Back to work.

Yesterday was my first day back at work.

and man, was it hard. 




































I thought I would keep it together and be okay since I am working part-time...but that didn't really work out.

I called my mom (because moms make everything better) at 6 in the morning crying saying "I can't go to work, I can't go to work"  but alas, I did.

I dropped off little W at my MIL's house and he was happy and smiling when I left.  Then on the way to work, I called hubby bawling my eyes out.  I didn't realize the emotions that came over me when I left.  But it's normal and okay to cry like that. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed.  I am doing what it best for our family in the phase of our life, and although my dream is to stay at home one day and homeschool (possibly), right now this is just a season.

A season where I'll drop little W off with the best Grammy in the world.  He will be loved on all day and I'll be back to snatch him up just 5-6 hours later. 

I'm really blessed to have family close by that will sacrifice their time to care for him. 

The only bump in the road is that he will still not take a bottle.  He went almost 6 hours on Monday without eating and boy did that stress me out.  I know he will be fine, but I still don't like the think of my little man not eating when I'm not there...but today was better..he didn't take a bottle but he did eat over 2 ounces of milk from a SPOON! Hah! Yes, a spoon! Isn't that crazy?

My sweet MIL took the time to spoon feed him over 2 ounces of milk.  He was happy the entire time and when she would raise the spoon up to his mouth, he would open wide and smile! Crazy little boy. 

So we've been playing with the bottle this evening in hopes that he will get used to it. (although i really have tried every bottle and tip in the book)  He sucked on it this evening...we will see and I am continuing to pray he will learn to take it..or learn to take a sippy cup..SOMETHING!

 

Babies really do have a mind of their own..and although I find it flattering that he prefers his momma, it would make it easier on all parties if he took a bottle.  ;)  

{Side note:  Winslow took a bottle great with no problems when he was smaller..I gave him a bottle 3-4 times and then went over a month without giving it to him again..so please no negative comments about how I should have started introducing the bottle sooner, or I shouldn't have waited that long...nothing can be changed about the situation and I don't want any advice that isn't uplifting.}  :)

I have googled the situation like crazy and it's comforting to know that a handful of breastfed babies won't take bottles easily.  I have no doubt that he will EVENTUALLY take one (maybe?) or a sippy cup..but he's not the ONLY baby in the world who is stubborn and won't take one. Just like him learning to breastfeed, it may take some time for him to get it down.

Anyway.  I am praying he will learn to take one and if you wanna say a little prayer too, that'd be awesome! 

I am off tomorrow (YAY) and so is hubby (and it's his BIRTHDAY) so we are going to celebrate as a family and I'm taking him out to lunch.  (He has class in the PM).

It's just a season, it's just a season...

 

Winslow is three months!

   

        Weight: 15 pounds 8 ounces
Height: 25.5 inches
Nicknames: Win, Winsy, W, Little Fella, Monkey
Eating: Little man usually eats around every 3 hours...sometimes less and sometimes more..but it usually stays close to the 3 hours mark.  He was getting up just once to eat around 4am but last week he got his first cold and wanted to eat more.  Sometimes he would get up 2 times to eat.  He is pretty quick at nursing now and we are getting good at nursing in the car when we are out and about.  

     
Sleeping: Sleep...oh, sleep.  This month he slept wonderfully except for the one week he was sick.  He had some congestion and woke up 3-5 times at night for a week.  It like to killed me, ha!  He is getting better and has starting only waking up once to eat now instead of 2 or 3 times but now he will wake up around 3:30-4:30 and then go back down for two hours before he's ready to start the day!  So he wakes up around 6:45 and I'm not ready to wake up that early yet! haha..but come Monday, i'll be getting up at six.  I have to go back to work.  :( :( :(    Time for my pity party.     But anyway,  sleep has been decent this month.  Naps are still on and off...my mom came to visit and he napped WONDERFULLY the whole week she was here...then when she left, he wouldn't nap worth a flip..He must miss his grandma!  He naps great when I'm holding him (of course) but when I put him on our bed or in his pack and play, he'll wake up within 30 minutes. Argh.  Hopefully this next month he will get better at napping.    
Diapers: This month we did the big switcharoo to cloth diapers.  I am SOLD.  I love them.  I bought a stash of around 30 diapers that consist of BumGenius, Happy Heinys, and Fuzzibuns.  I am partial to BG, but like them all.  He has NO blowouts and only leaked a few times but that was user error.  I don't think I put the diaper on tight enough and it leaked out the leg opening.  But  I love cloth diapers and the laundry doesn't even phase me really.  We still use disposables at night due to the fact that I haven't bought the right night time inserts for his diapers yet, but I'm getting them real soon.  :)  I've even used cloth when we are out and about..it's not hard!  

