My 1st Mother's Day

I hope all of you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day. My 1st was great! Last week I had a little help from Riley wrapping my mom's rose bush that we gave her.

Friday we had Riley's 8 month pictures...well it was supposed to be his 8 month pictures but he will be 9 months Wednesday! (We kept having to reschedule & thought we were going to have to again for rain.) We went ahead & decided to keep the date and I am so glad we did. It turned out to be a beautiful day here. We met our photographer, Jody at a local park & found some great open areas with a few trees. Perfect for pictures. I CANNOT wait to see the proofs! I'll be sure & post the link when they are up.

Our preacher's baby girl Allie had her 1st Birthday party Saturday. I didn't get any pictures of her opening presents because I was taking some with Anisa's (Allie's mom) camera for her. She was so cute tearing the paper though!

I love this one of her eating her cake & crying. ;0)

After the party we headed to my parents' house to stay the night with them. My sister just got a new puppy that we met for the first time Saturday. Riley LOVED playing with her. He didn't know what to think about a dog that small!

She loved him too!

I loved my first Mother's Day! I am so blessed to have my mom & my baby boy to celebrate Mother's Day with me. Yesterday was very relaxed. We ate lunch & played outside most of the day. Also, I think everyone got a nap in except me & my mom. Go figure...both of the moms didn't get to nap on Mother's Day!


Oh, and we played a lot of Peek-A-Boo!

I just noticed there is a lot of green going on in those pictures! Haha!

Mother's Day

Ever since I have known TAG I haven't quite known how to celebrate Mother's Day. It is a day of mixed emotions for him & now for me. When he was only 13 years old, TAG's mom passed away on Mother's Day from a brain aneurysm. For the past 4 years we have spent Mother's Day with my mom & TAG's grandmother. He doesn't say much about his mom on Mother's Day, but I know she is always on his mind. I could not imagine losing my mom now, much less at that young of an age. He seems more excited about it this year since we have Riley to celebrate me being a mother. All that said, remember your mom tomorrow & be blessed. Happy Mother's Day Mama! I love you & appreciate you more than you know!

Whoo-hoo!!

My angel baby slept ALL night last night for the 2nd time since we have made our "adjustments" to his schedule! Falling asleep around 9:00 & waking up around 6:30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he stays in this sleeping pattern. But for now I am one proud mama!

Maybe I've jumped the gun?? Nah...

Ok, so I know Riley's birthday isn't for another 3 months, but I am already planning for it. Too soon, no?! Oh well, I can't help myself! By no means do I want the next 3 months to be rushed or wished away but let me tell you...I am sooo excited for his 1st Birthday! TAG & I decided on a theme for the party & I got his outfit today. Yea, I'm that mom. So here's a not-so-subtle hint as to what the party will entail. That's all for now. You'll hear more about it in August. :0)

Drinking From My Saucer

While cleaning out some papers the other day, I ran across this poem that my grandfather's cousin-Cousin Margaret (down here in the south, 'Cousin' is considered a courtesy title & should be capitalized ;0) ...similar to 'Aunt', 'Uncle', 'Mr.', or 'Mrs.') gave me. For as long as I can remember Cousin Margaret has always quoted this poem. As I read it, I stopped to count my blessings. God has truly blessed me in so many ways. I have a loving family & a perfectly healthy baby boy. I have God in my heart, food on my table, & a roof over my head. I am blessed beyond belief. I am definitely drinking from my saucer.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Jump Around

I just wanted to post this video of Riley jumping at my parents house. He really gets into it towards the end! It makes me smile. Hope you do too! :0)

Happy Monday!

We'll get there

I've been "experimenting" with Riley's food & sleep schedule over the last few days. I tried many of the suggestions that some friends & family gave me. Some are working; some are just not for us. Although we are still adjusting, things are already much better than before for three reasons:

1.) He used to wake up at least 3 times per night. Now it's only once, maybe twice. (I'll take it!)

2.) He is sleeping for longer periods of time instead of waking every couple of hours.

3.) He doesn't seem hungry if he wakes up that 2nd time during the night.

Some things that I've found that seemed to help were:

1.) Spread his "real food" meals out & give him a snack (fruit, yogurt, or crackers) in between & after his last meal of the day. (I initially tried to delay his supper to around 8 so that he would be full before going to bed, but we never actually made it all the way to 8:00...so I tried this & it worked better.)

2.) Put rice cereal in his bottle before bed. Apparently he really likes it because he ate 7 ounces last night! I'm still amazed.

3.) When he does wake up wanting to eat, I'll let him nurse for 2 minutes or less, then slip a 2 ounce bottle in. He fought it the first time, but has done better ever since. My next step with this will be to gradually weaken the formula in these bottles so that he won't want to keep waking up for it. I read this in a parenting magazine & thought I would give it a try once he is only taking a bottle during that night feeding.

I know I am taking the long route with the night wakings, but I just don't feel like the "cry it out" method is for us. At least not right now. Just having him in his room at night instead of right beside our bed is a big deal for me & him. We will eventually get back to the point of sleeping all night and I will do it how we feel comfortable, whether it's the "Baby Wise" way or not. Don't get me wrong, I believe Baby Wise is great, but every baby is different & some things just do/don't work for certain babies. We are going to take it one step at a time. I mean, he used to sleep through the night-from about 7 weeks until around 4 or 5 months...right when he started teething. Ever since he got his 1st tooth, he hasn't had a period of not teething. He already has 8 teeth & is seems to be getting another one in the back the way he is putting things to the back of his mouth to chew on now. It's got to hurt to get that many teeth at once & I'm convinced that it is contributing to him waking up at night. Look at all of my baby's teeth!!

I'll take the blame for nursing him back to sleep & apparently getting him into this habit. Obviously it's taking longer to break it than start it, but I'm trying. Remember I am new to this Mommy stuff & am flying by the seat of my pants with a lot of things. But we'll get there.