Precious Sleep and Sleeping Precious

As you may have noticed, I've missed a few days of the blog challenge. I DO have a cute little excuse though...so I don't feel terribly bad about it. I feared I may miss a few...and honestly at this point, I may skip around...a challenge day and then a non-challenge related post (mostly so I don't get bored!). 

The title of my post is just a little peek into one thing that's MAJOR in my life right now: sleep! Or usually the lack there of! Sleep deprivation is definitely a new-parent challenge that we anticipated before Elliot got here...so at least it hasn't been a shock. I will say that I have two things going for me in this area- 1) Once Elliot is asleep, he's OUT. Sometimes it takes me a little while to GET him to sleep, but once he's there...he's there for a while (yay!). And, 2) Matt has been such a help with Elliot at night! Every night I try to get in bed as early as possible (9:45-10:15ish) while Matt takes care of the baby...and around midnight he wakes me up and I take over. Just those few hours of sleep help a ton. Also, I'm reading a book right now called- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer...and so far it's really good. I haven't gotten to the chapter on sleep yet, but I'm very interested to know what her advice will be! All in all, I'm getting enough sleep to feel ok during the day...and working on getting this little boy in routine. I'm sure it will work itself out soon...we're only about three weeks into this!

The second half of the title of my post refers to how precious Elliot looks when he's asleep. I realized the other day that most of my pictures of him are when he's asleep! This is probably because when he's awake, I don't usually have time or the extra set of hands to take pics...but I'm working on getting more pictures where you actually see his eyeballs =) Anyways...here are a few examples of what I'm talking about...

See what I mean? Precious. It really does make the lack of sleep easier to take =) So- if anyone have any baby-sleeping tips they want to share with me, I'd be happy to hear them! 


Hope everyone has a great Friday tomorrow...Elliot will officially be 3 weeks old!


~Amy~

Blog Challenge: Days 4 and 5

Since I didn't post yesterday, I figured I'd just double up today. I must say, I had time to post yesterday...and started a post several times, but I had a hard time making a decision on what pic to post for Day 4. The challenge for Day 4 is this: Day 4 - Your favorite photograph of your best friend. Well folks, I have 2 besties...Matt (my husband) and April (my twin sister). I scoured my pics and just couldn't decide on a favorite...obviously I'm overthinking this! So here goes...

This is picture from our honeymoon. We were about to go parasailing...I had everything I wanted right there...relaxation, the beach, good food and my best friend ALL to myself. I met Matt when I was almost 26 years old...I'd be lying if I said I didn't have moments in my 20's when I was really discouraged about not already being married. I had friends at 26 that had been married for years with several kids already. But wow, did God have a plan or what!? I didn't just find "someone"...I found a strong, caring, Godly man. And one that "gets" me, makes me laugh all the time, makes sure I feel loved and taken care of...to name a few things =) 

My other bestie is my twin sis April.

I have about a billion pictures of us together...29 years worth of pictures...but this is one of my faves. I think it describes a part of being a twin that "singletons" don't get. The level communication that can go unsaid with us is HUGE. I know this kind of communication can develop with a spouse (and definitely has with me and Matt to a certain extent), a sibling or a best friend. But it started from birth with us (maybe before birth, who knows!)...and is still strong to this day. How many friends can say they've been best friends since the day they were born? I can! I would be totally lost without my sister. It would be like chopping off half of me and expecting me to function...unlimited texting is absolute MUST in our lives and co-dependence just might be the word for it. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I couldn't love, trust, enjoy being with, or respect anyone more!

Whew! Onto day 5! Day 5 - A photo of yourself two years ago.
This was a lot easier than the previous day's challenge. I only have one folder on my computer with pics from December 2008...so the options were pretty limited. 

