It's been a busy and eventful week! Otitis externa for Liam and a biopsy for me yesterday. Yep, I went to the dermatologist to get all of my freckles checked out and she saw a few that she didn't like. She did a biopsy and we'll go from there. If I get a postcard in the mail it's a good thing. If she calls, not so good. Damnit sun! And stupid, stupid me for wanting to be tan when having a tan is impossible for my complexion! I've never once been tan in my life. A tan for me is not even noticeable to others. And to think I used to go tanning in stupid tanning beds?! Oh to be able to do that over. Shoulda listened to my mama. I'll be sitting in the shade and wearing SPF 50 in Maui! So not worth it! And like I said, I don't get tan anyway...I just collect more freckles!

Liam's ear is doing good! It doesn't smell anymore so I'm sure it's getting cleared up. Sad that had to happen, I feel like it's my fault that it happened. Hope he doesn't get swimmers ear again until he's actually swimming!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Otitis externa

Liam has otitis externa, basically a fancy term for swimmer's ear. The doctor said it's fairly common in babies and told us not to worry, it's not painful for him. It can become painful if not treated though. SO glad I took him in. And just because of a smell. A smell that Joe couldn't smell. Must be part of being a mom, I could smell something just wasn't right! We have to give him ear drops 4 times a day and it should be gone in just a few days. YAY! The best part about going to the doctor was being able to get Liam weighed! We weighed him at home a few days ago but I'm sure their scale is more accurate. He was 14lbs 14oz and almost 26" long! I was right, he's growing like a weed! That puts him in the 70th percentile for weight and 84th for height.

Happy Wednesday!

This is our sweet baby Liam at 3 months old on January 20. This photo was taken by Jenn Davenport. This is the only one we've seen so far, I can't wait to see the rest. I was SO impressed by her and it was so much fun watching Liam and the difference between this shoot and the first one with Joanna and Alyssa. He didn't pee! Or poo! And she got some kinda-smiles out of him. I've become photo obsessed and just had to get these taken at exactly 3 months, not a week after, not even a day after. So glad Jenn was able to squeeze me in and capture this day for me. Joanna and Alyssa, you need to really start a business! And then I wouldn't feel guilty asking you to take pictures of Liam! :)

So, any doctors out there? Since Saturday I have noticed a smell in Liam's right ear. I am very sensitive to the way he smells, nothing worse than a stinky baby! However, no matter how much I clean his ear it doesn't seem to go away. It gets better, but I can still smell a hint of it. It doesn't bother him when I touch his ear or around it, just the smell. I researched a little about this and found out yeast infections can happen in the ear. True? I have a call in to the doctor, I want to know what to do. It doesn't smell like ear wax. Unless that's just how baby ear wax smells? Ick! Gotta get this solved!

Weekend recap

This was a weird weekend because of Joe's work schedule. He was on nights last week, getting off for the weekend at 7:45am on Friday morning. On these weekends, he comes home, takes a nap and is up for the day at around 12. And then he has to be back to work at 7:45pm on Sunday so it's a really short weekend. Sundays are always a weird day knowing he has to work that night. Maybe someday he'll have a 'normal' Monday-Friday schedule. But then again, we'd probably miss the schedule he has now. He gets so much time off! When we go to Maui he only has to take 3 days off because it falls on his long break off.

Saturday was my in-laws anniversary so I invited them down for dinner. I made my favorite meal (that my mom makes) pork tenderloin. It was a hit! I felt good about it since it was the first time making it myself. I also went to the doctor on Saturday because I had a horrible night on Friday. The doctor gave me a couple of prescriptions but after talking to the pharmacist, I decided not to get them filled. He said it could significantly hurt my milk supply. Not worth it! He suggested I just do a netty pot and see if that helps. Luckily I think it has helped quite a bit. I haven't had a fever at all so I think it's just something that's going to take time to go away.

And that's all for my really boring post, Happy Monday!

3 months!

I love this picture! Joe always has to cuddle with Liam before he goes to bed after he's worked all night and this is what I found when I got done getting ready for the day. So sweet! Joe was sound asleep, the flash didn't even wake him up!

