I am a Honey Bee

All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel

Baby & Kid

Dear Autumn @ 7 months

 Autumn- 7 months-4

June 2014

Dear Autumn,

Oh man, we love you so dang much. Sure there are rough moments, or even days, but with 1 flash of your toothy smile or an extra arm squeeze, we’ve instantly forgotten about whatever drama is going on and our love for you increases 10 fold.

I’m proud of evrrything you tackled this past month! You started swim class, got your first 2 teeth, and took a trip to Florida to see G.G. and great grandma. The flights and trip were good but some of that teething has been a bit rougher. You had some mild fevers and another torticollis flare up but overall you took it like a champ (with a little baby Tylenol).

You’re now sitting up like a pro. Sometimes you’ll fall backwards on the bed or blanket but you can go 5-10 minutes just hanging out playing with your toys. When you fall you are either okay with it and keep going about your business or do the silent cry, which leads to a full blown meltdown, and it’s not like you got hurt in the process. Weirdo.

You still whine yourself to sleep. It’s funny and weird. You fight sleep so much. When you are fussy we sing the ABC’s to you and you generally calm down by the letter ‘D’. It’s amazing how quickly you recongize it and are soothed by it as well. I try to mix other songs, like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”, so I’m not singing the ABC’s 10 times in a row but it’s clearly your favorite.

The only thing we are struggling with is keeping you in your crib the whole way through the night. Some nights are great and you make it right through and other nights you end up in our bed at some point because you were having such a fit. It’s not a good combo with your dad’s anxiety about your cries and my practical sleep walking so if it takes more than a few minutes to get you back down you ending up back in our bed. You have the system rigged! You know our weaknesses to play us and you win. Ha!

You have been sleeping on your stomach which makes your face do the cutest smooshed fish face. I just want to kiss you up then but I resist because it would wake you up. But when I do need to get you up I kiss up like a hundred times until your grumpiness is awake.

This upcoming month is going to be great! We have a lot of fun things planned, like you’ll meet your g-pop and we’ll go camping.

Love,

Mom

Autumn- 7 months-8 Autumn- 7 months-1

Autumn- 7 months-2 Autumn- 7 months-3

Autumn- 7 months-5

Autumn- 7 months-6 Autumn- 7 months-7

Life with a Baby: Baby Favorites @ 6 months

Oh boy, another month has sped on by!

This past month has been so much fun. We’ve watched Autumn take some big changes in what she likes and can do. She is a champ when it comes to eating the Baby Led Weaning way. Yum steak! And she is 90% with sitting up. She does really well for a while and then just will flop on over. ha! She has been doing well with her swimming class as she gets to enjoy ‘swimming’ after the rubber ducks in the pool. So much fun to see her in action!

I’m looking forward to the busy month ahead but until then check out our current 6 months favorite things!

Baby Favorites @ 6 months

Carlson Labs Carlson Laboratories Super Daily D3 for Baby 400IU Supplement, 10.6 ml, 0.36 Fluid Ounce

Carlson Labs Super Daily D3 for Baby

Okay so these are more a favorite of mine because Autumn doesn’t know she gets them. But that is what I like so much about them. When we were first directed to get Autumn a extra special daily dose of Vitamin D, we just grabbed the cherry flavored dropper topped bottle. But then I started to wonder why my newborn was getting artificial flavoring and artificial coloring… so I did some homework and found these.

The drops take their sweet time coming out of the bottle but that’s the thing, you only need a drop. A bottle should last about a year which is soooo much longer than the cherry flavored goop we first grabbed. I think we calculated we would need like 8 bottles of that for the year, which would basically work to be 8x the cost too!

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo

This jumper thing is the best thing going on in our house right now. Autumn is finally big enough for it so she has been having a blast bouncing around in it and smacking the daylights out of the stuff within reach. She genuinely loves this thing as she can bounce around in it and smash all around at the things. And of course, the music! Price can now whistle the whole ditty as we’ve heard it over and over and over again. Sure, we could turn the music off but she loves it and seeing her smile is just the best.

