Talmage // Four Months

Size (Diapers, Onesies, Etc.): Size 3 diapers, and size 3-6 month clothing.  He's seems to grow right along with the size of clothing which has been super convenient!  We had his pediatrician appointment today and he is 14 lbs, 26 inches.  

Eyes:  Tally's eyes are the prettiest blue and they get bluer and bluer by the day!!  He's also got huge eyes like his Dad (and I guess his mom too!).  He's pretty sensitive to different noises and it's pretty funny when something startles him- his eyes look like they're going to pop right out of his head!! 

Hair:  Tally's poor hair is pretty patchy, but we've trimmed it in a few places and it's looking a (little) less nappy haha.  The color totally depends on the light.  In some lights it looks blonde, but in some  it looks way more strawberry!  His Dad had strawberry blonde hair so I'm thinking he's just gonna be a little clone!

Sleeping: Not the worst sleeper ever, but also not the best!  Tal usually takes 3 naps during the day but when we hit the 45 minute mark we have to help him fall back asleep.  But he'll nap for up to 3 1/2 hours which is great!  He loves to be sung to sleep, especially primary songs.  He also loves to have his forhead tickled and his eyes will droop and finally close if I tickle his face! Cutest thing.  He gets super mad if you try to give him his binkie-he know's if he takes it that he'll fall asleep right away!  Unless he's super tired I can't get him to take it.  At night he goes anywhere from 4-12 hours without eating- yes I know, it's quite the range!!  He's actually at his happiest during the night though and has the biggest smile on his face when I come to get him- even at 3am.  As long as I nurse him, he goes back to sleep super easy so I'm not too worried about it.  It's kind of like russian roulette every time I put him to bed- will I get a solid 8 hours of sleep or will I be up in 4?? haha

Eating: Tally is still exclusively breastfed.  He eats about every 3-4 hours during the day and takes a bottle of pumped milk while I'm at work. We are currently trying to decide if we want to start solids or just wait till 6 months!  I'm leaning towards six months right now...it's just SO much easier!  

Milestones:

-Babbles all the time!

-Can hold his head up

-Likes to be sitting up or standing (with help)

-Grabs at toys

-Follows objects, recognizes Mom and Dad and turns his head to find us

-Working on sucking on his fingers-he's seriously always trying to naw on them!  He's getting pretty good.  I might have a thumb sucker on my hands :/

-Smiles all the time and giggles- those giggles are harder to come by but sooooo stinking cute!

Loves:

-Baths

-Singing

-Standing up

-Being tickled, kissed, and played with (prefers it over toys)

-Sticking his hands in his mouth

-When his dad says, "buddabuddabaaa" haha

-When I sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "YMCA" and do the actions with his hands haha (the things we do for our kids)

-His carseat.  When I buckle him up he kicks his legs and gets super excited!

Hates

-Going down for a nap

-Not being watched haha; if I'm eating dinner and he's sitting in his chair he makes all sorts of noises so that I'll look at him. 

Honestly, he's a pretty great baby.  Unless he's tired or hungry, he loves to smile and play and is pretty content. We love this little man!  Happy four months Talmage!   

Tally + 3 Months

So over the picture taking

He wants to talk so bad!!

love those excited little appendages!!

It's hard to believe my squishy newborn is three months old.  How did I live without him??  I was talking to a friend at work the other day and she said to me, "You said bye to Tally this morning right?  And when you get home and put him to bet, I bet he'll look about the same as he did this morning right?  And in the morning- he'll look about the same as he did the night before?  Before you know it, 18 years will go by. When do they change?  It's the mystery of the Universe".  Ummm talk about make me wanna cry!!  

This little love has my heart.  We moved him into his crib and his own room after our 2 month checkup.  Our pediatrician recommended we have him start sleeping in his crib sooner rather than later.  It was definitely harder on me than it was on him!  The little man is a pretty good sleeper.  I usually put him down around 7 or 8, feed him while he's in dreamland around 10-11 and then he'll wake up once during the night to eat before we start the day around 8am.  Luckily he goes back to sleep really easily now!  Some nights he'll sleep through but they are few and far between.  I honestly don't mind because I'm back to bed in 10 minutes and it's a great excuse for a nap the next day ;).  

Tally is getting to be SO much fun.  He's smiling, cooing, and interacting so much more.  He also fake coughs when he's trying to "talk".  There's seriously nothing more rewarding than making him smile!  He makes me feel like I'm the coolest person in the world.  

Tally is still a bit of a mamma's boy.  He sure does love his Dad, but at the end of a 12 hour shift at work he's just as ready to see mom as I am to see him!  Going back to work was hard but the snuggles when I get home are the best and it's nice to have a little "break" and talk to adults at work. 

