Tummy Time

I was just looking at some of the pictures on my phone and was about to post one of these on Instagram, but then I decided they were too cute not to share all of them on here...

The other night before bathtime, Liam was just chilling on the floor in his diaper, and TJ got down on the floor with him. They both did some tummy time, and I couldn't resist snapping a few pics. Sorry the quality isn't great (maybe it's time to get a new iphone?), but you get the idea. Enjoy and happy Wednesday!

Meeting Santa

Last Thursday, Liam and I were lucky that Daddy was able take the afternoon off work so we could go to the Children's Museum as a family and also meet Santa for the first time! My former boss {during my fellowship} was extremely generous and gave us a one year family membership, and we were so excited to finally use it! While Liam is still pretty young for a lot of the stuff they have there, he was able to enjoy some of it, and he just loved looking around at everything. TJ and I definitely had a good time though!

thankfully Liam woke up soon after we got there

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is actually the largest children's museum in the nation, so we are pretty fortunate that we only live about 20 minutes away from it! For our first visit, our main goal was to go to the "Jolly Days" exhibit which is centered around Christmas.

next year Liam will be all over this!

Liam met Santa for the first time {no tears were shed...although no smiles either...}

right after meeting Santa...it's like he's already working on his "whatever, mom and dad" look

They had a little area over to the side with toys and blocks for kids ages 0-24 months. We went at a pretty slow time, so Liam was able to play with whatever he wanted, and it wasn't too loud either! Win-win!

out of control hair :)

After finishing with the Christmas exhibit, we wandered around some of the other areas of the museum.

Liam sat in an IndyCar with Daddy...

And rode the carousel with Mommy. He loved it!!!

if you look closely, he's got a HUGE grin on his face! :)

And before we left, we sat down in an old ice cream parlor...

What can I get for you, Mommy?

We had a lot of fun, and we're actually going back this coming weekend with my brother and my parents so we can explore some of the other exhibits. I know we will be making frequent trips to the Museum over the next several years, and I can't wait! 

Happy 6 Months Liam!

Today is Liam's 6 month birthday...I can't believe he's been here that long already and that I've been a mama for half a year already too! Time is definitely flying! I look at pictures from 5-6 months ago, and I already have a hard time remembering how tiny he was in those first weeks.

The past 6 months have been some of the most challenging, but also more rewarding and happy than I could have ever imagined. I could snuggle with that boy all day long and never grow tired of it. His smiles brighten my day and make all those sleepless nights worth it. Liam is definitely my biggest accomplishment, and he just brings me so much joy.

Not to mention, those baby blues melt my heart in an instant...

Today is definitely a milestone. Six months. Starting solids. Liam may even get his first haircut today.

My love for you is never-ending, little buddy. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months have in store for us. Happy half-birthday sweetheart!!!

Liam Grows {5 Months}

Once again, I'm incredibly behind on Liam's monthly update. So behind, in fact, that the little guy has his 6 month birthday on Friday. Six months!?!! How did that happen??? Anyways, before we get to his half birthday, let's step back and see what Liam was doing a month ago...

5 Months

{as of 11.13.13}

Weight:

No official weight this month, but probably around 16lbs.

Clothes:

Liam is comfortably fitting in 3-6 month stuff from Old Navy and Gap, 6 month stuff from Carter's, and 6 month jammies. I've put him in some 6-12 month onesies, but those are still pretty roomy on him. As far as diapers go, he's in size 2, but we'll probably be making the move to size 3 sooner rather than later because of some recent blowouts. Fun stuff.

Health:

Liam has been showing all the signs of teething, but still no teeth to speak of at the 5 month mark. Other than that, he's doing great!

at Liam's 4 mo check up

Diet:

Five months and still 100% breastmilk strong! Only one month away from my first goal of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. I feed him when he's with me, and he gets between 5-6 oz of pumped milk while I'm at work. I can tell that Liam is getting more interested in eating; he is frequently watching what we're eating and always reaching for stuff on our plates. I can't wait till we can actually give him some of it!

all in a day's work...

Sleep:

So-so. I'd say he sleeps through the night about 50% of the time and wakes up around 3-4am the other 50% of the time. I'm realizing how spoiled I was when he slept so well at two months. Hoping that he gets back to some good sleep habits here soon!

Schedule:

Keeping a daily schedule has been a bit more challenging this month, as I've started my job and my schedule varies from day to day. However, this is the feeding schedule that we're trying to stick to...

6:30/7am: Wake, feed
{this is usually over at my parents' house when I drop him off before work}

10:30: Feed

1:30: Feed

5:00: Feed

7:00: Bathtime, feed around 7:30, then down for the night

We still haven't gotten into a very predictable nap schedule, but he generally takes 2-3 naps per day. Some days are better than others.

Baby Gear Love:

Fisher Price Jumperoo {I was so against getting big, obnoxious baby toys to fill our house, but this has proven to be a lifesaver! I highly recommend one!}
Skip Hop activity mat
Various toys and teethers
Britax B-safe car seat and B-agile stroller
Aden + Anais burpy bibs and bibs

Likes:

Sitting up {with and without support}

Standing {with support}

Being a part of the action

Moving
"Talking"
Reading
Bathtime

Watching football with daddy

Crossing his feet

Crying:

Mainly when he's really hungry, tired, or just done for the day.

Nicknames:

Bud, buddy, pumpkin, mister

Milestones:

First Halloween

Sitting

And, no, this little guy is still not rolling over! He refuses to do it on his own! {He flips over with the slightest nudge, but left on his back, he'll just stay there!}

Social:

Liam got to meet up with his buddy Emerson this month. Emerson's mommy, Lyndsay, was one of my good friends in middle school and high school, and the boys are less than a month apart in age. We caught up over lunch while the boys snoozed in their strollers, then we had some fun shopping, and of course had to take some pictures. They look like they could be brothers!

My mother-in-law came down for a visit this month, so we all went out to lunch and Grandma Sharon got her "Liam fix."

Postpartum:

I'm happy to say that I am *almost* back to my pre-baby weight. Most of my clothes fit, but some pants and shirts are still a little tight around the mid-section. I'm also realizing that I really need to start doing some core work...my belly is just not the same as it used to be!

after my first half marathon post-baby

I started my real job this past month, and I'm loving it so far. It's a great fit for me, and it's been really nice to work part-time but still get paid more than I've ever made before! Don't get too jealous though...this girl has upwards of $200k in debt to repay...yuck.

after my first day of work!

~~~~~

Liam,
I think I say this every month, but you have brought so much joy to our life. Your smile brightens any day and can bring a smile to anyone's face. We are loving this stage of life with you; everything is so new and interesting. It is so fun to watch you learn new things everyday, and it often seems like you are changing by the minute! You are such a fun-loving and easy-going little guy, and we love you more than words can say!
Love you pumpkin!
mommy