100 Days ago, I became a mommy. So in honor of Grayson being 100 days old, here are 100 things that I have learned and love…

#1

1. Giving birth wasn’t that bad. I know, slap me.
2. I shouldn’t have sent my husband home our first night in the hospital- it was overwhelming.
3. It was terrifying being on the freeway in the rain with my new baby on the way home from the hospital
4. Sleep deprivation actually does cause hallucinations
5. Holding my baby when he was less than 6 pounds was terrifying
6. Watching other people hold my less than 6 pound baby was terrifying

#7

7. Now that Grayson is 10+ pounds, he “fits” better in my arms
8. Breastfeeding is hard, and doesn’t always work out (future post about this coming)
9. Pumping sucks.
10. It was a surreal feeling riding in an ambulance with my 5 day old child
11. Pampers Swaddlers are my favorite diaper, but they are also the most expensive
12. I need lots of self control at Babies R Us and Target
13. Sometimes I have to go to Babies R Us or Target just to get out of the house.
14. Seeing my baby smile is one of the greatest joys in my life
15. I couldn’t have survived these past 100 days without my mom
16. Target brand formula is $10 cheaper/can and Grayson likes it just as much as the name brand formula
17. The video baby monitor is crucial
18. Baby socks are very difficult to keep on a baby’s feet



#15



19. Clipping Grayson’s nails is hard, but if I don’t, he scratches up his face at night
20. Taking a rectal temperature is much easier than clipping a baby’s nails
21. I love my baby’s hair
22. I am amazed at how everyone is amazed by my baby’s hair
23. I love how Grayson’ hair is soft and blond right after his bath
24. Bath time is my favorite time of the day
25. I now understand the need for the “Pee Pee Tepee”
26. I haven’t bought any Pee Pee Teepees
27. I’ve gotten peed on multiple times during diaper changes
28. Babies fart a lot
29. Grayson makes the funniest faces right after he’s done eating
30. I think my hands are permanently pruned from washing bottles all day
31. I am so grateful and blessed to be a stay at home mom



#32



32. I love going to work at Waggin’ Tails when I have the chance
33. I do not miss teaching at all
34. I feel sorry for Ryan that he doesn’t get to be with Grayson all day like I do
35. I now kind of understand all those parents who think their kid is perfect
36. My kid actually IS perfect
37. I really hope my Grammie gets to meet Grayson in person some day
38. I really want my brothers to have kids so Grayson gets some more cousins
39. I really miss Grayson when I’m not with him
40. Sometimes it’s nice to have a break from Grayson



#41



41. I love watching Grayson fall asleep in his Daddy’s arms
42. I really need to get back in shape
43. I’m so excited about my new jogging stroller that I got for Christmas
44. I have to eat meals really fast or I just don’t get to eat
45. Pacifiers are wonderful things- I don’t care what anyone says
46. Pacifiers fall out of baby’s mouth a lot
47. Dogs like to chew on pacifiers
48. I think Grayson is going to be a thumb sucker- he loves to chew and lick him hands



#45



49. Onesies are much more practical than regular shirts on babies
50. Baby jammies with a million snaps are hard to work with at 3 AM in the dark when Grayson is screaming
51. Crib sheets are very annoying to change
52. Sleep sacks are great
53. Diaper Genie refills are crazy expensive and I need them all the time
54. I want to learn to knit so I can make cute hats and booties for Grayson
55. It’s fun remembering all the silly kids’ songs from childhood
56. The hours of 4-6 PM, depending on the day, are not good. Lots of crying, and tired mommy
57. Grayson will sometimes sleep from 6:30- 11:30 PM (5 hour stretch) but NEVER from 11:30-4:30.
58. I never thought I could go 99/100 nights without sleeping more than 3 hours at a stretch, but I can. (Thank you Hannah, Megan and Rebecca for that one wonderful night of sleep)
59. I really like blogging about Grayson



#61



60. I hope my blogs aren’t boring to other people
61. My dogs are still cute



62. My dogs are wonderful with Grayson
63. My dogs are driving me crazy
64. My dogs actually survive being outside without me watching over them, and a lot of times that’s where they are now
65. There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping Grayson on my chest
66. It’s easy to get carried away with worry about “milestones”
67. I am not a “schedule-ly” mom
68. Sometimes I feel guilty because we aren’t on a schedule
69. There’s a lot of guilt that goes along with being a mom
70. I love reading books to Grayson

