - mommy needed to take care of some business).  After lounging around and a long nap (for JW) we went to my SIL's for dinner with her, our nephew and my MIL.  (JW got some more Easter loot there - a book, socks, and Daddy's childhood stuffed bunny and book.)  Then home to bed!  All in all a great day!

playing with Daddy in bed - check out my ducky bib - its really soft, but doesn't do much with the drool I've been putting out lately....cute - check, functional - no

Family Pic!

JW's Easter Basket - don't worry - he'll have a proper personalized one next year - hey - he might even care what's in it then!!

James with our Nephew and our Boy

Shew - that was a long day. I think I'm ready for bed ;)

Its Fixed

Somehow - I fixed the video in this post

Not sure what I did, but I got to set up a new user name for the email I wanted to use....Let me know if you have any issues!

Royal Wedding

I can't help but be swept up in the pomp and circumstance of the Royal Wedding.  I will admit, I have not followed all the coverage closely (only what I read in my weekly People - but that doesn't count since right now I am about 6 weeks behind reading those!).  I did DVR* and am excited to watch the coverage of the wedding. 

*To which my husband said - "why is our DVR recording something at 7:40 in the morning?" and I replied - "I'm taping the Royal Wedding!" in a voice that was apparently louder than a whisper and prompted my husband to chastise me for "yelling" in front of the baby.  Please know I was upstairs and he was downstairs and he wouldn't have heard me if I had not yelled.

I've seen several posts already with pictures, so "the dress" won't be a shock to me.  I know what others are saying about the "kiss" or kisses.  But, there still will be magic when I actually to get to watch it firsthand.  (hopefully before the end of the weekend - but with tennis x3, baby and household chores, not sure when I'll find the free time - alone because as evidenced above, my husband isn't too interested in watching the Royal Wedding).  Maybe baby JW will watch with me....it might give him something to look forward to in, ooh 30 years, when he finds his princess and gets married. 

Privacy

I need some help....I want to start posting videos (see previous post).  And it seemed the easiest way is through YouTube.  So I created an account before I thought too much of it.  I used the email that is tied to this blog and created a user name.  However, my user name probably shares to much information on this ole blog.  And you see it once the video is done playing.  I know I cannot change my user name, but is there a way to change how I post the videos so you don't see "posted by" at the end of the video?

I know I share a lot of information here, but have tried to keep really specific details private.  You can determine my initials and know our first names (except for baby JW because well, if you knew what the W stood for then you would know hubby's full name.)  I'm pretty general about where we live in the big city of Atlanta.  Overall, I do my best to keep creepy people from determining our full identity.

I may be over reacting since I have 25 followers - but - it still worries me a bunch.  And lately people have been adding watermarks to pictures - do I need to do that too???  Or is my "following" small enough right now not to worry?  But if one day it grows?

With the internet and smart phones, its just way too easy to share.  But where do we draw lines in order to protect our families?

Caught it

We got more giggles out of JW. He's very selective with the giggles and has only done it about 5 times in the last 3 weeks or so. I finally caught it in video. Don't mind the dark video or James face blocking your view. It's really just about the sound anyway, right? A baby's giggle is just too precious!!

Sweetest Sound

He giggled last night!!! Mom said she heard it last weekend, but I missed it. Not last night. He giggled repeatedly. It was awesome! I cried!!
Now to catch it on film....

Cookware

Finally - a non baby post. 

James and I want to buy new cookware.  I got a set of Calphalon before we got married and James had some pieces as well.  Given that we had plenty when we combined kitchens, we didn't register for new cookware (mistake I think).  We've now decided that we need new cookware for a couple reasons.  1 - all the cookware we have now is non-stick.  I don't really think we need a bunch of non-stick pans.  We cook with olive oil or other fat anyway, so its probably overkill.  2 - the non-stick part of our pans is peeling off.  Not good given all the "carcinogens" that are supposedly in the non-stick stuff.  (or at least that is what everyone used to think)

So, we're shopping for new pans.  Over Christmas we looked at some at William-Sonoma and have somewhat decided we like these.

from www.williamsonoma.com 

These are the Stainless Steel d5 line.  W-S has a decent sale on them right now.  Reviews look pretty good.  I figured we could also buy 1 non stick fry pan.

But then I checked Consumer Reports.  This line isn't rated but 2 other All Clad lines are rated and are at the bottle of the list. 

So, do we listen to the reviews on w-s OR go with Consumer Reports and keep searching?
What cookware are you using?  Do you like it?  Any suggestions?

Thanks!