WubbaNub Giraffe

WubbaNub Giraffe

I can’t even remember how the conversation started (what else is new?!?) but my coworker was telling me how she gave a WubaNub as a gift and how it was such a hit because of 1) it’s cuteness 2) how the baby can easily grab it to retrieve it and insert the pacifier part back into its mouth hole to stop the mouth hole’s high pitched noises 3) easier to find/not lose. Sure, it’s sure cute but what sold me what the not loosing part. I think we’ve owned 15 pacifiers these past 6 months, I know of 6 & I swear the dog did not destroy the other 9. Aside from the general saving them from the abis properties, I’ve become a major fan in how it’s SO much easier to find in her crib in the middle of the night since it’s the pacifier is the magical thing that generally stops the mouth hole noises.

Swim Diapers

 

We have Autumn in swim class at a local university because we want her to be comfortable and safe in the water. Proper understanding of how to act in and around water is very important to us so we wanted to start her young. These swim diapers are great since she is so small for her age we can’t actually use those disposable swim diapers as they start at Size 3 and Autumn is still Size 1! They work for babies 9-15 pounds which is great because the disposable ones start at 16 lbs. Just because she is small doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enjoy getting to splash around in the pool with us! Besides the size of them, we really like that they are not disposable, making them more environmentally friendly.

____________________

Check out more Baby Favorites:

@ 5 months

@ 4 months

@ 3 months

@ 2 months

@ 1 month

____________________

I’ll do a favorites post every month/stage as Autumn grows, changes, and develops.

What are some of your favorite things for 6 month olds?

____________________

Post contains affiliate links

Dear Autumn @ 6 Months

Autumn 6 months-1

May 2014

Dear Autumn,

You came into this world 6 months ago. A whole half of year. In the grand scheme of things it’s a relatively short period of time but still can’t believe it has already been 6 months. I know our lives before you were pretty different but it really seems you have been here forever because I can’t imagine you not here either.

While I would love to be able to just stay late at work or go out to dinner with dad without having to juggle so much like daycare pick up, pumping, your feeding/nap schedule, etc I would not have it any other way. Yes, there are sacrifices here and there but I would trade everything in the world for your health and happiness.

And boy, are you happy! You are such a happy baby with a smile on your face most of the time. Giggles are still an occasional occurrence but dad can really get you to really crack up. You like my crazy dancing and off key singing, so you a smile is glued to your face when we hop around singing. Sometimes you join in and screech to add to the fun.

You have a lot of fun at dinner time too. You have been eating more and more and have been trying new foods as well. You started with campari tomatoes and have now added watermellon, apples, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, and mango to your favorite foods. You love mango so much. I swear you could eat it every day. Oh wait, you basically do.

While you have been eager to try new foods you are still our little bean. So little! You’re 6 months but can still fit into a lot of the 0-3 month stuff you have. Dad took you to the Dr for your 6 month check up (5/19) and you measured 25″ inches long and 12lbs 11.5 oz, meaning you are still under 5th percentile. But you still have the most delicious leg rolls. I can’t resist nibbling on them, which you think is pretty funny.

You have graduated from the bassinet to your crib in your room. Some nights you sleep right through to morning (4.30ish- ugh!) but there are other nights where you just can’t get settled in are up often and need some extra cuddles so you come into bed with us. I love snuggling up to you as you settle in between us and get back to sleep. You still wake up pretty upset but there have been a few times when you have woken up and not started screaming so I’m hoping you do grow out of the crying wake up soon.

I’m looking forward to the next month as you are growing like a weed and I love to see how much you learn, discover, and fall in love with. I’m guessing that you are sitting up and are mush more talkative and giggly. We’ll just have to wait and see what June brings.

Love,

Mom

Autumn 6 months-2

 Autumn 6 months-4 Autumn 6 months-3

Autumn 6 months-5

Life with a Baby- Baby Favorites @ 5 months

Here we go again!

How is my little girl going to be 6 months old next week??!?!

The time flies when you are having fun. Or is it that the time flies when you aren’t sleeping? Either way, every day with her is amazing and we love her to death. She is cuddly and just so cheerful. Her smile is contagious. She is a happy baby, except when getting dressed and when she can’t get the food she is trying to devour into her mouth. Such a foodie!!

Here are some things that we’re currently crushing on…

Baby Favorites @ 5 months

 

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether

Autumn has been gnawing on Sophie for awhile now and just loves her. The legs and neck are easy for her to get her hands around. Plus it’s just cute as hell.