#62 and #63

71. I wish Grayson wouldn’t cry when I read to him
72. I love when Ryan sings to Grayson, even though the songs are ridiculous
73. I think Grayson looks like both me and Ryan, but the most like my brother David
74. I hope Grayson ends up with blue eyes like Ryan’s
75. It’s crazy how much gear it takes to spend the night at Grammie’s
76. One of the biggest blessings is having a fantastic photographer right in the family
77. The best thing I did during pregnancy was buy a ton of diapers
78. I am dreading the day we run out of our stash of diapers and I have to buy more
79. Not all baby wipes are created equal
80. Those water temperature rubber ducks are stupid



#77



81. Stick your hand in the bath water to see if it’s too hot
82. I love that my dad loves Grayson so much
83. Grayson is really, really cute
84. I feel really, really not cute
85. I’ve never been more grateful for good friends with listening ears
86. I’m really, really tired all the time
87. I miss being pregnant and feeling Grayson kick and move inside me
88. I miss maternity jeans



89. It’s nice to be able to drink alcohol and eat lunch meat again



#82



90. I’ve decided my next baby I won’t find out the gender





91. I don’t want another baby for awhile
92. I’ve learned that coming up with a list of 100 is hard



93. It is awful when Grayson is screaming and I can’t make his bottle fast enough
94. It is even more awful when he spits up an entire 4 ounce bottle after a feeding



95. When I am up AGAIN with Grayson at 2 AM, I remind myself he won’t be a baby forever and I will miss cuddling with him at 2 AM



96. I am amazed that 1 year ago, I wasn’t even pregnant yet, and now I have a 3 month old.



#96



97. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think that we are raising a child, not just taking care of a baby



98. I’m so excited to learn what Grayson is going to be into and be good at



99. I’ve had lots of interruptions while writing this list, as I have interruptions with everything I do now
100. I love, love, love this baby and I love being a mommy

#98



#100





This is what Grayson left Santa…

 And this was the letter that Santa left Grayson…

 Dear Grayson,

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Merry First Christmas! We have all been anxious to meet you! I hope you don’t mind, but while you were sleeping I took a picture of you on my i-phone. I showed it to the reindeer on your roof and texted it to Mrs. Santa. They are all delighted that we will be stopping at your house for a very long time.

Oh, I almost forgot. This being your very first Christmas I need to explain why I was on your roof and in your house in the middle of the night. It’s because Christmas Eve us a very special night, all about a little baby a lot like you. That baby was a gift from God, as are you. He was part of God’s plan, as are you. He was also God himself, born into the world in order to save it.

That’s what all the fuss is about- the lights, music, food, visitors, and an overweight gentleman in a red suit. If there had been no Christ Child, there would be nothing to celebrate. Because He came to live among us, we have everything to celebrate, every day, every year. So, on His birthday we are all a bit over the top. You will be too, as soon as you understand that many of those colorful boxes under the tree have your name on them!

That’s where I come in. God gave us all a gift that we did not deserve and could never afford. On that first Christmas day all the world woke up to find it. So I have dedicated my life to helping people remember that Greatest Gift when they wake up and find my surprises.

This has been a very big year for your family. I know these things because your Mom and Dad have been on my Christmas Eve route for many years. First they celebrated the news that you were coming, then a new house, then the big day when you were born, and now your first Christmas!

To which I say it’s about time! I used to bring your Mom and Dad really cool stuff like Cabbage Patch dolls (check the history books), trucks, smoking robots and even tents! Now they are into boring stuff like lotion and wallets. With you here to liven up the house, the elves and I are excited to bring lots of stuff that will drive your Mom and Dad crazy. (When they say “We don’t deserve this”, remind them that that’s the whole point).

Next year at this time you will probably be walking. That’s good, because your responsibility in this deal is to leave food- sausage, cheese and cookies for me and carrots for the reindeer. You got a free ride this year, but from now on your job is to leave a plate of these goodies near your family’s stockings. My job is to eat them, leaving behind crumbs as evidence- and a note. I would suggest that you save these notes for those times when you doubt that grace and undeserved gifts are not real. I’m here, every year, to tell you that they are.

I need to get going now. Our next stop is Fulshear. I’ll be back next year. Don’t forget the food!

Love,

Santa

Note: I wrote this post on the 22nd, but didn’t have time to take pictures until today. I’m glad I waited…check out that grin!!!

Grayson is 3 months old today! Wow, where have the last 13 weeks gone?! My sweet little boy is growing and changing every day and every day we see more personality and expression from him. He smiles quite a bit now, which melts my heart every time, and is becoming more vocal with his “talking”. This past week he has discovered his hands, and it’s just a matter of time before he discovers that thumb. I prefer the pacifier, which he still loves, but if he becomes a thumb sucker, so be it!

