Friday, April 28, 2017

April Life Lately

Time for the end of month roundup of all the randomness I didn't have a post for earlier! And this is 90% Paige, so if you don't like adorable babies...come back next week. {grin}

P has not been interest yet in the jumperoo. She just kind of sits in it confused.
I also saw it called #circleofneglect on social media - that cracked me up.

Dying over head wraps - these weren't in when Drew was little.

Sisters 'working out'

I love Drew's fashion sense - she dressed both herself and Paige.

I CANNOT get enough of this sweetness.

We need to talk about her inappropriate hand gestures. No hook 'ems, Paige!

Should I just call this post 'Lots of sleeping Paige pics'?

Gig 'em! That's my girl!!!

He really is the best big brother in the world.

Trent the Tattoo Artist

Trying to figure out her eye color...

I mean for real...she kills me.

Organizing eggs by color before our egg hunt at my parents' house.
Where I took approximately ZERO pictures.

She loves this monkey!

Crazy eyes because WE CAN HIP CARRY!!! Game changer!

We have entered the 'everything in the mouth' stage.

Grabbing feet!!!

Matching the puppy's pigtails

We had lunch on our town square - me, Brent, 2 friends, and Paige.
She sat in our laps and just looked around and loved it.


Doing a Star Wars play. Love this kid.

We tried the Merlin...she wasn't ready. Womp, womp.

If you're wondering why there aren't more pictures of Trent, this is why. Sigh.

We moved Paige into her room for bedtime!
She still naps on me during the day...but hey, baby steps!

Side ponytail!

Hanging out with Rhett...her future hubby.

Eating feet!!!

Here's hoping May is just as awesome!

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Recipe: Breakfast Bake

I found this recipe from 100 Days of Real Food a few years ago and my dad started making it for our Christmas morning breakfast. I decided to make it as a freezer meal for after Paige was born because we love to have breakfast for dinner. It's a great meal to make ahead and freeze, it's nutritious, and it tastes yummy.


Ingredients:
-1 pound of breakfast sausage
-1 1/2 cups of frozen hashbrowns
-2 eggs
-1 1/2 - 2 cups of cheese {I use more because we love cheese!}
-1/2 cup whole wheat flour
-1 cup milk
-3/4 tsp baking powder
-salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Brown sausage. {The original recipe calls for chopped onions and bell peppers, cook those too if you like them - we don't, ha.}
3. Pour sausage into an 8x8 or 9x9 ungreased baking dish.
4. Stir in frozen hashbrowns and 3/4 cup - 1 cup of cheese into the sausage.
5. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in a separate bowl. Add the cup of milk and 2 eggs. Whisk gently until all mixed together. Pour into baking dish.
6. Cover with remaining cheese.
7. Cook for 35-40 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
8. Enjoy!

I eat it with Chalula hot sauce sometimes, and that's amazing too!

Monday, April 24, 2017

4 Month Comparisons


Trent:
15 pounds, 13 ounces - gained 7 pounds, 4 ounces! Holy smokes!
25" - grew 4.5" 

Drew: 
13 pounds, 7 ounces - gained 4 pounds, 7 ounces
24 5/8" - grew 4 5/8"

Paige:
14 pounds, 7.5 ounces - gained 4 pounds, 8.5 ounces
24 3/4" - grew 4 3/4"

Friday, April 21, 2017

Grow Baby Grow {Paige} - 4 Months

Wow! 1/3 of a year has come and gone in Paige's life. Once I got medicated and the Zoloft started working, time has flown by. Paige is SUCH a sweet baby - I really can't get over how sweet she is. I kiss her and snuggle her a million times a day and can't get enough of her. She is 90% smiles and happiness, and I love it.


Stats:
Weight: 14 pounds, 7.5 ounces {50-75%}
Length: 24 5/8" {50-75%}
Head: 16" {50%}
Diapers: Size 2
Clothing: 3-6 months in everything
Nicknames: Smooch/Smoochie {always and forever}, Paigey, Paigey Waigey


-Paige found her feet this month. One of my favorite things! She grabs them constantly and is trying to get them to her mouth.

