Thursday, June 30, 2016

Baby Chiropractor

I took Bennett to a chiropractor today. He suffers from reflux. It isn't terrible and it doesn't seem to bother him although I do have him on medicine for it just in case it is bothering him. The main reason I wanted to take him to the chiropractor was to see if it could help with his spitting up. It's not near as bad as Campbell's spit up was but he still spits up and there is nothing that bothers me more. I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed to not have a baby that spit up again. Right when I found out I was pregnant with Bennett, I texted my doctor and asked her if there was anything at all that I possibly did while pregnant with Campbell to cause his horrible spit up because if there was I wanted to avoid it at all costs with my second pregnancy. She said no. I asked my pediatrician the same question and he said there was nothing I could do to prevent it. So I just prayed. And asked Scott and everyone else in my family to pray because I did not want to go through the spit up again.
My pediatrician told me that if he were to have reflux/spit up, it would happen sometime within the first 6 weeks. For 3 weeks there was nothing and I was soooo happy. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere Bennett started spitting up. And I literally bawled my eyes out the first few times it happened because I knew what was about to be my life for the next almost year. And seriously? It's the only thing I prayed for. Ugh!
I'm willing to explore any avenue I can to try to help with the spit up. I've already completely cut out caffeine and it does seem to help. I actually thought that was the answer at first because the spitting up stopped for a bit. But then it picked up again (not every feeding and sometimes it's not that much but sometimes it is) so it was time for me to take the next step (I'd prefer to not have to avoid dairy for now because that just seems to hard!). I'd heard of taking babies to chiropractors for reflux so I booked an appointment and we went today.
It was such a neat experience. They don't adjust babies like they do adults. She just had him lay on her table and she applied all of these pressure points. When Bennett was first laying on the table, he was all curled and scrunched up the way babies do. By the time she was done applying all of the pressure points on him, he was flat as a board and the most relaxed I've ever seen him! It really tickled me. She said that he was really off and his "treatment" should get everything aligned and on the right track and hopefully it will help with his reflux. I'm going to start seeing her twice a week for the next few weeks just to see if it makes a difference. I could already tell that he seemed more comfortable and relaxed (which is hard to even believe since he's already such a chill little guy) so that alone was worth it to me! He seemed to just feel better and be more comfortable the rest of the day. He has recently been crying any time the paci falls out while he's awake and he didn't do that at all today after he saw her. He just laid around, all content and didn't need to suck on that paci his whole wake time. I'm interested to see how this all goes and I'll give you guys an update in a few weeks to let you know! So far, I'm a believer!

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Finding Dory

We took Campbell to see his very first movie today!
I've been wanting to take Campbell to see a movie and Finding Dory seemed like a perfect one because I think it's going to be a really good classic. Scott got off from work early today and suggested we go this afternoon. It was super last minute but I loved the idea so we loaded up and took off!
Campbell was so excited to be there. He knew right when we walked in the doors that something fun was about to happen! We let him have the kids combo to indulge in while we were there so not only did he see his first movie but he also had his first soda--a sprite.
When we walked in the theater he was so intrigued. We got our seats and Campbell, to my surprise, was glued to the screen. I thought he'd be too busy with the popcorn and snacks to actually watch the movie but he was totally interested for about 45 minutes. We left after about an hour. We probably could have stayed a little bit longer but Campbell started getting chatty and I was worried he was distracting everyone around us.
We had so much fun taking Campbell to his first movie!! Scott and I need to go back on our own so we can see the rest of it because it was SO cute. I love doing fun stuff like this with Campbell and this will always be a fun summer memory for us!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Brother Love

Watching Campbell with Bennett has my heart bursting these days. Campbell has always been so sweet to Bennett and welcomed him with open arms. He loves to hold him and give him kisses but he's mostly just gone about his life like nothing has changed. However, this last week or so he's really starting to pay a lot more attention to Bennett and it is just the sweetest thing to witness. 
Every time I put Bennett on the floor to work on his tummy time, Campbell always lays down beside him. He loves to pat on his back and say "night night." 
This morning I got Campbell out of bed and once I carried him downstairs I set him on the floor. Normally he runs straight to the pantry but this morning he ran straight into our room and went right to Bennett. He laid over the rock n play (that's his way of giving Bennett a hug!) and said "Hi Bubba" which is what he calls him. Gah I melted! Also, whenever Bennett starts crying, Campbell finds a paci and shoves it in his mouth. Ha! We need to work on him doing that a little more gently but I've gotta admit I'm loving that little bit of help there. It's so cute to me that he's observed that, that's what we do whenever Bennett cries.
I know it's just going to get even more fun to watch the two of them together as Bennett gets older. I'm so thankful that Campbell has loved Bennett and adjusted to him so well. People ask me all the time how Campbell is doing with the new addition and I'm so glad to say that it hasn't even phased him one little bit. It's definitely an answered prayer! This brotherly love is so sweet.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

