6 months with Baby Jax

I really can't believe I am typing this post.  My baby is halfway to a year old!?!  This past month, Jaxson's personality has really blossomed.  He is such a happy and laid back baby (most of the time), and if we can get the sleeping-through-the-night thing down, well, we will just be one "big happy family."  Really we already are a "big happy family," with little Jax a part of it.

Here are your monthly highlights, Baby Boy:

• We have your 6-month appointment coming up, where we will get your exact height and weight, but I think you are at least 18lbs by now.
• You are in between 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes.  It just depends upon the brand.
• You are pretty much bald on each side and the back of your head, but you have a nice little tuft of hair on the top.  You're just hipster with a nice pompadour.  It is still light, and I am wondering what color it will be when it all grows back in.  
• Sleeping has been the biggest issue.  The past two weeks you have decided to wake up every hour and a half.  Mama and Daddy knew we had to do something.  The past few days we started a new plan of attack action, and now you are just waking up at midnight and 4am to eat.  Mama's a much nicer person when I get a bit more sleep.
• You are working on sitting up.  Probably within the next month you will be able to sit up on your own with ease.
• This month, we started introducing a few solid foods.  So far you have tried sweet potato, banana, avocado, and some cantaloupe.  I wouldn't say you really have a favorite, but you definitely enjoy trying things and are very interested in whatever Mama and Daddy are eating.  
• You have finally figured out how to use your jumper, and that is by far your favorite toy right now.
• Sticking out your tongue is your newest trick, and sometimes you will even blow raspberries.
• Mama and Daddy love to see more of your personality coming out.  We can now tell when you are sad, upset, happy, excited, or just being whiney.  

Every day gets more fun with you Baby Jax.  We love you!

5 months with Baby Jax

Can we please slow down time, just a bit!?  I have no idea how my baby boy is already 5 months.  It really is going too fast.

Drew and I are amazed every day at how Jaxson's is literally learning before our eyes.  With all of the interaction and responses to sensory, raising him definitely gets more fun with each passing day.  He is no longer a tiny newborn, sleeping 90% of the time and eating the other 10%.  We can now make him laugh, have him grab things (like mama's hair and daddy's beard!), and he "talks" to us throughout the day.  We love having him around.

Here are your monthly highlights, little man:

• At your 4-month check-up (March 12th, 2014) you were 15.2 lbs (50th percentile) and 25.5in long (50th-75th percentile).  Currently you have no wrists or ankles.  We simply cannot wait for you to have some little tan lines from your baby rolls.
• You can still fit in some 3-6 month clothes, but mama went ahead and pulled out the 6-9 month stuff and it is just a tad loose on you.
• Your hair is still getting lighter and your eyes are a pretty slate blue.
• Sleep.  Ah, sleep.  One day, mama hopes you will figure it out.  You were consistent for a while with waking up at midnight and then 5am, which was perfectly fine with mama.  Lately though, you have wanted to wake up every 2 hours, not to eat, but just be soothed.  We are not really sure what is going on.  What makes up for it is, you are so good about going down for naps and bedtime (around 8pm).
• You love to grab anything that is put in front of you.  With the warmer weather, you have also enjoyed going for runs in the jogger with mama.
• We can tell you are getting stronger and trying to sit up on your own.  Probably a few more weeks and you will be there.
• You love to smile and laugh.  You are very ticklish too.
• Your personality is really starting to emerge.  You started a new thing where you will shriek when you are doing something you really don't want to do.  Mama has also noticed you are much more well-behaved around anyone besides your parents.  Little stinker.
• Food has become quite interesting to you as well, and you love to watch mama and daddy eat.  We are trying to wait a little bit longer before actually introducing some avocado or sweet potato, but we did give you a piece of celery to gnaw on at dinner time.  You loved it!  Hopefully this means you will enjoy all vegetables.  

