Priorities

Do you ever feel like there are so many things you want to get done that you just never get around to?

Things that might make the list if you had to list out your day-to-day priorities. 

I have so many things that in my head rank as priorities, but in real life never seem to make the cut.

Obviously, Logan is my #1 priority and is always taken care of. Next come keeping the house clean and getting food on the table. Both of which get met daily, but most likely in a so-so fashion. They are both continuous and the latter feeds the former. Kitchen is perfectly clean? Wonderful! Ok, time for lunch!

So, there is the child, then food and the house. Next comes the "extras." Like laundry, daily Bible reading, craft projects, keeping up with friends and family, exercise (ha!) blogging, and so, so much more! Yes, I totally just put laundry in the "extra" category. These are all things that I think I would put on my priority list, but what does my real life say? I think if someone were to document my priorities by observing me, Instagram would be above all of these on the list. *blush* #iloveittoomuch

Every Sunday morning I come home from church pumped to be more diligent about my daily Bible reading, then more often than not my Bible will sit in the same place Monday through Saturday. I can't tell you how many blog posts I "write" in my head that never make it to the computer. This is definitely not the first time I have written this post, but it is the first time I have typed it! My unspoken goal to myself is two posts a week. As far as craft projects... oh my, so many things I want to do. I have never mentioned it here, but I have been in the works of launching an Etsy shop for over a year now, but can't seem to get it off the ground. I have even contacted mommies to try out my product and have yet to mail one to them! 

It all boils down to time management. I have been terrible at it for as long as I can remember. Plus, let's be honest, priority #1 can be quite the time-suck. ;)

Am I all alone in this? Please say no. The fact that I am actually about to publish this post gives me hope! 
C'mon mama friends, let's cheer each other on!

***after i published this I realized that I didn't even mention my husband. He is obviously right up there with Logan, but our relationship comes so naturally to me that I don't have to put much effort into it. Not to say that our relationship doesn't take work, they all do, but maybe not conscious work? Anyway, I am one lucky lady. :) 

On Being Mama

Even though Logan is almost a year old, sometimes it hits me, as if for the first time, that I am a mother.

Mama. 

Will it always be that way? Will that sudden realization always catch me by surprise? This is, without a doubt, the most important and most amazing thing I have ever done. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, changing diapers-preparing meals-running baths, and forget to stop and feel the sheer joy that this sweet amazing little boy brings. 

Tonight he was having trouble falling asleep. I very rarely hold him asleep anymore, because we put him to bed awake and he generally will go on to sleep on his own. Tonight was different. He was upset.

I opened his door and scooped him up from his crib. Holding him to my front like a little monkey. "Shh, shh, shh," I gently shush and he calms down with his head on my shoulder. 

Little shuddery breaths tickle my ear.

I gently rock from side to side and continue my quiet shushing. His eyelids grow heavy and I return him to his crib.

His back barely touches the sheet, he cries out and reaches for me. His Mama. 

  

Back in my arms, he quiets instantly.

I sit in the rocking chair, that just today I was thinking of putting in storage. 

He straddles me, head on my chest. And we rock. 

Mama and baby.

Me and my son.

Thoughts on Thankfulness: Milk Supply

Today I thawed out and disposed of my tiny "freezer stash." Every bit of it was pumped when Logan was in Children's hospital at one week old. 

I never once had to rely on my stash, and for that I am very, very thankful. I know many women have issues with low milk supply and I feel lucky to have not had that problem. 

After feeling so thankful for that I decided to share

Our Breastfeeding Journey 

One of my 44 in 404 goals is to breastfeed for at least a year. At almost 10 months, I do not see it being an issue at all. It is such a natural part of our daily lives. Logan still nurses 6-9 in a day (depending on how many times he get up in the night!). 

Our breastfeeding journey has been fun, with our fair share of challenges, but nothing I would consider major. 

Logan latched soon after birth and nursed for 10 solid minutes. The next five days were full of challenging feedings, working on getting a good latch established. I was so grateful for my mom's help in those early days. 

Then on day five he really seemed to be backsliding. Then he just wasn't eating at all, even when we dribbled the milk into his mouth. Of course, that is what put us in Children's where he was diagnosed with PDA. 

