Baby Ford's big adventure!!!

Well to say that Baby Ford has a fan club doesn't even really begin to cover it, he is one lucky boy bc MAN is he loved!!!! I flew into St. Pete, Florida on Thursday and stayed until Saturday to help get Senor Ford adjusted at my parents house before meeting Tyler in ATL and heading to Bermuda. Yikes, lots and lots of logistics people! But while I was in St. Pete I did get to see some of my lovelies and Ford got to meet a few of his Aunts!

I left early Saturday morning and while I was away Ford got to play with Grammie 

Hang out with Uncle Chase 

And of course Aunt Cammie captured it all!!

Then after five days Ford headed over to Meme and Pepe's house for some quality time! While he was there Meme and Pepe decided to take a risk and took Ford to church for the first time. Mom was shocked when they told her he behaved and slept the whole time! 

He was even blessed!

Ford, you are one lucky kiddo! Your Florida Aunts, Uncle and Grandparents certainly love you! And just wait you haven't even met Nonnie or your Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins from Missouri or Texas!!! Your in for a treat!!

  And on a side note, this kid gets an A+ travel rating! We made it to St. Pete and home without a single scream or tear!!! Wuhoo! A few travelers commented on how quiet and well behaved he was and all I could think was "You should have seen him 2 weeks ago!" Heehee, I kid, but seriously, I think we may have turned a corner.... we'll see!!!

Thank goodness for Grandparents!

So, about Bermuda......

Wow! What a trip and WOW did we need it! I promise to fill you in on Ford's big adventure at the Grandparents next post, but first things first..... the vacation.

You know you have a newborn when your more excited for a good night sleep than a beautiful island. At least when you first get there :) But after Tyler and I caught up on our z's we were ready to have some fun! The first day we hung out at the beach and drank a plethora of adult beverages..... oh yummy summer cocktails how I have missed you :) Then we rented mopeds with another couple and galavanted all over the island for the next couple days, so fun!

After Bermuda we took a long weekend in New York City, which was so fun! I got to see three of my girlfriends from college (Rachael send me pics!!!), which was so great and so fun! Lucky girls are living it up in the big city! Then Tyler and I had dinner at some yummy restaurants, took a dinner cruise, saw Spider Man on Broadway, and just meandered around the City taking it all in. 

Just what the Doctor ordered :) 

I'm allllllllmost back.......

so, I've got lots to share and promise to do so in the next few days but right now I am en route to pick up my sweet little boy and then will finally be back home in San Antonio tomorrow. can't wait to share all the details on our trip and tell you all about Ford's big adventure with the grandparents :)

Can't wait.....

For my little man to meet this crazy cast of characters (+ a few others not pictured) next week when we drop him off at Grandma's in St. Petersburg!!!!

I've got to say, it's surreal being so far away from them and not being able to share all of these new Mommy adventures with them up close and personal. We're a tight knit group, husbands and wives, so even though we may not get to chat everyday, they are the peeps I turn to when times get tough or when I want to share something great! So naturally, I can't wait for them to meet baby Ford! Daddy won't be there this time around, but it'll still be wonderful to give all these smiling faces big hugs and kisses! Hah, I honestly don't know what I'm more excited about, seeing all of them or going to Bermuda!?

Hooray! 

Happy Friday!

Well, I FINALLY ordered my birth announcements! Yikes, am I behind! So hopefully they'll get here soon and I'll be able to get those in the mail asap! Now I understand why Moms suggest you address all your envelopes beforehand! Life just seems to fly by these days.

Taking newborn photos was definitely an experience. They tell you to get them taken between birth and ten days old so you can capture them while they are asleep etc. Well, that just wasn't in the cards for us. First, Ford was in the NICU up till day seven and then when we tried to take them on day ten Ford decided that he absolutely did not want to sleep. We managed to shoot a few but ultimately ended up rescheduling for the following week. Well, at that point, God had other plans because the heavens unleashed that day, dropping TONS of rain and hail.... not quiet the environment you want in your pictures. So finally, when we were able to do our reshoot the following week our wonderful photographer was able to capture Ford at his cutest! Yay! I won't share all of them as I want the birth announcement photos to be a surprise but here are two that I just absolutely LOVE! 

Ford's not making the cutest face while he's wearing the monkey suit BUT I love the little outfit! The second picture is my absolute favorite because of the face he's making, totally captures his little attitude :)

Happy Friday! 

Who are these women??? Are you one of them???

First of all, I really can't complain because most of the time, at some point during the day, I do manage to get a shower.... Now, "when" I get a shower is a whole other topic, but, I know most new Mom' s struggle with this, so I guess in a way I'm lucky.....