My Thursday

Campbell had MDO today so I got a semi free day today. I spent it at Target and having lunch with a friend. Not a lot to it but I always enjoy my free days! Campbell was excited to be at "school" as we call it and as always, he had to play with the rocks on the way inside. And also why does he look 5 in this photo?
Bennett is still doing really great! We've had a mini sleep regression this week and he's been waking up twice instead of the glorious one time a night but you know, it happens. I was all stressed and confused why he seemed to be going backwards but after reaching out to some people and doing a little research, I've learned that 6 weeks is a major growth spurt so this little man has been hungry. Hopefully this growth spurt gets a little meat on these bones. I have a closet full of some pretty adorable 0-3 month clothes that I'm really ready for this little man to start wearing!!
Other than my MDO fun, my day didn't consist of much. This evening we went on a family walk which is something we haven't done in a really long time. Although it is HOT outside. Whew. We all had to take a shower/bath the second we got home. Once everyone was cleaned up, Campbell read Bennett a book. It was pretty sweet!
Scott and I got the boys down then retreated to our room to watch Big Brother in bed. Big Brother is a highlight of our summer and we are so excited that it's back!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Solly Baby Review

Before Bennett was born I wrote a post about the Solly Baby wrap and said I'd give a review on it once I gave it a try. Well Mommas, I'm obsessed. I love it so much that I've gotten three of them!!
It has been so wonderful being able to wear Bennett. I wish I had done it with Campbell but I never found any baby wearing gear that I liked. This wrap makes me feel cute and I always attract a lot of attention when I'm wearing it in public. So many people always make a comment about how sweet it is or how tiny my baby looks. I still use my stroller a lot, especially if Bennett has fallen asleep in the car seat. But any time I have Campbell and Bennett, I always use my Solly because it's way easier since I have two free hands. When we go out to eat, I put Bennett in the wrap. It's easy and I don't have to worry about finding a spot for the big carrier.
One of the greatest positives about the wrap is that Bennett doesn't have a witching hour. I truly believe it's because I'm typically wearing him during the witching hours. If he starts getting fussy or I can't get him to go to sleep (those are always the hardest nap time hours don't you think?) I just wear him and he instantly gets quiet and passes out. It's been so wonderful! We had a horrible time dealing with Campbell and his witching hours. If only I had known about this wrap back then.....
Overall, can't say enough great things about it! The fabric is so soft and it's thin too which is great for these hot summer months. I wondered how I would be able to handle tasks with a toddler and a newborn but this has made everything completely do-able. I wear Bennett while I'm making Campbell's meals, while I fold laundry, go for walks, take Campbell somewhere fun....it's made life easier. And anything that can make life easier these days gets an A+ from me.
If you have a small baby or are expecting one soon, I cannot rave enough about the Solly wrap! It's been a lifesaver!