I also broke the "rules" by post 2 pictures but oh well, it's MY blog right? The first one was taken at the annual Ehrhart family Christmas dinner at Callaway Gardens...just me and Matt cheesing it up at the table. The second is us being silly! We were opening gifts at my parents house on Christmas Eve...and don't even know what to say about it, so I'll just let it stand on it's own! So much has changed in 2 years! April was pregnant with Rylie that Christmas...it was mine and Matt's first Christmas married...oh how life has changed! Can't wait to see how different life is 2 years from NOW =) 

Have a lovely Sunday everyone! I'm going to attempt to get the rest of my Christmas decorations up and possibly go grocery shopping...we'll just see what "the boss" (aka-Elliot) lets me get done!

~Amy~ 

Blog Challenge: Day 3

Happy Friday ya'll! I've only been out of the mainstream workforce for about 4 months...so yeah, I still remember how much of a relief it is to wake up and realize you made it to Friday =)

Day 3 of the blog challenge is this: Your idea of the perfect first date.

I thought for a while about exactly how to answer this. I can think of plenty of fantastic things to do...going out for coffee, a great restaurant, a cool art exhibit...and all of those things would be wonderful. But in all honesty folks, the only thing that made any date me and Matt have ever been on "perfect" is the fact that we were together. Maybe that sounds really silly, obviously we were together...on a date! But, all I know is, wherever me and Matt have ever been together...we've had a great time. Since the day I met him, all I wanted to do was spend more time with him. So basically, what I'm saying is, if the company is great, regardless of where you go, what you see, do or eat- the date WILL be perfect. Or that's how I see it at least =)
I love the timing of this post because tonight I get to go on a date with my husband! The first one since we became parents (2 weeks ago!). I have no idea where we'll go or what we'll do. Probably grab a bite to eat and then go to Target...all I know is I'll get to spend a few hours alone with the love of my life...and let me tell ya, that sounds PERFECT =)

~Amy~

Blog Challenge: Day 2

The challenge for today was:

Day two: A photo of something you ate today.

 

My life is fascinating isn't it? A piece of multi-grain breat with peanut butter on it. I probably ate more interesting things today...but did I remember to photograph them before I scarfed them down? Of course not! Oh well, even if it was boring, it was also delicious =)

On another note- I'm sick. Conjunctivitis and an upper respiratory infection. Yes, conjunctivitis is pink eye...but doesn't it sound less gross the other way around? Eye drops and an antibiotic later I hope to be getting better pronto! And the doc said as long as I wash my hands after touching my eye...Elliot should be in the clear (i've never washed my hands so much in my life!) 

And, I couldn't post without posting a picture of my boy...so here's what he does while I blog:

 Oh life is tough, huh?

Come back tomorrow for Day 3!

~Amy~

About a Boy

Oh, how quickly life has changed. It's amazing to me all the months of preparation that go into having a baby...and then in a flash- you're on a ride called parenthood. So far- it's fun, tiring, rewarding, anxiety-provoking, fulfilling, joyful...and I've only been doing this for about 12 days! And all of what I've heard is true. Nothing can truely prepare you for being a parent. On-the-job training and trial and error are just about the only things that will teach you. Everyday is new and different...I have a new job and ya'll my boss can be SO unpredictable, but, boy is he CUTE =)

My sis blogged about Elliot's birth here, so I'm not going to go into a long and detailed birth story. I will say that I think I was VERY blessed. I have a great doctor, had very sweet nurses and a great support team in the delivery room with me (my Mama, April and Matt). All together, my labor was 11ish hours. The last hour and a half was pretty much just me pushing. Apparently Elliot liked where he was and wasn't terribly interested in joining us here on the outside! And let me just say- Matt was a rock star during labor. Nothing grossed him out, he watched everything, hardly left my side...I wasn't too surprised at how well he did...but I think he was. Here are few of the first pics after he was born...

Hi, I'm new and perfect!

This kid loves to have his hair washed...the bath part- NO. Wrap him up and wash his hair and he loves it.

Hi little boy, I couldn't love you any more if I tried.

