What's Up Wednesday

Well hello Wednesday! This week is actually going by at a normal pace for once, not zooming on by! Maybe because it is the last week of summer for some people, with school starting back up!

Here are my random facts from this week so far: 

- we are dog sitting again, but this time with my aunts golden retriever. When she isn't being all cute sleeping beside Noah's crib, she is itching to play or you know... Swimming in my pool... Crazy dog! 

- I turned my air conditioning on for the first time since June yesterday, but it's off now again. 

- we also had our first heat alert this year, just yesterday! What the heck Mother Nature! It wasn't even as hot as it usually gets! 

- my cousin had her baby early this morning!! I was completely wrong about everything! I guessed boy, a BiG baby and late. She had a girl, 2 days early and only 6 lbs 12oz!! Briar Rosie Ann! This is the first time I've been wrong in a while as far as the sex goes! Soo excited for them though!! 

- yesterday Noah was able to meet my friend N for the first time! He was such a ham with her! I love watching him interact with new people and so far he isn't shy with new people! 

- we have a play date today at 10:30 with a neighbour that we just met this month. It's nice to meet other stay at home moms in the village. It's a bonus that one of her two little boys is just 5/6 months older than Noah! 

- I can't believe I'm turning the big 3-0 THIS week!! You bet there will be a reflection on this past year! 

- my maternity photo book is officially ordered now. Glad to have that one crossed off my to-do list! Now I need to make his 0-3 months book and his 3-6 months. You all know I will have enough pictures to fill them!! 

- I also plan to finish my thank you cards! Ugh soo embarrassed to say they aren't all done! Luckily I don't have many left to complete! 

- looking at the calender for September and you bet it is going to fly on by!! We have two weddings back to back weekends, Jay's game, ball tournament, and wing night at the lake just to name a few things! 

- can we just hold time still for a little bit - maybe while I am doing this:

Noah - 6 Months

Weight:

12 lbs 11 oz - 5 months
13 lbs 2 oz - 22/23 weeks

13 lbs 6 oz - 24 weeks 
13 lbs 12 oz - 25 weeks

Height: 
26.25 inches

Sleeping: Noah transitioned great from being swaddled to his sleep sack and he also did great in his crib! It took us a little longer to get him down the first night as it was his first time in his room in the dark, but he slept all night and has continued to do so! He tends to also nap longer up there as well - when he naps! He also loves playing in his crib and watching the mobile! 

Napping is whole different story, in fact we have nicknamed Noah "No Nap Noah". His newest thing is to try to nap as little as possible, which ends up in a very miserable state by the end of the day! So I am really starting to try to MAKE him nap, which is a huge struggle on its own!

Feeding: Noah is nursing every 2.5-3 hours, sometimes 4 hour stretches, but more consistently 3 hours when he has cereal! Typically it is 3 hour stretches in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon and down to 2 in the evening. He loves cereal! We started with rice cereal and he loved it, but he was a bigger fan of oatmeal that is for sure. We started out with one tablespoon once a day.

When it came to introducing new foods I was sure to introduce them on their own before mixing with cereal the next day! Like with bananas for example I know he loves them, but not the the texture, so mixing them the next day made a big difference for him! I also feel that mixing fruit with oatmeal and veggies with rice is the route I plan to take! 

Foods Noah tried this month: 

- rice cereal

- oatmeal

- bananas

- carrots
- bartlett pears
- avocado

- sweet potato

Clothing: 6 month sleepers, with very few 3 month ones left that fit. He had some onesies that still fit, but I packed them up with the 3 month stuff, figuring the 6 month ones will fit soon enough. 6 month pants are much too big though, so we kept the long 3 month ones out. His swimsuit is still 3 months, shorts are 0-3 or 3 months, as the 6 month ones are too big. 

Diapers: Noah is still sporting size 2's! 

Looks: Blue eyes, and brown hair. In the sunlight his hair gets a reddish tinge, just like mine! I will say that during his 25th week, I swear his hair grew over night, it has thickened up on top and grown in length!

What The Doctor Had To Say: Noah is meeting his milestones, but his weight is still not where she wants to see it - of course! Soo annoying! She is the first to notice that he is a happy baby, and that he is looking healthy, but just really wants him to be this pudgy baby that he is not. He is doing great! So we go back in 2 months instead of 3!

