Baby/ Behind The Butter

Random Musings & Insta-Lately

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Hi guys!

It’s me – the long lost blogger. I apologize about not posting more right now! I had originally planned to be back in action by now but completely underestimated how consuming a baby is at the beginning! I’m sure you seasoned moms are laughing at that right now – of course a newborn is consuming! like, the most consuming thing ever! Duh, Jenna– but I truly had no idea until I was knee deep in it. I don’t know exactly when I will have a new recipe up for you but I can assure you it will be this month. The good news? I am loving every second of this thing called motherhood. It’s the messiest, hardest, most real thing I think I’ve ever done. The first few weeks were such a daze and I really felt like someone pulled out the rug underneath me, but things have settled down now a bit. Thank goodness.

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Here are some random thoughts I am pulling together. Keep in mind I am typing this after finally getting the kiddo to bed and enjoying a large glass of Chardonnay.

I absolutely love babywearing! I have a solly wrap, a woven wrap and an Ergo. I use both the solly wrap and the woven wrap just about daily and haven’t used the ergo yet because he’s been too small and we didn’t get an infant insert for it. Out of the wraps, I use the woven wrap a bit more {solly wrap totally wins for cuteness factor. I am obsessed with the grey and white stripes} because I feel like it offers more support as there’s no stretch in the material. I can get everything super tight and feel very comfortable. Grayson loves it! He instantly goes to sleep whenever I wear him.

Cloth diapering is still going strong. I just discovered the joy of flats and actually enjoy folding them. I like diaper wash day because I actually enjoy putting all the clean fluffy diapers away in the drawer and having everything all neat and organized. It’s a sickness I tell you.

We are headed on our first family vacation this weekend! We are going to Lake Tahoe with friends and family and I’ve been counting down the days.

We have a new nighttime routine and it’s been working great! Per everyone’s advice on here, I started putting him down at 7pm instead of 9:30. I was skeptical at first but WOW…it’s been wonderful! So I put him down at 7pm and go to bed myself at 8:30. Grayson sleeps until about 12:30 then I feed him, put him back to bed and we get up again at 3:30 to nurse. After that feeding I make my grand escape into the guest room and sleep uninterrupted until 7:15 while Adam takes over the 6am feeding with a pumped bottle. It’s been so great on many levels. Early morning is the only time of the day when Adam gets to see Grayson since now he is sleeping when Adam gets home from work. Adam really enjoys bonding with him by feeding him in the early morning. I loooooove sneaking away into the “hotel” aka our guest room with the fan on high and my eye mask on. I feel so much more rested now with our new routine — I can only imagine what it will be like when Grayson doesn’t get up twice a night to nurse!

I am starting Stroller Strides tomorrow! I got the green light for exercise at my six week checkup the other day and I’m going with a girlfriend tomorrow because she raves about it. In case you don’t know – and I didn’t until just recently – Stroller Strides is a national exercise program you can do with your stroller outside. I’ll post back after I actually experience it myself but it seems like a bootcamp type class. I am so looking forward to it, especially now that I am feeling a little more rested. I’ve really missed being active and would like to tone up a bit.

I’ve really been enjoying the Abide study I’ve been doing in the evenings after Grayson goes to sleep. It’s been a great reminder daily to just be present in the thick of things right now where I’m at.

Our garden is out.of.control. I have no real time to get out there and Adam has taken over the daily watering. Our tomatoes are amazing though! Sadly, {I let} our lettuce all bolt.

Grayson is already a little over 15 lbs and is very quickly growing out of everything!

Every time I nurse him during the day {every 2-3 hours}, I watch a re-run of Friday Night Lights. I’ve almost re-watched all five seasons. Texas Forever.

Like everyone else in the blog world right now it seems, we have really gotten into essential oils lately. Adam has been interested in them for a long time now so I ordered him a Young Living starter kit for Father’s Day. I wasn’t expecting to be overly impressed but I pleasantly surprised myself! I use Peace & Calming every night {on my wrists and behind my ears} to help myself fall asleep nice and early. We diffuse Gentle Baby while putting Grayson to bed. I use peppermint oil on my temples in the morning when I wake up with a headache. I sprinkle lavender oil in the dirty diaper bin and we rub thieves oil on our feet when we feel under the weather. So far everything has been great!