I can only say that most of life after 5:25pm, November 19th sped up and hasn't stopped. As all Mamas know, I guess, your life becomes a long blur of feedings and diaper changes. Not that I mind, that's the name of the game at this point...I'm just trying to enjoy the little moments, because as nearly everyone has told me: he won't be this little very long! So when I'm done feeding him at 3am and all he wants to do is stare wide awake at me...or when he won't nap unless he's laying ON me...I DO realize before I know it, he'll be walking and talking and not needing Mama so much and I'll be trying desperately to remember the times he was SO teeny-tiny, needy and cuddly. 


On a completely different note...I've decided to try to do a 30-day Blog Challenge. My cousin Jessica and my sister are both doing the challenge...and I'm jumping on the bandwagon! See Jessica's blog for a full listing of the challenge for each day...but here's the one for today:

Day 1 - A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

 

 

This the very first pic of me and Matt together. Taken in January 2007 (i think)...at a Jonathan and Lisa Moore concert. We'd known each other less than a month. Oh, that seems like light-years ago! And MY how life has changed since then!! ALL for the better =)


As for my day (even though it's not even 2pm yet)...it's been great so far. Elliot woke at 12ish, 3ish and 7:30ish (which ain't too shabby folks). Matt left for work for the first time since Elliot was born...which was a little sad. I've SO enjoyed having him here...even if he was working, just being able to walk in his office and see him was awesome. Then I had my sister and my sweet friend Jessi here for coffee this morning (since Elliot isn't really supposed to go out in public places yet)...fed Mr. Baby again and now I'm finally finishing this blog...and all before lunch! The rest of the day will be more diapering and feeding for Elliot, maybe some housework (baby permitting), and hopefully getting my tree decorated tonight! It's been up for days now...time to get it looking pretty =)


And now I'll leave you with a picture...of Elliot. That's all people really want to see now anyways, right? Well, I certainly don't mind sharing!

Just hangin' out with Mama this morning.

See you tomorrow (hopefully) for Day 2 of the 30-Day Blog Challenge!


~Amy~

Hi. I'm back!

I'm back! Admittedly, i've been in a bit of a blogging dry spell. I could blame it on many things...but none of them are great excuses...so let's just move on!

First of all, a little update on the baby situation. We now have a plan! If Elliot doesn't decide to come on his own during the next week...my doc will induce me next Friday (Nov. 19th)! I have made a little "progress" on my own though...so he said I could go before then...who knows...but we'll definitely have a baby by next weekend, yay! I really wanted him to be here (and us be home) by Thanksgiving...so this is great news in my book =)

I also wanted to share a crafty Christmas project I tackled this week. I made a wreath. I found a really great, easy tutorial here . I picked up the few supplies I needed at Hobby Lobby and got to crafting!

Originally I was going to do a fall/Thanksgiving wreath...but figured it wouldn't have much time to be displayed...so I went straight to the Christmas colors!

Anytime I set the wreath down for more than about 2 minutes, Felix thought I'd bought him a new, super-cool bed. Leave it to a cat to figure EVERYTHING is about them! And here's the final product!

I really like how it turned out! Now I just have to figure out where I plan to hang it! I should've taken a few pics on the flower-making process...but the tutorial I linked to is really the best source for that! I plan on making more of these (if I have the time!) to hang throughout the year. You can also wrap your wreath with fabric instead of yarn if you so desire...the possibilities are quite endless.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I plan on making a few freeze-able meals this weekend if I have time...so we at least have a few homeade meals to pull from once Elliot gets here! Any great freeze-friendly recipes?? Please share!!

