Nash is 3 Months Old!

Hard to believe it's already been a quarter of a a year since Baby Nash joined our family.  He is the joy of our lives.
My accountant told me that he couldn't remember his life before his children were born and I asked how long he had been married before; 6 years!  I thought to myself, how can you forget the first 6 years you were married to someone?  Now, I can understand.  It seems strange that Nash has just recently become apart of our life.  It's as though life only began once he emerged into the world.
He is growing like a weed and everyday there is a new cute thing he does. So here is this month's list of things I love about this little guy:
1. He started to giggle! It started out just in his sleep, which was darling, but now he will giggle when we giggle.
2. He loves to smile at that super handsome boy in the mirror.
3. 8 PM Bedtime, that he made for himself. That's right folks, he made this time.
4. Getting a diaper change is the highlight of his day.
5. Sleeping preference: hand in cleavage.
6. He discovered his tongue.
7. Chubby leg rolls.

Nash's Baby Dedication

Today, we had Nash's baby dedication.
First off, he looked so dang cute.  It was a really special day for our little family.  I have thought about our baby's dedication long before we decided to start having kids.  It's a very important step as a couple, parents, and a family.
A baby dedication's purpose to is to honor and acknowledge that "our children are a trust from the Lord. Children are given in love from the Lord, always belong to Him and are to be nurtured in their love and knowledge of Him. For this reason we as parents dedicate ourselves to love and disciple our children to follow our Lord Jesus and dedicate our children to Him who has entrusted them to us."
We also commit to showing Nash a Godly marriage and providing him with a home full of love.  
These are two very tall orders, but just as we promised before loved ones and God that we would always love, honor and cherish one another; we promised to love, honor and cherish our new son and raise him in the ways of the Lord.

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by our family and friends and take this step to mature Nash's spirituality together.  We thank God every day for the blessing of this baby boy.

A Girl Has Needs

Before I became a parent I took very good care of myself. Regular hair appointments, pedicures, new clothes, nails, perfume, regular exercise.............you get the picture.

However, with the birth of my wonderful son, you could say that I let myself slip a little. In fact, I didn't wear a stitch of makeup until he was 6 weeks old.

Yesterday, I got a pedicure with my darling 10 month pregnant girlfriend. I left the nail salon with a glowing smile, coral pink toes, and perfectly manicured cuticles. It felt FABULOUS! I came home and put on some earrings. Then I thought "Why not?!" and I spritzed some of my favorite perfume, put on a nice blouse and for a moment was released from the world of spit up and dirty diapers. I felt like a woman W-O-M-A-N! Therefore, I have complied a list of what every girl needs, whether she is single, married, mom, or empty nester.

1. A pedicure in the summer time

2. A perfume that fits you so well, it doesn't really smell like perfume. (If you don't know what I am talking about, please head to the nearest Nordstrom and begin spritzing yourself with fragrance to find out what I mean.)

3. A blouse that makes you feel amazing, even if you still wear maternity pants.

4. An Ipod loaded with songs that makes you want to twirl about.

5. At least one pair of Fan-freaking-tastic earrings, or a bracelet or a necklace.

6. Mascara that makes your eyelashes look, at least, 3 times as long as they really are.

And last, but probably the most important, a place to walk into with your head held high and a sass in your step that says "Of course you can check me out. I am sexy, smart and incredible."

My place happened to be Wal-Mart because I was out of diapers, but hey I am pretty sure Trevor the Checker appreciated a beautiful woman at his checkstand.

And the Nicknames Are Here

Isaac and I have lovingly nicknamed each other and Nash. This actually did not just happen. This has been going on since we found out we were pregnant. Isaac is Baby Daddy (very high class) and I am Lil' Momma. I am assuming Isaac dubbed me this because I am a small person. Little did he know the whale I would become from all the water retention, thankfully he didn't nickname me at the end of my pregnancy.

Anyway.

Our handsome little Nash is The Boy. I know, it's super original. I think that Isaac came up with this and began calling him The Boy as soon as we found out, that indeed, he was a boy.

In the beginning, he was The Bean. Now, The Boy.

So, there you have it Baby Daddy, Lil Momma and The Boy................Ironically, Tia isn't The Dog, she is Pup Pup.

Nash is 2 months old!

Nash is now 2 months old and time is flying by. We are enjoying each new phase and seeing Nash grow and explore his new world. Here are a few of my favorites from this last month.

1. The smile is finally here!
2. He is a very dramatic sneezer. AHHHHHHOHHHHHH Acho!
3. He is a morning person

4. The fan! He loves the ceiling fan that goes round and round

5. Coos and little giggles

6. Those legs can kick, kick, kick super fast

7. He is on a schedule! He eats at 7, 10, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 4 am for a late night snack.

