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A Day In The Life With a 3-Month-Old

This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, but as always, the opinions are my own.

It has been 2.5 months since my last Day in The Life post and recently many of you have asked for an update on what my life looks like during maternity leave. Schedules and life change so quickly with a child, but here is a glimpse into what my day looks like now that Katie is 3 months old.

6:45 AM – My alarm goes off and I quickly head downstairs to prepare Katie’s morning bottle. I use a little tray to bring her bottle back upstairs as well as our morning cup of coffee.

7:00 AM – 7:45 AM Bo and I wake Katie up together each morning. After waking her and changing her diaper, I breastfeed her before handing her to Bo. As I’ve mentioned before, due to his work schedule, the only guaranteed feed that Bo is home for is the morning or “breakfast” feed so this is the one that he does. While he gives her a bottle, I typically either hang out with them or do some things around the house such as fold laundry. Right now her bottles consist of an average 4-5 ounces of formula for a total of 6 ounces per feed. After Katie is done eating we enjoy playtime in bed which includes cuddles, resting in her favorite spot or even some tummy time.

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7:45 When Bo hops in the shower I head downstairs with Katie for more coffee, breakfast and catching up on social media and the news. I bring the activity mat into the kitchen so Katie can play while I eat breakfast. As a new mom, I rarely have more than five minutes to eat. Therefore, Quaker Overnight Oats have been a welcome breakfast option during these busy days. A convenient, nutritious and hearty option that can be prepared ahead so it is ready and waiting in the fridge for the morning.  Over the past month I’ve had the opportunity to try all the flavors (Blueberry Banana & Vanilla Bliss, Toasted Coconut & Almond Crunch, Orchard Peach Pecan Perfection and Raisin Walnut & Honey Heaven) and my favorite is still Toasted Coconut & Almond Crunch. I make it with 1% milk and a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Stirring in Greek yogurt gives you a creamy texture. I enjoy the Quaker Overnight Oats with a banana for a quick and easy breakfast.

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8:30 – 10 AM While Katie naps I typically try to do a few things around the house. Today this means washing bottles, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and making the bed.

10 AM –I wake Katie for her mid-morning feed. Since we have somewhere to be at 11, we head out the door as soon as Katie is finished eating, burping and has a clean diaper.

11:00 – 12pm I head to our local Crossfit box for a workout. While I complete the tough workout Katie plays nearby. Unlike our first visit, this time she entertains herself quietly for half the class, intently watching the large fan and then falls asleep. With just a few minutes left in class she wakes up with a wet diaper but otherwise is a champ. The deadlifts and burpees were especially challenging!

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12pm – 1pm Since Katie falls asleep in the stroller on our way home, I keep her in the stroller once we get home. I grab the monitor and dash into the shower to wash off the sweat before quickly eating leftovers for lunch and prepare her next bottle.

1-2:30pm I can’t contain my laughter during this feed session as Katie keeps trying to smile while sipping on the bottle. Now that she’s almost three months old she loves to squirm and try to hold the bottle while feeding. I try to keep Katie upright for 15-20 minutes after each feed as this helps with spit-up and gas. While she bounces in her chair I read three books to her. We spend the next twenty minutes on her activity mat doing back and tummy time. She practices rolling for most of the time, finally giving up in frustration and exhaustion.

2:30 – 4pm During her afternoon nap I focus on blog work and writing thank you notes. While we were traveling I fell behind on thank you notes and now have a long list that I’m trying to get through each day. After writing a few thank you notes I move my focus to the blog. Just as I start to type my blog post I hear Katie on our monitor. After a few cries I head upstairs to change her diaper and try to calm her back to sleep. She isn’t interested in taking the last 15 minutes of her nap so I move her downstairs to the swing.

