6 Months...

Logan! You are 6 months old now!
You do so many new things now like give me a heart attack sleep on your stomach, and you love to play in your high chair...

Spin! woohoooo!

You hold your own bottle most of the time:

So Dad, how many innings are there?

Now we are eating solids:

Yummm, mango!

And trying a sippy!

New toy!

 No, buddy... it's a cup!

But it tastes like a toy...

 Yeah but it is a big boy cup!

Ok I see but... nothing comes out!

 I will help you my little prince...

Ahhh, I like this!

We go to the Dr next week and I will have new stats for you!

Getting to know me - Monday

Jaimie over at Legos in my Pocket linked up to do "Getting to know me Monday."
Check her out!

Here are my answers:

1. would you rather go on a picnic or to a bbq?

BBQ is the obvious winner. You bring a plate to contribute and then sneak all the cookies into your purse.

2. would you rather go bra-less or panty-less?

Bra-less, which happens at all times when I am home!

 

3. would you rather go on a $5000 shopping spree at your favorite store or go on a $5000 vacation? 

 

SHOPPING SPREE (says the girl on a budget. I am having a hard time coping...)

4. would you rather eat escargot or sauteed crickets?

escargot. 

5. would you rather go on survivor or the amazing race?

We have discussed this around here and we think we would last a whole 5 minutes before giving up and going to get a margarita... 

6. would you rather be hot or cold?  

 

Cold. I am a mean bitch when I am hot!

7. would you rather go to the beach or lake?

 

Beach. I have a scar on my chest from a mysterious something that cut me in the murky lake.

8. would you rather not shave your legs for a month in the summer or your armpits?

 

NO!! Don't do this to me!! I guess... Legs?

Giveaway!

Remember that awesome mustache Logan had?

Sarah is hosting a giveaway! Head over and check out how to win one of those awesome Paci's!

Holiday Time

 This weekend we are headed to my home town in East Texas - Palestine. I haven't been in 3 months and I know my family wants to see Logan!

Let's face it, once you have a cute baby in tow, you are second best.

I am using this holiday weekend to be with my family and husband and will re-join you all on Tuesday.

Have a great one!

Thank you Sarah for the funny paci!

You can find Sarah at Sunshine State Transplant

Wants Vs. Needs

It's so easy to sit around and want.

Want This. Want That. In fact at some point you start thinking you NEED the things you really just WANT.

For instance...
I want these towels:

So soft!

And I want these linens:

Simple and plush

But do I need them? Maybe. Our towels are old as hell and our duvet has a huge rip in it (thanks dogs!)

Recently Lee and I have taken a step back and looked at our finances. We spend just about everything we make. At the end of a 2 week period, we are strapped. Not that we are rich, but we make enough that we shouldn't be broke.
We indulge in expensive groceries, beer, and wine. Amazon.com needs to employ me at this point because I pimp that site hard and I am constantly on it. We eat out more than once a week and it's rarely cheap.

Now, we are house hunting and I don't want us to look up and be like "oh shit. we can't pay bills AND eat. Pick one?" We have a child now. We are grown ups.

I am putting us BOTH in a challenge for the next 2 months.  BASICS only. Vegetables and meats on sale at the market. Chill out on the beer habit. Chill out on the wine habit. Eat at home for as many meals as possible and if we do treat ourselves to eat out - it has to be basic. We don't need the fanciest place in town.

What do you think? Can we change our spendy ways?

Also - I am participating in a linky today!



Head over to Some Kind of Wonderful for the rules!

Sleep: An Update

Last week I reached out for help. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's advice.
I thought I should update y'all on what's going on so far.

1. No more swaddle. Not at all.
2. NO. MORE. BOPPY!
3. He puts himself to sleep initially
4. ...but still needs sleep in the middle of the night

Now I am the one getting used to something new. He is super restless, rolls around, sticks himself in the corner, face down. I find myself moving him because I can't stand letting him be shoved in the corner.
Also - I have to get used to him sleeping on his tummy. Sometimes he looks like he is face planted:

Seriously.. I went in and checked on him at least twice while he was like this, and Uncle Bunny did too..
The sleeping is slowly getting better. He is not waking up quite as often in the night but he does still hit about 3 times. I wake up because he is rustling and grunting and trying to get comfortable. I am trying to get through the night waking before we move him to his room. Getting out of bed 3-4 times a night is just too exhausting.

So - do you think that now that he is getting used to be free to roam the crib he will eventually sleep better? I does put himself to sleep in the beginning, so why wouldn't he be able to in the middle of the night?

Please don't make me "cry it out."

Please?

Breakfast

Who doesn't like Quaker products? I mean, the oatmeal.. the breakfast bars.. the candy bars disguised as breakfast bars...

Have you had these? Wow. So good.

