31 Weeks

This week has been completely crazy. Zach started a new job, poor Koda has an ear infection, Koda and I both had doctor appointments, and we are still trying to get settled in from the move back to the states. We won't even be getting our car or household goods back until the late May/early June time frame which completely freaks me out because we have nothing for Levi until they arrive- which is in less than 9 weeks! EEEK!! I'm sure everything will turn out fine but it is making me nervous to say the least. Another thing making this week crazy- the weather! It's mid April in Texas and it's getting down into the 40's?! I was born and raised here and I am positive that this has never happened. Where is my summer heat?

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

Maternity clothes? jeans and tops. I had to finally give up trying to squeeze into my regular t-shirts. Way too big for that now!  

Stretch Marks? Two very tiny ones from after Koda's birth have reappeared.

Sleep: Until last night, miserable. Coughing, not being able to breathe out of my nose, usual 'cold' stuff kept me awake but I was feeling better yesterday and I slept like a rock.

Best moment this week: Seeing Levi on ultrasound. The first thing he did was stick out his tongue! He's already just like his daddy and brother...heaven help me! ;)

Miss Anything? Oddly enough, I've been missing being able to work out really hard core. So strange because I hate hate hate working out when I'm not pregnant.

 Movement? Tons! Lots of pushing/shoving going on in there. 

Food cravings?: Some days I crave super healthy food and then the next day I crave fried/fast food. Weird!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not lately.

Gender: Boy.

Labor Signs: Other than very slight pressure from him being head down, no.

Symptoms: Swollen legs, fatigue, touchy temper.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I break out if I get even the slightest amount of water under it so I usually just keep it off.

Mood: I go from being in a great mood to being short tempered. I never really had mood swings with Dakota, so this is weird for me. I really don't like it. My poor husband is so patient with me though, thank God.

Getting ready for Baby #2

When I first found out that we were expecting our second baby, I thought we already had everything we needed for his arrival. Then, I actually did a mental checklist and realized there were quite a few things that we didn't have or that we had gotten rid of that we would need.

1.Double Stroller

2.Carseat

3.We needed to figure out the sleeping situation. Would we need another crib? Should we transition Dakota to a toddler bed and use his crib for Levi? (We decided to transition Koda to a big boy bed)

4.Breastpump. The one I had with Koda didn't work well.

And of course there were a few things that I had discovered since Koda was a baby that I would want this time around.

Here's some of my wishlist items. Things that we don't necessarily need but will most likely pick up to make our lives a little easier.
Evenflo Symphony Convertible Car seat- This is Dakota's current car seat and we love it so much that we decided to just go with it from the beginning this time. It comes with an infant insert which is perfect. We still have Dakota's infant car seat to use for trips to the store and things like that. Friendly reminder-NEVER put your infant car seat on top of a shopping cart! There is NO proper way to do it. Always put it INSIDE the basket. ALWAYS.
Dex Daydreamer- This is kind of like the Nap Nanny which was discontinued. I guess this one is 'safer'. Although, as far as I could tell, the Nap Nanny wasn't dangerous as long as you used it correctly. Who knows...I'm just glad there's something similar available.
4moms Mamaroo- This baby is amazing. It's different from a typical baby 'swing' because it simulates the motion that the mother makes while the baby is in the womb. It has a swaying motion as opposed to a swinging motion. You can also plug your Ipod directly into it and it will play your playlist. I've seen it in person and was pretty impressed and after reading the reviews on it, my husband and I were both completely sold. Besides, the swing we had with Koda lost pieces during our many moves so.....it's kind of like I HAVE to get it, right?
Snuza Halo or Hero- This is for my comfort and peace of mind. When Dakota was newborn I would constantly lean over during the night to check if he was breathing, meaning between that and feedings, I got absolutely no sleep. This doodad eliminates the need for me to check his breathing myself because it does it for me. You clip it on your baby's diaper and it monitors the movements they make from breathing. If it stops for longer than a few seconds, it alerts you. I read the reviews on this and they were all positive and have saved more than a few lives.
Woombie- A swaddler the hugs your baby tighter than a typical swaddle so that it feels more womblike.

If you're looking to save money, check your area for consignment sales. They have brand new/gently used items at HUGE discounts. I went to one recently and was able to pick up a double stroller, a brand new, completely unopened breast pump, and a few other things for both of my boys.
 What items did you realize you would need or need more of when you were expecting another baby? I hope there's not something super obvious that I'm completely spacing on!


Returning to blogging & Baby DQ #2

Yes, I'm still alive. I took a break from blogging but I think I'm ready to get back at it. I will for sure have plenty to write about because...Surprise! We are expecting Baby DQ #2! My due date is June 15- Father's Day! We are having another little man and his name is Levi Wyatt. Dakota loves to kiss my belly and hug it and say 'awwww'.

Speaking of Koda...he is so crazy big and so so smart! He amazes me every day with how much he is learning and growing. His vocabulary expands each and every day and his personality keeps growing. He is absolutely hilarious and super adorable, and believe me, he knows it. I truly cannot believe he is already almost a year and a half! Where has all the time gone?

