Another Mommy Question...

Ok, mommies. Thanks for the advice yesterday! I have one more question that I need tips on. What are some ways to get ahead on stockpiling away breastmilk? It seems like I just can't get ahead.

I pump every day and somehow I only have enough for 7 feedings in my freezer. It's tough to strategically figure out when to pump an "extra" bottle. Unless I am willing to wake up in the middle of the night when he is not eating (no thanks!), how do you get ahead? Do you pump after the first morning's feedings? If I do that, I only have enough for half a feeding (about 2 ounces). Do you pump in between feedings? My feedings are 3 hours apart, so I am always afraid if I do that, then I won't have enough milk for his actual feeding in an hour and a half. Can that happen?

I'll be going back to work in 4 weeks and would feel better if I had at least 2 days worth of milk in the freezer. Tips?!

What's Going On?

1-5 weeks old: Preston had last feeding at 10 pm, slept til 4 am when he woke up to eat, then slept til 7 am. (Only woke up once in the middle of the night, even as a newborn.)

5-6 weeks old: Preston slept through the night. Hallelujia! For seven days straight! Thought I was in the clear...

{Went on first overnight trip}

6-8 weeks old: Preston has last feeding at 10 pm, wakes up at 2 am AND wakes up at 4:30 am. Now consistently wakes up TWICE in middle of the night and Mom is T.I.R.E.D! We are all only getting 2.5-3 hour stretches of sleep.

Other moms, help! Why is his sleeping getting progressively worse? Growth Spurt? Did his first overnight trip throw him off? When did your babies finally start sleeping through the night for good? Advice?

I am following Babywise to a T. and the book says by the end of the eighth week, most babies are sleeping through the night. Not happening. The only good news is that at least he is going right back to sleep after his middle of the night feedings. Thank goodness!

Help before I turn into a zombie!

Three Years Ago

Three years ago tonight, on a cold and rainy November night, I married my best friend. Happy Anniversary Brett! I can't believe how much we've accomplished in three years. Both got new jobs and moved to Houston, made so many great new friends here, bought and completely remodeled a house, started our family off with an adorable puppy, traveled to Europe, and now...the best accomplishment yet, had a beautiful baby boy!

Here's a look back at our wedding night...

Then...we were off to Maui to stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Spa!

What I wouldn't give to be back there right now...ahh. One day.

I love you, Brett.

I am thankful for...

So many things this year! I can't help but feel the most blessed I have ever felt in my life! It's a long list, but here it goes...

• First and foremost, my new sweet baby boy, who is not only beautiful and perfect in every way, but most importantly, healthy! I could not be more thankful for the family I am creating! Every time I look at Preston my heart is so full of joy.
• My patient and sweet husband. Brett is the most loving husband a girl could ask for. He puts up with so much and never complains! He loves me unconditionally and that is the most I could ever ask for. He is also the most wonderful Dad to Preston. He jumps right in and helps and really equally shares the job with me. The best part of my day is when Brett walks in the door.
• My amazing parents! My mom--who taught me how to be a mother. She is so selfless and is always looking for ways she can help her children, even when we don't ask. She always puts others before herself and I hope that I can be half the mother that she is! My Dad--who has been such a great rolemodel for me and has taught me so much over the years. I couldn't respect him more! I hope Preston will learn from his Papa!
• My sister. She is so loving and I am so thankful that she is always there for me. She is so excited to be an aunt and I am thankful that she wants to be such a HUGE part of Preston's life. He is going to feel so special and loved. It is such a special thing to have a sister!
• Cheesy, I know, but I am so thankful for my sweet puppy, Winston. He is the best dog in the world and any bad day I have can be better just by holding and cuddling Winston. He is always by my side.
• Both our stable jobs. I am so lucky to work for a company as outstanding as Texas Children's Hospital. I work with such great people and truly love what I do. That is a blessing.
• Good Health of those that I love.
• A place to call home. It has been so fun turning our house into a home, and I am so thankful everytime I come home to such a warm place.
• Wonderful friends. The past year has made me realize even more how blessed we are! I have not only old friends whom I have loved and known for almost all my life, but I also made a lot of new friends this year. {Hello, Bunco friends!}
• A church home. Even though we haven't been able to attend since Preston was born, I am so thankful for MDUMC. We look forward to Preston growing up in the church.
• Memories. There are so many good ones from my life. I am always daydreaming about great memories.

What are you thankful for?

I am really looking forward to our Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday. Brett's parents are coming into town, so we will get to be with both sets of parents on Preston's first thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble!

Stay Don't Stray

I just purchased this eye primer from Benefit Cosmetics...and it's awesome! It really does keep my eye makeup in place all day. It is also great as an under eye concealer. I love discovering new favorite products, so thought I would share. Have a great Sunday!

Mommy Uniform

It started innocently enough. I just need to be comfortable at home. No sense getting out of my pajamas if no one is coming over. No sense blow drying my hair if I'm not seeing anyone today. It's ok if I wear this teal scrunchie instead of a clear rubberband because it doesn't pull my hair so tight. Ahh...I have officially become a shlumpadinka!!

Urban dictionary defines a shlumpadinka as so:

Shlumpadinka= word Oprah Winfrey made up a long time ago to describe slumpy housewives, the types that are wearing the same sweats they wore yesterday and the day before. They usually have more than one child and are running around non stop and have been totally worn out and given up on how they look.