Our sweet baby is three months today! It's amazing how much he changes everyday. He thinks his hands are the most amazing things in the world. I catch him staring at them, you can see him studying them and trying to figure out how they can work in his benefit! He has also started grabbing stuff. It still seems a little spontaneous though. Like he grabbed a toy hanging from his bouncy seat but once he had it, he didn't know how to let go of it so he sat there holding it for a few minutes. I have a feeling he's going to start giggling anyday too. And sleep! Oh, sleep. I have reunited with my pillow and it feels SO good. Last night he slept from 8:15 - 6am. He hung out in the bathroom with me while I showered and now he's out again. So nice! He's up a lot more during the day but if it means more sleep at night, that's all that matters!

I'm pretty miserable fighting a cold right now. I go to bed feeling bad and wake up even worse. Sore throat, stuffed up...hoping it doesn't progress anymore. I feel pretty good during the day, just the nights and morning are horrible. I'll be so upset if Liam gets it! :(

Alright, better go eat breakfast and get some laundry done before he wakes up and wants to eat! Happy Thursday and happy 3 months sweet Liam! You are the best thing that's ever happened to us!

Success!

Thanks to this bottle, and my friend Carly for suggesting it, Liam is taking a bottle again! Now I just have to be consistent about pumping and giving it to him. :) That's the hard part. My goal is one every day. We'll see if I can do it. It's so much easier to just breastfeed but I really want to have the option of giving a bottle if I want/need to.

Even though it's Tuesday, I still feel like it's the weekend. Joe's been off since Thursday so my days are all mixed up. We had a great day on Saturday in Vancouver. Liam did great, hardly making a peep all day. He got a little upset at dinner but that was it. Sunday I went to a baby shower and my mom made dinner for all of us kids. Chicken and dumplings---so good! We just relaxed yesterday and had friends over for dinner last night. I made white bean chicken chili (my sister found the recipe, have to give her the credit!), cornbread and apple crisp and homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert. Quick, easy and we even have leftovers. Hooray!

Really hoping Nick Allard is right and the weather gets better. I usually don't mind the rain, I actually kinda like it, but I feel like it hasn't stopped for days!

Hello, waffles!

One of my Christmas presents from Joe was a waffle maker. Didn't realize it came with a stipulation that he would be the waffle maker, too! I'm currently drinking a cup of coffee, watching him make the batter (he's using an Alton Brown recipe) and blogging. Love it!

We ended up not going to Costco yesterday, we're going today instead. Kim and George need to go too so we're going to meet up with them, go to Vancouver Mall so my sister and I can get massages and then have dinner at 360. So excited, especially for our massages! If you go to Vancouver Mall, you must try this place. Awesome.

We had a relaxing day at home yesterday, our only adventure out was to Fred Meyer's. We bought a new lamp! His name is James. Seriously, the name of our lamp is James. It was between James and Jason, we went for James. Not sure if I really like it but it will do. Last night I also made dinner for my parents. Enchiladas and homemade ice cream and brownies for dessert. Pretty tasty, super easy dinner to make. I've been in a cooking mood lately. I even have a pot roast in the fridge I'm going to cook in the crock pot. I've never cooked one before but my mom and sister always do and say how easy---and good---they are. We shall see!

Breakfast is ready, happy Saturday!

Surf's up, dude!

I received this lovely Obama dashboard doll from my brother in law this year. Hahahaha, it was one of the nicest wrapped gifts and it ended up being this. So funny. I ran across it last night cleaning and cracked up. I think it might end up in his stocking next year! As well as a lump of coal. :)

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Joe is on his long break off from work so it's been nice to have the extra help. Never realized how much faster I can go to the grocery store when I'm by myself! I think we might make a Costco run today. Maybe. I want to go but the process of getting there doesn't sound like fun. And it's so nasty out! But after being home ALL day yesterday, I'm gettin' antsy and ready to roll!

Happy Friday!

Got milk?