4pm – 5:30pm This afternoon feed tends to be when Katie is her fussiest so after she finishes her bottle we go on a walk around the neighborhood. It starts to drizzle so we quickly head home. Before going down for her last nap Katie and I play on her activity mat. This time she spends most of the time giggling as she looks at herself in the mirror and squirming around to music. clip_image007

5:30-6:30 The shortest nap of the day is also the most unpredictable. Some days Katie sleeps like a champ during this nap and other days she boycotts the nap. Katie must have been tired as I’m able to spend 45 minutes prepping tonight’s dinner before I hear her stirring in her crib.

6:30 – 7:30 Our hour-long evening routine is all about getting Katie relaxed for a good night’s sleep. Katie loves her evening bath these days, often kicking her feet and then smiling when she’s wrapped in her cozy, hooded towel. Next we change into footed pajamas before heading to the glider for her last bottle of the day. After she is done eating we typically read for 10-15 minutes before I put her in her sleep sack and kiss her goodnight.

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7:45 Once Katie is asleep I head downstairs to put the finishing touches on dinner and prep for the next day while enjoying a glass of wine. Once we are done with dinner I like to be “done” for the day so Bo and I can relax together. Therefore, while the chicken is in the oven I take 10 minutes to wash bottles and their parts, grind and program the coffee and prepare my Quaker Overnight Oats for tomorrow morning. In order to prepare the Quaker Overnight Oats, I simply open the individual cup container, pour 1% milk to the fill line, stir and cover with the lid, put in the refrigerator and let the flavors and ingredients cold steep overnight.

8-8:30 We eat dinner together while catching up on each other’s days.

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8:30 After dinner Bo suggests that I go upstairs to take a shower and read in bed while he cleans the kitchen. There are few words that sound sweeter after a long day and I so appreciate his willingness to help even though he had a long day at work. I take a luxurious 20-minute shower before heading to bed.

9-10pm My bedtime routine these days includes a candle, sipping tea or sipping wine, and reading a book in bed.

While no day looks the same at this point, I have found that building in some social time during the day really helps me while I’m staying at home with Katie. Whether that is a long walk with a friend or a workout, these dates help me feel less isolated. The other thing that has also helped is talking to Katie throughout the day. Even though she’s only 12 weeks old, I talk to her like an adult and provide a running commentary during the day explaining what we are doing and why we are doing it, even during the simple act of changing the diaper.

As always, if you guys have any questions, please continue to send them my way. I am in no means an expert but happy to do my best to answer your questions or lend support!

Thank you to The Quaker Oats Company for sponsoring this post.

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Katie’s Three Month Update And Favorite Items

katie diamond 3 months

It is hard to believe that yesterday our sweet little girl turned three months old. She and her parents both survived the “fourth trimester.” In case you haven’t heard this term before, the fourth trimester begins when the baby is born and lasts until they are three months old. This term is used to describe the period of enormous change that takes place during these first three months as newborn babies adjust to the world outside the womb. Until they reach three months old most of their senses, such as sight are still developing. Now that she has completed the fourth trimester, she is more active, aware, social and independent.  She has learned to smile, giggle and self soothe as well as track movements.

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I can’t share her latest stats with you as we no longer have a baby scale and her next pediatrician visit isn’t until next month. But, suffice it to say, Katie is growing like a weed. As of Monday she has outgrown most of her 3 month clothing, especially footies, due to her height. She is still a size 1 in diapers and, since many people have asked, we have loved the Pampers Swaddlers diapers thus far as we haven’t had any leaks and only one blowout over the course of three months.

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This month Katie traveled to two new states, Vermont and Georgia via plane and car. She was a trooper on both, making friends everywhere she went. Thanks to many of the tips that you all shared with us, while I was a bundle of nerves leading up to both trips, we survived them without too much stress.