-We had 2 weeks of sleep regression hell where she was waking up anywhere from 5 to 10+ times. It was truly awful, but she's back to waking up just a couple of times and going right back to sleep after a quick nursing session, so I can totally handle that.

-She is still swaddled and in our closet. This is the longest any of my kiddos have been swaddled, but it's still working, so I'm not going to change anything given we just got her sleeping good again. She goes back and forth between the rock 'n play and pack 'n play. Month 5 will require me getting her in her crib and falling asleep independently {eek} since I go back to work June 5.

-Paige had her first fever this month on April 9, but luckily it only lasted 24 hours. She definitely felt bad and only wanted to be held. I happily complied.

-She's trying to roll over. It happened once on our bed on March 26, but I think that was a fluke.

-She takes 3 naps per day and is awake for 2 hours in between each nap. She sleeps until roughly 7:00-7:30, so her naps are roughly 9:00/9:30-11:00/11:30, 1:00/1:30-3:00/3:30, 5:00/5:30-5:45/6:15.

-Her bedtime is around 7:30 give or take a little in either direction. A lot of times what is going on with the other 2 kids impacts her bedtime.

-Paige wants to sit up SO BAD. She likes the Bumbo a lot because it lets her sit up for a long time. We tried the Jumperoo a few times, and so far, she isn't impressed, ha. I can still get some good time out of the playmat and bouncy seat, and if we do tummy time on the Boppy that goes well too!

-She tries to put everything in her mouth. She loves Sofie and stuffed animals.

-I'm still curious to see if she'll end up sucking her thumb or fingers.

-Paige laughs and growls. At first she was stingy with her laughs, but it's getting easier to get them. Brent can get lots of laughs!

-We read and sing every day. She loves songs with hand movements {Finger Family, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Ram-sam-sam}.

-The car seat is still her mortal enemy. This is the one thing that consistently causes her to cry. The one thing that helps {sometimes} is rolling the windows down.

-We nurse every 2-3 hours. She is a great nurser although a messy eater! I usually end up with some part of my shirt or pants wet.

-She likes to take walks in the stroller {should I say 'rides'? ha} riding up - no car seat {the horror} for this girl anymore!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Currently

Current Book

I told myself I wasn't going to read a ton of Nora Roberts books this month.
I apparently lied to myself!

Current Song

Lindsey Ell is so talented, and I like the songs on this EP!

Current TV Show

I need to finish this, but I'm scared for how sad I have heard the last few are!

Current Drink

Stealing some of the kids' chocolate milk we got from Nana.

Current Shame-Inducing Pleasure

Easter candy!!!!

Current Outfit

Repping some Southern Peach gear - this shirt is so comfy!

Current Celebrity Crush

I am so excited for Outlander season 3. Love me some Jamie and Claire!

Current Mood

Happy - I'm watching Trent have speech therapy and he is precious with his teacher.

Current Anticipation

We have some friends coming over Friday night, and I'm excited!

Current Wishlist

A new swimsuit {and the body to go in it} and new nursing bras!

Current Film

Both of these are on demand!

Current Picture

Seriously can't get over this cuteness


Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Day in the Life: April 16, 2017

I was really excited when Julia announced this round of DiTL because I knew Easter Sunday was going to be a really special day, so it's what I picked to document. It's our first time at church since Paige was born and our last visit EVER to Brent's childhood home! Also, I think this is the most pictures Brent has been in for a DiTL post since he hates them so much, ha.


**********Sunday, April 16, 2017**********

Brent is 36 {for another month}
Allena is 36
Trent is 7.75
Drew is 4.25
Paige is 5 days shy of 4 months

Saturday night I went to bed at 9:30. Paige is in the middle of a sleep regression, and I need all the sleep I can get right now. She woke for the first time at 11:00-something and then not again until 2:30. I was super excited that she did so good...until it took me until 5:00 AM to get her back to sleep. I nursed her 6 times {she wanted to nurse, nurse, nurse}, she spit up so much {from over nursing} I had to change my shirt twice, I rocked her, I swayed, I did everything I knew to do...finally at 5:00 I gave her a paci {which we normally don't give her at night because she can't keep it in her mouth} and that did the trick!