The pediatrician is happy with Noah, he isn't concerned, but will continue to follow us. We go back to see him at 9 months! He also said we can give Noah 3 meals a day now, but we will work with 2 for now, as he does not prefer to eat in the morning yet. 

Nicknames: Stretch, No Nap Noah, Spike, Captain, Mr. Magoo, Little Man, Toots, Mama's Monkey. 

Likes: His hands, his fleece blanket, calgary the bear is a huge hit, snuggles, his turtle, his exersaucer, mamaroo, walks in the stroller, the bouncer, jolly jumper, Lux, Jazz, Grace and Lily. Noah loves seeing himself. Noah wants to stand all the time now or sit. He loves cereal!! His mobile in his crib!

Dislikes: Laying down unless it's bedtime! Having his face washed after eating.

Fur Baby Update: Noah loves watching the dogs, especially when they get excited or chase the cats. Gracie is taking a lot more interest in him now too, she isn't as nervous around him, likely because he makes much more noise now, she's clued in that he is child haha. Jazz hasn't growled at him yet, despite the amount of times he has touched her! Lux loves story time before bed, he gets right up on the chair and snuggles into Lux, who then pets him - seriously soo cute!

Personality/Events: Noah had his first bath in the big tub this past month and he wasn't a fan, but it has got better since! I will say it was much easier bathing him on the counter! As soon as Noah hit 5 months, we tried rice cereal and he loved it, but he does love oatmeal more!! Another month of many firsts! He "swam" in the lake for the first time this month as well. He also slept on the boat for the first time, which definitely had it's challenges, but we worked them out! We celebrated Daddy's birthday. 

Mommy & Daddy Update: waking up every day (whether it's too early or an awesome sleep in) and hearing Noah's stories, giggles in bed or squeals is honestly the best way to wake up. Starts our day off in the best way possible! Hard to believe we had him 6 months ago!! I am still in shock! My baby is growing up each and everyday and all I can do is say slow down, I want to cherish each moment and memory. Being at home with Noah can have its struggles, as any job does, but this by far is the best job I could have! Raising my own child, watching him grow and develop and learn right in front of my eyes is the best reward out there! I am soo grateful to be able to do this! Better yet, I am grateful for husband who puts us first, helps where he can, even after a long day at work.

Weekend Rewind

Can someone please tell me where the heck August went? My goodness I can't believe we are in the last week of August, better yet, I can't believe I will be turning the BIG 3-0 this week! What the heck?? Guess I will need to update my bucket list and see what all is left to do and what out that list I can accomplish before Friday!

Our weekend was pretty good. Noah is definitely working on some teeth, so he has been hit or miss. 

Friday night was ball, they lost a 4 point game, but Noah enjoyed it nonetheless! 

Saturday morning M was up early to do a backhoe job, so Noah and I got our outfits ready for family pics in the afternoon and then went location scouting! My first choice was a no-go because the bugs were bad. So we ended up at the farm!

It was gloomy all morning, but that would have meant good pictures. Of course when we met our friends at the farm and got situated the sun came out! Better yet, Noah hates the sun, so we had very few turn out! We did a photo swap, so S took my photos with my camera and I took hers with her camera! Aside from being very frustrated with the lack of photos turning out, we had fun! And we did end up with our "money shot". In the end everyone got at least one picture that turned out just the way we wanted! Photographing 6 month olds is no easy task, at least for a child who hates the sun haha. 

Here are the pics: 

Afterwards we came home, Noah was in much need of a nap and then we went to grab some groceries in town. Unfortunately during our photoshoot Noah got a mosquito bite on his face! Poor guy! Looks like he reacts to bug bites like his mama. 

Bedtime Saturday was a bit of a disaster. Poor Noah's mouth was sore and he was trying soo hard to sleep, but would cry with pain. We gave him some medicine to take the edge off and he was finally able to sleep. I hate feeling so helpless!! 

Luckily he woke up Sunday morning in better spirits! Overall we had a great day! We finished his 6 month photos (better late than never right?) so his 6 month post will be up tomorrow! I made him applesauce and we spent some time outside doing yard work. M pulled weeds while I cut the lawn. Made some plans for putting mulch down around the play equipment and the gate going into the yard where the grass won't grow! Noah had a few naps, we managed to get some laundry put away and had a nice family walk before having dinner! It was a great day!! 

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their weekend too!! 

