Grady's Newborn Pictures

We opted to do a lifestyle shoot for Grady's newborn pictures and they turned out amazing. Looking at this again, I can't believe how much they change in such little time.

 Karl even joined the fun, he can be such an attention hog sometimes!

Our photographer did an amazing job, it's always so hard to pick and choose our favorites

Photo credit: MalloryHallPhotography

Grady's Nursery

It was so fun decorating Grady's nursery! I wanted something that wasn't too babyish and that he could grow into. According to Chad, it's his favorite room in the house.

My breastfeeding journey

Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing but it’s also very HARD, especially in the beginning for the first 3-4 weeks. In the hospital it hurt so bad when he nursed, and not knowing what I was doing, I was only doing one boob at a time. After having the Lactation consultant coming and visiting us and it still hurting, I had one of the nurses give me a nipple shield.  The hospital that I delivered at frowns upon using nipple shields so I tried a few more times until we got home. On the day we left the hospital, a lactation consultant came in and grilled me on only using 1 breast during a feeding. I was completely discouraged and bawling (partly the hormones) thinking that I wasn’t supplying my baby with what he needs. It was a roller coaster of a day to say the least. I tried a few more times when we got home and finally broke out the nipple shield. It was a lifesaver, and my opinion of using a nipple shield is that if it helps you from quitting breastfeeding than go for it.

After 5 days post-partum I ended up getting engorged and let me tell you it hurt bad. I ended up having to pump my milk out to release the pressure. The first 2 weeks we woke little man up every 2 ½ hours to feed in order for him to get back up to his birth weight by his 2^nd week appointment. After his 2^nd week appointment we went every 3 hours. We didn’t introduce a bottle or a pacifier until he was 5 weeks old, I was scared he would get nipple confusion. It was a very difficult first 4 weeks or so not only for me but also for Chad and I’s relationship. Guys do not understand how difficult and stressful breastfeeding can be. When little man would cry and cry and cry Chad immediately thought it was because he was hungry even if he JUST got done eating. I felt like a milk factory and just getting pawned off on because he just wanted to get some more sleep. I remember just wanting to cry but then not wanting to cry because getting upset/stressed would make my supply go down. Finally, at 5 weeks we introduced the pacifier, it has been a lifesaver but also was worth waiting that long in the end. Babies have a natural sucking tendency but our little one doesn’t require a pacifier to sleep, etc. and I believe it’s due to us not giving it to him for the first 5 weeks of life. We currently use the calma nipple for medela bottles and the soothie pacifiers.

By week 6 your breasts will start to feel a lot better and not so full, but don’t worry you’re still producing what your baby needs. I would leak if I went too long without feeding or if little man didn’t get everything out. It was embarrassing and one time I woke up with a puddle of milk which stained our sheets. We are now using the “on-demand” schedule method with him eating approximately 7-8 times a day. I have an oversupply of milk so I normally will pump once a day (in the evenings so my breasts are completely empty for bed) and get 7 oz. He takes around 4 oz so I’ll freeze the remaining 3 oz, this way it gives me a break from breastfeeding and it also gives Chad a chance to feed and bond with him. I’m also not comfortable feeding in public yet so if I know I’m going to be gone somewhere longer than 3 hours I’ll pump and take the bottle with me.

If you are planning on breastfeeding or are just starting out just remember that it does and will get easier. Now excuse me, it’s feeding time!! 

Freezer Meals

Before Grady arrived, I had my mom and sister over to whip up a couple of freezer meals. Between people offering to bring food over and our stocked freezer, it has been a life saver with a newborn baby. People were so generous the first few weeks of us being at home. We are very appreciative with all of the delicious food they brought over.

I plan on doing another batch of freezer meals before I go back to work. Below is a list of the freezer meals we have tried and approved!

Supplies needed - 5 freezer ziploc bags
1 good size Tupperware for the chili
2 9x9 foil pans
mason jars for canning
Sharpie to write contents, date, and cooking instructions

Shredded Chicken - I have mentioned this before but this is my new favorite thing. I'll put 8 pieces of chicken in the crock pot with one box of chicken stock and cook on high for 6 hours.

