My New Favorite Thing

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I think I have now seen every show that airs on HGTV and Food Network. Twice. Being at home all day every day with a baby that likes background noise will do that. I don’t mind though, because I’m so busy with him or with doing things around the house, that not only do I not really notice but the time just whizzes by.

Whizzes by to the part of the day when Tyler gets home. Which is kinda my favorite part of the day because I can have a little bit of me time. Me time includes: walking the dogs, working out, showering and pumping without a fussy baby to worry about.

This time last year, me time would have been working out *NOT* at home, drinking, and meeting up with friends. Ah times they are a-changin.

Make no mistake, I have MADE time for a few adult beverages over the past week. (don’t get on your high horse and comment on any alcohol/breastfeeding mumbo jumbo. I’m either not finishing the drinks and/or taking the necessary precautions to avoid passing it along in my milk)

For Mother’s day, Tyler got me a pair of spin shoes, a fitbit, and a gift card to the nearby spin/hot yoga studio. A couple of things about this:

Holy Shit that’s a great bunch of Mother’s Day gifts (which prompted me to giddy-up and be on the look out for equally awesome Father’s Day gifts)
Holy Shit I can’t wait to go spinning/hot yoga!

I mentioned that I was given the OK by my doctor to being working out again. Jeeze Louise does it feel good to get back into a workout routine, but ohhhhhhhhh-mah-gawd am I out of shape or what. (to all you non-human parents: you think 6+ weeks postpartum of not working out is eternity, but believe me it FLIES by and you don’t even think about working out). I’ve completed the first week of T25 (Alison, you’ll be hearing from me soon about getting some new DVD’s. I’ve just about worn these babies out!) and walked the dogs each day- anywhere from 1-3.5 miles. I’ve also tried to squeeze in stretching when I can. Which is usually only when I’m brushing my teeth. Forward folds + toothbrush in mouth= hazardous.

We got Wes a mamaroo! I initially wanted to buy one before he was born, but they’re so dang pricey, we didn’t want to risk him not liking it and us kissing a few hundred bucks goodbye. But the kid LOVES it. Which makes this mama LOVE it even more. (we got it used off Kijiji for a steal!)

My new favorite thing? Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Formally my favorite nights to drink, they are now the nights that Tyler does the nighttime routine with Wes and I can go to bed at 10! Oh my god, slap me for this being the new excitement in my life. Someone get me a beer.

Wes Arlo- One Month

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Time flies when you don’t sleep (no it doesn’t, but time sure did fly with this kid. I can’t believe he has been on the outside for a whole month!)

I think I’m mostly writing this post for my own future reference, so deal with it..

Likes: staring at the wall over his change table, staring at the blinds in the living room, pooping, having his face tickled, eating, being held

Dislikes: having gas, having clothes put over his head, being swaddled

We’re lucky and only tried to have him sleep in our room the first night he was home. We quickly realized he was great in his crib so long as he was immediately attended to when hungry or needed a change. I sleep facing the monitor in our room and watch it LIKE.A.HAWK.

Currently, he weighs 10 1/2 lbs and measures 23 inches (had him checked out at the doctor today)

At an appointment two days ago, they advised he was gaining about 59 g/day (recommended is 20-30/day) So basically I am feeding him liquid gold.

He’s already grown out of his newborn onesies (TEAR) and wears mostly 3 month clothes.

His feet and hands are HUGE.

His eyes are still blue but I’m rooting for them to turn brown. I’m also rooting for him to be a lefty like his mama.

He is strong. Like, kicks you in the gut strong (legs). Punch you in the chest strong (arms). Bite your nipples off strong (mouth). RUDE.

He eats like a champ. He coos when he sleeps. He doesn’t flinch when the dogs bark. He laughs when he farts in the tub (gets that from his mama). He throws his hands up in the air when he sleeps like he has an ingenious idea. He hates being swaddled. He loves the birdie and owl on his play mat. He loves riding in the car.

