Safety First

Bright and early this morning.  I was thinking I need to get Ethan on an actual sleep schedule.  Lately he hasn't gone to bed until roughly 10:00p.  He is EBF (Exclusively Breast Fed) and fed on demand so he doesn't sleep through the night like a formula fed baby does.   He wakes about twice a night to eat, sometimes three times.  He will take several naps during the day.  Some only 20-30 minutes, others longer.   I just love snuggling with this little guy.

We usually are up and about around 7:30a.  Little man was all kinds of spunky.  We played a little, walked around a little, watched some BabyFirst and kept an eye on the plumber that came to replace the outside water faucet.

We haven't used it since last summer and I turned it on over the weekend and the water pressure was weak.  Then all of a sudden water started pouring out from behind the siding.  Not good.  They actually had to cut a whole in the spare bedroom wall in order to gain access to it.  Sure enough it was a burst pipe.  I know we, and every one in the country for that matter, had an extremely cold winter.  We even tried to prevent this type of thing by placing insulated covers over the faucets.  Oh well, its brand new and up and running again.

While little man took one of his little cat naps, I was able to get an open house flyer ready for one of our agent.  This house is too cute.  It overlooks a small lake in a brand new subdivision.  If we had any intentions on living permanently in Missouri, I sure would consider purchasing it.

We are so excited about the new security system we had installed yesterday evening.  Vivint has a great summer deal going on in our area and it was too good to pass up.  They will install $2,000 worth of equipment - FREE - and all you have to do is sign a contract and pay $99 activation fee.  We LOVE it!!  It controls our thermostat, lights, locking and unlocking the front door and also a camera we can view at any time from our phone.  I can't tell you how many times I have been nursing or sleeping with little man and hubs will leave for work and accidentally leave the front door unlocked.  I can say that now because all I have to do is get my phone and lock the door.  Oh and when you're laying in bed and think "Did I turn the alarm on?" all we need to do now is check your phone and check and if need be turn it on.  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Another great aspect of it is when we are out and won't get home until late during the fall season and its dark out, we can turn the lights on or adjust the temperature for the dogs.  When we move next spring, we can leave the equipment here and after reaching our new home we just need to call Vivint and they will send a technician to put in the same equipment we had at our previous home - AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE!   Can you feel my excitement yet?

I would love to refer you!  I believe whoever I refer to Vivint will get the same deal we did.  You have to message me though if your interested and I will find out for sure.

Isn't technology so much fun!

Dirt Diggin' Kind of Day

It's a play it by ear Sunday.  I wasn't feeling the greatest this morning so we slept in for a while.   Since it is another smokin' hot day, outside activity will be limited.  A couple new magazines came in the mail yesterday so I thought I would relax and do some reading.  I have such ADD though when it comes to magazines.  They get me so motivated with all the awesome healthy recipes or personal journeys of weight loss related topics but unfortunately the sparkle is short lived.  I really should force myself to follow through.

One thing I have been asking Chris to do for a while is fill the bird feeders.  I would do it myself but when he first constructed the bird feeder stand he made it way to tall for me.   He really came through for me.  Not only did he fill them, he put some concrete at the base to stabilize it and also shortened the pole so little ole me can do it whenever I feel the need.

The funniest part of this was his first stomp of the shovel, it bent.  The scoop area of it, as if it was made of aluminum or something.   We just bought that thing too.  That's the thing about this area is the amount of rock in the ground.   Anyways, he was able to bend it back and finish the job. 

It looks great now.  We usually have boatloads of yellow finches, robins, blue birds, tufted tit mice, all kinds of wood peckers and many others I can't remember the names of.  

Why stop at the bird feeder.  While he was feeling active, I thought maybe he could chop up that limb that fell in our backyard early this spring after a storm went through.  Oh and if you look hard enough, you will see a little Gussy hanging out in the grass.

I shouldn't have opened my mouth because he said he didn't have a chainsaw to do that.  After a long, drawn out explanation of how we would benefit from one, I caved and told him to get one.   Okay so I thought he would pick one up sometime this week on his way home from work.  Nope, he shot straight up and said he was headed to Lowes.  

He was so excited up until he ate dinner and passed out on the sofa.  I guess the limb can wait another day.  

I did make a decision on the stroller last night.  We didn't make the trip to St. Louis to test them out so I am going solely on the reviews and research I did.  I purchased the UPPAbaby G-Luxe Umbrella Stroller.  It should arrive on Wednesday and I am so excited!  The great part about this particular umbrella stroller is that it has a full recline and can accommodate a child from birth to 55 pounds. 

Off to get a work-out in tonight.

