Back to School!

Today was the first day of teacher meetings in my school district......

AND I STAYED HOME

:)

After the birth of my son last year, I stayed home the remainder of the school year.  And then summer started and it felt like a normal summer.

But today was the first day when all of my teacher friends went back to school.... and Aiden and I stayed home.

We cuddled this morning.  He took a nap, and I was able to get some household chores done.  We played outside.  We practiced standing and sitting.

We snuggled before nap time. We got dinner ready for when Daddy got home.

And tonight as I lay on the couch, after making some DELICIOUS chocolate coconut blondies for us to snack on while watching the leftovers of the Olympics.....

I'm not stressed about classrooms.  I'm not staying late working on prepping things.  I'm not exhausted from sitting all day looking at data....

And I LOVE it.

There is a small part of me that feels sad to be missing out on teaching, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to stay home with my guy.

Baby Led Weaning (BLW) Post #1

Before I had kids, I worked as a nanny and a babysitter.

I encountered lots of different feeding methods, and eventually landed on the decision to do a version of baby led weaning with my little guy.

Now, I am not as strict as some are, and we have been doing some purees, and I occasionally will put the food into his little hands which makes it easier for him to get it to his mouth.

But overall, the general concept of baby led weaning is working great for us!

1) He eats whole foods
This has been so nice, as he is pretty comfortable with me giving him a stick of something and he is content to gnaw on it and get pieces off.

2) He gags
I would say this has been most difficult for my husband to see.  We have discovered that Aiden has a really strong gag reflex.  So after three days in a row of vomiting up all his food, I realized that I wasn't thinning out the sweet potato puree enough and it was getting a bit stick in the back of his mouth.  Enter: lots of vomit.  But for the most part, if he gags on something, he is able to move it around and goes back to happily eating.  Especially as he's gotten older, he is much better with thicker textures.

3) He holds his mouth open when he is done
It is the CUTEST little thing.  When he doesn't want anymore, he just holds his mouth open and won't swallow.

4) He makes sure we know when he doesn't want more of one thing
We recently introduced eggs and when he is done eating them, he grunts and pushes them out of his mouth.  He isn't done eating, but he wants to make sure I know that he is DONE with one thing.

5) He has progressed SO quickly
Now, as soon as I put anything on his tray, he grabs at it to put in his mouth.  In the beginning, he wasn't sure what to do with the food.  But now he goes for it right away!

6) He is willing to try whatever I give him
So far, we have done applesauce, pear puree, broccoli, cucumbers, toast fingers, avocado, cheerios, green beans, peas, sweet potato puree, sweet potato fries, bananas, steamed carrots, carrot puree, scrambled eggs, and oat cereal.  He was not a big fan of the bananas, but the second and third time he liked the chunks more.  Broccoli was SO funny to watch, and it seemed like he didn't like it, but he kept going back for more.  And he did not like carrot puree at all.

But everything else, he LOVES.  I make my own oat cereal by blending oats, and adding it to the applesauce, and that seems to be the best staple for each meal.
Eggs are new and the first protein.  I was nervous because of allergies, but he hasn't had any issues.

I am letting him do a lot of the eating, but then I feed him with a spoon for some too.  It seems to be a good balance for us.

More to come!    

Stranded: Netflix Edition

Today I am linking up and loving the topic! 

I am so glad this island has Netflix!  I am all for watching a show while stringing beads together to make necklaces or mashing berries for some homemade clothing dye :) 

In no particular order

Grey's Anatomy

This show came out my senior year of high school.  Being someone who didn't have TV, I had no idea what it was about, besides that it took place in Seattle, which is about an hour from where I grew up.  But then I MOVED to Seattle, and nothing brings together a girls dorm floor than watching your current city be shown in a real TV show.  

My floor watched this show EVERY week.  It was pretty much our mandatory floor meeting.  There were snacks and gasps, tears and giggles.  I watched religiously for many seasons, and then life got busy and I missed a few... and then in the last few have picked it back up.

