Two Years Ago

Two years ago this week we set sail for our honeymoon cruise. I can't believe it has 2 years already! Cruising was a blast and cant wait to do it again. Bermuda was fantastic and I would go back in a second. 

I've heard such great things from people who have cruised with their families too. I'd love to take a Disney Cruise with Jack when he is a bit older.  

Have you cruised with your children? Would you suggest it?

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Jack's 1st Pool Experience

It's official!

 We have a water baby. This kid LOVES the pool.

After such a long and freezing winter it has been so nice to get out and finally enjoy some summer fun with our little boy!  Jack has always loved the water so I'm not really surprised. He could not get enough in both his baby pool and the pool in our development. This little boy loves to splash and kick his feet. He pushes away from me when I hold him so he can be get as much of his body under water.

Jack sat in his float and just watched as the other children played, splashed and enjoyed themselves. We picked up some splasher diapers and they are well worth it. 

A friend of ours picked up a water table for her 1 year old son and Jack loved it as much, if not more than her son did. We wasn't tall enough to stand up so we just put him on top of it. He just hung out, eating some toys as his friend Michael played. 

Jack- 5 Months

Weight and Height- 

Jack now weighs 14.4 and is 24 inches long!  He's still wearing lots of 0-3 month clothes. Most of the rompers I bought him are 6 months and he is swimming in them. 

4 months shots were terrible. 

Health- 

Jack continues to go back to his group of specialists. We continue his nebulizer and percussion therapies 2 times a day.  He will be getting some blood work and chest x-rays in the next few months. At his last appointment his specialist used the words "fantastic"

Sleep- 

Jack is a great sleeper. He always gets up 1-2 feedings a night. 

Crying- 

Jack barely cries.He is such a happy little boy. We had our first screaming car ride last week. It was so sad. He SCREAMED his bloody head off. I sat in the back with him and replayed Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood over and over for the 40 minute car ride! 

Hair- 

I think he may be a strawberry blonde.

Our 1st Mother's Day 

Loves his sunglasses

Eyes- 

Blue! 

Clothes- 

Jack is wearing 3 months. He also fits in 0-3. The rompers I bought for the summer are all 6 months. They are all so big!

Feedings- Jack is nursing whenever he is with me. I pump all day at work. He takes 6-8 oz bottles every 3 hours. 

Routine- 

We have one down. Most days start at 5am. We begin with this treatments and follow that up with a feeding. Our nights usually contain another treatment and feedings. We all go to bed around 11pm. 

Social- 

He is so incredibly happy and friendly. Jack reacts to people he is familiar with and its usually a huge smile. He is now interested in his cousins and smiles at them when they play. 

Likes-

Pool- He LOVES being in the water. 

Bath time is a favorite too. 

Music- We all love the Frozen station on I tunes Radio. He still like when I sing to him. 

Family- He loves his grandmas and grandpas. He spends each day with older cousins, 1 and 4 years old. 

Bouncy seat- We got everything plus more at our shower but this little guy loves this $3 find from a yard sale. We burn out batteries like nobody's business.
MamaRoo- Its so soothing for him.
Cartoons especially Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Dinosaur Train

Dislikes- 

Getting his boogers sucked out.
Gas

Having his hands covered  

Mommy- 

Being at work is tough.I still hate being away from my little man but I like the routine of getting out of the house. I'm exhausted pretty much all of the time but its a good tired. I really want to start losing some weight. I'm huge and its so disappointing. I really hate to look at myself. I just don't want to work out either. I'd rather spend my time with Jack instead!

Milestones- 

Jack has rolled over. His legs are very strong and he enjoys standing. He is very chatty. He smiles and laughs too. He is sitting up well on his own. He is teething so bad. It's the worst. Some days he just screams for no reason! Jack has tried rice cereal although he is mainly on breast milk until at least 6 months.  Jack went in the pool or the 1st time. He also went to his 1st strawberry patch. 

Nicknames- 

Chicken Nugget, Stinky Doodle, Bug, Noodle, Jack Frost, Hungry Jack, Jack Attack

Look how he has changed!