Monday, June 20, 2016

Single Weekend

Is it the weekend yet? I'm worn out. I didn't get much of a weekend because Scott was working so to say I need a break would be an understatement. I got a tiny taste of what it's like to be a single parent of a toddler and a newborn and I'd prefer to never experience that again. I did my best to keep busy because I knew if I just stayed home all weekend I'd go nuts. On Friday morning I took Campbell to a fun little indoor play place here. He had a great time and Bennett just snoozed in my solly wrap.
When we left I literally had to drag Campbell out kicking and screaming so there's that. Ugh he does that when he doesn't want to leave a fun place and I get it but man it's embarrassing because everybody stares. #toddlerproblems We stayed home the rest of the day after that fun little adventure.
I was so proud of myself because I took Campbell and Bennett to lunch at Chick Fil A on Saturday for the first time! We actually did it! Woo Hoo! While Campbell and I were sitting there eating, we had a rare moment of perfection. He was being so quiet and eating so much of his food and it was like we were two grown up's on a little lunch date. It was beautiful. He played in the play area afterwards and then we left....kicking and screaming of course. #allthetears
After nap time I realized I hadn't gotten Scott a fathers day gift yet and seeing as it was just a few hours away, I needed to get on that. However, I was worn flat out and wasn't about to take an adventure to the mall to search for a present. So what's a gal to do? Well, I'll tell ya. I piled all the kiddos in the car and went to the liquor store drive through to get a 12 pack of beers and some gin. As if that wasn't classy enough, I decided to pop on by the Dairy Queen and get him an ice cream cake because I had just seen one advertised on a commercial and thought that would be a nice little somethin. My Fathers Day cake options were either superman themed or mustaches and I chuckled while ordering and went with superman because why not? #drivethroughpresents
By the time we got back home, I was done. I sat on the back porch, snuggled my baby and watched Campbell and the girls play until Scott got home. What. A. Weekend. But we survived. And I'm hoping this upcoming weekend is a little easier than this past one.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Fathers Day

I want to wish a very happy Father's Day to two very important men in my life!

A good father is so important to have in your life and I am so grateful to have the most wonderful father! He's always taken such good care of all of us and I'm so thankful for him. My dad is one of my very best friends and I love him so very much!

Scott has always been the greatest father but he's seriously stepped up his dad game these last 6 weeks. He gets up with the boys every single morning and let's me sleep until 9:00. I never even asked him to do that!! I know it's probably caused him to be a little more stressed at work to squeeze in everything he needs to in less time but he never complains. He knows sleep is my love language and there haven't been hardly any tears shed on my part because he's helping me get rest. Rest = patience am I right mommas? God bless him. I love you Scott! Thank you for taking care of me and the boys (and the girls too!) so well. We literally wouldn't survive without you!

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Time For Your Checkup

Bennett had his one month check up today! Aren't you always so curious to know what your little one weighs during that first year? I am. I was pleasantly surprised at Bennett's weight gain! He weighs 8 pounds, 5 ounces which puts him in the 5th percentile. I thought we'd still be in the 7's so I'm thrilled to see him doing well on his weight gain. I think he's going to be a tiny little guy like his brother but that's okay! We need to be able to reuse all of Campbell's clothes anyway :)
Other than our little doctor visit, Bennett and I didn't do much today. Campbell was at MDO so I took the opportunity to go to the pool and get a little sun. It was nice and relaxing. I needed that little break in my life. The tiredness is really catching up with me. I'm SO ready for Bennett to start sleeping for longer stretches at night. Right now I'm getting about a 4 hour stretch of sleep, then another 2 after that. Sometimes I get to take a nap in the afternoon and sometimes I don't. The lack of sleep is beginning to take its toll and I'm finding myself more emotional these days simply because I'm tired. I'm hoping we're halfway there to Bennett sleeping through the night. Last night he did the best he's ever done, sleeping almost 5 straight hours, so we're definitely headed in the right direction!
Talking about all of this sleep, or lack thereof, is making me....sleepy! Off to bed to get some "sleep." :)

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Sweet Brothers

We have had a very boring Tuesday. Although I guess I should think of it as our new normal....for now anyways. We didn't leave the house all day and I finally managed to get all of us out of our pajamas after lunch. It's just hard to do much of anything these days. If I'm not taking care of one kiddo, I'm taking care of the other.
I did manage to get a sweet photo of my boys together this morning! Actually I got three sweet ones and I couldn't decide which one was my favorite.
Campbell LOVES to hold Bennett and it's actually been over a week or so since he's held him so he seemed extra excited about it today. It's just so cute to see Campbell get a big grin on his face and hold his little arms out with such excitement. I've got to get it on video soon!! It melts me.
I don't have much to report since I've done nothing today except change diapers and feed little people. I did think this was fun though.....
I put Bennett in this outfit today and remembered I had a photo of Campbell in the exact same outfit. I snapped a photo of Bennett then made this comparison pic and I chuckled because seriously? Campbell is on the left and Bennett is on the right. I sent the photo to my parents and didn't say anything just to see what they would say. My Dad thought it was Bennett in both pictures. Ha! But really though, they're twins y'all! So crazy.

