Top 10 reasons why I am a good mommy

I have been dealing with a heavy dose of the mommy guilt lately. I put him in the swing instead of rocking him to sleep - guilt. I have to give him a bottle of formula at night because I screwed up my milk supply - guilt. I have to go back to work in 20 days - GUILT GUILT GUILT!

So, to try and make myself feel better I am going to write 10 reasons why I am a good mommy and focus on these, not the stupid negative guilt things. Here goes...

10. I always make sure Gage is properly bundled up for the weather. He usually has on maybe a layer too many, but he will not be the baby outside in the freezing cold wearing only a long-sleeve onesie (my mom saw that).

9. Even when I am sad or tearful, I always smile and act positive toward Gage. Maybe it's an act sometimes, but I never want him to think mommy is upset because of him. Stupid post partum hormones... you may leave now.

8. I sing to Gage every day. Whether its 'Twinkle Twinkle' or Bob Marley, we never have a day without music. Thankfully he is ok with my voice (as Randy would say "You're a little pitchy dawg").

7. I make sure to have a loving relationship with Shaun. The husbands need time too and by having the occasional date night or cuddle time, I am giving Gage parents who have a heathy, happy relationship. I want him to grow up seeing his parents in love.

6. I talk to Gage like he completely understands me. We have intense conversations. And I try (try is the keyword) to use minimal baby talk.

5. I always remember his medicine.

4. We play. I know that seems like a no-brainer, but playing with a 2 1/2 month old is tough. We talk with Mr. Whale, we shake a rattle, we dance around the kitchen. Seems boring to some, but to Gage it's everything.

3. I stuck with breastfeeding through the pain, bleeding, and frustration. I didn't give up and still haven't quit. I am giving him the best start possibly even though it hurt like you wouldn't believe and even though I will never look right in a two-piece again.

2. I stay flexible. Yes, it isn't ideal that he now has to have a formula bottle to fill up his ever increasing appetite. (The kid is a porker.) Do I like the fact that he is eating something not made by my body? Nope. Do I deal with it because it is what is best for him? Of course. He needs more than I can currently give him, so for now, this is what we do.

1. Top reason why I am a good mommy to Gage - I love this little boy more than anything in my entire life. I love him more than I ever thought possible. For the first time in my life, I truly understand unconditional love. I would die for him. Even though I have to work part time, and even though I can't physically hold him 24/7, I would do anything in the whole world to keep him safe, healthy, happy, and feeling loved. I think that makes for a pretty good mom.

A little something...

Here is the pumpkin on his first Christmas! He slept for most of it, but we finally got a slight smile caught on film!

Let's Play Catch Up!

Sorry I have been MIA for a little while. I actually put together a Christmas post and had my laptop die on me. So unless I can find it saved somewhere on here, I will have to rewrite it at a later date. Better late than never right?

So here are some of the events in our household this week.

1. Shaun is back to work after 2 weeks off. It feels so lonely in the house now, especially during the mornings when we all used to cuddle in bed together. He is the best at getting Gage to sleep, but now I am trying (keyword - trying) to cover that duty. I miss him so much when he is at work and I know he misses us tons. So me and Gage send pics and videos and count down until 3 o'clock when we hear Daddy's key in the door. Why cant America be like Bosnia and give men and women 14 months paid maternity and paternity leave. Sigh... God only knows how hard it will be when I go back.

2. I started my New Years Challenge (I hate resolutions) of getting back into some semblance of good shape. Having a baby destroys your body and mine isnt immune to the changes. I know it will always be a little different, and I have the stretchies to prove it, but I want to feel slightly better about myself when I look in the mirror. I know I am not obese by any means, but I am short, and an extra 15 lbs is alot on my frame. So I have started the hell that is the 30 day shed by Jillian Michaels. She is the trainer from 'The Biggest Loser' and she doesn't mess around. It's only 20 minutes of working out every night, but man, you know you exercised! I am also eating much better, and being more mindful of the calories. The biggest change I made food-wise has been cutting out drinks with calories and adding more protein. I cant diet too much, because I dont want to mess with my milk supply. Gage wouldn't appreciate that too much.