4 months with Baby Jax

Here is our monthly post again.  4 months with our baby boy and I'm realizing more and more each day that when people say "it goes by fast," they are right.  It goes by so fast.  I'm really trying to learn to savor every moment; even the moments of waking up at 2am because baby boy is hungry.  He is only going to be this little once.

So today, March 4th, we are actually celebrating two things.  Of course, Jaxson is turning 4 months, but also one year and one day ago, we found out about our little guy with a positive test.  A year ago, we were overwhelmed with gratefulness to the Lord for blessing us yet again with a baby, and couldn't stop imaging what our life would be like when he/she arrived.  Well, now we are still overwhelmed with that same gratefulness, and thank the Lord that we get to live every day with our baby boy as a part of our family.

Here's to 4 months Bubby!

Your monthly highlights:

• You have a doctor's appointment coming up where we will find out your exact height and weight, but I'm thinking you are at least 15 pounds by now.  I just love your chunky thighs and your belly rolls.
• Your wardrobe is all 3-6 month stuff, but I have noticed some of the 6 month sleepers are getting a bit too short.
• Continuing to lighten up, your hair is almost the same color as mama's, and your eyes are such a pretty blue.
• As far as sleeping through the night, you are not doing so well.  But that's ok.  You give us about one 4-5 hour stretch and then wake up every 2-3 hours to eat or be soothed.  You have gotten very good at going to bed and taking naps, so that makes up for your 2am wake-ups.  We usually start your bedtime routine around 8pm, and then you go to sleep by 8:30pm. You still love to sleep on your side.
• The floor gym at our house is becoming kind of boring to you, but you love the new one that Mi-mi bought you.  You have started grabbing things, so now you can hold toys and love to put them in your mouth.
• You enjoy tummy time much more now and can easily roll from tummy to back.  You have been trying hard to roll from back to tummy, and can do it with a little help.  Standing up, with help, is definitely one of your favorite things to do.
• You are still a little chatter box, although we have noticed it takes you a little while to warm up around new people and places.  Once you feel comfortable you start talking up a storm.
• We love seeing you smile and love hearing your little laugh, which has become a more regular occurrence.

Jaxson, it has been so fun to see your personality blossoming.  You are really laid back, just like your mama, and definitely a night owl, just like your daddy.  We are grateful to have you a part of our family.

3 months with Baby Jax

Another month down.  Seems my blogging is following a monthly post trend.  It may be like that for a while, because the only "project" we are working on right now is Baby Jax.  I do have a few house projects on the horizon, so once we start those I will have something else to blog about ;)

Can't believe you are already 3 months sweet boy.  I really do believe every month gets better with having you a part of our family.  You already bring us so much joy and we can't get over this feeling of just wanting to squish you (can other parents relate?).

Here are your monthly highlights:

• At your 2 month check-up on January 13th, you weighed in at 12.4 lbs.  This put you between the 25th and 50th percentile for weight.  You are in the 75th percentile for height at 23 1/4 inches long.
• You are wearing all 3-6 months clothes now and some of the 3 month onsies are getting snug.
• Everyone keeps noticing how you hair is getting lighter and lighter.  Your eyes are still such a pretty gray-blue.
• Sometime mid-January you began consistently sleeping 8 hours at night.  Mama was so excited you were finally in that routine.  Unfortunately you decided we shouldn't get too comfortable with that schedule and have started waking up again in the middle of the night.  I'm hoping you are just going through a growth spurt.
• You still love you floor gym and will play there independently for a long time.  
• Another first for you: your first snows. We spent a few minutes outside and you simply thought it was too bright and too cold on your face.
• On January 18th, you gave mama and daddy quite a scare.  You weren't eating well and just wanted to sleep all day.  When you woke up from your nap laughing hysterically we definitely knew something was not right.  Your temperature was 101.4 (a high-temp for your age and size). Per doctor's orders we had to take you to the ER where you went through several tests (like a champ!) and they decided you were fighting something viral.  You ran a low-grade fever for a couple days, but quickly returned to your usual self.  We are praising God for restoring your health.
• You have become quite the talker.  We are convinced you can say "I love you," which we practice every day. 
• You really love to be around a lot of activity and still don't mind being passed around at parties and other events.
• Your hands and feet have just recently become very interesting to you.  