Because of his PDA, Logan would get very tired during feedings, and sometimes his little feet would turn blue. Nursing is like a workout for tiny little babies! I started pumping and bottle feeding, and kept meticulous notes on when and how much he ate.

For four and a half weeks I wrote down every bit Logan ate down to the quarter ounce. It started in the hospital when the nurses wanted to know how much he was consuming, and it became a habit I couldn't seem to break. 

I knew I wanted to switch back to the breast eventually, but I had become accustomed to knowing exactly how much he was eating and was nervous about him being physically ready. I visited with a lactation consultant, she was so sweet and helpful, but I can't give her the credit. My mom and sister visited for a weekend and gave me the real push I needed to stop writing and to start trying. 

It was a sticky, wet, milky mess at first. Lots of skin on skin and letting him just "play" around with it. They convinced me to start on the Sunday morning that they left, and the only times I pumped after that were just a few middle of the night feedings when Logan was just to sleepy to put forth the effort. I was so amazed at how fast and how easily he was able to transition from bottle to breast. 

Since then we have had only very minor bumps in the road. A few times I think my monthly cycle changed the taste, because he would be very fussy at the breast for a few days then everything would settle back in to normal. 

Only in the last few days has he started to bite me. Yeouch! He has only done it a few times, but when he does he looks up at me for a reaction! I think he knows he isn't supposed to, so he is testing his limits. I give him a firm "no," and take away his "num num." He is smart, so he shouldn't take long to catch on. 

We both feel like pros now, and I look forward to the months ahead. I know I will be sad when he weans. 

Day In The Life (with a 2 1/2 month old)

I decided to share a typical day for us. My husband works in retail management. He either works 7:30-4 or 3-10:30. This is a day for us on one of his closing days. We really like when he opens better, because our whole schedule is just weird when he doesn't leave the house until 3. 

6:08 I hear my little one beginning to rouse. (he went to bed at 9:00) I make a quick run to the potty (I have learned!), then go rescue him from his crib. I change my first diaper of the day and then we settle into my big red chair for him to eat. He eats for 14 minutes, and then we both head back to bed.

9:00 I have been laying in bed for a little while waiting to hear Logan, and have yet to hear anything! I sneak into his room and take a peek. He is still passed out, both arms above his head, mouth slightly parted. I take advantage of his sleeping in and make some coffee (1/3 caffeine, 2/3 decaff! woohoo! living on the wild side!) and have a bowl of cereal. 

I can hear Logan in his room slowly waking up on his own time while I eat my breakfast.

9:20 Daddy Low and I go to check on him together. He is laying peacefully in his crib and smiles when he sees us. Daddy is the lucky one to get diaper #2. Now we know what he was doing in there! ;)

9:35 Logan has breakfast again.

10:15 Diaper #3, dress Logan, and head out the door. The three of us are going to Hobby Lobby, the Dollar Tree, and the bank. 

11:15 Back at home. Diaper #4, and time to eat again!

Logan and I exchange smiles and sing songs in my lap. 

Then we all get in the floor and play and read books. 

He sits in his bouncy seat as Daddy and I eat leftovers and talk to him. 

Can you say, "deer in the headlights?"

12:10 Diaper #5. Logan changes from his going out clothes into a comfy at home outfit. 

Then it is time to eat again!

12:30 Logan is down for his first nap of the day. He slept much later than usual today. His first nap is usually around 9:30 or 10.

While Logan naps, Matt and I hang out for a little while. Then we may or may not have drifted off for a nap of our own...

2:40 Matt is out the door for work. I am astonished that Logan is still napping! We are lucky to get one hour naps, and now we are past two hours!

Before Logan wakes up I manage to empty and refill the dishwasher and start a craft project. Although most of my free time is spent searching for some paintbrushes that I was certain I knew exactly where they were. Aha! On top of the fridge... that makes perfect sense... not.

3:05 Logan is awake now. Once again, he wakes up as a happy baby. I love when that happens. Trust me, it doesn't always. Time for diaper #6 and another snack.

3:25 I spread out a quilt on Logan's floor and set up a fun play area for him, while I reorganize his dresser and closet. He has so many clothes. I am not sure he will have time to wear them all! During the time we spend hanging out in his room, I change diapers #7 & 8.