Talmage hates getting out of the bath, and can be a real stinker if we keep him up too long!  When he's crying he hates to be "smothered", and calms down a little easier if mom is holding him. He can roll from his belly to his back, loves music and will "sing" (coo) when Dad plays the guitar, still loves baths and getting his diaper changed- the kid likes to be naked lol.  He gets a big smile when we kiss his feet and his belly, is starting to act more interested in toys, and loves his carseat.  He loves to snuggle and will nap much better if it's with mom- I'm afraid I've created a bad habit haha.  He also seems to love meeting new people and "shows off" by smiling at them.  Braedon and I are apparently becoming "old news".

Talmage has found his hands and is always trying to stick them in his mouth.  It's so funny to watch him because you can tell he gets so annoyed that he can't quite figure it out.  The other night it woke me up because I heard super loud sucking noises coming from his room!  I thought he must've somehow found his binky but nope!  He had totally broken out of his swaddle and was chewing on his hands.  We've actually stopped swaddling him now and he's so much happier and doesn't fight me when I put him down for naps.  He loves sleeping on his side and being able to stretch out!

Tally's hair is starting to come in and I think it's going to be blonde.  He's got quite the hairdo at the moment.  He has his baby hairs that are getting SUPER long, his new hair that's coming in pretty thick, and then a great patch of dark brown hair in the back (my little mullet man).  I'm also predicting that his eyes are going to stay blue like his Dad.  So far, he's pretty much a spitting image of Braedon!  I don't know his stats because we don't see the pediatrician till next month but I'm guessing he weighs around 12 or 13 lbs right now.  He's starting to get too big for his 0-3 month clothing and wears some 3-6 month.  He is in size two diapers and we learned quickly that the Kirkland brand is NOT the way to go haha!  We had our first blow out last week and it earned Tally a quick trip to the bath.  

We love this little guy and are so happy to have him around.  I honestly love being a mom and feel so fulfilled.  Happy three months Talmage!  

Breastfeeding + Cover Me Ponchos

There were a lot of different things I would worry about before I became a mom, and breastfeeding was definitely at the top of that list!  I was so anxious about keeping up a good milk supply, knowing when and how much (and how to!) pump, returning to work and continuing breastfeeding, and I was especially anxious about breastfeeding in public.  Many of you may hate me for saying this but nursing (luckily) came pretty easily for Talmage and I- other than the first week when I was dealing with engorgement, being sore, leaking, and all the hilarious things that can go along with that!  Nursing has been quite an adjustment- just like motherhood is- but I try not to complain about it because I'm so grateful for the bond I feel when Talmage and I sit down to nurse.  Sometimes I think I need the break just as much as he does. 

The biggest challenge with nursing for me has been getting used to nursing on the go!  Honestly, nursing in public still makes me SO nervous!  However, having a great nursing cover has helped ease that anxiety.  I love my Cover Me Poncho because not only is it functional, it's dang cute. 

Tally gets easily distracted with new sounds and having a cover to block out all of the distractions has been so helpful to keep him focused!  The first time I needed to nurse him outside of our home we were at Market Street Grill.  I didn't have a cover so I headed down to the restroom hoping there would be a chair or a couch or something so I wouldn't have to sit on the toilet!  Luckily there was a chair in the bathroom but it was literally right in front of the door- so anyone walking in (or walking by!) the restroom had full access to my lady parts! ha!  Probably a suprising view for the 90 yr. woman who walked in. There have also been many times where I've needed to nurse Talmage in the car and have only had a swaddling blanket to cover up.  It's always slipping down or Braedon is awkwardly trying to hold it up for me.  I love the Cover Me poncho because not only does it cover my front- it covers my back too.  This way I don't have to worry about only wearing a button up shirt-I can nurse comfortably without worrying that my stomach or back is showing.  I also love the wide neck so that I can easily peak in and readjust my babe if I need to.  Honestly, I'm still getting the hang of nursing in public- it definitley makes me nervous- but knowing I have the right cover makes it so much easier, even if I still feel like I need to nurse Tal in a separate room!

Make sure you check out my instagram post for a giveaway!  Cover Me Ponchos is giving away a poncho of your choice to one of my readers! 

Talmage // Two Months

Yes, I do realize that those last three pictures were basically the same but I just couldn't decide ok??

My baby is two months!  I'm not sure his stats yet but we'll be seeing the pediatrician next week for his two month appointment...and shots :(.  So not excited for that.  I tell ya, it's true what they say- it's SO much different when it's your own child!  I mean, giving babies shots is not my most favorite part of being a nurse and it doesn't exactly get easier but you do get used to it! 

