Jack | 5 Months

Jack turned 5 months old!... almost 2 weeks ago...

Hey, if there comes a time when I actually post this kids monthly updates within a day or two of him actually turning said number of months old, you should probably check on me because I'm being way too productive and am most likly on an acid trip.

but I digress...

Jack! Jack Jack! Baby Bear! My little man is already 5 months old!

And goodness, what a huge month developmentally for this guy!

5 month old Jack loves...

his dino paci

getting his diaper changed

Huckleberry & Herschel

being outside

bath time

tummy time

holding hands 

(he's such a romantic)

funny noises and faces

chomping on everything

5 month old Jack dislikes....

nap time

being put down

Health: I am happy to report that we've made it 5 months with not so much as a sniffle from Jack! I thank God every day for his good health. No wellness checkup this month, but I think Jack has gotten taller! He is now completely in 9 month size clothes and size 3 diapers. He cut his second tooth this month also, so he now has both his bottom teeth.

Food: We are still going strong with breastfeeding. Jack eats usually 6 or 7 times a day and once at night. But ever since cutting his second tooth, he's started waking up a second time around 2:30-3:00 to nurse. I read a lot of stuff about women being concerned their little ones aren't sleeping through the night, but, I got to admit, I really don't mind our nighttime nursing sessions and I still think he's thriving. So I'm really not concerned. If anything it just gives me a reason to snuggle up close to him. 

Sleep: Jack has gradually pushed his bedtime back an hour (yay!), so we now start his bedtime routine around 6:30 and he's asleep by 7. There have been a few nights recently where he's gotten overtired and had trouble going to sleep, but once he's out he'll sleep until 6:30 or 7 (minus his brief waking to nurse). I have no complaints about his nighttime sleep, it's those naps that are killing me. Killing me, I tell ya! Jack's a big fan of 25-40 minute power naps, 4 times a day. I, on the other hand, am not. Not only does he love his power naps, but he still wants to be held the entire time, making it nearly impossible to do anything....like, I dunno, WORK! 

Yes, I quit my job. But I'm still working. It's kind of like a messy breakup. I dumped them but they won't let me go. They still love me ;) And truth be told, I love them! Just not enough to leave Jack and go into the office.. Long story short, I'm still working full-time from home until they find a replacement. And it's really hard to work when Jack goes on a nap strike or simply wants to be held the entire nap. So, I'm kinda slowly dying over here... prayers would be great ;)

New this Month: Oh man, there is so much to put here I don't even know where to begin. Jack is rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy. He can completely push himself up on his arms and even get his knees under him like he's going to crawl, but hasn't taken that plunge yet. He can sit up all on his own (stop it, just stop it!), and is so super strong that he gave his momma a bloody nose (Oh, how I wish I were joking). Let's see, he loves to play with anything and everything.. a wooden block, a water bottle, Huckleberry's tail... it's all fair game. He also recently discovered that pulling hair is pretty hilarious, especially if it's wet. And farting noises? Prepare for belly busting giggles.

Things to Look Forward to: We got Jack's highchair and he's kind of a pro at sitting in that thing. I want to wait until the 6 month mark before starting solids, but I can tell that this kid is definitely ready to start eating soon. 

Also, Jack and I will be getting on a plane and heading to NY this Saturday to visit all my family for 2 weeks! He hasn't meet his uncles yet and I know my grandparents, aunts, and uncles will be thrilled to meet him as well! Unfortunately, Steven won't be able to make the trip with us so I'm traveling alone with my nose punching, nap refusing 5 month old. Please, any advice, well wishes, prayers, holy water, whatever, would be awesome! :)

I know, I know, you need one more picture for the road.

Happy 5 months, Jack Jack!

You bring your daddy and I so much joy!

Confessions

Just a little confess sesh to start out this Monday morning...

1| I have been so undisciplined when it comes to eating healthy. Even this beautiful weather isn't motivating me to eat right! I really want to get back to eating how I was before I found out I was pregnant and started throwing up for 24 weeks straight, but, man, I've been putting forth absolutely zero effort... 

2| We have been co-sleeping with Jack since day one and I absolutely love it. I never thought I'd be a parent who sleep shares, but then again one rarely knows what kind of parent they are likely to be before experiencing parenthood. (Needless to say, I've been surprising myself a lot lately with my choices.) But those late night cuddles with Jack and the security I feel with having him beside me makes my heart so full.

