Valentine' Decor

I have always loved (read been obsessed with) holidays, but since having a baby, it's increased ten fold! My parents always made the holidays so special for us kids (who am I kidding, they still do!) and I want to do the same for my children. Here are a few pictures of our valentines decor, and where I got it all from.

The two banners came from the Target dollar rack- Love! So did the heart and love wreath above the fireplace, the wood blocks on the fireplace, and the XOXO and LOVE glitter letters on the piano (hidden by the gifts). The printables come from
http://libby-bonjour.blogspot.com/2011/01/photobucket_26.html
And
http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/p/subway-art-collection.html
Printables are such an easy way to decorate for any given holiday or season! I p,an on filling the white frame on our mantle with a printable for every holiday or season from here on out. Cheap to do, and oh so festive!

I have always loved (read been obsessed with) holidays, but since having a baby, it's increased ten fold! My parents always made the holidays so special for us kids (who am I kidding, they still do!) and I want to do the same for my children. Here are a few pictures of our valentines decor, and where I got it all from.

The two banners came from the Target dollar rack- Love! So did the heart and love wreath above the fireplace, the wood blocks on the fireplace, and the XOXO and LOVE glitter letters on the piano (hidden by the gifts). The printables come from
http://libby-bonjour.blogspot.com/2011/01/photobucket_26.html
And
http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/p/subway-art-collection.html
Printables are such an easy way to decorate for any given holiday or season! I p,an on filling the white frame on our mantle with a printable for every holiday or season from here on out. Cheap to do, and oh so festive!

Baby Girl's Baptism

This past weekend we celebrated Kendall's baptism with family and close friends. We had an amazing day with perfect weather and a fun little party afterwards. Kmwas a great baby during her baptism and blessing, and slept through most of her party... Maybe she won't be a party animal after all ;)
Kendall's baptism dress was made using my mom's wedding gown- such an awesome idea and it turned out beautifully! Her adorable bib is from her Nonni (D's mom) and came all the way from Italy. It was the perfect compliment to her baptisimal gown.

This past weekend we celebrated Kendall's baptism with family and close friends. We had an amazing day with perfect weather and a fun little party afterwards. Kmwas a great baby during her baptism and blessing, and slept through most of her party... Maybe she won't be a party animal after all ;)
Kendall's baptism dress was made using my mom's wedding gown- such an awesome idea and it turned out beautifully! Her adorable bib is from her Nonni (D's mom) and came all the way from Italy. It was the perfect compliment to her baptisimal gown.

Breast Feeding Essentials

I'm not going to sugar coat it- breast feeding is hard! Like really, freaking hard. I did the whole breast feeding class thing, and it was is still hard. However, I will also tell you, that just when you think it could get any worse harder, it gets better. And easier. And more convenient. This is a list of my nursing/breast feeding essentials that I wish someone had told me about earlier on.

Nursing Bras - I bought waaaay too many nursing bras before settling on these little gems. I am not busty by any means, but after my milk came in, I felt like I had softballs attached to my chest where my A/B cups used to be! These bras offer support, while still being comfortable, and I find it much easier to nurse Kendall without the bra flap getting in the way (the ones that fold down always seemed to be hitting her in the face).

Boppy Pillow - an absolute must have during the first few months of nursing! I took this bad boy with me down to the NICU while we were still in the hospital, and trucked it around with me once we got home as well. It really helped me to keep Kendall supported during her feedings, and also kept me from getting hundreds of knots in my back and shoulders. Now that she is older, K uses it to sit up in, lounge on, etc. Plus, the prints are all totally adorbs! You can find lots of custom covers on Etsy too!

Lanolin - (excuse my language in advance) this shits expensive, but it will SAVE your nipples! I lathered this stuff on before and after every feeding early on, and it made a huge difference! Best part is, it's totally safe for baby, so you dont have to worry about wiping it off (that will be the last thing on your mind anyways). Make sure you have at least one or two tubes of it! Word to the wise, dont let it get too cold, because this makes it sooo difficult to get out. It's super thick, and if it isnt a little warm (I used to put it under my arm pit), its a pain in the ass to get out.

Shield - this was something that suprisingly enough was given to me by my lactation consultant in the hospital. She was worried that between Kendall breast feeding, being given a pacifier in the NICU, and a few (read 3) bottles of formula in the NICU, she might have nipple confusion, so she gave me a nipple shield. Even after we had a great latch down, and a good system, I still used this bad boy. The first few weeks of nursing are hell on your nipples. I found that by using this at the begining of the feeding, I could take it off a few minutes it, and it helped to ease the initial pain. After a few weeks, I didnt need them, but they were AMAZING the first few weeks.