Along with getting ready to welcome a new baby, we are also making some other big changes. We have moved back home from Germany and are transitioning out of 'the military lifestyle' and back into civilian life. That means finding a new home which I am super excited about. I can't wait to get into a new house and start decorating and making it into our home. We've never really been able to settle in and decorate and everything because every time we got to a new place, we would move very shortly after so there was really no point. Hopefully now we will be somewhere more permanent and actually be able to make it our own. When we do start decorating and all of that, I will be sharing pictures and projects on here so you all can follow along.

Keep an eye out for posts on preparing for Baby #2, Summer Style for the littles, and Cloth Diapering.

The Wonder Weeks

Wonder Weeks = A grumpy baby, and a very tired mommy

If you don't know what a Wonder Week is, let me break it down for you.
A few weeks at a time when your baby/toddler will cry almost constantly, forget all about their schedule, refuse naps, wake up 5 times a night, and test the boundaries that you've set for him/her while also testing your sanity.
Why? Because just as babies go through physical growth spurts, they also go through mental ones. These mental growth spurts are what the book The Wonder Weeks call "leaps" because after these few weeks of what you are certain is your breaking point, your baby will be able to do and understand things that he/she was not able to before. From what I understand from reading The Wonder Weeks, during the leap our babies might now know what's going on or why their world seems different every time they wake up and it can be very upsetting which is why we, as parents, experience our babies being extremely irritable and clingy (not wanting to be put down).
The bad news is that these 'leaps' can be exhausting and trying for us parents, but the good news is that not only will our baby 'leap' to his/her next stage, there is a general timeline of when these leaps will happen. I've been following this calendar since Koda was just a few weeks old and sure enough - he is right on cue with every leap.

If I notice one day that he's being extra fussy or his schedule has changed, I look at my calendar and 10 out of 10 times he will be in a leap. It even shows when the worst point of the leap will be. This is (in my experience) right on point as well. Here's the calendar so you can track your baby and maybe you will find that his/her 'fussy periods' are more predictable than you think! You can buy the book The Wonder Weeks HERE or download this APP for your phone/tablet which will track your baby on the chart and tell you what you can expect and what they are learning from that particular leap.

Dakota is right in between week 44 and 45. You see that little storm cloud over week 44? Yea...it's there for a reason. These past few days have been hard for both of us but today, I can already tell that things are getting better and we'll be out of the woods soon. I know that because for the first time in about a week, he has went down for an early afternoon nap, without putting up a fight.
That's what I'm talkin' about!

Living in Germany

"What's it like living in Germany?"
I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question since my family and I moved here almost 6 months ago. I didn't think it was fair to give my opinion until I had the chance to actually experience it for a while. After living here for a few months now, I'm still hesitant to give an answer, but I do have one....kind of.
I'm not the biggest fan.

BUT!!!
Let's keep in mind that I have a very limited view. I haven't been able to travel much or experience all the great things that Germany has to offer. We live in a very small Army community, which is currently shutting down and lots of things aren't available to us anymore. So, there's that....along with the language barrier which can sometimes be very frustrating. I'm not saying that everyone should know English or something, because that wouldn't be fair. I just struggle with the language barrier and it can make simple things, like a trip to the grocery store, rather difficult.

I'm also not a fan of the driving here. I'm a nervous driver in general, and even though I have my German license, I am still terrified every time I have to drive somewhere. Drivers here seem very abrupt to me and it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just a wuss but, it is what it is.
There are a few other things that I don't like such as no A/C or ceiling fans, having to use bottled water, and the lack of elevators makes it difficult when you have a stroller and a baby that isn't able to walk. But now I just sound spoiled.

There are a few things that I really do love.
I love the scenery. Not necessarily where I live, but in places like Garmisch, the view is truly breathtaking.

Baby toys! Germany has some of the coolest baby/kids toys that I've ever seen. Not to mention their strollers. It's basically a bassinet on wheels. Neat-o!

"Downtown" Pretty much every place you go in Germany (that I've been to, at least) has a 'downtown' area with lots of shops and cafe's that you can just walk around for hours! When the weather is nice, it's perfect for family outings. You can go to and Eiscream shop and get these really elaborate (and delicious!) sundae's, go to a wine shop and taste all the wines and liquors, stop at a restaurant or 'brauhaus' and get a meal or a cheese platter, and go to all the other little shops along the way.  

I also love all the festivals that Germany has! There was one right across the street from where we live and we went to it almost every day that it was here. They have the best goodies and treats and also live bands and BEER, BEER and more BEER!

Hmm....maybe I like Germany a little more that I thought ;)

FALLing in love!

The weather here in Germany is already cooling off and it's seriously putting me into the most festive mood!
Yes, I'm that girl with the Fall wreath already hanging on the door.

I used to be a die-hard Summer lover, but from home décor to Halloween duds for the little one, this Momma has fallen in love with FALL.

I've got my spicy scents from Candles by Victoria in my warmer, all the classic Halloween themed movies on the TV, cute festive designs on my chalkboards and apple cider in my mug!

It might seem a little soon to be jumping into all of this but I just can't help myself!

Speaking of not being able to help myself, I've already hit up Old Navy and Carter's to get some seasonal stuff for my little man. I think that any little one (girl or boy) could rock these all season long.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to my Halloween movie marathon! (Hocus Pocus, anyone?)



Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry

Who doesn't love a good recipe? Especially when it's super easy, fast, and yummy!
This is something that I threw together one night and it turned out DELICIOUS!
The pineapples add a burst of flavor and the water chestnuts and cashews add some crunch!
Here's what you'll need:

2 or 3 chicken breast, cut into strips (depending on how many people you're serving)
3 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green) cut into strips
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup baby portabello mushrooms, sliced (more, if you like)
1 can water chestnuts
1 can diced pineapple
1 cup halved cashews
Kikkoman Stir-Fry Sauce (approx 1/2 bottle)

In a skillet, cook chicken. In another skillet, combine bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms and saute until soft. In a pot or large skillet, combine chicken and vegetables and stir fry sauce. Add in water chestnuts, pineapple and cashews and let simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes. Serve. You can also serve over noodles or rice, if you prefer.  Enjoy!

This or That: Diaper Genie vs. Munchkin Diaper Pail

There are SO many decisions to be made when you are preparing for the arrival of a baby. How should you decorate the nursery? What brands should you use? What items are worth splurging on and which items can I afford to spend less on?
After going through this, I have come across some products that I've had to switch out or replace, which means spending more money so, I've decided to start doing this type of post called 'This or That' where I will compare two or more brands of the same type of item and give you a review of both, ultimately giving my opinion of which is better and hopefully saving you some time, hassle, and money.

Our first match- Diaper Disposal

You spend hour upon hours, and most likely quite a bit of money, on setting up your babies nursery. It's beautiful and perfect, just like your sweet new baby, but if you don't have a good way to dispose of diapers, that perfectly designed room that you worked so hard on can become a room that you'll avoid at all costs because it smells like baby poo. Even if you don't dispose of your diapers in the nursery, wherever you do dispose of them, the smell is sure to linger.


DIAPER GENIE ($ 34.99): When preparing for Dakota's arrival, we got a gently used Diaper Genie from a consignment sale (We probably paid about $10.00). It was in perfect condition and had no 'smell' to it. However, after Dakota arrived and it was put to use, it quickly became a problem. It held in the 'smell' when it was closed, but the moment you opened it to throw away a new diaper, the room was filled with stench. I couldn't figure out what the problem was. It was emptied (which was a nightmare because those liners are a huge pain in the but to work with) and cleaned out on a regular basis. I tried using baking soda to help absorb some of the smell but nothing worked. The smell was getting unbearable and I got to the point where I would rather just throw the diaper in a plastic bag, tie it up, and throw it in the regular trash bin just to avoid opening the Diaper Genie.

Finally, enough was enough and my husband and I agreed that it was time to give in and get a different diaper disposal system.

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail ($29.99): This diaper pail is a DREAM. It is so easy  to use and when you throw away a diaper, the liner twists so that no smell escapes from the bag. There is also a cartridge of baking soda in the lid that releases a sprinkle every time it shuts so it keeps the pail even fresher and when it's empty, you just pop off the lid and refill it! No expensive cartridges you have to buy.. The liners are SO easy to deal with, too. Instead of all the turning, and cutting that comes with the diaper genie, when you are ready to empty this diaper pail, the top of the bag pops out, snaps together and becomes a handle, and a closure for the bag. GENIUS! I couldn't be happier we made the switch. I just wish we hadn't waited so long!

If you'd like, you can click here to watch a video and see just how the Munchkin Diaper Pail works.

The winner of this match up is clear- Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail.

If you'd like to see more posts like this, or have a request on a type of baby item that you'd like to see compared, just comment below!

Pinterest Experience: Butterbeer

I've been a huge fan of Pinterest for a while now. One huge problem with it is that I see so many great ideas and just PIN, PIN, PIN and never actually give them a try (Other than the occasional dinner recipe) My husband, however, pins things, actually gets the supplies and tries them. His latest pin that he wanted to try: Butterbeer. If you're a Harry Potter fan (he is, I'm not really that into it) then you've heard of this. It is not an actual beer, just a sweet treat kind of drink. Maybe the Hogwarts hot chocolate?

The recipe we used consisted of :
1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda (We used cream soda)
1/2 cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
and
1/2 tablespoon butter

Basically, you warm the syrup and butter and stir in the soda.

The result?
For us, we each took a sip, looked at each other like "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" BLEGH!! SO over the top sweet, thick, and just downright disappointing. We each took a couple more sips- willing the flavor to grow on us but, no such luck, and with that, down the kitchen sink it went.

Butterbeer was beery disappointing.
I should've just drank the cream soda. It never lets me down.

I'd love to hear of any 'Pinterest Fails' you've encountered. Comment below!

The Mommy-to-be Handbook

Ok, so the title of this post might be a little far-fetched. I am by no means an expert in pregnancy or all of the emotions etc. that come after the birth BUT I have been through it and I think I have a few worth-while tips to offer moms-to-be or even new moms. Keep in mind that I am still a 'new mom' myself but, the New Mom I'll be referring to is the one up to around 2 months post partum. With that, I'll get started.

