Adventures in Momland

So most of you know that I left the working mom world as of this last May, but only this week does it really feel "real." School started Monday, and for the last 18 years, I have been part of the masses preparing for the back-to-school season. So not going through that routine feels almost wrong. But it is so right.

It feel so surreal to not only not be a part of the hubub, but to be at home with our growing boy. I feel alive inside- like I am making a difference. Even if my difference is in his life, I know with a Godly upbringing and morals and consistency, he can grow up to make a difference in someone else's life. If it sounds like I'm making huge plans for a teeny person.. well I am.

My hope is that by investing in our child, we create a responsible, respectful, and caring young person. Coming from experience, more children like that COULD change the world. I've seen these kinds of kids make a huge difference in a school. Kiddos that care about what they do and how it affects the people around them. They make a difference.


So, while it may seem that being a stay-at-home mom is an easy gig, many of you really know what we're living for and why it matters.

Just random thoughts, brought to you by nap time.

Shaggy!

On June 22, 2012, Connor had his first big boy haircut! Like, all out airplane seat, cape, scissors, and sheers haircut.

The place we went was called Pigtails and Crewcuts and they basically know what is up! When the kiddos get squirmy, you work faster. He was such a big boy the whole time while getting his ears lowered. We chose the airplane seat, because Daddy loves airplanes. Connor sat, munched on some animal crackers, watched a little Toy Story, and totally got his hair cut... and was ridiculously cute while doing so.

Pre- haircut shagginess...

Faux hawkin' it.

V'room

Who knew a haircut could provide Mama and Dada with so much entertainment. Oh how life changes. ;)

Everyday I'm shufflin...

Connor has been a superstar the last two nights! Last Sunday, I had just about had enough. I have been exhausted, moody, grumpy, sore (from sharing a bed with a squirmy 9 month old) and basically just a big grump!

For the last 9 months, I have only had two nights of solid sleep (the two nights Chase and I went to Eureka for New Years!). So basically on Sunday night, I had a mini-break and I was so frustrated that I was not able to sleep. I felt terrible that I was frustrated at my sweet and amazing son for not letting me sleep.  Well, coincidentally I had a friend from my Instagram suggest 'The Sleep Lady Shuffle' that evening to another friend in the same boat,  which is based off a book titled "The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight: Gentle Proven Solutions to Help Your Child Sleep Well and Wake Up Happy" by Kim West.

You better believe I hopped over to Amazon and ordered that baby!

Well... the book arrived on Wednesday while I was at work. I came straight home, put down Connor, and started reading with fervor. Basically my husband and child's my life depended on it. ;)

That night, Connor cried for about 15 minutes. We stayed in the room with him and comforted him with calm words and shooshes from side of his crib until he fell asleep. The poor kid just didn't know how to fall asleep on his own without nursing, walking, bouncing, or patting. We were doing him a terrible disservice by not teaching him how to fall asleep on his own. So that night he woke up three times. All three times, we did the same thing as bedtime. We comforted him from the side of his crib, but did not pick him up. He eventually fell asleep on his own... although at 1:45 he was up for an hour and ten minutes- sometimes crying. It was hard!

Last night, he fell asleep with minimal fussing (5 minutes). We didn't hear from him again until 1:45!! That is the LONGEST stretch he has slept ever in his entire life! (You moms out there can sympathize, I know!) He only woke up once more and we had to shoosh and stand by his crib but he fell asleep again by himself.

Well tonight, I laid him down, and was prepared to go back in his room, but I needed to make a quick phone call so I left the room with the intention of going back. Only.... he fell asleep before I could make it back in! No fussing, no crying, no talking... just sleep! We'll see how many times he wakes up tonight, but just within three nights his sleeping has changed by leaps and bounds. I'm so in LOVE with Kim West!

We had tried Baby Wise... the Baby Whisperer... Crying it out... they didn't work for us. Sleep lady, you rock.

I heart you.

Half a year?

Has half of a year already gone by since my little man was born? It's sufficient to say that time. is. flying.

Today we went in for our 6 month check up!
weight: 16.06oz
height 27.5 inches ( I was off last time, I thought he was longer!)
head: 16.5 inches

He has a nice growth chart and seems to be going along just fine. However... one of his ears was still infected and he still had thrush from the previous antibiotics and when I was on antibiotics. Chase has also been battling sickness this last week as well! I am so ready for my home to be sickness free for a while!

Here are some things Connor loves to do right now:
Connor likes to...
- Feed himself with his spoon (while making a mess ;) and feed himself mum mums and other little finger foods that are soft
- Listen to music from various music playing toys he has
- Sit up and watch what's going on around him
- Jump in his jumper
- Laugh and babble with Mommy and Daddy
- Be in the Moby wrap while Mom does housework
- Go for walks and jogs with Mommy and Daddy
- Pet Bailey and touch and grab at everything around!
- Sit in the shopping cart seat all by himself

These are just a few of the things that he has started or has been doing for a while. It's amazing seeing him learn new things and grow so quickly. Children really are a crazy amazing blessing.

This weekend Chase and I are spending our first nights away from our little man to go spend the weekend in Eureka Springs. My mom is going to spend the weekend at our house with little man! Say a special prayer that he is the sweet boy for her that he is for us! I am afraid his schedule has been a little wonky since he's been sick.

12-29-11 at WalMart

Here's hoping the next 6 months slow down a little! Before we know it, little C will be crawling, walking, talking.. and growing all too quickly.