My friend Carly and I went to a La Leche meeting this morning. I admit I was a little apprehensive about going, thinking for sure it would be hard core breastfeeding moms who nurse until their kids go off to college! We were also a little afraid we might have to do something crazy to be a part of the 'meeting' like shave our heads or as I told Joe this morning, show our boobs before entering. :) I was pleasantly surprised though. We were worried we might be the only two, but there were probably about 10 moms and babies ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years. Basically just a lot of moms talking about the whole experience, getting and giving advice, etc. I asked about our bottle issue and they said it's most likely his age; he's smart enough to know that a bottle isn't me and he wants the real deal. But like my friend Krystal said, they all reminded me that in a few months he'll be able to eat other foods/rice cereal so I'll be able to go longer between feedings. I'm not very concerned anymore though. Especially now that he's sleeping at night. The biggest reason I wanted to do bottles was so that I could sleep. I didn't think I would ever sleep again. Knowing Joe could give a bottle helped me power through the rough days. Anyway, I'm glad we went. It was fun to see all of the other babies too.

Liam slept awesome again last night! In his crib! Joe put him down at 9 and he slept until 5:30. I fed him at that time and then he slept again from 6:30ish until 9:15. It's so nice! I feel like a different person! And when I start getting tired late in the day, it's so nice knowing that he's most likely going to sleep a big chunk. Just hope he keeps it up! However, as much as I love this sleep that I thought I'd never get again, it makes me a little sad knowing he doesn't need me as much as he did. It's just all so bittersweet...

Alright, off to get some stuff done and make myself stay home. Why do I feel the need to constantly be on the go? I'm sure Ross doesn't have anything new since I was there yesterday. Or Target either!

Oh. No.

Liam is refusing to take a bottle. I pumped yesterday because I had a dentist appointment and wanted my mom to be armed in case he got hungry. Big fail. He refused it. I thought maybe he just wasn't hungry but last night I made Joe try again, when I knew he was starving (he had been sucking on my face). Refused it again. Got rather pissed actually. Shaking his head, screaming...it was pretty pitiful. Joe said, "he's probably not taking it because you're watching him!" So I left the room. Went to brush my teeth. I could hear him screaming from the bathroom. Wouldn't have it. I must admit, it kinda makes me feel good---he likes me better than the bottle---but also makes me a little upset to think that I may never be able to leave him for more than 3 hours at a time! I'm sure he'd take a bottle if he was hungry enough but I would never be able to relax and leave him with someone knowing that it takes a lot of crying to reach that point. Any suggestions? I don't think we were consistent enough with giving him bottles. I'm a lazy pumper, it's much easier to just breastfeed real quick and be done with it. There aren't many times that I'm away from him longer than a few hours so I guess we might just have to deal with it.

Last night was night two of him sleeping in his crib! He was in bed at 8:45 and I didn't hear from him again until 5:30 this morning. Fed him real quick then and he's been asleep since. So nice! He's probably sleeping a lot better...his bassinet was becoming pretty cramped quarters for him. I feel bad complaining about being sleep deprived in the early weeks now that he's sleeping longer--it went so fast. I need to remember that next time around, it doesn't last forever. I think everyone who said 12 weeks is definitely right. He's been sleeping more just the last few days. Tomorrow is 12 weeks, we made it! I remember hearing that at the beginning and thinking, "great news but that's TEN MORE WEEKS" and thinking I couldn't make it. Well, I did. And it went way too fast.

Going to try giving him a bottle again today. I don't mind exclusively breastfeeding but it would be nice to have that girls day that my sister and I have been talking about and leave him home with daddy!

Love this picture!

This huge smile happened yesterday when Joe was changing Liam's diaper. He was SO happy! Look at those chins, he's such a little chunk! Big news: he slept in his crib last night. In his nursery! I missed having him in our room in his little bassinet. We decided he's getting way too big for it though and we really want to get him used to a crib since that's what he'll be sleeping in when we go to Maui. He went to bed with no objections at all. :( I also think he has become a self soother. He no longer requires to be rocked and held for hours before finally allowing us to put him down at night. He actually starts getting fussy and starts kicking his legs. When he starts doing this we know what it means---he wants to lay down. As soon as we lay him down, he stops fussing and falls asleep. Mr. Independent? Oh well, more sleep for me, right?

Off to get a quick workout in before he wakes up wanting me. Happy Monday!

My two favorite scents

My sister bought me a bottle of Lolita Lempicka for Christmas and it smells SO good. I love it! I think it's even passed up my long time favorite Light Blue.
I've been wearing Light Blue for years. I love everything about it! I've been out for a few months but luckily Santa Joe had a bottle of it in my stocking for me. Perfume is one thing I don't like buying for myself. I feel like it's more of a 'luxury' purchase. I can usually always count on getting a bottle from my sister every Christmas and Joe usually keeps me supplied as well. :) I love smelling good!

