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Katie’s Nine Month Update

I can’t believe that Katie is already nine months old. The past few months have flown by faster than I could have ever imagined. Between going back to work and the holiday season I feel like the past few months have been a blur. I want to do a better job of capturing these memories so these monthly updates are going to be a priority.

So much changed this month as she mastered the art of crawling and has become fearless. I remember when we used to be able to set her down on her activity mat while she laid there, barely moving.  These days, we can’t take our eyes off of her or she’ll quickly move off the activity mat to the curtains, stairs, or other tempting area of the house. Luckily, my parents are here this weekend and are going to help us quickly childproof the home since she has started moving faster than we expected! You can imagine my face when I saw her suddenly go from crawling to climbing the stairs.

So, looking back, what transpired last month?

  • Moving EVERYWHERE – During February she started rocking back and forth, showing us that she was interested in crawling. But, the evolution from rocking to army crawl took a while and then, overnight she went from army crawl to actual crawling. She moves very quickly, especially when she’s barefoot or not on a slippery surface like her activity mat.
  • Standing – She is happiest when she is standing, slowly experimenting with walking. She has learned to pull herself up using either us, the sofa or our new ottoman as a brace. Once she is standing she bravely moves side to side, constantly looking up at whoever is in the room with a huge smile. She is so proud of herself.
  • Flu and croup – We thought we had escaped flu season and winter without any serious illnesses in our family. While she’d had a few minor colds which each lasted a few days, last month she suffered from the flu for six days. When she was up during the night coughing constantly and having difficulty breathing, we took her to urgent care after a number of recommended actions didn’t help her symptoms such as elevating the crib, steam shower, rubbing her chest and bottoms of her feet with Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Chest Rub.  Based on symptoms, on Sunday morning they diagnosed her with croup and gave her a steroid to avoid further complications. But, on Tuesday afternoon when she had a high grade fever, we went back and her pediatrician immediately recognized the symptoms as flu – high fever, congestion, glassy eyes, lethargic, and fussy disposition.  Luckily a few days of rest, cuddles, extra hydration and Tamiflu helped her feel better within a few days.
  • Kisses – While Katie hasn’t said any words yet or mastered the art of waving, she did give me the most amazing kiss on the lips the other night. She’s done at a few times since then it and make my heart melt every time!

Schedule 

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have introduced solids over the past few months and now Katie is enjoying solids three times per day.

  • 7:15 AM Wake Up and cuddles
  • 7:20 AM Bottle #1 (7 ounces of Similac Sensitive OptiGRO formula)
  • 7:30 AM Upstairs playtime while we get ready for work
  • 8 AM Solids + Water in Sippy Cup (Usually yogurt, fruit, cheese, avocado, or eggs)
  • 8:25 AM Leave house for nanny share
  • 8:30 AM Playtime at nanny share
  • 9:15 -9:30 AM Nap #1
  • 11:15 AM Wake up and Bottle #2 (7-8 ounces)
  • 12 PM Solids + Water in Sippy Cup (Usually a mix of proteins and vegetables such as Edamame, Broccoli & Avocado or Green Chicken Quinoa followed by some fruit)
  • 12:15 PM Playtime/Park/Walk
  • 1:15-1:30 PM Nap #2
  • 3:15 PM Wake up and Bottle #3 (7-8 ounces)
  • 4 PM Solids + Water in Sippy Cup (Usually very similar to the 12PM meal)
  • 4:15 PM Playtime/Park/Walk
  • 5:00 PM Catnap if needed (Typically less than once a week does Katie show signs of needing a 20-30 minute catnap)
  • 5:30 PM Pickup from nanny share and walk home
  • 5:45 PM Playtime at home with lots of reading, crawling and standing practice, dancing and playing downstairs
  • 6:45 PM Naked Baby Time (We have programmed our Google Home device so that when we say Hey Google It’s Naked Baby Time it says “Sleep well Katie” and then dims the lights and turns on the sound machine in her nursery. We walk her upstairs and undress her and transition into a soft, quiet mode ensuring that we help set the mode for sleep.)
  • 6:50 PM Bath Time (Katie absolutely loves her nightly bath and is in love with these bath toys which she plays with in the tub and we use to continue teaching her colors, textures and animals. We put this bath mat in the bottom of the tub this month which allows her to sit and play more securely without the risk of slipping.  We are currently using and loving Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo and Body Wash.)
  • 7 PM Bottle #4 (7-8 ounces)
  • 7:10 PM Rocking and reading 1-2 books before putting Katie in her crib with 2 of her Wubbanub pacifiers as she now sucks on one and cuddles the other