Summer Solstice with a Screech

Our first summer morning started with a screech.  A fox screech.  I went out early to feed the ferrel kitty colony and kept hearing these screeches really close to the house.  I kept looking and finally out of the tree line our little blonde fox came out and kept making her calls.  She went into the neighbors yard, around our house and finally into the other neighbors backyard where I had a straight shot of her from our deck.  She just sat there making her calls.  I need to glue my phone to my hip, because I had a great shot of her if I did.  Dang!  Well when I moved to go back inside she saw me and took off.  I read they screech for territory claims and mating.  I think the mating has already came and went so not sure what it was.  I felt kind of bad because she acted like she was looking for something.  I hope it isn't her babies.  Ugh, why do I have such a mushy heart for animals.  I'll probably spend the next week thinking about her and if she is okay.  Here is a pic from John Ryan Photography that looked just like her.

It's now officially the dog days of summer.  (snicker, snicker)  If there is someone, albeit a hairy four legged one, that loves this time of the year it would be Fenway!  I spend most of my days letting him out, letting him in...letting him out, letting him in.  Over and over.  I'm not sure how he can sit on a muggy sun-filled  sidewalk with a black coat and not have a heat stroke.  Sammy on the other hand wants nothing to do with it.  He gets his business done and runs back inside.  Sounds a little like me.   I walk out and I instantly feel the sweat start to trickle. Ick!

Since it has started out muggy, we put little man tank top romper.  Maybe we will try and get a walk in before it is too stifling hot.

Or maybe we will stay in and I can do some more research on an umbrella stroller to take when we fly to Charlotte in September.   My one request is that it needs to recline.  You always see kids in them at an amusement park or at the mall passed out and slumped over sideways looking so uncomfortable.   Maclaren, Joovy and UPPAbaby all have this feature.  I have always wanted a Maclaren because of their great reputation but now that I see some others I'm not quite sure.   

I wish there was a retailer that had them all and was close by so I could give them a spin.  When I purchased our Baby Jogger City Elite Stroller, I went to BuyBuyBaby and tested them all over and over again.   It had to push like a dream.   The closest BuyBuyBaby now is in St. Louis, which is a 2 hour drive.  Hmm, maybe hubs will be up for a road trip today.  

UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller

Joovy Groove Umbrella Stroller

Maclaren Globetrotter Umbrella Stroller  

Maclaren Triumph Stroller

I am really liking the Joovy but I did read a review that spoke about them using a California banned flame retardant.  Not good.  I need to do more research to see if that is still accurate.   Decisions, Decisions.

Enjoy your super long day.

It's Friday! It's Friday!

Not that the days of the week really mean much to me anymore now that I stay at home.  Friday seems like any other day.  However, the differing part is that my honey will be home and can help watch little man so I can have some ME time.  So YAY for weekends!  

Until you are a stay-at-home mom you don't quite realize just how much of your time does not exist.  I'm sure some people think if you stay at home you get to lounge or watch TV.   That is not exactly how it happens.  If the TV is on, it will be on BabyFirst television, which is high color/contrast shows designed for infants and toddlers.   I can't lounge because I am on constant alert as to what he doing, is he breathing, entertaining him, oh and fitting in my work for my job.  The only time I can say is available to me is when he takes naps, which now that he is getting bigger, is getting shorter and shorter.

Today we decided to go on a Wal-Mart trip since he was fussing a bit.  He had his 4 month check-up the other day and got his shots.  I think he is feeling a bit cross from them.  You couldn't tell it by his happy face, but then again he smiles all the time.  Even when he is crying/fussing you can work at it and get a smile out.

But really, nothing works faster than a full belly of milk and a car ride.  It's amazing he slept through the crappy cart ride across the Wal-Mart parking lot.  He is such a good boy.  He was so quiet even after he woke up at the check-out line.

The one constant thing in the Levesque household on a Friday night is pizza night.  Now that I'm on a mission to lose baby weight, I don't indulge like I once did but I do have a little.  Ah... there it is, the Dominos Philly Cheesesteak Thin Crust Pizza.  YUM!  Yes, its not the best pizza in the world, but when you are in the middle of nowhere Missouri, it sure seems like the best.  

Talk about another smoking hot day.  As we munched our dinner, little Red was passed out on the table trying to stay cool.  Poor guy, I'm sure it stinks having all that hair.

The heat doesn't seem to be bothering the flowers.  My favorite ones are the hanging baskets on the back deck.  We really don't use the back deck since it was taken over by the cats and the fact it is too small to really do anything on it, but I still like it pretty.

 Little man is down for the count so I think I'll sneak in some TV time and maybe an ice cold Sam Adams.  I'm out of wine so beer it is.

Enjoy the weekend!