Good news!

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11 weeks!

Liam is 11 weeks today! He woke up smiling and has been cooing and smiling at me all morning. I LOVE it! Every morning I sing a song to him that I made up. It's short and sweet but he has really started responding to it the last couple of weeks. He immediately quiets down when I start singing it and gives me a great big smile. It's so sweet! He's growing so fast. I just finished getting him dressed and the pants to the outfit I wanted him to wear no longer fit. Well, they fit but let's just say they looked like Spandex. :( On to 3-6 month sizes! He has also started sleeping wonderfully at night. The last week or so he's been asleep in his bassinet by 8:30pm and usually sleeps until 3:30 or 4. I feed him at that time and then he's out again until 7:30ish. We've definitely established a routine and I think it's really helped. After bath time he knows that it's time to nurse, he even starts smacking! We're all feeling so much better and rested! As I write this, I have him in my front pack. He didn't want to hang out in his swing, he wanted mommy to carry him. His head is on my chest and he is sound asleep. It's the best feeling ever.

Today: eye doctor appointment. Pretty sure I'm on the verge of being blind! We'll see what the doc says. I know my eyes have changed more since having Liam. I have glasses, I just don't wear them. And I don't like contacts. Don't know what to do! Must do something though. Also having lunch with Aili and Shailia to give our aunt a picture that we took of Liam and Shailia. Happy Wednesday!

I'm not the only one!

Apparently my husband isn't the only one who hates getting his hair cut....thanks for posting that comment, Joanna! Makes me feel better about it. I bet Joe will be running to the salon after I try my new skills on him though! Good thing is, it grows back, right? I have no doubt he will have to shave it all off after I try it for the first time. :) And Alyssa, definitely be sure to call me next time you cut Corbin's hair! I really want to learn how!

As I write this, Joe and Liam are cuddling on the couch. Joe worked nights last night and just got home. First thing he does is come and get Liam (if he's awake) and snuggle with him before he (Joe) goes to bed. So sweet!

Today: no plans! Think when it thaws out a little more Liam and I will go walk the lake. We walked with Kim and Sophie yesterday and it felt so good to be outside! Gotta take advantage of the dry weather while it lasts!

Coffee time! Have a great day!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2011! We had the best weekend, I was so sad to see it come to an end yesterday! We spent our first weekend at the beach house. It was so nice, I felt like I was on vacation. Mom and dad have worked so hard painting and decorating and it definitely shows. It feels like home and I know we'll be creating so many great memories in the months and years to come. Joe and I went down on Thursday night since mom and dad were already there and Joe didn't have to work. On Friday Kim, George, Sophie, Joe's parents and my aunt, uncle, cousin and his girlfriend came down. The guys clamming on Friday and on Saturday. It was freezing but SO gorgeous. Looking outside you would've thought it was August. Not a cloud in the sky pretty much the entire weekend! I can't wait to go back. I think my sister and I are going to do the Beach to Chowder Challenge in June. There are so many fun events that happen down there that I never knew existed. It's going to be fun to take part in the festivities!

It hasn't really hit me that it's 2011 yet. As we counted the seconds down to it on New Year's Eve, I didn't really feel any emotion. Usually I get sentimental and start thinking about the past, the future...life in general. This year I was just so excited to get to bed I wasn't really concerned! Maybe next New Year's will be different when I'm feeling more rested and Liam is older? Or maybe this is just part of getting older? Guess I'll find out next year.

I don't really have any New Year's resolutions but there are several things I really want to try to do.

-Take more pictures!

-Take a photography class and really learn how to use our new camera

-No dwelling on the past or future, enjoy TODAY everyday

-Start meal planning better. Feel like I make the same things day in and day out...

-Start having date nights with Joe now that life is semi back to normal

-Learn how to cut mens hair. Getting Joe to go get his haircut is a huge ordeal. The way he complains about having to go, you'd think it actually causes him physical pain! If I learn how to cut it, I hope to eliminate that issue and I'll be able to do it everytime it starts to look shaggy. Like today...needs it cut desperately! Plus, money saved cutting it myself = more for me to spend on fun stuff, right?!!?

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2011!