Favorite Things

  • Teething Toy and Medicine – It seems odd to call this a favorite thing but this all-natural teething relief has helped with teething pain tremendously as Katie now has four teeth and has found great relief from just 1 dose of this before bed. While we introduced the Munch Mit originally back in December, she had very little interest in it. These days, she will happily gnaw on it while she’s in the stroller as we walk to and from nanny share.
  • V-Tech Busy Learners Activity Cube – We have tried to only introduce a new toy to Katie every other week or so which has allowed her Christmas gifts to bring continuous joy and surprise to her for months afterwards. This week we introduced this fun activity cube as a way to keep her occupied and entertained in the morning while Bo and I both try and get ready for work. She has enjoyed using it to push herself up to standing, play with the moving pieces and push the different buttons.
  • Puppets –  Soft, cuddly and creative creatures provide easy interaction for adult and infant anywhere and any time! While we only have two so far (Peter Rabbit and a bear) I am sure we will be buying more soon as playing and watching puppets is one of her favorite pastimes.
  • Pout Pout Fish – I discovered this book when searching for a few new books on Amazon and I can understand why it is rated so high. The colorful illustrations, sweet lesson and gentle rhyming has made it a favorite book for during the day or calming down before bed.
  • Carters – While we have a few special outfits from Jacadi, Lilly Pulitzer and Smocking Hot Mommas resale site on Facebook, 90% of the time Katie is wearing cotton basics from Carters.com or the Carter’s outlets. You can’t beat their prices for the quality especially when you consider how quickly Katie is growing. She is currently wearing 12M clothing but based on her height, she’ll soon be in 18M! These outfits have been our favorite so far – bears, hearts, and polka dots!

 

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Weekend Reading – March 25th, 2018

Happy Sunday! This was exactly the weekend both Bo and I needed and wanted.  Each of our weeks was very busy, filled with work meetings and evening commitments so a few days with Katie was exactly what we were craving. She has been so happy recently. Everyone who said 9 months is a fun age was right! She is smiling and laughing from the moment she wakes up until she goes down for a nap and throughout the day she is filled with energy that lasts until we begin bath time at 6:45pm. We definitely have to continue child-proofing as she caught us by surprise this weekend, climbing four staris. We didn’t have many plans this weekend other than visiting Heather and meeting her week-old son Skyler and playing workout tag, aka working out while the other watches Katie. I did an amazing 45-minute Flywheel class with Dionna on our FlyAnywhere bike and then took a tough, sweaty Full Body Conditioning class at the YMCA with Laura.

This week, instead of Friday Favorites, I’m sharing some weekend reading which includes recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • My manicure and pedicure still look pretty good, 15 days later, thanks to Essie’s Gel Couture nail polish. The polish lasts 14 days but doesn’t require any special lamp during the process and it’s easy to remove with nail polish remover! I’m loving Drop the Gown and Sit Me in The Front Row for spring – bright, vibrant pinks!
  • After I stopped nursing, I needed to replace my bras since my old bras were too small and I was ready to put the nursing bras in storage.  I spent almost an hour trying on countless bras in order to find one that provided the coverage and shape that I desired but was comfortable enough to wear all day. Once I tried this Natori Bra I knew I’d found a winner. It provides shape, padding, coverage and comfort all day long.  While it’s a bit more expensive than bras I’ve worn in the past, it’s well worth it as I’m no longer yearning to take off my bra at 5pm.
  • After streamlining my wardrobe, I definitely needed at least one or two tops that I could wear for work and date nights. After seeing friends and bloggers alike wear this J.Crew blouse I ordered it in two colors – black and loden green. I have worn it three times so far and am head over heels in love with it. The sleeves are a fun detail without being TOO dramatic and the crepe laid perfectly whether I tucked it in or wore it out. I’ve worn it with a fun necklace and heels for a date night and paired with dress paints and pearls for a customer meeting.
  • As I mentioned in this post as well as this week’s Instagram posts, I’m focused on doing more HIIT and strength workouts with a goal of squeezing in two per week. While it’s only been two weeks, I’m already feeling stronger after taking Total Body Conditioning and Les Mills Grit Cardio. They are both non-stop workouts that include a cardio-heavy warm-up, strength portion and tough ab routine at the end. I’ve been making some adjustments to the ab section, focusing on slow and controlled movements both otherwise have been able to do the classes without adjustments!
  • I just finished reading Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and I still haven’t decided how I felt about the book. I didn’t find myself yearning to read it each night, but, by the final few pages, I was smiling and really pleased with the story.  I found the first half of the book depressing and hard to heart wrenching but the second half was heart warming and I really enjoyed the way the author brought everything together at the end.
  • Inspired by this weekend’s promotion and a gift card, I caved and bought a mommy and me outfit for Katie and I to wear this summer! I ordered her two of the Baby Lilly Shifts in Multi Gypset Paradise and Multi Rainbow Soleil. Since none of the patterned Lilly dresses are long enough for me, I ordered Skipper Popover and an Elsa silk top.

 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Winter Favorites – 10 Items I’ve Worn Constantly This Winter

Spring Snow

The calendar says spring has arrived but the weather says winter. Based on today’s weather, you’d never know that it is the second day of spring.  There are kids shoveling snow and others walking by with sleds.  While many other people are talking about the latest spring fashions, I thought I would say farewell to winter weather by sharing the items that I have worn non-stop during our never-ending winter.  While I love cold weather and appreciate and enjoy experiencing all four seasons, after growing up in the perpetually warm and humid Savannah, Georgia, I’m ready to say farewell to my winter wardrobe. In fact, if you follow along on my daily Instagram stories, then you will most likely recognize many of these items especially the tops and coats.

