Good finds, good memories!

Look at me. Now that we're getting Keegan on a schedule, I'm able to blog a bit more (don't worry, I'm knocking on wood right now). He's getting SO good at napping. He might cry for a minute, so I'll pick him up, rock him, and lay him back down and he'll sleep for about an hour or so. We're only about a 1/2 hour into this nap, so here we are blogging away!

I know a lot of people are not into the whole Baby Wise thing, but I know that I read the book and it makes SO much sense. Keegan is getting on his own schedule, and it makes life so much easier for us, because we know WHEN he'll most likely be napping, when he'll be hungry, etc, so that we can plan on when we'll go and do things. It's phenomenal. Take it as you will- I know it's not for everyone, but I already feel like it's helping our family transition to this whole mommy/baby thing.

Anyway, during our "wake" time after his 10:00 feeding, Keegan and I went to Target. We needed paper towel and some more big kid clothes... (ha, and I may or may not have ended up picking up some tops that will actually fit me and my big-mama sized upper bod- woot woot! You know, nice and baggy!) He's gotten a little bigger, so I've had to go pick up a couple more 0-3 month onesies. What a big kid. Anyway, they had ONE adorable little onesie:

You can't see it very well in the picture, but it's by Bumpkin, and it's Dr. Seuss- Cat in the Hat! So cute. Plus I figure that's gender neutral (I'm trying to still buy some while he's so little) so we can use it for future children too, whether Keegan has a brother OR a sister.

Also, I had been thinking about the fact that I hadn't bought one of my FAVORITE children's books yet. I finally picked it up at Target today, too.

Remember this book? Yes, there are so weird parts, like when the mom drives across town with her ladder and climbs through her grown son's bedroom window and rocks him while he sleeps, but come on. The concept is so sweet. SO sweet that while I was reading it to Keegan today I started bawling. I just love him so much and that sweet, simple song is SO true.

I love you forever.
I like you for always.
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be.

What a great day. I feel great after that good, HAPPY cry!

Also, on a completely different note...

Has anyone else discovered Zulily? I had read about it on a ton of other blogs, but never actually signed up for it. I finally went ahead and typed in my email address today- Oh. My. Word. VERY cute stuff. They have special deals every day on Boutique-type items (women, maternity, infant, and children clothes)- up to 70% off! Anyone that knows me knows that I love a good deal, and instead of letting people THINK that I got something for full price, I have no problem flaunting my deep discount. That being said, this website will be the death of me (and my husband ;) Ha!

Anyway, this is going to be SUCH a long weekend. But an AWESOME weekend. My little brother graduated high school last night. Kris had class so Keegan and I went up to the ceremony. It was really hard with him, but he was SO good and we were definitely good and tired when we got home. We sure are proud of Uncle Allston! Tomorrow we're all heading back up to Grand Rapids for his graduation party. It's going to be a GREAT time. Yesterdog (one of our favorite hot dog restaurants in East Town Grand Rapids) is going to be catered. Mmm! Delish. I will definitely be posting about it sometime next week.

Everyone enjoy your long weekend! :)

Mr. ONE MONTH OLD... already!

If time flies when you're having fun, then I must be having a BLAST! I love being a mom. I can't believe Keegan is one month old already. I'm so happy because he's such a good boy, but it does make me a little sad thinking that he's already getting so big (I know, he definitely doesn't look it, but if you compare it to his newborn pictures he looks so much older to me!). I am so sad whenever one of his newborn outfits is suddenly too short for him... Ha! He's SO going to be built JUST like his dad. NOTHING is too tight, in fact, any newborn sized shorts are still way too loose around the waist... but things just keep getting shorter. My tall and skinny boy! :)

I am planning on making a photobook for Keegan for each month of his life. I made one for him for the day he was born, called, "Happy Birthday, Keegan Michael! Happy Birthday to YOU!" and then I'll them be, "Keegan- Year ONE," and "Keegan- Year TWO", etc.

Anyway, I decided to make some onesie's to take his month old pictures in so I can put them in his First Year picture book... Here's Keegan in his ONE MONTH onsie, today on his ONE MONTH birthday!

Keegan Michael...

You are ONE MONTH OLD TODAY!

And I cannot believe it. You have made my life SO much better. It only continues to get better day after day, no matter how tired I am!!!

You are still wearing newborn diapers. You have such a skinny little waist. I tried to put you in size 1 diapers yesterday... they didn't even touch your hiney or thighs! Ha!

You are still wearing mostly newborn clothes, but are starting to fit into some of your 0-3 month clothes.

I'm not quite sure what you weigh. I know it took you two weeks to actually get back to your birth weight, though! I will update that after your one month doctor's appointment next week.

