newborn – The Merfett

October 3, 2015October 3, 2015 The Merfett

Danielle over at Sometimes Sweet does a Currently post every once and a while, and I’m a big fan of her blog (and the series) so I thought I’d share my own. Call me a fangirl.

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Reading: JUST started reading Why Not Me via my library eReader system. Can I say how excited I am to have access to an eLibrary?! I’m not even through the intro of the book, so I should get moving on it before I have to renew it! I recently finished 123 Magic (ugh. toddlers) and For the Love (so good).

Eating: Whole 30. Kelly and I started the challenge last Monday so it’s been a week of no diary, booze, legumes, gluten or sugar. I did a challenge a year ago (and got pregnant!) and it was time for me to have a sugar intervention. Breastfeeding = sugar cravings! So far it’s been lots of eggs, Chicken Apple Sausage, green beans, tomatoes, apples (hello Honeycrisp) butternut squash and bananas.

Thinking About: Our someday move. We’ve been talking about it more, and strategizing for what we need to do to make it happen. So many big changes. It’s scary for me, but I’m also excited. We’ll get to experience the 4 seasons! We can have dinner together as a family more than 2 nights a week! We can have date nights!

Looking Forward to: I took a leap and emailed a women’s ministry at the church we attended back when I was pregnant with Riley. We’ve taken an unplanned extended church hiatus and it’s time to get back into the groove. I tried to “put myself out there” and make some church friends, but it didn’t stick. So I’m recommitting. I dislike being the new girl, but I’m trying. There’s a thing called Project Bag Ladies where a group gets together to sew tote bags to sell for charity. I can sew! I want to make friends! So, I’m meeting them on Monday. I did love an email I got earlier, addressing me as a ‘Bag Baby’ since anyone under 50 is baby, and anyone over is just a ‘Bag.’ Hah. Charly’s coming along too ;)

Enjoying: Black coffee + coconut milk. I’m a latte lady normally. I don’t need a fancy coffee drink (I pass on the PSL craze) but I do like a creamy coffee. Whole 30 coffee is either black or with approved coconut/almond milk. Drinking coffee ‘stripped down’ really makes you appreciate good coffee. Man. There’s some bitter/burned brews out there.

Learning: About some new music! I used to be keyed into all kinds of fun and current music. Not so much anymore. I recently found Johnnyswim and I’m really liking them. Mellow. Sweet. And I love a strong male/female sound. Oh. And I’m learning how to use Snapchat (eek!) and Periscope. I’m just getting into Snaps [daniellajoyy] but I won’t be ‘scoping – I just like following along. Jess Connolly is my current fave.

Loving: My happy little Charly baby. Man. I got lucky (#blessed) with him. Riley’s a very typical toddler – high energy and loud. And he can for sure throw a tantrum. But. He’s also really funny and sweet. Charly is mellow and laid back, just like his Daddy. When Riley’s high-need, Charly can chill and wait for me to get to him. Thank goodness. Since I solo parent most of the week it’s been so much more doable having a mellow newborn.

Family

Charly is 2 Months!

October 1, 2015October 14, 2015 The Merfett

Time for a Charly update :)

Weight: We’ll find out at his appointment tomorrow – I’ll update :) Update: 15.6 lb, 24.75″. He’s wearing some 6 month clothing, and it’s tight – so 9 months it is! We just moved up to size 2 diapers.

1229964_10152226642179848_1862207805_n — Riley

Health: Got his first cold this month. Riley had the sniffles over the weekend and passed it on. Lots of baby Vics and humidifier use and he’s doing much better. So sad to see a little baby congested. The whole time he was eating and sleeping well – thank goodness.

Sleep: Slept through the night (8 hours) for the first time! I ended up having food poisoning that night so I didn’t get to enjoy it, but it was probably good timing ;) He’s a great sleeper and prefers to nap in his room during the day – all good with me! At night he does around 6 hours after we go to bed, eats and back to sleep, then is up around 7am, eats and back to sleep. Riley’s up between 6:30am and 7:00am so it works out OK. If Kelly’s home he normally gets up with Riley so I can feed Charly and get an extra hour of sleep.

Nursing: Good! I was a little nervous with his cold he would have a hard time, but he’s been eating fine. I need to start stockpiling milk for a trip we’re taking at the end of October. I’ll be gone from him about 48 hours. Our first night apart, sniff.

