My Favorite Things ~ Month 2 Edition



1. My new wrap...Lovey Duds from Etsy!  It's light-weight, made of bamboo, stretchy & good for the summer.  I am really TRYING to avoid buying a sit n stand stroller...but I think I might have to cave...even with an Ergo & a new wrap.  But, as far as wraps are concerned, this one is the bees-knees, IMHO!

2.  Protect-a-Bub 3-in-1 sunshade! 

Being a mommy of 2, it's beyond my control that little girl will be outside in the heat and sun this summer.  I have an almost 4 year old to entertain.  So, since most strollers & infant carriers have pretty lame sun shades, I was on the hunt for a nice big extender.  I love this one because you can use it 3 ways, hence the 3-in-1, duh!  I highly recommend!!  Definitely worth the dinero!

Protect a Bub Deluxe 3-in-1 Sunshade Link

3.  Picklesbaby.com Lovie ~ Nummy Animal bankys ~ lamb

It was given to us as a gift for Bryn, and I think it's the cutest thing.  Brynleigh already likes to cuddle up with it when she lays in her crib to watch her ocean wonders aquarium, when I'm doing something upstairs.

4.  Safe and secure summer video monitor + extra camera 

We hadn't planned on buying a new monitor, because we had a great video monitor, and had just planned on adding a camera to the mix (a much cheaper option).  However, my hubby and his "superpowers" (or just his ability to have major static electricity) shocked the hell outta our old one, and it was never the same.  So, since we had no choice, I did my research trying to find a system that allowed us to not only see but also hear both kids in both rooms.  The summer video monitors haven't let us down yet, but our only concern in the past was randoms picking up our signal and being able to see in our little guy's room.  So...summer came out with this newer option that eliminated that possibility.  We also have the ability to click from room to room to see and check on the kiddos.  The picture is great too!  It's "secure" because you need to "sync" the monitor and any extra cameras (up to 4 total)...instead of just choosing an A or B frequency.  It's awesome!

5. Amazon Mom

Can you say 300 diapers for 26 bucks?!?  This is why I love amazonmom.com...as well as the free shipping, great choice of products, weekly deals/sales, free enrollement into amazon prime & the ease of diapers appearing on your doorstep once a month, or more or less frequently if needed.  Love it!  It's much easier and faster than saving up coupons or doing pampers points (which takes FOREVER!!).  Highly recommended!  I'm amazon obsessed anyway!

Brynleigh Bug turns 2 months

Our little buggie is 2 months old.  The time has FLOWN by!  She's our little peanut, as compared to our son, who was always ahead of the curve.  Because she was two weeks early, we definitely see some lag-time between her milestones, and those of our son (unfortunately STTN is one of them).  We're also still struggling with her baby acne.  The Dr said it should go away around 3 months, here's hoping.  I still think she's gorgeous though...don't you agree?!?

 The smile that melts my heart!

 Our buggie

 Some Tummy Time

 Age: 2 months!!

Stats:  9lbs, 14oz & 22.5"

Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): 1's & 0-3.   All her newborn stuff was packed away this week.

Sleeping: Bryn is pretty consistently falling asleep at 10:30 and sleeping until 3 or 4am.  I try to go to sleep when she does, but sometimes I have things to do, want to spend time with hubs, or have a show I want to watch.  However, I usually get 4 or so hours straight most nights.  I can then get her back to sleep until 8-8:30, but Ty wakes up at 7:30, so that's the latest I get.

Eating: Still EBF with great success!

Milestones: many more smiles and better head control.  We are finally getting her to do tummy time for 10-15 minutes a day, but she's not a fan.  She did get into her swing this week, so she takes her afternoon nap in the swing.  I wish I could get her down in her crib to nap, but she likes motion, and mommy needs a minute when both kids are sleeping.  I'll take what I can get!

Memorable outings: Nothing "new" this week. 

Favorite toys/activities: Swing, bouncer and the car are still her favs.  She does like her lovies though this week.

Funny moments: She laughed in her sleep the other day.  It was the sweetest sound ever! I can't wait to hear it again! 