Breast Pump - I started using this about two weeks in. By that time, K's sleep schedule (bless her heart) was on a pretty good routine, so I was able to pump in the morning before she got up for the day. This not only helped me build my frozen stash, but also helped me keep my supply up once she started sleeping through the night. It was important to me that I bought a great pump early on, because now that I am back to work, I pump at least twice a day, and so far, I have been able to keep my supply up with her demand even though she is getting bottles a few times a day. It also has been great to have the frozen stash for when D and I want to go out to dinner, to a movie, etc. I know I always have milk in the freezer for the little piglet.

Bottles - we chose to go with Dr Brown's bottles, primarily because a friend/co worker gave me a bunch of unused bottles and parts she had left over. Major score, because like all baby products, the cost of these adds up. Dr Brown's bottles are recommended for colicky babies, which was never an issue for us, but better to be safe than sorry! If you are going to use these bottles, make sure you have a dishwasher basket, because washing all the parts gets uber annoying after the 500th time.

Other essentials - Cute burp cloths (for out in public), the burp cloths that actually work, Snacks, staying hydrated

Hope this list helps! Like I said before, breast feeding is hard (and hurts!) but is totally worth it! Not only for bonding between mommy and baby, but for the immunities baby gets, and the post baby weight it helps you loose! I will always remember being 6 weeks post partum, feeding K while watching D do Insanity, and laughing in my head thinking that I was burning more calories by feeding her than he was burning working and sweating his ass off!

I'm not going to sugar coat it- breast feeding is hard! Like really, freaking hard. I did the whole breast feeding class thing, and it was is still hard. However, I will also tell you, that just when you think it could get any worse harder, it gets better. And easier. And more convenient. This is a list of my nursing/breast feeding essentials that I wish someone had told me about earlier on.

Nursing Bras - I bought waaaay too many nursing bras before settling on these little gems. I am not busty by any means, but after my milk came in, I felt like I had softballs attached to my chest where my A/B cups used to be! These bras offer support, while still being comfortable, and I find it much easier to nurse Kendall without the bra flap getting in the way (the ones that fold down always seemed to be hitting her in the face).

Boppy Pillow - an absolute must have during the first few months of nursing! I took this bad boy with me down to the NICU while we were still in the hospital, and trucked it around with me once we got home as well. It really helped me to keep Kendall supported during her feedings, and also kept me from getting hundreds of knots in my back and shoulders. Now that she is older, K uses it to sit up in, lounge on, etc. Plus, the prints are all totally adorbs! You can find lots of custom covers on Etsy too!

Lanolin - (excuse my language in advance) this shits expensive, but it will SAVE your nipples! I lathered this stuff on before and after every feeding early on, and it made a huge difference! Best part is, it's totally safe for baby, so you dont have to worry about wiping it off (that will be the last thing on your mind anyways). Make sure you have at least one or two tubes of it! Word to the wise, dont let it get too cold, because this makes it sooo difficult to get out. It's super thick, and if it isnt a little warm (I used to put it under my arm pit), its a pain in the ass to get out.

Shield - this was something that suprisingly enough was given to me by my lactation consultant in the hospital. She was worried that between Kendall breast feeding, being given a pacifier in the NICU, and a few (read 3) bottles of formula in the NICU, she might have nipple confusion, so she gave me a nipple shield. Even after we had a great latch down, and a good system, I still used this bad boy. The first few weeks of nursing are hell on your nipples. I found that by using this at the begining of the feeding, I could take it off a few minutes it, and it helped to ease the initial pain. After a few weeks, I didnt need them, but they were AMAZING the first few weeks.

Breast Pump - I started using this about two weeks in. By that time, K's sleep schedule (bless her heart) was on a pretty good routine, so I was able to pump in the morning before she got up for the day. This not only helped me build my frozen stash, but also helped me keep my supply up once she started sleeping through the night. It was important to me that I bought a great pump early on, because now that I am back to work, I pump at least twice a day, and so far, I have been able to keep my supply up with her demand even though she is getting bottles a few times a day. It also has been great to have the frozen stash for when D and I want to go out to dinner, to a movie, etc. I know I always have milk in the freezer for the little piglet.

