Lawson at 4 months!

Well, this past month has truly flown by and it is hard to believe that Lawson is already 4 months old!  I guess what they say about babies growing fast is true.  Lawson is about 15 pounds already and will probably be gaining weight even more now that we started him on oatmeal cereal :)  I still strictly breastfeed and use the organic oatmeal cereal as a fun little snack to get him used to eating big boy food as well as to fill his tummy a bit more.  He was showing all of the signs that he was ready, holding his head up pretty much by himself, seeming extra hungry, grabbing things and putting them in his mouth (also a teething sign along with all his drooling!) and he has definitely more than doubled his birthweight.

So far he has taken to it great and it has helped him sleep throughout the night as well.  In fact the other night, he went from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am - a total record!  Most other nights he wakes up at 3:00 am and 5:00 am, usually skipping the 1:30 am feeding that he used to wake up for, so that's good.  No complaints here.  Someday he won't wake to cuddle in bed and nurse and I will miss those moments, so I try to look at it from that point of view as much as possible.  Especially when he is going through a growth spurt and wants to wake up every other hour to eat, lol!

Other things that he enjoys doing is going for our nightly walks and even hiking in the morning in the baby bjorn, chewing on Sophie the Giraffe, chewing on mommy's finger, basically chewing on anything he can grab and put in his mouth to help make teething hurt a little less.  He likes lying on the couch and watching baseball games in daddy's arms and I allow this, even though they say no TV until age 1, just because he loves it so much and I feel like it is a real bonding time for daddy and son (and Prescott thinks it will give him a head start to being a pro baseball player, haha).  It's really cute, he explains all the play by plays to Lawson as they happen and honestly I feel like Lawson is taking it all in, he watches the TV as though he were studying it, such a serious little guy sometimes, especially when he is concentrating on something.  He is still working on his tummy time, which he is not really a fan of, along with baths. But he IS a fan of talking has really found his voice lately, the other day I got a happy squeal that was so loud, I couldn't believe it came out of his little mouth!

He is also still not a big advocate of the car seat and we are taking him to Vegas this weekend, so we will see how that goes.  I know, I know, who takes a baby to Vegas, right?!?  But it is one of Prescott's best friend's 30th birthday and we didn't want to miss it.  Plus Lawson is a great traveler and loves being out and seeing new things.  I plan on spending most of our time in the nice cool hotel room, at the breakfast buffets and at nice dinners with our newborn son, yes I am going to be that person, sorry!  I will post photos and an update next week on how it all goes :)

Lawson at 3 Months!

Hello everybody!  Sorry for the delay, but I finally got Lawson's 3 month photos back and have my favorites below to share :)  Here is an update on how he has grown and where we are now...

Lawson is close to 13 pounds!  He has definitely grown a ton, not sure how many inches he is but I know its a lot more than his last doctor visit.  He has his daddy's long arms and legs as well as his huge hands and feet!  I can really start to see more of my features coming out in his face lately, especially those chubby cheeks, those are mama's for sure :)  He giggles, smiles and plays now and is on his way to becoming a truly independent little guy.

I'm glad I didn't try to rush getting him on a schedule because it has set itself naturally.  I really think it is important not to try to force things on Lawson, he has learned to do everything on his own and when he is ready.  Having a routine for a newborn wasn't realistic for us but by 3 months Lawson and I have really gotten down a good one.

He wakes up every morning happy as a clam right at daddy's waking hour for work, anytime between 6:00 am and 7:00 am... funny how that happens, its like he remembers when mommy would get up when he was in my tummy and has just stuck with that time frame.  Then I change him, feed him, have play time, if he is in a good mood, and nurse him again until he falls asleep for his morning nap between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.  He will usually sleep anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the day.  This is when I get some work around the house done or nap myself!

For the rest of the day we play, walk around the house in the baby bjorn, bake together, sit and nurse, run errands and change lots of diapers.  By about 4:00 pm he takes another nap, usually not more than an hour and then we make dinner and all eat together, Lawson included!  After dinner we take our evening walk with Lawson strapped to daddy, he loves being up high and looking around.  By 8:30 pm we start our winding down routine.