I feel a lot more comfortable nursing out of the house now that I got a better nursing cover. I ordered this one off Amazon and really love it!

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baby got back.

 

 

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  • Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com
    July 2, 2014 at 4:38 am

    Oh it’s so wonderful to hear all about your updates! I am sure there have been plenty of difficult moments, but it is so wonderful to hear that things are going so well!

    All of my momma friends adore Stroller Strides, I hope you do as well! Best wished to you and your fam : )

  • Linda
    July 2, 2014 at 4:38 am

    Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy! Being present is good advice at every stage of life…

    Happy vacation and 4th of July!

  • Bri | Bites of Bri
    July 2, 2014 at 4:46 am

    So glad to hear that nighttime is going better and you’re feeling well rested! Enjoy your trip and keep the updates coming πŸ™‚

  • Julie @ Coastal Runner Girl
    July 2, 2014 at 5:04 am

    Aww love reading your baby updates! I’m due in a month so I’ll have to check out that Solly wrap – I keep reading great reviews about it!

    Hope you enjoy your vacation! πŸ™‚

  • lindsey
    July 2, 2014 at 5:15 am

    As a veteran mother for a a little over a year now, I can say I don’t think ANY first time mom knows what to expect until you’re at home with your baby in the thick of it! I think your routine sounds pretty awesome, esp that part where you blog with a glass of wine in hand πŸ˜‰

  • sarah
    July 2, 2014 at 5:15 am

    Enjoy those later morning wake up calls while you can. My little guy used to sleep in later now it’s 430am…..

  • Emily @ Fit as a Mother...
    July 2, 2014 at 5:18 am

    Sounds like you’re doing great! πŸ™‚ Your little man weighs just 3lbs less than my 21-month-old! But she’s not even on the growth chart. Ha!

  • Laura
    July 2, 2014 at 5:33 am

    A good nursing cover makes all the difference! I had a flimsy one at first and the baby hated it, I always fumbled with it and then my sister in law gave me the same cover you ordered and it’s a game changer! It makes nursing in public no big deal.

  • Marlow Ravelli
    July 2, 2014 at 5:33 am

    Could you share the brands of the woven baby wearing items you’re loving? I’ve been doing a ton of research but there are so many options!

  • Catherine Parks
    July 2, 2014 at 5:37 am

    Jenna, you’re blog has been such an amazing support for me! My baby boy is 4 weeks on Friday. It gives me comfort in reading your baby posts knowing we will get through these trying times πŸ™‚ I love motherhood as well, but definitely have those hours in the day where it’s TOUGH!!

    I wanted to ask you about pumping. I would say this is where I’m struggling the most! How long do you pump at each session? When do you pump? How do you store? I am nursing just fine but pumping in a completely different animal that’s beating me down πŸ™ I am so ready for my husband to be able to give Sid a bottle. If you have any spare time, please help!

    Also thanks for the cloth diaper info! I started out using the GMD workhorses and I was noticing a bad rash and redness. It wasn’t until unread your post about the inserts that I knew what to do! I am still waiting on them to arrive, but I feel hopeful!

    You’re doing awesome!! Keep on rockin’ it πŸ™‚

    • Laura
      July 2, 2014 at 7:03 am

      just wanted to tell you what my sister-in-law told me, when i asked her how to start pumping. she recommended pumping right after your first feed in the morning (i only nurse one breast each session, so i would just pump whatever was left after my daughter was finished. it varies, between 1 oz and 3 oz). whatever i pump, i would save for a nighttime bottle (some say your supply is lower at night, and this will ensure your baby gets enough to eat before bedtime). then, after my last feed before my girl’s bedtime, i would pump again and whatever i got, i freeze that. i bought breast milk freezer bags at target and i keep them in a large tupperwear container in my freezer.

      sorry to jump in, i just know there is a lot of confusing info out there if you ever start googling it and i think this is a very straightforward and manageable way to begin pumping!

