"The rest of it's fine...

...and everybody knows that." We Used To Be Friends by The Dandy Warhols

Today I have accomplished something I have long wanted to do but just never got my act together enough to do it, and, frankly, I was intimidated by it.

I baked bread! From scratch! With no bread machine! With crying baby in tow, no less!

One of the two loaves the recipe rendered.

And it is good. I used this recipe (found on Pinterest, of course) and it couldn't have turned out more perfectly. We had it with slow-cooker vegetable beef stew, and it was deeeeeee-licious!

And the baby finally fell asleep, permitting mommy to not only complete her amazing bread-making, but also to post about it. Bless his sweet little heart.

Love!

"In the dark times and the hard questions...

...let some sunshine in your mind." Love The World You Find by The Flaming Lips

So you know how I hate working out? Well, I'm working out these days to pay for all those pregnancy cravings. Perhaps we'll go into more detail later (if it ever makes any kind of difference!) but in the meantime, I'm more interested in a related issue.

Ok people. Let's talk standards here.

Some girls toss their hair up and go work out and don't care what they look like (and some girls end up looking awesome doing it.) But some of us just...can't. I have told you before how I cannot leave the house without doing something to my face/hair/etc. When I ran cross country in high school (Ugh, I do regret not trying a little harder--thanks for pushing me, Mr. F, I'm paying for my lethargy now!) I remember that the mother of a fellow runner made some comments about me wearing eyeliner whenever we ran, even at 5 in the morning. She said something about how I have a problem if I can't just roll out of bed and go running without worrying how I look (and I mean, I didn't put on a ton of makeup or anything, just a little smear of eyeliner and mascara to keep from looking...gross).

Add to that memes like this, and I've always felt guilty after that for trying to look nice when I exercised. Which adds to my dislike of exercise all together. Which makes me not like how I look, which makes it harder to look nice...and so the vicious cycle goes. So I finally told myself that it is fine to care about how I look when I work out, and that makes me more inclined to do so.

Perhaps it's vanity but...I don't want to go out in public looking like death. I mean, if I'm exercising to lose weight/look good/be healthy, why would I spend all that time looking AWFUL? Doesn't that seem counter productive? I mean, I know some people love running or love exercising just for the activity's sake, but I loathe sweat. And I hate being ugly - there is enough ugly in the world without me adding to it.

Surely I'm not the only one.

Regardless, here's a quick sweat-proof hairstyle that I wear whenever I exercise...or if I'm hanging out with a hair-grabbing baby and I only have a minute to do my hair. (Bonus: pictures of aforesaid wiggly, hair-grabbing baby!)

All you do is part your hair deep on one side, french braid just the top and clip with bobby pins to secure, then add a messy bun or twisted pony-tail and you're done! I've also seen someone french braid it and that looks awesome on some girls (not on me). This style works best with textured or dirty hair, so if you're hair is too straight, I'd highly recommend some of this to give it a little personality.

Happy crunching, ya'll. Mwah!

"Tyrannosaurus rex means tyrant king...

...he terrorized the countryside and made the giant reptiles hide." The Tyrant King by unknown. (Sang this back in grade school!)

Inspired by this, I made a velociraptor toothbrush holder for my dino-lovin' niece as a little easter present! I thought the pink really added something. <3 nbsp="" p="">

Perhaps Jamesy will get one when he's bigger. 

For the DIY...just find a plastic dino (any plastic animal would work - I found mine in the dollar section of Target) and drill a hole that is (hopefully) the right size for your toothbrush! I also painted this one pink with non-toxic paint. 

Love!

"I am, I am, I am...

...the luckiest." Luckiest by Ben Folds.

Ok, I have about ten seconds before my weepy, clinging baby needs me again, so let's make this quick.

James has his first teeth! (Hense the weeps and clings)

He has requested no photographs till they're a little more visible, however, so I will respect his wishes. (Ok, he has refused to open his mouth for a picture, but I figure, he can't talk, so how else is he going to nicely request me not to take pictures?)

So here's some pictures of him with teeth hidden.

Gotta love that crazy hair!

Loves!

"But I'm warning you...

...we're growing up." Turpentine by Brandi Carlile.

Hello, loves!

For other mothers (or caregivers of any kind) of tiny babies who find themselves in an endless (sleep-deprived) cycle of feeding, changing diapers, playing peekaboo, rocking, repeat, I have been brainstorming 12 things to do at home during the day with baby. These are especially for before your baby is mobile (and therefore totally dependent on you) and when you are very constrained by the eating and sleeping schedule. 