I weighed him this morning and he weighs 10 pounds, 8 ounces which puts him in about the 5th percentile for weight. At least we are now on the growth curve! He still eats 3-4 ounces of formula about every 3 hours and when people ask me if he’s sleeping through the night I have to laugh a little. Not even close! Yes, I’m hoping someday I will get more than 3 hours sleep at a stretch again.

Our routine is going to be shaken the next few weeks because of Christmas, but also because Ryan had major knee surgery yesterday. I am going to have to adjust to doing EVERYTHING because he will be totally immobile for a few days and then on crutches for weeks after that. He can’t drive either. It’s going to be interesting taking care of a baby, husband and 4 dogs! Thankfully I have lots of family who is willing to help!

We are really looking forward to this coming week- Grayson’s first Christmas!!! We will be having Ryan’s side of the family over Christmas Eve to open presents, my family over for Christmas breakfast, then celebrating with my whole family on the 27th. Merry Christmas to all!

Another great SMILE!

Napping in my swing with my puppy

I know, I know. It’s coming. We will need to baby proof the house. Put locks on the cabinets, pick up anything breakable in the reach of little hands, cover sharp corners. Yeah, yeah, yeah- EASY. The real challenge comes almost every day when we leave our 100 pound beast in the house while we leave to go somewhere.

Hank the bloodhound- rugged, manly, smart, SPOILED. Who in their right mind would keep a bloodhound in the house? Um, us. He’s our (big) baby, and likes to be inside with his family. Why don’t we leave him outside when we leave? Several reasons: he is LOUD and we don’t want grumpy neighbors, we don’t want him digging up our lawn if he gets bored, and we don’t want to risk him getting out and losing him. We would be devastated if anything happened to him.

So, we Hank-Proof. We pick up anything that could be remotely interesting to chew up or rip apart. We make sure all food is off the counter. We close all doors so he’s contained to the living area and isn’t tempted by the giant water bowl toilet. We aren’t always successful.

• Valentines Day 2008- Ryan bought me Oakley sunglasses. We left them on the hallway table and went to dinner. We came home to the glasses in a million itty-bitty pieces on the doormat. Tears. Screams. Forgiveness.

• Fall 2007- Hank got bored and chewed the corner of the expensive armoire. Anger. Screams. Forgiveness. Now we just tell ourselves we are going for the “distressed” look with our furniture.

• 4th of July 2010- Enough styrofoam plates, bowls and cups for a party of 30. In a billion itty-bitty pieces  when we got home from church. Looked like a snowstorm in the middle of July. Screams. A little bit of laughter. Eye rolls. Forgiveness.

• November 2010- BRAND NEW $22 can of formula left on the counter (baby formula- really Hank?). Gone. Post-partum, emotional, sleep deprived TEARS. No screams because I have a sleeping baby. Almost strangled, banished to the backyard for a few hours bloodhound. Eventual forgiveness.

• Slobber- it’s everywhere. Hank comes in the house with foot long strings hanging from his jowls or flung over his big ol’ nose. If we can catch it in time, we clean it up. More often than not, it ends up on the walls, on the couch, or even on the TV. We decorate in it. We are repainting the house and I need to find a color that complements the slobber on the walls. Good luck right?

• Hair- it’s everywhere, and it sticks to everything. Good thing we have a Dyson- that thing is amazing!



The best picture I could get with my phone with a crazy-bright flash

 Now, I have to be honest. This was not his first smile. Friday night, Grammie (my mom) and Rebecca babysat while I went to a fundraiser at Ryan’s school. Grayson slept the entire time I was gone, so my mom wanted some “awake” time with him. We were all sitting on the couch and my mom was talking silly to him, and he looked right into her eyes and grinned! WHAT?!? OH, COME ON! So Grayson’s first smile was not for his mamma, but his Grammie. I’m just glad it wasn’t at a stranger.

But just this morning I guess Grayson decided his mom was finally smile-worthy, and I got a few minutes of happy, happy baby. Merry Christmas to me!

Just to see you smile
I’d do anything
That you wanted me to
And all is said and done
I’d never count the cost
It’s worth all that’s lost
Just to see you smile

-Tim McGraw

Grayson is a “serious baby”. He takes in his world with an inquisitive look on his face, and I can tell he takes the time to process what he sees. This seriousness and contemplative nature will hopefully serve him well in the future- maybe he’ll think twice before he copies off his neighbor’s spelling test in 3rd grade, or takes a cigarette at a party in high school, or blows his first real paycheck on a giant TV. But whatever about the future- he’s almost 3 months old and has yet to crack a smile! Sure, he smiles in his sleep or when he has gas, but he hasn’t looked into my eyes (or anyone else’s) and let go with a big, toothless grin. Sigh.

