The Best Things in Life

Art Buchwald once said, "The best things in life aren't things." And I couldn't agree more!

Here are two of my favorite "things"...

What are some of your favorites in life?

First Things First

This week has been filled with many firsts for our little man:

First time to roll over!

(I wasn't expecting it the first time and as such was without a video camera handy!
We are working on recording this event for all posterity. :))

First time in cloth diapers

(I think Max approves!)

First time in the nursery at church

(while Mom went to a ladies Bible class)

Whew! This mama needs a break from all this growing. Our baby is getting so big so fast!

Mama Bird

My mother-in-law's sister (so my aunt-in-law?) and her daughters pitched in 

and got me a gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl as a baby shower gift several months back. 

It was such a treat to have a little something for me.

Picking a necklace was difficult because there is SO MUCH cute stuff on The Vintage Pearl! 

Ultimately I decided on this necklace, which is called "mama bird:"

I think I did good! ;)

Thanks, Sara, Amy, and Betsy!

Oreos Make Everything Better

This month's issue of Everyday Food included this mouthwatering recipe for Cookie Cupcakes with Raspberry Fluff. One look at the picture and I knew I was trying these out! 

cupcakes + Oreos + anything raspberry = heaven in your mouth!

Honestly, I'm surprised there were any cupcakes left to photograph. ;)

I think it odd that the very same day dear husband comes home from work gushing
(yes, gushing) about these Oreo-stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies a coworker made
and promptly did an internet search to find me a recipe.

At this rate, I'm never going to lose the baby weight! At least my tastebuds will be happy, right?

Five is Better Than One

So our little man has finally discovered his fingers - all five of them! 

Instead of just sucking one (or maybe two), he tries to stick his whole fist in his mouth. 

It's pretty funny to watch!

He gets frustrated when his WubbaNub falls out of his mouth during naps 

and his hand is too big - and wiggly - to be a good substitute. Hopefully those fine motor skills 

will develop quickly over the next few weeks; the big move into his room is imminent 

and this mama doesn't want to make multiple treks each night to pop the paci back in!

Just Perfect

So I'm sure that you already know about the Perfect Iced Coffee that Pioneer Woman featured on her website earlier this summer (on Max's birthday, actually!), but I am just now discovering the wonder that is cold decaf Dunkin' Donuts coffee, a generous splash of half-and-half, and some sugar over ice.

It is just the perfect way to start a sweltering Texas summer day. :)

Why, oh why couldn't I have found this recipe in May??!!!

Starting Early

I am hunting for good Christmas books.

[via]

"But Jessica, it's only August," you might say. "Why so early?"

I've got a whole lot of books to collect between now and November 31st! 

The reason? I saw this fabulous idea for a Christmas Countdown on one of the many blogs I follow:

1. Collect 25 Christmas books

2. Wrap each one in festive holiday paper

3. Let your kids open and read one each day leading up to Christmas

4. Wrap and re-use again year after year!

I absolutely LOVE to read so, of course, it didn't take much to sell me on this idea!

I've made a list of my childhood favorites, but would love some suggestions on your most beloved Christmas stories. 25 books is a lot, after all! :)

Two Months

I cannot believe that Max is two months old!

We have learned so much about our little man in the past two months:

Max has such an easygoing personality which is showing itself more and more each day.

He loves to chatter and often has babbling conversations with Mommy and Daddy. :)

He has also got an adorable grin which he freely shares - especially with the ceiling fans!

Max still loves tummy time and is perfecting the mini push-up.
His legs are getting so strong and he'll often push up to standing on Mommy or Daddy's lap.
He is also quite the kicker, which we predict will make him a fast crawler.
(Better get to babyproofing!)

Bathtime with Daddy is one of his favorite parts of the day - and mine too!
I love to hear my boys playing in the water. :)

Max has made two car trips, one to San Antonio and one to Abilene. He was SUCH a good traveler and we hope he'll continue this trend for our big road trip to Tennessee at the end of this month.