   
Clothing: Wearing 3 month and 3-6 month clothes...and for pants he wears 6 months due to his fluffy bum!
Social: He is a smiling machine! He LOVES to smile at his daddy and it makes me a tad bit jealous! ;)  He will smile at me too a lot, but once his daddy gets home from work, he's giggly and smiling like crazy.  He has been cooing a lot this month, and will let out this dinosaur scream that is adorable.  It sounds like it should be on Jurassic Park. He is talking so much more this month than last and he can track us when we walk around the room.  He has a favorite toy who we named Mr. Lion and he LOVES smiling and talking to him.  It's the most adorable thing in the world.     

  Likes: He still LOVES bathtime, he loves his playmat, being in just his diaper, chewing on his hands. DROOLING like crazy, and being bashful.  When I talk to him, his eyes will light up and he does this little thing where he turns his head away like he's bashful.  He loves Mr. Lion, his daddy, and kicking his legs in the air.    
Dislikes: hiccups, sometimes his car seat, being held like a baby, burping,
What we're looking forward to: all the wonderful Holidays!!  Christmas, visiting family, eating lots of great food  

  Milestones/ things to remember: He has started to laugh a tiny bit..smiles all day, kicks his legs like crazy and brings them up to his midsection, coos and screams,     

  Trips/Outings: Target of course, Hobby Lobby, Southpoint mall in Durham, church, walks with Darla.    

    Look how I've grown!  

 

 

A week with Lolly

My mom came up from Alabama this past week to visit me Winslow and we had such a great time.

Except for the fact that my son refuses a bottle...

We worked with him every single day a few times and he would get so upset. Bless his heart.  He ended up taking one from mom yesterday and then one from hubby today, but he still isn't convinced.

I have to go back to work next week.  I hope he learns to like it soon, because it's stressful enough to have to go back to work, much less worry about your little one who won't take a bottle.  :(

ANYWAY.

We did some shopping, went to a few thrift stores, and Winslow got lots of sugar and lovin' from his Lolly.  This boy is one loved fella.

We miss you already! Come back soon!

So this week is my last week before I go back to work...with every passing day it seems like the cloud over me gets darker and darker. :(  If i think about it enough, I will cry..but I know it's not going to be horrible and I have the best babysitter ever.. (my mother in law)

If I don't blog this week, it's because I'm soaking up EVERY second with my chunky monkey.  

Dear Winslow

Baby Boy,

You are now 2.5 months old...REALLY?  I seriously wish time would slow down...isn't that what all momma's say?  Goodness gracious you are such a joy each and every day.

My favorite part of the day is when you wake up and are super happy and giggly and then when it's time to go to bed and you get your bath.  You love those times.  I do too.  You love to splash in the bathtub and you also love to talk to your toys, especially the musical lion that Grammy bought you.  You are so precious.

I cannot believe that I go back to work in just 2 weeks...I go back on your 3 month birthday.  But I am not complaining because I am working part-time now...and Grammy is going to watch you while I'm gone.  I know y'all will have a BLAST.  I am so lucky to have her around where she can watch you while I'm working.  Don't worry though, I'm sure she will leave some kisses for me...  :)

There is a whole new world out here for you, little one..and I can tell you're taking it all in.  You are so alert and wide eyed all the time.  You love to be outside and look at the trees. You love to watch your toys light up and when you hear daddy's voice after he's been at work..you go crazy with the smiles.  It melts my heart.

I can't believe you are growing so big!  Before I know it, you'll be sitting up on your own...then crawling, then walking! Wow.

I love you so much and want you to know that being your mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  God is good.  All the time.

Keep on growing little one...

Love,

Your momma.

Five on Friday!

Hey y'all!!! This week has been wonderful- Since my time is dwindling until I go back to work, I'm soaking up every single second with my sweet babe.  Here are five things that's make this momma happy this week:

1. Halloween.  Would you look at us?  ha! I debated for so long whether or not to dress up as a family, and the day before I decided to...and that's why our costumes are a little... ghetto homemade looking.  ;)

 We stayed home and greeted the little kids for a little while until it was time for W's bedtime.  Wanna know something crazy?  I never really watched Charlie Brown when I was growing up...but I think we look pretty cute anyway!  I also never watched Winnie the Pooh...I was weird, I guess. 

2. Cloth diapers!  I ordered a stash of Cloth Diapers and they arrived this week.  I am so excited to use them and a little overwhelmed.  Any momma's out there that use them, please feel free to give me any advice! I think Winslow approves!

3.  Fall.  I just love fall..the leaves, pumpkins, hot cocoa....and of course, the cool weather.  Those photos were taken in the fall of 2011.  They are some of my favorites. 

4.  Working part-time...I just found out this week that my current employer is allowing me to work part time now.  PRAISE THE LORD.  No really, this is a HUGE answered prayer because there is no way I can leave Winslow that much.  For all you full-time working moms:  I salute you!  You are AWESOME.

5. My little guy...just because.  He makes all my days sweet. 

Happy Friday!!


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