Sophie squeaks when squeezed, so of course this drives the dog bonkers as it basically is the most expensive dog toy he can’t actually have.

infant tub side drain

4moms Infant Tub

We picked this tub out specifically for the fact that Autumn was having abdominal surgery. She would have an incision at where her belly button would have been so we wanted to make sure that her first baths were actually cleaning her. There are multiple drains that allow you to circulate the the dirty water out as you keep your facet flowing allowing clean water in. Plus, besides the tub portion where the baby sits, there is a clean water reservoir so that it makes bath time easier since we have soap free water right at hand to wash her off with after we suds her up.  As well, there is a built in water temperature sensor that helps you know what is comfortable for your babe. There is no guess work involved.

4moms Spout Cover

This spout is really best for when your baby outgrows the infant tub, but some nights we don’t use the infant tub as when I need to wear her out. I fill up the tub with water and I keep my hand under her head and upper back allowing her to ‘float’ around. She loves it as she can flap her arms and kick around like crazy. I suggest the spout cover for your tub so there is no guesswork involved in having the right water temperature for your babe. Plus, when your babe is actually big enough for sitting in your bath tub it helps protect their head and body from the metal tub spout.

OXO Roll Up Bib

Autumn has just started to eat solids so this bib is major in our house right now. We’re doing the ‘Baby Led Weaning’ method of feeding her. This means that we give her pieces of soft foods that she can easily handle so that she can explore it and feed it to herself. Sometimes she needs help with slippery things but I don’t force the foods onto her. But basically the process of her feeding herself means she is a huge mess as she squishes it on her face as she aims for her mouth and as she drops food all over.

____________________

Check out more Baby Favorites:

@ 4 months

@ 3 months

@ 2 months

@ 1 month

____________________

I’ll do a favorites post every month/stage as Autumn grows, changes, and develops.

What are some of your favorite things for 5 month olds?

____________________

Post contains affiliate links

My First Mother’s Day

Mother's Day 2014

mom. ma. mama. mommy.

Autumn hasn’t yet figured out how to say those things but she knows me.

She knows I am her mom.

She lights up when I come into a room. She smiles and twirls her arms about when I pick her up from daycare. She laughs at my silly dancing, my off key singing of “Down by the Bay”, and my floppy hair that bounces around when I dance us around to “Happy” by Pharrell.

 Mother's Day 2014-2

I’ll never forget the moment I found out I was pregnant. Everything spun around in an amazing life changing way. I was nervous, happy, scared, and excited. Oh, I couldn’t think for the rest of the day.

And then the moment that Autumn was born was nerve-wracking, filled with joy, scary, and exciting. Again, everything spun around in an amazing life changing way.

She is the best thing to ever happen to me.

Mother's Day 2014-3

I’m constantly thinking of her. If not about something in the moment, then it’s about her future. “What will fill you with joy?” “Where will you grow up?” “How can I teach you the big life lessons?”

I realize that we are both figuring our roles out. I am your mom. You are my daughter. We will help guide each other through the times when things get tough, when things are rough around the edges, so that we can come out on the other side and forge a strong relationship with each other that is based on love, respect, and happiness.

I love my little girl to the moon and back. To the deepest part of the oceans. It is an endless love that makes me cuddle for an extra minute, to give extra kisses, to whisper longer whispers. Her sweet open mouth kisses, light laughs, and loud babbling make everything I do for her worth all the sleepless nights, frazzled nerves, and vast amounts of hair loss. For all of those things are temporary, but being her mother is forever.

Mother's Day 2014-4

Dear Autumn @ 5 months

Autumn at 5 months-1

April 2014

Dear Autumn-

This past month has been amazing. I can’t get over that you are 5 months old now but this past month has been incredible itself.

It seems that your development has been on some warp speed track. You are getting close to being able to sit up on your own. You are getting more interested in food. You now are so interested in things that you really put effort into getting it. Oh man, you reach with all your might! You now find the dog to be hilarious, especially when he licks your face. And the babbling now has some clarity.

You have always been a joy to be around but your amusement and responses to our goofiness to get you to smile has made all that silly effort so worth it. You make my goofy dancing to “Happy” seem like the best thing ever. It’s the best to see you gummy mouth  crack a huge smile. You do laugh now but not often, just lots of endless smiles.