    • erica
      July 2, 2014 at 7:05 am

      Hello,

      I have a 3 yr old and a 5 week old. I pump using either a medela pumo in style or harmony (handheld) depending on the type if pumping I am doing. I pump for 10-15 min per side (PIS does both at once with hands free bra). For my first daughter, she was unable to latch, so I fed her pressed milk exclusively for 8 months. With my second daughter, we are able to breastfeed. At first, when my milk was new and we didn’t have a routine, I pumped anytime my breasts were full and the baby was sleeping. That meant that sometimes I would pump, then she would wake up, and I would feed it right back to her in a bottle…but that was fine. Now, I only pump once per day, usually, but I was pumping twice pet day until this week. My daughter eats every 3 hours during the day, and has a last feeding at about 9, when she settles in for about 6-7 hours. During my first month I would wake up at 12:30-1 and pump both sides. Now, I just sleep through to about 3:30 when the baby only eats one side (because there is,so much milk in just one side after waiting so long between feedings). I then get up and pump the other side, plus I pump the side she ate on for 5 minutes. I usually get 1 oz. from the “empty” side, and 4-5 oz. from the full side, which is a fine bottle size for her later. I almost always put the milk in the freezer though, as I do nor like to skip feedings: my breasts get uncomfortable if I do.

      • erica
        July 2, 2014 at 7:09 am

        Forgot to say I use the Kiinde Twist system this time, but I used lansinoh breast milk bag the first time. Freeze them flat for extra storage space. I would pump into medela bottle and transfer to storage bag. Now Twist goes straight into storage/feed bag.

  • Trevi
    July 2, 2014 at 5:40 am

    Jenna- I LOVE the “sweater” diaper cover. Where did you find that?

  • Louise
    July 2, 2014 at 5:41 am

    He is a Cutie! And you are doing such a great job as his mother!

  • Ginny
    July 2, 2014 at 5:51 am

    What sort of woven wrap do you use? I’m expecting a little boy in September, and I’ve already registered for the Solly, but you’ve convinced me I need a woven wrap too πŸ™‚

    • jenna
      July 2, 2014 at 9:01 am

      It’s an Ellevill wrap. It was sort of expensive but I’ve used it every day since I bought it and I can use it until he’s a toddler. I really like mine!

  • Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life)
    July 2, 2014 at 5:53 am

    You sound like you are doing so great! And I love that you have your escape to the ‘hotel’ πŸ˜‰ How nice!

    I remember with my first 6 weeks being a real turning point and noticed the same thing when we just hit 6 weeks on Friday with my second.

    Love seeing pictures of G- such a cutie!!

  • Sara Palacios
    July 2, 2014 at 6:05 am

    Ha! I totally watched all of Friday Night Lights too when my son was born during our nursing sessions. A nursing baby and Taylor Kitsch? Heck yes! Texas forever!

    • Meagan
      July 2, 2014 at 9:02 am

      I watched FNL episodes while nursing both my babies! So did several other friends of mine. Who knew? I love, love, love that show. And Riggins.

  • DessertForTwo
    July 2, 2014 at 6:11 am

    It’s nice to see you again! πŸ™‚ I totally laughed out loud at the ‘baby got back’ comment at the end πŸ™‚

  • Diana
    July 2, 2014 at 6:43 am

    Looking greats guys. Can I ask you where you got your jellyfish onsie? It is really cute!

    • jenna
      July 2, 2014 at 9:00 am

      Gap!

  • Shannon
    July 2, 2014 at 6:56 am

    I have never seen a baby so young look so much like one of his parents, but wow! Adam has some strong genes. Love your updates. I’m storing all of this info away for when I eventually have bebes.

    • Emily
      July 3, 2014 at 3:06 am

      I was going to post this same comment–Grayson is a baby-version of Adam!