Looking forward to: trying out the new wrap at the zoo

Out of the Mouth of a Preschooler

I could write forever on the funny or cute phrases/sayings/antics of our spunky boy.  Here are a few new ones (I'll add as they happen...this will be an ongoing post since it's hard to come up with these moments unless they're on the fly):

When mommy and Ty are in the car together, T-man has picked up on mommy's Chi-town road-rage and now says things like "awe come on lady", "pick it up dude", "what's with this guy", "get moving"  (at least it's not swear words or inappropriate hand signs :) )

"Don't make me come in there"

"You're my best mom/dad/sister ever"

"Mommy, Cincy (our dog) just pooped!  We need a wipe"

"awwww, rock on!" (after putting together a tough puzzle)

while doing some imaginative play..."sometimes bad guys do win"

"I'm going to teach that guy a lesson"

"Well that's a bummer"

Bryn is 8 weeks

Not a whole lot has changed since I checked in at 6/7 weeks.  She's awake much more, loves being carried in her new wrap (she likes to be carried at all times) & Bryn is falling asleep earlier and earlier...and staying asleep.  Last night she fell asleep around 1030 or 11pm and stayed asleep till 4am!  We are making some much-needed progress.  Next step...moving her to her crib ::gulp::

My Hearts

"The Lou" comes to town

This past weekend my BFF, Lisa, and her family of 4 (Bob, Addison 5, & Lucas 4) headed up to the 'nasti from the Lou to hang out with the Scherman Family Four.  We knew we had to overplan for this "spirited" clan of kiddos, so that's exactly what we did.  It ended up being a perfect weekend of bonding fun.  I seriously don't think it could have gone more smoothly, especially when you have 4 strong-minded adults, 3 active preschoolers & a newborn to speak of.  We had lots of outside fun in our yard, at our neighborhood pool and a full day exploring the amusement park in our area.  Kings Island was a day of activities, as we tried out Boomerang Bay, the waterpark, in the morning & went to ride rides at Kings Island in the afternoon/evening.  Although I was tethered to Bryn most of the trip, I got a few hours to ride rides with the clan when my in-laws watched little mama.  The kids had a blast, and we had a great time watching them experience new things.  We can't wait for our trip to the Lou soon! 


BTW...my son is in love :)  He was so cute following Addison around all weekend, and openly called her his "girlfriend".  If only courting was that easy.  Arranged marriage anyone?!?


Oh and a shout-out to our men for letting Lisa and I run together at one point this weekend.  It was fun to get a moment away to talk, and sweat...a lot :)

 Pool Day!!

 The Morning @ Boomerang Bay

 Yes, I allowed my little guy to go down this HUGE slide!  What was I thinking??

 Ty is coming down the slide (top right)

 My boys on the rollercoaster

Memorial Day 2011

As always, the Scherman clan headed up to Michigan to celebrate a long weekend.  It was bittersweet because it was time with my family, but it also marked the end of my maternity leave...waaaaaaaa!  We knew the weather wasn't going to be perfect, but we made the trip anyway.  The first day was a wash...literally...and we spent a lot of time inside.  But the second and third day allowed us some time outside.  Ty was determined to try the water and I think he was shocked at how cold it really was.  However, that didn't stop our little fish from swimming and jet skiing.  This was also Bryn's first trip to my most favorite place in the world.  It's always an exciting milestone, as will be the first time she jet skis, tubes etc.  I love me some lake time!  As always, we had a wonderful time with the fam...even when the weather didn't cooperate completely.

Time on the pontoon

 Brynleigh's first pontoon ride...Grams made me put a hat on her! lol

 Jet-skiing, despite the chilly day

 An attempt at a family photo in front of the lake...and of course...I hate it!

Here's a random from our trip to Chicago.  This is my BFF and her new little guy Maddox.

6/7 Weeks old...just a bit late

Blogger was preventing me from logging on for a few days, so I missed Brynleigh's 6 week check in...so we'll make it a 6/7 week check in instead:


Age: now 7 weeks


Size (diapers, onesies, etc.): We finally moved to size 1 diapers after a couple blow-outs in the NB.  I think we're going to switch to Luvs, as they work for her after trying them out for a bit


Sleeping: She had her first STTN while the Faulkner family was in town on 06/02, she slept from midnight till 6am!  It hasn't happened since, but last night she did make it till 5am.  We are hoping we're making some progress and figuring out her schedule.  We now make sure I feed her before 9:30pm, and if she falls asleep after 10, we put her down for the night instead of fighting to keep her awake. 

Eating: BF is going well, and she's taking a bottle like a champ, since I've been away from her for a few feedings here and there lately (especially when I was back to work for 4 days).  I think she's eating about 3-3.5 oz now per feeding, and sometimes eats from both sides too.  I'm still freezing 6-10oz a day.