Monday, June 13, 2016

Summer School

Campbell started back at MDO today! They offer a summer session for 6 weeks which is so great! He's in the same class, with the same friends and teachers and I'm glad. We LOVE his teachers!
I was worried about managing Campbell's drop off but thankfully my entire morning went perfectly! Bennett slept great last night waking up at 3:00 and going back to sleep just 40 minutes later. He's usually up for about an hour to an hour and a half (ugh!) and that's a loooong time in the middle of the night. He woke up again at 6:30 so I got some pretty great sleep last night! I fed Bennett, got Campbell out of bed, made him breakfast, pumped, hopped in the shower, got dressed + curled my hair (!!) made Campbell's lunch, took some photos of him and hopped in the car all before 8:40. #winning
I felt like super mom and I kept telling myself to enjoy it because that probably wasn't going to happen again for a long time.
I managed getting Campbell and Bennett out of the car and into the building on my own just fine. I just did what all of the other mom's with multiple kiddos do and got the stroller out. I clicked Bennett's carrier in, stuck Campbell's backpack and nap mat in the basket of the stroller, and had Campbell hold my hand while we walked inside. Getting out of the house with two kids is still a little daunting to me, and I was worried how I would manage getting Campbell to MDO, with Bennett in tow, on my own for the first time. It was a piece of cake though. Definitely feeling good about it. Ha!
Campbell was thrilled to be back after his three week break. He ran into his classroom and hugged his teacher's neck for the longest time.
I spent a lot of my day with Scott. We had a long lunch together then I ran a few errands and before I knew it, it was time to get Campbell. My MDO day always goes by so fast.
It feels good to have a little routine back into our lives again....for two days a week at least. Hopefully the rest of our MDO mornings will go as smoothly as it did today! Doubtful though. I struggled to make it out of the door by 8:45 even before Bennett was born. How do working mom's do it? Mad props to them.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

SummaTime

Campbell and I are really having a good summer so far! We've somehow managed to go to the pool three days in a row! What? If you had told me a few months ago that I would even get to go to the pool once this summer I wouldn't have believed you. I've actually been able to get a little Mommy break and go to the pool by myself twice so far. (If you're new here you should know that the pool is like, my super happy place) Scott says "your nights aren't great so your days should be" (I love him) so I've been able to enjoy some fun pool time alone which has been awesome!
However, taking Campbell to the pool (with Bennett in tow as well of course!) has been so fun and enjoyable as well!!
I've worked out a little routine for us to go mid morning for about an hour and a half. We mostly just sit on the steps of the pool and play and it's so great! It keeps Campbell entertained, I can get a little tan, we're out of the house doing something fun.....total win.
While we're splashing in the pool, Bennett snoozes in the UPPAbaby! Having that bassinet has already come in so super handy this last month. We have a covered, shaded area at our neighborhood pool so he stays nice and comfy. It may not continue to work out as Bennett gets older and isn't sleeping as much....and also as it gets hotter, but for now it's awesome and I am soaking it up! We are definitely making some fun summer memories so far! I love it!!

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Bennett | One Month


Weight: I'm not sure but I would guess around 7.5 pounds. We go next week for his one month check up and I'm anxious to know his weight.

Height: 19 inches according to mine and Scott's professional measuring skills.

Sleep: Bennett is only waking up once a night. Woo Hoo! His last feeding is at 10:30 then he wakes between 2:00-3:00 to eat, then again around 6:30. He still sleeps the majority of the day.
 Eat: I'm exclusively breastfeeding Bennett and he is nursing 8 times a day. I have given him two bottles and he took them great.

Clothes: Our tiny little man is still wearing all preemie and newborn clothes. In just the last few days I've been able to make some of Gaps 'up to 7 pounds' clothes work but some of them are still way too big. He's basically been living in his Kickee Pants pajamas all month since it's the only thing that fits him.

Diapers: Pampers newborn

Likes: Milk, being worn in the solly wrap, cuddles.

Dislikes: Diaper changes, being naked, laying on the changing pad.

Milestones: I think it's pretty awesome that Bennett is just waking up once a night now! Major milestone for him and for Momma :)
Month One: Bennett has made my job of taking care of him pretty darn easy! He is such a sweet little guy and has come into our family with such ease. We have been so thankful for his laid back disposition. This month has truly flown by which means it's been a great month!

All About Bennett: Bennett is so precious!! He only cries when I'm changing his diaper or clothes. He is still a sleepy little thing but when he's awake he'll just lay there and look around. We love this sweet dumpling and still talk about all of this hair he has!! We hope we have many more months just like this first one!