1. Get as much sleep as you can.- You will hear over and over how 'You will never have a peaceful nights sleep again' or something to that affect. Let me be the one  to tell you, it's the truth! Even if you're blessed with a perfect child who sleeps through the night from day one (fyi-That will never, ever happen. They will need to eat) you will be peering into their bassinet/crib/whatevertheysleepin to make sure the blanket hasn't worked it's way into their face and holding your finger under their nose to make sure they are breathing. Once they've grown past the stage of needing to eat during the night, even if they sleep through the entire night chances are you won't, and if you do, it won't be that peaceful slumber that you once had. The  'mommy' in you is still 100% awake and ready to jump out of bed at the slightest whimper that rings through the baby monitor.

2. Spend quality time with your significant other. - Enjoy the time that you have left as a 'couple' before you become a 'family'. Go on dates often, cuddle, TALK- and not just about the baby. These are the last moments you will have with just you and him. When the baby arrives it will be difficult to spend quality time together and impossible to do so without interruptions. You are probably ACHING to meet your baby, but really, just take some time to enjoy each other.

3. Don't be in a hurry.- I wish I would have listened when people were telling me this. Your pregnancy WILL fly by and your baby will be here before you know it. Enjoy your pregnancy and the experiences you have with each stage of it. You won't miss the heartburn, feet in your ribs, or waddling around like an out of breath penguin but you will miss those little flutters and kicks in your belly all too soon.

4. Prepare yourself mentally. - Birth is a beautiful thing, but labor certainly is not. It is highly uncomfortable painful, there are parts of it that are downright gross, and by the end of it, modesty will be a thing of the past, believe me, but the truth of the matter is that once your baby is placed in your arms, you will completely forget about all of it. Why else would women go through this more than once?!

5. Don't cut the tags off of their clothes! - I should've listened to my mother in law. There are so many outfits that my son never got to wear but I just HAD to wash and put away his clothes before he even got here. DON'T DO IT because later you will be going "What am I supposed to do with this now? He never even wore it!" Keep the tags on the clothes until you've put them on and made sure they fit. If they're too small, take them back for a new outfit that will fit!

New Mom

6. Dealing with mommy guilt.- I felt guilty when my son was first born because I thought that I would just have this instantaneous 'bond' with him, and I did, but it wasn't what I thought it would be.  From the moment I first laid eyes on him yes, I loved him more than anything in the entire world, but later, after the initial high of 'the birth' wore off, I felt.....detatched. (That's the only world I could think to explain it. I felt like "I don't know this person, all I know is I love him more than life itself" Frankly, I was SCARED and confused. I had never cared for a newborn before! I had most certainly never had a LIFE solely dependant on ME! I was so very in love, and so very overwhelmed. My point is, if you don't feel that immediate 'connection' don't feel bad! My mom felt the same way when I was born. It is natural. As long as you are loving, caring, and nurturing, the bond and connection will develop naturally. and before you know it this teeny tiny person will be the very reason you breath.

7. 'Breast is best' blah blah blah- Yes, I do agree that breast is best. Yes, I think that everyone should try it and if it works out, stick with it. The first two weeks are the hardest but after that, it's easy peasy. HOWEVER- sometimes it just doesn't work out. Sometimes you don't make enough milk, sometimes the baby won't latch in which case you could pump but sometimes the pump doesn't work either. There are SO many situations in which breastfeeding just isn't going to happen. In my case, Dakota was a naturally good latcher. I made plenty of milk, everything was going well, but there was one BIG problem. My milk was FAR too lean. By lean, I mean almost no fat whatsoever. My baby was hardly gaining any weight! I didn't realize this was the problem and I was so against formula feeding that I just kept breastfeeding and wondering why my son wanted to nurse LITERALLY ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I was exhausted, he was cranky and far too small for his age. I finally broke down and gave him formula and it kept him full! I decided to breastfeed most of the time and give him the occasional bottle of formula. Eventually he went to more bottles and less breast and then around 6 months, switched completely to formula. And you know what? We're all a lot better off! Dakota is fat and happy and mommy isn't exhausted and on the verge of tears because she can't do anything but nurse all day! I saw some sort of logo or picture the other day that was a mother with the baby on the breast and another with the baby on a bottle. Beneath it, it said, "I am fed. You are a good mommy." I couldn't agree more.

8. You will look like crap.- I used to be the 'wouldn't leave the house without a full face of makeup and perfect hair' kind of girl. After I had Koda? Psh! Forget about it! I tried that for a while but I've come to realize, I have a baby to take care of and a house to run. So what if at the end of the day I'm still in my pajama's, my hair is tied  up in a messy bun and my eyes have bags under them? My baby is happy and well cared for, my house is (hopefully) clean, and dinner is made. If I happen to find time to put on jeans and a bra...well...that just means I get extra points because I am SUPERMOM!

9  Don't worry.- I am known for worrying. It is what I do and I do it well. With babies, it's especially easy to drive yourself crazy with worry. Is he eating enough? Is he sleeping too much? Should he have hit this milestone by now? STOP IT! As long as your baby is healthy and interactive EVERYTHING IS FINE! As far as milestones go, every baby is different. Some do things very early, some skip certain things all together. Let them do their thing and sit back and enjoy watching them learn and grow.