Great Strides- Cystic Fibrosis Walk

Over the weekend we participated in the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis. We created a team and Team Super Jack raised $2,325! I'm so grateful to my family and friends who donated and showed up to support us in our fight to keep Jack healthy and to get the word out about Cystic Fibrosis. This is a world I never thought I would be involved in but since I am I might as well fight as hard as I can to help find a cure for this devastating disease. 

In addition to the walk there is another way to help raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Today, June 4th is National Running Day. Timex will donate $5 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for every tweet or Instagram post containing:

#Imarunner

Please consider posting! 

Thanks you! 

Nursing Spot Essentials

Before Jack was born I had always knew I wanted to breastfeed for his health benefits as well as mine. No matter how beneficial breast feeding is it is still really hard work. Our breast feeding journey was a difficult one and it took us 3.5 months to get it right but patience and determination got us where we are today. I couldn't be happier. Up until Jack was a little over 3 months he refused to nurse. He would get close to me and he would scream. Not cry but scream his bloody head off. He would turn bright red and then purple. I would try so hard to not get discouraged but it was inevitable.   I continued to try at least once every day. It would usually end in tears for the both of us.

I did get a Medela pump through our insurance and I was only hoping to use it occasionally but it ended up being my only form of breast feeding Jack. I really hated pumping from the get go. I felt like I was never pumping enough for him and it just took so long. A few weeks ago Jack woke up began to cry while I was pumping. I knew he was hungry so I tried again and through some miracle this boy latched on. He latched that morning and we have been nursing ever since. My pump is only used while I am at work and I nurse him whenever we are together. To make us both comfortable I have created nursing areas in our home; one in our living room and one in our bedroom. I had read that your body will get used to the area where you usually nurse and you will have a stronger let down so I've been pretty regimented with when and where I nurse. I have found it essential to have items with in reach at all times in these areas. I've dedicated a space on my night stand for these items and also in an end table in the living room. 

These are some of the items I found it important to keep in my nursing spots. I use a small basket as a caddy to take the smaller stuff from station to station. 

Boppy or pillow- Comfort for both me and Jack is so important. If neither of us is comfortable the nursing session does not work well. The Boppy is good but I prefer the average bed pillow. When I nurse in bed I lay side by side with Jack. He eats so much better this way. 

Nipple Pads- Leaks are inevitable just like on my first day back at work!  I have found the organic pads are my favorite and the disposable pads to work the best. 

Hydro Pads- The pain and discomfort in the beginning can be very difficult. These Medela hydro pads were the only thing that helped. I kept the in the fridge when I wasn't using them. 

Nipple Cream- I had used the Lansinoh as it was give as free samples but the Medela cream worked the best for me.

Clock- I don't time our feedings but it is good to know how long he nurses for. I keep track of his feedings for his doctor appointments. 

Water or any hydrating beverage- Nursing dehydrates me like you wouldn't believe. I try to drink a lot through out the day. No matter how much I drink the second he starts to nurse I feel dehydrated. I usually have a large reusable bottle by my side at all times.

Snacks- I often forgot to eat during the early post partum days. I would find myself dizzy and it was the worst. I started packing some snack in with my nursing basket. They usually included trail mix, Fiber One Bars, granola bars and fruit. 

Vitamins- I take my vitamins right before I nurse or right after. It helps that I leave them in the same spot so I don't forget them. I take my prenatal and also Fenugreek to increase my supply.

Burp Clothes- Like I said leaks are inevitable but so it spit up. Green Sprouts are my favorites. 

Remote Controls/Cell Phones- Yes, breastfeeding should be a calm and relaxing time for both you and baby but you can't deny that some entertainment makes the experience a little more bearable. 

Note Pad/ Pen- Keeping track of your feedings is important. Jack had a difficult time gaining weight at one time so I try and keep track of every time he eats and for how long. 

Trash Can- Having a receptacle close is important. After our feedings Jack usually falls fast asleep and I don't move him. It is my favorite time of day so to move him to throw away a nipple pad is just not worth it for me. 

Remember it is important to stay comfortable, entertained and stay nourished during these times..