{8} Month Baby Update

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I am so glad Aaron turned 8 months old just a day before Christmas because I LOVE this age. He is so active and aware of everything. I have not enjoyed the holidays this much since I was little! Having a child during the holiday season means reliving all of the Christmas traditions like buying him his own ornament, Christmas pijamas, visiting Santa, tree lightings, parades, going on drives to see the lights AND  I can shamelessly sing Christmas songs anywhere:)                                                                                                                                                      

This month has been a rollercoaster for us. On one hand, his eating is very hit and miss (scary at times), he started wearing a head band to help with his head flattening due to sleeping at an angle his whole life, and we found out he has to have another surgery and an MRI which he needs to be on anesthesia to have :( On the other hand, Aaron is a happy, amazing baby and a joy to to see growing. He overcomes obstacles on the daily with a huge smile on his face. Thank God for that because it gives me the strength to keep going!

Weight -  16.11 pounds - the doctor said he is finally chubby!!! He is outgrowing his 6 month clothes now, and starting to wear 9 months.

Aaron's Schedule- 

I call Aaron my pint sized boss because he is always changing the schedule! Just when I think I have it down, he decides he no longer wants to nap or eat at that time. But as of late he...

6:00 am - Wake up

7:00 am - Bottle and attempt solids(Oatmeal and fruit)

8:00 am- Change and get ready for the day/play/look at his fish

9:45 am - Bottle/Nap time

11:00 am - Wake up/play

12:00 pm - Bottle and attempt lunch w/ mom and dad (vegetables/ teething biscuit)

1:00 pm - Run errands

3:00 pm ish Bottle (Might power nap)

4:00 pm - Play

5:00 pm - Nap 

6:00 pm -Attempt Dinner w/ Mom and Dad

6:30 ish - Bottle

7:00 pm - Play w/ Dad

7:45 pm - Bathtime/Brush Teeth/ Books

8:15 pm - Sleep!

New Foods/Solids - 

Eating solids, and even bottle drinking, has slowed down this month after a few choking episodes. He has gone back too eating very little. Thank God for his g-tube, I can still make sure he gets enough to grow and gain weight. A few days ago he had a very scary choking incident, so we have been working hard with his eating and swallowing therapist to get him to eat again. This has to be one of the hardest things to deal with as a mom. Every so often he still really enjoys sweet peas :)

                                                                                                                                                                            

New Discoveries/Accomplishments- 

-Shakes his head "no"

-Waves Bye and gives high fives (Sometimes)

-Cries when I'm out of sight or Dad leaves - decided to develop stranger anxiety the day I started work - broke my heart to pieces!

-Stands with support

-Scoots on his butt to get around

-Tries to stand up in his crib

A few pictures from this month...

First time he tried to pull himself up... and out of the crib!       

Grocery shopping with mommy <3

Ready for the Christmas tree lighting at the Temecula Duck Pond

Here he started at the boppy, and made his way over to put his feet up on the wall!

Thank you so much for reading and Merry Christmas!

Fall Staples

Hi guys! Sorry I have been neglecting the blog a bit! Life has been hectic lately with too many Dr. appointments and a new quarter began for me in school! But now that my first big assignment is out of the way, and Aaron is napping, I have some time to blog!

Anyways, it has just started to cool down in sunny California! Barely - but STILL! On the very first cloudy and rainy day we had, I predictably reached for my MAC Rebel lipstick. This got me thinking about the fact that every fall I reach for some staple beauty and fashion items, and I thought I would share :)

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark 

I have purchased about 3 bottles of this cult favorite nail polish over the last 7 years. Yes, 7 years - I feel old. Anyways this gorgeous almost black, purple creme polish works for any occasion, any skin tone, and looks great with the dark lips trend this fall season!

MAC Rebel & NARS Ingrid

   

These have not been a staple as long as some of the other products I am mentioning, because I just got the courage to rock dark lips last fall. BUT once I did, I could not get enough of MAC's berry colored lipstick in Rebel. This year NARS released the Audacious Lipstick line, and Ingrid is becoming a fast favorite! Although they look similar in the tube and both have a satin finish, Ingrid is more of a burgundy color and slightly darker. I like that both of these can be sheared out, or built up!

Fashion Staples 

In the fall I tend to live in a variation of any of the following pieces:

Black Leggings - I try to invest in a few nice thick pair of leggings (maybe stuck from my college days). They are oh so comfortable and can be dressed up or down!