When I saw there was an opportunity to try a new Quaker product and review it, I jumped at the chance. I love all thinks Quaker Oats.

After trying their new product, I still stand by that statement.

These oatmeal squares were so yummy and simple. I tasted a hint of maple and it wasn't covered in sugar or coating of any kind. Very good.
Just one of those little box's kept me full from 7:30am - about 11:30am. Being that I have no time in the mornings to do anything creative for breakfast, I am looking forward to adding this box of cereal to my selection.

And so should you.

Blog Gems

I am participating in Blog Gems. Head over to Jill's blog for details!

Friday Face! (also...Reader of the Month)

Guys!! Gals!! It's Friiiiiiiddaaaaaaaaaay!
That means it is time for the weekend. Time for naps, food, wine, sunshine, and naps.
Also - it means it is time for Friday Face!

This Friday Face is super fun because not only is she MY Friday Face but I am also HER Friday Face!
Neat-o huh?

Everyone - Meet Lauren over at Warm & Fuzzy.

She is a sensational crafter, party planner, and mother. She also has a pretty intense love for LSU.
I met Lauren while doing a SITS class over how to market your blog. We started tweeting and reading each other's blogs and getting along just fine.
Oh - I am rambling. It is the excitement of Friday Face and the weekend. Read on to learn more about Warm N Fuzzy Blog!

1. I am not crafty at ALL. What advice do you have to those who wish they could craft?

Just try it. I didn't really know I was crafty either until I tried it. I always had great creative ideas as a teacher and was able to use that as my creative outlet. When I see a craft or an idea I like and think I can do it or make something like it I try it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but you never know how it will turn out if you never give it a shot. There are many MANY half completed craft projects in my closet that didnt turn out the way I planned.

2. Where do you get ideas for your crafts?

I find most of my ideas from other craft blogs. I love linky parties, or Craft contests. I get some of my best ideas from those places. I will see something that someone  has done and think, " how can I make that work for me?" Would it work for my classroom? One of my boys? Would one of my friends love it? What outfit would that look cute with? Where can I put that in my house? LOL

3. What is your favorite type of craft?

Right now I am trying to find new sewing projects. I just got a sewing machine for my birthday and have yet to use it. I am a complete newbie, have never sewn a stich. I cannot wait until school is out so that I can get into it all.

4. When you aren't crafting, what types of things do you like to do?

I love spending time with my family and friends. We are a very on the move family. We do not stay home on the weekends we are usually on the move. Going to the zoo, the park, or just walking around the French Quarter for fun. If you have seen my blog at all you know I am a HUGE LSU fan. We love sports, football and baseball especially. We are counting down the days until football starts again.

5. I see you also design parties... what types have you done?

My obsessive party planning is what made me start blogging really. Last year for Eli's 3rd birthday I went all out and we had a Rock n Roll party. I had a music therapist play music for the kids for 45 minutes and we had a whole music theme. This year Ben Henry's 1st birthday was Mickey themed, again I probably went overboard according to others. Some themes for parties I have done are: Wizard of Oz, Sweet Shoppe, Club 13, Cupcakes & Cocktails and Graduations.

 

Lauren - it was so nice getting to know you and I hope the LSU season pans out for you!
In the meantime, hopefully I can learn a little about crafting from following your blog!

Stop on over and visit Lauren and say hello!

College days...

By popular demand I have put together some more look-backs at my LiveJournal days!
(if you missed the first round, check it out here!)
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I had issues now and then with insommnia in college. I think it was just stress related or the whole "Can't turn off my brain" deal.


Things you notice when you have insommnia...May. 25th, 2004 | 02:53 am
I feel...:  annoyed

1.) All the advertisements for sleep aides come on... coincidence? I think not!
2.) No matter how long it has been since you ate, you are still hungry
3.) You look like shit after a whole day has gone by after a night you only slept about 4 hours... pale, red eyes...
4.) You beg your friends to entertain you because the only human contact you have had all day was at work.. doesn't count
5.) Damn the pets sleep a lot
6.) You get addicted to Nick at Night.. 12am - Cheers, 1am - Roseanne, 2am - Wings...
7.) Stuff that isn't funny, is for some reason
8.) When you see people kissing on Tv when you are currently not in the same dwelling as your man, it makes you either sad or strangely turned on...
9.) Damn the pets sleep a lot
10.)You obsess over the little things, which in turn is keeping you awake

Maybe I should call my dad and ask him for some Ambien?

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Now that text messaging is so big, it's hard to remember a time when you would have hour long conversations on IM.. here is one of an extreme amount of IM conversations between Donald and I . This is me in Houston and him at work on a Friday....