10. Don't neglect your significant other.-It is extremely easy for this baby to occupy every place in your heart and your head but, make sure you are making time for Daddy. Not only is he overwhelmed by the new addition, he's most likely feeling left out and probably a little jealous. He is used to having you all to himself and all of the sudden this baby is taking up your every waking moment. Just as you are trying to acclimate yourself to motherhood, he is trying to acclimate himself to fatherhood. He may not feel that 'bond' as quickly as you do. Give him time, soon he will be wrapped around that babies finger. This isn't what I was getting at though- Your husband is your 'forever relationship'. Yes, you will be tied to your child forever, but one day, that child will grow up and start having a life of their own and you and your husband will be left with each other. This is why there is a thing called 'Empty Nest Syndrome'. Parents forget that, in the end, it is their relationship that they will be left with for life, so DON'T let the fire die out!! Get a babysitter once a month for a date night. Say 'I love you' with conviction, be flirtatious!! Do whatever you have to do to keep your love alive! Besides, that's the reason you have a baby anyway, right?  ;) 

11. MOST IMPORTANTLY, Be confident and Trust yourself!- I've spent a lot of my life trying to be a certain way for certain people and always falling short. Because of it, I have a lack of confidence in almost everything, except when it comes to being a mom. If there is one thing I am proud of and one thing I know I'm good at in this life, it's being a mommy. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that my child KNOWS how much I love him. He is cherished, well cared for, and healthy. I may ask for advice and have questions from time to time but at the end of the day, no matter what advice I'm given, no matter what anyone says, I am going to go with my instinct. Motherly instinct is a fascinating gift from God and it is how you learn to become the best mother you can be. As long as you know in your heart of hearts that every decision you make, and everything you do is in the best interest of your child, you are a fantastic mother. Be confident in that! If you find yourself lacking confidence, or if you just don't know what to do in any given situation, The Man Upstairs has always led me down the right path. <3

6 & 7 month recap

Dakota is nearing 8 months old! In these past months my teeny tiny, preemie wearing baby boy has turned into a sitting, talking growling, crawling scooting machine! He also has such a big personality and the cutest smile in the entire world! (if you ask me)

6 & 7 Month Stats:
Weight: 6 months - 15.5 lbs
Height: 27 in
Relationship Status: Mommy has my...looks at baby girl...."oh hey cutie, I'm liking your diaper cover *wink*"
Living Arrangements: I still live with my parents *wink*
Favorites:
Food: pears, apples, blueberries, and BANANA POPCICLES!
Activities: Bath time, playing in the bouncer, and looking at pictures-of himself.
Accomplishments: Sits unassisted, scoots to get around, much more vocal, and hold his own bottle!

A couple favorites from these months:

My First Green Toys Stacker
AH-mazing! Koda will sit and play with this toy for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. He absolutely loves it- and the sound it makes when he smacks the pieces together- and I do too. It helps encourage him to SIT UP and play annnddd it keeps him occupied! WIN-WIN!
We got this in our most recent citrus lane box. If you missed my post on them you can check it out here

 

Chan Teether by Vulli
We got him this in December but within the past couple of months it has become a favorite.
It's easy for him to hold, feels good on his gums, and squeaks when squeezed or chewed on. It gets an instant smile any time I give it to him.

Koda also does this growl thing now. It's hilarious and him and my husband will go back and forth with it. Here's a picture I got mid-growl.



My little moster =]
 

Monthly Favorites : 5 Months

 

Here are a few of our favorite things from Dakota's 5th month.




Baby Einstein Bouncer: Koda started interacting with his toys a lot more this month. He loves to hit the piano to make it play music and often gets upset when it stops so he whacks it again until it plays another tune for him. He also loves the attachment with the frog that spins and the little beads that spin and move. I love that it's adjustable in height so it will grow with him. He already stands up fully for a few seconds at a time in it so, it's obviously encouraging him to stand. The seat also turns a full 360% so he has access to all of the toys and he can turn and see me no matter where I am in the room.
Gerber Oatmeal Cereal: Slightly more nutritious than regular cereal (not by much, but still a little better). This has become a part of our nightly routine and also morning if he doesn't feel like being spoon fed. The Doctor told me that studies have shown that there's no correlation between cereals and how well babies sleep at night after having it but- I beg to differ. This kid needs his nightly oatmeal. We just add a few tablespoons (we started with 1 tablespoon at 4 months old and it's increase slightly over time) to his regular bottle of formula and he drinks it at bedtime. Gerber has also come out with awesome new plastic containers instead of boxes which is a lot more convenient and less messy.
Any rattle with little beads: He has quite a few similar to the one pictured here and just loves them all. He loves that he can hold them and make is movements come with noise! Even better- they're inexpensive.
Sassy Mirror: This is tummy time's best friend. I just prop this baby up in front of Koda (and slightly out of reach) and he will move himself to it, stare at it, giggle, move it, and play with the lady bug rattle on it.
Nuby Learner Bottle: This bottle comes with a removable handle and two types of nipples to help your baby learn to hold the bottle and transition to sippy cups. We're still on the first nipple, with handles. The first time I offered it to Koda, his hands went right for the handles and he held it like a pro! Such a big boy! *proud momma moment*
Any blanket with satin on the edges: At this age, babies love soft things. In Koda's case, he doesn't really care for plushy feeling things like stuffed animals, but he just can't get enough of the silky/satiny edges of his blankets.
Munckin Drying Rack: I prefer washing bottles/nipples/etc by hand but drying them?...no thanks. This sucker holds all of Koda's 10 million bottles (big and small), along with spoons, nipples, and other accessories. Very good buy.