PLAID & STRIPES - Plaid is a no brainer for the fall season, it just screams fall to me. Cliche'? Maybe! And stripes, I just love stripes, especially in a comfy loose fitting t shirt, with dark jeans, camel colored boots, a cardigan, and  red lipstick!

Boots - I have boots in just about every color, but my ultimate favorite boot color is camel. This year I picked up some camel colored  booties like the ones pictured above at Target for a very reasonable price and I can not wait to wear them!

Scarves - are my thang! I love them. I feel like they make the outfit. My favorite type of scarf  for the last couple of years has been infinity style scarves. We will see how I manage to wear scarves now that I have a little guy tugging and pulling at me!

&

Starbuck's - There is something about that Red cup that gets me every year. It just screams fall, cozy, warm, holidays! My favorite fall/holiday drink is the Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte, and although they have the Soy Chai Latte all year long, I really only order it during the fall season. 

Thanks again for reading! & Let me know what your fall staples are - I would love to try some new things!

Happy {1/2} Birthday Little One! - 6 Month Mommy/Baby Update

      

Wow. I can not believe that my little guy is 6 months old! Or that I am now 25. TWENTY FIVE. Where has all the time gone? I was just 4 years old playing house, cooking dinner on my pretend kitchen set while holding my baby-doll, and talking on my Fisher Price house-phone (they existed back then) to my imaginary husband. And now well, I am 25 years old and I am no longer pretending. I am there! How awesome is it that I have become everything I dreamed of as a child?! VERY! This is so important to remember when I am ready to pull my hair out when Aaron decides to skip naps for a week straight! Yup a whole week! Speaking of my little pumpkin, he is growing so fast, learning so much,and developing new skills everyday. Six months is a very fun time, and I am looking forward to it only getting funner from here! Here is our 6 month update!

Weight - 14.2 pounds, he gained a pound! He is just about done wearing size 3-6 mo. and 6 mo. is fitting him perfectly! 

Aaron's Schedule- 

Has been all over the place for the last couple weeks, as we had a either a doctor's, physical therapy, or occupational therapy appointment pretty much every day. It is no wonder he went on strike with his naps! He doesn't have as many appointments for the next few weeks, so we should get back on track. I think if we hadn't kept his family dinner and bedtime routine the same he would have refused sleeping at night too - consistency is key with him! 

Fighting his nap!

Looking a bit nervous before his Dr. visit

Yeah yeah I'll nap, but first let me take a selfie!

New Foods/Solids - 

Aaron is not only eating an entire ounce more than he was last month - he is happily taking solids too! His favorites include apple and sweet potato! So far he has tried avocado, banana, rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, carrots, sweet peas, pears, apple, sweet potato, pumpkin, peaches, and prunes- all without any reactions! Daddy also handed him his first piece of bread today and he chomped/sucked away happily for 10 minutes! Seems baby led weaning may be the way to go with him! I'll keep you posted next month!

Loving his sweet peas - One step closer to removing his Mic-Key Button!

New Discoveries- 

Paper - apparently it is magical! He plays with his napkin at dinner, my grocery list at the store, the paper they pull out for him to lay on at the Dr.'s office (seriously considering buying a roll), the mail... just give him all the paper!

Accomplishments- SO many! It has been a great month! We started physical therapy this month as he lacks muscle tone due to the time he was in the hospital. Certain things are a little more challenging for him such as sitting, rolling over, and tummy time. In a matter of a week he has started to roll over, is sitting for longer periods of time, tolerates tummy time and even pushes up to his elbows. It was so disheartening to hear he would need physical therapy, but he is rocking it like the little champ he is!

-Eating solids
-No longer requires continuous feedings throughout the night and is taking everything except one meal by mouth!!!! AAAAAAAAAH! SO SO SO proud of my little boy!
-He is able to burp (children with fundoplications typically can't/shouldn't)
-Can feed himself!!!!!
-Changes the page when we read books - no joke!
- Can drink from a cup if needed, and is training on straws
- Plays Peek- a-boo

Mr. Independent 

First time drinking from a bottle!

Sitting for his physical therapist!

Wearing the sweater and hat Grandma made him!

Aaron's very first pumpkin patch!

