Busy Bees!

Did I mention I work at Down East Basics now?  Yup.  Just a seasonal job though.  Who knows WHAT I'll be doing after the end of December. I do work for my parents occasionally and I also just took on another job as an Au Pair Area director.  (still learning what it is I'm supposed to do)  I only need to make a couple hundred a month for us to pay our bills but, I like to have a little extra too.  Just in case I want to eat at Taco Bell from time to time. ha ha.

I should be preparing my Sunday lesson right now.  Boy am I going to be in trouble if I don't because I work at Down East tonight until closing and I'm wiped after work so...I better get going.

More pics of Lincoln...cuz let's face it.   I'm OBSESSED with this little guy!!!

Feeling Blessed

Of course this time of year, we always reflect on things we are thankful for and I have so much to be appreciative of, how could I not list them?!

In no particular order...well...maybe...

1. My son
2. My husband
3. My home
4. My husband's job
5. Our cars
6. My family (and how much they give of their free time to babysit Lincoln)
7. My church (and calling)
8. a space heater (for when I shower and want the bathroom to be toasty warm)
9. My ability to breastfeed Lincoln
10. Netflix (ha ha)
11. My 3 jobs
12. SLEEP! (which is very scarce these days but still amazing when I get it)
13. Lincoln napping
14. awesome fall/winter weather 
15. Days off from work to spend with family
16. Great co-workers

Ok, ok, the list could go on and on!  I'll stop there though.

Lincoln is now just over 6 months old.  Time seems to have flown by and yet dragged on and on.  People say that I shouldn't
wish for him to grow up but I'm sorry, I love that he is growing up and becoming a little independent boy.  I love seeing him discover the world around him and become more aware of his surroundings!  He is getting more of a personality and more playful.  His smile always brightens my day.  

He still isn't really rolling over yet but his new thing he loves to do, besides sit up, is to sleep on his side.  I think he is getting tired of sleeping on his back and I don't blame him!  I don't like to sleep on my back either!

As for Jordan, he is working lots and lots and doing some school on the side.  Kudos to him for being able to balance all that, his church calling, and have time for his family.  It's tough right now since I work, and he works, and goes to school; we don't get to hang out except for that small window of time we are laying in bed about to fall asleep.  Hopefully it doesn't last too long.  I miss my date nights and one on one time with my husband with out baby.

First trip to Costco sitting in the toddler spot.  He really enjoyed himself!

Sleeping in one of his warm sleeper outfits.  He is so freaking cute!

Doing Karie's nails while baby sleeps!

Bath time is usually lots of fun!

Getting read for our morning walks, Lincoln is being a ham.

Boy does he love to chew on everything!

Bumbo time

He always wants to sit up now.  None of this sitting back stuff.

My Poor Husband

Every once and a while (meaning every couple days) I have a melt down about something.  This weekend was one of those times.  It was a great Saturday.  I got to do crafts and go to a baby shower with my mom.  I had a great time...except that baby was in tow and would NOT sleep.  I knew he wouldn't but there was a small part of me that hoped he would for my sanity's sake.  NOPE.  At the end of the day, he would NOT go to sleep either!  I was going crazy!

I finally admitted to my husband the lack of patience left in me and that I felt like I was going insane.  (I can understand how some mothers out there might just go missing for a day or two.)  This mommy stuff is TOUGH business.

I am so emotionally and physically spent 5 months into our first child that I can't fathom having any other children.  It's tough to admit when I've wanted kids of my own for SO long.  I love my son but I just haven't had very much "me" time since he was born and it's really been hard on me.

When I got married my husband and I agreed on 4 or 5 kids...at this point, I think he'll be lucky if I can manage to say yes to 2.

On a completely different note, my "call center" job will most likely be ending soon. (After elections are over, no one cares to know what the general public thinks about the candidates on the ballot).  Anyways, so I'm attempting to get another job.  I had an interview at the Down East Basics Home Goods store but they didn't find my "availability" a good fit for their store.  (I said I was only available in the evenings).  However, another Down East Basics in Tempe called me for an interview on Thursday.  Hopefully I get it.  I'm trying to decide what schedule I'll tell them I can do.  Since I'm not ready for some random person to watch my son yet, I have to rely on my family's availability and work off of their schedule.  Makes things complicated sometimes but so far it has worked.