Hope you found this helpful, and as always, thanks for reading!

Citrus Lane

I'm sure you've all heard about those monthly subscription boxes. You pay a montly due (usually somewhere between $10-25) and you get a box full of products in the mail. Sometimes they're a surprise and sometimes you get to choose what's put in it, depending on the company you order from. There are all types of products offered too. Some boxes promote beauty products, others promote health food, etc. While looking for new baby gadgets for Koda, I came upon a company that promotes products for mommies babies-according to age. After looking through some of their products, I decided to place an order and try them out. This is one of the boxes in which the contents are a surprise so, needless to say, when the box arrived yesterday, I was PUMPED! I was not disappointed. Here's what we received.

Below are the descriptions of each product given by Citrus Lane on the insert of the package.

Spinning Penguin from Melissa & Doug
"Babies are curious by nature, and this wooden toy from Melissa & Doug satisfies their urge to explore. Right about now (as I mentioned before each package is based on my your child's age) fine-motor skills are starting to develop, with small precise thumb, finger, hand and wrist movements coming into play. This friendly penguin encourages those skills, rewarding your baby with a pleasing rattle with every shake and spin."
Cost : $7.99

Shampoo & Body Wash from The Honest Company
"Here's a head-to-toe shampoo and body wash the entire family can use. This tear-free, plant-based cleanser contains the highest quality organic and natural ingredients,, so it's gentle enough for babies, even those with skin irritations and cradle cap. Organic calendula soothes, moisturizes and protects, while essential oils, fruit extracts, organic aloe and vitamin E hydrate. Perfectly pH balanced and hypoallergenic, it removes dirt without stripping natural oils. Shake well before use!" 
Citrus Lane also included a 20% off coupon to honest.com.
Cost: $9.95

Silicone Train Spoon from Oogaa

"Feeding time is much more fun when you incorporate an element of play, and Oogaa kept that in mind when designing this train-shaped spoon. And, if your little one is paying more attention to the spoon than the veggies you're introducing, that's just another bonus! Made entirely from high-grade silicone that's PVC- and phthalate-free, you can throw it inn the dishwasher on any shelf."

Citrus Lane also included a coupon code to 30% off at oogaa.com
Cost: $5.99

 

Little Cremes from Plum Organics

"The right time to introduce snacks varies baby to baby-some are ready at six months and others not until later. With that in mind, we're sending you Plum Organics Little Cremes a little early. The delicious bite-sized fruit and veggie blends are a perfect first snack because they're non-dairy and melt easily. If your little one isn't quite ready, just throw it in the cupboard for when the time is right"
Citrus Lane also included 2 $.50 coupons for any Plum Organics product.
Cost from Amazon.com: $3.79

 

EZ Grip Training Teether from Innobaby

"Teething is a painful rite of passage. And, it can be hard for little ones to self-soothe. This teether has a soft, flexible design that gently massages and stimulates the gums to ease discomfort, all while promoting natural jaw development. Best of all, the barbell shape makes the teether super easy for babies to hold - it's lightweight and perfectly sized for small hands."

Citrus Lane also included at 15% off coupon code to innobaby.com
Cost: $4.95

Price I paid for Citrus Lane box (one time shipment): $25.00
Total cost of all products included: $32.67
For a savings of : $7.67- not including the coupons that were provided.
Also, I actually saved a lot more than $7.67 if I were to include the shipping and handling costs of each product individually.

I would definitely recommend ordering from Citrus Lane. It was so fun to open the box and see all the fun things that were included. It will be so fun to see how Koda likes the items, as well. They also got this package to me SUPER fast, considering that we are located overseas! I hope you all enjoyed this post. Let me know if you would like to see more like it and if you decide to order from Citrus Lane, tell them Jess from BabyDQ.blogspot.com sent you!

 

 

 

A belated update- 6 months

 

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted in a while. Originally, it was due to the fact that we were in the process of moving to Germany. It kind of just went downhill from there BUT with much support from friends and family, I am back!

So now, here's a VERY belated update on Mr. Dakota Lane!

Age: 6 months and 6 days
Weight: 15lbs 6oz
Length: 27 in



 

 

 

1/2 Birthday! 4/19/13

Favorites:
Food: Pear puree and Apple/Blueberry puree
Activity: Being held by mommy, playing in the bouncer (but only when Mommy is in plain sight. The second I start walking away, the waterworks start) splashing at bathtime, and FLIRTING!
Least favorite Activity: Not being held, getting dressed, waiting on food.



Latest accomplishments/discoveries: As of about a month ago he can roll over both ways. He also discovered his feet around the same time and loves to pull them up and play with them. He has started using bottles and sippy cups with handles so he can now hold his own bottle (with a little extra help every now and then). He is beginning to try to push up on his knees at tummy time so it looks like crawling is just around the corner! He is also SO close to being able to sit up completely unsupported, but tends to be lazy about it and just himself over when we practice like it's the most boring thing in the world.


