Baby Got Back

No, Max's rear end is not growing disproportionately to the rest of his body - we are trying out cloth diapers! I ordered a trial pack from Jillian's Drawers and am testing out several different kinds to see which ones I like best. Or if I'm even cut out to be a cloth diaperer.

Apparently there is a learning curve with these things; they don't have an indicator line that turns blue like Huggies! Max woke up very unhappy (and vocal about it) during his late afternoon nap. When Clay went to check on him, he noticed a nice puddle on the crib sheet - and a totally SOAKED diaper! No wonder our little one was so cranky. 

Hopefully this mama can figure out how these cloth diapers work before we have mutiny on our hands! ;)

Owling is the New Planking

Have you heard of the craze called planking? No, you say? 

(The object of the game is to lay face down as stiff as a board in the weirdest location possible and take a picture of your pose to share.)

Well, my friends, you are behind the times. People all over the world are doing it...

 

 

 [via] 

While planking has swept the globe, it is now being replaced by a new and even better trend: owling.

(The object of this game is to perch like an owl in the weirdest location possible and take a picture of your pose to share.)

[via]

Word to the wise: Planking is so yesterday. Owling is where it's at.

A Few of My Favorite Things: New Mom Edition

Since becoming a new mom, I have learned that there are lots of things out there that only further complicate your life (like curling irons) - but also lots of things that make your life easier. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Baby Timer application for the iPhone

I absolutely LOVE this thing! Clay purchased it for me while we were in the hospital and it has helped us keep track of Max's dirty diapers, feeding times, and sleeps. This is an enormous help when you're so sleep-deprived you can't remember your middle name, much less the last time Max ate.

Chewbeads

[via]

While I don't own any of these yet, they are most certainly on my "want it" list! These stylish necklaces (and bracelets) are made of baby-safe silicone so that your little one can chew on them as they please! It also helps to focus your distracted nursing baby (and I have a feeling our Max is going to be one of those). And on top of all that, they are super-cute!

Medela Lanolin

[via]

Without going into too much detail, let's just say this stuff is wonderful! I use it every single time I feed Max and love that you don't have to wipe it off between feedings.

Paper plates and plasticware

 

[via]

Seriously, I cannot remember the last time I washed actual dishes thanks to this wonderful invention! I am so glad I stocked up before baby Max came along because the last thing I want to do at the end of the day is strap on my rubber gloves and run a sink full of soapy water.

WubbaNub

[via]

Whoever invented these things is truly a genius in my book! Max absolutely LOVES his froggy WubbaNub - and we love that it helps calm him down before sleeping. (Or when getting into the carseat. Or when he's just plain fussy.)

My sister-in-law, Tara

Okay, so this really isn't a "thing," but she sure has helped make my transition to motherhood SO much easier! She has coordinated meals for us, lent me parenting books and baby clothes, and offered many words of encouragement. I seriously think I text/ email/ call her at least once a day with some kind of mommy question - and she still answers them even though I've been pestering her for a month! ;)

For all the seasoned mothers out there, what things have helped to make motherhood a little easier for you? I would LOVE to hear your recommendations!

First Date

Clay and I got to go on our first sans-baby date this Thursday. 

We went to a closing dinner for Clay's work at a nice restaurant on Main Street in Grapevine called Dino's Steak and Claw House. It was very yummy!

It was so strange not to have Max in tow, but we knew he was in good hands...

Thanks, Uncle Mark and Aunt Tara, for watching Max for us!

Growing Like a Weed

It is hard to believe our little Max is already one month old!

As you can see, he is growing like a weed. :)

In this past month, we have learned so much about Max. Here are a few of our discoveries:

Max is (so far) a very calm baby, rarely ever long spells of crying.

He absolutely LOVES his froggy WubbaNub and lets us know when it falls out of his mouth!

Max is nursing about every three hours and is pretty good at taking naps, especially when being held by Daddy!

Sometimes Max makes the funniest little noises (many of them in his sleep), in particular one that sounds like a goat. We're not quite sure what it means but we're dying to find out!

He is really good at tummy time and will tolerate it for as long as 15 minutes a day. Max has mastered turning his head from side to side while on his stomach.

Max is constantly wiggling - even in his sleep! Many times I'll check on him while he's napping to find that he's kicked a leg out of the Miracle Blanket or somehow wiggled out a hand. Naps in the swing or carseat are particularly entertaining too as Max usually conducts an orchestra in his sleep. :)

We have already retired the newborn onesies as his torso is just too long!
We've also transitioned into size 1 diapers (mostly for economical purposes). I cannot believe he is already so big!

(We don't go back to the pediatrician until next month, so I'm not sure how much Max weighs now. My guess is that it's definitely MORE than before!)

It is hard to believe that a little over a month ago, this little baby was a complete stranger to us. Now we are getting to know each other - and getting the hang of this parenting thing! Our lives have changed drastically, but we are so very glad to have Max as a part of our family. :)

Three Weeks

These past three weeks have flown by, for sure!

(Maybe it's the sleep deprivation - I'm still not sure what day of the week it is.)

In that time, we have reached several milestones:

First trip to church on Saturday night

First time in the infant carrier

 (Don't you know? Babies are the must-have accessory for summer!)

First nap in the swing

First Fourth of July

(We watched fireworks from Uncle Mark's office - 

well, Max watched them from behind closed eyelids!)

First bottle

 (Making sure there were no problems before Mommy and Daddy go out next week)

Max also took a little trip to both Mommy and Daddy's workplaces today so they could show him off (and so Mommy could turn in some paperwork). Oh, the perks of parenthood!

We look forward to many more firsts!