Mommy Update -

• I mentioned that my milk supply was decreasing last month, I am happy to say that it is still going strong! Some days I have less than others but as long as I am consistent, drink a lot of water, and eat enough I am getting more than enough - I have quite the stash in the freezer just in case :)
• My hair is still falling out like crazy - help!
• Being new parents it is so easy to have our lives revolve around Aaron (and in many ways this is exactly as it should be), however we try to make time for ourselves and our relationship also. For example, if we can't go out we have date nights in. This month we had an Italian themed night after Aaron went to bed- complete with Antipasto, wine, and homemade pizza.This takes extra effort, but is so important! I feel that if we are happy and our relationship is strong, Aaron will be happy knowing his parents love each other and have an example of a healthy relationship. I want that for him. I also know that in the end Robert and I will always have eachother :) 
  
• Confesion- I call my mom EVERYDAY. On the tough days and the good days, to vent, to cry, for advice, to brag about Aaron's new skills, for everything! SO glad to have her!

Ok I'll end this now, I can ramble forever and I have a lot of homework! I am looking forward to another great month with my baby boy and family, and wish you ALL the same! Thank you all so much for reading and all of your support! I really appreciate having so many people care about Aaron, and to exchange ideas with! Love you all!

My Skin Care Routine

These days sleeping is a luxury I just can't afford. It's funny I spent my entire undergrad career sleeping 7- 10 hours per night, and STILL complained about how I couldn't wait for a break once I graduated. Well here I am graduated and sleeping 5 hours a night - if I am lucky! Now, caring for my son is well worth it, BUT it can take a pretty huge toll on my skin. I have never truly stuck to a skin regimen before, and have always struggled with dark puffy circles.  I have to give credit to the fact that my skin has been holding up pretty well, to the products below. I have been using them religiously for the past 4 months, and give them my mommy approval (of-course anyone can use them!)

Cleansers

No matter what I always start by removing my makeup with a towlette. Scratch that - I use JUST a makeup removing wipe way more than I would like to admit.  Neutrogena's Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes are by far my favorite. They don't have a strong fragrance, are gentle, and remove even my waterproof mascara! They are TOO easy, and I am never without them.

 Clarisonics are a bit pricey, however I purchased mine 4 years ago and it is still working well! My face always feels squeaky clean and super soft after I use it. Now that I am a mom it helps me obtain a glow to my skin. I own the Clarisonic Mia but the newer Clarisonic Mia 2 is pretty much the same.

 Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a mild cleanser that never dries out my skin and pairs well with the Clarisonic.

I have never been a believer of purchasing expensive facial cleansers, especially when lines like ST. Ives are gentle, natural, effective and easily accessible. I LOVE their Green Tea Scrub, and use it every morning to exfoliate my face. It smells fruity and fresh, is not to harsh, prevents redness and breakouts, and leaves my skin feeling new.

Serums

Both in the morning and at night, prior to putting on a moisturizer, I use the First Aid Beauty Dual Repair Serum. This serum glides on like a dream and feels very lightweight. I like the feel of this so much more than wet serums that dry on your skin. It has anti aging properties, and well I am not getting any younger!

Moisturizers

Face oils are all the hype in skincare right now. I was skeptical at first but when  I received a deluxe sample in one of my Sephora orders of the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil, I decided to give it a go... and fell in love with it! My face is bright and glowy in the mornings now! It has evened out my skin a noticeable amount, and I plan to purchase a full size - if I ever finish my sample. A little goes a looooong way! I recommend you ask for a sample at Sephora, or purchase the roller ball first ($20) so you can try it out!

There isn't much to say here other than Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion Plus is an oldie but a goodie! They did reformulate it a bit, and it is even better! I love how lightweight it is yet keeps my skin moisturized all day long without breaking me out. I even got Robert to start using this!

If you can't already tell I am obsessed with having glowy, youthful-looking skin. I use the  ORIGINS GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream every morning because not only does it help depuff (depuff... is that a word?), but its pink tinted formula has a slight sheen that brightens under my eyes as well! I also use it as a highlighter under a full coverage foundation to maintain a healthy (you got it) glow. AMAZING STUFF!

The Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream is the newest addition ( and splurge) to my skincare collection. I sort of gave myself my own push present if you will. I knew my eyes would really suffer with the lack of sleep, and wanted something luxurious and effective. This product is well worth it. It is SUPER moisturizing and I can really see a difference when I use it.

I hope you found this useful, and I am interested in knowing what are your favorite skincare products? Let me know!