I know I shouldn’t be worried, or sad, but sometimes I am. So that’s what I want for Christmas…just a smile.

I know, maybe he’d smile if I didn’t put him in such ridiculous hats!

Reason 2: The Activities

I know this is in contradiction to my obsession with baby girl clothes- frills, bows, tutus, tights…but I really don’t like girly “activities”. I never took ballet as a child, and never had any desire to. I don’t like putting on makeup or doing my hair-I do it every day I like how I feel/look when I’m done, but the process is not enjoyable to me in the slightest. I love clothes, but shopping stresses me out. I was in a fashion show (with Hank and Izzy) on Friday, something that was TOTALLY out of my element. I’m glad I did it and it was actually pretty fun, but I dreaded doing it up until the moment I walked across the stage. I’m so glad I grew up and we are in a time where girls playing sports is normal and cool- growing up my comfort zone was in the dugout rather than a dance recital.

I don’t think I will make a good “girly girl” mom. Cheerleading, dance, drill team- so not my thing (sorry, greatest sister in the world Rebecca!). Basically anything that requires moms to dress and apply makeup to their daughters before the actual activity scares the $#%^ out of me! So if I have a girl someday, let’s home she’s more tomboy than ballerina!

I want Grayson to do whatever makes him happy and whatever he’s passionate about. That being said- I really hope he plays sports, at least while he’s little. I’m really looking forward to little league baseball games the most, but I think soccer and football will be fun to watch him play too. And yes, I know little kids’ sports are highly competitive and the parents can be psychotic, but I think I’m better equipped to deal with a dad screaming at an umpire than I am a mom threatening to sue the school district because her baby didn’t make cheerleader.

Another example- birthday parties. Playing laser tag with all your friends and then having pizza after- SO FUN. Having 3 pounds of makeup applied to your face and a bottle of glitter poured on your hair before you walk around the mall with your tween posse- bleh. See? Boy mom here.

Disclaimer: I don’t want anyone to think I am close-minded or have completely rigid gender role expectations for my kids. If Grayson wants to dance, cheerlead, put glitter in his hair,  or not play sports and that’s what makes him blissfully happy, I will fully support that and I will be at every competition and recital. However, THIS will not be happening at our house!





Reason #1: The Stuff

I LOVE baby stuff. I worked at an embroidery boutique part time for years that sold the most adorable baby blankets, burp cloths, nursery accessories and clothes. I loved it all and loved staring at it all for hours while I worked. I also have painted baby and kid stuff since college. I love bright colors, over the top fabric and embellishments, soft blankets, and itty bitty socks and shoes. I had all my nursery furniture two years before I was even married, and have been collecting baby clothes and nursery decor for several years as well.



SO CUTE!

 And yes, there is CUTE boy stuff out there, but it’s nothing compared to what’s available for girls. I had my if-we-have-a-girl crib bedding picked out since 2008, but took me until halfway through my pregnancy to find the perfect bedding for Grayson.  It’s a cliche, but it’s true for me- if I had a girl, I’d be broke. Yesterday, I went to USA Baby because I had a coupon for Christmas clothes and accessories. I was searching for something for G to wear for our Christmas card picture. There was ONE outfit that would have worked for a boy and it was adorable, but way too big for Grayson (size 0-6 months- nice range, clothing company!) But the selection of to-die-for girl stuff just went on and on. Onesies with red and green tutus attached, striped tights, bows, hairbands, etc. etc…Then I saw THESE- aren’t they just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? And yes, I bought them- for Grayson’s friend Sadie.

So my point is, if I had a girl, I would be broke, broke, broke. Either that or I would just have to avoid stores that sell baby clothes completely. And I’m kind of relieved I don’t have to deal with hairbows. I think hairbows and headbands are just precious on girls- the bigger the bow the better (Ryan will roll his eyes when he reads this). So if I had a girl, I would probably be obsessed with matching a bow or headband with every single outfit, which means I would have to BUY a bow in every color. Again, broke, broke, broke. And speaking of hairbows, have you noticed that this season on 19 Kids and Counting that Josie wears a different super-cute headband every episode?  They must be gifts, because they sure don’t look “buy used, save the difference”!

Yeah, there’s cute boy stuff too!



First birthday dress