He has a widows peak (do those go away?) He has brown hair, but it’s golden blonde in the sunlight. He doesn’t mind when I drop crumbs of my protein bar in his face when we are up for feedings at night. He can ALMOST roll over. He makes some seriously crazy facial expressions.

He loves crapping in fresh diapers. He farts louder than most adults. HE HAS DIMPLES. He sleeps in his crib with his arms over his head.

Layla loves the crap out of him. Reggie doesn’t give a crap about him.

PS: I got cleared to workout!

Babies are Hard

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

So, having a baby is hard. Ok, wait having the baby wasn’t the hard part…caring for the baby is.

I dropped my parents off at the airport early Monday morning and basically haven’t stopped crying since. I can’t believe I was actually excited for how life alone (during the weekdays) with a newborn would be because now that I’m experiencing it, I am:

exhausted
in pain (mental/physical/you name it)
sad
angry (yes, there are those fleeting moments)
depressed
tired
tired
tired

Babies are HARD WORK. I think doing 100 consecutive burpees would be an easier task- seriously. Or having an insane hangover. Easy compared to making sure the baby is dry, fed, and happy. Yeah yeah, I am SUPER grateful for having this tiny little human and yeah I think he is the most gorgeous, perfect little dude and wouldn’t have it any other way, but WOOF.

Another thing? I’m dying to have anything non-baby related in my life. You know, to feel….normal. Maybe I’ll have more fitness related things to chat about once I start working out again? And alcohol is at a minimum since the kid eats ALL.THE.DAMN.TIME. He’s a tank. Did I mention that he is 4 weeks old and already past 10 lbs? CHUNK

Great, now I’m looking at him in his bouncy seat and I’m starting to cry. Cry because I love him so much and cry because he is driving me crazy. Cry because he is so freaking adorable and HAS DIMPLES; cry because I don’t want to hold him for 8 hours straight because that’s the only time he won’t cry. Cry because I don’t know why he’s crying. Basically, lots of crying.

On a positive note, I’ve met with a lactation consultant 2x now and she has helped me correct my form which has made the feedings much easier. Plus, I mentioned to her that I loved the pillow they have in the room, and she gave me the number of the place where they are specially made so I picked one up ASAP and it is so much more comfortable than the Boppy.

Run on sentence, whatever.

I’m not complaining. Call it an airing of grievances. I just gotta get it off my chest and maybe *somehow* I can find comfort in knowing that everyone goes through this and eventually it will all get better.

Wait..it WILL get better.

Ah, I feel better already.

Late Weekend Recap

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

In case you’re wondering what I’ve been up to lately, it’s only really been one thing: trying to keep a baby alive. Holy hell is it time consuming or what?! The days are pretty easy, but it’s getting him used to the nighttime schedule that has been the absolute pits. I think mostly because I’m tired + I’m convinced I’m doing it wrong + it’s kinda scary and lonely being up alone at night trying to figure out the whole baby thing. And don’t get me started on when I google all things baby on the internet, because it leaves me feeling even MORE confused and overwhelmed and anxious and any other similar adjective.

Good thing my mom is here.

She has really helped take over when I reach my breaking point and just start crying for no reason (see? I am crying now. Mostly because I’m convinced my child hates me. That’s normal, right? Because he seems to settle when anyone else makes an attempt. Except for me)

Ok, so on to actual things we did over the past few days. Note: Must type fast so I can squeeze in a nap before baby wakes up

Friday: Whitney came over to take a bunch of pics of Wes. I am DYING to see all the photos. She was really great with him and I would pay her to come over everyday to swaddle him. She already posted a sneak peak on Facebook and I’ve been staring at it nonstop.

That night, Tyler and I went to The Keg for dinner to celebrate our anniversary/first week of baby. We told the waiter, but he didn’t give us a free dessert…so that sucked. We did order a bottle of wine and I had a glass but felt so guilty about it and now I’m afraid to drink because I’m paranoid about passing it to the baby. Among other unknown guilt feelings.