Jaxson you are such a sweet, patient, and happy (as long as you have a full tummy!) baby, and we are so thankful for you.  You are truly a blessing to our family.

2 months with Baby Jax

Babies sure do take up a lot of time.  But really, I don't mind at all.  I could spend all day staring at my little guy.  So when I'm not staring at Baby Jax, doing laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, or learning how to be a wife and a mom, I'm finding a little time to write a blog post (but only once a month, it seems).
*update: this post has taken me almost 3 days to write

Baby Jax we love you more and more every day.  You are truly a gift from the Lord.  A small part of me wants you to grow up, because experiencing all your "firsts" is just so fun; but a very big part of me desperately wants your growing up to slow down because I know your sweet baby coos, chunky thighs, and gummy smiles will be gone before I know it.  It is so amazing to watch you grow and learn, and I am trying to savor all of it.

You have certainly been busy during your second month of life outside the womb.  Here is bit of what you have been up to:

• We recently weighed you at home and the scale read close to 11.5 lbs.  You seem to be getting really long too.  We will know for sure how much you have grown at your upcoming 2 month appointment.
• There is no way I can squeeze you into your newborn clothes anymore.  My heart ached just a bit when I put you in a 6 month sleeper and it didn't swallow you whole.
• Your hair seems to be lightening up.  We are wondering if someday soon we might have a blue-eyed blondie.
• You are doing better with sleeping at night, usually waking up every 4 hours to eat.  One night you gave us a 6 hour stretch.  I keep hoping that will become more regular :)
• You now sleep in your own room at night.  Some of your naps are in your crib or in the mamaRoo, which you love.
• Your new favorite toy is your floor gym.  You will happily play there for at nearly 15 minutes at a time.
• Just the other day you laughed when Mama was tickling you.  You have definitely become more interactive this month and love to "chat" and smile with Mama and Daddy while laying on your changing pad.
• Your grandparents have already started spoiling you, and even though you didn't really know what was going on, you received tons of gifts for your very first Christmas.

Baby Jax, we love you and have absolutely loved this second month with you in our lives.

1 month with Baby Jax

People aren't lying when they say how fast time flies with a baby.  I really can't believe an entire month has gone by since Jaxson joined our family.  It has certainly been a life-changing, tiring, and sometimes stressful but overall truly amazing month with our little guy.  We just can't stop staring at him and marveling that he is ours.  He is truly a good gift from the Lord and we fall more in love with him every day.

Here is a little bit of what you have been up to lately, Baby Jax:

• At your two week appointment you weighed 7lbs 13oz.  You have continued to chub up and we think you are closer to 8.5lbs now.
• You have outgrown some of your newborn clothes, but some 0-3 months is still too big.  I'm sure it won't be long before you fill those out!
• You love to eat (a lot!!).
• You have TONS of light brown hair and dark blue eyes.
• As far as sleeping at night goes, you have good days and bad days.  More recently you have started to give us a few 5 hour stretches at night.
• You still sleep in the cradle at night, but have started taking naps during the day in your crib.
• You are very vocal and like to squeak and grunt.
• You enjoy being held.  We can pass you around at family gatherings without ever waking you up.
• Car rides are a guaranteed way to get you to sleep.
• Your first outing was to the doctor, but since then you have been to church, the grocery store, the mall, a couple restaurants, and your grandparents' houses.
• You have certainly had a lot of "firsts" this month, but some of the most memorable might be your First Thanksgiving and your first Christmas tree shopping trip.
• Ever since you were 6 days old you have proved to be super strong, by lifting up your head while laying on Daddy's chest.   You is still a bit wobbly, but definitely getting more control.
• At 3 weeks daddy laid your tummy on the bed, and you rolled over to your back.  You did it 3 times in a row!
• You smile a lot during your sleep.  We like to think you are smiling at us.