~Amy 

A Very Minor Makeover

A few days ago I was in Target and saw this really cute printed duct tape and wondered- what in the world do people do with that?? Well, last night my good friend Erin was telling me that a friend of hers used it to cover her Bible. That got me thinking about my Bible...it once had a beautiful leather cover with some embroidery on it but has since gotten pen marks and some kind of liquid stain on it. I'd bought an inexpensive canvas cover for it, but have never been too fond of it. It's not terribly cute or stylish...and I hate zipping and unzipping it during church. SO- I picked up some duct tape at Target this morning and did a little Bible makeover of my own! Here is my before and after:

I really should have taken better pics (these were taken with my phone), and probably shouldn't have taken them on my shaggy rug (not the best background for pictures!)...but you get the idea I think!

I'm quite pleased with the results...and it only took me about 15 minutes to do! My only question is- What else can I do with printed duct tape? Any ideas?

~Amy~

Come on In!

It's finally time for a nursery post! There are still a couple of odds and ends I need before Elliot gets here...but the decorating of his room is finally finished!

Come on in!

And now- on with the pictures!

Here's a shot of the room from the bedroom door...

 ...directly to the left of the above shot is the changing table. And now that you have the overall feel of the room...here are some smaller details...

Some of what's up on the walls...

Love these little framed prints

This frame was given to me by a friend at church. We're going to put a maternity pic of me in the middle...and then a newborn shot in the bottom.

Here's Elliot's bed...

And the big ol' monkey that sits inside of it =)

Little details like...

The switch plate...

...valances...

...rocking chair...

...and even his diaper bag...all packed and ready to GO!

So there's a little tour of Elliot's room...all it's missing is HIM!

 ~Thanks for stopping by~

~Amy~

 

Friday Five

Randomosity in the form of a list...gotta love it =) It's a little chaotic AND a little organized!

1-Elliot's room is almost finished!There are still a few more things I need regarding baby gear...but nothing major. As far as decorating, I have 1 more thing to get up on the wall. Well, actually 3. It's a series of prints I got and framed but have yet to hang (oh the joys of having an old house with concrete walls!). As soon as those are hung (hopefully this weekend) I'll do a full out nursery post. 

Until the full post...I'll just share this!

 
2-I've been a organizing fiend this week. I guess I feel like any little thing I can organize right now, while I have the time, can only make my life just a teeny bit simpler after Elliot gets here. Just this week I've organized the kitchen utensil drawers,the (previously VERY congested) area around our microwave and the jewelry "situation" that had been brewing on top of the dresser in our bedroom. It's amazing what some plastic drawer organizers and little hooks can accomplish as far making sense of things. I did end up throwing quite a bit out too...kitchen tools that were kind of getting gross, unmatched earrings or jewelry that had broken. I've realized that I need to take inventory of what I have alot more often!

Revamped microwave area...

kitchen drawers...

Just part of my jewelry organization (this is the inside of my bedroom closet)...the earrings, pendants and bracelets got separated into a clear plastic drawer organizer that 3 compartments and placed in the top drawer of our dresser.

 
3-Twice weekly OB appointments...they're getting old. One day a week I'm only there for about 45 minutes...the other time its usually at least an hour and a half. On the positive side- I get to hear my baby's heartbeat twice a week and make sure he's a-OK in there. I DO have a Kindle now...so I always have something good to read (right now I'm reading- The Help by Kathryn Stockett- GREAT read). And, the staff at my OB's office couldn't be nicer...I may actually miss seeing some of them when I stop going so often! Ohhh. just 4 more weeks of this at MOST. I think I can, I think I can...

4- I've been thinking about Christmas alot this week. I'm pretty sure Christmas THIS year is going to be a bit of a blur. I'll have a teeny, precious baby that I'll be getting to know- I'm pretty sure that's all I'm going to remember about Christmas 2010...and I'm OK with that. But Christmas as a family in general...from here on out...THAT I'm excited about! I have so many wonderful memories of childhood Christmases. Traditions we kept EVERY year, the music we listened to, the foods we ate, the family gatherings that HAD to take place to make it feel like Christmas...all the way down to which side of the fireplace MY gifts were always on. I just hope I can make Elliot's Christmas memories as sweet and wonderful as my own!

