Here's what's on my mind!

My friend Rachel's coming into town on Sunday and I'm so excited! She's bringing her son Jansen, who's 1 year, 9 months. They're staying with us for a few days and I just can't wait to spend some time with her and see our boys play together for the first time.

Mommy & Me yoga begins in a few weeks and I'm looking forward to this SO.MUCH. One of the things I miss most about pregnancy is all the prenatal yoga I did. It was a time when I was able to really connect with my baby and just chill out. I'm not sure what to expect for Mommy & Me yoga, and am actually quite nervous for the first class (what if Peyton cries? what if I can't calm him? what if, what if...) I'll let you know how it goes!

Tonight Steve is taking over the night feedings while I sleep soundly in the guest room without a monitor. I've been looking forward to this ALL WEEK!! I really haven't had a good nights rest since around 6 months of pregnancy. All the nightly bathroom trips in the last trimester made it difficult and of course, the big blur of the last 7 weeks has made me delirious almost on a daily basis. There's nothing better than the gift of SLEEP!

Mother's Day is coming up and it's strange to think that I'm a mom and get to celebrate it this year. It's gonna be hard to realize it's my day too, not just my mom and Steve's mom. Not sure what we're doing yet, but I can tell you another full nights rest is on my wish list!

Peyton turned 6 weeks on Sunday and for me, this was a big milestone. 6 weeks is when I decided to start his nighttime routine. Since Sunday, I've been giving Peyton a bath, bottle, then off to bed starting at 7pm, in hopes to get him to sleep through the night. Thanks to my wonderful friend Megan who I turn to for so many baby questions, she told me about this and so far it's been awesome! For starters, I love the routine. It's not a full-on 24 hour day routine that so many baby books suggest (I just can't do that). It's perfect because it sets the tone for night time and I actually feel like I'm putting him to bed. You spend your days trying to keep them awake and of course allowing them to nap, but the only set time I have to do anything with him is at 7pm. I think he's really catching on and each night he sleeps longer and longer. His longest stretches are from about 8pm to midnight, and we're working on the rest of the night :) The only issue we've run into is his growth spurt -- I never noticed the 7-10 days or 3 week growth spurt babies go through, but the 6 week one has definitely hit Peyton! He's waking up to eat more so that's messing with this routine a bit (not allowing him to sleep long), but we'll get there!

Okay, enough babbling and random thoughts for tonight. Have a great weekend everyone!

Walk Time

I took Peyton on his first walk on Wednesday and he loved it! He spent the first 15 minutes, big eyed, looking all around while I pointed out the green grass, blue sky, brown houses, all that good stuff. The last 15 minutes he napped. :)

Then on Thursday, I took Peyton and Ginger on a walk together... something that I was afraid to do but hated the thought of going on a walk without Ginger (she needs all the exercise I can give her!) She did great! I had no problem pushing the stroller and holding Ginger's leash. She's actually a bit scared of the stroller so that helped tame her a bit.... and we're gonna keep it that way! :)

Happy Anniversary Dennis & Joan!

Today is my in-laws, Dennis & Joan's, 32nd wedding anniversary! Congratulations to them!

What a great example they've been for us. Love to them both! XoXo

Siobhan's Baby Shower

This past weekend was Siobhan's baby shower. It was held at Boleros at Seville and was absolutely gorgeous. The weather was perfect and the mom-to-be was glowing. =)

We had a yummy brunch and played a few games. Siobhan opened presents and I must say that I really enjoy seeing what other people get at showers. Now that I'm a mom, it's especially fun to see what baby gifts are out there. There always seems to be something that you never knew existed but always thought you needed. For example, she got a faucet cover for the bath tub. Who knew those existed?! I'm always very careful I don't bang Peyton's head on the faucet, but now I don't have to worry as much!

I don't know if you remember, but back in December I posted a blog about Siobhan's "Ugly Sweater Christmas Party" we went to. At the time, Megan, Siobhan, and I were all pregnant. Since then, Megan had her baby, then a few months later, I had Peyton, now Siobhan is due June 22nd. It's so nice to have friends around who are also moms. We're gonna have some great playdates in the future!

Here's a few pics of us three momma's:

~The ugly sweater christmas party. I was 25 weeks, Megan 32 weeks, Siobhan 14 weeks~

~My baby shower. Siobhan 23 weeks, Me 34 weeks, Megan had a 1 month newborn!~

~Siobhan's baby shower. Siobhan 32 weeks, I have a 6 week old, Megan has a 13 week old!~

~A visit to my house. Us 3 with Owen at 9 weeks and Peyton at 2 weeks~

A cute "tradition" that Megan and Siobhan started at my baby shower was they gave me a Friends frame to put a picture of our boys in. So of course, Siobahn got one at her shower, and I gave Megan one for her birthday. Can't wait to get that first Friends picture of our boys!

The Parent Experiment

I HIGHLY recommend any parent or mom-to-be to download and listen to The Parent Experiment podcasts on iTunes.

Once a week for about an hour, Lynette Carolla (Adam Carolla's wife) and Teresa Strasser (co-host on Adam Carolla's show) talk all about baby stuff. They have special guests on (such as sleep experts, etc) and I've learned so much from them already! If anything when you listen to them, you feel like you're talking to your girlfriends about being a mom.

Check them out!

Mommy & Daddy Time!

We're lucky to say we've gone on 2 dates since Peyton was born!

Our first was a few weeks ago. Dennis & Joan came over and babysat while we went to dinner at The Keg and saw a movie called Date Night (how appropriate!) I'm not sure who was more excited, us for going on a date or Dennis & Joan for getting to babysit. It was a win-win situation! :)

Our second one was last night. My mom and Bob came over and watched Peyton while we went to Tempe Marketplace for some fun at Dave & Buster's. This was another win-win situation! :) Ironically, we ran into Amanda and her friend while we were there. It was so random but worked out perfect! We ended up spending the evening with them and had a blast.