James at about 4 months.

James and me at about 1-and-a-half months

 

Meggles and me right after her daddy graduated Law School (early summer '11)

Have fun bonding with your baby!

1. Take walks in the stroller. It may just be to the mailbox or around the driveway, but weather permitting, we take a little walk every day. James loves all sounds and light and shadows outside. I took him out, well-bundled, during a snow storm and he absolutely loved watching the falling snow. If it's too wet, we try to at least go sit on the porch for a little while, because fresh air really helps me feel like I wasn't cooped up at home all day.
2. Create stories. I start feeling like I haven't been able to create anything every few days since I no longer have the leisure time I used to have. I began making up stories even while I was still in  the hospital, one of which we turned into a photo book and gave as gifts at Christmas time. I also write limericks for and about James. I talk through all of these with the baby, and he seems to really like the attention.
3. Along the same line, sing songs. We change everything to be about James or the kitties (for example, "Izzy is too sexy for his shirt", "Irony makes my sad heart jump with joy", and James, aka "baby boo" is "boo bear little boy boo bear"). James loves it and the cats feel that at least we are referring to them so perhaps they are not forgotten after all. And you would be amazed how many inane pop songs are completely redeemable if you are singing them about a cat or a baby (almost anything by Justin Bieber, for example.)
4. Teach baby to "help" with housework. James will "hold" clean laundry for me, supervise bedmaking, and help wipe counters (with me directing where he wipes). We also have a habit of cleaning our stuff up before we eat and before our bath so mommy doesn't spend precious naptime straightening and putting away toys.
5. Go "baby fishing". This is perfect for the batting stage, when baby is just starting to grab at things. We have a plastic chain link toy that is very bright and we dangle it so we can "catch" the baby. There's a big celebration when we do, and his grabbing skills have improved drastically. Also, this can be done one-handed while, say, checking your email.
6. Use those noisy flashing toys (sparingly). We have a few toys that can only be tolerated (by mommy) in small doses. Whenever I especially need to get stuff done, like set up for a dinner party, I bring those out, set baby on a rug wherever I'm working, and let him enjoy the novelty. Happy baby, productive mommy, and everyone in a good mood when company arrives.
7. Plan out big projects in little doses and try to include baby. For example, I'm reorganizing our entire library and my former system of diving in and spending three days back-to-back to get it done simply isn't practical anymore. I bring him down and give him some of his chewy, fun baby books to drool on and work on one shelf (or half a shelf) at a time. We also put on rambunctious music to keep everyone amped up. This way he'll be used to being involved in whatever I'm doing and feel like he has a role in it (with his books, in this case).
8. Take pictures, especially with a computer so baby can see himself. This is also one of my favorite things to do with my toddler niece. 
9. Put baby in front of a mirror. James used to get mad and jealous of the baby in the mirror, but now he loves to look at himself and me making faces.
10. Nap...together. I know co-sleeping is controversial, but with the proper precautions it's really been a godsend for us, with one thing and another. And every new mommy can use a nap! James always, ALWAYS sleeps longer if I'm holding him, so if you aren't sleep training (or if you need a break from sleep training) it's a snuggly option. If you aren't comfortable  falling asleep with baby (which I was not for the first three months) try feeding him while laying down and reading a magazine or skimming Pinterest after he gets settled. With a little practice you can both be super comfy and relax together.
11. Work out. If you are anything like me, you can't wait to lose that baby weight! There are tons of exercises you can do at home, many using your "free weight" baby. Obviously, be careful with floppy necks and to not overly jostle him, and don't overdo with your body, either. I have found James is highly entertained (for a few minutes at a time) by watching me do push-ups, sit-ups, and dancing with our x-box. When he doesn't want to watch anymore, I hold him while I do squats and lunges, or lift him to work my arms, or even just let him sit on my tummy while I do crunches. I'm down from my initial post-baby weight by 35 lbs...and hoping to get even fitter than I was pre-baby. :)
12. Utilize tummy time. I have trouble keeping any kind of consistent schedule when I'm not at home, especially since James's sleeping schedule varies wildly, so I started implementing a sequence to our activities, which is a little more flexible for this season. In that vein, I start James immediately on tummy time after his first feeding/diaper change. During this tummy time, which is usually the longest tummy time of the day, I get to drink my coffee and read my Bible in relative peace while he is entertained on the floor with toys. After every nap we have a tummy time, and I use those for some of the working out mentioned above, and I try to get through a nice variety throughout the day.Without using tummy time as a trigger, I always manage to find an excuse to not work out.