Our little family...sometime in the mid-80's I'm guessing

5- It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. When is it coming on television?? Doesn't it usually come on right about now? Dying to see it already. It's not Halloween until I've seen that movie.
Also- "I got a rock"   =)

*I looked it up and found out it comes on ABC on Thursday, Oct. 28th! My DVR is already set folks!*

Have a marvelous weekend y'all!

~Amy~

Looking Forward...

So there's something I'm really excited about...almost more than meeting my dear Elliot...seeing my husband become a Daddy.

I know our lives will change in ways that we can't even anticpate. We'll hardly get time alone together, we'll be sleep deprived, anxious, flying by the seat of our pants most of the time...but there's no one on this earth I'd rather do this thing with. 

 

I've had him all to myself for almost 4 years now (2 of them married to him)...so I guess it's about time I share him =)

~Amy~

Pumpkin Spice Scones!

I needed a project today and this turned out to be a tasty one. My sister and her little family are in Virginia and I'm quickly realizing how much me and April do together! I don't have a side-kick right now...not cool! On the plus side, they're having a wonderful time...and I'm trying to fill my free time with housework, thank-you card writing, organizing and other projects. 

My project today was Pumpkin Spice Scones! My friend Megon posted this recipe this morning on Facebook and I knew I'd have to try them. First of all, Megon is an excellent baker- so I knew if she tried it and liked it, it was a good one. Secondly, I LOVE the Pumpkin Spice scones at Starbucks and these are a great version of them. 

Here are a few pics of the process:

The wet and dry ingredients

The butter before cutting it in...

Ready to be baked!

Ready for the glaze to be brushed on...

Ready to be enjoyed!

 These were much easier to make than I anticipated...and quite moist and delicious! Next time I make them I'm going to cut each of the larger triangles into two...I went by the recipe and they ARE the same size as the ones at Starbucks...but I can only eat half of one at a time. I will definitely be making these again. 


Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! 


~Amy~

My Halloween Decor and More!

It's been a busy week so far...and it's only Wednesday! I'm generally a fan of staying busy, so this has been a good week. 

Tuesday I had my first NST (non-stress test) at my OB's office. I have to get these because the ultrasound tech who did our 4D ultrasound told me I needed to mention to my doc that the cord was near the baby's face and up near his head. My doctor said that this was called a "nuchal cord". It's nothing strange and weird...but he does want me to come in twice a week (for the rest of my pregnancy) and get a NST, to make sure Elliot's heart rate is good, he's moving like he should and he isn't stressed. 

Here is one of the 4D pics...you can see the cord kind of draped across his chest, right under his chin.

The monitor with the blue strap monitors the baby's heart rate, the one with the pink strap monitors any possible contractions.

I also had a little clicker in my hand that i had to hit every time Elliot moved. I'd brought a book to read during the test...but every time I picked it up to read, he would move...and I'd have to put the book down and hit the clicker...i eventually gave up and just sat there. I only had to sit there for 30 minutes and the nurse said the baby "behaved perfectly". Yay! My next NST is Thursday and I'll see my doc afterwards. 


I also wanted to share some of the Halloween decorations I've slowly been putting up around my house...

My new mum and pumpkin...Home Depot had great prices on both!

 

 

 

The wreath on my front door (Marshalls).

A little Halloween garland on the wrought iron on my front porch.

My "Happy Haunting" banner that I won on this wonderful blog!

And a few more little touches...

 Lastly, I wanted to share a little craft project I did. It's not step by step...just before and after...but if you want to know how to do it my friend Kathlyn blogged about this great idea here.

Here are the supplies: candles (i used tapers), glue, glitter, candle holders and tin foil.

And here is my finished product!

 It was really easy and I think it looks pretty great! I'm hoping to do a few more crafty projects this week and next (mainly to keep myself busy while my sis is away in Virginia) so hopefully I can share those too!

~Amy~