Funniest Moments: His facial expressions at the introduction of each new food. (It looks like a 'sour face') He has developed a fake laugh for when we tickle him, but also has the most adorable real laugh in the whole wide world. But mommy's favorite was this morning while feeding him I was spooning his next bite and when I went to feed it to him he had fallen asleep! I tried to get a picture but, of course, he woke up as soon as I moved.



Acting like he owns the place

coming soon: 4-5 month favorite and most used products!



Growing Up

First of all- I've seriously been slacking on my updates so, sorry for that! Now, on to the good stuff! My sweet baby boy is already 15 WEEKS old! So this coming friday, in weeks, he will be 4 months old! So hard to believe! And in this past month, my baby boy has made a ton of progress! I have no idea how my tiny, sleepy newborn has transformed into this 9 lb 15 oz, 24 inch baby! He is constantly babbling and cooing and, as of two days ago, has become a PRO at rolling over and holding himself up on his arms. He has also gained neck control which means - dun dun dunnnnn- we can start foods soon! He is awesome at sitting up in his bumbo chair which will be very helpful when we do decide to start those foods. My little lovebug has also taken a liking to his swing - thank goodness, it is a life saver! - and even has a favorite toy which is pictured below. The rings on it are awesome for him to grab and hold onto and he has started bringing them to his mouth to chew on and, of course, he LOVES the mirror on it. If he sees himself in it, his eyes get huge and he will start 'patting' it over and over to hear the and feel the 'crinkly' stuff that's underneath. It's so fun to see him discovering all these new things and developing this awesome little personality. I fall more in love with him each day. He is truly my own personal ray of sunshine.

Koda's First Christmas

WHEW! This past week or so has been over the top hectic! We moved into our new house, hosted our first Ugly Christmas Sweater party, and had Koda's first Christmas! Although he's too young to realize what was happening, we started a couple of Christmas traditions (like baking cookies for Santa!) that we're sure he will be VERY excited about next year! He received a TON of gifts that he had no idea what to do with (but he will very soon, I'm sure!) except his mirrors...he LOVES the mirrors! Here's a couple pics!

We went to a 'Winter Wonderland'. It was a gorgeous pathway with all kinds of Christmas decorations and lights! Koda didn't care for it but mommy and daddy had fun! His hat says 'My First Christmas'

'What the heck are you doing to me mom?!' I LOVE getting these kind of pictures where he fits into ridiculously small items. I know it won't last long so I'm enjoying it while I can! Even though he'll probably hate me for it when he's older ;)

Our little Family on Christmas Eve

Koda's first Christmas! This little outfit was one of his gifts and I just couldn't wait to put it on him! 

Hope all of you enjoyed your Christmas!

Introducing Mr.Grumples

My little munchkin is growing, growing, growing! It seems like every day he is becoming more alert and social. He has even started smiling and laughing! Not belly laughs just yet, but we will get there! His smile makes my day, every day!

He also has a knack for making funny faces. We will sit together for 30 minutes at a time taking picture after picture of all his silly faces! Most of the time he puts on a grumpy face which is why he has earned himself a new nickname. I give you....Mr. Grumples!

Only one week to go and my little man will already be 2 months old! Can't wait to share more of what's been going on with this guy lately! =]

Dakota is 1 month old!

It seems like I start off every post with 'I can't believe it!'....but I truly cannot believe that my baby is already a month old! Everyone says 'it goes by fast' but until you're living it, you cannot appreciate just how quickly time flies. I feel like yesterday I was just finding out that I was pregnant, and here we are today, and he's already been here for an entire month! Within this whirlwind of a month, a lot has changed. Mommy and Daddy aren't looking as rested these days (wonder why?!) and our house has been taken over by Babies R Us!...diapers, wipes, and toys, oh my!...Not that I am complaining, by ANY means! We are truly blessed that we have more than enough for our sweet baby boy. Our family and friends have been so generous! It seems like every time we check the mail we have more stuff for Koda (okay- mommy ;P ) to enjoy, because, let's get real. He doesn't care what he's wearing, but mommy just loves to see him in all those cute little outfits! Koda has been doing a lot of changing himself this month! He doesn't look very different...still on the tiny side, but he has become so alert and has even started giving us a big grin every now and then! He has also made himself a night time schedule. He usually only wakes up about 3 times a night now - HALLELUJAH! During the day he doesn't sleep near as much as he did at first. He likes to lay in mommy's lap and look around. We play patty-cake together and I tell him the 'little piggies' story on his toes but his FAVORITE thing to do is make silly faces! He has a ton of them and they make mommy laugh every time! We also go spend time with friends. Koda's best friend's name is Rilee. He will be 3 months old on the 24th. They like to lay on the play gym together and look at the toys that dangle from the top...oh, and, kick each other in the face! He also has a girlie friend named Emily who is just 8 days older than him. He will also be meeting my God daughter (and his future wife ;] ) very soon! She turned 3 months old on the 14th. As of right now him and his friends don't do much interacting, but I'm sure that will be changing very shortly- they grow so fast! Here's a few pictures of our little man and also some of him and his friends!