While you are the happiest baby ever you do get really frustrated really easily. When playing around with your blankets you’ll shove it into your mouth and bite down on it with all your might while grunting like mad. I don’t know what is going on in your head at the point but you are mad at something and are quite good at showing it. Should be interesting how you express your feelings as you continue to grow.

Your sleep has been all over the place. Some nights you are amazing letting us sleep through the night right along with you. And well other nights… ugh! You sleep in our bed more often than not some nights. At least we are constantly working on trying to get you to bed quickly and soundly, and your sleep transitions back on track. A for effort, right?

Right now you are sick, maybe just sickish, but you take it like a champ. We feel so bad for your runny nose and goopy eye. We finally got your right eye all cleared up but now your left one is getting goopy again. Feels like a little defeat but at least your left eye is not as bad as how your right eye was.

Sometimes your drooling is out of control. It will drip all over you and us. Maybe you’ll start teething soon, or you’ll just be drool all over us until the end of time. ha! I don’t think the dog minds. I think he licks your face so much so that he can help clean up your face. We tell him ‘no!’ but he still gives you ‘kisses’, at least it’s better than him stealing your socks. He eats so many I am going to have to get some more soon.

We are looking forward to you beginning to explore and eat solids. So far you loved the campari tomato we gave you, but the grape tomato was gross. The strawberry was gross as well but the asparagus was great. I think we will try avocado and mango soon. So much fun to see your fist grip on the food as you bring it to your mouth or suck or chew on it like crazy.

Be sure to keep on saying “dada” over and over again and I’m sure you will have Daddy wrapped around your slobbiery little fingers. You are such a Daddy’s Girl.

This last month was amazing so I’m looking forward to this next month. But really, it will mean you will be 6 months old and I jsut don’t know if I can handle it!!

Love,

Mom

Autumn at 5 months-5

Autumn at 5 months-6

Autumn at 5 months-3 Autumn at 5 months-4

Autumn at 5 months-2

 Autumn at 5 months-7

 

Morning Smiles

140414_Smiley Autumn_01

Some mornings we have our act together and some mornings we don’t.

Thankfully we were on our A-game today so I was able to take some pictures of our super smiley Autumn as she was showing off a new outfit today. My boss gave this to me shortly after I returned to work in February so I was excited that 1) it was warm enough today for her to wear it 2) she is finally kinda, sorta is big enough for 3-6 months clothes at almost 5 months. ha!

We just love our smiley girl!

140414_Smiley Autumn_02 140414_Smiley Autumn_03

140414_Smiley Autumn_04 140414_Smiley Autumn_05

Happy Monday!

Life with a Baby- Baby Favorites @ 4 months

Ooo under the wire with this post! Autumn turns 5 months old on Friday (sob!) How is she that old already?!?!

I think this past month is the month when I’ve recongized the most change in her. She is still so very happy but now she is getting much better at expressing full on excitement by flexing her whole body to get into it. So fun to see. Before she was content to put her hands in her mouth and hang out sucking/chewing on them, but now she loves to put whatever she can get her hangs on in her mouth. She really likes blankets, her clothes, and some soft toys. As well, she is reaching for things more and more when she didn’t put too much effort into trying to get something out of arms reach. And in the last week she has discovered her feet, which of course, have to be in her mouth as well. Plus, she is getting a bit closer to being able to sit up.  She is doing well hanging out in the Boppy but I think she will be able to graduate to just sit up without help in the next 4-6 weeks. Exciting!

Here are some things that Price, Autumn, and I are currently crushing on…

Baby Favorites @ 4 months

 glider

Stork Craft Custom Tuscany Glider and Ottoman

My sister had originally suggested for us to get a glider way back when I was pregnant but we thought “Oh, we’ll sit on the bed!” or “Oh, we’ll sit on the sofa together!’ Mainly, we poo poo’ed the idea of a glider because we didn’t have room for it in our room or her room. Well fast forward to day 5 of her being home and we were ordering a glider with expedited shipping. My back was wrecked from trying to nurse her on the bed without good back support and there was too much going on (dog) to sit on the sofa to comfortably enjoy the teeny tiny bean in my arms.