4:20 Time to eat again! Then Logan goes down for his second nap.

While Logan is sleeping, I start a load of laundry, work on my craft project a little more, and have some tuna made with jalapeno relish! Yum!

5:30 Logan is awake again. I change diaper #9, and then we sit down to read a book together. Logan has really taken an interest in books lately. I love to watch his face when he sees a new page. 

5:40 Time to eat again! Someone has some spit-ups, time for a new outfit! Don't worry, we have plenty. ;)

We settle in on his play area from earlier in the day and play with a few toys, and enjoy looking at Molly. 

Logan has never seen his colorful xylophone before. He stares in amazement as I play a few tunes for him.

6:15 Little man is starting to get fussy. Diaper #10

6:30 Diaper #11

6:45 I put Logan into the Moby, and he, Molly, and I head out for a nice evening walk. I take our usual circular route, but instead of coming back inside I go around two more times. The comfortable ride settles him down for a while.

After we come in Logan sits in his bouncy seat while I quickly make a cake that I have been wanting to make for a few days. 

7:15 I strip Logan down to his diaper and swaddle him tightly. My little glow worm and I go into the kitchen, and I wash his head and neck. He absolutely hates taking a bath. (sad face, right?) So we stretch baths out a little more by giving his head a good wash in between. He isn't a fan of that either, but it isn't nearly traumatic as an actual bath.

After his head is dry and he has regained his composure, I change diaper #12 and put Logan into his jammies for the night.

There is that cute little deer again!

7:35 Logan and I settle in for his night time feeding. After only ten minutes he is completely zonked! He doesn't rouse at all as I carefully put him in his crib and cover him up. Goodnight little man!

10 minutes later... he is back awake!

I change his diaper, and nurse again. 30 minutes this time, that's more like it!

Goodnight little man!

8:33 Logan is sleeping soundly again. Now is as good of a time as any to start my load of diaper laundry. I will do the final rinse and hang them on the line in the morning. Oh, hello load of laundry I started at 4:30! Into the dryer you go!

8:55 Guess who is awake again!? I change yet another diaper (#14 for those of you keeping track) while Little Man smirks at me sleepily. He seriously makes the cutest faces.

A little snack to top off and ease him back to sleep. 

Goodnight little man!

After I add the finishing touches to this post I will take a quick shower and read until Matt gets home. 

I won't lie, I will probably eat with him then too. I know it isn't good, but neither is letting someone eat alone!

Today was a pretty good day for us! We had a little fussiness, but being a baby is hard!

As you can see he eats just about every hour, but it is an easy trade off for him sleeping 9-10 hour stretches at night!

I have enjoyed chronicling our simple day. I can see myself doing this again in the future!

Confessions of a New Mom

Big Hands

• In the middle of the night when Logan wakes up, I stumble into his room, change his diaper, then sit down to feed him. It is at this point that I realize just how bad I need to tinkle, but then I am stuck! Every night I have to use my mental powers to control myself until he is done eating and back in bed. Maybe one night I will remember to go first!

• I have not been doing the best job of eating like a breastfeeding Mama should. Last night I got in the kitchen and threw together a nice little supper for myself! Sauteed bell pepper and onions, then added in some tomato chunks. Over that I poured whisked egg, then added some cheese. I put it all onto a whole wheat tortilla, and had myself a breakfast burrito for supper!

•  Back before Logan was born and I was building my diaper stash, I bought a package of micro-fiber towel in the auto section at Wal-Mart to use as nighttime doublers. They were MUCH cheaper than buying something that was made for that purpose, and they will do the same thing. However, so far the only one using them for nighttime doubling is ME! They work great in my bra! He eats ever 1-2 hours during the day, then at night he sleeps about six hours, leaving my body very confused!

• I think my husband believes the paci has magical powers. If Logan is crying and he is full and dry, Matt immediately starts asking, "Where is the paci!?" Sometimes Logan will take it, but more often than not he will gag like you just put the most terrible thing in the world in his mouth. 

• A few days ago I was reading through old posts on my sister's blog, and it made me excited about the future. I am looking forward to being able to share cute things Logan says and does. At the same time, I am cherishing these sweet baby days.

• I started this post yesterday morning... and I just now finished...

*all pictures are from my phone. wahmp-wahmp.