3 Things Thursday

1) Noah has got to be teething, poor boy has busted out an all new painful cry on me that just breaks my heart! But he sure does wake up on a happy note:

2) I totally stretched this morning and my my hand went in the ceiling fan. Now I have bruises on 2 of my fingers!! Ouch!! #tallgirlproblems - yes I just hash-tagged in my blog post! 

3) have I ever mentioned how much I love girls night? It is a time every week (most of the time) that I look forward just having a nice low key evening, a few drinks or some yummy snacks. I'm glad it works out most weeks. I enjoyed it before becoming a mom, but now I enjoy it even more! 

Truth Be Told On Tuesday

Here are some true facts that are going on around me lately:

1) making homemade peaches does suck!! I'm not even sure Noah will like them, as I couldn't get the texture very smooth, it was almost frothy! I did have luck with making peas though!! 

2) I am almost done my photo book! I'm up to 30 weeks!! Only 5 more to go!! Good thing I didn't make it to 40 weeks or this book would not be done on time! 

3) Noah napped for 2 whole hours yesterday - in a row!!! Mondays seem to be his catch up day! 

4) Today I was really going to post Noah's 6 months post, but in all honesty I haven't finished his pictures!! 

5) not to make this whole post about Niah, but little man MUST be working on some teeth! His gums are rock hard and everything is going in his mouth - more so than usual. He also loves having his gums rubbed! 

6) we have given up on training the dogs to goto the bathroom in one spot of the yard after we experienced our first accident in the house in ages! I really don't want to have to set up the dog run, so we have decided to just leave it for now and work on cleaning the yard a couple times a week instead of weekly! 

7) when I am done making the photo book, my next project is going to be getting out the rest of my thank you cards! I've been pretty good at writing down who I've sent them out to, but hopefully I don't forget anyone! 

8) I can't lie on truth be told Tuesday - but I already started looking up the fall TV guide! 

9) On my agenda for today: shower, vacuum, head to the farm for lunch and get our corn done, work on the photo book where ever I can inbetween all that and have my cousin over for dinner before she moves out west! 

10) Big truth: I love that the mama-roo!! I love how Noah will sleep in it, like right now, so I can go have a shower!! Yesterday while he was sleeping in it I made peas in my bathroom. Normally I will make noise around him and he sleeps through, but I wanted to ensure that I would be able to finish the task before he woke up, which I did! Those baby bullets aren't quiet! 

{ Weekend Rewind }

Another weekend with somewhat crummy weather... What the heck Mother Nature??? Sunday was okay, but Saturday felt like a day in October, and don't get me wrong, I love fall, but not during the summer!!! Just like Friday when I had to put Noah in a winter sweater for our play date: 

Noah spoiled us with super sleep ins this weekend, with no 6 AM feeds, 8:20 and 7:30 wake ups!!  We are ever hopeful he is planning to keep up this trend, but he was back up at 6:20 this morning, but I did manage to get him back down after M left for work until 9! 

M's team played some good ball this weekend! I do love how the team plays together, they are all usually laughing and having a good time, which is what it is all about in a beer league! 

Noah tried peaches this weekend as well, peaches and sweet potato with oatmeal is a winning combination: 

Is anyone else struggling with the fact that this little guy is 6 months old??? I know I am!! 

Today I am making more baby food, as well as working on this photo book! I'm over half way done now and it is due in 2 days!! 

Oh Hey Friday

Welcome to the hot mess express over here!! 

Oh boy today has been off to a rough start... All before 8:30 AM, I have been puked on, peed on (because someone put a diaper on wrong... Ahem husband...) and up way to early and Noah has also been up waay too early, on outfit #2 already and protesting a nap like it is his job..

It actually might be his job...

Oh and I am eating Oreos with orange juice for breakfast.

Yup waiving my white flag by 8:15 this morning - can't wait to see what the rest of the day has in store for us. 

You know it is bad when you are actually mad that all your pets in the house are still managing sleep when you are awake! 

Heck this brave mama must be losing it because I posted an early morning, bed-head, no make up selfie on Instagram this morning as this all went down... 

Today we have a play date at the park at 10 and I am thinking it will be a surprise if I am actually showered and out the door on time. 

Last night I took the dogs for an evening stroll as M put Noah to bed. They really haven't been enjoying walks with the stroller lately, so I figured maybe I would give them a little one on one time and they seemed much better once I got them out the door. 

I am working very hard (when I have time) to get my maternity photo book done. I have until the 20th to complete it! But I hate the program I have to make it in! I need to figure out a theme I think. I also want to make a who loves me (for Noah) photo book from shutterfly as they are offering a free one right now.