I could watch reruns forever.  This seems like the perfect show to have with me on the island!

The Chew

Now, my Mom thinks I'm weird for watching this show, but if you check my DVR, I am pretty sure I have about 12 episodes saved since I am behind right now.  I just love it!

It combines cooking, celebrities, corny jokes and games, and delicious food!  Although, not sure I would want to see all those desserts being baked while on the island.... do we have an oven?!?

Blue Bloods

My parents recommended this show to my husband and I... and approximately 3478293743 hours later, we were caught up to the current season, which is FIVE if you are wondering:)  There is such a good m,ix of family, cops, morals, intensity, laughter, suspense, and good old police business.  While I was pregnant and on modified bed rest those last few months, we enjoyed our Saturday routine of doing nothing but eating and watching Blue Bloods.  Maybe that explains those extra pounds around my waist that just won't go away.... 

I am loving reading other suggestions for shows.  We recently got rid of our cable, minus the basic channels, and are saving a HUGE amount of money.  But we are not looking for some new things to watch!

And full disclosure... we don't have Netflix :)  But we do have Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime.  Which is almost the same, except... not. 

Any suggestions are welcome!!!

Life Lately {6-2-16}

As a new, first time, stay-at-home Mom, I am in a season of life that is brand new to me.

I feel busy, but not stressed.
My days fly by.... most of the time.
I can tell we have a rhythm.. but it seems to always be changing.

In the thick of it today, my kitchen was a mess, my baby was grumpy, I had drool down my shoulder, avocado in my hair, and I couldn't remember the last time I went to the bathroom.

Just being real.  

I think sometimes when you are someone who struggled to get pregnant, people think you have to enjoy it all, all the time.

But some days are HARD.  And some days are LONG.  And some days as soon as my husband gets home, I hand the baby off to him REALLY QUICKLY. :)

But I truly am loving this season of life.  Getting to spend so much time with my little guy, not having any real schedule or plan each day... its a great change of pace for me.

Someday, I know I will not remember these days, so this is more for me as a way to remember how we spent this first year together.

Aiden's Schedule at 6 MONTHS

Wake Up: It really varies.  Depending on when he goes to sleep the night before, or if he just decides he wants to see his Daddy before he leaves for work :)  Some mornings its 6:00, if I'm lucky its 6:30, and if it was like this morning... it was 4:20.  He goes to sleep between 6:00 and 7:00, so he gets close to 11-12 hours each night.

I usually just pull him in bed with me during this awake time, and I doze in an out while he plays laying in bed.  Sometimes I put him in the co-sleeper we still have set up, and he is very content to play in there.
If he wakes up super early {like today}, then he usually only lasts an hour, or an hour and a half at most.  Some mornings, he will go back to sleep and cuddle with me.  I love these moments, holding him, and looking at him sleeping.

Exhibit A:

After we get up, I nurse.  He is super snuggly during this time which just makes my heart melt.

Normally during this time, Nana comes over on her way to work.  My Mom can't get enough, so she stops by each morning to have a cup of coffee with her 'sweet pea', and give me a few minutes of a break.

Then Aiden eats some food, and our day gets going!

He stays awake for about 2 hours and then down for a nap.  Right now, he is sleeping about an hour, and occasionally an hour and a half..... on days when the heavens open up and Mama is gifted with those extra 30 minutes.

He nurses when he wakes, and then 30 minutes later we eat again.

Our days are spent on the play mat, in the swing, in the bumbo on the counter, in the Solly Wrap, occasionally going grocery shopping or running an errand in town, taking walks, singing, baking, cooking, and cleaning.

I know these days won't last, and I am soaking up each and every moment!

What We are Eating Wednesday {6-1-16}

First off....HOW IS IT JUNE?!?!?!

I stopped working October 1st due to pre-term labor issues.

I had my baby in November.

And then all of a sudden it is JUNE.

And my baby is 6 month old.

TIME....SLOW DOWN PLEASE!!!