Bottles - we chose to go with Dr Brown's bottles, primarily because a friend/co worker gave me a bunch of unused bottles and parts she had left over. Major score, because like all baby products, the cost of these adds up. Dr Brown's bottles are recommended for colicky babies, which was never an issue for us, but better to be safe than sorry! If you are going to use these bottles, make sure you have a dishwasher basket, because washing all the parts gets uber annoying after the 500th time.

Other essentials - Cute burp cloths (for out in public), the burp cloths that actually work, Snacks, staying hydrated

Hope this list helps! Like I said before, breast feeding is hard (and hurts!) but is totally worth it! Not only for bonding between mommy and baby, but for the immunities baby gets, and the post baby weight it helps you loose! I will always remember being 6 weeks post partum, feeding K while watching D do Insanity, and laughing in my head thinking that I was burning more calories by feeding her than he was burning working and sweating his ass off!

Paybacks a .....

So remember those first three months Of Kendall's life when we talked (bragged) about what a great sleeper she was? How our little angel slept 6,7,8 then 12 hours through the night? Those days seem like a distant memory! Our wonderful sleeper decided to turn the tables on us (we got it Universe! Lesson learned!) and has been waking up anywhere from 7-20 (no joke) times a night. Every now and then we get a night like we used to, and those are the nights we long for. Part of its our fault- we became a paci crazed family, and in turn kinda sorta maybe created a paci monster out of our sweet baby girl. Any time she semi wakes during the night she is screaming out for it until one of us half walks, half sleep stumbles in there to plug her back up. Our princepessa as my MUL has named her, has become our prince-painintheass-a.
We will probably have a rough few nights ahead of us. I'm going back to work next week and need my sleep, so for the next few nights we are going to soothe her but not give in to the paci. We can do this (right?).

So remember those first three months Of Kendall's life when we talked (bragged) about what a great sleeper she was? How our little angel slept 6,7,8 then 12 hours through the night? Those days seem like a distant memory! Our wonderful sleeper decided to turn the tables on us (we got it Universe! Lesson learned!) and has been waking up anywhere from 7-20 (no joke) times a night. Every now and then we get a night like we used to, and those are the nights we long for. Part of its our fault- we became a paci crazed family, and in turn kinda sorta maybe created a paci monster out of our sweet baby girl. Any time she semi wakes during the night she is screaming out for it until one of us half walks, half sleep stumbles in there to plug her back up. Our princepessa as my MUL has named her, has become our prince-painintheass-a.
We will probably have a rough few nights ahead of us. I'm going back to work next week and need my sleep, so for the next few nights we are going to soothe her but not give in to the paci. We can do this (right?).

Life according to my iPhone pictures

We have had lots and lots going on the last few weeks what with looking at new houses (yes, we are looking to get in to a bigger house!), watching the 49ers win their division and clinch a spot in the superbowl (GO NINERS!), planning Kendall's baptism, and me going back to work. Here are a few photos of what we have been up to lately!

can you tell this is a 49er house?

she loves to play airplane

whatchyou lookin' at?

getting ready for her baptism

We have had lots and lots going on the last few weeks what with looking at new houses (yes, we are looking to get in to a bigger house!), watching the 49ers win their division and clinch a spot in the superbowl (GO NINERS!), planning Kendall's baptism, and me going back to work. Here are a few photos of what we have been up to lately!

can you tell this is a 49er house?

she loves to play airplane

whatchyou lookin' at?

getting ready for her baptism

Back to work I go

This past week I returned to work, and I must say, leaving Kendall was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am lucky though to work for an amazing company that has allowed me to return to work part time for the first month (it's called "phase back") - basically, I work three days a week for four weeks, and then after my four weeks are up, I return to work full time. It has been an easier transition than I thought, being that I went back to work on January 23rd (wednesday), used vacation days for that thursday and friday, and then have been doing home study this week to learn about my company's new product that was released while I was on leave. Kendall, aka babycakes aka Kendzy Cakes, has done better than expected with the transition as well. We are VERY LUCKY to have a wonderful family friend that is "nanny-ing" for us, and comes to our home to watch Kendall. They have a great time together, going on walks, reading books, doing tummy time and mat play. I say it has been an easy transition, but who knows how I will feel when I am really and truely back in the field, gone for 8 hours a day. That is something this momma is not looking forward to!