What Charly is up to: We’re getting into the fun stage of smiles and coos. I love hearing him “talk” and he’ll melt your heart with a cute little side grin.

PostPartum: Cleaned up my eating big time this past week. So. About a year ago I did my first Whole 30 Challenge and funny enough – got pregnant with Charly while doing it. I was eating great, and feeling awesome. Then I hit the first trimester, and ate like crap for 10 months. First 2 months postpartum I continued eating horrible. Because: tired, lazy, short on time = bad food choices. I’ve done the whole “post baby body” talk with myself before. I get that. I’m going to look different. I JUST had a 10+ pound baby. 10 months up, 10 months down. But it’s the way I’ve been feeling that’s gross. I needed a sugar intervention. Like major. So Kelly and I are on our first week of Whole 30 and it’s going well. Let’s be real though, sugar detox is no joke.

Baby Gear: Swaddle Me Velcro Swaddles. 9 (NINE) month old clothing. 4Moms Mamaroo, SollyBaby Wrap. Ergo. Britax Carseat + stroller. Humidifier. Baby Vics.

Thoughts: This month was rougher. It was a mix of hormones, emotions (we lost a family member) and toddler behavior stuff. I really had to check myself and see where my feelings were at a few times. We’re also talking a lot about moving and what we need to do to make that happen. I love Charly, and he fits into our family perfectly. I always knew that this fourth member of our family would be an exact fit, and I’m so thankful for him.

Family

Charly is 1 Month!

August 31, 2015 The Merfett

A month?! But, I just finally finished writing his birth story!

Weight: We had his 1 month check up today. 12lb 13.5 oz (98%) and 24″ (>98%) The Peditrician said he’s the size of a normal 3 month old, or an average 5 month old. He’s wearing 3mo, 3-6mo and some 6mo clothing. He’s big and solid. His hands are open and he’s almost holding his head up.

Health: He had jaundice when he was born and we needed to do at home UV light therapy. At the time it was annoying, but it was easy and I’m so thankful it’s resolved. Charly has A+ blood, and I’m O+ which is why he was jaundice. He started getting baby acne last week, but it’s not too bad. He still has his hair!

Sleep: He’s a good sleeper thankfully. His longest stretch is 3.5 – 4 hours normally the first part of the evening, then 2ish hours after that. Mostly 2 – 3 wake ups a night, but he settles down back to sleep with almost no help after each feeding. I can tell he won’t get the same nap schedule Riley did as a baby, but when we’re home he’s getting good solid naps in his crib. At night he’s still in our room in the pack n’ play – and will be for a while. It’s a pain having to go up and down the stairs all night, I’d rather just have him next to me.

Nursing: Going well! The Peditrician suggested I pump and give him a bottle a day – which I do a few times a week. I was so excited the first time he took a bottle at a week old – 3oz! Most women are thrilled breastfeeding works, for me when Riley refused a bottle it was so stressful I didn’t leave him overnight until he was a year old. I had to be with him constantly. A baby that can take a bottle is a whole new world to me! So breastfeeding is going well – and since I nursed Riley until 15.5 months it doesn’t feel unfamiliar. Charly eats well, but he’s still learning to latch correctly.

What Charly is up to: Eat. Sleep. Poop. He’s starting to be more alert and awake now which is fun. I’m trying to keep him on a 2-3 hour routine with EASY. We’ve been out and about quite a bit since we try to get Riley some activity every day. It’s been pretty hot and miserable which makes it hard, but we try to get outside in the morning and watch a movie at home in the afternoon.

PostPartum: I think my recovery was much easier this time around. I knew what to expect so that helped. My hormones are still out of whack – but that’s to be expected. I have had to check my emotions a few times, mostly just feelings of irritability, probably from lack of sleep more than anything. No baby blues, which is good! I head back to see my doctor for my 6 week check up in 2 weeks, but so far I feel good.

Baby Gear: SollyBaby wrap. Ergo. Britax carseat and stroller. Aiden + Anais swaddles are the BEST. 4moms Mamaroo.

Thoughts: A few times a week, sometimes a few times a day I stop and consider this life I have. Am I really old enough to be married, own a house and have TWO kids!? When did I grow up? I feel like college was just the other day. Last weekend I went back to my high school for an alumni water polo game. It was surreal being back on campus, how was that 15 years ago? I’m so thankful for this little family, and I love Charly and I know he’s going to perfectly round out our little gang.