Luckly I realized the road I was headed down, and decided that I need a new "Mommy Uniform." Something that I could throw on every day that was comfortable, but still polished enough if I need to run out for a quick errand or if someone unexpectedly stops by. I decided it would also be nice to not have to "think" in the morning. I would find one outfit I liked and then buy it in every color. Then I know exactly what I am wearing each day without starring in the closet for 20 minutes trying to decide what to wear. Lastly, I wanted it to be suitable for just sitting around, but also working out. If I decide I have the energy to go walk outside, I don't want to have to run upstairs and change.

Here is what I came up with...

Lucy Long-Sleeve Layer Up Tee

I got the cobalt, emerald, grey heather, very berry, and candy red colors. That's right, one for each day of the week, and I suppose on the weekends I'll have to do laundry. :) I love it because it is a thicker material that is very fitted, so it never looks wrinkly.

Lucy X-Training Pant

These pants are such a great fit. I love that they are not "itchy" like some workout pants can be. They are soft enough to lounge around in, but if I decide to go for a workout, that's great too!

So there you have it. Simple. I know its just a long sleeved shirt and black pants, but the shirts are colorful. I stay warm. I can workout or lounge. I'm comfortable. It's ok if I get spit-up on me. It's a win-win for me!

So if you see me anytime soon, you know what I will be wearing.

What's your mommy uniform?

Preston {1 month}

How time flies! Preston was one month old last Friday (I'm a little late posting) and I already can't even remember what life was like before he came into our world. The past month has been filled with so much joy, so much learning, so much change. But all in all, I think I am getting the hang of mommyhood. We have settled into a schedule each day, and for those of you who don't have kids yet--you could probably care less about this. But I have enjoyed other "new mom" friends posting their daily schedules with their babies--it is fun to compare!

7 am--Time to wake up! Feed him/diaper change/then I read him a book and do some tummy time before he goes back down for a nap.

**Once he goes back to bed, I usually do too. This gives me an extra 2 hours of sleep, which makes me happy! **

10 am--I have to wake him up to feed him again. Then diaper change/then we play on his rainforest play gym, or I place him in his crib to look at his mobile. He loves to stare at the moving objects! I play with him for a total of about 20 minutes, then he goes back down for a nap again.

**This time while he's napping, I get some "me" time. I eat my breakfast, drink my coffee, peruse blogs that I love, get on facebook, read a book or magazine, and lastly--I try to straighten up the house to get this out of the way for the day.**

1 pm--Wake him up to feed him again. (I think he would sleep all day if I didn't wake him to feed--he loves to sleep!). Afterwards, change diaper/playtime again for about 20 minutes. We sing songs and read books. I try to keep him awake until he starts acting sleepy again. Then he goes back down for a nap again.

**This time while he's napping, I have enough energy to do a workout. (But this definitely doesn't happen every day!) Either my mom will come over and watch him while I go to the gym, or I just do my Tracy Anderson or Billy Blanks Tae Bo Workout DVD. After that I shower, maybe do a load of laundry, eat my lunch, and try to play with Winston (poor buddy gets less playtime these days).

4 pm--Wake him up to feed again. Then, change diaper/playtime for about 20 minutes. Then, back down for a nap.

**I usually crash too after this feeding. Brett normally gets home from work around 6 to find me and baby napping.**

7 pm--I pump a bottle and Brett feeds him at 7 pm. This just gives me a little break from doing all the feeding myself, plus we want him to be used to bottles by the time I go back to work. Then we have family playtime, or we give him a bath about every other day. Then he goes back down for another nap.

**Once he's down again, we prepare and eat our dinner and hang out a little, watching our shows for the night. If I have any errands to run, I go now while Brett is home with Preston. It usually feels pretty good to get out of the house by now!**

10 pm--Again, I pump a bottle and Brett feeds him at 10 pm. This allows me to go to bed early, right after I'm done pumping. Brett puts Preston to bed right after this feeding and he usually goes right down. We keep our fingers crossed for an easy night!

Middle of the night feeding--Sometimes it is 4 am, other times it is 2:30 am, but whenever Preston wakes up crying is when I feed him.  Some nights are better than others (he goes right back to sleep after he eats) while other times we are not so lucky and we have to soothe him for about 30 more minutes to get him to go back to sleep. He only wakes up this one time in the middle of the night, thank goodness, so we feel lucky.

7 am--Start the day all over again.

As you can see, he eats 7 times a day and is a healthy, growing boy. Obviously not every day is exactly like this, and I am working on getting us out of the house a little bit more. Not sure why I am so intimidated to take him places--maybe its fear of him having a screaming fit out in public, or all the extra gear to pack up. Right now it just seems like more trouble than it is worth, but when we do actually get out I always enjoy it! All in all, he is just precious and I absolutely love being his mommy!

Preston LOVES: staring at his mobile, music of all sorts (puts him right to sleep), going outside in the backyard for fresh air, riding in the car, bathtime, eating, grunting and squealing.

Preston DISLIKES: Getting his diaper changed, being held horizontal instead of upright, losing his pacifier.

Every night I pray that he will have a loving heart and will always be considerate of other people's feelings. I pray that he will enjoy learning and going to school and will have a desire to stay educated and one day find a career that makes him fulfilled and happy. I pray that he will be a leader, not a follower, and that he will lead a healthy life. I pray that angels will watch over him for the rest of his life. Most of all, I pray that he will always be as happy as he has made me--so happy that his little heart could burst! Whoever he chooses to be in life, I will love him so much!