He is nursing about seven times a day, waking only once at night to feed.

While we're still a ways away from sleeping through the night (only about 4 hours at a stretch,
which the pediatrician explained hasn't happened yet because our little man is growing so fast!),
Max goes down for his naps and a bedtimes like a dream.

Max has such big, bright eyes and loves to look around, taking in all his surroundings.
He will follow Mom and Dad as they move across the room.

Our little man had his two-month checkup today - although he's not so little anymore!
Max weighed in at 12 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces and measured 24 inches long.
He was even a champ when the nurse gave him his shots.

It is amazing that God has entrusted this incredible little boy to us.
We are so lucky to be his Mommy and Daddy!

Do Everything

 I have always struggled with a desire to do everything for everyone every time. 

For the longest, I had the impression that this was something I could actually achieve. Motherhood has definitely put that into perspective for me! But sometimes that desire to emulate June Cleaver still rears its ugly head, and then I'm left feeling guilty when I don't measure up (which is constantly).

Then I heard this song by Steven Curtis Chapman on the radio this afternoon:

It was just the word of encouragement that I needed - 

that I can do everything to God's glory, even if it isn't always perfect. ;)

Looks Like

Over the past few weeks, many people have asked me who I think Max looks more like - myself or Clay. To be honest, I think it changes by the minute! Check out these pics and decide for yourself... :)

Baby Clay

 

(Thank goodness for shirts with their names on it!)

Baby Jessica

Baby Max

 

Now what do you think?

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!

Two Weeks (Already?!!)

Monday we went to the pediatrician for Max's two week checkup, where we learned that we have one fast-growing baby boy! He weighed in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces - which means he gained back his birth weight and then some! That news did this mama's heart some good (those first two weeks of breastfeeding were quite worrisome!). He was so alert for the entire appointment and was such a champ when they pricked his heel for the newborn blood test - only a little whimper!

Of course, then he fell asleep and slept for the next four hours while his Dad and I went to Target,
to my doctor's appointment, and out to lunch at Panera.
If only he would sleep so long and so soundly at night! We'll keep working on it... :)

It's hard to believe that Max is already two weeks old. Do you think it's premature to feel like he'll be graduating from college in the blink of an eye? We are trying to savor every minute - and yes, we CAN do that with our eyes closed for a cat nap. ;D

Introductions

Max met some new people over the weekend:

 

Auntie Jules and Aunt Katie came into town for some great baby snuggles. :)

Max also got to meet his Great Uncle Fred who was passing through. (Sorry, no picture.)

And it was such a treat to have Mini and Zu back for a visit so soon!

They were wonderful about bringing us meals, helping with laundry, and always volunteering to hold Max so I could take a nap - or work on a blog post!

It was so great to spend several days with Clay's family over the weekend. 

Max can't wait to see you all again very soon! ;D

Blessing of the Week

Both of my parents were able to spend some time with us after Max's birth, 

helping prepare meals, doing laundry, scrubbing the bathtub, and working on household projects - just generally taking care of me so I can take care of Max. 

There was, of course, lots of baby holding to be done while I took a shower or a nap:

These past two weeks have been absolute heaven (minus the sleep deprivation part) to have them here, and I was so sad to see them head back to Florida yesterday.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for all your help! Max is so lucky to have a Grammie and Doc like you. :)

So Much To Celebrate

It is an understatement to say that we have had so much to celebrate
in the Rich household over the past few weeks!

We celebrated the birth of our son Max.

Not long after that was Clay (and Mark's) birthday,
for which occasion we enjoyed a nice meal at home - complete with strawberry cake!

Then came Father's Day - Clay's first as a dad and my dad's first as a grand-dad.

Max turned ONE WEEK OLD. 

(Doesn't he look so different already?!)

Clay's sister Julie also celebrated her 25th birthday this week.

(Picture of her celebration to come!)

What are YOU celebrating? :D