  • Colleen
    July 2, 2014 at 7:09 am

    Relax! It’s 4th of July week but still nice to get an update. Ease back into blogging – you’ll find the balance that works for you. Thanks for sharing some baby booty πŸ™‚

  • Rachel
    July 2, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Ugh just hang in there! Before I had a baby, I had NO idea what to expect. I worked long hours, cooked, baked, blogged, etc. I thought I had it all figured out. When my daughter was born, my life was turned on its head. Looking back, I wish I had just let myself be a mess in those early months…ya know? At the time, I wanted to look and feel 100% back to normal again immediately…cooking, baking, having a clean house, etc., but babies have other plans. I wish I had just let all that other stuff go and just focused on caring for her and resting. It doesn’t seem like it at the time, but those early months go by very quickly. The most important thing is taking care of yourself so that you can take care of your sweet baby. Best of luck, you are doing great!!

    • olviya
      July 2, 2014 at 10:23 am

      I have 3 months left before my baby makes his arrival into this world, and I wanted to thank you for your tip/advice! I was already thinking about how I want to ‘bounce back’ quickly, but your reminder of it being okay to be a mess was refreshing. πŸ™‚

      • Rachel
        July 3, 2014 at 7:07 am

        Good luck olviya!! Enjoy the last few months, being pregnant is the best πŸ™‚

  • Kasey
    July 2, 2014 at 7:20 am

    Love reading these posts from you. My little one is 7 weeks today and I finally feel like we’ve got a pattern down. Your routine sound similar to ours. My husband gets up early in the morning as he leaves for work and does a bottle feeding so I can get more sleep also.

    I will have to check into that nursing cover. I have only breastfed in public a few times so I still haven’t reached that level of comfort yet.

  • Carla
    July 2, 2014 at 7:36 am

    Oh my goodnesssss that last picture of Grayson’s rump is TOO CUTE

  • Kelly Mitchem
    July 2, 2014 at 7:43 am

    he is so adorable!

  • Jamie | Jamie's Recipes
    July 2, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I love a fluffy baby butt! Cloth diapering was one of the top things I was looking forward to when my baby was born.

  • Maryz
    July 2, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Oh my gosh! So adorable…this time is so special! Enjoy all of it!

  • Jaclyn @ BumpSweat
    July 2, 2014 at 8:03 am

    Love this post! Little man is so cute, by the way!! Our baby’s due towards the end of August, and I can’t wait to wear her and put cloth diapers on her cute little bottom πŸ™‚ If you don’t mind my asking, which brand(s) of CDs do you use? Did you buy all of one kind or wait to see what worked best for him? Do you use newborn or one-size? Sorry for all the questions, but I know it’s fresh in your mind πŸ™‚

    • jenna
      July 2, 2014 at 8:59 am

      I wrote a post on cloth diapering last week and it told all the brands that we are using. I got a bunch of BumGenius pocket diapers when I was pregnant and then I realized I really hated stuffing pockets so I sold them all and bought prefolds and cotton fitted diapers, which is what we used when he was a newborn. Now we are using an AI2 system {we like grovia and flip}, prefolds and flats with covers, which I really love. I will write another follow up post on CD soon!

  • joelle @ on a pink typewriter
    July 2, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Cutest photos! Glad everything is going well! So happy for you and your fam, Jenna!

  • Laura@SneakersandSpatulas
    July 2, 2014 at 9:10 am

    I’m glad you’re taking time for yourself to get a little sleep by having Adam do a feeding!

  • erin @hooleywithaz
    July 2, 2014 at 9:11 am

    so happy that you have the sleep figured out a little more, what a lifesaver that must be. the whole juggling of the feeding/sleeping schedule is one of the things that freaks me out the most about having a new baby, and so i suck up other people’s schedules like a sponge! i’m so glad you are feeling more “human” now.

  • Ali O
    July 2, 2014 at 9:11 am

    Hey Jenna – I was just like you in regards to thinking I’d be able to do more. Totally underestimated how consuming having a baby is! πŸ™‚ Now we know for future use. haha

    I just wanted to give you a heads up to be careful using the Peppermint Oil. It can lower milk supply. I am a distributor for Young Living as well…it’s one oil that you have to watch, just want you to be aware since you are breastfeeding. There is a great book called Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern that I think you would enjoy.

  • Polly @ Tasty Food Project
    July 2, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Looks like you’re enjoying mommy life! Grayson is growing up so fast!