Since its arrival the glider has become one of our favorite things for Autumn. Sure, our room is jammed full of baby stuffs at this point but the glider is so worth it. So worth it!

The glider has become a big part of establishing a bedtime routine. We take Autumn upstairs so we can read some books or sing some songs to her while almost continually patting we back until she is almost asleep (she loves it). On the nights when I am exhausted (most of them), I doze off for a few with her in my arms, which makes me really glad there is the foot rest that I use to prop my knees up which she leans against since I have the biggest fear of falling asleep, loosening my grip & having her fall on the hardwoods. Eeek!

Books

We’ve always read books to Autumn but she’s been enjoying it more and more lately. Or at least that is the impression I get. Let’s go with that.

We’ve been reading Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, Guess How Much I Love You, and plenty of really simple Spot books, like Spot’s Opposites. These board books hang out in the pockets of the glider so they are always close by for us to grab.

sleep sack

Carter’s Micro Fleece Sleep Bag or Sack (0-9 Months)

The hip brace she had to wear from mid January – end of March prevented her from using sleep sacks during that time but we have been using them more and more now. The are comfy cozy and allow her to stretch out while still be contained a bit.

SwaddleMe® Cotton Large 2-Pack (Lavender Owl)

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Adjustable Infant Wrap

For a period of time we stopped swaddling her because she kept breaking out. So we went from both arms in to 1 arm in to both arms and then… she started to sleep horribly (up every 2 hours!!) So we went back to swaddled with the SwaddleMe’s we received. Because of the sleep sacks and because we don’t want to reverse the work the hip brace did we only use the top portion of the SwaddleMe’s to contain her arms.

____________________

Check out more Baby Favorites:

@ 3 months

@ 2 months

@ 1 month

____________________

I’ll do a favorites post every month/stage as Autumn grows, changes, and develops.

What are some of your favorite things for 4 month olds?

____________________

Post contains affiliate links

 

Dear Autumn @ 4 months

Autumn 4 months_140319

March 2014

Dear Autumn-

I can’t believe that you became 4 months old yesterday. I want time to stop. I want you to stay this small and cuddly. But at the same time I love seeing you learn to do something each and every day. I love the discovery of it all. It’s a tough thing to want to capture and hold on to the past and embrace the future and everything that is holds.

You’ve been doing so well this month in going to day care, sleeping longer stretches, and taking in the world around you. As well, as taking everything in arms reach into your mouth. And like last mouth, you still think the more in your mouth, the better. A thumb… nah, let’s do some fingers. Some fingers… nah, let’s try to jam the side of my fist in there. One hand… nah, let’s go for two!!

We are getting better and better at getting out of the house on time in the morning. But I still need to do a better job of making up time from leaving work early to get you. I’m thinking that I’ll clean up the den with Dad to clear up the desk so I can have a work space there to set up a laptop from work at night or on the weekends to make up time. I know things will work out over time.

You got your first cold this past month. You almost made it 3 weeks at daycare before getting sick. It was bound to happen sooner or later! Of course, I then battled being sick. And then so did Dad. Thankfully, you handled it pretty well. The biggest issue was clearing out your nose but other than that you were just really stuffy and extra cuddly at times.

You are such a happy smily baby. It’s pretty easy to get your to crack a really wide smile. You haven’t lughed yet but you are on your way. You crack up but are just silent. You laugh like a mime.

Autumn 4 months_1_140319

___________________

Current Loves

getting your diaper changed: you love to just hang out in your diaper so I imagine that you are going to love the warm weather and being able to hang around in just your diaper

baths: we only do baths about once a week but you really like them.

the blow dryer: you really like getting dried off with the blow dryer after a bath. You get quite upset after it gets turned off and you get dressed again.

peek-a-boo: we do peek-a-boo when you are getting your diaper changed and you light up every time we play

Current Hates

getting the brace on: thankfully you graduated to only having to wear it 1/2 time at your last hip apointment (2/28). Hoping that you will be cleared to be done with it at your next appointment on the 28th. Fingers crossed.

your nose getting suctioned out: hard to explain to you that while you don’t like being stuffed up that the only way to fix it is by suctioning all that snot out.

getting your eye cleaned: your right eye has a clogged tear duct so it gets all goopy and gross throughout the day, especially at night when you are sleeping, so we need to clean it often and you really don’t like it. Hoping it clears up soon.