6:00 AM - Have to go put the paci back in. Brent came to bed sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 after sleeping on the couch most of the night. I think he fell asleep with the TV on because during my saga with Paige I noticed light coming under our door but then it went away sometime around 4:00, ha.

7:20 AM - Drew comes into our room with 2 squirty fruits. I put a pillow between Brent and me and let her climb in. I tell her to be quiet because I am so tired still! She eats her pouches and snuggles up to me, sweet girl.

8:00 AM - Paige is awake! Drew and I go into the living room.


8:05 AM - Trent comes into the living room and wants to go to the park to catch Pokemon. We downloaded Pokemon Go the day before at my parents' house, and he is obsessed. He went to the park by their house 5 times! We negotiate a quick trip, and I put on a bra and shorts and give Paige to Brent. Drew is supposed to stay too since she's just in her panties, but she starts crying in the garage, so I let her climb into Brent's truck too. I was going to take the golf cart but Brent was in the middle of the driveway, and I didn't trust myself to get the cart out safely!

8:10 AM - We're back! Trent argues about a) going to church because it's soooo boring and b) taking a shower. I remind him I JUST took him to the park, and he obliges. Drew and I go take a bath together {She asked me Saturday night if we could take a bath}.

8:20 AM - Out of the bath, wash my face {and remember I wanted to document today for my DiTL and dang it have only taken 1 picture!}. Paige is fussy. Duh, even though I nursed her 82 times last night, she now hasn't eaten in over 3 hours! Nurse her.


8:30 AM - Get Drew and Paige in their Easter dresses. Trying to hurry because I know church will be SUPER crowded today. Plan was to leave at 9:10 for our 10:00 service.

8:40 AM - Trent wants to show me his favorite Pokemon. Love this kid!



8:50 - I get dressed. Try on 3 shirts before I find 1 that I don't feel like a cow in.

9:00 AM - Take pictures of the kids because they are ADORABLE. I had a major #momfail and got them exactly ZERO Easter presents. They didn't seem to notice, but I felt so bad. I didn't even get Paige an Easter basket this year!


9:10 AM - Get in the car and head out! I fix my make-up in the car. Paige fusses some {she still hates the car seat most of the time} even though I have the windows down. Keeping the windows down is the only thing that keeps her happy more often than not. Keep the windows down on the highway even though the wind is blowing like crazy and no one can hear. Trent asks me to roll up the windows after about 15 minutes because Paige is quiet. As soon as I do, she starts fussing, so down they go again. Trent says he's cold {it's 72 degrees} and mad that I made him put on shorts instead of sweatpants - whatever kid.

9:30 AM - Get to church! 


Since we are 30 minutes early, I tell Trent he can catch Pokemon until church starts. My mom takes Paige around to show her off. This is our first time at church since Paige was born - partially to avoid flu season and partially because of postpartum. I've been up at church for Trent's Religious Education classes some {he's having his First Communion in May - I'm so excited!}.


9:45 AM - Take Paige into a classroom to see if she'll nurse before Mass starts. She nurses a tiny bit.

10:00 AM - Church begins. I put Paige in the Ergo and she konks out. Great service with amazing music - I was so happy to be back. 2 funny things I want to remember - 1) I was standing to the side for a little while to make sure Paige was good and asleep and when I went back to our seats, Trent is on my phone. What? I make him put it away and look at my mom and she says 'I'm just the grandma.' 2) Right before communion, Drew asks to go to the bathroom. While we're in there she is dawdling, so I ask her to hurry so we don't miss communion, and she asks for some and I tell her when she's in 2nd grade, so she tells me that she won't be my friend, won't play with me, and doesn't love God. Okay kid!

11:10 AM - Church ends. I'm pleasantly surprised we end only 10 minutes 'late'. Drew wants to help Mom clean up, and Trent wants to catch Pokemon, which is fine with me since the parking lot is packed, and I want to let Paige sleep.

11:30 AM - I wake Paige up because Dad is bugging me that he wants to hold her.

11:45 AM - We head out, and I decide I want Starbucks!