  • Abbie
    July 2, 2014 at 10:05 am

    Hi, your little boy is adorable! I was just wondering what devotional are you reading in the picture? I have finished Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore and am looking for another one. I know a lot of people have Jesus Calling, but wanted a little something different. πŸ™‚

    • jenna
      July 2, 2014 at 10:16 am

      That’s the abide study I linked to in the post πŸ™‚

  • Christine (The Raw Project)
    July 2, 2014 at 10:07 am

    He is growing so fast, must be magical to savor and be present during these stages! Sadly my garden is out of control too and I can’t blame is on parenting! πŸ™‚

  • April
    July 2, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Ahhhh, I am SO glad you put him to bed earlier…i remember getting that advice WAY too late (like 3 months too late, ha ha) and it was a serious game changer:) But it wouldn’t be as fun without all the craziness right?
    Happy 4th and enjoy your trip!!!!

  • olviya
    July 2, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I’m expecting a little one in September, so I have loved reading about your journey! You oasis bedroom idea sounds wonderful! I may end up doing that myself. πŸ™‚

  • Stephanie A
    July 2, 2014 at 10:33 am

    I watched Friday Night Lights too when my wee was just born!!!!!! It was such a heartwarming show and I LOVE me some Timmy Riggins πŸ˜‰ Grayson is getting cuter and cuter!

  • Amber
    July 2, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Thank you for being real about the toughness of a newborn. I’m expecting my 4th in September and it is all time consuming and at the end of the day I feel like I ran a marathon. I promise things get easier as they get older. Enjoy the cuddle time.

  • Sarah
    July 2, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I’m so happy to hear you’re trying out Stroller Strides!!!! I’ve been doing it for over a year and it is one of the best parts of my life as a mom. Zoe does a lot of workout moves now too from the class, which is adorable. Can’t wait to hear what you think!

    Also, I’m so glad you tried the earlier bedtime and that sleeping is going better now! Whoohoo!!

  • Nic G
    July 2, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    After reading the blog post with all the suggestions to put your baby to bed earlier, I tried it with my colicky 9 week old twin girls. Now bedtime is 7:30 and all four of us are much happier. Thanks to you and your readers!!

  • Jackie
    July 2, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    I’m glad you are enjoying your Essential Oils. Be careful with the Peppermit, it may lower milk supply.

  • Sandra Laflamme
    July 2, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Gorgeous garden goodies and what a sweet baby . . . there will be plenty of time for amazing posts and recipes but right now you are glowing with the joy of new motherhood. Soak it up and snuggle on πŸ™‚

  • kristin
    July 2, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    seems like a sweet season — hopefully with increasing portions of rest!

  • Alexandra
    July 2, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Love this post. My little girl is one month old. I’m very jealous of your little guy’s sleeping schedule. Right now I go to bed at 830pm and my husband feeds her a bottle of pumped milk around 11, then I nurse her at 11, 1, 3 and she is pretty much up every hour after 3 am. ahhh! how long are each of your nursing sessions? I think my girl is snacking (bc she falls asleep nursing) and that is why she wakes up so often.

    • Laura
      July 8, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      My son did something similar and now we only feed him every 3+ hours at night and my husband gets up and soothes him in between. He just has a hard time putting himself back to sleep in between sleep cycles so he wakes up even when he’s not hungry. It also sounds like she produces some super rich filling milk since her baby is so chunky and can sleep 5+ hours at a time. My guy is 14 lbs at 4 months and wakes at 8, 10 to eat, 12, 2 to eat, 5 to eat and 7:30 to get up. He goes to bed at 7. My sis told me all her boys were the same and didn’t sleep 5+ hrs til 9 months. :-/ Thankfully mine is hardly awake when he eats and goes back to sleep easily and I do as well. So I always get 8 he’s but they are broken.

  • Sarah
    July 2, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    New recipes or no new recipes, you’re doing a great job, Mama. It’s hard, but you’re doing it! :-).
    I enjoyed reading your update, too.

  • Kristen @ Vitamin K Girl
    July 2, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    I can’t believe how quickly vegetable gardens become wild beasts. A few summers ago our garden was just starting to bloom, then we went on vacation for a few weeks and came back to zucchinis the size of my dog.