3. Speaking of Mr. Gage, I think we have an early teether. Dun Dun Duuun (scary music). He is a drooly, whiney, overtired little mess lately, especially in the evenings. And my wonderful 6-7 hour stretches at night have disappeared. It's like having a newborn back, waking up every 3 hours to eat. I just keep telling myself that this too shall pass. The Zantac has made him a different baby lately. He has so many more smiles and coos and less and less projectile vomit (always a good thing). I would probably be pretty cranky if something was slicing through my gum too.

So on that note, I am off to freeze the teethers that I didnt expect to see for a couple more months. These babies - just when you get them figured out, they go and change the game.

Poor little kid

He has reflux. I have been thinking this was the case for about a month now, but it is hard for a doctor to see the signs during a 10 minute well visit. On Monday morning after a long night of listening to his coughs and having a hear attack every time he would gag and gasp for breath, I called the pediatrician. She initially thought he had a mild cold, however he doesn't have a runny nose. Then she saw him spit up. Good timing kid. So she diagnosed acid reflux. No cold, just acid burning his little throat. Poor baby. I wouldn't be feeling very great either. So now we have some liquid Zantac, so we will see how it helps. Keep your fingers crossed that Mr. Gage gets feeling better soon, I hate seeing him hurt at all.

Oh, Christmas Tree. Oh, Christmas Tree...

This is my first Christmas putting up a real tree. I mean real in the sense of big and not table top sized, not real as in made of actual pine. I cant deal with pine needles in my carpet. Shaun made the wonderful decision to get a prelit tree from Lowes. Best invention ever! When I lived at home I was, to say the least, rather demanding about the tree. I have even been called a Christmas tree Nazi (thanks mom). I was adamant that her tree be done only in shades of gold and only in store bought decorations.

This year I relaxed. I realized that in a few years I will have all of Gage's homemade ornaments to hang, so I chilled out. Shaun has a HUGE box of Christmas ornaments he has saved over the years so our tree is very full, very mismatched, and very beautiful.


I think the newest family member, Mr. Gage, is about to have the most decorations on the tree.
Here is one we found for him while he was still in the belly. We wrote his name and birthday on the bottom of the little shoes.



This one is from his Uncle Tim and Aunt Erica. I think they got it before he was born as well.



Me and Shaun found this one at Kohls while we were Christmas shopping. G for Gage and also Gingerbread. How fitting :)


This is his ornament from his Uncle David and Aunt April. She gave it to use Thanksgiving evening and promised to get Gage a new ornament for the tree each year.


And here is the most important ornament in Daddy's eyes. This one was originally Shaun's but has been passed down from father to son. Because Gage is only allowed to like the Miami Dolphins. No exceptions.


Now this sad little ornament isnt technically one of Gage's but I couldn't leave him out. My good friend Laura over at http://www.ihaveafewnamesbutmostlyimmommy.blogspot.com/ did a post about her worst favorite ornament and I'm copying, LOL. Meet Cookie Monster, or at least I think that's who he was about 15 years ago. We aren't sure who made him, maybe Shauns mom or his aunt, but the poor little guy has seen better days. I couldn't ban him from the tree just becasue he is unraveling, now could I?

So here he is, hanging out towards the back of the tree. I guess the Christmas tree Nazi in me wont give up quite so easily.

Let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

Hey, Gage here. I have someone very important that I would like to introduce.

Mr. Whale.



Me and him are pretty much BFFs. He listens to my problems. He lets me cry on his shoulder. And he entertains me when mommy is busy with silly things like laundry. He lives in my play gym and we have shared many fun times together



I am also quite partial to this little person who lives in the fishy mirror. He is very handsome if I do say so myself.



I could stare at him for hours. So yes, mirror boy and Mr. Whale are most awesome. I love them and enjoy all of our play dates. But dont tell Mrs. Ceiling Fan. She has a jealous streak.

Love, G

This is why I love my husband

He is probably the only 23 year old man who enjoys a good puzzle.


I love him for being him and doing what he loves. Puzzles included :)