11:50 AM - Get Starbucks - Paige is quiet until we pull out of Starbucks and fusses on and off the whole way home - even with the windows down. Makes me heart hurt.

12:10 PM - Once we're close to home, Trent hops out of his seat and talks to Paige and calms her down. He is the best big brother!


12:15 PM - Once again I realize Paige hasn't eaten in a long time, so I go to nurse her and find a blowout! Trent is mad we don't have time to go to the park AGAIN, and Drew takes my phone to take pictures around the house.



Her first selfie, ha!


12:30 PM - Load up in Brent's truck to head to his parents' house.



12:40 PM - We're off! And shocker - Paige cries!


1:15 PM - Get to Brent's parents. This is their last day in their house {they move into an apartment Monday as they are building a house just a few miles from us!!}, so it's nice to get to all be together and celebrate Easter before they move. They have lived here since 1983!

Very empty house!

Celebratory champagne

Paige is the star of the show


1:30 PM - I force Brent to take a family picture. It's only our second as a family of 5, boo. 


1:45 PM - Paige goes in the Ergo for a nap, and everyone eats and visits.


Chicken taco, Mexican rice, chips & queso = YUM!

 2:45 PM - Drew and I go play in the backyard. I finish my chai {yum!}. We play catch, and she hides the ball and makes me hunt for it.

I think it's tradition in most of my DiTL posts to take a Chai selfie!


 3:00 PM - We get the original 4 Gurleys outside to take a picture. Goodbye Carshalton!



 3:15 PM - Trent wants to go hunt for Pokemon, so Trent, Drew, Olivia {cousin}, Janet, and me {with Paige of course} go for a walk. Drew picks rain lilies to make a bouquet for her nana.



 3:45 PM - I wake Paige up. We nurse.

4:00 PM - Kids open their Easter presents, and the confetti egg fights begin!!!

Drew was nervous about the eggs so she practiced stepping on them.

 Spectators







5:15 PM - Change Paige's diaper and nurse again. She hasn't nursed as much as normal and I am full and leaking! We decide to head home at 5:30 with the hopes that Paige will take her last nap of the day in the car.

Farewell house!

5:50 PM - Leave! Paige doesn't nap and decides to cry on and off the whole way home. That's 4/4 trips today where she cried. I am ready for her to get used to the car seat! The big kids drive us crazy on the way home. At one point, Trent starts saying 'Celebrate good times, come on!'

6:25 PM - Get home. Get Drew into her pajamas while Brent gets all the leftovers and presents out from his parents. We agree to let her watch the last half of a Peppa Pig episode and then to bed. Trent negotiates a quick trip to the park to look for Pokemon. Paige is SUPER fussy since she didn't nap and has now been up for 3 hours.


My 2 girls and my 2 chins

6:50 PM - Sit outside with Paige to keep her calm. Brent gets back with Trent and puts Drew to bed.

7:00 PM - I swaddle Paige, and we go into the closet to nurse. I have her down at 7:50.


8:00 PM - Make a new batch of cranberry tea. Yum. Also start working on this post.



8:30 PM - Help Trent download a new book. He wants something spooky, so we settle on Goosebumps. He goes to listen in bed.

8:45 PM - I pump for the first time in 2 weeks - ever since Paige's sleep regression I haven't pumped since I haven't known how many times I'd nurse her!


9:00 PM - Take Drew to potty because I didn't make her go before bed and take pictures of both of my babies. Trent isn't asleep technically - just snuggled up listening.


Peruse IG while I drink my tea.

9:10 PM - Take Trent's Kindle away so he'll go to sleep.

9:20 PM - Go to get into bed but a cricket is being CRAZY loud outside our room, so I go outside and spray hose water where I think it is. Thankfully it shuts up. I get in bed and read {Montana Sky by Nora Roberts}.

9:46 PM - Lights out!


10:10 PM - Paige fusses. I go and shush her and she settles back down.

11:00 PM - Paige fusses. I go and nurse her.

THEN I DON'T HEAR FROM PAIGE UNTIL 7:15 AM MONDAY MORNING!!!!!!

And that was our Easter Sunday!