Saturday: I think we did nothing? I don’t remember. Yeah, I’m pretty sure I stayed in my jammies all day and fed/changed/burped a baby. Maybe I showered. Definitely didn’t sleep. There was a hockey game on TV at some point. My mind is so fuzzy.

Sunday: After a lovely feast of bacon and eggs, my mom and I took Wes to Cross Iron Mills (outlet/regular mall combo). Yeah, BAD IDEA. Everyone from the city of Calgary was there. I don’t do well with crowds. Especially when 95% of said crowd was comprised of unruly children. We squeaked out with a few outfits for Wes then came home to a nice steak dinner. After feasting on a caramel apple, of course (we split just one of those. Guess how much they cost? $9 EACH. Insane)

{insert 60 minute break to feed/bathe Wes. Naked new babies are really cute}

Monday: Again, not too much to report. I started the day with some peanut butter banana protein pancakes. NOMSOHARD.

For six silver-dollar sized pancakes:

3/4 c oats
2 egg whites
3/4 c greek yogurt
2 T peanut butter
1/2 banana

Add first 4 ingredients to immersion blender until smooth. Pour batter on hot skillet and top with thin slices of banana. Flip. Top with maple syrup. Jam into face hole.

My mom and I then took Wes to Market Mall and bought OURSELVES some makeup. #treatyoself. Although I’m dying a little on the inside at how much it all cost. Whatever.

Which brings us to today. PHEW. Wes is on somewhat of a schedule (eat, change, activity, sleep. REPEAT A BILLIONTY TIMES). And we’ve managed to have him sleep in his crib at night which is apparently a miracle? Although I’m glued to the monitor the hole night since I’m convinced he will be stolen or something.

How was your weekend??

Week 1

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I survived the first week of being a mom. It was actually pretty easy compared to what I thought it would be!

So far, I’ve:

only cried once (Day 1 home- he was crying on the change table and I just didn’t know what to do!!!)
spent 2 nights on the nursery floor while he went from crying to sleeping to fussing non-stop
took a bath AND shower everyday
had a splash of Bailey’s in my coffee
took Wes for this first follow-up appointment
took Wes for his first walk around the neighborhood
went out 2 times to get him more sleepers and newborn diapers (this boy does NOT like to be swaddled! We found out he does best in a sleeper and a light swaddle from the waist down)
gone with Tyler to the garden center to get supplies for the backyard project he and my dad are currently working on (levelling the yard, sodding, putting in a raised garden bed and steps to the back gate)
went to Costco

Pretty exciting stuff, huh?

We have another follow-up appointment today for both Wes and I and I’m pretty sure we will both pass with flying colors. Wes is a feeding CHAMP- which in turn makes him a diaper CHAMP. He’s also getting more and more handsome everyday. My recovery is pretty good too- I won’t go into details (because they’re gross) but I am feeling awesome…awesome enough to want to ease back into some activity…but I’ll listen to whatever the doctor advises!

Having my parents here has been a total game changer. They have helped out SO MUCH and Tyler and I are both so grateful for their help. I’m not sure which I love my mom more for- her taking Wes in the early morning hours so I can get a bit of shut-eye OR her making ALL.THE.FOODS. My dad has been super great as well- getting a ton of our home projects off our plate and running most all of our errands.

I also just want to mention how AWESOME Tyler has been since Wes got here. He is a total natural- even the nurse said so! I know it’s cliche to say, but I love him more now that I’ve seen him with Wes. It’s cool. Like really, really cool. AND yesterday was our 3 year anniversary! We are going to try to celebrate this weekend by having dinner at a nearby restaurant. 🙂

PS: both dogs have adjusted well to the new baby in the house. Reggie actually seems to not care at all and Layla is his sidekick/bodyguard/babysitter. She has not left his side the entire week. I was nervous that they wouldn’t mesh well, but their barking doesn’t even phase Wes. PHEW.

PPS: Boppy pillows are amazing. I should have bought one sooner because they are great snack shelves.