Hot mess express over here. In my world that's referring to the lovely four month sleep regression. You know, that thing that I was hoping we would be lucky enough to not have happen to us.
ha ha haaaa HA.
Our little angel babe who is normally a great sleeper has been up every hour (and I mean EVERY hour...) the past two nights, thanks to this lovely regression period. You can read more about it here if you're interested, but the good news is that this means he's growing and learning lots of new things. We have been trying to repeat, "this is only a phase, this is only a phase", but please pray for us this next week (or two? oh man, for the love of all things please don't let this last longer than a week...)
Looking forward to: My first Mother's Day! Ever since my mom passed away, it's been my least favorite holiday but I've always in the back of my head looked forward to the day that I can finally celebrate it and not be so sad. Thankful for our little Camden who made that possible this year...he makes me so happy, it's unreal.
{I know he's mine but SERIOUSLY? That smile!!!!}
Loving: Kayla Itsines workouts! After following her on instagram I decided to buy and try her workouts. Each workout consists of two circuits (with little equipment required so you can do them anywhere!) and is 28 minutes long. I love them - they kick my butt and the time goes quickly!
On the hunt for: a cute one-piece bikini. How much do I sound like a new mom right now?! I'm thinking about getting one since I'm sure I will want more coverage when toting around a little one all the time. I'm leaning towards this one because it's classic but still cute and stylish, thanks to that bow. The price is steep, but I can justify it if I'll be using it for the next few years.
{comes with a detachable strap that would make it even cuter! imo}
Wondering: and wishing that I could have more caffeine when nursing. WHY.WHY.WHY #givemeallthecoffee
Making: this recipe a lot nowadays. this one (Billy's fav) will be started back in the rotation soon since the weather is warming up!
{deck furniture is back out..just need to buy some cute pillows!}
Listening to: my two favorite songs right now...outside - calvin harris ft. ellie goulding, and want to want me - jason derulo.
Giving two pieces of unsolicited advice for future first time mamas:
(I meant to share this when Cam was a newborn but forgot)
1. Stop researching the best baby products and spend a lot of time learning about breastfeeding, supply, pumping, etc. That is IF you plan to nurse-if you don't then just skip on past this! Looking back I wish that I would've spent more time learning about it while pregnant. PS-yes, I'm still pumping & actually prefer it over breastfeeding any day!
2. Keep an open mind about how you plan to feed your baby. You might be all for breastfeeding, not want to pump, and be 100% against formula, but your baby might have a different plan! Sometimes you can't control what happens (you might THINK you're the one in control but I hate to break it to you-the baby is!) so just don't beat yourself up about it and make sure you have a back up plan. And remember...the most important thing is that they are being fed-not what they are being fed.
Have a good hump day friends!
Girl, you would ROCK that one piece!!! Love those two songs right now too. I have about 5 that I am listening to on constant repeat and those two are on the list. I just want you to know I always think of you on Mother's Day. In my eyes you have always told your story and the loss of your mom with such grace. After going through my own experience earlier this month, the upcoming Mother's Day is heavy on my heart. I'm always thankful for how you express your feelings on this! XOXO
ReplyDeleteKatie I think I need you on speed dial for when my little man arrives! Love reading your blog :)
ReplyDeletehey Kali!! So excited for you...feel free to message me here (or via email or facebook) whenever! :)
DeleteYou will be the cutest in that one piece!! I just love your little babe!
ReplyDeleteThis might be one of my favorite posts of yours, because it's so honest! So many times, it seems like bloggers have perfect lives and perfect babies who sleep 12 hours a night every night. My sweet girl just turned 4 months last Thursday, and while she's not in full on regression (fingers crossed), we've had a rough few nights in the sleep department. I also EP, after an unsuccessful few weeks at trying to correct her poor latch, and I recently had to start giving a bottle of formula a day because I don't make enough to keep up with her. I beat myself up over it, again, because it seems like everyone else has a perfect breastfeeding experience. But ya know what? I'm giving her all the breast milk that I can, and that's the best gift I can give her. But what she's fed is not as important as the fact that she's fed. As soon as I let go of all the pressure and stopped comparing, it got so much easier. :) Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I love this! You're so right. I also put a ton of pressure on myself and after a few weeks I slowly realized the same thing...if he's fed and happy then that is all that matters!! :) thanks for the kind words.
DeleteYour two pieces of advice at the end is what I tell EVERY one of my soon to be mama friends! I was DEADSET on breastfeeding. I did everything in my power to make it happen. And after a few weeks when he wasn't gaining weight I realized I was being taught a very valuable lesson. They have their own agenda and you can't make them! I wish I would've not gotten depressed over it and just accepted it.
ReplyDeleteExactly! The baby has the most control and that is what I didn't realize when I was pregnant. I thought I would be the one leading the way with breastfeeding when in reality it was him. Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteI always thought one piece bathing suits were unflattering but that one is awesome!!!! Also, figures crossed for you that you little guy gets back into his sleeping groove.."this is only a phase" is a motto that is said weekly at my house as well! And, I always feel for those that have lost their mothers at such young ages, and know that this mother's day will be so special and meaningful for you! I hope you guys have something special planned!!! (and that the weather is nice!!!)