We love you Jaxson and are so glad God decided to let us be your parents.  We couldn't imagine life without you!  Happy one month baby boy!

Jaxson's Nursery

Today is your lucky day.

Since I have been lazy about posting regular nursery updates, I am simply going to jump ahead to the grand reveal.  When If I get around to it, I will post more details about the specific projects that went into our little guy's room.

So without further ado, Jaxson's nursery, aka, my new favorite room in our house.

Drew is planning to build a custom wood frame around a mirror to go above the dresser, but that project might have to wait until after Jaxson is born.

I am planning to do a complete source list for everything in his nursery.

Pottery Barn Kids glider wannabe

When we first started planning the nursery, I knew I wanted to get a fully upholstered glider that we could one day use in another room of our house.  Unfortunately, the only place I found that had what I was looking for was Pottery Barn Kids.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love all things Pottery Barn, but I simply couldn't convince Drew Babe that nearly $1000 for a nursery chair was definitely in our budget.

Thankfully Pinterest and Ikea came to my rescue.  We saw other people had turned Ikea chairs into a rocker/glider and thought we would give it a try.

If we had an unlimited supply of funds, I simply would have purchased this chair from PB.

source

But we don't, so we picked up this chair during one of our yearly Ikea visits.  (I know a lot of people have used the Jennylund chair for a project like this, but we liked how the Ektorp felt more roomy and comfortable.)

source

Some of you may be thinking white is a risky color for a piece of furniture, but the fantastic thing is I can always wash it or simply buy a new one if it starts looking dingy.  I also used Scotchguard on the entire slipcover to hopefully somewhat protect it from spills, spit-up, blow-outs, etc.

I tried to show Drew Babe some of my pins on how people turned their Ikea chair into a rocker/glider.  His wheels immediately started turning, and he figured out how he was going to do this project without following a tutorial.

We purchased the rocker mechanism off Amazon.  I believe the only other things Drew needed for this project was a piece of plywood, some 2x4s, and a few screws.  We kept the legs off of the chair, and Drew screwed in a piece of plywood for the rocking mechanism to rest on.

Because we wanted it to be a tad higher and not have the slipcover skirt dragging on the floor, Drew added 2x4s.  The rocker mechanism was then installed.

Now, for a fraction of the cost, we have our own fully upholstered nursery glider.

Here is just a little comparison for you:

Pottery Barn glider:
$849 (on sale)
+$80 delivery surcharge
__________________
Total $929

Our Ikea chair turned glider:
$249 chair and slipcover
+$49.99 rocker mechanism
__________________
Total $298.99

(Drew already had the wood and hardware in the garage, so that wasn't an extra expense for this project)

Our nursery chair has already gotten lots of use, and is very comfy and sturdy.  The nursery is definitely coming along.

• re-paint all trim
• paint the stripes
• paint bedroom door and closet doors
• install new outlets and covers
• put together furniture (we will have the crib complete tomorrow)
• install blinds
• install curtain rods and hang curtains
• add some artwork to the walls
• re-do the entire closet
• decorate and organize

Another check in the box

I hope by the time we are finished with "project nursery" you will not be completely bored of it.  There have just been a lot of little steps to complete and we are steadily working at each one.  This week Drew completed all of the electrical work in the room.  This included replacing all of the yellowish outlets and outlet covers with crisp white ones, and installing a new light fixture for our little boy.

I had been looking for a ceiling light fixture for a while and, of course, everything I liked was over $100 - way more than we wanted to spend.  During one random trip into Lowe's, I decided to check out the light section and spotted this guy on clearance for $35! (marked down from $90).