Jordan is busy these days with his 2 school classes-online math and PE/Exercise class and his full time job in Scottsdale.  He is such a good husband, a girl couldn't ask for a more loving daddy for her baby.

That's all for night.  A picture or two and then it's off to bed I go.  Let's cross our fingers Lincoln lets me sleep for more than 3 hours at a time!!!

Being so patient while mommy gets ready in the morning.

He is so stinking cute!!!!

Keeping it Real

Lincoln is so adorable.  I know every parent says this, but it's the gosh darn honest truth.  Jordan thinks he is adorable even when he is crying.  I would too if his crying didn't happen at inopportune times-like, say, driving around, running errands!

Anyways, he is now 4 and a half months and seriously the sweetest silly-face making baby!  We love this kid.  He is starting to SLOWLY sleep longer stretches at night which I DESPERATELY need from him.  I believe I got 6 straight hours 2 nights ago.  It was so incredible.

 He LOVES his cereal!  He gets all excited and bounces all over the place!

I may have set him up on this one...ha ha

Jordan has been at his new job, I think, 2 months now.  It's a bit of a drive but it works for now.

 I've been working at a company called SSI.  It's basically a call center but I call people and ask them to take a survey.  You wouldn't believe how many people I call in 6 hours and only come away with 10 or less surveys!  I have heard more rude people and answering machines than mostly people hear in a year.  I try to not let the rude people get to me, but sometimes they just do.  I understand I am often calling people at inconvenient times, but they don't have to be rude over the phone.  I am not rude when speaking to them!

Also, OTHER good news!  We have now officially been home owners for a YEAR now.  Wow, time flies.  It's so strange.  I feel like it makes me a legitimate adult now.  (That and the fact that we have a kid!)

Other side note, I have been LOVING this fall weather.  Early in the morning at like 7:00 it's perfect outside.  I have taken Lincoln for a walk every day this week!  I think he enjoys looking everywhere.  It's a nice exercise for me...since I don't ever seem to do it at any other time of the day. :(

Tonight, Jordan's mom offered to watch Lincoln so we could have a date night.  YAHOO!  Let the count down to no baby begin!

Baby Blessing

This was a while ago, but we blessed Lincoln on the 6th of July.  I know it was a conflicting weekend for many of our family members so some couldn't make it, but it was a great day for those that could.  We had a small brunch afterwards in our tiny home.  I never thought it was very tiny...until we had all our family over. ha ha.

Hitting the 3 Month Mark

My little guy will be 3 months next Wednesday...how fitting that that will be the day I leave him for 7+ hours for the first time.  A friend asked me to sub for her 4th grade class so she could attend a funeral.

I'm a bit nervous because Lincoln is having a very difficult time accepting breast milk from a bottle and not his mommy.  It's very tiring because I can't go out long because of it and when I have left him for a babysitter, he just cries and cries.  It breaks my heart but he is kind of making his own mess on this one.  I've probably wasted like 5 ounces combined over the last couple weeks because he just refuses the bottle.  I've tried so many different ways to get him to take it... sigh...Exhausted...

Anyways, I'm trying to get the energy to do housework and make meals for Jordan every day but when Lincoln is still waking 2-3 times a night still, it's hard to feel good enough during the day to get things done.  I'm just trying to be real with y'all.  Tired and haggard is not my best look guys.

Lincoln officially giggled a week ago.  Jordan was playing with him.  It was so cute tears came to my eyes.  I seriously can't wait for him to full on giggle.  Oh man, it will become a game, I'm sure, to see who can get him to giggle first!

My mom got him this outfit.  It says "6 months" on it but it fits him perfectly now!  I think it's so darn cute!

Bath time!  His hand looks spazzy on the left  (his left).  He just gets so excited!  OH, and I like to be mean and put toys on his head. ha ha.

Shots! Shots! Shots!

Since we are in the process of switching insurances, Lincoln is getting his 2 months shots closer to 3 months of age.  Poor little guy.  I hope today isn't awful for him.  Our ward campout is this weekend and I'm nervous because I know some babies develop a bit of a fever after their shots so he might not be very pleasant up North because of it.  I think I'm more nervous for him to receive these shots than when I receive shots for myself!

I weighed Lincoln a couple days ago and found he was 14 pounds!  He is such a good eater.  I guess we will see what the doctor says today.  Probably around the same I'm sure.  He is growing like a weed!  And, developing the cutest little personality.  He LOVES to smile and interact with us.  It's so sweet to see him awake in his bassinet in the mornings because he is so smiley!