Like I said previously, I am addicted to Pinterest.

So, when making our weekly menus, I usually spend quite a bit of time browsing my boards, assessing what we have going that week, and plan accordingly.

Here is what sounds good for the week!  

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spinach Orzo

We love orzo!  It is a great side dish with steak...add a salad and dinner looks gourmet. 

Crispy Dill Chicken Sandwich

We have some chicken patties already made at home, so this will be quick and looks perfect for a warm summer evenings.  

The Best Turkey Burgers Ever

Yep, I think we will have burgers two nights this week.  A little avocado, tomato, lettuce...and toasted bums make the whole deal. 

Pasta Avocado Caesar Salad

I think I will be having this for lunch this week a few days!  Maybe I even have my husband grill up some chicken for me (I'm afraid of starting the BBQ on my own..... )

Quick and easy... perfect with my hands being full these days. 

Broccoli and Cheese Muffins

I made a batch of these for breakfasts this week.  Again, the theme is QUICK and EASY.  Oh and healthy is an added bonus!

Oven Baked Tostadas

We like a good taco, and these just look tasty!  I am looking forward to trying my hand at refried beans too!

Pulled Pork Sliders with Garlic Aoli

Apparently I am in a 'buns' mood.  These just looked too tasty to NOT try.... And I like the idea of doing something quick and easy from the crockpot.  Especially since we have a Saturday FULL of yardwork coming up...these will be perfect for dinner!

Enjoy!

Infertility

A friend recently posted this article on her Facebook page.  

http://www.littlethings.com/dan-leah-pregnancy-journey/

I read it while rocking my sweet baby boy to sleep as tears ran down my face.  It was TOUGH to be thrown right back into the roller coaster that is infertility.  

Someday I might share more about my struggles, but honestly right now it is still too raw to process.  This is a subject near and dear to my heart as my sister-in-law also walked this road...along with a few of my close friends.

If I had to say one thing, I would want people to know that you are NOT alone.  While it feels extremely isolating... you are not in it by yourself. 

This verse hung in my bedroom while we walked in that storm...and now it hangs in my babies room. 

I clung to it and am so thankful the reminder that even when I felt alone, I was never without Him. 

I wanted to be a Mama more than anything in the world...and while it seemed for a while like it wouldn't happen or come to fruition.... holding this precious baby boy is better than anything I can even describe.  

Friday Favorites {5-27-16}

Again, I am linking up this week with some fabulous ladies!  

When I was working, I was super thankful for Fridays... time to relax, get everything done.... but now that I am a SAHM, I am even MORE thankful for Friday because it means Daddy is home and I have my partner in crime here to help me.  

Oh yeah, and relax, and get stuff done. :)

ONE

THESE Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Shortbread Cookies.  Seriously SO good.  I made them last week and decided we needed them again for our little road trip this weekend. 

TWO

We are headed to visit family this weekend...including my cute niece and nephew!  Here is praying that my sweet boy sleeps most of the way :)

THREE

I am SO enjoying blogging again!  

FOUR

Watching this boy enjoy eating.  His new thing this week is to grab the food and squeeze it as hard as he can while giving a loud 'ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh'.  It is just THE CUTEST thing... he raises his hand in the air while he does it which makes it even better.  

FIVE

Thankful for our military, and those who have served.  My Dad used to put this song on quite frequently, and I taught it to my 5th grade students studying American History.  We are blessed and grateful, and I look forward to teaching my son about our great nation.   

Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday Confessions {5-26-16}

I just found another link-up...this sounds like fun!

Since I am just getting back into blogging, seems like a fun way to keep my on track!

ONE

I am an obsessive blog reader.  Since I read so many, and always seem to want to share things with my husband, I often will just tell him they are friends.  "Oh yes, my friend was writing about.." or "It was so funny, my friend posted this picture...".  Granted, I don't personally know any of these people but it seems like I know them like friends. 

TWO

I recorded the Billboard Music Awards and I know I'm not that old but WHERE DID ALL THE PANTS GO?!?!  