Here's my issue/question.

I said I got a shower, what I did not say and what I do not get is time to put on my face (make up) and do my hair. Honestly, I can "live" without the makeup (for now) but I've gotta figure out a new routine for my hair. I know my straight short hair may not look like it, but it literally takes me about 45 minutes to do! I was not blessed with "easy" hair. I am not one of those women who can just role out of bed, pull a comb through it and go. I'm a dry my hair (with a roller brush and a billion products), straighten, and then style kinda gal. Believe me this isn't by choice, if I let my hair air dry, holy moley, it's an ugly mess. In my dream world I'd at least be able to air dry it and then put it in a pony, but alas, I can't even do that.

So, I ask, no.... I beg, if you are one of those LUCKY women who have mastered their hair and you have straight hair like me, WHAT are some of your secret weapons that make it easier/quicker for you??? As a lot of you know, free time is far and inbetween when your a new Mom and I do not want to waste my forty-five minutes of freedom on my hair......

So, please, help this Mama out..... 

What do you do?

Baby products I heart.....

So many of my friends (and friends of friends) are having babies and being a new Mom I definitely know how OVERWHELMING registering for the little one can be! There are so many products out there, how do you know what really works and what doesn't? I remember being so confused! Thank goodness I had a sister-in-law (who's pretty much a pro after four children) who took me by the hand and said "this is what you really need!" No diaper genie for me folks! So, with this in mind, I thought I'd share a few products that have really saved my life thus far  or that I just plain love :). Hope it helps! 

Aden and Anais Swaddling Blankets 

We have about 15 of them and I swear to you they are the only swaddling blanket you want. They are light and easy to transport everywhere. They swaddle really nicely without overheating the baby. Literally anytime Ford naps he's wrapped in one and I always have one in my diaper bag. They have their own brand, which you can find  here and then a cheaper version at, Target. We've got both and personally I think the Tarjay brand is just as good! 

Mamaroo 

This is THE best investment we ever made. It's a bit pricey, but we justified this expense for a few reasons 1.) It could be considered a bouncer AND a swing (there's like seven movements to choose from) 2.) It's got a built in sound machine, score! and 3.) Let's be honest, it doesn't look as eeewwy gooey baby as all the other products out there, plus it's really compact, which I like because this little baby sits in my family room.

Ugly Baby Paci's (Avent Soothies)

The Nurses in the NICU gave these to Ford in the hospital and needless to say my son was hooked. He will not use ANY of the cute pacifiers I bought- he only wants these horribly ugly ones (boo!). However, the one cool thing that I will say about these, is that they have a hole on the outside where you can stick your finger in it. Ford loves this and sucks harder when we are just hanging out with him, with our finger in his paci's (I assume he likes this bc it's basically acting as a gum massager). So despite the fact that he looks like that baby from the Simpson's when he sucks on it, he loves it and it makes him hush :) So, I say hey- the heck with cuteness. 

Baby K'Tan

This has been a lifesaver while we've been dealing with Ford's "colic" and or constipation. When Ford is inconsolable and only wants to be held, my arms get pretty tired considering I birthed a moose. That said, this carrier is AWESOME. Again, there's like seven different positions I can put him in, but right now he really digs the cradle position. We've got the baby bjorn too, but honestly, it just doesn't hold him snuggly enough. I think I'll like the bjorn a lot more when he gets bigger but right now, this K'Tan is a lifesaver!!!!

Kissy Kissy Footies

I've said it before and I'll say it again..... I am a baby boy clothing snob. There are SO many cute clothes from all price ranges on the market for little girls, BUT when it comes to boys I have not found anything that I like in the mainstream stores. Instead, I've gone boutique or leaned toward my staple for anyone- Polo. I'm just really into classic, clean cut, sweet, light colors on babies. So, that said, if you feel like me, then you'd LOVE Kissy Kissy I love their whole line but specifically I love their soft footies. They are so sweet. All of them are white with cute small "boyish" designs. And MOST importantly, SO easy to get on and off!!! 

So, there you have it! Are there any other cool products out there that I may be missing? 

YAY for Facebook....... and you!

You know what's cool?

Mom's on Facebook---- that's what! I think it is so neat how motherhood instantly grants you a ticket to "the club" and suddenly people who you haven't talked to in ages, new people that you don't know well at all, and complete strangers for that matter, take the time to offer their advice, sympathy, encouragement etc.   I just think that's so neat. I love being able to vent about a struggle or brag about an accomplishment and being able to check back in a few hours to find advice and or a congrats. It feels really good to know that there are so many strong women standing behind me! So, thank you for taking the time to message me- I really can't describe how much it means AND how much I value it!