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That being said, I have no desire to go on a flight or road trip with Katie solo anytime soon. I was thankful for the extra pair of hands when we needed to do quick diaper changes, gather our things at the airport and soothe Katie during traffic jams. I also rode the subway with Katie three times, most of which were calm and uneventful especially since I chose to wear her in the carrier for the trek. On Sunday I had a pretty stressful hour with Katie when the subways were down due to a power outage. While I was super anxious and stressed in the moment, afterwards it was a great learning opportunity and taught me how important it is to stay as calm as possible beause my anxiety only stresses Katie out.  I am going to do a dedicated post sharing our tips and tricks for traveling with an infant, and am also sharing a few of our favorite things later in this post. While we were in Georgia she also had the chance to enjoy her first baby pool with her grandparents! We weren’t ready to take her to the neighborhood pool due to the chlorine, crowds and her young age but the blowup baby pool was perfect!

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When we were in Vermont she went on her first hike and spent LOTS of time outside on the large deck since the weather was cool.

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We are still following the Moms on Call method which is working out very well for us. Katie has thrived and gained weight while also napping well and has been sleeping through the night since six weeks.  While the Moms on Call method isn’t perfect for everyone and there are many different opinions on schedules, we have been pleased with it thus far and would have changed if it wasn’t working or if she wasn’t gaining weight. We of course use the schedule as a guide, but provide ourselves the flexibility to ensure we are living life and adjust it to accomodate both our needs and Katie’s. As of now, based on her age, she is eating between 5 and 6 ounces, for a total of around 28 ounces per day,  and her schedule is as follows:

  • 7 AM Wake and feed
  • 7:30-8:15 Playtime
  • 8:15-10  Nap
  • 10 Wake and feed
  • 10:30 – 11:15 Playtime
  • 11:15-1pm Nap
  • 1pm Wake and feed
  • 1:30-2:15 Playtime
  • 2:15 – 4 Nap
  • 4- Wake and feed
  • 4:30-5:15 Playtime
  • 5:15- 6:30 Catnap or chill time in stroller or swing
  • 6:30 Bath
  • 6:45 Calm time (reading book, listening to mellow music, rocking in dimly lit nursery)
  • 7 Last feed
  • 7:30 Bed

Our goal is for Katie to have at least two naps per day in her crib to ensure she gets proper sleep. Unfortunately, as of now, she isn’t napping well in her stroller as she enjoys looking at everything when we are out and about. At least three days a week the 11:15-1pm nap time is done out and about as this is the time I go for a long walk with fellow moms or go to a workout. Luckily both the Carroll Park workout and Crossfit allow for the babies to nap in their stroller if she happens to fall asleep. 

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Last week she caught us off guard by rolling onto her stomach! It is recommended to unswaddle a baby’s arms once they start rolling to reduce the risk of them getting caught face down in their crib. She has adjusted well to having her hands out in her swaddle. However, since this transition, we have found that she needs a few extra minutes of calming before she falls asleep, especially during afternoon naps. Though she sleeps through the night, sometimes we have to go in one or two times between 7:30 and 8:30pm to help her settle down a bit. In addition, a few times a week she will wake up around 4 am with a very wet diaper. If she does this, I quickly go in, change her diaper and put her back down without turning on the lights. She has been able to quickly fall back asleep or, better yet, barely wake up during the process.

I am thrilled that I was able to make it to my goal of providing breast milk for Katie for the first three months. As you know, I haven’t been able to exclusively breast feed due to insufficient glandular tissue. For the first three months she would breast feed then have a supplemental bottle of formula. In addition, I pumped three to four times per day and would add the 1-1.5 ounces of breast milk to the bottle for her following meal. As of this weekend I stopped pumping in the evening due to the stress and anxiety it was causing and as of yesterday, her three month birthday, I stopped pumping altogether.  I am going to continue taking supplements and encouraging her to breastfeed during every meal as long as my milk supply will allow. It was a challenging journey but I am thankful that I was able to make it three months though, as I’ve said many times, I believe that a fed baby is best regardless of whether they are fed from breast milk, formula or a combination.