BreChiese: why are u pretending to be busy?

dprlynch: because i'm eating

dprlynch: but i'm reading the im's'

BreChiese: oh, well i know how you can be about your food

BreChiese: like a rabid dog

dprlynch: :-D

BreChiese: do you actually bite peoples hands if they try to take it away?

dprlynch: i'd hit their hands...maybe stab them with a fork

dprlynch: not bite

BreChiese: and growl

BreChiese: well you don't want to give them diseases

dprlynch: mike evans said it smelled good (subway sandwich) and i told him that he needed to back away from my sammich

BreChiese: oh my, poor Mike

BreChiese: he has no idea what he is dealing with

dprlynch: now if i was stranded with a group of people somewhere...

dprlynch: and i found food and they tried to grab it while i was eating...they'd get bit

dprlynch: and then i'd kill them in their sleep

BreChiese: no doubt

dprlynch: and they'd be brunch

BreChiese: oh gross

BreChiese: nevermind on the cutie i located for you

dprlynch: if i'm ever stranded, i'll survive

dprlynch: i'll be eating pine cones, leaves, roots, people....won't matter

dprlynch: rescue patrol will find me alive and not-too-hungry
BreChiese: i think you are crazy

BreChiese: "what;s up with the stranded guy with the pot belly?"

dprlynch: i only weigh 150#...i don't have any weight to "live off of"

dprlynch: and...i'd be sleeping in a tree

dprlynch: so no one can try to get me in my sleep

BreChiese: hahahhaha

BreChiese: i think you are nuts

dprlynch: i'd be a paranoid cannibal as long as there was at least one other person, but i'd survive

dprlynch: :-D

BreChiese: you would start catching fish with your bare hands like "Cast Away"

dprlynch: are you crazy?

dprlynch: i can't catch a fish with my bare hands!!!

BreChiese: make friends with an unliving object

dprlynch: that's why you get a branch, some string, and make a hook out of something

BreChiese: same idea

dprlynch: or you get a sharp stick and spear the fish

dprlynch: *jab jab...LUNCH*

BreChiese: ick

dprlynch: well, i'd COOK it first

dprlynch: eww, c'mon now

BreChiese: sushi

dprlynch: be skipping around singing "i'm a survivor..duh duh duh...i'm gonna make it...duh duh duh"

dprlynch: LMAO

BreChiese: i could see you skipping

BreChiese: then after about a week you would be like "ok, i need internet and my ipod PRONTO!"

dprlynch: naw - i'd have eaten them too

dprlynch: *munch munch*

BreChiese: i doubt it, you wouldn't shit right for a week

dprlynch: lol

dprlynch: be shitting springs

BreChiese: *strain - screen comes out*

dprlynch: "whew - thank god i bought the 12" screen...that 14-inch screen woulda KILLED my ass!"

dprlynch: ;-)

BreChiese: HAHAHAAH

BreChiese: and to think, this whole conversation started with a "uht, oh, i know how you are about food"

dprlynch: right


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This posts just about sums up how I felt about school. I was just above "bare minimum." I did what I had to do to get things done and get a decent grade and move on. However, my class seemed to be filled with perfectionists which made my half ass work look even worse. Thanks, guys.

School...Jun. 5th, 2004 | 01:30 am
I feel...:  sleepy

Day 1: Well, i skip my 8am because of the storm the night before, but I go to my Interior Design class and we get acquainted with our groups. Well, just as my group starts to work out a schedule, the teacher splits us up because we are small (only 3) and we only have so much time to present to the Board of Regents. So I love my new group because it has the 2 most perfectionists over achievers in the class. I mean even the teacher says "well it doesn't have to be 'Laura Taylor' perfect" when talking about a project, because Laura is like that. For example, last night we were supposed to do rough sketches... hers were drafted out... yeah.. (FYI one of those perfectionists? Jessica!)

Day 2: I make it to the 8am... Speech. This teacher kinda talks like a radio announcer guy... comes in and talks about our weather.. boring. Oh, we have a test on Monday.. FUCKER! at the next class, the teacher says she has to move our groups around again because we need one less group.. we persuade her to combine our 6 groups into 3... now i have 5 nitpicky overachievers!! =WONDERFUL project.

Day 3: toured (like we needed it) the HMS North building. Found out we have a budget of 20 Million dollars for the entire thing, including the new HMS. That sounds like a lot at first, but the more you think about construction costs, it starts to add up. The new building needs at least 64,000 square feet... that's big!!
So that is what I am doing this summer. Lee didn't know it was a real project! He was kinda impressed we are doing something real.
Off to sleep... have too much on my mind, hopefully i can wind down..

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There you have it! I still have 3 more years of this stuff!

What I am Loving Wednesday

Hey there! It's Wednesday once again - so this week is already half way over! How awesome is that!?

This week's edition of What I'm Loving Wednesday is baby-themed. Let's face it, our house is taken over!