Love!

"The way we danced until three, the way you've changed my life...

..no, no, they can't take that away from me." They Can't Take That Away From Me performed by Frank Sinatra.

Hello lovelies!

All three of us have been sick lately - poor baby James has RSV (and so do I) and Ryan has some kind of ear infection, so we've been staying in and trying to sleep (except James, who seems to believe sleep is for the weak).

In the midst of this, if you follow us on Facebook, you may have noticed our entry in a Cincinnati's Cutest Couple Contest (and thanks for all of ya'll's support!). We didn't win, but it was so much fun to have this little thing with me and my sweet husband constantly posting pleas for votes, checking the site for updates, and talking about how cute we are together.

This reminded us of how important it is to maintain your marriage as your family grows - which my wonderful husband is especially good at remembering - and so we compiled this list of things we do to intentionally stay close as a couple, even with a new baby.

On our way to our Valentine's date!

1. Enter cutest couple contests - free, fun, and it tells the other that you find them attractive and you are proud of them!
2. Leave encouraging notes for them to find (on the pillow, on the mirror, in the car, lunchbox, computer...).
3. Bring surprise treats (cookies, lunch, sonic drink) to them at work or during the day.
4. Discuss awesome dates or adventures you had pre-baby
5. Plan fanciful future adventures (from going to the zoo to visiting Italy)
6. Make the extra effort to make a fancy meal once in a while with nice dishes, fancy dessert, and pretty centerpiece, like a party just for you!
7. Look for small acts of service that really serves the other, like setting up coffee for him or gassing up her car.
8. Be mindful of tone-like sounding cranky when you're just tired or like sounding accusatory when you're just asking.
9. Remember to communicate with each other--take time to talk when baby is asleep.
10. Give each other alone time to recharge (just cuz he wasn't babysitting all day doesn't mean he was relaxing...and just cuz she was home doesn't mean she rested)
11. Remember each other's physical limitations, both in terms of intimacy and in normal activity/sleep deprivation, etc. Guys-her body took a beating, some of which will never completely heal or go away (stretch marks, anyone?). Also, hormones make her certifiably crazy for a while yet, even if she doesn't get PPD, so be patient. Ladies, he can only handle so much. Don't dramatize your suffering unnecessarily and don't needlessly draw out your recovery--and don't let your new curves, scars, and tiredness keep you from being his sexy little thang!
12. Verbalize specific things about the other for which you are thankful. Not just, "I'm thankful for you," but, "I'm thankful for how you cleaned out the car without me even asking," or "I'm so thankful for how well you keep up with our bills."
13. Go on a real date with a baby sitter. Seriously. At least for Valentine's, anniversaries, etc., preferably at least once a month.
14. Pray together about both big and little things.
15. Allow for flexibility...sometimes when you get home from work, just take the baby. Sometimes just let him relax a while after work. 
16. Say "I love you." Lots. And, "thank you."
17. However much you think you serve your spouse, double it. Then double it again. 
18. Try to always be the one volunteering for baby duty...then thank the other when they do it.
19. .Brag about each other-to friends, on Twitter, Facebook, and to your families.
20. Never take your exhaustion and frustration with the new dynamic on you marriage outside your marriage. (You can seek support but do not whine)
21. Men: constantly reiterate to your wife that she is beautiful, losing baby weight, etc. Ladies: encourage him and do not criticize, especially in how he cares for the new baby. Remind him that he has your respect.
22. Be creative in keeping romance alive. It's easy to forget whose your main squeeze with the new little snuggle-bug.
23. Take lots of picture and video featuring not just the little one.
24. Play with the baby together. Bond not just as daddy-baby and mommy-baby, but as a whole family.
25. Pray for each other and with each other daily (and all the time!)

"My beloved monster and me...

...we go everywhere together." My Beloved Monster by The Eels.

So, James has been doing better with sleep the last two nights - he basically fusses till midnight, then wakes up at 5 and 7. Still not back to as well as he was doing, but much more livable! Though we have all come down with a sore throat in the meantime, so that's too bad. His emotions have been a little better, bless his heart, though we got our 4-month shots yesterday, and naturally that didn't exactly cheer us up!  But he took his shots like a champ and didn't even throw a tantrum.

In other news, we started trying out various little baby foods - I pureed some berries and we've been trying out rice cereal as per our doctor's recommendations. Hopefully we'll get up pictures soon - the faces he makes are priceless! But he's been taking it awesome - we're so proud of our little man.

Lurv!