New Endeavors

I am going to start taking up some new hobbies now that Walker and I have a schedule (but really the only thing consistent is that it always changes, but we are trying :) ).  He is napping for about two hours every afternoon and still has a small morning and evening nap too.  This has been giving me plenty of time to think of new things that I want to do.  Now, if Marcus read this he would say that this time should be used for cleaning, cooking, etc., but I can only do so much of that before I feel blah.  So, I have decided to learn how to bake, and I mean really bake, from scratch. I am also going to work on my crafting skills and try to redecorate our home.  My goal is to create one baked good a week and one new craft a week.  I miss being able to have an answer to the question, "so what did you do today?", besides raising a child of course.  I have learned that I am someone who needs to see a product to feel like I have accomplished something.  I also think that baking and crafting are two skills that will benefit me as a mom and are things that, honestly, I should probably have learned a long time ago.  But anyhow, I am learning them now. 

Last week, I baked my first pie.  I started with the traditional apple pie from Better Homes cook book.  It turned out decent, but not great.  I think I will go with a different kind of apple next time. 

I used Granny Smith apples, but they ended up more sour than I would have liked

Before going into the oven

My sous chef needed a nap while the pie baked

At least I didn't burn it, but I need to work on rolling out my crust

yummy

For my craft, I did a lot of sewing.  I sewed some burp cloths (which I already had started) and then began a new project of a Bapron.  I got the pattern off of a blog that I read and made one.  It was super easy and my new go-to baby shower gift.  I don't want to post any pictures because I am planning on giving a couple to friends and I want them to be surprised about what a Bapron is. 

This week has been a little busy and has cramped my baking/crafting time, but I should be able to work on them tomorrow and Saturday.  I am going to try a Key Lime Pie with Meringue and redoing our lamps and lamp shades in the living room.

Date Night

Marcus and I went on an official date night out last night.  We have been on a couple of dates since having Walker, but most of the time we hang out and enjoy our time together at home once he goes to bed.  However, we have started alternating weeks with Jason and Ashton (Nora's parents) watching the babies while the other couple goes out.  Last night it was their turn to watch Walker and Nora.  Rather than going to dinner (which Marcus considers boring...remember when I said he has ADHD :) ...), he had an idea to go fishing. 

I like to fish as long as I can have a few luxuries.  I am probably what most would consider a high maintenance fisherman.  I want to be able to keep my phone close by (in case of an emergency...total mom move I know), I don't want to have to get into the gross, mossy water, and I refuse to take the fish off the hook once I catch it.  Don't you just want to take me fishing now?  But I am truly a fun fisherman and we had a good time.  We were only able to cast a handful of times because we didn't have that long to spend and we still had to grab a bite to eat.  Needless to say we didn't catch anything :( but maybe next time.  We finished our date night off with a drive thru run at Dairy Queen (I totally recommend the mint oreo blizzard) and then some relaxing hot tub time once I got Walker to bed.  It was a great night.  And to top it all off, Walker slept great.

Bottle Strike 2011

Well, Walker now officially has a mind of his own.  We have had our first hurdle in baby land.  He has decided that he only wants to be nursed these days.  I had been giving Walker one bottle every week since he was a month old.  He has always been great with them...except he liked to drink them too fast which would make his reflux worse.  However, two weeks ago he was with his babysitter and refused his bottle.  I tried again at home with him that night and he still refused.  I then had Marcus try and my parents try later that week, but no luck.  I was really pushing for Walker to take the bottle because I had a trip planned with Marcus to go to Kansas City Thursday.  That gave me a little over a week to get this bottle thing back on track. 

He continued to refuse various bottles and nipple sizes, various sippy cups (with and without valve), and even spoon feeding it (I was getting desperate).  The only way he would actually swallow any milk was from a medicine dropper. 

My dad tried to distract him by having him splash water

Loving the dropper, and actually swallowing each .4ml

Even though this worked, it would take hours to get a full feeding in.  Needless to say, I was not able to go to Kansas City.  However, Walker and I got to hang out at the lake and play with lots of fun women that were in town hanging out with my mom.  We ended up having a lot of fun.  I was really nervous about leaving him for 24 hours anyway, so this just made it easier to decide not to go.

I have been reading and researching (as per usual) about different strategies to take.  If he keeps refusing, I think I might just have to let him get hungry enough...but I will have to be far away because I am a softy and will give in if he cries too much.  Luckily, I am home with him and able to feed him every 3-4 hours so we aren't too worried.  When he does go to the sitter it is not for more than 4 hours and we will continue to try the bottles here. 

Through all of this I have started to wonder if he is ready for solid foods.  I had planned on waiting until 6 months to help with decrease the risk of food allergies and also because of convenience.  However, he is always watching what I am eating and loves to chew on things (teething).  When we did the spoon and milk he would dive towards the spoon excitedly and loved eating off of it, even though he would not swallow the milk (He makes this face like it is disgusting even though I have just pumped it, crazy kid).  For now I am going to try and make it to 5 months and then see if we might start solids then. 

Any advice on this bottle situation is much appreciated :)

Necessary Play

I have decided to open my own practice called "Necessary Play."

