Favorite Things/Must Haves!

Opinions are like bellybuttons - everyone has one. That being said, here are the things that (in my opinion) have been great for us these past 3 months. I realize that each baby and each family is different so what worked for me might send your child into the demon spawn screaming fit that we all try to avoid. However, since my belly button is still in recovery, I am sharing my opinion.

Nursing Tanks - I pretty much live in these!
Swaddleme’s - I was hesitant at first - Cole is a big fan of his hands. I tried it one night and he slept straight through for almost 12 hours. He has been swaddled and sleeping ever since!
Dr. Brown’s bottles - These are the best! We have had no problems with gas or colic. They are a bit of a pain to clean because of all the parts but its worth it.
A good pump - It's a must if you have trouble BFing in the beginning like we did. It's also a must if you plan on still providing breast milk after going back to work. If you're going to be using it as often as I use mine, make sure you get a good one. I've got the Ameda Purely Yours Deluxe and it's great!
Dishwasher baskets - for those nights when I just don't have the energy to wash all of the bottles
Microwave steam bags - love them! For those nights when running the dishwasher is not an option.
Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle n Swing - Cole loves this thing! He naps in it and is perfectly content to play or just chill in it. There is a mirror on the mobile part and he thinks the baby in that mirror is hysterical!
Baby Legs! - there is more to come on this new and wonderful find
Receiving blankets - you just can't have enough. I use them to swaddle, as blankets, as spit rags, as a spare cape when I'm playing supermom, as sun shields & rain guards... they are wonderful.
Avent pacifiers - Cole did not like the Soothies - they covered his whole face and kept hitting his nose - not a fan. The Avent pacifiers seemed to be the only ones he could keep in his mouth.

So there you have it. I'm sure there are things that I have forgotten but what's new!

First day back...

Well, it’s here… my first day back to work. It has helped that it’s at the beginning of the month because as long as it was October, November seemed like a ways off. But now we are here and I am slightly heartbroken. I know that I need to go back to work for Cole and for Wyatt and for myself – we wouldn’t be able to manage if I didn’t go back… I still don’t want to though. I feel as comfortable with his daycare plan as a mother can feel – he will be with Wyatt or Wyatt’s mom on Mondays (depending on Wyatt’s schedule), Daycare on Tuesdays & Thursdays, with my mom on Wednesdays, and then home with me on Fridays. He’s not actually starting daycare for another 2 weeks – he’ll be home hanging with his daddy those days. I have just grown so accustom to being the one to give him food when he’s hungry, giggles when he’s funny, hugs and kisses when he’s precious, and all the love I have when he’s upset. In my head I know that Wyatt, my family, his family, and the daycare are all perfectly capable and willing to give him all of these things… it’s just the convincing my heart that is the hard part. My heart thinks that he’s going to cry and wonder where his mommy is because she’s supposed to fix everything. I know this sounds super selfish and conceited - like I am the only one able to provide for him. I think it’s just a natural feeling for a mom leaving her baby for the first time.
Now, having completed my first day, I can say that it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I dropped Cole off at my mom’s this morning and he hung out with his Aunt Peedie until lunchtime. I was able to swing by at lunch to feed him and love on him. Wyatt got there around the same time and took him home for the rest of the day. It was a great thing for Cole to be able to spend some time with Wyatt alone. When I’m home it’s just too easy for me to grab him up when he cries rather than let Wyatt work it out. This has been a learning experience for all 3 of us. Wyatt is an amazing father and his son truly loves him. It’s a joy to see.

Delicious Cookie Dough

No words needed.

Bring on the "Treaters"

I love Halloween! Our neighborhood always has a bunch of trick-or-treaters which makes me so happy. We decked Cole out in a homemade "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough" outfit. My sister and I were Chocolate Chip "Shooshies" (i.e. chocolate chip cookies) when we were younger so I thought Cole should follow in the tradition. I think he makes a wonderful ball of cookie dough, don't you? We had a great time handing out candy and hanging out with both sets of grandparents. Puddin' even made an appearance in his ghost costume (candy bag and all)!!
We hope you all had a wonderful Halloween.

Happy Halloween!!

Cole's 1st Halloween. His outfit says, "I want my mummy"























This was our photo attempt before he ate...























This was our attempt after he ate... lol

Cole's 1st piece of mail!

Cole received his first piece of mail today! It was his Social Security Card - he's a real human now!! :)

The Pumpkin Patch

We took Cole to pick out Pumpkins at the Farmers Market. How cute is he in his jacket that is still a little too big??

My guys - hanging out

The cutest napper!!

Is he not the cutest napper you've ever seen??

We're still here!!

Sorry, I've fallen off the blog wagon again. It's Cole's fault. He's just so dang cute - I can't do anything but snuggle him. My heart is starting to break just a little bit knowing that my Maternity Leave is almost up. I can't talk about that yet and I'm doing my best not to think about it so I will leave you with a few photos of my guys...