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, mountain, sky, outdoor and nature

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One of the downsides to simplifying my life and wardrobe is that I now have far fewer clothes in my closet. As I scroll through Instagram photos or our family photo stream, it is clear that I played favorites this season, even within my smaller wardrobe, and wore the below ten items on repeat.  I am ready to say hello to short sleeves, skirts, dresses and vibrant colors as soon as spring appears in Brooklyn. But, until then, since there are lots of end of season sales taking place right now, I thought it would be helpful to share the 10 items I wore non-stop this winter in case you want to stock up for next year.

Barbour Beadnell Polarquilt Jacket – Even though I’ve owned this coat for more than a year, this was the first year I could wear it as I purchased it when I was unknowingly pregnant with Katie. It became an instant favorite this year for warmer winter days and was worn on repeat when the weather was below 50 degrees and above 30.  It has large pockets that easily fit my cell phone, keys and credit card while the second set of front pockets are hand pockets –  perfectly angled and lined with fleece to keep my hands warm on cold days.

L.L. Bean Cozy Pullover – I wish I had purchased this sweatshirt in multiple colors as I’ve worn the spruce heather at least twice a week since receiving it in November. Clearly I’m not the only person who fell head over heels for this sweatshirt as every color in my size is back-ordered until late April.  It isn’t loose and baggy like most sweatshirts, instead it has a slimming cut and the hip length is perfect for wearing it with jeans or leggings. The thumb holes were an added bonus that I discovered after ordering it and the front pocket has been perfect for holding Katie’s toys or pacifier when we’re out and about.

9′  high-rise toothpick jean in classic wash  – These jeans have been a blessing for my post baby as the higher rise and stretch allow me to wear the jeans confidently without being uncomfortable all day. The cut and dark color accentuate and flatter my long legs while I also appreciate that they come in petite, regular and tall.

Sorel Joan of Arctic Cold Weather boots – I bought these five years ago when we moved abroad and just today did I notice that they are starting to show some wear and tear. These waterproof boots are perfect for snowy days as they keep my feet and calves dry and warm while also providing traction that makes me feel safe and secure even when I’m wearing Katie. I find that these run a bit small especially considering how thick most winter socks are so I would recommend ordering a size larger.

Sorel Nakiska Suede Slippers – Since I work from home, I spend more time in slippers than the average person. In fact, I wore out these amazing slippers in two years and received a new pair for Christmas. Unlike most slippers, these have a sole that provides arch support and the rubber bottom provides traction on our slippery, wooden stairs. The only down side to these slippers is that the wool lining keeps feet nice and cozy, which makes them  more appropriate for cooler months than year round.

J.Crew Dreamy Stripe Pajamas  – After buying one pair of these pajamas in gray and white I loved them so much that I bought a second pair in navy and white and have worn them almost exclusively all fall and winter. Since I have a short torso and long legs, most pajama pant sets don’t fit properly. These pajamas not only are long enough but they are also the softest pajamas I’ve found. The fit is definitely loose and I sized down in my second pair after finding that my regular size was a bit baggier than I preferred.

Tissue Turtleneck – Every year J.Crew factory sells this turtleneck in multiple patterns and colors but this year the black and white stripe was my favorite. It’s a perfect weight for layering thanks to the lighter weight and slim fit. I own four of these turtlenecks and wear them alone and under blazers, jackets or sweaters. They wash and dry well in the washer, are thick enough to not show bra lines and don’t shrink. If you want a looser fit, order a size larger than normal as they are pretty snug.

Merino Wool Sweater Blazer  – Available on both J.Crew and J.Crew Factory sites this has been one of their most popular items this season. A great classic that can easily be dressed up or down, I love that this one cotton which means it is machine washable and far cheaper than the J.Crew version which is merino wool.  It runs a bit large so I recommend ordering down one size but otherwise this has been a great staple this season and has been worn to both the farmer’s market on weekends and client meetings during the week.

Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket – This water resistant, down jacket is a lot warmer than it looks!  I’ve only worn my long, down coat a few times this season as this coat has been heavy enough to keep me warm most days, including during today’s snowstorm. The coat is more fitted than some winter coats which makes it very flattering. It is light and easily rolled up or stuffed into my purse and diaper bag but once I put it on it’s so much warmer than expected.  It is definitely an upgrade versus my long, down coat which I lovingly call my wearable sleeping bag.

Sarah Marie Design Studio Sweatshirt –  The saying on the sweatshirt makes it fun while the fit and cozy factor make it a winter time essential especially when I’m relaxing on the couch or hanging out with Katie. Every time I wear it I get comments from people on the street or Instagram as the struggle to get out of bed is very real. The fleece sweatshirt is so soft that I’ve actually worn it to sleep during colder winter nights. But, typically I wear it to and from workouts, relaxing at home or running errands.  An added benefit is that Sarah Marie Design Studio is a small business and you’re supporting a fellow runner and designer by purchasing through her online store.

 

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