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Since I’ve received a few questions regarding the items we’re loving now that she is no longer a newborn, here are her favorite things this month:

I’m sure I forgot to mention a few things so if you have any questions, as always please feel free to email or leave a comment. In addition, if you want more frequent updates, I’m sharing lots on InstaStories and Instagram. Also, in case you missed it, here are our favorite newborn items!

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Katie’s Two Month Update and Favorite Items

 

Happy Monday! We just survived Katie’s two month pediatrician appointment which I think was definitely tough. Katie received four vaccines today, three shots and one oral. While the oral one didn’t bother her the shots definitely left her red faced from all the crying. We did our best to feed during the shots but even that didn’t help at points. Oh well, luckily she is upstairs sleeping right now and seemed far happier after some nap time on mom and dad.

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As of this morning’s appointment her stats are as follows:

    • Weight: 10 lbs 13 oz
    • Height: 24 inches

At two months she is wearing size one diapers and 3 month clothing. As she continues to grow, we find that simple tasks such as changing her clothes or diapers, feeding her and just cuddling with her continues to become easier as she is far less fragile than she was last month.

This month we hosted my parents and Bo’s mom for return visits and continued to introduce Katie to our friends and family, but having fewer visitors allowed us time to find a rythym as a family of three. We continue to love mornings together, as Bo and I spend at least an hour feeding, burping and playing with Katie before he leaves for work. She loves spending time in her Boppy Lounger while we read and sing together.

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We are still following the Moms on Call method which is working out very well for us. Katie has thrived and gained weight while also napping well and as of a few weeks ago, sleeping through the night.  While the Moms on Call method isn’t perfect for everyone and there are many different opinions on schedules, we have been pleased with it thus far and would have changed if it wasn’t working or if she wasn’t gaining weight. We of course use the schedule as a guide, but provide ourselves the flexibility to ensure we are living life and adjust it to accomodate both our needs and Katie’s. For example, yesterday we attended an adorable first birthday party in Fort Greene Park. Since the party was 12-2pm it meant that we fed Katie during the party and she didn’t get the same quality of nap that she would get in her bassinet or crib. Since we knew she was tired, we let her nap a bit longer when we got home. She is currently sleeping from 8 PM until 7 AM most nights, though she will sometimes wake up around 4 AM hungry or wet. If she does, I change her and nurse her for a few minutes.

Once she started sleeping through the night I had to decide how I wanted to manage my pumping schedule in order to maintain my supply. Since I am still on maternity leave, I have decided to wake up around 3 AM to pump Monday through Thursday, while allowing myself to sleep on the weekends and instead do a power pumping session in the evening while Bo and I are watching a movie or reading.

This month I also overcame my fear of giving Katie a bath. For the first month, Bo and I bathed her together but as her bedime became earlier this wasn’t realistic considering Bo’s work schedule. After watching a few Newborn Bathtime Routine YouTube videos, I found a bath routine that worked for me and have succesfully bathed four to five times a week since then. In addition, since baths seemed to calm her so much, I tried giving her a bath before her first evening feed (4pm) which in turn has almost eliminated the “witching hour” for us as she now naps well in the late afternoon and evening following this bath.

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Due to her long length, she has started to outgrow her bassinet and therefore starting last week we have begun the transition to the crib and nursery. So far the transition is going well. She has fallen in love with the Peter Rabbit mobile that is above her changing table, often staring at it with a smile when we’re changing her or even trying to reach for it. As parents, we’ve fallen in love with spending more time in the nursery as it is such a soothing space and the glider is SO comfortable.

Since I’ve received a few questions regarding the items we’re loving now that she is no longer a newborn, here are her favorite things this month:

I’m sure I forgot to mention a few things so if you have any questions, as always please feel free to email or leave a comment. In addition, if you want more frequent updates, I’m sharing lots on InstaStories and Instagram. Also, in case you missed it, here are our favorite newborn items!

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