3| I'm a huge fan of the grocery home delivery services popping up all over the place. Steven and I recently got our groceries delivered from Safeway.com and it was awesome. The website made it super easy and you don't have to worry about impulse buying. Plus, I hate grocery shopping and this is just a huge time saver. I recently saw that Target will soon (if they haven't already) be implementing a similar system except instead of home delivery you shop online and then pick your things up later. Genius. (Or maybe I'm just super lazy...)  ;)

4| I quit my job.

5| Along those lines, when I first quit my job Steven and I were pretty sure we'd have to give up our home. Because of that I spent endless hours on sites like zillow and redfin looking at homes in our price range and I kinda got addicted. Even though we think we can stay in our current home for a while longer, I still can't stop looking online at houses. 

6| I've been having a hard time reading blogs lately, even my favorite bloggers, and writing blog posts lately. But that's more of a well known fact than a confession.

7| When my mom was visiting this past month we watched all 8 of the Harry Potter movies in one week... and it was awesome.

8| Speaking of watching mindless TV, this past week I watched all 8 episodes of the show Resurrection in just 3 days. I'm officially addicted.

9| I know it's kinda disgusting, but I just love this picture of Jack! Haha

10| Being a momma is pretty tough. But I'm loving every minute of it. Even the messy ones. 

Happy Monday!

Maybe I'll be awesome and blog more than once this week..

:)

Jack's Eclectic Woodland Nursery

So it's taken me almost 5 months to get these photos I promised of Jack's nursery on the blog... but, in my defense, it really was complete forever ago! It was the whole taking pictures part that I've been procrastinating on, because (1) Jack's room is smaller than Harry Potter's bedroom space under the Dursley's stairs and, therefore, impossible to get good pictures of and (2) we seriously just never use the nursery.  Jack still sleeps in our bed every night... so other than walking in there to get or put away his clothes, his cute, little nursery is a pretty neglected space. 

For Jack's nursery, I stuck pretty closely to the inspiration I shared with you all months ago (see here). I wanted his room to be gray, light blue, and white with vintage and homemade touches throughout. I didn't really have a themed nursery in mind, but after I started buying things I noticed that I had an affinity for woodland creatures. So you'll see a lot of deer and other woodland friends throughout.

I loved reading growing up and I hope to pass that passion on to Jack, so I made sure to create him a book nook. This space is also special to me because for Christmas my brothers sent me a ton of our favorite books we enjoyed together growing up for Jack. Right now he only enjoys eating them, but hopefully we'll get to cuddle and read some together soon.

I found all my prints for the nursery on Etsy. All the frames, the lamp, and dresser come from Ikea.

My best friend Kristin made that cute, little owl for Jack! The personalized wood stacking rings are another Etsy find.

Even though we aren't getting a lot of use out to this space yet, I still really love it. His nursery turned out pretty much exactly how I wanted it to. Right now, he enjoys lying in his crib and watching the felt animals on his mobile and reaching for and knocking over the books on his Ikea spice racks turned book shelves. But I hope as he grows he begins to really love this space, too. And who knows, maybe one day I'll let him sleep in his crib.  ;)

........................................

Paint Color | Bemjamin Moore Nimbus 1465

Woodland Mobile | The Memis

Wooden Stacking Rings | hcwoodcraft

Little Man Sign | Target

Large Letter "J" | handmade (gift)

Book Shelves | Ikea 

Picture Frames | Ikea

Dresser | Ikea

Jenny Lind Crib | Amazon

Blue Deer Crib Sheet | Ivie Baby

Silver Antlers | Target

Chalkboard Deer Print | Bon Temps Beignet

Little Ones to Him Belong Print | Bon Temps Beignet

Glider | Babies 'R Us

Happy 2 Year Anniversary to the Love of My Life

Today marks two years of being this handsome grooms bride.

I must say, marriage is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be,

but also much more rewarding. 

These past two years Steven and I have grown a lot.

And goodness, do we still have a lot of growing to do!

But I'm so excited I get to ride out this journey with him by my side.

The truth is, shortly after meeting Steven, I knew I was going to marry him.

And I am so thankful that I did. He is the love of my life.

 I hope I never forget or take for granted just how lucky I am to be loved by him in return.

Happy 2 years, Steven! I look forward to celebrating many, many more.