Tally is wearing size 0-3 month clothing and size 1 diapers- however I'm not sure if he'll last much longer!  

Talmage just gets sweeter as time goes on.  He's so curious and SO strong!  He actually started rolling over from his belly to his back the day after he turned four weeks.  His latest thing is wanting stand on my lap and sit like a big boy.  I think I've got a busy body on my hands!  This kid just might run before he walks.  Tally is SO over hats, getting the hiccups, and having his feet tickled (can't exactly blame him but I'm still working on the hat thing- what's cuter than a litter stinker in a beanie??).   

Tal still LOVES baths, music, and snuggling.  He is smiling but not quite in response to us yet- I can't wait till that happens!  Yesterday I was pretty sure he smiled at me after I did something funny and my heart almost stopped it was so adorable.  

Talmage is starting to figure out that sleeping is cool and on a good night he'll give me seven hours!  He's still trying to figure out naps though.  During the day he'll nap for about 30-40 minutes and then wakes up fussy and it's a bit of a fight to get him to go back down.  Any other mamma's have this problem??  He sleeps great on the go, in the carseat, and in his swing but has a hard time in his crib.  We switched out his bassinet to a pack n play last night and I'm hoping that'll solve my problem!  I think he's gotten used to the feeling of being cradled and not lying totally flat. (The bassinet we use is curved, and yes, he is still in our room haha- not sure when he'll "graduate" yet).  

Talmage's cheeks have officially taken over his face.  I think he's storing chestnuts for winter! Also, I'm betting he's gonna have blue eyes like his daddy.  So far, he looks just like Braedon.  Nicknames so far include: Tally (tally boy, tally man), Tal, T.K., froggie, grinnie kid, and hungry chicken (those last three are just from Braedon and I haha).  To say we love this kid would be an understatement.  He has brought such a light and happiness into our home!  We feel so blessed to be his parents and grateful for all of the wonderful support we have around us.  

Bath Time

I can't believe my little one is almost two months, he's growing so fast!  These pictures were taken at about 6.5 weeks old.  We've been trying to get Tal on somewhat of a schedule and our new nightly routine involves a bath- Talmage LOVES them.  Usually he takes a bath with me and it's my favorite because he gets really snuggly and relaxed before bed time.  This is Tally's first bath with Braedon.  These pictures all probably look the same to everyone, but to me and Braed every face is different (and of course SO cute) haha.  

Tally is starting to smile a little and it's our favorite thing!  I can't wait till it's a full on smile and actually in response to one of us.  He's always pretty happy after nap time and during his baths.  

Look at that pose! He loves to just float and stretch out his back!  

^^ Tooting?  What??  It wasn't me! ^^

Such a little bug.  I love this photo because this is just Tally's normal face- his eyes are so big that he kind of just looks shocked all the time, it's hilarious.  The little man has been a champ and started sleeping a little bit longer this week.  He's been doing 4-6 hour stretches at night and his mamma is so happy about it!  I usually feed him between 10 or 11pm and he falls asleep while eating, then he wakes up about 5 1/2 hours later to eat again (if it's a good night).  However, after that 3 am feed he's usually pretty restless and I've noticed that's when he has the most gas! haha.  So funny but also sad.  If he won't settle down back to sleep I usually just pull him into bed with me and once we start snuggling he's out for another 4 hours or so.  I know I'm probably creating a "bad habit", but in the grand scheme of things I figure I won't get to snuggle my baby forever and I'll take it while I can get it! Anyone have any great tips on how to get him to fall back asleep?  

I'm trying not to get too hung up on the baby wise schedule, but having a little more structure has been really good for us (at least for me so that I can actually plan my day). Another book I just started that I've been loving called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, has been super helpful.  It talks about wake-time and when to put your babe down.  This probably seems self explanatory but I feel like Braedon and I were missing his "window" and putting him down after too much wake-time.  He was overtired and therefore fussy, and taking longer to fall asleep. The book talks about signs that your baby is tired and if he gets to the "fussy" point, you've probably kept him up too long. We've been trying a few things from that book for the past week and he finally caught on Sunday night which is when he started sleeping better.  I've learned that Tally can really only handle being awake for around 45 minutes now, so after about 30 minutes of wake time we swaddle him, give him his binky, and I like to sit in the rocking chair and sing for a little before setting him down.  He still has at least one nap during the day that he fusses through though, so it's definitely a work in progress! 

