Elliott and Leo [the lion].

My friend Meghan made Elliott this awesome lion and brought it to him this week.  We named him Leo, and I know he'll be one of Elliott's most cherished keepsakes one day.  I had to share a few cute photos of E with his new friend:

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Elliott's first trip to the lake house.

This weekend I took Elliott to my parent's lake house with my Mom, brother, and sister while Gary and Dad worked.  This was Elliott's first time spending the night away from home, and I was amazed by how much we had to pack for just a short weekend getaway.  Who knew such a little person could require so much stuff?

It was so nice to have a change in scenery.  The weather was perfect, and Elliott did great being out of his comfort zone for the first time.  Some highlights were: getting some much needed vitamin D, drinking my morning coffee on the back porch overlooking the lake, late night soaking in the hot tub with Mom and Jess, doing a little shopping, making the familiar drive from Hot Springs to Arkadelphia to drop John Allen and Liz back off at OBU, playing [and winning] a game of 5 crowns, and morning snuggles with E.

The only thing that could have made this weekend any better would have been my sweetie and my Daddy, but this is just the beginning of lake weather.  I'm looking forward more memories being made here with the family this spring and summer.

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

We have been so busy lately! Forgive me for not posting, but here is a glimpse of what we've been up to lately through the lens of my iPhone.  I promise to get back to blogging soon.  Life is great!

[1.] Post shot[s] snuggling- poor baby, he was such a good sport!

[2.] My sweet family. [3.] Look who's sleeping in his crib now!

[4.] Aunt Gina and Uncle Zach came for a visit.

[5.] Happy 24th birthday to my sister, Jessica. [6.] This will never get old!

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

[1.] "Look Ma, I can hold my head up!" [2.] Taco Tuesday.

[3.] Morning mohawk. [4.] Snuggles with my babies after a hard day's work.

[5.] Having a hard time saying goodbye to each other before work.

[6.] Southern goodness! [7.] Grandma and Grandpa come to town.

[8.] How will I ever be able to say no to this face?

Elliott's Second Month.

Elliott:


You've been a part of our little family for two full months now.  Your Daddy and I are loving being your parents, and watching you learn and grow each month.  You are already changing so fast!  Here is a list of milestones from your second month:


-We don't go for your 2 month doctor's appointment until the 12th, so these are just guesses, but a week ago you weighed 10 lbs, 1oz, and you've been gaining about an ounce a day on average, so you should weigh around 10 lbs, 8oz, measure about 22 inches long, and have a head circumference of 16 inches. 

-You're wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes.

-You started smiling at us at 5 weeks. Tickling or kissing your cheeks is the best way to get a little grin out of you.

-You've started cooing when you are laying on your changing pad. You love to look over at your alphabet wall while I change your diapers.

-You slept through the night at 5 weeks. The first time you did it, you slept from 10:30pm to 6:30am. You're now sleeping at least 8 hours straight every night. Momma is a new woman!

-You're still sleeping on your Nap Nanny in your cradle in our room, but we plan to move you to your room soon.

-You still like to be swaddled when you sleep, but you are out of your Miracle Blanket most of the day now.

-You have finally mastered the pacifier! It's been such a help in getting you to sleep, and soothing you when you get upset.

-You've had some trouble going to the bathroom, so we've had to give you a little pear juice to keep you regular. Dr. Davis said it's normal for breastfed babies to absorb all of their meals and therefore go longer between bowel movements, but it's been hard to see you uncomfortable. I'm hoping you outgrow this soon.

-I started back to work three days a week. You're staying with Pia on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10-5:30. Your Daddy keeps you until I get off at 7. You'll start day care in April.

-You're doing much better with nursing, and as a result, your weight gain has finally taken off.  You're still exclusively breastfeeding when we're together, and drinking expressed breast milk from a bottle while I'm at work. You nurse for about 30 minutes every 2-3 hours during the day.

-We do at least 5 minutes of "tummy time" every day. You're getting stronger at holding your head up, but you're not a fan of being on your tummy.

-You like bath time now! We put you in the bathroom with a space heater on during your baths (I think you were just cold before).  You love to look at yourself in the mirror while we bathe you.

-You've discovered your hands. You love to suck on your entire fist!


-People who knew your Uncle John Allen as a child think you look like him.  I have to agree, although I see lots of your Daddy's facial expressions coming out.

We can't imagine our family without you.  You bring us so much joy, and bring new meaning and purpose to our lives.  We thank God every day for choosing us to be your parents, and pray that you will continue to grow healthy and strong.  


We love you, 
Momma

Thoughts on being a "Working Mom".

I've been back at work for two weeks now.  I chose to return 7 weeks after Elliott's birth (in order to not jeopardize loosing my clientele).  I feel blessed to be self-employed, with the option of making my own hours.  I decided to returned part-time, working 10-6[ish] Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  Elliott is staying with my Mom until the first week in April when he will start day-care.

I had a knot in my stomach the size of Texas on my first day back at work.  Not because I didn't think he was in good hands (after all, she raised me), but because I hadn't been away from him for more than a couple of hours since he was born.  I made sure he had expressed breast milk divided into three bottles in the refrigerator, his miracle blanket on hand, gripe water on the counter, and extra diapers in his diaper caddy.  I think I had separation anxiety worse than he did.

However, once the day got rolling, the knot disappeared and I realized how much I was going to need this time apart each week.  I missed his sweet face like crazy, but it felt so nice to be dressed, out of the house, and interacting with other adults again. I had missed the opportunity to be creative and have the instant gratification a root retouch brings more than I'd realized.  It was nice to know I had been missed by both my clients and my co-workers too.  I was in my element again.

But, working, now that I'm a Mom, looks a little different than it did pre-baby.  I take three 30 minute breaks throughout the day to pump.  I've been able to use this time to call my Mom and check in on E (a luxury I won't have once he starts day-care), and scroll through photos of him on my iPhone.  My pumping set-up at the salon is not ideal.  The only private areas are the bathroom and the break room.  I can't tie up the only bathroom for 20 minutes at a time, and with two males on our staff, the break room isn't an option either. So, pumping in the backseat of my car using a battery pack and a "hooter hider" will have to do for now.

I think the stress of pumping while a highlight is processing, and the pressure to produce enough milk for Elliott to have the next day, has made it hard for me to pump as many ounces as I would like.  But, my Mommy friends have encouraged me that once I get use to being away from E and pumping on the job, my milk supply will increase.  I hope they are right, because my growing boy is already demanding three 5 oz. bottles per work day, and I'm only bringing home around 8 oz. of pumped milk a day, meaning I have to stay up for one more pumping session after E goes to bed each night, and nurse him exclusively when I'm not working.

Having my Mom to take care of Elliott for my first 6 weeks back at work, has been a lifesaver.  I know I would have been a mess my first day back if I would have had to drop him off at day-care.  I've been able to transition into being away from Elliott slowly- to figure out our morning routine, see how he does being away from me, and discover how much milk he'll need each day, before I have to leave him with a stranger. At least when I drop him off the first day, he and I will already be use to being apart.

I feel like working part-time will be the best of both worlds for me.  I get 4 days at home with my sweet boy, and right about the time I start getting stir crazy, I get 3 days out of the house to do what I love and be around some adults.  Then when I start really missing my baby, it's time to be home with him again.  As hard as it can be to say goodbye some mornings, I think working will help me appreciate the time I have with my son, and give me the energy and patience I need to care for him each day.  Being a working mom is a lot to juggle, but I've always been an overachiever, so I'm up for the challenge!