___________________

I look forward to seeing how these things change over time as you discover and learn about more things. Maybe you’ll start to sit up soon as you are already doing a pretty good job hanging out leaning against some pillows. Maybe you’ll discover your feet soon since you have been out of the brace more and more. Maybe you’ll roll over as you have more freedom to move on your mat around without the brace weighing you down. I look forward to it all!

As well, we are getting a new car soon so that your car seat better fits in there and so that we can have enough room for stuff for our adventures and trips to see family. Speaking of family, we are going back to Greenwich to meet the rest of my side of your family. Plus mommy will be really excited to get some chocolate brioche rolls from one of her favorite bakeries back home. One day you’ll get to try them and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with them as well. But for now, how about your just stick with breast milk, okay? 🙂

I love you so much!

Love,

Mom

Life with a Baby: Baby Favorites @ 3 months

I think that every month, every week, day, moment is my new favorite.

Autumn is getting more and more active each day. I just love it. She is super smiley and playful. She hasn’t mastered laughing yet but ‘cracks up’ silently. It’s so weird and awesome. She really likes when I sweep a blanket over her face saying “peek-a-boo!!” But she kinda hates tummy time but does really well when she is laying on our chests. I take it that she just likes to push up to look right at our faces instead of toys, although she does reach out and then suck on them, when she feels like it. Overall, she’s doing really well and we couldn’t be happier!

Here are some things that Price, Autumn, and I are currently crushing on…

Baby Favorites @ 3 months

Baby K’tan Breeze Baby Carrier

I use this Baby K’tan carrier just about every day. I saw a review of it right after I found out I was pregnant and was immediately interested. So when the time came to try on carriers I knew I would have to test it out. When I was trying it on I looked for the fabric texture, weight, and how easy it was to get on and off, which is always a plus when you need to do it quickly solo or when the baby is asleep in it.

Autumn really likes to hang out in the Baby K’tan while I do dishes or make dinner. Or dance around to ‘Happy’ like a nut.  When she’s not enjoying my sick dance moves she often is fast asleep in it. It’s made out of a soft fabric so it’s really cozy and comfortable for her to snuggle in against my body. There are all different ways to position the baby in it but since Autumn had been wearing her hip brace 24/7 (until recently- yay!) she was always in the Hug position. Looking forward to the Adventure position in the next few months!

ERGObaby Travel Carrier
ERGObaby Original Infant Insert

So while I love the Baby K’tan, Price loves his ERGObaby carrier.

Autumn was a teeny thing at just 5lbs 9 oz at birth so Price was really excited when she inched her way up to 7lbs so she was big enough to get into the infant insert (babies need to be at least 8lbs for the K’tan).  Since then he has used the ERGO all the time. She’s in there when she is fussy, needing to be close and snug, and being held isn’t cutting it. Or when she is in need of some extra attention and we have something to do that favors use of 2 hands, like when we are eating dinner. And now that the weather is getting warmer he been going out with her in the carrier while taking the dog out for a walk. The hood on there keeps her extra warm as well.

Brica Baby In-Sight Mirror

Autumn spent a lot of time in the car this past month as she has had quite a few Dr’s appointments and other much more fun adventures. She does really well in the car, except when mom forgets to take her hat off and it falls over her eyes resulting in a major meltdown, as she enjoys the rides. So I like to check out her happy smiles in this mirror. As well it’s always fun to check on how much of her hand is in her mouth… a thumb, some fingers, whole fist.

Baby Animals Themed Infant Play Gym
Jungle Buddy Themed Explore and Store Gym

We have infant play gyms in both of these styles. Babies have so much stuff so I like these being that they are easy to fold up and store away when not in use. Plus they are soft and have fun toys for Autumn to play with. The toys can be easily detached from the gyms and be laid out on the mats so that they make tummy time more appealing as well.

____________________

Check out more Baby Favorites:

@ 2 months

@ 1 month

____________________

I’ll do a Favorites post every month as Autumn grows, changes, and develops.

What are some of your favorite things for 3 month olds?

____________________

Post contains affiliate links