I seriously was blushing at some of the dancing.  And the outfits.  And the words.  And the hand placement.  Where did 'just singing' go?

THREE

Pinterest is my jam.  I could spend hours on there.  Hours.  I actually hesitate to tell people about my boards, or mention it because inevitably they will go on, and realize I have over 15,000 pins.  

Yes.  That is the correct amount of zeros. 

FOUR

I am eating super healthy these days.  After always always struggling with weight, being diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism, then fertility drugs, and then pregnancy all in the past year, I am proud of what I have accomplished. 

But I may or may not have asked my husband to bring me home a vanilla milkshake tonight while he was having dinner with a friend.  

FIVE

I always eat the batter.  Cake, brownie, pancake.... I like to live on the edge I guess.  #whocaresabouttheraweggs #nevergottensick #yet

What's Up Wednesday {5-25-16}

What we're eating this week:

We have had THIS recipe TWICE this week because its so tasty!  

Other than that, we have been cleaning out the freezer so lots of leftovers and mismatched foods. 

My baby boy is just starting solids and he's been enjoying sweet potatoes this week along with pears, apples, oatmeal, We have found that bananas and green beans are not his favorite. #hetakesafterhisMama

What I'm reminiscing about:

My sweet boy just turned six months old last week.  I can't believe how fast he is growing!

Wasn't he just this sweet little newborn....yesterday?

What I'm Loving:

This age has been SO fun with my little guy.  He is so full of JOY.  His laugh is infectious, his smile lights up the room, and each day it seems like he is discovering something new.

What we've been up to:

We seem to have a pretty laid back schedule these days.  Between naps, play mat time, going for a walk, Nana's daily visits, cleaning up the kitchen, laundry, dishes, sweeping, baking, and reading blogs....we are pretty busy!  

What I'm dreading:

I started the school year, and had to go on maternity leave a bit early due to pre-term labor.  That meant a long-term sub would finish out the school year for me since I knew I wasn't planning on going back.  

However, that means that I have to clean out my WHOLE classroom.  Gulp.  

Thankfully, I have a sweet girl who is just starting her teaching career this fall and needs classroom supplies, so essentially I just need to pack it up all and put it in HER garage instead of mine.  But still. 

So. Much. Packing.

What I'm working on:

Mother's Day weekend, we built 4 raised beds.  Well, first we rototilled the side yard we have.  And by WE, I mean my husband. 

 The next weekend we filled them up with dirt, and then we planted!  So, I am working on a) not killing everything, b) patience to believe things WILL grow and c) learning about how all of this works.  Believe it or not, it is more complicated than plant, water, grow.  

What I'm excited about:

Blogging again!  I had a 'lifestyle' type blog for years...and then life just got in the way.  I was so exhausted coming home from school each day that I didn't feel like I had anything to say.  Then I had a teaching blog, and that was fun too, but since I am now a stay-at-home Mom, I thought I would give it a shot again.  Really enjoying it so far!

What I'm watching/reading:

While I don't watch the Bachelorette or Bachelor, I DIE over Sheaffer Told Me To's recap posts.  I usually end up reading them twice...once to myself, and then again to my husband. 

I am also working through James Dobson's "Bringing up Boys".  Somewhere recently I heard a quote talking about parenting/having a baby.  They said that the bet advice they heard was not necessarily to read books about giving birth and labor....that is going to happen in some way/shape/form no matter what.  But instead, focus on reading about parenting and raising your child as that will be determined by what type of parent you are, even from an early age.  I just LOVED this.  

Watching... everything is ending!  I still like my usuals...Live with Kelly, The Chew, and Ellen.  You can pretty much find these on my DVR at anypoint.  

What I'm listening to:

A few months ago, itunes started making you pay for their 'radio' services.  Not cool.  

BUT, I discovered Amazon Prime Music.  So, each day when I go walking, I plug in my earbuds, and turn on the current pop music...and off we go!  