We change Lawson, put him in his swaddle, turn down the lights and the tv and then I nurse him until he falls asleep.  At this point it is anywhere between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm that we put him in his little rocker where he stays with daddy downstairs, so that mommy can go upstairs and get some alone time (aka bubble bath time, yeah!) and uninterrupted sleep.  When daddy is ready to come to bed he carries Lawson up in his rocker and puts it next to my side of the bed where Lawson will sleep until sometime between 12:30 am and 3:30 am, lately it has been more towards the 3:30 am side, which has been amazing!  Again, this type of sleep pattern should not be expected out of a newborn and is definitely a new milestone for Lawson.

When he wakes up I nurse him in bed and put him back in his rocker when he is done where he will stay usually until 4:30 am or 5:30 am and then I nurse him again and he stays in bed with us until we all wake up together :)  This routine has been such a huge progress from when he was a baby.  I truly believe that having him sleep in bed with us at the beginning and not forcing him to be put down away from us or letting him cry it out has helped him become more secure and independent while allowing me to sleep more soundly knowing that he was safe in my arms.  Happy mama, happy baby!

Eventually he will sleep in his crib by himself when he is ready and I'm sure we will know when the time is right for that as well.  Like I said, for us, it is important not to rush or force anything on him and to let him figure out when he is ready for these things, like he has done already.  I couldn't be more proud of him or happy as a mom.  Being a mother of a 3 month old is a totally different experience than being a mother of a newborn!  It finally got easier and a little more predictable.  I can't imagine how great 6 months and 9 months are going to be :)

Sugar Free and Fat Free Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread!

This is my third time making this recipe because it is that delicious and you truly can't believe how healthy it is for you!  In fact, we had family in town to meet baby Lawson and in the matter of 24 hours the whole loaf was diminished.  

It's one of those things where you keep cutting yourself a slice throughout the day, saying to yourself, okay this slice is really going to be the last one, lol!  I blame it on the nursing, ha!  I am literally hungry all the time, I think even mores than when I was pregnant, which makes since considering I am now feeding a 12 pounder :)  

Little Lawson is getting bigger by the day.  We just got his 3 month photos taken this past weekend and I can't wait to share them soon.  Until then, make this delicious guilt-free banana bread, you won't regret it!

• 3 mashed overripe bananas
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 eggs whites
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling on top

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the overripe bananas until blended.  Then add the egg whites, vanilla, applesauce and honey with the mixer on low speed.  Next, add the flour, baking soda and salt all with the mixer on low speed until incorporated.  Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup on top.  Pour in a loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes.

And here's Lawson at 3 months...

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Lemon Glazed Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

These yummy little delights are based off of my lemon glazed raspberry zucchini loaf and are equally as tasty!  If you enjoyed that recipe then you will love this one too :)  I have recently discovered using zucchini in my baking and am in love with it's subtlety!  

It adds instant nutrition but without adding any weird flavor that you might suspect zucchini would - the perfect ingredient to sneak some greens into your kid's diet, or even just yours!  So without further ado, the recipe that contains fruits, vegetables and whole grains and you'd never know it...

• Preheat oven to 350.  Put 1tsp. distilled white vinegar in 1/2 cup almond milk and set aside, stir together just before adding to the batter.
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• Combine in large bowl and mix by hand with a whisk:
• 1 1/2 cups unbleached regular flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. baking powder

• Then add all ingredients below all at one time into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and stir together until combined:
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 TB lemon juice
• 1/2 cup almond milk (with 1 tsp. distilled white vinegar)
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup grated zucchini

• Gently fold in with a spatula:
• 1 cup blueberries

• Scoop 12 muffins with a regular sized ice-cream scoop into sprayed muffin pan and bake 23-25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

• Combine in a small bowl and then pour over warm baked muffins:
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 TBSP lemon juice

Easter 2014!