The first thing - this toy:

The Winkel. He loves this thing. It's light and flexible so he can find a piece to fit into his mouth and teeth on. It rattles and is super colorful. He really really loves this!

Also on my list - Avent products.

When we started bottle feeding (at first pumping milk, then formula) we had Tommee Tippee. Logan spit up and had terrible gas.. so we switched to Dr. Brown's because they were supposed to be great for "colic." While we had good luck with these, they were a PAIN to clean. About 5 - 6 parts. When I had a nurse come over to help me with Logan one day, she said Avent were her favorite.

I love these bottles:

 Now, Logan is about to learn to use a sippy... while I was at HEB I saw an Avent sippy cup and snatched it up. I am hoping since he loves the bottles, he will like the sippy. I have heard it takes a few different ones to find which they will prefer...

Avent Sippy Cup

Lastly, what I am loving, is our new co-sleeper:

Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper

We are not using this for the "co-sleep" adaptation if allows, but rather a heavy duty bassinet. The pack-n-play lite and regular both have a 15 pound limit for the bassinet attachment. Logan, my sweet guy, is at least 18 now. Since we like him in our room, we purchased this so that he can sleep in there longer, up to 25 pounds.
Man, if only we had known...

What are YOU enjoying today?

The week is almost over!

Vicious Cycle

*sigh* Oh, fellow mommies... I am in a bit of a bind here.

My sweet Logan is not a sleeper. He never has been. Once we figured out the reflux issue, he started to sleep better. 

Then one weekend, at 8 weeks old, we went to Palestine to see my family and my grandmother said "you need to feed this boy more.." So we did. And he slept great from 8pm - 3am, ate and slept until 7. 

Here is the kicker... 

Since that night... he has slept on top of this:

Boppy Lounger

My theory is that (1) he was warm because it snuggles him a little and (2) he felt "held." 

Fast forward 3 months and he is still on this! Everytime I try to take him off of it, we have a terrible night. So bad that in the middle I just give up and put him back on. 

So now that he rolls onto his tummy and is not swaddled anymore, I tried again.

HUGE FAIL. 

1 - he rolls onto his tummy, and although he can roll onto his back, he isn't that great at it so he wakes up mad and I have to help him... about 6-8 times a night. 

2 -  he scoots and moves all over the crib so then I worry about him being shoved against the side. 

I tried to be strong and we did this Friday and Saturday night.

Last night, I gave up and put him back on the boppy. He slept from 9-2 before waking up and I gave him a pacifier about 3 or 4 times until 6:45. 

So my issue is really 2 fold. 1 - the boppy. 2 - wakings. 

I am turning to the books for ideas at least on the wakings. I think part of my issue is that his bedtime is too late so by the time he has eaten at 8/8:30 he is pissed and cries for 30 minutes before he finally goes to sleep. Then I am worn out and aggravated. He also takes terrible naps.

So today I put 1 oz less in his daycare bottles to help move up his eating so that I can feed him around 7:30 and have in in the crib by 8 and see how that works. I am hoping that if he isn't just exhausted when I lay him down, he will sleep better all night.

As far as the night wakings... I want everyone's HONEST opinion.

I am aware there is an issue.

I am aware that I am part of the problem with the pacifier giving.

I am ready for everyone to sleep better. 

Cry it out? Does that only work for the initial bedtime or does that teach him to go back to sleep on his own at 2am as well?

For the Boppy.. that is something I will have to keep trying but I am hoping that once he rolls off his tummy easier, he will flip over in the night and go back to sleep on his own.

I took a poll / cried for help on Twitter over the weekend and Cry it Out seemed to be a big winner but... I just don't know if I can do it...

HELP!

What a week and weekend!

Last week was hellacious, y'all. First, I am working on a project at work that is absolutely enormous and after much work on Monday and Tuesday it finally went out. But at 10:30am on Tuesday, the daycare called and said Logan had a fever. Of all the days for that to happen, Tuesday sure was not a good one! Lee headed to pick him up and I spent an hour trying to wrap up whatever I could and leave.

This weekend was meant for RELAXATION! We were busy on Saturday, but in a good way. We had a birthday party for my friend Alyse's 2 year old little girl, Ariana. Then we hit the stores and bought food for the BBQ we were hosting... The party went a little something like this:

Babies in the shade

Puppies in the sunshine

Buffalo Chicken Dip - recipe courtesy of Some Kind of Wonderful

 Her blog: Here.

Guacamole

Baked Beans

RIBS!

And more babies in the shade.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and that Monday isn't too daunting for you!

Check me out!

Hey guys! *whoo* thank goodness Blogger is back up. I think we were all having enormous tiny panic attacks!

Well now that things can go back to normal... Katie over at Chicken Noodle Gravy has me featured as her Dish! Check it out! Leave her comments and love!

Also... all that downtime from Blogger and I don't see a re-design.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!