ReplyDeleteThis IS a phase, and there will be more, but they will all pass!! I am totally the mom from Love You Forever because I go in now while Cam's sleeping and pick him up. I feel like a total creep, but I miss holding him while he sleeps! LOVE that greek pasta salad...I just made a Greek orzo salad and can't stop eating it. I've been sporting a one-piece (or tankini) for a couple of years, and there are some really cute ones! I found mine at JCrew Factory....heck of a deal! AND, I totally agree about the feeding your baby. I thought I would breastfeed Cam, but I was so sick after giving birth that I couldn't, so I pumped for awhile, but didn't even keep up with that. NOW, I am researching all about breastfeeding and pumping so I can be better prepared. For products, we figure out what we need when we need them!! Haha PS I used to think that Cameron was the cutest kid ever, but Camden might have him beat. He is SO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you my friend and hope little Cam starts sleeping again soon - phase will be over soon momma!! Loving the one piece - so cute x
ReplyDeleteOh no--I'm sorry he hasn't been sleeping : (
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips for future moms--I used to be very adamant about not breastfeeding, then I leaned towards exclusively pumping, and now I'm thinking I will pump and nurse (when I have a baby). I read your post about your schedule and I hope you will do a follow up someday about your new schedule and what you've learned, etc. I love reading any tips that might help me in the future!
The 4 month sleep regression was horrible. Absolutely horrible. And the thing is, it's actually NOT really a phase, whether or not he goes back to sleeping normal has a lot to do with how you put him to sleep. I made the huge mistake of always helping Arianna fall asleep so she was completely dependent on me and a soother to sleep. She's almost 6 months now and we just had to do sleep training. I highly recommend looking into some gentle ways to help him fall asleep on his own. I feel like you're probably going to be fine because you've already got him on a schedule, which I never did and I think it's huge. Good luck!! Hope you're getting more sleep soon!
ReplyDeleteYour #2 on advice - on point, friend. I hate the mom wars that start up btwn BFing and formula feeding - actually it makes me sick because no one knows the exact journey mothers go on when it comes to feeding their child. (Like me who had to listen to the pediatrician tell us our son was starving and failing to thrive at 8wks and they didn't care what we thought about formula they were feeding him right then and there...yea, if you haven't heard that then shut yo face (End Rant).
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Cam has hit the 4mth regression! Hopefully it's just a phase. :)
Aw Happy Mother's day to you! I hope the sleep thing gets worked out soon!
ReplyDeleteI have a serious love/hate for Kayla but in such a good way! I am always dead at the end of her workouts!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you will get to enjoy Mother's Day this year! You deserve it! And I hope you get some sleep soon. I remember those days of being up every hour, it was so tough! And you speak the truth when you say the baby is the one who's actually in control... We are just along for the ride :)
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post about Mother's Day yesterday and actually thought of you. I know Mother's Day has always been difficult for you and I am so happy that you are able to find joy in it once again. No doubt in my mind that your mom is watching over you and so proud of the mama you are! xo
ReplyDeleteI am due with my first next week and I am planning on breastfeeding and pumping. Have you come across any books or articles that you would recommend? I will definitely start reading up on the topic right away- thanks for the advice!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I would recommend looking up these more specific things on Pinterest. I've found so many great articles by just typing in these phrases in the search bar.
Delete-Pumping while nursing
-Breastfeeding positions
-How to increase your supply
-Pumping schedules
-Pumping and going back to work
Great post!! Yes, the 4 month sleep regression is real! Cam is just now starting to regress at 5 months :/ I think part of it is his teething though?? Ughhh... Great advice at the end there too! That was one thing I just thought would come naturally... haha NOPE!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Girl! First of all, Camden is ridiculously adorable and from reading your posts the past few months, it sounds like motherhood suits you wonderfully!!! I remember telling myself "Do not buy in to the 4 month sleep regression... it's fake... it doesn't happen... not my baby..." and when Camden was 4 months and 1 week old, the waking up happened... for quite a few weeks. The good news? Once Camden hit 6 months of age, life has been such a beautiful dream! He sleeps well, eats well, is ridiculously adorable and SO fun! He started sitting up, got teeth, ate solids, rolled over, etc. They are seriously working on so much around 4-5 months. THAT 6 month mark was such a turning point for us (and I know it's different for everyone). But WOW, every day is such a blessing, filled with so much laughter and is more than I ever could have asked for. So, hang in there, you will find out soon why everyone says it just gets better and better. As a side, I stopped nursing (and pumping at work) for good shortly after Camden turned 8 months old. We had his 9 month check up today and the nurse asked me, "Still exclusively breast milk?" I wanted to cry my eyes out and I felt so guilty saying, "No - formula." GAHHHH!!!! Why do we feel this way?!!? I should be patting myself on the back for making it that long and high fiving the nurse. That being said, PROPS TO YOU girlfriend for continuing to pump (which I thought was a million times harder than nursing by the way!) You should be so proud of yourself!!!! :-) :-) :-) Sending lots of positive thoughts your way so that Camden gets back to being a good sleeper soon!
ReplyDeleteBaby smiles are the best! And I want a cute one piece too! I feel pretty good about my post baby body but I still feel like a bit more coverage isn't a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteBaby smiles are the best! And I want a cute one piece too! I feel pretty good about my post baby body but I still feel like a bit more coverage isn't a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteHah, I'm glad I'm not the only first time mom in the one-piece boat, lol. I just found one at Target this weekend. It looks like a bikini from the back but hides my stretched out mom belly!
ReplyDeleteThe sleep regression ---ugh! We are hopefully nearing the end- my son, Reid is 5 months. It happened for my first son at exactly the same time. It seems never ending, but it will end! Seriously- nursing moms deserve all the coffee- limiting it is so terrible!!!
ReplyDeleteHe is so adorable! Enjoy your first Mother's Day :) Also I love that suit with the bow!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for the #2 for new moms. I was heartbroken when I had to stop breastfeeding my Conner 10 days in because of his milk protein allergy. But he's so much happier and healthier now on his Nutramigen formula...and now that I'm not breastfeeding, I drink all the caffeine and wine I want. ;) I'm so happy you're able to pump / breastfeed!
ReplyDelete