  • Kenzie
    July 2, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is the bomb! I have the series on DVD. “Heeeyyyy ya’ll!” πŸ™‚

  • Corbett
    July 3, 2014 at 4:52 am

    I am sitting here nursing my 2 year old twins (and babies) for possibly the last time while reading this. I find it comforting to read about your experience as a new mom as I am moving onto the next phase. I know you hear this all too often, I did, enjoy it, they grow up sooooooo fast!

  • Lia @ Luscious Living
    July 3, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Have I mentioned how incredibly adorable all of this is!! By the way you totally have that exhausted and happy vibe in your pictures. Exhausted bliss I like to call it. I missed your cloth diapering post, which I’m gonna read now. It’s something that is very VERY important to me for when I have a kid. Take your time, we’ll still be here when you get back into a rhythm!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well
    July 3, 2014 at 7:53 am

    Love these updates from you as a long-time blog reader! Seems like you’re doing an amazing job. Enjoy every minute of the Holiday weekend – Tahoe during Summer is my absolute favorite!

  • Mary Sue
    July 3, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Congratulations on your little man! However, I will be honest that I stopped reading several bloggers as they were food bloggers and once they had babies become mostly baby bloggers. You assured everyone awhile back that would not be the case for you. I have a little 2 year old and read a few mama blogs, but have followed you for awhile for your recipes and occasional life updates. It seems that it is turning into a baby blog.. something you said would not happen. For now I will move on to other food blogs and hopefully one day you will get back to your food blogging.

    • Stacey
      July 8, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      I mean, in her defense, her baby is still BRAND SPANKING NEW.

    • April
      July 10, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Come on! Give her a break! This is a precious time and he is only a few weeks old. Encourage her, don’t beat her down. As a mom you know how important time with her baby is and she’s overjoyed and sharing precious I moments with us. I bet you can find some yummy recipes in her archive you haven’t tried to hold you over.

    • Erin
      July 10, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      What an unfortunate comment. Jenna’s baby is not even two months old yet – she is on her maternity leave, and we’re lucky she’s posting anything during this time (I know other bloggers post more quickly after having babies; that’s their choice, and is fine if it works for them). At any rate, I am especially disappointed that this comment came from a mother. Shouldn’t we be working together to end the mommy wars, instead of perpetuating them?

  • Athena
    July 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Grayson not only looks sweet but he is so adorable as well. So glad you are doing so well, looks like motherhood suits you beautifully Jenna. πŸ™‚

  • Christine
    July 3, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing about Stroller Strides. I moved to Florida two years ago and I work over an hour away so all of my friends are far away and I haven’t met a lot of people in our community. I never heard of Stroller Strides before and I look forward to joining it once my daughter gets here and meeting some moms in the area. Thank you for sharing your story!

  • Lori
    July 4, 2014 at 5:10 am

    Hi Jenna! I stumbled across your blog about a week ago – just wanted to say how much I truly enjoy and respect how incredibly REAL you are! I have t even read a single food post of yours, LOL. My husband & I recently found out that we’re having our first baby at the end of January (I’m only 10 weeks) and your posts make me feel like I’ll be able to handle whatever comes our way! Question for you (and any other awesome moms out there) what books did you read before baby that you thought really helped? Hard to weed through all the options. Happy 4th!

  • Kelsey @ Ramblings of Change
    July 4, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    Thank you for the little update! And I’m admiring all of your beautiful photos. They capture all of the moments so well.

  • Rea Frey Holguin
    July 6, 2014 at 10:32 am

    I can’t believe 1) Grayson is already FIFTEEN pounds. To put this in perspective, Sophie is 28 and she’s TWO! 2) I also can’t believe he’s only getting up TWICE to nurse! We were up with Sophie 4-6 times per night for 14 months. Probably because we co-slept and she nursed on demand, but if we did it again, the schedule would reign supreme. You’re doing a fabulous job. I want to meet that little one! My best friend, Nikki, just moved to California (ugh), so when I visit, maybe I can head your way. Because California is, you know, the smallest state ever. πŸ™‚ Keep up the great work!