Milestones: Bryn is so much more alert, is cooing and smiles in response to my face and me talking to her now multiple times a day.  It's wonderful to see.
The most depresing thing right now is her baby acne.  We have a pretty severe case going on...she has it everywhere, including her neck, ears, head and and shoulders.  I know it doesn't hurt her...but I still feel bad for her.  I'm also selfishly hating how it looks on her. :(  It started around 6 weeks, and we're still battling it.

Memorable outings: We took her to the lake when she was 6 weeks, so that was fun.  We also took her to the pool for her first dip & to Kings Island and Boomerang Bay this weekend. 

Favorite toys/activities: She still prefers our arms to anything, but she can be soothed by the bouncer, a CD in the car (she falls asleep in the car every time), and I just started putting her in her crib to watch the ocean wonders machine.  Bryn also enjoys laying on our legs looking up at us.  That is her preferred position.

Nicknames: my new ones are mamacita and Brynleigh Bug
Funny moments: her reaction to the pool was pretty funny, and when I buzz my lips and make a car engine sound her eyes get really big (like a shocked look).  Addison, Lisa's daughter, was also adorable with Bryn, cooing and talking to her. 

A NBR moment:  Tyler called Addison his girlfriend and they pretended to call each other and make a date.

Looking forward to: her next Dr appt on 6/13, to see how much she weighs

Brynleigh and Maddox Sittin' in a Tree...

K-I-S-S-I-N-G...okay just sitting, and in strollers...but how cute is this:

It's her first "date"...and it's a drive-in :)  A couple of weekends ago I headed home to Chicago to attend my mom's retirement dinner, and we got a special bonus...time with one of my BFFs and her two kiddos.  Maddox was born in February, and I hadn't seen him since then.  It was fun to get them together.  I hope they'll be great friends...and if they have no choice in the matter...boyfriend and girlfriend :)  A girl can dream right? 

Wanted: Advice!

I am in a crabby mood this week, as you can tell by my posts...but sometimes a girl's gotta vent.  I'm having some struggles with this baby that I didn't have with Tyler, so I'm trying to work through them.  What better place to get them out and get feedback than my good ole blog.  So here's the situation...

1. I'm struggling with my body and for someone like me...it's infuriating!  With Tyler, after about 5-6 weeks everything kinda popped back into place.  Now I can't remember if I was back in my clothes, because I didn't return to work until week 9...but I can tell you at week 7...I can wear about 1/16 of my wardrobe.  I can't button my pants and my belly and hips don't seem to want to shrink.  My belly button is a weird shape too!  Now I'm also not one of those girls that relies solely on breastfeeding to shed the lbs.  I've been working...hard!  I am running and doing P90X, and I've only lost about 22 of the 35 lbs I packed on.  I'm up a good 10-15 lbs from my PP weight.  So depressing!

2.  Pumping blows!  I'm not sure if it's my pump, my "dieting" to tackle problem #1, my lack of water (I've been bad lately since I'm back to work and can't pee as often as a teacher) or what...but my supply has plummeted.  I'm not feeling the let-down like I used it, even when I wake up in the morning a she's gone 4-5 hours without eating I'm not producing much.  This both frustrates and worries me.  I'm hoping it's just the new schedule and the stress I'm under finishing up the school year.  Lets hope, because I'd be heartbroken if I had to stop feeding! 

3.  Time for myself...where will I ever find it again?  I'm "on-duty" 24/7!

4. Keeping up with the house.  I am a clean person...and right now I'm living in a very unorganized house.  It's driving me bonkers!  But how can a person do simple chores like laundry, vacuuming and picking up when she has a baby attached to her every moment she's home?! 

5.  Keeping up with friends. I'm struggling to function in daily life, and I can't seem to find time OR REMEMBER to pick up the phone and keep up with everyone.  I'm so sorry all...I'm just a bit overwhelmed figuring out how to juggle it all.

6. My memory is GONE...longgggggggg gone!  I can't remember a thing.  I hope it's just lack of sleep...but man...if it's not written down I'm in trouble. 

7.  Spitting up...no not me...our girl!  She's princess puke, and I can't get a handle on what's going wrong.

8.  Tongue-clicking.  I thought Bryn would grow out of this as she got bigger, or got better at latching on, but she is still clicking her tongue when she feeds.  It both hurts and worries me.  Could this be why she's getting so much air and being so gassy, hiccupy and spitting up so much?!

Will accept any advice you are willing to give on any or all of the above subject.  Thank you in advance!