1 Month

This month was an interesting month to say the least!  It started with doctor issues and ended with a trip to the ER.  But in the middle, we had lots of fun on your first road trip (in the interest of blog post length, I'll do that as a separate post - linked here)! 

At your 1 month appointment, you had only gained 7 ounces - not enough for the doctor to be happy.  So we headed back for a weight check 6 days later....0 ounces gained.  Mommy had a mini breakdown in the doctor's office.  At this time we were breastfeeding with 1 night time formula bottle.  The doctor suggested we try giving you a bottle of breast milk after you ate.  You took about 1 ounce each time.  When we went back 2 days later you were up 7 ounces, so much better.  And just to be sure, we stopped in 6 days after that and you weighed 9 lbs.  You were up 3 more ounces!  Whether or not you were gaining weight weighed (sorry for that) heavily on Mommy's heart and our main focus this month was making sure you were getting enough to eat.  (Breastfeeding journey post coming soon)

We mentioned your weight, but I also want to note that you are a long baby!!  You are still around 21.75 inches, but you're growing like a weed!

During this month you also got an ultrasound on your hip.  The doctor heard a bit of a click during your appointment, so she suggested we get it checked.  You did a great job during the U/S - you slept most of the time - and they determined your hips were just fine! Yea!

And to end the month/start the next month, we ended up in the ER.  During our visit to Ohio you had an EXPLOSION (the only way I can describe it!) in the middle of the night.  And by that I mean through your clothes and onto the sheets.  The sheets on the bed Mommy was sleeping in.  It was a mess!!  I didn't think much else about it at the time.  However, when we got you ready for a bath once we got back from the roadtrip, you had some blood in your diaper.  The nurse on call strongly suggested (ok - basically insisted we go to the ER, even though Mommy tried to suggest a clinic or waiting til the morning.)  After waiting what felt like forever, we got seen by a doctor who diagnosed you with 2 fissures.  (I'll let you look that word up when you're old enough).  But just to be sure he ordered blood work and a quick x-ray.  You had plenty of blood work during your stay in the NICU.  But the nurses in there were nice - you just got heel sticks.  These nurses tried to actually draw blood from your arm.  TWICE and then tried your hand.  Mommy about had a meltdown and it broke my heart to watch you scream and wiggle in pain. (I tear up just thinking about it).  Of course the blood work and x-rays were fine, and with some extra snuggles and lots of sleep, you were fine, too.  But I think I might be scarred for life. 

So enough about tough doctor's visits...Lets see what you liked to do this month!!!

Hanging out in Mommy's lap after eating - 1 month

Chillin' with Daddy and watching TV

I think I might like this thing.  Just getting started on the play mat

All snug in the carseat.  There you go with those hands up by your ears again.  You like being in your carseat and generally sleep through Mommy's errands.  You took your first trip to Costco and Target this month!  You were such a good little baby!

Watching Daddy play tennis. 

Doing the sprinkler.  Maybe you'll be a good dancer one day.  What, the sprinkler isn't cool?!?!

All ducky!

There's your new friend Mr. Octopus.  You are starting to really look at him.

Milk Drunk

Hanging out with Mr. Octopus.  This was our morning routine.  Eat, sit in Mommy's lap, diaper and clothes change, play with Mr. Octopus while Mommy ate breakfast and drank coffee, then you slept in the bouncy while Mommy showered.  Not only were you happy and responsive, but you let Mommy do a couple things!!

Snoozin' in the PackNPlay.  You quickly decided a swaddle during naptime wouldn't work.  You wiggle those arms lose all the time!  Good thing we have a swaddle sleep sack for night time!  You are a pretty good sleeper.  You even slept for 6 hours a couple nights this month.  Most stretches are between 3-4 hours, but every once in awhile you let Mommy sleep for 6 hours!  Thank you!!

Sleeping in the Mamaroo.  You still aren't sure if you like this or not.  We'll keep working on it!

8 week photo shoot

my most recent g**gle searches

Breastfeeding and Medications  - Pollen counts are extremely high here in ATL and I need to take something.

Constipated Baby - JW was spitting up a lot so we attempted a switch to all formula - no poop for 4 days makes an unhappy baby.  We're trying some doctor recommendations (brown sugar in formula) and alternating breast milk and formula bottles.  Hopefully he'll have a better weekend!

Can you tell I'm a new mom?!?!

And just because what new mom doesn't like to show off their baby.....I'll leave you with a picture from Monday this week....

I think I will call him "mini-me"

I was out shopping this weekend (Babys R Us and Target - FUN) and James texted me the above caption.  I didn't quite get it until the picture showed up.... Below is the picture that followed.  Made me smile!!