My Changing Body - Pregnancy thru Postpartum

How exciting it is when you first find out your pregnant.  The fun part of a growing baby bump just consumes your thoughts or at least it did mine.  It was so hard for me to imagine my belly being huge, with a BABY inside.  I mean, I have been on this earth quite a few years and the only thing I could have pictured was the typical monthly bloat.  

It was amazing seeing how your body can stretch out of shape and provide a little nest for your growing baby.  I had every intention of being the healthiest I could be, especially since I am older and knew how much more work it would be to go back to normal.  With that said, I fell off the health wagon at the beginning of the 2nd trimester.  I stopped working out completely because I was just so paranoid since I was high risk and had so many miscarriage before.  That was my biggest mistake.  It was also my 2nd trimester when I had a strong aversion to vegetable or salads.  They didn't sound good and it made me queasy at the thought of it.  So my dissent into carbs, meats and later into my 3rd trimester SWEETS!  Ugh, I did keep up with my water consumption, prenatal vitamins and tried staying away from pure fat.  I can say if we decide on having another baby, I won't be so paranoid and I will most definitely remember how much I put on with the first.

You are probably wondering how much weight I gained throughout my pregnancy.  I started out 10 lbs heavier since I was going through a fertility specialist.  A combination of the medication and being told to eat fattier meats.  Anyways, I started at 135 lbs and upon being admitted to the hospital I weighed in at a whopping 192 lbs.  Yes, I gained 57 lbs! Crazy!  By 2 months postpartum I had lost 35 lbs just from delivery and breastfeeding.  In order for me to get back to my normal weight, I have 32 lbs to go.  Man those Rueben's and custards that went down so easy aren't sounding so great now.  

4 months postpartum

With the extra weight, I have basically banned photos being taken of me.  Somehow my dad seems to sneak some in here and there.  Deep down the vanity makes me feel rotten pretty rotten considering I did just give birth to a little adorable human.  So I guess I will keep a few to record my journey.

Here we go...about 2 weeks ago I hired a personal trainer.  I only meet with her 2 times a week so the other 5 days are up to me to fill.  That can be scary but I have been doing some Jillian Michael's videos and walking.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing a side-by-side photo of the before and after.

Stay tuned.

Father's Day Weekend in Branson

My parents were able to come down to spend a week with us and continue their spoiling of Ethan. Since Father's Day was approaching we decided last minute to take a trip down to Branson.  They have never been there before and we wanted them to see Lilley's Landing, a cute little Resort and Marina on Taneycomo Lake.

I wish we would have spent more time at the pool than fishing :(

Chris got familiar with toting E around in the Moby Wrap one morning

The Taneycomo Lake is a cold water lake which is predominantly trout filled.  Which is perfect for fly fisherman like my hubs.  My dad and I aren't great with a fly rod so we stuck to the spinners.  The great thing about the cold water is no matter how hot the day gets, when your on the water it can be chilly especially when your moving along in the boat.  This also adds to the fog that has to burn off every day.  At night it reminds me of the show or movie back in the late 80s I think, what was it "The Fog" or something.  Anyways, it gives an eery feeling.

Morning Rays over the River

Dock at the Resort's Marina - Chris's drift boat

We decided to rent a pontoon since my mom is terrified of the water and the drift boat just wasn't going to work with her.  Little man loved it, he refused to nap and took in everything around him.

Getting ready to get on the pontoon

I think being on the water with his Dad will be a regular event 

Our last morning there we thought we should at least get the drift boat out and try for a fish again since the day before was no good.  The generators were finally shut down on the dam so the water was calm.  The day before the current was just way too fast.

Sam was helping spot things for Pops

Well, the fishing trip in Branson was a bust.  While we enjoyed the beautiful outdoors and relaxed, it was unfortunately an unsuccessful fishing trip.  I mean we tried from the time we got there, on the dock, from the rented pontoon boat, the drift boat but nothing.   So we refilled our tanks and headed home. Yeah yeah, I already told my trainer about it.

Danna's BBQ and Burgers in Branson, MO

We pass Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon on our way home and my dad and Chris couldn't resist.  They wanted to make one last effort.   And as it goes, I didn't have my camera on me when Chris and my dad eventually caught one.  Figures.

Back home and exhausted, those 2 and half days felt like a week.  For Father's Day we were slow moving.  We all slept in a bit before indulging in a delicious lunch at Gordoz Steakhouse in Rolla.  Of course it wouldn't be complete without mounds of pies from A Slice of Pie.  Now the day is complete. :-)

Boston Creme Pie, Peanut Butter Lust Pies and a Lemon Meringue 

Slice of Pie Bakery in Rolla, MO

Oh it is so hard saying good bye to my folks when they leave.  I sure wish we lived closer.  Love you Mom and Dad!

Papaw, Nana, Ethan and I

I love you Mom and Dad!  Happy Father's Day Pops!