  • brittany @thegingerlifeblog
    July 7, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    No worries Jenna.
    1. I’m so glad you’re getting mom and baby time
    2. I’m just gonna put your mom’s sweet and spicy beans on repeat until you post a new recipe πŸ™‚
    I’m loving them beans.

  • Hannah
    July 8, 2014 at 12:58 am

    Hi Jenna, I know you must be getting LOADS of advice from other moms, but I thought I would share one little thing that made a huge difference in our lives (we had our son just a few weeks before yours on April 17). We also put him down at 7 every evening, but then I wake him at 10 or 10:15 for a final feed just before I got to bed. Since you’re going to bed at 9:30, this would only delay bed time for yourself by only a hour, but it would eliminate one of the two “night” feeds for you, leaving you only with one at around 3 or so. And in a few weeks he’ll be more likely to sleep through the night. Our son just started sleeping straight through from his 10:15 feed until 6. The key is to get him to have a proper feed at that time. Our son is really, really sleepy and will fall asleep on my boob if we don’t wake him up properly, so my husband changes his diaper first (even if it’s not dirty) to wake him up a bit more. It feels a bit cruel sometimes to wake him, but it is totally worth and he sleeps really well now.

    I love reading your posts because I can completely relate to everything you write!

  • Jessica
    July 8, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Hi Jenna! I love reading your blogs so much! Even more now that squishy, cute baby pictures of Grayson are all over it, hehe. He is such a cutie!!! I am writing because I’m curious what diffuser you are using. I just started using essential oils as well, and have been looking recently for a good diffuser. I always love recommendations! Thanks:)

  • Amy @ Dusty's Sister
    July 9, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    So glad you’ve found your groove with everything! Of course, things change so frequently with a baby, but as you master each stage you’ll feel more confident going into the next one! Enjoy your little man!

    Can’t wait to hear about the stroller fitness class! Very cool!

  • Carolyn
    July 10, 2014 at 6:22 am

    I’m so glad the earlier bedtime worked! I was going to suggest it, but am always wary of giving sleep advice because my son is an amazing sleeper so I’m not sure what works for him will work for others. I kind’ve figure he was just made that way. He had a 7pm bedtime until he was at least a year old, probably closer to 18 months. It’s gradually moved back and now with summer here it’s closer to 8 or 8:30 during the week and on weekends or vacations sometimes even until 10. He’s pretty easy going about it, though.

    Cloth diapering is most definitely an addiction. There was a a while there when I was buying and selling on the B/S/T Facebook pages constantly. Now, I’m pretty content with my stash (almost entirely pockets and sized Simplex with a few sbish OBF for overnights). Plus he’ll be potty training within the next 6 months. I think I’m that weirdo that’s actually going to miss diapers.

  • Amy Walters, A DESIGN DOCK
    July 10, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    Aw, I just love these little updates. No rush with the recipes Jenna, just enjoy your adorable little son and we’ll be hear when things settle down πŸ™‚

    Ps. Loving essential oils right now too. My Mom and Sister bought the Young Living Start-up kit and we’re all making use of it!

  • Allie
    July 12, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    Beautiful pictures! I’m also nursing (my son is six months) and watching Friday Nught Lights πŸ™‚ Thanks for the devotional recommendation too!

  • Kate @ Β‘Hola! JalapeΓ±o
    July 14, 2014 at 3:39 am

    Sounds like you are doing amazing! Babies are not just time consuming but all consuming, keep up the good work!

  • Maggie J
    July 14, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    I love this. Sounds like the ramblings of all my new mommy friends (self included)! I too totally underestimated how much work this was, but I will give you this nugget of advice – when we based over the 4 month mark, it was like a fog had lifted. Ironically, it was just about the time that Mal hit the 4 month sleep regression that I could finally appreciate the world again. My body could move like it used to. I was interested in professional endeavors. Date night with the hubs didn’t just sound like one more thing to do. I can’t imagine how great life will be once she’s back to sleeping through the night!

    It will come back to you sometime, so just be patent and enjoy it. Obviously, your adoring fans will still be here waiting for you. πŸ™‚

  • Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner
    July 15, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Aww, I love his cute little butt in that last post. The cover is so cute!