His Stats: 11 lbs 8 oz, 22.5 inches

The Breast Pump: Friend or Foe?

So, I am breast feeding Nash. This was a significant struggle in the beginning. I felt super prepared for birth, thanks to my Hypnobabies class, however no one thought to fill me in on what I was in for with breastfeeding.

One thing that I purchased was a Avent Duo Electric Breast Pump to help bring my milk in and since I plan to return to work before I wean my kid, this would be a necessary item.

The first time I pumped I thought to myself "Well if I didn't feel like a feeding machine before, I definitely feel like heifer now." This thing is a double pump so you attach it to both boobs and it tries to, not just retrieve your milk, but suck the ever living life out of you. I am pretty sure a breast pump could suck milk from anything with nipples, not just a lactating mother.

Now, after a few weeks of nursing, I feel as though I have the hang of it. I actually (GASP) enjoy it. Even though I thought every mother who said she enjoyed breastfeeding was the most delusional liar I had ever met. However, pumping was still a loathsome task. It just flat out hurt and felt a little degrading. I know every mother who does pump will say "Just think of your baby." Well, all I could think of was "OMG it's only been 1 minute and 38 seconds?!" So here are a few tips that I have found to make pumping bearable:

1. Use a little olive oil on your nips before you put the suckers on. Two reasons why this is effective; A. Your baby doesn't have a dry mouth, it's full of natural lube to make nursing easier B. Olive oil is a natural healing oil and will help with chaps nips.

2. Turn on the TV. I like to watch Food Network and by the time the host is on to the second dish, I am finished and have two full bottles.

3. RELAX. This is probably the most important, but tips one and two help me achieve this.

Now, that I have found the secret recipe for pleasant pumping, I can pump once or twice a day without any hesitation or the butt cringe of "OMG NOT AGAIN!!"

So, in answer to my original question Friend or Foe, for me, it's a love hate relationship. It allows for me to not have to be available to nurse (fun for a night out, not fun for a way to go back to work) It allows Baby Daddy some bonding time. It takes time away from doing something else because I have to do this.

I guess I am grateful that I have the option. So, today, it's a friend. But ask me again tomorrow, I may have a different answer.

Nash's Nursery

I had every intention of having Nash's nursery all ready for him by June 17. However, he had other plans of arriving 3 and 1/2 weeks early, so I didn't exactly get it all completed in the time I wanted to.

Now, two months later it is all complete! And I have to say, it is freakin' cute.

Sometimes, I surprise myself with my sense of style and design.

First, I started with the great colors of blue, green and orange. Then I found this fantastic fabric that had all these cute owls on it and thought that would be a really fun nursery. I really didn't know that owls were all the rage. I am sure that everyone copied me though and I was the first one to think of the owl theme. With those fabrics my very talented grandmother hand quilted his darling quilt. I mean seriously, hand stitched every inch of it and I love that he doesn't have bed in a bag bedding like most other babies.

I am so glad we bought the crib first and that the rest of the motif happened to look fantastic with it. Isaac refinished his dresser that his dad had made for him when he was born 25 years ago. I was a little skeptical at how it would look, but after a lot of hours and love, it turned out really cute.

The art work my grammy made for him. We saw these really fabulous prints on Etsy that she used as inspiration and created these wonderful mixed media pieces for his room. So darling.

I had purchased a changing table and then thought that it was a stupid piece of furniture. I mean, he would use it a maximum of 3 years. I figure after a few months we will change a diaper anywhere we need to, so really, how much use was it going to get? Then I had the brilliant idea of this bookcase from Ikea. Super cute and versatile, I could use it for a changing table, storage, decor (because of the darling green storage bins) and once he is out of diapers, it will still get a lot of use. Sometimes my genius is astounding.

The large tree with the two little owls is a decal, believe it or not! My co-workers from my last job purchased it for me as a shower gift. I am so grateful because it was more $$$ than I wanted to spend, but it was just SO perfect.

The little decor items have a story too. The fabulous orange tree on his dresser his Auntie Shante (she is one of my dearest friends) found it for his baby shower. I begged her to give it to me until she finally gave in and did! She also was kind enough to set up a lot of Nash's room while I was in the hospital birthing him. Aren't great friends worth a million?! Anyway, the little owl that is in the tree is from his Great Grandma who hand made it along with the darling owl hat. The owl hat he wore in his first photos that turned out darling.

Finally, the mobile. My mom and I had this great idea to make this mobile we saw on Etsy. We just finished it two weeks ago. Still haven't hung it yet, but as soon as he is in his crib, it will be hung.

Well, I would love to know what everyone thinks of the room.