What I'm wearing:

Mom life has me sporting spit up and baby drool; and baby led weaning has me sporting lots of baby food smears.  Throw in my comfy yoga pants, my workout pants, and a good old nursing bra.... nothing spectacular over here.  Just being real.  

What I'm doing this weekend:

It's Memorial Day, which means an extra day off for my hubby on Monday in honor of our nation's heroes.  We are headed over to his family's house where we will soak up family time, cousin time, and relaxing.  

What I'm looking forward to next month:

Walking!  Each summer, after my Mom is on summer break, my parents and I walk each morning through trails in our town. Three years ago, it was just the three of us.  Last year we added a dog.  And a baby bump.  And this year my little man gets to come too!

Thankfully it is wide enough for the stroller and the dog. 

What else is new:

5 nights in a row, the baby has slept from the time I put him down (between 6:30 and 7) until about 11.  Now if only he would CONTINUE to sleep...so tired.  

But I will take what I can get, and I love that he is sleeping so well! 

Show & Tell Tuesday: Favorite Vacation

I would probably say my favorite vacation was a spur of the moment trip my husband and I took to Hawaii a few years back. 

Now, I am NOT a spontaneous person.  At all.  

I make lists, just to check things off.  I actually put 'make a list' on my list.  That way I can have something accomplished as soon as I finish my list!

But, somehow, someway, my husband and I took the PERFECT vacation with about 48 hours notice.

I was teaching summer school, working with 7th and 8th graders in math.  My teacher partner was also teaching math, and he was taking his bride on a 30th wedding anniversary trip the following week.  #jealous

Somehow, my fingers typed in 'airline tickets' that night when I got home, and low and behold.... round trip tickets for $210 each.  SCORE. I emailed a friend who lives there and asked if we could come visit... next week.  She said yes, so the tickets were purchased and my panic set in almost immediately.  I don't do things like this.  How did this happen?

And then reality set in.  

A few days later I called to check in about when we would arrive, and she informed me that we could no longer stay at her house.  Uh-oh.  This kind of ruined my super cheap trip.  

Enter: my Mom.  She quickly called some family friends who lived in our old neighborhood and asked if we could stay there.  Thankfully they said yes, and the crisis was averted. 

As someone who literally packs WEEKS before a trip, here I am a few hours before we have to leave for the airport trying to figure out what to pack.   

Summer school ended, and the next day we got up at the crack of dawn and headed to the airport.  Was this really happening?!?!?!

And then another bump in the road.

"We regret to inform you, but your plane has been delayed until noon."  Couldn't they have told me that at 1AM when I was rolling out of my comfy bed? 

And then it was delayed until 5PM.  And then 10PM.  

We were supposed to already be there!  We were supposed to be enjoying drinks on the beach and getting some much needed sun on our faces before the start of another busy school year.  

But there we sat.  

In the airport.

They gave us food credit which we used to its full potential.  We also bought magazines, pillows, random chocolate, game books, and anything else to keep our minds off the fact that we were now MISSING OUR VACATION.  

We bought these so we could sleep.

I hadn't anticipated being COLD, so yes.  This happened.  #ihadbeenintheairportfor24hoursandwasgoingcrazy

This was NOT supposed to be our view for a whole day.  

Finally, at 1AM THE NEXT DAY, we boarded a new plane and took off to Hawaii.  

And it was the BEST vacation. 

No plans, no schedule.  Just the two of us for 10 days.  

We kept with the spontaneous theme and just...enjoyed.  

 We splurged for a convertible.  It was a much needed gift to ourselves.  And only 7 dollars more a day :)

 Island Snow.  The BEST shaved ice.

Hanauma Bay for a day full of snorkling.

Visited my old neighborhood and swam in our old pool!  I grew up here and learned to swim...so many memories!

 Beach life.  Exactly what we needed.

We ate a LOT.... and couldn't miss eating Hula Pie from Duke's.  Seriously.  The. Best. 

 It was by far the most spontaneous thing we have ever done.

Love the memories made!