The most helpful thing I've researched on sleep has actually been a video that I watched called Baby It's Bedtime.  I came across their Instagram and decided a video would be easier for me to get through than a whole book.  Plus, reading books about sleep were making ME soooo sleepy!!  haha.  I loved the Baby It's Bedtime video because she went through a whole day with her baby and what it should look like.  She also talks about the type of sleep your baby is getting, and a schedule based on your baby's temperament.  

Before having Tally I thought I'd be able to let my baby "cry it out", but since having him I feel like my parenting views have really changed.  I never would have thought that I'd allow "co-sleeping", or have my baby in our room for very long, but I'm actually a lot happier with him near us- and luckily so is Braedon!  There are so many parenting philosophies and opinions out there that can be really confusing.  I'll read something and think, "Is that how I should be doing it??" There is a lot of stress that can come from this new responsibility but right now we are just trying to do our best and what FEELS RIGHT (for us anyways). We are definitely learning as we go, and so far we honestly couldn't be happier.   

Newborn Photos + Thoughts

Talmage's amazing Nona Lise was sweet enough to take some newborn photos of our little family. You could say we had fun....we only took over 400 photos haha.  I'll spare you the time and post them in increments, these are just a few of my absolute favorites. Talmage was only a week and two days old in these pictures.  I had just nursed him before we started so he was in this cute milk drunk phase with his eyes all half open.  Towards the end of the shoot he totally fell asleep and it made for some adorable pictures!  I especially love all the pictures we took of his little details- his hands, his feet, his ears and his adorable cushy lips.  I love this little boy so much my heart feels like it could burst!  As cliche or as cheesy as you wanna call it, I literally could burst into tears at any moment thinking about how lucky I am.  I am one happy mamma, that's for sure.  

^^ the details ^^ 

^^ always sleeps with his mouth open- just like Daddy ^^ 

^^ I could kiss his toes all day ^^

^^ I can't wait to see what color those big eyes will be ^^ 

I adore those precious eyes!! 

^^ Angel baby ^^ 

^^ So in love with these two ^^

As I was nursing Talmage the other day my mind started thinking about the past few weeks and all of the things I don't ever want to forget.  So....some thoughts:

-During dinner the night Talmage was born Braedon told me he had thought of a name for our baby, but he was nervous to tell me since I had shot down almost every other one of his ideas.  After some prodding he finally told me the name, Talmage.  I told him, "I didn't hate it", and then jokingly said, "Well if he's born tonight then we can name him Talmage"!  Next thing we knew we had a baby boy in our arms few hours later.  While we were deciding on his name Braedon looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "I don't care what we name him, we can name him whatever you want". 

-The first thing I ate after delivering was starbursts and fruity mentos.  Nothing else really sounded very appetizing and I didn't feel starving like most people said I would.  If anything, I didn't have much of an appetite.  My mom brought me a jamba juice the next morning and it tasted SO yummy.  It was the first "real" thing that I ate and enjoyed.  

-For the record, Talmage has officially pee'd on Dad during diaper changes WAY more than he's peed on mom. 

-Every once in a while Talmage will giggle in his sleep- I honestly think he's giggling, and a few people have witnessed it.  My nurse side worries at first that he's choking or not breathing right.  

-Talmage LOVES to be sung to.  Sing to him, and he is smitten.  Seriously, eyes wide open and he'll stare at you the whole time.  We do a lot of singing at our house now.  

-My first outing alone was to Target to get a few essentials for breastfeeding that I hadn't thought of before Talmage was born.  I couldn't even make it out of the door without tearing up, and I may or may not have bawled the whole car ride.  Call it hormones, but it was hard being away from my baby after being so close for so long!  

-At Talmage's 3 day pediatrician appointment he weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long.  His birth weight was 7 lbs 3 oz and 18.5 inches long.  We are pretty sure they measured the birth length wrong in the hospital haha.  At his 2 week appointment he weighed 8 lbs even, and measured 21 inches long.  I may be tooting my own horn but it made me proud to think that was all my doing!  I feel lucky that nursing has gone so well for us.  

-Late at night when I'm nursing instead of looking at Facebook or Instagram, or playing candy crush (guilty), I just stare at his little face.  I don't think it will ever get old.  This boy is as sweet as sweet gets, and everyone that meets him feels the same way.  Can't believe how happy and content I feel with life right now, he has changed our world and most definitely for the better!  

-I might change my mind or think I was crazy for saying this later, but right now at this moment I feel like I was meant to be a mom, and I can't wait to have more kids.  I'm perfectly happy focusing on this new little peanut for a while, but I know I'm gonna crave labor, delivery, and the newborn phase again and again. I'm one lucky girl!