Easter was amazing this year.  We are so blessed to have spent it with family and friends including our beautifully joyful baby boy.  Lawson had a blast, as we all played pass the baby, he loves being held!  He also was a dream at church, probably because I nursed him under my shawl during the whole service, lol!  

I have to admit being a mommy was a little tough and confusing at first and it is easy to doubt yourself (especially with everyone's opinions and advice!), but I feel I have finally figured out what works best for our family and that is to listen to what Prescott and I's heartfelt instincts tell us.  There is an amazing bond between a baby and its mother that innately tells you what to do.  I think it is important to listen to that inner feeling and go with it despite what others might say or what you may read.  

My baby is not on a schedule and I don't watch the clock or let him cry it out.  I just love him and listen to him and it has made a happy baby, therefore a happy mama.  Some may think I am spoiling my baby or making him dependent... that is actually impossible.  You can't spoil a baby, just like a baby can't manipulate it's parents.  

A baby cries because it needs something, in Lawson's case that something is usually milk, lol!  Therefore, I nurse him whenever he is hungry (and that is okay!), just like we hold him when he wants to be held, which is most of the time :)  This creates a baby that feels loved, nurtured and heard, a trusting baby that learns good communication and life skills. Lawson is happy and healthy, thriving and growing and a lot of that has to do with the trust that we are building with him by listening to his needs and responding accordingly.  

I am beyond thankful that I get to spend this time with my little boy and can raise him in the way that I see fit.  It takes a lot of time, effort and dedication but he is so worth every second of it.  So if that email has to wait or the laundry is piling up, its alright for now because I have a more important priority to tend to and that's our little Lawson, that's where all my Easter eggs are going this year into my little baby's basket :) 

Mommy and daddy love you sweet boy!

Lawson at 2 Months!

Here is our little cutie pie at 2 months!  I know he is gonna kill me someday for dressing him up in all these silly hats but he just looks so darn cute in them that I can't help it.  

From last month to this month Lawson has grown so much and in so many different ways.  He is now 10 pounds and 22" and has become more vocal and alert with every day.  In fact, this morning Prescott and I woke up to a smiley giggling baby, which was a first!  

I am so thankful to see our little guy happy after such a rough past couple of days... Lawson got his first shots this week and I can only describe that as a horrible experience!   He cried like I've never heard him cry before so naturally, like any first time mother, I started crying like a baby too, no pun intended.  Now I know why people say seeing your child in pain is the worst because it truly is the WORST.

He then continued to cry (and I mean inconsolable screaming tears) throughout the afternoon and into the evening with a 101 degree fever, which our pediatrician warned us that he might be fussy and get a temperature, but I think that was putting it a bit more mildly than accurately.  

Also, this month Lawson had visits from all his grandparents, celebrated his grandpa's birthday, went bowling for the first time, experienced his first walk in daddy's baby bjorn, oh and decorated his first cake, lol. Lots of excitement and much more to come next month, I'm sure.  Can't wait to see what our little man has in store for us :)

Lawson helping mommy at the bakery

Lawson loves going on walks in mommy's Bugaboo

And in daddy's Baby Bjorn!

Sleep walking with Papa

Celebrating with Grandpa

And he slept at the bowling alley with all that noise?!?!

Lawson's first vacation!

I still can't believe we did this but we decided to take Lawson on a little road trip to Big Bear Lake and to my surprise, he was a true champ the entire time!  I couldn't believe how good he did.  Not only did he sleep the whole way, but he slept a majority of the time we were at the cabin and on the boat, yes I took our 1 1/2 month old baby on a pontoon ride.  Thankfully we had a good captain :)  

Trust me, this is not the norm for little Lawson!  We are thinking maybe the altitude made him so sleepy because he normally doesn't sleep much during the day besides maybe a couple 20-60 minute naps, if we're lucky.  However, he does tend to sleep during the night in between feedings, which is great :)

All in all, it was an awesome trip filled with much needed rest and relaxation.  Here are a few photos from it.  Uncle Marshall and "Auntie" Amber along with a couple other friends came too, which made even more fun!