You are definitely a Momma's boy. At night time when Daddy's home from work, sometimes you just cry and cry and cry until your Mommy's holding you. Poor Daddy. Sometimes his feelings are a little hurt. But we know you love him SO much, too. Mom just feeds you... :)

But you are definitely a sweet spirit. You are so alert (when you're awake... ha!) and are always looking us right in the eye, and smiling.

Right now we're working on getting you more on a schedule (I know this can be controversial to anyone reading. We've found this is the best route for our family and are not expecting anyone to follow this routine. We're not psycho about it, but find that he's a better sleeper when he is on more of a eat-wake-sleep schedule).

You're sleeping about 3 hours at a time at night. Can't wait until we starting adding an hour or so onto that! But you are such a good boy, sweet pete!

These are some of OUR favorite things (ha, tribute to Oprah since today is her last show ever!).

We love our Boppy Pillow and LOVE our Bumbo chair! It really helps you with your "tummy time". You are SUCH a sleeper, that you have the tendency to fall asleep as soon as I lay you on your belly for tummy time. These help you strengthen your neck despite that sleepiness... and look at those skinny little legs!

AND, now, my sweet boy, you are finally taking naps by yourself. I am so pumped that I'm able to put you down (and you hardly cry!) and then get things done around the house without the Moby Wrap! Big Kid!

Last weekend we took our first family outing to the ZOO! What a great time. I had never been to Potter Park Zoo here in Lansing, and I was impressed. It was small- but just the right size for a family with little kids. But a couple AWESOME things they have that they definitely didn't have at the zoo when I was little: FREE PONY RIDES AND CAMEL RIDES! Yes, I said CAMEL rides! I can't wait until Keeg's is big enough to ride the camel so I can ride with him. I have a feeling Kris and I will be fighting over who has to stay with the stroller when we ride the camel with him. HA!

Daddy and Keegan at the zoo.

Mommy and Keegan at the zoo, enjoying the sunshine!

Keegan, if the first month is any indication of how great life will be as your Mom, I cannot WAIT for the rest of my life. I love you so much and am so proud to call you my son.

The First Three Weeks!

Wow. I totally thought that when I was home on maternity leave I'd have all sorts of time to do fun things like blogging. NOT TRUE! I am lucky if I can get a shower in! Thank goodness, my sweet boy is sitting cozy in his bouncy right now, so I can have a little bit of time to update.

As busy as I have been, there is NOTHING like being a mom. I love it more than anything. Who would've thought that a little person who can't talk, and who just cries, eats and poops could so quickly and easily capture your heart! I just adore him. He's a riot. Not that everything has been easy. Keegan tends to get a pretty colicy at night- which was SUPER hard the first week or so. We tried gas drops, to no avail. However, we discovered the most incredible substance on earth:

Baby's Bliss Gripe Water! Not just any gripe water works for Keegan. We've tried a couple and, of course, this is the most expensive, but I'm willing to pay it for some peace at night. Since we've found it, Keegs sleeps for about 3 hours at a time at night, will get up, eat and go right back to sleep. At first our days and nights were mixed up. And I'll tell you, my son can SLEEP. He sleeps SOUNDLY. We have to work at waking him up throughout the day by getting him undressed, changed and sometimes even some cold wash cloths (no, I'm not mean- our pediatrician told us we needed to do all of these measures to try and get him on schedule). The funny thing is that sometimes none of those even work to wake him up! Anyway, if you're a mom to be, or if you have a young baby who has trouble getting a little colicy at night- WRITE THIS DOWN and go to Rite Aid or Meijer and pick up a bottle!

Another awesome purchase I want to share is a diaper bag I recently got. It's a Vera Bradley and is on sale for just $48.00! It's so cute, I don't have a problem just popping my wallet in it and just carrying it as a bag:

So cute, huh?!



I feel so silly admitting how I thought it would be so easy being home with Keegs. It's crazy, because you get up, nurse, and then try and speed to get ready between nursings. Then you nurse again, and try to get the house in order before you start your day. Then you nurse again, and are struggling to get out the door to get your errands done before 1:30 or 2:00... Really?! I can't believe I ever thought stay-at-home-mom's had it easy. It's so much harder than working... but seriously the most rewarding thing on earth.

Keegan went to church for the first time on Sunday. He did AWESOME! We only had to step out one time toward the end of service for a diaper change and to start a bottle. However, we were able to make it back in for the last set of worship songs. It was so rewarding to stand worshiping the Lord with one of the greatest gifts He's ever given me right there in my arms. How incredible!

One more random thing I'd like to share...

A couple of weeks ago I recieved a letter in the mail with the return address from my cousin's little boy, Joe. Talk about the sweetest letter I've ever recieved:

 

Yup, let me type out the letter in case you have trouble reading it on the picture...