I absolutely loved my job as a school based therapist working for Vista Health.  However, after having Walker and enjoying my time with him at home, Marcus and I decided that we did not want me to work full time.  We are very fortunate right now that I can stay at home with him.  Walker is changing and growing so fast and I don't want to miss it. 

But, I love being a therapist and working with families.  We decided (and the fact that I need to keep doing some counseling for my license) to open my own practice.  This will give me flexibility and availability that I want. 

Right now I am set up to work one day a week.  I am subleasing an office on the Bentonville Square with another therapist.  I will be doing play therapy with children, teens, and families.  I am also trained to do individual counseling and marital work.  I am looking forward to this new adventure!!

4th of July

This post is a little belated, but I still wanted to share.  This year was more monumental than most Independence Days for Marcus and me.  Every year we go out to the Necessary's (Grandma and Grandpa's) for a big get together and fireworks.  Last year, I found out after the fireworks that I was no longer going to be as independent as I had planned...we were pregnant!  This year, we came home with baby Walker.  Kinda crazy how fast time flies.  Marcus and I were not trying to get pregnant, so finding out was a HUGE surprise.  I remember spending the rest of that summer, fall, and (honestly) spring being so apprehensive about the whole "mom thing."  I was just so unsure of myself.  While I still have many, many moments of "I have no clue what I am doing," I feel like Walker and I have this baby-momma thing down ok.  I am wonderfully surprised every day how much my life has changed since the last 4th of July and I look forward to continuing to grow and change.

Our family

From youngest to oldest...hard to tell since Walker is the biggest...

Playing with Dany, his babysitter (he got too hot in his clothes, poor guy sweats all the time)

The Necessary's

The "firework" sugar cookies Alexia and I made

Alexia working on the blackberry cobbler

Derek and Marcus working on the peach cobbler

Walker is 4 months old!

I feel like a lot has happened this month and that Walker is learning so much each day.  We just got back from his four month check up and shots.  He always does so much better than I do with the shots.  He barely cried and then was back to smiling and laughing with the nurse.  She loved him so much that she gave him a free toy to take home...it was a "devil rubber ducky" and I am not sure how I feel about that...

Walker weighed in at 18.05 lbs and measured 24.5 inches.  He is short and healthy.  The doctor also confirmed that he is officially teething, so in the next few weeks we might have a tooth in that mouth...this makes me slightly nervous about breastfeeding...teeth, yikes. 

Let's see, this June, you have:
- been swimming at the pool a few times
- celebrated your first father's day
- road trip to Missouri twice (once to see Amy and the other to go shopping)
- road trip to Cabot
- are now wearing 9 month or 12 month clothes (I am struggling to keep clothes in your closet that fit and can go over your head :) ).
- went to your first birthday party

Our daily routine is pretty much the same as it has been.  You wake up around 7:00.  We change your diaper and feed.  You play until 8:30 or so and then take a nap in your crib until 10:00.  When you wake up from your nap I am always so excited to see your smiles.  We change your diaper and feed again.  You play until about 11:30 and then nap until 1:00.  This 3 hour cycle repeats.  We start your bedtime routine at 8:00.  You take a bath (which is your favorite time of the day because you love splashing the water), then get a baby massage.  I then swaddle you with your pacifier and we rock a little bit until you get sleepy.  Once you are drowsy, I put you in your crib to fall asleep.  Dad has been so helpful this month with nigh time wakings, because you have been waking up a lot some nights (teething).  On average you sleep from 9-3ish, but sometimes you wake up around 12:30, which does not work well for me because I usually don't go to sleep until 11:00.  You like to eat when you wake up at 3 and will then sleep until 6 or 7.  If it is a rough night of sleeping, I will often pull you into bed with me.  I love sleeping with you and our cuddles.  I am sure I will miss this as you get bigger. 

I have been getting my work stuff together, so this month you have spent 3 hours or so every other week with a baby sitter named Danny.  You guys have a lot of fun together.  You have also started going to the nursery on Sunday mornings during church.  Anytime someone watches you or meets you they comment about what a happy baby you are.  You make friends everywhere by smiling and laughing. 

Pictures from June

Personal baby pool at our house

First time at the pool

 

waking up from your nap at the pool

nap time

what I find when you wake up

bedtime

Our little cowboy

 

At your first birthday party

Loving on Sophie, your teething toy

going on a walk with mom

hanging out while mom gets ready

shopping in branson

Happy Father's Day Marcus

Marcus had his first official father's day this year.  Last year he was a father on father's day, but no one was aware of this yet ;)

The weekend before father's day, my dad, Walker, and I went to Cabot to visit my grandfather and introduce him to his great grandson.  Walker had a lot of fun visiting, hanging out, and was actually really good with the road trip. 

Then, the Saturday before father's day I took Walker out to my parent's house to hang out with my dad and celebrate.  We just took it easy and relaxed, enjoying great Walker cuddles. 

Sunday, father's day, Marcus took off from work and was able to spend time relaxing with Walker.  Derek and Alexia planned a delicious dinner at their house with us and Marcus's dad.  It was really nice to have everyone together and a nice meal.  Again, Walker was great and put on a show for everyone.  He likes to show off all of his tricks and cute smiles.

Thank you to all of the great father's.  I am so blessed to have the love of many in my life.  I could never have asked for a better dad and I know Walker will feel the same way about Marcus.  I am one lucky girl.