Weekend Shenanigans: I'm actually blogging on a Monday

When the heck was the last time I blogged on a Monday?!  For real!  Life with Colin is so busy and I think about my blog lots.  I even look at it hoping someone else wrote a new post for me.  But too often I just don't get around to my writing space.  It's okay I'm doing more important things like being a mama and wife!  Sorry, it's true.... wait I'm not sorry :)

Just wanted to do a quick recap on the weekend for you...

Friday evening we went to Laura's dance extravaganza!  The dance team showcased all of the dances they have competed this season as well as honored the seniors and coaches.  Laura did awesome and I'm so proud of how far she has come.  Those high kicks are amazing and it's really fun to watch her perform and do something she loves!

Saturday we met Kristin (yes from Mama & Mou), Jason and Kenley for brunch!  It was so fun to see this adorable family.  Oh my gosh has Kenley grown up and she is such a cutie!  I can't wait for Colin and Kenley to be able to actually play together.  I hope they can enjoy gopher football games as much as their parents do!

After brunch Ryan and I ran a ton of errands.  Colin was such a trooper.  Work things popped up that had us running to Uptown and the office.  And then we were running important errands for Colin's dedication on Sunday.  Two trips to Target, one trip to Petco (!), and lastly to the grocery store.  It was a full day.  When we got home, I called Rose and Jaxon and had them come over to play with Colin so Ryan and I could get ready for the big brunch we were hosting on Sunday.

And Sunday was a very personal and special day for us.  Colin was dedicated at church.  Tomorrow's post will highlight this most special event in his life and for our family.  My heart is so full!

 

Have a great Monday!  I know we are recovering from a busy weekend but it's good to get back to normal.

Mama & Mou

If you read my blog with any frequency you know that Kristin over at Mama & Mou is one of my good friends.  A real life friend not just a blog friend!  Go over to her blog today and check out Colin's birth story!  We are featured!  YAY!

Tim the Tool Man Taylor... AKA my husband

I married a very handy man.  Ryan can fix, build, or make just about anything.  Or at least anything I need him to.  So when I showed him a jewelry holder that I found on Etsy that I wanted to order, he laughed and said he could make it.  

The one problem with having a skilled husband is that he thinks he can do any project but he doesn't have time to do it.  So I figured when he said he could make my jewelry holder, I might have it by next Christmas.  And I happy to report I was wrong.  Ryan surprised me for Valentine's Day with this...

I have a spot for all my necklaces, bracelets, watches, and earrings!  I totally LOVE it!  And he was incredibly thoughtful in picking out all the hardware for this holder.  The picture frame is totally my style and all of the hardware that Ryan put on the frame to hold my jewelry is gorgeous!

Thank you Husband for your thoughtfulness and mad jewelry holder making skills!  

You're the best!

Happy Valentine's Day

Four Months

Yesterday Colin turned 4 months old and I cannot believe how quickly the days are going.  Some hours can really stretch out but it's already February and my forever Valentine (yes, I'm being sappy) is already getting so big!

Baby Stats:
Weight: 15 pounds, 15.5 ounces... let's just call it 16!

Sleep: Bedtime has shifted to between 9:30-10:30.  Typically sleeping between 4-5.5 hours then up to eat, then back down for 4-4.5 hours, up to eat and then back down until between 7:30-9am.  It's not straight, thru the night sleep but I'll take it!

Feeding: If you read my post about transitions, you'll know we struggled to make the switch from nursing to bottles at first when I went back to work.  But within a few weeks, Colin caught on to the whole bottle gig and did great!  And then like any other transition, Colin threw in a new idea... no more nursing!  He went on strike!  So we are only doing bottles now.  I pump whenever he eats.  I'm no longer getting ahead of my supply but I'm at least even.  AND... drum roll please... we have started solids!  Yesterday Colin had avocados and dare I say I think he liked them!  We are so excited to start solids... avocados, sweet potatos, and bananas are on the menu!

Diapers: size 2
Clothing: 6-9 month clothes

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Milestones: Solid foods!
Nicknames: Noodle, I-tie, Little Man, Pumpkin
Favorites: anything he can put in his mouth, his swing, soft plush toys, eating!, rolling, being naked, johny jump up, and reading books

Just before avocados... And then his first bite...

I think he likes it!

Colin,

To say I am in love with you is an understatement.  You are the biggest blessing in your daddy and my life!  This last month has been really fun as your personality has emerged and you are becoming this little boy.  You are growing leaps and bounds and I feel like we are already leaving the baby days behind and in the blink of an eye you will be mobile.  You try so hard to crawl and you LOVE walking with assistance.  I can't believe how strong you are!  Your daddy is beyond proud of your skills... so am I!

Hearing your laugh for the first time this month was so sweet.  You melt my heart with your smile and I can't get enough of your babbling and story telling.  I love your millions of facial expressions and you can't be any cuter when you think you are funny.  What a little boy you are becoming!  Don't grow up too fast!  Stay little!

All my love,

Mama

Happy Birthday Across the World!

Today is one of my favorite people's birthdays!  Yes- Colin turns 4 months today but it is also my best friend Kristin's birthday!  Kristin and I have been friends ever since rainbow sweaters, bangs, scrunchies, and big glasses were cool.

Today Kristin and her husband are in Australia.  They moved to New Zealand last spring, a dream they had been talking about for years and just recently moved to Australia for the second part of their life abroad.  I can't wait for them to come home.  I could go on and on about the reasons that I love this girl!  

Kristin-

If you happen to see this post today, Happy Birthday!  I beyond wish I could have a cup of coffee with you and celebrate your life!  It's very true that you don't always realize how much a person means to you until they are gone.  I mean I knew you were a one in a million kind of friend!  When Colin was born it was so weird not having you visit at the hospital, but the surprise gift you sent in the mail sent me into tears for about an hour!  Once again I was reminded how amazing of a friend you are!

I'm so proud of you and the adventure you are on right now!  And I can't wait to hear all about it!  I can't wait to hug you and grab coffee like we do- discuss the world's problems, celebrate life together, and listen to each other's stories!  So Happy Birthday today!  I hope the Australia has an incredible day planned for you!  Miss you and love you!  xoxo Kari   

Starting Solids

Today I'm linking up...

Tomorrow is Colin's 4 month birthday (yay!) and his 4 month check up (shots included, insert sad face).  I'm looking forward to knowing how much he weighs, how long he is, and for the doctor to say he is a healthy little man!  I'm dreading his shots.  Hearing my baby scream in pain is the WORST thing ever.  And I mean ever.  I hate it.  

We will have hit the 4 month mark and although there is controversy as to whether babies should start solids at 4, 5, or 6 months old I'm going to say I think each mama/daddy knows their own baby and can judge if baby is ready for solids or not.  So judge me if you think I'm starting to early but I think Colin is ready for more than just milk.  

The plan is to introduce vegetables and few fruits in the coming weeks.  We will first try avocados- full of protein, calories, and the good fats: monounsaturated.  Ryan and I have done our reserach about introducing cereal and we don't feel as comfortable with this- again, judge if you want- but there is a lot of reserach suggesting babies' digestion isn't ready for such tough grains.  So we will start with easier to digest things.  

Colin will get one teaspoon of avocado on the first night and then we will wait 4 days to see if he has any allergic reaction or issues with them.  Then we can either do that food again or try something new.  Hopefully he will like it and be excited to have something besides milk.  

We are really looking forward to starting solid foods.  We have the baby bullet ready for action!  

What tips/hints do you have for starting solid food?  And if you think I'm starting too early- then don't leave me a note :)