I love it, and I think Jaxson will too.  Drew says the circles on the side look like baseballs, so that makes it perfect for a little boy's room.  I went with a semi-flushmount light.  It hangs down a bit from the ceiling, but we won't have to worry about hitting our head on it every time we go in the room.

Drew Babe also replaced all the outlets and outlet cover.

Much more crisp and clean, as opposed to the dingy bisque colored ones.

After a bit of cleaning, the room now looks like this.

Our next steps are the blinds and curtains rods.  I discovered a very unique curtain rod idea on Pinterest, so I am very eager to see how it turns out. Putting together the furniture might even happen this weekend too.

• re-paint all trim
• paint the stripes
• paint bedroom door and closet doors
• install new outlets and covers
• put together the furniture
• install blinds
• install curtain rods and hang curtains
• add some artwork to the walls
• re-do entire closet
• decorate and organize

We have the stripes

That title almost makes it sound like we caught a case of something bad, but actually this is a good thing- a really good thing.  Slowly but surely we are making more progress in our little boy's nursery, and this is something I am particularly excited about.  

This past weekend, in lieu of our regular date-night-out, we picked up our favorite YNot pizza and had a stripe painting "date" at home.  We decided to paint some horizontal stripes on the crib wall, as an accent.  Instead of choosing on just one color for the stripes, we decided on three colors for a little different look.  Picking the colors was one of the most challenging parts, because we still wanted them to somewhat coordinate with the others.  

In our original rendering of the accent wall, Drew made sure that I wasn't planning on using purple in our son's room.  I assured him I was not, and that was the only crayon color choice that I could find at the time.

We changed the stripe placement after measuring everything out on the wall.  The final colors we went with were all satin finish from Benjamin Moore: Vermont Slate, Blue Stream, and Water's Edge.  Since we were only doing stripes on one wall, I was able to just buy the sample size paints.

I put Drew Babe in charge of the measuring and leveling of the stripes, because I know he is much more of a perfectionist than I am.  I do like things to look perfect, but some things I don't bother to take the time.  Thankfully I married someone who will do everything possible to make sure something is straight/level/etc.

 

The Frog Tape held up to its standards and prevented any bleeding, even on our textured wall.

The two colors here are the dark Vermont Slate and the Water's Edge.

After each stripe was complete, we got more and more excited to see the finished product.  The top and bottom stripes had us laughing hysterically while we were painting them.  They seemed to be the same exact color as the rest of the walls, when it was supposed to be a shade darker.  Thankfully after it dried, it was in fact darker than the rest of the walls.

Here is where the room started:

And here it is today:

I think we have officially finished all of the painting portion of the nursery.  There is still much to do, but we are making progress.

• re-paint all trim
• paint the stripes
• paint bedroom door and closet doors
• install new outlets and covers
• put together the furniture
• install blinds
• install curtain rods and hang curtains
• add some artwork to the walls
• re-do entire closet
• decorate and organize (the fun part!)

Progress in the nursery

Finally!!  We have finally started in Baby Jaxson's room!  Mimi and Pops (my parents) graciously offered part of their Saturday to help paint the main color in the nursery.  With four of us working in the room and the walls only requiring one coat, we were finished in less than two hours.  That is my kind of house project!  I just wish everything was that easy.

Here are some "before" shots of the nursery with the blah tan walls.  We only taped the windows, because we are planning to repaint all of the white trim.

 And here are some "during" shots with all the wonderful painters.

And finally the "after."  We went with a satin finish Benjamin Moore color called Blue Haze.  I love how it looks with the white trim and dark floors.

You can see where we are testing out some other blue colors.  We are going to eventually add stripes on this wall.

It has been a huge relief to have the main color finished, but there is still much to do.

• re-paint all trim
• paint the stripes
• paint bedroom door and closet doors
• install new outlet covers
• put together the furniture
• install curtain rods and hang curtains
• add some artwork to the walls