It is bloody cold here.. It went down to 6 degrees last night... 6!! I feel like I should get out my fall boots and scarfs!  

Yup this post is uber boring... No pictures! 

Have a great weekend friends! Hopefully your day is going better than mine! Luckily there is wine in my fridge today!! 

Thursdays Things

Wow, can't believe it is Thursday already!!

Here we are celebrating yet another birthday today for my sister!! Happy birthday Amy! Hope you are having a fun family mini-vacay shopping!! Enjoy the Cheesecake Factory!!

Yesterday was my friend S's, as well as my Grandma's. I will say it was weird not having a family get together in her honor to celebrate! 

After not napping on M's birthday I used yesterday as a nap catch up day and MADE him nap, much to my success, 4 naps almost an hour long!! I am tired from trying to make him sleep, if that makes any sense. He did end up staying up a bit later as M and I decided to take a really long walk for over an hour since it was a cool evening. 

Noah has mastered Mommy's puppy dog eyes, but I will say his bottom lip pout could be a bit better haha. 

These two are going to find soo much trouble together! 

This guy is a little out of sorts this week because of his shots, but overall not nearly as bad as past weeks after shots!

Noah is on outfit number 3 today which is a sleeper because it is bloody cold out!! I'm wearing my monkey socks, jeans and a sweatshirt on the 14th of August... 

We were up early for Noah's pediatrician appointment, which went well, we go back in 3 months! 

M is in a ball tournament this weekend, but hopefully we can find some time to get things done around the outside of the house, as well as a few things inside. 

Yesterday I made sweet potato for the first time ever, Noah loved it and the freezer is getting a pretty good stash going! 

That's all I got for today!! 

Happy Birthday To My Husband

A HUGE Happy Birthday goes out to my loving husband!!

Here is a little something I have wrote for him:

Dear Mike, 

Happy Birthday!! I am soo lucky to have you by my side to grow old with, best part being that I will always be younger! I couldn't imagine doing life without you, as you make my days soo happy. I love waking up next to you and falling asleep with a kiss on my forehead. 

Most importantly I am soo happy to share your birthday celebrations with Noah! I love seeing you in your new role as a dad! You are the best and Noah is soo lucky to have such a fun, loving, caring Dad! 

Thank you soo much for all that you do and know that it doesn't go unnoticed, even if sometimes I get to busy to let you know! Thank you for supporting our little family and working soo hard for us all. 

Thank you for bringing out my best qualities and helping me deal with my worst! Thank you for being you!! I hope Noah grows up to be just like you! 

Love Ashley

Weekend Rewind

What a gorgeous weekend we had and I cannot help but to say it is about time!!! If only it was supposed to last!!

This weekend zoomed on by! Friday night the ball team took another win! They are on a streak now!!

This little man lasted longer than I thought! But with that being said he did have a nice 2 hour nap in the afternoon!!

Saturday M was busy doing a backhoe job around the corner, so Noah and I hung out all day long! While he was napping I finally finished his rag quilt:

More on this to come with a tutorial!

M came home for lunch, with extended an invitation from the people he was working for to come hang out poolside and meet his wife and kids. So Noah and I got into our swimsuits and walked back down with M! It was great meeting another SAHM in the village and her 2 little boys! Noah and I did enjoy a swim, as the weather was nice and hot!! I even put on my brave face and dunked Noah in the pool!! He did well!! He cried afterwards, but I think it was out of shock that I actually did it! He didn't gasp for air or anything! He calmed down shortly after, but did flash his stink eye at me:

Noah went down for a nap in his stroller while I continued visiting. I decided I better get this snoozing baby home soon and get supper going, as M figured he would be finished shortly, however he ended up being longer than he thought!

We decided on burgers since they would be quick, but just as they finished M got a fire call, so there I found myself trying to get the burgers off the BBQ with a screaming baby, who was upset Daddy left! Little things like that seem like such a big deal to Noah when he is tired! This only two naps a day makes for a long evening!! I finally got Noah calmed down, ate dinner and just as I was considering bathing him myself, M got home! As the 2nd department on call they were able to deem it controlled (it was just some smoke from an electrical panel) and the primary department could handle it! 