On the left it says, "A fine new baby boy."

On the right it says:

 " Dear Cousin Mandy, Happy Baby! Congratulations! I saw a picture of my new second cousin! He was so cute! I wanted to give this to you because you went through all that hard stuff. PS. the money in the card is for the baby! :) Joe!!"

Is that not the sweetest card you've ever read? I love the innocence and the sincerity. I so appreciated that card. In fact everytime I think of it I can't help but smile! Keegan sure is lucky to have so many people who love and care about him. 

Anyway, time to nurse again!

Ha, hopefully we can get some things done today. If not, there's always tomorrow!!! :)

Just because he's so cute... here's a sweet picture of my favorite baby boy:

April 25, 2011: The Best Day of My Life [so far]

I woke up at 12:15AM on April 25th with some painful contractions. As I mentioned in my last post, I had been having very regular Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks- they were timable and very uncomfortable... However, that night they were different. They were more painful. Not awful, but enough that they definitely made me pay attention. I was definitely thinking they would just go away (as did all my other contractions I'd been getting in the previous weeks). Finally, my husband woke up two hours later to me breathing through contractions with, "Oooooh, okay, okay, okay..."... They were about five minutes apart for two hours. I didn't want to go to the hospital because I SO didn't want to be the girl that kept going for false labor. He said we probably should. We let the dogs out and grabbed the hospital bags. I decided we should just leave the bags in the car because they'd probably send us home.

We got into OB triage, and the contractions got more painful... Maybe this was it...

They checked and I was at 3cm, 70% effaced. My contractions were kind of irregular, so they decided to make me walk around for a half hour and then check me to see if they were doing anything. They were. I had progressed another centimeter in that half hour. I guess Kris and I still thought they'd send us home, because when the nurse walked in and said, "Okay, let's go have a baby," we both kind of looked at each other in shock (and some fear too, I guess!). On my way to Labor and Delivery I told them to get me an epidural as soon as possible. I have such respect for women that do it all natural, because I was SO not having that.

Sparrow Hospital was incredible. I was in Labor and Delivery for no more than 15 or 20 minutes before I got my epidural. We called my family at 4:00AM, and everyone left right away for the hospital (Ha- I had family coming from Grand Rapids, Adrian AND Detroit). My sister, Molly, got there first. Bless her heart, she was there for the WHOLE thing.. and we appreciated it.

I progressed so much faster than they anticpated at the hospital. We tried to warn them that the ladies in our family have fast labors- but they didn't listen! :) They actually had to try and slow it down because I had to have a bag of Penacillin interveineously before I could push. Before we knew it, my water was broken and I was ready. I remember calling the nurses and saying that I couldn't wait any longer and that I NEEDED to push. Ha! They came in and said my doctor was actually delivering another baby next door and I'd need to wait as long as possible. I let them know that wouldn't be possible. They decided to have me do a "practice" push to see how serious I was... I gave one push and I heard, "Okay, he's crowning. Go get Dr. Levitt." That was amazing to hear, but still kind of horrifying! :)

I ended up having the resident help me push for the first twenty minutes, and then my doctor made it for the last 25 minutes... Yup- only 45 minutes of pushing... Not bad for my first baby! This was the best day of my life. It's incredible to see how your instinct takes over and you become so much stronger than you ever thought you were when your child is involved. I just remember telling them that I didn't want to wait for a contraction to push- so they let me keep pushing even between contractions. I was just ready to meet him.

And there he was. April 25, 2011 at 11:23A, Kris and I met the most incredible human on earth:

Keegan Michael: 6 lb 11.9 oz, 20.5 inches long

And he is perfect.

I've never been so in love before in my life. There's nothing like it- and no one like him. Nothing he can ever do will make me stop loving him. What an awesome feeling.

Right after this picture they realized Keegan was having difficulty breathing. They took him to the nursery and put him in the incubator. He was there for 12 hours on oxygen, being fed through a tube, hooked up to wires. My heart was broken. But praise God, my baby boy starting breathing on his own, without any trouble. When his Daddy went to check on him, this is what we saw:

All smiles, and feeling MUCH better. Finally, that night at midnight, they came into our room and woke me up and told me that I got to go to the nursery and try to breast feed him. The nurse told me not to expect very much... but he did AWESOME! It was so good to hold that boy again, after 12 hours without being able to hold him... He thought so too, apparently:

Sweet pea. The tag's say it all. His bracelet has my name, my necklace has his. We are so hooked! :)

Here are just a few pictures of the joy of my life:

Please pray that he continues to grow strong, and that the Lord would give Kris and I the wisdom to help Keegan grow into a man who loves Jesus and to have a spirit that reflects that love.

So far I think he is the best. Thank you for sharing in our joy!