1 month!

 hahaha!

 Koda and Emily

 Koda and Rilee

 He loves to stick out his tongue! 

 The sweetest smile in the whole world

another one with that tongue out!-silly boy!

Dakota Lane Has Arrived!-Birth Story

After a very long 9 months, our precious baby boy has arrived! On October 19,2012 at 8:40 am, Dakota Lane came into the world weighing 5 lbs 15 oz and was 20 in long! My birth story started in the ultrasound room of the clinic with my high-risk Dr checking on Koda's growth. While he had gained weight and looked healthy and normal, he was still under the 10th percentile and the Dr wanted to make sure that there wasn't something wrong that he wasn't able to see on the ultrasound, so he decided to induce my labor. He checked the schedule and labor and delivery were all booked for the next two days, so he asked me if I would be ok with being induced that day. Without hesitation my answer was YES! I was so ready to meet my handsome little man and my mom and mother in law were already in town awaiting Koda's arrival. We didn't even go home (we already had our 'go' bags in the car) We went straight upstairs to labor and delivery where they immediately took me back, started my IV and admitted me! At first they gave me plain fluids and then around 2:30 they started my pitocin. I started REALLY feeling the contractions a few hours later. The nurse had told me that they would give me some pain medicine through my iv until I could get my epidural (at 4 cm) but that I might want to hold off for a while because the first dose would be the strongest and help the most. After a while of trying to breathe through the contractions-which really REALLY hurt-I went ahead and got the pain medicine. Once they administered the medicine, I immediately went to sleep for a few hours. When I woke up, I could feel the contractions again and they were only getting stronger so I got another dose and went back to sleep. Again, when I woke up the contractions were back and getting stronger. They checked my progress and I was finally at 4-almost 5 cm so they said I could get my epidural. While they were administering the epidural, I heard a loud POP and my leg kicked out like someone was checking the reflexes in my knee. I got kind of worried because I heard one of the Dr's say "shit!"....He told me that sometime after delivery I would most likely get a really bad migraine but there was something they would do for me to help but I'd have to wait 24 hours. They went back in and tried the epidural again and this time, it worked! My contractions went away quickly and I fell back asleep. When I woke up I started feeling a lot of pressure. My midwife came in to check my progress and she said that it was time to push! She left the room for a while and FINALLY my nurse came in and told me that on my next contraction we would start to push! Eight minutes later I was holding my beautiful baby boy in my arms! We snuggled for a while and then they took him over to the warmer to get his weight/height and give him his first bath and then when they brought him back to me, I got to feed him for the first time, which was something I had been looking forward to for my entire pregnancy. A few hours later, they moved me into another room and right around that time, the headache that the epidural doctor had warned me about hit and it hit HARD! Another doctor came in to talk to me about what was going on and explained that I had a 'spinal headache' which had been caused by a 'wet tap' when I was getting my epidural (that was the loud pop and kick). To fix the spinal headache they would wait 24 hours from the time my epidural was administered and then give me a 'blood patch'. This procedure is where they would give me another epidural but instead of the medicine they give you during a normal epidural, they would inject me with 20 cc's of my own blood and this would lessen/take away the spinal headache. In the meantime, I was to lay completely flat on my back, as this was the only way my head would not feel like it was absolutely about to explode! After a long while, I was able to get my blood patch which helped a lot but didn't take away the headache completely, however, I was able to function again without my head being in excruciating pain. (a couple days later the headache was completely gone) I don't regret the epidural at all though! The headache was a lot less painful than birth would have been without the epidural! After 2 nights in the hospital, we were able to take our little man home! Life has certainly changed a lot since he's been here, but for the better! While we get a lot less sleep, our hearts are forever full. Please help me welcome my wonderful baby boy, Dakota Lane!

Belly Progression (and a couple fun extras!)

I can see the finish line!! Dakota's estimated due date is just SIXTEEN days away! These last couple of weeks aren't going to go by nearly as fast as I'd like them to, but soon, I'll have my baby boy in my arms! I thought it would be fun to take a look  back at the past 9 months and watch how much my little bear-and my belly!- have grown.

A few days after we found out we were expecting a little DQ!
(I should probably also explain that DQ is somewhat of an abbreviation of our last name)

11 weeks and the very beginnings of a  'Koda Bump'

13 Weeks (excuse my appearance)
I remember looking at this photo and thinking how HUGE my belly looked-HAHA!

19 Weeks
Thought I was about as big as I was going to get here. 

This one was taken somewhere in the early 20-week range. I'm guessing around 21 or 22 weeks

26 Weeks

32 Weeks


37 Weeks
Really looking like I'm about to POP now! (Which I am...and SOON....hopefully!)

And just for fun, Zach and I decided to paint Koda a couple of early Halloween costumes! 
First up, my friend Nickie's design- A cute little pumpkin!


And now for Daddy's design, Zach decided to make Koda -The Punisher!


Hope you enjoyed this little trip down Memory Lane with me! Hopefully within my next couple of posts , there will be actual pictures of my sweet little man's face, instead of my big 'ol belly!