This past week I returned to work, and I must say, leaving Kendall was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am lucky though to work for an amazing company that has allowed me to return to work part time for the first month (it's called "phase back") - basically, I work three days a week for four weeks, and then after my four weeks are up, I return to work full time. It has been an easier transition than I thought, being that I went back to work on January 23rd (wednesday), used vacation days for that thursday and friday, and then have been doing home study this week to learn about my company's new product that was released while I was on leave. Kendall, aka babycakes aka Kendzy Cakes, has done better than expected with the transition as well. We are VERY LUCKY to have a wonderful family friend that is "nanny-ing" for us, and comes to our home to watch Kendall. They have a great time together, going on walks, reading books, doing tummy time and mat play. I say it has been an easy transition, but who knows how I will feel when I am really and truely back in the field, gone for 8 hours a day. That is something this momma is not looking forward to!

3 Month Update

...wait! When did that happen? My baby girl is already 3 months old! I know "they" always said the time flies, but it really does. Kendall is 15 1/2 weeks old and such a fun baby. For the most part, she is easy going, and loves to sit and look up at mommy and daddy (or whomever is holding her!). Don't get me wrong, she has her fussy moments, but over all, she is such a happy baby girl. Here are a few updates on our baby cakes...

• She rolled over! On Sunday morning, I had her on her play mat, looked down, and she just did it! I'm pretty sure I scared David half to death with my "OMGosh" shriek, but he was able to come in the room and see her do it a second and third time (caught this one on camera). Later that same day, I had her on her playmat again (hard work, I know), and with the aide of a toy in her line of vision, got her to roll the other way too. Watch our world! We have a roller :)
• Sits in her bumbo chair. I don't let her do too much of this, but I will put her in the bumbo chair every few days, for a few minutes, fully supervised. I think it is good for her to get the feel of sitting up, but know she still isnt fully ready for it.

• Can now sit in the main part of her stroller. No more bassinet or car seat adapter needed! We love our UppaBabyVista and I am so happy that I can now use it to its full advantage! The main seat is AMAZING. I am able to have it face me, put the kick tray up, lay it back, etc. So many options.
• Uses her hands to grasp things. Kendall is grabbing things more and more. She has taken a liking to her hands (borderline obsession), so rather than taking them out of her mouth every 5 seconds, we gave her a Sophie toy (thanks Nonni and Papa!) and she has been gnawing on that. She still loves her pacis, but this is good for her hand/eye coordination.

• Sleeps in her crib at night. Kendall has always napped in her crib, but after the new year, we decided it was time to move her in to her crib. It has only been a few nights, but so far the transition has gone pretty well. We also moved her bedtime up from 8pm to about 7:20pm, so that has been a transition as well. All in preperation for when I have to go back to work in a few weeks (boo!)





I have totally been lagging in a christmas post! It will be up soon, promise! 

...wait! When did that happen? My baby girl is already 3 months old! I know "they" always said the time flies, but it really does. Kendall is 15 1/2 weeks old and such a fun baby. For the most part, she is easy going, and loves to sit and look up at mommy and daddy (or whomever is holding her!). Don't get me wrong, she has her fussy moments, but over all, she is such a happy baby girl. Here are a few updates on our baby cakes...

• She rolled over! On Sunday morning, I had her on her play mat, looked down, and she just did it! I'm pretty sure I scared David half to death with my "OMGosh" shriek, but he was able to come in the room and see her do it a second and third time (caught this one on camera). Later that same day, I had her on her playmat again (hard work, I know), and with the aide of a toy in her line of vision, got her to roll the other way too. Watch our world! We have a roller :)
• Sits in her bumbo chair. I don't let her do too much of this, but I will put her in the bumbo chair every few days, for a few minutes, fully supervised. I think it is good for her to get the feel of sitting up, but know she still isnt fully ready for it.

• Can now sit in the main part of her stroller. No more bassinet or car seat adapter needed! We love our UppaBabyVista and I am so happy that I can now use it to its full advantage! The main seat is AMAZING. I am able to have it face me, put the kick tray up, lay it back, etc. So many options.
• Uses her hands to grasp things. Kendall is grabbing things more and more. She has taken a liking to her hands (borderline obsession), so rather than taking them out of her mouth every 5 seconds, we gave her a Sophie toy (thanks Nonni and Papa!) and she has been gnawing on that. She still loves her pacis, but this is good for her hand/eye coordination.

• Sleeps in her crib at night. Kendall has always napped in her crib, but after the new year, we decided it was time to move her in to her crib. It has only been a few nights, but so far the transition has gone pretty well. We also moved her bedtime up from 8pm to about 7:20pm, so that has been a transition as well. All in preperation for when I have to go back to work in a few weeks (boo!)





I have totally been lagging in a christmas post! It will be up soon, promise!