Here are some pictures we took before we left:

~Before date #1~

~Grandma Joan & Grandpa Dennis~

~Before date #2~

~Grandma Mary~

Ginger's New Friend

Ginger has been a great doggie with Peyton. She's really amazed us at how well she does with him.

The other day Peyton was in his bouncer and Ginger came right up behind him and laid down. Peyton started squirming and grunting a bit, and Ginger was SO concerned! She put her head on his bouncer and was peering over him. It was so sweet!

Here's one of the hundred pictures I took:

One Month!

Peyton turned one month on April 14th... I can't believe it!

So much has happened in the first month. Let's see:

He's gained a few pounds and looks older every day

He's making eye contact

He can lift his head nearly 90 degrees during tummy time

He looks for me when he hears my voice

He's eating about 3 oz every 3 hours

He's discovered his thumb

The first month has been exciting, emotional, a learning experience, and absolutely exhausting (but amazing!) Peyton's sleeping about 3 hours at a time during the night. He's been incredibly gassy and has reflux. Poor little guy! Our pediatrician says up until about 3 months, their systems are so immature that this can happen and to basically wait it out. I hope he doesn't have to go through this for the next 7 weeks!

Breast feeding has been a challenge, but one that I'm up for. I'm still mastering it, but at the end of the day, Peyton is getting breast milk via me or a bottle and that's what's important.

This next month we're looking forward to that first smile and hopefully we'll be on our way to a set schedule that will include some more night time rest!

Next Monday I go to my OBGYN for my 6 week check up. I'll get the okay (hopefully) to start working out again, something that I can't WAIT to do! I'm looking forward to getting a few hikes in before it gets too hot. Also, at 6 weeks we can take Peyton out in public. This is something we can't wait to do!

My friend Megan gave me the wonderful idea of taking monthly pictures of Peyton, in the same position, every month. This is a great way to chart his growth and all the changes!

~One Month~

~Sucking his thumb like his mommy & daddy did~

XoXo!

Before I was a Mom

I received an email from my friend Rachel titled, "Awesome Mom." Something that just weeks ago I would've looked at and thought nothing of, made me cry like a baby! It's SO cliche, but I can't believe how true it is. Here's just one of the versus:

"Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleepy baby just because

I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much."

This awesome quote was at the end of the email:

"May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life."

Date Night!

Tonight Steve and I are going on our first date since Peyton was born. I've never been so excited for a date!

Steve's parents are coming over to babysit while we go to dinner and a movie. Before Peyton, we went to dinner and a movie All.The.Time. Tonight, it actually feels like a special occasion and means a lot more to us. The most exciting thing about tonight's date, is when it's over, we get to come home to Peyton!

Have a good weekend everyone!

XoXo

The First Few Weeks

On Sunday Peyton will be 4 weeks old! I can't believe how fast the time flies by. So what's been going on these past several weeks? A lot!

My days are spent feeding, changing, cuddling, bathing, and reading to Peyton. While he sleeps, I manage to eat and bathe myself! I can’t believe the time it takes to take care of a baby. They sleep so much you’d think I’d have more time to do things. But I’m not complaining, I love my new job.

Steve went back to work full-time last week. He never really stopped working, but spent the first few weeks working from home. Even now he can spend an occasional day working from home, but overall he’s back in the office. He misses Peyton so much during the day and wishes he could put him in his pocket and take him to work J

We’ve had tons of visitors over the past several weeks, and they keep on comin’! It’s been awesome having lots of home cooked meals and some company. We’ve also gotten lots of packages and cards in the mail. We feel really loved, thank you everybody!

Ginger spent the first 3 weeks at Grandmas house. That wasn’t the plan, but once I was in the hospital and my mom offered to watch her, I was all about it. I suddenly didn’t feel like handling a newborn and an energetic Boxer at the same time.

We brought her home this past Sunday and it’s been AMAZING – Ginger doesn’t seem phased by Peyton by the least bit, and Peyton could care less about Ginger! Hahaha. While Ginger spends her days barking at every little noise outside, Peyton continues to sleep through it all. I think Peyton recognizes her bark from my womb. Ginger will smell and occasionally lick Peyton, but it’s so gentle and Peyton loves it. J I think once Peyton is making more noise and crawling around, it’ll be a different story. But for now, the transition has been smooth!

It didn’t take long to realize that Peyton is a “good” baby. We’ve had no problems with him and he hardly cries at all. I’m hoping this means it’ll be easy to get him on a schedule and sleep through the night. I’ve been reading lots of books on the best way to do this, and will be ecstatic the night he sleeps 7 hours straight!

As you all know, we chose Dennis as Peyton’s middle name. Dennis is a family name on both sides – Steve’s middle name is Dennis, Steve’s dad’s name is Dennis, my dad’s middle name is Dennis, and to top it off, we both have an Uncle Dennis. Couldn’t go wrong there!

Lastly, I have to mention how much I enjoyed my pregnancy and believe it or not, labor and delivery. Immediately after Peyton was born, I couldn’t wait to get pregnant again, and I still feel that way! But it won’t be happening anytime soon J The whole experience was such a dream come true and I couldn’t have asked for a smoother pregnancy and birth!

Below is another quote Steve emailed to me days after we found out I was pregnant. :)

"A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart till the day you die."

-Unknown

Here are some pictures of Peyton and his new friends

~Megan, Me holding Owen (9 weeks), pregnant Siobhan holding Peyton (2 weeks)~

~Genny 'n Peyton~

~JJ (4 1/2 yrs) holding his new little friend~

~Amanda 'n Peyton~

~Noah, Peyton & Owen~