Is it Okay that I'm ready for some Alone time?

I love my baby, I love my husband, I love my life...I just need some time to myself.  I'm sure all mothers feel this way...I just never knew how much I'd miss all the quiet down time I used to have.  All the crafts I pursued have no part in my life any more.  I miss them dearly.  What I wouldn't give to have just a fraction of time to myself to just sit...even as I type this, I'm rocking a baby.

On another note, my baby is getting SOO big.  Normally at this point, moms would be saying, "Please stay small."  Nope.  Not this mom.  This mom is ecstatic he is getting so big.  I welcome the day when he can show me his giggles, his holding his head up by himself, his sitting up, his crawling!!!  Yep, I know I'll look back when I'm at that point and say to myself, "what was I thinking?!"  

However, I can't help it, I want my baby to be able to entertain himself in a playpen while I cook uninterrupted in the kitchen for at least 10 minutes.  

This isn't even a current picture.  He is 6 weeks old here all ready for his first Sunday back to church! :)

What is there left to say?

You never really appreciate your mom until you are one.  I can't imagine how many sleepless nights she had with 8 children!  It's been a little over 2 months with Lincoln now and I'm feeling like I'm drowning.  There is just SOO much to accomplish throughout the day and I find it difficult not having very much sleep. What I wouldnt give for 5 straight hours of uninterrupted sleep!!!!

Stressed is desserts spelled backwards

I know I'm not the most optimistic person out there but, believe me when I say, life is rough right now.

I can see why people might hesitate to have their second child based on money being tight.  After all the bills and hassle we have had with the insurance for our first child, I feel like Lincoln may just end up being the only child in our family born at a hospital!

Luckily through my last employer, we have something called GAP insurance that will supposedly be reimbursing us the deductible we paid...it's just such a pain to get all the paperwork submitted to them to prove we paid all of it.

After deciding that teaching took up too much of my free time, I won't be going back.  However, that doesn't mean I don't need to get a job.  We still have bills to pay after all.  It's such a struggle to know I have this precious little guy with me all the time right now but it won't stay that way because of our financial obligations.

I just applied to GCU and had a phone interview for a position over there.  The HR rep asked me how many phone calls I could make in a day.  "That is a tough question", I said.  Then I said, "Maybe 30."  (I don't know what a person has time for...PLUS-maybe those phone calls are like 45 minute phone calls!)

Well, that wasn't the right answer apparently because she said, "Oh, well, in this position you would have roughly 500 outbound calls in a day."  I was like-"OH!!! Well then, that is not the job for me."

Honestly, it sounds to me like she already filled the position.  That's ridiculous!!!  Can someone really make THAT many in one day?  Maybe if you don't take lunch!!!

Sorry, I just had to vent.  Now I wanna go shove my face in a pint of Ben & Jerry's.  Who's with me???

The Legend of Link and the Coupon Princess

Helping Camille shop at the grocery store

This week has been pretty dang amazing! We took lincoln to church for the first time and now that he's older and we can take him out on the town we were able to spend some much needed time together as a family away from the home.  Lincoln is starting to smile more, making the little guy smile now has almost become a game in our home.

Growing Up

Little Lincoln is now 6 weeks old.  He is getting so big and I think looking more and more like his daddy.  He's probably 11 pounds now. (He was 10.4 at his doctor's visit last week)  This boy loves his milk! :)

His Umbilical stump a couple days before it fell off.  Gross, I know.  It took 2 whole weeks!!!!

After it had just fallen off.  Yeah for an innie belly button!

First doctor's appointment.  5 pounds here and 5 days after he was born.

First time using the play time mat. He really enjoyed it until he had hiccups.

First smile caught on camera.

Grocery shopping with mommy at 6 weeks old.  This was taken right before he started crying.

Super cute church clothes for his first day at church.

Something I never Understood Until Now

It turns out...you really can be too tired to have intimate times with your husband. And, a crying baby kills the mood.

There's no such thing as a natural

If you haven't noticed Camille does the majority of our family blogs, but I figured it's about time I got a little more involved in things. I wanted to first share what being a new dad means to me but more importantly give an update with some picture on how much Link has been growing.