Sunday started with a sleep in, heck even Noah slept in until 6:45 and then 9:45!! I was up before him! M and I didn't waste much time, laundry was going, after I fed Noah, M took Noah out with him to do some running around, brought back Keg (the dog we are watching this week) to play with the dogs for the day. I shaved both dogs down! Hard to believe they still have hair: 

Since it was grooming day, we ended up bathing Keg too! He is just such a big dog (Great Dane crossed with a Saint Bernard). M loves having him here!! He is a tall persons dog, that is for sure, as he is taller than my waist: 

Excuse my lazy Sunday attire haha

I had such a long to-do list for the day for us both to complete and although we didn't get around to everything, we did get a good chunk done including M fixing the one gate on the deck that I cursed at every time! I started making my maternity photo book, got some laundry folded and put away, we enjoyed a swim with friends - yes I actually went in our pool for the first time this year!! It was 75! Brrr! But I vacuumed while I was in there! We enjoyed a nice steak dinner and then an evening walk: 

Gracie and Lily look soo small beside Keg!! 

We settled into our evening bedtime routine for Noah and then enjoyed some downtime! 

Today Noah has his 6 month shots! Wish us luck!!

{ oh HEY Friday }

Today I am trying out a new link up from The Farmer's Wife

This week has zoomed right on by and has been busy, which only makes it go faster!! Next week isn't much better! 

1. Noah tried carrots this week and had his first major food meltdown. Not a fan, but he is coming around, either that or he has clued in to the fact that I am going to keep offering it to him! He doesn't mind it mixed with rice! Here is the stink eye that he was throwing my way:

Up next is avocado (which I do not eat) or bartlett pears (which I bought instead of making myself)

2. Loving these new summer spritzers:

I will say the pink can, the name drew me in, but the fact that they taste like raspberry ginger ale is a big bonus!

They are amazing and I have yet to try the moscato one!

3. Noah had a play date with his birthday buddy! Of course Noah was off yesterday from waking up so early and nap protesting, so he was not the smiliest, that is for sure! I am nicknaming him "no nap Noah". But I love seeing these two grow:

4. I made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies last night, but apparently I didn't have regular chocolate chips, but the mini hershey's kisses. I was a little disappointed, but actually the cookies are fantastic with them!

5. We are home sweet home this weekend, although M is doing a backhoe job, but the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so I am ever hopeful we can get in some pool time this weekend!! It has not been a good pool season that is for sure with our weather being soo cool for us! I also need to make my maternity photobook that I have been putting off!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Calgary Day 3

On our 3rd day in Calgary I was finally able to meet Nicole and her kiddos! Alison and Delainey (and Cruz) were able to come along as well and we took a nice long walk in (and out of) Confederation Park!!

(stole this one from Alison)

It was soo great to meet Nicole and her daughter Audrey and son Leo. We had been chatting back and forth for so long and had made another great friendship miles away from each other. Our boys are soo close in age and therefore Nicole has been a great support and someone I can text quickly as things come up, knowing that she most likely just dealt with the same thing! 

We stopped in the park to feed the babies and of course snap a few (or a lot) of pictures!!

After we finished our walk, M, Noah and I drove back to hotel after grabbing a quick lunch, had yet another nap and then got ready to go to Nicole's for the "blogger meet up". Nicole was nice enough to host us all at her house! M decided he didn't want to be the only man at our dinner so he went and saw a movie he had been wanting to see after dropping me and Noah off! 

Noah and I were able to meet Lindsey and her daughter Avery, as well as Leigh. Rachel unfortunately wasn't able to make it, as something came up last minute with her son. Of course Nicole was there along with Alison and Delainey.

I wanted to get the girls a little something, so I had my sister make these bracelets, one for each of the girls:

Be sure to check out her shop on etsy: EmmieMaeBoutique

We did potluck and I brought ice cream cake and moscato! Dinner was great and the company was even better! It was soo great to finally meet some of the girls that I communicate with weekly, if not daily with some of them! A great group of ladies, I wish I lived closer too!! Here we all are:

M came to pick me up after everyone had headed home and Nicole was nice enough to invite him to have the leftovers from our dinner, which was a great break for M to have some homemade food as well. Crazy how much you miss home cook meals when you are eating out all the time! We had a great visit with Nicole's kids and hubby.Nicole and I drank wine, Noah enjoyed having access to a swing and I read lots of books to Audrey, who just kept bringing handfuls of books for me to read!! Such a cutie!! 

We headed back to the hotel and headed right to bed! This time change was soo hard on us, but it probably had something to do with getting up at 5 AM everyday!!