Lemon Garlic Pork Chops - Little olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, salt and pepper. Put the chops in a bag and freeze. You can either cook these on the grill with grilled veggies or cook them in a skillet with skillet potatoes. (My mouth is seriously watering as I type, YUM)

Chili - This probably wasn't the best choice for breastfeeding but if you're not breastfeeding it's a great option.

Baked Ziti - This is my favorite freezer meal. I'll split it up between 2 9x9 foil pans to make it last even longer. Just have to remember to lay it out to thaw 24 hours before you bake or it'll be cooking for a LONG time.

Chicken Fajitas - Another favorite freezer meal and super easy. I'll throw everything in a ziploc bag and then when I'm ready to cook I'll let it thaw and then put it in a 9x13 to cook. Left overs are good to make quesadillas too!

Breakfast Quesadillas -
 1 can black beans
 1 can corn
 1/2 chopped onion
 1 diced bell pepper
 1/2 pack of taco seasoning
 2/3 cups shredded cheese
 6 eggs
 8-10 tortillas (we use whole grain)

Mix all your ingredients into a large mixing bowl except the eggs, green peppers and tortillas. Set aside.
 Scramble your eggs in a skillet along with you green peppers. Mix in your cooked eggs with the rest  of your ingredients.
  Build your tortillas how you like and cook until golden brown on both sides. You can either use a       Panini maker or regular skillet to cook with  
   If saving for later, put on a baking sheet and place in freezer for 1 hour, then you can individually        wrap or place into freezer bag and throw in freezer.    

Strawberry Jam - Ok not a freezer meal but this was the first time I canned and it was a blast. Mine turned out a little runny but it was still really good.

Cookie Dough - Well because it's always good to have ready to bake cookie dough in the freezer. We put white chocolate chips and cranberries in ours. (I think I'll go and put some in the oven as I type as a matter of fact)

Strawberry Jam

Mommy Recovery

Let’s talk about the not so pretty side of having a baby, the mommy recovery. As soon as the epidural wears off comes the pains of child birth. It feels like you ran a marathon or did an all-day crossfit workout. About an hour or so after delivery a nurse comes and pushes on your belly (to make sure everything is out) and it is the worst pain. I screamed and literally scared our sweet nurse to death. The next few days after delivery will be tearfully painful but oh so worth it. It’s so important to have a support system with you, sometimes you just need someone to bring the baby to you instead of you getting up out of bed. And if you’re breastfeeding, the first few days not only do your boobs hurt but your uterus as well. Every time you feed your sweet new baby your uterus is shrinking so it will feel like menstrual cramps/contractions after you breastfeed. Enough of chit-chat, below are my mommy recovery must haves.

Brief Panties – Because the last thing you want to be wearing is a thong. I mean no one’s going down there in a while so there’s no need to be looking sexy.

Pads – Buy more than you think you’ll need. I was bleeding for a good 4 weeks so I went through 3-4 packs of pads (including the ones from the hospital, oh and FYI ask for a ton of extra pads and the mesh panties before you leave). I did do the padsicles and didn’t notice a huge relief, I ended up just pouring witch hazel on every pad instead of using the padsicles. You can also use tucks pads which is what they gave me in the hospital

Dermoplast – Buy at least 2 cans. I also used Lanacane and it burned when I sprayed it unlike Dermoplast.

Placenta pills – I was so worried about getting post-partum depression since it runs in the family, so I found someone to make placenta pills for me.

Belly Bandit – Some people wear this in the hospital, me on the other hand, waited until I got home to try it out. I did love the way my belly looked after wearing it for an hour or so.

Spray bottle – Take the one from the hospital!! You will want to use this for the first few weeks.

Tumbler – It is so important to drink a ton of water especially if you are breastfeeding.

Stool Softener – The first time you poop is a horrific experience. Take these religiously and buy the big bottle, you’ll be taking them for quite some time. Milk of magnesia is good to have on hand as well, especially if you haven’t had a bowel movement in a day. I waited way too long before taking the milk of magnesia and got a huge blood clot after I had a bowel movement, it was terrifying.

2015 in review

2015 has been a year of extreme highs and a few lows. This year Chad and I grew massively as a couple plus we were also blessed with adding a healthy baby boy to our family. This past year was one for the books. We hope and pray 2016 is yet another amazing year for our little family!

Month of Grady

This post is bitter sweet for me. I can't believe our little boy is a month old already. It's been a month full of sleepless nights and sweetest kisses.

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