Growth Spurt and Backsliding

I think I have read that around 3 weeks babies go through a growth spurt.  I definitely think Lincoln is.  He is eating more frequently and is having an even harder time staying awake for his feedings.  It's pretty rough mostly during the day.  He does well at night time and sleeps about 2- 2 1/2 hours between feedings.  I let him wake up on his own though.  I never wake him up.  Not yet anyways.

Lincoln will be a whole month old tomorrow. I'm so glad.  I feel like it's that much closer to us getting more sleep at night.  My husband Jordan could back me up on this- I was a cranky pants if I didn't get sleep before Lincoln came along.  Now, I have even less sleep... so you can imagine some days I'm really not a joy to be around.  Especially this morning!

I woke up to feed him and like usual, if he ever breaks the latch for whatever reason is ailing him at the moment (usually gas or poop) I leak ALL over the place.  I'm talking- all over me, him, the rocking chair, EVERYTHING.  I'm not a happy camper at this point...and of course neither is he because he has a hard time latching on again since my leaking causes my boob to be all slippery.  It's neither his nor my fault for the situation.  I have to constantly remind myself that when he is cranky and crying.  However, it still frustrates me.  After the 30-45 minute feeding is over, I have 2 options. I can change his and my clothes or we can just stink like breast milk all day.  I don't like the latter option so I change our clothes...which adds another 10 minutes to the already long feeding session.

On top of him detaching from my boob, he isn't gentle about it-mainly because he does it out of frustration from his problems...therefore, now my..ahem...nipples are hurting like nobody's business and I cringe at the thought of the next feeding.

Oh motherhood...who knew, when people praise women for being mothers, it's for GOOD reason!!!  This stuff is rough.  ROUGH I TELL YOU!

Skittles Popcorn

I'm having trouble accessing my pictures from my phone that I took of my skittles popcorn but I found this recipe off of another blogger's page and I was going to link the blog here but I thought some day I might not be able to access it so I just copied and pasted the recipe.  

Courtesy of:
 http://awesomerecipes101.blogspot.ca/2009/06/skittle-popcorn.html

Nicholle's recipe:

2-16 oz. bags Skittles-divided by color

1/2 cup butter for each color

1/4 cup light corn syrup for each color

12 cups popped popcorn for each color

1. Place on batch of popped popcorn into a very large, lightly greased bowl and set aside.

2. In a saucepan, combine one color of Skittles, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. (Skittles will melt close to the end of the 5 minutes.)

3. Pour over popcorn and mix thoroughly with a large greased spoon.

4. Place coated popcorn into a greased 9 x 13 inch or larger baking pan. Bake at 200-250℉ for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on sheet of aluminum foil to cool. (I skipped this step.)

5. Repeat this process for each color. When all candy popcorn is cool, break apart and store in airtight container. Keeps well for up to two weeks in airtight containers.

I Didn't know I Could ever be THIS Tired!

Life is rough with a newborn.  I'm sooo darn tired that I don't know how my body is still functioning.  People always tell me to sleep when he sleeps but, let's be realistic.  How many things do I need to get done in the day and when can they be done?  While I'm awake and he is asleep!!!  I have to feed myself, clean the house, pump, shower, laundry, coordinate my future work schedule, take care of insurance and bills, call people, etc.  This list goes on forever.

   I have to wait til he is a month old to start giving him bottles.  That leaves 2 more weeks of this no-sleep schedule.  I feel like it's going to be the death of me!  (I'm really mostly writing this to remind my future self of what I had to go through and how long it lasted).

People also tell me that it's difficult but it's so worth it.  Right now, I'm having a hard time seeing the "it's worth it part".  I'm just so tired, nothing matters.  Tomorrow doesn't matter, a candy bar doesn't matter, a good back rub doesn't matter, a cruise to the Caribbean doesn't matter.  Just give me some SLEEP!!!!

Pregnancy Recap

I have a zillion pictures of my belly on my phone from the many weeks of pregnancy.  I want to delete the app I used them for but I want to solidify the pictures on here so I can look back and remember how huge I got.  (Some people thought I was small but I thought I was huge!)

Last Photo before I had Lincoln...our boss took us bowling as a surprise "training".  Best surprise!

All the Cute Things!

I bathed Lincoln this morning and I got his hair spiked.  I can't wait to do it to his hair more often.

Also, last night we tested his ability to sleep through a vacuum sound.  He passed with flying colors.